Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1993, for John Pierson, Maryland
Page 1

Service  Continental (Md.)

Pierson, John
Elizabeth

Number   W. 1993
Page 2

25199
Kentucky
John Pierson of Union the State of Kentucky who was a private in the corps commanded by Captain Dawson of the regt commanded by Col Harrison in the Md or Va line for 1 year and 3 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 50 Dollars # Cents per annum to c0ommence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Decr. 1833 and (illegible) Lyon N C

Arrears to the 4th of Sept    125.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March  25.00
$150.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Danl Boyd   Clerk
Book E   Vol. 7   Page 23

only to pay the letters Oct. 25. 1836
to J. Tacklin & P. Agt.
go to Mr. F Nov 5 1836

Letter to 3d Aud. 1. March 1839.
Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 6 April1838 from 4 Sept 1834 to 4 March 1838. 
Agt Notified 15 March 1839.
Page 3

State of Kentucky Union County}  Ss
On the 15th day October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two appeared in open Court before Daniel McKenny Lewis Greenwell & Joseph Hoy. Justices of the County Court of Union County now sitting John Pierson a resident of the County of Union and State of Kentucky aged Seventy 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 the 7th 1832
That he entered the Service  of the United States under the following named officers and Served as herein stated General Decalf or Decalb, General Gates General Washington, Col Charles Harrison of the artillery, Captain Richard, or William Dawsey

That he entered the the Service of the United States the date not recollected, as a regalar Soldier, he resided in the city of Baltimore & State of Maryland and was an apprentice to one Isaac Dawson learning the Hatting bissness when he inlisted under a man by the name of Smith, but whether he was a Captain Lieutenant or ensign he does not now recollect from his being very young. that after is inlestment; he & the other recruits was Sent on to the the eastern States, and there attached to the main army under the command of General  Washington but at what place not now recollected, where he was stationary for a considerable time under the immediate command of Captain Dawsey, Col Harrison was the commander of the regment to which he belonged, a considerable time after he was attached to the main army, a portion of the army was detached, and placed under
Page 4

the command of General De Kalb, and the company and rigment to which he belong to formed a part of said detachment, and they were marched from headquarter to Philadelphia, & from thence to Baltimore, and from thence through a part of virginia to the State of North Carolinia, and about the time we crossed the Roanoak river, or arrived at Hillsborrough orringe County we was joined by General Gates, who took the command, and from thence we was marched on through South Carolinia to a place called Rugely Mill about thirteen or fourteen miles from Camlin where the British Army was encamped under the command of Lord Cornwallace (as he then understood), and the army under General Gates continued at Rugely's Mill between a week and ten days as well as he now recollects, and was marched from thence in the night, in order as he was informed to supprise the british army at Camlin, but the american Army was (illegible) after marching Six or Seven miles, was met by the British in the night on their march, and after a little firing between the advance gards of the two armys, the two armies halted untill between day light & Sun up, when, a general engagement took place, the militia give way & retreated first, & shortly after a general rout took place in the whole of the american line & but few of the regular troops made their escape General Decalb fell, and his Captain Dawsey got wounded in the thigh, the engagement took place Sometime in the month of august 1780 as well  as he now recollects, the artillery that was managed by Capt Dawsey fell into the hands of the
Page 5

this was all the general engagement that he was in but he states he was in some other small Scrimages he states that on his retreat from Gates's Defeat he got Separated from the army, and was taken as a prisner by a gang of Tories, who released him after a Short time detention. one his giving a pledge of Fidelity  & a promise never again to take up arms against his magisty King George. he states that he was in actual Service of the United States upwards of Two years. and if he obtained a discharge he has lost it, he states that there is no person living by whom he can certainly prove the services rendered by him except Justinian Cartwright whose deposition is hereunto attached he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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  John Pierson
We Moris Moore a Clergyman residing in Union County & State of Kentucky and Thomas Anderson residing in same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Pierson who has subscribed & Sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about seventy years of age that he is reputed and 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   Moris Moore  Tho Anderson
And the said Court do hereby declair their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named
Page 6

applicant was a revolutionary Soldier & Served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Morris Moore who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Union State of Kentucky and that Thomas Anderson who as also signed the same is also a resident of the County & State aforesaid and is a creditable person & that their statement is entitled to credit.


