Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6498, Joseph John Alston, N. C.
Page 1

(S-1776)

Service
N.C.              

Alston, Joseph John.           

Number
S. 6498


Contents
Page 2

32.289.

North Carolina
Joseph J. Alston
of Halifax Coy in the State of N. Carolina
who was a priv: of cavalry in the company commanded by Captain Hawkins  - of the ________ commanded by ___________ in the N. Carolina line for 13 Months.

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina - at the rate of 54 Dollars 16 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of February, 1845 and sent to Hon. J.R.J. Daniel, H.R.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept: 1844.       $731.16
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar:  27.08
                                                                $758.24
                                            (Revolutionary Claim,)
                                            (Act June 7, 1832.)
Recorded by (illegible) Stewart - Clerk,
Book E - Vol. 6 1/2 Page 44. - 

Repd. 19 Feby: 184(page torn)
Died 10. January 1847.
Letter to Pension Agent 29. April 1848.
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.

State of North Carolina)
Halifax County)

On this 20th: day of February 1844 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Halifax now sitting Col: Joseph John Alston a resident of the said county aged Eigh-ty one 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 7th of June 1832 - That he is a native citizen of Hali-fax county and was born on the 13th day of June 1763.  In the month of February the 15th day 1781 he was mustered into a Troop of Cavalry commanded by Captain Jo-seph Hawkins, and marched with the troops there raised to join Gnl: Green; This Troop of Cavalry was not regular-ly attached to those sent to join the army; it was imployed in collecting foriage; and information of the enemy then persuing Gnl: Green we were in this service up to the Battle of Guilford; and after it we were imployed for some time in collecting the militia dispersed in that action; and in attaining provisions for our army and preventing the enemys foriaging parties from doing so. We were imployed in this service and remained with or near the army until it pulled back into South Carolina - Lord Cornwallis had marched to Wilmington and on his marching back to Halifax and then into Virginia; we were recalled
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and continued near the enemy to prevent them from com-mitting depredations, and foriaging until they marched into Virginia.  We were still in service in and near the Town of Halifax and the surrounding country up to the 1st of De-cember Lord Cornwallis having surrendered in October of the same year.  I was in service in 1781 for nine months and received a discharge for it from Majr: Hogg who was sta-tioned at Halifax. Between the 15th & 20th of March 1782 we were again called into service and marched near to the Town of Wilmington to prevent the enemy from committing depredations in that section of country; and also to prevent the Tories from giving them aid and assistance.  We were in this service for four months.  While in this service the Troop was meeting with and under the direction of Col Thomas Brown of Bladen, who had command of the Militia of that County.  For this service I received a discharge from Col Branch stationed at Halifax - From the close of the Revolution up to the year 1831 I resided in the counties of Halifax & Franklin in this State - I Then removed to the State of Tennessee and resided there up to the year 1835.  I Then returned to the County of Halifax North Carolina and have continued to reside in it up to the present time - on my removal to Tennessee in the year 1831 I left in the possession of my son in Franklin County North Carolina a number of my papers and among them, the two discharges I received for my services in the Revolution.  On my return to reside in this State I found on examination that most of my papers were mislaid or destroyed; and with them the discharges; no value being
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attached to them by my son or myself.  For I can solemnly say that until lately I have never had the least thought or desire to ask of the Government a pension for (word obscured) service I rendered, and nothing new but necessity and having been deprived of most of a large and ample property induces me to do so - It is well known that before misfortunes came on me; That I have been importuned to make this demand and always refused.  at that time there were many alive who could have Testified to the serviced I rendered. death and removals from this section of country render it impossible for me now to do so.  My application must stand or fall upon my statement and the traditionary evidence of those around me.  I hereby relenquish every claim to a pension or annuity ex-cept this, and declair that my name is not on the pension Rolls of any state.
JJ Alston (signature)

We Thomas Wilcox a clergyman residing in Nash County and Mark A Allen Esqr hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Col: Joseph John Alston who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty one years of age.  That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in the opinion. 
Thomas Willcox (signature)
M A Allen (signature)
Benj Hunter W (signature)

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20th day of February 1844
Page 6

State of North Carolina
Halifax County
Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for
Halifax County February Term 1844
The Court now in session certify that
Col. Joseph Alston who has this day qualified to the foregoing
Declaration in open Court - who a Revolutionary soldier
and served, as he states, and the court further certifies that
it appears to them that Thomas William, who has signed
the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the
County of Nash, and that Mark A. Allen Esquire is
a credible person, and that his statement is entitled
to credit.
Rece, B. Peirce Chairman
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
February Court 1844
I James Simmons Clerk of the Court
of Halifax County do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter
of the application & of Col. Joseph Alston, for a pension
In Testimony whereof I hereto set
my hand and affix my seal
of office this 23rd day of Feby
1844 -
Ja Simmons Clk
-
Page 7

