FRANCIS COLEY served in the Revolutionary War as a private having fought in the Battle of Brier Creek in Savannah, Ga., and in the Battle of Guilford, NC. 

Francis Coley Cert. #S. 3197--28 Nov 1833 Smith Co., TN. Francis (X) Coley of said County, age 77 according to the family register, declares he entered service Sept. 1, 1775 as a minute man in the militia raised in Charles City Co., VA. He was attached to the company of Richard Taylor and rendezvoused at Charles City Courthouse and marched to Sandy Point on James River (just above Jamestown) where barracks were built. The Military forces at this point were under Maj. Edler. 

They were to cut off the supply of provisions that might be attempted to be furnished the British and to prevent the passage of vessels up and down the river. They brought in a vessel laden with flour which was recaptured by two British ships that sailed in, after considerable resistance by his corps on land at the fortress and on board their ships. He volunteered for twelve months but was detained only eight months and fifteen days in active service. He was discharged by Major Edler and returned home to Charles City County, VA. He was drafted in the militia raised in Charles City County, VA. the last day of July or first of Aug 1778 and was attached to the Company of Capt Peter Royster. They rendezvoused at Charles City Courthouse and marched to Williamsburg, VA. to guard the public records and defend the town and the Governor. He was engaged in this service three months and returned to Charles City County.

In 1779 he migrated to Halifax County, NC and in Oct 1779 he volunteered under Capt Scurlock? for six months in the militia. His company rendezvoused at Halifax Court- house and joined the troops raised for the southern expedition and was placed under Generals Ashe and Eaton, Colonels Etheron and Clinch and Maj Alston. They marched to Georgia, crossed the Savannah River and fought the battle of Brier Creek, recrossed at the mouth of Brier Creek and marched to Peerisburg where the troops under General Lincoln were stationed. His corps remained there until he was discharged.

He returned to Virginia and settled in Brunswick County and entered upon the business of an overseer for Owen Myrick. While living there he again volunteered under Capt. William Harrison for six months, rendezvoused at Gees Bridge and marched to the Hick Rock Ford on Haw River in NC where they joined the main army under Gen. Greene and were attached to the regiment of Col. Munford. He was in the Battle of Guilford. After the battle the troops rallied at the Iron Works and marched to Ramsey’s Mills on Deep River and were stationed there until discharged. He entered in the tour in Feb 1781 and returned to Brunswick County about the middle of August 1781.

He was drafted in the Militia raised in Brunswick County and was attached to the Company of Capt Jones and stationed at Swan Point on James River and defended  the supplies and provisions sent across the river there for the American Army then engaged in the siege of York. He served two months. He was born in Charles City County, VA on 14 Sept 1757, according to the family tradition. He moved from Virginia to North Carolina and then to Smith County, TN. Francis Coley of Smith County, TN private in the Co. of Capt Taylor in the Virginia line for one year and eight months, was placed on the West Tennessee Pension Roll at $66.66 per annum under the Act of 1832. Certificate # 25373 was issued 13 Dec 1833. He died 19 Sept 1840              

                           (Virginia Revolutionary War Pension).