Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4436, for Peter Jennings, Rhode Island
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
(3-1776)
SERVICE					NUMBER
R. I.		Jennings, Peter		S.4436
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CONTENTS

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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
[left side of page]
Nashville Agency
	19024
West Tennessee

Peter Jennings
Rutherford Co in the State of Tennessee
[page torn] was a pr ofart in the company commanded
[page torn] Captain Edger of the regiment command 
[page torn] ob Clifford in the R Island
[page torn] 2 years pr of artilary [artillery]

Inscribed on the roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 100 Dollars ~~ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July
1833 and sent to Charles
Ready Murfreesboro

Arrears to the 4th of March 		200.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 3 Sept	   50.00
Died Jan 22				$250.00
	1842
		{ Revolutionary Claim, }
		{ Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by [signature] Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 85

[right side of page]
Died Jan 22, 1842 (AB)
Page 3

11,008
Peter Jennings
	(a man of colour)
	Rutherford co.
	Tennessee
from 1776 to Oct.
1780 private of
artillery
	#100.

+
not a Roll

14.

Charles Ready
	Murfreesborough [Murfreesboro]
	Tennessee
Page 4

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
BRIEF in the case of Peter Jennings
of Rutherford co. in the State of Tennessee
	(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge? Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he?   80 years 4 months 21 days

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[column headings: Period. Duration of Service: Years, Months, Days. Rank: As a. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served: Gen..]
Enlisted In 1776. to the close of the war. Private. Washington Col. Clifford, Col. Perry, Maj: Halsey. Capt Vener Angel discharged by Capt. Edgar.

5. In what battles was he engaged? Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine 
Germantown, and seige [siege] at Yorktown.

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Providence, R.I.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by 
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witness & traditionary evidence

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Perfect

	X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above 
mentioned.
		[signature] T G Bradford
		Examining Clerk.
Page 5

1
State of Tennessee § Court of pleas & quarter sessions 
Rutherford County § August term 1832
	On this 23rd day of August 1832, personally 
appeared before Henry Trott. V. D. Cowen & James C. Mitchell. 
Esquires, Justices of the court of pleas & quarter sessions 
for the county and State aforesaid, now sitting in 
open court, Peter Jennings, a man of colour, a resident 
of the town of Murfreesboro in the county & State aforesaid, 
aged Eighty years, four months and twenty one days, 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 the 7th 1832. That he enlisted 
in the army of the United States, according to the best of 
his recollection in the year 1776 with Corporal Edenton 
and when he entered the service, he belonged to the 5th 
Regiment of Artillery of Blacks, in the Continental 
line, under the following named officers. He belonged 
to Captn Vener Angel's company, in which a man by the 
name of Hawley, whose given name he does not now 
remember, was first Lieutenant, and a man whose name 
was Ray, second Lieutenant, his given name not remem-
bered [remembered]. The Regiment was commanded by Col. Edward Oney, 
and a man whose name was Halsy, was first Major, 
and he thinks his given name was Joseph. Who his Second 
Major was, he does not remember. He thinks his Regiment 
joined General Washington's army at West Point; and after 
remaining there a few days, marched to Saratoga, where 
they remained a considerable length of time. At the same 
time they were encamped at Saratoga, thinks that Gen. Dickson 
or Dickenson was encamped there with a division of Virgin-
ia [Virginia] Malitia [Militia], and he thinks he remembers colonels Campbell 
& Ferguson were there in the Virginia Malitia [Militia]. After remain-
ing [remaining] at Saratoga several weeks, he thinks his regiment was 
divided, and a part of it attached to the troops under 
the command of Gen. Green [Greene]; a part of it to the troops un-
der [under] the command of Gen. Cadwallader; and a part 
of it Gen. Washington retained with the troops under his 
immediate command. He remained with troops under 
Gen. Washington's immediate command, and he thinks the 
Regiment to which he was attached, was commanded by 
Col. Clifford, to whose regiment a Majr. Talbot belonged 
but he does not remember whether he was first or second
Page 6

