Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7804, John L Ward, N.C.
Page 1

8-1776
Service: N.C.
Ward, John L.
Number: S.7804
carded.

Contents:
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[Note: Any and All Words in Parenthesis will be assumed words or letters based on what was left, as this piece is torn in multiple places. Basing potential wording on previous work on other pensions.]

(North) Carolina
John L. (Ward)
(of) Warren Co. in the State of N. (Carolina)
who was a Private in the compa(ny commanded) by Captain Christmas of the Regt. [Torn, suspected word; commanded] by Col. Allen in the N. Carol(ina)
line for 14 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina
at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per an(num)
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15. day of March 1834 and sent to How. M.J.
Hawkins H.R.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1834
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sep.

139.98
23.33
$163.31

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1833.}

Recorded by D. Brown
Book E. Vol. 6 Page 3(?)[Torn]
Page 3


Redhan(? Reohan?)
7804
INVALID.

File No. 7804
John L. Ward
Priv. Rev War
—
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: —Vol. 1, Page 392
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 4

State of North Carolina
Warren County
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
August Term 1833
On this [blank] of August 1833 personally appeared
in open court before the Justices of said court
now sitting which is a court of record John L Ward
resident of Warren County North Carolina
seventy years of age who being duly sworn
according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration that he was born in Bute
County N Carolina now Warren on the 12th
July AD 1763 that he was drafted March
8th 1780 at Thomas Christmas's in Warren
County where Warrenton is now situated
thence he went to Kington with Thomas Thorne
then was drafted at the same time there he joined
Gen William Casswell Regiment He was at
different times under the command of Col
James Allen and Isaack Sessens and Major Bowing
he also served under Captain Christmas
lieuft Perkins and Ensign Meritt and
followed them to West Point in Waynesboro County
thence to Cross Creek now Fayetteville thence
Cheraw Hills and Pedee [sic: Pe Dee River] thence to Pine Tree
now Camden thence to Mccords [sic] Ferry on
Congaree on our way in Charston [sic: Charleston] At Monks
Corner he heard of Lincolns Surrendering the
town of Cherston [sic: Charleston] and retreated towards
the Santee crossing that river near where
Tarleton defeated Cols Washington and White thence up said river to Wrights Bluff joining
in the [Illegible] Col Beauforts Regulars here
We remained at Wright Bluff several days thence started
to Georgetown and at Cedar Creek met General
Page 5

