Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2926, James Armstrong, S. C.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
S.C.

Armstrong, James

NUMBER
S.2926
Carded

CONTENTS
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19.012
West Tennessee [?]
James Armstrong of Maury Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain M. Cartly of the [illegible] commanded by Col Richardson in the line for two years private.

South Carolina Line Record corrected F'eby 12 'o4 [abbreviation of February] 
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 80 Dollars [illegible] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July, 1833 and [illegible]
Polke Columbia
Arrears to the 4th of March 160.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 40.00
$200.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Danl Boyde Clerk
Book E Vol. 7 Page 70
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Declaration - In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress on passed 7 June 183
State of Tennessee
Maury County
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
September Term 1832
On this 15th day of September 1832, personally appeared
in open Court.
before [this?] [William struck through] John Vincent, James Henry
justices and Peter Williams Justices presiding in said Court, now sitting James Armstrong
a resident of the County of Maury and State of Tennessee
aged 68 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 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers, and served as herein stated-
He entered the service as a volunteer in the year 1780, in
what was then, Camden, now Sumpter District, South Carolina
under one Robert McCottery as Captain, with this company he joined, then Colonel, afterwards Genl Marion, while lying at the Kingstree
bridge on Black river, Williamsburgh District, South Carolina, shortly after this they heard of the defeat of Genl
Gates, which caused the men under Genl Marion to scatter, the Genl himself retreated, as write as applicant recollects into North Carolina, in the fall of the same
year Gen Marion returned into South Carolina, and
had the engagement with Col Tynes, a soldier of some notoriety
whom he defeated, this engagement
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was on Black river in the month of November of the same year, applicant again formed Genl Marion under one John Armstrong as captain in Camden District:  he continued attached to the main body of Genl Marion's troops for about five or six months subject to his directives and often sent by him upon scouting hunting in watching and harassing the tons while upon out those trips under Col John Erwin he was in the engagement at Singleton's Miles, on the high hills of Sumter; in this engagement Major John James was also one of the commanders; this engagement was with a party of British on their way from Charleston to Camden, the name of their commander not recollected he was also in a skirmish at the lower bridge on Black river and one at Georgetown after three skirmishes and others of a similar character common to the peculiar movements of this officer, he was dispatched with Capt Armstrongs company, and also that of one Capt John Nelson to procure supplies necessary for the support of the army under  Genl Green; applicant was engaged in this business for many months, when he again in the spring of 1782 he joined the regular corps of Genl Marion under the same captain; John Gamble was Major and Richardson was colonel of his regiment; he continued with Genl Marions army, during that year until the month of December, when there being no further need of his services, he was regularly discharged by that officer at Watbourgh, near Monk's Corner about 32 miles from Charlestown.  He never
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received any written discharge, but was discharged by an address delivered to Genl behavior to his troops.  He was born on the 6th of April 1764, in what was then Camden, now Sumpter District, South Carolina and record of which he has in the family Bible of his father.  He continued to reside after the close of the war in the Districts of Camden and Williamsburgh, So Carolina, until the year 1805, when he removed to the state of Sunniper has resided in this state ever since and the county of Maury where he now reside since the year 1809. He knows of no one who is now alive by whom he can prove the fact, that he served as a soldier of the Revolutionary war, except it be by a capt Gavin Witherspoon, who applicant is informed is still alive and now lives in Pedee river in So Carolina He is known to Saml Mayes & William James Frierson brother residing in his neighbourhood and in same county
Who will testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or immunity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any state. Jo Armstrong
sworn & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
Thos J Porter clerk
Mr Samuel Mayrs and William James Frierson both residing in the neighbourhood & in the same county of Mauny
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hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Armstrong who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 68 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 we concur in that opinion
W Jas Frierson Samuel Mayer
subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid
Thos J Porter clerke
