Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10372, John Bird, S.C.
Page 1

Service 
S.C. 

Bird, John

Number
S.10372

Born in N.C.
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[Left side]
Let to Jno Ard June 20 1839
Same person 23 Oct 1839

[right side]

30.946

Alabama
John Bird
of Dale Co. in the State of Alabama who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Graves of the regt commanded by Goodwin in the S Carolina [militia?] [crossed out:  line] for seven month. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of Jany 1837 - and sent to George Fisher, Tallahassee, Florida

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836  $128.33 [fraction illegible]
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mch 37  11.66  [fraction illegible]
$140.00

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Wm L Allison Clerk
Book E.2  Vol 8  Page 92
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State of Alabama
Dale County 
personally appeared before me, William Harper of the County Court of Dale County, John Bird of the State and County aforesaid and  being duly sworn according to law saith on oath that he is of the age of seventy nine years and does on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of congress passed June the 7th 1832, that he volunteers and serves of the United States under the command of Capt John Graves, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Cirklin and General Andrew Williamson.  I was living in the state of South Carolina Camden District when I volunteered under the above named officers I was marched from the above named , to a place called the dutch fork between Broad River and Saluda and rendavosed at a dutchmans house whose name was Rams owens at this place we joined Williamson, then Williamson marched us down the river to oppose against Governor Wright's plantation and while we was stationed here the sun was totally eclipsed from this place we was marched into the state of Georgia to Fort McIntosh near the seashore then we was marched for Augustine and on our march probilly on the third day we come to Burnt fasted browns [...] where the said Brown commanded the Tories Indians Negroes and Brittish here we had a Battle and our troops gave g? till we were reinforced and then we drove the enemy behind their brest works:  Lemuel Clark was wounded and lost his Negro and horse. The next morning we was sent to take the brestworks and Brown and his men was gone. This place we called kettle creek as there was the largest kettle there of [illegible] Williams or ordered us to turn back on our returning we
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Burnt our waggons after we passed fort Mcintosh I served at this time four months secondly I volunteered under the command of Catp Graves and we revdevosed near the high hills of Santee here we were commanded by Sumpter and Castlaw and Frederick Timbesal from this place we were marched to a place by the name of Dodgisten a mall Duch village here the Northern troops Joined us and they gave them horse beef to ate from this place I was marched within six miles of Charles town at a place called the quarter house from this place I was marched to a place called presenstung near Savannah we then was marched on the way to the mouth of Brier creek by the order of General Linkhorn to joine the Northern troops at the battles at the mouth of Brier creek here General Ash was defeated our troops were on the other side of the river from them in the time of the battle after this defeat we returned home in this tower I served six months There by I was drafted and went under the command of capt Graves we then was marched to the state of Georgia at the Town of Agusta after we arrived there we was stationed on a high hill called Pendews hill on the East side of Savannah River at the mouth of a creek called horse creek was commanded by a colonel Cirklin within a very short time after we arrived here the sege of Agusta commenced and was retaken by our troops at this time Burnt footed Brow commanded the tories at Agusta then we returned home at this time I served one months Flousthly about this time General Gates and his army was marching for Camden on the east side of the water see River and General Sumpter was marching down on the other side of the said river for Camden and General Sumpter sent a express to me to take the name of every good man and take them with me and meet him at the at the mouth of the dutchmans creek by sum rest
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which I done but when we arrive at the creek sumpter and his army had left there about midnight we passed after him and over took them at Graves ford on the Wateree River here Sumpter received information that Gates was defeated and at this place turned his army back we then was marched up the river above the mout of Rockey creek at this place the British dragoons fell upon Sumpter and his army and defeated us while I was in this battle I crossed the river on my horse and made my way to the Warsaw settlements in south [North crossed out] Carolina gave time after this I returned home at Camden district in the Kent place I was called out  under the command of Cirklin on Colonel Gooden and we was marched for the Utaw Springs in the Battle at this place I was left to garde the baggage waggons which we turned back some distance for safety I then served for short periods under deferent commanding and had many scrimmages with the tories two tedious to mention I have forgotten to mention on my declaration before this that I was in the Battle at Steno in South Carolina in this battle the British gave ground and we took there artilery then they were reinforced from these shippes and retook the artillery from us the British then took the advantage of the night and and went off I also was in the battle at a place caled Rockey mount at this battle capt Whiterker was killed I have served not less than one year and nine months with the exception of the above named services I do not recollect: I was borne in the year 1754 in the state of North carolina Duplin County my stepfather carried me into the state of South Carolina while I was a boy Camden District here I served to the end of the war after I lived in Edgfield District south carolina from thence to the state of Georgia and what was then called Montgomery county from thence into the state of Alabama Dale county where I now
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live I have no record of my age at this time I left it in South carolina Camden District in the possession of William Cassen I received a discharge and it was signed by colonel Franklin I received this discharge at purensburg General Linkhorn refused to sine it as the wanted keep us and send us to a place caled the devils elbow the said discharge I lost service I have been living in Dale County I no of no living witness whereby I can prove my service in the revolutionary war he hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or an anuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state sworn to and subscribed this the 8 day of November 1833 before me William Harper John B Byrd his mark and the said court do hereby declare these opinions that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states William Harper  ccpc
attest Asa Alexander clerke 
We Dempsey Dowling and Abraham Warren clergymen residing and being in the county of Dale do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Byrd who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be of the age of seventy nine years that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion sworn to and subscribed this the 8 day of November 1833} Dempsey Dowling OLg Abraham Warren cLg
before me William Harper JCCDC
The state of Alabama
Dale County 
I Asa Alexander clerk of the county court of the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the orrignal proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Byrde for a pension 
In testimony ne hereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal there being no seal of office this 8th day of November AD 1833 and 38th year of American Independence Asa Alexander CCCDC seal
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17596
John Bird
Alabama
suspd
Admitted 7 mo $23.33
can allow for 7 months
E
Gen Cak of Florida Pres
[crossed out Hon D P S House of Rep]
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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 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 show 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.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Bird
Period when the service was rendered /
Duration of the claimants service Years/months/days/ Rank of the claimant /
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served /
Age at present and place of above when he entered the service / Proof by which the declaration is supported.
4 Months / priv / Cap Graves Col Kirkland / 79 years Camden District So Ca / Traditionary
6 months / private Cap Graves / Camden District So Ca
4 months / Same captain & Cols / Camden District So Ca
Sums up his service at Two years and eight months 

