Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8265, William Cumming, N.C.

Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE                                              NUMBER
N.C.             Cumming, William           S.8265
                                                            Carded
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
CONTENTS
[Followed by 2 vertical columns of 15 blank lines in each column]

Page 2

[Well-worn record with curled and torn edges.  Left column has printed form with handwritten responses.  Right column has handwritten notations.]

[Left side column begins:]
6619-
North Carolina
____________________________
____________________________
William Cumming
of Hillsbo in the State of N. Car who was a QuarmaSer in the Com commanded -y Captain ___ of the Regt commanded by Col Mebane in the N. Car. line [here the word "for" was stricken through] Militia for 2 ys
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina __[word missing because of rolled document edge] the rate of 120. [or 160] Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of March 1833 and sent H or R__(illegible) P. Mangum  Senate W __(illegible)

Arrears to the 4th of March[?] 1832         $240
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 1833  [$] 60
                                                             ___________
                                                                  $300
(Revolutionary Claim)
Act June 7, 1832.)
Recorded by E D. Bullock Clerk,
Book D Vol. 8 Page 50

[Right hand side of the page begins here with handwritten notations:]

suspension removed.                            l  See letters 28 
Jan. 1845 to P. [Pension] Agt. [Agent]   l  Hon. E. Deberry
and H. H. Sylvester 

[Written perpendicularly near the bottom of the page:]
Let 20 Feby 1835  John Hushe [or ?Hurke or ?Harker] Pay Susp [? or :]
" [Let, meaning Letter] __ __ [Feb 1835] [?] Pensions 
" [do or ditto] 30 June 36 [1836] __ [?] Hon. [?, given name blotted] Wm Montgomery
" [do or ditto] 10 decr [December] ________ _____ _______[possibly meaning 1836, to Wm Montgomery]
" [do or ditto] 6 Feby 37 [1837] ___ _____ [possibly meaning to Wm Montgomery]
" [do or ditto] Apr. " [1837, to]  J A Craig
" [do or ditto] 3 May " [1837] same [to J A Craig]
" [do or ditto] 25 [?] Sept " [1837 to] A H Shepped 
" [do or ditto] 28 Decr. " [1837] same [to A H Shepped] 
" [do or ditto] 31 March 1838 same [to A H Shepped] 
" [do or ditto] 13 Decr " [1838 to]  A H Shepped
" [do or ditto] 23 March [to] Hon: W. P. Mangum

Page 3

[Handwritten record]

State of North Carolina)
Guilford County)

On this 22nd day of November one thousand Eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County now Sitting William H. Cumming, administrator of William Cumming decd, and made oath in due form of law, that he is the son and adminstrater of William Cumming decd, who was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States on the North Carolina roll at the rate of $120 - per annum, that he has [or had] often heard his Said father Say during his lifetime that he did not receive [? or want] pension as his [?] rank in the revolutionary Army entitled him to, 

[Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text easier to read:]

that from the passage of the Act of 7th June 1832, until the day of his Said fathers death his father indeavored] to establish by record Evidence the fact that he had Served as an Officer and Quarter Master and Commissary in the War of the revolution but was in a great Measure unsuccessful, that he has recently been informed and does verily believe that the record Evidence of Said Service has been found, he makes this declaration for the [?]purpose of Obtaining all the benefits of the

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[Handwritten record, continued.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

act of Congress affirmed [or approved] 7th June 1832, so far as it is applicable to the Service of Officers, Quarter Masters and Commissays.  for particulars of his father Service he begs to refer to the declaration of father now on file in the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington DC.  

That his father died on the 18th day of April 1849, leaving the following named children Viz William H. Cumming (Your declarant) [here the following two names are written in the saame handwriting, but in slightly lighter ink] John Cumming and Eliza Dotson and that they are now the only Surviving Children of said William Cumming decd, [here the following word is underlined] all of which facts will more fully appear by the Evidence hereunto attached.  

That he hereby appints and Constitutes A. H. Markland of Washington DC his lawful Attorney to prosecute the said claim and he hereby authorizes his Said attorney to use all legal and proper means to Establish the claim [or claims.]  Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written
Wm. H. Cumming

And the court does hereby Certify that after an investigation of the Matters [or Matter] it appears that William H. Cumming the above named [?] deponent is the legal Administrator of William Cumming who died on the 18th day of April 1849 and that the following

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[Handwritten record, continued.]

named Children are the only ones that now Survive Said William Cumming, Viz [here the next three names are in lighter ink]  Wm H Cumming  John Cummins [or Cumming] and Eliza Dotson  [darker ink resumes] all of which will more fully appear by the Evidence hereunto Annexed

[In lighter ink]  In testimony whereof, I, Lyndon Swain [or Swaim], Clerk of the County Court of Guilford, hereunto set my name and affix the Seal of said Court, at Office, this the 22nd day of November, 1855.
Lyndon Swaim [or Swain], CCC  [probably meaning Clerk of the County Court.]

Page 6

[Handwritten record.  Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

Declaration.
[There is a large X mark near the left margin of the page.] In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress. passed June 7th. 1832

State of North Carolina)     Court of pleas and quarter Sessions
Orange County)                  November Term 1832. -

[Here there is a small x mark near the left margin.]  On this the 29th. day of November A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for the above County and State aforesaid, now sitting. William Cummings [here an illegible word, possibly "now, was crossed through] in the 74 [here "74" is also writtten above] year of his age, 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 on the 7th. day of June 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and Served as herein Stated:

That some time in the month of March or April [here "1777" was overwritten to read:] 1778 ^he enlisted for the Term of 18 months in a company commanded by Captain Mathew McCauly and was attached to the regiment commanded by Colo Archad. [possibly  meaning Archabald] Lytle - marched From Hillsboro in Orange, To Halifax N.C.  Thence to Petersburg in Va. Thence to Valley Forge, where we were encamped three months or thereabouts  - From thence to Halifax N.C.  Thence to Hillsboro'  In Orange.  where [here the word "he" was written over to read as:] we remained Till the expiration of ^our 18 Months Term.

Having served as a quarter Master Segeant From the time he returned [here there is a check mark near the left margin] From [here "Valley Forge" is crossed through] Halifax till the expiration of his enlistment.

In the year of 1780, this applicant Some time in the month of June (he thinks it was) ["he" was stricken through] Volunteered ^in the Service of the United States for Four Months in the Town of Hillsboro' in a Company commanded by Captain Farmer - and John Wall, was Leiutenant - we were marched to the south, passing through Pittsboro and Fayetteville [illegible] crossed [?] Cape Fear at  Sprowls Ferry. and near the Ferry we Joined Genel. Caswell's troops -

From Sprowls' Ferry we marched to Cheraw Hills on the Pedee in S. Ca. [South Carolina].  From thence our march was Continued Southardly.  Joined first Rutherfords army. and ^then General  Gates's at the [here there is what looks like a "t" partially blotted out] Cross Roads (he thinks it was) about 40 miles from Camden, was at the engagement at Sd. Battle.  This applicant returned home and acted for the remining part of the Tour as Deputy quarter Master under Maj. Ab. Tatum, in the Town of Hillsboro'.  

This Applicant Further states that some time in ^the fall  of the year of 1780 ^ [illegible]

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[Handwritten record, continued.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

he again engaged in the Service of the United States as Quarter Master Sergeant, under Maj Absolem Tatem. And was stationed in the Town of Hillsboro' where he was engaged in issuing provisions Forrage &c.  after he had officiated in this Capacity some 4 or 5 months, he and his brother Henry Cummings were made prisoners by some of Col: Tarlton's core [corps] at William Couch's in the Vicinity of Hillsboro' whither he had gone to hide [here there is a "4" written near the left margin, along with what looks like a word, illegible] Some property, anticipating a raid From the enemy - By the enemy he was brought to the Town of Hillsboro' as a prisoner of War - 

From Hillsboro' was taken [here what looks like "By" was stricken through] ^by the British Army to Guilford Court House _ Thence to New Garden, thence to Bill's Mills on [?] Duss River [or Dup River] [probably meaning Bells Mill on Deep River] - where he was discharged by the British - probably in Consequence of their being on a retreat and having ^ been much discomfitted by Battle at the Court House a few days previous

After this applicant returned home he was again appointed quarter Master Serjeant [or Sergeant], and stationed in the Town of Hillsboro' whilst quarter Master Sergeant he was frequently employed as bearer of dispatches, having to pass sections of County, rendered dangerous by the Strength of the Tories - 

Amongst other dispatches, he bore one to Col: Rober Mebane [here "Mebane" appears to have been written in grease pencil above that surname] at White Marsh. in Bladen County - also ^ went To Halifax with a dispatch From Maj. Tatum To Col: Nichola Long; He was also bearer of a Dispatch from Hillsbor' To Governor Martin at his residence in Rockingham County.  

In conclusion this applicant states (he thinks it was in the fall of the year of '81) he entered a Company under Cols: Long and Branch, the object of This Company was to Make a tour to Suppress the Tories - this Company, ranged through the Southern part of Orange, through part of Chatham - and when on this excursion they took a Tory about 4 Miles From Jones Ferry on Haw River, and forthwith hung him _ This was the Concluding part of this applicant's public Services as well as he Can now remember, Having served the United States in the Capacities of Quarter Master Serjeant, and private, [here, the rest of this sentence was underlined in the original record:] in all, three years or upwards. 

This Applicant states that he was Born in the Town of Hillsboro', in Orange on the 18th day of January 1759.

Has a record of his age but it is now misplaced

Was living [liveng] in the above County of Orange; when Called into Service and has been living there ever Since the War of the Revolution.

Page 8

[Handwritten record, continued.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

That when he entered the Service of the United States he [here the following word is underlined] Volunteered
- He ["was Known to" was crossed through] ^Knew Colo. Jo: Taylor, Col. Lytle, Col: Rob: Mebane, Genl. [here there is a small x near the left margin] Butler, Col: William Oneal, Genl. Rutherford, Genl. Lock and others - 

His [here a second "his" is stricken through] discharges are now lost, He supposes (he has [here the next word is underlined] now however no recollection of every having any [here there is a long nearly vertical "l" mark]-  .This applicant would in Conclusion State that [here "to" is stricken through] ^with a mind ^much impaired by age he finds it difficult to recount with that precision he could wish, occurrences that [here the word "correct" is written near the left margin of the record] happened upwards of half a Century ago. 

He can prove his Services in part by David White of the Haw fields. by Charles Woods.

He is ^Known Thomas Clancy and Wm. McCauly [or McCauley] and others who can testify to Charac^ter for Veracity  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not upon the pension roll of the agency of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court the day and date first above written.  
[Signature in dark ink_ William Cumming  [There is an X mark slightly underneath the "W" of "William"]
Jo Taylor Clk [Clerk] 

Charles Woods maketh oath that he is acquainted William Cummings who made the above declaration, that he knew Sd. Cumming in the Year of 1776. at Valley Forge, which was then the head quarters of Genl. Washington, and well remembers of that Sd. Cumming Came there in the Capacity of quarter Master Sergeant, and Forrage Master, in a regiment commanded by Col: Lytle, Robert Mebane  Liut. Col: and Further that Sd. Regiment to which the Sd. Cumming was attached was of the Continental line.

[Signature] Charles Wood [with "His mark" and a corresponding mark shown.  There is a small illegible scribble farther right from the word "His,", but it seems to be just a squiggle.]

We Thomas Clancy and William M Cauley of the County of Orange and State aforesaid, to hereby Certify, that we are well acquainted with Wm Cumming who [here the word "made" is stricken through] ^hath Subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be in the 74th. year of his age 

that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution. and that we concur in that opinion

And the affiant William MCauly further states, that he is a Son of Capt. Mathew [or Matthew] MCauly who is mentioned, in the above declaration.  that he has heard his father Speak frequently of the patriotic Services of the Sd. Cumming in the Defense of his Country during the war of the Revolution

Page 9

[Handwritten record, continued.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court
On this the 28th. day of Nov. 1832.
J. [John] Taylor CC  [Clerk of the Court]          Wm [?] MCauley
                                                                       Thos. Clancey [or Claney]

And the sd. Court do hereby [here the following word was stricken through] Certify [here handwriting in much lighter ink begins] 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 Thomas Clancey and William McCauley, are residents of the County of Orange and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit

I John. Taylor Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for the County of Orange and State aforesaid do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the sd. Court in the matter of the application of William Cumming for a pension

[Here, along the left margin of the page, written perpendicularly in dark ink, appears:] Wm Cumming
                                                                                                                                           decd [?] Nov [illegible] 
[Below, there is a partial image of a round stamp like a seal of office, showing through from the other side of the page, and a piece of tape covering a horizontal tear near the left margin of the page.]  

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office on this the 29th day of November A.D. 1832
J. Taylor CC [Clerk of Court]

[The following part is written in dark ink, and stricken through:]  Willie [?]S [or ?P] Mangum
of the [illegible]
The pension of Wm Cumming may be [?] completed as far as quarter Master Sergeant on full pay
D L [or ?S] [?] Benninger]
[?] As: Clerk

[Below that, there is in lighter ink or grease pencil:] Wm. Cummings
[Nearby, and below, there is a piece of tape covering a vertical tear along the bottom of the page.]

Page 10

[Handwritten record.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

State of North Carolina
Orange County)

On this the 18th. day of December. 1837 personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for the aforesaid County, Thomas Clancy, Post Master in the Town of Hillsboro in Said County of Orange, in the 57th. year of his age, who being first duly qualified according to Law. maketh oath that he has been intimately acquainted, with William Cumming [torn edge] of the aforesaid County of Orange (now a resident of Guilford County

Since his earliest recollection, and many years ago, before [here "the passage of" was stricken through, then re-written] the passage of the Act of Congress of the 7th. of June, 1832, has heard Said Cumming and other men of his age, speaking of his (Said Cumming's) Revolutionary Services.

This affiant also states further upon his Said oath, that he has frequently heard his father (now deceased) and Said William Cumming have Conversations about the Revolutionary War, and [here the next word was overwritten to read:] has always been of the belief, that said Cumming did Serve in the War of the Revolution, as he has Stated [torn paper edge]

The affiant also further States upon his Said oath, that when Said William Cumming. made his Declaration for Pension, some time., -[torn paper edge] 1833, at one of our Courts of pleas and quarter Sessions.  William M Cauly [or McCauly] Esq___ [torn edge] Attorney at Law, of the aforesaid County, now deceased, was in Court [here the following word was encircled] and on behalf of the Declarant, made oath, that he had frequently heard his father, Captain Mathew McCauley (Deceased), say "that Billy Cummins" [or "Cumming"] (the aforesaid William Cummins [or Cumming] "was a Very active young man in the United States Service, during the War of the Revolution."

This affiant further States upon his Said oath, that he is under the impression that the Said Cumming, [here the next three words were underlined] has his enemies [here the word "and" is encircled] Some that would throw obstacles on the way to his being reinstated upon the 'Pension roll.'  [Here the word "But" is stricken through.] That he entertains no doubt. from what he has heard of Said William Cumming, both [here the next word is underlined] before [here "and" is encircled] [now the word "Since" is underlined]  he was a pensioner, but th_t [torn page edge] he was an active Whig and contributed all he could in establishing that Independence we ^so richly enjoy.

Swron to and Subscribed before me)
the day and date first above Written)    [Signature in dark ink] Thos Clancy

B.[?L. or ?C]HEGK, J Peace [Justice of the Peace]
And I the said Justice do hereby Certify that Thomas Clancy [or Claney], Esq. (Post Master of the Town of Hillsboro' in Said County) who has subscribed and Sworn to the above affedavit [or affidavit], is a man of truth and Veracity.
B. L [or C or B.]HERK  J. Pea___ [torn paper edge, but probably meaning Justice of the Peace]

Page 11

[Handwritten record]

State of North Carolina, 
I John Taylor Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for the County of Orange, Certify that Burrows Chuh [or ?Cheeh or ?Chuk], is Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his, is genuine.

In testimony where of, I have here unto affixed my Seal of office, and Subscribed my name, this the 18th. day of December, in the year, 1837.
J. Taylor CC [Clerk of Court] 

[About 2/3 down the left side of the page, there is written perpendicularly, in dark ink:]  Hon A B [or A R] Shepherd [or Shepperd] 
[with several hard-to-read letters at the bottom of the page which possibly were: ? H.R.____]

[On the right side of the page, near the bottom, in light ink, is what appears to be:] 
[illegible squiggle] 
M___at
[illegible]

Page 12

[Printed form, with handwritten entries]
[Near the top left corner of the page, written perpendicularly, there is:] Over

[Typed form begins:]  In reply to your request of ______, received ______ for a statement of the military history of William Cumming, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [here "or his widow's" was crossed through] application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[Handwritten and underlined:] S. File 8,265
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
[PRINTED TABLE CATEGORIES]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. l  LENGTH OF SERVICE.  l  RANK.  l OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  [Sub-categories listed below were:] CAPTAIN.  l  COLONEL.  l  STATE.

[Handwritten answers:]
Mch [here is a tiny number which appears to be:] 18
Apl. 1778.  l  18 mos. l Q M. Sergt. l  [Under Captain:] Mathew McCauley l  [Under Colonel:] Archibald Lytle l N.C.

May [here there's a possible small number:] 4 
June 1780 l 6 mos. (Q. M. Sergt [under Captain category:] Farmer [and Colonels} Ramsey and Stephen Moore.

[In the rank of Captain category, there is written:] & Qr. Mr. Thornbury. 

[Under the Rank category:] Dpty Q. M [is followed by a wavy line under the Captain category, and] Maj. Absolem Tatum [under the Colonel category]. 

Feby or Mrch. 1781 l 2 mos. Q M Sgt. l  [Next there is a special hand-drawn notation mark, then:] Captured by Tarleton's men and held until after battle of Guilford when he escaped.

[Under Colonel category:]  Maj. Absolem Tatum

Fall 1781  l  2 mos l ___  l in a company under Cols. Long and Branch 

1782 [  3 mos. l  Captain  l [Under both the Captain and Colonel categories, there are check marks.]

Battles engaged in, Gates' defeat at Camden. 

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Orange Co., North Carolina.

Date of application for pension, Nov. 29, 1832.  His claim was allowed.  

Residence at date of application, Hillsboro, Orange Co., N.C. (see [illegible] 1843) 

Age at date of application, born[?] Jany 18, 1759 at Hillsboro, N.C.

Remarks:  (In 1834 he resided at Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C.
soldier died Apl. 18, 1849.  There is no reference to his wife.  In 1855 only three children survived him viz:  William H. Cumming, John Cumming and Eliza Dotson.

[Added in dark ink:]  soldier's brother Henry was captured with him. 

Respectfully, [blank] Commissioner.

[Small, hard-to-read number, possibly;] 6-2856 [or 6-2836]

Page 13

[Printed form with handwritten notations.  Well-worn record with multiple tears on page edges.]

North Carolina
_______________________________
_______________________________
William Cumming of Hillsboro in the State of N. C who was a Qr [?] Ms Sr [? Quarter Master] in the ____ comm- [probably meaning word "commanded;" part of word is missing due to torn paper edge] by Captain ____ of the Reg [Regiment] command- [probably meaning "commanded;" partial word due to torn paper edge] by Col Mebane. in the N Carolina ["line for" was crossed through] Militia for 2 years

6619 [was added in by a different handwriting style, in what looks like grease pencil]
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rae of 120 Dollars ~~ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 [or 1834].

