Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19185, Richard Downing, N.C.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
N C
Downing Richard
Polly
NUMBER
W. 19185
CONTENTS
Page 2

5040
North Carolina
===============================
Polly Downing, dec'd. widow of Richard who died on the ~~ of ~~ in the State of N.C. who was a private in the ~~~ commanded by Captain ~~ of the ~~~ commanded by N.C.  in the -- line for 2 years.
=================================
Inscribed on the Roll of N.C. at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. 
Ending 9 July 1848].
========================
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of July 1851 and sent to G. W. Phillip,
Present
Arrears to the 4th of [left blank] Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act July 4, 1836,        }
{Section the [blank]    }
Recorded by H. E. Robinson Clerk,
Book D  Vol. ~~ Page 380
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.

I, WILLIAM HILL, Secretary of State, in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify, that it appears from the muster-rolls of the Continental line of of this State, in the Revolutionary War, that Richard Downing a private Soldier in Capt. Shepard's [blank] Company of the 10th Regiment, entered the service on the 10th day of June 1777 for the term of three years, and a Warrant was issued for bounty land to him 1784 for three years services.

Given under my hand this 29th day of May 1847 
Wm Hill Secry
Page 4

State of North Carolina
Johnston County
Know all men by these presents that we Richard Downing and William Hare are held and firmly bound unto Richard Caswell Eaaernes Ale in the sum of five hundred Pounds specio to which payment will and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs &c jointly and severally by these present sealed with our seals and dated this the first day of May one thousand
seven hundred and seventy six
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bounden Richard Downing hath on the day above obtained a licence for a marriage to be celebrated between him and Polly Stradly now if there [does] not hereafter appear any lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue 
Test Richard Downing -signature
William Hare-signature
Testified
William Ward
Page 5

State of North of North Carolina}
Johnston County
I Thomas Bagley clerk of the court of Please & Quarter Sessions and for the County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the within is a true copy of the original now in my office except the date which is written out instead of figures
Given under my hand & Seal of office
The 21st day of June 1851
Thos. N. Bagley Clk [Signature]
Page 6

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836.

State of North Carolina
Johnston County SS.
On this 28th day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty seven, personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for Johnston County, State aforesaid, Mary  Downing of the said County of Johnston, State aforesaid first-duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following statement in order to obtain the benefit of the pension laws of the United States that she is the only child of Polly Downing, late of Johnston County North Carolina deceased, who was the widow of Richard Downing, a Soldier of the War of the Revolution - that her said mother, Polly Downing, did, in her lifetime and shortly previous to her death, make application to the United States for a pension, which was not acted upon at the time of her decease. She therefore asks that a Certificate may issue to her as the only child of the said Polly Downing for the amount that may be due.
[Signature] Mary Downing * her mark

Sworn to and subscribed before me, on this 28th day of May in the year one thousand, eight hundred and forty seven, at Smithfield NC
[Signature] Jos. Hare J.P..
Justice of the Peace I certify that the declarant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit.
[Signature] Jos. Hare JP Justice of the Peace
Page 7

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County}
On this 20th day of August 1847 personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County John Baley a Resident of Said County aged 80 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath make this affidavit.
This affiant says he was well acquainted with Richard Downing deceast I know he went in the Revolutionary war and staid in the war three years we lived clost together to his death I have often heard him tell over his campaigns and I know his widow Polly Downing died in the year 1845 and that she left but one child Mary Downing who now lives in this County
[Signature] John Baley

Sworn to before me
[Signature] James Stallings JP

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County:
I hereby Certify I am well acquainted with John Baley he is a aged and respectable man and what he has stated may be relied upon as true and correct.
Given under my hand this 20th August 1847
James Stallings JP  [Signature]
Page 8

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County}
On this 30th day of May 1847 personally appeared before the subscriber as Justice of the Peace James Brady a pensioner and a resident of said Cty. aged 88 years who having been first duly sworn according to law, that upon his oath maketh the following affidavit; This affiant testifies and says he was well acquainted with Richard Downing who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, we were not in the same Company, but, we were from the same Cty. and have often talked over our campaigns, and , I know he was a Soldier; I knew his widow deceased, in the summer of 1845, and I know they left one Child only - Mary Downing who is now applying for her Fathers or Mothers pay.
[Signature] James Brady
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.
Jno. Q. Adams JP [Signature]

State of North Carolina}
Johnston Cty.}
I hereby certify that James Brady is personally known to me and he is a man of truth and his statement may be relied on as true and correct. Given under my hand this 30th day of May 1847
[Signature] Jno. Q. Adams JP
Page 9

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County}
On the 15th October 1847 personally appeared before me John Spell and made Oath that he is Eighty years old and that he was well acquainted with Richard Downing dec'd. who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War I know he served three years he married Polly Stradley about the year 1776 and he died 1829 left only one child Mary Downing who now lives near me as did her Father Richard Downing in his lifetime.
[Signature] John Spell
Sworn to before me on the day and year above before me.
[Signature] James Hinnant JP

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County}
I hereby Certify I am personally acquainted with John Spell as above he is a aged and & man of thruth and  his statement may be relied upon as true and correct. Given under my hand and Seal this 15th October 1847
[Signature] James Hinnant JP
Page 10

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County}
I Thomas Bagby clerk of the Court of Please & Quarter Sessions held at Smithfield in and for the County of Johnston do certify that Satisfactory Evidence has been exhibited to said Court that Polly Downing widow of Richard Downing of the Revolutionary War a resident of the County of Johnston in the State of North Carolina and in the County of Johnston and State of North Carolina on the 9th day of July 1848, and that she left one child only whose name is Mary Downing that the said Polly Downing did in her lifetime and shortly before her death make application to be placed on the pension  Roll on account of the Services of her deceased husband Richard Downing in the war of the Revolution I further certify that Jos. Hare, James Stallings John Q. Adams & James Hinnant whose names appear to the foregoing Declaration & affidavits is now & was at  the time of executing the Same acting Justices of the Peace & that the Signature purporting to be theirs is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at Smithfield the 27th day of November 1847
[Signature] Thos. Bagby Clk
Page 11

6535
Polly Downing dec'd.
Ro  July 19, 1848.
NC
act 4 July 36 -


Act 4 July 1836
Page 12

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836.

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County}
On this 20th day of May appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace Polly Downing a resident of Johnston County aged 98 years, 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 4th 1836. That she is the Widow of Richard Downing who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, that he her husband the aforesaid Richard Downing enlisted in he army of the United States in the year 1777, on the 20th day of June for the Term of three years under Capt. Shepherd, that she cannot now at this remote period of time recollect under what other officers her Husband has told her he served but she distinctly remembers having heard him say he served under  Capt. Shepherd, and she knows he was gone from home that length of time which was the time for which he enlisted. She further declares she was married to her deceased Husband the said Richard Downing on the 4th day of May 1776, in the County of Johnston State of North Carolina by Ruben Hays and that her maiden name was Polly Stradly that her oldest child was born in the year 1778 and her name is Mary (who is her only child.)  That her Husband the aforesaid Richard Downing died in
Page 13

Johnston County on the 29th day of April in the year 1829, aged about 74 - years as she has often heard him say, and that she has remained a widow ever since as will manfully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed.
[Signature] Polly Downing X hir mark

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above before me.
[Signature J. G. Gully J.P.

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County }
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Mrs. Polley [Polly] Downing as above widow of Richard Downing deceased that she is a very old woman of varied and vigorous mind hurt from bodily infirmity and Extreme old age. She is unable to attend at the Court of the County Living at a Considerable distance from it and hir statement she makes may be relied upon and true I further certify I was same acquainted with hir husband Richard Downing deceased who died about the time stated by Mrs. Downing that he was always Esteemed and Reputed a Soldier of the Revolutionary War and in deed I never heard if questioned by any person
Given under my and seal this 20th day of May 1843

[Signature] J.G. Gully JP [seal]
Page 14

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County}
On this 21st day of May 1865 [personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for Said County Jacob Fulgham aged 80 years who being duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath make the following affidavit. This affiant testifies and says that he was well acquainted with Richard Downing deceased late of Johnston County I know he went and served in the War of the Revolution three years he went from my Father when he started in that war and I know he was gone three years as more I am well acquainted with Polley Downing his widow wh0 is now applying for a pension I know she was legally married to the Said Richard Downing and that hir maiden name was Polly Stradley I know they have one child Mary Holly and the Said Richard  Downing died in the year 1829 in Johnston County aged about 74 years.
[Signature] Jacob Fulgham
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above before me.
J.G. Gully JP [Signature]

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County}
I hereby certify I am acquainted with Jacob Fulgham above that he is a very aged and respectable man an man of truth and his statement may be relied upon as true & Correct
Given under my hand this 21st May 1845
[Signature] J. G. Gully JP
Page 15

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County}
On this 22nd day of May 1845 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for Said County Jessee Green aged 85 years & pensioner as a Soldier of the Revolutionary War who being sworn according to Law doth upon his Oath make the following affidavit. This affiant Testifies and says that he was well acquainted with Richard Downing deceased of Johnston  County who was a Soldier three years in the Revolutionary War I served with him we were stationed for some time at Halifax we were then marched to Tarboraugh [Tarboro] then to Kinston then to New Bern then to Trenton then to Wilmington I have a perfect Recollection of Richard  Downing and of his services I know he married Polly Stradly about the year 1776 I know he belonged to Captain Shephards Company and Richard Downing died about the year 1829 and I know that his widow has been a widow ever since his death. [Signature] Jessee Green