35650
Joseph J Alston
N.C.
act 7 June 32.
Page 8

1
I certify that I am personally acquainted with
Col. Alston who is the Brother of
Willis Alston late number of Congress
& Nephew of Nathl. Maran [?] - that he is
a man of high character & I [illegible]
[illegible] what he states is strictly true -
-
R. M. Jameson
March 1 1844
Page 9

Rev. War Section

To Mrs. Ashley Lambert    Apl. 13.1916.   
507 N. Person St., Raleigh          March 23, 1914.
                                N.C.

Mrs. James B. Alston,
         Henning, Tenn.
Madam:
         In response to your letter dated the 19th instant, you are furnished the following data relative to the only sol-dier named Alston found on the Revolutionary War pension rec-ords of this Bureau.

         The papers in claim sur. File No. 6,498, Rev. War, show that Joseph John Alston was allowed pension on his application executed February 20, 1844, while a resident of Halifax County, North Carolina.
         He stated that he was born June 13, 1763, in Halifax Coun-ty, North Carolina, and was mustered February 15, 1781, in Cap-tain Joseph Hawkins' troop of Cavalry which was not attached to any regiment, but engaged in collecting forage and provi-sions, information concerning the enemy and collecting the militia dispersed by the battle of Guilford, and remained with or near the Army until it passed into South Carolina, nine months.
         Between March 15 and 20, 1782, they were again called into service and were stationed near Wilmington under Colonel
Page 10

Thomas Brown, and served four months.
         After the war he resided in Halifax and Franklin Coun-ties until 1831, when he removed to Tennessee and remained there until 1835, when he returned to Halifax County, North Carolina.
         He referred to his son who lived in Franklin County, North Carolina, in 1831, but did not state his name.
         Soldier's brother Hon. Willis Alston was member of Con-gress of the United States from North Carolina.
         There is no further family data.
                                                  Very respectfully,
                                                      G M Saltzgaber
                                                        Commissioner.
Page 11

1913. Sept 12. Hist to Mrs
L J Huntley. M.B.H.
1914 Mch. 23. Mrs. James B.
Alston prev. history [cent symbol]
1916 Apl 13. History to Mrs.
Ashley Lambert F. [cent symbol]
1925 July 1 Mr. A
Crinkley adv. as to
date of death &
marriage. MCA
1936 Aug 31 - hist to
Jeannette E. Biggs [illegible]

Rev War
6498
INVALID.
File No. 498
Joseph J. Alston
Priv Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832 
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 6 
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 12

Joseph John Alston
S 6498

Jeanette E. Biggs
Oxford N. C

Personal request - Aug 28 -
1936 -
Page 13

Sir - 

I herewith enclose you declarations in the following four cases -

1. Col. J. J. Alston - resting on his own statement & higher character - age 80 -

2 James Grisham - the proof complete - 
==
3 - Mrs Hope - The witness as to marriage - the widow of Judge Henderson - person age & living as husband & wife for near 50 years Col. Turner knew identity as the widow of a pensioner -
==
4 - The widow of Capt. Perry- He being a militia officer of less known 18 [illegible] - there is no documentary proof - but the proof by witnesses who served with him & he states battles & dates establish the service fully -

respecy
R. M. Saunders
[illegible]


J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comr. of Pensions
Page 14

State of North Carolina }
Warren County }
The affidavit of James Durham a citizen of Warren County, and a pensioner of the United States, who having been duly sworn according to law, Testifies and says, that he has lived near and Knows, Joseph J Allston [sic: Alston], all his life; he knows that the said Joseph J Allston [sic: Alston] who is now applying for a pension, belonged to a troop of Cavalry commanded by Capt Joseph Hawkins, and that he served with him during the close of the Revolutionary War; the precise dates of the Service, or its length, he cannot now state, but he well Knows that Joseph J Allston [sic: Alston] was in the service at the time of the battle of Guilford [Battle of Guilford Court House March 15, 1781], and after it at Halifax and Tarboro; - the Company of Capt Jos Hawkins was employed in preventing the enemy from foraging and committing depredations, and also for the purpose of collecting the straglers [sic: stragglers] after the battle of Guilford - This affiant further states, that he knows, and can say with as much certainty as he can of anything whatever, that Joseph J. Allston [sic: Alston]
Page 15

