Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1995, for John Porterfield, North Carolina
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(8-1667)
Service 
NC
Porterfield, John Margaret
Number
W. 1995
Contents
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North Carolina 31.118
John Porterfield of Orange in the State of No Ca who was a Private in the Company commanded by Capton Jameson of the [illegible] commanded by Col. Thaseton in the No Ca lines for 10 months private. 

Inscribed on the roll of No Ca at the rate 33 dollars 33 cents per annum, to commence on the 4the day of march 1831.

Certificate of pension issued the 7th day of June 1837 and sent James A Craig Haw River P. O. No. Ca.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1837
Semi-anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 Sept.
$199.98
$16.66
$216.64

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recoded by [illegible] Addison Clerk, Book [illegible] Vol [illegible] Page 69
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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress paper, June 7, 1832.
State of North Carolina, Orange County
Court of Pleas and quarter sessions November Term, 1836.
On this the 2nd day of December, 1836 personally appeared in open court before the court of pleas and quarter [illegible] now sitting, John Porterfield a resident citizen of the said county, aged 73 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of congress paper June 7, 1832. 
that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served  as herein stated. 
1st Tour
this declarant states that on or about the 25th day of august 1780 he was drafted [drafted underlined] into the United States service for a tour of three months [three months underlined] the object of this draft was to raise troops to guard the public jail and town of Hillsboro. this declarant served as private in a company of militia under the command of Capt. William Jameson - Thaxton was Colonel. In this service as private I was engaged with other troops in guarding the said public jail and town till the expiration of my three months tour. which was on or about this 25th November following, when I was regularly discharged by Captain Jameson and returned home. this tour this this declarant proves by Thomas Horner, whose affidavit is hereunto annexed. In the tour this declarant states that he was in a regularly organized Corps and called into service by competent authority.
2nd tour
on or about the 10th day of December following to wit 1780. There was a draft for three months [three months underlined] militia man [militia man underlined] to join Genl. Green - whom this declarant volunteered [volunteered underlined] for said tour. The company to which he was now attached (most of them drafted men) was under the command of Capt. William Nicholls - Archabald Murphey of Caswell County was Col. of the regiment - rendezvous at Caswell Court House on
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or about the 10th day of Dec. of that year - and were ordered to march to the town of Charlotte, which was then the head quarters of Genl. Green. In out march hither, we crossed Haw River at the High Rock. Thence to Martinsville. Thence to Salsbury, where we remained some time, as Genl. Greene had marched into South Carolina. We were ordered to the neighborhood of the Catawba, and were put under Genl. Davidson, and were stationed to guard Mc Cowans ford on the Catawba River but were driven from our station by Corn- wallis's [Cornwallis]. From Mc Cowans ford we went to widow Torrences thence to the Yadkin. thence to Guilford Court House and in this retreat was joined by Genl. Greene. from Guilford we retreated over the Dan into Virginia. after remaining there some time - returned to North Carolina. and on or about the 10th day or March following, his tour ended and he [illegible] a discharge from Capt. Nichols and returned home. (proven by B. Bowers) that in this tour he was in a legally organized Corps and called into service by competent authority. and served as private all this tour [private all this tour underlined]
3rd tour and las [underlined]
this declarant states that on the 1st July 1781 he was drafted into the United States service for a tour of three months [three months underlined]. that he served as private[private underlined] this tour in a company of militia. at first under the command of Captain Wilson [Captain Wilson underlined] - Joseph Taylor [joseph taylor underlined] of Greenville, Colonel [colonel underlined] that they rendezvous at Mt. Tirza, then in Caswell now Person County. from Mount Tirza we marched to Harrisburg in Granville, to guard some public stores that were deposited there. some time in September following we received order to march to Hillsboro to guard that place as an attack by the tory forces under Fanning was apprehended. and when on our march to Hillsboro an express was sent in that the Tory forces had taken the town and had made the Governor and many others prisoners. we were ordered to march with rapidity. join the other troops that were in pursuit of Fanning and endeavor to recover the prisoners. we crossed Eno at McCabe's and Haw River as Lassaters ford. there to Cross Creek where our Capt. Wilson resigned and the Command of the Company was given to Captain Dickerson [Dickerson underlined]. from Cross Creek we were marched to Raft Swamp where we joined Butlers Troops. we were
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part of the time with Genl. Rutherford. was stationed a while at Swan's plantation and Monroe's Bridge on little River. and was next marched to North East bridge. when we first had intelligence of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. this was now as well as this Declarant can remember on the 1st of November 1781. That he was at Raft Swamp when his three month expired but of the request of his superior officers he (with many others) remained one month longer and at the expiration of the four month [four month underlined]was duly discharged on having served for months by Capt. Dickerson [having...Dickerson underlined] and returned home. that in this tour this declarant was in a legally organized Corps and called into service by competent authority. that he knows of no person living that served with him in this tour. that in all he served ten months [ten months underlined] and as private [private underlined]. this declarant states that he was born in this County on the 14th day of February 1763 as appears by a record of his age. that he was living in this County when he entered this service and has been living there ever since. that when he entered the services he was drafted [drafted underlined] and volunteered [volunteered underlined]. that he knew Col Lytle, Colonel Mebane, Col. Nash and others cont. that he knew Col Moore, Col Thaxton, Col Murphey, Genl Butler, Genl Eaton, Genl Rutherford, and other militia officers. that he received discharges but that they were now lost. that his 1st discharge he received from Capt. Jamm. that his 2nd he received from Capt. Nichols. that his 3rd he received from Capt. Dickerson. that he is known in his neighborhood to Genl. Joseph Allison and Samuel Madden. who testify to the declarant's being a man of truth and reputed to have been a revolutionary soldier. that there is no clergyman living near to him who has any knowledge of his revolutionary services that he knows of. that the reason he did not apply earlier for a pension was that he did not know of any living witness of his services till within a few weeks back. that he is now old and infirm and cannot travel without much pain. 
He hereby relinquishes ever claim whatever
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whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Porterfield
[signature]
J. Taylor
[signature]
and the said court do hereby declare their opinion after this investigation of the matter and after pulling the interrogations presented by the war Department, that John Porterfield, the afore named applicant was a  Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. and the Court further certifies what Genl. Joseph Allison and Saml Madden who have signed the annexed certificates are resident citizens of orange county aforesaid, are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I John Taylor Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions for orange county aforesaid, do hereby certify that this foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of John Porterfield for a pension. 
in testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this the [page torn] day of December, 1836
[signed] J. Taylor
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State of North Carolina Orange County
on this the 30th of November 1836
personally appeared before the undersigned and acting justice of the peace in and of the county of Orange aforesaid Thomas Horner a resident citizen of aforesaid county, now in the 76 year of his age, who being first duly qualified according to Law, maketh oath that in the war of the Revolution he served a three month tour guarding the town of Hillsboro. in the fall of 1780, tour commenced about 25th August he thinks of year. and remembers very well that John Porterfield of said county served  all of said three months [three months underlined] in guarding said town in Jameson's Company. and we were discharged at the end of said tour by Capt. Jameson on 25th November 1780.  and this affiant has then said Porterfield is a man of truth and veracity and has the reputation of being a soldier in the war of the revolution. 
sworn and subscribed this day and date first above written before me.
[signed] Strayhorn

And I the Law justice  do hereby certify that Thomas Horner who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit is a man of truth and veracity and that the true date above is 25th day August
[signed] Strayhorn

State of North Carolina
Orange County
On this the 30th day of November 1836 personally appeared before the undersigned an acting justice of the peace in and for the county afore and, Brittain Bowers, a resident citizen of the aforesaid county - now in the 74th year of his age who being first duly qualified according to Law maketh oath that in the spring of 1781 he was in the united states service under Genl  Greene and has this day
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saw and conversed with John Porterfield a resident of said county who represents that in the spring of that year he served a three months [three months underlined] tour in the militia under Capt. Nichols and Col. Murphy. this affiant feels perfectly satisfied of seeing said Porterfield there in the militia and from that account he gives of his service feels satisfied he served said tour of three months under Genl Greene
Sworn and subscribed the day and date above written before me 
[signed] Strayhorn
his mark
[signed] Brittain Bowes]
and I the said Justice do certify that Brittain Bowes who has sworn and subscribed to the above affidavit is a man of truth and veracity.
[signed] Strayhorn
State of North Carolina Orange County
We Joseph Allison and Saml Madden residing in the County of Orange herby certify that we are well acquainted with John Porterfield of this county.  that we believe him to be of the age that he represents and that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides. to have served in the war of the revolution and that we can in that opinion sworn and subscribed this 1st day of December 1836
[signed] Strayhorn
[signed] J. Allison
[signed] Saml Madden
and I the said Justice do certify that the above affiants are men of truth and veracity.
[signed] Strayhorn
State of North Carolina
I John Taylor Clerk of this Court of pleas and quarter sessions for Orange County hereby certify that Samuel Strayhorn is a magistrate as above and
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and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In  testimony whereof i have hereunto offered my seal of office and subscribed my name this the 3rd day of December 1836
[signed] J. Taylor CO
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494
North Carolina
Margaret Porterfield widow of John Porterfield who served in the Revolutionary war as Private for 10 months
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 33 dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1848.
certificate of pension issues the 15 day of Febry [February] 1850 and sent to Thomas Webb Hillsboro NC
Recorded on roll of pensioners under act February 2 1948 page 297 vol 1
July 7 book D
reported [on opposite page]
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State of North Carolina Orange County
On this first day of December 1849 personally appeared before the court of pleas and quarter sessions of the county of orange Mrs Margaret Porterfield a resident of said county aged 75 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed July 29th 1848.
that she is the widow of John Porterfield who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary war and who drew a pension from the United States for his own services at the rate of 33 and 1/3 dollars annually, that he resided in this county of orange always before his death. 
she further declares that she was married to the said John Porterfield on the 7th day of November in the year 1796. that she was not married to him prior to him leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the 2nd of January 1800, [illegible] at the time above stated. she further swears that she  is now a widow and that she has never before made application for a pension. She further declares that her husband the aforesaid John Porterfield died the 12th day of November 1846. 
Sworn to and subscribed Dec. 1st 1849 in open court
her mark 
[signed] Margaret Porterfield
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No 573
Margaret Porterfield
wd [widow] if John NC
act 29 July 1848
married 1796
husband died Nov 12 1846
Admd [Admitted]  33.33 p an [per annum]
pri [private]  4 March 1848

Thomas Webb Hillsboro NC
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State of North Carolina 
Orange County
It is herby certified that satisfactory proof has been exhibited to me, a justice of the peace for said county, by the affidavits of Joseph Allison and Richeson Nichols of the county of orange who are personally known to me, and are entitled to credit, who swears that they have no pecuniary interest in the result of the accompanying application, that Mrs Margaret Porterfield is the widow of John Porterfield, who was a soldier of the Revolution, and who drew a pension for his own services. and that her husband the aforesaid John Porterfield died about the year 1846, that she has never again married but is still a widow. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of December 1849. 
[signed] J. W. Carr
[signed to right] Rich. Nichols
[signed to right] J. Allison

State of North Carolina Orange County
I Joseph Allison Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions so hereby certify that John W. Carr Esq whose genuine signature appeases above was at that time a justice of the peace in and for the county duly commissioned and sworn. In testimony whereof i have hereunto put my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 1st day of December 1849
[signed] J. Allison [illegible]
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Know ye that we John Porterfield and James Baldridge Esq. Are held and formally bound unto his Excellency Sammeul Ashe Esq. Governor [illegiable] and his successors in office in the sum of 500 pounds but to be void on condition that there does not hereafter appear any lawful course to obstruct or manage between the above bound John and Margaret Clark for whom a  [illegible]
[illegiable]  their hands seals this 7th day of November 1796
[signed] John Porterfield seal
[[signed] J Baldridge seal
true copy J. Allison [illegible]
[faint indiscernible seal pressed into the left of the paper]
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[typed document]
BA-J/AWF
John Porterfield
W.1995
Ann Waller Reddy
1005 E. Marshall Street
Richmond, Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request for John W. Naylor of Fort Worth, Texas, the Revolutionary War records of John Porterfield and Robert Powel, both of North Carolina, and for Mrs. John W. Graves of Lexington, Kentucky, the War of 1812 record of Joseph Clark of Clark County, Kentucky, the two inquiries being your clients.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War and War of 1812 data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information it is not possible to comply in full with each request which requires much tie and research.
The record of John Porterfield furnished herein were obtained from claim for pension, W.1995, based upon his service in the Revolutionary war. 
John Porterfield was born February 14, 1763 in Orange County, North Carolina. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Orange County, North Carolina, John Porterfield enlisted August 25, 1780, served three monts as private in Captain William Jamison's company, Colonel Thackston's North Carolina
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regiment, was stationed in Hillsboro to guard the town and jail. He volunteered December 10, 1780, served three months in Captain William Nicholls' company, Colonel Archibald Murphy's North Carolina Regiment. He enlisted July 1, 1781, served four months under Captains Wilson and Dickerson, in Colonel Joseph Taylor's North Carolina Regiment, was in several skirmishes with the Tories. 
The soldier, John Porterfield, was allowed pension on his application executed December 2, 1836, then living in Orange County, North Carolina, where he had lived always. 
He died [handwritten date] November 12, 1846, in Orange County, North Carolina. 
John Porterfield married November 7, 1796, in Orange County, North Carolina, Margaret Clark. The date and place of her birth, and names of her parents were not given. The widow Margaret Porterfield, was allowed pension on her application executed December 1st, 1849, at which time she was aged 75 years, and a resident of Orange County, North Carolina.
the papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data. 
In order to obtain the date of last payment of this pension, name and address of the person paid, and possibly the date of death of the widow, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:
Margaret Porterfield, widow of John Porterfield
Certificate #494, issued February 15, 1850, rate $33.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1848, Act of July 29, 1848
North Carolina Agency
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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req. issued to your det. in wh.
your req. for John W. Naylor Ft. W. Tex, the Rev. war records of J. P. and R. P. both of NC and for [illegible] John N. Graves of Lex, Ky. the war of 1812 rec. of Jos. C of Clark Co. Ky. the two inquiries being your clients. because of --([illegible] one)
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1924 March 20 Hist. to Miss Martha Lou Houston [illegible]
1940 June 26 Hist to Anne Waller Reddy [illegible]
[illegible] Widow, &c.
File No. 1995 Margaret Porterfield Widow John Porterfield Private Rev. War
 Act July 29 1848
Index:-Vol. [illegible] Page 134
Arrangement of 1870
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J. Porterfield NC
sus. [illegible]
[illegible] 4 18 [illegible]
to june 5 -- [line crossed out]
admi 10 mo for 
$33.33 
*6
199.98
Act 7 June [illegible]
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John Porterfield, NC act 7 June 1832 $33.33
to what time was he last paid GCA
Pension Office 
February 12th 1850 
aus: to his death - Nov: 12, 1846
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[upside down at top]
[illegible] A Craig
Haw River PO? NC

James L Edwards Esq.
from: pensions War Department
Washington City

[upside down at bottom]
John Porterfield NC Original
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Haw River NC
4th January 1837
Sir: At his request I forward you the Declarations for pension of John Porterfield. 
Any communication on this claim, please to address to me at this Port Office.
I am respectfully your obed. servant,
James A. Craig

L Edwards Esq. 
[illegible] Washington City
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Ref. and 1812 Wars Section 
March 20, 1924
Martha Lou Houston
1441 Second Ave. 
Columbus, GA.
Madam: I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 1995 it appears that John Porterfield was born February 14, 1763 in Orange County, North Carolina. 
While a resident of said county he enlisted and served ten months as a private under Captain William Jamison, William Nicholls, Wilson and Dickerson, Colonels Thackston [Thaxton], Archibald Murphy and Joseph Taylor, War of the Revolution. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 2, 1836 while living in Orange County, North Carolina, where he died November 12, 1846.
Soldier married November 7, 1796 in said county, Margaret Clark who was allowed pension on her application executed December 1, 1849 while living in Orange County, North Carolina aged seventy-five years. 
Respectfully, Commissioner.
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Jan 22, 1940
Dear Sirs:
May I have the following for [for underlined] the use of JOHN W NAYLOR [Naylor underlined] of Fort Worth Texas the following
REV. War pensions of JOHN PORTERFIELD [Porterfield underlined] Orange Co. North Carolina
ROBERT POWELL [Powell underlined] Halifax Co. North Carolina
and for [for underlined] Mrs John W Graves [Graves underlined] of Lexington Ky the 1812 [1812 underlined] pension of JOSEPH CLARK [Clark underlined] of Clark Co. Ky.
These requests are for two clients named but if you will send the reports to me it will be a great help. Yours truly Ann Waller Reddy
1005 E. Marshall St. Richmond Va. 
one [handwritten at bottom]
[stamp at bottom]
Received Jan 26 1940 Mail Sub-Div Reader No. 10 Vets Adm
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Columbus, Georgia
Feb 16, 1924
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir, 
Will you kindly give me copies of pension papers of John Porterfield, Orange Co., N.C. and John McBride, Guilford Co., N.C., Census of Pensioners, 1841. pp138-139. I wish this information for D.A.R. membership. 
Very truly yours, (Miss) Martha Lou Houston, 1441 Second Ave. Columbus, Ga.
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Hillsboro N.C. Dec 1st 1849
Dear Sir,
 I send you the necessary papers to obtain a pension for Mrs Margaret Porterfield, under the Act July 29th 1848, granting pensions to the widows of Revolutionary Soldiers, who were married prior to the year 1800.
I send record proof of her marriage, to wit a copy of the marriage [illegible], found in the office of the Clerk of the County Court.
[illegible] besides her own declaration made in open Court, I send the affidavits of Joseph Allison, Clerk of the Court, and Richeson Nichols a Justice of the Peace for this County, who positively prove her identity as the widow of the old soldier, and whatsoever is [illegible] except the evidence of the husband's services, which i cannot obtain, but of course the department has the eveidence on which his claim to pension as a Revolutionary Soldier was allowed. 
I have been expecting to revieve a certification of pension for Mrs Browning, and hope that the evidence that I sent to you Oct. 24th was satisfactory. 
I am very respectfully yours ob't serv't
Thomas Webb
J. L. Edwards 
Washington City
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Supplemental proof, to the Declaration of John Porterfield for a pension.
State of North Carolina
Orange County
On this the 25th day of March, 1837 formally offered by me the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peach in and for the County aforesaid John Porterfield now in the 74th yea of his age, who being first duly qualified according to Law maketh the following a supplemental evidence to his declaration for pension to wit:
That early after the passage of the act of June the 7th 1832 he made enquiry to [??} certain if any of revolutionary Compatriots were living, but could not hear of any till a few days before November Term last, when this affiant met with Thomas Horner and Brittain Bowers and availed himself of their testimony.
this affiant had understood that there would not be any favourable action upon his application unless he had living witness and this is the reason he did not apply at an earlier day for a pension than he did. 
sworn and subscribed this day and date first above mentioned before me. 
[signed] Benjamin Trolinger J.P
[signed John Porterfield
and I the said Justice do hereby certify that John Porterfield is a man of truth and veracity.
[signed] Benjamin Trolinger J.P
State of North Carolina 
I John Taylor Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for Orange County, certify that Benjamin Trollinger is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this the 27th day of May 1837.
[signed[ John Taylor