Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6205, for Randolph Lawson, North Carolina
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[Printed document with handwritten entries]

(3-1776)
SERVICE | NUMBER
N.C. | Lawson, Randolph | R. 6,205
CONTENTS
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State of Illinois
Johnson County SS.

On this 28th day of April 1835 personally appeared in open court before the circuit court of said County now sitting Randolph Lawson a resident of said County of Johnson
and State of Illinois aged eighty two years on his birth day last past, 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 7. 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. He was born in Cumberland County in the State of N. Carolina some time in the fall or winter of 1752 to the best of his information and belief, he does not know whether there ever was any record made of his age if there was he never saw it He continued to reside in said county until he
entered the service He entered the service as a volunteer under Capt Cox, his Christian name he does not recollect for a tour of
three months, some time in 1780 they rendezvoused at Cross creek in said County, where they were organized, under Col. Nawles
(Knowles, or some name of that sound) they then marched towards Camden [South Carolina] near which place they met Genl [Horatio] Gates whom they were then commanded and soon after were engaged with Lord [Francis] Rawdon in the Battle of Camden, [Battle of Camden, South Carolina 1780] some time in August 1780 this applicant was not actually engaged in the Battle, being detached as a guard of the baggage in which the Americans were defeated they then retreated, and being at scattered and disposed of the conduct of the Militia they did not gather to effect any thing again during this term of three months. He did not receive any discharge from this tour of three months and there was nothing more of any interest or importance during this tour of service. 

He again entered the service as a volunteer, for a tour of six months some
time in January or February 1781 under Capt. Duck he thinks under the same Col He does not
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recollect where they rendezvoused, but when organized they marched on toward Guilford
Courthouse [NC] where they met Genl [Nathanael] Greene, who commanded them and where they had
an engagement with Lord Cornwallis [General Charles Lord Cornwallis], and were again defeated. [Battle of Guilford Courthouse. NC 1781] this applicant was not again actually engaged, being young was again on detached duty as a guard of the Baggage. 

After the Battle Genl [Nathanael] Greene marched on toward Camden where he attacked Lord [Francis] Rawdon some time in April [Battle of Hobkirk's Hill, South Carolina 1781]  but this applicant under the command of his same field officers, and he thinks, commanded by Genl Lee was sent on a different expedition in which however he had no engagement that he recollects nor does he recollect of anything further being done or transpiring of note or interest during his term of six months. He was discharged however two weeks before the expiration of this tour of six months having served five months and two weeks making in all eight months and two weeks  He received a written discharge from this last term of six months, which was destroyed by his getting his house burnt. He lived at the same place the second time he entered the service. He does not recollect any regular or Continental Regiments with which he served. He does not recollect the names of any of the Regular or Continental officers any further than he has stated. His discharge was given him by his Capt. which was lost as before stated. He moved from Cumberland co. N.C. to Patrick Co Va. then thence to Johnson co. Illinois where he now lives. There are no other circumstances which are of any note, or will be useful in the investigation of his claim. He has no documentary evidence of his service, nor does he know of any person who can testify as to his service. He is known to Hardin Prewitt, Daniel Hewitt
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William Jeffers, William Munson, John Oliver, Jacob Dooly, and [blank space] in my present neighbourhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State.

Randolph his X mark Lawson

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

John McLulen Clk

We John Oliver + Jacob Dooley residing in the county of Johnson and James [illegible] residing in the same county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Randolph Lawson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty two years 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. 

John Oliver
James Laney
Jacob his X mark Dooley

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

John McLulen clk

and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories
presented 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 that John Olver Jacob Dooley and James Laney who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the said county + state are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.

I [blank space] clerk of the circuit court in and 
for the County and State aforesaid Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original procedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Randolph Lawson for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed his private seal there being no public seal of said court at Vienna this 28th day of April AD 1835

John M [illegible] clk
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State of Illinois
I do hereby certify that John McIntire whose official signature as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Johnson County in said State, appears
to the within certificate, was at the time of signing the same a duly appointed qualified and acting Clerk said Court and his signature thereto is genuine

May 9th 1835
John Reynolds
Member of Congress from said State.

33. 121
Randolph Lawson
Illinois
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Rev. War Section.

December 5, 1916.

Hon. T. S. Williams,
House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Williams:

In response to your letter dated the second instant, I have the honor to furnish you the histories of the only soldier named Randolph Lawson and William Higgs found on the Revolutionary war records of this Bureau.

[illegible paragraph]and that he did not actually engage in either battle.

He applied to for pension on application executed April 28, 1835, while living in Johnson County Illinois, but his claim was rejected [illegible] to insufficient proof of six months military service as required by the Act of June 7, 1832, under which he applied.
His children are referred to but their names and that of his wife are not stated-
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[Printed document with handwritten entries]

[Left side of document]
6205
Randolph Lawson
[black streak along left side of page obscuring words]
ice:
ated:
harged:_____, 18  ,
Application filed: _____, 18  .
ges:
enlisted:
rney:
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for: _____, 18  .


[Right side of document]  
1916 Dec. 5 Hist to Hon. T.S. Williams Letter in 132608 William Wiggs
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Rejected
See letter 16th June 1835 to W
B. Scates, Frankfort Illinois [illegible]

did not serve six months.
[illegible]
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[Printed document with handwritten entries. Left edge of document is cut off]

6206
O. _____
Randolph Lawson
rvice: consolidated Sept 12 1882 with rejd 6205
listed: _____ In Brig, 18  .
scharged: _____, 18  .
[Stamped: REJECTED]
plication filed: _____, 18  .
eges:_____
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[Text is too faint to be legible]
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[Text is too faint to be legible]
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War dept Pen Office

Sir

The papers the case of Henry Dillen have
examined and filed with Suspended cases. He alleges to have served a tour of five months as 
a militia man of Virginia under Col Christie in 1779, and in 1781 a tour of three months, two months of which he served as Sergeant. There was no tour officer until duration ends Col. Christie. in 1777 he went [illegible] the Indians and was engaged only three months in the expedition. In order to be allowed a pension at the rate of the pay of a Sergeant to the applicant, should figure his having served as such by the testimony of witnesses who had personal knowledge thereof.

The declaration of Randolph Lawson of Kentucky. He alleges to have volunteered in the summer in of 1780 and served under General

This part of the claim refers to the admitted claim of Henry Dillen Va. S 40891
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Gates and was in service three month. He
alleges also to have served three mos in the spring of 1781 under Gen Green and also three months soon after he servd attached to Genl Greens Army, and was at Camden some time and engaged with scouting parties. The first alleged tour did not exceed one month the Milita having dispersed after the battle of Camden and the service at Camden under Genl Green for performed during the applicant second tour.  The whole service was consequently less than six months, which length of service is necessary in order to obtain pension under act June 1832.  The claim has therefore been rejected and the declaration filed.

James S. Kennedy Esq
Pall Mall
Fentress Co. Tennessee

J S Kennedy Sept 11 '38 CC
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Pallmall Tennessee
December 1840

Sir

Enclosed to you that a request for John Finley, an old Revolution in soldier in support of the claim of Randolph Lawson which seems + entitled to six months [illegible line] applicant finds  but is willing to receive for six months alone please commence to me at this office

I am very respectfully your obt servant

J L Kennedy
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Randolph Lawson
Kentucky
Rejected
See let 17 Sept '38
J. L. Kennedy do. 15 Augt 1840
do. 12 Feb 41
did not serve six months let 30 Jun 32 J L Kennedy , to same Nov 8 1843
Act 7 June 1832
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J. L. Kennedy 30 June 1842
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Pension Office
June 30th, 1842

Sir

The annexed doct declaration of Randolph Lawson has been exm + filed [illegible] for the passage of his service should be exhibited in order to form the decision-

The proof of the [illegible] a [illegible] this service in the case of Mrs. Eleanor Kingston under of John Kirkpatrick, [illegible] is not sufficient.

[illegible] the case of Mr Judah [illegible], under - of Joseph [illegible] I have to inform you that the Attorney Genl. has recently given it to his opinion that more under where husband was living on 7th June 1832 are not entitled to the benefits of the act of 7 April 1838 Joseph French died 1831 Mr [illegible] cannot therefore be allowed a pension

K. 4009 act 38
F. 4751 act 38
OC L 34 336
[illegible] c. *

J. S. Kennedy Esq
Pall Mall Ten

This claim was admitted. See John and Eleanor Kingston Va. W. 7513

This claim was admitted. See Joseph and Judah French Va. 'n' 79.
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Washinton [illegible]

J. L. Edwards

Sir

I have to request you to furnish the evidence in your office in the case of Randolph Lawson of Cumberland County Kentucky asking a pension under the act of 7th June 1832. The date of his declaration sent to your office is not in my possession.

I am very respectfully
your Obt Servt
[illegible] Simons
-
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Knights Cross Roads Tenn
6th October 1843

Sir

In the case of Randolph Lawson an applicant for a revolutionary Pension under the act of 1832 in which the Depositions of Willis Cole &
Thomas Phillips as [illegible] by me a considerable time ago-but having [illegible] and in the case of Jack Thorpe an [illegible] 
 invalid pension of which [illegible] of [illegible line] having received no answer I am  requested  the results to be command to me at this office

[illegible] for me for willing as my cases have
[illegible] been attended to in turns and believed they have been lost thinking [illegible line] been but then her share and
in place

I am very respectfully your most obt servt

J L Kennedy

J. L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
War Department
[illegible]
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State of Tennessee}
Fentress County} Sct

Be it known that on the 4th day of April 1840 before the Subscribed Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared [illegible] with whom I am, personally acquainted a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States a man of good character and  undeniable integrity and after being first duly sworn that on his oath make the affidavit that he personally acquainted with Randolph Lawson and who is now of Kentucky when the said Lawson served in the State of South Carolina and knows that the said Lawson was a
soldier of the revolution and was out
some time under General Gate, then in the year 1781 was out under Captain Golston
attached to Generals Greens army, and was
engaged for three months in actual service to wit affiant certain knowledge although the 
affiant is not being of said company men of service in 1781 [2 illegible lines] altogether [illegible line] in that I saw therein some time under Little son He now resides in [illegible] County Kentucky and is an applicant for a pension, an actual service of [illegible] during the war of the revolution and [illegible] doubt of Randolph Lawson served three different campaigns and the [illegible] and under
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General Green and the affiant believes and
has no doubt that in them two campaigns, that Randolph Lawson served full six months
in the war of the Revolution called out by competent [illegible] with an embedded 
Corps [illegible] in his acquaintance with Lawson after the war he frequently heard Lawson day that he served three tours [illegible] three months each but has not saw him for many years [illegible line] in and knows him to be the same man 

[illegible] his X mark [illegible]

[illegible] John G Frances

State {illegible paragraph]

John G. Frances clerk of the court [illegible] and of the [illegible] Tennessee [illegible]
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State of Tennessee}
Fentress County} Sct

Be it known that on the 4th day of December
1840 before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared John Primley a resident citizen of Wayne County Kentucky with whom I am personally acquainted an old Revolutionary Pensioner and a man of undoubted veracity and after being duly sworn according to law for that purpose on his said Oath make the following affidavit viz, That he was personally
acquainted with Randolph Lawson in the State of North Carolina and known that same and Randolph Lawson who now resides in Clinton County Kentucky and from his acquaintance with him knows of his own with that the said Randolph Lawson was a private soldier of the war of the Revolution that he was in service at the time of Gates defeat but was not retained
in service at that time the length of time for which he had engaged but that afterward he was a volunteer private in two other to one of which was under Captain Golston attached to General Green Army he thinks for three months the other service was in South Carolina he thinks was about three months. 
The names his company officer at this time he cannot be certain of but from the character that he was under in North Carolina together
with the recommendation he now bares among his present acquaintance he is a man of undoubted verasity but very old and frail this affiant states that
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his decided opinion together with his own knowledge of the service of said Randolph Lawson that the service informed by him as a private soldier it being the different tours which
affiant knows he did serve by blending
the whole made to six months, and at the request of said Randolph Lawsons friend has come this County to gave his evidence in  support of said claim without a word or hope of reward for the same it being full twenty miles
sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written

before me} Joseph [illegible] Justice of the peace

 John his X mark Primley

State of Tennessee}
Fentress County} sct
I John H Richardson Clerk of the County court at said Fentress County hereby certify that Joseph [illegible line] of the above [illegible line]

hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this the 15th day of December 1870 

John H Richardson Clerk of Fentress County Court [illegible]
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[No legible text on document]
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[only legible text on the document]: Joseph
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the only legible text on the document: this 1st day of September 1842
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the only legible text on the document: Joh H. Richardson clk
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V 34.596
Randolph Lawson
Kentucky
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Frankfort Arms
May 29th 1835

Dr Sir
Enclosed I send you the declaration of Randolph Lawson for a pension, certified, as you require be good enough to advise me of the decision that may be made are his papers

I also send you again the application of John
Couch for a transfer of pension certified, to
meet the objection returned to it. Be good
enough to enclose me his certificate at this
place

Accept Sir the high consideration and esteem of your mo obt Servt

Walter [illegible]

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comm Pensions
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Palmall Fentress County Tennessee
July 18th 1835

Sir

I enclose to you the declaration of Joseph Lawson of Clinton County Ky who has for the reasons therein stated made his declaration in Fentress County, Tennessee please communicate the result to me at Pallmall Fentress County Tennessee as he wishes if admissable to be made payable at Nashville Tennessee
I am verry respectfully your obt serv

James B Kennedy
Pallmall
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the only legible text on the document:
Pallmall Tennessee
claim on
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[line is cut off]
Aug 15 40
OGC
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Pension Office
August 15. 1840

Sir,

the additional testimony in the case of Randolph Lawson has been examined and filed with his other papers. The proof is still insufficient of his having performed six months actual service of that character provided for by the act of 7th June 1832.

