Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,709, James Conner, N.C.
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(3 - 1776) SERVICE | NUMBER. 
[handwritten] N. C. | [handwritten] Conner , James | [handwritten] S. 21, 709 
[handwritten] Born in Va. 
CONTENTS
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[handwritten] Revolution
[handwritten] 21709
 INVALID. [handwritten] Illegible
File No.  21709 
James Conner 
Pri Rev War 
Act: June 7th 32" 
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 77 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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South Carolina James Conner of Abbeville in the State of So Ca who was a Pri:-- in the -- commanded by Captain-- of the Regt. commanded  by Col. Martin in the No. Ca. line for 9 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of S. Carolina at the rate of 30 Dollars --Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Aug 33. and [illegible] Wardlow Perrin Abbeville So. Ca. 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 Semi-anl. allowance ending 8 Sept [illegible]  Co. 15 
$75 {Revolutionary claim, Act June 7, 1832. } Recorded by Nath; Rice Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 6 Page 64 
Said at the Treasury [illegible] [missing info] this act of this 6th April [illegible] from 4th Sept 1834 to 30 [illegible] 1835. This day of his death Agt notified 18 Oct 1839.
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James Conner
20879
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{State of South Carolina
Abbeville District} | On this 24th day of October A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court (it being a count of record keeping a seal & having a clerk) before Richard Garrett one of the judges of the court of sessions and common pleas of the state aforesaid
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except the present & declares that his name is
not on the pension roll of the agency of
any state whatever.
sworn to and subscribed the day & year
aforesaid.
James Connor
In open Court
Ja Wardlaw
Clk
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Moses Waddel, a Clergyman residing in the
District of Abbeville & State of South Carolina and
Moses Taggart residing in the same District and State
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
James Conner who has subscribed and sworn to
the above declaration; that we believe him to be
seventy 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
M. Waddel
Moses Taggart

Sworn to 23 October 1832
Before W. C. Black J. P.

And the said Court now hereby declare his opinion
after the investigation of the matter, and after putting
the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department
that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary
soldier & served as he states. And the
said Court further certifies that Moses Waddel
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman
resident in the District & State aforesaid, and
that Moses Taggart who has also signed the same
a resident of the said District & State aforesaid ┃
and is a credible person, and that their statement is
entitled to credit. The words "about the year of
1778 tho he cant recollect the precise time" & the
words "having no call from"[illegible] before
the signing of the Declaration
Richard Gautt J. P.
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James Conner
20879

I do hereby certify that William C. Black Esq before
whom the within Probate was taken is an acting Justice
of the Peace within Abbeville District and as such
all due faith and credit are and ought to be given
to his official attestations, and that the within
is the genuine signature of the said W. C. Black
Given under my hand and seal of office
this twenty ninth day of October 1832
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I James Wardlaw Clerk of the court of Sessions
Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the
said Court in the matter of the application
of the said James Conner for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of my office this 25th day of October 1832
Jas Wardlaw
Clk
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Amended Declaration
of
James Connor
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State of South Carolina
Abbeville District

In the Court of Equity
The supplemental or amended
Declaration of James Conner
To wit on this 27th day of June A.D. 1833 personally 
appeared in open Court (it being a court of record
keeping a seal & having been constituted a court
of record by the Legislature of the said State)
before Chancellor Henry W. DeSaussre, now sitting
the said James Conner who being duly sworn
according to law doth on his oath make
the following additional declaration in
order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress passed June 7, 1832
To wit: After the expiration of the time of
three months of enlistment mentioned in this
declarants declaration, before made he again
entered the service as a volunteer under Capt.
Vernon, who was attached to Col. Henderson
regiment, & send on the Adkin River, this time
of service was at least three months, this declarant
cannot recollect the time when this
service was performed. He again volunteered
under Capt. Vernon, attached this time to
Col. Martins regiment, the regiment with Col. Martin
was engaged during the time of this service in  
the battle of Guilford Court house, this
declarant, tho was not in that battle, having
been sent out as a guard to the wagons
bringing in provisions, the date of this service 
not now recollected but this declarant knows
it was at the time of the battle of Guilford
Court house; this declarant was at least one 
month upon this service. Afterwards one 
Col. Linier  of Georgia [corn] into North Carolina
& there I was induced by him
(over)
to
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to go out with him to Georgia to reclaim his
property which he said he had lost in the
war, the others & myself started out with
him; but upon coming into South Carolina
we found that we could not get to Georgia
the enemy at that time having possession of
Georgia & the part of So. Ca. adjoining thereto,
We all then turned about & joined Genl. Sumter,
entered the service at this time under Capt. West, and
was soon after in in the engagement of the
Hanging rock; This declarant served at this
time with Capt. West at least one month, the
time of this service is now not recollected but it was at
the time of the battle of the Hanging Rock; after
this, this declarant returned into North Carolina
after his return he was engaged at least one month
as a guard to Gov. Martin then Gov. of North Carolina. This declarant is now very old & infirm
cannot recollect the precise times when, or the length 
of time that he served, but he has fixed the service 
at such length of time, that he cannot be mistaken 
as to the length of time as stated above
To wit three months as an enlisted soldier under Cap Satone, as stated in his first declaration
At one time three months with Capt Vernon at another time with the same Capt.
for one month, under Capt West for one
month & as a guard for Gov Martin for
one month, making in all nine months.
This declarant says he was in actual service
at least nine months during the war
Declarant further says that he has six living witness within his reach by whom he can prove his service.
Answer to Interrogatory. I was born in Culpepper County
Virginia; don't know in what year I was born
but have fixed my age in my declaration
at seventy years, knowing that I could swear
to that age believing myself seventy four years
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of age.
Answ to 2nd Inst. I have a record of my age, which is here produced in court and [illegible] by the judge but it is so obliterated
by time that it is not distinctly legible, tho' it is
read Oct 3. 1758.
Answ to 3, Int. In Guilford County N.C. removed soon after the war to south Carolina where I have lived ever since & when I now live.
Ans to 4th Int. First enlisted afterwards volunteered.
Ans to 5. Int. Capt. Satone, Capt Vernon, Capt West Col Martin Col Henderson & genl Sumter, don't recollect of serving with any continentals:
He marched first to Camden So. Ca. where we 
remained the term of there months returned to N.C. volunteered served on the Adkin unit again went again to So. Ca. Sumter was in the engagement of the Hanging Rock [illegible]
Ans to 6. Rec'd no discharge except for the there months of enlistment under Capt Satone: This discharge has long since been lost don't recollect by whom given.
Ans to 7th Int. [illegible] M. Waddel, Moses Taggart Esqr, A. Houston Esqr. Stephen Lee Capt Joseph Calhoon Rev'd R. B. Cater & many others.
Sworn to & subscribed the day
& year aforesaid in open Court.
James Conner
David Lesly 

I, B. H. Saxon being duly sworn say that I am well acquainted with the declarant & believe him to be a man of veracity & that his statement my be relied upon.
Sworn to in open court. 
B. H. Saxon
And the said Court hereby declares his opinion
after putting the investigation of the matter &
after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, from the certificate of B. D. Saxon Esqr. above made that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, & served as he states.. The certificate of B. H. Saxon Esqr. was taken before the signing of this certificate
Henry W. DeSaussure
27 June 1833

I, David Lesly commissioner of the said court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of James Conner for a pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office the day year aforesaid.
David Lesly ]Illegible}
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20.879
James Conner
Abbeville Dist
S. Caron
Rev
Admit as private
9 Mo  $30
LM
Warden & Perrin
Abbeville S.C.
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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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of James Conner.

Period when the Service was rendered.  1778
Volunteered for 9 until peace in 1782

Duration of the claimant's service.  3 months
Rank of the claimant.  Private

Names and Rank of the Company officers under
whom he served.
Capt Tatime, Capt Vernon, & Capt West

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col. Henderson, Col. Martin

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Hanging Rock

Country through which he marched.
March to Comden

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present: 70 year
Guilford Co., North Carol
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Tradition of a Clergyman

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant

J. L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 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, 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 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) ________, 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 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__________
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
A. B.
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 ____________
hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of 
 _______________
    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 her 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 ________ 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 application of _____ for a pension.

    In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this _______ day &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 service 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
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-8-
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,  rovided, 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
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 be fore 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 the eto, 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 be
resides.  If he should fail to do so he must assign a sufficient reason for 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.H. who, being  duly sworn, deposeth and saith by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of 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 of about three or four  
months, is too indefinite, ad all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &s. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is  highly objectional. 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 y 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 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 company 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 as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witness, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally  applicate to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in not (j) applies to continental troops only. 
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(j) 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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TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
October 9th 1839
Sir:
    Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of James Conner a Pensioner on the Roll of the South Carolina Agency, at the rate of Thirty Dollars and np cents 
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the
4 of Sept. 1834 to the 30th December 1835, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.