Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4198, for Robert Mc Cormick, North Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
N. C.

McCormick, Robert

NUMBER
S.4198.

Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

[printed form, handwritten responses]
19008
East Tennessee
Robert McCormick
of Rhea Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a [illegible] In & Cav in the company commanded
by Captain Reed of the regiment commanded
by Colo Irvine in the N Carolina
line for 6 mo and 10 ds prof Infatr.
10 " [mo} " [and] 28 " [ds] " [prof] Cavalry

Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee
at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July
1833 and sent to Hon
J. Standifer Mt Airy

Arrears to the 4th of March          $133.32
Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep  33.33
[total]                                              166.66

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832.       }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 52

Date of death
not on agency Book
Page 3

State of Tennessee  )
Rhea County           )
Circuit Court September term 1832
On the 25th day of September 1832 personally appeared
in Open Court before the Honourable Judge of the Circuit
Court of Rhea County in the State of Tennessee being a
Court of record now sitting Robert McCormick a resident
of Rhea County in the State of Tennessee aged 70 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 Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the Service of the United States under
the following named officers and served as herein after
stated--1st that he entered the United States
Service about the 10th of June 1780 as a volunteer
in Macklenburg [Mecklenburg] County in the State of North Carolina
under Captain David Reed and Lieutenant John 
Brownfield Francis Moore Insign [Ensign] and Colonial Francis
Locke The object was to go against the Tories
and marched to Ramsowers Mills Crossing the Catawba
river at Lucky Sug ford at Ramsowers Mills met the
Tories and defeted [defeated] them from there he returned and was
dismissed by his Captain after having served three weeks
got no discharge
2ndly In July 1780 volunteered in Macklenburg  [Mecklenburg] County
N. Carolina his officers were Insign [ensign] Francis Moore Captain
David Reed and Colonel Robert Irwin Marched to
Charlotte and remained sometime and was dismissed by
his captain after having been in service three weeks no discharge
3rd In the last of July one or two days after he returned from the
aforementioned tour 1780 he volunteered in Macklenburg [Mecklenburg] County
under Lieutenant John Brownfield Colonel Irwin marched
and joined General Sumpter then marched to Rocky Mount
and had a battle with the Brittish [British} and Tories retired
from there to fishing creek from there to Lands ford
on the Catawba river and from there to the hanging rock
had a battle with the Brittish and Tories retired from 
there back into the country and was dismissed by his officer
with out a discharge after serving four weeks
Page 4

4thly
On the last of August 1780 he volunteered for three
months in Macklenburg [Mecklenburg] County North Carolina
under Captain Robert McNight and Colonel Hagans
and Major Harris marched to the Six mile Creek
and remained there some time and marched to Salisbury
turned out in a volunteer company of rifle men for the purpose of
ranging the country was in a skirmish at Sharlotte [Charlotte]
with the brittish [British] discharged by his officers in the [illegible]
settlement after having served four months
5ly Some time in January 1781 volunteered in a horse
company in Macklenburg [Mecklenburg] county N. Carolina under
Captain Joseph Grayham and Joined General Davison
marched to Bates ford and from there to Cowans ford
had a skirmish with the Brittish from there Torinses [Terrence's]
where the Armericans [Americans] were defeated from there he
returned home not being able to join his company
having served two weeks
6th On the 26th of March 1781 he volunteered in
the Cavalry for ten months in Macklenburg [Mecklenburg] county
North Carolina his officers were Captain Francis
Moore 1st Lieutenant Samuel Wilson 2nd lieutenant 
William Ackins & Colonel Charles Middleton 
Joined General Sumpter at Ancrums in South Carolina
marched to Orangeburg and took it from the Brittish
and Tories and then he marched to marched to
Monks Corner and then to bakens bridge marched
through the country and met the Brittish at
Juniper Springs and was defeated marched back
and forward through the Country and Joined General
Sumpter again pursued the Brittish who were 
flying on to Strawberry where the Overtook them and
had a skirmish with them then returned to the Cosequer
river then joined General Greene marching to the Utaw
Springs ["marched with Green" is crossed out] there where they fought
a battle called the battle of Utaws [Eutaw] declarent [declarant] captain
was wounded and declarent [declarant] was ordered to take care
of him
Page 5

Sometime after the battle at the Utaws [Eutaw] the troop that
declarent [declarant] belonged to joined General Wayne
and at one time pursued the Brittish [British] into
Savannah Some time afterwards returned to
Orangeburg South Carolina and was discharged
by his Captain after serving ten months and
two weeks
He was acquainted with Generals Greene
Wayne Sumpter and Morgan and Marion
Colonels Washington Lee and Colonel Crea besides
the other Officers named above
He has no persons that he knows of living in this
Country by whom he can prove his services
Declarent [declarant] made application to the War department
for a pension for his ten months and two weeks
tower [tour] about 12 months since but failed on
account of not having served on the Continental
establishment his declaration was then proved
by Moses Fergason and Adam Miller who since
has moved out of the country and declarent knows
not where they are he supposes his declaration is
on the files in the war office for ten months and
two week, he could not prove then his other Services
and consequently did not apply for them
He was born on the 3rd day of October 1761 in
Lancaster County in the State of Pennsylvania
moved to Macklenburg County North Carolina
where he lived for 40 years lived there during the
revolutionary war and then moved to Lincoln
County North Carolina from there to Rhea County
in the State of Tennessee where he now lives
He is not acquainted with any Clergyman
Page 6

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to
a pension of anuity [annuity] except the present and
declares that his name is not on the pension
roll of the agency of any state
He received two discharges but have ["not" is crossed out] lost them
both long since
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid.
Robt McCormick

I James Fergason a resident of Rhea County
and state of Tennessee do certify that I have been
acquainted with Robert McCormick who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
for upwards of thirty years lived in an
adjoining county in North Carolina was acquainted
with Irwin and Grayham that he mentions in
his declaration and also sertify [certify] that he has always
been understood in the neighbourhood where he
has lived to be a revolutionary soldier and I have
no doubt of that fact
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
James his x mark Furgason

I James Swan a resident of Rhea County Tennessee 
do certify that I have been acquainted with Robert
McCormick who has Sworn to and subscribed the
above declaration from my infancy and that he is a
credible person that I believe him to be 70 years of age
that he is and always has been reputed and believed in 
the neighbourhood where he has lived to be a soldier
of the revolution and I concur in that opinion
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid
James Swan
Page 7

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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary
soldier and served as he states and the Court
further certifies that it appears to them that
James Furgason and James Swan who has
Subscribed the preceding certificates are residents
of the county of Rhea and state of Tennessee
and are credible persons and that their
Statements are entitled to credit
Charles J. Keith
[illegible] of the
[illegible] by declarant
I John Locke Clerk of the Circuit
Court of Rhea County in the State of
Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original procedings [proceedings] of the Said Court
in the matter of the application of Robert McCormick
for a pension
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and private Seal--not having
an official Seal at office this 25th day of
September AD 1832
John Locke Clerk
Page 8

I know that John Locke whose certificate within
is Clerk of the Circuit of Rhea County and that
the with in is his attestation I acknowledge that
this is public seal of office for Said County
January the 14th 1833
James Handefor N.C.

Mr Handefor
Page 9

February 15, 1929

Honorable John F. Miller
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Miller:

In response to your letter of February 13, 1929, I
have the honor to advise you from the papers in the Revo-
lutionary war pension claim, S. 4198, it appears that
Robert McCormick was born, October 3, 1761, in Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania.
While residing in Mecklenburg County, North Caro-
lina, he enlisted and served as a private in the North Carolina Troops as follows:
From June 10, 1780, three weeks in Captain David
Reed's Company, Colonel Francis Lock's Regiment.
From in July, 1780, three weeks in Captain David
Reed's Company, Colonel Robert Irwin's Regiment.  A day
or two after the above service, he re-enlisted, served
four weeks under Lieutenant John Brownfield in Colonel
Irwin's Regiment and was in the battles of Rocky Mount
and Hanging Rock.
Page 10

From August 31, 1780, four months in Captain Robert
McKnight's Company, Colonel Hagan's Regiment and was in
the battle of Charlotte.
From in January, 1781, two weeks in Captain Joseph
Graham's Company of Horse and was in the battle of Ter-
rence's Tavern.
From March 26, 1781, ten months and two weeks in
Captain Francis Moore's Company, Colonel Charles Middle-
ton's Regiment of Cavalry, was in the battles of Orange-
burg, Juniper Springs and Eutaw Springs, and in a skirmish at Strawberry, South Carolina.
After the war soldier moved to Lincoln County, North
Carolina, and from there to Rhea County, Tennessee, where
he resided when he was allowed pension on his application
executed September 25, 1832, pension certificate issued
July 26, 1833.
There are no data concerning his family.

Very truly yours,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 11

1929- Feb. 15, Hist to
Hon. John F. Miller M.E.E.

Rev War
V
4198
Invalid.
File No. 4198
Robert McCormick
Pvt. N.C. line

Act: June 7 of 32
Index:--Vol. A, Page 244

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

15.503
Robert McCormick
Rhea

from--private
of Cavalry & Infy.
17 months & 8 days.
Pr. Inf. 6 mo 10 day  21. 12
Pr. Cavalry 10 mo 28 45.54
[total]                         66.66

Hon Mr. Standifer
H. R.
verified by W. Easton
Page 13

[printed form, handwritten responses]
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Robert McCormick which require
further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  Yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  Yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  Yes

V.  *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout [amount] of pension
he is entitled?  Yes

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

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

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  Yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  Yes

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?  No but an M.C. certificate
Page 14

[printed form, handwritten responses]
2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolu-
tionary service?  No

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing it?  Yes

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
Yes

XIV. [single bar cross] if the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI.  [double bar cross] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c.  A.  B.  who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recol-
lection 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.
Page 15

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too in-
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objection-
able.  It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration 
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not em-
ployed in any civil pursuit.

[single bar cross] QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magis-
trate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

[double bar cross] QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the cer-
tificate 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.
[pointing hand symbol] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 16

JOHN F. MILLER
1ST DISTRICT
STATE OF WASHINGTON

HAROLD E. TENNANT
SECRETARY

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D.C.

COMMITTEE
NAVAL AFFAIRS

491 House Office Bldg
February 13, 1929

Hon Winfield Scott
Commissioner
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D C

Dear Mr Commissioner:

One Robert McCormick a soldier in the North
Carolina Troops, Revolutionary War was pensioned in 1833.
If his record can be located from this meagre data, will
you be so kind as to give me the facts and information
relative to his service.

Thanking you for your courtesy and cooperation
in these matters at all times, I am

Respectfully yours,

John F Miller

JFM HT

[round date stamp]
PENSION
FEB
U. 14 S.
1929
OFFICE