Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2925, Thomas Armstrong, N.C. Penn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
N.C.

Armstrong, Thomas

NUMBER
S.8347

CONTENTS

Carded
Page 2

[bipanel]
[left side]
19013
West Tennessee
Thomas Armstrong
of Lincoln Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Davis of the Regt commanded
by Col Dowell in the
line for 8 months & 14 days

N.C. & Pa Line. Records corrected Feby 12 '04

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 28 Dollars 21 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July
1833 and Sent to Robert
S. Inge Fayetteville

Arrears to the 4th of March 56.42
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sepr 14.10
[total] $70.52

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Danl Boyd, Clerks
Book E Vol. 7 Page 70

[right side]
Pen Agent, April 15, 1837.
Page 3

Thomas Armstrong
117289
Page 4

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7 1832.

State of Tennessee
Lincoln County

On this 16th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the court of common pleas quarter session now sitting at the courthouse of the town of Fayetteville and in the state aforesaid, Thomas Armstrong, a resident of the state of Tennessee in the county of Lincoln aforesaid, aged about seventy-seven 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 7th 1832.  

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.  That is to say, he entered the service he believes in the year seventy-seven in the month of April under Capt. John Davis who was afterwards cashiered and George Pearce, the first lieutenant in the company was promoted to the command of captain under whom he served till he quit the service.  He was drafted for three months which he served out and did not return home till the month of September following in consequence of sickness.  

The company to which he belonged was attached to the regiment commanded by Col. McDowell whose regiment was attached to the forces commanded by General Butter, General Lincoln being commander in chief of the whole North Carolina forces.  He was drafted in the county of Guilford in the state of North Carolina immediately before he went into service.  He
Page 5

was at the Battle of Stono-Ferry (he believes in the state of South Carolina) though not in that battle being one of the guards of the baggage.  Said battle was fought between the American forces under General Lincoln of the British forces were commanded he believes by Provost. 

The second as a drafted militia man in the state of Pennsylvania a tour of two months guarding the British prisoners taken at Burgoin's defeat which prisoners were kept about two miles below the town of Little York under Capt. Arbison.  John Aidy being major then in command at that place.  He does not recollect the year in which he rendered this service. 

He afterward served as a volunteer in the state of Pennsylvania some considerable time in collecting and bringing into camp the British prisoners who had made their escape from the Americans.  He does not recollect how long he was engaged in this service but he thinks two months or more.  He afterward served some time as a volunteer in the state of North Carolina in guarding the magazines at Guilford Court House.  But he does not recollect the year nor the length of time he served but he believes about two weeks.  In this last tour Capt. Whitsel(?) and Deut(?) were at the magazine while he was guarding the same.  

He served at various times as a volunteer against the Tories in North Carolina though several years, attached to no particular regiment or companies.  He believes in all more than a month. 

He has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.  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.
Signed: Thomas (his X mark) Armstrong

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Signed:  Robt Inge, clerk
Page 6

We, Albert G. Gibson, a clergyman residing in the county of Lincoln and state of Tennessee and William Edmiston, residing in the same, hereby certify that they are well acquainted with the Thomas Armstrong who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him to be aged about seventy-seven years, that he is a reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Signed:  Albert G. Gibson, Wm Edmiston

Sworn and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid.
Signed:  Robert Inge, Clerk

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter; and after putting the interrogatories proscribed 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 appear to them that Albert G. Gibson, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the said county of Lincoln and that William Edmiston, who has also signed the same, is a resident of the same county and is a credible person and that their statement if entitled to credit.
Signed: {Albert Gibson's name is crossed out)
Wm. Edmiston

T. H. Shaw
Jacob E. Waggoner
Page 7

I, Robert Inge, clerk of the court of common pleas and quarter session for the county of Lincoln and state of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Armstrong for a pension. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 16th day of October 1832.
Signed:  Robert Inge, Clerk
Page 8

No 117389-
Thomas Armstrong
Lincoln County
Tennessee
from 1777 private
8 months 14 days
$28.21.

