Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9639, for James Skipper, North Carolina
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE
N. C.
Skipper, James
NUMBER
R.9639
CONTENTS
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Called General How and Harrison Colonel after their
return the balance of the town was burnt we then
marched to Suffolk town where we were stationed till
march and then we marched back to Eglinton and stayed there about three weeks and from thence we
marched again to Newbern where I received a furlow
for fifteen days at the end of which I was to meet
Captain Bright at Kingston on news In my own
County and according to his appointment I meet him
and the next day [May two illegible 1776] he gave me a discharge which I was as
fearfull of as the I had a been gold till after the treaty
of 1783 and being an emigrating man no land of my
own and and having to move from place to place
by some means. I finally Last [illegible]. and the 20th of May
1776 there was
draft at the Court house in my home
County and not withstanding I had so few days been at
home from the Regular Service I volunteer for three
months tower and Joseph Green matchel Herring
Luntenant and William McDaniel Incine and they under
Brown Major on command by General as
and in the same and the month
In the summer 1781 there landed a man at
Wilmerton North Carolina Called Cray and he and
the tory Embodged and was said to be likely to
do our
Country much damage I turned out again
under Captain Sherod Barrow for a three months
tower again we was then command C Mitchel
to Jones County where we had two Little combats
Crags Horse and Caswells horse and also the foot
[which wit three months I also served] 
men had a small scirmish then the Same Summer
Season there was a reale [illegible][crossed out text]
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[crossed out: agreed to hire a man to take the [illegible] for twelve months and back man agreed to give their]
made. that the men should be and was Classed twenty
in of Class and the hole Cass  stand there draw for
the man as the Class could hire a man to go and my
Class furnished david dunken and I think that he
went under Captain Robert Raford and served the tower
I hereby relinguish every claim what to a pention or an
annuity Except the present and I declare that my name
Is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State
[crossed out: [illegible] in that of the agent in the state of Alabama]
it is impossible for me to produce in this
State any testimony Except my own oath of my service
as I call myself and it is called Six hundred miles from
here to North Carolina and if I was there by this
time it might be as much impossable as it is here
when I left there in 1829 there was only Henry
Martin and Elisha Grant Revolutionist that I
knew in the service that was then alive [crossed out: where]
I was from my mothers Information to me born
In Dobbs County North Carolina the 25th day of
August old still In the 1756 and I lived around
about my old nativity till the year 1829 December
I then came to this County in persuit of my
Children I have at present no record of my age
the I once had a bible that contained it but it is like
myself give out some few years passed and it
was neglected to be taken of and so it got lost
but thank god my memory yet remains
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I lived near the Line that divide Henry County and pike and not knowing that It made any difference which County I applyed in United States Business therefore I now confine myself to Henry County Court for guidance. This applicant further states that the
whole time of his actual service as set
forth above was my space & time of thirteen
months & fourteen days as a private
James Skipper
[illegible three lines of court text]
Henry 1834
this fifteenth day of September 1834 personally
The above declaration sworn to &
subscribed in open Court
We Edmond Talbot a clergyman residing
in the County of Henry and James Coster [Carter]
residing in the same county hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with James Skipper
who has subscribed and the above
declaration that we believe him to be seventy
eight years of age that he is reputed and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides to have
been a [illegible] of the revolution and that
we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed on the day year
upon said
Edmund Talbot [illegible]
James Carter
and the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion after the investigation of the matter and
after putting the interrogators prescribed by the
war department that the above applicant was
-
a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
once the court further certifies that it appears to them
that Edmond Talbot who has signed the preceeding certificate
is a clergyman and resident in [illegible] Henry County
and that James Carter who has also signed the same
is a resident in the same county and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled credit
I [illegible] Spaight - Clerk of the circuit court for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing continuing the original proceedings of the said court in
the matter of the application of James Skipper for a 
pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto at
my hand & private seal for want of not of office this
16 day of September 1834
[illegible] Speight clerk
circuit court, ala
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the State of Alabama
Henry County
September the 16th 1834
this day appeared before me
Judge of the District Court of said County James
Skipper a resident of Henry County in the open Court
of Henry County and State of Alabama of the age
78 years who first being duly sworn according to
Law doth on his oath make the following declaration
In order to obtain a pension the benefit of the provison
made by the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
that he Enlisted in the army of the United States
In the year [crossed out: Seventy five] 1775 Seventy five
September the 16th day with John Herritage a Lieutenant
and served in the Second Regiment command
by Robert Howe John Pattison [crossed out text] major
and a man called Engleshadgident Simon Bright
Captain Herritage Lieutenant and William Caswell
Ensign Left then the Regular service the 1st day of may
1776 [crossed out: 1876] In North Carolina then Dobbs County
from 
thence to Newbern in Craven County from
thence to Eadenton from Eadenton to the  grate Bridge 
in Virginia where had been a battle fought [crossed out: after] on the
9th of December and we arrived there the 11th I Saw the
Blood on the ground said to be foredices Blood and
saw the wounded and the place where the slain
was buried and from thence we marched to Norfolk
and was there when it was burnt it being set
on fire the first day of January [crossed out: 18] 1776 and till
we was there Co How went to Williamsburg
and after he returned to Redgement again he was
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James Shipper
Ala
deceased
William and
16 Oct
2
Mr J L Edwards Commissioner
of the war department In
the federal City of Washington
of [crossed out text] Sineton In Congress
Will Moore
Page 7

State of Alabama
Henry County
    This day personally appeared before me one of Justices of the peace in and for Henry County, Alix Blackshear, Simon Skipper and made oath as follows your Letter of the 15th of July to my Father says that the Reason of your Declaration being assigned with a mark and your letter assigned as appears with your own hand write the reason of this is my father
assigned the Declaration himself and as I myself wrote the Letter and when I wrote it is true that my father was present but very ill and I thought it would make no difference that as well as I remember I asked him if he could get up and assign it and he replied you can Just
write my name and it will do as well which done for its well known by all who knew him that he never formed a letter with a pen in his life and being at Loss for some use thereof he sent me to School at a very early period to learn to write that I might be able to do business of that kind for him which I have in grate(sic)  degree done ever since the year 1789 tho I was then but 10 years old the Declaration that he made in Pike County and returned by you to John Curts, Esqr it being much defaced by getting ink Spelt (sic) on it I gave it to one of my Sisters to make past Beard of which she says she has done as I supposed it to be of no effect and its fully destroyed
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your Letter requires him to make a new declaration which
he cannot do for he departed this life the 25th of July and is dead and gone he was buried the 26th.  the procession was attended by a large concourse of people for this thirty stated Country he made no written will but lest what he had to be sold with some hindrance with the said enemy and my own business has prolonged my not writing till now and
on perusing your printed sheet. I find it today that In consequence of death that the parties concerned should make the Best proof in their power I will now relate the Best that I can give one then you may know whether it worth my
while to be at any further troubles or not I myself can detale(sic) many periods that I have heard him tell of the Revolution
and that before ever there was a pention (sic) law in america.  For one I will remember that about the winter of 1794 and 1795 that he
Entered into a job of work with one John Smith one while was In the woods at work much of their conversation was in talk of the Revolution in which Smith related that the troops of
North Carolina had orders to march to Charleston South Carolina
under John Hogan and that just awhile before they got to the line between the two states that one Samuel Glover and a party beside him formed a Resolution not to cross the Line until they wear(sic) paid of their resolution being made known to the said has sixteen apprehended and I was that one of the
number should be put to death and he said that the sentence came out against Glover and was that [illegible] think that
Page 9

from Smith relation that they Booth(sic)  Shed tears for the Brother Solder they called him also the same James Carter that
assigned my fathers Declaration he also can relate many Sircer (sincere) stories as he has had an intimate acquaintance with him for thirty years also my mother was present when he Listed(enlisted) first into the service 
and spent almost sixty years together she can relate many of his words about the periods of the war if any benefit can be derived from any such proof you will please to write and
direct me how farther to proceed. So I am with Respect your obedient servant Respectfully yours Simon Skipper
Sworn to and subscribed before me Alexander Blaerke
October the 6th 1835
.
-
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James Skipper  Pike County
Alabama

Returned

John D. Curtis Clerk Pike County
Alabama
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
30 April 1823
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. Those 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.
Statement, showing the service of James Skipper, Pike County Alabama

Entered 1 Sept. 1775: served about 7 months, 14 days under Col. Howe, Major Patterson, Capt Bright, 76 years old Dobbs County, N. Carolina; Traditionary evidence, [illegible]
certified [illegible] no clergyman's certificate, & no reason given papers defective.

Served 1781: about 6 months: Col; Brown, Major Hogan, Cap Green

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
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.
Sate, Territory, or District of 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) _____ 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. 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.
[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 said Court 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 G.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.
Clerk of the Court of
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the certify that the foregoing
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 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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6.
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 and officer: Did you ever receive 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 service 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 of 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 represents, 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 of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
    Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge of 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, star by 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 case 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 or periods 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 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 in the following words:
 'Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. D. 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  ______ and for such service I claim a pension." 
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the persons 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 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.
(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.
If 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 is not (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.
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Suspended
see letter 18 July '35
to claimant, Williams
Let to Simon Skipper
Oct 29, '35

9639 (handwritten large)
21
35
15
-----
71
Page 15

REJECTED

JAMES SKIPPER
Page 16

The State of Alabama
Henry County
June the 26th 1835
Sir your favour of the 10th of October which from which there appers(sic) to be two objections made on Examination which I
Cannot remove nor no one here the first one appears to be a final mistake made by some person to me unknown, who has had the
handing of the papers that bring the two three months towers into one number on the printed sheet this I avow was neither done by me nor my direction to no person and entire mistake but the declaration is true and correct distinctly   showing the three towers. The Second objection is to note in which is impossible in my view to be done which says that the papers should be accompanyed with a [illegible] 
of one of the members of Congress sertifying (sic)the official character and signature of the 
one Signer of the certifying officer as to the official Character of Mr. Speight if Mr. D. Louis returns again to Congress if you will then
call on him to do so but how is it possible that he can certify to the signature any nearer than you can as I believe that they live fully at the
distance of two hundred miles apart I had the papers examined in the County Court as Mr.  Speight acts for both Courts on the 22nd of
Instant and I got the said Mr. Speight to make another seal and to defer it [illegible] from the Common way of making seals and now if on Examination the Law is so infinte that a favourable desision(sic)  cannot be had please to write to me soon as possably(sic) you can I with respect your obt servant
James Skipper
Page 17

is
War Department
Pension Office
October 10th 1834/
Sir
    The declaration of James Skipper is here
with returned. It would appear from the brief
enclosed, that he served seven and a half months
from 1775, and six months in 1781. Whereas his
declaration shows that he served three months in 1776 besides his first service, and three months in 1781.
    The original declaration should be retuned to
this office with the enclosed papers, and the  discrepancy between the two first statements accounted for, as this appears to be no public seal of office for Henry County Circuit Court, note I in the enclosed printed sheet should be confirmed to, only six months can be allowed for the first tour of service,
I am Respectfully your obedient servant.

J.L. Edwards

Moses W. Speight Esqr
Williamston, Al