Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31502, John Wright, N. C.
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N.C.  Wright, John  S.31502
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25181
Kentucky 
John Wright
Of Hartbo in the State of Kentucky 
who was a private in the war commanded by Captain McFarland of the reg commanded by
Mr Gates in the N. Carolina 
Line for 1 year

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the sale of 40 dollars. 11 cents for annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1834

Certificate of Pension found the 2nd day of Dec 1853 and WT of Willis [illegible]
Arrers to the 4th of Sept 100.00 Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 20.00 = $120.00 {Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832)

Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book E Vol. 7. Page 33

Matter of death
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State of Kentucky 
On the 5th day of October 1832 personally appeared in [illegible] court before his [illegible] whereof now in [illegible] John Wright aged 71 years the 25th day of this [illegible] duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to allow himself the benefit of the [illegible] of Congress [illegible] 1832

Here he volunteered +[illegible] the service of the United States as a private soldier [illegible] North Carolina under Captain McFarland our Generals name was Butler but his Christian name however he does not [illegible] at which place they [illegible] as to the name of any of the officers other than the ones above [illegible] he does not recollect from where they march to [illegible] where we were commanded by General Gates from which place under the command of Gen. DeCalb we were march toward Charleston South Carolina and on where way from Camden to Charleston we arrived with [illegible] Sumpter who took the command of the whole and after the defeat of Gen. Sumpter at the mouth of beg
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[illegible] South Carolina [illegible]discharged [illegible]served three months

That after returning home, in about two months he again volunteered under Capt. John Douglass and May have under whom he served [illegible](well as he era may remember) is as across the "Lories and after they defeated the "lories on Deep river , North Carolina we were marched to Haw River in the same state[illegible] Gen. Green, by (who they took command of us) and we marched to the Gifford Court House and after the late of Chapal we then marched to South Carolina under the command of Gen. Green where we marched until the surrender of Cornwallis, when were discharged that the passage of time he was in the service of the United states we are the best of his recollection "Two years and six months that he was in the following engagement-- defeat the defeat of the "Lories at deep River, the defeat of the 'lories at the shallow ford of [illegible], the Battle of Pelford what he has written discharges, (or the company the [illegible]) at the time not knowing that they would be of any benefit to time after the conclusion of the war he
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did not talk to[illegible] to preserve them, nor does he know of any person living, in this county by whom he can prove his service
That he was born in the state of Virginia Hanover County from where he arrived to -- County North Carolina where he resided for 12 or 13 years, then he moved to South Carolina Chester County where he resided for 18 or 20 years, from where he moved to Hart County Kentucky where he has resided ever since for 27 years and still resides in said county. He further states that his name is not enrolled in any review agency he hereby drawn none from the government in any away and he hereby[illegible] all claim to any[illegible] but tho we prospect claims
We Jesse Craddock attorney at law and B. G. Wood a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, both residents of Hart County of Kentucky do certify that we are well aquatinted  with John Wright who has sustained and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be about the age he states him self to be in the foregoing application that he is [illegible] and bode well in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a statue of the [illegible] and that we can [illegible] in that opinion this 5th October 1832
B.C Wood 
J Luaddack
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I George T Wood clerk of the County Court of Hart County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of said court. Is the matter of the application of John Wright for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have [illegible]sit my hand and seal of office the 26th Day of November 1862 and with [illegible] of the government.
G. T. Wood

John Wright
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April 13, 1940

Mrs. R. B. Stoops
7520 Stewart Avenue
Chicago, Illinois

John Wright
S. 31502
BS-J/MLB

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary record of John Wright who served from North Carolina and applied for pension while living in Hart County, Kentucky.

The state which follow is regard to John Wright were obtained from the papers in pension claims, S.31502, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War

John Wright was born October 26, 1761, in Hanover County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown. He moved from Virginia to Caswell County, North Carolina, where he resided until after the Revolution.

While a resident of Caswell County, North Carolina, John Wright enlisted in the spring of the year in which General Gates was defeated at Camden, served three months as private in Captain McFarland's company. Colonel "Pacely's" (probably meant for Pastley's or Peasley's North Carolina regiment). Between one and two weeks after returning home, he volunteered and served six weeks as private in Captain John Douglas' company under Major Oniel in the North Carolina regiment. During his service he was in the battles of Sumter's Defeat, Deep River, Shallow Ford and Guilford, and was discharged at Ninety Six, South Carolina after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

After the Revolutionary War, John Wright moved to Chester County, South Carolina, where he remained between eighteen and twenty years, and in 1806 moved from there to that part of Hardin County later known as Hart County, Kentucky
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The solider was allowed pension on his application executed October 8, 1832, while a resident of Hart County, Kentucky. He signed John Wright, Senior, but his name was borne on the pension roll as John Wright.

There are no family data on the claim

In order to obtain the data of the last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of John Wright, the soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city , and cite the following data: John Wright, certificate #25181, issued December 2, 1835, rate $40 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Kentucky Agency

Very Yours Truly
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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John Wright Kentucky from 1780
[illegible] 5, $40
Nov. 1st 1833
 The[illegible] of pension will afford to John Wright a certificate service as for a years pensions if he should[illegible]him not[illegible] to more

John Wright 

[illegible]

W T Willis 
[illegible]Kentucky
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Brief Objective to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Wright which require further proof or explanation. 

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of war when he served?

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No,[illegible]

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made the relinquishment of every claim to any other amoutpension that the one under the Act of June 7th, 1832?

VIII. Has the court given their opinion? No.

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII. I the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulation direct?.

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
Quere V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as the precise length of his service, but according to the best of 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.
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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 three of four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. (Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and their particulars respecting their service. The form of a declarations is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under the officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places. Where the service was performed; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed in any civil pursuit.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In ca case where the name of the applicant is not found on the record of the Department, he must prove his service by credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as 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 the seal of his office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of Authenticating Papers.
IN every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of paper from being improperly attached to the certificate
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

The paper[illegible]in this case in-[illegible]that the different town of service in the militia should be given as requested in the note to Que. 5. from the magistrate of the applicants service. He could not have been in actual service[illegible] the enemy but ia[illegible]of the time claimed by him, he should amend his declaration accordingly. 
The applicant admits that he in [illegible]the[illegible]in the [illegible]that general Gate has defected. This [illegible]in August 1780 and [illegible]1776. At this time he served a town under a draft for three months, and[illegible]other town for six week, and [illegible]of 1780-81 and commanded a state operation in the May of 1780. The fort[illegible]that of Guilford. The applicant under his last service was engaged with the 19 October 1781. He could not have engaged in service more than one year, which is full of [illegible] can be allowed Oct 21. 1839
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Hear Lewis Cass
Secretary of Man 
Washington
City D.C
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[illegible] the May 15th 1833

Dear Sir

I return the declaration of John Wright for a pension with amendments in [illegible] the objections heretofore found to his claim, have [illegible] and I have [illegible] (as the friend and agent of Mr. Wright requested to ask the favor, of you that, when his claim may be decided on, information may be given to [illegible] I have [illegible] an order had been [illegible], by the War department , that no agencies of pensions will be allowed to(tho this order I have not seen) If this be the case, It will be almost equivalent to a total and [illegible] denial of the pensions  [illegible]from their age [illegible] and want of information on these subjects they cannot know the evidence and [illegible] their cases, ad they are compelled to engage some pensions to assist him. This I have [illegible] for a number and have always asked [illegible]but a very [illegible] compensation to be [illegible], by any sort of such speculations, [illegible] sharing or the immorality acclaim, but they aught to be aided to obtain this, a debt of gratitude. 
Please [illegible] Share the honor to be yours very respectfully 
Mr. T. Willis
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John Wright
Pension Declaration
Amended
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State of Kentucky Hart County

