Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6817, for Daniel Merritt, North Carolina

Page 1

SERVICE
N.C.

Merritt, Daniel
Mary

NUMBER
W. 6817
B.L.Wt. 26444-160-55

Page 2

Cir. Parrish. Feb 22 /56
[illegible] 15/57
J. D. Stevenson Present D. P. P.
Vol M 2 page 6

May 14/55
134.238
Act Mar '55
Mary Merritt
wid
Daniel Merritt priv.
Capt. R. Merritt
[illegible line]
Declaration

Rev. War

N. C. Feby 53 -3189
-
[illegible] 160 acre May 22nd/56
W Boynton
R Parrish
Taylor's Bridge
Sampson Co. N. Car.

No. 26444 if May 26/56

Page 3

North Carolina

Mary Merrett
widow of Daniel Merritt
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private

Inscribed on the Raleigh Roll at the rate
of 80 Dollars per annum, to commence on
the 4th March 1861

Certificate of pension issued 1867
1st day of May 1867
and sent to Chas. F. McGill
Washington
D.C.

recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853 Page 216
J V Smith


Date of death not on AB

Page 4

North Carolina    16.497
North Carolina

Daniel Merritt
of Sampson in the State of No. Car.
who was a private in the _______commanded
by Captain_________ of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Ward on the No Ca
line for 20 months
issue new certificate for
$30.00 per ann.

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina
at the rate of 74 Dollars 16 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Augt. 33
and [illegible] Patrick
Murphy . Taylors Bridge

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833      145.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending  4 Sept     37.18
                                          Total         $185.40

Recorded by Nath. Rice   Clerk,
Book E   Bol.  6  Page 49

Page 5

State of North Carolina
Sampson County
Superior Court of Law.  Spring
Term 1833.

On this the second day of May DC 1833 personally appeared in
open Court before the Honorable James Martin one of the Judges
of the Superior Court of Law & Equity for the State of North Carolina
now presiding in the Superior Court of Law for the County of
Sampson Daniel Merritt a resident of Sampson County in the
State of North Carolina, aged sixty nine years who being first
duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following 
declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
1.--Drafted in a company of Duplin militia under the command
of Captain Thomas Page, Solomon Sessions Lieutenant or Ensign
in a regiment or brigade commanded by Gen. Harrington
MacIntosh.  Major, he forgets his other officers, in the month
of June 1780 and served six months as a private, and left this
service a short time before Christmas 1780; that when he entered
this service he resided in Duplin ( now Sampson) County N.C.
that he was in no battle; that he embodied at Crop Creek now
Fayetteville N.C. and was stationed and remained those three
months and marched from there to Haley's Ferry on Big Pedee
and remained there one month; thence to Cheraw Hills in South
Carolina and remained there upwards of a month, thence to
Cole's Bridge in Bladen (now Robeson) County N.C. on Drowning
Creek, where he was discharged; that he served with the continental
regiments of companies in this service, that the only regular
officer he knew was Curtis Ivey; that he has no documentary
evidence, but can prove this service by Captain
James Devane of New Hanover County, whose affidavit
is hereunto appended.

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months and marched from there to Haley's Ferry in Big Pedee
and remained there one month, thence to Cheraw Hills in South
Carolina and remained there upwards of a month, thence to
Cole's Bridge in Bladen (now Robeson County N.C. on Drowning
Creek, where he was discharged; that he served with the continental
regiments or companies in this service, that the only regular 
officer he knew was Curtis Ivey; that he has no documentary
evidence, but can prove this service by Captain
James Devane of New Hanover County, whose affidavit 
is hereunto appended.
2.--In July or August 1781 he was drafted and entered
service again under the command of Captain Jonathan Parker
Naaman Carter Ensign, in a regiment commanded by Col
Charles Ward, the other officers he forget and served two
months; that he was in a skirmish at Rockfish bridges just
above South Washington in New Hanover County, where the 
Americans were defeated and put to route, being attacked in front
by the enemy's infantry and in rear by their cavalry about at
the same time; that he embodied at Rockfish and remained
there the two months employed in making [illegible], that
there was a considerable American force at Rockfish, that he
has no documentary evidence, but can prove this service by Arthur
Matthis of Duplin County whose affidavit is hereunto affixed

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3.--In a company of lighthorse under the command of Captain
Robert Merrett, King Vann Lieutenant, that his company belonged
to no particular regiment but was occasionally under the
command of Col. Thomas Bludworth and Col James Kenan
he forgets his other officers, about the first of September 1781 and
served six months, being two tours of three months each; that
he was a volunteer, that he was in two skirmishes with the tories,
one at Bennett Smith's on South River whose a private named
David Tucker was wounded in the thigh, and in one over Cohara
at Captain She William's, where two or three of the tories were killed
some wounded & some taken prisoners; that his marches were 
principally confined to what was then called Duplin County, part of
which is now Sampson, in quest of tories, to prevent them from 
committing depredations upon the inhabitants; that he was however 
also in New Hanover and Bladen Counties, that he has no
documentary evidence, but thinks he can prove this service
by John Register of this County.
4th.--In a company of militia cavalry under the command of Captain
Merrill, he forgets his other officers, in or about October
he thinks in the year 1782 immediately before the British evacuated
Wilmington and served three months as a private, that he
was drafted, that he was in no battle, that he marched from
Duplin County to Wilmington, that about two days before he arrived
here, the enemy had evacuated that place, and the small [illegible]
was prevalent there at that time, that from Wilmington he
marched back to Duplin County and was discharged a short
time after Christmas, that he has no documentary evidence,
but thinks he can prove this service by his brother David Merritt
of this county.
5th.--Soon after the expiration of the above mentioned service, he was
drafted to guard some tories confined in a place called the 
Bull pen, near Duplin Old Court House on the land of Gen.
James Kenan in January he thinks 1783 and guarded their

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Wilmington and served three months as a private, that he
was drafted; that he was in no battle, that he marched from
Duplin County to Wilmington, that about two days before he arrived
there, the enemy had evacuated that place, and the small pox (?)
was prevalent there at that time, that from Wilmington he
marched back to Duplin County and was discharged a short
time after Christmas, that he has no documentary evidence,
but thinks he can prove this service by his brother Davit Merritt
of this county.
5th.--Soon after the expiration of the above mentioned service, he was
drafted to guard some tories confined in a place called the 
Bull pen,  near Duplin Old Court House on the land of Gen.
James Kenan in January he thinks 1783 and guarded them
three months, left there in the first of the spring; he forgets the
officers of the guard, the prisoners were taken from thence and
carried to Halifax jail, that he has no documentary evidence
but thinks he can prove at least that he guarded said Bull pen
by his brother David Merritt, [rest of line crossed out...........}
Answers of Daniel Merritt the aforesaid applicant to the
questions prescribed by the War Department propounded to him
by the Court aforesaid.
1. I was born in Duplin County N.C. on the plantation where I now
    reside, on the 9th October, I presume in the year 1763 because
    when I first entered the service I was a little over sixteen years of age.
2.  I have no record of my age now, it was recorded in a Bible of
     my brother Frederick Merritt, & after he died it was destroyed
      by the family.

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3.  When called into service I was living in Duplin County N.C.
     Since the Revolutionary war I have lived in the same neighbourhood,
      and I now live there, which is now Sampson County.
4.  I was drafted three times & in my other services was a volunteer.
5.  There were no regular officers with the troops where I served, I
      recollect no continental regiments, The militia regiments I remember
      were some under Gen Harrington in South Carolina, Gen. or
      Col. James Kenan's, Col. Charles Ward's, & Col. Thomas.
6.  I received a discharge at the end of my first tour of service, given
     me by Captain Thomas page.  I don't know what has become of it.  
     It isn't among my papers.  I never received but that one discharge is.
7.  John Bryan, Dickson Sloan Esquire, William Robinson Esquire
     George W. Robinson Esq. Rev. Solomon Johnson, Patrick Murphy,
      Richard Parish & others I could name.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity except the present and declares that his name is
not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
(signature of Daniel Merritt)
Sworn & subscribed the day & year above written.
(signature of W. McKay C.C.)

We Solomon Johnson a clergyman residing in the County
of Sampson and James Matthis residing in the same hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel Merritt who
has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe
him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed & believed
in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a revolutionary
soldier and that we concur in that opinion.
(signature of Solomon Johnson)
( signature of Jas Matthis)
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written
(signature of W. McKay C.C.)

Page 10

We Solomon Johnson a clergyman residing in the County
of Sampson and James Matthis residing in the same hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel Merritt who
has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe
him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed & believed
in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a revolutionary
soldier and that we concur in that opinion.
(signature of Solomon Johnson)
(signature of Jas Matthis)
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written.
(signature of W. McKay) C.C.

On this the 2nd day of May A.D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court
before the Honorable James Martin aforesaid now sitting & presiding in
the Court aforesaid, John Register a resident of Sampson County North 
Carolina aged sixty seven years who being first duly sworn according to law
doth on his oath depose and say that he is well acquainted with Daniel Merritt
the aforesaid applicant and knew him before and during the Revolutionary
war, that said Daniel Merritt served six months as a volunteer lighthorseman
under the command of Captain Robert Merritt, King Vann, Lieutenant,
being two tours of three months each, entered the first of the fall of 1781.
that this deponent served in said service with said applicant, in that
war, that they were in two slight skirmishes with the tories, in one at
Bennett Smith's on South River , where a private viz. David Tucker was
wounded in the thigh & in one over Cahara at Captain She Williams,
where two of the tories were killed, that their  marches were principally 
confined to Duplin, part of which is now  Sampson, but they were in  
Bladen & New Hanover Counties.
[mark of John Register]
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written.
(signature of W. McKay) C.C.

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Ant the said Court hereby declares it his opinion after the investigation
of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescriby
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 him that Solomon Johnson who has
signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County
of Sampson and that James Matthis who has also signed the same
is a resident in the County of Sampson and a credible person and that
their statement is entitled to credit.  And the said Court further
certifies that it is made appear to him that John Register who
has sworn to & subscribed the preceding affidavit is also a credible
person and that his statement is entitled to credit also.  Given under
my hand May 3rd 1833.
(signature of James [the rest mostly illegible]

I William MacKay Clerk of the Superior Court of Law for the
County of Sampson hereby certify that the foregoing contins the
original preceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Daniel Merritt for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed my seal of office this the 3rd day of
May A.D. 1833 & on the 57th year of American
Independance.
(signature of W. M.Kay) C/C
State of North Carolina
Sampson County
On this the 15th day of May AD. 1833 before me Dickson Sloan
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared
David Merritt  a resident of Sampson County N. C. aged sixty
seven years, to me well known and entitled to full faith and credit
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, depose and
say that he served a three month tour of service in the Revolutionary
war with his brother Daniel Merritt, the above named applicant under Capt,
Robert Merritt, in the fall and first of the winter, either in the year
1781 or 1782 and was discharged soon after Christmas that they marched
from Duplin County to Wilmington and arrived there a short time after
the British evacuated that place, that the small pox was, then, very prevalent

Page 12

On this the 15th day of May AD. 1833 before me Dickson Sloan
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared 
David Merritt a resident of Sampson County N.C. aged sixty
seven years. to me well known and entitled to full faith and credit
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, depose and
say that he served a three month tour of service in the Revolutionary
war with his brother Daniel Merritt, the above named applicant under Capt.
Robert Merritt, in the fall and first of the winter, either in the year
1781 or 1782 and was discharged soon after Christmas; that they marched
from Duplin County to Wilmington and arrived there a short time after the 
British evacuated that place, that the small pox was, then, very prevalent
there.  This deponent further swears that his said Brother Daniel
Merritt guarded some tories confined in a place called the provough
or Bull-pen in Duplin now Sampson County on the oand of Gen. James
Kenan immediately after the above mentioned service for three months.
(mark of David Merritt)
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day
and year above written & I certify that said
deponent David Merritt is a credible person.
Attest (signature of Dickson Sloan) J.P.

I, Thomas I. Faison Clerk of the Court of pleas & Quarter Sessions
for Sampson County hereby certify that Dickson Sloan before
whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn and subscribed is & was at
the same bears date, an acting Justice of the Peace in & for
said County, duly authorised to administer oaths. and
that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of office this the 20th day of May A.D. 1833.
(signature of Thomas I. Faison) Clerk

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State of North Carolina
Sampson County S.S.
On this 13th day of August A,D, 1853
personally appeared before the Undersigned
Clerk & Master of the Court of Equity for
the County of Sampson Mary Merritt
a resident of Taylor's Bridge district in the County
of Sampson and State aforesaid aged seventy
three years who being first duly sworn
according to law doth in her oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain the
benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress
passed on the 3rd February 1853 granting pensions
to widows of persons who served during
the Revolutionary war; that she is the widow
of Daniel Merritt deceased who was a
private of N.C. Militia and served in
the war of the Revolution as specified in his
declaration for a pension under the Act of
Congress of June 7, 1832 and who was a
pensioner under said Act, paid at Fayetteville
North Carolina.  To which declaration
she asks leave to refer for a more particular
account of his services.
She further declares that she was married
to the said Daniel Merritt on the 1st
day of January (1801) eighteen hundred and one that

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her said husband died on the 12th day
of February eighteen hundred and forty
two in Sampson that she was not married
to him prior to the second of January eighteen
hundred but at the time above stated.
She further declares that she is now a
widow.  That she was married by Wm.
Robinson Esquire a Justice of the Peace of said.
County.  She annexes the record of her marriage
in the hand writing of her deceased husband
that her name before marriage was Mary Murfee.
(signature of Mary Merritt)

Sworn to & subscribed before me the day
and year aforesaid and I hereby certify
that said applicant Mary Merritt is
aged and Cannot travel to Court without
great inconvenience  residing about sixteen
miles from the Court House of her County.
I know her to be the widow of Daniel Merritt
decd. and one interlived before sworn to & subscribed.
In testimony whereof I, Patrick
Murphy, Clerk * Master as
aforesaid have hereunto set
my hand & seal of office
this the 19th day of Sept. A.D. 1853.
(signature of Patrick Murphy) O.M.E.

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North Carolina.  Sampson County ss.
Personally appeared before the undersigned
Clerk & Master of the Court of Equity for the
County of Sampson on this the 19th day of Sept.
A.D. 1853 Abraham Sellers Sen a resident
of said County aged seventy three years the
26th of last June to me well known and
entitled to full faith and credit who being
first duly sworn according to law maketh
oath that he witnessed the marriage between
Daniel Merritt decd. a Pensioner of the United
States and his widow Mary Merritt before
marriage Mary Murfee  who is an applicant
for a Pension under the act of Feby. 3rd 1853.
that they were married on the 1st day of Jany
AD. 1801 by William Robinson Esq. a Justice
of the Peace of said County at the house of
Jacob Merritt  within said County.  That said
Daniel Merritt died some eleven years ago
last winter, and that Mary Merritt has
not since married and is still his widow.
(mark of Abraham Sellers Sen)
Sworn to & subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
before me.
Given under my hand & seal
of Office this the 19th day of
Sept. A.D. 1853.
(signature of Patrick Murphy) O.M. E.

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North Carolina:  Sampson County ss.
On this the
20th day of Sept. A.D. 1853. before the Subscriber Clerk & Master of
the Court of Equity for said County personally appeared Richard
Parish a resident of said County aged sixty [faded] years
who being duly sworn according to law maketh oath that he is well
acquainted with Mary Merritt the widow of David Merritt Decd,
the foregoing applicant for a pension, knows that she
and her husband lived together  as man & wife for
forty years & upwards, had several children
believe she was at their wedding at the house of
Jacob Merritt when this affiant was a small boy
and acquainted with the  hand writing of Daniel
Merritt deceased and believe the foregoing  family
record is in the handwriting of said Merritt
and believe it to be correct.  Said Daniel
Merritt died in January or Feby. 1842.
(signature of Richd. Parish)
Sworn to & subscribed before me
the day & year aforesaid and I certify that said affiant
is well known to me and entitled to full faith and credit
Witness my hand & seal of office.
(signature of Patrick Murphy) CME

Hon. W. S. Ashe states that a clerk &
master in a court of Equity in N.C. is
authorized to administer oaths
R.G.

**Vertical writing**

Patrick Murphy
Taylor's Bridge
Sampson Co.
N.C.

Mary Merritt
widow of Danl. Merritt
Pension Claim under
Act of Feb; 3d 1853

Page 17

No. 25620
Daniel Merritt Sampson
County North Carolina

admt. as private
9mo Cav.         51 50
11----Sept       34 66
                     _______________-
                        $74.16

This case is indexed in the Georgia
Index

Patrick Murphy Taylors Bridge
Sampson County N. Carolina

Page 18



WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183
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.
Statement, showing the Service of Daniel Merritt Sampson County North Carolina
Period when the service was rendered
Draft 1780
Draft Aug. 1781
Served Sept. 1781
Draft 1782 
Draft Jany 1783

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years    Months    Days
   -           6              x
   -           2              "
   -         # 6             x
   -           3              x
   -           3              x

Rank of the claimant.
private
   "
Trooper
Trooper
Private

Names and rank of the Field
officers under whom he served.
Cap. Page G. Harrington
Major McIntosh
Cap. Parker, Col. Ward
Cap. Merritt, Colonel
Bludworth Col Kenan
 Cap. Merrett
 Gen'l. Kenan
Age at present,
and place of abode
when he entered
the service.
 69 years
Duplin County
N. Carolina

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence, & two Witnesses
paper correct

780 3 mo. Cap Merritt
Cap Col Renan
autumn 3 mo. cav
1781 2 [illegible] Parker

#1 mo.
I am, respectfully,
Your odedient servant,

J. L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 19

2 
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 On this ____ day of ____ personally appeared (a) before ____ A. B. a resident (b) ____ 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 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) ____, 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 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. [____ 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 ____ 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 ____ 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

Page 20

3
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 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 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. 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. 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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. 

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 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. 
[k] The notes from [a] and [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 [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 21

Daniel Merritt and
Mary Mufre was married
January the 1 day 1801


Jene Merritt the daughter
of Daniel Merrit and
Marey his wife Bonnie
September the 17 day 1801.

and Ma_rey his Daughter
died December the 4 day 1807


and was in her Fourth
year when shee died

Page 22

Morlay Merritt this
Daughter of Daniel &
Marey his wife Borne
May the 12 day 1808.

Elizabeth Merritt Born
July  26h day 1811

Page 23

State of North Carolina
Sampson County
On this third day of April AD one thousand
eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared
before me a Justice of the Peace within
and for the County and State aforesaid Mary
Merritt aged seventy seven years a resident
of Sampson County in the State of North
Carolina who being duly sworn according
to law declares that she is the widow of
Daniel Merritt deceased who was a Private
in the Company commanded by Captain
Robert Merritt in the Revolutionary war as will
appear by the muster rolls of said company.
She further states that she was married to the
said Daniel Merritt in Sampson County
on the 1st day of January 1801 by one William
Robinson a Justice of the Peace and that her
name before her said marriage was Mary
Murfree that her said husband died at his
residence in Sampson County No. Ca on the 12th
day of February AD 1842 and that she is now
a widow at the date of executing this her declaration
she makes this declaration for the purpose
of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she
may be entitled under the act approved
March the 3d AD 1855.
(signature of Mary Merritt)
Subscribed and sworn to before me the day
and year first above written And I certify that
I have no interest in the above claim.
(signature of J S Parish)
for further information she refers
to her declaration filed in the Pension
office under the act February 3d AD 1853
in Vol. A. Page 136

Page 24

We J T Carroll and S M Chesnutt
residents of Sampson County in the State of
North Carolina upon our oaths declare that the
foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged
by Mary Merritt in our presence and
that we believe from the appearance and
statements of the applicant that she is the identical
person she represents herself to be.
(signature of J.T. Carroll)
(signature of S.M. Chesnutt)

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were
sworn to and subscribed before me on the
day and year above written and I certify
that I know the affiants to be credible persons
that the claimant is the person she represents
herself to be and that I have no Interest in
the claim.
(signature of J. S. Parish)  J.P.

State of North Carolina
County of Sampson
on this the 14th day of April AD one thousand
eight hundred and fifty five personally
appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in
and for the County and State aforesaid duly
authorised to administer oaths Abraham Sellers
S w and Alexander Merritt who being sworn
 according to law--declares on oath that they
are well acquainted with Mary Merritt now
the widow of Daniel Merritt deceased
whose name appears to the within declaration
and that she was married to the said
Daniel Merritt at Jacob Merritt's in the
County and State aforesaid on the 1st day of
January 1801 by one William Robinson

Page 25

then a Justice of the Peace and we further
state that we were Witnesses to the fact--and
that the said Mary Merritt stil continues
the widow of the said Daniel Merritt decd.
Attest  (signature of S.M. Chesnutt)
(mark of Abraham Sellers Senr.)
(mark of Alexander Merritt)

The foregoing affidavit were sworn to and
subscribed before me on the day and year above
written and I certify that I know the affiants
to be credible persons.
(signature of J. S. Parish J.P)

State of north Carolina
County of Sampson
on this 15 day of April AD 1855 personally appeared before
me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county
and State aforesaid Richard Parish who was duly
sworn according to law declares that he is well
acquainted with Mary Merritt now the widow of
Daniel Merritt decd. and that her said husband
died at his residence in ----Sampson County
some time in February AD 1842 the day of the
month not recollected and the -----said Mary
Merritt is stil the widow of the said Daniel
Merritt deceased.
(signature of Rich Parish)

The foregoing affidavit were sworn to and
subscribed before me on the day and year above
written and I certify that I know the affiant
to be credible person.
(signature of J. S. Parish JP)
North Carolina
J.J.R Beaman clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in & for
the County of Sampson do hereby certify that I S Parish is & was at 
the date of the forgoing an actin Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and sworn & his signature thereto is genuine.  Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office the 7th May 1855 & 79th year of American Independence.
(signature of J. R. Beaman) Clk

Page 26

The commissioner of Pensions will
pleas forword my warrant to R. Parish
who as my agent will receive the same and
transmit it to me 
(Illegible signature)
(signature of S.W. Chesnutt)
R Parish 
Taylors Bridge
Sampson Co. N.C.



134238

Page 27

May 5, 1938

xxxxxxxxxxxx
DANIEL MERRITT
W. 6817
BA-J/MLB

Mr. Theodore E. Merritt
1958 - 42d Avenue
Oakland, California

Dear Sir:
You are furnished herein the record of Daniel Merritt, as found in the papers of the claims for pension and bounty land under File No. W. 6817, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Daniel Merritt was born October 9, 1763, in Duplin County, North Carolina.  The names of his parents are not shown.

While living in that part of Duplin County which was later Sampson County, North Carolina, Daniel Merritt enlisted in June, 1780l ad served six months as private in Captain Thomas Page's North Carolina company. He enlisted in July, 1781, served two months as private in Captain Jonathan Parker's company, Colonel Charles Ward's North Carolina regiment, during which town he was in a skirmish at Rockfish Bridge, where he remained making entrenchments and raising breastworks for defense. He volunteered September 1, 1781, and served two tours of three months each as private in Captain Robert Merritt's company of light horse (relationship of Captain Merritt to him not stated), sometimes serving under Colonels Thomas Bludworth and James Kenan in the North Carolina troops, during which tours he was in two engagements with the Tories, one at Bennett Smith's on South River and the other "over Cohara at Captain She Williams'".  He enlisted about October, 1782, and served three months as private in Captain Merritt's North Carolina company and was discharged shortly after Christmas of 1782.  About January, 1783, he again enlisted to guard some Tory prisoners being held at a place called the Bullpen near Duplin Court House which prisoners were taken to Halifax Jail; length of this tour three months, no names of officers given.

