Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1590, John Colwell, N.C.
Page 1

SERVICE
M.

Colwell, John
or Caldwell
Elizabeth

NUMBER
R. 1590
Page 2

Dec. 3 1845.
No. 12.369
Act 7, July 1838.

Elizabeth Caldwell decd.
widow of John Caldwell

Declaration of Richd. Caldwell
for himself & 4 other children

Married 1783
Rd. Dec. 3, 1845.
husband died 1829
Page 3

State of N. Carolina
Sampson County 
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Nov. Term 1845.

On this the 17th day of November eighteen hundred
and forty five Personally appeared before the Court of Pleas
and Quarter Sessions for the said County of Sampson,
Richard Caldwell a resident of the aforesaid County and
State aged 59 years who being duly sworn according to law
doth on his oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7rh
1838 for the benefit of certain widows,
That he is a son of John Caldwell deceased of the said
County and State, who served the United States in the
war of the Revolution as an enlisted soldier for three years.
The declarant states on his said oath that his father-
the said John Caldwell served out the said enlistment
faithfully and was honorably discharged.
That the said discharge was placed in the hands of
Patrick Murphy of the said County for the purpose of
getting a Pension who states that he is not certain where it is.
That he thinks that he sent the said discharge to Congress
to the Honorable James J. McKay and that perhaps it may
be on file in the Pension Office.
The declarant further states that the said John Caldwell
was married to Elizabeth Spell on the 14th of January
(1783) seventeen hundred and eighty three.
That his father the said John Caldwell died the 28th of
October (1829) eighteen hundred and twenty nine, leaving
Page 4

surviving him, Elizabeth Caldwell (his widow) who died
on the 24th day of August (1838) eighteen hundred and thirty
eight leaving surviving her five children to wit the declarant
Richard Caldwell, Mary who intermarried with Zacheus
Mathis, Catharine who intermarried with Stephen Herring
Margaret Caldwell and John Caldwell only surviving
heirs of the said John and Elizabeth Caldwell and all
of lawful age.
Sworn to and subscribed on this the 17th day of
November 1845--in open Court.
(signature of Richard Colwell)
(partially illegible signature  McKay ) Clk.

I Thomas J. Faison Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter
Sessions of said County of Sampson do hereby certify that
it has been shown to the satisfaction of the said Court
that John Caldwell of the said County did die on
the 28th day of October (1829) eighteen hundred and twenty
nine, and left surviving him Elizabeth Caldwell his 
widow who died on the twenty fourth day of August (1838)
eighteen hundred and thirty eight leaving surviving her 
five children viz. Richard Caldwell Mary Mathis
Catharine Herring Margaret Caldwell and John Caldwell
the only surviving heirs of the said John and Elizabeth
Caldwell and all of lawful age.  I further certify that it
appears to the satisfaction of the said Court that the declarant
Page 5

Richard Caldwell is a man of truth and respectability.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed
my name and affixed the Seal of
Office at Clinton on this the 17th day of 
November 1845.
Thomas J. [illegible] clk.

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 John Colwell a private soldier in Capt. Tartanson's
Company of the eighth Regiment, entered the service on the 12th day of March 1777 for the term of three years, and that he drew a Warrant for bounty land for fifty one months service in May 1784.
Given under my hand this 29th day of November 1845.
(signature of W Hill) Secry. of State
Page 6

John Colwell and said [illegible]
His wife was born Oct [illegible]
11th day 1757

William Colwell born
December 3rd [illegible]
John Colwell Was Maryd.
to Elisabeth his wife on
January the 14th 1783.

Martha [dark smudge]
Colwell Daughter to
John Colwell and Elizabeth
his wife was born
January the 28 [smudged and faded]
Departed this life 6th October
[entire line illegible and faded}
Page 7

Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Newly translated out of the Original Greek; And with the former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised, By His Majesty's special Command.
Appointed to be Read in Churches.
Edinburgh
Printed by Alexander Kincaid, His Majesty's Printer,
MDCCLXXI
Page 8

New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ translated out of the Original Greek; and with the former translations diligently compared and revised.
Stereotype edition.
New-York
Stereotyped by E. and J. White,
for "The American Bible Society."
1921
Page 9

John Colwell was married to Elizb.
Spell tuesday the 11th Jany. 1783

Martha Barnes Colwell daughter
of John & E. Colwell was born 21
January 1784 and died the 6th of
October 1784

Richard Colwell was born 28th Sept. 1786

Mary Colwell was born, 14 April
1789

William Colwell was born 16 Jany. 1792
died [illegible and scratched out] 13 May 1800

Sarah Colwell born 22nd March 1795
died 2nd Sept 1799

Elizb. Colwell born 2nd March 1798

Nancy Colwell born 17th June 1801

Caty Colwell born 24th May 1804

Peggy Colwell was born 14th March

John Colwell was born Friday the
26th Feby 1813
Page 10

March 19, 1934
John Colwell
R. 1590
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. William McKay Bellamy
205 North 15th Street
Wilmington, North Carolina
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Hugh Campbell and John Colwell (Coldwell, Caldwell), born in Pennsylvania, enlisted in North Carolina and died there.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States based upon military service of soldiers in that war.
A careful search of the records fails to show a claim for pension or bounty land on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of any soldier Named Hugh Campbell, under any spelling of the name. The record of one John Colwell or Caldwell (both spellings of surname appear) was found and is given herein as shown in the papers on file in pension claim, R. 1590, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Colwell married January 14, 1783, place not given, Elizabeth or Elisabeth Spell. He died October 23, 1829, and she died August 24, 1858.
The following names of children of John Colwell and his wife, Elizabeth or Elisabeth, are shown:
Martha Barnes Colwell, born January 26, 1784, died October 6, 1784
Richard Colwell, born September 23, 1786
Mary Colwell born April 14, 1789
William Colwell, born January 16, 1792, died May 15, 1800
Sarah Colwell, born March 22, 1795, died Sept. 2, 1799
Elizabeth Colwell, born March 21, 1796
Nancy Colwell, born June 17, 1801
Caty Colwell, born May 24, 1804
Peggy Colwell, born March 14, 1807
John Colwell, born February 26, 1815
Page 11

Soldier's widow, Elizabeth or Elisabeth, was survived by the following children: Richard; Mary who married Zacheus Mathis; Catharine who married Stephen Herring; Margaret, and John who in 1853 was a resident of Sampson County, North Carolina, and still residing there in 1855.
On November 17, 1845, Richard Colwell, son of John and Elizabeth or Elisabeth Colwell, while residing in Sampson County, North Carolina, applied for pension which might have been due on account of the Revolutionary War service of his father. He applied in behalf of himself and the other surviving children. It was stated that John Colwell or Caldwell served for three years in the Revolutionary War, names of officers not stated, and that after his discharge, was taken prisoner at Charleston and confined on a prison ship.
A record from the Secretary of State of North Carolina was presented which showed one John Colwell entered the service March 12, 1777, for three years, served as private in Captain Tartanson's company, 8th Regiment, and that he drew a warrant for bounty land in May, 1784, for fifty-one months' service.
The claim for pension was not allowed as proof of the service stated in the claim for pension of Richard Colwell was not furnished in accordance with the requirements of the pension law, neither was the evidence submitted to prove that John Colwell who received a land warrant from the State of North Carolina was identical with the father Richard Colwell.
The following family data re also shown in the claim:
--- (torn) John Colwell and Sarah, his wife, was born October 11, 1760 or 1761 (illegible).
William Colwell born December 3, 1757.
In 1853, one James T. Matthis was Justice of the Peace for Sampson County, North Carolina, his relationship to Zacheus Mathis who married soldier's daughter, Mary, not stated.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
-2-
Page 12

[top line crossed out]
1590
REJECTED

Elizabeth Caldwell
Wid. of John
Colwell or

Printed List of 1852 Rejected.
& suspended claim, shows
following cause of suspension.
"For proof of identity with
the soldier of the 8" Regt."
Page 13

12.369
Elizabeth Caldwell
decd.   No. Ca.

[three crossed out lines]

1590

July 7 1838
Page 14

No. 12369
Elizabeth [smudged and illegible]
VC
[entire line crossed out]
[entire line crossed out]

Act 7 July 1838
Page 15

Oct. 17, 1853.
Letter in
case of 
Elizabeth
Caldwell.

R,M. Ross,
Present.
Page 16

Pension Office, Oct. 17 1853
Sir,
I file a Power of atty, with the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Caldwell
of Sampson County, N. Caroline, which I wish to have decided
at your earliest convenience.  Act 7th July, 1838.  If the widow of
Identity, is not sufficient, please inform me.
Respectfully
[illegible signature]

Hon. L.P. Waldo
Comm. of Pensions.
Page 17

Hon. W.S. Ashe
March 5/33
Page 18

Pension Office
March 5, 1835

Sir
I have the honor to inform you that
the affidavit of Patrick Murphy Esq. has
been examined and filed with the papers
of Elizabeth Caldwell of N.C.  He is
not able to give any such description of
the lost discharge of which he speaks,
as to enable me to form any idea of
the service of Mrs. Caldwell's husband,
even if such testimony were admissible.

Hon. Wm. Ashe
H. of  Reps.
Page 19

Hon. Wm.  Ashe

Sep 7 [illegible year]
Page 20

Pension Office.
September 7, 1854.

Sir, 
By the enclosed copy of a letter addressed to E.F.
Brown, under date of January 20, 1846, you will be
informed of the then condition of the claim of Elizabeth
Caldwell, deceased, widow of Joh.  There have been no papers
since filed, and consequently the objections then urged
against the claim still exist.
Is is proper to state in explanation of the last part
of the letter to Mr. Brown, that the Declaration states that
the discharge of John Caldwell was given to a Mr. Murphy, who it
was thought "sent it to Congress to the Hon. J.J. McCoy". [McKay]
I herewith return the letter of Mr. John Caldwell,
who requests through you the information now given.
Richard M. Ross, the attorney, referred to by
Mr. Caldwell, has, I learn, removed to Philadelphia.
Very respectfully
JC

Hon. Wm. S. Ashe,
(of North Carolina)
Page 21

A H Markland Esq.
is hereby authorized to
make any examintes
for me in the
[illegible] at
Washington
J M Rose,
Fayetteville NC
[illegible line]

7th June 1838 Susp. NC

A.H. Markland
Page 22

State of North Carolina
Sampson County
Know all men by
these presents that I John Colwell
Heir at law of John Colwell dec'd
doth hereby constitute J M Rose & B
Culbreth my honorable attornies for me and
in my name counter mending all other attornies
to posiant a claim for the Revolutionary
Services of John Colwell de'd. and Elizabeth now dead
and for his widow
and I hereby authorize my said attornies
to examine all Papers or Documents in relation
to said claim in the Departments
at Washington or else where and file
affidavit evidence and receive any certificates
that may be found in relation to
said claim and to appoint one or more
substitutes under them and in all things
to do or act as I could if present.
Witness my hand & Seal this 13' day of July 1855.
Witness    (signature of John Colwell)
Page 23

Elizabeth Colwell
wid
John 
NC--[illegible] 1838


Hon,
W.S. Ash
H. R.
Page 24

North Carolina, Sampson County Ss.
Patrick Murphy of said County
aged fifty three years last May certifies that
about the year 1833, 34, 35, 36 or 37 he had in
his possession a discharge purporting to be
to John Colwell the husband of Elizabeth
Colwell where heirs are applicants for the
pension due has, the precise substances of which I
do no now recollect.  It is alleged by her heirs
that that his service was for three years and I believe
their statement to be correct.  I was also informed
by them that after his discharge he was taken
prisoner at Charleston & confined on board a
prisoner ship.  I believe I attached the
discharge to a Petition to Congress to grant a
Pension to the widow & forwarded it either to the
Hon: James J. McKay, Hon. Wm. R. King or
perhaps to some other Senator from N.C.  Graham
or Brown.  It may be among the papers of the
Senate instead of the House of Representatives.
I am confident a Discharge to John Colwell
existed & was once in my possession.
(signature of Patrick Murphy)
Sworn to & subscribed
before me Jany 19, 1855.
J.R. [illegible]  Clk.
Page 25

Elizabeth widow of John
Caldwell, Sampson Co
N Carolina.  Act 7th July 1838.


Power of atty. Filed 17 Oct 1853
papers
]illegible]

R.M. Rose atty
Present


***Unable to read vertical writing***
Page 26

Know all men by these presents, that I, John Coldwell of the
County of Sampson, and State of North Carolina, son, and heir at law of Elizabeth Caldwell, deceased, do make the constitute,  Richard
M. Ross, of the City of Washington, in the District of Columbia my
true and lawful attorney, for me, and in my name as heir, at law, to
examine, and prosecute Mothers claim for Pension, filed under act of
Congress of the 7th July A.D. 1838, and to do all such acts as are necessary
and proper to be done legally, in and about the prosecution of the same
and, I hereby revoke all Powers of Attorney, or other Powers, given for the
prosecution  of the same.  Witness my hand, and seal, this 14th day of
[scribbled out] A.D. 1853.
(signature of John Colwell)
(signature of Richard Colwell)
Witnessed by us
(signature of Chas. T. Stevens)
( signature of Thos. Underwood)

State of North Carolina
Sampson County Ss.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a
Justice of the Peace, in and for said County and State John & R. Caldwell of
said County and State, who acknowledged the above Power of Attorney,
to be their voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein  contained after the same had been read, and explained to him.  Witness, my hand and seal this 14th day of [scribbled out] A.D. 1853
(signature of Jas. T. Matthis J.P.)

State of North Carolina
County of Sampson Ss.
I J.R. [illegible] Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas in and for said County and State, do certify, that
J. l. T. Matthis Esq. before whom the above acknowledgement was
Page 27

made, was at the time an acting Justice of the Peace, in and
for the County and State aforesaid, and that full faith and credit,
is due to all his official acts.
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and
caused the seal of said County to be affixed this 14th
day of [scribbled out] A.D. 1853.
(signature of J.R.  [illegible]) Clk

I William McKay chairman of the Court
of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Sampson County
certify that John R. Brown whose name
is signed above in Clerk of our said
Court and that due faith and credit are
due to his official signature.
Wm. McKay chairman
Clinton Oct. 14th 1853.
Page 28

Pension Office
January 20, 1846

The papers in the case of Elizabeth Caldwell
dec. widow of John Caldwell under the act of 7 July
1838, have been examined and filed.
The date of the marriage is satisfactorily established
but there is no evidence whatever, to identify Mr.
Caldwell with the widow of John Caldwell who
was a 3 years man in the 8th Regiment of the Continental
Line of North Carolina,  named in the certificate of
the Secretary of State who drew a said warrant
in 1784.
Before this claim can be allowed it must
be shown by persons who can testify of their [illegible]
knows the claimants husband was the identical person
in the certificate of the Secretary of State as having
served in the 8th Regiment and who drew a second Warrant
from that State.  That warrant having been issued after
Mrs. Caldwells marriage she and her family should have
some knowledge of the disposition made of the [illegible] had
her husband been the recipient of said Warrant.
Page 29

There is no evidence on file in this office showing that
Caldwells discharge was ever received in this Department.
If it was sent to the Hon. J. J. McKay he
may possibly know what disposition was made of
it.


Edmund F.  Brown Esq.
Present
Page 30

Reb. War Section.
August 24, 1925
Mrs. A. W. Wells
1426 Webster Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 19th instant, you are advised that a complete history of the claim of John Colwell, R. File No. 1,590, Rev. War, was furnished you on May 5, 1914, and it is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish the same record more than once to any person.
Very respectfully,
E.C. Tilman
Acting Commissioner
Page 31

Rev. War Section.
Mrs. T.P. Johnson
2701 - 11 St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Aug. 18, 1915
May 5, 1914.
Mrs. A. W. Wells,
1005 Fairmont Street N. W.
Washington, D. C.
Madam:
In response to your personal inquiry of the second instant, you are advised that in the pension claim R. File No. 1.590, Rev. War, it is alleged that John Colwell or Caldwell, served for three years in the Revolutionary War, (names of officers not stated), and after his discharge, was taken prisoner at Charleston and confined on a prison ship.
The claim for pension was rejected on account of insufficient proof of service.
He died October 28, 1829, and his widow, Elizabeth, died August 24, 1838, leaving the following children: Richard, Mary, who married Zacheus Mathis, Catharine who married Stephen Herring, Margaret and John.
The following family data is also furnished:
---- (torn) John Colwell and Sarah, his wife, was born October 11, 1760 -- 176_ (illegible)
John Colwell married Elizabeth Spell, January 14, 1783.
Children:
Marsha Barnes, daughter of John and K. Colwell, was born
Page 32

January 28, 1784, and died October 6, 1784.
Richard born September 28, 1786.
Mary born April 14, 1789.
William born January 16, 1792, died May 13, 1800
Sarah born March 22, 1795, died September 2, 1799
Elizabeth born March 21, 1798
Nancy born June 17, 1801
Caty born May 24, 1804
Peggy born March 14, 1807
John born February 26, 1813
Very respectfully
G.M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner.
Page 33

John Colwell and Sarah his wife was born Oct
ye 11th day annodomin
1760-176*ukkegubke(
Page 34

203 N. 15th Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina,
March 2, 1934.
Pension Office,
Washington, D.C.
My dear Sirs:
Will you please give me the records of the pensions issued for the services of the two following Revolutionary soldiers:
I. Hugh Campbell, Salisbury District, North Carolina.
II. John Colwell (Coldwell, Caldwell), born in Pennsylvania, enlisted in North Carolina, died in North Carolina. He was given a land grant in Tenn., and his wife and children moved there. I want the names of wife and children, particularly.
Thanking you,
Cordially yours,
Anne H.S. Bellamy
(Mrs. William McKoy Bellamy).

Received Mar 5 1934
Page 35

W Rev Sec
1426 Webster St. N.W.
Washington D.C.
August 19, 1915
Commissioner G.M. Saltzgaber
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
Please send me a statement of the Rev. War service of John Colwell of Sampson Co. N.C. His wife was Elizabeth Spell.
Thanking you in advance for your kindness, I am,
Very Respectfully, 
Mrs. A.W. Wells
Page 36

Rev. Sec
JWZ
Washington, D.C. Aug 13 1 30 PM 1915
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
City

Pension Office U.S. Aug 13 1915
Page 37

Aug - 13 - 1915
Will you kindly send me statements of John Colwell's (or Caldwell) service in Revolutionary War. He is from North Carolina Sampson Co. Wife was Elizabeth Spell.
Thanking you. Sincerely
Mrs. T.P. Johnson
2701 11th St N.W.
Page 38

Mrs. A.W. Wells
1005 Fairmont St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.
May 2 1914

John Colwell or Caldwell
R.F. 1590.