Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,601, John Witherspoon, N.C.
Page 1

(3 - 1778 )  SERVICE . CONTENTS NUMBER Witherspoon, John  S.32.601
Page 2

0.897 
Indiana 
John Witherspoon
of Gibson Co. in the State of Indiana who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Osbon [intelligble] & other of the regt commanded by Col Polk in the N. Carolina for 9 months and ten days from 1775.
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 31 Dollars 12 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Dec 1836 and sent to E.S. Terry Esq Princeton, and Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $171.16 Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 37 15.56 $186.72 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.} 

recorded by Wm Allison Clerk book E. 2 Vol. 7 Page 141 
Date of death not on AB
Page 3

State of Indiana County of ⎬ 
County of Gibson}
On this 8th day of August AD 1836 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate now sitting John Witherspoon a resident of Patoka Township in  the County of Gibson and State of Indiana aged Seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according to law --- doth on his oath make the following declaration to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 First. That he was born on the 11th day of December AD 1756 in the County of York in the State of Pennsylvania 
That he resided in Mecklenberg County North Carolina during the the war of the Revolution and entered the ser-vice of the United States- first under James Huston Captain of a company of Volunteer and Marchison November the day not recollected) 1775. from Charlotte the County Seal of Mecklenberg County aforesaid to a place called Ninety Six in South Carolina to suppress the Tory faction no battle fought- Discharged in December 1775, Term of service Six weeks- 
Second- Marched the second tour of service from Charlotte aforesaid under James Osborne Captain of a compa-ny of Volunteers in March 1776 (the day not recollected) via Salis-bury against the Scotch highlands at Cross Creek- no battle fought- Discharged in April 1776. Term of service four weeks 
Third- December 24th 1779 Marched under Richard Simmons Captain of a Company of Cavalry (volunteers) from Charlotte aforesaid in Camden to join the day under Major Genl. Lincoln at Charleston South Car-olina- Stationed part of the time at Governor Gate two miles from Charleston- the residence of the [Term] at Stono ferry to watch the [unintelligible] Stationed there and were once fixed upon by a detachment of
Page 4

the British- no battle fought- Discharged in Charleston Carolina 24th of March 1780 Term of service three months. 
fourth- Marched under Major Davis in Captain Flannigans Company of Volunteer Riflemen in July (day not recollected) in the year 1780 from Charlotte aforesaid to the Waxhaw settlement in South Carolina to protect the whigs or patriots from the fury and malice of the tories and during this term of Service Declarant was in the battle of the Hanging Rock under Colonel Sumpter Discharged at the 1 Waxhaw Settlement in October 1780, Term of service four months- 
Declarant does not particularly remember the names of all the higher grade of officers, Except that Brigadier Genl Rutherford was Commander of the Brigade and Colonel Polk or Poke of the Regiment to which Applicant's company belonged then rendezvoused at Charlotte aforesaid the number of the Regiment he does not remember Declarant further says that he has no documentary evidence and knows of but one person living whose testimony he can procure and even that Witness can only testify generally that he knew that declarant was in the service but cannot specify the particular periods or length of time.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present one and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of Any.
State Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
 R Montgomery Clk John Witherspoon
Page 5

We Hugh Patton a Clergyman residing in the town of Princeton in the County of Gibson aforesaid and Joseph J. Kirkman of the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Witherspoon the Applicant who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration: that we believe him to be Seventy nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Hugh Patton 
Joseph J. Kirkman
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
J R Montgomery Clk 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certified that it appears to them that Hugh Patton who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Gibson and State of Indiana and that Joseph J Kirkman who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit James Devin P. Judge 
I John R Montgomery Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application- 
In testimony Whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of this 8th day of August AD 1836 -
Page 6

January 31, 1940 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Honorable Michael J. Kirwan 
House of Representatives 
Washington, D. C.   

JOHN WITHERSPOON 
S. 32601 
BA-J/MLB 

My dear Mr. Kirwan:
The data which follow in regard to John Witherspoon were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 32601, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. 
John Witherspoon was born December 11, 1756, in York County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were not stated. 
While residing in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, John Witherspoon volunteered in November, 1775, marched from Charlotte in that county and served six weeks during the "celebrated snow campaign" as a private in Captain James Houston's company, Colonel Thomas Polk's North Carolina regiment, marched to South Carolina to suppress the Tories and assisted in capturing more than twelve of them. He volunteered in March, 1776, and served a tour of four weeks as private in Captain James Osborn's company, Colonel Polk's North Carolina regiment and assisted in dispersing the Scotch Highlanders at Cross Creek. He volunteered December 24, 1779, and served three months as private in Captain Richard Simmons' company of light horse and during that tour was in two engagements near Dorchester and was discharged in Charleston, South Carolina. He volunteered in July, 1780, served in Captain Samuel Flanagan's and Nathaniel Marshall Martin's companies, under Major William Davis, marched to the Warhaws settlement to keep the British and Tories in check, was in the battle of Hanging Rock and was discharged about November 1, 1780, having served a tour of four months. 
After the Revolution, the soldier moved to Morgan County, Alabama, and from there moved to Gibson County, Indiana, where he residing when he was allowed pension on his application executed August 8, 1836. There are no family data shown in the claim.
Page 7

If Mr. Shawkey wishes to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of John Witherspoon, he should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: John Witherspoon, certificate #30897, issued December 6, 1838, rate $31.12 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of of June 7, 1832, Indiana Agency. 

Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
Page 8

1934, Jun23 (unintelligible)
1940. Jan31- (unintelligible)
(Its in due of James (unintelligible)
32 601
INVALID.

File No. 32 601
John Witherspoon
Rev. War

Act: June 7th 32
Index.- Vol. 2, Page 436

{Arrangement of 1870]
Page 9

Sept 21
Inda.

[unintelligible]
[unintelligible] JL Edwards
(Pension office}
War Department
Washington City
D.C.
Page 10

Princeton Gibson County 
Indiana Sept 9th 

Sir
Yours of the 25 Ultimo has just been recieved, and in answer thereto, I can only say that it will be I believe impossible for Witherspoon to give the Department more satis-factory evidence of his services as a soldier of the Revolutionary war.
The Circuit Court which had been in session for sometime was just ready to adjourn on the receipt of yours. I asked in-dulgence for a few moments of the Court to continue in session, untill I might hastily draw up an additional declaration and have applicant qualified to the same before the Court adjourned, as no Court will be setting in this County again for several months. The appli-cant is in very indigent circumstances, but bears an irreproachable character and think I may safely say that every person who is acquainted with him, would believe any thing he may say relative to his services in the war. If the declaration is not sufficient, any thing the Department may suggest and which is in the power of the Applicant, will be complied with-  
Respectfully 
J. G. Bowman


J L Edwards Esq
Pension Office
Page 11

State of Indiana 
Gibson County 

Additional Declaration 
for pension 
Personally appeared in open Court, of the Gibson Circuit Court of the State aforesaid John Witherspoon who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot state in every case, or in each particular tour the precise day on which he was called into service or that on which he was discharged, except the one to Charleston South Carolina being the third tour of service in which case he was called out and marched on the 24th day of December 1779 from Charlotte the County seat for Mecklenburgh County North Carolina and was discharged at Charleston on the 24th of March 1780, Applicant further saith that under the circumstances with which hostilities were carried on in the South at that periods by detachments of British & Tories, the sudden  calls by officers for men, and the immediate discharge whenever the purpose for which they had been called out was attained, renders it utterly in practicable at this late period to give a more definite statement of the facts that attended the several tours in
Page 12

which he was in the service, than those already given in the Declaration on file in the War Department. He never kept any memorandum of the particular dates and in no term of service was he in any battle except that of the Hanging Rock under Col. Sumpter. the which is set forth in the declaration, the Applicant is an aged and frail man unable to obtain a competency by his own labour and for the services which he has rendered his country during the Revolutionary War claims a pension.
Applicant further says that he did make Application two years ago but that his Attorney never forwarded the application to the War Department of which fact Applicant was not apprized untill within a short time previous to the present application and that his said attorney either believed he had forwarded the application or neglected to do so, and deceived this applicant. John Witherspoon 
Sworn to & subscribed before in open Court- J R Montgomery Clk 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the applicant above named is a revolutionary soldier, and that any facts which he may alledge under oath are true-- 
Elisha Embree 
Thomas Montgomery 
Patrick Payne

Judges
Page 13

I, John R Montgomery Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the County of Gibson & State of Indiana do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of John Witherspoon for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 9th day of September AD 1836

John R. Montgomery Clk 266
Page 14

 33. 814 
Application
of 
John Witherspoon 
Indiana
Page 15

State of Indiana
County of Gibson }
On this 8th day of August AD 1836 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate Samuel King and deposed to the following facts- 
That he was acquainted with John Witherspoon the Applicant before named in the County of Mecklenburg in the State of North Carolina during the Revolutionary War and that he knew said Witherspoon to have been several different times in the service of the United States, but cannot state as to the precise periods, and further this deponent saith not. 
Samuel King 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
JR Montgomery Clk 

Answers to the questions propounded by the Court agreeable to the orders of the War Department

Question 1st Where and in what year were you born? 
Ans. I was born in York County Pennsylvania in the year 1756 on the 11th day of December Question 2nd Have you any record of your age, if so where is it? 
Ans. I have the record of my age in my house Ques 3d- Where were you living when called into the service? Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War
Page 16

And I lived in the County of Mecklenburg North Carolina, after the war removed to Knox County Tennessee and from thence to Morgan County, Alabama and thence to where I am living. 
Quest. 4th How were you called into the service, were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute 
Answer I volunteered for each term of service 
Ques 5 State some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served such continental and Malitia [Militia] Regiments and the general circumstances of your services- 
Ans. I do not recollect the names of any except while at Charleston South Carolina where Major Genl Lincoln commanded and at the Waxaw [Waxhaw] Settlement the Major Davis had commanded the troops and when we march to Hanging Rock were commanded by Col Sumpter in the [unintelligible]
 the general circumstances are substantially so far as I can see collect as mentioned in the declaration. 
Ques 6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it 
Ans I received a discharge each time signed by the Captain of the Companies in which I served, which discharges have been mislaid or lost and I do not know what has become of them - 
Ques- 7th I am known to Mr Samuel King Hugh Patton Joseph J. Kirkman and many others who believe that I have been a soldier of the Revolution
Page 17

State of Indiana 
Gibson County}
I John R Montgomery Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the Application of John Witherspoon.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal This 8th day of August AD 1836 
JR Montgomery Clk of the 
Probate Court Gibson County
Page 18

Princeton Ia
August 9th 
Aug 20
Mail

JL Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions 
War Department 
Washington City 
D.C.
Page 19

Princeton Gibson Co Indina 
August 9th 1836 
Dear Sir
Enclosed you have the application of John Witherspoon to which your attention is respectfully solicited 
J.G. Bowman for John Witherspoon
J.L. Edwards Esq
Page 20

Princeton Ia
Oct 29
John Witherspoon
Indiana

James L. Edwards Esq. 
Pension Office Washington
D.C.
Page 21

Princeton Indiana 29th Oct 1836 
Sir:
Enclosed you will receive the amended declaration of John Witherspoon In printed directions of the Dept and particulary those marked have been pursued as literally as possible. 
It will be observed that the dates of his several enlistments and discharges are not precisely and specifically stated. This is attributed to the imperfection of his recollection of the several transactions at this distant period of time. His terms of service during the several tours mentioned in his declaration, are however certain and definite, at least sufficiently so, it is presumed to meet the objectives heretofore adduced in regard to that particular 
The enclosed being an amended declaration is not deemed [mapary unintelligible partied] minutely the printed form, as is [suppind unintelligble] that this will be considered as part or rather as exclusively amendatory of the original declaration now file in the dept. 
It is out of Mr Witherspoons power to give an explanation of his delay in persecuting his claims more satisfactory them that heretofore given - Then years as he employed an individual to present his claim, who neglected doing so, and as serving as the individuals negligence was deceived Mr W. with no time in presenting his claims to the dept 
Mr W. desires me to state that is utterly unable to give a more detailed account of his several tours of sum than that contained in the several declaration now in the possession of the dept.
He want of a favorable action upon M.JW. application be pleased to inform me for & in what time & when the applicant shall draw his pension.

I am his 
respectfully 
Y.H Ew [unintelligble]
E.S. Terry

James L. Edwards esq.
Page 22

John Witherspoon in this his amended state declaration states, as amendatory of the facts contained in his several declarations on file in the Pension Office, in regard to his several tours of service during the Revolutionary War.  That 1st he entered into the service in November 1775 as a private in a volunteer company under James Houston, Captain and William M. Cullary or Mc Cullough lieutenant and James Tate, Ensign. The colonel the Regiment was one Thomas Polk, the names of the other field officers, the number or designation of the regiment, not recollected.
The troops rendezvoused at Charlotte, Mecklenburg County No.Carolina to South Carolina to suppress a party of tories who were in arms and ravaging country, having their headquarters at Ninety Six in SoCarolina. The troops marched as far as Musgrove's Mills in Rayburn in Rayburn Creek, near Ninety Six, at which place, intelligence was received of the dispersion of the enemy, & that the part them had taken refuge in a canebrake in the vicinity. Upon this several of the men volunteered under Col. Polk, the commander of the troops, of whom the declarant was one, to scour the canebrake, and they succeeded in capturing 12 or 15 of the tories among whom was one Fletcher a Colonel. The next morning the troops were discharged & returned home. The party of tories were said to be under the command of one McGirty, and beside him the declarant recollects, Capt. Dick Paris, & one Robinson an officer of the said party-- Declarant was discharged on the 24th of December 1775, the day on which "Great Snow" began to fall, as he believes.
This term of service (five weeks) was during what was afterwards designated the "celebrated Snow Campaign. 
2nd The said declarant again entered into the public service in March 1776 (the day not recollected as a private in a company of volunteers under the command of James Osborn, Captain, Samuel Flanagan lieutenant & David Flanagan, Ensign - Rendezvoused in Mecklenburg NoCar in March 1776 (day not recollected) and marched on after the main body of the Army under Gen. Rutherford of the NoCa militia lent saith the Scotch Highlanders who had their head quarters at Cross Creek (now Fayette) NoCarolina, a [unintelligble] 80 miles from Charlotte- The enemy were dispersed before the army [unintelligible] that places, and the troops were discharged
Page 23

at that place in April (day not recollected) 1776- Term of service four weeks - Polk was commander of the regiment. The names of the other field officers & the designation of the regiment not recollected. 
The only place of marched [thes- unintelligible] of any notoriety was Salisbury battle or skirmish fought 
3. Declarant again volunteered as a private in a corps of Light Hale under Richard Simmons, Captain, & Nathaniel Marshall Martin Lieutenant-Rendezvoused at Charlotte NoCa about the 20th December 1779, and started,  for Charleston SoCarolina to join the Southern army under General Lincoln- after the arrival of the troops at head quarters, the large part of Simmons company and with it, the declarant (about 25 in number) was stationed at the Governor's Gate, two miles from Charleston to watch the motion of the British- afterwards the same body was stationed at Stone ferry about 20 or 25 miles from Charleston, when it remained about two days and was then directed to repair to a station two miles from Dorchester a small town 16 or 18 miles from the city, for subsistence as will as to watch the enemy at which place there remained about six weeks. During this time a limp body of the English crossed Stone River at the Old Fat to the same side with Dorchester with a part of whom the declarant's company had a slight engagement. Some short time afterwards another engagement took place between declarant's company & a small body of British herd. Lord Cornwallis commanded the English army.
In the American Army, besides Gen Lincoln & the the officers above mentioned, the declarant recollects no other officer than one Col Malmody (so pronounced ) a Frenchman in the American service. The designation of his regiment is not recollected. 
[Unintelligible] Dorchester the company went to the city when they were discharged on the 24th of March 1780. their time of service having expired-
Terms of service three months- 
4. The declarant again entered as a private in a corps of mounted riflemen under Samuel Stanagan Captain, David Flanagan [unintelligible], the name of the Lieutenant not in July day not recollected 1780 recollected - Rendezvous'd in Mecklenburg County in July (day not recollected), and marched with another company of light horse under Nathaniel Marshal
Page 24

