Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 42,730, William Freehold, Va.

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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
(3-1776)
SERVICE					NUMBER
Va.		Freehold, William		S. 42,730
[left blank]
				
CONTENTS

[left blank]

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William Freehold
of Gallia CY in the State of Ohio
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Morgan of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Campbell in the Virginia line, for the term of 18 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio 
at the of 8 dollars per month, to commence on the 1 of March 1823 

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 of April 1823 and Sentto Edward W. Tupper Gallipolis, Ohio

Arrears to 4th of March 1823			1. 3
emi anl. all’ce ending 4 Sept. 1823 	      48
						            $49. 3
Revolutionary claim, 
Acts March 18,1818,
and May 1 1820
&
March1, 1823

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State of Ohio
Gallia County Fs

This day personally came before me Thomas Rodgers an associate Judge within and for said County William Freehold , now residing in said County aged sixty five years, and doth upon his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the  provisions made by the late act of congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval services of the United States in the revolutionary War."

That in addition to many other services of different periods he enlisted at Winchester in Virginia under 
Captain  Simon Morgan in Col. Richard Campbells regiment of the Virginia line for the term of eighteen months, The date of is enlistment he does no recollect, but it was but a short time before the battle of Gilford [Guilford], he having remained at Winchester about three weeks, & was then marched to Chesterfield where he drew his arms, & thence proceeded to Gilford [Guilford] , where he joined said regiment about three days before the battle & was enrolled in the company as Sergeant - 

Soon after this battle he was sent with the sick and wounded to Dan River on detachment, where he remained some month, Thence ordered to the Hospital at Charlotte- Thence ordered to the Laboratory at Salisbury in N Carolina, where he remained some months, and marched from thence to the Eutaw Springs with ammunition prepared at the Laboratory -

At said Springs he joined his company & regiment a few days before the battle. That he was engaged in the battle of the Eutaw Springs when his Colonel Campbell was killed & his Captain Simon Morgan was severely wounded, whom he assisted

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to bear off from the battleground. After this battle was ordered back from his company again to the Laboratory at Salisbury where he remained until his turn of service expired and then recieved the discharge which accompanys this his declaration dated at said Salisbury 17th day of January 1782 signed by [illegible]  Green + Thos Edmunds Capt Commandant- That during that period he was in the hottest of the battle at Gildord, and was also in the battle of the Eutace Springs, but not in the most exposed part. 
And that he is now in such reduced circumstandces as absolutely to stand in need of the assistance of his country for his support, + that expecting his said discharge, he has now no other evidence whereby he can prove said services- 

Sworn to + subscribed before me this 29th day of Feb 1820 Hon. Rodgers Assiciate Judge WM Freehold 

I Thomas Rodgers an Associate Judge within and for said county at Gallica do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said William Freehold did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the proceeding declaration against the common enemy for the term of nine months at one time on the continental establishments - and I now [illegible] the proceeding + testimony [illegible] +  had before me to the secretary of the department of war [illegible] to the durations of the afore mentioned act of congress - I am also satisfide that he needs the assistance of his county for his support.
Gallipolis 29 Feb 1820
Hon. Rodgers Associate Judge

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William Freehold Declarations
State of Ohio 
Gallia County Fs
I Franic Leclercq Clerk of the court of common pleas for the said county of Gallia do hereby certify that Thomas Rodgers esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit of William Freehold appears to have been sworn to and subscribed is one of the associate judges of the court of common pleas for the said county of Gallia and duly commissioned and sworn and that all due faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as well in courts of Justice as thereout and that the within are his signatures. 
In testimony whereof I have [illegible] set my hand 
and affined the seal of my office at Gallipolis this first day of May in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty and in the eighteenth year of this state. 
Francis Leclercq elk c.c.p

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[left hand page]
Wm Freehold

[right hand page]
-17,431.
William Freehold,
Gallia Co: Ohio
original declaration
29. February, 1820.

Col Richard Campbell 's
regiment, Va.
line , February 1781.
to 17. January, 1782.

Not found on rolls,
The testimony on oath, of two or
more disinterested and credible 
persons, certified as such, by the 
judge, proving 9 month's service
of the applicant, in continuance,
on continental estab. designating
the Cols. name, and line,
is required.
Worth $123.00

Edward W. Tupper, agt
Galliopolis, Ohio
26. Sept. 1820.

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State of Ohio
Gallia County Ss
I Francis LecLercq Clerk of the Court of
Common pleas for the said county of
Gallia do hereby certify that the foregoing 
oath and the schedule thereto annexed are
truly copies from the records of said court; 
and I do further certify that it is the opinion of 
the said court that the total amount in value 
of the property exhibited in the aforesaid 
Schedule is one hundred & seventy three
Dollars

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand and affixed the seal of the said court at
Gallipolis this third day of August in the year 
of our lord one thousand eight hundred and 
twenty and in the Eighteenth year of this
state.
Francis LecLercq clk c.c.p. [illegible]

[attached round seal covered by paper]

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State of Ohio Gallia County of Court of Common Pleas-
On  this third day of August 1820 personally appeared in open court, being a court of record for said County, 
William Freehold aged sixty six years, & being first
duly sworn according to law, doth upon his oath, declare
that he served in the revolutionary war as follows - 

That in addition to many other short services he enlisted 
at Winchester in Virginia under Capt Simon Morgan in 
Col Richard Campbells regiment of the Virginian line
for the term of eighteen months which enlistment was a short time before the battle of Gilford [Guilford], in which
battle he was engaged, being enrolled in said Company as Sergeant, and was finally discharged at Salisbury in North Carolina on the 17th day of January 1782 all of which will more fully appear by his former declaration 
here presented to which the discharge he then & there 
received is attached.

And I the said William Freehold do furthermore solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen in the United States
on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any other manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an 
act of congress [illegible] an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war passed on the 
18th day of March 1818 & that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities contracts or debts due to me- Nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereunto annexed by me subscribed

Schedule-
1. Horse of the value $40.00
1. Cow 10--
1. Plough 4--
2. [illegible] horse [illegible] 3--
1. felling axe 2--
1. garden hoe .25
6. knives & forks (old) ".50
6. plates, & 1 dish 1.50
1 Bake oven & 1 small pot 1.50
part of a set of cups & saucers 1.50
2.notes of 5 dollars given by [illegible] 10.--
25. acres of second rate hill land 70.00
about 4 acres partly cleared ...no house on it
[signature] William Freehold

I the said William Freehold, doth furthermore solenmly
swear  that I am a common labouer by occupation. That my family consists of an aged wife quite [illegible] & 2 grandchildren, one a boy of 3 years of age - and the other a girl of six years - and that I am so afflicted with the rheumatism as often is confine me to my room - some times for months, which with the other infirmities of age, renders it very difficult for me to procure a support for myself & wife - Wm freehold [signature]

Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year first above written
Ezra Osburn Pres.d Judge

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[back of folded piece of paper]
FREEHOLD,
WILLIAM
(VA)
S 42730

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The Bearer William Freehold Serjeant  with the 
first Virginia Detachment and Capt Morgan's 
company having served till the last day of 
December 1781 the term for which he engaged 
is hereby discharged from the service and we do 
certify that he has behaved as a brave & faithful
soldier - Given under our hands at Salisbury this
7th day of January 1702.
Robt Green Ens
Thos Edmunds Captain

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[left side of page torn off]
alhoun
y of War
Washington 
[name written verticlly]
JL Edwards

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42730
Revy INVALID.
File No. 42, 730
William Freehold 
Pri. Rev. War
Act: 18 March 18
Index:-Vol. 3, Page 179
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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17,431.v
Wm Freehold.
Edw.d W. Tupper
Gallipolis, Ohio
Rec.d of Mar: 1823-

[written vertically across handwriting]
adm. [illegible] 
John C.

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Sir
Allow me to transmit through you to the 
subordinate bureau of the department over which you preside the enclosed application for a pension, with the duplication contained in the letter of Genl. Tupper and to request a reconsideration of the case which it presents for decision.
I am with great respect
[illegible]
your ob. servt
C. F. Mercer
March 1st, 1823

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[illegible] County V. (to wit)
The affidavit of Issabella Cartmill of lawful age taken before me
Thos Matthews a Justice of the peace for the county afsd. who being first sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God
saith that from the best information she has an can obtain 
she was born in the year seventeen hundred & seventy three.

That Wm Freehold was amongst the first of her acquaintances
she always understood him to be a soldier in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war & recollects of seeing him come home to his family on furlow [furlough] & farther recollects to see him leave home to join the army

Does not recollect the time he served but recollects he was a long time absent. She well recollects that the said Freehold was always 
when absent & present on furlow [furlough] considered a soldier 
of the United States & although she lived a long time afterwards
& during the time of the service of the said Freehold In the army afs. [aforesaid] & she herd no complaints against him, that he was always caled a good citizen & the affiant said she is yet acquainted with him & has no

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cause to change her opinion from the one she had
first formed from the common report afs [aforesaid]
she further said the William Freehold spoken of in 
this affidavit is the same Wm Freehold where at this 
time appears on Declaration to which this affidavit is 
annexed
Issabella Cartmill

Sworn to & subscribed Before me this fifth of Aug 1821
Thomas Matthews

[bottom of page]
William Freehold

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Kanawha County (Va) [now West Virginia] (to wit)

The affidavit of Henry Cartmill of Lawful age taken Before me Thos Mathew a Justice of the peace for the County afsd. [aforesaid] and being first duly sworn saith that he
the affiant had some conversation with a certain Andrew Bagan who then informed him that he had long been acquainted with Wm Freehold whose Declaration 
accompanies this affidavit  he heard the said (Bagan  who is now  dead) that this said Wm. Freehold had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War on the part of united states But does not recollect the length of time  he was said By By Bagan to have served.

The affiant said he has been long acquainted with the 
said Freehold & knows him to be a good citizen [illegible crossed out words] fifth of July 1821
Henry Cartmill

Sworn to & subscribed Before me this fifth of July 1821
Thomas Matthews

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Virginia Kanawha County [now West Virginia]
To wit

I Alexander W Quarrier Clerk of the county court for 
Kanawha County Do hereby certify that Thomas Matthews before whom the foregoing affidavit or depositions appear to have been taken was at the time of the taking of the same, and still is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid  
duly commissioned and sworn, and that to all his acts as such full faith and credit is and ought to be given 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 26th day of December 1822 and in the 47th yeqr of the 
Com'Wlth
A.W. Quarrier

[hidden seal attached]

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J.L.Edwards Esq.
Pension Office

W. M. Coy
3. March 1823.

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[left hand side written vertically]
Washington [illegible]

[middle of page]
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Pension office 

[right hand side written vertically]
Mr. McCoy
3 March 1825.

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Gallipolis 2"d Jany. 1823

Dear Sir,
I have taken the liberty to enclose to you the application for a pension and the evidence in support of it, of one of your states
soldiers of the revolution whose claim has been suspended, and I fear cannot succeed in the ordinary way, although I have not a   doubt as to the justice of his claim to it

By  examining his discharge which is attached to his
declaration there is wanting a specification of the Term he had served, Also, the term "First virginia Detachment", I cannot understand - It calls him a Sergeant in Capt Morgan company, which I take to have been a regular company in the service of 
the United States - The word detachment, could then not be considered as a detachment of militia for a few weeks, or months, but must have been a detachment of some corps of regular soldiers- 

Separate from his discharge by its language shows that he had been something more than a common militia man, who was only out for a short period -

By the endorsement made at the war office, it appears, that his name is not found on the rolls in  Col Campbells regiment - 

I know not whether Capt Morgans company was constantly mustered as a part of that Regt. But from the nature of its services I should think it was often very remote from it - It certainly appears from  the discharge that he was a Sergeant in that company, the two officers signing it , (which I take to be regular officers) having so certified  - By examining his declaration it will be seen, that he was but a short time frame of the time he served, with his company - still he appears to be at some very trying moments - There circumstances may well amount for his not appearing upon the rolls of Col. Campbells regt -

The evidence he has procured since his declaration was returned to him is not  as explicit as it might have been owing to the ignorance of the magistrates who reduced the testimony to writing; Having used the term "in the revolutionary war" as sinonimous with having been a regular soldier in the service of he US. in  the revolutionary war  - 

By examining the [illegible] depositions, although they express no time of service, yet the declaration of the soldiers with whom he served, with the general character he then

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bore, go very far in my mind when connected with his  discharge to confirm the facts stated in his declaration-

The Kanhawa [Kanawha WV] deposition is a little more in point - Mrs Cartmill recollects & certifies that she knew him early, knows he was always distinguished in the neighborhood, as a regular soldier in the service of the United States - That he was a long time absent  - 

That he came home on furlough, & returned to the service again & such appears to be the sum of the testimony to establish this mans claim except that
of a fair character as to his integrity, which in such a case it would appear to me ought not to be overlooked. 

You will find enclosed, a letter to W McCoy, on the
same subject, If W McCoy have not forgotten Wm Freehold, he can bear testimony as to his standing in society as a man of an unblemished character, although poor - Wm Freehold has endeavoured to identify himself in that letter is as to to bring himself 
within the recollection of W McCoy and his declaration will gain some strength by proving that his character has been such, (for such it is here) as to bear him above the imputation of imposing on the publich to obtain a pension, and that at no less price than the crime of perjury - 

If then Sir, W McCoy recollects Wm Freehold, and you can with him take some leisure moment, (after having examined the claims and evidence of the applicant)  is call on the Secretary of war, and urge the claim with such reason and facts as are [illegible] to the Justices of the case, I think it not improbable that his pension may be allowed, otherwise I fear his expectations are hopeless.

I see my dear Sir, that I have troubled you with a long letter and perhaps have made a request in behalf on the applicant, not to be complied with consistant with the etiquette of the City- But as the state of my health is such as to prevent me from doing for myself, I endeavour to imploy a portion of my wasting strength, to the service of others, and none have a greater claim than the poor  worn out soldier of the revolution - 

That you may long continue your useful publich  labours and finally reep the sweet rewards of "well done thou good and faithful servant' is the sincere prayer of him who has been unceasingly your friend & [illegible]
Edward W. Tupper

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Honble Charles. F. Mercer,

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Washington March 3rd. 1823

Sir, the enclosed letter from Wm Freehold
formerly of Rockingham County Va. but now
of the state of Ohio has Just been handed me under Over from Mr. Mercer -

I was acquainted with Mr Freehold formerly,
and recollect, he, like others was spoken of Serving in the Virginia Troops on Cont. 
establish during the revolutionary war. but for what Time I know not; he was reputed honest and Industrious. When I was acquainted with - 
it may be that the enclosed letter may refer you to some data in aid of the evidence forward through Mr. Mercer which will Satisfy you that he is entitled to a pension.
Respectfully 
Wm McCoy

J. L. Edwards Esq.

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Hon.ble William McCoy
Rep. in Congress
Washingotn City

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Gallapolis Dec. 18th , 1822
Hon"ble Wm McCoy

Dear Sir
Although I am probably not recollected by you at this moment I have taken the liberty to address this letter to you on a subject of much importance to me - and to bring me into your recollection as an acquaintance of yours.

 I have to inform you that I am the same William Freehold, who formerly resided in Rockingham county, who was sometimes honored with a friendly call from you when passing through that county - a warm supporter of the republican cause in you, when you were a candidate  for congress, and who occasionally received from you, direct communications whilst I remained an inhabitant of that 
county -

My only motive in mentioning these facts is to bring myself back to your recollection which may prove of much service to me 

Various circumstances have combined since I saw you to
reduce me to circumstances of poverty and extreme want - And some time since, I made an application to obtain that aid which our grateful country provided for the poor soldiers of the revolution - in which war I served with fidelity, above two years, & was honorably discharged, which discharge I preserved, but unfortunately my discharge did not mention the term for which I served - My application was therefore suspended for further proof - 

It is in vain that I have saught for some of my old brother soldiers who served with me in those southern campaigns-They are dead - or removed to parts unknown to me, I have procured the best testimony on the subject that the nature of the case will admit- and my friend here forwards my two declarations, with such evidence as I have been able to procure to this friend C. F. Mercer in congress, to make a further attempt, to place me upon the pension list. It is known that the many impositions practiced upon the public, well justifies that cautious rules adapted in the war department.

In my case it would seem that my honorable discharge signed by regular officers is sufficient

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proof, that I served faithfully for some time, leaving the the actual period, or term to other evidence - and although I cannot make out the latter expressly by disinterested proff - yet my own testimony, if my character for truth, honor, & honesty could be established , it would appear to me aught to have done some weight - And if you sir recollect me at all, I dare appeal to you to testify, that I have ever borne such a 
character .

Will you then sir, have the goodness to call on Mr Mercer, and examine my papers and evidence - and if it be not too much to ask that you would with him call on the Secretary of War, or the pension officer, and urge my claim with such reasons as appear Justifiable from the facts, growing out of or appearing upon the face of the papers

I have the honor to be very sincerely your humble servant
Wm Freehold

P.S. By examining my discharge you will see that It says that I "served until the last day of December 1781 the term for which he engaged"- quere, are there any enlistments in virginia at that period of the war, for a term as short as nine months?

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State of Virginia
Cabell County

This day personally came James McGinnis Jr before me the undersigned one of the Commissioned Justices of the peace in & for the said county of Cabell, and made oath in due form of Law that he has been acquainted with William Freehold (who made declaration on the 29th day of Feb 1820 in order to obtain a pension) ever since shortly after the Taken of Lord Cornwallis or Close of the Revolutionary war but the precise time this affiant cannot  recollect but believes it was Some time in the Spring of the year 1782 and as to the time of his enlistment, this affiant does not know, but well recollects that common report at that time by the Revolutionary Soldier, and the people in the neighborhood of Winchester, Virginia was that the said William Freehold had been a good Soldier and further this affiant states that he never heard to the contrary of him being a good & faithful Soldier in time of the Revolutionary war and that

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he well recollects of hearing one of the Sargents in Said year Say that the said William Freehold was detached at one time (while in Northern Army) to the Laboratory 

The Sargent that this affiant aludes to was of
the name of Patrick Shaning a very noted Soldier during the Revolutionary war who this affiant was well acquainted with for many years previous to his decease and believes (in point of character varasity [veracity] & honesty)
He was among the First Class in the State
Jas McGinnis

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 1st day of April 1822.
Edward Mcginnis J.P.

Samuel McGinnis also came before me as Set out in the Caption of the foregoing affidavit and made oath in Common form of Law that sometime in the Spring next after Lord Cornwallis was Taken at York Town by Genl. Washington, this affiant became acquainted with William Freehold now about sixty-five years old, who this affiant believes had been discharged from the United States army Some Short time before as he often times heard the Revolutionary soldiers & the said Freehold Talikng of

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The hard Seens [scenes], Battles, and other Transactions which they were in the Revolutionary 
 war and one Soldier in particular that came into the nieghborhood about that time of the name Thomas Trulock who stated he was well acquainted with the said Freehold while in the service of the United States and further this affiant states that in the nieghborhood
where the he then lived which was near Winchester Virginia it never was denied that the said Freehold was not only a Revolutionary Soldier but a valiant & faithful one and was generally considered as such by the country, and as to his private character while he resided in that place, though poor, was considered  by his nieghbors to be an honest & good citizen, and respected by hjs nieghbours in the county of Frederick
Samuel McGinnis

Sworn to & subscribed before me on the 1st day of 
April 1822
Edwd McGinnis J.P.

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State of Virginia 
Cabell County To wit

I John Samuels clerk of the County court of Cabell county do hereby certify that Edward McGinnis Esq before whom the foregoing affadavits of James McGinnis [illegible] & Samuel McGinnis appeared to have been sworn to & subscribed is one of the acting magistrates of said court of Cabell County duly commissioned  & sworn & that acts due faith & ought to be given to as his official acts as well in courts of Justice as thereunto & that the within are his signatures.

In  Testimony whereof I have hereunto set 
my hand & affixed the seal of my office at Barboursville Ohio 2nd Aug of April 1822 
& in the 46th year of the commonwealth 
John Samuels ClkCC 

Virginia Claim

[round illegible seal]