Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4231, for Abner Perry, North Carolina

Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
N C

Perry, Abner
Horton, Sarah
Former widow

NUMBER 
W.4231

CONTENTS

Page 2

[printed form, handwritten responses]
1813
North Carolina
Sarah Horton, fory [formerly]
widow of Abner Perry
who was a Capt.
In the Revolution
husband died in Decr. 1810

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
120 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
23rd day of June, 1846
and sent to
Jno. D. Hawking, Esq
Present
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
& 17th June ‘44
Recorded in Book W
Vol. 2 Page 155

Rejected
Ex by  RW Young Dec 10 1830

Page 3

7813
North Carolina
Sarah Horton decd formerly
widow of Abner Perry
NC
who was a Captain
in the Revolution
Incd from $120
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
Of 480 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843.
[illegible] Enog 4th August 1847
Certificate of Pension issued
the 14th day of April 1851
and sent to 
R.W. Young Esq
Present
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June
17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 155
153

Page 4

State of North Carolina )
County of Bertie            )
Be it known, that before me a Justice
of the Peace, in and for said County, personally
appeared Abner J. Perry and made oath in due
form of law, that he is the Executer of Sarah
Horton deceased, (the widow of Abner Perry a Cap-
tain in the revolutionary war) who received a pen-
sion from the united states, on account of the ser-
vices of said Perry as aforesaid, until the day
of his death, on the 4th of August 1847, at the 
rate of $120. per annum; and that he makes
this declaration for the purpose of recovering
any increase and arrears of Pension, which 
may be due the said Sarah Horton as afore-
said, under any acts or resolutions of Congress
which may be applicable to her case.
Abner Perry

Sworn & subscribed             )
this 21st day of March 1837 )
before me.                             ) 
Perry C. Tyler (Justice of the peace)

Page 5

State of North Carolina
I Elisha A Rhodes Clerk of Bertie County Court
of pleas and quarter sessions do hereby certify that Perry C Tyler Esqr.
whose signature & attestation appears within, is an acting Justice
of the peace of the said County and that full faith & credit
should be given to his official acts as such-
In testimony of whereof I hereunto sub-
scribe my name and affix the seal
of my office as the court house in
Windsor the 3rd day of April 1857
EA Rhodes
Clk

Page 6

S571
S46

Page 7

[printed form, handwritten responses]
MADISONIAN OFFICE. 

I HEREBY CERTIFY, that the accompanying pages numbered from 1
to 13, inclusive, are truly copied from the originals in the Office of the
Commissioner of Pensions.
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That James L. Edwards, who has signed the fore-
going certificate, is Commissioner of Pensions; and that to his attestations
full faith and credit are and ought to be given.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the 
Department to be affixed, on this eleventh
day of May in the year of 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
Forty-four.
Wm Wilkins
Secretary of War.
[seal]

Page 8

1
Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of
the act of Congress of 7th July 1838, entitled an act
granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.

State of North Carolina )
Bertie County                )
On this 12th day of July 1843 personally
appeared before the subscribed one of the Justices of the
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for said
county, Mrs. Sarah Horton resident of Bertie County
and late of Hertford Count North Carolina aged 71 
years, who being first duly sworn according to law,
doth on her oath make the following declaration in
order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by Act
of Congress passed 7th July 1838 entitled an act granting
half pay and pensions to certain widows; That she is 
the widow of Elisha Horton and was formerly the widow 
of Abner Perry who was a Captain in the Militia of 
North Carolina during the war of the Revolution. That he
served more than two years as Captain as will more ful-
ly appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed; She
further declares that she was first married in March 1793
and that her husband Captain Abner Perry died in month 
of December 1810 That she was not married to Captain
Perry prior to his leaving the service but the marriage
took place afterwards as stated She further declares that
she has no record of her marriage or the ages of her chil=
dren the one that was kept has been lost or mislaid
That she afterwards married Mr. Horton & is still the
widow of Elisha Horton.
Sarah Horton

Page 9

2
State of Noth Carolina  )
Bertie County                )
Personally appeared before 
me Mrs. Sarah Horton who subscribed & swore to
the foregoing declaration in due form of law.  I
also certify that Mrs. Horton very old & infirm old
Lady and resides twenty six miles from Windsor the
seat of Justice  I consider her attendance on Court and 
the distance she would have to go would greatly jeopar
dize her health.
Perry C. Tyler (seal)

State of Noth Carolina  )
Bertie County                 )
The affidavit of Wright Conner taken
to prove the services of Capt. Abner Perry in the war
of the Revolution This affiant being first duly sworn ac=
cording to law testifieth and says that he was well
acquainted with Captain Abner Perry and can testify to
the following service rendered in the revolution The first
time I saw Abner Perry he was then a Lieutenant of a 
Company commanded by Captain Withington. he was in
Winton North Carolina in October 1778; in Nov 1778
he marched to South Carolina: he was in the battle of
Briar Creek in March 1779, and continued in service
until after the defeat of Genl. Gates in August of the
same year. Capt Perry was in service in South Caro=
lina in 1778 and 79 for the period of twelve months;
after the defeat of Gates about two or three months
Capt. Perry returned home- In the month of January
1781

Page 10

3
1718 Capt Perry was again called into service & joined Genl. Eaton and marched to Guilford & was
in that action he continued with Genl. Green and 
marched with him to South Carolina under the com=
mand of Genl. Sumner and was in the battle of 
Eutaw Springs; in Sept 1791 he was in service & from
home more than twelve months in this service- Capt.
Perry lived all his life near me so that I have a
perfect knowledge of his service in the revolution &
I also well know his widow who is now applying
for a pension & the period of her marriage; her name
was Sarah Jordon & she was married to my knowledge
in March 1793. Capt. Perry Died in December 1810 &
his widow married Elisha Horton.
Wright Conner

State of North Carolina )
Bertie County                 )
This day appeared before me a 
Justice of the Court of pleas & Quarter sessions for the County
of Bertie, Wright Conner of said county and subscri=
bed & swore to the foregoing affidavit in due form of
law. I also certify that Mr. Conner is well known to
me as a man of unimpeachable veracity, and not with=
standing his advanced age he retains all his faculties
unimpaired so that his evidence may be relied.
Given under my hand & seal
this 12th July 1843.
Perry C. Tyler (seal)

Page 11

4
State of North Carolina
Bertie County
I Jonathan S. Taylor Clerk
of the Coury of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County
of Bertie do hereby certify that Perry. C. Tyler is a 
Justice of the Peace of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessi=
ons for the County of Bertie, and that his signature
above is genuine-
Given under my hand and Seal
of said Court at Windsor NoCa.
this 13th day of July A.D. 1843.
Jona. S. Taylor
Clk.
(seal)

Page 12

5
State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            )
The affidavit of Charles Powell
now a pensioner of the United States taken to prove the
services of Captain Abner Perry in the war of the Re=
volution: This affiant being first duly sworn according
to law testifies and says, that he was well acquainted
with Capt. Abner Perry and can testify to the following
service which he rendered in the Revolution. The first 
service in which Captain Perry was engaged was when 
Suffolk was burnt by the enemy; he was then a Lieute=
nant
of a Company commanded by Captain Withington
and was from home two months, and on his return he
in the same year marched to put down the Tories on
the Cape Fear River under the same Captain and was
in the action with them at Moors Creek; from thence
he marched to Wilmington and assisted in preventing
the enemy from taking that place; his service in this ex-=
edition was four months. This service was in 1776-
In the fall of 1778 he marched to South Carolina and
was at the Battle of Briar Creek & remained in the 
service until after the defeat of Genl. Gates. In August of
1780 the same year Captain Perry was wounded; in this
engagement he served as Captain in South Carolina
& Georgia in 1778 & 1779 for the period of twelve months
& returned home; Captain Perry was again called into
service in the month of January, 1781 and joined Genl.
Eaton and marched to Guildford and was in that ac=
tion he continued with Gen. Green and matched with 
him to South Carolina under the command of Genl.
Sumner and was in the battle of Eutaw Springs; he was

Page 13

6
Was from home & in service more than twelve months
In this service. I was in the South with Captain Per=
ry a part of the time & I left Captain Perry in 
the service.  Capt. Perry lived all his life in a short
distance of me, so that I am well acquainted with
his services in the Revolution, and I also well know his 
widow now applying for a pension & the period of 
her marriage--she was married in the month of 
march 1793 and Captain Abner Perry died in Decem=
ber 1810: her name was Sarah Jordan--after the
death of Captain Perry his widow married Mr. Elisha
Horton 1819:  he lived fifteen or sixteen years & died,
but I do not recollect the precise time & she is now
the widow Horton--The time of the marriage of Captain
Perry I am able to speak certainly of, because my own 
marriage took place the next year- June 1794.
Charles Powell.

State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            )
This day personally appeared 
before me a Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter
sessions Charles Powell aged 85 years a resident of said
County and subscriber & swore to the foregoing affidavit
in due form of law  I certify that I am well acquain=
ted with Mr. Powell I know him to be a man of high
standing & of strict veracity and notwithstanding his 
advanced age he retains all his faculties unimpaired
so that his evidence may be entirely relied on.
Given under my hand and seal
this 15th day of July 1843
Jno. Vann (seal)

Page 14

7
State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            )
This day personally appeared 
before me Wright Nichols aged 82 years who being first
duly sworn testifies and says--That he was born and 
raised in the same neighbourhood with Capt. Abner Perry
and knew him up to his death in 1810- In the fall of 1778
this affiant was drafted and mustered in the Company
of Captn. Perry to go to South Carolina and marched two
days on the way to head quarters where he was taken
sick and discharged. Captn. Perry went on to Tarboro and
thence to the South, and remained there until the defeat
of Genl. Gates; in that action he had his leg broken which
caused his long detention from home--after his return he
was several times in service, the commencement and termi=
nation of which I am unable to state with precision; my
recollection of it fully confirms the statement of Mr. Conner
and Mr. Powell- my health incapacitated me from per=
forming service during all the war; but living as I did
near to Captn. Perry I had the best right to know of his ser=
vices--and after the close of the war and up to his death,
we were neighbors and friends, and when he died he made
me his Executor, in which capacity I have acted-- I will
here say that Majr. [Major] Frank Pugh had the command of the
Troops when I started to go with Captn. Perry;
In relation to the period of the marriage of Capt Perry
this affiant can speak with great certainty, from the fact
that this affiant has a record of his own marriage which
was on the 17th of April 1793- and Captn. Perry was mar=
ried 
to his widow, now applying for a pension, one month before;
The precise day I do not recollect.
Wright Nichols

Page 15

8
State of North Carolina  )
Hertford County             )
This day personally appeared
before me one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and 
Quarter sessions for Hertford County Wright Nichols and
subscribed and swore to the foregoing affidavit in due 
form of law- I also certify that Mr. Nichols is one
of the oldest and most respectable men of this county-
and that all faith and credit is due to his testimony.
Given under my hand and seal this 23d day of
November 1843.
Jno. Vann JP JP

State of North Carolina  )
Hertford County             )
The affidavit of Henry Best ta
ken to prove the services of Captn. Abner Perry in the War
of the Revolution- Being first duly sworn according to
law testifies and says- That he was well acquainted
with Capt. Perry and can testify to the following service
rendered by him--He was in 1776 in service when
Suffolk in Va. was burnt, and on his return he marched
from Winton as a Lieutenant of the Company commanded
by Capt. Withington and at Tarboro he joined Col. Jonas
Johnston and marched to near Cross Creek and fought
the battle of Moors Creek.  I was in this service: we were then
marched under the command of Col. Johnston to Wilming=
ton and remained there three months; this service and
that to Va. was fully five months--In the month of Jan=
uary 1779 he marched to South Carolina and, as I 
have

Page 16

9
have after heard him say, was in the action at Briar
Creek--He remained in South Carolina and had the com=
mand of other men than those he marched from this
county with--He certainly remained until after the de=
feat of Genl. Gates, for in that action he had his leg
broken by a ball--That he was more than twelve
months detained there in service and by his wound, I 
well know. Majr. Frank Pugh was in command when
Capt. Perry started on this expedition- Capt. Perry was
again in service in February 1781. he marched to Hal=
ifax and there joining Genl. Eaton and proceeded to Genl.
Green’s army and was in the action at Guildford Court
House-- all the militia were dispersed there; and such as
could be found were mustered into service for nine months;
the company of Capt Perry went with Genl Green to South
Carolina and remained until the fall; he was at Eutaw
Springs under Genl. Sumner-- and returned home in Octo=
ber of that year. I well know that Capt. Perry served as
a Captain from the time I was with and under him at
Moors Creek and Wilmington, to the close of the war.
Henry Best

State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            )
This day personally appeared 
before me Henry Best, one of the oldest and most reput=
able Citizens of the county, and subscribed and sworn to
the foregoing affidavit in due form of law.
Given under my hand and seal this 27th day of Novr.
1843.
Jno. Vann

Page 17

10 
State of North Carolina  )
Hertford County             )
This day personally appeared before
me John Vann, Esq. aged 75 years who being first 
duly sworn according to law testifies and says--That
from a very early period he knew Captn. Abner Perry
and continued to know him up to his death in 1810.  I
have every reason to know that Abner Perry was a Cap-
tain in the Revolution and served several tours of duty in
that rank; I say every reason short of having served under
him- I was not old enough to do that: But from my own
recollections, aided by the testimony of Mr. Nichols, Mr. Powell,
Mr. Conner and Mr. Best, all of whom are known to me as
persons of unquestionable truth & veracity, there is not
one doubt in my mind that he has performed all the 
service they have testified to- in the course of a long life
I have never heard it questioned that Capt. Perry did serve;
on the contrary, I have often heard his meritorious services
spoken of, by those who served with him- But there
was better evidence of his being in the service of the coun=
try:  in the defeat of Genl. Gates he was wounded and had
his leg broken and he was necessarily detained there some 
time before his return home, is well known to me. In relation
to his marriage I cannot speak with that certainty that
Mr. Nichols has:  but my recollection of the time corres=
ponds strictly with his- But what is conclusive of the 
fact is this; his oldest daughter, if now alive, I know
would be upwards of 50 years old- Mrs. Horton (formerly
Mrs. Perry) has been married three time since the death
of Capt. Perry- her repeated changes of residence connected
with the fact that the records of our Court were destroyed 
by

Page 18

11
by the hand of an incendiary in 1830- will well account
for her inability to furnish record testimony of her marriage.
Jno. Vann

State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            )
This day personally appeared be=
fore me John Vann Esq. one of the oldest and most respect-
ble citizens of this county and subscribed and sworn to the
foregoing affidavit in due form of law.
Given under my hand and seal this 27th day of Nov. 1843.

State of North Carolina )
Bertie County                 )
This day personally appeared before
me Josiah Holley, Esqr. aged seventy eight years who
being first duly sworn according to law, testifies and says-
That he had, for a long period, an intimate acquaintance
and friendship with Capt Abner Perry up to the period
of his death- I have been called on to state my recollec=
tion of his marriage and the time it took place, which
I feel myself very able to do:  as it was by and thro' my
advice he courted and married her. I have had the
testimony of Mr. Whight Nichols read to me, and I 
fully confirm his statement upon the subject--In the
absence of any information of my own, the statement of 
Mr. Nichols would be conclusive with me; because I know him
to be a man of strictest veracity--and being the neigh=
bour and friend of Capt. Perry and his executor he
had

Page 19

12
had every right to know. My recollection of the
age of the first and oldest child of Capt Perry in=
ables [enables] me to say (if alive) she is more than 50 years 
of age-
Jos Holley

State of North Carolina  )
Bertie County                 )
This day personally appeared 
before me Josiah Holley Esq. and subscribed and 
swore to the foregoing affidavit in due form of law: I
also certify that Mr. Holley is an old and most re=
spectable citizen of this county and full faith and 
credit is due to his testimony.
Given under my hand & seal this 24th day of Nov. 1843.
J.H. Ethridge, JP

State of North Carolina  )
Hertford County              )
Court of Pleas & Quarter Ses=
sions, November Term 1843.
It is ordered by the Court, now in session, to be cer=
tified to the Commissioner of Pensions that the evi=
dence of Charles Powell, Wright Nichols, Henry Best,
Wright Conner, John Vann and Josiah Holley who
have testified to the Revolutionary services of Captain
Abner Perry late of this county in order to establish
the right of his widow to a pension, has been present=
ed to the court and examined--and the Court here=
by certify that the above named persons are all
citizens

Page 20

13
citizens of this county (with the exception of Mr Holley)
who is well known to the Court-
The Court certify that they are all persons of the high=
est respectability, and that full faith and credit is 
due to their testimony--It is also certified that the 
records of this Court were destroyed by fire in the
year 1830--and all the records date from that period.
I certify that the foregoing proceedings
were had before the Court now in session.
In testimony whereof I have hereto 
subscribed my name and affixed the 
Seal of my Office at Winton this 27th
day of November A.D. 1843.
S.M. Cowper Clk.
(seal)

Page 21

State of North Carolina  )
Bertie County                  )
I Elisha A Rhodes
Clerk of Bertie County Court of pleas and quarter
sessions do hereby certify that the last Will and the testament  
of Sally Horton decd was admitted to probate in Said
Court at August Term 1837.  & that Abner J Perry
her son was left executor to the said Will-- I further
certify that the said Abner J Perry was the sole executor [illegible]
to the said Will--& that he is the only surviving child
of the said Sally Horton- The said Will was duly
recorded on the Will Gook "G"  In testimony of
which I hereunto subscribe my
name and affix the seal of my office
at the Court house in Windsor the 3rd
day of April 1837.
EA Rhodes
Clk
(seal)

Page 22

10599
9161 
Act 43 8695
Act 44 59
Sarah Horton
N.C
widow of Capt. Abner Perry
Act 7. July 38
comd
6 mo. Capt
$120
Pg
Also act 43 & 44
$120
Jno D. Hawkins Esq
Present
1916

Page 23

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of congress of 
7th July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions
to certain widows
State of North Carolina  )
Birtie County                   )
On this 12th day of July 1843 personally
appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices of the 
court of Pleas and quarter Sessions in and for said
county Mrs Sarah Horton resident of Birtie County
and late of Hertford County North Carolina aged 
71 years who being first duly sworn according to Law
doth on her oath make the following declaration in 
order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by
Act of Congress passed 7th July 1838 entitled an act granting
half pay and pensions to certain widows; That she is
the widow of [crossed out] Horton and was formerly the widow
of Abner Perry who was a captain in the militia of
North Carolina during the war of the Revolution.
That he served more than two years as Captain as
will more fully appear by reference to the proof
hereunto annexed; she farther declares that 
she was first married in March 1793 and that
her husband Captain Abner Perry died in month
of December 1810 That she was not married 
to Captain Perry prior to his leaving the service
but the marriage took place afterwards
as stated she farther declares that she
has no record of her marriage or the ages of
her children the one that was kept has been
lost or mislaid That she after wards
married Mr. Horton & is still the widow

Page 24

of Elisha Horton
Sarah Horton

State of North Carolina  )
Birtie County                   )
Personally appeared before
me Mrs. Sarah Horton who subscribed & swore
to the foregoing declaration in due form of
Law.  I also certify that Mrs Horton is very
old & infirm old Lady and resides twenty
six miles from Windsor the seat of Justice
I consider her attendance on court- and
the distance she would have to go would 
greatly jeopardize her health
Perry C Tyler (seal)

Page 25

State of North Carolina)
Bertie County                )
The affidavit of Wright Conner taken 
to prove the the [sic] Services of Capt
Abner Perry in the war of the revolution This affiant
being first duly sworn according to Law testifieth
and say That he was well acquainted with
Captain Abner Perry and can testify to the following
Service rendered in the Revolution The first
time I saw Abner Perry he was then a Lieutenant
of a Company commanded by Captain Withington
he was in Winton North Carolina in October 1778
in Nov 1778 he marched to South Carolina he
was in the battle of Briar Creek in March 1779 and continued in service until after the
defeat of Genl Gates in august of the same year
Capt Perry was in service in South Carolina
in 1778 and 79 for the previous of twelve months.
after the defeat of Gates about two or three months
Capt Perry returned home.  In the month 
of January 1781 Capt Perry was again
called into service & joined Genl Eaton
and marched to Guilford & was in that 
action he continued with Genl Green and
marched with him to South Carolina under
the command of Genl Sumner and was in the 
battle of eutaw springs in Sept 1781 he was
in service & from home more than twelve
months in this service.  Capt Perry
lived all his life near me so that I
have a perfect knowledge of his service
in the revolution & I also well know his 
widow who is now applying for a pension

Page 26

& the period of her her [sic] marriage her name
was Sarah Gordon & she was married to
my knowledge in march1793 Capt Perry
died in December 1810 & his widow married
Elisha Horton
Wright Conner

Page 27

State of North Carolina  )
Bertie County                 ) 
This day appeared before me a Justice
of the Court pleas & quarter sessions for the County of Bertie
Wright Conner of said County and subscribed &
swore to the foregoing affidavit in-due form of Law
I also certify that Mr Conner is well known
to me as a man of unimpeachable varacity
[veracity] 
and not with standing his advanced age however
retains all his faculties unimpaired so that 
his evidence may be relied
Given under my hand & seal
this 12th July 1843
Perry C. Tyler (seal)

State of North Carolina
Bertie County. I Jonathan S Taylor Clerk of
the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for the County
of Bertie do hereby certify that Perry C
Tyler is a Justice of the Peace of the Court
of pleas and quarter sessions for the County
of Bertie, and that his Signature above 
is genuine-
Given under my hand and 
seal of said Court at
Windsor NoCa this 13th
day of July AD 1843
Jon. S. Taylor
Clk

Page 28

Sarah Horton 
died 4 Augt ‘47

Page 29

9161
Let. to Hon R.M. Saunders
Sept 5. ‘45
to same Oct 8 ‘45
to. to Hon. J.R.J. Daniel
H.R. Jan 23. 1846

Page 30

No 10599
Sarah Horton
N Carolina
Suspd.
July 7 1838
see letter from Sec. War Nov 26.1844 to Hon.
R.M. Saunders concurring with Coms of Pas.
Let to Hon R.M. Saunders
Apl 16 1844, paper copy
for same May 14. 1844.
Let. to Hon. Sec War June 6. 1844
“ [Let.] to Hon. K. Rayner Dec 19. ‘44
“ [Let.] to Hon R.M. Saunders Jan 24. 1845.
“ [Let.] to Hon. Wm. Wilkins Feb 13. ‘45

Let to Hon. R. M. Saunders
July 9. ‘45

Page 31

Facts statmt
Further case of Wm Horton
for
A Pension

1843
50
[total][18]93-

Page 32

To Col. James L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions.
Sir,
I have examined attentively your Report or decision 
made on the claim of Mrs. Sarah Horton for a Pension. And I shall
now proceed to reply to it.  In which I shall call your attention
to all the evidence on file in your office.  And after the most
mature reflection I am bound to say, that if this case cannot
be allowed upon the proofs now before you, it would be
a useless waste of time to seek for additional record or Parole
evidence to support it. If the evidence of 5 reputable citizens in 
No. Carolina, certified to you, by the court of the county where they
reside, and by their immediate Representative in Congress
(Mr. Rayner) as being persons of the highest imputability, and
whose credibility should not be impeached--supported too
by the Records of the State of No. Carolina.  If this is not suffici-
-ent in your opinion to allow the claim, then I regret to say,
that the widows of officers and soldiers of the Revolution in
No. Carolina, are denied a participation in the provision
made by the acts of Congress granting Pensions-- And that
Record or Parole proof going from No. Carolina is nor
regarded.
I will now proceed to show, that the objections in your
Report, are not only in opposition, to the evidence, on
file, but in direct conflict with the Rules of your office
governing such cases.
Your first objection is, “That there is no satisfactory evidence
that Captn. Abner Perry held the Rank of Captain.”
In answer to this I have first to call your attention to the
fact, that there is now on file in your office with the papers
in the case, a certificate of Mr. Hill Secretary of state of
No. Carolina in which it is expressly certified that Captain
Perry did hold the Rank of Captain in the third division
of the Militia of Hertford County.  And the certificate of the
comptroller certifies that Abner Perrys name appears of Record
in his office, and that he recd. £78.15 as pay. Put these

Page 33

two certificates together, and they surely make the Record
proof full, of his commission as Captain, & pay to the 
amount of £78.15.
Your second objection is, “that there is no satisfactory proof
that Captain Perry served 6 months.”  In answer to this I
have to refer you to the evidence on file. To the evidence of
Messrs Pawel, Best, Nichols, Hally, and Vann, most of
whom testafy [testify] that they served under Captain Perry and
they prove that Captain Abner Perry did serve more than
2 years--Now unless 5 most reputable men, whose
evidence you are told by the Court of Hertford County
cannot be impeached; and in addition to that, the certificate
of Mr. Raynor to the same effect--Unless these men have
been guilty of wilful [willful] perjury in a matter they had no interest 
in, but to speak the Truth- you are bound to believe
that Captn. Perry not only served as they have testafied [testified]
but held the Rank of Captain. If the evidence of 5 most
reputable men, is insufficient to establish the facts of a 
case, it would be useless to ask for others, particularly
when their evidence is supported by the Records of the
State of No. Carolina, showing the Rank of Captn. Abner
Perry, and that payments were made to him for his
services.  The only remaining objection is that Wright
Conner testafies [testifies] to Captn. Perry serving 12 months, which
you say cannot be credited, because the Militia were never
called on for 12 months service. Your silence in relation
to the balance of the evidence, would leave the impression
that Conner was the only witness in the case, when there
are 6 others, to whom you make no objection. By refusing
how ever to the evidence on file, you will perceive, that Mr. Conner
is fully justified in what he has said.  Captn. Perry was
at Gates’ defeat, and had his Leg shattered by a Ball, and 
it caused him to be a cripple all his life, and it caused

Page 34

his detention in So Carolina.  Mr Conner computes
the time Captn. Perry served, and the time he was detained
from Home by the wound, and says it was 12 months.
And all the other witnesses speak of the fact that Captn.
Abner Perry was a cripple for life, and was detained 
from Home by the wound.
Having shown that the claim of Mrs. Horton is fully esta-
-blished by the evidence on file, I will now call
your attention to the Rules governing in such cases.
“The Claimant must in every case where there is no
“Record or documentary proof of the Revolutionary
“services of a deceased officer, or soldier, produce the
“Testamony [Testimony] of at least one credible witness--Tradi-
"tionary evidence will be deemed useful in such
"cases.”  Unless this rule is totally disregarded the case
of Mrs. Horton is clearly made out.  By the rule, one
credible Witness "is deemed sufficient.”  The case of Mrs.
Horton is proved by 6 witnesses of the highest reputability,
so certified by the court and by Mr. Rayner, and sustained
by Record evidence taken from the offices of state, and
comptroller of No, Carolina.  & The constructed placed upon
the Pension Laws, requiring of widows, a higher grade 
of proof, than would be required of their Husbands,
is shown to be in direct conflict with the act of Congress
recently passed.
The high personal and official respect I have for 
you, gives me confidence, that this fair explanation of the 
claim of Mrs. Horton, will have the effect, of inducing
you to do her that Justice, to which I am sure she is entitled.
I am very respectfully
Jno D. Hawkins
for Sarah Horton.

Page 35

Time of Mrs
Hortons death.

Page 36

Sarah Horton, widow of
Abner Perry of the North Carolina
roll, act 1838 ’43 R 44 appears
from the books of this office to
have died on the 4th August 1847.
Third Auditor's Office
March 12th 1851.
Jno S. Gallaher
Aud.

Page 37

I should have 
sent this at the 
time I sent the
certificate of the
Comptroller shows
the amt. drawn
by Abner Perry--
This is to show the
fact of his being
in service & that
he was a Captain
R. M. I
In the case
of Sarah Horton
R Nc S

Page 38

State of North Carolina
Office of Secretary of State
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the state of 
North Carolina, do hereby certify that there is in this
office a list of draughted militia under the follow-
ing Caption, Viz, The third Division of the Militia
'Draughted in the Regiment of Hertford County,’ in which
is the name of 'Capt. Perry'; which said list is certified
to be a copy by Benjamin Wynns Colo.
Given under my hand this 24th day
of February 1845.
Wm Hill Secretary
of State

Page 39

Raleigh May 26- '45
Sir-
You rejected the claim of
the Widow of Captain Abner Perry
for the want of certainty of 
the length of service & because
it rested alone on parole
proof--the proof I thought
strong enough to authorize
the allowance--But the Sec of
War confirmed your decision.
The recent examination of the 
Books of the Military Board in
this State--has brought to
light much information of
these pension claims-
I enclose the certificate of
the Comptroller-- which fur-
=nishes documentary Proof
of Captain Perry being in service
This allowance at the rate of 
$250 to the pension accounting
to [illegible] $200- this I think will sustain
the claim for at least 12. months--
I must request you to reconsider
the whole number as if you can
=[illegible]

Page 40

do so, as this case was carried
before the Secy I must request
you to lay this certificate
before him & to call his
attention to it-
respectfully
R.M. Saunders
J.L. Edwards Esq
[illegible]

The widow is Mrs Horton--she
having married the second time.

Page 41

Increase
["Sarah Horton" is crossed out]
18 mo Capt. $360
per ann is fully
proved in this
claim-- If the parol testi-
-mony is to be taken, there
will be evidence of more than
2 yrs service.
Is the widow dead?  If so,
evidence wanting of the fact
and the no children left

Page 42

Wright Conner says Perry was Lt. in Capt. Wit-
tington’s Co. from Oct 1778 to Augt. 1779. Was in service
12 mo. then. In Jan’y 1781 was Capt more than 12 mo.
Chs. Powell says Perry served 2 mo. under Capt. Whittington. Same
year, (’76.) do [ditto] 4 mo. Capt in ’78 & ’79 for 12 mo. In ’81 Capt
more than 12 mo.  Witness under him part of the time.
Wright Nichols says that in ’78 he was drafted into Perry's Co. he
retd. sick.  Perry was wounded at Gates’ defeat & detained from
home 12 mo. Was often after in service.
Henry Best says Perry was Lt. in 76 5 mo. In ’79 was more than
12 mo Capt.  In ’81 again a long time in service.
Jno Vann was too young to serve, he knows Perry did, & speaks
of his wound at Gates’ defeat.
The first definite period is from Oct ’78 to August 
79-- 9 mo Capt  $180.
The second is from January 1781 till after the
battle of the Eutaw Springs, which was Sep 8. 7781 [1781]-- say
9 months Capt $180

Page 43

[illegible] 9161
Sarah Horton
["Mrs Horton Claim" crossed out]
N.C.
Act 7. July 38-

Page 44

State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            )
The affidavit of Charles Powell now as
a pensioner of the united States taken to prove
the services of Captain Abner Perry in the war of the Revolution: This 
afiant [affiant] being first duly sworn according to Law testifies and says That
he was well acquainted with Capt Abner Perry and can testify to the
following service which he rendered in the Revolution. The first Service 
in which Captain Perry was engaged was when Suffolk was 
burnt by the enemy he was then a Lieutenant of a company commanded
by Captain Wittington & was from home two months and on his
return he in the same year marched to put down the Tories on
the Cape Fear River under the same Captain and was in the 
action with them at Moors creek from thence he marched to Wilm=
ington and assisted in preventing the enemy from taken that place
his service in this expedition was four months this service
was in 1776- In the fall of 1778 he marched to South Carolina
and was at the Battle of Briar Creek & remained in the Service
until after the defeat of Genl. Gates in August of (1780) the same
year Captain Perry was wounded in this engagement he 
served as Captain in South Carolina & Georgea in 1778 &
1779 for the period of twelve months & returned home: Captain
Perry was again called into service in the month of January
1781 and joined Genl. Eaton and march to Guildford and was in
that action he continued with Gen Green and marched
with him to South Carolina under the command of Genl.
Sumner and was in the Battle of Eutaw Springs he was 
from home & in service more than twelve months in this 
Service. I was in the south with Captain Perry a
part of the time & I left Captain Perry in the service
Capt Perry lived all his life in a short distance of me
so that I am well acquainted with his services in
the Revolution and I also well know his widow
now applying for a pension & the period of her marriage

Page 45

she was married in the month of March 1793
and Captain Abner Perry died in December
1810 her name was Sarah Jordan & after the 
death of Captain Perry his widow married
Mr Elisha Horton 1819 he lived fifteen or
sixteen years & died but I do not recc-
ollect the precise time & she is now
the widow Horton. The time of the marriage
of Captain Perry I am able to speak certainly 
of because my own marriage took place
the next year June 1794
Charles Powell

State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            ) 
This day personally app=
eared before me a Justice of the Court of Pleas
and Quarter sessions Charles Powell aged 85 years
a resident of said County and subscribed & swore
to the foregoing affidavit in due form of Law I
certify that I am well acquainted with Mr
Powell & know him to be a man of high
standing & of strict veracity and notwithstanding
his advanced age he retains all his faculties--
unimpaired so that his evidence may be 
entirely relied on Given under my hand
and seal this 15th day of July 1843.
Jno Vann (seal)

Page 46

State of North Carolina )
Hertford County             ) 
This day personally appeared
before me Wright Nichols aged 82 years, who being
first duly sworn testifies and says--That he was born
and raised in the same neighborhood with Captn
Abner Perry and knew him up to his death in 1810-
In the fall of 1778 this affiant was drafted and mustered
in the Company of Captn Perry to go to South Carolina and
marched two days on the way to head quarters when he
was taken sick and discharged Captn Perry went on to
Tarboro and thence to the south and remained there
until the defeat of Gnl Gates; in that action he had his
leg broken which caused his long detention from home-
after his return he was several times in service the com=
mencement and termination of which I am unable to 
state with precision; my recollection of it fully con=
firms the statements of Mr. Conner and Mr Powell--
my health incapacitated me from performing service
during all the war, but living as I did near to Captn Perry
I had the best right to know of his services-- and after
the close of the war and up to his death we were neigh=
bours and friends and when he died he made me
his Executor in which capacity I have acted. I will here
say that Major Frank Pugh had command of the Troops
when I started to go with Captain Perry-

Page 47

for relation to the period of the marriage of Capt
Perry this affiant can speak with great certainty from
the fact that this affiant has a record of his own marriage
which was on the 17th of April 1793--and Captn Perry was
married to his widow now applying for a pension one
month before, the precise day I do not recollect.
Wright Nichols

State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            ) This day personally appeared
before me on of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter
sessions for Hertford County Wright Nichols and sub=
scribed and swore to the foregoing affidavit in due
form of Law. I also certify that Mr Nichols is one of
the oldest and most respectable men of this county-
and that all faith and credit is due to his testimony
Given under my hand and seal this 23 day 
of November 1843
Jno Vann (seal)

Page 48

State of North Carolina ) 
Hertford County            )
The affidavit of Henry Best taken
to prove the services of Captn: Abner
Perry in the war of the Revolution. Being first duly sworn
according to Law testifies and says--That he was well ac=
quainted with Captn. Perry and can testify to the following
service rendered by him- He was in 1776 in service when
Suffolk in Va: was burnt and on his return he marched from
Winton as a Lieutenant of the company commanded by Capn.
Witherington and at Tarboro he joined Col Jonas Johnston
and marched to near cross creek and fought the battle of
moores [moors] creek I was in this service; we were then marched
under the command of Col Johnston to Wilmington and
remained there three months, this service and that to Va:
was fully five months- In the month of January 1779 he 
marched for South Carolina and as I have often heard
him say was in the action at Brier Creek. He remained in
South Carolina and had the command of other men than
those he marched from this county with. He certainly
remained until after the defeat of Gnl Gates for in
that action he had his leg broken by a ball. That he 
was more than twelve months detained there in service
and by his wound I well know. Major Frank Pugh was
in command when Captn Perry started on this expedition-
Captn Perry was again in service in February 1781. he 
marched to Halifax and there joined Gnl Eaton and
proceeded to Gnl Greens army and was in the action

Page 49

at Guilford Court House. All the militia were dispersed
there; and such as could be found were mustered into
service for nine months; the company of Captn: Perry went 
with Gnl Green to South Carolina and remained until the
fall he was at Eutaw Springs under Gnl Sumner- and
returned home in October of that year. I well know that Captn
Perry served as a captain from the time I was with and under him
at moor creek and Wilmington to the close of the war.
Henry Best

State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            )
This day personally appeared 
before me Henry Best one of the oldest and most
respectable citizens of this county and subscribed
and swore to the foregoing affidavit in due form
of Law.
Given under my hand and seal this 27th day
of Nov 1843-
Jno Vann (JP)

Page 50

State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            )
This day personally appeared
before me John Vann Esqr
aged 75 years who being first duly sworn according to
Law testafies [testifies] and says- That from a very early period
he knew Captn Abner Perry and continued to know him up
to his death in 1810. I have every reason to know that Abner
Perry was a captain in the Revolution and served several
tours of duty in that rank. I say every reason short of having
served under him- I was not old enough to do that. But per
my own recollections aided by the testamony [testimony] of Mr. Nichols
Mr Powell Mr Conner and Mr Best, all of whom are known
to me as persons of unquestionable truth & vuracity [veracity]; there is
not one doubt in my mind that he performed all the service
they have testafied [testified] to-- In the course of a long life I have
never heard it questioned that Captn Perry did serve; on the
contrary I have often heard this meritorious services spoken
of by those who served with him- But there was better evi=
dence of his being in the service of the country; in the defeat
of Gnal [Genl] Gates he was wounded and had his leg broken
and he was necessarily detained there some time before
his return home is well known to me. In relation to his
marriage I cannot speak with that certainty that Mr
Nichols has; but my recollection of the time corresponds
strictly with his. But what is conclusive of the fact is this
his eldest daughter if now alive I know would be upwards
of 50 years old. Mrs Horton (formerly Mrs Perry) has been
married [illegible] times since the death of Captn Perry

Page 51

her repeated changes of residence connected with the fact
that the records of our court were distroyed [destroyed] by the hand of
an incendiary in 1830. will well account for her inability
to furnish record testamony [testimony] of her marriage.
Jno Vann

State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            ) 
This day personally appeared before 
me John Vann Esqr one of the oldest and most respectable ci=
tizens of this county and subscribed and swore to the foregoing
affidavit in due form of Law.
Given under my hand and seal this 27th day of Novr: 1843.

Page 52

State of North Carolina )
Bertie County                 )
This day personally appeared
before me Josiah Holley Esqr aged seventy eight
years who being first duly sworn according to Law
testafies [testifies] and says- That he had for a long period
an intimate acquaintance and friendship with
Captn Abner Perry up to the period of his death.
I have been called on to state any recollection of
his marriage and the time it took place, which
I feel myself very able to do, as it was by and thro'
my advice he courted and married her. I have
had the testamony [testimony] of Mr Whight Nichols read to
me and I fully confirm his statement upon the
subject- In the absence of any information of my 
own the statement of Mr Nichols would be con=
clusive with me because I know him to be a 
man of the strictest veracity and being the neigh=
bour and friend of Captn Perry and his Executor
he had every right to know. My recollection of the
age of the first and oldest child of Captn Perry
inables [enables] me to say (if alive) she is more than 50 years 
of age.
Jos Holley

Page 53

State of North Carolina)
Bertie County                ) 
This day personally ap=
peared before me Josiah Holley Esqr and sub=
scribed and swore to the foregoing affidavit in
due form of Law; I also certify that Mr Holley
is an old and most respectable citizen of this
county and full faith and credit is due to his
testamony [testimony]
Given under my hand & seal this 24th day 
of Novr: 1843.
J.H. Etheridge, JP

Page 54

State of North Carolina )
Hertford County            ) 
Court of Pleas & Quarter
Sessions November Term 1843
It is ordered by the court now in session to
be certified to the commissioner of Pensions that
the evidence by Charles Powell Wright Nichols Henry
Best Wright Conner John Vann and Josiah Holley
who have testified to the Revolutionary services
of Captain Abner Perry late of this county in order
to establish the right of his widow to a pension; has
been presented to the court and examined__ and 
the court hereby certify that the above named per-
sons are all citizens of this county (with the exception
of Mr Holley) who is well known to the court.
The court certify that they are all persons of the 
heighest [highest] respectability and that full faith and credit
is due to their testamony [testimony]-- it is also certified that
the records of this court were destroyed by fire in
the year 1830- and all the records date from that 
period.
I certify that the foregoing proceedings
[page damage] had before the Court now in Session
In testimony whereof I have hereto
Subscribed my name & affixed the 
Seal of my Office at Winton this 27th
day of November A D 1843
S.M. Cowper, Clk

Page 55

Raleigh Augt 1./45
Sir- I return the certificate which
was intended to be filed in 
the case of Sarah Horton--
In this case the proof of
marriage is satisfactory--
The certificate was sent
with that of the Comptroller
is documentary proof
that Abner Perry did serve
& in the capacity of a
Captain--The witnesses
from his service & as I 
should think establish
very fully the claim
for a [illegible] 12 months-

What has become of the
claim of the Heirs of [illegible]
Sterling
Also what of Osborn Holly-

respectfully,
R M Saunders

Page 56

Sarah Horton
on the N.C. Roll
pensioned under the 
act 1836.-Widow
of Abner Perry.

RW Young
Agent

Page 57

Hon. J.L Edwards Comr. of Pensions
Sir
You will be pleased to allow
my Agent R.W. Young, Washington D.C. to examine 
the papers on file in your office, upon which a pension
was originally granted to my mother Sarah Horton
widow of Abner Perry
Nov. 25th. 1850
Yours Respectfully
Abner J. Perry
Exr. of Sarah Horton decd.

Page 58

[printed form, handwritten responses]
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 4231
Sarah Horton former
Wid. of
Abner Perry
Capt: Rev: War

Act: Mch, 3d/43, June 17th/44
Index: --Vol. A, Page 341
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 59

Raleigh N.C.
Compt Office
I William F Collins Comptroller of Public
Accounts in and for the state of North
Carolina do hereby certify that the name
of Abner Perry appears of Record in this
office as having had issued in his favor
the following Specia Certificates for
Military Service (as follows) One for Nine
Pounds (£9.) see Book No 24 page 87 another 
for Fifteen Pounds Fifteen Shillings £15.15. See
Book No 23 page 151 another for Thirty Three
Pounds Fifteen shillings (£33.15) see Book
No 14 page 4 and another for Twenty Pounds
Five shillings see Book No 6 page 36-
given under my hand and seal this
24 day May 1845
Wm F Collins Compt
£9
15.15
33.15
20.05
78.15 [total] 
2 [multiply]
156 [total]
39
195 [total]

158
39
197 
.98

159

197
98

6 mo 120$

20
6
120 [total]

Page 60

War Department,
February 18: 1845.
Sir,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of a letter
from you on the 11' inst, requesting a reconsideration of
the decision of this Department on the application of Mrs. Sarah Horton
for a pension under the Act of July 7. 1838, and presenting
an abstract of the evidence by which it is sustained.
The Department is not disposed to require posi=
tive evidence of services rendered so long ago as those now
in question; on the contrary it will place the most fa=
vorable construction upon circumstantial evidence,
when the circumstances are distinctly stated, and are
within the knowledge of the witness. But to rely upon
the witnesses to infer the length and grade of service
from facts known only to themselves and not stated in their depositions would be to di=
vest the Department of its proper functions.
The only facts distinctly stated of the witnesses
own knowledge appear to be these:
Henry Best served with Capt Perry four months in 1776.
Wright Conner saw him when he was a Lieutenant in Oct. 1778
Wright Nicholls marched under his command two days
in the Fall of 1778, on their way to the South.

Page 61

Charles Powell served with him some time in the South
in 1778 ’79 or ‘80
The length and grade of service are not estab=
lished by this evidence. And though the rule may ap=
pear rigid which excludes the positive statements made
under oath by respectable citizens that the applicants
husband did serve as alleged in her declaration, yet
the experience of the Department has shown the necessity
of adhering to it; and unless the witnesses distinctly state
the same ["from which they" is crossed out] wherever they derive their information, or
state facts within their own knowledge from which the 
Department can with reasonable certainty infer the 
same, the claim cannot be allowed.
Very respectfully
Your Obed Servt
Secretary of War

MB 25/475
Hon R.M.Saunders
Ho: Reps:

Page 62

Sir- The parties are so much
dissatisfied with the decision
in the case of Mrs Horton
former widow of Capt. Perry
that I must request a copy
of her papers-
Yr respe y
R.M. Saunders
Jany 15 - 45

Page 63

Pension Office,
February 13 1845.
Sir,
I have the honor to return you the letter of 
the Honorable R.M. Saunders, and the Copy of Sarah Horton’s
papers which accompanied it; and in reply to state, that by
reference to your letter to him of the 26-November last, you con-
curred in my report to you respecting the sufficiency of the proof
as well in respect to the grade and Service, as the date of
the marriage. As no additional evidence has been adduced,
it would appear unnecessary to make another full report on the 
case, unless you should so direct.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, Sir,
Your Obedient servant
JL Edwards

Hon William Wilkins
Secretary of War.

Page 64

This is an application by Sarah Horton for
a Pension under the act of 1838-
It is rejected by the Commsr for [illegible] of proof
as to marriage & of service--

First--as to marriage--the applicant alleges she was
first married to Abner Perry-- in March 1793-
The proof of marriage is the deposition of
Charles Powell at page 6.  He swears to the 
time from the fact that he was married
in 1794 and Mrs. Horton was first married to
Abner Perry the year before--also in the
deposition of Wright Nichols--at page 7--
he swears he has a record of his own marriage
on 17th April 1793--and Capt Perry was married
to the applicant "one month before"-- 
Hon. Mr. Rayner letter as to character of wits. [witnesses]

Second-- As to service--the allegation is that Abner
Perry served Two years & more as a
Captain in the Militia of No .Ca-
Proof-- Wright Conner-- swears he was a neighbour
of Capt. Perry--knows that marched to So. Ca-
in Nov. 1778- was at the battle of Briar Creek-
also at Gates defeat- returned home a few
months after- again entered the service 
was at the battle of Guilford & Eutaw then 1781-

Page 65

2-- Charles Powell- proves same service in 1778-’79-’81-
witness swears he was a neighbour & served
a part of his time with Capt. Perry in So. Ca-

3-- Wright Nichols- a neighbour--swear he him
-self was drafted & mustered under Capt. Perry-
in the fall of 1778- Wit [witness] was discharged & Capt. 
Perry went on to So. Ca--that Capt Perry
had his leg broke at Gates defeat- was again
in service after this-

4--Henry Best-- was a soldier under Lieut. Perry
for four months-- knows that he did not
return until after Gates defeat--had his 
leg broke--also again in service-- returned
after battle of Eautaw--

5-- John Vann-- He knew Capt. Perry--knows
the fact of his absence & of his having his leg
broke- testifies to the character of the other
witnesses- to see Mr. Rayners letter as to the
high character of this witness-
The certificate of this Court is as to his
high character & then Witnesses--

Page 66

Copy
War Department
November 26: 1844
Sir: 
The case of Mrs. Sarah Horton, in
which you, some time since, took an appeal from the decision
of the Commissioner of Pensions rejecting it, has been overlooked
in the pressure of other business. I called upon the Commissioner
for a report of the grounds of his decision, which is herewith
enclosed, and while I am willing to concede that the evidence
sufficiently establishes the fact of Mrs. Horton’s marriage prior
to January 1794, I am constrained to concur with the Com-
missioner that it does not prove the grade in which her husband
served, nor that he served for two years, the period of service
for which she claims.
Very respectfully
Your Obt Serv
Wm Wilkins
Hon R. M. Saunders
Raleigh 
North Carolina.

Page 67

Hon. R.M. Saunders
Presents Mrs Sarah
Horton’s pension claim
L46. Mc Feb 11 /45
Pension Office
N.C
War Dep
Ansd.18 Feby 1845.
Hon R.M. Saunders
HR

Page 68

To the Honorable Secy. of War-
I am pressed by the party to ask a 
reconsideration of the case of Mrs
Horton--the former widow of Capt.
Abner Perry--I do this because I
feel well satisfied from a review
of the testimony & the respectability 
of the witnesses--that the case is
[illegible] out.

First -- as to the marriage-
The testimony of Charles Powell & Wright
Nicholas-- is conclusive as to the facts
as to these records of [illegible] it--

Second as to the Service-- Should docu
=mentary evidence claim be [illegible]
Capt. Perry was in the Revolution and
the North Carolina rolls do [illegible]
[illegible] to give a correct list of
the Militia-- I know in the case of
Captn McCullen are on appeal to
the Sec of War Mr [illegible]--he did
allow the case on parol testimony
other cases have been allowed-
otherwise great injustice would
be done--& absent the [illegible]
should be clear--

Page 69

1.Wright Conner--This witness does not
say he was himself in service &
therefore may speak in part from
hearsay- But there is a part of his
testimony of which he speaks of
facts within his personal knowledge
Is that he lived a neighbour of 
Capt. Perry--2. He saw Capt. Perry--
then a Lieutenant, under Capt
Withington-- [illegible] away in Oct. 1778- he 
left for the South & did not return
home for 2 or 3 months after Gates
defeat-- He had been wounded--now
he [illegible] in service--[illegible]
in service & did not return for 12
months- as to his being wounded--
If he received [illegible] intelligence--
the [illegible] from Capt Perry. it is
admissible as the party [illegible]
[illegible]
He knows he again left home
in Jany 1791 & knows he was gone
for 12. months --he lived [illegible] &
[illegible] had [illegible] he swears
he did have personal knowledge 
of these facts--

Page 70

2nd Charles Powell--the witness was
his neighbour & swears he was in
service a part of his time & left him
in service in South Carolina-
he says he was his neighbour &
knows the fact of his leaving [illegible]
& being absent for 12 months &
also knows the fact of his being
wounded-- He certainly knows a
service of [illegible] wounded & knows
he was a Captain-
3- Wright Nichols --this witness was
a near neighbour--he swears
knew he was under Capt. Perry &
marched for three days--[illegible] he
left for the South-- was gone
twelve months--returned & was
wounded --[illegible] he is [illegible]--
[illegible] --proves his having
left as a Captain & his absence 
for 12. months-
4- Henry Best-- was also in service
[illegible] and [illegible] the fact of
his having been in service--his
absence & of his leaving [illegible]
at his [illegible]--[illegible]had his leg
broke in the battle of Briar Creek.

Page 71

The other live witnesses--John Vann
& Ja. Holley- speak as to his services
of the day--[illegible]
witnesses speak of facts--[illegible]
swear knowledge & [illegible] they saw
& heard [illegible] Capt. Perry at the
time of his having been wounded
in battle--
The court certify to
the character of the witnesses--and
if they are to be believed--they
[illegible] beyond [illegible]
for 12 months as a Captain.
Very respectfully
R.M.Saunders
Hon. W Wilkins
Secr. of War

Page 72

Ho. Reps._Washington_June 1st-1844
Hon: R.M. Saunders,
Sir,
In answer to your
interrogatory as to the character and 
credibility of Messrs. John Vann and 
Wright Nichols of the county of Hert=
=ford & state of North Carolina-
I reply that I am acquainted
with both of them, that they are old 
men of respectable character, and 
that I consider their testimony entitled 
to credibility-
Very respectfully,
K. Rayner

Page 73

Washington City- Decr. 14th-1844.-
J.L. Edwards Secy.-.
Sir,
I am informed by Mr. 
Abner J. Perry of Hertford Co. No.Ca. that
at the last session of Congress, an appli=
=cation was made to the Pension office for
the allowance of a pension to his mother
Mrs. Sarah Horton of said county, who 
had been, before marrying Horton, the wid=
=ow of Abner Perry of said county.  She 
claims for the services of Abner Perry
in the revolution.
Mr. A. Perry requests me to ascer=
=tain the condition and progress of this
claim, which information you will 
please give me, as soon as you can 
do so conveniently.
Very respectfully,
K. Rayner

Page 74

To the Hon. Wm Wilkins Secy. [illegible]
I appeal from the dicision [decision] of the Coms. [commissioner]
in the case of Sarah Horton-

First- as to the marriage established by a witness
of character from the fact of his own recor
-ded marriage [crossed out]

Second- The Service- the witnesses speak of 
the fact of serving with Captn. Perry
a part of the time- that is--in his
first service in 1778- They testify to
his absence- to his return- the time
and the fact of his being wounded-
as to being in the battles of Briar
Creek-- Gates defeat-- Guilford &
Eautaw [Eutaw]-- the witnesses-- no doubt got
this information at the time from
Capt. Perry- when he had no [illegible]
to state a falsehood- but they were
his neighbours- knew the time of
his absence from 1778 to 1781--and 
the History of the revolution--in fam
ous--these battles were fought at
this time--Again John Vann
then a young man, speaks of

Page 75

his belief & the grounds for that belief--
I myself know Jno Vann as a Senator of
his County- a worthy man & are of that
character not likely to be induced to
state what he did not know & believe--
a copy of his testimony & a brief [illegible] 
to it accompanies this--
respectfully
R.M. Saunders

Honl. Wm. Wilkins--

Page 76

Raleigh Sep 8. 45
Sir-
I have duly recd your letter
of the 5- in the case of Mrs Horton
The certificate of the Secy of State
showing that the Husband had been
a Captain & of that of the County-- 
of his having received past 
payment of his services
were forwarded to [illegible]
the parol [parole] testimony by docu
-mentary proof--you do
not seem to have considered
it in that light. The party
has now [illegible] but to absence
to Congress- The case for
same service is fully [illegible]
The letter in regard to the case
of [illegible] Reid--has surprised me
[illegible] 
returned the declaration--
I supposed from what you there
said--the only doubt seems as
to the amount to be allowed-
I shall forward your letter
to her son regarding what [illegible]

Page 77

must have [illegible] could not
be obtained--& a [illegible]
Law as [illegible]
respectfully
R.M Saunders
J.L. Edwards Esq

Page 78

Increase,
Sarah Horton decd
widow of Abner Perry.
No. Carolina
Act of 7 July ’38 &c.
Admd. 2 yrs Capt $480
Commencing 4 March ‘36
and ending 4 Augt ‘47
when she died, except 2 yrs.
Deduct former payments
Payable to Abner J Perry
only child & Executor.
Cert to 
R.W. Young
Present.

Page 79

[printed form, handwritten responses]
10081.
North Carolina
Sarah Horton formerly
Widow of Abner Perry 
who was a pensioner under the Act of –
and who died ["on the" is crossed out] in Decr. 1810
of Bertie Co in the state of N.C.
who was a Capt in the Company
commanded by Captain [blank] of the
Regt commanded by [blank] in 
the Revolution ["line" crossed out] for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of N.C.
at the rate of 120 Dollars--[blank]
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day 
of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of
June 1846 and sent to J.D. 
Hawkins, Esq
Present
Total amount, $600.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Th Lumpkin Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 291

Recorded

Page 80

[printed form, handwritten responses]
10.081
North Carolina
Sarah Horton decd, formerly
widow of Abner Perry
who died in the Dec 1810
of Bertie Co. in the State of N.C.
who, was a Captain in the [blank]commanded
by Captain [blank] of Regt commanded
by [lined through] in the Revolution
["line" crossed out] for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Fayetteville
at the rate of 480 Dollars 00 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of 
March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of
April 1837 and sent to 
R.M. Young Esq
Arrears to the 4th of Present
Semi=annual allowance ending
Incd from $120 
{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act July 7, 1838          }
Recorded by H.R Weightman Clerk.
Book D. Vol. 1 Page 291.

["291" crossed out]

Page 81

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES  
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans’ Administration Archives

NAME Perry, Abraham  
Grade Private  
Line New Hampshire

WARRANT NUMBER 3397  
ACREAGE 100 
ISSUED Aug. 10, 1789
to Richard Platt, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of “Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800” which are 
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subse-
quent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. 
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.