Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,315, Lewis Bledsoe, N.C. Ga.

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GA                          Bledsoc, Lewis                                                W 17215
N. C.                                      Fanney

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                                                                                                                        12292
                                     North Carolina

Lewis Bledsoe
of Granville in the State of N C
who was a Pro in the com commanded
by Captain              of the Reg commanded
by Col Lillle in the N Car 
State Troops        50 mo
died 24 Sept         21 yrs
June 1833
and paid to    
that time  Ap        3 mo

Inscribed on the Roll of N Caro
at the rate of 200 Dollars 16 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of April
1822 and sent Robert
B Gilliam. Oxford N.C.

Arrears to the 4th of March 32           $400.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept 32     100.08
                                                            $500.40

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by E D Bullock  Clerk,
Book E   Vol. 6    Page  34

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North Carolina   a3c
Fanney Bledsoe
of Granville in the State of N. C.
who was a             in the         commanded                       Date of widow's death
                                                                                              not on AB
by Captain N. C. of the      commanded
by        in the   
  Widow of Lewis Bledsoe late a sergeant  and Capt
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina 
at the rate of 200 Dollars 16 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Omit 
to June 24 1833 to be deducted.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of July
1836 and sent  Jas M.
Higgin Clk Co Oxford N. C.

Arrears  to the  4th of Sept 1836             $1,100.88
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '37          100.08
                                                                  $1 200.96
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 4, 1836
Recorded by D D Addison Clerk,
Book A  Vol. 1   Page 208

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State of North Carolina
County of Granville

Court of Pleas and Quarter
Sessions  February  1833

On the 5th day of February AD 1833 personally appeared in a plea court before the Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said county now sitting Lewis Bledsoe a resident of Granville County and state aforesaid 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 benefits of the Act of Congress papers June 7th 1832 
That he was born in the year 1756, on the 15th day of December on Sandy Creek in what was then called Bute County but is no longer known by that name. Bute having been divided and the names of Warren and Franklin being given to its divisions. That he has no record of his age except an inscription on his hunting horn, which he transcribed from an entry in his father's family Bible in the ages of all the family were preserved. What in his infancy, as he (smudged) been told, he was carried to Wake County, in which last named county he resided up to the commencement of and during the war of the Revolution, except where in service and afterward until about the year 1810 or 11, when he moved to the County of Granville , where he has lived until the present time. That early in the war of the Revolution, whilst he was living in Wake County he believes in the year 1775 or 1776 he entered the service of his country as a volunteer in contingence of a call made by General Caswell. He was appointed sergeant of his company which was commanded by Captain

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John Rochelle.  His company marched towards Wilmington and came up with Gen Caswell near Black River who there took the chief command. The object of this movement was to prevent a body of Scotch Tories under one McDonald from joining the British at Wilmington. An engagement took place at Moters Creek in which this declarant perpentrated, between one force and the Tories under McDonald and McLeod which resulted in the total defeat and dispersion of the latter. His company when returned home having been absent on the duty above detailed precisely t week. He has no recollection of receiving a formal discharge and if he did does not know from whom he received it.
That sometime after his return he again entered the service as a substitute for his cousin William Mays, who had volunteered for five months in a company of Cavalry and at the salutation of his family prevailed on this declarant to take his place. He marched to Perrysburg in South Carolina under Captain Gilbert Falls, at the time the British troops occupied Savannah. Joseph Patton was the Lieutenant and one Samuel Clayton the cornet of the company. He believes this he is not certain, that General Lincoln was in command of all the American forces at Perrysburg. Some time after, this declarant marched under Colonel Lyttle of the regular army and Major Nelson with 400 soldiers up the Savannah River on the S. Carolina side to which the British who were marching to Augusta on the other side. When the British reached Augusta Colonel Lyttle's troops took up their position at Fort Bluff in South Carolina at which place they continued until the British evacuated Augusta. He then crossed the river in pursuit of the British and continued the pursuit the American troops being now commanded by General Ashe, until they arrived at Brier Creek where an engagement took place in which our troops were defeated and dispersed. In the confusion of the retreat the declarant found his way to Augusta and shortly after his tour of five months expired. He has no recollection of the officer from whom he received his discharge and if he received one at all he has not preserved it. This declarant is by no mean certain that General

