Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,737, Robert Hester, N.C.
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Service (typed) N.C. (written)  Hester, Robert  number (typed) S. 31.737
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12057 Georgia
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Robert Hester of Morgan in the State of Georgia who was a M: in the (empty line) commanded by Captain (empty line) of the Regt commanded by Little (empty line) in the N.Car line for 9 months-
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Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 30- Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
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Certificate of Pension (illegible) the 21 day of March 1833 and such to A.M. Porter. CNC Madison
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833    60
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  15
                                                          75-

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Nathane Rise Clerk Book E Col. 6 Page 92.
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Robert Hester Application for pension 17812
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act. of Congress of the June 1832.
State of Georgia Morgan County on this 5th day of November, Eighteen hundred and Thirty two personally appeared before the Honorable Court of Ordinary of said County Robert Hester a resident of the County and hath afore said signed Seventy years who bring forth daily sworn according to law that on his oath make the following dedication in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed June the 7th day 1832- That he entered the service in the month of December 1779 as a substitute for a man by the name of Lewis Bennet in the County of Greenville State of North Carolina marched to Charleston South Carolina and in the command of Captain Bennet Pullam. I. Lieutenant Abram Falern, Ensign Ephriam Wa(illegible) for when the company reached Charleston was placed under the command of General Lincoln and under the (illegible) (illegible) command of Col Litle_ Maj_ Oneal and was discharged in March 1780 making a service of three months second term of service substituted May 1780 for a man by the name of John Bowls in Greenville county State of North Carolina rendezvoused at Hillsboro North Carolina under the command of Colonel Stephen Moore, Maj Caden Parker, Captain Peter Bennet Lieutenant Samuel Crafton marched from twice and joined  General Gates army and was in the defeat of August 16th 1780 now wounded severely in the head and
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arm and was discharged after a service of three months 3rd term of service entered as a substitute for a man by the name of Joseph Hester in Greenville County State of North Carolina rendezvoused at Oxford Noth Carolina in the month of February 1781 under the command of Genl_  Butler Col Joseph Taylor. Maj Abraham Tatium Chester Lieutenant Hicks marched from then joined General Greene and was in the Battle of  Guilford Courthouse on the 28th of March 1781 after the battle marched down to Pambey Mill on deep river and was discharged at Wake Courthouse after a service of three months _ he honorably (illegible) (illegible) as all claim 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 inscribed the day and year aforesaid 
William Porter J.J.C
Ronald Leonard J.J.C.
(illegible) S. Stokes J.J.C.                       Robert Hester mark
if so by whom was it aforesaid and what has become (illegible) (illegible) been but has long since been lost or destroyed of a (illegble) the manners of person to whom you are known as your (illegible) and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the revolution
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Questions by the courts where and in what year where you born. Answer I was born in the county of Greenville State of North Carolina on the 20 November 1758
2nd question have you any record of your age and if so where is it Ans. I have none
3rd where were you living when called into service where have you lived (two words crossed out, illegible) since the revolutionary war and where do you now live Ans Greenville County State of North Caolina I have lived in the State of Georgia two times in different counties (illegible) Morgan County Georgia Question 4 how were you called into service; were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom  Answer I have answered this question in the foregoing application Question state time or the manner of (illegible) of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such as continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service Ans Col Little Maj Parker I have already stated the circumstances of my service in the foregoing application Question did you ever receive a discharge from the service and (illegible) I did receive a discharge for some of the time before detailed (illegible) (illegible) and he can testify as to your character for veracity (illegible) Anderson John W Parker Joseph Smith
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Georgia Morgan County personally appeared in open court John Oliver S(illegble) who after being duly sworn that he was in the service of the United States (three words crossed out illegible) with the applicant Robert Hester as detailed in the foregoing application at States defeat and at the Battle at Guilford Courthouse that he knew him and saw him in the service respectfully during those tours and that he  has no doubt that the applicant served as stated by him in the foregoing application for a pension- and that we resided near each other in the State of Greenville North Carolina Greenville County and knows he was frequently in the service other than the two tours of which this deponent has personal knowledge of this deponent further hath not sworn and  subscribed in (illegible crossed out) open court 5 Nov 1832 John W Butler C. CO John   Oliver 
Georgia Morgan County (illegible 4 words crossed out) We John W. Butler and Joseph Smith  .... residing in the County of Morgan herby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert Hester who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy four years of
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age; that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion (illegible 3 words crossed out) signed the day and year aforesaid John W Butler Joseph Smith
and the said court do herby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after (illegible) the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served in the states and the court further certifies that is appears to them that John W Butler who has signed the presiding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Morgan and that Joseph Smith who has signed the same is a resident in the County of Clark is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credits William Porter J.J.C Rodrick Leonard J.J.C William S  Stokes J.J.C
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I John W Porter clerk of the county of Ordinary Morgan County State of Georgia do herby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Robert Hester for a pension in testimony where as I have set my hand seal of office this 5th day of November 1832 John W Porter Clerk
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Robert Hester Georgia No. 17812 (illegible) for 9 months or (illegible) from 1779 by Bank by letter N.C. Militia $3000
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Brief in the case of Robert Hester of Morgan County in the State of Georgia 
(Act 7th June. 1832) 1. Was the declaration before a Court or a Judge? Court 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 70 years 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. Period. December in 1779 sub. Duration of Service. 3 months Rank. Private. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen Lincoln, Col Little, Major Oneal, Capt Barret Pullman Period May 1780 sub. Duration of Service 3 months Rank. Private. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Col Stephen Moore, Major Caden Parker, Capt Peter Bennett Period February 1781 sub. Duration of Service. 3 months Rank. Private. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served Gen Butler Col. (illegible) Taylor. 5. In what battles was he engaged? 16 August 1780- Guilford 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Greenville County No Carolina  7. Is his statement supported by living witness, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary  8. Are the papers defective as to form authentication? and if so, in what respect? Authentication Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. Examining Clerk
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June 8, 1929, Mrs. Annie T. Crewe 1616 Third Avenue  Bessemer, Alabama Madam: I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31737, it appears that Robert Hester was born November 20, 1758, in Greenville County, North Carolinas. While residing in said Greenville County, he enlisted and served with the North Carolina Troops as follows: From in December 1779, three months in Captain Barnet Pullman's Company, Colonel Little's Regiment, from in May 1780, three months in Captain Peter Bennet's Company, Colonel Stephen Moore's Regiment, was severely wounded in the head and arm at Gates Defeat, August 16, 1780; from in February, 1781, three months in Captain William Hester's Company, Colonel Joseph Taylor's Regiment, and was in the battle of Guilford Court House. He was allowed pension on the application executed Novemebr 5, 1832, at which time he was living in Morgan
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(illegible) Georgia There are no data as to family. Respectfully, Earl D. Church Commissioner.
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31737 File no. 31,737 Robert Hester Priv Rev War Act: June 7 32 Index: _ Vol. 2, Page 180 [Arrangement of 1870] 1929 June 8 Hish R. Mrs Annie
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Date stamp Washington D.C. Special Del. Jun  6 3 A.M. 1929
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(Front of envelope) After 5 Day, return to  Crowe School of Music, INC. 1616 Third Ave., Bessemer, Ala. 6/6-29 700 am Special Delivery J.C. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. (Date stamp) Bessemer June 4 4 P.M. Ala
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Brief objections to the administration of pension claims, of which these answers in the negative in red ink, will apply to the claim of Robert Hester which require further proof or explanation. I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. (illegible) the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war he served? V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his serve, 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made relinquishment of every claim to any other pension then the one under the Act June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? NO XII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? NO XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? EXPLANATORY NOTES. *QUERE V. 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.R. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and 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 pension.
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served and the particular rank he held, as 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 the 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 declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under the 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. Quere XIV. Proof of Service. 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 (illegible) 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 oath 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. QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper 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. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer 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.
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served and the particular rank he held, as 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 the 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 declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under the 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. Quere XIV. Proof of Service. 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 (illegible) 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 oath 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. QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper 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. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer 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.