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above before me [Signature] J.G. Gully JP

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County}
I hereby Certify I am well acquainted with Jessee Green above that his statement ay be relied upon as true & Correct
Given under my hand this 22nd May 1845
[Signature] J. G. Gully JP
Page 16

State of North Carolina}
Johnston County}
I Thomas Bagby Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the county of Johnston do hereby Certify that Satisfactory Evidence has been Exhibited before Said Court to prove that Richard Downing was a Soldier of the Revolutionary war and Served as stated by his widow in her declaration, I further Certify that John G. Gully is a Justice of the peace and that his Signature to those papers is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this the 8th day of July 1845
[Signature]  Thos. Bagby Clk

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
I WILLIAM HILL, Secretary of State, in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify, that it appears from the muster-rolls of the Continental line of this State, in the Revolutionary War, that Richard Downing a private Soldier in Capt. Shepherd's Company of the 10th Regiment, entered the service on the 20th day of June - 1777 for the term of three years - and that he obtained a warrant for land for three years services.

Given under my hand this 11th day of July --1815.
[Signature] Wm. Hill
Secretary of State
Page 17

Rev WIDOW, &C.
ow
File No. 19185
Polly Downing
Widow of Richard Downing
Pri. Rev. War
Act: July 4th 1836
Index:-Vol. A, Page 189
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

ow
Polly Downing widow of Richard
North Carolina 
Suspended 
let. May '50 to Mary Downing, let she Mary Downing 6th May 1850
Hon. J. R. J. Daniel 1st October 1850

Act 4 July 1836
Page 19

Washington May 13, 1851.
Sir
I am led to believe that, by a strict examination of the papers on file in your office touching the claim of the child of Polly and Richard Downing, of North Carolina, an applicant for a Pension under the Act of 4th July 1836, it will be found that the claim is clearly made out, and I have therefore respectfully to request that you cause the same to receive that attention which, its merits demand
Very Resp'y
your obt. svt.
Geo. M. Phillips

J. E. Heath, Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Page 20

Smithfield}  paid  5
5th Jan. 1850}

James L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City

Janý 12/51
J. W. Allison
with answer Polly Downing NC
Page 21

Smithfield 5th Jan'y 1850

J. L. Edwards Esq'r.
Some months since I sent my papers to git a pension for the Services of Richard Downing in the Revolutionary War and I can't hear from them. I have tried several time and can't git no body to let me know please right to me.
[Signature] Mary Downing
Page 22

Polly Downing deceased
widow of Richard 
North Carolina
act 4 July '[18]36
Admitted 2 years private $80.00
per annum from 4 March 1831 to 9 July 1845 when she died
Payable to Mary Downing only surviving child.
Certificate to 
George M. Phillips
Present
Page 23

Gully's Store}   3-
24th Apl'. 1847}

George M. Philips, Esq'r.
Washington City D.C.

Miss. Mary Downing Gully's Store, 
Johnston Co. N.C.
April 19th 1847

Rel. to claim of her mother
Rec'd May 10, 1847
Admit May 13, 1847
Page 24

Gully's Store 19th April 1847

George M. Philips Esq.

Dear Sir, I have understood that you attend to Revolutionary Claims for those entitled my father Richard Downing Served three years and my father never applied for any pay  and he died some years ago and my Mother Polly Downing applied for his pay two or three years ago and soon after She sent hir papers She died and I am the Only Child and Our Clerk tells me you can git it for me if you can I will give you one fourth of it I can prove he served and you can See my mother proved it and sent hir  papers to J. L. Edward as she was advised by Wm. Bagby our Clark please to Right to me what to do and Right to me at Gully's Store Johnston County NC and I will do as you direct me as I know my father Served and got no pay.
Yours Respectfully
[Signature] Mary Downing
Page 25

Washington City D.C.
13th Dec. 1847

Honé J. L. Edwards.
Sir.
I herewith enclose you the application of Mary Downing daughter of Richard & Polly Downing of North Carolina dec'd. for the pension due her mother as widow of Richard Downing Soldier in the  Revolutionary War. I am very Respectfully,
Yours &c
S.A. Peugh
Page 26

Gully's Jurat
of Jese Greens
evidence,
Page 27

Smithfield 11th July 1845

James L. Edwards Esq'r.
Enclosed I send you my declaration and proof in my application for a pension for the services of m husband in the revolutionary war and if you write to me please direct your letter to Thomas Bagby Esq'r. Clark of our court

Yours Respectfully
Polly Downing [Signature]
Page 28

6535. July 19, 1845
mail papers
Polly Downing
July 4, 1836.

J. L. 
[stamp - SMITHFIELD N.C. JUL 15]

7.28
____
7
____
21.

30.400
--------
148400
---------
2800
Page 29

30
PAID

Edwards  Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington City D.C.