Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5729, for Matthew Jones, North Carolina
Page 1

SERVICE
N.C.  Jones, Matthew   R. 5729

& Aug 29, 1760 po Isle of Wight Co Va.
res at enl, Franklin Co. N.C.
res in 1832, Putnam Co. Ga.
Page 2

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 made before
the Inferior Court of Putnam County in Chambers
On this the eighteenth day of September 1832 personally
came before the Inferior Court of Putnam County. In
Chamber Matthew Jones, a resident of said the State of
Georgia Putnam County, aged seventy two years
on 29 August 1832 who first being 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
under the following named officers & served as
herein stated. The officer commanding the regiment
was colonel [illegible] of the militia. the Captain commanding
the company was George Bledsoe, the time of
entering the service is not recollected, but is thought
to be in the year 1777 or 1778 - the time of discharge
as appears from the annexed discharge is the 15 Jun
1781, but he thinks that he had completed his time of
service 12 months before he received it
resided in Franklin County North Carolina at the
time of entering the service; was a volunteer, or as
was then called enlisted, was not engaged in any
battle whatever-- The troops were employed in scouting
in pursuit of the tories towards Cape Fear subject
to the call of Colonel Washington, but he never called
upon us-- We were not associated with any other
regiments either Continental or militia. She furnish
his discharge hereto. I know of no one living
who can testify as to his service. he hereby relinquishes
his claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the
present & declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of the
agency of any State. The time of his service was
twelve months-
Page 3

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Matthew Jones

Gby Hudson JIC
James Nicholson J.I.C.
Jas M Dunn J.I.C.

Mr. Adeal Sherwood a clergyman residing in said
County & John C. Mason residing in said County
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Matthew Jones who has subscribed & sworn to the
foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be
seventy two years of age. that he is reputed & believed
in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been
a Revolutionary soldier & that we concur in that
opinion-
Sworn to & subscribed before us the day & year aforesaid
Adril Sherwood
John C. Mason
Hudson JIC
James Nicholson J.I.C
Jas M Dunn J C
Page 4

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter & after putting the
interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that
 the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier
& served as he states. And the Court further certifies
that it appears to them that Adiel Sherwood
who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman
resident in said County & that John Callason
who has also signed the same is a resident of
said County & is a credible person & that their state
ment is entitled to credit. The reason of this application being
made, in Chambers, that the Inferior Court now in session from the quantity of business now before it will be unable to attend it as well as from the member of applicant the Judge of said court is unacquainted with them & they are & can detect any improper
The regular Term of this Court is December next & from the inclemency of the weather the applicant may not be able to attend-
Gby Hudson JIC
James Nicholson JIC
Jas M. Dunn JIC

I Wm B. Carter Clerk of the Inferior Court of said
County do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains
the original procedings of the said court in the matter
of application of Matthew Jones for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
seal of office this 31st day of October 1832
Wm B. Carter Clk
[To this archivist, it appears a seal is attached at bottom rt.]
Page 5

To the first interrogatory proposed by the War Department he answers - I was born 29 August 1780 [3rd digit marked over], in [marked out] Isle of Wight county Virginia on James River.
To the second he answers - That he has no record of his age & all that he knows respecting it was obtained from his mother
To the third he answers - I lived in Franklin County North Carolina at the time of going into the service. after the war I moved to the same county in which I was born in Virginia & lived there three years. I then returned to North Carolina, remained there three years & moved to Georgia. I have been living there ever since & reside in Putnam County of that state, at this time.
To the fourth he answers, I went into the service as [crossed out] volunteer, then called “enlisted soldier”.
To the fifth he answers, I was in no engagements during the 12 months of my service. the regiment to which I belonged was employed to serve the country about Cape Fear & between that & Tar river in pursuit of the tories, & it was understood that if called for, we were to go with Col Washington, but he never called on us. He was not connected with any regiment or company.
To the sixth he answers, I received a discharge signed by Benj Seawell, which I have hereto annexed.
To the seventh, I refer to Toby Hudson, Henry Brashar, Dr Thos Huxey, Robert Bledsoe, Jas McDunn, James A Meriwether, & Mark A. Cooper.
Matthew Jones
Toby Hudson J.J.C.
James Nicholson J.J.C
Jas M Dunn J.J.C.

[Written in right lower corner of page] 
M Jones
+
Matthew Jones
17827
Page 6

Mathew Jones
Georgia
No. 17827
Rejected
14 Sept 1833
E-
Page 7


WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
April 16 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 shew what is
necessary to be done. Those 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.
a statement, shewing the service of Mathew Jones
Period when the SERVICE was
rendered.
1777 or 78 Vol.

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years      Months    Days
{illegible]

Rank of the claimant.
Pri
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. ┃
Col. Seawell
Capt. Bledsoe
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.

Country through which he marched.

