Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,331, for John Pope, North Carolina
Page 1

Pope, John          R. 8331
          Penelope
Page 2

                                 Family Record

Marriages                         |         Marriages


Read the 23 Chapter
of Jerrimier
Philip Watkins
Page 3

Family Record

Births

The Ages of Children
Born of John Pope and
His wife,
Cherry Pope was born
October 14 Day 1788
Winefred Pope was born 
April 14 Day 1791
Jesse Pope was born 
May 22 Day 1793
Elizabeth Pope was born
November 29 1795
Carter Pope was born
March 20 Day 1798
Nancy Pope was born
August 18 Day 1800
Mary Pope was born
February 5 Day 1803
Penelope Pope was born
August 4 Day 1806
John T Pope was born
August 16 Day 1812
_____________________________
The Ages of Children
of Benjamin Tanner
And his wife Elizabeth
Carter Pope Tanner was
Born the 14th day of July
1819 Drusillah Tanner
Was born the 7th day of
September 1821
Alfred Tanner was born
The 1 day of September
1824 Elizabeth Tanner
Was born 18 June 1827
_______________________________

Maredy Jackson 
Pope Son of William
Pope & Wineyfred
his mother was born
in the year of our 
lord July 9th 1820
Elyzabeth Pope was
born December
the 27th 1821
Nancy Pope was born 
November 6 182_
Mills Taylor
was born October
23 1826
Mandy Pope was born
October 7 1828
Page 4

Family Record

Births

Ginny was bourn
January the 1st day
1807

Giford (was Peter)
was born
October the 3 day
1830
Lewis was born May
the 1 day 1832
Henry was born
January the 5 day
1834
Wilis was born
August the 1 day
1835
George was born
October the 9 day
1837

Deaths
_________________________
John Pope was born
October the 3rd A.D.
1762
John Pope Senior
died on the 14th of
July A.D. 1834
Charry Pope daughter 
of John and Penelope
Pope died in August
A.D. 1801
Jesse Pope Died on
the 29 of August
1822
Penelope Pope died on
The 14 day of July 1856
being in the 78 year of her 
Age
Page 5

Family Record

Deaths

Sam was born
April the 20th
1839
Walker was born
the 15 of December
1840
Harriet Was born the
15 of July 1842
Condon Was Born the
19 day of february 1845
James was Born on the
4 day of March 1847
Lucy was born December
the 25 1848
Page 6

No
Penelope Pope [illegible]
widow of John
N. C.
July [illegible] 1838

J [illegible]
Brindletown
N. C.
Page 7

State of North Carolina
         Rutherford County

On this 30th day
of August 1853 personally appeared before
the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions open
and held at the Court House in the Village
of Rutherforton County of Rutherford No. Ca.
Philip Watkins Son-in-law and Adminis-
trator of the Estate of Penelope Pope dec'd
Widow of John Pope dec'd who was a Militia
Soldier in the Revolutionary Service against 
Great Britain his Memory perhaps does
not serve him to comply with all the
requisitions of the President and Secretary of War
of the 17 July 1838____He recolects hearing
his Father-in-law John Pope dec'd say that
he was in the Militia service of the
State of North Carolina or Virginia. he
recolects of hearing him say that he was
in Service at the taking of Petersburg Va
by the British. he does think he was
in that Battle in service
he also states that he distinctly recolects of
hearing his Father-in-law state that he was
in service at the seige & Battle of Yorktown
at eh Surrender of Lord Cornwallis. he was
employed in preparing the breastwork at that
time and place  he does not recolect
how long he said he served altogether, but he is
sure he heard him say he served first and last several tours, he thinks
he heard him say that he served
under Capt Whitehead commanded by
Col Wells.
Page 8

He states that his Father-in-law John Pope
said he was a native of Virginia, removed
to the County of Nash North Carolina where
he married his Wife Penelope
     There is no record of their marriage to his
knowledge, a record taken from the family
Bible is herewith transmitted which shows
the ages of their children which he desires
to be placed on file which proves they must
have been married several years previous to the
year 1794. he states his Father-in-law John
Pope dec'd died at his Residence on Bread
River then Rutherford County No Car, (having
removed from Nash County No. Ca. some 35 years ago to
Rutherford County No. Ca.) on the 14 day of July
1834 That his wife Penelope survived him
and died at her residence now Cleveland
County formerly Rutherford County No. Carolina
on the 14th day of July 1850 at the advanced 
age of about 77 years, she never having mar-
ried after the death of John Pope dec'd aforesaid
but remained a widow until her death.
     He claims as Administrator of Penel-
ope Pope dec'd the Pension due to her for her husband
being a Revolutionary Soldier for 3 years and
4 months and 10 days under the act of June 7th 1832 and
he claims under the provisions of the acts proposes
in behalf of Widows of Revolutionary soldiers
of 7th July 1838 March 3rd 1843 June 17th 1844 and
Feby 2nd 1848 he is in possession of no documentary
proof of the aforesaid John Popes services.
          He further states that Penelope wife of
John Pope dec'd aforesaid maiden name was 
Penelope Taylor.

                                 Philip Watkins    A.d.
Page 9

Sworn to and Subscribed before the Court
the day and year before written and the Court
Certifies that they are personally acquainted
with Philip Watkins that he is a highly
respectable resident of this County a person
of veracity
                        Martin Beam  Chr

Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions open & held for
the aforesaid County & State this 1st of September
1853  It was satisfactorily proved that the
aforesaid John Pope was ever considered in
his neighborhood a Soldier of the Revolution
against Great Britain on the side of
the Colonies
                                    M Simmons
                                             Chr Pro Tem

State of North Carolina 
                      
            I R L Gilkey clerk of
the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the
County of Rutherford certify that Martin
Beam whose name appears above was at the
time of signing the same Chr of said Court
& that M Simmons whose name appears above
was at the time of signing his name, Chr
Pro tem as appears above & their signatures are
genuine.  Given under my hand and
                seal of office the 1st of September
                 A.D. 1853
                                 R.L. Gilkey    Clerk
Page 10

RECORD DIVISION.
P. 8331
3 -- 525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., 190

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of John Pope a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in [crossed out] his (or his widow's) [written in administrator's] application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE

/ | 3 ys 4 mos 10 day | / | Whitehead | Wells | N.C.

Battles engaged in, Petersburgh & siege of Yorktown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [blank]
Date of application for pension, by son-in-law, Philip [illegible], Apr. 30, 1853
Residence at date of application, by son-in-law, Rutherford Co, NC
Age at date of application, Soldier b. Virginia Oct 3, 1762 - d Rutherford Co, NC July 14, 1834.
Remarks: m. Nash Co, NC Penelope Talor, who died in [illegible] ([illegible] Rutherford) Co., NC. July 14, 2850. [inserted illegible note]. Children - [illegible] b. Oct. 14, 1788, d. Aug. 1801, Winifred b. Apr 14, 1792, J[illegible] b May 22, 1793, Elizabeth b. Nov. 29, 1795, Carter b. M[illegible] 20, 1798, Nancy b. Aug 18, 1800, Mary b. Feb. 5, 1803, Pennelope b. Aug. 4, 1806, John T b Aug 16 1812

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 11

No.

Penelope Pope dec'd
Widow of John
                N. Carolina

J Anderson August 22, 1854

A.S. Wallace Feby 9, 1857


            8331


July 7 1838
Page 12

                                 Thomaston Ga
                                  Feb 7 1912

The Com. of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir,

Will you kindly furnish me
with a copy of the Revolutionary
service of Presley Hightower of Va. 
and John Pope of N.C. or Ga R 8331
Any family data concerning these
soldiers that may be on record in
your office will also be appreciated.

Very Respectfully
Miss Evalyn Smith


U.S. Pension Office Feb 9 1912

Rec Feb 12 1912
Page 13

In answer to yours of the 15th relative to the application for pension on that of
the services of John Pope & Solomon Forester in the Revolutionary war you are
informed that both were received, but the claim of neither could be
allowed.

Your attention is invited to the enclosed circular which points
to the law that prevents the favorable consideration of a claim to a 
pension when presented after the decease of the Revolutionary
Soldier & his widow.


ent. Jany 5 1886
Page 14

1886 Jany 5 Robt Scruggs that application [illegible] but could not be allowed. Sent circular calling attention to 5th paragraph 
Prior
(The Solomon Forrester case is on rejected files no 3670)
1888 Feby 17 Robert Scruggs that children or heirs have no title 
[illegible]
(Solomon Forrester [circled R] 3670 for copy of letter)
1890 May 23 [illegible] heirs not entitled to pension or arrears Prior
(see Solomon Forrester [circled R] 3670 also)
1912 Feb. 15 [illegible]
Miss Evalyn Smith

8331
Penelope Pope
REJECTED
Page 15

State of North Carolina
            Rutherford County

At a Court of Please & Quarter Sessions open and
held at the cCourt House in Rutherfordton this 1st day of September 1853 personally appeared Philip Watkins
a resident of the County and State aforesaid who
being first duly sworn according to law upon
his Oath says that the two record leaves attached
to this affidavit was taken from and was a portion
of the family record of John Pope dec'd (a Revolution-
ary Soldier and the record of whose birth as having
been born appears to be born October 3rd 1762 and died 14th day of July 1834) and the record of the death
of Penelope the wife of said John Pope sho appears
from said record to have died the 14 of July 1850 in
the 78th year of her age, said record containing the
ages of the children of said John & Penelope Pope
to wit Charry Pope born Oct 14th 1788 Winifred Pope
born Apl 14th 1791 etc. etc. he further states that
the Bible from which the two leaves herewith attached
came into his hand as the Admtr & Son-in-law of
Said John Pope dec'd and his wife Penelope Pope he thinks that the record of which the above is a copy
was written Several Years before the death of the said
John Pope by Elliott Chamber from instructions
from said John Pope as he, John Pope , was a bad scribe.

Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court the day and
year above stated.
                                     Philip Watkins
Page 16

State of North Carolina

          I R L Gilkey Clerk of the
Court of Please & Quarter Sessions for the County
of Rutherford certify that Philip Watkins was
duly qualified in open Court to the within
afidavit at the time herein set forth

          Given under my hand and
          seal of office the 1st day of
          Septr A.D. 1853
                                   R L Gilkey     Clerk
Page 17

                                Yorkville S.C.
                                 14th January 1851

Honorable J.C. Whiting
               Cases of Pensions

My Dear Sir,
                I herewith
hand you power of Attorney
regarding in claims of John Pope
and Penelope Pope sent me
some time back.
                  Please resend this claim
to me as soon as convenient

                    Very True Truely Yours.
                      
                          A.S. Wallace
Page 18

                              Nashville 9th July 1853

John Anderson Esq
      
Dear Sir

I learn from old persons that
about those dates you referred me to, that people
were married by publication consequently there is
very few old bonds filed, probably it would have
been advisable for Mrs. Pope's maiden name to
appear in the certificate but it was not in your letter.

                             Yours truly

                               G. W. Ward    C.C.C.
Page 19

State of North Carolina
             Nash County

              I German W Ward Clerk
of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Said
County do certify that I have searched my office
diligently and cannot find any marriage Bond
John Pope with Penelope his wife

               Given under my hand and,
               official Seal of Office in the
               Town of Nashville 8th July 1853

                            G.W. Ward     C.C.C.
Page 20

State of North Carolina
Cleveland County

Be it remembered that 
at a Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
Opened and held for the County of Cleveland
at the Court House in Shelby on the 8th
Monday after the 4th Monday September 1850
it being the 18th day of Nov 1850

Worshipful Court present:
James Roberts
P. T. Grigg
Wm H Cabaniss
Esquires present on the Bench

The following proceedings were had to wit

Our Motion the Court appointed Philip
Watkins Administrator of the Estate of
Penelope Pope Dec'd he came into
open Court and gave Bond payable 
to the State of North Carolina in the sum
of fourteen hundred dollars with W.B.
Lovelace and James McMahan as Security
which Bond was approved by the Court
John R Logan & John B Harry Esquires present
on the Bench

The foregoing is a true copy as recorded
in my Office

Given under my hand
and Seal of Office the 13th
day of September 1853

S Williams    Clerk
Page 21

Know all men by these presents
that I Phillip Watkins of Rutherford County
State of North Carolina do hereby constitute and
appoint A S Wallas of York District
South Carolina my true and lawful
attorney for me and in my name to
prosecute the claim of my Father-in-law
John Pope and mother-in-law Penelope Pope
for a pension for Service in the War of
the revolution for which he applied and is
now suspended before any departments
Having jurisdiction of Court of Claim
to file additional Evidence and arguments
as well as examine all papers and documents
on File at Washington City or elsewhere
and receive the certificate where issued
with full power of substitution which
power is irrevocable for three years
which cirtificats & with made payable
to me and do all other acts and deeds
that I myself could lawfully do
were I personally present hereby
ratifying and confirming all that
lawfuly do in the presence yours under
my hand and seal
this 22nd day of December 1856

Philip Watkins
Executor of 
John Pope

Sealed and delivered
in presence of              
                                     
A Bonner                      
P Scruggs
Page 22

State of South Carolina
Spartanburg District

I A Bonner Magistrate in & for 
the district & state aforesaid do certify that
the within names Philip Watkins ackn-
owledged before me the foregoing power of attorney to be his act & deed
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year within written

A Bonner   Mag

State of South Carolina
Spartanburgh District

I, J B Tolleson Clerk 
of the Court of Common
Please & General Sessions for the district & 
State aforesaid do here certify that
A Bonner Esq who gave the above certific-
ate was at the the date thereof a Magis-
trate for the district and State aforesaid
who has been duly appointed and qualified
and the Signature purporting to be his is
genuine and that all due faith and 
credit Should be given to all his offi0
cial acts as Such.

Given under my hand & Seal of 
Office at Spartanburgh
Court House this 26th day of
December A.D. 1856

J B Tolleson
Page 23

Brindleton N. Ca.
July 3rd 1854

Sir,

Herewith are the papers of the Administrator of John
and Penelope Pope, claiming Pensions, we have
not been able to prove the marriage of John and
Penelope Pope from the Registry of Nash County,
where they were married, Thence we send the family
record, which we think will be satisfactory, the tra-
dictionary evidence herewith sent is of such  char-
acter, though no voluminous, will be sufficient to iden-
tify the said John Pope husband of Penelope to be
the soldier who received the payments as certificate by
the Auditor of the State of No. Carolina herewith sent,
if we are right in our calculation a certificate will
be issued for John Pope Amounting to $258.51 and
for his widow of $751.51 cts both making $1210.02 which
if allowed may be embraced in one certificate, it
may be sent to Philip Watkins Esq. to my care Bri-
ndleton No. Ca.

Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant

John Anderson


L.P. Waldo Esq.  Commisioner of Pensions
Page 24

U.S. Pension Office
B
Dec 18 1885
Page 25

John Pope R. 8327
Penelope Pope R. 8331
Solomon Forrester R. 3670

          to open __ the the g_____

Dec 15 1835
Gaffney City, Spartanburg County S.C.

I Mr John I Black Commissioner of Pensions
have read yours of Nov 21 and you ask for names
and officers John Pope was under Capt
Whithead his Cervis was tour in Verginey
he said he was at the Surrender of Corn-
Wallice at Yorktown Soloman first
went west to the indian wars as for his
Captain I Do not recolect but Staball
Scruggs was a witness in court case
also Philip Wadkins a witness in case 
of John Pope it Seams this is suficient 
for you to find those cases both for Pen-
sion. A.S. Wallace Pension Agent Said 
to me 59 or S____ he had Poat them in
and they was tried and proof plenty

this is for pension cases they certainly on
the pension books in the Pension Office
Pleas Direct Gaffney City my best respects

Mr John I Black

                                       Robert Scruggs
Page 26

State of North Carolina
Comptroller's Office

I, William J Clark Comptroller of Public
accounts in and for the State aforsaid
do hereby certify that it appears of record
in my Office among the payments made
by said State to sundry persons for Mil-
itary services in the Revolutionary War 
as follows to wit:

"John Pope"

Book No. 1 Page 23  L 34. s 2 d 6. Specie
Book A No. 11 Page 86 L 9. s 2 d 0. Specie
Vol. C No. 4320 L 18 . s 8. d 0.  S[ecoes

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my
name and affixed
the seal of Office
April 12th 1854

Wm J Clarke Comptroller


34.2.6
92
188
___________
61.12.6
Page 27

State of South Carolina 
Spartanburgh District

Personally appeared Howel Westbrook of said State & District 
 before me the subscribing Justice who Saith that he is
now in his Seventy third year of his Age who being Sworn as
law directs Saith that he was Personally & well acquainted
with John Pope Deceased for Several years previous to his death
in Conversation with him he told me he was in the battle
at Petersburgh doing Duty  in the United States Service the
Americans only Sixteen Hundred Strong were apprised of a Strong
force of the English were near & would Soon be on them prepa-
rations were made for battle which Soon Followed which were Twice.
When the Americans commenced the retreat to Cross the bridge
as we ascended the hill called Pokahontas by sections, the
English with a piece of Ordinance Occupied a position to 
Shoot the angle the Sections a ball Struck his left hand Man
in the body he fell back & with a Scream Expired instantly
then passing through the thigh of the Second and took off the
Heel of the third the said John Pope Deceased Said he was in Service
at the Siege of Yorktown but laboured at the whipsaw to
accomodate lumber for the American breast works.



N.B. a pious old uncle having
related all the particulars set
forth in declaration Identically
I am bound to put full faith and
credit on the declaration made
to me by the Said John Pope Dec'd

H. Westbrook
Page 28

The within affidavit Sworn to and
subscribed before me Oct 12th day 185_

A Bonner Mag.       H Westbrook

I certify that the deponent wrote 
himself the within declaration
without aid

A. Bonner   Mag.
Page 29

State of South Carolina
Spartanburgh District

I, J. B Tollison Clerk
of the court of Common Please &
General Sessions for the district & State
aforesaid do hereby certify that A Bonner
Esq who gave the within affidavit
was made was at the date therof
an acting Magistrate for the district
and State aforesaid who had been duly
appointed & qualified and the Signature
purporting to be his is genuine and that
all due faith & credit Should be
given to all his official acts as Such

Given under my hand & seal 
of Office at Spartanburgh
Court House this 10 day
of February 1854

J B Tolleson   Clerk
Page 30

The National Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD

Name: Pope, John
Grade: Private
Line Virginia  (Lee's Legion)

Warrant Numbers: 8382 and 12451
Acreage: 100
Issued: May 24, 1797 to ~not shown~

Recorded also under _A. No. 8623, with no date of issuance with a reference to __8383

*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 subse-
quent 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.