Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31420, for Samuel Thompson, South Carolina
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE S. C.
Thompson, Samuel
NUMBER S. 31420

CONTENTS
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Louisiana 22.491
Samuel Thompson
Natchitoches Ph [Parish] in the State of Louisiana who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain Warford [Joseph Wofford] of the Regt Commanded by Col [John Sr.] Thomas in the South Carolina
line for two years

Inscribed on the Roll of Louisiana
at the rate of 80 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of November 1838 and sent to Genl H. Leavenworth, Fort Jessup via Natchitoches, La

Arrears to the 4th of Septr 1833.-- 200.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '34 40.00 = $240.00

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

Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer Clerk,
Book E Vol. 8 Page 39

Letter to Pa. Morse Esq NaChitoches Louisiana Nov 18th 1840

Dead - 22 May 1843.
Letter to to Hon D.S. Kaufman
2 March 1847
Letter to Hon T.J. Rush & 3d Audr 28 Decr 1847
Letter to 3d Audr. 28 Dec 1848.
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27.871
Samuel Thompson
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State of Louisiana
Parish of Natchitoches ⎬ On this 27th
day of August 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the parish court parish of Natchitoches
now sitting, Samuel Thompson
a resident of said Parish of
Natchitoches and State of Louisiana
aged sixty eight years on the 14 day of March 1833 - 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 7. 1832.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
In 1778 or 1779 he served under Captain Joseph Worford [Wofford] of South Carolina a tour of four or six months a part of which was for his elder brother and a part for himself-- The company served under
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Colonel [John Sr.] Thomas also of South Carolina in the District of Ninety Six - He then resided in the said District of Ninety Six in said State of South Carolina. This tour was served under a draft. He marched to Prince's Fort, in the said District where he was stationed until the British took the City of Charlestown.
There was no regular officer or soldiers with him at this time to his knowledge. He has no documentary evidence and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service, Except Bailey Anderson whose affidavit will be herewith Submitted.
After the fall of Charleston this deponent went out to a Fort called
'Gowen's Fort' and remained there forted against the Indians, Tory hunting, and Indian Scouting, for a year or two-- During the time he belonged to Captain [Major] Parson's
Company. Capt Parson was the
commanding officer. But Colonel [Benjamin] Roebuck was chosen for our Colonel but whether he was ever commissioned or not, this deponent does not [illegible]
In the year 1779 or 1780 he volunteered under Colonel Roebuck and carried an Exp-
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from him to General [Daniel] Morgan to inform him of the advance of Colonel Carlton [Banastre Tarleton] to attack him- He remained with General Morgan until after the battle of The CowPens in which battle he was engaged -
He was then sent back to Goings [Gowens] Fort, Colonel [Benjamin] Roebuck called for men to go and attack a fort of Tories called William's Fort. He volunteered & went with Colonel Roebuck and was out to the
best of his recollection about two
weeks. But he was out frequently
almost constantly but he can
not recollect the length of the time precisely.
From 1778 or 1779 he was constantly engaged in the cause of the revolution and a great part of the time
he was a refugee from his own
home, and carried arms against
the enemy - He did nothing else
but defend himself & friends against
the British - Tories & Indians
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity Except the present, and declares that his
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name is not on the Pension Roll of the
agency of any State-
s/ Samuel Thompson
Sworn and subscribed, the day
and year aforesaid-
Before me
s/ F. Williams
Justice of the Peace
Parish of Natchitoches

We J. B. Blane a Clergyman residing in the parish of Natchitoches and Henry Leavenworth residing
in the same parish-- hereby certify that we are acquainted with Samuel Thompson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the year
and day aforesaid
Blane [illegible]
H Leavenworth
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State of Louisiana
Parish of Natchitoches
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the peace
of the parish of Natchitoches, Samuel Thompson 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 in his Declaration hereunto annexed, and in the following grades: to wit:-- in the grade of a  private soldier and in no other rank or grade and that for more than two years during which
period he was not employed in any civil pursuit
s/ Saml Thompson
Sworn to & Subscribed  this 27th day of August 1833. Before me
s/ F. Williams
Justice of the Peace
Parish of Natchitoches
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Where and in what year were you born?
Ans. I was born in North Carolina, in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty five -
Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it
Ans- I have no record
Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Ans. I have lived in South Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri and Louisiana - The remaining parts of the question are mentioned in my declaration-
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 cannot state more fully than I have done in my declaration.
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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 I have already stated as far as I am able in my declaration
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 do not recollect whether I did or not. If I did, I do not know what has become of it.
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State of Louisiana
Parish of Natchitoches ⎬ On this 27th
day of August 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Court parish of Natchitoches now sitting, Bailey Anderson, a resident of that district of Country situated between the east & west branches of the Sabine in what is now called Texas aged Seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law saith that he knew the family of Samuel Thompson in South Carolina and he has since known said Thompson for about forty years. This deponent can not distinctly recollect
him during the Revolutionary but he has by conversation with him as to the events of the war, become fully satisfied that he was engaged in the revolutionary War that he has heard
read the declaration of said Samuel 
Thompson, this day made
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in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of Congress passed
June 7, 1832 and that he has good reason to believe and does believe that the said declaration is substantially true & correct
from his acquaintance with said Samuel Thompson, he Knows him to be a man who is entitled to full credit and belief
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Baily Anderson X his Mark
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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 J.B. Blane
who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the parish of Natchitoches that
Henry Leavenworth who has also signed the same is a resident in the parish aforesaid and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. s/ C.E. Grensaur Justice of the Parish Court of the parish of Natchitoches

I Frederick Williams clerk of the Parish of Natchitoches do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Samuel Thompson for a pension
In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and seal
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of Office this twenty seventh day of August A.D. 1833.
s/ F. Williams
Clerk of the parish Court
Parish of Natchitoches
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31420
Revy INVALID
file no 31420
Samuel Thompson
Pri Rev War
act June 7 32
Vol Q Page 431
arrangement of 1870
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Fort Jesup 3d Sept 1833
Sir Herewith you will receive the
papers in the matter of the several
declarants, for a pension viz
John Cloud. Bailey Anderson
and Samuel Thompson-
They all desire to be inscribed
on the pension roll of the State of
Louisiana-
As I have given my testimony for
these men you will excuse me
for telling you that I have done
their writing voluntarily & without
fee or reward-
In addition to what I have said
for them I assure you that I am
well satisfied of the truth of their
statements by the manner as by
the matter of their declarations
you will perceive that the word well
is striken out in the certificate
Signed by the Clergyman & myself
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This I did myself because in this new
Country where the inhabitants are very thinly scattered over a wide surface I could not say that I was
Well acquainted with these men
tho I had heard of them for a long
time as revolutionary Soldiers
this I hope you will not consider material. your early attention this
business is respectfully asked & you
will see that after a Man arrives at the age of 92 years there is no time to be
certain in cases like these -
With respect & 
yr Obt svt
H. Leavenworth

JL Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington
D. C
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Henry Representatives Feby 27, 1847
Col Edwards Pension Commissioner
B
Enclosed I send you Burwell J. Thompsons application for the pension of his father -
Please examine them immediately
and give me the result of your examination as I leave here on
Thursday morning. If the papers are
not correct please send me instructions for his guidance. Can the son obtain the pension the father
being deceased
very Respectfully
David S. Kaufman
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see Bailey Andersons papers No 27868
Witness wherein he is certified to be entitled to credit
298 for any money
27.871  22.491
Samuel Thompson
Louisiana

Adm 2 years $80
Gen H. Leavenworth
Cantonment Jessup
Louisiana
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Rev War June 7  Questions To Soldiers. To Officers

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person                                                                                                
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, it one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. 

All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. 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 services.
6.
(To a Soldier.)  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
(To an Officer. ) Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.  

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, fromtheir acquaintance with him; that they believe he is of the age he represents,and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certity to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deened very important, in the absence of any direct proof except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general or whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.  

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of ofice, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genine signature.

No payments can be made upon account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto,and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and theopinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

                               --------------------------------------------------------------------

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so , he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldiers must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, 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.  

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 depots and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positive as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grades: ---For____year_____month____days, I served as a ______ for _______ months and ______ days, I served as a ________; and for such service I claim a Pension "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 service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  ome persons who apply for pensions mere state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  

It must begin every case, be clearly shown under what officer the applicant severed; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corp 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 n any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certified officer, should accompany the papers.                                                   
                                                                  
                                                                    Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certifing officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certiicate 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.                                                  
                                                                     Proof of Service
(j) In 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 claimant's 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 verify 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.
The note
 from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is 
The note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k)This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
￼
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Divison of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME  Thompson, Samuel

Grade Private

Line Virginia
(Lee's Legion)

WARRANT
NUMBERn  12604 and 13980

ACREAGE  100

ISSUED  July 6, 1793
To Francis Graves, assignee


____
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are 

registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.

Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.

Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.