Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,152, William Townsend, N.C.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE     N.C.

Townsend, William

NUMBER      S. 17.152

carded
7
CONTENTS
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19327
 Indiana 
William Townsend of Morgan Co in the State of Ina who was a pr in the Co commande by Captain Jack of the commanded by Col Archabald in the NC line for 18 mos 

Inscribed on the Roll of Ina
and at the rate of $50 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.  

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Augt 1833 and Wm C. Ross 

Arrears to the 4th of March                  100.00 Semi=anl. allowance ending 10 Sept     25 00 125.00 

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by Ian Boy Clerk, Vol. 7 Page 131
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20,516

William Townsend
Indiana
from 1775  private
15 months.
$50.



William C. Ross, agent:
Franklin, Johnson County, Indiana.
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BRIEF in the case of William Townsend, County of Morgan, in the state of Indiana. 
(Act 7th June, 1832) 

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

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? No 

3. How old is he? 72 years. 

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

[service is located in tabular form with table column headings as follows:]
Period. 
Duration of Service. 
Rank. 
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. 

Period.   Enlisted In 1775. 
Duration of Service.   9. Months
Rank.    As a pr. 
Names of General and Field Officers, under whom he served.   Gen. Ash, Col. Archabald Capt. James Jack, Capt. Goodman, Capt. Craig, Capt. Cowan, Capt Th. Harris.

Period.   Sub. in 1777 for Joseph Howell 
Duration of Service.   3. Months
Rank.    Pr. 
Names of General and Field Officers, under whom he served.      Gen. Gates, Capt. Wm. Hughston, Capt. Reese. 

Period.   Called out in 1778 & 79. 
Duration of Service.   3, or more Months
Rank.    Pr. 
Names of General and Field Officers, under whom he served.   Capt. Jos. Shoir.

5. In what battles was he engaged? Brier Creek, Camden, & Stono.

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? Mecklenburg County, N.C. 

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

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

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. R. Turner, Examining Clerk:
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Page 1st 

State of Indiana }
Morgan County }
On this 13 day of November 1832 personally appeared before the Honorable John Matthews Probate Judge of Said County of Morgan. William Townsend. a resident of Said county Aged Seventy two years who being duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath Make the following declaration in order to obtain [crossed out ' a pension'] the benefit the provision made by the act of congress passed June the [crossed out 'Second'] Seventh 1832 
That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year .1775. on or about the Middle of May in Said Year, for the Term of Nine Months and Served in the fourth Regiment of the New Levies as they were then called under the following named officers to wit Colonel Archabald Little who commanded Said Regiment the Lieutenants and Majors names not recollected the Captains Name under whom he Served was James Jack.   Lieutenants - Lewis, Ensign - Clark that he Served under Said enlistment until Some in the [crossed out 'month'] Month of August .1776. Notwithstanding he enlisted in the Army in May in the year 1775 yet he was not called on to March until about the first day of July in the Same Year and that he was furlowed on the 24th day of August in the Same Year until the first day of March 1776    But notwithstanding on or about the Sixth day of November 1775 he was called upon to Rendezvous at Charlotte it Being the county seat of Macklinburgh County State of North carolica
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(2) 
from thence the company to which he belonged marched to the ten Mile house within ten miles of Charlestown in the State of South Carolina and there remained for a Short time until the deferant companies March.d to Said place and formed the Regiment and from thence the Said Regiment March.d. to Puritsburgh on the Savanna River and from thence up the said River to Augusta from thence the army crossed the Said River about Sixty Miles to the Mouth of Brier creek at which place we had an Engagement with the British Army and Battle were defeated by Said Army at Said engagement and Battle. We were commanded by General Ash I believe as well as I recollect and from Said Battle ground we were driven back across Said Savana River and the deponent March.d. down to a place called the Black Swamp at which place was one or more regiments, when we got there we lay there for a short time and from thence we crossed the River and March.d. into Augusta in the State of Georgia
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(3)
and from thence the army was March'd across Over into the State of South Carolina and continued to March on toward Charlestown but when we got [crossed out 'about'] within about twenty Miles of Charlestown to a place called Stono we Learned that the British had Surrounded Charlestown and there we had a battle with the British which lasted about two [crossed out 'three'] hours or Something like that time and from that place the company to which I belonged Marched to a place called Blueford at which place I think as well as I can recollect we Stayed about eight or ten Days from thence we Marchd backwards to a place called bacons Bridge and from thence we continued on in the direction from where we Marched at first and when we got on Some considerable distance we were ordered to encamp for the night and we deposited our guns in an old house and on the Next day I received a printed discharge
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4) 
The Blank of Said discharge was filled up with writing Signed by Captain Goodman. during the foregoing campaign there ware a Number of New captains the Names of which I believe was as follows to wit James Craig   David. Cowan Thomas Harris and -- Dunahoo.   I got my discharees , on or about the tenth day of August 1776. and further this declarer Says that Some time in the Summer of 1777. one Joseph Howel was Drafted for the Term of three Months and that he hireed to the said Howel as a Substitute for and during the Said Term of three Months and Serveed in the army of the United States for and in the room place and Sted of the Said Howel for and during the Said term of three Months -- that he Marched from Meklinburgh county on towards Camden under the command of Captain William Hughston Lieutenant John White and ensign
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(5)
William Frazier and was there that by the British and was totally defeated by the Said enemy, and lost all the Baggage belonging to our army at which place and battle we were commanded by General Gates there ware preasant also General Rutherford and Green when we discovered that we were defeated every Man made his escape from the enemy in the best Manner [crossed out 'posable'] possible and the Ballance of the Said three months we Spent on the road homeward and in guarding the Settlement and in the Latter part of Said Term I was commanded by Captain James Reese and received a written discharge from the Said Captain Reese at the expiration of Said term of three months and further this declareer Says in the year. 1778 or 1779 he was called out during the Spring Summer and Autumn Months of that Year. to prevent the toryes from doing Mischief to the Whigs and also to intimidate them that they Should not encourags
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(6) 
or aid the British in their State of warfare against the Americans it was in the county --- of Mecklinburgh and State of Northcarolina he Says he was called out for one day and Some times for five or Six days and Sometimes for ten or twelve days at one time So that the [crossed out illegible word] Number of odd days when added together Makes the Number of three months as he verily believes or More.   The declarer Says they were called Minute Men they were required to be ready at a Minutes Warning the Captains name he believes was called Joseph Shin. The Lieutenants name was Robert Russel one of the Last Mentioned times he Says he Marched into the State of South Carolina to or near the Catabaw River where the Catabaw Indians as it was Said had a grant of Land from the King he says he Served in the revolutionary war about 19 in 20 months in all   And the said declarer in answer to the questions proposed by the court as required by the Instructions from the war department Says that to the best of his knowledge and belief he was born -
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On the 5th day of April in 1760 that he has record of his age in a bible which his Father gave to him. which he believes was his fathers family record that he lived in Macklinburgh. County in the State of North carolina at the time he entered into the army of the United States and between the times of the Several terms of Service aforesaid and continued [crossed out 'in the Service'] to live there until the year 1810 at which time he removed into the State of Indiana in Harrison County in Said State of Indiana and remained there until the year 1820 at which time he removed into what was called the New purchase in the Vicinity of White River. [crossed out 'int'] in that part which now is in the County of Morgan and State of Indiana where he now lives or near [crossed out 'that'] to that place 
As to the first Second third fourth and fifth Interrogatories are contained in his declaration above So far as this declareer can recollect    as to the Sixth enquiry he Says he had two discharges  But [crossed out 'has'] has lost them Both long Since as he did not
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(8)
ever expect to receive any Benefit from them  as to the Seventh enquiry I am known by George A Phelps John Sims Thomas Farly John Gray James Craig Benjamin Huffman who can testafy as to his character for veracity and their belief of his Services as a Soldier of the Revolutionary war   That he know of no person [crossed out ' who can testify to his Service'] whose Testamony he can procure who can testify to his Service and that he has no documentary evidence thereof    He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the preasant and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State or Teritory. 
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and them year aforesaid 
William   X  Townsend  his mark
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(9)
We Hiram T Craig Clergyman residing the Town of Martinville Indiana and rWm H Craig [crossed out ' Joshua Taylor'] residing in the Same place do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Townsend who has Subscribed [crossed out 'the foregoing'] and Sworn to the above declaration    that we believe him to be Seventy two years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been [crossed out 'in the Revolutionary'] a Soldier in the revolutionary war and that we concur in that opinion 
Sworn to and Subscribed the day of year aforesaid 
Hiram T Craig
WH Craig
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(10)
And the Said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the Matter and after puting the interrogatories presented 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 Hiram T Craig who has Signd the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Martinville and that [crossed out 'Joshua Taylor'] Wm Craig who has also Signed the Same is a resident [crossed out 'near'] the Same place and is a creditable person and that their Statements are entitled to full credit 
John Matthews 
Probate Judge 
of Morgan County J.. a
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State of Indiana }
Morgan County ss }   Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, William Townsend 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; that under his first engagement which [crossed out 'was'] really included two tours, he served for at least Thirteen Months, including the time from the 24 of Aug. until the 6 of Novr, (2 months and twlve days during which time he was on furlow) as a private soldier--- In His second tour he served at least 3 months as private Soldier -- That in the Autumn of 1778 or 1779 he was in active service as minuit at least two months - The said deponent thinks that he may be mistaken as to the date or period of his first enlistment -- But he is confident that exclusive of his minuit service he was actvally engaged in the service of the United States as above not less than
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I George A Phelps Clerk of the Probate court of Morgan county State of Indiana do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the Matter of the application of William Townsend for a pension 
Witness George A Phelps Clerk of Said court at the clerks office at Martinville this 13th day of November 1832 
Geo. A Phelps Clk
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Wm. Townsend
20518
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Sixteen months as a private soldier and for such service he claims a pension
William Townsend 
Sworn to & subscribed }
before Me this first        }
day of June 1833           } 
C.B.Butler                       }
Justice of the Peace.     }


The State of Indiana }
Morgan County SS }.    I Hannable R. Stephens Clerk of the Circuit Court & also of the Probate Court in and for the County of Morgan certify that C.B.Butler who has subscribed the above certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County, that the above Signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature, That the above named declarant and witness [crossed out 'were'] Subscribed and were sworn to the preceeding declaration & certificates in the Margan Probate Court while in session and that the Ten preceeding pages contain the original proceedings of the said Court in the mat of the application of the said William Townsend for a pension 
In Testimony where of I have hereunto Set my hand and the seal of the Court aforesaid this first day of June 1833 
Hannibal R Stevens 
Clerk of P: Crt

[remnants of sunburst, round seal with a piece of ribbon attached to it in left lower corner of page}
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Wm Townsend
Pension Papers
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Townsend, which require further proof or explanation. 

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? which require 

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? 

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? to deter- 

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language as definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? [crossed out 'No.']

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

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? 

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? 

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? 

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? 

XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? 
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? 

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No 

even interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 

EXPLANATORY NOTES. 

*QUERE V.   In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For -- year -- months, and --- days, I served as a --- For --months and -- days, I served as a --; and for such service I claim a pension.
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particullar 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 they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.   It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 

+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. 
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line 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. 

++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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17. 152
INVALID.
our

File No. 17 ,152
William Townsend
Pri  Rev. War

Act: June   7 "  32

Index :--- Vol.  1,  Page 377

[Arrangement of 1870.]