Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,163, John Caruthers, S.C.
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Service
S. C.      
Caruthers, John    S 32,163


Contents
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Left hand side:

25764     2.5
Arkansas - Territory

John Caruthers
of Independence Co. in the State of Arkansas
who was a Pr in the Company commanded
by Captain Carter of the Regt commanded
by Col. Perkins in the S. Carolinian
--- for --- - 
2 -- Private - $80.

Inscribed on the Roll of Arkansas 
at the rate of 80 Dollars & - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Jany
and Sent to 
1834 Hon A, G, Sevier, Ho of Rep

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $200.00
Semi-Anl allowance ending 4 Mar 1834 $40
                                                 $240.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by P. J. Sprague, Clerk,
Book C, Vol. 8, Page 137

Right/hand Side:


Let. to Hon. W C Dunlap, Dec of 1834
Order to pay 8 March 1838 -
Let to Hon A H. Sevier in Jan 19, 1839
Dup Certificate issued 15 April
1839, and sent to A. E. Thornton
Esq., Greenville, Clarke County Arkansas
Paid at the Treasury under the
Act of the 6th April 1838 from
4 Sept 1837 to 4 Sept 1838, Agt
Notified 9 Aug 1839

Letter to H. Flanigan 29 Feb
1840

Paid as above from 4 Sep 1838
to 4 Sep 1839. Agt notified
June 1840

Let to W. E. Woodruff, Pay Oct 18 - 1841
"    "   W. Selden Dec 2, 1841
"   H. Flanagan, 29 March 1842
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John Caruthers

The pension certificate of John Caruthers will
be directed to the Digest of the Land
Office in Batesville, AS

D7. 332
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Territory of Arkansas 
County of Independence 
At the July [Ter] of the county court A.D. 1833
On this first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the County Court of Independence County and Territory of Arkansas [now] sitting John Caruthers a resident of said county and territory aged eighty seven 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 the seventh A.D. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, [towit] that he was born in Baltimore County State of Maryland on the 12th day of July A.D. 1746. That in duty 1776 he enlisted in a company of Cavalry commanded by Captain John Carter in the District of Ninety Six in the state of South Carolina and was attached to a Regiment of Militia raised by the Authority and received into the service of said state of South Carolina that Andrew Pickens was Major and W Williams (who afterwards deserted and joined the British) was Colonel of said Regiment, that immediately after joining said company he was ordered into service and marched to run the line between the whites and Cherokee Indians upon Peony mountain on the frontier of South Carolina , that while engaged in this service the troops with which he was acting were attacked by the British forced on Crackers neck  and defeated, that the troops after said defeat seperated  [separated]and could not be rallied and this deponent went to Rutherford County North Carolina where he remained to the best of his recollection about one year, during which time he was out of service as near as he can recollect three months when he was drafted in the company of Captain Uel Lampkins in which he did duty and when the same was called out into the field for offensive operations he marched with it and was attached to a Regiment Commanded by Col. Malmady under General Greene and proceeded to the Eutaw Springs where they had a battle with and were defeated by the British forces under Col Criger from thence he with said Troops were marched to the high  hills of Santee in South Carolina, and remained there until said Colonel Malmady was ordered to Cross Creek in North Carolina to which this place this Deponent went with him as one of his guards and where he received a written discharge from said Col Malmady which he has since lost.  on this expedition he was engaged to the best of his recollection five months a very few days after he had received the foregoing Discharge he volunteered to go under Captain William Whitesides against the Cherokee Nation of Indians and attached to the Regiment in which Mr Singleton was Major and Joseph McDowell Colonel. That in this expedition he was engaged at least six weeks. Marched into said Cherokee Nation, burned eleven towns, killed and took 70 Indians and were then again was dismissed with the understanding that the men were still in service and would be called together again when an opportunity presented itself of being usefully employed. That about three weeks before the Battle of Kings Mountain he was taken prisoner while on Nob Creek in Rutherford County North Carolina by the enemy and taken to said Kings Mountain where he remained a prisoner until the British were defeated there, when he regained his liberty on which he went home and soon after joined a volunteer company under Captain Wilson at said Rutherford County in the North Carolina and was continually out on expeditions against the Tories by whom he was surrounded in every direction, and from this time towit Jan 7, 1781, was in actual service until the end of the war and continually engaged in pursuing, hunting up and dispersing the Tories wherever a collection of them could be heard of. And he has no hesitation in declaring that four years at least during the revolutionary war, he was actually engaged as a private in the service of the United States. That the section of country in which he lived was almost overrun with Tories and in consequence of his activity in pursuing and dispersing them, he had rendered himself so obnoxious to them that he could not safely enter into any civil pursuit. That during for the last four years of the war safety for him was only to be found in the ranks of the American army and that during that time he followed no other pursuit. When that peace was proclaimed he was discharged but received no written discharge. Then he has no documentary evidence of any kind to prove his services and never had any except the written discharge heretofore mentioned and which he has lost that he cannot to his knowledge prove his services by any person except Benjamin Hardin. That at the close of the Revolutionary war he resided for two years in Rutherford County North Carolina, then moved to what is now Tennessee and remained four or five years from thence to Kentucky where he lived six years then Illinois where he lived about 18 years and [ ] thence to Arkansas where he has been about 18 years. That during the late war he served two years with the Rangers under Captain Jacob Short.
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And this Deponent says that he is known to the following named persons in his neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and good behavior towit Hugh Tomlinson, Hardin Hulsey, Myrick D. Newton, Townsend Dickinson, Charles H Pelham, Joseph H Egner, and Alfred Arnold.  That when he first entered the service in 1776 he lived in the District of Jh South Carolina & that he was acquainted with General Greene and Col. Malmady of the Continental Service to which he thinks they both belonged, Col. Williamson who afterwards joined the British, Col. McDowell, Col John Sevier and many others.  

