Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5185, Shadrach Holt, N.C.
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SERVICE
N Ca
Holt, Shadrach
Martha
NUMBER
R.5185
CONTENTS
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SERVICE
N Ca
Holt, Shadrach
Martha
NUMBER
R.5185
CONTENTS
Page 3

State of Tennessee }
Bedford County       }

On this day of Nov 1832 - personally appeared in open court before John B. Armstrong. Jno L Neill and Samuel Philips Esqrs. Justices appointed to hold the Quorum Court of pleas and
Quarter Sessions for the County of Bedford in the State of Tennessee; the term being a Court of Record Shadrach Holt a resident of said County in the State aforesaid, aged about Seventy
nine years next December who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed
Jun 7th 1832- 

This applicant states that about the first of the spring 1779, as well as he now recollects,  he was drafted in the State of North Carolina, Orange County where he then resided for the term
of three months and was placed under the Command of Capt. Edward Gwinn, in a regiment Commanded by William O'Neill as Col - and John Campbell as Major; so well as he now
recollects - During the time he was drafted as aforesaid his family was indisposed and he hired a substitute, who served his term.  Some short time after the expiration of the three months
tour above stated, he was again drafted for the term of twelve months, this draft or Call he is confident took place about the 1st of June, and he believes in the year 1779 - Applicants family 
still remaining unwell and disagreeably situated
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and it being Convenient for hime so to do; he hired a man named Thomas Willis as a substitute during this term, who was received in his place and as diponent is informed
was in the battle at Camden known better by the name of [unreadable] defeat - where said substitute was killed as [unreadable] says -  Applicant states it was some little 
time after he was drafted the 2d time before he was called into actual service, the time however he does not now recollect, He supposed it might have been 3 or 4 months - 
After this second draft and hiring of substitutes the time he cannot recollect, but has no doubt it was the same fall or fall of 1779, Applicant states his horse and gun was 
pressed into the Service of his Country; he resisted the Call, stating what he had done for his Country as above recited, He was informed his own services could not be required
but those of his arms and other property could. He then told them if one went the other would; He accordingly volunteered in the Service of his Country, for no particular
period; as he recollects, but was to serve whenever called upon - He states he did service from that time until the close of the War, under Captain Edward Gwinn and in the 
regiment Commanded by William O Neill and Major John Campbell. He states according to the best
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of his recollection he volunteered in the fall of 1779 - and served untill some time in the year 1782; sometime after the Capture of Lord Cornwallis - he states
he volunteered in Orange County State of North Carolina - at the time aforesaid and was discharged near Wilcanes bran water on or near Deep River in the 
State of North Carolina. He further states he received a written discharge signed by Col. O'Neill but that the same is now and has been for a long time past, 
lost or destroyed so that he cannot produce it. He believes in moving from N. Carolina to Georgia, or from Georgia to Tennessee it became worn out or lost,
he has never since seen it - He states he was in the service about two years and from five to nine months so well as he recollects;  he was serving that time 
engaged principally in Scouts after the tories and some British; in the Counties of Orange, Cumberland, and some of the adjoining Counties - He was in a little
skirmish with some of Col Fanning's men at the Buffaloes ford on Deep River the Tories were beaten - He was sent in a little battle on a water course called
Cane Creek when he was informed Col Fanning Commanded the Tories in person - Some other small skirmish
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took place which he supposes unnecessary to mention as they probably have never obtuse a place in history- Applicant well recollects
whom were many of the soldiers on their return [unreadable] General Gates Defeat - whilst he was out as volunteer as aforesaid and and
received the news of Gates Defeat from them - He was also within 25 miles of Guilford Courthouse another day the battle was fought between
Gwinn and Cornwallis, he distinctly recollects to have heard the reports of the [unreadable] at that battle - the men to which he belonged
were then in pursuit of Col. Fanning, who was reported to have one thousand men, going on to the aid of Cornwallis - the object of his 
commanders was, as he was told to prevent their junction.
Applicant further states, that he has no record of the time when, or place where he was born, but from the information given to him by 
his parents, and which he believes to be true, he was born in Culpepper County in the State of Virginia in Dec'r 1753- which will make him
seventy nine years old nextr Dec'r or Dec'r 1832- He further states that during his service as Volunteer as aforesaid he was commanded by the
officers above named. He further states that he knows of no person by whom he can prove the facts of any of them, except
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Jacob Rich and Joshua Holt, whose affidavits he has procured and are appended to this Declaration as part of the Claim. 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
or Territory in the United States