was in the service, and that he is the identical man who is now applying for a pension, and he is fully convinced he served as long as he claims in his declaration, a quarter portion of which he has a personal knowledge. This affiant has from time to time, conversed with the said Joseph J Allston [sic: Alston] about his services in the Revolutionary War, and heard him speak of them to others at various times, and he never heard them questioned, by any person who was acquainted with him; - he further states that the said Joseph J Allston [sic: Alston] has omitted heretofore to assert his claim to a pension because he did not stand in need of it; but his circumstances of late, have become reduced, and he therefore claims that to which, I know he is justly entitled - 
S/James Durham


State of North Carolina }
Warren County }
This day personally appeared, before me James Durham a very old and respectable citizen of Warren County; who being first duly sworn according to Law, subscribed and swore to the foregoing affidavit proving the services of Col. Joseph J. Alston. I also Certify that Mr. Durham is well known to me and his testimony is entitled to the fullest credit and belief. Given under my hand and seal }
this 15th day of November 1844 }
S/W. W. Vaughan JP [personal seal]
Page 16

State of North Carolina.
I, Marcellus J. Montgomery Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Warren in said state, do certify that the foregoing order was made at & by the Court now in session

[seal]
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Warrenton this 26th day of November A. D. 1844; -
S/M. J. Montgomery Clk


I do not Know Mr. Durham, but W W Vaughan esquire the justice who certifies to the credibility of Mr. Durham, & the justices of the court by whom it was ordered to be certified. that Mr. Durham is a "very old & respectable citizen & that full faith & credit are due to his testimony" are all well known to me, & I do not think it probable that they would have concurred in the representations they have authorised [sic: authorized] & sanctioned, if Mr. Durham was not entitled to credit. I am happy ^to have it in my power to remark however, that I have known Col. Jos J Alston mentioned in the affidavit of Mr. Durham from my boyhood, and I unhesitatingly, affirm that in the whole extent of my acquaintance, there is no man, upon whose [illegible] whether under oath or not, I would more implicitly rely:
S/JRJ Daniel of the Ho. of Reps.
Page 17

State of North Carolina. }
Warren County. }
I. Marcellus J. Montgomery Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Warren aforesaid, Certify, that William W. Vaughan whose name is appended to the foregoing affidavit is, and was at the time of signing the same one of the acting Justices of the peace in & fr the said County of Warren, and that, his signature is genuine - in his own proper handwriting.

[seal]
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office at Warrenton this 26th day of Nov. A.D. 1844.
S/M.J. Montgomery Clerk


State of North Carolina.
At a Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions held for the County of Warren at the Court House in Warrenton, it being a Court of record, on the fourth Monday of Novr. A.D. 1844. it being the 25 day of the Month. Present on the Bench M.T. Hawkins, Thos. E. Green and Thos. A. Thornton Esquires - on Motion it is order to be certified To the Commissioner of Pensions, that James Durham is a very old & respectable Citizen of this County. & that full faith and Credit are due to his testimony.
Page 18

We the undersigned citizens of North Carolina residing in the counties of Warren and Halifax do hereby certify to all it may concern that James Durham now a pensioner of the United States resides in the same neighbourhood with us, and through a long life he has sustained an impeachable character - any statement made by him is entitled to the fullest credit and belief. Particularly is, is his recollection of past events is to be relied on. We also certify that Col: Joseph J. Alston is well known to us. and any statement made by him is entitled to full credit and belief. In justice to Col Alston we will add that for years past he has been advised by his friends to apply for a pension when there were alive a number of persons who could have proved the service he rendered - But he always refused to do so until his situation has become such as to render it necessary to claim his rights.

Given under our hands and seals this 5th day of February 1845 -
S/John P. Johnson [personal seal LS]
S/Wm. P. Little [personal seal LS]
S/Thomas Bragg Sr [personal seal]
S/Thos. W. Harriss [personal seal]
S/William Burge [personal seal]
S/Henry Harris [personal seal]


I know the above subscribed to be men of excellent character & standing & do certify to the Com: of Pension that their statement may be implicitly relied on
Ho. of Reps:
Feby. 14. 1845. }
S/JRJ Daniel.
Page 19

State of North Carolina }
Warren County }
Personally appeared before us - Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Warren, John P. Johnson [,] William P. Little, Thomas Bragg Sen[io]r, Thomas W. Harris [,] The Rev.[erand] William Burge & Henry Harris, who being first duly sworn according to Law, subscribed and swore to the within Certificate testafying [sic: testifying] to the Character & Credibility of James Durham [.] We also Certify, that the testimony of all the persons whose signatures are attached to the Certificate proving the character of James Durham and Col.[onel] Joseph John Alston are persons of the highest respectability and full faith credit is due to their statements, we also add that old. Durham & Col.[onel] Alston are personally known to us and we concur in the Certificates of their good character and Credibility.

Given under our hands and seals this 6th day of February 1845.
S/W. W. Vaughan JP. [personal seal]
S/ Chas. Skinner JP [personal seal]


State of North Carolina.
I, Marcellus J. Montgomery, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Warren, in the aforesaid state, do Certify, that, W. W. Vaughan & Charles Skinner whose signatures & seals appear to the foregoing & above certificate are now & were at the time of signing & sealing the same magistrates in & for the County & state aforesaid. duly commissioned & qualified - that
Page 20

the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine & that full faith & credit are due their official acts as such.

[seal]
In Testimony of which. I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Official seal, at office in and entered this Eighth day of February A. D. 1845.
S/M. J. Montgomery, Clerk
of Warren County Court.
Page 21

Dear Sir                           Feb[ruar]y 5th 1845
Having been called upon to state my Knowledge of James Durham a pensioner of the United States, residing in Warren County; - I can state, with great cheerfulness my acquaintance with Mr Durham has been , from my earliest recollection and no man has sustained in the estimation of all his neighbors a better character for honesty, truth and integrity - And I am well convinced no man is more deserving this character than James Durham - 

I very [illegible] Respectfully
Geo: Little



Hon. J.R.J. Daniel
Ho.[use] of Representatives

I know Mr. Geo.[rge] Little to be a gentleman of character & standing. His statement is entitled to full credit

JRJ Daniel
Ho[use] of Rep[resentative]s Feb[ruar]y 13. 1845
Page 22

House of Rep[resentative]s. Feb[ruar]y. 14th. 1845

J. L. Edwards Esq[uire] }
Com[missioner]: of Pen[sions]: }

Sir,
I enclose you a couple of certificates of the character of Col[onel]. Jos[eph] J. Alston & Mr James Durham to be filed in the case of Col[onel]. Alston's application for a pension, with my knowledge of the character and belief of the credibility of the subscriber underwritten. I hope they will be sufficient to ensure Col[nel]. Alston his pension & that his case will be immediately acted on, as the old gentleman is in great need.

I should be glad to have the answers to the enquiries sent to the office a few days ago as soon as convenient.

very Respectfully
JRJ Daniel
Page 23

New proof of 
service of Mr.
John Alston
of
Halifax [?] No[rth]. C[arolina]
Page 24

State of North Carolina
Comptrollers office
April 22nd 1844.

I William F Collins Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State afforesaid [sic: aforesaid] do certify that it appears of Record in my office that Joseph John Alston a soldier of the Revolution received as pay for Military services, The following amounts as set forth on record, as follows, in Book No [number] 2. Folio No [number] 20 he received a Certificate in his favor Twenty five Pounds Two shillings and [crossed out: four and written over: in] Book No [number] 14 another Certificate for Seventeen Pounds Two shillings and Four pence and in Book No [number] 17 one other Certificate For Five Pounds Fourteen shillings and one Pence [.]

Given under my hand and seal of office
Wm. F. Collins Compt[roller]
[seal]


L
25.2 - 6mo[nths] 3.
17.2.4 - 5m[onths]
Page 25

Feb[ruary]. 16/ 48.
J. J Alston dd
vouchers
N[orth]. C[arolina].
Sent. 7 June


James L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington.
Page 26

Pension Office
Fayetteville  Feb[ruar]y 12 1848

James L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir, -
I enclose the papers of J J Alston deceased. Act of 1832.

Please direct the payment of the balance due thereon

I am respectfully
Your Ob[edient] Se[r]v[an]t
J Huske
Ag[en]t.
Page 27

[letterhead] WILLIS ALSTON, JR.
J. B. ALSTON
J.M. PIPKIN

Henning Supply Co.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
Henning, Tennessee
[/letterhead]
March, 19, 1914.
Lauderdale Co.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C. 
Gentlemen: -

Please let my know if you have the Revolutionary records of John Alston and his son Solomon or grandson James of N. C. would like to have records, if you please, or if they in any way aided in establishing American Independence.

Yours Respectfully,
Mrs. Jas. B. Alston.

A.C.

[postal stamp from the backside of page is visible]
Page 28

Bureau of Pensions
           Washington, D.C.

