Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1518, Thomas French, N.C.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
N.C. French, Thomas S.1518.
Born in N.C. carded
CONTENTS
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[all handwritten] 
22164
West Tennessee
Thomas French
of Stewart Co. in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Parris of the regiment commanded by [Col. William Graham? illegible] on the [illegible] for 2 [illegible] for 1776

Inscribed on the Roll of W. Tennessee the [illegible] of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued this 15 day of Oct. 1853 and sent to Philander Priestly Dover
[illegible] on the 4th of Sep. 1831 $200 [illegible] allowance ending 4 March 34. No
24[illegible]


{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm. S Allison Clerk.
Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 78

Let to Hon C. Johnson July 19 1841.
Paid at His Jure as any unto the Act of this 6th April 1838 
from 4th Sep. 1839 to the 4th Sep 1840. Agt notified 14 Mar 1841
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[all handwritten]
14.280
Thomas French
W. Ten Stewart
From 1776 Private
[illegible] $80.

Can only allow as a private per annuity and estate

Dover
Philander Priestly
Stewart Cty Tenn
in Mr French's attn.
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14.280
BRIEF in the case of Thomas French [handwritten]
of Stewart Cty 19 in the state of Tenn. 
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a J Peace
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Yes
3. How old is he? 77
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period| Duration of Service | Rank | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

[all hand written]
July 76 to Sept  77 | Years 1 Months 7 Days |As a light house sergeant| Gen. Capt. Parris- [illegible] Rutherford was attached to no Regiment
Sept 77 to May 80 | Years 2 Months 8 Days | 1st Lieut with comm. of a capt. Gen. Lincoln
[cut off] from after battle at Guilford to close of the war |ditto| Col Tenner, Gen Green, Col Arrington or Harrington
5. In what battle was he engaged? Siege of Charleston
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Rutherford Cty N.C.
7. In his statement supported by living witnesses, by documented proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Tradition
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Papers not properly authenticated

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

W.C. Easton
Examining Clerk
19 Feb 1833
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State of Tennessee
County of Stewart

On this 15th day of September 1832 personally
appeared before me one John Lee one of the acting Justices of the Peace and of the County Court in and for the State of Tennessee and County of Stewart Thomas French a resident of the State of Tennessee and County of Stewart aged
Seventy Seven years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order
to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated-

I volunteered in the Light House, in what is now
called Rutherford County North Carolina, the original name I do not recollect, in February 1776, under Captain George Parris immediately after entering the service. I was made a
Sergeant of the company- I was attached to no regiment or other troops in particular- we were ordered by Brigadier General Rutherford to scour the country along the line of
North and South Carolina, to break up the Forces and chastise the Cherokee Indians; we continued in this service till October
1776 when General Rutherford ordered us into the Cherokee Nation to fight the Cherokee Indians-- we returned in October 1776 --and were stationed upon the frontier, called the Cherokee line, to guard and protect the frontier and remained in that duty
till June 1777--we were then ordered to Seneca a Cherokee village to be a guard at an expected treaty, between the Americans
and Cherokee Indians - the treaty was made at Dewitt's corner-- Captain Tutt of the regular Army commanded the garrison at Seneca - In September 1777 we returned to the
Cherokee line, to Wailing's station from there we were
removed to Goen's station; but the time when I do not now
remember --from there we were removed to Cumming's Station
in North Carolina and alternately from Cumming's to
Mills's Station till March 1780 --while at Mill's Station, in
March or April 1778 we had a severe battle with the Cherokee
Indians - On our return from Seneca to Wailing's station I was
made a 1st Lieutenant, with the command of a Captain, which
I continued to exercise till the close of the Revolutionary War.
In March 1780 we were ordered from Cumming's and Mill's
station, to Charleston South Carolina, where we remained till
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The [illegible] and Awarding of the City of Charleston by General Lincoln in May 1780. I continued to perform the duties of Captain
and commanded the guard at the Royal Exchange and the American Shipping the American Army surrendered and we were made prisoners of War and were to be so considered till we were exchanged for days after the surrender and capitulation of and many others were paroled- my parol was signed by Sir Henry Clinton Comander of the British forces and I returned home and continued at home till after the Battle of Guilford North Carolina, when I received a letter from Colonel Andrew Hampton saying that General Green had informed him by
letter that I was exchanged for, and ordered me to Colonel John Earl Station in Rutherford County North Carolina, near the Indian line, and I continued in that service till the close
of the Revolutionary War. When we set off from Cummings and Mills Station, to Charleston South Carolina I fell in with Colonel Terman's Regiment and continued with that
regiment till we reached Charleston, after reaching Charleston I was attached to Colonel Arrington or Colonel Herrington's
regiment; but whether his name was spelled Arrington or Herrington, I do not now recollect, he was afterwards called General. I have no documentary evidence and know of
no person whose testimony I can procure, who can testify to my services. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State-
1- Where and in what year were you born?
[Indent] I was born in Anson County North Carolina the 22nd of October 1755 
2- Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
[Indent] I have the record of my age in my family Bible in Stewart County Tennessee
3-Where were you living when called into the service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you
now live?
[Indent] I was living in Rutherford County North Carolina when I was called into the service after the War I moved from North Carolina to Lincoln County Kentucky where I lived one year from there I moved to Davidson County Tennessee where I lived eighteen years, but during my stay The County was divided, and one part called Montgomery County from there I moved to Stewart County where I
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have lived twenty eight years, and I now live in Stewart County Tennessee-
4-How were you called into the service; were you drafted, did you volunteer
or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
[Indent]I volunteered from the first and continued in the service during the War-
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 serviceto
addition to agrican Farris and the other officers I have
mentioned, I name General Lincoln and Woodford and
Colonel John Neville, said to be of the 3rd Regiment of the
Virginians-
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it
Signed and what has become of it?
I received the commission of 1st Lieutenant, signed by
General Rutherford and signed perhaps also of Governor
Caswell of North Carolina, and the commission is lost
R
State the names of persons to whom you are known and who
can testify as to your character for veracity, and good behaviour
and their opinion that you served as a soldier of the
Revolution
I have for several years been acquainted with
Andrew Jackson the present President of the United States
and I refer to my fellow citizens Doctor Christopher C Clements
and William Bailey Esquire to certify as to my character
good behaviour and their opinion that I served as a soldier
of the Revolution
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
John Lee Justice of
Thomas French
●
the County Court
Richards
We John Ferrell
and John
residing in the State of Tennessee and County
of Stewart, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
Thomas French who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy seven years of
age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood
where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and
that we concur in that opinion-
Sworn to and subscribed ⎬
J. Ferrill
the day and year aforesaid
Richards
John Lee hate
the County Court
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And the said John Lee one of the acting Justices of the Peace and of the County Court in and for the State of Tennessee and County of Stewart does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after fretting the interrogators 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 it that John Ferrell and John Richards a magistrate are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit And the Court further certifies it to be his opinion from a long and protracted illness, and the present infirm state of health of Thomas French, the applicant that it should be highly improper and imprudent for said applicant to attempt attending Court to establish his claim to a pension
John Lee Justice of the County Court 

Know all men by those present, that I Thomas French of the State of Tennessee and County of Stewart, have made ordained, authorized, nominated and appointed and by those present do make, ordain, authorize, nominate and appoint Philander Priestley of the State and County aforesaid, my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name and for my own proper use and benefit, to ask, demand and receive of the Government of the United States of America, such sum or demand of money, as are and may be due and coming to me, the said Thomas French, under the Act of Congress allowing Pensions to certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution, approved June 7th 1832-- and to have, take and use all lawful ways and means, in my name or otherwise, for the recovery thereof and to do all lawful acts and things whatsoever, concerning the premises, as fully in every respect, as myself might or could do were I personally present at the doing thereof, and authorize under him, one or more, for the purposes aforesaid, to make and again at his pleasure to revoke, hereby ratifying and confirming whatever my fair attorney shall in my name lawfully do measure to be done, in and about the premises, by virtue of those present- in witness whereof I have here unto at my hand and seal this fifteenth da of September 1833-- Acknowledged in presence of John Lee Justice of the County Court 
Thomas French (seal)
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8/98- History Mr. James Lee- 354- Adams St. 
Memphis, Tenn. 
New War
Invalid own
File No. 1518
Thomas French 
his N.C. Will 
Act: June 7, 1832 
Index:-- Vol. A, Page 131 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Feby
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Mr J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Cty
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Dover Tenn. 
4th August 1833 
To the War Department 
Office of Pensions 
With the papers of Thomas French, who claims a pension, herewith returned to the department, amended as suggested, I am requested to say that the Board of Auditors of North Carolina when auditing his accounts upon one or more occasions, either did or proposed to spell his name Frensh, saying there should be a distinction between the name of a man and a nation. He also says he paid the men, or saw that it was done, for their services, and rations-- 
No man's character, in the County stands more fair than that of Thomas French-- 
Most Respectfully, 
Philander Priestley
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The two [illegible] must be sealed by tape or ribbon to the end, [illegible] under the seal
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State of Tennessee
Stewart County 
I William Williams Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County due hereby Certify that John Lee Esquire before whom the Declaration of Thomas French an applicant for a Pension under the Act of Congress Passed 7th June 1832 was sworn to is now and was on the 15th Sept an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and has been duly commissioned and sworn as such and is duly authorized to administer oath and duty faith and credit is due and should be given him as such 

In Testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand and seal of office in Dover the 28th day of September 1832
Williams Clerk S.C.C.
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT 
Second Comptroller's Office
July 20th, 1841 

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Thomas French, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Nashville, Tenn Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars [marked out: and ---- Cents] per annum, under the law of the 7th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1839, to the 4th Sept. 1840. 
Respectfully yours, 
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller 

To the Commissioner of Pensions, 
Present.
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State of Tennessee 
Stewart County 
S.S. 
Samuel Ross a clergyman resident in said county and Richard Cooley, a citizen resident in the same personally appeared before me John Lee and acting Justice of the Peace for said county, or hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas French who signed them to the proceeding declaration that we believe him to be seventy-seven years of age, that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion. 
Samuel Ross
Richard Cooley 
Sworn to the described 
before me this 2nd day of July 1833
John Lee a Justice of the County Court
and of the said John Lee one of the acting Justices of the Peace for the county of Stewart for the County of said County hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the said Thomas French was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies it appears that Samuel Ross is a clergyman resident in said county and Richard Cooley is [illegible] a citizen resident in said county, that they are both credible persons, that their statement is entitled to credit. The court is further of opinion that from a [illegible] itself, the present infirm state of health of Thomas French, that would be highly improper and imprudent for him to attempt attending the court to establish his claim to a pension.
John Lee A Justice
of the County Court
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I Thomas French further state that I have no further evidence to establish my claim of the services performed by me as a private or as an officer, (iilegible) my own declaration that to the best of my knowledge and believe I served as a   Lieutenant and believed I served as a Lieutenant from about the first of December 1777 till about the 15th of May 1789 when I was taken prisoner and as a private, I served from January 1777 till I was made a Lieutenant in 1777 & if I in the opinion of the Department I am not entitled to an officer upon my own declaration, I must of course submit to receive the pay of a private.
                                                    //s//
                                           Thomas French
Sworn to & subscribed
before me this 2d day
of July 1833.
John Lee a Justice of the 
county court.

State of Tennessee
Stewart County  ss

     I William Williams Clerk of the County Court of Stewart certify that John Lee Esquire before whom the applicant for a pension Thomas French makes his declaration is now & was at the time an acting Justice of the Peace for said county & one of the presiding justices of the county court & duly commissioned and qualified to act as such & to administer oaths in such cases that full faith and credit should be given to his official acts as such.

    In testimony whereof I have set my hand & affixed the public seal of my office at dover this ___ day of ____ 1838.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAN-51
12-9-41
Divisions of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME French, Thomas[handwritten] GRADE Private [handwritten] LINE Connecticut [handwritten]
WARRANT NUMBER 5780 [handwritten] ACERAGE 100 [handwritten] ISSUED Mar. 12, 1792 to John Blanchard [handwritten]

*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.