Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7752, Moses Highsmith, N.C.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE                                NUMBER
N.C.     Highsmith, Moses     W. 7752
Esther

CONTENTS
Page 2

Left side of page:
Reputed

Right side of page:

720
North Carolina
Esther Highsmith
widow of Moses Highsmith N C
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
21 Dollars 66 cents per annum, to commene on
the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the
10 day of Dec 1850
and sent to Marshall Dickinson
Greenville, N.C.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under a (cut off)
July 29, 1848, Page 135 Vol. 1
Book A
Page 3

Left side of fold:

Order to pay - May 10, 1837
See letter 20 May 1837 to P. Agt.

Right side of fold:

16.515
North Carolina
Moses Highsmith
of Pitt - in the State of No Car_
who was a Pri: in the ____ commanded
by Captain _____of the Regt commanded
by Col. Williams on the NaCa
line for 1 1/2 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Na Carolina
at the rate of 21. Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Aug 33
and Rutte Richard Parke, Greenville Na Ca

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 43.32
Semi-ani. allowance ending 4 Sept- 10.83
$54.15

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Nath Rice Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 Page 43
Page 4

Moses Highsmith was born
in the year of our Lord 1760
-
Easther Highsmith was
Born MD 1775
-
Nancy HighSmith was
Born M.D.
179(ink blot)

Betsy Highsmith was
Born MD 1798

Sally Highsmith was
Born AD 1807

Katherine Highsmith was
Born MD  1815
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This is the leaf cut out of the Bible
attended to in the depo of James
Highsmith
M. Dickinson B.
Sept 1850
Page 6

State of North Carolina
Pitt County}

On this 9th day of May 1833 personally appeared before the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions now sitting Moses Highsmith a resident of the County & State aforesaid aged seventy 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 of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1778 in Capt.
Moores Company under the command of Col Williams and marched
to South Carolina to a place called Panes Bung (or something like it) 
from there they marched up the Savannah River some distance, and
was discharged by Capt George Folsom who was then the commanding officer of the company.  That he was enlisted for five months and served out that time.  again he was drafted for three
months in Capt Lewis Cannon company under the command of
Maj Sheppard in the year 1781, but served only one and a half month of the time when discharged in consequence of the declaration of Peace.  That in each case he served as a private soldier. That he has no documentary evidence of his services. 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 any agency in any State. That he was born in the County and State aforesaid and a resident thereof at the time of service, and has always resided in this county except four years of the time, which time he resided in Duplin County of this State. That he has no record of his age but that he is informed by old persons in whom he has confidence that he was born in the spring of 1760. That he is known by Henry Barnhill, James Taylor John Anderson, Simon Keel
residents of this County, who will testify to his character for veracity
and belief of a soldier of the revolution.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written Witnesses 

Reading S Blount D.C.
Moses his X mark Highsmith
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I Simon Keel pf the county of Pitt & State of North Carolina do hereby cetify that I am well acquainted with Moses Highsmith whose declaration is hereto prefixed. That at the same time and place mentioned in said declaration I was in the service under the command of Col Williams & Major Sheppard and was discharged in the manner and the time mentioned by him. And I do further certify that he has been in this county nearly all the time since the declaration of Peace.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year above mentioned.
Archd Parker Clk                     Simon X his mark Keel

I Henry Barnhill do hereby certify that I believe Moses Highsmith to be a man of veracity and that he served as a revolutionary soldier and from the best accounts which furnish my recollection I believe him to be upward of Seventy years of age.
Sworn to in open court the day and year above written.
Archd Parker Clk               Henry X his mark Barnhill

I William Clark a clergyman residing in the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Moses Highsmith who had sworn to and subscribed this declaration. That I believe him to be upward of seveny years of age from the circumstance of his own declaration and that of Henry Barnhill. That he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolution and that I concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day and date above written.
Archd Parker Clk                William Clark 

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogation 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
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Simon Keel, & Henry Barnhill are residents of the County aforesaid and are credible person. And also that William Clark whose certificate is also attached is a clergyman of said County.
In session.         Gould Hoyd Chairman

I Archibald Parker Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of Pitt County and State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of Moses Highsmith for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 9th day of May 1833
Arch Parker CCC

(Handwritten at bottom along left margin)
Mary Highsmith
25571
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No. 25571
Moses Highsmith Pitt County
North Carolina
Admit as a private
6 1/2 mo. $21.66
Richd Parke, Greenville, North Carolina
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Pension Office
183
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 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 Moses Highsmith Pitt County North Carolina

Enlisted 1778, duration 5 months, Rank private, served under Cap Moore, Colonel Williams, current age 73, lived in Pitt County N. Carolina when entered service

Drafted 1781, duration 1 mo, 15 days, Rank Private, served under Cap Cannon, Major Sheppard, current age 73, lived in Pitt County N. Carolina when entered service

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
(blank)

I am respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
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2
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, 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 patrol 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 officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians (sic) 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. 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