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Lincoln was in command when he arrives there and upon that service speaks only from a vague recollection that that office was stationed there at the time of which he speaks.
After the defeat at Brier Creek and after this declarant had been relieved from his tour of duty before mentioned, he remained about 11 months in and about Augusta. His cousin George Bledsoe had enlisted in a company commanded by one Marbury and desired him to wait until he had recovered  from wounds which he had before rescued. During this period of eleven months, he continued with the troops at Augusta commanded by Colonels Twiggs, Marbury and Walton and marched with them on all their excursions and preformed the duties of a soldier, but was never regularly installed as a volunteer nor to any particular company.
This affiant is inclined to think the five months tour when he marched to Perrysburg was not served until after he had served some months at Fayetteville in N Carolina, then called Cross Creek to keep the Tories in check, but his recollection of the duration of his service at Fayetteville is so indistinct that he cannot speak of it with any thing like certainty and he does not therefore bring it into the account.
After his return from Georgia, he again entered the service as Captain of a company of Militia, for a tour of three months, in a regiment commanded by Colonel James Hinton and General Lillington, as he believes in the year 1779 but as to the particular period of the year he has no recollection and does not speak with positive certainty as to the year itself. He marched into South Carolina through Camden across the Santee River at the Eutaw Springs and down by Monks Corner to Charleston, where General Lincoln was in chief command and remained in that place until within a few days of the time when that place was besieged by the British, when his term of duty expiring he returned home. He presumes he must have received his discharge from his commanding officer, but he has no distinct recollection of the fact and if he received one he has not preserved it. In the summer of 1780, as he believes, the precise time he cannot state with accuracy, he again entered the service as Captain in the N. Carolina Militia for Wake County for a tour of  three months and in that

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time he marched first to Fayetteville where troops were assigned under General Caswell. The Colonel in immediate command was Colonel Stephen Moore, and he believes one Colonel O'Neal also had a command in the Regiment. They marched toward S. Carolina and joined the army of General Gates, at a, place called, forked road, a few days before the Battle near Camden. He was present and partook of the danger of the action just named, in which his Colonel Stephen Moore was made prisoner, not longer after his tern of service expired and he returned home, but in this as in other areas, not having preserved his discharge, he cannot speak with accuracy, as to the individual from whom and the time when he received it.
In the year 1787, as he believes, he again entered the service as a Captain of Volunteers, raised in Wake County for a tour of three months. He marched under General Butler to Pittsboro in Chatham County, they then started for Hillsboro and on their way came up with a body of Tories at Linley's Mill and had an engagement with them, our forces maintaining their ground. They then provided to Hillsboro and meeting with a re-informant thus they marched to the southern part of North Carolina and had another engagement with a body of Tories at place called Brown March, in the neighborhood of Wilmington. After the action, the crossed the Cape Fear and marched up the river by Fayetteville and then again to Hillsboro, as he believes, where his tour expiring he received his discharge, but he does not know from whom.
This declarant has thus stated with as much accuracy as his advanced age and an infirm memory will enable him to, the various tours in which he served in the Revolutionary War. It is impossible for him to recollect the precise dates when entered the service. Whenever he has not been able to do so, he hopes the particulars periods of his service can he ascertained at the War Department, by referring to actions in which he was engaged. He once had commissions from General Caswell, setting forth his rank as Captain, but they as well as all other documentary evidence of his service have long since been destroyed or lost. He is now seventy-six years old and almost the various accidents of so long a life, many of the events of the war in which he was engaged and [Illegible] [Illegible] the dates and order of service many have escaped

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recollection. The witness by whom this declarant proves his actual service one Jesse Laurie, Bautlett Allen, Thomas Allen, Benjamin Hester and Zachariah Hislre whose deposition have hereto fore been sent to the department and as objecting made to them in the instructions returned with his former declaration. He would furthermore respectfully offer to the Hon. Willie P. Mangran Senator on congress fore mention state for his reputation as soldier in his neighborhood. He expects to prove his reputation as a soldier by the Rev John Mallory and by Leslie Gillian Sheriff of Granville County.
He hereby relinquishes every claims whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his reason is not on the pension roll of the agency of any
State.
Sworn to subscribed in
open court before us
B Bullock CHPT Bullock
Jms Bullock
Howel L Rease

We John Mallory a clergyman residing in the County of Granville and Leslie Gilliam residing in said county do hereby certify that we are  well acquainted with Major Lewis Bledsoe who has subscribed sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy six years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur that

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John Mallory
L Gilliam

opinion

Sworn to and subscribed in
open court the day and
year [illegible]

And the said court do hereby disclose their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the  interrogaties prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Mallory, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the county of Gransville and that Leslie Gilliam who has also signed the same is a resident in the county of Gransville that this statement is
entitled to credit. and the court further certifies upon the inspection of the affidavit of Jesse Laurie, taken the 2nd August 1832, take before D. L. Barringen and David Bassfield and the affidavit if Thomas Ross and Bartlett Allen taken before Benjamin Rogers and T James Edgs on the 30th July 1832 all in Wake County, that they have no doubt the Lewis Bledsoe named in the [illegible] affidavits is the identical person, who has subscribed sworn to the foregoing declaration.
B Bullock  CHPT
Jnor Bullock
Howel L Read
a court now [illegible]

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710. 3'. [Illegible] 
Fanny Bledsoe
WID of
Lewis Bledsoe
NC
Adm [?] Capt + [illegible] [illegible] $200.16 [?] per annum conf. 4th March 1837. deducting the [illegible] paid  her husband under the Act of [illegible] [illegible] January 1832. [Illegible] [illegible] 24 1833 the time of his death.

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State of North carolina
Granville county
 on this [illegible] day of November 1836

Personally appear before the court of [illegible] sessions of the county aforesaid Francies Bledsoe a resident of said county and state. Seventy years of age who being first duty sworn  according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration  in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress passed July 4=1836 - that she is the widow of Lewis Bledsoe who was a soldier a private and an officer in the war of the Revolution and was placed on the Pension roll under the act of June [illegible] 1832 and received the sum of two hundred dollars annually while he lived. She further declares that she was married to the said Lewis Bledsoe in the latter part of the year 1780 and in year 1781 the said Lewis Bledsoe was in the army and that she knows of no living person by whom [?] she can [illegible] the marriage.. and time her husband the aforesaid Lewis Bledsoe died some time in the month of June 1833 the day not recolected and that she remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof here to annexed Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written in open court.


Fanney Blesoe
Tho. B. Little John Chairman

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we Rich O. Bullock & Elijah Heter Residents of the county of state [illegible] do here by certify that we are well acquainted with Francies Bledsoe [illegible] & widow of Lewis Bledsoe [illegible].  Late revolutionary pensioner. That we believe her to be seventy years of age & that the said Lewis Blesoe died about the time specified in the foregoing declaration & that the said Francies has remained a widow ever since & that she is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where she now resides & has resided for many years to have been the lawfull wife of the said Lewis Belsoe from the time specified until his death.  Sworn & subscribed in open court on the [?] day Nov. 1836
R Bullock
E. Hester
[illegible]
Thos. B. Littlejohn Chairman
Nov. [?] day 1836
Personally appeared in open court Thos. R. Littlejohn & maketh oath in due form of law that [illegible] riting here unto annexed purporting to be [illegible] he believes to be in the [illegible] riting of the Lewis Bledsoe sworn & subscribed this day & year above written
Thos B. Littlejohn Chairman
A Wenable Chairman Pro Tem

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State of North Carolina 
Granelle County    November Court AD 1836
                                    I James M Wiggins, Clerk

of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid, hereby certify, that all the proceedings on the declaration of Fanney Bledsoe were had in open court and as therein set forth. 
         Given under my hand and seal of office, at office in Oxford, the 8th day of 
November AD 1836.


