Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 7725, for Alexander Norton, Virginia
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Service
Va.
Norton, Alexander
Mary
Number
R7725
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7324 East Tennessee Alexander Norton Blount Co in the State of C.T. who was a private in the company commanded Captain Clements of the Rgt commanded Col Dick in the Virginia for 6 months Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of March 1833 and Sent to Jacob F Foute Maryville Fern Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept 40.00 ┃ 10.00 ┃ $50.00 Recorded by Book C Vol. Revolutionary Act June 7. Daniel Boyd C Page 54 Claim, ┃ 1832. ┃ Clerk
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Alex. Norton Address to Jan F. Bent Maryville Blount County Tennessee 15485 Blount County Tenuita
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State of Tennessee Blount County Set On this 24th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Worshipfull Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions of the County and State aforesaid now sitting Alexander Norton a resident of said County State aged Seventy three years the 14 March 1832 is rebelines 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 7. 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated towel that about two months ┃ before the defeat of Gen Gates as applicant believes, he was drafted in Pittsylvania County Virginia for three months, and went into service under Captain  Clemery and Maj. Harry Conway, the Colonels name not now certainly remembered, and were attached to Gen Stephens Command and marched to Hillsboro North Carolina where they remained about two weeks this applicant with others was employed in tracking Grain through the County for the supply of the army, from thence we marched to Rugely Mill and from the joined General Gates and was in the defeat under him, after the defeat this applicant and many of his Company
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rendezvoused in New Garden Settlement among the Quakers in North Carolina and were there discharged having been about four months from home on that town, when he reached home. In the latter part of the spring or in the Summer of 1781. This applicant was again drafted in Pittsylvania Virginia for a three months tour of duty, and placed under command of Captain Charles Williams, and Colonel William Dick, and Major Many with Marched first to old James Town on James River then crossed to Old Williamsburg, from thence to Little York, and under command of General Stephens joined in the seige of that place which was surrendered by Lord Cornwallis on or about the 19 October 1781- a day or two after the Lurlin, Capt Williams, Company with other troops were detailed to guard a part of the British prisoner they were marched and guarded to Noland ferry on the Potomac River where they were delivered across the river to the Maryland troops. We Virginia were then marched back to our as applicant believes and there honor ably discharged and returned home after being absent four months or upwards - Applicant has lost his discharges
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or they have been destroyed he has no other evidence of his services than his above statement, and the affidavit of Harris Gammon Esq hereto annexed, and knows of no other person by whom he can now prove his services or any part thereof except as aforesaid Applicant removed from Pittsylvania County Va to Rowan County North Carolina in the fall of 1793. live in Rowan C N Car remained there ten or twelve years then removed to Sevier County Tennessee lived there about 15 years then removed to Blount County Tennessee where he now lives Sworn to and subscribed under Mortonin  Open Court 24 Sept 1832 of Jas. F. Fonte Clerk We Spencer Henry a clergyman resi ding in Blountounty Tennessee and William McLean and Samuel Henry residing in the same County and State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Alexander Norton who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy three year page that he is reputed and sealed
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in the neighbourhood where to resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that me mour in that opinion sum to subscribed Spencer Henry Open Court 25 September --- William Atter Sam Henry 1832 Jas. F. Foule clerk And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the intaingatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier in the States and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Spencer Henry who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman, resident in Blountount, Tennessee and that William M. and Samuel Henry Esqrus have also Signed the same are resident in the same County and State, and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled ondit- James Trundle Sam Saffell Robt Wester Presiding Justice
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State of Tennessee at Jacob Tate Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions of Blount County do hereby certify that the forego is contains the Original proceed ing of the said Court in the matter of the application of Alexander Norton for a pension I In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office at Office in Maryville this 27th day of September 1832. Jack F. Bute Clerk
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State of Tennessee Brick County ⎬ On this 24th day of August - 1832. personally appeared Harris Gammon a resident Citizen of said County before me Thomas Brown an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, and the 1 said Harris Gammon being duly Sworn according to law deposeth & saith that he is about seventy four years of age as he below, that he was well acquainted with Alexander Norton now of Blount County Tennessee Cornell, of Pittsylvania County Virginia during the Revolutionary War , that he believes said Morton did serve during the said War as he has stated, in the Campaign to North Carolina and in General Gates defeat that deponent always understood and believed , and never heard it questioned or doubted In 1781 this deponent was in the Company commanded by Capt Charles Williams as a private Soldier and a messinate with said Alexander Norton and Served with him, during that Campaign and the Seige of York, and was present at the Surrender of Lord
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Cornwallis and aided in guarding the British prisoners to Noland ferry on Potomac River, as stated by said Norton, and deponent does know that said Alexander Norton did perform that tour of service as he has stated, and faithfully & bravely did his duty, and was honorably discharged as deponent believes, Deponent belive said Alexander Norton to be a man of the Strickel Veracity and integrity, and has full confidence in his statements Lunn to subscribed the date above - Thos Brown James Gammon State I of Tennessee Thos Brown an acting Justice of the peace in and for Box County State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Harris Gammon Esq who has Subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that he is an aged and respectable citizen of said County that his declaration is entitled to full faith
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and credit, and that I am well tisfied of the truth of his statement Given under my hand this 24th day of August 1832- Thos Brown to State of Samissed Keen County ⎬ I Charling Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid by my Deputy William Swan certify that Thomas Brown before whom the foregoing affidavit of Harris Gammon was made and by whom the foregoing certificate is signed was at the time of making said affidavit, and signing said Certificate an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County, duly com missioned and sworn and that his Signature is affixed an Genuine lien under my hand and side of Office at Office in Know 1 Will the 24th August 1832 Chas M. Clung here a
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1812
     5
-----
1807

