An American Family History

James Riley was born on June 15, 1755 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He was a private during the American Revolution. He enlisted in 1776 in Chester County, Pennsylvania in the Fifth Regiment. He was in the Battle of Long Island, at Valley Forge, and was in the battles of Eutaw Springs, Guilford, and Hanging Rock. He was shot in the ankle and his thumb was severed by a sword.

After the Revolution, James moved to Jefferson County, Virginia which is now Jefferson County, West Virginia.

He married Temperance Yerkes (Nancy Yercus, Yircus, Yearkes).

James and Temperance's children may have included:

Joshua Riley (1786, married Sarah),
Mary Ann Riley (1788, married Jacob Gonder),
Rebecca Riley (1792, married Daniel Bishop),
James Riley (1794, married Christina Fox),
Rosanna Riley (1797, married Daniel Gonder),
Grace Riley (1800, married John Elliot),
Henry C. Riley (1802, married Mary Timberman),
John Riley (1807), and
Eliza Ann Riley (1810, married Jonathan Fox).

At the time of the 1810 census, James was in Jefferson County. The household consisted of

a man and a woman over 45- James and Temperance about 55
a man and 2 women beween 16 & 25 - Joshua age 24, Mary age 22, Rebecca age 18
2 boys and girl between 10 & 15 - James age 16, ? boy , Rosanna age 12
3 boys and 2 girls under 10 - Grace age 10, Henry age 8, John age 3, Eliza - infant, boy

The family moved to Butler County, Ohio about 1821, which was 21 years before applying for his pension in 1832.

James Riley appeared on the pension list of 1835 in Butler County, Ohio.

He received his final payment in 1843.