                                    Jas M Wiggins Clk

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Know all men by these presents that I Fanny Bledsoe of Granville County State of North Carolina do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint John M Bryant of the City of Washington, District of Columbia, my true and lawful attorney for me & in my name, place & stead to claim, recover, & receive for me any sum or sums of money due & unpaid to me, on account of any arrearages or invoice of pension which may be due to me, as widow of Sergeant & Captain Lewis Bledsoe, under existing pension laws, to file such evidence as may be required, make such arguments as may be requisite, to secure & collect such sums of money as may be found to be due as aforesaid to receipt for the same, as my said attorney. Hereby satisfying and confirming all that my said attorney may legally do or cause to be done in the promises.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & seal this 20th day of July 1852 Fanny Bledsoe Witness LM Nordstead Kinchen .J. Roycraft State of North Carolina Granville County  Be it known that on the 20th before the subscriber a justice of the peace in & for  said county duly authorized by law to administer oaths,  personally appeared Fanny Bledsoe above named and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act & deed
The testimony whereof i have  here unto set my hand the day & year last above mentioned
AM Veazey JP

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State of North Carolina
County of Granville

I, Augustine Landis Clerk of the County Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do, hereby certify that Alfred M Veazey is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 21st day of January 1851, and will expire with his resignation or death, that his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hands and the Seal of said County, this 21st day of July AD 1852.

A Landis Clerk

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State of North Carolina 
County of Greanville 

I, Augustine Landis Clerk of the County Court, of the County and State aforesaid, do, hereby certify that Alfred M. Veazy is a a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, that his confession was dated on the 21st day of January 1851, and will expire [crossed out words] with his resignation or death that his signature above written is genuine. Given under my hand and the Seal of said County, this 21st day of July AD 1852.

A Landis Clerk.

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Lewis Bledsoe marriage bond with Fanny Moore dated 5th Dec. 1780 [illegible] Andrew Meckling J. [illegible] by I Rice.
I certify the above to be taken from the original bond filed in the [illegible] office
Sept. 2nd 1836
An. Williams Cle
[begin second document]
Lewis Bledsoe was born [illegible] 15th day 1756
Fanney Bledsoe was born Feb 6th day 1766
Yancey Bledsoe son of L. Bledsoe & F. Bledsoe was born November the 30 day 1781  1
J-ncey Bledsoe Daughter was born April 7 day 1784  2
Terrel Bledsoe son was born May 12 day 1786  3
Jerhomiah Bledsoe son was born July 31 day 1788  4
Mahala Bledsoe daughter was born September 30 day 1790  5
Mikin Bledsoe son was born February 15 day 1793  6
Bekey Bledsoe daughter was born May 1 day 1795  7
Thurza Bledsoe daughter was born Dec 31 day 1798  8
Washington Bledsoe son was born Dec 21 day 1801  9
Alei Bledsoe daughter was born June 4 day 180[?]  10
Amanda Bledsoe daughter was born Jan 10 day 1806

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[left side of page; words written sideways:]
cut the ribbon to [illegible] the [illegible] to read the declaration.
[illegible signature]

[right side of page:]

23131
Lewis Bledsoe
Granville County
North Carolina
Battle of Lindley Mill with Cd Butter. what time?
By M.E.
Admit as private 5 mo      16.66
   "      as Serg - 21 days -   3.50
   "      as Capt   9 mo.    180---
                                    _________
                                      $200.16

[illegible] 1775.
Cd Lyte

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[printed]
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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of [handwriting] Lewis Bledsoe, Granville County, N. C.
[typewritten column headings] Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
[handwritten in columns]
Volunteer 1775 or 1776 | 21 days | sergeant | Capt. Rochelle | [blank] |[blank] | Wilmington | 76 | [blank]
Substitute for William Marys | 5 months | private | Capt. Falls | Colonel Lytle | Morris Creek | Black River | Wake Co. N.C. | tradition
1779 | 3 months | captain | [blank] | Col Hinton | Briar Cr | Augusta, Perrysburg | [blank] | [blank]
1780 | 3 months | captain | [blank] | Col. S. Moore | [illegible] Santee | [blank] | Witnesses prove this applicant to have served as a captain and that he was on several tours of duty and his character good.
1781 | 3 months | captain | [blank] | Gen. Butler | Camden, Brown Marsh |Eutaw, Charleston | [blank] [blank]
The declaration as per [illegible] as age will permit the applicant avers.
[typewritten]
I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions
cut the ribbon to enable the briefer to read the declaration. T. E. Bradford

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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:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. 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, musicians 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
County of }ss.
On this _ day of _ personally appeared (a) before _ A. B. a resident (b) _ in the county of _ and State, Territory or District of _ aged (c) _ 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 provion (sic) made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the Unted States in the year (d) _, with _ 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 enered (sic) 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.
_ 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, vis:
(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 day 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. 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 is the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person.

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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 at-
tempted; 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 giv-
en 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
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can tes-
tify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he 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.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
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.
It one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the char-
acter 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
enquiry 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 be-
fore 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 pro-
cure, 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 fol-
low the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where ho 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 no 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:
" 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 -; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, und 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 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 declaration
is
highly objectionable. 11 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent au-
thority 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 his 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 pub-
lic seal 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 con-
caius 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
as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of
the
wit-
nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must lie 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 rude in
note [J] applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Page 22

November 28, 1938

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lewis Bledsoe
W. 17315
BA-J/MLB

Miss Maud McLure Kelly
1436 South 10th Place
Birmingham, Alabama

Dear Madam:

The data which follow in regard to Lewis Bledsoe were obtained from pension claim, W.  17315, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Lewis Bledsoe was born December 15, 1756, on Sandy Creek, in whay was then called Bute County, North Carolina.  In infancy, he was carried to Wake County, same state, where he continued to reside during the Revolutionary War. The names of his parents were not shown. 

While a resident of Wake County, North Carloina Lewis Bledsoe volunteered in 1775 or 1776, was appointed sergent in Captain John Rochel's North Carolina company, was in an engafement at teh Moor's Creek and was discharged after serving a tour of three weeks. He served several months at Fayetteville (then called Cross Creek) in North Carolina, engaged in keeping the Tories in check; names of officers, dates of service or other details of the tour not given. Sometimes after returning home, he again entered the services as a substitute for his cousin, William Mays, served a tour of five months in Captain Gilbert Falls' company of cavalry, in Colonel Lytle's North Carolina regiment at the time the British occupied Savannah and was in the battle of Brier Creek. He went to Augusta where, upon the insistence of his cousin, George Bledsoe, who had been wounded. remained around Augusta eleven months, during which time he served as Captain of militia on various expeditions under Colonels Twiggs, Marbury and Walton. After his return from Georgia, he entered the service and served three months as Captain in Colonel James Hinton's North Carolina regiment. He again entered the service in teh summer of 1780 and served three months as Captain in Colonel Stephen Moore's North Carolina regiment and was in the battle of Camden. He served three months in 1781 as Captain in the North Carolina troops and was in the battle  of Lindley's Mills also an engagement at Brown Marsh near Wilimngton, North Carolina.

In 1810 or 1811, Lewis Bledsoe moved to Granville County, North Carolina, where he was allowed pension on his application executed February 5, 1833. He died there June 24, 1833.

Page 23

Lewis Bledsoe married December 5, 1780, in Wake County, North Carolina, Miss Fanney Moore who was born February 6, 1766. The place of her birth and names of her parents were not stated. Their marriage bond was filed in the County Clerk's Office of Granville County, North Carolina. 

Fanney Bledsoe was allowed pension on account of the Revolutionary War services of her husband, Lewis, on her application executed November 8, 1836, while residing in Granville County, North Carolina, and where she was still living in 1852.

The following names of children of Lewis Bledsoe and his wife, Fanney, are shown in the claims:

Yancey (a son) born November 30, 1781
Zincey (a daughter) born April 7, 1784
Terrel (a son) born date illegible
Gechoniah (a son) born July 31, 1788
Mahala born September 30, 1790
Mikins (a son) born February 15, 1793
Beckey born May 1, 1795
Thursa born December 31, 1798
Washington born December 21, 1801
Alice born June 4, 1804
Allanda (a daughter) born January 13, 1806

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of soldier's widow, Fanney, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: Fanney Bledsoe, widow of Lewis, certificate #333, issued December 20, 1836, rate $200.16 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 4, 1836, North Carolina Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

- 2 -

Page 24

R W Young         Exam by Doc. Young.
                          Dec. 3/50 [illegible]

abs. [crossed out word] Lewis Bledsoe
    of NC   [illegible] ack
                         H?

Page 25

Services of Capt
Lewis Bledsoe

Joseph Bryan  [illegible]

Page 26

Fanny Bledsoe  N.C. pension $200
 acr 1836 or 38

Page 27

Hon. J.E. Heath
Comm. of Pensions

E. Bryant
Aug 1852 [handwritten on left side]

Admin
[illegible]
old
Fany Bledsoe
No. 36 _ [handwritten on right side]

Page 28

May 13 90
Ex by Miss Desha
[illegible]
1938, Nov. 28 - Hist. to Miss Maud McLure
[illegible] (Rec ltr. in case of Benj. Bledsoe R.938)
MLB

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17315
Fanny Bledsoe
Widow of Lewis Bledsoe
Sergt Rev. War
Act: July 4th 1836
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 68

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 29

Lewis Bledsoe
23131

Page 30

State of North Carolina}
County of Granville}
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
February Term 1833

Personally appeared in open Court Benjamin Hester & Zachariah Hester, aged inhabitants of Said County, who being duly sworn according to Law depose & say as follows - That they have been acquainted with Major Lewis Bledsoe who is now applying for a pension for his services in the Revolutionary War & have been acquainted with him near sixty years _ That they knew him as a Captain of Militia at Charleston in South Carolina, upon that place was besieged by the British _ That they know he was a Captain in the Militia three months in & near that place - & they always understood he held that grade at other periods of the War. & further these deponents say not.

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court before us & we certify that the above name deponents are entitled to credit} 
Benjamin his + mark Hester 
Zachariah his + mark Hester

Jno C. Taylor Ch. pro. tem.}
SH Parish}
[illegible]} Court now sitting

State of North Carolina
Granville County

I Stephen K Sneed Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid, do herby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Lewis Bledsoe for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have documented my hand and seal of office this the 7th day of February AD 1833.

Stephen K Sneed [flourish]

[Seal attached lower left corner]
Ribbon cut to read the declaration which could not without 
FE Bradford,
[illegible]

Page 31

Marriage Bond div. 1780

[illegible word upside down on bottom of page]

Page 32

I think he is entitled to the 11 months service as a private whilst he was in Augusta - If he gets this it is all that he is entitled to. He tells his story so plainly, that it might be [illegible]
J. B.

Page 33

Frances Bledsoe
on the N.C. Role
pensioned under
act of 1836 - she 
is the widow of
Lewis Bledsoe & 
is now living.

R.W. Young
Agent [underlined]
Nov. 27th, 1850

Page 34

{A.D. 1850,
North Carolina Granville County, Nov. 21st

Dear sir,
You will be pleased to allow my Agent R.W. Young, Washington, D.C. to examine the papers on file in your office, upon which a pension was originally granted to my Husband Lewis Bledsoe
Your respectfully,
Frances her x mark Bledsoe

Attest
Jno Nance [in different ink]

Page 35

Washington City
July 26th 1852

Sir,
Enclosed herewith will be found a Power of Attorney from Fanny Bledsoe, a Pensioner on the N. Carolina roll under the Act 4th July 1836, authorising the undersigned to apply for an increase of the Pension now allowed her.

I desire an opportunity to examine the evidences adduced in support of that claim.

Very respectfully
Your Obd. Sevt
John Y. Bryant

Hon. J.C. Heath
Comm. of Pensions.

Page 36

[Illegible]

State of North Carolina
Wake County

This Deponent after being duly qualified according to Law doth on his oath make statement that he is acquainted & has been acquainted with Lewis Bledsoe, who now makes application to the General Government for a pension for his revolutionary services - from his earliest boyhood - & that he distinctly recollects his having served in the Revolutionary war [caret] as a captain in the Militia services of this state - but for which term or terms, he does not now recollect. He furthermore states that the said [caret] Lewis Bledsoe has always sustained & now sustains an unimpeachable reputation for truth.
Jesse his Lawrie mark

Sworn to & subscribed in our presence this 2nd day of August, AD 1832

DL Barringer JD
David Brasfeild JD

And we do further certify that the deponent Jesse Lawrie is a man of fair reputation and worthy of credit on oath.
August 2nd 1832

DL Barringer JD
David Brasfeild JD

Page 37

State of No. Carolina}
Wake County}
This day came Thomas Ross before us and maketh oath from the best of his knowledge & belief that Major Lewis Bledsoe of the County & Sate aforesaid was a Militia Captain in the Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War and Served a six month Tour in the time of the War & also Served Several other Tours or Campaigns During the Residue of the time or Continuance or Continuance of the said Revolutionary War from the date of 1778 or 79 until the war closed, but the length or time of the Several Campaigns he served after not, Recollected; and about the close of the War bore the title of Major
Sworn and Subscribed to in due form of law before us this 30th July 1832
Test
Benj Rogers JD
T Jones JD

Thos Ross

State of N. Carolina}
Wake County}
This day came Bartlett Allen before us & maketh oath that he was well Acquainted with Major Lewis Bledsoe of the County & State aforesaid in the time of the War & since, and he verily Believes he served as a Captain Several Tours during the Revolutionary with Militia of the united States & that he saw him in Service himself - at def [crossed out] but how long the Campaign he served he does not Recollect = but Believes he, served the greater part of the time During the Revolutionary war and at the close of the War bore the Title of Major

Sworn to & subscribed before us in due form of Law this 30th day of July 1832
Test
Benj Rogers JD
T Jones JD

Bartlett mark Allen his

Page 38

State of North Carolina
Wake County

I Benjamin S. King clerk of the court of [illegible] and Quarter [illegible] for the County of Wake do herby Certify that Benjamin Rogers Tegnal Jones, Daniel L. Barringer and David Brasfeild Esqs whose names appear signed to the within documents of Thomas Ross, Bartlett Allen and Jesse Lawrie whose names are hand signed likewise, were all acting Justices of the Peace at the doing of the same. And that faith and credit is and ought to be given to their official acts [underlined] as such.

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and the seal of office at Raleigh this 11th August 1832

B.S. King CC

Page 39

State of North Carolina
Comprtoller's Office

I, William J. Clarke, comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office, among the payments made by said State to sundry persons for Military services in the Revolutionary War, as follows, to wit:
Lewis Bledsoe
Book D, No. 18 page 69 [pound symbol]246 specie "payments of October 1776 or 1777"
"        K                     " 23 [pount symbol]246 currency October 1779
"        E                     " 77 Captain Lewis Bledsoe and Company  [pound sign] 3139 S12 currency 1780
Vol. C, 2886 Captain Lewis Bledsoe for Militia service of self and Company [pound sign] 2105 S5 specie, June 1783
Vol. C. 2882 Lewis Bledsoe [pound sign] 40 specie July 1783

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 7th day of September 1851
Wm. J Clarke Comptr.

I furthermore certify that it appears, Vol. A. 909 that Matthew M. C. [name crossed out] Lewis Bledsoe was at the battle of Briar Creek in South Carolina, fought in March 1779, as an allowance was made to him for [illegible] in said battle.

Wm. J. Clarke Comptr.

Page 40

Mrs. Fanny Bledsoe
Act 38
N. Carolina

Joseph Bryan
[illegible]

[Note sideways on left side of page]
In witness whereof I have thereon set my hand affixed the seal of my office at office in Oxford this 14th August 1832
A Landis CK

Page 41

Decleration for an increase of pension Fanny Bledsoe [illegible] married Capt Lewis Bledsoes December 1780

State of North Carolina
County of [crossed out] Granville
Augus 11 the 1852

This day of 11th Fanny Bledsoe aged 80 years of age this day personally appeared before me the undersigned and acting Justice of the Peace of the Court of Please and quarter Session in & for Said County who being first duly sworn according to law depose as follows that she is the identical widow of Captain Lewis Bledsoe decd of the Revolutionary war who died in Said County June 24 the 1833 & She resides in Said County of Granville N. Carolina & She makes this her decleration in order to receave an increase of pension for the long period of her Said husbands Services as Capt. in the Revolutionary war in the militia of Said State.  She declares that She has need only $200. & 16 cts. Two hundred Dollars & Sixteen cents per annum & continues to be the widow of her husband deced afore said.  She declares that She was married in Wake County N.Carolina before the date 1784 [or on the 5 december 1780] & her maden name before her marriage to her Said husband was Miss Hanny Moore declare refers to further particulary on file subscribed & Sworn to before me day & date above.
Wm. D. Lyon LP [signature] Fanny [X] her mark Bledsoe Jest Jackson [X] his marry daughter

I the undersigned a Justice of the Peace before whome Mrs Fanny Bledsoe this day appeared and made the above and foregoing power of attorney & decleration in due form of Law from her old age & bodily informity She cannot attend Court this 11 day of Aug 1852  Wm. D Lyon LP

Page 42

Fanny Bledsoe
Mark

North Carolina
Granville County

J Augustine Landis Clerk
of the Court of Pleas & Quarter

Sessions for the County and state aforesaid do hereby Certify that William H Lyon whose signatures appears to the foregoing, declaration.
Affidavit & order was at the time, & is now, an acting Justice of the Peace on and for said County duly appointed commissioned & Qualified and that to all his official acts as such full faith and credit should be given
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office at office in Oxford this 14th August AD 1832
A Landis Clerk

Page 43

State of North Carolina
County of Granville
Aug 11 the 1852

Know all men by these presents that the
undersigned, Fanny Bledsoe of Said County
and state of North Carolina widow of Capt
Lewis Bledsoe deced of the revolution war do
hereby Constitute and appoint Judge
Bryan of Alabama to be my true and law-
ful attorney for me and in my name to take
m prosecute before the pension office in the City
of Washington DC, my application for an
increase of pension which I am only [illegible]
two hundred dollars and sixteen cents per 
annum ($200 [dots] 16 ct) as the widow of Said
Capt Lewis Bledsoe deced hereby Revokeing all
and also annuling all former powers of attorney,
by me in the premises made as witness my hand & Seal this the day and year above
[signature of Fanny Bledsoe]

est. Jackson + [illegible]
I the Undersigned a Justice of the peace in & for Said County do hereby Certify that W Fanny Bledsoe come before me as above this day & acknowledged the above to be her act and deed for the purpose aforesaid expressed I further certify that she is the Identical widow of the Said Capt Lewis Bledsoe Dead of the Revolution ^ war [supertext] in testimony whereof I set my hand & seal offically this day and date above
[signature of W H Lyon LP]

Page 44

North Carolina
Granville County

I Augustine Landis
Clerk of the Court
Pleas Quarter sessions
for the county aforesaid
do hereby testify that William H Lyon Whose
signature appears to the foregoing Acknowledge
-ment & Affidavit is now and was at the time
of signing thereof and acting Justice of the Peace
in and for the said county of Granville duly 
appointed commissioner and Qualified and
that to all his official acts as such full faith
and credit should be given
for Witness whereof I have [illegible]
set my hand affised the seal of 
My offer at office in Oxford
this 14th August 1832
[signature of Augustine Landis]

Page 45

November 25, 1938

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/MMHF:MLB

Miss Muad McLure Kelly
1436 South 10th Place
Birmingham, Alabama

Dear Madam:

     Reference is made to an unsigned letter from your address, dated November 4, 1938, in which information is described as to whether or not the George Bledso, Revolutionary War soldier, whose record was furnished you September 13, 1937, and the one recorded in The American State papers, were identical, also wether or not George Bledsoe, of Campbell County, Georgia, were brothers.

     This office has no means by which to determine wether or not the two George Bledso(e) records cited above pertain to the same man, though such identity might be assumed as the American State Papers show that the evidence in the case of that George Bledsoe was complete, indicating that his name could be placed on the United State pension rolls.

     The records of Benjamin and Lewis Bledsoe are furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator