Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6360, for Michael Link, North Carolina
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
CONTENTS
Born in Penn.
Link, Michael
NUMBER
R. 6360
Page 2

Court of Pleas & Quarter Session 
February Jan 1835 
State of North Carolina Davidson County

On this 12th day of February 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices, the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions now selling the same being a Court of Record Michael Link a resident of North Carolina in the County of Davidson aged 77 years the 4th day of next 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 here after states that he was called out by a draft the year of 1781 as he believes some time in the fall season and immediately entered the service of the United Staes soldier of the Revolution in the Light Horse troops under Captain Lapp & William Bodenhamer Lieutenant no other officers recollected in order to stop soldiers and the tories and to prevent the British from Wilmington N.C. where they had engaged to. He further states that he resided in Davidson County where he now resides but for in the time of the Revolution and entered the service as before stated in about 1/4 of a mile from where he now resides and from there marched South Eastwardly through Randolph County down here and in various directions down to, as said Cape Fear River towards Wilmington where his then company met or came up with Genl. Rutherford and his men but Genl. Rutherford passed Cape Fear and marched down said River on the East side and he the said Michael Link an fellow soldiers under Capt. Lapp of the Light Horse marched down on the west side of said river and some of the troops of Light Horse also with Capt. Lapp & the others remained back. But the news of Cornwallis having to surrender a few days prior to that period had reached Willington which caused the British as was supposed immediately to vacate the place, which they done about the time Capt. Lapp reached the place but as they went on to Wilmington at the Brick House Capt. Lapp & Company had a few fires with the British guard in which Capt. Lapp last only one of Light to the troops. And the said Michael Link further states that at the action of the British at Wilmington Capt. Lapp & his troops of Light Horse march back in the settlement where he now reside, and was a regular on a short space of time after having ended a love of three months or upwards. But the tories whilest they were out in the before named have had come through the settlement rendering by the many and did kill an old neighbour by the name of [illegible] Leonard and from the outrages which they were committing & had committed the mussity required to quell the town he the said Link was called out and entered under Capt. Lapp of the Light Horse no other officer recollected and he the said Michael Link did remain in pursuit of the torries and watching their maneuvers until another three months tour had ended at which time he was discharged but from his being an ilitreal man & so much in pain by old age to he cannot  recollect whether he ever received a discharge in writing or not. But he further states that he did serve as a soldier of the Light Horse Troop of the Revolution two tours making six months or little the rise, but he only claims for six months. He the said Michael Link further states that his men had so filed in and he has not having a good understanding of the English language that he cannot recollect and explain a great part of his [illegible] in the Revolution but that he well recollects the serving the two tours under Capt. John Lapp of the Light Horse Troops as he has above stated at least during six months. He further states that he has no discharge as evidence of his service and from his being not well informed of his claim he has delayed applying for a pension until the present time so that the said decree of his fellow soldiers he cannot prove as much of his service as what he could of done but that he will make the best proof that he is now able to do.
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the said Michael Link further states that he was born according to
his parents account on the 4th day of April 1757 in the State of Pennsalvania 
and whilst he was a child was brought to N. Carolina Rowen Co. 
now Davidson about 3 miles from where he now lives in which is
period he now resides & has ever lived since his point
with him & He older that he is unable to recollect the premises
when he entered the service of the Revolution and likewise when
he quit the same
he the said Michael Link hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a
pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name
is not on the pension all to his knowledge of the agency of any
State
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Michael Link
Peter Everheart residing in the County of Davidson hereby
certify that he was drafted and entered the service of the Revolution
in the Light Horse troops under Captain John Lapp & Lieutenant
Wm Bodenhammer in company of Michael Link the above appli
cant and served with him under Capt. Lapp to Wilmington
NC and back home a tour of three months or there
and that Capt Lapp was in service afterwards and
that he understood that the above applicant
another tour and from his knowledge of that time
and the variety of said Link he believes that he served
another tour as he has stated. And further he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a
soldier of the Revolution wherein he resides.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day
aforesaid. 
Peter Everheart [his mark]

We Philip Grimes & Jacob Leonard residing in the County
of Davidson hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Michael Link who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be 76 or 77 years of age that we never
heard his veracity brought in question and 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 and believe that he served the light
of time that he states. Sworn and subscribed the day
 & year of aforesaid.
Philip Grimes
Jacob Leonard

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the
above named applicant, Michael Link was a revolution
ary soldier and served the length of time that he states
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that
Peter Everheart. Philip Griner & Jacob Leonard who have
signed the preceding certificates are residents in the
County of Davidson and are credible persons and
that their several statements are entitled to credit.
Zebulon Hunt 
WM Riggatt 
A Hargrave P.
Page 4

N. C.
Michael Link
32961
12 Feby 35-
Page 5

I Samuel Gaither Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Session for Davidson County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Michail Link [Michael Link] for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Clerks Office this 13th day of February 1835 Saml Gaither CCle
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P. O.
of at
U
6360
Michael Link
Service:
Enlisted: Rejected
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for
Page 7

N. Carolina
Suspd
Michael Link
Act 7 June 32
-
---
See letter to Hon A.
Rencher 10 Oct 37
Let C.W. Brummell Oct 26 3y
Page 8

House Reps DC
5 July 54
L P Waldo Esq

Sir
You will oblige
me by furnishing to me such information
as you posses
relation to the pension papers
of Michael Link now on
file in your office
The claim I understand
has been rejected-- Can you
State why? Is it of such
character as justify a further
prosecution or not?
Do you suppose any they
[illegible] Mr Link. Your early attention
will oblige
your obe ser
R C Puryear
Page 9

Michael Link
North Carolina
Rejected,

Let. to Allen Newsom,
2d April 1835

"13 May"
Allen Newsom
do
do July 9' 36
with C Brummall 
July 15.43
Sep 12."
Apl 11. 1844

Hon R. C. Puryear May 13 1854
Page 10


Jacob Leonard
W No 27817
July 1780
Capt  J. Lapp light horse 3 mo
Wilmington to Fayetteville 3mo
know of no witness to prove the
claim
Mih. Link
Sep 1781. J.  Lapp- Cm-
Know of no lost
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Oct 7
22
[illegible]
N C
James L. Edwards ESQ
Pension Office
Hon A. Rencher
Page 12

House of Representatives
Oct 6th 1837

Dear Sir
I enclose you a letter received from
one of my constituents relative to a pension
claim.

Yours truly
A. Rencher
Page 13

Brummell N.C. Oct 21 Fr
M. L. Oct 25
Mr. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
War Department
Washington City
D.C.
Page 14

Davidson County N.C. Oct 19th 1837

Sir
I have received through the hands of Mr Raucher your communication address to him the 10" Just go in relation to Michael Links Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7th 1832. It appears that his claim is Rejected on the ground that his services were not of a Military character. It is a matter of same surprise how the Department has come to that conclusion when the declaration state that he was drafted and put under the command of officers by whom he was marched to Wilmington two hundred miles from home not in the character of a patrol nor in the pursuit of the Laws but in the character of Militiaman in pursuit of the British.
Jacob Leonard living in this County now neighbor to Michael Link was in the same service precisely that Link was in and no more. He was drafted at the same time put under the command of the same officers went to Wilmington together returned together and discharged at the same time and he Leonard is permitted to drawn a pension and Link, claim is reputed It is strange indeed that the services of Link should not be put upon the same parting
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with those of Leonard. Every one who knows any thing about it expresses the greatest astonishment. The old man applied two or three years since and has been making in actual endeavor ever since to obtain his pension. He is in quite penurious circumstances and would be grateful to the Department if they would give his claim a reconsideration and allow him some things to sustain him in his and age. Refer to Leonards case and you will see that their claims are both upon the same basis.
yours O.S.
Chas Brummell
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Davidson County N.C. Sept 23d 1837
Sir
Enclosed is the Declaration of Michael Link a soldier of the Revolution when it shall have been investigated let me know the result. Direct your communication Brummell P. O. Davidson County N.C.
to
yours O.S. 
Chas Brummell
Page 17

Brummell N.C. May 24th
May 29’ 4
N.C.
Michael Link
1832
Page 18

Davidson County N.C. May [illegible]
Sir,
Enclosed is the declaration of Micheal Link. The applicant is old, infirm & imposed in many consequently has forgotten many of the names of the officers & the incidents of the army in which he served. The general & [illegible] belief in the section of country is that the was a soldier of the Revolution. When you shall have decided and his claim peace let me know the result.
yours with respect,
C.W. Brummell
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Brummell N.C.
July 22
July 27 1843
N.C.
Michael Link
[illegible]

Fr
J.L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 20

Davidson County N.C. July 22d 1843

Sir,
Your communication of the 15 inst. has come to
hand, stating that the declaration of Michael Link has
been examined & filed. That he has assigned to reason for
not having applied sooner. No reason was assigned
because the Rules adopted by the War Department at
require it. He says he did not apply for the reason
that he knew the amount to which he was entitled as
Small & he was in circumstances which enabled him to
live very well without it. He is now old decrepet
laboring under pecuniary difficulties & would be
glad to get the small boon to which he is fully
entitled. Surely his having delayed to apply
for a pension is no reason why he should not
Receive and provided his service of a character which
entitle him to it.
Had I have known that the
duty of the department require it I would have
given the Reason in his declaration
The same reasons assigned by Michael Link
for not having applied at an earlier period
applicable to the case of Daniel Massinger
whose declaration was sent to you some four or
five weeks since, which I trust will supercede
the necessity of acquiring the reason of his delay
I presume they are justly entitled to pension
& I trust their delay will not for them
from the small amount which the laws of the
Country say they are entitled to
Let me know the result as soon as practicable 

I am very Respectfully
your able Serv.

C.W. Brummell
Page 21

34213
Mich Link
N.C.
Act 7 June 32
Sept 37
Hon. A. Rencher
HR
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act
of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of North Carolina
Davidson County

On this 16th day of September 1837 personally
appeared before me Joseph Waggoner a Justice
of the Peace in and for the County afforsaid Michael
Link a resident in the County of Davidson & State of
North Carolina aged eighty one 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 entered the service of the United States
and served as herein stated. the applicant states that he was drafted in the month of
September in the year 1781 then a resident in the
County of Rowan (now Davidson State of North
Caroline and was enrolled in a company of Dragoon
commanded by Captain John Lapp Lieutenant
William Bodenhamer and Sergeant James Wiseman
the company rendezvoused in County of Rowan from
whence they marched into Randolph County where they
united with a corps of Militia commanded
by General Rutherford with whom they marched
for several days when the company to which he belong
ed was detached from Rutherford Corps and Marched
down on the west side of the Cape Fear River
General Rutherford passed over the Cape Fear with the
forces under his command and marched down and
the eastern bank of the river. The applicant States
that the company of Dragoons Continued her
March way of the Counties of More Cumberland
and braven to Wilmington on the Cape for and
when they arrived at Wilmington the British
Troops had embarked on board their vessels-
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which were then lying in the harbor with the
exception of a guard who accessed a brick building
in the immediate vicinity of Wilmington
the guard fired upon the Dragoons who returned
the fire two of whom were killed. They marched
into Wilmington where they remanded for a short
space of time then started up the river by way
of Fayetteville from thence through the Counties
of More and Randolph to Rowan when they
were held in Service until April 1782 Traversing
the County in various direction defending it again
At the attack of the Tories who were committing
the most wanton outrages and depredations
upon the persons and property of the Whigs
the applicant states that object of the officer in
keeping them embodied was that they might be
had to march where ever the exigencies of the
Country Might Regain their services and in the
interim they were employed against the Tories. The appli
cant states that he was born in the State of Pennsy
lvania in the year 1756 that he has no record of his age
and that he knew no Regular officers while in the
service and does not recollect any continental or
Militia Regiments except the one above mentioned
that he did not receive a written discharge from
the service that he has resided when he now resides
ever since the Revolutionary war. He states that he has
no documentary evidence and that he knows of no
person whose testimony he can procure who can
testify to his service.
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. Sarah Conrad Peter Leonard and John Yoakley can testify as to
Sworn and subscribed & belief of revolution he was the
day and year aforesaid
---
Joseph Waggoner
Michael Link
[his mark]
Page 24

William Kennedy and Amos Yoakley residing in the County of Davidson State of North Carolina hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Michael Link who has sworn and subscribed the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty one 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 and subscribed
W Kennedy 
the day and year aforesaid
Joseph Waggoner
Amos Yoakly
Joseph Waggoner a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Davidson & State of North Carolina do hereby declare my 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 I further certify that it appears to me that William Kennedy and Amos Yoakley who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the County of Davidson N.C. and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. I do further certify that there is no clerk-man residing in the vicinity of the applicant whose certificate could be procured in conformity to the requisitions of the of Act of Congress of June 1832. And I further certify that the applicant is unable to attend Court in consequence of bodily infirmity.
Joseph Waggoner
Page 25

State of North Carolina Davidson County

I Chas Mock Clerk of the
Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions of said County, hereby
certify that Joseph Waggoner is a Justice of the
Peace in & for said County,
commissioned & qualified
that full faith & credit are & should be given to his official
acts as such & that the foregoing signature purporting
to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my
hand & seal of
office the 19th day of September 1837.
Ch Mock C.C.C.
Page 26

State of North Carolina Davidson County

On this 15th day of June 1836 personally appeared before me, Joseph Waggoner one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County, Michael Link a resident in the County of Davidson of the State of North Carolina aged 79 years the 4th of last April who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following additional declaration and supplemental to a declaration that he originally made before the Court of Davidson County bearing date perhaps on the 12th & 13th of February 1835 in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832. That the paragraph hereafter set forth he omitted in his original declaration through ignorance, therefore he thought a soldier who did not carry arms of war fare that it could not be styled service rendered to the United States. He the said Michael Link states that the winter before he served his first tour as set forth in his original declaration Capt. John Lapp & Lieutenant Wm Bodenhammer (and he believes an officer by the name of Wiseman all of the light Horse troops under the control and command of Genl Rutherford) did procure with these soldiers such provisions & as the Continental troops required by calling him out by the authority given them, and them, him with his fellow soldiers to guard it until ordered to some other place for the support of destitute soldiers. He further states that Capt. John Lapp dispatched some wagons by orders to the north for the use of the Continental troops one who went with a wagon from the County in which he now resides to Fredericktown Maryland with a load of Cather &c. He does not recollect the exact date but he believes it was about Christmas and at which time the Hessians had just been taken and marched in said town by the American troops. He further states that he is profitably certain that he was ten weeks performing the journey & back of staying one week out at the place the court a distance of about 400 miles for which mine he has never received any thing neither was he hired but called forth by the authority of the above named office He further states that that during the last tour as mentioned in his original declaration that he now recollects of  the interim of Stokes County about the mountains and down on the Yadkin river up and across home and in various other directions under Capt. John Lapp, Lieu. Wm Bodenhammer and his
Page 27

other officers he does not now recollect who he believes Were a branch of Genl Rutherfords troops kept by him at his command in pursuit of the largest bodies of any who were committing almost all kind, of depredations, murders, &c. He states that Jacob Leonard who was allowed a pension for 6 months service and himself were together from the beginning of each of their service until the end. He further states that he was delayed from seeking for his pension through ignorance and instruction from some of his neighbors who taught him to believe that he must be regular soldier for 12 months He further states that he has no documentary evidence of his services, nor any testimony which he can pro cure by which he can establish any further facts than those which he has established; and therefore as to rely upon his own testimony after having the War Department referred to the credibility of the testimony of his most respectable neighbors vouching his veracity. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present rightly applied for and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid Joseph Waggoner Michael Link [seal] [his mark]
Page 28

I do hereby certify that the foregoing proceedings of Michael Link were had
before me and that I declare my opinion that he performed
such service as he has or may have stated after due investiga
tion of the foregoing and that he is a man of undoubted
veracity and has born that reputation for many years or ever
since my acquaintance with him. And I further certify that Peter
Clodfelter & William Kennedy the foregoing affiants are
residents of Davidson County No. and that they are credible
persons and that their statements are entitled to credit
and further that Wm Kennedy is the Sheriff of our County
and has been for 10 or 12 years previous to this time.
Given under my hand & seal the day and aforesaid
Joseph Waggoner

State of North Carolina Davidson County
I Samuel Gaither Clerk
of the Court of Please and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid
do hereby certify that Joseph Waggoner whose signature
appears to the foregoing Declaration and certificate is and
was at the time an acting Justice of the Peace in and
for said County duly appointed, commissioned and qual
ified and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine
and as such due faith and credit should be given
to his official acts.
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said County
This 17th day of June 1836.