I James R Hughs Clerk of the Union County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Pierson for a pension  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of the Union County Court Clerks office this 15th day of October 1832  James R Hughs
John Pierson 21647
Declaration to obtain Pension
Page 7

427.
Kentucky

Elizabeth Pierson
widow of John Pierson
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private
Md or Va Sine

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
50 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the
23rd day of Novr 1847
and sent to 
Samuel Casey 
Present

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
July 29 1848, Page 375  Vol. 1  Book D
Page 8

State of Kentucky  Sct.
On this twenty fourth day of July 1849 personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the County Court, for the County of Union in the State aforesaid, Elizabeth Pierson a resident of said County and State, aged seventy five years, who, being duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed the 4th day of March 1848--That she was the wife of John Pierson who served in the "war of the Revolution" as a private, in the Company of Capt. -- Dorsey attached to Col. Charles Harrison's Regiment of Artillery, of Gen. Henry Knox's Brigade belonging to the Virginia Continental line, that he enlisted "for the war", and served at the defeat of Gen. Gates--and that he applied for, and obtained a pension under the then existing pension laws of the United States in the year 1832 or 1833- and the proof of whose said service is of Record in the Pension Office at Washington. And she swears positively that she is the widow of the John Pierson whose service is stated as above and the proof of which is in the pension office as aforesaid.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Pierson on the sixth day of February in the year Seventeen hundred and ninety four that her husband the aforesaid John Pierson died on the second day of September in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty eight; that she was not married to him prior to
Page 9

his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the second day of January Eighteen hundred viz: at the time above stated--She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a pension-- Sworn to and subscribed before before the undersigned a Justice of the Union County Court as aforesaid on the 24th day and year first above written.  Elizabeth Pierson Nicholas Casey a Justice of the Union County Court

State of Kentucky Union County} Sct-
I Nicholas Casey, a Justice of the County Court for the County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Mrs. Elizabeth Pierson, who is the applicant in the foregoing declaration, for a pension and who has this day made the above affidavit before me--"Cannot from bodily infirmity attend the County or Circuit Court, of the County of Union and State aforesaid--Given under my hand and seal this 24th day of July 1849  Nicholas Casey a Justice of the Union County Court (seal)

State of Kentucky= Union County Sct
I James R Hughes Clerk of the County Court for the County afsd. do certify that Nicholas Casey Esqr. whose name is signed to the above certificate is & was at the time the same (illegible) a Justice of the County Court afsaid County of Union duly commissioned and qualified, and that full faith and credit are and to all his official acts as such as well in Court of record as elsewhere--his signature to sa. certificate being genuine--
In testimony to hereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court this 15 day of August 1849.  James R Hughes
Page 10

457
Elizabeth Pierson' application for Pension

Copy of Record
Nov/49

Act 29 July 1848,

Saml Casey
Prest
Nov 1. 1849
Page 11

State of North Carolina Person County
Be it remembered that heretofore, To wit, On the third (3rd) day of February One Thousand Seven hundred and ninety four (1794) the following bond for Marriage License in Holy Matrimony between John Pierson and Elizabeth Warren was issued, and assigned, which is in words and figures following (to wit) 
Know all men by these presents that we Jno. Pearson & John Goodly-Warren are held and firmly bound unto Richd Dobb Spaite Esqr Governor &c. on the (illegible) full sum of Five hundred pounds to be paid unto the Said Richd. Dobbs Spaite Governor &c. or his secretary in Offices, We bind Ourselves, Our heirs, Executors &c. jointly and Separately by these presents, Sealed with Our Seal & dated this third (3rd) day of February One Thousand Seven hundred and ninety four. (1794)
The Condition of the above Obligation is such, whereas the above bound John Pearson hath this day Obtained a License to be Joined in Holy Matrimony with Elizabeth Warren.
Now if there shall be no Lawfull Impediment why the said John Pearson & Elizabeth Warren should not be joined in Holy Matrimony then the above Obligation to be void elsewise to remain in full force and Effect.
Signed Sealed &c. in presents of 
John Pearson (Seal)
Jno. Goodly Warren (Seal
Page 14

21,641
John Pierson:
Kentucky.
from private
15 m  $50.