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed May 2, 1833, while a resident of Samson County, North Carolina.  He died at his residence in that county February 12, 1842.

Page 28

Daniel Merritt married January 1, 1801, Mary Murfree.  They were married at the home of one Jacob Merritt in Sampson county, North Carolina, his relationship to Daniel not shown.  The date and place of birth and names of the parents of Mary Murfree were not given.

Mary Merritt, soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed August 13, 1853, at which tie she was aged seventy-three years and a resident of Taylor's Bridge, Sampson County, North Carolina.  It was stated that she had lived in that county fifty odd years and prior to her residence there lived in Sussex County, Virginia.

Mary Merritt was allowed bounty land, also, in full satisfaction on account of the Revolutionary War service of her husband, Daniel Merritt, on her application executed April 3, 1855, while still residing in Sampson County, North Carolina.  She was granted one hundred sixty acres of bounty land on Warrant No. 26444, under the Act of March 3, 1855.  In 1866, she was living near Taylor's Bridge, with post office at Magnolia, in Sampson County, North Carolina.

The following names of children of Daniel Merritt and his wife, Mary, are shown in the claim:
Jane Merritt, born September 17, 1801
Mary "  "  about ----1804; Died Dec. 4, 1807 in her 4th year
Money  "  "   May 12, 1808
Elizabeth   "   "  July 26, 1811

Reference was made in the claim to soldier's brother, Frederick Merritt; no details given in regard to him also to his brother, David Merritt who, in 1833, was aged sixty-seven years and a resident of Sampson County, North Carolina, and who testified that he served a tour of three months with Daniel in the fall or winter of 1781 or 1782 under Captain Robert Merritt.

In 1833, one Patrick Murphy was living in Cuwhiffle, with post office at Taylor's Bridge, Sampson County, North Carolina.  In 1853, one of that name held the office of Clerk and Master of the Court of Equity for Sampson County, and in 1866, one of the same name was Deputy Clerk of Sampson county, North Carolina.  It is not shown whether they were one and the same person, or whether related to Mary Murfree whom soldier married.

In 1855, one Alexander Merritt made joint affidavit with one Abraham Sellers in Sampson County, North Carolina, in behalf of soldier's widow, Mary, and in 1866, one Lewis L. Merritt was living in the same county; their relationship to soldier's family or to each other not stated.

-2-

Page 29

If you desire information regard to location of the land which was granted soldier's widow, Mary Merritt, you should apply to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, and furnished that official number of the warrant, the acreage and date of the act under which issued.

Very truly yours
A.D.HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

Page 30

Mary Merritt's
application for
her restoration of
a pension



Jos. H. Barrett
Court of Pensions


Patrick Murphy
Magnolia
N.C.

Page 31

State of North Carolina
County of Sampson  ss.
On this 20" day of October
A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty
six personally appeared before me Patrick
Murphy Deputy Clerk of the Court of
Pleas & Quarter Sessions of said County in said
State, the same being a Court of record, Mary
Merritt aged eighty nine years a resident
of Sampson County in the State of North Carolina
who being duly sworn according to law, declares
that she is the identical Mary Merritt, who
was a pensioner on the roll of the agency at
Fayetteville North Carolina and whose pension
Certificate is herewith  returned; that she has
resided since the first day of January A.D. 1861.
as follows, in Taylor's Bridge district, said County
of Sampson and State, that during this period
her means of subsistence have been scanty,
in part by her own labor and industry and from
the proceeds of a small farm; and that she has
not in any manner encouraged the rebels or
manifested a sympathy with their cause;
and that she was last paid her pension on or
near the 25th day of March A.D. 1861 or about that time
and up to the 4th day of March A.D.1861.
This application is made for the purpose
of securing a restoration of her name to the
pension rolls and of obtaining a new pension
Certificate, such as she may be entitled to
under existing laws, reference being made to
the evidence heretofore made and filed in the
Pension Office to substantiate her original claim
and that she continues a widow.
(Mark of Mary Merritt)

Page 32

Also personally appeared Richard Parish
and Thomas F. Watson---residents of
Sampson County and State foresaid, persons
whom I certify to be respectable and entitled
to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn
say that they were present and saw Mary
Merritt make her mark to the foregoing
declaration; and they further swear that 
they have every reason to believe from the
appearance of the applicant and their
acquaintance with her, that she is the identical
person, she represents herself to be;
and they further swear that they have no
interest in the prosecution of this claim,
and that she continues to be the widow of Daniel
Merritt decd.
(signature of Rich. Parish)
(signature of  Thomas F. Watson)

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20th
day of October A.D. 1866; and I hereby
certify that I have no interest, direct or
indirect, in the prosecution of this claim,
and that the contents of this paper were made
known to the applicant.
Given under my hand & the seal of said
Court the day & year aforesaid.
[illegible] before sworn to & subscribed
on 1st page.
(signature of Patrick Murphy Dy. Clk)

I, Mary Merritt do solemnly swear in the
presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth
faithfully support, protect and defend
the Constitution of the United States and
the Union of the States thereunder; that I will
in like manner abide by and faithfully

Page 33

support all laws and proclamations which
have been made during the rebellion with
reference to the emancipation of slaves; So help
me God.
(mark of Mary Merritt)

Sworn to & subscribed before me this the 20th
day of October A.D. 1866.

Sworn to & subscribed before me this the 20th
day of October A.D. 1866.
Given under my hand & the
seal of said Court.
(signature of Patrick Murphy Dy. Clk)

Page 34

POWER OF ATTORNEY.

Dated March 23  1867

FROM
Mary Merritt, of 
Sampson County N.C.
Applicant for
Restoration of Pension

TO
Charles. F. McGill
Washington City D.C.
and testimony for 
her  loyalty.

Page 35

State of North Carolina.  Sampson County. ss
On this the  23rd day of March A.D. 1867 personally
appeared before me Lewis L. Merritt and James D.
Rackley residents of said County whom I certify to
be respectable and entitle to credit, who being by me
duly sworn say that they know Mary Merritt who
has signed the within power of attorney , that she was
a Pensioner of the United States, that her pension was
dropped during the late war, that she is the identical
person she represents herself to be.  They further state
that they the said Lewis L Merritt a near neighbour
and the said Jos. D. Rackley now living with said
Mary Merritt that according to their best knowledge
and belief the said Mary Merritt has never been
engaged in, or aided the rebellion in the United States
either directly or indirectly, that she never has in
any manner encouraged the rebels or shown a sympathy
with their cause.  That she has always borne
and still bears true faith and allegiance to the Government,
Constitution and Laws of the United States and is
of unquestioned loyalty.  That said applicant
was a Pensioner at the Agency at Fayetteville in this
State and was last paid as they verily believe her
Pension to the 4th day of March A.D. 18.  That she
has resided since the first day of Jany 1861 as follows
viz in Taylors Bridge District in said County,  That during
this period [illegible] from the 1st day of Jany. 1861 to the present
time her means of subsistence have been in part by her
own labor and industry and in part by the aid and assistance
of servants and neighbours.  That said Mary Merritt
still continues a widow.  They have no interest in this claim.
(signature of J L Rackley)
(signature of Lewis L. Merritt)
Sworn to & subscribed before me this the
23rd day of March A.D. 1867 & I hereby certify
that I have no interest in this claim--that
the foregoing affidavit was read over
to the affiants before they signed the same,
That I verily believe that the applicant
has never aided the rebellion in the United States & is of
reputed loyalty to the Government, Constitution & Laws thereof.
Given under my hand & seal of the Court
of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of said County.
(signature of Patrick Murphy) Dy. Clk.