[signed]  John Caruthers

I, the above named John Caruthers, do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of Any State or Territory

Sworn to and subscribed before us
this 1st day of July AD 1833
in open court [signed] John Caruthers

William Arnold
Presiding Justice

On this first day of July 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of said County Court now sitting, Benjamin Hardin (well known to the court) who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he is well acquainted with John Caruthers who hath made the foregoing declaration and that he has heard the same read.  And further says that he first became acquainted with said John Caruthers in June AD 1780, that afterwards at the Battle of Kings Mountain he saw said Caruthers and knows that said Caruthers was rescued as he has stated from the British forces where he was a prisoner this deponent being engaged therein and says that said Caruthers was from the time of the Battle of said Kings Mountain until the war was closed in the service of the United States as a private as he said Caruthers has stated and that John Caruthers was not during that period engaged in any civil pursuit and that he is a man of truth and veracity and good behavior in the neighborhood where he resides.  

[Signed] Benjamin Hardin
Sworn to and subscribed before me 
in open court this day and year
aforesaid

William Arnold
Presiding Justice

We, Alfred Arnold, Joseph H. Egner, Charles H. Pelham, Townsend Dickinson, Myrich D. Newton, Hardin Halsey and Hugh Tomlinson, residing in the County of Independence and Territory aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Caruthers who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration and that we believe him to be Eighty seven years of age and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, that the belief is general and no doubts exist upon the subject and we concur in that opinion and we further certify that we are well acquainted with the above named Benjamin Hardin and that he as well as said John Caruthers are both men of truth, veracity, respectability and good behavior in the County and neighborhood where they reside and we have no doubt of the truth of their statements but believe they were both soldiers of the Revolution.

