Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 40,052, John Copeland, N.C.
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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE N.C.  Copeland, John . 
Number S.40,052
Contents
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19.866 
West Tennessee 
John Copeland 
of Davidson County in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Lyttle of the regiment commanded by Colonel Lillington in the North Carolina line, for the term of two years  
from April 1776 to February 1778 
Jacket corrected Jan 7, 1937 

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 22 day of December 1827. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 17 of Jun 1828 and sent to Hon. John Bell, N. R. 

Arrears to 4th of March 1828 $19.61 
Semi-anl. all'ce ending
$19.61
 Revolutionary Claim, 
Acts March, 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. 

Respecting apr for pension from first application, see letter Jan. 19 1828 to Hon. J. Bell H.R.

Dead 
Paid at the Treasury under the act of the  6th April 1838 from 4th Sept 1838 to 10 November 1838 the day of his death. As modified 3rd April 1840.

2.58
8.
8.
1.03 =
19.61
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John Copeland
Declaration
November 1824
No. 2
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District of West Tennessee 
John Copeland now residing in Davidson County in the State of Tennessee, formerly of Georgia came before me and claimed to be placed on the pension list of the United States And upon Oath made the following declaration towit, that he enlisted as a private or a continental soldier during the revolutionary war, in the company of Captain Archibald Lytle of the 6th North Carolina  Regt and after they were marched to Wilmington he was made 1st Luiet? of the company, that he enlisted in April 1776, that owing to his marches he became afflicted with a sore leg, which by the Physicians was called a ___ swelley, which entirely disabled him from doing duty as a soldier and that Capt Lytle who was then promoted to a Col furloughed him the said Copeland on account of the ____ or disease in his leg and was afterwards discharged in Jany or Febry 1778 by ___ A. Lytle, on acct of his sore leg being unfit for service, and states that his leg has been sore ever since, and never expects it to be well, that the State of North Carolina gave him a land warrant deeming him enlisted as other soldiers- And that he is the owner of nothing on this earth but a blind mare and a few clothes. 
Sworn to & subscribed on this 16th Nov 1824
John Copeland   
John McNairy 
District Judge
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19th Nov 1824
No 1
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State of Tennessee Davidson County
On this day the 19th November 1824 personally appeared in open [illegible] being a court of record for the fourth Judical Circuit of the State of Tennessee per (?) John Copeland aged sixty eight years, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the pension made by the act of congress of the 18th March 1818 and first May 1820 that the said John Copeland enlisted for the term of two years on the day of April 1770 in the State of North Carolina in the company commanded by Cap' Archibald Lytle in the regiment commanded by Colonel Lillington in the line of the State of North Carolina an the continential establishment, that he continued to serve in the said [illegible] until February 1718 when he was discharged from the said service in Hillsborough in the State of North Carolina - and in perseverance in the act of May first 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the united states this 10th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift-sale or any manner disposes of my property as any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of congress entitle an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war [illegible] on the 18th of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in [illegible] for me any property or [illegible] contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the [illegible] and by me subscribed.
The said John Copeland further states that he was during his service in the revolutionary war afflicted with a disease in his legs. which has continued since that time to afflict him he has no family.
Schedule of the property of John Copeland.
One sorrel mare about eight years old.
One saddle bridle or saddle bags.
John Copeland
Sworn to and declared on the 19th Day of November 1824
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before me Jacob W Gavock Clerk of the Circuit Court for Davidson County in open Court 
Jas McGavock M 
It is the opinion of the Court that the property mentioned in the foregoing declaration of John Copeland is worth sixty dollars 
I Jacob W Gavock Clerk of the Circuit Court for Davidson County in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said John Copeland did serve in the Revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy, for the term of nine months under one engagement on the continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid's schedule is sixty dollars. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto hand and affixed my private seal [illegible] in  Nashville there being no seal of office provided this 19th day of November 1824 
Jas McGavock 
[seal]
Sate of Tennessee 
Thomas Stuart one of the Judge of the Circuit Court of Law & Equity for the State aforesaid now presiding Judge in Davidson Circuit Court do certify that the foregoing attestation by Jacob McGavock Clerk of Davidson Circuit Court is in due form and that he is Clerk of said Court. Given under my hand & seal at Nashville this 20th day of November in the year of our Lord 1824 
Thos Stuart
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19,448
John Copeland
Murfreesboro'
Tennessee
Hon. S. Houston
H Rep
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John Copeland & William Smith
April 18, 1907.
Hon. P. T. Chapman, The Farragut, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Chapman:
In reply to your letter dated the 15th instant and received on the 16th, I have the honor to advise you that one William Smith (Survivor's File #31976) was allowed pension on an application executed January 7. 1833, at which time he was a resident of Clarke county, Georgia.
He stated that he was born in Sussex county, Virginia, April 22, 1754, and resided in Henry county, Virginia, when he enlisted March 1, 1781, and served three months under Captains David Lanier and Josiah Shaw in General Greene's army which they joined the day after the battle of Guilford; re-enlisted about the middle of July, 1781 for six weeks and drove a baggage wagon by direction of Major John Marr, which service as teamster was equivalent to three months duty as a soldier.
There is no mention of his family.
For the dates of soldier's death and last payment of pension, together with the name and address of person to whom said payment was made, apply to The Auditor for the Interior Department, Treasury Department, citing the following data:
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–2–
Hon.P.T. Chapman.
"Certificate #6037, issued February 23, 1833, under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the Georgia Agency."
John Copeland (Survivor's File #40052) was allowed pension on an application executed November 19, 1824, at which time he was sixty-eight years of age and a resident of Davidson county, Tennessee, and had no family.
It is alleged that he enlisted in Orange county, North Carolina, in April, 1776 and served as a 1st Sergeant in Captain Archibald Lytle's company of Colonel Lillington's 6th North Carolina Regiment on the Continental Line, from which he was discharged in February, 1778, by Colonel Archibald Lytle.
Soldier died November 10, 1838.
For the date of last payment of his pension and the name of his beneficiary apply to The Auditor for the Interior Department, Treasury Department, citing the following data:
"Certificate #19866, issued January 17, 1828, under Acts of March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820 at the West Tennessee Agency."
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
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CONGRESSIONAL
U. S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
APR 16 1907
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P. T. CHAPMAN M. C. 24TH ILLS. DISTRICT
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON
FIRST DEPUTY COMMISSIONER APR 16 1907 U. S. PENSION OFFICE.
April 15, 1907.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
O. W. & N. DIV. FILES APR 16 1907
My dear Sir:–
I have a constituent who wants to know the name and post offices of the wife and children of William Smith, of Clark County, Georgia. The pension roll of the Twenty-third Congress, 1st Session, page 32 shows that he was pensioned February 7, 1833, as a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Also of John Copeland of Davidson County, Tennessee, whose name also appears on the pension roll of the First Session of the Twenty-third Congress at page 22, being pensioned January 17, 1828. Any information you can give in the matter will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
PTChapman
Address % "The Farragut", City.
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40 052 Revy INVALID.
File No. 40,052
John Copeland Prv Rev War
Act: 18 March 18
Index:—Vol. E, Page 94
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1907 April 18. Hist. to Hon P. T. Chapman c.
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№ 6—
Note 4th Jany 27.
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I will call and see Mr Edwards on the subject of Copelands claim until which time the subject can rest
Sam Houston
4th Jany 1827.
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Maj. Tho Claibornes letter &c.
Jefferson Tn Decr. 15
Free
Genl Saml Houston
House of Representatives U. S.
Washington City
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Nashville 13th Decr. 1826
Dr Sir
I am requested to call your particular attention to the application of the claim of the revolutionary soldier John Coupland, as is described in the enclosed affidavit taken by & before Judge McNairy – Mr Coupland is now with me & requests me to write this letter for him – I see he is old & he appears to be in indgent circunstances – he states to me that he called at the proper office in North Carolina perhaps about the year 1792 or 1793. I found that his pay had been paid to Colo Lytle, who he avers was never authorised by him, nor was any other person by him authorised to receive his pay – the soldier has been thus illegally deprived of his rights, by the agency of the officers of the Government, inasmuch as it was their duty not to have paid the money without a legal authority from the Soldier – may I beg your particular attention to this business
yr friend Th: Claiborne
P. S. you will please write to Mr Copeland directed to the Post Office [crossed out: I give] at Jefferson (Ten) I give the necessary instructions upon this subject & also in relation to his application for a Pension which he tells me you are to endeavor to procure for him
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State of South Carolina Greenville District
To wit
Personally cam Before me, the Subscribing Justice, William Robbs of the District and State aforesaid, once being by me first duly sworn, upon the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, declares, on oath that, John Copeland, to this Deponint will known, enlisted in the Regular Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, in the Continental line in [crossed out: on the 27th day of April]* 1776 in Orange County in the State of North Carolina, under Capt. Archibald Litle of the Sixth Regiment (deponent believes) commanded by Col. Linington; and that the said Copeland in company with this deponent marched from Orange County to Wilmington in N. Ca. and that some time in the Fall afterwards they separated and this deponent left the said Copeland in the regular service acting as Seargeant in Capt Litles company and that he believes the said Copeland enlisted for the Tirm of two years & six months—
(* day not recollected) Sworn & subscribed to before me the 6th day of April A.D. 1824 Wm Robbs
William Choice Not. Pub. & Ex off. J.Q.
South Carolina Greenville Destrict
I certify that I saw the above named Wm Robbs sign his name to the above affidavit & that I qualified him to the same
Given under my hand & seal the 6th April 1824
William Choice LS
Not. Pub. & Ex off J.Q
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I Certify to the best of my belief that John Copeland an applicant for a Pension has disposed of no property since the 18th March 1818, so as to bring himself within the provisions of the law passed of that date, and that he is extremely poor, and necessitous!
Sam Houston M. Congress Tenn.
13 Jany 1827.
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Second Comptroller's Office, March 17th, 1840.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Admor. of John Copeland, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Nashville, Ten: Agency, at the rate of Eight Dollars [crossed out: and Cents] per [crossed out: annum] month, under the law of the 18th March 1818, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1838, to the 10th Nov: 1838, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.
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John Copeland
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State of No. Carolina Secretary's Office
I William Hill Secretary of State in & for the State aforesaid, do certify that the name of John Copeland appears on the musterrolls of the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, in one place only, and there as a private Soldier in Capt. Sharp's Company of the 10th Regt. mustered the 2nd of May 1781 for the term of 12 months, and omited in the course of the same year.
That is appears from the Warrant-book in this office, that on the 18th August 1784 a Warrant issued for the services of John Copeland a Sergt. in the Army of the revolution and of the line of this State on the continental establishment, which warrant was issued on the certificate of an Officer of said Army.
Given under my hand at office in Raleigh this 12th Janry. 1825.
Wm Hill
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19448
Jno Copeland Declaration
No 4.
Admd. pen to com: 22d Dec. 1827
Hon. Mo: Bell H. R Jan. 12. 1828
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I Certify that I have known Jno. Copeland for some two years, and from all I can Learn of him, and concerning him, I do belive the within declaration to be true – That he is very poor and unable to procure a livelihood I do also believe – so far as I have ever seen of him, he is temperate but he says that he takes a spree of two or three days in the course of the year.
Given under my hand at Nashville 22nd Decr 1827
Sam Houston
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State of Tennessee Davidson County.
