Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3403, William Gordon, N.C.
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service   North Carolina

William Gordon

Number  S  3403,  
born in Md.
carded
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[left hand page] 
Letter 24. April 1937 Pen Agent
Same ~" ~ " W. K. Hunter

[right hand page]
26708
West Tennessee
William Gordon
of Maury Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the com [company] commanded by Captain Harrison of the Regt. commanded by Col. Ramsey in the Virginia line for Eight months 

N.C. Line: Records corrected, Mar 3 '04
Inscribed of the roll of West Tennessee 
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of May 1834 
and Hon J. K. Polk HR 

Arrears to the 4th of March 80,00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept 13.33
$93.33

{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by David Boyd Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 7 Page 80
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30.453
Wm. Gordon
Tennessee

from 1780 private
8 mo
$26.66/100

[several illegible words]
to Col Polk?

Hon J.K. Polk
H. R
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ).
You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling [complying] with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Wm. Gordon

Period when the service was rendered  |  Duration of the claimant's service.  |  Years.  |  Months.  |  Days.  |  Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.  |  Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.  |  Proof by which the declaration is supported.  |

draft 1780    3 [Months.]  Pr.  Cap Farmer  Col Ramsey   76  Traditionary

1781  1[Months.] 15[Days.]  Pr.  Cap Trousdale
1781  about 1[Months.]   Pr.         "         "

1782  2[Months.] 27[Days.]  Pr [ ?]Cavy  Cap Gwin
7[Months.]  12[Days.]

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:

The Regular Troops.
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
Persons employed in the Naval Service.
Indian Spies.

As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION.

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss.
County of ....
On this.... day of .... personally appeared (a) before .... 
A B. a resident (b) of .... in the county of .... and State, Territory or District
of 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, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ....  ,and .... served in the ....
(e) regiment of the .... line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ....
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. .... A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I .... of the Court of .... do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ..... for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of ..... & c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ..... and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ..... who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be .... 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 and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the .... and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the .... and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I,  ..... Clerk of the Court of ..... do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal ..... of office, this   .... day of .... & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living 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 substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. {To a Soldier.{ Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given , and what has become of it? 
{To an Officer.{  Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what Office, has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
 The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 
(a)	The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. 
(b)	The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
(c)	The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
(d)	The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e)	Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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: the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his 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."
a.	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 months and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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 in 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. 
(f)	The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
(g)	The opinion of the Court is always required. 
(h)	The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
(i)	The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pubseal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 
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 papers 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. 
Proof of Service. 
(j)	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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well 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. >The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k)	If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
(l)	The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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30453
Declaration of 
William Gordon
for a Pension
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832.

State of Tennessee}
Maury County }  ss  On this 4th day of November 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Honourable Lunsford M. Bramtell Judge of the sixth Judicial Circuit of the state aforesaid now sitting and presiding in the Circuit Court of Sd County William Gordon a resident of Sd County of Maury & state of Tennessee aged seventy six 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 the aforesaid Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated. He first entered the service as a volunteer about the first of June 1780. (the day not recollected) for a three months tour under Capt. Thos. Farmer, Lieut. Horton & Ensign Budn. Aplicant then lived & resided in Orange County N. Carolina and the company to which he belonged was placed under the command of Col. Ramsey who was taken sick shortly afterwards & then Stephen Moore the Lieut. Col. took the command of the Regiment.  Aplicant was marched from Hillsborough to Fayetteville & there joined several other Regiments & were all under the command of Major General Caswell. Marched thence from Fayetteville into S. Carolina and upon the confines of S. Carolina Genl. Caswell fell
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with General Gates who had been sent on from the North with some two or three thousand regular troops after which Genl. Gates had the command. Aplicant was in the battle called Gates defeat which was fought in a few miles of Camden S. Carolina on the 16th of Augt 1780.

