Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10478, for Robert Tharp, Georgia
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SERVICE                           NUMBER
Ga. N.C.    THARP, ROBERT    R. 10478

_____________
CONTENTS
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Robert Tharp dec
of Alabama
Act 1832, susp
Aug 1, 1852
JJ Coombs
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Know all men by these presents, that I John Tharp
administrator of the estate of Robert 
Tharpe deceased late of the County 
of Franklin and state of Alabama

who was a Soldier 
in the Army of the Revolution, do hereby constitute and appoint J J Coombs of Washington
City District of Columbia my true and lawful Attorney
for me and in my name to prosecute against the Government of the United States, before 
any Department thereof, any and all claim or claims  ... have to arrears of pay or Pension
money, under any Act or Acts, Resolution or Resolutions, of the Congress of the United States, and 
especially the Acts 4th July 1836, 7th July, 1838, 3rd March 1843, 17th June, 1844, 2nd February,
1848 and 29th July, 1848 - as well as the more ancient Acts of 18th March, 1818, 15th Ma, 1828, 
and 7th, 1832. 
Said Attorney is moreover authorised in my name to demand at any department 
of said Government, a re-consideration of any decision hitherto or hereafter to be given, touching my interests, and to obtain from any Department or the archives thereof, any and all information or evidence of whatever character relating to or in anywise bearing upon the claim or claims we hereby seek the investigation of.
Said Attorney is moreover authorised to do any and all things necessary to carry out the foregoing purposes, and to receive the Certificates of Pension or other character of drafts or evidences of the amounts due me and to appoint one or more Sub-Attorneys, and to confer upon him or them all the powers herein conferred upon [illegible] hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may do by virtue of these presents.
Witness my hand and seal this day of July 1852

John Tharp his mark [stamp of black ink]
of Robert Tharp Dc

Jas H. Trumble
Joshua B. Moore

State of Alabama Franklin County, sct.
BE IT KNOWN, that on the 8th day of July 1852 before the subscriber, a Judge of Probate in and for the state aforesaid, personally appeared John Tharpe
subscribers to the foregoing Power of Attorney, and acknowledged the signing, sealing and delivering the same to be his own voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein set forth.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I do hereunto subscribe my name + affix the seal of said Court
James H. Trumble
Judge of Court of Probate
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March 28, 1842
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Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed june the seventh 1832 the State of Alabama Franklin County On this the 8 Day of March 1842 personally appeared before G M Hargett a justice of the peace acting in and for the said county Robert Tharp a private soldier of the Revolution now a resident of the state County above now near one hundred years of age 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 the 7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United states at Saulsbury in the state of North Carolina by Contract with Capt. William Tempel Cole a reagular officer and agree to serve three Months I served that term of time fully out at that place while Capt. Cole was engaged in recruiting soldiers at the Commencement of the Revolution war and when my term of three months expired I was payed off by the paymaster at that place I then returned to my fathers house near Wilcocks Iron works on Deep River in the state of North Carolina. After my return I Robert Tharp entered my second tower [tour] of Duty a Substitute in the Room of Daniel Methany who was drafted and ordered to serve three months at a station in the settlement known by the name of the Pleasent Gardens at that time for guard against the Indians at that station I served my tower of three months fully our under Capt Culpepper who Discharged me and paid me off my Monthly wages this station was in Burk County North Carolina near the Blew [Blue] Ridge on the head of the Cautauba [Catawba] River During the time I was in service at this station the Indians killed a citizen near that station and I Robert Tharp was one of the men who brought this Dead man in and Buryed him he was by the name of Battel sum [some] time after I was Discharged from the tower [tour] of Duty I went to the state of Georgia and there I again entered the service of the United States and was under the Command of Coln. Duley
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and Capt. John Clark these officers had full command of the frontier parts of the state of Georgia at that time and organized all the rules of spieing against the Indians, and I Robert Tharp engaged with these officers and did serve a spieing against the Indians whenever called on by either of these officers until a siege at Savanna when a call was made for men to reinforce the army at Savanna and these officers ordered out a portion of choice men for that purpose, and I Robert Tharp was one of that detachment of men, and when we joined the army at Savanna this detachment of men were placed under the immediate command of French officers in separate companys where I Robert Tharp was put to hard labour and was kept at hard labour for the space of nine weeks preparing ways and means to blow up the enemy forts and near the end of this nine weeks a Council was held by the French and American officers prescribing the way by which they would attack the enemys fort when it was agreed upon that the French officers on their part that they would march in front up to the Kings gate and the Americans were to attack at other parts of the fort this attack was made in  my presents alltho this plan failed in consequence of the grate number of the French army being slain in attempting to storm the enemies fort, the American officers which I can recollect in part at this late hour is the following way Gener'l Morgan in chief as I believe and I do know that an officer by the name of Montgomery had the command of the regulars in that attack  Col'n Washington commanded a regiment of horsemen on that day, sum time before this attack was made at a time when a French officer by the name of Count Gillaspey was exercising his men on horses in full view of the enemies forte this officer was killed by a ball shot from the enemies forte. This case of Count Gillaspey was done in my presents, after they defeate at Savanna I Robert Tharp then returned to Duley and Clark and still pursued my engagement with these officers, and again ordered out a spieing of the hunting for Indians and was kept in actual service doing duty of that kind according to the special orders of those officers until
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the death of Coln. Duley and after the death of Duley who had been promoted to general and after the death of this same gen'l Duly John Clark was then promoted and became general and I Robert Tharp was still continued in actual service a spieing on the frontiers of Georgia and sheltered at Capt. Kars fort near the line of the white settlement and while I Robert Tharp was at that fort kept by Capt. Kar a party of British attacked the fort when I Robt Tharp was made a prisoner of war with eight other soldiers with me and all were taken off to the British army at Augustine where I was kept a prisoner of war so that I never got back to my former place of service untill after a final ratification of peace was made the term of time which I was in actual service under Coln. Duley and Clark and after the Death of Gen'l Duly then under Clark alone untill I was made a prisoner of war and the Lenth of the time which I was a prisoner of war was not less than five months in the whole of the time of my services on the frontier of Georgia and the time I was a prisoner of war I do Know is not less than three years and for the whole of this time last mentioned which served I never received a discharge nor pay neither in part nor in whole, this Declarant further states that when he got back from the enemy he settled in Rutherford County and state of North Carolina and I then moved to Tennessee Wilson County and from there I moved this where I now live and was living at the time of the passage of the act of 1832 which made provision for officers of the Revolution allso the surviving soldiers and Indian spies of the Revolution of which I am one, this Declarant further states that the Discharge which I received for the two three months tours is lost or destroyed many years since and that I actually do not Know of any officer or soldier by which I can prove any part of my serviced the reason why I have Delaid making application for a pension erlyer  is for want of a form and proper understanding how I show to make out a Declaration according to law untill the present. 
Robert Tharp his mark
personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace Robert Tharp who being duly sworn deposeth and saieth
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that by reason of Old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of the service but according to the best of my recollection I served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grade: 
Date: 1776 
Years: 0 
Months: 3 
Days: 0 
Soldier: Private 
Officers: Capt. Wm. Tempel Cole
Date: 1776
Years: 0
Months: 3 
Days: 0
Soldier: ditto
Officers: Capt. Culpepper
Date: 1776
Years: 3 
Months: 0
Days: 0
Soldier: ditto
Officers: Colonel Duley and Clark and imprisoned
Total: Years: 3 Months: 6 
and for which service I claim a pension 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 whatever. 
Robert Tharp his mark X
The State of Alabama
Franklin County
We Theophilus Skinner, a Clergyman presiding in the county and state above and Charles Brooks Matlock residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert Tharp that we believe him to be near one hundred years of age that he is purported 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
Theophilus Skinner
Charles Brooks Matlock
and George w. Hargett, a Justice of the peace certifies that it appears to him that Theophilus Skinner who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the State and County and that Charles Brooks Matlock is a credible person and their statements
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is entitled to full faith and credit. I also certify the the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court. 
George W. Hargett JP
acting "Justice of the Peace" in and for said County

The State of Alabama
Franklin County
I Michael Dickson Clerk of County Court aforesaid do hereby certify that George W. Hargett is an acting Justice of the Peace as above duly commissioned + qualified + that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand + seal of office this 10th day of March 1842. 
Michael Dickson Clerk of Franklin County 
[paper seal with two ribbons fixed to the left side of page next to the above signature]

The State of Alabama
Franklin County 
I Henry C. Jones Judge of the County Court of Franklin County in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that Michale Dickson whose name is attached to the above certificate is the truly elected + duly commissioned Clerk of the County Court of Franklin County + that his official acts are entitled to due might +  authority as such given under my hand + seal this 11th day of March 1842
Henry C. Jones Judge
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Pension Office
March 4, 1854..

