Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7191, for Purnell Marshell, North Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
N.C.

Marshell, Purnell
or
Marshall

NUMBER
S.7191

Carded

CONTENTS
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[handwritten]

16.273
North Carolina
Purnell Marshall [star symbol over the 'a']
of Onslow in the State of North Car[olina]
who was a pri: inf & eow in the company commanded
by Captain Cooper of the Reg. commanded
by Col. Grant in the North Caro[lina]
line for 9 months 
Purnell Marshell [star symbol over the 'e']
Records corrected June 28/04
Inscribed on the Roll of North Car:
the rate of 32 Dollars 50 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22d day of July '33
and sent D. W. S[?]
Onslow C.H.N.C
Arrears to the 4th of March '33--65.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " - 16.25
$81.25
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 6 Page 49
Reported Decr 23 - 1834 by Cap Rice
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[handwritten]

Prunell Marshall
N.C.
No. 21202.
Admis as private
Infy 6 mo 20
Cav 3 mo 12.50
$32.50
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[printed form with handwriting]

WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office,
Apl 20 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: })
You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
Vol.
11
A Statement, showing the service of Purnell Marshall
Period when the service was rendered.
Vol.
"
"
Duration of the Claimant's service.
Years | Months. | Days.
3
3
3
Rank of the claimant.
Pri
Pri of Horse
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Capt. Jno. Cooper
Capt. Spicer
Capt. Jno Cooper
Capt. H. Jones
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col. A. Grant
"
Genl. Lillington
Col. Geo. Mitchell
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
[blank]
Country through which he marched.
Thru Holly Shelter to Bluforts Bridge
Thru the richlands in Onslow Co.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present
period.
71 years
Onslow Co. N.C.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported
Traditionary
I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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[printed]

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized
our general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
ed as being in actual military service.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. ┃
Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in
stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
of
On this
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
Sa, Territor
County of
day of
A.B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
and
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he servunder
more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
the battles, if any, in which he was
shed. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and perwho
belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every
are that by whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
the
the Agency in the State of
in any State, or (if any) only on that of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
A. B.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension
pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia.
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
and C. D. residing in (the same)
of the Revolution, and repute and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he state Department, that the above named applicant was a Revoas
he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Clerk of the Court of
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the certify that the foregoing
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
Every applicant will produce the best proof.
day of
be obtained the arts power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will
& c.
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witnery willing state under oath, and will then procure, if
---
upon the transaction, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
nowledge of the seralso
, whether he produce such evidence
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
in the investigation of his claim, and in the complete
tracts, which can be useful
prison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there
subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
troops of Virginia.
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
where you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary
And if a substitute, for whom?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it givcommission
, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character
and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity
fore required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of the declaration be
proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to
perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
his genuine signature.
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
low the rule laid down for his guidance
To eat must appear in open Court, mulen prevented from doing so by romen of July in the ear
conforming to the rule.
The secret meat mine and Location in the county where he roller. The should at once, and no
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
this
and we are examination of the
his wealth are to enter more came a
personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the
mate remedy now long has a hit and in declaration by making an amavit in the following were
sary, as
recollection, he served
who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
- - -
forth, and
in all cases, to determine with precision the period
months, and his
fects the pension to be paid according to the grade of the alien herein applicant served, and the parties in a
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who are for the
in the
the war he was either in the hold or in garrison; and for the the army which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must a moment we can ill be a
papers.
his seal of one corner on the final caracter and a nature of the certify officer, should crop in
Mode of authenticating papers.
ery instance where the certficate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers to not written on the same sheet of paper which conin
the anvil, hammer unite, the certicate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
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 credit
who are required to and for in mind me of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the
as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
the trial character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of the
the credibility of the witnote
applies to continental troops only.
The notes from to are all equally unable to the cares of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact
he was the interrogatories must all be written, and set to the War Department, with the declaration
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[handwritten]

Purnell Marshall
21202
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[handwritten]

State of North Carolina}
Onslow County}
On the 7th day of November
A D 1832 personally appeared in open
Court before the Worshipful the Court of
Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of
Onslow Now sitting Parnell Marshall
resident of Onslow County North Carolina
aged Seventy one years who being
first duly sworn according to law doth
on his oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress passed June 7th 1832 that in
the Revolutionary War he volunteered under
Colonel Reuben Grant and was put under the
command of Captain John Cooper
that under his command he marched from
Onslow until they crossed New River some
distance when they joined the company
under Captain Spicer from whence they
marched to Caswell's Camp below Wilmington
at which place he was stationed for
the residue of the term a term to wit, three
months, that after serving three months
on this term he was discharged and returned
to Onslow. Declarant does not remember
who commanded as papering Officer
at Caswell Camp but believes it was an
officer from the neighborhood of Wilmington
he obtained a written discharge but has
lost it- Declarant again Volunteered
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[handwritten]