On this 15th day of May 1833, John Wright a resident citizen of said county personally appeared in the Hart Circuit court, in open court, and being duly sworn according to the law, state, on his oath that- his advanced old age, and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, that according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades; For three months I served as a private soldier in the militia of North Carolina as a volunteer, under the command of Captain McFarland and General Butler; for two years and three months I served as a private soldier in the militia of North Carolina also, and was not discharged until after the surrender of General Cornwallis at[illegible] York in the fall of the year 1781. It was in the year 1777 or 1778 as well as his memory served him now that he last entered the service and was but a few weeks, not exceeding three or four, that he was out of actual service in the army- and for such service I claim a pension- and the [illegible]John Wright in [illegible]the several interrogations, requested to be answered by the Secretary at War- answered as saytothe last question, he was born in Hanover County[illegible] of regiments on 25th day of October 1761 Second- he has a record of his age in his family Bible made by his father and was in his possession, accordion got[illegible]of the age above states Third- when he was called unto[illegible] he resided in Caswell County State of North County South Carolina where he lived, from 18 to 20 years and, from there he moved to the county then called Hardin County he moved here in the year 1806. Where he has continued to reside until this time[illegible] continues to reside Fourth, he volunteered his service in the different camp [illegible]above states, Fifth, he knew Captain McFarland, General Butler, Baron DeCall, General Sumpter, General Green, Captain Johnston, I knew at the battle of Guilford, Capt. Douglass, Major Oniels and others he cannot remember the [illegible] of any of the continental regiments but he remembers that
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there mere continental regiments in the Battle at Guildford Courthouse rather in which he served with the army. Sixth Questions- he received a discharge but has long since [illegible] his dischargee never[illegible] it[illegible]by any service to him. Seventh Question- He would maintain Doctor BG Wood, John Harris, Robert Blackwell, Col. Ben Copeland, John Clotham, and many of this who can testify to his character for[illegible] of the belief of his having been a soldier of the reolvution worn to and [illegible]the [illegible]and your[illegible] John Wright

And the said court doth hereby declare as their opinion after an investigation of the matter , and after putting the interrogatories percribed bys the War Department that the above named applicant John Wright was a Revolutionary soldier and served as the states and the court also certify from [illegible] it appears to a, B. G. Wood, who has signed and swore to a certificate, the the county court of said county for a pensions, by said Wright, is a clergyman and that Jesse Craddock whose affidavit & certificate is also [illegible] and connected with said Wrights pension declaration in said county[illegible] is a gentleman of veracity & respectability and his statements credible to [illegible]
I George T Wood clerk of the court of Hart County and Clerk of the Hart Circuit court, do certify that the foregoing contains the proceedings in the said circuit court in the matter of the application of John Wright for a pension
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand + seal of office this 15th day of May 1833
G.T. Wood
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John Wright 
Second Declaration Amendment
Oct 1833
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State of Kentucky Hart County-
On this 4th day of October 1833 John Wright of said county came before me a justice of the peace in and for said County of Hart, and made the following ammendment to his former declarations in order to claim a pension from the government under the act of [illegible] of the 4th day of June 1832. Said Wright being by00 first [illegible]dust sworn according to the law, stated, that the time he cited the service of the United States as a soldier of the Revolution in the army of the United States militia the latter part of the spring of the year that General Gates was defected at the Battle of Camden, whether he is correct as to the year this took place or not he [illegible]swear [illegible] by he thinks it was in 1778. He served his first tour three months in the company commanded by Captain. McFarland; in this tour however from the time he left home which was in the spring that he was discharged was not less than five months as his term of service did not commence until about two months after he left home, when he enlisted the state of South Carolina where his service commanded and in which state was [illegible]after returning home from the first tour he remained at home not exceeding a week before he again[illegible] and enlisted the service under Capt. John Douglass against the tories for no particular time but was engaged in the tour[illegible]six weeks to the best of his recollection was discharged as he also was in the first tour, returned home, and [illegible] about two weeks and again volunteered and [illegible] the service in the army commanded by General Gates in a company commanded by Captain John
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McNiel in this time he[illegible] for not particular term of time, and on this occasion[illegible]in the army until he was discharged at 96th in South Carolina the fall that Cornwallis surrender at [illegible]York [illegible] the fact is well known as part of history of the country that swing to the [illegible] of the tories and their[illegible]and cruel murders in North and South Carolina about the time that[illegible]Kentucky more safe in the army than in the country at their home; and this was the reason of his continuing in the army. This was a[illegible]the case with many others, the draft, of the militia now from 3 to 4 months, but said[illegible]was never[illegible], he served his country as a volunteer. So the whole of the time he was in the service he was not engaged in any civil employment he acted as a soldier the whole time he is truly of service in the army was the time he has stated according to the list of his [illegible] from the latter part of the spring 1778 to the fall of the year 1781 with the exceptions of three months of[illegible]he was at home in that time which he state heretofore to have been two years and [illegible] upon [illegible]  and calculations of[illegible]has found to be three years and at[illegible]three months, directing time not in service between tours. In his finest tour Col. Pacely commanded the regiment to which he was attached in the second tour amid was the major there was no colonel it was a [illegible]of men called out to [illegible]the lories. In his third and las tour Colonel William Moore commanded the regiment to which he belonged who he has seen since the Revolution in Carthage[illegible]
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about twenty years since where he [illegible] sworn and [illegible]before me this day and date were named 
John Wright

