Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17851, Henry Braswell, S. C.
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Service S.C. Braswell, 
Henry Number 
S.17851 
Carded Contents
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South Carolina 23.487 
Hennan of the in the State of So Ca who was a in the by Captain of the by A in the Sd Can line for Commil Inscribed on the Roll of So Carolina at the rate of 26 Dollars to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Cents per annum. Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of Feby and June C.J. Laving Manor or Arears to the 4th of Sept 1833 as Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 13.33 1995 Book Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Recorded by C Vol. Page 69 ┃ ┃ order to pay Augt 26, 1837 Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 March 1837 to 4 March 1838. Agt Notified 4 Jany
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Declarations of Henry Braswell in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress dated June 7th 1832.
South Carolina      Marion District 
Fall Term 1832
Court of Common Pleas

On this the tenth day of Octr. 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Cpmmon Pleas now sitting, Henry Braswell, a resident of Marion District and State aforesaid aged Seventy six, appeared who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declarations in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress dated June 7th 1832. That he was born in Nash County No. Ca on the 2nd day of January 1756. His age was recorded in a Book kept by his father which book is now at the house of David Braswell in Robeson County N. Ca. He was living in Nash County N. Ca. when he entered the service. He does not [unintelligible] of the tine when he first entered the Service of the United States but knows that it was at the beginning of the War.  He volunteered under Capt James Gray of the Militia, rendezvous [unintelligible] at Tarborough on the Tar River N. Ca.,  marched from there to Wilmington to guard the town against the British who were laying at Fort Johnson. He was under the command of Genl (illegible) at that place, from there on to a place called the Saw Mill in Brunswick County N. Ca. when he was in sight of the British masts at Fort Johnson. When the ships moved off, he went into the fort & staid there about a day, fromthence went back to
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to Saw Mills, thence to Wilmington, stayed there a few days & were marched to the Salt works on the sea shore, where they remained about ten days. Marched back to Wilmington & from the to Peacocks Bridge on Contentney River where the time (3 months) expired. The soldiers rc'd their discharges & deponent went back to Nash County. Some time afterwards he volunteered again under Capt Wm Williams for three months & marched on to Harrisburg No. Ca. Warren County as he understood
for the purpose of reinforcing Genl Greene before the Battle at Guilford Ct House. At Harrisburg, deponents company came under the direction of Brigd Genl Butler, marched on to the Heigh Rock Ford on Haw river where he joined Genl Green. Greene then pushed on after Cornwallis with whom he had a battle at the place (Guilford Court House.)  Cornwallis maintained his post & Green ordered a retreat & his men to rendesvous at Troublesome Creek. When his men got together they all followed after Cornwallis as far as Ramsays mills on Deep River Chatham County. Stayed there a few days when Genl Green went on down to Charleston So. Ca., with the main body of his army but left Genl Butler with a
part of his forces to keep the Tories in Randolph County & thereabouts in Subjection. He recollects that one Col Linton, in the Battle at Guilford Ct. House, commanded that part of the Army in which deponent was Stayed at Ramsays mills until his time was nearly out & then marched down to Abernathy in Wake County where he got his discharge & re
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returned to Nash County. About the close of the war Govonor Martin (or Burks) of North Carolina, wishing to raise a guard called a life guard proposed that all those who w'd furnish themselves with a horseman's (illegible) & serve as a light horse man for two months should be clear of a 3 months tour. This deponent joined him under Capt Britain Drake,
Genl Hardy Griffin was there, rendesvoused at
Tarborough, went from thence to Harrisburg
where the Governor met them. Went on with him Hillsborough, from thence to Cross Creeks in Cumberland County No. Ca., from thence to the Brown Marsh & White Marsh where Genl Rutherford & Butler were stationed. Stayed there two or three days at this place a detachment was sent out into Harry District & there abouts in So. Ca in pursuit of the Tories, did not find them. Returned to White & Brown Marshes & Shortly afterwards went back to the Cross Creek, from thence started on to now Raleigh and as they were going on intelligence
reached them that Cornwallis had surrendered to Washington. Continued on to Abernathy where he rec'd his discharge. Making in all eight months of actual service & nine according to the tours on which entered the service the last time. These discharges he has lost, not thinking they would be
ever be of any use to him. He likewise served as a
Lieut in the Second Tour above mentioned. At
the close of the war he threw his commission away
not supposing it would ever be of value to him any
way. He has lived since the Revolutionary War
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four or five years in Robeson County No Ca.
Since then he has lived in Marion District So Ca. He knows of no other engagements than those he has already mentioned, nor officers. He has no documentary evidence of his services, but is acquainted with one Nazary Mitchell who can testify to his services as a revolutionary soldier. He hereby
relinquishes all claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid         Henry Braswell
B J Earle presiding Judge of the Court
of Common pleas & Sessions at Marion
Court house in the district & State of aforesaid
in Open Court.

South Carolina
Marion District
Nazary Mitchell - appeared before me & made
oath that he knows Henry Braswell to have been a Soldier in the Revolutionary War. Deponent served with him during the 2nd tour mentioned in Braswells declaration & was therefore an eye witness to his service during that time. Deponent lived in
Nash County N. C. a near neighbour of
Braswells & knows that he was out in the War
as he has stated, from his recollection of having
seen him come home when it was said he had
been in the war. He believes the facts stated in
Braswells declaration are true. 
Sworn to & signed before me the day & year aforesaid
Nazary Mitchell    X his mark
B J Earle 
Presiding Indee in open Court mark
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War Department
Pension Office      April 1833

Sir,   The declaration of Henry Braswell (illegible)t Nathaniel Whillington and Franci Godfrey have been examined. Braswells declaration is herewith enclosed to you. 
The service of three months as Lieuntenant cannot be allowed unless he adduce other proof of the fact of his having been commissioned, and having served in that capacity. He should also state the periods
of his entering the service and refer to some respectable citizen in his neighbourhood who can vouch for his character for truth
and veracity. The credibility of all witnesses should be certified to by the Magistrate before whom their affidavits are made. Should he fail however, after removing the other objection, in proving his service as an officer he may be entitled to eight months pay as a private. 
Francis Godfrey's declaration has been sent to
William Hill Esq Secretary of State N.Car: for the purpose of obtaining proof of his service, should any evidence be in that office. Upon its return you will be advised of it.
The claim of Nathaniel Whittington has been admitted, and his certificate is herewith
enclosed.
Archibald
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Archibald Kirby's case is also returned, accompanied by a brief pointing out the objection to it's admission aside from that arising from his claim for service as a Lieutenant.
You will observe that Daniel, the witness, has not been certified to by the Court that he a credible person.
I am respectfully
your mo obr
J L Edwards



C.M. Dudley Esq
Marlborough
S. Car.
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Sir:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office, 
December 26th, 1838.
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," Henry Brasswell,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the South Carolina Agency, at the rate of Twenty six Dollars and sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837, to the 4th March, 1838.
Respecfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
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Henry Braswell
The Declaration (Amended) of
Benjamin Miles has been forwarded to the War Department. 
Some months since & has
not been heard of. Would
the Comm of Pensions be
to good as to inform me
what disposition (if any)
has been made of it.
Jany 19 1834     Dudley
Adm
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Henry Braswell Which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. *Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension he is entitled?
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one
June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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                        ( Document Page Number 2.)
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?    No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?   No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the 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-
Vealmonths
and --- days, I served as a
For months.
and days, I served as aand
for such service I claim a pension.
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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 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 objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
in a case where the name of the applicant is not found on 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 claimants 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 signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
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17851
INVALID. 
File No. 17851
Henry Braswell
(illegible)
Act: June 7 1832
Index:  Vol. 1    Page 438
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Declaration
of
Henry Braswell.
14182.

 Canadas puble private
8 months $26.66

E Dudley
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South Carolina
Marion District
Thomas Evans & Edward B Wheeler appeared & made oath that they were well acquainted with
Henry Braswell who has subscribed & Sworn
to this declaration, that we believe him to
be seventy six years of age - that he is reputed
& believed in the neighbourhood in which
he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution
& that we concur in that opinion
Subscribed & Sworn to the day & year aforesaid
Tho Evans
Edw B Wheeler
B J Earle    presiding Judge in open court

And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion after the investigation of the matter & after
putting the Interrogatives prescribed by the War
Department that the above named applicant was a
Revolutionary Soldier & served as he States. 
And the Court further certifies that it appears
to them that Edward B Wheeler & Thomas
Evans who have signed the above certificate are
credible persons residing in Marion District & State of
that their statement is entitled to
Credit.
B J Earle
Prised Judge
in open Court
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South Carolina
Marion District
I Edward B. Wheeler Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas for the District & State
foresaid do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Henry Brasuelfor
a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand & seal of office
this 11th day of October 1832
Edw B Wheeler
C. C. P.
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South Carolina
Marion District
Before me Herod Stackhouse a Justice of the Peace in & for
Maron District appeared Henry Braswell who made the
following affidavit as an amendment to his declaration
for a pension under the Act of Congress dated June 7 1832.
That he cannot swear precisely as to the times when he entered the service, on account of his old age & the consequent loss of memory, though he is positive as to the
length of his service.  According to the best of his
recollection, he commenced his first tour of three months
immediately after the battle at Fort Moultrie & served
as stated in his Declaration under Brackets & marched
off.
His second tour of three months he served
at the Battle at Guilford Court House N. Ca. By
reference to which the precise time may be ascertained, as also the quality of his service by referring
to original Declaration marked "B." 

His third and last tour of three months
as marked "C" bears similar date with the surrender
of Cornwallis at Yorktown & is described on original
Declaration. He claims for these services as a private
in the militia. He cannot produce the proof required
that he served as an officer on his second tour. 
That he had used all reasonable exertions to procure
the attendance of Nazary Mitchell, but that the
said Mitchell resides in Robeson County N. C. &
although the Deponent sent there for him to appear before the magistrate to day to testify in Deponents behalf, yet he could not procure his attendance on account of the sickness of the said Nazary
Mitchell. That the said Nazary Mitchell is not
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Sufficiently known in Marion District to procure a certificate of his
(illegible) & that there is no Clergyman residing in the neighborhood
of him the said Braswell but that his (illegible) to Charles McRae of (ilegible)
District who can furnish him with the necessary certificate. Since the said Braswell further swore that in all the tours alluded to above he served as a volunteer in an embodied corps & was not employed in any
civil pursuit.
Henry Braswell 
Sworn to & signed before me
this 11th day of Jany 1834
Herod Stackhouse

South Carolina
Marion District
We the undersigned do hereby certify that we are well acquainted
with Henry Braswell who has sworn to & subscribed the
above affidavit, that he has ever supported a high character for
truth & veracity: that he is generally reputed & believed in the
neighbourhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of
the Revolution & that we cheerfully concur in that opinion. 
Thomas Farller 
Newell Hargrove
Sworn to before me this 
11th Jany 1834
Herod Stackhouse 

South Carolina
Marion District
I Herod Stackhouse, Justice of the Peace as aforesaid do hereby
certify that Thomas Hailles & Newell Hargrove who have signed
the above certificate an gentleman residing in the vicinity of Henry Braswell & that their certificate is entitled to full faith &
credit. 
Sworn before me Jany 11 1834. 
Herod Stackhouse 

South Carolina
Marlborough Dist
I Charles McRae, a Clergyman residing in the
Dist & State aforesaid do hereby certify that I have
been acquainted with the applicant Henry Bramwell
for thirty five years last past; that the said Braswell
has always supported an unimpeachable character; & has
been reputed in the neighbourhood in which he resides to
have been a soldier of the Revolution & that I concur
in that opinion. 
Char McRae 
Sworn 11 Jany 1834
C W Dudley N.P.  n2 ca
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South Carolina
Marion District

I Edward B. Wheeler, Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas for the Dis
trict aforesaid do hereby certify that
Herod Stackhouse whose name is
written on the second page of this
Instrument is a magistrate (Justice
of the Quorum) for Marion Dist &
that his certificate as such is entitled to credit.  Given under my
hand & seal of the Court this
15 Jany 1834
Edwd B, Wheeler

South Carolina
Marlborough Dist
I C W Dudley do hereby certify that Charles
McRae by whom a certificate is made on this Instrument is a clergyman residing in Marlborough Dist &
State aforesaid & that his certificate is entitled to full
faith & credit. 
Jany 17th 1834.
C W Dudley
N. Pet.   n 2 off 

I James C. Thomas Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
for the District of Marlborough & State aforesaid do hereby
certify that C W Dudley who has subscribed the
above certificate is a Notary Public for the said District and a Justice of the Quorum ex officio & that
his certificate as such is entitled to credit.
Given under my hand & Seal of Office this
17th Jany 1834.
James. C. Thomas