Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 366, Benjamin Hickman, N.C.
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[form] (3-1776)
Service N.C.
Hickman, Benjamin 
Judith
Number W366

Contents
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26809
West Tennessee
Benjamin Hickman of White Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Craig of the Regt. commanded by Col. Davy in the N. Carolina line for 6 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of June 1834 and sent Hon J.B. Forrester House of Reps
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $60.00
Semi-ani. allowance ending 4 Sept " 10.00
70.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by D D Addison Clerk,
Book E. D. Vol. 7 Page 92
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6268
Nashville Tennessee
Judith Hickman widow of Benjamin Hickman who was a Private N.C. in the No. Co. line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Oct 1844 and sent to Richard Lannins Steviensville Tenn.
[Act of March 3, 1843.] + June 17, 1844.
Recorded in Book Vol. 2 Page 192

2 Certs

1838
1843 + 44 } rep
Let to Moore + Debrell Apr 1832
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18802
4948
Bejamin Hickman

Rejected
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BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Hickman
County of White in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge? a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 70
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed
Period.  Duration of Service
Volunteered In 1779 for 2 months
his 2nd tour was only 10 days
drafted latter part of 1780 for 3 months
Rank. Substituted for Joseph Hick
private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Col Davy
Capt (illegible) Craig } Cavalry of No. Carolina
Entrenched the West Bank of the Tadkin
Capt Anderson Allison
5. In what battles was he engaged? the United States cession the arrangement to pay 3 months for 2 in consequence of furloughing + equipping his own horse the service is not of sufficient duration to entitle hi, to a pension 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Rowan Coy. Nor. Carolina
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached

*Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned
Charles G Wilson Examining Clerk.
22nd Feb 1833
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Benja Hickman
18802
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State of Tennessee
White County  L.L.
On this 10 day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Worshipful, the justices of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for said County of White Benjamin Hickman a resident of White County and State of Tennessee aged about seventy years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress session June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United State under the following named officers and served as here stated.
After the defeat of General Gates near Campden and as this Declarant believes in the year 1779, he joined a Regiment of horse, received by Co. Davy + disquished attorney of law, either of the a Mecklenburg or Rowan County No. Carolina and this Declarant is not positivaly certain which- The Regiment was raised from the above named two Counties- This Declarant who was then very young, not exceeding seventeen years of age, went out in place of his father- as it was Customary at that time, he states to draft men for three months- But the troops were given to understand that if they would Volunteer themselves, properly equipped and become attached to Col. Davy's regiment of horse two months service in said Regiment would be received in lieu of three months under the drafting system the father of this Declarant had thus Volunteered and joined the said Regiment. About this time the domestic affairs of this Declarant's father required his attention at home - and he became a substitute in place of his father Joseph Hickman, notwithstanding the Regiment, might properly be turned a "volunteers" One -- Col. Davy's Regiment consisted of about five hundred men - and dispersed at "Fifer's mills" on the Charleston Road about twenty five miles from Salisbury- This Declarant belongs to a Company Comprised by Cpt James Craig. His Lieutenants name was Joseph Cunnigham +
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His ensign’s name was Hugh Cunningham. There was along with them, a Col Brisby (both underlined), who has a command subordinate to that of Col Davy (both underlined) - he was also acquainted with a Major Rutherford, who was along: but what actual command he held at the time alluded to, if any, this Declarant does not know. The troops belonging to Col Davy’s Regiment were in actual service at least two months. He thinks more. They were generally engaged in intercepting foraging parties of the enemy, and took a number of prisoners both British and Tories. He was not in any engagement that could be denominated a “battle” (underlined). These two months he believes were September and October of the year 1779 - The troops received no written discharge according to his recollection. His second tour was only for ten days (underlined) - He was engaged in entrenching (underlined) on the West Bank of the Madkin-River-this was a precautionary measure, in expectation of an attack from the Tories.
His third tour was for three months. He was drafted in the county of Rowan, in the Company Commanded by Capt. Andrew Ellison or Allison - this he thinks must have been in the latter part of the year 1780, but it is impossible for him to say with certainty - He cannot recollect the name of his Col, the troops marched to Fayetteville 0 The British he thinks then had possession of Wilmington and also Newbern (underlined)-At Fayetteville the troops not having much to do, remained but a short time - a portion of them, he cannot say how many, were ordered back to Salisbury, (underlined), and this Declarant (underlined) and he thinks the most of Captain Allison’s Company, were there set to work (underlined)in the armory.  There he served out his three months, most of his time being occupied in making cartridges. He was not on this occasion discharged in writing, but was (not legible) or as it is called, “mustered out of service.” He knows of no living witness by whom he can prove the foregoing facts nearer than Logan County Kentucky-and he is not able to go there. He has neither the bodily strength, nor the means of going - He has no documentary evidence.
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By which he can establish the same- He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or amnesty (not clear) the present and declares his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state-
Answers to the interrogatorries prescribed by the War Department 
1st answer He was born on the 13th day of September 1762, in Cecil County, Maryland.
2. His age recorded in an old family Bible which belonged to his father,  and which he presumes is now with his brother, John Hickman (underlined) in the State of Kentucky Logan County, about eight miles from Russellville-
3. When called into service he lived Rowan County North Carolina, in about six miles of Salisbury. (Underlined) Since the Revolution and which he was yet single, he went to Wilkes County Georgia, where he got married and resided. 
4. He has already state the manner in which he was called into service. 1st he was substituted for his father and after that he was drafted.
5. He knew Capt. Langham a regular officer from Virginia. Captains Yarbrough and Gamble. His acquaintance however was but limited - He cannot give a further account than he has already given of “the General Circumstances of his service”
6.  He has no recollection of ever having received a discharge being on each occasion dismissed, or mustered out of service as way common with the militia.
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7th - He states the names of the following persons to whom he is known in this present neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a solider of the Revolution - Viz John McGee - George Long, Solomon Yeager - Larkin Wisdom & Revd Corder Stone. 

