Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7967, for Hugh Parks, North Carolina
Page 1

SERVICE
N.C
Parks,
Hugh
Mary
NUMBER
R 7967
CONTENTS
Page 2

No 14965.
For Mary Park
Mary Parks, W
and Hugh
-
S.C.
He died 11th of Jun 1830
SHe died 9 May 1839
Married
A.S. Wallace
Yorkville
S.C.
Page 3

South Carolina
York District
On this 28th day of April 1853
before me John W Ross Judge of the Court
of Ordinary for the district and State aforesaid personally appeared Margaret Y
Watson
aged 6 years past who being
first sworn according to law doth on her
oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefit of the provision made
by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838
entitled an act granting half pay and pensions
to certain Widows
That this declarant in behalf of her
self and the surviving children of Mary Parks
widow of Capt Hugh Parks late of
Mecklenburg County N.C. decd [deceased] states that her Father
the said Capt Hugh Parks was a lieutenant and Captain North Carolina Militia in the
army of the revolution as she has allways [always] understood and believes and as such he served
the United States against the common enemy
from the time he entered the service of his
country until the close of the war and was
generally in service during that period and
served in the states of North and South Carolina
that he was a lieutenant under Captain Ried [Reed]
who was killed at the battle of hanging Rock
South Carolina and the company was afterward
under the command of her said father
Colonel Irvins Regiment and thinks they were
light horse or mounted militia but to give the
particulars of his service declarant cannot
but that his services was well known and duly
appreciated by the
citizens of Mecklenburg
County
Page 4

declarant farther states that her father
Capt Hugh Parks was married to her mother
Mary Davis in Mecklenburg County North Carolina
on the ____ day of _____ one thousand
seven hundred and eighty two
and
as husband and wife they lived together until
the death of the said Hugh Parks which occured
in Mecklenburg County North Carolina
on the 11th day of January 1830 leaving his
wife Mary a widow and that her mother
the said Mary Parks departed this life
in York district South Carolina on the
twenty ninth day of May one thousand
eight hundred and thirty nine leaving
the following Children her surviving to wit
Ann Kirkpatrick Margaret Y. Watson
Amelia McGinnas John Parks William
N. Parks & Rebecca A. McClarity only
surviving children and use of their
said Marriage who are still surviveing [surviving]
and all of lawful
age
and declarant
further says that
she has no record evidence of the Marriage
of her Father and Mother Hugh and
Mary Parks that their family register
was carried off to the west and if recovered
will be sent to the department
but presumes it is a matter of public
record -- declarant also says that
search has been made for the commissions of her father or some record
evidence of his service in the revolution
but withe [with] out affect nor does she know
any persons now living by whome [whom] his
services in the revolution
could be proven
Page 5

and that
she was not aware until recently
the children of her mother could
draw the arrears due her at her death she
having died withe [with] out presenting a claim
for a United States pension
Sworn to 28th April 1853
Margaret Y. Watson
JM Ross J.Y.D.
South Carolina
York District ⎬ I John M Ross Judge of the Court of
Ordinary of York District do hereby certify that it has
been shown to my satisfaction in open Court that Mary
Parks widow of Capt Hugh Parks died on the 29th day
of May A.D. 1839 leaving the following surviving children
Ann Kirkpatrick, Margaret Y Watson Amelia
McGinnas, John Parks, William N. Parks & Rebecca A.
McClarty who are still alive and of full age and
that the said Margaret Y. Watson who makes the
foregoing declaration is a lady of good character
and that full faith and credit should be
given to any statement she makes. Given
under my hand and seal of Office this 28th April
A.D. 1853
JM Ross
C.Y.D.
[An illegible seal is to the right of the signature.]
Page 6


April 16, 1929
Mrs. Helen Ramspeck Thomas
740 Belvidere Avenue
Plainfield, New Jersey 

RA-J/AWF
Hugh Parks
R. 7967

Dear Madam:
In compliance with your request of recent date you are furnished the Revolutionary War record of Hugh Parks of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, R. 7967, based upon military service of Hugh Parks, in the War of the Revolution.

The date and place of birth of Hugh Parks, and names of his parents were not given.

Hugh Parks married about 1783 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Mary Davis.  The date and place of her birth, and names of parents were not stated.  Hugh Parks died January 11, 1830 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and his widow Mary Parks died May 29, 1839 in York District, South Carolina, and was buried in the Steel Creek Presbyterian Church Yard, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Lacking (Lacen) D. Parks, the eldest child of Hugh Parks, and wife, Mary, was a Presbyterian 
Minister, located near Charleston, South Carolina, where he died, date not given.

The following children of Hugh Parks, and wife,
Page 7

Mary, were living in 1853- Ann Kirkpatrick
Margaret Y. Watson , Amelia (Parnelia) McGinnis, John Parks, William N. Parks, and Rebecca A. (or Eliza) McClarty or McClarity. 

Margaret Y. Watson on April 28, 1853, then
aged about sixty-three years, a resident of York
District, South Carolina, made application for
pension on account of the service of her father,
Hugh Parks, in the Revolutionary War.