Sirs,
         Will you please give me what information you have of the war records of Joseph J. Allen (Alston) and William Allen these were granted pensions under the act 1818-1832 as reported by Sec. of State to Congress.
                                  Yours very truly,
                                   Mrs L J Huntly
                                           Wadesboro, N.C.
Sept 3, 1913.
Page 29

                                                 Rev. Sec.-1.  C.B.H.
     Pension Office
L               Washington DC

Dear Sirs-
                Will you kindly 
send the record of the service of 
Joseph John Alston private of 
cavalry in troop commanded by 
Capt. Joseph Hawkins.
Page 30

The said Joseph John Alston was
of Halifax Co North Carolina
     Thanking you for your kindness
(illegible)      (Pension Office Stamp APR 5 1916)
                   Very truly,
                   Mrs. Ashley Lambert
                                           Raleigh
507 N. Person St.                      NC.
        from envelope
Page 31

115 Forest Hill Drive
Asheville N. C.
May 4th 1925

Commissioner of Pentions [sic: pensions]
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir
Please give me the date of Marriage and death of Joseph John Alston. he was born Halifax Co[unty] N[orth]. C[arolina]. June 13th 1763 [.] He was a private in the Revolutionary War. his Pension was paid to Feb[ruary] 1848 - File No [number] 6498 - Index Vol[ume] A. Page 6. I would appreciate very much if you would give me this information.

Resp[e]ct[fully]
A. Crinkley

Marriage
Death

[round postal stamp: PENSION OFFICE A 
U. S.  MAY 6 1925]
Page 32

___________________
In reply to your request of _______, received _______ for a statement of the military history of  J________ a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S.F. 6498 Joseph John Alston
_________________
[table with the following headers: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT | LENGTH OF SERVICE | RANK | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED (CAPTAIN., COLONEL.) | STATE |]

Feb. 15. 1781 | 9 mos. |  | Joseph Hawkins |   | N. C.

Mch. 1782 | 4 mos. |  | "   "  | Thomas Brown |  "



Battles engaged in, ________________

Residence of solider at enlistment, ____________

Date of application for pension, Feb[ruary]. 20. 1844. . This claim was allowed.

Residence at date of application, Halifax Co[unty]. N[orth] C[arolina]

Age at date of application, born June 13 1763 in Halifax Co[unty]. . N[orth] C[arolina]

Remarks: In 1831 soldier had a son residing in Franklin Co[unty]. N[orth] C[arolina], name not stated. In 1844 soldier's brother Willis is referred to as late member of Congress, no further family data.
Soldier died June. 10, 1847

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.
6-2856
Page 33

Rev[olutionary]. & 1812 Wars Section        M.C.A.

July 1, 1925

Mr. A. Crinkley
125 Forest Hill Drive
Asheville, N.C.

Sir:

I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Joseph John Alston, S. 6498, it appears that he died January 10, 1847, place not stated. 

The date of his marriage is not on record.

Respectfully,

Commissioner
Page 34

August 31, 1936

Joseph John Alston-S.6498
BA-J/AWF

Jeannette E. Biggs
Oxford
North Carolina

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Joseph John Alston of North Carolina.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 6498, based upon the service of Joseph John Alston in the Revolutionary War. 

He was born June 13, 1763 in Halifax County, North Carolina, names of his parents not stated. 

Joseph John Alston, while residing in said county, enlisted February 15, 1781 and served nine months in Captain Joseph Hawkins' company of North Carolina Cavalry. He enlisted between March 15 and 20, 1782 and served four months in Colonel Thomas Brown's North Carolina regiment.

He lived after the Revolution in Halifax and Franklin Counties, North Carolina, until ^[noted in margin pointing to here] sometime in 1831, when he moved to Tennessee, where he lived until ^[noted in margin pointing to here] sometime in 1835, and returned to Halifax County, North Carolina.

He was allowed pension on his application executed February 20, 1844, then living in Halifax County, North Carolina.

In 1831, soldier had a son residing in Franklin
Page 35

County, North Carolina, his name not given. The name of the wife of Joseph John Alston is not shown, nor are there any further data in regard to children.

Willis Alston, brother of Joseph John Alston, was referred to in 1844 as "late Member of Congress".

Joseph John Alston died January 10, [crossed out: 1848] 1847.

In order to obtain the name and address of person paid the last payment of his pension, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and give the following-

Joseph J. Alston (as he was pensioned)
Certificate # 32289
Issued February 19, 1845
Rate $54.16 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
North Carolina Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator