Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3943, John Gates, N.C.

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Service: N.C.

Gates, John

Number: R3943. 

Born in N.C.

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John Gates

South Carolina 

3943

Rejected

See letter to dd on Jn. 

R Griffin July 18 1833

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3943

P.O.
John Gates

Service:

"REJECTED"

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State of South Carolina
Laurens District Dep.  1832

On this 17th day of October, [I] personally appeared in open court before [the] Judge of The Court of [BLANK]. now sitting John Gates, a resident of the state and district aforesaid aged sixty-eight years, who being first duly sworn accordingly to land, doth, on his oath, made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed on June 7th, 1832. I then said John Gates was born in Guilford County North Carolina, near Dam River on the 3rd of December 1764 and entered the United States service in February 1781 a short time previous to the celebrated battle of Guilford  Courthouse under the command of Captain Josiah Gates who was commanded by C.O. James Martin of the same state, and county aforesaid: I entered the service as a volunteer for the term of six months, we were called "minute men" at that time, being considered ready to march whenever required. Our regiment marched to tour and aid General Greene at or near Guilford Courthouse, but on our arrival within five miles of that place at Charles Bruce's store we met Colonel Washinton's horse and infantry (it being Sunday) and received information from Colonel Washington in which directions General Greene was marched in pursuit of and joined his army the next day in Caswell County,   and hence proceeded under his command to Halifax (VA.) We remained [for] about ten days at Halifax.

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I, John Carington, before the court of Laurens Dist, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of John Gates for a pension- In testimony whereof I have here set my hand and head of office The Seventeenth day of July, John 1832. 
  
John Carrington 
 L.D.




John Gates 
Applicant of Pension

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and from there we received orders to return to our different settlements in small squads not exceeding eight or ten in number to guard and protect the neighbourhood from the incursions of the British and foreign parties. Col. Martin accompanied us- We went to rejoin Gen. Greene shortly afterward at the High Rock Ford on Haw River in Guilford County, during the march my feet became so blistered and sore that I was unable to proceed in consequence of which Col. Martin gave me a furlough. This is the reason why I did not return with the rest of the share in the battle of Guilford Courthouse, On Gen. Greene leaving for the South, we were left to protect the settlements, and I was not again in actual service until November following when I was ordered out under lieutenant Walker of the Dragoons las a dragooner furnishing my own horse to guard the assembly of North Carolina which was then held its session in Salem. Capt. Bush commanded the infantry of the guard- after the adjustments of the assembly, Governor Caswell having died in the meantime, the guard accompanied Governor Alexander Martin, brother to Col. Martin, my first command to Salisbury, who succeeded Governor Caswell. I received no discharge except from Lt. Gov. Martin, which was verbal. Sometime in January 1781, or not long after the battle near Camden [the] 16th of August, 1780 called Gates defeat.

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The militia in my neighborhood was formed into classes of ten men each from among whom one man was to be drafted for the U.S. Service for the period of eighteen months. We were compelled to hazard a draft, or to ferrie a substitute in consequence of which we lost 15 Dollars each to a man by the name of Johnson who was seen as a substitute. I hereby relinquish any claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my house is not on the pension roll of any state to my knowledge nor did I ever receive compensation for my services. Sworn to and subscribed this 17th day of October in the year 1832 - at the close of the war I moved to South Carolina and have lived

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John Gates of South Carolina

doubtful whether he served

Rejected.

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Brief in the case of John Gates of Laurens County in the State of South Carolina (Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge? Court. 

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 68.

State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. 
In 1781

Duration of Service.
6 months. 

Rank.
As an Infantry

Names of General and Field Officer under whom he served.
Capt. Gates, Col. Martin, Gen, Greene. 

5. In what battles was he engaged?

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Guilford County, North Carolina

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I Certify that the forgoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 

J. ---- Examining Clerk.