Sworn to and subscribed before us
in open court the day and year
aforesaid.
William Arnold
Presiding Justice

[Signed]
Hugh Tomlinson
Hardin Hulsey
Myrick D. Newton
Townsend Dickinson
C. W. Pelham
J. H. Egner
Alfred Arnold
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And the said court do hereby declare their opinion.  After the investigation of the matter, and after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the within named Applicant John Caruthers was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he stated that the belief is general and no doubts have ever existed upon the subject.  And the court certifies that it has been made satisfactorily to appear that the only two resident clergymen residing near this place are now absent from the county and the said John Caruthers could not at this court procure the Attendance of a resident clergyman, without too much expense and inconvenience and the court from the respectability of the applicant himself and of those who have signed the foregoing certificate to not deem it necessary.  And further certify that Hugh Tomlinson, Hardin Hulsey, Myrich D. Newton, Townsend Dickinson, Charles H. Pelham, Joseph H. Egner and Alfred Arnold are all residents of said Independence County and are creditable and respectable persons.  And their statements entitled to full credit.  And the court do further certify that Benjamin Hardin, the witness, is a man of respectability and no doubts exist of his having been a Revolutionary soldier and that his evidence is entitled to full credit.

William Arnold
Presiding Justice

Territory of Arkansas
County of Independence

At the July Term of the County Court of said County AD 1833

I, Charles J. Pelham, Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Court in and for the County of Independence and Territory of Arkansas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of John Caruthers for a pension.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three and of the Independence of the Unites States the fifty seventh year.

[Signed] C. H. Pelham Clerk

I, Thomas P. Eskridge, one of the United States Judges for the Territory of Arkansas, do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named John Caruthers, and that I have no doubt but that he was a Revolutionary soldier and that his standing in society is  respectable - I am also acquainted with the witness Benjamin Hardin and I have no doubt of his having been a Revolutionary solider and from my knowledge of both John Caruthers and Benjamin Hardin I should confide in the truth of their statements  and I do further certify that I am acquainted with the above names Hardin Hulsey, Myrick D. Newton, Townsend Dickinson, Charles H Pelham, Joseph H Egner and Alfred Arnold and that their statements are entitled to credit.  

[Signed] Tho. P Eskridge. E
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27.332

John Caruthers
Arkansas Tery.


Advance 2 years  $80--



[Signed] A. H. Sevier



T. Dickinson
Batesville
Arkansas Tery.
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War Department, Pension Office.
1st Nov. 1833

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 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 the request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of John Caruthers

Names and Rank of the Field Officers under whom he served:

Cap. Carter
Col. Pickens

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

87 Years
S. Carolina

I am respectfully
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:

This law has been constructed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," 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. Regular Troops
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers
3. Persons employed in the Naval Servcie.
4. Indian Spies.

As roles 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, mucicians 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 where such applicant resides. And every Court having 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 }ss.

On this __ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before ______________ A. B. a resident of _________ in the county of ______ and State, Territory, or District of _____ aged (c) ___ years, who being first duly sworn,  according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the beenfit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) __, with and served in the ______ (e) regiment of the ____ 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 tank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declared that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on thay of the Agency in the State of ______. 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

A.B.

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

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

I ____________ of the Court of __________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ____ for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ___ day of ___ &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of aplicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in the note (j) points out. 

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, 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;

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify that we are well acquainted with ______, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ 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 the 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 names applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as  he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate as a clergyman, resident in the ____ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

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

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal to this office, this __ day of ____ &c.

every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one 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, (l), 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, and 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 service of each person will be indispensable 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 the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the 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 into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
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 is signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that 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 that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary 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 inquiry whether the belief is general, an whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of badily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the    examination, before a Judge or 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 a Court of Record, or 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. Stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or 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, 1852; 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 of 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.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bedily infirmity; in which case the declarant will 
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war then he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, an the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, & A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, me cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: ___ For ____ year____ months, and ______  days, I served as a ___________. For ______ months and _______ days, I served as a _______: and for such service I claim a pension."
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or is he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

 Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must verify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of officer.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditiouary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Grenville [Greenville], Clark County, Arkansas
November 10th 1839

Hon. Sir:

