Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7227, for William Mizell, North Carolina
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776]

SERVICE
N.C.
Mizell, William

NUMBER S.7227

[stamped] VETERAN’S RECORDS

Born in N.C.         Carded
CONTENTS
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] Date of death not on AB

[right side] 16.879
North Carolina
William Mizell, Ser [Senior]

of Martin Co. in the State of North Carolina
who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded
by Captain ___ of the Regt. [Regiment] commanded
by Co. [Colonel] Eaton in the N.C. [Illegible]
line for 8 mo 25 ds [8 months & 25 days]

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina
at the rate of 44 Dollars 16 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of October 1833 and sent to Asa Biggs Wilmington 

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 $110.41
Semi=anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 [Illegible] 34 [1834] 22.08
$132.49
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by W L Williams, Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 ½ Page 65
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Admitt [Admit] as a Sergeant 
8 mo [months] 25 days
$44.16

88.33
22.08
110.41

N. C.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

WAR DEPARTMENT
PENSION OFFICE

Apl. [April] 25 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, (these:}). 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, showing the Service of Wm. Mizell Martin County North Carolina

[column headings: Period when the service rendered: Duration of the claimant’s service. Year Month Day: Rank of the claimant: Names and Rank of the Field officers under whom he served.: Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service, Proof by which the declaration is supported.]

1.  About the time at the battle of Brier Creek / 5 months 25 days / Ord [Orderly] Sergeant / Col. Eaton, Genl [General] Ashe / 76 Martin Co. N. C. / traditionary evidence of clergyman & citizens & the affidavit of Thomas Price

2.  1781 / 3 months / “ “ [Orderly Sergeant] / Col. Hill, Lt Col McKenzie Genl Greene

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 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, Territory, or District of} 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. 
[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. 1               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 bis 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
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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.} {To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 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 trans nit 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) 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 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. ln a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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    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 in 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 in 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 signatures of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule to [illegible] 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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Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832.

State of North Carolina} 
Martin County} SS 
On this 31st day of August 1833 personally appeared before Philip D. Seymour a Justice of the Peace in and for said County William Mizell a resident of said County and State aged seventy six 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 this act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. 

1st That he entered the service of the United States not long before the battle of Briar Creek was fought. He was drafted from Martin's Regiment and placed under the command of Capt. John Higgins Jones, Col. Thomas Eaton, when he joined the main army the whole was commanded by Genl. Ashe [General John Ashe]. He was marched through South Carolina into Georgia to Briar Creek where a battle was fought with the English [March 3, 1779]. The battle was short the Americans being compelled to retreat. He recollects that Col. Philip Alston & his Lieutenant James Jones brother of the Captain were taken prisoners. After the battle the Army was marched to Black Swamp Camp. Having been drafted for five months only his term of service expired at this place but the officers compelled him with others to remain twenty five days longer at the expiration of which time we were discharged. I know of no person now living by whom I can prove my actual service in the above tour. I was orderly sergeant in this tour. 

2nd He was drafted for the second term of service for three months. He was placed under the command of Capt. Benjamin Hardison, Col. Whitmill Hill [Whitmell Hill], Lieut. Col. McKensie [Kenneth McKenzie]. He was [^ appointed first sergeant and] marched under their command to Guilford Court House where a battle with the English took place [March 15, 1781]. The whole army at that place was under the command of Genl Greene [General Nathanael Greene]. He had not been in camp but a short time before the battle took place in which we retreated and
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formed at the Iron works [Troublesome Iron works] according to orders. The army was marched from this place in rear of the enemy to Deep River at Ramsey's Mills. He remained at this place until his term of service expired and he was discharged. He knows of no person's testimony by which he can substantiate his service in this tour that he can procure but Thomas Price whose affidavit is herewith submitted marked A. He states that he received regular discharge at this expiration of each term but he cannot find them having been lost or destroyed while he was absent at war. He resided in Martin County when called into service and has resided in said County ever since with the exception of what time he was absent at war. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not in the pension roll of any agency in any state. He refers to the affidavit of Joseph Biggs, Senr. [Senior], a clergyman upward of sixty years of age marked B and the affidavit of Joseph Robertson, Saml. [Samuel] S.S. Shepherd and Joel Smithwick marked C herewith submitted for traditionary evidence of my service. 
Sworn to & subscribed this day} William Mizell Senr., (Seal)
& year aforesaid --}
Phil. D Seymour JP

I Philip D Seymour a Justice of the Peace in and for said County do hereby declare my 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 stated And I do hereby certify that Joseph Biggs Sr. who has signed the certificate herewith submitted marked B is a clergyman resident in said County and that Joseph Robertson, Saml S S Shepherd and Joel Smithwick who has sworn to
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& signed affidavit marked C are residents of said County and credible persons & their statement is entitled to credit. I further certify that Wm Mizell this applicant very infirm and unable to attend Court convenient by wagon of his bodily infirmity.
Philip D. Seymour JP

Answers to the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department: 

Answer to 1st Int: I was born in the County of Martin according to the record of my parents on 6th January 1757. 

Answer to 2nd Int: I have it at home in a common prayer book. I took it from my father's record which record was purchased by Davis Robeson at my father's sale, who married my sister and who carried it to Tennessee, the time I do not recollect. 

Answer to 3d [3rd] Int: I was living in Martin County when called into service and have lived in said County ever since with the except of some time absent at war. 

Answer to 4th Int: I was drafted. 

Answer to 5th Int: I recollect Genl Ashe, Genl Greene, Col Eaton, Col Hill, Col McKensie, Col Alston. I recollect we were with Continental Regiments but I cannot describe them. I refer to my declaration for the general circumstances. 

Answer to 6th Int: I received regular discharges at the expiration of each term from the officers in command and I have lost them or they were destroyed while I was gone to war. 

Answer to 7th Int: I could name many but I think it's sufficient to name Joseph Biggs, Sr., a clergyman and Joseph Robertson & Joel Smithwick Justice of the Peace of Martin County and Saml S.S. Shepherd Sheriff of said County whose affidavits marked B & C are herewith submitted. 

Phil. D. Seymour, J. P.
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State of North Carolina} 
Martin County} 
I Thomas W Watts Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of said County certify that Philip D. Seymour whose signature is placed officially to the foregoing declaration and certificate is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that said signature purporting to be his is genuine 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my office this 23rd day of September 1833 

Thomas W. Watts Clk [Clerk]
by Wm Watts D C [Deputy Clerk]
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

February 24, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
WILLIAM MIZELL 
S.7227
BA-J/MLB Own
Mrs. Fred M. Dunstan 
Windsor North Carolina 

Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Mizell, of North Carolina, who received a pension, and records of any other soldiers of Bertie County, North Carolina with that surname. 

The record of William Mizell is given herein as shown in his claim for pension, S. 7227, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. This record, and that of Cader Measles (R. 7088) which was furnished you May 13, 1912, are the only Revolutionary War pension records on file under any spelling of that surname. 

William Mizell was born January 6, 1757, in Martin County, North Carolina. The names of his parents are not shown. 

While residing in Martin County, North Carolina, William Mizell enlisted a short time before the battle of Brier Creek, served a tour of five months twenty-five days as first sergeant under Captain John Higgins and Colonel Thomas Eaton, marched through South Carolina into Georgia where he was in the battle of Brier Creek. He again enlisted, date not stated, served three months as first sergeant under Captain Benjamin Harrison and Colonel Whitmill Hill and was in the battle of Guilford Court House. 

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1832, while a resident of Martin County, North Carolina. He stated he had always lived in Martin County, North Carolina, except when away at sea. He was William Mizell, Senior, at the time he made his application for pension. 

It is not shown whether William Mizell, Senior, ever married.
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[typed form]

William Mizell's sister (name not designated) married one David Robason, of Tennessee. No other family data were given. 

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of this soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: 
William Mizell, Senior, certificate #16679, issued October 11, 1833, rate $44.16 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, North Carolina Agency. 

Very truly yours 

A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator

 - 2 -
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William Mizell Sr.

15809

[words all crossed out]
Page 14

State of North Carolina}      A
Martin County}

Personally appeared in open court Thomas [Price - text obscured by seal] who being sworn deposeth that he served [text obscured by seal] months in one tour in the Revolutionary War [text obscured by seal] present at the battle of Guilford Court House [text obscured by seal] that he distinctly recollects that William Mizell Sr served that tour & that he was orderly sergeant of his Company – The circumstances attending that tour detailed in his affidavit he believes are true. 

Sworn to & subscribed and open court at the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Martin County on 9th day of October 1832 – 
[Thomas] Price
Laurence Cherry, J.P.

(In certificate of Magistrate on the back)
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I Laurence Cherry Justice of the peace for the County of Martin do hereby certify that Thomas Price who subscribed & swore to the within affidavit is a reputable & credible man --- 
Laurence Cherry J. P.
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C

Joseph Robertson, Joel Smithwich & Saml S Shepherd personally appeared in open Court & being sworn deposeth that they have been well acquainted with William Mizell Sr. who makes the annexed affidavit for many years & that we give full credence to the same - We believe all the facts set forth in said affidavit are true - His character for veracity is unimpeachable – he has never heard any person doubt his service in the Revolutionary War. 

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court at the Court of pleas & Quarter sessions for Martin County on 9th Oct 1832} 
Laurence Cherry J.P.}
Jos Robertson 
Saml SS Shepherd Shff [Sheriff]
Joel Smithwick JP
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State of North Carolina} ss  
Martin County} Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions October Term 1832 

Upon sufficient evidence being introduced to the Court & from their personal knowledge of the character & respectability of these who have sworn to & subscribed the annexed affidavit they have no hesitation in declaring their conviction of the truth of the affidavit of William Mizell sent & they concur in the opinion expressed in said affidavit - Laurence Cherry Esqr [Esquire]whose name appears to the aforesaid affidavits is Chairman of said Court & we certify that is his genuine signature – 
In testimony whereof I Thomas W. Watts Clerk of said Court hath hereunto set my hand & seal of office 9 Oct 1832 John A Smithwick & Philip D. Seymour are acting Justices of the Peace of said County 
Thomas W. Watts Clk [Clerk]

William Mizell Sr

15809 

[paragraph crossed out]
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William Mizell Senr [Senior] of the County of Martin & State of North Carolina being sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposeth & saith as follows: 
I was born in the County of Martin according to the record of my parents on the 6th of Jany [January] 1757. I was living in said County during the Revolutionary War and have resided in the same nearly ever since. I performed service in the Revolutionary War in two tours as first sergeant of a company amounting in the whole to Eight months & twenty-five days. – I was a drafted Militia Man for the first tour of five months – I was placed under the command of Captain John Higgins Jones Col. [Colonel] Thomas Eaton: the whole command of the Army was under Genl. [General] Ashe. – We were marched through South Carolina into Georgia to Briery [Brier] Creek where a battle was fought with the English – The battle was short we being compelled to retreat – I recollect that Col. [Colonel] Philip Alston & our Lieut. [Lieutenant] James Jones brother of our captain were made prisoners – After the battle we were marched to Black Swamp Camp. Our term of service of five months expired at this place but the officers compelled us to remain twenty-five days longer at the expiration of which time we were discharged – I know of no person but Joseph Pippen of Edgecombe by whom I can prove this service but he resides so far from me that I cannot procure his testimony nor did I know that he was alive until a few days past. – I was drafted for the second term of service for three months – I was placed under the command of Capt [Captain] Benjm [Benjamin] Hardison, Col. [Colonel] Whitmell Hill, Lieutenant Colonel McKensie – I was marched under their command to Guilford Court House at which place the
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battle with the British took place – The whole army at that place was under the command of General Greene [Nathanael Greene]. – We had not been long in camp before the battle took place in which we were compelled to retreat & formed at the Iron works according to orders. – We were marched in the rear of the Army from this place to Deep River at Ramsay's Mills – I remained at this place untill [until] I was discharged. – part of the Army was marched to Camden – I know of no person's testimony who I can procure at present but the affidavit of Thomas Price hereunto annexed by which I can substantiate my service in this tour – In both campaigns I received regular discharges but I have lost them. My papers having been destroyed while I was about at sea. – I have never received any pension from the Government – I refer to the annexed affidavit for evidence of my character for Veracity - 
Sworn to & Subscribed in open court at this Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions held for this County of Martin at the Court House in Williamston this 9th of October 1832 

William Mizell

Laurence Cherry, JP}
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William Mizell Senr [Senior]
Amended Declaration
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Amended declaration of William Mizell Senr. [Senior] in conformity with the regulations of the War Department and in explanation of the objections forwarded, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7th of June 1832. 

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the County of Martin William Mizell Senr. [Senior] who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that he cannot recollect with certainty the period of the war when the first tour of service was performed [^ except it was about the time when the battle of Briery Creek was fought]. – The second was about the time of the battle of Guilford as detailed in Declarations – He did not procure the certificate of a clergyman not knowing it was necessary thinking the certificate of citizens was sufficient. 

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state 

Sworn to & subscribed before me 
this 16 day of March 1833 
Jos. R. Ballard, JP 

William Mizell
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B

I, Joseph Biggs Senr [Senior] Clergyman residing in the County of Martin hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William Mizell Sr. who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration and to this amended declaration and that I believe him to be about Seventy five years old: that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that I concur in that opinion 
Jos. Biggs Senr [Senior]

Sworn to & subscribed before 
me this 18th March 1833 
Peter E Maddera JP
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State of North Carolina} 
Martin County --} ss. I, Thomas W. Watts Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said County do hereby certify that Joseph R. Ballard, Laurence Cherry & Peter E Maddera -- whose signatures are attached to the annexed affidavit are acting Justices of the Peace for said County and that the said signatures are genuine and that full faith & credit should be given to the official act - In testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand & 
affixed the seal of said 
Court this 18th day of 
March 1833. 

Thomas W. Watts Clk [Clerk]
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Williamston N.C. 21 Sept 1833

Dear Sir: 
Enclosed is the declaration of William Mizell Senr. [Senior] with the necessary certificates -- again returned amended the decision of the Department you will please to direct to the subscriber at this place 

Respectfully 
Asa Biggs
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

2

[Letterhead Left side] DUNCAN U. FLETCHER, FLA., CHAIRMAN. WILLIAM E. CHILTON, W.VA. JOHN W. KERN, IND. MARCUS A. SMITH, ARIZ. JAMES HAMILTON LEWIS, ILL. REED SMOOT, UTAH. JACOB H. GALLINGER, N. H. CARROLL S. PAGE, VT. JAMES M. CATHCART, CLERK. 

[center] United States Senate COMMITTEE ON PRINTING. 

September 11, 1915. 

Honorable G. M. Saltzgaber, 
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Mr. Commissioner:- 

I enclose herewith the original letter of Mr. J. Mizell of Fernandina, Florida, to me under date of September 4th. 

I tried to get the information from the Adjutant General's office of the War Department but they do not find the name of the rolls on file in that department of any organization of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina or Continental troops in service during the War of the Revolution. 

I would appreciate it very much if you would kindly consult your rolls and furnish me with the information desired by Mr. Mizell at your earliest convenience. 

Very respectfully and sincerely, 
Duncan U. Fletcher

Encl.
Page 26

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[Letterhead Left side] DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION JAMES T. ANDERSON CHEMIST Soils and Crop Investigations) 
[right side] Alabama Polytechnic Institute

[written sideways] Own

[square stamp] [Illegible] NAVY FEB 15 1905 FILES P. B. 

[right side] Auburn, Ala., Feb'y [February] 11 1905

U.S. Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington, D.C. 

Dear Sirs: - 

I am trying to find out something definite in regard to my [^ revolutionary] ancestors & write to know of you can assist me in obtaining the desired information. 

My great-grandfather on my mother's side was named John Atkins, he married a Miss Wynne, and I think he was from North Carolina or Virginia. My grandfather was named Henry L. Atkins. He married a Miss Stelle. 

My great-grandfather Mizell came from North Carolina and married a Miss Suggs. I do not know either of their given names. My grandfather Stephen Mizell married a Miss Murfree, or Murphy or Murphrey. Have you on your file of soldiers any of the above names? If so and you will kindly send same to me I will appreciate it very much. I enclose
Page 27

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[Letterhead Left side] DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION JAMES T. ANDERSON CHEMIST (SOILS AND CROP INVESTIGATIONS)
[right side] Alabama Polytechnic Institute 

Auburn, Ala. 190 

in this a stamped envelope & will ask a reply at your earliest convenience.

Very truly yours 
Mrs. James T. Anderson 
Box 86 

[square stamp] OLD WAR & NAVY FEB 15 1905 FILES. P. B.
Page 28

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] Mch. [March] 10, 1905 History to Mrs. James T. Anderson Auburn, Alabama
1915 Sept. 15, Hist. [History] to Hon. Duncan U. Fletcher, S. S. S. ¢
1929 – July 1, Hist [History] to Mrs. Marg. B. Fleming – 2104 State St. Nashville, Tenn. EEL
1939 – Feb. 24 – Hist [History] to Mrs.  Fred M Dunstan MLB

[right side] Rev War 
7227
INVALID

File No. 7227
William Mizell Senr [Senior]
Sergt. [Sergeant] Rev. War

Act: June 7th, 1832
Index: - Vol. [Illegible], Page 257

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 29

[Letterhead crossed out]

The Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington, D. C.

[right side] 2104 State St. 
Nashville Tenn.
March 1, 1929. 

Dear sir:
Will you please give me the record of services during the American Revolution of 
(1) William Mizell (often spelled Mezell or Meazle) of Martin County, North Carolina
(2) John Grimball of Beaufort District, South Carolina 

Very truly yours, 
Mrs. Mary B. Fleming 

[circular stamp] PENSION / O / MAR 5 1919 / U. S. OFFICE
Page 30

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[Letterhead] [Center] FRED M. DUNSTAN SHERIFF OF BERTIE COUNTY WINDSOR, N. C. 

[circular stamp with #’s 1-12] RECEIVED OCT 25 1938 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS. ADM. READER 6

[written sideways] Cedar Measles – R.7088 sent May 13 – 38 [1938]

10/24-’38 [October 24, 1938]

Pension Dept- 
Washington D.C. 

Dear Sirs. –
I have a record from Col. Histories of N. C. that William Mizell a Sergeant in the Revolutionary war drew a pension for service- 
Kindly said me a copy of his record-
Also advise me if there are other any [^ other] records by the following names:
Bertie Co Meazle 
[Illegible] Mizelle

Very truly,
(Mrs.) F.M. Dunstan
Page 31

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Rev. and 1812 
Wars Section 

[upper right side] Etat

July 1, 1929

Mrs. Mary B. Fleming 
2104 State Street 
Nashville, Tennessee 

Madam: 

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 7227, it appears that William Mizell was born January 6, 1757, in Martin County, North Carolina. 

While a resident of that county, he enlisted a short time previous to the battle of Brier Creek and served five months and twenty-five days as First Sergeant under Captain John Higgins Jones and Colonel Thomas Eaton, and was in the battle of Brier Creek. He enlisted, date not given served three months as First Sergeant under Captain Benjamin Hardison and Colonel Whitmill Hill, and was in the battle of Guilford Court House. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1832, while a resident of Martin County, North Carolina , where he stated he had always lived except when away at sea. 

There are no data as to wife and children. 
Respectfully, 

EARL D. CHURCH 
Commissioner
Page 32

[typed form]

[right side] September 15, 1915.

Hon. Duncan U. Fletcher, 
United States Senate, 
Washington, D. C. 

My dear Senator: 

in response to your letter dated the eleventh instant, requesting information for Mr. J. Mizell of Fernandina, Florida, I have the honor to advise you that the papers in the claim. Sur. File 7,227, Rev. War, show that William Mizell, Senior. was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1832, while a resident of Martin County, North Carolina. 

He stated that he was born January 6, 1757, in Martin County, North Carolina, where he always resided. except when absent at sea; he was drafted a short time previous to the battle of Brier Creek and served five months and twenty-five days as First Sergeant under Captain John Higgins Jones, and Colonel Thomas Eaton, and was in the battle of Brier Creek; he was again drafted in 1781, served three months as First Sergeant under Captain Benjamin Hardison, Colonel Whitmill Hill, and was in the battle of Guilford Court House.
Page 33

For the date of soldier's death and name of the person to whom the arrears of his pension were paid, application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U.S. Treasury Department, giving him all of the following data: 
“William Mizell Senior Certificate No. 16 ,879, issued October 11, 1833, for $44.16 per annum from March 4, 1831, under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the North Carolina Agency." 

The above is the only soldier named "Mizell" found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau. 

Very truly yours, 
G M Saltzgaber 
Commissioner. 


Mizell - 2 -
Page 34

In reply to your request of        , received     for a statement of the military history of William Mizell, Senior a solider of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out (or his widow’s)] application for pension on file in this Bureau. S.7227

[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.; LENGTH OF SERVICE.; RANK.; OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain, Colonel.; STATE.
1.  [check mark] 5 mos. 25 dys 1st Sergt. Captain John Higgins Jones Colonel Thomas Eaton N.C.
2.  [check mark] 3 mos. “ [1st Sergt.] Captain Benjamin Hardison Colonel Whitmill Hill

Battles engaged in, Briar Creek & Guilford Court House
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Martin Co., N. C.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 9, 1832, His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Martin Co., N. C.
Age at date of application, born Jany [January] 6, 1757 in Martin Co., N. C.

Remarks: 

Respectfully,

Commissioner

Sister mar. [married] David Robason who resided in Tenn.

6-2856