Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 42033, for Richard Swinson, North Carolina
Page 1

[printed card with handwriting]

(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
Swinson, Richard
NUMBER
S42033
CONTENTS
Page 2

[printed form with handwriting]

19.323
North Carolina
R
Richard Swinson,
of Washington ^[insert] Co:y in the state of North Carolina
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Steelman of the regiment commanded
by Colonel Buncombe,
in the N. Carolina
line, for the term of 1 year (1776 - "77. -)
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 4th of August 1824
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 of October 1824
and sent to Thomas Turner, Esqr
Plymouth, N. Carolina
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1824 - $8.28
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th March 1825 48.00
$56.28
{Revolutionary claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820 &
1st March 1[8]23.
Washington County
Page 3

[handwritten]

Copy of Richd Swinsons
Affidavit
filed
November Term 1820
Page 4

[handwritten]

State of North Carolina}
Washington County} I Richard Swinson do
Solemnly Swear that I was a
resident Citizen of the County of Washington on the Counties
of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that 
I have not since that time by gift, Sale or in any
Manner whatsoever disposed of my property or any part
thereof with Intent thereby to diminish it as to bring
myself within the provisions of an act of Congress
entitled an act to provide for certain persons in the
land and naval service of the United States in the
Revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of March
1818 and that I have not nor has any person in
trust for me any property or securities contract or
Debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is
contained in this Schedule hereunto annexed and by me subscribed
Richard Swinson
T. Walker JP.
Jos Lewis JP.
Henry Sprite J.P.
Sworn to in open Court this 23rd November 1820
Test S. Downing Clk
Page 5

[handwritten]

A Schedule of the property of Richard Swinson
To amount of notes - $99
1 Horse Cart $16. 1 old horse Do $4.- 20.00
6 head of Cattle $40. 14 head of Hogs $28 - 68.00
58 Acres of swamp Land $58 2 Tables $1 - 59.00
2 Spidens & one Dutch oven $2. 1 pot 50 cts - 2.50
1 Dish 50 cts the 1 Cupboard $4  3 ploughs $3 - 7.50
1 Saddle $10. 1 horse $30. 4 old hoes 50cts - 40.50
3 Club axes $1.50 1 old hand saw 50 cts 2 Old awgers 50cts - 2.50
Some old Barrels 1 gun - 00 50
Dollars  299.50
Richard Swinson
State of North Carolina}
Washington County Court} We Justices of the County Court do hereby Certify that the foregoing Affidavit of Richard Swinson and the
Annexed Schedule or list of his property is true as we 
believe that he is worth no more than the sums affixed to
each article we do further Certify that Richard Swinson
Sworn to and subscribed the said Affidavit and schedule
or list of property at a Court of Pleas and Quarter
Sessions began & held for said County on the third Monday
of November 1820 being the 20th day of said month we
do also certify that Richard Swinson is verry [sic] old 
poor man & that he does stand in need of the Assistance
of his Country we also certify that the said Richd Swinson
is considerably in Debt as we verily believe -
T. Walker, J. P.
Jos Lewis, J. P.
Henry Shovill J.P.
Page 6

[handwritten]

I Steven Downing Clerk of the County Court
of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Washington
County North Carolina do hereby
Certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Original
Opinion of the Court of the valuation of Richard
Swinsons property Schedule Oath & proceedings
filed in my office In witness whereof I have this
23rd November 1820 Set my hand and seal of office
Test S. Downing Clk
Page 7

[handwritten]

State of North Carolina} Supr. Court of Law
Washington County} Nov Term 1818
Richard Swinson maketh
oath that in the year of seventeen
hundred and seventy six about the last
of February or first of March he enlisted
as a soldier in the revolutionary war
under Colonel Edmund Buncombe
with whom he served until the twenty fourth
day of April in the year seventeen
hundred and seventy seven That this deponent
were with the said Colonel from Edenton to Washington
from the last mentioned place to [?]
thence to Wilmington and thence
to Charleston and from thence again
to Turborough and Halifax - The Captain under this
Colonel of the fifth regiment was Benjamin [illegible]
of Hyde County - the Lieutenant John Eborn of the
same County - 
This deponent further swears that he is old and infirm
and without too poor to live without feeling thereby
[illegible] that [?] which the government in [illegible]
and patriotism herein provided for such revolutionary soldiers.
Sworn to before me J.J.Daniel} Richard Swinson [signature]
Nathaniel his X mark Everite
tot he best of my knowledge
Richard Swinson served in the regular service Jas Mable
Page 8

[handwritten]

Nathaniel Everit maketh oath that he knows
Richard Swinson to be an old and needy
man and thinks he is somewhere above
the age of sixty three and that said
person has always been understood whence
served in the Revolutionary war and thinks
there is no doubt of that fact
Nath. T Everill
The above affidavit James Stubbs likewise
maketh oath
James Stubbs [signature]
Sworn to before me J J Daniel J.P.L.E.
To the same affidavit Daniel Legget
maketh oath and further states that
this deponent belonged to the same
Regiment with the said Richard Swinson
Daniel Legett [signature]
The above affidavits sworn to before me
Joseph L. Daniel Judge of the [?] of N. Carolina
Page 9

[handwritten]

State of North Carolina
J J Daniel one of the judges of
the Superior Court for the state aforesd
do certify that Richard Swinson was a soldier
in the continental line of Infantry, that he served
nine months & upwards during the revolutionary war
he is in indigent circumstances & stands in need of the
assistance of the country for support
J J Daniel JPLE
Attest
EB. Smith Clerk of this Supr Court of Law for the County
of Halifax at No. Carolina
Page 10

[handwritten]

R Swinsons papers to be delivered him
at Court for County Seal
Page 11

[handwritten]

State of North Carolina}
Washington County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions held on the third
Monday of May 1820
Richard Swinson maketh oath
that he served in the revolutionary war
as a common soldier and served
from March 1776 to April 1777 in the ^[insert] North Carolina line
of infantry under of the fifth regiment
Colonel Edward Buncombe being commands
That he enlisted in the County of Hyde
under Captain Benjamin Hedman who
was a resident of Hyde County - embodied
at Edenton went to Washington from
thence to Newbern - thence to Wilmington
thence to Charleston South Carolina from
which place in April 1777 this deponent
saith he returned to Tarborough North Carolina
and afterwards discharged at Halifax
on the twenty fourth of May month last
aforesaid by Col. Irving. This deponent
further swears that he is as well infirm
and needy an old & begs have to make
application for that relief which the general
government in its patriotism hath
provided for the necessitous soldier of
the revolution,
Richard Swinson
I Jesse Swinson son of the above named
applicant swears
that had his discharge signed
as stated and which I believe is lost
Jesse Swinson [signature]
Colonel Buncombe raised his regiment
in part in the County of Washington
as I do swear.
W Fegan June
Page 12

[handwritten]

I Daniel Leggett do certify that Richard Swinson
did belong to [?] fifth regiment
of the time of infantry under Colonel
Edward Buncombe during ^[insert] or in part of the war of
the revolution that he is old & needy
Daniel Legget [signature]

I Richard Fagan do swear that Richard Swinson
was a revolutionary soldier
in the continental line of infantry (fifth
regiment) under Colonel Buncombe
and that he is poor old
& necessitous
R Fagan

I Stephen Downing Clerk of the court of
pleas and quarter sessions for
the county of Washington do certify under
my hand & seal of office that the above
affidavits were sworn to before me
in open Court
Test S Downing Clk
May 19th 1820

I Joseph Lewis Charman of the
County Court of Washington do
certify that the above affidavits
were sworn to before me in
open Court Given under my
hand & seal
May 19th 1820
Jos Lewis Charman Seal
Page 13

[handwritten]

Richard Levinson ^[insert] and William Fagan further makes
Oath that he served in the continental
line of North Carolina and that the
regiment was raised in North Carolina
and that Col Edward Buncombe was
the commander
Page 14

[handwritten]

State of North Carolina} Court of Pleas & Quarter
Washington County} Sessions May Term 1824
To the worshipful the Justices of
the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
of the said County
The Petition of Richard Swinson
of said County Humbly showith;
That in the year ___ he forwarded
to the Secretary of War, such
papers as he thought would obtain
for your petitioner a Pension
under the act of Congress of the 18th
March 1818 entitled
"An act to provide for certain persons engaged
in the land and naval service of the United States
in the Revolutionary war" ;
that in reply to his application he received for
answer "that the Secretary of war, did not, on account of
the amount of his property consider
him entitled to a pension under the
act of the 18 March 1818 and
1 May 1820".
your Petitioner further shows, that however
properly the pension was then
refused him ^[insert] for the reason assigned,
the objection does not, and cannot
now lie against his claim;
and that he is informed, if he
can make this appear, and also
if he can make it appear to
the satisfaction of this Court "That
Page 15

[handwritten]

"he did serve in the Revolutionary war
12 months, in the company commanded
by Captain Stedman, in the
Regiment commanded by Col Buncombe,
in the line of the State of
North Carolina on the Continental
establishment";
and that he is not only so poor as to have
not sufficient property or income to support
himself, but is so old and
infirm as to be unable to support
himself by his labor; and
that unless he can obtain support
from Public or private
Charity he must suffer under the
purposes of ordinary wants:
Your Petitioner says, that he is
informed, if he can make this
appear, he may still obtain the
Pension aforesaid. He therefore
prays that this Court will hear
the evidence which he can produce,
and that the court will
cause such entry to be made of
Record of the facts aforesaid, as they
shall be satisfied are true
from the testimony
And your Petitioner
further prays that your worships
will grant him writs of subpoena
to compel the attendance of Micajah
Stubbs, Thomas Cod, Jno Goclet, Thomas
Walker and Daniel Leggett of Washington
County and Henry Norman of
Tyrrell County & Stephen Cone of Hyde
County to give evidence in behalf of
of [duplicate] your Petitioner in the premises set
forth in this Petition
Signed
AS Wail atto for Petitioner
Page 16

[handwritten]

The claim of Richard Swinson of Washington
County in the State of North Carolina, to be placed
on the Pension list of the United States as a
private in the Revolutionary Army
Copy
War Department
Pension Office
3rd January 1821
"Sir
"You are duly informed that the Secretary of War
does not on account of the amount of your
property consider you entitled to a Pension under the
Act of 18 March 1818 and 1st May 1820. Your
papers are retained in this Office among rejected claims
Respectfully
(signed) J L Edwards"
Mr Richard Swinson
care of Levi Fagan [?]
Plymouth N.C."

It is [illegible] ^[insert] perceived in the letter, of which the foregoing is a copy, that Richard Swinsons claim was rejected on
the single point, that his property was of value
sufficient to throw him out of the cases provided
for by Law; and that other questions arising
Page 17

[handwritten]

out of the papers submitted by him and which are
retained in the Pension Office, were not agitated or
decided upon, or if so, such decision has not been
communicated to him.
Waiting therefore for a decision on these points,
before any thing further is offered in support of them;
Richard Swinson will now proceed to show, that however
properly his claim was refused "on account of the amount of
his property" this objection cannot now lay against him. ~

Declaration,
In order to be restored to the Pension list, under the
act of the first March 1823.
State of North Carolina} Court of Pleas and Quarter
Washington County} Sessions February Term 1824
On this [blank] day of [?]1824 personally appeared
in open Court, being a Court of records for the County
aforesaid, Richard Swinson, resident in said County
aged about Sixty nine or Seventy one years, he does
not exactly know his age, who being first duly sworn, according
to Law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration,
in order to obtain the provision made by the act
of Congress of the 18 March 1818 and the first May
1820, that he the said Richard Swinson enlisted
for the term of Twelve Months (a) on the day of
he does not know the day nor the month, but knows that 
it was in the Spring of the year 1776 in the State of 
North Carolina, in the Company commanded by Captain
Stedman, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Buncombe,
in the line of the State of North Carolina on the Continental
establishment; that he continued to serve in the same Corps
until the 24th of April 1777, when he was discharged from
the said service in Halifax County in the State of North Carolina,
that his name has not been placed on the Pension
list on account of the value of his property, as he had
been informed.
And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820
the said Richard Swinson doth solemnly swear that he was
a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of 
March 1818; and that he hath not since that time, by gift,
sale, or in any manner disposed of his property or any part
thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring
himself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled
"an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land
and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary
War" passed the 18th March 1818; and that he has
not nor has any person in trust for him any property

(a) Swinson was told that it was a minute Company when he
enlisted, but they returned him for 2 years and ^[insert] he served 12 months ~
Page 18

[handwritten]

or securities, contracts or debts due to him, nor has he any
other income, other than what is contained in the Schedule
hereunto annexed and by him subscribed marked A.
That since the exhibition of his first Schedule the
following changes have been made in his property
Copy of the first Schedule.
Amend of [?] --- $99.00
Carried over $99.00

Changes in the property of the first Schedule made
since it was exhibited
Shortly before the exhibition of the first Shedule [sic] Richard
Swinson sold to Thomas B Haughton, the said Swinsons Military
claim (as Heir at Law of his Brother William Swinson)
to the Land due to the said William from the State of North Carolina,
lying in the State of Tennessee, this claim had ^[insert] not theretofore
been considered of much if any value, owing to the difficulty of perfecting
the title; but then in consequence of the recent purchase of Indian 
Titles in Tennessee, and of that State appropriating lands for the satisfaction of such claims, it was considered of some value, and Richard
Swinson sold it to the said Haughton, and the $99 in notes rendered in
the first Shedule [sic] was the Balance of that sale then remaining due to 
Swinson. - And since the rendering of that Schedule. The said Richard
Swinson has disposed of the said $99- in notes, and lived upon and
consumed the proceeds thereof; as the same will more fully appear
upon reference to the Affidavits of William Douglas, and Thomas Cor
hereunto annexed. - It will be [illegible] ^[insert] perceived from the foregoing explanation of the source whence the Notes were derived, that 
the source is not ^[insert] one like [illegible] of Labour or Income, which might remain as a support, and from which other monies might be
had; but one of the nature of a Casualty which may never
and pretty certain will now happen again -
Carried over
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[handwritten]

