Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 982, Peter Bodenhamer, N. C.
Page 1

(8 - 1776 )

SERVICE
N.C

Bodenhamer Peter
Agnes

NUMBER
R. 982.
CONTENTS
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BODENHAMER, PETER
[stamp] The National Archives of the United States

Agnes Spurgin was born Feb the 7 Day 1763
and was married the 18 day of January to Peter Bodenham[]
[document disintegrated] of our lord 1793
____________________
John Bodenhamer son of 
[illegible] Peter Bodenhamer and [illegible] his wife was born the 25 day of May 1793
______________________
Jean Bodenhamer was born the 15 day of January 1795
in the year our Lord
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Sarah Bodenhamer was born
October the 23 day in the year
of our Lord 1790

Ann Bodenhamer
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State of
North Carolina ⎬
Davidson County ⎬
Be it known that on this the 17th day of April 1846 personally appeared before me William Raper an acting justice
of the peace in and for said County Jacob Bodenhammer a resident of said County formerly of Rowan County aged seventy five years who being first sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is a brother of Peter Bodenhamer, who was a private soldier in the army of the Revolution & whose Widow Agnes Bodenhamer is now applying for
a pension for the revolutionary services of her late
husband the said Peter Bodenhamer who departed
this life in the month of January 1831, leaving the
said Agnes his widow, who has not married any
person since the death of her said husband but
yet continues his widow. This affiant further
States that he was married in the year 1791 & that
two years thereafter, his brother the said Peter was married to Agnes Spurgin that this affiant was present
at the marriage of the said Peter with said
Agnes that the ceremony of said marriage was
informed by John Monroe Esq. who was at that
time an acting Justice of the peace for [illegible]
County of Rowan and as such duly authorized
to solemnize the rights of Matrimony.
This affiant further states that his said brother
Peter Bodenhamer was born in the year 1757 & came
to North Carolina in the year 1776. and settled in the
the then County of Rowan, now Davidson - that the
said Peter Bodenhamer served as a private
in the Revolution in the malitia of North Carolina
to the best of this affiants knowledge and belief
under Captain James Billingsby at some time previous
to the arrival of General Gates with the Southern army
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into North Carolina - that the said Peter at several
times during the year 1780 - served in the North Carolina malitia [sic: militia] as a volunteer as this affiant believes
that the malitia [sic] with which he acted was employed
much of their time against the tories who were
pretty numerous in some of parts of the County &
in some neighborhoods in Abbots Creek &
this affiant well recollects that when the said
Peter was about him, he had frequently to lie out &
conceal himself from the tories & he further recollects that
on one occasion the said Peter was taken prisoner by the tories but on timely assistance of friends he rescued
himself. he further states that the said Peter was
drafted in the summer of 1780 and was afterwards in
General Gates Army previous to his defeat
he also recollects that the said Peter was in the
Malitia [sic] in the year 1781 that his sphere of action
was principally confined to the neighboring counties
against the numerous bands of tories then infesting
the country
S/Jacob Bodenhamer

Sworn and subscribed Before Me.
S/Wm Raper JP

I do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Jacob Bodenhamer for 30 years whose name appears to the above affidavit. that he is a man of veracity and worthy of belief when on oath.
S/Wm Raper
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State of North Carolina }
Davidson County }
Be t known that in this the 17th day of April AD 1846. personally appeared before me William Raper an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county Solomon Davis a resident citizen of said county formerly of Rowan County - aged Seventy Six years who being first sworn according to law. deposeth and Saith, that he was a neighbor of Peter Bodenhamer at the time of the American revolution. and was well acquainted with the said Peter whose widow Agnes Bodenhamer is now applying for a pension for the Revolutionary Services of the said Peter - this affiant further states that his father - the late William Davis of Rowan County [crossed out: lived within a few miles of] was a soldier in the American Revolution & served some time in the American cause - that he lived within a few miles of Peter Bodenhamer - that he frequently saw the said Peter at his fathers house during the revolution armed and equipped as a soldier - that according to this best information recollection and belief Peter Bodenhamer served in the Malitia [sic: militia] for the term of three months in the Winter and Spring previous to the battle of Guilford - this affiant further states that to the best of his information and belief the said Peter served the said three months under Captain Lopp of said Rowan County - this affiant further states that his father the said William Davis was taken prisoner just before the battle of Guilford by the tories & was their prisoner at the time of the that battle - and that this affiant learned from his father and other persons that the said Peter Bodenhammer [sic] was taken prisoner on the same day by the tories - this affiant further states that he was present at the marriage of Peter Bodenhamer and Agnes Spurgin - that the ceremony was performed by John Monroe
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Esqr who was at that time an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said Rowan County and as such duly authorized to solmenize [sic: solemnize] the rights of matrimony that said marriage took place at the house of the mother of said Agnes then in the county of Rowan now (Since the division of said county) Davidson This affiant further states that he was married in the year 1796 - and that Peter Bodenhamer was married for sometime before this affiant how long he is unable to say 
S/Sol Davis