Robert S. Inge
Fayetteville
Clerk Lincoln County Court 
Tennessee
Page 9

BRIEF in the case of Thomas Armstrong
of Lincoln County, in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? about 77
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Duration of Service.
[form]
|Period.|Duration of Service (Years, Months, Days)|Rank. (As a)|Name of General and Field Offices under whom he served.|
|Drafted in 1777|0,3,0|private|Capts Davis & Pearce, Col. McDowell|
|"|0,2,0|"|" Arbison. Maj. Aidy|
|Volunteer in 1777|0, 2 oor more,14| | Whitset & Dent|
|"|0,1,0| | |
|"|0,1,0| | |

5. In what battles was he engaged? Battle of Stono ferry
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

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
Dyer Castor Examining Clerk.
Page 10

Thomas Armstrong the foregoing applicant for a pension further
testifies that he was born in York County State of Pennsylvania
on the 20th day of July 1755. He has no record of his age in
his possession. It was recorded in his father's bible but he does not
know where it is. He was living in Guilford County North Carolina when first 
entered the service, and in York County Pennsylvania when he
entered the service a second time and after this latter term of service
expired he again went to Guilford County North Carolina
and then again entered the service as stated in his declaration
after the close of the war he moved with his father to York
district State of South Carolina where married and lived
some considerable length of time, the precise time not recollected.
from there he moved to 
to xxxx district in the same state.
and lived there eighteen years and from there he moved
to this County (Lincoln) where he has lived ever since and
where he now lives: the first term of service he received no
discharged. owing to sickness, which he had about eight days
before this time expired, he entered the service for and he never
saw his Capt. George Pearce, until several years afterwards.
He recd. a discharge from Capt. Aberson- which he left with
John McBride his lieutenant in York County Pennsylvania
expecting to return but never did. does not know what has
become of it. this the only discharged he received.
He is known in the neighborhood where he resides to Albert
G. Gibson to Wiliam Edmeston, James Bright, James
Wiggins & to his neighbors generally, all of whom can testify to his
character for veracity & their belief of his services as a
revolutionary soldier-
Thomas Armstrong hisXmark

State of Tennessee
Lincoln County
This personally appeared before me
Page 11

William Edmeston an acting Justice of the peace
for the said County state Thomas Armstrong the forgoing
applicant for a pension & sworn and subscribed the forgoing
statement & made oath that the facts therein stated are
true to the best of knowledge & belief. th\is 4th day of
May 1833.
Wm Edmeston Justice of the
peace.

State of Tennessee
Lincoln County
I Frances L. Kincannon Clerk
of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for the
County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that
William Edmeston whose name is affixed to
the foregoing affidavit is an acting Justice of
the peace for the said County and State duly
commissioned and qualified as the law
directs.
and that his signature is the genuine signature
of said William Edmeston & is in his own
proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
my seal of office this 4th day
of May 1833
Page 12

October 27, 1939

BA-J/AC
Thomas Armstrong, S. 2925

Mrs. M. L. Clemens
Route 7
Knoxville, Tennessee

Dear Madam:

The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the
pension claim, S.2925, based on the military service of Thomas
Armstrong.
Thomas Armstrong was born July 20, 1755, in York County,
Pennsylvania. The names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Guilford County, North Carolina, he
enlisted in April, 1777, and served three months as private in Captains
John Davis and George Pearce's companies in Colonel McDowell's North 
 Carolina regiment. While a resident of York  County, Pennsylvania, he
enlisted, date not given, and served two months as private under
Captain Arbison or Aberson and or any of the Pennsylvania militia
and was engaged in guarding prisoners about two miles below Little York,
said prisoners having been taken when Burgoyne surrendered. He then
served about two months with the Pennsylvania troops, names of officers
not shown, and was engaged in capturing escaped prisoners. Having moved 
to Guilford County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served about two
weeks and was engaged in guarding magazines at Guilford Court House. He
also served as a volunteer against the Tories in North Carolina, on various
short tours, amounting to one month in all, names of officers not given.
After the close of the Revolution, Thomas Armstrong moved with his
father to York District, South Carolina, where he married, name of wife
not stated. From there, he moved to Pendleton District, South Carolina,
and from there to Lincoln County, Tennessee. There are no further family data.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 16, 1832,
at which time he was living in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
Page 13

