Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10541, for John Thompson, North Carolina
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Thompson John 
R. 10541
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State of North Carolina
Wake County
Wm. G. Thompson, aged fifty-four years, [illegible] day appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, & made oath (according to law) [illegible] as follows:
That he has made diligent search and enquiry in his family and among the heirs of John Thompson his Father for the Grant of his land account, upon which he (Wm. G. Thompson) verily & [illegible] believes was duly entitled – upon an [illegible] hunt & enquiry, he does declare that he has often seen his said Father with his discharge which he carried with him in his pocket book. He declares that he recollects distinctly that his said Father, prior to (subject to any Election) ever there become interested – either then or in his return home, he had his pocket book or it was stolen from him containing his discharge as a Captain in the Revolutionary War and his money and other papers, which he never recovered. This fact was also well known in the neighborhood, and he declares his said Father returned the next day...
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...in search of his Pocket Book, which contained his discharge as a Captain in the Revolutionary War. But he never recovered the Pocket Book, nor any of the contents, [he] supposes.
Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 6th day of March A.D. 1856,
W. H. Hays, J.P.
Wm. G. Thompson
State of North Carolina
Wake County

This day appeared David Hayes before me an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, a credible and disinterested person, and [illegible] as follows:

That I well recollect that the said John Thompson lost his Pocket Book and thus missed the Grant of his being (his discharge for his service) as a Captain in the Revolutionary War, which was in said Book. That I have seen said John Thompson with his discharge in his possession as Captain and am well and intimately acquainted.

Sworn & Subscribed to before me this 6th of March A.D. 1856
W. H. Hays, J.P.
David Hayes
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Wake County NC March 1856
Gilbert [illegible] aged 68 years a resident of Vance County and State afore said a creditable witness [illegible] as follows, who being first duly sworn according to law declares, that he was genuinely acquainted from his Boy hood to his death with John Thompson who was a revolutionary War soldier of the revolution and I often heard him spoke of the Battles he was engaged in and of the hardships he endured he was a man of truth and undoubted character and often heard him speaking of his being honorably discharged which said discharge he had in his pocket Book but his children might see what he had done for them, about one year before his death he gave me a quantity of papers of his I was no Scholar and could not read. Not knowing why would be of any service I took no care of them they are all gone he went to Raleigh to attend an Election and there became intoxicated and Either there or on the road home he lost his pocket Book which contained his discharge at [illegible] with some money and other papers which he never recovered or any of the contents. This I am confident of sworn and subscribed to before me Gilbert Ewing this day and date above written mark The Wilsoning [illegible].
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State of North Carolina 
Wake County}
I. Thomas I. Utley, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake aforesaid, certify that Mr. I. Hayes and Thomas W. Young, whose names appear to the foregoing affidavits by John F. Thompson, David E. Etholyn and Arthur Evans are now and were at the time of signing the same acting Justices of the Peace in and for the said County, that their acts as such are entitled to full faith and Credit – And that the Signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine. In Testimony [illegible] I herewith set my hand and [illegible] the seal of said Court, at office in the City of Raleigh, this 7th day of March, A.D. 1856.
Thomas I. Utley, Clerk. 
By James R. Moore, Dep. Clerk.
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State of North Carolina 
Wake County October 11, 1855. 
On this 11 day of October Eighteen hundred and fifty five Mr John F. Thompson aged fifty five years who being duly sworn according to law [illegible] on his oath make the following declaration in order to receive the benefit of the act of Congress [illegible] the seventh of June Eighteen hundred and Thirty two in order to receive this amount of pension due. To his deceased Father, death whose name was John Thompson who rendered several years services in the Revolutionary War for the State of North Carolina from Wake County in which County he lived - both in the Militia and States and Continental lines. I have in that time given the latter and to the best of his knowledge and belief and information from his said father he first entered the Service in the Militia in the early part of the war in Seventeen hundred and Seventy top from Wake County for Six months and Served said time under one Captain Allen he against Substituted for twelve months under Captain Gales Company Fourth Regiment one before the time was over and he was promoted to a Lieutenancy in the militia and continued to Serve from that time until the close of the war and at which time he was living in Wake County North Carolina and in which County Died on the Eighth day of June Eighteen hundred and Thirty nine leaving at his death five Children all of them are now living their names are to wit: Sarah Thompson, Solomon Thompson, William Thompson, Susan Denton and John F. Thompson. This declarant he declares that he
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has often heard his father state that he was in the Battles and Engagement at Cowans Spring at the Cowper at Galpas Depots at Camden in South Carolina in the Guilford battle in North Carolina and served to the close of the war as a Captain and served as a subaltern during the greater part of the war. Except the first named period he declares that his said father married his mother before the date of Seventeen hundred and Ninety four - whose maiden name was Miss Frances Hicks and they were married in Lunenburg County Virginia before the date of Seventeen hundred and Ninety four and his said Mother died about the date of Eighteen hundred and Seven for the County of Wake and State of North Carolina and his said father died the Eighth day of June one thousand
Eight hundred and Thirty Nine.
Subscribed and Sworn to before me the day and date above written
W. I. Hayes J.P. John F. Thompson
I William I. Hayes an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Wake and State of North Carolina do hereby Certify officially that Mr John F. Thompson this day personally appeared before me and made oath in due form of law and made the following declaration he is a man of undoubted truth and [illegible] and his said statement is entitled to credit and from sickness and [illegible] infirmity is unable to attend Court to make this his declaration the day and date above written.
W. I. Hayes.
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I, Alfred F. Thompson do hereby certify that the two leaves which accompany this declaration were taken out of my father’s family Bible and they contain a True record of his family and the death of my Grand Father which is have with hundreds known to and subscribed before me this day and year above written.
A.	F. Thompson 
Attest: W. I. Hayes.
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John Thompson Sen Born July 12 1754
Luzanna Thompson Wife of John Thompson Sen was born Feb. 1st A.D. 1764

