Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39027, for Joshua Pruitt, North Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
Pruitt, Joshua
NUMBER
S. 39027
CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

aw
Notification sent 20th June 1821, Jas. Wardlaw, Esq. Abbeville So. Ca.

S. 14:290
S. Carolina

Joshua Pruitt
of Abbeville Dist. in the state of S. Carolina 
who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Polk & Clark of hte North Carolina line, for the term of three years

Incribed on the Roll of South Carolina
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 8th of June 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th of Sept. 1819 and sen tto Waddy Thompson Esq.
Abbeville C.H. S. Carolina

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1819  119.20
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1820  48.00 =
$167.20
14 mo 27 days
{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}
R Continued.
Page 3

Private    Free

Honorable John J. C. Calhoun
Secretary at War
City of Washington

Adm'd

Wm. Hill

J. L Edwards
of the Pension
Office
I.C.C.
Page 4

The State of South Carolina

By the Honorable Waddy Thompson one of the Judges of the Court of Equity for the state aforesaid.

Before me, personally appeared Joshua Pruitt who being duly sworn declares under affirmation that he is a citizen of the United States resident in the District of Abbeville - State aforesaid that he served as a private soldier in ithe army of the United States under the Continental Establishment for three years during the war of the Revolution: That he  enlisted under Capt. John Nelson, of the fourth regiment North Carolina Line commanded by Colonel Thomas Polk in the beginning of the year 1776, & was induced in 1777 to Lieutenant Captain Slade's company  in the first regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Clarke of the North Carolina Line; that he served until the spring of 1779 when he was honorably discharged by Col. Clarke at West Point: that his discharge was taken from him by Col. Fanning a Tory officer near the close of the war & that from his reduced circumstances he asked the assistance of his country for support.
[Signature]
Joshua Pruitt X his mark
In Testimony that above mentioned Joshua Pruitt did swear to & subscribe the foregoing affidavit before me, I have hereunto set my hand & caused the seal of the Court of Equity to be hereunto affixed this 8th day of June 1818.
[Signature]
W. Thompson
[Seal]



John McComb
Commissioner
Page 5

By the Honorable Waddy Thompson one of the Judges of the Court of Equity for the  State of South Carolina.
Before me personally appeared Hugh Houston who being duly sworn deposed that he was a fellow soldier of Joshua Pruitt's during the war of the Revolution: that the said Pruitt belonged to Nelon's company in the fourth regiment North Carolina Line when this deponent was enlsited in 1776, that they served together for near - three years were together induced to the first regiment under Col. Clarke & that the said Pruitt always discharged the duties of a soldier faithfully until he was discharged at the expiration of the term for which he enlisted in 1779 at West Point
[Signature]
Hugh Houston [stylized h] his mark
In Testimony that Hugh Houston has sworn to & subscribed the above affidavit I have hereunto set my hand & cause the seal of the Court of Equity to be affixed  this 8th day of June 1818.
[Signature]
W. Thompson
[Seal] 

John McComb
Commissioner

State of South Carolina}
Abbeville District}
James A. Black being duly sworn deposed that he is well acquainted with the within mentioned Joshua Pruitt, & know his circumstances to be so reduced as to render the assistance of his country necessary for his support sworn to this 20 July 1819
[Signatures]
James A. Black
Before Dano Johnson
Page 6

I do hereby certify to the Honorable John C. Calhoun Secretary at war that I am satisfied that the within named Joshua Pruitt served in the Army of the United Staes during the Revolutionary War & is entitled to the benefit of the Act of Congress in  such case made and provided.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this day & date above written.
[Signature]
W. Thompson
[Seal]

I David Johnson one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the State of South Carolina do hereby certify that I am by find from the Deposition of James A Black that Joshua Pruitt from his reduced circumstance requires the assistance of his country pension.
Given under my hand & the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of the said State at Abbeville the 20th day of July 1819.
[Signature]
David Johnson
Page 7

State  of No. Carolina Secretary's office 10th day of 1819. I William Hill Secretary of State in & for the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears from the Musterroll of the Continental Line of this State in the Revolutionary War, that Joshua Pruitt a private in Capt. Nelson's Company of the 4th Reg't. was mustered on the 1st June 1776 for three years and that he was discharged on the 1st June 1779. Given under my hand the date above
[Signature]
Wm. Hill


Mr. Edwards
of the Pension
office I.C.C.

Private                   Free
Hon. J.C. Calhoun
Secretary at War
City of Washington




adm'd
Page 8

State of South Carolina} SS.
Abbeville District} On this thirty first day of March 1821 personally appeared in open Court in the Court of Common Pleas being a Court of Record for the District aforesaid Joshua Pruitt aged about sixty seven years, & a resident in the said District who being first duly  sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows namely in the 4th regiment of the North Carolina troops & in the company commanded by Capt. John Nelson & likewise that he has received a pension commencing on the 8th day of June 1818, the number of the pension certificate being 14590 & having date 8 June 1818.
And I do hereby swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not and that's by gift sale or in any manner dispersed of any property or any part thereof with intent thereby to deceive or as to bring myself within the provisions of the act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or sercurity contract or debt due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.

Schedule

1 small log house    $10.00
land & [illegible[ other articles of household furniture  $20.00
3 Hogs   $3.00 =
$33.00
Page 9

The declarant further states that he is a farmer and that bodily weakness infirmity produced by old age incapacitate him from the performance of any labor and from making exertions which are necessary to gain a livelihood; and that he has a wife to support about 52 years of age who is wholly incapable of doing any thing for improving their condition.
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this 22nd March 1821.
[Signatures]
Joshua Pruitt X his mark
Test
Jas. Wardlaw Clk.
______

March 22nd 1821. I do hereby certify that nothing has appeared to induce me to doubt the truthfulness of the schedule furnished in this case and further the value of the property to be as no more than thirty three dollars.
[Signature]
Daniel E. Hagor

I James Wardlaw Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and general Sessjions for Abbeville District in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing oath & the schedule annexed thereto are an truly copied from the record of the said Court: and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property established in the aforesaid schedule is thirty three dollars.
In testimony whereof I have herein set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court this fifth day of April 1821 -
[Signature]
Jas. Wardlaw Clk.
[Seal]
Page 10

Rev. and 1812 War Section.   awf
ow

December 5, 1925.

E. R. May
1224 Hamilton Nat. Bank Bldg.
Chattanooga, Tenn.

Sir:

I have to advise you from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 39037, it appears that Joshua Pruitt enlisted June 1, 1776 and served as a private in Captain John Nelson's Company, Colonel Thomas Polk's North Carolina Regiment until in 1778, when he was placed in Captain Slade's Company, Colonel Thomas Clarke's North Carolina
Regiment, and was discharged June 1, 1779.
He was allowed pension on his application executed June 8, 1818, while a resident of Abbeville District, South Carolina, aged sixty - four years. In 1821, he referred to his wife, aged fifty-two years, her name is not stated. There is no further data on file as to family.
Owing to a lack of clerical force available
Page 11

Rev. and 1812 War Section.

December 5, 1925.

E. R. May
1224 Hamilton Nat. Bank Bldg.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Page 12

Re

for the purpose, only two reports are furnished
each inquirer.
This Bureau has no record of services rendered
in the Army of the Confederate States.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 13

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.

January 18, 1924.
[
Van F. Pruitt,
300 Madison Ave.
New York, N. Y.

Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in pension claim S. 39027 it appears that Joshua Pruitt enlisted early in 1776 as a private in Captain John Nelson's Company, Colonel
Thomas Polk's North Carolina Regiment, and in 1778 in Captain Slade's Company, Colonel Thomas Clarke's North Carolina Regiment, and was discharged in the spring of 1779. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed June 8, 1818, while living in Abbeville District, South Carolina, aged 64 years.
In 1821 he referred to his wife, aged 52 years, her name is not stated. There is no other data as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

[note - enlisted June 1, '76]
[note - disc. June 1 -79]
Page 14

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
SF. 39027

3-525
________

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C. , .............................................19.....

In reply to your request of , received for a statement of the military history of  Joshua Pruitt a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[Headings]

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.

June 1, 1776 | 3 years | Prvt. | Capt. John Nelson; Col. Thomas Polk; Capt. Slade; Col. Thomas Clark | N.C.

Battles, engaged in, [blank]

Residence of soldier at enlistment, none stated

Date of application for pension, June 8 1818 His cl. was al.

Residence at date of application, Abbeville  Dist. S. C. 

Age at date of application, 64 years

Remarks: In 1821 he referred to his wife then 51 years old, there is no other data as to his family.

Respectfully,

Commissioner.

5--2856
Page 15

Federal Automobile Insurance Assoctation
THE FEDERAL UNDERWRITERS, INC. ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
1709 NORTH MERIDIAN STREET
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
_____
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
J. R. DUNLAP
DR. R. C. McALEXANDER
BEN I. PERRY
G. E. HARSH
A. A. CHARLES
DR. A. M. KIRKPATRICK
A. A. SCHELL
GEORGE L. HARRINGTON
J. V. HILGER

OFFICE OF
L. F. WILKERSON
DIVISION MANAGER
HAMILTON NATIONAL BANK BUILDING
CHATTANCOGA, TENN.

November 19 1925

Pension Department.
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen: -

Can you give me the record as filed in your Department by Joshua Pruett-William Pruett- living in Anderson District, South Carolina who were Revolutionary Soldiers and drew a Pension-
Also Samuel Mays who was a Revolutionary Soldier and drew a pension, he was the father of Thomas Sumter Mays a State Senator of S. C. You will also find that John and Pens Pruitt
were Revolutionary Soldiers according to the Georgia Roster.
Have you a record of Joseph H. May-Lieut-Colonel sixteenth Ala. Inf. Regiment- C. S. A.
Will appreciate the above information as I would like very much to have their records to file with my own of the late World War as they are my ancestors.
Yours very truly,
[Signature]
E R May
1224 Haml. Natl. Bank Bldg.

[stamp - U.S. PENSION OFFICE NOV. 21 1925]
Page 16

VAN F. PRUITT
ARCHITECT
300 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK

December 8th, 1923.

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Sirs;-

I have the following information regarding the service of Joshua Pruitt and would like to have it verified by the Bureau of Pensions:
Joshua Pruitt served in the American Revolution three years beginning June 1776 and discharged June 1779.
[Headings]
Rank/Captain/Colonel/State

Private/ John Nelson/Thomas Polk/N. C.
Lieut./ Slade/Thomas Clarke/N. C.

Date of application for pension -- June 8, 1818. This claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application -- Abbeville District, S. C.
The name Joshua Pruitt appears on some of the War Department records as far as I can learn, as Joshua Prewitt and also Prewet.
I wish to have the above information verified by you since it is required by the Sons of the Revolution for membership.

Yours very truly,
Van F. Pruitt
[Signature]
Page 17

39027
INVALID.
Rev'y
____________
File No. 3902
Joshua Pruitt
Pri. Rev, War
________
Act: 18" March 1818
Index:-Vol. 3, Page 402
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1917 - Mch. 23 Hist. to Carrie Pearman Letter in S. 32027 Harbert Tucker
1924. Jan 18 - Hist. to Van F. Pruitt - UM
1925 - Dec. 5 Hist to E. R. May awf
Page 18

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
W. 24848

3-525
_______
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C. , 

In reply to your request of , received for a statement of the military history of  Moses  Darling a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[Headings]

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.

Apr. 1775 | 8 mos | Prt. | Capt. Isaac Baldwin Col. John Stark | N.H.

Mch. 1776 | 4 mos.| [blank] | Capt. Timothy Clement | Col. David Gilman | [blank]

Immediately after Mch. 13 1777 | Sgt. | Capt. Timothy Clement | Col. Pierce Long | [blank]

Mch. 13. 1777| Aug. 9. 1777 | Sgt. Major | Capt. Timothy Clement | Col. Pierce Long | [blank]

1778 | 2 mos. | in General Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island

Battles, engaged in, Bunker Hill, Saratoga

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hampshead N .H.

Date of application for pension, Apar. 13 1818 His cl was allowed

Residence at date of application, Wheelock Caledonia Co. Vermont

Age at date of application,  62 yrs old. Died Mch 3 1822 in Jericho Vt.

Remarks: He married July 25 1780 in Hampshead  N. H. Judith French. She was b. in Oct. 1761  has al. penion on app. ex. Aug. 22.
1837 while a resident of Wheelock Vt. In 1820 children Ruth 17 yrs. Joseph 16 yrs & Moses 12 yrs. were referred to - Son David Born Sept. 1786. Soldier resided at Hopkinton N. H. from 1786 to 1799. a grand son is referred to but no name is stated.


Respectfully,

Commissioner.

5--2856
Page 19

June 9. 1915 to W. H. Taylor
Hardwick Vt

W. File No. 24, 848, Rev. War, Moses Darling volunteered in New Hampshire and served as follows:
April 1775, as Private under Captains Isaac Baldwin and John Hall, Colonel Jogn Stark; was in the battle of Bunker Hill; eight months.
March 1776, as private under Captain Timothy Clements Colonel David Gilman; four months.
August 1776, Sergeant Major, Captain Timothy Clements and Colonel Pierce Longl one year.
He also volunteered in Sullivan's expedition to
Rhode Island.
In 1818, he was sixty-two years of age and a resident of Wheelock, Vermont. He died March 3, 1822.
Page 20

S. Darling

[stamp- U.S. PENSION OFFICE L AUG 2 1918]
Page 21

[stamp - U.S.P.B. DEC 21 1804 [illegible] NAVY FILES.]
Page 22

W

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir,
My Grandmother Judith Darling drew a pension as wife of my Grandfather Moses Darling who was a Revolutionary Soldier and fought at Bunker Hill. I am of the impression that Grandfather was from Hampstead N. H. but he died before I was born and I am the last of my fathers family with no records at hand. I know Grandmother Judith Darling died in Wheelock Caledonia Co., Vt. about
Page 23

 [stamp- U.S. PENSION OFFICE A DEC 19 1904]
Page 24

the year 1843. Grandmother lived with her son David's widow Mary Darling at the time of her death. Now my dear Sir, from the imperfect sketch I have given can you furnish the record of Grandfather as a Revolutionary soldier, his military record.
If so I shall be very glad indeed to be put-in possession of the facts and greatly obliged to you.
Respectfully yours
Emily M. Darling
164 Mason St. Milwaukee
Ws. 12.17.1904.

[stamp - U.S. PENSION OFFICE A DEC 19 1904.]
Page 25

Jan'y 4 1905 Hist. to Emily M. Darling, Milwaukee, Wisc.
_________________________
1915 June 9. brief history W. H. Taylor: letter in S. 40962
Edward Magron ¢
1918 Aug. 8 Hist. to S. Darling

Rev'y WIDOW, &c.
__________
File No. 24848
Judith Darling
wid. of Moses Darling
Sergt. Rev. War 
__________
Act. Mrch 3rd 1843.

Index:-Vol. A, Page 173
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

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.
Page 27

Abbeville     Free
11th Apl

To the Hon'e. Secretary of War
Washington City
Dis. of Col.

Mail.


Com. J. L. E.

379
Rec'd 23 Apl. 1821

Joshua Pruitt
14.590