Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3196, William Coleman, N.C.

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SERVICE                                            NUMBER
N. C.         Coleman, William             S.3196
CONTENTS                                        carded
[handwritten on pre-printed, lined card]

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Order to pay9-Nov (illegible)
Pay May (illegible)
Letter to 3 auditor + Pensioner Oct 31st 1842
Paid at the Treasury under the Acts of April 6th 1838 and Aug 23rd 1842 from Sept 1840 to 4th Sept 1841. Aged no (illegible) Nov 9th 1842
25278
East Tennessee
William Coleman
Of Cooke Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain McNabb of the regt commanded by Col Sevier on the N Carolina line for six months from 1781
Inscribed on the Roll of Eat Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Dec 1833 and sent to Hon. John Blair NC
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $ 50
Semi-ani. allowance ending 4 March 34 10 =60.
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Thomas Allison Clerk 
Book E Vol. 7 Page 39

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William Coleman
Declaration

Free

From: John Blair MC
Mail Washington City
DC
Sent by Otto Marshall
To John Blair Treas
for Knoxville Tn

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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Tennessee }
Cocke County }
On this [blank] day of August 1833 personally appeared before the Justices of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions the same being a court of record now sitting for the county of Cocke William Coleman a Citizen of sd county aged 71 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 was born in Stafford county Virginia on the 20th day of April 1761 as appears from records of which he is in possession. That he entered the service of United States about the first of September 1781 the precise day he cannot recollect In Washington County then in North Carolina as a volunteer under Col John Sevier Major John McNabb, Capt David McNabb, And marched from Washington County N C. in which County he then resided through Morganton in Burk [sic: Burke] county N. C. and Joined Genral Marion near Nelsons ferry on Santee river South Carolina from whence he was marched to a place called White oak on the Charleston road, from which place he was marched in Capt McNabbs company ^Compn Commandid [sic] by Col Mahan by order of General Marion to a place called the quarter house near Charleston while a boddy [sic] of Americans consisting of a thousand men took a British outpost of ninety men from whence they returned to the mouth of Whiteoak Creek on Santee river where he was discharged on the 13th of december 1781 having 12 days allowed him to return home. I this campaign he messed with James Miliken by where he came from service

And that afterwards in the fall of 1782 the day or month he cannot recollect he entered the service under Col John Sevier Capt Christopher Taylor as a volunteer and marched from Washington county aforesaid where he resided and crossed French broad at [illegible: swiss?] island thence up Boids [sic: Boyd's?] creek in the Northwestern Teritory [sic] and crossed the little Tennessee near Tillico [sic: Tellico] in the Cherokee Nation

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from where they took a south western direction through Indian country burning and destroying wigwams killing and taking the natives prisoners until they came to a place called Chota where they exchanged ^them prisoners for prisoners who had been previously taken by the Indians. from which place they returned home near the middle of the winter season as he believes making as he supposes a term of three months or upwards.

And that afterwards in spring of 1785 the day and month he cannot recollect he volunteered as our Indian spie [sic: spy] to guard the settlements south of French Broad and Holston rivers in which county he then lived under Captain William Lilloria and Major Peter Fine and rondezvoued [sic: rendezvoused] on big pigeon river in sd [said] Territory and marched back and forth from French broad to the waters of the Little Pigeon, that he served as aforesaid a term of 8 months as near as he can now recollect. He states that he had a discharge from under Marion butt [sic] sd discharge is lost he knows not how nor where.  nor does he now know of any person living who has personal knowledge of his serving except such as he herewith transmits - That he has resided in Cocke County Tennessee where he now resides ever since the Revolutionary  War He also states that Abraham Booker who is a clergyman and Abraham Fine Esquire are well acquainted with him in his present neighborhood and can testify to his veracity.

He hereby relinquishes all claim to a pension or annuity whatever except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
S/William Coleman

Sworn and subscribed in open court this 28th day of August 1833 
S/G. M. Porter Clerk

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The Abraham Booker a clergyman and Abrham Fine both residents in Cooke County do hereby certify that they are well acquainted with the above named William Coleman who has hereunto subscribed the above declaration that they believe him to be 71 years of age and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood we he resides to have been a revolutionary soldier and that they concur in that opinion
Abraham Booker
Abraham Fine
Sworn and subscribed in open court this 28th August 1833
G.M. Porter clerk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after that the matter and after putting the investigatory proved by the 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 Abraham Booker who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman and resides in the courts and that Abrham Fine has also (illegible) the same is also a resident in the  county and is a credible person and that this statement is (illegible) to full credit,
John (illegible) William (illegible) James H Cland
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 28th August 1833
G.M. Porter clerk

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State of Tennessee Cooke County
I George M Porter clerk of this court of please and quarter session for so county hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the court in the matter of the application of William Coleman for a pension 
Given under my hand and from the seal having no seal of office as officer in law this 28th August 1833
G.M. Porter clerk
I know GM Porter where declaration above to be the clerk of Cooke County + that he has no public seal of office M Milikin the (illegible) is also known to me + I believe him to be respectable the signatures are in my opinion all genuine 
Dec 20th 1833 John Blain MC

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No 28.796
William Coleman
Tennessee

from 1781 private 6 months
$20.





Hon: John Blair,
H.R.

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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office

Sir,
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7th 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 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. The 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 complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the service of William Coleman
Period when the service was rendered
1781 and 1782
Duration of the claimant's service
3 months 
3 months
rank of claimant pr.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served
Cap McNabb + Col Sevier
Col Sevier + Cap Taylor
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 71 N.C.
Proof by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary and one witness
Witness not certified to be creditable see note.
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 [sic] 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

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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. 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. 
(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.
[letter i paragraph bracketed on the right]
(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.
[letter j bracketed to the right]
(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. [underlined] 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. [end underline]
[stamp: 👉] 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.

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June 5 of 2- To Jno S Allen aprove charge -

South of Knoxville
Ducklower Polk Co
via Cleveland

[2 oval stamps completely illegible]




3196
Rev War √ INVALID.
________________
File No. 3196
William Coleman
Pvt. N.C. line
______________
Act: June 7" /32
Index:-   Vol. A,    Page 73

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

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Newport Tenn
July 9' 1872

Sir:
I beg leave to return the claim of William Coleman without a report. The investigation of this claim would have thrown me out of my route and consumed more time than was allowed me.

Very respy,
J.C. Black


Hon. J. H. Baker,
Comr Pensions

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GIDEON, PRINTER
__________________

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Nov. 2d, 1842.

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, William Coleman - a Pensioner on the Roll of the Knoxville, Ten: Agency, at the rate of - Twenty - Dollars [crossed out: and   Cents] per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832. has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1840, to the 4th Sept. 1841 ~

Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.



To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.

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East Tennessee Agency
Knoxville 17 Octr. 1836

Sir
Agreeable to Instructions under date of the 29 day of September 1836 - You will please find enclosed Mr. William Coleman's papers this day made out, Claiming opinion of Twenty Dollars per annum from the 4 day of March 1834 up to the 4 day of September 1836. being five Semi-annual payments due him, which my Books Shew [sic], I have retained the original certificate of pension also Mr. John Bredon papers Claiming pension from the 4 day of September 1835. up to  the 4 day of September 1836. being Two Semiannual payments due him; which my Books Shew [sic]

all of which is Submitted for your Consideration and further instructions

I am respectfully your obt Sevt. [obedient servant]
[illegible] Agent

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look into Wm Coleman 
E. Ten. roll 25278

May 13.

Mr Coleman Pensioner [illegible]


Newport T }  [crossed out: 25]
May 4th. }

James L. Edwards Esqr Cmr. Pensions
Washington City
D C.

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State of Tennessee }
Cocke County } County Court May Term 1837
William Coleman this day personally appeared in open Court with Alexander Milliken & Daniel C Chamberlin not dis-interested persons and proved by them that he is the Identical William Coleman named in a pension Certificate issued to him from the War Department placing him on the pension list at Knoxville and that he is entitled to all the benefits arising from the same

S/Alexander Milliken
S/Daniel C. Chamberlain


State of Tennessee }
Cocke County }
I William McSwan Clerk of the County Court for said County - Certify that the foregoing is a true Transcript of the proceeding made at May Term of the County Court for said County Identifying William Coleman to be the true and only William Coleman that is mentioned in a Pension Certificate issued to him from the War Department - Given under my hand and private seal of office (having no seal of office) at office the 3d day of May 1837
S/William McSwan
Clerk of the County Court

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East Tennessee Cocke County May 5th. 1837

Mr James L Edwards
Sir in conformity with the instructions of R. King Agent at Knoxville I send you the proceeding of the County Court of Cocke County. Identify myself to be the true and only William Coleman that is mentioned in a Pension Certificate Issued to me from the War Department which he says is necessary that I should do to secure to me further payments that I believe to be due to me from the Department

The Transcript from the Court will show when the last draw was made

Yours with respect
William Coleman

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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Coles, Ebenezer   GRADE Private  LINE Massachusetts


WARRANT 
NUMBER 3953   ACREAGE [blank] 100  ISSUED May 17, 1792 to Moses Bissell ______

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