Ser Va (illegible)

Can only (illegible) for 15 mon info to time of Gates defeat. (illegible) of service after that then not satisfactory.

C Lyon H. R.
Page 15

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 17, 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 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 show what is necessary to be done.  These poins to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (this: }).  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. 

A Statement, showing the Service of John Pierson, of Kentucky.
Page 16

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 "voluneers," all pesons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and were bound to military service, but 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 as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
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 Revoluntionary War exist in the Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, 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.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Terriotry, or District of}
County of} ss.
On this.   day of.   personally appeared (a) before    A.B. a resident (b) of.      oin the county of.    and State, Territory or District of   aged (c).  years, who being first duly sworn, according to the 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 7, 1832.   That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d). , with. and served in the.     (e) regiment of the.   line, under the following named offices:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more thjan one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or country and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.     This form is to be varied so as to apply to the causes of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, voluneers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pensoion or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to 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 (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I.    of the Court of.  do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of.     for a pension.
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 by virtue of service in the State Troops, Voluneers 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.    and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with. , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be. eyars of age; 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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificare of the Court.]
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 apploicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as 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.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the tesimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, procced to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison 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
Page 18

widow's) applicaiton for pension on file in this Bureau.

John Pierson, MD

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment - 1779
Length of Serive - 2 years
Rank - blank
Officers under whom service was rendered
Captain - Rich'd Dorsey (was captured by Tories after the battle of Camden, held a short while and then entered Capt. Danl McFarlin's Co)
Colonels - Chas. Harrison, 1 Cont. Arty

Battles Engaged in - Camden
Residence of Soldier at enlistment - Baltimore, MD
Date of application for pension - Oct 15, 1832
Residence at date of application - Union Co., Ky
Age at date of application - 70
Remarks: His claim was allowed. He married Feby 6, 1794 Elizabeth Warren in Person Co. NC. Soldier died Sept 2, 1838. She applied July 24, 1849, at 75. Only claim for a John Pierson Rev War.

Very Respectfully

Commissioner

Mrs. John C. Conover
Page 19

Elizabeth Pearson's 
Application for Pension

Deposition
Page 20

State of Kentucky County of Hopkins Sst
This day personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County and State Frances Curneal and made oath that She was present at the marriage of John Pierson now dec'd to Elizabeth Warren She made oath that the Said marriage took  place at Goodloe Warrens in the county of Person & State of North Carolina on the Sixth day of February Seventeen hundred and ninety four that She is well acquainted with Elizabeth Pierson that now resides in Union county Kentucky is now a widow and has not married Since the death of her husband which took place on the Second day of September 1838 Given under my hand this 13th day of September 1849
N Headley J.P.H.C.

State of Kentucky Hopkins County} Set
I N Headly , as Justice of the Peace for Said county & State do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Frances Curneal who has made the foregoing affidavit and that She is a person of Veracity and credibility and her Statements under oath are entitled to full faith and credit Given under my hand this 13th day of September 1849
N. Headley J.P.H.C.
Page 21

Elizabeth Pierson
widow of John
Kentucky
Suspended
See let, 20th Sept, 1849
J.C. Rives.
Act 29 July 1848
Page 22

457 Sept 19/49
Elizabeth Pierson widow of John
Kentucky

admitted
Pr. $50 per an
com 4 March 1848.

Samuel Casey
Prest--
Pamt
Sept 19, 1849
Act 29 July 1848,
Page 24

Morganfield Ky--
June 18th
Dear Sir
Mrs Elizabeth Pierson widow of John Pierson dec'd long a pensioner of the U.S. being a revolutionary soldier--wishes to obtain a pension, as she is informed she is entitled to one, by virtue of her being the widow of a revolutionary Soldier married previous to the year 1800--She has applied to me to obtain for her the necessary information to establish her claim--And I now address you to know if she be entitled to a Pension, and if so, how must she establish her claim--the particular items of proof required--and what testimony will be received--When was the act passed, & does the pension relate back to the time of the death of the husband, or only from the passage of the act or from the making her application. Your attention to this will be conferring an obligation--
Commissioner of Pensions} Yours respectfully
Jno. G. Finnie
Please address
John G. Finnie
Attorney &c
Morganfield
Union County
Ky--
Page 27