His Mark
Shadrach Holt

Sworn to in open court 5th November 1832
J P McKisick

This day Joshua Holt, a citizen of Bedford County Tennessee, appeared in open court and made oath, that he was acquainted with Col William O'Neill
Major John Campbell and Edward Gwinn, the officers mentioned the foregoing declaration, he states he has seen their mustering men frequently in the 
County of Orange for the purpose of pursuing and taking Fanning and his men and other Tories as he was informed and has always understood, he states
further that he has been acquainted with Shadrach Holt the applicant in the foregoing declaration ever since he can recollect, being born in the same
neighborhood where said Shadrach Holt lived - He distinctly recollects that at different times, when the officers above named were mustering their
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men and at different times, when they were marching as this deponent recollects and was informed, he does recollect to have seen the said 
applicant among his soldiers who were commanded by the officers above names, and he does further state that as always understood that said
applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and no doubt remains on his mind that said applicant was in the service as he states, and that he is a man of 
of correctness and his statements entitled to full credit. Sworn to in open court 11 Nov 1832. 
Joshua Holt
Jas McKisick

I Humphrey C. Fergeson, a clergyman residing in the County of Bedford and State of Tennessee hereby certify, that I am well acquainted Shadrach
Holt who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration,. I do further believe him to be the age he represents in his said declaration. That he is
That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that he concurs in that opinion. 
H C Fergeson

Sworn to in open court 4 Nov 1832
Jas McKisick Clk
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And the said Court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations subscribed by the War
Department, that the above applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states, they further certify that H.C. Ferguson who has signed
the foregoing certificate is a regular clergyman in the Presbyterian Church residing in Bedford County, and that Joshua Holt who has subscribed
the foregoing Certificate is a respectable citizen, and entitled to full credit, and that the statements of said applicant and witnesses are entitled to
full credit.

Jno Neill
John B. Armstrong

State of Tennessee
I James McKisick, clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the County of Bedford in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the pension claim of Shadrach Holt. I further certify that Fergus Holt before whom
said Shadrach made oath to the amendment made to his original declaration is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Bedford duly
Commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his official acts as
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Such in Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and and affixed the seal of the Court of Office in Shelbyville this 29th day of January 1833

Jas McKisick, Clk
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State of Tenn         }
Franklin County   }            On this 25th day of July 1840, personally appeared before James Byram one of the Justices of the Court of Franklin County State
of Tenn.  Martha Holt, a resident of the aforesaid County and state aged eighty four years and after having her duly sworn according to law doth on her oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed the fourth day of July eighteen hundred
and thirty six entitled an act suplementary to the act for the relief of certain serving officers and soldiers of the Revolution; that she is the widow of 
Shadrach Holt who was a pensioner under the Act of Congress of 1832.  She further declares that she was married to the said Shadrach Holt in the month
of March seventeen-hundred and seventy five; that her husband aforesaid Shadrach Holt died on the fifteenth day of April 1838 and that she has not been
married since, She further declares that she had three children at the time of the battle of Guilford Court House which was her residence at the time. 
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and date  above written before 
James Byram J.P.                                                                                                                Martha [Her Mark} Holt                {Seal}

State of Tenn         }
Franklin County   }         I James Byram one of the Justices of the Court of Franklin County State of Tenn. do hereby certify that Martha Holt whose names is 
subscribed to the above declaration is a lady of sound mind of good reputation and entitled to full credit and belief on her oath, from my personal 
knowledge and that she is entirely unable from her age and bodily infirmity to appear before the Court

Given under my hand and seal this 25th day of July 1840              James Byram           {Seal}
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State of Tennessee   }       I Isaac Estill Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that James Byram, is a Justice of the Court and was at the time of certifying to within, 
Franklin County         }       of a Court of Records - duly commissioned and legally qualified as such - and that he is entitled to faith and credit in all his official acts -
                                                                      In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand a affixed my seal of office in (Winchester on the 28 day of July 1840)
{Seal}

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Isaac Estill Clerk
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No. 22576

Shadrach Holt
                      Tennessee

Aomd
Omopri
20

Jno H Anderson Esq
Tenn

H K 

{Signature} John H Anderson 
                         Shelbyville
                                      Tenn.
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WAR DEPARTMENT
                             Pension Office
                                                                     183

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 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 regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These 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, showing the Service of Shadrach Holt Bedford County

1779 Drafted Hired Substitute           Capt Gwinn       Col O'Neill          J Kermish,        NC Aged about 79 Orange Co NC        Witnesses, Traditionary
"     "
Vol. 1779 Served until same time in the year 1782. In Service 2 years and nine months, but
he claims pension for two years                                                                                                                                                               Not entitled to any allowance for service performed as substitute

It is well known that the volunteer militia were not in actual service without any interruption. The applicant could not therefore have performed an actual 
service of two years nor can an allowance for such time be made. The different tours performed by him and the duration of each, should be stated.

I am, Your obedient Servant

J 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 [emphasis added by
KDJ] , &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the
benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding
particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular 'Troops.
2. The State 'Troops. Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all
persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or
privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration,
which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And
every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
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 first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the. benefit of the provion 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 lie 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 en[t]ered 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 dad rear 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 day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter,
and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named
applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies,
that it appears to them that A. B. [—— —— —- who has signed the preceding certificate is a
clergyman, resident in the [—— —— —- and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a
resident in the [—— —— —- and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to
credit.
I [—— —— —- Clerk of the Court of [—— —— —- do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation
[sic] of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [seal
embossed onto document] of office, this [- day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or
commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will
then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his
personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith,
as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l)
and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts,
which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with
the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full
account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the
principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the
imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no
favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the
County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above
provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following [m] interrogatories to all applicants for a pension,
on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New
Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the
Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a
substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you
served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general
circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by
whom was it given and what has become of it?
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 [t]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 go by reason of
bodily infirmity ; in which ease 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 most 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. ln 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:
"Personalty 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, it 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.
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 this case 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

Dyer Castor
Exum Clerk
Page 17

Deposition John F. Lokey

Geo H Parker
Davidson County Court
Tenn
Page 18

State of Tenn         }
Franklin County   }

On this 5th day August 1840 personally appeared before James Byram one of the Justices of the Peace in and for aforesaid County State of Tenn; John Lokey
resident of the aforesaid County personally known to said Byram of good repute and entitled to full credit and belief and after being duly sworn according to
law doth on his oath testify and say that he married the second child of Mrs. Martha Holt who is applying for a pension under the Act of Congress of 1836 making
provision for certain widows: That his wife is know according to the best of our knowledge and belief and from the declaration of her parents sixty three years 
of age that I have great grand children the great great grand children of said Martha Holt that the eldest child of my wife is now forty years of age. My wife 
being the second child of Martha Holt. That there is no family record of births of the children as far as we know said Martha Holt being a resident of my family
at this time. 

John {His mark} Lokey

Sworn to and subscribed the day and date above written before me
James Byram        {JP}
Page 19

Martha Holt dec'd
widow of Shadrach
                                    Te
He died 15 Apr 1838
Shadick 28 Nov 1846

Leaving surviving her
Nancy Lokey
Elijah Holt &
Elizabeth Byram


July 7 1838
Page 20

In order to obtain the benefits of the acts of Congress of July 7th 1838 3d March 1843 and the 17th June 1844

Declaration

State of Tennessee }
Franklin County       }
                             In this 1st day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two, personally appeared before the subscriber, an acting Justice of the Peace
in and for said County Mrs. Elizabeth Byram, aged sixty two years past, and being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration That she is 
the daughter and one of the heirs at loss of Martha Holt the widow of Shadrach Holt who was a pensioner of the United States for services in the War of the Revolution. That the 
date of the death of her father she cannot tell and must refer to the proof on file and the settlements in the department, with her further, That her mother Marthee Holt above 
Stated died on the twenty eighth day of November in the year eighteen hundred and forty-six, leaving the following named children, Nancy Lokey, Elijah Holt and affiant 
Elizabeth Byram. That her father was married to her mother Martha Holt prior to the first day of January in the
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year seventeen hundred and ninety four, for the proof of which affiant must refer to the proof on file and the proof accompanying this declaration; 
affiant further declares that her father drew a pension of                  dollars per annum.

Elizabeth [her mark] Byram

Sworn and subscribed before me an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and I would testify that Nancy Lokey, Elijah Holt and Elizabeth
Byram are the only surviving heirs at law of Martha Holt deceased, who was the widow of Shadrach Holt who was a pensioner of the United States. I 
further certify that Elizabeth Byram who makes the above declaration is the daughter of Shadrach and Martha Holt as she states, and that she must be of
the age she states that is sixty two years. I further certify that Satisfactory evidence has been produced to show that Martha Holt died in the twenty 
eight day of November eighteen hundred and forty-six. And that Mrs. Elizabeth Byrum is a person in whom full faith and credit may be placed. 

In testimony where of I have here unto set my hand this 1st day of July AD 1852

D D Smith
Justice of the Peace for Franklin Co. Tennessee
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State of Tennessee       }
Franklin County             }          SS

I, Wm E. Taylor Clerk of the County Court in and for the county and State above written would hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been produced
to show that Martha Holt widow of Shadrach Holt, died on the twenty eighth day of November eighteen hundred and forty-six and that Nancy Lokey, Elizabeth
Holt, Elijah Holt, and Elizabeth Byram are her only serving children.

I would further certify that DD Smith Esq before who the foregoing Declaration and affiants was taken is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and 
State aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn and the signatures purporting to he his are genuine. In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and 
affixed my seal of office at office in Winchester this 7th day of July AD 1852          

Wm E Taylor Clk
Page 23

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
                         SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE
                                 Oct. 5, 1853

Sir: 

Under the act of the 6th of April 1838, entitled, "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same
at the Treasury of the United States, " and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the
Pension Agents, the child of Shadrach Holt, dec, 

Pensioner on the Roll of the Nashville Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars per year, under the law of 7 June 1832 has been paid at this Department from the 4th of Sept. 
1837 to the 12 March 1843. 

Respectfully Yours,
J M Brodhead
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions
                                                                 Present.
Page 24

An amendment to the declaration of Shadrach Holt, made at November term 1832 of Bedford County Court; in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress
passed the 7th June 1832.

State of Tennessee       }
Bedford County             }

On this 13th day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County 
Shadrach Holt Senr. who subscribed and was qualified to the declaration above alluded to, who often being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that 
that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods below, and in the following grades to wit; that to the best of his recollection he entered the service of the United States, as stated
in his former declaration, in the fall of the year 1779 the 1st of October; as volunteer in Captain Edward Gwinn's company who was under the command of Col William 
O'Neill and Major John Campbell, and was marched from Orange County North Carolina to a ford on Deep River called the Buffalo ford; where he says he was in a 
Battle or skirmish with the Tories
Page 25

under the command of a Tory Col. by the name of Fanning, and that the tories were defeated, deponent does not recollect the month or day that this skirmish
took place, but thinks it was after Christmas in the early part of the year 1780 and that he recollects very well it was Chatham County North Carolina; And from
there he was marched to Wilcoxin Frameworks on Deep River where he was kept for some time; and at that place the troops that he was with were joined by a 
reinforcement under the command of Cols John Paistley, and Daniel Gillespie and from there he was marched to Brush Creek he thinks, in Cumberland County
North Carolina; where the troops under O'Neill, Paistley, and Gillespie attacked a tour of Tories and British, and defeated them; he says he can not recollect the day
or month at this time that it took place but thinks it was a short time before the Battle of Camden, and from there he was marched to Cane Creek, in the lower 
end of Orange County or upper end of Chatham, of the aforementioned State, where he says he was in another small skirmish against the Tories under Fanning
and that the Tories gave way and fled in every direction, and from there he says he was marched to the Raft Swamp in said Cumberland County where he says
he was stationed
Page 26