Martin Captain to the Waxhaw Settlement in SoCarolina, when one Major William Davy or Davie assumed the command. The object of this expedition was the protection of the whigs, and to check the depredations of the Tories. Joined General Sumpter near Land's Ferry in Catawba River, and the next day had an engagement with a body of British Tories at the Hanging Rock Creek, at 25 or 30 miles below the Waxhaw Settlement. This engagement the declarant thinks was fought in August. The names of the enemy's commander & of other of the American Troops them that above mentioned the declarant does not remember. Sometime afterward  marched to join Gen. Gates near Camden, and when within a short distance of that place intelligence was received of his defeat, upon which the troops returned, and were discharged about the first of November 1780 - During the time between the battle of this Hanging Rock and marching to [unintelligible] Gates the troops to which the declarant belonged were engaged in keeping the British & Tories in check in and about the Waxhaw Settlement Term of service four months.
An additional circumstance in regard to the declarant's first tour of service, is that the troops were [unintelligible] at Charlotte NoCo by two regiments of regular under one Colonel Branum or Brannan who accompanied them as far as they went. 
The declarant believes fully that the several troops with he served at the several times above mentioned was called into service by competent authority. Both man and [here unintelligible] drawing public stores. For the two first tours, the declarant received pay but for the others, nothing more than provisions were received. 
He further declares that the during the several tours above mentioned he was in field services, and at no time in June [son- unintelligible], nor was engaged in any civil employment. 
The declarant further adds that there is no living witness who can "State in detail his personal knowledge of his declarant's services and such circumstances connected there with as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transactions"  there is an individual who can testify that declarant was in service, but can testify to nothing more
John Witherspoon
Page 25

State of Indiana }
Gibson County 
On this 18th day of October AD. 1836 personally John Witherspoon appeared before me A. C. Mills a justice of the peace in aforesaid county and made oath that the facts and circumstances stated in the written amended declaration are true and correct to the best of his belief and recollection. Given under my hand seal at the day and year above written. A.C. Mills J. Peace

State of Indiana ⎬ Set
Gibson County ⎬ 
I, John R. Montgomery clerk of the Circuit Court for the County aforesaid do certify that A. C. Mills Esq. whose signature is annexed to the above affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified according to law In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 18th day of October AD 1836 
J R Montgomery Clk 

State of Indiana ⎬ Set 
Gibson County } 
I Elisha Embree President Judge of the Circuit Court of said County do certify that JRMontgomery whose signature is affixed to the above certificate is and was at the time of signing  the same Clerk of the Gibson Circuit Court duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that the said certificate is in due form of law. Given under my hand & seal this 29th day of October 1836 
Elisha Embree
Page 26

January 31, 1940 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
BA-J/WHF:MLB
Honorable Michael J. Kirwan 
House of Representatives 
Washington, D. C. 

John Witherspoon 
32601 

My dear Mr. Kirwan: 
Reference is made to your letter of January 29, in behalf Mr. W.L. Shawkey, of Campbell, Ohio, whose letter you enclosed. Mr. Shawkey  states that he is interested in completing his family line and desires the record of his grandfather, John Witherspoon, probably of Beaver County, or Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, who served in the war of 1812, whose father, he believes, was John, too, a son of James who settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1850 and was accidentally killed in 1760, the brother of Dr. John Witherspoon, of New Jersey, Signer of the Declaration of Independence.  
The record has been found of a James Witherspoon whose legal representative in 1789 was Dr. John Witherspoon; that James served, however, in the Revolutionary War, therefore not the James who was killed in 1760. His record is furnished herewith, with those of John Witherspoon (S. 32801 ) who was born in Pennsylvania, and served in the Revolutionary War, and a John Witherspoon who served in the War of 1812 which, it is hoped, will aid Mr. Shawkey in his research. His letter is returned herewith. 
Very truly yours
 A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
Page 27

Mr. A. D. Hiller, 
Veterans Administration, 
Washington, D.C.

September 25, 1938

Dear Mr. Hiller: 
The letter you so kindly sent me on February 25, 1938 BA-J/MCS, David Witherspoon W. 1685, did not contain the corresponding dates to those which I have here. 
You have already been so helpful in assisting me with the soldier members of my family, that I feel almost guilty in placing the following extra burden on your department. It is the request for all those bearing the name of Witherspoon who served in the revolution other than the above mentioned David, already covered in the communication of 2 / 25 / 38. Among the widows and children of these soldiers it is possible that I will find the information I am seeking. 
Again thanking you for your patience and cooperation, I remain, 
Very truly yours,
Charles Sumner Witherspoon 
418 Central Park West, 
New York, New York.
Page 28

January 23, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MMHF:MLB
Mr. Charles Sumner Witherspoon 
418 Central Park West 
New York, New York 
Dear Sir:    
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that the record of David Witherspoon which was furnished you February 25, 1936, is, perhaps, not the record which you desire, and you would like to have the records of all soldiers with that surname borne on the Revolutionary War records of this office. Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible to make for one person or organization a series of investigations and reports pertaining to soldiers of that war. 
Your former request was for David Witherspoon of New York State, or from any other state. The record furnished was that of the only David found on the pension records of the Revolutionary War. There is no application for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of any soldier with your surname of any New England state. The record is furnished you herewith of a John Witherspoon which, it is hoped, will aid you somewhat in your research. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator
Page 29

January 23, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
JOHN WITHERSPOON
S. 32601
BA-J/ MLB

Mr. Charles Sumner Witherspoon 
418 Central Park West 
New York City 
Dear Sir:    
The data which follow in regard to John Witherspoon were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 32601, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. 
John Witherspoon was born December 11, 1756, in York County, Pennsylvania . The names of his parents were not stated. 
While residing in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, John Witherspoon volunteered in November, 1775, marched from Charlotte in that county and served six weeks during the celebrated snow campaign" as a private in Captain James Houston's company, Colonel Thomas Polk's North Carolina regiment, marched to South Carolina to suppress the Tories and assisted in capturing more than twelve of them. He volunteered in March, 1776, and served a tour of four weeks as private in Captain James Osborn's company, Colonel Polk's North Carolina regiment and assisted in dispersing the Scotch Highlanders at Cross Creek. He volunteered December 24, 1779, and served three months as private in Captain Richard Simmons' company of light horse and during that tour was in two engagements near Dorchester and was discharged in Charleston, South Carolina. He volunteered in July, 1780, served in Captains Samuel Flanagan's and Nathaniel Marshall Martin's companies, under Major William Davie, marched to the Waxhaws settlement to keep the British and Tories in check, was in the battle of Hanging Rock and was discharged about November 1, 1780, having served a tour of four months. 
After the Revolution the soldier moved to Morgan County, Alabama, and from there moved to Gibson County, Indiana, where he was residing when he was allowed pension on his application executed August 8, 1836. There are no family data shown in the claim.
Page 30

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of John Witherspoon, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: 
John Witherspoon 
Certificate #30897 
Issued December 6, 1838 
Rate, $31.12 per annum 
Commenced March 4, 1831 
Act June 7, 1832 
Indiana Agency. 

Very truly yours 
A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator