Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,062, for Joseph Meacham, North Carolina
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776]

SERVICE
N. C.

Meacham, Joseph

NUMBER
S.11,062

carded
CONTENTS
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

1751 Kentucky
Joseph Meacham of Christian Co. in the State of Kentucky who was a Private of Cav. in the Compy [Company] commanded by Captain Mash [Marsh] of the Regt. Commanded by [Colonel] Douglas in the N. Carolina line for 6 months from 1781 -

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky,
at the rate of 25 - Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Nov. 1832 - and [sent to] D. S. Hays Hopkinsville, Ky:

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1832 37.50
Semi=anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 March 1833 12.50
50.00

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Nathan Rice, Clerk
Book D Vol. 9 Page 51
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J Meacham
8992

(N C)
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State of Kentucky - Christian County SS
On this 3dd day of Sept. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Christian now sitting - Joseph Meacham a resident of said County aged Seventy one years the 25th of February 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 7th 1832 -- that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated --
That he was born the 25th of Feby [February] 1761 at Caroline County Va. – 
That he was drafted and entered the Militia Service for Six months in the year 1781 -- at Col. Littrels [John Luttrell's] Barracks in Chatham County North Carolina in a Regt. of Horse commanded by Col. Edward Douglas in the company commanded by Capt. Mash or Marsh [Taverner Marsh] - that he was stationed at said barracks during his whole tour -- that he was called out in frequent skirmishes with the Tories -- the Tories had robbed Hillsborough and was on their march from that place and we waylaid them -- Col. Littrel [Luttrell] one of our detachment was killed in these skirmishes -- we were always scouring the Country around the Station in order to keep the Tories under -- these Tories were commanded by Col. Pyle [Doctor John Pyle] -- Knight & Capt. John Pyle -- that he was in service and in hearing of the Battle of Guilford 1781 [March 15, 1781] -- at that time out on a scouting party -- that he recd [received] a discharge signed by Col. Douglas but that he lost it -- that he was born in Caroline County Va. Feby [February] 25th 1761 -- and removed from thence to Chatham
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County North Carolina -- that about twenty-four years ago he removed to Christian County Kentucky where [he] has ever since resided - that this is a full statement to all the interrogatories put by the Department -- that he has a record of his age in his Bible –
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 of the United States – 
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
[Signed] Joseph Meacham

We John Bobbitt - a Clergyman residing in the County of Christian and John Spurlin William Wicks – 
residing in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Meacham who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be seventy one years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion – 
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
John Bobbitt 
John Spurlin 
William Wicks
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Bobbitt who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Christian aforesaid and that John Spurlin and William Wicks who signed the same are also residents of said County and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, Abraham Stiles Clerk of the County Court of Christian County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Meacham for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 6th day of September 1832 and in the 41st year of the Commonwealth 
Abram Stiles 
C.C.C.C.
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8992
Jos: Meacham
from 1781, private 
of Cavalry, 6 months, 
$25.

D. S. Hays
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

8982 BRIEF in the case of Joseph Meacham, County of Christian in the State of [blank]
(Act 7th JUNE, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open 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.

[column headings: Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen.]
In 1781 drafted serd [served] 6 [months] As a private Capt. Mash or Marsh Col. E. Douglas

5.  In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? Chatham County N. Carolina

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

T Waugh Examining Clerk.
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MMHF

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section 

March 13, 1925

Honorable John C. Allen 
House of Representatives 

My dear Mr. Allen: 
In response to your letter of the 10th instant, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 11062 it appears that Joseph Meacham was born February 25, 1761 in Caroline County, Virginia. 
While a resident of Chatham County, North Carolina he enlisted in 1781, served six months as a private in Captain Mash or Marsh's Company, Colonel Edward Douglas' North Carolina Regiment and was in several skirmishes with the Tories. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832 while living in Christian County, Kentucky. 
There is no data on file as to his family, 
The above noted is the only soldier by that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau. 
Very truly yours

Acting Commissioner.
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Hopkinsville Ky}
11 Sept.} Free

Mail} Hon Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington City D. C.

[written sideways] Liss 22
8992 to 8994 Ex.d [examined]
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Hopkinsville Sept 10th 1832 

Dear Sir
I herewith send you the Declaration of James Anderson Joseph Meacham Henry Davis - be pleased to attend to them and forward the result to me In haste your Most 
Obedient Servt [Servant]
D S Hays
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of              Joseph Meacham - which require further proof or explanation.

1.  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 amount of pension he is entitled? Yes

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? Yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes

X.  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? Yes
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes

XII.  If the clergyman’s affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? --

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? No

XIV.  +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? --

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 a personal knowledge of the applicant’s service? --

XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not answered? 7th

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:
“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 service, 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 -- months and -- days, I served as a -- ; and for such service I claim a pension."
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[Typed form]

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 objectional.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 is highly objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shewn 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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line in 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 paper 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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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] 11,062
Rev War INVALID

File No. 11,062
Joseph Meacham
Pri [Private] Rev War

Act: June 7th, 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 254

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side] July 18, 1905 History to Chas. M. Meacham Hopkinsville, Ky. 
1915. Dec. 3: History to Mrs. George J. Dinsmore. M. B. H. 
1922 Nov 24 History to Mrs. Zora Meacham A.W.F. 
1925 – Mch [March] - 13 - Hist. to Hon John C. Allen MMHF.
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I. 11,062 
Joseph Meacham 
Sept. 23, 1832 - Christian Co Ky. b. [born] Feby 25, 1761 Caroline Co. Va.

Dr. Chatham Co. NC 81 
Capt. Mash or Marsh 
Col Edward Douglas 
Regt horse [crossed out – Cavalry] 
6 m [months]
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Hopkinsville Kentuckian 
Chas. M. Meacham, Editor. 1751 

HOPKINSVILLE, KY July 8 1905

Com. Pensions,
Washington, D.C. 

Dear Sir:
Do the records of your office show that Jos. Meacham, of Christian Co. Ky, a private of Cavalry from N. C. was granted a pension of $25 in 1832 for services in the Revolutionary war? If so please give me the date of his death, if such appears on the record. 
Yours truly 
Chas M. Meacham.

[circular stamp] PENSION A JUL 10 1905 OFFICE U. S.

[stamp upside down] [stamp] REV WAR & NAVY JUL 11 1905
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[written sideways] Rev. Sec.

Roseville, Ill. Oct. 27, 1922. 
Dept of Interior, 
Washington, D.C. 

Dear Sirs: -
Will you please furnish me a statement of the military history of Joseph Meacham, a soldier of the Revolutionary War? He enlisted and served, I think in North Carolina. 
I shall indeed be very grateful to you. 
Thanking you in advance I beg to remain, 
Yours truly, 
Mrs. Zora Meacham
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[typed form] No 1 Rev Sec.

Lyons, Kansas, Nov. 23rd, 1915. 
Pension Office, War Dept., Washington, D. C. 
Gentlemen: - 
I am trying to trace my ancestery [ancestry] back to the Revolutionary War great and am very desirous to get the history of my great, great grandfather Joseph Meacham who was born in Caroline Co., Virginia, Feb. 21st, 1761 and died in Christian Co. Kentucky in Sept. 1838. He was 14 years old when the War broke out and served six months in 1781 in Col. Edwards’ Cavalry regiment as a private, enlisting in Chatham N. C. He was drawing a pension at the time of his death. Collins History of Kentucky and Perrins’ History of Christian Co. Ky. mention him in the list of Revolutionary soldiers. I think he served in Capt. Marsh's (or Marsh's Co). 
I wish you would please refer to the above named histories and look up his record and send same to me as I want to join the D. A. R. and it is necessary for me to know more concerning his service and just what he did, where he enlisted, the town and State, was he an officer even in the smallest capacity? just what duties did he perform and are my dates as to enlistment correct? had had he any brothers who also served and any information you can give me at all will be so thankfully received. No doubt you know how much red tape there is to this and I wish you would please give me just anything that would assist me in filling out my application blanks. I think I have my dates correct but you will undoubtedly be able to correct them for me from the records there, if I am incorrect. Anything you may do will be very thankfully received and thanking you in advance for any information you may be able to send to me, I am, 
Yours truly, 
Mrs. Anna Meacham Dinsmore 
(Mrs. George T. Dinsmore) 
Lyons, Kan 
P.S. I am not positive the dates as to birth and death that I have given are correct. Wish you would let me know.
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[Letterhead]

Congress of the United States 
House of Representatives 
Washington, D.C. 

March 10, 1925. 

Commissioner of Pensions, 
Pension Office, 
Washington, D. C. 

My dear Mr. Commissioner: 
Will you be good enough to send me a record of Joseph Meacham's services in the Revolutionary War? I am advised that he was granted a pension in 1832, and therefore I am assuming that his record is on file at the Pension Office. 

Very truly yours, 
[signed] John C Allen

[circular stamp] PENSION C MAR 13 1925 OFFICE U. S.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION   3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C.,          , 19  

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Joseph Meacham, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out - (or his widow’s)] application for pension on file in this Bureau. Sur.

[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain. Colonel. STATE.
1781 6 mos. Pvt. [Captain] Mash or Marsh [Colonel] Edward Douglas regt. Of Horse. N. C.

[crossed out – Battles] engaged in, skirmishes with the Tories.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Chatham Co. N. C.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 3, 1832. His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Christian Co., Ky.
Age at date of application, b. [born] Feb. 25, 1761 in Caroline Co. Va.

Remarks: there is no family data on file. For date of death and to whom last payment of pension was made you should ap. to the Auditor for the Interior Dept. U. S. Treasury Dept. citing all the following data “Joseph Meacham ct. 1751, issued Nov. 10, 1832, at 825 per annum from Mch. [March] 4, 1831, under Act June 7, 1832 Ky. Agency”

Respectfully,

Commissioner.