Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2857, for Robert Moore, North Carolina
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
NC. Moore, Robert S. 2857
carded

CONTENTS
[left blank]
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
[left side of page]
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[right side of page]
19493
West Tennessee
Robert Moore
of McNairy Co. in the State of Tennessee
who was a pri & [illegible] in the com. commanded
by Captain Clark of the reg. commanded
by Leo L. McDowell in the N.C.
line for 8 mo prvt. Infant
1 m 12 d prvt. Cavalry

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 32 Dollars 48 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of June
1833 and William
S Wisdom Purdy

Arrears to the 4th of June 1833 		  $81.20
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '34	  $16.24
						                  $97.44
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{   Act June 7, 1832.   }

Recorded by Clerk
Book 9 Vol. 7 Page 89
Page 3

PAGE 3:
[hand written entries]
[left side of page]
[top half of page]
Wen
20025
Robt Moore:
Tennessee
[illegible] 1798 private
of [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
12 days,
[illegible]	          26.66
p 1m 12 day       5.82
		          32.48

[middle of the page]
 			 3248
			 3248
			 1624
			 8120

[bottom half of the page]
Purdy
William S. Wisdom
Clk. McNairy [County is cut off]
by, Tennessee

[right side of page] 
[left blank]
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[typed form with handwritten responses]
BRIEF in the case of Robert Moore
County of McNairy in the State of Tennessee.
	(Act 7th June, 1832.)
Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Court.

If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disable by bodily infirmity? 
[left blank]

How old is he? 69 years

State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. 		Duration of Service.		Rank.	Names of General and Field Officers
									         under whom he served.
			Years, Months, Days.	As a		Gen. Butter,
Not In 1778 or 79	Not stated		pr.		Capt. W Clark;
									        He joined gen.
									        Lincoln, Col.
								        	McDowell,
									        Col. Mattew
but in 1780		3.				pr.		Capt. Th: Dougan
									        He joined Col.
									        Davie
5. In what battles was he engaged? Stone River.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Randolph by, M.I.
7. In 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.

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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[Handwritten]
State of Tennessee }
McNairy County     } On this the seventy fourth day of June in 
the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and thirty three. Perenni
ally appeared in open court before the justices of Our Court of Pleas
and quarter sessions for said County how letting Robert Moore a 
resident of Henderson County. a county adjourning this and state
aforesaid aged seventy years old. who being first duly sworn 
according to law. doth on his oath make the following declaration 
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 
the 7th 1832. That he was born in Lancaster County State of
Pennsylvania On the 11th day of June 1763 - when I was very
young my Father moved from Pennsylvania and settled in Guilf
ord County North Carolina. That county being afterwards divided 
I remained in the portion called Randolph County, and on 
the first day of March in the year 1779 sentenced the service 
of the United States in Randolph County. As a volunteer soldier
Under Captain William Clark. So soon as his company was 
Organized we look took our March and went directly to Salisbury
thence to Charlotte thence directly to the Saluda River in South 
Carolina where he with his company joined the army of 
General Lincoln. hear our company was attached to the
North Carolina Regiment Commanded by Col. McDowell
and under the command of General Butter. From hear the
whole army marched to Augusta in Georgia. There crossed the 
Savannah River and went directly on to Bacons Bridge near
Edisto River in South Carolina.There they encamped for some 
time, during this time I became acquainted with a Major
Moore belonging to the Regular Army, and the British having
rationed themselves at a place called [illegible] (Enoree?) Henry
where we had a [illegible] (severe?) Battle with the British. Which was 
Fought on the 20 day of June 1799, I was in this engage
ment so soon as the Battle was over we marched to Bacons 
Bridge again. Where we remained until the British went 
to Beaufort. After the battle I again joined the company of
Captain Clark and was by him discharged after I had served
a tour of five months. The date of my discharge I cannot now
recolect [recollect] the same being lost on discharged. I was discharged 
from the service at Bacon's bridge in South Carolina and 
returned home to Randolph County, North Carolina~
Page 6

[Handwritten account]
In the month of September 1780. I went out as a substitute 
for Maliew Dickerson who was drafted for the term of three 
months. (the said Dickerson having hired me to perform
the tour for him.) So I again entered the service of the
United States as a substitute some time in the month 
of September 1780 in Randolph County State of North
Carolina. For the term of three months under Captain
Thomas Dougan. The Company Marched from Randolph
to Salisbury and then joined Col. Dewis Regiment then
they marched to Charlotte. And was there when Cornwallis
entered that place. When there was a slight skirmish
Cornwallis retreated to Camden. We went in pursuit. On
the road I took the small pox.The hunt of the Companys
time was out and discharged before my bravery. He then
for got no discharge- After the Battle of Guilford
when Cornwallis retreated through Virginia, I joined
a light house company in Randolph County, North Carolina
Under Capt. Thomas Dougan & Col. Edward Sharp. For the
purpose of keeping down the Tories who would every
chance, rise up against the interest of the United States.
In this capacity, I served from time to time as my serv
ices may be called for until the end of the war.
				during this time
What length of time I was in actual service. I cannot 
from the great length of time. Old age and consequent
loss of memory. But I am positive I served not less 
than six weeks on forty five days for which services
I also acclaim a pension. I received no discharges
for this services - but was always dismissed by my
commanders with instructions to the ready at a minu
tes warning to go out again - he has no documen
tary evidence and knows of no person now living by
whom he can prove his services by - He hereby relinqu
ishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity
except the present and declare that his name is not
on the pension roll of the agency of Any State-

[Handwritten questions and answers start and continue on next page]
Question. where and in what year were you born
Answer. I was born in Lancaster County State of
Pennsylvania on the 11th day of June 1763-
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[Handwritten questions and responses continue]
Have you any heard of your age, if so, where is it?
Answer. I had my age recorded in a Bible which I had in
my possession for a number of years - Some of my children
I think has it now in their possession which one I do not know
they live in different places in Tennessee.
Question. Where were you living when called into service, when
have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do
you now live
Answer. I was living in Randolph County, North Carolina
when called into service I have lived there since the Revolu
tionary war for a number of years. Then I moved to Ten
nessee where I have lived ever since, in different counties
and have been a resident of McNairy County for several years
But now reside in Henderson County, Tennessee, a county
Adjoining this McNairy County - I moved to that county
but a very short time ago and since I made out my
first declaration, I now apply to the Count in McNairy
County because I have long been known by they citizens of
said County. And owing to my very short residence in
Henderson County my acquaintance is very limited -
Question. How were you called into service, were you drafted,
did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a
substitute for whom.
Answer. The first year I performed I went out as a
volunteer - the second year I went out as a substitute
for Maliew Dickinson - and the other services I performed
was done as a volunteer
Question. State the names of some of the Regular affairs
who were with troops where you served such Conti
nental and militia Regiments as you can [recolect] recollect and
the general circumstances of your services
Answer. I became acquainted with a Major Moore
belonging to the regular army when I served my first
trip - also knew Col. McDowell who belonged ot the North 
Carolina militia and who was my colonel. The balance
of the question I have answered in the body of my
Declaration.
Question. Did you ever receive a discharge from the
service and if so, by whom was it given and what has
become of it.
Answer. I received a discharge given by Captain Clark
for my services the first- trip I performed the same [sentence continued on the next page]
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PAGE 8:
[Handwritten questions and responses continue]
is now lost or destroyed - I received no discharge [for is cut off]
my servis (services) in the second and third trps - the reason
why I did not I have shown in the body of my
Declaration.
Question. State the names of the person who you are
known in your present neighborhood and who [can is cut off]
testify as to your character for veracity and good
behavior - your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer - I am well acquainted with the person
Francis Beard and William J. Anderson who lives in
the neighbourhood in McNairy County where I formerly
lived until a few weeks since. they can testify as
to my character for veracy [veracity] and their belief and the
neighbourhoods belief generally that I was a
soldier of the Revolution - given under my hand
sworn to and subscribed    } Robert Moore
in open court the day          }
and the date above written }
[illegible] W. S. Wisdom M  }
McNairy County Court        }
[illegible]                              }
We Francis Beard a clergyman residing in
the County of McNairy and William J. Anderson
residing in the same hereby certify that we are [well cut off]
acquainted with Robert Moore who has subscribed
and sworn to the above Declaration that we beli
eve him to the Seventy years of age that he
is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where
he formerly resided to have been a soldier of the
Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
given under our hands  }
sworn to subscribed in  }	 Francis Beard
open court the day and } W.J. Anderson
date aforesaid               }
W.S.  Wisdom   M         }
McNairy County Court  }
[illegible] 	 	      }
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[Handwritten entry]
And the said count do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter and after putting
the interrogations prescribed by the war department
that the alone named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier and served as he states - and the court further
certifies that it appears to them that Francis Beard
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman
resident in the county of McNairy and that William
J. Anderson who has also signed the same
is a resident in the county of McNairy and is credible
person and that this statement is entitled to credit.
			Larry Moore
			W.D. Pace
			Joseph Smith
I [William is partly obscured] S. Wisdom clerk of the court of pleas and quarter
		 sessions for said county do hereby
		 certify that the foregoing contains 
		 the original proceedings in the matter
		 of the application of Robert Moore
		 for a Pension - In testimony
	[who and possibly one word cut off] have hereunto let my hand and affixed 
my [ineligible cut off] office in the town of Purdy this 24 day
of June in the year of Our Lord 1833, 17th year
of the Independence of the United States.
[W. S. Wisdom, Signature of William Wisdom]
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[right page]
[typed form, with handwritten responses]
[Rerham signed in the upper left corner, signed vertically]
				2857
			INVALID
File No. 2857
		Robert Moore
		     Pri, N.C.. line
Act: June 1732
Index :- Vol. A , Page 261
   [Arrangement of 1870]
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Robert Moore                                                                   which require
                    			further proof or explanation				
	
I. Does the declaration show where the application resides? [left blank]
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [left blank]
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? [left blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned in the period or periods of the war when he served? [left blank]
V. *Has he mentioned with the 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? No.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? [left blank]
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? [left blank]
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [left blank]
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? [left blank]
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? No.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
				2
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? No. Two citations.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned ofr not obtaining it? No.
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness has he settled in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [left blank]
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military services, 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? [left blank]
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? [left blank]
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [left blank]
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 2.
				
		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 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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[typed form]
				3
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 in definite, 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.