Copy of the Schedule - continued
Amount [?] upon $99.00-
1 Horse Cart -- 16 ~ Horse Cart yet on hand
1 Old Cart -- 4 ~ On hand fit only for Wood
6 Head of Cattle -- 40 ~ 1 Cow and Calf and one Heifer on hand now Sold 2 Steers to Jacob N Gordon for $15 Received in payment leaven Salt & [?] $3 in money; the whole consumed - Some of the 6 Cattle died.
14 Head of Hogs -- 28 ~ In August 1823 had only 17 Shoats, & 2 Sows & Pigs of the 14 head of Hogs & those had in August 1823 some are on hand, to wit on hand in February 1824 - 4 Hogs, 4 Shoats, 2 Sows & 13 Pigs the rest have been consumed ~
58 Acres Swamp Land -- 58 ~ The Land is still in hand ~
2 Tables -- 1 ~ Now on hand
2 Spiders and one Dutch Oven -- 2 ~ Ditto
1 Pot -- ,,50 ~ Ditto
1 Desk -- ,,50 ~ Ditto
1 Cupboard -- 4 ~ Ditto
3 Plows -- 3 ~ Ditto, but only two were inserted in the Schedule taken last Augt.
1 Saddle -- 10 ~ Ditto
1 Horse -- 30 ~ Exchanged in a Swap.
4 Old Hoes -- ,,50 ~ On hand, but three only are inserted in 2nd Schedule
3 Club Aces -- 1,,50 ~ On had -
1 Old Hand Saw -- ,,50 ~ On hand of no value, But if it be it is the property of Micajah Stubbs
2 old Augers -- ,,50 ~ Lost
Some old [?] One Gun -- ,,50 ~ On hand ~
$299,,50
Page 20

[handwritten]

"A" (12)
Schedule of the real & personal Estate of Richard
Swinson, necessary bedding and clothing excepted, on
the 6th August 1823, and the value thereof, as taken
and certified by his neighbours, Micajah Stubbs,
Thomas Walker and John Goetel; per their Certificates
hereunto annexed-
58 Acres of very poor chiefly sunken and Swamp Land @75[cents]$43,,50
1 Heifer $6 ~1 Cow & Calf $8 -- 14,,00
1 Old Horse $10 - 1 Cart $12 -- 22,,00
17 Shoats $17 - 2 Sows & Pigs $6 -- 23,,00
2 Old Ploughs $2 ~ 3 Hoes $2 -- 4,,00
3 Old Axes $2. 1 old Gen $2-
Old Wooden ware $1- 4 old Chairs 75[cents] -- 1,,75
2 old Tables 50 [cents] 1 old Desk 1,,50 -- 2,,00
A parcel of old broken Crockery -- ,,50
1 Riding Saddle -- 2,,00
$116,,50
Deduct for alterations since Augt.
1823 to February 1824 ~
On account of the Shoats the same being consumed about 9,,00
107,,50
Add for requisitions since Augt.
1823 to February 1824
[?] or thereabouts now remaining on hand -} 2,,25
About 300lb Pork now remaining salted @$5 1/2 ~$16.50
About 10lb Lard remaining ~ @10[cents] ~ 1,,00
About 1lb Coffee 20 [cents] about 1 Gallon Molasses 80 [cents] ~1,,00
$128,, 25
Amount Brot up ~ $128,,25
Add for choses in Action;
A Claim against William White now decd, this claim
is as follows ~ [?] 1810 or 1812 William White cured
Swinsons Son of a sore leg, and charged $23,,50.
To pay him Swinson sold his horse to Andrew
Spruill for $30, took his notes, passed the notes to White:
White promised to pay the Balance $6,,50 to Asa Hardison
for Swinsons acct; He did not do so: Hardison
Warranted Swinson and made him pay him otherwise.
Swinson therefore ^[insert] thinks White owes him $6,,50 from that time.
But White alledges that he lost more than that sum
in the notes against Spruill and so the matter stands.
A Claim against Henry Hardy since first of
1822 for here Horse and Cart; for some Brandy; and
for a trespass in taking fodder - Supposed balance
all things settled $15 and very doubtful if it be ever paid --
A Claim against Brightman Hardison by Note dated
about the fall of 1821. This note was
lost in Swinsons Pocket Book in April 1822.
Hardison says he will pay but it is not
much expected, as he is nearly if not quite
insolvent and good for nothing
Carried over-- $128,, 25
Page 21

[handwritten]

Amount Brot,, up -- $128.25
Richard Swinson owes as follows
To Aaron Harrison about -- $10
To Joseph Lewis about -- 2
To William Ramsay about -- 2
To Christopher Ducket on a Judgement of
Skittlethorp against Swinson for about $20
from about 8 years ago ~ But Swinson says
that though Judgement was had
against him, he did not then owe the
money nor does he now, tho the
Judgement is in force against him. -- X
To John Walker about $6 - But Swinson
thinks he does not owe it. It is
nevertheless a Judgment against him
as he is informed by Walker about
2 years ago. --- X
To James Cox about -- 1,,25
To Thomas J. Britt about -- 1,,10
16,,35
$111,,90
Doubtful the Judgements 20 to $30 --
Richard Swinson states that he is about sixty nine
or Seventy nine years of age he knows not which.
That he is nearly blind and has been so, that is
worse since February 1823 ~ That in consequence of
his sore Eyes he could not labour in the last
summer as he otherwise might have done; that his Eyes
are still so affected; and that in cloudy days after
being some time without doors, he cannot see well
upon his first coming into the House ~ His legs
are very sore both of them; They are worse once a year
in the fall. Have been sore for nearly five years -
That his legs are so sore, as frequently to disable him
^[insert] from 
labouring and frequently from walking. He does not
know that he can cure them; if he could he is afraid
to do it, lest at his age the consequences might be [?]
work, if not fatal to him. Notwithstanding his sore Eyes
and sore Legs, and old age, he confesses he is addicted to
intemperance, and frequently drinks more Brandy than
is either prescient or decent. This habit he says he
cannot help having contracted it when he was young,
and that he loves to drink enough to make him merry. 
He says put it in, that he learned this habit in the
Army, not to get Drunk but merry-
His profession is that of a farmer in the small
way - that he lives upon land not his, but the property
of Robert Everett's Heirs. He has no written lease;
but he has leave to live there using the land, paying
the Tax and five shillings rent for year. He says
Page 22

[handwritten]

16
the land is indifferent in soil, he has about
four acres under fence; which is all that is cleared.
He has no right to use the timber except for
firewood and fencing. The Houses are log houses
and very indifferent. He does not pretend to 
cultivate any land but the above; and last year
he would not cultivate this himself on account
of ^[insert] his of eyes and legs.
The Doctors told him if he
worked or was much out in the heat of the sun he
would presently be stone blind. He has not
been able this winter to cut his fire wood.
He has in family
1st His Wife
2nd Joseph Lang, an Orphan
1st of his wife. His wife is about Sixty one years old
at this time, an infirm old woman, She usually employs
herself at Cooking, Washing and Spinning at a
sitting Wheel. But the is not able to execute any
hard work, such as some washing it about
five years ago she got crippled by a fall off
of a sill that lay in the yard, dislocated or
so injured the joint of her right thigh, that
it was some time after before she could walk.
That she hobbles about now with the assistance
17
of a stick; that when she washes the props herself against
the side of the house. She can walk at this time
a mile or two, but with difficulty. She still suffers
from the injury sustained in her thigh. She also has
sore eyes and bad sight.
2nd of the boy Joseph Lang. He is about Eighteen or
Nineteen years of age. He has been sickly, but has
his health now. This boy has lived with Swinson 
since he was about two years old. He has no trade,
is able to plough and to do the ordinary work of
a day labourer.
State of North Carolina Washington County 
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions August
Term 1824 - Aug 4th
Richard Swinson personally appeared in open Court and being
duly sworn, on his oath says that the facts stated in the 
foregoing pages which are stated as of his knowledge are true; and
those stated as not of his knowledge, he believes to be true. In
this affidavit however, he would provide for a few alterations in
his property and in the health of his wife, and in the number of
persons belonging to his family, since
Page 23

[handwritten]

18
since the making out of the statement
He now says that his property is of
less value; that his wife has worse
health and less strength; and that
Joseph Long has run away and left him
Sworn to and subscribed in open court Aug 4 1824}
(Signed)
Wm L Chesson Clk
(Signed)
Rich Swinson (by his own hand illegibly - to which is added)
"Richd Swinson mark"
19
We the Subscribers being called upon to value the
property of Richard Swinson, certify the same to be as
follows, 58 acres of Land very poor chiefly sunken and swamp
at 75 cents per acre, 1 Heifer $6. One Cow & Calf $8 One old
Horse $10, one Cart $12, Seventeen Shoats one Dollar each
2 Sow & pigs three Dollars each two old ploughs one Dollar
each, 3 Hoes $2 - 3 old axe $2 one old Gun $2. old wooden
ware $1 ~ 3 pieces old hollow ware worth nothing, 4 old Chairs
75 cents, 2 old Tables 50 cents, 1 old Desk $1-50[cents] a parcel
of old broken Crockery 50 cents. 1 riding Saddle $2- The
amount of the whole being say One Hundred & Sixteen Dollars
Seventy five cents --
No 4. The furniture and farming Utensils are all very old & worth
very trifling. -}
Washington County August 6 1823}
Signed
Micajah Stubbs
Thomas Walker
John Goelet
---
State of North Carolina Washington County
['Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions' lined out]
August Term 1824. Thomas Walker personally
appeared in open Court and being duly sworn,
on his oath say that he with John Goelet & Micajah
Stubbs
Page 24

[handwritten]

20
Stubbs made the above statement, and
he verily believes that Richd Swinson's
property at the time of making the
said statement was not worth more
money than the amount set forth
in the statement.
Sworn to & Subscribed in Open Court
Signed
Wm L Chesson Clk
Aug 4 1824, John Goelet personally appeared in open Court
and being duly sworn, on his oath says, that
he with Stubbs & Walker made 
the within statement of Swinsons property
and he does not believe Swinson is worth more money
than the amount of that statement.
Sworn to & Subscribed in open Court
Signed
Signed
Wm L Chesson Clk
Signed
John Goelet
21
Richard Swinson 
I James M. Machie & C
Judgement ---- $20
Old [?] ---- ,,50
New [?] --- ,,40
Interest from 20 Feby 1818 to date 3,,70
$24,,00
Note of Jessie Swinsons- 4,,00
Interest -- " 10
4,,10
$28,, 70
To pay Mrs Keys -- 13,,
To pay Cash -- 2
To pay in trade out of our Store --- 6.30
--- 20,,30
$50,,00
Plymouth NC. May 30. 1822 James W. Mackie
died in 1821. By his death the firm of James W Mackie
& Co was dissolved. William Douglas the Affiant was
the Clerk of Mackie & Co ~a part of the time, but
not all the time the firm existed. He has now committed 
to him by Robert Hamilton the Surviving Partner, the
trust of settling the business of the firm. On the
application of Richard Swinson to show what 
consideration Mackie & Co gave him for Thomas P Haughtons
note of $50 and the time that Mackie & Co received that 
Note of Swinson, he says, that he was not in the
employ of Mackie & Co at the time that Swinson
Page 25

