Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7188, for William Maye, North Carolina
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N.C.       Maye, William      S.7188
Carded
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(The asterisks indicate that stars were drawn.)

North Carolina  16.437.
William Maye*
County Martin in the State of N. Car who was a Pri in the _____commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col Hill in the No. Ca line for 15 months.
                   William May*
                   records corrected Jan 28 /04

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 50 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Augt 33 and sent to Asa Briggs Williamstown, N. Car.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833          100
Semi-anl. allowance ending 8 Sept          25
                                                            $125.{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 Page 49.
Died Jan. 5, 1834
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of North Carolina
County of Martin SS

On this 16th day of January 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of said county now sitting William May who has been residing for some time past in Hyde county in said State, but pensions a resident of Martin aged eighty six years on 26th Inst. 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 7, 1832.
     That he entered the service of the United States and (smudge) as herein stated - 
     The first tour he served three months as a volunteer under Capt. Ballard of Martin County & was march somewhere to the westward.  The place he cannot distinctly recollect.  the field officers he cannot recollect.  This he thinks was about the commencement of the war.  He further states that he has served two other tours of three months each as a volunteer and once a tour of nine months as a substitute for Aaron Duggan and once also a tour of three months as a substitute for Samuel Burgin (?).  In consequence of the great inroad time has made on his memory he cannot distinctly specify the different officers under whom he served and the different places to which he marched.  They having become confused in his mine from the different tours.  He recollects that during the time served he was once at
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at least under the command of Col McKinnie & Col Hill and Genl Greene - He was in no battles but that of Guilford Court House and was not engaged personally in that but was at the Court House in sight of the battle ground;  He states that he was entrusted with the money of Col McKinnie, Col Hill & Major Everitt the commanding field officers of the Regiment to which he was attached and ordered to secure it and for that purpose was permitted to remain in the Court House where some of our men were preparing cartridges.  He states that he was born in Princess Ann County in Virginia but that he removed to Martin County in the year 1771 - and has resided in Martin ever since with the exception of the last three or four months.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any State.  He has lost all his discharges & relies upon the evidence herewith submitted.
                              William Maye

Sworn to & Subscribed this day & year aforesaid.
         Thomas W. Watts Clk

Mr. Joseph Biggs clergyman & James Burrough residing in Martin County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William May who has subscribed & sworn to the above Declaration & that we believe him to be 86 years of age.  That he is reported & believed in this county & in this neighborhood where he has resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
                     James Burrough
                     Jos. Biggs

Thomas W. Watts Clk
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of this 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 Joseph Biggs who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman and that James Burrough is a credible person & both residents of Martin County and that their statement is entitled to credit.
     I Thomas W. Watts Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of Martin County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of he application of William May for a pension.
                     Thomas W. Watts Clk 

(seal)

State of North Carolina 
Martin County SS

Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
July Term 1833

William Mays the applicant making the foregoing declaration appeared in open court & after being duly sworn makes the following amendment of this his original declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 June 1832.  He says that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear or state the period of the war when he served:  his memory is as much impaired by old age he cannot recollect any other officers than those stated in his declaration except Capt. Hunter & Gen. Butler the last of whom he was with at Ramsey Mills after the battle of Guilford.   Answer to the first interrogatory - I was born in Princess Anne County Virginia on 26th January 1747.  Answer to 2nd Inter. I have no record of my age.  Answer to 3rd Inter. I lived in this county when called into service and have considered my evidence ever
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since.  Answer to 4th.  I never was drafted but always volunteered except the two times I served as a substitute.  Answer to 5th Int.  As I have before stated, I cannot recollect any other officers under whom I served except those I have said my memory fails me, and the circumstances of my service I cannot detail with more accuracy than I have some it has been so long ago. Answer to 6th Int.  I received regular discharges every time but I did not take care of them as I did not except they would not be useful to me.  answer to 7th Int. I could state many but I refer to the affidavit of Joseph Biggs as a clergyman & James Burroughs and the certificate of the members comprising this court.    
                          William Maye
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 9 July 1833.
                           Tho. W. Watts Clk

(written vertically)
William Maye

The undersigned Justices of the Peace holding the court aforesaid who are well acquainted with the applicant do hereby certify that we have examined William Maye the applicant making this declaration and we are of opinion that the old man is in his (illegible) and that his memory consequently is much impaired.  We further state that the belief is general throughout this county that he was a Revolutionary soldier and we have no doubt served as he states.
                           Lawrence (illegible) J.P.
                            (illegible) Latham JP
                           Wm. (illegible) JP
Done in open court by that above Justices holding the same witness my hand & seal of office 9th July 1833.
                              Thomas W. Watts Clk

(seal)
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Rev and 1812
Wars Section
EEL

                        January 11, 1930

Mr. F.R. May
1224 Hamilton National Bank Building
Chattanooga, Tennessee

Dear Sir:
     I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.7188, it appears that William Maye was born January 26, 1747, in Princess Anne County, Virginia, and moved to Martin County, North Carolina, in 1771.
     While residing in Martin County, North Carolina, he entered the service about the beginning of the Revolution and served five tours of three months each as a private in the North Carolina Troops under Captains Ballard and Hunter, Colonel McKinnie and Hill, dates of service not given.
     He stated that he witnessed the battle of Guilford from the Court House, but was not in the battle as he had been entrusted with the money of the field officers of his regiment and ordered to safeguard it.
     He was allowed pension on his application executed January 16, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Hyde County, North Carolina.
     He died January 4, 1834.
     There are no data concerning his family.
                    Very truly yours


                    EARL D. CHURCH
                    Commissioner.

Date of death from AB
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23133
William May
Martin County
North Carolina
Admit as a private
15 months $50


d.e.m.

Asa Biggs
Williamstown
N. Carolina
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(This is a printed chart with handwritten answers.)

                       WAR DEPARTMENT
                           Pension Office.
                                May 17, 1833
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.  These 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.

(heading)
A Statement, showing the Service of William May, Martin Co. N. Carolina

(column 1)
Period when service was rendered.
About the commencement of the war

Substitute for Aaron Duggan
Substitute for Samuel (illegible)

(columns 2, 3, 4)
Years:
Months:  3, 3, 3, 3, 3
Days:

(column 5)
Rank of claimant.
Private

(column 6)
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Captain Ballard
Captain Hunter

(column 7)
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col McKinnie
Col Hill
Gen Greene
Maj Smith
Genl Butler

(column 8)
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Guilford

(column 9)
Country through which he marched.
-----

(column 10)
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
86
Martin N.C.

(column 11)
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
traditional

A corroborating certificate is furnished, not authenticated. 

Records of time destroyed, all recollection of the names of officers and places, except as stated.

                       I am, respectfully,
                           Your obedient servant,
                            J.L.  EDWARDS
                                  Commissioner of Pensions
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         REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
     The following regulations have been adopted:
     This law has been construed to extend, 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 and who 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, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c.  Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits 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 this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned offices, 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 applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

                                       DECLARATION
                         In order to obtain the benefit of the
                     Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832
State, Territory, or District 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 first being 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 officers:______

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers;  the time he left the service; (and if he served, under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular 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, if 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 or any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____.                         A.B.
     Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
     [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

     And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant 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 names 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 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) herby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____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 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 the Court of _____do hereby certify 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, this ____day of 
                      _____&c.

Every applicant will product the best proof in his power.  This is the original 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 his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
     If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he product such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts which can be useful 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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alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means or corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted;  and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-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?
     How were you called into service;  were you drafted, did you volution, 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 the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their 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 certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
     The traditionary evidence of service is deemed 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 enquiry whether the belief is general, and 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 a 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 the 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 office, 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 genuine signature.
     No payments can be made on 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 the opinion of the court upon the whole matter.

(The following are small type footnotes at the bottom of the page.)

[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 or periods of the war when he served.
[e]  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served;  otherwise a claim cannot be had.  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 Just of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that, by reason 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." 
     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 that 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 shown 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.
     [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 affix 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 certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

               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 papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbons, 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 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 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 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.
     [j]  The notes from [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by rule in 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.
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7188
Wm. May
Jay 16 1833 - '86
Hyde Co N.C.

About beginning of war Martin Co. N.C.
Capt. Ballard   N.C.
3 mo

4 other terms of 3 mos. each.  Can't say whom (illegible) name (illegible) but recollects Capt. Hunter & Cols. McKinnie & Hill

Born in Princess Anne Co. Va. day 26, 1/1747

Guilford C.H.
Page 13

(The two asterisks below indicate handwritten stars.)

7188
RevWar

INVALID

File No. 7188
William May*
Priv. Rev. War
Act:  June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. 1st, Page 237

[Arrangement of 1870.]

William Maye*
Records corrected June 28, 1904.
Page 14

History to
June 9 1900
Roscoe C. Boles
Eureka Springs, Ark

1930-Jan 11-Hist
to Mr. ER May EEL
Page 15

(written on Ozark Zinc Company letterhead)

OWN

(stamp)
O.W.& N. DIVISION
JUN 1900
RECEIVED
                  Eureka Springs, Ark  May 30, 1900 

Pension Bureau,
     Washington, D.C.,
Sir:-
     I have reasons to believe that the names given below were in the Revolutionary War, and also drew pension, to-wit:  Robert Dunning and Charles Boles from Cumberland Valley, Penn., and William May from Anson county, N.C.
     If these names are found please send me certificate of service.
                          Yours truly,
                              Roscoe C. Boles

(stamp)
US PENSION OFFICE
K
JUNE 5 1900
Page 16

(This is written of THE LIBERTY INSURANCE COMPANY letterhead.)

Revo.
                         Chattanooga, Tennessee
                               November 16 1929

Dept. of the Interior.
Bureau of Pensions.
Washington, D.C.
    
Gentlemen:-
     Will you kindly give me the history of Wm. May-pensioner of North Carolina - Rev. War.
     Also record of James May, Rev. War-North Carolina.

                      Yours very truly,
                      E R May.
                      1224 Haml Natl Bank Bldg.
                      Chatta. Tenn.

(stamp)
U S PENSION OFFICE
X
NOV 18 1929