Don't Shoot

The pension applications presented in this unique book are original source material and are interesting to read because you can hear the men speaking in their own words.

James F. Morrison has collected information on the Revolutionary War patriots for decades and can helped sort out some of the confusion the deponents had when making out their statements after a 50 year lapse in time.

Many of the men were very young and inexperienced but they hung on like bulldogs and did as they were told; 'hold fast or die with the holt'. In the pension applications you will find horror, humor, and unchanging human nature.

There are many very interesting stories in this book and two are a must read. First, the story of Thomas Machin Junior's attempt to defraud the government and collect money by changing the death date of his mother. His father, Thomas Machin, Sr. worked on the chaining of the Hudson. Second, the other story is about John Winn and the soldier in his command whom he killed.

James F. Morrison and AJ Berry have been working on transcribing Revolutionary War pension applications for several years. For James F. Morrison the journey began long before this time, he has been a student of the Revolutionary War for most of his life and has amassed a wealth of resource material. AJ Berry transcribed the documents and James F. Morrison proof read the work, corrected some faulty information given by the aging veterans, and added invaluable end notes to the depositions by the men. The result, it is hoped, will help many in their quest for information about their ancestors