Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 5892, for William Kerr, North Carolina
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“[typed form, with handwritten responses]”

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
CONTENTS
Kerr, William
NUMBER
R 5892
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32.891
William Kerr
Indiana
5892
D. G. Major
Lawrenceburg,
Indiana
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As State of Indiana Dearborn County}

On this twenty first day of February A.D. 1835 personally appeared before me John Livingston of the probate court of county William Kern a resident of Laughery Township in the county of Dearborn and State of Indiana aged seventy nine on the 2nd day of June next, who being first duly Sworn according to law oath of his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress paper 7th June 1832- That He entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as here stated, that he entered the regular army in the North Carolina State troops as a substitute for his brother David Kerr the year and month he cannot at this time recollect. That he entered the Regiment commanded by Col. Alexander Martin & Maj. Anthony Sharp and Company commanded by Capt. Patrick McGibbon And Lieu. William Dent, that
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he was also acquainted with one Capt. John Nelson who belonged to the same Regiment that the Served in the Said Company as a Substitute as aforesaid the full period of eighteen months that he entered said Service in Said Company at Guilford Courthouse was marched from there into the State of Virginia and from there into South Carolina to Charleston and was also charged in S. Carolina as he thinks on the Roll- That he was in no battles or skirmishes during said service of 18 months, and had a regular discharge which he has lost. That at the time he entered the Service as aforesaid he resided in Guilford County N.C.

That a short time after he returned from 18 months tour- he volunteered against the Torries but the year and month he cannot recollect, that he was in a Volunteer Company Commanded by Capt. Arthur Forbes Lieu. William Wiley and Ensign William Gilmore, that his company with several other Volunteer Companies met in Anson County N.C. and was Commanded by Col James Martin- And as he thinks Major John
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Nelson, that he volunteered for a tour of
3 months, but did not serve the whole time
was out six weeks at least, and perhaps
8 weeks-- that he was marched from his place
of rendezvous in Anson Co. into South Carolina
was in no battle was acquainted with no
regular Officers this tour was marched back
the
North Carolina where he was discharged regu
larly but has lost his certificate of Discharge
And that he was discharged in Guilford County 
N.C. but the year and month he cannot recollect
that the next fall after his last mentioned
tour, but the year & month he can not recollect
at he was drafted in the N. C. Militia for
5 months at Guilford Courthouse that he was
Commanded
been Gen. Griffith Rutherford
Col. John Paisley Capt Arthur Forbes Lieu
Wm Wiley and Ensign William Gilmore
that he was marched from Guilford to Charles
on S.C. from there to Augusta on the Savanah,
where he remained until his time was
expired when he returned to Salisbury
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Roberson County North Carolina where he was discharged by Gen. Rutherford but has lost his certificate. That he was in no battles, was acquainted with no regular officers, and served the full period of 3 months but cannot recollect the time when he was discharged- That a short time after his last mentioned discharge he turned out as a Volunteer during the War of the Revolution, over met at Salisbury aforesaid the day and year he cannot state- was Sergeant in a company of horse commanded by Capt. John Gallasby Lieu. Daniel Gallasby-Major White, Col. M. R. Davey And Gen Davidson That he was marched into S.C. was in a skirmish in the edge of S.C. with the Tories in Wahals line where they took 90 horses and 80 prisoners from the Tories when the British army appeared in night before they left the ground- Shortly after which skirmish he was marched back to Guilford that he served on this tour in the capacity of
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Sargent 3 months
That in a very short time after his return from the above tour he was again called out, served in the same Company when Capt. Gallasby was made Col. Lieu. Gallasby was made Capt. George Parks Liew. and he was made Cornet, left Guilford Court House, went to Salisbury, thence to Mecklenburg Co. thence to Camden thence to Charlotte Courthouse where they joined the regular army as near as he can at this time recollect under Gen. Morgan- that during this tour he was in the battle at Guilford Courthouse, was acquainted with Gen. Green of the regular army, that Gen. Davidson was killed at shallow ford of the Yadkin River, where he fell under the commanded of Col. Washington, that he was in the battle of Cowpens, and Eutaw Springs, that he was in a skirmish with the British at Charlotte, where Col. Davey Was his Commander- That after the battle
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of Guilford he marched under Gen. Green into Virginia, and was at the surrender of Cornwallis, though not in the battle, that after the Surrender of Cornwallis he was marched back to North Carolina and discharged, but cannot recollect the name of the Gen. who gave him his discharge. That during this last tour he Served as volunteer in the capacity of Cornet for the period of six months. That at this time he cannot recollect any of the periods when he entered or left the Service, nor has he any documentary evidence of his Service, that he resided in Guilford Co. N.C. during all the time he was in Service, and lived there until 1816, when he removed to Dearborn County and State of Indiana where he has since lived. That he was born in the year 1756, that he has a record of his age now in his possession- that he had a commission when he was cornet which was signed by the then Governor of North Carolina
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Which has since been destroyed or lost, that he is acquainted with Davis
Weaver William Glenn, Robert Moore
Jacob Harwood & others of his present neighborhood who are acquainted with his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a Soldier of the Revolution- He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension in annuity except for the present one and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State- Agency of any State-