for some weeks, and from that place he was marched to the Redfield ford on Haw River where he was kept for some time but the precise length of time he does not
now recollect. and from there he was marched to various other places through the Counties of Orange, Chatham, Cumberland, and Randolph, to prevent the Tories
from imbodying and committing depredations on the Whig families who were often left without any protection. Secondly, this applicant states that the Whigs were 
thought to be more safe in the army or in actual Service than at home, and that as his Services were still solicited by his officers he continued in service until after
the surrender of Cornwallis, when he was marched to Wilcoxins Frameworks, where he received a discharge in writing for more than two years- for although he cannot
read writing himself, he has frequently heard persons read his discharge, which was always read to him for two years and nine months but that he is very 
certain to the best of his recollection he served not less than two years in actual service of the United States, during the Revolutionary War as a private soldier and 
volunteer for which he claims a pension sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me. 

E. Hord Justice of the Peace

Shadrach {his mark} Holt
Page 27

Interrogations proponded

Int 1st Where and in what year were you born?
Ans. I was born in Culpepper County in the State of Virginia on the 12th day of December 1753 agreeable to  the best information I have been able to get
Int 2d Have you any Record of your age; and if so where is it
Ans. I have no record of my age except a letter I received from a cousin of mine; a son of my uncle Michael Holt, of Orange County North Carolina; who could
write and as I have been informed Kept the age of my father's family in his Bible; and my cousin in his letter to me, says he took it from the original record that 
I was born as above stated.
Int 3rd Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Ans. I was a citizen of Orange County and State of North Carolina, when I was called into service and continued to be until after the close of the war when I removed
to the State of Georgia I think in the year {blank} where I lived until the year {blank} when I removed to Bedford County Tennessee where I have resided ever since
and where I now reside.
Page 28

Int4 How were you called into service? Were you a volunteer, a Substitute, or were you drafted-
Ans I was a volunteer all the time I was in Service
Int5 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 Service - 
Ans. I was not acquainted with any Regular officer with the troops where I served, nor do I now recollect of any name of number to the Regiment I belonged to,
except Col. O'Neills Regiment of Volunteers - And I believe the foregoing declaration and the amendments thereto, are the most [unreadable] and general history
of my service that I am able at this advance stage of my life to give.
Int 6th Did you ever Receive a discharge, and if so, what has become of it?
Ans, I did receive a discharge in writing signed by Col William O'Neill, to the best of my recollection as it was read to me for a term of service of two years and nine
months. But has been worn out or lost long since-
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity - and their opinion of your 
Services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer, I am known to Mr. Willis Green, and Wm Culley
Page 29

State of Tennessee      }
Bedford County            }

This day Willis Green and Wm Culley personally appeared before me the undersigned, and after being sworn agreeable to law depose and say that they are well
acquaiinted with Shadrach Holt who subscribed and was qualified to the foregoing amended declaration and have been acquainted with him for the last fifteen
years" that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he now resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that they concur in that opinion;
they further say they believe said Shadrach Holt to be a man to strick honesty, and integrity and that his character for veracity has never been questioned by any
person to their knowledge; and that they believe his statements on oath to be entitled to credit in any Court Whatever. Sworn to before me this 13th day of June
1833.

E. Hord Justice of the Peace                                                                 Willis Green
                                                                                                                           William Culley
Page 30

State of Tennessee       }
Bedford County             }

I James McKisick clerk of the court of pleas and Quarter Sessions for Bedford County in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that Edmond Hord Esq., before whom
Shadrach Holt was qualified, to the foregoing amendment to his original declaration, and before whom Willis Green, and William Culley were qualified to the 
foregoing affidavit, is now and was at the time an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit
are given to all his official acts as such. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Bedford County Court at office this 17th day of June 1833. 

Jas McKisick
Page 31

State of Tennessee       }
Franklin County             }

This day personally appeared before me John R. Patrick an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County State. Jacob Rich a resident of said County aged 
Seventy years old, who after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was a Lieutenant in the Army of the Revolution, and that he knows that Shadrach Holt
now of Bedford County, Tennessee, did serve against the Tories in the War of the Revolution.

