Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 4,193, for John Mc Bride, North Carolina
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26725 West Tennessee John Mc Bride of Maury Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Allen of the reg't commanded by Col. Malundy  in the N Carolina line for 1 year Inscribed on the Roll of  West Tennessee at the rate of 40 Dollars __ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of May 1834 and  Thos M Sconce Franklin  Arrears to the 4th of March  $ 120.00 Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept $ 20.00 ( total $ 140,00 ) { Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832. } Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book 6, Vol. 7 Page 93
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18 months service   Declaration of John McBride in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832  [ State of Tennessee Williamson County  ] On this 11th day of Jany  1834 personally appeared before us  Nicholas Perkins , Gilbert Marshall and John Hughes justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions  held at Franklin  Williamson County  Ten. John  Mc Bride a resident of said County aged 82 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 provisions of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That  he enlisted under the following named officers and served as he stated. Ans. to Question 1st . I was born in  Pennsylvania  Bucks County in the year 1752. Ans. to Question 2nd.  I have a record of my age in my Bible at home. Ans. to Question 3rd. I was living in North Carolina Orange County when called into the service. I left then somewhere about the year 1784 or 6 and settled in South Carolina  York District - where I remained until somewhere about the year 1802 when I left there and  settled in East Tennessee where I remained until 1806 or 7  I then removed to Maury County Tennessee where I remained till 1826 when I removed to  Giles County Tennessee and remained there until about  3 weeks ago I moved to this County  Williamson  I have very few acquaintances in this County of course. Ans. to Question  4. I volunteered in all my tours. Ans. to Question 5. I recollect of no officers who were with the troops where I served .. ( illegible ) that I shall mention in a statement of the general circumstances of my service. I first entered as a  sergeant under Capt. Nathaniel Christmas . We rendezvoued at Hillsborough and marched from thence against the tories in Chatham County. They retreated down to deep rivers where we had a battle and our lieutenant Robert Christmas  brother to the Capt was
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wounded. We lay encamped here some time and I appointed the  provisions among the soldiers as first sergeant . This tour lasted three months. Nothing further of importance occurred  to my recollection in this tour.  I entered under Capt. Little in my second  tour and was stationed at Hillsborough to guard the prisoners and while in this duty the British having come in those parts under Cornwallis it was thought necessary  that the prisoners should be removed to Halifax  about 110 miles and 18 other men and myself did guard them to that place. This tour lasted three months. My third tour was under Capt. Allen whose company was attached to Col. or Gen Butler's regiment . This expedition was generally against deserters and Tories which very much infested the surrounding country - This tour also lasted three months. My fourth and last tour was under Col. Malmadge a french officer Jamison our Captain was pressed into the service under him about fifty miles from Virginia I do not recollect what County. He was on his march down towards cross creek we were marched on down by Cape Fear to Wilmington and during the march we came in 18 miles of my father. I stayed but a few days  and returned to the army which marched on towards Guilford and before we arrived there I entered this town we heard  the cannon of the battle . I entered this tour at least two months , before this battle which was on the 14th ( or 15th ) of March  1781 and continued  until the surrender of  Cornwallis which was on the  Nineteenth  ( 19th ) October 1781. which would make this tour  at least nine months which I serve which I rendered my country
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Ans. to 6th Question . I received a discharge from  all four of my tours signed by my  Captains on all of them but in my last . I think the Col signed that . They were some of them sold for trifles, and others lost. Ans. to Question 7th. As I have been but about three weeks in this County I have but  few acquaintances  here and but slightly known to them , except  Andrew R. Mc Bride  I am acquainted with no preacher  in this County . I am acquainted  with one in Murray County  where I formerly lived whose deposition  together with Mr. Mitchels I wish to procure before this declaration is forwarded. The preachers name is Joseph Paton.  I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare  my name is not on the  pension roll of any agency in any State. ( his mark X ) John Mc Bride  Sworn to in open Court 11 Jany 1834  . Tho. Hardeman ( signed ) Clk  I Andrew R. Mc Bride certify that I am well acquainted with John Mc Bride who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration : that I believe him to be  82 years of age : that he was reputed to have been a soldier of the revolution: that he has been residing in his present neighborhood  only about three weeks and so far as he  is known there he is reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution . I have no personal knowledge of his service but  I have heard him during the space of 20 years frequently telling over a statement of his services not differing in any respect from the present declaration and I believe him to have been a soldier of the revolution and that he served as herein stated. Sworn to in open Court  11 Jany 1834  A. R. Mc Bride ( signed ) Thos. Hardeman ( signed ) clk
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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  Andrew R. Mc Bride who has signed  the foregoing  certificate is a resident in Williamson County  Tennessee and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit and further that it is inconvenient  that the above named applicant  produce a clergyman to certify for him . Nicholas Parkins ( signed ) Gilbert Marshall ( signed )  I Thos  Hardeman clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions  for  Williamson County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings  of the said Court in the matter of the application of John McBride for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand  and seal of office this thirteenth day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. and fifty eight  of the American Independence.  Thos. Hardeman ( signed / sealed ) Clk  ( vertical note ) ( 29.957 )
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                                WAR DEPARTMENT,
                                        Pension Office.

Sir:
     The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewtih 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 show what is necessary to be done.  These 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.
________________________________________________
A Statement, showing the Service of John McBride
________________________________________________
Period when    Duration of the                     Rank of                Name and rank of the
the service        claimant's service.          the claimant.         Field officers under whom
was rendered.   Years.  Months. Days.                                       he served.

not stated                         3                           Sergt.                         Cap Christmas
                                                                                                          Col Martin
                                         3                            Pvt.                            Cap Little
                                         3                              "                               Cap Allen
Jan 1781
to                                      9                              "                              Col Malmady
Pct 19 1781

Age at present,                              Proof by which the declaration is supported.
and place of abode                               Traditionary I witness.
when he entered
the service.
82 
n.c

The applicant should prove that he served as a Sergt. otherwise he can only be allowed as a private, and his nine months service under Col Malmady should be provedn.

                                               I am respectfully,
                                                      Your olbedient servant,
                                                             JAMES L. EDWARDS,
                                                                  Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to 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, musicians 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. State, Territory, or District of County of On this ____ day of ____ personally appeared (a) before ____ A. B. a resident (b) ____ 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) ____, with and 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. A. B. 
[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. [____ of the Court of ____ 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 ____ 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 C.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. 
I, ____ Clerk of the Court of ____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of ____ 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 services 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
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an 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 services 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 or 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, stating that 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 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 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 ____ and for such service I claim a pension." 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, [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. 
[k] The notes from [a] and [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops [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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Franklin  Ten. April 19 1834  Dear Sir, I have received the papers of John Mc Bride returned for further  proof as to his services under Col Malmady the french officer he cannot produce any further proof as he knows of no living  witness who are acquainted with the facts stated in his declaration. As to his services as serg't I would  respectfully suggest to your consideration  whether it has not already been proved by Jas Mitchell's affidavit - Mc Bride's declaration  while describing his first tour of three months  under Capt. Christmas in which he served as serg't says that Robert Christmas , brother to the Capt, was wounded during this tour. Jas Mitchell says in his affidavit  says he was with Mc Bride during the tour in which Robert Christmas was wounded. Supposing that under the great pressure of business which necessarily  attends the pension office, you might possibly  have overlooked the circumstances of Mitchell's affidavit  identifying  the tour in which  Mc Bride serves as serg't. I have taken the liberty of pointing it out  especially as it is some what obscure. If you shall think his services as serg't are sufficiently proved you will give him a pension for that and his other two tours as a private, as he can produce no further testimony . If not you can give whatever according to your regulations he is entitled to. I am yours respectfully .Thos M. Scone ( signed )
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[ State of Tennessee Maury County ] Be it known that on this  sixth day of February 1834 before me  Samuel Whiteside an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County  personally appeared Joseph Payton a clergyman resident of said County  and duly made oath that he is well acquainted  with John Mc Bride who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing  declaration  that he believes him to be  82 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the  neighborhood where he resided  to have been a soldier of the revolution while he resided in this County and that he concurs in that opinion. Joseph Payton ( signed ) Sworn to and subscribed  before me this 6 day of February 1834.  Saml Whiteside ( signed ) J Peace   [ State of Tennessee Maury County ] I Samuel Whiteside  & James Forgey a Justice of the peace for said County before whom  the foregoing certificates of James Mitchell and Joseph Payton  were subscribed and sworn to  hereby certify that said Joseph Payton is a clergyman resident  in said County and that he and the said Mitchell are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand  this  sixth day of February  1834. Saml Whiteside ( signed ) JP James Forgey ( signed )JP    [ State of Tennessee Maury County  ] Set I Thomas J. Porter clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that  James Forgey  and Samuel Whiteside  are Magistrates as above, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office this 8th day of February  one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. Thos J. Porter ( signed / sealed ) clerk of said Maury County Court  By Wm . E. Broom Deputy Clerk
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[ State of Tennessee Maury County ] Be it known that on this 7th day of February  1834  before me  James Forgey  an acting justice of the peace in and for said County  personally appeared James Mitchell and made oath in due form of law that he is well acquainted with John Mc Bride who has subscribed and sworn  to the foregoing declaration, that he believes him to be 82 years of age, that he served in the revolutionary  war with him under different  officers during a tour of three months  & was with him in the battle when Robert Christmas was wounded  & lived nigh neighbor to said Mc Bride from the commencement to the conclusion of the revolution and do well know that  he was a determined enemy  to all the  enemies of is Country  and was generally  out in the service of his Country  that he was  a brave soldierly man and did not turn aside from danger at any time that  I know of when his Country demanded his aid . Sworn to before me this 7th day of Feby 1834. James Forgey (signed / sealed ) JP  Jas Mitchell ( signed )