Page 36

From CHARLES F. McGILL,
Military and Naval Agency,

WASHINGTON CITY, D. C.
Know all men by these Presents, That I Mary
Merritt widow of Daniel Merritt deceased of
Sampson County State of North Carolina
have made, constituted, and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute, and appoint
CHARLES F. McGILL, of Washington City, District of Columbia, my true and lawful
Attorney for me and in my name, place, and stead, to apply the
the Commissioner of Pensions of the United States
at Washington City D.C. for the restoration of my Pension
giving and granting unto my said Attorney full power and authority to do and perform all
and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could do if personally present,
with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my
said Attorney
or his substitute shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 23rd
day of March
in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven
Mary Merritt
Sealed and delivered in the presence of --

Lewis L Merritt
J.D. Rackley
STATE OF North Carolina
COUNTY OF Sampson
BE IT KNOWN, That on the 23rd day of March
one
thousand eight hundred and sixty seven before me Patrick Murphy Deputy Clerk of the Court
of Pleas & Qtr's.  said county of in and for the State of North Carolina duly
commissioned and sworn, personally came Mary Merritt
and acknowledged the within Letter of Attorney to be her act and deed.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of
office the day and year last above written.
Patrick Murphy Dy. Clk

Page 37

State of North Carolina
Sampson County
On this the 21st day
of March A.D. 1835 before the undersigned a Justice
of the Peace in & for said County personally appeared
Daniel Merritt a resident of said County of
Sampson in the State aforesaid aged seventy one
years last October who being duly sworn doth on
his oath make the following explanation to his
declaration for a pension.
1st-- In regard to the six months alleged to have
been served by this deponent under Capt. Thomas
Page; part of which was served in South Carolina,
although the militia of North Carolina may not
usually have been called out & continued in service
for six months; yet this deponent swears that he was
drafted for and served six months in one tour
under Captain Thomas Page in the spring of
the year 1780 as stated in his declaration and in
proof thereof begs leave to refer to the affidavit of
Captain James Devane accompanying his papers
sent on the Pension Office to establish his claim
to a pension.
2nd.--In regard to his service under Capt.
Robert Merritt, he was a volunteer but was
called out by the acting authority i.e. by orders
from Col. James Kenan, and the then impervious
demand for soldiers to act against the enemy
both British and Tories, (the latter being more
numerous &  troublesome in consequence of the former
then being in & about Wilmington) caused him
to volunteer.---He was not immediately under
the command of any Colonel at all times during
these six months service but was sometimes under
the immediate control of Col. Thomas Bludworth
& was generally under his direction while in New
[illegible]  His services ere not for the special & exclusive

Page 38

protection of the inhabitants of Duplin
County-- for, his marches were also into New
Hanover County---on one occasion passed
through the edge of Bladen & at another
into Onslow County.
While in Duplin he was under the Control
(i.e. his company was) of Col Kenan Moore
3rdly.--- In his expedition to Wilmington
under Captain Robert Merritt in October 1781
he was drafted for three months, marched to
Wilmington & finding the enemy had left
returned home having then served one month
but not discharged from service and was
employed the balance of the tour in collecting
cattle for the use of the army.
4thly.---He was called upon to guard
some tories confined in a place called the
Bull-pen or provough near Col. Kenan's
residence; he is not certain it was in 1783
it might have been the first of the year 1782.
At all events it was before the war was over--
for after that the Tories, then confined in the
Bull pen or provough were carried to Halifax
& had their trial there and compelled
to enter the regular service of the United States
marched into South Carolina and as he
understood from some of them viz Solomon,
Ephraim  & [illegible] Johnson, were discharged
on James Island after peace was made.--
He is therefore now of the opinion that it
was the first of the year 1782 he guarded
the tories & he was there in service three months.
(signature of Daniel Merritt)
Sworn & subscribed the day &
year aforesaid before me &
hereby certify that said deponent is
well known to me & entitled to full
faith & credit ( signature of Dickson Sloan) J.P.

Page 39

I, Thomas J. Faison Clerk of the Court of
Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Sampson County
hereby certify that Dickson Sloan before whom
the foregoing explanatory declaration was sworn
to & subscribed is an Acting Justice of the
Peace in & for said County. & that the foregoing
signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & seal of
office this the 23rd day of March
A.D. 1835.
(signature of Thomas J. Faison) Clerk

Page 40

State of North Carolina
Sampson County
On this the 19th day of April A.D. 1833 personally
appeared before me Dickson Sloan an acting
Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Sampson aforesaid
in the State aforesaid, Arthur Matthis a resident of
Duplin County in the State of North Carolina aged
about seventy two years, who being first duly sworn
according to law, doth on his oath, depose and says,
that he came to the County of Duplin N.C. about
the year 1777 and then became acquainted with Daniel
Merritt a resident of Sampson County N.C. aged
about sixty nine years, and an applicant for a
pension on account of Revolutionary services under the
act of Congress of June 7th 1832; that this deponent
lived about four and a half miles from the said
applicant, that said applicant to the knowledge of this
deponent served in the war of the Revolution as a private
in a volunteer lighthorse company commanded by
Captain Robert Merritt, King Wan Lieutenant, in
a regiment commanded by Col. James Kenan, a
term of six months, being as this deponent believes two
tours of three months each; that said applicant and this
deponent entered said service together and served
together the six months out; this deponent cannot 
undertake to state with certainty the date of entering or
leaving this service, as from the lapse of time his memory
fails him, but thinks it was the first of the fall of the
year 1779 that he entered it, and left it in the spring
of the year 1780; that they were in two skirmishes with
the tories during this service, in one at Bennett Smith's
on South River, where David Tucker a private was
wounded in the thigh, and in one over Cohara at
Captain She Williams; that they embodied at Captain
Robert Merritt's and were confined in their marches
principally within the limits of Duplin County, which then
comprehended what is now Sampson, but were also in
New Hanover County; that they were employed in this
service against the tories who were numerous & troublesome
at that time.  This deponent further deposeth

Page 41

and saith, that said applicant & this deponent was
called out into service again by a draft in the summer
of 1781 by order of Col. James Kenan and were
drafted for three months and entered this tour in
a company of militia Infantry commanded by
Captain Jonathan Parker, in a regiment commanded
by Colonel Charles Ward; that in August 1781
they were in a skirmish with the enemy at Rockfish
bridge just above South Washington in New Hanover
County, the infantry of the enemy this deponent believes
were commanded by Major Craige and the Cavalry
by Capt Gorden, that the americans were defeated by the
enemy, being attacked about at the same time both in
front and rear and completely dispersed, that they had
served two months, before the skirmish at Rockfish
and did not afterwards collect or finish this term of
three months as this deponent can recollect, that they
made no marches after they arrived at Rockfish bridge, but
were stationed there to prevent the enemy from passing
through Duplin from Wilmington northwardly; that
they were employed at Rockfish in making intrenchments and
raising breastworks for defence.
( mark of Arthur Matthis)
Sworn to & subscribed before me this
day & year above mentioned.
(signature of Dikson Sloan J.P.)

I, Dickson Sloan the Justice of the aforesaid do hereby
certify that it is made appear to me that Arthur
Matthis who has sworn to & subscribed the preceding
affidavit is a credible person and that full faith &
credit are due to his statement.  Given under my
hand the day & date above.
(Dikson Sloan K.P.)