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of March 1833 and Sent. to Hon W. P. Mangum. Sent. to U.S.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Arrears to the 4th of ______________________
Semi-anl. allowance ending ___________________
                                             ___________________


                                             ___________________
                                             ___________________

(Revolutionary Claim,)
(Act June 7, 1832.)

Recorded by E. D. _ullock [Bullock or Bulloch] Clerk,
Book [illegible]  Vol. 8 Page 50.

Page 14

[Well-worn record with torn edges]

[Illegible]  C_ertificate issued 27. Feb. 1845 & sent to Hon. E. Deberry, House of Representatives

[Another handwriting style begins here.  This appears to continue a list of letters that had been sent out re this pension claim.] 
G C Ames June 18 1853
same Sept 9. 53 [1853]

A H. [the following surname has a blotted next to last letter, so possibly reads as:] Marklem [or Marklam or Markland]
Jany 4 1856

A [?] H Markland)
March 26/56 [1856]

Same apl. 2/56 [1856]
Same May 19/56 [a856]

Secy Interier 
Aug 14 1856~

A H Markland Nov 24 1856 -

[In a second handwriting style:] 1889 June 17 J. D. Cummings  NY City  history ?Privt [This appears to indicate that on June 17, 1889, a letter was sent to J. D. Cummings, at N Y City, re a history of the private, apparently referring to pensioner William Cumming.]

Page 15

Act 7 June '32 [1832]

Page 16

[Hand-written record.  Document appears to be a continuation of list showing letters which had been sent out regarding this pension claim.]

Let [letter] to Hon. W. A. Graham)
March 19, 1842)

let: [letter] 14 May 1842 [?] H- [torn paper edge]
A. H. Shepperd

let: 5 Augt- 42 [1842] [?] Hon R. W. Sanders, Let to Hon A H Shepperd

Feb. 22 '1843, Let [letter] to W H. Cummings 

July 29, 43 [1843]. ["do" apparently meaning "ditto" was crossed through] Copies of papers Sent to Hon E Deberry Apl 10. 1844,

Page 17

[Handwritten record with several illegible words and phrases.  Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

[?] Statet [possibly meaning statute] to his [? her] son.

78.  Mathw McCauly. Lytle went to Valley ferge [forge] 3 [illegible] mos - retd [possibly meaning returned] to Halifax. [?See under] [illegible] Long ^Sen [illegible, possibly wh was, meaning where was] ] QM. [? Quarter Master] 

Then S [or J] [? Hunter] [?to] A Tatum 2 Dy 2 M [possibly meaning ? 2 days, 2 months] [?and] se back and full [illegible] 1782  Then transfd [?transferred] [?] L Ramseys Regt. [illegible] [?20th Thornbury.

Was [illegible phrase] _ [Illegible] to Ho. [?] was Taken late taken pris [probably meaning prisoner] by Cornwell.  was a [or he was a] pris [possibly prisoner] at RG 1781.  Made his escape [illegible squiggle] serd [? served] apar a [?] Keth under Tatum [illegible squiggle] Long [illegible phrase] [here the following word was underlined] About the time he was appd [appointed] a Capt [Captain]

Page 18

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Quarter Master Genl. office,
Washington City, April 26th. 1856.

Sir,
I have received your letter dated yesterday and in reply have to State that the Quarter Master Sergeant is the assistant of the Quarter Master, and I cannot image a case in which the former could be Mistaken for the latter _ 

He holds about the Same relation to the Quarter Master which the 1st. Sergeant of a Company holds to the Captain or other officer commanders; the Company; and I could as readily imagine that the Sergeant Should be mistaken for the Captain as that the Quarter Master Sergeant should be Mistaken for the Quarter Master.  the latter is a commissioned and the former a non commiss-

Page 19

[Continuation of a handwritten letter.]

sioned officer.  
I have the honor tobe, 
Sir,
Your Obt. Servt.  [Your Obediant Servant.]
[Signature, possibly:] M: J. Jesup
Q.M.Gl. [possibly meaning Quarter Master General.] 



The Hon.
R. C. Puryear,
House of Representatives, 
Washington City.

Page 20

[Handwritten letter]

House of Reps.  Jan'y 23. 1845.

W. [or Mr.] Edwards

I enclose to you a letter in reference to the claim of [here the following name is underlined:] Wm. Cummings for renewal of Pension

I addressed two letters to you Some weeks ago on the Subject of this claim but have received no answar [or answer] owing to the press of business before you  I presume

I called also but the papers could not then be found
I. find certified copies of them [or these] on the files of the House

Respectfully

E. Deberry

Page 21

[Handwritten document with a V-shaped tear along the upper edge, and a triangular-shaped small piece of paper located approximately opposite of the tear, but along the bottom edge.]

[Along the left paper edge, there is written perpendicularly:] Wm. Cummings [with a flourish underneath.]

[First initial is only partially visible, since it is cut off at left margin, but entire line entry probably is:] J. L. Edwards Esq. [or Esqr.] 
Cam ? ary [possibly meaning Commissioner ? of] Pensions
Washington

[Along the right side paper edge, there is written perpendicularly:]  
Hon R. M. Saunders
HR [possibly meaning House of Representatives]

Page 22

[Handwritten record]

Sir - I enclose the within at the request of Dr. [?] Cr ---j-te which I ask [?] yu. as the. [?]heir- 
[Elsewhere in this pension application set, such as in image 28/145] documents show the Doctor's surname was Craig, as in James A Craig.] 

August 4: [illegible]  

respectfully
R. W. [or M.] Saunders

Page 23

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Senate Chamber
March 16th 1842_

Sir

Will you be good enough to inform me what were th [the] reasons for striking th [the] name of William Cumming of Orange County North Carolina from th [the] Pension roll of 1832.  I am informed that his claim was at first allowed, but that doubts of his right to a pension, afterwards arose, and th [the] decision was reversed.

I desire To know th [the] causes of th [the] adverse decisions, and whether any additional evidence is necessary to establish his claim.

I am Very Respectfully
Your Obedt. servt.
Will. A. Graham

J. L. Edwards Esq)

Page 24

[Handwritten letter]

House of Reps. Decr. 16. 1844.

J. L Edwards Esqr.

Sir

I am informed that there has been in the Pension claim of [here the following name was underlined] William Cummings of N.C some additional papers sent to the Department. in his favor (The certificate of the comptroller of NC) and I am requested to enquire of you whether with the evidence now before the Department a certificate can or will issue_ in his favor

Respectfully

E. Deberry

Page 25

[Handwritten letter]

House of Rep Feb 4. 1843

Jas L. Edwards Esq.

D Ser [Dear Sir]

I again trouble you with the claim of William Cumings, which has been before presented. _  I hope you will find yourself justified in doing [here the words "to the" were stricken through] something for this worthy old fellow _  I know him and believe from the concurrent opinion of his acquaintances that he was a brave Soldier in the revolutionary War __

I am [?bt_ Ser, perhaps meaning Obediant Servant]
Very much yrs [yours].
A [?]H Shepperd

Page 26

[Handwritten letter]

House of Rep. May 13. 184_  [last number of year is illegible]

James L. [or S.} Edwards Esq
Dr. [Dear] Sir

Permit me to call your attention to the claim of William Cumings late a Pensioner under the Act of 183_ [last number of the year is hard to read for certain, but possibly meant 2 or 9] but- when Pension was many years since discontinued -  There are many papers on file in the Case and amongst them a variety of affidavits all concuring in the goodness of the claim - and character [?] in [or and] a belief in his having rendered Services - Some discrepany as to the old Man's statement [or statements] seems to have been a principal reason for [?] distrusting [or disturbing] the fairness of his Claim - He is quite old and frail in general health and memory and I do not believe that any one who Knows believes that- he has intentionally departed from the truth - In one of your notes I think you express a willingness to restore him or rather allow a pension for a small part of the time claimed for - Even

Page 27

[Continuation of handwritten letter]

this will now in his extreme old age and poverty be accepted _ and it is with a hope that this may be done that I request once more a review of the claim of Wm. Cumings of N.C-  I hope you will be able to give this matter your earliest attention

Yr. Ob. Ser. [Your Obedient Servant]
A H Shepherd [or Shepperd]

Page 28

[Handwritten letter]

Ruffin's [or Ruffen's] Mills, NC
15 Nov. 1844.

Sir.

You directed me some time Since to have application made to the Comptroller of North Carolina, for evidence of the Revolutionary Services of William Cumming, q.M.S.  As his name was not borne on the North Carolina. Cont. [Continental} Roll. Rev. [Revolutionary] Army.

While in Raleigh a few days Since, I called upon W. Collins the Comptroller. who very diligently Searched the pay Rolls of the [here "Continental" was stricken through] ^ Revolutionary Army in his office, and found payments had been made to William Cumming to the Amount of [here is the pound money symbol] 141.16.0.

I regret that I had not [illegible word] at an earlier day of the evidence of the Militia Service in the Comptroller's office - 

W Cumming will accept of Such annuity, as the enclosed Certificate will entitle him as 'a q m.'

Any Communication on this Claim. please address to me, at this P.O. [Post Office].

I remain, Sir,
Very respe.y [respectfully]
Yo:  humb. Servt. [Your humble Servant] 
[The following signature is underlined:]  James A. Craig,

[There is a hand-drawn swirl to the right side of this name and address:]
James L Edwards Esq. [Esquire]
Pension office,
Washington City.
D.C.

Page 29

Haw River, N.C.
22d. April 1837.

Sir:

I hrewith [hrewith] enclose to you three affidavits, in Support of the Claim of William Cumming for a pension whose Stipend has been discontinued.

I remain Your [illegible, possible abbreviation for:] Obedient
Humbl. [Humble] Servant
[The following signature is underlined:] James A. Craig

P.S.  Any communications upon this Claim please address to me - I am also Agent for W Hart.

James L Edwards Esq. [or Esqr., meaning Esquire])
Washington City)

Page 30

[Handwritten letter]

Washington City  March 7th 1856

Hon Josiah Minot
[Illegible first word, possible meaning:] Commissioner of Pensions

I enclose herewith additional evidence in the case of William Cummings North Carolina act of 1832 admitted, I hope there will be no further objections to the allowance of the claim as a Quarter Master and Commissary.

I am Sir Very Respectfully
YourObtSvt [Your Obedient Servant]

A. H. Markland

Page 31

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Greensboro [?] Jnny [possibly meaning Jany or January] the 16th 1843

D.Sir [Dear Sir]

I take the liberty to address you on behalf of an old, poor and deserving man by the name of William Cumming [or Cummings] -  He is an applicant for a pension and has some difficulty in Making out the Necessary evidence

I am So perfectly Satisfied of the Justice of his claim that I fill [feel] an interest in his Success - My acquaintance with him Commenced [here the second written phrase "with him" was crossed through] in 1813 while I was reading law in Hillsboro, he was then and Still is Very poor

In 1813 and for several years afterwards, he was Occasionally intemperate but he was treated with Kindness, on account of his Military Services in the Revolutionary war -

In 1813 and 1814 I frequently heard his Services and his Sufferings in the Revolutionary War Spoken off [of] and it was believed and Admitted by all who I heard Speak on the Subject that he was a Soldier and Served his Country for some time -

He is now about 85 years Old and is wholly dependent on his Son who has a family of his own to Support and is in moderate Circumstances   The old man now lives with his son in this neighborhood and has been entirely temperate for Several

Page 32

[Continuation of letter]

years - So far as I Know or have ever heard he has always been regarded as a man of truth and I would believe him on Oath - 

I therefore respectfully ask it as a favour of You to give the Old man Such assistance as you may think him entitled to __  __

Be pleased to accept my thanks for your Kind invitation to Call on you on my return home from Fayetteville __

Very respectfully 
and truly yours [possibly "&" but there is a torn paper edge. Then, the following name is underlined:] Jno. M. Dick

Honble. [Honorable} R. [? possibly U. or V. or M.] Saunders

Page 33

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Washington City  April 25 1836 [or 1856, but looks most likely 1836]

Hon Josiah Minot
Commr [Commissioner] of Pensions

In reply to your letter of the 21st Inst, [Instant, meaning of this month] in the case of William Cumming of North Carolina act 1832 admitted, I will for the Sake of your argument admit that William Cumming did not claim to have performed all his Service as an "assistant QuarterMaster,"

In your letter you say that "from his whole statement it is Evident that he could have act-"ed as Assistant Quarter Master, if at all but for a few weeks."  Why raise the doubt of his having served at all?  does not the certificate of the Compt [Comptroller] of NC show that he was an asst [assistant] Dpty [Deputy] QRMr,? [Quarter Master,?] 

do not Burrills [or Burrells] receipts Show that he was paid?  And do not Several witnesses prove the Service + identify the man who performed it?__ 

You further say that "there is no Evidence "of his appointment to that office" What matters that, I have shown that he performed the duties + received the pay. and agreeable to the decision and former practices of the office [or offices] he is entitled to the pension of an officer of that Grade - 

You again say "the [?] short time he says he so acted, however, [here the following word is underlined:] might serve to explain "the entry certified by the Comptroller" that is true, but [here the following word is again underlined:] might not the certificates certified to by Burrill [or Burrell] explain the testimony of the Witnesses who Say he was a "Quarter Master or Commissary" 

the argument in one case is as Strong as in the other, you

Page 34

[Continuation of handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

have, however, explained the testimony of the Witnesses in the following manner "the similarity in some respects of the duties of an Assistant "Quartrr Master and a Quarter Masters Sergeant might fully account "for the statement of Some of the Witnesses that Cumming served in the "former and other higher grades,"  

there would be just as much reason for supposing that "the similarity in some respects "of the duties" of the Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of Pensions would induce the clerks in the office of the latter to Suppose that he served in the capacity of the former "and other higher grades,' the reasoning is quite as conclusive. 

I claim that Cumming was a Quarter Master, that he is recognized as such by the certificate of the Comptroller of NC, that the certificate from the Register of the Treasury shows he was paid as such, and that his identity as a QrMr [Quarter Master] is proven by the witnesses who testify to having served with him and consequently in a position to Know in what grade he served,

I admit that most of the service is Stated as having been in the grade of a QrMr [Quarter Master] Sergeant, but there is not one iota of Evidence to Show that he ever served one day in that capacity except the testimony of one or two witnesses, but we have the testimony of four or five witnesses who say that he served as a Quarter Master, their statements are sustained by the [here the following word is underlined:] record evidence from the Comptroller of NC and Register of the Treasury,__

Cumming did not claim all the service as a QrMr [Quarter Master] it is true, but suppose he had claimed to have Served all the time as a QrMr [Quarter Master] and the great weight of Evidence

Page 35

[Continuation of handwritten letter. Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]


both parole and [here the following word is underlined:] record had shown him to have served in the grade of QrMs [Quarter Master] Sergeant only, would you have insisted on granting him a pension as a Quarter Master simply because he claimed it and one or two witnesses corroborated his Statement, certainly not, then why lay So much Stress on his application __

There are good reasons why he Should not have claimed a pension in the grade of Quarter Master, up to the day on which he made his application (Viz 29th Nov 1832)   The staff service or service as a Quarter Master, Commissary &c [and etcetera] had never been allowed or regarded as of pensionable character, it was not so regarded under the act of 18th March 1818 or 15th May 1828, and I do not think you will find a case allowed for that character of service under the act 7th June 1832 prior to the date of Cummings application

such service was considered as that of Sergeant by the Pension office, and you will find that a great part of the Staff Service was performed by Sergeants. + originally pensioned as Sergeants only, Again, What Motive could Charles Woods, Hugh Curry, Eli Hill, Mary Crabtree and Mary Harris have in Stating that Cumming was a Quarter Master, they were testifying to a character of service not claimed by him showing that there could be no Kind of Collusion between them, their testimony did not benefit him in the Slightest degree but on the contrary it was Calcuated to injure his claim, they could not have Known of the record of his services of a Quarter Master; because the record [or records] was not discovered until years after the date of

Page 36

[Continuation of a handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]]

of their affidavits   it is therefore beyond all question that they must have testified of their own personal Knowledge as to the Service as Quarter Master.

If you admit that he served as a Quarter Master Serjeant [or Sergeant] then you must also admit that he Served as a Serjeant [or Sergeant] of Cavalry, for the officers under whom he claims to have served were Officers of Cavalry, and all the facts go to show he was a mounted man, the payments as Certificates by the Comptroller of NC indicate a rank higher than that of Sergeant of Infantry,

You will also remember that he served as a Captain a tour of three months.  I am assured that if you give the case a personal examination you will become convinced that an increase of the pension is due, I respectfully ask that you will give the case a personal Examination.  

I am Sir your Obt Svt [Obedient Servant]
A. H. Markland

Page 37

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text easier to read.]

Pension Office
May 19, 1856

Sir,

In reply to your letter of the 25th [here the following word could be "returned," or "within,"] I have to state, that upon a review of the papers in the case of William Cummings, it is not perceived that an increase of allowance would be justified.

 Itmust [It must] necessarily be supposed that the party himself Knew the grade in which he served, and the suggestion you make, that he did not state it.s true character, because the service actually performed, [here the next six words are underlined:] was not at that time pensionable, Cannot be regarded, because he reiterated his statement as late as 1837,

and it will be perceived by refering [or referring] to regulations made as early as June 27, 1832, long before he made any application, that "the law (Act of June 7, 1832.) had been [?] mistrued to Extend as well to the line [here the following nine words are underlined:] as every branch of the Staff of the Army".

In respect to the other points, I cannot admit that the evidence shows his service to have been in the Cavalry, and there is no evidence, except his own Declaration that he rendered any as Capt. or Lieut, and that is indefinite as to both duration and grade

Very Resp.y [Respectfully] Yours 
Minot [or J Minot] 
Commr. [Commissioner]

A. H. Markland Esq)
[?] Prescutr. [? Prosecutor]

Page 38

[Handwritten letter with somewhat faint handwriting.]

War Department
Pension Office
December 28, 1837

Sir

I have received the affidavit of Mr. Thomas Clancy, in support of the claim of William Cummings and have filed it with his original papers.  His testimony is what is termed traditionary evidence, being only fifty seven years of age.

There has been a mass of testimony offered in this case, and much of it very contradictory

Mr. Cummings states that. he enlisted in April 1778 for 18 months under Captain Mathew McCawley.  Although the name of his Captain is found upon the muster rolls, and also among those who settled their accounts after the war and received the balance of their depreciation pay &c.  that of Mr. Cummings appears upon none of these records.

The omission of his name as above, was the ground for requiring proof of service

Since the suspension of Mr. Cummings pension, he has asserted Eight months additional service, three of which, he states he performed as Captain or Lieutenant.

Mr. Cummings continental service must

Page 39

[Continuaton of handwritten letter]

have expired according to his own account in Oc.tober 1779, and before it can be allowed, should be established by the most satisfactory proof.

The Secretary of State at Raleigh, who has made some examinations of the rolls &c with a reference to this claim, states it as his opinion that Mr. Cummings service, whatever may have been its duration, ^was in the militia

He observes that the rolls in his office of the Continental line, are considered very correct and the fact that Mr. Cummings name is not found, adds weight to that opinion

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Yr. Mo. Obt. St. [Your Most Obedient Servant.]
J. L. Edwards

Hon. A. H. Shepperd)
House of Representatives)

Page 40

[Handwritten letter]

Pension office,
April 21. 1856.

Sir,

Agreeably to your request, I have examined the papers in the case of William Cummings deceased, late of No. Carolina, Act June 7, 1832.

I find that Cummings was pensioned at rate of $120 per annum for service as [here the next three words are underlined] Quarter Master Sergeant, in the war of the Revolution.  A certificate from the Comptroller of No. Carolina is produced, in which it is stated that William Cummings appears as Assistant Quarter Master in [or on] Book J." [or I."]- and a Certificate from the U.S. Register's is also produced, by which it appears that Certificates for the aggregate amount of [smudged] $491.57, were issued to William Cummings by "Jonathan Burrall, Commissioner for settling the accounts of the Commissary and Quarter Master Departments."

An increase of allowance is thereupon [?] demanded [or rewarded] for service as Assistant Quarter Master, (or, as it is termed, "Commissary") for the period indicated by the said amount, of $491,51, - it being con-

Page 41

[Continuation of a handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

tended that such certificates are conclusive evidence that the party served in the grade of Commissary, (or Assistant Quarter Master) for such time as said sum would pay for wages in such grade.

It [here the next word could be either "need" or "will"] not be denied that Burrall's certificates have been regarded by this office as evidence of [here the next two words are underlined] military service, and that when the [the next word is underlined] grade in which a party served has been established by other proof, the amounts named in such certificates have been taken as a guide in determining the duration of such service. 

But, of course, this could only be done when consistent with the facts as disclosed by the evidence in each case - and especially when not irreconcilable with the Declarations of the soldier himself.

The Certificates of the Comptroller of No. Carolina do not establish the fact that the payments certified by him were for service as Assistant Quarter Master, or "Commissary" = They contain only an isolated statement, that a man named William Cummings appears to be noted as a "Deputy Quarter Master" in a certain named book, which entry is apparently

Page 42

[Third page in continued letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

unconnected with any of the certified payments.   

William Cummings made three distinct Declarations = In two of them he claims no service. as "Commissary" or "Quarter - Master's Assistant."  In one [?] only does he claim any service, whatever in the latter grade, and then only for [here the next two words are underlined] the balance of a tour of 4 months. 

In this tour he says he [here the following word is underlined] entered as [here the next five words are underlined] Quarter Master Sergeant, in June, and was still acting in that capacity at the time of the battle of Camden (Aug. 16, 1780.)  

From his whole statement, it is evident - that he could have acted as an Assistant Quarter Master, if at all, but for a few weeks - and there is no evidence of his appointment to that office. 

The short time he says he so acted, however, might serve to explain the entry certified by the Comptroller, and the similarity, in some respects of the duties of an "Assistant Quarter Master" and a "Quarter Master Sergeant," might fully account - for the statement of some of the witnesses, that Cummings served in the former, and other higher grades.  

It will be observed that Cummings swears, that in every tour, (except the one in 1780, already

Page 43

[Fourth page in continued letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

referred to - and his last tour in which he served, he says, as Captain or Lieutenant commanding)  he entered the Army as Quarter Master Sergeant, and so continued to the close of his respective tours.

It cannot, therefore, be [?] inferred that the amount of the Certificates issued by Burrall, were paid for his services as "Commissary" or "Assistant Quarter Master" - [? if indeed,] they were paid to him at all = especially when [or where] the aggregate amount of them is considered, and the length of time they would cover, in the grade claimed. 

I cannot perceive that Cummings in any of his Declarations claims service as "Commissary" or Assistant, or Deputy Commissary, and none of his witnesses proves satisfactorily any such service.  

The claim for increase therefore, cannot be allowed upon the present proof.

Respectfully,
C. S. [or S.] Cole
for Comr [for Commissioner]

A. H. Markland, Esq, 
[?] Present

Page 44

[Handwritten letter.]

Greensboro 1st Sept 1 1844

Sir

[?] You are hereby authorized to make examination of my papers filed in the Pension Office in Support of my claim for a pension, for my Services in the War of the Revolution,- which was once allowed me, but suspended for causes, of which I am unacquainted - To [?] prosecute and obtain for me, if practicable, the pension to which, I am entitled, or to do, any other act, which I myself could do, had I, the ability to prosecute the same in person - Very Respectfully
[Signature in different handwriting]  William Cumming 

Henry H. Sylvester Esqr [Esquire]
Washington City

Page 45

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Washington City March 31, 1856

Hon Josiah Minot
Commissioner of Pensions

In reply to your letter of the 26th Inst, [Instant, meaning of this month] respecting the case of William Cumming of NC 1832 admitted, I have only to say, that from the passage of the act of the 7th June 1832, down to the day on which your letter was written the pension office always granted pensions to persons whose names were found on what is called "Burralls receipts" and said pensions were granted either in the grade of Commissary or Quarter Master,

I do not believe there is an exception to that rule to be found in your office, if there is I would be glad to have it cited, I know there are Very Many Cases that have to be allowed as Quarter Master or Commissary upon a Certificate that the name of the applicant appeared on these receipts without any other Evidence to Sustain the declaration,

but in the case of William Cumming his Statement is sustained by the affidavits of persons who knew him in the service as a QrMr [Quarter Master] and Commissary, not only that, but the Comptroller of the state of North Carolina [here the next five words are underlined] Certifies that he was Commissary, upon the production of that evidence the pension office was at a loss to ascertain how long he served in the

Page 46

[Second page of handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.] 

the capacity of QrMs [Quarter Master] and Commissary,  I then filed the Certificate of the Register of the Treasury Showing that he was paid for his Services $491.51   I am now informed that I must produce "direct Evidence of his grade"  that was furnishd long since by the testimony of witnesses and the certificate of the Comptroller of NC, 

I again repeat that the Certificate of the fact of his name appearing on "Burrells receipts" is the Very best possible Evidence of his having been a Quarter Master or Commissary, the Pension office having always so regardd [regarded] it, there are in the office a large number of cases admitted on Such certificates and as far as I have Known or heard not one has Ever been refused.

I have in my mind at this time two cases admitted by Your immediate predecessor to which I beg to call your Special attention Viz Abigal Moore, formerly widow of Peter Riley, Ohio Act 1836 admitted, and George Emmell of New Jersey Act 1832 admitted, those cases were admitted, if I mistake not, upon the Certificate of the fact that the names of the parties were found on "Burralls Receipts" there may have been some little [?] parole proof. 

I am Very Respectfully
Your Obt Srvt [Your Obedient Servant]
A. H. Markland

Page 47

[Handwritten account. Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Greensboro N. Carolina
January the 16th 1843

I have Known William Cumming [or Cummings] More than twenty five years - he resided in Hillsboro N Carolina for many years - In the year 1813 I resided in Hillsboro I then heard his Services in the Revolutionary War Spoken of frequently - And although he was then, and now is in Very humble Circumstances as respects property he was treated Kindly and respectfully by all who Knew him _ 

During the year 1813 a man by the name of Dockery [or Docking]. came to Hillsboro.  He had been a tory in the Revolutionary War and had been one of a party of tories who had taken Cumming [or Cummings] and a man by the name of John [?] Forstetrs [possibly meaning Forresters] prisoners and had Maltreated them Very Much -

Cumming [or Cummings] and [?] Forstetrs [possibly meaning a variation of Forresters] recognized Dockery [or Docking] and Dockery [or Docking] was roughly handled by the friends of Cumming and Forstatrs   This Circumstances gave rise to Much Conversation at the time about the Services and Suffering of Wm Cumming in the Revolutionary war -  From all I then, and have Since heard, I have no doubt he was a Soldier, and rendered Services  to his Country

[The following signature is underlined, and appears to be:] Jno. M. Dick [or Dist or Dirk]

Page 48

[Handwritten account]  

Albright [or Albrights] N.C. Janr [January] 13th 42 [1842]

I have known William Cumming More than 20 Years, have often Heard him, and others, Speak of his Services in the war of the Revolution, and Never Heard them doubted by any.  he Has always Been understood to be one of our Revolutionary Solders, he is a Reputable Man and Entitled to Credit.

W. Montgomery

Page 49

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Washington City

Hon Robt McClelland,
Secretary of the Interior.

I call your attention to the enclosed letters of the Commsr [Commissioner] of Pensions, one dated July 27 1833 and addressed to Hon H Everett and the other dated 16th September 1833 addressed to S. Jenkins Esq, [Esquire] for the purpose showing the [?] ground taken by the pension office in the adjudication of pension claims, that is that the statement of the applicant fortified by strong [?] parole Evidence Cannot be taken in preference to record Evidence.

Now I have shown that William Cummins did serve as a Quarter Master and that by the very strongest character of record Evidence it is also conclusively Shown by the [?] parol proof filed in the case,  I respectfully ask that he may be allowed as a Quarter Master instead of a Sergeant of which there is not one iota of record evidence

I am Sir Very Respetfully [Respectfully] 
Yur Obt Srt [Your Obedient Servant]

A. H. Markland

Page 50

[Handwritten letter]

Albrights N.C. July 14th 1836

Sir

When the Certificate of pension [?] Shall Issue for William Cummins. of orange County, N.C. please Sent it to Me or, William Cummins [? Sen or Senior.] at greensborough N.C.  I presume the Certificate of the Secretary of State, Has or Will Soon Reach you, which Was all that Was Wanting to Reinstate Him again upon the pension Roll,

With great regard yours.
W, Montgomery

J. L. Edwards, Esqr. [Esquire])
Coms. [Commissioner] of pensions.)

Page 51

[Handwritten letter]

War Department
Pension Office
Feby: 21 1835

Sir:

In your declaration upon which a pension was granted, you have alleged that you enlisted for and Served 18 months as quarter master Sergeant in North Carolina:  [Here the next 11 words are underlined] As no proof was at the time [?] addreced [? addressed] in Support of this [here the following word is underlined], Service, and as the claim was disposed of in the then press of business before the Office, this omission was not discovered.  You will now be required to produce the certificate, of your alleged Service, from William Hill Esqr. Secretary of State, at Raleigh and forward the same to this Office.

The agent has been directed to Suspend for the present any further Payment -

I am Respectfully
Your Ob Servant
J L Edwards

Mr. Wm. Cummings
Care of the Clerk of Orange Co [County]
Hillsboro
N.C.

Page 52

[Handwritten document]

Brief in the case of William Cummings of N. Carolina

Page 53

[Handwritten record.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

29 Nov 1832_ Wm Cummins enlisted in [here the next three words and the year are underlined] March or April 1778 for 18 Months under Captain McCauley  Col A Lyttle's Regt march [marched] from Hillsboro to Halifax.  thence to Petersburgh Va [Virginia] thence to Valley Forge wheae [probably meaning where] he encamped 3 or 4 months _ then returned to Hillsboro where he remained until the expiration of his 18 Month's enlistment -  [here the next 22-word long phrase is underlined:] Having served as Qr. [Quarter] Masters Sergeant from the time of his return from Halifax to the expiration of his term of enlistment - 

In June 1780 he volunteered for 4 months in a company Commanded by Captain Farmer, John Wall Lieutenant, was marched to the South, having joined Rutherford's then Gates, was at the engagement at Camden, after the defeat at Camden [here "he returned" was crossed through] (Aug 1780) he returned home Acting as [here the following rank was underlined] Deputy Qr [Quarter] Master from the date of the defeat until the expiration of his term _

In the fall of 1780 [based on context, this year appears to have been 1780, but it could be read as 1781] he again entered the service as Qr. [Quarter] Master's Sergeant under Major Absolem Tatum   was stationed at Hillsboro Where he was engaged in issuing [here the next three words are underlined] provisions, Forage &c  was so engaged [here the next four words are underlined] 4 or 5 months Where [or when] he and his brother Henry were taken prisoners by some of Tarleton's Corps in the vicinity of Hillsboro where he had gone to hide some property in anticipation of a visit from the enemy -

After the battle of Guilford CH [Court House] [here "he was" was crossed through] (15 March 1781) he was discharged by the enemy.  He returned home and was again appointed Qr. Masters Sergeant, was frequently employed as a bearer of dispatches (gives several instances)  Again in the fall of 1781 he entered under Cols [Colonels] Long and Branch to suppress the tories _ Served as [here the first mentioned rank is underlined] QM's [Quarter Master's] Sergeant and [here the next word is underlined] private more than 3 years _

Page 54

[Page 2 of handwritten account.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the text block easier to read.]

[The following date is underlined] 19 Aug 1837 [Although the year looks like 1857, it probably was 1837, based on context.] - Wm Cummings, enlisted as stated above for [here the following time frame is underlined:] 18 months. and served as stated - does not recollect exactly when his term of service expires but thinks it was in Sept or [?] Oct 1779 - [here the following phrase is underlined:]  during all this period he acted as Qr. Masters Sergeant - 

In the Spring of 1780 entered as QrM [Quarter Master] Sergeant, [this rank was underlined], served as detailed in his first declaration [here the following time frame is underlined:] 6 months. - 

In Feby 1781 - being again in Service as [here the following rank is underlined:]  QrM. [Quarter Master] Sergeant, was sent by Genl [General] Butler to destroy some military stores in Hillsboro when he was taken prisoner by some of Tarlton's men, a few days after the battle of Guilford he made his escape and resumed his office of [here the rank is underlined:] Q' M Sergeant, Does not recollect how long he served, 

In 1782 was Captain as stated in his first declaration, 

Resume [with accent grave punctuation mark above the last "e" in "Resume," apparently meaning Cumming's resume of service:]

In 1778 and 9 [1779]         18 months QrM Sergeant [Quarter Master Sergeant]
" [In] 1780                           6 " [months]  " " [QrM Sergeant, or Quarter Master Sergeant]
" [In] 1781                           2 " [months]  " " [QrM Sergeant, or Quarter Master Sergeant]
" [In] 1782                           3 " [months] captain or Lt. [Lieutenant] Commander,

Page 55

[Page 3 in handwritten account.]

16 Jany [January] 1843 - [apparently meaning statement given that date] Wm Cummings enlisted under Captain - then Lieutenant - McCauley in the latter part of 1777 or early part of 1778 for [here the time frame is underlined] 18 months, was soon thereafter appointed Quarter Master's Sergeant and served under Col Nicholas Long, sometime in the winter of 1778 he went to Valley Forge under Cols [Colonels][ Lyttle and Mebane and Caps [Captains] Wm Kinders, Chas. [Charles] Dixon and Tilman Dixon and Denchs - remained a short time with the Northern Army and returned to Hallifax NC and served as [the following rank is underlined:] QM [Quartr Master] Sergeant under Major Tatum - 

In the Spring of 1780 was again in same capacity in the Militia for [illegible, possibly about or almost] 6 months - 

Statement [?] over not differ in substance from the other.

Page 56

[Handwritten account.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the text block easier to read.]

29 Nov 1832 - Charles Wood Knew Cummins in 1778 at Valley Forge. Well recollects that he came there acting as a [here the following rank is underlined:] Qr. M. [Quarter Master] Sergeant and [the next two words are underlined] Forage Master, under Col Lyttle and and Col {Colonel] Mebane.

[Here the following date is underlined:] (28 Apr. 1836) saw him in Winter of 1777 at Valley Forge acting as [the following two ranks are underlined:]  Deputy Qr [Quarter] Master and Forage Master and so acted for nearly [here the time frame is underlined:] 2 years - 

In 1782 after deponents [deponent's] return to Hillsboro  Cummins was appointed over a company to keep it together until it was ascertained whether it would again be needed - 

(19 April 1837) Heard many persons from Gates defeat speak of Cummins being in the battle there (same as above) -

[The following date is underlined:] 21 April 1836 - Wm Crabtree Senr. Knew Wm Cummins served in 1780 as [here the following rank is underlined:] Qr {Quarter] Master's Sergeant, saw him acting in that capacity under Genl [General] Gates

14 July 1836 - David White was a private of [the following word is underlined] Militia in 1780 at Gates defeat, he there saw Cummins acting as [here the following rank is underlined:] Qr. [Quarter] Master's Sergeant for the troops to which deponent was attached - does not Know how long he so acted.

[The following date is underlined:] 29 Nov 1838 - Mary Crabtree remembers that in 1780 Cummins was a [here the following rank was underlined:] Q ! Master [? Quarter Master] for the troops in Hillsboro, went North in that capacity, was at Gates' defeat. - In 1782 he was in Command of a Company,- Does not know how long he served, but was almost constantly in service as [here the following rank is underlined:] Q ! [? Quarter] Master

Page 57

[Continuation of handwritten account.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the text block easier to read.]

23 July 1837 - Ezekiel Brewer was drafted to serve a tour in the Continental Line in 1780, he substituted one B Howell &c,  He distinctly remembers that Wm Cummins [here "entered the" is stricken through] was a [the next three words are underlined:] Qrs. [Quarters] Masters Sergeant, thinks it was in the winter of 1778- soon after said Cummins entered the service as [here the following rank is underlined:] Qr [Quarter] Master as above stated, went to the North and -  after his return from the North still served as [here the following rank is underlined:] Qr [Quarter] M {Master] Sergeant till fall of 1779 - 

When DeKalbs army marched from Hillsboro to the South under Gates, Cummins was again [the rank is underlined:] QR M [Quarter Master] Sergeant, deponent saw him in service in July 1780 - always understood he served [here the time frame is underlined:] 6 months this time - In the year that the war closed or the year previous Cummins had command of a Company, does not Know how long he served -

[Here the date is underlined:] 18 Dec 1837 - Thomas Clancy long before [?] Jun 7 1832 has heard Cummins and others speak of his Revo [Revolutionary] Services - Heard a son of Captain McCaily [McCauly] make oath that he had frequently heard his father speak of Cummins as being active in the Service. - Has no doubt of his services,

[The date is underlined:] 28 Nov 1838 - Hugh Curry was drafted for 3 months in [here the last number in the year is blotted, but the year appears to have been:] 1780, was Marched to the [?] South, was stationed some time near Hillsboregh [Hillsborough], while there saw Cummins acting as [here the rank is underlined:] Qr [Quarter] Master or [here the following word is underlined:] Commissary, does not Know how long he so acted - 

[The following name is underlined:] Mary Harris frequently saw him in service as [the following rank is underlined:] Qr M [Quarter Master] Sergeant and saw in [perhaps meaning him] in fall of 1781 acting as [here the rank is underlined:] Qmaster [Quarter Master]

[The following name is underlined:] Elias Hill [or ? Hier] saw him in fall of 1780 acting as [here the following rank is underlined:] Qr Master [Quarter Master] -

Page 58

[Another continuation page of handwritten account.]

14 Nov 1844, N.C. Comptroller shows [here the name is underlined] Wm [William] Cummings A 
Q M [possibly meaning ? A Quarter Master] received [monetary pound sign] 47.16 - and Wm Cummings [illegible] A Q M) [possibly meaning A Quarter Master] received [monetary pound sign] 94.2

8 March 1853, NC Comptroller shows a [?] geat [possibly meaning great] [or ? fact] many payments to a Wm Cummings including those above and testifies that on book [illegible mark] he appears as assistant Qr [Quarter] Master

[Stricken through phrase appears to be:] Necsary of th- [Here the following date is underlined:] Feby 22 1856. Register of [illegible] Treasury shows that Certificates amounting to $491.57/100 [or $491.51/100] were issued to Wm Cummings - 

[The date is underlined:] April 26 1856, Qr.M  [Quarter Master] Genl. [Genral] Jessup [or ? Jeffries] states that he cannot imagine how the office of [here the following titles are underlined:] Qr [Quarter] Master [illegible possible symbol for "and"] QrM [Quarter Master] Sergeant could be confounded,

Page 59

[Handwritten letter]
[?] H. M. [or H. R., possibly meaning House of Representatives] June 23rd 36 [1836.

Sir
 
Inclosed {Enclosed] is a Letter, asking Information, please answer it and with it [illegible] Return this Letter, With 
great
Regard yours 

W. Montgomery

J. L. Edwards, Esqr)
Coms. [Commissioner of] pensions

Page 60

Washington DC Decr [December] 4th 1855 

Hon J. Minot
Commr [Commissioner] of Pensions

I enclose, herewith, the declaration &c [and etcetera] of the admr [administrator, as in administrator of William Cumming's estate] of William Cumming of NC admitted act 1832, I ask an increase for his Service as a Commissary and Qr M [Quarter Master] in War of the Rev. [Revolution].

I am Very Respectflly [Respectfully] 
Yr [Your} Obt Srvt [Your Obedient Servant]

A. H. Markland

Page 61

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

War Department
Pension Office,
April 11, 1837.

Sir, 

I herewith return the letter of Mr Cummings and that of the Hon Wm Montgomery,

The claims of which you make enquiry, to wit John Porterfield, John Dolly, John Warren and John Shaw, were examined on the 3d. instant [meaning on the 3rd of this month, so April 3, 1837] and a letter addressed to you at the same time, which, ere this, has probably reached your hands.  [A hand-drawn bracket on the left side of page, begins to the left side of the phrase "your hands" and continues through to the end of this paragraph.]  If satisfactory proof can be offered to establish the alleged service of Wm Cummings, his pension will be continued.

A new certificate will be issued to James Hart for 7 months 12 days, as private, upon his returning the one already in his possession.  This is all the service claimed for by Mr. Hart. 

[In slightly lighter ink:] I will observe, however, that there was no such Corps as artificers in the militia, during the revolutionary war.  It frequently happened that in Consideration of being exempt from Military duty mechanics were induced to render certain other services; but such services are not considered military, and are therefore, not embraced by the Pension law.

Page 62

[2nd page of handwritten letter]

I am, respectfully, 
Your obt servt [Your obedient servant]
J L. Edwards

James A. Craig, Esqr {Esquire]
Haw River
North Carolina.

Page 63

[Handwritten letter]

Ruffens [or Ruffins] Mills, N. Carolina,
21 February,1845.

My Dear Sir:

I received a letter from Mr. [?] Fiske [or ? Faske]. the pension Agent at Fayetteville. who informs me that, my old friend Mr. Cumming has been re-instated to the pay roll. 

Some three years ago, when I sent some additional evidence to the Commissioner [from here, the rest of this sentence is underlined:] of Pensions. I forwarded at the Same time the original pension Certificate of William Cumming. [here the next phrase is underlined:] which has [?] never been returned.  

As the pension due the old Gentleman, Cannot be obtained 'till the original Certificate is had, I [?] must beg the favor of you. to call on Mr. Edwards and obtain the Certificate, or request Col. Sylvester To do so [or so do]  -  If the Certificate Should be lost of misplaced please obtain a new one.  and enclose it me. the agent of Mr William Cumming, at this Post office. 

I remain, Dear Sir
Very Respectfully, 
Your Ob. Sert [Your Obedient Servant]
[The following name is underlined:] James A. Craig

Hon:
Edmund [or Edward] Deberry)
Ho: Reps:)
Washington City)
D.C.)

Page 64

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the text block easier to read.] 

Pension Office
May 14, 1842

Sir,

In reply to your letter of the 13th [apparently meaning May 13, 1842] in the case of William Cummings, I have to inform you that it does not appear from our records that he would be allowed a pension for a short term of service, upon the testimony now on file.  His pension was suspended because the records of those who served in the North Carolina line [here the next five words are underlined] did not contain any evidence of his alleged ^service as an enlisted soldier.  

He has subsequently asserted a claim for service as a commissioned Officer, but no claim can be allowed for service as such, unless supported by record or documentary proof.  [Here the next 13 words are underlined] If he had served as an enlisted soldier of the N. Carolina line. the [here the next three words are underlined] records of service in [here, the rest of the sentence is underlined:] said line would have shown the fact.

I have the honor to be 
Very respectfully
Your obt. servt. [Your obedient servant.]
J L Edwards

Hon A. H. Shepperd
House of Representatives

Page 65

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been added to make the long text block easier to read.]

War Department,
Pension Office,
[Before the following date, there is a large X mark, with a period in each space around the letter:]
December 10. 1836.

Sir, 
In reply to your enquiry relative to the claims of James Hart and William Cummins, the payment of whose pensions has been suspended I have the honor to state, that rolls of service in this office furnish ample proof that the allegations of Mr. Hart are incorrect; and that instead of his having served 9 months, his service did not amount to 6.  

Having the pay roll above mentioned, it precludes Mr Hart from resorting to proof in support of his allegations, as documentary evidence must take precedence of all other.  I will respectfully refer you to my letter of the 11 May last, a copy of which I enclose, as well as to my letter of the 29 August 1836, upon this subject.  This information was also given to the Agent of Mr Hart, James A. Craig, 9th July and 24 September last, and on the 20th of July, to P. H. Mangum.

[The following paragraph and one additional sentence below it, are all enclosed with hand-drawn bracketing at the left side margin of the page.]  
The claim of William Cummins is one of which no evidence is found upon any of the rolls in North Carolina, and from circumstances which have transpired since the admission of that claim, the proof then Submitted is unsatisfactory.  Of this the. Pensioner was apprized on the 21st February 1835, and again on the 30 of June last, in a letter, which I had the honor to address to you, of that date.  [Immediately following that is some handwritten text which appears to have been erased, and is now nearly illegible.]
[Here one additional sentence starts with a hand-drawn image of a hand pointing to the following text, with an X sign with a period in each space around the X:]  additional evidence [?] Since, sent to the Pension office. [Bracket sign]

I have the honor to be 
very respectfully, Your obt Servt [Your obedient Servant]
[Signature in dark ink]  J L. Edwards

Hon W. Montgomery
House of Representatives.  

[The following word has a hand-drawn slight swirl above and below the word:] over.

Page 66

[Continuation of handwritten letter]

Additional proof has been forwarded to the Pension office, Since the date of This letter

J A. Craig
25th Decr. 1840
[Hand-drawn partially wavy line underneath the date]


Mr. Hart was re-instated and has Since died.
J A C [J A Craig]
[Hand-drawn partially wavy line underneath the initials.]

Page 67

[Handwritten letter]

Nov 20 '44 [1844]

Sir
The pension of William Cumming was suspended about the year 1835, for what was then considered good reasons.  Since that time a more thorough knowledge of the N.C. Service and particularly that of W. [or Mr.] Cumming has Satisfied me that his claim can be fully established.  To that end I have to request a re-examination of his claim.

I enclose his authority to act on his behalf.

I am Respectfully
A. H. [?] Sylvester
[with a swirl underneath his signature]

Hon J L. Edwards

Page 68

[Handwritten letter]

Department of the Interior
Washington, November 22 1856

Sir:
I have examined and considered the claim for the allowance to William Cummings, who was pensioned as Quarter Master's Sergeant, - of an increased pension in the rank of Quarter Master, upon the appeal of A. H. Markland Esqr [Esquire]; and am satisfied that the decision of your Bureau, respecting the claim, is correct.  The decision is therefore affirmed, and the papers accompanying the report in the case, are herewith returned to your office.

I am with much respect
Your Obdt Servt [Your Obedient Servant] 
R [? or B or G] McClelland
Secretary

Geo. C Whiting Esquire)
Commr [Commissioner] of Pensions)

Page 69

[Handwritten letter with several difficult-to-read words.]

[?] House of Rep [? House of Representatives] Sep. 23 1833

[?] My dear Sir
I have just received and transmitted to the Commissioner of Pensions the amended application of Mr Cummings for a pension. 

I shall omit nothing that may tend to advance the claim and to [illegible] success --
[Two illegible words] A H Shpperd [or Shepperd]

Page 70

[Handwritten document with a fold down the middle, and with text on the left side of the page.]

[In what appears to be light pencil] 10
[In ink:]
declaration of William Cumming
Act June 7. 1832
_________________________________________
of Guilfor [Guilford] County.
N.C [North Carolina] 
________________________________________



[Near the bottom, in darker ink:]
Hon A. H. Shepperd
HR [House of Representatives]
_________"____________________________

[Here the following three lines have been mostly crossed through:]
Return to be made to
Hon 
R M Saunders
H. Reps: [House of Representatives]

Page 71

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

Pension Office
August 5. 1842

Sir,
I herewith return the letter of Dr. Craig, in the case of William Cummings.  His claim was allowed for service alleged to have been principally as a Quarter Master Sergeant, in [here is the page edge, and it's hard to tell if another word originally was written beyond, which may not be visible now] line of the State of North Carolina. 

It having been subsequently ascertained that the records in the Office of the Secretary of State of N. Carolina, which are [the following two words are underlined] considered perfect, afforded no evidence of the service of Cummings, his pension was suspended.  His pension cannot be continued to him as a Quarter Master Seargeant for two years service, for the same reason which induced a suspension of it. 

It would appear that he performed some service in the Militia, and if he will make a new declaration setting forth the service, and will return the original pension certificate to this Office, it is probable that a pension may be allowed therefor [therefore.]  No claim for service as a Commissioned Officer can be allowed without record or documentary proof.

I have the honor to be 
Very respectfully
Your Obet. Servt. [Your Obedient Servant]
[Signature in dark ink] J. L Edwards

Hon. R. M. Saunders
House of Representatives

Page 72

[Handwritten letter]

Ruffins Mills, N. Carolina,
17 January, 1845.

My Dear Sir:

I wrote you at an early day of the present Session, apprising you that I had been So fortunate, as to Succeed last fall in getting a Certificate from the Comptroller of the State, Setting forth that the name of [here the name and rank are underlined] William Cumming "2MS" [Quarter Master Sergeant] was found on the "pay Rolls" in his office, and that it appeared from Said Records. that the Sum of [monetary pound sign] 141.16 had been paid to Said Cumming.

This Certificate of Mr. [or ? Wm] Collins. the Comptroller, had been forwarded to the Commissioner of Pensions a short time before the Commencement of the present Session.

I beg you will be so kind as to attend to this Claim, and when acted on, please Communicate the result to me, [the next two words are underlined] his Agent. 

I suppose Mr. Edwards, upon the [?] receipton [? reception, possibly meaning receipt] of the Certificate, will forth with grant Mr Cumming a pension _ The old pension Certificate allowing $120 p.a. [per annum] was returned by me to the Pension office Some two or 3 years ago.  So the Commissioners will issue a [here the next word is underlined] new Certificate which please enclose to me, Mr Cummings' Agent.

I remain, Your [or D sir, possibly meaning Dear sir] 
Very resp_ your ObSert [Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant]
[Signature with underline] James A. Craig 

Hon:
Ed: [possibly meaning Edward] Seberry [or Deberry]
Washington City
DC  [flourish]

Page 73

[Handwritten letter]

Washington March 10 1853

James E Heath Esq [Esquire]

Sir,

I transmit herewith the Certificate of the Comptroller of North Carolina relative to the Services of William Cummings,

Cummings has been allowed a Pension at $120 p anm [per annum] as a Qr [Quarter] Master Serjeant [Sergeant], In his declaration he Claimed to have Served as an Assistant Qr [Quarter] Master also.  His declaration is Sustained by the Comptrollers Certificate for at least 8 Months as an Assistant Qr [Quarter] Master Serving 14 [or 16] Months as a Qr [Quarter] Master Serjeant [Sergeant].  I ask, therefore, that an Increase to which the Service [here there was an erasure with the word "will" written over it] entitle him May be allowed.

Very respectfully,
Your Obt Servt [Your Obedient Servant]
Geo. C. Ames

Page 74

[Handwritten letter]

House of Rep [House of Representatives] December 11. 1838

My dear Sir

I have already enclosed the additional testimony in favour of Mr. [or W.] Cummings Claim for a pension accompanied by a letter of Some length to the Commissioner of Pensions - I hope for a favorable result - 

In hast [haste] - yrs [yours]
A. W. [or A. H.] Shepperd

Page 75

[Handwritten letter]

Washington July 6th 1853

Sir

In your report to me in the Case of William Cummins of N.C. of the 18th ulto [apparently meaning 18th of the previous month, or June 18, 1853], you admit that he had [illegible] some proof sustaining his alleged service as a Quartr Master or Commissary but it did not show how long he served as such, Consequently the application of his Children for Increase could not be granted.

If you will examine Carefully you will find that as early as 1832, previous to any Knowledge of the existence upon the record [or records] of North Carolina of any evidence thereof, he in his first declaration alleged Service as an A. Q. [Assistant Quarter] Master under Major Tatum, which he ^subsequently Supported by the testimony of a Number of Witnesses, all of Whom, I believe, were themselves in Service.  but being at that time unable to establish his rank by record proof, as the Rules required, and no doubt Very Needy, he Consented, in 1843, (see [or per] his Statement) to accept a pension at $120. pr anm [per annum] as a Qr. [Quarter] Master Sergeant.

Subsequently, it was discovered that two payments were Made to him one for [monetary pound sign] 95.2 and the other for [monetary pound sign for either] 47.16 [or 117.16].  also, that the record at Raleigh contained evidence establishing Clearly his rank as an A Q [Assistant Quartr] Master, upon

Page 76

[Second page of a letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

this evidence application for an increase Was Made, which however was not granted, for although it Sustained his rank as an A. Q. [Assistant Quarter] Master, yet the Amount of the payment were [or will] not more than Sufficient to Cover the Service he Claimed to have rendered as a Q.M. [Quarter Master] Serjeant [Sergeant.]

Since that time other payments Amounting to [monetary pound sign] 78011 [or 98011, perhaps meaning 780.11 pounds, or 980.11 pounds] have been discovered.  Which with the Certificates previously presented made an aggregate of $210- and the application for Increase was renewed.

It appears from Cummins declaration that he did [here it appears a presently illegible word was initially written and  erased, with the following word written over it:] not join the Service until ^ some time in 1778, The Several payments to him would show a Service as Qr.M [Quarter Master] Sergeant of nearly 5 Years.  to entitle him to that Amount of pay he would have been Compelled to have served Continuously from the time of his first enlistment until the Conclusion of the War.

One payment alone that of [monetary pound sign] 95.12, would be Sufficient to show two years Service.  but he did not Claim for Continuous Service as a [here the following word apppears to have been overwritten, and now to read as either:] War [or Wars] Man Nor did he Claim for Any service after 1781, except as a Captain or Commander of a Company.

A portion of these payments therefore Must have ^been received by him for Service in a grade above that of Q.M [Quarter Master] Sergeant.  To show [?] directly that these payment or any one of them [here the next word was overwritten, and appears to read:] was [or were] Made for Service as a Q [Quarter] Master or Commissary, as required by you [illegible, possibly ?] later, is

Page 77

[Third final page of 3-page letter. Occasional additional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

impossible, the grade of Service for which they were given does not appear upon the Books at Raleigh, but - in addition to his ^ own declaration, We furnish record proof of his rank, and show by the testimony of Charles Wood, Hugh Curry[,] Eli Hill[,] and William Crabtree, all of Whom I believe were themselves in service, and also by your Own Admission that he did serve as an Asst Q.M. [Assistant Quarter Master] and Commissary as well as Q. M [Quarter Master] Sergeant. which from the Amount of evidence [?] adduced Could not have been less than from 4 [or 6] To 8 Mo [Months].

The payment of [monetary pound sign] 95.2 would be More than Sufficient to Cover any tour of Service Cummins [here the following word is underlined] rendered as a Serjeant [Sergeant] -, and I feel Satisfied that upon a Careful review of All the evidence in the case it will be admitted that that, amount] ^at least was paid to him as a Q [Quarter] Master, which will Show [?] about [or ? almost] 6 months, and that an Increase Corresponding therewith will be granted

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Sert [Your Obedient Servant], 
Geo. C. Ames

Hon L. P [or S. P] Waldo
Commr. [Commissioner] of Pensions

Page 78

[First page of handwritten compilation about the case of William Cummins]

In relation to the case of William Cummins = Application for increase - Act June 7, 1832

William ^Cummins made three Declarations - one in 1832 and two in 1837 - He swears, in all these Declarations that he served as Quarter Master's [here the following word is underlined] Sergeant [here the following word was overwritten, but appears to read as:] during all his tours in the war, except [here the next three words are underlined] the latter part of a 3 or 4 months tour in 1780, when he says he served as Deputy Quarter Master = and immediately afterwards again entered the [here the following two words are underlined] Same service as Quarter Master Sergeant.  "See his Declarations Marked A."

The Letters of Mr. Markland (papers Marked B) state that Cummin's Service as Commissary has been admitted by the office = As to how far this has been done see letter to G. C. Ames of June 18, 1853- in Accompanying book

The Comptroller of North Carolina certifies that there is an entry in a book in his office by which William Cummins' appears as Assistant Quarter Master; but this affords no evidence of duration of Service in that [here the following word is underlined] grade, and is entirely Consistent with the Statement of Cummins in his Declarations above referred to. = (For

Page 79

[Second page of handwritten compilation re case of William Cummins.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

The Comptrollers certificates see. papers marked C.)  To show the [here the following word is underlined] length of such Service ^(as assistant Commissary) a certificate is filed from the Register of the Treasury (paper marked D.)  showing that Cummins received $491.52; and this, it is contended should be admitted as evidence of Service as [here the next two words are underlined] Assistant Commissary =

I find that in Many Cases [here "these certifs" is crossed through] (as stated by Mr. Markland) these certificates have been admitted as evidence of [here the following two words are underlined] Military Service, and that when the [here the following word is underlined] grade is established by other proof [illegible stricken through word, possibly "and"] the amounts named in the Certificates have been taken as a guide to determine the [here the following word is underlined] Duration of service; but, of course, this could only be done when perfectly consistent with the [illegible word] evidence in [here "the" was crossed through, and the following word written above:] ^each case, and especially when not inconsistent with the claimants own repeated Declarations =

Cummins was pensioned at rate of $120 per annum for Service as Quarter Master's Sergeant = The present application is for increase on the ground that he served as Assistant Quarter Master.  The duties of these two offices are, in some respects, much alike, which would explain why some of the witnesses in Cummins' original application

Page 80

[Third final page of handwritten compilation re William Cummins' case.]

designated him as having served in the latter Capacity.  Their affidavits will be found among the accompanying Papers in the case.

I do not think upon the present papers, the increase should be allowed.

Respectfully Submitted,
[Here the second initial is hard to read, but the signature initials appear to be:] R. G [or R. B] 


[Illegible] J. Minot)
Commissioner.)
of Pensions)

Page 81

[Handwritten record.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

State of North Carolina)
Orange County) S.S.

On this day 29th [or 28th] April 1836, personally appeard [or appeared] before the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace [ink blot] and for the County aforesaid Charles Woods in the eighty ninth year of his age, a resident citizen of Orange aforesaid, who being first duly qualified according to law, maketh oath that in the war of the revolution he knew William Cumming of the aforesaid county and has a distinct recollection of seeing said Cumming in the American service [or services] as Deputy Quarter Master, and Forage Master in the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, 

that said Cummings acted in that capacity nearly two years and was an active and efficient officer and a good whig, that he has known said Cummings iver sinse [ever since] the year 1776, that while said Woods was prisoner in Charleston he heard from many acquaintances who were brought to that city after Gates defeat, that said Cumming was ^in that battle ["there" is stricken through] and [here the following phrase was stricken through: "commanded a company of Americans" and the following phrase was written above in lighter ink or pencil:] had a Commissary - 

Woods further states that after the return of himself and others to Hillsboro the said Cummings was appointed over the company to keep them together till [? it] was ascertained whether their servises [or services] would be required ^ again [torn paper edge.]  He states that this was in the year 1782 and the [Near here is a torn paper edge, but the word is apparently:] company was on fourlough [furlough] without date, and they had no- [torn paper edge]

Page 82

[Second and last page of handwritten record.]

been discharged.  That said Cumming was [here the following word is underlined] always friendly to the american cause, and actively served the United States as he has set forth in this [or his] [here the following two words are stricken through: "declaration - Viz" with, written above in light ink or pencil:] ^affidavit 

[Signature] Charles Wood [which was clearly written in ink, with what appears to be a large mark, where it appears Charles Wood made his mark]

Sworn to and subscribed the day and date first above written, before me 
Will: E. Anderson, J.P. [Justice of the Peace]

[There is a small image of a piece of tape near the left margin.]

And I the said Justice do hereby certify that Charles Wood who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit before me is a man of truth and honesty
April 28th 1836.      William E. Anderson J.P

[There is a handwritten "4" written perpendicularly, near the left margin, and a stricken-through, hard-to-read, practically illegible phrase, possibly in light ink, followed by the additional phrase, which also was all stricken-through:]  Can Certify if [illegible phrase which may possibly read:] requested that, W: E A [apparently meaning William E Anderson] was April 28, 1836 an acting Majestrate [Magestrate]  in [illegible]

Page 83

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Greensboro. Feby 28th 1837

Doctr [or Doctor] Craig [or Craige]

I wrote to Dr Montgomery to Know why My Fathers [here the following word is stricken through:] Certificate pension was Stoped  he inform me that it was for the want of the Sec.ry [Secretary's] Certificate to show that his name was on the role [roll] of the North Carolina troops - 

the Dr wrote to the Sec.ry [Secretary] to [illegible, ink blot] Know if his Name was registered in his office and upon examinnation he finds that his name is not there, why it is not - is a Matter of Some Surprise to me for I believe there is More than a Dozen Men who Knew that he was a Stanch [staunch] whig and was Much engaged in our struggle for liberty;  

You probably Know more about the business than I do or can Know as I have never had any thing to do with it and I understand you have had much of it to do

if you will take the matter in hand and will Make the Necessary inquiries [enquiries] about it I will if [here the next three words are stricken through] the pension so [or is] he is reinstated make you what you Suppose a liberal compensation Please to [or do] let me [here there is an ink block, but the following word appears to be:] hear from you

Respectfully Yours

Wm. H. Cumming

Page 84

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the text block easier to read.]

Greensboro Feby 17th [or 19th] 1845

My Dear Sir

I am truly sorry I am under the necessity of troubling you again about my fathers business, I wrote to you a few days ago to Know how I should procede [proceed] to have his pension Certificate renewed as he had lost the one he had, but have been told ^since it would be necessary to have an affidavit to that effect

I have Sent to you an affidavit which you will be good enough to hand to Mr Edwards and have [here the word "an" was erased and "a" written over it, then possibly stricken through] Duplicate sent as soon as you can Conveniently - 

Very respectfully
Wm. H. [or K.] Cumming  


H of R [House of Representatives] Feb 21- 1845

Mr. Edwards will please inform what to write to Mr. [or W] Cummings

E Deberry

Page 85

[This record appears to be the reverse side of a document, and appears to have been used for mailing purposes.]

[Handwritten and underlined] William Cumming 
[This name partially covers a round printed postmark stamp which reads:] RALEIGH NC FEB 27

[Handwritten in dark ink, and running perpendicularly to the above, there is:]
James A Craig Esqr.
Haw river
Orange County
N.C.

[There is a perpendicular handwritten "2" at the right side margin of this page, opposite the address, and a larger perpendicular handwritten "10" slightly above the perpendicular "James A Craig Esqr." notation, on the lower right side of the page.  There are two pieces of tape visible, and a partially torn roughly circular medium-size hole also on the page.]

Page 86

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Raleigh 27th Febry 1836.

Dear Sir

Your favour of the 26th. received this morning.  I have searched carefully, both the muster rolls and the lists of settlements of the accounts of the Officers and Soldiers of the revolution and do not find the name of Wm. Cumming on either, and therefore think he [here the following six words are underlined:] must have been a Militia Man.  

I do not know of any case like Mr. Cummings where proof has been made of Service and the name not on the rolls - The rolls of 1780 I believe to be correct and as perfect as any others; -  They s- [rest of the preceding word is blotted by ink] all made up from Official documents, and there may be deficiencies, but I know nothing of them.

I once saw a list said to be [here the next word is underlined] Official containing names I [here the next six words are underlined] did not find on the rolls, but I have no recollection of the date.

For this search ten cents.

Yours respectfully
W. [or Wm.] Hill

James A. Craig Esqr.

Page 87

[Handwritten letter] 

Treasury Department,
Register's office,
February 22, 1856.

Sir, 
In reply to your letter of 21st. inst. [instant, meaning of this month, or Feb. 21, 1856] I have to state, that it appears by the Register of Certificates issued by "Jonathan Burrall Commissioner for settling the accounts of the Commissary and Quarter Master Department from the 22nd. August 1782, To 7 May 1789" - fourteen Certificates dated August 24, 1786 Amounting to the sum of $491 51/100 were issued To William Cummings.

Very Respectfully, 
Your Obt. Servt. [Your Obedient Servant]
[Here the following initial is hard to read, and written with a large flourish, but it may be:] F Bigges [or Biggs or Bigger]
Register.

A. H. Markland Esq. [Esquire] 
Washington City, 
D.C.

Page 88

[Handwritten record]

(State of North Carolina
(Comptroller's Office

I, William J. Clarke, Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office, among the payments made by said State to sundry persons for Military services in the Revolutionary War, as follows, to wit:

William Cummings,
Book No. 1 [or A 0.1] page 37 [monetary pound sign] 9 ~ specie 
Book No. 4 page 32  [monetary pound sign] 6 S 12 ~ specie
Book No. 8 page 33 [monetary pound sign] 11 S 6 ~ specie
Book C [possibly No.] 13 page 52 [monetary pound sign] 2 S 18 D 6 specie
Book A [possibly No.11] page 30 [monetary pound sign] 31 S 17 ~ specie
Book A [possibly No. 11] page 67 [monetary pound sign] 6 S 2 ~ specie

Vol. C. acct. No. 3474 [monetary pound sign] 9 ~ specie
Old Series  [monetary pound sign] 1 S 16 ~ specie
No. 19. page 63 [monetary pound sign] 47. S 16 specie
No. 19 page 65 [monetary pound sign] 95 S 2 specie [check mark] Ninety five two shillings specie)

William Cummins appears as [here the word "Deputy" is stricken through, and the following word written above:] Assistant Quarter Master on book ""I" [or "J"] ~

[There is a small piwce of paper which has been attached near the bottom left corner of the page, perhaps covering a wax seal of office impression.  To the right of that, appears this:] In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 8th. day of March A. D. 1853 ~  
Wm. J. Clarke Comptr [Comptroller]

Page 89

[First page of handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included, to make the text block easier to read.]

War Department, 
Pension Office,
May 3d 1837.

Sir, 

I have examined the proof offered in support of the claim of William Cummins, and have filed it with his papers.

The only evidence having any connexion [connection] with his alleged Continental service, is the testimony of Charles Wood.  He formerly testified that he Saw W. Cummins in the army, at the North, in 1778.  He [?] now states that he saw him in the Winter of 1777.

According to the statement of the claimant, his service under his enlistment expired in October 1779, of course the service rendered in the year 1780 was militia service, The Secretary of State says in his letter, that the Continental Rolls of North Carolina are considered very perfect; but the name of William Cummins is not found upon them.

The rules require, in cases of this kind, that the testimony of at least two credible witnesses, who were personally knowing to the time of the claimant's having enlisted, and the time and manner of his leaving the army.  Without such proof, the payment of Mr Cummins' pension cannot be resumed.

Page 90

[Second and last page of handwritten letter.]

I am respectfully, 
your obt servt [your obedient servant]
J. L. Edwards


[In the lower middle portion of the document, there is what looks like a handwritten notation:] Mr C [or Wm C, and what appears to be a hand-drawn bracket with a small set of illegible letters.]

[Near the bottom left side of the page, there is this:]
James A. Craig, Esqr
Haw River, Post Office,
Orange County,
North Carolina.

Page 91

[First page of "BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims..." with printed text and handwritten answers.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these [or those] answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of [handwritten name:] William Cumings which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? [Handwritten response:] yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [Handwritten response:] yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [Blank except for a long dash]

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  [Handwritten response:] yes

V. *Has he mentioned 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 amout [amount] of pension he is entitled? [Here the handwritten response "yes" was stricken through, and the following handwritten answer was added:] No.

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
[Handwritten response:] yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  [Handwritten response:] yes

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  [Handwritten response:] yes 

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  [Handwritten response:] yes

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  [Handwritten response:] yes

Page 92

[Second, final page of BRIEF objections]
2

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another reasonable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
[Blank]

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [Blank]

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [Blank]

XIV. [Symbol of a long cross] If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? [Blank]
       If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witnesses or witnesses? [Blank]
       Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? [Blank]

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  [Blank]

XVI. [Symbol of a double vertical cross] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [Blank]

XVIII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  [Blank]
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V. 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 Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served, not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ___ year ____ months and ____ days, I served as a _____  For ____ months and _____ ___ days,  I served as a _________; and for such service I claim a pension.

Page 93

[Handwritten record.  This appears possibly to be the second page of a three-page partial recap of William Cumming's service. Several parts are illegible.]

[Illegible] Aug 1837.

1778 18 mo [months] [illegible] at Valley forge and at Halifax and [here the next word is underlined] acted as [the following rank is underlined] Q [Quarter] Master Sergeant
[illegible] Sept or Oct 1779

 May [?] Spg [possibly meaning Spring] '80 [1780] Col Ramsy [or Ramsey] as QMS. [Quarter Master Sergeant] in [illegible word, possibly "Battle"] at Camden, [here the next phrase is hard to transcribe, but it appears to read "retd t Hills^o" possibly meaning returned to Hillsboro.]  [The time frame of] 6 mo, [is written to the left of "at Camden."]

March ' 81 [1781]  A QMS.  Sent on [?] Service by Gen Butler. made pris [prisoner] by Tarlton) _ made his escape in a few days after Bat [Battle] Guford [Guilford] [?] Taken to Hills [Hillsboro]  don't know how long he serd [served]?

1782 3 mo had comd [probably meaning command] of C^o [probably meaning Company]  State a [or meaning ? and] Contl [? Continental] troops. Capt a [? and] Lieutennt. [Lieutenant.] 

Chs [probably meaning Charles] Wood [illegible word, possibly "in"] 1836
Saw C [? Cumming] in [?] 1777 as Dep. Q. M [Deputy Quarter Master] at Valley forge._ that he acted in that cap^y [probably meaning capacity] 2 years. 

[Here follows an 8-word sentence which is stricken through, which cannot be read for certain at this time, although it looks like C [Cumming] was prisoner at Charleston City after Gates defeat.  There is also a 21- or 22- word segment with some abbreviations which also cannot be read with enough certainty, and is therefore considered illegible at this time. However, it is possible the last sentence reads: C [Cumming] had comd [command] of C^o, possibly meaning Cumming had command of Company.]

Page 94

[Handwritten record.  This appears to be the first page of a three-page partial recap of William Cumming's service.]

Wm [William] Cumming
Nov 1832:

Apl [April] 1778: 18.  Math [Matthew] McCauley enlisted Col. Lytle. Serv^d [Served] as a Quarter Master Sergeant.

June 1780. 3 or 4. [? Capt possibly meaning Captain] Farmer:  was at Camden[.]  retd [returned] home and Served the remainder of his time as a Qr [Quarter] Master under Majr [Major] Tatum.

fall 80 [1780] 4 or 5. QrM.St. [Quarter Master Sergeant] under Maj [Major] Tatum at Hills^o [Hillsboro.]  was made a prisoner by Tarlton but dischd [discharged] at Bells Mills.

After this he retd [returned] home and was an asst Q.M.S. [Quarter Master Sergeant] - employed in carryg [carrying] dispatches to and from Col Long and Maj Tatum

feb '81 [1781] joined a company under Col Long and Branch to Suppress tories

[Illegible] C. Wood. says C [probably meaning Cumming] belonged to Conl [Continental] line _ was at Valley forge.

Page 95

[Handwritten record, which is the third and final page of a 3-page partial recap of William Cumming's service.]

Chs. [Charles] Wood [or Woods]

[?] Apl [? April] 18 77 [possibly meaning April 18, 1777] Knew C. [Cumming] as Dept QM [Deputy Quarter Master] [illegible] F. M. in [?] 1777 Valley forge [illegible] 2 years _ Head [? possibly meaning Heard] [illegible] C [possibly Cumming] had [or was] Lt [possibly Lieutenant] [illegible symbol possibly meaning and] Com [possibly Command or Commander] [illegible phrase.]

Page 96

[Handwritten record.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the text block easier to read.]

Compt [Comptroller's] office
North Carolina

I William F Collins Comptroller of Public Accounts [or Accounting] do hereby certify that the name of Wm Cummings [here near the left margin, begins a hand-drawn bracket which surrounds the following text:] appears in Book I [or J, but it mostly looks like I] as A.Q.M. [Assistant Quarter Master] and also his name is to be found in Book No 1 which [bracket ends here] Contains the certificates warrants and Co paid William Kenner Esqr Treasurer of Edenton District. to the Comptroller, as having received the Sum of Forty seven Pounds Sixteen Shillings, [monetary pound sign] 47.16 [illegible word blotted by ink, possibly was "also"] page 63 

also on page 65 William Cummings appears to have received Ninety four pounds Two Shillings [monetary pound sign] 94.2 The foregoing payments appear to have been paid to Wm Cummings without giving the letters A.Q.M. which represents Assistant Quarter Master.  given under My hand and seal of office this 14 day November 1844

[Signature with flourish]
[Wm. F. Collins Compt [Comptroller]

Page 97

[Printed document with handwritten answers.] Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text blocks easier to read.]

APPLICATION FOR A NEW CERTIFICATE.
________ _________

County of Guilford SS. [blank]
On this 24th day of February 1845, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Guilford personally appeared William Cumming who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Matthew McCauly [or McCauley] in the regiment commanded by Colonel Archibald Lytle in the service of the United States; 

that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of North Carolina   that he received a certificate, of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War; which certificate, on or about the fourth day of September 1834 at or near Hillsboro in the County of Orange North Carolina

He removed from Hillsboro to Greensboro shortly after the aforesaid date and has never had said Certificate in his possession since his removal or seen the same

[There is an X mark shortly before the signature, which appears to have been to mark the spot to sign. Signature:] William Cumming

Sworn and subscribed to before)
me, the day and year aforesaid.)
William S. [or J.] Rankin [in darker ink:] J.P. [Justice of the Peace]
_______________________________________________

[Printed instructions begin here.] 
NOTES:  - The last four blanks are left for the applicant to set forth the time, place and manner of the loss or destruction of the original certificate.
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.

[Image of a hand pointing toward the following text:]  If the Pensioner has never received a formal certificate, but has drawn his pension on a mere notification, as was the case in a few instances many years ago, he should leave out the above words in [here the following word is in italics] italics, and insert, in lieu thereof, [here the following phrase is in italics:] "but has never received a formal certificate, and now wishes to obtain one." ]

The Pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity.  The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit.  The Magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity.  This oath must also be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer, under his seal of office, setting forth that the officer before whom the affidavit may be made is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be.

When a person acting as an agent or Attorney for a pensioner, loses the certificate, the affidavit of that person is also required, which must be authenticated as above.

[Image of hand pointing to the following text:] In every case where the Clerk of the Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should be sent with the papers.

[Image of hand pointing toward the following text, which was written in italic style:]  Mode of authenticating papers.-  [Here regular text style resumes.] In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a peace [piece] of tape or small ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

[Image of hand pointing toward the following text:] No attention will be given to applications from persons who act as agents, unless they are known at the War Department, or are vouched for as respectable persons by some one who is known to the Department.

Page 98

[Handwritten record]

North Carolina) SS
Guilford County) 

I John M [or H] Logan Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid do hereby Certify that [in lighter ink:] William S. [or J. or T.] Rankin [resuming dark ink:] whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit of William Cumming is an acting magistrate for the County of Guilford, duly appointed and qualified according to law and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such and the signature purporting his is genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto Affixed my seal of office and Subscribed by name this 24th day of February 1845.

[Ornate signature with flourish, in light ink:] John H. Logan C.C.C [possibly meaning Clerk of the County Court]

North Carolina)
Guilford County) SS

On this 24th day of February 1845 before the subscriber an acting magistrate in and for the County And State Aforesaid personally appeared [here the following name is in lighter ink] Joel McLean and made oath in due form of law [illegible word] Knows William Cumming of the County of Guilford to be the same person described in the foregoing affidavit And I do hereby Certify that the said [here the following name is in light ink:] Joel McLean is a person of veracity and his Statement entitled to full credit

Sworn and subscribed before me the date above 

[There is a small X mark to the left of the following signature, and both are in light ink:] Joel McLean

[In a third handwriting style, in medium ink:] William S. [or J. or T.] Rankin [with the following in darker ink:] J.P. [Justice of the Peace]

Page 99

[Handwritten record in dark ink]

North Carolina)
Guilford County)

I John M [or H] Logan Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for the County and state Aforesaid do hereby Certify that [here the following name is in light ink] William S. [or T. or J.] Rankin whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit and Certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly appointed and Commissioned according to law - that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 24th February 1845.

[Very light signature with a flourish] John H. Logan C.C.C. [possibly meaning Clerk of County Court.]

Page 100

[Handwritten record. Occasional spacing has been included to make the text block easier to read.]

State of North Carolina)
Guilford County.)