Place of abode when he entered
the service, and age at the present period-

72 years
Franklin County No Ca

Evidence by which the declaration
is supported.
Traditionary

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 8

2
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 officers, 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, Teritory, or District ss
County 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 being first 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, in 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 of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
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)
hereby 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 day 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.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
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 produce 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 produce 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
Page 9

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of 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 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?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, 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?
one 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 he 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 a 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.
[a] where 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 satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. 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
his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection he served no less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades For   years   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 officer, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. In must in every case be 
clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement  to
the particular place or places where 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 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.
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.
note applies to continent
tal
The notes from (a) to (l) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in [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.
Page 10

5729
 P. O. 1832 Geo.
Mathew Jones
Service: Capt. Seawell  Col. Bledsoe NC
Franklin Co. 1778-9
P. O.
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed

Enlisted:         ,18
Discharded:    ,18
18
Alleges [crossed throught] The printed list of 1852 gives
cause of rejection as
 Did not serve six months.
Attorney:
P. O. 
Recognized.       Cont.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for        ,18
Page 11

Mathew Jones
Ga.
Rejected. See let 14 Sept.
1833 to Jas A Merewether
Eatenton   GA
5729

7 June 1832 Act
Page 12

North Carolina
Franklin County
This is to certify that  Mathew Jones having 
Performed his tour of militia duty in the 
 light home service he's
therefore discharged given
under my hand this 15 Dec 1781
Benj. Seawell Col
Franklin County
Page 13

N.C. Jones, Matthew R. 5729
Discharge
Page 14

Department of War -
Pension Office
July 26, 1833
Sir,
The declaration of William Jones has been reexamined, and is again returned for further explanation.
Mr. Jones claims to have performed one tour of Militia duty of 12 months in 1778 or 9; but as it was not the practice during the revolutionary war for the Militia to perform such long terms of service the declaration was sent back for some further account of the service in detail.
The applicant however has only repeated the allegation, and in support of which has produced a discharge from Col. Sewall date in 1781, for one tour of Militia duty, and this tour could not probably have exceeded three months, leaving the 12 months which at the best is of a doubtful character, wholly unsupported, and cannot be allowed unless he can specify his service agreeable to the rules adopted upon that subject
I am respectfully 
Your Obt Sevt
J.L. Edwards

Jas. A. Meriweather Esqe
Eatonton
Geo.
Page 15

James A Meriwether
14 Sep 1853
O.C.

Re. Vol. 10
Pa 152
Page 16

Department of War
Pension Office 
September 14 1833

Sir
The amended declaration of Matthew Jones has been examined and carefully compared with the original, from which [ ] and other corroberating circumstances. I am [com]pelled to reject his claim for service as he has alleged during the War of the revolution.
From his declaration it appears that he never served but one tour, and that the duty consisted solely in scouting after Tories, a kind of service not recognized as military service. He further says that he was liable [underlined] to be called out to join the army, but that such a call was never made. His claim is therefor rejected this paper placed upon the files of the Office
Page 17

Georgia
Putnam County ⎬
Matthew Jones having been sworn saith
that the circumstances of his twelve
months service in the Revolutionary war
were as follows
Colonel Seawell had been instructed to raise a
company of Volunteers. Capt Bledsoe was appointed
to
their command-- they were raised with
the understanding
that they should serve twelve months
were first
employed
in guarding the public grainary. were sent
out in occasioned scouting
parties. & when raised
it was understood that they were to be sent to be
Col. Washington if ever called for by him &
until they were thus called for,they  were to be employed as before
stated. It was unusual
during the war to raise
companies
for such
comparatively great length of time
but in company to which this deponent
was attached. did serve the length of time
of which he has spoken & other companies served
as he then understood
18 months-
The company
was never
called for by Colonel Washington & the
service  was contained accordingly
as
before stated-
The Head Quarter of the troops
I have before stated they
were made in the immediate neighbourhood
of our residences, & on account of an opportunity, as we might so long as we remained there
frequently of seeing our friends we
consented to
served
the twelve months besides
, if we served only
3 months tour we were liable to charges
of officers which we were
exempted from under the
arrangement
made
And this deponent further states
that he was 
continuously in
service during the
12 months of which he has spoken
He further states, that to the best of his
recollection there never was
any company of Light horse raised (he knew of served)
which were raised for so short a time as
three months. It was in
that kind of
service that his time was
consumed ┃
Page 18

This
deponent is unable to make any further statements
as to the particulars of his service. He was employed
in scouting
parties & to relate any more of the particulars
from such a transient service would be
taxing
his memory farther
then be it is capable of
bearing him out. He entered the service in last of
January or first of February 1777 or '78
& served until the last of
January
next year. It constituted one tour only. His service
was in
field mostly; the comp. was called into service by competent
authority & was an efficient one, in keeping down the tories
he performed great part of the service in Nash Franklin
Wake counties  & others adjoining Nash & Wake counties
The whole of the company
was never sent out at once.
A part was kept constantly at head Quarter to protect the public property whenever it was deemed advisable or making
a scouting party was sent out, which remained out from 7th
20 days
or more as energies required
& when they returned
were permitted a man but a short time before an other party was sent out. the object was to protect the grainaries & to attend as much protection to the citizens as possible against the trespasses of the tories. The deponent did not seek or enjoy any time offer during the said 12 months. 


Sworn to & subscribed this 13 August
1833
Matthew Jones
Ward Hill J. J. C.
Josiah Flormoy J. J.C.
Page 19



the
amendatory affidavit of Matthew Jones
to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed
June 7. 1832.
Georgia
Putnam County
Matthew Jones being brought before us
& being sworn saith
that the time of his service
was twelve months as he before stated in his
first declaration - he was a private. He was
first
assembled in Camp at Pete Goodwin. House
cross road Franklin County North Carolina seven
miles from Louisburg - he then marched down
towards Cape Fear passing through & about
Nash Wake & another county name not
[illegible] the Colonel station was upon
Crabtree creek & whenever we captured any of the tories the were carried to his quarters
at all the times, except the occasional [illegible]
this stated to the Colonel's quarters. we were
out in scouting parties for twelve months
I served but the one tour we now
called into service by competent authority.
I was not engaged in any civil service during
that time. My aged mind will not
permit me to write more fully any other
particulars. Sworn to before us in Chambers
this 6th April 1833-  Matthew Jones
Josiah Flournoy JJC
Ward Hill JJC C .
Jas M Dunn JJC