Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3009, Samuel Blair, N.C.

Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
Blair, Samuel
NUMBER 
S. 3009
CONTENTS
Carded

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26760
East Tennessee 
___________
Samuel Blair
McMinnville in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Johnson of the regt commanded by Col McDowell in the N Carolina line for 1 year
____________
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee
at the rate of 41 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
_______________
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of May 1834 and Hon James Randolf [illegible]
______________
Arrears to the 4th of March   120.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sept 20.00
____________
$140.00
__________
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, 
Book E  Vol. 7   Page 37

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Declaration
State of Tennessee, McMinn County
On this 3rd day of December personally appeared in open court, before the Justices of
the County Court of said County, Samuel Blair a resident of said county and state, aged about
75 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 act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers
and served as herein stated. He was born in the State of Virginia Amelia County on the 14th
day of June 1759 according to a record of his age taken from the family Bible of his parents,
and which he has now in his possession. That he went with a relation from Amelia County
Va., to Burke County No. Ca. and there entered the service of the United States in Said
County of Burke for a six months tour of duty under the command of Captain William
Johnson; rendezvoused at Morgantown (the County Town of said County) in the month of
Oct. or November 1779; marched from thence to the Turkey Cove in said County and there
built a fort Known by Warford's fort [Wofford's Fort], to defend the frontier against the
depredations of the hostile Indians, at which place we remained until some time in May 1780,
when Col. McDowell [probably Charles McDowell] sent orders to Capt. Johnson for as many
as could furnish horses to march down to Burke Court House to march against a body of
Tories collected at Ramsour's Mills; he thence marched as above stated and at said Court
house was placed under the command of Capt. Bowman [Joshua Bowman], then we joined
Col. Brevard's [Hugh Brevard's] regiment and marched to said Mills and met and defeated the
Tories at that place. Capt. Bowman being killed at that encounter, we were then marched back
to Burke Court house, or Morganton, and was there discharged by Capt. Johnston, having
served the six months for which we entered, as a drafted militia man and served as a private
said six months.
He again entered the service in Burke County N. C.—for nine months as a substitute
for William Smith, [&] rendezvoused at Genl. Rutherford's [Griffith Rutherford's] Camp near
Beatties Ford on the Catawba River, under the command of Capt. Clarke [Mordecai Clark]
[in] the latter part of July 1780—at which place we remained until sometime in September.
[We] were then ordered to join Col. Campbell's [William Campbell's] Regiment, we being
under the command of Col. Williams [James Williams] on our march to King's Mountain.
[We] marched from

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 from our rendezvous to Broad River and thence on to King's Mountain, at
which place on the 7th day of Oct Sept or thereabout the battle was fought. Capt. Clarke's Company taking part in said battle in which he was at which place a parcel of prisoners were taken. We marched from thence to Burke Courthouse crossing the Catawba River at Greene Lees ford. Marched on thence into the far edge of Wilkes County; were thence marched back down the South River of the Yadkin, through the Irish Settlement in Rowan County; leaving Mecklenburg Court house to our left proceeding on until we arrived again at Rutherford's Camp, at which place we remained until in Nov. or December Genl. Greene [Nathanael Greene] assumed the command; and Capt.Clark and others were ordered to join Genl. Morgan [Daniel Morgan] who was stationed at a place called Pacolet River near the Cowpens and on the 17th Jany. '81 fought the battle of the Cowpens and then marched with the prisoners and crossed the Catawba at the Island ford, and then on to Dan River in Va. and on the 14th of Feby. reached Henry old Court house and from thence was marched back.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the
present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the 3rd day of December 1833.
[signature] Sam Blair

We Alfred King a clergyman residing in the county and state aforesaid, and Saml Gantt residing as aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Blair who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and we believe him to be 75 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 to and subscribed the 3rd day of December 1833.
[signed] Alfred Kings
[signed] Saml M Gantt

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigating the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that is appears to them that Alfred King -- who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, that he and Saml M. Gantt who has also signed it, are resident as they therein state, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

[signed] Tidence Lane JP
[signed] Alexander C Robson JP
[signed] Elijah Hunt JP

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State of Tennessee
McMinn County
This day came Samuel Blair before me Abraham Slover one of he acting justices of the peace for said county and under oath that from the great lapse of time since his Service in the Revolutionary War and the number of the Actors in that war having been called form Time to Eternity renders it impossible to prove the services rendered by him in said war and
his having also removed from the State of Virginia to the State of North Ca. and from thence to the State of Tennessee, and those associates of his in the war having also removed to the different Western and Southern states, and whether any of them are now living he cannot now recollect, by whom he can prove his services and that the services as by him set forth in his declaration were performed by him for which he Claims a pension, and thinks himself justly and honestly entitled to it.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th day of March 1834.
[signed] Sam Blair
[signed] A. Stover, Justice of the peace of McMinn County

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State of Tennessee }
McMinn County }
I Archibald R Tuck Clerk of the court of Pleas and quarter sessions for the County of McMinn in the State of Tennessee, Certify that Abraham Slover whose name appears to the foregoing Certificate, was at the time of signing the same and now is one of the acting justices of the peace for said County duly commissioned and qualified to act as such and that full faith and credit is due to him in his official attestations. 

Given under my hand and seal of office at office in Athens this 25th day of March 1834
A R Turk Clerk
By his Deputy Saml Workman
[seal]

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Twelve month will be Accepted on the within 
S/James Standifer
M,C

Page 8

[left hand side written sideways]

28.970
Samuel Blair
McMinn Co
Tennessee

#
from 1779 for 1 yr
$40


Johnson
McDowell
N.C.


TC or J. Standifer
["Wm Lowry" crossed out]
Athens.

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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 shew what is necessary to be done. These 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 [complying] with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

______________________________________
A Statement, shewing the Service Samuel Blair
=========================
[table with the following headers:
"Period When the service was rendered."
"Duration of the claimant's service.
Years., Months., Days."
"Rank of the claimant."
"Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served."
"Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service."
"Proof by which the declaration is supported."]
____________________________

1779. [blank]. 6. [blank]. Pr.. Cap. Wm Johnson Col McDowell. 75 N.C.. Traditionary.

1780. [blank]. 9. [blank]. Pr.. Cap Clarke } Col Williams }. N. Carolina. [blank].

1781. 1. . . Pr [illegible]. Cap Nash Col Griffin. [blank]. [blank]


not on Roll, see note j


Unless it can be shewn by the testimony of one or more witnesses that the applicant served as stated, the claim cannot be allowed
Apl 8. 1834
An allowance can be made for twelve months.

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

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2

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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. [this brace links this line and the following]
County of

On this day of personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c)
years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:

Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [here is an image of a hand pointing to the right] 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 C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this day of &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration,(l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his


[handwritten note]
Before the twelve months service can be allowed it should be shewn that the Legislature of N. Carolina passed an act to raise troops to prove as stated, in 1781. Apl: 14. 34

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3
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, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer. {Did you ever received 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 to the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represent, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry 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, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
_______________

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which 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 of the war when he served. }
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine as to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: __ For ___ year ____ months, and _______ days, I served as a _________. For _______ months and _______ days, I served as a _________; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant service, 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 [italics] about three or four months [end italics], is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. [underlined] 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 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. [end underline] [end { and } bracketed area]

(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
{ (j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[stamp with a finger pointing right] 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.

Page 12

June 18, 1931.

Mr. T. A. Clarkson
930 Broadway
Nashville, Tennessee.

Rev.& 1812 Wars Section.
AWF:ILL

Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension Claim, S. .3009, that Samuel Clair was born June 14, 1758 in Amelia County, Virginia. 

[hand written note in between the paragraphs] I went with a relation for Amelia Co Va

While visiting relatives (names not stated) in Burke County, Nort Carolina, he enlisted and served as a private in the North Carolina troops as follows: from the latter part of 1779, six months in Captain William Johnson's Company and Captain Bowman's Company in Colonel Brevard's Regiment, and was in the battle of Ramsours Mills; from July, 1780 to March 22, 1781, in Captain Clarke's Company, Colonel Williams' Regiment, and was in the battles of Kings Mountain and Cowpens.

While on a visit to friends (names not stated) in Wake County, Nort Carolina, he served from July 29, 178 to August, 1782 in Captain Zabner Mash's Company, Colonel Roger Griffin's Regiment.

He was allowed pension on his application executed December 3, 1833, while a resident of McMinn County, Tennessee.

After he left the service, he returned to Virginia and lived in Shenandoah and Botetourt Counties, then moved to Tennessee and lived in Sevier and McMinn Counties.

There are no data relative to his family in the papers in this claim.

Very truly yours,
[signature line blank]
E.W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.

Page 13

Raleigh 3rd May 1834
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 29th Ultima with the declaration of Samuel Blair was received yesterday. I have carefully examined the muster rolls, and also the lists of settlements of the accounts of the officers and soldiers of the continental line of this state in the revolutionary war for the names of Saml Blair but do not find it. I am therefore of opinion that the whole of the service performed by him was with the militia and no part of it in the regular line of the state. 

I am very respectfully your [ob serv?] 
W Hill

Hon Lewis Williams

Page 14

Athens 20th Mar 1834
Dr Sir,
I send you enclosed the claim of Mr. Saml Blair of this County for a pension which had once been forwd and returned for amendment which is done as well as it is possible there being none of his contemporaries now alive within his knowledge by whom he can prove his actual service, he is desirous you should attend particularly to his claim which was once directed to be passed. As you can observe by some pencil marks on the back of the instructions and those marks rubbd out and the claim [illegible] with objections, presume the dinner bell rung about the time it came into the hands of the officer whose duty it was to issue a certificate and rather than be detained he rubd out the marks and put the letter [illegible] on the back and sent it back your attention [illegible] much accomodate the old man and no doubt procure his Claim, if so direct it to me. The Certificate of Andrew Bigham of this County has been forwd some time since and the pension Ajt. at Knoxville has never recd. instructions from the Dept. to place him on his books and the old man cannot be pd. until that is done. I have written twice on the subject & recd. no answer. Wish you would name  it to them and have his name placed on the books for pay at Knoxville that he can receive his pay, he needs it.

Page 15

no news here of importance, Jno Neil esq the Member elect to the Convention times very still. Your attention to the within will much oblige

Your friend
S/Wm Lowry
[flourish]

Page 16

Honbl. J. Standefer
M.C.
Washington
City

Page 17

Rev. 
War Section.

March 30, 1926

Mrs. Margaret Keller
3115 Ridge Road, #. W.
Washington, D. C.

Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3009, it appears that Samuel Blair was born June 14, 1759 in Amelia County, Virginia.

While visiting relatives (names not stated) in Burke County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served as a private in the North Carolina Troops, as follows-

From the latter part of 1779, six months in Captain William Johnson's Company, and Captain Bowman's Company in Colonel Brevard's Regiment, and was in the battle of Ramsours Mills.

From July 1780 to March 22, 1781 in Captain Clarke's Company, Colonel Williams' Regiment, and was in the battles of Kings Mountain and Cowpens.

While on a visit to friends (names not stated)

Page 18

[illegible] and 1812

in Wake County, North Carolina, he served from July 29, 1781 to August 1782 in Captain Zabner Mash's Company, Colonel Roger Griffin's regiment.

He was allowed pension on his application executed December 3, 1833, while a resident of McMinn County, Tennessee.

After he left the service he returned to Virginia and lived in Shenandoah and Botetourt Counties, then moved to Tennessee, and lived in Sevier and McMinn Counties.

There is no data on file as to his family.

Respectfully,
[signature line blank]
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

Page 19

Rev. and 1812       AWF
War Section.

May 25, 1926

Mary L. McKnight
709 Carswell Ave
Waycross, Ga

Madam:
I have to advise you that in order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner Samuel Blair (S.3009), you should apply to the Record Section, Civil Division, General Accounting Office, 1800 E St. N. W., Washington, D. C., citing all of the following data-

Samuel Blair, Certificate No. 26760, issued May 23, 1834, rate $40.00 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, East Tennessee Agency.

In order to make a proper search of the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau for another soldier named Samuel Blair, some of the following data is essential- approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service, and first name of widow.

Respectfully,
[signature line blank]
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

Page 20

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 
3-525
________
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
S. F.3009       BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., __________, 19__

In reply to your request of _______, received ________ for a statement of the military history of Samuel Blair a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
______________________
[table with the following headers:
"DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT," "LENGTH OF SERVICE." "RANK." "OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. (broken down into "CAPTAIN" and "COLONEL.") "STATE."]
_____________________
["Oct. or Nov. 1779" crossed out]
the latter part of '79. ["May 1780" crossed out] [checkmark] 6 mos. Pvt. {William Johnson {Bowman. Brevard. N.C..

July 1780. Mch 22. 1781. [blank]. Clarke. Williams. [blank]

+ July 29. 1781. Aug. 1782. [blank]. Zabner Mash. Roger Griffin. [blank].

________________________
[handwritten notes in bottom left hand margin are illegible]

Battle engaged in, Ramsours Mills. Kings Mountain. Cowpens.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Burke Co. N. C.
Date of application for pension, Dec. 3. 1833. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, McMinn Co. Tennessee
Age at date of application, born June 14. 1759 in Amelia County Va.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family After he left the service he returned to Virginia & lived in Shenandoah & Botebourt Counties then moved to Tennessee & lived in Sevier and McMinn Counties.

