Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,131, for Henry Lancaster, North Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
CONTENTS

Lancaster, Henry

NUMBER
S.7.131
carded.
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[most illegible]
23702 
Lancaster of Eden[ton] in the State of NCa who was Sargt in the __ commanded by Captain __ of the ___ commanded [col eaton] in the NCar line for [Lancaster] 
Inscribed on the Roll of No Car the rate of 100 Dollars __Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of  [Mar] 
Arrears to the 4th of [Febuah] 300 semiannl  allowance ending  50 [total] $350  
Revolutionary Claim,Act June 7, 1832. 
Recorded by  Rice - Clerk. 
Book E Vol. 2 [6] Page 64
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State of North Carolina
Edgecombe County 
April 22d 1833. 
Personally appeared before me Charles Hunter a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Henry Lancaster who being duly sworn deposeth & saith 
That he was born in the County of Edgecombe in the year 1752 He has a record of his age in the hand writing of his father. He has resided in the County of Edgecombe in since with the exception of a few years during which lived in the County of Nash and the County of Washington the former long subsequent to the period of his service in the war of Revolution the latter anterior to that time. He resided in the County of Edgecombe at the time he entered the service and Capt Clinch as first Sergeant. He served under Capt Clinch for 9 months. he distinctly recollects leaving home in Sept & returning in the following may but by reason of the decay of his memory he cannot recollect the year with as much accuracy as he could wish. He went with Capt Harris in the sum following to Hillsboro and remained three months. He went as a volunteer under Capt Powell and was in at Guilford, in October or Novr previous to it fight Capt Powel left Halifax the deponent in the mean time had been transferred to a company commanded by Capt Bradford and was engaged in the service during this tour for nine month, He again served as a member of alabaly [illegible] company for
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three months under Capt Wilson . 
In all these times except the latter he was employed in other parts of the Country. In it his duties were confined to Edgecombe In all he served as first Sergeant never having acted in any other capacity. His commissions for these several tours have been lost. He not thinking them likely to be useful to him took no special care to preserve them and in the passage of time they have been lost.
Deponent repeats that by reason of old age and loss of memory he cannot specify with greater precision the particular years in which these services were performed. He served in Capt Clinch's Company nine months as first Sergeant, in Harris’ Company three month as first sergeant, in Capt Powel & Capt Bradford’s companies nine month as first Sergeant,  and in Capt Jas Wilsons company three months as first sergeant of Cavalry and for such services he claims a pension. He refers to the certificate of Lewis Todd and Jacob Braswell for proof of his service and to that of Lewis Todd as to his character for veracity- 
Henry Lancaster
Sworn to & subscribed 
Chas G Whimler J.P. [illegible]
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I Michael Hearn Clerk of Edgecombe County Court do hereby certify that Chas. S. Hunter magistrate in and for said County and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office day & date as above mentioned
Mich Hearn Clk

[most of below too light to read]
State of North Carolina
Edgecombe County
 July 25 
Personally appeared before me [too light| Williams Justice of the Peace [too light] for the county aforesaid Henry Lancaster who [too light]

{too light] in the service [too light]Lewis Todd as states in his declaration his [too light] months [too light] applicant[too light] has only been paid [too light] of his pension and had by any [ too light] to obtain a pension for services he [too light] performed. Sworn to Henry Lancaster
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We John W. Potter & Bird Land do hereby certify that for [illegible] knowledge of Henry Lancaster we have no doubt his statements are to be relied upon and that it is the general belief in the neighborhood that he was a soldier of the revolution and we concur in the opinion. 
the John W. Potts [Potter] Bird Land 

I David Williams one of the Justices of said County do hereby certify that John W Potts and  Bird Land are credible persons & such entitled to credit [illegible signature]

I Michael Hearn Clerk of Edgecombe County Court do hereby certify that David Williams is a magistrate as above & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name, July 25, 1833. Michl Hearn clk
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Henry Lancaster
NC
7725
Admit as Sergeant
211 [?]months, $100.
for
5. Just 1236
sp let 8 July 33 JW Potts
April
22 Augt 33
33
Mr Hearn [crossed out]
I W . Potts
Tarboro NC
N.C.
Hon Tho H Hale
H. R.
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BRIEF in the case of Henry Lancaster County of Edgecomb in the State of N. Carolina (Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 80 years 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
| Period. | Duration of Service. Years|Months|Days | Rank | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. [table data is a mess] |
-	fall of 1778 served until may following |9 5 months | as a 1st Sergt | Gen. Capt Clinch Col Eaton
-	June 1779 | 3 months | as a 1st Sergt | Capt Harris Col Eaton
-	in October Nov.  [some crossed out] | 9 months 3 months | as a private | Capt Jolly Capt William [total] 20 months
5. In what battles was he engaged? Brier Creek, Eaton, Guilford 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Not stated
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? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. Guilford Battle occurred March 15, 1781 Battle of Eaton Sept 1781 to Richard Cutts Examining Clerk.
[Illegible hand written note]
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1914. Feb. 20: Hist to Mrs. G K Leary MBK
7131
Invalid
Rev War
File no. 7131 
Henry Lancaster
[too light]
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: Vol Feb, page 215
Arrangement of 1870.
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Brunswick Ga. 
Feb. 13, 1904 
R.S. Pension Commissioner 
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir Have you any and of one Henry Lancaster who is thought to have enlisted in the Revolutionary War from Edgecombe County, North Carolina? He fought in that war, and I want to find out his
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War record.
 Thanking you for an information may be able to give me I am for yours truly, Mrs. C. H. Leavy 705 Mion St. Brunswick GA
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Henry Lancaster-- all the papers [light]
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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 Henry Lancaster Edgecombe N Carolina which 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? 
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? No 
VI.	 Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes [too light]
VII.	Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes [too light]
VIII.	Has the Court given their opinion? Yes 
IX.	Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes [too light]
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? Yes
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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? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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? yes
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? Yes 
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? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes 
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? Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? Yes And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1 2 3 6
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 objection able. 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. 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 in all office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 
[ much of the below very light or illegible] the applicant must amend his declaration so far as can – any fambli – He claims 12[5] mo – under the dispute  --by by his own showing it could not have – 3 mo and a day from – 1710 to – 10 March 1711 – he must specify his – and – who – his varracity and – under the several interrogatories required by the --
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3 -- 525 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
Washington, D. C., __ 19,__
In reply to your request of __received __for a statement of the military history of Henry Lancaster a 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. S 7131
| DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED- CAPTAIN/ COLONEL. | STATE. | [very light]
|--1778 | 5 mos | 1st Sgt | Edward Clinch | Thomas Eaton | NC
| -- 1779 | 3 mos | 1st Sgt | James Wlson | “ [Thomas Eaton] |” [NC]
|Oct or Nov 1780 | 9 mos | 1st Sgt | Jolly Powell [illegible 2 captains during this period] “ [Thomas Eaton} | “ [NC]
| 1781 | 3 mos | 1st Sgt. | John Harris | Pink Eaton | “ [NC]


Battles engaged in, Brier Creek, Hillford, [illegible] springs
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Edgecombe  Co NC
Date of application for pensions Aug 27, 1832 His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Edgecombe Co. NC
Age at date of application, born in Edgecombe Co [illegible] 6 in 1852 
Remarks: There is No family data 
Respectfully, Commissioner
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Declaration
Henry Lancaster
for a pension.
7725.
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State of North Carolina 
Edgecombe County 
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Aug Term 1832 
On this 27th day of August personally appeared in open court before the Justices of a Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions now sitting Henry Lancaster a resident of Edgecombe County North Carolina, aged 80 [?] 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 7 1832 

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. 

That he was detailed or rather entered as a substitute to in the military service of the United States in 1778 in the fall and served until the ensuing {illegible May/Aug] in the capacity of first Sergeant. In the company to which he belonged Edward Clinch was Captain Wm Hale was 1st Lieutenant. Jethro Denson Ensign. this company belonged to the regiment of Col Thomas Eaton [illegible] Col. Joseph French [Flinch]. He was ordered to Georgia and fought at Brier Creek under Genl Ashe. This occurred he thinks in March 1779 - Soon after he returned home.
the facts above stated he is unable to prove by as documentary evidence but append the certificate of Lewis Todd and Jacob Bradley who served in in company with the subscriber.
In the following June he was drafted and as first Sergeant went with the company to Hillsborough
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Jno Harris Captain That Bradford Sent. This company was attached to a regiment commanded by Col. Pink Eaton from Hillsboro he went with the company to Eaton and was in the battle[smudged] at that place. After the battle the company rallied at the Iron works on Haw River This occupied he thinks a period of three months.
In October or Novr he volunteered and went under Capt Jolly Powell and at Halifax two transferred to Capt Bradfords company and went with him to Guilford and was at the battle at the Court House. This occupied about 9 months.
In 1778 he again volunteered and went to Fayetteville and after getting some distance beyond it in consequence of the indisposition of his family he returned having hired a substitute.
In 1779. He served as a member of a Cavalry Company for ten months in this State under Capt James Wilson Lieut Bythal Bell Ensign Wm Fort. This company was employed in scouring the county in quest of tories and outlaws.
Henry Lancaster 
The facts set forth in the form letter claudes of this declaration he is unable to substantiate by any documentary evidence nor does he know any living witness by whom he can prove it. He has added the certificate of Lewis Todd who has long known him and for the rest relies upon the justice of his country Henry Lancaster  Sworn to & subscribed
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Manuel Lewis Todd and Jacob Bradley do hereby certify that we know the facts set forth in the first claims of this declaration to be correct having been engaged in the same service. Sworn to and subscribed
Lewis Todd
Jacob his mark Bradley

I Lewis Todd do hereby certify that I have known Henry Lancaster since the Revolution and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have served in the Revolutionary army Sworn to and subscribed Lewis Todd

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 and served as he states and the Court do further declare that Lewis Todd and a Jacob Bradley whose certificate is attached hereto are credible persons and their statemen is entitled to credit.
[illegible signature] C.P.J. 

I Michael Hearn fleck [clerk] of said Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original [illegible] in the matter of the application of Henry Lancaster for a pension. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 27 day of Augt 1832 Michl Hearn Ck
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State of North Carolina 
Edgecombe County
Sept 12. 1833 
Personally appeared before me Walter Wilkins one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid Henry Lancaster, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith 
That from conversations held with Lewis Todd & Jacob Branwell he is led to believe that he was in error in supposing his services under Capt Clinch to have embraced a period of nine months. Five months from their recollection must have been the time of service under Capt Clinch. The other errors pointed out are those of time and then he is induced to believe the Department will not attribute to any corrupt intention, but to its proper cause, a decayed and defective memory as his character for probity has been sustained by responsible persons. He repeats the declaration that his services were all performed as stated, and his errors are to be imparted to that decay of memory incident to his advanced age Sworn & Subscribe- Willie Wilkins Henry Lancaster
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I Michael Hearn Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
for the County of Edgecombe do hereby certify that Willis Wilkins
is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office Sept 12th 1833
Michl Hearn CK