Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8089, William Bryan, N.C.
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N.C.
Bryan, William
S 8089
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7056
North Carolina
William Bryan
of Bladen Co. in the state of No. Carolina who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Herndon of the regt. commanded by Col. Brown, in the No.Ca. [illegible] line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of July 1833 and sent to Hon. J. J. McRay [illegible]
Assess to 4th of March 1833 $60.00 
Sent=anl. allowance ending 4 Setbr 1833 15.00
$75.00
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book 2 Vol. 1 Page 34
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State of North Carolina
Bladen County}
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
On this the 4th day of February 1833 personally appeared in open court before the worshipful Wm H Beatty, Alex. King and John McMillan justices of the peace for the county of Bladen holding the court of pleas and quarter sessions of said county now sitting William Bryan a resident of Bladen County, and State of North Carolina aged seventy six years, May 14th 1833, who being just 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.
In the year 1776 as well as he recollects, but the time of the year not recollected except that it was in mild & pleasant weather. He volunteered as a Private in a Company of Bladen militia under the command of Capt Wm Hendon, the names of the other officers not recollected. The company marched from their company ground at Richard Smith's plantation on Baker's Creek to a branch a short distance above where Miller's Meeting House now stands, and encamped there two or three days marched thence to Rockfish Creek, where they joined other companies of Militia from [illegible] called into service against the Tories, who were in considerable ^form at Cross Creek (now Fayetteville) under the command of the famous General or Col McDonald, apprehending an attack, Genl Moore, who was said to be a Continental officer, directed intrenchments to be thrown up, on the north side of the Creek, and below the main road. Capt Hendon's Company was stationed at the mouth of Rockfish about a mile below the entrenched Camp, to guard the pass at that place. The Tories marched down, and made a show of attack but having ascertained the American force, and the strength of their position, they returned - crossed the Cape Fear at Campbellton and proceeded towards Wilmington, and were shortly afterwards defeated at Moores Creek Bridge by the Troops under general Caswell. On ascertaining that the enemy had left Fayetteville, Capt Hendon's Company was ordered to descend the Cape Fear in a boat to the neighbourhood [sic] of Elizabethtown, where they remained several days - thence marched to Wilmington to protect it from the Tories who were supposed to be making for that place - remained there about a fortnight- marched thence to Jumping Run about a mile below and afterwards at a place called Caswell's Camps, between that place and Wilmington, remained there sone time, and thence were moved [illegible] the Cape Fear, and stationed at a large Mill pond, back of old Brunswick Town, and at that place completed their term of
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service, which was for three months and was discharged. He has no distinct recollection, whether he received written discharge or not, but believes he did, as it was the practice to grant discharges for that and shorter periods of service. He further believes that he received several other discharges, but owing to the state of the country, families were obliged to make frequent removals, and he is of opinion that he lost all his discharges except the one herewith sent, before the close of the War. There was a considerable fare collected at Rockfish, but owing to the circumstance of the Company, in which he served being immediately detached from the main body, he has no distinct recollection of the names of [crossed out: the] any of the officers, and whether there were one or more Regiments in service.
2. In the fall of the Year 1777 (as well as he recollects) he volunteered as a private in a company of Bladen Militia under the command of Capt Charles Bullock, and Lieut. Wm Dyer who were ordered into service by Col Thomas Brown, commanding the Bladen Militia. The Company formed from different parts of Bladen, then including the counties of Robeson, and Columbus, rendezvoused at Fair Bluff, on Drowning Creek in Lumber River to proceed on an expedition against the Tories, who had embodied on or near the line. marched from Fair Bluff [illegible: & Bear Swamp ?] near the South Carolina line; where they were relieved by another Company of Bladen Militia under the command off Capt. William Ellis, accompanied by Col Jas. Richardson, one of the Field officers of the Bladen Regiment. While at Bear Swamp, Capt Bullock's Company had a skirmish with a body  of Tories who, however, after firing two or three rounds precipately [sic] retreated, and never made head again while the Company remained. He is under the impression that Capt or Major Robert Raiford, who was called a Continental officer was with the company. He received a written discharge, as well as he can recollect, from Capt Bullock or Col. Brown and if he did, it has been lost, as he supposes as already stated. On this expedition, he was in service, one month,
3. About the 1st November 1781 He volunteered as a Private in a Company of Bladen Cavalry under the command of Capt (afterwards General) John Willis. As well as he recollects he Joined the Company at Elizabethtown; from which place the Company marched to the So. Carolina line, in the upper part of Bladen (now Robeson) County, where they were employed as was understood in collecting beef cattle for General Green's Army;  collected a number at different points and towards the close of their term of service, drove a considerable number to Belfort, about a mile below Elizabethtown. and about that time received intelligence of the cessation of Hostilities. Having served three months, the time for which he engaged, he received a written discharge, from Capt Willis, as well appears
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from the Original dated 4th Feby. 1782 herewith sent. There were no other Troops in service, in the expedition above detailed.

He served two or three months longer, in various short tours of duty - but has no recollection of time or circumstances, so as to particularise [sic] them. He has no documentary evidence, except the discharge herewith sent, and no living witnesses of his services except, whose testimony he can procure, except Josiah Singletary, whose affidavit is hereunto annexed. 

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares, that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and Year aforesaid.
S/William Bryan
X X


Answers to the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, as propounded to the Applicant by the Court.  .   .   .

1. On the Brown Marsh in the County of Bladen May 14th. 1757.

2. I have a record of my age in my Father's Family Bible now belonging to me.

3. In the County of Bladen, and have lived there ever since.

4. I was a Volunteer in every instance.

5. For answer, I beg leave to refer to my declaration.

6. For answer, I beg leave also, to refer to my declaration.

7. [crossed out: Gov. John [illegible] Robert Lyon Esq. Col Richard M Lewis, ] Gen'l. Wm. J. Cowan, Ithamore Singletary, and others if necessary to name them.


We Richard M Lewis Sr. and Robert Lyon 
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with  William Bryan who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six 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 to and subscribed the day and Year aforesaid. }
S/Richd W. Lewis Senr
S/Robert Lyon


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 Richd M Lewis Sr. & Robert Lyon who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the County of Bladen and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit; and that the applicant could not procure the attendance of a Clergyman, without too much inconvenience, and that Josiah Singletary, whose affidavit is hereunto annexed, was sworn in open Court & is a credible person
S/H. H. Beatty C.p
S/Alexander King J.P.
S/John Ivor McMillan JP
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I Patrick Kelly, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions o the County of Bladen, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Bryan for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this the 4th day of Feb. AD 1833.
S/P. Kelly Clk


State of North Carolina }
Bladen County }
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions ~ Feby Sessions 1833.
Personally appeared in open Court, this the 4th day of February 1833, before the Worshipful William H Beatty, Alexander King, and John Iver McMillan - Justices of the Peace, holding said Court for said County - Josiah Singletary, who after being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith - That he served one Months Tour of duty during the Revolutionary War, with the Declarant William Bryant, in an expedition to Drowning Creek, and the South Carolina line, under the Command of Capt [illegible] and Lieut: William Dye: and that after they had performed their tour of duty, they were discharged. 
Josiah [his mark. K] Singletary

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
attest P Kelly Clk.


State of North Carolina }
Bladen County }
I Patrick Kelly Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County hereby certify, that Josiah Singletary of said County, whose name appears to the foregoing Affidavit whose duly sworn in open Court before William H Beatty, John I McMillan, and Alex King Esq. Justice of the Peace for said County, holding said Court on the day in said Term of said Court, as set forth in said Affidavit - In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of the 8th Febry. AD 1833.
S/P. Kelly Clk



Mc.Kay
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William Bryan

from 1776 private
9 months.
_____
$30
______


allow by N C
__________________






McKay
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BRIEF in the case of William Bryan of Bladen County in the State of North Carolina
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge?  open Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  [blank]

3. How old is he?  Seventy six years

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

_________________
[table with the following headers: Period. (In.) | Duration of Service (Years, Months, Days,) | Rank (As a) | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served (Gen.) | ]
______________________
volunteer In 1776 - | - 3 - | - | Capt Wm Hendon

 " - 1779 fall - | - 1 - | - | Capt Bullock Col Brown

- 1781 Nov 1 | - 3 - | - | Capt Willis,

(& two or three months more but cannot time or circumstances)



5. In what battles was he engaged?  none stated

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Bladen County.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  two persons certify to traditionary evidence. Josiah Singletary [illegible] service - also a discharge -

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

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.


J Kentz  Examining Clerk.
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X I Do certify that William Bryan has Served his Tower [sic: tour] of Duty for three Months in My Troop of horse as a good and faithful Soldier [.] Given under my hand This 4th February 1782 S/[illegible] John Willis Col.
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Bryan - which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides: yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides: yes

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? yes

V. Has he mentioned 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? no

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

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

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 

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?  yes
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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? no

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

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? 10 things produced

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes

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? yes

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And if not, which of them is not so answered? 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 the 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 [italics] about three or four months [end italics] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

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 be 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 authenticated 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 end 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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Rev War  8089
√ INVALID.
_______________
File No. 8089  om
William Bryan.
Pri Rev War
______________
Act:  June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. 1st,   Page 45

[intentional brackets as printed]
[Arrangement of 1870.]