Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 7492, John Gass, N.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.

Gass, John
Betsey

NUMBER
W7492
B.L.Wt. 12575-160-55

CONTENTS
Page 2

[left side of page]

Date of death no on AR. 
SR.

[right side of page]
671
Tennessee Jonesborough
Betsey Gass
widow of John Gass sr
NC
who served in the Revolutionary 
War , as a priv and Sgt Major

Inscribed on teh roll at the rate of 75 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the [illegible] February 1853

Certificate of Pension Issued the 
10th day of June 1853
and sent to 
B . McDannel
Greenville
Tenn

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under 
[crossed out] Page 182 Vol . A
 1831
E2.7
Page 3

98,403. Mar. 3. 1855
             Apr. 25
Betsey Gass, widow of John Gass, Priv
Sergeant Major.
Capt.
Col.
Sergeant Major
N.C.Line
Dis.
Revolutionary War
Pensioned
Lenn Feb 55-671
Ao. 160 ae's. Dec.6/55
Dr. Igo
B. McDaniel
Greenville                                    Vol. G.H.
Page 4

5571
Jonesborough Agency
John Gass
of Green in the State of Tennessee
who was a private m.g. in the compy commanded by Captain---of the RegD commanded by Col. Moore in the N.C.
line for 18 months from 1777
Inscribed on the role of Jonesborough Agency
at the rate of 75 Dollars--Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Feb.
1883 and sent Hon. John
Blair. House or Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832                   
Semi=anl. allowance ending Mar. 33 
112.50
  37.50
 $150.00
Revolutionary Claim.
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book @ Vol. 9 Page 205
See letter 1 March
1834 to Hon John Blair
W. K. Blair Apl. 13, 1837
Order to pay & letter to C.W.
Meek. 22 March 1838
Page 5

State of Tennessee       September Five 1832
Green County
             On this 5th day of September 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Samuel Powell, Judge of the first Judicial circuit of the said State, John Gass a resident aforesaid County & State, aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act Of Congress, passed the 7th of June, 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer & served as herein states. That in and previous to the year 1777, he resided in Orange County, State of North Carolina, and volunteered under Col. Moore to go on a tour of three months against the Cherokee Indians, then in legion with the British, and rendezvous in Hillsborough, North Carolina, and marched up the Yadkin River to the Quaker Meadows, with a view of reinforcing Gen. Rutherford who had previously gone on an expedition against said Indians and information had reached the country that said Rutherford needed reinforcement, but before the reinforcements had reached Rutherford, the Indians had retreated.  
The men under the command of Col. Moore returned after the expiration of his term of time, but did not receive a written discharge.
That after his return home
Page 6

he again volunteered under the provisions of the Act of North Carolina for the raising of new levies in the Town of Hillsborough aforesaid under John Griffy. The provisions of said act being that all those who volunteered and served for nine months should be counted for those years, thereafter, this declarant thereunder volunteered as aforesaid, and it being understood that G. Washington stood in need of assistance in the month the volunteers under said act marched on to join the main army.  As far as Moore Creek, & information was communicated that there services would not be then required. They encamped for part of the winter and remained there until December when a proposition was made to the men that they should be furloughed upon condition that if the -illegible-of the service should thereafter require it, they would -illegible- their time, Believing that a future call would not verbally be made they were furloughed to return home in the month of December, having engaged some time about June or July preceding. But some time after their return -illegilble- , the British landed at Charleston and the aforesaid furloughed were called upon to march to the south to repulse the British, and was under Capt. Litle & marched through
Page 7

    Charlotte & to the South Carolina line when some of the militia mutinied on account of objecting to cross the state line, and were forced into measures & the army marched under Generals Lincoln & Mootry on Savannah River near the Smokey Camps, from there, up the river to the two sisters near the place where had been the Battle of Brier Creek, & moved up & down the river during the winter - Mootry with part of the army having gone to Charleston. Information reached us that the British had fallen in his rear -illegible- with 300 men under Col Adams & Major Harriss, by forced marches were ordered to the assistance of Mootry by Gen. Lincoln & with all possible dispatch did proceed to Charlestown and there joined Gen. 
Mootry, having passed the British camp in the night. On the next night the British followed & an engagement took place in Charleston in which the British were compelled to retreat in to the country, & the American troops left Charleston and again came in contact with the British & had an engagement at Stone. The army again returned to Charleston & there remained until the expiration of the term of time of the levies had expired, & declarant was discharged by Col. Archabald Litle at Hillsborough on their return home. -illegible-
during much (of) the greater portion of his time been Sargent Major, and was as such discharged by Col. Litle, which
Page 8

discharge he parted from -inelligible-
that he has no documentary evidence, nor does he know of any persons whose testimony he can present who can testify to his service.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, an or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any State. That his last -inelligible-   was not performed under a year from the time of his starting until his return, having served altogether about two years. That there is no resident minister by whom he can establish the following facts.
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 5th September, 1832.
V. Sevier  Clerk

We, Leonard Stones & John Harden, residing in the County of Greene, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Gass, who has sworn to & subscribed to the foregoing declaration. That we believe him to be seventy three years of age. That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a revolutionary soldier & that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn to and subscribed before the court.
V. Sevier, Clerk 
Leonard Stones
John Harden

-inelligible- the foregoing declaration, & knowing that declarant intended to present his claim as a private for the two terms, & sergeant major the last term. 
 -inelligible-
under the new levies only, per which he intended to be understood as serving as Sargent, and that I also  -inelligible- for him to receive a pension -inelligible- for eighteen months as above, without prejudice 
-inelligible- 
John Blair
Page 9

                        Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 3d of February 1853:

State of Tennessee 
Greene County
         On this twenty fifth day of February A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty three, before me John Kidwell a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, and one of the Judges of the County Court of said county, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared Betsey Gass, aged seventy four years, a resident of Greene County in the State of Tennessee, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the 2d Sec. of the Act of Congress of 3d February 1853, to wit:
            This applicant declares that she is the widow of John Gass, who was a Private and Sargent of the North Carolina line in the war of the Revolution, and who was also a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, and drew his pension at the Agency of the U. States at Jonesboro in the State of Tennessee, at the rate of about Seventy Five dollar per annum under the Act of Congress of 7th June 1832, and that he was a resident of Greene County Tennessee for the space of more than fifty years before his death. 
        She further declares that she was married to the said John Gass, in the county
Page 10

of Greene and State of Tennessee on the Twenty sixth day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty, by one F.A.McCorkle, a minister of the Gospel, and that her name before her said marriage was Betsey Rankin.  
          That her husband the aforesaid John Gass, died in Greene county in the state of Tennessee on the fourteenth day of June A.D. One thousand eight hundred and forty____, and that she was not married to him prior to the year Eighteen hundred, but the marriage took place a the time stated. 
           She further declares that she was a widow at the passage of the Act of Congress of 3d February 1853, and that she is still a widow, and that she had never before made application for a Pension: except for a small amount of arrearages due at the death of her said husband, which she applied for and obtained at the agency at Jonesboro Ten., as the widow aforesaid, amounting to about twenty dollars, at which time she believes his original Certificate of Pension was surrendered.  
           In proof of her marriage to the said John Gass, she refers to such proofs as she may be able to obtain, and in proof of the death of her said husband, and perhaps her marriage also, and identity, she refers the Department to the papers upon which she drew said arrearages at Jonesboro, which she supposes are placed on file in the Pension Office at the city of Washington
Page 11

as vouchers of the agent at Jonesboro.
                                       
                                             her
Attest                        Betsey X Gass
John R. Young                   mark

       Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first within written, and I certify that the said Betsey Gass is well known to me, and that she is the identical person she represents herself to be in the foregoing declaration, that she was a widow at the passage of the Law of Congress of 3d February 1853, and is still a widow, and that from old age and bodily infirmity she is unable to attend court.
I further certify that I am not concerned in the prosecution of this case, nor am I interested in the result of the same.
 ("fourteenth") inserted before signing.
John Kidwell, Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee 
Greene County
County Court, March Term
Monday 7th 1853

      The Declaration of Betsey Gass, widow of 
John Gass decd' in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 3d February 1853.  Sworn to on the 25th day of February 1853 before John Kidwell, a Justice of the Peace, and one of the judges of the County Court for said county, and certified by him, being submitted with proofs to the Court, the said court doth approve all his acts and proceedings in the case and direct that the Clerk endorse the approval of the Court on the papers, and certify the facts in relation to the same.
                   Given under my hand as Presiding
Page 12

Justice and Chairman of said Court, holden at Greenville, the day and year first above mentioned. 
John Davis
Chairman
Page 13

98,403.
Betsey Gass
Claim for Bounty land Act
March 3, 1855

B. McDannel, Agent
Greenville, Tennessee
Page 14

State of Tennessee
Greene County         On this first day of March
                                 A.D. one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty five, before me, Lewis J. Drake, a Justice of the Peace within and for the count and state aforesaid, personally appeared Betsey Gass, aged seventy five years, a resident of Greene County in the State of Tennessee, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of John Gass, who was a Private and Sargent major of the North Carolina line in the war of the Revolution, and received a Pension from the United States at Jonesboro, Tennessee at the rate of Seventy five dollars per annum, under the Act of 7th of June 1832, and that he was placed on the pension roll about the 12th of February 1833.   For the particulars of his service in said war she refers the Dept. to his Declaration and proofs on file. She further states that she was married to the said John Gass in Greene County, state of Tennessee on or about the twenty sixth day of August A.D. One thousand eight hundred and thirty, by one F.A.McCorkle, a Presbyterian Clergyman, and that her name before said marriage was Betsey Rankin: that her husband, the said John Gass, died in Greene County in the state of Tennessee on or about the fourteenth day of June A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty, and that she is now a widow.  
     In proof of her said marriage and the death of her said husband, she refers the Dept. to the papers now on file with her Declaration for a Revolutionary pension made in Greene County, State of Tennessee, on the 25th day of February A.D. 1853 under the "2d" section of the Act of February 3, 1853, the benefit of which she claims.
Page 15

In proof of her identity, she further declares that she was allowed a pension under said 2d Section of said Act of 3d of Feb. 1853, at the rate of Seventy Five dollars per annum, and that she now holds her Certificate, payable at Jonesboro Tennessee by Wm.K.Blair, dated "tenth day of June one thousand eight hundred and fifty three", signed by "R.McClelland, Secretary of the Interior" and "L.P.Waldo", Commissioner of Pensions.
       She makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3, 1855.  She also declares that she has not received a warrant for Bounty land under this or any other act of congress, nor made any other application therefor.
                                                    her
Witness                           Betsey X Gass
William West                             mark
J.B.Dobson

    We, William West and J.B.Dobson, residents of Greene County in the State of Tennessee, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing Declaration was signed by Betsey Gass in our presence and acknowledged by her: and that we know from the appearance and statements of the applicant, as well as as from our personal acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be: and that we have no interest in this claim. 
   William West                    
   J.B.Dobson

  The foregoing Declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first within written: and I certify that
Page 16

I know the affiants to be credible persons of lawful age and residents of Greene County in the State of Tennessee: I further certify that the claimant exhibited to me her Certificate of Pension within mentioned, and I am satisfied it is genuine: that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim, this thirty first day of March, Eighteen hundred and fifty five.
Lewis J. Drake
Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee
Greene County                E.W.Headrick, Clerk of the County Court of said county, do certify that Lewis J. Drake Esq., whose genuine official signature appears to the foregoing proceedings relative to Betsey Gass is now, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified as such according to law, and that full faith and credit should be given to the same as his official act. 
          Given under my hand and seal of office
          at office in Greenville this thirty first day  
          of March A.D. one thousand eight
          hundred and fifty five.
                              E.W.Headrick, CLK
Page 17

Betsey Gass
Revolutionary Claim
B.McDannel
agent
Greenville
Tennessee
Page 18

                  The State of Tennessee
To any authorized Minister or Justice of the Peace for the County of Greene, Greeting.
You are hereby authorized, and empowered to Solemnize the Rites of Matrimony, between John Gass, serv.: and Betsey Rankin, according to the rites and ceremonies of your respective churches, and agreed to the rules proscribed by law. And the time of such marriage you shall endorse on the back of this License, and sign your name thereto, and return the same to the Clerk of the County Court of said county, within Six months thereafter.  
        Given at Office in Greenville the 24th day of August 1830.
                            And. Patterson C.G.C.
                            By V. Sevier
(Endorsed on the back as follows)
    "Married by F.A.McCorkle, August 26th 1830"
    "Returned 27th August 1830"

State of Tennessee
Greene County            I Elijah W. Headrick, Clerk of the County Court of said county, do certify that the Declaration of Betsy Gass, hereto attached, widow of John Gass serv.; dec'; in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 3d February 1853 relative to revolutionary pensions, are the original proceedings had, and approved, by said Court at its March term, Monday the seventh, one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
Page 19

That John Davis Esq., whose genuine official signature appears to the approval of said Court, annexed to said Declaration, was presiding justice and chairman of said Court at the date thereof, duly qualified as such according to law. That John Kidwell Esq., whose genuine official signature appears to said Declaration, was, at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, and one of the Judges of the County Court, in and for said County, duly elected, commissioned, and qualified according to law, and that the official acts of the said John Davis and John Kidwell Esq., are entitled to full faith and credit.
           I further certify that satisfactory evidence was exhibited to said Court at its term aforesaid. That the said John Gass was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the Agency of the United States in Jonesboro in the State of Tennessee, at the rate of Seventy five dollars per annum under the Act of 7th June 1832: was a resident of Greene County in the state of Tennessee, and died therein on the fourteenth day of June A.D. One thousand eight hundred and forty; and that he left a widow named Betsey Gass, a resident of said county of Greene, whose name before marriage was Betsey Rankin, and who is still the widow of the said John Gass, serv.,dec'. 
       I further certify that the foregoing transcript of the Marriage License of the said John Gass and Betsey Rankin, with the endorsements thereon, is a true copy of the
Page 20

original now on file in my office:  and that I am not concerned or interested in the prosecution or results of this case. 
                    Given under my hand and Seal of                                      Office, at Office, in Greeneville this eighth day of March, One thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
                                E.W.Headrick C.G.C.
                                
(SEAL)
Page 21

John Gass

From 1777 Private
& Sargt' Major 18 months

Private          9 months    $30
Sargt' Major 9 months + $45
                                        = $75
                                           
Hon. John Blair
Page 22

Brief in the case of John Gass of Green Co in the state of Tennessee 
(act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge?  a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?  73
4. State his service as directed in the form annexed.

Period.  Previous to In 1777
Duration of service. Years     Months 3  Days. 
Rank. As a  Pr.
Names of General and Field Officers under hom he served.  Gen. Rutherford     Col. Moore

Period.  Previous to In 1777
Duration of service. Years     Months   Days.  Volunteered for 9 months
Rank. As a  Pr. and sgt major
Names of General and Field Officers under hom he served.  Gen. Rutherford    Capt Griffy

States that he served altogether about two years.

5. In what battles was he engaged?  Stone and Charleston
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Orange Co., NC
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? an if so, in what respect?

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in thee case above mentioned.  
[signed] Wm. S. Allison   Examining Clerk
Page 23

April 30, 1952
BA-J/ ILL

John Gass- W. 74[illegible]

Mrs. C. R.  Lainson
100 Blackburn
York, Nebraska

Dear Madam:

      Reference is made to your letter requesting information relative to John Gass, a Revolutionary War Pensioner.

     The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim 2. 7482, based upon his service in that war.

     John Gass, while a resident of Orange County , North Carolina, enlisted in 1777 and served three months as private in the North Carolina troops under Colonel Moore against the Cherokee Indians; later, he volunteered in June or July (years not given), at Hillsborough, North Carolina, served as a private under Captain Griffy, was furloughed in December, was called out again and served as sergeant- major under Captain Lytle, and Colonel Harrison, was in engagements at Charleston, South Carolina, and Stone; length of entire service was about two years.

     He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, while a resident of Greene County, Tennessee; he was then seventy three years of age.

     He died June 14, 1840 in Greene County, Tennessee, where he had resided for more than fifty years.
 
     The soldier married August 26, 1830 in Greene County , Tennessee, Betsey [illegible]. His name appears then as John Gass Senior.

     Betsey Gass, soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed February 25, 1853, while a resident of Greene County, Tennessee; she was then seventy four years of age.

     No reference is made to children.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 24

Rev.
wars section
Ill

October 10, 1930

Mrs. J.B. Noland
Richmond, Kentucky

Dear Madam:

     You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 7492, that John Gass, while a resident of Orange County, North Carolina, enlisted in 1777 and served three months as a private in the North Carolina troops under Colonel Moore against the Cherokee Indians. He volunteered in June or July (year not given) at Hillsborough, North Carolina, and served as a private under Captain Griffy, was furloughed in December, was called out again and served as sergeant-major under Captin Lytle and Colonel Harrison, was in engagements at Charleston, South Carolina and Stone, Length of entire service about two years.

      He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, while a resident of Greene County Tennessee, aged seventy three years.

     He died June 14, 1840 in Green County, Tennessee, where he had resided for more than fifty years.

     Soldier married August 26, 1830 in Greene County Tennessee, Betsey Rankin.

     She was allowed pension on her application executed February 25, 1853, while a resident of Greene County, Tennessee, aged seventy four years.
     
     There are no further data relative to his family

  Very truly yours

E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
Page 25

[stamped]
Received 
Mar 29 1932
[illegible] section
Pension Files [illegible]
Page 26

York, Nebraska
March 23, 1932

Pension Bureau
War Department 
Washington DC

Dear Sirs:
     I am trying to trace my "Gass" ancestry for D.A. R. my grandfather and great grandfather were "James Marshall Gass, and "Daniel P. Gass" respectively of Tenn.
     I find that John Gass b.1761 was of Militia of Washington Co as sergeant under service in the war of the Revolution, and was pensioned for this service while living in Green Co Tenn, 1833. 
     Do you have any family data for this man which might prove he was the father of Daniel P. Gass? I would surely appreciate this knowledge.
Yours truly
Mrs. C.R. Lainson
100 Blackburn
York, Nebraska
Page 27

Bureau of Pensions
Washington DC

Richmond Ky
Sept 23 1930

My dear sir-
     Please give me statement of Pension of John Gass who was given a pension in 1833 while living in Green Co Tenn.
John Gass was Sargeant under Sevier in Militia of NC.. He with Jos Calloway Rep Green Co Tenn in its 1st convention.
     Thanking you in advance for all information concering John Gass.

Mrs J B Noland
Richmond Ky

[stamped]
Pension Office US
Sep 25 1930
Page 28

[left side of page]
1930- October.10 Hist to Mrs
J.B. Noland. ILL
1932- April 30- Hist to Mrs. C.R.
Lainson- ILL


[right side of page]
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7492
Betsey Gass
Wid.
John Gass Sr.
Serg, Maj's Rev. war
Act: 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 262
Page 29

9841
John Gass


by John Blair
Page 30

And the said court doth declare their opinion after the interrogation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary solider and served as stated by him, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that [blacked out name] John Harden Esq who have signed the forgoing  certificate are resident citizens of said county of Green, and are entitled to credit and that the said Leonard Harris and John Hardin are Justices of Peace in commission.  [signed] S Porres Justice of the circuit court of the state of Tennessee.

I Valentine Sevier clerk of the Circuit court of law and equity for said circuit and the county of Green do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of John Gass for pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 6th day of September 1832. [signed] V. Sevier CCC by AC Payne Lc
Page 31

[Postal stamp]
 Jonesborough T March 17

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City DC


Jan At 
Mar 25
John Gass
Jonesboro
1 Ac 32
5571
Page 32

1837
[illegible] March 16th

JL Edwards: Esq

DSir:
Enclosed I send [illegible] John Gass oath of [illegible] for the purpose of attaining your [illegible] for the payment my own [illegible] is there and as to the identity of the [illegible]
Respectfully  
John Blair
Page 33

[illegible] Mar 15
[stamp]
Jonesborough Mar 8

James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 34

Jonesborg 6th March 1838
Sir
Enclosed are the papers in the case of John Gass a pensioner under the act 7th June 1832 who has nto applied for his pension for more than one year you will please instruct the pension Agent  at Jonesborough Tennessee  to pay the amount due him.
I am very respectfully 
your Obd Servent
Chas W. Meek
Page 35

Gass
Page 36

Brief in the case of Betsey Gass, widow of John Gass
Greene county and State of Tennessee 
act February 3 1853

Claim: ("original, " )
Proof exhibited, (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
     Husband was a pensioner under act June 7 1832- as private and sergeant at $75 per annum
Marriage proved by certified copy of Records of  County Court

(if for increase)
Has additional evidence been filed since th eadmission of the claim? If so, what?

B. McDannell Esq
Greenville Tennessee 
Name and residence of Agent

R Geddes
Examining Clerk
Page 37

3d ge. 1840
Page 38

Pension Office
June 7, 1853

Sir,
     John Gass was a pensioner under the Act of June 7, 1832 at $75 per annum payable at the Jonesboro' (Tennessee) agency  He was a private and sergeant. Plase certify to what time he was paid- and also certify if his widow Betsey Gass received arrears of pay, and how much.
Very respectfully
Your ob't serv't
S Cole

Died 14th June 1840, Betsy Gass
his widow drew the arrearages
of pay $20.55 per her Attorney
Wm. M Lowry
F. Burt
Auditor

[illegible]
Francis Burt, Esqr
Third Auditor,
Treasury Department
Page 39

Greenville Tennessee 
March 31, 1853

Sir,
Enclosed you will find the Declaration of Betsey Gass claiming a revolutionary pension under Act of 3d Feby 1853. Please acknowledge the receipt of the same, and report to me the result of teh examination of the papers.

Respectfully 
Your Obt, Svt,
B. McDannel
Agent

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 40

[illegible] T
4th Feby 1834
Hon John Blair of Tennessee 
Washington City

[written upside down from other writing]
Hon John Blair

appla of John Gass 
for increase
Page 41

State of Tennessee 
Green County     }  This is to sartify [certify] John Gass [illegible] came personaly [personally] before me R West one of teh acting Justices of the peace for Green county and made oath that as  well as the residents Joal Lewis of North Carolina  [illegible] a the sd[said] Gass discharge as sargent major of the forth [fourth] regiment of the North Carolina  troops for him the sd [said] Joal - or his brother Wm  T Lewis to collect his pay from the pay office in North Carolina- sworn to and subscribed beofre me this 1st day of Feby 1834.  [signed] [illegible]

Attest
R West
Justice of the Peace
Page 42

Raleigh 18th Sept 1833

Dear Sir
     I received a few day past a letter from your friend John Blair Esq inquiring for wisdom to support your claim to a pension from the United States. I have made a general examination of the books [illegible] in my office, and do not find your name on any, but find the name of John Glass which I have no doubt is an error and should have been written GAss. I have made a certificate to correspond with what I find, and hope it will aid you in obtaining what I believe to be your right- I do not find your name on any other document affording evidence of revolutionary services. It does not appear that you were [illegible- under ink blot]llowed any land, I suppose therefore your discharge was filed with the Board of Commissioners who made the allowance mentioned in my certificate. The sum of 25 or 30 cents will pay my fees for this service. I don't wish it sent by mail as it would cost double the amount as to sent it. W. Blair can pay it to the Register of the Navy at Washington, L B. Hardin (my nephew). 
Your obt servt
Wm Hill
Page 43

Hills certificate
for [illegible] Gass

[postal stamp]
Raleigh NC
Sep 20

Col. John Gass
Greenville
Tennessee
Page 44

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office

I, William Hill, Secretary of State in and for the State aforesaid, do certify that in a book of settlements of the accounts of the officers and soldiers of the Continental Line of this State in the Revolutionary War, I find that John Gass, a Sargt' & Maj., was allowed the sum of forty pounds eight shillings and two pence for his services in said line, which sum appears to have been drawn by Wm. T. Lewis.
                   Given under my hand this 18th day of September 1833.
Wm.Hill
Page 45

12570

[illegible]
Page 46

April 5. 1853
No 9062
Appl of Betsey
Gass widow of 
John Gass Sr.
Greene County
Tenn
5571
Act 3d Feby '53

Revy
Admitted $65 per annum
commencing 3d FEb 1853
B McDannel
Greenville
Tenn

[envelope printed with-]
Department of the Interior
Pension Office, Official Business
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Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Gass which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
v. Has he mentioned 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?   No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under th eact of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a devise or description by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  No. Two citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  [crossed out- No]
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
        If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
        Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No.
XVII. Are the severn interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? and if no, which of them is not so answered?  1.2   7

Explanatory Notes

* Quere V. 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.R. 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 ____; anf for such service I claim a pension.
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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 three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. some persons who apply for pension  merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what 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 which the service was preformed , he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

Quere XIV. Proof of Service
     In a case where the name of the applicant it 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 claimants 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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

Quere XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
    In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer, who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper 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.
     In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifyimg officer, should accompany the papers.
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Gass, Patrick
See 1812 Files
Old War Ser, File 25097 He served between the Rev. War & that of 1812 & in War of 1812.