Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1557, for Flower Mullins, North Carolina
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Service: N.C.
Mullins, Flower
Number: S. 1557
carded
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22.175
Jonesborough Agency
Flower Mullins
of Hawkins Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Herod of the regt. commanded by C.L. Melvin in the N.C. Mili for 2ys from 1779

Inscribed on the Roll of Jonesboro’
at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annu
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Oct 1833 and sent to [Illegible] John Blair

Arrears to the 4th of September 23 	      ¢200
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 March ’34    40
					      ¢240
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Wm S Allison Clerk
Book 6  Vol 6   Page 129
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State of Tennessee} Hawkins County} August Session 1832
 On this 29th day of August 1832
Personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said county, Flower Mullins, a resident citizen of said county, aged about seventy-three 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 about the first week in May in the year 1777 or 1778 in the county of Guilford, North Carolina, that he enlisted for six months and served the same in said marched [Illegible] [Illegible] Carolina. His service was in the Militia under George Pearce & Major Thomas Owens. The troops joined Genl. Lincoln’s Army. The Americans marched out after the Tories. Upon this tour he was discharged by George Pearce and returned home but the discharge is lost. In about three weeks after his return home he entered the service again as a volunteer for Major [Illegible] & others. Been out about three months
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Drafted under Capt. George Pearce, Colo. Tenan or Tinnan and served as a substitute three months. Marched with General Butler through the mountains, and on that campaign was in the battle of Hanging Rock, at Stone and in several skirmishes that kept the Tories away and under. And was discharged by Capt. Pearce again — his written discharge [is lost].
He further states that he enlisted in Guilford County, North Carolina and marched into South Carolina where he served six months. He crossed the two rivers of Holston & French Broad, crossed the line into South Carolina, and served in Capt. Robert Herod’s company. The number of the Regiment is not remembered. Rendezvoused at Rockingham Courthouse. From there marched to Salisbury, thence to Camden, thence to Augusta, thence to the Ichuckafanee Swamp, thence to Charleston, where he was prisoner and confined in the [Illegible] slave, and was at St. Johns, exchanged and then came to Bacon’s Bridge, and to Savannah where the troops lay for some time and then went to [Illegible] and then lay a considerable time at New Providence and from New Providence went to Augusta. From there went to Golphin's where they remained some time. He was left at
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After this war, taken at Charleston, about three weeks, and during that service within the skirmish at Yellow Springs, at the same time at Black Swamp, at [Illegible], and he was taken prisoner at Monk’s Corner and was confined six weeks at Pine Tree, near the Savannah River.
This tour ended at the point of the left [Illegible] was dismissed. In the whole, [he] believes he served his country for three years or more — two years near the Savannah and Susannah Rivers and was discharged in the Regular Service by Genl. French and Captain Pearce.
His memory being so impaired, he cannot remember all the particulars.
His father had died and left the house and all his discharges were lost, and he cannot produce them — this is the reason he cannot produce them.
He was born in Pittsylvania County and has lived in Hawkins County about thirty years last past.
He has no witness to prove his services except the affidavits of those to annexed.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on
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on the pension Roll of any State.
That there is no clergyman or ardent minister in his [Illegible] and the said Mullins deposes for evidence to prove his service as he can, the [Illegible] of [Illegible] burnt this [Illegible] copy of [Illegible]
He further states that he was in the regular service in [Illegible] commanded by Capt. George Pearce, John Davis, Jacob Williams, Melvin and others, and was under the command of Genl. Lincoln, Marion Sumpter and Greene, but he does not know the number of the Regiments. He has no other evidence [Illegible]
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 3rd day of August 1832. Samuel Morelock, Clerk
We, residing in Hawkins County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Flower Mullins who has [Illegible] and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and I concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year [Illegible]
 [Illegible signatures]
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10.042
Flower Mullins
Hawkins C Ten

14.16

[Ilegible]
27 July 1833

P Parsons
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Brief in the case of Flower Mullins
County of Hawkins in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832)

Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? 
Open Court

How old is he?
73 years

State his service:
Period. In 1777, 1778, and 1779

Duration of Service. Years, Months: 3- 3

Rank. As a Private

Name of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. Capt. Pearce, Sgt. Owens, G. Lincoln
Capt. Pearce, Col. Tinnan
Capt. Howard, Col. Melvin

Primary service
militia [Illegible]
[Illegible] two years & three months in the [Illegible] service

In what battles was he engaged?
Cowpens. Blue Springs. Eutaw Springs

Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
[Illegible] N Carolina
Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Traditionary—

Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Papers [Illegible]

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk.
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10.042
Flower Mullins
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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 Thomas Mullins Hawkins & Tennessee which require further proof or explanation.

