Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10971, for James Lafoy, North Carolina
Page 1

[typed form with handwritten responses]
(3 –1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
N.C. Lafoy, James S.10971
Carded
CONTENTS
[left blank]

[stamp affixed bottom right]
This Envelops Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
Page 2

[typed form with handwritten responses]
Alabama 30830
James Lafoy –
Washington in the State of Alabama
was a pri [private] Inf [infantry] & cav [cavalry] [illegible] in the co commanded
by Captain Good [Goode] of the [illegible] commanded
see minutes SC militia in the
{8 mos [months] priv [private] inf [infantry] – 
4 “ “  cav [cavalry]
3 “  Trumpeter
Subscribed on the Roll of Mobile Ala. [Alabama]
A rate of 58 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
[illegible] $25 per anm [annum] 
Certificate of Pension ifsued [issued] the 22 day of [illegible]
39 and sent to Hon 
S. Lyons, Demopolis, Ala [Alabama]
Arrears to the 4th day of Mar 1839 $466.6
Semi=anl [semiannual] allowance ending 4 Sep [September] 39 29.16
Deducting from pay to $495.80 
[stamp affixed lower center] 
The National Archives of the United States
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by DM Curdy Clerk;
Book E2 Vol. 8, Page 10 –
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed
June 7th 1832. 
State of Alabama County of Washington } County Court of said County
Term 1833. 

On this twenty sixth day of May 
in the year Eighteen Hundred & twenty three personally appeared 
in open Court, before the Honourable Josiah D Lister 
Judge of the County Court of Washington County Alabama, now
sitting James Lafoy of the said County of Washington 
aged Seventy five years, who being first duly sworn accer
ding [according] to law, doth on his oath make the following 
declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act 
of Congress passed 7 June 1832. That he entered the 
service of the United States in Surry County North Carolina 
under the following named officers. He entered a 
Company as a private soldier commanded by Richard 
Goode, Captain Joseph Winston was Major. He had 
chafsed [chased] about the beginning of the war, was in an expedi
tion [expedition] against the Cherokee Indians and was under the 
Command of General Christie from Virginia. This applicant 
served three months in the expedition. He does not 
remember the time when he entered the service. He lived in 
Surry County in North Carolina when he was drafted 
and therefore stated – went from Surry County to the 
Tennesse [Tennessee] River about the Mouth of Nickajack Creek 
and found some Indian Towns. Two or three years 
after this period and as this applicant believes only in 
December in the year 1777 if being understood that the 
British were about to land at Charleston, this applicant took 
the place of one Hutchins as a substitute who was drafted for 
five months, and served as a drumer [drummer], and had under 
Captain Peter Pickney, Richard Goode, his former Captain 
now Major. Lock was Colonel of the Regiment to which
he belonged. This applicant went with his Regiment 
to South Carolina and afterwards to the neighbourhood of 
Savannah River, was under General Lincoln, served there
five months and then one month in addition under the
orders of General Lincoln, because the reinforcements did
not arrive. In the Autumn after Year 1778 this 
applicant joined a Company of twelve months Cavalry
Volunteers raised by Captain William Sheppard in Surry 
County North Carolina, and served as a Trumpeter
Page 4

ranking as a private soldier. He was employed fer [for] the 
space of twelve months against the Tories – after 
the expiration of the twelve months the most of the Company
determined to continue in the service and elected Joseph
Phillips Captain was in a Battle with the Tories in which 
upwards of One Hundred of them were defeated at the 
Mouth of Rocky River in North Carolina – the battle 
was fought as the applicant believes in the Month of 
June 1780. He then with his Company joined a
Regiment commanded by Colonel Benjamin Cleveland & 
was at the Battle of Kings Mountain, and was with Colonel
Cleveland who Commanded the left Column, Col Shelby
Commanded the Middle and Col Williams the right.
Col Campbell was the Commander in Chief. This 
applicant after the Battle of Kings Mountain joined a Company
Commanded by Captain Hill and again as 
Trumpeter it being a volunteer company of Cavalry and was
in the Battle with the British at Guilford where General
Greene Commanded the American forces and Lord
Cornwallis commanded the British. About three Months
after the Battle of Guilford Court House, and as this
applicant believes in the Month of June 1781 He joined
a Volunteer Company of Cavalry and served as
Trumpeter under the Command of Captain Minor
Smith and went to the neighbourhood of Cross Creek
in North Carolina in pursuit of Col Fanning a Tory – 
7th Company to which he belonged was under the 
Command of Colonel Smith and Major Grimes,
from Cross Creek he went with his Company to 
the neighbourhood of Wilmington North Carolina, and
had two Battles with the Tories and one Battle with
the British at a Brick House across the River opposite
Wilmington. About this period information was
received of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and the
company to which this applicant belonged was
disbanded, and he returned to his residence in 
Surry County North Carolina. The applicant
served under each of his commanders for the full
term that [illegible] troop volunterd [volunteered] [“for” crossed out] or was drafted
for and was always regulaly [regularly] discharged, but
does not reecolect [recollect] ever receiving but one written
discharge which has been lost. He has no 
documentary evidence of the facts he has stated
Page 5

nor does he know of any person now living by
whom he can prove [illegible] This applicant served
under Captain Cristie three months, under Captain Pickney
six months, under Captain Sheppard Twelve months, 
under Captain Phillips One Year and two Months, under
Captain Hill One Month ^ [“one month” crossed out], three [illegible] under captain Smith
five months, making in all three years and five
months, and during all the period of his service
ranked as a private soldier. This applicant was
born in France in the Town of Bordeaux on the 20 September
1757 as appeared upon a certificate of his birth signed 
by a French Priest once in his possession, which was
copied into his Family Bible, the original certificate 
was lost with many other papers in a Creek in the
Indian Nation in the Year 1812 while this applicant
was moving from Georgia to Alabama. This
applicant came from France to the United States
with his Father & Brother, who have since died, and
from his early childhood until the Year 1795 
removed near Salem in Surry County North Carolina
then removed to Abbeville District South Carolina
and remained there until 1803 then removed to 
Franklin County Georgia and remained there until
the Year 1812 when he removed to Washington 
County Alabama where he has resided until 
now, and where he will continue to reside
This applicant Hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to a pension or annuity except the present
and declares that his name is not on the Pension 
roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn and Subscribed this 
day & Year aforesaid 
[signature] James Lafoy
[signature] J.D. Lister Judge 
County Court Washington County 
[stamp affixed lower right] The National Archives of the United States
We John Shoemaker clergiman [clergymen] residing in the said
County of Washington and Samuel Frisbie residing on
the same do hereby certify that we are acquainted with James
Lafoy who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration,
that we believe him to be about Seventy five years of age, that he
is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides 
to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in 
that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed into the year aforesaid
[signature] John Frisbie
[signature] Samuel Frisbie
[signature] J.D. Lester Jdg [Judge] [illegible]
Page 6

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after
the investigation of the Matter, and after putting the
interagationes [interrogations] prescribed by the War Department that
the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier
and served as he states. And the Court further certifies
that it appears to them that John Shoemaker [illegible word crossed out] who has
signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergiman [Clergyman] resident
in the County of Washington aforesaid and that Samuel
Frisbie who has also signed the same is a 
resident in the said County and is a credible person,
and their statement is entitled to credit.
[signature] J.D. Lister
County Court 
Washington Cunty [County]
I, William Grimes clerk of the County Court of the County
of Washington & State of Alabama do hereby Certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said
Court in the Matter of the application of James Lafoy fer [for]
a pension. In testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand & Seal of office
on this 25th day of May
in the Year 1833.
[signature] Wm Grimes Clke [Clerk]

[vertically at left center]
New declaration of James
Lafoy a Soldier of the Revolution
applying for a Pension.

[vertically at bottom right]
26913
Page 7

The Court asked the following questions to wit 
1 Where and on what year were you born?
Ansr. I was born in the City of Bordeaux in the Kingdom
of France in the year 1757
2 Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
I have a record of my age in my Bible at Home
3 Where were you living when called into service: where
have you lived since the Revolutionary war and
where do you now live?
Ans. I was living in Surry County North Carolina and 
Continued to live there untill [until] the year 1791 then
emmegrated [immigrated] to Pendleton District South Carolina
and resided there and in Franklin County Georgia
untill [until] the year 1812 then moved to Washington
County Mifsifsippi [Mississippi] Territory (now Alabama State)
where I have resided ever since and still remain
4 How were you called into service, were you drafted
did you volunteer or were you a substitute and 
if a substitute for whom
Ans. I was drafted to go against the Indians my first
service the second term I was a substitute for
John Hutchins and the other times I was a volunteer
5 State the names of some of the Regular Officers who
were with the troops where you served such conti
nental [Continental] and Militia Regements [Regiments] as you can recollect
and the general circumstances of your service
Ans. When I went out under Capt Pickney I was 
a drumer [drummer] in the militia service, and in 
each subsiquent [subsequent] tour I was in the Horse
troops and was a Trumpeter. we were some
times amongst the regular troops and was under
Genls. Lincoln and Green
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the ser
-vice [service] and if so by whom was it given and what
has become of it?
Ans. I received only one discharge and that was from
Majr [Major] Goode for one term of service which discharge
has long since been destroyed
Page 8

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
Ans. The Honble [Honorable], Williams Crawford, Ptolemy T. Harris
John H. Owen Esqr James Magoffin Esq and many 
other men of high respectability
And the 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 named applicant was a Revolutionary 
Soldier and served as he states. And the court further
certifies that it appears to them that James [illegible]
who has signed the preceeding [proceeding] Certificate is a Clergy
man resident the County of Washington and [“is a credible” crossed out]
[“person” crossed out] that who has also signed the same
is a resident of the county aforesaid and is a credible 
person, and that their statement is entitled to credit 
J.D. Lester [illegible]
I William Grimes Clerk of the County Court 
of Washington County and State of Alabama do
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the origin
-al [original] proceedings of the said court in the matter of the
application of James Lafoy for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand and seal of 
office this 19th day of February
AD 1836
Wm Grimes Clk [Clerk]

[vertically at right center]
33 536
James Lafoy
Alabama
Page 9

[left side of page]
James Lafoy dec.d [deceased] 
from 4 March 1839
to 4 Novem [November] “
$38.88
Act
7th June 1832.

Mobile Ala
Iqri 1841
Bot “
C “

[stamp affixed vertically on right side of page centered]
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
Page 10

[typed form with handwritten responses]
THE STATE OF ALABAMA,}
Mobile COUNTY } ss.
Be it Known, That before me, Geo Bancroft a Justice
of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Jno Miller
Executor of James Lafoy and made oath in due form of law [illegible] that he is the identical
person named in an original Certificate ^ now in his pofsefsion [possession], of which (I certify) the
following is a true copy: War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the law of
the United States of 7 June,1832, James Lafoy a
resident of the State of Alabama who was a private
of Infantry & Cavalry and Trumpeter in the Revolu
tionary [Revolutionary] War is entitled to receive Fifty Eight dollars
& thirty three cents per annum during his natural 
life commencing on the 4 March 1831 and payable 
Semiannually on the 4th March & 4 September in
every year – Issued in lieu of a certificate for $25 pension 
[hand drawn seal] Given at the War office of the United States this twenty
Second day of april one thousand Eight hundred thirty nine 
[illegible] & countersigned [signature] JL Edwards} sig. 
Comm of Pensions } sig.d [signed] [signature] JR Poinsett 
Sec’y [Secretary] of War,
That [“he now” crossed out] deceased [“resides” changed to “resided”] in Washington County al [Alabama] and [“has” changed to “had”] resided there
for the space of many years past; and that previsions thereto he resided in
Some time [illegible] to him
Sworn and subscribed, this 4th day 
of March 1841
Before me
[signature] Geo Bancroft J.P.
[stamp affixed lower center] 
The National Archives of the United States

I, Wm. Taylor Clerk of the Court of Mobile County 
certify that Geo Bancroft is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature
purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name, this
4th day of March in the year 1841
[signature] Wm Taylor
Clerk of the County Court of Mobile County.

[stamp affixed bottom left]
LS
Page 11

Received from John B. Hogan Pension
Agent Thirty Eight Dollars Eighty Eight Cents
being amount of pension due by the United States
to James Lafoy dec.d [deceased] from 4 March 1839 until 
4th Nov. 1839 (the day of his death) in 8 months
for which I have signed duplicate receipts
Mobile [illegible] March 1841 – [signature] John Miller executor
$38.88 
Signed in presence of 
[signature] John Duffy
& [signature] Edward George 
[stamp affixed center right]
Received from GAO
Page 12

[illegible words written vertically on left side of page]

[right side of page]
26913.
James Lafoy
Alabama.

Return [illegible]

Claimant 23
M Stephens
Alabama
Page 13

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
WAR DEPARTRMENT,
Pension Office,
25th October 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 objects exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necefsary [necessary] to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin and with a brace (thus: } ). You will, when 
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and 
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of James Lafoy.

[far left column]
Period when the service was entered.
1776.
[check mark] 1777.
[check mark] 1778.

[column second from left]
Duration of the claimant’s service.
[left column under “Duration of the claimant's service”]
Years.
[center column under “Duration of the claimant's service”]
Months.
[right column under “Duration of the claimant's service”]
Days.
[under “Years.” column]
1.
1.
[under “Months.” column]
3
6
2
5
[under “Days.” Column]
21.

[column third from left]
Rank of the claimant.
priv [private]
drummer
Cav.
Trumpeter
“
“
“

[column third from right]
Names and rank of the Field
officers under whom he served
Cap. Goode
Gen Christie
Cap. Pickney
Cap. Sheppard
Cap. Philips
Cap. Hill
“ Smith

[column second from right]
Age at present,
and place of abode 
when he entered the service.
73 years,
Surry
County
AL
“ “ 

[far right column]
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary 

[center bottom of page]
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 14

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed 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.	The Regular Troops.
2.	The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3.	Indian Spies.
As rolls 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, musicians 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 [space] }
County of [space] } ss.
On this [space] day of [space] personally appeared (a) before 
A  B. a resident (b) of [space] in the county of [space] and State, Territory or District
of [space] aged (c) [space] 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 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) [space], with [space] and served in the [space] (e) regiment of the [space] 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 ser- ved [served] under more than on term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank 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 [space] 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 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 that of the Agency in the State of 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [space] 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 Revolu- tionary [Revolutionary] soldier, and served as he states.
I [space] of the Court of [space]
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [space] for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of officer (i) this [space]
day of [space] &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in 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 Virgina, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following addition, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [space] and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [space], who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [space] 
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 interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revo- lutionary [Revolutionary] Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [space]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [space] Clerk of the Court of [space] do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [space] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this [space] day of [space] &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commis- sion [commissiomn]; 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 sill 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
Page 15

[typed form, with handwritten note at the bottom]
3
alleged service, as they are known as the Department. A very full account of the services 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 at- tempted [attempted] ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clear set forth, no favorable decision can be ex- pected [expected]. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County to which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declaration 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, of 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 it 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 tes- tify [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, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily 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 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, 1832; 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 pro- cure [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.

[stamp affixed lower right] 
The National Archives of the United States

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[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 when 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, and 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, &c. A.  B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he 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.”
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about [illegible] four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectional. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during when the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[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 if he has no pub- lic [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 con- tains [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 }
( certify to the credibility of the wit- nesses [witnesses], and the official character and 
( signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal 
office. }
[handwritten box] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops. The proof required by [illegibly] note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary 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.
Page 16

March 6, 1940
BA-J/AWF
James Lafoy
S. 10971

Mrs. William Hefley
817 North Houston Street
Cameron, Texas

[stamp affixed upper center]
The National Archives of the United States

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which 
you request the Revolutionary War record of James Lafoy of North Carolina.

The data furnished herein were obtained 
from papers on file in claim for pension, S.10971, 
based upon military service of James Lafoy, in the 
Revolutionary War.

James Lafoy was born September 30, 1757, in 
Bordeaux, France. The name of his parents were 
not given. James Lafoy came from France to this 
country, with his father and brother, and resided 
from his early childhood near Salem, Surry County, 
North Carolina, name of his brother not shown. 

While residing in Surry County, James Lafoy 
served with the North Carolina troops as follows:
Early in the war five or six months as a
private in Captain Richard Goode’s company under
Major Joseph Winston, marched to Long Island on
Holston River against Cherokee Indians, and
burned some of their towns; from early in December,
1777, six months as drummer in Captain Peter Pinck-
ney’s [Pickney’s] company, Colonel Locke’s regiment; from about
the middle of August, 1778, twelve months as trumpeter
in Captain William Shepherd’s company of cavalry, in
pursuit of Tories; later in Captain Joseph Phillips’
Page 17

company under Colonel Smith, was in several skir-
mishes [skirmishes], and in the battle of King’s Mountain under
Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, and served until in
December, 1780; from February 1, 1781 in Captain
Robert Hill’s company under Major Joseph Winston
and was in the battle of Guilford Court House;from
June or July, 1781, about five months under Captain
Minor or Minard Smith and Colonel Smith and was in
several engagements with the Tories and British.

James Lafoy moved from Surry County, North
Carolina about the year 1791, to Abbeville or
Pendleton District, South Carolina, about 1803
moved to Franklin County, Georgia, and in 1812 he
moved to Washington County, then Mississippi
Territory, later the state of Alabama.

He was allowed pension on his application
executed May 26, 1833, then a resident of Washington
County, Alabama. 

The papers on file in this claim contain no
discernible data in regard to wife and children
of the soldier, James Lafoy.

In order to obtain the date of last payment
[illegible] person paid, and
possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you
should apply to the Comptroller General, General
accounting Office, Records Division, this city,
and furnish the following data:

James Lafoy, certificate #30830
Issued April 22, 1839, rate $58.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832
Alabama Agency.

Very truly yours

[stamp affixed lower right] 
The National Archives of the United States

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 18

[typed form with handwritten responses]
10.971
INVALID.
[stamp affixed upper left]
The National Archives of the United States

[vertically top left]
Rev War

File No. 10.971
James Lafoy
Priv Rev War

Act: June 7th, 1832
Index : – Vol. A, Page 216

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[vertically on the right]
1932 – Oct 17 – [illegible] Mrs. O.A. Byrne Aug
1940 – Mch [March] 6 – “ “  “ William Hefley
Page 19

202 – 13th St
Ogden Utah – 28Sept 1932
Pension Bureau
Washington D.C. 

[stamp affixed upper right]
The National Archives of the United States

Dear Sir:
I am seeking the genealogy 
of my grand-parents John Tuner
Mosely and Elizabeth Lafoy Mosely
of Washington Co., Ala., formerly of 
Milledgeville Ga., and I find this
record, James Lafoy resident of
Washington Co, Ala, soldiers in
Revolution private in Infantry & Calvary.
Particular service not known. Enrolled 
on 9 – Sept – 1836 under set of Congress
for June 1832 payment to date from
March 4-1837 annual allowance
2500 Pention [Pension] Book – State Branch
Bank – Mobile Ala.
Perhaps this is my great grand
father. Could you please give me
any more information as to the
name of his wife and children
& who his parents were with
Page 20

as many dates of births as possible.
Thank you,
Sincerely
Mrs. O. A. Byrne.

[stamp affixed center right]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
RECEIVED
OCT 1 1932
MAIL [illegible]
PENSION FILES [illegible]
Page 21

Mobile Nov. 6 1838
My first acquaintance with the James Lafoy
was in 1814. – after leaving my [illegible] place it appeared
that mr. Lafoy had come from the same or aspiring
County in Washington [illegible] Surry, he frequently 
informed me of his having served on the war of
the revolution with Colo John Martin late
of stokes county,  In 1817, I for the last
time saw Colo Jno. Martin who was then & 
had been for many years [illegible]
chairman of the county court of  stokes Cty [County].
In a conversation with Colo Martin having
informed him of my knowledge of Mr
Lafoy he distinctly told that mr Lafoy
had actually done duty with him in 
the service of the country for a consider
= able [considerable] time spoke of him in the kindest
term declaring that he was a good
soldier & a good Whig. From all
which I have not have had doubts
of mr Lafoy [illegible] and of his being
entitled to [illegible] of pension.
I have known mr Lafoy for as 
many as 24 years he is a good citizen
and from his [illegible] circumstances
actually stands in need of his 
pension.

[stamp affixed bottom center]
The National Archives of the United States

[signature] J.G.Lyon
Turn over
Page 22

James Lafoy 
Petition of James Lafoy 
Praying for a Pension.
of Ala

Mar 5. 1834
[illegible] to [illegible] Rev. Pensions
Mar. 14. 1834 – Com – [illegible] – to [illegible]
Surry Co NC Drummer
Colo Lock
[stamp affixed upper right]
The National Archives of the United States

[illegible] 5 [illegible]
[illegible] 160. [illegible]
Page 23

To the Honourable the Senate & House of Representation of
the United in Congress assembled
The Petition of
James Lafoy a citizen of Washington County Alabama
respectfully represented. That your Petitioner was a 
Soldier of the Revolution and is entitled to a pension
under the act of Congress of the 7 June 1832. That
he has filed a declaration before a competent court in
conformity with the circular fellow of the Pension Agent 
of the 27 June 1832. That the only objection made to
his application at the Pension office is that he cannot
establish his service by the testimony of two witnesses,
in which by reason of the great distance of his place of 
residence from the scene of his service, and the 
length of time he had been separated from his
companions in arms, he is unable to do 
Your petitioner begs please to refer your 
Honourable body to the accompanying documents,
and begs to be placed upon the pension roll, 
and is in duty bound will can pray
[stamp affixed bottom center] The National Archives of the United States
[signature] James Lafoy
Page 24

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United 
States of the 7th June, 1832, James Lafoy,
of Alabama
who was a Private Infy [Infantry] Trumpeter Cavelry [Calvery] 
in the Army of the Revolution 
is entitled to receive twenty five dollars and
– cents per annum, during his natural life, com=
mencing [commencing] on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi=
annually [semiannually], on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in
every year.
[right angle at center of page] Canceled

Given at the War Office of the United 
States, this ninth day of
September one thousand eight
hundred and thirty= six
[signature] C. A. Harris
actg. Secretary of War
[stamp affixed bottom center] The National Archives of the United States


Examined and}
Countersigned.}
[signature] Geo. Wm. Crump
act.g [acting] Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 25

Sirs per deed
[“Let & May” crossed out] 1836
Hon F S. Lyon, 
[signature] James Lafoy – .
Page 26

S. St. Stephens 6 Feby 1834.
Dear Sir
At the request of one James Lafoy of this
County I forward you a petition and other documents
relating to his application for a pension under
the act of 7 June 1832. I have no doubt that Mr 
Lafoy is entitled to a pension, and it is the opinion 
of all who know him that he was a soldier of the
Revolution, but I do not think he can obtain a pension 
without a special act of congress, as the pension agent
requires him to produce two witnesses, which he cannot
do without going to North Carolina where he served,
and he is too old, and too poor to take such 
a journey. You will perceive all the facts
of the case set forth in Mr Lafoys declaration,
and you will perceive that he has proved all
that was required of him by the circular letter
of the 27 Jan 1832. Hoping you may be able
to serve him
I am very respectfully 
your obt [obedient] servt [servant]
[signature] Jno B Hagard

Hon
John Murphy
of the House of Representatives
Page 27

War Department
Pension Officer
March 13. 1834

Sir,
In reply to your letter of yesterday
in relation to the enclosed papers of James
Lafoy, I have the honor to inform you that
his application for a pension has not been
rejected; but was returned to him on the 8th of 
November last for proof of service which has
not been furnished. 
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your obt. [obedient] Servant
J L Edwards

Hon. J. M. Bell }
House of Representatives }
Page 28

Demopolis Ala.
[illegible] March. 1839
Sir,
I herewith enclose the Pension Certificate of
James Lafoy sen. of Washington Co. in this state
and have to request but one was be ifsued [issued] & for
– warded allowing him the increased state of 
Pension under his amended declaration [illegible]
in your letter appeared to me during the late sefsion [session]
of Congrefs [Congress]
being respectfully
your servt. [servant]
[signature] FS Lyon.
Page 29

War Dept. Pen. Office
May 6. 1836
Sir:
The amended declaration 
of James Lafoy is still unsatisfactory.
He claims as a militia man of
N. Carolina for continuous service, for 
five or six months in his first tour under 
Col Christian against the Indians,
for six months in his second tour, for
twelve months in his third tour, for [illegible word crossed out]
the same length of time in his fourth tour and 
for five months in his sixth tour. The 
fifth tour is [illegible] to have been three weeks. The
militia [“&” crossed out] served in short tours, frequently
lefs [less] than one months, and not so long as
five months unlefs [unless] ^ [“a more satisfactory” crossed out] he can comply more fully with the
[“statement of his” crossed out] regulations in [illegible] his tours of service [“is given,” crossed out]
he cannot be allowed a pension [“at a” crossed out] for more
than six months of service. [“which is the [illegible]” crossed out]
Enclosed is Mr Grimes’s letter

[signature] Hon. F. S. Lyon
N. R
Page 30

Washington C.H. Ala
Augt [August] 8th 1836
Sir
Enclosed is a new declaration made by 
Mr Lafoy for the purpose of obtaining a 
Pension – on examination if find him
entitled to a pension he wishes you to forward
him a certificate for the amount be it what
it may. If he is allowed a pension he
will draw at Mobile
very respectfully
your obdt [obedient] sevt [servant]
[signature] Wm Grimes
Page 31

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 James Lafoy
does not appear on the masterrolls [master rolls] of the 
Contenental [Continental] line of their State in the revolutionary 
war or any other document in this office
affording evidence of service in said line
Given under my hand
This 29th October 1833
[signature] W. Hill
Page 32

We do hereby certify that we have
been for many years acquainted
with James Lafoy, that we would
believe him on his oath; that he
sustains a fair character,
and that it is reputed and 
believed in the neighborhood that
he was a Soldier in the war
of the revolution. June 5. 
1833. [signature] Wm. Crawford

St. Stephens, Alabama

Judge of the U. States
for Alabama,
= C.T. Harris
Judge of the first
Judicial Circuit
of Alabama.
Page 33

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
[stamp vertical at left] 
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

[stamp vertical at right] 
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Payment to be made
At Mobile, Ala.
By Geo. S. Gaines,
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of
Mobile, Alabama.

Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book E2, Vol. 8
Page 102, by
[signature] D.M. Curdy,
Clerk.
Page 34

The State of Alabama }
Washington County } 
I William Grimes Clerk of the
County Court of the Couty aforesaid do hereby certify that
John Miller is the lawful and sole executor of the last
will and testament of James Lafoy late of said county
who was in his lifetime a pensioner of the United States
and that he departed this life some time in the month
of November 1839 leaving no widow as appears of
Record, and that the said John Miller has given bond
and qualified as executor aforesaid – 
Given under my hand & seal of office
this first day of August AD 1840
[signature] Wm Grimes Clk [Clerk]
Page 35

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United 
States of the 7th June, 1832, James Lafoy – 
a resident of the State of Alabama
who was a private of Infantry and Cavalry
and Trumpeter in the Revolutionary War
is entitled to receive Fifty Eight dollars and
thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, com=
mencing [commencing] on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi=
annually [semiannually] on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in 
every year. Spend in lieu of a certificate for
$25 per annum.
Given at the War Office of the United
States, this twenty second day of
April one thousand eight
hundred and thirty= nine.
[signature] J.R. Poinsett
Secretary of War.

Examined and }
Countersigned. }

[signature] J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 36

[Handwritten at top upper right]
A

October 17, 1932
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/AWF
James Lafoy
S. 10971

Mrs. O. A. Byrne
502– 13th Street
Ogden, Utah

[stamp affixed upper center] The National Archives of the United States


Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you 
request information in regard to James Lafoy, a Revo-
lutionary [Revolutionary] War pensioner.

The data furnished herein were obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, S. 10971, based
upon the Revolutionary War service of James Lafoy.

He was born September 20, 1757, in Bordeaux,
France and came from France to America, with his
father and brother (no names given) and resided from
his early childhood near Salem, Surry County, North Carolina.

While residing in said Surry County, James
Lafoy served with the North Carolina troops, as follows – 
Early in the war under Captain Richard Goode and 
Major Joseph Winston marched to Long Island on the Hols-
ton [Holston] River against the Cherokee Indians, burned some of
their towns and served five or six months; from sometime
in December, 1777, six months as drummer in Captain
Peter Pickney’s company in Colonel Locke’s regiment;
from sometime in August, 1778, twelve months as trum-
peter [trumpeter] in Captain William Shepherd’s company of Horse;
later in Captain Joseph Phillip’s company under Colonel 
Smith was in several skirmishes and in the battle of 
King’s Mountain under Colonel Cleveland and served until
in December, 1780; from February 1, 1781 about three
weeks in Captain Robert Hill’s company under Major Joseph
Winston and was in the battle of Guilford Court House;
from the summer of 1781, about five months under Captain
Page 37

[Handwritten at top upper right]
B

Minor Smith and Colonel Smith and was in several
engagements with the Tories and British.

He lived in Surry County, North Carolina until 
about the year 1795, then moved to Pendleton or Abbe-
ville [Abbeville] District, South Carolina, in 1803 or 1804 moved
to Franklin County, Georgia and in 1812 moved to Wash-
ington [Washington] County, then Mississippi Territory, later the
state of Alabama.

He was allowed pension on his application exe-
cuted [executed] [illegible date crossed out] a resident of Washington
County, Alabama.

[handwritten to the left]
May 26 – 1833 

There are no data as to his family, other than
the reference to his father and brother an [and] stated
within.

Very truly yours

[stamp affixed center right] The National Archives of the United States

A.  D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 38

[top right]
6”

817 North Houston Street
Cameron, Texas
Feb. 6, 1940

[stamp affixed top right] 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
RECEIVED
FEB 8 1940
MAIL [illegible]
[illegible] 21
[illegible]

The Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
I am very anxious to secure 
the Revolutionary War record of my
ancestor James Lafoy (Lefay, Lafey)
who settled in Rowan County, N.C.
after the war. If you have pension
^ or land warrant
record of this patriot (who was
either a soldier under Lafayette
[by tradition] or a Huguenot having
settled in this country prior to the
war) I should be very happy
to have information available. My
purpose is to use this for genealogi-
cal [genealogical] records.

[stamp affixed bottom right] The National Archives of the United States

Very truly yours,
[signature] Gladys Walker Hefley
(Mrs. William Hefley)
Page 39

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
[left side of page]
lot 8 Jan ’38 Hon.
F. S. Lyons
ds. 7 May 1838
ds. 10 Jany [January] 1839.

[right side of page]
Alabama 30.830
James Lafoy
Washington Co in the State of Alabama 
[illegible] was a private in the [illegible] comma
Captain Goode of the [illegible] command
[illegible] in the N.C. [illegible]
for [illegible]
[illegible] $10
[illegible] 15 
$25

Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama
at the rate of 25 Dollars – Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension ifsued [issued] the 1 day of Sept
[illegible] 1839 and [illegible]
[illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $157.50
Semi-anl. [semiannual] allowance ending [illegible] 12.50 
$150.00

[stamp affixed bottom left of right side of page] The National Archives of the United States

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by [signature] Wm Hillier Clerk.
Book 12 Vol. 8 Page 102
Page 40

The State of Alabama
Washington County }
Declaration of
James Lafoy

[stamp affixed top right] The National Archives of the United States

On this 18th day of February 1836 person
ally [personally] appeared in court held in and for said county
James Lafoy a resident of Washington County Alabama
aged seventy nine 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
provision made by the act of Congrefs [Congress] pafsed [passed]
June 7th 1832. That his first term of service
was against the Cherokee Indians for five or six
months he does not recollect the date nor the
exact term of service, but that he was drafted
under Capt Richard Goode Majr Joseph Winston
and General Christy from Virginia 
The next term of service he went as a substitute 
about the first of December 1777 under Capt Peter
Pickney Majr Richard Goode Col Lock joined Genl
Lincoln served six months and returned home in 
June 1778.
The third term he volunteered in the Horse troops
the first of August 1778 under Capt William Shepherd
and went in pursuit of the tories served twelve months
returned home August 1779 – 
The fourth term of service was under Capt Joseph
Philips Col Smith set out in November 1779 and
returned the first of December 1780 that during this
term they had several engagements with the torries [Tories]
and was in the battle at Kings Mountain
The fifth term of service was under Capt Hill
Majr Joseph Winston and Genl Pickens who 
commanded the horse troops to which he belonged
as a volunteer that they joined the main army
which was commanded by General Green and 
was in the battle at Guilford then returned
home was out this term three weeks – the battle
at Guilford was 15th March 1781
The sixth term of service he volunteered under
Capt Minard Smith Majr Graham Col Smith
Page 41

went out in the summer 1781 under the above
named officers in pursuit of the tories on Cape
Fear River was in two engagements with the tories
and one with the British in this tour that while 
he was in service they received news of the capture
of Corn wallis [Cornwallis] that he returned home a few days
before Christmas that he cannot state the exact
time he was out in service at this last mentioned
term but believes that it was five months
This deponent declares that of the time he 
entered the service he lived in Surry County State
of North Carolina that he joined the troops at Salis
– bury [Salisbury] N Carolina and during his different terms of
service was marched through the middle western
& southern counties of that state and throughout
South Carolina and same in Georgia
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to
a pension or an annuity except the present and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of
any Agency in any State – 
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
[signature] James Lafoy

We James Myers a Clergyman residing in the state
and county aforesaid and Jospeh Black residing 
in the same hereby certify that we are well ac
– quainted [acquainted] with James Lafoy who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration that we believe 
him to be seventy nine years of age, that he is reputed
and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to 
have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that
we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

[signature] James Myers
[signature] Joseph Black
Page 42

The State of Alabama April 16 1836
Washington County } Personally came before
me William Grimes a Justice of the peace in and
for said county James Lafoy who being duly
sworn according to the law upon his oath makes
the following statement to wit. That the first
tour of service mentioned in his declaration (here
to amended), amounted to £17. and some shillings
the exact amount he does not recollect
and that his pay was two shillings per day which 
would make the term of service over five months
he further states that he does not recollect the
year in which this service was rentered [reentered] but
that in May the succeeding year a treaty was held
with the Cherokee Indians at the long Island at
Holston River
This deponent further declares that from the
laps of time his great age and consiquent [consequent] lofs [loss]
of memory he cannot state the precise time he
served in each tour but that it was as near as
he has stated in his declaration as he is able
to recollect, but as to the general circumstances
of the service it made such lasting impressi
– ons [impressions] on his mind that he can state them with
some degree of precifsion [precision]
Sworn to & subscribed 
before me
[signature] James Lafoy
[signature] Wm Grimes JP

[stamp affixed bottom center] The National Archives of the United States

I William Grimes clerk of the county court of said
county of Washington and State of Alabama do certify
that William Grimes whose name attest the above
affidavit is at this date an acting justice of the peace
for said county
Given under my hand seal of office
this 16th day of April AD 1836
[signature] Wm Grimes clk [clerk]
Page 43

Mr Lafoy states that during his third term of services
which was under Capt Shepherd he was stationed at
Surry Courthouse in North Carolina that during
this tour the company to which he belonged went to 
Chifsels [Chiswell’s] lead mines on new river and brought
200 lbs of lead each for the use of the public
that at the same term he went in persute [pursuit] of a 
Col. Roberts that was collecting some torries [Tories] about
the Flower gap in the mountains and followed
him to the three forks of new river, but that
Roberts made his escape into South Carolina
to the British That the principle businefs [business] of
the company was to keep order and reconnect
the country to discover the movements of the
British Torries [Tories]
That in his fourth tour he was under Joseph
Philips that during this term they defeated a company
of Tories on Pedee [Pee Dee] after this they heard of another
company made by a man named Reid that they
went after them and took them and carried
Reid to Moraventown [Moravian town] in N Carolina found 
he had a commifsion [commission] from the British and
there they hanged him &c and Mr Lafoy states
that during all the time he was in the Horse troops
they made Surry Courthouse N. Carolina their
place of refuge, and there they had forrage [forage] for 
the cheif [chief] part of their time they were [illegible]
after the enemy in some direction &c
subscribed before me
[signature] Wm Grimes
[signature] James Lafoy

[upside down at right bottom]
We Alexander Faith in

[vertical center right]
33.53
James Lafoy
Alabama
Page 44

(1)
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congrefs [Congress]
pafsed [passed] June 7th 1832. – 

[stamp affixed top right] The National Archives of the United States

The State of Alabama } 
County of Washington } On this day of August
in the year AD 1836 Personally appeared in open
Court before the Court of common pleas now sitting
James Lafoy a resident of the State and County
aforesaid aged seventy nine 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 Congrefs [Congress] pafsed [passed] June 7. 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States or the
State of North Carolina (but which he does not know)
before the declaration of the Independence to go against the
hostile Cherokee Indians. for this tour he was draft
ed [drafted] under Capt Richard Goode & Major Joseph
Winston and served [“as drummer” crossed out] during this time.
Burnt the Indian towns on ^ [“Holsten” crossed out] Tennefsee [Tennessee] River about
Nickajack,. but this deponent does not recollect 
the date of the years nor the length of service, but
distinctly recollects that his pay was two shillings
per day and that the whole amounted to upwards of 
17£ therefore he believes he served five months & two third
or six months. but is unable to state the precise time
This deponent states that his second tour was as a 
substitute for John Hutchins under Peter Pickney Capt.
Major Goode & Col Locke that the Company was to go to 
Charleston but on their way they heard Cornwallis had
left that place and landed at Savannah they changed their
course and went to Purensburg [Purrysburg] about Savannah and
there joined General Lincoln. That for this tour they
rendezvoused at Salisbury N.C. about the first of
December 1777 but does not recollect the very day of 
the month he remembers distinctly that they were at the
High Hills of Santee on Christmas day and crofsed [crossed] the 
River at the Eutaw Springs – That in this town he was
Page 45

2
detained one month over his term of ingagement [engagement] waiting
reinforcements join the army and discharge the 
first of June 1778 that for this term he received a discharge
from Col Locke and went to Charleston to see his father
in this last mentioned tour he served as drummer and
for six months as he believes
This applicant states that his third term of service
was as follows That in August 1778 at a general muster in
his county it was stated that each County had to raise
a Horse company to supprefs [suppress] insurrections in their state
for one year, that for this purpose he volunteered under
Capt William Shepherd their first expedition was over
the mountains to Chifsels [Chiswell’s] lead mines on New River after
lead and brought 200 lb each on their horse to Surry
Court House N.C. after this they went out as rangers
in persuit [pursuit] of torries [Tories] but our station was at Surry Court
House when not otherwise engaged during this town
we went in persuit [pursuit] of a gang of torries [Tories] commanded
by a Col Roberts he fled we persued [pursued] him over the moun
tains [mountains] he went into South Carolina and we returned to our
station in this chase we joined a company from Wilks County.
This applicant states that his fourth term was as fol
lows [follows] to wit. That Capt Joseph Philips who had been 
acting as a recruiting officer, proposed to command
a company of volunteers (or as he understood at the
time enlisted men for the purpose of supprefsing [suppressing] all
disorder and crime by tories or otherwise, that he
joined Capt Philips about the 1st November 1779 with the
understanding that they were to remain service to the end
of the war. soon after joining Capt Philips they went
after a company of tories collected under Col Bryan
in the fork of Yadkin River he fled for So. Carolina 
our company hearing of a body of tories further down
the Yadkin went on them defeated them killing some
and taking some prisioners [prisoners] & then returned to Surry
courthouse, that on their return to their station they
heard of a Capt Reed who had raised a company
of tories in the lower part of Surry County they went
immediatly [immediately] in persuit [pursuit] of them took them all and carried
Page 46

3
them to Moraven [Moravian] town N.C. searched Capt Reed found
he was commifsioned [commissioned] by the British a Capt over the
tories, he was taken out and hanged &c. They then 
joined the troops of Wilkes & Rowan Counties and went to 
meet a [“Major” crossed out] Cpt. [Captain] Furgeson who was marching through the
country he turned his course for Kings Mountain at
which place we fell in with them and defeated them
by killing & capturing their whole force amounting as he
beleaves [believes] to upwards of one thousand men, that in this
battle his company was under the command of Col Cleav
land [Cleveland]; but that Col Campbell was the head commander
after this battle the British prisioners [prisoners] were sent to the
North he does not recollect to what place, that the 
troops where he belonged took charge of the tories and
started from Kings Mountain to Moraventown [Moravian town] with them
but hearing that the British was about to head them to
release the prisioners [prisoners] turned their course through the
mountains and arrived safe at Moraventown [Moravian town], the prisio
ners [prisoners] were kept there in a large house built for that
purpose, that on their return to this place Captain
Philips had become so exhausted by privations and
fatigue likewise old age, that he declined further
service. Consiquently [Consequently] we were dismifsed [dismissed] by Capt
Philips as he believes the first of December 1780
This applicant further states that his fifth tour was
as follows to wit. That early in 1781 Corn Wallis [Cornwallis] was
marching through the country spreading terror & confusion
where ever he went. That the 1 Feby [February] 1781. he volunteered
under Capt Robert Hill, Joseph Winston Major for the
purpose of driving Corn wallis [Cornwallis] out of the country; when 
Cornwallis heard of the intended attack to be made on 
him he left Hillsboro N.C. for the south that they
met with him at Guilford on the 15th of March 1781
after which Cornwallis fled from there and they returned
home to their former station; was out at this time three
weeks as he believes
Page 47

4
about the first of July 1781 heard of Col Fanning’s
succefs [success] against the whigs down the country that his 
company wint [went] immedeatly [immediately] in persuit [pursuit] of Col Fanning
but he fled and they went on down the country after
the tories, heard of some British stationed in a 
brick House near Wilmington went there found
it a dangerous undertaking to take the house by storm
it being well secured by pickets so they then sent
for a field piece to beat down the House, but heard
Cornwallis taken and the war at an end. That during
this tour he was under Capt Mynard Smith, Major Graham
and Col. Smith and that they returned home the first
of December 1781. That during his whole service except
the two first tours he belonged to the light Horse troops and
was bugelar [bugler] or trumpeter.
This applicant avers that he lived in Surry County
No Carolina at the time he entered the service and
remained there till after the close of the war, that
he does not know who was regular officers nor
the number of any Regment [regiment] that he was attached
to but that he has in the above declaration given
a sketch of his services and could related a great
deal more coroborating [corroborating] with the same if necessary
and this applicant further declares that he does not 
know of any person by which he can prove the
facts of his service &c &c.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen
sion [pension] or annuity except the present and declares that his
name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any
state
[signature] James Lafoy

[stamp affixed lower right] The National Archives of the United States

Sworn to & subscribed
this day and year aforesaid
We James Myers a Clergyman residing in the County
of Washington State of Alabama and Joseph A Huber
residing in said County & State hereby certify that we are
well acquainted with James Lafoy who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration that we believe
Page 48

(5)
Him to be seventy nine years of age that he is reputed
and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to
have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we
concur in that opinion. – 
Sworn & subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
[signature] James Myers
[signature] Joseph A. Huber

Then the Court proceeded to propound the questions
laid down in the instructions as follows to wit
1st Where and in what year were you born?
I was born in the City of Burdeaux in the
Kingdom of France in the year 1757 on the 
20th day of September
2 Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
I have a certificate of my age recorded in my 
Bible at home – 
3 Where were you living when called into service where
have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where
do you now live?
I lived in Surry County No Carolina and after the
war I went to Pendleton District So Carolina and 
from there to Franklin County Georgia from there
to Washington County Mifsifsippi [Mississippi] Territory where I 
arrived in the year 1812 and where I have ever
since resided and still continue to reside.
4 How were you called into service were you drafted did 
you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute
for whom?
I was drafted in my first tour against the Indians
Substituted for the second tour for John Hutchins
and went voluntarily for each subsiquent [subsequent] term
5 State the name 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 service
Page 49

6
I don’t know which belonged to the Regular troops
nor which belonged to the Militia troops, but suppose
General Lincoln was a regulare [regular] officer I was
under Col. Locke he was a militia officer during
my different terms of service I saw many officers
the particulars of my service I have stated in my 
declaration above. – 
[stamp affixed upper right] The National Archives of the United States
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the services and if
so by whom was it given and what has come of it?
I received one discharge that I recollect of and that
was from Col Locke; which has long been lost
or distroyed [destroyed]. – 
7 State the names of persons to whom you are known in 
your present neighbourhood and who can testify
as to your character for varacity [veracity] and their belief
of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
I am personally known and have been for many
years by the Honorable William Crawford at St
Stephens, Honbl [Honorable] Ptlomy T. Harris of the same place
Honorable Abner S. Lipscomb of Mobile and
I am known also and have been for upwards of
twenty years by this Honorable ^ court beside a great
many gentlemen both of this and the adjoining
counties who would testify to my character for
varacity [veracity] and their belief of my services as
a soldier of the Revolution &c &c
And the said court do hereby diclare [declare] their opinion
after the investigation of the matter and after putting
the interrogatories prescribed by the war department
that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier and served as he states, and the court further
certifies that it appears to them that James Myers
who has signed the preceeding [proceeding] certificate is a 
Clergyman resident in the County of Washington
Page 50

7
State of Alabama, and that Joseph A Huber who
has also signed the same is a resident in the same county
& state and is a credible person, and that their 
statement is entitled to credit
[signature] J.D.Lister Judge [illegible]

I William Grimes clerk of the County Court
of the County of Washington and State of Alabama
do hereby certify that the fore going [forgoing] contains
the original pro ceedings [proceedings] of the said Court
in the matter of the application of James Lafoy
for a pension. – 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 
my hand and seal of office this day of
August AD 1836
[stamp affixed at center] The National Archives of the United States
[signature] Wm [William] Grimes clk [clerk]
Page 51

[left side of page]
James Lafoy for
an increase of pension

Examine papers of
Saml [Samuel] Earle see if he
is entitled to bounty
land 
[stamp affixed center of left side of page] The National Archives of the United States

[“a a McNeill Hon” crossed out] 

Hon [Honorable]
FS. Lyon
House of Reps 

[right side of page]
increase
admit
Pr [private] 20 – 8 – 26.66
Trump [trumpeter] 3 – 15. – 
Pr cav [private cavalry] 4 – 16.66
$58.33

Hon F.S. Lyon
Demopolis
Ala [Alabama]
Page 52

Declaration of James Lafoy in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congrefs [Congress] pafsed [passed] June 7. 1832
[stamp affixed top right] The National Archives of the United States 
State of Alabama } ss.
County of Washington } On this 3rd day of December
1838 personally appeared in open court before the Honor
able [Honorable] Josiah D Lister Judge of the county Court of the
said county of Washington now sitting James Lafoy
resident of the county of Washington and State of Alabama
aged Eighty one years who being duly Sworn according to
law doth on his oath make the following declaration in
order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congrefs [Congress] pafsed [passed]
June 7. 1832 – 
That he entered the service of the United States under
the following named officers and served as herein stated.
[illegible] That he was drafted in the year 1776 to go against
the Cherokee Indians under Captain Richard Goode
Major Joseph Winston under the command of General 
Christa that the troops to which this applicant belonged
marched to the long Island on Holsten River and
thence to the Tennefsee [Tennessee] River destroyed the town
called Nickajack beside several other small Indian
villages which caused them to make a treaty with 
the United States at Long Island on Holsten in 
3
the month of May next after this campaign that he
was in service on the first day of September and
discharged on the first day of December and that
he was in service in this tour three months and
more but as to the precise length of time which he
was out but does not distinctly recollect that his 
wages amounted to 17£ North Carolina currency
at two shillings per day
This deponant [deponent] states that his second term of service
was as a substitute for John Hutchins under Capt Peter
Pickney & Col Locke that he marched the first of
December 1777 and rendesvoosed [rendezvoused] at Salisbury
N Carolina and marched towards Charleston
Page 53

2
and were on Christmas day at the high hill of
Santee about this time commanding officer heard
that the British had landed at Savannah and marched
in that direction and joined the continental troops
under General Lincoln at a little village on the
Savannah river called Purensberg [Purrysburg] and the militia
were sent up the River to a place called three sisters
where they were stationed that after the expiration of
the term for which he substituted he was stationed
5
one month for re enforcements [reinforcements] to arrive. that during
this tour he was drumer [drummer] and received a discharge
in writing and returned home to Surry County North 
Carolina that in this tour he was in actual service
five months and more.
This applicant says his third term of service was
for twelve months in a company of light Horse
that he knows nothing about the law or regulations
authorising [authorizing] the raising the company to which he was
attached but that about the 1st of August 1778 there
was a General muster [Muster] in his county and a call for
volunteers and that he was one that turned out for
twelve months furnished his own Horse Sword & 
clothing and the company was commanded by Capt
William Shepherd that in the tour he entered the
service on or about the 15th day of August 1778
and was discharged on or about the 15 of
August 1779 but that he does not distinctly recollect
the day of the month he entered on this tour nor
the day of discharge but has fixed the above days
as being the true time or so near that his services may 
be identified in this particular tour then went over the moun
tains [mountains] to Chissels [Chiswell’s] lead mine and packed on their horses
two hundred pounds of lead each to head quarters 
They then went in persuit [pursuit] of a company of tories
Page 54

3
which had collected together at the three forks
of new River under Col Roberts but they fled before
Capt Shepherd arrived at the camp but while he 
was there seven tories came to join Col Roberts
and were made prisioners [prisoners] by Shepherd that Capt
Shepherd then persued [pursued] Roberts who had made
his way to join the British in So Carolina
also captured a party of tories near the mouth of [illegible]
river on Pedee [Pee Dee].
This deponent states that his fourth term of service
was under Captain Joseph Philips that volunteered
and went into service on or before the first day of
June 1780 and served as Trumpeter during this and
each subsequent tour. and that perhaps it was
[check mark] during this term that Capt Philips chased Col Bry
-ant [Bryant] as above stated and captured a party of tories
Col Smith had command of the Regiment and in cap
turing [capturing] the tories was wounded, The next expedition
was to take another company of tories under Capt Reed
The next expedition was two companies joined and
went under Col Benjamin Cleveland against a party
of tories commanded by our Furgeson – Cleveland
joined Cols. Shelby & Campbell they went against
the tories and British at Kings Mountain and
killed & took prisioners [prisoners] the whole party consisting of
three hundred men or more killed and six
hundred taken prisioners [prisoners] – in this ingagement [engagement]
Col Williams was killed that a court martial
was held and ten of the prisioners [prisoners] were condemned
to be hanged the other prisioners [prisoners] were carried
Page 55

4
to Maravin Town [Moravian town] N Carolina by the troops of which 
this applicant was one. Capt Philips was now
in declining health and so much exhausted by 
fatingue [fatigue] and hardphips [hardships] that he was unable to 
continue in service by means whereof his company
was discharged and this applicant returned home
having served in this term six months and more
as this deponent believes 
[stamp affixed upper right] The National Archives of the United States
The fifth tour was as a volunteer under Captain
Robert Hill. That Cornwallis was now at Hillsboro
that this deponent belonged to a horse company and
joined General Pickens but that Genl Green was
the head commander that he entered the service
for this town on or before the 14th day of Febru
-ary [February] 1787 and was in service one month and more
and that during this term he was at the battle in
Guilford which took place on the 15th of March
1781. and after the battle Cornwallis was persued [pursued]
by Genl Green to Deep River, and from thence Capt 
Hill & Company returned home
Sixth tour this applicant states that he volunteer
-ed [volunteered] under Captain Mynard Smith in an other [another] Horse
Company and Smiths company joined two other com
panies [companies] under Maj Graham & Col Smith and march
ed [marched] in persuit [pursuit] of one Col Fannen down the country
but not finding Fannen & the tories they went to 
Elizabeth Town on Cape Fear at this place they
heard of a party of British and tories South of
Wilmington and went in search of them on their
way thither they fell in with a party of tories & 
defeated them – and on arriving at the British
station found it to [too] strong to storm with their [illegible]
being in a large Brick House that while at this place
they heard of collection of tories between Wilmington and
George town that sixty men volunteered (this deponent one)
Page 56

5
under Major Graham and went against their company
of tories that they were attacked by the tories in the
night but they defeated the tories & killed one and then
returned back that the head officers had sent after
a cannon to use upon the brick house where the
British and tories were lodged. but by this time
news reached them that Cornwallis was captured and
then his company was discharged and this deponent
returned home that he entered on this term of service
on or before the 15th day of July 1781 and retuned
home about the first of December some year and
was in service this tour five months or more
This applicant states that he has no documentary
evidence of his services in the Revolution neither
does he know of any person now living by whom
he could prove the same – 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a 
pension or annuity except the present and declares
that his name is not on the pension roll of the 
agency of any state only on that of the Agency of
the State of Alabama.
Swon to subscribed the day
and year aforesaid 
[signature] James Lafoy
[stamp affixed lower right] The National Archives of the United States

We Samuel Frisbie & Jospeh Black residing in the
county of Washington and state of Alabama hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with James
Lafoy who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration that we believe him to be eighty one 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 this same
opinion
[signature] Samuel Frisbie
[signature] Joseph Black
Sworn & subscribed the day
& year aforesaid
Page 57

6
And the court proceeded to put the servant interrogatories
as prescribed in the rules laid down by the Pension
office department – 
Inter 1st I was born on the 20th day of September
in the year 1757 in the city of Burdeaux 
in the Kingdom of France
Inter 2nd I had a record of my age given me by my 
Father from under the hand & seal of a Priest of
the Kingdom of France, but in moving from
Georgia to this country I lost it in the Creek Indian
country by means of high water
Inter 3rd I was living in Surry County No Carolina
and remained in that county untill [until] year 1795
then moved to Pendleton District So Carolina
lived there untill [until] 1804 then moved to Franklin
County Georgia lived there untill [until] the year 1812
then moved to Washington County Mifsifsippi [Mississippi]
territory (now Alabama) where I have resided ever
since – 
Inter 4th I was drafted for the first tour for the second
I substituted for John Hutchins for each subse
quent [subsequent] tour I volunteered in the Horse troops – 
Inter 5th I here refer to my declaration having given a 
small sketch of my services during each tour which 
I hope & believe will be found to agree with the best
recollections of the time place & events &c &c
Inter 6th I received one discharge in writing that
I recollect and that was given by Capt Peter
Pickney but that it has long since been destroyed
Inter 7th I am known by the Hon. William Crawford
Hon. P.T. Harris and the Hon. F S Lyon member
in Congrefs [Congress] from Alabama and by the old
settlers of this country generally and of whom can
& I believe would make the oath herein required
Page 58

7
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 named applicant was a revolutionary
Soldier and served as he states. and the court further
sates that it appears there is no Clergyman residing
in the County of Washington aforesaid but that
Samuel Frisbie & Joseph Black who have signed
the same are credible persons and reside in the
county of Washington and that their statements are
entitled to credit
[signature] J.D. Lister
Co. Ct. W.C.
I William Grimes clerk of the County Court of
the County of Washington aforesaid do hereby 
certify that the foregoing contains the proceedings
of the said court in the matter of the application
of James Lafoy for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand & seal of said 
court this day of December
AD 1838
[signature] Wm Grimes clk [clerk]

I Ptolemy T Harris do hereby certify that I have
known James Lafoy the afore named applicant
for an [illegible] of pension, for the last seventeen
years, having for that time resided in the same
neighborhood, I entertain no doubt that he is 
about the age he represents himself to be, I con
-sider [consider] him to be intitled [entitled] to a full credit, he is
poor and in the neighborhood in which he 
lives here been (since I have been acquainted
there, reputed ^ & believed to have been a soldier of the 
revolution in which opinion I concur
[signature] =P.T. Harris.