Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,150, Robert Craswell, S.C.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE S. C
Craswell, Robert
or Creswell
NUMBER S. 21,156

CONTENTS
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29, 640
West Tennessee
Robert Creswell of Wilson Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a Private in the company command by Captain Love of the Regt. commanded by Col. Neal in the S. Carolina line for 13 months

Inscribed on the Roll of W. Tennessee at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Jan 1835 and sent to Hon. John Bell, Speaker H.R.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 34 151.66
Semi anl. allowance ending March '35. 21.66
$173.33

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E. Vol. 7 Page 85
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832
State of Tennessee
Wilson County

On this 3d day of May A.D. 1834 personally appeared before James C. Mitchell Judge of the 11 Judicial Circuit of the Court of Law and Equity in for the State of Tennessee, presiding for the County of Wilson aforesaid Robert Craswell a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged seventy six 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 provisions made by 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 volunteered a private soldier in the County of York in the State of South Carolina the precise day and month he cannot now recollect but to the best of his recollection it was in the fall of the year 1776 the infantry Company commanded by Captain Andrew Love & Lieut. William Barry the other subaltern officers he cannot now recollect, for the time of three months, he was mustered into service at the house of Major Frances Ross in said County of York and attached to the Regiment under the command of Colonel Thomas Neal, they were marched to Philip's Fort in the State of Georgia on Little River, they were in no battles, and were dismissed by Col Neal & Capt Love at Savannah river on the South Carolina side of the river some time in the spring of 1777 the precise day & month he cannot recollect after having been in actual service for three months. And again he volunteered a private in the County of York Co some time in the Summer of 1778 the precise day month he cannot recollect in the company commanded by the said Andrew Love & Lieut William Berry and Dempsey Winborn Ensign for three months, he was mustered into service at Saddler's Creek in the County of York and again attached to the
regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Neal and Maj Frances Ross and were marched to Bacon's Bridge on Ashly River, thence to Stono River, and back to the County of York, they were in no battles, but were drawn into readiness for battles on two occasion, at Stono, and Major Ross was killed in the state that of Georgia by the Indians, and twice routed the British Guards they were dismissed by Col Neal & Capt Love at Stono in some time in the fall of the year of 1778 after having been in actual service for four months
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And again he volunteered a private in the County of York in the State of So Ca on the 1st day of June 1780 and was placed under the command of Captain Robert Thompson, John Cunningham was the Lieutenant afterwards the Captain of the said Company they were mustered into service in the County of York on Clems branch and again placed in the regiment commanded by Colo Andrew Neal of the Main Army was under the General Command of Genl Thomas Sumpter and were marched as the State Guards to every part of the State, he was for several months employed in assisting in furnishing the Main Army with provisions as the guard for Joseph  Boggs who furnished the Army & C. They were in a slight scrimmage with the British & Tories at  at Wateree Creek Where Col Phillips & his brother & some twenty of the Tories were taken prisoner they were stationed for some three months or more at the Congaree at head Quarters at Brown's old field, they were in sight of the British army on the Congaree for some time and prevented then crossing into the interior of the Country, he was in the actual service for eighteen months and honourably discharged by General Sumpter Capt Thomas Henderson, our Capt having resigned previously died some time before peace was declared on Broad River in So Ca. 

In all he states he was a private soldier of the revolutionary volunteer soldier for twenty five
months, besides several other important services he rendered in fighting and routing the Tories. He remained a citizen in the County of York until the 24 Decr 1877 & reached the County of Sumner in the State of Tennessee in March 1848 where he resided one year & then moved to the County of Nelson where he has resided ever since. can prove by his Brother Henry Craswell who has petitioned and is drawing a pension that the facts and things set forth in this Declaration is true as they were together the most of the time, there is no other person by whom he can prove his services in the Revolutionary War. He has no documentary evidence of his services having long lost his old papers .