2
Major. He does not remember the number of Col. Clif-
ford's [Clifford's] regiment, nor does he remember the Colonel's given 
name; nor the the [sic] given name of Majr. Talbot. He 
thinks James Starling was at this time his Captain; and 
that his Lieutenants name was Bloomfield; but his given 
name, is not remembered. Shortly after this division was 
made of the black regiment, he thinks the battle of Trenton 
took place, and he well remembered he was in that engage-
ment [engagement]. He has a distinct recollection that on the night of 
the 25th of December after he first entered the service as a 
regular soldier, which would be December 1776 if it was 
in that year he enlisted, and he thinks it was, Gen. 
Washington crossed his troops over the Delaware about 
nine miles above Trenton and marched upon the enemy 
and attacked them by surprise. A part of the Amer-
ican [American] forces he thinks were commanded by Generals Ew-
ing [Ewing] & Cadwallader, the former of whom belonged to the 
Virginia troops. The forces under their command he 
thinks were to cross the Delaware, higher up than the 
point at which declarant crossed with Gen. Washington, 
and were to attack the left wing of the enemy; but 
he well remembers the [they] did not cross over, which he thinks 
was owing to the ice, for it was with extreme difficulty 
that Gen. Washington got his troops over, on account 
of the ice and the extreme cold weather. On account 
of Generals Ewing and Cadwallader, failing to cross 
the river as had been previously arranged, we were com-
pelled [compelled] to make the attack with such forces alone 
as crossed over with Gen. Washington. The enemy so 
little expecting an attack from us, was thrown into 
great confusion, and we obtained a complete victory 
over them, killing many of them, and taking several 
hundred prisoners, who were principally Hessians. -- 
We also took a large amount of military stores, a 
number of pieces of cannon, and a great many small 
arms. He thinks the greater portion of the enemy's forces 
were killed & taken prisoners. He thinks there was a Col
onel [Colonel], commanding in the Hessian troops killed, but does 
not remember his name. There were but few on the 
side of the Americans killed and not many wounded; 
amongst the wounded, he thinks there was a Captain 
Washington, which he remembers from his being of the 
same name of his General -- Washington. After this en-
gagement [engagement] he states he marched back across the Delaware 
with the prisoners and captured stores; and the pris-
oners [prisoners], he thinks were conducted to Philidelphia [Philadelphia]. In 
a few days however, he returned with Gen. Washington, 
to Trenton. They had not been long in possession of Trenton,
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3
when the British forces collected and marched towards Tren-
ton [Trenton] for the purpose of giving battle, as was supposed; in 
fact they had actually commenced firing on the American 
troops in the evening and considerable cannonading took 
place between the two armies. The firing from the artil-
lery [artillery], somewhat checked their advance upon us, and night 
coming on, they halted on the opposite side of a creek 
from us, and ceased firing. It was then supposed that 
they intended making a general attack upon us the 
next morning. We were ordered to light fires along 
our lines in our front, for the purpose, as declarant 
afterwards discovered, of deceiving the enemy; for instead 
of remaining at the fires we were marched off with 
all possible expedition towards Princeton where some 
regiments of the British troops were quartered. We reached 
them very early the next morning and made a vigorous 
attack upon them. Declarant has a perfect recollec-
tion [recollection] of an occurrence which took place during this 
engagement, which will never be effaced from his mem-
ory [memory]. A part of our troops were driven back by the 
British and were threwn [thrown] into much confusion. Gen. 
Washington perceiving it, seized a standard and rushed 
in front of our troops, and dashed several paces 
ahead towards the enemy, exclaiming "come on boys", 
or some such expression. His example had the de-
sired [desired] effect of rallying our troops, and they followed 
the commander with renewed ardour [ardor]. While Gen. 
Washington was between the two armies at least one 
round was fired on each side, and he remained untouch-
ed [untouched]. Soon after this occurrence, the British troops gave 
way and retreated into some public building, where 
we pursued them and kept up such a play of artil-
lery [artillery] upon them, that all those who had taken refuge 
were compelled to surrender to us. In this engagement 
the Brittish [British] were completely routed & defeated. Many of 
them were killed & wounded and a great number taken 
prisoners. The loss on the American side he thinks was 
inconsiderable. He remembers that General Mercer, 
who he believes belonged to the Virginia troops was severely wound-
ed [wounded] in the engagement, and thinks he shortly died of 
his wounds.
	After the battle at Princeton we marched to Morris-
town [Morristown] and took up winter quarters, and remained there until 
some time in the spring. From Morristown, he marched to 
Middlebrook; from there to Peek's-hill where some fortifications 
were erected. From this point he marched towards the
Page 8