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year first above written
S/Wm Raper JP


I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Solomon Davis who made the foregoing affidavit & have known him well for upwards of thirty years. that he has for many years been an acting magistrate - both in the county of Rowan - before the division of that county & since the division. in the county of Davidson - that he is a man of veracity - and is entitled to full faith and credit in everything to which he deposes
S/Wm Raper JP
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State of North Carolina }
Davidson County }
On this the 17th day of April 1846. personally appeared before the undersigned an acting justice of the peace in and for said County, Agnes Bodenhammer [sic: Bodenhamer]. A resident of the sad County of Davidson - formerly of the county of Rowan before Davidson was taken from that county of Rowan, aged Eighty three years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made b the acts of Congress passed July 7th 1838. March the 3rd 1843. and June the 17th 1844 - the first Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows: that she is the widow of Peter Bodenhamer who was a private soldier in the army of the revolution that her said husband the said Peter Bodenhamer, departed this life in the month of January 1831 - that this declarant has never married Since the death of her said husband but has continued his widow ever since - that she and the said Peter were married by John Monroe Esqr. a Justice of the Peace in and for Rowan County in the month of January 1793 - that te said Peter Bodenhamer, was a [crossed out] soldier in the American revolution. that at the time he Entered the service he was a citizen of the County of Rowan. that from the best of her knowledge recollection and belief her husband Entered into the malitia [sic: militia] of North Carolina as a volunteer which was in the year 1780 - that he served three months under Captain Billingsly & other three months under Captain Lopp in the Early part of 1780 - this declarant
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further states that from the best of her knowledge recollection and belief her said husband served as much as twelve months in the revolutionary army, that from the great length of time intervened since the revolution - the loss of memory & death she is unable to state under what officers her husband served but she verily believes he was called out at several times during the years 1780 -& 1781. that owing to the fact that the county of Rowan and the neighboring counties were infested by numerous & strong bands of tories, the sphere of action if her said husband was confined to the neighboring counties that on one occasion her husband was ordered to march toward South Carolina - but the order was countermanded upon the news of the battle of Kings Mountain being received by the army - This declarant further states that she has no documentary Evidence of the service in the army of her said husband that the paper her [illegible] marked A is the record of her family & contains truly the date of the marriage of this declarant - that the same has always been in the possession of her family for upwards of forty years - she further declares that she was married to the said Peter Bodenhamer on the [crossed out] 19th day of January 1793. that her husband the said Peter Bodenhamer died on the 2nd day of January 1831: that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794. viz at the time above stated
Agnes [X her mark] Bodenhamer
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The foregoing declaration was sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year first above written
S/Wm Raper JP


I do hereby certify that Agnes Bodenhamer. who made the foregoing declaration is by bodily infirmity unable to appear in Court
S/Wm Raper JP


Also. personally appeared before the undersigned Wm Raper. acting justice as aforesaid. Jacob S. Bodenhamer aged 47 years. who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is the son of Peter & Agnes Bodenhamer described in the foregoing declaration. that he has always lived with his father the said Peter until his death which was in the 2nd day of January 1831. that since that time he has lived with his mother the said Agnes - who is now applying for a pension on account of the revolutionary services of his father the said Peter Bodenhamer - that his mother the said Agnes - has not married since the death of her husband - but still continues his widow. that the paper herewith attached marked A. is the family record - that it was when this affiant first saw it in his fathers family in the family Bible - that this affiant recollects to have seen it for thirty years Since - and it has always been esteemed by the family as correct & true that John Bodenhamer whose death is stated on said paper was the oldest brother of this affiant - that he is now dead - he further states that the said paper is in the hand writing of of Jacob Bodenhammer [sic: Bodenhamer] or Philip Palmer 
S/Jacob S Bodenhamer
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year above written 
S/Wm Raper JP
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I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Jacob S Boden [Bodenhamer] who made the foregoing affidavit - that he is a man of veracity & full faith & credit are to be given to his oath
S/Wm Raper JP
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Salem N C Forsyth Co November 27th 18
Sir
I have a question to be desided [sic: decided] by the Pension department In case of Peter Bodenhimmer [sic: Bodenhamer] who was in the Revoluto [sic] war & who never drew pension but was married twice either before or after the war he had one child by the first woman & five by the lastly woman Now the question is wether [sic: whether] the child by the first woman is entitled to all the pensie [sic: pension] (if any) or weth [sic: whether] all the children are entitled shair & shair [sic: share] alike ^by both women My opinion is that the first child ^by the first womans is entitled to the hole [sic: whole] of the pension leaving the last ones out It appears to me that [illegible] first child would be the tru [sic: true] & lawful from the provisions on the sid [sic: side] of the mother Anser [sic: Answer] this quickly yours truly
S/Dr. Jno M Rothrock

Direct your leter [sic: letter] to salem NC Forsyth Co.
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982
_____ om   [stamp: REJECTED]
P. O. Agnes Bodenhammer [sic: Bodenhamer]
vice: ____________
sted: ________________, 18__
arged: ________________, 18__

cation filed: ______________. 18__

es: __________________
nlisted: ______________

rney: _____________

___________ Recognized. __________ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis.  Searched for ________, 18__
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No 12745
Agness [sic: Agnes] Bodenhamer
widow of Peter,
NC
let. [illegible]


982
Act 7 July 1837




Decr. 1. 188[illegible]
Inqr. In [illegible] of
Peter Bodenhamer
R
Dr. Jno M. Rothrock
Salem
Forsyth Co
N.C



Commissioner of [illegible]
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No 12745
Agness Bodenhammre [sic: Agnes Bodenhamer]
widow of Petre [sic: Peter]
NC
Act 7 July 1838
Page 16

House Representatives, 
Washington; May 9, 1848.

Sir, 
Enclosed you will receive the declaration and papers in the case of [underlined: Agnes Bodenhammer] [sic: Bodenhamer] who is an applicant for a pension. Please examine the case at you earliest convenience and report me the result.

I am, very respectfully,
Your obt. [obedient] servant.
S/David S. Reid


Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Com of Pensions,
Washington
Page 17

Thos. J Wilson Esq
Salem.
N. Carolina
Page 18

Raleigh N C
Comptr office

Dear Sir.
Mr Hill our Sectr. of State handed me a letter from you with a fee of Five Dollars to have the Military Books of my office examined for the name of Peter Bordenhammer [sic: Bodenhamer] I have performed this duty and find the name of P. Bordenhamer [sic] which I have no doubt refers to the same Individual, The amount which he drew you will perceive is small but as I suppose the Pension Office desires record proof of service the certificate accompanying will establish this fact, Mr Hill first made the examination in his office and could not find the name of record, I have paid him his fee out of the amt Sent. I have every reason to believe that the records of this office are incomplete and many of the Books missing, this being a fact, the name may have been upon some of the absent records
Page 19

shewing [showing] a greater amt of pay than is given in the certificate I have forwarded you

I am very Respectfully
Your obt Sert. [obedient servant]
S/Wm. F. Collins
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Raleigh N. C.
Comptrollers office
I William F. Collins Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State of North Carolina do hereby certify, that the name of P. Bordenhamer [sic: Bodenhamer] appears of record in this office as having had a Specie Certificate issued in his favor for Military Service for Eleven Pounds Two Shillings (£11.2) see Book No 10 page 19 given under my hand and Seal this 17" day July 1846
[seal]
S/Wm. F. Collins Compt


11 - 2
 2
_____
22
5 50
    25
________
) 27 78
_________
13 87
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Sept 9. 1846 
[round stamp: SALEM N.C
SEP 9]

Amended dec.
Agnes Bodenhamer

W


{303 - - - - -, 60
____________
Hon' J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington city
DC
Page 22

Salem NC
Septr 3rd 1846

Hon J L Edwards,
Sir
Inclosed [sic: enclosed] are the papers in the case of Agnes Bodenhamer - widow of Peter Bodenhamer - which you will recollect were sometime since presented to the Pension Department. by the Hon D. S. Reid of N C. O have had the papers presented to the County Court of Davidson & have procured a certificate of the proceedings there & I hope all the papers are now duly authenticated

I also send with the papers the certificate of the comptroller of public accounts for our State together with a letter from him which I hope will sufficiently explain the reason why evidence of a greater amt of pay can't be furnished to prove the opinion of Mr Collins as to the loss of many of the Books & records belonging to the Comptrollers office - is Entitled to much might - in fact it could conclusively establish the fact that the records of his office are very incomplete & that therefore to require documentary ^Evidence of all the services a man may hereby rendered in the revolutionary war. would in many instances amount to a denial of the benefits of the act of Congress under which Agnes Bodenhamer claims - The Certificate of the Comptroller establishes the fact that Peter Bodenhamer was a soldier of the Revolution. & rendered military service for his country - this I think when taken in connection with the affidavits of Idol - Davis & Bodenhamer must reasonably satisfy anyone that Peter Bodenhamer - served - 6 months
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& in fact that he served his country for a longer term than 6 months from the Evidence of Idol, the three months tour to which he deposes terminated starts after the battle of King's Mountain which was in the early part of October 1780 - the evidence of Solomon Davis. derived from what he himself saw shews [sic] that Peter Bodenhamer was in the service of his country in the winter & spring of 1780 & 1781 - I think he further establishes the fact that Peter Bodenhamer was a prisoner at the battle of Guilford - it is true Mr Davis learned this fact from his father who was a prisoner at that time - but as Davis the Elder could not possibly have had any inducement to deceive his own son in giving him the history of a neighbor & a fellow soldier. it appears to me the Evidence is as convincing as if sworn to & moreover the evidence of Solomon Davis that in the winter & sprig of 1780 & 1781 - he frequently saw Peter Bodenhamer armed & equipped as a soldier - furnishes positive evidence that he was still doing military duty after the term deposed to by Jacob Idol In addition to all this we have the Evidence of Jacob Bodenhamer who has positively sworn to services in the years of 1780 & 1781 - The whole Evidence seems to establish to the facts that Peter Bodenhamer entered the revolutionary war sometime in July 1780 -& that he was still in the army in March 1781 - or what was the same thing a prisoner in the hands of the British at the battle of Guilford in the middle of March 1781 - then we have shown by [illegible] that Bodenhamer commenced his military career in July 1780 -(for he says his 3 months tour expired in a few days after the battle of Camden) and we have shown by Sol. Davis that Bodenhamer was a prisoner of the British in March 1781 from these facts does not the inference follow that from July to
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March inclusive was in the service of his county & that his widow should draw a pension for services rendered for that period - with these few hasty & remarks I submit the case of Agnes Bodenhamer to your decision & hope the case may meet the favorable Consideration of your department Will you please communicate to me at [underlined: Salem N.C] any information of the fate of this application for a pension

Respectfully
S/Tho. J. Wilson.


Hon. J. L. Edwards
Page 25

I Cicero. F. Lowe Clerk of the County Court of Davidson do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration of Agnes Bodenhamer was this day laid before the Court during its Session & was examined and approved of by said court. whereupon the Court ordered that the Clerk Certify the same to the department of War 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 18th day of August in the year 1846

[rosette shaped seal]
S/Cicero. F. Lowe CCC
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12745
Agness Bodenhammer [sic: Agnes Bodenhamer]
widow of Peter
NC
Act 7 July 1838

married 1793
husband died 1831
Page 27

State of North Carolina }
Davidson County }
Be it known that on this the 17th day of April 1846. personally appeared before me William Raper an acting justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid. Jacob Idol a ^resident of Stokes County aged Eighty six years who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and Saith that he was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and as such is now drawing a pension - that he was a corporal under Captain Billingsly of the North Carolina Mallitia [sic: militia] - tho from the the deficiency of the declaration. he stands on the pension list as a private - that he was well acquainted with Peter Bodenhammer [sic: Bodenhamer] whose widow Agnes Bodenhammer [sic] is now applying for a pension for the revolutionary services of the said Peter Bodenhamer that the said Peter Bodenhamer. was a neighbor of this affiant and they both volunteered under Captain Billingsly for the term of three months - that they were in no action. that their services were principally to oppose the tories & aid the whigs in the revolution - that they were ordered to march towards the South & were on their march thether [sic: together?] when they received information of the battle of King's Mountain when they marched no further south - that a short time after the news of the battle of King's Mountain - the three months for which this affiant & the said Peter Bodenhamer had volunteered had elapsed - & the said Peter then having served his said three moths returned home [crossed out] this affiant further states that during the greater part of the said three months service of the said Peter Bodenhamer this affiant was corporal under captain Billingsly & the said Peter was a private under him
Jacob [• his mark] IDol Sen
Page 28

the foregoing affidavit was sworn to & subscribed in my presence 
S/Wm Raper JP


I do hereby certify that I acquainted with Jacob Idol who made the foregoing affidavit & have known for thirty years - that he is a man of veracity - & full faith & credit are due to his oath
S/Wm Raper JP


State of North Carolina }
Davidson County }
I Cicero F Lowe Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County do Certify that Wm Raper whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavits and Certificates is, and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County that the signatures are genuine, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts.

[seal]
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office the 30th day of April A.D. 1846 -
C. F. Lowe C.C.C.
By Alfred S Hargram D.C.