Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4037, for Andrew Ramsey, North Carolina
Page 1

Service N.C.
Ramsey, Andrew
Number S.4037
Born in Penn
carded
Page 2

(Left Page)
12.383
North Carolina
Andrew Ramsay
of Iredell in the State of 
who was a [illegible] in the -- commanded
by Captain __ of the Regt commanded
by Col: Buford in the N.C-
line for 7 mo: [illegible] days-

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina 
at the rate of 27- Dollars 77- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Apl. 33
and sent to Theophilus 
Falls- Statesville. N. Car

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  55.54
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept- 13.88
$69.42.

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nathaniel Rice Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 6 Page 53,

(Right Page)
Order to pay 20 Sep 1841.
[illegible] 
Letter to Pension Of. 22 Aug 1845
Page 3

State of North Carolina}
Iredell County}
On this 24th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court  (struck through) Andrew Ramsay, before the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions now sitting Andrew Ramsey a resident of the County of Iredell and state of North Carolina aged 77 years who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passes June 7th 1832- That he entered the service of the United States under the following officers and served as herein stated- 1st He served in a tour to South Carolina; was under Capt Falls commanded by Gen McDowell [illegible] James Rutherford and Major Sharpe - crossed Santee - passed down by Eutaw Springs [illegible] and was within 18 miles of Georgetown- they heard of the surrender of Charlestown and began to retreat- next with Col Bluford and Gen Caswell? who were also on the retreat- continued with Caswell and passed on toward Fayetteville in No Carolina and by Guilford to Phifers in [illegible] and then home in Iredell then Rowan- this service began in April 1780 and [illegible] in June following making 3 months, for which term he had volunteered - after a very short stay at home and few days
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after the Battle of Ramseur he toured as a scout and a guard on and about Catawba River in Iredell and Lincoln and tho not constantly under regular command yet was considered by himself and the officers then as in service and continued therein for 3 months, the was then a volunteer as before - He was next in a horse company under Capt Dickson and Lieutenant Ramsey his brother when Cornwallis was in Charlotte
was called a Ranger and was employed in watching the motion of the British - was out as a volunteer and served a week or more - was next out under Captain Ramsey and Gen Wm Davidson - was at Cowans ford on Catawba when a party of the British army crossed and when in the action which took place Gen Davidson was killed - was a volunteer an out upwards of a week in Feb 1781
Next served under Capt. Penny and Col Pickens as he thinks - marched towards Fayetteville and Little River - they maneuvered through that section to keep down the tories who were numerous and threatening - he made out a tour of 3 months * he [illegible] at the close of the term a discharge from Capt. Penny which is lost - and this is the only discharge he ever received - began a few days after the battle at Cowans Ford and continued till a few day before Guilford Battle
*six weeks service [illegible] was made by Proclamation of Gen. Rutherford equal to a tour of 3 months in the foot
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he was born in Charles Co Pennsylvanian in 1755 of which he has a record - moved to the place where he then as now lives in 1766 - that he is well known to Wm Falls who is his neighbor and also to Galbrath Neil a neighbor, has no documentary proof of [illegible] service and known of no further evidence than the [illegible] to recollect it
(struck through words) He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above
A Simontor Clerk 
Andrew Ramsey

We William Falls, and Gilbrath Neil residing in Iredell County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Andrew Ramsey who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 77 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion
Subscribed and sworn to the date aforesaid
Wm Falls
Galbrath Neil
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and the said William Falls further states that he was out in part with Andrew Ramsey in the expedition to Little River herein mentioned and thinks his statement of service then is true - 
Sworn to and subscribed the date above Wm Falls

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and putting the questions presented by the War department; that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William Falls and Gilbrath Neil who signed the above certificate are resident in the County of Iredell; are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit - 
J Campbell [illegible]...

I Absalom Simontor Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Andrew Ramsey for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 24th day of August 1832
A Simontor Clk
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Andrew Ramsay
N.C.
No. 9553-

[illegible] private Car 7mo 26 7.77
"" [illegible] 6 20.00
$27.77

Theophilus Falls
Statesville 
N.C.
Page 8

War Department, 
Pension Office,
183

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

A Statement, shewing the Service of Andrew Ramsay
(Line 1)
Period when the service was rendered. April 1780
Duration of the claimant's service
Years. __
Months. 3
Days. __
Rank of the claimant. Pri.
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Cap. Falls
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Genl McDowell
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. __
Country through which he marched. __
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. 77 years Rowan Co. N.C.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. __

(Line 2)
Period when the service was rendered. ""
Duration of the claimant's service
Years. __
Months. 3
Days. __
Rank of the claimant. ""
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. __
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Maj. Jas. Rutherford
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. __
Country through which he marched. __
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. ""
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. __

(Line 3)
Period when the service was rendered. ""
Duration of the claimant's service
Years. 1 week or more
Months. ""
Days. 7
Rank of the claimant. Horse company
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt. Dickson
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col. Bluford Maj. Caswell
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. __
Country through which he marched. __
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. ""
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary Witness

(Line 4)
Period when the service was rendered. 
Duration of the claimant's service
Years. upwards of 1 week
Months. 1
Days. 12
Rank of the claimant. __
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt. Ramsay
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Genl Davidson
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Cowans Ford.
Country through which he marched. __
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. ""
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. __

(Line 5)
Period when the service was rendered. 1781
Duration of the claimant's service
Years. __
Months. 1
Days. 26 
Rank of the claimant. Cap?
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt. Penny
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col. Pickens
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. __
Country through which he marched. __
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. ""
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. __

(Line 6) 
Duration of the claimant's service
Years. __
Months. 6
Days. __
Rank of the claimant. [illegible] 

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
J.L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
Regulations Under the Act of June 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops" "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers
3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 
4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 

Declaration, 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 
State, Territory, or District of} ss.
County of __}
On this __ day of __ personally appeared (a) before __ A.B. a resident (b) of __ in the county of __ and State, Territory or District of __ aged (c) __ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) __ , with __ and served in the __ (e) regiment of the __ line, under the following named officers: 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of __
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. __ A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I __ of the Court of __ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of __ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this __ day of __ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the __ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with __ , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be __ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. __ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the __ and that C.D. who has also signed the same is a resident in the __ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, __ Clerk of the Court of __ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of __ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this __ day of __ &c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the service of each person
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3 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can  be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. {To a Soldier.{ Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.{ Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. 
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
{[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; by, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: - For -- year -- months, and -- days, I served as a --. For -- months and -- days, I served as a --; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.}
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 
Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
Proof of Service. 
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by [illegible] [j] applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department with the declaration.
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Pension on file in this Bureau- Andrew Ramsey [illegible] 4037
S. 4037
(Line 1)
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. Apr 1780
Length of Service. 3 mos. 
Rank. Pvt.
Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered.
Captain. Falls
Colonel. __
State. N.C.

(Line 2)
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. [struck through words]
Length of Service. 3 mos. 
Rank. [illegible] 
Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered.
Captain. --
Colonel. __
State. __

(Line 3)
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. __
Length of Service. 1 week
Rank. Pvt
Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered. 
Captain. Dickson
Colonel. __
State. __

(Line 4)
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. Feby 1781
Length of Service. 1 week
Rank. ""
Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered.
Captain. Ramsey
Colonel. __
State. __

(Line 5)
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. __
Length of Service. 3 mos.
Rank. ""
Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered.
Captain. Penny
Colonel. Pickens
State. __

Battles engaged in, Cowans Ford
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Iredell then Rowan Co. N.C.
Date of application for pension, Aug 24, 1832 His claim [illegible] 
Residence at date of application, [illegible] N.C.
Age at date of application, Born in Chester Co Pa in 1755
Remarks: __
Page 12

Rev War
4037
Invalid.

File No. 4037
Andrew Ramsey
Pri Inf + Cavy

Act: June 7, 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 308

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

1907 Nov 18 Hist to James H. Ramsay V.L.W.
Page 14

[illegible handwriting along left side]
Salisbury Post Office.

Office of the Postmaster.

Salisbury, Rowan County, N.C. Nov 11 1907

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sir: 
I respectfully ask for the military record of Andrew Ramsay a soldier of the Revolutionary war from Rowan Co NC. After the war he drew a pension Andrew Ramsay was a brother of my great grand father and I want this information for family history
Very Respectfully
James H Ramsay

(Stamp)
Pension Office
A
U.S.
Nov 12 1907
Page 15

(Stamp)
Record Division
Nov 14 1907
Page 16

Aug 18 '45
20

James S. Edwards Esquire.
Mr Eualy Commissioner of Pensions
Washington.
Page 17

Pension Office
Fayetteville. August 11 1845.

James S. Edwards Esqr. 
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir-
I [illegible] the papers of Andrew Ramsay a deceased Pensioner as in request to payment of which [illegible] 
Very respectfully
[illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible]
Page 18

Pension Office
Fayetteville Sept 24 1841-

James S Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pension
Sir-