Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,380, for David Morton, South Carolina
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(8-1776)

SERVICE  S.C.       
Morton, David                                       NUMBER  S. 21.380





CONTENTS
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South Carolina 29.784
David Morton
of Greenville in the State of So Ca
who was a Pr. Cav in the_ commanded by Captain_ of the Regt commanded by Col [James] Williams
in the So Ca Militia for 18 months
Inscribed on the Roll of So Carolina
at the rate of 75 Dollars _ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of July 35 and sent RG Perry
Greenville So Ca
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 34 262.50
Semi-anl. allowance ending Mar 35
37.50 = 300.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Nath Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 76
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State of South Carolina
Greeneville District

On this ninth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court
of Common Pleas now sitting David Morton resident in the district of Greeneville and State aforesaid, aged
Seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare or make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
That he was born in Ireland on the 28 Febry 1760 and removed to this country in the 1st of January 1769
That he entered the service as a volunteer, in Spartanburg district & State aforesaid, during the year 1780. That he was at the Battle of Blackstocks.  was then in the
company commanded by Captain James Smith and attached to the army of Genl [Thomas] Sumter. Was also at the battle of Kings Mountain when Col [William] Campbell commanded,  assisted by Col [Benjamin] Cleveland, Col [Isaac] Shelby & Col [James] Williams which latter was there killed as was also the British Colonel [Patrick] Ferguson
was also under General [Daniel] Morgan commander of the regulars
& Col Andrew Pickens who commanded the militia at the Battle of the Cowpens, at which
place Col [Banastre] Tarleton the British Commander was defeated. That he served until the termination
of the war in one capacity or another was with frequent scouting parties. That he never received any regular discharge - but after the restoration of peace, he with others when the armies were disbanded returned to their homes. His name is not on any pension
Download
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roll and he hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present - He has no documentary evidence of his service and is unable from the
absence of a witness to offer further proof of the services above stated this deponent further sayth that the aggregate of his services was about eighteen months or two years and that James Alexander is the witness above alluded to. s/ David Morton
s/ J McDaniel CCP

I James McDaniel Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Greeneville District and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of David Morton
for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this seventh day of October 1832- s/ J McDaniel CCP
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We Thomas Hutchins a clergyman residing in the district and State aforesaid and Micajah Berry of the same place, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Morton who has subscribed & sworn
to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood
where he resides to have been a soldier of the the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
s/ Thos Hutchins  Micajah Berry
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid s/ J McDaniel
C.C.P

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & 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 Thomas
Hutchins who has signed the
preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the district and State aforesaid and that Micajah Berry who has also signed the same is a resident in the district and State aforesaid and is a credible person and that their statement is
entitled to credit
s/ Richard Gautt
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State of South Carolina
Greeneville District
Personally appeared James Alexander before me the subscribing
Justice of the district and State aforesaid and being duly sworn on his oath saith that he is well acquainted with the petitioner David Morton, and that he served with him during the revolutionary war, was with him at the battle of Blackstocks and the Battle of the Cowpens. s/ James Alexander
Sworn to & subscribed before me this
ninth day of October 1832
Alexander Thompson JP

State of South Carolina
Greeneville District  
I James McDaniel Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Greeneville District do hereby certify that Alexander Thompson is an acting magistrate for this district and that
full credit is to be given to his official acts
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my name and seal of office this 10 Oct 1832 s/ J McDaniel CCP
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Revolution 21380 INVALID
File No 21380 David Morton
Pri Rev War
act June 7 1832
Vol Q Page 281
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David Morton 15327
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State of South Carolina
Greeneville District
Personally appeared before me the
 undersigned Justice of the peace
in and for the district aforesaid David
Morton who being duly sworn, on his oath makes this further declaration in order to Obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7. 1832 - that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to his
recollection he served not less than one year and Six months in the Revolutionary war as a private,
and for such service he claims a
pension- s/ David Morton
Sworn to and subscribed this
4th day of April AD 1833-
s/ Alexr Savage J.P.
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State of South Carolina
Greeneville District
I James McDaniel Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions
do hereby certify that Alexander Savage is an acting Justice of the
Peace in and for the district aforesaid
that full faith and credit are to be given to his Official acts.
Given under my hand & Seal of Office
this sixth day of April AD 1833
s/ James McDaniel CCP

State of So Carolina
Greeneville District
I Richard Thruston one of the Justices in and for the district and State aforesaid do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with James Alexander who has
subscribed to the foregoing affidavit and know him to be a worthy and credible witness and that his statement is entitled to full credit
Given under my hand the 13 July 1833- s/ Richd Thruston JQ
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The declaration of David Morton is returned to the War Department and amended, agreeably to the instructions received. The only objection thereto being contained in the negative answer to the fifth quire 

State of So. Carolina
Greeneville District 
I James McDaniel Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the district and State aforesaid do
hereby certify that Richard Thruston is an acting Justice for the State aforesaid and that full faith and credit are to be given to his official acts
Given under my hand and Seal of Office this 23 day of July AD 1833
s/ J McDaniel CCP
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Admit as private 18 mos Cav 75$
BF Perry Esq Greeneville SC
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No 217 Lib G
Issued the 8th April 1785 to Mr
David Morton for thirty eight pounds
eleven shillings and 5d sterling for 200 Days Militia Duty as a horseman
and for a saddle and Bridle lost in the
service pr account audited No 26
Principal L38.11.5 
Interest    2.13.11

Comptroller Generals Office
Columbia 6 February, 1835
I certify the foregoing to be a true Copy from Indent Book O in this Office
s/William Laval Compt Gent
per
John T. Seibels
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Comptrollers Office
Columbia 6 Feb 1835
Benjamin F. Perry Esq
Sir
Agreeable to your favour of
the 28 ult I herein enclose copies of the accounts of William Goodlett and George Salmon for Revolutionary Services a copy from Indent Book O. to David Morton, his a/c
not being in its proper place, is either
lost or mislaid. The fee is $6, which may seemed an extravagant charge, but the search is for the most arduous part of the duty for instead of there being one General Index to
all the names alphabetically arranged there is one to every Book being from 60 to 70, & withal a very dusty Job
Respectfully Yr Obt Svt
John T. Seibels for
William Laval
Compt Genl
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the State of South Carolina
Greeneville District
Personally appeared before me John Collins Esq. and being duly sworn saith that he was well acquainted
with David Morton during the war of
the Revolution. That the said Morton was with and under Genl [Thomas] Sumter at the Battle of Blackstocks on the Tyger River in said State
from there the said Morton went and was at the Battle at the Cowpens as a private Soldier. this deponent does not recollect that the said Morton was in any other Battle. this deponent distinctly recollects to have seen the said Morton frequently after the Battle at the Cowpens with Genl [Andrew] Pickens and his party
s/ John Collins
Sworn to before me this 18th Sept 1834 s/ Josiah Kilgore JQ

I certify that John Collins who made the above affidavit before me is a credible and respectable witness
this Sept 25 1834
s/ Josiah Kilgore JQuo-
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I James McDaniel Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas for greeneville  district do hereby certify that
Josiah Kilgore before whom the within affidavit was made is an
acting Justice of the Peace in and for
the district of Greeneville and that
full faith and credit should be given
his acts as such
In testimony whereof I have here unto
set my seal of office and duly write my name this October 2nd 1834
s/J McDaniel CCP
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South Carolina Greeneville District
Personally appeared  before me William Caldwell & being duly
Sworn Saith on said Oath that he was well acquainted with David Morton during the War of the Revolution
that the said Morton turned out as a private Soldier about the 18th or 19th
of August 1780, the said Morton continued out & was at the Battle at Blackstocks on Tyger River & then at the Battle at the Cowpens both in the said State; Genl [Thomas] Sumter commanded at the former & Genl [Daniel] Morgan at the latter
the deponent has been well acquainted with the said David Morton ever since & he has
always esteemed him as a man of strict veracity. s/ Wm Caldwell
Sworn to before me this 18th Sept 1834 s/ Josiah Kilgore JQ
Testify that Wm Caldwell is a credible
and respectable witness that the above affidavit was made by him
before me this Sept 25th 1834
Josiah Kilgore JQ
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I James McDaniel Clerk of the Court
of Greeneville district do hereby certify that Josiah Kilgore before whom the within affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the peace
in and for the district of Greeneville
and that full faith and credit be given 
to his assurance his testimony whereof I have hereunto set my seal of office and affixed my name 
this October 2 -- 1834
J McDaniel
C.C. P
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Department of War
Pension Office
September 18, 1833
Sir The declarations of John Young and David Morton have been
received the former has been admitted as a private for 2 years-
The claim of Mr Morton is returned herewith that he may specify his services, which is indispensably necessary in order to obtain a favorable decision. The Indent is the only evidence in the case of Mr Young and must be retained by the Department.
I am respectfully
Yr Obt Sert
J. L. Edwards
E. D Earle Esq.
Greenville SoCa
To Co
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Department of War
Pension Office
April 26. 1833-
Sir: The declaration of David Morton is again returned-
The only testimony in support of his claim is that of James Alexander, yet the Court has omitted to certify to his credibility, a requirement which
is deemed indispensable and clearly pointed out in the briefs returned with the case before
I am, very respectfully
J L Edwards
Elias D. Earle Esqr
Greenville C.H
So Ca
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South Carolina Greeneville District
Personally came before me James
Alexander being Duly Sworn and saith 
oath that he was well acquainted with David Morton in the Revolutionary war and that he entered the Service
of his Country about the middle of August 1780 and that he served a Tour of Duty under Col John
Thomas [Jr] and that he knew him to serve a Tour of Duty under Col Benjamin Roebuck in the year 1781 and that he knew the said David Morton to serve under Col Whight [Lt. Col Henry White] and other officers untill the spring of the year 1782 and that the Deponant saith that the said David Morton served about one year and six months in the service of
his Country in the Revolutionary war and that he was with the said Morton in Two engagements against the
Brittish one at Blackstoks on Tygar River the other at the Cowpens Both in Spartan, District and that he was
well acquainted with the said Morton Ever since and that he is a Respectable man, and a man of Truth
s/ James Alexander
Sworn to and subscribed the 15th September 1834
s/ Alexr Savage J.P.

I Alexander Savage the Justice before whom the above affidavit was made do hereby certify James Alexander who made the above addidavit
a credible and respectable witness and intitled to full credit as such - Sept 24 1834 s/ Alex Savage JP

 I James McDaniel Clerk of the Court of Common Please for Greeneville
do hereby certify that the above is
Justice of the Peace in & for the District of Greeneville and that the signature heretofore purporting to be his is genuine
my hand &seal of office
Jany 2. 1835- s/ J Mc Daniel
Clerk of Greeneville District
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South Carolina
Greenville District
Personally came before me Alexander Peden and being duly sworn says on oath that he was well acquainted with David Morton in his youth and was with him when he entered the service in the Revolution
in the year 1780 under Col. John Thomas [Jr] and also knew him to be in the service in the year 1781 but
does not recollect the precise length of time - s/ Alexr Peden
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8th day of Sept 1834
s/ Alexr Savage J.P.

I Alexander Savage do certify that the above named Alexander Peden whose signature is to the above
affidavit is a credible and respectable witness and entitled to full credit as such Sept 22 1834
s/ Alexr Savage J.P.
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South Carolina Greenville Dist
I James McDaniel Clerk of the Court of Greenville Dist do hereby certify that Alexander Savage before
whom the above affidavit was made
is an acting magistrate in and for the
district of Greenville and that full faith
and credit should be given to his acts & doings as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this Febry 2 1835
s/ J McDaniel
Clerk of Greenville Dist
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15327 David Morton SC
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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, showing the Service of
David Morton
Duration of the claimant's service.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Age at present,  and place of abode
when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
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 constructed to extent, 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 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, etc., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefit 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 the Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians 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 applicants reside. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

                                                                   DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits 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  
          A B. 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 offices:

(Here set forth the names and ranks of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service ; (and if he server under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particlar 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

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 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 name 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 the 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 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. and that C.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.

I Clerk of Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the orginal proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for pension.

 In testimony whereof, I 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 orginal 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 hid personal knowledge of the service oh the applicant, and such circumstance connected therewith as may have a tendency to throw lightupon 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 material facts, which can be used 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, it 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 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 nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, fromtheir 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 certity to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deened 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 inquiry whether the belief is general or 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 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 ofice, 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 genine signature.

No payments can be made upon 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 theopinion 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 of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldiers must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim 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 pension 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 depots and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positive as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grades: ---For____year_____month____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, 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 service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  ome persons who apply for pensions mere state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  

It must begin every case, be clearly shown under what officer the applicant severed; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corp 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 n 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 fix 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 certified officer, should accompany the papers.                                                   
                                                                  
                                                                    Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certifing officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certiicate 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 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 verify 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 note
 from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is 
The 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.
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Amended Declaration Of David Morton

BF Perry
Greeneville SC
Page 29

State of South Carolina
Greeneville District-
Personally appeared before
me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the District aforesaid David Morton 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, nor give all the particulars of his service as minutely as he could wish, but according to the best
of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below and in the following manner as a private in the war of the revolution
He first entered the service in the month of August 1780, in Spartanburgh District South Carolina, where he then lived. It was a few days after the battle of "Musgrove's Mills". He volunteered under the command of Lieutenant Samuel Peaden [Captain Samuel Peden], and he thinks under Captain Thomas Hanna. They marched from Spartanburg District to North Carolina Mecklenburg County and there joined General [Thomas] Sumter where they remained some time. General Sumter
there heard of a British Army coming on him from Camden and not deeming his forces sufficient to engage with them crossed over the Catawba [River] at the Island Ford. The company to which this applicant belonged left General Sumter's Army at the Island Ford and crossed the Catawba twice and then the Broad River and joined Colonel Clark [Elijah Clarke] and he thinks Colonel [Isaac] Shelby, at the Cowpens and from thence marched to Kings Mountain where the battle was fought. This deponent does not now recollect the cause of General
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Sumter's small Army being divided at the Island Ford, and the corps to which he belonged being sent to join the forces under Shelby & Clark & other colonels -- But such was the fact. He joined their forces at that
place afterwards distinguished for the battle field of the Cowpens & from thence marched with their forces to King's Mountain. He was in the battle & fought under the officers above
mentioned. The battle commenced in the latter part of the day & it was about dark when the American forces found out how they had all fallen. From King's Mountain this
deponent went a short distance with a guard of the prisoners, but does not recollect much about it. Thence he marched to join General Sumter's forces somewhere between the Enoree & Saluda rivers, but does not recollect the particular place. He remained with Sumter in what is now
called the "Dutch Fork" until the Battle of Blackstocks. He was in the battle of Blackstocks under the command of General Sumter. The British and Tories were driven off the ground and a good many of them killed. Of the Americans none or very few were lost -- General Sumter was wounded in this battle -- From the battle at Blackstocks the corps to which this deponent belonged marched up the Country and were camped between Forest Creek and Tyger or Pacolet
rivers. This applicant understood that General Sumter and the greater portion of his forces marched over towards North Carolina, but this applicant never met with Sumter afterwards.
Whilst this applicant was encamped with the troops between Forest Creek
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& Tyger or Pacolet River there came the news that 90 or 100 Tories were in the neighborhood. The American forces were about the same number and they proceeded to give the Tories a battle or a race. They pursued the Tories on by a place called the Block House for one or 2 days, but did not overtake them. From thence we marched to join General [Daniel] Morgan at Grindal Shoals on Pacolet River.
This deponent does not however recollect how long it was before they joined Morgan's forces.
He was then under the command of Colonel John Thomas [Jr] under whose command he first marched to join General Sumter in Mecklenburg. He did not remain long at Grindal Shoals before Morgan marched up between Broad River and Pacolet in order to avoid the British forces.
He came to the Cowpens and was there overtaken by Colonel [Banastre] Tarleton. This applicant was in the
Battle of Cowpens under the command of General [Andrew] Pickens who had charge of the militia. The battle commenced about sunrise but does not recollect how long it continued. It was a hard 
fought battle. The troops to which this applicant belonged were mounted men -- they rode until
an engagement or battle and then dismounted and fought. After the battle they mounted and rode
home with the other forces.
After the battle of Cowpens he entered the service in the Regiment of Colonel Roebuck and remained in the upper country guarding the frontiers against the Indians and scouring &
patrolling the Country. He served 6 months
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but nothing important happened during this time he was in no battles of any consequence.
He then entered the Regiment commanded by Colonel [Henry] White about the middle of the summer of 1781. He served 6 months under Colonel White pretty much as he had served under Colonel Roebuck but does not recollect the particulars as they were all pretty much alike.
This affiant left the service in February or March 1782 having served 18 months and 3 tours under Colonel Thomas, Colonel Roebuck and Colonel White -- during his service he was under different captains as exigency required. From the time he entered the service first in
August 1780 he continued steadily and constantly in actual service until they left in February or march 1782. This applicant cannot state all the particulars of his services from loss of memory and old age. He was not during the time employed in any civil pursuit or employment. He had
no home but with the American Army.
He became acquainted with General Morgan, & Colonel Washington but does not recollect the name of any Continental regiments -- He herewith sends the affidavits of John
Collins, William Caldwell, Alexander Peden and James Alexander, as to his services in the revolution.
Has no record of his age -- He has lived in South Carolina ever since the
Revolutionary
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War where he now lives. He volunteered every time he entered the Army. He never received a regular discharge. He is known in his present neighborhood [by] Esquire
Alexander and Esquire Savage and many others who will testify as to his character for truth and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
This applicant claims a pension for 18 months services as above stated as a private. S/ David Morton
Sworn to and subscribed this September 251834
S/ J McDaniel , C. C. P. & Ex. Off. J. Q.

I James M Daniel Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Greenville District do hereby certify that
James McDaniel whose signature is to the above affidavit is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the District of Greenville and that full faith and credit should be given to his act as such. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto
set my seal office and
subscribed my name. This
Sept 25- 1834
s/ J McDaniel
Clerk of Greenville
District
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David Morton 21380
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Morristown Morris County
N Jersey July 31/54
Sir The heirs at law of David Morton a
Revolutionary soldier who died some years ago have requested me to ascertain whether he was
not entitled to a pension - if so to how much I understand he enlisted in New York and Shortly before his death some 16 years since gave his papers to Isaac Southard then a representative in Congress from this State, who never returned them, but as is supposed the papers
are on file in the Pension Department never having been acted on. If not too much trouble will you do me the favor to inform me whether the deceased so far as you know was
entitled to a pension - if so to what amount and what proof is necessary to enable us to receive it. I am informed he was promoted to my
inferior office
Respectfully Theo Little

To the
Commissioner of Pension