Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6957, for Joseph Martin, North Carolina
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE | NUMBER

French | Martin, Joseph | R6957
N.C. or Va.| [Martin,] Telitha | [blank]

Born in France
____________________________________
Page 2

 On this second day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before I J Daniel Judge of the Superior Court of Law for the County aforesaid now sitting, Joseph Martin of the County and State aforesaid aged about 74 or 75 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 enlisted in France in the French Troop and sailed from Bress in the French Fleet under Count De Estaing himself on board Le Rebatter in the year 1779 or 1780 in on the passage across the Atlantic the Fleet had a severe engagement with the British Fleet which continued until night After being on the Ocean four or five months was landed a few miles below Savannah in Georgia then in possession of the British. The troops of the fleet had a very severe battle with the British in the attempt to retake Savannah, but were repulsed with lost-- After this repulse-- Declarant left the French Troops-- and rambled over the country until at last he found himself in South Hareton County in Virginia about the time the British were in Norfolk and Portsmouth, Declarant there was with one Wm Denson who employed him as his substitute in an eighteen month service to which he was drafted, He was placed under Colo. Blount in his Regiment. Col. Parker Commanding another regiment In consequence of his being a stranger in the land, and of his very imperfect knowledge of the language, he remember the names of no other of his officers. (smudge) Benj. Griffin to whom he sold on captured horse  During this time of service declarant was put in a company of Light Horse and was sent out as a spy.  He met two British soldiers called York volunteers whom he captured and carried to Camp when Declarant had been in this service about seven months
Page 3

was ordered according to his best recollection he was ordered to be marched to Petersburgh and be placed under continental officers Colo: Blount gave declarant a furlough for three or four days to visit a female of his acquaintance to whom he had become attached and to whom he was afterwards married upon promise to report himself at the expiration of that time to the commanding office at Petersburg He accordingly reported himself according to his engagement to the commanding officers at Petersburg who would not receive him for reason which declarant does not know- being then almost totally ignorant of the English language in and shortly after before he could see his former Colonel and be replaced the Surender of Cornwallis had taken place and his services were no longer needed. One thing this declarant solemnly swears that he did not leave the army disgracefully but was always willing to serve his adopted County against his ancient foe. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any State. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Joseph Martin And the said Court doth hereby declared its opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier & served as he states. J J. Daniel J. S. L. I Nicholson Washington Clerk of the Superior Court of Law for the County of Wayne do hereby certify that the foregoing contain the original proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the application of Joseph Martin for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of office this October 2 1832 A. Washington Clk
Page 4

[ State of North Carolina County of Wayne ] Court of Pleas  & Quarter Sessions May term 1833  ( supplemental declaration of Joseph Martin ) On this 22nd day of May 1833  personally appeared in open Court  before the  worshipful Joseph Martin  of the County and State aforesaid now sitting being first duly sworn according to law  with his oath made the following declaration supplemental to his Declaration above. That the period of War when he served was Spring of 1781 .  That he served as much at seven months - as private  that he has no documentary evidence of his service - nor does he know of any one living whose testimony  he can procure of his actual service . That he was born in the  Town of  Rodes in France in the year as he believes of 1758. That he has no record of his age. That he was living in South Hampton  County in Virginia when he was called into the service, from whence he removed in  1782  to Wayne County N. C.  where he has always since lived. That he  entered the service as substitute  for Wm Denson - That there were no regular  officers with the Forces when he served :  Colo. Parker  &  Colo. Blount's Regiments are all that he can remember - being then almost  sublimely ignorant of the English Language as stated in his Declaration.  That he received no discharge - .. ( illegible )   assigned in his Declaration. That he can refer to  Gab Sheran Esq.,  Honble Lyse  Spright, Arthur Borden Esq. , James Griswold and  Rufus Daniel Esq. as persons to  whom he is known  in his present neighborhood and who can testify  as to his character  for veracity and their belief in his services as a soldier of the Revolution . Sworn to and subscribed the day and date of this supplemental  Declaration  above written. Joseph Martin ( signed )  ( notations over text ) ( John Martin Declaration etc 13.675 Boynton see let sept 30th N. Washington Waynesboro N.C. )
Page 5

We John Howell a clergyman residing  in the County of Wayne  and William Borden residing in the same do hereby  certify  that  we are well acquainted with Joseph Martin who has subscribed and sworn to the  above declaration - that we believe him to  be 75 years of age , that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have  been a soldier of the  Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last above written . John Howell ( signed ) Wm Borden ( signed )  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 John Howell who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the  County of Wayne and that  Wm Borden who has also signed the same is a resident  in the  County of Wayne and is a credible person : and that their statement is  entitled to credit.  I Philip Hook  clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter  Sessions  for the  County of Wayne do hereby certify that the foregoing contains  the original proceedings  of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Martin for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 22nd day of May  1833. Philip Hook ( signed / sealed ) PS. I do not know  that his  old man has made out his case ( sufficiently  ) ( underscored )  clear to enable  him  to a pension - but  as sure as there is ( a God ) ( underscored )  in heaven  what he tells is true - I know him well and he ( needs ) ( underscored )  the money - If it should pass I should like for it to be immediately sent to me. ( illegible signature )
Page 6

Joseph Martin NC - Act 32 Ex
Page 7

(10 ) [ State of North Carolina County of Wayne ] Be it known that on this first day of December A.D. 1852 before me , the undersigned , a Justice of the Peace in and for the  County and State aforesaid , personally appeared Tebitha Martin, resident of Goldsboro in said County  and made oath  according to law that he is the widow of Joseph Martin, who was a soldier in the war of the revolution and who  has heretofore made application for the benefit of the pension Act of 7th June 1832, suspended. That she is  directly interested as a claimant in said Pension  and makes this affidavit  to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim . Countermanding and revoking all Power of Attorney  and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint  Ervin A Thompson of Goldsboro  N.C. my true and lawful   Attorney to prosecute the claim of Joseph Martin for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be  due : and I hereby authorize my said Attorney  to examine all papers or documents in relation  to said claim , on file in the department at  Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments and to receive for my exclusive benefit the certificate  which may be issued for said claim, which certificate  I wish  made payable at the  Washington  City D.C. Agency ; to appoint - one or more substitutes under him for the  purpose  herein expressed , and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present . Hereby ratifying and confirming  all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.  Tebitha Martin ( her mark + )  seal
Page 8

Sworn to, subscribed, and acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Telitha Martin to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged
Martin Baul (JPM)

State of North Carolina}
County of [illegible]}

It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has him exhibited before me clerk of The Court of Pleas & Quarter Lesprons that Telitha Martin the party who has sworn to and acknowledged
the foregoing declaration and Power of attorney is the widow of Joseph Martin deceased reputed soldier aforesaid - I further certify that Martin [illegible] esquire before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of attorney were made and acknowledged was at the time also doing a Justice of the Peace in & foresaid county and that the signature purporting to be [illegible] I believe to [illegible]
[seal- In testimony whereof [illegible] 
 hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this the Second day of December A.D. 1852
[illegible signature]
Page 9

Rev. and 1812 War Section| (15)

December 16, 1924.

Mrs. W. H. Newell,
14 Colonial Apt.
Wilmington, N. C. 

Madam:

I have to advise you that fro the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, H. 6957, it appears that Joseph Martin was born in 1758 in Rocles or Rodes, France and enlisted in the French Troops under Count D'Estaing, sailed from Breet, on the way across had an engagement with a British Fleet, they were four or five months in coming over and landed near Savannah, Georgia, and was in the battle there.

Soon after this, he [left] the French Troops and went to Southampton County, Virginia.  He alleged that in 1781, he served seven months as a Spy in a company of Light Horse, under Colonel Blount.


He applied for pension October 2, 1838, while a resident of Wayne County, North Carolina, but the claim was not allowed, as it was unsupported by any evidence of [service]
Page 10

[continued from previous page [9] 'vice
He died about 1835, leaving a widow Telitha, her maiden name is not stated, nor is the date of their marriage given.  She is living in Goldsboro, North Carolina in 1853.

She died in 1859, leaving children, no names mentioned.
Respectfully,

Acting Commissioner.
Page 11

F. A. Ansley Fort Valley , Geo Nov. 19
Page 12

(13) Pension Office Nov. 19 1860. Sir : Joseph Martin of N. Carolina filed an application for pension under the Act of June 7 - 1832, but it was suspended Apl 3rd, 1833 , & no further action has been made upon it- As Martin & his widow are now both dead, their children are not  entitled under existing laws, to a pension upon his service in the revolution.     F. A. Ansley Esq. Fort Valley Mo.
Page 13

N. Washington 3 Sept 1833 O.C.  Re vol 10 Pa 97
Page 14

( 9 )Depart. of War Pension Office Sept. 3, 1838  Sir , The papers on the case of Joseph Martin have again been examined = as the claim is all together unsupported by any evidence  all further proceedings must be suspended  for the present.  Yours  N. Washington Esq. Clerk Wayne Co. NC  Waynesboro
Page 15

(12 ) ( post mark ) [ PENSION OFFICE NOV. 5 1860 ] FREE  Official Business                                                   Commissioner of Pensions Washington  City D.C.  ( vertical notes ) (  Gregors , Woodley  Joseph Martin  NC sus 1832 )
Page 16

(14) Joseph Martin  N. Car. 6957 Suspended  N.C. act 1832 Act 7, June 1832
Page 17

For the Revolutionary War Section  Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions  12 1/24 My Dear Mr. Gardner, Will you kindly send one the Rev. War record of Joseph Martin ( sometimes call Joe or Jim, ) who came  over with La Fayette , served seven years in the  Continental Army ,was about 16, when he came over as a stowaway  as he was too young to  join over there . After the war he married Tilbitha Boswell of  Wilson Co. North Carolina and they settled in  Wayne Col near  Fremont N. Car. He was born about 1760. All here mentioned are direct lineal descendants  of the undersigned.
Page 18

Also
One James Hollinsworth, Rev. soldier, who married Elizabeth Merrit after the war and settled in Sampson or Duplin Co. in North Carolina.  They had one daughter Charity Hollinsworth.
James' father was Henry Hollinsworth who married Mary Murrah, British Isles

Also One John Perry born 1740 - died 1797 who married Nancy Meshaw- born 1750 and died 1797, settled in Bladen Co. North Car.
His father was John Perry the first and married a Miss Caldwell. Both from Wales.
Thanks in advance for any assistance. Kindly see address on other side -
Page 19

Mrs. W. H. Newell Jr., 
14 Colonial Apt.,
Wilmington,
N. [illegible]
Page 20

[90-degree left margin notation]
1924 - Dec. 16 - Hist to Mrs. W. H. Newell - awg

6957
P.O. _____________
Joseph Martin
Service: _________
[stamped] REJECTED
Enlisted: _______, 18  .
Discharged: ______, 18  .
Application filed: ______, 18  .
the private of list of 1852 shows reasons for suspension
Alleges: "Claim unsupported by any evidence"
Re-enlisted:  ______
Attorney: ______
P.O. ______
______ Recognized.     ______Contract.
______Cert. of Dis.  Searched for ______, 18
Page 21

(11)
Fort Valley Geo. Oct 29th/60
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.

Dear Sir-
Joseph Martin departed this life about the year 1835.  He was entitled to Pension from the General Government for services rendered in the Revolutionary War.  He was a Frenchman, came over with LaFayette. &c.  His widow died last year.  His children are still living and wish to know whether there is any chance for them to obtain the Pension to which their father was entitled.  If so they wish to know what course to pursue in order to get it; what & how much evidence they are to produce &c by giving such information it is necessary in order for them to produce you will confer a great favor.
Yours Truly
F.A. Ansley  \ Addrep
Fort Valley
Geo-
Page 22

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES |Form VAM-51 |12-5-41
Division Veterans' Administration
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Martin, Joseph GRADE Private LINE Hagen's Regiment

WARRANT NUMBER 13431 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED February 4, 1790 to - not shown-
________
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.