Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3,232, Henry Creswell, S.C.

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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Creswell, Henry
or
Criswell
NUMBER
S.3232
carded
CONTENTS

[stamp] This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

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19467
West Tennessee
---
* Henry Criswell of Wilson in the State of W.T. who was a pri in the co commanded by Captain Love of the regt. commanded by Neal in the S.C. line for 2 years
* Henry Creswell Records corrected Feb 16 '04
---
Inscribed on the Roll of W.T at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of march, 1831.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Sept 1833 and Robt M Burton Lebanon
---
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 200.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 40.00
[Total] 240.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 75

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Declaration of Henry Criswell 
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 June 1832
State of Tennessee
Wilson County. S.S.
On this 25th day of September in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Worshipful John Shaw, David C. Hibbetts, and James M. Martin presiding Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Wilson County at Term AD 1832 now sitting Henry Criswell a resident of [County] of Wilson and State of Tennessee aged about Seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth upon his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
viz that he volunteered a private Soldier in York District in the State of South Carolina on the day of Nov. 1775, under Captain McAfee and Lieutenants Love & Berry, and attached the Regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Neal, Marched to the State of Georgia to a place called Phillips Fort on Little River, was in actual service upwards of three months and was dismissed by the officers at Coney River [illegible insert - should be ?] in Geo. on the day of Feby. 1776. On the day of March 1776 he was drafted a private soldier in York Dist. in So. Ca. and placed in the command of Captain Andrew Love, & Lieutenants Wm. Berry & Daniel [illegible], and attached to the Rgt. Commanded by Cols. Tho Neal & Samuel Watson, marched to Bacon's Bridge, and placed under the command of Genl Linkhorn, & Pulaski followed the British up to Stono River and had siveral engagements and scrimages, dismissed by his officers at Stono River in June 1776. On the day of July 1780, he volunteered a private soldier under Capt Thompson, and attached to the Regt Comd. by Cols Andrew Neal & Wm Hill, & the division was comd. by Genl Sumpter, marched through the principal part of the State during that summer and winter, he was at the battle at Rocky Mountain in So. Ca. where Col. Neal as killed, Hanging Rock and Cal. Hill & Hough, also at Turkey Creek, during the month, that the Army lay on the Indian lands in So. Ca. he was with Joseph Boggs the Contracter in furnishing the army with provisions, he was also one the Company of Special [illegible] up the Congaree River to Fort Ankron. he was in the battle at the taking of Fort Congaree under Wade Hampton, at Charlestown battle in the fall of 1781 he returned and was elected the first Lieutenant in the Militia, in the company of Capt. Patricks and served two towers in 1782 of three months each as a Guard at Orangeburgh under the command of Genl Hamilton as a Guard for the State prisoners and Tories, during which time he took a number of prisoners among the tories, among the list he will mention two of his Uncles, and reported them to the Officers of the division for which he was offered a reward for his bravery but refused it, and was treated to the [illegible] of his comp

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he was dismissed and returned home at Orangeburgh some time in the fall of 1782, that he was most constantly a soldier during the many difficult struggles in South Carolina during the whole of the Revolutionary War, that was more than two whole years in actual service that he can prove by his brother Robert Criswell that was in the same campaigns with him and served the same times, he has no documentary evidence of his services, and relies upon the evidence of his brother and a strick compliance with the requisitions War Department. 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 of the United States.
Henry Creswell
Sworn to and subcribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid.
Test. Josiah S McClain Clerk
of the County Court of Wilson County.

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
On this 25th day of Sept. in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court by the Worshipful court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Wilson County now sitting Robert Creswell and made oath in due form of law that he was in the Army of the Revolution in the most of the Campaigns specified in the foregoing declaration sworn to and subscribed by Henry Criswell and knows of his own knowledge that he was in actual service for more than two whole years in the army of the Revolution and these facts stated by his brother Robert he believes to be true and correctly discribed.
Robert Criswell his mark R
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 25th day of Sept 1832.
Test Josiah S McClain, Clerk
of the County Court of Wilson County.

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
We Elijah Maddox a clergyman resident of the County of Wilson and State of Tennessee, and Robert Campbell residing in the County and state aforesaid, hereby certify that they are well acquainted with Henry Criswell who has subscribed and sworn the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be about seventy two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion and reputed to be man of high character  for truth
Elijah Maddox Clergyman
Robert Cam [signature off page]
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this day of Sept 1832
J S McClain Clerk
of the County Court of Wilson County.

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And the said John Shaw, David C Hibbetts & James M. Martin Presiding Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Wilson County now sitting hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he States and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Elijah Maddox who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Wilson and State of Tennessee and that Robert Cambell and Robert Criswell who have also signed the same as resident in the County and State aforesaid, and are creditable persons and that full credit is due to their statements, Given under hands this 25th day of Sept 1832.
J. M. Martin J.P.
D C Hibbetts J.P.
John Shaw J.P.
in and for the county of Wilson

State of Tennessee
Wilson County S.S.
I Josiah S. McClain Clerk and Master of Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Wilson County hereby certifies that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in that matter of the application of Henry Criswell for a pension and that John Shaw, David C. Hibberts & James M Marten Esqr whose names officially appears in the foregoing certificates are and were the presiding Justices of the Peace of the Court of Pleas & Quarter sessions for Wilson County, duly commissioned & qualified according to law and that full faith and credit is & ought right to be given to all their official acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Office in the town of Lebanon this 25th day of Sept in the year 1832 & of the Indipendance of the U.S. the 57 year
Josiah S McClain Clerk
of the County Court of Wilson County.

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William McCall hereby certifys that he has known Henry Criswell for about forty years I knew him when he resided in York District in South Carolina and since he has resided in Wilson County Tennessee a period of about to 20 years he has always been reputed in the different neighbourhoods in which he has resided to be a soldier of the Revolution and a true Whig in the service of his country and for the account always given by said Criswell of his services in the war his character for truth and honesty connected with other circumstances I have no doubt but
that he performed the service as stated in his declaration.
Wm McCall
Sworn to in open Court 25th June A.D. 1832
J S McClain Clerk

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Declaration of Henry Criswell (as amended) In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Tennessee
Wilson County
On this 25th day of June 1833, personally appeared in open Court before the Worshipful Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions holden before Burchatt Douglass, James Martin & David C Hibetts Esqrs Presiding justices of said Court now sitting at the June Term 1833, Henry Criswell a resident of the County of Wilson in the State of Tennessee aged Seventy four years, having been born according to the family Register on the 4th day of June 1759, 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 June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated on the day of Nov 1775 he volunteered as a private Soldier in York District in the State of South Carolina for the term of three months under

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Captaine McAfee - Love was his first and Berry his second Lieutenant - they rendesvoused at the house of a man named Ross in said District there his company was attached to a Regiment of Militia raised in South Carolina under the command of Colo. Thomas Neal Lieutenant Colo. Samuel Watson and Major Ross are the only officers in the Rigiment that he now remembers, they marched from York District to Phillips's Fort on Little River in the State of Georgia there he was engaged in defending the Frontier against the Indians until his tour of duty expired having served three months, where he was discharged. [illegible insert] discharged in place of coner river as stated in original Declaration. They had no engagement with the Indians during this tour of duty 2 on the day of March 1776 he was drafted as a private Soldier in the Militia raised in York District in the State of South Carolina and placed under the command of Captaine Andrew Love and Lieutenant Wm Berry and Daniel Winbourne, they rendesvoused at the house of a man named Bratton and there joined the Regiment militia under the command of Colos. Neal Watson and Major Ross, they marched to a place called to Bacons Ridge near to Charleston where they were placed under the command

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of Genl Lincoln and Count Pulaski after having remained at Bacon's bridge for some time, they followed the Brittish Army to Stono river and had several skirmishes with them, he was there discharged in June 1776 having served three months, the time he was drafted for. In the month of July 1780 there was a call made of Genl Sumpter for volunteers to Traverse different parts of the State of South Carolina in pursuit of the Brittish and of the Tories the latter of whom had become very troublesome the call was made for volunteers for such time as they might be needed, declarant volunteered and was placed under the command of Capt Thompson and was attached to the Regiment commanded by Colo. Andrew Neal, and Lieutenant Colo. Wm Hill and the division was commanded by Genl Sumpter in person. They marched through different parts of the State during the summer & fall and winter of 1780. He was engaged in the attack made on the Brittish and Tories at a place called the Rocky Mount in that latter of the summer as well as he recollects of 1780 in which attack Colo. Neal was killed and finding themselves overpowered from the Superior force and position of the enemy they there ordered to retreat

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after Colo Neal was killed Wm Hill acted as Colo. Commandant and Joseph How as Lieutenant Colo. From the Rocky Mount the marched to a place called the Hanging Rock on the Catawba river there they attacked a body of Tories under the command of one Colo Brien a Torie who had fled from North to South Carolina. The Tories were routed with considerable loss, they received assistance during the engagement from the Brittish Army that there encamped about a half a mile from the Tories encampment they attacked likewise the Brittish Army in camp and drove them from the ground, they forever made a rigorous charge in return and again occupied the ground, they went into Winter Quarters in the Indian lands between North and South Carolina and whenever the weather would allow there engaged in scouting parties against the Tories, Declarant was of detached with others from the Army to asses Joseph Bogg the Contractor in furnishing Army with provissions in the heaking up Winter in the spring of 1781. Declarant was detached with a company of Spies down the Congaree river to a Fort called Fridays Fort on the Congaree opposite to Ankram's plantation, when the Army arrived the attacked the Fort and the Brittish surrendered, from Fridays

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th Fort they marched down the Congaree either to a Fort erected by the Brittish called Brockhead Fort (situated on a hill the Brittish at first refused to surrender) the American Army was engaged nearly a week in making entrenchments and the Fort preparitory to blowing up the entrenchment around the works and when they found this would be done the Brittish surrendered the Fort from this point they marched (to a place called the Quarter house where some of the Brittish Army were in the habit of resting on this of Charleston) under Colo Wade Hampton they there engaged in a slight skirmish with the Brittish this took place as well as he recollects in August, from the Quarter house they made a return march a place called Monks Corner thirty two miles from Charlestown for the purpose of attacking a party of the Brittish who had taken up their quarters at a church called Benghams Church. When they arrived at the

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Church was evacuated by the Brittish and was in flames from this point they marched to Nelson's ferry on the Santee river where he was discharged the 18th of September 1781, having served in this tour of duty thirteen months. in the fall of 1781 shortly after he returned home he again volunteered in a company of militia raised by Capt Thompson in the District of York South Carolina was elected 1st Lieutenant in said Company and served as such for three months the Regiment to which he was attached was commanded by Colo Bratton they marched to Orangeburg under the command of Major Wallis, there he was engaged guarding the Brittish prisoners of War and the Torie prisoners who were confined at that place, there he remained until discharged. having serviced in this tour three months [illegible] after which Declarant volunteered for three months and again received the appointment of 1st Lieutenant, acted under the same officers and was engaged in the same employment as stated in the last preceeding tour making another tour of three months which he served out and was discharged

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and thus ended his Revolutionary services having served two years and one north nineteen months of which were performed in the capacity of a soldier and six months as Lieutenant, he has no documentary evidence what papers he had were burnt in his house about twelve years ago in Wilson County it is possible his commission was amongst them otherwise it was lost there is no living witness that he has any knowledge of by whom he can prove his services except Robert Criswell who was with him in a part of his service and knows he served as a soldier and Lieutenant, his neighbours will generally testify as to his character for truth William McCall whose certificate is annexed is a man of truth. Declarent lived in York District South Carolina when he entered the the service, he moved to Wilson County Tennessee in 1806 where he now resides and has resided ever since, he relinquishes all claim to a pension but the present his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State of the United States.
Henry Creswell
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 25th June 1833
J S McClain Clerk

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State of Tennessee
Wilson County
On this 25th day of June 1833 personally appeared in open court Robert Criswell a resident of Wilson County aged seventy four years and made oath that he knows that the applicant Henry Criswell was a soldier of the revolution, he was with him in a part of his service he knows that said Henry Creswell was elected Lieutenant in Captain Thompson's & Company in the Regiment commanded by Colo Bratton and served as such for six months, he was with him a part of the time applicant acted as a soldier he believes he served as a soldier nineteen months as well as he can remember he knows he was in service at the finest estimate two years.
Robert Criswell
Sworn to in open Court before me June 25th AD 1833.
J S McClain Clerk

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FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

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Pension Agent Nashville October 4th 1843
Received of Joel M Smith Pension agent thirty three dollars and seventy six cents being in full for five months and two days pension due Henry Creswell a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act of 1832 from the 4th day of March 1843, the time to which he was last paid, to the 6th day of August 1843 the day of his death, for which I have signed duplicate receipts
$33.76
J. A. Creswell Adm

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13926 West
Henry Criswell
Wilson County
Tennessee
from 1775 private
2 years $80

cannot allow as a Lieut.
p the written evidence

Robert M Buston
Lebanon, Tennessee,

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 16 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the service of Henry Criswell, Wilson Co. Tenn.
Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched.
volunteer 1775 3 [mos] Capt McAfee Colonel Neal Little River
draft 1776 3 [mos] Capt. Love same Stono Bacon's Bridge
Vol. 1780 [duration] not specified Capt Thompson same Rocky Mountain
1781 3 [mos] Lieut. Capt Patrick Fort Congaree
- [1781] 3 [mos] do [Lieut.] do. [Capt Patrick]
Place of abode when he entered the served, and age at the present period. 73 York District S. Carolina
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. tradition
Witness proves applicant was in service more than two whole years.

"In all more than two years in service"
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss.
County of
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier, Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer, Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
---
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a 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." It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which such 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 that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the 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 the seal of office.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

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STATE OF Tennessee
Wilson County. ss.
BE IT KNOWN, That before me John W. Alexander a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared John A. Creswell and made oath in due form of law, that he is the administrator of Henry Creswell the identical person who was a Pensioner and is now dead, and to whom a Certificate of Pension was issued, of which the following is a true copy:
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim
I certify, that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832. Henry Creswell of the State of Tennessee, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, is entitled to receive Eighty dollars and - cents per annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831. and 
payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year. Given at the War Office of the United States, this 11th day of September 1833.
Lew Cass
Secretary of War.
That the deceased Pensioner resided in Wilson County, in the State of Tennessee for the space of about Thirty or more years before his death, and that previous thereto he resided in South Carolina
J. A. Creswell
administrator
Sworn to and subscribed, this 2nd day of October, 1843.
John W. Alexander J.P.
administrator

[stamp] FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Page 22

STATE OF Tennessee
Wilson County. ss.
I Josiah S McClain Clerk of the Court of monthly Sessions holden at the Court House in the Town of Lebanon in and for said County, on the 2nd day of October 1843, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that Henry Creswell was a Pensioner of the United States, at the rate of Eighty dollars and cents per annum, was a resident of the County of Wilson in the State of Tennessee and died in the County of Wilson and State of Tennessee in the year 1843, on the 6th day of August that he left no widow but the following children, and only heirs. To wit, John A Creswell, Eli Creswell, Minor Creswell, Milas Creswell, William Creswell, Jane Brown formerly Jane Creswell and that John A Creswell is the Administrator of said Henry Creswell deceased, duly qualified as such according to law. I further certify that John W. Alexander is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Lebanon this 2nd day of October 1843.
J S McClain clerk
of Wilson County Court

Page 23

Rev War
3232
INVALID.
File No. 3232
* Henry Criswell
Pri. S.C. line
Act: June 7th / 32
Index:- Vol. A, Page 81
[Arrangement of 1870.]
*Henry Creswell Records corrected Feby 16 '04 a

Page 24

No. 24
Henry Creswell, decd.
Revy. 7 June 1832
From 4 March 1843 To 6 August 1843 $33.76

5 months, 2 days

Page 25

19467
Payments to be made at Nashville by the [illegible] of U S Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of West Tennessee

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E Vol. 7 Page 73 by Danl Boyd Clerk.

[stamp] FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Page 26

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Henry Criswell of the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Eighty dollars and - cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semiannually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 11th day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned.}
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Page 27

Henry Criswell
Amended Declaration

Page 28

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant Henry Criswell was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William McCall who assigned the Certificate attached to the original Declaration of the applicant is highly creditable person, and that Robert Criswell whose certificate is annexed is a creditable, As person, McCall the witness is a citizen of Sumner County Tennessee and Robert Criswell, and the applicant, Henry Criswell, are Citizens of Wilson County. Given under our hands and seals this 25th June 1833.
B Douglass J.P.
D. C. Hibbitts JP
J. M. Martin J.P.

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
I Josiah McClain Clerk of Wilson County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Henry Criswell for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this [page crease] of June 1833.
J. S. McClain

Page 29

Lebanon Tennessee
June 28th 1833
J L Edwards Esq

Inclosed I send you the Amended application of Henry Criswell for a pension - the objections taken at the Department have been carefully observed and as his original Declaration was drawn up in haste and by an unexperienced hand, I deemed it best in Justice to the claim of Mr Criswell to set his whole services out again. I hope all the objections are satisfactory answered, if the Department should be unwilling to allow him a pension as Lieutenant for six months which he the he is clear & proven in the accompanying evidence, then as the smallest part of Justice to the applicant, his services as an officer will be added to his services as a soldier, the man is poor and certainly needs as he has stated as he lives ten or twelve miles from this place he requests that you would forward his certificate to this place directed to me and I will give him the earliest information let it be payable at Nashville
Very Respectfully
Robert M Burton

Page 30

[stamp] LEBANON TEN. JUN 30
[stamp] FREE
J. L. Edwards Esq
Pension Agent
Washington City
mail

Tenn July 12

Henry Criswell's Amended application for a Pension