Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21546, Charles Turner, Va.
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VA. Turner, Charles S21546
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West Tennessee 29.822

Charles Turner

of Fayette Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Bacon of the Regt. commanded by Col. Foster in the Virginia milt. line for 8 months

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 26 dollars 66 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of March, 1835 and sent to [illegible] W.C. Dunlap.

Arrears to the 4th of March '35 $120.00
Soms-ani. allowance ending 10. Sep. '35 $13.33
__
$133.33

{Revoluntionary Claim, Act. June 7, 1832}

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book 8-2- Vol. 7 Page 107

Order to pay [illegible] to [illegible]
Nov. 28 1836

[Illegible] to Joseph H Talbot & order to pay Aug. 28, 1837.

Letter to L. H. Coe. 4 Oct. 1837.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed of the ... 1832
State of Tennessee Rutherford County November Term of the County Court 1832

On this 21st day of November 1832 personally appeared before Henry Youth, Henry
D. Farguson, and Foster D Evans Justices &c Charles Turner a resident of said County and State aforesaid aged 68 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by Act of Congress passed 7th June 1832 – He states that he was born 28 December 1764 in the County of New Kent State of Virginia; and in the year 1780 and declarant states in the month of February or March he entered the service of the United States as a substitute for one David Crump under Captain Bacon [perhaps either Burwell Bacon or John Bacon, both Captains in the New Kent militia] and rendezvoused at New Kent Court House; and declarant thinks that Colonel Frank Foster assumed the command of the Corps at New Kent Court House; and marched to to [sic] Williamsburg. At Williamsburg volunteers were called for to march to Hampton the British fleet having just arrived off our coast and he thinks under Lord Cochrane – Declarant offered his services as a volunteer and was accepted and attached to the company commanded by Captain John Quarles and Lieutenant Nathanial Fox [?]. And declarant states that one Major Kirkpatrick or Kilpatrick took command of the Corps – the command left Williamsburg and marched to Little York, and from there to the halfway house, and then to Hampton Town – in the march and while on duty declarant became detached from the [illegible] of his [illegible]. Flow long declarant was in service in this Campaign, he cannot speak with certainty, but believes two months or upwards. He was discharged at Hampton and returned home. He recollects that on his return at the Magazine in Williamsburg he deposited his musket. About the first of January 1781 in the County of New Kent declarant was drafted, and again joined the company commanded by Captain John Bacon, and rendezvoused at Holt's Forge or New Kent Court house, he cannot say which, under Colonel [blank] Dabney. The corps was marched and counter marched up and down the Chickahominy River from Sones Bridge and the long Bridges – while there the enemy surprised the American Troops stationed at Charles City Court house; and the Corps under the command of Colonel Dabney was marched to Williamsburg, and from there to York, and from York to Elizabeth County and near the Hampton roads & went into winter quarters – There were two other companies of militia encamped there at the same time, one under the command of Captain Waldegrave Clopton and the other commanded by Captain Robert Turner – he recollects an occurrence here that made a lasting impression on his memory relative to Captain Clopton – Clopton refused to serve stating that he had served his full time and deserted the encampment, taking with him the greater part or all his company – and fled up the Country – when the severity of the winter had subsided, the encampment was broken up and the Corps returned to York at which place declarant was discharged by his Captain Bacon – in this campaign he thinks he served a full Tour of three months duty –
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In the month of April or May 1781, declarant joined the service as a substitute; He cannot recollect his name; but he well recollects that the man for whom he became a substitute was from Southampton County – he rendezvoused at the long Bridges under the command of Major Ragsdale as well as he recollects, and was then marched to the Morbin Hills [Malvern Hills] Charles City County – declarant thinks that General Wayne had a command of regulars there at that time. At the Morbin Hills declarant was present and saw a soldier belonging to the regular Troops hung for some crime alleged to him, and declarant thinks it was rape, from the Morbin Hills the Corps was marched to Wilton ten miles below Richmond; and while encamped there the enemy had possession of Petersburg; at which time they were attacked by General Arnold [Benedict Arnold]. When news reached the commanding officers of the battle at Petersburg [April 25 1781], he with the command crossed James River into Chesterfield County, and advanced own Petersburg; when news arrived of Arnold's retreat, and the Corps retrograded; recrossed the River and marched to Richmond. Whilst encamped at Richmond a storm of great volume passed over the City, penetrating houses and one man was killed by the falling of timbers. At this place declarant was discharged, after a service of three or four weeks, but as to what length of time he will not purport to speak positively. In Richmond a short time after his discharge in the month of May or June 1781 declarant as a substitute again entered the service; he does not now recollect the name of the person for whom he substituted but he believes his name was Bryant, though he knows that he was from Henrico County – and declarant joined the Corps commanded by Major Ragsdale; but he cannot with certainty recollect what Colonel commanded – the declarant knows it must have been either Dabney, Ennis, Nelson [ink blot obliterates several words] for declarant had in some parts of his service been under the command of all the Gentlemen above named. The Corps retreated from the place of rendezvous before the enemy to Henrico County, Ground Squirrel meeting house – and at this point declarant was discharged after a Tour of two or three months as well as he can recollect, and returned home to New Kent. In June 1781 after Cornwallis had passed through New Kent, declarant was drafted, and joined the company of Captain Bacon – and rendezvoused at new Kent Court House. From New Kent the command was under Colonel John Taylor, and Ennis and Major Park Goodall and marched into James City County near the Hickory Neck Church; and while encamped there the battle was fought at Hot water [June 26, 1781] by the troops under the command of General Wayne. Declarant was in hearing of the battle while encamped at Hickory Neck Church. The sick and wounded passed by Taylor's encampment to Dorchester Old [illegible] fitted into as a Hospital. After the battle at Hot Water the Corps of which declarant was attached was ordered across York River at the Brick House or Dudley's ferry and marched into Gloucester County, and encamped near Whitney's Mills. At this point the command was divided into two detachments, and the Corps of which declarant was attached marched to Gloucester Court house; and from there to Abingdon Church, and then to Sowels to the lower part of Gloucester County, and from
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this point the Corps returned to Whitney's Mills and declarant was there discharged in ^Gloucester County In the last of September or first of October 1781 – In this campaign declarant was on constant duty from the month of June until discharged as above stated – And although from the length of time since he performed the services above set forth, and from having no documents in his possession to assist his memory, declarant well recollects that he performed full tours of duty, and he is persuaded that the war duty he has here related; and that too without the aid of history will demand that of War Department having charge of this subject, that what declarant has stated will be found corroborated by the history of those times. Declarant will here state a matter which occurred at Wilton while he was encamped there, which he has omitted to state in its proper place – A soldier belonging to the regular Army was auctioning off some Negroes, which it was said had been taken from the British, and ordered to be sold – The auctioneer from some remark gave offense to Colonel Daniel Duvall who was present, and he drew his sword and struck the soldier down and it was thought had killed him.
After declarant was discharged, him and five others set out to join the Army under the immediate command of General Washington, and on declarant's arrival at head quarters Lord Cornwallis had been captured and declarant returned home – while in service declarant recollects of seeing General Lafayette, and Colonel Duvall of the regular Troop; but he does not know the names or description of Corps or regiments which they commanded – when declarant first joined the service he thinks General Nelson commanded the Militia in that section of Virginia, and that the Marquis Lafayette commanded the regulars – Declarant [ink blot obliterates some text] recollects that he never received a written discharge except in one instance; if he did he has lost them, and he has no documents in his possession which will prove any of the service he has rendered – nor does he know of no person now living by whom he can prove his said services. Declarant would state that he has no record of his age in this State, but there is a record of his age in the State of Virginia if not destroyed – Declarant would state that when he first entered the service it was Lord Cochrane that commanded the British – he thinks –
[He] Hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
S/ J. R. Laughlin, Clk	S/ Chs Turner

