Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,833, for James Martin, South Carolina

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(3-1776)

SERVICE
S.C.

Martin, James

NUMBER
S. 31833

Born in Ireland
CONTENTS

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19810
Alabama
=====
James Martin
of Greene Co in the State of Alabama
who was a private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Martin of the Reg. commanded
by Col. Parson in the So. Ca
line for 1/2 Tours
g
=====
Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama
at the rate of 40 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=====
Certificate of Pension ifsued the 17 day of Sep.
1823 and Sent to J M Rushing
Eni
=====
Arrears to the 4th of Sep '33 $100
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 Ma '24 20
==
$120
==
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Go C Steles Clerk,
Book E Vol. 8 page 48

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19604
James Martin
Alabama
Return
[5.14 15 has been crossed off]
Adm 12 months

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BRIEF in the case of James Martin County Greene in the State of Alabama
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court

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

3. How old is he? 72

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

=====
Period.
---
1st tour drafted In 17
2nd tour drafted
3d tour Substitute
4th tour drafted
5th tour drafted
"Whole term of service he believes to be at least 12 months"
=====
Duration of Service.
---
Years, Months, Days.
=====
Rank.
---
As a
private
" "
" "
" "
" "
=====
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
---
Col Pearson Capt Martin
Col Gooden Lieut Gray
Capt Shannon
Col Winn
Col Winn

5. In what battles was he engaged?

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Fairfield District S. C.

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

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

X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Jnos Watson Examining Clerk.
25th Febry 1833

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Declaration of James Martin in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congrefs pafsed June 7, 1832 

The State of Alabama
Greene County
on this day personally appeared before the Hon Thomas F Moody Judge of the Cnty Court of Greene County Alabama now sitting James Martin a resident of the county of Greene and State of Alabama aged Seventy Two years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congrefs passed June 7 1832
That he Entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as within Stated
That he Entered the Service as a drafted Soldier in the year, he can't recollect, under Col John Pearson the only field officer and Capt Edward Martin all from Camdon District in the State of South Carolina now called Fairfield District in the State of South Carolina) This first Tower of duty was perpo on the Congree River and there abouts
The Second Tower of Duty was under Col Gooden the only Field officer and Lieutenant William Gray all from Camdon District and the State of South Carolina now called Fairfield District in the State of South Carolina by being on Scouting parties after [illegible] near Orange burgh in the State of South Carolina
The third Tower of duty was under Capt Thomas Shannon as a substitute in causing the [illegible] to join there respective companys all their service was done in what is now called Camdon District in the State of South Carolina

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The fourth Tower of duty was under Col Richard Winn the other officers names not recollected at the four hoals was a Bridge of the Same name low down in the State of South Carolina
The fifth Tower of duty was under Col Richard Winn on Edisto River in the State of South Carolina and then dismissed without any written discharge whole term of service he believes at leat to be 12 months
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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court. 
James Martin (his x mark)
attest I C Snedecor Clk
We Burnell Holbrook Clergyman residing in the County of Greene and State of Alabama and Hugh Lavander residing in the same County certify that we are well acquainted with James Martin who has Subscribed and Sworn to his above declaration that we believe to be of the age specified in his declaration that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court
Burnell Holbrook
Hugh Lavander
Attest I C Snedecor Clk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories purposed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as stated And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Burnell Holbrook who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman in the County of Greene and State of Alabama and that Hugh Lavander who has also signed the same is a resident citizen of the same and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit -
Thos F Moody Judge
I David Campbell resident in the state + County aforesaid certify that I am acquainted with the above named applicant and knew him during the revolution and saw him in the service of the United States
Sworn and Subscribed to in open court the day and year aforesaid in open court.
David Campbell
Attest I C Snedecor Clk

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The following interrogatories were propounded by the court to the applicant
===
first
where and in what year were you Born
===
answer 1st I was born in Ireland in the year 1760
===
Second
have you any record of your age + if so where is it
===
answer 2nd I have no perfect record of my age though Believe I was Born in the year above stated
===
third where were you living when called in the service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live
===
answer 3rd
I was living in the State of South Carolina in what is now called Fairfield District in said State when called in the service
I have lived since Revolutionary in Fairfield District state of South Carolina and in Greene County in the state of Alabama where I now live
===
fourth how were you called into the service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a Substitute and if a Substitute for whom
===
answer 4th I Entered the service as a drafted soldier and continued to serve as such except my third Tower of duty, I served as a substitute for [illegible] Jones
===
fifth State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the Troops where you served such continental + militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service
===
This I have in my declaration
-----
This applicant states that "he is known in his present neighborhood by David Campbell who can testify as to his services and by Burnell Holbrook + Hugh Lavender who can testify as to his reputation for veracity and a belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution

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I Isaac C Snedecor clerk of the County Court of Greene County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Martin for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 6t day of November AD 1832 And of the American Independence the 57 year
Attest
I C Snedecor

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James Martin

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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Martin which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no

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 of pension he is entitled? no

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes

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

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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? yes

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2

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

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

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? 

XIV. [Cross symbol] 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? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes

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? no

XVI. [Cross with a bar at the bottom symbol] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes

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.

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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three of four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the situation of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[Cross symbol] QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[Cross symbol with a bar at the bottom] QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
[Right pointing hand symbol] 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 accompany the papers.

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The State of Alabama, Greene County.
I, THOMAS F MOODY, Presiding Judge of the County Court, of said County, do, hereby certify, that Isaac C Snedccor, whose signature appears to the foregoing appended certificate, now is, and was, at the time he signed the same, Clerk of the County Court of said County, and that his certificate is made in due form of law.
Given under my hand seal this 2nd day of July 1833
T F Moody (SEAL)
Judge of said Court.

The State of Alabama, Greene County.
I, Isaac C Snedecor, Clerk, of the County Court of said County, do hereby certify, that Thomas F Moody, whose signature appears to the above certificate, now is, and at the time of his signing the same, was Judge of the County Court of said County, duly qualified and commissioned, and that due faith and credit are due to all his acts as such, and that his said certificate is in due form of law + his signature thereto is Genuine
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of my said office to be affixed, the 2nd day of July 1833 and of American Independence, the 57th year.
ATTEST
 I C Snedecor CLERK.

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., ____, 19__

own S. F. 31833

In reply to your request of ___, received ___ for a statement of the military history of James Martin a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension of file in this Bureau.
=====
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[check mark]
=====
LENTH OF SERVICE.
Served at various times. 12 months in all.
=====
RANK.
Privt
=====
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. | COLONEL
Edward Martin | John Pearson
Lt William Gray | Goodman
Thomas Shannon | Richard Winn
-- | Richard Winn
=====
STATE.
S. C.
=====
Battles engaged in, ___
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fairfield Dist S. C.
Date of application for pension, Nov 6 1832 His cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Greene Co Alabama
Age at date of application, born in Ireland in 1760
Remarks: No data as to family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6-2856

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31833
Rey INVALID

File No. 31833
James Martin
Pri Rev. War

Act: June 7th 32
Index: Vol. 2, Page 256
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Apl 25 - 1902 [or 1900]
Hon Wm H Fleming - H.R.
1914 Feby 27 Hist to
Mrs Wallace Braseq Letter in S. F. 32395 William Martin.

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The State of Alabama Greene County
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justic of the peace in + for the county of Green aforesaid, James Martin, who being duly Sworn deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent lofs 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 lefs than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grade For twelve months I served as a private soldier, and for which service I claim a pension -
James Martin (his x mark)
Sworn to + Subscribed before me This 24th day of June 1833.
H L Kinnon a Justice of the peace for said County
The State of Alabama}
Greene County} Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in + for said county James Yeates + Isaac C Snedecor resident Citizens of the county + state aforesaid who being duly sworn depose + say that they have been personally well acquainted with David Campbell whose name appears as a witnefs proving the actual service of James Martin as a soldier of the revolution (to whose application for a pension this affidavit is appended) for eight or ten years that from his appearance they have no doubt

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but that he is at least seventy years of age he is reputed to be a revolutionary soldier in his neighborhood and is certainly of sufficient age to have been acquainted with the services of said Martin his reputation for truth is such as to entitle him to full faith + credit as a wifnefs in a court of Justice, his general reputation for honesty morality + truth is good
James S Yeates
I C Snedecor
Sworn to + subscribed before me the 24th June 1833
H L Kinnon a justice of the peace

The State of Alabama}
Greene County fs} I Isaac C Snedecor clerk of the county court of said county, do hereby certify that Howell L Kennon whose signature appears to the certificate of the foregoing deposition of James Martin (who apples for a pension) + of James Yeates + Isaac C Snedecor witnefs proving the age + reputation of David Campbell whose testimony appears to the appended original application of said Martin for a pension, now is and at the time of his certifying was an acting justice of the peace for said County duly elected qualified + commifsioned + that full faith + credit are due + ought to be given to all his acts as such and that his signature to said certificates is Genuine
Witnefs my hand + the seal of my office at office Erie the 2nd day of July 1833
Attest
I C Snedecor Clk