Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3655, for Jesse Perry, South Carolina
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(8-1776)
SERVICE  SC                                     
Perry, Jesse               
NUMBER S 3655
                                                         carded
CONTENTS
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No 6637
The certificate to this applicant will be directed to WBA Ramsey
Knoxville Tennessee
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Declaration of Jesse Perry in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832
State of Tennessee Knox County 
Circuit Court for said County at August Sessions 1832 On this 18th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Circuit Court of Knox County now sitting, Jesse Perry a resident of Knox County and State of Tennessee, aged seventy seven years and five months, 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 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States as a drafted militia man, at a place called the cross roads or old-well, about eight or ten miles from Columbia South Carolina, the year not now recollected, but he knows it was late in the fall or early in the winter season that he was drafted for three months, and was enrolled in a company commanded by Captain William Lang and Lieutenant Andrew
Lester [Leister], which company was attached to a Regiment commanded by Col. Robert Goodwin, which regiment composed a part of the Brigade commanded by Genl [Thomas Sumter] Sumpter. That shortly after his enrollment he marched with his Brigade up Broad River to disperse a body of tories who had collected at a place called the Big survey, or Duncan Creek that on the approach of said Brigade the tories dispensed and could not be overtaken, that the said Brigade then encamped for a short time in the neighbourhood of where the Tories had been collected, for the purpose of keeping them in awe, that their camp was denominated Snow Camp, from the circumstance of a heavy snow falling while they were there- that upon the breaking up
of their camp the said Brigade retraced their route untill they had recrossed Broad river, when the Brigade was disbanded, and the several companies directed to march home - Applicant states that the three months for which he had been drafted, had not quite expired when he reached home, though he thinks it had nearly so - applicant states that Robert [Lyle] Lisle was the Major who commanded his company in this expedition - Applicant states that sometime after the campaign above mentioned, he thinks eighteen months after, a draft was made of one third of the militia of the district in
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which he resided, for a term of three months, for the purpose as he now believes of making an excursion against Florida - he states that he was one of the number which was drafted from his company, and rendezvoused at Col. afterwards Genl Richard Winns on Little river about twenty miles from Winnsboro. Here he with many others took the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States, and was put under the command of Captain John Smith, who was under the command of Major Robert Lisle [Lyle], and Col. Robert Goodwin [or Goodwyn]. Applicant States that he marched with his Regiment under the command of the said Col. Goodwin from Winns, the place of rendezvous, to Harbands ferry on Broad river, here the Regiment remained two or three weeks and were employed in collecting all the water craft up and down the river, and destroying them to prevent the Tories crossing the river. From Harbands ferry applicant with his regiment marched to Adam Summers about eight miles - during the time the regiment was stationed at Summers applicant states that he and forty others under the command of the said Captain Smith, made an excursion to a place called Reedy River, about forty miles distant, and captured a Col. Fletcher who was about collecting a company of Tories to commit some depredations upon the whigs - after this capture was made, applicant returned again to Summers where he remained making preparations for the expedition to Florida untill the three months for which he had been drafted had expired, when he returned home, and the place of his division was
supplied by a new levy - applicant believes that a few days before
his time expired Genl [Thomas Sumter] Sumpter arrived at Summers and took command of the army - he also believes that he was enrolled in
this last three months campaign sometime in May, but he can
not recollect what year- applicant further states that some time
after the last mentioned campaign, he does not recollect what year, but he thinks it was in the month of February, he was again drafted for a three months tour to go against Augusta -
he rendezvoused at East Granby on the Congaree River-- he was
there placed under the command of his own Captain, John Taylor,
who was under the command of Col. Joseph Kirkland - applicant
states that he remained at East Granby nearly three weeks before
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the army was ready to march - he then marched under the command
of the said Col. [Joseph] Kirkland directly to Augusta, when General Williamson took the command of the whole force. Here the American Army lay opposite to Augusta, engaged with the enemy in frequent small skirmishes, untill the British evacuated the place and moved down towards Savannah - applicant states that he was not engaged in any of the skirmishes about Augusta, but was under arms the whole time the American army was there, and so remained untill the three months for which he had been drafted had expired, when he returned home. Applicant states that near about a year after the last mentioned campaign, the year he does not recollect, but believes it was early in the spring, he was again drafted for a three months tour, and went to Orangeburg where the troops had been ordered to rendezvous. here he was put under the command of Captain James Craig, he believes William Taylor was his Major, and knows that Henry Hunter was his [Lt] Col and Richard Winn, who had been promoted, was the General and
had the supreme command - after remaining at Orangeburg two or three weeks applicant with the army marched down to a place called the Four-holes situated about forty miles above Charleston on a Creek which applicant supposed empties into the Edisto river, and which had a bridge across it. The object of occupying this post, applicant believes, was to prevent the British, who were then in possession of Charleston, from overrunning the up county - applicant states that the army remained at the Four-holes untill the three months for which he had been drafted had expired, when he was honorably discharged, and returned home. 
applicant states that during the summer or fall after he had served the last campaign which he believes was in 1781 he was again drafted on a three months tour for the purpose of dislodging the British from Orangeburg, which they occupied so soon as the army had been disbanded at the Four-holes. he states that he rendezvoused at William Howell's ferry on the Congaree river, where he was again placed under the command of
Captain James Craig, and he believes William Taylor as Major, and
Thomas Taylor Colonel at Howells Ferry Genl [Francis] Marion, and Col. Washington with their forces met the Regiment in which applicant was enrolled
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and marched together past Orangeburg, which was too strongly
defended to be taken - the army marched on to Bratten's Swamp
along the Cypress road to Fergusons Swamp, and marching all one night for the purpose of surprising the British and Tories at Monks [Moncks] corner. before applicant had reached the post at Moncks corner it had been attacked by the horse [Cavalry] of [Gen Francis] Marion and [Col Wm] Washington or [Col Henry] Lee, who had gone on for that purpose and the enemy had been repulsed and the place evacuated - after the affair at
Moncks corner applicant marched with his regiment to Mannings ferry on the Santee river, and from there up to Genl.[Thomas Sumter] Sumpters where after remaining a few days and the three months which applicant had been drafted having expired he was honorably discharged and returned home. a few days after his Discharge,  applicant states, that he moved his wife to her mothers, three miles distant, and believing that he could no longer live in security or peace at home, he took his horse and as a volunteer joined the american army at a place called Brown's old fields
on the Congaree [River], he enrolled himself in a company of horse
commanded by Captain John Cook, who was under the command
of Major Richard Hampton, and Col. Arthur Middleton. applicant states that he remained as a volunteer under the last mentioned officers for about one year, when hostilities had so far
ceased as to render it unnecessary any longer to keep the fields, during this time he was actively employed in the service of his country except two or three short periods when he obtained a short furlough to visit his family, during this year he was
in the skirmish at the Juniper spring, and was fully employed in dispensing assemblages of tories and suppressing the outrages of the British. applicant further states that
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a short time after he left the army, being at home, he was taken prisoner by a company of Tories under the command of Col. [William] Thompson and by him taken to the British commander at Campden [Camden], by whom he was discharged upon his parole, not again to appear in arms against his majesty. after this applicant left his family, and came up about twenty miles above Kings
Mountain, and remained there with his friends untill the termination of the war. Applicant further states that he served in the Revolutionary army of the United States four campaigns, or very nearly so, of three months each, as a private drafted militia man, and one entire year as a volunteer. applicant states that he was born in Granville County North Carolina
on the 15th of March 1755 that he had a record of his age in an old bible which belonged to his Father and which was burned in his Brother-in-law's house several years ago.
That he lived in Fairfield District South Carolina at the time he first entered the army, and continued to live in the same neighbourhood during the whole of the war and untill about
the year 1806 when he moved to Duck river in Tennessee, where
he lived untill about 1812, when he moved to the neighbourhood
in which he now lives in Knox County, Tennessee, and where he has continued to live ever since 1812. applicant further States that he never received any written discharge, and that he has no documentary evidence of his service, and that he knows
of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services. Applicant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. s/ Jesse Perry
Sworn to and subscribed in open
Court this 18th day of August 1832
s/ Will Swan Clk
State of Tennessee Knox County  We Peter Waggoner a Clergyman, & James McNutt residing in the County of Knox and State of Tennessee, do hereby
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certify that we are well acquainted with Jesse Perry who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we have reason to believe he is seventy seven years old; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
and we do further certify that we never have heard the fact doubted or contradicted that the said Jesse Perry was a soldier in the Revolutionary war
s/ Peter Waggoner  James McNutt
Sworn and subscribed this in open Court this 18th day of August 1832
s/ Wm Swan Clk

and the said Court do hereby declare, their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interragatories 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 the said Peter Waggoner & James McNutt, who have signed the preceding certificate do reside in Knox County, Tennessee, and credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit, and further that the said Peter Waggoner is a Clergyman. s/ S. Porres 
Judge of the Circuit Court of the State of Tennessee

I William Swan Clerk of the Circuit Court of Knox County, Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jesse Perry for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal, having no seal of office, at office this 20th day of August 1832
s/Will Swan Clk
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State of Tennessee Knox County
Personally appeared before me
John McMillan an acting Justice of the Peace for said County Jesse Perry a citizen of said County aged upwards of seventy seven years, who having been sworn according to law doth on his oath make this additional declaration in order to obtain the provisions of an act of Congress passed on the 7th of June 1832 - That by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot state the precise period of the Revolutionary war in which he was in service, nor can he detail the various times & incidents of his said service more particularly than he has done in the declaration to which this is an amendment, and which is hereto
prefixed - he feels confident however that he was in actual service in the Revolutionary war as a private drafted militiaman, more than one year
and as a private volunteer, one entire year making in all two whole years for which he claims a pension - he states that the persons with whom he is acquainted in his neighbourhood
and who can testify to his veracity and his reputation for having performed military services in the
revolutionary war are Peter Waggoner, James McNutt, Aron Armstrong, James Rogers and others-
s/ Jesse Perry
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 1st day of April 1833 
s/ John McMillan 
Justice of peace for Knox County

State of Tennessee Knox County
I Charles McClung Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions do certify that I am acquainted with
the hand writing of John McMillan before whom the additional declaration was proved, that he is now and was then an acting Justice of the Peace for sd County and that the above signature I believe to be his
In testimony whereof I have hereto signed my name and affixed my seal of office this 2d day of April 1833 s/ Chas McClung
By his Dep Wm Swan
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I Hugh L. White a senator in Congress from the state of Tennessee do hereby certify that William Swan who
has signed the foregoing certificate as clerk & Deputy Clerk, is Clerk of the Circuit Court of Knox County Tenn. and Deputy Clerk of the County Court of said County that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Swan and all the foregoing signatures purporting to be his I believe to be genuine
Hu L. White April 6th 1833.

No. 6637 The certificate to this applicant will be directed to W. B. A. Ramsey Knoxville Tennessee
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Jesse Perry Tennessee No 6637
for private 2 years $80
4.10.16. Let of 
P. 290 East
11 March Wm Swan
Knoxville Tenn
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BRIEF in the case of Jesse Perry
of Knox County in the State of Tennessee (Act 7th June, 1832.)
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?
3. How old is he? 77 Years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. Volunteered In 17_ not ruled
Duration of Service. 3 months
Rank. As a Private
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen. [Thomas  Sumter] Sumpter
Capt [William] Long
[Lt.] Col [Robert] Goodwin

drafted 3 Months
Col [Richard] Winn afterwards Genl

drafted 3 Months Capt [John] Smith

drafted 3 Months [Lt] Col [Joseph] Kirkland

drafted 3 Months Capt [John]Taylor
Capt [James] Craig
[Lt] Col [Henry] Hunter

Served 1 year as Volunteer
in 6 campaigns of 3 Mos each
Col [Charles S. Myddleton] Middleton
Capt [John] Cook troop of Horse

5. In what battles was he engaged?

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Granvill South Carolina
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
Examining Clerk
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13815
East Tennessee 
Jesse Perry
of Knox Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Long
of the Regt commanded by Col
Goodwin in the North Carolina [sic] line for two years
S. Car. Line Records corrected. Mar 14 '04
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of June 1833 and Sent Wm Swan
Knoxville
Arrears to he 4th of March 160.
Semi-anl. allce ending 4 Sept 40.
= $200.
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 56

Date of death not on A. B. ill
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June 20, 1935.
Mrs. Jack Portwood
2518 Parkview Ave
Knoxville, Tennessee
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Jesse Perry, a pensioner of Knox County, Tennessee.
The record of Jesse Perry is given herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 3655, based upon his service in that war.
Jesse Perry was born March 15, 1755, in Granville County, North Carolina. The names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Fairfield District, South Carolina, he enlisted and served as a private on various tours, amounting to at least one year in the South Carolina troops as follows three months in Captain William [Long] Lang's company, Colonel Robert Goodwin's regiment,
designated the ""Snow [Camps] Campaign about eighteen months later, three months in Captain John Smith's company, Colonel Robert Goodwin's regiment, during which period he went on an expedition against a Tory colonel and assisted in his capture; after about a year, three months in Captain John Taylor's Company, Colonel Joseph Kirkland's regiment, in the vicinity of Fort Granby, and three months in Captain James Craig's company, Colonel Henry Hunter's regiment. After this, he enlisted and served one year in Captain John Cook's company, Colonel [Charles S. Myddleton]
Arthur Middleton's regiment, during which he was engaged against the
Tories and was in an engagement at Juniper Springs.
A short time after his service, while at home, the soldier was taken prisoner by a company of Tories under Colonel Thompson, was taken by them to Canden, and was later released on parole. He went
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then about twenty miles above Kings Mountain where he remained with friends until after the termination of the War.
Jesse Perry resided in Fairfield District, South Carolina, until 1806, moved then to Duck River, Tennessee, and remained until 1812, at which time he moved to Knox County, Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13,
1832, while a resident of Knox County,
Tennessee.
Jesse Perry stated that when he enlisted for the year's service, he moved his wife to the home of her mother, three miles distant, but
he did not give the name of either one, nor is the date of his marriage
shown in this claim. In 1832, he referred to his brother-in-law,
his name not shown. There are no further data relative to the family
of Jesse Perry.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
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Jesse Perry
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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 Jesse Perry                                                                 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 assigned for his not doing so? 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No 
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?  Yes
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?  No
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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?
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 produced a witness or witnesses as to his service has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 
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. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?    7 not answered,                                                                                                                                      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_________mpnths   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 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.  
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 are required to set forth 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 oflicer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 

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 be sent with the papers.

It will be observed that the county and circuit are different and distinct courts - 
The clerk of county court has a public seal but the clerk of the circuit court has none as he certifies - the certificate of Judge White cures that defect.
Applicant
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February 20, 1933.
BA-J/ILL
Jesse Perry
S. 3655
Mrs. W. J. Sawyer
612 West 19th Street
Chattanooga
Tennessee.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Jesse Perry, a pensioner of Knox County, Tennessee, in 1841.
The record of Jesse Perry given below is obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 3655, based upon his military service in the Revolutionary War; he was a resident of Knox County, Tennessee, at the time he made application for pension, and is the only soldier with that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Jesse Perry was born March 15, 1755 in Granville County, North Carolina.
While a resident of Fairfield District, South Carolina, he enlisted and served as private in the South Carolina troops as follow (specific dates of services not shown): three months in Captain William [Long]
Lang's Company, Colonel Robert Goodwin's Regiment, this service in the Snow [Camps] Campaign. about eighteen months later, three months in Captain John Smith's Company, Colonel Robert Goodwin's Regiment, during which service he was on an expedition to capture the Tory Colonel Fletcher (probably meant for Fletchell), the following year, three months in Captain John Taylor's Company, Colonel Joseph Kirkland's Regiment: a year later, three months in Captain James Craig's Company, Colonel Henry Hunter's Regiment; in 1781, three months in Captain James Craig's Company, Colonel Thomas Taylor's Regiment. shortly after this, in Captain John Cook's Company, Colonel [Charles S. Myddleton] Arthur Middleton's Regiment, length of this
service about one year, during which he was active against the Tories
and was in a skirmish at Juniper Springs.
a short time after his service, while at home, he was taken prisoner by a company of Tories under Colonel Thompson, was taken by
them to Camden, and was later released on parole.
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After his release by the enemy, Jesse Perry went about twenty miles above Kings Mountain, where he remained with friends until the termination of the war. He resided in Fairfield District, South Carolina, until the year 1806, moved then to Duck River, Tennessee, and remained there until 1812, then moved to Knox County, Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 18,
1832, while a resident of Knox County, Tennessee.
The soldier stated that at the time he volunteered for the years service, he moved his wife to the home of her mother, three miles distant, he referred, in 1832, to a brother-in-law; however, he gave no family names and there are no further family data in the papers on file in this pension claim.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Assistant to Administrator.
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2518 Parkview Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee
April 11, 1935
[stamp] RECEIVED JUN 10 1935
Pension Bureau,
Washington, DC
Gentlemen: Will you please send me the records that you may have of
Jessee Perry who served in the Revolutionary War from North Carolina but possibly placed on Knox County Roll. This pension was placed on pension roll June 22, 1833.
Pension dated from March 4, 1831.
Very respectfully,
Mrs Jack Portwood
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Chattanooga Tenn.
Jan 6th 1933
Dept of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington DC
I would like pension record of Jesse Perry who appears on pension list
from Knox Co. Tennessee 1841
Respectfully
Mrs WJ Sawyer
612 West 9th St.
Chattanooga Tenn
[stamp] RECEIVED JAN 9 1933
Pension Cant identify 1/28  wl
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1933 Feb 20 Hist to Mrs WJ Sawyer ill
1935 June 20 Hist to Mrs Jack Portwood ill

Rev War 3655 INVALID
file No 3655
Jesse Perry
Pri SC line
act June 7/32
Vol A page 291
arrangement of 1870
SC line Records corrected Mar 14 '04
wdg Oct 25 '06