J. S. Kennedy Esq.
Pall Mall Ten

O.C/ents.
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J. L. Kennedy
Nov. 8. 1843
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Pen off
Nov. 8 43

Sir

The addl. evidence in the case of Randolph Lawson has been examined and filed - it does not shew with sufficient clarity that claimant service at least 6 mo in field organize in an embodied military corps - He state two terms which he estimated 1 3 mo ea but it is a fact of historical notoriety that the N.C militia engaged in the Battle of Guilford did not serve 3 months and consequently he is not entitled to a pension

J L. Kennedy Eqr
Jamestown Ten
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State of Tennessee}
Fentress County} SS

on the 27th day of June AD 1835 personally appeared Randolph Lawson before me Even D Frogge one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County aged eighty four according to the best information he having no record of his age and after first being duly sworn according to law for that purpose doth
on his oath make the following declaration in order to of the obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832

that he entered the service of the United States in the summer of 1780 by volunteering
under Captain Cox in Cumberland County State of South Carolina it being the place wherein he was born and raised, other company officers he has he forgotten, marched on toward Camden and joined General Gaites army at Bear creek and
marched on with the main army to Rugeleys mill [illegible] marched on towards Camden in [illegible] by the enemy had a sevear Battle
Gates was defeated time guarding the Baggage Waggons, remained for sometime after with the remains of the army and after having performed one three months tour he received a written discharge from the [illegible] and returned home to Cumberland County NC and having remained at home but a short time he again volunteered under Capt [blank space] other Company officers names not recollected was marched to [illegible] Settlement and marched on in persuit of the enemy  to [illegible] points and places and finally marched to Guilford Court house and not distinctly in the battle but was [illegible]
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[illegible] and was so near as to hear the small arms he remained in the service about ten days after that battle and his three months having elapsed was again discharged having then performed six months at two tours of duty and again returned home to Cumberland County NC remained at home for about six weeks and again volunteered again under Captain [blank space]  other co officers not recollected was attached to General Greens army marched to Camden was stationed
there some times, and some times formed into Scouting parties until haveing  served one other three months tour was again discharged by Captain [blank space]

And that from old age and consequent loss
of memory he cannot state with any further certainty as to the day or month he entered the survice or left the same or give any fuller account of his officers names he has no record or documentary evidence of his service his said discharges have burned in his house nor does he know of any person by whom he could prove [illegible] as to his service he had calculated to have proven a great part of his service by his brother John Lawson who did live in Morgan County Tennessee but is now informed that he has departed this life, he can prove by some of his old neighborhood
who knew one citizen [the remaining text is not legible]
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[no legible text in this document]
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[below is the legible text in this document]

Frogg in Fentress Co Tennessee

Randolph X Lawson

Evan D Frogge a justice of the peace for said county

Bridgewaters Arther 
and we believe him to be eighty four years of age as he states and that he is reputed and believed to be a man of undoubted veracity and is spoken of as so having been a revolutionary soldier nor do we believe
that the same has ever been doubted by any
person and we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day and date above written

Peter his X mark Reagan
Sameul [illegible]
[2 illegible names]
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I Evan D Frogge one of the acting Justices
of the peace for the County of Fentress and
State of Tennessee before whom this statement was made do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant is unable to attend court from his extreme age and bodily infirmity and that he was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states and that [illegible] to me that Peter Reagan who
Signed the proceeding certificate as the Clergy
man is a regular ordered Baptist minister of the Gospel and resident Citizen of Fentress County State of Tennessee and that James Read and John Bridgewater and Samuel Flowers who has also signed the same are
all resident citizens of the same County and
State and are all creditable and reputable
men and that these statements are entitled
to full credit and [illegible]

Evan D, Frogge a Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee}
Fentress County} SS

I John H. Richardson Clerk of the County Court
of Fentress County hereby certify that Evan D. Frogge Esq is a Justice of the peace as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and my seal of office this 18th day of
July  AD 1838 

John H. Richardson Clk
By John Albertson DC of Fentress County Court Tenn.
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[below is the legible text in this document]

to obtain the benefit
June 7th 1832
June 4th in the year 1780
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[below is the legible text in this document]

for the sum of three months and served under said Captain Snow as he thought and yet believes altho at his [illegible] that he was mistaken in the name and that the Captain name was Gordin but in yet [illegible] of the captains 

in the same war was sent
in me and County
standing and was attached
to an army commanded never fails
and continue in service at the
general Gates namely
and continued in service within
order all
the full and was
all intents and
then as to the six months
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[below is the legible text in this document]

Henry County

the same is undersigned but from the great 
age and consequent loss of memory
correctness then this
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[below is the legible text in this document]

months in
& says their
is made from events that look
the time of his starting and 
was a Pension
Commissioner
present are
grant and
Pension

his X mark Lawson

John H Richardson Clerk
By R H McIlvaine D.C.