Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17820, John Allen, N. C.
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776]

SERVICE
N. C.

Allen, John

NUMBER
S. 17,820

Born in Va.            carded
CONTENTS
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[typed form, with handwritten responses] 

South Carolina

John Allen
of Chester in the State of SoCa: [South Carolina]
who was a pr & Ens: [private & Ensign] in the [blank] com [commanded] by Captain [blank] of the Rgt [Regiment] com [commanded]
by Col. Sorrel in the N. Ca—[North Carolina]
line for 6 months 
Ctf [Certificate] 23,794

Inscribed on the Roll of So Carolina
at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Apr
and sent [to] Purdue 
Chester C. H. So Ca

Arrears to the 4th of March 1834    120
Semi=anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 Sept. “ [1834]  20
$140

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by W Rice, Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 Page 6[3? Cut off]
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[note scanned out of order]

I have stated was that of a Commissary, & was signed by Col. Joseph Hawkins. And that both are lost or destroyed, so that I cannot tell what has become of them. 
7. An. [Answer] Having removed from my original State, I know of no person that can testify to my services except Joseph Perdue & perhaps Rubin Bennett [Pension # S18714]. 
But as to my credibility & arrest of the war of character, I can mention the names of Joseph Gaston Esq., Daniel Green Stevenson Esq. Captain John Rodman, John McCreasy, Esq., The Rev'd [Reverend] Samuel McCreasy & Mr. Wm. Heath with a number of others, that have been acquainted with me ever since I came to this Country but knew nothing of my Revolutionary Services. 
Sworn to & Subscribed the 24 day of Nov. 1832 in open Court. 
John Allen 
Peter Wylie (Judge of the court ordinary)

South Carolina} 
Chester District} Personally appeared in open court before me Peter Wylie Judge of the court of ordinary of said District Joseph Purdue who upon being duly sworn saith upon oath that he was acquainted with John Allen Applicant above named during the revolutionary War and was in the Service of his country the United States with said Allen in a three months tour under the following officers Viz. Colonel Joseph Hawkins & Major Debarren in the State of North Carolina's Militia. 
Sworn to & subscribed in open court} 
24th day Nov. 1832} 
Joseph [his X mark] Purdue
Peter Wylie Judge Co CD

South Carolina} 
Chester District} We, Samuel McCreary, a clergyman residing in State & District aforesaid & Joseph Gaston Esq. residing in State & District aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Allen who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be
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Eighty years of age that he is reputed and believe in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion 
Sworn to & Subscribed in} 
open Court this 24th day of} 
Nov. 1832}     Saml [Samuel] McCreary 
Joseph Gaston [Illegible initials] 
Peter Wylie Judge

[written on the side - sideways] J Allen
And the court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after witting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier (or officer) and served as he states and the Court certifies that Samuel McCreary who signed, the preceding certificate is a clergy man resident in Chester District, South Carolina and that Joseph Gaston Esqr [Esquire] who has also signed the same is a resident in said State & District and is credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit 
Peter Wylie JCOCD

I Peter Wylie Clerk of the court of Ordinary of Chester District, State of South Carolina do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Allen for a pension 
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 24 day of November 1832 
Peter Wylie CCOCD

Direct the [Illegible] to John Allen Chester District South Carolina Chesterville PO
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[note scanned out of order]

Willmonton [Wilmington]. Had several skirmishes with both British & Tories. That he did both the duty of a Commissary & Common Soldier & messed & sleped [slept] with the Colonel. That they had one deliberate Charge Sword in hand on a camp of British & Tories, gave them a complete defeat, killed & wounded a number, & completely scattered them, as they retreated into a swamp. And relieved Colonel Keanyen [probably Colonel James Kenan] as they were about to attack him with a superior number. 
This was another full three months tour, & was dismissed & came home with the Col. as the British left the Country & marched to the state of Virginia. 
That he has lost or mislaid his Commissions so that he cannot tell what has become of them, not thinking that he would ever have any use for them. 
And that he relinquishes every claim whatever to a pention [pension] or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll or Agency of any State or the United States. 
Sworn to in open court date above. 
John Allen
Peter Wylie, Judge Court Ordinary 

To the first interrogatory he Answers: 
I was Born in the year 1752, in Culpepper County in the State of Virginia, as informed by my parents. 

2nd An. [Answer] I once made a Record of my age, but cannot now tell what has become of it. 

3rd An.[Answer] I was living in Warren County in the State of North Carolina & lived there after the war until the year 1799, when I removed to South Carolina Chester district where I now live. 

4th An. I always volunteered my services. 

5th An. I do not recollect of any regular troops or Officers that served with us. But I knew Genl [General] Sumner very well both before and after the Service. I also knew Colonels Benjamin Sorrel, Joseph Hawkins & Wm. [William] Brickel, Major Enlow, Captain Richards, Capt. Powers, Capt. Carter & others. 

6th An. I did receive two commissions; one as an Ensign or Second Leiut. [Lieutenant] But I am not positive by whom it was signed; but am rather of opinion it was by the Governor of North Carolina. The second as
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[note scanned out of order]

State of South Carolina} 
Chester District} On the 24 day of November 1832 Personally appeared before Peter Wylie Judge of the Court of Ordinary of said District John Allen of the District & State aforesaid (but formerly of the State of North Carolina) aged 80 years last Monday, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed the 7th of June 1832. That he entered the Service of his Country as a volunteer in the State of North Carolina, Warren County where he then lived under Capt. Edward Clanton, Colonel Benjamin Sorrel [Benjamin Seawell], in Gen.l [General] Jethro Sumner's Brigade, about the month of July or August & received an Ensign or Second lieutenant commission in the Militia foot service. Of the date he is not positive, but remembers well that when they had marched as far as Cheraw Hill in South Carolina, they got the account of Genl [General] Gates' defeat at Camden; which he finds from record to have been on the 16th of August 1780. 
That they then turned & marched toward Charlotte in North Carolina, & had some skirmishes with the Tories & defeated & scattered them. And remained there until the British Army marched up from Camden; & then retreated to Salisbury, & back over the Yadkin River, & was discharged; this was a three months tour. 
The next was when Cornwallis marched through N. C. after the Battle of Guilford. He again turned a volunteer in a company of Horse as a Dragoon (found his own Horse) under Capt. John Powers, Col. Joseph Hawkins (Brother of Col. Benj.n [Benjamin] Hawkins). This was in the spring of 1781, as I find the Battle of Guilford was on the 15th of March that year. And was commissioned a Commissary by the said Col. Joseph Hawkins, & acted in that capacity during the Campaign. That we pursued the British on to near
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23767
John Allen
Chester District
South Carolina
Rev

Admitted
Ensign 3 mo. --- 30
& Private 3 mo. --- 10
40

Applicant
Chesterville
South Carolina

[written sideways] adeemed necessary by the Department
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

WAR DEPARTMENT
PENSION OFFICE
May 15, 1833

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done these points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (these:}). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A STATEMENT, showing the Service of John Allen, Chester District S. C.

[column headings] Period when the service rendered: Duration of the claimant’s service. Year Month Day: Rank of the claimant: Names and Rank of the Field officers under whom he served.: Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service, Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Volunteered Before Gates’ defeat at Camden 3 [months] Ensign [Rank] Capt. Clanton Col. Benj. Sorrel Gen. Jethro Sumner 80 [years old] Warren Co. North Carolina [place of abode] tradition
3 [months] Commissary and private [Rank] Capt. Powers Col. Joseph Hawkins Maj. Debarren
Witness proves the last tour of service

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions

If the applicant did receive the commissions as stated, he may be able to produce some additional evidence of the fact upon application to the Executive of No Carolina, Such proof is deemed necessary by the Department
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2

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops. 
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 
4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians OR privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration. which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory, or District of} ss.
County of}
On this     day of     personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of     in the county of     and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)    , with    and served in the      (e) regiment of the      line, under the following named officers: 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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. or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
1               of the Court of              do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of       &c. 
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the             and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with              , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be               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 day and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the            and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the            and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I,        Clerk of the Court of            do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of              for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this     day of     &c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in bis declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not. proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3

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, if 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.} {To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 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 he 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 the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their 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 certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed 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 enquiry whether the belief is general, and 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 a 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 office, 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 genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on 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 trans nit 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 the opinion 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 or periods of the war when he served. 
(e) Every continental officer or soldier 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. ln a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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." 
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 that 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. 
[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 affix 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 certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 
Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers in not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers 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. 
Proof of Service. 
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found in 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 certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signatures of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule to [illegible] 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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South Carolina} 
Chester District} Personally appeared John Allin [Allen] in open court before me Peter Wylie Judge of the Court of Ordinary of Chester District in order to make an amendment to his declaration made on the 24th day of November 1832 to obtain a pension who upon being duly sworn saith upon oath that his first Tour when he acted as Ensign commenced in July or August 1780 when he served at least three months, he further saith that in his second Tour where he acted as commissary, he entered the Service the last of April or first of May 1781 and served at least three months, he further saith upon oath that he has applied by letter to the Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina whose answer to his request he has given to be attached. 
John Allen 
Sworn to & signed this 17th} 
day of October 1833 in} 
open Court}
Peter Wylie, J. C. O. C. D.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the war department & qualifying the applicant to the above amendment that the above affiant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that from all attached papers he must have been such and the Court further certifies that John McQuary who has signed & Sworn to the attached certificate is a man of Respectability and a resident in Chester District & his statement entitled to credit 
Peter Wylie J. C. O. C. D.

I Peter Wylie Judge and clerk of the court of ordinary of Chester District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of said court in the matter of a declaration of John Allen for a pension & further that D. G. Stenson who swore Reuben Barret is a man of credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 17th day of Octr [October] 1833 
Peter Wylie J. C. O. C. D.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

RECORDS SECTION   3-525
Own    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
S. F. 17820  Washington, D. C.,          , 19  

In reply to your request of        , received     for a statement of the military history of John Allen a solider of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out (or his widow’s)] application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[column headings] DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain, Colonel. STATE.
July or Aug. 1780 3 mos. Ensign [Captain] Edward Clanton [Colonel] Benjamin Seawell 
N. C.

Apr or May 1781 3 mos. Commissary [Captain] John Powers [Colonel] Joseph Hawkins

Battles engaged in, [Blank]

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Warren Co. N.C. 

Date of application for pension, Nov 24. 1832 His cl [claim] was al [allowed]

Residence at date of application, Chester Dist. S. C. Since 1799 

Age at date of application, b [born] Nov 1752 in Culpeper Co. Va. 

Remarks: No data as to family 

Very respectfully, 

Commissioner.

6-2856
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] 17820
INVALID

File No. 17,820
John Allen
Ensign Rev. War

Act: June 7th, 1832
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 425

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side] 1913 Oct 29 Hist. to Mrs. H. Coleman V. L. M.
Page 14

Let. [Letter] Hon John Mc Queen Jan 26/59
Page 15

3d Auditors Office 
Jany 22. 1859 

Sir:
John Allen S. C. roll, Act 1832, appears to have been paid to March 4, 1858, 
Very Resper [Respectfully]
R J Wimm
Auditor

Geo. C. Whitney Esq 
Commr [Commissioner] of Pensions
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Pension Office, Jany [January] 18. 1859 

The third Auditor will please certify the date to which John Allen was paid - I enclose the papers in his case, and a letter to Hon. John McQueen which you will please return. 

4 [Illegible] 38

Very respectfully 
John Robb 
Pen. Commissioner

Enclosed
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Atlanta Ga 
Oct. 24, 1913- 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C. 

Dear Sir:

Will you please send me an abstract of the Revolutionary service, and my family data to be found in the application papers of John Allen
Page 18

a pensioner of Chester Ct., S. C. in 1834 aged 82, and oblige Yours very truly 
Mrs. W. D. Coleman 
551 Orchid Ave 
Atlanta, Ga.

[circular stamp] PENSION L OCT 27 1913 OFFICE U. S.
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[circular stamp] RALEIGH AUG 6 N. C.

183/

Mr. John Allen
Cedar Shoal
Chester District
So.Ca. [South Carolina]
Page 20

Raleigh 2nd August 1833 

Dear Sir 
Your letter of the 23rd Ultimo, was received this morning. I am sorry to inform you that I have no rolls of the Militia who served in the revolutionary war, in my Office; I have only those who were of the regular Continental line of the State. You will therefore have to prove your services, or fail and obtaining the reward so justly due to all who suffered in the glorious cause of freedom. 
Colonel Seawell and Major Brickle are both dead, I never knew anything of Captain Clanton, but I think it probable if you were in Franklin or Warren County you would be able to prove your services. 
I return you the money you enclosed me. 

Very respectfully 
your obt [obedient] Serv.t [servant] 
W. Hill

Mr. John Allen
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State of North Carolina} 
Warren County} On this fifth day of September 1833 personally appeared before me W. N. Edwards one of the Justices of the peace for this County of Warren aforesaid Frederick Shearin [Pension # S7495], Resident of said County, aged seventy-three years, who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath declare that he is well acquainted with John Allen, formerly and for many years a resident of the County of Warren aforesaid – and who as this affiant has understood, some years ago removed to the State of South Carolina where he now resides. That this affiant was in the summer of the year 1780 a private in the militia under the command of Col. Benjamin Sewell and Gen.l [General] Sumner – and that he well remembers that the said John Allen was attached to the same Regiment – with himself – in the company commanded by Capt. Edward Clanton – and that the said Allen was either a Lieutenant or an Ensign in said Company – but which he does not now recollect. That the Regiment to which he and said Allen belonged marched from this County – through Bute County to Cheraw Hills in South Carolina and while there they heard of Gates' Defeat –from thence they returned to N.o [North] Carolina. In this Tour the Militia was called out for three months – and he well remembers the service of said Allen & verily believes he served his full term of three months. 
Sworn to before me the} 
day & year aforesaid} 
Fred. Shearin 
W. N. Edwards, J. P.
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State of No. Carolina} 
Warren County} 
On this 4th day of October 1833 personally appeared before me W. N. Edwards one of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid Robin Harris [pension # R4672] – Resident of said County – aged seventy five years – who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath declare, that he is well acquainted with John Allen, formerly and for many years a Resident of the County aforesaid – and who as this affiant has understood moved some years ago to the State of So. Carolina, where he now resides – That this affiant – in the latter part of the spring or the beginning of the summer of 1781 was a private in the Militia under the command of Majr [Major] Woodard and Col. Linton – and that he well remembers meeting at Halifax in this State with the above named John Allen – who was a private in a Regiment of Horse commanded by Col. Joseph Hawkins. - That from Halifax the Troops were marched to Tarboro – thence to Towers Creek-- thence to Kingston [sic, Kinston] – and thence to Con's ferry – that in this Expedition the Horse under the command of Col. Hawkins accompanied them – That he remembers distinctly seeing the said Allen several times during the march – that he recollects having upon one occasion lent his gun to the said Allen who was ordered on a short expedition from the Main Body of the troops. That the company to which he belonged was called out for three months. He is not able to say expressly the Company of Horse to which said Allen was attached
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was called out for three months – but believes it was – as he heard several of his neighbors who were attached to the same company with Allen say on their return, that they were called out for that period. This affiant was detailed and left behind to take care of the sick and disabled – and did not continue with the Troops till there discharged. 
Sworn to before me
the day & date above. 
Robin Harris
W. N. Edwards, J. P.

State of No. Carolina 
Warren County –
I Edwin D. Drake Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid hereby certify that W. N. Edwards whose signature appears to the depositions & unto annexed is now & was at the time of affixing the same an acting Justice of the Peace for said County. Given under my hand and seal of office at office this 4th day of Octr [October] 1833 
E. D. Drake C. W. C. C.

State of North Carolina
Warren County –
I Henry [Fitts or Litts] Chairman of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions of the County of Warren aforesaid, do certify of that Edwin D. Drake who signed the foregoing certificate is and was at the signing thereof Clerk of the said Court and that his attestations as such is in due form - given under my hand and seal at the County aforesaid in the State aforesaid, this 14th day of October 1833 
Henry [Fitts or Litts] CH {Seal}
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State of South Carolina} 
Chester District} Personally appeared in open Court before me Peter Wylie Judge of the Court of Ordinary for s.d [said] district John McCreary (formerly a Member of Congress from the district) and being duly sworn on his oath sayeth, that he has been well & personally acquainted with John Allen the present applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832; ever since s.d [said] Allen came to South Carolina Chester district; which he thinks was in the year 1799. 
That he is a man of strictly good morral [moral] charactor [character], truth & veracity, & that his declaration ought to be relied on as such, and that he bears the character of haveing [having] been a Revolutionary soldier in the State of North Carolina & is believed & looked uppon [upon] as such in this part of the Country. And that he believes him to be of the age stated in his declaration. 
Sworn to & Signed in open}        J McCreary
Court the 17th day of October} 
1833} 
Peter Wylie J. C. O. C. D.
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South Carolina} 
Lancaster District} Personally appeared Reuben Bennett Sr. of said District and made Oath that he was well acquainted with John Allen formerly of Warren County North Carolina but now of Chester District South Carolina – that during the Revolutionary War, he thinks in the year 1780 troops were called by draft & volunteering to go on to the South – he Recollects that the said John Allen was Second Lieutenant or Ensign of the Company that he served in under Captain Edward Clanton belonging to the Regiment Commanded by Col. Benj.n [Benjamin] Sewell – that the Regiment had marched as far as the Cheraws to Join General Gates, -- when they received information of the total defeat of Gen.l [General] Gates before or near Camden – Col. Sewell immediately marched his Regt. [Regiment] to Drowning Creek & Coles Bridge where they staid [stayed] a few days recovering of those who were fling [flying] from the defeat – afterward they went to deep River Ramsey's Mills where they staid [stayed] some time afterward to Salisbury and to Charlotte and proceeded as far as Sugar Creek, when they [were] forced to retreat – afterwards they were posted on the Adkin [sic, Yadkin River] where the Regiment was discharged the men having served out the time for which they had been drafted three months – but he believes that it was near four months during all of the time the said John Allen acted as the Ensign of the Company before mentioned in which the deponent served. 
Sworn to and Subscribed this 18th day of October 1833 Before me. 
Reuben [his X mark] Bennet
Danl. G. Stenson, Clk [Clerk]

I do hereby certify that Reuben Bennett is a man of good Character and that due credit ought to be given to his attestation, as above set forth Novr [November] 2nd 1833 
D Stenson Clk [Clerk]