It was stated that Hugh Parks of Mecklenburg
County, North Carolina, served in the Snow Campaign in 1775 under Colonel Rutherford in the North Carolina militia; in 1779, served five months as Issuing Commissary under General Rutherford; in 1780
as Lieutenant in Captain Read's company and was in the battle of Hanging Rock, where his captain was killed, and that he was Captain under Colonels Robert Irwin, Alexander Dobbins, "and others", and served until the close of the war.

The claim for pension was not allowed as proof
of service and definite date of marriage were not furnished.

The son, William N. Parks died between the
dates, April 28, 1853, and June 18, 1855.

It was shown, also, that Hugh Parks
member of the State Legislature of North Carolina, and was an Elder of the Presbyterian Church at Steel Creek, North Carolina.

Rebecca D. McDowel, sister of the widow, Mary
Parks, was born July 12, 1780, and in 1853 was a resident of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

John L. Watson of York District, South Carolina,
son of the above named, Margaret J. Watson, administered
Page 8

on the estate of the widow, Mary Parks.

One William Watson was of York District, South Carolina, in 1855; it was not shown that he was related to the family.

The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data.

Very truly yours
A.D. Miller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 9

POWER OF ATTORNEY - Revolutionary Pension Claims.
Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Margaret Y. Watson
Daughter of Mary Parks
do hereby constitute and appoint
Hon W.W. Boyce
my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of said Mary Parks
for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize
my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at
Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which
may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to___________________________

to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and
Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and Seal this 13th day
of May A.D. 1853
Margaret Y. Watson
Signed and Sealed in the presence of
Wm Watson
STATE of South Carolina
District of York ⎬
On this 13th
day of May A.D. 1853
before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared
Margaret Y. Watson
and acknowledged the foregoing Power,
of Attorney be her act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand,
the day and year aforesaid.
A.S. Wallace J. Peace.
[illegible]
Page 10

[Bleed through of words throughout documents.]
Watson 
Claim of
Act of
STATE OF
COUNTY}ss.

Be it known, That on this____________ day of 
_________ A.D., eighten hundred and fifty ________, before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appreared ______ a resident of ________ in said County and made oath according to law that he is the _________ who was a Revolutionary Pensioner
at the rate of ____________ Dollars per annum; that __________ has been
informed that the said Pension ought to be increased; that he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension,and
makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and
year aforesaid, before me.
J. Peace 

I, _____________ Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that _______ who executed the foregoing paper, is a  respectable resident of this County, and is I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth. 
J. Peace

I, John G Enloe Clerk of the
Court in the County [District] 
and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that A. S. Wallace before whom the
foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a [illegible] and for said County [District], duly authorized by law 
to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed is his signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed my official Seal this twentieth
day of May A. D. 1853.
John G Enloe Clerk
Page 11

[Stamp at top CONGRESS]
{State of North Carolina
{Comptroller's Office
I, William J. Clarke, Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office, among the payments made
by said State to sundry persons for Military services in
the Revolutionary War, as follows, to wit
Hugh Parks
Vol. A. entry 2684 [Pound symbol] 13 S6 D4 specie, Lieutenant-
Book G. No. 16 page 56 [Pound symbol] 52 S8 D9 " [specie] ________ _______
" [Book] F " [No.] 2 " [page] 70 [Pound symbol] 34 S10 --- " [specie]
" [Book] S " [No.] 26 " [page] 217 [Pound symbol] 9 S15 --- " [specie]
" [Book] EG _____ " [page] 43 [Pound symbol] 100 ---- " [specie]
Payments to officers and soldiers of the Continental Line made
by A. Lyttle page 34 [Pound symbol] 69 S18 D3 specie.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal
of office this 10th day of May 1853.
WM. J. Clarke Comptr.
[Illegible seal on left, next to signature.]
Page 12

Margaret Y. Watson
Declaration
Act 7th July 1838
Page 13

South Carolina}
York District} On this 18th day
June 1855. Personally appeared Margaret Y. Watson a resident of York District S.C.
aged 66 years before me John M. Ross
Judge of the court of Ordinary for the
District and State, unto being first duly
Sworn according to law doth on
her oath make the following Declaration supplemental to ones now on file, to obtain the benefit of the services of her Father Capt Hugh
Parks, late of Mecklinburg [Mecklenburg] County N.C.
deceased, whose
widow Mary Parks deceased, stated in a former declaration
in York District SC in 1839.
Declarant further states that her
Father Capt Hugh Parks, entered the service of the United States, in the
the N.C. Militia, under Col Rutherford in the Snow Campaign in 1775
as she has always understood & believes,
as a Lieutenant, or private  of Cavalry, and was always understanding begin service during the War of Independence
 under the above named Cols. afterwards General Rutherford, Irwin, Dobbins
and others,
and served a tour of duty, as she understands and believes
under General Rutherford in S.C. and 
Georgia, in 1779, of five months
as Issuing Comissary which office was
afterwards filled by Thomas Green
a near neighbor, who held the same
untill the close of the war, and
Page 14

and
her father Capt Hugh Parks
took command
of a company of Militia, which 
he continued to command,
untill the close of the war
and was called 
Capt ever afterwards to the close 
of the war.
declarant further says that in
a former declaration made by
her she did
not claim sevices
for Issuing Commisary,
but claimed for Lieut. and 
Capt but is now fully
satisfied that that her father served as
Issuing Commisary before
that office was taken by Thomas Green, as
above stated and that her Brother
Wm N. Parks has
died.
since she
made her first declaration, and
that her brother, and sisters are still
believed to be living
and that J L
Watson has recently administered on
the estate of her late Mother Mary Parks.
And I do hereby
constitute, and
appoint A. S. Wallace of York District SC
to prosecute the same and receive the
Certificate
when issued, and do all
other acts and deeds, that I myself might
do were I personally present, hereby Ratifying
and confirming, all that my said attorney
shall lawfully do in the [illegible - previous?]
 which power is Irrevocable

Sworn to and subscribed this day and Year above written 
JM Ross CYD
Margaret Y. Watson
Page 15

South Carolina}
York District}
I John M. Ross Judge
of the Court of Ordinary
for the District and State aforesaid do hereby
certify that it has been shown in evidence
to the satisfaction of the Court that Margaret Y.
Watson the Declarant together with John
Parks, Ann Kirkpatrick, Parmelia M Guinnis,
Eliza McClarty are the only surviving
Children of Mary Parks deceased Widow
of Captain Hugh Parks late of Mecklenburg
County North Carolina and that John
L. Watson is the Administrator of Mary
Parks deceased, duly qualified according to
law and that his bond is filed in my
Office for her thousand dollars with good security and
that William N. Parks has died since she has
made the former declaration and that the
administrator John L. Watson does hereby
acknowledge and authorize the power of
Attorney made by his mother Margaret
Watson to A. S. Wallace and that the said
Margaret Y. Watson is to my own personal
knowledge a lady of the highest respectability
And that she has sworn to and subscribed
the foregoing declaration before me. Given
under my hand and seal the July AD
1855 Done in open Court
JM Ross (illegible seal to right of signature]
[illegible]
Page 16

[seal at top of page, looks like P&S]
North Carolina}
Mecklenburg County} Before me personally appeared Susannah Grier aged a highly credible citizen of Mecklenburg County aged 83 years past
who being first duly Sworn according to law
on oath says that she was born and raised in
said County and was will acquainted with
Hugh Parks and his wife Mary, whose heirs
are now applicants for a Pension, and that
she saw the said Hugh Parks repeatedly in
uniform in time of the Revolution and that he
lived within one mile of her fathers, where the
Slaughter pen of the American Army was
kept, in the neighborhood of Steel Creek Church,
and that he bore the title of Captain, and
was ever after distinguished as an active
partizan in the Revolution, and a man of
high respectability, and that he was long a
ruling elder in Steel Creek Church where he
had the entire confidence of the people
and was also a member of the State Legislature from said County where the said Captain
Hugh Parks lived and died leaving his wife
Mary a widow, who has since died in the
District of York South Carolina, and was brought
and interred at Steel Creek Church in Mecklenburg
County N.C. deponent being at the funeral
Deponent was not at the marriage of said parties but distinctly recollects when it took place and was very intimately acquainted with the parties as above stated,  and worshiped with them at the same church up to the time of their death and believes their claim to be highly meritorious
Deponent thinks that the Militia of Mecklenburg
Page 17

[seal on right side of page, P&S?]

County was generally under the command of Colonel Robert Irwin
Sworn to and Subscribed this 25th day of
March 1853
W. H. Neal  J.P.
Susanna Grier

I the sd  [said] Justice in addition to the
above do certify that I have known
Susanna Grier who was sworn to and
subscribed to the above for 45 or 50 years
and know her to be a lady of respectability
and sound mind
W. H. Neal J.P.

Col. William Grier a highly respectable citizen
of said County on oath says that he was
personally and intimately acquainted with Capt.
Hugh Parks above named Since his first recollection
That he was a gentleman of high respectability
and was regarded by the community as an officer of the Revolution and as Such was so distinguished and his services appreciated - That he had often heard Capt Hugh Parks & others speak of his services in the Revolution, and that he was generally in Service, which opinion has always been general
That he deponent is 48 years old past
Sworn to and subscribed this 25th day of
March AD 1853
W. H. Neal, J.P.
Wm M Grier
Page 18

State of North Carolina}
Mecklenburg County}
I Braly Oates Clerk of the Court of
Pleas and Quarter Sessions held for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that W. H. Neal whose signatures appear to the foregoing papers is & was at
the dates thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and that full faith & credit should be given to his official acts as such.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed my seal of
Office at Charlotte this 19th day of
April 1853
B. Oates [illegible]
Page 19

North Carolina}
Mecklenburg County}
Before me personally
appeared Rebecca McDowel, a highly
credible Citizen of Mecklenburg County N.C.
aged aged Seventy two years past, who
being first duly Sworn according to law
Says, that she was intimately & personally
acquainted with Capt. Hugh Parks late
of Mecklenburg County deceased, & Family
Since her first recollection. That the said
Capt Hugh Parks was married to deponent 
Sister Mary Davis about the year one
thousand Seven hundred and eighty one
or two, that the Deponent was born
12th July 1780 and has a record of her own
age; that she is fully satisfied that she is
not more than two years older than their
oldest child Lacking D. Parks issue 
of the Marriage of the said Capt. Hugh Parks
and his wife Mary mother of the present
claimants - That the said Capt Hugh Parks
had the reputation of being an officer in
the Revolution and bore the title of Capt 
since deponents first recollection, and 
as Such was distinguished by the community in which he lived, and filled important
offices of trust, having represented the County
of Mecklenburg in the State Legislature
Sworn to and subscribed this 21st
day of June AD 1853
Rebeccah McDowel

Tho J Grier J.P.
I certify that the Record of the age of Deponent Rebecah Macdowel is before me and
that their age as stated in court 
Tho J. Grier JP
Page 20

[illegible seal or stamp, top right]
State of North Carolina}
Mecklenburg County}
I Jennings B Kerr
Clerk of the Superior Court of Law
of the County aforesaid do hereby certify
Thos J [or Y] Grier whose name appears
to the within Certificate is and was
at the time of the signing of the Same
an acting Justice of the Peace of
Said County and that full faith and
Credit are due & ought to be given
to his official acts as Such.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & affixed
the Seal of Said Court at office
this 21st June AD 1883
JB Kerr C.M.S.C.
[illegible seal]
Page 21

[illegible stamp or seal, top right]

State of North Carolina}
Mecklenburg County}
Be it know that on this 21st day of June AD. 1853 personally appeared  before the undersigned Clerk of the Superior
Court of Law for said County, Thomas
Y. [ or J] Grier a resident of said County and
after being duly sworn according to law
deposeth and saith that he was born
in December 1785 and was raised within four of five miles of Capt Hugh Parks that he went to school with said Parks Children, that he was about the same age or near the same age of the third child of said Parks two of his children being older than deponent.

Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year above written 
Tho Y [ or J] Grier
JB Kerr C.S.C &
Ex officio Commisssioner of Affidavits
Page 22

State of North Carolina
Comptroller's Office
I, George W. Brooks Comptroller of Public accounts in and for the State aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears of record in said Office among the payments made to sundry persons for Military services in the Revolutionary war as follows to wit
"Hugh Parks"
Indent No. 34, [Pound symbol] 52.8. D[pence]9 June 1st 1779
" [Indent] " [No.] 4897 [Pound symbol] 24 S[schilling]8 D8 paid to Hugh Parks Lieutenant July 14, 1781 Salisbury District
Indent No. 3776 [Pound symbol] 9 S15 Augt. [August] 20th, 1783
Book A Entry 2684 [Pound symbol] 13 S6 D4, 1781
" [Book] F No. 2 Page 70 [Pound symbol] 34 S10 1776
" [Book] G.G. " [Page] 43 [Pound symbol] 100 S0

"An account of provisions issued by
Robert Linn to the Delinquents of the five Months Militia ordered to the aid of South Carolina, and Georgia under the command of Lieutenant Col. Alexander Dobbin."

"To provisions furnished by Robert Linn
for the use of the five months Militia from N. Carolina under command of Brig. [Brigadier] Genl. [General]
Rutherford for Certificate No. 27, dated April 1st 1779 signed Hugh Parks I.C." (Issuing Commissary)

"I find in accompanying Book No. 28. A list of the money paid the North Carolina troops by
South Carolina in 1779 - Hugh Parks."
([illegible] Dollars). In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed
the seal of Office January 15 1855
Geo W Brooks
Comptr. [Comptroller]
[illegible seal]
Page 23


Rebekah [Rebecah, Rebecca or Rebbecca] D. McDowel  [or McDowell] was Born July 12th 1780 -- July twelfth
Seventeen Hundred and Eighty
I Tho J Grier do hereby certify that the above is a correct transcript from the Family Record of Rebecah [Rebekah, Rebecca or Rebbecca] D. McDowel [or McDowell]
now before me. The same who gave Evidence in the case of Mary Parks Widow of the Late Capt Hugh Parks 
Tho J Grier J.P.

State of North Carolina}
Mecklenburg County}
I W.K. Reid Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the County & State aforesaid  do hereby Certify that
Tho J Greir [Grier] whose Signature appears to the above Certificate is an
acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid
duly Confirmed and Sworn, and that full faith and credit are due, 
and ought to be given to all his official acts -- I further Certify
from my own personal knowledge that Rebbecca [ Rebecah, Rebecca or Rebekah]D McDowell [or McDowel], the above named with whom I have been well acquainted Since my first Recollection, is the age she is Represented to be in
the transcript above, and is a Lady of high standing --
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my name and affixed the Seal of said Court at
office this the 11th day of February
AD 1854
W. K Reid Clerk of
Mecklenburg County Court
Page 24

Hugh Parks dd. [died] 11 Jan 1830
Mary Parks dd. [died] 29 May 1839
-
Married 
-
Margaret Y. Watson 1-
Jno Parks 2-
Ann Kirkpatrick 3-
Parmelia McGuinnes 4-
Eliza McClarty 5-
-
Jno L. Watson Adm. [Administrator]
Page 25

Yorkville S.C.
7th Nov 1855,
Hon J Minot
Com [Commissioner] of Pensions

My ltr is in answer to yours of the
February last. I herewith inclose [enclose] supplemental declaration of Margaret Y. Watson claiming service for her father as issuing
Commissary There can be no possible
doubt of her fathers being the Issuing Commissary in South Carolina for 5 months
You will please [illegible] and report
this claim to me as soon as convenient
Very Respectfully Yours,
A. S. Wallace
Page 26

Washington City DC
22 of April 1855.