If you desire to obtain the date of last payment of pension of
Thomas Armstrong, the name and address of the person to whom it was
paid, and possibly the date of soldier's death, it is suggested that
you address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records
Division, Washington, D.C., giving the following data:
Thomas Armstrong, Certificate 19013, issued July 26, 1833, rate
$28.21 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, West
Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 14

[bipanel]
[left side]

Feby 17- 1900
Chas. E. Armstrong Vicksburg
Miss. History
1927, May 2 hist to
Mrs. Irving Southworth
See letter in case of Jas.
Cunningham S3250 m.c.s.
1939 Oct. 27. hist to Mrs.
M.L. Clemens m.c.s.

[right side]
2925
Rev War

INVALID.
File No. 2925
Thomas Armstrong
Pvt. N.C. line

Act: June 7th/32
Index:--Vol. A Page 10
(Arrangement of 1870.}
N.C. and Pa. Line. Records corrected
Feby 12 '04
Page 15

Address
John W Morgan
Fayetteville
Ten
Page 16

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 Armstrong which require
further proof or explanation

1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
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[sic] of pension
he is entitled? No [crossed-out]
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
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?
Page 17

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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing 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?
No [crossed out]
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?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
1.2.3.6.7

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.
Page 18

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, 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.
Page 19

Pulaski March 4th 1837

Sir
I send enclosed Daniel Carrell
and Thomas Armstrongs papers for
examination agreeably to the Treasury circular
of September last They not having applied
for twelve months to receive the stipends [illegible]
a special order to get their pay
very respectfully 
Thomas Martin
pension agent

To
JL Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
Page 20

[circular ink stamp]
Received Oct 9, 1939 Mail Sub-Div
Reader No. 23
Vets Adm


Knoxville, Term, Oct. 6, 1939. Route 7.
U. S. Veterans administration,
Washington, D.C.

Dear sir:-
In the document set of congressional
publications, serial no. 251 - the
section on Tennessee Pension Roll
(514) P.78- Lincoln County- is the
name of Thomas Armstrong---for service
in the N. C. line. He was placed on the
roll July 26, 1833 at the age of 78 years.
I will appreciate it very much if
you can give me all the facts you have
concerning him and any members of his
family. If this is asking too much can
you advise me how I may obtain the
information on your files?
Also, David Armstrong's (Norris Creek)
pension began in 1872 - for the war of 1812.
I should be glad to have facts concerning
him. I thank you in advance
for any information.
Yours truly
(Mrs. M.L.) Margaret Moore Clemens
Page 21

October 27, 1939.

BA-J/adh
Thomas Armstrong
S.2925

Mrs. M.L. Clemens
Route 7
Knoxville, Tennessee

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to
soldiers of the Revolutionary War and War of 1812.
The Revolutionary War record of Thomas Armstrong,
and the War of 1812 record of David Armstrong are
furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours,
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 22

Rev. & 1812 War Section

May 2, 1927

Mrs. Irving Southworth
Andover
Mass.

Madam:
I have to advised you that from the papers in the Revolutionary
War pension claim, S.2925, it appears that THOMAS ARMSTRONG was born
July 20, 1755, in York County, Pennsylvania.
While a resident of Guilford County, he enlisted
in April, 1777, and served three months as a private in Captains John
Davis' and George Pearce's Companies in Colonel McDowell's North Carolina
Regiment.
While a resident of York County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted, date
not given, and served two months as a private under Captain Arbison or
Aberson and Major John Aidy; he was engaged in guarding prisoners
about two miles below Little York, said prisoners having been taken
when Burgoyne surrendered.
He then aged about the same with the Pennsylvania
troops
and was engaged in capturing escaped prisoners.
Having moved to Guilford County, North Carolina, he enlisted
and served about two weeks; he was engaged in guarding magazines at
Page 23

He also served various short tours, about one month in all, and
was engaged in scouting for tories.
After the close of the Revolution he moved with his father (his
name not stated) to York District, South Carolina, where he married,
the name of his wife not stated. From there to Pendelton Dist. S.C. then to Lincoln Co.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 16,
1832, at which time he was a resident of Lincoln County, Tennessee.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner