Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,018, for Rollings James, South Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
S.C.

James, Rollings

NUMBER
S. 2018

Born in Md.        carded
----------------------------------
CONTENTS
Page 2

7471
East Tennessee
Rolling James
of Campbell in the State of E Tenn
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Kinsey of the Regt commanded
by Col Hill in the NC
line for 10 mo
SC Line Records corrected
-------------------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of E Tenn Nov 18 33 [?]
at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
--------------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of April
1833 and sent to Wm Cary [Gary?]
Jacksboro
--------------------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of March                 66.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept     16.66
                                                           $83.32

{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832.       }

Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 7  Page 49

[on top right side of page]
Lett Robt. King June 29 '37
Duplicate Certificate
issued 20th Sept 1837 and
Sent to R. King Knoxville
Tennessee
Page 3

No. 13.539
Rollings James
Campbell
S. C. Roll
from 1780 private
10 months 
$33.33

McKinsey
Hill
N. C.


Wm Cary
Newport [this word struck through]
Jacksboro
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Rollings James of the County
of Campbell in the State of Tenn.
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge?  Court

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

3.  How old is he?  70 years

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
-------------------------------------------
Period.
In 1780
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
10 [months]
Rank.
As a 
Private
Names of General and Field Officers 
under whom he served.
Genl.
Col. Hill, Capt. McKinsey


5.  In what battles was he engaged?  none

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Burk Co. N. C.

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Deposition & tradition

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

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.


Levin Belt
Examining Clerk.
Page 5

State of Tennessee
Campbell County 

September Term 1832

On this the 10th day of September One 
thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared 
in open court before the Court of Pleas and Quarter 
Sessions of said County now sitting - Rollings James
a resident of said County of Campbell and State aforesaid
Aged Seventy years who being first duly sworn according 
to law doth on this corporal oath make the following 
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act 
of Congress passed June 7th 1832. - 
That he enlisted in the State troops of South Carolina 
in the year One Thousand seven hundred and Eighty 
with Captain's John McKinsey and was afterwards
transferred to Captain William McKinseys Company and 
served in the [blank] Regiment of the State the number 
of which is not now remembered, under the following 
named officers viz.  Col William Hill of South 
Carolina commanded the regiment- Major Bluford 
was first Major.  the name of the second Major is not 
now remembered - He left the service in the month 
of March One thousand seven hundred and Eighty
He enlisted the ten months but was not discharged for 
some time after his term of service expired.  That he 
never was in any general engagement.  The service 
assigned to him to perform was to wait upon the 
sick in the hospital and as hostler to Edward Hunter 
the General paymaster.  At the time of his enlistment
he lived in Burk County in the state of North Carolina 
was mustered into service upon the Congaree river 
from there we were marched to Orangeburg where we 
were stationed for a while.  from there to the four 
hoes [holes] bridge where we were stationed the balance of
Page 6

the winter.  in the spring we were marched back to Congaree
river where some of the troops were discharged  he was 
not discharged until he was marched back to Congaree
river the place above refered to - He hereby relinquishes
every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity
except the present and he declares that his name is 
not on the pension roll of any agency in any State

Rollings James  X  his mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Test William Carey Clk


We James Hickey Senr. a clergyman residing in the County of 
Campbell and State of Tennessee and Amos Richardson
residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with Rollings James who has subscribed and 
sworn to the above declaration  that we believe him to 
be about Seventy or Seventy one years of age   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 

James Hickey Senr.
Amos Richardson  X  his mark

Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
Test  William Cary Clk

I Amos Richardson do further certify that I know of my 
own knowledge of the above named applicant having 
served as a soldier in the revolutionary war but for
what length of time I cannot state as of my own
knowledge.

Amos Richardson  X  his mark

Sworn to and subscribed in open court the
day and year aforesaid

Test 
William Carey Clk

Interrogatory 1st.  by the court, 
where and in what year were 
you born  Ans:  I was born in the State of Maryland and 
agreeable to the best information on that subject I was born
in the year 1762.
2nd.  have you any record of your 
age and if so where is it.  Ans:  I have none
3rd.  Where were you living when called into service where have 
you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now 
live
Ans:  I Burk County in the State of North Carolina
Page 7

After the war I moved to Patrick County, now 
Pittsylvania County Virginia from there to Tennessee
and am now a citizen of this County -
4th.  How were you called into service.  were you drafted
did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute
for whom?  Ans:  I enlisted in the State troops of
South Carolina for ten months and served out
that time  
5th  State the names of some of the regular
officers who were with the troops where you served
such continental and militia regiments as you can 
recollect and the general circumstances of your service
Ans.  Col. William Hill commanded the regiment in which 
I served.  Genl. Sumpter commanded  William
Bluford was 1st Major - Col. Wade Hampton as
well as I now recollect also commanded a regiment
under Genl. Sumpters command -
6th  did you ever receive a discharge from the service
and if so by whom was it given and what has become of 
it   Ans.  I received a regular discharge for the time of 
my enlistment but it is worn out and lost
7th  State the names of some of the persons in your present neighbourhood to whom 
you are known and who can testify as to your character
for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of 
the revolution   Ans.  Thomas Mack [Maad?] Esqr. Abraham Hayter Esq
Francis Starr William Walker and my neighbours
generally - 

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 applicant
was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and 
the court further states that it appears to them that James
Hickey Senr. who has signed the preceeding certificate is a 
Clergyman resident in the County of Campbell aforesaid
and that Amos Richardson who has also signed the same
is a resident in said County and is a credible person and 
that their statement is entitled to credit

Caldell Davis
Edmond Cross
Enoch Rice
Court of Quorum
Page 8

I William Carey Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Campbell County in the State of 
Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains 
the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter
of the application of Rolling James for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand 
and seal of Office at Office in
Jacksborough this 27th day of
September One thousand Eight
hundred and thirty two

William Carey Clk
[seal]


13.539
Rollings James
Declaration to
obtain a pension under
act of Congress passed
7th June 1832
Page 9

Rev. War
2018
INVALID.
-----------------
File No. 2018
Rolling James
Pvt. N. C. line
---------------
Act:  June 7, 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 318

[Arrangement of 1870.]

S.C. Line.  Records corrected Nov 18 '03 [?]
Page 10

[the far right edge of a piece of paper]
for the
and
attestations

[illegible]

put a
Page 11

No. 13.539
Rollings James
Page 12

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
Rollings James which require 
further proof or explanation.

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

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

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?  [blank]

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 amout 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?  yes
Page 13

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?  [blank]

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?  [blank]

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?  yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, 
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  [blank]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?  yes

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?  yes

XVI.  ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  yes

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? [blank] 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 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 -----months
and ---- days, I served as a -----; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 14

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite,
and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the 
officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.
It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration 
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with 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 any 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 authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the 
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
☞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 accompany the papers.
Page 15

R


FREE

James L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

[post mark]
KNOXVILLE
TEN.
JUN 
20


[written upside down on page]
Rollings James
E. Ten.
for 
Cert


[written sideways on page]
29 June
Burdon [?]
Page 16

Agent Officer E. Tennessee
Thomasville  June 20th 1837.

Sir

You will please find enclosed
Mr Rolling James affidavit for a renewal of 
his last Certificate of Pension.  I hope you 
will be enabled to issue a Duplicate to  him
in lieu of the one lossed.  Mr James is quite 
an old & Feble man

I am respectfully your obt svt [obedient servant]

R. King Agent



James L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washing City
Page 17

New Certificate
grant
Page 18

Agents Office East Tennessee
Thomasville  Sept 9th 1837

Sir

hearwith I enclose you an other application
from Mr Rolling James for a renew [?] of his 
pension Certificate, which he has lossed or been 
distroyed;  I am personally acquainted with this
pensioner and have paid him his pension as 
many as seven times as my Books shew and 
at each payment he presented his original
Certificate of Pension to me - I have no hesitation
to pay that he has losed it & that he is the Identical 
Rolling James - this pensioner is quite poor and 
in Grate need in order to Sustain life.  if his pension
could be obtained it would be quite important to 
his as he is quite old & feble

I am respectfully your obt Sevt. [obedient servant]

R. King Agent



J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 19

State of Tennessee
Knox County

On this 4th day of September 1857 before
me the subscriber a Justice of the said
County of Knox personally appeared Rolling James
who on his oath declares that he is the same person
who formerly belong to the Company Commanded by
Captain John McKinsey in the Regiment Commanded by
Colonel William [illegible] in the service of the United States
that his name was placed on the pension Roll for the
State of Tennessee under the act of 7 June 1832, that
he resided in Campbell county Tennessee at the time 
he states he lost his Original Certificate of pension
and further deposeth and saith that being absent some 
time in the month of October 1836.  One night some 
person unknown broke into his house and took away his
original Certificate of pension - that he received a 
Certificate of pension under the signature and seal 
of the Secretary of War

Rolling James  R  his mark

Sworn & subscribed to before
me the day and year aforesaid

Wm Lindsay
Justice of peace
Knox County
Page 20

State of Tennessee
Knox County

I Wm Lindsay a 
Justice of Peace in and 
for the County of Knox do certify that 
I have Known Rolling James a long
time  that I have often qualifyed him 
to his pention certificate heretofore
and believe that he has lost his certificate
as he states in his affidavit  I 
have no reason to think otherwise  Given
under my hand this 4th Day of 
September 1837

Wm Lindsay
J.P.K.C.
Page 21

State of Tennessee
Knox County

I Moses M Swan Clerk of the 
County Court of Knox County do 
hereby certify that William Lindsay 
before whom the foregoing affidavit of 
Rollings James was sworn to and 
subscribed by said Rollings James on 
the 4th day of September 1837 was at the 
time said affidavit bears oath and now is an
acting Justice of the peace in and for Knox County in 
said State Duly commissioned and Qualified as such
and that full faith and credit is due to all 
his official acts as such and that he has been an 
acting Justice of the peace in said County for 
sevral years past
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand and affixed my seal of office at 
office in Knoxville this 5th day of September
1837

Moses M. Swan Clerk

[seal]