Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6036, for Lewis Shearin, North Carolina
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(3-1776)
Service N.C. 
Shearin, Lewis, Susan 
Number W.6036
Contents
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Re[illegible] June 5th
Letter to Pen Agent July 1847.

North. Carolina. 18
Susan Shearin
widow of Lewis Shearin who was a Lieutenant in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 - Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of April 1843 and sent to Hon. R. M. Saunders Warrenton, North Carolina
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. [illegible] Page 205 -
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State of North Carolina
County of Warren   SS
On this 26th day of
May A.D. 1841. personally appeared before me
Tho J. Judkins one of the acting Magistrates & 
a Member of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
(being a Court of Record) in & for the said County
& State, Susan Shearin, a resident of the County
& State aforesaid aged 77 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 4th 1836.
That she is the widow of Lewis Shearin
who was a Lieutenant in the Militia of
N.C. in the Revolutionay War, and that he served
Twelve Months [blocked out], that on or about
the 10th day of Novem 1780 he entered into the 
said service as a volunteer & joined Capt Joel
Wrens Company as a Lieutenant & that they marched
to Halifax N.C. where they were stationed for a 
short time under Col Long that they then marched
by the way of Tarborough N.C. to Wilmington N.C.
 & were under the Command of Col Hart. where they
remained stationed until Feby 1781. That he then
returned home having served three months, that 
he then again volunteered in the same County
of Warren for three months more on the 10th day
of Feb 1781 as a Lieutenant in Capt Jordan Harris 
Company that they joined the main army under
Genl Tho Paton & Col Herbert Haines and marched 
through the County of Granville & Orange N.C.
to Hillsborough N.C. where they were stationed
a while, when they Joined Genl Greens Army 
& was at the Battle of Guilford C.H. N.C. after
this Battle the said Lewis Shearin marched 
to Halifax & remained stationed there until 
the Expiration of the three months service
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which he had volunteered to perform which ended on or about the 10th day of May 1781. That the said Lewis Shearin then volunteered for six months, as a Lieutenant in the same company & took the command as such & was ordered to take a company of soldier & to go on the Roanoke River & to destroy boats, flats & to prevent the British from passing which the said thearin did do, & afterwards joined the main Army at Taylors Ferry on the Roanoke that they then marched through the County of Franklin into Wake County to Wake C.H. N.C. then into the County of Cumberland to Cross Creek (now Fayetteville) thence down the Cape Fear River to Wilmington N.C., where they remained for some considerable time, they then marched to diffeirent plaec? Neair the sea coast in  the Eastern part of N.C., they then marched up by the way of Tarborough N.C. to Halifax Town. where they remained stationed until he the said Lewis Shearin was discharged, which was on or about the 11th day of Nov. 1782. he having served out his six months, he then came home to his family which was an end to his Revolutionary services, having served for. 12. Months as a Lieutenant for that time. The said Susan Shearin says that she has no documentary evidence in support of Claims to a Pension, She further declared that she was married to the said Lewis Shearin On the 4th day of May 17 hundred & Seventy Nine That her husband, the aforesaid Lewis Shearin, died on the 16th  day of October 1827, & that she has remained a widow ever. Since that period as will more fully appear. by reffernece to the Proof hereunto annexed. Sworn & subscribed, on the day & year above written, before me. --
T.J.Judkins H.
Susan Shearin (her mark)
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State of N. Carolina
County of Warren

