Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2457, James Craven, S.C.

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{B-1776}

SERVICE                                               NUMBER
S.C.               Craven. James                   R. 2457
_______           _______________                   _________

____________________________________________________
CONTENTS

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State of Alabama}
Dale County}
 on this the seventeenth day of December
personally appeared before me William Harper Judge of the county Court of Dale County James Craven of said  County and state who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June the Seventh 1832 and on his oath saith that he is of the age of seventy one and that he volunteered in the army of the United  states in the year of 1776 under the command of Capt William C. Snipes and colonel Peter Young  General Francis Marian, called Marian's Ranger Corps I volunteered under the above Named officers in South Carolina Camden District while I was in my fifteenth year of age I was marched to meet the British on there march from Savanna to take Charleston and we met them on the West side of Edesto  river three miles from parkers ferry at this place the Battle commenced and we were beat Back to the said Parkers Ferry, and there we fought them across the river the British [illegible] beat us Back and we retreated to Stone river about thirty miles distance here we gave them another Battle from this place we retreated to Ashley river about seven miles distance and I crossed the river on the [Green?] of Charleston here we was reinforced by General
Lincoln and Count Pulasky:  the British followed us to this place we had a severe Battle and General Lincoln and his men was taken prisoners, and  Charlestown fell into the hands of the British:  From this place I was marched under the command of Marian to the North as far as the long Bluff on Peedee here we was informed that the Scotch Tories  commanded by General McLeod, Col Hector Mcneal who had surrounded Colonel Caswell and the North carolina Malitia [illegible] forced our  March for colonel Caswell's relief here General Marian fell on them and defeated them and killed Mcleod and I took Mcneal prisoner after this Marian was resolved to turn Back to Georgetown; an to the best of my recollection this all took place in the year 1778-9 and in the year 1779 General Lincoln came from the North with a army marching for Savannah and we joined Lincolns army at Santee seven miles we then and marched with him to Savanna perhaps in July here we was Joined by the French army commanded by Count de Stang [d’Estaing] here we continued until the Ninth day of October in the year 79

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on the 3rd day the 9 of October orders was given to [illegible]  the town in this action we lost Count Pulaski, George Jasper Then I returned back again with Lincoln to prevent being in South carolina line I with Marian and Harry left Lincoln and marched for Georgetown where we kept ourselves concealed in a March at the mouth of Waccamaw river here we annoyed the british a considerable time about the time [illegible in the year 1780 we received information that a tory Colonel by the Name of Ganey with his army was on there way to the assistance of the british in Georgetown here I went under the command of Col. Harry and Capt Snipes to cut off there march and we met them about six miles of Georgetown and here we defeated them and McDonald wounded Ganey and perhaps in the year 1781 we secured information that a tory colonel from the high hills by the Name of [illegible] was on his march to fight us. and we met him and his army in the fork of Black river here we killed the said tines and almost all of his men; after this we was marched to reinforce General Green and joined his army at Salsburg in North Carolina and marched with him to meet CornWallis, and we met him at Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina and there we had a battle : then I returned Back with Marian to Georgetown the date not recollected after this [illegible] in the year 1782 we received information that General Morgan with his army was marching from the North against Lord Rodden at Camden and we joined Morgan at the Cowpens in South carolina and here we defeated Tarlton; and I returned with Marian to Georgetown again; sometime after that we received information that General Anthony Wair on his march from the North against the British at Savanah and then I left Marians army and volenteered under the command of Colonel Charles Jackson for six months the date not recollected then we was marched under the command of General Wair for Savanah and we remained there untill the British evacuated the Town.

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and Colonel Charles Jackson was made Governor and then I returned home to South carolina Camden district in the year 1785 in the month of July and I entered into the servise in the year 1778 in the month of April and I was in the servise of the United States for the whole time of four years in the Light horse troops; I know of no Living Witness whereby I can proove my servises in the revolution.
1) I was born in the state of South Carolina Camden district in the year 1763.  Secondly I have a record of my age in a Bible at my house;  Thirdly I lived when I volunteered into the servise in South carolina Camden District since the War I have lived in Coleton District South carolina from thence to the state of Alabama Dale county where I now live.  Fourthly I Never received a discharge more than a verbal one;  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or anuity except the present and he declares that his Name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any state sworn to and subscribed this seventeenth day of December 1833 before me William Harper [illegible]
James Craven
Here I will state the Names of persons who will  vouch for my veracity:  William S. Broxson James Pitman
We do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Craven who has sworn to and subscribed to the above declaration and we believe him to be of the age of 71 years and we believe him to be a man of verasity given under our hands this the 17 day of December 1833.  William S. Broxson Capt
                                         James Pitman
and the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
William Harper JCCBC
Asa Alexander CCCDC {seal}
NB the third line in this column reads these for 1783 reads 1785 the great length of time and the Cogetation of my mind caused this mistake but in this space of time as is stated in this declaration all and every of these battles was fought and more as the taking of fort Watson near [illegible] and also the Storming of fort Mott at the mouth of the Santee River and the Battle at John Singletons mill on [illegible] and the battle at [illegible] old field on Santee also [illegible] -- [illegible]

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We Henry T Wilkinson and John W. Broxson [illegible] residing in the County of Dale and State of Alabama hereby certified that we are well acquainted with James Craven who has Subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration and that we believe him to be of the age of Seventy one and that he is reputed and Believed in his neighborhood whereon he resides to have bin a soldier of the revolution and we Concer in that opinion Sworn to and Subscribed the Seventeenthe day December 1833
Henry T Wilkinson [illegible]
John W Broxson CCG
The State of Alabama,
Dale County
I Asa Alexander Clerk of the Court of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains all the original proceedings of the applicant of James Craven for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal there being no seals of [illegible] this 17th of day of December In the year of Christ 1833 and 38th year of American Independence
Asa Alexander CCCDC  {seal}

The state of Alabama
Dale County
the court further Certifies that they have no kind of no existing doubt but that James Craven who has sworn to and subscribed to the above declaration was a revolutioner and served as he states.     William Harper [illegible]
Asa Alexander CCCDC
Hon D.H. Lewis (vertical writing)

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30.820
John Craven
Alabama
suspended
Return [marked out] [illegible}
V. E.
Gen. Cate,
of [illegible]
Present

Hon D. H. Lewis [marked out]
House of Reps [marked out]

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

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 show 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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
__________________________________________________
A Statement, showing the Service of James Craven
[The following is in table form, some of which is written vertically.]
Period when the service was rendered.
Vol 1778

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years    Months   Days
5

Rank of the claimant.
priv
Cav.

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Cap. Snipes
Col Horny.

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
71 years
Camden District
So. Ca.

Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Traditionary __
proof as required in note j. should be exhibited.


I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions

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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                           } ss.

     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 more that one term of enlistment) (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.  [manicule] 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                 for a pension.
            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 CD. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                 
      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations; 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. 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
     .

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alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person 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, 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 person -- 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 solider, 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 [illegible] in the absence of any [illegible] 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, state that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of  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 be served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of this 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 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; by according to the best of 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 each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three of four months, [italicized] 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.  [The previous paragraph is bracketed.]
     [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. [Italicized]
     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. [Italicized]
     [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 the 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 his seal of office.}  [Bracketed section also underlined.]
     [Illegible]*  The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
     [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.



S

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[These lines are written on left side of lined paper.]

Act of June 7,1832

John (or James) Craven

Ala

Power of Attorney
to examine Claim.

Suspended Claim


Chas. C. Tucker,
     Atty.
       Present.

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The State of Alabama}
     Coffee County      }  know all men by these presents that I Judy Craven do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Charles C. Tucker of Washington City D. C. my true and lawful Agent and Attorney to prosecute the claim of James Craven for any amount of revolutionary pension or any increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the act of                         or any other Act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said claim on file in The department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or argument, and to receive The Certificate which may be issued for said claim, and to appoint one or more Substitutes under him for The purposes herein expressed: and to do all things that I might or Could do, were I personally present.  Hereby notifying and confirming all that  my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises.  
   Witness my hand and Seal this 4th day of February 1854.
Judy Craven
In presence of
H. T. Wilkerson
Alfred Broxson

State of Alabama}
Coffee County}  SS
     On this fourth day of February 1854 before me a Probate Judge in and for The County and State above mentioned personally appeared Judy Craven -- and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be her act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned.
James Claxton P.J.C.C.

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The State of Alabama} ss
     Coffee County      }
   On This Fourth day of February A.D. 1854 before me the undersigned a Probate Judge in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Judy Craven a resident of said County, and made oath according to law that she is the identical Judy Craven -- who executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that she is directly interested in said claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as as my said Attorney may use in prosecuting said claim.
     Sworn to and subscribed before me  the day and year above written
James Claxton P.J. C. C.
Judy Craven

     State of Alabama}
        Coffee County  } SS
              I James Claxton Probate Judge for Coffee County and state aforesaid hereby certify that James Claxton before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement were made and who has Thereunto signed his name, was at the time of so doing a Probate Judge, in and for The County and State aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit, and our Court is a court of record having general Jurisdiction. In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 4th day of February A.D. 1854.
Seal
James Claxton P.J. C.C.

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[lined out] Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
2457
P. O. Judy [John lined out] Craven
Service: James
[stamp] REJECTED

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Suspended
See letter to Genl. Caley of Florida
Research
9 March 1833
2457

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I certify that Asa Alexander is clerk of the county court of Dale County and that the signature affixed to the papers of John Craven is his genuine signature.
May 12th 1834  D H. Lewis