I have the honour again to address you on the subject of John Caruthers's pension.  You will recollect that during the month of March of this year Col. Thornton and myself addressed a letter to you in which was enclosed the affidavits of John Wilson and James MaLauhlin [McLaughlin] with the proper certificates for the purpose of rendering his [illegible] pension certificate.   The renewed certificate came duly to hand.  After the loss of the first certificate till the arrival of the renewed one there became two years due.  this was applied for to Wm. Woodruff [illegible] (and at present as we suppose) pension agent.  He returned as an answer that he could not make payment till he had received a draft from yourself to him.  Agreeable to his instructions a letter was forwarded to you containing a receipt for two years pension from which we have not yet heard Caruthers is about 94 years of age and so feeble that he cannot help himself even at table.  While he is so extremely poor that had it not been for the human feelings of his acquaintance he must have perished.  He has but one relation in this country that is Grandson who drove him from his house shortly after the loss of his certificate.  Since then he has been entirely dependant [dependent] on
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Strangers.  If you have not received the former letter and receipt I have attached a blank receipt.  To this if these steps have been properly taken you will oblige the freinds [friends] of caruthers by taking such steps as will enable him to receive his pension.  If these proceedings are improper you will do great favor by forwarding instructions.


Yr Mst Abt St {Your Most Able Servant]
[Signed]
Mr. Edward Commissioner of pension agent

[Signed] Harris Flanagin, Atty for Caruthers

Caruthers, memory has so much failed him that he cannot recollect the time of the last payment.  His grandson I am authorized to say has refused to give the necessary information.  You can ascertain by the affidavits enclosed to you the time of the losing of the certificate which happened in the winter of 1877-1878.  At that time, a years pension was due.  

[Initialed]   H. F.
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November 18, 1938

E. M. Wright
324 Woodruff Building
Springfield, Missouri.

BA-J/ILL
John Caruthers
S. 32163

Dear Sir:

The data which follow are found in the papers on file in the pension claim, S. 32163, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of John Caruthers.

John Caruthers was born July 12, 1746, in Baltimore Count, Maryland; the names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Ninety-Six District, South Carolina, he enlisted in July 1776, served in Captain John Catter's company of angers, a part of the time under Major Andrew Pickens, in the expedition aganist [against] the Cherokee Indians, was in an engagement on "Crackers Neck", after which he went to Rutherford County, North Carolina; John Caruthers enlisted there, served under Captain Uel (Ewell) Lampkins and Colonel Malmedy, also, under Captain William Whiteside and Colonel Joseph McDowell, was in an engagement near Eutaw Springs, and assisted in the destruction of many Indian towns, and was taken prisoner at "Nob Creek" a few weeks before the battle of King's Mountain, and made his escape at the time of that battle from about January 1781, he served as private in Captain Wilson's company, engaged principally against the Tories and Indians.  He stated that his service amounted to at least four years. 

After the close of the Revolutionary War, John Caruthers resided in Rutherford County, North Carolina, for about two years, then moved to the [a] section which was later in Tennessee and resided four or five years, then moved to Kentucky where he resided six years, after which he moved to Illinois and lived about eighteen years, then moved to Arkansas Territory.

He was allowed pension on his application executed July 1, 1833, at which time he resided in Independence County, Arkansas Territory.  The
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soldier stated then that "during the late war he served two years with the Rangers under Captain Jacob Short".  There is no further information in regard to this War of 1812 service of John Caruthers.

In 1839, John Caruthers resided in Clark County, Arkansas.  It was stated that he died two or three months previous to November 1841, the date not given.

The name of the soldier's wife, and the date and place of their marriage are not known.  Reference was made in 1839 to a grandson of the soldier, which whom he had resided in Arkansas, but his name is not shown.  This grandson was referred to them as the soldier's only relative in that vicinity.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:

John Caruthers
Certificate #25764
Issued January 3, 1834
Rate $80 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Arkansas Territory Agency.

Very truly yours,


A. D. Hiller,
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
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[On Left Side of Booklet:]

1938 - Nov. 18 - Hist to E. M. Wright

[On Right Side of Booklet:]

32163

Rev  INVALID

File No.  32,163
John Caruthers
Pri Rev War

Act:  June 7, 32

Index: - Vol. 2, Page 65

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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[In various directions on one sheet of paper]

Jmat

Jan 18

Jn Caruthers
Arks. [illegible]
for Inf Cut

2576+4

Col Edwards

Free
A H Levin
Hon A H Levin
Senator

Pension Office
Washington
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Mr. Sevier respects to Col Edwards and would be glad if he would attend to the enclosed and apprize Mr. S with the result at his leisure.

Washington  January 16 '39

A H Levin
Page 18

Pension Agency Office
Little Rock, Arks
8 Feb 18389

Sir,
I enclose herewith the vouchers for John Caruthers' Pension for year ending 4 Sept. 1837 which please decide on and return to me.

Respectfully,

Yr. Obt. Svt.

Wm. Woodruff, [illegible]

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
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Greenville, Clark Cty, Ark.
March 1839

Sir:

As the friend and Agent of John Caruthers, Pensioner, I have the honor herewith to enclose to you his affidavit with the accompanying certificates.  If you find them to be sufficient, he requests that a duplicate Pension certificate may be issued to him and transmuted to this place.

You will be so good also as to furnish him with a form of any certificate or [illegible] that may be necessary for him to furnish the Pension Agent here, in consequence of his having him prevented from making regular legal application for his money - as the presumption might arise that Caruthers was dead - and as he is now living at a distance of some One Hundred Miles from the Agent - and is too infirm to attend in person.

I have the honor to be very
respectfully your Obt. Svt.
A. E. Thornton

Colo. J. L. Edwards, C. P.
Pension Office
War Department
Page 20

Greenville Ark
March 20th

Colo. J. L. Edwards
Pension Office
Washington City DC
Page 21

March 20th 1839
Sir
The enclosed this morning with directions to have the clerks certificate and to forward it.

If you will direct an answer to any of the enclosed names they will receive due attention.

Yr Obt St [Your Obedient Servant]


[Signed]
Col. J. L. Edwards
Pension Agent

[Signed]
Harris Flanagin
Counsellor Atty at Law
Page 22

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office

May 6, 1840

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitles "an act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," 

John Caruthers, 

a Pensioner on the Roll of the Arkansas Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum, under the law of the 7 June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4wth of Sept. 1838, to the 4th Sept. 1839.

Respectfully, yours, 

[Signed]
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 23

I have not transcribed the full page.

It starts:  War Department, Pension Office, May 4, 1838.

The following letters are published for the information of Pensioners whose pensions have remained unclaimed for the term of eight months. [Signed] J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.

It includes:  "Circular Addressed to Pension Agents" and three sample letters signed by Albion K. Parris, Comptroller
Page 24

This blank form is titled:
Oath of Identity for the widow or child of a deceased pensioner.
Page 25

This blank form is titled:

Power of Attorney for the Widow or Child of a deceased pensioner.
Page 26

This blank form is titled:
Certificate of the Court as to the Death of a Pensioner.
Page 27

This page from the War Department Pension Office, dated October 3, 1836 contains circulars that are 'published for the information of Pensioners, and those who may act as their Attorneys in drawing their stipends for them.'
Page 28

This form is blank, and a sample of certain documentation to be given to widows or children of pensioners.
Page 29

3
Circular

Treasury Department, 
Second Comptroller's Office, 
September 1836

This is a blank letter for the agent for paying pensions
[Signed]
Albion K. Parris, Comptroller.
Page 30

Page 1 of 3 - rules for the government of the Agents in paying Pensioners...

Pension Office, 
November 27, 1833

The following rules for the government of the Agents in paying pensioners have been transmitted to the Pension Agents from the Treasury Department, and they are now published for the information of the pensioners.

James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions

Form letter lists instructions
Page 31

Page 2 of 3 - Rules for the government of Agents in paying pensions
Page 32

Page 3 of 3 - rules for the governing of Agents in paying pensioners

[signed] Lew Cass
Page 33

Date Stamped:  Little Rock, Ark.   Sep 30

Free (postage)

Oct. 16, 1841
Payt. Little Rock, Ark
Jno Caruthers

J. L. Edwards, Esq,
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington City
Page 34

Pension Agency Office,
Little Rock, Arks.
29 Sept. 1841

Sir,

I have been applied to, by a friend of Mr. John Caruthers, a Pensioner on the Roll of this Agency under the act of 7 June, 1832, to ascertain whether the Pension due him, from 4 Sept. 1837, to 4 Sept. 1838, had been paid. - On referring to my accounts, I find that it was paid at the Treasury Department. -  I then applied to the Receiver of Public Moneys at this place, to ascertain whether he had paid any Treas'y [Treasury] Draft in favor of said Caruthers, for the amount ($80); and, on a careful examination of his vouchers + accounts, he informs me that he has only paid one [underlined] draft for that sum, which, having been collected by me, I know was for the pay't [payment] of the Pension due Mr. Caruthers for the year ending 4 Sept. 1839. - The Receiver, having informs me, that he finds on file, a notice from the Treas'y [Treasury] Department, of a draft having been drawn on him purporting to be No. 62, and dated 29 July, 1839, in favor of John Caruthers, for $80 - but that he can find no voucher or other evidence on file in his office, showing that it had ever been presented or paid.  I therefore infer that the last mentioned
Page 35

mentioned draft never reached Mr. Caruthers, and that the Pension, from 4 Sept. 1837 to 4 Sept. 1838, is still due him.

I have therefore to request that you will institute a search in the proper offices of the Treasury Department, to ascertain whether Treasury Dft. [draft] No. 42, dated 29 July, 1839, on the Receiver of Public Moneys at Little Rock, in favor of John Caruthers, for $80 00/100, has been paid, and if paid, by whom and to whom?  And be pleased to inform me the result of your search as early as practicable.  

I am, sir,

Your obt 'sev't {your obedient servant]

[Signed]

Wm. E. Woodruff, Agent

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Com't of Pensions, 
Washington City.
Page 36

Treasury Department, 
Second Comptroller's Office, 
July 23, 1839,

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April,1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Caruthers, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Arkansas Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department from the 4th of Sept., 1837, to the 4th Sept., 1838.

Respectfully, Yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 37

Application for a New Certificate

County of Clark, State of Arkansas SS.

On this seventh day of March 1839, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Clark personally appeared John Caruthers who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captains Lampkin, Wilson and Whiteside in the regiment commanded by Colonels Porter & Malmady in the service of the United States; that his name is placed on the pension roll of the State of Arkansas [illegible] territory of Arkansas, that he received a certificate of that fact that under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War; which certificate, on or about September or October 1837 at or near Greenville, he handed to John Wilson for the purpose of drawing money then due for the deponent and the deponent since which time has not seen heard or known ought of said certificate. 

Sworn and subscribed to, before 
me, the day and year aforesaid.

XX John Caruthers
Jas L. McLaughlin JP

I do certify that the above deponent is the same John Caruthers that formerly had a certificate purporting to be a petition certificate which I once seen in his possession.  Jas L. McLaughlin JP

NOTES -- the last four blanks are left for the applicant to set forth the time, place and manner of the loss or destruction of the original certificate.

The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.

If the pensioner has never received a formal certificate but has drawn his pension on a mere notification, as was the case in a few instances many years ago, he should leave out the above words in italics, and insert, in lieu thereof, "but has never received a formal certificate, and now wishes to obtain one."

The pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity.   The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit.  The magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer, under his seal of office, setting forth that the officer before whom the affidavit may be made is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be.

When a person acting as an Agent or Attorney for a Pensioner, loses the certificate, the affidavit of that person is also required, which must be authenticated as above.

