Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,755, Henry Turner, N.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVIFCE
N. C. 
Turner, Henry
NUMBER
R. 10,755
Born in N.C.
--------------------------
CONTENTS
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State of Georgia
County of Burke

On this twentieth day of May
Eighteen hundred and thirty three, personally appeared before the 
Inferior Court for said County when sitting as a Court of Ordinary, 
Henry Turner, a resident of Said County and State, who 
first being duly sworn according to Law, doth on this 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 was drafted, at the draft in the year 1776 (as near
as this applicant can recollect the time) under Captain Stringer
McIllvane in Dobbs County, North Carolina for the term of 
Five months.  this applicant served nearly six months in the 
Southern Campaign under Col. William Cardwell was under
General Ash at his defeat at Brier Creek in the county of 
Screven and State of Georgia;  marched through South Carolina
was a short time in Georgia.  This applicant was discharged
at Dobbs County, does not now remember the name of the 
officer who signed the discharge.  It has long been lost & this 
applicant entered the service and server as a private during his 
whole service.
1.  He was born in Dobbs County, State of North Carolina
in the year 1759.
2.  He has no record of his age.
3.  When called into service he lived in Dobbs County North 
Carolina for a short time immediately after the Revolution he
resided in Tennessee, but for the last thirty five years
he has resided in the County of Burke and State of Georgia.  
4.  He was drafted and served as a private
Page 3

He received a discharge but form loss of memory he
cannot say by whom it was signed, but believes it was
signed by Col. William Cardwell, the discharge has long 
since been lost.

I am known to my brother Reuben Turner who resides in 
Burke County Georgia, and to Augustus Wilson who resides
in Washington County, who knew me in the Army and 
they can testify for my service.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is 
not on the pension Roll of any Agency of any State.

Henry Turner

Sworn to and subscribed
the date and year aforesaid.

J. G. Baduly Clk
Page 4

We Joseph Polhill & Joshua King of Burke 2 Clergymen residing in the 
County Richmond formerly of Burke and William P. Taylor & J A  Lewis
residing in the County of Burke, hereby certify, that we
are well acquainted with Henry Turner, who has signed
and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe
him to be 74 years 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

Joshua King                Abel Lewis
Joseph Polhill              William P Taylor

Reuben Turner a resident planter of Burke County
Georgia, personally appeared in open court and being
duly sworn saith that he knows of his own knowledge
that Henry Turner who has subscribed and sworn to
the foregoing declaration, did enter the Service of the 
 United States as a drafted Soldier in the year 1777
as near as this deponent can recollect the time;  and
that said Henry served upwards of five months
but not quite six; that deponent was in the 
Army at the same time and saw Henry Turner
in the Army at Ash's defeat at Brier Creek
this deponent was born in Dobbs County, North Carolina
and is 76 years of age.

Reuben Turner

Sworn to and subscribed 
the day and year aforesaid.

J G Baduly, Clk
Page 5

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
applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he
States.  And the Court further certifies that it appears
to them that Joseph Polhill & Joshua King who has signed
the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in 
the County of Burke and that Abel Lewis & William 
P. Taylor who has also signed the same is a resident
of the County of Burke and is a credible person, and 
that their statement is entitled to credit.

I John G. Baduly Clerk of the Court of 
Ordinary of the County of Burke and State of
Georgia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains 
the Original proceedings of the said court, in the 
matter of the application Henry Turner for a Pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand 
and Seal of Office this 20th day of May 1833.

J G Baduly Clk
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State of Georgia
Washington County

Personally appeared before me Augustin 
Wilson a citizen of the county & State
aforesaid formerly a citizen of Dobbs County North 
Carolina aged about Seventy Eight years, who being 
duly sworn said that he was formerly & now is personally
acquainted with Henry Turner of the County of Burk
& State of Georgia & that this deponent stated upon his own 
personal knowledge that the said Henry Turner did enter
the service of the United States a drafted Soldier under Capt Stringer, McElvain in Col William Cardwell's Regt
that he served under Genl Ash & that he served five
months & that the said Henry Turner entered the service
in the County of Dobbs State of North Carolina.  That he 
was at the Battle of Brier Creek in the State of 
Georgia when Genl. Ash was defeated.

Augustin Wilson

Sworn to before me 
14th day of May 1833

Silas Floyd J.I.C.W.C.
Page 7

Georgia
Washington County

I Silas Floyd Justice of the Inferior Court of Washington County
do hereby certify that Augustin Wilson 
who made the annexed 
affidavit is a credible citizen of 
this county and entitled to be believed
on oath.  
Witness my hand this Sixteenth day of May 1834

Silas Floyd JICWC

I certify that I am acquainted with Silas Floyd who has 
signed the above certificate & his hand writing that I know 
he is a Justice of the Inferior Court of the County of Washington
& that the above is his hand writing 
12th June 1834

R L Gamble
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No. 25606
Henry Turner  Burk County
Georgia

d e j m [hard to read?]

10755
Hon R L Gamble
Mulford North Waynesboro
Georgia

RKW
Page 9

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

Augt 24 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 show what is 
necessary to be done.  These 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.
-------------------------
Statement, showing the Service of Henry Turner Burke County Georgia
-------------------------------
Period when the service was rendered
Draft. 1776
Duration of the claimant's service
5 mos.
Served nearly 6 mos.
Rank of the claimant
private
private
Names and rand of the Field officers under whom he served.
Capt McIllvain
Col. Carswell
Age at present, the place of abode when he entered the service.
74 years
Dobbs County N. Carolina
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence & two witnesses
papers properly attached

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACGT 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 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 Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons 
claiming the benefit of this law as officer, non-commissioned officer, mucicians 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.  Any 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, Territory, or District of }
County of                              }  ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]
A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of {blank] and State, Territory or District
of [blank] aged (c)  [blank] 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 (d) [blank], with [blank] and 
served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:  
[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 than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the 
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered 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 cases of officers and 
persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension 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 [blank]
A.B.
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 [blank] of the Court of [blank]
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of 
the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
[blank] day of [blank] &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicant, 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, 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 [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with  [blank], who has 
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank]
years 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 certificate 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 applicant was a 
Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank]
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &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 obtain, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if 
possible, the testimony 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 e found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will 
also, whether he produce such evidence of not, proceed 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
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
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 of 
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State 
troops of Virginia.
1.  Where and in what year were you born?
2.  Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3.  Where were you living when called into service; where have to lived since the Revolutionary 
war, and where do you now live?
4.  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5.  State the names of some of the Regular Officer, 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. {To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, 
and what has become of it?
To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what 
has become of it?
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 the 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 the 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 if general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.  
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before 
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the 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 
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is 
his genuine signature.
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
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the 
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow 
the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not 
conforming to the rule.  
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the 
claim cannot be had.  E very claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled.  In a case where the applicant cannot by reason of the 
loss of memory, state precisely how long her 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."
It is important, i 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 month, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years 
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tour, 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 shown under what officer 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.
(f)  The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g)  The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h)  The  Clerk must give his certificate in every case.  
(i)  The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.  
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 papers 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.  
Proof of Service.
(j)  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 claimant's 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.
The notes from (a) to (i) are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by rule in
note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k)  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l)  If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m)  The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 12

[ A black square.  It is either a paper that was copied too dark or it is a book of some sort.  Nothing to type.]
Page 13

10755
P. O.  [blank]
Henry Turner
Service:  [blank]
REJECTED
Enlisted:  [blank]
Discharged:  [blank]
Application filed:  [blank]
Alleges:  [blank]
Re-enlisted:  [blank]
Attorney:  [blank]
P. O.  [blank]
[blank]  Recognized.   [blank]  Contract.
[blank]  Cert. of Dis.   Searched for [blank]
Page 14

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME  Turner, Henry   GRADE  Drummer   LINE  Rhode Island
WARRANT NUMBER  3532  ACREAGE  100  ISSUED Mar. 25, 1790
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.