Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,940, Thomas P Williams, N.C.
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(3-1765)
SERVICE
N.C.
Williams, Thomas P

NUMBER
S.7.940
carded

CONTENTS
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23.316
North Carolina
Thomas T. Williams
of Richmond in the State of N. Car.
who was a Pri. & C [private & Corporal]  n the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] o f the Regt commanded
by Col: Crawford in the N. Car [North Carolina]
line for 9 months --

Inscribed on the Roll of N Carolina
at the rate of 32 Dollars 56 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Decr 33
and sent Hon:  Ed'd DeBerry - H R [Edmund Deberry House of Representatives]


Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1823 81.25
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 16.25
====
$97.50
====
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by [signed] Nath Rice Clerk
Book E Vol. 64 Page 79.
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North Carolina Richmond County }
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions on this day the 19th July 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before the respectful Justice the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions now sitting Thomas P.Williams a resident of the County & State aforesaid aged about seventy 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 the 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated --  viz -- that he entered the service in the year as a volunteer under Capt William Wal Thomas Crawford Col and served under him considerably over twelve months, but the precise length of time is not remembered during which service he was in sundry engagements with the Tories. that he served as a volunteer under Capt Gordon for three months in the State troops chief Chatham County. that he served as a volunteer three months under Capt Easterling chiefly in Chatham County. That he served as a volunteer three months under Capt Easterling chiefly in Richmond County. that he served pretty generally during the war at the least two years, but is unable to name all his Captains. that he could  prove by Lott Strickland this County. that said Strickland saw him frequently in service during the war and that the said Strickland would Swear to the best of his belief that said Williams served at least two years but that said Strickland having been quite recently thrown from his Horse he is so far disabled that he can not be produced in Court the applicant resided in this County at the time of entering the service and has continued to reside here ever since
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to further state that the reason why the militia this part of the Country was kept so constantly in service was that there unfortunately existed here an enemy within as ewill as without the whole of the surrounding County being infested by a Large Body of Tories who were continually committing Murder and various depredations on the Whigs and who became particularly hostile when the defeat of Genl Gates inspired their base and affected hearts with the hope of success to the armies of their good Master his Majesty King George the 3rd --
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State. he further states that he would prove by Capt Easterling a service of three months under said Easterling being a resident of another State it is inconvenient, to produce him in Court-
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid-
[signed] Thomas P. Williams
Test be[?] [signed] M. D. Crawford Clk

I Martin D Crawford a Clergyman residing near Rockingham, Richmond County hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas P. Williamswho asiged [assigned] the above declaration that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that I concur in that opinion --
[signed] M D Crawford
2nd August 1832 --
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North Carolina Richmond County
This the 4th day of December 1833, before F T Leak a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, came Thomas P. Williams, who, being duly sworn, makes the following statements in reference to the objections taken by the War Department to the twelve (12) months service alledged by him under Capt William Wall in the war of the Revolution. The objections of the Deposition seem to go to the fact and to the character of said service. With regard to the first objection the Declarant deposes, that he volunteered as private at the several times under Capt Hall The first time was for a period of three months, which he faithfully served. The next for the residue of the war as a minute man, by which engagement he bound himself to repair to the standard of his country whenever required so to do by his said Captain. Whilst under this latter engagement, which was entered into shortly after the expiration of the three months service, first stated, the declarant was frequently called out by his Captain; an continued on sometimes for a month, sometimes for a longer & some times for a shorter period. Some nine or twelve months (nine at least) after this latter volunteering as a minute man the declarant, with the consent of Capt Hall, attached himself to a troop of Horse under Captain Easterling, under whom he served three months, as stated in a former declaration. Although the declarant was not actually in the field during the whole of the nine months he served under Capt wall is a minute man, yet in
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he was bound to quit his home, at any time, for the requisition of his Captain, and as these requisitions are so frequent as to suspend all other business, he would therefore respectfully maintain that he is entitled to compensation for the whole nine months. If, however, the Department should think otherwise & should determine that compensation is due only for the time the Declarant was actually under arms, he hereby deposes, as he was thus in actual duty, in the course of those nine months, three months at the least.
The other objection of the Department is to the character of the service. By this objection the department is understood as doubting the authority of Capt Wall to have acted as Captain. At this distant day it surely cannot be expected, that the Declarant should be able, as proof of such authority, to exhibit to the department the Commission of Capt Wall, or to show directly that any Commission did in fact ever exist. The only evidence which it is in the power of the declarant to offer on that point is the fact, that Captain Wall did act as Captain & that he was then believed, and has ever since been reputed, to have been legally authorized to act as such. These are facts which the declarant could establish (could be conveniently see them) by at least a half dozen witnesses; but it is hoped & believed that the subjoined affidavit of Walter Leak Senr, who
resides in this nighborhood, will be satisfactory on that point.
In conclusion the declarant would remark that if the Depart ent should still doubt the propriety of embracing the Twelve months Service alledged under Capt Wall, or any part thereof in
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the computation of the length of his services, he hereby waives all claim for compensation for the whole or any part of said time (according to the decission of the Department) and this he does not because of any doubt of his own with regard either to the fact or the character of the service objected to, but partly because he is heartily tired of urging, as no doubt the Department is of examining, the claim; and chiefly because, being very old, infirm & poor he is very much in present need of the pittance, whatever it may be be, that may be allowed him for his other services [right] [signed] Thom's P. WiIliams
Test [signed] F. T. Leak J. P.

