Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4052, for Abraham Reed, North Carolina
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776]

SERVICE
N. C.
. 
Reed, Abraham

NUMBER
S.4052

carded
CONTENTS
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

19073
East Tennessee
Abraham Reed
of Monroe Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Daisey of the Regt. commanded by Col. Campbell in the N. C. line for 17 months and 23 days

Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee
at the rate of 59 Dollars 20 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of Augt. [August] and sent to James A Coffin Madisonville

Arrears to the 4th of March 118.40
Semi=anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 Sept. 29.60
$148.60

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Danl Boyd, Clerk
Book E Vol. 7 Page 59
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Pension Declaration of Abraham Reed

Please direct to James A. Coffin
Madisonville Monroe County E. Ten.

13,546
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Declaration to obtain a pension under Act of Congress passed June 7 1832.

State of Tennessee}
Monroe County} On the 18th day of September 1832 personally appeared Abraham Reed in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions now setting, said Reed being a resident of said County of Monroe Tennessee & aged 77 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 7, 1832.
That in the year 1777 he moved from Campbell County Va. to Clinch River in Va. In 1778 (he thinks) he was drafted for one year by order of Col. Arthur Campbell (he thinks) and marched with about 60 in Company under the command of Thomas Quirk (a Lieutenant if applicant remembers right) to the Main Army under the command of Genl. Geo. Washington stationed on Schuylkill [River] in Penn. The company he was in joined the 14th Virginia Regiment on its arrival at the Army. After remaining with the Army some time and being compelled to eat principally cod-fish and herrings, articles of food to which he was unaccustomed, and which he did not relish, he was taken with the Camp fever, and after being confined with it four or five weeks and greatly reduced, he was taken to the
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Yellow Spring hospital, where after being confined some time, his disease turned to the yellow jaundice; by which diseases he was not only greatly reduced, but, as he learned, he lost his reason for some time. He was confined at the hospital some months, but his memory was so much weakened by his severe illnesses which all thought would be fatal that he does not recollect what transpired as well as he should otherwise have been able to do. When he was able to march he and several others who had recovered from sickness, under ____ Reed marched to and joined the Army, which was stationed a considerable distance from the hospital at (as he thinks) White Plains, where he stayed some length of time, and was then, if he recollects, marched to some place in New Jersey. He went through several towns, but cannot recollect their names. He was then marched, with the Army up the North River and the Army were engaged some time (he thinks) in making batteries on the North River, and there were also floating batteries on the River. After being some time towards the last of the winter of 1778 on the North River (where he recollects seeing Genl. Putnam once) and at some other places which he cannot recollect, there was some occasion for him to go into active service; but his knee was so affected as to render him unable to march and he was sent
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to a hospital where his knee leg was blistered and after some weeks he became able to walk. About this time, being in the spring of 1779, his term of service (12 months) expired, he obtained his discharge and returned home. Applicant thinks, he was confined with sickness more than half the time for which he was drafted; which, all together with the circumstances of his mind being for some time deranged and his memory greatly weakened renders him unable to state facts as particularly as he otherwise might.
On the 24th day of May 1780 (in this date he is certain because he was planting corn and recollects asking if corn would do there so late) Applicant together with 60 or 70 other volunteered to go to the South to fight Col. Ferguson's [sic, Major Patrick Ferguson's] Army. He was in no engagement till the battle of Kings Mountain [October 7, 1780], where he fought in Captain Daisey's Company (the one in which he volunteered) under the command of which of the Cols. he disremembers [sic], but he recollects that he marched up to the engagement in front between the two wings and fired either three or four rounds, and then he cholked [choked?] his gun and went back to get another along the mountain from where the enemy had retreated. By the time he returned with a gun the enemy were stacking their arms and Ferguson was killed.
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His men then surrendered and we took them prisoners. After burying the killed, he marched with the Army having the prisoners under guard. Applicant drove a wagon containing the wounded for some distance, the balance of the way assisted in guarding the prisoners. To what place the prisoners were conveyed he disremembers. He then returned home. In this campaign he was engaged at least four months and three quarters.
About the last of February 1781 Applicant then living on the South fork of Holston [River] in Va., volunteered under what Captain he disremembers, under the command of Col. Wm. Campbell and was marched to Gen. Greene's [Nathanael Greene’s] Army where he and those with him [crossed out - joined. Before Col. Campbell] expected to join. At Renshower's Mill [possibly Wetzell’s Mill?] Col. Campbell with his men met with the British. Col. Campbell having some hundred, and the British far more numerous. They met in an old field below the mill, and had a close engagement, in which applicant was engaged. In the morning of the day of this engagement Col. Campbell came near marching his men into the line of the British, and applicant believes they were only saved by the intervention of a Company of Light Horse, belonging he supposes to Gen. Greene's Army. When the Light horse intervened, Col. Campbell's Army
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retreated, and as was said ran seven miles, and were much fatigued when the engagement in the evening came on. Applicant was not at the battle of Guilford [Guilford Court House, March 15, 1781]. In this campaign applicant does not know how long he was engaged but it could not have been less than one month. (In all 17 ¾ months).
He has lost the discharge he received at the expiration of his twelve months service, and he has no documentary evidence of any of his Services and he knows of no person by whom he can prove any service by him performed.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and he 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. 
[Signed] Abraham Reed
Wm. L. Callaway, Clk