This day Robin Harris aged 83 years, Frederick Shearin aged 80 years, & Francis Riggen aged 77 years, all of whom were Revolutionary Soldiers, come, before me Tho^s. J. Judkins, one of the acting magistrates & a member of the court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in & for s^d county, & after being duly sworn according to Law to speak the truth deposeth & saith as follow. concerning the Revolutionary services of Lewis Shearin, and of his marriage & death --
1st. Robin Harris deposeth & saith, that he knew Lewis Shearin from their childhood & were raised in the same County (Warren) & always lived near together, and that Lewis Shearin Married Susan Meadows before 1780 and that he died some 13 or 14 years ago & that up to that time the said Lewis & Susan, lived together as husband & wife. That she the said Susan is now a widow & has never married since the death of her s^d husband Lewis Shearin -
This deponent also swears that the s^d Lewis Shearin was a commissioned Lieutenant in the No. Carolina Militia & served as such for six months. as this deponent knows of his own personal knowledge as he served with & under him, that is to say that this deponent served with & under him as a Lieutenant. from the 11th day of May 1781. to the 10th day of Nov. 1781- & that in the month of May of that year. That he, deponent was one of the Company under the sole Command of Lewis Shearin to destroy boats, flats [illegible] on the Roanoke River and . That the said Shearin wore a Sword & was called & known as Lieutenant Shearin, this deponent also swears that the said Lewis did have a written paper which was a commission which he has seen & read as well before, before as since the War Ended, but That he does not now
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remember the words of that paper but that it
was a commission. This deponent also says
on his Oath that the said Lewis was in
the army as a Lieutenant for six months previous to the 10th day of May 1781 as he believes as he knows that he went off in the army as such was gone 3 months, at first & came home & immediately went off again as a Lieutenant for three months more & remained off in the army as he believes for that time when this deponent say the 10th day of May 1778 knows that he then from that time did serve 6 months as a Lieutenant ending on or about the 10th day of Nov. 1781.
     This deponent also swears that Lewis
Shearin has frequently while in conversation
about the old War told him that he did serve for a year as an officer in the said War. This deponent says on Oath that he believes that the foregoing declaration of Susan Shearin the widow of said Lewis Shearin is correct & true.

Signed, John Harris
Test.
T. J. Judkins
2nd Frederick Shearin says on oath that
Lewis Shearin was a Lieutenant of the Militia
 & went off as such & was gone for three
months from Nov. 1780 to Feby 1781, and
that the deponent went to Wilmington N. C. 
in the month of Jany 1781-- to see the
said Lewis, that he was then acting as a
Lieutenant. & that he came home to his own
neighbourhood. Warren County in Feby 1781.
when & where Lewis Shearer was a Lieutenant
in Capt. Jordan Harris Company & this deponent then himself was a Soldier in the said Company & that he knows that Lewis Shearin
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and did serve as a Lieutenant for three months from the 10th day of Feby to the 10th day of May 1781 & that the said Lewis did still continue in the army afterwards for six months as a Lieutenant & that he wore a sword and
was called & known as Lieutenant Shearin.
This deponent swears that the said Lewis
was at & in the Battle of Guilford County, N.C. & that the said Lewis did marry Sooky Meadow
in the year 1779 or in 1778 & that they the
said Sooky, & Lewis lived together as husband
& wife until the said Lewis Shearin died
which happened 13 or 14 years past, and
that Sooky his widow is now a widow &
that she has never married since Lewis
her husband died - He also swears that
he has seen & read Lewis Shearins commission
as a Lieutenant in the R. War but that he
believes that the said paper is lost and not
now in existence.  Also he swears that the
said Lewis did serve for 12 months as a Lieutenant but that he only knows of his own personal knowledge of six months, but that the
said Lewis has often told him that he
served 12 months - which this deponent
does verily believe as he was absent from
home that length of time & went off as an
officer.

