Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3404, Richard Gordon, N.C. Ga.
Page 1

Service NC GA
Gordon, Richard

Number S.3404

Carded.

Contents
Page 2

26625
West Tennessee
Richard Gordon of Jackson Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the com commanded by Captain [John] Beverly of the Regt commanded by Col Hearn [Benjamin Herndon] in the N. Carolina line for 10 months and 10 days
N. C. and Ga. Line Records corrected Mar 3 '04
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 34 Dollars 44 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of April 1834 and Hon John B Forester Ho Rp
Arrears to the 4th of March                     103.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept.           17.22 =  $120.54
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Danl Boyds, Clerk
Book C             Vol. 7          Page 80
Page 3

29.806
Richd Gordon
Pension Declaration
Jackson County, Ten

ref to Ms Edwards

Basic
A [illegible] for 7 months as a [illeg] LI

send to B. Peyton Ho Rep
Page 4

[illegible, faded]
Page 5

State of Tennessee Jackson County    
On this 13th day of February 1834 personally appeared before the worshipful Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions in open court Richard Gordon a resident of Jackson County State of Tennessee aged sixty eight years in April 1834, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on 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 as a volunteer and served as herein stated under the following named officers.
That he volunteered in the service of the states the 16th of August 1781 in Wilkes County North Carolina in an expedition against the Indians for three months under Capt. John Beverly & Col [Benjamin Herndon] Hearn & marched to Pleasant Garden near the head of Kataba [Catawba] River when he joined Gen McDowels [General Charles McDowell] army was principally engaged in the Cherokee Nation what was called the middle settlements, scouring the country destroying Indian houses, towns, crops, etc. There were two companies that met in this expedition making near four hundred men that marched from Wilkes Court House to Pleasant Garden, one commanded by Capt. [William] Sloan, the other by Capt. Beverly the latter to which I belonged at the expiration of two months now discharged by Col Herndon
 & went home as we could without receiving any written discharge, was in actual service as a private soldier on this tour just two months
So soon as applicant returned home from the above mentioned town his father moved to Wilkes County in the State of Georgia. on the 1st of May 1782 he again volunteered as a private soldier at Knox station in said County for forty days under Capt. Knox who had a station on his farm and was chiefly in fact wholly engaged in scouting and ranging the surrounding county to drive off the Indians. This was a station when the Government allowed Knox a few men and guards against the Indians, when his time was diminished and went home without receiving any written discharge, served out his forty days which was considered one month and ten days, an Indian expedition.
In August of the same year (to wit) 1782 applicant to Franklin County on Tugulu [Tugaloo] River, and in September was employed by Major Jesse Walton as a spy who applicant understood was authorized to employ such men in service, there built a Fort called Waltons Fort. At this Fort we remained or were stationed & sent out by Major Walton on spying expeditions for seven
Page 6

months in every direction through the country as directed by Major
Walton, generally sent out in certain bounderies & performed a tour
every week, his tours were allways performed with a son of Majr Walton
who was assigned with applicant & sent together throughout; this was
against the Creek Indians, was retained longer than seven months,
was held in actual service on this tour nine months - during the whole of the above mentioned service applicant was in actual service of the revolutionary war twelve months & ten days -
   After the year 1783 applicant was again in the United States service, which he will here set forth for which service he claims & leaves it with the
Department to say whether he is entitled to a pension for it-- to wit
When he was discharged from his service as a spy under Walton
he remained at the station two years or longer, & in Decr 1785 he enlisted
at that place under Capt Wm Martin for two years who was destined for
Bledsoes Lick in Cumberland now in Sumner County Tennessee, was
ordered on by Martin from Waltons Station to the frontier of Virginia, Powels Vally [Powells Valley] where he remained until August 1786 when
Martin came on, applicant was then married, & substituted a man
in his place, in this expedition was in service eleven months making
in addition to his previous service one year, eleven months & ten days
Applicant would further state that from Powells Valley he moved to what is now Kentucky, & in Sept 1791 was drafted for three mos. in Madison County at Milford under Capt Wm Cavinor & was marched to Cincinnati Ohio under Col Oldham in Genl St. Clairs army, then on to the point or battle where St Clair was defeated in Nov. 1791. his Col., Oldham, & Genl Butler were both killed in this battle, applicant belonged to Oldhams Regiment, as he went on to the place of the battle built or fort called Fort Jefferson. After we were defeated the soldiers came off pretty much in confusion, applicant with others travelled twenty nine miles to Fort Jefferson the day of the battle through the snow barefoot having loaned his shoes to his companion & friend Wm. Carlisle to stand guard, applicant was shot through the arm in this battle. When we got to Cincinnati were mustered out of service, got no written discharge except something like a certificate to the paymaster, in this expedition was in service
two months & 20 days his whole service was as follows the tours previous to 1782- twelve months & ten days-- on the frontier of Va
Page 7

eleven months, and in St Clairs expedition two months & 20 days, making in all three years which is for the department how long he is entitled to a pension  Has no documentary evidence to show
his services as a soldier of the revolution nor can he procure any, & no living witness by whom he can prove it  William Carlisle can
prove his services in St Clairs army
Although applicant does not claim it, he would state that he served a tour in the late Creek war under Genl Jackson as a volunteer

Answers to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department
1st.  Was born on the 17th April 1766 in Henry County Virginia.
2nd.  Have no record of my age, my father had one but cannot tell what became of it.
3rd.  when first called into service lived in Wilkes County N.C. then in Wilkes Cty Geo. then in Franklin Cty Geo Then Powells Valley Va, then to Madison County, Ky, then in the State of Va. from then moved to Cumberland Co Ky then to Jackson Cty Ten: where I now live & have for the last 23 years.
4th.  I volunteered as a private in all my service except in St. Clairs army in that expedition was drafted.
5th.  I know nothing of the officers of the regular army, know Capt Butler
Col Butler, Genl Butler, Maj Hamtramack & Genl St. Clair & others as
stated in the above declaration, the general circumstances as above
6th.  I never received a written discharge for any of my service
7th.  am acquainted with many persons in my neighbourhood who will
give me credit for veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier
of the revolution - the Revd Phillip Neck and Robert Jennings
will certify it
He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity
except the present, & he declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of my
agency in any state except the present
Iron to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid}  William Gailbreath Clerk
Richard Gordon
The Phillip Thulk a clergyman residing in the county of Jackson & state of Tennessee  and Robert Jennings in the same county and state hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Gordon who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty eight
Page 8

years old next April; that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Philip Mulkey
Robert Jennings
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
William Gailbreath clerk
of Jackson County Court
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 Phillip Mulkey who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Jackson & state of Tennessee and that Robert Jennings who has also signed the same is a resident in the same county & state and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit
Wm Woodfolk JP
C D Welcher JP
Wm R Kernus JP
I William Gailbreath clerk of the court of the county of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Jackson County Tennessee do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Richard Gordon for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this day of February 1852
William Gailbreath clerk
Page 9

State of Tennessee Jackson County 
On this 10th of Febry 1834 formally appeared in open court before the worshipful court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said county William Carlisle & states that he is well acquainted with Richard Gordon, & has been for the last forty years, he enlisted in the same company with Gordon or rather drafted, & was in his mess in St. Clairs expedition, they were drafted together in September 1791 on a three months tour in Madison County Ky at a place then called Milford, under Capt Wm Cavinor & was marched on to Cincinnati under Col Aldham in St. Clairs army was in the battle with Gordon & after the battle & defeat of the army retreated in confusion to Cincinnati when we were discharged & went home, was in the whole of this tour a messmate with said Gordon & with him when he was wounded in the arm - he has no personal knowledge of Gordons services in the revolutionary war but never heard it disputed by any man, & from information he is certainly satisfied of his services
William  Carlisle his X mark 
Subscribed & sworn to the day & year aforesaid William Gailbreath Ck
And the said court hereby certify that Wm Carlisle is a credible person & made the foregoing statement in open court & that his statement is entitled to credit
Wm Woodfolk JP
C D Welcher JP
WK Kernus JP
I William Gailbreath clerk of the court of Please & Quarter Sessions for Jackson county Tennessee hereby certify that the forgoing in the original affidavit of William Carlisle as subscribed in open court
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 10th day of Feby 1832
William Gailbreath clerk of Jackson county
Page 10

29.806
Richard Gordon
Tennesee

F 1781 for 10m
& 10 days
$34.44/100


Hon. J. B. Forrester HR
Page 11

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done.  These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ).  You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, shewing the Service of Richard Gordon

Period when the service was rendered / Duration of the claimant's service Years / Months / Days 
Rank of the claimant 
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served 
Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service 
Proof by which the declaration is supported
1781  2mo Private Cap Beverly Col Hearn [Herndon] age 68  Traditionary
1782 1mo 10 day Priv Cap Knox 
1782 Maj [Jesse] Walton
The applicant states that he performed a tour of duty every week.  The time in actual service during each tour is required.  He is in an error in his statement of his being in service in this way for 9 months. In the winter season the Indians retired from the frontier thereby rendering it unnecessary during that season to sent after them. Not more than six months can be allowed including his first services. 
I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 12

[preprinted instructions]   2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of } ss.
On this _____ day of _____ _____ personally appeared (a) before _____ 
A.B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District
of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and
served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers: ______
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I ______ of the Court of _____
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ____
day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: _____
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ______
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal 
_____ of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission;
but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 13

[preprinted instructions]    3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.  
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1.  Where and in what year were you born?
2.  Have you any record your age, and if so, where is it?
3.  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4.  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
5.  State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.  {To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?  {To an Officer.}  Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.  The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party  And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.  
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, 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.  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."
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 is 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.

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.

Proof of Service.
[j] 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. 
[i] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops,  The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 14

3404
Rev War
INVALID

File No. 3404
Richard Gordon
Priv N. C. line

Act: June 1732

Index:- Vol. A, Page 145

[Arrangement of 1870.]

NC and GA Line. Records corrected Mar 3 64 a
Page 15

1920 Nov 5 Photos mailed to John B Gordon & Lisa Mair ntfd ADY whose add is 18 18 Orchard St Braddock FL to Alexandria, VA
Page 16

RECORDS
CHANGE TO BE MADE.

Company, Regiment, &c., should be invariably specified.

CORRECT
State, Tenn
SF No. 3404
Class, Invalid
Name, Richard Gordon
Service, NC & Ga

INCORRECT
N. C.

FM Glenthwaite
Mch 2, 1904,
Page 17

Bureau of Pensions
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
October 29, 1930
541
Rev. War pension claim of Richard Gordon S3404 Actual 2 of each page
John B. Gordon
1251 National Press Bldg.
Washington, D. C.
$1.20    4 pages
Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 inches at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number.
The word "omit" is written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Chief of Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
Page 18

October 29, 1930
Cash $1.20
[Stamped FINANCE DIVISION
BOOK-KEEPER'S DESK
NOV 1 1930
BUREAU Of PENSIONS]

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Please furnish me uncertified photostatic copies as follows:  two copies of four pages from Revolutionary War pension claim of Richard Gordon, S. 3404.
Very truly yours,

Remitter
John B Gordon
1251 Nat C Press Bldg.
Wash D.C.

Received payment
$1.20
October 29, 1930
M C Stokes
Rev & 1812 Wars Section
Page 19

Sol ded Feb 13 1834
Philip Mulkey's & Robt Jennings 3 pages affid & court records 1 page
list to John B Gordon