I Duncan Brown a clergyman residing in the neighbourhood & same county with James Armstrong who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said applicant having known him for many years that he is a man who stands high for truth and correctness of department & thus his statements would be as any man of received and implicitly confided in as any man of my knowledge. Duncan Brown
Thos J Porter clerke
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 mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as stated.  And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Duncan Brown who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident
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in the county of Maury and state of Tennessee, and W Jas Frierson and Samuel Mayes who have also signed the same, are residents in the said county and state, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
John Vincent
Peter Williams
Jas Huey 
I Thomas J Porter, clerk of the court of Pleas & quarter sessions for Maury County and state of Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of James Armstrong for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15th day of September 1832
Thos P Porter clerk
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page is blank
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17365
Maury County
Tennessee
James Armstrong
from 1780 private 
2 yr 
5 $80.
Hon J K Pold
Columbia Ten
[crossed out Thos J Porter clrk Columbia Tennessee]
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BRIEF in the case of James Armstrong 
County of Maury in the state of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? Court
2.  If before Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he? 68
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period / Duration of Service Years, months, days / Rank / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served
al In 1780 /  5 or 6 months / private / Gen Marion Capt McCottery
spring 1782 / ----/ ---/ Major Gamble
until Decr the same year / ---/ / Col Richardson
5.  In what battles was he engaged? Singletons Mills
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? Camden now Sumpter District
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case aobve mentioned.  Jno H Ashton
Examining Clerk.
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Blank page
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James Armstrong
Amended Declaration
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The amended Declaration of James Armstrong in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June the 7th 1832
State of Tennessee
Maury County
On this 1st day of May 1833 personally apperaed in open court; before the circuit court of Maury county now sitting, James Armstrong a resident citizen in the county of Maury & state of Tennessee aged now about 69 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the follosing amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832
That he entered the service of the United States as stated in his original declaration on the 1st of September 1780 that he remained with his captain Robert McCottery one month when he became sick & left him he was absennt about one month which would bring him down the time to the 1st day of November 1780 when he again jointed the army of Col afterward Genl Marion stated in this said original declaration that in this year (1780) he served three or more months he further states that his service was continued and lasted throughout the year 1781, and they were of the kind and character mentioned and detached in his original declaration and that the same services were continued under the same officers until the 1st of June 1783, when he joined the regular army of Genl Marion Applicant states
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that from the time of joining the regular army of Marion in Nov 1780 as before stated; until his final discharge in 1782 as stated in his original declaration, he considered himself at all times attached to the service subject at all times to the command of his immediate officers and almost always upon duty as a soldier applicant in conclusion states that from the rest of his recollection at present, that he was in the service of the United States performing the duties as detailed in this & his original declaration for more than two years
J Armstrong
Sworn to in open court
May 1st 1833 George M Martin clk
State of Tennessee
Maury County} Circuit court Afnt Term 1833
I William E Kennedy judge of said court prviding & holding that same do hereby certify that the foregoing amended declaration of James Armstrong was presented & sworn to in open court before me on this 1st day of May 1833 and I do further certify that the said James Armstrong is a resident citizen of the county of Maury and that he is about the age mentioned by him in his said amended declaration
Will E Kennedy
Judge
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I George M Martin clerk of said circuit court do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of James Armstrong's amended declaration for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal there being no seal of office this 1st day of May 1833
George M Martin CMCC
I certify that George M Martin Esqr whose signature is annexed to this forgoing certificate is in his hand writing and that he is clerk of the circuit court and that the forgoing amended declaration of James Armstrong is the original paper presented and acted on in court
James K Polk 
May 4th 1833
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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF: MLB

October 21, 1930

Mrs. F. E. Blakeman
805 Newport Avenue
Webster Groves, Missouri
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 2926, that James Armstrong
was born April 6, 1764, in Camden District, South Carolina.
While residing in said Camden District, he enlisted in
September, 1780, and served several months in Captains Robert
Mc Cottery's and John Armstrong's companies in Colonel Marion's
South Carolina regiment, and was in skirmishes on Black River,
at Singleton's Mills, and at Georgetown, South Carolina.
He enlisted in June, 1782 and served until December, 1782, in
Captain John Armstrong's company, Colonel Richardson's South Carolina
regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
September 15, 1832, at which time he was living in Maury County,
Tennessee, having moved to Tennessee in 1805.
There is no reference to wife or children.

Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
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1909 Oct 14 . Hist to Mrs. S. P. Cross etc 1930 Oct 21. Hist to Mrs. F.E. Blakeman ans
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Rev War  2926 INVALID. File No. 2926 James Armstrong Pvt. N.C. line Act : June 7/ 32 Index: - Vol. A Page 10 [ Arrangement of 1870. ]  South Carolina Line . Records corrected Feby 12' 04
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Mrs. L. N. Cullis 109 N. 11th St. Newark, N. J.  asked for a James Armstrong  of Anderson or Abbeville S.C.  who was in the battles of King's Mountain  & Cowpens and (drew)  ( underscored ) a pension- See miscel. files etc.
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Columbia T. Dept. 18 Honbl Lewis Cass Secretary of War Washington City ( vertical notes ) ( Ten. Sep 29 17365 )
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James Armstrong
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Blank page
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
James Armstrong which require
further proof or 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? [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 of pension
he is entitled? No
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
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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 revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [blank]
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? [blank]
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? [blank]
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? [blank]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? [blank]
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? [blank]
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? [blank]
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 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.
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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 line 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. 
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.
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IN REPLY REFER TO 
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. ILL 
3-2562 
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION 
UNITED STATES 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS 
WASHINGTON
September 18, 1930.
Mrs. F. E. Blakeman
805 Newport Avenue
Webster Groves, Missouri. 
Dear Madam: 
I advise you that the data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained 
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below, as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this bureau. 
First name of widow (?)
Full name of soldier James Armstrong?
Residence of soldier at enlistment Georgia 
Residence of soldier's family after service Maury Co. Tenn
Name of state from which he enlisted Ga or N.C.
Approximate date of birth [blank]
Approximate date of death. - Unknown
Kindly return attached letter with your reply. 
Respectfully, [signature]
E. W. MORGAN, 
Acting Commissioner. 
I want the parentage of John Armstrong, born March 10 - 1768. Married in 1791 or 1792. D. Mar 12 - 1851. 
Moved to Tenn from GA or Carolinas, and his father was the soldier whose name I'm trying to find, but my own data is very meagre.
[stamped] U.S. Pension Office Oct 15, 1930
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Sept 14, 1930  Commissioner of Pensions Washington  D.C.  Dear Sir : - Is there any information available from Pension Records concerning the families or relations of men named Armstrong, who served in the Revolutionary War in North Carolina or Georgia Organizations ? John Armstrong  ( known as "Col." John ) brought his family from Georgia , to Maury Co. Tenn. about the year 1806 . He was born March 10, 1768 and it is the record of his father who went to war when this boy John was 7 years old, that I am seeking. He might have enlisted with North Carolina troops, as war records show names of James, John & Thomas Armstrong as Commissioned officers in N.C. records. Thanking you in advance for any assistance. I am respectfully yours ( Mrs. F.E. ) Ethel Blakeman (  signed )  805 Newport Ave. Webster Grove , Mo.  ( 2 post marks ) [ U.S. PENSION OFFICE SEP 17 1930] [ U.S. PENSON OFFICE OCT 15 1930 ]
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W. D. PADEN & SON INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE, LOANS NOTARY PUBLIC   CAMERON, TEXAS 190 __. 
Pension Office 
Washington  D.C.  
Does the name of Jas. Armstrong appear on your records in your office ? He was from Williamsburg Dis. S.C. and ( was with Lee's Legion . ) ( underscored )  Also the name of Capt. Wm Frierson of Williamsburg  Dis S.C. who was in the battle of ( King's Mountain ?) ( underscored ) Thank you for any information. I am respt  Mrs. S. P. Cross ( signed ) Cameron , Tex.   ( 2 post marks ) [ U.S. PENSION OFFICE OCT 4  1909 ] [ LAW DIVISION RECEIVED OCT 4 1909 ]
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In reply to your request of __ received __ for a statement of the military history of James Armstrong a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.  S. File 2926  DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. Sept 1780 ( check mark ) , Nov. 1789 ( check mark ), June 1782 to Dec. 1782. LENGTH OF SERVICE .  over two yrs, 1 mos, several mos.  RANK. __.   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. Robt. Mc Cottery, John Armstrong ( check mark ). COLONEL. Marion , Richardson . STATE . S.C.  Battles engaged in , skirmishes : Nov. '80 ( check mark ) on Black River  with Col Tyne , at Kingston's Mills, Lower bridge Black river and at Georgetown S.C. Residence of soldier at enlistment, Camden Dist. S.C. Date of application for pension , Sept. 15, 1832 Allowed.  Residence at date of application , Maury Co. Tenn. Moved 1805 to Jan in ... ( illegible ) Dist.. Age at date of application , born Apl. 6, 1764  Camden Dist., S.C. Remarks : After the War sol. resided in Camden & ( Williamsburgh Districts ) ( underscored ) S.C.  There is no ref. to wife or chil