Hon L. P. Waldo

My Dr [ Dear] sr [sir],

In answer to yours
of the 18th April last I have to offer
the certificate of the Comptroller General of N.C. showing several payments
to Hugh Parks [illegible] is [illegible] my
Claiment, I was present when the examination was made
and in addition to
the service found
to his credit as
Lieutenant which
is the only grade
given him I found 319 [Pound symbol] paid him
for sevice in S.C. and Georgia as Issuing Commissary 
 which at $60 per
month covers about five month the
time specified
on the old books showing the service of the North Carolina
troops paid for sevice in the two
States refered to and I am fully satisfied that claiments Father was the
Identical man who rendered that
sevice from the persons who were
in service with him many of whom
were his neighbors in Steel Creek
Congregation Mecklenburg County NC
Page 27

The service as Issuing Commissary has
not been claimed. The service as
Lieutenant has I think been established
by tradition, and the records of N.C.
which has been shown to be the best
evidence now in existence, as his comrades in service are all dead, and we have shown there is no family register, or documentary evidence to prove the Marriage, the births, of the children or the service.  Mrs. McDowel [McDowell] has
submited to have a certified copy
of her age. The age and respectability of Mrs Margaret Watson the
declarant is certified by the Judge of
the Court of Ordinary, & in short we
think we are clearly entitled to a favorable consideration for all to the
Credit of Hugh Parks shown by
the books of the Comptroller General
of North Carolina.

With the highest esteem, I remain dear
sir, Your Very Humble servant
A.S. Wallace
Page 28

Washington April 7 '54

Dear Sir

Permit me to solicit your earliest
attention to the within papers, and beg you to
determine them during the week. Mr Wallace
a highly respectable gentleman of South Carolina has the matter in charge &  will remain
here but a few days.

[illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
W.W. Boyce

L.P. Waldo Esq
Page 29

Yorkville S.C.
20th May 1856,
Hon J Minot Comr of Pension,

Sir,

Enclosed find evidence to sustain the claim of Mary Parks, Widow of Hugh Parks of
Mecklenburg County, N.C. did,
in answer to yours of the 18th
April and subsequent which
you will Pleas [Please] examine and
report to me as soon as convenient. I hope the evidence will be satisfactory.
Most Truly Yours
A.S. Wallace
Page 30

A.S. Wallace,
Sept 6/53

[bleed through of ink throughout page]
Page 31

140
Pension Office
Sept. 6, 1853
Sir,
The identity of Mary Parks, [illegible] the Widow of the Hugh Parks, who as 
appears by the Certificate of the
Comptroller of N. Carolina was a Lieutenant in
the Militia of that State, is not established 
by the testimony addressed to retain the claim made on her right for benefit 
the Act of Jul 7, 1838,
NC as it shows to the satisfaction of this office, that she was married prior to 1794.  The
Witnesses who have alleged that he was an officer of the Revolution had no personal knowledge of her since, and base the testimony 
as a near neighbor belief, general separation and  [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] 
Whereas, if her [illegible] the said claim, was not as designated for
Page 32

his seal & the War of the Revolution
then on duty
[illegible] residents of 
Mecklenburg Co now living who had
that knowledge of his services will as, remove all doubt and fully stated [illegible].
Then stated also in some other of her affidavit the office of the Secretary of War at Raleigh, which states and filed in their office.  It is well to call your attention to the fact that then it is alleged  that Parks served as a Captain, [illegible] [illegible[ and under a [illegible] rank has [illegible] presented.  The only rank assigned to him 
and the belief of the Comptroller is that of Lieutentnat and that is affixed to a single item in the payments made to a person of his name.  It is very clear to my view that each of [illegible] [illegible] [illeiglbe[ [illegible] that all the  payments were made to the Hugh Parks or [illegible] of whom the [illegible] [illegible] [illegible]
Page 33

141
now not made to him for personal [illegible].
If there is no Family,  County or
Church Record of the alleged date of their marriage, the age of Mrs Parks eldest
child now living, should be certified by their 
Judge of the County Court which he resides.  Whose certificate must be based upon the testimony [illegible] [illegible] acceptable neighbor -- and others Rebecca [Rebekah, Rebbecca] McDowel [McDowell] should also submit a certified copy of the Record of her own with, which Record she states is not in existence.
Page 34

298
Pension Office
April 18 1854
Sir
The case of Mary
Parks decd [deceased] widow
of Hugh of S.C. -- Act July 7 1838 has
been again examined.

I am not satisfied that either the
service or the date of the Marriage
has been proved - A man of her
husbands' name did render some service 
but how long or in what capacity
has not been shown. This must be done
by the testimony of those who can show
that they were in a position to know.
The date of the Marriage Must be
shown by those who can show how
they are enabled to fix the time.
A.S. Wallace Esq
Yorkville
S.C.
Page 35

Pension Office
Nov 24 1855

Sir

The declaration of the daughter of Mary Parks decd [deceased]
Widow of Hugh of So Ca Amended so as to include Service as Issuing Commissary. Discovered upon the
books of the North Carolina Comptroller since the
filing of her first application, and of which it is presumed she was ignorant, when her claim was presented, has been received and filed.
You were informed on the 17th Feby [February] last, as well as in the letters before written that the
claim was not made out in any particular; and it is clear that the new phrase
which it has been made to assume does
strengthen it
A.S. Wallace
Yorkville
So Ca
[1838 is written next to last paragraph]
Page 36

Pension Office
Dec 27, 1856

Sir
The additional being filed by you in support of the claim of Mary Parks, who is the widow of Hugh add no weight to that previously submitted. The objections to which have been so fully stated, and, especially in the letter of the office
of the 6th of Sept. 1853
A.S. Wallace Esq
Yorkville
S.C.
Page 37

Yorkville S.C
28th June 1853

Hon L. P. Waldo
S
I herewith inclose the claim of Mary Parks late of Mecklenburg County N.C. Decd [Deceased] Widow of
Capt Hugh Parks of the same County
for a pension under act of 7th July
1838. - The declaration was made
by her Daughter Mrs Margaret Watson
of this District for the benefit of herself
and the surviving heirs or living Children of the said Mary Parks 
The Family have as yet found no record of the marriage their private Family register last or in the western county the records in the Clerks office in that County does not show the time of
the Marriage as the Marriage bond has not yet been found,The Marriage is sustained by
the evidence of Mrs Rebecca McDowel
& Col Thomas J. Grier as well as the
service. Mrs Susanna Greer Wm
Greer and and Joseph Taggert also
prove the service. Mrs Greer saw him
Page 38

the said Hugh Parks in service. Col
Wm Greer & Joseph Tagert were raised
near Capt Hugh Parks, and were the
sons of officers in the revolution and
have right to know what they say
The record evidence from N.C. sustains the claim for 18 months or two years service which I hope
will be highly satisfactory.-- Pleas [Please] examine this claim as soon as convenient and report to me at
Yorkville 
Very Respectfuly yours
A. S. Wallace
Page 39

State of North Carolina
Mecklenberg County
Be it known that on this 20th day of April A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me Joseph
C. Nickelson one of the Justices of the
Peace in and for the County and State
aforesaid Joseph Tagert of Macklenberg
County aged 60 years who after being
duly sworn according the law deposeth
and saith, that he was born and raised
within two miles of old Capt Hugh Parks
and was well acquainted with him from
his (deponents) earliest recollection, until
the death of Capt Parker, Deponent
knows that Hugh Parks was always
reported and believe in the neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and he was so recognized by his fellow soldier with whom this deponent has often heard (him) talk
that Hugh Parks was from deponents first recollection of him called
Captain - That deponents Father
James Tagert always recognized said
Hugh Parks a Revolutionary soldier-
Deponent further knows the fact to be
that the aforesaid Capt Hugh Parks was a
member of the North Carolina Legislature
and was for many years a ruling elder
of the Presbyterian Church at Steel Creek,
a man of high respectability and worth
in this County and respected by every
person who knew him
Sworn to and sub-
Page 40

scribed the day and year written before me
J C Nicholson JP (illegible)
I the said Magistrate do hereby certify
that Joseph Tagert who has sworn to
and subscribed the above affidavit is
highly credible witness and to his
statements full faith and credit
is due.-
Given under my hand and
seal this 20th day of April A.D. 1853
J C Nicholson JP (illegible)

State of North Carolina
Mecklenburg County

I Braly Oates Clerk of the
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Joseph C. Nicholson before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, who at the date thereof and is now an acting Justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned & sworn, and
the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 4th day of May AD. 1853
B. Oates Clerk of
Mecklenburg Co Court
Page 41

State of N. Carolina
Mecklenburg County
I William Davidson Do hereby certify that was well acquainted with Capt Hugh Parks of said County upwards of fifty years ago, he was a highly respectable and usefull Citizen, was a soldier of the Revolution as always understood, attended our 4th of July celebration
among the soldiers with the 76 Badge, I also remember to have seen him in the funeral procession on the death of Gen Washington, the Rev James Wallis (illegible) and the funeral Oration, Capt Parks was Then a man of large family. a wife & Son & Daughter
His oldest son, I do not know whether he was his
Oldest Child was educated for the ministry
was qualified took orders & Located as a
Preacher of the Gospel near Charleston SC where
he died if he was now living he would I
should think be near my own age of Seventy
five years
Given under my hand
This 15 of February
1854
W Davidson
Page 42

State of North Carolina
Mecklenburg County

I W. K. Reid Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the County &
State aforesaid do hereby certify that William Davidson is an old and respectable citizen of the Town of Charlotte in the County aforesaid, and that his statements are entitled to full credit, and that the foregoing Certificate and signature thereto, is in his own proper hand writing

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
name and affixed the Seal of said Court at
office this the 15th day of February AD 1854
W. K. Reid Clerk of
Mecklenburg County Court
Page 43

State of North Carolina
Mecklenburg County
I W.K. Reid Clerk of the Court
of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the County and State aforesaid, Certify that I have made diligent search in my office for the Marriage Bond of Capt Hugh Park with his wife Mary Davis, and it cannot be found
there is not a great many marriage bonds on file in my office prior to 1783

I Witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 14th day of February A D 1854
W. K. Reid Clerk of
Mecklenburg County Court
Page 44

State of North Carolina
Mecklenburg County
Personally appeared before me Geo C Cathy an acting Justice of the peace authorized by law to administer oaths in & for said County of Mecklenburg
Lewis Roddon who declare that he is about Eighty Two Years old that he moved into this County when he was 12 years old and that he knew Capt Hugh Parks ever since Lewis Roddon come into the County until said Capt. Hugh Parks
and that he lived with Capt Hugh Parks about six years and has frequently heard the said Parks & other Revolutionary soldiers talk about the war of the Revolution said Soldiers were (illegible) Allen Herron. John Porter, John Stinson & others and he Lewis Roddon distinctly declare that the
Soldier above named always spoke of the
said Hugh Parks as an officer in the war
A Parks & the others spoke of the Battle of
Hanging Rock & other Battles, they were
in and of the company they call Bear Creek & understood that the said Hugh Parks was an officer in it of what grade I cannot recollect 
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 18th day of February 1856
of
G.C. Cathy JP

Lewis Rodden X mark
Page 45

State of North Carolina
Mecklenburg County
J. W. R. Reid Clerk of of the Court of Pleas and
Quarter Sessions held for said County, do certify that J. C. Nicholson, and G. C. Cathey, before whom the foregoing Testimony was taken, is and was at the date thereof, acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Mecklenburg aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signatures purporting to be theirs is genuine.
I further certify that Lewis Rodden
and S. B Hill are highly respectable citizens
of said County. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto Set my name, and affixed the Seal of said Court at Office in Charlette this the 9th day of May AD 1856

W.K. Reid Clerk
of Mecklenburg County Court
(a Mecklenburg County N.C. seal is laid atop the document)
Page 46

State of North Carolina
Mecklenburg County
Ⓧ
Personally appeared before me Jos C Nicholson an acting Justice of the peace in & for the
County of Mecklenburg State of North Carolina Samuel B Hill a highly respectable citizen of said County aged about 58 years who after being duly
sworn according to Law Declareth as follows. That he was well acquainted from his childhood with Captain Hugh Parks of this County and has often heard said Parks speak of his revolutionary 
services in the war of the Revolution and was once with said Parks on the battle ground of the Hanging Rock in South Carolina said Parks
shewed him the place where Capt Read was killed and where the different army occupied these ground and showed him where he Parks was in the engagement said Capt Hugh Parks also told him of other campaigns he was in he
stated he was at Briar Creek and understood from him he was an officer in that expedition H B Hill declare that he always understood from the
old Revolutionary men that Hugh Parks was an officer of what grade he cannot now tell and he Parks being an officer of undoubted patriotism
his character as an officer he never
Page 47

heard doubted Park was a member of the Legislature at one time was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and deed respected by all who knew him sworn to & subscribed before 
me this 23th day of April 1856
JP Jos C Nicholson JP
S.B. Hill

I Jos C Nicholson Certify that I have known S. B. Hill from my infancy that a highly credible Citizen of our county & that he as well as myself
have no interest in the foregoing claim
of Capt Hugh Parks, In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 23th day of April 1856

Jos C Nicholson JP
Page 48

State of North Carolina
Mecklenburg County
Personally appeared before me James Porter a highly creditable Citizen of the above County
aged Seventy seven years on the 31st day of March next who being first sworn according to law on oath says that he has been Personally & intimately acquainted with Captain Hugh Parks since I was a boy of Twelve or Thirteen years
of age & at that time he & his wife Mary Parks were living together as man & wife & that
had children when I first knew them and I believe there oldest son Lacan Parks (who was a Preacher
in the Presbyterian church), was some six
or seven years younger than myself that the said Hugh Parks lived about four miles from my Fathers & worshiped in the same church with my
Fathers family & the said Hugh was a Ruling Elder in Presbyterian church known as Steel Creek & was at one time a number to the
Legislature of North Carolina
Page 49

and deponent saith further that the
said Hugh Parks was reputed & believed to be an officer in the Revolution & bore the title of Captain in which rank I understood he served in the war of the Revolution, which opinion was
general & I never heard doubted & I will recollect the sword, that I was told he carried when he was in the army & that at a General Muster some years after the war said Parks broke said sword on a man name James Clark who was behaving in a disorderly manner which I distinctly recollect as I was on the ground when it happened. I was intimately acquainted with Margaret Y Watson (who was a daughter of said Hugh & Mary
Parks), who is now the declarant in this case & know her to be a highly respectable lady
Sworn to & subscribed before me This the 13th day of February 1854
Alex Cooper JP
James Porter
I, Alexander Cooper one of the Justice of the Peace for the County of Mecklenburg do here
by Certify that I am well acquainted with
James Porter the above deponent who is a
highly credible citizen of
Page 50

This County who he is of the age he
represents himself to be & I further certify
that he & myself are neither of us interested in the Issue of this matter
Alex Cooper
February 13th 1854

State of North Carolina
Mecklenburg County ⎬ I W.K. Reid Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Alexander Cooper whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavit is and was at the date of the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine - I further certify that James Porter is a highly respectable citizen
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court, at office this 28th day of
Febry A.D. 1854
the
W. Reid C.C.C.

State of North Carolina
Mecklenburg County ⎬ I F.M Ross Chairman of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that ┃
W.K. Reid, whose signature appears to the foregoing Certificate is and was at the time of making the same, Clerk of our Court of Pleas and
Quarter Sessions for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his is given, and that full faith and credit an due and
ought to be given to all his official act as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed my private seal having no seal of Office this 28th day of
F M. Ross Chair
February AD 1854
Page 51

[Illegible -- too dark]
Page 52

6965
Mary Parks (illegible)
Widow of Hugh S. GA

A.S.  Wallace Sep 6 185?
(Most of the remaining text on the page has been crossed out making it difficult to read. It appears to be a list of names and dates)
Page 53

1907 May 27. Hist to Mr John A Kirkpatrick
J. S. C. per Aw, 1940 - April 16 (illegible) to Mrs Helen Ramspeck Thomas only


Acts of July 15, 1862, and March 3, 1873 (crossed out)
7967
Mary Parks                          REJECTED
Service: __________
Enlisted: ____________, 18
Discharged: _________, 18
Application filed: ___________, 18
Alleges: ________________________
Re-enlisted: _____________________
Attorney: _______________________
P. O. ______________________
Recognized.

Contract.
Page 54

[Stamp that reads: O. W. & N. DIV. May 14, 1907 FILES at top of page]

Jno. A. Kirkpatrick
Attorney at Law
No. 12  1/2 South Perry St.
Montgomery, Ala.

May [date illegible] 1937
Hugh Parks Revolutionary Soldier

[Most of this page is illegible; typewritten but scanned copy is very faded.]
Jno. A. Kirkpatrick

The widow, Mary Davis Parks, spend some time in York District  S.C. after her husbands death , hence, if she received a pension,  [The rest of the page is missing.]
Page 55

Memorandum


Hugh Park  Revolutionary Soldier.
Captain of Company from Mecklenburg Co. N.C.
Regiment   Brigade
Participated in battle of Kings Mountain
Born in 1754. Died in 1830.
Married Mary Davis, of Mecklenburg Co. N.C.
Please ascertain if your record shows pension to him, or to his widow, or grant of land to him from Government for military services. If so cost of certificate from you to that effect.
His widow, Mary Davis Parks, spent some time in she received a pension, she may appear in your resident of that place.
Your record does show that a pension was granted to a Hugh Parks of Orange County, N.C. whose wife was Elizabeth (illegible) and who at the time of his death, was a resident of Scott
County, Ind. 
This last one one is not  Hugh Parks, whose record I would like to have. 

Jno. A Kirkpatrick
12 1/2 South Perry St.,
Montgomery, Ala.

Two stamps bottom of page
O. W. & N. Div. Files
May 14, 1907

U.S. Pension Office
May 13, 1907
Page 56

J. S. Chamberlin
May 27, 1907.

Mr. John A. Kirkpatrick,
12 South Perry St.,
Montgomery, Ala.

Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 11th instant and received on the 13th, you are advised that from the papers in claim,, R. File #7967, it appears that in York district, South Carolina, on April 28, 1853, Margaret Y. Watson, aged sixty-three years, made application for pension in behalf of the
children of Hugh Parks.
She stated that her father, Hugh Parks, of Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, served in the Snow Campaign in 1775, under Colonel Rutherford, in North Carolina militia; in 1779,
five months as Issuing Commissary under General Rutherford: in 1780 served as a Lieutenant in Captain Read's company and
was in the battle of Hanging Rook where said Captain was killed; that he was a Captain under Colonels Irwin, Dobbins and others (not mentioned and served until the end of the
war.
It is further alleged that soldier married in 1782 Mary Davis. He died in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, July 11, 1830; his widow died in York district, South Carolina.
Page 57

2

Mr. John A. Kirkpatrick,
---
May 29, 1839 and was buried in Steel Creek Church, Mecklenburg, North Carolina. Their oldes child was Lacking D. Parks, minister of the Presbyterian church.
Only children surviving in 1853 were: Ann Kirkpatrick, Margaret Y. Watson, Amelia (or Parmelia) McGinnis, John Parks, William N. Parks and Rebecca A. (or Eliza McClarty,
This claim was not allowed, satisfactory proof of soldier's service and marriage were never furnished.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 58

Send to -

Mrs. Helen Ramspeck. Thomas -
749 Belvidere Ave -
Plainfield New Jersey

Also Carbon copy
Personal request for Rev. War record
of Hugh Parks - widow Mary
R. 7967 - April 12-1940