Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10,701, John Fritts, N.C.
Page 1

(3-1776) 

Service N.C. Fritts, John Number S10701 

[illegible] carded 

Contents
Page 2

[left side] 

To [blurry] & [blurry] 1837 

Bedford Indiana for Sept 1835. 30th Dec 1837 

Notification sent to J.B. Low Bloomington Indiana 

Letter to J [blurry]  

[blurry] to Pension Agent May 24th 1843 

To Virginia from 4 Sept 1840 

& John 1843 notification to  

Pension Jamesville Va 

S.R. Fritts [blurry]  

[right side] 

[crossed out] 6.900 

Virginia 

John Fritts 

[blurry] in the State of  

He was a [smudge] in the [illegible] commanded 

by Captain [illegible] of the [illegible] commanded 

by [smudge] in the Virginia 

[smudge] [blurry] 

[illegible] 

Virginia     N. Clerk [illegible] records corrected 

[blurry] on the Roll of [illegible] Agency. 

Dollars Cents per annum. 

to [empty space] the 4th day of March, 1831 

[illegible] of Pension issued the 10th day of July,  

And [faded] 

[faded] 

[blurry] to the 4th of [faded] 60.00 

Pension allowances ending 4 Sept 10.00 

$70.00 

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832} 

Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk 

Book 6 2 Vol. / Page 149
Page 3

Pension declaration  

John Fritts 

31 . 317 

John Fritt, 

[crossed out] 

Virginia, 

[crossed out] 

[illegible] 1781 [illegible] 6- 

[illegible] 20.  

Mr O. Winstead 

Regenville 

Tennessee
Page 4

State of Tennessee } Court of Pleas & quarter sessions 

Hawkins County    } May session 1834. 

On this 27th day of May 1834 personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Pleas & quarter sessions now sitting for Hawkins County, Tennessee, John Fritts, a resident of Lee County Virginia, aged 72 years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration, in order to attain 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, & served as herein stated.  

This Applicant states that he was born in Shenandoah County in the State of Virginia in the year 1762 according to the court he has kept, that he does not know the month nor the day, having no record of his age & if there ever was one he does not know what became of it. That from Shenandoah County his father moved when the applicant was very small, into Rowan County North Carolina where he was living when he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer in a Company of Raingers under Capt. John Gas about the first of February in the year 1781, that the Company rendezvoused at their County town & from thence rainged through Rowan County in quest of Tories & spieing after the movement of the British, who were at that time passing through Rowan County, they passed through Salisbury, & crossed at the shallow ford of the Yadkin & thence on to Gilford Court house where a battle was fought. This applicant further states that the Company to which he belonged also rainged through other County’s that during this term of service they were unable to like any Tories apprehenders some of whom they hung & others they then paraded for some time & then turned them loose & that then he received no written discharge from this term [word cut off], but was dismissed
Page 5

This Applicant further states that he again entered the service as a volunteer under Captain Peter Fort for the purpose of guarding some British & Torey prisoners which had been taken in South Carolina & brought to Salisbury for safe keeping, that after guarding the British & Tories for some time at Salisbury, the British prisoners were taken towards Gilford, but this Applicant remained as a guard over the Tories & after they were relieved from this duty the Company to which this Applicant belonged rainged Rowan & the adjoining Counties to keep in awe the Tories, who were continually annoying the Whigs. That this Term of service was in the summer of 1782 as well as he now remembers & lasted to the best of his recollection at least three months, that is he was six weeks or two months guarding the [illegible] & the resistance of three months rainging the adjoining Counties. 

This Applicant further states that he received a written discharge from this Term of service, signed by his Captain & returned home, that he took no care of his discharge & lost it he does not know how, that he never received a Commission. This applicant further states that there were no Regular or Continental troops in the service with him, therefore he knew none of their Officers. He further states that having no documentary evidence, by which he can ascertain the precise periods of his service, he cannot swear positively to the length of time he did serve; but to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods above stated making in all Six months & for such service he claims a pension. This Applicant further states that he knows of no one now living by whom he can prove his services, but that he is well known in his present neighborhood to Obadiah Forgason & Samuel Marion who can testify to his character [word cut off] veracity & their belief as to his services during the Revolutionary War. This Applicant further states the reason he applied in Hawkins County
Page 6

of Lee County where he lives, is that he lives near the line & that it was more convenient for him than to apply in his own County & one of his neighbors Wan Stapleton had applied & obtained his pension in Hawkins & advised him to do so. He further states that there is no Clergyman in his neighborhood. This Applicant further states that he has lived in North Carolina, Tennessee & Virginia since the Revolutionary War, & that he now lives in Lee County Virginia as he has henceforth stated. 

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, or (if any) only on that of the Agency of the State of Virginia. 

Sworn to & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid     John Fritts 

W.B. Mitchell Holk 

We Samuel Marion & Obadiah Forgason residing in the neighborhood hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Fritts who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 72 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion 

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid           Samuel Marion 

Obadiah Forgason  

WB Mitchell Holk  

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories for [illegible] by the War Department that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Marion & Obadiah Forgason who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the neighborhood & are credible [illegible] & that their statement is entitled to credit 

Ke[illegible] Ha[illegible] 

[illegible] Miller  

[illegible]
Page 7

L Stockley D. Mitchell Clerk of the Court of Pleas & quarter sessions for Hawkins County Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Fritts for a pension 

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office, this 27th day of May 1834 

[illegible] 

[illegible]
Page 8

[illegible] 

War Department  

Washington City 

D.C.
Page 9

Application for a Transfer 

County of Monroe State of Indiana Monroe 

On this sixth day of November 1837 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Monroe personally appeared John Fritts who on his Oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company Commanded (first) commanded by Peter Faust (second) Commanded by John Lopp, in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of Tennessee from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State of Indiana and in said County of Monroe where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be there payable in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Tennessee to Indiana: His son Henry Fritts lived in the State of Indiana at the time and before his removal and advised and requested him the Affiant to remove and he accordingly did, with the view of bettering his condition and residing near his Son. 

He also states that he has not received nor drawn his Pension since up to the 4th day of September 1835. & requests the same to be made payable here. 

Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid  John Fritts  

County of Monroe, State of Indiana 

On this sixth day of November 1837 before me the Subscriber personally appeared Henry Fritts who being by me duly sworn upon his Oath states that
Page 10

John Fritts who has now in his presence subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Affidavit is the identical person therein described and the person named in a Pension Certificate No. 26900 in his possession dated at the War Office of the United States the 10th day of July 1834 and signed Lear Cass Secretary of War & Countersigned Geo M. Crump Ch.F.Q 

Sworn & subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid }  Henry Fritts 

John W. Lee Deall 

I the undersigned Justice of the Peace aforesaid certify that Henry Fritts who has sworn and subscribed to the above and foregoing Affidavit is a person of veracity and his statement entitled to full credit. 

November 6th 1837     John W. Lee [illegible] of the Peace 

I Jacob B [illegible] Clerlt of the County of Monroe County in the State of Indiana certify that John & Lee Eldgreene a Magistrate as above; and and foregoing and that his above and foregoing Sign a [illegible] genuine 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office the 6th day of November AD 1837 

12 [illegible] Clerk Monroe County [illegible] & other Court Indiana
Page 11

Bloomington B 

Dept. 

It is a fact which if necessary may be mentioned that Mr. Fritts has not drawn his money in Kentucky in about one year 

[illegible]
Page 12

Reuhan    10707 

Invalid 

File No. 10707 

John Fritts 

Priv Rev War 

Act: June 7th 1832 

Index:--Vol. A, Page 132 

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

June 1 1843 

[illegible] 

[crossed out number] 

[smudged word] 

J.L. Edwards [illegible] 

Com of Pensions  

Washington City
Page 14

Madison May 27 1843 

J.L. Edwards Esqr. 

Com of Pensions 

In answer to yours of the 20th [blurry] I have to say that the last payment to John Fritts was 4 Sept. 1842 as appears by my [blurry]. I have entered his name as [blurry] to the Virginia agency from that date  

Very [illegible] 

J.F.A. Lanier 

Pen. Agent
Page 15

S.R. Feb 1.2, 

West Liberty 1.2, 

June 26. 1859 

Respecting Pension Claim 

Respectfully refers to the How. Secretary of the Interior 

War Dept. 

Feb. 8. 1839 } 

Respectfully referred to the Commissioner of Pension  

Dept of Int, }  Moses Kelly 

Feb 9. 1839 }   ch. clk 

Rec ‘ 29 Feb: 5~9 

Mr. Rhett
Page 16

West Liberty 26th July 1859 

To the War Department 

I have written several letters to the Department for Pension money and have not seen anything for several years. My Grandmother is still living and invited and this is to inform you that I still claim the pension money. 

Respectful [illegible] 

Sent S.B. Fritts 

Please let me hear from you
Page 17

Mar. 24 

Bloomington La [illegible] 

Hem J L Edwards  

Commissioner of Pensions 

City of Washington  

D.C. 

Relating to Transfer of John Fritts
Page 18

Bloomington Indiana February 27th 1838 

Com of Pensions 

Sir Yonn 30th [illegible] directed to me informing me of the Transfer of John Fritts from the Roll of Jonesboro of Tennessee , to [illegible] from Indiana was duly met. 

A mistake or misunderstanding has occurred in regard to the date from which the payment is ascertained and to be made in Indiana. 

Mr. Fritts need his pay in Tennessee up to Sept. 1834 and it is described that the transfer take effect from that date. Please make the transfer so to take effect if it can. If not give us the necessary information for such purpose.  

Your much obliged humble servant  

[illegible] 

J L Edwards
Page 19

[circular stamp] 

Free 

James L Edwards Esqr 

Commissioner of Pensions  

Washington City 

D.C.
Page 20

Jonesboro, 20th  

Sir 

Yours of the 8th Just has been received & in reply can state that John Fritts a pensioner under the Act 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Agency in full up to 4th September 1835 as appears from my Books 

I am very Respectfully Your [illegible] servant [signature] 

James L Edwards Esqr 

Commissioner of Pensions 

Washington City,  

D.C.
Page 21

Jonesville Va May 5th} Pension Claim 

May 18th 1843 

The Secretary of War 

Washington City 

D.C.
Page 22

State of Virginia Lee County S.S. 

Be it known, that before me Charles Cauk a Justice of the peace, in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared John Fritts and made oath in due form of law, that he is the identical person named in an original certificate in his possession of which I certify the following is a true copy: 

War Department, Revolutionary Claim. 

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 4th June 1832, John Fritts of the state of Tennessee who was a private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive Twenty dollars per annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1834, and payable semiannually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year. 

Given at the War office of the United States this 10th day of July One thousand eight hundred and thirty four. 

Lew Cas 

Secretary of War 

Examined and Countersigned } Geo M Crump ch.fl 

for and in behalf of Commisioner of Pensions 

That he now resides in Lee County and has resided there for the space of Seven Months past, and that previous thereto he resided in Monroe County Indiana, Sworn and subscribed this 29th day of April 1843 before me  

Charles Cauk J.P.                           John Fritts 

John G Fowler 

Know all men by these presents, that I John Fritts of Lee County, Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint Lewis D Crenshaw my true and lawful attorney, for me, and in my name, to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying Pensions in Richmond State of Virginia my Pension from
Page 23

the 4th day of September 1841 to the 4th day of March 1843. Witness my hand and seal, this 29th day of April 1843 

Sealed and delivered in presence of}               John Fritts 

Charles Cauk 

John G Fowler 

State of Virginia, Lee County S.S. 

Be it known, that on the 29th day of April 1843 before the subscriber, a Justice of the peace in and for said County, personally appeared John Fritts above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year last above mentioned.  

Charles Cauk J.P. 

I John W.S. Morison Clerk of the Court of Lee County certify that Charles Cauk is a magistrate as above duly commissioned and qualified, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office, and subscribed my name this 29th day of April in the year 1843.  

State of Virginia, County of Lee the 29th day of April 1843. I Charles Cauk, a magistrate in the County above named do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence to wit. From my own personal knowledge that John Fritts who has this day appeared before me to take the oath of
Page 24

identity is the individual person named in the Pension Certificate which he has exhibited before me numbered 26.900 and bearing date at the War office the 10th day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, and signed by Lew Cas Secretary of War. Given under my hand at Jonesville Lee County Virginia on the day and year above written, the interlineation was done before signing  

Charles Cauk J.P. 

This day John Fritts personally appeared before me Charles Cauk a Justice of the Peace for the County of Lee and State of Virginia and made oath in due form of law: That it is very inconvenient to have funds transmitted from the State of Indiana to this place, and desires that [smudge] name may be taken from the books at the Agency in and where he has formerly resided, and placed on the books at the Agency in the City of Richmond Virginia and respectfully regards the Secretary of War, to forward this paper to his constituted Attorney at Richmond. 

Given under my hand this 29th day of April 1843 

Charles Cauk J.P. 

I, John W.S. Morison Clerk of the Court of Lee County certify that Charles Cauk is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.  

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 3rd day of May 1843 in the 67th year of the Commonwealth. 

J.W.S. Morison C.C.