Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,217, for William Lorance, North Carolina
Page 1

SERVICE
N.C.

Lorance, William

NUMBER 
S.31217

Born in N.C.
CONTENTS
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(left panel)
See a letter in James Patterson - R.8001 in which an R.B. Lawrence of N.C. is informed to his father's service.  As this is the only N.M. Lorance of N.C., he may have had this one issued.
(illegible)
6/2/39

(right panel)
13852
Kentucky
William Lorance of Owen Co in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the compy commanded by Captain Armstrong of the regt commanded by Col Mayben in the N.C. M. line for 22 months from 1779

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of June 1833 and sent to Hon. R.M. Johnson

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833      $146.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep.        36.66
   $183.33  

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm. Allison Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 7  Page 17

(note:  Arrearage total should be $183.32)
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23027
William Lorance
Owen Co
Kentucky

from 1779 private
22 months
$73.33/100

Hon. R.M. Johnson
Great Xings

Kentucky
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
April 25, 1833

Sir:
     The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done.  Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus}).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of William Lorance, Owen Co. Kentucky

Period which the service was rendered.
May 1779
Oct 1779
Dec 1780

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.

"  6  "
1  "  "
"  6  "

Rank of claimant.
Priv
Minute man
"

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he serviced.
Col A. Mayben
Capt W. Armstrong
Lieut. Grimes
Col. M. Locke
Col. Cadwelder
Cap W. Armstrong
Lieu A. Armstrong
Gen. Morgan
Maj McDowell
Cap A. Armstrong

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
69 years
Rowan Co
N. Cara

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
One witness.

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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         REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
     The following regulations have been adopted:
     This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line,"  "State troops,". "militia", and "Volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c.  Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
     Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
       1.  The Regular Troops.
       2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
       3.  Persons employed in the Naval Service.
       4.  Indian Spies.
     As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned offices, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

                                       DECLARATION
                         In order to obtain the benefit of the
                     Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832
State, Territory, or District of 

     On this _____day of______personally appeared (a) before _____A.B. a resident (b) of _____in the county of_____and State, Territory or District of _____aged (c)_____years, who first being duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)_____, with_____and served in the _____(e) regiment of the _____line, under the following named officers:______

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers;  the time he left the service; (and if he served, under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers:} the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service;  the battles, if any, if which he was engaged and the country through which he marched.  This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
      
     He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll or any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____.                         A.B.
     Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
     [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

     And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
     I_____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ________for a pension.
     In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ____day of ____ &c.

     If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
     Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
     (k) We, A.B., a clergyman, residing in the _____ and C.D. residing in (the same) herby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____years of age;  that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
     Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
     [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
     And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
     I, _____Clerk of the Court of _____do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of ____for a pension.
                     In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my 
                     hand and seal of office, this ____day of 
                      _____&c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commission;  but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
     If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he product such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means or corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted;  and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
     The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all  applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
     1.  Where and in what year were you born?
     2.  Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
     3.  Where were you living when called into service;  where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
     How were you called into service;  were you drafted, did you volution, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
     5.  State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops, where you served;  such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your services.
     6.  To a Soldier {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
          To an Officer {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
    7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
     The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
     The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
     The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party.  And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
     Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the court.
     Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of the Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
     No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the court upon the whole matter.

(The following are small type footnotes at the bottom of the page.)

[a]  The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b]  The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c]  The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d]  The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e]  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served;  otherwise a claim cannot be had.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
_____" Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Just of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that, by reason of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  _____For_____year_____months, and_____days, I served as a _____, For _____months and _____days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension." 
     It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase "about three or four months" is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served;  the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
     [f]  The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
     [g]  The opinion of the court is always required.
     [h]  The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
     [i]  The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

               Mode of authenticating papers.
          In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbons, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
 
                         Proof of Service.
     [j]  In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department , he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses , and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
     [j]  The notes from [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
     [k]  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
     [l]  If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
     [m]  The answers to the interrogatories must all be written and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Joseph Rowen  (smudged)

(written in margin)
The time in actual service as a minute man is required, although he engaged to serve one year as a minute man he could not have been in actual service all that time, not can his claim for said length of time be allowed for that engagement.
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Lorance
Revolutionary Claim
Page 8


Commonwealth of Kentucky 
County of Owen Sct. 
On this 3rd day of December personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of 
Owen County Court now sitting William Lorance a resident of the County of Owen and 
Commonwealth of Kentucky, age 69 years last August, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and 
served as herein stated – that is to Say – he volunteered as a private Soldier in a Company 
commanded by Captain William Armstrong upon a six months Tour in the Spring he thinks May 1779 and accordingly entered the service as such.  The name of his lieutenant was William Grimes.  He states that he was a resident of Rowan County State of North Carolina at the time he entered the service – that his Company rendezvoused at Salsbury in the said County and was attached to a Regiment under the command of Col. Alexander Mayban  – that said Regiment soon after his said Company joined it marched towards Deep River for the purpose of keeping down the Tories in that quarter who were making some efforts to embody themselves – that whilst in that section of the country they came upon a number of Tories who were collecting and embodying themselves under a man by the name of Fannon
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at a place called the haw fields on said River and after a skirmish with them they dispersed leaving their leader and several of their Companions dead on the ground.  After 
scouring the country for some time, upon Deep River & its waters, they marched to the Catawba River in the vicinity of the Shallow Ford at which place this declarant with his company and the principal portion of his said Regiment remained for some time and then went into Tory settlements on Cross Creek and continued shifting their quarters from one place to another for the purpose of protecting the Whigs and keeping the Tories in awe and subjection until the termination of his said Tour when he was verbally discharged by his officers and returned to his home in Rowan County having fully served out his said six months Tour. He further states and declares that very soon after the termination of his said Tour he 
again became a volunteer Soldier in a company commanded by Captain William Armstrong, Lieutenant Abel Armstrong – Ensign Richard Grimes, and entered the service as a private accordingly he thinks in October 1779 – This company he states was called minute men and he volunteered for a twelve months service in it & did serve accordingly.  That soon after it was raised it rendezvoused together with a full Regiment of militia at Salisbury in North Carolina.  That Col. Matthew Locke took command of them – that from Salisbury said Regiment marched towards the River Catawba, that they reached said River some
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distance below Beatys ferry and understanding that a body of Tories were collecting some distance above the point at which they struck the River a detachment consisting of 3 or 4 companies of which this declarant was one under the command of Col. Campbell was dispatched against them and directed its marched up the River, and a few miles above Beatys ferry at a Mill called Ramsour's Mill came upon them and after a small skirmish in 
which William Armstrong this declarant's Captain was killed, the Tories were dispersed.  He states that upon the death of Captain William Armstrong Abel Armstrong who had been the lieutenant of said Company took the command.  He further states that he was with the said Company in active service during the winter and Spring 1779 & '80 in keeping down the Tories who abounded in that part of the North Carolina, and extending relief and protection to those who were well affected to the American Cause, that their service was in almost Constant requisition – that upon one occasion they went to the forks of the Yadkin and dispersed a parcel of Tories who were collecting.  He further declares that during the Summer of the year 1780 his Company usually acted separately from any other and was often called out for the purpose of keeping the Tories in subjection who were frequently committing outrages and depredations upon the Whigs; and that he was always with his said Company upon its excursions.  He further states that his said Company in the latter part of the Summer or first of the fall was attached to a Regiment under the command of Col. Caldwell and that he marched with it to the
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Yadkin and joined the Army under the Command of Genl. Smallwood.  That his said Company himself with it frequently composed a portion of detachments which were sent from the Army for the purpose of harassing the British and keeping down the Tories.  Genl. Gates was the Commander in Chief of the American Army in that quarter of the country and this declarant understood that he was displaced that fall, and that Genl. Greene took the Command.  He states that he continued in the Army & served therein till the expiration of his said Term of service & was verbally discharged by his officers and returned home to Rowan County. He further states that after his return home there was again a great call for men and he volunteered as a private Soldier in a company commanded by Abel Armstrong about the Christmas following his return from the service as above mentioned, upon a tour of six months & served therein accordingly.  Richard Grimes was the Lieutenant and some time in January following as well as he now recollects, he joined Genl. Morgan with his said Company, who was then stationed on the Pacolet River, and that his said Company 
was placed under the Command of Major McDowell.  That soon after he joined the Army under Genl. Morgan it crossed the Pacolet and marched towards Broad River and came to a halt at a place called the Cowpens, at which place the British under the command of Col. Tarleton came up with the Army and made an attack and a battle was then fought. This declarant was in the Battle under the command of Major McDowell.  Captain Abel Armstrong was still the commander of the 
Company to which this declarant belonged.
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 He states that he was in the front line in the 
beginning of the Action and upon the first fire it fell back upon the second line which this 
declarant thinks was commanded by Col. Pickens.  In this battle a number of prisoners were taken and this declarant with the militia and volunteers that remained in the Army 
were detached with the prisoners thence over Broad River and the Catawba into Virginia – Genl.  Morgan followed on and Cornwallis pursued to the Catawba.  After the Army crossed the Catawba it encamped and rested for several days until Genl. Greene came and took the Command in person.  Soon after Genl. Greene arrived Lord Cornwallis forced a passage over the Catawba at Cowan's Ford as well as I remember which was defended by Genl. Davidson & this declarant was one of the detachment under his command & a 
skirmish took place in which Genl. Davidson was killed and the detachment dispersed.  This declarant and a portion of the Company to which he belonged including his Captain fell in with the Main body of the Army which took the route to Salisbury – thence to the Trading Ford of the Yadkin and Cornwallis kept in pursuit.  After the Army crossed the Yadkin it marched to Guilford Courthouse where it was joined by Genl. Huger and his division.  The whole Army then continued its retreat towards Virginia and was pursued by Cornwallis and was at last compelled to cross the River Dan which was effected at Boyd's & Irwin's ferries which were within
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3 or 4 miles of each other and this declarant was one of the men who were detailed to bring down boats for the Army to cross over in.  The Army remained in the borders of the State of Virginia only a short time till it received considerable reinforcements and then it was again crossed the River Dan and followed Cornwallis who was retiring through the country towards Hillsboro.  The Tories about this time were very bad and this declarant & his Company were frequently detailed to harass them together with parties of the British.  The Main body of the Army continued its march and crossed the Haw River near its source & stationed itself on Troublesome Creek – Genl. Greene however kept the Army in almost constant motion not suffering it to encamp on the same ground two nights in succession.  Whilst the Army was in this situation Cornwallis made an attack on a portion of it which was stationed on Reedy Fork under Col. Campbell and Col. Lee and the Americans were forced to retreat with the loss of some killed and Genl. Greene retired with the whole Army to the iron works – Genl. Greene was almost daily receiving reinforcements and finally about the middle of March 1781 he marched the whole Army to Guilford Court house.  On the day before the Battle of Guilford, in the evening this declarant and the Company to which he belonged was detached with a parcel of the Baggage wagons belonging to the Army across a creek which lay about miles off and they were directed after they crossed to take up the bridge and await further orders.  This service they
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performed and the engagement resulting in the defeat of the American Army, they were directed to scatter the wagons in the Woods, take out the horses and join the Army, which they did do on the day after the battle at Reedy fork Creek and soon afterwards the Army retreated to the iron works on Troublesome Creek which place had been appointed for a rendezvous of the Army in case of defeat.  Some days after the battle Lord Cornwallis commenced a retreat and Genl. Greene with the Army engaged in the pursuit of him and finally at Ramsey's Mills on Deep River gave it up and came to a halt where it remained for several days.  From this point this declarant was one of a party detached upon Cross Creek for the purpose of quieting the disturbances there and continued in that vicinity till near the expiration of his tour of service before which time they marched on the Catawba about 10 miles from the Island Ford and there had a little reincountre with a party of Tories under command of Jack Brown.  In this little scrape this declarant received a slight bayonet wound in his right knee.  After the expiration of this Tour which was the last performed by this declarant he received a discharge from his officers which he has since lost and returned to his home in Rowan 
County. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State in the Union, and that he has no documentary evidence of his services but that he can prove most of them by William Knight who served a part of the time with him and who is now alive
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Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
                William Lorance 
Interrogatories propounded by the Court to William Lorance the above named applicant 
1st  Where and in what year were you born? 
Answer: I was born on the 21st of August 1763 in the County of Rowan and State of North Carolina according to the best information which I have on the subject. 
2nd  Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? 
Answer:  I have a record of my age in an old Book which formerly belonged to my father 
and which I now have in my possession 
3rd  Where were you living when called into service: where have you lived since the 
Revolutionary War and where do you now live? 
Answer:  I live with my father in the County of Rowan and State of North Carolina and 
continued to reside in said County for a number of years after the revolution and finally moved to Kentucky and to the County of Owen where I now reside. 
4th  How were you called into service; were you drafted; did you volunteer or were you a 
substitute, and if in substitute, for whom? 
Answer:  I volunteered in each tour of service which I performed. 
5th  State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such Continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service. 
Answer:  At various times during my service I recollect to have seen Genls Gates, Smallwood, Huger, Greene & Morgan and Rutherford & Stephens & Davidson who was killed at 
Cowan's ferry, also Col Mayban,
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Caldwell, Craig, Pickens, Campbell, Lee, Washington, Williams and Howard.  I first entered the service as a volunteer in the company of Capt. William Armstrong, in the spring of the year 1779 upon a tour of six months – during this tour I was engaged in an encounter with the Tories on Deep River under a man by the name of Fanning at the haw fields.  I continued in the service until the expiration of said Tour received a verbal 
discharge & returned home.  I afterwards volunteered in a company commanded by the same man upon a 12 months tour – during this tour I was in another engagement with the Tories at Ramsour's Mills on the Catawba in which Capt. Armstrong was killed and Abel Armstrong the lieutenant of the company took the command.  I continued in the service & was frequently in detachments against the Tories during the said 12 months tour and at its termination was verbally discharged and returned home.  Afterwards about Christmas 1780 or early in January 1781 I again volunteered upon a six months tour in Capt. Abel Armstrong's company and joined Genl. 
Morgan and was with him at the battle of the Cowpens in which action I was personally engaged.  I was engaged soon afterwards in a skirmish with the British at Cowans Ford on the Catawba in which Genl. Davidson was killed.  I was also with the Army on the day before the battle of Guilford.
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Some time after the battle of Guilford I was in a party which had a skirmish with the Tories who were under the Command of one Jack Brown near the Island Ford on the Catawba.  
In this skirmish I received a slight wound in the right knee.  I continued in the service during my tour & was discharged in writing by my officers but have since lost it. 
6th  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
Answer: I never received but one discharge in writing and that for the last tour of six months which was signed by my officers and which I have since lost. 
7th  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief in your services as a soldier in the revolution. 
Answer: I am acquainted with Farmer Rus & Sherwood Maddox who are residents of my 
neighborhood and to whom I am known. 
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. 
                  William X Lorance
                    (X his mark)

We Farmer Rus and Sherwood Maddox residing in the county of Owen State of Ky hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Lorance who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we
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believe him to be 69 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
     Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
                Far. Rus
                Sherwood Maddox

And the said Court does hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that there is no clergyman in the immediate vicinity of said Lorance and that Farmer Rus and Sherwood Maddox who have signed the above certificates are residents of the county of Owen and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
           Jas H Sale
           N M Baron
           J.H. Smith
             Justices of the Owen County Court

I John C. Bacon Clerk of the Owen Circuit Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Lorance for a pension.
(seal)   In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 3d day of Decr 1832.
                      J.C. Bacon Clk
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The department will please to communicate to me the final action on the case as soon as convenient directed to "Owenton Owen County Ky" where I reside
               Thos A. Berryman
Page 20

The Affidavit of William Knight taken on the 27th day of September 1832 to be laid before the Secretary of the War department of the United States of America to be used on a half of William Lorance an applicant to be placed on the pension Roll of the United States as a revolutionary soldier.  This affiant being of lawful age and first duly cautioned, charged & sworn deposeth and saith that he this affiant was a revolutionary soldier that he served as such nine months in the militia and then enlisted as a regular soldier during the War, that he served under William Jamison a Captain in the militia & in the regular service under Capt. Litle & Capt. Washington – that he was at the Battle of Guilford and Cowpens and at the siege of York where Cornwallis surrendered, that he is not on any pension roll as such – that he knows William Lorance of Owen County who is about to make his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of 
the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 – That he was well acquainted with him before the 
revolutionary war and that he saw him in the service of the United States at a battle fought with the Tories on Deep River, the Tories were commanded by a man by name of Fannon as well as affiant recollects – And the American troops were commanded by Col. Alexander Mayban.  This affiant was present at the engagement and said Lorance as well as 
himself were engaged in the action.  This affiant also further states that he saw the said Lorance at the Battle of the Cowpens in which Action the said Lorance and himself were both engaged.  This affiant further states that at the Battle of Guilford the said Lorance was in the service though he does not think he was present and engaged in the Battle but he saw him on the day after said Battle
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with the Army – that he had thought that Lorance was engaged in the Battle but that when he first saw him after the Battle they conversed together & Lorance told him that he was not in the engagement but had been detailed to take care of the wagons.  After the Battle of Guilford this affiant was marched on towards York and he thinks that Lorance amongst others was detached to Cross Creek and from what he afterwards learned went afterward on the borders of North & South Carolina and probably into South Carolina to assist in keeping down the Tories.  This Affiant is certain that he himself knew of the said Lorance serving eighteen months before 
the affiant marched to York, and that after this affiant marched to York he understood that 
Lorance still continued in the service how long he does not know.  This affiant states that 
Lorance lived in Rowan County North Carolina when he entered the service.  He further states 
that he has known the said Lorance ever since the revolutionary War.  He further states that in the evening before the battle of Guilford William Lorance the same man above named in company with three other soldiers brought in five prisoners whom they had taken.  The circumstance was a little remarkable is the reason this affiant supposes of his recollecting it so distinctly at so great a length of time. 
                   William Knight
Page 22

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Owen County Sct

     I Nathaniel M Bacon a justice of the Peace for said Commonwealth in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing deposition of William Knight who is a credible person as far as I know was this day taken subscribed and sworn to in my presence - I do further certify that I first cautioned and charged said affiant.  Given under my hand and seal this 27th day of Septr 1832.
              Nathl M Bacon (seal)
              Justice of the Peace for
              Owen County Ky

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Owen County Sct
     I John G. Bacon Clerk of the Court for the County aforesaid do certify that Nathan'l M. Bacon whose name is subscribed to the above certificate is a Justice of the Peace in and for Owen County and is a member of the Court of which I am Clerk and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
(seal)  In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of my said office this 5th day Octr 1832
                          JC Bacon Clerk
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The Affidavit of William Lorance taken at the house of the subscribing Justice in Owen County Kentucky on the 31st day of May 1833.  This affiant states that he is the identical William Lorance who made his declaration before the Owen County Court on the 3rd day of December 1832.  That said declaration was made by him in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 7th June 1832.  He now states that his services during the revolutionary war are therein correctly set forth according to his best recollection except only the time of his active service as a minute man under Captain William Armstrong.  And he now states by way of Amendment to his said declaration in that particular that in October 1779 he volunteered as a private soldier in the said Company of minute men under Capt. Armstrong as in his said 
declaration is alleged – that the other company officers are correctly named therein and he forthwith entered the service accordingly and served during his said engagement has in his said declaration is set forth.  He states that it is certain that a portion of the time of his said engagement for one year as a minute man was spent out of actual service but that portion was inconsiderable.  He states that although it was called a company of minute men, it was with but 
little intermission in actual active service during the year – that he is confident and absolutely certain from his present best recollection that he was in actual active service with said company (within the period of his said engagement) not less than ten months.  He cannot state the particulars of his service during his said engagement with more certainty than he has already in his said declaration – that from the time of his entering thereupon in October 1779 up to June 1780 he does not recollect of his being out of actual active service more than about two weeks 
which interval or respite took place soon after the affair at Ramsour's Mill – that from June 1780 till he joined the Regiment of Col. Caldwell under Genl. Smallwood
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which was the latter part of August or first of September following the intermissions in his actual service were frequent but of short duration and from the time he joined Genl. Smallwood his service was continued & 
uninterrupted until his term expired in October.  He states that he served in the revolution six months under Capt. W. Armstrong as a volunteer soldier upon a tour of that length – six months as a volunteer soldier under Capt. Abel Armstrong – and not less according to his present best recollection than ten months as a minute man under Capts William & Abel Armstrong as stated in his original and this is Amended declaration. 
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. 
                  William X Lorance
                     (X his mark)

State of Kentucky
County of Owen
Sct
     I N.M. Bacon a Justice of the Peace in and for said county hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit was this day taken subscribed and sworn to before me at my house in said county as in said affidavit is mentioned.  I further certify that the said affiant William Lorance is a credible person and that his statements are entitled to credit.
Given under my hand this 31st day of May 1833
                   N.M. Bacon J.P.O.C.

     I John C. Bacon Clerk of the Owen County Court in the state of Kentucky hereby certify that N.M. Bacon who has subscribed the foregoing certificate is a justice of the peace in & for Owen County & was such at the time of signing the same & is a member of the court of which I am clerk and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature.

(seal)     In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 31st day of May 1833
       JC Bacon Clk Owen
       County Court
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Please hand these 5 cases to Mr. Allison
    R Johnson
Page 26

          Owenton June 10th 1833

Dr Sir
     I take the liberty of again trespassing upon your time and soliciting your Kind offices - You will find enclosed five declarations under the act of June 1832 for pension - which I shall be truly thankful if you will forward and upon the return of the certificates enclosed them to me - all the persons reside in this county - The names of William Lorance, Isaac Ellis, Hugh Conway, Robert Burke and Benjamin Holladay -  I recd the other certificates duly and are truly grateful to you for your kindness and attention.
                      Yours resptly
                      Thomas A. Berryman
Page 27

31217
Revy
INVALID.
File No. 31,217
William Lorance
Pri Rev War

Act:  June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 287

[Arrangement of 1870.]