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 or the agency of any State in the United States, [signed] Robert X Braswell his mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day year Afsd
Wm L Martin Clerk of the
Circuit Court of Wilson County
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Interrogatories
1 Where and in what year were you born. 
Ansr in the County of Lancaster in the State of South Carolina 4th day of September 1757 or 8
2. Have you any record of your age, 
Ans. I have not it was destroyed by fire, the house of his father was burned by the Tories, he states from the memory of his parents
3 where was you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live. 
Ans. I was called into service in the County of York Co. have lived since in the State of Tennessee
and and now living in the County of Wilson in the State of Tennessee
4 How were you called into service, 
Ans. I volunteered a private
5 State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served, such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect of the general circumstances of your services. 
Ans. I recollect General Linkhorn, and Col. Henderson, and was under their Command time one of the scrimmages he has mentioned, he recollect the regiment commanded by Col Neal, Col. Henderson and Count Pulas. He refers to his declaration hereto set forth for the particulars of his services.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service 
Ans We received no written discharge as he now recollects they were generally dismissed by the commanded officers. If he ever had a discharge he has lost or misplaced it. I never received a commission
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood who can testify for your character for veracity and the belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. Ans. I am well acquainted with the Revd Mr Maddox, Tompkins & Estes, and to Robert Campbell and many others
[signed] Robert X Craswell his mark

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this 3rd day of May 1834
L Martin Clerk of the Circuit Court of Wilson County

State of Tennessee
Wilson County 
This day personally appeared in open Court Henry Craswell and made oath that he is the Brother of Robert Craswell whose name is assigned to the foregoing declaration
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that the facts and things set forth in the said declaration he has heard and knows of his own knowledge that they are true, some of them he believes to be true, that he knows that he was in the actual service of Country as a soldier in the Revolutionary War for two years and more as
was the most of the time in the Army with him
[signed] Henry Craswell

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 3rd day of May 1834
Wm Martin Clerk of Wilson Circuit Court 

State of Tennessee S.S.
Wilson County
We Micajah Estes a Clergyman residing in the County of Wilson and State of Tennessee and Robert Campbell residing in the County and State afsd hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert Craswell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that he believe him to be about seventy six years of age, that he is reputed to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that he concur in that opinion
[signed] Micajah Estes Clergyman
Robert Campbell

Sworn to and subscribed in open court the 3d day of May AD 1834
Wm Martin Clerk of the Circuit Court of Wilson County.

State of Tennessee
Wilson County  S.S.
And the said James C Mitchell Judge &c do hereby Certify and declare his opinion to be after whatever investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War
Department that the above named applicant Robert Craswell was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the Court further declares and certifies, that Henry Creswell who has assigned and sworn to the above certificate of the service of Robert Creswell is a man of good moral character, and his evidence is entitled to full faith and credit on his oath in a Court of Justice, that it is also true that Micajah Estes who has subscribed and sworn to the above
Certificate is a clergyman resident of the County of Wilson & State of Tennessee & that Robert Campbell is resident also of the County and State afsd and are creditable persons and that then statements are entitled to full faith & credit
J. G. Mitchell
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17309
Robert Creswell
Tennessee
from 1779 pr 13 mo
$43.33/100
can only allowed as above until a new notification is given

Hon John Bell
H R
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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. Those 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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
-
A Statement shewing the service of Robert Craswell
Period when the service was rendered
1777
1778
1780

Duration of the claimant's services
Years Months Days
3 months
4 months
18 months

Rank of the claimant
Pri
Pri
Pri

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Cap Love
Col Neal
Do. Do
do do

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service
76
S. C

Proof by which the declaration is supported
Traditionary & witness
should prove his served as required in note J

I am respectfully
Your obedient servant
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 District of County of 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 pension 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 enered 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. [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 day 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 --- 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
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 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 of 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 rules laid down for his guidance [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county were 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 clamant 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 worn, deposes 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 persons mentioned below, and in the following grades: For --- years ---- months, and -----days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ----- for ----- months ----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 miliia, &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 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 in 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 once, 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 claimants 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 credibly of the witnesses and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. the notes [a] to [i] are 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 indispensible 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
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J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pension
Washington City
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Lebanon Tennessee 
Nov 10th AD 1834

Mr J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions-

Dr Sir
Enclosed I send you the amended Declaration of Robert Craswell for a Pension - there could
have been but one objection to his original Declaration as it seems to me that is not stating forth with more certain to his particular services-- this objection is obviated in the Amendment. I consider Robert Craswell, a strong case he has proved his services almost entirely by two credible witnesses beside circumstantial evidence-- there can be no doubt but that his application Will Increase. See a reference to Cols. Bell & Polk, you will learn that I would not prepare a declaration for any applicant unless I believed that his claim was a meritorious one. The applicant as well as his witnesses that reside in Wilson Cty are known to me. Bell - John Patton one of the Witnesses 
resides in Bedford the District of Colo. Polk and is known to him.- Make his certificate payable at Nashville.
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The Amended Declaration of Robert Craswell in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of
Congress of the 7th June 1832
State of Tennessee
Wilson County
On this 27th day of October 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the honourable James C Mitchell one of the Judges for the State of Tennessee Presiding for the County of Wilson, Robert Craswell age 77 years according to family tradition having no record of his age who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by 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 volunteered as a soldier in the Militia raised in York district South Carolina as well as he can recollect from old age and the consequent loss of memory the fall of the year 1788, in the company commanded by Captain Andrew Love and Lieutenant William Barry. his corps rendezvoused at the house of Major Ross and was there placed under the command of Colonel Neal  and Lieunt Col. Watson who commanded the militia raised in that
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district (or the County of York) they marched to Phillips, short in the State of Georgia where
they there stationed for the defence of the Frontiers against the invasion of the British and Indians-- he remained in this service until discharged having served three months

He again entered a private in the County of York South Carolina sometime in the summer of 1779 in the company commanded by the said Andrew Love and Lieutenant William Berry, 
Dempsey Winborne Ensign - they rendezvoused at Saddlers Creek in the County of York
and was placed under the command of Col. Thomas Neal and Major Frances Ross this corps marched to Bacons Bridge on Ashly river where Gen Lincoln was stationed he was there placed under the command of Gen Lincoln while there. Declarant was often engaged in covering the
retreat of Count Pulaski who made frequent sallies with his mounted men on the British Army 
that was entrenched at Stono in order if possible to draw them out, while the other forces were
drawn up and line of battle ready to receive the British guards were twice driven back on that activation, it was there that Declarant first Saw Major Davie then of South Afterwards Genl
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District of North Carolina he volunteered for three months and was lived a in service a month longer making in this tour of duty four months of actual service when he was discharged. Declarant again volunteered in the year 1780 in the County of York under the command of Capt Robert Thompson John Cunningham Lieutenant at that time the State of South Carolina was filled with British and Tories. Declarant did not volunteer for any particular length of time but agreed to continue in service so long as his services might be demanded his corps marched to a place called Clems Branch on the Catawba River where gave Gen. Sumpter was stationed and were placed under his command while there declarant was detached with a party to procure provisions for the army and was engaged in this service for about a month under Capt Boggs when they had  procured the provisions Gen Sumpter moved across the opposite or Eastern side of the river intending to winter there. the company to which declarant belonged was then placed under the command of Colo Hawthorn about that time they were informed that Col Phillips a noted Tory was marching on to join a part of the British Army that was lying at Whites Mills York County-- the intercepted them had a battle took Colo Phillips his brother and twenty other prisoners. Killed
and wounded several. Declarant and his corps was then stationed on the Congaree River at a place
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Called Browns old field to prevent the British from passing into the interior of the County or the Tories from joining them-- the British had two forts 18 or 20 miles apart finding that all
communication was cut off as well, as that they were deprived of provisions they surrendered - declarant was engaged in this particular service for three months, during this time Col Neal was killed at Rocky mount in which battle declarant was unable to be as he at that time was confined by sickness. About this time Captain Thompson resigned and declarant was put under the command
of Capt Henderson, on the death of Col Neal his brother Andrew was Elected Col in his place he was afterwards killed at a place called the Long Bluff on the Santee River where he was under the command of Genl Sumpter attacked a British Fort, during this service Declarant was engaged for three months in guarding the taken prisoners and confined in the Orangeburg Jail together with said Spies that had been taken among the Tories. He remembers Major More was tried by
Court Martial condemned and hung. In this last tour of duty declarant was engaged in continual 
service for eighteen months during which time he traversed almost every part of the State Declarant was then discharged having in all served twenty five months, during which service he suffered very greatly from constant exposure and fatigue
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and has as yet never received one cent from the bounty of his country - Declarant moved to the State of Tennessee in the year 1817 he moved to the County of Wilson in said State in 1819 where he has resided and still resides ever since, verify original declaration, Declarant has heretofore made application for a Pension but his papers got misdirected which delayed him for more than twelve months. Declarant knows of no witness by whom he can prove his services in any part except Henry Caswell and John Patton whose certificates are both attached to his original declaration these witnesses are known to the Honorable John Bell and the Honorable James K Polk as men entitled to full credit of his claim would be strengthened there be he being
all his neighbours who wouldd testify that he has been always reputed to have been a soldier
of the Revolution - he has no documentary evidence.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Role of the Agency of any State in the United States
[signed] Robert X Craswell his mark

Sworn to in open court 27th Oct. 1834
Wm Martin Clerk of Wilson Circuit Court

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
This day personally appeared in open Court Henry Craswell
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aged 75 years and made oath that he has been acquainted with Robert Craswell who has subscribed the foregoing declaration all his life he has heard the declaration read and believes the facts set forth to be true he knows that he was a soldier of the Revolution affiant was in service with him twelve months and knows that he performed other services when he was not
with him - he knows that the Declarant was absent from home more than two years in constant service in the Revolutionary War
[signed] Henry Creswell

Sworn to to and subscribed in open Court this 27th day of October 1834
Wm Martin Clerk

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
Michael Pitner aged 59 years a citizen of Wilson County personally appeared in open Court and made oath that he has been acquainted with the applicant Robert Craswell for a number of years he has often heard said Craswell Speak of his Revolutionary service
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he is reputed and believed in he neighborhood to be a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion
[signed] Michael X Petner his mark

Sworn to in open Court this 27th day of October 1834
Wm Martin Clk 

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 Henry Criswell and Michael Pitner who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the County of Wilson and that their statements are entitled to credit.
JC Mitchell
Judge presiding in the case
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State of Tennessee
Wilson County 
I, William L Martin Clerk of the circuit Court of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Robert Craswell for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 27th day of October AD 1834
Wm Martin Clerk
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State of Tennessee
Bedford County
This day personally appeared before me K L Anderson an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Bedford aforesaid John Patton aged 78 yrs and made oath in due form of law, that Robert Craswell was a soldier of the Revolution, and entered the service in the State of South Carolina in York County in the year 1776 and served several campaigns under Capt Love and 
under Capt Henderson & Thompson, and was in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Neal & Andrew Neal, & Major Ross & the General command of Genl Sumpter. that he was several times honorably discharged and finally left the Army in 1782. that Mr Craswell was in  actual service two whole years. Affiant was in the Army several tours with him and is well acquainted with his services he has heard the declaration read as Signed & sworn to by sd Robert Craswell the believes it to be substantially correct
[signed] John Patton

Sworn to & subscribed before me this 18th day of July in the year 1834
K L  Anderson
Justice of the peace in & for the County of Bedford

State of Tennessee
Bedford County S.S.

I, K L Anderson-- one of the acting Justices of the peace in & for the County of Bedford do hereby certify that John Patton who has signed & sworn to the foregoing affidavit is a man of good moral character and a man of undoubted credibility and that his statement is entitled to full faith & credit as such. Given under my hand and seal this 18th day of July in the year 1834
K L  Anderson 
Justice of the peace in & for the County of Bedford
Page 22

State of Tennessee
Bedford County
I James McKissick Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Bedford County do hereby certify that T L Anderson Esquire who has signed officially the foregoing Certificate of affidavit is and was an acting Justice of the the County of Bedford aforesaid duly commissioned & qualified
that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his [illegible] as such

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Office in the town of Shelbyville on the 18th day of July in the year 1834 and of the Independence of the U.S. A. the 59th
J. McKissick clk
Page 23

Declaration of Robert Creswell in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Tennessee
Wilson County  S.S.
On this 28 day of September in the year 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Worshipful James M. Martin David E Hibbetts and Benjamin H Billings Presiding Justices of the peace of the Court of Pleas and Quarter for Wilson County now sitting, Robert Creswell a resident of the County of the Wilson and State of Tennessee aged about seventy three 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 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, that he volunteered as a private Soldier in the cavalry Company in York District in the State of South Carolina on -- day of Nov 1775 under the command of Captain Love and Lieutenant William Barry and was attached to the regiment commanded by Colonel Thos Neal
and marched to the State of Georgia to a place called Philip Fort on Little River was in no battles that tour was dismissed by the Officer at Coney River some time in the month of Feby 1776 was in actual service upwards of three months that tour that he was drafted a private soldier in York District some time in the month of March 1776 and placed under the command of Captain Andrew Love, & Lieut William Barry & Daniel Winborn, and attached to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Neal and Samuel Watson, and joined the army under the command of Generals Linkhorn and Count Pulaski pursued the British as far as the Stono river and was in several light engagements with Indians & Tories, was dismissed, by his Officers at Stono River some time in the month of June 1776, that he volunteered a private soldier in York Dist July 1780 under Captain Thompson, and attached to the Reg commanded by Colonel Andrew Neal and William Hill and attached to the army commanded by General Sumpter and marched through the principal part of the State of S.C. He thinks they were her out of the
State at the battles & scrimmages of Rocky Mountain where Col Neal was killed. The 3d Regt was then commanded by Colonels Wm Hill and Hough, Hanging rocks, Turkey creek, that during the winter that the Army lay in the Indians land in So he was with Joseph Boggs the Contractor in furnishing the army with provisions, he was one of the Spies that ascended the Congaree to Fort Annon and Congaree, was in both there engagements, was with Genl Wade Hampton at the engagement near Charleston, which was some time in the Fall of the year 1781 as well as he recollects, that he was then dismissed from service after upwards fifteen months constant service
by the officers of his Regt that he was afterwards some time in the spring of 1781 drafted a private in York Dist and placed under the command of Captain Henderson & commanded by Col. Hill & Hough at Orangeburg
Page 24

and stationed there to guard the states prison and prisoners, that he remained there about three months and was sent home and a few weeks he volunteered a private soldier under Captain Love & was joined to the Army commanded by General Sumpter on the Congaree River, Broad River  and other part of the State was in no battles but was in service about ten months and was finally discharged by Genl Sumpter at Broad river some time in June 1782. that he was more than two whole years in actual service. He has no documentary evidence of his services, but can prove by his brother Henry Creswell that these statements are substantially correct being several tours with him in the same company & regiment that he was most constantly a soldier during the revolution in capturing the Tories & C. He hereby relinquishes every claim what ever 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
[signed] Robert X Creswell his mark

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the day and year above mentioned.
Test Josiah S. McClain Clerk of the County Court of Nelson County

On this 28th day of Sept 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Worshipful B.H. Billings, D. Hibbitt & M. Martin Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Wilson County now sitting Henry Creswell and made oath in due form of Law that the declarations above signed and sworn to by Robert Carswell are true many of them to his own knowledge having been in actual service with the said Robert Creswell in the Revolutionary War for more than two whole years in that part of the remaining statements he believes to be true as  subscribed and sworn to by the said Robert Caswell
[signed] Henry Creswell

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day of year aforesaid
Test Josiah McClain Clerk
of the County Court of Wilson County

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
We Elijah Maddox Clergyman residing the County of Wilson of State of Tennessee and Robert Campbell residing in the County  and State aforesaid hereby certify that are well acquainted with Robert Creswell who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be about Seventy two or three years of age that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed in open
[signed] Elijah Maddox Clergyman
Robert Campbell

Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court the 28th day of Septr 1832
Josiah L. McClain Clerk
of the County Court of Wilson County
Page 25

And the said Benjamin H Billings, James M. Martin & David C Hibbitts presiding Justices the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Wilson County now sitting, do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Elijah Maddox who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the County of Wilson and State of Tennessee and that Robert Campbell who has also signed the same are resident in the County of Wilson and State of Tennessee and are creditable persons and that their statements are entitled to full credit. Given under our hands & seals this -- day of Sept 1832
[signed] J. M. Martin J.P.
D.C. Hibbitts J. P.
Benjamin H Billing J.P.
in and for the County of Wilson aforesaid

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
I Josiah S. McClain Clerk and Master of of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Wilson County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Robert Creswell for a pension, and that  James M. Martin, Benjamin T Billings, & David Hibbitts Esqr whose names are officially affixed to the
foregoing certificate are and were at the time there specified acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Wilson aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all their official acts as such

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal and affixed the seal of my Office at Office in the town of Lebanon this 29th day of September in the year 1832 and of the 
Independence of the United States the 57th year
Test Josiah McClain
Clerk of the County Court of Wilson County

Amended affidavit
State of Tennessee
Wilson County.  Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 1835
And the said J. M. Martin David C Hibbits & Burchett Douglass the presiding Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Wilson County B.H Billings Esq having since the filing the affidavits afsd hereby certify that from proof being had to the entire satisfaction the said Court, that Henry Creswell who has assigned & sworn the affidavit hereto annexed proving the actual service of the  said Robert Creswell to have served as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution for more than two whole years is a man of good moral
Page 26

character and entitled to full credit upon his oath and the said Court certify that he the said Henry Creswell is about the age seventy four years & entitled to credit in a court of Record Given under hand and seals this 25th day June in the year 1833.
Burchet Douglas J. Peace
J M Martin J.P
D C Hibbits J. Peace
in & for the County of Wilson of afs & C

State of Tennesee
Wilson County.
I Josiah S. McClain Clerk of the County Court of Wilson County do hereby certify that the
foregoing affidavit assigned by B. Douglass D C Hibbitts & M Martin Esq the presiding Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Session at the court house in the town of Lebanon & that they are acting Justices of the Peace duly qualified & that full faith credit in all the official acts as such & that the forgoing is the proceeding had in the above case for the amended affidavits

In testimony whereof I have set my hand & affixed the seal of office at office in the town of Lebanon on the 28th day of June 1883 & the 57th year of American Independence
J. S. McClain

[upside down]
Robert Creswell
Pension Papers
4309
Page 27

21150
Revolution
INVALID.
File No. 21150
Robert Creswell
Pre Rev War.
Act: June 7" 32"
Index:- Vol. 2 Page 85
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 28

Hon John Bell

Hon Jno Bell
HR
Page 29

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
I William L Martin Clerk of the Circuit Court of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Robert
Creswell for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 2nd day of May 1834
WL  Martin Clerk
Page 30

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES  Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41  BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD

NAME Cratty, Andrew  GRADE Private   LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9107  ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 9, 1789 to - not shown- 
Notation : on file, not delivered

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.