Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2021, for Hugh Telford, North Carolina
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(3—1776)
SERVICE
N. C.
Telford, Hugh
NUMBER
S.2021
carded
CONTENTS
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7265
West Tennessee
Hugh Telford
of Wilson Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Grimes in the Regt commanded by Colonel Tyler in the North Carolina line for seven months private
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of  June 1833 and sent to Wm. L. Martin Lebanon
Arrears to the 4th of March 4666
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 11.66
$58.32
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 98
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18772
Hugh Telford
from 1780 private
7 month
$23.33/100
Wm L Martin CC
Wilson Co
T
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
BRIEF in the case of Hugh Telford
of Wilson County 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 in disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 68
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Vol in 1780 June
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days,
between 2 & 3 & he can with propriety say that he served a a revy soldier 7 months at least
Rank.
As a Pr
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Col Taylor. Capt. Gwinn No Ca line
5. In what battles was he engaged Kapp’s Mill
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Orange Co N. C.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Trady: witness who swears that he served 7 or 8 months as a private
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I certify, that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. L. Williams Examining Clerk.
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
State of Tennessee
Wilson County S.
On this 31st day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judge of the Circuit Court now sitting, Hugh Telford a resident of said County of Wilson & State of Tennessee aged sixty eight years on the 4th of June 1832, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:-
Col. Taylor commanded the regiment to which he belonged. & Major Wm. O’Neal he volunteered his services in the Revolutionary War about the 5th June 1780 in a company raised in Orange County North Carolina Commanded by Capt. Edward Gwin we rendezvoused at Maj. O’Neal’s marched through Orange into Chatham County & then marched to Randolph, in the two last counties the Tories, under the command of Col. Fannon were very troublesome to the Friends of the United States, and the Tories were the main object for which we were called into the service – at different times we routed the tories and took many prisoners but did not have anything like a general engagement – During this time Lord Cornwallis marched into Guilford County and our attention was immediately called to the British forces – he was at Clapp’s Mill Guilford County and in the Battle fought at that place, between part of the British army & part of the militia under the command Genl. Green; does not recollect who was commanding officer in the Battle, but recollects that Cols Washington & Lee were both in the engagement – He was at the Battle ground the next day and & was very near being taken prisoner by a foraging party sent out by Tatton – Capt. Gwin & his company was then detached to prevent depredations upon the citizens of Orange County on Haw River – and so be it we were thus detached the Battle of Whitesell’s Mill on Reedy Fork in Guilford was fought was within four miles of them during the fight, but on the East side of Haw River.
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From Haw River we were marched to join Genl. Green’s army, and on the way he taken sick with the small pox & was left behind having serve between 4 & five months. He reached home and remained there until the month of June 1781, when he again turned out volunteer and as a ranger under Capt. Gwin to suppress the Tories who was then annoying the friends of liberty at a most distressing late in Chatham, Randolph & the adjoining counties, met at O’Neal’s again, marched against the Tories, & finding them too strong, for we, we retreated and joined Genl. Butler’s command on Haw River the same night we joined Genl. Butler’s army the news reached us that Fannon& McNeill, Tory Cols had gone round & had taken Hillsborough, the Governor and his counsel & all the prisoners we had at that place – Capt. Gwin & Cap Wilkinson of the Continental Army were sent down to the lower Counties in North Carolina to notify Cols Brown & Robinson of the fact that the Governor & counsel had been made prisoners & that they should assist us to retake them. We then, after having carried the intelligence to Cols. Brown & Robinson undertook to guard the pass through a large swamp that the enemy were expected to cross, but they recd information of our purpose, and took a different route; Genl Butler was pursuing them; But the Tories being reinforced by the British from Wilmington turned upon Genl. Butler & caused him to retreat about which time Capt. Wilkinson & Gwin again joined the main army; we continued our retreat about two days perhaps longer at length the British & Tories came upon us at Capt. Baldwin’s in the night, and after two severe and heavy attacks Genl. Butler with his army retreated across Cape Fear, and then marched up the River
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opposite Fayetteville, where Capt. Gwin with his company left Genl. Butler’s army & returned home we were not discharged after we returned home, but held ourselves in readiness for any emergency that might demand our help; but by the time we recruited ourselves & horses, Lord Cornwallis surrendered and no further call was made upon us – this campaign he served between two and three months to the best of his recollection & belief, and he believes he can with propriety and truth say, he served as a volunteer soldier in the Revolutionary War seven months at least.
He has no record of his age, but has stated his age according to his best recollection of his fathers family record which fell into to the hands of some of the family – not now remembered.
He lived in Orange County North Carolina when he volunteered in the service of the United States continued to reside there until the year 1795 as well as he can recollect, then moved to Tennessee on Sugg’s Creek in Wilson County where he still resides.
He knew Genl. Green & Pickens – he knew Col. Robt. Martin who was a Continental Officer & was with us acting as a most active & vigilant part – the night of the battle at Baldwin’s Plantation where Genl. Butler was defeated. He knew Col. Washington & Lee of the Dragoons & was with them a few days in service previous to the battle o Clapp’s Mill.
He never recd a written discharge, nor did he hold any commission in the army – and has not any documentary evidence – nor does he know of any person by whom he can prove his services except the Revd. James Gwin & his sister who is not able to attend court. He is well acquainted with the Revd. John Sprinks, Docr. Jacob Wood and Taylor Lindsly Ransom Gwin, some of whom expects he can
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get to testify their belief of his having been a soldier of the Revolutionary War. The certificate of the Revd. James Gwin is here appended & made part of this declaration – He hereby relinquishes any claim to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state.-
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Wm. L. Martin clerk of the circuit court for Wilson County
Hugh Telford
We John Sprinks a clergyman residing in the County of Wilson & Jason Woodman & James Drennan of the same county do hereby certify that they are well acquainted with Hugh Telford who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about sixty eight years of age: that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Wm. L. Martin Clerk of the circuit court for Wilson County
John Sprinks
James Drennan
Jacob Woodrum
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 soldier of the Revolutionary War, and served as he states.
And the court further certifies that it appears to them that the Revd. James Gwin of the City of Nashville, who certificate is hereto annexed & that John Sprinks who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Wilson & that James Drennan & Jacob Woodrum of the said county are credible persons & that their statements are entitled to credit
J. C. Mitchell
Presiding Judge
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See letter 24 Apl 33 to W. L. Martin Lebanon Ten. and to pension agent
When the certificate issue for Hugh Bedford is returned, make a new envelope for this one and issue a new certificate for Hugh Telford
7265
West Tennessee
Hugh Bedford of Wilson Co in the State of W Tennessee who was a private in the comp commanded by Captain Grimes in the Regt commanded by Col Tyler in the North Carolina line for 7 months
Inscribed on the Roll of W Tennessee at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of March 183 and sent to Wm. L. Martin C Wilson C. Court
Arrears to the 4th of March – 46.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 11.66
$58.32
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk, Book C Vol. 7 Page 72
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FREE
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
[Stamp]
LEBANON
MAY 23
TEN.
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Lebanon Tennessee May 21st 1833.
Sir,
Your letter of 24th April, has been recd informing me that a certificate should have been issued for Hugh Telford & not for Hugh Bedford. Inclosed you will find the certificate heretofore sent to me, in the place of which you will inform me you will issue one for Hugh Telford
I am respectfully
Your obt servant
Wm. L. Martin Clerk
of circuit court of Wilson County in the State of Tennessee
J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D C
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
Payments to be made at Nashville by the Prest of USB Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of West Tennessee
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book C Vol. 7 Page 72 by Daniel Boyd Clerk.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Hugh Bedford of the State of West Tennessee who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive twenty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty first day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Lew Cass
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
BRIEF objections in the admissions of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Hugh Telford 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 the war where 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?
VI.	Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII.	Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII.	Has the Court given their opinion?
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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2.
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?
XII.	If the clergyman’s affidavit has not been produced, is their any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?
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 personal knowledge of the applicant’s service?
XVI.	Are the papers authenticated as the regulations 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 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 -------; for such service I claim a pension.”
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3
It is important 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 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 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.
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 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 officers, under his seal of 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 tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, as to prevent any 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.
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Explanatory letter in case – ok.
sent by mistake
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[typed form, with handwritten responses.]
2021
Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 2021
Hugh Telford
Pri. No. C.
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:--Vol. a, Page 370
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Revolutionary Claim
Nov. 19
18772
Hugh Telford
FREE
Hon. Lewis Cass
War Department
Washington City
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I William L Martin Clerk of Wilson Circuit Court do hereby certify that the inclosed contain the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Hugh Telford for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 2nd day of Novmr 1832.
Wm. L. Martin
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James Gwinn’s
Statement
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State of Tennessee
Davidson County
I James Gwinn a clergyman residing in the County of Davidson & State of Tennessee do certify that I am now well acquainted with Hugh Telford of Wilson County and have been acquainted with him for about fifty years and further certify that said Telford did serve in the Revolutionary War for the span of seven or eight months under Capt. Edwin Gwin in the State of North Carolina as a private sworn to in open court this 23 Octr 1832
Test. Henry Ewing Clerk of Davidson County Court
James Gwinn
State of Tennessee Davidson County Ss.
I Henry Ewing clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions for said county do hereby certify to whom it may concern that the above statement of James Gwinn a respectable clergyman residing in Nashville was sworn to and subscribed in open court at the October term A. D. 1832 thereof in due form of law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said court to be affixed at office in Nashville on this 23d day of October A. D. 1832
Henry Ewing