(illegible circular stamp) Oct 27

Free
J L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner Pensions
W City

Nov 3
Jno Pierson
Ky (illegible)
25199
Page 28

Lexington 27 October 1836

Dr Sir,
I will thank you to order the payment of John Pierson on the additional proof of enclosed 2 years pay is due to him--

Very respectfully
Yr Obt Servt
Joseph Ficklin
Page 29

O.W.& N.
Mrs John C Conover
Westfield New York
Commissioner of Pensions, 

Dear Sir:
(rectangular stamp Old W.... Navy Jul 19 1905)

Did my ancestor John Pierson born May 30th 1762 in Cumberland Co. New Jersey, died Feb. 15-1826 ever apply for a pension for his Revolutionary services, or did his widow Elizabeth Milford Pierson who lived until October 13-1845 make any application for pension? I wish to join the D.A.R. society and will be very grateful for any records of ths ancesters services in the Revolutionary war.
Very Respt. yours
Elizabeth Lloyd Conover
Page 30

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1993
Elizabeth Pierson
Widow
John Pierson.
Priv. Rev. War.
Act: July. 29. 1848.
Index: Vol. M.  Page 130
[Arrangement of 1870.]

July 26. 1905  History to Mrs. John C. Conover, Westfield, N.Y.
Page 31

State of Kentucky County of Union} Ssc

On this 19th day of August 1833 personally appeared John Pierson before R J B Gilchrist Charles B Ross & Lewis Greenwell Justices of the peace of the Union County Court now in Session at the Courthouse in Morganfield for the County aforesaid being a resident of the county and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration by way of amendment to his former declaration made herein on the 15th day of October 1832  In order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832, He states that after the defeat of General Gates in which action this affiant in as stated & set forth in his former declaration refered to the american Army became scattered and a good deal derainged, this affiant was attached to company commanded by Capt Daniel McFarlin (after his release from the Tories as before described) and continued with him untill sometime the winter following, he got posted in his (illegible) and was left at a little river called eno in Orange county & state of North Carolinia, and was halled on a waggon from thence (waggoners name Thomas Stunks) to a creek called Sargents Creek in Caswell County in said state & was there left as unfit for duty at the house of one Thomas Black, this was on the rout or march of the army to join the american army under the command of General Green then lying in Hallifax County State of Virginia this affiant will state that he continued unfit for military duty from said (illegible) untill after the surender of Cornwallace
Page 32

This affiant believes that he entered the army of the United states in the regular Service in the beginning of the year 1779 or perhaps before, and continued in the service untill sometime in 1787 as well as the recollection of this affiant now serves him he was in the battle at Gate's defeat in 1780  This affiant (for want of recollection) cannot state precisely the length of time he was in actual service of the United states. But according to the best of his recollection he Served not less than Two years. This affiant will state that he drew no pay for his Service from the Government except three or four Dollars in Continental paper which was paid him by Captain Daniel McFarlin at the time he was left at Sargents Creek aforesaid as  an invalide, as he has done heretofore. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declairs that his name is not on the pension rolle of any agency of any state sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid  John Pierson

Union County Ss}
And the said Court do hereby declair their opinion that John Pierson the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states
Lewis Greenwell  J.P.U.C.
C. B. Ross J.P.U.C.
R. J. B. Gilchrist  J.P.U.C. 

State of Kentucky Union County  Ss
I James R. Hughes Clerk of the Union County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of this application of John Pierson for a pension.
Page 33

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 19th day of August 1833
James R Hughes.
Page 34

(Entire page of script cossed through)
Page 36

The Commonwealth of Kentucky
Caldwell Circuit County

I N, Smith Dallam clerk of the Circuit Court for the County & state aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing attestation of Will Lander who is a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified in due form of law and full faith and credit is due and ought to be given to all his official acts.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office at Princeton this 14th day of May 1832 and 46th year of the commonwealth.

N S Dallam

Presiding
In persons
Pension Papers
with Jus Cartwrights
Def - authenticated
Page 37

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Pierson, John GRADE Private LINE Hazen's Regiment

WARRANT NUMBER 13594 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED December 4, 1790 to Anthony Maxwell, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.
Page 38

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Pierson, John GRADE Private LINE New Jersey

WARRANT NUMBER 8646 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 11, 1789 to Matthias Denman, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.