Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21991, for James Southerland, North Carolina
Page 1

NC
Sutherland, James
S.21991
Page 2

South C[page folded over]
caf 12629
James South[page folded over]
of Pickins Dist. in the State of South[page folded over]
who was a pri. in the company comman[missing]
by Captain Shepperd of the Reg.t comma[missing]
by Col. Malmedy in the No. Carolina line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Rolll of South Caroli[missing] the rate of 20 Dollars - [Cents - struck out] per [missing] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16. day of May [missing] and sent Col. Jos. [missing] - Falls P.O. Pickins at S.C.
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 40
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. " - 10. =
$50
{Revoluntionary Claim }
{Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by William Miller Cl[missing]
Book E. Vol 6. Page 80
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23752
James Southerland
Pickens District
South Carolina

Admit a a private 6 months $20

Col. Joseph Grisham
Falls Post Office
South Carolina
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has be 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 Southerland
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service| Rank of the claimant. | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service. |Proof by which the declaration is supported.|
Years. | Months.| Days. |
Volunteer| 14 Days| Private |Capt. Shepherd |69 tradition|

Drafted | 3 months| Private | Col. Biterfield | Surey County No. Ca. | 

Substituted
Will Bowman | [3 - struck through} months | Private | Capt. Hickman | 

____ | [2 - struck through] months | Col. Malmady | 

Drafted | 1 Month. | Col. Paisley |
| 1 - struck through] | [illegible - erased]
2 months [=
8.14 - penciled in]

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
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, 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.
State, Territory, or District of }ss.
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) ____, 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 . [image of a hand pointing right] 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.
I ____ o 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 ___ 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 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 the application 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
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?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
Office 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 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.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." 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 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 a 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 an 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 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.
[ picture of a hand pointing right] The notes form [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applied 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.

H Brathor
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James Southerland 23752


Return answer to Fall, Post Office Pickens Dist. care Col. Joseph Grisham
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State of South Carolina }
Pickens District }
On this twelfth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Josiah J Evans in the Court of Sessions and Common Please now sitting for the district aforesaid James Southerland a resident of Pickens District the State aforesaid aged Sixty nine 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 7th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated He turned out as a Volunteer in Surry County in North Carolina under Capt A Bostick and went under him to the Court House, and was under Capt. Shepherd while there he remained there near two weeks he was discharged and went home He was then drafted to go to the South under Capt. Brashears of the light Infantry Col. Porterfield who was wounded at the Battle near Camden + died at Rugeleys Mill the place called Gates defeat he served his tour of three months out of the State of North Carolina - at this time - on returning home again he substituted in the room of William Bowden of Surry County N.C. under the command of Capt. Edwin Hickman a this time he went under Genl. Greene to the South + was under Col. Malmady when he got to Col. Thompsons on Santee here he was put into the Hospital or he should have been in the Battle of Eutaw. He remained there until the army returned over the Congaree River when he joined them + went on Northward + was discharged at the place about thirteen miles South of Salisbury On his return home he was drafter + turned out under Col Tinsley and was following Col. Fanning a Tory who was committing depredation in Randolph Chatham + others in N.C. was out about one month he was sent home for a short time and called out again and was in the scouting service Two months or the balance of his time or at this draft
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three months he was discharged for three months at this time This last mentioned service he performed he found his own horse and was in the service as a horseman that he has no documentary evidence of his service, and knows of no person except William Southerland whose testimony he
can procure who can testify to his service, and his affidavit is herein endorsed This declarant was born in Culpepper County in the State of Virginia his Father - moved into North Carolina before I the Regulation Battle & Settled
in what was after wards called Guilford County. He resides in that County till after the Revolutionary war and came into Spartingburg County in S. Carolina resided there sixteen or Eighteen years he then moved the Oolenoy
in Pendleton District now Pickens but where he has resided for the last Thirty years. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or anuity except the present
and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
James Southerland
Sworn to and Subscribed in open }
Court the day and year aforesaid }
William L Keith CC

We John Cobb a Clergyman residing in the District of Pickens and Joseph Grisham residing in the same District hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Southerland who has subscribed his and sworn to the above declaration That we believe him to be
Sixty nine years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
John Cobb X his mark
Joseph Grisham
Sworn and subscribed the day and }
year aforesaid in open Court }
William L. Keith C.C.

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
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to them that John Cobb
who has signed the preceding
Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the District of Picka and that Col Joseph Grisham who has also signed the same is a resident in the district of Pickens and is a credible person and that thare statement is entitled to credit
Josiah J Evans presiding Judge
12 March 1833 

I William L Keith Clerk of the Court for Pickens
District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the aplication of James Southerland for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office this the
Twelfth day of March in the year of
our Lord one Thousand eight hundred thirty [covered]
William L Keith
Clerk of the Court
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April 27, 1939.

Mrs. M. F. Robinson
204 Cherry Street
Clarksdale, Mississippi.

on
BA-J/ILI.
James Southerland
S. 21991

Dear Madam:

The data which follow are shown in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 21991, based upon service of James Southerland in the Revolutionary War.
James Southerland was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, and moved with his father to North Carolina; the names of his
parents are not shown nor the date of his birth. His father settled in the section which was later Guilford County, North Carolina.
James Southerland volunteered first in Surry County, North Carolina, and served under Captains A. Bostick and Shepherd,
in all two weeks. He enlisted next and served three months as private in Captain Brashears' company of Light Infantry, during which he was in the battle of Gates Defeat under Colonel Porterfield, who was mortally wounded there. After his return home, he enlisted
in Surry County, North Carolina, served as private in Captain Edwin Hickman's company, a part of the time under Colonel Malmedy, went
south, was in the hospital at the time of the battle of Eutaw Springs, subsequently joined his company and was discharged south of Salisbury, North Carolina. He served several tours as a horseman under Colonel Paisley of North Carolina, engaged against Colonel Fanning, a Tory, in Randolph, Chatham and other counties in North Carolina, in all three months.
After the Revolutionary War, the soldier moved to Spartanburg District, South Carolina, where he resided between sixteen and eighteen years, then moved to Pendleton District, that state, that  part which was later Pickens District.
James Southerland was allowed pension on his application executed March 12, 1833, at which time he resided Pickens District,
Page 12

South Carolina; he had resided there about thirty years. The soldier gave his age then as sixty-nine years. He made no reference to wife or children.
James Southerland referred in 1833, to a William Southerland who could furnish testimony regarding his service during the Revolutionary War, but did not state any relationship to him, nor give his residence.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:

James Southerland
Certificate #12629
Issued May 16, 1833
Rate $20 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
South Carolina Agency.

Very truly yours, 

A.D. HILLER, 
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 13

South Western Rail Road Bank
Charleston 14 Sept. 1843
Sir
I herewith forward for authority to pay the vouchers of James Southerland a pensioner under Act 7 June 1832

I am Sir Respy
Your Obsert
Jno C Cochran

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Revolution
21991
INVALID.
File No. 21,991
James Southerland
Pri Revolution

Act: June 7" 1832

Index: --Vol. ____, Page 383
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1912, Dec. 5. History to Mrs. W.H. Yeandle

1939. April 27. Hist. to Mrs. M. F. Robinson JLL.
Page 15

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir.

Please send me the record
of service in the Revolution,
of the Pensioners -
James Southerland
of Pickens Dist, S.C. in 1832.
& Capt William Gilbreath of
Wilkes Co. N.C. in 1833, &
greatly oblige
Yours very truly
Mrs. W. H. Yeandle
312. Capital Ave.
Atlanta, Ga.

Nov 29th 1912.
Page 16

[stamp - U.S. PENSION OFFICE
D DEC 2 1912]
Page 17

TELEPHONE 79
313 ISSAQUENA AVENUE

ROBINSON MOTOR COMPANY
M. F. ROBINSON
OWNER
CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI

CHRYSLER AND PLYMOUTH AUTOMOBILES

GENERAL ELECTRIC REFRIGERATORS

March 7, 1939

[stamp - RECEIVED 3:00
MAR 9 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS ADM
READER 74

Veterans Administration Bureau,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS 1775:
RE: JAMES, SOUTHERLAND, ISAAC? GEORGE MAYFIELD: SOUTH CAROLINA OR JOHN ROBINSON - S. C.

Please advise if your records show pension paid to any of the above, giving their military connection in war of 1775. These families moved to Tennessee shortly after the above war or about 1800.

This information is desired for entry in D.A.R.

Yours very truly,
Mrs. M F Robinson
MRS. M. F. ROBINSON
204 Cherry St.
CLARKSDALE, MISS
Page 18

[missing] to pay Jan. 19. 1837
[missing] to pay Sept. 19. 1843
Page 19

In reply to your request of __________, received ______________ for a statement of the military history of James Southerland a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,  you will find below the desired information as contained in his ([or his widow's - struck through]) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S.F.21991.

DATE OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.
CAPTAIN. | COLONEL |
____| 2 wks | Pri. | Capt. A Bostick Shepherd | ___| N.C.

___| 3 mos. | ____| Capt. Brashears | Col. Porterfield | ____

____ | ____ | ____ | Capt. Edwin Hickman | Col. Malmedy | ____

____ | 3 mos.| ____ | ____ | Col. Paisley | _____

Battles engaged in, Camden
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Guilford Co. N.C.
Date of application for pension, March 12, 1833. His cl. was ab.
Residence at date of application, Pickens Dist, S.C.
Age at date of application, 69 yrs.  B. Culpeper Co., Va.
Remarks: There is no data relative to family.

Very respectfully, 

Commissioner
6-2856
Page 20

April 27, 1939.

BA-J/ILL
James Southerland
S. 21991

Mrs. M. F. Robinson
204 Cherry Street
Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of George and Isaac Mayfield, James Southerland and John Robinson, all of South Carolina.
A search of the Revolutionary War records of this office has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service of a George or an Isaac Mayfield. With the meager information given by you, it has not been possible to identify the record of the particular John Robinson in who you are interested. The record of James Southerland is furnished you herewith as found in pension claim, S.21991.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator,