Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,717, James Carpenter, N.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE N.C.
Carpenter, James
Sarah
NUMBER R. 1,717

_______________________________________________
CONTENTS  [blank]
Page 2

Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter    4930
wid of James 
NC
Act of July, 7. 1838.




4930
______



Jefferson Clerk
Fishdam  P.O.
Wake Co
NC
Page 3

State of North Carolina }
Wake County. }
on this the 23rd day of February, 1839 Personally appeared before the Subscriber, of the county & State afforesaid [sic: aforesaid]. Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter a resident of the County of Wake & State afforesaid [sic: aforesaid], aged 80 years of age the 17th. October 1838 past who Being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the Bennefit [sic: benefit] of the provision made By Act of Congress Passed July 7th. 1838, Entitling an act granting half pay and pensions, to certain widows, that She is the Widow of, James Carpenter a Soldier in the revolution who. was. & enlisted soldier previous to his intermarriage with ^me that, During ^the war. Say in the date 1777. She was married to the said James. Carpenter. By one John Macabe who. was. a minister of the Gospel. which Ceremony & Marridge [sic: marriage] was. performed in the county of Wake & State afforesaid [sic: aforesaid] in the presence of Amelia Allen who is now Living. Some Two or three years after our Marridge [sic: marriage], my Husband was. drafted and Served, three months under Col William Moore further particulars; I am unable to State, as to his service that her. Said Husband died on the 30th day of November 1813 - that Her Husband Rcvd [received] a Land, Bounty of 500. Acres. which I have sold since his death, to William A. Tharp as will appear By refference [sic: reference] to the Land Office department, the Warrant was Located in Tennessee, Sworn to & subscribe to on the day and year above written
Witness Allen Rogers JP
Sary [his [sic: her] mark. \] Carpenter [personal seal]


Wake county I. Certify that full faith & credit should be given to the oath of Sary Carpenter.

Wake County. I. also Certify. Allen Rogers JP that, Sary Carpenter is aged & infirm & By Reason of age & infirmity is not able to attend court to Be examined [.] Given under my Hand this the day & date above written
S/Allen Rogers JP
Page 4

State of North Carolina }
Wake County. }
on this the 23rd day of February, 1839 Personally appeared before the Subscriber, of the county & State afforesaid [sic: aforesaid]. Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter a resident of the County of Wake & State afforesaid [sic: aforesaid], aged 80 years of age the 17th. October 1838 past who Being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the Bennefit [sic: benefit] of the provision made By Act of Congress Passed July 7th. 1838, Entitling an act granting half pay and pensions, to certain widows, that She is the Widow of, James Carpenter a Soldier in the revolution who. was. & enlisted soldier previous to his intermarriage with ^me that, During ^the war. Say in the date 1777. She was married to the said James. Carpenter. By one John Macabe who. was. a minister of the Gospel. which Ceremony & Marridge [sic: marriage] was. performed in the county of Wake & State afforesaid [sic: aforesaid] in the presence of Amelia Allen who is now Living. Some Two or three years after our Marridge [sic: marriage], my Husband was. drafted and Served, three months under Col William Moore further particulars; I am unable to State, as to his service that her. Said Husband died on the 30th day of November 1813 - that Her Husband Rcvd [received] a Land, Bounty of 500. Acres. which I have sold since his death, to William A. Tharp as will appear By refference [sic: reference] to the Land Office department, the Warrant was Located in Tennessee, Sworn to & subscribe to on the day and year above written
Witness Allen Rogers JP
Sary [his [sic: her] mark. \] Carpenter [personal seal]


Wake county I. Certify that full faith & credit should be given to the oath of Sary Carpenter.

Wake County. I. also Certify. Allen Rogers JP that, Sary Carpenter is aged & infirm & By Reason of age & infirmity is not able to attend court to Be examined [.] Given under my Hand this the day & date above written
S/Allen Rogers JP
Page 5

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
This day personally appd [appeared] Before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for Wake County Amelia Allen aged 80 years, who after Being duly Sworn, do make the following declaration in order to Entitle Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter to the Bennefit [sic: benefit] of Act of Congress passed the 7th July 1838 entitling & act Granting half pay and pensions to Certain Widows And States that She was well acquainted With the Said James Carpenter, who was a Soldire [sic: soldier] in the revolution, that, she was Present at the Time of his marridge [sic: marriage] with Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter, who is now his widow [.] That the Marridge [sic: marriage] Ceremony was performed By one John McCabe a Minister of the Gospel. the ceremony was performed at the house of John Bullards in Wake County in the year of 1777. in the month of August [.] that, the Said James Carpenter have long Since died Leaving his Widow Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter who never Since have married [sic] But remains the Widow of the Said James Carpenter [.] that the Said James Carpenter, always bore the reputation of a Soldier in the revolution, & that the Said James Carpenter was after his marridge [sic:: marriage] with the Said Sary Carpenter drafted and Served a three months Tower [sic: tour], & received a land Bounty of 500 acres which have since Been sold by his Widow Sary Carpenter to one William S. Tharp; as I have always understood [.] I. further Certify that I have herd [sic: heard] the declaration of Sary. Carpenter as on this Sheet, & from my Knowledge I Believe the facts. Set forth to be True [.] Sworn & Subscribed to, this 7th March 1839 
Amelia [her mark X] Allen
Witness ^Before me Allen Rogers JP
___
Wake County


I. Certify that full faith & credit Should be Given to the oath of Amelia Allen & that She is aged and very infirm & By reason of age and infirmity is notable to attend court to be examined [.] Given under my Hand 7. March 1839
S/Allen Rogers JP
Page 6

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
This day personally appd [appeared] Before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for Wake County Amelia Allen aged 80 years, who after Being duly Sworn, do make the following declaration in order to Entitle Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter to the Bennefit [sic: benefit] of Act of Congress passed the 7th July 1838 entitling & act Granting half pay and pensions to Certain Widows And States that She was well acquainted With the Said James Carpenter, who was a Soldire [sic: soldier] in the revolution, that, she was Present at the Time of his marridge [sic: marriage] with Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter, who is now his widow [.] That the Marridge [sic: marriage] Ceremony was performed By one John McCabe a Minister of the Gospel. the ceremony was performed at the house of John Bullards in Wake County in the year of 1777. in the month of August [.] that, the Said James Carpenter have long Since died Leaving his Widow Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter who never Since have married [sic] But remains the Widow of the Said James Carpenter [.] that the Said James Carpenter, always bore the reputation of a Soldier in the revolution, & that the Said James Carpenter was after his marridge [sic:: marriage] with the Said Sary Carpenter drafted and Served a three months Tower [sic: tour], & received a land Bounty of 500 acres which have since Been sold by his Widow Sary Carpenter to one William S. Tharp; as I have always understood [.] I. further Certify that I have herd [sic: heard] the declaration of Sary. Carpenter as on this Sheet, & from my Knowledge I Believe the facts. Set forth to be True [.] Sworn & Subscribed to, this 7th March 1839
Amelia [her mark X] Allen
Witness ^Before me Allen Rogers JP
___
Wake County


I. Certify that full faith & credit Should be Given to the oath of Amelia Allen & that She is aged and very infirm & By reason of age and infirmity is notable to attend court to be examined [.] Given under my Hand 7. March 1839
S/Allen Rogers JP
Page 7

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
I Alfred Williams Clerk of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake aforesaid, do hereby Certify that Allen Rogers whose name appears to the for-declaration and affidavit is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned & qualified -

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court, and Subscribed my name at Raleigh the 12th of March A.D. 1839
S/A. Williams C.C.


I certify that Alfred Williams whose name appears to the above certificate is Clerk for the County Court of Wake County North Carolina - & as such is authorized to give such certificate.
S/J. Busbee Char [personal seal]
Page 8

[all text below was crossed out]
State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
This day came Sary Carpenter Before me Allen Rogers, one of the Justices of the peace for Said County.
Page 9

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
This day came Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter Before me Allen Rogers [,] one of The Justices of the peace for Wake County and maketh The amentary [sic: amended] declaration upon oath in order to be allowed the Bennefit [sic: benefit] of the Act of Congress entitling an act to allow the Widows of the revolutionary Soldier pay in Certain cases

Who deposes & sayeth that Her Husband owing to Being an unlernt [sic: unlearned] man did not Keep any Register of there [sic: their] childrens ages. But. that She well Rembers [sic: remembers] that She was married. By John Mcabe a minister of the Gospel after publication Being made for three Successive monthly meterys By Said Mcabe. who Granted Her Husband what was Called in those days Banes [sic: banns], that She was Married in August as have already Been Given in evidence & that the neset [sic: next ?] June She thinks, or at least the day after the notible [sic: notable] Dark day [total solar eclipse on June 24, 1778] She was delived [sic: delivered] of Her fist [sic: first] son. By the name of Ambros Harper. Carpenter. & that She is not aware of Recorded evidence in court or in church unless the church Book should have Been preserved [?] & further this deponant [sic: deponent] sayeth not [.] Sworn to & subscribe to this 11th day Sept 1839
Witness Allen Rogers JP
Wake County
Sary [her mark X] Carpenter


This day Pamela Allen came Before me Allen Rogers a Justice of he peace and makes the additional declaration on oath in order to Entitle Sary Carpenter Widow of James Carpter [sic: Carpenter] to the Bennefit [sic: benefit] of the act of Congress to allow the Widows of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War pay in Certain Cases [,] who states that She well remembers the Marridge [sic: marriage] of James Carpter [sic: Carpenter] & Sary Carpter [Sarah Carpenter] Being published for three successive months & that they were Married by John Macabe a minister of the Gospel [.] that She was at the Marridge [sic: marriage] & that She thinks & Believes that in about 11 months she was delived [sic: delivered] of Her fist [sic: first] son by the name of
Page 10

of Ambros Harper Carpenter and that she further Recollects that the child Ambros was born the day after the notable dark day [total solar eclipse on June 24, 1778] [.] The date She cannot Recollect, & that she is satisfied that James Carpter [sic: Carpenter] Kept no family register Being an unlernt [sic: unlearned] man and further this deponent sayeth not [.] Sworn to and subscribe to Before me the 11th day September 1839
Witness Allen Rogers
Pamela [her mark X] Allen


State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
This day George. Kith. came Before me Allen Rogers one of the Justices of the peace & maketh the Following declaration on oath in order to Entitle Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter to the Bennefit [sic: benefit] of the Act of Congress in certain cases made and provided for the Bennefit [sic: benefit] of Widows of the revolutionary Soldiers who deposes & sayeth. that. He. was. married in the date of 1777. as. he has. before stated, and that He Kept a True Register of His childrens ages [.] That His oldest Son Britton Kith was. Born the 25th day of September 1777. ^on account of an occurrence before his marridge [sic: marriage] & That He well remembers. as. before stated that Sary Carpenter the Wife of James Carpenter, who he is Satisfied, and every reason to Believe was. married in the date 1777. was delivered of Her. fist [sic: first] son By the name of Ambros Harper Carpenter in about 12 months, after there [sic: their] marridge [sic: marriage] say in the date of 1778. and that He Has Herd [sic: heard] the affidavit read by Allen Rogers the Justice who took the affidavit of Sary Carpenter on this sheet. and. fully concurs, in Her Statement and Believes. the Same to be correct, that He has Been a member of the Church some 30 years, and that he has. no. Knowledge what. became of the old church Books. But supposes, they were distroyed [sic: destroyed] after the Liberty of Conscience was Granted to all denominations. that he Believes, the Marridge [sic: marriage] as stated By Sary Carpenter was published [,] That such was the custom of that day & that He
Page 11

Believes. and always understood that She was married By John Macabe as is Stated By Her and that Her Husband was an unlert [sic: unlearned] man and But fud [?] in that day Kept a register of there [sic: their] Childrens ages, Sworn to and subscribe To Before me 14th day September 1839
Witness Allen Rogers JP
George [his mark U] Kith


Wake County } 
This day Joel Fergason. [sic: Ferguson] came Before me Allen Rogers. one of the Justices of the peace for Wake County. and maketh oath that He Kept a register of the notable dark day [total solar eclipse on June 24, 1778] alluded to in the foregoing affidavits [,] that it took place in the month of June 1778 - that ^he concurs with Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter in her affidavit in relation to the custom of marridges [sic: marriages] as. by Her stated and that He has been a member of the church where it is stated her Marridge [sic: marriage] was published about 15 years, and is of the opinion the old church. Book. of that day is destroyed [.] there Being no use for. them after the Liberty of Conscience was granted to all denominations and further this deponant [sic: deponent] sayeth not [.] Sworn to and subscribe to Before me 14th day September 1839
S/Allen Rogers JP
S/Joel Ferguson


I Certify that the oaths of Sary Carpenter [,] Pamela Allen [,] George Kith & Joel Fergason [sic: Ferguson] is entitled to full faith & credit [.] Given under my Hand this 14th day of September 1839
S/Allen Rogers JP
Page 12

I Alfred Williams Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Wake County Certify that Allen Rogers is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his is genuine -

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court and subscribed my name the 30th of September 1839 -
S/A Williams C.C


[written sideways]
Sary Carpenter - 
wid of Jas.
NC
Page 13

Hon R. M. Saunders
H.R. [House of Representatives]
Page 14

State of North Carolina }
Wake County - }
This day Joel Ferguson appeared Before me, Allen Rogers, one of the Justices of the peace for Said County and made oath the above annexed ages of his children, as appears, above, is correct and by him have been Kept in his care from the Time of said Registration [.] Sworn to an Subscribe to. 26th. day April 1840 - 
Witness Allen Rogers JP
S/Joel Ferguson


Ps. Joel Ferguson further. States. upon. his oath Before me Allen Rogers. a Justice of the peace said County that his allusion in his deposition now on file, in relation to the. dark. day was what was then called the dark. Eclips [sic: eclipse] in June 1778. [total solar eclipse on June 24, 1778] that some years. after, the date he cannot Recollect, the dark day Took, place that he was, in Pitesburgh Virginee [Petersburg Virginia], with Tobacco for sale & that the Merchants had to do there [sic: their] Business in the [illegible: shills? shells?] in consequence of the darkness which Took place [.] sworn to and subscribe to the 26 April 1840 - 
Witness Allen Rogers JP
S/Joel Ferguson


State of No Carolina 
Wake County - 
I James T. Marriott Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of the County aforesaid - do certify that Allen Rogers whose signature appears above is an acting Justice of the Peace of said County & that he this day appeared before me & acknowledged the above to be his signature & act - Given under my hand & seal of office at the City of Raleigh - Nov. 19th. 1841 -
S/Jas. T. Marriott CC
Page 15

[crossed out] A memrandom [sic: memorandum] Of The Children Born of Joel Fergusson [sic: Ferguson] and Spelman his Wife
Their ages &c -
________________________________________
[crossed out: Nancey] Ann Fargusson [Ferguson] was Born October The 26th In the Year of our Lord AD [crossed out: June 25th 1797] 1778 -
Page 16

Robert Fargusson [sic: Ferguson]
Was Born January The 4th In the year of Our Lord AD
---------1780 -------
______________________________________
John Fargusson Was Born April The 10th In The year of Our Lord A.D. 1781 -
_______________________________________
Peleg Fargusson [illegible under water spot] 
Born August The [illegible under water spot and page cut off]
Page 17

17.17.  [stamp: REJECTED]
P.O. Sarah Carpenter

Service: _____________________________

Enlisted: _________________, 18  .
Discharged: ______________, 18  .

Application filed: _______________, 18  .

[crossed out: Alleges and Re-enlisted]
List of suspended claims printed in 1852 shows cause of suspension as follows: "For further proof."


Attorney: ________________________
P.O. ___________________________


___________ Recognized. ______________ Contract.
_________ Cert. of Dis.  Searched for _________, 18  .
Page 18

5565
Sarah Carpenter.
widow of
James Carpenter
N.C.
____________________________
Let to Hon W. Montgomery Mar. 10 '40
"   "  RM Saunders July 17 '41
"  "   same ---- Jany: [January] 26 '42
"   "    same --- febry [February] 9 - '42
"   "   same ---- April 1 - '42
Copy of Let. of Apl. '42 sent to same --- 
on the 5. May 1842. ------------
Let to Geo. Little May 25. '42
"   "  Hon J. R. J. Daniel Mar. 11. '4 [illegible in page cut off]
"   "   "  RM Sanders. June 12. 18 [illegible in page cut off]
"  "  "  Do. [ditto] Do [ditto] Apl. 8. 184 [illegible in page cut off]
--- Ditto  August 20. '45

_______________________________________________
Act July 4. 1836.
Page 19

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
On this 15th day of March 1845 personally appeared before the Subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County Clement Wilkins [,] a citizen of Granville County who having been duly sworn testifies and says that he has been acquainted with Mrs Sarah Carpenter widow of James Carpenter decd, [deceased] now applying for a pension for more than forty years, that is also well acquainted with the children of said James & Sarah Carpenter, and knows of his personal Knowledge, that they are the identical persons & heirs of James Carpenter decd [deceased] a Soldier of the Revolutionary War, to whom a Land Warrant was issued for the services of said James Carpenter from State of North Carolina for his services during the War of the Revolution, and by them [illegible] to one Wm. A. Tharpe - He further testifies and says that he allways [sic: always] understood that James Carpenter was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and had that reputation ever since he was acquainted with him up to the time of his death; That he was generally So reputed by all who knew him, and he resided in the neighborhood of Said Carpenter all his life up to the time of his death.
Page 20

This affiant never resided further than four or five miles from said James Carpenter, went to school forty years [illegible] with his children and consequently has had every opportunity of knowing him and the tradition attached tohis having been a soldier of the Revolutionary War. And further this affiant sayeth not - 
(signed) Clement Wilkins

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before me. 
S/Tignall Jones JP


State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
I hereby Certify I am personally acquainted with Clement Wilkins as for that he is a man of the Highest respectability for Truth and Veracity [.] Full Faith and Credit may be given to ^his Statements [.] given under my hand [and] seal this 15 of March 1845 -
S/Tignall Jones JP [personal seal]
Page 21

State of North Carolina }
Wake County. }
I. James T. Marriott Clerk of the Court of the Court [sic] of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake. do hereby Certify, that Peleg S. Rogers and Tignal [sic: Tignall] Jones who signed the foregoing Certificates are acting Justices of the peace in & for Said County and that the Signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine.

[round seal]
In Testimony whereof I. have hereunto affixed the Seal of Said Court & Subscribed my name at Office in Raleigh this 1st. April 1845.
S/James T. Marriott C.C
Page 22

State of N Carolina }
Wake County }
be it Remembered that on the 24 day of March 1845 before the subscriber an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared John Pennington who having been duly sworn testifies and says that he has been well acquainted with Mrs Sarah Carpenter [,] Widow of the said James Carpenter for about forty years [.] that he also knew the said James Carpenter up to the time of his Death. This affiant further states It is a well know [sic: known] fact that his widow and children now living drew Land for the survises [sic: services] of said James Carpenter as a soldier [.] there Never Was any question and that they sold It to one Wm A Tharp [.] I have had several Conversation with the said Tharp about the Land and he stated to me that there was no Difficulty in drawing the Land for them [.] Their facts are well Known in the Neighbourhood where the said Carpenter [illegible: preceded? resided?] Mrs Sarah Carpenter and two or three of her children Now Lives in sight of my house at this time [.] further this deponent sayeth not
S/John Pennington

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
S/Peleg S. Rogers JP.


State of No. Carolina }
Wake County }
I Peleg S Rogers an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County do hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with John Pennington (whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit) for several years last past, and believe him to be a credible witness [.] given under my hand the 24th March 1845
S/P S. Rogers JP [personal seal]
Page 23

Lewis Carpenter
saw him [illegible]
from the Army not when heard him say -




Sarah Carpenter.
Dct: of
Lewis Carpenter
Page 24

State of NC [North Carolina] }
Wake County }
Be it remembered that on the 7 day of July 1845 before the subscriber and acting Justice of the peace in and for said county, personally appeared Lewis Carpenter aged ninety years who having been duely [sic: duly] sworn testifies and sais [sic: says] that he is well acquainted with Mrs Sarah Carpenter widow of James Carpenter now applying for a pension all my life [.] that he also well new [sic: knew] the said James Carpenter that he was an uncle of mine that in time of the revolution War I well recollect my uncle James coming to my fathers and stating that himself and his brother Sollomon left Wilmington to gather on a furlow [sic: furlough] to come home [.] Sollomon was taken sick and Died [.] my uncle James got to my father and stayed a shorte [sic: short] while and then returned to the army [.] at the time of my uncle being at my fathers tey often spoak [sic: spoke] about the war [,] my uncle James stated he served as a reglor saalger [sic: regular soldier] two years under a [illegible: Marten Caton ?] it is and [sic: an] undisputed fact and never has been denied in this neighborhood.
Page 25

that the said James Carpenter Surved [sic: served] a grate [sic: great] while in the revolution
Lewis [his mark X] Carpenter
S/Abner Peace JP

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above ritten [sic: written] before me


State of NC [North Carolina]
Wake County
I Abner Peace do sirtify [sic: certify] that I have been acquainted with the said LEwis Carpenter for some considerable time [,] that he is a man of respectability and credit. given under my hand and seal the 7 day of July 1845
S/Abner Peace JP


State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
I James T Marriott Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Wake County do hereby certify that Abner Peace whose name appears to the foregoing is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said county & that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine - In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal for said court & subscribe my name at office in Raleigh te 14th of June AD 1845
Jas T Marriott CC
By MH High DC
Page 26

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
This day came George Keth. Before me Allen Rogers, one of the Justices of the peace for said County and maketh the amendatory declaration on oath, in order to obtain, the Bennefit [sic: benefit] of the act, of Congress entitling pay to Widows of the Revolution, after being duly sworn states upon oath, that, He, was well acquainted with James Carpenter ^who was under the Character of a Revolutionary Soldier [.] That, He lived in the Neighbourhood, when it was Said He Married; His wife Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter, That ^he was not at the wedding But lived in Two or three miles or thereabout, that He remembers well, that the Marridge [sic: marriage] took place in the date of 1777. that He remembers. well the date on account of his own Marridge [sic: marriage] Being Married in the same date. That He Have Been Well acquainted with the said James. Carpenter and His Wife Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter up to His death, and from His death He Has Been acquainted with His Widow Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter up to this day, that although I. was not at the Wedding I. Have every Reason & no doubt the Marridge [sic: marriage] Between the Said James. Carpenter & Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter did take place as above & that she is now the Widow of Said James Carpenter & that she never Married Sine His death and that the oaths of Sary [sic: Sarah] Carpenter & Amelia Allen is entitled to Credit, and further this deponent, Sayeth not [.] Sworn to and subscribe to Before me the 15th day of August AD 1839.
Witness Allen Rogers JP
George [his mark H] Keth


I. Certify that George Keth. who Has subscribed to the above Certificate is a man of Pious Character & that full credit Should be Given to His oath [.] Given under my Hand this 15 August 1839
S/Allen Rogers JP
Page 27

James Carpenter
Evidence in his case

Ph [Phillip] Adams 
That he enlisted & understood that he served.
Page 28

North Carolina }
Wake County }
This day came Phillip Adams before me and made oath he was well acquainted with James Carpenter in the revolutionary war, that they livd. [lived] in same Family, and said James Carpenter e listed for three years in the regular army under Pink Eaton in Halifax County, and that he always understood he servd. [served] out his time with credit and returned home, and that he married & had three children all which are since dead as he understood without children in their Infancy & since he [underline] married again [/underline] & Died some few years leaving a widow & several children in this neighbourhood where they now live, but is not at present acquainted with them & further saith not [.] Sworn to and subscribed this 5th of June. 1821.
Test Geo. Brasfield J.P.
Phillip [his mark X] Adams


State of N. Carolina }
Wake County }
This day came Allen Wilkins before me and made oath, that he was well acquainted with the above named James Carpenter decd. [deceased] and that Sarah Carpenter is his widow. Claracy Carpenter, Sarah Carpenter, Elizabeth Carpenter & Milley Williams are said to be his daughters, and he believes them to be his lawful heirs. Sworn and subscribed
Page 29

ed [subscribed] to before me the 30th day of June 1821.
S/T. Jones J.P.
S/Allen Wilkins


State of North Carolina }
Wake County}
We the undersigned two Justices of the peace for said county do certify that Phillip Adams and Allen Wilkins who made the above depositions are men of indisputable credit on their oaths [.] Given under our hands this 18th. of July 1821.
S/T. Jones J.P.
S/Geo. Brasfield J.P.
S/T. Roycroft J.P.
S/Wm. W. Farthing J.P.


State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
I Benjamin S. King Clerk [personal seal] of the County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the county foresaid do hereby ^certify that Allen Wilkins, Tignal Jones [,] George Brasfield [,] Thomas Roycroft & William W. Farthing Esquires whose names appear signed to the above proceedings are and were at the time of signing the same acting Justices of the peace in the county aforesaid & that due faith is due to their official acts.

In witness hereof I hereunto set my hand & seal of Office at Raleigh this 31st. day of July 1821.
S/B. S. King C.C.
Page 30

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State aforesaid do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true copy of the evidence upon which the Commissioners appointed to pass on all claims for military land Warrants, allowed and directed a Warrant for bounty land to be issued to the heirs of James Carpenter a private Soldier in the revolutionary war for six hundred & forty acres of land, which was accordingly issued on the 6th. Septr. [September] 1821. No. 960. -

Given under my hand this 12th. day of August 1839.
S/Wm. Hill
Page 31

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third Section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836. -


State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
On this 25th day of January 1842 personally appeared before Abner Peace [,] one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the county of Wake Mrs Sarah Carpenter a resident of said county aged 84 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 the 4th July 1836: - That she is the widow of James Carpenter, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, that her husband, served several years and honorably to the close of the war, as a private; that she has frequently heard Philip [sic: Phillip] Adams and Frederick Rigsbee both pensioners (now deceased) say that her husband James Carpenter served to the close of the war; and Bounty Land for his services for that period, was granted to his heirs. - She further declares she
Page 32

was legally married to James Carpenter, in the month of September (1777) seventeen hundred & seventy seven by the Revd [Reverend] John McCabe - that she has no record of her marriage, and she believes there is none in existence - but that several of her neighbours who are now living, were present when she was married and recollect the time. - That her husband the aforesaid James Carpenter died in November 1813 - that her oldest child, a son died many years since; that her oldest now living, Mrs Mildred Williams, is aged (59) nine [sic] years - And that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband James Carpenter, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed and that her maiden name was Sarah Thompson. - 
S/Sarah Carpenter

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before 
S/Abner Peace JP
Page 33

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
I hereby certify I am well acquainted with Mrs Sarah Carpenter; that she is a very respectable woman, and from her Known character for truth & veracity, am well satisfied that the above statement is correct in every particular - Given under my hand and seal the 25th day of January 1842 -
S/Abner Peace JP [personal seal]
Page 34

State of N Carolina }
Granville County }
Personally appeared before me Clement Wilkins an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County George Keith Sen. a Resident of said county and after being duely [sic: duly] sworn according to Law states that he is Ninty [sic: ninety] one years of age and that he has been acquainted with Sarah Carpenter who has made the forgoing [sic: foregoing] Declaration in order to obtain a pension for seventy five years. that she is the widow of James Carpenter that they ^were married more than sixty years ago. that said James Carpenter was a soldier in the Revolution War and that he think he has Frequently heard him speak of being in the army [.] one circumstance he well Recollects that the said James Carpenter when speaking to him stated that him and his Brother was in the army together and that his Brother Deserted and that they caught him and Brought him back [.] the said Sarah Carpenter is Living Near me Now and has Never Lived more than ten miles from me since I have known her that she is still a widow that her husband Died many years ago
S/Clement Wilkins JP
George [his mark] Keith Sen.


State of N Carolina }
Granville County }
I Clement Wilkins do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the said George Keith Sr. for thirty year [.] that he has been a member in the Baptist Church Ever since I have known him ^that he is in full fellowship [crossed out: and] in his church and that Implisit [sic: implicit] confidence may be Plased [sic: placed] in any assersion [sic: assertion] of his and I further state that I believe him to be unable to appear in court to make this affidavit [.] all of which is given under my hand the day and date above written
S/Clement Wilkins JP
Page 35

North Carolina }
Granville County } ss
I James M Wiggins. Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the county and state aforesaid. hereby certify, that Clement Wilkins, esquire. whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate is and was at the signing thereof, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Granville County; and that to all his official acts as such full faith and credit should be given.

[round seal]
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of my office at Oxford, the first day of February. AD. 1844 - 
S/Jas M Wiggins. Clerk



[written sideways] hearsay.
Page 36

H. M.   25th Jan 40.

Sir
Inclosed [sic: Enclosed] is a Letter Relating to a Case In your office. Will you please answer the Defect In the Evidence to Me.

Respectfully yours
W. Montgomery
Page 37

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
On this 25th day of January 1842 personally appeared before Abner Peace one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake Mrs Pamela Allen a resident of said County, who being firt duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following affidavit: -

This affiant states, she is now, in the 86th year of her age; that she has been well acquainted with Mrs Sarah Carpenter (formerly Sarah Thompson) for more than Seventy five years, having been raised near her from childhood; - That she was also well acquainted with her husband James Carpenter now deceased. - That she was present and well recollects when he was married to Mrs Sarah Carpenter (Formerly Sarah Thompson), who is now applying for a pension. - That they were legally married by the Revd. [Reverend] John McCabe, a minister of the Gospel, in the
Page 38

autumn of Seventeen hundred & Seventy Seven (1777). - That she was staying at James Carpenter's when Mrs Sarah Carpenter had her first child, which was a son, now deceased, That James Carpenter, and Mrs Sarah Carpenter, who is now applying for a pension had been married, and had two children before this affiant herself, was married and this affiant; was married, before the close of the Revolutionary War. - That she is well acquainted with Mrs Mildred Williams, the daughter of James Carpenter and Mrs. Sarah Carpenter, and knows that she is upwards of fifty nine years, old. - That she had lived near to James Carpenter and Mrs Sarah Carpenter, his widow, from the time they were married, (except when James Carpenter was in the War,) to the time of his death, which happened in November 1813. - And she has therefore had good opportunity of Knowing the ages of their children. - Since the death of James Carpenter
Page 39

this affiant has continued to reside in the immediate vicinity of Mrs Sarah Carpenter who is now applying for a pension, and that she is the identical widow of the aforesaid James Carpenter, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. - 
S/Pamela Allen

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year, above written before
S/Abner Peace JP


State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
I hereby certify that Mrs Pamela Allen is a highly respectable woman, and from her Known character for veracity, have no hesitation in saying the above statement is correct - That she is one of the oldest citizens in this region of country, but that her memory is yet very sound. - Given under my hand & seal this 25th January 1842 -
S/Abner Peace JP [personal seal]
Page 40

[round seal]
Page 41

No 5565
√ Sary [Sarah] Carpenter 
Wid of James Carpenter
N.Ca [North Carolina]
Act July 4, 1836








Hon R. M. Saunders
HR [House of Representatives]
Page 42

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
On this 26th day of January 1842 personally appeared before Abner Peace one of Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the county aforesaid George Keith aged 84 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath make the following affidavit: -

This affiant states he has been well acquainted with Mrs Sarah Carpenter (whose maiden name was Sarah Thompson) for more than seventy five years, that he was also well acquainted with James Carpenter her husband who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War - That he well recollects when they were married by the Revd [Reverend] John McCabe in the month of September (1777). seventeen hundred & seventy seven; for he lived near them, and was married himself, the same year by the Revd [Reverend] John McCabe: That he is well acquainted
Page 43

with Mrs Mildred Williams the daughter of the aforesaid James & Sarah Carpenter, that she is now 59 years old - that James & Sarah Carpenter had several children older than MRs Williams - That he has no personal Knowledge of the service of James Carpenter, but that he did serve after he was married, and to the close of the War this affiant is well convinced: for his heirs received Land for his services for that period - And this affiant has several times heard Philip [Phillip] Adams who was a soldier and a pensioner, now dead, say that James Carpenter was a war soldier - This affiant himself served at that time during the war - but was not with James Carpenter, he being in a different part of the Country. - That Mrs Sarah Carpenter now applying for a pension is the identical widow of the aforesaid James Carpenter, and that she has remained a widow ever sine his death which took place in November 1813. - 
S/George Keith 

Subscribed and sworn to on the day and year above written before. 
S/Abner Peace JP
Page 44

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
I hereby certify that George Keith is one of the oldest citizens of this region of country. that he is a highly respectable man and his statement may be relied on as strictly true - Given under my hand & seal this 20th day of January 1842 -
S/Abner Peace JP [personal seal]
Page 45

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
On this 25th day of January 1842 personally appeared before me Abner Peace one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the county of Wake Joel Farguson, a resident of said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following affidavit: - 

This affiant states he is now aged 85 years; that he has been well acquainted for more than fifty four years, with Mrs Sarah Carpenter (formerly Sarah Thompson) and her husband James Carpenter, a soldier of the revolutionary war, now deceased. - That at the time he first became acquainted with the aforesaid James Carpenter, and his widow Sarah Carpenter, who is now applying for a pension, they were married, and had children, who appeared to be about the same age of the children of this affiant; and the first child of this affiant was born in the year Seventeen hundred Seventy eight; that, he heard them say, they
Page 46

had a son born in that year - This affiant has no personal knowledge of the marriage of James Carpenter and Sarah Carpenter, for at that time, he did not reside near them; but from the age of their children at the time he first became acquainted with them, they must have been married at the time it is alleged - This affiant was well acquainted with James Carpenter to the time he died, which was in the month of November 1813 - That he was allways [sic: always] reputed by his neighbours, to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and talked of, as one, by some who have recently died and who were pensioners. - That the aforesaid Sarah Carpenter, who is now applying for a pension, his identical widow, with whom this affiant has been acquainted, the time as above mentioned; and this affiant has allways [sic: always] known her to be a very respectable woman. -
S/Joel Farguson

Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year above written before
S/Abner Peace JP
Page 47

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
I hereby certify that Joel Farguson is a very respectable citizen and that he is a man of the strictest veracity; and whatever statement he makes may be relied on as entirely correct. - Given under my hand & seal this 25th January 1842 -
S/Abner Peace JP [personal seal]
Page 48

State of North Carolina }
Wake County }
On this 25th day of January 1842 personally appeared before Abner Peace a Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the county aforesaid, Benjamin Ward aged 81 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following affidavit, - 

That he has been acquainted with Mrs Sarah Carpenter (formerly Sarah Thompson) and her late husband James Carpenter, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, for Sixty years - That James Carpenter lived near to him from the time he first became acquainted with ^him to the time of his death, which took place in November 1813 - that his widow Mrs Sarah Carpenter who is now applying for a pension does now and has continued, to reside near this affiant
Page 49

That when he first became acquainted with
them, they were married, and had children.
That Mildred Williams, their daughter
resides near him, and appears to be fully
59 years old - That he has no knowledge
of the Services of James Carpenter, be the
has frequently heard him speak of his
time as a soldier, and he has heard
Philip Adams, late a pensioner, say
that James Carpenter served at the
close of the war, as a war soldier-
That his heirs received Bounty Land
for his services for that period of service.
That his widow Mrs. Sarah Carpenter who
is now applying for a pension, has never
married since the death of James
Carpenter and has allways [sic: always] sustained a very good character-
Benj Ward
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year
above written before
Abner Peace J.P.
Page 50

State of North Carolina
Wake County
I hereby certify that Benj Ward is one of the
most respectable citizens in this part of
the country, and whatever statement he
makes may be relied upon as strictly true
and correct. -- Given under my hand
and seal this 26th Jany 1842-
Abner Peace [personal seal]
Page 51

State of North Carolina
Wake County
-
On this
1st day of February 1842 personally
appeared before Wm D. Haywood one of the
Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid, John Williams, a soldier of the Revolution war, and a
Pensioner, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the
following affidavit -
That he was well acquainted with
James Carpenter, a soldier of the Revolutionary War - that he was with him in
the army in South Carolina, in the year
1779 or 1780, the precise time, he cannot now recollect - that James Carpenter was
in the Infantry, and this affiant was in
the Cavalry; and he cannot therefore recollect
what Regt. or Company he belonged
to; - that he was acquainted with
him before the year commenced; - that he cannot recollect now how long he served, -
Page 52

but thinks he served to the close of the war. -
That understands he died about
twenty eight years ago in the upper
part of this county -- That Mrs Sarah
Carpenter who is now applying for a
pension is his identical widow-
John Williams
X his mark
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and
year above written before
Wm D. Haywood J.P.

State of North Carolina
Wake County
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with John
Williams whose Pension Certificate as a soldier
the Revolutionary War I have this day examined - that he is a respectable citizen and has always been esteemed a man of truth and veracity. Given under my hand sand seal this the 1st day of February 1842
Wm D Haywood J.P. [personal seal]
Page 53

State of North Carolina
Wake County

I hereby certify I am well acquainted with
Mrs Sarah Carpenter who is now applying for a pension (widow of James Carpenter
a soldier of the Revolutionary War), George
Keith, Benj Ward Joel Farguson and
Mrs Pamela Allen; they reside in my
immediate vicinity and are all and and each
of them very respectable persons - and
whatever statement or statements, any or
all [of]them may make, can be relied on
as strictly true and correct
Given under my hand and
seal this 31st January 1842-
&
Jas. M. Mangum J.P. [personal seal]
Page 54

State of North Carolina
Wake County ⎬ I James T. Marriott Clerk of the
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake aforesaid do hereby certify that Abner Peace, William D. Haywood and James M. Mangam are acting Justices
of the Peace in and for said County and the foregoing Signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed my
Seal of Office at Raleigh this 2nd day
of February A.D. 1842
Jas. T. Marriott Clk
Page 55

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the
State of North Carolina, do hereby certify, that it appears of record in this Office, that a warrant for bounty land for the services of James Carpenter a private of the Continental line of this State in
the revolutionary war was issued on the 6th September 1821 for 640 acres, the quantity allowed by law to a Soldier who served during the war, or to the heirs of such soldiers as were killed or died in the service. Which said Warrant is No 960, issued to the Heirs of James Carpenter on an order of the Board of Commissioners appointed by the Legislature to pass on all applications for military land warrants, drawn by Colo. Wm. A. Tharpe of Wake County N. Carolina
Given under my hand this 2nd
day of February 1842
W. Hill Secry
Page 56

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the
State of North Carolina, do hereby certify, that it appears of record in this Office, that a warrant for bounty land for the services of James Carpenter a private of the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war was issued on the 6th September 1821
for 640 acres, the quantity allowed by law to a
Soldier who served during the war, or to the heirs of such soldiers as were killed or died in the service. Which said Warrant is No 960, issued to the Heirs of James Carpenter on an order of the Board of Commissioners appointed by the Legislature to pass on all applications for military land warrants, drawn by Colo. W. A. Tharpe of Wake County N. Carolina
Given under my hand this 2nd
day of February 1842
W, Hill Secry
Page 57

(Copy)
Pension Office
April 1st 1842
Sir,
I herewith return the letter of Mr. Little on the subject of the claim of Sary [Sarah] Carpenter, widow of James Carpenter, dec. and in
reply have the [illegible] to state that the proof offered in support of the alleged services of her deceased husband is not sufficient to justify the Department in allowing the widow a pension.
Much stress is laid upon the fact of the heirs of said Carpenter having received Bounty Land, and it is urged that it ought to be received as evidence of the service claimed, for under the
pension laws. In many cases this would be deemed sufficient proof of service, even when the soldiers name is omitted on the roll.
But in all such cases, the proof upon which Bounty Land was granted should be such as to leave no doubt upon the mind as to the fact of the service having been actually performed,
and of this the Department alone must be the judge. 
The only proof furnished in this case to the Commissioners appointed to pass
on claims for Military Bounty Land, was the affidavit of Philip
Adams, who testified that James Campbell enlisted in Halifax under Capt. Pink Eaton for three years and that he "always
understood he served out his time". Upon this proof alone
Page 58

a warrant was issued for 640 acres, the quantity allowed by law to a soldier who had served during the whole war or to the heirs of such soldiers as were killed or did in the service. 
The widow made her declaration in the year 1839. At that time she appeared to have a very clear recollection of the date of her marriage [and] of the service of her late husband as a soldier. She stated that she was married in the year 1777, and that prior to that date he had
served under an enlistment in the Army. That some two or three years after her marriage, he was again in the service under a draft
for three months in Capt William Moore's Company. Pamelia Allen a witness, has also a perfect recollection of the date of the marriage
and of the three months service afterwards. George Keith, another witness, states that Carpenter had the reputation of having been a soldier at the time he was married; yet he has no knowledge of any service subsequent thereto.
James Carpenter, deceased, the husband of the present claimant, resided in Wake County, North Carolina, where the Army records are kept, and where much of the business growing out of application for Bounty Land was done, and where, it may be inferred claims
could be prosecuted with great facility.
[Illegible] during his life, which terminated in 1813, he
made no effort for that purpose and asserted no claim for services, and it was not until some person appearing in the character of a purchaser of such claims in the year 1821, that a claim or Land was
Page 59

assisted by the heirs.
In January last, the widow made a new declaration, in which she has materially changed the nature of her claim, and
has adopted the language used in the Certificate of the Secretary of State respecting the granting of land for services during the war. She now states that her late husband did serve to the close of the war and that she has heard both him and others so state before he died. In passing upon this claim her first statement only can be taken, unless the second is accompanied by stronger proof
which however is not the case.
If then it is true that Carpenter enlisted, as has been stated by the widow before 1777, and for three years as was testified by Adams
that enlistment must have taken place in the Autumn of the year 1774, and consequently have terminated in the Autumn of the year 1779; and if he left the army, as the widow has also testified before her marriage
in 1777, his actual service must have fallen short of a year. The manner of his leaving the Army is not stated, but if all these statements
are correct, the inference is, that he left without permission, and this accounts, in a very satisfactory manner, for the reason why his name was not returned on the Army rolls. It is very probable that he did
perform, as the widow has alleged, a three months tour in the Militia in 1780, and the testimony of witnesses goes to prove that fact.
James Durham, whose affidavit is now filed in this case, states
Page 60

that he was well acquainted with Carpenter before the war, and is "well convinced that he served a long period in the early part of the Revolutionary struggle", and that he knew him
in South Carolina in 1780, and that he served under Capt. Pink Eaton to his certain knowledge, eighteen months for he had a brother, since dead, who served for the same time. The statement of this witness
is not corroborated by the facts already proved in the case, and the statement now on file in this Office, describing his own services
does not add any weight to his testimony. He belonged to Mecklinburg County, Virginia, in 1780, when he first entered the Army for
three months and marched to the South. Early in 1781 he enlisted for eighteen months in a Company of Cavalry, and after having served for about eight months was furloughed, and never again called upon. He could not, therefore, have had any certain knowledge of said Carpenter's eighteen months service after that period, although he may have met with him in the three months tour in 1780. In viewing this claim in the most favorable light and giving to the testimony offered all the weight it is entitled to, I do not find it sufficient to authorize us to grant a pension.

Hon R. M. Saunders
H. of Reps B

I have the honor to be
Very respectfully,
Your Obd Servt
J. L. Edwards

(Signed)
Page 61

Sarah Carpenter
[illegible]

N.C.
[illegible] Oct7
Sarah Carpenter
[Raleigh postmark]

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
[illegible]
[FREE]
Page 62

Rogers
---
Rogers Store. 18th Sept 1839
Dear Sir inclosed [sic: enclosed] you have
some additional evidence in favour [favor] of Sary [Sarah] Carpenter wife of James Carpenter which I believe is the Best evidence that can be got. You will send your reply to me at Rogers Store PO
Your compliance will oblige you.
Respectfully
Allen Rogers
Page 63

N C
retd. case
Sarah Carpenter
Aug 22

[postmark: RALEIGH AUG 20 N.O.]
FREE

J L Edwards Esq
of
Edwards
FREE
of Pension
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 64

Raleigh 20th August 1839
Dear Sir
Inclosed [sic: enclosed you will regard the papers [illegible] of Sary [Sarah] Carpenter, which I hope will be satisfactory. You will please [illegible], and reply to Allen Rogers. Rogers P. Office & oblige yours Respectfully
Allen Rogers
For
Sary Carpenter
Page 65

State of N Carolina
Granville County
Be it Known that on the 18th day of March 1845 before the [illegible] an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Samuel Chappell a Revolutionary soldier who having been duely [sic: duly] sworn testifies and says - that he
has been well acquainted with Mrs. Sarah
Carpenter now applying for a pension for fifty
or sixty years, that she is the widow of James
Carpenter and that he was well acquainted with the said James Carpenter before the War
and after up to his death. I did not see the said
James Carpenter in service that I recollect but
have had frequent conversation with him about the war. I cannot now Recollect what officer he said he served under but he in some on of his conversations told me that he was at the Battle of Stone and that he served two and a half or three year at our tour. That he bore the Character with all who knew him to have been a soldier and to have served a long time -nearly the whole War. This affiant further states to a well known fact that his widow and children now Living drew Land for his services aforesaid, that never was any question and that they sold it to one Wm. A. Thorpe and these facts are well known
Page 66

the neighbourhood [neighborhood] where the said James Carpenter Resided and it never was questioned by any one of his having served in the war of the Revolution
Further this affiant sayeth not.
Samuel C. Chappell X his mark
Sworn and subscribed to on the day and
year above written before me
Clement Wilkins JP
State of N Carolina
Granville County 
I Clement Wilkins an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County do certify that I
been well acquainted with Samuel Chappell
whose signature appears to the foregoing Deposition for thirty years and from knowledge of him I believe his statement
as above stated to be true.
Given under my hand and seal the  18 day of March A D 1845
Clement WIlkins J Peace
Page 67

North Carolina
Granville County 
I James M. Wiggins, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid, hereby certify, that Clement WIlkins Esq. whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavit of Samuel Chappel [sic: Chappell] and the certificate thereto, is and was at the Signing thereof, an acting Justice of the Peace
in and for Granville County; and that to all his official acts as such full faith and credit should be given.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
Subscribed my name, and affixed the
Seal of my office at Oxford the 25th
of March, A.D. 1845.
Jas. M. Wiggins, Clk
Page 68

Sir - I enclose herewith the application of Sarah Carpenter for a pension - the same person
whose claim you have before rejected. -
The testimony now offered establishes fully 
the fact of [underline] her marriage [/underline] & that before the close of the war & that she is the widow of Jas. Carpenter. -
As to the [underline] service [/underline] of the husband the main fact, is the circumstance that his heirs did obtain military bounty land - forwarded as proof of his service - that the old soldiers by whom that proof was likely rendered are now dead - but several of their affidavits state the fact of having heard these soldiers speak of Carpenters services -
Page 69

John Williams an old Soldier swears to this fact of being with Carpenter in service in So Carolina & "thinks he served to the close of the war" - The respectability of the witnesses are testified to by men personally known to myself - living in my County - & are Col. J. M. Mangum [,] a number of [illegible] Legislators & old men of character -

I submit therefore - that this case is fully made [illegible] - as far as it is practicable & under the circumstances to entitle the old Lady of 86. years to a pension -

respectfully
R. M. Saunders



J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Page 70

Raleigh April 2, '45

Sir -
I enclose further proofs in the case of Mrs. Sarah Carpenter heretofore rejected - The testimony of her we think is to the point which as I understood from her [illegible] would be satisfactory - that was - that there were His Heirs who drew the Land & sold to Col. Ear[illegible] removed from the County & Mr. Williams I personally know to be a man of purport and to be relied on.

I hope the testimony will prove satisfactory -

respectfully
R. M. Saunders


J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comm of Pen. [Commissioner of Pensions]
Page 71

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com of P. 


pd. Letter {
Page 72

Ho. Rep May 2- '42

Dear Sir -

As I left yr. answer to me in reply to the case of Mrs. Carpenter ^at hand - you will please let Mr. [illegible] see your answer & also to let him [illegible] if not against yr. subs - other papers in yr. office referring to & establishing the fact of Carpenter's service - 

respectfully 
R. M. Saunders


J. L. Edwards
Comr. of P.

let. of 1st Apl 1842 case of Sary [Sarah] Carpenter.
Page 73

saw him in 1780 - 
had a brother in the 
same company.
Page 74

State of North Carolina }
Warren County }

On this 19thy day of February 1842 personally appeared before the Subscriber one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Warren, James Durham a soldier of the Revolutionary War and a Pensioner, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following affidavit: -

This affiant testifies & says that he was well acquainted with James Carpenter late a soldier of the Revolutionary War; that he was well acquainted with him before the commencement of the war; and from his knowledge of him, he is well convinced he served for a large period in the early part of the Revolutionary struggle. - That when he was in South Carolina, in 1780, this affiant, then knew him, and that he served in Capt Pink Eatons Company, to his certain knowledge eighteen months; for he had a brother William Durham, who served in Capt Pink Eatons Company for a period of Eighteen
Page 75

months - And that said James Carpenter died in the County of Wake a great many years ago. ~
S/James Durham


Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before 
S/Henry Harris JP



State of North Carolina }
Warren County }
I hereby certify I am well acquainted with James Durham; that is a Pentioner [sic: pensioner] as a soldier of the Revolutionary War and that he is universally esteemed by all who know him to be a man of strict truth & verasity [sic: veracity] - Given under my hand & seal this 19th Feby. 1842
S/Henry Harris JP [personal seal]


State of North Carolina
I. Marcellus J Montgomery Clerk of Warren County in said state do certify that Henry Harris, whose signatures appear above - is and was an acting Justice of the Peace at the time of signing the same, and that, his acts as such are Entitled to full faith & credit. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office at
Page 76

office in Warrenton this 26th day of February AD. 1842.
S/M. J. Montgomery Clk.

[seal]
Page 77

16. July 1841
Hon Syl


Hon R. M. Saunders



J. L. Edwards Esq.
Pension Office
Washington City
Page 78

Ho. Rep. July 15. '41

Sir - 

I am requested to call yr. attention to the case of Sarah Carpenter of No. Ca - for a pension - she is the widow of James Carpenter - who I understand drew Lands for his services as a revolutionary soldier. Please let me know how the matter stands -

yrs respectfully
R. M. Saunders



To
J. L. Edwards
Pension office
Page 79

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City






[upside down]
Mrs. Carpenter
Page 80

Rogers Store 14th February 1840

Dear Sir

yours of the 23 Jany [January] came to Hand requesting me to give you the names of the children of Sary [Sarah] Carpenter, &c. which you will find as follows,

It is True that the present claiment [sic: claimant] is the second wife of James Carpenter, & that the children of the first wife died in infancy Ambros Harper Carpenter is the oldest child of the present claimant & was born on the 11th day of June 1778. and died in February at the age of Eighteen in the County of Wake & state of North Carolina [.] the second child name is Margaret who married one Spagg & was Born the 22 Feby 1781. the third child. a daughter, whose name is Milly. who married a ^Benjamin Williams, was born the 21st. September 1784. the fourth child a son By the name of James who was born the 17th of October 1787. the fith [sic: fifth] a son. whose name is William born the 5th. March 1789. the Sixth a daughter by the name of Claracy who married a ^John Youngin born the 29th August 1792 [.] the 7th a son by the name of Payton. born the 13th. Feby 1794 [.] the 8th child a daughter by the name of Sary born 28 Dec 1796 & Married one John Etries -
Page 81

the 9th child a daughter By the name of Elizabeth Born the 11th March 1799 who married a Sherron [.]

The foregoing is a Statement; made by Sary [Sarah] Carpenter, from her Best Recollection there is no record of the childrens ages as can Be produced only By the claimants, Recollection which I know you will find to Correspond with the Secretary's Certificate

if any other proof is required you please inform me.

Yours very Respectfully
Allen Rogers

Wake County I. Certify that the forgoing Statement was made to me upon oath By Sary Carpenter, whose oath I. would Recommend to be Worthy of Credit 14th Febry 1840
Allen Rogers JP
Page 82

Washington May 24th 1842

Sir,

In relation to the case of Mrs Sarah Carpenter applying for a pension under the ^act of 4th July 1836 - I have to state that an allowance of a pension for twelve months time will be satisfactory

vy Respectfully
Your Obt Sevt.
Geo: Little


J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 83

House of Representatives
February 12th. 1844

Mr. J. L. Edwards }
Com. of Pensions }

Sir; I send you the certificate of Wm Hill Secretary of State of N.C. & the affidavit of Mr. Geo Keith Senr. inclosed [sic: enclosed] me by Clement Wilkins of Granville County N.C. to be filed with the papers in the case of Mrs Sarah Carpenter. You ^will be so good as to apprise me of the result of your decision when you should have acted upon the case as requested by Mr. Wilkins.

Respectfully
JRJ Daniel
Page 84

Raleigh April 10. '45

Sir -

I can but think your objections to the claim of Sarah Carpenter unreasonably severe. You say there must have been two soldiers by the same name & this you refer from the two declarations not [illegible] up. This is special pleading as it is evident there was but one soldier & he the Husband of the claimant - I feel it due to request that the whole of the papers be laid before the secy of War for his decision - 

yrs respectfully
R. M. Saunders


D. G. W. Crump -
Clerk &c.
Page 85

Aug 28. 1845

[round postmark: RALEIGH
AUG 26
N.C.]

Recd
Sarah Carpenter
__________________


5
 


J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr. 
Washington City
Page 86

Raleigh Augt. 26. '45

Sir
I have recd. [received] yours respecting the claim of Sarah Carpenter for a pension. It has been sometime since I read the papers - but my evidence in the proof establishes [illegible under ink blot] if not regular service. and as I am satisfied there was but one Carpenter - I think the pension should be allowed for some period. you will please have copies of the papers made and as I have written to the Secy of War - before above you will please copy him.

yrs respectfully
R. M. Saunders


J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr.
Page 87

Pension Office
September 9. 1845.

Commissioner of Pensions
Report in the case of 
Sary [Sarah] Carpenter.
Page 88

Pension Office
September 9th 1845.

Sir,

I have the honor to return you Genl. Saunders' letter, and the papers of Sary Carpenter, which it is the object of that letter to engage you to examine.

The enclosed copy of my letter to him of April 1st 1842, enters into details and announces a decision which has not been affected by any thing since filed. 

Her claim is asserted for such service in the North Carolina Line (officers not named and date assigned before her marriage in 1777) as would entitle him to Bounty Land, and offers the receipt of the Bounty Land due only to him who enlisted for the war and served accordingly, or was killed in action, during that enlistment, in proof of her declaration. If, as she assets, his service in the Line was [underline] before [/underline] 1777, where she married him, he could have been entitled to a wars' man's amount of Bounty Land; and indeed, the whole circumstances under which Bounty Land was allowed the children in 1821, which the Father never claimed, altho' he lived till 1813 go to confirm (what is conclusive from the rolls of the Line) that he never served in the Line. As to the service
Page 89

in the Militia she claimed but one tour which, was probably less than three months. Her husband's name is not borne on the settlements of North Carolina Militia service in this office nor, (it is, inferred from its not being adduced) on the books of the Comptroller at Raleigh. I deem it very clear that he was not a Continental Soldier, and that as a Militia man he did not service six months.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt. [your obedient servant]
J. L. Edwards




Hon. W. L. Marcy,
Secretary of War.
Page 90

Apl 12 45

Sir

Genl. Saunders has recently filed some additional proof as explanations in the case of Sarah Carpenter of N. C whose claim is suspended. This claim has been long before the office, as has been prejudiced by the want of knowledge of the  [illegible] in a Mr Rogers who first drew up the papers [.] The widow who knew nothing of the forms or value of the papers so drawn up, be one state more ignorant than herself, should not be made to suffer. If her claim is just, as I believe it is, she shd [should] have the full benefit of all the proofs that [illegible] sustain the fact - that her husband Jas Carpenter did serve in the army: and of this the proof is ample

I am your sevt
J H Sylvester


Col Edwards.
Page 91

Raleigh NC. Aug 25/45

R. M. Saunders
Appeals on pension claim of Sarah Carpenter.


S364. [illegible] 30/45

Pension Office


[round postal stamp:
RALEIGH
AUG 26
N.C.]
Page 92

Raleigh Augt. 25 - '45

Sir - 

I am requested by Sarah Carpenter who claims a pension to appeal from the decision of the commr. - respecting her claim - There have been two declarations filed - one some years ago - this other within the last twelve months - The Comr. says they are inconsistent, the one representing the soldier as a Militia man - the other as being in the North Carolina line - It appears from the proof - that the Heirs obtained from the state Bounty Land - that as the soldiers name is not to be found on the Muster rolls the Comr. concludes it was improperly allowed - 

It is submitted, that the Comr. has adapted too rigid a rule in requiring the party to which her declaration [illegible] it is pretty
Page 93

certain there was but one person of that name in the service of the state - and whether the proof establishes the fact of regular or Militia service. if the [underline] fact [/underline] of service can be collected with sufficient certainty as to time the pension should be allowed -

It is on this ground that I ask a review of the decision -

I have requested a copy of the papers to be laid before you.

very respectfully
R. M. Saunders



Hon: Marcy
Secy at War -
Page 94

Claracy      dark day 80
Sarah    [crossed out: born] May -
Elizth.    In Aug 787
Milly Williams    [illegible] Jun  '78

~

Margaret . . (Spragg)    b. 81
Milly. (Williams)    Joel Ferguson 
James. 
William.
Claracy (Yearyan)
Peyton
Sary. (Etris)
Eliz. -
Page 95

James Carpenter    d 1813
Sarah     m. Augt. 1777      80 yrs

3 yrs Eaton.
rev bounty Land
[illegible] lance   1821. not on roll
in this Office dec. '38.

yr cl. ap m.
X Gen Kith.

This is a doubtful claim - see Secy cert.

The service in the NC line said to have been before the marriage in Augt. 1777 - If her husband enlisted for 3 years, his service could not have expd. [expired] before the year 1779. The only service claimed after ^some 2 or 3 yrs after the marriage is 3 mos by death: - no satisfactory proof of that. Carpenter died in 1813 - never applied for land; nor did his heirs do so until 1821, when their [illegible] one . . .  Tharpe who drew the land - 640 acres the amt allowed for a war man, or one killed [illegible]
Page 96

July 19. 1848
Adal ter con

Sarah Carpenter 
____________________



[round postmark: RALEIGH
JUL 16 N.C.]

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 97

Raleigh July 15. '45

Sir - 

I send you additional proof in the case of Mrs. Carpenter - I learn from the Magistrate that Lewis Carpenter who makes the affidavit - that he is a [illegible: defarid??] - [crossed out: being] ^have a club fact - the reason why he was not in service himself.

As to Capt. Perry - The parol- proof from service beyond question & the certificate as to his grade - which I cant [can't] send was to strengthen that but the Comptroller tells me his Books are not complete. several being missing - so the fact that Capt. recd. [illegible] £78. is not conclusive, that that was all he received - Besides that [illegible] recd. for a full allowance. would not correspond with any date of service. it would come some five months - but not exactly that time - so it is evident it was not in full - I think the claim very clear for six months - yr &c. R. M. Saunders
Page 98

Pen Off [Pension Office]
Aug 23. '45

Sir

The addl. [additional] testimony in the case of Sarah Carpenter enclosed in yours of 15 ult has been filed with the other papers & I have the honor to inform you that the service claimed is in the N. C. Line ^for several years and the objection to the claim is that her husbands name is not found upon any one of the several records upon which it must have been borne if the allegation was well-founded that his service entitled him to Bounty Land - Her claim is asserted upon the fact that he obtained upon parol proof in 1820 ^the bounty Land of a "War man" and addl. [additional] parol testimony that he was [underline] absent [/underline] in the service is adduced - [underline] Her [/underline] claim is to be decided upon the proofs adduced according to the estimate new to be made by the Dept. That estimate is
Page 99

that they are wholly insufficient to overide [sic: override] the evidence, altho [sic: although] negative, of the records at Raleigh & in this Dept. Her husband was no doubt in service probably in the militia but I am bound to maintain upon the exhibits that he did not serve in the Line as asserted & claimed. -



Hon R. M. Saunders
Augt. 23. '45




Hon. R. M. Saunders
Raleigh
N.C.
Page 100

193

Pen Off [Pension Office]
Apl. 8th. "45

Sir

In my conversation with you respecting the case of Sarah Carpenter, I understood that the only difficulty was proof of the identity of claimts [claimant's] husband with a soldier of the same name whose service was established & hence I [crossed out: probably] remarked ^as you state that proof of her children having recd. the bounty Land would be satisfactory [.] That proof is now adduced & upon our examination of the papers I find that the service is not established but discredited and that the Bounty Land had been allowed upon proofs altogether insufficient as was pointed out to you in a letter of 1 Apl. '42

Hon. R. M. Saunders
Raleigh N.C.
Page 101

198

Pension Office
June 12. 1844

Sir, 

In answer to the enclosed letter I have to inform you that no certificate from the Comptroller of N. Carolina in the case of Mrs. Sarah Carpenter appears to have been received here. There was a duplicate certificate received here some months ago from the Secretary's Office at Raleigh, through the Hon. Mr. Daniel, to whom I returned it, with a letter, of which the enclosed is a copy. I send a copy of all the letters in this case, to which  I would respectfully refer you for information as to the state of the claim.

I have the h--
  

__________
5565 
Act '36
N. Carolina.
Enter this letter



Hon. R. M. Saunders.
House of Rep
Page 102

Hon J. R. J. Daniel
11th March '44
Page 103

137

Pen Off [Pension Office]
March 11  44

Sir

I have the honor to return you the certificate of the Secy [secretary] of N.C. in the case of Sarah Carpenter which is a duplicate of one already filed in her case ~ This claim has been very maturely considered & fully discussed with your colleague Genl. Saunders - It does not appear that she is entitled ~ The correspondence would be copied for you but for the pressure of business - You can examine it whenever it may suit your convenience to call -



Hon. J. R. J. Daniel
H. R.
Page 104

George Little
May 25th 1842
Page 105

331

Pen: Off [Pension Office]
May 25th '42

Sir

In answer to yours of 24 inst it was intimatisy [??] that Sarah Carpenter would be satisfied with a pension computed for 12 months service. I have to inform you that upon a careful review of the proofs it does not appear that her late husband was in service except for a tour of militia duty towards the close of the war which is not sufficient to entitle her to any pension ~

The alleged service in the N. C. Line is discredited by the silence of the several records upon which his name must have been borne if he was either a "three years" or war's man ~ The grounds taken in my letters to Hon R M. Saunders of 9 Feby & 1 Apl of the present year are adhered to & re-affirmed

Geo. Little Esq
present
Page 106

Hon R M Saunders
April 1. '42
O,O
Page 107

13

Pension Office 
[crossed out: March 31.]  April 1. 1842

Sir
I return herewith he letter of W Little on the subject of the claim of Sary [Sarah] Carpenter, widow of James Carpenter decd. and in reply have the honor to state that the proof offered in support of the alleged services of her decd. husband is not sufficient to justify the Departt. in allowing the widow a pension.

Much stress is laid upon the fact, of the heirs of said Carpenter having rec. bounty land, and ^it is urged that it ought to be rec. as evidence of the service claimed for under the pension laws. In many cases this would be deemed sufficient proof of service, even when the soldiers name is omitted on the roll. But in all such cases, the proof upon which bounty land was granted, should be such as to leave no doubts upon the mind as to the fact of the service having been actually performed; and of this the Depart. alone must be the judge. The only proof furnished in this case to the Commissioners appointed to pass on claims for military bounty land, was the affidavits of Phillip Adams, who testified that James Campbell enlisted in Halifax under Capt Pink Eaton for three years
Page 108

and that he "always [underline] understood [/underline] he served out his time". Upon this proof alone, a warrant was issued for 640 acres, the quantity allowed by law to a soldier who had served during the whole war, or to the heirs of such soldiers as were killed or died in the service.

The widow made her declaration in the year 1839. At that time she appeared to have a very clear recollection of the date of her marriage and of the services of her late husband as a soldier. She stated that she was married in the year 1777, and that prior to that date he [crossed out: has] had served under an enlistment in the army: ____ that some two or three years [underline] after [/underline] her marriage, he was again in the service under a draft for 3 months in Capt William Moores company. Pamela Allen, a witness has also a perfect recollection of the date of the marriage and of the 3 months service afterwards.

Geo Keith, another witness, states that Carpenter had the reputation of [underline] having been [/underline] a soldier at the time he was married; yet he has no knowledge of any service subsequent thereto.
Page 109

James Carpenter dec. the husband of the present claimant resided in Wake County NC. where the army records are kept, and where much of the business growing out of applications for bounty lands was done, and where, it may be inferred, claims could be prosecuted with great facility. 

Yet during his life which terminated in 1813, he made no effort for that purpose and asserted no claim for services; and it was not until some person appearing in the character of a purchase of such claims in the year 1821, that a claim for land was asserted by the heirs.

In January last, the widow made a new declaration, in which she has materially changed the nature of her claim, and has adopted the language used in the certificate of the Secretary of State respectery the granting of land for services during the war. She now states that her late husband did serve to the close of war and that she has heard both him and others so state before he died. In passing upon this claim her first statement only can be taken, unless the second is accompanied by stronger proof.
Page 110

which herein, is not the case.

If then, it is true that Carpenter enlisted as has been stated by the widow before 1777, and for three years as has was testified by Adams, that enlistment must have taken place in the autumn of the year 1776, and consequently have terminated in the autumn of the year 1779: and if he left the army as the widow has also testified before her marriage in 1777, his actual service must have fallen short of a year. The manner of his leaving the army is not stated, but if all these statements are correct, the inference is, that he left without [crossed out: leave] permission, and this accounts in a very satisfactory manner for the reason why his name was not returned on the army rolls. It is very probable that he did perform as the widow has alleged a three mos tour in the militia in 1780, and the testimony of witnesses go to prove that fact.

James Durham, whose affidavits is now filed in this case, states that he was well acquainted with Carpenter before the war, and is "well convinced that he served a long period in the early part of the revolutionary struggle", and that he knew him in S. Ca
Page 111

in 1780. and that he "served under Captain Pink Eaton to his certain knowledge, 18 mos. for he had a brother, since died, who served for the same time. The statement of this witness is not corroborated by the facts already proved in the case, and [crossed out: differs his] the statement now on file in this office describing his own services does not add any weight to his testimony [.]

He belonged to Mecklenburg Co Virginia in 1780, when he first entered the army for 3 mos. and marched to the south. Early in 1781 he enlisted ^for 18 mos. in a company of Cavalry, and after having served about 8 mos was furloughed and never again called upon. He could not therefore ^have had any certain knowledge of said Carpenters 18 mos service after that period, although he may have met with him in the 3 mos tour in 1780. In viewing this claim [crossed out: under] in the most favorable [crossed out: circumstances] light, and giving to the testimony, offered [crossed out: full] all the weight it is entitled to, I do not find it [crossed out] sufficient to authorize us to grant a pension.

I have the honor
Hon. R M Saunders 
H R
Page 112

160 [crossed out: 159] 160

Pension Office
Feby 9. 1842

Sir

I have recd. and examined the affidavits in support of the claim of Sarah Carpenter, widow of James Carpenter decd. and placed them on file with her original papers. The objection in the case is the absence of satisfactory proof of service in the No. Carolina line.

The widow states that she was married in the year 1777, in the month of Augt. And if the testimony of the witnesses is to be relied on, and there is every reason to credit their statements, such was the fact. The widow also states that, previous to her said marriage her late husband had enlisted in the army for three years. She also states that, some two or three years after her marriage, her said husband was drafted and served three months in the militia under Colo Moore. In proof of her allegations she has produced the certificates of the Secretary of State from which it appears that his heirs have recd 640 acres of land from the State as a bounty for [crossed out: the] his service. [crossed out: of the said James Carpenter]

With the exception of Jno Williams none of the witnesses, had any personal knowledge of her said husbands services. William states that he saw him in So Ca in 1779 or 1780, but as he [the] witness belonged to the Cavalry while Carpenter
Page 113

belonged to the infantry the precise time of his services he cannot recollect.

The proof exhibited to the Commission of the service, was deemed sufficient to justify an allowance of land to Carpenters hers, for a wars man, or one who had been killed or died in the service, to wit 640 acres. The proof was the testimony of Philip Adams who mainly testified to the fact of his having enlisted, and who also stated that "he always [underline] understood [/underline] he served his time"

The enlistments for 3 years in NC, were not authorized until the year 1776. If therefore Carpenter enlisted and served out his time he must have continued in the army for at least two years after his marriage. But the widow, whom it may be presumed has a perfect recollection on the subject, has expressly stated that his service under his enlistment was performed prior to her marriage. If therefore he did so enlist, it is clear that he remained but a very short time in the army, and perhaps never joined at all. This opinion is strengthened [crossed out: from] by the fact that his name is not borne on any of the rolls or army Books at Raleigh, upon which both the names of Adams and Jno Williams are found. As a further evidence that Carpenter did not perform the service, it may be mentioned that he resided in Wake County until the year 1813, never
Page 114

[crossed out: 160] 159

having made any claim upon the State for his depreciation pay, as appears by settlement of the army accounts, at Halifax, Warrenton and Hillsboro' by the Commissions appointed for that purpose immediately after the war [crossed out: ended]. Also from the fact, that he never applied for his bounty land, although he lived until the year 1813. and might have had it in his power to have obtained the necessary proof, had he felt himself entitled. And it was not until eight years after his death that a claim was asserted for land, which was drawn by one Tharpe, [crossed out: whom] who, it seems had furnished the testimony of Adams and purchased the land of the heirs. The widow states that she has often heard [crossed out: said] Adams and the Registrar say that her husband served to the close of the war. It does not appear that she had any such knowledge herself, nor that she had derived any such information from her husband. The service alluded to by Jno Williams in 1779 or 1780, was undoubtedly the militia service of 3 mos mentioned by Mrs Carpenter, as having been performed some 2 or 3 years after her marriage [.]

The proof of the service is not such as shall justify the Depart. in allowing the widows claim.

I have the honor



Hon RM Saunders
H Rep
Page 115

Hon. R. M. Saunders
Jan. 26. 1842
G. C
Page 116

381

Pension Office
Jan. 26. 1842

Sir

I have rec. your letter [crossed out: containing] covering the affidavit and family record of Joel Ferguson intended to be used in the case of Mrs Sary [Sarah] Carpenter's application for a pension. and have file it with her papers.

I had the honor to address you on the subject of this claim on the 17th day of July last. and now enclose  a copy of that letter, as no additional proof of service has been furnished since that date.

I have the honor




Hon RM Saunders
Ho Reps
Page 117

[written sideways] July 17. 41   OC

291

Pension Office
July 17. 1841.

Sir

The papers in the case of the claim of Mrs. Sary [Sarah] Carpenter, widow of James Carpenter decd, are upon our files. Her claim has been suspended for more satisfactory proof both as to the alleged service of her deceased husband and the date of her marriage.

James Carpenter decd. Nov 30. 1813. On the 6th day of Sept. 1821. a Warrant for 640 acres of land was issued to her heirs in consideration of his having performed three years service as a private in the Continental line of No. Ca. The only evidence upon which the grant of land was made, was the affidavit of one Philip Adams, who stated that said Carpenter enlisted for that period, and "he always [underline] understood [/underline] he served out his time"


The circumstances attending the application for Bounty Land, which was entitled by Mr Carpenter during his life, and by the heirs until eight years
Page 118

after his death, when taken in connection with the fact that Carpenter's name is not borne upon the rolls or army Books of the No. Ca line, are calculated to throw [crossed out] a shade of suspicion upon the claim. The fact of the heirs having obtained land upon the period that the service was performed, is, of itself not sufficient, to justify the Depart. in allowing the widow a pension.

The widow claims under the act of July 7. 1838, alleges that she was married in Augt. 1777 after her husbands service had expired; and that he was subsequently drafted and served in the militia [.]

Had he enlisted for 3 years his service could not have expired before Nov. 1779 or in the year 1780, and if he performed the militia service after her marriage, her claim should be asserted under the act of July 4 1836 instead of that of July 7 1838. The clearest and most positive proof will be required in the case [.]

I have the honor
OC 
July 7 1838 ~
4930.


Hon R. M. Saunders
Ho Reps
Page 119

191
[crossed out: Depart of War]
Pension Office
March 16. 1840

Sir

Mrs Sarah Carpenter, widow of James Carpenter, claims a pension under the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838, yet she alleges a service of her late husband of 3 mos after her marriage; which, if proved would entitle her to the benefit of the act of July 4 1836.

She alleges that her said decd husband served 3 years in the continental line of NC, and for which it appears bound land was granted upon the testimony of one witness alone & who was not himself in the army, with Carpenter, in 1821. 8 years after his death. This evidence is not such as will justify me in allowing the widows claim, 

She states, and so do all the witnesses, that she was married in 1777 and that her first child was born in 1778
Page 120

the year of the "notable dark day". Joel Ferguson a witness is enabled to be position upon this point, because as he says he had kept a "register of the dark day." 

Now if this is correct, Carpenter in order to have completed his three years service; must have been in the army for two years after his marriage: - this is not pretended. And if the first child was borne as before stated, in the year of the dark day; it must have been in 1780, and not in 1778.

In that case Mr Carpenter might have performed 3 years service prior to his marriage. But from the facts, that his name is not found upon the rolls of service, and of his having delayed during his life to apply for bounty land, a presumption is raised against the claim. so far as that tour is concerned: proof of which will be required. It would be desirable that the register spoken of by Mr Ferguson might be forwarded to this office for inspection
Page 121

I enclose copies of the acts granting pensions and the regulations, as a future guide to M. Rogers in the further prosecution of her claim:

I have the honor


[written sideways]
[illegible]
March 16. 1840
O.C.


Hon Wm. Montgomery
HR.


OC
July 7 1838
4930