Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31417, for Philemon Thomas, North Carolina
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N.C. 

Thomas, Philemon

S.31417
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5820 
Louisiana 
Philemon Thomas 
of - in the State of Louisiana who was a pri. Srgt. Ensign & Qr Master [Quarter Master] commanded by Colo Little in the - line for 2 years from 1778 
Inscribed on the Roll of Louisiana at the rate of 183 - Dollars 33 - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of July 1833 and sent to Pensioner House of Reps. 
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832   274.99 
Semi - anl. allowance ending 4 Mar ‘33 91.65
366.60 
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832} 
Recorded by Nathan Rice – Clerk
Book  D  Vol. 10 Page  75
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In February 1833 
out
(The statement of) Genl. Philemon Thomas of Louisiana & now resident in the 6th of Washington (made for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of 7th  June 1832 that he) was born in the county of Orange state of Virginia Feb. 9th 1763 (& is of course in his 71st year of his age, that he is on the Pensioner Roll of no state nor on
out
that of the U. states, & relinquishes all rights except under the act aforesaid. He states that he served in the revolution as follows, viz.) He volunteered in the fall of 1778
out (for five months) 
under the command of Col. Archibald Little 
out (but he served one month over the term viz) he served 
out (on this occasion) six months & was honorably discharged.
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He then volunteered for six months under both John Craig and faithfully served out the said term & was honorably discharged. This was in the fall & winter of 1779 & 1780 - The part of his last few months the country was guarding the commissioners who [unreadable] the boundary line between Virginia North Carolina that in the summer of 1780 he entered the militia service
out (of the united) 
as quarter master for a term of three months under Col. Malmaday, 
out (served at the Close of three months honorably discharged.)
Genl. Green was our commander in chief & our march upon the heels of Lord Cornwallis he states that during this tour he was in the Battle of Guilford
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that during the winter 1780 or early in the spring 1781 he entered 
out (into) 
the service 
out (of the U. States) 
for 12 months in the Company of Capt Reiford in the Regiment commanded by Col Dexon (Dixon probably) as an orderly Sergeant all the time & was honorably discharged 
out (that he was discharged early in 1782) 
when he was appointed an Ensign by Gov. Martin of North Carolina under Capt Isaac Bledsoe and & Regt & for Battalion commanded by Col James Robinson (Robins) that they marched to Nashville and remained on that frontier guarding commissioners & served seven months was honorably discharged in March 1743 (1783) making in the whole service, as private
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12 months, as quarter Master 3 months, as Sergeant 12 months, as Ensign, Seven months, total two years & ten months besides during the intervals of these terms he was constantly engaged in short tours of Scouting parties against the Tories
 Phil’n Thomas 
Washington County Dist of Columbia Sct. 
This day Genl Philemon Thomas member of Congress from Louisiana came before me a justice of the peace for said county and Dist and made oath to the above statement given under hand & seal this 12th day of 1833
S. Burch
J. Peace
W. C. D. C.
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Statement of Mrs. L. J. F. Bridges
[unreadable]
LAW DIVISION SEP 20 1905 RECEIVED
Ans Oct 17 / 05 Br
U.S.P.O. OLD WAR & NAVY SEP 27 1905 FILES
U.S. PENSION OFFICE  A SEP 18 1905
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Statement of 
Mrs Lucretia Jane Fox Bridges I was born in Ky. Jany 9th 1829 I am a great great grand daughter of Sir Philimon Hawkins The only living grandchild of Gen Philimon Thomas - who went into the Revolutionary war at the age of 16 & served 7 years. Also a Gen in Jacksons war.   
I am the only living child of Major Benjamin Thomas who fought under Gen Philimon Thomas in Jacksons war & helped to take the Fort of Baton Rouge from the Spanish.  To substantiate this refer you to W. W. Garig 206 Champagne St. B. A. Day. Cor. Somodas & Africa & Dr. J. W. Dufree 409 Laurel St - all of Baton Rouge, La.
I am also the great and daughter of Lewis Craig who would have been executed in Va for preaching the Missionary Baptist doctrine but for the imposition of Patrick Henry
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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.

July 31, 1928
Mrs. Lucy B. Batton
310 Nichols St
Springfield, Mo.

Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31417, it appears that Philemon Thomas was born February 8, 1763 in Orange County, Virginia.
He enlisted in the fall of 1778 and served six
months as a private in Colonel Archibald Lytle's North Carolina Regiment; enlisted in the fall of 1779 and served six months as a private in Captain John Craig's Company; in the summer of 1780 served three months as quartermaster
under Colonel Malmaday, and was in the battle of Guilford; enlisted in the fall of 1780 or early in 1781 and served twelve months as orderly sergeant in Captain Reiford's Company, Colonel Dixon's or Dinon's North Carolina Regiment; was appointed early in 1782, Ensign and served seven months in Captain Isaac Bledsoe's Company, Colonel James Robinson's
North Carolina Regiment. He was also out on several short tours scouting against the Tories.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
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February 12, 1833, at which time he was a member of Congress from Louisiana, residing at Washington, D. C.
At this time he was referred to as General, but no explanation is given as to this title.
Mrs. Lucretia Jane Fox Bridges stated that she was born January 9, 1829 in Kentucky, that she was a daughter of Benjamin Thomas, and a granddaughter of Philemon Thomas.
The above noted Philemon Thomas is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
In order to make a proper search of said records for David Thomas, some of the following data pertaining to his is essential approximate dates of birth and death, places
of residence at enlistment and after service, and first name of widow.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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31417 
Revy Invalid. 
File No. 31417 
Philemon Thomas 
Sergt. Rev War 
Act: June 7” 32” 
Index: Vol. 2, Page 431 
[Arrangement of 1870] 
Mrs. B. G. Williams no other descendants 1812 war 
1928 July 31- Hist to Mrs. Lucy B Batton AW
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[unreadable]
Louisiana
1835
35
18333 
  9166
27499 
Hon. Tho. J. Rusk Feby 20 1856
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Pension Case of Genl. Philamon Thomas 
Member of Congress
 Served as Private - 12 months, 
As Quarter Master – 3 months,
As Sergeant - 12 months,
As Ensign – 7 months
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Washington 
February 17th 1856 
Sir
Will you inform me whether a certificate of pension was issued to Caroline Tomas the 20th of May 1850 and if so what amount of Pension has been paid upon and whether any application for and payment has been made upon it in Washington City if so when and to whom - your compliance with this request will oblige 
Your Obt Servt
Tho J Rusk 
USS
The Comr of Pensions
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Washington City April 5th 1834 
Dear Sir 
My pension is payable at Orleans and I am in want of the money hear.   I have one years pay due me. Will you and the Secretary of War, admit me to draw the money hear at this time be so good to give me an answer I am your Obt Svt. 
Phil’n Thomas 
Approved L.C.
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I have received your notification of Transfer, but do not wish to be transferred. I only wish to receive the stipend due to me from the 4th of March 1834 to the 4th of March 1835. 
To the Commissioner of Pensions 
Feb 26. 1835 
Phil’n Thomas
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Washington City February 23, 1835 
Dear Sir 
I have never drawn any money of my pension, in Louisiana - you have, admitted to me draw the money here, and was paid up to the 4th of March last, at this plase and by getting the money here will save me the trouble of going from Baton Rouge to New Orleans and home again and the expense of twenty dollars, as that is the plase, endorsed on the back of my certificate for the pension to be paid to me at Orleans - I am your Obt svt
Phil’n Thomas
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City of Washington February 25th 1835 
Dear Sir 
Will you be so kind as to allow me to draw my pension hear as twill save me the trouble of traveling 300 miles when I return home to obtain the money; please return me and answer and you will oblige your friend and Obt Svt 
Phil’n Thomas
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Allowed
S .C. 

$ 183.33 per annum
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I do certify upon honor that I have been intimately personally acquainted with Genl. Philamon Thomas now a member of Congress for upwards of 40 years and he has ever been considered a citizen of high honor and unblemished reputation for veracity & integrity of character - a patriot & has been universally considered a patriot & soldier of the revolution by his friends & acquaintances and no man who knows him will doubt his statement upon oath or without oath given under hand this 12th Feb 1833 
Rhee Johnson
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Col. J. L. Edwards

Pension Office
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Col. Edwards I send you the case of Genl. Philamon Thomas. I have given my certificate of character & you will find all correct.  It will be no disadvantage to act upon it this moment & write me that I may show him the letter & say how much it will come to [unreadable] 
3 months as quarter master, 
7 months as Ensign,
12 months as Sergeant,
20 months
4 months private,  24 
24 
your friend Rhee Johnson
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R. 
Sept. 14th. 1905. 
To the Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
Herein I send a statement from Mrs. Lucretia Jane Fox Bridges who was Miss Thomas. She is old & getting blind: has lost her husband & five sons more than 25 years ago. Since when she has been supporting herself by her needle. Considering the above & the inclosed statement is not Mrs Bridges entitled to a pension from the U S Government? 
She is 77 years old & is much in need of assistance. Trusting that she will be provided for 
I am, very truly 
(Mrs) Bell. G. Williams 
1109 Reddy St. 
Baton Rouge, La.
U.S. PENSION OFFICE A SEP 18 1905
LAW DIVISION SEP 20 1905 RECEIVED
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Springfield, Missouri Sept. 30 1927 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: 
Two of my Ancestors, one David Thomas 
more inf
and his Brother Philomon Thomas, are supposed to have fought in the Revolutionary War. 
The Adjutant General states: "The Records show that Philomon Thomas served in the Revolutionary War, in North Carolina Troops (Regiment not sated) in Reifords Co. He enlisted May 25” 1781 for twelve months and left service May 18” 1782. 
I have reason to believe he was in the West Florida Revolution of 1810 as a General, I understand there is a monument in his Honor at Baton Rouge. 
His Brother David Thomas may have served in the Revolutionary War prior to Philomon's Enlistment. They were both at one time residents of Bourbon County Kentucky. 
Any information you can give me in regard to the two men will be highly appreciated. 
Mrs. Lucy B. Batton 
310 Nicholas St. 
Springfield, Missouri
U.S. PENSION OFFICE OCT 3 1927
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P.T. Exr.

File No.31417
Philemon Thomas
Revolutionary War

Oct. 17, 1905

Madam:

In response to your communication of September 14, 1905, received in this Beurau September 18, 1905, in the above-cited claim, you are advised that there is no law granting pensions to grandchildren of soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War, not is there a law granting service pension to descendants of soldiers of the War of 1812.

Very respectfully,

Commissioner.

Mrs. Bell G. Williams,
No.1108 Reddy Street, 
Baton Rouge, La.