Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4545, for Isaac Rainey, North Carolina
Page 1

Service: 
N. C.

Rainey, Isaac 

Number 
S. 4545
Page 2

West Tennessee
Isaac Rainey decd
of Bedford Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the company [command]
by Captain _____ of the regt [command]
by Col. [Moore] in the [N. Carolina]
[time] for six months

Certificate issued to his [wife]
Sarah Rainey, Pension to be 
paid to 17 June 1836 the time of
her [unknown] deaths.

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 20 Dollars —- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Sept
1837 — and sent to [unknown]
Polk, [Speaker] [unknown] [Reps.]

[Arrears] to the [17th] June 1836 $105.
Semi-anl. allowance ending $105.80

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7th 1832}
Recorded by [unknown] Clerk
Book E. 2 Vol 7 Page 103
—
Letter to H. Rainey 16 June 1888.
Dead
Paid at the [Treasury]
the act of the 6 April
1838 [from] 4 March 1821.
to 17 June 1836 the day
of his death. Agent
[unknown] 18 Oct 1838.
Page 3

Treasury Department 

Second Comptroller’s Office,
September 28th, 1838

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled “An 
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain 
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury 
of the United States,” The [widow] of Isaac Rainey 
[unknown] a Pensioner on the Roll if the Nashville Ten. Agency, at
the rate of twenty dollars and ,, ____,,____ cents 
per annum, under the law of the 7th [June] 1832 has 
been paid at this Department, form the 4th of March 1831
to the 17th June 1836, the day of his death_____

Respectfully yours,
[unknown] K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions, 
Present.
Page 4

23850
Isaac Rainey
[deceased]. [To]
[unknown] Polk
letter filed with [unknown]
[Hills] [unknown]

Hon J. K. Polk
H R
J H [unknown]
[unknown]
Page 5

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183

Sir:  
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, as
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 must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is
necessary to be done. These 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 investigations of your
claim. 

A Statement, showing the Service of Isaac Rainey [unknown]

Period when the service was rendered.
[unknown] ’81

Duration of the Service 
Year Month Days
.. g ..

Rank of the claimant 
[pr]

Names and Rank of the Field officers under whom he served
[Gen] Butler [Almoore]

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service 
[unknown]

Proof by which the declaration is supported
[unknown]

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 6

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE, 1832,

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been constructed to extend, as well to the ;one, 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:
The Regular Troops.
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
Persons employed in the Naval Service.
Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claim-
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first 
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk
considered a Court or Record. 

DECLARATION,

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Territory, or District of } [33.]
County of} 

On this ____ day of ________ personally appeared (a) before _______
B. a resident (b) of ______ in the county of ______ and State Territory or District
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 serv-
ed 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 cares of officers and per-
sons 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. 

[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 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 ____
_____ day 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 Revo-
lutionary 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 hereby certify that the foregoing 
contains the original proceedings of said court, in the matter of the application of ___
for a person. 

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 commis-
sion; 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 ser-
vices 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 7

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; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-
pected. 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 the service, and if so, by whom was it giv-
en, 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 name of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can tes-
tify 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 opinion 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 pro-
cure, 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 fol-
low 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, deposits 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 is the following grades:— For____year___months, and_____ _______
days, I served as a ___ ___. For ___ ___ months and ___ ___ days, I served as ___; 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 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 place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent au-
thority; 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 pub-
lic 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 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 witt-
nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

The notes form [a] to [ ] are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
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 8

State of Tennessee
Marshall County Court
September Term 1837

This day [Sherwood Dunagan] and Martin W.
Oakly come personally into Court and testified
to the satisfaction of the Court that they are will
satisfied that Sarah Rainey whose affidavit is
[within] os now the widow of Isaac Rainey deceased
and that he died at the time [unknown] inside 
affidavit, and the court is further satisfied that 
George H Allen and E.F. [Kirk] whose 
signatures appear to the [unknown] certi-
ficate are men of respect and credibility.
[unknown] it is ordered by the court
that the [smudged out] [sign] this certificate 
officially
[unknown]
[Chairman Marshall]
County Clerk

I [certify] that M.W. Oakly whose name 
appears as [unknown] in the [unknown] affidavit of 
Sarah Rainey and [unknown] Allen and E.F. [Kirk] is 
clerk of the county Court of [unknown] county
[unknown] [I further] certify that [unknown] personally 
[unknown] with Isaac Rainey in his [lifetime]
and hour [unknown] , that he died at the 
time stated and that Sarah Rainey in his 
widow. 
[unknown]
Sept 24th 1837
Page 9

[State of unknown]
Marshall County
County Court [unknown]
A.D. 1837

This day Sarah Rainey came into open court 
and [unknown fragment] is the widow of Isaac
Rainey deceased late of [Bedford] County [unknown]
that the said Issac Rainey departed his life 
on the 17th of June A.D. 1836
set my [private] sea; [unknown] no [unknown]
M.W. Oakley [unknown] office
His mark
Sarah Rainey

This day George [unknown] & Edw [unknown] of
that part of Bedford County now [included] in
Marshall County come into open Court and
made oath that they [unknown] will [unknown]
with Isaac Rainey [deceased] late of Bedford
County [unknown]; that Sarah Rainey who has
[unknown] the foregoing affidavit is the widow of
Isaac Rainey [unknown fragment]
this life on the 17th day of June A.D. 1836
before me
M.W. Oakley
[various signatures]
Page 10

State of Tennessee} Circuit Court,
Bedford County} June Term 1835

The [amended] Declaration of Isaac Rainey in order
to obtain the benefit of the act of [Congress] of the
7th of June 1832. On this 2nd day of June, [personally]
[unknown] Isaac Rainey [sign] a [resident] in the said
County and State aforesaid Seventy two years of age
who being first duly sworn, according to law, [doth on]
his Oath makes 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 in
[information crossed out]
State of North Carolina, about the 17th year
of his age in Capt William Douglass house [company]
[unknown] at Caswell Court house N.C. from there
marched to [Harrisburg] and fall under the command
of General [unknown] from [unknown] marched to the
[unknown] River where we fell under General Green
in [Orange] County N.C [has] he thinks he has a [unknown]
of their time [unknown fragment] was [persuaded] to stay
for a Battle was expected in [some short time]; he
thinks it did take place at Guilford in fifteen or twenty
days and he was in the Battle at Guilford [County]
was marched from that battle ground to [troublesome]
Iron works when he was discharged or dismissed by
Col. William More; he states he received no written dis
charge, but knows his tour was for three months
and that he served fifteen or 20 days over his
time of a three months tour.
Some short time after his return home he volunteered
again in a [horse] company commanded by Capt John
McMullen [unknown] at Hillsborough Orong County
N. Carolina [stationed] from there for Wilmonton N.C.
Page 11

On our way at a place called Livingston Bridge was
[unknown] a Battle Col W. More commanded the Regiment
Gen [Butler] was commander in chief he thinks after
that we had another battle at a place called The
Brown Marsh he thinks from there they made
Several [unknown] to different points at [length] they
were marched to [unknown] where they lay until they
knew came that Lord [Cornwallis] was taken at little
York Still under General Butler General [unknown]
[said] was also there but he does not know which was
the Chief Commander, [Soon] after this [knows] he was
discharged but received no written discharge it was
about the 17th November; he states he was then about
200 miles from home and had served that tour
five months and [fifteen] or twenty days in both
tours nine months and a [unknown] days [unknown] He States that he had an
[unknown] by the name of William Mitchel and believes
he is still living in the County of [Rutherford Tennessee]
and in a former application [for] a pension he
[unknown] his testimony
and [unknown] his testimony with his declaration to the War [unknown]
relative to his service in the revolutionary
and he [unknown] is on [file] in the office with his [unknown] [unknown]
but his age and [unknown] of body now [unknown] it in
to prove the the [unknown] [of] said Mitchell [unknown]
practicable. And he knows of no other testimony
that he can [procure]; therefore he submits [himself] under 
the regulations of the war department to the exam-
ination of his age and Character &
He hereby [relinquishes] every 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 and year aforesaid
in open Court
[Daul] [unknown]
Page 12

I Daniel [unknown] of the County Court of
[Redford] County [unknown] do certify that the [foregoing] contains
the original [proceedings] of the said Court in the matter
of the application of Isaac Rainey [unknown] for a pension
In testimony whereof I have [hereunto]
private then being no
set my hand and private [sign] [unknown] no seal of office this 2nd day
of June 1835
Danl [unknown] clk

John T Neil & Richard [unknown] of the County
of Bedford and State of Tennessee - residing in
the same, hereby certify that we are well [acquainted] with
Isaac Rainey [unknown] who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration that we believe him to be Seventy two years of
age that he is reputed and believed in the [unknown]
[my have] [unknown] [had in the [unknown] [unknown] & [unknown] it disputed
where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution
and that we concur in that opinion [unknown]
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
in open Court
Rich Warner
Daul [unknown]
Page 13

Interrogatories

1st Where [and in what] year was you born
Applicants ans.  I was born in [unknown] County N.C
and afterward it became [Caswell] by
a division of Counties and
in the year 1763 old Style on 1st
January
2nd Have you any record of your age and if so
when is it
Ans. I have none but I have often seen it in my Fathers
family Bible, that Book was sold and I
know not who bought it
3rd Where were you living when called into Service
Where have you lived since the Revolutionary war &
where do you now live
Ans. I lived in Caswell County N.C. when called into
service and lived there until about fifteen years
[unknown] I came to this County in [Tenn] where I
now live
4th 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 volunteered both tours in the [unknown] as stated
in my declaration
5th State the names of some of the regular officers
who were with the troops where you served
Such [unknown] and Militia [unknown] you
can [recollect] and the [general] [unknown] of your service
Page 14

Ans. General Green Col Lee & Col Washington
Gen Butler Gen. Rutherford Col More commanded
the Regt I was in the - [general] circumstances of
my Service I have named in my declaration
6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and
if so by whom was it given and what has become of
it
Ans. I never received a written discharge. I served two tours
and was simply dismissed by my officers -
7th State the names of persons to whom you are known
in your [present] neighborhood and who can
testify as to your [character] for [unknown] and their
belief of your services as a solder of the Revolution
Ans. Hugh McClellan J F Ferguson Col. Aaron Boyd
Col. James [R.] Polk. Our [unknown]
Joseph [unknown] Esq [Jas] Patterson Esq
John T [unknown] & Richard [Warner]

And the said Court do hereby declare the 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 John T. [unknown] &
Richard [Warner] who signed the preceding certificate
and [unknown] in the said County of
Bedford and that they are [unknown]
Page 15

and
their statement is [entitled] to credit
W. [unknown]
Judge [unknown]

I Daniel [unknown] Clerk of the Circuit Court of Bedford
by [unknown] do hereby certify that the [foregoing] contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of Isaac Rainey [unknown] for a Pension

In testimony [unknown] I have [hereunto]
set my hand and [unknown] seal this [unknown fragment] 2nd
day of June 1835
[Daniel] [unknown] clk

I certify that the [foregoing] [amended] [unknown] of
Isaac Rainey, [contained] in this and the [unknown]
that are the original proceedings [held] in [Court]
that I am personally [unknown] with the Hon. [unknown]
brothers the [Judge] [presiding], and with [unknown]
[unknown] [unknown] of said Court, and that this
[unknown] [unknown], are [unknown].
June 2nd 1835
James K [unknown]
Page 16

information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pen-
sion on file in this Bureau. Isaac Rainey [unknown] 4545

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
Jan’y 20, 1781
[2 or 3 weeks]
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
3mos. 15 or 20 days
5mos. 15 or 20 days
RANK
[Pot]
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
William Douglas
John [W. Mallin]
[Spill] Coleman
COLONEL.
William Moore
William Moore
Owens
STATE 
N.C.

Battles engaged in, Guilford C.H. [Livingston] Swank, Brown Marsh
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Caswell Co. N.C.
Date of application for pension, No. 2, 1832. The [unknown]
Residence at date of application, Bedford Co. Tenn.
Age at date of application, {[from] Orange Co. N.C. [Jany] 12 1763 (Old Style)
{Died June 17, 1836
Remarks: Soldier is referred to as Isaac Rainey S.
His wife's name was Sarah…[to whom] the pension was
The above noted is the only soldier of that name &c.
Page 17

4545
INVALID.
No. 4545
Isaac Rainey
Pri. N.C.M.
Act: June 7, ’32
Index: - Vol. A, Page 398
{Arrangement of 1870.}
[Apl] - 19 - 1902
[Hon] L.P. Padgett to
1909 July 26 Hist to
[R. Wade Sowell] V. L. M.
1913 Jany 23 Hist to [Mrs. Dow]
[unknown] Cox ([Caroline]M.S.L.) V.L.M.
1914 Nov. 18 Hist to Geo. H. Townsend
1915 Mch. 25 Geo. H. Townsend that [unknown]
[unknown] is not stated or that he had
[unknown]
1917 [unknown] 9 Hist. to [unknown]
1922 Mar 24. H.R. Small, 1605
[Pierce Building], Louis Mo.
advised of [unknown] of copies
([unknown] in John Peter Wag
now [unknown]) and
1922 Mar 29. H.N. Small
[1425] [Boatmen’s] Bank Bldg
St. Louis, Mo. Copies [unknown]
to [have] (see receipt for
payment in John Peter
[unknown]) and
Page 18

Suspended
See letter to
Hon. J. K. Polk
14 Feb. 1835—
15 June 1835
[unknown] 23 Dec 36
let 20 June 37 J.N. Rains
Page 19

 (MF 42)
Date Mar. 28. 1922.
Name__ Isaac Hamer No.__ S 4545
NC Troops War Rev.
Photographic copies wanted of__ 9
pieces, consisting of __20 __pages.
Remarks:____
[unknown. Wilson] Exr: [unknown] Chief__Record__ Div.
the Reconvive
Serial No. [6346]
Law Clerk.
Page 20

War Department
Pension Office
June 20, 1834.
Sir,
I herewith return to you the papers
in the case of Isaac Rainey, deceased, and
[here] to state, that before a certificate can be
[issued] for his widow, under the act of June
7th 1832, the Court must give their opinion
as to Sarah Rainey being his widow, and
that her husband died at the time alleged.
The Court should also [certify] to the credibility
of the witnesses, and the [official] character
and signature of the Clerk of the Court should
be certified by a member of Congress, as re-
quired in [unknown] [is] in the enclosed printed
[unknown]. The original papers have been filed
I am respectfully
your obt sev
J L. Edwards
[J.N. Rainey Esqr]
[unknown]
Tennessee
Page 21

(extract)
War Department
Pension Office
June 15. 1835

Sir
The amended declaration
of Isaac Rainey, has been examined and filed
with his other papers in this office. He claims
for one tour of three and a half months, and one
tour of five and a half months: as a militia
man of N. Carolina, The militia of that State
were not called out to serve for so long a term
as is set forth by the [claimant] either in his first
or second tour under one engagement. Unless there-
fore the applicant can give such a statement
of his tour of actual service as shall more [near]
by agree as it regards their duration, with the
[usual] term of engagement of the North Caro-
lina militia, a [favorable] decision cannot
be had,
[Sum &]
Hon. J. K. Polk (signed)
Columbia
[Shelbyville P.O. Ten.]
J.L. Edwards
Page 22

Union Bank of Tennessee 
Nashville 2nd June 1838
J.L. Edwards Esq. 

Dear Sir
On the 26th Sept. 1837 you [directed]
me to place the name of Sarah Rainey widow
of Isaac Rainey [decd] a Revolutionary Pensioner under 
the act of the 7th June 1832 on the rolls of this agen-
cy for payment, and she now makes her application
for payment through her [attorney], and some
[doubts arise] with me first whether the late law
of Congress of the 6th April 1838 [unknown] her [unknown] &
secondly whether her papers and made out in
such form that they would be received at the Department.

