Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7342, for William Rankin, North Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
N.C. Rankin, William S.7342

Bearded

CONTENTS
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North Carolina [illegible} 
William Rankin  
of  Lincoln in the state of  North Ca.   
who was a  pri:  in the company  commanded 
by captain Litle    of the  Regt.    commanded 
by   Col Malbody    in the  North Car:
line for 17 mon + 26 days

16031
____

Inscribed on Roll of North Car: 
at the rate of  59  Dollars 56  Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
___
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of June '33 
 and  sent Vardry Mc Bee
Lincolnton N.C. (clk)

_ 
Arrears to the 4th of March '3.7 - 119.12
semi-anl. allowance ending  4 sept." - 29.78
                                     $148.90
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act. June 7, 1832}
Recorded by   Wm. miller     Clerk,
Book.  3.    Vol.  6.  Page. 53

page 2 
[illegible] Dec 3 1853
[illegible]
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18541
William Rankin
North Carolina

Admit as a private
17 Mo. and 26 days 59.37

5.11.12.14.16
Duty. 1.2.6.7. 
R 399
April 8th 1833

Vaudry McBee Clk
Lincoln Co
W
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BRIEF in the case of William Rankin
County of Lincoln  in the state of North Carolina
(Act 7th June 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 71
4. State his service as directed in the form annexed.

Period  Duration of Service  Rank
Names of General and Field Officers Under whom he served
Years Months Days. | As a| Gen.  Lincoln, Rutherford, Gates
Vol in  1776   3 |       3 - | private | Capt Alexander     

“      1779     3| .14   3 - | " | Capt Alexander
“     1780      1|.12 about 2 -| " | Maj  Dickson
“ Jul       3|    3 - | " | Capt armstrong 
               1| 1 - |"| Maj [illegible]
Vol   3     3 - | " | Capt Sille, Col Mallody 
3| 3-| "|  Col lock
ce . 17 29 18
.44
59.56
5. In what battles was he engaged: Camden Eutaw,

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lincoln Co NC

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence or by the rolls?
Living witnesses traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication, and if so, in what respect? Not properly attached, no clergymen

X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above

[illegible], Ernest
Examining Clerk.
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State of North carolina | Court of Plea & quarter Sessions
Lincoln county | october Court of Plea & quarter Sessions 1832
On this 30th day of October 1832 Personally appeared  in open Court Before the Justices of the County Court of Pleas & quarter sessions, now sitting William Rankin a resident of Lincoln County in the state of North Carolina aged seventy one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 14th 
1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated,That in the year 1777
 to the best of my recollection, I volunteered under Captain Alexander in what was then called Tyron County in the State of North Carolina, now Lincoln County, and marched with him against the Indians to that part of North Carolina, now called Rutherford County to a 
fort in Montford Cove, & in scouring the  surrounding country, a three months term, for which I volunteered, and in the year 1779 in the latter part of the year I  again volunteered under Captain. Alexander in what is now Lincoln County North Carolina, for five
months & was ma[ink smudge]ed to Camden in South Carolina, where we met
with other U[ink smudge]ss  from Rowan & Mecklenburg Counties in North Carolina, and from Camden we were marched to the ten miles house from Charleston South Carolina, & after remaining there some short time we
were marched to Preirdburg in South Carolina & there joined Gen Lincoln army, & after staying some time we were ordered to Charleston
and again marched back to Purisburg & there i was discharged by Capt
Alexander in this tour served about three months & a half -
again in 1780 I volunteered under Maj Dickson also in Lincoln County
and was marched into South Carolina against a Lost. Floyd a tory, not finding him, we were marched back to Lincoln County,
North Carolina, & by that time the tour was collecting, in [illegible]
 County, we were marched to Mecklerberg County & joined Genl 
Govl Rutherfords army. X marched with him to Ramsour's mill
where the famous tory battle was faught, the engagement was
however over, before we reached the ground, the tories haveing 
been defeated we were discharged , having Served about two
months.  Again I not long after the battle at Ramsour's mill, I
substituted for a Henry E Loche. for a three months, tour and 
mar ched in the company commanded by Capt William armstrong
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in Lincoln aforesaid, and was marched to Parks Mill  near Charlotts North Carolina, & remained then about two weeks, & was then marched
to Charlotte & Joined Capt Spings company & marched & Joined Genl Rutherfords army, near Phipers, and then made an attack upon
this town in Mecklenburg or Anson County N Carolina, at a place called Colisons, where seventy or eighty Tories were taken prisoners
by us. In that engagement Genl Davidson, who afterwards fell at Cowen Ford, was wounded, from there we were marched to [illegible] in South Carolina & soon joined Genl Gates. I was still in Captain Armstrong, company, but cannot say who commanded as Colonel.
I was in the battle of Gates defeat, & after the battle returned home having served a three months tour - While the British were
stationed in Charlotte N. Carolina I served a months tour under Majr Dehson in Lincoln & 
Mecklenburg Counties after the tories & British and under Captain Forney, I served at different times three months in Lincoln & Rowan Counties, against the tories & British, & while in this service two tories were killed in Lincoln County & another wounded who made his escape to the camp of the British & there died as informed. Before the battle of the Eutaw Springs I value [illegible]
for three months in Lincoln County, under Captain James Little & marched to Rocky Mount in South Carolina, & from there on the to the Eutaw & about seven miles before we got there we joined the army & [crossed out] our company was past in the regiment commanded by Col. Malbody a french man. I was in that engagement & after this battle I was one of the guard on the prisoners,&  marched
them about seven miles, a parcel of them was left behind of the
wounded; from thence to Camden S. Carolina, when more of the prisoners were left, with it balance of the prisoners we marched to Rowan County N Carolina, where I remained
till my time expired & was discharged by Col Locke & the prisoners were sent on to Virginia.

I have no [illegible] to prove my servicce except the ammended.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an
annuity except the precedent  & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.  W Rankin.
Sworn to & debscribed
the day & year aforesaid
Test Vardy McBee Clerk
of said Court
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State of North Carolina | Court of War & Quarter 
sessions
Lincoln Country |  April session 1833
On this 30th day of April 1833. Personally appeared in open
court, of The County of Lincoln now sitting William Rankin a
resident of said County & State of North Carolina aged Seventy 
two years. Last January, who being first duly sworn according
to Law; doth on his oath make the following declamation
in order to obtain the benefit [underlined 'en'] of The act of Congress passed june
4th 1832. - That he entered the service of the United States
under The following named officers & served as here in Stated
that in the year 1777.  as I now be lieves: I volunteered, under Captain Robert Alexander; in then Tryon County now Lincoln North Carolina and marched with him against the Cherokee
Indains, in [illegible] part of No. Ca. now Rutherford Co unty to a 
fort in [illegible] Cove & was imploy in serving Surrounding Country - for Three months.. In the latter part of  the year 1779.
I again volunteered, under ' capt. Robert Alexander in what is 
now Lincoln County for Five months, was marched to Camden in South Carolina, where we met with troops from Rowan and Mecklinburg county North Carolina. From thered to the 10 miles Home
near Charlston So Carl. after remaining there, a short, time, we were
marched to Purisburg. So Ca.  I there joined Genl. Lincolns army, after a short stay there we were ordered to Charleston, and again marched 
back to Puris burg. I then discharged by Capt Alexander. having  served in this town three months & fourteen days. - Again in 1780. about the latter part of April or first of May he volunteered under Majr Joseph Dixon also in Lincoln County, and was marched into South Carolina against Corl. Floyd a Tory, not
finding him, we were marched back to Lincoln County No Carolina, where the torries were collecting in That county, we [illegible] over to 
Mecklenburg county & joined Govl. Rutherfords army, and moved
with him to Ramsours Mills Lincoln county, where the famous Tory battle was fought; the engagement ; however was over
before we reached the ground + the torries defeated; we, were  [illegible]  having served six weeks.-  Very shortly after the battle of Ram-sours mills I substituted for Henry E Loke of this Lincoln county for a three months tour, and was commanded by Captain
 William Armstrong of said county. was marched to Parne Mills
 near Charlotee [illegible] w:s. County No.Co; where we remained a short
time, was marched to Charlotee & joined capt Springs company and 
Joined genl Rutherford army near Phifers, in what is now Cabarro County .- and  then had an  engagement with the tories at a place 
called Bolesom in the  ad [page rip]ellecklenbiry or Ansom County N.C.
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where seventy or Eighty tories were taken prisoners by us, in that
engagement Genl. Davidson who afterwards fell at Cowars Ford, was wounded, from there we marched to Cheraw in So Carolina and soon joined Genl Gates, continued with him until his defeat near Camden So.Ca. in which battle i was and after which i returned home, having served the full time of three months- Whilst the British lay at Chartwn No Carolina, i served a tour of one month under Maj Joseph Dixon, in Lincoln & Mecklenburg Counties, after the tories and British: and again Voluntered and served under Captain Peter Torney at different unis. Three months in the counties of Lincoln & Rowan, against the Tories & British in The year 1781. during the ser-vice , Two Tories were killed, at Dulchman Creek in Lincoln and another wounded, who made his exape. Before the battle of Eutaw in 1781 . I voluntered again for Three months under Capt James Sittle, of Lincoln County & marched to Rocky mount in South Carolina and thence to The Eutaw. and about Seven Miles before we  arrived, we joined the army + our company was put in the regiment Command.d by Col. Malmadz [sic] a french officer. I was in that engagement & after the battle , I was one of the guard of the 
prisoners, and marched with them to Camden So, Ca. Thence To Rowan county No.Ca. where i remained until my tour of service expired & was discharged by Col. Locke, where the prisoners were sent on to Virginia. He has no widnes other than that offerd of Genl. Forney & John Starret and james Hill  & [faded illegible][illegible] who can testify to his services.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Witness Vardry Mcbee  [signature of W Rankin] 
clerk of said Court

