Treasure Chest Thursday~Eye Witness Account of the Death of John Sellers

John Sellers was born about 1825, the last born child of Philip Sellers (1774-abt 1834) and Mary LNU (1774-bef 1850). John married Mary LNU before 1850 and in their short marriage had 3 children; one son and two daughters. On Sept. 8. 1863, John enlisted into Co. "B", 31st Regiment, also known as the O-K BOYS. Eight month later, on 14 May 1864, John was killed in action during a skirmish at Drewry’s Bluff, Virginia.

In 1883, Mary his wife submitted necessary paperwork for a “widow” pension for the service of her husband John Sellers to his country. Mary Sellers pension is on file in the NC state Archive in Raleigh, NC. The information below is a transcription of 3 of these page from her 5 page pension application.¹



North Carolina}
Anson County}
Mary Sellers being duly sworn says on oath that she is the widow of John Sellers, who served as a private in Co. B. 31^st Regiment North Carolina Troops, and that her husband according to information derived from his comrades at or about that time, was killed in battle at or near Drewry’s Bluff in the month of May 1864.
Sworn to and Subscribed }                                                               Mary her X mark Sellers
Before me Sept. 7^th 1883}
John C. McLanchlin}
Clerk of Superior Court}

North Carolina}
Anson County}
Benjamin P. Liles being duly sworn says on his oath that he served as a private on Co. B 31^st Regiment, N. C. Troops that on the ___day of May 1864 the said company was engaged as skirmishes near Drewry’s Bluff in Virginia and that while so engages John Sellers was a few paces to the right of this affiant, we were firing upon the enemy and receiving as very destructive fire from them, in the midst of which John Sellers was shot in the head and killed instantly. We were lying down loading and firing and this affiant distinctly heard the thud of the ball when it struck Sellers. We advanced, drove the enemy from our front and afterwards fell back over the same ground, and while so doing this affiant saw the dead body of John Sellers lying upon the spot where he heard the thud of the ball which stuck him.
Sworn and Subscribed}                                                                             B. P. Liles
Before me Sept. 7^th 1883}
John C. McLanchlin}
Clerk of Superior Court}

North Carolina}
Anson County}
James T. Bradley being duly sworn says on his oath that he was captain of Co. B 31^st N. C. Troops from May 1863 until the close of the War, that on or about the 14^th day of May 1864, said company he being in command of is, was engaged as skirmishes near Drewry’s Bluff in Virginia and exposed to a destructive fire from the enemy during the engagement this affiant was himself wounded, and came off the field, while being carried off the field or soon thereafter he was informed of the casualties that occurred in his company and among others that John Sellers was killed. Saw John Sellers enlisted in this company some time in the year 1863, and sworn in as a private up to the day of his death.
Sworn and Subscribed}                                                                             J. T. Bradley
Before me Sept. 7^th 1883}
John C. McLanchlin}
Clerk of Superior Court}

North Carolina}
Anson County} I, John C. McLanchlin, Clerk of Superior Court for said county of Anson hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Benj. P. Liles and James T. Bradley the above named affiants and know them to be men of good character and entirely trustworthy, and that they have no interest in this claim. Witness my hand and official seal.
At office in Wadesborough, this the 8^th day of September 1885.
John C. McLanchlin
Clerk of Superior Court

John Sellers is my 3rd Great Grand Uncle.






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[1] State Archives of North Carolina .., NC Manuscript and Archives Reference System (http://mars.archives.ncdcr.gov/ : viewed 2 August 2014), digital Image of Pension Application, "Pension Bureau: Act of 1885 Pension Applications - John Sellers," MARS Id: 5.21.49.61 (Folder); Call Number: Box 6:162.