Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 21,701, Malachi Eskridge, Va.
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(8-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Va. Eskridge, Malachi R. 21,701

Born in Va.
CONTENTS
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1
(application of Malachi Eskridge )
The State of Alabama
Greene County SS. On this 22 day of September 1832
personally appeared the circuit court
of the county & State aforesaid Malachi Eskridge of the age
of about seventy-seven years on the 1st day of November next
who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make
the following [illegible] an order to obtain the benefit of the
visions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year
1778 with (under) John Marzzarett & served in the [illegible] Regiment of the
Virginia line under the following named officers: That is to say he enlisted about the 13th day of February 1778 under Captain John Mazzarett in Col. Thomas Marshall's
Regiment of Artillery his Lieutenant Col was by the name of George Mondne Major Thos Matthews immediately after his enlistment he was sent to the Town of Hampton in Elizabeth City County in the State of Virginia
about one hundred & twenty miles from the place he enlisted. The previous to the time of his enlistment resided in the county of Richmond Virginia but he [illegible]
in Westmoreland County in the State of Virginia at the same time that he enlisted one Thomas Pritchard also enlisted & he this applicant said Prichard in company with some twenty or thirty others were
sent on to said Town of Hampton where they were detained for some 6 or 8 months learning the science of Gunnery after this he was taken with his regiment then
commanded by Elias Edmonds. Lieutenant Col & Captain Mazzarett was promoted to Major & our Captain was by the
name of Peter Kemp to South Carolina by the
way of Williamsburg Jan Virginia & Hillsboro in Nov the Cardina where we remained a few days from thence we marched to Fifers Mills in South Carolina where we remained a few days when we received intelligence of Col. Blufords defeat & were soon Janed by him & such of his men as were enabled to escape
from the Battle between him & Fulton. From this we were marched back to Hillsboro again.
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2
(Application of Malachi Eskridge )
where we remained some time in this campaign from Williamsburgh Virginia the whole rounds we had a regime
out of the Continental line with us commanded by Col Charles Porterfield all the officer that this applicant now recollects the name of under Porterfield was a Capt One who acted as brigade Major the adjutant of this applicants regiment of Artilery was Henry Vowles.
Wells from Hillsboro, we commenced a march back to Virginia but met General Gates & his forces at General Parsons near Roanoke river with whom & under the command of General Gates we returned on the expedition to Camden South Carolina & on the night before our arrival at Camden and advance part oft he army had an engagement in which Colonel Porterfield received a wound of which he died
the next day a general engagement ensued
somewhere between Rugeley's Mill & Carden
In which General Gates was shamefully defeated & old General De Calb Killed with many other officers & men. From this engagement which was the first of note in which this applicant was he was marched Back to Hillsborough this was some time in the month of about the August 1780 some time in the fall of 1780 we were march back by General Gates towards the South & Stationed at a place as well as recollected Call Sharlotte a Small Town in North Carolina some time after this and as well as he can now recollect in the latter part of Nov or first of December General Greene Came on Relieved General Gates soon after Greene to arrive at Sharlotte he removed the Troops to the Cherane Hills & encamped on a creek called Hick's Creek here he remained until after the defeat of Fulton by Morgan at the Compens After Green heard of this which was some time in January 1781 he commenced his march for Virginia & was joined on the mont by Morgan they retreated to Halifax old Courthouse in Virginia where General Greene received a reinforce
2
(See the other end)
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3
(Malachi Eskridges application)
-iment (from previous image) & March back into North Carolina this applicant was in the engagement under General Greene at Guilford Courthouse or near there at this Battle many were kill the engagement was in the every & very hot until General Greene was forced to give grant this is the last battle & the last service he was in during the war his term of enlistment having expired on as well as he recollects the 18th day of February preceding this battle but he consented to stay in the service until after this battle which General Greene had expected for some time from
Guilford this applicant was marched to Prince
Edward's Courthouse in Virginia where he was discharged on the 15th April 1781 after having
served for three years three months & two days being two month & two days after the expiration of his time This applicant states that he acted as Bombardier almost all the
time he was in the service & as well as he
recollects was to have had 12 dollars per month for his services his discharge was given him by the same John Mazzarell that he enlisted with but about ten years after the war this applicant removed from Virginia to Spartanburgh in South Carolina & in Crossing Smith's river his Lot his papers over & not knowing that it would ever be of any service to him put it up without doing it sufficiently & got [??} to pieces & lost this aplicant resided in Spartubing district South Carolina until about 1800 when he removed to Green County, Alabama where he has resided ever since & I hereby relinquish Every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any state in the Union the States that he was born Nov 1757 in Richmond  County Virginia but has no record of his age he state that Philorm
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1
1
(application of Malachi Eskridge )
The State of Alabama
Green County  SS  On this 22 day of September 1832
personally appeared before the Judge of the circuit court
of the County & State afore said Malachi Eskridge of the age
of about seventy-seven years on the 1st day of November next
who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make
the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the visions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year
1778 with (under) John Margaret & served in the Regiment of the
Virginia line under the following named officers: That is to
say he enlisted about the 13th day of February 1778 in
der Captain John Margarett in Col. Thomas Marshall
Regiment of Artillery his Lieutenant Col was by the name
George Montine Major Thos Matthews immediately
after his enlistment he was sent to the Town of Hamp
in Elizabeth City County in the State of Virginia
about one hundred & twenty miles from the place
he enlisted he previous to the time of his enlistment
resided in the County of Richmond Virginia but he entis
ted in Westmoreland County in the State of Virginia at
the same time that he enlisted one Thomas Pritchard
also enlisted & he this applicant & said Prichard
in company with some twenty or thirty others were
sent on to said Town of Hampton where they were de
tained for some 6 or 8 months learning the science
of Gunnery after this he was taken with his regiment then
commanded by Edmonds Lieutenant Col & Captain Margar
it was promoted to Major & our Captain was by the
name of Peter Kemp to South Carolina by the
way of Williamsburgh in Virginia & Hillsboro in Nov
the Cardina where we remained a few days from
thence we marched to Fifers Mills in South Carolina
where we remained a few days when we received intelig
ence of Col. Bluford defeat & were soon Janed by
him & such of his men as were enabled to escape
from the Battle between him & Fulton. From this
we were marched back to Hillsboro again
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17.566.
Malichi Eshrige
of Alabama
April 28 1834
Ref to the Committee
on Revolutionary Pensions
Return
June 1834
Commr discharged to be
Jan. 21. 1835
Ref to Comm of Claims
Col Marshall 
[illegible] 
J.C. Snedicas Erg
Erie

Mandy 40 Green County
Rev. Pensions
Alabama
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office
January 29th 1834
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is
necefsary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Malichi Eskrige
[Column Headings: Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of  claimant's service Years. | Months | Days | Rank of the claimant. | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported ]

Artillery 1778 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Private Artillery | Cap. Mazarettee Col. Marshale Col Edmonde | 77 years } Westmoreland Count, Va. | Waditianey [illegible]

I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who 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 } ss.
County of
On this [BLANK] day of [BLANK] personally appeared (a) before [BLANK] A.B. a resident (b) of [BLANK] in the county of [BLANK] and State, Territory or District of [BLANK] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [BLANK], with [BLANK] and served in the [BLANK], with and
served in the [BLANK] (e) regiment of the [BLANK] line, under the following named officers:
{Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.}
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [BLANK] 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
{And then will follow the certificate of the Court.}
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
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 [BLANK] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [BLANK] 
day of [BLANK] &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 [BLANK] and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
[BLANK] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
[BLANK] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
{And then will follow the certificate of the Court.}
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [BLANK]
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [BLANK] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [BLANK] Clerk of the Court of [BLANK] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [BLANK] 
for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [BLANK] day of [BLANK] & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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?
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 the 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 inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
__________

{a} The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
{b} The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fall to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
{c} The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
{d} The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
{e} Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For --- year --- months, and --- days, I served as a ------. For --- months --- and ---- days, I served as a ---; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; 
that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
{f} The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
{g} The opinion of the Court is always required.
{h} The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
{i} The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
{j} In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of 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 and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under the seal of  office. 
- The notes from {a} to {i} to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note {j} applies to continental troops only.
{k} This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
{l} If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
{m} The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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( 3 - 223. )
No. 21.701
Revy
REJECTED
______, Ex'r.
OLD WAR INVALID.
Malichi Eskridge of Ala
P. Pr. Col Marshall Va Arty
Service: Revy
Enlisted: ______, 18 . 
Discharged: ______ , 18  .
Application filed: ________, 18 .
Alleges: _______
Re-enlisted: ______
Attorney: _____
P. O. _______
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Auditor Office Ver
Feb 5. 1834

Sir,
I have received your of the 29th ulto,
and state in reply that the name of Malachi Eskridge does not appear on the army Registers of either line, nor has he received land bounty. 
The officers to whom he refers are all found on the lists
With great respect yours &c
Jas E Heath
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17.566

[Illegible]
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The State of Alabama Greene County.

Personally appeared before me the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in & for the County of Greene aforesaid, Malachi
Eskridge whose name is affixed to the annexed declaration in order to procure a pension for
his services as a soldier of the revolution under the act of Congress passed June the Seventh
1832, who after being duly sworn deposed
Saith that in answer to a brief of objections to the said declaration by the war department
first, states that there is no person now living
that he knows of by whom he can prove the
time he entered the service (as is stated and set forth in his said declaration) and the time
and manner of his leaving the same as well as
the regiment, company & line to which he ┃
belonged, but states that Edmond Pace and
James Pettigrew both his neighbors & the for
me a clergyman, would as he thinks testify
favorably of his good character for truth
and variety and also of his reputation as a
Soldier of the revolution. And this deponant
further states that the reason that he did not
procure the testimony of a clergyman and
another respectable citizens to depose as to their belief of his age and the general belief and Opinion in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary services to his original declaration was that he was confident that his name would be found upon the records of the department & and under such belief, was informed by the Judge of the Circuit Court that such a showing was unnecessary, 
Sworn to and subscribed before me this fifth day of November AD. 1833.
Wm M. Murphy

Malachi Eskridge
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The State of Alabama Greene County.
This day being the 6th of November 1833 personally came before me, Edmund Pace a Clergyman and Isaac C. Snider both resident Citizens of the County of Greene aforesaid who after being by me duly sworn deposeth and saith that they are well acquainted with Malachi Eskridge, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing is amended declaration that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age at the time as he has stated in his original declaration, that he is reputed and
believed in the neighborhood where he resides
to have been a soldier of the revolution
and that his character for truth and varacity is very good and we concur in that
opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed before me
the undersigned a Justice of the
Peace for said County the day &
date hereof
Wm M. Murphy
The State of Alabama Greene County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned and adding Justice of the peace in and for said County. James Pettigrew a resident Citizen of said County, who after being duly sworn deposeth and said that he has been well acquainted with Malachi Eskridge whose name is affixed to the foregoing amended declaration for about ten years & most part of that time within three miles of this deponant, that for truth and varacity his character is very good that he believes him to be of the age of Seventy seven years as stated in his original declaration which I have Just
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Just heard read & further believe that all
of his statements therein made and setforth to
be true in substance and in fact that he
is reputed & believe in his neighborhood have been a soldier of the revolution
Sworn to & Subscribed before me me this 5th day of November AD 1833.
James Pettigrew

Wm M. Murphy P.
-
The State of Alabama 
Greene County
J. William M. Murphy

an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Greene aforesaid, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with [illegible name] Isaac C. Snedicon, whose signature appears to the foregoing documents (who is and has been Clerk of the County Court of this County for several years) and do hereby further certify that his character is highly reputable, the other gentlemen Rev. Edmund Pace & James Pettigrew whose names are also signed
to the foregoing, I am not so intimately acquainted with but from the testimony of other respectable  Citizens who deposed before me upon oath as to their moral character for truth and veracity have no hesitation in stating that their characters
are also good In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal this 5th day
of November A.D. 1833.
Wm M. Murphy
J. P.

The State of Alabama
Greene County  
Isaac C Snedecor, Clerk of County Court of the County of Greene aforesaid, do hereby certify that William M. Murphy, whose signature appears to foregoing affidavit's and certificate, now is and at of his certifying was an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County of Greene, duly elected
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Qualified and commissioned; and that due faith and and credit are due and ought to be given to all is acts as such, and that his said certificates are in due form of law     Sworn under my hand and seal of office, at Erie Greene County aforesaid the 10th day of December AD. 1833.
Seal placed here.   Atteste  I C Snedecor Clerk

The State of Alabama I. Thomas F Mood, presiding Judge Greene County } of the County Court of Said County of Greene, do hereby certify that Isaac C. Snedecor, whose signature appeared to the foregoing certificate, now is, and was at the time he signed the same, clerk of the County Court of said County and that his said certificate is made in due form of law——

     Given under my hand and this 10th day of December A.D. 1833.
                        T.F. Moody.   [Seal] (handmade not stamped)
                        Judge of Said County