[handwritten]

22
passed them the note, and that of his privity and
knowledge he knows nothing. But he says he
finds upon examining the Books and papers of 
Mackie & Co a statement of which that at the
top of the last page is a copy, that he believes
the said statement contains the consideration which
Mackie & Co gave Swinson for the Note in question;
that although that statement does not exhibit any
credit for the note, nor any date when it was settled,
still he believes that it was settled about the
23d day of April 1821; and that Swinson settled &
paid it by the Note in question. His reason for
this belief is that he does not find any entry whereby
Swinson is still liable to pay the amount of the above
statement, that he found among the notes of
Mackie & Co the note in question, that he has appropriated
that note to the use of Mackie & Co and that
it stands on the Books of Mackie & Co to the Debt
of Thomas P Haughton under date of the 23d day
of April 1821.
Mr Douglas further says that Swinson is a
poor man, that he is acquainted with him, and
does not know of $100 worth of property which
he owns in the world of any kind including
debts due to him whatsoever.
State
23
State of North Carolina}
Washington County}
William Douglas of full age, of credit and
respectability, appeared personally before me John Peck
one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County
and one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and
Quarter Sessions of said County, a Court of record as
by the laws of the said State doth appear, and being
duly sworn according to Law, deposeth and saith that the
facts stated above by him which are not of his knowledge
he believes, for good and sufficient reasons, to be
true, and that those stated as of his knowledge are
true.
Given under my hand, having no Seal of Office
[illegible] May 30 1823
Sworn to and subscribed before me
signed
John Peck JP seal [hand circled] Justice of the Peace
signed
Wm Douglas
Page 26

[handwritten]

25
On the 28th Novr 1820 Clark Cox & Co took of Richard
Swinson Thomas P Haughton's Note of $50 which was
not then due, and for which they allowed him $48,,50, and
may therefore be presumed that it wanted 6 months of
being at maturity as 3[percent] In discount was deducted. This
Note was taken in payment for Corn, Molasses, Flour
Sugar [?] which Swinson had previously had including
$12,,50 which Clark Cox & Co paid Flower & Niclles for
a Great Coat furnished Swinson. The date of the Note
is not in the Books of Clark Cox & Co
State of North Carolina}
Washington County}
Thomas Cox of the late firm of Clark Cox & Co
of Plymouth NC of full age of credit and respectability
personally appeared before me one of the Justices
of the Peace in and for said County and one of the Justices
of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions of said County
a Court of record as by the laws of the State doth
appear, and being sworn according to law, upon his
Oath; says that the facts stated above in relation to
Thomas P Haughtons Note; the right of it by Clark Cox & Co
of Richard Swinson, and what they paid
Swinson for it are true.
Thomas Cox further swears that he has
Page 27

[handwritten]

26
known Richard Swinson from the year
that he has resided within [blank] Miles of him ever since
the year [blank] that he does not know of any property 
which the said Swinson owns to the amount of
in value; that Swinson is a poor man
that he does not believe him to be worth at this time
in any worldly goods or rights whatsoever the amount
of $ [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day of February 1824}
memorandum by the Clk
The Clerk of the Court States in reference to this
page & the last one, that the statement in his
office, which is at the head of the last page, &
in which Clark Cox & Co show that they rcvd T. B.
Haughtons note of Swinson & what they paid
Swinson for it. Mr Clark certifies thus, that
statement is in the proper hand writing of
Thomas Cox one of the firm of Clark Cox & Co
and that the affidavit, which follows
that statement is not subscribed or sworn
to - so far as the same appears of Record
W L Chesson Clk
Augt 24th 1824
Page 28

[handwritten]

State of North Carolina
Washington County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Aug Term 1824
pins Aug. Term 1824
The testimony of Daniel Leggett senr
of Washington County NC. on the subject of 
Richard Swinson's petition now pending in said
Court, the object of which is to place him
on the Pension list of United States -
The said Leggett appeared in open
court and being duly sworn on his oath says
that he is about sixty nine years of age - that he
thinks he well may be by next December.
That he enlisted in the Revolutionary War in the 
month of May 1776; that he did not see Richard
Swinson enlist, but knows that he enlisted that Spring
for he afterwards in that Spring saw him in the service; 
he believes that Swinson served as a private in the
Revolutionary War; but does not remember at this day
how long he served. At the time that Deponent saw him
in the service he belonged to the 5th Regiment Colonel
Bancombe. The deponent has always believed that 
Richard Swinson served in the Revolutionary War; He
believes so to this day - but he does now remember so
as to be
Page 29

[handwritten]

30
able to say how long. Swinson & the
Deponent were seperated [sic] in the
service; and this the Deponent
gives as a reason wherefore he
cannot now say how long Swinson
served -; the length of time that has elapsed
since then, the Deponent
says is another reason why he should
not remember.
The Deponent served under Colo Buncombe
& Colonel Lamb, and in service & on
furlough he thinks he served
two years or more.
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court}
Signed Daniel Leggett
Signed
W C Chessen Clk
---
State of North Carolina}
Washington County}
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
Aug Term 1824
The testimony of Henry Norman, produced
in open Court, and being duly
sworn on his oath says in the Petition
of Richd Swinson to be placed on the
Pension List of the United States now
pending in the said Court;
That he knows Rich Swinson did
serve in the Revolutionary war
as a private under Captain Stedman
in the Regiment commanded by
Col Buncombe, the Deponent does
not remember the number of the Regiment
that
Page 30

[handwritten]

31
that he did serve as a private in the said
service about 12 (twelve) months
or rather that he was gone some
better than twelve months; the deponent
not being with him cannot
say positively that he served; but
he enlisted under Capt Stedman,
went away with him, and did
not return until after the expiration
of twelve months, and the
deponent understood at the time
that he did serve faithfully, and
has believed the same ever since
up to this day - that the deponent thinks
the enlistment was in the latter part of
the Revolutionary war, and the
service in the 12 months immediately
following the enlistment - but on the
point of the time of the enlistment -
does not recollect with so much
certainty as to insist it was at
the latter end of the Revolutionary War;
or not until sometime after its commencement.
He knows it was during the war. 
The Deponent states that 
he will be fifty four years of
age the 22d November 1824;
that at the time of Swinsons enlistment
the deponent lived at Thos
Everitt's to whom he was bound
apprentice; that Everett married
Deponents aunt; that Swinson
Page 31

[handwritten]

32
had at that time married Everitt's
daughter; that the Deponent, during
the absence of Swinson in the aforesaid
service had to attend to
Swinson's wife and children; 
that he nursed the children of
Swinson, of whom he thinks there
were two; that it is owing to
the circumstance of the occupation
of the Deponent at that time in
that service, he came to know of
Swinsons enlistment & service;
That Swinsons enlistment & service
came by that means to be impressed
upon his the deponents mind at
that time; and since, up to this
time remembered. That Thomas
Everitt & wife are dead, that their
children all dead except Nathl Everitt 
of this County and perhaps Swannin's [sic]
wife of Martin County,
& John Everitt of Georgia;
that Swinson's wife at that time is also dead.
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court}
Signed Henry his X mark Norman
Test
Signed Wm L Chesson Clk
Page 32

[handwritten]

33
Copy of the proceedings of the
Court in Richd Swinsons
Petition concerning his application
to be placed on the
Pension List of the United States
---
State of North Carolina}
Washington County}
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
August Term 1824
At May Term 1824,
the Petition of
Richd Swinson hereunto annexed
received in Court and filed,
and on motion ordered
"Prayer of the Petitioner Granted and 
"that subpoenas upon, [illegible]
^[insert] "arguably to the prayer of the 
Petitioner;"
And now at August Term 1824
on motion of S Martin Esquire
Attorney for Petitioner the Court
doth order the following
record to be made, to wit,
" In the case of Richard Swinson
" by Petition to this Court
" on the subject of obtaining a
" Pension from the United States,
" the affidavits of Wm Douglas
" Thomas Walker, John Gelet,
" Henry Norman, & Daniel Leggett,
" and the statement of Thomas Con
Page 33

[handwritten]

34
"Con, all of whom are persons
" of credit and respectability,
" and the affidavit of Richard
" Swinson being read, all of
" which affidavits ^[insert] and the statements
" are on file in this Court; the Court order
" the following record to be made
" viz; that Richard Swinson
" has proved to the satisfaction of this Court, 
" 1 That he did serve 12 months in the 
" North Carolina line of the Continental
" Army in the Revolutionary War;
"2 That he has not property worth more
" than $130 or $150.
"3 That he is so old & infirm and so
" destitute of property or income,
" as not to be able to support himself
" by his own labour, or to
" procure support from others
"4 That unless he can procure
" support from Public or Private
" charity he must suffer.
I William L Chesson
Clerk of the Court of Pleas and
Quarter
Page 34

[handwritten]

35
Quarter Sessions of Washington County
in the State of North Carolina, do
hereby certify, that the foregoing
pages, Commencing at page 1, and
ending at page 34, upon each
of which I have signed my name
in Red Ink, have been duly & 
faithfully compared & examined
^[insert] by me with the
papers & records in this
office in the case of Richard
Swinson's Petition relative to his
application to be placed on the
pension list of the United States;
and that upon such comparison
and examination I have found
the same to be a true copy of
those on file and of record.
Given under my hand
and seal of Office the 24 August 1824
W L Chesson Clk
I, Joseph Lewis, Chairman of the
Court of Pleas & Quarter sessions
^[insert] of Washington County in State of North Carolina
so hereby certify that 
Wm L Chesson who has subscribed
the above certificate is the
Page 35

[handwritten]

Clerk of the said Court that as
such he is the keeper of the seal
thereof - and that his certificate
is in due form, and entitled
to full faith and credit-
Given under my hand
having no seal of
office, the
13 day of September 1824
Jos. Lewis Charman
Page 36

[handwritten]

Plymouth, N.C. Decr 6, 1820
Sir,
By the request of Richard Swinson I take
the liberty to enclose you herewith his proof
of his being a soldier of the revolution, together
with a schedule of his property the
result of which when convenient, he
begs you'll have the goodness to
communicate to me
I have the honor to be,
very respectfully,
Sir, your Obt. Servt
Levi Fagan
Hon. John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Page 37

[handwritten]

North Carolina.
original claim. [underlined]
Richard Swinson - priv:
Aged "about 69, or 79 yrs" nearly
blind, since Feby 1823, sore legs for the
last 5 yrs: - frequently unable to walk -
says he is much admited [sic] to intemperance.
He is a farmer - but unable to ^[insert] do but very
little work on account of his sore eyes & legs.
Wife about 61 yrs old - infirm - and so
lame as to use a stick. She has sore eyes.
A boy (Joseph Lanz) about 16 yrs of age -
can plough, &c. Has lived with applicant
about 14 yrs: [Has since run away.]
Declaration dated [illegible]
in Nov 1818- informal ^[insert] no line stated in
2 declaration
dated 19th May 1820. 1st Sched: 23d.
Nov. 1820, exhibits real estate, viz:
58 acres swamp land, $50. -
notes, $99. - 1 cart $16- 1 old
house, $4. -6 cattle, $:40. 14 hogs,
$: 20 - 1 saddle, $:10. - 1 Horse $40 -
3 ploughs, $3- hoes, axes, &c. &c.
whole amt of sched: $: 299-50. -
The claim was rejected 3d. Jany 1821
=Additional testimony-- 35 pages,
is within proving his service for
1 year, & exhibits the same 58 acres
of swamp land, valued at 75 cts pr acre
$43.50 - 1 Heifer $6 - 1 cow and
Calf .$8. 1 old horse $10. 1 cart
$12. 17 shoal, $:17 - 2 sows &
pigs, $6 - 2 old ploughs, $2. -
3 old axes, $2- 1 old gun, $: 2, &c.
& whole amt of sched is $128.25. - (over)
Page 38

[handwritten]

says he lives or rented land - he
pays the tax, & 5 shillings rent, per
year - only 4 acres under fence, which
is all that is cleared.
"The court order the following
"record to be made, viz: that Richd
"Swinson has proved to the satisfaction
of this court,
"1 That he served 12 mos. -
"2 That he has not property worth more than
$130, or 150.
"3 That he is so old & infirm, & so
destitute of property or income, & not
to be able to support himself by his
own labor, as to procure support
from others.
" 4 That unless he can procure
support from public or private
charity he must suffer."
Commence 4 Aug 1824
=
The notes for $99 exhibited in
1st Sched: have been disposed of & the
proceeds applied for repair for the
family, as appears by the affidavits of
W. Douglass & T. Cox, within
The $99 was a balance due from
J.B. Houghton, for some military land in
Tennessee (which applicant was entitled
to as heir at law of his deceased brother,)
& which was sold before the exhibition
of his 1st Sched.
The credibility, &c. ^[insert] of the witnesses
are duly certified by the court.-
"Thos. Turner, Esq. Plymouth, N.C.
Page 39

[handwritten]

Rejected under Law of 1st May 1820.
See letter to applicant
3 Jan 1821.
Page 40

[handwritten]

Honorable
John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War
Washington D.C.
Page 41

[handwritten]

Plymo N C Sep 14 1824
Honorable
John C. Calhoun
Sir -
I have been requested by
Richd Swenson to forward to you the
rod of paper sent herewith, making
application to be placed upon the
Pension List, for his services as a private
in the Revotionary [sic] war - ; and
to solicit in his behalf an early
decision upon his claim.
And upon this occasion,
permit me to enquire whether any
decision has yet been made upon
the claim of James Wiley- some time
ago forwarded to you.
with great respect your obt sert
Thos. Reynold
Page 42

[handwritten]

old case.
Richard Swinson
Washington Co N. C.
Levi Fagan
Agt.
Plymouth, N. C. 
Recd 14 Decr. 1820
Plymo NC}
Dec 5}
Free
Hon: John C. Calhoun
Secretary of War,
Washington City
D. Columbia
Page 43

[printed form with handwriting]

42033
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 42.033
Richard Swinson
Priv Rev War
Act: 18 March 18
Index: - Vol. S, Page 499
[Arrangement of 1870.]