Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4540, for Peter Lesley, North Carolina
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(3-1776)
service Number
N.C. Lesley, Peter S. 4540
Contents Carded
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25338
West Tennessee
Peter Lesley
of Davidson Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Bethel of regt commanded by Col Caswell in the N Carolina line for 9 months and 10 days

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 31 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, co commence on the 4th of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of dec 1833 and [illegible]
Harris War Department
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March
7775
1555
$93.30
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book6  Vol. 7 page 87
Recorded 21 June183
To N.F. Grand Order to pay Sept 1837
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Peter Lastly
for 1780 private
[illegible]
5.14.142
$31.18
100
P. 263
court allowance Dept
[illegible]
Harris War Dept
F. Grundy
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Brief in the case of Peter Lastly County of Davidson in the State of Tennessee 9Act 7th June, 1832.)
2. If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he 71
4. State his servoice, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. 
drafted in 1780 march
Vol. 1780 25th August
Vol. 1871 Janurary
-1871-
Afterward-
[illegible]
Duration of Service. years months days
-3-
-3-
not stated
over 3- 
about - 10
--10
Rank.
Private
"
"
"
"
"
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served  Gen.
Capt. W. Bethel, genl Caswell-
Capt, Forbes, Genl. Davidson -
Capt. Forbes Col. Paisley
capt. G. Stuart, Col J. Martin
Genl Rutherford - 
none mentioned
none mentioned
5. In what battles was he engaged? Guilford
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Guilford Cty. N.C.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary & witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The certificate of the Clergyman is not in the usual form.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case mentioned.
J. Waugh Examining Clerk. Jany 21. 1833
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Peter Lastley Pension Claim
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress Passed June the 7th Day 1832-State of Tennessee Davidson county on the 25 Day of October 183 Personally appeared in open Court before William William Jessee Wharton & Emock P. Conmel Esquire Justiees of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions for the said county of Davidson at Nashville now siting peter Lastley a Resident of Davidson County state of Tennessee 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 the 7 day 1832 that he was born in the state of new jersey the 13 day of January 1761 agreeable to my Fathers record given me and moved to Guilford County North Caroline where I was raised and in the month of March 1780 I was drafted at Guilford in Guilford County north Carolina & mustered into service at Guilford Court house under the command of Capt. William bethel Richard Vernon lieutenant & Robert Nelson Ensign we staid in Guilford about eight days we then set out for Charlestown in South Carolina by the way of Salsberry then to Camden then to Monks corner there we staid a few days when Collonal Washington and his horse were Routed with Pelake and White by the British Collonal Talton then Captain bethel Company marched the next day about thirty miles  crossing the Santee at Nelson Ferry we there met Genards Caswell with one Thousand militia where we joined him on the Santee River and guarded Nelson Ferry and Dufrees Ferry until he herd that Charlestown had surrendered to the British then we marched to Camden and on our way we met Lin Buford with three hundred regulars and one field peace we all marched to Camden there Buford Marched to salsberry and we with Caswell marched to Pedee river at the Cheren hills then we marched to Fayetell in N Caroline where we staid a few days Collonal M Dowels & part of his Ridgment were sent to guard several wagons loaded with salt for the army to Macklinburg &County & when Capt Bethels Company reached Guilford County Collonal Mcdowel Discharged us for we had served a little over three months- i was at home about one month and my step father John willey of Guilford County n Carolina was drafted to serve three months lower for which I went & served in his place under the Command of Captain Forbes adn William Gilmore Lieutenant & Alexander Ellison Eugene & was mustered under service in Guilford County North Carolina on the 25 day of August 1780 and Marched to Salsberry then to brushy camp. where we joined Davidson then we marched to New Providence there coll Pasleys Ridgement joined us & we continued there in roan and Macklinburg Counties until our time of service had
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Expired and a part of time Collonal Morgan Ridgemont were stationed there also Collonal Macklinburg and his horse a part of the time I was discharged at New providence by general Davidson. I think about the last of November 1780 I returned home and I think in January 1781 Coll Forbes Could on hi old company again to take the field with him as the British were in our neighborhood & i and several of his company joined him as volunteers with Lieutenant Gilmore & Ensign Ellison we then marched down to General Greens army on Dan river & were attached to Collonal Pasleys Regiment we staid about on month with the army & I was furwoled by Collonal Pasley to go home * join the army again when [illegible]b staid at home about one month & was molded to join the army again & about two weeks before the Battle of Guilford I  Enlist the service under the command of Capt Forbes in Guilford County I marched up to Giulfrod Cour house & and on the 15 Day of Marh 1781 I was in the Battle of Guilford in which our Captain Forbes was mortally wounded and went home & died & William Pasley of our Company a private was slightly wounded I was on the battle ground in about three days after Battle was fought the British had buried their dead & marched of our dead men was not all buried I then went home & staid some time. & again, enlist the service in the same company as before except Captain Forbes who was killed & Captain George Stuart Commanded in his place we then went down the county crossed deep River & rosed cape far rive below Fayetville below deep river we joined Collonal James Martin Ridgemont under General Rutherford which were some over 1000 strong all militia while one this expedition on raft sworn in the Tary settlement we were serving the swamps in serch of Tories The militia on foot & Capt Gillope of the Horse about Five of the horse came to a house on search of where the Tories where the tories herd on the horseman & killed John Mackado a cornel belonging to the horse a short time after this there appears in sight of our camp a number of women & General Rutherford sent a guard to conduct them into camp  & after they staid under guard all knight general Rutherford orded that the be drummed out of Camp with out camp kittles & two sticks we staid there about two months in the tory settlement & five of our company were discharged before the drafted ilitia by Capt Stuart because we were volunteers & the Best militia I think I served a little over three months as a volunteers under the last engagement & was discharged below Fayitvelle N Carolina after that I served about ten days in randalt County after the Tories & caught several at a wedding and held them under guard until they agreed to join out side & help us to Fight again I was cauld on to help Thrash of the Quakers wheat so much as would pay the part of the expense of the war as they would not fite & they agreed they would not say I was ten days my [illegible] and all i think I served nearly then months but i have lost my discharge i can prove by Lieutenant Richard Vernon as part of my service and by William Gramble also a part I moved from Guilford county N Carolina in the guard 1801 to Tennessee state &first lived a while in  Williamson County & then in Davidson County where I now live I hereby Relinquish all Claims whatever to a Pension or annuity Except the present & further declares that
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his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state Sworn to and subscribed the day and date above in High Cour tead Henery Ewing Clerk Davidson County Court
Teter Lesley

We William home a clergyman residing in the county of Davidson & state of Tennessee & Beugiah Gray residing in the same herby certify that we are well acquainted with peter Lesley who has subscribed& sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 71 years of age or thereabouts that he is considered a man of truth and honesty & that we are persuaded from his statement and our acquaintance with him that he was  revolutionary soldier & served as he states.
sworn to and subscribed in open court October 29th 1832 Test Henery Ewing clerk Davidson County Court W Home Beniah Gray

State of Tennessee  SS
Davidson County Court of pleas and quarted sessions for said County [illegible] 1833
and the said court do herby declare their opinion after the investigation of this matter and after pulling the interrogatories prescribed by the War department. That the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolution and served as he states. and the court further certifies that they know that William Hume who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman in the county and State aforesaid and that Bejah gray Esquire who has also signed the same a justice of the peace for said county are and for ,many have been residents of said county and that they are persons of undoubted character for value integrity and that their statements are entitled to full faith and credit
Signed in open court October 27th 1832 
Willaims
J Wharton
[illegible]
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State of Tennessee SS
Davidson County
 I henery Ewing clerk of this court of pleas and quaters sessions for said county do hereby certify to whom it may concern that this foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Peter Lastly for a pension
In Testimony where I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said court to be also affixed at office in Nashville on this 27th day of October A.D. 1832
Henery Ewing
Peter Lastly Pension claim
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March 29, 1932
Mrs. John Tretwood Moore BA-J/MCS
State Archivist & Historian
State Capital
Nashville, Tennesse

Dear Madam:
By Request of Mr. Haran Jenks of this city you are furnished the history of Peter Lesley, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data contained herein or obtained from papers on file in pension claims, S.4540, based upon the revolutionary War service of Peter Lesley.
He was born January 13, 1761. In New jersey and was reared in Guilford County, North Carolina.
While living there he enlisted and served with the North Carolina troops as followst from March 1780. little over three months as private in Captain William Bethel's company in Colonels James Brenon's and Mcdowell's Regiment: from August 25,1780, until November 25, 1780. as private in Captain Arthurs Forbes' Company in Colonel John Pasley's Regiment and was substitute for his stepfather, John Willey: from January, 17812 three months as orderly sergeant in Captains Arthur Forbes's and Stuart's Companies in Colonels John Pasley's' and Jems Martin's regiments and was in the battle of Guilford. He also served against the Tories, three tours of ten days each, one under Captain Gillaspie, one under Captain Whitnell. officer of other tour not given.
In 1801, he moved from Guilford County, North Carolina, to Williamson County, Tennesse, and from there to Davidson County, Tennesssee.
He wa allowed pension on his application executed October 25, 1832, at which time he was living in Davidson County Tennessee.
The papers in this pension claim contain no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Very Truly yours,
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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July-29-1901 Miss usie gentry Franklin Tenn
1932 mar. 19 Hist to 
John Trotwood Moore M.C.S
4540
Reirham
Invalid
File No. 4540
Peter Lesley
P.N.C line
June 7 1932
Index: - Vol. A, Page 219
[arrangement of 1870.]
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Peter Lesley Pension Claim
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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 Peter Lastly 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? -
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 as to the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under who 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 Clerks seal affixed? and if so, has it a device or inscription by which is 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 but the certificate is not in the usual form.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? -
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? Witness
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 satisfactory? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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 amen 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, y 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 the 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 of four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
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 be 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 authenticated 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 end of which must pass under the seal of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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Mrs. John Trotwood Moore State archivist & historian State cap. Nashville tenn
Please send history of Peter Lesley S.4540
Harlan Jenks [illegible] 19 1932
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Unions Bank of Tennessee Nashville 5 Sept 1837
J L Edwards Esq. 
Dear Sir At the request of peter Lesley a revolutionary Pensioner under the act of the 7 June 1832 to whom there is some year pension due up to the 4th instant. I herewith transmit you his claim for your examination and sanction of his brioy paid. M. Lesley tells me he has had the misfortune of getting a by broke on the reason of him not applying for his stipend he resides in the county send his claim back to the office or to him to the Post office Nashville San respectfully Sir officer John M Bass CA Brs. Cantrll
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Afadowit of Wm Gambelt For Peter Lasley
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Christian County Set
This day came William Gramble before me a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid and made oath that Peter Lasley did serve a four of six months in the army in the Revolution wae in the North Carolina Militia under General Davidson Colonel John Pasley and James Rutherford Captain Arthur Forbes Lieutenant William Gilmore Ensign Alexander Allison under the officers the said Lasley served one three months tour and also one three months tour under general Griffith Rutherford and Captain George Stewart and I William Gramble have been acquaintances with said Peter Lasley ever Since and know him to be the very same man sworn to this 7th day of June 1831. John Spurlin CK
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Christian County Set. I Abraham Stites the clerk of the County Court for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that John Spurlin Gentleman whose name appears to be subscribed to the forgoing certificate was at the time of making the same and is now an acting Justice of the peace for the said county duly commissioned and qualified and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to this affixed acts as
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said county the 8th day of June 1831- and in the 39 year of the commonwealth Abraham Slites C.C.C.C # Cole James Martin
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State of Tennesse Davidson County 
Personaly appeared Richard Vernon aged between seventy four and five before me Wm Hance an acting justice of the peace for said County and made oath that he was acquainted with Peter Lasley in two tours of Duty in the Revolution War that in March 1780 was rendezvoused at Guilford Courthouse state of North Carolina he the said Lasley was a soldier under Capt William Bethel and I was Lieutenant in said company and Robert nelson Ensign we then the line of march to South Carolina by way to Salsberry where we met with general Rutherford who ordered us to march to Charlestown by way to Camden to monks corner where we understood that the British had surrendered Charlestown so that we could not get in the there where we lay a few days and was raughted by the enemy under Colonel Taulton from thence we retreated to the north side of the Santee River where we lay till the arrival of brigadier general William Caswell from North Carolina we then formed a regiment Cal the third regiment of North Carolina militia Colonel James Branon our field officer where we continued as guards for the firing and said river until we heard that Charlestown had surrendered to the British we then retreated to North Carolina by way of Camden from thence to the Carous hills on the Cedee River from thence to Fayette in North Carolina where we were detached under the Command of Colonel Mcdowell to guard some wagons loaded with publick salt to the County of Macklin North Carolina out time of service being out the we was disbanded and returned home where I remained until the 25th day of August 1780 and then was called on a another tour duty for three months which tour I served a Lieutenant in a regiment of militia Commanded b Col John Pasley of Guilford County North Carolina and under general Brigadier Davidson and the tour we served in the Counties of Roan and Macklinburg and says that he is satisfied that said Peter Lasley was in service at that time from several events which took place which we both recollect
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The man John Brawley getting shot through and fell dead accidently and said regiment was discharged about the 25th of November 1780 and further this deponent sad not Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th day of August 1832  William H Nance
Richard Vernon
I certify that I am acquainted with Richard Vernon for about three years and I believe him to be a man of truth and righteousness morality, and I believe he would not do a thing wrong if he knew it and have no doubt of the truth of what he here says VC 
William H Nance
State of Tennesse Davidson County ss
I Henery Ewing Clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions for said county he herby certify to whom it may concern that William H. Nance enquire whose name is signed to the above certificate is one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said county and was on the date of said certificate duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature hereunto is genuine IN Testimony whereas I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said Court to be also affixed at office in Nashville on this 24th day of October A,D, 1833. Henery Ewing
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State of Tennesse Davidson county Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justicee of the Peace for said County Peter Lastly who being duly sworn deposth adn said 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 no Less than the periods mentioned below and in the following Grades first I served Three months as a drafted militiaman from the Month of march 1780 as a private in Capt Bethel Company and a second tour from the 25 of august  1780 three months as a private in Capt Forbes militia and a third tour I served as a volunteer from January 1781 three month under captain Forbes and start as a [illegible]  servant and the same year i served ten days [illegible]  After the Tories under the Command of Cat Gillespie of ag bout 75 men we whipped several Tories and but john Dickey very bad with a swore again I served ten days in County under the Command of Capt Whitsell after the Tories about 75 of us caught several Tories at a wedding as Per Declaration and last of all I served ten days thrashing the  Quackers wheat as per declaration in all I think I served at least ten month seven of them as a private soldier and three months as a orderly servant the above is offered as a supplement to my declaration in which is not named the first ten days I served in County after Tories and for which I claim a pension.
Sworn to in open Court October 26th 1833 just Henery Ewing Clerk of Davidson County Court
State of Tennesse Davidson County
 I Henery Ewing clerk of the court of please and quarter sessions for said county do herby certify that he above amended declaration of Peter Lesley an applicant for a pension was  exhibited in  court during the term thereof 1833 and sworn to by said peter Lesley and that said court and opinion there knowledge of his character and standing of the applicant I had his statements are entitled to full faith and credit in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said court to be also affixed at office in Nashville on the Twenty Fourth day of October A.D. 1833
Henery Ewing