Be it remembered, that at a Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions begun and held for the said County of Guilford, at the Court house in Greensborough, on the third Monday of November, A.D. 1855: - 

William H. Cumming, Administrator of William Cumming, sen, deceased, did come into open Court, and proved to the satisfaction of the Court, by the affidavit of Robert P. Dick, and other evidence, that his intestate died on the 18th day of April [here the word "January" was stricken through], 1849. - 

And it was also made to appear to the satisfaction of the Court, by the affidavit of William A. [or S.] Cumming and Henry Cumming, that the said William Cumming, deceased, died leaving three children, two wit:  William H. Cumming, John Cumming and Eliza Dotson, who are still living. 

In testimony that the foregoing is a true copy of Record, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said Court, this the 22d day of November, 1855

Lyndon Swaim, [here the following word is underlined:] Clerk

Page 101

[Handwritten record.  This appears to be the first page of William Cummings' 16 Jan 1843 new Declaration. Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed here the following date is underlined:] June 7th 1832

State of North Carolina)
Guilford County)  

On this the 16th. day of January 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county of Guilford, William Cumming, a resident of [here several words were erased and the following three words written] Said County; aged 85 years, formerly a resident of the Town of Hillsboro; in the adjoining County of Orange, who, being first duly Sworn according to law, maketh the following [here the next word is underlined:] new Declaration, in obedience to the directions of the Commissioner of Pensions, dated 5th. August 1842 in his letter to the Hon. R. M. [or U.] Sanders - 

The Declarant [?] setteth forth upon his said oath, that sometime in the latter part of the year 1777 or the early part of 1778 he enlisted in the United Sates service under Captain McCauley then a Lieut. [Lieutenant] in the U. [United] States service, for 18 months, and soon thereafter was appointed Quarter Master Sergeant, and served under Col. Nicholus Long of Halifax N.C.  

this Declarant sometime in the winter of 1778 as Quarter Master Sergeant went to General Washingtons army at Valley Forge, in company with Leiut. [Leiutenant or Lieutenant] McCauly, Col. {Colonel] Lytle, Col. [Colonel} Robt. [Robert] Mebane, Capt. [Captain] William [overwritten surname, hard to read, possibly Saunders:] Capt. {Captain] Charles Dixon, Capt. [Captain] Tilman Dixon, and Capt. [Captain] Donoho _ 

after remaining with the Northern Army, but a short time, he and Leiut. [Leiutenant or Lieutenant] McCauly as directed, returned to Halifax N.C. and after remaining a short time returned to Hillsboro, where the Declarant served as Quarter Master Sergeant, under Maj. Absalom Tatum, the Town of Hillsboro contained at that time, [here the next three words are underlined:] a war Office [or Officer, since the last word is at the bottom right page margin, and it's difficult to determine the last letter]

Page 102

[Second page of handwritten account.  This appears to be the second page of William Cumming's 16 Jan 1843 new Declaration. Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

[Here the next two words are underlined:] Military stores, and was a place of [the next word is underlined] rendezvous, for [here the next five words are underlined:] both Continental and Militia troops. 

In the spring or summer of the next year, this Declarant was again in the United States service, as Quarter Master Sergeant, in the [here the next word is underlined] Militia, about six months, as well as Declarant can now recollect under Col. [Colonel]  More, and served under Quarter Master Thornbury, [here the next word was overwritten, but appears to be:] and was ordered to South Carolina, was at Gates defeat and after the defeat, returned to Hillsboro. N.C. and served under Maj. Tatum, as Quarter Master Sergeant until he was taken with the small pox - 

The said William Cumming, Declarant, as aforesaid, would here remark, that, he made his first or original Declaration, in the year 1833 nearly ten years ago, and that at that day, his recollection was much better, than what it is at present, which enabled him at that time to make statements, with more precision and satisfaction than he is now enabled, from an impaired memory ____

The Declarant further states that with regard to his first period of service, he does not remember the names of all the [?] affiants, he has a recollection that William McCauly, Atty. [Attorney of] Law, son of the aforesaid, Capt. Matthew MCauly, made affidavit in Court, as well as this affiant remembers to this effect, (viz) that he Lieut. [Lieutenant] McCauly and the Declarant went together, to the Northern army under Genl. [General] Washington, that the said Cumming was a good soldier &c. [and etcetera.]

The Declarant would here [at this spot an earlier word, perhaps "remark" was overwritten, with the final word appearing to be:] State, that he procured in proof of his Revolutionary services, the affidavits of Charles Woods, William Crabtee, David White, Brittain Bowers and others, [here the following word is underlined:] soldiers

Page 103

[Handwritten record. Apparent third and final page of William Cumming's 16 Jan 1843 new Declaration.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.] 

and that of Thomas Cluncy [or Clancy] P. M. [Post Master] at Hillsboro' and Josiah Turner Esqr. [Esquire] former Shff. [Sheriff] of Orange [County, N.C.] that they had always understood, and believed this Declarant had served in the war of the Revolution -

This Declarant understood that it is a rule of the Pension Office, that when service is claimed for an officer, no pension will be allowed for such services, unless some record evidence is furnished, the Declarant unfortunately has lost, or misplaced all evidence of his Revolutionary services, but learns that a pension may be allowed upon satisfactory affidavits of services, the Declarant will therefore under existing Circumstances, accept of the pay of a sergeant for the length of time he served as Quarter Master Sergeant, or [here the next three words are underlined] so much thereof, as Mr. Edwards may deem [here the next six words are underlined:] the proof of service will Justify.

The Declarant here states upon his said oath, that from old age, and loss of memory, he cannot at this time, make a more full and detailed statement of Revolutionary services, than is contained in the above affidavit -

And the said Declarant further states, that from old age, and infirmity of body, he cannot attend Court to make this Declaration, also that some 3 years ago, his pension Certificate [here the next six words are underlined:] was returned to the Pension Office.

William Cumming

Sworn and subscribed the)
day and date first above written)
before me - 

[Signature with a flourish:] Peter Adams [The letters following his name are hard to read, but could be either JP, meaning Justice of the Peace; or Sf, perhaps meaning Sheriff.]

Page 104

[Handwritten record]

[In light ink] State of North Carolina)
Guilford County) 

I. John H. Logan Clerk of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions. for Guilford County. do hereby Certify. that Peter Adam's whoes [whose] Name appears to the foregoing, is an acting Magistrate for Said County.  that his Signature is Genuine  that full faith and Credit is due his office  act as Such.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand. and affixed the Seal of our Said Court at office in Greensboro this 18th day of January 1843- 

[Signature with flourish] John H. Logan C.C.C. [possibly meaning Clerk of the County Court] 

State of North Carolina)
Guilford County)  I John A Mebane Chairman and presiding Majistrate [Magistrate] of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the County and state aforesaid do hereby Certify that John M [or W] Logan is Clerk of our said Court, that his Certificate is in due form of law  the signature his proper hand and the seal affirmed in the seal of said Court  that full faith and Credit are due and given to all his Official acts as Clerk

Given under my hand at Greensborough this 18th day of January AD 1843

[Signature] J A Mebane [illegible letters]

Page 105

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Greensboro. N.C. July 17th 1843

Sir

I have just rec.d [received] your letter of 16th June [June 16, 1843] - my father's name is William Cumming formally [formerly] of Orange County N.C. and at the time a citizen of Guilford County NC., the act under which he applied I suppose was 7th June 1832  I am not certain as to this fact  

I know but little of the matter relative to his declerat_  [last letters of the preceding word were cut off at the edge of the page, but the word was probably decleration meaning declaration] (except the last) as Dr James A Craige attended to the business and was to have secured compensation for his trouble. 

I mentioned in my last letter if you would deem it necessary I could get the certificates of a number of the sons of revolutionary Soldiers who would say that they believe [or believed] from what they heard their fathers say  that my father was a good whig and a soldier of the revolution and I have no doubt I could get a large number of the most respectible [respectable] Citizens of this and Orange County to say they believe he was a soldier of the revolution

Very Respectfully
Wm H. Cumming [or Cummins]

J L [or J S] Edwar [probably meaning J L Edwards] Esqr [Esquire]

Page 106

[Handwritten record]

State of North Carolina,)
Guilford County.)

Be it remembered, that at a Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, begun and held for the County aforesaid, at the court house in the Town of Greensborough, on the third Monday of November, A.D. 1855:-

It appearing to the Court, that [here the following name is underlined:] William Cumming, sen., [Senior] late of this County, died without leaving a Will:  - This is therefore to Certify that Administration on the Estate of the said William Cumming, sen. [Senior], is granted unto [here the following name is underlined:] William H. Cumming, who has given bond and security which are approved by the Court.

The Administrator aforesaid is therefore hereby authorised and empowered to exercise all the privileges of his said office and appointment according to law.

Witness, Lyndon Swaim, Clerk of said Court, and Seal of Office hereunto affixed, this the 22d day of November, 1855

[Signature]  Lyndon Swaim, C.C.C. [possibly meaning Clerk of County Court]

Page 107

[Printed form with handwritten answers.]

STATE OF North Carolina)
COUNTY OF Guilford) ss:

BE IT KNOWN, that on this seventeenth day of January A.D., eighteen hundred and fifty three before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared William H Cummings a resident of Greensboro in said County, and made oath according to law that he is the son of William Cummings of Guilford County State of North Carolina who made application for a Pension and was allowed under Act of 7th of June 1832___

[?] and that he has been informed that the said Pension ought to be [?] dismissed; 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.

[Signature, with a circle around the initial W.]   W. H. [or W. A] Cumming 

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid before me.)
[Signature] Jesse Wheelr  [or Wheeler] J. Peace [Justice of the Peace.) 

I, Jesse Wheeler Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that W. H. Cumming who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.

[Signature] Jesse Wheeler J. Peace [Justice of the Peace.]

I, John M. Logan Clerk of the ___ Court of the County and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that Jesse Wheeler 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 genuine signature.

[Near the left side margin of the page, there is a cut out octagonally-shaped piece of paper, which appears to be covering a wax impression of the seal of office, with an image of a woman with an extended arm showing through the paper.] 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal, this 17th day of January A.D. 1853.

John M. Logan. Clerk.
[?] By B. G. Graham DC [probably meaning Deputy Clerk]

Page 108

[Second and final page of printed form with handwritten answers.  This page includes appointment of power of attorney for pension claim assistance.]

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I, W. H. Cummings [or Cumming] of the State of North Carolina Guilford County do hereby constitute and appoint Geo C Ames Esquire my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of Wm Cummings 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 myself

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 17th [or 19th] day January A.D. 1853

[Signature] W H [or W A] Cumming

Signed and Sealed in the Presence of)
W A Winbourne
B G Graham

[Near the lower left side margin of the page, there is written, apparently in pencil:]
G C Ames
Present

[About opposite that, and near the lower right hand margin of the page, there is written, apparently in pencil:]
Wm Cummings
NC 
[illegible] 32 

STATE OF North Carolina)
COUNTY OF Guilford,) SS:
On this the 17th [or 19th] day of January A.D. 1853 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared W. H. Cummings and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand)
the day and year aforesaid.)

[Signature] Jesse Wheeler J. Peace [Justice of the Peace]

Page 109

[Handwritten letter.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Haw River, North Carolina
10th. December, 1840.

Dear Sir:

you no doubt recollect that old Mr. Cummings pension was Suspended Some four or five years [here the word "Since" was stricken out, and the following word written above:] ^ago

Since that time the old [ink blot] Gentleman has collected additional evidence of his Revolutionary Service, not only "Q.M.Serjeant," ["Quarter Master Sergeant,"] 18 Months, but as Leiutenant [Lieutenant] 3 Months.

Since W. Cumming removed to the Town of Greensboro' the papers containing the Supplemental evidence were placed in the hands of W. A H Shepperd, the then Ref: [or Rep: possibly meaning Representative] of the Guilford district. 

The witnesses in W. Cumming's case lived in and about the Town of Hillsboro', with whom Mr. Shepperd had no acquaintance and of Course was unable to recommend the affiants to Major Edwards as persons of Credibility.  You are acquainted with [here the following word is underlined:] all the affiants.

I have recently had an interview with Mr. C. [or W. C., probably meaning Mr. or William Cumming.]  He begs you will be so kind ^as to attend to his claim. and that if it has been presented to Congress you will have it again laid before the Commr. [Commissioner]. of pensions.

I would be glad the claim would take this Course - and ^that you would examine the Declaration and the papers that accompanied it; also the Supplemental evidence -

I suppose there would be no difficulty in getting the papers from the files of the Ho: [House] of Representatives where I understand from Mr. Cumming they are.

If Major Edwards should require additional evidence, I will apprise Mr. Cumming of it.

Let me hear which disposal you may deem best to Make of this claim, and if further proof be required.

I remain very truly yours
[Underlined signature:]  James A Craig

Page 110

[Handwritten record.]

David White. Wm Crabtree. B. Bowers, Eli Hill and others were witnesses - Mr. Clancy, [or Cloney], Mr. Josiah [or Jonah] Turner and others not now Recollected.

Please examine the [here the following word is underlined:] entire claim. and State the Standing of the affiants to Major Edwards.  Mr. Shepperd was not personally acquainted with one of the Witnesses that I know of; Mr. Cumming thinks this [?] weighed no better against claim [here is a small x]  I remember of making this Remark to him, when he Requested Mr. S. [apparently Mr. Shepperd] to take charge of the papers.
[Signature as initials, underlined:]
J.A.C. [probably meaning James A. Craig] 


Hon:  Willie P. Mangum)
(Senate))
Washington City)

additional proof of both the Service as 'q.m.S') [Quarter Master Sergeant])
and [?] Liut [possibly meaning Lieutenant] Sent.)

Page 111

[Handwritten document, with small tear near the top middle portion of the page.]

[On the left side of the page, near the margin, there is written perpendicularly, underlined:] Col. Will: E. Anderson.]

Doctor James Craig
Haw River
Orange Cty [probably meaning County]
NC [North Carolina]

Page 112

[Handwritten letter. There is a small tear near the top middle part of the page.]

Hillsboro April 1836

My dear Sir

Enclosed I send you the deposition of Mr. Woods which you requested me to take.  I hope it is done correctly and will [here it looks like the word "affect" was changed to:] effect the object of securing to Mr Cummins his pension.

I remain respectfully
your obedient servant
William E. Anderson 

The affidavit that Col: [Colonel] Anderson mentions above, has been misplaced or lost.
[Signature as initials, underlined:] J. A. C.

Page 113

[Handwritten address] 

J. L Edwards Esq [Esquire]
Pension office 

[Opposite, near the right page margin, there is written perpendicularly:] Wm Cummings

Page 114

[Handwritten record]

Wm. Cummings

Some time in 1777 or early in the next year [here the word "he" was stricken through, and the following word is underlined:] enlisted in the U.S. Service under Capt Mcauley a continetal [Continental] [here the word "line" was stricken through] officer in the N.C line was appointed Quarter master

Petitioner made a Declaration for Pension in 1832 or 33 [1833] was placed on the N.C Pension Roll and was allowed an annuity of $120.  That he continued to receive it until ^April 1835. when his Pension was stoped [stopped] in consequense as he understood of his name not being found on the Registry of the ^NC Continental army

[In darker ink]
House of Reps. [Representatives] Decr. [December] 31. 1844

Mr. Edwards

The above is the [here there are two stricken through words which appear to be "sam the"] case which I called on you the other day to enquire about but you could not then find the papers

Mr. Craig as agent of N.C informs me that he has sent. to the Department recently a certificate of the Comptroller of N.C. which proves the payment. of money to Cummings as Q.M.&C [Quarter Master and etcetera] which he thought would enable the Department to renew his Pension

Since I received Mr. Craigs letter asking my attention to this case I have received a letter from W. Cummings's son who I believe lives with his father Asking that if a certificate be allowed that it be sent to him [here the rest of this sentence is underlined:] Wm. Cummings Greensboro N.C

Respectfully
E. Deberry

[Written perpendicularly, near the left side margin, there is:] 
Please inform me whether a certificate on the additional proof made has or can be issued

Page 115

[Handwritten record.  First page of Ezekiel Brewer's statement. Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read. There is a large handwritten "5" which appears to have been written in pencil, near the top right hand corner of the page.]

State of North Carolina)
Orange County) SS

On this the 23rd day of July 1837, personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Orange aforesaid, Ezekiel Brewer, a resident Citizen of the aforesaid County, 73 years old ^ in Nov. next, who being first duly qualified according to Law Deposeth and Saith as follows. To Wit:

That in the War of the Revolution, he the Said Brewer [here the next two words are underlined:] was drafted to Serve a Continental tour in 1780 (he thinks was the year) [here near the right hand page margin, there is either a "2" or an ampersand sign meaning "and," followed by a small check mark near the left page margin] that he [here the following word is underlined:] Substituted one Benjamin Howell, who Served in his room [here there is another "2" or ampersand meaning "and"] Stead.

that this deponent's father lived near the Town of Hillsboro in the County aforesaid, that this Deponent was frequently in Hillsboro' aforesaid and was during the Revolutionary War and ever Since well acquainted with William Cumming of the aforesaid County (whose pension has been Suspended for further evidence)

This Deponent States upon his Said oath, that he Very distinctly Remembers of William Cumming as 'Quarter Master Sergeant' entering the United States ^Service, the precise time he does not remember, but thinks it was in the winter or Spring of the year of 1778, and Soon after Said Cumming entered the United States Service as Quarter Master as above stated, he and Lieutenant Mathew McCauley (now Dead) went on to the Northern Army, and I heard Cummings after his return from the North, Say, that when they went to Washington's Army it was incamped [encamped] at Valley - forge, not far from Philadelphia.

that Said William Cumming to this affiants Knowledge did enter the United States Service as 'quarter Master Sergeant' as above Stated:  That as 'quarter Master Sergeant' he went to the Northern army in the winter or Spring of 1778, and after his return from the North, Served in that Capacity 'till in the fall of 1779,

Page 116

[Handwritten record. Second final page of Ezekiel Brewer's statement.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.] 

When his period of Service as 'quarter Master Sergeant' expired and he was regularly discharged from Said Service.

This deponent also Stateth upon his Said oath, that when DeKalb's army marched from Hillsboro' for the South, (which army was presently under Command of Genl. Gates) in that Campaign Said William Cumming was again in the Capacity of 'Quarter Master Sergeant.'  went with the troops from Hillsboro': this Deponent Saw him there in the Service, in the month of July (he thinks) 1780. and this Deponent has always understood and believes that Said William Cumming continued with the army about Six months as 'Quarter Master Sergeant,' he has always understood [here the word "and" was stricken through] so. from those that Served in that Campaign. 

This Deponent further States, that either in the year that the War closed, or the year previous, Said Cumming had Command of a Company in Hillsboro' - but how long he was in this latter Service, this Deponent does not now Remember.

[Signature, in darker ink] Ezekiel Brewer

Sworn and Subscribed on this the)
3rd day of July, 1837, before me,)
[Signature in much darker ink, which appears to read:]  E. P. Snipes - J. Peace) [Justice of the Peace]

And I the Said Justice do hereby Certify that Ezekiel Brewer, who has Subscribed and Sworn to the above affidavit is a man of truth and Veracity.

E.P. Snipes - - J. Peace [Justice of the Peace]

Page 117

[Handwritten record. First page of two re Josiah Turner, Esqr.'s statement.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.] 

State of North Carolina)
Orange County) S.S.

On this the 30th day of August, 1837, personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Josiah Turner, Esqr. [Esquire] a resident of Said County. who being first duly qualified according to Law, maketh oath that his father James Turner (now deceased) was a resident of the County of Williamson in the State of Tennessee and an United States pensioner, was in this County on a visit about 15 or 20 years ago, and while here this affiant recollects of hearing his father Speak of William Cumming of this County (now of Guilford County) and say that Said Cumming and himself were both in the United States' Service together during the war of the Revolution. 

but where [or when] they rendered the Service or under what officers they Served this affiant does not remember.  

[Nearly illegible signature in dark ink, possibly:] J Turner

Sworn and Subscribed the day and)
date first above written before me) 

[Signature] Thomas Lynch J.P [Justice of the Peace])

And I the Said Justice do hereby Certify that [here there was an erasure of a word starting with the letter W--, which was overwritten to read:] Josiah Turner Esqr. [Esquire] who has Signed and qualified to the above affidavit is a Man of [here the following word is underlined:] truth and Veracity.

[Signature] Thomas Lynch J. Peace [Justice of the Peace]


State of North Carolina

I John Taylor Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for the County of Orange. hereby Certify that Edward P Snipes and Thomas

Page 118

[Handwritten record. Second and final page of Josiah Turner Esquire's statement.]

Thomas' Lynch are magistrates as above, and that the foregoing Signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine

In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto offered my Seal of office and Subscribed my name this the 16th September 1837.

[Signature] J. Taylor CC [possibly meaning Clerk of Court]

Page 119

[Round stamped postmark, with handwritten address]

[Postmark:] RALEIGH N.C. JAN 27

[There is a large handwritten number "20" to the right side of the postmark.]

Doctr. [Doctor] James A. Craig
Haw River
Orange County
N. Ca. [North Carolina] 

[Near the left bottom corner, there is handwritten:] "Double only" [with a bracket to the right side.]

Page 120

[Handwritten document]

North Carolina [illegible, possibly meaning Ast. for Assistant, or 1st for First.] War Office Hillsborough 11th. October 1780

To Mr. John Taylor of Orange County, Greeting

Reposing Confidence in your Patriotism, Zeal, Activity and Integrity, We do by these Presents appoint you a Commissary to receive and issue Provisions and Forage in the Town of Hillsborough to the Army of this and the United States, observing such directions you shall from time to time receive from the Board of War, conforming yourself to the Laws of this State

By Order
Alex Martin


State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office

I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify, that the above is a true copy of an original Commission on file in this Office

Given under my hand this 26th day of January 1843
Wm. [William] Hill

Page 121

[Handwritten record.  Occasional spacing has been included, to make the text block easier to read. Near the top right corner of this page, there is what looks like a "3" written in pencil.]

State of North Carolina)
Orange County)

On this the 14th day of July 1836, personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, David White a resident Citizen of the aforesaid County now in the 74th year of his age who being first duly qualified maketh oath that in the War of the Revolution, he was acquainted with William Cumming of the aforesaid County, as this affiant was a private in the militia in [here there is what appears to be a handwritten "#" sign] 1780 at Gates defeat, and whilst in that tour, Said Wm Cumming acted as [here the next three words are underlined:] quarter Master Sergeant for the troops to which the affiant was attached - 

How long Said Cumming acted as quarter Master Sergeant, this affiant does not remember, but Said Cumming was esteemed a good Whig and zealous in the Cause of liberty.

[Signature in dark ink:] David White 
[Slightly below, written in what appears to be light pencil, is:] 1780 Militia

Sworn and Subscribed the day and year)
first above written before me,)
G Hurdle J. P)  [Justice of the Peace] 

And I the Said Justice do hereby ^Certify that David White who has this day appeared before and Signed and qualified to the above affidavit is a man of truth and Veracity. 
G Hurdle J.P [Justice of the Peace]

[In dark ink, and different handwriting:] 
State of North Carolina
I John Taylor Clerk of Orange County Court of pleas and quarter Sessions do hereby Certify that George Hurdle esqr. [Esquire] whose Name is signed to the above Certificate and who Witnessed the above affedavit [affidavit] was at that time a duly Qualified Justice of the Peace

Witness my hand and Seal of Office 8th August 1836.
J. Taylor CC [Clerk of Court]

Page 122

[Handwritten record.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

State of North Carolina) 
Orange County) S.S.

On this the 28th day of November, 1838, personally appeared before the Undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for Said County, Hugh Currey, a resident of said County [here "aged" was stricken through] in the 76th year of his Age. Who being first duly qualified according to law, maketh oath that, in the Summer of 1780, being then a resident of [here the following County name is somewhat hard to read, but it appears to be:] Caswell County, was drafted into the United States Service for [here the following two words are underlined:] three months. 

was marched to South: and When on his March thither was Stationed Some time in the Neighborhood of Hillsboro' and while at that Station, remembers of Seeing William Cumming, formerly of Orange, but now of Guilford County with the troops at our Station: and that Said Cumming at that time acted as 'Quarter Master' or 'Commissary' to the troops at Said Station, but how long Said Cumming acted in Said Station, this Deponent does not now remember.

[Here is a signature, with "his mark" in between the two names, and what looks like a large X mark as well, between the two names:]  Hugh [his X mark] Currey

Sworn to and Subscribed the day)
and date first above written)
before me)
Richd [Richard] Nichols  J Peace [Justice of the Peace])  

And I the Said Justice do hereby Certify that the above deponent. Hugh Currey [or Curry], is a Man of truth and Veracity
Richd. [Richard] Nichols J. Peace [Justice of the Peace] 

[In darker ink:]  State of North Carolina)
Orange County)
On this the 28th day of November 1838, personally appeared before the Undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for Said County, Mary Harris, a Resident of Said County aged [blank] years: who being first duly qualified according to law Maketh oath, that during the war of the Revolution She lived in the Town of Hillsboro' in

Page 123

[Handwritten record, continued.]

in Said County, and has resided there ever Since - 

and remembers Very well of frequently Seeing. William Cumming (formerly of Hillsboro' but now of Greensboro') in the United States Service, as Quarter Master Sergeant,' and recollects that in the fall of 1781, [here it looks like the word "said" was erased] Saw Said Cumming then in Hillsboro in the Service as quarter Master. but how long he Served, this Deponent does not now remember.

[Signature, with "her mark" written in between the given and surname, and what looks like the deponent Mary Harris's hand-drawn mark]  Mary ["her mark" with her mark going in four directions] Harris

Sworn and Subscribed the day and)
date first above written before me)
[Sgnature] Richd. [Richard] Nichols J Peace [Justice of the Peace])

And I the Said Justice do hereby Certify, that the above Deponent is a Woman of truth and Veracity
[Signature] Richd. Nichols J. Peace [Justice of the Peace]
[flourish]

[In slightly lighter ink, and different handwriting:]
State of North Carolina)
Orange County) SS

On this the 28th day of November, 1838, personally appeared before the Undersigned an acting Justice of the peace, in and for the County aforesaid Eli Hill. aged 74 years, and resident of Said County, who being first duly qualified according to Law Maketh oath, that in the war the Revolution and ever Since has been acquainted with William Cumming, forme^rly [formerly] of this County, now of Guilford - 

this Deponent remembers that in the fall of 1780, he Saw Said William Cumming in the Town of Hillsboro' in the County aforeSaid, in the United States Service, as 'Quarter Master'-

This Deponent remembers of seeing Said Cumming afterwards in the United States' Service, but does [here "know" and "no" were stricken through] ^ not now remember what Capacity he Served in - but Said [or Saw] Cumming. [here the next two words are underlined:] was much with United States Service.
[Signature] Eli [or ? Elis] Hill

Sworn and Subscribed the day) 
and date first above written,)
before me.)
[Illegible first name of the following signature, appears to read:] Cadr Jones - J Peace) [Justice of the Peace]

And I the Said Justice do hereby Certify that Eli Hill is a man of truth and Veracity.
[Signature] Cadr. Jones - J. Peace [Justice of the Peace]

Page 124

[Handwritten record.  First page of Mary Crabtree's statement.]

State of North Carolina)
Orange County) SS

On this the 29th day of November, 1838, personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Mary Crabtree, a resident of the Said County aged 79 years who being first duly Sworn according to Law Maketh oath that She was well acquainted with William Cumming formerly of Hillsboro, but now of Greensboro' in Guilford County. that She Knew Said Cumming ever Since he was a lad, remembers that he was at her Wedding in the Month of October 1775. 

This Deponent remembers that in the year of 1780. Said William Cumming was a quarter Master in the Town of Hillsboro ^ to the troops there; that She remembers of Cumming [here the word "went' was stricken through, and the following word written above:] ^going off to the South ^ as quarter Master, with her husband and other troops and always understood they were in Gates defeat - this deponent remembers of seeing Said William Cumming in the Service as quarter Master the Spring before Gates defeat. and in the Winter following Still was in the Service as quarter Master.

In the Year of 1782, this Deponent Remembers of Seeing Said Cumming in the Town of Hillsboro' and that he Was in Command of a Company of Continental troops in Hillsboro. but how long he Served as Captain This Deponent does not Remember.

But this Deponent remembers Very well this Said William Cumming [here the next four words are underlined] was an active Whig and was from the Spring of 1780 [?] till he was Captain, (I think) almost constantly in the Service as quarter Master. but does not remember the length of time he Served as Captain and further this deponent Saith not.

[Signature as Mary Crabtree making her mark.] Mary [her X mark] Crabtree

Sworn and Subscribed the day and)
date first above written before me) 
[Here there is a string of six nearly illegible letters, which could be read as B C HERK  followed by:] J peace [Justice of the Peace])

And I the Said Justice do hereby Certify that

Page 125

[Handwritten record. Second and final page of Mary Crabtree's statement.]

the above deponent Mary [here there are some illegible letters which have been stricken through] Crabtree is a Woman of truth and Veracity
[Signature, difficult to read for certain, possibly:] B. CHEEK [or B. CHECK] J Peace [Justice of the Peace]

State of North Carolina,
I John Taylor, Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for Orange County, Certify that Richardson Nichols, ^Cadwalader Jones and Burrows Cheek [or Chuk], are Magestrates [Majestrates] as above, and that the foregoing Signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my Seal of office and Subscribed my name, this the 1st Day of December, in the year, 1838.
[Signature in dark ink:]  J. Taylor CC [probably meaning Clerk of the Court] 

[Near the page margin on the left side, there is written perpendicularly:] Affts. [probably meaning Affidavits.]

Hon. A. H. Shepperd
HR [House of Representatives]

Page 126

[Handwritten record. There is a "4" written in what appears to be pencil, near the top right hand corner of the page. Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

State of North Carolina)
Orange County)

On this the 19th. day of April 1837 personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, Charles Wood in the Eighty Ninth Year of his age, a resident Citizen of Orange aforesaid who being first duly qualified according to Law, maketh oath that in the War of the Revolution he Knew William Cumming of the aforesaid County and ^has a distinct recollection of Seeing said Cumming in the American service as Deputy Quarter Master, and Forage Master in the Winter of 1777 ^& 8 [and 1778] at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, 

that said Cumming acted in that Capacity nearly two years and was an active and eficient [efficient] officer and a good Whig.  that he "has Known the said Cumming ever since the year 1776.  that while said Wood was prisoner in Charlston he heard from many acquaintances who were brought to that City after Gate's defeat, that said Cumming was in that battle and held a Commission.

Wood further States that after the return of himself and others to Hillsborough the said Cumming was apppointed over the Company to Keep Them togeather [together] till it was asertained [ascertained] whether their Services would be required again.  He states that this was in the year 1782_ and that the company was on furlough without date. And they had not been discharged  That the Said Cumming was always friendly to the American Cause, and actively Served the United States as he has set forth in this affidavit.

[Signature in the form of making his mark:] Charles [His X mark] Wood

Sworn to and Subscribed the day)
and date above written before me)
[Underlined signature] Step [shortened form of Stephen] Moore J.P. [Justice of the Peace]

And I the Said Justice do hereby certify that Charles Wood who has Subscribed and Sworn to the above affidavit before me is a man of truth and honesty.

[Underlined signature:] Step. [shortened form of Stephen] Moore, J.P. [Justice of the Peace]

Page 127

[Handwritten record]

State of North Carolina
I John Taylor Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for Orange County. Certify that Stephen Moore is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my Seal of office and Subscribed my name this the 20th. day of April, 1837.
[Underlined signature] J. Taylor CC [Clerk of Court]

Page 128

[Handwritten record.  Statement of William Crabtree Senr. There is a handwritten "2" apparently written in pencil, near the top right hand corner of the page.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

State of North. Carolina)
Orange County)

This day Came before me Saml. [Samuel] Strayhorn one of the Justices of the peace for Said County William Crabtree Senr. [Senior] and after being duly Sworn according to law Stated that he Knew William [here it appears "Cummins" originally had been written, but was then stricken through] Cummings Served in the united States Service in the year of 1780 as quarter Master Sergent [Sergeant] and remembers of Seeing Said Cummings acting in that Capasity [Capacity] to the troops under General Gates in the year aforesaid to wit 1780

Said Cummings was a Good whig and Servid [Served] the United States as he has Set forth in his declaration.
[Signature in the form of making his mark:] William [his Mark, which looks like an "H"] Crabtree

Sworn and Subscribed, 
this the 21st day of April, 
A.D. 1836, before me, 
[Underlined signature which could be read as:] S.trayhorn [? or S.Strayhorn] [possibly meaning S. Strayhorn] JP [Justice of the Peace]

And I the Said Justice do hereby Certify that William Crabtree is a man of truth and veracity 
[Underlined signature, which could possibly be read as:] S.Strayhorn JP [possibly meaning S Strayhorn Justice of the Peace

[In different handwriting and lighter ink:]
State of North Carolina
I John Taylor Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for Orange County hereby Certify that Samuel Strayhorn is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his is genuine - 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my Seal of office and Subscribed my name this the 21 day of April 1837.
[Underlined signature] J. Taylor CC [Clerk of Court]

[Near the bottom left margin of the page, there appears to be a faint pencil notation:] 1780 Militia

Page 129

[Handwritten letter. Occasional spacing has been included to make the text block easier to read.]

Greensboro Feb.y [February] 24th 1845

My Dear Sir

I received your letter of the 18th [probably meaning Feb. 18, 1845]  I have sent you the afidavit [affidavit] which you were Kind enough to Send me, I Sent you one a few days ago which I supposed would have answered not Knowing it [?] required a perticular [particular] form.  

I am truly sorry that I have been compelled to trouble you So much about this Matter  I am in hopes this is the last time I shall be under the necessity of troubling you about [here "this matter" is stricken through, and] ^it [was written above]  will you be kind enough to  have it attended to as soon as you can conveniently and forward it on to my father in this place

Very Respectfully
Wm H Cumming [or Cummings]

Hon E Deberry

PS  my father in naming the Col. commanding the regment [regiment] to which he belongs thinks it was Col Archibald Lytle and he mentins [mentions] the names of Col Steph Moor and Col Thomas Farmer as command. the rigments [regiments] at different times [?] during the time he was in the Service  he is very old (I think 86 or 87) his memory was [? or so] failed him Very much and he is very liable to make mistake as to names and places

Page 130

[Handwritten letter.  First page of two-page letter from A H Markland. Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Washington City March 31 1856

Hon Josiah Minot
Commissioner of Pensions

In reply to your letter of the 26th Inst, [Instant, or of this month, so March 26, 1856] in the case of William Cumming, of North Carolina act of June 7th 1832, admitted, I have to state that the grade of William Cumming ^ as a Commissary was proven and admitted by the Pension Office in a letter addressed to G. C. Ames some time Since to which I beg to call your attention,

the point then was to show the length of the Service, I promised Evidence Showing that he received the sum of [illegible monetary sign] 491.52 for his Services, as a Commissary upon the final settlement made by Jonathn Burrall [or Burrell] the Commissioner for Settling the accounts of Said departments,

[Here the word "in" was partially blotted with ink] in reply to my letter enclosing that Evidence you say you will not admit the grade of Service without more direct Evidence

Your predecessor as well as yourself have already admitted that [here the following 15 words including the NC state initials, are all underlined:] William Cumming was a Commissary, the Comptroller of NC certifies that he was a Commissary,

The Pension Office from the passage of the law of 7th June 1832, down to the day on which your letter was addressed to me, recognized the grade of all persons whose names appeared on the receipts of Burrell

Page 131

[Handwritten letter. Second and final page of letter from A H Markland.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

there is not an exception to be found in your office but there are numerous instances when the office has allowed the claims upon the mere Certificate that the names of the Claimants appeared on Said receipts, I distinctly remember two cases allowed by your immediate predecessor (Hon L. P Waldo) to which I beg to call your special attention. Viz Abigal Moore widow of Peter Riley Ohio 1836 [illegible, looks like "ad" whihc possibly was used as abbreviation for admitted] and George Emmett [or Emmill] New Jersey 1832, [illegible, possibly "ad" perhaps as abbreviation for admitted] and I think John McCarter [?] whos [?whose] widow also of NJ.

In the case of Wm Cuming [or Cumming], there is strong parole proof, the Comptroller of NC certifies that his name appears as a [here the following word is underlined:] Commissary and then we Show the payments made by Jno Burrill [or Burrell.]  I respectfully ask that you will give the case a personal examination   I feel satisfied that you will find the objections groundless.

I am Sir Very Respectfully
[Nearly illegible, but appears to be:] YourObSrvt [possibly Your Obedient Servant]
A. H. Markland

Page 132

[Handwritten record.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

North Carolina)
Guilford County) [illegible]

Personally appeared before the subscriber an acting justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid on this 17th day of February 1845 William Cumming [or Cummins] formerly of [or at] Orange County now of [or at] Guilford and made oath in due form of law.

that he had a Certificate in his possession issued from the war department, in the year 1833 declaring him the said Cumming to be entitled to a pension at the rate [or rates] of one hundred and twenty dollars per annum on account of Services rendered his Country in the Revolutionary war and that said Certificate has been lost or mislaid so that the said Cumming cannot now lay his hands upon it and does not Know where it is

[Signature] William Cumming 

Sworn to and subscribed
before me the day and date 
aforesaid. 
[Signature] William S. Rankin JP [Justice of the Peace]

[In dark ink:] North Carolina)
Guilford County) S

I John M Logan Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for the Coun-  [here the rest of that word is missing due to an ink stain and the paper edge, but the word is probably "County"] and State aforesaid do hereby Certify that Wm. S Rankin whose name appears to the foregoing Certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly appointed and qualified according to law. and that full faith and Credit are due to all his official acts as such

Given under my hand and seal of office at Greensboro this 17th Feby 1845

[Signature, with flourish underneath:] John H. Logan C.C.C

Page 133

[Printed record with several different handwritten notations.]

[In ink:] 8265
INVALID.
_________________

[Written perpendicuarly:] Rev War


[First word missing at paper edge on left side of page] -e No. 8265
William Cummings [here there is a star]
Priv Rev War
_________________

Act: June 7th 1832
__dex: - Vol. 1st, Page 84

(Arrangement of 1870.)

William Cumming [here there is a star]
Records corrected. Nov. 22, 1904 [illegible initials] 

[Along the left side margin of the page, there is written:] 1919 Aug. 8. History to Mrs. B. H. Rawls, &c. [and etcetera]

Page 134

[Handwritten letter. Round printed stamp at top middle portion of page, reads:]  US PENSION OFFICE
[?] P
JUN 12 1889

Brooklyn NY
May 31st 1889

Dear Sir
I would be very much obliged if you will furnish me with some information, about my grandfather's services in the Revolutionary War  As he received a pension many years., all the papers must be on file in your office

He was put on the roll from Guilford Co. North Carolina and paid at the Fayetteville N.C. agency. about 1843-^to or1845. (when I was a boy). I should like to know the nature of the services rendered. name of officers, regiment &c [and etcetera] 

I remember him well. But these facts mentioned have been forgotten or mislaid

Very Respectfully
[Here the abbreviated first name is hard to read. It could be:] Jos. [possibly meaning Josiah or Joseph] D Cumming.
217 Madison St.
Brooklyn NY

To
Commr [Commissioner] of Pensions)
Washington DC)

Page 135

[Letter showing corporate letterhead at the top of the page, with handwritten letter below.]

CUMMING & [and] RUSSELL,
COMMISSION MERCHANTS,
91 COTTON EXCHANGE, 
NEW YORK [handwritten date:] June 8th, 1889.

MEMBERS OF
N. Y. COTTON EXCHANGE,
CONSOLIDATED STOCK AND PETROLEUM EXCHANGE.

Orders Solicited, to which the best attention will be given.

[Handwritten letter begins:]
Commr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Washington

It was very [?] stupid [?] in me to neglect the name of my grandfather
name
William Cumming

(Residence)
Hillsboro
Orange Co
North Carolina

[?] Respy [possibly meaning Respectfully]
Jos D Cumming

Page 136

[First page of three, with handwritten letter from Mrs. B. H. Rawls.] 

[ Round stamped impression reads:] US PENSION OFFICE
K
JUL 31 1919

Belleview Ave., 
Dublin, Georgia, July 29, 1919. 

[A handwritten penciled notation which was written over a portion of that address, reads:] Rev [illegible] 

Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Will you please tell me if the names of the following Revolutionary soldiers appear on the pen_

Page 137

[Second page of three with handwritten letter from Mrs. B. H. Rawls.]

2.
list of soldiers of the Revolution:

[Here the following name is underlined, and what appears to be the word ^ "or" is written in between the "William" and "Caswell"] William ^ or Caswell, who served in a North Carolina Reg't.

[Here the following name is underlined] William Cumming

(Cummins or Cummings)
of North Carolina.
I desire this

Page 138


[Third and final page of handwritten letter from Mrs. B. H. Rawls.]

[Page] 3
information for D.A.R. purposes.

Very truly, 

Mrs. B. H. Rawls,
Belleview Ave, 
Dublin, Ga.

Page 139

[First page of two page detailed account re Wm Cumming's Revolutionary War service.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Wm Cumming - 

Born, Jany 18 [or 13] 1759 in Hillsbro' [Hillsboro'] Orange Co N.C. where he lived during the War

in 1837 in Guilford Co - [Here "Nov 1838 of Greensboro" was stricken through] in Guilford 1845  
He removed from Hillsboro to Greenboro [Greensboro] about [here "1834 or 5" was stricken through] 1835

Died April 18, 1849 leaving 3 children V [probably meaning Viz:] Wm H. [,]  John and Eliza Dotson alive Nov 18 1855 [or 1856, but it looks most likely 1855]

^Latter part 1777 or early 1778
In March 1778) he Volunterd [Volunteered] for 18 mos [months] under Capt [Captain]  Mathew McCauley (or McAuley) and Attached to regt [regiment] of Colo [Colonel] Archibald Lyttle, Marched ^by way of Halifax [and] Petersburgh to Valley Vorge [Valley Forge] where remaining Nearly 3 mos [months], then returned to Hillsboro N C and remained until his time expired having Served as Qr M Sergt [Quarter Master Sergeant] a portion of the period - 

In this tour was Qr M. Sgt [Quarter Master Sergeant] to Nicolas [Nicholas]  Long of Halifax Qr [Quarter] Master  back and forth from Long to Tatum until May 1780 and transferred to Colo [Colonel] Ramsay regts under Qr [Quarter] Master Thornbury going to [?] Camden at Gates defeat. 

[Note: in the preceding paragraph, some of the lines jump around in a confusing way, so occasionally it's unclear which phrases belong together. However, the above transcription is as accurate as possible under the circumstances.]

In [here "June" is stricken out, with the following word written above:] ^May 1780 he Vold  [Volunteered] for [?] 6 mos, ^or Served as much or More under Capt Capt Farmer ["and Colo (Colonel) Ramsay" may have been intended to be added here by the original compiler] Marh [perhaps meaning Marched] to Pittstown, Fayetteville Crossing Cape Fear at Sprowls Ferry, near which he joind [joined] Gen Caswell Command, going to Cheraw Hills on the Peedee SC from thence Southwardly [?]joined Genl Rutherford army and then Genl [General] Gates at the Cross Roads about 40 miles from Camden and was in the battle there, Augt [August] 16. 1780 when Gates was defeated, and the troops Scattered. 

[Here is confusing word order, but the text appears to read:] ^ He was then for a time at Salisbury until ordered to Hillsboro and Served the remaining part of his term as Depty Q M [Deputy Quarter Master] to Maj [Major] Tatum at Hillsboro

About Feby 8 [or ?81, possibly ?1781] he engaged as Qr M Sgt [Quarter Master Sergeant] with Maj [Major] Abraham Tatum and was Stationed at Hillsboro, and was employed in issuing provisions Forage &c [and etcetera] and in about 4 or 5 mos [months] he and his brother Henry Cumming were prisoners by Some of Colo [Colonel] Tarlton's Cavalry at Wm Couch's near Hillsboro where he had gone to Secrete Some property in Anticipation of a raid of the enemy.

As a prisoner of War, he was card [probably meaning carried] to Hillsboro, then to Guilford CH [Court House] from thence to New Garden and Bell's Mills on Deep river where he [here there is an illegible word written above, and the words "was discharged probably for the reason the British were retreating after the battle at Guilford" was stricken through, and "Made his escape" was  written above.]  (March 15, 1781)  After his return home he was again appd [appointed] Qr M Sgt [Quarter Master Sergeant], Stationed at Hillsboro and while So employed he was bearer of Dispatches, passing Sections of the Country rendered dangerous by the Number and presence of Tories

In one of these [?] trips he bore a dispatch to Colo. [Colonel] Robert Mebane at White 
[?] Marsh in Bladen Co - Also to Halifax with a dispatch from Maj [Major] Tatum to Colo [Colonel] Nichols [possibly meaning Nicholas] Long and also from Hillsbor [Hillsboro] to Gov Martin at his residence in Rockingham Co - 

In the fall of 1781 he joined a Company under Colos [Colonels] Long and Branch to Suppress Tories going thru [through] part of Orange and Chatham Counties and when at Haw river, about 4 miles from Jones Ferry Captured a Tory who was hung immediately   He thinks his Service was about 3 years

Chas Woods testified to Seeing him at Valley Forge in the Capacity of Q M Sgt [Quarter Master Sergeant] and Forage Master  

In 1782 he had Comd [Command] of Compy [Company], for 3 mos. [here a partly illegible phrase of at least five words was stricken through, with the first part appearing to read:] acting as Capt [Captain] or [illegible]   

This Compy [Company] had been made prisoners when Charleston Surrendered May 12 1780 and were Kept together to ascertain if further Service would be required the Comp [or Comy, perhaps meaning Company] being on furlough and not discharged

Page 140

[Second and final page of this detailed account re Wm Cummings' Revolutionary War Service.  Occasional spacing has been included to make the text block easier to read.]

1778-8 [1777-1778] [illegible] appd [appointed] Q M S [Quarter Master Sergeant] under Colo [Colonel] Nicholas Long of Halifax and then Q M S [Quarter Master Sergeant] at Valley Forge in Lt [Lieutenant] McCauly [or McCauley] and Colo [Colonel] Lyttle - retd [returned] to Halifax for Short time then to Hillsboro under Maj [Major] Tatum where was  Collected More or less Military Stores and troops - under Colo [Colonel, with a hard-to-read surname, possibly:] Moore and Q M [Quarter Master] Thornbury - 

then ordered to SC [probably meaning South Carolina] - was at Gates defeat
returned to Hillsboro under Major Tatum and [here the rest of this sentence is underlined:]  Was taken with with Small pox

A prisoner at Guilford at [?] time of battle and made his escape at Bell's Mill  on Deep river and was under Tatum 

Wm H Cummings of Greensboro ^ in '45 [1845] and on [or in] Jany [January] 1853

Page 141

[First page of two-page handwritten letter from Wm H Cummings, with numerous ink spots showing through from other side of the page. Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.]

Greensboro July 28th 1837.

Dr Craige 

I am Sorry you did not meet my Father at Joseph Gibson on 22nd  the old man was [here the next two words have ink marks, but appear to read:] not well and has not been for some time.  

I was anxious to have you present as I find my Fathers memory is getting Very bad and I think there is Some danger of [?] that the decleration [declaration] ^ may not [here the following word has an ink smear at the end of the word, but appears to be either:] agree [or agreing, possibly meaning agreeing] and find my fathers ^memoy in this matter is failing ____

I have thought it best to Give You the facts as he recollects them [illegible, possibly as:] I thought it probable you [nearly illegible word, possibly:] recollecten [? possibly meaning recollecting] more of the firt [probably meaning first] Declaration than he would__  that You Might Make out the Declaration and Send it to [ink-stained word, possibly:] me. and he could Sign it 

he tells me that in the early part of the Year of [?] 1776 he inlisted [enlisted] under Mathew McCawley and was commissioned by Col Lyttle  went to Valley [here  a hand-drawn bracket along the lower left side margin begins and continues below] forge  remained there about Three or four Months and then returned to Halifax and Served under Nicholas Long ^ [here it looks like "Sen *" was written] who was Qarter [Quarter] Master 

remained under Long for sometime  was thin [then] Sent to Hillsboro - to Absolum [or Absolem or Absolom] Tatum Deputy Qarter [Quarter] Master under Long and [?] Stationed [illegible word stricken through] Hillsboro, was back and forth 

[here the left side bracket ends] from Long to Tatum he thinks until May 1780 was thin [then] tranfered [transferred] to Ramseys ridgment [regiment] under Quarter Master Thornsberry [here the next four words are stricken through:] and remained with him  

went to Camden and remained with the ridgment [regiment] untill [until] Gates defeat. - after the defeat returned to Hillsboro.  was under Tatom untill [until] he was taken prisoner by Cornwallace

was a prisoner at the battle of Guilford and Made his escape from the Brittish [British] at Bells Mills on Deep river 

returned to Hillsboro under Tatem [or Tatum or Tatom] again and was under Tatem and Long untill [until]

Page 142

[Second, final page of two-page letter from Wm H Cummings, with numerous ink spots showing through from other side of the page. Occasional spacing has been included to make the long text block easier to read.] 

about 3 or 4 months   before the Close of the War
about the time he was appointed Capt [Captain] of a company [here it's unclear whether or not the word "former" or "formerl" perhaps meaning formerly, had been partially stricken through] in Hillsboro (This was about three or four months before the Close of the war

he tells me he was in Service from the time he entered the Army until the expiration of the war as Qarter Master Sergt [Quarter Master Sergeant] Some times as forage master as necessity requird [required] and Sometimes after the Tories was Several times sent on [?] express  [here there are at least two or three illegible words which had been stricken through] about 4 Months when he had the Small pox).  

I think it will be admitted by every one who Knew my father that he was an Active Whig and rendered important Services to his country _ 

If you think the plan I have [?] Surjested [possibly meaning Suggested] shows merit with your approbation you can [illegible word, possibly: send the Declaration up and I will have it attended to 

Respectfully
Wm H Cummings [or Cumming] 

my Father thinks you had better see Charles Woods and Mr. Nelson
he says he don't recolect [recollect] any thing about his discharg

Page 143

[Page 1 of 3, in handwritten record subset, re "Supplemental evidince" (Supplemental evidence) To the Declaration of William Cumming re his Revolutionary War service.  Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

Supplemental evidince [evidence]
[Here there is a handwritten "X" apparently in pencil, near the left margin.]  To the Declaration of William Cumming for a pension
Act 7th June, 1832. _ 
[There is a handwritten "6" near the upper right page margin.]

State of North Carolina)
Guilford County)

On this the [here the following date looks like it was originally written as "19" but changed to "16th" day of August 1837 personally appeared before the Undersigned an acting Justeis [Justice] of the peace in and for the County of Guilford aforesaid, William Cumming, a resident of Said County, (formerly a resident of Orange) who being first duly qualified according to Law, Maketh on oath the following explanatory and additional statement [or statements] to his Declaration for a pension, To wit:

1.  This Declarant Sets forth That (according to the best of his recollection) it was Some Time in the early part of 1778, he entered the United States Service for the period of 18 months. Service [here "part of the" was stricken through] part of the time with the Main Army under General Washington, at Valley Forge; returned to North Carolina and Served the balance of his term of Service in this State and principally at Halifax and [illegible stricken through word] Hillsboro'- 

The time That his period of Service expired he does not now remember, but thinks it was in the month either of September or October 1779; that during all this Said period of [here the next two words are underlined:] eighteen Months, this Declerant [Declarant] acted in the United States Service [illegible stricken through word] in the Capacity of [here the next three words are underlined:] 'quarter Master Sergeant.'

[here there is a "2" which was stricken through, and another] 2. [was written slightly below and to the right.]  That Some time in the Spring of the next Year, to wit, 1780, the Declarant again entered the United States Service and acted in the Capacity of 'Quarter Master Sergeant' - was in the Regiment under Command of Col: [Colonel] Ramsey (Subsequently commanded by Col: [Colonel] Stephen Moore.)  

Marched with [illegible stricken through word, possible "said" and then repeated that word] said troops ^ to the South. went through Pittsboro' - Cross Creek - thence to Randolph old Court-House - Thence Joined Genl. [General] Caswell's troops [here "and" was stricken through] thence Joined Genl. [General] Gates troops and was in the engagement near Camden when our troops were defeated 

-from the defeat. I went to Salisbury in North Carolina, Thence to Hillsboro'  Thence to Halifax where after Staying a short time, I was ordered back to Hillsboro' - 

this Declerant remained at Hillsboro' some one or two months. [Here it looks like "the" or "then" was stricken through] During all this period this Declerant [Declarant]

Page 144

[Page 2 of 3, in handwritten record subset, re "Supplemental evidince (Supplemental evidence) To the Declaration of William Cumming re his Revolutionary War service.  Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.]

acted as 'Quarter Master Sergeant' in this Second period of Service: - this Declarant does not remember the prec_ [probably meaning precise] date of his Entering the Service, [stricken out word] but thinks it was abou_ [word cut off at page margin- probably meaning:] about the first or middle of May 1780.

and when his period of Service expired it was about the 1st or Middle of November following Say [here the next two words are underlined] Six Months, but this Declarant feels positive that his Services as 'Quarter Master Sergeant' in this Second period of his Services was [here the next two words are underlined:] Six Months or [the following word is underlined:] upwards.

That in the month of February or March 1781, this Declaran- [word cut off at paper edge, probably Declarant] was again in the Service of the United States, as 'quarter Master Sergeant', and was sent by Genl. [General] Butler to destroy Some military stores in the Town of Hillsboro',  a little before Cornwallis ^went into [illegible stricken through word] that place in [here "March" was stricken through] ^February 1781.

That [here the word "upon" was stricken through] ^ in this excursion this Declerant [Declarant] was made prisoner by some of Col. [Colonel] Tarlton's men - That in a few days after the Guilford battle, this Decleran- [word cut off at paper edge] Declerant {Declarant] made his escape and went to the Town of Hillsboro' - [partial word "an-" at paper's edge, for "and"] again resumed the office of 'Quarter Master Sergeant' - but does not know at this time remember how long he Served -

3. That Some time in the year of 1782, this declerant [declarant] had command of a Company of State troops ^ or Continentals (he thinks) but is not positive ^ which, the length of time he Served [here it looks like the word  "the" was stricken through to make "he"] thinks was [here the next two words are underlined:} three mo- [word cut off at edge of page, but appears to be:] months.

Personally appeared before me the Undersigned, a ["Just-" word cut off at page edge:] Justice of the peace in and for the County of Guilford aforesaid, Willia- [first name cut off at edge of page, William] Cumming, who being first duly sworn deposeth and Saith That by reason of old age, and the Consequent loss of memory he cannot Swear positively as to the precise length of this Service but according to the best of his recollection, he Served not less than periods mentioned below, to wit:

In 1778-9 [1778 - 1779] - For - 18 Months as quater [quarter] Master Sergeant.
In 1780 For 6 Months (and more) as Ditto [quarter Master Sergeant.]
In 1781 For ___ (Say two Months) as Do. [ditto, quarter Master Sergeant.]
In 1782 For. 3 [months] as Captain ______) ^ or Lieutenant Commd.' [? Command] and for such Services I claim a pension.

[Here near the lower left margin of the page, there is a penciled notation which appears to read  "correct" and a hand-drawn bracket around the following:] This Declerant at this time has no distinct Recollection of his discharges.  That old age is so fast impairing his mind. That within the last few years his memory has greatly [or mostly] failed him and cannot therefore give That detail and Satisfactory account of his Services  that

Page 145

[Page 3 of 3, in handwritten record subset, re "Supplemental evidince (Supplemental evidence) To the Declaration of William Cumming re his Revolutionary War Service.  Occasional spacing has been included, to make the long text block easier to read.] 

he could with _ [Here the name "Ezekiel Brewer" was stricken through.]
(He proves his Services by Ezekiel Brewer and others - whose affidavits accompany this Decleration [Declaration]
[Here the word "omit" is written in pencil near the left margin.] (except those that have been previously Sent on to the Pension office-) 

(He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State (His name having been on the pension Roll but discontinued as pensioner for further explanation and proof)

Wm Cumming

Swon [Sworn] and Subscribed the day and)
Year aforesaid, before me,)
[Signature] Jos Gibson J.P. [Justice of the Peace]

And I the Said Justice do hereby Certify that the above affiant William Cumming is a man of truth and Veracity.
[Signature repeated:] Jos Gibson J. Peace [Justice of the Peace]

[In different handwriting:] 
State of North Carolina)
Guilford County)

I D. A. Gillaspie Clerk of the Court of Please [Pleas] and quarter Sessions for Said County Certify that Joseph Gibson is a Magistrate as Above, And that the foregoing Signature. purporting to be his is genuine.

In Testamony [Testimony] whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed my Seal of office. this 11th. day of September A.D. 1837. 
[Signature] D. A. Gillaspie C.C.C. [probably meaning Clerk of the County Court]

[A piece of tape appears near the bottom right hand corner of the document, partially covering a tear in the page.]