Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 824, Elijah Biddle, N.C.
Page 8

your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character
for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
-
Ans. [struck through]William S.[end strikethrough] Hardy O. Newton, John Trott
Levi Humphrey and Mitchell Barbour
Two & subscribed the day and year aforsaid
[signature] Elijah Biddle
D W Lander Clk

and the said Court do hereby declare the opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogating p[illegible]
by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states; and the Court [illegible] certifies that it appears to them that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of the paplicant, and that John Trott. and John Tallman who have signed the same are
resident of Onslow County, and the Credible partay, and that the Statement is is entitled to credit

I David
W. Sanders Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Spring
4
for Onslow County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the
Page 9

original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
application of Elijah Biddle for a pension. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office, this
day of November A.D. 1832.
D W Sanders Clk

The Court does not give their assent to the
foregoing declaration of Elijah Biddle in
inter
to obtain the benifit of the act of Con
gress passed 7th June 1832
D. W. Sanders Clk
Page 10

Elijah Biddle
N. C.
No 2203.

Rejected, see letter to
D W. Sanders Clk
Onslaw Co Court N C
Aft 20 IL 1133
Page 11

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 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
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by con
implying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
-------
A Statement, shewing the Service of [handwritten] Elijah Biddle
[Table]
Period when the service was rendered | 
Vol.
Drafted
"
"
Duration of the claimant's service Year|Month|
3
3
3
Day| 
| Rank of the Claimant |
Pri
"
"
"
 Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served | 
Capt Edwd. Stackey
Capt. M. Albulton
Capt. Batette
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers | 
Col. Thos. Thompson
Genl. Lillington
Col. Grant
Battles in which the applicant was engaged | 
Country through which he marched | 
Thro New Haven Co.
to Wilmington N.C.
thro Onslow Co.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period | 
72 years
Onslow Co.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported |
Traditionary


I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
Traditionary
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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[Page number] 2

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 in
stance, 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, Terity, or District of
County of
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 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 enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. [figure of hand pointing right] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A.B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _______
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of ________
for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ______
day of _____
& c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ____ and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has 
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ______
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 nam
ned 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 of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal 
of office, this _____
day of _______ & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 13

[page number] 3

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 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.
----
[Begin footnotes]
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow
the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[Hand drawn {][d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. [hand drawn }]
[footnote E bracketed by hand drawn {}] [e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year----months, and -----days
, I served as a -. For - months and
-- days, I served as a ------ and
for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or place 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.
[handwritten { ] [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [handwritten } ] 
[Handwritten] the opinion of the Court must be favourable otherwise the [illegible] cannot be admitted

[h] 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
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.

[Figure of a hand pointing to the right] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in
note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 14

____ Ex'r.    INVALID.

[Stamped] No. [handwritten] 824
[Stamped] REJECTED

[Crossed out] Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873

Elijah Biddle
P. O.
Service:
Enlisted:___, 18
Discharged:___, 18
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Page 15

[Handwritten]
No 21203
Elijah Biddle
No. Ca. [North Carolina]

Rejected
see letter to D. W. Sanders
Clk. [Clerk] Onslow Co [County] No. Ca. [North Carolina]
April 20. 1833-

[Pencil addition] 824
Page 16

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Biddle, John
GRADE Private
LINE Hazens Regiment

WARRANT 
NUMBER 12773
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED June 21, 1791
to Pat McGlouchlin-

----
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.
Page 17

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12 - 5 - 41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name Biddle, John
GRADE Private
LINE Pennsylvania

WARRANT
NUMBER 9011
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED March 12, 1792
to not shown-

---
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.