Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 4969, James Gresham, N.C.
Page 1

N.C.

Grisham, James or Grisham, Jane
Number W.4969
B.L. WA. 26832-160-55
Born in Va
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12.376
North Carolina
James Grisham
of Granville in the State of N.Car.
who was a [illegible] in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [illegible] commanded by Col. Harrison in the N.Car. line for 10 mo: 17 days.

Transcribed on the Rill of North Carolina at the rate of 35. Dollars 21 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Apl. 33 and [illegible] W. M. Sneed. Oxford n [illegible]

Arrears to the 4h of March 18[illegible] 70.42
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 17.60
                                                             $88.02

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Nathanil Rice Clerk,
Book 6 Vol. 6 Page 41
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North Carolina
Granville County
[illegible]
James Grisham who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 35 Dollars 21
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of [illegible] 49 and sent to Hon. J.R. Davis [illegible]

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 210 Vol. 1
Page 4

(left page)
Cin. B.R. Huske Nov 29/55
Vol G. 131

(right page)
(unreadable) Act 3 March
April 23 '55
Jane Grisham widow of
James Grisham private

Grisham, Pri

Pensioner
Act 2 (unreadable) 1848
N.C. (unreadable) 48-2962
W: (unreadable)
Boynton

Huske
B.R.  (Haske crossed out)
Fayettevi( fayetteville)
NC
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June A.D. 1832.-
State of North Carolina  
Granville County 
Court of Pleas of quarter Sessions
August Term A.D. 1832.
On this 9th day of August A.D. 1832 appeared personally in open Court before William M. Sneed, Joseph H. Bryan and William Webb the members of the ^court of Pleas and quarter sessions for the County and State aforesaid now sitting, James Grisham a resident of the said County and State, (now sitting crossed out) aged seventy three years (of age-crossed out) on the 11th day of August 1832. Born in Louisa County and State of Virginia near Trinity Church who removed to North Carolina about seven years of age and settled in Granville County where he now lives and has continued to live ever sence. who being duly sworn according to law makes This Declaration (is made- crossed out) in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress Passed the 7th June A.D. 1832- 