4
Delaware river; and the army was occupied for 
several weeks in advancing & receding, marching & 
countermarching, sometimes towards Philidelphia [Philadelphia], and 
then towards the Delaware, for several weeks, until 
the battle finally ensued at Brandywine. This engage-
ment [engagement] commenced early in the morning, and the attack was 
brought on by the British who were under the command 
of Lord Cornwallis. They crossed the creek about a mile 
above our forces, and made an attack upon our rear. 
We were about the same time attacked in front by a 
British General whose name is now not remembered. 
The American troops were compelled to retreat with 
great loss. He thinks they retreated towards Chester 
and was pursued a considerable distance by the
enemy. He well remembers seeing Gen. Lafayette in this 
engagement, and saw him receive a wound, which he 
thinks was in his right leg. He also remembers that 
there was another American General wounded, but 
he has forgotten his name. He thinks Gen. Lincoln 
was in this battle. Two or three weeks after the battle 
of Brandywine, Gen. Washington having received a 
considerable reinforcement from Virginia, marched us 
to Germantown and made an attack upon the Brit-
ish [British] stationed there. The attack was made early in the 
morning, and from its sudden & unexpected character, 
the British forces were thrown into great disorder 
but it being a cloudy, foggy morning it was diffi-
cult [difficult] for our troops to keep in regular order, which 
caused considerable confusion amongst us; and the 
enemy rallying from the confusion into which they had 
at first been thrown, drove back our troops, and 
we were at length compelled to retreat with grat [great] 
loss. In this engagement an American General -- Nash 
was killed. After recovering form this defeat, we 
marched to a place called Whitemarsh, where we 
remained some time in expectation of an attack 
from the British, who had taken a position 
not far distant from us; they however, withdrew 
without making an attack, and we were 
marched to Valley Forge where we took up winter 
quarters.
	Declarant was at the battle of Yorktown. When 
he reached there, Lafayette had been engaged in some 
severe fighting with the enemy. The principal fighting however 
after he marched the place, was with the artillery, with
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5
an almost constant cannonading was kept up. He 
well remembers the position of the French fleet on 
this occasion, which had taken a stand in 
the Patomac [Potomac] river to prevent Cornwallis from being 
reinforced by the British troops under the com-
mand [command] of Sir Henry Clinton. He remembers that about 
two days before the surrender fourteen of the Brit-
ish [British] soldiers deserted and came into the American 
encampment and surrendered themselves, and that 
from them we received a good information about 
affairs in the enemys [enemy's] camp. The surrender he 
thinks was on the 18th of October 1781. He has a 
most perfect recollection of the circumstances 
which occurred when Cornwallis surrendered up 
his sword, for he was present and saw this 
transaction. Cornwallis offered his sword to Gen. 
Washington, who steped [stepped] back and declined 
taking it, when Gen. Lincoln, who it had been 
he thinks previously agreed should receive it, steped [stepped] 
forward and accepted it form him. Declar-
ant [Declarant] remained at Yorktown several weeks after 
the surrender; he thinks, however he marched 
to Winchester Virginia with the British prisoners, 
and that Cornwallis was in company. After he 
returned to York from Winchester, he remained 
there five or six days, at the end of which 
time he was discharged from the service. -- 
He received a written discharge from Captain 
Edgar, by whom his company had been commanded 
for some time; his former Captain having been 
compeled [compelled] to retire from the service on account of 
bad health, when Captn Edgar succeeded to the 
command. He lost his discharge a few years 
after the war was over he thinks, on the eastern 
part of the Bahama Islands, where he was 
shipwricked [shipwrecked], being on a voyage in a merchantman 
bound from New York to Teneriff [Tenerife] on a trading 
expedition.
	It is impossible for declarant to remem-
ber [remember] every place through which he marched during 
a service of five or six years, or to detail all the 
occurrences with which he met during that time
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6
And in which he acted a part. He can only pretend 
to state important transactions, and occurrences to which 
he attention was particularly directed by some peculiar 
circumstance, upon which the mind would then fasten, 
so as not to let escape the recollection of the event.
	Declarant enlisted in Providence Rhode Island, 
where he at that time resided. He was born at Pe-
quarock [Pequarock], three miles east of Fairfield, Connecticut.
	He has never received a pension for his services, 
and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to 
a pension or annuity except the present, and he 
declares his name is not on the pension roll of 
the agency of any State.
		his mark [hand drawn X] Peter Jennings
	Sworn to & subscribed the
	day & year aforesaid
	[signature] J.R Laughlin, Clk.

	And the said court do hereby declare their 
opinion that the above named applicant was a 
revolutionary soldier, and has served as he states.
		[signature] H. Trott
		[signature] JC Mitchell
		[signature] V.D. Cowan
		[flourish]

	I John R. Laughlin, Clerk of the Court of pleas 
& quarter sessions of Rutherford County, Tennessee, 
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the 
original proceedings of the said court, in the matter 
of the application of Peter Jennings for a pension.
	In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set 
my hand and seal of office, this 23rd day of August 
1832.
		[signature] John R Laughlin, Clk.
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7
	I Drury Lane, residing in the county of Rutherford 
and State of Tennessee, certify upon oath that I 
was a soldier of the revolutionary war; that he has 
been acquainted with Peter Jennings who has subscri-
bed [subscribed] & sworn to the foregoing declaration, for about 
thirteen years and has always understood that he 
was a soldier of the revolutionary war, and 
that he believes it is so reputed & believed in 
the neighborhood where he resides, and that from 
frequent conversations with him in relation to 
the revolutionary war, and transactions therein 
with which I was well acquainted I entertain 
no doubt but that he was a soldier in 
said war in behalf of the United States.
		his mark [hand drawn X] Drury Lane
	Subscribed & sworn to the 
	day & year aforesaid.
	[signature] J R Laughlin, Clk.

	I Alexander Nisbett residing in the county of Ruth-
erford [Rutherford] and State of Tennessee, certify upon oath that 
I have been acquainted with Peter Jennings who 
has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration, 
and that he lives in the same neighborhood 
with him. I have always understood he was a 
soldier of the revolutionary war and believe it 
so reputed & believed in his neighborhood. -- 
I farther state that I was myself a soldier 
of the revolution, and from frequent conversations 
with him in relation to the transactions of the 
war, have no doubt but that he did serve 
therein in behalf of the United States.
		[signature] Alexander Nisbett
	Sworn & subscribed to the 
	day & year aforesaid.
	[signature] J R Laughlin, Clk
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9
State of Tennessee }
Rutherford County }	On this 8th day of September 
1832. personally appeared before me, [cross out] William Gilliam, 
an acting Justice of the peace, for the county of 
Rutherford and State of Tennessee, Elijah Smith, 
aged seventy seven years & twenty six days, a resident 
of said Rutherford County, who, being first duly 
sworn according to law, doth, upon his oath, say 
that he was a Soldier of the revolutionary war; 
that in the winter of 1777. when the American troops 
were quartered at Valley Forge, he was thee as ["an" crossed out] 
assistant forage master under one Cocklerow, 
and that he knew there, a man of colour ["the" crossed out] 
who belonged to the New England troops, and 
was in the Artillery. He is acquainted with Peter 
Jennings, a man of colour, now residing in Ruther-
ford county aforsaid [aforesaid], and he believes him to be 
the same man he knew at Valley Forge. He 
does not remember him by name so as to state 
him to be the same man; but from his sieze [size] 
and general appearance, so far as he can re-
member [remember], and so far as it would correspond at 
so distant a period, he believes him to be the 
same; and from frequent conversations with 
him, in relation to facts & circumstances which 
occurred then, which said Jennings remembers, and 
which he is confident he could not have known 
had he not been there; and ^ especially from his narration of 
the circumstances of a man's being being [sic] there, 
he is confident he is the same man, whom 
he then knew.
		[signature] Elijah Smith
	Subscribed & sworn to 
	before me
	[signature] Wm Gilliam JP
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10
State of Tennessee §
Rutherford County § I, John R. Laughlin, clerk of the county 
court of pleas and quarter sessions of said county, 
do hereby certify that William Gilliam, Esquire, whose 
official signature appears to the within affidavit 
of Elijah Smith, was on the 8th day of September 
1832, an acting Justice of the peace within and for 
said county, duly commissioned and qualified 
according to law, and that all his official acts 
are entitled to full faith and credit.
	In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 
	my hand and affixed the seal of said 
	court at office in Murfreesborough this 
	18th day of September, in the year of 
	our Lord, one thousand eight hundred 
	and thirty two, and in the Independence 
	of the United States the fifty seventh.
		[signature] John R. Laughlin, Clk.

	The undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace, 
^ of Rutherford county Tennessee before whom Elijah Smith swore to the truth 
of the statements in the foregoing certificate by 
him made in relation to the revolutionary 
services of Peter Jennings, hereby certifies that it 
appears to him that the said Elijah Smith is a 
man of veracity and any statement he makes 
is entitled to full credit. Given under my 
hand this 22nd day of May 1833
		[signature] Wm Gilliam JP

State of Tennessee §
Rutherford county § I, John R. Laughlin, Clerk of the 
county court of pleas and quarter sessions of said county, do 
hereby certify, that William Gilliam, Esquire, whose official 
signature appears to the foregoing certificate is an 
acting Justice of the peace, within and for said county 
duly commissioned and qualified according to law,
Page 14

and that all his official acts are entitled to 
full faith and credit.
	In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
	set my hand and seal of office this 
	22nd day of May, 1833.
		[signature] John R. Laughlin, Clk.
Page 15

			Tennessee
		Murfreesboro August 13th 1828
Hon. Richard Rush
	Sir I herewith Enclose you 
the petition of Peter Jennings, praying for his dues 
as a revolutionary soldier. The declaration 
set forth by him is done from memory alone, and 
which he relates with freedom and confidence.
	The general opinion here, is, that he served as 
a soldier in the revolution, which opinion was 
strengthened by his being recognized by Genl Layfayett [Lafayette] 
in Nashville some Two years ago.
	I believe the evidence set forth here, corroborating 
partly with the evidence you are now in possesion [possession] of 
will be sattisfactory [satisfactory]. If no, please say what 
other evidence will be necessary.
	Your direction to the agent in Nashville 
to make payment will be sattisfactory [satisfactory], ["and" crossed out] 
with advice at the same time to me.
	Hoping to know the pleasure of 
hearing form you soon.
		I am Respectfully
		[signature] Wm. T. Christy
[circular stamp, "THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES"]
	x The Books belonging to The Northern division.
Page 16

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act Entitled "An act for 
The relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of The Army of the 
Revolution." approved on the 15th day of May 1828. I Peter Jennings 
(A Black man) of the county of Rutherford and State of Tennessee 
do hereby declare, That I enlisted in the Continental line 
of The Army of The Revolution for and during the war, and contin
-ued [continued] in its service untill its termination; at which period 
I was a Private in Captain Edgar's Company of Regulars, in 
The first Regiment of Infantry of The Continental line.
	And I further declare that I was not on The 15th day 
of May 1828 on the pension list of the United States.
	Witness my hand, This 13th day of August in the year 1828
		[signature] Peter Jennings
Witness
[signature] W. T Christy
[signature] Simon B Christy
	[circular stamp, "THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES"]
I Peter Jennings (A Black man) do hereby submit to the Hon. 
Richard Rush agent for the surviving officers and soldiers 
of the Revolution the particulars of my services &c during 
my time of service in The Revolution. I served ^ in Col Brewster 
Ridgement [regiment] (mostly black man) Major Tamage, Captain 
Edgar's Company as above named. There was in The same 
Ridgement [regiment] Lieutenant Pike, Lieutenant  Ray -- Hamby -- 
^ Thos Jackson -- with Capts. Richardson & Brooks and several 
other Capt's and Lieutenants that I cannot a [at] this period 
mention. I served about four years before the taking of 
Lord Cornwallis, and about Ten months afterwards, before the 
close of the War and the issue of my discharge from Maj. Tamage 
& others. I was discharged at the Town of Fairfield in the 
State of Connecticut, a few weeks after the taking of Forte [Fort] Slongo 
on Long Island's -- and on our way to said Forte [Fort] Col Brewster 
was wounded in the Belly by The Traitor Capt Haile & Company 
who no doubt supposed that we were after them -- but the wound 
did not prove mortal. ["and the" crossed out] I will here mention some 
of the persons who were in the part of the Company with me 
and whose names may be inscribed on the list of Revolutionary 
soldiers. James James, Philip James. Brothers; & Ned Bradley. 
Three Black men also Pomp Nichols from Purke Quanoch 
a Black man
Page 17

[ink blot] Ned Sherman and Indian, Corporal Eatonton, white man. 
David Harrison and James Griffin white privates. I would also 
mention that General Layfayett [Lafayette] recognized me when in 
Nashville and that I could get evidence of that fact by 
taking great paines [pains], but hope that foregoing evidence will be 
sattisfactory [satisfactory]. August 13th 1828
		[signature] Peter Jennings
Witness
[signature] W. T. Christy
[signature] Simon P Christy

Before me H. D. Jameson a Justice of the peace for Rutherford 
County Tennessee personally appeared this day Elijah Cox and 
Robert Barton of the said county who did severally 
make oath, that Peter Jennings by whom the foregoing 
declarations was subscribed is generally reputed and believed 
to have been a soldier in the Army of The Revolution. In 
the manner at Therein stated. Witness my hand This 13th day 
of August in the year 1828.
		[signature] Robert Barton
		his mark [hand drawn X] Elijah Cox
Sworn and subscribed to 
before me on the 13th day 
August 1828
[signature] H.D. Jamison J.P.
Page 18

State of Tennessee §
Rutherford County § Set.
	I John R. Laughlin, clerk of the court of Pleas
 and quarter sessions, within and for the county & state 
aforesaid, do hereby certify that Henry D. Jamison 
Esquire is an acting Justice of the Peace within 
and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned 
and qualified according to law, and that all 
his official acts as such are entitled to full 
faith and credit.
	In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
	set my hand and affixed the seal 
	of the said court at office in 
	Mursfreesborough, this 13th day of 
	August, in the year of our Lord one 
	thousand eight hundred and twenty 
	eight, and of the Independence of 
	the United State the fifty third.
		[signature] John R. Laughlin, Clk.
		of said court.
[illegible circular seal at left]
State of Tennessee §
Rutherford county § Set.
	I Logan Henderson, chairman of the court of 
Pleas and quarter sessions within and for the county and 
state aforesaid, do hereby certify that John R. 
Laughlin, whose official signature appears to the 
foregoing certificate is the acting clerk of said court 
that his said certificate is in due form of law, 
and that all his official acts are entitled to full 
faith and credit in any court or office in the 
United States.
	Given under my hand and seal this 13th. 
	day of August A.D. 1828.
		[signature] Logan Henderson chm [hand drawn seal]
		of said court
Page 19

1828 papers
to be filed
with Ad
OW Inv
File #4436
[flourish]
Page 20

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
886.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.

				TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
				Sept. 1. 1828

	Peter Jennings (a black) of [left blank] in the County of 
Rutherford, in the State of Tennessee, has applied to the Secretary 
of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving 
officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 13th of May, 1828. He states that he 
enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and 
continued until its termination, at which period he was a private in captain 
Edgard's company, in Col. Brewsters ^ the 1st regiment of the [left blank] 
line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve 
of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the 
pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of 
March, 1826, nothing.

	The third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by 
the records in his office.
			By order of the Secretary.
			[signature] A. Dickins
[circular stamp, "THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES"]

				TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
					THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
					5th September 1828
[sentence crossed out]	It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has 
been issued to [left blank] in the [left blank]
	It further appears that Peter Jennings is ^ not now on the pension 
list of ["the" crossed out] any - - - - -agency, and has ^ not been so since the 3d March 
1826 ["at the rate of" crossed out] [left blank] ["dollars per month." crossed out]
			[signature] Peter Hagner Aud
Page 21

	The Amended declaration of Peter Jennings (a man 
of colour) a citizen of Murfreesboro Rutherford County 
Tennessee, in order to obtain a pension for 
his services as a soldier of the revolutionary 
war, under the provisions of an act of Congress 
passed June the 7th 1832.
	On this 22nd day of May 1833 personally 
appeared in open court before John Fletcher 
Henry D. Jamison and Varner D. Cowen Justices of 
the court of pleas & quarter sessions of Rutherford 
county and State of Tennessee, now sitting, the 
above named Peter Jennings, and on his oath makes 
the following declaration in addition to his former 
declaration, made in said Court on the 23rd 
day of August 1832 before Henry Trott Varner 
D. Cowen and James C. Mitchell Esquires, Jus-
tices [Justices] of said court.
	Declarant states he had no documen-
tary [documentary] evidence of his services as a soldier of the 
revolutionary war, and he knows of no 
person whose testimony he can procure 
who can testify as to his service, except Elijah 
Smith, who will prove that he saw declarant 
in the service of the United States at Valley 
Forge, and whose certificate given under 
oath is annexed to his original declaration.
	Declarant states he has no record of his 
age. He is acquainted, with the Revd. 
Martin Clark a citizen of Murfreesboro, Ruth-
erford [Rutherford] county Ten. and with Major William 
Ledbetter, Clerk of the circuit court of Ruth-
erford [Rutherford] county Ten. who he believes will testify
Page 22

as to his character for veracity, and their 
belief of his services as a soldier of the rev-
oution [revolution]. He believes that Robert Locke, William 
T. Christy, Revd. German Baker & James Holmes 
will if called on make the same statements.
			[signature] Peter Jennings
	Sworn to & subscribed 
	the day & year aforesaid
		[signature] J.R. Laughlin Clk.