Sir,
Agreeably to your verbal request, I enclose herewith a copy of a letter from this office of the 14 December 1842, showing the objections to the admission of the claim of Robert Tharp, of Alabama, to a revolutionary pension.
No additional evidence has been filed since the date of the above letter.
Very respectfully,
JP Waldo
Commissioner

Hon. G. L. Houston
House of Reps.
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Ho. of Reps
20 Feby 46

Sir
Will you give your attention and examination to all of the cases mentioned in Mr. Hardens letter herewith enclosed that we know their true  condition + also return Mr. Hardens letter. Your early attention is very desirable especially to the cases last named which may have to be put before this House if you reject them. 
JL Edwards
George L Houston
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35,368
Robert Tharp
Ala
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Ho of Reps. 
28 Jany 45
Sir
I desire to refer the papers of Robert Tharp sent to the Committee on Revl Pensions + wish you either to furnish me with all of the papers on file in your office or a copy of them for the purpose of such references. I presume there can be no objection to giving me the papers including your letters + all his papers. 
Your Obt Servt
J. L. Edwards 
Commr of Pensions
Geo L Houston
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Copy
Pension Office 
December 14 1842

Sir
I have the honor to inform you that the papers in the case of Robert Tharp have been again examined and placed on our files. 
The alleged time of three months duration in the North Carolina militia are unsupported by the testimony of surviving comrades who can no doubt be found in that State (and such claimant is required to produce the best attainable proof) nor is the alleged length of those terms consistent with the short and occasional service of the militia in that part of N.C. at that period of the war. 
With respect to the alleged continuous service on the Frontiers of Georgia for three years, this Department has no Knowledge. The records of that State should show the authority for raising such a corps - the commissioning of its officers +c.
It does not appear that he served as much as six months in field or garrison in an organized military corps quartered, paid and subsisted as such.
Hon. WW Payne
Ho
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Rep Hall 12 Decr 1842
Sir
I herewith transmit the papers in the case of Mr. Tharp asking a pension from this Government to which I ask the attention of the Commr. 
I have the honor to 
be your obt st
WW Payne

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
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(Copy)
Pension Office
December 14, 1842
Sir, 
I have the honor to inform you that the papers in the case of Robert Tharp have been again examined and placed on our files. 
The alleged tours of three months duration in the N. Carolina militia are unsupported by the testimony of surviving comrades, who can, no doubt, be found in that state, (and each claimant is required to produce the best attainable proof,) nor is the alleged length of those tours consistent with the short and occasional service of the militia in that part of N. Carolina at that period of the war. With respect to the alleged continuous service on the Frontiers of Georgia for three years this Department has no knowledge. The records of that state should show the authority for raising such a corps, the commissioning of the officers, +c. It does not appear that he served as much as six months in field or garrison in an organized military
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corps, quartered, subsisted and paid as such. 
I have the honor to be, 
very Respectfully, 
your ob't Servant, 
(signed) J. L. Edwards.

Hon. W.W. Payne, 
House of Representatives
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State of Alabama
Franklin County
I Benja Xavier do certify that I have been well acquainted with Robt Tharp for twenty od years + he is a very elderlay man say something like one hundred years of age or the rise + he is a very respectable oald humble man + he say he was in the oald revolution + I think every credit may be place to his statements. 
Benja Xavier
January the 14 1845
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The Honorable the Senate of the United States of America and house of Representatives
Now in Session in Congress Assembly
Your humble petisioner, Robert Tharp Senior, who is Still a Citizen of Franklin County Alabama, who would respectfully represent to your honorable boddy in whom all power is actually vested and to whom Every Eye is turned for greavances and by whom Justice is in all its purity zealiously Executed, and for a Case of grate greavances your humble petisioner the above named Robert Tharp who was a private Soldier in the army during the war of the war of the Revolution and served faithfully in the manner of way and at the place also through the parts of Country which is set forth in a Declaration made out and Signed by the Identical same Robert Tharp Senior who was at the time of signing the same was over one hundred years of age which is set forth in his Declaration baring date July 1842 which was drawn up agreeable to a form set forth in a document No. 126 page 85 and ordered by the Twenty sixth Congress first session and Seated for the guidance of all Classes of Soldiers who served in the Militia Volunteers and Indian Spies a term over six months which is agreeable to the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. This humble petisioner respectfully present to your honorable Boddy praying for leave to be granted for the presentation of a bill to your honorable Boddy asking for the passage of an act Enacted to authorize the Declaration and other papers which is now on file in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions  with all other papers which has any reference to his claim so filed in said office with a Copy of the Commissioner's letters in answer to this Claim for a pension which requires personal Knowledge of service of some of my comrades or fellow soldiers grate Exercions had been made to obtain evidence of this kind since the 14th day of December 1842 the day on which the Commissioners letter was dated, [illegible] without [illegible], and should your honorable Boddy be pleased to pass such an act or resolution by which those papers can be drawn from said office and be placed in the hands of the head of the Department who may be Severly charged with they administration of the pension Laws
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of the United States of America, this Special Authority is given to the honorable Committee which is set forth in they above discribed document No 126 page 20 for a guidance & in such cases as this petisioner which is now before your honorable Boddy for a thorough Commonation as this applicant trusts will be done, this humble petisioner further prays that his case of grevance will be admitted to Lye open to receive evidence here after should your Honorable Boddy be of opinion that further proof will be required to satisfy the Honorable Department So that this applicant can be alowed a pension, they will please to state what part of this Declaration is out of form or requires further proof if any part is not perelel with the act of June 7, 1832. 
This humble petisioner Solomly declares that his is the identical same Robert Tharp who is now asking this Honorable Boddy to take into Consideration his case of grevence who was sworn to and subscribed his name by Mark to the above Discribed  Declaration by which he was asking for a pension in 1842 that this application is not to pester your honnorable Boddy but that they will consider that I faithfully rendered they Service for this Bounty is Claimed, and for want of proper understanding how to apply for a pension my Claim was delsayed until 1842 and now I wish to have as Early an answer so that nature of my Claim will admitt therefore it is hoped that a due Consideration will be given to my Claim. 
January the 4th, 1845
Robert Tharp his mark X [seal]
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The State of Alabama Franklin County Be it known that I Theophilias Skinner a Clergyman now a citizen in the state and County mentioned above now near sixty four years of age, Do hereby Certify that I have had personal acquaintance with Robert Tharp Senior this reputed soldier of the Revolution over Twenty-five years, both before and since he Eckoledge [acknowledged] a Declaration in July 1842 in application for a pension under the act of Congress June 7th 1832 and During the whole of my acquaintance with him I never have had any Cause to Entertain any Doubts of the Truth of any fact which is Set forth in his Declaration made out and Signed as above Stated nor of any other fact stated by him on oath and do firmly believe that he is justly Entitled to the Bounty agreeable to the above Discribed act of June 7th 1832 and that he is now a Living in Franklin County Alabama, I also Know that he is an unlarnt [unlearned] man and his Common way of Signing his name to any Bond or Note is by Mark as it is now and was before January 7th 1845. Theophalias Skinner The State of Alabama Franklin County Be it Known that I Charls B. Matlock who is now a Citizen in the State and County mentioned above now near fifty years of age Do hereby Certify that I have been well acquainted with Robert Tharp senior this reputed Soldier of the Revolution both before and Since he Acknoledged and Signed a Declaration July 1842 in application for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 and during the whole of my acquaintance with him which is over Twenty five years, I now Say I never had any cause to Entertain any Doubts of they truth of any fact Set fort in his Declaration made out and Signed as above stated nor of any Other fact Stated by the said Robert Tharp when on Oath, and do firmly believe that he is Justly Entitled to the Bounty agreeable to the above Discribed act of June the 7th 1832 and that he is get a living in Franklin County Alabama. I also Know that he is an unlernt man that his Common Way of Signing his name to any Bond Note or other Instruments in Wrighting is by Mark as it is now and was before assigned to his application for a pension, I also
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believe that it is generally believed by they peopel in the Bounds of my Knoledge that he was a Soldier who Served in the war of the Revolution against they Common Enemy of the United States as Stated in his application for a pension January 7th 1845
Charles Brook Matlock
[seal]