John Bradley ... of Rutherford County and ... have been ca...ted with Charles Turner who has ... and .. to the above declaration for about two years, and he has had several conversations with said Turner about his revolutionary service and ___tely the ... at Mo__bus Hills, and from what said Turner has said to this affront of those occurrences he is ... that said Turner has in ... at that time
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said affiant further states that he believes that said Turner is 68 years of age, and affiant has no doubts that said Turner was a revolutionary soldier and served as he has set forth in his declarations -- Affiant would state that he was a soldier of the revolution, and was at Morbin [see page 1 of the declaration] Hills in 1781 and saw the soldier hung as stated by the said Turner.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[Signatures]
J.R. Laughlin, Clk
John Bradley

Mr. David Clark a clergyman Thos P. Blankenship subscribing in the ct chambers hereby certify that well acquainted with Charles Turner who has subscribed and sworn to the within declaration and we believe him to be 68 years of age; that is reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that affidavit.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[Signatures]
J.R. Laughing, Ck.
David Clark
[Signature and Mark]
Thomas Blankenship

And the said Court do hereby declare these affidavits, after the certificates of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories, presented by the said declarants, that the [illegible] applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.  And this said Court further certifies that they are acquainted with John Bradley, who has subscribed and sworn to the above certificate -- and said David Clark and Thomas P. Blankenship all of whom are men of good character, and [unclear] and their statements are entitled to credit.

Given under my hand [illegible] Court the day and years aforesaid.
[Signature]
H.D. Jamison
V.D. Cowan
H. Schott

I, John R. Laughlin, Clerk of said Court, hereby certify, that the above are the actual proceedings in the matter of Charles Turner  for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand affixed my seal of office this 21st day of Nov. 1836 at Murfreesborough.
John R. Laughlin, Clk.

[Sideway writing]
Charles Turner
19996

Tenneessee
Fayette Co.
F0780R
8 mos.
$26.66
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Revolution
21546
File No. 21.546
Charles Turner
Pre Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 423
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W Evans
Oct 3
Free
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pernsion
Washington City DC
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Somerville Fayette Cty Tennessee
Apl 15th 1837

Mr. J.L. Edwards

Sir, Mr. Charles Turner an old pensioner of the Revolution about three months ago enclosed his certificate & a power of atto. to Jos H. Talbot to draw his arrears of Pension at Jackson.  Three payments having fallen due the agent there refused to pay him until the papers were forwarded to you - He is advised by Col. Talbot that although two months has elapsed since the papers were sent to you nothing has been heard from them.  The old man needs his money (4 payments now due) a prompt attention to his business will confer a [unclear] upon him.

Very Respectfully,
L.H. Coe
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Jackson Ten'ee 12th April 1837

Dear Sir

Enclosed you have artifacts of Pension to Charles Turner, also proof of identity.  Three payments being due, according to the late regulations (as I am advised by the pension agent here) it becomes necessary to forward the papers to your department for special [unclear].

Mr. Turner in May last forwarded the papers to [illegible] the money for him, I deposited them with the agent at this place for examination and thought he would forward them, and supposed he had done so until today.  This accounts for the delay.  You will oblige this poor man by acting on it as soon as convenient.  The delay already has been a serious matter with him.

Your obt. svt.
Jos. H. Talbot

J.L. Edwards
Com. Pensions
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January 12th 1835
State of Tennessee
Fayette County

This day Charles Turner appeared as applicant and made oath that [several words illegible] to the declaration heretofore sent on from the County of Rutherford by the applicant that he served in his capacity of a common soldier and that 8 months is the length of his service as a common soldier according to best of his recollection and belief.

He states that the reason why he sends this on from the County of Fayette is that the declarant may [several words unclear] to his sons in the County of Fayette and now reside in this county.

[Signature]
Ch. Turner

Sworn to in [illegible] court
12 January 2846
J.B McClellan D.C.

Here the undersigned justices of the county court of Fayette County which is a court of Record do certify the above affidavit as an amendment to the proceedings here in this county court of Rutherford County [illegible] made as stated and made a part of the proceedings of this court.

[Signatures]
S.P. Williams J.P. 
A.A. Parker J.P.
[illegible] Hudspeth, Chairman of Fayette County Court
Thomas C. Hudson, Clerk of said County Court of Fayette County do hereby certify the above [illegible] proceedings did in said Court in the matter of Charles Turner has a [illegible].
In testimony whereof  hereunto set my hand
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and affixed my seal of office this 12th day of January 1835.

Thos C. Hudson, Clerk


Hon. W.C. Dunlap
M.C. [?]
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Nov 24
[circular stamp upper left]
Nov 10
FREE
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Pen.
[illegible]
29822
26643
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Somerville, Nov 8 1836
J.L. Edwards, Esq.

Dear Sir,
Enclosed you will secure two pension certificates one of Chas Turner, the other of David Blalock upon which you will please authorise pay-ment.

Yours trly
Chas. Turner
David Blalock
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[Top Left Hand Corner of page in Bold]
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAN-51
12-5-41

[Top Middle of page in Bold]
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

[Top Right Corner of page in Bold]
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name Turner, Consider   Grade Private   Line Massachusetts

Warrant Number 5155   Acreage 100   Issued May 23, 1797
To Benj. Dana~

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*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in clues of 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issues Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in the General Land Office records in The National Archives.