Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31170, for James Jones, North Carolina
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776]

SERVICE
N.C.

Jones, James 

NUMBER
S.31170

CONTENTS
b. 1760 in York Co. Pa. res. at enl. Rowan Co. N. C. res. in 1833 Daviess Co. Ky.
Page 2

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] 13744
Kentucky
James Jones
of Daviess Co. in the State of Kentucky who was a pr. of I & C [private of Infantry & Cavalry] in the company commanded by Captain Wilson of the Regt. commanded by Col. Lock in the North Carolina 
line for 11 months private of Inf. 
              3 – “ – “ of Cav.

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 49 Dollars 16 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of June 1833 and sent to Wm. N. Griffith Present

Arrears to the 4th of March 98.32
Semi=anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 Sept. 24.56
$122.88

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Danl Boyd, Clerk
Book E Vol. 7 Page 15

[right side] Paid at the Treasury and the Act of April 6th 1838 from March 4th to Sept 4th 184[cut off] Agt [Agent] notified June 14th 184[cut off] Hon J. O. Peyton Feb 7/60
Page 3

State of Kentucky, County of Daviess: Sct. 
On the 13 day of May 1833 personally appeared before Samuel Hawes, Creed Burton, Elijah McCreery & William Medcalf Justices of the County Court of said County now sitting James Jones a resident of said County of Daviess & State aforesaid aged near Seventy-three years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he volunteered in the month of September 1778, in the County of Rowan North Carolina, as a private under Captain William Wilson, John Todd Lieutenant and Alexander Dobbins, Ensign. This Company was attached to Colonel Francis Locke's Regiment and Genl Rutherford's [Griffith Rutherford's] Brigade, we rendezvoused at Salisbury in North Carolina, from whence we marched under the above named officers through Mecklenburg County to Camden in South Carolina, from thence to the River Santee crossing the same at Nelson's ferry from thence to the Ten Mile house from Charlestown [sic, Charleston], where we remained some days, from thence we marched to Purrysburg on the Savannah River, where we joined General Lincoln [Benjamin Lincoln] and the Main Army, at this time the British Army
Page 4

were marching near the Savannah River in the State of Georgia, both armies remained for some time watching each other on opposite sides of the Savannah River. Captain Wilson was ordered from the Main Army & posted on a Lagoon, putting into the River Savannah between Tubler's ferry [Tubley's ferry?] & the Two Sisters ferry, and I was one of the guard sent with him, during the winter we had a skirmish with the British who were ascending the Lagoon in boats, near a place called the White House where our Commissaries stores were deposited, from hence by a forced march we went up the Savannah to reinforce General Ash [sic, John Ashe], who was encamped on Briar Creek in Georgia, and we had reached the ferry at the Savannah River opposite where General Ashe was Encamped and heard the firing of the guns [Battle of Briar Creek, March 3, 1779] 1 and a part of the Army had crossed, and we met Ashe on his retreat from the British Army, the whole Army then retreated back & encamped at the Two Sisters ferry where we remained some weeks, and from hence we marched to a place called Turkey Hill, where we remained until the 10th day of March 1779 when we were discharged from whence we however were marched by our Company officers back to our
Page 5

homes in Rowan County. I believe I received a discharge from Col. Locke, but have long since lost it. In the summer & fall of the year 1780, I served a tour of three months in Mecklenburg County under the command of Thomas Cowan Captain, Lt. Saml Knox and John Morrison Ensign, our Company were horsemen, the Cols then present with the Army were Col. Craig and Col Barringer, and General Morgan [Daniel Morgan] who commanded the regulars was our Commander as well as now recollected during this tour we were scouting on several occasions, and we made an attack on the British at Polke's mill [sic, Polk's mill] under the command of Captains Hart & Dixon. The British Army then occupied Mecklenburg Court house but before our discharge they retreated from Mecklenburg & marched back into South Carolina. Our time of three months having expired we marched back to Rowan County, our homes. I was honorably discharged by Captain Thomas Cowan & have lost the same. In the fall of the year 1781 I volunteered as a private in Rowan County three
Page 6

months under Captain Richard Simmons, Lieutenant Hoodsman & Ensign John Carson we joined the Army on the Peedee [River], our Company belonged to Col. Smith's [Robert Smith's] Choir [sic, Corps] and Genl Rutherford was commander from hence we marched to a place called the Raft swamp where we defeated [Battle of Raft Swamp, October 15, 1781] a party of Tories said to be under the Command of Col. McNeel [sic, Hector McNeill], from thence we marched towards Wilmington leaving Fayetteville on the left till we arrived at a brick building opposite to Wilmington where there was a British Garrison, we defeated [The Battle of Brick House, November 15, 1781] a party of Tories near this place and attempted to storm the Garrison but failed for the want of artillery. John Gay was killed at this place, our Commander was Col. Smith, soon after this, Captain Richardson Simmons was ordered over the Cape Fear River and marched on the North East River which we swam on account of the British having burnt the end of the Bridge, and marched into Wilmington where we remained a few days & then we marched down Captain Fear [sic, Cape Fear River] to a place called the Sounds watching the British vessels which
Page 7

lay in Cape Fear River, here we remained until our three months had expired and we were then discharged & marched home.
This declarant further states that during the year 1780 & 1781 he served Seven tours as a minute man which averaged at the least 10 or 12 days each tour, against the Tories, sometimes called out by the Colonels, sometimes by the Captains – these tours were in Rowan & the adjoining Counties. I was two of the aforesaid Tours under Col Locke & Col Davidson [William Lee Davidson]. I was under Captain William Wilson on two of the preceding tours, on one of which we met Col. Buford [Abraham Buford] on his retreat, -- on two other of the aforesaid tours I was with Col Locke & Col. Brandon and marched as far as Broad River where Col McDowell [Charles McDowell] was encamped. I was on one of these tours with Genl William Lee Davidson and we had a Severe skirmish with Cornwallis' Army at Cowan's Ford on the Catawba River, and General Davidson was killed at this place about the 1st day of February 1781 as well as this respondent now
Page 8

recollects. This declarant served several other minute tours which he does not enumerate, & claim pay for, but states that in the tours & campaigns before herein specified he Served faithfully fourteen months & upwards, for which he asks for pay. This applicant States that he was born in York County, Pennsylvania in the year 1760 & removed to, Settled in Rowan County North Carolina where he resided during the revolutionary War & for many years after and about the year 1824 he removed to his present residence in Daviess County Ky. In all the Tours performed by me I was a volunteer and a resident of Rowan County North Carolina. This applicant has no documentary evidence to prove his said Service and hereto annexed the Testimony of Samuel Calhoon, Clergyman & James W. Johnson being all the corroborating testimony he knows of or can procure to testify to his Services
He hereby relinquishes every Claim whatever to a pension or annuity except present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the date aforesaid. This applicant annexes the affidavit of Jacob Saunders as proof of one of the Tours
Page 9

and knows of no other person by whom he can prove anything further the said Jacob Saunders is now in ill health & Cannot be got to Court to Testify. 
[Signed] Jas. Jones { }

We Samuel Calhoon Clergyman residing in the County of Daviess and James W Johnson residing in the same County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Jones who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration & that we believe him to be near 73 years of age and that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he lives to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion 
sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open Court 
Samuel Calhoon { } 
Jas W Johnson { }

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigating the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he States. And the Court further Certify that it appears to them that Samuel Calhoon who has signed the preceding
Page 10

Certificate is a Clergyman resident in Daviess County Ky and that James W Johnson who has signed the same is a resident of said County and a creditable person & that their statements are entitled to Credit. Given under our hands 
Saml Harvey
Creed Burton 
Elijah McCreary 
William Medcalf 

Commonwealth of Kentucky 
Daviess County Sct
I John L. McFarland Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said & Court in the matter of the application of James Jones for a pension. And also that Andrew Jones whose official Certificate is attached to the annexed affidavit of Jacob Sanders is an acting Justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified to act and that full faith and credit is due to his official acts as such 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Court the 13th day of May 1833 
John L Mcfarland
Page 11

May 10, 1937 

James Jones 
S. 31170 
BA-J/AWF Own

The Quartermaster General 
Memorial Branch 
War Department 
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir: 

Reference is made to your request for information relative to James Jones, private in Captain William Wilson's company, Colonel Locke's North Carolina regiment, War of the Revolution.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 31170, based upon the service of James Jones in the Revolutionary War. 
James Jones was born in the year 1760 in York County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not given. 
While a resident of Rowan County, North Carolina, James Jones served as a private with the North Carolina troops, as follows- 
From sometime in September, 1778 to March 10, 1779, in Captain William Wilson's company, Colonel Francis Locke's regiment, and was in a skirmish at "White House"; in the summer and fall of 1780, three months in Captain Thomas Cowan's company, under Colonels Craig and Barringer, and was in a skirmish at " Polkes Mill"; in the fall of 1781, three months in Captain Richard Simmons' company, Colonel Smith's regiment, was in the battle of Raft Swamp, and in an engagement near Wilmington; also in various tours in 1780 and 1781 as minuteman in Captain William Wilson's
Page 12

company, under Colonels Locke, Davidson, and Brandon, during this service he was in the battle of Cowan's Ford. 
The soldier, James Jones, moved from Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1824 to Daviess County, Kentucky. He was allowed pension on his application executed May 13, 1833, then a resident of said Daviess County, 
The papers in this claim contain no reference to the family of James Jones. 
The application for headstone for James Jones, and a slip on which is given a description of said James Jones, are returned herewith. 