The State of Alabama
Franklin County
Be it known that I George Hargett an acting Justice of the Peace now siting in and for Franklin County in the State of Alabama Do hereby Certify that I am the Identical Same George Hargett Esqr., who administered the Oath by which Robert Tharp Senior who States in his Declaration that he was a private soldier and Served in the army of the Revolution and was qualified to a Declaration made out in order to obtain a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 in July 1842
I George Hargitt Esqr. qualified Theophelios Skinner a Clergyman and Charles Brook Matlock both citizens of Franklin County and State of Alabam then and are now they being sworn as witnesses in Robert Tharps Senior case and it appears to me that both these men have assigned their names to the foregoing application made out for the purpose of presentation to General Government for a pension under the above Discribed act of June 7th 1832
January the 7th 1845
George W. Hargett J.P. 
[seal]
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The State of Alabama
Franklin County 
I William Cooper a resident citizen of said county and state being called on to say what I know of Robert Tharp senior, an applicant for a pension from the U.S. do say that said Tharp is an exceedingly old man + I think the oldest person I ever saw- I am satisfied from inspection he must have been able to do military service during the war of our independence say in 1776 - + that said Tharp has an unimpeachable character for truth + upright deportment in this county + he is respected + I think believed by all who know him to have been a soldier in the past + in service of the United States during the revolutionary war - I have no reasonable doubt of the truth of the declaration made by him to procure a pension I never heard his word questioned or his moral character impugned. I have lived in this county about 21 years say since the year A.D. 1824 (January) and am about forty two years old. 
Wm Cooper 
of Tuscumbia
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The State of Alabama
Franklin County
I William S. Jones Senior now in the forty ninth year of my age + a citizen of the County + State above written, do hereby certify that I have resided between five and seven miles of Mr. Robert Tharp Senior, for upwards of Twenty-five years, + have ever viewed him as an Honest, Honourable, + truthfull man, and am confident he is now of sufficient age to have been a Soldier in the Revolution, which he has frequently stated was the fact, + from my knowledge of the man, have not the least doubt of its truth. 
 Wm S Jones

Tuscumbia Franklin Cty
Alabama
I have been a resident of of the above County for a little over Twenty-Two years. I have known Robert Tharp personally for the principal part of the time and he has allways ben represented to be a man of truth and I have always considered him a man of truth and he is a person of Good  [illegible] and morral habit and he is a very old man and I think he is of sufficient age to be a Soldier of the Revolution which he States he has been I have not the least doubt of the statement he makes being true. 
A. S. Christian
Jany 13th, 1845
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The State of Alabama
Franklin County
I John Weatherford now in the forty fourth year of my age and a citizen of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that I have resided within a few miles of Mr. Robert Tharp Snr, say from seven to twelve miles for the most part of my time from January 1826 to the present time; and have stayed all night several nights with him. 
I am John Tharp a man about fifty five years of age which when Robert Tharp Sen. has now lived for the last eight or ten years and have viewed him as an honorable trouthful man and am confident he is now of sufficient age to have been a soldier in the revolution which he has frequently stated was the fact and from my knowledge of the man and his knowledge of the important events that took place during that struggle have not the least doubt of the truth of it, his being a man of no learning and could not ever by his knowledge by searching the history of the war. 
John Weatherford 
January 14, 1845
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The State of Alabama
Franklin County
Be it known that I Jacob Humble Do hereby certify that I have had personal knoledge of Robert Tharp Senior this reputed soldier of the Revolution for space of twenty years past + allways believed from a General opinion of the peopel of this County that Robert Tharp was a soldier of the Revolution knowing that he appeared to be of that age. 
Jacob Humble
January 8th 1845

The State of Alabama
Franklin County
Be it known that I William Suggs, now near sixty years of age a citizen of the State and County mentioned above do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Robert Tharp Senior for the space of Twenty-six years past, and always believed him to be a truthfull person in all Casses therefore I have no cause to doubt his being of the age he has stated in his application for a pension nor of his serving as a private soldier in the army of the Revolution never having herd that fact being disputed. January 8th 1845
Wm. Suggs [seal]
The State of Alabama 
Franklin County
Be it Known that I James M. Kirk now fifty one year of age and a citizen of the State and County mentioned above, do hereby certify that I have been quite intimately acquainted with Robert Tharp senior for the space of Twenty years past and during my acquaintance with him I found him to be a truthfull person therefore I cannot doubt his word in respect to his age nor of his service in the army of the Revolution because I have frequently conversed with Robert Tharp himself respecting they Service which he rendered in the army during the war of the Revolution and as such I believe that his service cannot be doubted. January 8th 1845 
Jas. M. Kirk
I also am personally acquainted with Robert Tharp for the last Twenty five years and all  concur with the Gentleman [illegible] in their statements. 
Jas. B Ligon
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The State of Alabama
Franklin County

