Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1656, Robert Cowden, N.C. S.C.

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SERVICE
N.C.
S.C.

Cowden, Robert

NUMBER
S. 1656

Carded

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22028
West Tennessee
Robert Cowden
of Bedford in the State of Tennessee
who was a pr & Lieut in the com commanded
by Captain Barber of the regt. commanded
by Col Grimes on the N. Carolina
line for 7 mos. Private
17 " Lieutenant
N.C. and S.C. Line Records corrected Oct. 23 03

Inscribed in the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 236 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day pf Sept. 
1833 and J McKisick Shelbyville

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 591.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 118.33
$709.98
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 75 

Hon. G. W. Jones
July 13 1846
Death not on A.B.

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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
State of Tennessee
Bedford County
On this 11th day of August personally appeared in open Court before Samuel Philips John L Null and John B Armstrong Justices of the Court of Pleas and quarter Session of the County of Bedford in the State of Tennessee afforesaid Robert Cowden a resident of Said County aged Seventy Eight years according to Record 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 passed 7th of June 1832
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein Stated
About the last of January 1776 I then lived in lincoln County North Carolina volenteerd and went into service under Capt Barber Col Grimes and General ^Rutherford commanders of the malitia Col Martin commander of the regulars and was marched to a place then called Cross Creek is now called Fayette on Cape fear river and was two months & half in Service at that time
In the Summer of 1777 I was drafted To guard a forte calls McPhaddings on the frontiers of North Carolina against the Cherokees Indians for one month In 1779 being then removed into South Carolina York district was drafted for three months but was four in service before I got home was in the Stono expidition in Capt Clintons Rifle Company was in the Stono Battle Col Null and General Sumpters was commanders About the first of January in the year 1780 as well as I recollect I was drafted for three months to go to Charlestown but before we reached there the British had taken possession of that place and we performed our Tower in the country I was then commanded by Capt Kincaid and Col Hathhorn -

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Earley in the Spring of 1780 Turned out Volenteer Joined General Sumpter Brigade under Howe Capt of a Light horse Company at Clems branche where they were then encampted as well as I now recollect I obtained a Lieutenants commission under Capt How in the month of may 1780 which commission I held until the close of the war ^and two years after My afforesaid Capt Howe fell prisoner at General Sumpters defeate in august 1780 from which time I performed the duties of Captain for his company untill the close of the war because Capt How was not exchanged
Which time I was principally in camps except when I visit home by consent of my officers or for the perpose of exchanging the Divisions of the company our principale marches was in the limits of South Carolina
During which Time I was in the following Battles viz the Battle of Rocky Mount a skirmish with a party of Torys commanded by Col, Kary one day before Gates defeat and two days before General Sumpters defeat which defeat I was in allso the battle Hughgees Bridge a fiew milles from Charleston the Battle at the Fisher dam ford on broad river allso at the Battle at Blackstocks on Tiger river allso Two skirmishes with the Torys as well as I recollect at this time I was Dismissed from Service and got home in August 1782
I hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my [illegible] is not on the pension roll or agency of any State
Sworn to & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court
Jas McKisick
Robt Cowden

We Thomas J Hall Clergyman residing in the county of Bedford and James Ewing Residing in said county hereby certify that we are well acquainted Robert Cowden who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 78 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Tho. J. Hall
Jas Ewing
Sworn to in open 11th August 1832
Jas McKisick

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Questions propounded by the Court
first Where and in what year were you born 
Ans I was born in the State of North Carolina in the County of Maclinburg

2d Have you any record of your age and if so where is it Ans I have in my house Bible at Home and according to that Record I was born on the 20th of January 1754

3d Where were you living when called into Service where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live Ans When I was first called into service I was living in Lincoln County in North Carolina In the year 1778 I moved into South Carolina York district in the year 1784 I removed To the state of Georgia Wilks County where I lived three years and then removed to Elbert County in the same state where I lived fourteen years then removed To Jaeson County in the same state where lived untill the year 1811 when I removed to the state of Tennessee Bedford 

4th How were you called into service were you drafted did you [illegible] or were you a Substitute and if a Substitute for whom Ans my first Tower I served a volenteer and then I was drafted in north carolina my service in south carolina and the rest of my services I performed as a volenter I performed no duty as a substitute

5th State the names the regular officers who were with the Troops where you served such continental and malitia regiments as you can recollect and the circumstances of your services
Ans General Sumpter was our General Null Bratten Hill Lacy & Patten Moffet and Watson Cols of the malitia Col Lee and Washingtons commanders of the horse Troops that came to us from the north 
Turn over

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Col Waid Hamton and his two Brothers Commanded three hors Troops of ^the South Carolina Calvary Col. Henderson commanded a Regiment of regular Troops I was allso acquaited with General Marian and his services in behalf of the USA against the Torys

6th did you ever receve a Discharge from the Service and if so by whome was it Given and what became of it -
Ans I receved three ^the first from Col Grimes of North Carolina the second from Col Watson the third from Col Hill but I am not able to say what has become of them I never receved any Discharge after the year 1780 as I recollect

Did you ever receve a commission and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it
I receved a lieuttenants commission as stated in the declaration it was handed me by Capt Howe but I do not Recollect by whome it was sined nor what has become of it

7th State the names of persons to whome you are known in your present neighberhood and who can Testify as to your character for voracity and their belief of your services as revolutiand soldier
Ans I have been well acquainted with the Reverend Thomas J Hall Allen Leaper James Ewing Esqr David Appleby Esqr James L Ewing Esqr I am well ^acquainted withe Clerk of the Court the Sheriff of County and Great many citizens of this County having lived in the County upwards of Twenty Years
Robtr Cowden
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court 10th August 1832
Jas McKisick

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State of Tennessee
Bedford County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in & for the County of Bedford in the State aforesaid Robert Cowden a revolutionary Soldier who being first duly sworn deposeth and saith for explanation to his original and foregoing declaration, that by reason of old age & consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below; that is to say, In the first expedition as mentioned in his original declaration two months and a half. In the second expedition one month: In the third expedition four months: In the fourth expedition three months: after Joining Genl. Sumpters Brigade as a volunteer as stated in his original declaration in April or May 1780 he continued in Sumpters Army untill after the close of the War tho he was sometimes permited by his officers to visit his family, but was always under the command & at the disposal of Genl. Sumpter from the time he Joined his brigade untill the conclusion of the war making the whole of his revolutionary services not less than twenty seven Months: he further states that during Seventeen Months of the above service he was a Commissioned Lieutenant under Capt Howe who was he has stated in his original declaration was taken a prisoner at Genl. Sumpters defeat: he further states that he does not know of any person by whom he can prove his services as an officer he is advised that John Patton who has testifyed to his services in the army, has forgot the circumstances of his being an officer: and altho this deponant & said Patton were well acquainted in the army: also before & after the War they did not belong to the same company when in service. This deponant therefore respectfully claims a pension from his government for ten months services a private Soldier and seventeen Months service as a Commissioned Lieutenant during the Revolutionary War 
Robt Cowden
Sworn to & subscribed this 23rd of January 1833
John Warner J.P.

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State of Tennessee ss I James McKisick Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Session of the County of Bedford in the State aforesaid do hereby Certify that John Warner before whom Robert Cowden made oath to the forgoing amendment & explination to his original declaration is an acting Justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid duly Commissioned and Sworn & that full faith & credit ought to be given to his official acts as such: In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the Court at office in Shelbyville this 23rd day of January 1832
Jas McKisick Clk
[seal of office]

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4898.
Robert Cowdens declaration

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4898
Robert Cowden
Bedford Co
Tennessee.
from 1777 private 
& Lieutenant 2 yrs
Private 4 months 23.33
Lieut 17 do 213.33
$236.66
P-[illegible]
Suspended see special
letter 16 Apl 33 to J. McKisick
[math equation]
See let Nov 8- 33
J. McKisick
Shelbyville
Tens

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4898
BRIEF in the case of Robert Cowden
of Bedford County in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made be fore a Court or a Judge? In Open Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he?  78 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings: Period. Duration of Service Years. Months. Days. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served]
About the last of Jany In 1776. -. 2 1/2. -. -. Gel. Rutherford, Colo. Grimes, Capt Barber, Colo. Martin.
Summer 1777-Drafted. -. 1. -. -. Genl. Sumpter.
1779-Drafted for 3, & servd. -. 4. -. -. Colo. Neill, Capt. Clintons Rifle comp?.
1780-Drafted for . -. 3. -. -. Capt. Kincaid.
Commissioned May 1780. performed the duties of Capt from Augt. 1780, to the close of the War. -. -. Lieut. Colo. Hathhorn.


5. In what battles was he engaged? Battle at Stono - at Rocky Mount- at Hughes Bridge - at Fisher dam ford - and at Black Stocks on Tiger river - also 2 skirmishes

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lincoln Coty. North Carolina

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary evidence & by living witness.

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Examining Clerk.

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July 15, 1931.

Mr. Edward Lance
Sparta, Tennessee

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
ILL

Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 1656, that Robert Cowden was born January 20, 1754 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

While a resident of Lincoln County, North Carolina, he enlisted the last of January, 1776, and served two and one half months as a private under Captain Barber and Colonel Grimes in the North Carolina troops; in the summer, 1777, he served one month against the Cherokee Indians.

Soldier moved in 1778 to York District, South Carolina, and served in the South Carolina troops as follows: in 1779, four months as private in Captain Clinton's Rifle Company under Colonel Neill a and was in the battle of Stono; from January, 1780, three months under Captain Kincaid and Colonel Hawthorne; he was commissioned in April or May, 1780, lieutenant in Captain Howe's Company of light horse, was in the battle of Rocky Mount, and from August, 1780, when Captain Howe was taken prisoner, he acted as Captain of said company, was in the battles of Huger's Bridge, Fish Dam Ford, Black Stocks and in other skirmishes and served until about August, 1782.

Soldier moved in 1784 from South Carolina to Wilkes County, Georgia where he resided three years, then moved to Elbert County, Georgia where he remained fourteen years, thence to Jackson County, Georgia, where he lived until 1811.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832, while a resident of Bedford County, Tennessee, where he 

1.

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had moved from Georgia.

Soldier referred to a family in 1780, but did not give any names.

Very truly yours,

A.D.HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.

2.

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December 26, 1933.

Mary Dysart
1601 East Broadway
Columbia, Missouri.

BA-J/ILL
Robert Cowden
S. 1656
John Crutchfield
S. 10498

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Robert Cowden and John Crutchfield.

The records of those two soldiers are furnished herein as found in the papers on file in their claims for pension, numbered as above, based upon service in the Revolutionary War.

ROBERT COWDEN -S. 1656.

Robert Cowden was born January 20, 1754 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

While a resident of Lincoln County, North Carolina, he enlisted the last of January, 1776, and served two and one half months as a private under Captain Barber and Colonel Grimes in the North Carolina troops; in the summer, 1777, he served one month against the Cherokee Indians.

In 1778, he  moved to York District, South Carolina, and served in the South Carolina troops as follow: in 1779, four months as private in Captain Clinton's Rifle company under Colonel Neill and was in the battle of Stono; from January, 1780, three months under Captain Kincaid and Colonel Hawthorne; he was commissioned in April or May, 1780, Lieutenant in Captain Howe's company of light horse, was in the battle of Rocky Mount, and from August 1780, when Captain Howe was taken prisoner, he acted as Captain of said company, was in the battles of Huger's Bridge, Fish Dam Ford, Black Stocks, and in skirmishes, and served until about August 1782.

The soldier moved in 1784 from South Carolina to Wilkes County,

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Georgia, where he resided three years, then moved to Elbert County, that state, and remained fourteen years, thence to Jackson County, Georgia, where is resided until 1811.

Robert Cowden was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832, at which time he resided in Bedford County, Tennessee to which place he had moved from Georgia.

The soldier referred to a family in 1780, but he did not give any names. 

JOHN CRUTCHFIELD-S. 10498

John Crutchfield, while a resident of Surry County, North Carolina, enlisted and served as private with the North Carolina troops as follow: from August, 1775, two months in Captain James Shepherd's company, Colonel Martin Armstrong's regiment; from February, 1777, three months in Captain Benjamin Cleveland's company; in the summer of 1780, five days in Captain Shepherd's company; in 1790, twelve days in Captain Porter's company; in February, 1781, twenty days in Captain Underwood's company, Colonel Williams' regiment; he was in the battle of Haw River.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 20, 1832, while a resident of Garrard County, Kentucky, aged seventy-eight years.

It was not stated whether he was married.

He died December 31, 1841.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.

2.

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May 8, 1931.

Mr. John B. Cowden
West Nashville, Tennessee.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
ILL

Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 1656, that Robert Cowden was born January 20, 1754 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

While a resident of Lincoln County, North Carolina, he enlisted the last of January, 1776 and served two and one half months as a private under Captain Barber and Colonel Grimes in the North Carolina troops; in the summer, 1777, he served one month against the Cherokee Indians.

Soldier moved in 1778 to York District, South Carolina, and served in the South Carolina troops as follows: in 1779, four months as private in Captain Clinton's Rifle Company under Colonel Neill a and was in the battle of Stono; from January, 1780, three months under Captain Kincaid and Colonel Hawthorne; he was commissioned in April or May, 1780, lieutenant in Captain Howe's Company of light horse, was in the battle of Rocky Mount, and from August, 1780, when Captain Howe was taken prisoner, he acted as Captain of said company, was in the battles of Huger's Bridge, Fish Dam Ford, Black Stocks and in other skirmishes and served until about August, 1782.

Soldier moved in 1784 from South Carolina to Wilkes County, Georgia where he resided three years, then moved to Elbert County, Georgia where he remained fourteen years, thence to Jackson County, Georgia and remained until 1811.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 10, 1832, while a resident of Bedford County, Tennessee, where he had

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moved from Georgia.

Soldier referred to a family in 1780 but no names are gived.

Very truly yours,

E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.

2.

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1601 E Bdway
Columbia Mo
Dec 8, 1933

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:
Will you please give me the pension record of Robert Cowden, Revolutionary Soldier, of Marshall Co. Tennessee. The small town of Cowden was named for him. Born 1854. 
Also:
John Crutchfield of Garrard Co., Kentucky, also Revolutionary Soldier. Born 1853.

Very truly yours,
Mary Dysart
1601 E Bdway
Columbia
Mo
[stamp] RECEIVED DEC 11 1933 MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS ADM. READER#85

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Sparta, Tenn.
June 18, 1931.

Veterans Administration
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
[stamp]U.S. PENSION OFFICE JUN 22 1931

Dear Sir:
If you have the records of William Green ^none, of Tazewell, Co. Va., among the pension records for service in the War of 1812, please send both the War record and family records. What is mentioned about his parents? What is mentioned about his own family?

Also, if you have Revolutionary records of John, Robert, James, and William Cowden and John Snavely please send me the data about them.

Yours Truly,
Edward Lance
P.S. The Cowden's and Snavely were of Virginia.

See negative files under James Cowden

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[header]John B. Cowden Christian Unity West Nashville, Tennessee

The Pension Dept
Washington D.C.

Dear sirs:
A published report of the Revolutionary war pensioners of the year 1840 gives the name of Robert Cowden, age, 86 yrs, who was then living in Marshall County, Tennessee, and who, I think, moved there from [illegible] County, N.C. Will you ^please give me all the facts pertaining to him that you have in your department.

Thanking you for this information, I am yours gratefully,
[stamp]U.S. PENSION OFFICE O MAR 30 1931
John B Cowden
West Nashville 
Tenn

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[left side of page]
1931- May 8 - Hist. to John B. Cowden - ILL.
1931- July 15 - Hist. to Edward Lance - ILL
1933- Dec. 26 - Hist to Mary Dysart - ILL

[right side of page]
Rev. War
1656
INVALID.
File No. 1656.
Robert Cowden
Lt. N.C. Line
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index:-Vol. A, Page 72
[Arrangement of 1870.]
N.C. and S.C. Line Records corrected Oct. 23 03 A

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House of Reps
July 6th 1846

Sir
Herein enclosed I send you a letter from a friend of my Mr B Williams respecting the services of Lieut Robt Cowden in the war of the Revolution and commutation due him - I desire that you cause examination to be made into this case and advise me of the result as early as your convinience will allow and you will oblige
Respectfully,
G W Jones

Col J. L. Edwards
Coms. of Pensions

Page 23

Personally appeared in open Court John Patton a citizen of the said County of Bedford who makes the following statement on his Oath in relation to the services rendered by Robert Cowden the before mentioned applicant -
That he was in several campaigns with the said Robert in the revolutionary war they were both in the engagement at or near Rocky Mount in South Carolina where Genl Sumpter was defeated they were in another battle of Rocky Mount some time before Sumpters defeat they they were both in the Stono campaign, on a three months tour against the British, & marched to near the Seabord in the Southen edge of the State of South Carolina he further States he was acquainted with said Cowden when they were both boys that they both went to the same School. he was acquainted with ^him during & after the revolutionary war they have had many conversations together in relation to things which transpired in the army in their different Campaigns
John Patton
Sworn to in open Court 10th August 1832
Jas McKisick clk

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Whereupon the said Court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above mentioned applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states: And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that Thomas J. Hall who has signed the foregoing Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Bedford and that James Ewing and John Patton who have signed the same are credible persons and that their respective statements are entitled to credit
J L Neill
Samuel Phillips
John B. Armstrong

I James McKisick Clerk of the Court of pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Bedford in the State of Tennessee do hereby Certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Robert Cowden for a pension -
[seal of office]
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office at office in Shelbyville the 10th day of August 1832
Jas McKisick

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The State of Alabama Lauderdale County SS
Be it Remembered that John Henderson aged about 79 years ^cam personally before me [illegible] H. Wood and makes oath in due form of Law that he knows Robert Cowden (who is now present) and about 79 that he knew said Cowden in the State of South Carolina in the Service of the United States as a Lieutenant in the militia of South Carolina, that he knew him in the year 1780; that he was there in the Service of the United States - and holding the rank as a Lieutenant & knew him to be in continuous in the Service with very Little intermission from that untill the close of the war and holding the rank of Lieutenant during the whol Term that they were at many places and in several Battles together and Served one three months Tour the said Henderson the Captain & the Said Cowden the Lieutenant of the same company that he & said Cowden were raised in the same neighborhood and were acquainted, when Boys the said Henderson states that he was a Captain commanding a company of militia in the State of South Carolina in the Service of the United States from the year 1781 - untill the close of the war that he know resides in one Nairy County Tennessee & is now in Alabama on Business, that Said Cowden being in search of him pain proff, found him near Florence Alabama where this affidavit made & the Said Henderson here Exhibits his old commission as Captain - that they Served under General Sumpter whole Time-
John Henderson
Sworn & Subscribed to before me this 22d of June 1833
[illegible] H. Wood JP Seal

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The State of Alabama Lauderdale County
I William W Garrard clerk of the County Court of said county do certify that Alexander H. Wood before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was then & is now an acting Justice of the peace for Said county duly commisioned and qualified as Such
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and the Seal of Said County at my office in Florence this 22 of June 1833
W. W. Garrard clk

The State of Alabama
Lauderdale County } I Sidney C Posey presiding Judge of the County Court of said County, do certify that William W Garrard whose official Signature is annexed to the above certificate is and was at the time of signing the same the same the Clerk of said Court, and that his attestation aforesaid is in due form of law - Given under my hand and seal this 22 of June 1833
S. C. Posey seal

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This sheet contains evidence to sustain the foregoing claim of Robert Cowden as an officer in the revolutionary War which I have appended to his original and amended declaration
Jas. McKisisck Clk
of Bedford County Court 

Mr Cowden offers the department to Col Palk if more satisfactory information should be [illegible]

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Robt. Cowdens declaration with the evidence of his Services as an officer