Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17286, Thomas Boyd, N.C.

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(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE                               NUMBER
N.C.       Boyd, Thomas       S. 17286

Born in Pr.                    carded
CONTENTS

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Missouri 22.466.
Thos Boyd Sent 
[illegible Callan] on the State of Missouri 
who was a Private in the Co. commanded 
Captain Morrison of the Rgt commanded 
Col McDowell in the N. C. a
[illegible e] for / [illegible 3 months] & 12 days.
$44.66/100
Subscribed on the Roll of Missouri 
at the rate of 44 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Nov. 1833 and sent to Irvine O. Hockaday, Fulton, C.C.[illegible Missouri]

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833.             89.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34. 22.33
                                                                  $111.65

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832.       }
Recorded by [illegible Wm R Palmer Clerk,
Book G  Vol.  8    Page 79

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State of Missouri  }
Calloway County    }
On this twentyeth day of August In the year Eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before the County Court of Callaway County Now sitting, Thomas Boyd Senr a resident of the said County of Callaway in the State of Missouri aforesaid, aged seventy two years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June seventh eighteen hundred and thirty two – 
I was born on the 10th of March in the year 1761 in York County Pennsylvania according to the [illegible uiiiforus] statements of my Father and to the registry of my age which I have seen in my Father's bible - what has become of that bible I can not tell, but suppose it to be in possession of some one of my family in North Carolina, to which State I removed along with my Father and family when I was about eight years of age - my Father then settled with his family in what was then called Berk County close to the line of Rowan County - I remained there with my Father and mother until I was about fifteen years old when the British having landed in Georgia sent emmisaries and officers to the Cherokees to excite them to war against the Americans in which they so well succeeded that the Cherokees became very troublesome on the head waters of Tennessee River and made an attack upon the frontier settlements of North and South Carolina on the waters of the Catawba, the Watenee and the Broad River and decided in masacreing many of the inhabitants to repel them British and indians a considerable force was named of volunteer and drafted Militia under their

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of one General Rutherford - a brother of mine having volunteered, in order to go along with him, I ran away from my father, being about fifteen years old, in the same company which was commanded by one Captain James Morrison our Lieut was named Samuel Carson, I believe we had no ensign, our Colonels were Bakeman and Charles McDowel - afterwards Genl McDowel - Joseph McDowel was our Major - there troops were rained in all the frontier Counties-- those who would not volunteer were drafted. It was either in the latter part of August or the first of September in the year 1776 that we sett out with the whole force amounting to, I think, about two thousand men under the command of Genl Rutherford on the contemplated expedition against the Britts and Indians, we started from Pleasent Garden in Berk County, at which point the troops had been ordered to rendezvous and we marched thence westward across the freuch broad to the head waters of the Tennessee where the Cherokee Towns were situated-- this was called one hundred and fifty miles from the point whence we had sett out - when we reached them we met with the Indians with whom we had two battles and after having burned their Towns, destroyed their crops, carried away their cattle and horses and killed a good many of the enemy and having taken about seventy prisoners we marched back home which he reached about the last day of November after an absence of three months and twelve days - in this expedition we took two British agents of the name of Scott & Hicks. I was very young when I engaged in this expedition and took but very little notice of dates; I have been as particular as my knowledge recollection would permit and am very sure that so far as I state I am right.

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on this expedition we met at old Cowee Town considerable force from South Carolina under the command of our General Williamson - the next day while they were crossing the mountain to meet another division of our troops, they were attacked by a large Indian force supposed to amount to seventeen hundred men. The battle lasted about two hours and a half - we were posted about three miles off and could hear the firing and fearing the South Carolinians might be defeated about 250 of our men, having volunteered for that service, were detached to relieve the South Carolinians, of whom I was one, but by the time we came in sight we discovered the Indians retreating at a considerable distance-- when we got up we found that the South Carolinians had lost 17 men killed and 18 wounded in the action. I did not see any dead Indians but saw much blood on their trail. this action took place between the old cower town and what was called the over hill or Valley Towns, the South Carolinians, though they succeeded at last in driving the indians by means of two small [illegible Shovels] which they had brought on horses, yet were supposed to have had the [illegible work] of the battle. On our return from this Cherokee expedition as it was called, we were discharged in writing by our respective captains and I had mine too but have long since forgotten what has become of it. About a year after our return from this expedition upon a report that the same Indians had again become trouble some, I along with two or three other men was sent by order of the same Col McDowel to a Fort called Davidson's fort on the head of Catawba River where he stayed thirty days - whilst we were there preparations were making for an attack upon the indians, but before their maturity the Indians came in and said for peace which put a stop to warlike preparations and and rendered a longer stay at the fort

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Unnecessary - Whilst at the fort we were attached to a company which was at the Fort commanded by one Captain Smith and which was composed of men from different parts who had been sent there like us - I can not say the exact day upon which he set out on this service nor the day we returned. all I remember is that we started late in the fall and were absent thirty days. 
It was I suppose in 80o in July that one Col Brian a Tory from the forks of the Yadkins in Rowan County having raised a considerable force from amongst the Tories set out to join Cornwallis at Camden - upon this emergency volunteer troops were raised amongst the patriot Americans of Berks, Rowan Mecklenburg and other counties to the amount of about 1200 men who under the command of Col Mathew Loke of Rowan County, marched sometime in the month of July 1880, what day I can not recollect, in order to attack Brian and his Tories, after having proceed about 120 or 30 miles South into South Carolina we overtook Brian’s Troops together with some Britsh horse at a place called hanging rock - after our action which lasted about three hours, we succeeded in defeating the enemy having killed a large number and having lost but eleven men- In this expedition I was a volunteer in Capt Robt Holmes Company of Berk County N.C. whence we marched: our Rowland Alexander was our ensign - Capt Holmes company was not in the engagement. I in company with some few others having been sent forward to inform of the patriots of our approach joined ourselves to 
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our friends in the battle and they had a full share of the fight after being absent three weeks our company returned home, but without being discharged - about twenty days before the battle at Hanging Rock there had been a battle at Ramsower's Mills in Rutherford County in which I was not engaged, I was absent at the time toward the Moravian Town after some money for my father and knew nothing of that battle until it was over - our friends lost a great many fine men there. I was myself well acquainted with several patriot Captains who fell in that engagement - as soon as we had returned home from Hanging Rock, having procured horses we were [illegible organized] into varying companies under the same officers, the object of which was to watch the Tories and the British that were then laying in Charlotte Mecklenburg County N. C. under the command of Cornwallis and to suppress tory parties and protect the friends of America were whilst we were engaged in the ranging service we were continually active some times our own company was alone in some part of the Country and at others all the ranging Companies would get together - during this service had a skirmish at one Doctor Alexander where there were about 3 or 4 hundred british engaged in getting out - oats - they had a field piece - we amounted at that time to but about 50 or 60 - we made an onset upon them whilst they were unprepared and not expecting us and succeeded in spilling their canon with [illegible begotten] and [illegible neashed] through their firing on them as we hoped and made our escape

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before they could recover from the surprise this was about ten miles from Charlotteville - our head quarters was about twelve miles from this British at Charlotte - at mills the name of which I do not recollect. this skirmish was September ’80. apples were ripe then - after [illegible Ferguson’s] defeat at Kings mountain and Tarleton's defeat at the Cowpens the british retreated into winter quarters to South Carolina about this time a party of tories having defeated Captain Cann [illegible inghams] Company of Rangers near Ransower's Mills Cunningham succeeded in making his escape to our camp one Major Provard of the Rangers took two companies one of which was Captain Holmes to which I belonged amounting in all to about 60 men and went in persuit of the Tories - we overtook them about three miles from Ramsour's Mills, I was ahead of the detachment as a spy along with two or three others and when we were discovered by the Tories who were not so far in advance as I had expected- we persued and took three of them prisoners - the rest made their escape our detachment returned back to Camp-- we continued ranging all that winter and kept patrollers out every night until the Spring when the British returning crossed the Catawba at Bacties ford on the 17th or 18th of February - we were then under the command of our Genl Davison our force did not amount to more than 6 or 7 hundred men, we attempted to dispute the passage of the River with the enemy, but being 
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protected by their Cannon which were placed on a high hill opposite to us they succeeded in driving us from the ford and made good the crossing we fought them as well as we could - we retreated and formed again on a hill about a half mile from the ford where we made a stand - here Davidson was killed and many of the men: owing to a heavy rain that wetted our rifles we were unable to make a good defense and were driven from the field, our troops dispersed and a part of them retreated to Torrens and stopped there out of the rain - but the enemy's dragoons coming up in the persuit cut a great many to pieces. I was not amongst those who went to Torren's the detachment to which I belonged without stopping retreated to Caldwell mills on the little Yadkin the place appointed for our meeting - many fled home. Cornwallis was at the head of his army at Beaties ford and the many british army said to be 7000 strong was there - we expected to be repulsed but hoped to have made a more gallant resistance. Col Locke and Col Davy and I think a col. Martin were present at Beaties ford. Martin was of Surry County & Locke was from Rowan - the British marched on from the ford to salisbury and having stayed there a few days went forward across the Yadkin by the Moravian Town to Guilford - our troops followed the British, army which remained some time in the Country, until we met the Americas army under General Green on the Stan River sometime in the last of February or first of March

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[smudged xxxx] days after this it was reported that one Col. Pyles having gathered three hundred Tories in order to go down and join the British and get a commission Col's Washington and Lee having been ordered to march with a detachment to attack him I volunteered to March in this detachment - we marched down to the settlement on Haw River where Pyle and his Tories were [illegible parted] and our Col. having sent a messenger in advance to Pyles informing him that Tarleton with his men was approaching in order to receive him and conduct him and his men to Lord Cornwallis (in this our Colonels represented themselves and their troops to be Col Tarleton & forces), as soon as Col Pyles rec’d the message falling into the deception mustered his men on the side of the road in order to receive the supposed Col Tarleton, when our Col's moved up with their mounted men (leaving the infantry some little distance behind in order for battle; of whom I was one) and having passed on until they had got to the upper end of Col. Pyles Line and then facing to Pyles Line, amidst shouts of long live King George from both parties, our troops drawing their swords attacked the Tories and cut them down-- Washington, himself cut out the eye of Pyles a great slaughter was made of the Tories whilst they were carrying out that they were friends of King George - Col Plyes was killed on the spot. a son of his who lost his eye in that surprise is now living in Illinois where I saw him a few years since __
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after this defeat of Pyles we returned to the Camp of General Green between Han and Deep River a few days after this perhaps 4 or 5 days a party of North Carolina Rangers were ordered out to reconnoiter and having got into a long lane, the British & Tories were posted in ambush at the other and of the lane and also on each side of the lane in the fields - when we had got into the lane they fired upon us and killed two or three men when we retreated about two hundred of us was out that time, we were [illegible are] upon that occasion as if it had been Indians - we returned to camp and a few days afterwards were discharged. when I say we were discharged, I mean the north Carolina Militia which had been in service from the time of the battle at Hanging rock without intermission until that day-- We were discharged just four days before the battle of Guilford, and I could hear the firing at the battle on my return home-- we were discharged by order of Genl Green by our commanding officers Col Lake & Col Martin our discharges were in writing but I have long since lost mine - we were discharged in an old field on the Haw River - I ought to remark that although I belonged to Capt Holmes company all the time yet I was not under his command more than half of my time as I was often employed as an express and  as a spy. just before the battle of Kings Mountain Genl Charles McDowel wanting to send an express to the lower lines which were facing the British at

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Charlotteville, the object of which was important (as I supposed) and his rider not being willing to go Genl McDowel sent him to me and I took charge of the message and went down to the lower lines and delivered the express to the commanding officer there - after this a board of war or something like it was held and Genl Mc Dowel obtained from the board a certificate of my service as express on the occasion alluded to which he sent me. I had that certificate not many years ago, but when I left Kentucky to come to this country I burned it along with a bundle of what I supposed to be useless papers - I mention this because I have some reason to believe that the proceedings of that board were returned to the war department and that my name may be found reported as I state - Capt Holmes who was my capt never appeared before that board or as I have been advised all of our Company’s names would have been returned to the war department. About one month before I was discharged I recd from Genl Davidson a capt commission to command a company of Rangers for twelve months. the company was raised at home for me but as I was to serve out the time when I was before I should take command, and the war ended very soon after. I never took command and there was no use for the company, my Commission has shared the fate of my other old papers. the reason for our troops being discharged, was that they had been long in arduous service - that we were nearly naked and besides the Virginia Militia had joined Genl Green by which our place could be supplied 
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I left Berk County N.C. in the year ’95- after having lived there from my early childhood until that time - thence I moved to Montgomery County Kentucky where I remained until 1825, when I removed thence to Callaway County Mo. where I now live - I am in my 73rd  year since the 10th day of March last - my Revolutionary services commenced in seventy six when I was in my 15th year, so that taking my youth then and my old age now it ought not to be required of me to state facts with that precession and detail which would suppose a perfect memory; about the year and month in which my first services coverred I am confident that I have stated correctly and also as to the length of service in that expedition but as to the exact month and day on which my last services commenced I may have committed some error, but I am certain it was a few days after the battle of Ransowin and it continued until four days before the battle of Guilford in which I believe was on the 14th March ’18- I am informed that it is necessary that I should state the exact day of the commencement of my services and of their ending. I can not be more exact than I have been, and I hope that although my bad memory may affect the amount of my pension, it will not cast me out of a pension altogether - I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State I knew whilst in service, Genl Green, Col. Washington, and Col Lee of the Continental army

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and was with them some time whilst the army was in Guilford County N. C. these are all the officers of the Continental army that I knew by sight- I parted with them, I think, just four days before the battle of Guilford when the Virginia militia joined the American army - I served in 1776 as a private say from the 1st of August till the 12th of December as a private in an expedition against the Cherokees - passing over small and abortiric or unimportant services I served in the year 1777 at Davidsons Fort as a private from say the 1st to the last day of August in 1780 I served as a private from say the 10th of July until the 1st of August on an expedition into South Carolina against the British & the Tories under Brian  - and without being discharged the company to which I belonged was converted into a ranging Company and in it as a private I continued to serve until four days before the battle of Guilford which took place I think on the 14th March 1781 – 
There was one Benjamin Robinson living in Kentucky some few years ago who was out with me in my first campaign: I know not if he be yet alive  - but there is a Mr John Hereford living in this County, who was a neighbor of mine in Berks County N.C. who though he was very young during the revolutionary war and did not himself serve, yet must either know that I was out or at least must have heard it spoken of there - I appeal to his testimony.
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I am known to a good many individuals resident in this County but they generally live at some distance from this Village and in my own neighborhood, as being old I have stered about but little and accordingly have had but little opportunity to become known abroad. I am however known To Robert Dunlap and to the Judges of this Court Residents of this County to whose testimony I refer myself with pleasure as to my character in all respects. I refer for the same purpose also to the Reverend Wm. McAfee a resident of this County to whom I am well known as I believe – 
Thomas Boyd
Subscribed & Sworn to before me Clerk of the County Court of Callaway County in the State of Missouri in Open Court this 20th day of August AD 1833 
Irvine O. Hockaday Clerk 
John Hereford a resident of the County of Callaway aged about fifty nine years being duly sworn saith he is well acquainted with Thomas Boyd the above applicant that he was born and lived until he was twenty three years of age in what was then Bork County (since Wilkes County) North Carolina that he lived within a mile and a half from said Boyd in Carolina and knew him there from his earliest infancy - this Deponent recollects very well that Thomas Boyd came to this deponents house to

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to get this deponents mother to make him a napsack the said Boyd's mother having no daughters to help her though she had seven sons - and as there was a hurry Wm. Boyd got this Deponents mother to help him to fix - this deponent recollects perfectly when Wm. Boyd started into the service and often heard from him whilst he was out this deponent having at the same time a brother in law out along with Wm. Boyd - this Deponent does not recollect the year or years where this took place but from his youthfulness and the general talk that it was during the revolutionary war - this Deponent does not recollect how long Thomas Boyd served, but from his earliest recollection Boyd was serving and he never returned until the war was considered to be at an end. this Deponent says that the country in which himself and Wm. Boyd lived was a very hot one in those times . that deponent believes that Wm. Boyd States truly his age in the foregoing petition. Wm. Boyd and his whole family always sustained  characters of perfect respectabilty at all times, and this Deponent has never heard a word unfavorable to any of them - this deponent further states that Thomas Boyd has raised a family who are all respectable, one of his sons being Col. in this County now. this deponent further states that he recollects that just after the close of the revolutionary war Thomas Boyd was elected a lieutenant in the first company that this deponent ever mustered in Carolina . and this Deponent farther saith not. John Heryford subscribed & Sworn to before me clerk of the County Court of Callaway County in open Court this 29th day of August 1833 
J. O. Hockaday Clerk

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Robert Dunlap a Resident of Callaway County about seventy years of age being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Thomas Boyd the above named applicant and knew him in Kentucky in 1806 he all ways had the character of an honest orderly good citizen - this Deponent has heard Mr. Boyd talk of his Revolutionary services at his earliest acquaintin with him - this deponent has no doubt whatever of the truth of Mr Boyds statements above and that he served as he states - and farther this deponent saith not- 
Robert Dunlap
Subscribed & Sworn to before me clerk of the County Court of Callaway County in Open Court this 20th day of August AD 1833 
J.O. Hockaday Clerk 
I Robert L. McAfee a clergyman residing in the County of Callaway Mo. do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Boyd who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be seventy two 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 I with out hesitation, concur in that opinion- 
Robert L. McAfee
Subscribed & Sworn to before me clerk of the County Court of Calloway County in Open Court this 20th day of Augt AD 1833 
J. O. Hockaday Clerk
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 farther

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certifies that it appears to them that John Herriford and Robert Dunlap are resident in the who have signed the preceding affidavits are residents of the County of Callaway and are credible persons and that their statements be entitled to credit and also that Robert McAfee who has signed the last above certificate is a clergyman resident in the same County and that he is a credible person and his statements entitled to credit.
Saml T. Moore 
John Congers
James McKinney 

State of Missouri }
Calloway County  }
I James O Hockaday Clerk of the County Court of Calloway County in the State of Missouri do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of applications of Thomas Boyd for a pension and that the signatures of the judges to the preceding certificate is their genuine signatures – 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto sett my hand and seal of office, this 20th day of August A. D. 1833- 
Irvine O. Hockaday Clerk  (Seal)

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27.336. 22 .466
Thomass Boyd Sens
Missouri 
Adm 1. yr 1. Month
& 12 days. 
43.33
  1.11
    .22
44.66
        2 ½
89.32
22.33
111.65

Irvine O. Hockaday 
Fulton 
Callaway Co 
Missouri

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
30th Oct 1833.

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

A Statement, shewing the service of Thomas Boyd Send
Period 	Duration of the	Names and rank	Age at present,	Proof by which the
when the 	claimant's service.	Of the field officers	and place of abode	declaration is
service was	Years. Months. Days.	under whom he served.	when he entered	supported.
rendered			the service.

1776		4      12	Cap. Morrison 	72 years

1777		1.	Col McDowel 	Bert Co		Traditionary	

1780		8.	Col. Sher	No Ca
			Cap. Holmes	“    “

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. 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, 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.
County of                                   }
On this        day of           personally appeared (a) before 
A. B. a resident (b) of                  in the county of                    and State, Territory or District of         aged         (c)            years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)            , with                  and served in the                            (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers: 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.            This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of                          
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                                      A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I                                                  of the Court of                                      do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                       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

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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, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6. {To a Soldier.   { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? 
    {To an Officer.   {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. 
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. 
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.  
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
“ Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best 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 [illegible hrieu] four months, is to indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

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

Proof of Service.
[j] In 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. 
[] 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 23

November 11, 1936 

                      Thomas Boyd-S.17286
                      BA-J/AWF

Mrs. P. B. Zink
335 W. Walnut Street
Hillsboro, Ohio

Dear Madam

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Thomas Boyd, who served from North Carolina and was pensioned under # 17286. 

The data furnished herein were obtained from pension claim, S. 17286, based upon the service of Thomas Boyd in the Revolutionary War. 

Thomas Boyd was born March 10, 1761 in York County, Pennsylvania, names of his parents not given. He moved, when about eight years old with his father and family to Berks (later Wilkes) County, North Carolina, close to the line of Rowan County, and lived there with his father and mother until about fifteen years of age. It is stated that there were no daughters in the family but there were seven sons.

Thomas Boyd enlisted in the summer of 1776 and was a private in Captain James Morrison's company under Colonels Bakeman and Charles McDowell with the North Carolina troops, marched to the Cherokee towns, was in two engagements, burned the towns, captured about seventy prisoners, length of service three months and twleve days. He was sent in 1777 by Colonel McDowell to Davidson's Fort on the Catawba River, and served there one month under Captain Smith. He enlisted sometime in July, 1780, served in Captain Robert Holmes' company, Colonel Matthew Locke's regiment, and was in the battle of Hanging Rock, after which he served in a company of Rangers under Captain Robert Holmes and Colonels Matthew Locks and Martin

Page 24

was in frequent skirmishes with the Tories and British, did much spy duty and [smudged xxxxxxxxx] battle when General Davidson was killed and in the battle of Pyles Defeat under Colonels Washington and Lee, and was discharged about four days before the battle of Guilford Court House. He was elected Captain of a company of Rangers but his company was not called out as the war closed. 

Thomas Boyd continued to live in Berks County until in 1795, when he moved to Montgomery County, Kentucky and in 1826, moved to Calloway County, Missouri.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 20, 1833, then a resident of Calloway County. 

The soldier, Thomas Boyd, reared a family, one son in 1833 was referred to as Colonel of Calloway County, Missouri, his name not stated. The name of the soldier's wife is not given and there is no further reference to children.

Soldier had a brother in the service early in the Revolution. Names of his brothers not given. 

Very truly yours 

A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator

Page 25

Kirksville Mo 
May 22 -09 

Pension Bureau 
Your letter in answer to my enquiry about Thomas Boyd received I know that my Great Grand father Thomas Boyd received a pension my information in regard to the Gen- he Janglet under may be errong  I think Lair was one Thomas Boyd from 10 - 1761 - his wife Grizzella Allen born Aug 20- 1763- He was from North

Page 26

2 

Carolina. later moved to Kentucky I don’t Know which state he was living in at time time pension was granted. Once please see if you can find  a record of his pension with this additional information 
Very Respt 
Yours Lula Caldwell Davis 
Kirksville Mo
216.  & Franklin [illegible Mt].

Page 27

1909 May 20  Lulu C. Davis 
216 So. Franklin St.
Kirksville Mo.

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by L.D.L.
Claim No. 
Certificate No. 
Claimant 
Soldier Thos. Boyd 
Service N.C.
Additional Service Rev. War
Prt. & Trumpeter [illegible for] Capt. Samil Ashe’s 111 N.C. Dragoons.
No ______claim, State records _______, 190__
No claim, combination records _______, 190__
REMARKS:
No claim, except
J.#17286 not stated that he was in service
noted above.
Not identical
Chief Division

Page 28

O. W. and N. Division.     3-525.
Send back stamped envelope
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., March 5 1907
Madam:
In reply to your request of Feb. 19, 1907, received Feb. 23, 1907 for a statement of the military history of Thomas Boyd Sr. 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.

DATES OF 		LENGTH OF 	RANK.	OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.		STATE.
ENLISTMENT OR	SERVICE.			CAPTAIN		COLONEL.
APPOINTMENT. 

*Aug. 1, 1776	3 Mo 12 days	Private	James Morrison	Bakeman and Charles McDowell		N.C.
Aug. 1, 1777	1 Mo		Private	Smith						N.C.
Jan 10, 1780	4 days before		Robert Holmes	Martin and matthew Lake		N.C.
Battle of Shilford 

*In this tour was in the Cherokee Expedition 

Battles engaged in, 2 battles with Indians, Hanging Rock, Beatris Ford, and Haw River 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, in what was then Burke Co. N.C. 
Date of application for pension, Aug 30, 1833 [illegible His clear at]
Residence at date of application, Callaway Co. Ms. 
Age at date of application, Born March 10, 1761 in York Co Pa. 
Remarks: Date of death not stated 
Sons, names not stated 

Very respectfully, 
Miss Grace Boyd
Mexico Mo. 
27225631 - 07 			Commissioner.

Page 29

Hillsboro, Ohio. October 12, 1936.
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly send me a copy of the pension certificate of Thomas Boyd who served in the revolutionary war from North Carolina.
His wife's name was Goizella Allen. The number of the application for pension was 17286.
This information is wanted for Mrs. Marvin Ballew who wants to join a D.A.R. chapter.
Thanking you and hoping for an early reply.
Yours very truly
Mrs. P. B. Zink
335 W. Walnut St.
Hillsboro, Ohio

Page 30

Feb. 19. 1907. 
Menco, Mo.
Pension Dept.
Dear Sir:
Enclosed you will the war record of my ancestor, who drew a pension from the Revolutionary war, paid to him at New Bloomfield, Callaway Co. Mo. – Can you please give me the place of his birth and date. Also date of his decease.

Page 31

Can you give me by volume and page to the documentary or other authorty upon which I can find his record for reference
Yours truly
Grace Boyd

Page 32

Thomas Boyd 
Private in the Company of Captain James Morrison, Colonel Mc. Dowell’s Regiment, North Carolina troops. 1777; Private in Captin Smith’s Co; and in Captin Holmes Company. Col. Locke’s Reg.
Was in the battle of Hanging Rock.

Page 33

B
28649 I
Nandalia Mo July 30 1894 
Comissioner Rhaum
D Sir
I wish you to furnish what information you can of Thomas Boyd don’t know whether he had middle name or not he lived at Newbloomfield, Mo drew a pension for several years at new Bloomfield for services as soldier in war of revolution died at [illegible NB] about 1846 or 47 I wish to join the sons of the revolutionary soldiers
Yours truly
W.S. Boyd

Page 34

Mo.

17.286
INVALID.
File No. ____ 17.286____
___ ThosBoyd ____
___ Pri Rev War ___

Act: ___ June 7" 33 ___
Vol. ___ 1 ___, Page ___ 45 __

Arrangement of 1870.

1894 Aug 20
Hist to 
WS Boyd
Naudalia
1907 Mar 5 Hist. to Grace Boyd
1909 May 29 Hist to Lulu C. Davis & V. Luk
1936 - Nov. 11. hist to Mrs. P. B. Zink