Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6698, Burrell Branch, N.C.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE N.C.
Branch, Burrell
NUMBER S.6698
Carded
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North Carolina
16.792

Burrell Branch of Sampson in the State of N. Car who was a pri in the Reg't commanded by Col Blanch in the No. Car. line for 18 months - 

Inscribed on the  Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 60 - Dollars - Cent per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Sept. '33 and such Patrick Murphey Taylors Bridge; Sampson @ N. Car.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. 157
Semi-anl. allowance ending 
4 Mar: 34 30 = $180 - 
{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June7, 1832. }

Recorded by A. Rice. - Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 Page 35

Date of Declaration AL 83 -
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State of North Carolina } Court of Pleas and 
Duplin County } Quarter Sessions August Term 1832

On this the twenty eighth day of August Anno Domini 1832 personally appeared before the Justice of the Court aforesaid viz. Alfred Ward, Robert Middleton and Richard Miller ---------now sitting Burrell Branch a resident of Duplin County and State of North Carolina aged seventy five 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832, that he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1781 with - when I do not now recollect and served in the tenth regiment of the North Carolina line under the following named officers, Genl. Green, Genl Brown, Col. Blount Major Doherty, Joseph Rhodes Captain Curtis Ivey Lieutenant, the Ensign he does not recollect. - that he left this term of enlistment he things in May 1782, that when he entered the service he resided in the County of Duplin N.C. that he was not in any battle, but was in hearing of the battle of Eutaw Springs, that he was engaged for one year; that he rendezvoused at Duplin Old Court House and marched from thence to Hillsborough N. C.  - from there to Salisbury, N.C. from thence by Charlotte to Camden in South Carolina, from thence to
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to Thomson's fort , he thinks, on either the Wateree or Congaree, from thence on towards the Eutaw Springs, from thence he was detached with some wounded men to Camden where he remained till he was discharged.
That he entered the service as a militia man under the command of Captain Thomas Williams, Barrell Moring Lieutenant, Thomas Rutledge Colonel, G. Col James Moore, that he does not recollect the day, month or year but it was before he was in the regular service, neither does he recollect the time when he left the service, that he engaged his first term in the militia for three months, that he served under the officer, aforesaid; that he engaged another term of three months in the militia under, he thinks, as well as he can recollect, the same officers, as in the first term of militia service, that he resided in Duplin County N.C. when he entered each of these terms of service, that he thinks, he was a volunteer in both terms, that he was in no battle, that he does not well recollect where he rendezvoused but thinks, it was at Duplin old Court House, that he marched through New Hanover Count N.C. to Wilmington and Jumping Run a mile or two from Wilmington, that he remained there sometime guarding & keeping sentery till both terms of his militia service was out; that he served with no continental regiment, or companies, while in the militia regiments, that while he was in the militia service he was acquainted with no regular officers but Curtis Ivey; that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can
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testify to his service in the militia.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

Interrogatories propounded to Burrell Branch an applicant for a pension on account of Revolutionary services.
 
1st Where & in what year were you born?
Ans. - I was born in Dobbs County, N.C. now Greene County in the year 1757

2nd Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Ans. I have no record of my age. I think I once  had but  it has been destroyed in some way

3rd Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, & where do you now live.
Ans. When I entered the first three months of militia service above spoken of I lived in Duplin County N.C., but I served seventeen days before that time and when I entered the seventeen days service I lived in Dobb, County N.C. Since the Revolutionary War I've lived in Duplin County, N.C. except one year that I lived in New Hanover Cty. I now live in Duplin

4th How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute.
Ans. I volunteered as well as I recollect when I entered the militia service

5th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you
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you served, such continental & militia [gnt - upper right corner possibly the sheet behind] regiments as you can recollect, & the general circumstances of your service
Ans There were no regular officers with the troops with when I served in the milita neither do I recollect any continental regiments while in the militia service. the militia regiment, at Jumping was commanded by Col James Moore & Col. James Moore Thomas Moulten, the general
circumstances of my service are related above

6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given &  what has become of it?
Ans. I did receive a discharge from the militia service but I don't recollect who gave it to me and I took no care of it & don't know what, gone with it.

7th State the names of persons, to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
Ans John Watkins - [Stephen Watkins - crossed out] Elisha Jones, John Carr, Edward Pearsall & some others I could name.

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Burrell Branch X his mark

[illegible - crossed out]
List - James Dickson assistant Clk
We John Watkins and Elisha Jones residing in the County of Duplin N,C. hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Burrell Branch,  who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is refuted
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refuted & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Jno. Watkins
El Jones

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 revolutionary soldier as he states - And the court further certifies that John Watkins & Elisha Jones who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of Duplin County N.C. and are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.
A. Ward JP [seal with at circle around it]
R Middleton
Rich'd Miller J P

State of N. Carolina } Court of Pleas & Quarter
Duplin County } Sessions August Term 1832
I James Pearsale Clerk of the Court of Please & Quarter Sessions of D" County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Burrell Branch for a pension and I James Pearsale do further certify that the above named Alfred Ward Rob't Middleton & Rich" Miller are acting Justices of the peace for said county & that full trust & credit [illegible - covered] their official acts. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 28th day of August A.D. 1832.
Ja's Pearsale Clk
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State of North Carolina }Court of Please & 
Duplin County } Quarter Sessions Aug. Term 1832. - 