That he entered the service of the United States as a Volunteer in a tour of three months service under Bartlett Searcey as a Captain and I think Howell Rose was Lieutenant the other officers I cannot recollect. There were two Companies raised in Granville at this time the one of which I was a member as stated the other was commanded by Stephen Merritt. These two companies marched through Hillsborough left Salisbury to overnight croping the Yadkin at Moores Ferry thence across Rocky River there. Down that river on the other side toward Camden- We were marching with all speed to join the American Army under Genl. Gates. After marching two or three days and coming in the hearing of Cannon, we followed up our march till about 10 O'clock in the forenoon, when we began to meet the soldiers of the American Army who informed us that Genl Gates had been defeated and that they were seeking safty by flight. The Captains of our two companies for we had no field officers in command over us being satisfied
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that any exertion they or their men were capable of making would be unavailing. Turned about and marched their men but was in a little confusion seven or eight miles across the River when we were formed in rank and file in which order we marched about three miles until we fell in with the guard that was put over the waggons belonging to the American Army- Here being informed by our officers that they were unwilling to keep us longer on duty and finding or believing that the only means of safety was for each man to look to himself. They told us that each our take care of himself (us crossed out) and gave us a discharge- And I with all care and circumspection and speed made the best of my way home where I arrived in about six or seven days- when I arrived at home I learned that my Captain had reached home before me- In a short time less than three weeks. the men belonging to our company were called together at Oxford and reorganised and forth with marched westward to aid the American forces- We went first towards HIllsborough, but before we had reached that place at Johnsons store I was taken sick with a fever and was left there- In a few days my father having learned my situation came with a horse and brought me home. I received no written discharge until after my Captain had returned from his tour of Duty when still continuing sick he gave me a discharge which being as I always thought of no account has been long since lost or destroyed. I had served between two other months from the time I had volunteered until I was taken sick and I was confined by that sickness more than two months longer-The next tour of duty ^of the same year in which I  engaged in was in the latter part of December- It was just before the Battle of the Cow pens- I entered the Service as a volunteer and was commanded by Jones Fuller ^ and (unreadable) Shadrack Parrish as Captain Thomas Bradford Lieutenant, and Blake Maulden as Ensign
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This company was formed in Granville County- Our place of Randevoux was at HIllsborough where we were joined by the Ballance of our Detatchment- At HIllsborough we were put under the command of Col. Farmer & Lieutenant Col. Harrison and Major Sharpe. We were marched off through Salisbury to the Catawba and joined  the American forces under the commanding Genl. (at Beaties Ford written above) Davidson. The main body of the American Army being lower toward the River under the Command of Gen Green- I was stationed with a detatchment of thirty men on the island at Beaties ford when the British attempted to cross the river- but they were driven back. It was on this same day that Genl. Davidson was killed at Cowans on the Cowford. Three miles below Beaties ford-The Enemy succeeded after killing Genl. Davidson in crossing the River at the ford where he fell and the Americans were driven back until they prepared for Battle at the land of Wm.(Wd?) Torrance- Being there again over powered by the British we were driven Back & despersed and never got together again until we reached the Yadkin River-Here we were collected and organised under our former company & field officers and the whole under the Command of Genl. Greene. The American Army at Cheraw having joined us at this place- We continued to retreat before the British army until we arrived at South Boston on Dan River Here Genl. Greene made a stand on the North side of the River and sent Maj. Sharpe with Captain Shadrack Parrish who then commanded our company in charge of the Baggage Waggons to Halifax C. House Va. then on to Charlotte County House in Va where we were directed to wait for further orders-We soon received orders to meet the main body of our army at Harrisburg in Granville County- and in pursuance
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of these instructions our company which then consisted of only fourteen men marched down the River Roanoke on the North Side- We croped that River at Taylors ferry passed through Williamsborough and Joined Genl. Butler with a detatchment of about five hundred men at Granville old Court House. We forthwith marched to Hillsborough which had just been evacuated by the British and followed after them to the High rocks on Haw River- which we reached before the fires of the British had been extinguished- A great number of recruits now thronging in to the aid of our army and very many of them being without arms and our terms of service having almost expired and were regularly discharged & I came home on the 12th of March 1787 and the arms of our company were taken to furnish those that were without- this tour commenced on the 26th day of December 1780 and termonated as I have stated- but we should have been retained in service until the full completion of our term of service, but that was permitted to us on account of our long and Laborious service and to enable them to finish the new recruits with our arms-
I next performed a tour of service in the Public Factory at Harris being under the command of Bat Birdsong who had charge of it - I commenced about the 1st of June 1787 and worked out a full tour of three months- this service was a volunteer- Harris Hicks also worked in the same factory for the same period of time- I next performed a three months tour in Williamsborough as a substitute for Dennis Driskoll under the control and Direction of Col. Robert Burton and Maj. Anderson Smith- my employment in this tour was in feeding & taking care
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of a Parcel of public horses that were stationed there- In cleaning pickling hanging up and drying fish that were brought from the Roanoke from the Public fisheries- In making Halters for the use of the Army-in attending in a small degree to the public Tan yard that had been established there- In conveying expresses from our part of the Country to another and in this Character I carried an express to Tarborough and thence to Smithfield in Johnson county with a life guard to be sent for the Protection of Gov. Abner Nash then stationed in the vicinity of Williamsburgh at the residence of Judge Williams-
He hereby relenquishes every claim what was to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency of any state- subscribed & sworn to the year and day first above stated-
James Gresham Senior
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he has stated. 
Wm. Sneed
Jos. H Byran
Will Webb
Thomas Jordan a resident citizen and born and raised in the county  of Granville declares and certifies that he is has been long acquainted with James Grisham Sen. who has made the foregoing declaration and subscribed and sworn to (unreadable) that I believe heir to be about the age of seventy three years-
I further declare that I was a fellow Soldier with heir in the same tour which he had stated when he marched from Oxford to Beaties ford
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thence to the Yadkin and to South Boston on the Dan River, thence to Granville old courthouse and thence by Hillsborough to the High rock on Haw River- I was in the same company commanded by Capt. Jones Fuller & after was by Capt. Shadrack Parrish, Thomas Bradford as Lieutenant and Blake Mauden as Ensign- I was with him in all the tours he had described & partook in all the toil & trouble he has spoken of- I was one of the fourteen men who alone composed our company at the High Rock and was then discharged (unreadable) & came most of the way home with him- our homes were not many miles apart and I do further fully corroborate & substantiate the statement he has made as to that tour I am not acquainted with the other services he has mentioned in his declaration
subscribed and sworn to this day of August 1832
Thomas (TJ) Jordan
            Mark
Member of the Court
And the court doth further Certify that Thomas Jordan who has (unreadable) the forgoing affidavit is a resident of Granville County and that he is a Credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
WM. SNEED                            Member of the court
Jos H Bryan
Will Webb Jr.
John Suit and Henry Wilson both residents of Granville County came into Court this 11th day of August 1832 and made oath right John Suit makes oath he has long been  acquainted with James Grisham the applicant in the forgoing declaration that I know he performed the three months tour of service as their setforth at Williamsborough for I was myself on duty at the same time place
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and under the Control & direction of Col. Robert Burton and Anderson Smith as therein setforth
And the Said Henry Wilson Certifies that he is well acquainted with the said James Gresham the Applicant as aforesaid and that I well know that he performed the tour of Service in the Public Factory at Harrisburg as stated in his declaration aforesaid for I was well acquainted with him. Lived in the same neighborhood and at the same time was on duty  at Williamsborough and frequently saw & conversed with him upon the matters of our Employment Subscribed & sworn to 11th August 1832
         his
John   +    Suit
         mark

          his
Henry  + Wilson
         mark

And the said Court do hereby declare the opinion after the investigation of the matter & upon the examination of the applicant & the witnesses, that that the said applicant James Gresham Sen. was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he has stated- And the undersigned William M Sneed, Henry W Peace & Thomas H Willie members (unreadable) & holding the said Court this day do forthen certify that Thomas Jordan Johan Suit and Henry Willison Sen. who have given the foregoing certificates and residents of Granville County and are Credible witnesses and that this statement is entitled to credit- witness our hand 11th August 1832-
WM. Sneed           Members
H W Peace             of the 
Thos H Willie         Court
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I Stephen K Sneed clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Granville and State of North Carolina do hereby certify the foregoing of Contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of application of James Grisham for a pension-
In testimony where of I have here unto (unreadable) my hand and Seal of office at office in Oxford this the 11th day of August 1832-
Step K Sneed
(James Grisham written along right side of document)
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the 3rd section of the act of congress of the 11th of July 1836 and the joint resolution of July 7th 1888
State of North Carolina
Granville County                       
on this 2nd day of February 1844 personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and quarter session for the county of Granville Jane Grisham a resident of the said county aged eighty 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 of the 4th July 1836 and the joint resolution of July 7th 1838. That she is the Widow of John Grisham late a pensioner of the United States as will more fully appear by his certificate of pension date The 24th bearing day of April 1833 granting him thirty five dollars and seventy one cents per annum (latin for "year")-
the further then declaire that she was married to the said James Grisham by Leonard Higgs of the County of Granville on the 1st day of August one Thousand Seven hundred and eighty one- that her husband the aforesaid James Grisham died on the Twenty Sixth day of April one Thousand eight hundred and Thirty seven, and she has remained a widow ever since; as will more fully appear by reference to the evidence here unto annexed
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She further declairs that the record of the ages of her children appended to this declaration is in the proper hand writing of the said James Grisham and is strictly true-
Jane Grisham
Page 15

(unreadable) age of 
Children


1802
Page 16

Howell Grisham
Son of James Grisham
Was Born the 5 day of may 1783

Thomas Grisham Son of James Grisham was born may the 21 1795  (top right of page)

Benjamin Grisham Son James Grisham Was Born the 22 day of june 1785

Salley Grisham daughter of James Grisham was born the 16 day of may 1798

Wheeler Grisham son of James Grisham was Born the 27 day august 1787

Mary Grisham Daughter James Grisham was Born 1st day of january 1790

Elizabeth Grisham daughter James Grisham was born 20th of april 1793
Page 17

Peggey Satenwhite Grisham daughter of James Grisham Born the 14 day of October 1800
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She further declairs that the record of the ages of children appended to this declaration is in the proper hand writing of the said James Grisham and is strictly True-
Jane Grisham
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State of N Carolina 
Granville County
This day personally appeared before me one of the Duties of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Granville county~ Mrs Jane Grisham of the said county and sworn to and subscribed to the forgoing declaration in due (unreadable) of Laws & also certify that she has produced a record of the ages of the children in the proper hand writing of her husband the late James Gresham which I appended to this Declaration by [illegible] seals
Given under my hand and seal this the 3rd day of February 1844
H Fawler JP [handwritten seal]
Page 20

(unreadable)
Jane Grisham Widow of James
Bounty Land Act 3rd March 1833
Filed by Benjamin R Huske 
Fayetteville N.C.
Page 21

State of North Carolina Granville County
On this 17th day of April AD 1855 personally appeared before me one of the Justices for the county aforsaid, Jane Grisham widow of James Grisham died aged about  ____ years a resident of Granville County NC who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of James Grisham deceased who  was a private which will more fully appear by reference to her declaration now on file in the pension department that she is now enjoying a pension as widow of said Grisham under the Act of 2nd Feb 1848 of $35.21 per annum and that she is now a widow. 
She makes the declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved 3rd March 1855    
                 her
Jane           X     Grisham
             mark (signed with X)
Page 22

We George Hester and Richard Pynes residents of Granville County N.C. upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Jane Grisham in our presence and that we know her to be the identical person she represents herself to be
George Hester
Richard H Pynes
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the officiant to be credible persons. That the claimant is the identical person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in the claims
John W Stovall Justice of the Peace
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I Augustine Landis, clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the county of Granville do certify  that John W Stovall is a magistrate and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 18 day of April AD 1855
A Landis Clerk
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James Grisham
North Carolina
No 6267-
Ad for 10 mo 17 days
as a private - $35.21
5.11.72.16-

Dec 13-
WM
(SK crossed out) Sneed
Oxford
N.C.

(unreadable)(unreadable) 33
P 155
Page 25

Brief in the case of James Grisham of Granville County in the State of North Carolina (Act 7th June 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 72 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

(Column 1 "Period")
years                                                    
In 1780                            
(unreadable) 26 1780
June 1781       

(Column 2 "Duration of Service")
between 2+3 months
2 
(2 crossed out) 17
3
(3 crossed out)
-------------
10.17

(Column 3 "Rank")
Private
Private

(Column 4 "Name of General and Field Officers under whom he served")
Gen Davidson
Col Farmer Col Harrison
Major Sharpe Capt Sarcey
Capt Fuller & Lamis
Batt Birdsong Public Factory
Col Rob Burton Major Anderson
Taking care of Public Works Packing (unreadable) working in Tan Yard and many (unreadable)

5. In what battles was he engaged?-
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Granville County North Carolina
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Testimony of three living witnesses who served with him & traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
examining clerk
Page 26

(unreadable) letters written
Set to R.M. (unreadable) April (unreadable) '45
" " C H Wilcox May 17 '45
" " J S & A Thos Smith Aug 12 ""
" " H W S Marcy Sept 11 '45
" from Secretary of War to J S & A Thos Smith 27 Sep '45
Ser to Maj. M J Montgomery July 22 '47
Page 27

State of North Carolina
Granville County
This day personally appeared before me one of the justices of the court of Pleas and quarter session for Granville County Francis Henderson Widow of the Late Chief Justice Henderson aged seventy six years who being first duly sworn according to Law testifies and says that she was born and raised in the same neighborhood with James Grisham and his wife, who was Jane Clarke- and has resided all her life close to them, and her husband up to his death-I was at the same school with Mrs. Grisham and after her leaving it she was married to James Grisham. The precise period when it took place I am unable to state as I never expected to be called on to prove it. I have had read to me the declaration of Mrs. Grisham and I have seen the record of the ages of her children- my reevaluation of the marriage and the  ages of her children inable me to say that her statement certainly correct and may be relied on. The age of her first child Howell Grisham now residing near me is in strict accordance with my reevaluation of the period of his birth. In conclusion I can testify that Jane Grisham is the same person who was married to James Gresham in August seventeen hundred and eighty one and has continued his widow, up to the present time.
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Given under my hand and sine this 3rd day of February 1844 Francis Henderson
State of N Carolina 
Granville Granville
This day personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the county of Granville Mrs. Francis Henderson Widow of the Late L Henderson chief Justice of N. Carolina who (unreadable) to the forgoing officiant in (unreadable)(unreadable) of Law.
I also certify that she is a Lady of the highest standing in the community in the possesion of all her faculties and that full faith and credit may be given to her (unreadable)given under my hand this the 3rd Febuary 1844
H Fawles
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State of North Carolina
Granville County
This day personally appeared before me on of the justices of the court of pleas & quarter sessions for Granville county Benjamin Norwood a citizen of the said County aged eighty four years; who being first duly sworn according to Law, testafies and says- that he had an intimate knowledge and acquaintances with James Grisham and his wife now applying for a pension- and he can state the following facts as certainly true- first I know that James Grisham was a solider in the war of the Revolution and in the first of the month of august seventeen hundred and eighty one James Gresham was married to Jane Clarke who is  now his widow and applying for a pension and a cousin to me. I resided in the same neighborhood when the marriage took place and have a perfect recollection of it- and what inables one to speak certainly as to the precise date is that I know I was married in the 11th day of April seventeen hundred & eighty one and James Gresham was married the 1st of august of the same year- after the marriage of Gresham he was to my knowledge in service under Captain William Glover for three months and marched to Wilmington- I know of this service because I hired a substitute to go in my
Page 30

place his widow now applying for a pension is the same person to my knowledge married to him the first of August seventeen hundred and eighty and has never married since his death. My recollection of the time of his death corresponds to that of his wife. 
Given under my hand & seal this second day of February 1844.
Benjamin Norwood

State of N. Carolina
Granville County

This day personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Granville State of North Carolina Benjamin Norwood who subscribed and swore to the forgoing affidavit in due (unreadable) of Laws & also entails That Captain Benjamin Norwood is one of the oldest and one among the most respectable inhabitants of this county and that full faith and credit is due to his testimony given under my hand this the 2nd of Febuary 1844
H. Fawler
Page 31

Mrs. Jane Grisham
NC
act July 36
Rejected March 1836
(unreadable) before 1794
(unreadable) act7 July 1838

10 mo 17 days(unreadable)
$35.21

Declaration Mar AD 38
R.M. Saunders
H.R.
Page 32

State of North Carolina
Granvill county
This day personally appeared before me one of the justices of the court of Pleas and quarter sessions for Granvill county Mrs Mary Norwood of the said county aged eighty one years who being first duly sworn according to Law testifies and says that she resided in the same neighborhood with James Gresham and his wife when the marriage took place; and she has a perfect recollection that it took place as stated by her husband in his residence The first of august seventeen hundred and eighty one. From the time of the marriage I have resided in the same neighborhood with Mrs Gresham- I know she is the identical person to my knowledge married to James Gresham, and is now his widow- and her statement of the time of his death is correct- that James Gresham was in service after his marriage as stated by my husband in his evidence may be relied on-
given under my hand and seal this 2nd day of February 1844
x
Mary Norwood
mark
Page 33

state of N Carolina
Granvill County
This day personally appeared before me one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Granvill and State of n Carolina Mrs Mary Norwood who subscribed and sworn to the forgoing affidavit in due term of Law & also certify that Mary Norwood is the wife of Captain Benjamin Norwood and is one among the most respectable inhabitants of this country and that full faith and credit is due to her testimony given under my hand this the 2nd Febuary 1844 
H Fawler
Page 34

North Carolina
Granville County
I James M Wiggins Clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the county of Granville, certify, that Henry Fowler, esquire, whose name is appended to the forgoing declaration of Mrs Jane Grisham, the affidavit of Benjamin Norwood his wife Mary and the affidavit of Mrs Frances Henderson, is and was at the time of signing the same one of the justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the county of Granville, and the full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such. I also certify that his signature is in his proper handwriting and is genuine- I also certify that I have made diligent search of the records of my office and find that there is no marriage bond in file sharing the marriage of James Gresham & Jane Clarke- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and (unreadable) the Seal of my office at Oxford the 7 day of February, AD, 1844
Jas M Wiggins Clk
Page 35

North Carolina Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Granville County Febuary term AD 1844
On motion, it I ordered to be certified by the court now in session to the commissioner of Pension that the declaration & accompanying evidence in the application of Jane Grisham for a Pension has this day been permitted to the Court and examined- and they also certify that the signature of Henry Fowler, esquire, before whom the evidence was taken is genuine and that Benjamin Norwood and his wife and Mrs Frances Henderson are all known to the court as very old and most respectable citizens of this county & that full faith and credit is due to their testimony.
I James M Wiggins Clerk of the court afores and hereby certify that the forgoing proceedings were had & determined by the Court now in Session in testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of my office at Oxford the 7 day of Febuary AD 1844.
Jas M Wiggins, Clk
Page 36

Nov 13 41
Jane Gresham
Widow of James Gresham
deed for Pension
JD. Hankins

(written sideways)
J.L. Edward
commissioner of pensions
City of Washington
Page 37

Henderson Depot
Granville county NC
November 9th 1848
Dear Sir
The day after I reached Home from Washington I attended a large Democratic Mass meeting in Granville which happened to be near old Mrs. Jane Gresham. I got the favour of Jno. W. Stovall a Majistrate to go with me to see Mrs. Gresham to swear her to her Declaration I drew the Declaration by the form Jane made for me by Mr. Ames. I have since had it authenticated by the Clerk of Granville court and now inclose it to you and ask the favour of you to send me the certificate for to enable Mrs. Gresham to draw her Pension. I found the old woman very poor& needy. Had disparred of ever getting anything and upon being inspired with great joy. I hope you will send me the certificate without delay as I am very desirous to gladden the old woman least with the money. 
I am with great (unreadable)
Your humble serv.
Jno D. Hawkins
The Hon. 
J.L. Edwards
Page 38

Oxford N.C. May 12 AD 18_5

Sir
I am instructed by Mrs. Jane Grisham & by her also for (unreadable) (unreadable) Hope to enquire if (unreadable)-Mosby of (unreadable) has drawn pensions for them, or if the papers are still before the department.- These old ladies do not wish to take their cases from (unreadable) M. if he is still prosecuting their claims, but they have written to him several times & can get no satisfactory to answer I should be glad to hear from you at your earliest convenience-
Very respectfully
C.H. Wilcox
Page 39

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Jane Gresham the widow of James Gresham that she was living about two weeks since and Have not heard of in death Oct 30 1848
Jno D Hawkins
Page 40

Payments to be made at Fayetteville by the 
Presd: W.L.Br: Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of North Carolina

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book ___ Vol. C
Page ___ by M Rice Clerk
Page 41

WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832 James Grisham Sen. of the State of North Carolina who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Thirty-Five dollars and Twenty one cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year. 
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 24- day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Lew Cass
Secretary of War
JL Edward
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 42

Washin. Aug 25 1845
AJ & JL Smith
Appeal from the decision of the Court of Pleas decision on the claims of Mrs Jane, widow of James Grisham under the act of 4 July (unreadable)
S. ESQ (unreadable LEE?) Aug 28/45
Pension Office

Hon. Wm L Marcy
Secretary of War
Page 43

Washington 25 Augt 18__
Sir
In the matter of the claim of Mrs Jane Grisham widow of Jas. Grisham, expensioner on the N Carolina roll of Army pensioners we appeal from the decision of the Comm of Pensions as contained in the letter of this office to the Hon RM Saunders dated 16 April 1844.
James Grisham entered the service of the US as a private in Capt. Searcey's company in Granville Co. N. Carolina in the year 1780, for three months, which term he served out. He reentered for another period of three months on the 26 Dec 1780 and it is admitted by the Commissioner that he served 2 months & 17 days of this term on the 1st of June 1781 he again enlisted for another tour of 3 mon & was placed under the command of B Birdsong who had charge of public Factories at Harrisburgh where he was employed in repairing the public arms & During this period of his service he married the lady who now claims a pension as his widow. After the expiration of this term of service he enlisted for another of three months & was employed under the order of Col. Robert Breston his commanding officer in various duties such as cleaning & pickling fish, mend halters for the use of the Army, and for a part of the time is the highly responsible & important duty of carrying expresses from one part of the county to another- a duty invariably imposed upon an officer or soldier of trust and confidence.

For the
Page 44

For the whole of this service the commisioner allowed a pension to James Grisham of $35.21 per annum commencing 4 March 1831 and ending on the day of his death. This pension was granted 24 April 1833 upon the declaration of the services above stated- the case at that time having undergone the usual scrutinizing examination of the proper offices. The claim of the widow under the Act of 1836 for the benefit of the same services is now resisted on the ground that the service after marriage was not military service. 
On behalf of Mrs Grisham we contend that she is entitled to the benefit of her husbands services after marriage because it was rendered by him as an enlisted man- service too from which the government denied as much benefit as from that of any other enlisted man who was in the ranks, & very probably even more as the troops at that particular period of time were not engaged in any other than ordinary camp duty, while Grisham was actively employed under orders in the way of positive benefit. A portion of this very  service was of the greatest importance- that if bearing important dispatches, a duty in the highest degree confidential, & which as a matter of course would not have been entrusted to one who was not regularly in the service & ameniable to its laws. That he was an enlisted man is not denied- it is only contended that the services preformed under the enlistment was not what in strictness might be termed military service. With every respect for the office who makes the objection, we insist that he might with the same
Page 45

(unreadable) contend that the duty which is imposed upon the regular of the Army under the Denomination of constant labour, and which is pretty much of the same character as that performed by James Grisham should debar them also from the benefits of the law, when if they neglector refused to perform it they would be liable to the pains & penalties of disobedience of orders. The duty in which Grisham was engaged was done under the order of his superior officers for which he received his (unreadable) as any other soldier in the line, and it is not (unreadable) that he was employed in a civil capacity, but merely having been enlisted as a Soldier that he performed work not in the line of his duty as a soldier. While we insist that the kind of work is not material in as much as he was a regularly enlisted Soldier, we contend that in performing it he merely obeyed the orders of his officers & (unreadable) therefor be deprived of any of his rights

But the question has been already settled in the case of Grisham himself to whom the commisioner granted a pension for the identical service the benefit of which he now withholds (from? unreadable) the widow. He has by this allowance decided that this was military service rendered by Grisham in the capacity of a Soldier, and it will not do for him to recognize it in the one case and reject it in the other. It has been admitted once, & for all the purposes of the present investigation we insist that the (comission? unreadable) is conclusive upon the office. It was properly admitted then & therefore may properly be admitted now, and as this soldier by that admission received no more than by the laws of his country he was in truth & justice entitled to
Page 46

we feel that we are doing no more than our duty in respectfully insisting that the office shall act consistently & not be permitted to change its views of the evidence in this case where, after the most careful & scrupulous consideration it has solemnly decided that the service claimed for was military service, & particularly as the subject to be benefitted is a poor widow, very far advanced in age, whose sole dependence for her daily bread is from the pension which her county has guaranteed to her for the services of her deceased husband. Upon an examination of the case  we hope that you will arrive at the same conclusions. 
We have the honorable
very respectfully
(unreadable)
T L & A Jho Smith
Page 47

Pension Office
September 6th 1845
Commissioner of Pensioning
(unreadable) in the case 
of Jane Grisham
Page 48

Pension Office,
September 1845
Sir, 
I have/leave the (unreadable) to return (unreadable)(unreadable) Smith's letter and the papers in the case of Jane Grisham upon which they have appealed and to submit the following report.
The whole course of remark about the enlistment and military character of her husbands employment, which he describes as curing fish, tending horses and carrying (unreadable) is fully answered by the fact that claimants husband was a North Carolina Militia man and claimed a pension for Militia service. A militia man was not enlisted, but was called out and served according to law in regular rotation of classes. But it has not even been asserted in her or his papers that he was ever "enlisted".
The assumption therefore of an enlistment and of the declarations therefore has no warrant from the papers. 
Her husband lived on the Roanoke
Page 49

Iredell County North Carolina "under the control and direction of Colonel Robert Barton and Major Anderson Smith" and "his employment in this tour was in feeding and taking care of a parcel of Public horses that were stationed there, in cleaning and pickling hanging up and drying fish that were brought from the Roanoke from the Public Fishing, in making halters for the use of the Army in attending, in a small degree to the Public Tan yard that had been established there in carrying expresses from one part of the Country to the other".

You will readily perceive that her husbands narrative as before remarked, (unreadable) no ground or continuance to the assertion that he was enlisted, detailed for these various employments
There is no information before this office by which the character of the Factory at Harrisburg, or of the establishment at Williamsburg can be determined: but they were probably the stations of Commisaries of the United States, who, of course, employed and had no authority to enlist men for the several kinds of labor of which they had the control. 
Pensions are granted alone for Military service rendered and a Military obligation and penalties. Congress has not as yet deemed service to the Public under the contract of Civil obligations however meritorious in itself and in the highest degree subsidiary to Military operating and supplies, as entitled to Pensions.
Page 50

Excluding this service (so unadvisedly allowed in 1833 under a peculiar pressure of business) her claim is disposed of under the Act of 4th July 1836, and she has asserted no claim under the Act of 4th July 1838.
The settlements of her husbands claim is not an authoritative adjustment of hers and all that she can derive from his papers is the proof they afford in establishing the essential facts upon which her claim is made to rest by the law and the regulations.
I leave the honor to be, 
Very respectfully
(unreadable)(unreadable) Edwards
J.L. Edwards
Page 51

James Grisham


S R Snead
Oxford 
NC
Page 52

James Grisham
I. Yes
II. Yes
III. (blank)
IV. Yes
V. No
VI. Yes
VII. Yes
VIII. Yes
IX. Yes
X. Yes
Page 53

XI. No
XII. No
XIII. Three living witnesses who served with him
XIV. (part 1) not by the court
(part2) Yes
XV. Yes
XVI. No
XVII. Yes
Page 54

'
Page 55

James Grisham NC Act 7 June 32 $35.21
To what time was he last paid
(unreadable)
Paid to 4th Mar. 1838
BLB
Pension office 
Janu 6 1849
Page 56

(unreadable)
File No. 4969
Jane Grisham
Wid.
Jas. Grisham
Pvt. Rev; War
Act Feby. 27/48
Index:-Vol. A, Page 286__
Page 57

(left page)
Declaration of Jane Grisham Widow of James Grisham For a Pension

(right side)
(unreadable) 
Jane Gresham
Wd of James
NC
Act 7 May 1838
& (unreadable) Resolution of
(unreadable) 1848-

(unreadable) 10 mo 17 day
(unreadable) $35.21Pen
4 March 1846 to 4 March 1841
(unreadable) act 3 March 4_
17 June 44  12 Feby 48
$35.21 Pension
(unreadable) 4 March 1843

(along right side)
Jno. D Hawkins
Page 58

State of N Carolina
Granville County
Be it known that on the 4th day of November 1848 personally appeared before me an acting Justice of the Peace Majistrate Mrs Jane Gresham resident of said county widow of James Gresham late a Pensioner who having duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the reversal act of Congresses July 7th 1838 March 1843, June 17 1844 ^ and the 23 June 1845, Feb 12 1848, July 1 1848. That she is the Widow of said James Gresham died (decd?) who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and a Pensioner and that the time of his death as well as his services are on file in the War Department that he lived and died in said county of Granville and that the amount of the Pension he received under the act of 1832 was thirty five dollars twenty one cents per annum, and she further declares that she is still a Widow. Sworn to and subscribed by the said Jane Gresham upon month day and years first above written and who is personally known to me as the Widow of James Gresham

           her
Jane      X     Grisham
          mark

Jno. W. Stovall J.P.
Page 59

State of No Carolina
Granville County
I James M Wiggons Clerk of the court of Please and Quarter Sessions for said county which is a court of Record, do hereby certify that John M(W?) Stovall whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate and affidavit in and was at the time of signing the same an acting Magistrate within and for the said county of Granville and state aforesaid and duly commissioned on such at the time the said certificate and affidavit were made. And full faith and credit an due to his official acts.
Given under my hand and seal of office at  Oxford this 8th day of November AD 1848
Jas. M Wiggins, Clerk
Page 60

State of North Carolina 
Granville County
Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions-
February Term 1833
Personally appeared in open Court this 8th February 1833, before July sworn William M Sneed Chairman Josph. H Bryar. James Wyche the chairman Justices holding then same. Shadrack Owen who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God according Law Certifies & declares on Oath- that he is well acquainted with James Grisham who has signed & subscribed a Declaration for a pension under the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832 which declaration is dated 9th August 1832- That he has heard that part of said declaration said which relates to the Tour of said Grisham into South Carolina to aid the Americans under Genl. Gale- That he was a Private in the same Company with Said Grisham and fully Certifies the services of being in said Campaign but of his sickness and discharge this officiant knows nothing. This is a Citizen of Granville County and believes said Grisham later about the age he states and this officiant is in his 73rd year since (unreadable Ded?)- Each subscribed & sworn in open court 
Shadrack Owens
8th Feby 1833- 
Step. K  Sneed
Willis Harris a Citizen of Granville County and a Clergyman Certifies that he is well acquainted with James
Page 61

Grishams then declared in the forgoing affidavit & spoken of that I believe him to be about the age he stated himself to be in having said declaration, and further Certify that he is reported and believed to have been a Revolutionary soldier by the persons in the neighborhood where he resides and that I am of the same opinions. Subscribed opinions in (unreadable) (unreadable) this 8th Feby 1833
Willis Harris

and the Court (unreadable) William M Sneed Chairman and James Wyche & Joseph H Bryan Justices holding said Court do Certify that Shadrack Owen & Will Harris who have agreed & subscribed the foregoing affidavit and Citizens of Granville, that the last (unreadable) is a Clergyman and that they are Credible persons. Their said statements (unreadable) to Credit

W M Sneed 
Jos H Bryan JP
James Wyche JP
Page 62

State of North Carolina
Granville County
I Stephen K Sneed Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the regional proceedings of the said Court (This day) in the matter of the application of James Gresham for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office This 8th day of February AD 1833
Step K Sneed
Page 63

His widow Jane in Feby 1844 living in Granville County aged 80 yrs- Mar'd in Granville Co to Jane Clarke Aug 1 1781
He died April 26 1837
Family record
Howell Born May 5, 1783
Benjamin " June 27 1785
Wheel " Augt 27 1787
Mary " Jany 1 1790
Elizabeth (April) 20 1793
Thomas " May 21, 1795
Salley "    "(May) 16, 1798

Jane the widow cousin to Benj'n Norwood of Granville aged 80 yrs aged stated Feby 2 1844 as 80 yrs    After his marriage James was in 3 mos service under Capt Wm Glover & went to Wilmington NC Name of his wife and Mary widow Jane (unreadable) Oct 1848

(right side)
Peggy... Gresham- 11 Oct 1800
see children listed inside 
Pension Declaration
(underside of list)
Page 64

93.771
Page 65

Fayetteville April 20th 1855

Dear Sir
Please find enclosed the declaration of Susannah Tyson for Bounty Land under the Act March 3d 1855 for 100 acres

(right side)
Very Respectfully 
(unreadable) & sent 
BR Huske

(left side) L P Waldo (unreadable)
Washington City

PS. Also the declaration of Jane Grisham- 100 acres.
Page 66

James Grisham in Augt 1832 of Granville Co. N.C. aged 73 years was born in Louisa Co VA near Trinity church & when about 7 years of age removed to Granville Co NC where he had lived ever since. He volunteered a tour of 3 mos under Capt Bartlett Searcey- 2 (unreadable) in the Co and Com'd by Stephen Merritt Marched into Hillsboro crossed the yadkin at Moore's Ferry, thence across Rocky forest down that river toward Camden ^with all 5 head^ in order to join Gen Gates. After 2 or 3 days they came further hearing of the cannon (Augt 10 1780) at about 10 o'clock began meeting the men retreating from the American Army who were seeking safety enflight. The 2 companies turned back across the river until they reached the waggons attached to Genl Gates army when (unreadable) allowed to (unreadable discharge?) ^(unreadable)^ each for himself. In In less than 3 weeks we were called together at Oxford by our officers & marched westward to join the army but at Hillsboro Grisham was taken sick & left there- His father having heard of his situation came with a horse & carried him home & (unreadable) as soon as Capt ret'd home- he was sick over 2 mos
In Dec ^20 1780^ the same year he volunteered under Capt James Fuller in Col'n Farmers Command & marched to the Catawba & joined Genl Davidson & with a detachment of 30 men he was stationed ^on (unreadable) and below a (unreadable)(unreadable)^ Beattys Ford where the British attempted to cross the river but
Page 67

driven back, the same day ^that^ Genl Davidson was killed (Feby 1, 1781 at Cowan Ford)  After his death the Bristish succeeded in crossing where he fell. The Americans rallied at the land of  Mr Terrance suffering a defeat but reassembled together at the Yadkin river & joined Genl Greene. The retreat continued to South Boston on the Dan river. Grisham (unreadable) under Capt Shadrack Parrish was in charge of the Baggage wagons which conducted to Halifax CH then to Charlotte County House in Va to wait for orders from them to meet the main army at Harrisburg in Granville County. His Co consisting then of only 14 men marched down Roanoke river on the North side which was crossed at Taylor's Ferry to join Colo Butler with 200 men at the Granville old CH- They followed the British who had then evacuated Hillsboro,, to High Rock on Haw river which was reached before their fires were extinguished. A large number of recruits were arriving to aid the Americans without (unreadable) of his other 5 terms of service had nearly expired they (unreadable) (unreadable) & he arrived home March 12, 1781
His next ^3 mos^ tour of duty was ^from June 11 1781^ was in the public factory at Harrisburg under Comd of B Birdsong when he had charge of it, which commenced June 1, 1781
His next tour of 3 mos was as a substitute under Colo Bestor in feeding & taking care of the (unreadable) of public homes, cleaning, pickling & drying fish brought from the public fisheries, making halters for (unreadable)(unreadable)(unreadable) in a small degree to the public Tan yard & carrying one of the Cattle was to Tarboro then to Smithfield in (unreadable) for a life guard to

(written along left side of page)
protect Gov Abner Nash who was in Williamsboro at the residence of Judge William in vicinity of Williamsboro
Page 68

(left page) 
Reported

(right page)
8456
North Carolina
Jane Grisham
widow of James Grisham
who was a Private
in the Revolution 
husband died 26 Apl 1834
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 35 Dollar 21 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Jany 49 and sent to Hon. J. R. J. Daniel
(unreadable)
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book W
Vol. 2 Page 155
Page 69

26.832
Rev
(unreadable)(unreadable)
Page 70

(STAMP FAYETTEVILLE N.C. 21)
L P Waldo Esqs
Commisioner Pensions 
Washington City D.C.
Page 71

July 13th 1847
Mrs Gresham N.C.

(unreadable) Montgomery Esquire
P. Office Department
Washington City 
DC
Page 72

Washington (unreadable) June 1847

(unreadable) Montgomery

Dear Sir 
(unreadable) (unreadable)(unreadable)(unreadable)(unreadable)
before I left the City I entirely forgot to learn from Colo Edwards whether Mrs. Jane ^Grisham^ Widow of Js Grisham dec'd was entitled to a pension upon proving the necessary evidence I desired doing so  but entirely forgot it when you & myself were at the Pension office yesterday Will you (unreadable) has the goodness to make the necessary enquiry & let me know I have no Kind of (unreadable) myself in the case & I know if she is entitled to it it would be with her quite accessible & I would hopefully aid her in the case.
 I am sure you will pardon the priveledges I have taken in addressing of you.
Very Respectfully 
R Sneed

James Grisham was a Pensioner he lived in Granville I suppose his whole life & so did his widow Mrs Jane Grisham he died some six or eight years ago.
R Sneed
Page 73

(left page) 
A Reso: 23rd Jany '45
10527
North Carolina
Jane Grisham
Widow of James Grisham
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 26 April, 1837, 
of Granville in the State of N.C.
who was a private in the (unreadable)
commanded by Captain ______ of the
Regs. commanded by Col Harrison in
the Revolution 10 M 17 dys
Inscribed on the Roll of N.C.
at the rate of 35 Dollars 21
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1836.
Certificate of Pension issues the 11th day of 
Jany. 1869 and sent to Hon J.R.J. Daniel
(unreadable)
Total amount, _____
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Th(H?)  (unreadable)
Book D Vol. 1 Page 291