John Thompson and Luzanna was Married October 17 A.D. 1824

George Calvin Thompson son of John & Luzanna was Born July 25th A.D. 1825

Alfred Caswell Thompson son of John & Luzanna was Born May October 27th 1831

Alfred James Thompson son of John & Luzanna his Died November 7th A.D. 1828
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[illegible]
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C. Thompson was born the 2nd day of April 1782. Thomas Justin Thompson son of C. Thompson and his wife was born February 20th A.D. 1789. Matilda Hancock Thompson Daughter of John Thompson and Leah his wife was born March The First 1804. Serinda [illegible] Thompson Daughter of John F Thompson and Leah Thompson was born March the 7th 1818 [illegible].
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State of North Carolina 
Wake County
 I Thomas [illegible] Utley Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid certify that it was this day duly proven in open Court that Mr. John Thompson died on the 8th day of June 1839 and has now living his Children only to wit: Sarah Thompson, Solomon Thompson, William Thompson, Susan Henderson and John F. Thompson, and the same ordered to be certified to the War Department. I further certify that J. P. Hayes whose name appears to the foregoing declarations and [illegible] were at the time of signing the same acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and sworn and that the signatures [illegible] to be [theirs] are genuine in testimony whereof I [illegible] subscribe my hand and affix the seal of said Court at office in Raleigh this 24th day of November A.D. 1855.
Thomas I. Utley, Clerk
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I, John Sheppard, of the County of Orange and State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that I was intimately acquainted with John Thompson during five years of the Revolutionary War. I was then driving my father’s wagon [illegible] a baggage wagon, and we frequently camped together and slept with each other when we had the chance.
As I had to drive a baggage wagon, we were often together. I am now ninety-five years old, and I do know that the said John Thompson was promoted to the rank of Captain and commanded a Light Dragoons company. He was commanded by Col. Washington at the Battle of the Cowpens and various other battles.

After the battle of Guilford in North Carolina, Thompson was ordered to quell the Tories, which he done. This was at the close of the war. He did serve more than two years as Capt.

Sworn and subscribed to before me
John Sheppard
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I, Thomas Hall of the County of Wake and State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that I was intimately acquainted with John Thompson many years before he died. I often heard him relate of the many battles in which he was engaged, the privations to which they were subjected time after time. He was also sent out to correct the Tories, who were at that time committing their depredations upon the community. He did serve more than two years as Capt.
Sworn to and subscribed before me
W. F. Hayes
Thomas Hall

The Revd. Gabriel Barber of the Baptist order, resident of Orange County and State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John G. Thompson, the applicant who has sworn and subscribed to the above declaration; that I believe him to be fifty-four years old; and that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to be a man of truth and veracity.
Sworn to and subscribed before me
W. F. Hayes
Gabriel Barber
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State of North Carolina
Wake County
February the 9th, 1856

On this 9th day personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, John Shephard, aged 95 years, a credible witness with John first being duly sworn according to law, [illegible] and saith:

He made an affidavit some short time since in reference to the Revolutionary services of Capt. John Thompson, [illegible] and in which case, as I am in no way interested and the Commissioner of Pensions intimates I was not myself a soldier and is very incorrect. I state that I was not a soldier but was drafted at nearly the close of the war but was not called on to serve. He now states that is no reason why he cannot speak of facts which came under his own observation and knowledge. He further states at numerous times he saw the said Capt. John Thompson on actual service in Wake County, North Carolina, as Captain of a Militia Company for said County, having had frequent opportunity of being with him and with the men under his command as Captain while on said war, who did serve in numerous tours, and did serve for more than three years from said County of Wake, North Carolina, in which County we both lived and were neighbors together in which County he died, and that there was no man living on that day with whom I was better acquainted with than the said Capt. John Thompson.

Being a declared friend of mine and at the time I was drafted to drive a wagon through the State of North Carolina and South Carolina but was never under any competent authority but was hired to drive. I was near the battlefield of Eutaw Springs at the time the battle was fought and after the army was gone, I visited the battlefield and found everything just as Thompson had told me on that battlefield was closely conversed with dead and dying, which John Thompson was engaged as Capt. I conversed with him before the battle and after [illegible].
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[illegible] and state circumstances which I found to be as he had stated without further stating that he never knew any other man in the revolutionary war by the name of John Thompson as Capt. but the father of the affiant John G. Thompson with whom I am well acquainted with and his family and his brothers and sisters, sworn to and subscribed this day and date above written.  
W. T. Hayes  
John Sheppard

State of North Carolina 
State County
This day personally appeared John Sheppard before me, one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County, and made the oath to this above affidavit, sworn to and subscribed this 7th day of July 1836.
W. T. Hayes

State of North Carolina 
State County
I, Thomas S. Utley, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake, hereby certify that W. T. Hayes, whose name appears to the above certificate, is a man and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and that his acts and Certificates as such are entitled to full faith and credit, and that the signature above subscribing to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the said Court, at office in Raleigh, this Eleventh day of February, A.D. 1853.  
Thomas S. Utley, Clerk 
By James S. Moore, Deputy
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Union Office  
Dec. 11, 1855
Sir,
The application of the [illegible] of John Thompson of N. Carolina has been examined and [illegible] under the Act of June 7, 1832. The compiler of [illegible] has seen many payments that were made to men of his name but thinks often they were made as a substitute for an actual man in the field. We cannot ascertain here an actual man as known to us, and it is believed that a few of these payments were made there. The general statement of John Sheppard that Thompson served over two years is not different from an allowance. The service must be proven as to equal me, & convince his statement with the history of the times of Sheppard, nor is it known why he never applied for a pension?

Sam. R. Rigley 
Secretary of War  
H. Hall, for Commissioner

M.H. Winston, Esq. 
New Light  
Wake [illegible], 
N.C.
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10541
[illegible]
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Enclosed, I send upon the desired evidence on the Thompson Case.
Very Respectfully your obedient servant,  
William Winston.
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Enclosed I send you the Affidavit of the Heirs of Capt. John Thompson of the Revolutionary War under the Act of June [illegible] 7, 1832.
Address me at New Light, [illegible], 
Wake County, N.C.
William Winston
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State of North Carolina
Wake County, April 22, 1856
I, John Hendon, aged [illegible] five years, a resident of Wake County, a credible witness who first being duly sworn according to law, [illegible] and say that he was intimately and personally acquainted with James Thompson of Wake County, N.C., who rendered several years of service as Captain of Militia in the Revolution. The circumstances of the many battles he was engaged in during the war, he has often related, and he believes the same to be true, particularly concerning the Battle at Camden in 1780, and several other battles [illegible], the numerous encounters he had with the [illegible] in South Carolina. He cannot say positively that these things were so, but he believes that the old man told the truth as the old man was believed wherever he was known to be a man of truth and a valiant soldier. What I have heard the old man state, he states to be the truth as much as I could believe anything [illegible]. 
Sworn to and [illegible]
J. Thorn & Hendon
H.C. Layton, Jr.
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I, Hughhopkins, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Wake, N.C., do certify that I am well acquainted with John Hendon, a citizen of said county, and that he is a respectable man, a man of truth and his statements should be considered as evidence.
H.C. Layton, Jr.
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Washington, May 6, 1856
Hon. J. Miner,
Sir,
I have just received additional evidence in support of the application of John Thompson of North Carolina for a pension under the Act of June 7, 1832.
The certificate of the [illegible] of N.C. filed in this case shows a payment to Capt. Thompson and his company of $19.14.9. Also, a payment to him of $412.16. This I presume may refer to payments made to him and his company, which at the time of service was the highest amount that could be earned for a company in any case. He served over a period of 2 years and 12 days, the other payments to him served as a Captain for nearly 10 months while he was in command for about 12 months.
The accompanying certificates show that these payments were made by the Auditor of Salisbury District, within the county of Wake, in which it is claimed that Thompson lived at a point which gives him an advantage to claim the pension.
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Claim was granted. Therefore that a pension for 12-month service as a captain may be allowed.
Very Respectfully,
Your [illegible]
Geo. C. [illegible].
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State of Maryland
Comptroller’s Department
I [illegible] W. Brooks Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the state aforesaid do hereby certify that I have examined and found in this office among the payments made to persons who served as soldiers in the Revolution War, as follows:
John Thompson
Indent  319 € 412-6 	        Specie 	    Holliston       District      1785
" 	2634 € 47-7		"		"	       "		"				    
" 	4640 € 5-13		"		"	       "		"
" 	4993 € 13-10		"		"	       "		"
Book C3064 € 39-11		"		"                 "		"
" 	3880 € 5-13-6		"		"                 "		"
" 	4286 € 19-14-9	"		"	       "		"		
M23 Page 250 € 2-8
The large payment of € 412-6 above is presumed to be for service as Captain.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of office at College Park this 24th day of November 1855.
Geo. W. Brooks
Comptroller
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[illegible]
John Thomson
N. Carolina
June 7, 1832
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Pension Office
February 20, 1856
Sir,
I have received and examined the additional evidence transmitted in support of the claim for pension of John Thompson, as a soldier in the revolutionary war. The application of John Thompson does not satisfactorily show that Thompson served or was mustered in the payments verified by the Comptroller of North Carolina, much less does the evidence on file show the duration of service with the necessary certainty. There are no papers in the possession of the family which would show Thompson to have been a captain during the revolution.
Respectfully,
H. M. Rue
for [illegible]
M. A. Whitton, Esq.
New Light,
Wake Co.
North Carolina
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Pension Office
March 29, 1856.
Sir,
The additional testimony submitted by you to sustain the claim [illegible] for the services of John Thompson, [illegible] late of Wake Co. N. C. under the Act of June 7, 1832, does not identify him with either of the payments embraced by the certificate of the Comptroller of N. Carolina dated Nov. 24, 1855; nor is there the slightest reliable evidence in the case that he served in the grade of Captain. 
Had he served in that grade, the fact must have been well known to the prominent citizens of Wake Co. and independent of abundant direct parole proof, there should exist record evidence, if the statements of Shepherd are correct. And besides, it is not probable that if Thompson had rendered such distinguished service in the grade of Captain, as is alleged, that
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he would have lived until 1889, seven years after the passage of the law embracing his case, without asserting a claim. It is, in my opinion, a very doubtful case, and the claim will not be admitted unless the grade and duration of service are shown by the most conclusive testimony.
Respectfully
S .C .Cole
[illegible]
W. H. Whiston, Esq.
New Light -
Wake Co.
N. C.
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Wake County [illegible] 21, 1856.
North Carolina
[illegible] Bayles D Smith aged 54 years who first being duly sworn according to law believes, that he was intimately acquainted with John Thompson [illegible] who died about the year of 1839 who lived in our neighborhood & do certify that I have often and respectfully heard him speak of the difficulties and trials, and hardships he underwent and had to endure during his services in the revolutionary war rendered by him as Capt of Malitia from Wake County North Carolina I do not
know these things but I believe what I have heard him say on the subject of his services in the revolution as also circumstances that I never saw for he was a man of truth and conduct. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21st April 1856.
W. F. Cayer 
JP Barret [illegible]

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Mr. Smith and believe him to be a man where honesty can be relied upon
W.F. [illegible].
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State of North Carolina
Wake County 
April 22, 1856
Richard Lumley aged 59 years a constable witness who being first duly sworn depose as follows to wit that he was personally and generally acquainted with John Thompson [illegible] who died about the year of eighteen hundred and thirty nine (1839) on the month of June we lived near each other on the same neighborhood, as to his death that after heard him relate about the many battle he had been engaged in and the hardships he spooked that he was in Maney hard fought battle as Capt of Militia from wake County North Carolina. I do not know positively their to be so but I do believe what I have heard him say of his services on the war of the revolution as much as any relation of circumstances reached. Yes, as much as I believe that George Washington was Commander in Chief of the army of the united States whom I never saw [illegible] to be and Subscribe before me this 22 Ap. 1856.

(C. H. Geyer D)
Richard Lumley
Wake County I do hereby Certify that I am intimately acquainted with the above whose name appears to the above affidavit; and believe him to be a man whose testimony in any matter, can be relied upon. 
E. H. Geyer [illegible].
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Wake County
North Carolina April 24, 1856
Enoch Evans, aged fifty-five years, a respectable citizen of said County of N.C. who has been living there many years, is directly acquainted with John Thompson, [illegible] who died in the month of June 1839 in said County of N.C. and who lived in the same neighborhood and in the County that I have frequently heard him speak of his service and rendered by him in the war of the revolution at East of Malitia in this State, I often hear him give an account of the numerous battles he was in and the hardships he had to endure in the service of his country. Cannot say much more than this, as he believes that what I have stated and understand, I have heard him state of his service in the revolution as much as I could declare what I did not see or hear the statement of any other man with whom I was acquainted before me the day underwritten.
Enoch Evans
[illegible]
I, Hugh E. Lyon, an acting justice of the peace for and for the County and State aforesaid, do certify that I am well acquainted with Enoch Evans whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavit that he is a respectable citizen of said County, and his statement should be accredited.
H. E. Lyon J.P.
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State of North Carolina
Wake County}
I, Thomas S. Alley, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake in the State aforesaid, certify that Wm. P. Hayes, whose name appears to the foregoing affidavits of Carter B. Smith and Richard Smith, and Hugh E. Lyon, whose name appears to the foregoing affidavits of Shawm [illegible] and Edward Evans, are now and were at the time of signing the same acting Justices of the Peace for said County; that their acts and certificates as such are entitled to full faith and credit, and that the signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Raleigh, this 29th day of April, 1856.
Thomas S. Alley, Clerk
By W.C. Barber, O.C.