Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16376, Reuben Edwards, N.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
N.C. Edwards, Reuben
S. 16376
carded.
CONTENTS
Page 2

Georgia 16.822
Reuben Edwards
[torn]
Henry Co in the State of Ga
A pri in the – commanded in of the Regn commanded Thurston in the No. Ca. months –
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of Octs 22 and [illegible] A.G. Maury McDonaugh. Ga
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. 166.65
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 Sept 24 33.33
[total] $199.98
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Nath: Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 89.
Letter to Agent Wm Marel $Pension 14 July 1840
Page 3

Reuben Edwards
Aamela aprerch [illegible]
20 mo $66.66
A.G. Murry
Clk Henry Co
Ga McDonaugh
Page 4

Georgia Henry County
On the 27th day of November in the year eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Inferior Court of said County now sitting. Reuben Edwards – a resident in the Eleventh District of Henry County State of Georgia aged seventy [smudged] three years the twelfth day of January eighteen Hundred and thirty two – who being first duly sworn according to law doth on oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
Viz – That he enlisted or volynteed [volunteered] in the army of the United States in the year 1778. He thinks serve in the month of May in that year under (second) Col Archibald Lightell in the storm of Hillsborough orange County North Carolina. Col Thaxton, was first Col. Deponent, served in the continental line – in the second regiment under the following officers viz – Genl Sumpter. Col James Thaxton. Mayor John Armstrong, Capt Rhodes & Lieut S Lewis. He left the service in September 1779. He was discharged by Col Lightell at Sallsbury North Carolina – he received a written Discharge, but it is lost or mislaid. He resided at the time of entering the service in the County of Wake Nork Carolins, was not in any regular Battle was sick at the time of the Battle of Stone_ He marched to Padensburgh and then through N.C. S.C., and in the state of Georgia. Then back to N.C. where he was discharged Again. Deponent was drafted in the Militia of N. Carolina in Franklin County [illegible comment] & served three months under Capt. Olford. General Gates was highest in command. Col. Sewell, next, Parker Brigade Mayor – he was in Gates. Defeat near Campden, S.C. march? From Franklin County N.C. through Wake, Chattam, Anson into S.C.
Page 5

Was discharged at Wake Court House_ by written discharge, which has been lost, does not know how long _ again _ Deponent _ volunteered in a Horse company untter Capt William Ferril, Franklin County N.C. marched to Jarbors. Halifax. Hillsboro. To Hawkins. Hung. Three Tours and kept the balance in sev served two 3 serving [inserted comment] months and was discharged by Capt. William Ferril – in Wake County N.C. [smudged] at, Isaac Hunters where Mayor Griffin was present. Deponent lived until one year after the war was ended in N.C. then moved to Georgia – Wilkes County – from Thence to Green from thence to Morgan from thence to Jasper and then to Henry County in George’s John Barnhill was with deponent in the continental line – he is now present and will [illegible] application for a pension. He is known to James Henry & John T Bently – Justices of the Inferior Court – William Comb & Jno Treadwell. Esqrs and the Revd Joshua Calloway – James Sellers – James Shaw & others residing in Henry County – Matthew Whitfield - & Howard Banes – of Jasper – Joel Baggett & Abraham Baggett of Morgan County – Jonas Fink [Fisk] & John Aimer of Greene – Peter Stroshier & Josiah Kitchens of Wilkes County – Georgia. He was known to Henry Green Peter Goodwin of Franklin County N.C. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state & further [crossed out] 
Sworn to and subscribed this 27th Nov. 1832
James Henry J.H.
John T Bentley JH
Absalom Farrar HC
Reuben Edwards
Page 6

Georgia Henry County
Into open Court, personally came; John Barnhill whose name is mentioned in the above declaration as a witness to the facts stated therein in relation to Deponent Edwards service in the continental line who after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that with said Edwards under the officers mentioned in said declardea [declaration] he entered the service in the continental line, on the 23d May 1778 and  and were discharged in the last of August or first of Septr 1779 and this deponent Barnhill believes all the statements of the said Edwards to be true deponent will himself make application for a pension under the act of 1832 and his declaration will contain a detailed statement of the services rendered by said Edwards as well as himself, in the continental line to which reference may be had.
Sworn to and subscribed this 27th Nov 1832 
John Barnhill
We Joshua S. Calloway a Clergiman residing in the County of Henry State of Georgia & John Barnhill & Levi White and James Henry & Jno T. Bentley residing with the County of Henry State of Georgia [same crossed out] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Edwards residing as aforesaid, and who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be seventy three 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 aforesaid
John Barnhill 
Levi White
Page 7

And the said Court after the investigation and putting the interrogatories in relation to the matter, prescribed by the war department do hereby declare their opinion 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, Joshua S. Calloway ahs has signed the preceding certificate is a clergiman [smudged] in the County of Henry [appears crossed out or underlined] and that John Barnhill who has also signed the same and testified as witness [inserted] is of like residence and are both credible persons and their statements entitled to credit. That Levi White is also entitled to credit. Both of the above persons reside in Henry County.
P.S. Joshua S Calloway presence could not be procured by the applicant who was hauld to the courthouse in a cart from necessity.
John T. Bentley J.J.C
W. Abram[?] J.J.C.
Absalom Farrar JJC
I Alexander G Murry Clerk of the Inferior Court of Henry County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Reuben Edwards for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and private seal there being no seal of office this 27th Nov 1832
Alexander G. Murray C.J.C
Georgia Henry County
I Reuben Edwards applicant for [torn] pension do hereby authorize & empower Andrew [smudged] R. Moore, to receive such pension as may be granted – or the authority for drawing the same given under my hand this 27th Nov. 1832
James Henry J.J.C.
Reuben Edwards
Directions from the department show that the above authority will not do, It was given before the directions were received.
Page 8

Georgia
Green County
I am not acquainted with Alexander G Murray whom certificate appears to the foregoing [crossed out] in the paper him to asreaed [illegible] but have the most satisfactory testimony that the [smudged]tific athe purporting to be his is genuine, and the signature in his own handwriting. Full faith & credit may therefore be safely given to his acting as clerk & Ocs [illegible] Inferior Courts are all Courts of record.
9 Sept 1833
Thomas F. Foster
Page 9

MMHF Our
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section 
February 12, 1925
Ora Vincent 
Kingston, Georgia Madam: 
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 16376 it appears that Reuben Edwards was born January 12, 1759. While residing in Wake County, North Carolina he enlisted May 23, 1778, served as a private in Captain Benjamin Roade or Rhodes' Company, Colonels Archibald Lytle and James Thackston [smudged] North Carolina Regiment and was discharged September 1, 1779. 
He enlisted in Franklin County, North Carolina in 1780 and served three months as a private in Captain Olford's Company, Colonel Sowell's North Carolina Regiment; was at the battle of Camden. He again enlisted and served two months as a private in Captain William Ferrells [smudged] Company of Horse.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 27, 1832 while living in the Eleventh District, Henry County, Georgia. There is no family data on file. 
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 10

[stamp] FREE
[stamp] Savamnnah Geo Jul 8
July 15, 1840
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pension
[illegible word left margin]
Page 11

Savannah 8 July 1840
Sir
I enclosed the pension voucher of Reuben Edwards per act 7 June 1832 under that following circumstances for your consideration and instruction. It was handed mea, attorney, with the date of the applicant written over erasures without being noted by the magistrate as having been done before executions; it was accordingly returned for the certificate of the magistrate to that effect, which having been obtained, the voucher was presented to the agent for payment; which he declined doing, in as much as ninety days had elapsed from the execution to its presentation for payment. Permit me to ask under these circumstances, that the agent be instructed to pay the same, as it will particularly accommodate a feeble old man.
Very respectfully
Your Obt Sevt
Wm. Morel
J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of pensions
Washington City
Page 12

1254
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS. TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
 17 Nov 1828 
Reuben Edwards of ___ in the County of Henry in the State of Georgia has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled ""An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a private in captain ___'s company, in the Second regiment of the N Carolina line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.

The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office. By order of the Secretary Dickins 

TREASURY DEPARTMENT. THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE, 19th November 1828 It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to in the [crossed out] 
It further appears that Reuben Edwards is not now on the pension list of the any agency, on the pension 1826 agency, and has been so since the 3d March 1826. [ 2 phrases blacked out] 
The name of Reuben Edwards cannot be found among those of the North Carolina line, to whom Certificates for the gratuity of Eighty Dollars, were issued- Peter Hagner And –
/correct/
Page 13

War Department 
Bounty Land Office
12 May 1829. 
The records of this Office do not show that Reuben Edwards of the No Carolina line were received, or is entitled to bounty land of the U. States
Robert Taylor
Page 14

1828 paper
to be
filed
with
Act order 
In
File#
16. 376
Page 15

Reuben Edwards-PRi
No Car line

Georgia
Ex one old Book, & Ref
Inval #16. 376.
Act 1828
Evidence insufficient
Page 16

14 July 1840 
Wm Morrel
G. C 
Record 150 page 151
Page 17

Pension Office 
14 July 1840 
Sir
I have this day instructed the Pension Agent at Savannah Georgia, to the amount due Reuben Edwards those vouchers are herewith enclosed
[illegible signature]

William Morel Esq 
Savannah Georgia
Page 18

It will be impossible to percure the certificate of a member of congress to the hand writing Genl. Norman. Our member of congress from this section has never returned here.
A.R. More
Forwarded if returned to me as expected. A gentleman of this place made application to Col Foster who could not give such a certificate as mention above
Reuben Edwards [written vertically right margin]
Page 19

will  H
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Reuben Edwards which require further proof or explanation 
I.	Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 
II.	Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 
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? 
V.	*Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? No. [illegible] given By Claimant see Barnhills affidavit & note at the end of this brief.
VI.	Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? 
VII.	Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII.	Has the Court given their opinion? 
IX.	Has the Clerk given his certificate? 
X.	Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Page 20

2
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 revoltionary service? 
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? 
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 
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? 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No. see Quere 1
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And if not, which of them is not so answered? EXPLANATORY NOTES. QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For __months , and __ days, I served as a __. For __ months and __ days, I served as a __; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 21

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. --- In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 
An application to Wm Hill Esq. the Secretary of the State of North Carolina might procure for him, proof of his first service from May 23d 1779 to Sept. 1779 - 15 months 2d service mentioned 3 - 3d Service mentioned - 2 months – 20
refer to Barnhills affidavit for the 23d May & the month of Sept the Beginning & ending of the first service
Page 22

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. 
February 14, 1924. 
Mrs. Mary E. McCool, 23 Vedadr
Atlanta, Ga. 
Madam: 
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim S. 16376 it appears that Reuben Edwards was born January 12, 1759. While residing in Wake County, North Carolina, he enlisted May 23, 1778, and served as a private in Captain Benjamin Roade's (or Rhodes' Company, Colonels Archibald Lythe and James Thackston's North Carolina Regiment, and was discharged September 1, 1779. He enlisted in Franklin County, North Carolina, in 1780 and served three months as a private in Captain Olford's Company, Colonel Sowell's North Carolina Regiment, and was at the battle of Camden. He again enlisted and served two months as a private in Captain William Ferrell's Company of Horse. He was allowed pension on his application executed Nov ember 27, 1832, while a resident of the Eleventh District, Henry County, Georgia. There is no family data on file. Respectfully, Commissioner.
Page 23

MMHF
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. 
December 21, 1923
A.G. Edwards
403 Cherokee St., 
Marietta, Ga.
Sir: 
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim S. 16376 it appears that Reuben Edwards was born January 12, 1759. While residing in Wake County, North Carolina, he enlisted May 23, 1778, and served as a private in Captain Benjamin Roade or Rhodes' Company, Colonels Archibald Lythe and James Thackston's North Carolina Regiment, and was discharged September 1, 1779. 
He enlisted in Franklin County, North Carolina, in 1780 and served three months as a private in Captain Olford's Company, Colonel Sowell's North Carolina Regiment, and was at the battle of Camden. He again enlisted and served two months as a private in Captain William Ferrell's Company of Horse. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed Nov ember 27, 1832, while a resident of the Eleventh District, Henry County, Georgia. There is no family data on file. 
Respectfully, 
Acting Commissioner.
Date of death not on AB.
Capt Wm Ferrell in files [illegible] verified
Page 24

Kingston, Ga. 
Jan. 22, 1925 
Commissioner of Pensions, Rev. War Section Department of Interior, 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir:- 
Will you give me any date for the declarations of the following men, who served in the Revolution War and drew pensions for this service? 
Ruben Edwards, of Henry Co. Georgia, afterward probably Cass Co. Georgia. 
Solomon Edwards of Clark Co. Georgia. Thanking you, I am Cordially, Ora Vincent
Page 25

Pension Bureau
Will you kindly give me a report on Rueben Edwards who lived in Henry Co Ga at one time. He was a revolutionary pensioner.
I want the names of his children if you give them to me.
Can you give me names of any revolutionary pensioners by name of “Edwards” who had children names included in record. I am trying to locate “Ann Edmunds Edwards” parents of Warren Co N.C. Any help you will give me will be much appreciated.
Are children’s names included in record of rev. pensioner as they [stamped over] in later war pensioners.
Very truly
Mrs. Mary E McCool
23 Vedadr 
Atlanta Ga
[stamp] U.S. Pension office L Jan 14 1924
Page 26

402 CHEROKEE STREET 
Marietta, GA
Nov. 7, 1923 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: 
Please send me a Revolutionary pension certificate of Reuben Edwards of Georgia. He lived at different times in Henry and Cass Counties Georgia. His name appears on the  Georgia Roster of Revolutionary soldiers. Thanking you for you kindness, I am
 Very truly yours 
A.G. Edwards.
[stamp] U.S. Pension office H Nov 9 1923
Page 27

16376
INVALID.
File No. 16376 
Reuben Edwards Pri Rev War – 
Act: June 7" 32 
Index: - Vol. A, Page 110 
Arrangement of 1870. 
1923 - Dec. 21. Hist to A.G. Edwards MMHF
1924, Feb. 14 - Hist to Mrs. Mary E. McCool
1925 Feb. 14 Hist. to Ora Vincent UM MMHF
Page 28

1254 
Georgia Henry County 
For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of “an act for the relief of certain surviving officers &  soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th day of May 1828 I Reuben Edwards of the County of Henry & State of Georgia do hereby declare that I enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution for and during the war and continued in its service till its termination at which period I was a private in Capt Benja Roades Company of the second Regiment of the North Carolina Line Commanded by Col Thaxton And also declare that I afterwards
Page 29

received a certificate for Eighty Dollars to which I was entitled under a resolve of Congress passed the 15th day of May 1778.
And I further declare that I was not on the 15th day of March 1828 on the pension list of the United States 
Reuben Edward 
Georgia
Henry County
Personally appeared before me Thomas D Johnston an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County John Barnhill and Jacob Lhibtt [illegible] who being severally sworn deposeth and saith Reuben Edwards by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed & believed to have been a private in the Army of the
Page 30

Revolution in manner as therein stated, & that they saw the said Edwards sign the foregoing declaration.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th Oct 1828 John Barnhill Thomas D Johnson  Jacob Stillwell
I William Hardin Clerk of the Superior Court for the County of Henry and in the State of Georgia do hearby certify that James D. Johnson before whence the foregoing affidavits were sworn was at the time a Justice of the peace, for the said County and duly impowered to administer oaths In testimoney whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private Seal there being no County Seal in office . This thirtieth day of October in the year one thousand Eight hundred and twenty Eight
Wm  Hardin, Clerk LC Seal
Page 31

McDonaugh  5th Nov 1828 
Mr. Richard Rush Secretary &C
Sir according to your directions, I here state that should my claim be allowed you will be so good as to forward me a draught on the Branch Bank of the U States at Savannah, & inclose the same to Mr. James C State at McDonaugh Henry County Georgia who will attend to it for me Reuben Edwards
Page 32

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Form VAM-51- 12-5-41 BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD* Division of Veterans' Administration Archives 
NAME Edwards Robert GRADE- Private ---
Line Massachusetts 
WARRANT NUMBER 4092  Acreage 100 ISSUED Jan. 29, 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.