Davidson badly wounded General Davidson immediately directed a retreat  We retreated to the
high hills of Santee thence to Camden where
a dispute occured [sic] between Gen Caswell and Col
Bufort which occasioned a seperation [sic] Cass[well]
taking the right and Bufort the left hand road
Tarlton soon come up with Bufort and cut his
men to pieces he then pursued Casswells Regim[ent]
to which the declarant belonged General Cass[well]
and his ^men proceeded to Lenues ferry on Pedee [sic]
Gen Rutherford who had previously ^joined Casswells
Regiment to which the declarant belonged had
a fine stallion and fearing that Tarleton wo[uld]
get him delivered the horse to the declarant
considered to be a first rate rider and told
him to lose his life sooner than the horse
but to keep in the vew [sic] of the army and with
the movements of the enemy and to let our
army when they come in sight  Some two or three miles
before reaching the said Ferry being all most [sic] exausted[sic]  with
fatigue hunger and thirst seeing a little cabbin [sic] on the road si[de]
I called and received from the hands of and [sic] old lady a gl[ass]
of milk While drinking the same the horse began prounce[sic] I
looked behind saw a cloud of dust a rising I then move[d]
with all speed and gave information to the rear gard [sic] tha[t]
the enemy was at hand I then pushed for the River where I
found the army nearly all crossed over then I forced the sta[lion]
in to the River Had got little advanced in the River when t[he]
enemy arrived at the banks and ordered me to stop or I wood [sic] b[e]
a dead man but I forcing the horse in a still more rappid [sic]
manner they fired a volley of balls at me which so much alarmed the horse and my self to but I lost my hold on my horse
but both arrived safe in the opposite bank safe and joined
the army then we marched to Coles Bridge on drowning Creek
thence to cross creeks again crossed cape fair River then encam[ped]
waiting for renforcements [sic] at which place Colo Ben Seawell
Joined us with his troops about the last of June but my term
of service being expired which was for three months Colo James
Allen called on the captains to deliver up all whose terms of
services was out. at which time my self, Thomas Thorne Na[than]
Verser and William Medley all of the same naborhood [sic]
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was discharged some time in the same year about the first of
October I vollenteared [sic] my services in a company of light horse
under the command of Captin [sic] William Christmas and was
excepted and was frequently in service after Tories and deserters
untill [sic] 1781. about the 10 of February at the Waxhaws we fell under
care of Colo Marlberry commander of the horse and continued with
him untill [sic] the battle of Guilford and continued with the army
to Ramseys Mill on deep River there I Received my discharge the
5 of Aprile [sic] which I have misplaced or lost I then returned
home in a declining state of health which continuing untill [sic]
the spring of 1782 when Captin Thomas Brittle Hartford Coty [sic: Thomas Brickell of Hertford County NC]
come up in Warren County to enlist Marines to man a schooner cald [sic] Hazard fitted out as a privateer fitted out
by Colo George Win and others under the command of Capt
Honnett. Charles Whitehead James Ransom Sugar Jones and
myself enlisted my friends and Capt Brittle pursuadeing
me that a sea voige [sic] wood restore to me my health we
arrived at Winton the 18 april [sic] 1782, where we were received
by Capt Brittle and the crew
as soon as the schooner was
ready for a crews we set sail I was appointed Clerk and
confined mostly below deck and having no knowledge of navigation
knows very little about the crews on water
his health recovered and severrial [sic] prizes taken we landed at
Eadenton [sic] the last of June from whence I came home the date I do not
remember but my father Negroes was cutting wheat whilest
I was at sea the Tories and robbers had become so troublesome that
there were to be raised a certain number of men to be Enlisted for
during the war and Aron Fuggles a near nabor [sic] of my Fathers
appointed captain under whome I enlisted the first of July
where I continued until peace was concluded
Feby 1783

I service as a private while on land and as a clerk and Steward
while on the schooner he heare by relinquishes every claim what-
ever to a pention [sic] or anuity [sic] except the present declars [sic] that his name
is not on the pention [sic] role of the agency of any state what ever
John L Ward
Sworn to in Open Court
E. D. Drake C.W.C.C.
The declarent John S. Ward maketh Oath that the
above is true and that he knows of no person now
living by whom he could prove the truth of the foregoing declaration
John L Ward
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The declarant John L Ward maketh oath that the above is
true and that he knows of no person now living by whom
he can prove the truth of the foregoing decliration [sic]
John L Ward

We Caswell Drake a Clergyman residing in the County
of Warren and Thos. J. Judkins residing in the same
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John L. Ward who has subscribed
& sworn to the above declaration that we believe
him to be seventy years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood [sic] where
he resides to have been a soldier of the
Revolution & we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
E. D. Drake C.W.C.C.
Caswell Drake
T.J. Judkins J.P.

State of North Carolina
I Edwin D. Drake Clerk of the Court
of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Warren
in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the
within contains the original proceedings in the
matter of the application of John L. Ward for
a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal
of Office this 28th day of Augt 1833
E. D. Drake C.W.C.C.