Very truly yours 

A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 13

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] INVALID. 
Revy 31170 
File No. 31,170 
James Jones 
Pr Rev War 

Act: June 7" 32”
Index: --Vol. 2, Page 215 

{Arrangement of 1870.} 

[right side] 1892 Hist to Mr Hallawan Pen. Off.
Feby – 4 - 1901 Hist. to Mrs Lilla A. Peay Harrisburg Pa
1922 Aug 31. Hist. to Miss V. Jones 
1937 - May 10 - hist to Memo Ba [Memorial Branch] awf
Page 14

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller’s Office,
June 6th 1842.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled “An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,” James Jones a Pensioner on the Roll of the Kentucky Agency, at the rate of Forty nine Dollars and 16 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department from the 4th of March to the 4th Sept. 1841.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 15

State of North Carolina, Secretary's Office 18th of February 1823 
I William Hill Secretary of State in & for the State aforesaid, certify that it appears from the musterrolls [muster rolls] of the Continental line of this State, that two persons by the name of James Jones privates in Captain John Yarborough's Company of the 10th Regiment was mustered in the year 1781 for 12 months, one “left the service 13th of April 1782”, the other on the 27th of April 1782. 
Given under my hand at office the date above. 
Wm Hill 
[Transcriber's Note: This certificate would appear to relate to some “James Jones” other than this James Jones since he never claimed to have been in the Continental line under Capt. Yarborough.]
Page 16

James Jones
Decl.[Declaration] & for a Pension
from 1778 private of Infy [Infantry] & Cavalry 16 mo.
Va. Inf. 11 mo - $36.66
“ Cav. 3 “ 12.50
$49.16
Page 17

Kentucky, Daviess County Sct
Personally came & appeared before me a Justice of the peace for said County Jacob Saunders an old & infirm man aged about 70 years and made oath to this Statement
I Jacob Saunders do certify that I am well acquainted with James Jones, who has subscribed & sworn to this declaration & that I knew him in Rowan County North Carolina & there knew him to be a soldier in the revolution, and believe he served the several tours as stated in his said annexed declaration & in the year [1780 or 1781]. I saw him frequently in the Army under Captain Richard Simmons & know that he served that tour of three months, as I was at that Campaign and saw him in camp doing duty under said Simmons and the said Jones is now here present & resides in the County of Daviess, and my health is such as to prevent my being present in open Court. May 13, 1833 
Jacob [his X mark] Saunders
Page 18

I Andrew Jones Justice of the peace in & for the County of Daviess in the State of Kentucky do certify that Jacob Saunders personally came & appeared before me and subscribed & sworn to the preceding affidavit as to the service of James Jones in the revolutionary war, and I do moreover certify that the said Saunders is too infirm to attend Court this day, and that he was in bed sick when he was called to testify in this case, all which is hereby certified. 
Given under my hand as justice this 13th of May 1833. 
A. Jones JPDC { }
Page 19

Washington Feby 4th 60 
Geo C Whiting 
Sir you will please find enclosed a letter of one of my Constituents relative to a pension, will you be kind enough to furnish such information as may be in your office 
Respectfully
Saml O. Peyton
Page 20

Hon H. Clay Evans – 
Washington D.C. 

Dear Sir -
Enclosed find paper that was sent last week to Miss McAllister of Harrisburg, in Answer to inquiry made by her concerning pension papers of “James Jones,” I have filled out paper with necessary information. I also enclose copy of paper that I obtained from Pension office several years ago, giving an account of the services of “James Jones” my great-grand-father. Will you kindly verify this for me, as this is necessary for
Page 21

admission to the D.A.R’s I am very sorry to trouble about the matter and I think it entirely unnecessary, as the record has already been secured from the Pension office, but to making my record good it has to be verified by you If you will kindly do this at your earliest convenience I shall be greatly obliged
Very Respectfully- 
(Mrs.) Lilla A. Peay
713 North 6" St 
Harrisburg, Pa

Jan. 22" 1901 -

[stamp] PENSION K JAN 24 1901 U.S. OFFICE
Page 22

James Jones was born in York Co. Pa. in 1760. Afterwards moved to North Carolina and in Sept. 1778 volunteered as a private in Capt. Wm Wilsons Co. Col. Francis Locke’s N.C. Regt. Discharged Mar. 10, 1779. In the summer & fall of 1780, served a tour of three months in a company commanded by Capt. Thos. Cowan of Mecklenburg Co. In the fall of 1781 volunteered as a private for three months in Capt. Rich. Simmon’s Co. Col. Smith's Regt He further states that during the year 1780 & 1781 he served seven tours as a Minute man which tours averaged in length 10 or 12 days each. He resided in North Carolina till 1824 when he moved to Daviess Co. Kentucky where he lived till his death in 1850 
(over)
Page 23

O. P. Hallam Esq 
Bureau of Pensions
Green B. Raum 
Commissioner

[stamped upside down] PENSION K JAN 24 1901 U. S. OFFICE
Page 24

Dept. Interior 
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 

Philpot Ky. 
R. R. 4.
7-6-’22.