Walter Leak, a Revolutionary pensioner maketh oath that he was personally acquainted with William Wall as early as the Revolutionary war & from that time to the time of said Walls death -- That said Wall acted as Captain during part of said war & afterwards as Major & that he was then believed to be, & has ever since been reputed to have been a legally Constituted officer
[right[ [signed] Walter Leak
Test [signed] F. T. Leak

Since subscribing the above affidavit the Declarant has been able to procure the following affidavit of Edwin Ingram, to the same facts testified to by Walter Leak:
Edwin Ingram a Revolutionary soldier maketh
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oath that he was personally acquainted with William Wall as early as the Revolutionary war, & from that time to the time of his death; that said wall acted as captain during part of said war & afterwards as major; and that he was then believe to be & has ever since been reputed to have been a legally appointed officer.
Test [signed] F. T. Peak J. P.
[right] [signed] Edwin Ingram

North Carolina Richmond County } December the 12th 1833
Calvin C. Covington, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid, Certify that F. T. Leak, whose signature appears to the three preceding affidavits is an acting Justice of the Peace for the County afore said; and that said signature is genuine I further certify that Walter Leak & Edwin Ingram, who have testified above are men of respectath standing & that their statements are entitled to the fullest confidence In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand & seal at
my office in Rockingham
[signed] C.C. Covington OCC
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From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.7940, it appears that Thomas P. Williams, while residing in Richmond County, North Carolina, served at different times in Captains Edward Williams' and William Wall's Companies in Colonel Thomas Crawford's North Carolina Regiment; he was in several engagements with the Tories, one on Drowning Creek and one near Deep River, served in all about one year.
After which he served three months in Captain Will Easterling's North Carolina Company and three months in Captain Gordon's North Carolina Company. There are no specific dates of any of the services given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 19, 1832, at which time he was aged seventy years and resided in Richmond County, North Carolina.
Soldier's brother, his name not given, is referred to as having been a Colonel in the War of the Revolution and a nephew, Thomas H. Williams, of Mississippi, as an United States Senator.
There are no further data as to family,

[illegible initials upper left corner]
amr [?]

[right margin on edge]
Letter addressed to Hon Chas. A Jones for Mrs J A Forsberg [sp]
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3670
Declaration of
Thomas J P Williams
For Pension
July Term 1832
Richmond Co -- Court
A Copy
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North Carolina Richmond County }
William Thomas came into Court and made oath that he was well acquainted with Thomas P. Williams during the war that saw him frequently in the service and believes he was fully generally in serve during the last for years of the war,
Test. [signed] D. Crawford Clk
[right] [signed] William Thomas

North Carolina Richmond County } 
Walter Leak came into Court and made oath that he saw Thomas P. Williams in service he believes him to be about the age he represents that he is reputed and believed tohave been a revolutionary soldier & that he concurs in that opinion --
[right] [signed] Walter Leak
Test [signed] M. P. Crawford Clk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the Court further Certify that Martin Crawford who has assigned one of the preceding Certificates is a Clergyman that they are well acquainted with William Thomas and Walter Lea who signed the other Certificate that they all reside in this County. that they are men of the most respectable character and that their statements are entitled to the fullest confidence. the court also testify that they are acquainted with Capt Easterling & and Lat [?] Strickland refered to in the foregoing declaration that they are men of respectable character and have heard those Gentleman make the declaration of oath which the applicant declares they would make if they could be processed in Court --
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North Carolina Richmond County }
Personally appeared before F. T. Leak a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, Thomas Williams, who, being duly sworn, deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & the Consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period mentioned below & in the following grades, viz: for three months (3) he served under Capt Edward Williams (Thomas Crawford Col.) as a private, chiefly in Richmond County; for twelve (12) months, he served under Capt William Wall (Thos Crawford Col) as a private, in Anson Montgomery, Richmond & Cumberland Counties, but chiefly in Richmond; for three months (3) he served under Capt. William Easterling (Thos Crawford Col), as a private chiefly in Richmond; for three (3) months he served under Capt Gordon as a private chiefly in Richmond --: & for and service he claims a pension.
The Deponent further states, that in consequence of the very impaired state of his memory, he has in his original declaration, erroneously represented his service as commencing under Capt Wall, whereas he is now satisfied that it began, as represented above, under Capt Williams. He would further explain, that in consequence of his alluding to the fact of Capt. Gordon's residence
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in Chatham County, he was misapprehended by the gentleman who drew up his original declaration as alledging that his service was rendered in that County, whereas it was rendered, as represented above, in Richmond County
[signed] F. T. Leak JP

North Carolina, Richmond County
I, Elias Sinclair, deputy Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that F. T. Leak, whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit, is a Justice of the Peace, & that the signature is in the hand writing of the said F. T. Leak -- and that full faith & credit are due to his official acts.
I further certify that I am well acquainted with the deponent Thomas P. Williams & that his statement may be relied on
In testimony whereof I have affixed my hand & seal this the [?] July 1833
[signed] Elias Sinclair Deputy
for M D Crawford clk

[illegible Court Seal attached lower left]
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[postal stamp]
CITY OF WASHINGTON
NOV 9
[/postal stamp]

J L Edwards

FREE

Comr of Pensions
F. T. Leak Esqr
Rockingham
No. Car

[on edge]
21

750 
187 2

12 9/16
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Thomas P. Williams
3670 --
N.C.

Admisa private
Infy 6 mo 20.
Ca?. 3 mo 12.50
-----------
32.50

Suspended. Suchos[?]
S-183310.[?]
F. T. Leak Esqr
Rockingham
NC

Hon E DeBerry
H R [House of Representatives]
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[printed form][not filled out]

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,

183

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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of ________________________
Duration of theclaimant's service.
Rank of claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officersunder whom he served.
Age at present,and place of abode when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
I am, respectfully,

Your obedient servant,
J. 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, mucicians 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 sealof 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
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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?
6. 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 the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they arerequested 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 theopinion 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 _____ years _____months, and _____ days, Iserved 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.[/underlined] Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served 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 and civil pursuit. [/underlined]
[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 containsthe 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.
[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.
👉 The notes from [a] [i] to 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

[hand written] [# next to the section of [e] that is underlined]
# The applicant must specify his servis [sic] as required and state the nature of his

[right margin on edge]
The militia did not serve continually for period of 12 months ---
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Mr. J. L. Edwards
Pension office
Washington

Honn E Deberry
HR [House of Representatives]
Page 20

H of R Dev 23. 1833 [House of Representatives]
Sir
Inclosed I send you a letter from W. F. Leak Esqr of Rockingham N.C. in relation to the application of Edwin Ingram for a Pension with some remarks of my own on the last page of his letter This letter is directed to me but I have thought proper to submit it to you
I also enclose the papers of Thomas P. Williams an applicant for a Pension with a letter from Francis T. Leak a highly respectable man on the subject I am and have been almost from infancy well acquainted with this applicant Thomas P Williams and know him to be entitled to full credit as to the facts contained in his Declaration He is generally reputed to have been a true whig and an active Soldier in the Revolutionary service From a long course of distress and affliction it is believed his mind has been somewhat impaired but sufficiently strong to retain principal facts
Please inform me of the results of these applications 
Respectfully
[signed] Edmund Deberg
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North Carolina Richmond County
Personally appeared before F. T. Leak, Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, Thomas P. Williams who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that the twelve months service under Captain Whall stated in his amended declaration, & to which The Department has taken exception did not consist of one continuous period of service, but of several. From the lapse of time & consequent laps of memory he cannot state certainly the number & length of those several periods - but he feels himself justified in saying that it was made up of several different terms, amounting together to ten months at least
As to the nature of his service it consisted in defending his country from the Tories. He was at the Capturing of several parties of Tories one on Drowning creek in this County and
another Deep River in Randolph County.  He assisted two or three times in carrying the prisoners, so take,n to Salisbury,  in this state. He further states that during the whole time of the various periods of services alledged, he was not employed in any civil pursuit
Sworn to & subscribed before me at 
Rockingham the 29th Oct 1833
[right] [signed] Thom's P. Williams
[signed] F. T. Leak
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North Carolina Richmond County
I, Calvin C. Covington, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify, that F. T. Leak, whose name appears to the forgoing affidavit, is a Justice of the Peace, & that the signature is in the hand writing of the said F. T. Leak -- and that full faith & credit are due to his official acts
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal, at Rockingham the 31st October 1833
[signed] Calvin C Covington CCC
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Rev War

7940
✔ INVALID.

File No. 7940
Thomas P. Williams
Pri Rev War 

Act: June 7 1832 
Index: -- Vol. [?], Page 410 ┃
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[left page on edge]
1929-Oct.-28.
Hist. to Hon. Chas. A Jonas
For Mrs J. A. Fore
see letter in Thomas Williams
S. 14843 revy[?]
Page 24

Department of War
Pension Office
November 8 1833.
Sir:
The explanations offered in the Case of Thomas P. Williams have been Considered, but are deemed insufficient. If the applicant knows that he served the twelve months alleged by him, he must certanly be able to, state the names and duration of the several tours which constituted it. If he be not able thus to specify his Service, how does he arrive at the conclusion that he served the time stated. 
I will here observe however, that the service itself in some what of a doubtful character. It was he says "defending his Country from the Tories". If by this he intends to be undertood admissible. -- that it was merely a voluntary engaging in the partizan warfare then carried on by the Whigs and Tories, the claim will not be admissible. --
The claim is therefore Suspended and the papers placed upon the files in this Office.
I am respectfully
Your Obt Servant
[signed] J L Edwards

[sigmed] J. T. Leak Esqr.
Rockingham N. Car
Page 25

Department of War
Pension Office
September 21st 1833.

Sir:
The declaration of Thomas P. Williams has been examined and is again returned, that he may state more particularly the number of his tour of duty -- the nature of the service &c
The certificate of Lah Stricklin was sent to him in time directed Rockingham.
If it does not come to hand, he must made affidavit of the fact and forward it this Office and a new one will be issued.
I am respectfully
yr. Obt Servant
[signed] J L Edwards

[signed] F.T. Peak Esqr.
Rockingham
N.C.
Page 26

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Comr of Pensions
Page 27

Rockingham N.C. 12th Decr 1833

Dr Sir
Accompanying this is an affidavit of Thomas P. Williams, forming another attempt on the part of the old gentleman to obtain a pension for his Revolutionary services. If a pension can be allowed him without too great a departing from the established rules of the Department for the consignation of such applications, I think from my knowledge of the reputation borne by the old gentleman in regard to his services that it should be done. That he served in the war, there can be, I presume no doubt. I have frequently heard one of his Captains (Capt Easterling who now resides in South Carolina) declare ( & once before me on oath ) that Mr. W. served three months under him -- and besides, if I recollect correctly, several old gentleman, in the original or amended declarations of Mr. W. satisfactorily established the fact of some length of service  But owing to the extreme infirmity and dotage of Mr. W. it is impossible to get from him a sensible account of his services so as, satisfactorily, to ascertain this service length.
Mr Williams is of a respectable family
Page 28

His brother Col. Williams is said to have been a very active & efficient officer in the war of the Revolution. He has also had a nephew in the Senate of the United States, the Hon. Thomas H. Williams of Mississippi. But at this time the old gentleman is altogether dependent and nearly helpless & unfortunately for him, has no near relative who is able to render him much assistance.
I shall enclose his letter together with the accompanying affidavit to the Hon. E. Deberry, the Representative from this district who is, I presume, acquainted with Mr Williams & to whom you are referred for confirmation of my statements with regard to the present imbecility of the old gentleman's mind, and the consequent difficulty of presenting his claim for a pension as strongly supported as, under other circumstances, they might be
Respectfully &c
[signed] F. T. Leak