Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2256, John Gunn, Md.
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Service
MD

Name
Gunn, John

Number
S.2256

Carded
Page 2

Left Side Page

19.123
West Tennessee

John Gunn
of Wilson Co is the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Carey of the regiment commanded by Col [blank] in the Md Line for 9 months for 1777.

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rat 30 dollars blank cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of August 1833 and sent to John S Topp Lebanon, Tenn

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 $15.00

Total $75.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 2832}

Recorded by Wm S. Allison - Clerk
Book # Vol 7 Page 79

Right Side Page

May 24/84 To T L Gunn through Hon J W Richardson 
No title to B L unless under 21 
Sept 28/50
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

State of Tennessee
Wilson County

ON this first day of January 1833 personally appeared in open court, before David C Hibbitts, Thos Burke and Thomas B Reese Esquires Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said county of Wilson now sitting, John Gunn a resident of said county of Wilson and State of Tennessee aged seventy two 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 Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated: In the fall of the year 1777 and according to his best recollection he volunteered his services as a private soldier in the defense of the State of Maryland in the months of October of said year for twelve months in the Company commanded by Captain John Carey of Frederick Town, Maryland which company was known and distinguished as minute men; about the first of March 1778 as well as he recollects the company commanded by Captain Carey was called upon to receive prisoners taken at Burgoine's defeat and march them from Frederick Town to Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania when we had marched near the Pennsylvania line we were met by the commissioners from Pennsylvania who refused to receive the prisoners and we immediately turned back for Frederick Town where we guarded them until our tour or term of service expired. But whether it was two or three months he cannot state he is very certain that it was what what called a tour of duty for the Militia of the State of Maryland was not less than two months nor more than three months.

In June 1778, some British Vessels came up the Potomac near Alexandria and men were called for to repair in haste to Georgetown. A volunteer light horse company from Baltimore and one from Frederick Town with some drafted men and Captain Carey's company of Minute men rendezvoused at Frederick Town and marched immediately to Georgetown. Our encampment was pitched about a half mile below Georgetown near Rock Creek where we lay three weeks awaiting further orders. In the meantime, the two light horse companies crossed over into the State of Virginia that they might engage in any service that
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might seem to require their aid. Suddenly news came down to us from Fredericktown that the Tories were about to rise and that six of the drafted men who were there with us belonged to the Tory party - they were immediately handcuffed and made fast with chains to the baggage and ammunition wagons. By ten o'clock we broke up our encampment and marched to Fredericktown in two days. The [illegible] of the Tories was discovered to the Whigs by one of their own party by the name of Orendorff who became displeased because he was disappointed in getting the commission of Captain among the Tories - Col Fritchey of Fredericktown and many other Tories say between three and five hundred had been already taken and committed to jail. upon our arrival we pitched our tents just alongside the jail wall where we remained as a guard until the latter part of August. Col. Fritchey, Playhar and Solman were hanged; and four others who had been condemned went on board a French man of war, never to return to the United States. Col Flemming a noted Tory made his escape; he this applicant was one of the guards when the three Tories above mentioned were taken to the gallows and executed so that he had now served without intermission a tour of about three months.

In the winter 1780, he served in the Militia line of the Maryland state troops - another tour of duty - guarding prisoners at Fredericktown.

Again in 1782 or immediately after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, he was called into the militia service to go on to the Virginia line and receive about 1800 prisoners detached for Frederick Town where they were to be guarded. Captain Thomas Beaty commanded the company that received the prisoners and continued to guard them for a term or tour of duty.

He, this, applicant, is at a great [illegible] to state whether these tours were according to the law for tow or for three months. He knows they were for two months at least, if not for three months. So that if these tours according to the laws that then existed were for two months only - he served in all nine months. But if they were three-month tours, which he thinks, most probably he served in all twelve months - and as he cannot rely with confidence upon his memory, and presumes these facts are well known at the War Department - he hpes that he only be allowed accordingly.

He knew or frequently saw Genl's Gates, Lee, Smallwood
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Wayne, MOrgan of the Continental Line and Col Washington of the Dragoons and also COl's Lee and Armongue of the Cavalry Majs Mountjoy Bailey of the Continental Line, assumed the command of troops at Frederick town and he would no doubt recollect the names of many other officers if their names were mentioned in his hearing - he saw General Washington after the war was ended.

He has no record y which he ascertains his age but according to information he rec'd from his mother, he was born in October 1760. He was born in the State of Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, and his father moved to Frederick town when he was about ten years of age; he resided there until the year 1784 - when he went to Alexandria in Virginia where he continued about six months from there he moved to Loudon County in the state of Virginia - there resided about 12 months - from thence to Winchester in the same state, there resided 12 months - from thence to Staunton, Va where he continued to reside about ten years - passed on to the cities of Richmon and Petersburgh at both places resided but a few months - thence in the year 1795 moved to North Carolina he married in 1799 and continued to reside in Warren and Greenville counties No Carolina, until the year 1815, when he moved to Wilson County Tennessee where he has ever since resided. Never received any discharge in writing and has not any documentary evidence whatsoever to establish his claim to a pension but he is acquainted with Amos Bone, Thomas Sims, Charley Sims, Wm Winston, Esq., Richard Bryan, Saml Pennybaker and many other respectable citizens some of whom can testify as to his character for veracity and their opinion of his having been a solder of the Revolutionary War.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. J S McClain - Clerk 

John Gunn
His X Mark

We Amos Bones, Chesley Sims, James Sims, and Thomas Sims residing in the County of Wilson and state of Tennessee, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Gunn who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed and believed
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John Gunn
21912

in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
J S McClain

Amos Bone
Chesley Sims
James Sims
Thomas Sims
His X Mark

Ant the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above-named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Amos Bone, Chesley Sims, James Sims, and Thomas Sims are resident citizens of Wilson County and that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. It also appears to the court that the Clergyman of the congregation to which the applicant belongs resides in Rutherford an adjoining County and that he could not with convenience procure him or any other clergyman to attend at this time before the court.
D.C.  Hibbitts -SEAL
Thomas Burke - SEAL
Thomas B Reese - SEAL

I Josiah S McClain - Clerk of said County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court on the matter of the application of John Gunn for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Lebanon this first day of January A.D. 1833

Josiah S McClain - Clerk

SEAL
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Wilson County
State of Tennessee

Amened Declaration - In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7 June 1832

Personally appeared before me the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace for said County of Wilson on this the 13th day of June 1833, John Gunn, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and infirmities and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the length of his service but according to the best of his recollection and belief he served not less than the [illegible] mentioned below and in the following grades; For nine months at least he served as a private and for such service I claim a pension - Major Mountjoy Bailey was the commanding officer whilst he was in the service of the United States an Major Bailey did not assume the command of the Maryland State Troops as of a Brigade or Regiment - The said John Gunn further states that he was not in any battles during all his service - he does not know of any person now living by whom he could prove his service.

John Gunn
His X Mark

Sworn to before me the date above written

Elisha C Stephens - Justice of the Peace for Wilson County

I Josiah S McClain, clerk of the county court of Wilson County, Tennessee, certify that Elisha SC Stephens Esq is an acting Justice of the Peace in said county as above stated that his signature to the foregoing affidavit is [illegible]. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, at office in Lebanon, June 13th `833

J S McClain

SEAL
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21912
John GUnn

from 1777 Private
[illegible]
$30

1/2
J S Topp
Lebanon

J S McClain - CC
Wilson Co Tenn
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WAR Department
Pension Office
7 May 1833

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and your will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

STATEMENT showing the Service of John Gunn [illegible]

Period when the service was rendered:

Vol Fall 77
June 78
Winter 80
82

Duration of the claiment's service

2 months
about 3 months
about 2 months
about 2 months

Rank of the Claimant

Private
"
"
"

Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served:

Capt Carey
blank
blank
Beaty

Country through which he marched:
MD and PA

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age oat the present period:

72
Fredericktown, MD

Evidence by which the declaration is supported:
illegible

I am respectfully
Your obedient servant
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms, "Continental Line," "State Troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, etc. Teamsters, Boatmen, etc. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops
2. The state Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers musicians, or privates, will in the first instance make application by transmitting the following declaration which will be made before a Court of Record of the Conty where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION

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

State, Territory, or District of
County of

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before  A.B. a resident of 9\(b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on this oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank] with [blank] and served in the [blank] (3) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following name officers:

{Here set forth the names [illegible] Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term[illegible] specify the particular period, and rank and names of the officers;) the town or county and State in which he [illegible] he entered the service; the battles, if any in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched, This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, etc.

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that this name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank]

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I [blank] of the Court of {blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] etc.

If on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A.B. a Clergyman residing in the [blank] and C.D. residing in the same hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above name applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that A.B. [blank] who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the [blank] and that C.D. who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] etc.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant and such circumstances connected therewith as my have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to related all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of this claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts state, I will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.

1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier: Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
6. To an Officer: Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without to much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant who can testify from their acquaintance with him that they believe he is of the age he represents and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of tother persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general and whether any doubts [illegible] existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily [illegible] make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge [illegible] a Court of Record of the proper county and the Judge or Justice will execute the [illegible] the court is herein requested to perform and will also certify that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County under his seal of office will be annexed stated that [illegible]Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832 and in case of death subsequent thereto and before the declaration herein required is made the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure taken and authenticated before a court of record showing the services of the deceased the period of his death the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services the title of the claimant and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the nam of the Colonel under whom he served otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state with precision the length of his service and the different grades in which he served in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace etc. A.B. who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and is the following grades: For [blank] year [blank]months and [blank] days I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days I served as a [blank] and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served and the particular rank he held as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The sue of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia etc. without specifying the tours the names of the officers and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served the duration of each term of engagement the particular place or places where the service was performed that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority that he was either in the field or in garrison and for the time during which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) the opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal and if it has no devise or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any seal or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer should accompany the papers.

MODE of AUTHENTICATING PAPERS
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit or other papers authenticated the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer so as to prevent any paper form being improperly attached to the certificate.

PROOF OF SERVICE
(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavit the time of the claimant's entering the service and the time and manner of his leaving the same as well as the regiment company and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper office under his seal of office.
If the notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, the proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written and sent to the War Department with the declaration.

W L Williams - Clerk
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John Gunn b-1765 in Va.
lived Orange Co. N.C.
mentioned in property
indenture dated Aug 15, 1813
after death of (Mikgal Karb) Michael Charles
John Gunn married Cate Charles dau of Michael Charles

John Gunn moved to Coffee Co, Tenn
see census record 1850.

His descendent - Mrs Henry M Martin
(Wmiliy Lucile Harris) offers
25.00 for proof of parents of 
John Gunn b-1765 VA
d - ca 1851 Coffee Co Tenn

Mrs Henry M Martin (was in Washington DC 9-12-1963

4320 - 6 Ave So
Birmingham Ala 35222
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John Gunn
Md Line
Rev War

Capt Deilke
get a land warranty

STAMP
OLD WAR& NAVY DIVISION
May 23, 1887

I can find no Wh
52387W.L.
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2256
INVLAID.
Rev War

File NO 2256
John Gunn
Private Rev War

Act: June 7, 1832
Index: Vol A Page 154

[Arrangement of 1870]