under Colonel Grant for three months
at the time the British occupied Wilmington
under Major Craig his company was this
time commanded by Captain John Cross
marched from Onslow towards Wilmington
to a Mr Kings when they halted for
some weeks, they then marched on through
Holly Shelter to Bluford's Bridge when
they were joined by General Lillington
and Major Battle of the Battalion for 
Onslow. here they were stationed for
some time & during this time a detachment
of the enemy ['attempted to cross' lined out] ^[insert] came to
the Bridge & was met and attacked by Colonel Beam
of the Horse; who was disappointed in
the junction ['of' lined out] ^[insert] with Gen. Lillington as
^[insert] he expected that to retreat with ^[insert] the loss
several men.
after serving here some months, a detachment
of whom declarant was one was sent to convey
some artillery to Kinston they marched the
upper [?] through the Rich Lands in Onslow
commanded as declarant believes & [illegible]
whose name he does not remember
commissioned officer, ^[insert] & Colonel Grant
went to Kinston at the same time - after
reaching Kinston & while then his term of service
expired, and he was discharged and in company
with Colonel Grant returned to Onslow.
declarant does not recollect having any
written discharge in this tour, & believes that
he had none by Col. Grant was a neighbor
& returned with those discharged to Onslow.
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[handwritten]

Declarant again volunteered for three months
under Colonel [?] Mitchell of Onslow
County at this time he joined a company
of Horse under the command of Captain
Hull Jones and was stationed chiefly
in the Rich Lands between this and
Wilmington, Col Grant was again with
him a part of the time and the period
was spent mainly in patrolling the
Country and in foraging parties,
after serving
these three months they were discharged
by Colonel Grant, at his own being on
Queen's Creek and received as declarant
recollects no written discharge -
Declarant has no documentary evidence
by which he can establish his claim to
a pension He hereby relinquishes every
claim whatever to a pension or annuity
except the present and declares that his name
is not on the pension role of the agency of
any state - This applicant never was
in any engagement; he recollects of no
continental troops with whom he served
but remembers among the Militia besides
them mentioned a Batallion or regiment
from Duplin County and one also from
Jones County and commanded by an officer named
Hatch
P. Marshell [signature]
Sworn & subscribed to the day year aforesaid}
D N Landing Clk
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[handwritten]

We John Hewitt, Daniel Ambrose, & Jas Thompson
^[insert] residing in the County of Onslow hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with
Purnell Marshall who has
Subscribed & sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be Seventy one
years old, that he is reputed and
believed in the neighborhood where
he resides to have been a soldier of the
revolution and that we concur in that
opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid}
John Hewitt
James Thompson
Danl. Ambrose
D. W. Landers Clk

Interrogatories - 1st when & in what year were you born -
Ansr. In the State of Maryland on the
Eastern Shore the 30th December 1701
2d. Have you any record of your age & if so where is it?
Ansr. Yes - at home in the hand writing of my father in a book
of Sermons - brought to ^[insert] my home thence to Onslow by him when he removed from Maryland-
3d. Where were you living when called into service? where have you lived Since the Revolutionary war? and where do you now live?
Ansr. In Onslow County I have lived & still live since I am from
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[handwritten]

County in this State when my father
some time resided & I come to Onslow
when I was twelve years old or thereabout -
4th. How were you called into service
were you drafted, did you volunteer
or were you a substitute & if a substitute
for whom?
Ansr. I volunteered always as Stated in my declaration-
5th State the names of some of the regular
Officers who were with the troops when
you served such Continental Militia
Regiments as you can recollect, and the
general circumstances of your service-
Ansr. There were no regular officers at
the time I served with the troops;
there were no continental regiments or
troops while I lived in the Stations
where I was and the malitia [sic] with
whom I served was from Onslow, Duplin
Jones & New Hanover - the officers
commanding were General Lillington, Col.
Reuben Grant, Colonel George Mitchell
Major Beem, and others whose names
are not at present recollected, I was
engaged in night Patroles [sic] often - foraging
Parties guarding Bluford Bridge & conveying
some Cannon to Kinston with many [illegible]
6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from
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[handwritten]

the service; & if so by whom was it given
what has become of it?
Ansr. Only one after my first tour and
I do not remember who gave it me and have lost it
7th State the names of persons to whom
you are known in your present neighborhood 
& who can testify as to your Character for veracity
and their belief as to your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
Asnr. John Hewitt, Daniel Ambrose & James Thompson
Purnell Marshell [signature]
Sworn to & subscribed the day year aforesaid}
D W Landin Clk
And the said Court do hereby declare
their opinion after the investigation of the
matter after putting the interrogatories
prescribed by the war department that the
above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and
served as he states. And the Court further certifies
that it appears to them that there is no
Clergyman residing in the neighborhood
of the applicant and that John Hewitt
Daniel Ambrose & James Thompson
residents of the County of Onslow who have
also signed the said certificate are residents
of the County of Onslow and are credible
persons that their statement is entitled
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[handwritten]

to credit-
I David W. Landers Clerk of the
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for
the County of Onslow do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of Purnell 
Marshall for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & seal of Office this 7th day of November AD 1832
D W Landers Clk
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[typewritten]

Rev. War Section.
May 27, 1915.
Mr. Burgess W. Marshall,
20 National Bank Building,
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 24" instant,
you are furnished herewith a tracing of the signature
of Purnell Marshell, Sur. File No. 7,191, Rev. War,
and advised that in order to obtain the date of last
payment of pension and probable date of his death,
application should be made to the Auditor for the
Interior Department, U.S. Treasury Department, citing
the following data:
Purnell Marshell, Certificate No. 16, 273.
issued July 22, 1833, at the rate of $32.50
per annum, from March 4, 1831, under Act of
June 7, 1832, at the North Carolina Agency."
Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
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[printed form with handwriting]

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 - 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., [blank], 19 [blank]
S.F. 7191
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank]
a statement of the military history of Purnell Marshall
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.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1781
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3 mos
3 mos
3 mos
RANK.
Sgt..
Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
John Cooper
Spicer
John Cooper
Hull Jones
COLONEL.
Reuben Grant
Grant
George Mitchell 
Grant
STATE.
N.C.
Battles engaged in, [blank]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Onslow Co. N.C. and since he was 12 yrs old 
Date of application for pension, Nov. 7. 1832 His cl was al
Residence at date of application, Onslow Co. N.C.
Age at date of application, born Dec. 30. 1761 [sic] on the Eastern Shore Maryland
Remarks: No data as to family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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[ink stamp]
US. PENSION OFFICE
MAY 25 1915
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[typewritten on letterhead]

BURGESS W. MARSHALL
Attorney at Law
SECOND NATIONAL BANK BLDG.
Washington, D. C.
PHONE MAIN 6437
May
24,
1915.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Pension Office,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your
favor of the 11th inst., (Revolutionary War Records
Section, V. L. M., S. F. 7191 Rev. War.), in which
you give me information relative to the military
service of Purnell Marshell, who was granted a
pension.
Will you please advise me if your records
show when this pension was discontinued and the date
and place of his death? Also furnish me a tracing
of his signature, which was on his application
or other papers filed in connection with his pension.
Thanking you, I am,
Very truly yours,
B. w. marshall
BWM-MC.
Page 19

[typewritten on letterhead]

BURGESS W. MARSHALL
Attorney at Law
SECOND NATIONAL BANK BLDG.
Washington, D. C.
PHONE MAIN 6437
May
6,
1915.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
My great grandfather, I understand, served
in the Revolutionary War. He probably enlisted in
Onslow County, North Carolina, being mustered in at 
the Golden Place. I believe his name was John Marshall
tho I am not sure as to this. If you find such a soldier
enlisting and being mustered in as above, I will be
glad if you will furnish me his complete military
history, including a descriptive list. I desire this
for family reasons.
If you do not find a John Marshall and you do
find any other Marshalls enlisting from Onslow Co.,
N. Carolina, and being mustered in at the Golden Place,
please give me the above information, as one of them,
I understand, was my great grandfather,
Yours very truly,
B.w.marshall
BWM-MC.
[ink stamp]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
MAY 7 1915
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[printed form with handwriting]

1915 May 11 Hist to Burgess
W. Marshall, V.L.M.
1915 May 27 tracing of signature
Sent B. W. Marshall where to 
apply for data as to last payment
of pension
File No. 19

7191
INVALID.
Rev War
File No. 7191
Purnell Marshall [star symbol over 'a']
Pri Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. [?], Page 237
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Purnell Marshell [star symbol over 'e']
Records corrected June 2 1804
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[handwritten]

State of North Carolina}
Onslow County}
On the 7th day of May AD 1835
personally appeared in open Court before 
the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions aforesaid
Now sitting Purnell Marshall who made the foregoing
declaration and first being duly sworn according to Law doth
in his Oath declare in addition to the
declaration heretofore made this
and in amendment thereof.
That according to the best of his recollection & belief he entered the
Service above named first in the year 1781
and served as Sergeant for the first tour
of three months and afterwards, served as a
soldier only for the periods stated - that
his service for the first term was not long
before the British occupied Wilmington
under Major Craig - his second term was
at the time Major Craig occupied Wilmington
declarant has no means but his recollection
of ascertaining the precise period and believes
he has come near to the time of his 
entering the service - P Marshell [signature]
Also personally appeared in open Court
John Hewitt who being duly sworn doth
on his Oath declare that he knew the
Declarant Purnell Marshall in the
Revolutionary war that he was the
Sargeant in Captain John Coopers Company
that they were together at Moores Hill
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[handwritten]

in Onslow County and afterwards at
Bluford's Bridge - that affiant
then served three months & believes
the declarant did the same on that term
John Hewitt [signature]

State of N Carolina}
Onslow County}
I David W Sanders Clerk of the
Court of Pleas and
Quarter Sessions of Onslow County
that John Hewitt whose name is above written is
entitled to full faith & credit
Given under my hand and seal of office 8th day May 1833
D W Sanders Clk