Jacob {his mark} Rich

I hereby certify that the said Jacob Rich sworn and subscribed to the above affidavit before me this day and that said Rich is of good character and standing and 
that I believe said Rich to be a man of truth and that he is the age of Seventy years. Given under my hand and seal this 28th day of January 1833.

John R. Patrick            {Seal}
Justice of the Peace
Page 32

State of Tennessee

I Edmond Russell clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Franklin County do hereby certify that John R. Patrick whose name is signed to the within certificate
is now and was at the time he signed the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Franklin duly commissioned and qualified as such and that faith and 
credit is due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at office this 28th day of January 1833

E. Russell Clk
of Franklin County Court
Page 33

No. 14.731

Martha Holt - dec'd
Widow of Shadrach
5185                       Tenn.

Hon A. G. Watkins Sep 28 '52
Same May 17 1853

Jul 7 '38
Page 34

Martha Holt
of Shadrach
Tennessee

Suspended
-----------------------
See let 18 March 1841 to G. H. Parker
Page 35

Suspended 
See letter to 
Hon. J. K. Polk

14 Feb. 1835
2 May 1836
Page 36

5185          Rejected
Martha Holt
Service: widow of Shadrack
Page 37

Shadrach Holt. West Ten: Act 7 Jun 1832
to what time paid?
Pen: Office
                                                      March 18, 1841

$20 died in 1838
4 Sep 1837

J H
Page 38

State of Tennessee       }
County of Franklin        }

On this 1st day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in and
for the County and State aforesaid Mr Jacob Reynolds aged Sixty years and being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following affidavit that he was 
well acquainted with Shadrach Holt who was a pensioner of the United States for services in the War of the Revolution. That he is the identical man who was the husband
of Martha Holt deceased. That he is well acquainted with the children of Shadrach and Martha Holt above said and is well acquainted with Nancy Loky the oldest child
and she must be more than ten years older than affiant, and judging from his own age he being now sixty years of age, affiant thinks that Nancy Loky must be more than
seventy years of age. Affiant further declares that Martha Holt died on the twenty eighth day of November eighteen hundred and forty six.

Jacob Reynolds
Sworn and subscribed before me an acting
Page 39

Justice of the Peace in and for said County and I would certify that Jacob Reynolds who makes the above affidavit must be of the age he states
and that he is a man in whom full faith and credit may be placed.

In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of July AD 1852
D D Smith
Justice of the Peace for 
Franklin County Tennessee
Page 40

Washington City
Feby 12th 1835

Sir 

Herewith I send you the Pension papers for Shadrach Holt, Isaac Reiney, David Goodwin, and James Miller; and request that you will cause them to be 
[unreadable] and inform me of your decision upon them.
I have the honor to be Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servant 
James K Polk

James L Edwards Esq
Com. Pensions
Page 41

Shadrach Holt              July 18        Shelbyville Tenn:

J L Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 42

Shelbyville Tennessee 2d of July 1836

Dear Sir:

I have been favored with the perusal of a letter addressed to the honorable James K. Polk, on the subject of an application, made by Shadrach Holt of Bedford County,
Tennessee, for a Pension, from which it seems that Mr Holt will not be entitled to receive a pension for a longer tour of service than six months, unless he can make an
amendment to his declaration. From old age and infirmity it will be quite difficult for Mr. Holt to obtain any further evidence upon this subject. He knows of no person by
whom he can make any further proof except a Mr. Perkins who he is informed lives in Williamson County, Tennessee, but he is unable at this time through infirmity to
travel for the purpose of obtaining his evidence.

I am therefore requested by Mr. Holt to say that for the present he will not attempt any further amendment but that he request you to forward a certificate for such 
amount as you may concur him to be entitled to from his papers on file in your office.

Yours Respectfully

Jno H Anderson
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Page 43

Nashville July 3rd 1852

Tays W Newman Esq

                         Dear Sir;
I am in rec't of your letter making certain enquiries relative to the Pension of "Shadrach Holt", in reply to which I have to inform you that upon an examination of the pension
Roll, it appears that Shadrach Holt, was a Revol'y Pens'n at $20 per annum under Act of 7 Jun 1832 and drew his pension up to 4 Sep 1837 after which no entries appear, to that 
I am unable to state to you the day of his death. 