Samuel Gaither C.C.C.
Page 29

32961
Michael Link
N. C.
Act 7 June 32
declaration in Summer of 1781, about Wilmington until the British retreated in consequence of Cornwallis capture 2 declarations, same officers from Jany to 15 Sept
in Guilford &
Page 30

Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 On this eighteenth day of May 1843 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the County of Davidson & State of North Carolina Michael Link a resident of the County of Davidson & State of North Carolina aged eighty six 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 and the following named officers & served as herein stated. The claimant states that in month of January 1781 about the middle of the month as well as he can recollect then residing in the County of Rowan State of North Carolina he was drafted and entered the service of the United States under the command of Captain John Lap [John Lapp] William Bodenhamer Lieutenant George Frits ensign and Thomas James Sergent For a few weeks after he entered the service the company to which he was attached was engaged in defending the lives & property of the Citizens of Rowan County against the depredations of the Tories who at that time were laying waste the County & murdering the citizens. When General Green (retreating before the British army under Lord Cornwallis) crossed the Yadkin River in Rowan County the company to which the claimant belonged united with Greens army and marched to Guilford Court House thence they marched to Dan River cross in it which in a short time they recrossed and returned in the neighborhood of Guilford Court House. Soon after the army arrived the memorable battle of Guilford Court House was fought in which the claimant was engaged. After the battle the army retired to Speedwell Ironworks, from thence the Army marched to South Carolina near Camden where the army had an engagement with Lord Rawdon. The claimant States that he continued with greens army until after the battle of the Eutaw Springs Soon after which on the 15th day of September 1781 he was discharged on account ill health and
Page 31

disability.
He states that he had a written discharge from
Captain Lapp which he has since lost he returned to Rowan
County now Davidson where he has resided ever since
He states that he was born in the State Pennsylvania in the
year of our Lord 1757. That he emigrated to North Carolina
when a child. He says he has no record of his age.
The claimant states from old age, sickness. & laps of memory he is
forgotten nearly all the names of the officers who served with the army
Galletly Hager, Howard & Rickens and Major Parker
The claimant states that he is intimately acquainted with
Peter Clodfelter, George Leonard, John Somers, George
Myre, Sarah Conrad and many others who can testify as to
his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a
soldier of the Revolution. He also states that he has no
documentary evidence and that he knows of no person who
can testify to his services.
-
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 & Subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
his
before me W. L. Kennedy JP
Michael Link
[his mark]
We William Kennedy & Richard James residing in London County
North Carolina hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Michael Link who has subscribed and sworn to
the above declaration: That we believe him to be eighty six
years of age: that he is reputed and believed in the neighbor
hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution
and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & Subscribed
the day & year aforesaid

W Kennedy 

Before me
W.L. Kennedy JP
Richard James
Page 32

I William L. Kennedy a Justice of the Peace for said
County State of North Carolina do hereby declare my opin-
ion after the investigation of the matter and after putting
the interrogatories presented by the War Department that
above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and
served as he states. And I further certify that it app-
ears to me William Kennedy & Richard James who have signed
the preceding certificate are residents of Davidson County
State of North Carolina: that they are credible persons
and that their statement is entitled to credit May 18th 1843
W.L. Kennedy JP
I William L. Kennedy a Justin of the Peace for and in
County do hereby certify that Michael Link the above
named applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend
Court May 18, 1843
W. L. Kennedy JP
State of North Carolina ⎬
Davidson County ⎬
 I Charles Mock Clerk of the
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid
, do certify that William L Kennedy is a justice
of the Peace for said County duly commissioned
& qualified, and that the foregoing signature pur
porting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the Seal
of the said Court at office the 23
day of May 1843
Chs Mock C. C. C.
Page 33

N C April 25

32, 962

Fair Grove 
March 18th 1835
War Department
Pension Office 
Washington City
Page 34


Jackson Hill NC
March the 13th 1835

Sir,
I as agent, herewith enclosed, send to you the
Declaration of Michael Link, relative to his claim
for a pension for your examination
I hope that you will report to me as early as it
may be convenient &
I am very respectfully yours
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Allen Newson
Report to Allen Newsom
Jackson Hill
N. Carolina
Page 35

N.C. May 12
Jackson Hill to
and
April 28
Ala
June
Fr
War Department
Pension Office
Washington City
Page 36

Jackson Hill Davidson County
N. Carolina. April the 25th 1835

Sir,
I received your answer relative to the declaration
of Michael Link by which it appears that you have refuted
his claim for a Pension therefore my duty compels me to
apply to your respective answer and in doing so to call
attention to it the second time knowing that all men are
liable to an honestly. should have called your attention
more particular the first time; but thought it unnecessary.

Mr  M. Link was a fellow soldier of the Revolution with
Jacob Leonard to whom you granted a certificate during the
last year to me as his Agent, and who died the 27th of
last January but Leonard had a better recollection of
the history of his services than Mr Link
nor did he have half as much of the German Language
in him is that think has so therefore Mr Leonard had exclu
sive advantage of M Link in making, and identifying his
declaration with a true connexion of facts when he Mr Leonard had a
threefold advantage in the English language and a much
better and clear memory. Mr Leonard said before he died
and so on Mr Link that they served two tours apiece under
and Captain (John Lapp) and likewise their children friend
neighbors say that they have always understood the same
Mr Link I was saw to know until he applied to me to draw his
declaration but I have understood from credible persons that
he is an honest upright German and whose oath and word
will be taken by whomsoever he is acquainted
After I had hastily made out his declaration Mr Peter Everheart
appear at Court for him (one of his affiant, and in conver
ing with Mr Link he Mr Everheart caused Mr Link to recollect
equal important events of his services that would have been useful
in the application of his claim had  they have been put in his decla
ration Mr Link informed me that he did not understand that
an act of Congress had ever been passed for the benefit of
until not very long before he sought to make an
application and I attributed it to his old age, domestic
life & ignorance of the English language & which I believe
to be correct. I think sir, by an other mature reflection that
in dealing off Justice to every man alike that you will
on Mr Link's claim as well as you did Mr Leonard's because
his being ignorant & poor & his declaration not as correct as some others
he should not be excluded from Justice no more than other
Soldiers of the Revolution. Mr Link underwent a strict examination
in open Court when his declaration was introduced before
the Court by me. A few words in reply to your answer respecting
the character of his service. If I am not mistaken he was called
by a draft and marched after the royal troops and
one or two regiment of tories who had combined with British
troops and fighting under the royal standard & and what is
the difference when so organized. I cannot see any in the principal.
Page 37

Know I do not understand that Mr Link was one of those characters
that took his gun in company with a few neighbours and guarded his
property, family & neighbours likewise, but he marched in a defined
light horse troops under a Captain & his other officers who
marched variously in pursuit and was at one point as far
as two hundred miles from home. Now does that show that
was only engaged in a partisan warfare. I think surely it does
not, Well his services purports to be under one Captain through
out. I think sir, clearly when you shall have examined this
claim that you will no longer delay or hesitate in sending
him a certificate for if you before him and his affiants
together with the recognition of the Court it appears to me
when well examined that you have no last ground, to bar him
shall look for the arrival of his certificate as soon as
convenancy will permit.
I am respectfully
Your Obt Servants &.
Allen Newsom
Hon
J. L. Edward
Report to Allen Newsom
Jackson Hill
N. Carolina
Page 38

State of North Carolina
Davidson County
Before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace
in and for said County personally appeared Michael
Link of the County and State aforesaid who being
duly sworn States on his oath that the reason why
he did not apply at an earlier period to avail
himself of the benefits of the act of Congress of Jan
7. 1832 is that until recently he was in easy and
independent circumstances, and the amount to
which he was entitled being small he had come
in the conclusion to do without it; but being now
old and infirm & his means of maintaining him
self being, at present, inadequate to that part
one he is argued by necessity to apply for a
pension and trust that it will be granted to him.
Sworn and subscribed this 18th day of September 1843
before me
Michael Killion J.P
Michael Link
[his mark]
State of North Carolina
Davidson County
I Charles Mock Clerk of the ┃
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid
do certify that Michael Killion is a Justice of
the Peace in & for said County duly commissioned
& qualified & that the foregoing signature purporting
to be his is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed the
Seal of the said Court at office the 16th
day of September 1843
Chs Mock C C C
Page 39

Davidson County N.C. Sept 21. 1843

Sir
Your communication of the 12 inst. in which
you state that Michael Link of this County should
assign upon oath his reasons for not having
applied at an earlier period for a pension has been
received. In the enclosed paper you will see his
Reason for delay given upon oath. I presume
there now no obstacle in the way to prevent the
old man from getting his pension. There is no
part of doubt but that he is justly entitled to it
Because he was not as forward in presenting his
claim as many others who are less entitled I think
is no reason why a pension should not be allowed in
I herewith send you the declaration of Nancy
Riggins under the act of the 3 March 1843
Will you do me the favor to inform me
as soon as it may suit your convenience whether
it is necessary for a soldier of the widow of a soldier
 who has made a declaration before a Justice of the
peace & forwarded it to the War Department if he or
she should have to amend his or her declaration
before the same justice to get the Clerk certificate and
county seal to it for instant A. B. makes a declaration
before C. M. Justice of the peace, which is sent
to the department it is returned as disposition A.B.
make an amendment before C.D. the same Justice
before whom she made her declaration is it necessary 
any to get the Clerk certificate as to his signature
second time. A widow makes a declaration upon
a Justice under the act of 1838 a pension is allowed her
she makes a declaration under the act of March 1843
before the same justice is it inciping to get the
Page 40

certificate to the declaration under the act of
1843 as to the signature of the
Justice &.
your obt servt
C. Brummell
Page 41

Lexington N C
June 21 fr
War Department
===
Pension Office
Washington City
Michael Link Mar 27
NC
per Mail
●
Page 42

Lexington, N. Carolina Davidson
County June the 11th
1836

Sir,
I herewith enclosed send you the additional
declaration of Michael Link as agent desiring of you
to send on his certificate as soon as possible as I trust
this will end all doubt relative to the Equity of his claim
from the War Department according to act of Congress
I merely well suggest one or two particulars touching his
claim I never saw Mr Link to be acquainted with
him until the time that I drew up his claim in order
to present to the Court for inspection (I mean the original)
and he having so much of the German in him therefore
I could not gather his service so connect as some
Mr Link appeared to be my particular and therefore
did not pretend to mention his trip to the North cause
of his not having his implements of warfare he thought
it would not be considered soldier service though
he was called out as one and taken from the other
troops and dispatched with necessaries to the Northern Army
which evidently appears to have been of immense service
to them when Genl Washington's soldiers could be traced
by the blood of their barefeet. I hope that you well no
longer delay his claim and add the 10 weeks to his
six months service specified in his original
From the time I first drew up his claim to the 15th of this
inst is the second time of seeing of him, and that was
by his sending for me which was the reason of his further 
delay. Mr Link served with Jacob Leonard who was a pensioner 
through his whole six months. He ask for nothing
but his right. He has made as strong proof and of
respectable as he can. He has shown his reputation to
be genuine and what more can he do. Does the depart
ment require him impossibilities. How can you say that
his claim does not come under the act when you have said
it was by allowing Jacob Leonard's & others of the identical
stamp H. I trust you will fully concur with me in
these suggestions when you shall have received the case in its
proper light &
Page 43

I am very Respectfully yours
Ⓧ
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Allen Newsom
N. B.
send your answer to me directed at
Lexington N. Carolina
Allen Newsom