I, Thomas J. Faison Clerk of the Court of Pleas
and Quarter Sessions of Sampson County hereby certify
that Dickson Sloan before whom the above affidavit
was sworn and subscribed, and who has signed the
preceding certificate is and was at the time of subscribing
the same an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said
Court duly authorised to administer oaths and that his 
signatures thereto appear to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed my seal of office and subscribed
my name this the 20th day of May AD 1833.
(signature of Thomas J. Faison ) Clerk

Page 42

Cuwhiffle Sampson Co.
May 23rd A.D. 1833.
Sir,
Enclosed is the declaration of
Daniel Merritt for a pension under the
act of June 7th 1832 accompanied with
the affidavits of James Devane, Arthur
Matthis, John Register Jun. and David
Merritt.  There appears to be some difference
between the statements of Arthur Matthis
and John Register as to the date or period 
of the war when the applicant David Merritt
performed his tour of service under Capt.
Robert Merritt.  The length of time elapsed;
the youthfulness of the witnesses or deponents
also of the applicant & the fact that they
are all illiterate & unacquainted with dates
are circumstances which render it, not
at all surprising, that there should be a
difference in their statements as it regards
dates.
Respectfully
yrob.st.(abbreviations for "your obedient servant")
(signature of Patrick Murphy)

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com. Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Page 43

WIDOW, &c.
Revy

File No. 6814
Mary Merritt
Wid.
Daniel Merritt
Privt. Rev War

Act: Feby 3d  1852
Index:--Vol. M. Page 4

Page 44

March 11, 1940
Mrs. Robert Wallace Barker
3701 Massachusetts Avenue, N. W.
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:

BA-J/AWF
John Register-S.7368
John Register-W.4318
Daniel Merritt W.6817 [wand written pointing to this name This corres. belongs in]
Dear Sir:
In compliance with your request of recent date,
you are furnished herein the service records, only, of John Register, pension claim, S. 7368, John
Register, pension claim, W. 4318, and of Daniel
Merritt, pension claim, W. 6817, soldiers of the
of the Revolutionary War.

John Register-S.7368.
The papers on file in claim for pension, S.7368,
based upon service of John Register, in the Revolutionary War, show that while residing in Duplin County, North Carolina
, he served from sometime in February, 1781,
three months as private in Captains William Vann's and
Jonathan Parker's companies with the North Carolina
troops, and was in a skirmish at Big Bridge; he served,
later, two tours of three months each as private in
Captain Robert Merritt's company of Cavalry, and was in
two skirmishes, one at "Captain She Williams on Cohara "
and the other at Bennet Smiths on South River".
John Register-4318.
The papers on file in claim for pension, W. 4318,
based upon service of John Register, in the War of the
Revolution, show that while residing in Duplin County,
see his request in
Register 1. 1868
service record only

Page 45

2 -
North Carolina, he served in the fall of 1780, three
months in Captain Michael King's North Carolina
company of Cavalry; he served from sometime in February,
1781, three months in Captain William Vann's and Captain
Jonathan Parker's companies with the North Carolina
troops, and was in a skirmish at Big Bridge; he served,
also, the tours of three months each as private in
Captain Robert Merritt's company of light horse, part of
the time in Colonel Bludworth's North Carolina
regiment, and was in a skirmish with the Tories at
Captain Williams on Cohara.
Daniel Merritt W.6817.
The papers on file in pension claim, W. 6817,
based upon service of Daniel Merritt, in the War of
the Revolution, show that while residing in Duplin
County that part which was later Sampson County,
North Carolina, he enlisted sometime in June, 1780,
served six months as private in Captain Thomas Page's
North Carolina company. He enlisted sometime in July,
1781, served two months as private in Captain Jonathan
Parker's company, Colonel Charles Ward's North Carolina
regiment, during which tour he was in a skirmish at
Rockfish Bridge. He volunteered in the month of September, 1781, served two tours of three months each as
private in Captain Robert Merritt's company of light
horse, sometimes serving under Colonels Thomas Bludworth
and James Kenan with the North Carolina troops, and was
in two engagements with Tories, one at Bennett Smith's
on South River and the other over Cohara at Captain
She Williams". He enlisted about October, 1782, served
three months as private in Captain Merritt's North Carolina
company and was discharged shortly after
Christmas of 1782. He enlisted about January, 1783, to
guard some Tory prisoners being held at a place called the

Page 46

3
Bullpen near Duplin Court House which prisoners were
taken to Halifax jail, length of this tour three
months, no names of officers given.
-
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

Page 47

May 5, 1958
XXXXXXXXX
Mr. Theodore E. Merritt
1936 - 42nd Avenue
Oakland, California


Daniel Merritt, W. 6817
John Sparks, S. 7580
BA-J/MLB

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letters of recent date, in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Peter Cartwright who in 1840,
was living with Samuel Cartwright in Dewitt County, Illinois; James
Ewing, then a resident of Edgar County, Illinois; Daniel Merritt,
and John Sparks who was living with one Reuben Sparks in 1840 in Wilkes
County, North Carolina.

Because of the large number of requests for Revolutionary War data,
and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such
information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request which
requires so much time and research.
The records of Daniel Merritt and John Sparks are furnished you
herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

Page 48

Pension office
Dec. 9/53

Sir, 
There must be some
mistake in the within
certificate--the soldier
was no pensioned
till the year 1827--

Very respectfully
 your obt. sevt.

J. Cole
For Commissioner

F Burt Esq.
3d Auditor
Present

---See other side,---

Page 49

Daniel Merritt $74.16 per annum Reduced to $30 per annum
act 7th June 1832, Died 12th Feby 1842, and paid to his
death for 4th March 1831 at the reduced rate of $30.00
per annum.  The other Daniel Merritt. as stated within,
is found to be a correct transcript from the Books
of this office.
F. Ben J
3d Auditor

Page 50

Taylors Bridge NC                   Paid 3
11 may

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City 
DC


134.238

Page 51

Pension office
December 6/53

Sir,
Please certify the
time to which the
within named pensioner
was paid; and if in
your power the date
of his oath.

Very respectfully
Your obt. servt.
S. Cole
Commissioner

F Burt Esq.
3d Auditor,
Present

(See other side.)

Page 52

Daniel Merritt, act 1832, $30.00 per annum.
Paid to 4th Sept. 1833, no date of death on
our Books.
F. Bush
Auditor

Page 53

134238
Daniel Merritt
Present
26444
160
Revolutionary
Boynton
2
26.444
160
Additional Evidence
Hon. J. Minot
Commr of Pensions
Present

Page 54

Mary Merritt
Widow of Daniel
Letter March 19 [illegible]
Department of the [missing]
PENSION OFFICE.
OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Page 55

Sept 24. 1853
Appl. of Mary
Merritt widow
of Daniel
Sampson Co
7131 [illegible]
Wid 38
1883 Act
[crossed through section Patrick Murphy Taylor's Bridge Sampson Co.  N. C.]

Wm S. Ashe
House of Reps
[stamp ?ickland's Depot Sept NC]
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.

Page 56

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Pension office, Official Business
Sept. 24. 1853
Appl. of
Mary Merritt
Widow
of
Daniel Merritt
Sampson Co N.C

Rev
Act 3rd Feby 1853
[illegible] $30 per annum
Commencing 3d Feby 1853
P Murphy Esq'r.
Taylor's Bridge
Sampson
N. C.
Hon. Wm L. Ashe
House of Represents

Page 57

Taylor's Bridge, Near Magnolia,
N.C.  Febr.y 6. 1867.
[illegible] Chas. F. & Geo; W. McGill. AH.y
Washington City D.C.

Sirs
yr car & circular of Nov;
last, reached me in due time.
I forwarded last fall to the Com.
of Pensions an application by Mary
Merritt widow of Danl Merritt of this
Sampson County for the restoration of
her pension & in a separate envelope
her Original Certificates--having omitted
to send them together.  I have recd.
no acknowledgment of the receipt of either
and have been hoping that the claim
w,d be attended to, without employing 
any person at yr City to do so, as was
formerly the case.  I have written
also to Dr. R.J. Powell formerly of this
state to know if it were necessary to have

Page 58

an Attorney in the case.  I have
recd no reply from him.
In this state of the matter I feel it
necessary to have some one to bring
the application to notice.  Mrs.
Merritt is old & needy & requires
assistance.  I have not written
to the Comm. of Pensions since the
application & Certificate was forwarded. 
If I had been more importunate, I might
have been successful.
Please attend to this small case
& though not profitable it will be rendering
assistance to the needy.  The Pension
was $30 per annum, The last pay.t
was up to March 4. 1861.  Six years
pay will soon be due.
Is there any chance of
recovering rents of real estate seized
as abandoned property?  I live in
the Country, owned real estate in
Wilmington N.C. which was seized &
the rents taken from Febry or March/65

Page 59

till Oct/65.  & in the case of one
tenant when lean was from Oct 1./61
to Oct; 1./65 though first taken was afterwards
surrendered, but used by Qtm.  Blackman
& therefore I did not receive the rent.
If the Qtr. Master charged the Govt. I ought
to be paid.
Please inform me your opinion &
terms
Respy.  Yrovtsvt (abbreviations say
"Respectfully, your obedient servant)
(signature of Patrick Murphy ) Clk

Page 60

No. 3268

Mary Merritt,
widow of Daniel, 
N.C.