Signed
Frederick Shearin
Test. 
T. J. Judkins
2nd Frances Riggan says on oath that Lewis
Shearer was a Lieutenant as above stated
that he knows of his own personal knowledge that he did serve as such for 6 months, (to wit from the 10th day of Feb 1781. To the 10th day of May 1781, making
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three months. and also he knows that he the said Shearin did serve for three months from the 10th day of August to the 10th day of Nov. 1781 which makes the six months  of his own knowledge and that he was an officer & called & known as Lieutenant Shearin. 
    This deponent swears that the said Shearin went off in the capacity of a Lieutenant in the war in the fall of the year 1780 & was absent for about 8 months - he also swears that the said Shearin did continue in the army from the 10th of May to the 10th of August 1781 as he verily believes. -- he also swears that the declaration of Susan Shearin are true.
 (Signed)  Francis Riggan
Test.
T. J. Judkins
I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Robin Harris, Fredrick Shearin and Francis Riggan
who have subscribed the above affidavits before me & that they are respectable and credible persons & to be believed on oath.
Given under my hand & Seal this 26th day of May 1841.
T. J. Judkins
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I do hereby certify that Susan Shearin the
widow of Lewis Shearin who hath made
the foregoing declaration, before me is
unable by reason of bodily infirmity to come
to Court to make the said declaration.
    I also give it as my opinion
that Lewis Shearer was a Lieutenant &
that he did serve as such for Twelve
months in the Revolutionary War
    Given under my hand & seal
this 26th day of May 1841.
T. J. Judkins


May 28th 1841. This day Gardner Shearin came
before me & made Oath that the annexed paper
dated May 12th 1781 & signed John Hill was
found by him the said Gardner Shearer (who
was the adm of Lewis Shearer decd) among
the papers of Lewis Sherin decd. he also says
on his oath, that he recollects, to have seen
among the papers of the said Lewis Shearin a
paper that was about the said Lewis, being an
officer of some kind in the Rev. War which said paper has been lost or destroyed in some way & that it is not now in existence.
(partial message attached to letter)
Camp Blacks ferry  May 12th 1781
you are to take charge of the large flatt & [illegible] her if 
possible if not to Destroy her sinking and destroying  [illegible]
other subjects that will be unusable to the [illegible] 
to proceed up to the ferry & there to join 
be agreeable to Major Hoggs under John Hill.
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I do hereby certify that Susan Shearin the
widow of Lewis Shearer, who hath made
the foregoing declaration, before me is
unable by reason of bodily infirmity to come
to Court to make the said declaration.
    I also give it as my opinion
That Lewis Shearin, was a Lieutenant &
that he did serve as such for Twelve
months in the Revolutionary War
    Given under my hand & seal
this 26th day of May 1841.
T. J. Judkins

May 28th 1841. This day Gardner Shearin Jr. came
before me & made Oath that the annexed paper
dated May 12th 1786 Signed John Hill was
found by him the said Gardner Shearin (who
was the Admr of Lewis Shearer decd among
the Papers of Lewis Shearin decd he also says
on his oath, that he recollects, to have seen
among the papers of the said Lewis Shearin a
paper that was about th
e said Lewis, being an
officer of some kind in the Rev War which
said paper has been lost or destroyed in some
way that it is not now in existence.
Given under my hand & seal
this 28th May 1841 -
 T. J.  Judkins
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Lewis Shearin
Lewis Shearer
All [illegible] {? Eorn]
at head and feet
must Stand Lewis Shea
Lewis Shearin

Lewis Shear [illegible]
Lewis [illegible]

Thomas [illegible]
Thomas Meadears
Thomas Shearen
John Shearen [illegible]
John Sheirin Shear
Lewis
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State of North Carolina
Warren County 
     I Edward W Best Clerk
of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the County of Warren, aforesaid, hereby certify, that Thomas J Judkins, whose Signatures appear to the annexed Declaration of Susan Shearin & to the affidavits, thereto annexed, is now & was at the time of Signing & granting the same an acting Justice of the peace in for said County duly commissioned and qualified to act as such as the Law directs & that the Signatures are in his own proper hand writing & that [illegible] faith credit & authority are due & ought to be given to
all his official acts

No 5369

In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribe my name and
affixed the Seal of my office at
Warrenton the 1st day of June 1841
Edw W Best [illegible]

Know all men by these presents that we Susan Shearin & James Maseley are held and firmly bound unto the Governer of
North Carolina in the S um of five hundred pounds, for which
payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our and
each of our heirs, Jointly & severally firmly by these presents, Sealed by our Seals and dated this first day of May Seventeen
hundred & Seventy nine. The condition of the above obligation line is such that whereas a marriage is shortly expected to be solemnized
between the above bounden Lewis Shearin and Susan Meadows
Now if there shall be no lawful impediment to said Marriage
the above obligation is to be void, otherwise to remain in full
force and effect.}
M D Johnson}
-
Lewis Shearin Seal [circle around "Seal"]
James Marley Seal [circle around "Seal"]
State of North Carolina I Edward W Best Clerk of the Court of pleas
& quarter Sessions in & for Warren County, hereby certify that the above is a
true copy of the original bond filed in my office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name & affixed the seal of my office at Warrenton the 1st
day of June 1841
Edw W Best Clk
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Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 6036
Susan Shearin
Wid
Lewis Shearin
Lieut. Rev. War
Act: Mch. 3rd/43
Index:-Vol. M, Page 205

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 14

Susan Shearin
widow of Lewis.
Act. July , 1836.

let to E. Best
July 2nd 1841.
to same Aug 27 1841
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Lewis Shearin. d. 16 Oct 1827
Susan. m. 1779
Nov. 80 [ ? Pvt] [illegible] Co.
3 mo.
fl. 81     3    Capt Harris
1.10 Nov 81.    6   as Commander
[illegible] 6 and [illegible]

1. 12206 Rob[ ? ] Harris Md. [illegible] 80. 3 mo. [illegible] Hart   age. 81.5., [illegible]

2. Fred Shearin [illegible] 4 mo Clarke: 81 3 mo. [illegible]

3. 6681 Frances Riggan  apl '81  3 mo. Starry. July
Cap [illegible]. 3 mo.

1. Says he servd under Lieut. Shearin from
10 May 1781 to 10 [?Nov]. 6 mos.

2. Says sevd 3 mo from 10 [?pl} to May 1781. [illegible] Lewis Shearin & state had servd 3 mo from [illegible] 1780.

3. [illegible] [illegible] 10 [illegible] 81 L 10 May. 81. L 3 mo [illegible] 81 L 10 had 1781.
Page 16

Record proof of Comm or
appt [illegible] would
Serve continuous [illegible] no 80
illegible line
not [illegible]
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6358x
North Carolina
Susan Shearin
widow of Lewis Shearin decd
and who died on the 16th October 1827.
of Warren in the State of N. Carolina
who was a Lieut-in the Compy commanded
by Captain Harris of the regte commanded
by Col - - - -in the N. Carolina line for 6 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7. day of Sep
1811 Sent to Hon A.H. Arrington
House of Representatives.
Arrears to the 4th of March '41      400.00
[? Semi]=amount allowance ending - - - -

$400.00
{Act July 7, }
{1838}
Recorded by Theo. L Moody Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 Page 189
Page 18


Warrenton No. Ca. 15 July 1841.
Dear Sir

Your of 2nd Instant has been recd & find that the evidence is not sufficient
Mrs. S. Shearn is not able to produce any
documentary evidence as to her husbands
Lewis Shearin being a Lieutenant in the Revolution. War
The witnesses are all respectable, & does
not prove the whole time mentioned in
her claim but that they prove for different
periods all together make twelve months.
If the old Lady cannot establish her claim for her husbands services for that time as an
officer, can she establish it as a Soldier for there are no doubt of his being in the army from the evidence of Harris. Riggan & Thomas so Set fourth in the claim now on file in
your office, to which you are refered.
But if she is entitled for the [illegbile] of her
husband as a soldier, please to inform me
what evidence will be require (if the evidence
already had is not sufficient) and any
information that may be necessary to
establish the old Lady Claims.
Very respectfully
Edw W Best
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Susan Shearin
Wid of Lewis
N C
Act July 7. 1838
Married 1779
died Oct 16, 1827
Allow [illegible] Lieut. N. C.
Militia. Capt Hanes
$80 per an
Page 20

House of Reps - Sept 6th 1841-

Sir,
     I herewith enclose you Mrs. Lucretia Browns papers asking a pension certificate on account of the services of William Brown died-her husband-if any further evidence is required to substantiate her claim please inform me.
     I am directed by Mrs. Susan Shearin to ask for a Pension certificate for the services of her late husband, your letter relative to which I herewith enclose.
     I am informed that the dictation of Mrs Anna Gibbs - and also that of Mrs. Sarah Powell have been sent to your office some time since but that no answers have been received you will inform me likewise the result of their claims whether they are entitled to pay.

You will please send me an answer to the above by Wednesday morning at farthest as I contemplate having this [illegible] on that day-
Very Respectfully

A. H. Arrington

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
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Pension Office
August 27 1841

Sir,
     Your letter of the 13th of July last upon the subject of the claim of Mrs Susan Shearin has been received and in reply I have to state that a pension certificate may be issued to her for the services of her late husband as a Lieutenant for 6 months if you shall so direct.
     I am very respectfully
     Your Obed. Sert.
     J. L. Edwards

Edward B. Best Esqr
Warrenton
North Carolina
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Pension Office
Fayetteville July 5 1847
James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Please direct the payment of Susan Shearin Act of 1844. 12 mo due to 4 March 47. $80
for voucher [illegible].

[illegible] respectfully
[illegible]
[illegible]

[illegible initials]
Page 23

Susan Shearin
N.C.
act 3 March 43-
6 mo [illegible]
80 [? $]
503

M Saunders
Warrenton
N.C.

the 19- day of April 18[?]3
[line above this one is cut off]
Page 24

North Carolina
Warren County ⎬
     We certify that the within named
Susan Sherin is the widow of Lewis Shearin
and that she is personally known to us. that she has long resided in the County of Warren. that she is respectable and entitled to entire credit that she is known and reputed to be widow of Lewis Shearin who was understood to have served in the war of the Revolution and that said widow is the person who is said to have heretofore received a pention [pension] which the undersigned believes to be true. Given under our hands and seal this 19th day of April 1843.

T. J. Judkins [illegible initials]
Henry J. Macon [illegible initials]

State of North Carolina
I, Marcellus Montgomery Clerk of the Court
of Pleas & Quarter sessions for Warren County in said State, do certify that Thomas J. Judkins are magistrates and that the signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & affixed my [illegible] seal of office in Warrenton the 19th day of April 1843.
M. J. Montgomery

Susan Shearin
N.C.
act 3 March 43-
6mo [illegible]
80 [illegible]
503

M. Saunders
Warrenton
N.C.
Page 25

Declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 5 March 1843 granting pentions [pensions] for one year to certain Widows who have received pension
under the act of July 7th 1838.
State of North Carolina}
Warren County}

On this 19th day of April 1843 personally appeared before us Henry J Macon & Thomas I Judkins Justices of the peace for the said County. Susan Shearin aged 78 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 on the 3rd day of March 1843. granting pentions [pensions] to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Lewis Shearin who was a soldier well as officer in the War of the Revolution as
will appear from the proof on file in the
pention [pension] office. That her pention [pension] was eighty Dollars per Annum under the act of July 7th 1838 She further declares that she is now a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed by us the day and
year above written.

Susan her X mark Shearin

T. J. Judkins [illegible initials]
Henry J Macon [illegible initials]
Page 26

James S. Edwards, Commr. Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

free

June 5. 1841
1105369.
[stamp] WARRENTON [illegible]
N.C.
July 4. 1836
Sus. Shearin
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Susan Shearin
N. Carolina
Act. July 4. 1836.
Page 28

Warrenton N. Ca. 1st June 1841
James L. Edwards.
Dear Sir
     Enclosed you have the papers & proofs of Mrs Susan Shearin, to enable her to obtain a pension, which when examined, you will please
inform me of the result.
Very Respectfully
Edw. w. Best.