In every case where the Clerk of the Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should be sent with the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers. -- In every instance, where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

No attention will be given to applications from persons who act as agents, unless they are known at the War Department or are vouched for as respectable persons by someone who is known to the Department.
Page 38

County of Clark
State of Arkansas

On this seventh day of March 1839 before me an acting Justice of Peace in and for the county of clark and state aforesaid John Wilson who upon his corporeal oath states that he received of John Caruthers through his agent his certificate which purported to be pension certificate for the purpose of drawing money due on the same and that the John Caruthers attached to the attached affidavit is the same who handed the abovementioned certificate to him by his agent and that he the said John Wilson lost the above-mentioned certificate at or near Little Rock, County of Pulaski, State aforesaid in the month of December 1837.

Sworn to and subscribed before me
the day and year aforesaid.

John Wilson

Jas. S. McLaughlin, JP

I do hereby certify that the above affiant, John Wilson is a person of high standing of society and of most unquestionable veracity.
Jas. L. McLaughlin, JP
Page 39

State of Arkansas
County of Clark 

I, Jas. S. Ward, Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the County of Clark in the State of Arkansas do hereby certify that James S. McLaughlin whose signature appears to the above and foregoing Certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Clark aforesaid and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit -

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand as Clerk as aforesaid and affixed the seal of office at Greenville this 18th day of March AD 1839 and of the American Independence the 63rd.

Jas S. Ward, Clerk
Page 40

29 March 1842

H. Flanigan
G. C.
Page 41

529


Pension Office
29th March 1842

Sir, 

In answer to your letter of the 7th inst. in the case of John Caruthers, I have to inform you that he has been paid in full up to the 4th Sep 1838.  His stipend from that period to the time of his death is still due.  I therefore enclose the necessary forms and instructions which should be strictly complied with.

I am H



H. Flanagin, Esq.
Greenville
Cook County
Arkansas
Page 42

Pension Office
29th March 1842

Sir.

In answer to your letter of the 7th inst. in the case of John Caruthers, I have to inform you that he has been paid in full up to 4th Sep 1838.  His stipend from that period to the time of his death is still due.  I therefore enclose the necessary forms and instructions which should be strictly complied with.

I am Sir
Very Respectfully

Your Obd Serv.
J. L. Edwards
Page 43

Treasurer U.S.
Dec 2 1841
Page 44

Pension Office
December 2 1841
Sir
I herewith enclose a Treasury Draft which was issued in favor of John Caruthers for $80 in part payment of his pension, together with a copy of the letter of the 10th [illegible] of the pension Agent at Little Rock, Arkansas, from which you will perceive that the Pensioner died before the draft reached the Agent.  I also enclose the [illegible] letter from your office, and the receipt which was forwarded for the Pensioner's Signature.
W. Selden, Esq
Treasurer UStates
Page 45

Pension Agency Office Little Rock, Arkansas  10 Nov. 1841 Your favor of 18th inst is received , covering Treasury Draft No. 42, issued 29 July , 1839 , on War  Warrant No. 43, for Eighty Dollars, payable to the order of John Caruthers, by the Receiver of Public Moneys at this place - In consequence of the ( death )( underscored ) of Mr. Caruthers , I herewith return the above mentioned Draft together with the papers that accompanied it. I learn, by a highly respectable citizen of Clark County  who was a near neighbor of Mr. Caruthers , that Mr. C. had been dead some two or three months , and I have furnished him with the necessary forms to enable the connections of the deceased to collect the amount due Mr. C. at the time of his death. These papers will be forwarded as early as practicable after they are received by me. Respectfully  Yr obt. servt. Wm Woodruff ( signed ) Agt       J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions  Washington City
Page 46

Greenville Court House  March 7th, 1842  Sir - have two upon since John Caruthers as a pensioner under  the act of Congress  and invalid requested him to write to your bro the subject of a pension due him found  Sept 7th 1837 & Sept 7th 1838 to note and Res. for answered that the pension had been paid by draft etc. -  I have been required to state the summary of the facts and ask your directions therein. If I am not mistaken the act allowing pensions under which  he proved up his claim to a pension was passed in 1832. Mr. Caruthers have I never been acquainted with him ( in 1838 ) has been able to do so much  as brief or .. ( illegible )  himself having to a family found the only relation was in the Country ( a guardian ) has refused to have anything to do with him - as he was without any means his acquaintances were of the  previous class of his neighbors - where he was turned off from his relatives  a poor man revived Mr. Caruthers - ( quite poor about 60 (? 80) years of age of no family but a wife as old as himself ) took him under his protection - you are aware that $ 80 is entirely insufficient for a man in good health to live on in this State - The necessary  result is that his pensioners protector is much .. ( illegible ) and move so as he was not ever obtain the pension above referred to  which he had a right to expect - Mr. Caruthers for a long time have been in his dotage and few that reassure them could be but little convinced in his statements as his memory partook of the inability of his body  - He stated that had a note of his pension previous to 1836 had not been obtained by him- how you will confer a distinguished
Page 47

favor upon a generous old man  by answering the  following questions 1st - Was there any pension due Mr. Caruthers  previous to Sept 1837 which has not been paid. 2nd - was  the office pay drew to heirs ago Legal representatives moneys due pensioners at their death . 3rd - So it is represented that the draft for the pension due John Caruthers of Sept 1848 has been returned unpaid.  I have notion that the pension referred to has not been received . Address the subscriber  I am your obedient servant  H. Flanagin ( signed )    To the Commissioner of Pensions
Page 48

Feb 29 1840

To the Commissioner of
Pensions
at Washington
Page 49

                         commissioner of
Received of Edward  (x) pensions the sum
of          
being the sum due for two years
of the pension of John Caruthers of Stark County
Arkansas.
The Commissioner of pensions is attorney
authorized to fill up the above with date and sum
this receipt being designed to fill the place of
one drawn for the same purpose
John Caruthers
(signature)
Page 50

E. M. Wright
Lawyer
324 Woodruff Bldg
Springfield, MO.
Phone 1962

10/10/38

Veterans Administration
Washington D. C. 

Received Oct 12 1938

Re  John Caruthers (Sr)
       John Caruthers (Jr)
       William Caruthers
       Samuel Caruthers (John)
       Samuel Caruthers (Wm)

Gentlemen : -

Will you please give me the Revolutionary War recors (records) of the above named parties. 
 
   They are supposed to have been from Craven County North Carolina

     John Caruthers who is designated as "Sr" was perhaps too old to have been in the service but he had two sons, John designated as (Jr) and William. 

      These brothers received Land Grants which have been reasonably certainly found to have been located in Lincoln County Tenn. 

      The brothers each had a son named Samuel who are reputed to have been Revolutionary War Soldiers from the State of North Carolina, one of whom received a Land Grant and the same was located in Sullivan County Tenn, the other received a Land Grand (Grant) also from the State of North Carolina but its location has not been discovered..

       (There was a John Caruthers from Mecklinburg County, NC who received a pension beginning March 4, 1831, age 80 who perhaps died about 1838 in that County. I do not want his record.) 

      The name is variously spelled, and more "by ear" than by any known rules of orthography. 

Very Respt
         E. M. Wright
Page 51

                                                    November 18, 1938.

E. M. Wright                                                RA-J/ILL
324 Woodruff Building                   John Caruthers
Springfield, Missouri.                      S. 32163

Dear Sir:

     Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of William, Samuel, and John Caruthers, brothers, each of whom had a son Samuel Caruthers, also, the record of John Caruthers, Jr., other than John Caruthers who was a pensioner of Mecklinburg County, North Carolina, aged eighty, whose pension commenced March 4, 1831.; the above were from Craven County, North Carolina.

     A search of the Revolutionary War records of this office has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service of a William Caruthers of North Carolina. As stated previously, this office has no record of the Samuel Caruthers in whom you are interested. The record has been found of a John Caruthers which may aid you in your research. His record is furnished you herewith from pension claim, S. 32163.

Very truly yours, 
A. D. Hiller,
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator