Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3801, for Burwell Thompson, North Carolina
Page 1

N.C. Thompson, Burwell S 3801
S.C.
carded
Page 2

(Left Page)
19038
West Tennessee
Burwell Thompson
of Franklin in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Parsons in the regt commanded 
by Col Hampton in the South Carolina 
line for two years private

N.C. and S.C. line Records corrected

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee Mar 10 '04
at the rate of 80 Dollars ~ Cents per annum.
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July
1833 and sent to Micah
Saul Winchester

Arrears to the 4th of March 160.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 40.00
$200.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk
Book E Vol. 7 Page 98

(Right Page)
Certificate sent back for
correction and returned 
to Micah Saul Winchester
Tenn of Sept 1833
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21081
Burwell Thompson
Tennessee
from 1776 private
27 $80

Micah Saul
Winchester
(struckthrough)
Franklin County,
Tenn.
Page 4

Brief in the case of Burwell Thompson,
County of Franklin, in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

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? 73 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 

(First Line)
Period: Sent in 1776 for his brother Wm Thompson
Duration of Service.
Years:
Months: 6
Days: 
Rank: As a Pv.
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. Th Parsons, Col. Wm Moore, Capt. Parsons

(Second Line)
Period: Vol
Duration of Service.
Years: 
Months: 9
Days: 
Rank: As a Do.
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Col. Williams, Capt. Nead

(Third Line)
Period: 
Duration of Service. 
Years:
Months: 4
Days:
Rank: As a teamster
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. 
Col. Williams, Cap. [illegible] 

(Fourth Line)
Period: 1780
Duration of service: not stated
Rank: As a Pv
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Col. Washington, Gen. Pickens

(Fifth Line)
Period:
Duration of service: not stated
Rank: As a Pv
Names of general and Field Officers under whom he served.
Col. Hampton, Capt. Pickens, Capt. [illegible]

5. In what battles was he engaged? Kings Mountain, Cowpens, Guilford, and Eutaw Springs
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses and traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 

Examining Clerk.
M.A. Turner
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State of Tennessee, Franklin County
On the 27 day of November 1832, personally appeared before this [illegible] the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, Burwell Thompson a resident of said County and State, aged seventy three 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 provision, made by the act of Congress of June the 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers [illegible] or herein stated. His brother William Thompson, was drafted in Granville County, North Carolina for a six month term of duty in the year 1776. this applicant substituted himself in his place, as a private in Capt. Parsons company of N. Carolina militia. in the Regiment commanded by [illegible] William Moore. Genl Thos Parsons commanded a Brigade - we marched out to the head of Catawba River against the Indians - we were regularly discharged - In the year 1777 my father removed to Spartanburgh County, South Carolina - in the spring of 1778, I was sent by my father to Charleston, with a wagon and team and a load of produce for market. While I was in Charleston, the waggon and team was [illegible] for the public service, I volunteered to serve the same, and was [illegible] into service accordingly and continued in the service nine months, during which time, I was employed with the wagon for the
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transportation of Baggage to Purysburgh in South Carolina- I was regularly discharged and returned home. Immediately after he returned home in the same year, he volunteered under Capt. William Nealls for four months. Capt. Williams [illegible] commanded the Regiment. We marched to the Cherokee County, where we had a Battle with the Indians, killed several, and took 30 or 40 persons. Our company took 8 or 9 scalps. this [illegible] on the head of a creek or River, then called Cherokee, we destroyed several Indian town and their growing crops - we then returned home and were discharged. He again volunteered in 1780 and marched under he thinks Capt Roebuck on the Regiment Commanded by Col Williams. He was in the battle of Kings Mountain, on the 14th of October 1780- and afterwards in the battle of the Cowpens- and Guilford- [illegible] to the battle of the Cowpens, he united himself to the [illegible] commanded by Col Washington- At Guilford he was in the Brigade commanded by Gen Pickens- he does not recollect the other officers- Col Williams was killed at the battle of Kings Mountain- After the battle of Guilford, the Detachment to which he belonged, marched to a mill on Dup? river- We was here discharged and returned home, after long in service from the time he first marched out under Capt Roebuck- He afterwards volunteered for another tour, went again into service, under Cpt White the other officers names not recollected except Genl Pickens
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He was in the battle of Eutaw Springs- During part of the time he was in service he was under the command of [illegible] Wade Hampton- In fact, it is [illegible] to recollect from the [illegible] character of the War, the various officers by whom he was at different times commanded- He [illegible] believes that he was in service altogether during the Revolutionary War, at least seven years- He has no documentary credence in his possession or [illegible] to prove his service- He can prove the same in part however by his brother Stephen, who is a few years younger than himself. He was born on the 4th day of April 1759, in the County of Granville and State of North Carolina; according to his fathers record now in his possession. He removed from Granville N.C. to Spartanburgh County South Carolina in the winter of 1777-8- He continued to reside at the last mentioned place, until the year 1795, when he removed to Madison County, Kentucky, where he resided until the year 1808 or there abouts, when he removed to Franklin County Tennessee where he now resides- Burwell Thomson
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
E Rupile Clerk
[illegible] W B Wagner O.C.

Stephen Thompson, aged about 66 years, and brother to the applicant, states that he has a perfect and distinct recollection, that his brother Burwell Thompson, who made the foregoing declaration
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was generally in the service of the United States as a soldier, during the war of the Revolution This [illegible] was on the battle ground, at Kings Mountain the day after the battle, and saw his brother there- Stephen Thompson
Sworn to in open court
September the 4th 1832
E Rupile Clerk
B W B Wagner D.G.

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, [illegible] the present and declares that his name on the pension roll of the Agency of any State. Burwell Thompson
Sworn to and subscribed in open
Court Novr 27th 1832
E Rupile Clerk
B W B Wagner D.G. 

We William Gibson, clergyman and Danl Grear both of Franklin County, state of Tennessee, do certify that we are well acquainted with Burwell Thompson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations, that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood, in which he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed in open
Court November 27th 1832
William Gibson
Danl. X (his mark) Grear
E Rupill Clerk
By W B Wagner D.G.
And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion after the investigation of the matter
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Burwell Thompson
21081
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and after putting the interrogations inscribed 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 Stephen Thompson, William Gibson and Daniel Grear who have signed the preceding certificates are residents in the County of Franklin and State of Tennessee and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit

I Edmond Rupell clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for Franklin County in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contain the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Burwell Thompson for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office this 27th day of November AD 1832
E Rupell clerk of 
Franklin County Court
By W B Wagner D.G.
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
May 5, 1926
Honorable Lawrence D. Tyson
United States Senate
My dear Senator:
In response to your letter of the fifth instant, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3801, it appears that Burwell Thompson was born April 4, 1759, in Granville County, North Carolina. 
While a resident of that county he enlisted in 1776 as a substitute in Captain Persons' Company, Colonel William Moore's North Carolina Regiment. 
Having moved to Spartanburgh County, South Carolina, in the winter of 1777 and 1778, he enlisted in the spring of 1778 and served nine months as a teamster. 
Immediately after that service he enlisted and served four months as private in Captain William Nealle's Company, Colonel Williams' South Carolina Regiment, and was in a battle with the Indians on the Cherokee River. 
He enlisted in 1780 and served about one year as private in Captain Roebuck's Company, Colonel Williams' South Carolina Regiment; he
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was in the battles of King's Mountain, Cowpens and Guilford. 
He then enlisted and served about seven months as private in Captain White's South Carolina Company; he was in the battle of Eutaw Springs. 
He also served under Colonel Wade Hampton. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 27, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Franklin County, Tennessee. 
There is no date on file relative to wife and children. 
Very truly yours, 
Winfield Scott
Commissioner
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(Left page)
1926 [illegible] hist 
to Hon L.D. Tyson
W.C.

(Right page)
Rev War 
3804
Invalid
File No. 3801
Burwell Thompson 
Pvt. S.C. line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 372
[Arrangement of 1870.]
N.C. and S.C. Line Records corrected
Mar. 10 '04
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Burwell Thompson
Page 15

Brief objections to the admission of Federal Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Burwell Thompson which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did 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 his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
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? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of 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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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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses 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.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 recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For __ year __ months; and __ days, I served as a __ For __ months and __ days, I served as a __, and for such service I claim a pension.
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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, &c, without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
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 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 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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Free
James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

(Stamp)
Winchester Te
Aug 21
Page 19

Winchester, Ten. Aug 19 1832
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Sir
The enclosed Pension certificate has been issued by mistake to "Burwell Thomas" it should have been "Burwell Thompson" I return it, that the mistake may be corrected. 
One amongst the first Declarations sent by me was that of James Dougan- In a letter from your officer under date of the 9th of March 1833 [illegible] say "The papers in the case of James Dougan, have been sent to the clerk of the House of Representatives for information. W. D. Lad states, in his Declaration that his papers had been delivered to the  Hon D. Crockett, or whose mother, the [illegible] referred to the committee on Pensions. This [illegible] was the cause of your sending his papers to the clerk of the House- not having heard any item further on the subject of his claim, I have to request the favor to know what his position (if any) has been made of his case. 
The Declaration of Capt William Thompson having returned to your office,
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some time since, I would be glad to know what has been done in his case. 
[illegible] respectfully
Yours
Micah [illegible]
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State of Tennessee, Franklin County [illegible]
On the 3rd day of June 1833 personally appeared before the worshipful the county court of the County and State aforesaid Burwell Thompson, a resident of this County and State foresaid aged seventy three years [illegible], who being first duly sworn, according to law doth on oath, make the following declaration amendment, or addition to his original declaration made in this worshipful court on the 27th day of November 1832, in order to obtain the benefit of the pensions made by the act of Congress of June the 7th 1832- 
The first term of duty he served as a substitute for his brother William Thompson, as stated in his original declaration was six months, The second term he served as a private waggoner was nine months- 
The third term of duty he served also as private- Capt William Nealles company as stated in his original declaration, four months- 
The fourth term of duty stated in his original declaration, in which he volunteered as a private in Capt Roebucks company Williams regiment in which he was in the battle of the Cowpens Guilford Kings Mountain; he cannot from lack of papers, defect of memory he stated without pension the length of times he was in service, but does truly believe it was at least one year. 
The fifth term in which he states in his original declaration, he served as a private in Capt Whites
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company, he served at least seven months- [illegible] he was about constantly from the commencement to the close of the War in service, but for the reasons stated in his original declaration he cannot be more explicit. He claims a full pension as a private, having served as he solemnly declares, much more than ten years- 
Sworn to and subscribed in open
Court this 3rd June 1833
E Rupill Clerk
By W. B. Wagner D.G. 
Burwell Thompson

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogtories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Stephen Thompson, William Gibson and Daniel Grear who have signed the preceding certificates are residents in the County of Franklin and State of Tennessee and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit
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I Edmond Rupill clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for Franklin County in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Burwell Thompson for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Office in [illegible] this 3rd day of June AD 1833
E Rupill clerk
By W. B. Wagner D.G.
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William B. McKinley, ILL., Chairman
Charles L. McNary, Greg.?
Ovington E. Weller, MD. 
George F. McLean, Conn.
Jesse H. Metcalf, R.I.
Robert M. La Follette, Jr., Wis. 
Ellison D. Smith, S.C.
James A. Reed, MD.
Edward I. Edwards, N.J.
Burton K. Wheeler, Mgmt. 
Lawrence B. Tyson, Tenn.
Smith W. Brookhart, Iowa
Chester A. Willoughby, Clerk

United States Senate
Committee on Manufactures

May 5th, 1926.
Honorable Winfield Scott, 
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C. 
In re: Burwell Thompson, 
Revolutionary War. 
My dear Mr. Commissioner: 
I enclose herewith the letter of Mr. J. C. Henley, Sr., who desires such information as your office may be able to give him as to the record of this soldier of the War of the Revolution. 
I do not know for what purpose the record is desired, but probably is for the purpose of establishing the eligibility of Mr. Henley, to membership in the Sons of the Revolution. 
Any information you can give me will be appreciated, and I would be pleased if you would return the enclosure of my files. 
Very cordially yours, 
[illegible]
T-S-T.

Letter from [illegible] returned to Hon. L. B. Tyson [illegible] of Burwell Thompson born about 1760, served with [illegible] 

(Stamp)
Office of the Commissioner
May 4 1926
U.S. Bureau of Pensions