Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4,149, Nicholas Goswick, N.C.
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Service.  North Carolina

Nicholas, Goswick

Number.   R 4149
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(1)
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832 State of South Carolina 
Union District SS⎬  On this the 30th June 1841 personally appeared before me D. Wallace Commissioner & Register of the Court of Equity of the said District & the
keeper of the seal & the Records of the said Court, Nicholas Goswick (not in open Court, the said Nicholas, being unable by reason of his great age & consequent bodily infirmities to appear in open Court) the said Nicholas Goswick being a resident of the said District of Union in the State of South Carolina and aged about Eighty two 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following
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named officers, and served as herein Stated
To wit - That he entered the service of the United States, as a volunteer in a company of Infantry commissioned by Captain Brittain Harriss. That the detachment of troops of which the company of Harriss formed a part, was commanded at the time this deponent entered the service by a Field Officer by the name of Sumner a Major, or a Colonel. 

That he does not recollect the exact year, day or month that he entered the Service, but that he does know that it was the year that the Battle of Briar Creek [Battle of Brier Creek, Georgia, 1779] was fought, for this deponent was in that Battle & took part in the engagement.

This deponent believes this Battle was fought in the year 1778 or 1779 and is the only Battle in which he took part during his tour of duty.

This declarant further states that he was Born in the state of Maryland about five miles from
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the City of Baltimore. That when this deponent was a small Boy, his Father removed to Bute County North Carolina, or what was then called Bute That County having been since divided into Two Counties which have since been called by other names. That at that place this deponent lived until the war of the Revolution came on
That in the year the Battle of Briar Creek was Fought. This deponent turned out a volunteer under Captain B. Harriss as stated. That the Drum was Beat for volunteers at Bute Court House where deponent first Turned out. That the Volunteers rendezvoused at a place in Tar River where Louisburg now stands. Deponent Took his own Rifle Gun with him into the Service. From the Rendezvous on Tar River. The detachment went to Kingston in Neuse River, from that place they marched to Elizabethtown on Cape Fear River where they found a considerable body of [illegible] Colonel, or Major Summer, had taken the
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35250
command of the volunteers at Kingston & when they arrived at Elizabeth Town a [page folded] the Troops at that place were under the command of General Nash.  

The line was formed, and the Troops at the last named place were review'd by Governer Caswell of North Carolina. From Elizabeth Town the troops went to Wilmington & thence over into South Carolina and some time after the Battle of Briar Creek was fought & the Americans defeated don't think General Nash was in that Battle

From the Battle field deponent with some of the Troops that kept in a Body went back to Willmington [Wilmington] North Carolina & from that place deponent went to Charleston in South Carolina, some three or four Companies of troops went at the same time and Capt B Harriss Still commanded the Company of which this deponent formed a part-- don't think Colonel or Major Sumner went to Charleston

Deponent had volunteer'd for a tour of nine months, but having went to Charleston to guard that place, deponent Stay'd Three months over the time he volunteer'd for in order that other troops might be sent on to protect the city, so that his whole tour of duty was Twelve months 

That during this
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2
Twelve months ending in the year after the Battle of Briar Creek was fought, this deponent was engaged in no civil employment but was either in Camp or upon the March.

That at the time he left the service he recd a written discharge, that he took the same with him back to North Carolina & supposing the same would be of no use to him it has been lost.-

That after the Battle of Briar Creek deponent as before stated went to Charleston & stay'd there with the army for the Defence of the City until the Twelve months as stated Expired. That he then went back to Bute County in North Carolina. That the year after he got home deponent again volunteer'd to go against the Indians on the Frontier of North Carolina & Virginia. That upon this Expedition he was gone five months, deponents company was commanded by Capt James Richards. There were Several companies of Soldiers. They were embodied by Lawful authority & the detachment was commanded by Colonel Brad - They however
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Fought no Battle with the Indians

Deponent does not know the precise character of the Troops which were United into an army under Gen. Nash at Elizabeth Town, but think they were composed of some Regulars some draughted Militia & some volunteers - don't recollect the names of any of the Regular officers.

