Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2608, Joshua Hamilton, N.C. Va.
Page 1

[printed] SERVICE
N.C.
Va.
Hamilton, Joshua
[printed] NUMBER
S. 2608
[printed] CONTENTS (blank)
Page 2

State of [illeg.]
Sullivan County
August [illeg.] 1832

On this 22nd day of August 1832 personally appeared in afore county before the Justices of the Court of Pleas [illeg.] man attorney. Joshua Hamilton a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged seventy two years who being first only sworn according to Law doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress paper June 7th 1832. that he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as [illeg.] in State [illeg.], that he volunteered in Bedford County in the State of Virginia in the year 1776 to serve a three months tour under Captain Thomas Doolas and marched to Williamsburgh in the same state when we joined the main army, and war continued at said place during his service three months tour and was discharged by his said Captain D[cut off] at that place which discharge he has in after [illeg.] of years casualty. That shortly thereafter he removed to the frontier settlement of North Carolina (near [illeg.]) and was again enrolled as a volunteer under Captain Russell and Col. Charles Robison for another tour of duty against the Cherokee Indians who had been in alliance with the British and were depredating [?] upon the settlement and met the Regiment at the Long Island in Sullivan County (then Washington), and descended the Hotsten river by water to Chickamauga in the Cherokee Country and destroyed the towns in that [illeg.] action killed some and drove back the rest of the Indians, and returned again
Page 3

after being discharged verbally, and arranged in companies for defense are returning home through the uninhabited country through which they had passed said tour was performed in the Spring of the year 1779 as well as recollected beginning in the 1st of March and ending in the last of May, exclusive of some weeks, to return home, after the close of the tour in the Cherokee Country. That in the ensuing years he again volunteered under Edward Cox as Lieutenant Col. Martins commanded to go on another expedition against the Cherokee Indians at the time that said Indians had resisted Col John Sevier and Martins was raising men for his reinforcement and went with the army under said Martin and joined Sevier, on the French broad river and marched to Okota in the Cherokee Country and had an engagement at the crossing of the Tennessee river, and again burned all the towns, corn and provisions, and destroyed their property and again returned home and was (verbally) discharged on their return to the settlement on Lick Creek (near Green County) after being in said service about three months.
 That in the fall of the year 1780 he again volunteered under Captain Waring, of General Shelbys command for an expedition against the British in the south commonly called the Kings mountain battle, in which he was during [illeg.] expedition which battle was in Sep. 1780. That the Army rendezvoused in Watogo and marched  around the
Page 4

Yellow mountain and from thence met the British under [illeg.] and on the top of Kings mountain and after a severe and doubtful contest for some time succeeded in obtaining a signal and complete victory. For our war there killed and this whole army either killed or taken prisoners, having to the best of his recollection been three month in service and returned home after being verbally discharged by said Shelby after the regiment had leaped over the mountain and had reached within a days travel of his residence. 
That in the spring of 1778 he volunteered for a three months tour previous to his Chickamauga expedition (which was the first duly performed by him after his removal to the Frontier in that part of the Country, now Tennessee) and which was omitted to be placed in its proper place in the foregoing statement. Which enrollment was under a Captain whose name he has now forgotten, but was for to act as a spy company and range in the vicinity of Fort Moore on clinch river, which duty he performed for about the space of three months, and returned home having been in the who[incomplete] service under the five enrollments or hereto fifteen months in service or a volunteer in the revolutionary war. That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows no person whose testimony he can procure except that arranged of Edward Cox. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension [incomplete] annually except the [illeg.] and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

Signed to and subscribed in open Court this 22nd of August 1832.
[signed] Joshua Hamilton
Page 5

On this 22nd August 1832. appeared in open court Edward Cox and Jacob Beeler citizens of said County and made oath that they and each of them are personally acquainted with Joshua Hamilton the subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and believe him to be seventy two years of age. Edward Cox was in the Chickagmauga expedition and that under Martin for the relief of Col. Sevier, set forth by said Hamilton, in his foregoing declaration each for three months, and knows that said Hamilton performed the tours as stated by him, and each of said persons who have subscribed this statement says that the applicant is respected in his neighbors and believed where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and they concur in that opinion sworn to and subscribed in open Court August 22nd 1832.
[signed] Edward Cox and Jacob Beeler

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogation hereto by the war Dept that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies it appears to them that Edward Cox and Jacob Beeler who have signed the preceding certificate are resident citizens of said County (there being no minister of the Gospel in the vicinity) and reputable and that their statement is entitled to full credit.