Blatchley C Wood
State of Kentucky George T Wood clerk of the Hart County Court do hereby certify that[illegible] whose name is [illegible] to the above and foregoing certificate is now and was on the any said certificate bears oath in[illegible]of the peace in and for[illegible]county[illegible]and qualified as[illegible]and this his signature thereto is genuine and that full faith and[illegible] is[illegible] to be given to his[illegible]as  [illegible] 

Testimony[illegible]and offers my seal of office the 5th day of October 1833
George T Wood Clerk of Hart County Court
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31502
Rev. Invalid

File No 31, 502
John Wright, Pri. Rev. War

Act: June 7, 1832
Index: Vol 8, Page 471
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1920 Dec 10 Reil. to W. S. Pollard - E.W

1921 March Reisl. to Mrs. Stella Shutt and 
1940 Apr 13, Reil to Mrs R. B. Stoops
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Revolutionary War Record Section      3-525
S 31502
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C., Dec. 10, 1920

In reply to our request of _____, received ____ for a statement of the military history of John Wright, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment, Length of Service, Rank, Officers Under whom service was rendered, State.

Spring 1780, 3 months, Private, under Captain McFarland, N.C.
Spring 1780, 6 weeks, Private, under Jno Douglass, N.C.
1780 to October 1781, Private, under Jno McNiel, N.C.

Battles engaged in, Sumiption defeat, Shallow Ford, Guilford, Deep River
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Casewell county, NC
Date of application for pension, Oct 8, 1832 clial.
Residence at date of application, Hart Co, Ky
Age at date of application, b. Oct 25, 1761 in Hanover Co, Va
Remarks: There is no data as to his family
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Received Mar 16, 1940

7520 Stewart Ave.
Chicago, Ill
March 13, 1940

Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

   I am writing to ask information about John Wright, who served in the Revolution from North Carolina.

   We have found in some material in the library that such a man applied for a pension March 4, 1831.  He was then living in Hart Co., Ky.  We think it likely this is one of our North Car. Wrights.  We have nothing about our relative except the year of his birth.  We know most of his brothers moved to Indiana, stopping awhile in Ky.

   Will you be kind enuf [sic] to look at the pension papers and send us what you find about him, such as

the record of his service in the war
when and where he was born
moves he made, if mentioned
proper names mentions such as neighbors or relatives
names of his parents or brothers would be immense help
date of last certificate order paid

We shall be exceedingly grateful for your aid.

Very truly yours,
Mary D. Stoops
Mrs. R. B. Stoops
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U.A. Pension Office Jan 28, 1921

301 S. Wright St
Champaign Ill

Jan 26, 1920

Dear Sir - I wish information concerning the Revolutionary war records of John Wright.  I am not quite sure of the place of his birth, nor the place of his death -- but do know he was born 1760 and died 1839 and know he was born either in S. C. or Va and think he died in
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in Ky.

His wife was named Phoebe.  She was born 1754, died 1826.

I think he enlisted in Va, and have been told he served under General Green.

Respectfully, Mrs. Stella Shutt

This branch of Wrights came to Ky early in the 1800 century.
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Pollard Nov. IV
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U.S. Pension Department,
Washington,
D.C.

Gentlemen:

     My mother's grandfather was John Wright of Kentucky, I understand was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was at the surrender of Cornwallis, and after the war drew a Federal Pension.

   My daughter is desirous of joining the Daughters of the Revolution, and I will be very much obliged if you will furnish me with the information that would be necessary for her to have, showing, of course, from your records, the necessary facts about his service.

Yours very truly, 
W.S. Pollard
WSP/CC

U.S. Pension Office, Nov 15, 1920