On this day personally appeared, before me John Copeland, aged seventy one years, and makes oath, to the following additional declaration, in order to obtain the provision, made by an act of Congress of the 18th of March 1818, and first of May 1820. That in the month of October 1819 Henry & William Lucas, entered into a conspiracy against him, and had him committed to jail in Hancock County in the state of Georgia, on the charge of house burning where, he was confined for twelve months, and was then discharged on the ground that the prosecution, was frivolous, and malicious. In the mean time they had disposed of, or destroyed, all his property, consisting of Negroes, and stock, amounting to about two thousand dollars. Previous to his release said Henry & William Lucas had absconded to the state of Alabama, since which time he has followed them and instituted suit against them, but has not been able to recover any of his property, or money in lieu thereof. He entertains no hope that he will ever be able to recover any thing of them, as there are possessed of no visible effects which they claim as there own. He is extremely poor, and has only been enabled to subsist himself, by the charitable indulgence, of persons, in expectation, that he will be able to draw a pension;
John Copeland
Nashville T 22d Decr 1827.
sworn to & subscribed before me the date last mentioned.
John McNairy District Judge
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Capt. W. Lytle's affidavit
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State of Tennessee Rutherford County
Wm Lytle Sen. makes oath, that he entered the army of the Revolution of 1776 & on the 6th day of April – that he was commissioned as an Ensign in the 6th Regm't of the North Carolina Continental Line – this affiant was 2 & 1st Lieutenant by promotion in sd Regm't; was commissioned afterwards Captain in the 4th Regm't of sd Line, & finally transfered to the 1st Regm't –
This affiant further states, that whilst he was a youth & long before before the commencement of the War, he was personally acquainted with John Copeland, – that sd Copeland is at the time of the writing hereof in the presence & company of this affiant & he knows him to be the identical man to whom all the statements in this affidavit, refer.
Affiant states that sd Copeland enlisted as a private in the company of Capt Archd. Lytle of the aforesd 6th Regm't of which this affiant as aforesd was then an Ensign – said Copeland enlisted in the month of April 1776. and was immediately made by his Capt. 1st Sergeant of the company
The last of April or 1st of May 1776. Capt Lytles company at and before that [crossed out: be] time being stationed at Hillsboro, was marched to Wilmington – said Copeland marched with the sd company,
Whilst Capt. Lytles company remained stationed at Wilmington, he (Capt Lytle) was promoted to the Rank of Lieut Colonel of the 6th Regm't –
In the summer or fall of 1776, John Copeland above refered to, was afflicted with a swelling or some disease in the ankle of his left leg, which entirely disabled him from doing duty as a soldier in his company
To the certain knowledge of this affiants Lieut Col Lytle, [crossed out: who] to whose Regm't sd Copeland was attached furloughed him sd Copeland on a/c of
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swelling or disease in his ankle –
This affiant further states, that more than one year, after sd Copeland had enlisted as aforesd he heard Col Lytle say, that sd Copeland was still on furlough, and was a soldier of sd 6th Regm't.
This affiant, of his own personal knowledge, does not know, when or how sd Copeland was finally discharged from the army – but he does know that sd Copeland recd from the Government of North Carolina a land warrant for One thousand acres of land, the amount of acres that all Sergeants were entitled to – From this fact, this affiant is of the belief, that sd Copeland was regularly discharged
This affiant was from his own personal observation now, that sd Copelands ankle is still diseased, which he has always before observed, when in his company
And further this affiant says not
Will Lytle
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 29th Sept. 1824
Saml. P. Black J.P.
State of Tennessee Rutherford County Sct.
I John R. Laughlin, clerk of the county court of Pleas and quarter-sessions, within and for the county and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that Samuel P. Black, Esquire, before whom William Lytle made the foregoing affidavit was on the 29th day of September 1824, an acting Justice of the peace within and for the county and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that all his official acts are entitled to full faith and credit – In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
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my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at office in Murfreesborough, this 22nd day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and twenty four, and of the Independence of the United states the forty ninth.
John R. Laughlin, clk.
State of Tennessee, Rutherford County Sct.
I John Smith, chaiman of the county county court of pleas and quarter sessions, within and for the county and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that John R. Laughlin, whose official signature appears to the foregoing certificate is the acting clerk of said court, that his said attestation is in due form of law, and that all his official acts are entitled to full faith and credit in any court or office in the United states.
Given under my hand and seal this 22nd day of November, A.D. 1824.
John Smith, chairman