I Richard Netherland, clerk of the Court of Pleas and greater sessions for this County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the general proceedings of the Court in the application of Joshua Hamilton for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office. 22 August 1832
[signed] R. Netherland Co. Clerk
by GW Netherland Clerk
Page 6

3790
Joshua Hambleton
for 1776 private
15 month
$50
return
In 1.2.5. ofc
Dec 17
John
Blare
Jonesboro
60.
Page 7

5690
BRIEF in the case of Joshua Hambleton
County of of Sullivan in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? ---
3. How old is he? 72
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
In 1776
1779
1780
1780 Fall.
1778 Spring

Duration of Service.
Years,
---
Months,
3
3
about 3
3
3
Days.

Rank.
As a
private
"
"
"
"

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt. T. Doland-
Capt Russel, Col. C. Robison
Luis Cox, Col. Martin-
Capt. Warren, Gen. Shelby

5. In what battles was he engaged? King's Mountain
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bedford Cty, VA
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary & a witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
T. Waugh
Examining Clerk.
Page 8

Jonesboro Ags 3505
East Tennessee

Joshua Hamilton
of Sullivan in the State of Tennessee
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Deland of the Reg commanded
by Col. Robison in the Virginia
line for 15 months from 1776-

Inscribed on the roll of East Tennessee
at the rate of 50 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Dec 32
and sent to Hon:
J Blair House of Rep

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832
75.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar:33 25
$100


⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book D Vol. 9 Page 102
Page 9

Let to Saml Rhea, Oct 29
1835. 
Dup cert info Dec
3. 1835 & sent to Hon W
B. Carter, M.C. Prest

Letter 25 April 1837. Saml Rhea
order to pay & G. Rhea, June 3, 1837
Page 10

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C.,_______________, 19___

In reply to your request of ____, received ____ for a statement of the military history of Joshua Hamilton a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S.2608.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
1776--
Spg. 1778
Early in March 1779
1780
Fall 1780
LENGTH OF SERVICE
3 mos.
3 mos.
late in May 1779
3 mos.
3 mos.
RANK
Pvt
Spy
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
Captain
Thomas Doolan
Officers not named
George Russell
Lt. Edward Cox
Waring
Colonel
[blank]
ranged near Ft. Moore on Clinch River
Charles Robertson
Isaac Shelby 
Martin
Shelby
STATE
Va
NC
NC
NC
Battles engaged in, with the Indians; King's Mountain
Residence of soldier at enlistment, first enlisted in Bedford Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 22, 1832 His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Sullivan Co. Tenn.
Age at date of application, 72 years
Remarks: There is no family data on file. Shortly after first service he moved to the frontier of N.C.
Respectfully, [no signature] Commissioner.
Page 11

Blountville April 5th 1837

J. L. Edwards Esq
D. Sir,

M. Lucky the Attorney of M Joshua Hamilton, presented to M Blair pension agent Jonesboro, the papers to draw his pension for the last six months - a few days ago.  Mr Blair refused to pay , alledging that the Dept Suspended W 14 pension claim for the 6 months ending Sept 1835, which suspended claim he has now in possession and believes that he is entitled to a credit for the sum to wit $25 at the Dept - he has regularly paid the pension since said suspension until the last which he will not
pay until he hear from you on the subject
-
Please write me whether he has a
credit for said $25 the 6 mo due Sept 1835
If he has not a credit for it-- please advise
me how to make out the papers for said
months that M Blair can get a credit
therefore - will you require the papers to be
sent to you for examination before Mr Blair
pays? I have a good deal to do for the pensioners
and frequently need your instructions
to Mr Blair on the subject-- will you be so
good as to send me a copy of the instructions
and let them embrace the cases of widows
⎬
*I write at this particular suggestion of Mr Blair who is now her attending our court.
Page 12

and [?] of deceased pensions - I have now two applications from widows and am from the [?] of Deceased pensions to aid them in getting their arrears of pension - your [compl??] with this request will confer a particular favour.
[?signature]
Sami Rhea [signature]

MB

I enclose you the suspended claim thinking it might be of some used  to explain.

A great many of the pensioners get such small pensions that they would much prefer to draw their pension only every 12 mo - Is it in your power to extend the time so that they need not prove their identity and send their papers to the department except it [?] to 18 mo before this draw?
Page 13

State of Tennessee
Sullivan County

September 29th 1835
 
This day personally appeared before me, David Shaver an acting Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid Samuel Rhea, and made oath, that on or before the 7th day of last March, Joshua Hamilton, revolutionary pensioner of the County of Sullivan in said State, placed in his hands, his original pension
certificate, for the purpose of making out his papers, in order to draw the amount of money which was due him, at the agency for paying pensions in Jonesborough; and that he accordingly did made out in due form the necessary papers for said Hamilton & forwarded them together with the original certificate to Seth J. W. Lucky at Jonesborough; and that he accordingly did made out in due form the necessary papers for said Hamilton, & forwarded them together with the original certificate to Seth J W Lucky who was constituted the attorney in fact to draw the money for the said Joshua Hamilton. Deponent further states that this was the last time he ever saw said original pension
certificate, to the best of his knowledge.

Sworn to & subscribed before me.
the date above written.
Saml Rhea
David Share
S
State of Tennessee September 29th 1835
Sullivan County ⎬ This day personally appeared before me
David Sharer an acting Justice of the peace for said County, Seth J. W. Lucky, and made oath that about the 7th day of last March Samuel Rhea Esqr, of Blountville, for forwarded to him
at Jonesborough, a number of pension papers together with the original certificates for the purpose of making him as the attorney in fact therein, to draw the money for the pensioners; that among other papers & certificates
was the original certificate of Joshua Hamilton
of Sullivan County, that deponent drew from
the pension agent at Jonesborough.  The money due the said Hamilton on the 4th of March last, as he was authorised to do by the power of Attorney, Deponent
Page 14

further states that has lost or so mislaid the original pension certificate of the said Joshua Hamilton that he is utterly unable to find it after the most diligent search. Deponent is also confident  he never returned said original pension certificate either to the said Samuel Rhea or Joshua Hamilton.

Seth W Lucke
Sworn to & subscribed
on me the date above written
Daniel Shaver Esq

State of Tennessee Sullivan County
I G N Netherland Clerk of the Court of
Sullivan County, certify that David Shaver
is a magistrate as above, and that the foregoing Signatures purporting to be his are
gen in - ne

In Testimony whereof I have here unto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 30th day of Sept 1835
G W Netherland Alt
by John Gifford D.C.
Page 15

Blountwith. Oct 21, 1835
Hon J.L. Edwards
Sirs
Your letter of the 7th Just is received, in which you say "I herewith return the application of Joshua Hamilton for a new certificate, accompanied by a printed form, showing the additional evidence required to render his application complete"-- I return you the affidavit of Mr Hamilton but fear, on a close
examination of the notes at the bottom of 
the affidavit, that something yet may be lacking-- hope not - should it be necessary.
I refer you to Hon Saml Bunch and Gen Wm Carter, who are both members of congress and are acquainted with S D W Lucky and myself-- They
Page 16

will both be in Washington about the
1st of December-- W Hamilton was
our several tours against the Indians &c
of course was under several officers
-
Very respectfully
W. Obt Servt
Saml Shea
Page 17

FREE
3505
AFL/3
Josua Hamilton
Jonesborough, Tenn


J.L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 18

Blountville TE
May 27
June e
Joshua Hamilton

J. L. Edwards
War Dept
Washington D.C.
Page 19


Blountville May 27, 1837

Hon J. L. Edwards

Sir
Your letter of April 25 was duly received, -- in which you say that as soon as the correction is made, as required by the 3rd Auditor, the Pension Agent at Jonesboro will pay the amt
due to Joshua Hamilton -- 

I have applied to the Agent as aforesaid, he refuses to pay alleging that he has recd no instructions from you to pay-- Please advise how to proceed.

Very respectfully
S. Obt Servt
Saml Rhea
Page 20

Blountville, Nov 20, 1835

Hon J L Edwards
Sir
Accompanying this you will receive M Hamilton's affidavit of identity, also mine, corroborating --You have also on file the
certificates of W Lucky and myself
relation to the loss of the certificate --

The Hon Wm B. Carter who will
hand you this is acquainted with us all,

Respectfully 
Y. Obj Servt
Saml Rhea
Page 21

Rev See H
Morristown, Tenn.
March 11, 1916.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-

Will you kindly give me such information as your office can conveniently furnish covering the Revolutionary War Records of the following:

First, Timothy Acuff. It is most likely he enlisted from Culpepper County, Va. If he did not enlist there, he enlisted from Maryland County unknown.

Second, Joshua Hamilton. He is supposed to have enlisted from the State of Maryland at the age of 18 years and to have served through the entire war, If he did not enlist from Maryland he enlisted from Va. Most likely from Culpepper County, Certainly he was a pensioner of that war after his removal to Sullivan County Tenn. After the War Acuff came to Sullivan County Tenn., and is also believed to have been a pensioner of the Revolutionary War.

Nothing more is known of their records.

Very truly,
James, M. Robeson.

PENSION OFFICE US
D 
Mar 13 1976
Page 22

1916. March 22. History to Mr.
James M. Robeson M. B. H

Rev War
INVALID.

FILE NO 2608
Joshua Hamilton
PVT. VA line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 157.

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 23

Application for a new certificate

State of Tennessee
Sullivan County

On this 17th day of November 1835,
before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the peace for said County of Sullivan,
personally appeared Joshua Hamilton, who, on oath declares that he is the same person
who formerly belonged to the company of Virginia Troops commanded by Captain Thomas Doolin and also to a company commanded by Captain George Russell in the regiment commanded by Colonel
Isaac Shelby, in the service of the United States
That his name was placed in the pension roll of
the State of Tennessee, that he received a
certificate of that fact under the signature and
seal of the Secretary of War; which certificate,
on or about the 5th day of March 1835 in
the town of Blountville, the delivered the above certificate into the hands of Samuel Rhea Esqr
for the purpose of making out his papers and
draw his pension according to the rules of the
department, since which time he has never
seen said certificate. The said Joshua Hamilton
further states, that if there is any discrepancy
in his signature to his original application for
q pension, and to the present application
call pension certificate, it is
Page 24

owing to the fact that his hand trembles
very much from old age and the new motions 
so much so, that he sometimes was to have his
hand held & guided by another person when
he writes his name, and consequently his
signatures are apparently different .
Joshua Hamilton

Sworn to & subscribed before me, the day & date above
A M Clelln Justice of the Peace

State of Tennesseea
Sullivan County
On this 17th day of November 
1835, before me, the subscriber, a
Justice of the peace of the said County of Sullivan,
Personally appeared Samuel Rhea who on
his oath declares that he has the most satisfactory evidence and well knows the said Joshua Hamilton to be the same person described in the above affidavit. That he knows it from personal observation, and from having seen & had in his possession frequently for near two years, the original pension of certificate of the said Joshua Hamilton and that he believes from the most satisfactory evidence, the foregoing affidavit of the said Joshua Hamilton
Page 25

Saml Rhea
to be true
Sworn to & subscribed before
me the day of date above
A McClellan Justice of the Peace
State of Tennessee
Sullivan County
November 17th 1835
-
I, Abraham McClellan an acting Justice of the peace of the said County of Sullivan, and before whom the aforesaid Samuel Rhea was qualified, certify that I am well acquainted with the deponent Samuel Rhea, and that he is a person of veracity and entitled to full credit.
A.McClellan
Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee 
Sullivan County
I, George W. Netherland, Clerk Sullivan County of the County Court of Sullivan county certify that A McClellan is a magistrate as above, and that the fore signatures, purporting to be his are genuine
any whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office,
my name, this 17th day of November in the year 1835
G W Netherland.Clerk
Br John Gifford D.C
Page 26

APPLICATION FOR A NEW CERTIFICATE.
County of Sullivan, Tennessee
On this seventeenth day of October 1835, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Sullivan
personally appeared Joshua Hamilton
who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain George Russel in the regiment commanded by Colonel Isaac Shelby in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll
of the State of Tennessee that he received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War; which certificate
on or about the Seventh day of March 1835
at or near Blountville or Jonesboro in said
State was so lost or mislaid that it cannot be found
John Hamilton

Sworn and subscribed to before
me, the day and year aforesaid
George Gammon
Justice of the peace

NOTES. -- The last four blanks are left for the applicant to set forth the time, place, and manner of the loss or destruction of the original certificate.
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.
If the Pensioner has never received a formal certificate, but has drawn his pension on a mere notification, as was the case in a few instances many years ago, he should leave out the above words in italics, and insert, in lieu thereof, "but has never received a formal certificate, and now wishes to obtain one."
The Pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity. The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the
deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer, under his seal of office, setting forth that the officer before whom the affidavit may be made is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be.
When a person acting as an agent or Attorney for a pensioner, loses the certificate, the affidavit of that person is also required, which must be authenticated as above.
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 be sent with the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers. -- In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a peace of tape or small 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.
No attention will be given to applications from persons who act as agents, unless they are known at the War Department, or are vouched for as respectable persons by some one who is known to the Department.
Page 27

State of Tennessee Sullivan County
 ⎬ 
I Geo. W. Netherland Clerk of the Court of Sullivan County, certify that Geo Gammon
whose signature is to the foregoing affidavit, is a magistrate as stated and that his signature
appears to be in his own proper hand
writing - In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of Office at Office this 21st day of October 1835
W Netherland Clerk
of John Gifford D.C.
Page 28

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Joshua Hambleton which require
further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
yes

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

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 the war when he served?
yes

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?
yes

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

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
yes

VII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
from any other seal? Yes 

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
yes
Page 29

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
2 Citizens

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

XIII. If 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?
witness

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? ---

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? Yes

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,vif not, which of them is not so answered? 12 5 7

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 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 ______; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 30

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer
the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.