Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 7951, John Willfong, N.C. S.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE                                       
N.C                        
S.C                   
 
NUMBER                       
S7951

Willfong, John or Willfong

Born in NC
CONTENTS
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pensioner under act June 7, 1832 ┃
See letter to P. G. J. Huske June 7.
1834

North Carolina
John Wilfong,
Private
in the Army of the
United States
Inscribed on the roll of
the North Carolina Agen
cy at $2 66 2/3 /100  per month
-
Formal certificate of
pension issued 29 Nov. 1822,
and sent to D. A. Davis Esq.
Fayetteville, N.C.
18
N 12.761
Invalid
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North Carolina 12.761
John Wilfong
Lincoln in the State of N. Carolina
who was a private in the company command
by Captain Sigman of the regt commanded
by Col. Mc Dowd the N. Carolina
line for 11 months 18 days
NC and SC
Aug '3/04
Records completed

Inscribed on the Roll of No. Carolina
at the rate of 37-- Dollars - 54 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of May 33
and sent Leut Vardy Mc
Bee Lincolnton N.C.
=
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 -75.08
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sept 13.54
-98.62

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Rush, Newnan Clerk
Book C. Vol. 4 Page 59
Page 4

Invalid Pension or also see letter
to J. Huske P.O.   3 June 1834

1888 March 19 D Schenck history P nov
Died June 8. 1838


D June 8 1838
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State of North Carolina
Lincoln County
Court of pleas &
Quarter Session

On this 30th day of October 1832 personally appeared to open Court before the Justices of the County Court now sitting John Wilfong a resident of the County of Lincoln and State of North Carolina aged seventy years of age 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 here stated The last of August or the 1st of September 1780
he entered the service as a volunteer under Col Charles McDowell- Capt Sigman Lt. Vanhorn - Marched to Morganton N.C. from thence to Cain Creek in Burke Coty.
N.C. when they had a slight skirmish, from thence to Wattaga  -They then returned the same route Joined by Col Sevier -- Shelly and Campbell to Cain Creek Burke County NC from thence to Gilberton in Rutherford County -
N. C. from thence to the Cowpens when they were joined by
Cols Cleveland and Williams and some Lincoln troops from thence they march across broad river and fought the battle of Kings Mountain the same day - Ferguson was killed and the whole army taken prisoner In which battle he was wounded in the left arm by a ball in consequence of which he returned home on the 8th October 1780
Entered the service the second time as a volunteer for 10 months 15 July 1781 as will appear by certificate
Marked A Under Col Hammond  - Capt Cowan
Lt. George Hammond, Marched from Lincoln N.C. to near Augusta Georgia, marched from thence into South Carolina - joined General Green's army, from thence to Utaw (Eutaw) Springs and was in the battle 1781
from thence marched to White Hall S Carolina
Page 6

In March 1782 marched to the Cherokee Nation under Cap. Jesse Johnson - returned to Gnl. Pickens in
South Carolina where he served the residue of his term and was discharged as will appear by exhibit
Marked B
I hereby relinquish every claim to a pension or annuity whatever except the present and declare that my name is
not on the pension roll or agency of any State only in that of the agency of N Carolina - which certificate is thereby annexed 
he has no Documentary evidence save what is here annexed and Michael Cline independent
statement
1 When and in what year were you born
An. I was born in North Caroline April 8th 1762
2nd Have you any record of your age and if so whe  is it  
Ans. I have not - but have seen my age in
my fathers testament
3rd  Where were you living when called into service  where were you living in the revolutionary war and where do you now live
Ans. Iin Lincoln County N Carolina the name
that which County has been several times
changed - 
4th How were you called into service 
Ans Volunteered
5th State some of the regular troops and officers
Gnl  Green - Col Washington  - Col Lee
6th Did you ever receive a discharge and if so by whom
Genl. Green Command as Utaw (Eutaw)  Col Washington to Col Lee - Washington was taken prisoner at Eutaw -the discharge is to this declaration exhibited -
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7 State the names of persons to whom you are known
or neighbourhood who can testify as to your
veracity good behaviour and your services in the
volution
Michael Cline and John Fritchey
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year afrman
John Willfong

We John Fritchey a clergyman residing in the
County of Lincoln and State of North Carolina and
Michael Cline residing in the same do hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with John Wilfong
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be seventy years of age that
he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood
when he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution
and we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and Subscribed the day
year aforesaid
Fil Vardy W. Bee Clerk. Jno Fritchey V. Dell
Michael Cline

And the said Court hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter after putting the
interrogations prescribed by the war Department that the
above named applicant was a revolutionary solder
and served as he states and the Court further certifies
that it appears to them that John Pritchey who has
signed the preceding certificate is a clergman and resides
in the County and State aforesaid and that Michael
Cline who has signed the same is a resident of
the same County and State and is a credit
and that the statement is entitled to credit
Archd Hoyl Chasil C.C
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I Vardy McBee Clerk of the County Court of
Lincoln do hereby certify that the foregoing contens
the original proceedings in the matter of the
application of John Wilfong for a pension
In testimony wheof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office this 4th day of November
1832
Vardy McBree CC

