Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 35181, Absalom Baker, N.C.

Page 1

(3-1776)
Service
N.C.  
Baker, Absalom.  
Number
S. 35184.
Contents

Page 2

Upper right-hand corner: Rowan County State of North Carolina 20th August 1822
Tp the senators and representatives in Congress from the state of Illinois
We your petitioners do represent to you that we are well acquainted with Absalom Baker during the revolutionary war in which he served five years and eight months under me John Branson- and that to our knowledge Mr. Baker was in seven set actions besides several skirmishes in one of which Battles he go wounded in his ancle [ankle]. This we think was at Gates defense near Camden- South Carolina, we state that we do not think that there was a better soldier in the war than Baker. He was always ready to go out and any dangerous service when he was called upon and always performed his duty well. As Cornwallis went through the state of North Carolina one coln [colonel] Agner [Agnew] took from Baker two likely negroes which cost him one thousand dollars. a wagon and five horses which cost him eight hundred, which Agner [Agnew] took to Cornwallis' army and Baker never again got the property or any money for it to our knowledge. The reason why it was

Page 3

the board would not allow the value, as Baker supposed, and he would not take any thing. To our knowledge twenty one thousand seven hundred dollars of Continental money fell in his hands. Twenty one hundred dollars of which he changed [into] gold and silver for even- this twenty one hundred dollars he gave to his brother for the same quantity of Continental money because he thought his brother was well inclined to the Tories, and wanted to keep him well disposed to the new government. Said Baker was a man of good property but lost it all by the war and Tories- and we think no man is better intitled [entitled] to your notice than said Baker. 
Signed 
S/ John Branson
S/ Martin Fifer [Phifer]
The above is a copy of a letter from Branson and Fifer [Phifer] addressed to Vivian Edwards, which I have sent on to Washington to aid Mr. Baker in getting a pension. 
Signed 
S/ Wm. H Brown

Page 4

House Reps. [Representatives] 10th Apl. [April] 1828. 

I am personally acquainted with Col. [Colonel] Martin Phifer of Cabarrus County No. [North] Car. [Carolina] He is a gentleman of high respectability, and would not I believe write or say what he did not believe to be true. I was also personally acquainted with Col. [Colonel] John Branson of Rowan Cty [County] No. [North] Ca. [Carolina] he was always esteemed, so for all I know a gentleman of respectability. 

Henry W. Cannon

Page 5

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

20147
Illinois
Absalom Baker

of Sangamon Co. in the State of Illinois
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Brannon of the Regiment commanded
by Col. [Gist] in the Maryland
line, for the term of four years
from May 1775 to 1781

Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois
at the rate of [Illegible] Dollars per month, to
commence on the first day of January 1828

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of May
1830 and sent to the Pensioner

Arrears to the 4th of March 1830 - $209.03
Semi=anl. [annual] all’ce [allowance] ending 1 Sept 1830  48.00
$257.03
{Revolutionary Claim}
[Acts dates scratched out]
{Act 20 May 1820}

Record:   Vol.  10

Page 6

[blank page]

Page 7

The following Statement Gentlemen are facts[.] I enlisted under Capt. John Brannon [John Brandon] N. Ca. [North Carolina]—the first action was at Ramsowers [Ramsour's] Mills lincon [Lincoln] County N. Ca. [North Carolina] Commanded by Major James Retherford [Rutherford] 2nd Action Com'd [commanded] by the same at Autaw [Eutaw] Springs Santee S. Ca. [South Carolina].
3rd Action Com'd [commanded] by Genl. Lincon [Lincoln] Stonee [Stono] [illegible] River near Charleston S. Ca. [South Carolina] and at the Sieadge [Siege] at Charleston taken a prisoner and kept under a strict gard [guard] for thirty days until exchanged 
5th Action Bluefats [Buford's] defeat near Camden S. Ca. [South Carolina].
6[th] do Genl Sumters defeat Hanging Rock S. Ca. [South Carolina].
7[th] do Genl Gates [Defeat] near Camden S. Ca. [South Carolina] whare [where] I was wounded in my right ancle [ankle] [and I] was sent to the Hospittle [hospital] and thare [there] remained. When Cornwallace [Cornwallis] Crossed the river of Cortober [Catawba]—I was Commanded by Genl. Davis who was killed during the time of the enemys [enemy's] crossing—Then Genl. Green [Nathanael Greene] tooke [took] Com'd [Command] and followed the enemies with speed to Guilford Coty [County] North Ca. [North Carolina] whare [where] they had a very severe time which was the last engagement I was in and the last that Cornwallace [Cornwallis] had in America. Genl. Green [Greene] followed them to York whare [where] I took the small pox and returned home. 
Gentlemen I do this to let you know what I have suffered—If you please Judge for yourselves and say whether or not I deserve any aid. If I do in the name of god let me have it. You see my situation, you must know I need it and I assure you it is Justly due me—
Your very obt. Humble Servt. 
Absomam [Absalom] Baker

Page 8

A.

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[written through District Columbia Washington 
State of      }
            County,{ SS.]

Be it know, that before me, Richmond Johnson a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Absalom Baker and made oath, in due form of law, that he is the identical Absalom Baker named in an [crossed out - original certificate in his possession, of which (I certify) the following is a true copy.] Act of Congress passed May 20 1830

(Here insert a copy of his certificate [of pensions crossed out])

that he is entitled to a pension of [(letter crossed out]) Eight dollars per month, on account of wounds and disabilities received, or of services rendered to the United States, during the Revolutionary War; that he served in Captain Brannon company of Infantry in the – Maryland regiment; that he now resides in Illinois and has resided there for the space of Six years past; and that, previous thereto, he resided in Georgia.
Absolom [his x mark] Baker

Sworn and subscribed this 21st 
day of May 1830 
before me
R. Johnson J. P.

Note: The above deposition must be signed by the deponent.
[crossed out – This blank must be filled with the amount to which the Pensioner is now entitled, which, in some cases, varies from that in the original certificate.]
The oath may be administered by any officer properly qualified to take affidavits.

Page 9

I Absolum Baker [Absalom Baker] was an inhabitant of North Carolina and had a wife and two infant children at the commencement of the revolutionary war my circumstances were comfortable and my family dear to me notwithstanding the zeal that I felt in the glorious cause of liberty induced me to enter the contenental [Continental] Service which I did in the month of May 1775 and continued regularly in the Service of my Country until in the Spring of 1781 a term of nearly Six years the battles and skirmeges [skirmishes] that I was in were as follows, the battle at ramsours mill [Ramsour's Mill], eutaw springs, [Eutaw Springs], munch'scorner [Moncks Corner], baconsbridge [Bacon’s Bridge], Stono ferry, hanging rock [Hanging Rock], Sumters defeat, Camden district,  Buford defeat, kingsmountain [Kings Mountain], gateses [Gates'] defeat where I got wounded in the right ankle and Guilford courthouse. The sufferings and privations above mentioned is [are] not all, I lost a waggon [wagon] and team that cost me eight hundred dollars and two likely negroes which cost me one thousand dollars taken by agnew [Agnew] a tory [Tory] officer.

Page 10

To compleat [complete] my misfortunes, twenty one thousand seven hundred dollars of continental money perished in my hands twenty one hundred of which I had exchanged gold and silver for. The foregoing is to inform your honourable [honorable] body of my term of Service in the revolutionary war, the battles I was in and the loses I sustained during that period, now if your honours [honors] do beleave [believe] that an old revolutionary veteran who is tottering as it were on the brink of the grave and who knows that he must shortly appear to give an account of the dead [or deeds?] done in this life, I if your honours [honors] do beleve [believe] a man under such circumstances is capable of speaking the truth you may rely on the foregoing statement as being authentically true. 

Absolum [Absalom] Baker Sr.

Page 11

July 10, 1935

BA-J/EEL
Absalom Baker-S.35184

Mrs. J. C. McNutt
803 Hester Avenue
Normal, Illinois

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of Absolam [Absalom] Baker, who came from North Carolina to Illinois and lived in Madison or Sangamon Counties, that state, and a soldier with surname Tinsley, who lived near Lexington, Kentucky and in Saint Clair County, Illinois, both soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
With the meager data furnished by you, it has not been possible to identify the solider named Tinsley; as a means of identifying the particular record in which you are interested, should it be on file, the full name of the soldier should be furnished with as much as possible of the following data; approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
The record of Absalom Baker is furnished herein, the data for which were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.35184, based upon his military service in the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Absalom Baker are not shown.
Absalom Baker was living in North Carolina, at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and enlisted in 1775 in Captain John Brannon’s Company, and continued in service until 1781; he was in the battles of Stono, Bacon’s (Biggin’s) Bridge, at the siege of Charleston, where he was captured and held in confinement one month, when exchanged, at the battle when Buford was defeated; at Ramsour’s Mill, Gates’ Defeat at Camden, Hanging Rock, King’s Mountain, Monk’s [Monck's] Corner, Guilford Courthouse, and Eutaw Springs. He was wounded in the right ankle at Gates’ Defeat.
He was pensioned under the act, approved May 20, 1830, His

Page 12

home at the time he received his pension was in Sangamon County, Illinois. He had prior to that time resided in the state of Georgia, county not stated.
At the beginning of the Revolution, soldier had a wife and two children. Their names are not shown and no other names of children are given.
Soldier’s brother was referred to, his name was not given.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Absalom Baker, (S.35181), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Absalom Baker, Certificate No.20147, issued May 21, 1830, rate $8 per month, commenced January 1, 1828, Act of May 20, 1820, Illinois Agency.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

-2-

Page 13

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[right side – 1912 Aug. 14. Hist. to Mr. T. C. Baker Jr &
1935 – July 10 – Hist. to Mrs. JC McNutt, Ef] 

35181
Revy INVALID
File No. 35181

Absolom [Absalom] Baker 
Pri. Rev. War

Act: 18 March, 1820
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 28

Page 14

as testimony in my possession will abundantly prove to you whenever you thankful to investigate the subject and do me that justice which had so long been withheld from me.

Page 15

(copy)

Rowan County State of North 
Carolina 20th August 1822 
To the Senators & Representatives in Congress from the State of Illinois 
We your petitioners do represent to you that we are well acquainted with Absolum Baker—during the revolutionary war in which he served five years and eight months under me John Brannon—and that to our knowledge Mr. Baker was in seven set actions besides several skirmishes in one of which Battles he got wounded in his ancle [ankle]—this we think was at Gates defeat near Camden South Carolina, we state that we do not think that there was a better soldier in the war than Baker—he was always ready to go out on any dangerous service when he was called upon and always performed his duty well—As Cornwallis went through the State of North Carolina one Coln [Colonel] Agner [Agnew] took from Baker two likely negroes which cost him one thousand dollars, a waggon [wagon] and five horses which cost him eight hundred [dollars] which Agner took to Cornwallis' Army and Baker never again got the property or any money for it

Page 16

[copy]

to our knowledge, the reason why it was [that] the Board would not allow the value, as Baker supposed, and he would not take any thing. To our knowledge twenty one thousand seven hundred dollars of Continental money fell in his hands. Twenty one hundred dollars of which he changed [into] Gold and Silver for even—this twenty one hundred dollars he gave to his Brother for the same quantity of Continental money because he thought his Brother was well inclined to the Tories, and wanted to keep him well disposed to the new government[.]
Said Baker was a man of good property but lost it all by the war and the Tories—and we think no man is better entitled to your notice than said Baker. 
Signed
John Brannon
Martin Fifer 
The above is a copy of a letter from Brannon and Fifer [Phifer] addressed to Ninian Edwards which I have sent on to Washington to aid Mr. Baker in getting a pension. 
(Signed) 
Wm. H. Brown

Page 17

[copy]

Rowan County State of North 
Carolina 20th August 1822 
To the Senators & Representatives in Congress from the State of Illinois 
We your petitioners do represent to you that we are well acquainted with Absolum Baker—during the revolutionary war in which he served five years and eight months under me John Brannon—and that to our knowledge Mr. Baker was in seven set actions besides several skirmishes in one of which Battles he got wounded in his ancle [ankle]—this we think was at Gates defeat near Camden South Carolina, we state that we do not think that there was a better soldier in the war than Baker—he was always ready to go out on any dangerous service when he was called upon and always performed his duty well—As Cornwallis went through the State of North Carolina one Coln [Colonel] Agner [Agnew] took from Baker two likely negroes which cost him one thousand dollars, a waggon [wagon] and five horses which cost him eight hundred [dollars] which Agner took to Cornwallis'

Page 18

[copy]

Army and Baker never again got the property or any money for it to our knowledge, the reason why it was [that] the Board would not allow the value, as Baker supposed, and he would not take any thing. To our knowledge twenty one thousand seven hundred dollars of Continental money fell in his hands. Twenty one hundred dollars of which he changed [into] Gold and Silver for even—this twenty one hundred dollars he gave to his Brother for the same quantity of Continental money because he thought his Brother was well inclined to the Tories, and wanted to keep him well disposed to the new government[.]
Said Baker was a man of good property but lost it all by the war and the Tories—and we think no man is better entitled to your notice than said Baker. 
Signed
John Brannon
Martin Fifer 
The above is a copy of a letter from Brannon and Fifer [Phifer] addressed to Ninian Edwards which I have sent on to Washington to aid Mr. Baker in getting a pension. 
(Signed) 
Wm. H. Brown

Page 19

(copy)

Rowan County State of North 
Carolina 20th August 1822 
To the Senators & Representatives in Congress from the State of Illinois 
We your petitioners do represent to you that we are well acquainted with Absolum Baker—during the revolutionary war in which he served five years and eight months under me John Brannon—and that to our knowledge Mr. Baker was in seven set actions besides several skirmishes in one of which Battles he got wounded in his ancle [ankle]—this we think was at Gates defeat near Camden South Carolina, we state that we do not think that there was a better soldier in the war than Baker—he was always ready to go out on any dangerous service when he was called upon and always performed his duty well—As Cornwallis went through the State of North Carolina one Coln [Colonel] Agner [Agnew] took from Baker two likely negroes which cost him one thousand dollars, a waggon [wagon] and five horses which cost him eight hundred [dollars] which Agner took to Cornwallis' Army and Baker never again got the property or any money for it to our knowledge, the reason why it was [that] the Board would not allow the value, as Baker supposed, and he would not take any thing. To our knowledge twenty one thousand seven hundred dollars of Continental money fell in

Page 20

his hands. Twenty one hundred dollars of which he changed [into] Gold and Silver for even—this twenty one hundred dollars he gave to his Brother for the same quantity of Continental money because he thought his Brother was well inclined to the Tories, and wanted to keep him well disposed to the new government[.]
Said Baker was a man of good property but lost it all by the war and the Tories—and we think no man is better entitled to your notice than said Baker. 
Signed
John Brannon
Martin Fifer 
The above is a copy of a letter from Brannon and Fifer [Phifer] addressed to Ninian Edwards which I have sent on to Washington to aid Mr. Baker in getting a pension. 
(Signed) 
Wm. H. Brown

The foregoing is copied, from the papers which Wm. Brown states to be a copy of a letter addressed to N. Edwards – and from Wm. H. Brown’s statement at the part of said copy -

Page 21

William Hall

Page 22

This is to certify all to whom it may concern that the Bearer Absalom Baker he whom I am well acquainted with served under Col. John Brannon and Col. Martin Fifer [Martin Phifer] officers of the American Revolution war, and to my own certain knowledge was in various engagements in South Carolina, that I myself was with him at the Battle at the Hanging Rock, Camden District, Lincon's [Lincoln's] defeat, Kings mountain and at General Gates defeat the latter at which he was wounded in the ankle and various other Battles that he was in to my own knowledge -- that the said Baker served under those officers for upwards of five years and whatever statements the said Col. John Brannon, or Col. Martin Fifer has made Respecting the said Baker may be taken as matters of fact, as I myself was well acquainted with them and served under them with said Absalom Baker. 
And I further certify that the said Absalom Baker lost two Negro men which cost him one thousand dollars, also one waggon [wagon] & team which cost him Eight Hundred Dollars, which property was taken by the enemy in time of war and that the said Baker has never to my knowledge received any Remuneration for the same. 
William Hall

Page 23

I hereby certify that I William Mathers read & examined all the papers of Absalom Baker the bearer of these papers and in them was his regular discharge from the Continental Army of the United States in the Revolutionary war and I do certify that all these papers relative to his situation and claims have all been clandestinely taken from said Baker on the 1st day of January 1828 & illegally kept from him and that I am know [knowing] to all their contents for I read every paper myself on the 7th of January 1828 to all which I am ready & willing to swear before any proper authority and under these circumstances General Clark, Major Biddle & Col. McCree all gentlemen of St. Louis advised the old gentleman Mr. Baker to go in person and throw himself on the mercy of the President & Congress [^ of the United States] to see if the [they] would grant relief to the bearer Absalom Baker as you will see now labors with the infirmities of old age in the evening of life his private resources being spent he is now sent to the National Capitol as a legal Claimant for services done in the prime of life in behalf of his country & we do sincerely hope no advantage will be taken for want of form in any of his documents so as to hinder that speedy relief he ought to have I remained ever a friend to the cause. 
Wm Mathers

Page 24

December 20, 1828 This is to inform you and all persons That I was acquainted with Absalom Baker Senior throughout the Revolutionary War and know that he served in said War between five & six years as a faithful soldier – and was in a number of set actions besides a number of skirmishes in one of which he got wounded at Gates defeat (in his right ankle) South Carolina near Camden. Said Baker was a man of good property and lost all of it by the Tories in said war Twenty one Thousand Dollars fell in his hands of Continental money twenty one hundred dollars of which he changed to Gold & Silver for and as Cornwallis marched through North Carolina Colonel Agnew took two likely Negro man from said Baker – which cost him one thousand dollars and a waggon [wagon] and five horses cost him eight hundred dollars which he took Cornwallis’ Army which Baker never got back or anything for I was at the board of Commissioners when he presented his claim and they would not allow him what the property cost him and therefore he would not take anything. 
This I certify to your Honorable body that he may not be wronged out of his Just right and am sure he would not present before

Page 25

you anything [Illegible] Therefore I hope your Honorable body will not hesitate to remunerate him for his losses for I know the claim to be just. 
Given under my hand Davidson County State of Tennessee. 
I also certify that I was well acquainted with John Brannon & Martin Phifer and any statement they have made in behalf of said Baker you may rely on as truth. 
Robert Weekley

Page 26

City of Washington March 6th, 1829 
This is to Certify that I was Intimately Acquainted with Colonel John Brannon & Martin Fifer through the Revolutionary War and any statement that they have made relative to Absalom Baker Senior to assist him in drawing his pension and getting pay for his two Negroes and wagons and Team is undoubtedly true From my own knowledge of their unstained character and I hereby also certify that I was well acquainted with said Baker in said War and that to my own knowledge he served between five and six years and was in several Battles and various skirmishes Bearing the Character of a valiant Soldier and was wounded at Gates Defeat near Camden South Carolina and also of his Loss in taking odds of Two Thousand Dollars of Continental Money Twenty One Hundred Dollars of which he changed gold & silver for even and as Cornwallis marched through North Carolina Colonel Agnew took the likely Negro men and a waggon [wagon] & team which two Negroes cost him said Baker One Thousand Dollars & said Waggon [Wagon] & team cost him Eight Hundred Dollars which said Agnew took to Cornwallis’ Camp & which said Baker never received Back or Compensation for in any way and I was Present when he said Baker presented his Claim for said Negroes & waggon [wagon] & Team to the Board of Commissioners & they did not allow him as much as the cost of them he therefore would not receive anything I also Believe that if any man deserves your Charity as the Charity of any such an Honorable Body the Honorable Congress of the United States will certainly take Consideration for the decrepitude and impoverished Condition

Page 27

of the said Baker one of our forefathers of Liberty and I Trust you will not Hesitate to grant him justice and to extend to him a Liberal hand of Charity 
Your & O. 
Wm Pope

Page 28

15th Apl. 1828
Granted

$8 per month

April 9 1828
Regt of the Comssn [Commission] on Mil [Military] Pension

April 29, 1828
Bill reported w. 283

December 5 1828
Refd [referred] to the Com'on [Commission] on Milty [Military] Pensions
Dec. 16, 1829
Refd [referred] to the Comm'on [ Commission] on Mil [Military] Pensions

Page 29

District of Columbia}
Washington County} SS Appears before me a Justice of the Peace in & for this county Absalom Baker he now makes oath on the holy evangelist of Almighty God that the facts and statements contained in this Testimonial of veracity are just and true. Given under my hand this 15th April 1828 [Illegible text] [illegible round stamp]

Page 30

Wm. Hall

Page 31

State of Illinois Madison County 
I William Hall do certify that I have been well acquainted with William Poke ever since he was a boy, I knew him during the whole time of the American revolutionary war, he was a good soldier and a man of an excellent character and any statement that he has made relative to Absalom Baker Senior as to the time of service in the revolutionary war as a valiant soldier being wounded at Gates defeat near Camden South Carolina and the loss of property &c 
I believe to be true -- I also certify that I have been personally acquainted with Absalom Baker Senior ever since the year 1816 and I believe him to be a good honest industrious citizen. February 24th 1830 
Wm Hall

Page 32

State of Illinois}
Madison County} This day personally appeared before one an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County & State William Hill, who signed the foregoing certificate and made oath that the statements by him sworn & subscribed, he believes to be true.
Wm Hall

Sworn to & subscribed 
before me this 4th day 
of February 1830
Daniel Prickett
Justice of the Peace 

We the under signers do certify that William Hill personally known to us, as being a good & credible citizen

Page 33

I do certify that I have been acquainted with Absolam Baker Senr ever since the year 1814 he is old & infirm. I believe him to be a correct honest citizen and at this time is poor and in indigent circumstances.

State of Illinois Madison Cty - Feby 24th 1830
Joseph Conway

Page 34

House of Reps.
11th April 1828

I certify that I have known 
Absalom Baker, a Revolutionary 
soldier who is now in Washington 
city, for more than twelve months 
and have always understood that 
he was destitute of property.

Joseph Duncan

Page 35

Belongs to the case of Absalom 
Baker – other papers 
with file No. 283

Page 36

The bearer Absolom Baker formerly of 
the State of N. Carolina received a wound in the service of his country during the war of 
the American Revolution and is on his way 
to the city of Washington for the purpose of obtaining relief from Congress. He has here-tofore declined an application for relief on account of his residence in a remote part 
of the United States (Illinois and a desire not to be burthensom [burdensome] to his country but his increased & increasing infirmities compells [compels] to call upon his country for support these from [from these] remaining days of his life. Such character merit the consideration of [of] his county and by who no doubt will render him the requisite assistance in the prosecution of his Journey to the city. I did not know the man personally nor the performance of his military services but he possesses papers and relates circumstances leaving no doubt of his bravery and good conduct in the war. 

Ro Breckinridge
Loverocks [Love Rocks] NY March
19th 1828

Page 37

Absalum [Absalom] Baker Senior 
to the honourable 
Senate and house of 
representatives

Page 38

[stamped – PENSION 
D 
AUG 
10 
1912 
U. S. 
OFFICE]

Page 39

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[Letterhead 
WE BUY, SELL AND EXCHANGE HOUSES, LOTS, FARMS AND BUSINESS PROPERTIES ALSO MAKE FIRST MORTGAGE LOANS
BAKER REAL ESTATE CO.
LEADERS IN REAL ESTATE
ALSO FIRE INSURANCE 
[picture of a house] – Houses Bought, Sold, Exchanged
[picture of men on a horse and buggy] We Insure Your Property
306 SOUTH FIFTH STREET  SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS] end of letterhead
Room 301 Myers Building.

Springfield Illinois
Aug. 8, 1912

Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir:-
Will you give me the military record of service of Absalom Baker who was pensioned for service in the Revolutionary War. I think he was from Maryland, but drew his pension at the Illinois agency. I am
Truly yours,
T. C. Baker jr.

[Bottom of letterhead – WE INSURE HOUSES, HOUSEHOLD GOODS, BARNS, STOCKS, ETC.]

Page 40

Comm. Of Pensions
Rev. War Dept.
Washington,
D.C.

Dear Sirs: - Do you have on your pension list the name of Absolam [Absalom] Baker who fought in the Revolution and came from N. C. [North Carolina] to Ills. [Illinois] where [he] lived in Madison & Sangamon Counties?
Also do you find on the Revolutionary honor roll the name [^??] Tinsley who lived near Lexington Ky [Kentucky] and [^ in] St. Clair Co. [County] Ills [Illinois] ?
Christian name unknown.
Thanking You I am
Mrs. J. C. McNutt
803 Hister Ave
Normal, Ills [Illinois]

June 23, 1935

Page 41

Rev. War Section.

August 14, 1912.

Mr. T. C. Baker, Jr.
Room 310, Myers Building,
Springfield, Ills.

Sir:

In response to your letter dated the 8th and received the 10th instant, you are advised that in the papers in the claim of Absalom Baker, Senior, Sur. File No. 35,181, Rev. War, it is stated that he was an inhabitant of North Carolina and had a wife and two infant children (names not give) at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, that he enlisted in My, 1775, under Captain John Brannon in the Continental service, and continued until 1781, during which time he was in the battles of Stono, and Bacon’s (Biggins’s)) Bridge; was taken prisoner at the Siege of Charleston and held thirty days before exchanged; was in Buford’s defeat; battles of Ramsour’s Mills; Sumter’s defeat at Hanging Rock; wounded in right ankle at Gate’s defeat near Camden; and was in the battles of King’s Mountain, Monk’s Corner, Guilford and Eutaw Springs.
He was pensioned May 20, 1830, in Sangamon County, Illinois in which State he had lived six years, having previously resided in Georgia. There is no further [^family] data on file.
Very respectfully,

Commissioner