Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 3013, Charles Blalack, N. C.
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Service:
N.C.

Blalack, Charles 
or
Blalock

Number
S3013
B.L.Nt.38,551-160-55
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19461
West Virginia
Charles Blalack
of Wilcomb in the State of W.V. who was a pri in the (illegible) commanded by Captain Rain of the regt commander by Col Moore in the N.C. line for 18 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of W.V. at the rate of 60 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Sept 1833 and 11 March 
McCain Lebanon
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 130.00
Semi-Ani. allowance ending 4 Mar 30.
186.00
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by (illegible) Boyd Clerk Book E Vol. 7 Page 73
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194.853 Act Mar {55
JUly 26
James M Blaloch (mir)
Charles Blaloch
James M. Blalock
Minor child of Charles Blalock
Revolutionary War
Revolutionary Pensions
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State of Tennessee }
Wilson County }
On this 25 day of June 1833. Personally appeared before the undersigned justices of the peace holding the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the county of Wilson aforesaid now in session June Term of the sd. Court 1833.

Charles Blalock resident of the County of Wilson aforesaid age 71 or 2. 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

First, there is no family record of my age that I know of or remember to have ever seen but have understood from early life from my parents and other traditionary evidence that I was born on the first day of May and was also informed that I was nineteen or twenty years old at the time of the battle at Guilford Courthouse which was (as may bee [sic] seen by history; in 1781.) I have subtracted 19 or 20 years from 1781 which brings the date of my birth to 1761 or 1762 which will make me 71 or 72 years old; say 1st day of May above mentioned. I was borne in the State of North Carolina in the County of Wake and that in the 15th or 16th year of my age I entered in the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as here in after mentioned; which was about the year 1775 or 1776..

I volunteered under Capt. Rains for a 3 months tour in the county of Wake aforesaid I think in the later part of that year and took up the line of march immediately first to Cross Creek which place is now called Fayetteville passing through the country in many different parts in the woods swamps &c. in that part of the state routing and expelling the tories from their vast depredation in that part of the country; and was out in actual service that tour the full term of three months. I was entirely commanded
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by the said Col Rains during that tour of which I received my discharge and in some short time afterwards in the later part of 1776 or 1777 I again volunteered under the same Captain Rains for three months more and marched in about the same duration as before was at Cooks Creek and in different sections of that part of County and driving tories from that part of the State and again served the full term of three months and was again entirely commanded by Capt Rains served my discharge for that tour and returned home.
About 6 months after serving my service tour with Capt. Rains I again volunteered under Capt Moore the regiment
commanded by Col William Moore and General Butler we took up the line of march in 1778 or 1779 popping through North Carolina by Sailsbury to the North boundary of South Carolina marching in many different roads in the North part of that state in pursuit of tories and the common army of the county returned home having served the full term of 3 months and received a discharge for the same.
About 4 or 6 months after serving the tour under Capt Moore I again volunteered under Capt Lewis Butler for 3 months the regiment commanded by Col William Moore and general Butler I think about the year 1789 We commenced the line of march through North Carolina passing through Salisbury to the North part of South Carolina searching and drawing the tories from their strong holds and hiding places returned near the same route through North Carolina after having served the full time of 3 months and received my discharge for the same.
About 6 to 8 months after serving the tour under Capt. Lewis Butler I was hired by William Maze who was drafted as a militiaman for 3 months as his substitute and was commanded by Capt Graham and the regiment commanded by Col. William Moore and general Butler and immediately commenced the line of march passing through Salisbury to the North part of South Carolina marched about in different
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parts of the country and remained in that State about one month then returned into North Carolina in camp near Hillsborough there remained a few days from thence to Rudy's Fork of Haw River where we had a battle with the British and Tories in which we put them to flight. from thence we marched to Guildford Court house when we joined Washington's main army and took a part in the celebrated battle of Guildford Court House. I fought in the hottest fury of the battle, but we were fourced [sic] to retreat to Troublebazzy Throw Works about 2 weeks afterwards I was discharged having served the full term of 3 months received my discharge and returned home.

About 3 or 4 months after serving as a substitute for William Maze I was again hired as a substitute for one Johnny Sexton who was drafted as a militiaman for 3 months under Capt. Lewis Butler redgiment [sic] commanded by Col. William Moore and General ["Moore" crossed out] Butler we immediately march to Cross Creek which is now Fayetteville of North Carolina going through the country in different directions in search of tories expelling the them in different quarters from thence returned home having served the full term of 3 months and received my discharged. Which services in all account [sic] to eighteen months All my discharges six in number have lost or destroyed by time in fact no particular care was taken of them not knowing they ever would be any value to me. I resided in the State of North Carolina Wake County after the revolutionary war for about 5 years from thence I removed to Chatham County in Said State resided there 6 years from thence to this State in Sumner County resided there about 3 years from thence to Wilson County in said State where I have resided ever since. I can prove by James Maze that I substituted in the place of [strikethrough] ^William Maze I can also prove by ["William" crossed out] ^Henry Massee that he served with me in the first campaign above mentioned. I rely upon the common proof for my services
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in the other 4 toures [sic] not knowing that any witness now lives to prove the fact: and I hereby relinquish every claim whatsoever to a pension or an annuity except the present and that I declair [sic] that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.

Sworn to in open court 25th June 1833 
S/J S McClain Clerk,
Charles [his mark] Blalack

And the said court do hereby declair [sic] their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier 
S/Birchet Douglass D.C [illegible]

We the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the County of Wilson aforesaid at June Term 1833. Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings  of the said court in the matter of the application of Charles Blalock for a pension. Given under our hands This 25 day of June 1833, Error.
S/B Douglass [personal seal]
S/D.C. Hibbetts [personal seal]
S/.M. Martin JP.

We Elijah Maddox clergymen residing in Wilson County and John Goldson risiding [sic] in the same Hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Charles Blalock who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and we believe him to be at least 71 or 72 years old that is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood [sic] where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution; and that we concur in that opinion

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court 20th June 1833
S/J S McClain Clerk
S/Elijah Maddox
S/John Goldston


State of Tennessee }
Wilson County }
This day appeared Henry Massee and James Maze witnesses who make oath as follows To wit ["William" crossed out] Henry Massee that he served with Charles Blalock
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the above mentioned applicant in the same company with him the first tour of 3 months as mentioned in said declaration. James Maze makes oath that he lived in the immediate neighbourhood [sic] with Charles Blalock when he substituted himself in the place of William Maze and that he went into service and served as he believes ^from information according to the statement in the declaration also that he substituted in the place of John Sexton as first above stated by William Massee and served as stated in the declaration. Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 25th day of June 1833
Sworn to in open court 25th June 1833
S/J S McClain Clerk
S/J Massey
S/James Maze


Questions propounded by the court to the applicant. First. where and in what year were you borne? Answer by the applicant; in Wake County State of Nort Carolina the first day of May 1761 or 1762
Question 2nd. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? Answer there is none to my knowledge.
Question 3d. Where were you living when you were called in to service? where have you lived since the revolutionary war. and where do you now live?
Answer I lived in the county of Wake in the state of North Carolina. from thence I removed to Chatham County in the same State from thence to this State in Sumner County from thence to Wilson County in the same State. where I now reside.
Question 4th. How were you called into service? were you drafted? did you volunteer? or were you a substitute? and if a substitute who for.
Answer. I was a volunteer for 4 different tours as mentioned in the declaration. and twice a substitute for ["William" crossed out] Henry Massee and John Sexton.

We further certify that the applicant is as we believe fully as old
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as he represents himself to be, and further that Elijah Maddox. _____ is a clergyman of reputation and good standing.
We further certify that we are personally acquainted with the ^applicant whose standing in the county is unimpeached and a man generally respected for truth and sobriety.
S/,M, Martin JP.
S/J.C. Hibbetts
S/B Douglass JP

["we" crossed out] I the the undersigned witness - citizen of Wilson County Tennessee do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with ["Henry Massey to" crossed out] Jim Maze whose affidavit is annexed hereto as to the withing proceedings to be entitled to Credit on oath on any court or other [illegible]
Sworn to in open court 25th June 1833 
S/J S McClain clk
S/Levi Holloway J.P.

I do hereby certify that I am acquainted personally with Henry Massey whose affidavit is [strikethrough] annexed to the within proceeding oath in a court of Justice

Sworn to in open court 25th June 1833
S/J S McClain clerk
of said County court
S/Wm L Martin

I Josiah S McClain of the Court of pleas & quarter sessions for the county of Wilson, State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Charles Blalock for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 4th day of July 1833
[seal]
S/J S McClain
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19 [4 crossed out] 853
James M. Blalock
by his guardian
Wm Bentley

Revolutionary


A.H. Evans
Atty
July 26. 1855
Page 11

Jas.. M. Blalock..
Land Claim


Filed by 
[crossed out]
F. L. McDaniel
Castalian Springs
Sumner County
[end crossed out]
Tenn
Page 12

State of Tennessee
Sumner County
[illegible] 3rd day of July. 1855. personally appeared before [illegible]


He further states [illegible]

was a revolutionary soldier, he [illegible]


his certificate was dated in [illegible]

And, left a widow, [strikethrough] Polly
Blalock. [illegible] departed this life [illegible]
The child of the said Charles Blalock, [illegible]
on file in the Pension office where in 
he was granted a Pension on account of the 
[illegible] said, Charles Blalock, and , of his wife Polly Blalock, [illegible]


makes this declaration for the
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purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which the 
[strikethrough] said [illegible] may be entitled under the Act of Congress of the [illegible]

[illegible] Charles Blalock, or his

[illegible]

Act of Congress, and that said, [illegible]


S/William Bentley
Gardian [sic] for M Blalock


State of Tennessee }
Sumner County }
We Fleming Cocke & W .J. Cocke residents of the county of Sumner & state of Tennessee upon our oaths declare that the foregoing - declaration was signed and acknowledged by - William Bentley in our presents and that he is the person that he represents himself to be -
S/Fleming Cocke
S/William J.. Cocke


The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the the person that he represents him self to and that I. have no interest in this claim
S/F.L. McDaniel JP.
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State of Tennessee }
Sumner County }
I John L Bugg Clerk of the County Court of Said County Certify that F L McDaniel Esqr whose name appears to the foregoing declaration and Affidavits is and was at the time of Signing the same an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified as such and that his signature is genuine

Witness my hand and seal of office at office in Gallatin Tennessee this 17th day of July AD 1855
S/John S Bugg Clerk
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James M. Blalock
minor child 
of Charles - 
Ten.

Additional Evidence
___________



A. H. Evans
Present
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State of Tennessee
At a County Court Signed and held for the County of Wilson, at the Court house in the town of Lebanon on the first Monday in Oct 1853, it being the third day of said month and in the 78th year of American Independence Present, the Worshipful William L Young Chairman of the Court, J B Thomas, J F Hooker & others Esquires, Justices duly Commissioned and qualified to hold said Court, Court was opened by the Sheriff and proceeded to business.

"William Bentley guardian of James M Blalock a minor heir and only child of Charles Blalock decd came into court and executed and acknowledged a new bond for the true and faithful [strikethrough] discharge of the duties of said guardianship, together with his securities John Epperson & J L Kirkpatrick, said bond is in the penal sum of Four Thousand dollars conditional, as the law directs and approved by the court.

I Josiah L. McClain clerk of the county court of the county of Wilson and State of Tennessee hereby certify that William Bentley was heretofore duly appointed by said county court guardian of James M Blalock, a minor, and only child of Charles Blalock decd, and that foregoing is a true copy from the records of said court of the proceedings held in the case where his guardian bond was last renewed. That the said William Bentley
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is the only guardian said James M has ever had regularly appointed, all of which [strikethrough] appears of record in my opinion 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and affixed the seal of said court at office this 26th day of July AD 1856
S/J S McClain clerk
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13925 West
Charles Blalack
Wilson County Tennessee
____________
from 1776 private 18 months.
$60.

Josiah S McClain Clk
Lebanon Wilson Co Tennessee
Page 19

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

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. These 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 Charles Blalock, Wilson County Tennessee
=========================
[table with the following headers:
"Period When the service was rendered."
"Duration of the claimant's service.
Years., Months., Days."
"Rank of the claimant."
"Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served."
"Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service."
"Proof by which the declaration is supported."]
____________________________
volunteer. [blank]. 3. [blank]. private. Capt Rains. Col Moore. [blank]. Fayetteville. 76, Wake Co N. Ca. tradition.

[blank]. [blank]. 3. [blank]. [blank]. do. [blank]. [blank]. Salisbury. [blank]. [blank]

[blank]. [blank]. 3. [blank]. [blank]. Capt Moore. [blank]. Ready fork. [blank]. [blank].

[blank]. [blank]. 3. [blank]. [blank]. Capt Butcher. Col Wm Moore. [blank]. Haw River. [blank]. [blank].

substitute [illegible]. [blank]. 3. [blank]. [blank]. Capt Graham Col Moore. Guilford. Guilford. [blank]. [blank].

[blank]. [blank]. 3. [blank]. [blank]. Capt Butcher. same. [blank]. [blank]. [blank]. [blank].


Spelling so bad as to render the meaning of difficult interpretation.

Discrepancy - born May 1. 17556 when 16 or 17, volunteered in the army, that is 1772 or 1773, several years before the war.


I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2

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 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. [this brace links this line and the following]
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 (c)
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. [here is an image of a hand pointing to the right] 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
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 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 received 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 to 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 represent, 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, 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 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 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 as 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 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 service, 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 [italics] about three or four months [end italics], is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. [underlined] 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 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. [end underline] [end { and } bracketed area]

(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.
[stamp with a finger pointing right] 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 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.


[hand written at bottom is illegible]
Page 22

Jas M Blalock
minor child 
Charles Boynton


Department of the Interior,
Pension Office, Official Business.
D Cole,
[illegible]

Commissioner of Pensions
A. H. Evans Esqr
Present
Page 23

Pension Office
July 5" 1856.

Sir:
The bounty land claim of James M. Blalock as the only minor child of Charles Blalock has been examined & suspended. The Application of said Minor is made by Wm. Bentley, as Guardian. A certificate of Court Should be filed, that Wm.. Bentley, is the duly Appointed Guardian of said James M. Blalock.

Yours Respectfully,
S/C H Rhett.
for Commissioner.

J.S. McClain Esqr 
please to send me the certificate that is asked for above with your seal of office
Lebanon
S/F L McDaniel

Alex: H. Evans Esqr..
Present.
Page 24

Murray Ky.
Feb 16

Commissioner of 
Pensions  Washington
City D.C.

236.570.
Page 25

Rev War   3013
INVALID.
______________
File No. 3013
Charles Blalack
Pvt. N. C. line
__________
Act: June 7th /32
Index:- Vol. A,    Page 34

[intentional bracket as printed]
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

State of Tennessee }
Sumner County }
Pearsonally [sic] appeared before me F L McDaniel an acting justice of the peace - in and for the county & state aforesaid Jeremiah Bentley and Fleming Cocke of lawful age - after being duly sworn according to law, states that the applicant William Bentley is the guardian of James M Blalock the minor child of Charles Blalock deceased who was a revolutionary Pensioner at the rate of - sixty Dollars per year they state that they were well acquainted with the said Charles Blalock and his wife Polly Blalock for ten or fifteen years before their death they state that the said James M Blalock is the child and only minor heir of the said Charles Blalock decd they - further state that the said Charles Blalock & his wife Polly Blalock are both ded [sic] that they died with in two miles of the deponents residence sworn & subscribed to before me this 9th day July AD 1855.
Test
J L McDaniel. JP.
S/Jeremiah Bentley
S/Fleming Cocke

I certify that the affiants Jeremiah Bentley and Fleming Cocke are credible persons that there [sic] statement is entitled to full faith and credit July 9th 1855
S/FL McDaniel JP.