Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5016, William Hill, N.C.
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(8-1776)
SERVICE N.6 Hill, William
NUMBER R.5016
Born in Virginia
CONTENTS
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832 State of North Carolina
County of Surry - } SS:
On this 5 day of November 1856 personally appeared Before me [“one Denny” crossed out] Joel Denny one of the acting J.P. of the County and State aforesaid. Richard Hill Claimant of a pension [“for the” crossed out] Due to him for his fathers services William Hill [“services” crossed out] in the Revolution whose Age was a hundred years when he Died in 1840, who being duly sworn according to the law oath on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provise made by the act of Congress pass June 7th 1832 that I heard my Father say that he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1780 in Feb I do not recollect if [?] I heard him say what day of the month For five years or during the [“war” crossed out] [“Salathiel Martin and served” crossed out] war, Under Salathiel Martin who was [?] officer he said he was not organized into a Regiment for some considerable Time But was kept in Rediness to march when Called for, he said they had many encounters With the Tories at length the tories became so formidable that the Governor ordered a [illegible] Whig Regiment to suppress the Tories This Regiment he my Father said was Commanded by a Col by the name of Cleveland it was nominated the whig Regiment it was still not organized into a Briggade or Division, some not very long Before they [“marched” crossed out, misspelled?] Marched for Guilford my Father said the Tories Collected together about 900 Strong and gave Clevelands Regiment of whigs Battle the Battle was fought in Surry County state of North Carolina near the shallow Ford on the Yadkin River & in sight of a little village called Hursten [?] the Branch they fought on is Called Battle Branch to this Day But Thanks to the God of war the whigs proved Victorious and the tories in turn had to scout My Father said his Captain in that Battle was by the name of John Home a very Valiant officer it was not very long from that time in the year 1781 that General Green marched through North Carolina not Very far from [“w” crossed out] where we was Stationed it was some time in the latter part of the year 1781 I Do not recollect the month or Day
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my Father said he marched to join General Greens army I was under Salathiel Martin he was my Captain and William Fix my Col, My Father said it was not long Before Greens Army and the British army under Cornwallis met at Guilford Courthouse Then ensued the hard Battle known by the name of the Guilford Battle I never heard my Father say what the number of the Regiment Briggade or Division but he was Certainly in some number I have never heard my Father talk of numbers of officers he knew while he was in the service of his Country I have heard him speak of General Green of Wm [?] Washington Col of a Regiment of Cavalry he said (he) Washington was a Thunder Bolt of war he acted a conspecuious part in the Battle of Guilford My Father said he knew Henry Lee Col of [“the” crossed out] a regiment of Cavalry Maj Henry Warden a very Valiant young man and many others he named he said that many of the North Carolina and Virginia Militia fled in the commencement of the engagement which made it harder on the poor regulars from Guilford Courthouse we was ordered to march for little york and and was there at the Surrender of Cornwallis he said he saw the Brittish Troops march out to lay down their armes through an avenue made by the line of the American Troops on one side and the french Troops on the other side he said he saw General Oharry offer General washington Cornwallis sword but Washington Refused to take it because Oharry was no The Commander in Chief washington Directed him to one of his Brigadier Generals to Direct Oharry what to Do My Father said after The surrender of Cornwallis we ware detained in service untill peace was concluded between The United States and Brittain I do not Recollect that I even heard [“them” crossed out] him say who was The Company or field officers he served under 
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nor the Brigade Division or Regiment Their numbers VC I Recollect of some officers and soldiers Comeind [?] to see him and talk with him about their trials and suffering while in service Of [?] Capt Edward Lovell Ellihu Ayres and others not mentioned
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Witness Joel Denny jp
Richard Hill
his mark
1st question - By the court where was your father born and in what year
Answer - By the claimant In Southampton - Va - on the Maperin River
2nd Have you any record of his age Ans no none
3rd Where were he living when cald into service 
Ans Surry County North Carolina Where have he lived since the Revolutionary war
Ans. in Surry County North Carolina - until he died in 1840 [possibly “1849”] 4th How were he called into service
Ans. He enlisted for five years or during the war
5th State some of the names of the Regular officers who were with the troops where he served as you can recollect
Ans. Col. Wm Dix Benjaman Herndon Mager
6th Did he ever receive a discharge from the service and if so [illegible] who was it given and what has become of it
Ans. It is lost or worn out as wife said and I have recollection of hearing father say [illegible] who it was given
I do hereby certify that Richard Hill the above Claimant personally appeared before me Joel Denny one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Surry and State of North Carolina and makes Oath that he is not able to attend Court on account of bodily infirmity. Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 6th day of November 1856 
Joel Denny JP
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This Nov the 8th 1856
I Erasmus Canter a clergyman residing in the county of Surry and State of North Carolina do hereby certify that he was well acquainted wiht William Hill who was an honest and truthful man and very old man that he is reputed in the neighborhood where he did reside to have been a soldier of the revolution and I have no write [right] to dispute it.  Erasmus Canter
Sworn to and subscribed before me L. A. Key JP
I  L. A. Key a citizen of the county of Surry and State of North Carolina do hereby certify that I was acquainted with William Hill and he was so far as I ever here [hear] of him an honest upright man and that I have heart it reported that he was an old revolutionary soldier this Nov the 8th 1856  L. A. Key
Sworn to and subscribed before me D. M. Cooper JP
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Rej. 5016 Rev War.  August 1, 1905

