Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16944, for John Majors, North Carolina
Page 1

SERVICE
N.C.

Majors, John

SERVICE
S.16944

Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

Transfer Circular and let
to Hon. S. Williams H.R. 2
March 1838.

To Missouri from 4 Sept 1831 26 June 1838.

Missouri 23391

John Majors
Wayne Co in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Goode of the regt commanded by Col. Williams in then Carolina line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Jany 1834 and Wm. Simpson Monticello

Arrears to the 4th of Sept.                200.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March  40.00
             $240.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E   Vol. 7   Page 24
Page 3

13411
John Major

from 1776 private
2 yr   $80

passed again 
ret Aug 1833

William Simpson
Monticello
Kentucky.
Page 4

13411

BRIEF in the case of John Majors
County of Wayne in the State of Kentucky
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge?  Court

2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3.  How old is he?  73

4.  state his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
August in 1776 Drafted
October 10th 1779  Sub
Minuteman vol
1781 Drafted

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
 - 5 - 14
 - 5 - -
Not stated precisely

Rank.
As a Private
"
"
Cavalry

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt Goode, St. Evans, Col
Jos Williams, Col Christie.
Capt Sheppard.  Col Socke.
Various
Capt Smith, Gen Rutherford.

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  None

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Surrey Co. N.C. 

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary.

8.  Are the paper defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  The clerk had no Seal of Office

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

T. Waugh  Examining Clerk.
Feb 16th 1833
Page 5

State of Kentucky
Wayne County
On the 24th day of September 1832 personally
appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Wayne Court the same being a Court of record and in Session John Majors, aged seventy three years last April 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 7 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers
Company officers Richard Goode Capt Thomas Evans Ambrose Blackburn Ensign - Field officers Col Joseph Williams Maj Joseph Winston - the service a month of July or August in the year 1776 the day of the month not recollected I was drafted  for to fight the Cherokee Indians and served faithfully five months & fourteen days - received no regular discharge - we got house Just before Christmas 1776 - at the time I was drafted I was a citizen of Surry County North Carolina and was rendezvoused at Richmond Court house in the same County and State and marched from thence to the Blue ridge near the head of Holston Virginia - Thence down the Holston to the Long Island and there joined Col. Christian Commander of the Virginia troops - thence to the Cherokee nation - then the Indians fled - we burned and destroyed their towns - I was in no battle - thence we marched home - I again entered the service of the United States as a substitute in place not recollected for the term of five months in the year 1779 - in the month
Page 6

of October and entered the Service on the 10th day of the same month under the following named officers: company officers James Sheppard Capt other inferior officers not recollected - General Rutherford - Field officers: Col. Locke Maj Goode who had been promoted - I was at the time of my substituting for the term aforesaid a Citizen of the same County and State as above stated and rendezvoused at the same place thereunto Salisbury North Carolina thence to Camden South Carolina - thence to Santee River South Carolina thence to Savanah River at Purinsburgh there we Joined General Lincoln and his army - we were their stationed during the winter- occasionally up and down the river keeping guard. I was a substitute against the British in this tour but was engaged in no Battle - I was discharged on the 10th of April and have lost the same I again was engaged and entered the service of United States to act and fight against the Tories whenever called on - we were what was called minute men - I was a volunteer for that purpose served under various officers - I was about a year off and on engaged in the service of the United States as above mentioned -  I was a citizen at the time of the same county & State aforementioned and was engaged at aforesaid in the year 1780 and 1781 I was again drafted in the year 1781 for three months the months not recollected
Page 7

and entered the service of the United States
for term aforesaid in the year aforesaid
under the following named officers in what
was called the Light horse service: Company
offices Minor Smith Capt rendezvoused at the same place as aforementioned and marched from thence to Pee Dee where we found the main army commanded by General Rutherford thence to a place called the Waukamaw and were there attacked the Tories-  we had a Battle and we whipped them thence to headquarters at Wilmington - we were at Wilmington at the time Cornwallis was taken at the Little York - from thence we were discharged and went home - received no regular discharge - I was citizen of the same County and State as above mentioned - I
have no documentary testimony by which I can prove the above service nor do I know of any person by whom I can prove the same - I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state 
Sworn to and subscribed the day
year aforesaid
                 John Majors
Page 8

We Richard Barrier Clergyman presiding in the Count of Wayne and State of Kentucky and Lewis Coffey residing in the same county and State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Majors who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy three years of age last April, 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 to and subscribed this 24th day of September 1832.
                     Richard Barrier
                     Lewis Coffey

     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 Richard Barrier who has subscribed the preceding certificates is a clergyman residing in the county and state aforesaid and that Lewis Coffey who has also signed the same is a resident in the same county and is a credible person and their statement is entitled to credit.  Given under our hands as a County Court held in for Wayne County and the day first said. 
                           Robt Belsheff
                           Presiding JP W Cnty

State of Kentucky
County of Wayne
SS 
     I William Simpson Clerk of the County Court  and Wayne County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Majors for a pension.
(seal)
     In Testimony whereof i have hereunto set my hand and private seal having no Seal of office as yet provided this 27th day of September 1832 & in the 41st year of the Comth.                     
                 Wm Simpson Clk
Page 9

State of Kentucky
Wayne County sct. 
On this 24th day of June 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the County Court of Wayne the same being a Court of record and in Session John Majors who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. 
1st He states that he was born in the County of Baltimore in State of Maryland and in the 
year 1759. 2nd That he has a record of his age now in his possession 7th (the other interrogatories being embodied in his original declaration) That he is known to the following persons in his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and as to their belief of his services to wit Lewis Coffy, William P. Hardin, William Sloan, Milton Christal, & many others that he did procure the number required by the regulations of the war 
department to certify in his original declaration to which this is an amendment. 
Signed & sworn to the day above given under my hand. 
            John Majors 

And the County Court of Wayne do hereby certify that the foregoing amended declaration was on this 24th day of June 1833.  Subscribed & sworn to inferior court by the said John Majors and that they concur in their statements therein made.  Given under our hands the date above written.
                  Roger Oatts
                  David Duncan  JP
                  Jas. Sloan JP
Page 10

I William Simpson Clerk of the County Court of Wayne County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original & amended proceedings of the aid Court in the matter of the application of John Majors for a pension.
(seal)
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of office this 24th day of June 1833.
         William Simpson Clk
         of the County Court of Wayne
Page 11

Rev. War Section

February 24, 1917.

Jennie I. Fenton
Eldora, Iowa.
Madam:
     In response to your letter received the 15th instant, you are herewith furnished the Revolutionary War pension record of John Majors S. File No. 16, 944 the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau other than John Majors S. file No. 11,026, whose record was sent you Aug. 7, 1915, and whose son was named Samuel as you were then advised.
     In order to identify the Revolutionary War record of on file of Samuel Ramsey the subject of your inquiry, in addition to his full name some of the following data is essential:  the name of some officer under whom he served, place of residence at enlistment and after discharge, approximate date of his birth and death and given name of his widow.  

               Very respectfully,
                    GM Saltzgaber
                    Commissioner.
Page 12

Kansas City, Mo -
Sept. 9. 1908
Mrs. Hunter M. Meriwether applied to Q.M.G. for headstone upon exact copy of service furnished in circular of Feby. 6. 1908.  She is Regent Elizabeth Benton Chapter. DAR

Q.M. Genl. Sept. 18, 1908
requests verification of service.

C
Page 13

(Signature of witness.)...
(P.O. address.)...
(Signature of witness.)...
(P.O. address.)...

[One person, other than magistrate, who can write, must attest the signature of one or both witnesses, if by mark.  Witnesses must not attest each others' signatures.]

STATE OF...
COUNTY OF... ss.
Page 14

Rev.- (faded)
Feb. (smudged)

Department of the Interior
Breau of Pensions
Washington

Dear Sir - Will you look in your Rev. War Section for the name of one John Majors who is listed in Archives of Maryland Vol 18 - page 17 as follows

7th Company -  Commanded by John Day Smith
Private John Majors enlisted Jan 8 1776 - date of discharge not given.

This is in the Muster Roll of Maryland the following John Majors private
Enlisted March 8 1776 - discharged
May 9 - page 17
Page 15

I am tracing one John Majors who drew a pension according to family tradition -- you sent me information some time ago regarding a John Majors who inlisted in Feb. 1778 and discharged Feb 15 - 1781 but stated that at time of application he resided with son Samuel in Baltimore and while that date corresponds with what I had pretty much, the family know of no son Samuel. -- Will you please look up son's name again.  Perhaps the one who enlisted in Jan or March 1776 is the one I am tracing.
     I am doing this in the interests
Page 16

of an aged lady Mrs. Mary Wright who would be a granddaughter of the Amer. Daughters of Revolution could her claim be proved.
     Hoping you will look into this at once again.
     Also see if you can find data of granting of pension to one Samuel Ramsey Va. or Pa. please.
           Yours very sincerely
                Jennie I. Fenton
                Eldora, Iowa

Sec'y Open Fire Chapter D.A.R.
Page 17

16.94
INVALID.

File No. 16,944
John Majors
Pri Rev War

Act:  June 7 '32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 240

[Arrangement of 1870.]


(right panel)
Feb. 6, 1908.  Hist. to Q M General
Sept. 23, 1908 Hist. to Q.M. Genl.
1909 June 10 Hist. to Henry Cadle
1917 Feby 24 Hist to Jennie I. Fenton

1923 June 22 - Hist. to Henry H. King  AWF
Page 18

John Majors
13411

(5)



Wm. Simpson
Montreal
Kentucky.
Page 19


BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Majors which require further proof or explanation

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
Yes

V. * Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension he is entitled?
No

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
No

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
No such device.
Page 20

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, is 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? yes

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? no
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? ---
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? ---

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. 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

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 ___ yes ___ months, and ___ days, I served as a ___ For ___ months and ___ days, I served as a ___; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 21

3 
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 in 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. 
QUERE XIV. PROOF OF SERVICE. 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. 
QUERE XVI. 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. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

The time engaged in actual service while a minute man should be given.
Page 22

     Northern Bank of Ky
     Lexington June 14, 1838

Sir
     John Major, a pensioner under Act 7 June 1832 at $80 per ann: has been paid at this agency to the 24 Sept 1837.
     Our book will be regulated according to your instructions.
              Very respectfully
                 Your Obt Sv
                         John Tilford Pres
                         p Wm. Ernst
                                Pens. Clk.

JL Edwards Esqr
Comm of Pensions
Page 23

(letterhead)
OFFICE OF SECRETARY.
SONS OF THE REVOLUTION

Missouri Society.

     Bethany, Mo.  June 3, 1909
     Hon Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir
     I will thank you to give me the military history in the Revolution of John Majors
who was a pensioner in 1840 while a resident of Clay Co Missouri.
     I desire the information for Hon. L.C. Eastin of St. Joseph Mo. to enable him to qualify for membership in the Mo. Society Sons of the Revolution.
             Respectfully
                    Henry Cadle Secy
Page 24

Mar 27
(illegible)

J.L. Edwards Esq
Pension office

Hon Sherrod Williams HR
Page 25

House of Rep  March 26, 1838

Hon J.L. Edwards

Sir
     Enclosed I send you the pension certificate of a very worthy old soldier of the revolution late a constituent of mine, who wants the necessary change from Lexington Ky to the proper pension agency in the State of Missouri where he now resides.  You will please make the change and enclose to me the enclosed letter and the certificate and the certificate of change.
                       Yours respectfully
                       Sherrod Williams
Page 26

      Columbia Mo.  April 30 - 1923

Department of the interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Will you kindly send me Revolutionary record of John Majors who in 1840 lived in Clay Co. Missouri with Elisha Majors.  He received a pension.
   Respectfully
      Mrs Henry Haviland King
      Columbia, Missouri
      Y.M.C.A. Building

