Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5201, Elijah Alexander, N.C.
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(8-1776)
SERVICE | [blank] | NUMBER
N.C. | Alexander, Elijah | W.5.201
[blank] | [Alexander,] Sarah | [blank]
~~~
CONTENTS
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7575
West Tennessee
~~~
Elijah Alexander of Maury Co in the State of W Tenn who was a private in the company command by Captain Alexander of the [?] command by Col Polk in the N.C. line for 6 months

~~~
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
~~~
Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of May 1833 and sent to [?] Porter Columbia
~~~
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833, 40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 10.00
[summation line]
$50.00
~~~
[bracket] Revolutionary Claim,
Act June7, 1832. [/bracket]

Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 75
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Declaration is order to obtain the benefit of act of Congress [illegible] June 7th 1832.
State of Tennessee 
Maury County
Court of pleas & quarter so [illegible]
September Ten 1832
On this 11th day of September personally appeared
in open court before Robert Wortham, James
Henry and John Vincent Justices of the Court
of pleas and quarters of lives in [illegible] of
said County

[illegible] sitting Elijah Alexander a resident
of Maury County Tennessee aged Seventy Five
years who being first duly sworn according to
law doth on his oath make the following [illegible]
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th, 1832. 

(as written by himself)
that I was been in North Carolina 
 Mecklenburg County in the year 1760. I have a [illegible] of my age in my father's bible that I have transcribed into my own bible that I lived in the [illegible] county [illegible] state
until 1817 when I moved to this Tennessee
I was [illegible]Maury County where I was [illegible]
In [illegible] 1780 there was brought in  Charlotte Mecklenburg North Carolina a quantity of public
order and put into magazine which had to
be guarded. C. H. [illegible] after we made a
[illegible] of the nearest compound [illegible] to finish the quota of men to guard the
Magazine with a promise it should
stand for a tour of duty. my [illegible]
consent & volunteered  was put under Thomas
[illegible] Captain (after then)and serves thence month shortly after my Father William
Alexander Blacksmith sent  me to Maryland from [illegible]
about the last of January 1781 About the first of February 1781 Lord Cornwallis in pursuit of [illegible]
nor taken at Ferguson's defeat crossed the [illegible}
River at[illegible] any paid there general
Davidson was killed, there was call for


Pensioner: Sarah Alexander
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nen, again volunteered as we rendezvoused at
a place called the big [illegible] in Cabarrus
in N.  Carolina under William [illegible] [illegible]
after Col J. May. James Harris and Captain Brown ┃
field marched past Harris's Mill in the [illegible] River, Tanner's Mill on Coddle circled and Cartersville Mill near South Yadkin the creek I do 
not recollect the name of [illegible] the Yadkin
I do not recollect. The small fort appeared
in camp of which Moses Alexander a brother of
the Governor of North Carolina did those who
had not had the [illegible] were sent home
to be [illegible]-- one of whom I was after I had
served about one month. After the Battle of
Guilford March 15th 1781. Gen Green returned to
South Carolina to [illegible] the British in check
and [illegible] State if possible there was another call for men to assist Gen Green. I volunteered
again and rendezvoused in Charlotte North Carolina
under Col [illegible] Polk and Captain
Jack March 1781 - marched from Charlotte
along lawyer's
Road so called. to Mathew Steward
in Goose Creek on the Rocky River Road from thence south
forward [illegible] to the flat Rock- [illegible] to hear
of Genl Green- Eat beef butchered on the Rock Farm
take thence we marched towards the
south expecting in meet Green's [illegible] Coming
on a road on our left, but we [illegible] that
Gen Green was gone on towards Camden we
followed but too late for the engagement that
took place one mile North of Camden between Green 
Randon which took place on the 25 and 26 
April 1781, in this engagement Green's
Militia gave way to the regulars were forced to retreat
had lest the enemy should get in their [illegible]
but the regulars brought off a number of
prisoners we met them retreating turned with them to [illegilbe] Mill
 15 miles north of Camden at
which place, we stayed a week or more, Five of  prisoners
 were proved to be deserters as or all hung as one gallows
I say it done
that in the company to which I believed
the militia were left near the conjunction


Pensioner: Sarah Alexander
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of two roads for the double purpose of preventing
wagons or men from going too near or into
Camden for it not being known [illegible] Green's [illegible] in the [illegible]
 County that Green left that vicinity and supplies
were requested so Green left a party of man to
direct and  protect if any should  come-
We had also to guard Tories brought in by [illegible]men, some of thee Tories were whipped so soon as court marshall was held
 others were sent to
jail or head quarter. When Gen Green
vicinity of Ridgeleys Mill he crossed the
Wateree above Camden- Randon left Camden
on the 9 or 10 of May, 1781. We were discharged verbally. I applied as I recollect
not to have gotten a written one. I was 
three months at the Magazine in 1780
near four weeks march [illegible] until the
appearance of
the small pox as before stated &
part of March the whole of April & May
1781 will make six months at least- I was
in no
Battle-- My Beloved county

must I take the will for the Deed
have one written testimony of my service-
I know of no one by whom I can prove
my service in
this country it is possible I could
find some one of I could get back to
N. Carolina- I recollect to have seen Col
Washington of the horse  in the south
He hereby relinquish every claim whatever to
apension or
annuity except the present and
declare that his name
is
not on the pension roll
of one agency of any State Elijah Alexander.
I [illegible] toand subscribed this day
Thomas J. Porter, clerk