On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before ____________
AB. a resident (b) of ______ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of  aged (c) _____ 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) _____, with and served in the_____
(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 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 _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  A.B.
[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 ______ of the Court of _____ 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 _____
day of _____ & c.
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 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 _____
and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ____
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 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 _____and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____, Clerk of the Court of _____do hereby certify 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, this _____day of _____
& 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 obtained, 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 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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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 exexpected. 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 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?
5. 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. If 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, atttend 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 infimity; 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 oficer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the cannot be had. Every 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 pousion he is entitled. 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."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, amd 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 espressions are obectonable.  Some persons who apply for the pensions merely state that the served two years in the militia , &c. without specifing the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their servcie. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant serviced; 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 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 is no device or incription 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 offical character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certficate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers unauthenticated, 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 all 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 declarations.
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No 14208.
Declaration
act 29 July 1848 No 842
Esther Highsmith,
Wid of of Moses-
N.C.
Act 29 July 1848
Page 14

State of North Carolina}
Pitt County}
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said County
On this 10th day of August eighteen hundred & fifty,
personally appeared before the Justices of the Court of pleas &
Quarter Sessions for the said County of Pitt, Esther Highsmith
a resident of the County aforesaid, aged Seventy five years,
who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her
oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the
benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and
pensions to certain widows, and the several subsequent acts
in relation thereto, That she is the widow of Moses
Highsmith, who was a private in the army of the Revolution
and enjoyed a pension for some years previous, and at the
time of his death-- For evidence of service she refers to the
record proof of the Pension office-

She further declares that she was married to the Moses
Highsmith, on the 3d day of July 1794, at the house of her
late Aunt Franky Taylor, who lived about a mile & an half
from my present residence, by William Bowers Esq.
a magistrate of this neighbourhood, now deceased. That
her husband, the aforesaid Moses Highsmith died on the
27th day of December 1846 that she was not married to
him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage
took place previous to the first of January eighteen
hundred, viz. at the time above stated. She further
swears
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swears that she is now a widow, and that she has
never before made any application for a pension.
Sworn to and subscribed  
on the day and year above     Esther her X mark Highsmith
written, before the Justices
of the said Court, in open
Court

H. Sheppard Clk

The foregoing declaration being made in
Court, the Justices of Court declare their belief
in the truth thereof - H. Sheppard Clk

State of North Carolina}
Pitt County}  I, Henry Sheppard, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for sd County hereby certify that the foregoing declaration of Esther Highsmith was made on Oath in open Court, and the sauchon
of said Court given as above stated____
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed the seal of my office, and
Signed the same, this 10th day of
Aug 1850  H.Sheppard Clk
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RECORD DIVISION           3 - 525
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION

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 Miss Highsmith 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.  W.7752
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   |
CAPTAIN.     COLONEL.   | STATE.
1778   |   5 mos    |  Pvt  |  Moore & Glo. Falconer   |  Williams  |   NC

1781   |   11/2 mos   |   Lewis Cannon   | check mark

Battles engaged in,... none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ...Pitt Co. NC.
Date of application for pension,.... May 9 1833
Residence at date of application, Pitt Co.
Age at date of application,....b Pitt Conn Spring 1760-
Remarks: ...He mar. July 3, 1794 Esther Taylor b. in 1775
he d. Dec. 27, 1846 & she was al pen on an apex
Aug 10, 1850 while res. in Pitt Co. N. C. Children -
Nancy, Betsy, Sally, Katherine and James All were living in 1850
except Katherine, date of death not stated-

Respectfully,
Commissioner.


8-2856
(Did not give dates of births
acct of eldest 6, 1794 Eu)
Page 17

State of North Carolina}
Pitt County}

Personally appeared before me Marshall Dickinson one of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, on the 5th day of June 1850, Talitha Taylor, of said County, aged 69 years next month, who being duly sworn according to law, states as follows, that she resides in the neighbourhood of the late Moses Highsmith and of his widow Earther Highsmith, and have been acquainted with
them for a long time from my youth up, and with said Moses from childhood, being raised within five miles of each other that she was present at the marriage of the said Moses Highsmith with the said Easther Highsmith (whose maiden name was Earther Taylor, that the said them married and thinks & is pretty certain that they were married by William Bowers Esq. who lived in the neighbourhood . The marriage took place at my aunt Franky Taylor.  She remembers the facts stated of the marriage perfectly well, but cannot state the date with certainty, but to the best of her knowlede & belief it is now about fifty six years ago and not more than one year less than that time, but I was not grown at that time, and believed way thirteen or fourteen years old when the marriage took place-- That the will be sixty nine years old, if she lives to see the 10th of July next .

Talitha her X mark Taylor
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The within deposition of Talitha Taylor was sworn to & subscribed in due form of law the day & year therein stated and I certify further that the said Talitha
Taylor is of good credit and I believe in the truth of her statement. 

Marshall Dickinson J.P.



State of North Carolina}
Pitt County}

I Henry Sheppard, Clerk the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid hereby certify that Marshall Dickinson whose genuine Signature is to the foregoing deposition, is and was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace for the said County, and that the same is in due form of law. 
Given under on hand and the seal of my office affixed, this 2nd day of September 1850
JA Sheppard Clk
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State of North Carolina}
Pitt County}

On this 24 day of August 1850, personally appeared before me Marshall Dickinson of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid William Barnhill, of said County, aged Eighty two, who being duly sworn according to law, declares on oath as follows: That he has long been acquainted with Moses Highsmith (late Pensioner & now deceased) and his wife Esther, with the said Moses from his youth and his wife from her being a young girl, that he remembers the time when they were married though I was not present. She lived them with her Aunt Mrs Taylor. I have lived in the neighbour not far off from sd. Highsmiths ever since they were married, except one or two or three years that they moved to the south, say New Hanover County, and then back to my neighbourhood again during this time since the time it was said they were married, they have lived together as man & wife and nobody questioned them being married nor doubted it.  this time, or day & year of their marriage I cannot state precisely, I think it was fifty five years or more, and certainly more than fifty years before the 1 of Jany last 

Sworn to & subscribed the day first}      William  his  X  mark Barnhill
above written, before me}
Marshall Dickinson}
Page 20

I further certify that I am well acquainted with the written names William Barnhill, that he is worthy of full credit, and that I believe that in the truth of his statement - Aug. 24 1850
Marshall Dickinson

State of North Carolina}
Pitt County }
I, Henry Sheppard, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid hereby certify that Marshall Dickinson whose genuine signature is to  the foregoinb deposition of Wm Barnhill, and to the certificate following this form, is and was at the date then of a Justice of the Peace for the said County, and that the same is in Inferior of Court   

In testimony whereof I have herewith affixed the seal of this office, and signed the same this 12th day of Sept. 1850.
H. Sheppard Clerk
Page 21

State of North Carolina}
Pitt County}
On this 5th day of September 1850 personally appeared before me Marshall Dickinson one of the Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid James Highsmith of  said County, aged forty four, who being duly sworn, according to law, deposes as follows, viz. That he is the son of Moses Highsmith, who was a revolutionary Pensioner of the United States. That the said Moses Highsmith died on the 27th day of December 1846, leaving Esther Highsmith his widow, who is my mother. He was a pensioner at his death. He and the said Esther had five children. The said Moses kept no family record. A few years after this deponent married, and at least eighteen years ago, he sat down in his own Bible the names of the children, affirming to each the year in which they were born, according as his said parents informed him, which list I have cut out of the Bible and hereunto annexed except my own name, which was omitted in its regular order, and placed on the next leaf at the head of my own children. There is no record that I know of or have heard of of the date of the marriage of my sd, father & mother. The first child Nancy, as I have been told by my parents,  and always believed, was born on the 27th day of December 1794 - and they are all now alive except Catharine - who
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who was the youngest - and further deponent [illegible] not.
The word Nancy underlined}
before signing}       James Highsmith

Sworn to & subscribed by the said James Highsmith before me the day first above written - and I certify that I am personally acquainted with him, that he is worthy of credit, and I believe in the truth of his statement.
Marshall Dickinson J.P.

State of North Carolina}
Pitt County}
I Henry Sheppard, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid, hereby certify that Marshall Dickinson whose genuine signature is to the foregoing deposition of James Highsmith, is and was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace for the said County, and that the same is in due form of laced.
In testimony whereof I have affixed the seal of my office herewith, and signed the same this 12th day of Sept. 1850
H Sheppard Clerk
Page 23

the Court of Pensions
Washington City
Page 24


Greenville, Pitt Co, No. Ca
Sept 13, 1850
Sir,
At the request of Mrs Esther Highsmith,
widow of Moses Highsmith, late a Pensioner, I
enclose the papers in her application for a
pension.
Very Respectfully
Your obt Serv.
Marshall Dickinson
J. L Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Washington City
Page 25

Esther Highsmith, wid
of Moses.
N. C.
Act 29 July 1848-
Act 6 ½ mo. Pri
$21.66 per ann. from
4 Mch. 1848





Certifcate to 
Marshall Dickinson
Greenville
N.C.
Page 26

Moses Highsmith, N.C. Act & June
1832- $21.66 per an -
to what time paid?
J.J.C.T

Pension Office}
Dec 3. 1850} to his death
Dec. 27, 1846
Page 27

State of North Carolina}
Pitt County}

I, Henry Sheppard Clerk of the County Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Pitt aforesaid, do hereby certify that I have made diligent search of the Records of this County for this purpose, and do not find, and do not believe there is any record of the marriage of Moses Highsmith with Esther Taylor (now his widow) nor can I find any Bond for License to marry them, on file in this office.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of this office, and signed the same, this 6th day of June 1850.

H. Sheppard Clk
Page 28


Please send to me records of Moses Highsmith
and John Weedon who drew Revolutionary
Pensions. Both resided in North Carolina.
Mrs. J.F. Rodman
58 Knickerbocker Road,
Englewood.
New Jersey.
Date stamped Jan 16, 1923
US Pension Office
Page 29

1923, Jan. 29hist to  Mrs. J. F. Rodman. Eu.

Rev Widow, &c.
File No. 7752
Esther Highsmith
Wid
Moses Highsmith
Prvt. Rev War
Act:  July 29 1848

Index:-Vol. A, Page 334

[Arrangement of 1870.]