Deponent has never Rec'd any pay for the services he render'd - has no documentary Evidence to sustain him in making this declaration, But states that Joseph Goswick is now alive & know something in Regard to the Services render'd by the deponent- After the war of the Revolution closed, deponent continued to reside in North Carolina until about Seventeen years ago when he removed to the place he now lives at in the District aforesaid That he lives in great obscurity & while he was able to work he did not think of applying for a Pension, but having got unable to work from age & Bodily infirmity
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his friends have persuaded him to apply -That he knows of no one now alive but Joseph Goswick that know anything about the Services he performed

Having made the foregoing declaration he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to & subscribed the}
day & year aforesaid }  Nicholas Goswick x his mark
In  the presence of
D. Wallace
Q. U. Ex off
& Comr & Register of the Court of Equity
M.S. Gregorey
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(3)
The following interrogatories were by me the said D. Wallace Commissioned & Register of the Court of Equity as aforesaid, propounded to the Said Nicholas Goswick, and which with the answers thereto, are as follows.
To wit

1=Where, & in what year, were you Born?
Ans. I was Born in the State of Maryland near the City of Baltimore in the year 1759.

2=Have you any Record of your age, and of So where is it?
Ans - I have myself no record of my age, but my Brother Joseph Goswick, has a Record of the ages of my Fathers' family including mine. I think the Record was entered with Blank leaf of a Prayer Book.

3=Where were you living when called into Service, where have you lived Since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live
Ans - In Bute County North Carolina, and I lived at the same place ever since until about Seventeen years ago, and since that time have lived where I now live in the District of Union South Carolina
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4=How were you called into Service? Were you draughted [drafted]?  did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Ans=The drum was Beat at Bute Court House for Volunteers, and this according to the usage of that period, and deponent Volunteered and went into the service as a volunteer & served in that character Twelve months and afterwards five months against the Indians

5=State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the General circumstances of your service
Ans=I dont know that I can distinguish the different kind of troops which comprised the Army in which the officers I knew served The troops I served with, I believe were part Continental, part draughted [drafted] Militia & part volunteers. General Nash, Colonel, or Major Sumner. Captain Brittain Harriss were in the army at the time I served, and part of the time I believe a General Officer by the name of Ashe I went from Bute Court House to Tar River, from that place to Kingston 
from there to Elizabeth Town Then
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I think to Wilmington all in North Carolina
From Wilmington we pass'd over into South Carolina & sometime after the Battle of Briar Creek was fought. I am not certain but think we crossed the Savannah River to fight the Battle & believe the Battle was fought on the Georgia side the River In this Battle I was engaged and this is the only the most remarkable circumstance connected with our March or with my tour of duty After the Battle I went to Charleston, South Carolina and was kept there to help guard that place until the Twelve months Expired which I served, & which added to the five months I served against the Indians makes in all Seventeen months Service. I went into the service the year of the Battle of Briar Creek and of course went out of the Service the year after having served twelve months which was three months longer than I first volunteer'd for - I served all the time as a private of Infantry.

6 =Did you ever receive a Discharge from the service & if so, when was it given & what has become of it
Ans=I did receive a written discharge at the Lines in Charleston South Carolina
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but who signed that discharge I cannot Remember. It has long since been lost.
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
Ans I think the following of my Neighbors will all testify as to my veracity & some of them as to the tradition in regard to my Revolutionary Services. John Norman Esquire, John Gibbs Esquire, Richard Starnes, The Reverend Thomas Ray my Brother Joseph Goswick, Mr. R Gore & Mr. Thomas Hollis who are all men of Respectability. That living as I have long done in great Privacy and retirement I do not suppose that the tradition of my Revolutionary Services is very General in the community where I now live, and this difficulty will be made were apparent from the fact that I live at a great distance from the place where I had liv'd over Forty years after the War closed 
See next page
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State of South Carolina
Union District } SS  Personally came Joseph Goswick of the said State & District before me D. Wallace Commissioner & Register of the Court of Equity for the said District & the keeper of the seal & the Records thereof, & being duly sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposes & says, That he is the Brother of Nicholas Goswick whose declaration has this day been read in his hearing, the said declaration made as he understand for the purpose of obtaining a pension from the United States.

That this deponent & the said Nicholas were living in Bute County in North Carolina with their Father at the time the War of the Revolution Broke out

That this deponent knows of his own Knowledge that his Brother Nicholas Goswick did go into the Army of the Revolution the same year of the Battle of Briar Creek - This deponent further States that he knows of his own knowledge That the Father of this deponent & of Nicholas Goswick went to Kingston
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while Nicholas was in the army to carry the said Nicholas some clothes & Shoes to wear, and this deponent sent to his Brother Nicholas by his Father some plugs or twists of Tobacco for his use while in the army. That the Father of this deponent came back from Kingston in North Carolina & said he had seen my Brother Nicholas had given him the clothes shoes & Tobacco. This deponent further states that his father Bought for his Brother Nicholas the Gun he took with him into the service, & Bot it for that purpose of a man by the name of Samuel Fowler.
deponent has for more than half a Century heard his Brother Nicholas say he was in the Battle of Briar Creek.  don't recollect how long his Brother Nicholas was in the service - don't Recollect precisely but think about from nine to Twelve Months.

deponent was at home when this Brother Nicholas come back from his Tower of Duty - saw him Return to his Fathers House with his knapsack on his Back and that no one who ever knew the circumstance ever doubted
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small paper overlaid larger paper.  Smaller paper:

Nickless Goswick son of Joseph Goswick and Sarah his wife was born the 25th day of September in the year of our Lord god anno domo 1799

Sapphera Goswick Daughter of Joseph Goswick and Sarah his wife was born the 14 day of September in the year of hour Lord god anno Dom: 1761

Joseph Goswick the son of Joseph Goswick and Sarah his wife was born the 9th day of June in the year of our Lord god anno dom 1765

[scribble scribble]
A

Page underneath by line:
-- from the duty
-- Father of
-- for his country &
-- [illegible]
-- cy & she was the
-- prayer Book
-- claration of Nicholas
-- erewith shown &
-- deponent says that
-- regarded as a correct
-- this Family of his
-- known this Record
-- , & that it may
-- ent by his Father
-- ty his possession
-- et whince which
-- ty years ago. has
-- his Brother Nicholas
-- n on this paper.
This deponent states that the declarant Nicholas Goswick has stated correctly in his declaration as to the place he was born and also as to his age - This deponent was well aquainted with Capt. Brittain Harriss & knows his brother went into the serivce under him.  Deponent also
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small paper overlaid larger paper. Smaller paper:

Chirrillen Goswick Daugher of Joseph Goswick and Sarah his wife was born 7th day of September in the year of our Lord god anno Dom: 1752

Ann Goswick Daughter of Joseph Goswick and Sarah his wife was born 13th day of May in the year of our Lord god anno Dom: 1754

Viletter Goswick Daughter of Joseph Goswick and Sarah his wife was born on the 14 day of May in the year of hour Lord god anno Domo 1757

Larger paper:

while Nicholas --
carry the said --
Shoes to wear, --
his Brother N --
some plugs--
his use while in --
Father of this --
from Kingston --
he had seen --
& had given hi--
Tobacco. Th--
that his father--
Nicholas the --
the Service, --
of a man by the --
deponent has--
Century heard --
he was with --
dont Recollect --
Nicholas was in the Service - don't recollect precisely but thinks about from nine to twelve months.

Deponent was at home when this Brother Nicholas came back from his tour of duty. saw him return to his Fathers House with this knapsack on his Back.  and That no one who ever knew the circumstances ever doubted
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that his Brother had perform the duty deponents Father the Father of Nicholas was much in favor of sending his Son Nicholas to fight for his County & Fitted him out for the purpose.

Deponent produce & shows the Blank Leaf of the Prayer Book alluded to in the Declaration of Nicholas Goswick which is hereforth shown & & marked A.  deponent says that this has always been regarded as a correct Record of the ages of the Family of Father & that he has known this Record more than fifty years, & that it was deliverd to this deponent by his Father & it has neither entry his possession since his father gave it to him which is more than Twenty years ago. has no doubt the age of his Brother Nicholas is correctly set down in this paper
 
This deponent states that the declarant Nicholas Geswick has stated correctly in his declaration as to the place he was born and also as his age- This deponent was well acquainted with Capt. Brittain Harriss & knows his Brother went into the Service under him.  deponent also
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knew Col or Maj Sumner well from Reputation-- Knows that Sumner lived about ten or twelve miles from deponents Father, & knows that his Father & Sumner were when very friendly terms.

deponent on hearing the declaration of his Brother Nicholas Read says he has heard all the material facts therein stated repeated more than Fifty years age & has no doubt that they are substantially correct.
Sworn & subscribed
Before me this the
30 June 1841
D Wallace } Joseph his X mark Goswick-
Court Register } 
of the County of Equity}
Attest} R. Starnes
B. Gose
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And the said Declarant, having been duly sum & the foregoing Interrogatories having been propounded them the answers thereunto read over to him say the same are true & hereunto being so sworn subscribed his name-  Nicholas his X mark Goswick
In presence of
D. Wallace
Court & Register of
the Court of Equity
for Union District
W.S. Gregory


State of South Carolina}
Union District } ss
We the Reverend Thomas Ray, a clergyman residing in the said District of Union & Thomas Hollis residing in the same state & District hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nicholas Goswick, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be at least Eighty years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighberhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the } Thomas Ray
day & year aforesaid
before me August 20 1841
John Gibbs, Justice of the Quorum
Thomas Hollis
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State of South Carolina}
Union District} SS
And now I D. Wallace, Commissioned & Register of the Court of Equity for the said District, & the keeper of the seal & records thereof, do hereby declare  my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that Nicholas Goswick was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And I further state that I know of my own knowledge that Thomas Ray who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman of great Respectability, resident in the said District of Union & that Thomas Hollis who has also signed the same is also a resident in the said District
that he is also a person undoubted Credibility & that then statement is entitled to Credit 

These proceedings were not taken in open Court because Nicholas  Goswick & Joseph Goswick are both old & infirm, & both live in an
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Obscare quarter of the said District Twelve or more miles from the place of the sitting of the Court, and both being almost helpless, they could not be brought into Court without great inconvenience. and therefore as an act of charity, I attended & took the Examination of Joseph Goswick at his own house, it having been many years since he walked Except about his own door upon crutches, & the friends of Nicholas Goswick carried him to the Cross Keys in the said District, about four miles from his own Home and Twelve from Union Court House the place where the Court sets, where I met him and York his Examination as above set forth, and I further state that the for old man Nicholas & Joseph Goswick were Examined Separately Some four or five miles apart.
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & seal
of Office this 27th day of
August 1841 -
D. Wallace
Court & Register of the
Court of Equity

Seal affixed - not readable.
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State of South Carolina
Union District ⎬
I, William Ray Clerk of of Union District do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of D. Wallace the Commissioned & Register of the Court of Equity for the said District & the for the seal & Records thereof in the matter of the application of Nicholas Goswick for a pension. That I am well acquainted with all the persons who have either been sworn, or who have subscribed to the same & that they are all persons of undoubted respectability. I do further certify that John Gibbs whose name appears to the proceeding is a Justice of the Quorum & that the within signature purporting the his is genuine. I do further certify that all the Signatures with proceedings are genuine and Thomas Ray the Clergyman is my own Father. That Thomas Hollis who signed the certificate with my father
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35,250
4149


is a man of much & undoubted respectability, and that the whole proceedings are what they purport to be & are entitled as such to full faith and credit.-
I am thus particular in this certificate because the proceedings from necessity were not taken in open Court.
In Testimony whereof I have
thereunto set my hand &
Seal of Office this the
27th day of August 1841
Wm Ray ccps
for Union District



35,250
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J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
More
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Union Court & SC  Oct 18 1841

Dear Sir

I have this moment recd a communication from the Secretary of State of
the State of North Carolina, in which I am informed that the Name of Nicholas Goswick cannot be found among the Revolutionary Records at Raleigh

If now only remains for you to decide whether upon the proof offered, the old man can be successful in his application for a pension.

I should be much gratified hear of his success.-- I would smooth his way to the house appointed for all him, and although all the forms of evidence in his case at this [illegible] period of time, may not be met by his declaration & the papers annexed, yet in this section of country not a single doubt is Entertained of the truth of his statement. 

I have the pleasure of hearing from you soon _
with a Respect
D. Wallace
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HOWARDS' HOTEL . NEW YORK
BROADWAY COP MAIDEN LANE.
New York Sept 1849

Sir
Being on a visit to the North East I brought the inclosed document
the Declaration of Nicholas Goswick with me intending to hand it to you in Person at Washington City.

I arrived at that City however at 4 Oclock in the evening, much fatigued as I supposed too late for your office hours of that day, and being under the necessity of setting out in Rail Road car for Baltimore Early the next morning. I Concluded to forward the Document to you by mail [illegible] this City.

In drawing up the Certificate as well as the Declaration itself, I have by to confirm to the Rule of the department or which you preside- I beg leave to refer you to our Representative Gene Regus for the respectability Mary the names mentioned in the decement I have only to request that you
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Will Communicate to me the result of your Judgment upon the Merits of the application, by Mail at Union Court House South Carolina where I hope to be in two or three Weeks.  It is possible, I may see you on my way back to south Carolina, but least I should not the hurt the opportunity of doing so. I must beg you to make the communication
to me at my place of Residence as stated above
I have the honor to be
your Obt Servant
D Wallace



J. L Edwards Esq
Washington City
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Will Communicate to me the result of your Judgment upon the Merits of the application, by Mail at Union Court House South Carolina where I hope to be in two or three Weeks. It is possible, I may see you on my way back to south Carolina, but least I should not the hurt the opportunity of doing so. I must beg you to make the communication
to me at my place of Residence as stated above
I have the honor to be
your Obt Servant
D Wallace



J. L Edwards Esq
Washington City
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Vertical:

SC
Oct 25, 1841

Horizontal:

FREE

J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Mail
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Union Court SC Oct 18 1874

Dear Sir

I have this moment recd a communication from the Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina,  in which I am informed that the Name of Nicholas Goswick Cannot be found the among the Revolutionary Records at Raleigh

It now only remains for you to decide whether when the proof offered, the old man can be successful in his application for a pension.

I should be much gratified to hear of his success. It would smooth his way to the house appointed for all living, and although all the forms of Evidence in his case at this [illegible] period of time, may not be met by his declaration & the paper annexed, yet in this section country not a single doubt is Entertained of the truth of his statement
I hereto have the pleasure of hearing from you soon
with great Respect
D. Wallace
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35.250
South Carolina
let. to D. Wallace 7. Sep. 1841
 "    "     same      28 Oct. 1844
 "    "    Hon. Jas. Rogers, May 11 '42

Act June 7 1832
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Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. [lined out]

4149
P.O.
Nicholas Goswick
Service:

REJECTED [stamped]

Enlisted:              , 18  .
Discharged:         , 18  .

Application filed:                , 18  .

Alleges:

Re-enlisted:

Attorney:
P.O.

Recognized.                               Contract.
Cert. of Dis.               Searched for        , 18  .