He knows of no living witness by whom he can prove the foregoing facts - he has no documentary evidence - he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except this present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state [unintelligible] to and who [unintelligible].

in open court 10 Oct. 1832
John Jeffison Clk
                         by [unintelligible].

We Corder Stone a clergyman residing in White County and John McGee residing in the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Hickman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is reputed and believes in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a solider of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion, never having heard it doubted or disputed - Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
                                                       Cordon Stone
Sworn to and subscribe in 
in open Court 10 Oct 1832
[unintelligible] Jacob [unintelligible] Clk by N. Olokan D.C.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Corder Stone who has signed the preceding certification is a clergyman resident in the County of White and that John McGee who has also signed the same is a resident in said county and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
                                                   John Jett Head
                                 Elijiah [unintelligible] Sear
                                              Henry Burke Sear
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State of Tennessee
White County
(Vertical squiggle lines)

I Jacob A. Lane clerk of the court of Pleas and Pensions in and for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contained the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Hickman for a pension.
In testimony which I have here unto I have set my hand and affixed unto the seal of said court an office the 27th day of October A.D. 1832 and Independence of the United States the fifty seventh
Test N. Oldham Db of Jacob A Lane Clerk White County Court
Seal was along the last paragraph round with decorative edges but the middle has faded off.
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State of Tennessee
County of White } Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified to administer on this formally affirmd Jesse E Hickman a resident  in said county aged forty six years who being first duly sworn according to law makes the follow declaration to the heirs of Benjamin & his widow Judith Hickman under the acts of congress passed 7th June 1832, 4th July 1836, 7th July 1838

This declarant states that he is the lawfull child of Benjamin & Judith Hickman Late of said county and that his said parents were (each of them) Pensionees of the United States at the rate of Twenty Dollars per annum; that the said Benjamin Hickman Died on the fifth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight (1838) leaving a wife named Judith Hickman who did not intermarry after the death of her said husband but died on the twenty sixth of Nov. in the year eighteen hundred and forty six (1846) being the widow of the said Benjamin Hickman that the said Benjamin and Judith Hickman
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died leaving five children now surviving them whose names are Stephen William Anna Johny & affiant are all that is now living.[unintelligible] Hickman 
before me on this 
14th day of November 1854
Wm Clayton 
Justice of the Peace
I certify from my personal acquaintance with the above named affiant that he is the identical person he represents himself to be and that he is a person of respectability in whose statements full confidence may be placed given under my hand and  seal this the 17th day of November 1854
                                           Wm Clayton (seal)
                                           Justice of the Peace
Know all men by these presents that I Jesse E Hickman of the county of White and State of Tennessee hereby constitute and appoint Moore and Dirkwell of Said county & state my True and Lawfull attorney for me and in my name to prosecute my claim against the United States for a Pension and the heirs of Benjamin Hickman and Judith Hickman I hereby authorise my said attorneys to ask for and demand from the proper officers of the government
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of the united States a certificate for the 
amount that may be found due the heirs
aforesaid or to receive the amount of money
due the heirs & to give receipts or other
acquittances; hereby notifying and confing
whatever my said attorney may lawfully
do in and about the premises given under
my hand and Seal this 17th day of November
1851 (tst)  Jese E Hickman (Seal)
Joseph Brown
M. S. Gibbons

I William Clayton a Justice of the Peace for 
White County hereby certify that Jesse E
Hickman came before me this day and 
acknowledge the due execution of the 
above power of Attorny for the purposes
therein contained given under my hand 
and seal this the 17th Nov 1851
Wm Clayton (seal)
Justice of the Peace
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State of Tennessee
White County

I George G Dibrell Clerk of the County Court of said County holden at Sparta in and for said county
on the first day of December 1851 do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that Judith Hickman was a pensioner of the Married State at the rate of twenty dollars per annum was a resident of the County of White and State of Tennessee and died in the county of White and State of Tennessee in the year 1846 on the 26th day of November that she left Jesse E Hickman, Stephen Hickman, William, Anna and Jabez Hickman as her only surviving children, and that William W Moore is the administrator upon her estate. 

I further certify that William Clayton Esq. whose genuine signature appear to the widow affidavit  is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid. Duly commissioned and qualified that all of his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at office in Sparta the 2nd day of December AD 1851.
G.G. Dibrell Clerk
of White County Court
(sideways)
Jesse E Hickman
son of Judith Hickman
Application for Pension
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of (illegible) of the 9th July 1838, entitled (illegible) act granting half pay and pension to certain widows.

(illegible) 
White County On this twenty eighth day of May Eighteen hundred and forty four personally appeared before the Subscriber on acting Justice of the Peace for said county, Judith Hickman a resident of the county and (illegible) aforesaid, aged about Eighty one years, who being first duly sword according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of (illegible)  passed July 7th 1838, entitled an Act (illegible) half pay and pension to certain widows; that she is the widow of Benjamin Hickman, who was a private soldier in the war of the Revolution, and that she does not no recollect the services perform in the army by the said Benjamin Hickman, but that he was some time in the year 1833 placed on the pension but at the War office of the United States upon his own declaration and accompanying evidence, which declaration and evidence are now in the said office and to which the Department respectfully referred. The further declares, that at the time h rendered the service in the army his residence was in Row Ann County, North Carolina, and that when he obtained the pension as above stated, he resided in White County (illegible), the amount of which was twenty dollars per annum, granted (illegible) the Act of 7th June 1832.  The further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Hickman, in Wilks County State of Georgia on the 3rd day of May 1787, and that she knows of no person now living by whom she can prove their marriage, and that she knows of no record by which to prove her marriage, except her family record containing the ages of her children and she further declares that she said Benjamin Hickman died on the fifth day of May Eighteen hundred and thirty eight, and that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place prior to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, (illegible) at the time above stated, and that
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she still remaining his widow Judith Hickman
Sworn to and subscribed before Solomon Yeager an acting Justice of the Peace for said county, on the 28th day of May 1844, and further certify that the said Judith Hickman is from bodily infirmity unable to attend court, and also that her family record attached to Mrs. Hickman's declaration was in her possession, and I believe it to be a true record of the birth of the children born to Benjamin Hickman and Judith Hickman. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of May 1844.

Solomon Yeager
Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee
White County
Personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace for said county John W. Dearning and made oath according to law, that she has been acquainted with Benjamin Hickman and Judith Hickman for the space of fifty years or upwards and that they have lived together as husband and wife from that time until his death, and that she has not been married since of the aforesaid Benjamin Hickman.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of May 1844,
Solomon Yeager
Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee
White County 
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the said county Solomon Yeager (illegible) and made oath according to law that he has been acquainted with John Dearing for several years, (whose name appears to the above certificate) and believe him to be a respectable citizen of the aforesaid county, and that he is also acquainted with Judith Hickman, whose name appears to the foregoing declaration, and that he believe her to be eighty one years of age and that she is reputed and believed, in this neighborhood where she resides to  have been the wife and companion of Benjamin Hickman, who
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died on the fifth day of May Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of May 1844
Solomon Yeager
Justice of the Peace
(signed) Solomon Yeager Tenn
State of Tennessee
White County ⎬
Solomon Yeager acting Justice of the Peace
in and for said County, do certify that I have been
acquainted with Solomon Yeager Sr the subscribing witness, whose name
appears to the above certificate and believe him to be a respectable citizen
of said County-
Witness my hand this 29th day of May 1884.
Solomon Yeager
Justice of the Peace
State of Tennessee
White County ⎬ Personally appeared before me this 29th day of May
1844, and made oath according to law, that the family record has been
kept in the possession of Judith Hickman and myself, and believe the
first page of said record containing the date of the births of the children
to be in the handwriting of Benjamin Hickman Dec. named in
the foregoing declaration-- the other page is in my own handwriting.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of May 1844
Solomon Yeager
Justice of the Peace
Jesse Hickman

State of Tennessee
White County
June Term 1844 County Court. ss. The Declaration
of Judith Hickman certified on the 28th and 29th
days of May 1844 by Solomon Yeager a Justice of the Peace for said
County, being submitted to the Court the said Court doth approve his
proceedings and acts in said case, and hereby
direct the Clerk to enclose the approval on the papers-
William Glenn Chairman
Richard Bradley J.P.
R. H. McManus J.P.
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State of Tennessee
White County ⎬

I William Little Clerk of the County Court
of White County do hereby certify that the foregoing proceedings are the original
proceedings had and approved of by the County Court of White County at its 
June Term 1844. relative to the Declaration of Judith Hickman to obtain the
benefit of acts of Congress relative to Revolutionary pensions. and I further
certify that the aforesaid Solomon Yeager, is and was a Justice of the Peace for said County
duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that the signature pertaining
to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed my seal of Office at office in Sparta this 3d day of June
1844.
Test William Little Clerk
of White County Court
(Seal of White County affixed)

White County
⎬
I William Glenn Chairman of the County Court of
the County of White do certify that William Little whose name appears
to the foregoing certificate is and was at the time it bears date Clerk of
the County Court of White County duly elected and Commissioned according ┃ to
law and due credit should be given to his official acts as such
Given under my hand and seal this 3rd day of June 1844
I William
William Glenn ℗
Chairman of
White County Court

Richard Lanning Attorney
Severville
Tennessee
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[handwritten]
Names & Ages
Stephen Hickman Son of Benjamin H
Judith Hickman was born January the 23 1788
Sarah Hickman was born May the 27th 1790
William Hickman was born January the 21st 1792
Anna Hickman was born February the 9th 1794
Abigail Hickman was born December the 27th 1795
Died October 12th 1824
Jabez Hickman was born April the 10th 1798
Died September 1st 1829
Kezia Hickman was born January the 22nd 1802
Jesse Everitt Hickman October the 22nd 1805
[/handwritten]
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Apocrypha
Before
CHRIST
Cir. 161.

CHAP. XV.
[1st column]
34 So every man praised toward the heaven the
glorious Lord, saying, Blessed be he that hath kept his own place undefiled.
35 He hanged also Nicanor's head upon the tower,
an evident and manifest sign unto all of the help of
the Lord.
36 And they ordained all with a common decree,
in no case to let that day pass without solemnity, but
to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month,
which in the Syrian tongue is called Adar, the day
before Mardocheus' day,

[2nd column]
37 Thus went it with Nicanor: and from that time forth the Hebrews had the city in their power.
And here will I make amend.
38 And if I have done well, and as is fitting the
story, it is that which I desired; but if slenderly and meanly, it is that which I could attain unto.
39 For as it is hurtful to drink wine or water
alone, and as wine mingled with water is pleasant,
and delighteth the taste; even so, speech finely framed
delighteth the ears of them that read the story
And here shall be an end.

The end of the APOCRYPHA

Benjamin Hickman was born September 13, 1762 and died May 5, 1838
Judith Hickman was born May 1763
Abigale McGhee died October 12, 1824
Keziah McGhee died September 1, 1829
Sarah Portal died March 30, 1833
Page 22

July 25, 1933

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/HEL
Benjamin Hickman-W.366

Mrs. W. M. Johnson
Sparta
Tennessee

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Benjamin Hickman, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.366, based upon the military
service of Benjamin Hickman in that war.

Benjamin Hickman, the son of Joseph, was born September 13, 1752 [Illegible],
in Cecil County, Maryland.

While residing in Rowan County, North Carolina, within about six miles of Salisbury, he volunteered in September, 1780, served
as a substitute for his father for three months as a private in Captain James Craig's Company, Colonel Davie's North Carolina Regiment
of Herse; he served a second tour of ten days, dates and officers' names not given, and was engaged in throwing up entrenchments on the
west bank of the Yadkin River, he again enlisted shortly after the battle of Guilford, and served three months as a private in Captain
Andrew Allison's North Carolina Company and was out against the Tories.

After the Revolution, he moved to Wilkes County, Georgia, where he resided for two years, then moved to Pendleton District, South Carolina and lived about sixteen years; thence to White County, Tennessee, in which county he died on May 5, 1833.

The soldier married May 3, 1787, in Wilkes County, Georgia. Judith, her maiden name not given. She was born in May, 1762, place not stated.
Page 23

Benjamin Hickman's widow, Judith, was allowed pension on her application executed May 18, 1844, while residing in  White County, Tennessee.

She died November 26, 1846, in White County, Tennessee.

The names of the following children appear in the papers in the pension claims

Stephen born January 23, 1788.
Sarah " May 27, 1790.
William " January 21, 1792.
Anna " February 9, 1794.
Abigail " December 27, 1795.
Jabez " April 10, 1798.
Kesia " January 22, 1802.
Jesse Everitt " October 22, 1805.

The following also appears:

Abigal McGhee died October 12, 1824.
Kesia McGhee " September 1, 1829.
Sarah "pertal" " March 20, 1833.

The following children survived their mother: Stephen Hickman, William Hickman, Anna Hickman, Jabez Hickman and Jesse E. Hickman: the latter was a resident of White County, Tennessee, in 1851.

In 1832, the soldier's brother, Robert ("Robert" circled and John handwritten under it) Hickman, was living in
Logan County, Kentucky, within eight miles  of Russellville.

There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 24

Judith Hickman
widow of Benjamin
Hickman
$20 per an
Acts '38 }
'43 &      } No "43  6568
'44         }       " 44  172

to commence 5 May
1838 under
act '38
Married 3 May 1787
husband died 5 May
'38

Richard Lanning
Sevierville C.H.
Tenn.
Page 25

8798
Tennessee
=
Judith Hickman
widow of Benjamin Hickman
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 5 May 1838
of White in the State of Tenn
who was a Pri
in the Comp
commanded by Captain Craig
of the
Reg. commanded by Col Davy in
the N C
line for 6 mos.

Inscribed on the Roll of Nashville
at the rate of 20 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the
5 May 1838
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of
October 1844 and sent 
to Richard Lanning, Sevierville, Tenn
Total amount $
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by F. L. Swann Clerk,
Book D Vol A Page 347
Page 26

To what time was Benjamin Hickman, of _____ Tennessee
act '32, last paid?
J. L. Edwards
Oct. 17. 1844
pd to 4 March 1838
LH
Page 27

Benjamin Hickman
Tennessee
Act of June 1832
Rejected
See letter
of Hon. J.C. Isaacs
February 25th 1833
((Illegible). p 3575, of
Francis Williams)
Page 28

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1878
Rejected
[handwritten]4948[/handwritten]
P.O.
[handwritten]Benjamin Hickman[/handwritten]
Service:__
Enlisted:__, 18
Discharged:__, 18
Application filed:__, 18
Page 29

Rev & 1812

Postmark:
SPARTA TENN
JUL 1_
1933

Stamp:
RECEIVED
JUL 20 1933
MAIL SUB. DIV.
VETS. ADM.
PENSION #2

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

Director of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 30

Sparta Tenn
July 1833

Gentlemen:
Do you have
record of Benjamin
Hickman born in Maryland
Sept 13, 1762 - 
died White Co Tenn
May 5 - 1838 - receiving
pension? or his
wife (Judith)
born Bedford Co Va
May 15 - 1763. died
White Co Tenn. Nov
26 - 1864
Yours (illegible)
Mrs. W. M. Johnson
Page 31

1933 - July 25, Hist to
Mrs. W. M. Johnson 
EEL

366
WIDOW, &c.
Revy
File No. 366
Judith Hickman ┃
Widow ┃
Benjaman Hickman
Priv N.C.L. Rev. War
Act: March 3, 1843, & June
17, 1844
Index: -- Vol. A
Page 333
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 32

State of Tennessee May Term of the Circuit
White County
Court for said County 1834.
On this 19th day of May 1834 personally appeared in
Open Court before the Honorable Abraham Caruthers, Judge
of the third Judicial Circuit, now sitting in the said County of White,
Benjamin Hickman
a resident of said County, aged seventy
two years if he lives to the 13th day of September next, 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 7, 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1st As well as he can recollect, it was in the year 1780 that he entered the service
in the month of September. In this he may not be precisely accurate, but he
states, that he has a distinct recollection, that it was after Gates defeat 
at Camden
He then lived in Rowan County North Carolina.
He volunteered as a private Soldier for three months. His
Captain was James Craig - his Lieutenant was Joseph Cunningham. His ensign was Hugh Cunningham. The Regiment
to which he belonged was commanded by Col. Davy. The troops
Rendezvoused at "Fifer's mill" which he believes was in Rowan County,
but near the Mecklenburg line. From there, they marched to Mecklenburg Courthouse, where they only remained a short time, and
went into what was called "the Waxaw Settlement," in
which place, or near it, they remained, reconnoitering the
British, and occasionally taking some prisoners, until the
period expired for which he volunteered. He was not in any
battle but aided in taking a number of prisoners, at different
times during the campaign. He received no written discharge, but
were drawn up and dismissed. After which they returned
home. Although he was not in any battle, he states that his
services were laborious, and that he was exposed to much fatigue
and many dangers.
2 His next engagement or services was also for three months also.
Page 33

He cannot give the precise date of this engagement, but thinks it was shortly after the Battle of Guilford. He was also, on this occasion a private soldier. He was drafted under Captain Andrew Allison of Rowan County North Carolina. He does not remember the names of his other officers. This campaign, the troops to which he was attached rendezvoused at Salisbury N.C. The object of raising these troops was to protect the Country as for as practicable from the depredations of the tories. From Salisbury, they traversed the Country along Deep - River and went to a place called "Cross Creek" near Fayetteville where they encamped but a few days; their principal active service in pursuit of a body of Tories under Col Fannon, a tory, who had once lived in Salisbury. He was not in any battle or engagement. But assisted in taking a number of the tories as prisoners. They returned to Salisbury, where they assisted with the labors in the armory. He received no written discharge but was "dismissed", as formerly. Thus his services terminated his services, except a period of ten days, in which he was engaged at work at an entrenchment at what was called "the trading ford of the Yadkin": for this ten days, he presumes he cannot claim, and therefore only asks a pension for six months, being the period of his actual service. He knows of no living witness by whom he can prove his services: He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. 
Answers to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, and propounded by the Court. 
1st -He was born in Cecil County Maryland, on the 13. Sept 1762. 
2 He has no record of his age in his possession: it is however recorded in the family Bible which he presumes is still in the possession of his Brother John Hickman of Logan County Kentucky. 
3 when called into service, he lived in Rowan County North Carolina: from there he went to Wilkes County Georgia. from there he removed to Pendleton District South Carolina - from there he removed to the County of White, and State of Tennessee, where he now resides and has resided for the last seventeen years.
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4. His first engagement, was as a volunteer. His second engagement
he was drafted.
5- of the officers of the Regular army, he remembers Major Lewis
Capt Gordon - Capt Langham & Capt Gamble- these
Officers were stationed at Salisbury. He does not know any
thing specific, about their respective Regiment, nor can
he improve upon the statement he has already made, relative to "the General Circumstances of his service".
6. He never received a written discharge.
7. He states the names of the following persons to whom he is known 
in his present neighborhood, and who can testify as to his character
for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the 
Revolution. Viz: Rev Andrew McBride, John McGee, George
Long, Reuben Wilhite, William Wisdom John W. Deering Esq. and
Solomon Yeager Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 19 day of May 1824
Benjamin Hickman
Anthony Debrell Clerk
-
Andrew McBride, a clergyman residing in the County
of White and State of Tennessee, and John McGee
residing in
the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin
Hickman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be near seventy two 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 to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Anthony Debrell Clerk
An McBride
John McGee
And the Judge of the said Court hereby declares his 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. He further certifies, that it appears to him, that
Andrew McBride
who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the County of White and
State of Tennessee, and that John Mcgee
who
has also signed the same is a resident of said County and State,
and is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit
Ab. Caruthers
Judge
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I Anthony Dibrill Clerk of the Circuit Court for White County
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Hickman for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal of
Office this 19th day of May 1834
Anthony Dibrill Clerk

[sideways]
18.802
Benjamin Hickman's Declaration
For a Pension
1780 [illegible] 6~
$20
Hon J. B. Forrester
Page 36

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Benjamin Hickman which require
further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned 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? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
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? Yes
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2

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?      Yes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII.   If the applicant has 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?      Yes.

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?
Page 38

Page 3

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 they served two years in the militia, for example, 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. 

Quere 14. 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 claimants 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.

Quere 16  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 not 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.