(stamp)
US PENSION OFFICE
Q
MAY 4 1923
Page 27

House of Rep  June 2nd 1838

J.L. Edwards Esq
Sir
     Enclosed I send you the necessary proof and certificates asking the place of paying a pension to be changed.  You will enclose me the order making the change.
              Yours respectfully
              Sherrod Williams
Page 28

John Majors
original and
amended
declarations
Page 29

sion on file in this Bureau.  John Majors Sur. File 16944

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
July or Aug 1776
Dec. 10, 1779
1780 or 1781
1781

LENGTH OF SERVICE.
(faded) 14 days
5 mos.
about 1 year
3 mos

RANK.
private

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Richard Goode
James Sheppard
Moseby
Bostick
Smith
Lovin
Maj. Winston
Minor Smith Light Horse service

COLONEL.
Joseph Williams
Locke

STATE.
NC
"
"

Battles engaged in, Alamance, Whitsell Mills and Waccamaw
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Surrey Co., NC
Date of application for pension, Sept. ? 1832, cl was ad.
Residence at date of application, Wayne Co., Ky.
Age at date of application, Born Apr. 1759, in Balt. Md.  (faded)
Remarks:  Lived in Clay Co., Mo in 1838 with his son Elisha. for date etc.
The name is (illegible) Majors in one place, but it is so obviously Majors in other places I have not put it on them.
Page 30

State of Kentucky
Wayne County ss
On the 25th day of November in the year 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Wayne County Court the same being a court of record and in Session John Majors who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following amended declaration (in addition to his original and amended declarations hereby have made in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.
     That whilst acting as a minute man as stated in his original declaration he 1st entered under Capt. Moseby and served as near as he now recollects one & half months that he served and acted the above time in State of North Carolina and was a citizen of the State and County stated in his original declaration.  The 2nd time he served as a minute man was under Capt. Bostick and served as near as he recollects three months in the same state as above.  The 3rd time he served as a minute man was under Capt. Smith and served one & half months in the same state.  The 4th time he served as a minute man was under Capt. Lovin and served about one & half months.  The 5th time he served was under Maj. Winston and served four months.  6th time with the same and served as a minute man one half months and under Maj. Winston joined Genl. Pickins and was with him in two battles in Guilford County N. Carolina.  The 1st at Alamance, Second at Whitesel Mills I was during this time
Page 31

I served as a minute man as above stated a citizen of the same County and State mentioned in my original declaration.  I served as stated in this amendment and declaration the two months as a minute and received no regular discharge for the same and has no documentary evidence by which he can prove the same nor knows of no person by whose he can prove the same signed and Sworn to in open Court.  Given under my hand the date first written.
                    John Majors

And the county Court of Wayne do hereby certify that the foregoing amended declaration was on this 25th day of Nov. 1833.  Subscribed & sworn to me open court by the said John Major and that they concur in the statement therein made.  Given under our hands the date above written.
                   J. Jones JP
                   James Jones JP
                   Joseph Baker JP

I William Simpson Clerk of the Court of said County do certify that the foregoing contains the original and amended proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Majors for a pension.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 27th day of November 1833.
               Wm. Simpson Clerk
               of the Court of Wayne County
Page 32

State of Missouri
County of Columbia
     On this fifteenth day of May 1838 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Columbia personally appeared John Majors who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company (faded) by Captain Richard & made in the Regiment commanded by Col. Lovil Joseph Williams in the Service of the Minutemen states that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Kentucky (illegible) in the state of Missouri where he intends to remain and received his pension to be there, (illegible)
              John Major
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year aforesaid.
        Abraham Shafer J.P.
Page 33

(illegible)
George S. Huffaker

Sworn & subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid.
                 Abraham Shafer J.P.

    Abraham Shafer J.P.

State of Missouri
County of Clay ss
I Abraham Shafer clerk of the County Court of the Court and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Abraham Shafer is a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly
Page 34

commissioned and qualified that his commission was dated on the 11th day of April 1836 and will expire on that 11th day of April 1840 and that his signature above written is genuine.
     Given under my hand and seal of said County at Liberty this 15th day of May 1838
             Abraham Shafer Clerk
(seal)