Be it known that I John H. Freeman now near thirty one years of age a citizen in the state and County above mensioned do hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with Robert Tharp Senior for the space of Twenty years past and always found him to be a truthfull person therefore I have no cauze to Doubt his serving in the army of the Revolution it appearing to me that he is of the age Sufficient to have served by him in his Declaration January 8th 1845
John H. Freeman 
[Seal}

The State of Alabama 
Franklin County

Be it known that I Tempel Sargent now sixty years of age, Do hereby Cirtify that I have been quite intimately acquainted with Robert Tharp Senior for the space of Twenty Seven years past always understood by general report this Robert Tharp was a Revolutionary Soldier and it appears to me that he is of that age and never have herd any person say otherwise on my own part I firmly believe that Robert Tharp Senior did under Service in the army of the Revolution because I have frequently conversed with him on that Subject and I have allways found him to be a Truthfull person in other Casses Therefore I Cannot dout that fact. January 9th 1945
Tempel Sargent

I Enah H. McHall now fifty years of age a citizen of Franklin County Do certify that I have been personally acquainted with Robert Tharp Senior for the last Twenty Seven years and do fully concur with the above Statements as respect his claims as a Revolutionary Soldier.
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Most Wortey Friend The State of Alabama Franklin County September 5th, 1842 Sir, I have the grate pleasher to Say to you that I received yours of 25th of July Last which came to hand on 2nd of Sept and I have endeavored to prepare a second Declaration according to the part which appears to be out of form your Hon having Directed to the Case of Henry C. Jones the Judge of our Court and he failed to enform me of it, was the caus of this Delay, when your hon. sees proper to write me a Line on this Subject again Don't fail to Direct to John Tharp Russellville Alabama, I then will git your answer without delay. I have to State to your Hon. that the Hon Commissioner was intierly rong [entirely wrong] respecting the term of tim [time] for six years which he Objects to in my fathers petition for a pension your hon. will find in his second application that he duly Claims three years + six months the six months he served under Capt. Wm. F. Cole and Capt. Culpepper, then volunteered and served three years under general Dooley and Coln. Clark + parts of that term of three years he served against the British, as to his claiming six years it is not so the Hon Commissioner is entierly under a mistaken Idea as to that part of his Declaration, all the time which he claimed a pension for was three years + six months and if further proof is required for the three years I which to understand precisely what kind of proof he will ask of a soldier to give him the titel of an Indian Spie or if it requiers more or if it requiers personal proof to enabel him to Draw a pension as an Indian Spie. I hope the Hon. Commissioner will do me the kindness to memorise the proof it requiers to identify the part of my fathers Service which he tendered while under Dooley + Clark a Spieing for the hostile Enemy on the frontiers of the United States it will enable my father obtain in his Old age a Small Compensation for his Service in the Dayes of his youth your Hon. will pleas to do me the favour to hand these Lines to the Hon. Commissioner. I am very respectfully yours svt, John Tharp The Hon Winter W. Payne Representative in Congress
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The Hon. W. W. Payne
Sir, 
In Consequence of the entertaining Sum Doubts of your Hon. having left Washington Citty before the Claim of my father Robert Tharp would [illegible] the Citty I have order the papers to be admit to the Hone James L. Edwards Commissioner of pensions altho I hope your Hon will do me the favor to attend to the Commonation of the petision.  
I am with respect your Obd. Servt. 
John Tharp
by his agent Jacob Harder
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This Declaration for Robert Tharp is Drawn by a form Set for the Dec. no. 186 ordered by the 26th Congress first session. 