We Hugh Shaun a clergy man residing in Maury 
County Tennessee and Hugh King and James
Shields of the same County hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Elijah
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Alexander who has subscribed and sworn to
the above declaration, that we believe him
to be seventy two years of age that he is reputed
and believed in the might of God where he resides
to have been a soldier of the Revolution
and that we concur in that of opinion
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year afore [illegible]
Hugh Shaw
John Shields
Hugh King
Thomas J. Porter, Clerk
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
certify that it appears to them that Hugh Shaw
who has signed the preceding certificate
is a clergy man resident in Maury County
Tennessee and Hugh King  and James Shields
are resident the same county
and are
credible persons, and that their statement
is entitled to credit
Robert Wortham J P 
Jamess Henry J P
John Vincent J P

I Thomas J. Porter Clerk of the Court of
pleas & quarter sessions of the County
Maury Tennessee, do hereby certify that
foregoing contains
 the original proceedings 
 of the said Court in the
matter of the application of Elijah
Alexander for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand seal of office this 11th day of
September 1832
Thomas J. Porter Clerk



Pensioner: Sarah Alexander
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14,282
Elijah Alexander

from 1780 private
6 month
$20
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14,282
BRIEF in the case of Elijah Alexander of Maury Co in the State of Tenn
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? [written: "a Court"]

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? [written: "72"]

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[chart titles: Period. | Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]
1780 March | 3 months | Private | Capt. Alexander Col. Polk
about 1 Feby 1781 | about 1 month | " | Capt Brownfield Maj Polk
after battle of Guilford March 1781  | 3 years - 2 & [?] | " | Capt Jas. Jack - Col Polk
In the last term he served a part of March & the whole of Apl & May 1781.-

5. In what battles was he engaged? [written: "none"]

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? [written " Mecklenburgh Cty N.C."]

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? [written: "tradition"]

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [written: "Right"]

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signature of Wm. C. Easton]
Examining Clerk.
19 Feb 1833
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[Left side of page notation]
1855 Febry 19 to Hon. G W Jones H[?]
[1855 Febry] 22 Irvin Pulaski
Tenn to Jackson Miss for [?] Sept. 1852
notn. to Hon. G. W. Jones

[Right side of page]
[strike] Tennessee, Pulaski [/strike] Mississippi
~~~
Sarah Alexander widow of Elijah Alexander NC who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
~~~
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the [strike] 4th day of March, 1848.[/strike] 11th day of Novr 1850 [?]
Certificate of Pension issued the first day of March 185[?] and sent to 
Hon J. H. Thomas
House of Reps
~~~
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 180 Vol. A
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I certify that I have known the applicant herself for twenty years went to school to him. He was then and continued until his death the
husband of the applicant, they have a draft 
[illegible] thus not
is not less than fifty five years old &
The witnesses James & Susannah Osborne are very credible people, so is the applicant Sarah
Alexander 

 
James H Thomas
[illegible]
James H. Thomas
H. of Reps






Pensioner: Sarah Alexander
Dates
The creator compiled or maintained the parent series, Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, between ca. 1800–ca. 1912.
Access: Unrestricted
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State of Tennessee
Giles County

On this 21th day of November AD 1850, before me B. F. Richey a Justice of the Peace in aforesaid County, duly qualified by law to administer oaths, Sarah Alexander, aged 88 years, who having been duly sworn deposes & says in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the Act of Congress [papers?] 2 Febry 1848, granting pensions to certain widows of Revolutionary soldiers.
That she is the widow of Elijah Alexander, late of Giles County State of Tennessee, who was a private in the Revolutionary War, and who was a Pensioner of the United States on the Roll of Revolutionary Pensioners and who died on the 11th day of November AD 1850, in said County & State.
She was united by marriage to the said Elijah Alexander at the house of her grandfather Alexander, in the County of Mecklenburg in the State of North Carolina on the [blank] day of June AD 1783 the rites of marriage having been celebrated by one Giles who is now dead and who was Justice of the Peace of said County. Her marriage was celebrated in the presence of one Ruth Clark now aged about 86 years the sister of her late husband, who is a pensioner and now resides in the State of Iowa, and is the only person now living who was present at said marriage, so far this affiant now remembers. She has no family or [?] record of her said marriage, and if any is in existence she is not aware of it. Mrs. Clark is very feeble and [?] and she could not without difficulty & much trouble procure her evidence. She lived with her husband near 66 years and their cohabitation as man & wife & their reputation as married people is well known to many persons.
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who have known the oath more than fifty years thus
asks that their evidence may be taken, in connection with
such evidence of character & standing as she may be
able herewith to transmit. This Declarant has been
nearly fifteen years confined to her room & bed &
is wholly made to appear in Court to make this
declaration. She refers to the Hon James &
Thomas, M. C. from this district for evidence of
the reputation of her husband's marriage with her. She
believes her husband was his youthful preceptor.
she is still a widow, not having
remarried [illegible] her late husbands death
Sarah Alexander X her mark

State of Tennessee
Giles County
mark
On this 21st day of November 1852
before me B.F. Richey a
Justice of the Peace in
for said County, John Osborn, and Susan Osborn, the first
aged 58
years, the Second aged 58
years, both
citizen of said County, who are well known to me, who
are person of undoubted veracity, who have been duly
[illegible] [illegible] say that they have known Sarah Alexander
above named Declarant & her late husband since the year
1798. that they then lived together as man & wife in the
County of Mecklenburg State of North Carolina, and were known
reputed amongst their neighbors to be lawfully married as
man & wife: that they were members of the  Presbyterian
Church, & in full fellowship & good standing as such
and it was never alleged or reported to for as



Pensioner: Sarah Alexander
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affiants know that they were not lawfully married
Affiant Susan Osborn is the daughter of said Declarant
her deceased husband, & they have lived near her and a part of
the last years in her house, for near thirty years in
and near Cornesville in the County of Giles & Marshall
Maury Counties, and have during all that time been known
[illegible] amongst a large [illegible] of friends & neighbors
as man & wife
affiants believe from the tradition of the family that
they were married as stated by declarant, and know
that they lived together as man & wife continually
ever since the year 1798.
They state that said Elijah Alexander departed this
life on the 11th day of November 1850, in the
home in said County of Giles State of Tennessee that the declarant Sarah deceased widow is still a
widow. these affiants are not interested
in this application further than the natural %
proper feelings which they have for this kind
woman.
James Osburn
Susanna Osburn
with to subscribed in my presence on the day
and date above written
B F Richey

State of Tennessee
Giles County
I Edward D Jones Clerk of the County Court
of said County hereby certify that Benjamin F. Richey
esquire, before whom the within affidavits were
made, and whose signatures are affixed to the
certificate of the same was when he signed
certificate an acting Justice of the Peace of said County of Giles, duly commissioned and qualified


Pensioner: Sarah Alexander
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and that full credit should be given to all his official acts.
in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at
the Clerks office in the Town of Pulaski
this 22nd day of November A.D. 1850
D. Jones Clerk

I went to school to Elijah Alexander
late husband of petitioner & learned my letters
with him more than thirty years here
he was then & ever since the reputed
husband of petitioner he & his wife
have ever been persons 
of high character.
James H.  Thomas
H. of Reps

James H.  Thomas
I certify that I have know the applicant's
husband for thirty years went to school to him
he was then & until his death the husband
of the applicant-- they have a daughter that
is not less than fifty five years old
The witness James & Susannah Osborne are very
credible people, so is the applicant, Sarah
Alexander
Jas H Thomas


Pensioner: Sarah Alexander
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Pension Office
February 19. 1855

Sir,

In reply to the letter of W. P. Cabaniss Esq. to yourself (which is enclosed) suggesting that Mrs. Sarah Alexander a pensioner now on the roll of Pulaski James (under Act 29 July 1848) has removed to Panola, Mississippi, and requesting her transfer to the most convenient Agency, I have to inform you that Jackson, Miss. is the place of payment for all
Mississippi pensioners.  It appears from the map that Panola is as near to Pulaski as to Jackson. I have therefore delayed any transfer until you shall determine whether Pulaski may not be as convenient as Jackson.  If upon consideration, you shall prefer Jackson as the place of payment, the transfer will be directed upon your request.  If Pulaski is preferred she may remain upon that roll without further action.

Yours Respectfully
Hon G W Jones
House of Reps
for Comm
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Pension Office
February 22, '53

Mr. Jones had sent a letter of Mr. Cabanen requesting this transfer for Mrs.  Alexander with his own (James) endorsement & approval of the request. It was promised upon his reply to the within letter, which he now returns with his request for transfer. [ILLEGIBLE] Book shows payment at Pulaski to be September 1854.

R McKee Clk
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Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5201

Sarah Alexander
Wed
Elijah Alexander
Brit Rev War
Act: July 29, 1848
Index: Vol. A, Page 8
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Sarah Alexander, [crossed out Thomas], Wid
of Elijah
Turn
Act 29 July 1/41
Ad $20  per
ann pnn rr nv 
1850, when her husband died
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14,282
Elijah Alexander
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elijah Alexander which require further proof of explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? [handwritten] Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [handwritten] Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [handwritten line]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [handwritten line]
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes
XIV. [handwritten cross] If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? No
If he has produced direct proof as to services, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? [handwritten line]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? [handwritten line]
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [handwritten line]
XVI. [handwritten cross] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not answered? Yes

Explanatory Notes.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ______ year ___________ months, and _________ days, I served as a _______ For ________ months and _______ days, I served as a __________; and for such service I claim a pension.
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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 accordingly to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italics] about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time being during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[cross] QUERE XIV. [italics] Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line 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.
[double cross] QUERE XVI. [italics] Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
[Picture of a pointing hand] 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.