Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10623, for Ishmael Titus, North Carolina
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SERVICE
 N. C.

Titus, Ishmael

NUMBER 
R. 10623
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Ishmael Titus
Declaration -
Williamstown Ms
Oct 10 1832

15189

Hon. 
G N Briggs
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Commonweath of Massachusetts.
__________
County of Berkshire, ss.
ON this tenth day of October A.D 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting.

Ishmael Vitus a resident of the town of Williamstown in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged 89 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 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.

[the following is handwritten]
That he entered the service of the United States under General Greene of Colonel Samuel Isaacs. Field Officers & Capt. John Beverly Company Officer. He cannot state nor does he recollect the day month or year he entered the service. He entered the service in the Atkin River in the County of Roan & State of North Carolina. He was in an engagement at Guilford under the Samuell Isaacs and Capt. John Beverly in this engagement Col. Isaacs was taken and carried to Augustine by the British in one other engagement at Deep river under Col. Absolum Cleaveland. in one other engagement at Kings mountain under Col. Cleaveland. He fought at Guilford, Kings mountain & at Deep river as stated above. He marched through the state of North Carolina. He was a substitute for Lawrence Ross who was Drafted. He was born a slave in the County then called Amelia below Lunenburgh^ in the State of Virginia^ to Harry Bluford lived with him till he was about 13 years old and was then sold to John Muir & Dick Muir who lived on Dan river in the state of North Carolina. He lived with them a long while does not recollect how long & was then sold to Lawrence Ross with whom he
[continued]
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[handwritten, continued from previous page]

lived at the time he was a substitute for said Ross. For his being a substitute for Lawrence Ross who was his master he was to have his freedom. He cannot state when he left the service on account of his ignorance being brought up as a slave. he was in the service 3 years as a substitute to Lawrence Ross who was drafted for that time. He served under Col. Absolam Cleaveland & in the Company commanded by Capt John Beverly. He knew Genl. Morgan, Genl. Gates Genl. Greene Col. Absolam Cleaveland & Capt. John Beverly.

He has no documentary evidence of his services & knows of no person whose testimony he can procure to testify to his services. He has no record of his age. He lived when he was a substitute for said Ross & at the time he entered the service with said Ross on the Atkin river in the County of Roane & State of North Carolina and after he was discharged he lived at Minich near New Rochelle.  from there he went to Ballston in the State of New York - from there he went to Troy in said State of New York. from there to Bennington in the State of Vermont & from there he removed to Williamstown in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts where he now resides & has for the last 15 years. He is acquainted with Rev Ralph M Gridley, Thomas A. Hoxsey & Stephen Hosford [illegible] Taft ^whom reside in said Williamstown^ who will testify as to his character ^for veracity^ & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution
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He hereby relinquishes claim whatever to a pension, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
[signed] Ishmael  his X mark  Titus
Sworn to, and subscribed. the day and year aforesaid.
[signed] W. P. Walker J. Probate

We Ralph W Gridley, a Clergyman, residing in the said Williamstown and Thomas F Hoxsey - with Ishmael Titus who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 89 - 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.
[signed] Ralph W. Gridley
[signed] Thos. F. Hoxsey
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
[signed] W. P. Walker J Probate
[underlined with flourish]

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 name applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Ralp W Gridley who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, residing in the town of Williamstown in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[signed] W. P. Walker J. Probate
[underlined]

I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Ishmael Titus for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office of said Court of Probate, this tenth day of October in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two -
[signed] Henry W. Bishop, Register of Probate
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[handwritten]

I Ishmael Titus of Williamstown in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being duly sworn according to law, do on my oath make the following additional declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That I cannot by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory swear when the battles mentioned in my former declaration took place, but I find from the History of the Revolution that the Battle of Kings Mountain was fought in October 1780, and that Col. Cleaveland commanded at that time as mentioned in my former declaration. I also find from History that the Battle of Guildford was fought in March 1781 which I was at, as mentioned in my former declaration.
I was also at Gates defeat did not arrive there till the American army began to retreat. This battle I find from History was fought in August 1780. I was one of the number who retreated to Salisbury. I entered the service in the spring of the year, more than a year previous to Gates Defeat, which must have been in the year 1779. The statement in my former declaration that I was in service three years as a substitute for Lawrence Ross who was my Master is wrong. I was a substitute for said Ross for [underlined]one year only, and this year was previous to any Battles. during this time some skirmishes took place among the Torys & Indians. was stationed during the winter at a place called then Fort Independence. After the year was expired for which
I
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[continued from previous]
I was to have my freedom as stated in my former declaration. I enlisted into the army during the war. during the term of my enlistment the battles mentioned were fought. I was discharged on the Holstine river at a Log Court House, cannot recollect the name of the place. this was at the close of the war. I served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades. For one year as a substitute for Lawrence Ross. I served as a soldier. For more than two years I served (having enlisted) as a soldier, and for such service I claim a pension.

[in different handwriting] When I entered the Service as a Substitute I entered in Capt. Jmes Davis Company Col. Sam. Isaacs Regt under Genl. Green- when I enlisted I enlisted under Capt. Jno. B. [illegible] Col. Cleaveland's Regiment- I enlisted at Salisbury- I recollect that when I entered the Service [struck through] it was said that war had [struck through] existed about four years-
Ishmael  his X mark  Titus

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss.
On this sixth day of August A.D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable William P. Walker Judge of the Court of Probate within and for said County of Berkshire [struck through-now?] sitting The above named Ishmael Titus and made oath to the truth of the foregoing additional declaration by him subscribed.
W. P. Walker Judge of Probate

I Henry W. Bishop, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the additional proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of Ishmael Titus for a pension. In testimony
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[continued from previous]

whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office of said Court of Probate this sixth day of August-in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred thirty three. -
Henry W. Bishop Register Probate

I the above named Ishmael Titus being duly sworn do on my oath make the following affidavit in addition to my former declaration viz. When I enlisted, I enlisted under Capt. John Cleaveland son of Col Absolam Cleaveland. I stated in my former declaration that I was in Capt Jno Beverly' Company. I recollect now that he was the man to whom I made application to be enlisted & not the Capt. of the Company. One other fact which I omitted to state before, I now recollect viz. [struck through-While] After I was dismissed at Holstein River after the war was closed, coming home to the Yadkin river I (with ten others) was taken upon the top of the Allegany Mountain, by a party of Torys headed by a man they called Capt Bill Riddle. I recollect it was on Thursday in the after noon we were carried back to the back of the Mountain & there kept all night with our hands tied & a guard put over us the next day a guard was over us all, day, our Muskets being taken from us; On Saturday they brought to us Col Cleaveland as a prisoner & bound him in the same manner. The next morning I was sent by the Tories to look
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[continued from previous]

for the Tories Horses. I found all but one & took them back to the Torys. Then I was sent to search for the other Horse on Horse back. while looking after this Horse I discovered two Companies under the command of Capt Cleaveland. they inquired if I knew anything about their Father, Col Absalom Cleaveland. I told them where he was & went with them to the place where the Tories had him. Col. Cleaveland as soon as he saw them said come on my Boys. When they rushed forward & shot at the Tories, they wounded one in the back. the rest fled into the Woods. we then all of us came home. some one or two months after this, I saw all but one ^of these Tories^ viz (nine) hung at Roan Court house.
Dated at Williamstown this fifth day of December A.D. 1833.
Ishmael  his X mark  Titus
In presence of
H. Raymond
Stephen Hosford
Williamstown ^Berkshire County^ Dec. 5. 1833.  Then personally appeared the above named Ishmael Titus and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true. -
before me Stephen Hosford Justice Peace

I am acquainted with Stephen Hosford Esqr who signed the above certificate & know him to be a justice. being acquainted with his handwriting I have no doubt the above is his signature

Dec 10 1833  [illegible] Brigg [illegible]
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15189

Ishmael Titus
[underlined] Massachusetts
Suspended
[illegible]

Jun 29 1833

Sent to Wm Hill Esq
Secy of State N. C. 21
Sept 1833 for evidence
of service

Letter 17 Oct 1833 to
H W Bishop
do. 4 June 1834 to
Hon. G. N. Briggs
[illegible]

[struck through-H. W. Bishop Esq
[struck through-Lenox(?) Mass]
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BRIEF in the case of Ishmael Titus of Williamstown in the State of Mass. (Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 89 years 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed

[column headings: Period.|Duration of Service.| Rank.|Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.|]
[blank]|Years, Months, Days.|As a|Gen.|
In 17| 3|Private|Capt. Beverly Col Isaacs Col Cleveland|

5. In what battles was he engaged? Guilford. Kings Mountain 
6. Where did he reside when he entered service? Roan Co, N. 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? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
It appears that Ishmael Titus was a [illegible] belonging to Laurence Noss + sent as a substitute for his Master - he cannot recollect the Month or year when he entered the Service - 
/s/Richard Cutter(?)
Examining Clerk.
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61 Ishmael Titus - 
Ishmael Titus
Mss. suspended case -
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State of [blank]
County of [blank]}ss.
Be it known, that on the [blank] day of [blank]
A. D. 185[blank] before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared [blank] and made oath according to law, that [blank] is the child of [blank] deceased--widow of [blank] (who was
an officer of the War of the Revolution.) and a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $[blank] per annum; that [blank] has reason
to believe that the said pension ought to be [blank] and that [blank] is directly interested in the same, and makes this affidavit to be filed by [blank] attorney, with any additional evidence or arguments he may deem necessary in the prosecution
of said claim.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned, before me
Justice of the Peace.

State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire} ss.
 Be it known, that before Stephen Hosford a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Ishmael Titus of Williamstown in said county who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say, that ['the child of deceased--widow of' crossed out] he was a private in the War of the Revolution,) ['and a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $ per annum' crossed out] that his papers are on file in Pension office, that he now makes this declaration to recover the pension, that may be due, on account of the services as aforesaid for the benefit of himself under any acts or resolutions of Congress applicable to the case.
/s/ X his mark Ishmael Titus
Sworn and subscribed this 15th day of December 1851 before me. 
/s/Stephen Hosford Justice of the Peace.

KNOW ALL MEN BY HESE PRESENTS, That I Ishmael Titus ['child' crossed out] Williamstown County ['deceased, widow of' crossed out] and state aforesaid ['child' crossed out] of (who was a soldier of the War of the Revolution) do hereby constitute and appoint Artemis McAllen(?) of Livingston, Maine, my true and lawful attorney for me, and in my name to prosecute my claim to any arrears of pension that may be found due on account of the services of said Ishmael Titus
as aforesaid; and I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all papers and documents touching my claim, on file in the departments at Washington or elsewhere and file any additional evidence or arguments he may think proper, to ensure the recovery of the same.
Witness my hand and seal this 15th day of December A. D.1851
/s/X his mark Ishmael Titus 
Signed and sealed in the presence of
WITNESS Stephen Hosford
WITNESS Z.K. Harmon
{L.S.}

State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire}ss.
On this 15th day of December A.D.1851 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared Ishmael Titus 
and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day
and year last above mentioned.
/s/Stephen Hosford
Justice of the Peace.
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State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire } SS.
Be it known, that on the [blank] day of [blank]  A.D. 185[blank] before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared [blank] and [blank] two disinterested and respectable witnesses, and made oath according to law, that they are well acquainted with [blank] deceased, widow of [blank] (who was an officer in the Revolutionary War,) and that [blank] are her only surviving children.  And that she the said [blank] departed this life on the [blank] day of  [blank] A.D. 18 [blank]   
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned, before me,
Justice of the Peace.
I Charles Sedgwick clerk of the Court of Common Please ['Court' crossed out] in the County of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts do hereby certify that Stephen Hosford Esq before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and his name thereto subscribed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 26 day of December A. D. 1851.
/s/Charles Sedgwick Clk
Know all men by those presents that I Arthur McCullum of Livingston Maine attorney of Ishmael Titus of Williamstown Massachusetts to obtain an allowance for his pension do hereby [illegible] and substitute in my stead Robert Wy? of Washington D.C. Witness my hand & seal this thirty first day of December AD 1851.
/s/Arthur McCullum
Deliver in presence of Cyrus Small
State of Maine
York County ss On this 31 day of December 1851 personally appears Arthur McCullum [illegible] + acknowledged foregoing instrument by him subscribed to be his free act + deed.
Before me /s/James W. Arthur Justice of the Peace
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['Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873,' crossed out]
10,623
P.O ____
Ishmael Titus
Service: ____
[annotated: REJECTED]
Enlisted: ____, 18.
Discharged: ____, 18.
Application filed: ____, 18.
Alleges: ____
Re-enlisted: ____
Attorney: ____
P.O. ____
____Recognized. ____Contract.
____Cert. of Dis.  Searched for____18.
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State of North Carolina

Secretary of States' Office

I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the state afore said do certify that the name of Ishmael Titus does not appear on the muster rolls of the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, or any other document affording evidence of service in said line. There was a Colonel Cleveland (a Militia Colonel) who I believe was at the Battle of King's mountain and I believe there was an Officer of the name of Isaacs, but I have no recollection of a Capt. Beverly, or to have heard of such an Officer. 

John and Richard Marr lived on the waters of Dan River, and owned or were interested in the Iron works, called "Troublesome Iron Works"

Given under my hand this 2nd October 1833.

(Signed) W. Hill
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H. W. Bishop
Oct 17, 1833
O.C.
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War Department
Pension Office
Oct 17 1833

Sir,
I herewith return the documents in support of the claim of Ishmael Titus and have to state that his name does not appear in the records of Revolutionary Service deposition(?) in the Office of the Secretary of the State of North Carolina, neither does it appear that there was ever a Captain Beverly of the North Carolina Line, neither was there ever a Colonel Cleveland of the Continental Line. A favorable decision cannot be expected unless the most satisfactory evidence be produced of the claimant's having served as set forth in his declaration.
J
H N Bishop Snr
Lennox
Maj