Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7,136, for William Meryman, North Carolina
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(3-1776)


SERVICE                                   NUMBER

N.C.           Meryman, William   R.7.136


CONTENT
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17.866

William Meryman

[crossed out] Geo:


Sent Hill


Thomas Chandler Esqr

Carrallton [Carrollton]

Geo:
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We John Dean & Thomas Hinsley residing in said county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Meryman who has subscribed & sworn to the declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age that he is reported & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid

John Dean–

Sanford Kingdbery J.I.C. Thomas Hinsley

J. Sanders J.I.C.

J. Little J.I.C.

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of thew matter and after putting the interrogater [interrogator] prescribed by the war department [crossed out] that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states And the court further certifies that John Dean & Thomas Hinsley who have signed the foregoing certificate are credible persons and are residents in said county & that their statement is intitled [entitled] to credit

J. Little J.I.C.

Sanford Kingdbery J.I.C.

J. Sanders J.I.C.
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To the interrogatories he annums

1 he 1754 in Bedford county Virginia

2 he has none only Tradition

3 he lived in Granville county N. Carolina where he entered the service–since in N. Carolina

& Georgia now has in Georgia

4 He volunteered for 4 Tours there was drafted the others

5th Capt R.Williams [illegible] gen Green. Butler Does not recollect the regiments has stated the circumstances at large within

6th he received Discharges from the officers he served under but has lost them

7 Thomas Hinsley & John Dean, no clergyman in the neighbourhood

Sworn to as above William Meryman


I Willaim L Parr Clerk of the Inferior court of Caroll county Georgia do here certify that the foregoing contains the original providings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Meryman for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 4th day of March 1834


Wm L PARR CLK
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Declaration

in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th, 1832

State of Georgia} SS

Carroll county}

On this 3rd day of March in the year 1834 personally came in open court before the Inferior court of Carroll county now sitting. William Meryman a resident of said county of Carroll and State of Georgia aged seventy nine year the 4th day of last April, 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 the 7th, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated

I lived, at the time I entered the service in the State of North Carolina in the county of Granville I think in the month of June 1780 about the first of that north, I turned out volunteer under Captain Micaija Bullock, James McClamore was sergent [sergeant] and Col. Folsome [Folsom] for the space of three months. I was marched to the town of Fayetteville N. Carolina where we had to guard the town at which place my time expired to next for three months. I was in no battles during this first tour, I immediately
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at Fayetteville and without leaving the service turned out volunteer under the same officers for a second tour of three months, and I was marched from Fayetteville to Guilford courthouse where we caught several Tories and took them to Fayetteville and sent them off and we returned to Guilford and guarded that place and scouted about [illegible] the county [crossed out] catching Tories untill [until] my time expired and I was discharged and returned home and stayed a short time and I turned out volunteer for a third tour of three months (but at what date I cannot recollect) thinks in the last past of 1780 under one Captain Ralph Williams from whom I received an appointment as commisary [commissary] to hunt up beeres [beers] and other provisions for the regular Army then stationed at [crossed out] Hillborough [Hillsborough] N. Carolina during this tour [crossed out] I was not in any battle but during the whole time riding though [through] the country collecting Cattle hogs and provisions to suply [supply] the Continental army and when my [crossed out] time of three months expired I was continued in the same service for three months longer under the same officers, which constitutes six months & that I was continued in the services as last aforesaid. I then returned home and stayed but a few days untill [until] I was drafted some time in the month of February 1781 for a fifth tour of three
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months under Wm Hicks Captain and Mark White sergent [sergeant]. General Butler & Col Joseph Taylor I march from Grainvill [Granville] county to Guilford courthouse where have had the great battle with the British. General Green was the chief commander, and after the battle was over our General Butler was impeached for cowardice we then marched after the British down towards Fayettevill [Fayetteville] and the main army stoped [stopped] at Ramseys mill and sent the light horse on after the British And while the main Army remained at Ramseys Mill my time expired and: orders were given for a general draft to serve for twelve months and I was then drafted for twelve months without having the service I entered this sixth tour to wit to twelve months I think in the month of May 1781 and [crossed out] served under Captain Campbell Maj Pink Eaton and the Col: name I cannot recollect but be the Col had before that time had his hand cut off in a combat that he had with some other officer General Green was our head commander. We marched from Ramseys mill to Camden South Carrolina [Carolina] where we remained three days and the battle was faught [fought] I was not in the heat of
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of the battle as Major Eaton was ordered to tease the enemy by attacking them and retreating so as to draw the British out of the fort after us that our main army might attack them by surprise and I was under Major Eaton for the purpose aforesaid &c, we were then marched back to Saulsbury [Salisbury] North Carrolina [Carolina] and while there General Sumner [torn] came on from the north and I was attached to his army and while at Saulsbury [Salisbury] I was taken with or rising in my head so that it was thought I would die and General Sumner gance [give] me a permit to go home and on going home I got worse and the General Sumner sent me a discharge from as my leaving was almost entirely destroyed In this last tour I think I served about seven months

