Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4311, Nathan Hale, Md.
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MD. Hale,Nathan S.4311
barded
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25445
West Tennessee
Nathan Hale
of Giles Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the con commanded
by Captain Stephenson of the regt commanded
by Col Kockey in the Maryland
line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of West [illegible]
at the rate of 20 Dollars ~ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Janry
1834 and German
Sister Pulaski

Arrears to the 4th of Sept     50.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March   10.00
$60.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book 8 Vol. 7 Page 83
Page 3

State of Tennessee}  Court of Pleas
Giles County}  and [illegible]
November [illegible] 1832
your Petitioner Nathan Hale a citizen of the County
and State aforesaid would respectfully [illegible]
unto your worships that during the revolutionary
war and its commencement he was a [black blot over text; illegible] of
the county of Baltimore and state of Maryland
and that sometime in said war the day or year
your petitioner does not from the great lapse of
time recollect but [illegible] it was in the
early part of the war and in the summer season that he volunteered in sd war as a soldier in the State troops of Maryland, Petitioner
states that he enrolled under Col Joshua
Stephenson who was lieutenant Col. at the
time of his enlistment, Col Cockey being
first Col of the regiment Claimant further
states that Capt. Cockey was the Capt under
which he served and that Henry Tolbert was
adjutant and Nicholas Hale ensign
of said ^company^ but the rest of the Company officers, your petitioner in consequence of the 
length of time and the drag of his mind from
disease and sickness does not recollect 
claimant states that he was [crossed out: put to]
stationed for two tours upon Church hill [crossed out: illegible]
[next 4 lines are crossed out or lined through and all illegible]
for the
purpose of preventing the British from landing which was expected daily, but they
were disappointed, he was consequently
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in no engagement [word struck out] claimant was.  Claimant
placed at one other time with twelve then 
under Sergeants Thomas Ford and Nicholas
Stephenson to guard the magazine which 
was moved six miles from Baltimore through
fear of its being taken by the British petiti
oner states that during the time of his guar
ding the magazine he frequently had
to stand sentinel after night for 4 hours at a time exposed to all
the inclemency and coldness of the weather
during the winter season.  Claimant has
been an invalid for near thirty years
and he believes that his illness was caus
ed by his exposure during the time
he was guarding the magazine.  Claim
ant does not from the great lapse
of time recollect the names of any of
the other officers or any of the other com
panies or regiments with which he
served.  Claimant served at least six
months or more and left service in
March in consequence of sickness and
substituted his brother in his stead, the year
he does not recollect.  Claimant is about
seventy five years of age.  Claimant has
no documentary evidence whatever to establish
his claim and he knows of no person
now living except his brother Richard Hale by whom
he can prove his services. Claimant her
eby relinquishes every claim whatever to
a pension or annuity except the present
and declares that his name is not on the
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pension roll of of the agency any state.
Nathan Hile

State of Tennessee } Court of Pleas and Quarter
Giles County } Sessions November Term 1832

On the 20th day of November 1832 personally
appeared in open Court before the Justices
of sd Court now sitting Nathan Hill a
citizen of the County and State aforesaid aged
about seventy five years who being first
duly sworn according to law doth on his
oath depose that the above declaration
is true according to the best of his knowledge
and belief.
German Lester Clk

This 20th day of November personally appeared in open
court Richard Hale who deposes that he was himself
a soldier of the revolution and that he knows of the
above named applicant having served as a soldier of the
revolution.
Richard Hale

We Allen Hill a clergyman residing in the afore
said County and State and William McGraw res
iding in the same County and State hereby certify that
we are well acquainted with Nathan Hale
who has subscribed and sworn to the above dec
laration that we believe him to be about 75
years of age that he is believed and reputed
in the neighbourhood where he resides to have
been a solider in the revolution and that we
concur in that opinion.
Allen Hill [illegible]
Wm McGraw
Sworn to & subscribed in
open court 20th Novr. 1832.
German Lester Clk
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State of Tennessee } I Arthur M M Upshaw Presid
Giles County } ing Justice of the Court of
Pleas and Quarter sessions holden for the County and
State aforesaid do certify that German Lester whose
name is signed to the within certificate is clerk of
said Court and that due faith and credit and
and ought to be given to all his official acts
as such, and that his said certificate is in
due form of law.  Given under my hand and
seal this 3rd day of December 1832.
Arthur M. M. Upshaw [initials JP encircled]
Presiding Justice of the Court of
Pleas and Quarter Sessions

This 20th day of November personally appeared in open 
court Richard Hale who deposes that he was himself 
a soldier of the revolution and that he knows of the 
above named applicant having served as a soldier of the 
revolution. 
Richard Hale  

We Allen Hill a clergyman residing in the afore 
said County and State and William McGraw res 
iding in the same County and State hereby certify that 
we are well acquainted with Nathan Hale 
who has subscribed and sworn to the above dec 
laration that we believe him to be about 75 
years of age that he is believed and reputed 
in the neighbourhood where he resides to have 
been a solider in the revolution and that we 
concur in that opinion. 
Allen Hill [illegible] 
Wm McGraw 
Sworn to & subscribed in 
open court 20th Novr. 1832. 
German Lester Clk
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1. When and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age and where is it?
3. Where were you 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 sub
stitute and if a substitute for whom?
5. State the names of some of the regular officers
who were with the troops when you served
such continental and militia regiments as
you can recollect and the general circum
stances of your service.
6th Did you ever receive a discharge from
the service and if so by whom was it given
and what has become of it?
7th State the names of persons by whom
you are known in your present neighbour
hood and who can testify as to your
character for veracity and their belief of
your services as a solider in the revolution.

Claimant therefore prays your worships [words struck out] to grant him a certificate in order
that he may obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832.

And the sd. 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 fur
ther certifies that it appears to them that Allen
Hill who has signed the preceding certificate
is a clergyman & resident in the County aforesaid and
that [blank] who has signed the same is a
resident in said County and is a credible person
and their statement is entitled to credit.
S. H. White [word Seal encircled]
Tho. S. Webb [word Seal encircled]
A. Black [word Seal encircled]
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[Below is a duplicate of some of the language shown at the bottom of the previous page]
[page cut off]
Hill who has signed the [remainder of sentence cut off]
is a clergyman & resident in the County aforesaid
that [blank] who has signed the same is a
resident in said County and is a credible person
and their statement is entitled to credit.
S. H. White [word Seal encircled]
Tho. S. Webb [word Seal encircled]
A. Black [word Seal encircled]
[End duplication]

I German Lester Clerk of the Court of Pleas and
quarter sessions for the County of Giles and State
aforesaid do certify that the foregoing contains
the Original Proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of Nathan
Hale for a Pension.  In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and seal of 
office this 3d day of December
[Blurred seal of office] 1832
German Lester Clerk
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21084

Nathan Hale
Tennessee

from - private
6 months
$20

Pulaski
German Lester Clk
Giles County, Tenn.
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[Begin bold and italics]BRIEF in the case of[end bold and italics] Nathan Hale
[begin bold and italics]of[end bold and italics] Giles County, [begin bold and italics]in the State of[end bold and italics] Tennessee.
[Begin bold](Act of 7th June, 1832.)[end bold]

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or 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?  About seventy-five years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

==================================================
Period. |
______

Enlisted in 17 ____

Duration of Service. |
_________________
Years, 
Months, 
6, or more
Days.

Rank. |
_____

As a
pr.

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
_______________________________

Gen.
Col. Joshua Ste
phenson, Col. Kockey,
and Capt. Cockey

5. In what battles was he engaged?  None.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Baltimore, Md.
7. Is his statement supposed by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Living witness & traditionary.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  Correct.

[Begin bold and italics] I Certify[end bold and italics] that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.

W. R. Turner, [begin italics]Examining Clerk.[end italics]
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.  
3-525
_____

[Begin bold] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,[end bold]
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., ---------, 19 ---.
S4311 [initials illegible]

In reply to your request of -----, received -----
for a statement of the military history of Nathan Hale
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his [following lined through: (or his widow's)] application for pen
sion on file in this Bureau.
================================================
DATES OF |
ENLISTMENT OF |
APPOINTMENT. |
_______________
[Blank]

LENGTH OF |
SERVICE. |
___________

6 or 8 mos.

RANK. |
_______

Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHO SERVICE WAS RENDERED. |
_____________________________________________
CAPTAIN. |
__________

Cockey

COLONEL. |
__________

{Joshua Stephenson
{Edward Cockey

STATE.
______

Md
__________

Battles engaged in, [Blank]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Baltimore Co. Md.
Date of application for pension, Nov. 20 1832.  His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Giles Co. Tenn.
Age at date of application, born in 1757 in N. C.
Remarks:  It is not stated whether he was married.

Respectfully, 

Office note
{I cannot verify any of the officers }
{3-2856 in [illegible] or in Md archives}
{nor are any of these officers }
{mentioned in claim of brother Richard Hale. }
R 4448}

Commissioner.
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Nathan Hale
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[Begin bold] BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of[end bold]
Nathan Hale, [begin bold] which require
further proof or explanation. [end bold]

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides ? [blank]
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [blank]
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? [blank]
IV. Has the declaration mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  No.
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 amout of pension
he is entitled ?  [Answer lined through]
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? [blank]
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? [blank]
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [blank]
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? [blank]
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?  No.
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting is age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolu
tionary service? [blank]
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it? [blank]
XIII. 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? [blank]
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 proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  No.
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? [blank]
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 ? [blank]
XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And,
if not, which of them is not so answered. [blank]

_________________________________________

[Begin bold]EXPLANATORY NOTES.[end bold]

* 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. 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, but according to the best of his recol
lection 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.
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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 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 [begin italics]about three or four months[end italics] is to in
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state 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 objection
able.  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 em
ployed in any civil pursuit.
+QUERE XIV. [begin italics] Proof of Service.[end italics]
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 the 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 magis
trate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
++QUERE XVI. [begin italics] Mode of authenticating papers.[end italics]
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 cer
tificate must be attached therein 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.
[right index finger pointing] 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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1221 N. 17th St.
Rev. Scv
Birmingham, Ala.
June 17, 1919.

The Bureau of Pensions;
Washington, D.C.

Please send me all
the information you have
on file regarding
Nathan Hale, Giles Co., Tenn
& Amon Hale, Washington,
Co. Tenn. (Revolutionary
soldiers) and their widows.
Thanking you, I am,
[illegible] truly,
(Miss) Karl Pritchett
[Circular mail stamp:
OFFICE
1919
.S 20 .U
JUN
K 
PENSION]
Page 17

[Note written vertically in left margin]
1919 June 30. History to Miss Karl Pritchett[illegible]

REVY WAR 4344
INVALID.

File No. 4311
Nathan Hale
Pvt Md. line

Act: June 7,/32
Index:-Vol. A, Page 138

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]
Page 18

The above named Nathan Hale for the purpose of amending his declaration hereto for by him made and to which this is appended and made a part in or entitled an act for the benefit of the surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution in addition to what he has already said and for the purpose of explaining the same, beg and leave to declare further that in answer to the several interrogatories in said petition to him part and in in [illegible] to the first one he declares that he was as he is infirmed and believe born in the state of North Carolina but knows not in what county, in the year 1757 and that he claimant was quite young before his recollection his father as he is informed moved to the County of Baltimore Maryland. As to the 2nd interrogatory, claimant states that he has no record of his age that he has apparently read the record of his age in his father's Bible but where said bible is he knows not. That he does not know whether his father brought his bible with him to the state of Tennessee or not and thinks it has long since been lost. As to 3rd interrogatory, claimant states that he lived in Baltimore County Maryland when called into service and that he moved from Baltimore County Maryland to Washington City East Tennessee where he lived upwards of thirty years and from Washington City he moved to Giles County Middle Tennessee where he now lives and has lived more than ten years. As to 4th interrogatory, claimant states that he served volunteered both of the town that he served. As to the 5th interrogatory, claimant states this with regular officers as he now recollects General Buchanon. Edward Cockey 1st Col. Joshua
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Stephenson 2nd Col owing to the great lapse of time claimant has forgotten the names of the Majors but he recollects that Capt Cockey was the Capt under which he served and that Henry Tolbert was adjutant and Nicholas Hale ensign and the name of the regiment to which he belonged he has entirely forgotten. As to the 6th interrogatory claimant states that if he ever received a discharge from the service he has forgotten it. As to the 7th interrogatory, claimant states that he is know in his present neighborhood to John Wright, John Dickey, Esq., William McGraw, Esq., Col Richard H Allen. The Reverend Mr Bartlett, the reverend Wm Ball, Thomas Goff and many others all of whom can testify as to my character for truth and some of whom and I imagine all have heard of and believe that I served as a soldier of the revolution, and for the purpose of [illegible] to as much certainty as possible. The length and grade of claimants service he refers to his affidavit as follows, and this the [illegible[ Robert G Abernathy the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace for Giles County Tenn, Nathan Hale the above named claimant 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 and belief he served the first tour from 1st August until the last of March making 8 months and the 2nd tour does not recollect how long he served but is certain that it was three months for which he claims a pension - Nathan Hale
Page 20

The whole of which statement in answer to said interrogatories on this sheet contained and the affidavit within was sworn to and subscribed before me on this day and date in the said affixed affidavit.

Robert G Abernathy - one of the acting Justices of the Peace for said County

On this 4th day of October 1833 personally appeared before me Robt G Abernathy an acting Justice of the Peace for Giles County Tennessee Richard Hale the undersigned aged about 84 who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is brother to Nathan Hale the above named claimant and that he himself was a soldier of the revolution and was in company with claimant in the principal part of his service and that he knows of his having served as stated in his declaration.

Richard Hale

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and date above written.

Robert G Abernathy one of the acting Justice of the Peace for Giles County

I Robt G Abernathy Justice as aforesaid do certify that Richard Hale who has subscribed and sworn to the above named affidavit is a person of good character and standing in his neighborhood and that his oath is entitled to full faith and credit as such.

Robert G Abernathy - JP
Page 21

State of Tennessee Giles County

I German Lester Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions [illegible] for the County aforesaid do certify that Robert G Abernathy whose name is signed to the within certificates is an was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such and that his said signature is genuine . 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court of office this 30th day of November 1833.

German Lester - Clerk

State of Tennessee Giles County

I Alexander Black presiding Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions [illegible] for the county and state aforesaid do certify that German Lester whose name is signed to the foregoing certificate is clerk of said court and that full faith and credit are and ought to be given to all his official acts as such and that his said certificate is in due form of law. Given under my hand and seal this 30h day of November 1833

Alexander Black - Presiding Justice of Giles County Court