	We Martin Clark, a Clergyman residing 
in Murfreesboro Rutherford County Tennessee 
and William Ledbetter, Clerk of the circuit 
court of Rutherford county Tennessee, hereby 
certify that we are well acquainted with Peter 
Jennings (a man of colour) who has subscribed 
and sworn to the foregoing declaration, and 
who subscribed & swore to a declaration on 
the 23rd of August 1832, and which is now exhibited 
to them; that we believe him to be Eighty years old, 
that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood 
where he resides, to have been a soldier of the 
revolution and we concur in that opinion.
			[signature] Martin Clark
			[signature] Wm Ledbetter
	Sworn to and subscribed 
the day & year aforesaid
	[signature] J.R. Laughlin, Clk.

	And the said court do hereby certify that it 
appears to them that Martin Clark, who has signed 
the preceeding [preceding] certificate is a Clergyman, resident 
in the county of Rutherford and State of Tennessee, 
and that William Ledbetter who has also assigned 
the same, is a resident in the same county & state
Page 23

and is a credible person; and their statement is enti-
tled [entitled] to credit.
		[signature] V.D. Cowan JP. [hand drawn seal]
			[flourish]
		[signature] John Fletcher JP [hand drawn seal]
		[signature] H.D. Jamison J.P. [hand drawn seal]

	I John R. Laughlin, Clerk of the court of pleas & 
quarter sessions of Rutherford County, State of Tennessee 
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the proceed-
ings [proceedings] had in said court, upon the amendment to 
the application of Peter Jennings (a man of colour) for 
a pension.
	In testimony whereof I have hereunto my 
	hand and seal of office this 22nd day of 
	May, 1833.
		[signature] John R. Laughlin, Clk.
[illegible circular seal affixed at left]
Page 24

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those 
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
Peter Jennings (a man of colour) Rutherford Co. T. which require 
further proof explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason 
assigned for his not doing so? [left blank]

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes

V. * Has he mentioned 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 amout [amount] of pension 
he is entitled? yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of 
June 7, 1832? yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished 
from any other seal? yes
Page 25

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to 
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolu-
tionary [revolutionary] service? Three revolutionary soldiers swear their belief, 
their respectability not certified -- no clergyman named

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing [obtaining]? ["No" crossed out]

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one 
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No

XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness 
or witnesses as to his service?
	If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, 
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
	Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the 
regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, 
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes

XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, 
if not, which of them is not so answered? ["2-7" crossed out]

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. 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 recol-
lection [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.
Page 26

3
	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 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
	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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and ling 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
	[right-pointing hand icon] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 27

		Murfreesboro Ten. June the 1st 1833.
James L. Edwards Esqr. Commissioner of Pension
	Dear Sir
		I return herein inclosed 
the original and amended declarations of Peter Jennings, 
in order to procure a pension for his revolutionary 
services. I hope the amedmendments [amendments] will be 
fully satisfactory.
		Very respectfully &C.
		[signature] Charles Ready
		[flourish]
Page 28

902
Wm T Christy
Recd 17 Jany 1829.

	pre [page cut off]
Page 29

			Murfreesboro Tennessee
			January 1st 1828
Sir
	Your favour of 19th ultimo - advising of the ratification 
of Mr John Etten claim, is duly to hand and 
the contents observed. Shall be pleased to 
secure the remittance in the usual way -- 
and as soon as convenient would like to 
hear from the Claim of Peter Jennings which 
I forwarded some three months since.
		I am Sir
		Respectfully
		Your obt servant
		[signature] Wm T Christy
		[flourish]

Hon Richard Rush
	Washington City
Page 30

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
[left side of page]
1930 May 2 -- Hist. to
Adjutant Gen. see
carbon copy of
reply in Misc files
under Gen. CH.
Bridges.	[initialed] EEL

[right side of page]
4436
INVALID.
Rev War [checkmark]
[initialed] OW

File No. 4436
Peter Jennings
Pvt. R.I. line

Act: June 7" / 32
Index:—Vol. A, Page 192
[Arrangement of 1870.]