Madam:
In reply to your communication dated July 8, 1905, and received July 12, 1905, youa re advised that the only claim on file in this Bureau for the Revolutionary services of a William Hill was made May 12, 1886, by his son, Richard Hill, in Surry Co., N.C.  He stated that his father, Willam Hill, was born on Meherrin River, Southampton Co., Va. , and resided in Surry Co., N.C, when he enlisted for five years in February, 1780, and served under Captains John Horne and Salathiel Martin, Colonels Cleveland and Dix; he was in the battles of Shallow Ford on Yadkin river, N. C., Guilford and Yorktown. He married in 1776 (wife's name not mentioned) and died in 1840, aged 100 years. Widow died in 1846.
This claim was rejected on the ground that children were not entitled to pension under the Act of June 7, 1832, where neither the soldier nor his widow had applied. 
In order to identify the John Hill whose history you desire, it will be necessary for you to answer as many of the following questions as possible:
Place of enlistment
Officers under whom he served
Place of residence after service 
Approximate date of death
Given name of widow?
Very respectfully,
Mrs. Annie Barthold
Weatherford, Texas
Acting commissioner
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May 12th 1856  Richard Hills Declaration
Richard Hill Claimant. Being desirous of obtaining a pension for the services of his father William Hill in the Revolutionary ward. Through Henry Smith his lawful agent  [illegible] The following goes on to state what I heard my father say relative to his services in the old revolutionary war of the United States.  I heard him frequently say that he enlisted [illegible] shortly after he came to Surry County N.C. for five years or during the was he said this country was  that is Surry) was infested with Tories, they were so troublesome that government ordered out a regiment of whigs to protect the settlement. I heard him say at the mouth of a little river called Elkin the Tories fell on a few whigs and drove them some made their escape and some was killed others crippled. The whigs was defeated. After some time the whigs as my father said assembled together in the neighborhood near the shallow ford on the Yadkin River the troops that the governor ordered to be raised amounted to 8 or 900 men they were opposed by about that number of tories They met and a severe battle ensued my father said he was in the Battle commanded by a Col. Cleveland who commanded the whigs, he said his Capt was by the name of John Horne My father said that they whigs won the battle. It was rumored  about this time as my father said that General Green was [illegible] to the south with an American Army which made great alteration in the times. The Tories in turn had to hunt their [illegible] places some joined General Green (continued
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and some Cornwallice. My father said he then was put in a regular regiment or a regiment of regulars commanded by a Col.Dix. We then marched for Guilford Courthouse where he said Cornwallice met them and the Battle commenced and it was a bloody engagement.My fater said he was in the thickest of the battle for regular soldiers always had the blunt to bear, or at least had it in that battle for some of the Militia fled in the early part of the engagement. After the Battle ofGuilford, I heard my father say he marched for Little York I do not recollect of hearing him say who was his officers after the Battle at Guilford but he said he was at the surrender of Lord Cornwallice. My father never drew a pension he deceased in the year 1840 my mother in 1846 and never drew a pension. My parents agreeable to their register was married 1776. They lived together 64 as man and wife, both my parends lived to be more then a 100 years.
Finally I heard my fater say he was in the service of his country in some way or other from the commencement of the war either waggon master fighting the Tories or anything they wanted him to do.. Richard Hill (his mark)
Sworn to and subscribed in open court before me this 12 May 1856  John [illegible] Clerk
[illegible}
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North Carolina
Surry County }  in regard to the death of old Mrs. Hill widow of William Hill deceased  I was personally acquainted with  her up to the time of her death which took place according to the best of my recollection some time during the winter of 1846. I note the above named Mrs. Hill was known as the widow of the above named Wm. Hill  that Mr. Hendry Smith is now engaged in trying to draw a pension for said Hill  services in the Revolutionary war for the benefit of Richard Williams a son of the above as claimant. This September the 14th 1857   Joel Denny
This day personally appeared Joel Denny before me Erasmus Carter one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Surry and State of North Carolina and made oath in due form of law that the above statement concerning the death of Mrs. Hill widow of the above named Wm. Hill desct. is a true statement according to the best of his recollection. The [illegible] of the above named [illegible][illegible]  I think and unimpeachable  this sept the 15 day 1847 E. Canter JP
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North Carolina
Surry County  } Sept 13th 1857
I William Ashbourn of the above county and state, do certify that I was well acquainted with old Wm Hill as long as I can remember back and knew him to be an exceedingly old man when he died (crossed out- "which took fr") whose death took place sometime in August in the year of eighteen hundred and forty. 
[illegible] I have heard him talk a number of times (I cannot tell how often) of being in the Revolutionary service and the hardships he underwent when in service. The above Hill was a very respectable citizen. I am neither relation nor am I any ways interested in the case. But I believe that he stated the truth relative to his services. I believe he has smelt blood and powder for his country.
This day personally before me R. E. Marion JP once of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Surry and state of North Carolina and made oath in due form of law that the above statement relative to the death of old Mr. Hill is a true one.  R. E. Marion JP
I have been acquainted with W. Ashbourn ever since I have known myself and know his character to be unimpeachable. R. E. Marion JP
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State of North Carolina
