Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,224, Thomas Connell, N.C.
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(8-1776)
SERVICE           NUMBER
N. C.  Connell, Thomas  R. 2224
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress on the 7th June  1832 - 

The State of Alabama }
Autauga County SS }

On this fourteenth day of October 1836, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable Henly Brown, Judge of the Orphans Court of said County, now sitting, Thomas Connell, a resident of said county, aged ninety two years on the 10. day of March last, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832 - 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following several officers, and served as herein stated - 
As near as he can recollect, six months before the battle of Brandywine, he volunteered under Captain John Armstrong, and Col. Martin Armstrong in Jenny County, in the State of North Carolina, where he was there living - He served six months in the troops of that State and was stationed during this whole time at Salisbury N.C. - He was employed in active service - was in no battle and at the expiration of his time of service, received a discharge - by whom signed he does not now recollect - he received it however, from the hands of his Colonel - 
In the month of November, subsequent to the battle of Brandywine, having previously removed to the County of Wilkes, in the State of Georgia, he
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enlisted in the regular army of the United States under Captain James Hawkins, for three years, or during the war - was marched to Augusta, Georgia, - served under the said Hawkins as Captain, --------Smith as Major, and ---------- Stewart as Colonel - was in the army where the first seige of Augusta was commenced and raised, and in the battle when Augusta was afterwards captured - After the battle of Augusta, he was furloughed until further service might be required, but was ordered to be inconstant readiness to perform the same, at a moments warning - He was not called upon until the seige of Savannah was commenced -his regiment then mustered near Augusta, Georgia under the same officers, except Col. Stewart, who was superseded y Colonel Elijah Clarkson and was marched upon what was called the River Road, on the southern side of the Savannah River, to Savannah, and was in the battle of Savannah - He cannot recollect any of the officers higher in command, at that battle, than the Colonel of his regiment, except Gen. Twiggs - Count DeEstaing [d'Estaing] and Count Pulaski he  well recollects - He was then furloughed and performed no more regular service during the war - but was under orders to be in constant readiness to rally, should service be required - At the conclusion of the war, but the date he cannot recollect, he received a written discharge from his Colonel, but whole signature
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was to the same he does not remember - He states that his age is such, and his memory so decayed, that he cannot state positively the precise duration of the last mentioned service - but according to the best of his recollection it was not less than the three years for which he enlisted - and that he was empoyed in active service not less than two years ---during said last mentioned period of service - 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except this present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the Agency of any State - 
[Sworn to + subscribed the day and year aforesaid - crossed out] -
In answer to the several interrogatories directed to be proposed to applicant for a pension, by the War Department, he states - 
In answer to the first - 
I was born in Surry County, within State of North Carolina, on the 10 March 1762 - In answer to the second - I have none
In answer to the third - I was living in Surry County N.C. - when I first volunteered - After the conclusion of the war and for several years subsequent, I lived
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Georgia again - then in Greene County in the same State - I then removed to Autauga County Alabama, in the year 1822, where I have since lived - 
In answer to the fourth - I refer to the statement  made in the body of this declaration
I answer to the fifth - I also refer to the same as furnishing all the information which I can recollect
In answer to the sixth - I received written discharges in both instances - but have lost the same - 
In answer to the seventh - Rev. Mr. Jacob Segrest and Henderson Rhodes -
Thomas Connell X his mark

Sworn to + subscribed the day and year aforesaid - Henly Brown J. C. C.

We, Jacob Segrest, a clergyman, residing in the County of Autauga, Alabama, and Henderson Rhodes, residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Connell, he has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be ninety two years of age - That he is refuted and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion - Jacob Segrest Henderson Rhodes his mark H
Sworn to + subscribed the day and year aforesaid - 
Henly Brown J.C.C.
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Declaration Amended of Thomas Connell
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832 }
State of Alabama } SS
Autauga County }
On this 27th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five personally appeared before me Thomas Hughes, J P one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the /county of aforesaid Thomas Connell a resident of the State of Alabama Autauga County aged ninety seven years three months + sixteen days who being first duly sworn according to Law doth an 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 on eleventh day of March 1717 in the State of North Carolina in the County of Surry under Captain John Armstrong and served in the Continental Regiment of the North Carolina line, under the following named officers viz. that he enlisted on the eleventh of March 1777 in the State of North Carolina + County of Surry under Capt. John Armstrong, and for the term of three months but served six months in North Carolina in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Martin Armstrong. That during said time he was marched to an Indian town called Hillico, and was the most of his time engaged in skirmishing expeditions against the British + Torries of Indians but received no wound. That at the expiration of his six months service he received a discharge from Capt. John Armstrong which was subsequently stolen from him together with his pocketbook and all its contents at
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the time of the seige of Augusta in Georgia. That after the expiration of the said six months tour and after his discharge he returned to Surry County his place of residence where he remained until the 1st of March 1778 when he enlisted the second time under Capt. James Hawkins for the term of three years or during the war. That he was marched from surry county North Carolina to Herds fort, Wilkes county Georgia, where he joined Col Elijah Clark, Regiment of the Continental line. That this deponent was mistaken in his former declaration with respect to his enlistment in Georgia under Col. Stewart, that this statement is true. He served as a soldier from the 1st of March 1778 until the disbandment of General Washingtons army in November 1783 - That he was stationed at Herd Fort where he was chiefly engaged in Scouting expeditions against the sieges of Augusta and Savannah. That he was taken as a prisoner as often as three times during the sieges of Augusta by Col. Brown of the British + Col. Grason of the Tory party. That the first time he was taken a prisoner he was confined several weeks, in Augusta, and was released by Col. Warton That on the second occasion when he was placed under the command of Capt. Moore a Tory to e sent to Charleston, that he was carried through Orangeburgh in chains  - and the knight afterward he effected his escape, by breaking the lock that confined the chain on his arms - This deponent swears that he considers that he rendered actual services as a soldier from the 1st March 1778 until November 1783. That notwithstanding he was a copious permitted for a few hours at a time
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to visit his family when in the immediate neighbourhood of their location, which was in Wilkes, County, Georgia - that even on such occasions he was rendering services to his country by means of the scouting parties that usually attended him. This deponent + Petitioner further swears that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory that he cannot swear positively as to the actual precise time or lenth of his service but is confident that he served six months in North Carolina and five years and [illegible] months in the State of Georgia.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pesion roll of the agency of any State - 
Sworn to + Subscribed the day + year aforesaid Thomas Hughs J Peace Thomas Connellson X his mark

I Elizabeth Wallace of the County of Autauga and State of Alabama do hereby certify that I have been acquainted [with -crossed out] personally with Thomas Connall the above applicant [since - crossed out] before the revolutionary war, during the whole time of the Revolutionary war + ever since that time and do know of my own knowledge, that he rendered the services, as a solder in the Revolution as contained in his above declaration. That I was a member in his family during the whole time of his services in the Revolution and ever since + have no hesitation in swearing tot he truth of his Declaration. and never have I herd his declaration doubted by any individual. I do further testify that the said Thomas Connell has been a respectable member of the Baptist Church for thirty years and is poor and helpless.
Sworn to + subscribed before e the day + year above written - Thomas Hughs J P [illegible]
Elizabeth Wallace X her mark
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Interrogatories + Answers of Thos. Connell

Int. 1st Where + in what year was you born?
Answer. I was born in the State of Maryland on the Patomack o the 10th of March 1738.

Int. 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
Ans: I have none if has been destroyed

Int. 3 Where were you living when called into service and where do you now live?
Ans: I was living in the State of North Carolina Surry County; before the revolution, during the revolution my family followed me to Georgia, Wilks County, about eight miles from Washington where I remained for four years after the Revolution. I then removed to South Carolina Abbeville District where I lived four years. I then removed back to Wilks, County of Georgia. That I lived in Georgia until 1820 when I moved to the State of [Autauga County - crossed out] Alabama Autauga County where I have lived ever since.

Int. 4th How were you called into service: were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whome?
I enlisted in North Carolina on the 11th of March 1777 under Capt. John Armstrong for the term of three months but served six months under Martin Armsrong. That I afterwards enlisted again on   the 1st March 1778 under Capt. James Hawkins for the term of thee years or during the war. That I was marched to the State of Georgia where I served under Col. Elijah Clark until the end of the war. That I was chefly employed in scouting expeditions, that I was at the time thrice taken prisoner + narrowly escaped my life-

Int. 6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service + if so by whom was it given and what has become of it? -
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Continuation of Thomas Connells declaration

Answer to 
6th Int. - I did recieve'd two discharges the first one from Capt. John Armstrong in North Carolina. The second I recieved from Capt. Stephen Herd of Georgia in Wilk, County.  The first of which was stolen from me t the seige of Augusta + the last without my consent or knowledge has been lost.

Int. 7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood + who can testify as to your character for veracity  + their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Ans. William Kirk, Esq. Henderson Rhoads, John Griff Jeremiah Jackson William Wallace + William N. Thompson + Thomas Hagg Esq. + Jacob Segrist Parson. and Hardy Raner
Thomas Connell Sr. X his mark
Sworn to + subscribed before me the day + year above written 
Thomas Hughs J. P. seal
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I Thomas Hugh, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Autauga do hereby certify that I have good reason to believe that Thomas Connell the within Petitioner by reason of old age + bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court this 27th June 1833 Thomas Hughs (JP seal)

The State of Alabama } We Jacob Segrest A 
Autauga County } Clergyman and Hardy Raner residing in the County and State aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Connell Sr. who has subscribed and Sworn to the afore written Declaration, that we beleive  him to have been of the age he has stated in the said Declaration; that he was refuted and believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Jacob Segrest m.g. Sean Sig Raner

Sworn to before me }
this 2nd September 1835}
Henly Brown JCC }

The State of Alabama } I William N. Thompson
Autauga County } Clerk of the Court of said County - do hereby certify that Thomas Hugh whose name is signed above is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that full faith and credit is due and of right ought to be to all his official acts - I also certify that the certificates of Elizabeth Wallace, Jacob Segrest and Hardy Raner are all entitled to the fullest credit said Segrest is a Preacher and E. Wallace + H Raner are members of the Baptist church and have been for years and this veracity I
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never have heard it doubted and I have for a long time been personally acquainted with all three of them having for many years lived in their immediate neighborhood.
I further certify that I have personally known Thomas Connell Sen. the applicant many years have had considerable dealings with him and always found him to be a correct and upright man and never herd his veracity doubted by anyone. The testimony of the other witnesses named in the declaration I believe he would have been able to have secured had he been able to have gone to seen them - but he Died on the 7th  ultimo the same day the declaration was deposited in my office - and the Preacher before named was about from the county and his testimony could not be taken at that time the honorable Henly Brown being Judge of said court.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of Office this fourth day of September A D one Thousand + eight Hundred and thirty five and of American Independence the Sixtieth year.
Wm. N. Thompson Clerk
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The State of Alabama }
Autauga County } I Henly brown Judge of the County Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that I was personally acquainted with the above applicant Thomas Connell Sen. about then years past I believe he was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and that Thomas Hughs was at the date of said declaration an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid. That William N. Thompson is clerk of the County Court for said County and that clece faith and credit Should be given to all his official acts as such and I further certify that Jacob Sigrest who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident of said county and that Hardy Raner and Thomas Hogg who have also signed the foregoing are residents in the county aforesaid and is credible persons and that their statements is entitled to credit.
Given under my hand and seal at Kingston this 14th Sept. 1835
Henly Brown J.C.C. seal [with stylized circle around seal]
I William N. Thompson Clerk of the Court of Autauga County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the proceedings of the said Court, In the matter of Thomas the application of Thomas Connell Sen. in his amended declaration In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 14th of September 1835  Wm. N. Thompson Clerk C. C. A C
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[Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. - crossed out]

REJECTED

2224
P.O. Thomas Connell

Service: _________
Enlisted: __________, 18
Discharged: _______, 18

Application filed: _______, 18

Alleges: ____________
Re-enlisted: ___________

Attorney: ____________
P.O. ___________________

______________Recognized.  _____________Contract
________ Cert. of Dis.  Searched for __________, 18  .
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J F Dowdell
MC

Hon. G C Whting
Com: of Pensions
Washington
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[opened envelope with undisturbed seal]
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free
The Honorable
J. L Edwards
Commis. of Pensions
Washington City

Wm. J F Thompson P. M. }
Kingston Nov 15th }

Nov 30.
Alabama Canc.
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Kingston a Nov-14th-1835

Sir
In reply to yours respecting the amended declaration of Thomas Connell - The applicant Died in August last or before stated, consequently a more satisfactory Account of his Services cannot be rendered - more than what has been already sent - but this much I can certify that untill about three years since I loved in his immediate neighborhood and he was often at my home - and when he came to this place about 12 or 18 moths since to make his Declaration he had lost all recollection of my wife, who not 2 years previous to that time he was well acquainted with - therefore any thing that is incorrect in his manner of service as stated in his declaration may be accounted for - but now as hereto for I am fully of opinion that he served the time as sworn to in that Declaration - and such is the opinion of all that is convenient with the subjects I am, Sir most respectfully your humble Servant. Hon J F Thompson, P.M. at Kingston + Clerk C of - Ct - A C
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Thomas Connell dec'd Alabama

Susp'd See let to Mr. N. Thompson Dec 2 1835

Hon. J. F. Dowdell
March 12/58

2224

Act of June '32
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Hon. W. Whiting, 
Sir, Please inform me whether the application of Thomas Connell for pension for Revolutionary  services in N.C. or Georgia is before the Department and if so what is the situation of it.
Very respectfully,

J F Dowdell
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Independence Ala
October 25th     25 [cancelled]

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.-

Nov 7
Tho. Connell Ala
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Autauga County, Alabama
Independence Oct. 16 1836

Sir - Enclosed, I send you my application for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 8. 1832 - 
Should the same be admitted as sufficient and a certificate be issued therefore, please send it to my address at this place - 
With much resect
Yours de - 
Thomas Connell

Commissioner of Pensions -
Washington City -
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The Hon'ble     free
J . L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington City

Oct. 3rd
Ala
Kingston Ala
Sept. 20th

Tho. Connell dec'd
Ala
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Kingston, Autauga County, Alabama
September 18th 1835
Sir,
I herewith enclose to you the amended Declaration of Thomas /Connell Sen. Applicant for a Pension - should the same be granted him - please report it to Henderson Rhodes - addressed to my care at this place. I am Sir
Your humble Servant
Wm. N. Thompson

and wife 4 years after the close of the war {illegible} 1757. Sister her age 5 years, [illegible] her name is not among them who [illegible] county land [illegible] 1783 - fnd an [illegible] of the [illegible and crossed out] veracity is her mother he [illegible]
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32.862
Thos. Connell, Alabama

Susp.

W. M. Thompson Clk
Washington Alab.
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the [illegible], and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above secured applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states - and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Jacob Segrest, resident in the County of Autauga, Alabama; and that Henderson Rhodes, who has also signed the same is a resident in the same, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit - Henly Brown J.C.C.

I, William M Thompson, Clerk of the County and Orphans Court of Autauga County, Alabama, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Orphans Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Connell for a pension - 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 16th day of October 1836 - William N. Thompson Clerk
County Court Autauga County