On this the 7th day of August, 1833 personally appeared in open court before Richard Milton James Lawson and Stephen Graham Esquires now holding the court aforesaid Burrell Branch the aforesaid applicant to amend his foregoing declaration and being duly sworn declares and says that he served in the continental service aforesaid twelve months as a private; and in the fall of the year 1776 he served three months as a private in the militia under Captain Thomas Williams, Burrell Moring Lieut. and in the spring
of the year 1777 he served three months again as a private in the militia under the same officers viz. Thomas Williams Capt. Burrell Moring Lieu. that his marches in both terms of his militia service were from Duplin to Wilmington and the vicinity to prevent the enemy from taking possession of that place.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Last Jas. Pearsale, Clk
[Burrell Branch Declaration - written upside down on top of the other writing]

And the said court hereby certify the foregoing amendment was made in open court and declare it their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier. and that there is no clergyman in the vicinity of said applicant  S. Graham J.P.  Ja' Lawson J.P.  Ric'd Milton J.P.

I James Pearsale Clerk of the Cour of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Duplin County hereby certify that the foregoing amended declaration was sworn to in open court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my seal of office & subscribed my name this 27th day of August 1833.
Ja's Pearsale Clk
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Burrell Branch - S.6696
William Brittain - S.8100
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. Clem B. Wilson
108 Eighth Street
Hot Springs, Arkansas

Dear Madam:

The record of Burrell Branch furnished herein was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 6698, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.
Burrell Branch was born in the year 1757 in Dobbs County, which was later Greene County, North Carolina; the names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Dobbs County, he served seventeen days, no further details of this service given.
He enlisted, while residing in Duplin County, North Carolina, in the fall of 1776 and served three months as a private in Captain Thomas Williams' company, Colonel James Moore's North Carolina regiment; he served in the spring of 1779, three months under the same officers; in both of these tours he was guarding and doing sentry duty near Wilmington. He enlisted in 1781 and served one year in Captain Joseph Rhodes; company, Colonel Blount's North Carolina regiment, and was discharged in May, 1782.
Burrell Branch was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, then living in Duplin County, North Carolina.
The papers in this claim contain no reference to his family.
If you desire information relative to the last
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2-
payment of pension, name and address of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C. and cite the following:
Burrell Branch
Certificate #16792
Issued September 25, 1833
Rate $60.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
North Carolina Agency.
____________________________

William Brittain - S.8100

The Revolutionary War record of William Brittain which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S 8100, based upon his service in that war. William Brittain was born February 7, 1762 in Orange County, North Carolina; the names of his parents are not given. He volunteered, while residing in Orange County, February 1, 1779, served three months as 2nd sergeant under Colonel McCauley, to guard the Tory prisoners in Hillsborough. He moved to Burke County, North Carolina, and volunteered, November 1, 1780, served three months in Captain Daniel Smith's company, Colonel Joseph McDowell's North Carolina regiment guarding the Upper Fort at the head of the Catawba River. William Brittain continued to live in Burke County until in 1788 or 1789, when he moved to Buncombe County, North Carolina. He was allowed pension on his application
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found General Daniel Smith recorded.
The records of Burrell Branch and William Brittain are furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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6698
Revlwar
INVALID.
File No. 6698 Burrell Branch Priv. Rev. War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1935 = Dec. 6 hist to Mrs. Clem B. Wilson [illegible]
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Annuity as a Pri. 18mo $60
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Department of War
Pension Office
June 25th 1833
Sir:
Among the objections to the admission of the claim of Burrell Branch, one was that he had not definitely given the length of his service. As this objection has not been removed, the papers are once more returned to you.
Mr. Branch says that he enlisted in the 10 Reg.t in the year 1781, and was discharged in May 1782 but says not a word of the duration of his service.
As there has been no evidence addressed in support of his claim under his enlistment, he will be required to obtain a certificate of service from Wm. Hill the Secretary of State, or present the testimony of a credible witness - No doubt his name appears upon the rolls in the possession of the Sect.y of State of N. C.
I have the honor to be very respectfully yr. ob.t ser.t 
J L Edwards
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Hon James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
C C
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Dear Taylor Bridge
Sampson County
Aug 29, 1833

Sir
Enclosed is returned the declaration of Burrell Branch for a pension sent back per amendment and further proof
Mr. Branch has had for several years a certificate from Wm Hill Secretary of State of North Carolina, that it appears from the muster roll of the Continental Army of this State that he was a private in Doherty's company of the 10th Reg.t, which is also herein enclosed in compliance with your suggestion
I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Y.r Ob. St. Patrick Murphy

P.S. Please direct to Taylor's Bridge P.O.
Sampson County
NC

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commis. Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
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Burrell Branch
Cert.

1832
Feb 1756
----------------
5
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State of North Carolina Secretary's Office 30th Nov. 1819

I William Hill Secretary of State in + for the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears from the musterrole of the Continental line of this State that Burrell Branch a private in Doherty's Company of the 10th Reg.t was mustered in 1781 and that his time was out on the 25th day of May 1782.

Given under my hand the date above
Wm. Hill
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2 letters
Oct. 25, 1935
108-8th St.,
Hot Springs, Ark
Mr. A.D. Hiller,
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Hiller:
Please let me know if you have any record of James Arnett in the Revolutionary War. He was born 1743, died 1820, married Mary Bell, resided after 1790 on Indian Creek, Monogalia County, Virginia. He had a son John born 1770.
Also please let me have your record of Major General Daniel Smith, married Sally Meeky, lived in Tennessee. Had county named for him. Pensioned 1833. Want names of his children.

Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Smith Wilson
Mrs. Clem B. Wilson

RECEIVED 12:00
OCT 28 1935
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM.
[ILLEGIBLE] 28
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Job Branch Corpl
Martins Co  - 
29 Nov. 1776. Date of Enlistment. W 350a.4 46 mos. Cap.t Nath'l Williams Roll of Cap.t Colemans Co. in 2nd N.C. Battalion No. 42. War 1

RECEIVED 12:00
OCT 28 1935
MAIL SUB.-DIV.
VET. ADM.
READER #28
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90119 Branch Burrell
3088
_________________
Arthur Branch (2592)
Isham Branch 5808  3680
Jesse Branch 1436
Job Branch 
Moses 3359 472  5053
Thomas 3361
By whom Rec'd
John Price
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RECEIVED 12:00
OT 28 1935
MAIL SUB-DIV
VETS. ADM.
READER #28

Oct. 25, 1935
108-8th St.,
Hot Springs, Ark.

Mr. A. D. Hiller
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Hiller:

I had some correspondence with you in April in regard to Revolutionary War records and you were kind enough to write me a very courteous letter and send me very interesting information in regard to my ancestor, Colby Bucker, and for which I thank you.
I now have the information that Colby Bucker's father, Peter Bucker, of near Natchez, Miss. was also in the Revolutionary War, as well as the French and Indian War and would like to have your record and verification.

I am trying to find out if I had a Branch ancestor in the Revolutionary War. I have the information from the Adjutant General of the War Department that Nicholas Branch of Williamson county, Tenn. was in the War of 1812. I find in the North Carolina Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers that the Branchs who served were Arthur, Burrell , Isham, Jesse, Job, Moses, and Thomas. As I have reason to believe that Nicholas Branch's father was living in N.C. during the Revolution, I would like for you to try to find out if any of the above named French soldiers had a son, Nicholas, who married Elizabeth Hurst. That He moved from N.C. to Williamson Co. Tenn.
I have a similar favor to ask of you in regard to the record of a Revolutionary soldier named Brittain, who lived in the Buncombe Co., ,N. C. and had a son Joseph B. Brittain, who was in the War of 1812. The N.C. roster under heads of Brittain gives James, Joseph, Mitchell, Michael, William and Phillip. In order to obtain more information in regard to Elizabeth Hurst, would you please let me know the record of John Hurst of Accotink, Va. later migrated to Ky. He married Elizabeth Thrift, had daughter Elizabeth and died 1789. If you have the names of the children of a James Hurst of Virginia, also, born 1744 died 1829, married Mary Gunnell, would also appreciate his record.
Have found there was a John Higgins of Hampshire Co., W. Va., who had a Revolutionary service. Would appreciate his record also, if you have it.
Yours very sincerely, 
Elizabeth Smith Wilson
Mrs. Clem B. Wilson
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December 6, 1935
BA-J/AWF

Burrell Branch S 6698

Mrs. Clem B. Wilson108 Eighth Street
Hot Springs, Arkansas

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letters in which you request the Revolutionary War records of James Arnett, General Daniel Smith, wife Sally Meeky, county in Tennessee where he resided named for him, and received a pension in 1833, also, the Revolutionary War records of Peter Rucker, Arthur, Burrell, Isham, Jesse, Job, Moses, and Thomas Branch, all of North Carolina, of John Higgins of Hampshire County, West Virginia, James and John Hurst, those of James, Joseph, Mitchell, Michael, Phillip, and William Brittain, variously spelled, all of Buncombe County, North Carolina, also, War of 1812 record of Nicholas Branch.
There are no claims for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of James Arnett, Peter Rucker, Arthur, Isham, Jesse, Job, and Moses Branch, Mitchell Brittain, James or John Hurst, nor of a Daniel Smith of Tennessee and with rank of general Thomas Branch of North Carolina, James and Joseph Brittain of North Carolina, Michael or Phillip Brittain of Buncombe County, North Carolina, nor of John Higgins of Hampshire County, Virginia (West Virginia). The War of 1812 records do not show a claim for pension on file based upon service of a Nicholas Branch; this search of the War of 18112 records was made and reported to you in the record of Colby Rucker, R. 9061, April 26, 1935.
Please state upon what list of pensioners you
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found General Daniel Smith recorded.
The records of Burrell Branch and William Brittain are furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator