Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7900, for Freeman Jones, North Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE 
N. C.

Jones, Freeman 
Christian 
or Christina

NUMBER
W. 7900

CONTENTS
Born 1763 in Brunswick Co. Va.
res at enl. Rutherford Co. N.C.
res. in 1833 Pickens Co. Ala. & died there Aug. 26, 1835
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Alabama 19.672
Freeman Jones.
of Pickens Co. in the State of Alabama
who was a Private in the Co. commanded
by Captain Hampton of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Neville in the Virginia
line for 1 year & 6 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama.
at the rate of 60 Dollars 00. Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of Aug. 1833 and sent to Francis W. Bostwick. 66. Pickensville. P.C. Ala
Arrears to the 4th of March 1832 120.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. Sept 33.
30.00
$150.00
Recorded by Wm N. Palmer. Clerk,
Book G. Vol. 8. Page 46,

⎨ Revolutionary Claim, ⎬
   Act June 7, 1832.

Let Hon Albert G. Brown (text struck out)
March 13. '48 (text stuck out)
Died 26. Aug 1835.
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4938
Mississippi
Christian Jones
widow of Freeman Jones
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
60 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
Certificate of Pension issued the
7th day of July, 1849
and sent to Claimant
Decatur, Miss. 
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 383 Vol. 4
Reported
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County Court
The State of Alabama
Pickens County to wit 1st Monday in July 1833.
On the 1st day of July, 1833, personally appeared
in open court before the hon. Geo. H. Fourney, the presiding Judge of sd. Court, Freeman Jones, a resident
of the County & State aforesaid. aged 6 (sixty eight struck out) 
sixty-nine or seventy 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 entered the service of the
United States under the following officers.  NJ. his Colonel was Andrew Hampton, who was colonel at that time
of Rutherford County, in the State of North Carolina, his captain was William Nevill
or Nevilles, that he volunteered & joined
the company of sd. Nevilles, as well as he
recollects in the fall of the year 1779, before the battle of
Kings Mountain & went with said Nevill for the
purpose of guarding the indian line, which (illegible)
at that time not far distant, and served with said
Nevill in that service three months in the
following year to wit 1780 he volunteered and served three 
months under the following officers to wit; General
McDowell of Burke County, N.C. ; Col. Andrew
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Hampton before mentioned, Major Richard Singleton, of sd County of Rutherford & Capt. Adam White,
Sides, all officers of the N. Carolina militia;
that Gen. McDowell had at that time some five or
six hundred men under his command as well as the respondent
recollects composed enterity of militia
volunteers. that he marched into the State of North
Carolina about 30 miles over the line near where
a brother of Wade Hamptons lived, named
Ned Hampton, with said officers & others and
there encamped, and at night was surprized
& routed by a company of British cavalry about
one hundred strong, commanded by Captain Dunlap, as it was said, and also a few tories who had joined them that at that time it was
generally believed that the British were enabled
to surprize gen. McDowell by some tories who
had that day fallen into his hands & afterwards on the same
evening made there escape, and gave the Brish information of his situation that Gen. Mc
Dowell & Col Hampton were panick stricken and
retreated with the foremost of those who fled be
Major Singleton took advantage of a cross fence
in the rear of the army, and rolled as many of his
men as he could and this prevented the slaughter of the men from being very great. That in the
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affair not more than four or five of our men were
killed & about thirty wounded, chiefly with sabre
cuts & six or eight prisoners. The British had
about the same number killed, but lost no prisoners
that this affiant never ascertained how many
they had wounded. The next morning major. Singleton
with something the rise of a hundred
men (Capt. Whiteside & affiant being of that number)
commenced the pursuit and going about five or six
miles, overtook the tory part of the British army
if it may be so called & retook the prisoners, & killed some four or five of the tories that from there
he returned with Major Singleton, & rejoined those
who had retreated with Gen. McDowell, and
marched back to the upper part of North Carolina, and did nothing worthy of notice, 
until the army was disbanded and this affiant
discharged. After this affiant returned home, he
was in a few days taken a prisoner by a band
of tories four or five in number led by one David
George, and was carried into Col. Ferguson's
camp on Green river four or five miles 
be low Parisford & remained with him a prisoner
of war, marched in a few days to Kings moun
tain, where he was released by his countrymen
by the battle there fought, the americans being commanded by Cols. Campbell, Sevier, Shelby & Cleaveland, after this this affiant returned home.
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That afterwards in the year 1780, this affiant
again volunteered for twelve months and 
served that length of time, with the twelve months
man who had been drafted and were under the
command of Gen. Green that this affiant was
enrolled however by Capt. Beattie, a militia
officer, and was marched by him with some others who had been drafted or had
volunteered with this affiant for
the purpose of joining the 12 months men
to the headquarters of Gen. Green, where
this affiant joined the regular army under
General Green, for the purpose of serving out
his time as aforesaid, that he was attached to
the company commanded by one Captain Lytle, in Col. Armstrong regiment, with one Curtis Ivy, adjutant of that regiment, and all under the
command of General Green as aforesaid
That at the time this affiant joined General
Green's army, its headquarters was stationed
near old cherokee ford, on broad river in
South Carolina that some time after the
army marched to the High Hills of Santee
where this affiant with the army remained 
the greater part of the summer, and next
marched to the Eutau Springs where the battle the of that name was fought, and this affiant
was in that battle. After this battle the Bri
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tish retreated to Charleston & were closely pursued
by Gen. Green, who pursued them near to Bacon's
Bridge, about 25 miles from Charleston, where
Gen. Green halted for the purpose of Blockading the British in Charleston & prevented
them from foraging the country, and supplying
themselves with provisions. At the station
the army remained until the news 
arrived of Gen. Washingtons victory at Yorktown over Cornwallis, Some little time previous to hearing of the victory at Yorktown, Gen. Green received
information that a boat or small vessel, loaded
with provisions was descending the (Stone?)
mover for the British in Charleston and detached
Col. Armstrong with fifty men, among
them this affiant to intercept her they had
succeeded in getting(struck out) taking the boat & fastened
it to shore, with the 15 or 20 prisoners,
at a place where there had been an old station,
and some remnants of breast works;
when a British vessel carrying three guns on
each side came insight & attempted to recapture the boat, they fired on us
several
times but only killed one drunken soldier
who exposed himself imprudently; whenever they fired on us we fell down behind
our breastworks at the signal of the com
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manding officers sword and would be near
by covered with sand but in no danger 
so soon as the enemy fired, and before they could
load and fire again, or turn their vesel
round we rose and fired on them and
killed most of their men, and believe that
if the tide had not been descending, (illegible) to
would have been imprudent enough to
have waited and continued firing on us
until we should have taken that vessel.
Also - we remained here about a week
guarding the large quantity of provisions
until they could be carried off by the
wagons to the main army, which we rejoined, and was some time afterwards dis
charged, having served out our twelve
months, near a place called the four holes
about thirty miles from Charleston as well as he now
recollects, and he believes in the fall of the year
1781.
That he was born and lives in Brunswick
County, Virginia, until he was 12 or 14 years of age
when his father was killed as he was informed
some skirmish with the British early in the war
in Virginia, when his mother & family & himself moved ed to Rutherford County aforesaid where he remained
until he went the first tour to guard the indian
line as before stated, after his discharge at the four
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holes he returned to Rutherford County again &
there lived for 12 or 14 years.
then removed to near
Knoxville, T. and lived there about 4 years, then
moved to near Boling Green,  Warren, Cty. Kentucky, and lived there about 7 years,
thence
to Smith County Ten, near (Batcher Linx?), &
then lived about 4 years, then moved to Madison County, Alabama
about 8 miles from
Huntsville and lived there about ten years, then
moved to
St. Clair Co. Ala. and lived there about
years, thence to this county (Pickens) where he
has lived about six years, and where he now
lives, but as to these period he cannot be exact nor
can he be in regard to his age, no record of his age 
having been kept by his father or mother so far as he knows or believes, inasmuch as they could neither read nor rite, nor can he himself
read or rite that he received written discharges
from all the officers under whom
he served & kept his discharge for his 12
month service for ten or 12 years, when he
began to think it of no value, and permitted
it to be lost that they are all now lost. That he
has no documentary evidence to prove his
service as aforesaid or any part thereof
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nor does he know of any living witness by
whom he can prove said service or any
part thereof. That he is acquainted with the
following persons in his neighborhood who can
testify to his character for veracity, to-wit: Dr
Richardson Owen, a preacher of the gospel
and James Stanton. He hereby reling wishes
every claim to a pension or an annuity ex
cept the present, and he declares that his name
is not on the pension roll or agency of any
State
Sworn to & subscribed
the day & year first mentioned
Freeman Jones X his mark

Interrogatories
propounded by the Court,
to the said Freeman Jones
1. Where & in what year were you born?
Ans. In Brunswick County in Virginia and
from the best information he had from
parents in the year 1763,
2. Have you any record of your age, and if no
when is it? Ans. I have none - nor know of
any
3. Where were you when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and
where do you now live. And when called
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into the service, I lived in Rutherford county
N. Carolina, where I (I superimposed over "he") lived 12 or 14 years after the war, afterwards
about 4 years near Knoxville Ten. there about 7
years near Bolling Green in Ken. then about 4
years in Smith County, Ten then about 8 years
in Madison County, Ala. and then about 10 (the zero was superimposed over a 1) years
in St. Clair, Ala; & since in this County about
six years.
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 always a volunteer, but the
last time volunteered for the limited time of 12 months.
5. State the names of some of the regular 
officers, who were with the troops where you served, such continental & militia regiments
as you can recollect & the general
circumstances of your service. Ans. In
my two first tour of 3 months each stated above
there was no regular officers, nor other conti
nental or militia regiments other than those
I have stated in my declaration, together
with the circumstances of my service. In
the last tour there were regiments from Virginia, Maryland and perhaps from other
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States, as there were several regiments, all un
der Gen. Green among the milition there
was Col Sumpters, Marion & Morgan's
regiments but this affiant cannot recol
ect many of the officers Col. Lee & Col.
Washington commanded horse regiments of
Cavalry Col. Washington and he was taken prisoner was killed at
the Eutaw Springs. The general circumstan
ces of my service in this tour I have also already stated.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from
the service if so by whom was it given
and what has become of it?
Ans. In my first tour, I received a discharge
in writing from Captain Nevill, in the sec
ond I recd one from Captn. Whitesides, &
in third one from Captain Lytle, signed
by those officers respectively, but they
are now lost or destroyed,
7. State the names of persons to whom
you are known in your present neigh
bourhood, and who can testify to your
character for veracity, and their be
lief of your services as a soldier of
the revolution. Ans. I refer to Dr.
Richardson Owen & Mr James Stanton

Sworn to & subscribed 
in open Court
Freeman Jones X his mark.
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Are, Richardson Owens a clergyman & James D. Stanton, both residents of the county of Pickens & state of Alabama, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Freeman Jones who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations:  that we believe him to be of the age of seventy years, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion 
Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid
Richardson Owen
Ja. D. Stanton

And this said court do hereby declare their opinions after the investigations 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 Richardson Owens, who had signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said county of Pickens and that James Stanton who has also signed the same
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is a resident of said county, and is a credible persons
and that there statement is entitled to 
credit.

G W. Flournoy [Flourney?] Judge
of sd. Court

 I Francis W. Bostick, Clerk of the County
Court of said county of 
Pickens do hereby certify that 
the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said 
court in the matter of the application 
of Freeman Jones for a 
pension.  In testimony whereof 
I have hereunto set my hand 
and seal of office this first day 
of July, A.D. 1833.

Test  Francis W Bostick Clerk

[seal]
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No 24523
Freeman Jones   Pickens County
Alabama
19672

Return [struck through]

Adm 1 year & 6 months


Francis W Bostick Clk Pickens County
Alabama
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

29th April 1833

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of 
your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules, and 
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which much be removed,
before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew what is 
necessary to be done.  Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, 
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ).  You will, when 
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and 
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your 
claim.
------------------------------------------
A Statement, shewing the Service of Freeman Jones, Pickens County Alabama
------------------------------------------
Period when the service was performed.
Vol. 1779
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.
3 [months]
Rank of the claimant.
private
Names and rank of the Field officers, under whom he served.
col Hampton, Captain Nevill
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
68 years   Brunswick County Virginia
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence & clergymans
certificate - witness certified credible
papers not properly attached.

Period when the service was performed.
Vol. 1780
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.
3 [months]
Rank of the claimant.
private
Names and rank of the Field officers, under whom he served.
Col Hampton, Captain Nevill
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
68 years   Brunswick County Virginia
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence & clergymans
certificate - witness certified credible
papers not properly attached.

Period when the service was performed.
Vol. 1781
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.
1 [year] [something was written under months but marked out]
Rank of the claimant.
private
Names and rank of the Field officers, under whom he served.
Gl. McDowell, Colonel Hampton
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
68 years   Brunswick County Virginia
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence & clergymans
certificate - witness certified credible
papers not properly attached.

Period when the service was performed.
Vol. not stated
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.
[blank]
Rank of the claimant.
private
Names and rank of the Field officers, under whom he served.
Cap Beaty, Gl. Green
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
68 years   Brunswick County Virginia
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence & clergymans
certificate - witness certified credible
papers not properly attached.

Battle of Eutaw Springs


I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 

J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 
4. 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 County of On this ____ day of ____ personally appeared (a) before ____ A. B. a resident (b) ____ of ____ aged (c) ____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the 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) ____, with and served in the ____ (e) regiment of the ____ line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and 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. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] - He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares 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. A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion 
(g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. [____ of the Court of ____ do hereby certify 
(h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ____ for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office 
(i) this ____ of ____ & 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 Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ____ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ____ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, ____ Clerk of the Court of ____ do hearby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of ____ for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ____ day of ____ & c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. --- If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, 
(l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 19

3 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his Case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. To a Soldier: Did you ever receive a discharge from 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 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 enquiry 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 procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. ----- [a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of 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 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 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 ____ 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 three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. 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, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration in 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 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 public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. MODE OF AUTHENTICATING PAPERS. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. PROOF OF SERVICE. [j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must 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. [k] The notes from [a] and [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops [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 20

State of North Carolina

Know all men by
these presents that we Freeman Jones & James
Green of the County of Rutherford and State
aforesaid are held and firmly bound unto 
his excellency the Governor for the time being
and his successors in office in the sum of 
Five hundred pounds lawful money, to which 
payment will and [timely?] to be made and 
done, we bind ourselves our heirs Executors
and Administrators jointly and severally firm 
by these presents, sealed with our seals and 
dated the 7th day of Nov An Dom 1785
The condition of the above obligation 
is such that whereas the above [bondsman?]
Freeman Jones hath this day made application 
to the Clerks office for a Marriage Licence to 
be celebrated between him and Christian Paris
of said County now if there not appear
hereafter any lawful cause to obstruct said
marriage then this obligation to be void
otherwise to remain in full force and virtue

James Green  O  his mark  seal

Test F Walker C C.    seal


State of North Carolina ss.

I G W Logan Clerk 
of the Court of Please and Quarter Sessions
for Rutherford County do hereby certify that 
the foregoing is a true copy in the case 
to which it refers as will appear from the 
records of my office
In Testimony whereof I
Page 21

have hereunto affixed the seal 
of said Court at office and 
subscribed my name this 
25th day of December AD 1848

G W Logan Cl
for R. L. Gilkey DC

[seal]


State of North Carolina
Rutherford County 

I James V Jay an 
Acting Justice of the Peace for said County
do hereby certify that G.W. Logan is the 
Clerk of the Court of Please and Quarter Sessions
for the County aforesaid, and R L 
Gilkey is his Lawful deputy & that he has 
also affixed the proper seal of office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name and 
affixed my seal this 25th 
day of December AD 1848

J. V. Jay J.P. seal
Page 22

The State of Mississippi
Newton County

On this 13th day of March
A.D. 1849 Personally appeared before the Honourable
the Judge of the Probate Court in & for said County and 
State aforesaid now sitting Christian Jones a resident 
of Newton County Mississippi aged about Eighty two years
who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on 
her oath make the following Declaration in order to 
obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress
passed July 7 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay
and pensions to certain widows"  That she is the widow
of Freeman Jones who was a private soldier in Capt
Lytles Company of the 10th Regiment entered the service on 
the 9th day of July 1781 for the term of twelve months and 
left the service on the 26th day of June 1782.
She further declares that she was married to the said
Freeman Jones on or about the 7th day of November 1785.
that her husband the aforesaid Freeman Jones died on 
or about 26th day of August 1835.  That she was not married
to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage
took place previous to the first of January seventeen 
hundred and ninety four, viz; at the time above stated
She further swears that she is now a widow and 
that she has never before made any application for 
a pension.

Christian X Jones

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and 
year above written before the Judge of 
the Probate Court, in Open Court now sitting

Hamilton Cooper Judge of 
Probate of Newton County
State of Mississippi
Page 23

February 16,1940.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/CC
W. 7900
Freeman Jones

Mrs. John W. Hobbs
611 Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, Missouri.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to  your letter in which you request the 
Revolutionary War record of Freeman Jones of Brunswick County, 
Virginia, and who was born in Ireland.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file
in pension claim, W. 7900, based upon service of Freeman Jones
in the Revolutionary War.  This is the only pension record found 
of a Freeman Jones based upon service in the Revolutionary War.

Freeman Jones was born in 1763, in Brunswick County, Virginia,
and lived there until he was aged twelve or fourteen years, when 
his father was killed in a skirmish with the British, then moved
with his mother and family to Rutherford County, North Carolina.
Names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in Rutherford County, North Carolina, Freeman 
Jones enlisted in the fall of 1779, served three months as private
in Captain William Nevill's or Neville's company, Colonel Andrew
Hampton's North Carolina regiment; volunteered sometime in 1780, 
served three months as private in Captain Adam Whitesides' company,
Colonel Andrew Hampton's North Carolina regiment was in a skirmish
with the Indians and Tories, and after he returned home "he was in 
a few days taken prisoner by a band of Tories four or five in number,
led by one David George, and was carried into Colonel Ferguson's
Camp on Green River four or five miles below Paris' Ford and remained
with him a prisoner of war until he marched in a few days to Kings
Mountain where he was released by his countrymen"; volunteered July
9, 1781, served as private in Captain Lytle's company, Colonel
Armstrong's North Carolina regi8ment, was in the battle of Eutaw Springs
and a skirmish on Stono River, and was discharged June 26, 1782.
Page 24

After the Revolution Freeman Jones resided in Rutherford
County, North Carolina, about twelve or fourteen years; about 
four years near Knoxville, Tennessee; about seven years near
Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky; about four years near
"Bletcher's Lick", Smith County, Tennessee; about eight or ten years in 
Madison County, Alabama, about eight miles from Huntsville; about 
seven or ten years in Saint Clair County, Alabama, then moved to Pickens
County, Alabama.

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed
July 1, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Pickens County, 
Alabama.  He died there August 26, 1835.

Freeman Jones married November 7, 1785, in Rutherford County,
North Carolina, Christian or Christina (both names are shown)
Paris, of Rutherford County, North Carolina.  Date and place of 
her birth and names of her parents are not shown.

Soldier's widow, Christian Jones, was allowed pension on her
application executed December 30, 1847 at which time she was residing
in Hancock County, Mississippi.  In 1849, she was aged
about eighty-two years and a resident of Newton County, Mississippi, her post office
Decatur, Ala. 

In 1848, soldier's son Freeman Jones, was residing in Gainesville, 
Hancock County, Mississippi.  No reference was made to other children,
and no further family data are shown.  In 1847, one Robert P. Jones was Clerk of the Probate Court of Newton Co., Miss., no relationship to the family shown.

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

Christian Jones, widow of Freeman Jones, certificate No. 4938, issued
July 7, 1849, rate $60.00 per annum; commenced March 4, 1848, Act of 
February 2,1848, Mississippi Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 25

Revolution
North Carolina
WIDOW, &c.
-----
File No. 7900
Christian Jones
Wid.
Freeman Jones
Pvt. Rev. War
-----
Act:  Feby. 3/48
Index: - Vol. A, Page 377
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

8585
Mississippi
----------------
Christian Jones
widow of Freeman Jones
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Husbd. dd. 26 Augt. 1835
------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 60 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.
---------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued
the 7th day of July, '49
and sent to claimant
Decatur
Miss.
---------------------------
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 
17, 1844.]

Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2, Page 222.


[note on upper right]
Reported
Page 27

10681
Mississippi
Alabama [marked through]
------------------------------------
Christian Jones
Widow of Freeman Jones
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 26th August 1835,
of Newton Co. in the State of Miss.
who was a Pri in the Company
commanded by Captain Hampton of the 
Regt. commanded by Col. Neville in 
the Va. line for 1 yr. 6 mo.
-------------------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of Jackson 
at the rate of 60 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day 
of March, 1836.
-------------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of 
July, 1849 and sent to claimant,
Decatur, Miss.
------------------------------------
Total amount,    $ [blank]

[Act July 7, 1838.]

Recorded by Th Lumpkin, Clerk,
Book D  Vol. 1  Page 521


[written on the left side]
Reported
Page 28

[Act/Ad?] 43  9665
No 13837
Christian Jones
wid of Freeman
Miss.
Act 7 July 1838
married 1785
husband died 26 Aug 35
Adm $60.00 pr an
on 4 March 1836 to 4
March 1841
under act '43
44
48
$60.00 pr
[illegible] 4 March 1843
Claimant
Decatur
Ala.


[notes on the left side of page]
No 13837 - March 13. 1849
Freeman Jones
Ala 32  Jones  19672
Claimant
Decatur, Ala.
Page 29

[A handwritten letter that half way down the page is overlayed with a printed document.]

Compt Office
Raleigh N. C.

I William Y. Collins Comptroller of Public
Accounts in and for the State of North
Carolina do hereby certify that the name 
[covered by another document] Jones appears of Record in this 
[remainder of letter is covered]

[printed document begins]
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.

I, WILLIAM HILL, Secretary of State, in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby
certify, that it appears from the muster-rolls of the Continental line of this State, in the Revolutionary
War, that Freeman Jones a private Soldier in Capt. Lytle's 
Company of the 10th Regiment, entered the service on the 9th
day of July 1781 for the term of twelve months and left
the service on the 26th day of June 1782.

Given under my hand this 21st day of December 1848.

Wm. Hill  Secretary of State
Page 30

[The same letter as previous page but in its entirety.]

Compt Office
Raleigh N. C.

I William Y. Collins Comptroller of Public
Accounts in and for the State of North
Carolina do hereby certify that the name 
of Freeman Jones appears of Record in this 
office as having had issued the following 
issued certificates, viz, one for Seventeen pounds
Eleven shillings and nine pence (£17.11.9)  See
Book G. No 14 page 3  Also another for Four pounds
seven shillings and eleven pence (£4.7.11)  See
Book C No 13 page 21  Also another for Thirteen
pounds three shillings and Ten pence (£13.3.10)
See Book A. [In?] No 15 page 48 given under
my hand and seal this 1st day February
1849

Wm. [F?] Collins Compt

[seal]
Page 31

Hon. A. G. Brown
March 13. 48
Page 32

99

Pension Office
March 13 1848

Sir

I have the honor to return herewith 
Mr. Jones letter and to enclose printed instructions 
for the guidance of his [illegible] in assertions 
a claim to a pension.
Freeman Jones in his declaration 
alleged that he served two tours of three months
each in the Militia and one tour of 12 months
commencing in 1780 in the Continental Line of 
North Carolina.  The service in the militia
should be sustained by the Certificate of the 
Comptroller and that in the line by that if 
the secretary of state of that state before 
his [illegible] could be allowed a stipend for 
the same.


Hon Albert G. Brown 
House of Reps.
Page 33

House of Reps
29 Feb 1848

Sir

The enclosed papers will declare to you the object sought
by the widow of Freeman Jones a revolutionary pensioner
Mrs Christian Jones seeks any balance that may be due
her late husband, and such further relief as she may
be entitled to under existing laws as the widow of a 
pensioner soldier.  It will be seen that Freeman Jones
died in 1835 and was then on the pension roll from 
Alabama.  Your early attention is respectfully [illegible]
to this subject -

Yours &c &c
A. G. Brown


Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com Pensions
Page 34

Gainsville Mi.     Paid     10
Jany 31


Honl. A. G. Brown [M C?]
Washington City
D.C.
Page 35

State of Mississippi
County of Newton

On this thirtieth day of December
in the year One thousand eight hundred 
and forty seven personally appeared
before me the undersigned an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for the County and State first
above mentioned Christina Jones who being duly 
sworn according to law deposes that she is the lawful
and surviving relict of the late Freeman Jones Senior
a pensioner by the record of the United States for Revolutionary
services (which fact will more fully appear by reference
to the Pension Roll) and that the said Freeman Jones
Sen pensioner as aforesaid died in the State of Alabama
and the County of Pickens on or about the Twenty sixth
day of August in the years of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and thirty five

Christina Jones  X  her mark

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day 
and year first above mentioned

W W Drinkwater JP  (seal)



The State of Mississippi
Hancock County

Hon A G Brown

Dear Sir

The above maid widdowe
is at this time a residenter of Hancocke county
Mississippi and will remain so as 
requested to have his pention money
maid payable in New orleans if 
the department will do so or at jacksonville Mis
and pleas maile all communications to me 
and direction to Gainsville hancock county Mis
as Mother has maid me her ageant and your 
kwicke favour of the 15 1847 of November has just
been received and with a [pension?] respect and 
all future survises shall be promply
attended to by me  I did not wish to incumber
the office with papers so I use the same sheet
January the 29 1848   

your most obedient servant
Freeman Jones Junr
Page 36

It is hereby certified that satisfactory proof has been 
made before me, W W Drinkwater an acting Justice 
of the Peace in and for the County of Newton and 
State of Mississippi, by the deposition of Jesse Huey
and Aaron Hendon who are persons fully
entitled to credit; that Christina Jones is the lawful 
and surviving relict of the late Freeman Jones Senior
Revolutionary Pensioner by the laws of the United States and 
that the said Freeman Jones Senior died in the state
of Alabama and the County of Pickens on or about
the Twenty sixth day of August in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirty five
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and the thirtieth day of December A. D. 1847

W W Drinkwater JP (seal)
Page 37

The State of Mississippi
Newton County

I Robert P Jones Clerk 
of the probate court of the County of Newton 
State aforesaid do hereby certify that William W
Drinkwater whose genuine signature appears to the 
foregoing certificate is and was at the date thereof
an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said 
county duly qualified and commissioned, and that 
all of his acts in the premises are and aught to 
be entitled to full faith and credit in judication 
and thereout
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and seal of said court
at Decatur the 30th day of December
AD eighteen hundred and forty seven

R. Jones Clerk of 
the probate court Newton Co.
Miss

[seal]
Page 38

[LETTERHEAD]
HUSON & HUSON & LEAP
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
SAN DIEGO, TEXAS

August 4th 1916.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-
I will greatly appreciate it if you will advise me if you have any record of Thomas, Benjamin and George Norvell, of Albemarle or Bedford Counties, Virginia, having served in the War of 1812.

A year or so ago you send [sic.] me the record of Freeman Jones, who was born in Brunswick County, Va. and served in N. C. troops during Revolution. Your record stated that his father was killed in a skirmish with the British in the early part of the war. Does your record give the name of the father of Freeman Jones,

Have you any record of John Franklin Barnett, of Clarke County, Ga. having served in the war of 1812?
Very truly yours,
[HOBART HUSON SIGNATURE]
HH/W.

Pension Office U.S. Aug 9 1916 [black ink stamp]
Page 39

[LETTERHEAD]
TERRELL, WALTHALL & TERRELL
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
CENTRAL TRUST BUILDING
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

September 25th 1914.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-

The Adjutant General's Dept. has referred
me to your department for some information.

One of my wife's ancestors, Freeman
Jones, served in the American Army during the
War for Independence. He colonized from Ireland, and married in Kentucky (Miss Christina Parrish), and left his wife and small children to go to the front. He lived successively in Kentucky, Alabama and Mississippi, and I am not certain from what
state he enlisted.

If you can give me any information on this point, I will appreciate it.

Very truly yours,
H. Huson
Page 40

Page contains a single stamp in black ink.

Pension Office U.S. 
Sep 28 1914
Page 41

JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI
Feb 1 1940.

Veterans Bureau.
Rev. War Records Dept.
Washington D. C.

Dear Sir -.
Will you kindly advise if you have a Rev. War Record of Freeman Jones, of Brumswick [sic.] Co. Va.
He may be listed from some other Va. County, but feel reasonably sure that you will find his record from Brumswick [sic.]. 
He was born in Ireland and served through-out the war. Am anxious to obtain his wife's name and those of his children.
[SIGNED]
Mrs John W. Hobbs.
M. H. Hobbs
611 Capitol Ave

Received Feb 3 1940 [stamped in black ink]
Page 42

M.B.H. [handwritten initials]
Rev. War Section.

August 31, 1916.


Mr. Hobart Huson,
San Diego, Texas.

Sir:

In response to your letter dated the 4" instant, you are advised that in the claim Wid. File 7900, Freeman Jones, Revolutionary War, the name of his father is not stated.
The pension records of the War of 1812, fail to afford any information in regard to Benjamin Norvell, George Norvell and John Franf [sic.] Franklin Barnett.
Very respectfully,
[illegible signature]
Commissioner.
Page 43

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., 19 [blank]

In reply to your request of [blank line] received [blank line] for a statement of the military history of Freeman Jones [handwritten] a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or [struck out] his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. W. F. 7900


DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE. 
[TABLE WITH HANDWRITTEN ENTRIES]
Fall 1779 | 3 mos. | Pvt. | Wm Nevill or Nevilles | Andrew Hampton. | NC

Fall 1780 | 3 mos. | Pvt. | Adam Whiterides | Andrew Hampton. | NC

(Returned home, was taken prisoner by the Tories, carried to the Battle of Kings Mountain, and was there released by his countryman) [Previous text is crossed out with a handwritten note stating "this is too obscure.")

July 9, 1781 | June 26 1782 | Lytle | Armstrong

Battles engaged in, Eutaw Springs, in a skirmish in SC + on [illegible] River

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Rutherford Co.

Date of application for pension, July 1. 1833. His claim was allowed.

Residence at date of application, Pickens Co. Ala.

Age at date of application, born in Brunswick Co. Va. in 1763 [handwritten check mark]

Remarks: he Married in Rutherford Co. N.C. Nov 7 1785 Christina or Christian
Parish, he died in Pickens Co. Ala, Aug 26 1835, and she was allowed pension on an
application executed Dec. 13 [circled and corrected to 30] 1847 while a resident of Hancock Co. Miss. She was 82
years of age in 1849. Son Freeman Jones was alive in 1848. Soldier's father, name not stated was killed early in the war in a skirmish with the Br. in Va

Respectfully,
Commissioner.