Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3,610, John Witherspoon, N.C.
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
N.C.

Witherspoon, John

NUMBER
S.3610

carded.

CONTENTS
Page 2

19.341
West Tennessee
John Witherspoon
of Wayne Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Lewis of the regt commanded by Col Cleaveland in the N Carolina line for 18 months from 1780

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 60 Dollars -- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of August 1833 and sent to James C. Alderson Esq Waynesborough

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833        $100
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep "        25
 $125.--

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm. Allison Clerk
Book E  Vol. 7  Page 101
Page 3

No. 13,492

Jno Witherspoon

from 1780 private
15 months
5.10.16

$50.

Time during first term of 3 is adl &
Sept not specific, nor does this
first decl. say he was such as per brief

James C. Alderson
William Bennett
Waynesborough
Tennessee
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of John Witherspoon of the County of Wayne 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? 69 years

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
In 1780 July

Duration of Service.
Years,  Months,  Days.
1  3  -

Rank.
As a Private

Names of General and field Officers under whom  he served.
Gen.
Col. Cleveland, Capt. Guess, Lewis

5.  In what battles was he engaged? 
 Cowpens, Eutaw Springs

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Wilkes Cy., NC

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 defected as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?
no seal of office

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
                          Levin Belt
                              Examining Clerk.
Page 5

13.692
Oct. 9

Free
Waynesborough T
Sept. 28

Hon Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington City
D.C.

13.492
Page 6

State of Tennessee
Wayne County [squiggly brackets]
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
September term 1832

On this 25th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of said County now in Session John Witherspoon a resident of Wayne County aforesaid and state of Tennessee aged [caret] sixty nine [crossed out word] years [crossed out word] 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 the 7 1832 That he enlisted the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated under Benjamin Clieveland [sic] Col. Will. [?] Lewis, Mr. Capt. Moses Guess [Guest?] this was first town, 2d Col Cleveland as above stated Majr. Lewis, the same as above stated, Capt. Joel Lewis (who died at Nashville Tenn) Lieut. Towson, Col. Campbell, Col. Savier, Col. Shelby, Col. Wilbaur
 I entered the service in the month of July the latter part, in 1780 in the state of North Carolina County of WIlke from thence we marched to Ramsours Mill in the state aforesaid, the battle was over before we got there, thence we joined Gen Rutherford, from thence we turned home, and from thence I was marched by our
Page 7

pickets at Hart's mill near Hillsboro.  We took the whole of the grinding & guard prisoners and on the next day I joined Captain Lewis my former Captain. In a few days, we marched to Weitzel's mill on the Reedy fork. Here we attacked part of Lord Cornwallis' Army who was commanded by Col Webster. We were commanded by Col Arthur Williams who acted as general in place of Morgan [who was sick. Here I was wounded by a sword of a British dragoon. Major Lewis was here mortally wounded & died the same night after being wounded.  From here we marched to the High Rock part of New River.  Here we had a [?].  From here we marched to the Shallow Ford on the Yadkin River under General Pickens for the purpose of breaking up some Tories.  From thence I returned home to get some clothes and refreshments.  Then I joined Captain Gordon & David Witherspoon Lieutenant, Silas Lumpkins Ensign.  From here we marched to Camden in the State of South Carolina under the command of Col Locke.  Near this 
place we joined General Greene.  After this I was put under one Colonel De Malmedy, a Frenchman.  I went out on a scout one 
or two days the battle of the Eutaw Springs.  Here I remained in the Army until I was discharged.  I served in all about 15 months & returned home to Wilkes County aforesaid where I remained until the fall of the year 1793 or '94 & from thence I moved to the neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee & there I remained in the year 1827.  I removed to 
Wayne County in said State where I now remain.  I know of no person by whom I can prove the above services & I have no documentary evidence to establish the same.  I was born in the state of Pennsylvania, 14 October 1763.  I have a record of it
Page 8

in my Bible.  I refer to William Barnett & John Craven as to veracity & I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state 
or territory. 
                      John Witherspoon
Sworn to & subscribed in open court the date first above written. 
Test:  William Barnett, Clerk

We William Barnet & John Criner & William Copeland a clergyman of said county residing in the county of Wayne aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Witherspoon who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that that (sic) we believe him to be sixty nine of age the 14th Oct next, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
     Wm. Barnett
     Jno A. Criner
     William Copeland

Sworn to and subscribed in open court the date first herein written.
     Test William Barnett 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 named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states/  And the Court further states that William Barnett & John A Criner & William Copeland clergyman who have signed the said affidavit above set forth are resident citizens of the County of Wayne aforesaid and are credible persons & that their statement is intitled to credit.
             Isaac G. Grimes JP
             Holloway Prater JP
             William B Poag Justice for Wayne Cty
Page 9

I William Barnett Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Wayne County, in the State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of John Witherspoon for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal, having no seal of office at office this 28th day of September 1832.
(seal)
           William Barnett Clerk
Page 10

AW

Rev. War Section
Record Division.

September 27, 1921.

Hon. Zebulon Weaver
House of Representatives.
   