Page 21

Nashville, May 10, 1931

Bureau of Pensions, 
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sirs:

Hon. Harry T. Burn, Sweetwater, Tenn., has applied for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution by right of descent from one Samuel Blair, of Virginia, who died in Monroe County, Tenn., in 1836. A Samuel Blair, soldier of the 12th Virginia Regiment, is reported by the Virginia State Librarian, as pensioner.

Wont you kindly send transcript of the pension cappication? [application]

Your truly,
S/T A Clarkson
T. A. Clarkson, Secretary,
Tennessee Society, S. A. R.,
930 Broadway,
Nashville, Tenn.

[oval stamp reading as follows:
REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS SECTION
MAY 12 1931
BUREAU OF PENSIONS]

Page 22

Mrs. Margaret Keller.
3115 Ridge Road N.W.
Washington. D.C.

wants history of
Samuel Blair - N.C. Troops - S.3009.

Personal request.
Mch. 18. '26.

Page 23

MISS MARY LOUISE MCKNIGHT
709 CARSWELL AVENUE
WAYCROSS, GEORGIA
Mch. 25 - 26

Dept. of the Interior:
Washington D.C.

Enclosed is a copy of a record received from your Dept, some years ago. Will you kindly advise me when (date) This pension stopped. Who does  your record show any other Samil Blairs to [illegible] received pensions or land grant

Recpt.
S/Mary L. McKnight.
copy returned May 25- 1926 AWF

Page 24

[round stamp reading as follows:
PENSION OFFICE
A
APR 4 1919 
U. S.]

Page 25

[round stamp reading as follows:
PENSION OFFICE
A
APR 4 1919
U. S.]

[oval stamp reading as follows:
LAW DIVISION
APR 7 1919
RECEIVED]

[oval stamp reading as follows:
LAW DIVISION
APR 5 1919
RECEIVED]

Page 26

[handwritten note in top margin: [checkmark] Postal Money Order, Enclosed $1.05 EB.
Ford. To Law Sect]

46 Seventh Avenue,
New York, March 19, 1919

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington,
D. C. 

Dear Sir:
Enclosed find money order for $1.05 to cover expense of copying the pension affidavit of 
SAMUEL BLAIR, of McMinn Co., Tenn.,
consisting of seven pages, as stated by you. I trust the photostat copy will be wuite clear and readable.

This affidavit is of a Revolutionary soldier whose name is found in Pension Documents, 1st Sess., 23d Congress, which you wrote to me about a few weeks ago.

I would like to know, if you please, if the rule regarding the restriction to four inquiries applies to paid-for copies of affidavits? 

Awaiting the copies and your reply, I am,

Very truly yours,
S/(Mrs.) M. H. Barred

[oval stamp reading as follows:
Finance Division
* APR 4 1919 *
BUREAU OF PENSIONS]
Certification not desired.

Page 27

Chelsea:417       Rev. Sec. N.

New York, Feb. 28th, 1919
46 Seventh Avenue.

To the Honorable
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
I acknowledge, with very great thanks, the receipt of the information sent me recently regarding Tennessee pensioners of McMinn Co., Tenn., seems to be the desired party, and I wonder if it would be possible to obtain his full affidavit from you, to include in a book of family history? If there is any cost attached to it, kindly state. It is very desirable to obtain this in full, as it can be nowhere ^else gotten, that I know of, and I beg your consideration of this fact.

[handwritten in left margin] N.C. S3009
Awaiting your favorable reply, and with renewed thanks, I am

Very truly yours,
S/Mrs. M. H. Burrell

[handwritten]
7 pages.
send entire decla. if she pays for it

[round stamp reads as follows:
PENSION OFFICE.
K 
MAR 1 1919
U. S.]

Page 28

[round stamp reading as follows:
PENSION OFFICE
O 
AUG 31 1918
U. S.]

Page 29

DR. J. L. WALKER           Rev: Sec: M
WALKER BUILDING

37 Carswell St.
WAYCROSS, GA.,  Aug 28-18

Mr. G. M. Salzgober
Com. Bureau Pensions,
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir -
Will you kindly give ^me a copy of the Rec record of one Saml Blair, who applied for a pension from McMinn Co. Tenn in 1833 & who had served in N.C. campaign in (1779-1781) - Have you any Pension record for Rev Soldier, Saml Blair, who served with Va troops & who lived in Sevier Co. Tenn in early part of 1800-? Or is There any record of this first pension having been paid to Saml Blair in Sevier Co.? He could have applied in  McMinn Co. & moved to Sevier Co. later, tho there may have been two soldiers by this name.

Rest
S/(Miss) Mary R. McKnight. Waycross. Ga.

Page 30

[left hand side]
July 29. 1918 Hist. to Dr.. Z. H. Moore
Letter in W.891 Thomas Blair.
_________________
1918, Spt.9. History to Mary L. McKnight. F.W.
____________
1919. Feb. 8. Hist. to Mrs M.H. Burrell, 46-7" Av.N.Y.City
see her letter in W.891. Thos. Blair. S.C. AW
______________
1919 Mar.1. Mrs. M.H. Burrell ad. of cost of copies. AW
_____________
1919 Apr. 10. Photo copies AW mailed to Mrs. M.H. Burrell
_____________
1926-Mch.30. Hist to Mrs Margaret Keller AWF
1926-May 26 - Letter to Mary L. McKnight- AWF
______________________
1931-June 18- Hist to J.A. Clarkson AWF


[right hand side]
Rev War [checkmark] 3009
INVALID.
_____________
File No. 3009
Samuel Blair
Pvt. N.C. line
_____________
Act: June 7d/32
Index:- Vol. A,   Page 34

[intentional bracket as printed]
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 31

to Morganton in Burke County No. Ca. and was discharged at that place about the 22d of March 1781 for which Campaign he received discharges but had them burned in his house in Sevier County Ten. in Decr. 1831 -

He again entered the service in Wake County No. Ca. having went from Burke to Wake to visit some friends and on arriving there mounted volunteers for 12 months were wanting and he entered the service for said County of Wake as a Volunteer mounted gunnar for said 12 months under the command of Capt Zabner Mash for the purpose of reconoitering the Counties of Cumberland, Anson, Randolph, Chatham and the lower end of Wake from the depredations of the draffected and Tories in those counties rendezvoused at Chatham Courthouse on the 29th of July 1781 under the command of Col. Roger Griffin there being 3 companies, (viz) Mash's - Arrcrylon's [illegible] there being also a Mjr. Arrington in command - our principal rendezvous as before stated was Chatham Cthouse, and from thence would take a reconoitering spell, and return to that rendezvous, and continued reconoitering from that place for the time for which we were engaged. which was 12 months, having served that time, and was discharged at Chatham Courthouse in the beginning of August - 1782. received a discharge for this tour of duty also - which was burned as before stated in my house, he then returned to Va. Shanadoah [sic] County, from thence he removed to Botetourt County where he remained 5 years from Botetourt he removed to Sevier County Ten. where he remained about 43 years, and from thence removed to McMinn  County where he has lived for near about 2 years he has no documentary testimony nor does he know

Page 32

of any person by whom he can prove the performance of his Services, he has given a statement of the names of persons in his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of Services as a soldier of the Revolution, viz, George Wen, John Trout, William Cunningham, Spencer Beavers, James Lowry Isaac Lowry, Danl. Lowry, John Susk, John Matthew, Thos Ireland, Benj Isbell, Alfred King Saml. M. Gantt,

Page 33

28.970

Samuel Blair 
Tennessee



Wm. Lowry
Athens Ten.

Page 34

I Archibald R Turk Clerk of the County Court of the County of McMinn aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Samuel Blair for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal at office, this 9th day of December 183[illegible]

A R Turk clerk
By Sam H Jordan
D Clerk
[seal]



Address Wm.. Lowry
Athens Ten.

Page 35

46 Seventh Avenue,
New York, April 15, 1919

To the Honorable
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir:
This is to acknowledge receipt of the photostat copies of the application of Samuel Blair of McMinn Co., Tenn. for a pension, as a Revolutionary soldier.

It is dim and difficult to decipher but I can make any further needed copies on my typewriter. 

My query in former letter was not replied to, as  I did not request further copies of this same application. You informed me some time ago that only four names would be furnished any one applicant, on account of shortage of help, etc. I asked if this idea covered applications for paid-for copies. For instance, since sending for the Samuel Blair paper, I find he was not the ancestor, and so it may be necessary to obtain copies of a fresh application, of a man not included in the four asked for by me formerly. I ask, therefore, if paid-for copies can be requested in moderation?

Respectfully,
(Mrs.) M. H. Burrell

Page 36

Rev. War Section
April 16, 1919
Mrs. M. H. Burrell
46 Seventh Ave
New York City, N. Y.
Madam:
In reply to your letter of the 15'' instant you are advised that photostat copies of papers from Revolutionary War pension claims will be furnished you under the provisions of the Act of August 24, 1918, in accordance with any reasonable request on your part.
Very respectfully,
[illegible]
Commissioner.