The Names + Ages of 
Alexander Nortons
Children

William Norton Born
July 3 1787

Nicholas Norton Born
September 8 1789

James Norton Born
July 14 17??

Anna Norton Born
June 30 1793

Alexander Norton Born
January 31 1797

John Norton Born
[illegible] [illegible] 1795

[illegible] Seven weeks old
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Mrs Mary Norton
Declaration
9902 Mary Norton 1 Ten Act . July 38
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Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows and in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 3 of March 1843 granting one years pay and pension to certain widows State of Georgia Murry County on this 24 day of February 1844 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace Mrs Mary Norton a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged 79 years in december next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July the 7th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows and in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 3 of March 1843 granting one years pay and pension to certain widows that she is the widow of Alexander Norton who was a soldier in the Virginia militia in the war of the Revolution that the aforesaid Alexander Norton drew a pension under the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 of $20 for his said services she further declares that she was married to the said Alexander Norton on the 1st day of December seventeen hundred and eighty five that her husband the aforesaid Alexander Norton died on the 17 of October 1834 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated and that she has remained widow since the death of her husband Alexander Norton Mary Norton mark unto and subscribed on the day and year above written before me a
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Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and I further certify that the said Mrs Mary Norton is from bodily infirmity unable to attend court and further certify that the family record attached to Mrs Mary Norton declaration was in her sons Norman Norton posession and believe it to be the true record of the births of her children by her husband Alexander Norton and I further certify that she is a widow at this time in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24 day of February Eighteen hundred and forty four . Vault J.P. State of Georgia Murry County May Term 1844 County Court The Declaration of Mary Morton certified on the 24 of February 1844 by Mitchell P. Varnell a Justice of the peace for said County being submitted to the ┃ Court the said Court doth approve his proceedings and acts in said case and hereby direct the Clerk to endorse the approval on the papers- State of Georgia R. W. Harrow Murry County ⎬ and William N Bishop Harrison Davis County do hereby certify Edward Clerk of the County Court of Murry that the foregoing proceedings are the original proceedings had and approved of the County Court of Murry County at its May term 1844 relative to the declaration of Mary Norton to obtain the benefit of acts of Congress relative to Revolutionary pensions and further certify that the aforesaid Mitchell P. Varnell is and was a Justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand private seal there being no fear, or and officed my seal of office at office in Spring Place this 7 day of May 1844 Edward H Edwards Clerk
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State of Georgia Mary County ⎬ On this 6th day of May 1844 personally ed before the subscriber a Justice of the peace Mrs Nancy a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged fifty one the 30th of June next who being first duly sworn according doth on her oath make the following affidavit that she is ainted with Mrs Mary Norton at this time resident of County Georgia and was also well acquainted with her Norter upto th day of his death and knew them to gether as man and wife from her affiants first mother hand the marriage disputed she further drains the the fourth Child born to Alexander and Mary Norton and the family and attached to her mothers dutarator was Mothers possession and she believes it to be a true and of the births of the Children born to Alexander and Mary Norton Nancy White the Sworn me citif state this to and submitted in the day and year above written before Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and I further that full faith and credit is given to her Mrs Nancy White ments In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the Sixth day May 1844 Mrs Varnell Justice of the peace
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Georgia
Murray County}
I K. W. Hargrove a Justice 
of the Inferior Court of

Murray County do hereby certify that Edward
H. Edwards whose name appears to the
foregoing and annexed proceedings
is the clerk of the Inferior Court of
said county and that full faith and
credit should be given him as such
given under my hand this 1st day
of June 1844
K . W. Hargrove
J. I. C

I, John H. Lumpkin, Representative in the 28th
Congress of the U. S. from the State of Georgia, do certify that
Edward H. Edwards whose name appears to the foregoing certificate, 
was at the time it bears date, clerk of the Inferior court
of Murray Co. Geor. duly commissioned and qualified according to
law, and that the signature appears to be genuine, and that there
is no seal of office.

Given under my hand June 4th 1844.

John H Lumpkin
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No. 15485

Alex.r Norton Blount Cty.
Tennessee

from 1780 private
6 months.
$20.

Jac. F. Foute Marqville
Blount County Tennessee
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BRIEF in the case of Alexander Norton
or Blount County in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1831).

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a
Judge?  COURT

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

3. How old is he?  73 YEARS

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

Period
DRAFED IN 1780-
DRAFTED 1781

Duration of  Service
Years (blank)
Months 3
Days (blank)

Years (blank)
Months 3
Days (blank)

Rank
Private
Private

Names of General and Filed Officers under whom he served.

Gen. Stephens, Gates
Cap Clemmons, Major Couesary (?)

Cap. Chet Williams, Col Wm Dich, Major
Mangurthen

The applicant states that he served 4 months each term of service

5.  In what battles was he engaged? GATES DEFEAT YORK

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the r----?  TRADITIONARY

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
CORRECT

I CERTIFY THAT THE FOREGOING STATEMENT AND THE ANSWERS AGREE WITH THE EVIDENCE IN THE CASE ABOVE MENTIONED.

Richard Keywrath
Examining Clerk.
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9902
Mary Norton
GA

Set to Hon J.W. Blackwell
July 27 1844

7725

July 7, 1838
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REJECTED

7725

P.O.
Mary Norton
Service: Alexander

Enlisted: [blank], 18
Discharged: [blank], 18
Application filed: [blank], 18

[crossed out:] Alleges:
The list of1852 on
list Columbia Maury Co.

[crossed out:] Re-enlisted:
Tenn: gives cause,
of suspension as: "For
further proof of marriage."

Attorney: [blank]
P.O. [blank]

[blank] Recognized. [blank] Contract.
[blank] Cert. of Dis. Searched for [blank], 18

[following written perpendicular to above:]
1922 Dec. 12. Date of commencement of pension and of death
to Hon. B. G. Humphreys. M. C. see his letter in James
Norton, Va. S 38266 AW
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red link, will apply to the claim of
Alexander Norton which require
further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods? 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 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? no

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 clergymen and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to has revolutionary
service? yes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?

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. +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?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?

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?

XVI. +Art 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 so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss 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 [blank]
year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] For [blank] months
and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim 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 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 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 be 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 a embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.

† QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who ware 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.

†† QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other 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.
[hand sign pointing right] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has not 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.
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Maryville Ten
Oct. 11th 1839}

Free

Honb.e Lewis Cass
Secty of War
Pension Office
Washington City

Marl}

[following written perpendicular to above;]

Oct. 22
7[illegible]

15485
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Maryville Oct.o 10. 1832.

Hon. L. Cass.
Inclosed you will find the application
of Alexander Norton of
this County, please Soon as Convenient,
address any Communication
on the Subject to the undersigned

Verry Respectfully Yours

Jac. F. Foute
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Norton, Ambrose GRADE Corporal LINE Connecticut

WARRANT 
NUMBER 6237 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Dec. 25 1789
to - not shown -

* 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.