After Gates defeat the troops were prety much scattered and they marched back into N.  Carolina to Hillsborough & the three months not being quite out. Aplicant was put in the Waggon service & served out the remainder of the three months in holling [hauling] for the regular troops and got a written dischare [discharge] signed by the Waggon master who's name is not
recollected which discharge has long since been lost. Aplicant not expecting that it would be of any use after the war broke, it was not taken care of or preserved. This tour was performed in pursuance of the draft & call for volunteers which took place just after the British had taken Charleston S. Carolina. Aplicant again entered the service as a volunteer about the middle of Feby 1781 under the commission of Capt. James Trousdale and served another tour of three months was marched by Capt. Trousdale & met Genl. Green some where near Dan River & continued to Manaver about with Genl.  Green for some days & in filling & aranging the companies Capt. Trousdale not having a full company he and his men had to be attached to another company of Drafted men & be placed under Drafted officers or return home & it was left to the choise of the Company & they chose to return home rather than to go under drafted officers & the company was accordingly marched home to the neighborhood of Hillsborough which service lasted for one month  & a half. And
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immediately after Capt.Trousdale returned to Hillsborough Capt. Trousdale was called for with his company to finish there three month tour. And aplicant with sd. company were placed in Hillsborough to guard the Governor & Council, the torees came seven or eight hundred and surrounded the troops at Hillsborough Aplicant was taken prisoner, and the prisoners were taken to Wilmington & from there to Charleston where they were confined on board of a prisoner ship for upwards of twelve months but fifteen of the prisoners amongst whom was this aplicant got a parole & went home.  Aplicant states it to be about four weeks that he was out at this time when giting the parole he went home. And being taken prisoner & the tories taking Hillsborough & the troops broken up that tour at about four weeks as above stated.  The next tour that aplicant served he entered the service under Capt. Gwin, Lieut. Scovy & Ensign Wm Vestal for a tour of duty as a volunteer in a Horse Company under the aforesaid officers in 1782. and entered upon the last of March or the first of April this tour was performed in obedience to a call of the government of N [North] Carolina to raise troops to fight against Col. Fanning a tory Col. Aplicant was march with the other troops to Bear Creek & upon Brush Creek & Pedee and continued the troops did to scur upon those water courses after Col. Fanning untill the tour of duty expired or nearly so this was a three months Tour & aplicant believes it lacked about three days of being
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out when the troops were discharged. It was said that Col. Fanning had fled & gone to St. Augustine in Florida. At this time aplicant got a written discharge at this time for a three months tour signed by Capt. Gwin which is also lost. Aplicant has no documentary proof of his services nor does he know of any one whos testimony he can procure by whom he can prove the same. Aplicant states that he was born  in  the state of Maryland from the best traditionary information that he has on the 4th March 1757.  he moved from Maryland to Orange County N. Carolina and from thence he moved to the State of Illinois Gallatan County in the year 1806. And moved to the state of Tennessee Maury County in 1815 where he now resides. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state.
William Gordon
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
George M. Maskin C.M.C.C.
October 29th 1833

We John Hunter & clergyman residing in the neighborhood of sd. [said] William Gordin & David Dobbin residing in (the same) hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Gordon who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy six years of age or thereabouts that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood whee he resided to have been a soldier of the revoluton and that we concur
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in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
George M. Marlin CCCC
John Hunter
Davd Dobbin

And the sd. 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 aplicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Hunter who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman resident in the neighborhood of the aforesaid aplicant [applicant] & that David Dobbin who has signed the same is a resident in the same vicinity & is a credible person & an acting Justice of the peace & that there statements are entitled to credit
LM Promliff Judge IC

I George M. Morton clerk of the circuit court of Maury County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the sd. court in the matter of the aplication of William Gordon for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal (having
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no seal of office) this 11th day of November 1833
George M. Martin CMCC

[hand drawn seal attached]

I certify that George M. Martin Esq whose name is signed to the foregoing certificate is and was at the time of signing the foregoing certificate the clerk of the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Maury County Tennessee and that the said signature is original and I have no doubt the foregoing Declaration of William Gordon is the original declaration cited in court.
James K  Polk
JP
Apl 27th 1834.
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3403
Rev War
INVALID.
our
File No. 3403
William Gordon
Prt. Va. line

Act :  June 7th 32 [1832] 
Index: -Vol. A, Page 145

[Arrangement of 1870.]

N.C. Line Records corrected Mar.  3 '04 
a
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Union Bank of Tennessee
Nashville 30th March 1837

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
I am requested by Mr W. K. Hunter the attorney of Mr William Gordon a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of the 7th June 1832 to forward his pension voucher for your examination and permission of his being paid on the presentation of a proper voucher. W. H. says the papers including the certificate were mislaid for some time past, is why they were not presented in due time for payment. W. Hunter the attorney and Mr William Gordon the Pensioner both reside in & near Mount Pleasant Maury County Tennessee to which place please to return the enclosed addresses to either of them 
Very Respectfully Sir
Yr Obt Servt  
John M Bap Persl. 
& Pension Agent
By S. Cantrell
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Tenn.
Hon. J K Polk

James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department 
Washington City.
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Washington City
Apl 27. 1834

Sir
I have certified as to the official character of the Clerk whose signature appears to the enclosed declaration of Wm Gordon. In looking over his declaration and your remarks in relation to it, it appears that he has stated with precision his service for 7 1/2 months,- and adds that he served another tour of about 4 weeks. It the latter be rejected,- still I suppose he would be entitled to a pension for 7 1/2 months. If I am right in this, will you cause his pension certificate to be paid for that time.
I am Very Respectfully 
yr-obt-St 
James K Polk
HR 

J.L. Edwards Esq
Com.  of Pensions 
War Dept

Wm Gordon 
N.C. S.3403.