Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8553, Thomas Grear, N.C. Penn.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE Number
N.C. Penn. Grear, Thomas S. 8553


Born in Ireland                  Carded
CONTENTS
[left blank]
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7095
North Carolina
Thomas Grear
of Guilford C. in the State of N. Carolina of
who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Scott of the Regt. commanded by Colonel Lowry in the Penn. ma for 9 months from ‘76

Pa. and N.C. Oct. 17, 1904
Recorded completed

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina
at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of March 
1833 and sent to Hon. A. H. Shepperd H of Rep.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $60.00 Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833 15.00
$75

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by W. L. Williams 
Book C. Vol. 6 Page [Missing]
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North Carolina   County Court
Guilford County   February 1833

On this 22nd day of February personally appeared in open court before the Justice of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions for Guilford County
The same being a Court of records, now sitting Thomas Grear as a resident in the United States and County and state aforesaid, aged 77 years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June the 7th, A.D. 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under [illegible]
Officer and served as herein after stated to wit, that he [illegible]
In Pennsylvania Lancaster County in the company of Capt. Scott, Commanded by Col. Lowry, when many of the citizens of Lancaster, York, and Cumberland County turned out and met at Philadelphia that after leaving Philadelphia he went to 
The Delaware to a town on the other Jersey side called Burling
Below Trenton, that this was in the latter part of 1776 to the best of his recollection- that his company joined the regular army under the command of Genl Washington at Trenton - that he was engaged in the battle of Trenton - that night put an end to the battle - that then on a creek thro. Trenton - that Genl. Washington continued on one side and his Battalion on the other - that he marched off in the night in Genl. Washington’s Army - that he was marched all the latter part of the night and arrived at Princeton at daylight - that before leaving South he assisted in building large fires to deceive the enemy - that shortly after their arrival the Americans were engaged in battle at Princeton with a part of the British army coming to join Lord Cornwallis - that the enemy was defeated - that in the battle Genl. Mercer [?] was killed - that he was marched thence to Somerset Court House and thence to Morristown where [Corner of the page missing]
Army took up [illegible] quarters - that he continued
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in Morristown about two weeks - that there we brought to Morristown from some place South of that place. That there prisoners were sent under the care of the said Captain Scott and his own County of Lancaster Pa to the Barracks - that after he returned he was discharged from the service and received a certificate of service for 4 months - that he resided in Pennsylvania until 1778 - that he and his father family then moved to Guilford County N.C. That of Martinsville Guilford County he volunteered in the Company of Capt. Forbes August 1780 in Guilford - that he marched to the South under Col. Paisley and joined the troops under Genl. Davidson below Charlotte Mecklenburg County - that he retreated with Genl. Davidson back to Salisbury Rowan Co. - that he was there left by the troops to take care of the baggage waggons - that the troop marched to the South and returned back in the fall of the same year 1780 - where he was discharged and sent home to Guilford with some troops from the same County - that this was a three month town that previous and he believes the summer before the last mentioned tour he volunteered and was marched under Capt. Forbis and Col. Paisley up on the Fadkin River after one Col. Brian a Tory in which he consumed a few weeks - that he took many other such short tours after the Tories off in various sectors but his recollection does not sufficiently aid him to give of these satisfactory history or their seasonal date
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That in them all he must have have [illegible] not less than two months - that in all his [illegible] must have done service not less than nine months - that he left in Pennsylvania the [illegible] mentioned above, that he knows of no one who can testify from personal knowledge to his service in North Carolina - That his other services [crossed out] by anyone known to him - that he has no  [illegible] tary evidence of his services - that he was born in the County of Donegal Ireland about twenty miles from Londonderry - that at 16 years old he sailed to America and settled with his father in Lancaster County Pennsylvania - that he has no record of his age but knows from what his father told him - that he has lived in Guilford ever since the Revolutionary War - that he is known to Rev. W. M. Paisley and  Marshal McLean from 
Who can and Is willing to testify to his character for truth and then belief of his revolutionary service - that he [illegible] served as a private - that he filed a declaration similar to the above, and in substance as the same at August [illegible] 6 months ago, but has been informed by his Representative the Hon. A. H. Shepard. That [illegible] not yet been found at washington
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to  [illegible] or pension and declares that his name is  [illegible] on the pension  [illegible] of the agency of any State subscribed and sworn to in open court.
A. E. Hannor            Thomas Grear
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W.M. Paisley a clergyman, residing in the county of Guilford and Marshal McLean in the same hereby certify, that we are we;; acquainted with Thomas Greerr, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 77 years of age; that he is reputed and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that Opinion.

Subscribed and sworn to in open Court William Paisley, Pastor Mchannorff, Marshall McLean

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that W.M. Paisley who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the county of Guilford and that Marshall Mclean who has also signed the same is a resident in the same and is a credible person and that the statement is entitled [ink blot] credit.
J.A. Urbanes
William Aden
B. Adams

A.E. Hannor clerk of the county court of Guilford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Grear for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of office this 22 day of February AD 1833.
A.E. Hannor
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7095
Thomas Grear
N.C.
F[illegible] 1776 [illegible]
[illegible]
$30.

Hon. A. H. Sheppard
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BRIEF in the case of Thomas Grear
County of Guilford in the state of North Carolina
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
4. State his service as directed in the form annexed
Period / Duration of Service / Rank. / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Years, Months, Days. / As a / Gen. Washington Davidson
In 1776 - / 4 months / as a Private / Captain Scott. Col. Lowry
1780 - / 3 months / " / Capt. Forbes, Col. Paisley
Vol - / not stated / " /  "      "
May short tours he cannot recollect that in all his service he may have done service not less than nine months.
5. In what battles was he engaged? Trenton
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lancaster Co Pa
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? Correct
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chs W. Forrest
Examining Clerk.
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June 19, 1931
S.M. Carothers
Box 421
Sumter, South Carolina

Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
MCS:MLB

Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 8553, that Thomas Grear was born in Donegal County, Ireland, about twenty miles from Londonderry, date not given. When he was sixteen years of age he came to America with his father (name not given) and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1773 when he moved to Guilford County, North Carolina.

He enlisted in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1776, and served four months as private in Captain Scott's company in Colonel Lowrey's Pennsylvania regiment and was in the battle of Trenton. In the summer of 1779 he served a few weeks as private in Captain Forbes' company in Colonel Paisley's North Carolina Regiment. He enlisted in August, 1780, and served three months in Captain Forbes' company in Colonel Paisley's North Carolina regiment. He also served other short tours against the Tories, amounting to about two months in all; names of officers not given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 22, 1833, at which time he was living in Guilford county, North Carolina, aged seventy-seven years.

There is no reference to soldier's family other that to his father as above stated.

The above noted is the history of the only soldier who served with the North Carolina troops, by the name of Thomas Grear, that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

Very truly yours
E. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
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Revolutionary War Records Section 30523
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washing, D.C., , 10

In reply to your request of …, received for a statement of the military history of Thomas Grear a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pension on file in this bureau.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment / Length of Service. / Rank / Officers under whom service was rendered / State
[line 1] 
1776 / 4 months / Private / Captain Scott, Colonel Lowry / PA
[line 2]
Summer 1779 / 3 months / Private / Captain Forbes, Colonel Paisley / N.C.
[line 3]
Aug 1780 / 3 months / [empty] / Captain Forbes, Colonel Paisley / N.C.
[line four, overlapping other boxes]
[no date] / 2 months / [empty] / no officers stated / [no state]

Battles engaged in, Trenton
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Vol. in Lancaster County, Philadelphia
Date of application for pension, Feb. 22 1833. 
Residence at date of application, Guilford County, N.C.
Age at date of application, 77 years born in Donegal County Ireland about 20 miles from Londonderry
Remarks: 
Soldier came to America when he was 16 years old with his father, whose name is not listed, and settled in Lancaster County, PA. There he remained until 1778 when he moved to Guilford C. S.C. There is no other data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
[illegible]
Commissioner.
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[Left Page]
1920 Sept. 27 Hist. to Mabel Lindly
1929. Sept 13. Mrs. H.P. Grier add rel to rank, res. etc. See Thos. Grier, A. 7567
1931. June 19 hist. to S. M. Carothers
1934. Mar. 20. Hist. to Miss Jessie McLean. 

[Right Page]
8553
INVALID.
File No. 8553
Thomas Grear
Act: June 7th 1732
Index:- Vol.[illegible] Page 150
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Thomas Grear
Oct. 7. 1904
Research corrected.
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IN REPLY REFER TO 3-2562
Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
NCS:MLB

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON

June 9, 1931

S.M. Carothers
Box 421
Sumter, South Carolina

Dear Sir:

I advise you that the data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained in your letter.

Please fill out such of the blank spaces below, as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this bureau.

First name of widow: Unknown
Full name of soldier: Thomas Grear
Residence of soldier at enlistment: Unknown
Residence of soldier after service: (Supposed) Mecklenburg County, N.C.
Name of state from which he enlisted: North Carolina (Supposed)
Approximate date of birth: Unknown
Approximate date of death: Unknown
Kindly return attached letter with your reply.
Respectfully,
E. W. Morgan

[Circular stamp] U.S. Pension Office Jun 12 1931

All the information I have of this veteran is taken from Volume 22, page 67, of the “The State Records of North Carolina” by Walter Clark, Chief Justice N.C. in which he is listed as a pensioner. S.M. Carothers
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J.Scofield Row, President
The Metropolitan Casualty Insurance CO. of New York chartered 1874. Sumter, S.C.
Riley & Company Sumter, S.C.

May 5, 1930.

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Please send me a copy of the pension application made by Thomas Grear )Grier or Graer), for services in the War of the Revolution for services in North Carolina Troops.
Very truly
S.M. Carothers
Box 421, Sumter, S.C.

[circular stamp] U.S. Pension Office May 7 1931
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The Woman’s College of The University of North Carolina Greensboro, N.C.

Department of Health

[circular stamp] RECEIVED MAR 15 1934

March 14,1934

U.S. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I wish all the information possible about one Thomas Grear (Graer) (Grier) who was in the American Revolution and enlisted in the Pennsylvania militia. Later, some time about 1781 or 1783 he moved to North Carolina and received a pension. I would like very much to know from which county in Pennsylvania he enlisted and the number of his company and the names of the officers. Thanking you I am

Respectfully, 
Jessie McLean

JM/AMM
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[illegible]

1715 S[illegible]. 20th.
Lincoln, [illegible]
Aug. 12, 19[illegible]

[oval stamp] Record Division [illegible] 1920 

Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir;
Will you kindly give me the war records of the following men together with any other vital statistics which their Revolutionary record may contain.
Thomas Grear of Guilford, N.C. was granted a pension Mch. 1, 1833. He was 78 years old. S 8553

William Cash received $40 a year in the Virginia Militia. Placed on Roll May 23, 1934 age 81 years. Lived at Rock Castle Co., Ky. R.1779 all dates same except century

James Bradley b. July 1, 1781, died Sept. 6, 1857. Buried at Eaton, Ohio. Appointed 1st. Lieut. In Artillery Co. May 9, 1776.
His father’s record Capt. Francis Bradley.
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I am sorry that my wants are so numerous but I am very anxious to get my different ancestral lines traced. I shall appreciate very much indeed any information that you can and will give me.
Very truly yours
Mabel Lindly.

[Stamp]
Pension Office
Aug 12, 1920
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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 Thomas Grear 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. Did 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 of the war when he served? Yes

V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with regulations? Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension that the one under the Act of June 7 1832? Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Court given his certificate? Yes

X. Is the Clerk’s seal affixed? And, if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman or another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief of 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’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, as the magistrate who administered the oath certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses

Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

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 personal knowledge of the applicant’s service?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered. Yes


EXPLANATORY NOTES

*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:


“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace &c A. B . who, being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services 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 __ year ____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _______ and for such service I claim a pension.
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank be 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 a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time 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 are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape narrow ribbon, the end 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.

In every case where the clerk of court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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March 20, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Thomas Greer, S.8552

Miss Jessie McLean   
Woman's College of University of N.C.       
Greensboro
North Carolina

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the record of Thomas Grear, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 8553, based upon the military service of Thomas Grear.

He was born in Donegal County, Ireland, about twenty miles from Londonderry, date not given. When he was sixteen years of age he came to America with his father (name not given) and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1773 when he moved to Guilford County, North Carolina.

He enlisted in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1776, and served four months as private in Captain Scott's company in Colonel Lowrey's Pennsylvania regiment and was in the battle of Trenton. In the summer of 1779 he served a few weeks as private in Captain Forbes' company in Colonel Paisley's North Carolina Regiment. He enlisted in August, 1780, and served three months in Captain Forbes' company in Colonel Paisley's North Carolina regiment. He also served other short tours against the Tories, amounting to about two months in all; names of officers not given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 22, 1833, at which time he was living in Guilford county, North Carolina, aged seventy-seven years.

There is no reference to soldier's family other that to his father as above stated.

Soldier's death not in Agency Book.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator