Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 4387, Reuben Holt, N.C.
Page 1

N.C.            Holt, Reuben          S4387
Page 2

26778
of Jackson in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the corps commanded
by Captain [blank] of the reg't commanded
by Col Lytle in the No Carolina 
line for 8 months

N.C. Line 
===================================
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tenn 
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Page 3

30.990
Reuben Holt

Pension Claim
No 1799 
8 m $26.66

Can only allow as above
Page 4

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7th June 1832.
State of Tennessee
Davidson County      }
 
              On this third day of May 1834 before the Justices of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions 
for said County in open court personally appeared Reuben Holt, aged 78 years, a resident of the said
County and State aforesaid, and made oath in due form of law, to the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the Act of Congress passed on the 7th June 1832:
            He was born in Virginia, sometime in the month of December 1755 as he believes - his parents 
taking him with them to North Carolina, Orange County when he was very small.  He enlisted in this
County in his twenty-first year, as a volunteer under Capt Joseph Young, in Col Lytle's regiment -  The
Militia of the County assembled at Hillsborough, as also did the Regiment of Col Lytle, and marched from
thence to Salisbury, thence to  Camden So. Carolina thence to Payle[unreadable] or Smoky camp,
where was stationed the American forces under Genls Saunders and Linkhorn. In eight or ten days
after arrival at Camden, a detachment was ordered off to attack the British forces at Savannah in  
Georgia - when applicant enlisted, Col Lytle was under promise to him, that good care should be taken
of him - and his ???vise given him whenever required, keeping him as near his person always as 
possible, and during the whole of the tour he performed the duties of cook to Col Lytle - he was 
therefore chosen by Col Lytle to accompany him as one of the detachment - we came opposite the 
British in two days from setting out, at Augusta, crossed over the river to Augusta, which the British
perceiving commenced  their retreat down the Savannah River, and were overtaken by the aforesaid
detachment in time for to see the flames arising from the Bridge
Page 5

Which has been set on fire by them after they have passed over - They, the British, moved up Briar
Creek, on which the aforesaid bridge was crossed over on the side on which we were,  and marched
down toward us, but on their route, came across Genl Nash - the General as soon as he saw the advance
of the enemy prepared himself for the contest, first sending for the detachment under Col Lytle to come 
to his assistance with all haste possible - before the arrival of Col Lytle Genl Nash had been defeated, 
his troops dispersed and running in every direction which offered an inducement to safety - Col
Lytle seeing what had been done ordered his detachment to disperse and shift for themselves - 
applicant was so fortunagte after a hard struggle, as to get on a boat crossing the Savannah River, 
and arrived in two or three days at headquarters which had been changed in the meanwhile from
Smoky camp to a place called "the two sisters", one or two days travel, nearer to the place of battle
spoken of above them Smokey camp. Here he remained perhaps a month - was then discharged, 
receiving from Col Lytle a written discharge - it in conjunction with others, which he may did
receive was burnt with his house in Orange County, North Carolina. Applicant's time of 
enlistment was for five months- he served six months the first tour - one month over the time of 
enlistment. 
In eight or nine months from applicants first discharge, leapt Allen came to him, and insisted 
upon his joining a company of volunteers he was then forming - Applicant consented said enlist
for three months, marching from Hillsborough, the place of rondezvous by said company, through
Salisbury to Camden - in two days after our arrival here the battle of Camden was fought. After
the American army under Genl Gates had been defeated
Page 6

the army became scattered over the whole country to guard the cattle, baggage,
forage provisions and was the duty assigned applicant so soon as he arrived on the
battle ground - the battle commenced before dark and continued raging with increased
violence as the night progressed, till shortly before, the dawn of day, when the
Captain of the guard, ordered the cattle and baggage &c to be removed with all 
speed from the camp. He assisted in running off the cattle, then departed for Salisbury
where after two days and nights remainder, he was stented off by Col Lopp with 
dispatches for Genl Butler, who lived in Orange Cty. As also dispatches for Genl Mayben
who lived in the same County - when these embassies or dispatches were given him
his time was very near or indeed quite expired - or at least when he had performed 
these duties his time had expired - He enlisted for three months - his written discharge
was burnt as he has stated. -Col Wm Oneill, who resides in Orange County, in about ten days 
after his second dis[unreadable] employed him as wagon driver, in procuring and providing pro-
visions and forage for the soldiers - the condition of employment  was that he should work
in this way three months, and it should answer every purpose as if he had served as a soldier -
he worked the time so near near out that Col Oneill saw cause to release him, allow him, 
as he said pay for three months service - The applicant served in the whole about 12 
months entered in 1776 as already set out - 
     He saw Genl Gates at the battle of Camden - but does not recollect much about him - 
he had on or wore a large cocked hat and but little of his face could be seen with any distinctness
from the distance at which the applicant saw him - he is known to Genl Blount, to Col Lytle (whose
certifcate shall accompany this) declaration to E H Foster, all of whom will bear unequivocal 
testament to his unimpeachable character -
Page 7

He hereby declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any 
State. and hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except
the present - Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.

Test  Henry Ewing Clerk of                                         His Mark
Davidson County Court                                        Reuben Holt

William Lytle, one of the Justices of this Court ref Please and quarter sessions, for
Davidson County makes oath that the Col Lytle spoken of in the within Decalaration
was an uncle of his = that he resided [blank] miles from Nashville, passed through
Nashville frequently in going from his residence to a cousin of his below Nashville- 
From Nashville to his residence was just one day's ride = the old Col Lytle would
arrive in the evening and stay with affiant all night - old times becoming most often
the subject of familiar discourse, he distinctly remembers the Col would always men-
tion Reuben Holt, the present applicant, as one who had performed his duty to his
country - he even spoke in terms of affection for him, and doubtless were he now 
alive the old man would have but little difficulty (with his apurtence) in getting a
pension - Holt has a character which is unreproachable, and it is my firm belief
he should have a pension.
Sworn to and subscribed before me
May 3d 1834             Test Henry Ewing Clerk of                                                   Wm Lytle
                                           Davidson County Court
Page 8

Robert Heaton a clergyman residing in Davidson County in the State of Tennessee
and John Morgan residing in the same County and State aforesaid, do hereby 
certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Holt, who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration: that we believe him to 78 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. 
                Robert Heaton            John Morgan                 
  
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

Test Henry Ewing clerk of 
Davidson County Court

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter,
and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department, that the above
names applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further
certify that Robert Heaton who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, 
resident in the County of Davidson and that John Morgan who has also signed the same
is a resident of the same County and is a credible person, and that their statement is 
entitled to credit - 
                              Will Williams
                              G G Washington
                              E F Hall
Page 9

State of Tennessee }
Davidson County    } ss

I Henry Ewing clerk of pleas and quarter sessions for said County do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the record and proceedings of said County in the matter of
the application of Reuben Holt for pension
                                                     In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused
                                                    seal of said Court to be affixed at office in Nashville on this fifth
                                                    day of May A.D. 1834
                                                                                                                                       Henry Ewing
Page 10

INVALID

File No. 4387
Reuben Holt
Pvt N.C. line

Act: June 7 1832
Index:- Vol. A, Page 176

N. C. Records corrected Apr. 11 '04
Page 11

Several years ago I in conversation with Captain William Lytle formerly of Orange County,
North Carolina, afterwards of Rutherford County, Tennessee, asked him, whether he knew  Reuben
Holt, formerly of Orange County, North Carolina, now of my neighborhood, in Montgomery 
County, Tennessee, who after making some inquiries about his appearance, probable age &c. 
replied, yes, and observed, that Reuben Holt was at the battle of Briar Creek in Georgia, 
in the course of the revolutionary war, and with him fought against the British, and that he 
was in the American service with him for some time after and I think he said for some time
before that battle: and that he behaved himself well, on to the time he was regularly and 
honorably discharged: and he added that some of the family connection of Reuben Holt were dis-
afficted men towards the American cause at that period: but, that Reuben, was with him and 
Colonel Archibald Lytle, at the battle of Briar Creek, and for some time after that battle continued
in service with himself and Col. Lytle: both of whom were well known officers with respected men,
in the North Carolina line of the Continental establishment during the revolutionary war. Given
under my hand this 17th day of Dec 1832.            Willie Blounts

Mr Reuben Holt,
                                    Sir,
                                           I do not recollect that I ever mentioned the above conversation to you-
if it will be of any service to you now to know if you are welcome to use it in any way you may think
proper. Dec 17th, 1832.
                                                                                                                        Yours &c
                                                                                                                              Willie Blounts 
                                                                                                                                 to Reuben Holt
                                                                                                                                            Montgomery County, Tennessee
Page 12

State of Tennessee }
Davidson County    } April 17th 1836

This day Adam Binkley a man who states that he is to the best of his recollection
about ninety five years of age and made oath before me Daniel Bull one of the acting
Justices of the peace in and for said county, that he became acquainted with Reubin
Holt about sixty years ago in Orange County, North Carolina and that said Holt was
when I first became acquainted with him a soldier in Captain Joseph Young's 
company who was commanded by Col Archibald Lytle in the 7th regiment of the
North Carolina militia and that said Holt marched in Sd Company to Salsbury in 
North Carolina from there to Camden and from there to Pulinburg or Smoky camp
in South Carolina and there he joined the main army which was commanded by 
Generals Saunders and Linkhorn and further he states that said Holt served a five 
months term at that time and in that service. 

Sworn to and subscribed the date above written         }                   Adam Binkley
Danl Bull One of the Justices for said County

Adam Binkley, the above affiant, who has made the foregoing statement confirm-
atory of the one made by Reuben Holt, as far as the said Binkley knows is a pensioner,
which incl appear by reference to Book [blank] page [blank] where his pension certificate
is recorded in the War Department