Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 2991, John Bearden, S C.

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S.C.               Bearden, John             S 2991

[illegible]                                                   carded

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West Tennessee
John Bearden [illegible] of Bedferd Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Norferd of the regiment commanded by [blank] in the South Carolina line for 19 months

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of June 1833 and [illegible] James McNinch Shelbyull

Arrears to the 4th of March 12666
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 3166
$158.32

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book 8 Vol. 7 Page 72

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State of Tennessee}
Bedford County}
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832. 
On this 15th day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared before Mr. William Heastett an [illegible] Justice of the peace for said County. John Bearden Senr. [sic] a resident of the County and State aforeseaid aged eighty nine years two months and four days, who after being duly sworn according to law [illegible] his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officer and Served as herein Stated; This applicant says he was born in the County of Spotsylvania and State of Virginia on the 11th day of March in the year 1744. Agreeable to his Fathers family record, but has no record of it at this time. He further says that he entered the Service of the United States as a private ad volunteer in a Company of Rangers or Spies, commanded by Captain Joseph Worford and Lieut. D. Graham in Startanburg District and State of South Carolina

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Some time in the month of April 1777 the pricse [sic precise] day he cannot recollect, and was marched to a fort up on the head of [illegible] to Princes Fort and was there Stationed, but was frequently out on Spying and Scouting Expeditions against the Cherokee Indians and a torey family by the name of Bates four in [illegible], Harry, and Isaac, and their father who were Skulking about with the Indians and were frequently engaged with the Indians in committing murders on the frontier [illegible] and that he remained in Service until the same time in January 1778 when he was dimissed [sic dismissed] after Serving not less than nine months in actual Service; and that he did not receive a discharge in writing but was honorably dismissed agreeable to orders. [illegible] States that about a month afterwards he thinks in February 1778 he volunteered again and joined a Company of Spys [sic Spies] or Rangers under the command of Captain John Gowen, and was marched to a fort on the South fork of Packotett river, and was frequently out Ranging and Spying on the frontier Settlements on Figar river, he states that on one of the Scouting expeditions he was on, the Spies under Captain Gowen arrested and took prisoner two men one by the name of Fanning and one the other by the name of Smith

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that they brough them back into the white settlement and delivered them up to a Magistrate as they were both Tories, and both had a States horse each taken from a Mr. James Ford and a Mr. John Patton. Declarant says he was then marched back to last mentioned fort on the south fork of Packotett river where where he remained in Service until some time in the month of August 1778 and was again dismissed, it being thought and frequently said by the Captain that the Indians had become quiet and that there was no further use for the troops at that time, he states that he served on this last mentioned run not less than six months. Declarant further says that he removed shortly after that down into Union District South Carolina and [illegible] the Service of the United States again about one week before the Siege of Ninety Six that he was marched to that place, a drafted soldier, and was in the engagement at that place, he says was there transferred from Captain Blessenganus company to a company of volunteers under the command of Captain John Putman [sic Putnam] and was marched through the country in different directions in search of a band of Tories under the command of a Tory captain by the name of Jesse Gray, that he continued in Service under said last mentioned Capt.

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A tour of duty of not less than four months when he says he was finally dismissed from Service after serving in all a term of actual service of not less than nineteen months for which he claims a Pension, this applicant says he remained a citizen of South Carolina until the year 1824 when he removed to Bedford County Tennessee where he has lived ever since and where he now lives. He further says that he was not acquainted with any Regular officer with the troops when he served nor any Regiment of Regular whatever Declarant hereby relinquishes any claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any Agency in the United States. He further says that he has no documentary evidence whatever and that he knows of no person whoes [sic whose] testimony he can procure who can testify as to his Service; and that he is known to the Rev. William Martin and Jacob Fuller in his present neighbourhood subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid before Mr. Wm Heattet [illegible] of the peace for [illegible] County. John Bearden [signature] {seal}

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John Bearden Senr. Bedford County Tennessee
From 1777 private 
nineteen months 
63.33/100

[illegible] Bedford County Tennessee

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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 you case in 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 show 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, (this: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of John Bearden Senr. Bedford County Tennessee
Period when the service was rendered: 
Vol. Apr 1777
Vol. Feby 1778
Entered
Duration of the claimant’s service: 
Years Months Days
-	9	-
-	6	-
-	4	-
Rank of the claimant:
Private
“
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Cap Worford
Cap Gowen
Cap Blessengamus
Cap Putnam
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered service.
89 years
Spartensburg District S. Carolina
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence, certified
Credible clergymans certification
Justice certifies that applicant can’t appear in Court, papers correctly attached
Battle at Ninety Six

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions

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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms “Continental Line,” “State troops,” “militia,” and “volunteers,” all persons enlisted, drafted or who volunteered and who were bound by military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contract, 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 Clark 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 } SS.
County of }
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on this 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) [blank] , with [blank] and servied in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers: [blank]
[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 name 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 was marched. [symbol: hand with finger pointing right] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the miitia, 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 of the State of [blank]
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. 
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 [blank] and that C. D., who was also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank], Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereonto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &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

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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 exexpected [sic expected]. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1.	Where and in what year were you born?
2.	Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3.	Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4.	How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5.	State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6.	{To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it 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 exisited 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 [sic attend] the Court.
Whenever any oflicial [sic 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 of 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 the 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 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 Justince of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; 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 is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly down 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 gix 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 significance 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 the 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 oath 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.
[symbol – hand with finger pointing to the right] The notes from (a) to (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 only.
(k)	This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l)	If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m)	The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

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Rev.&1813 Wars Section.
ADY
[illegible handwritten]
May 28, 1929.
Mrs. Bert E. Young,
Indiana University,
Bloomington, Indiana.
Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 2991, it appears that John Bearden was born March 11, 1744 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.
While a resident of Startanburg District, South Carolina, he enlisted April 1777 and served nine months as a private in Captain Joseph Worford’s South Carolina Company.
He enlisted February 1778 and served six months as a private in Captian John Gowen’s South Carolina Company.
While a resident of Union District, South Carolina, he enlisted May 1781, served four months as a private in Captains Blessengame and John Putnam’s South Carolina Companies and was in the battle of Ninety-Six.
In 1824 soldier moved from South Carolina to Bedford County, Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed

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May 15, 1833, while a resident of Bedford County, Tennessee. Soldier then signed as Senior John Bearden, Senior.
There are no data as to family.
This is the history of the only John Bearden found on this Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Respectfully,
EARL D. CHURCH,
Commissioner.

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July 22, 1900
A.B. [illegible]
Indianapolis, Ind.
1921 Mar. 20. Heist. ts W.H.
Bearden. Au.
1921 Mar 26 hon. Loreu E. Wheeler
Mfd hist. furnished W.H
Bearden. Au.
1929 May 28. Hist. to Mrs. Bert E. Young. A.D.Y.

Revltay. [sic Revolutionary]
2991.
INVALID.
File No. 2991
John Bearden
Pvt. S.C. line
Act: June 7/32
Index: Vol. [blank], Page [blank]
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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Jn. Beardens
Declaration

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I James M. Kisich clerk of the [illegible] of Bedford County do hereby certify that William Heastet, Esq. before [illegible] the following Declaration and affidavit was sworn to as now and [illegible] at the time the same was done on acting Justice of the Peace for P. County and that his Signatures thereto are genuine, and that he [illegible] gratafied [sic gratified] as such in testimony [illegible] of I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office, at office as Shellyville 15 May 1833 JasM Kisich [signature] [seal]

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State of Tennessee }
Bedford County }
Mr. William Martin a clergyman residing in said county, and Jacob Fuller residing I the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Bearden Senr. [sic] who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be eighty nine years, two months + four days 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; and we further certify that his character for veracity has never been questioned to our knowledge, sworn to and subscribed this 15th day of May 1833 before me
Wm. Heastett, acting Justice of the Peace for the County [signature]
Wm. Martin [signature] [illegible]
State of Tennessee }
Bedford County }
And I the said William Heastett a Justice of the peace aforesaid, for said county do hereby declare my opinion after the

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Investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the war department, that the aforesaid John Bearden Senior the present applicant was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and served as he states; and in further appears to me that the Rev. William Martin who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman of good standing in the Babtist [sic Baptist] church, and a resident of Bedford County – and that Jacob Fuller who has also signed the same is a resident of said county of Bedford, and that his statements upon oath are entitled to credit and I further certify that the said applicant from old age, and infirmity cannot attend at the court house of this county without great inconvenience, and the probability of endangering his health, given under my hand this 15th day of May 1833. 
Wm. Heastett acting Justice for B County [signature]

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Rev. Sec. 
CW
Auburn Ills Feb 17-19 1921
Pension Department 
Washington D.C.
Will you please tell me where John Bearden of Bedford County Tennessee drew his last Pension in 1833.
His national muster 31899 Daughters of the American Revolution. I am anxious to join the sons + daughters of the American Revolution as I believe I am eligible as my People have been all [illegible] from the Revolution up to the worlds war. Hoping to hear favorably from you on receipt of this letter Respectfully yours W. H. Bearden Auburn Ill R.R. [illegible]

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Indianapolis, Ind
Nov 20, ‘99
To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: I wish you to notify a record for use concerning an ancestor John Bearden who was a revolutionary soldier and drew a pension as such. The following is found of him in a copy of the report of the Secretary Officer Vol. 3. P. 46 under lead of Tennessee. He received it under act passed June 17 1832. The commencement of the pension was Mar 4, 1831. He was from Bedford Co. Tenn + received his pension [illegible] through the enlisted from S. Carolina

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2
His pension was granted Mar 17th, 1833. Age 89.
If you will kindly furnish me the record I shall be under in any obligations.
Respectfully, 
A.B. Philiputt
1702 Central Ave.

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Rev. War Section.    AW [handwritten]
March 26, 1921.
Hon. Loren E. Wheeler
House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Wheeler:
In response to your letter of the 24’’ instant, I have the honor to advise you that on March 25’’ 1921, Mr. W. H. Bearden of Auburn, Illinois, was furnished the history of the Revolutionary War pensioner John Bearden, South Carolina Troops, S. File No. 2991, in reply to this letter addressed to this Bureau requesting the same 
Very truly yours, 
A O Welheuson [signature]
Chief Clerk.

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Sixty-Sixth Congress.
Loren E. Wheeler, Chairman.
Louis G. Goodall, ME.		Benjamin F. Welty, Ohio.
Frederick R. Lehlbach, N.J.	H. J. Drane, Fla.
John S. Penham, Ind.		Hannibal L. Godwin, N.C.
J. G. Monahan, Wis.		Thomas H. Cullen, N.Y.
Edward S. Brooks, Pa.		Patrick McLane, Pa.
Charles J. Thompson, Ohio.	James M. Mead, N.Y.
Oscar E. Keller, Minn.
House of Representatives U.S.
Committee on Railways and Canals
Washington, D.C.
Record [handwritten upper righthand corner]
March 24th, 1921
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear sir:- Am this day in receipt of a letter from W. H. Bearden, Auburn, Illinois, in which he says:
“I desire some data about my great-great grandfather, John Bearden, who enlisted in a company of Rangers in Spartansburg District, S.C. in 1877, and served against the Indians. He was in the battle of Ninety-six. He was granted a pension and moved to Bedford County, Tennessee, where he died. I would like to learn where he was living when he drew the pension and where he died.”
If your records will reveal the information this man seeks I shall appreciate it if you will advise me.
Sincerely yours,
[illegible signature]		[Pension office seal, dated Mar 25 1921]
His letter rec’d in Rev. War 
Section Mar 26, 1921 10 a.m.

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Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana
Department of Romance Languages
Bert E. Young
AUS May 28 – ’29 [handwritten]
February 14, 1929
The Pension Department
War Department
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:
May I have all the data in your possession concerning my ancestor John Bearden who served in the Revolutionary War in 1777 under Captain Worford; in 1778 under Captain Gowen and in 1778 under Captain Putnam in the South Carolina line? He was granted a pension on March 17, 1833 while living in Bedford County, Tennessee. He enlisted at Spartanburg, South Carolina in April, 1777. 
Very truly yours,
Grace Philputt Young [signature]
(Ms. Bert E.) [handwritten]
[SEAL US Pension Office dated Feb 18, 1929]

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Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana
Department of Romance Languages
December 18, 1928
Commissioner of Pensions
Bureau of Pensions
Department of Interior
Old Records Division
(Revolutionary War)
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
May I have all the data in your possession concerning my ancestor John Bearden who servedin the Revolutionary War in 1777 under Captain Worford; in 1778 under Captain Gowen and in 1778 under Captain Putnam in the South Carolina line? He was granted a pension on March 17, 1833 while living in Bedford County, Tennessee. He enlisted in Spartanburg, South Carolina in April 1777.
Very truly yours,
Grace P. Young [signature]
(Mrs. Bert E. Young) [handwritten]

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Revolutionary War Records Section 3-525
S. 2991 Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions.
Washington, D. C., [blank], 19[blank]
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of John Bearden, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file with the Bureau.
Date of Enlistment or Appointment.
Apr 1777
Feb 1778
Mar 1781
Length of Service
9 mos
6 mos
4 mos
Rank
Pri
Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered.
Captain.
Joseph Worford
John Gowen
{ [illegible]
{ [illegible]
Colonel
[blank]
State
S.C.
Battles engaged in, Ninety-Six
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Spartanburg + Union Districts S.C.
Date of application for pension, May 13, 1832 [illegible]
Residence at date of application Bedford Cty. Tenn.
Age at date of application, [illegible] Mar 11, 1744
Remarks: [illegible] and there is no data on file as to family ([illegible])
Respectfully,
[blank]
Commissioner.
3-2856