2b.454
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State of North Carolina
Warren County ⎬
Court of pleas & quarter sessions Feby Term
1834, on this day 24th Feby 1834 Personally appeared
in open Court before the Justices of said Court now sitting it being a Court
of Record, John L. Ward of the County and State aforesaid who was
born July 12th 1763 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 7th June 1832- To Wit, That
he was drafted March 8th, 1780 at the House of Thomas Christmas
in said County and from thence marched to Kingston, and joined Gen
William Caswells Regiment, Col James Allen, Isaac Sessams, and Major Bonner
where he was put under the command of Capt Thos Christmas, Lietenant 
Perkins, and Ensign Merritt, from thence we marched to West Point from
thence to cross creek, from thence to Cheraw Hill & PeeDee River, from thence
to Camden thence to McCords ferry on the Congaree, or our way to Charleston
and just before we reached Monks Corner, hearing that Charleston had
surrendered, I retreated towards the Santee River, crossing the said River
near where Tarleton surprised Col Washington & White, then up the said River
to Wights bluff, Joining on our March Col Buford with his Regulars, at which place we staid several days, from thence we marched for Georgetown
and on our arriving at Cedar Creek below Nelsons Ferry on the Santee
River, we were met by Genl Davidson badly wounded, and persuaded an
immediate retreat which was done to the high hills of Santee and from
thence to Camden, near which place, a dispute between Genl Caswell & 
Col Buford (as I understood) and they seperated, Caswell taking the right
and Buford the left hand fork of the roads, soon after that took place
Tarleton came up with Buford, and cut his troops in a shocking manner,
and then pursued Caswells Regiment to which I belonged, which was making
its way to Lenoirs Ferry on the Peedee River, Genl Rutherford, who had previously
joined Caswells Regiment, and having a fine stud horse, and fearing that Tarleton
would get him, and understanding that I was a first rate rider,
called for me & delivered the horse to me and said never let him be taken
from me while life lasts but keep in the rear of the Army, and watch if the
Enemy came in view, and immediately give information, Some two or three
miles before reaching the said River by almost exhausted with fatigue,
hunger & thirst, and seeing a little log cabbin [sic] on the road side, I called for
something to eat or drink, an old woman gave me a tumbler of milk while I
was drinking the milk, the horse began to prance I looked back and saw a cloud
of dust arise I then moved with all speed, and gave information to the
rear guard, that the enemy was at hand, and pushed for the river where I found
the army had nearly all crossed, I then forced the Horse in the River, but had
got very little distance from the land when the enemy came to the Bank and
ordered me to come back, or I was a dead man at the same time they fired
so rapidly that the alarm caused me and the horse to get seperated, but both -
(over)
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landed safe and joined the retreating army on their way to Coles bridge
on Drowning Creek, from thence to Cross Creek and crossing over Cape Fear
river, we there incamped waiting for reinforcements, at which place Col
Seawell joined us with his troops towards the last of June, and our time
of service being expired, which was for three months, Col James Allen called
on the Captain to deliver up those whose time of service was out, at which
time myself, Thos. Thorne, Nathan Vasser and Wm. Medley, all in the same
neighbourhood were discharged and came home, but I was soon after getting
home taken with the ague and fever but when ever I found myself able
went with others in pursuit of Tories & deserters and carrying express from
and to Genl Sumner (who lived within two miles of my Father) to other officers
until it was officiously presented that Genl Greene had come in place of
Genl Gates and took the command of the Southern army, and the greatest
exertions were made to raise men there was a call for a draft Volunteers
and during the year men, among the number Capt William Christmas turned
out as Volunteer Captain, a Nichols Lieutenant -  Fulker Ensign, Officers
for five months from the 10th October 1780 and completed his company,
of whom I was one & with him or his officers was frequently in service
of dangerous and fatiguing enterprises, until called into actual service
by Col Eaton, who ordered Capt Christmas to repair with his men to
the South to recruit and strengthen the few remaining whigs, and Cooperate
with Marion Washington, Leigh [sic] & others, and being ready to join Gen Green
in this service was experienced great hardship from almost continued marching today with one party, tomorrow with another, from deep river in North Carolina
to Santee in South Carolina scarcely two days in any one section, until we
were called (I believe to the Waxhaws) in order to cooperate with Genl
Green to prevent Corn Wallace  [sic:
Cornwallis] from intercepting and rescuing the prisoners
that Genl Morgan had taken at the Company, at this place, Christmas
and his men fell under the command of Col. Marbody who continued
to command until the Battle of Guilford Court House on the fifteenth
of March, shortly after the Battle commenced col Marbody with a party
of his horse was dispatched in order to stop the retreat of the Malitia,
I being well acquainted with Col Washington joined his troops, and continued
with him until we ran Wallace, and his adherents to Ramsays Mills on
Deep River, where I was taken by sick, and as I could have no tidings
of my Col, Caption or any officer of the Company, and continuing sick
and as opportunity offering of my putting my horse in a waggon [sic], I might
be conveyed within two or three hundred yards of Genl Sumners house and
within two miles of my Fathers, Col McDowell who I was well acquainted with
gave me a furlough to Genl Sumners, where I arrived about the
middle of April 1781. I heard of the safe arrival of my captain, Lieutenant,
and most of the men, about the first of May I went to the shores mineral
Spring and drank freely of the water which enabled me to accompany Gen.
Sumner under Capt William Fawn, Lieut. Yarbrough, and Ensign Tilley,

Ward, John L
NC S7804
Page 10

to join his Regiment that had previously marched to North Carolina 
under (I believe Col Williams) we left home about the 1st august &
marched for Camden, but before we got there, Genl Greene had got the
British and Tories in the retreat & we following on in order to overtake
Genl Greene or some other officer, which we did somewhere on the Santee River,
we found Col William Henderson, who immediately took command of
Capt Fawns men, who were enlisted for six months, and we put in pursuit
of the enemy and had frequent skirmishes with them, until the 8th September
at the Eautau springs, where in early part of the Battle, I rec'd a ball
in my left thigh a buck shot in my left ancle [sic], and another in my right
leg, which bled so profusely that I was soon carried off the field
and many days intervened before I knew any thing of the Battle, owing to the
heat and loss of blood, but being placed in kind and attentive hands
I was enabled to get home a few days before Christmas, so much exhausted,
that it was generally believed I never should recover, I continued to
breathe however until April 1782, when a company of my intimates and
School fellows engaged in a privateer and persuaded me to accompany them
as a means of restoring me to my health, which I did, on the 9th April &
returned the last of June or first of July in fine health, whilst I was at
sea this slate was laid off in sections, and each section, was to have a Capt,
Lieut, & Ensign, and were imposed to enlist men for and during the War, Aaron Fussil, a near neighbor of mine was Captain and William Fussill Lieut. and myself Ensign. Our  section was from the Virginia line North about
about twenty five for thirty miles to where we lived, Halifax east forty
five or fifty miles, Wake Court House South forty five or fifty miles,
Hillsborough West sixty or sixty five miles. This service commenced the
1st July 1782, in which service I suffered more fatigue and cold than
I ever experienced before or since, - sometime in February 1783, we were
all dismissed as peace was concluded H [?] . - This applicant hereby ^relinquishes every
claim whatever, to a pension or annuity except the present & declares
that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
- Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
in open Court.
John L Ward
E. D. Drake C.W.C.C.

Sr Caswell Drake-- a clergy man residing in the County of
Warren and State of North Carolina and Thomas J Judkins residing in
the said County and state, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
John L. Ward who has sworn and subscribed to the above declaration, that
We believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is reputed and accord [?]
in the neighbourhood [sic] in which he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, Sworn and subscribed [Illegible]
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day and year aforesaid
E. D. Drake C.(?).C.C

Caswell Drake
T. J. Judkins

And the said Court, do hereby declare there opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states, and the Court further certify that it appears to them that Caswell Drake who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergy man resident in the County of
Warren, and that Thomas J. Judkins who has also signed the same is a resident of the same County, and is a creditable person and that
their statements is entitled to credit

James Somervill, presiding Justice of the said Court


State of North Carolina
I Edwin D Drake Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for the County of Warren County and State aforesaid hereby certify that James Somervill when Signature appears to the above certificate, was the presiding Justice as stated by him and the Signature purporting to be his is genuine. Given under my hand and seal of Office at Warrenton this 1st day of March A.D. 1834 
E. D. Drake C.(?).C.C
 

Admit as (?) 14 mo. (?)

Hon. M. T. Hawkins
H.R.

[Paper Below? Some sort of blurring or folding that makes the words hard to read but not impossible to make out.] Hon. J. Hawkins

Ward, John L.
NC S7804