Michael Cline swears that he knows of John
Wilfongs being wounded in service - and
that he received a negro for services-
Michael Cline
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John  Wilfongs
Declaration
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State of North Carolina
Lincoln County

Be it known that John Willfong
personally appeared before me
Michael Cline and of the a Justice of the peace for said
County of Lincoln who on his oath declares, that he is the same
Identical John Willfong who served as a private in the Company
commanded by Captain John Sigman in the Regiment commanded
Colonel McDowell of the County of Burk in said State
aforesaid in the Militia in the Revolutionary war and that
he was wounded in the left arm while he serves at the Battel
of Kings Mountain, and that in consequence of a wound was
placed on the pension List of North
Carolina and since
Transferred to the pension List of the United States at the
Rate of Two Dollars per month and further states on his oath
that he never received a certificate for the sd pension from
the State of North Carolina or from the United States
But stated that he for some time since he  drew his pension from
the proper authority of the State of North Carolina and the
United States for the North Carolina agency at Fayetteville
and that he is the same person that was examined by James Berry and William Johnston practising physicians at the
day of October 1822 and that he now lives in the County of Lincoln
aforesaid where he has resided for many years at and that he is
same person he represents himself to be sworn to and subscribed
the before me this 9th day of November 1822

John Wilfong
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State of North Carolina}
Lincoln County               }
I Vardy McBee Clerk of the Court
of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in the State & County
aforesaid, do Certify that Michael Cline
Esqr before whom the within affidavits
was made & Power of attorney acknowledged
& who attested the same is an Acting
Justice of the Peace in & for said County
duly sworn & commissioned that his
Official attestations are entitled to all
due faith & credit as such - 

In testimony
thereof I have Set my hand & Seal
of Office at Lincolnton the 11th day
of November 1822 & on the 47th
year of our Independence
Vardy Mc Bee  Clk
Page 12

John Wilfong
No Ca

Admit a p month
11 mo 28 days 
37.54
Page 13

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,     183
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 show 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, showing the service of John Wilfong
Period when the service was rendered
1708 vol
July 1781
Duration of the
claimant's service.
1 month 8 days
10 months 

Rank of the claimant Pri 

Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Col. C. McDowell
Col Hammond

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered  the service.
70 years
Lincoln co 
No Ca

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary
Documentary

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATION 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 claim
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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} ss.
County 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_______years, who being first 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, in 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 of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid._______________A. B.

[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)
hereby 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.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the___________
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 produce 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
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of 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 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?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, 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 Solder.     } 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 be come 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 a 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.

[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 satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. 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 Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best 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 place 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 ribbon, 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.
☞ The notes from [a] to [i] are all 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 insepensible 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.
Page 16

July 27, 1937.
XXXXXX
BA-J/ady
John Willfong
S. 7951

Mrs. Dewitt Plyler
304 West Meeting Street
Lancaster, South Carolina

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to
soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office
are obtained from claims made to the United States
for pension and bounty land based upon military
service of soldier in that war.

A careful search of the records fails to show
such claim on file on account of the services of
George Wilfong, all spellings of the names searched.

From the papers on file in Revolutionary War
pension claim, S.7951, it appears that John Willfong
or Wilfong was born April 3, 1763, in North Carolina,
the name of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Lincoln County, North Carolina,
he volunteered in August or September 1780, served as
private in Captain John Sigman's Company, Colonel Charles
McDowell's  North Carolina Regiment, was engaged in a
skirmish at Cane Creek and in the battle of Kings
Mountain where he was wounded in his left arm by a ball
and returned home October 8, 1780. He enlisted July 15,
1781, served in Captain Cowan's Company, Colonel Samuel
Hammond's South Carolina Regiment, was engaged in the
battle of Eutaw Springs and in March 1783 went in Captain
Jesse Johnson's Company, Colonel Samuel Hammond's Regiment
to the Cherokee nation and was discharged May 31,
1782.
He was pensioned from September 4, 1808 on account
of disability resulting from said wound.
Page 17

In 1832 he was living in Lincoln County, North Carolina
.
He died June 3, 1838, place not stated.
There are no family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 18

These are to certify that John Willfong
enlisted the 15 Jully 1781 for the 
term of ten months given on
my hand this 3rd Sept 

Sam Hammond 
Lt Col P Z
Page 19

These are to certify that Jacob Mines in
ten  m

John Wilfong
S.F. 7951 S.C
Page 20

Discharge 
from the 
10 months
service
Page 21

I hereby certify that John Willfong a soldier of my
State Regiment of So Carolina State (illegible) servd the term
for which he engaged with that Spirit & honesty to which
(illegible) of my and soldier and for which
He was paid a Negro, and this is to certify his right
to the same, with his discharge, by me Distin
this 31 May 1783-

Saml Hammond