I am respectfully,
Your obedient 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 serviced 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 applications 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 } ss.
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 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.
I     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 certified, 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
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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 corrobating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at 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 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?  {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 he 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 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. 
[i] The notes from [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] applies 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.
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June 11 1940
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
RA-J/ADY
John Bird S10372

Miss Rebekah Dean 
Law Libraries
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi
Dear Madam
Reference is made to your letter relative to John Bird, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim S10372, based upon the military service in that war of John Bird; the name is shown also as Byrd.
John Bird was born in Daplin County, North Carolina, in 1754, day, month and the name of his parents are not shown. When a boy he moved with his stepfather, his name not stated to Camden District, South Carolina. 
While a resident of Camden District, South Carolina, John Bird enlisted in June 1776, served at various times in the South Carolina troops, as private, under Captain John Graves and Colonels Robert Goodwin and Kirkland was in the battles of Kettle Creek, Mason Creek, Steno, Rocky Mount, Sumter's defeat and Eutaw Springs and in many skirmishes with Tories; length of service two years and eight months.  He was in the Florida expedition.  [Handwritten He was in the siege of Augusta too Add it next time]
After the Revolutionary War he moved to Edgefield District, South Carolina, then to Montgomery County, Georgia, and then to Dale County, Alabama.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 8, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Dale County, Alabama. 
In 1839, soldier was living in said Dale County, with his daughter, her name and age are not shown. 
The name of soldiers wife was not stated, and there are no further family data.
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In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the death date of soldier, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, WC and cite the following data: John Bird, Certificate No 30946, issued January 10 1837, rate $23.33 per annum commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Alabama Agency.
Very truly yours
AD HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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1940 June 11 Hist to Rebekah Dean ADY

Rev War
10372
INVALID
File No 10372
John Bird
Priv Rev War
Act June 7th 1832
Index Vol A Page 32
[Arrangement of 1870]

Suspended 
See letter to Genl Call of Florida, Present
9 March 1835
Page 14

I certify that Asa Alexander is clerk of the county court of Dale county and that the signature affixed to the declaration of John Bird is his genuine signature
May 12th 1834 DK Lewis
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[post marked TALLAHASSEE Nov 14 1836 FL]
No
Florida City
Mail
FREE
The Honorable JL Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions War Dept
Washington

John Byrd & others
Page 16

Tallahassee Nov 13 1838
The Honorable JL Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions
His by an instrument of writing from your office delivered the Gen Call of Florida relative to the pensions of certain persons of the revolution now residing in Alabama Dale County who applied for their pensions at your office to wit John Bird and others on whose claims you have decided and are willing to pay them the allowance made on their relinquishing all further applications to the government hereafter they being poor old and needy have applied to me and have empowered me the or legal power to assign any papers judgement whatever may be necessary for adjusting the government of any further d ands and not knowing
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the form that is necessary to forward to you for this relinquishment I have to call on you to do the favor to give me the necessary form for said relinquishment that I may execute it here without any further troubles and expense to the parties I therefore enclose you my power that you may see and direct accordingly and when the power is executed and relinquishment made that you may direct to me your draft or check to any payments or places where money may be deposited to pay such demands to me I would prefer having a draft on mobile or at this place of it is equally convenient to you as I may more conveniently forward it to the owners than from any other place I know your attention to this will be gratefully acknowledged by them pensioners and your humble servant I have this honor to 
your &c
Geo Fisher
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John Lucas not [illegible] Alabama roa act June 7 1832 $20
John Bird do not paid do $23.33
Will W Hany be so good as to say whether other of the above named pensioners have been paid audit so to what time
Pension office
June 20 1839
Washington March 4 1831
James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I have just retd from applications for pensions with amended declarations. I have not had time to examine any of them except that of Bird and have no doubt that he is entitled if he could find any one to prepare the evidence reg larly for him you will perceive that the spelling of name is very bad that the declarations may be sufficient It is requested that Genl Call of Horid an should attend to them.
I am very respectfully 
Y obt sert 
John Murphy
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Sept 28
JW Evand 
Clayton Al
Sept 19

James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions 
City of Washington
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Dale county Alabama
Sept 11th 1839
Sir
I have proceeded to have John Byrds papers arranged and have pursued the sereetris as well as I could and now forrowed them to you hoping that he will obtain a certificate or duplicat to draw his pension as he is very needy and not able to walk about the house and his daughter he lives with is very poor and not able to furnish him with the necessarys he should be furnished with pleas direct your letter Black house past office Alabama Dale County to the subscriber I am yours very respectfully 
John Ard
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The state of alabama Dale county} Know all men by these presents that I John Ard acting agent under a power of attorney for John Byrd Reubin Ard Randolph Lucas & John Lucas all of the county and state aforesaid having made nominated and appointed and by these presents as make nominate and appoint col George Fisher of the teretory of Florida and of the town of Tallahassee my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name and for my use and benefit to 
assign a relinquishment to further claims against the United States then such as the offers of the war department allows in this presents applications of John Byrd Reuben Ard Randolph Lucas and John Lucas is personally and my said attorney is authorized to procure certify for the drawing of said pensions and to 
assign any sequestance of their certificate or what other charge that the said as part may require and in my name to make seal and deliver and do all lawful as to and things whatsoever concerning the premisis as fully and in every respect as I myself might or could do were I personally present or attorneys one or more under for the [illegible] poor a foresaid to make and give and at his pleasure to revoke ratifying and confurming and allowing whatsoever my said attorney shall in my name lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the presenses by venture of these presents in witness where of I have set my hand and seal May the 2nd day 1836 John Ard LS
Acting as agent for John Byrd Reuben Ard Randolph Lucas and John Lucas
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State of Alabama Dale County} I Asa Alexander clerk of the county court of Dale County of the state of Alabama do hereby certify that John Ard signed sealed and delivered the foregoing power of attorney for the use and purpose therein contained using presents in testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and private seal of office this 2nd day of May in the year of Christ 1836 Asa Alexander CCCDC
State of Alabama Dale County} I William Harper Judge of the county court of said county do hereby certify that Asa Alexander whos name is subscribed to the above certificate as clerk of the county court is an acting clerk in and for the county aforesaid and that due forth and credit should be given his attention as such 
in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal there being no seal of office this 2nd day May 1836
William Harper JCDC
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W June 10
Jno Byrd
M Lucas
Alam