In re; John Witherspoon - S. File 3610,
         War of Revolution.

     You are advised that from the papers in the above noted pension claim, it appears that John Witherspoon was born in Pennsylvania on October 14, 1763, and while living in Wilkes County, North Carolina, he enlisted in July 1780 and served for fifteen months as a private, corporal and sergeant, under Captains Moses Guess, Joel Lewis, Beverly and Alexander Gordon and Colonels Ben Cleveland, Locke and Malmedy.
     He was allowed pension on his application executed September 25, 1832, while living in Wayne County, Tenn.  There is no data on file as to his family.
     The Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services and a careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of David Witherspoon of North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.
          C   Very truly yours,
                        Hays Haymaker
                        Chief Clerk
Page 11

(left panel)

Mch 17 1899 History to Mrs. John Bowen
Paris - Kentucky

1921 Sept. 27.  Hist. to Jon. Zebulon Weaver AW
1921 Oct. 14  Hon. Z. Weaver infd of cost of copies. AW
1921 Nov 2  copies forwarded Mr. D Witherspoon & Hon Zebulon Weaver advised to same
1929 Mar 23  Hist to Mrs. L.A. Woods  A.D.Y.

(right panel)
Rev War
3610
INVALID.
File No. 3610
John Witherspoon
Pvt. N.C. Mila

Act:  June 7 "32
Index:- Vol. ?, Page 407

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

Waynesboro Ten
June 7

paid 20

Col James K. Polk
Columbia 
Tennessee
Col Polk

Waynesboro, Tennessee 1833
Page 13

State of Tennessee 
Wayne County
Court of Pleas Quarter sessions June term 1833 
     Be it remembered that on this the 5th June 1833 John Witherspoon came into open court 
and made the following declaration as an amendment to his former declaration heretofore made to wit on the 25th September 1832 and prays that this may be attached to the same & (ink blot) with the original transmitted to the War Department (ink blot) the service as a private soldier(ink blot) after I entered the service I was appointed by Captain Joseph Lewis a Corporal in the Company & in a short period after this I was appointed a Sergeant, in the same Company and served out a tour of three months, I served under Captain Beverly & the above named Lewis a 
second Tour of four months the time I was under the command of each I cannot precisely state this term of service I was a private soldier, I also served a tower of three months under 
Captain Guess as a private soldier, I also serve a tower of 5 months as a private soldier under 
Captain Alexander Gordon in Colonel Locke's Regiment, & transferred to deMalmedy's Regiment.  I refer to William B. Lewis, Auditor, the Hon. Hugh L White, Hon. Felix Grundy, Hon. John Bell, Hon. James K Polk, & to the President of the United States who are all well acquainted with him. 
                     John Witherspoon 
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court June 5th, 1833 
Test:  William Barnett, Clerk
Page 14

I William Barnett Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Wayne County in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing the original proceedings in the matter of the application of John Witherspoon for a pension.  In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and private seal (having no seal of office) at office this 7th day of June 1833.
            William Barnett clerk

     I certify that William Barnet Esq whose name is affixed to the foregoing certificate is clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Wayne County Tennessee; and that the foregoing Declaration and amended declaration of John Witherspoon I have no doubt are the original papers cited in Court.
      James K. Polk
      August 15th 1833
Page 15

                         Waynesboro Tennessee 1833

Col Polk,
     It is desired that you affix your certificate as a member Congress to the official character of William Barnett clerk &c to the enclosed application and forward the papers to the War Department.
                        Yrs Respectfully
                        James C Alderson
Page 16

3
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
OCT 2 1921  19__

Chief of Rev. War Section

Sir:
     I have this day received from Hon Zebulon Weaver N.O. 51,566 for $2  00/100
requesting copy as per letter herewith

copies mailed Nov. 2, 1921 to Mr. D. Witherspoon direct and Hon Zebulon Weaver notified & Law Div. notified.
B.L.K.

Very respectfully,
O.J. RANDALL
Chief of Division.

(Note from transcriber:  The following is the transcription from page 17.  The software would not allow me to save it, so it is here.)

Paris Ky
Feb 16 - 97

D.L. Murphy
Dear Sir
     Will you please send me the record of Samuel Mayes services in the REvolutionary war - he served under Capt. Farris & Col. Brandon Hill
Page 17

Paris Ky
Feb 16 - 97

D.L. Murphy

Dear Sir
Will you please send me the record of Samuel Mayes services in the Revolutionary War, he served under Capt. Farris & Col. Brandon. Will you also try & f ind some record of John Witherspoon as a soldier - he also served in the Carolina troops. I will be very grateful for any information you may be able to give me in regard to either man. Trusting to hear from you at your earliest convenience. I am
Respectfully
Mrs Jno Bowen
Paris Ky
Page 18

Ft Worth Texas 
Dec - 26 - 1928 -
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir: -

I am asking you for all records that are on file relative to one John Witherspoon who was pensioned in Wayne County Tenn - in 1832 for services in Colonel Lewis’ regiment General Greene’s command was his wife living at time of his death or if you have any record of his children will thank you for them
Respectfully
Mrs L. A. Woods
1185 So Lake St.
Page 19

ZEBULON WEAVER
1OTH DIST. NORTH CAROLINA

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON

(stamp)
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
OCT 4 1921
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS

October 3, 1921

Hon. Washington Gardner
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:  
    Some days ago you were kind enough to furnish me with certain information in regard to the service record of John Witherspoon, Was of Revolution, S. File 3610.  I now have a request for copies of the application for pension in this case, with copies of supporting affidavits, and would be pleased to have you advise me if it is possible to secure same.
    Thanking you, I am,
           Very truly yours,
           Zebulon Weaver

EW/a

(stamp)
CONGRESSIONAL SECTION
OCT 4 - 1921
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS

7 pages to be copied
Page 20

ZEBULON WEAVER
1OTH DIST. NORTH CAROLINA

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON

(stamp)
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS

September 24, 1921

Hon. Washington Gardner
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
     I am just in receipt of a letter from Mr. D. Witherspoon, Murphy, N.C., who desires some information as to the service record of David and John Witherspoon S3610, who served in the Revolutionary War.  It seems that these men originally came from Wilkes County, North Carolina and served in the regiment of Ben Cleveland during the Revolution.  Later one of these men removed to Georgia and the other to Tennessee.  If you can have an investigation made of the pension rolls in your office with a view to giving me some information as to the service of these men, I should be much pleased.
     Thanking you, I am,
         Very truly yours,
Zebulon Weaver

EW/a

(stamp)
CONGRESSIONAL SECTION
SEP 26 1921
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Page 21

Postal money order #51566
for $2.00
3/JC

ZEBULON WEAVER
1OTH DIST. NORTH CAROLINA

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON

October 22, 1921

Hon. Washington Gardner
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
      I beg to inclose you herewith money order from D. Witherspoon, in the amount of $2.00, covering charges in connection with the photostat copies to which you refer in your letter to me dated, October 14th, 1921, which is inclosed herewith.
     Let me have these as early as possible and I shall appreciate it very much.
              Very truly yours,
                       Zebulon Weaver

EW/a

(stamps)
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
A
OCT 24 1921

FINANCE DIVISION
OCT 24 1921
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 22

IN REPLY REFER TO
Rev. War Section
Record Division.
3-1865

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
Oct. 14, 1921.

Hon. Zebulon Weaver
House of Representatives.

In re:  John Witherspoon - S. File 3610,
          War of Revolution.
  
      You are advised, that if you desire photostat copies of the original papers on file in the above noted pension claim, the same will be furnished you under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912 at the rate of fifteen cents a page, with twenty-five cents extra, for certification, if that is desired.  The number of pages to be copied is seven.
     The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau by money order drawn, to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
            Very truly yours,
            Washington Gardner
                Commissioner.

(stamps)
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
A
OCT 24 1921

FINANCE DIVISION
OCT 24 1921
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 23

Rev. War Section
Record Division.

November 2, 1921.

Hon. Zebulon Weaver,
House of Representatives.

     In re: John Witherspoon - S. File 2,610.
              War of Revolution

     You are advised that Mr. D. Witherspoon of Murphy, North Carolina, has this day been forwarded at your request and under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1913, photostat copies of seven pages from the above noted pension claim.
           Very truly yours,
           Washington Gardner
                Commissioner.

Date Oct. 29. 1921
Name John Witherspoon No. S.3610
North Carolina Troops  Rev. War
Photographic copies wanted of 2 pieces, consisting of 7 pages.
Remarks  certified
V.L.K.  Exr JW Wood Chief Record Div.
                                     Law Clerk.
Serial No. 5579
Page 24

AW
Rev. War Section.
Record Division.
             Oct. 14, 1921.

Hon. Zebulon Weaver,
House of Representatives.

In re:  John Witherspoon - S. File 3610,
          War of Revolution

     You are advised that if you desire photostat copies of the original papers on file in the above noted pension claim, the same will be furnished you under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1912 at the rate of fifteen cents a page with twenty-five cents extra for certification, if that is desired.  The number of pages to be copied is seven.
     The proper amount should be forwarded to this Bureau by money order drawn, to the order of the Secretary of the interior.

                     Very truly yours,
                     Washington Gardner
                          Commissioner.

Send all 7 pages -
Page 25

ADY
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.

March 23, 1929.
John Witherspoon
S.3610  OWN

Mrs. L.A. Woods,
1105 South Lake Street,
fort Worth, Texas.

Madam:
     I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.3610, it appears that John Witherspoon was born October 14, 1763 in Pennsylvania.
     He enlisted July 1780 in Wilkes County, North Carolina and served fifteen months as priate, corporal and sergeant in the North Carolina Troops under Captains Moses Guess, Joel Lewis, Beverly and Alexander Gordon and colonels Ben Cleveland, Locke and Malmedy.

(handwritten:  Battles of Cowpens & Eutaw Springs)

      He was allowed pension on his application executed September 25, 1832 while living in Wayne County, Tennessee.
     There are no data as to his family.
          Respectfully,
          E.W. MORGAN
          Acting Commissioner.