William Kerr [his mark]

Swore to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid

We [names crossed out] Alva Churchill- Laughery Township- a clergyman residing in Dearborn County State of Indiana, and Davis Weaver residing in the same herby certify that we are well acquainted with William Kerr who has Subscribed & Sworn to the above Declaration, that we believe him to be near seventy nine years of age, that he is repu
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ted and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier for the Revolution and that we concur in that Opinion.

Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid,

Alvah Churchill [his marks]

And the said Court do hereby declare there- opinion after the investigation of the matter and after vetting the interrogatories prescribe by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he States. And the Court further certifies that he has examined the record of his age contained in an ancient bible and has no doubt of its authenticity, also that applicant appears from bodily infirmity unable to attend Court. And the Court further certifies  that it appears to him that Alva Churchill who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Laughery Township and that Davis Weaver who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Township and is a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

John Livingston @ [his marks]
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I James Dill Clerk of the Probate Court of Dearborn County Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the judge of the said court in the matter of the appli-cation of William Kerr for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 21st day day of February 1835
James Dill Clk
B.C.C.C
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State of Indiana Dearborn County}

Before me Daniel G. Major Notary Public duly qualified and commissioned personally came David Kerr who being duly Sworn deposes and denys that he a short time since called ufor his father who is now applying for a pension to wit Willian Kerr to take him to court to make his declaration, but that he was unable from bodily infirmity to bear the fatigue of going, and further deponent saith not 
David Kerr

Sworn to and Subscribed before me the [illegible] In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my Notarial seal this 21st day of February 1855 

Daniel G. Major
Notary Public
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“[typed form]”

February 20, 1939
BA--J/AWF
William Kerr
Jennie W. Hart
R. 5892
101 S. E. 7th
Washington, Indiana
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which
you request the Revolutionary War record of
William Kerr of Guilford County, North Carolina,
pension claim, R. 5893.
The record of William Kerr is furnished
herein, as found in papers on file in claim for
pension, R. 5892, based upon his service in the
Revolutionary War.
William Kerr was born June 2, 1756, place
not - shown, nor are the names of his parents given.
William Kerr resided in Guilford County
North Carolina, until sometime in 1816, when he
moved to Dearborn County, Indiana.
while a resident of said Dearborn County,
William Kerr applied for pension, February 21
1835, and alleged that while residing in Guilford
County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served as
a substitute for his brother, David Kerr, eighteen
months in Captain Patrick McGibbony's company, Coll-
nel Alexander Martin's North Carolina regiment; that
soon after his discharge from this service, he
enlisted and served six weeks in Captain Arthur
Forbes' company Colonel James Martin's North Caro-
lina regiment; that he served three or four months
under same captain in Colonel John Paisley's North
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“[typed form]”

Carolina regiment; that a short time afterward, he
volunteered and served as sergeant in Captain John 
Gallasby's company, Colonel William R. Davey's North
Carolina regiment; was commissioned cornet and served
in Captain Daniel Gallasby's company, Colonel John
Gallasby's North Carolina regiment; that he was in a 
skirmish with some Tories in South Carolina, where
eighty prisoners and ninety horses were captured by
the Americans, in battles of Cowpens, Guilford Court
House, Eutaw Springs, and at the surrender of Corn-wallis. 
No dates were given for any of the above service.
The claim for pension was not allowed as
proof of service of six months was not furnished as required by the pension law-
David Kerr, son of the soldier, William Kerr,
made affidavit in 1835, in, Dearborn County, Indiana.
The papers on file in this claim contain no
further discernible date in regard to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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A Reps
April 11- 1838

Sir,

William Kerr claiming a pension as a Revolutionary Soldier writes me that he served ten years agoA Reps
April 11- 1838

Sir,

William Kerr claiming a pension as a Revolutionary Soldier writes me that he served ten years ago fowarded his application for a pension papers to your department & has heard nothing from you on the subject.
Will you please favor me with such information in the future as may be in your power. His papers were sent from Indiana.

Resp yours

GH Dunn his application for a pension papers to your department & has heard nothing from you on the subject. 
Will you please favor me with such information in the future as may be in your power. His papers were sent from Indiana.

Resp yours

GH Dunn
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D. Weaver
July 28, 1836

Record Vol 41, P39
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War Sept Pen office
July 28th, 1836

Sir
In answer to your letter
respecting the case of
William Kerr
I have to inform you that his claim
was examined on the 30th March 1835 and
a letter of that date, a copy of which is enclosed, shows the objectives to 
the admission of the claim was written 
to G.D. Major Esq. at Greensburg.

C

Davis Weaver Esq
Wilmington
Indiana,
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D.G. Major
March 30, 1855
OC 

Record Vol. 26 p. 471
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War Sept, Pen Office
March 30, 1835

Sir,

The declaration of William
Kerr has been ex and filed with
suspended cases in this office. His
name is not found on the rolls of the North 
those who belonged to the North Carolina
line and as said rolls are considered 
complete, the absence of his name renders his 
[crossed out] claim very doubtful not only for the served 
alleged in said line, but also for 
the other services alleged to have been performed [crossed out] as a militia man his claim for 
militia served is also doubtful in as much as his statement 
agree with the facts as they recurred. Unless the most 
satisfactory proof be exhibited of the applicants 
service, his claim cannot be allowed.

cr

G.D. Major Esq.

Lawrenceburg,
Indiana.
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State of North Carolina
Secretary of States office

I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the
State aforesaid do certify, that the name of
William Kerr is not to be found on the mus-
terrolls of the Continental line of this State in
the revolutionary war, or any other document
affording evidence of service in said line,
neither is the name of David Kerr found
on any such document.

Given under my
hand this 24th day of
March 1835
W. Hill
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[illegible] Mar 4

War Department Pension claim}

Pension Office 
Washington City
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Lawrenceburg July 21st 1855

Sir

Herewith transmitted is the declaration
the William Kerr for a pension. Will you be 
kind enough to inform me whether John Barkleys Jaspers, 
an invalid applicant from this place, ever reached the department & if so 
what deposition has been made of them. I forwarded them more then 5 months since, have though falsibly they might of been lost- Also let me hear relative to Col. James Fulton, I suspect public duties do not afford him time to attend to any further information that he might volunteer any other information that should be volunteered in there claims will be thoroughly attended to, by letting me know. Should their pensions be allowed please direct the certificate to me. Immediate information on the above that will be thoroughly rec.  
I have the honor to be yours very respectfully

Daniel G. Major

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pensions
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Wash.

June 14th 1838

Sir

May I request that you will furnish me with copies of the papers relating to the claim for a pension made by William Kerr. 

Respy Yours,

G.H. Dunn
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William Kerr
Suspended 
see letter 30 March
1835. D.G. Major
let 28 July 63 Davis Weaver,
let: 13 April 1838 +
Hon. G.H. Dunn
+ not on file - Ew.
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“[typed form, with handwritten responses]”

1921 Nov, 19- list to Mrs.
Gertrude Bussell. En Stamp rel.-
1936- Mar 12. List to
Mrs. Vera R. Tranter Eh
1939- Feb. 20 list to Jennie W. Hart all

Rejected
5892
P.O. William Kerr
Service: Inda
Enlisted:
, 18
Discharged:
, 18
Application Filed:
Alleges:
The printed list of 1852
gives cause of 
Reenlisted: 
rejections as 
'For further proof"
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.
Contract.
Cert. of Dis.
Searched for
,18
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“[typed form]”

Alexander Hamilton Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution
Franklin, Indiana 
December 18,1936.

Commissioner
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Do you have any record of pension claims or any information of Revolutionary War service for William Kerr and John McClintick (McClintock), both men died early in Johnson County and were of the right age for service in the War for Independence. This information will be greatly appreciated. 

Yours very truly,
Mrs. Vera R. Tranter
Chairman of Rev. War Soldiers graves.
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“[typed form]”

Alexander Hamilton Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution
Franklin. Indiana
February 29, 1936.

Commissioner
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Sometime ago I wrote your office asking for information
relative to two men, William Kerr and John McClintick (or McClintock)
who might have had service in the war of the Revolution.

These men died early in this, Johnson County, and were
old enough for service in this war.
I am chairman of Revolutionary War soldiers graves for
the D.A.R. of this county and I would appreciate any information
you can give me.

Yours truly,

[her signature] Mrs. Vera R. Tranter
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Veterans Administration Bldg
Washington D.C.
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Veterans Adm. Bldg. Commissioner of Pensions
will you please send me the Military Record 
of William Kerr near Guilford Court House 
N. Carolina served as Cavalry Man in Battle of Cowpens
applied for pension 5892R. is buried in Dearborn Co. & has 
a military marker
thanks for his record.  
Registrar White River Chapter D.A.R.

Jennie W Hart
101 & E 7th Washington Indiana
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"[stamp]"
(RECORD DIVISION NOV 1, 1921)
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2 Ct. Stamp , Wt.
Greensburg Indiana 
Oct 29,1921

Rev Sec
Pension Dept: 

Sir,

Would you kindly inform me if William Kerr a
Revolutionary Soldier drew a pension or not?

He enlisted in North Carolina 
in the vicinity of Greensboro N.C. He was
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Born June 2nd 1756. Was married in 1784 W- Elizabeth Aiken She died in N.C. in 1815. Wm Kerr with his family moved to Dearborn Co. Ind. In 1816. He died Jan 1st 1843. He is buried Dearborn Co. Ind. Hoping to receive an answer soonI am yours truly 

Mrs. Gertrude Bussell 
124 W. North St.
Greensburg Indiana
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“[typed form]”

March 12, 1936
BA-J/EEL

Mrs. Vera R. Tranter
William Kerr-R.5892
Franklin
Indiana

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letters in which you request the records of William Kerr and John McClintick (McClintock), soldiers of the Revolutionary War who died in Johnson County, Indiana. There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of a John Mc-Clintick or similar spelling, who applied for pension while resid-ing in the state of Indiana. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office. The record of William Kerr is furnished herein. the data for which were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim,  R.5892, based upon the service of that soldier in said war. His record is that of the only soldier of that name or similar spelling. who applied for pension while residing in the state of Indiana. William Kerr was born June 2, 1756. The place of his birth and the of his parents are not shown.He resided in Guilford County, North Carolina, until 1816, when he moved to Dearborn County, Indiana. On February 21. 1835, while residing in said Dearborn County,William Kerr applied for pension and alleged that while residing in Guilford County. North Carolina, he enlisted and served as a substitute for his brother, David, for eighteen months in Captain Patrick McGibbony's Company, Colonel Alexander Martin's North Car-olina Regiment; that soon after hie discharge from this service, he enlisted and served for six weeks in Captain Arthur Forbes' Company. Colonel James Martin's North Carolina Regiment: and that he served for three or four months under same captain in Colonel John Paislèy's North Carolina Regiment: that a short time afterward,
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“[typed form]”

he volunteered and served as sergeant in Captain John Gallasby's
Company, Colonel William R. Davey's North Carolina Regiment; was
commissioned cornet and served in Captain Daniel Gallasby's Com-
pany, Colonel John Gallasby's this former captain) North Carolina
Regiment. He stated that he was in a skirmish with some Tories
in South Carolina, where eighty prisoners and ninety horses were
captured by the Americans and was in the battle of the Cowpens.
Guilford Court House and Eutaw Springs and at the surrender of
Cornwallis. No dates were given for any of the above service.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of ser-
vice of six months as was required by the pension laws.
In 1835, soldier's son David, made affidavit in Dearborn County,
Indiana. The name of soldier's wife is not shown nor do the names
of any other children appear.
Very truly yours

G. H. SWEET
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
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“[typed form]”

Rev. War Section.
November 19, 1921.

Mrs. Gertrude Bussell 
[illegible] North Street
Greensburg, Indiana 

Madam:- .

In response to your letter dated October 29, 1931,
you are advised that from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim Rejected No. 3892, it appears that William
Kerr war born June 3. 1758, and at the time of the Revolution
was living in Guilford County, North Carolina. He alleged that
he entered the service at Guilford Court House, as a substitute
for his brother David, and served 18 months in Captain Patrick
McGibbony's Company, Colonel Alexander Martin's North Carolina
Regiment; that soon after he served for 6 weeks under Captain
Arthur Forbes and Colonel James Martin; that the next Fall he
was drafted in the North Carolina Militia and served three or
five months under Captain Arthur Forbes and Colonel John Paise-
ly; that a short time after he volunteered for during the war
as Sergeant, and served in a Company of Horse under Captain
John Gallasby and Colonel Gallasby; that he was in the battles
of Guilford, Cowpens, and Eutaw Springs and at the surrender
of Cornwallis. No dates are given for any of his services.
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“[typed form]”

# 2. R. F. No. 3892.

On February 21, 1835 he applied for pension, while a resident
of Dearborn County, Indiana, but his claim was not allowed as
he failed to give satisfactory proof of his service as require
ed by the pension laws.

A son David was in Dearborn County, Indiana, in 1835.
man of soldier's wife not stated, nor any further family data.
Very respectfully,

Commissioner.
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May 2, 1838
O.C. 
[illegible]
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War Dept.
Pension Office
July 2, 1838

Sir
agreeably to your request I enclose here with, certified copies-
MM papers in the files of this office in the case of William Kerr.

Hon. G.H. Dunn
[his marks]
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State of Indiana Dearborn County}

Before me Daniel I. Major Notary Public by law duly qualified and commissioned personally came William Knight of lawful age who being duly sworn deposes and says that he is now a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States- That he was personally acquainted with William Kerr who is now applying for a pension before he entered the services of the United States, That he was also personally acquainted with him in the Revolutionary War, that he saw him while in the Army at Hills borough Orange Co. North Carolina, also at Charlotte, also at Salisbury- that he was with him under Gen. Green in marching from N.C. to Virginia
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before the Surrender of Cornwallis
that he also saw him after the surrender
on his return home that he
has a perfect knowledge
of him
and his service, cannot state the length
of time he was in the army but some
thing more them one year he knows of
his being in the service

William Knight

Be it known that on this day
before me came the aforesaid William
Right who subscribed and swore
to the
foregoing affidavit
testimony whereof I have 
[illegible]my hand and affixed
my Notarial seal this twenty
first day of February 1855

Daniel G. Major
Notary Public