A handful of family trees have posted the following military records for our James Thomas Mackay:
[1] Sons of the American Revolution application for a James Mackay, son of Shelby and Ann [Cassidy] Mackay. The SAR application names a James T. Mackay m. Elizabeth Callahan. All dates and places are a match except James T.'s birthplace, given as Augusta Co., VA.
James' service is given as serving with the Virginia militia at the Battle of Camden in 1780 and the Battle of Yorktown.
Any red flags? James was born in South Carolina, not Virginia. He might have served with the Virginia militia, but serving with a South Carolina unit would make more sense. James' military service, if any, needs documentation.
[2] Daughters of the American Revolution screen cap of the service of a J.T. Mackay. All dates and places match. Application submitted by Alice [Mackay] Sherwood, granddaughter of James Jr.
Service for J.T.: S.C. Militia under Col. Williams at Musgrove Mill 1780; provided food for Continental troops 1778.
This is different from the SAR application and makes for a better fit. James' kids should have done better research! You need to search Fold3 for James' service record and possible pension file. Also, you can send for the DAR file!
[3] A Civil War Pension File card dated July 1865 for James McKay. Widow's pension dated Feb. 1889 for wife Elizabeth. Service: 124th Indiana Infantry.
Oh come on! Why save a Civil War pension card for a man who died in 1836? Well, the names matched. Do not saved Civil War records for Rev. War vets! Likewise, don't save WWII records for people who died 10-20 years before the war began.
Note: the DAR record was a match.
What wars could the Mackay boys served in?
Matthew: 1812, Black Hawk War
James Jr.: 1812 - maybe, Black Hawk
Shelby: Black Hawk
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