Wm H. Smith
Page 44

State of Tennessee      }
Franklin County            }

On this 1st day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace
in and for said County Mr. James Byram, aged sixty four years and being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following affidavit that he was 
well acquainted with Shadrach Holt, who was a pensioner of the United States for services in the War of the Revolution at the rate of Twenty dollars per annum. 
That he died leaving a widow Martha Holt, who died on the 28th day of November eighteen hundred and forty six.  That he is well acquainted with Elijah Holt one 
of the children of Shadrach and Martha Holt, and to compare his own age with his age he must be at least as old as affiant for he judges from the fact that they have
been acquainted for many years, affiant further declares that Nancy Loky, the oldest child of the above stated Shadrach and Martha Holt, that she is several years 
older than affiant and that she must be at least seventy years of age for she is a very old woman and must be of the age stated for he has been acquainted with her
for more than forty years and can judge of her age and he is confident that she is of the age he states, affiant thinks that the
Page 45

above stated Martha Holt must have been married to Shadrach Holt prior to the first say of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, James Byram
Sworn and subscribed before me an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and I would certify that James Byram who makes the above 
affidavit is of the age he states, and is a man in whom full faith and credit may be [unreadable]

D. D. Smith
Justice of the Peace for
Franklin Co., Tennessee
Page 46

An amendment to the declaration of Shadrach Holt Senr made the November Term 1832 of Bedford County Court in order to obtain the benefit of the act of 
Congress passed the 7th June 1832.

State of Tennessee       }
Bedford County             }

Personally appeared before me the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Shadrach Holt Senr who subscribed and was
qualified to the declaration above alluded to who after being duly sworn according to law; deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent 
loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period
that he served not less than two years in the actual service of the United States in the War of the Revolution; as a private soldier and volunteer; as mentioned
in the declaration above alluded to, for which he claims a pension; Deponent states that he never was able to read writing; but that he has frequently heard
persons read his discharge; which they read for two years and nine months, but he only claims a pension for two years; Sworn to and subscribed this 28th 
January 1833

Fergus Hall     {JP}                                    Shadrach {his mark} Holt
Page 47

State of Tenn             }
Franklin County       }

Know all men by these presents that I Martha Holt of Franklin County, State of Tenn do hereby constitute and affirm Geo H. Parker of Weakley County 
{unreadable} aforesaid my true and lawful attorney and hereby authorize him to prosecute my claim for pension under the Act of Congress passed the 
4th July 1836 granting pensions to certain widows of the soldiers of the Revolution before the commissioner of pensions at Washington and receive my 
pension certificate when granted.

Given under my hand and seal this 25 day of July 1840                Martha {her mark} Holt                {Seal}

State of Tenn               }
Franklin County         }

I James Byron Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Franklin and State of Tenn., do hereby certify that personally appeared before me Martha Holt
Whose name is subscribed to the above power of attorney and acknowledged the same to be her act and decd for the purpose therein contained.

Given under my hand and seal the 25 day of July 1840

James Byram J.P.
Page 48

State of Tennessee    }
Franklin County         }

I Isaac Estill clerk of the County Court of said county do hereby certify that James Byram is and was at the time of certifying to the within power of attorney an acting 
Justice of a Court of Records- duly commissioned and legally qualified as such and that he is entitled to faith and credit in all his official acts. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office in Winchester on the 28th day of July 1840

Isaac Estill Clk
Page 49

North Carolina        }
Orange County       }

I, Joseph Allison, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the said County and State, do hereby certify that I have made diligent search in my office
for the marriage bond of Shadrach Holt to Martha Salinger and that said bond cannot be found - I further certify that, although the records of this office date back one
hundred years, yet there are no marriage bonds older that seventy one years, the oldest being dated 1781 - That these is but one dated in that year, and that the files 
appear to have been carefully kept, for many years afterwards, and I have no doubt many bonds are mislaid or entirely lost. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 23rd day of December AD 1852

J Allison  CCC