Gentlemen; 2 ct stamp enclosed EP
I would be very greatful [grateful] if you would send me a synopsis of the application of James Jones of North Carolina for a pension as a Revolutionary soldier. He was a private of the North Carolina Infantry and Calvary the North Carolina Militia.
He resided at the time of his death at Owensboro Ky, in Daviess Co. Owensboro in its early history was called Yellowbanks. If you have any old records, this place
Page 25

may be called Yellowbanks. 
Inclosed [Enclosed] you will find a stamp, 
Thanking you in advance, I am 
Respectfully 
(Miss) Vitula Jones 
Philpot Ky. 
R.R. 4.

[stamp] PENSION A JUL 10 1922 U. S. OFFICE
Page 26

[Letterhead] Department of the Interior.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Washington, DC. Jan 20th 1892

Mr Filer 
Dear Sir 
Will you be kind enough to give me the following information in regard to James Jones who was raised in N. C. and removed to Kentucky the latter part of his life 
He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and drew a pension for said services. What I want to know is the dates and amounts drawn by him, this is not for the purpose of prosecuting any claim but for family history. 
Very Respectfully 
O P Hallawan
A.C.C 

P S. Let me know as soon as possible
Page 27

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

RECORD DIVISION
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION   3-525
S.31170 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., [blank], 19 [blank]

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of a James Jones a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out - (or his widow’s)] application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. STATE.
Sept. 78 to Mar. 10 79 [Rank] Pvt. [Captain] Wm. Wilson [Colonel] Francis Locke [State] NC
Sum. [Summer] 80 3 mos. [Captain] Thos. Cowan [Colonel] Craig & Barringer
Fall 81 3 mos. [Captain] Richard Simmons [Colonel] Smith
During 1780 & 1781 in various times as a Minute Man [Captain] Wm. Wilson [Colonel] Locke, Davidson, Brandon 
Battles engaged in, White House, Raft Swamp, Cowan’s Ferry
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Rowan Co. N. C.
Date of application for pension, May 13, 1833 His cl [claim] was al. [allowed]
Residence at date of application, Daviess Co. Ky.
Age at date of application, b. [born] York Co. Pa. in 1760

Remarks: No family data

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6-2856
Page 28

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

J. R. W. 
Old War and Navy Division. 3 -- 523. 
[written on side] 137.44 222.18 
[stamped] O. W. & N. DIVISION JAN 28 1901 RECEIVED.
Department of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS, 
Washington, D. C. Jany [January] 16 1901. 

Madam,
In reply to your communication of a recent date, you are informed that this Bureau is unable to furnish a history of the service of any soldier of the Revolutionary war or of the war of 1812 unless he or his widow was a pensioner or an applicant for pension or bounty land; and that under the rules such a history is furnished only to the soldier's descendants, and to them only when it is desired for historical or genealogical purposes. 
The large number of inquiries made on this subject, and the length of time required to make a proper search of the records in each case, will not permit of information being given to any applicant concerning more than two soldiers. 
In order that the soldier concerning whom you desire information may be identified, you are requested to furnish as much as possible of the data called for below. 

Very respectfully, 
[Illegible] Evans Commissioner.

Miss Mary C. McAllister 
Fort Hunter 
Dauphin Co. Pa. 
Full name of soldier, James Jones, 
Where did he enter service? North Carolina
(Town, county, and State.)
Under what officers did he serve Col. Francis Locke's Regt. Capt. Wm. Wilson’s & Col. Smith’s Regt & Capt. Simmon’s Regt.
Place of residence after service, N.C. till 1824. when he moved to Kentucky.
(Town, county, and State.)
Approximate date of death, 1850, Near Owensboro Daviess Co. Ky. 
Given name of widow, [blank]
Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension? James Jones
Additional information, He first volunteered in Sept 1778; discharged Mar. 10th 1779. In 1780, served a tour of 3 mos. in Capt. Cowans Co. Mecklenburg Co. N.C. Served 7 tours (as a minute man) of 12 days each, Born in York Co. Pa. 1760. 
Signature Mrs. Lilla A. Peay,
(Mrs. or Miss to be prefixed if a lady signs.)
Post-office address, including street and number, town, county, and State,} #713 N. 6-St. Dauphin Co. Harrisburg Pa.

14554b3m5-1900

[stamp] PENSION K JAN 24 1901 U. S. OFFICE