Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 2162, Theophilus Coleman, N.C.

Page 1

Service: N.C.
Coleman, Theophilus
Keziah
Number: R 2162

Page 2

(Left Page)
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4th Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838. Age notified 5 Dec 1838.

(Right Page)
North Carolina 23.618
Theophilus Coleman,
Columbus W. in the State of N. Carolina who was a Pr. Inf. N. Car. in the Company commanded by Captain Shipman of the Regt commanded by Col. Wade in the N. C. ma line for 12 mo. Inf. $40
2. Car. 8.33
$48.33

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of $48 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of March 1834 and sent to Hon. W McKay H. of Repr. [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of March '34 $144.99
Semi-anl. allowance ending 6 Sept. '34, 24.16
$169.15
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Eli Brown Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 6 1/2 Page 49

Page 3

29.924
N.C.
Theophilus Coleman

Admit to [illegible]
12 mo [illegible] 40
2 a Cas 8 33
48.33

Page 4

State of North Carolina}
Columbus County}
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions February Sessions 1834
On this the 10th day of February 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the Worshipful Josiah Nye, Robert Ward and Elisha Sellars Justices of the Peace for the County of Columbus holding the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County now sitting: Theophilus Coleman a resident of the County of Columbus and State of North Carolina aged seventy two years the 2nd day of May 1833 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. He entered the service as a Private for six months in a Company of Bladen Militia then a resident of that County under the command of Captain Daniel Shipman, in the Fall of the year 1777;- that precise time being called to his recollection by the circumstance of his Father objecting to his entering the service on account of his being only sixteen years of age, and of course, as he said not liable to the performance of Militia duty. The company rendezvoused at Elizabethtown together with several other Militia Companies, under the command of Colonel Wade, and marched thence with other Troops under the command of Genl Ashe. He recollects Captain Leggets and Elliots Companies:- he presumes that there were other Regiments as there were other Field Officers but he does not remember their names. They crossed the Peedee River at Port's Ferry, and proceeded there the lower part of South Carolina to Briar Creek in Georgia, crossing the Savannah River at Augusta. The Americans while encamped at Briar Creek, between the creek and the River were surprised and defeated in the early part of the day:-

Page 5

General Ashe having taken no precaution against such a contingency altho he had been advised that the enemy were in his immediate vicinity: they made but one fire and fled. He with others, swam across the River, and joined his Company at a place called "the Ridge": whence they took up the line of March for North Carolina and crossing the Peedee again at Ports Ferry, they proceeded up the River to the Grassy Islands and thence to Fayetteville then Cross Creek, where they joined a body of Back County Militia under General Rutherford, and where he was stationed until the expiration of his term of service. He believes that there were some Continental Troops and Officers at Briar Creek but he does not recollect the names of any of the Officers. He received a written discharge from General Ashe but it has long since been lost or destroyed. 
2. Before he returned home, he became a substitute for a service of three months for his Father who was detailed from Capt Tho Ames' Company of Bladen Militia and ordered to report himself to Capt Daniel Shipman at Fayetteville. Captain Shipman's men with several other companies of Militia from the adjoining Counties under the command of General Lillington and Col Thomas Brown with the back Country Militia under Gen Rutherford, marched first to Thompson's Mill in South Carolina; thence near to the Blue Ridge in North Carolina, and were stationed there four weeks. He with several others of the Bladen Militia were ordered thence to escort the baggage wagons to Fayetteville, in order to avoid Lord Cornwallis's Army- then it was said, not very far off; where they were ordered to remain until the arrival of Colonel Brown. On his arrival, they received a furlough from him with orders to meet him again in a few days at Livingston Creek in Brunswick County. They accordingly repaired to that place, but Col

Page 6

Brown was not there, (struck through) and where he is was a few days after, being then on Long Creek where he was a few days after, defeated and severely wounded by the Tories. They, however, received orders from him, the Col Edward Wingate, to repair to Hood's Creek Bridge, where a small body of Brunswick Militia was stationed under Col Wingate and Capt Simmonds. While there an attack was made on the Detachment by a body of British from Wilmington under Major Manson. The British who made their appearance about day light, were kept in check for a short time by a small body of men at the Bridge under Capt. Simmonds_but Capt Simmonds having been killed_the detachment was ordered by Col Wingate to disperse and return home. He completed his term of service and was informed that Colonel Brown has notified him and the other men to apply for their discharges but as he lived some distance from him, he never applied, and never received one. 
3. Immediately after, He volunteered in a Company of Militia light horse, or mounted men, under Capt John Grantham of Bladen County, on an expedition against the Tories in the upper part of Bladen County, and the State of South Carolina_marched to Little Peedee_thence to Mars Bluff on Big Peedee_thence back to Lumberton in Bladen, (now Robeson) County, and after having been in service three months received a verbal discharge at that place and returned home. 
4. At the close of hostilities, and shortly after the British Army under Lord Cornwallis marched to Wilmington North Carolina, he volunteered as a Private in Capt Wm Legget's Company of Bladen light horse, who were engaged in scouting parties against the Tories, and during the time, they were thus engaged, they joined the Back Country Militia under General Butler at Brown's Creek, and formed a part of the Bladen Militia under Colonel Thomas Owen; after marching to Marsh Castle on the White Marsh_and returning on the lower

Page 7

side of the Marsh, they encamped outside of a Corn field at Baldwen's Old Field_about two hours perhaps later in the night, the British came thru' the corn field and attacked the Americans. The Back Country Militia fled on the first fire_but the Bladen and Duplin Militia under Col Owen and Capt Dodd, until compelled to retire by superior men_[illegible]_of the former two men, Stevens and Sejourney were killed. After this skirmish Capt Legget's men returned home_but were immediately after called out again on the same kind of service against the Tories_and after having been in actual service, two months_he received a verbal discharge. 
He has no documentary evidence, nor does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure
He hereby relinquished 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. 
Sworn to and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid
Tes Chs. Baldwin Clk. 
Theophilus (his mark) T Coleman

Answers to the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department as propounded to the Applicant by the Court.
1. I was born in Edgecombe County N.Ca. May 2nd 1761. 
2. I have a record of my age on a sheet of paper torn out of an old Family Bible formerly belonging to my Father. 
3. I removed with my Father, before the Revolutionary War, to Columbus, (then Bladen) County where I have resided ever since
4. I was drafted in the first instance, was a substitute in the next and in my two last tours, I was a Volunteer.

Page 8

5. I have no recollection of any Continental Officers or of any Militia Officers or Regiments except those named in my declaration and to which I beg leave to refer for the general circumstances of my service
6. I received a discharge in one instance only which has been lost or destroyed_for information on this lead, I beg leave also to refer to my declaration. 
7. __

We Joel Stevens and Luke R. Simmons hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Theophilus Coleman, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to seventy two 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 to and subscribed
the dat and year aforesaid
Test Chs. Baldwin Clk. 
J Stevens
L R Simmons

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after an 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. The Court further certifies that it appears to them that Joel Stevens and Luke R Simmons who have signed the preceding certificate are

Page 9

residents of the County of Columbus and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. The Court further certifies that the applicant could not procure the attendance of a Clergyman without too much inconvenience. 
Josiah Nye
Robert Ward
Elisha Sellers

I, Charles Baldwin, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Columbus, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Theophilus Coleman for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this the 10th day of February 1834. 
Chs. Baldwin Clk.

Page 10

11057 June 7 1844
Declaration 
of 
Kesiah Coleman
NC
K. Coleman
7 May 1838
rejected

H H Sylvester
Return made to Jas A Craig Esqr
Ruffins Mill
Orange County
N.C.

Page 11

Declaration.
In order to obtain arrears of Pension due from March 4th 1836 under the act of
July 7th 1838. 

State of North Carolina}
Columbus County}
On this the first day of April 1844 came personally before me one of the acting Justices of the peace and a member of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions in and for the said County and State. Kisiah Coleman a resident of the aforesaid County and State aged 78 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the amount of pension which she claims from the 4th day of March 1836 to the 4th day of March 1841. 
That she is the widow of the late Theophilus Coleman decd. who was a private of infantry and cavalry in the war of the Revolution that lived in Columbus County N.Carolina and drew a Pension under the act of 1832 from the United States of $48.33 per annum, on the account of his revolutionary service. That the said Theophilus Coleman was placed on the Pension roll in March 1834. 
She further declares that she was married to the aforesaid Theophilus Coleman in the year of seventeen hundred and eighty-six_that her husband the aforesaid Theophilus Coleman died on the 9th day of July 1843.__ That she was not married to the aforesaid Theophilus Coleman prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place

Page 12

place previous to the first day of January 1794. viz; at the time above stated 1786.
That she is now a widow and has not married since the death of her said husband, but remains his widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. 
She further declares that she has no family record- sworn to and subscribed on this the 1st day of April 1844. before
[illegible] William Strickland J. Peace
Kisiah (her X mark) Coleman

I the said Justice of the peace do hereby certify that Kisiah Coleman who hath this day sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration before me is a creditable person and to be believed I also certify that she is by reason of old age unable to attend Court to make her said declaration. And I further certify that she is the widow of the identical Theophilus Coleman who was a pensioner as stated by the declarant to the time of the said Theophilus Colemans death that she is now a widow. 
Given under my hand on the day and date above written
William Strickland, Peace 

State of North Carolina}
Columbus County}
Chs. Baldwin Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions for the said County (now in session) do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has this day been furnished said Court by the deposition of Elizabeth Long that

Page 13

Kisiah Coleman who is now applying for a Pension was married to Theophilus Coleman in the year of seventeen hundred and eighty-six that the said Theophilus Coleman Pensioner of the United States did die on the 9th day of July Eighteen hundred and forty-three. Leaving a widow, Kisiah, [illegible] surviving. 
I also certify that the foregoing proceedings were this day subscribed to the said Court and was read, examined, and approved, by the Court. 
Whereupon it was ordered by the Court that I the said Clerk certify the same to the war Department. And I further certify that William Strickland whose name appears signed to the foregoing declaration and certified is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Columbus and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine. - In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of office on this the 15th day of May A.D. 1844. Chs. Baldwin Clk.

Page 14

State of North Carolina}
Columbus County} ss. 
On this the 5th day of April 1844, personally appeared before the undersigned one of the acting Justices of the peace and a member of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions for the said County and State. Elizabeth Long a resident of the aforesaid County and State, aged 69 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following statement to-wit: that she is well acquainted with Kisiah Coleman, widow of the late Theophilus Coleman Pensioner decd. who is now applying for a Pension for the services of her decd. husband the aforesaid Theophilus Coleman that this [illegible] was present and witnessed the solemnization of the rits of matrimony between the aforesaid Theophilus Coleman and Kisiah Coleman- that they were married in the year of seventeen hundred and eighty-six. 
Sworn to and subscribed on the dat and date above written before
John G. Bellamy J.P.} Elizabeth (her X mark) Long
I the said Justice of the peace. Certify that Elizabeth Long is a woman of truth and that her statements are entitled to full credit- given under my hand on this the 5th day of April 1844. John G. Bellamy

Page 15

State of North Carolina}
Columbus County}
I Chs. Baldwin Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions for the said County of Columbus, certify that John G. Bellamy whose name appears signed to within declaration and certificate is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County and that the signature purporting to be his are genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office on this the 11th day of May A.D. 1844. 
Chs. Baldwin Clk.

Page 16

State of N Carolina}
County of Columbus} ss. 

Be it known, That on this twenty eighth day of May A.D., eighteen hundred and fifty two before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared James Hammonds a resident of Horry District S.C., and made oath according to law that he is the Administrator of Keziah Coleman dec'd of Columbus County N.C 

who made application for a Pension under the act of 18 July 1838 [illegible] and who died on the 17th day of Aug. 1850 leaving now surviving her, the following named children, Tomik?, Martha Jermgan, Elizabeth Coleman, Ava Faulk, Aly Strickland, Sarah Jermgan, Keziah Jermgan, Theophilus Coleman, Rhoda Coleman, Anna Coleman, Moses Coleman Mary Hammonds and that he has been informed that the said Pension ought to be allowed that he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim. 
Sworn to and subscribed, the say and}
year aforesaid, before me.} James Hammond Admin.
B. Smith J. Peace

I, Burrel Smith Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that James Hammonds Admn. who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of Horry District S.C. and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth. 
B Smith J. Peace. 

I, Thos M. Smith Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that B Smith before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is his signature. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal, this 3rd day of July A.D. 1852. 
Thos M Smith Clerk.

Page 17

Know All Men By These Presents, That I, James Hammond Admin of Kiziah Coleman of Horry District South Carolina hereby constitute and appoint George C Ames Esqr. my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of Kiziah Coleman for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to __ to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises. 
Witness my hand and Seal this 28 day of May A.D. 1852

Signed and Sealed in the Presence of} James Hammond Admin
Witness Alva Smith
Witness James L Mills 

State of North Carolina}
County of Columbus} ss.
On this 28th day of May A.D. 1852 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared James Hammond Admin of Kiziah Coleman and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his net and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned. 
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand}
the day and year aforesaid.}
B Smith J. Peace.

Page 18

(Struck through) Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873. 

2102
P.O. Kiziah Coleman
Service: widow of Theophilus

Enlisted: __, 18__
Discharged: __, 18__

Application filed: __, 18__

Alleges: __

Re-enlisted: __

Attorney: __
P.O. __
__ Recognized. __ Contract.
__ Cert. of Dis. Searched for __, 18__

Page 19

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office, 
Nov. 28. 1838.

Sir: 
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Theophilus Coleman a Pensioner on the Roll of the North Carolina Agency, at the rate of Forty eight Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1857 to the 4th March 1838.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller. 

To the Commissioner of Pensions, 
Present.

Page 20

marriage certificate

Page 21

State of North Carolina}
Bladen County}
I David Lewis Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions for the County of Bladen, certify that I have made diligent search for the marriage bond of Theophilus Coleman (whose widow is now applying for a Pension) and cannot find said bond. The marriage bond file not being perfect. I further certify that I have never to the best of my recollection been able to find a bond to enable an old widow to get a pension
In testimony whereof I have here-
unto set my hand and affixed the seal
of office on this the 7th day of May 1844. 
David Lewis Clk

Page 22

Kesiah Coleman
to H.H. Sylvester Act. 4'44

Page 23

Washington May 14, 1852
James E Heath Esq
Sir
Enclosed you will find Power of Attorney in the case of Keziah Coleman widow of Theophilus of North Carolina Act 7 July 1838.
I [illegible] the [illegible] of examining the papers now in file in your office in support of this claim
Very Respectfully,
Your obt sert
Geo. C. Ames