Does the declaration show where the applicant resides ? yes
Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
Has the Court given their opinion? yes
Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other senl? yes
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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
If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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
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? 𐤲
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? No
Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily P And, if wot, which of them is not so answered? Yes
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+ Should prove his service
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Ho: Reids,
 Feb. 11, 1845
Dear Sir,
Please furnish me with the paper requested by Mr. Cowles in the enclosed letter. Return his letter with your answer.
Very respectfully, 
Your obt. servt.,
 David S. Reid
Hon. J. L. Edwards Com. of Pen.
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Rev War
1557
Invalid.
File No. 1557.
Flower Mullins
[Illegible] N.C. Mil

Act: June 7, 1832.
Index:—Vol. A, Page 268
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Please [Illegible] see the papers in the case of Flower Mullins.—
Pensions of the State of Tennessee— 
J.C.—
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10.042
Flower Mullins
award Declaration
From 1778 Private
2yrs ;
¢80

Hon. J Blair

P. Parsons
[Illegible]
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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 to 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 shew what is necessary to be done. Those 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.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Flower Mullins

The witnesses Paul Morelock & Mr. Jewell were not certified to be credible by the court by the court.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and toStore 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 engage 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: The Regular Troops. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. Persons employed in the Naval Service. Indian Spies. regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, 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, Territory, or District of County of }ss. On this day personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of and State, Territory or District 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) (e) regiment of the 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 lie resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. 0J 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 (it any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. В. [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. 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 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, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (li) We, A. B., a clergyman, resident in the hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with and C. D. residing in (the same) subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be rears 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 days 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. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the 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. contains the original proceedings of the sand Court, in the matter of the application of do hereby certify that the foregoing for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of 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, it 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 be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or 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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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 exAll 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 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 it so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you 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? State the names of some of the Regular Officers, 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. It one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of 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 is 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, Territory, or of the proper or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary annexed, stating that such person is a Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is No payments can be male 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.
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10.042
Pension Declaration
Flower Mullins
—
[Illegible]
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I, Wm. Jewel, residing in Hawkins County, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Flower Mullins, who has sworn and subscribed to the above declaration and believes him to be 73 years of age, and that I have lived with him during the Revolutionary War and can testify to his actual service.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Wm. Jewel his mark
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above-named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. August 27th, 1832
I, Stockley D. Mitchell, clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Hawkins County in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the case of the application of Flower Mullins for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 31st day of August 1832. S.D Mitchell, clk W.B. Mitchell, clk
Same acquainted with Samuel Morlock & Wm. Jewel & believe them to be credible. J. Blair Sept 6th 1832
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State of Tennessee Sullivan County
On this 20th day of May 1833 personally appeared before me John Peoples – one of the Justices of the peace for said county – David Bragg, a citizen of said county, and after being first duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that he knew Flower Mullens, an applicant for a pension from Hawkins County, whilst said Mullens was in the service in the Revolutionary War.
And remembers seeing him at Sullivan County (some time) then North Carolina told Isaac Holman to run, but he would not – then he turned to our Capt then to fight, which Capt Lincoln then commanded – then to the said Flower Mullens answered – I will – and he then went with the command of Gen’l Marian.
But how long he served in the war this deponent cannot say, but believes he served a considerable length of time, and this deponent is not able to go to Hawkins to give his deposition.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20th day of May 1833 David X Bragg (his mark) John Peoples, Justice of the Peace
Also personally appeared before me Benjamin Birdwell, a citizen of said county, and after being duly sworn according to law, has made oath that he is acquainted with Flower Mullens of Hawkins County, and that he knew him during the Revolutionary War, and believes and says said Mullens was in the service during the Revolutionary War in all the places mentioned in David
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Braggs deposition above stated
Under the command of General Marion
 And has often since talked with said Mullens 
And believes he served a considerable length of time during the War in the South. 
This deponent does not know how long he served in the war.
Sworn to and subscribed  before me this  day of May 1833 
Benjamin Birdwell
John Peoples 
Justice of the Peace

And I hereby certify that David Bragg and Benjamin Birdwell live in my neighborhood and I am  well acquainted with them and they are entitled to full credit upon oath.
John Peoples

I am acquainted with John Peoples, whose attestation is above & know him to be in commission as an acting justice of the peace and believe him to be a man of veracity.
John Blair
 Oct 13th, 1833