Declaration
In order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 
7th 1832
The State of Alabama
Franklin County
September the 5 1842
On this the 5 Day of Sept. 1842 personally appeared Robert Tharp a citizen of the said State + County before me George Hargett one of the acting justices of the peace of our County Court held at Russelville in Franklin County it being a court of record 
Note B., 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 7th 1832 that he is now near one hundred years of age. Note C., and is now a Citizen of the State and County above mentioned + has been for the last twenty five years past, and that I Robert Tharp did Serve in the arm of the Revolution angainst the Common Enemy of the United States of that time, and in the following manner, for the year 1776 I Robert Tharp engaged with Captain William Tempel Cole to Serve under [illegible] a private Soldier for three Months, Capt. Cole was at that time recruiting Soldiers to Serve in the army in every way he could git them to engage his recruits were kept at Saulsburg North Carolina when I Continued to Serve untill my term of three months Expired when Capt. Cole this regular officer paid me my Monthly wagers and Discharged me from service, then I Robert Tharp returned to my fathers house near a well known place Wilcoxes Iron Works on Deepe river North Carolina Some Short time after my return home to my fathers house the place when I first started from, I Substituted and Served a three months tower in the room of Daniel Metheney who
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was Drafted and ordered to Serve three months, I was called into Service by Capt. Culpepper and ordered to a Station kept in a Settlement known by the name of the pleasant gardens on the Cataba river in Burk County North Carolina where I continued in actual Service guarding the Indians off of that station, and while I was thus engaged in Service the Indians killed a citizen who lived near that Station and his name was William Battley six men were ordered out by Capt. Culpepper to bury this man. I Robert Tharp was one of the six, I then was Discharged by Capt. Culpepper and paid off my Monthly wagers at the Expiration of the three months time, I Robert Tharp then Left North Carolina and went to Georgia Where I this same Robert Tharp volunteered to Serve a Spieing against the hostill Indians under General Dooley and Coln. Clark these officers at that time seemed to have full power to Command all the forces on the frontiers of Georgia and by this order I was Stationed at Captain Robert McNabbs forte and rendered Services at Capt Kars forte these fortes were both on the Eastern frontier parts of the State of Georgia the Sebathen Officers whose names I perfectly recollect at present were David Phelphs Lieut. and William Lamonett Lieut. These officers was in actual Service with me both in winter and Summer the manner of way these soldiers were kept in service by order of General Dooley himself was as follows from six to twelve men were ordered out from each forte one time the Ballence kept Garrison, General Dooley was killed at his owne house by some unknown Enemy and after Genl. Dooleys Death Coln. Clark took full command ordered out a partey of Choice men to take a rought a Long on the Ocony River I Robert Tharp was one of the partey and while on that Expedition the British  Serendered up to the Americans the towne of Augustia and Short by after my return from my tower on the Ocony River General Clark ordered a partey of Choice men to a placed Called the white bluff in South Carolina below Augustia on Sevanna River
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Where I was kept for three months guarding the river to keep the British from passing up or down the said River the British forces was then in possession of Savanna town at that time and after my return to my station at Capt. McNabbs forte general Clark was called on for choice men out of his command to reenforce the American army who had Contemplated to besiege the British forte at Savanna town these men were to be chozen by the General himself and of this [illegible] I Robert Tharp was one of the number who was Marched to the main army by General Clark himself to the [illegible] and at our arivial at that place general Clarks men were put under the ammediate Command of French Officers in Defrent places of the army Separate from Each other when I Robert Tharp was put to hard Labour and kept at hard labour for nine weeks in Sucession in prepairing ways and means to blow up the Enemy forte and while I was so engaged at hard Labour a French Officer by the name of Lanuegallaspy  was Exercising his men on horse back and a ball was shot from the Enemis forte and killed this same officer, I was then in full view of the peraid, General Clarks men was Considered to be chozen volunteers for the Special purpose of completing that [illegible] then on hand, near three Days before the attact was made to [illegible] on the forte a counsel of war was held by the French and the American Officers and the French officers on their part agreed to March in front up to the Kings gate the attempt was mad but the french was mostly cut off which caused the retreat, General Morgan Commanded the regular troops on that day and was ordered to attact they Enemys forte at a Deferent quarters of the forte. Coln. Washington who Commanded a Regiment of horse men on that Day was kept an reserve party, General Wagon was engaged in the attact on they Enemys forces on that day, and in prepairing they the American army for they attact on that day I Robert Tharp with some hundreds of other Americans were ordered out on guard and placed around they French Magazene where I remained during the whole time of the battels.
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and after this Defeate I Robert Tharp returned to General Clarks Command at Capt Karrs forte and Capt. McNabbs forte and some time after my return to my Station a British office by the name of Hammelton with a party of Soldiers far Superior to the number in Capt. Karrs forte there being but nine in number on our part in Consequence there of we were all made prisoners of war and were taken on board of a watter Craft and Carried off to Saint Augusteen and there kept a prisoner of war so that I Robert Tharp never got back to my station untill final pease was made with old England, this being my unfortunate case near the end of my Revolutionary Strugel has finally diprived me from obtaing any part of my Monthly pay for the whole of my Services which I rendered as a private Soldier after my engagement made volinteerly with General Dooley and Clark, the term of time I was in actual Service under the above mentioned officers I am Shure is over three years as to my two Discharges given by Capt. Cole and Capt. Culpepper they are Lost long since I being entierly with out forming which has deprived me of keeping any record of anything whatever nor have I any knoledge of any person now Living by whom I can make proof of my services or any part thereof, and for the three years Service while under Dooley and Clark and for the six months I Served under Capt. Cole and Culpepper makeing in the whole three years and six months I now Claim a pension under the acts above Note D. and in consequence of the want of evidence and proper understanding how to procure a proper form by which I could enabel myself to make out a Declaration Suteable to present to the Hon department till the present I hereby Relinquish every Claim whatever to a pension or annuity Except what is contained in the present Declaration, and I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State whatever note E. Sworn to and Subscribed the Day and year aforesaid. 
Robert Tharp
his mark X
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Personally appeared before me an acting justice of the peace in and for said County. Robert Tharp who being duly Sworn deposeth and saith, that by reason of Old age, and the Consequent Loss of memory I cannot swear positively as to the precise month of any Service, but according to the best of my recollection I serviced not less then they period minsioned [mentioned] below and in the following grades George Hargett Robert Tharp his mark [seal] 

Date  in 1776  private 0 years 3 months 0 days  Officers  under Captain William T. Cole age
Date  in 1776  private 0 years 3 months 0 days  Officers  under Captain Culpepper under General Dooley and Colonel Clark
I Robert Tharpe further Testifies. that the will of my Service is which I rendered against they Common enemy of the United States. I think I was properly ordered out by Government after the first of january 1776, and before the 30th of November 1783. and that the reason why this application has been Delayed was for want of proper undersanding. how to proceed in making out a Declaration sootable [suitable] to present to the Hon. Department without personal proof of my actual service. untill the present form was brought in new by which I am governed as you. Hon. may receive this note.   George Hargett J. P. [seal]  Robert Tharp his mark [seal] 
The State of Alabama 
Franklin County September the 5th day 1842
We Theophilias Skinner a clergyman residing in the said County and Charles B. Matlock residing in the same do hereby certify that we are now and has been for the Last twenty four
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years now past well acquainted with Robert Tharpe, who has subscribed his name and sworn to the above Declaration in our presents and in his own proper person , which we have been knowing to his manner of life for the full time above mensioned nor have we any doubts of his being of the age set forth in his Declaration nor have we herd it doubted by any other persons to be otherwise, and that he is respected and believed in the neibourhood where he now resides to have been a soldier in the army of the Revolution as stated above and that his statements is general. Therefore we concur in that opinion Sept 4th Day 1849 Theophilias Skinner [seal] Charles B. Matlock [seal]   
The State of Alabama Franklin County } note ss  September the 5 Day 1842   I  George Hargett Do hereby delcare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories as prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and I further certified that it appears to me that the Theophilias Skinner who who has asigned the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in Franklin County and that Charles B. Matlock is a Credible person, and that their statements are entitled to full faith and credit, and I further certify that the applicant now present cannot from boddily infirmity attend the Court George Hargett J. P. [seal]  acting justice of the peace in and for Franklin County 
The State of Alabama Franklin County I do hereby certify that George Hargett is an acting Justice of the Peace as above and that the signature purporting (over)
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to be his is genuine.   In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 6th day of September 1842. Michael Dickson Clerk of Franklin County Court the State of Alabama    
Franklin County  I Henry C. Jones Judge of the County - Court of Franklin County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Michael Dickson whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was at the date of making the same, the lawfully elected and duly commissioned Clerk of said County Court Franklin, that his official signature is entitled to due respect & authority as such that his said station in due form of year Given under my hand seal this 7th day of September with Henry C. Jones Justice of the Peace [seal]  
No 35.368  
Robert Tharp
Alabama
Act of 7 June ‘32
Acctual paper
George Hargett
Revy Pension  W    
Houston
Rev Pen
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[Blank aside from a large black mark]
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Robert Tharp

Petition praying for a pension consideration of the services rendered by him during the revolutionary war.

Jan 28 1845 Referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
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10478

P.O. Robert Tharp
Service:

REJECTED

Enlisted: , 18
Discharged , 18
Application filed: , 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. 0.
Recognized.
Co
Cert. of Dis. Searched for
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Form VAN-51
12-3-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Tharp, Solomon
GRADE Private
LINE New Jersey
WARRANT NUMBER 8781
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED June 11, 1789 
To Jonathan Dayton, 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 resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subse-
quent 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 National Archives.