We Enoch M. Moore Clergyman residing in Monroe County and James Mason residing said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Reed who has subscribed and swore also the above declaration. That we believe him to be 77 years of age that he is reputed and believed
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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 the day and year aforesaid.
Enoch M. Moore
Jas Mason
Tho. S Callaway Clk [Clerk] 

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 applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Enoch M. Moore who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the County of Monroe Tenn. and that James Mason who has also signed the same is a resident in said County of Monroe, and is a credible person and that there is entitled to credit. 
Tho. S. Caldwell 
Wm Bayles 
William Upton
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I William S. Callaway, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Monroe County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Reed for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set and in private Seal having no seal of Office in Madisonville Sept. 18th 1832 
Wm. Callaway Clk [Clerk]

State of Tennessee} 
Monroe County} 
Personally appeared this 15th May 1833 before the Subscriber, an Acting Justice of the Peace for Monroe County, Ten. Abraham Reed, who being first duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that he is the identical Abraham Reed who made the foregoing Declaration, before the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions on Sept. 18th, 1832, to which he makes the following:
Amendment 
That he was born in Bedford County Virginia in August 1755. He has no record of his age, and never had one. The first time he went into service – being drafted – he lived on Clinch River in Va. The second time – when he volunteered he lived on Holston [River] in Virginia. He remained on Holston in Va. one year after the battle of Kings Mountain, when he moved to Knoxville, where he lived till 8 years ago, when he moved to this County where he now resides.
He recd [received] a discharge for the first term of service – he forgets by whom signed – which is lost. For the 2nd term he re.d [received] none. 
The following persons are at present his neighbors and can testify as to his veracity and their belief in his services as a soldier of the Revolution – Enoch Moore – Jeremiah Jack – William Mason – James Mason & Wm. Rogers. 
[Signed] Abraham Reed
Sworn to & subscribed before}
 me the day and year above last written.} 
Preston Starritt, Justice of the Peace}
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I W. S. Callaway Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Monroe County, Tennessee, do certify that Preston Starritt before whom the foregoing amended declaration was made is now, and was when he witnessed the same an acting Justice of the peace for said Monroe County, and that his name as subscribed is his genuine signature 
Witness my signature and private seal (having none official) this 25th May 1833 Wm. S. Callaway Clerk 

I. H. L. White, Senator in Congress from the State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that W. S. Callaway, who has officially made a certificate to the foregoing declaration, and also to the foregoing amended declaration, is now and was at the date of the said certificates the Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Monroe County, and that his name as subscribed to the same is his genuine signature as I verily believe
Her. L. White 
June 8th 1833. 

[written sideways] Pension Declaration of Abraham Reed Please direct to James A. Coffin Madisonville Monroe County E. Ten. 13,546
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No 13,546
Abraham Reed 
from 1778 private 1 yr. 5 mo. 23 days
$59.20 

Jas A. Coffin Madisonville E. Ten.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

BRIEF in the case of Abraham Reed, of the County of Monroe in the State of Tenn.
(Act 7th JUNE, 1832.)

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

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

3.  How old is he? 77 years -

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

[column headings: Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]
In 1778 1 [Year] - - drafted Col. Campbell, Lieut. Quirk 14 Va. Regt. 
“80 May 14th – 4 [months] 23 [days] Volun. [Volunteered] Capt. Daisey, forgotten the Col.
“81 Feby – 1 [month] – do [volunteered] Col. Campbell, Capt. name forgotten

5.  In what battles was he engaged? King’s Mountain, Renshower's Mill [Wetzell’s Mill]

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? not stated

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

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Regular

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

Levin Belt
Examining Clerk.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Rev War 
4052
INVALID

File No. 4052
Abraham Reed
Pri [Private] N. C. line

Act: June 7th, 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 311

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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No. 13,546
Abraham Reed

Jas. A. Coffin Esq.
Madisonville E. Tenn.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

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

1.  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 amount of pension he is entitled? yes

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes

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
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

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? --
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 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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[Typed form]

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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 objectional.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shewn 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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line in 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 paper 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.