Black House   25
June 7
James L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington 
District of Columbia
Page 24

Alabama Dale county June 6/2 1839
Dear Sir
I now proceede to inform you that I understood you sent a package of person papers directed to me to daleville as soon as I heard of it I went in serch of them and the postmaster told me they had been there but he could not find them now but if his clerk was in he perhaps could tell what had become of them but said the same person may have taken them to head to you but if they can be found I will take care of them for you I noticed a list of letters remaining in the office on the 30th of March last said & my letter was not here then ano sayd he it has came since the 3rd day after that I was at daleville again I asked the clerk if he had found my letter no said he it is not her for I have sent it back as a ded letter how so said I for the post master told me the other day it had come Sunn the 30 of March and hows that of said he it has been hear more than six months I and no application for it and I sent it back as a ded letter I dont kno what law would justify a post master to send a letter of that kind or any other back as a ded letter with out advertising thus before he sent them back and that he has not done in this can you pleas inform me if it is  in your power what papers they war you sent me as it wants be some satisfaction to the old man that they belonged to and also I wish you if it is in your power to have new pension certificates issued in behalf of John Byrd and John Lucas of dale county Alabama as they have never
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came in possession of those that was issued in there behalf colonel George Fisher wrote me that there was pension certificates issued in favor of John Byrd John Lucas and Randolph Lucas alowing them a pension for there servises in the revolutionary war and John Byrd and John Lucas has not come in possession of thrs yet and the probability is they never will for Fisher told me he sent them to mobile and I have wrote there to no whether they have been there and I cant get no answer nor no intelegince a bout them Lucas is ded and John Byrd is heples and not able to help himself and has got nothing to subsest on and is as needy as any man in the world so if it is in your power to have new certificates issued in favor of John Byrd and John Lucas it will be a grate favor confined on them old men or particular on that old man John Byrd pleas do what you can in Byrds favor and if anything should tirumate in his favor pleas send it to the black house post office dale county drested to John Ard Esqr dale county alabama and with these remarks I close hoping you will use your influenss in behalf of these old men I am yours respectfully John Ard
To James L Edwards
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John Bird Declaration for a pension
17596
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The state of Alabama Dale county} On this the ninth day of October the year of Christ 1832 personally appeared before the under signed judge of the county court for the county of Dale and state aforesaid now setting John Bird aged seventy seven 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 seventh 1832 that he enlisted in [crossed out the arm] service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
a militia, under the command of Capt John Graves in Col Robert Gooders Rigment commanded by General Andrew Williamson in the Florida expidition the day of the month not recolected in the month of June in the year  seventeen hundred and seventy six and quit the service at the [illegible] or within a few days after General Gates [illegible] rather near Camden in the state of South Carolina, was in the battle at Nepaw creek, also at Steno then under the command of General Lincoln was a volunteer when he entered the service
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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 & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
John X Birde his mark  seal
before me William Harper JCCDC
I [illegible] a citizen of the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Bird who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be seventy seven years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Seyborn Ledbetter
William Harper JCCDC cond cole 41 B
On the day and year first aforesaid came George Haverson a resident of the county and state aforesaid who being first duly sworn deposith and saith that he was personally acquainted with John Bird in the old Revolutionary War and that he served as stated in his declaration George X Haverson his mark 
Swor to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
William Harper JCCDC
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I Asa Alexander clerk of the county court of Dale County of the state of Alabama do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the matters of the application of John Bird for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal of office there being no publick seal this ninth day of October AD 1832 Asa Alexander CCCDC
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[STAMPED MAY 6 1940
MAIL SUB-DIV
VET]

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
UNIVERSITY MISSIPPI
May 2 1940
Veteran's Administration
Washington, SC
Dear Sirs:
Will you please send me a copy of this pension:
John Bird a soldier of the Revolution; private particular service not shown; enrolled on Jan 10, 1837 under Act of Congress of June 7, 1832; annual allowance, $23.33; no record of any payments having made
(Pension Book, State Branch Bank, Mobile.)
Will you please include every detail of this Alabama Revolutionary soldier which appears on his pension application; i.e. his family history, Bible records, etc. 
I shall be grateful to you for this information. 
Sincerely yours,
Rebekah Dean
(Miss) Rebekah Dean,
Law Librarian