The object of my research then was to identify and connect these two persons with respect to reaching a breakthrough in our roots. The story presented here is an amendment to Volume II. Margaret (Ollis) Gordon of Greensboro entered the search and Larry Biddix of Asheville was also searching. We were at an impasse over this John Ollis and could not and have not as yet penetrated beyond the statements of local history, in any census records or otherwise, any reference to this John. It appears that it may be a mixed up story. We also could not find Boston, hereinafter revealed, until his complete pension application was found in the National Archives, contained in a legal document executed by a Justice of the County Court of Morgan County, Tennessee in 1834 and of his widow, Barbary in 1839.

The only John that we can find who settled in the Crossnore Linville Falls area is Boston's son, John Swansea Ollis, described in the ensuing story. He was born 6 years after the Revolutionary War ended. Should further research reveal a person or persons that would in any way change the following record, we will amend the record accordingly and it will become a final and permanent history of the Ollis family.

I am pleased to present the following update of our combined research, which is most surprising in its revelation. Besides the above named Margaret Gordon and Larry Biddix, others have helped in putting the story together, namely, Roy Ollis of Newland, Mrs. Dimple Pollygus of Newland, the Bill OLLISES of Marion, Mrs. Annie Reed of Detroit, and the Glenn Buchanans of Maryland.

I have lifted the story out of its legal jargon and have written it in the first person as Boston told it to the Justice of the Court 147 years ago. Because Boston was 90 years old and from his age and bodily infirmity, he could not get to a court of record. Andrew Derrick, Justice of the Morgan County Court, Tenn., went to his home May 1, 1834, to record his statements of service, first being duly sworn to an oath. His age and infirmities had caused some loss of memory and he could not remember first names of some of his military officers and dates. Now, the story.

History is the record of man's upward march on earth. All history, including the genealogical aspect of it, is a vast avenue narrowing down o one individual-- yourself. Your tomorrow's, all that will happen to you, and your descendants, must flow out of someone's past. You are who you are and where you are because someone of another time, born with a restless soul and a spirit of high venture, could not be confined to his or her natural habitat. During the 18th century, people from all over Europe heard exciting stories of a new world beyond the seas. Thousands of the restless ones streamed to their embarkation ports to this new land of promise.

One among them was a Welshman, Boston Ollis, born around 1744, now 30 years old, added to those who wanted to see what this young America was all about. He set his foot on the New World around 1774 or 75, his port of entry most likely being Charles Town, South Carolina, later renamed Charleston. He was probably named at birth for the city of Boston, England, Wales being a part of the English system. Our story of "Big Daddy" Boston begins with the time of his arrival in which the thirteen Colonies were on the verge of revolt against the Mother of Great Britain.

In April 1775, the first blood was shed for the liberation of the Colonies from English rule. The last shot would not be fired till October 1781.

This is how Boston told it, "After living about two years in Charleston, the war having spread to the South, I joined the South Carolina State line of troops at Charleston around 1777. I joined the 5th infantry regiment under the command of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, my immediate officers being Captain Davidson and Ensign Moore. I was later taken from this regiment and attached to the artillery service to manage the cannon. I continued in this service under the command of Gen. Lincoln until Charleston was captured by the British Army in 1780.

When Charleston was taken, I with others made our escape to keep from being taken by the British as prisoners. I and the company with me went by Georgetown, on the East coast of South Carolina and headed to Orange County, North Carolina. On this escape march, we were followed by a company of Troy's from Georgetown and was overtaken at a causeway in the road, where each side of the road had been ditched and the dirt thrown up. An engagement with the Troy's ensued in which one of our own was killed. We in turn killed four Troy's, then completed our escape to Orange County, N. C. The length of this time in service was about 22 months, serving as a Private. I received no discharged for this tour as Charleston was captured by the British and I would have been a prisoner had I remained in Charleston.

I remained in Orange County, NC for some time, then reentered the service of the United Sates, a substitute for Henry Cook under the officers of Captain Lillared, and CO. O'Neal. We marched to Salisbury, and was stationed there a short time, then marched to Rudgley's Mill, South Carolina, was there a short time, then joined General Horatio Gates, marched a couple or so miles and had a battle with the British Army. The Americans had lain on their arms all night and at day break, a very fierce was fought till about 9:00 o'clock. Gen., Gates was defeated, this being near Camden, South Carolina. It was a decisive battle and is well recorded in history as a great setback for the Colonies. Many were killed and many taken prisoner. I again escaped from this defeat and made my way back to Orange County, North Carolina.

I served this tour about two months as a Private. Being of a restless nature I could not stay home long, so again, I substituted for a certain Aaron Sharpe and entered the service under a Captain Trace ? (or Brace), and Col. O'Neal and marched to and joined the army at Charles Ford on the Catawba River, was stationed there for some time, then marched up the river to Beatty's Ford and there engaged in a battle with the British army in which the Americans were again defeated. My fellow soldiers told me that the American General Caswell was killed in this battle. I was marched back to Orange County and there honorably but verbally discharged by Captain Trace.

This tour of service was less than 3 months as a Private. Again, after a short stay at my home, I again volunteered and joined General George Washington's Army near Hillsborough, North Carolina, and entered the service under Col. Rose. I was artillery man during the siege. The British were thoroughly beaten at Yorktown, and Gen. Charles Cornwallis, the British General, surrendered on October 19, 1781. I was an eyewitness to the surrender and saw Cornwallis surrender his sword to General Washington in this manner. Lord Cornwallis took his sword by the point and handed the hilt to Gen. Washington. Gen. Washington received it in his hand and in a few seconds, handed it back to Lord Cornwallis in the same manner as he had received it.

After the surrender, I was marched as a guard over the British prisoners from Yorktown to Winchester, Va., where I was honorably but verbally discharged by Col. Rose. To the best of my remembrance, I was in service of this tour at least seven months as a Private. I do not know the date of the year in which I was born as I have no record of my age but I do know I was born in January. I came to America at 30 or so years of age and was living in Charleston, South Carolina about two years before the war started. I lived in Orange County, North Carolina, at and before the entering of the several other tours of duty as I have already described. I have lived since the Revolutionary War in the States of North Carolina and Tennessee and presently live in Morgan County, Tenn.

In my tours of service, I was acquainted with Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, Gen. Butler, Gen. Gates, Gen. Caswell, Gen. Washington, Col. O'Neal, and Col. Rose. I cannot remember other officer names because of poor memory. I know the following citizens of Morgan County, now living in the neighborhood, that can certify as to my character for veracity that I was a soldier of the Revolution - C has. Asher, James Asher, William Clift, George Park, Rolling Kittrelle, Jonathan Deldine and John M. Staple.

There is no Clergyman residing in my area, therefore, it is impossible to obtain a certificate of my oath. I absolutely don't know of any living person by who I could prove my absolute service. Because of this, I hereby relinquish every claim to a pension or annuity except the present $26.00 per year I am presently getting. My name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State."

Boston Ollis May 1, 1834