Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5396, for Howell Hunt, North Carolina
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE                                         NUMBER

N.C.           Hunt, Howell                R. 5396
                            Nancy
_______________________________________________
CONTENTS
Page 2

No 1

State of North Carolina}
County Wilkes              } On this 3d day of June, 1852 personally  appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county Nancy Hunt, a resident of the said County aged 93 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836, Entitled "an act granting Pensions to certain widows of revolutionary Soldiers, that she is the widow of Howell Hunt who was a private soldier in the North Carolina Militia during the War of the revolution, that in the early part of the war they lived in the county of Halifax [County- struck out] and in the year 1778, they removed from said County and setled in Wilkes County on the waters of Hunting Creek and from this time till the close of the war her husband the aforesaid Howel Hunt served three seperate and distinct tours of duty of three months each making in all Nine months service in the North Carolina Militia under Captains, Cleveland, Henderson, and Smith belonging to Cols Cleveland regiment of Wilkes militia besides being often out in neighborhood defense against the Torys, that during those tours he was at or near the Battle of Kings Mountain, once  she thinks down into South Carolina and to Guilford that from old age and loss of memory she cannot now give the particulars of her said husbands services, but does well and distinctly recollect that he actually served three regular tours of duty as above stated

     She further declares that she was married to the said Howel Hunt in the county of Halifax in June, 1777 or 1778. that her husband died about the year Seventeen hundred and ninety
Page 3

three, 1793. and that she has remained a widow ever since his death

     Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written
before     W  Day  JP
her
Nancy X Hunt
mark

And I the said Magistrate do hereby certify that I am and have been from my earliest recollection well acquainted with Nancy Hunt the above declarant and that she is a woman that has through life supported an unblemished reputation, that she is known and reputed in her neighborhood to be the widow of one Howel Hunt who was a Soldier in the in the war of the Revolution, a matter of fact of which there is no doubt in this neighborhood.

  I further certify that by reason of old age and bodily infirmity she is unable to go to the court house to make her said declaration
     
     Given under my hand this 3rd day of June, AD 1852 --
W Day JP

North Carolina}
Wilkes County }
     This day appeared before me  [illegible] and after being solemnly sworn does say on his solemn oath that 8 or 10 years ago he was at the house of Alexander Gebrath who was living in the County of Wilkes, that incidents of the Revolutionary war was his favorite theme him being a soldier of that war (and pentioned by the u states) on inquiring of him who served in that war from this County . . named his brother William David Lams Howell Hunt.  James Gray Sterling Rose & a man by the name of Lewis, knowing all named except Hunt and he was inquired of him whom Hunt & Lewis lived he said on Hunting Creek & its waters and believes he told him that Howel Hunt went [word scratched out] with him to the Battle of Kings Mountain that being on foot was left by a company on Horse back. for Kings mountain
Page 4

No. 2
North Carolina}
Wilkes County }

This day personally appears before me John J Bryan one of the acting Justices of the peace for this County of Wilkes.  James Martin and Lucy Martin.  and after being duly and solemnly sworn according to Law. does say and declare on their Solemn oath.  that  Nancy Hunt whose declaration is here unto appended is the wife of Howell Hunt. and that said Howell and Nancy was lawfully married in the County of Halifax in the state aforesaid and from the death of Howell Hunt. his wife Nancy Hunt. has remained a widow. living entirely on the clemency of her friends. being herself pennyless
    
      Sworn to and Subscribed this 18th day of Decem. 1852.
     [illegible]
J.J. Bryan J.P                 James Martin      Seal
                                            her
                                     Lucy Martin         Seal
                                           mark

I, John J Bryan an acting Justice of the the peace and for said Certify &  declare that James Martin and Lucy Martin are of respectable character and their statements on oath or otherwise ought not to be doubted

   J. J. Bryan J.P.
Page 5

No 4
North Carolina}
Wilkes County }  This day personlly appeared before me Leland Martin one of the acting Justices of the peace for the County of Wilkes authorized to administer oaths. Olive Martin and Thomas T Martin and Thomas Pardew and after being solemnly sworn. does say on their solemn [illegible]. that they heard Starling Rose who was a revolutionary soldier and pentioned by government say several times [illegible] her husband. Howell Hunt. = was a Soldier in the revolutionary war and that his widow Nancy Hunt - ought to draw a pention from the  U states- and said Starling Rose lived in this family for many years and was a man of undoubted truth and his words or statements ought to be believed -- Given under our hands this 5 day of Jan 1853
Leland Martin J.P
      her
Olive x Martin Seal
     mark
Thos. T. Martin Seal
Thos Pardew Seal

I Leland Martin as acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Wilkes do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Olive & T.T. Martin & Thomas Pardew whose names are attached to the above certificate and they are persons of truth - given under my hand this 5th Jan 1853

Leland Martin J.P
Page 6


No 5
North Carolina}
Wilkes County }
     
      This day personally appeared before me John J Bryan an acting Justice of the Peace  in and for the County of Wilkes Nancy Hunt - and after being duly and Solemnly sworn according to Law. does declare and solemnly swear that she was married to Howell Hunt. in the County of Halifax and that in the year 1778 -  they moved to the County of Wilkes.  his mother Nancy Gray (his father then being dead) gave him a Horse to enable them to move as aforesaid.  And shortly after her Husband Howell Hunt service as a Soldier in the revolutionary war 3 distinct times making 9 months in all that within the time of serving in the Revolutionary war the Torys came to his house.  She being alone did in defiance of her admonitions [illegible] by force the aforesaid horse and kept him about 4 months - (the Horse was taken when my husband in the Services of his Country) when the horse was returned he was so much abused that he died the next day. the Horse was worth one hundred dollars.

     Sworn to before me this 18th day of Dec. 1852  J. J. Bryan J.P.
     Her
Nancy x Hunt Seal
     mark

No 6

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the U States

The undersigned declares to your Honorable bodys that she is the widow of Howell Hunt who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and Served nine months in defence of our common cause for the liberty of our country and my claims for a pention under this
Page 7

existing laws having been so long overlooked or neglected that from [illegible] that the proof required Cannot now be had to enable me to receive a pention to which I am justly entitled owing partly to the death of those who served with him and a want of proper care of the list of the soldiers who Served in the revolutionary war. _  This being his cituation. she most sincerely prays Your Honorable bodys to have him by a resolution of your Honorable bodys placed on the pention list of the U states provided the proofs accompanying this memorial is insufficient

    Your memorialist respectfully calls your particular attention to the loss of his Horse as set forth in an affidavit herewith appended that if she cannot be allowed a pention that your Hon. Bodys will make provition to compensate him for said Horse.  she further declares to your Hon. bodys that she endured and sufffered many  other small lapses by the Torys during the service of her Husband that to [illegible] as part of his [illegible] she was obliged to bury it in the ground.  that her husband was allow once or twice during his nine months to visit her on furlough of 2 or 3 days and that she did Cook and give him to carry to the army nearly all the provitions she had and she further declares to your Hon. bodys that all the crops made one season which he was in the service of his Country was made by him with a hoe. the Torys having as before stated taken his Horse

     The undersigned submits his case to your Hon. bodys declaring that she is without means to subsist on and but for the clemency of her friends would have to suffer or be placed on the list of paupers of the county something she prays your Hon. Bodys to avoid by taking a favorable view of his case
             
Nancy [omitted} x Hunt
January 5. 1853
Page 8

No 7
North Carolina}
Wilkes County }

The undersigned are acquainted with Nancy Hunt (widow of Howell Hunt) and have been for many years do not hesitate to say that she is a woman of spotless character and has been for many years a member of the Baptist Church and it is believed is entitled to a pention

Jacob Delinger
Robert Pardew
William Spalding
J.J. Bryan
Samuel Sparks
CL Cook.
Richd J. Cook
Martin G. Mcbride
John Sale
D. Daniel McBride
James Armstrong
T B Adams
Page 9

No 7
North Carolina}
Wilkes County }

     I certify that William Day John J Bryan and Leland Martin are now and have been for a long time acting Justices of the Peace for the County of Wilkes and due faith and credit ought to be given to their official acts
Jany 6. 1853
C. J. Cook
[illegible name]

The undersigned being a Member of the Special Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, for the County of Wilkes State of N Carolina. do certify that He has often heard the Subject of pensioning Nancy Hunt discussed and believes her entitled to a pension from the U States and further He states that the [illegible] opinions of every Person in neighborhood are to the Same effect
Jany. 7th 1853-
Leland. Martin
Page 10

North Carolina}
Wilkes County } 

This day personally appeared before me Leland Martin an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County and state aforesaid James Martin a resident Citizen of the County and state aforesaid and states on his solemn oath that he is well acquainted with the children of Howell Hunt and his wife Nancy Hunt and that they were the parents of six children to wit Lucy now about 73 years old William about 70 years old Howell about 68 years old Benjamin about 66 years old Henry about 63 years old.  the name of their six child he does not remember that the said Howell and Nancy Hunt undoubtedly were lawfully married.
     his
James X Martin Seal
     mark
Witness
L Martin J.P

North Carolina}
Wilkes County }
I Leland Martin an authorised Justice of the peace as aforesaid. Certify that James Martin is quite an old and reputable man
L Martin J. P

[This last paragraph is very faded.]
I W. Mastin [illegible] of the court of pleas and quarter sessions for said county of Wilkes do certify that Leland Martin is [illegible] signed the above certificate an acting Justice of the peace [illegible] for said county and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine given under [illegible]
Page 11

[illegible] this the 11th day of July 1853
W. Mastin Clk
Page 12

Brier Creek N C
20 May 1859

To The Hond "Comisioner of Pensions"
First [illegible] asked you = first has anyone been enabled to establish a pension claim in favor of Nancy Hunt (widow of Howell) or The Heirs of said Howell _ Said Howell was of the Salisbury District N.C)
Second if so who were they and When [illegible] their Authority Therefor_

This is asked for information as we are intrusted in the matter & your early reponse, to this will be looked upon as an especial favor

Yours truly [illegible]
Leland Martin
Martin Redding
Page 13

No 7925
Nancy Hunt 
Widow of Howell
NC

Hon. T. L. Clingman May 27 [Year off edge of paper]
A Carmichael Sep 14 1853
Hon T.S. Clingman June 21. 1854
Martin Redding, March 16/57
Same May 9/59





Act July 5, 1836
Page 14

Nancy Hunt,
Page 15

I James H Whitaker clerk of Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions do hereby certify that after a carefull and diligent search in my office for the date of the marriage of Howell Hunt, to Nancy Gray _  I can find no marriage License or bond previous to the year 1810

In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office at  office the 13th November A.D. 1853

Jas. H. Whitaker C.C.C.
     _____________
Page 16

North Carolina}
Wilkes County }
We the undersigned John Redding, now nearly 70 years old and William Gilliam now about 68years old and resident citizens of Wilkes County and lived in the Vicinity and near neighbor of Howell Hunt do certify that it was said and believed that he was a Soldier in the revolutionary war and that Nancy Hunt is his widow.  Signed this 14 day of March 1853

witness
Jacob Delinger

John Redding
William J Gilliam

North Carolina}
Wilkes County}  Spring term of the superior court of said county  We the undersigned Grand Jurors of said court do certify that John Redding and William Gilliam are resident citizens of Wilkes County and that they are men of truth and that their statements ought to be believed

James Sale
Abel Cass
Jurors [Written vertically]

I certify that James Sale & Abel Cass are Grand Jurors for the County of Wilkes at this time.  22nd March 1853

J. Myers CCC
Page 17

Abingdon Novb 9th 1858.
Court, of Pensions,
Sir,

Yours of March 16th in the Case of Nancy Wid of Howell Hunt, Inquiring, under suspension, further proof is [illegible] in part, submited had I [illegible] notified Mr. Hunt of the  Requirements, before the decision of their Hons, Atto Genl, and Secretary of the Interior, he might have been Saved Much trouble and Expense in Going to & from N.C. you Will perceive there has been No administration from the fact, that the applicant is Sole and only Heir at [illegible}, If you Honr. takes up this case, as it was filed before the decisions under act of 1836.  Any further proof that May be Necessary, as to Identity [illegible] will be given.

I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your Obt St
J W. Stevens
Page 18



North Carolina}
Wilkes County }
This day appeared before me [the - struck out] Constant Gray an acting Justice of the Peace in and said County - Daniel McBride and Martin Redding. good & respectable Citizens of said County & state. and Made oath in due form of Law that they were well acquainted with Nancy Hunt- the commonly recognized widow of Howell Hunt decd and Said Nancy died in this county in The Summer of The year AD 1854.  Sworn to as above stated this 24th day of October 1858
[illegible]                 Daniel McBride
C. Gray jp                Martin Redding
I do certify [illegible] that [illegible] Martin Redding & Daniel McBride is [illegible] intrested in the Claim as I have every reason to believed  Given under  my hand and seal this 24th day of Oct 1858
C. Gray JP Seal
North Carolina}
Wilkes County }
I W. Mastin  Clerk of the court Of Pleas and quarter Sessions for the County and State aforsaid do certify that C. Gray is and was a Justice of the peace at the time of taking the above afffidavit duly [illegible] and Sworn to do the same and that the above Signature purporting to be his is Genuine.  
Given under my hand and Seal of office Oct 24th 1858
W. Mastin ClK
by Isaac S. Call DC
Page 19

State of North Carolina}
County of Wilkes          }
Be it Known that on this 22nd day of May 1854, personally appeared before me an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid A. A. Scroggs who after being duly Sworn according to Law deposeth and Sayeth That on a previous occasion he prepared the Papers with a  view to apply for a Pension for Nancy Hunt widow of Howell Hunt.  That she alleged she was married in Halifax County in No Ca whereupon he applied to the Clerk of the County Court for a Copy of her marriage bond or a Certificate of Search.  He further Sayeth that he received a certificate from the Clerk as aforesaid.  Setting forth that after diligent Search no such [copy of - struck out] Marriage bond Could be found and for this reason he never filed The Papers, and ceased and further proceedings in the Case. and has lost or mislaid the sd certificate.  Sworn to and Subscribed on this the day and date above written Before Me
W C Emmit JP and chairman of the County Court}

A. A. Scroggs
Page 20

Briar Creek P.O  June 10 - 1854
Hon T L Clingman

Dear Sir

I enclose you further evidence showing the merits of Nancy Hunt's claim to a pension

You are earnestly requested to give yourself time from [illegible] of respect to the rights of an old [illegible] widow of a soldier of the war 1776 to for yourself be able to decide on the merits of her claim to a pension for services rendered by her Husband in the war by which we were made free . . .  it is generally and I may say universally believed that Nancy Hunt is [illegible] entitled to a pension . . we are not able to raise the dead to testafy in her behalf. but do contend  that [illegible] evidence as respectable as I know she has produced  a right to have influence with Mr Waldo. . there is no person in this community who does not desire a desition in her favor and to the [illegible] of this declaration as well the parity of the papers I challenge investigation them has no case ever from this section of Country that was in her {illegible]

You will see on examination of the papers that the Tories did forcibly take from her while her Husband was in war. a Horse worth 100 Dollars
Page 21

and that they killed the Horse.  if Mr Waldo will not allow the pension _ would it not be right for the U states by a [illegible] of Congress order her to be paid for the Horse

The whole matter is submited to your care and the liberality of friend Waldo _ I have writen twice to Raleigh for certificate of Hunts Service with a permission that if the pension was got that the normal fee would be paid have had no amount but intend in a short to enclose a fee to our [illegible] as to the amount I can nothing about it but it really takes everything I can raise to protect my family from want . . if she gets any thing none is due to me.  beyond the time lost in the case

Yr. Obt. Servant

A. [illegible]
Page 22

H, Hunt
Page 23

State of North Carolina.
Comptroller's Department.
I C.H. Brogdon Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears of Record in my office, among the payments made by said State to sundry persons for Military services in the Revolutionary War, as follows
H. Hunt
Book G. No 16, Page 24 L [pounds] 4 - 13 - 10 - specie
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, in the city of Raleigh, this 11th day of Nov. A.D. 1857

CH Brogden,
Compt'r
N.C.
Page 24

owen [illegible]             
                                       150 00
                                        200 00  
                                        100 00  
                                          45 00
                                        _______
                                        595.00
                                          40    
                                        ____
                                         635.00
                                          100
                                         _____
                                         735
Page 25

1st at your. next Court, take administration
on the Estate of Nancy Hunt ded, of Wilks [sic] County N.C.
2d prove the date of her death in 1853.
4th prove the Identity of her Children, (Vig) that the Heirs are her Children and Howell Hunt ded
Page 26

declarations of Nancy Hunt Ded are upon file in the Pension Office at Washington -  which very probably will give some important facts in the case_  Search these old papers & doubtless you will find out many points that will be of use
Leland Martin
Brier Creek
NC
Page 27

Brier Creek N C
24th Feb 1857


Sir
I take the Liberty of addressing you this note for the purpose of requesting you to inform me, if any person has heretofore been allowed pension money or land warrants, as [illegible] or agent of Nancy Hunt (Widow of Howell Hunt) who was [a scratched out] or claimed to be a Soldier in the revolutionary war=; Several persons have been employed in obtaining pension for Said Nancy Hunt -- all of whom alledge that they have failed to get any -- and there being some suspicions, as to their fidelity in the premises I am prompted to make the enquiry of you direct --  Please examine your files & address me at this office
Yours Respectfully,
Martin Redding

Wilkes. Co. N.C
Page 28

Acts of July 14,1862, and March 3, 1873. [This line struck out]
REJECTED [Written diagonally]
3390

P.O.

Nancy Hunt

Service:

Enlisted:_______, 18  .
Discharged: ________,18  .

Application filed: ____________________,18  .

Alleges:

Re-enlisted:

Attorney:
P.O.

Recognized.        Contract.
Cert. of  Dis.  Searched for ______,  18  .
Page 29

North Carolina
Wilkes County

This day personally appeared before [illegible] of the Justice of the peace in and for the County of
[illegible] and after being solemnly [illegible] states on his oath that he heard George [illegible] say many times that he saw [illegible] by the names of Coyle and [illegible] in the County Wilkes near the Yadkin River [illegible] the east end of said county [illegible] torys were taken by a company commanded by [illegible] and that Howell Hunt was [The next six lines are illegible.]
Jany 24th 1854
C.L. Cook. J.P Seal      John Martin

I, C.L. Cook, an acting justice of the peace as aforesaid certify that John Martin is a man [balance illegible]
C. L. Cook, JP

[Another paragraph is illegible.]
Page 30

[The first section is illegible.}
North Caroline}
Wilkes County }
I Leland Martin, being a Citizen of Said County, do hereby certify that George Gray dc'ed - was a man of good character and. his Neighbors generally Speak of him. as a man of undoubted Veracity.
Leland Martin

North Carolina}
Wilkes County }

I Constant Gray now about fifty seven years old born and raised in the County of Wilkes do certify that I was well acquainted with George Gray dec'd. and declare that his character for truth was good. and his statements when not on oath ought to be believed as well as when on oath. he further declares that he heard his father [illegible] Gray say that he saw the two Torys while [illegible] and before they were cut down

Const.. Gray
Page 31

L. P. Waldo [illegible] of [illegible]and who represents the people of u states in that  depart. of the government

The undersigned respectfully declares to [illegible] and that to above on principles of Justice [illegible] and that as on according with the [illegible]by the people of the states for the well [illegible]  & the comfort of the Soldiers of the revolutionary war and their widows.. that we believe Howell Hunt was a soldier in the  war of 1776.  And that his wife Nancy is now living and has remained a widow from the death of her husband Howell to this time. that she has made application to the government for a pension and we are free do declare to you that she Nancy Hunt is a woman of good character is now the oldest [illegible] of the Briar Creek Baptist Church has enjoyed that knowledge [illegible]  as [illegible] as he believes for upwards of 60 years that her declaration in support of her right to a pension was no doubt based on facts. and that she is believed that her husband Howell was a soldier in the revolutionary war and [illegible] of man . . . all her children one dead and moved to other states except one. that she Nancy is without money of any kind to support on except what she derives from her remaining children who is respectable but really has not sufficient means for the support of the mother _____ your [word struck out] direction [two words struck out].  we hope the Laws of the United States will enable you to [illegible}] in her favor
W.F. Adams P. B. C. Church
B.O.H.P. Martin
John Martin Jun
Page 32

Thomas Foster
John Sale: Jr
Charles Walker
James Wells
Edmund Parks
John Martin Junr.


North Carolina{
Wilkes County {
I Leland Martin being a Member of the Select Court  of pleas & quarter Sessions for the County of Wilkes, do hereby Certify, that I am personally acquainted with W F Adams, BOHP Martin John Martin Jnr Thomas Foster John Sale Jr Charles Walker James Wells Edmond Parks & John Martin Jun -- all of Whom have assigned the forgoing declarations - and do further Certify that they are men of good integrity  & wholly worthy of Confidence and and belief  Given under my hand & Seal this 24th day of July 1853

Leland Martin J.P Seal
Page 33

that himself and others met - the army at or near the Catawba River. who served on guards over the British & Torys and believes said Gebrath told him that Howell Hunt was a messmate of his -- He further swears that within the last five months he was at the House of Alexander Gebreath and found him entirely destitute of memory. his mind a perfect void.  Could tell nothing of the old war except that he was in Charleston. made 76 flints out of flint Rocks in one day

Sworn to before me this 6th day of January 1853
 A.. Carnahan
J J Bryan J.P.

The above affadavit and the assertions of Alexander Gilreath I believe to be entitled to full credit
J.J. Bryan J.P.