I have no documentary evidence of my service & I know of no person whos [whose] testimony I can propose who can testify to the same

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state [crossed out]

Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day & year above written

Sanford Kingdbery J.I.C. William Meryman

J. Sanders J.I.C.

J. Little J.I.C.
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State of Georgia} SS

County of [illegible]}

On this 1st day of September in the year 1834 personally came in open court before the Inferior court of said county now siting [sitting] William Meryman a resident of said county aged eighty 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 named officers & served as herein stated -(to wit)

He turned out volunteer in the summer of 1780 in Granville county N. Carolina where be 3 them record in the regiment of Colonel Folsome [Folsom] for the time of three months & served

under captain Micajah Bullock was marched to Fayetteville N. Carolina & was employed

in guarding this town till his time expired & he was discharged

That He immediately without leaving the army turned out volunteer at Fayetteville for a 3+ second tour of three months in the fall of 1780

& was marched to Guilford courthouse where we caught several tories & took them to Fayetteville then returned to Guilford & guarded that place and scouted about through the country catching tories till his time expired

Colonel Folsome [Folsom] & returned home, shortly after [illegible] thinks in

3+ January 1781 he turned out volunteer for a third tower [tour] of three months in Grainvill [Granville] county N. Carolina [Carolina] under Captain Ralph Williams Colonel name not recollected & was marched to Hilsborough [Hillsborough] N. Carolina where he was

3 stationed till his time expired & he again volunteered for a fourth tower [tour] of three months under the same officers without quitting the Army and remained at
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Hilsborough [Hillsborough] till his time expired when he was discharged & went home

3 shortly after in the [crossed out] summer of 1781 he was drafted for a tower [tour] of three months in the militia Granville county N.C. which was his fifth tower [tour] under Captain Wm Hicks Colonel Joseph Taylor, and General Butler he was marched to Gilford [Guilford] joined General Greens army and was in the battle with the british at Gilford [Guilford] courthouse after the battle our General Butler was cashiered for cowardice we then marched after the British down towards Fayetteville &the main army stoped [stopped] at Rameys mills and sent the Capt horse after the British here his time expired

6 & he was discharged; he then volunteered for sixth tower [tour] of six months without quiting [quitting] the army he thinks in the fall of 1781 under Captain Campbell Major Pink Eaton—colonel name not remembered General Green was head commander he was marched from Rameys mill to Camden S. Carolina and was in the battle at that place—he was sent with Majs [Maj.] Eaton to draw the enemy from their fort after this battle he was marched back to Saulsbury [Salisbury] N. Carolina & attached to General Sumner [illegible] [illegible] his time expired & he was discharged he has no documentary evidence of [illegible] service and knows of no person whos [whose] testimony he can procure who can testify [illegible]


He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state

To the interrogations he answers


1 Jn [June] 1754 in Bedford county Virginia
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2d He has none only tradition

3 He lived in Granville county N. Carolina where he intend the service since in N. Carolina

& Georgia and now in Carrall [Carroll] county Georgia

4 He was five towers [tours] a volunteer & one he was drafted as stated above

5 Capt. R.Williams Genrs [Gen.] Morgan Green & Butler

Does not recollect no. of any regiment—was acquainted with Cols. Folsome [Folsom] Taylor & Lee & their Regiments—he has stated the general circumstances of his service above

6 He received discharges from the officers respectively under whom he served but long since lost them

7 Joseph Little & Zachariah Thompson


Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day & year above written

Jos [Joseph] H Rodgers JIC William Meryman

J Little J.I.C.

Wm G Springer J.I.C.

Wm Beall J.I.C.

We Joseph Little & Zachariah Thompson
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And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogation prescribed by the War Department, that the above names applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states; And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Josiph [Joseph] Little & Zacheriah Thompson who signed the foregoing cirtificate [certificate] are residents in said court & respectable persons & that their statement is entitled to credit

Wm G Springer J.I.C.

Wm Beall J.I.C.

J Little J.I.C.

Jos H Rodgers JIC

I William L. Parr Clerk of the Inferior court of said county of Carroll; Georgia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Meryman for a pension

In testimony whereof I have herein to set my hand & seal of office this 4th day of September 1834

Wm Parr, CLK
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William Meryman

17.866
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WAR DEPARTMENT,

Pension Office,

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew [show] what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling [complying] with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

_____

A Statement, shewing [showing] the Service of


Period when the service was rendered.


Duration of the claimant's service.

Years.

Months.

Days.


Rank of the claimant.


Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.


Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.


Proof by which the declaration is supported

See page–3–


I am, respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

JAMES L. EDWARDS,

Commissioner of Pensions.
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2

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:

This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of Army, and to include under the terms “Continental Line,” “State Troops,” “militias,” and “volunteers,” all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:

1. The Regular Troops.

2. The State Troops, Militias, and Volunteers.

3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.

4. Indian Spies.

As roll of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County were such applicant resides. And every Court by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Territory, or District of County of [blank in MS] }88.

On this [blank in MS ] day of [blank in MS] personally appeared (1) before [blank in MS ] A.B. a resident (2) of [blank in MS ] in the county of [blank in MS ] and State, Territory, or District of [blank in MS ] aged (3) [blank in MS] years, who being first duty sworn, according to the law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed Junes 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (4) [blank in MS], with [blank in MS] and served in the [blank in MS] (5) regiment of the [blank in MS] line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and of his officers ;) the town or county and State in which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militias, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (6) whatever pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank in MS]

Sworn to and subscribed that day and year aforesaid.

[And then follow the certificate of the Court]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (7) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and as he served as he states.

I [blank in MS ] of the Court of [blank in MS] do hereby certify (8) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank in MS] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (9) this day to [blank in MS] &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (10) points out [blank in MS]

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militias, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(11) We, A.B., a Clergyman. residing in the [blank in MS] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank in MS], who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank in MS] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed that days and year aforesaid.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories 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 them that A.B. and that C.D. who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank in MS] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, [blank in MS] Clerk of the Court of [blank in MS] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank in MS] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank in MS] day of [blank in MS] &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (12) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensible to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound following (13) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, an account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.

1. Where and in what year were you born?

2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?

3. Where were you living when called to service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you live now?

4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?

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 services.

6. {To a soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?

{To an officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?

7. States 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.

The Court will see the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary [traditionally] evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge of Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed,

that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

If his last tour was in the N.C. line, he must prove it. If in the militia, he will be required to state the Exact time Employed. He could not have served 7 months continuously in the militia–
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Washington City

11th” April 1846

Hon. James L. Edwards

Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

I desire to know whether the name of any individual by the name of Mereyman [Meryman] [crossed out] appears on the Pension Rolls as entitled to receive a Pension–My correspondent informs me that the man by that name made application to the Pension office, for a pension, through the Hon Thomas F Foster, his representative of that time–He is not certain as to the year, but thinks that it was in 31..2 or 3 and the applicant was at the time a citizen of Carroll county, Georgia. He died serve four or five years after the application without receiving any money, but assures me that Col. Foster, told him that his name was placed in the Pension Roll, and that he was authorized Draw a pension as a soldier in the Revolutionary War–He says his name was Maryman or Merryman, and he does not know which, nor does he give me his christian name–He has one daughter only in life, and he wishes to know whether
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the sum one [someone] to him before his death can be hard to his daughter, now in life–

your respectfully

John H Lumpkin
Page 19

October 23. 1834

Pension Office


Wm. Merryman

Geo.

get the papers


Free

Department of War, pension office

Washington City

Dist. of Columbia
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Free

Department of War, pension office

Washington City

Dist. of Columbia

Pension Office


Wm. Merryman

Geo.

get the papers
October 23. 1834
Page 21

[illegible]

Carrolton [Carrollton] Ga}

13th Oct.}


Pension Office
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Carrolton [Carrollton] Georgia 12th October 1834


sir

Enclosed I send the original papers of William Meryman which were sent back to me.


your obedt. Servant

Thos, Chandler

J.L. Edwards Esqr,
Page 23

William Meryman

Georgia

7136

Suspended

Tho. Charlton

25 Sept 1834

22 Janurary 1835

Tho. Chandler–

Rejected

[illegible] [illegible] JH. Lumpkin apl [April] 13, 1846.
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[crossed out]

7136

P.O.

William Merryman

Service:


Enlisted: 18

REJECTED

Discharged: 18


Application filed 18

Alleges:

Re-enlisted:


Attorney:

P.O.

Recognized. Contract.

Cert. of Dis. Search for , 18
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Carrolton [Carrollton] Ga{

2nd Sept.} Free

Department of War

Washington city pension office

District of Columbia
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Carrollton Georgia 1st sept. 1834

Sir

I enclose herein the papers of William Meryman a amended claiming a pension

yours svt

Thos, Chandler

J.L. Edwards Com.

of pensions