Surry County } I John H. Dobson clerk of the court of Pleas and quarter sessions a court of record do hereby certify that Joel Denny, e.  Canter and R. E. Marion whose [illegible] signatures appear to the foregoing are now and were at the time of signing the same acting Justices of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified to act as such and that full faith and respect should be given to their official acts.  
In witness whereof I have hereto affixed and set my hand and seal of the said court of office in Dobson 17th day of Sept 1857  John H Dobson Clk by T V Hamlin
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no
William Hill
N. Carolina
Lot H Smith Jan 3/57
Jan 7, 1832
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ist} To the Commissioner of Pensions
Sir  I have currently had a letter from you requesting me to try to procure more satisfactory evidence relative towards the service of Wm Hill in the Revolutionary war  you also wanted to know that date of the above hills marriage and also their deaths. I send on to you the deaths of Hill and his wife but  am not able to give any precise date of their marriage. They were married in [illegible] times [illegible, in the time of war that I [illegible] [illegible] their marriage was recorded they said they had 2 children when they came to Surry N. Carolina in the year 1780 which is the best information I can obtain of their marriage (the following is crossed out " if  they he was not married at all") old Thos Ayers in his declaration said he came to this county with a wife and 2 children in 1780 Ayres is an honorable man  I shall not offer this what I say as evidence (crossed out" Ayers has sent on") }turn over
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2} There has been 2 declarations of Thos Ayres sent to the department authenticated by as good authority as any in the state which justices have been name before as particular honorable men. Whitaker a very pious man and the oldest acting Justice in Surry County  R. E. Reves Judge of our special court such  [illegible] as they would not put their signature to the character of a dishonest man. You seemed to [illegible] old Capt Ayres testimony by saying it was too general. When the news went to the old man he was hurt and said it was the first time his oath was ever disputed. He said he was neither relation nor interested in the cae and why should he in the last stage of life be guilty of so heinous a crime. He said he would not sworn to a lie for all the gold in [illegible] Capt Ayers is 90 years of age
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3} [illegible] Ayers lived in this county at the time the Tories was so troublesome in this county. Ayers had a father and 2 brothers here in the service of their country against the Tories. He himself said he was often in the tents with this father and said Hill and his own 2 brothers, before they were called away to join Gen Greens army. The Guilford battle soon took place. You wanted me to further identify [illegible] Hill as being the man that had drawn the pay spoken of in the comptrollers certificate. I cannot identify him no better than the comptroller and others has done the said his name was on the Roll and that he drew his pat at Salisbury which (crossed out "is in")  includes Surry in Old District old men say in former times Salisbury was Surry Courthouse. This is as near as I can come to it that he drew his pay in his own District. I cannot identify him any better } turn over
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I think I stated in a former letter to your Honor that there was not a soldier of the Revolution in Surry county living [illegible] no old man old enough to know (crossed out " or be") anything of that war so I fail in the requisition you claimed of me to prove his service towitt said hills by old respectable evidence without I get some more evidence that I now nothing of noe and have furnished all I can
I have stated that I did not offer what I have said as evidence knowing it would be no evidence but I am in hopes you will have some confidence in our Justices and the Honor of our court, we have as honorable a court in Surry as any in the State or any other state and (crossed out " the call") the evidence I have advanced have honorable gone through the examination of our court. I am in hopes your honor will grant me a benefit certificate at this time.  Yours respectfully  [illegible]  Henry Smith  Sept 19th 1857
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May 8th 1856 Thomas Ayers Declaration
This my declaration relative to Wm Hills services in the revolutionary war. Sir I was acquainted with William Hill ever since the year 1780 he came in Curry County N. Carolina in the above date with a wife and 2 children He was married in the time of the war he enlisted in the service of the United States shortly after he came here for the term of 5 years or enduring the war But the Tories in this county being formidable he was obliged to take a brush with them before he was attached to the regular army. I was too young to be put on  a list of soldiers but I performed voluntary servitude as hard as any soldier that is, against the Tories I had to run many a time when overpowered by them to save myself I know (crossed out "to the" ) that Wm HIll was in the Battle at the shallow ford on the Yadkin under John Horne as Captain in that battle. His Col's name was Cleveland and fought with hill in said battle in my fathers place he being old. Old and young had to fight it was a time of trouble in this country as I before stated the the Tories was so bad that the governor of the state ordered 900 men to protect the settlement. There was about the same number of Tories. My father and two brothers Nathaniel and Elihu my fathers name was Thos. Ayers were all in the Revolutionary service and they all say that the above named William Hill was in the service with them and I know to my certain knowledge that I see the said Wm. Hill march of with them to join General Green. The Col, they service under was William Dix when in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse my brothers said that said Hill went with them to little york and was at the surrender of Lord Cornwallice. Thus continued until discharged from the service of the United States as for the Captain he served under in the Battle of Guilford it has been   continued
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so long since the battle was fought that I cannot tell the name of the Capt he served under in the Guilford Battle but I think it was either John Horne Salathiel Martin or David Umphris.  
Thomas Ayers (his mark)

Excuse the blocked paper it ws owing to a bad pen

This day came Thomas Ayers before me Johnathan Whitaker on of the acting magistrates of the county of Surry and States of N. Carolina and made oath in due form of law that the within declaration is a true statement [statement] of what I know relative the the and Wm Hills service in the Revolution war.  J Whitaker JP
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No
William Hill 
N Carolina
June 7, 1832
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State of North Carolina 
Surry County   }  Court of Please and Quarter Sessions Nov Term 1856
Be it remembered that of November term of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions begun and held for the county of Surry at the Court House in Dobson on the  Second Monday in November AD 1856  Justices
 Present and residing the following proceedings were had.
A paper writing purporting to be a declaration made by Richard Hill i compliance with an act of congress, for the purpose of obtaining a pension for the services of his father William Hill in the War of the Revolution [illegible] proceed in open court and in appearing to their satisfaction the Court here certify that the said Richard Hill is too infirm to attend the sessions of this court, and that the said Richard Hill is a reliable man, and the court here, further certify that is appears, that Erasmus Canter who has signed the certificate to the declaration about mentioned is a clergyman residing in the county of Surry, and that Lewis A Key who has signed a certificate attached to said declaration is a citizen residing in the county of Surry is a credible person, and that their statements is entitled to credit.
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I John H. Dobson clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter sessions in and for the county of Surry do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a true copy of the original proceeding in the matter of the application of Richard Hill for a pension.  The testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office this 11th day of Nov AD 1856.  J H Dobson, CCC

State of North Carolina
Surry County}  I John H Dobson Clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter sessions in and for the county of Surry do hereby certify Lewis A Key and Jack Denny and D.M Coopers whose genuine signatures appear to certificates in the foregoing declaration and affidavits were at the time of signing the same acting justices of the pease in and for the county of Surry and their official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 11th day of Nov 1856.  J. M Dobson CCC
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State of North Carolina
I , Harrison M. Waugh Chairman of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions do hereby certify that said court is a court of access having a clerk and seal. That John H. Dobson whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificate is the clerk of said court, that the seal  attached is the seal of said court and the certificate is in due form of law. Given under my hand this eleventh day of November  A.D. 1856  HM Waugh Ch [illegible]
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Comptrollers Department  September 1856
John Reves Esq 
Sir
Yours [illegible][illegible] of the service of one William Hill has been received, and a search has been made of the records of the revolution and abundant payments appear to have been made to the name of Will Hill, for military service . the records are of such a character as not to furnish any information as to the division or regiment a soldier served in. Indeed little else is shown but the amount paid, from which may estimated the length of service which is an important item of evidence before the Department of Pensions. The abundance of pay to Will Hill [illegible] that more than one man by that name might have been in the service. If you want a certificate of what appears, you will inform me in what portion of  [illegible] [illegible] your man [illegible], that I may distinguish it from the others.
You are due a fee of $5 for this search. Respectfully Geo W Brooks Compt.
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State of North Carolina 
County of Surry } ss:
On this the 7th day of November personally appeared before me R. E Reves one of the acting Justices of the peace of the county of Surry and state of North Carolina. Thos Ayres and made oath (crossed out "that")  in due form of law that the following declaration contains a true statement of his (crossed out "my") knowledge of old Wm Hills services as a regular soldier in the Revolutionary war Sworn and assigned and subscribed  to below.
I stated in my other declaration that I was in the engagement at the Shallowford with William Hill against the Tories in Surry County N.C. Commanded by Col Cleveland and Capt John Horne and  (crossed out " this battle the") was  was fought Dec 19th 1781. In addition to (crossed out "the") a former declaration that i have given I was well acquainted with old William Hill since the year 1780as I have stated came into this country (crossed out "a wife) with a wife and two children he enlisted in the service of the United States shortly after he came here in the fore past of the above date near the Shallowford on the Yadkin River not far from a little village called Huntsville in Surry County N. Carolina for five years or during the war Salathiel Martin was the Recruiting officer he enlisted under he served some 13 (crossed out "eighteen") months under Captains Martin, John Horne fighting the Tories frequently, untill [until] he marched away from this country (county) to join General Greens army but a little while before the battle with Green and Cornwallis at Guilford Courthouse. When he marched away from Surry, N.C. it was the last of my personal knowledge of Hills services but I had two brothers in the service of their country Ellihu and Nathaniel who was with said Hill in the Guilford Battle under Col William Dix. I cannot recollect who they said was their captain but it was either Salatiel Martin Umphris or Poindexter. Turn over
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from the Battle of Guildford they said they marched for little York under Green to Join Washington and was a the surrender of Lord Cornwallis They said they remained in service rather the service of the United States untill [until] peace was finally concluded between the United States of America and Great Britain. I was not in the service with them but I as much believe that what they said was true is if I had been there. For said Hill and one of my bothers came home together and I have listened to them a many hour telling over their trials and sufferings int he service of their country. I cannot tell whether I ever heard them say  (crossed out-" Whither I ever heard them say whither I ever heard them say")  whither [whether] Col. Dix  remained their Col after they left Guilford or  whither [whether] they were transferred to another Col. I never heard them say what was the number of the regiments they served in the topic of their conversation was on the sufferings they underwent Wm Hill was said to be a hundred years old when he died and he died in 1840 in Surry County N. Carolina at his same place where he had lived for sixty years. Thomas Ayers (his mark)
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 7th November AD 1856  R.E. Reeves JP
The Character of the witness Thos Ayers is good for truth and veracity.
North Carolina
Surry County }  I John H. Dobson clerk of the court of Pleas and quarter sessions within the county of Surry and state aforesaid do hereby certify that R.E. Reeves is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace within and forever since [illegible] duly commissioned and authorized [illegible] acknowledgements [illegible] for oaths of an that his signature is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and the seal of our said county at affixed. Dobson this 10th of Nov. 1856. John H. Dobson clk by TV  Hamlin DC
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State of North Carolina 
Personall appeared before me the undersigned an acting justice of the peace in and for the County of Surry and state aforesaid Richard Hill to me well known and being duly sworn according to law says that the several matter  of fact set forth as of his own knowledge are true and those not of his own knowledge  he believes to be true and the he [illegible] ongoing  [illegible]  Sworn to before me this the 12th day of May 1856. Robert S. Gilmer JP
State of North Carolina 
Surry County  }
I John H Dobson clk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions within and for the country aforesaid do hereby certify that Robert S. Gilman whose genuine name affixed to the foregoing affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same one of the acting justice of the peace within and for [illegible] said county of Surry duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and  In testimony whereof I have officially set my hand and the seal of [illegible] said court at office this 12th day of May 1856  John H Dobson Clk By TV Hamlin DC
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I H M Waugh Chairman of the court of Peas and quarter sessions of Curry County do hereby certify that John H Dobson is clerk of this county court aforesaid. Having been duly qualified and that Thomas V Hamlin is is lawful deputy and that due credit ought to be given to their official acts as such given under my hand and this 12th day of May 1856  HM Waugh Chairman
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Mr. I  Minot
Sir I have enclosed some gleaning of evidence [illegible] to the services of William Hill in the Revolutionary War of United States against Great Britain and send them on for your consideration. One of my neighbors is John Reves who was also trying for the same pension wrote an interrogatory letter to you, W. Brooks Comptroler [comptroller] of the public accounts at Raleigh North Carolina the answer to the letter I obtained from Reves and send on also for your consideration. I judge you have the records as full in Washington as they have in Raleigh North Carolina but you stated in your letter that I should seek for evidence in Raleigh and I judged that the within letter was as good evidence as I could get in Raleigh. Old Mr. Wm Hill would have tryd [tried] for his pension in his lifetime it would have been better. But he feared he could not obtain evidence after the loss of so many years there was not many old people to be found that knew anything about his service there were all dead or moved off. It would have been better that he could have prosecuted a claim in his lifetime. But some few years since old Capt Thos Ayers came back to Surry N.C. and stated about said Hills services that which is comprehended in his declaration If Hill could have prosecuted a cliam in his life time he could have told of many particulars which his heirs could not recollect which would have been of service in establishing his claim. All evidence that an heir commonly can give is testimony I have heard a great many of soldiers telling [illegible] to each other their trials hardships and encounters in the service but I never once heard them say what was the no. of their regiment brigade or division they was attached to many of them did not know themselves    
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after serving years in the army their topic of conversation did not run that way so I thing [think] the requistion of the law is a hard one in that case. I served a hard tour in the war of 1812 myself under General Harrison about the River Thames in Canada but I do not know that I ever told one what was my no in the line although I know what it was myself. I have told a thousand persons of the hardships I underwent. My father served through the Revolution and I have heard him tell many be the times but never heard him say what was his number in the line. When an heir become claimant I venture to say that there is not one in a thousand 9unless0 their father left a full discharge. What that can tell no. and line their father served in he stated in his interogatory answers that he had heard his father say that he had a discharge from the service but it was mislayed [mislaid] destroyed or wore out. My discharge wore out in ten years it is more likely his wore out. Richard Hills first declaration coroberates [corroborates] with the comptrollers letter at Raleigh. Hills stated in his first declaration that his father said he was in the service of his country well through the war. The comptrollers letter states that the abundance of payment made to the name of Wm Hill indicate a long servitude as concerning his age. I think there is few but thought him to be 100 years old when he died in the year 1780. he came into Surry county with a wife and 2 children and soon enlisted and no doubt in my my mind made a valiant soldier to the close of the war. As before direct your letter where you write to Henry Smith Surry County N.C. [illegible] Ridge  D O
Yours respectfully  Henry Smith
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State of North Carolina
Comptroller's Department
I C. H . Brogden, comptroller of pubic accounts in and for the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office, among the payments made by said State to sundry persons for Military service in the Revolutionary war, as follows: 
William Hill
Book No 14 Page 95 L1-7-0 speci.
Indent No 204. Shows this payment in the Salisbury district to William Hill.
Surry County was in the Salisbury district.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at the city of Raleigh, this 21st day of Feb A.D. 1857.  C H Brogden Comptoller NC
[british pound symbol] 3  D
1-7-0
11-5-4
8-6-6
20   18  10
$52.25
26.12= 7 mos 25 days.
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No 39.099
William Hill, [illegible]

Lt Henry Smith June 2/56
Let same Jan 30, 1857
 Let same March 27/57

Act June 7, 1832
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39,099
William Hill, decd [deceased]
N. Carolina
Henry Smith June 21, 1856
Same January 3, 1857- Jan [unable to see on copy]
March 27, 1857- Same ma[unable to see on copy]18, 1857- same July 17, 1857
same Sept 28, 1857
Widow dead

5016

June 7, 1832
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Pension Claim
Stony Ridge  NC
May 18  }
H J Minot Commissioner of pensions
Washington City
District of Columbia 

William Hill 
N.C. Original
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May 14th 1856
Mr. J. Minot Commissioner of Pensions [illegible]
Sir I enclose those declarations and send them to you for your inspection I am a new hand in such business. If there is an error in the form please instruct me where it is when you direct a letter to me say Henry Smith Surry County N. Carolina. Stony Ridge Post office. Yours with respects
Henry Smith
PS I could get many declaration corresponding with Richard Hills but I concluded taht his was enough from a punctual man like R. Hill. I have heard old William Hill espress [express] as much myself but I am no evidence.
Page 35

Acts of July 14, 1862 and March 3, 1873 (all crossed out)
REJECTED

5010
 PO  William Hill

Service:  _______
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _______, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges:______
Re-enlisted________
Attorney:_______
PO_________

______recognized   ________Contract
_____Cert of Dis.   Searched for _____,18

Aug 1, 1905 History to Mrs Annie Barthold, Weatherford, Tex
Page 36

Sept. 28, 1857
Sir: In answer to your letter of the 19th instant; I have to inform you that the Secretary of the Interior has decided that the law does not authorize the allowance to the children of Revolutionary soldiers, or their widows, of any pension moneys to which the soldiers no obtain the allowance of.
In consequences of this decision, the claim of the children of William Hill, deceased, of North Carolina, to a pension allowance under the Act of June 7, 1832 is rejected; and they are not entitled to pension money in the right of his widow.
To Henry Smith, Esq., Stony Ridge, N.C.
Page 37

Not I 13383
John Hill

Stamp : 
Pension office US Jul 12, 1905
Page 38

O.W.and H.,
Weatherford Texas
July 8, 1905
Stamp: [illegible] July 13, 1905  files
Of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
[illegible] the records show pension or bounty land to my ancestors [illegible] Wm. Hill of York, Co S. C fought and wounded at Battle of Hanging Rock N.C. and his sone John Hill of Mecklinburg Co, N.C. (Revolutionary war)
Oblige  Mrs. Annie Barthold
Page 39

William Hills  
To the  Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
District of Columbia
Page 40

Surry County N.C. March 13th 1857
To the commissioner of pensions Washington
Dear
Sir I have wrote on to Raleigh N. Carolina for a certificate relative to Hm Hills services or payments for his services in the revolutionary war and have obtained a certificate from the comptroler [comptroller] at Raleigh North Carolina  which certificate I here enclose for and send on for your consideration 
I would have sent on a certificate before Had I not concluded that you had as good or better record in Washington than they had in Raleigh N.C. It appears that the state of N.C. id designated by districts instead of countys. YOu wanted to know whither [whether] the William Hill called to was from Surry County  N. C. Salisbury is within a few hours travel from Surry, Roan County Joins Surry Salisbury is the county seat of Roan and both in one district old Thos Ayers in his declaration  said that he knew Wm Hill to be in service more than 12 months and Ayers is an honorable man as has been. Well authenticated in his county. He (Ayres) says that Hill was in Barrack unorganized into a regular line of Duty untill [until] he joined General Greens army at Guilford Courthouse he said as he reported in his declaration that be the whigs had some engagements fighting the Tories he also said in his declaration that said Hill enlisted for 5 years or during the war. He said that the time of said Hills enlistment was about the first part of the year 1780 and marched some time in the spring of 1781 to join General Green and was in what is called the Guilford battle and served as his brother said to the end of the war
Page 41

Richard Hill the claimant said that he heard his father say that when he moved from Va, he stopped in Hallifax County NC and was in the service in the lower parts of the state near a year and served under General Marion and others most parts of the time fighting the Tories. Richard Hill said among so many statements in his declaration he forgot to state this item. There appears to be no statement of Hills being paid for that service or the time he was in the service of his country in Surry after he enlisted (in surry-crossed out).
Respectfully yours  Henry Smith
PL, direct your letter to Stony Ridge PO Surry County N.C as before
Page 42

Surry Cty N.C.
June 13th 1857
sir
I received yours of 18th May last and find that you do not hesitate to believe that Wm Hill deceased had rendered some service in the Revolutionary war but you think not enough to entitle him to a pension. Give me [illegible] my honorable friend to differ with you in our valuation  agreeable to the pension law six months service entitles a soldier in the Revolutionary war to a small pension and so on in proportion to the servitude a soldier hsa served. The sum that Wm Hill has received for his service in said war amounts to the [British pound symbol] 21-7-[illegible] and that at 40 shilling per month is near eleven month agreeable to the estimation made by the comptroller in his certificate I have wrote to the comptroller of N.C. about some particulars. He stated to me that there was payments made to that  name of Wm Hill in the Willmington and Halifax districts that he did not think it necessary to name in the certificate sent to the department as likely there was more than one Wm Hill in the service. He said the payments made to the Hill of the Salisbury district would overrun six months Considerable I have recently been told by old men that Salisbury is gone by times was Surry Courthouse before the counties was divided and subdivided. There is no better evidence in this late period of time of a mans having serviced and how long as the amt of payment, no man could have received payment that had not servid.
Page 43

It is believed that Wm Hill served longer than what was named in the Salisbury District if it could be come at and of the payments named in the certificate was made in 1782 which corroborates with some of the declaration filed in the department that Hill enlisted for 5 years or during the war for not very long after the surrender of Cornwallis it was thought necessary to disband the Militia but the regulars was kept in service untill peace was concluded. Cornwallises surrender was in 81.  Very Respectfully yours  Henry Smith
Hon, Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
District of Columbia
Page 44

[back of page with writing on the other side. illegible numbers on this side]
Page 45

Surry Cty N.C. April 18th 1837
This claim was filed under Act of June 7th 1832
Sir. I recd[received] yours of the 21st March last and noticed the contense [contents] I am not to be said a pension Agent but by the request of the claimant Richard Hill, I have consented to try to prosecute aclaim for a pension for the services of his father William Hill. I wrote on to I Minot the former commissioner for the pension law he sent it to me or as much of it as would answer the purpose. The portion of law that I need from the department states this, That the claimant must produce two respectable citizens one of whom should be a clergyman if he can be had. The other must be a respectable citizen who will certify to the best of their knowledge to Wm Hills age and other particulars it all must be sanctioned by the court which procedents you you can see in the claimants  declaration.
Again it says to require from the claimant positive proof of service from a temporary [Contemporary] survivor would after the lapse of so many years be to deprive many of them of the benefit of the law, again it further says and no presumption is raised against the Militia by the existence of rolls in the department. There is no good reason why this requisition should not be extended to them. and more of the law made easier on the account of the fast decline of the Revolutionary soldiers
In relation to Thomas Ayres testamony [testimony] it is what I do not understand that a mans testimony should be disanulled because he never was a pensioner. The theatre of war [illegible], the Tory war was in Ayres' own neighborhood he says his father and two brothers was in the barracks or fort and Wm Hills family was close neighbor to Ayres he had an opportunity of knowing about hill
Page 46

You stated that you thought Thomas Ayres evidence was too general to be satisfactory I have thought it very limited considering the opportunity he had to know Thomas Ayres has given 2 declarations and is verasity [veracity] assigned and sanctioned by 2 of the honorablest JP in Surry. Whitaker the oldest magistrate in Surry and among the most pious of men, he would not have put his name to ayres character for Surry county had he thought it not just. R.E. Reves a man of very honorable report he was our representative last session to the general assembly and after getting home was appointed or elected to be chairman of our county court he assigned the second declaration of Ayres. Would such men put their hand to that which was not just. Besides Ayres is neither relation nor is he interested in the case.  Ayres declaration is [illegible] altogether that occured in Surry N.C. Viz his personal knowledge you in your letter required  me to prove hills services by old respectable men that was Hills neighbors in the time of the revolution and was personally acquainted Hills services, it is more than I can do there is not a revolutionary soldier alive in Surry or But few in the U.S. the requirements of the portion of the pension law that I have is not so hard on me as that. Few Revolutionary claims would be got under that requisition. I do not know that I can be able to send on any more proof in the case. I do not offer anything there as proof but I wish you my friend to reconsider the evidence that has been advanced and give me a pension certificate if you can and I know you can. Yours Respectfully  Henry Smith
The Commissioner of Pensions
I cannot make out your name.
Page 47

The national Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Bounty Land Warrant Record Card
Division of Veteran's Administration Archives

Name  Hill, William. Grade: Private. Line:Virginia.
Warrant Number: 12241. Acreage: 100  Issued: January 7, 1792.
To Robert Means, assignee

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