Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8240, David Cockerham, N. C.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE                                             NUMBER
N.C.                Cockerham, David          S.8240
                                           B.L.Wt.26.408-160-55.

CONTENTS
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[This is a form on the left side of the page with blanks written in.]

4002.
North Carolina
David Cockerham
of Surry Co. in the State of N. Carolina who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain J. Freeman of the Regt. commanded by Genl. Caswell in the N. Carolina line for Nine months.

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Jany 1833, and handed to Hon Lewis Williams

Arrears to 4th of Sept '32                        45.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar.        15.00
33.                                                             _____
                                                                 60.00

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.      }

Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer Clerk,
Book D. Vol. 8 Page 50

[On the right side of the page]

See letter 10 Jan. 1837 to P. [illegible]
Order to pay 3.00 May 1843.
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[On the left side of the page]

122.902 - Act March 3/55
May 7/55

David Cockerham
Pvt

Capt [illegible]

Revolutionary War

[illegible name] May 23d/56
Boynton

[illegible mark]

cl. Cowles Jr
Hamptonville
N. C.

[written diagonally on top of horizontally]
No 26408 is May 26/56

[on the right side of the page]

[illegible] J. Cowles Jr Jany 31/56

Vol. C2-22.
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[on the left side of the page]
David Cockerham
No. 3222
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And the said David Cockerham further states that he again entered the service of the United States as a volunteer militia soldier under the command of Captain Wm T Lewis for as long a period as his services might be required; that the marched from Surry as aforesaid into Rowan and Iridell Counties for the purpose of opposing a Tory Leader called Capt Roberts, who at that time was [illegible] upon the surrounding country; that the continued in this service for about two months or so [illegible] as he can recollect__  That besides the above stated periods of service he the said David Cockerham, was often out upon other [illegible] for longer or shorter periods amounting altogether he thinks to one year or upwards --
     And 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 other agency of any State --
      Sworn to and declared the day and year aforesaid -- 
       his
David X Cockerham
       mark
John Wright CCC
By F K Armstong DC
Page 6

Mr. Pleasant B. Cockerham minister of the Gospel of the Baptist Church, and John Wright Clerk of the County Court of Surry do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Cockerham who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine years old the 25th November next; 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
PBCockerham minister
of baptist Church
John Wright CC

 And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after pulling the questions or interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant David Cockerham was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states - And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Pleasant B Cockerham who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman of the Baptist Church resident in the County of Surry and State of NoCarolina; and that John Wright Clerk of our County Court who has also signed the same is a
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resident citizen of our said County; and is a credible person; and that their statements are entitled to credit --
Mattw. M. Hughes Chm. C. [illegible]

I John Wright Clerk of the County Court of Surry  do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Cockerham for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid - And I further certify that Matthew M Hughes who has signed the above certificate as chairman of the Court was at the time of so doing the chairman or presiding magistrate of the said Court - 
John Wright CCC
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State of North Carolina}          1832
Surry County --            }              69
                                                 1763

     On this 15th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record and opened and held as such this day for the County and State aforesaid, David Cockerham resident in the County of Surry and State of North Carolina, aged sixty nine years on the 25th of November next, who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th of June 1832; that he the said David Cockerham entered the service of the United States for three months in the spring of the year when Charleston in South Carolina was taken; the the company commanded by Capt James Freeman of the said County of Surry; that he entered as a substitute in the place of his Uncle William Cockerham of the County and State aforesaid; that his company commanded by Capt Freeman as aforesaid marched to Richmond [illegible]of Surry County.  They remained at this place some weeks and from thence they marched to Salisbury in Rowan County; from thence they marched to Camden in the State of South Carolina; from thence to Nelson's Ferry on the Santee River, from thence down this side of the River for the purpose of aiding in the defence [sic] of Charleston which was then besieged by the British -- At Camden Capt Freeman joined Gen Caswell from North Carolina, who
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with a considerable body of the North Caroline militia was also marching for the relief of Charleston -- when Genl. Caswell had gone on from [scratched out] to Nelson's Ferry and from thence down the River towards Charleston and so near it as to hear the firing of the Cannon, he was informed by some of the American soldiers who had escaped from the seige, that Charleston had fallen, and he then upon ordered the troops under his command to march back to Camden; from thence he marched to Fayetteville in North Carolina; and from thence to a place called Dobson's Cross Roads in Surry County, but now Stokes County by a division of the said County of Surry -- At Dobsons Cross Roads further said David Cockerham was discharged but he does not now remember whether he obtained a written discharge; if he did he has lost the same -- 
     And the said David Cockerham further states that again entered the service as a drafted militia soldier in the company commanded by Capt Connarrd Lavill of  Surry County for the period of three months; that they marched to the [illegible] in the said County of Surry, when they joined General Pickins who commanded the Troops from South Carolina; after joining General Pickins, they marched down into Randolph County No Carolina in pursuit of the [illegible] Tory officer
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named Fannin, or Fanning; from Randolph they marched into Chatham County in pursuit of the same Tory officer and his party, and not being able to overtake the enemy the whole company was discharged at a place called the [illegible] in said County of Chatham; that he does not remember whether or not he obtained a written discharge; but if he did it has been lost --The time he was engaged for having [illegible] --
     And the said David Cockerham further states that he again entered  the service of the United States as a drafted militia soldier for the period of three months in the said County of Surry, in the company commanded by Capt Salathiel Martin of the said County; not long as he now thinks before the Battle of Guilford; that the Regiment he thinks was commanded by Col Joel Lewis; Major Micajah Lewis , also of the Regiment; and he thinks Jesse Franklin later Governor of North Carolina was also along in the capacity of a Captain or a Major; that they marched from Surry aforesaid to Hillsborough in the County of Orange in said State; that the British under the command of Lord Cornwallis drove the American Troops out of Hillsborough; the the American Troops then retreated to the upper part of Orange County; and on Mamana Creek they met about five hundred of the British enemy, with whom they had an engagement and killed and captured about three hundred of them, and took about thirty prisoners
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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 person he represents himself to be and that I have no interest in this claim.
John E Stanly J.P. Seal
State of North Carolina}
Surry County                }
I John H Dobson Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions in and for said do certify that John E Stanly is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 3rd day of Apl 1855
Seal
John H Dobson CLK
By TV Hawkins DC
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122.902
David Cockerham







address
J Cowles Jr
Hamptonville
N.C
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Know all men by these presents that I David Cockerham of Surry County State of North Carolina do hereby irrevocably constitute appoint - John Y Bryant of Washington City District of Columbia, my true & lawful Attorney for me & in my name, place & stead, to claim, recover & receive for me any sum or sums of money due & unpaid to me on account of any arrearage's [sic] or increase of pension which may e due to me, under existing pension laws, to file such evidence as may be required, make such arguments as may be requisite, to secure & collect such sums of money as may be found to be due as aforesaid & to receipt for the same as my said Attorney.  Hereby notifying & confirming all that my said Attorney may legally do or cause to be done in the [illegible];
      In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 27th day of September 1852
          his
David X Cockerham seal
         mark
witness
H. C.Hampton
S W Cockerham

State of North Carolina}
Surry County                } ss
                            Be it known that on this 27th day of September 1852, before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in & for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths personally appeared David Cockerham above named & acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act & deed.
        In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year above mentioned.
                                               John E. Stanley JPeace
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State of North Carolina}
County of Surry            }

I Francis K Armstrong Clerk of the County Court of the County and state aforesaid do hereby certify that John E Stanly is a justice of the peace in and for said County, duly commissioned & qualified that his commission was dated on the ___ day of ____ 18 - and will expire on the ____ day of  ___ 18 and that his signature above written is genuine
       Given under my hand & seal of said County this ____day of _____ 1852
                          Clerk


State of North Carolina} SS
Surry County                 }  I Francis K Armstrong clerk of the County Court of said County of Surry and State  aforesaid do hereby certify that John E Stanly is duly commissioned and qualified as a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Surry, that his signature [two words scratched out] is genuine.  that he was commissioned and qualified in the year 1848 and the same continues during good behavior in office
Given under my hand & the seal of said Court this 28th Sept 1852
F. K. Armstrong clk

Seal
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David Cockerham
$30  [written vertically]

Honorable Lewis Cass
Secretary of war
Washington


David Cockerham [written vertically]
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This is an envelope

122902 [Written vertically]


Hamptonville N C
May 5 [written in upper left]

Public Business
Free [in right corner]

LP Waldo Esq
Comsr of Pensions
Pension office
Washington City
DC
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Hamptonville NC
May 5 1833

Sir
     I herewith enclose you the declaration of Mr David Cockerham who is a very old and infirm man and in the Natural course of Events Cannot live much longer.  He says he needs his Bounty land very badly.  It seems to me but justice that the the revolutionary claims should be attended to first.

                        I am Very Truly
                        Your obt Sert

                           J. Cowles j

L.P. Waldo Esq
Comsr of Pensions
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James L Edwards Esq
Pension office
Washington
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onto [sic] say that he served at other times for longer [underlined] and shorter [underlined] periods amounting he thinks to at least one year or upwards - 
     Here then we have a [illegible] declaration, as much so as any old man after the lapse of half a century, could make of one year [underlined] and  nine months service [underlined] - I hope therefore under the circumstances of the case that the claim will be allowed for that period - when the department takes into consideration the situation of that part of the country during whole revolution; that is was almost entirely one military camp from one end of the year to the other, there certainly cannot be any remaining doubt as to the allowance to his records to these venerable remains - 
     I know Mr Cockerham the applicant and have no hesitation in saying that he ought to be believed in the statement
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he has made; He is a credible man and should be entitled to full faith and credit - 
                   I am your obt Hble servant.
                                Lewis WIlliams
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26,408



[illegible]
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8240
INVALID.

Rev War [written vertically]

No. 8240
David Cockerham
Priv. Rev. War.
Act: June 7th 1832
3x: --Vol. [illegible]. Page 75
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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David Cockerham
NC [illegible]
[line scratched out]
Oct 8/53
J. Y Bryant
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                                        Washington D.C.
                                        October 8th 1852

Sir
        Enclosed I send you power of Attorney from David Cockerham a Revolutionary Pensioner on the North Carolina roll to examine the papers in his case you will please have them looked up for that purpose
                                    very respectfully
                                     John Y Bryant
Court of Pensions
               Washington D.C.
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2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  yes

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, in there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  ----

XIII.   If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  No

XIV.  [Dagger] If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  Yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  Yes

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? 

XVI.  [Double dagger] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  1,2, 7 not answered

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

QUERE V.  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."
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3

   It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be pain according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or form months [italics] is to indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

[Dagger] QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.   [Italics]
   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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as wall as the regiment, company, and tine 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.

[Double dagger]  QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.  [Italics]
   In every instance where to certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.