Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,844, for Benjamin Mc Cormack, Georgia
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Ga.
McCormack, Benjamin
NUMBER
S. 31,844.
CONTENTS
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Alabama/19.809
Benjamin [McCormack]
of Perry Co in the State of Ohio
who was a Private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Fenell of the Regt. commanded        by Col. Few in the Georgia
line for Fall Term
Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama
at the rate of 90 Dollars -- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Sep. 
1832 and sent to H.C. Lea Marion
Arrears to the 4th of Sep '32                 $225
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '34      45
                                                              $270
{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832.       }
Recorded by Go. C. Stiles Clerk
Book E. Vol. 8. Page 48
Order to pay 12 Oct 1837.
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No 17574
Benjn McCormack
Perry Co Alabama
Adm 2 years
1 year Cavalry
180 + 45 = 225
Henry C Lea
Marion
Perry County, Alabama
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BRIEF in the case of Benjn McCormack
of Perry County in the State of Alabama
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? Eighty Seven
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Draftd In 1774 or 5
Vol'd
Enlisted 1775
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
                3
   4
   1
Rank.
As a
Private
 -----
1st Serg of Cavy only
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt Jas Ferrel Colo Few
Capt Alexander Gen Twiggs
Genl Clarke Col Benj Few and Wm Few
Capt Buggy Buggy Draggoons
5. In what battles was he engaged? Little cow ford Augusta Burke Jail Battle
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wilkes Co Georgia
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
yes
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Geo. B. Whiting
Examining Clerk.
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Perry C. H. Ala
Nov 1st
FREE
To The Honorable Lewis Cass Secrtry of War
Washington City
Nov 13
Ala
17574
Benj McCormack
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The State of Alabama } Circuit Court
Perry County               } Fall Term 1832
On this the twenty third day of October A.D. eighteen hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open Court before Ptolemey T. Harris Judge of said Circuit Court now sitting Benjamin McCormack a resident of Perry County & State aforesaid aged eighty seven years & eleven months 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 7. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated (viz)
[First] in Wilks County in the state of Georgia I was drafted as one of the Militia of said state & entered the service of the United States under the command of Captain James Ferrel Lieutenant Johnathan Jones the Ensigns name not recollected Colonel Benjamin Few & Lieutenant William Few; in the summer of seventine hundred & seventy four or seventy five; Elijah Clark was my commanding General; for the time of three months service on 
expedition against the British in East Florida & marched to Florida for that purpose. I was taken sick about forty miles west of St. Mary's River & discharged.
In a short time I recovered & returned home; in the course of a few weeks there was a call for Militia; I determined to volunteer & did so, and
the same year entered the service of the United States under the command of Captain Samuel Alexander - the names of the Lieutenant & ensign not recollected & about the first of October of the same year my colonel was Benjamin Few & my General John Twiggs: during the space of four years I was principally engaged as a ranger, spie & in reconnoitering the country on the frontiers of
Georgia to prevent the incursions of the Indians & Tories during which time I was in many skirmishes & small engagements with the Indians & Tories, the principal Battle with the Creek Indians was at the little cow ford on the oak
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mulgee river and another with the Cherikee
tribe on the head waters of the same river in 
Georgia. The British army during this time had taken possession of Augusta, I with the rest of the militia on the frontiers was called to aid in repulsing the British army marched to Augusta & was there under the command General Elijah Clark Colonels Benjamin & William Few & was there engaged three days & nights in fighting the British army. A reinforcement of the British & Tories arriving from the State of South Carolina I with the militia was forced to retreat through the upper parts of Georgia to the Town of Washington in Wilks County and being persued by the British Tories & Indians from thence retreated to the mountains on
the head of Broad River from thence to Nole Chucky & Wattawga Rivers in the then state of North Carolina now Tennessee; after resting & recruiting I with the other militia returned to Georgia; an express came to Colonel Few that the British & Tories were assembled at Burke Court House in Burke County Georgia to which place I with the troops marched & was in a short time after arriving engaged in a battle with the British & Tories for the space of three or four hours & repulsed the enemy (which was called the Burke Jail Battle), during which battle my Blanket closely girt about me & my cloathes were perforated by seven balls. After this period I was engaged as a ranger on the frontiers of Georgia to prevent the incursion of the Indians & Tories for the space of one year being in frequent skirmishes with them. I was also at the last siege of Augusta Georgia which was about the end of my volunteer service; I then enlisted for the space of one year in the State troops of Georgia under Buggy Buggy Captain of dragoons & Lieutenant Hicks - ensigns name not recollected and was myself ap-
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pointed first sergeant of the dragoons & entered the service of the United States as
such. After the last siege of Augusta was
raised I was engaged in reconnoitering the
frontiers & in frequent skirmishes with the
Indians & Tories & after wards stationed three
miles below the City of Savanna & there
remained untill the close of the war and
obtained my discharge from Colonel James
Jackson having served in all about six years after the close of the war I made a trip to the State of North Carolina & in crossing Pedee River which was very [deep] I lost my horse saddle bags & horse & pocket book containing my discharge.
This affiant further states that he has no
documentary evidence, & that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State 
Benjamin McCormack [X and "his mark" appear between first and last names]
Sworn to & subscribed in open
Court the day & year above written
D. S. Cowan Clerk
To the first interrogatory this affiant answers & says I was born in the latter part of the year seventeen hundred & forty four or early in the
year seventeen hundred and forty five according to the best tradition he has
To the second interrogatory he answers & says that the family Bible containing the record of his age was consumed with his father's house which was burnt by the British during the war
To the 3 Interrogatory he answers & says that
he lived in Wilks County Georgia as stated
above from thence I moved to Jasper County
in said State in eighteen hundred and sixteen I emigrated to Montgomery County Mississippi
Territory now State of Alabama remained two years and thence removed to Perry County where he now resides & has resided ever since
To the 4th Interrogatory this affiant states
he can state nothing more than
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he has already stated in his declaration above.
To the 5th Interrogatory he states that he
has answered to the best of his recollection in his declaration
To the 6th Interrogatory he answers that he has stated in his declaration the answer he would make here.
To the 7th Interrogatory this affiant answers
I am known to my neighbours & refer you to
to them generally & more particularly to James
Morgan & John Blackburn who are now present, and as to my services during the
revolution no person withing my knowledge can testify.
Benjamin McCormack [X and "his mark" appear between first and names]
Sworn to & subscribed the
day & year aforesaid
D. S. Cowan Clerk
We John Tubb a Clergyman residing in the
County of Perry & State aforesaid & James Morgan & John Blackburn residing in the neighbourhood of Benjamin McCormack
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Benjamin McCormack who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be between eighty & ninety yean of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion 
John Tubb
James Morgan [X and "his mark" appear between first and last names]
John Blackburn
sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Attest. D. S. Cowan Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion, after the investigation of the matter
and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the war department, that the above applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies
that it appears to them that John Tubb who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the County of Perry & State of Alabama & that James Morgan
& John Blackburn who has also signed the same is a resident in the neighbourhood of said McCormack are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit
[P M Harris]
I David S Cowan Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of
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Benjamin McCormack for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my seal of office at office this
the ninth day of July eighteen hundred & thirty three
D. S. Cowan
[Seal affixed]
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31844
Revy INVALID. om
File No. 31,844
Benjamin McCommack
Pri. Rev War
Act: June 7th 32"
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 262
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Agents Office
Mobile 29 Sept 1837-
Your favor of 14th inst. is received. I enclosed for your examination the Vouchers of Benj McCormack pensioner per act 7. June 1832 at 90$ per annum. He was last paid 25th March 1836. from 4 Sept 1835 to 4 March 1836. 
I am Very respectfully your obt. Sert.
Geo S Gaines
P A
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commr Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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Marion Perry Cty Ala Jul 13 1833
Sir, 
These are some of the declarations lately returned from the department with the deficencies supplied as far as practicable-
The plan you have adopted to guard against fraud & to execute the real intent of the act is
wise & will no doubt in almost every instance
prove successful-- but indeed sir, a ridgid complyance by the decrepit old soldiers
whom I have attempted to assist is to them almost like half earning the amount they may receive 
Those the deficiencies in which it has been impossible to supply (at least at present) are retained & I trust those here inclosed will prove satisfactory
They contain I believe the best possible evidence in each instance
with high Respect
Henry Clinton Lea Agt
Hon J. L Edwards
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Benj McCormack
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Benjamin McCormack which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes.
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes.
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes.
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
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? no.
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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? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there 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 a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
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 --- ; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3
It is important in all cases 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 grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such 
qualifying expressions are objectionable. 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 shewn 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 officer, under his seal of office.
administer the oaths.
++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, so 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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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME McCormack, James
GRADE Private
LINE Armand's Corps
WARRANT NUMBER 13399
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED May 16, 1793
to -- not shown --
*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.