Letter to Patrick [illegible]
{illegible and date crossed out]
Oct. 19/53

Page 61

Payments to be made
at Fayetteville
by the Pr. W.S. Br. Bk;
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of No. Car.

Recorded in the Pension Office
in Book E Vol. 6
Page 49 by N. Rice
Clerk.

Daniel Merritt $74.16 per annum

Page 62

WAR DEPARTMENT.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States
of the 7th June, 1832, Daniel Merritt
of the State of North Carolina
who was a private of Infy. & Cavl. in the War of
the Revolution.
is entitled to receive seventy-four dollars and
sixteen cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on
the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.

GIVEN at the War Office of the United
States, this 28 day of
August one thousand eight
hundred and thirty-three.
(signature of Lew Cass)
Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned.
(signature of Geo. Wm. Crump)
Acting Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 63

Robert Wallace Parker
5313 Falmouth Rd.
Westmoreland Hills
Mtg. Co., Md. (Wash 16 D.C.)
Olwn 2-8960   1/23/61

Page 64

26.444


[illegible]

Page 65

Brief in the Case of Restoration Mary Merritt Widow of Daniel
a Revolutionary Soldier.
Sampson County and State of North Carolina
2nd Sec Act Feby 3 1853.

CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION CERTIFICATE,

PROOF EXHIBITED.

She was a pensioner on the Roll of Fayetteville
No. Carolina at $30. per annum & paid to
March 4, 1861 the has [illegible] her pension [illegible]
& claim, restoration having made proof of loyalty.
Widowhood---

Restored April 26, 1867 to a pension at $30./annum
commencing March 4 1861 [?]

W D Frack
Examining Clerk.

Name and residence of Agent.
Charles F. McGill
Washington
D C.

Page 66

Washington D.C.
23rd April 1867

Hon Jos. H. Barrett
Com. of Pensions
Sir;
Inclosed you will find
power of attorney in my favor to further present the
claim for pension restoration, of Mrs. Mary Merritt
widow of Danl. Merritt of Sampson Co, State of
North Carolina-- This case has been on file a long time
and I believe suspended for proof of loyalty, which is
now herewith filed.  Please have my name entered
as attorney on record in this case, and let me know
its present condition

Respectfully
(signature of C.F. McGill)

Page 67

Mary Merritt, widow of Daniel
Sampson Co. N.C.

Married 1 Jan 1801
Died 12 Feb. '42

Family record and affidavits of
Abraham Sellers Senr. and Richard
Parish
 G.C.

Page 68

PENSION OFFICE
Feb. 22nd 1856.

Sir: The claim of Mary Merritt, for bounty
land under the act of the 3d March, 1855, No. 134, 238 & has been
examined and suspended.
the revolutionary service of Daniel Merritt
the
husband of the applicant does not appear of record in this office.
the 3d section of said act requires a service of FOURTEEN DAYS" 
be established by "RECORD EVIDENCE."
Upon the production of such evidence of service, the claim will be
favorably considered.
IT SHOLD BE OBSERVED, that the recorded action of this office, admitting a revolutionary soldier to the list of pensioners upon parole
proof, is not considered record evidence of service within the meaning of the act
aforesaid.
In all application for bounty land under this act, the
papers of the soldiers, or their widows, who have applied for or
received pensions, as well as the rolls in this office, are carefully examined
for record evidence of service, before this circular is issued
Respectfully,
J. MINOT,
Commissioner.

You are referred to the comptroller of N. C. as the soldier alleges he served various tours of military duty in that state.

Page 69

Taylors Bridge
Sampson County  NC                   6th June 1856

I request the commissioner of Pensions to allow
Joseph T Stevens of Washington City DC

as my attorney to investigate to claim of
Mary Merritt widow of Daniel Merritt
decd. in No. 134-238

(signature of R. Parish)

Page 70

Additional Evidence
No. 134-238

Washington D.C.
June 9, 1856

Sir
I have the honor to enclose my authority
to act as Attorney in the Bounty Land claim of Mary
widow of Daniel Merritt Sr. 134.238 under Act of
3d March 1855, suspended.
Will you please refer this claim and cause

an examination of the same under Section 2d of the
Act amending the Act of 3d March 1835, approved
14 May 1856.
Very Respectfully
(signature of J.S. Stevens)

Hon. S. Minot
Commr. of Pensions
Present

Page 71

Brief in the case of Mary Merritt, widow of Daniel Merritt
Sampson County and State of North Carolina
act 3d February 1853.

CLAIM,

PROOF EXHIBITED,
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner, under
the act of June 7, 1932, as private, at $30
per annum.
Marriage proved by family record and
affidavits, of Abraham Sellers Senr. and
Richard Parish, only certified to
be credible witnesses

Patrick Murphy Esq.
Taylor's Bridge
Sampson Co
N.C.

[illegible signature]
Examining Clerk.

Page 72

Washington DC
Febhy. 11th 1867

Hon J A Baneth
Com. of Pensions

Sir:
Will you please
let me have an answer to the
within letter.
Resp
[illegible signature]

Page 73

Payment to be made at Fayetteville by
James Hucker

Agent for paying Pensioners, in the
Agency of 
N. Carolina

Payable on the 4th September and 4th
March


Recorded in the Pension office on the
Roll of Pensioners under act February
3d, 1853, Page 136 Vol. A
G T Getty Clerk.

50 odd years in Sampson
Cty N.C. & pensions thereto
in Sampson Co. N.C.

Page 74

[printed document with fill ins]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
WIDOW'S PENSION.

I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853, Mary Merrett,
widow of Daniel Merrett 
who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Thirty
dollars and -----cents per annum, commencing on the 3d of February, 1853, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.

Given at the Department of the Interior,
this twelfth day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty three

R McClelland
Secretary of the Interior.

Page 75

Cawhiffle, Sampson. N.C.
Near Magnolia.  Dec. 5. 1866.

Dr R..J. Powell
My dear sir,
Some month
or so ago, I forwarded the
application of Mary Merritt
widow of Daniel Merritt decd.
for the restoration of her pension
being the only surviving pensioner
within my knowledge.  Her Certificate
of Pension was sent separately, being
omitted to be forwarded with the application
but about the same time.
I have had no reply or acknowledgment 
from the Com. of pensions, [illegible]
Chas. F. & Geo: W. McGill, & S.W. Williams
attorneys & solicitors have
since forwarded me Cards & Circulars.
This is the only case of this kind that

Page 76

I expect to have & I regret that I
didn't forward the papers to you
at first.  I suppose that you can
do all that is necessary.  & fact
please advise me what to do 
& if these gentlemen who have proffered
their services are the right sort
which to select if one has to be had.
Please inquire at the
Pension Office if the application 
& original Pension Certificate
have been received & inform me
of what else is required if any ore.
Accept my kindest regards I
believe me.
 Yours truly
(signature of Patrick Murphy)

Page 77

Taylor's Bridge District
Sampson Co; N.C.
October 23d 1866.
 
Jos H. Barrett Esq:
Com. Pensions
Sir
Herewith enclosed is
Mary Merritt's Pension Certificate to accompany
her declaration for the restoration of
her Pension since the War.
The Declaration was sent to
Clinton the County seat of this County to get
the Clerk's seal of Office.  It was made before
 me as Dept. for that special purpose and I
inadvertently on yesterday requested the Clerk
to attach his seal of Office & forward it by
mail from Clinton which I hope will reach
you soon as well as the enclosed & be sufficient
to entitle the applicant to a new Certificate.
Her Post Office & mine too too most convenient is
Magnolia N.C.
Respy Yr obt svt.
 P. Murphy

Page 78

Mary Merritt
Widow of John
[illegible] 26
Ex does [illegible] off
only one witness
to [illegible]
Mary Merritt
Magnolia, N. C. 
Pension Certificate

Page 79

W. A. Matthis
C.C.C.
to
P. Murphy
Deputation

Page 80

Clinton  Oct. 13. 1866
I hereby deputise P. Murphy to administer
affidavits to Mary Merritt & her witnesses
to obtain a restoration of her pension.
Witness my hand & seal of office
(signature of W.A. Matthis) [illegible]
Said P. Murphy is duly qualified
to do above.
(W.A. Matthis)  [illegible]

Page 81

claim of
Moley Knowles
No.  134.237
Allended to
May 14/56.

& Mary Merritt
No 134.238
[illegible]

Page 82

Taylors Bridge
Sampson County NC
This 9th May 1856
Sir  Enclosed you
will pleas find
affidavits to Establish the claim of Moley
Knowles No. 134.237. which I hope will
be all right.
N.B.  The claim of Mary Merritt widdow of
Daniel Merritt Decd. I cant. Establish
unless you will admit the Declaration
of her husband Daniel Merritt which
is on file in the clerks office in this
county. if his Declaration will be admitted
I will get the proceding drawn of
& send them to you all tho the are on
file in the Pension office the were sent 
to Washington D.C.  in 1832 & the said D.
Merritt drew a pension from them.
until he died in 1842 the persons
that he proved his services by are all
dead and there are no Revolutionaries
living in our section of country
I hope you will pleas to answer this
& confer a favour on a friend.
R. Parish

Page 83

J. T. Stevens
Dec
134238 Daniel Merritt dec'd. 
26444-160
May 26/56
Do [illegible]

Page 84

Additional Evidence
No. 134.238
Act of 3d March 1855

Washington D.C.
April 4. 1857

Geo. C. Whiting Esgn
Comm. of Pensions

Sir  On the 9th day of June 1856
I filed in your office my Power of Atty. in the Bounty Land
claim of Mary widow of David Merritt, No. 134.238, Act of
3d March 1853, and asked an examination of the same under Section
2 of the act amending the act of 3 March 1855. approved 14 May 1856,
(the claimant being a Pensioner) since when I have heard nothing
in regard to it.  Will you please inform me of the present
state of the claim.
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully 
J.R. Stevens

Present

Page 85

Taylor Bridge No. C. 
Dec. 24 [illegible]
Free
Hon. James L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Jan. 3rd
N Caro.

Page 86


Sampson Co. N.C. Near Taylors Bridge 
Decr 26th A.D. 1836.
Sir
I herewith return the original pension certificate
granted to Daniel Merritt that a new one may be
issued for the amount of pension I was informed
he was entitled to by letter of the 8th September last
the delay has been occasioned because I could
not get possession of it until recently
Very Respectfully
yr obt servt
Patrick Murphy
Hon James L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Page 87

State of North Carolina
New Hanover County
On this the 23rd day of April 1833, before me Charles
Henry an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of
New Hanover aforesaid in the State aforesaid personally appeared
James Devane a resident of New Hanover County in the State of
North Carolina aged seventy five years the 1st of August 1832, who
being first duly sworn, doth on his oath, depose and say, that he became acquainted with Daniel Merritt a resident of Sampson County in the State aforesaid aged about sixty nine years and an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7th 1832 in the
year 1780 while he was in service in a company commanded by Captain Thomas Page, that said Merritt was a private in said company 
that said company was a militia company, and belonged to a brigade
commanded by Gen. Harrington; that it was at Cross Creek, now
Fayetteville, that he first saw said Daniel Merritt, that from Cross
Creek said Merritt marched, to the knowledge of this deponent, to Haley's
Ferry on Big Pedee; from thence he the said Merrett marched down to
Cheraw Hills, that at Cheraw Hills this deponent left the said Merritt
and went in a detachment to guard some Tories to Newbern; that the
company to which said Merritt belonged were drafted men for six
months and this deponent believes that said Merritt served in that
tour for that term.
James Deane
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & date
above written, and I do hereby certify that it is made
appear and is well known to me that said James Devane
is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit Chas. Henry, J. P. 
I, John W. Stanley Clerk Pleas & Quarter Sessions for
New Hanover County hereby certify that Charles Henry before whom
the foregoing deposition was sworn and subscribed is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly qualified and authorized
to administer oaths and that the foregoing signature purporting to
be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my
seal of office and subscribed my name this the 24th
day of April A.D. 1833.
John W Stanly Clk

Page 88

Taylors Bridge NoC
May 11 Free

Hon. James L. Edwards

Commissioner of Pension
Washington D.C.

NC May 22
original papers
[illegible]

Page 89

Sampson County, Near Taylor's Bridge
May 8 1835.
Sir

Upon the receipt of yours of April 7th
I addressed a letter to William Hill Secretary of
State at Raleigh and received an answer which
is herewith enclosed, in relation to the laws of the State
authorizing the calling out the militia in the Revolutionary War.
From his letter it appears, the law authorized
calling out the militia without specifying the length of
time they should remain in service - also there was a law
requiring drafts at one time for 18 months & for 9 months
to be discharged sooner if their services were not needed-
Therefore I think the law in favour of the claim of Daniel
Merritt for the months he alleges to have served under the
draft in 1780.
I am respectfully
Your ob't. Servant
Patrick Murphy
Hon J.L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington DC

Page 90


Raleigh 28th April 1835.
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 20th April, instant, was received
this morning. I do not find the name of Danl Merrett
on the musterrolls of the army of the revolution, or any
document in this office affording evidence of service
at that time; the laws of the State authorized
the calling out the militia without specifying the
length of time they should remain in service-
There was also a law requiring drafts, at one
time for nine months, at another for 18 months
but such drafts might be sooner discharged
in case their services should not be needed.
James McIntire is mustered as a sergt in
Capt. Raiford's Compy. of the 10th Regt in 1782 for
18 months, and nothing more is said of him on the rolls. If he could prove that he was in the
service in Octor 1782, and continued to the end of the war, I think on application to the legislature he would be allowed a land warrant,
that is the only way by which a warrant can be obtained. My fees for searches 20 cents.
Patrick Murphy Esq.
yours respectfully
W Hill

Page 91

Taylors Bridge No C
March 30th
N C Apl. 7

Free
Hon James L. Edward
Com'r. of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Page 92

Near Taylor's Bridge
Sampson Mar. 27, 1835
Dear Sir
Herein enclosed is the explanation
of Daniel Merritt in compliance with your
letter of the 6th inst. & no doubt he hopes
it will have the effect to restore in part at
least the payment of his pension
Very Respectfully
Yoobst
Patrick Murphy
Hon J L Edwards
Com'r. of Pensions

Page 93

3.189.
North Carolina Fay
Mary Merrett
widow of Daniel
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on
the 3d February, 1853.
-
Certificate of Pension issued the
12th day of Decr 1853
and sent to

Patrick Murphy
Taylor's Bridge
Sampson Co. 
N C
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 136. Vol. A
Mar 4 1861
[illegible]

Page 94

16.497
North Carolina
Daniel Merritt
of Sampson in the State of NoCar
who was a Private in the Company commanded by captain  --- of the rgt. 
commanded by Col. Ward in the N. C. line
for 9 months
Reduced from 74.16.
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina
at the rate of 30 - Dollars --- Cents per a
annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Jan
1837 and sent Patrick
Murphey Taylors Bridge
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836 $165.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 37
15.00
$180.00
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Book E Vol. 61/2 Page 25

Recorded by DD Addison
Clerk
new certificate issued 
old one cancelled