Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3144, Christopher Choat, S.C.
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(8-1776)
SERVICE                                         NUMBER
S.C.          Choat, Christopher      S. 3144

Carded

CONTENTS
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[Right Page ]
19465
West Tennessee

Christopher Choat
of Mc Nairy Co
in the State of W.T.
who was a Pri in the co. commanded
by Captain Sterling of the regt commanded 
by  Col Clark in the S. C. 
line for 14 mos.

Inscribed  on the Role of  W.  T
at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents for annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Sept
1833 and  [illegible]


Arrears to the 4th of Sept                  116.63
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar   23 33
                                                                     _____
                                                                 $139.98
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Danl Boyd  Clerk,
Book  E.     Vol 7   Page 75


[Left Page]

Pension  Certificate as a dead letter and sent 
10 March 1836 to Wm S Wisdom, [illegible] Tenn.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7 June 1832
State of Tennessee
McMaury County} Ss On this the 24th day of June in the year of Our Lord One thousand Eight hundrewd and thirty three Personally appeared in open court before the justice sof our court of pleas and quarter sessions for said county now setting Christopher Choat a resident of McMaruy County in the state of Tennessee aged eighty three 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 Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 That he was born in Bedford County state of Virginia on the first day of January in the year of Our Lord 1750 from there he moved when very young and before the Revolutionary War to that part of Tennessee now known as East Tennessee and from there he moved to the state of South Carolina and settled in Ninety Six District. Where he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer soldier in the year 1781 (the month nor day not recolected) Under Captain Sterling and Col Clark so soon as Our Regiment was organised we took up our line of March and went directly on to Broad River which is the dividing line between North & South Carolina where our regiment joined General Sumpter after our meeting with him we marched directly on towards the Conguree and on our march we met Tarltons army at a place called Shieries Ferry on Broad River. Tarlton laying on one side of the river and our army on the other side. General Sumpter ordered one hundred riffle men to fire on the Enemy which was done and after some consultation among the officers our army was ordered to march about two miles on a very high eminence from the River where we
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encampted that night next morning which he believes was on Sunday General Sumpter ordered that two detachments with about one hundred men each should march in serch of Tarlton and if possible to ascertain his movements and the strength of his army accordingly the two detachments was selected One of which was put under the command of col Clark the other under the Command of Col Candler. I was one of said party and attached to Col Candler who marched down Broad River until we come into the main Charlston road near where we first saw Tarltons five others was ordered to go in serch for Tarlton we started and went the main Charlston road in about one mile we met three waggons belonging to the Brittish we took the waggons and what men was a long with them prisoners which he believes was seven we took them back and gave them to Col Candler. We then set out on the same business as above and went the same road (the distance not now recolected) when we again met four waggons with five or six men belonging to the Brittish. We took the waggons and the new Prisoners and carried them back and delivered them to our commander Col Candler then the whole detachment marched to a mill on Broad River and filled our waggons with flour and struck our march for Sumpters army which was at this time laying at a place called Black Stocks on Targere River. We marched all night and about ten miles from where Sumpters army was lying Tarlton overtook us. So soon as it was ascertained that he was in persuit we struck a force march and when we arrived at Black Stocks where Sumpters army was the enemy was so close in persuit that they fired on us and
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killed one man belonging to our company. At this place we had a sevier Battle which I was in and commanded by Col Candler during this Battle General Sumpter received a sevier wound either in his sholder or arm as well as he now recolects After the Battle was over we marched to a place called Packits Iron works hear we lay for some time waiting as was said for General Sumpters wound to get better. From thence we marched to a place called Packolet where I was discharged after having served a Tour of five months
On the same day that I received my discharge above stated I again entered the service of the United States as a volunteer soldier under Captain Sterling and Col Clark who succeeded in raising a company (General Sumpter hear left us and as I understood went to Salisberry to have his wound cured) so soon as our regiment was organized which was a verry few days we marched in Company with Genl Pickens regiment to a place called Ninety Six District in South Carolina at which place the Brittish had Forted themselves when we arrived near the Fort we received information by some means it would be verry important to make an attack with what forces we had so myself and two or three others was sent with an Express to Col Thomas who was living on Targue River in South Carolina I delivered the express to Col Thomas who set about raising Troops to go and join Col Clark but before Col Thomas could raise his company Col Clark as I afterwards understood marched to Ninety Six and attacked the Brittish and a Battle ensued and Col Clark was wounded all this time I was waiting for Col Thomas to raise his company intending to march back to Ninety Six with him but before the Company could be raised we heard of the Defeat of Col Clark so I did not return back but joined what was
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called a skouting party On which he served a long time watching and giving information of the Tories and Brittish at length we marched to Ninety Six District which was some time after the retreat of the Brittish from that place and was there dismissed from the army having served as well as he now recolects nine or ten months I am positive I served nine months and think it was a short time over I have no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person now living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his servises I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity excpet the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any state
Question 1 where and in what year were you born? 
Answer I was born in Bedford county state of Virginia on the first day of Jany 1750
Question Have you any record of your age if so where is it?
Answer I have no record of my age, my father had a Bible which my age was recorded in I have seen my age set down in his bible frequently but do not know where it is now
Question Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live
Answer I was living in ninety six District South Carolina when I first entered the service I was at a place called Pacholet when I entered the service the second time, a short time after the war I moved to Natches on the Mississippi River and lived there about one year from there I moved to Georgia and lived there two years from there to South Carolina and lived there
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Two years then I moved to Davidson county Tennessee and lived there until the year 1823 and then I moved to McMaury County Tennessee where I now live
Question How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom
Answer I volunteered as a soldier in both of my tours
Question 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 recolect and the general circumstances of your services
Answer I was in company with General Sumpter and General Pickens but whether they were regular officers I am now not able to say Col Clark Commanded a militia regiment and there was some others but from the great length of time I do not recolect their names I have mentioned the General circumstances of my services in the body of my Declaration
Question Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
Answer I received a discharge from Col Clark or Capt Sterling but which one he does not now recolect, for my first servises of five months I do not recolect whether I received a discharge for my second Tour if I did it was signed by Captain Sterling as I saw him not very long after I quit the ser4vice I did not think my discharges would ever by of any benefit to me so I took no care of them and they are now lost or distroyed
Question State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood
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and who can Testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your servises as a soldier of the Revolution
Answer Captain John Henderson and Parson Francis Beard both living in my neighbourhood and in McMaury county has been acquainted with me for a long time they can Testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my servises and the neighbourhoods belief of my servises in the Revolution Christopher his x mark Choat
swornto & subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
WS Wisdom clk
I John Henderson residing in the county of McMaury state of Tennessee, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Christopher Choat who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be eighty three years old that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, (And the said John Henderson do further certify that from the General discription of said Choats narative relative to the Revolutionary war and the Battle of Black Stocks I am convinced he served as he states. Myself being out at the same time as a captain and in the Battle of Blackstocks) I therefore concur in that opinion given under my hand John Henderson
sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid W S Wisdom clk
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I Francis Beard a clergyman residing in the county of McMaury state of Tennessee hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Christopher Choat who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be eighty three years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that  I concur in that opinion Francis Beard
sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
WS Wisdom clk
And the said court fo hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after 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 John Henderson and [illegible]Francis Beard who has also signed the same is residents in McMaury County and that Francis Beard is a clergyman and that said witnesses are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit Joseph Smith 
Thomas Lewis
Jacob Jackson
State of Tennessee 
I William S Wisdom clerk of the county court of pleas and quarter sessions for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Christopher Choat for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office in Purdy this 24th day of June 1833
WS Wisdom clk
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20017 War
Christopher Choat


From 1781 Private
14 months
$46.66/100
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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 show 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 Christopher Choat McMaury Co Tenn

Period when the service was rendered  Vol 1781 /
Duration of the claimants service Years/months/days   5 months  / 
Rank of the claimant / pr 
Names and rank of the Company officers under whom he served / Capt Sterling
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served / Col Clark
Battles in which this applicant was engaged Black Stocks
Country through which he marched SC T 
Place of abode when he entered the service and age at present period 82 Tennessee / 
Evidence by which the declaration is supported Trady

Period when the service was rendered  Vol same day /
Duration of the claimants service Years/months/days   about 9 months  / 
Rank of the claimant / pr 
Names and rank of the Company officers under whom he served / do
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served / do
Battles in which this applicant was engaged None
Country through which he marched SC  
Place of abode when he entered the service and age at present period / 
Evidence by which the declaration is supported 

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions
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Rev War  June 7 transcribed page 2
                                                                                                2
                                                      REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been constructed to extent, 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 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, etc., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefit 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 the 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 applicants reside. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

                                                                   DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits 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 offices:

(Here set forth the names and ranks of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service ; (and if he server under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particlar 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.                                           A. B.
        (And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                                                                                     of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                                                                       for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and seal of office (i) this 
                         day of                                          &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the name 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 the 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 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 days and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. 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 Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the orginal proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for pension.

 In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal
 of office, this day of &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the orginal 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 hid personal knowledge of the service oh the applicant, and such circumstance connected therewith as may have a tendency to throw lightupon 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 material facts, which can be used 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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                                                                                             3                                                                                            
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, it one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. 

All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.
(To a Soldier.)  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
(To an Officer. ) Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  

The Court will see that the 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 nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, fromtheir 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 certity to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deened 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 inquiry whether the belief is general or whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of 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 ofice, 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 genine signature.

No payments can be made upon account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto,and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and theopinion 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 he resides.  If he should fail to do so , he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldiers must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled.  

In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn depots and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positive as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grades: ---For____year_____month____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 service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  ome persons who apply for pensions mere state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  

It must begin every case, be clearly shown under what officer the applicant severed; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corp 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 n 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 fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certified officer, should accompany the papers.                                                   
                                                                  
                                                                    Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certifing officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certiicate 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 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 verify 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.
The note
 from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is 
The note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k)This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
￼(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.}
W L Williams Ex Clk
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Rev. & 1812 Wars
Section.

December 31, 1926.

E. F. J. Tafe,
424 S.  Broadway
Los Angeles, Callf.

Sir:
I advise you, from the papers in the 
Rev War pension claim, S.  3144, it appears that Christopher Choat was bom in Bedford County, Virginia, January 1, 
1760.

While living in Ninety-Six District, South Carolina,
he enlisted, in 1780 and served nine, or ten months in Captain Sterling's  Company, Coionel, Clark's South Caro-
lina Regiment.  He was in battles at a ferry on the
Broad River and at Blackstocke.

He was allowed pennlon on hls appliation executed
June 24, 1833, while Ziving in McNalry County, Tenneasee.
There are data as to family.


Respectfully 
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.

Notes in left margin:

Could not have enl in 1781
as Blackstock was in Nov 1780

The above noted e. c.
Page 15

Sons of the Revolution
in the State of California
424 South  Broadway
Los Angeles
[Seal]

PRESIDENT
Arthur B Benton
VICE-PRESEIDENTS
Dr. Wesley Wilbur Beckett
Nathan Wilson Stowell
Benjamin Franklin Bledsoe
SECRETARY
Lewis Augustus Winston
TREASURER
Edward Bouton
REGISTRAR
John Emerson Marble
LIBRARIAN
Willis Milnor Dixon

DIRECTORS
Col. Holdridge O Collins
Judge Guy Richards Crump
John Barnes Miller
Frank Hervey Pettingell
Frank Monroe Porter
Henry Mauris Robinson
General Charles Herny Whipple

BOAD OF DIRECTORS
Eugene Waddell Britt
William Richardson Staats
Frank Hervey Pettingell
Ralph Beldam Hardacre
Henry Mauris Robinson


October 26, 1926
Hon. Winfield Scott,
Commissioner of Pensions,
 Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.

My dear sir;

Will you kindly give me a report on
Christopher Choate who received a pension in 1835 
in Tenn., he was a native of South Carolina.

Did Ann Palate of ( probably ) Tenn.
receive a pension?

I shall appreciate an early reply and
if you can give this matter early attention it will
be a great favor.

Thanking you for all past courtesies.

I am
Sincerely,
E. F. J. Tafe, 
Assistant Genealogist.
Page 16

Rev War 
3144
IVVALID

File No. 3144
Christopher Choat
Pvt   S.C. Line
_____
Act: June 7th 32
Index : - Vol. A , Page 64
[Arrangement of 1870]

1926 Dec 31. Hist to 
E. F. J. Tate