MR Hartman sworn a clergyman residing in the County of Lincoln and Vaudry McBee residing in the same County as Here by Certify, that we are well acquainted with William 
Rankin, who was subscribed & sworn to the above declamtions that we believe him to be about Seventy- two years of age; that he is pected [sic] respected and believed, in the neig a h our- hood, where he resides to have been a soldier of the
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Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
sworn & subscribe the day & year aforesaid

Dest. Abel Shuford [illegible] Hartwell Shain
and member of Said cort  Vardry McBee


And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, afterthe investigation of the matter and after Putting the Interrogation, prescribed by the war department, that the above
named applicant was a soldier of the revolution and he served as he stated: And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that Hartwell Shain who has Sissed [sic] signed the 
preceding cer tificate is a clergyman residing in the county 
of lincoln and that     (blank)   who was also signed the same is a resident of the same county and is a
repredible  [sic] reputable and that their state ment is entitled to  credit.-
I Vardy McBee Clerk of the court
of War & quarter Session for the county of Lincoln, do
hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of
William Rankin for a pension -  In testimony whereof I have here unto let my hand & seal of offices this 30th day of March 1833.

Where and in what year were you born?
A.  in Jany 1761 . the 10th day. in the county of Rowan North Carolina
Have you any word of your age & if so where is it? 
A.  I have no word. my father & mother , told me the day of the mon & year of my birth:  stated that my age was in a family bible but had was lost
Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, & where do you now live
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A. My father whin [sic] when i was five or six years of age moved from Rowan County, to Tyron, now Lincoln County North Carolina, where i lived
before & since The revolution, & where I now reside
How were you called into service; where you drafted, did you volunteer or were you substituted: & if a substitute for whom?
A. I volunteerd every tour except the one, I substituted for Henry E Locke a three months tour
State the namer of Some of the [illegible] Officers, who were with
the troops where you served: Such continental & Militia aip-ments as you can recollect and the general Cor cumstances, of your services? A. I was under genls Lincoln, Green, Gates and Rutherford & knew them by sight. Also Col. Malmadz and [illegible]  Loke I knew by sight & was with-  an other un[illegible]  as far as my memory survend are mentioned in the body the declaration
Did you ever receive a discharge form the Services; & if so, by whom was it given &  what has become of it.
A. I had a discharge from Col. Looke only in writing: and  that is lost or mislaid: if i receved any other I do not now re member ex cept a verbal discharge
State the name of persons to who you are known in your present neighbourhood, and can Testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your service as a soilder of the Revolution
A. Conl. Peter Forney, Alexander Moore, Lawson Henderson William F Wilson Andrew Hayle. [illegible] HoRe Hartwell Spain with many others. 
Jaweed Hill Deposeth & saeth that he was a Lieut in Capt William Armstrong Company & that William Rankin was a private soldier in said company & [illegible]  he served the three Months tour in 1780.[illegible]  saud rankin was in the army at Gats defeat 17 august  or there abouts
Sworn to un open court.   Jay Hill
Desk. V mcBee Clerk
Adam Sharp also deposeth to & Saeth that he is welle acquainted with William Rankins & that he Served in the same company with said Rankin a three Months thur I [illegible] he was in the battle at Gats Defeat 15th Augst. 1780
Sworn to unto Open court his mark Adam Sharp
Desk. V mcBee Clerk
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1910 July 14. Hist. to Miss Mary 
C.young. ¢ 

 7342  
Rev War INVALID.   [illegible]
File No. 7342
William Rankin 
Priv ReW. War

Act: June 7th 1836
Index:-Vol. 103 , Page 309
[ Arrangement of 1870.]
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Wm Rankin 

[faded illegible] [faded illegible] [faded illegible] 
[faded illegible]  the company
[faded illegible] [faded illegible] [faded illegible]
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Rankin which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
yes
V.Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? No

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Gs

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? gs

Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? gs
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2 
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman or another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief of his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
 no
XII. If the clergyman’s affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it
no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had :
witnesses
XIV. * If the applicant’s name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?

If he has produced direct proof as to service, as the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? the court has not

Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation or of such an age as to have personal knowledge of the applicant’s service? yes

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered. 1,2,67

EXPLANATORY NOTES

*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:

H 
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace &c A. B . who, being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades; . For __ year ____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _______ . For __ year ____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _______ and for such service I claim a pension.
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3 
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration in highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
QUERE XIV. PROOF OF SERVICE. 
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
QUERE XVI. MODE OF AUTHENTICATING PAPERS. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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William Rankin
Declaration
18541
N
Page 17

And the said court do hereby declare their 
opinion that the above named applicant was a 
revlutionary soldier & served as he states
I Vardy McBee Clerk of the County Court
do hereby certify that the foreging contain
the original proceedings of the said court
in the matter of the application of William Rankin for a pension - In testimony
whereof I have hereto set my hand & seal 
of office. the 5th day of November -1832
Vardry Mc. Bee

Personally appeared in open Court John Forney, and after being sworn in due form of law  deposeth and saith that he is well arg..ted 
 With the servous of William Rankin in the Revolutionary war that
he served under him that Sept at Sendry tomes as his Captain in The County of Lincoln the whole of this service war performed in
1781 as as will as this deponant recollects that the said William Rankin still lives in Lincoln County and his Character unimpeachable  (the time he served under me this he thinks  was about three months)  [illlegible] Forney
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William Moore Appeared in Open Court before the justices of the County Court  of Lincoln now sitting who after being duly sworn in due form of Law deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with William Rankin that he was always reputed as an active soldier and [illegible] [illegible] and to his country that this Dept has always [illegible smudged]lood and and [illegible smudged] believes that he was in the battle of gates defeat as will as the [inserted word hood] fought battle at the Eutaw Spring. That he this firmly believes the statem( cut off) set forth in his declaration is true as he doth believes that he the said Rankin is capable or would state falsehoods
William Moore Sworn to in open 
Court Desk
Vardry Mc Bee Clerk
of Lincoln County Court
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I Vardry Mc Bee Clerk of Lincoln County North Carolina do hereby certify that the [illegible] contains the amendis & Original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of application of 
William Rankin for Pension. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office at Lincolnton this 8th day of May 1833 
Vardry McBee Clerk
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{signature} John Starret
Affat
{signature}
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State of North Carolina |Personally
Lincoln County | appeared 
before me
  John Starret, Who deposeth & saeth that William rankin was a mess mate of his in a three months tour in the Revolutionary was in the year of 1780 The deponent [illegible] then states that he left him the evening before Gates's defeat , at Rugalus creek& has reason to believe that the the said William Rankin was in said battle under the Command of Capt William
Armstrong Sworn to and Subscribed before me the 14th of Oct 1832
Just 
J,Fourney [stam JF] 
His mark John Starret
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[illegible] State of No Carolina 
Lincoln County 
I Vardry McBee Clerk of the court of Pleas and quarter sessions in the State & County aforesaid Certify by this [illegible] that Jacob Forney Esqr. 
before which the within affidavit was made was [crossed out] at the date thereof & is now an acting Justice of the peace in aforesaid County. Duly sworn & commissioned & that his official attestations are entitled to all due faith & credit as such. In testimony whereof i have hereunto set my hand & seal of offic eat Linconton the 3rd day of Nov 1832 Vardry McBee Col