[unknown] [unknown] them for your examina-
tion and [decision]. Mrs Rainey’s name was not
[unknown] in the list sent or from this office 5th
May last under a [unknown] at that time that the
act of Congress of 6th April 1838 did not reach her
Care, [Please] to return papers if not in such
form or can be paid on at the [unknown] with
your [unknown] to M. Homer [unknown]
Richland Post Office [Giles] County Tennessee
I am Respectfully Sir
Your obt sert.
John M [unknown]
& [unknown]
[unknown]
Page 23

[unknown]
Tenn
 James [L] Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department 
Washington City
 Attn. J.K. Polk
Sh: Ho: [Rehs]
Page 24

Washington Sept 25th 1837

Sir 
[unknown] I send you, additional
evidence, [unknown] required in your letter of June 20th
1837 to I.N. Rainey [unknown], - that Sarah Rainey
is the widow of Isaac Rainey [died] whose
pension his widow [closing]. - If a pension
[certificate] shall issue, [be] [pleased] to
[send] it to me that I may [forward] it to
his. -
I am Very Respectfully
Your obt sevt.
[James H unknown]
J.L. Edwards Esq
Com Pension
War Department
Washington City
Page 25

Pension Claim
[unknown]

James [L] Edwards [Esq]
Commissions of Pensions 
War Department 
Washington City
Page 26

Pension Claim
[unknown]

James [L] Edwards [Esq]
Commissions of Pensions 
War Department 
Washington City
__________
Page 26:
[Shelbyville] June 2nd 1835
James [L] Edwards [Esq]
Commissions of Pensions 

I [herewith] send
the [amended] declarations of Isaac Rainey for a 
pension. His former [unknown] is [I presume] on
file in the office. [unknown] [assisted] him in [preparing] 
the [unknown] [unknown] and [though] it is [unknown] 
-[unknown] it can be understood. I know the appli-
-cant to be a man of good [character] and 
worthy of [unknown]. [I now] [command fully with 
him in relation to his [serving] and how [never]
doubted he served as he states and is entitled to 
a pension. He has [been] always [reputed] [of] [as] I under-
-stand in his neighborhood to have [unknown] as 
a solution in the revolution.

I have the honor to be 
very respectfully 
your obt’ servt’
James K [Polk]
[S.F. 4545]

PS
Be pleased to send the certificate [if]
penion is granted [unknown] to Isaac Rainey, [unknown] [unknown]
P.O. Bedford County [unknown]
[7th & 6]
J.K.P.
Page 27

William Mitchell
affidavit
Page 28

2385[9]
Isaac Rainey’s
Declaration
Page 29

State of Tennessee

Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act
of Congress passed 7th June 1832.
On this 12th day of November in the year of our
Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two. -
I personally appeared in open Court before the [wor
=shipful] John L. Neill Samuel Phillips and John B.
Armstrong [unknown] Gentlemen Justices of the peace in and
for the County and State aforesaid; now sitting -
Isaac Rainey a resident of said County aged
[sixty nine] years and ten months, who after being
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 7th June 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under 
the following named officers and served as herein
That he entered the Sevice of the
stated to [unknown]; that he entered the service of the 
United States as a volunteer in Captain William
Dauglass’s Company of [Mounted Gunmen]; who was
under the command of Genl Butler and Col [Moore]
about the 20th day of January 1781. Shortly after the
Battle of the [Cowpens]; He says he was [unknown]
into service in Granville County and State of
N. Carolina at Genl Butters head Quarters he
says he was himself a Citizen of Caswell County
N. Carolina at that time; [Deponent] States that
he was marched from said head Quarters under the
Page 30

aforesaid Officers to an [encampment] on Hawkins
occupied by Genl [Greene] in Guilford county in 
said last mentioned State; and was marched from
there to Guilford Court house the day previous to the
Battle at that place between the Americans and the
Brittish. He says he was in that [unknown] from
its [unknown] to the end of it from there he
was marched to [Troublesome] from [unknown] an [Haw]
river, where he says the troops remained for some
time; and from there was marched home after serving
three months and ten or fifteen days; and dismissed
[while] further order; and was called in about two or
three weeks afterwards when he says he again joined
Capt John [McMullin] and was marched to [Caswell]
old Courthouse to Col William [Moore]; and that Col.
Moore had [unknown] orders to dismiss his troops; he
says he was again dismissed until further orders
he [unknown] says in two days afterwards the [unknown]
took [possession] of Hillsborough, and that he was
called upon by Captain [McMullin] again and
was marched to Hillsborough and [an] in [pursuit]
of said [unknown] and that the American troops overtook
the [unknown] at Livingston's Swamp that he was
in an engagement at that place with said [unknown]
and Brittish - [light horse], and that the latter gave
way; and that he was, then placed in a company
of [unknown] [infantry] under the command of Capt
Spill Coleman, Capt McMullin having disgraced
Page 31

himself and was dismissed and sent home. He say
he was then marched to a place called Browns
March where he says he was in another ingagement
with the Brittish in the [Nightime] for more than
one hour, and that seven or ten Americans [were] killed
and about sixty [head] of horses, and thirty three of
the Brittish were said to have been killed at said battle
He says Col Moore being a member of the Legislature
of North Carolina [returned] home; and that Capt
[Colemans] company was [attached] to or placed under
the command of Col Owens, and was marched to
Genl Rutherfords head Quarters, and from there he
was marched to North East Bridge on [unknown]
river not far from Wilmington, where he says
the Glorious news that Cornwallace was taken
at Little York was received; and that in a few
days after the Brittish was marched off, that
was [unknown] on the apposet side of the river
from the American Army. He said [unknown]
says he was dismissed; That he believes he was
in the actual service of the United States as
a soldier of the Revolution for Nine months
and that he has no documentary evidence what-
=ever; and that he knows of no person except
what he proved by the affidavit or certificate of
William Mitchell [unknown] of Rutherford County in
the state of Tennessee, [from] testimony he can
Page 32

[procure] who can testify as to his service; and that he
hereby relinquishes all and every claim whatever to
a pension or annuity except the present and [unknown]
that his name is not on the pension roll of any
Agency in the United States -

Interrogatories by the Court. -
1st where and in what year were you born?
Ans. I was born in Orange County in the State of
of N. Carolina on the 12th day of January 1763 according 
to my Fathers Family records -

2nd Have you any record of your age and if
so where is it
Ans.  I never Recorded my age that I recollect

3rd How were you called into service; were you
drafted, were you a volunteer, or were you a substi
=tute; and if a substitute for whom
Ans I was a volunteer the whole time I was in service

4th 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 a citizen of [Coswell] County in the State
of North Carolina when I entered the service of
the United States, and continued to be, until the
winter of 1819 when I removed to [Maury ]County
in the State of Tennessee, where I lived for about
five years; and from there I moved to Bedford
County in the last mentioned State where I have
ever since and where I now live
Page 33

5th State the names of some of the Regular
officers that were with the troops where you served
such [continental] and Militia Regiments as you
can recollect, and the general circumstances of your
service.-
Ans. I Recollect Col Robert Mayben at Levingston
Swamp Genl Eaton, Maj. Wm Pitte, Col. Lee and
Washington at the Battle of Guilford, I do not
recollect the names of [members] of any Regiment
either Continental or Militia; and I believe my
declaration contains the most prominent circum
stances of my service -

6th did you ever receive a discharge and
if so what has become of it
Ans. I never did receive a discharge in
writing. -

State the names of persons in our present
neighborhood to whom you are known
who can testify as to your character for
[unknown] and their opinion of your services
as a soldier of the Revolution. -
Ans. Joseph [Rosson] Esqr Ezekiel [Cherry] Esqr

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid in Open Court.
[unknown name] Isaac Rainey
Page 34

State of Tennessee}
Bedford County} [November] Term 1832.
On this 12th day of November in the year of our
Lord 1832. Personally appeared in open Court now
sitting, Joseph [Rapson] and Ezekiel [Cherry] Esquires
residing in Bedford County and State aforesaid
who being first duly sworn according to law
[deposeth] and saith that they are well acquainted
with Isaac Rainey Esqr [unknown] who has [subscribed]
and sworn to the foregoing declaration to obtain a
pension under the act of Congress passed 7th June
1832 and that they have lived in the neighbour
=hood where said Rainey now lives for the last
Seven years; that they never heard his character
for [unknown] and [unknown] questioned by any
person or persons whatever to their knowledge
and that they believe his statement upon oath
to be entitled to full faith and credit in any Court
whatever; and that they believe him to be the age
he states he is. - Sworn to in open Court the
day and year aforesaid;
Jas [McKincock]
Joseph [unknown]
[Esq] [Cherry]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the
department, that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states
and it further appears to them, that Joseph Ropen
Page 35

and Ezekiel [unknown] who have signed the pre
=cading certificate are citizens of & residents in the
County of Bedford aforesaid, and that they are
credible persons, and that their statements
and entitled to credit given under our
hands this 13th day of Novr 1842
Neill
John B. [Amstrong]
Samuel Phillips
I James [unknown] Clerk of the Court of Pleas and
quarter sessions for Bedford County in the State of
Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceeding of the said Court, in
the matter of the application of Isaac Rainey
for a review. 

In Testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and
seal of office, at office in
[Shelbyville] this fifteenth day
of January in the year of
our Lord 1833-
Jas [unknown] Clk
Page 36

Isaac Rainey’s
[Deposition - Peapton]
[-story of his ap-]
[-plication for a]
Pension.
Page 37


State of Tennessee}
Bedford County}
This day Isaac Rainey Esquire
Personally appeared Before me
Joseph [Rosson] an acting Justice of the Peace in and
for the County afforesaid and made oath in due form
of Law, that he volunteered in the Militia of North 
Carolina in the [horse] as set forth in his Declaration
and that he served three months and one half, and that
He again entered the service in said Militia of North 
Carolina and served five month and one half. Part of
the time in the horse and part of the time in the [foot]
and that the reason he served so long was that the
[unknown] in North Carolina was so [unknown] that we
could not stay at home in any safety and therefore
continued in the service of the army. -
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th Day of
January in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
and thirty six

Isaac Rainey
Joseph Rosson J
Justice of the Peace

I certify that Joseph Rosen Esq whose name
is affixed to the foregoing deposition of Isaac
Rainey is and was at the date thereof and
acting Justice of the Peace in Bedford
county [unknown] 
Dec 20th 1836
James H. [unknown]
Page 38

State of Tennessee}
Rutherford County} Set.

This day came before me John R
[unknown] an acting Justice of the peace within for said
county, William Mitchell, about sixty nine years
of age, who states that he is well acquainted with Isaac
Rainey who entered the service of the United States as a
soldier in the revolutionary war in the year 1781, as
stated by said Rainey in his declaration for a pen
sion, and that he well recollects that said Rainey did
serve as a soldier in the Revolutionary war under the
command of Captain William Douglas, but cannot
state the period which he served. - He states that
said Rainey served two tours of duty, but for what
length of time he cannot now state with any
degree of certainty, being under the command of a
different officer and being stationed at different places
said Williams, further states that himself and said
Rainey were together in the battle of Guilford and
Livingston bridge in the State of North Carolina, and
that he has always understood and believed that
said Isaac Rainey was in the engagement at Brown-
Marsh and other engagements during the time of his service.
Subscribed and sworn to before
me this 1st day of November, 1833.
And I do certify that the said
William Mitchell is a man of
honesty, integrity and is [unknown]
to be believed in any statement
he would make on oath
Geo A [unknown] J.P.
State if Tennessee}
Rutherford County}
I John R. Laughlin, Clerk of the County
Court of pleas and quarter sessions of said County, do
hereby certify, that George A. [unknown], Esquire, before whom
William Mitchell made the above affidavit, is an acting Jus
tice of the peace within and for said County, duly commissioned
and qualified according to law, that he is duly [authorized]
to administer oaths, and that all his official acts are entitled
to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said court at office
this 1st day of November, 1833
John R. Laughlin Clk.
Page 39

{stamp}

[Record Division July 20 1903]
Page 40

[Paducah 7th]
July 1809

Commissions of Pensions
Washington D. C.

[Dear Sir]
Will you be so kind 
as to tell me is Isaac 
or [Issac] Rainey 
Revolutionary soldier from
[unknown] County North
Carolina received a pension 
Tell me please to whom the pension was paid,
To what company either belonged,
Page 41

{stamp}
[Record Division July 20 1903]

{stamp}
[Pension Office U.S.  G Jul 19 1909]
Page 42

When enlisted, when 
discharged, what battle 
engaged in and remarks 
as to age, family & etc
Hoping to hear at your 
earliest convenience and 
thanking you for your 
trouble. I am 
respectfully 
R. Wade Sowell
[Paducah]
Kentucky
{stamp}
[Pension Office U. S. G Jul 19 1909]
Page 43

{stamp}
[Pension Office U. S. G Jan 22 1913]
Page 44

1325 Broadway
Paducah Kentucky
20 January 1913 -
commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
My dear Sir-
My ancestor Isaac Rainey
who served in the revolutionary 
war [unknown] pension. If you
have a record of same will
you kindly send it to me. I
think he lived in Bedford
county Tennessee at the time
of his death - Also please send
me record of his services - When
he enlisted and where how long he served,
under what officers, and which
ever data you may have - Send
C.O.D. if there is any cash, or ad-
Page 45

[Inquiry concerning]
Nancy Richard

{stamp}
[Pension Office U. S. B Jan 22 1913]
Page 46

[unknown] me and I will [unknown]
the [necessary] amount 
the [Christian] name of Isaac
Rainey’s wife was Sarah-
[unknown] your her maiden 
name?
Respectfully
[Carline M S Wilcox]

(Mrs [Dow] Wilcox)
If possible I shall be very grateful 
for your early attention to this as 
I wish to use this data on February 
[seventh]
[C M S]
Page 47

{stamp}
[Pension Office U. S. O Mar 16 1915]
Page 48

Springfield Missouri
736 Benton Ave Mar 14-15
The Honorable Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington D.C.
Sir:
About Nov 12th last. I made a request
for the Military History of Isaac Rainey,
at that time you sent me the usual
record S.F. No 4545. The family history
was very [unknown], his wife was Sarah -
There seems to be some error, and
will you kindly look the records over
for any declaration that he may have
made, when he filed his application, as to
his children, who they were?
The Pension was granted and paid to
his wife Sarah - If any additional
statements, were made by her, include
[those] please, or anything that would
indicate who she was (maiden name).
[Thanking] you for [kindness]
Yours very Truly
[Geo. H. Townsend]
Page 49

[Rev. Sec]
[unknown]
Page 50

GEORGE H. TOWNSEND
SPRINGFIELD, MO.

736 Benton Ave
Nov 12th 1914

The Honorable
The Commissioner of Pensions:
Washington D.C.

Sir:
Please send me all the Military
history of my ancestor Isaac Rainey.
[unknown] with all the family history.
filed with his application, for
a pension. War of the Revolution.
He enlisted from Caswell County
North Carolina in 1781. But he did
not apply for pension till about 1832,
and was granted to his wife, about
this time, They were then living in
Bedford County Tennessee. He was
my G. Grandfather and died in 1836.
Very Truly
Geo H Townsend
{stamp}
[Pension Office U. S. NOV 16 1914]
Page 51

Rev. War Section. 

March 25, 1915.

Mr. George H. Townsend,
736 Benton Avenue. 
Springfield Missouri 

Sir: -
In response to you letter dated the 14th instant,
you are advised that in the claim of Isaac Rainey S. F. No.
4545 Rev. War the correct name of his wife was Sarah, her 
surname is not given nor is it stated that he had any child-
ren. 
Very respectfully, 
[unknown name]
Commissioner.
Page 52

Springfield, Mo. 
January 30, 1917.

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, 
Records Department, 
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
Will you kindly look up the Revolutionary record
of Isaac Rainey, Sr., and Isaac Rainey, Jr., of North 
Carolina, and Ezekiel Crocker, of Connecticut. 
Yours truly, 
[Mildred L. Allison]
#408 Holland Bidg-
AFH/NCK.

{stamp}
[Pension Office U. S. D Feb 1 1917]