Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 855, John Birdsong, N.C.

Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
N.C.

Birdsong, John

NUMBER
R.855.

CONTENTS

Page 2

For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of "an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldier of the army of the revolution." Approved on 15th of May 1828. I John Birdsong of the county of McNairy in the state of Tennessee, do hereby declare, that I enlisted in the continental line of the army of the revolution for and during the war and continued in its service until its termination at which period I was a soldier under Col Nicholas Long who commanded the posts between the Northern & Southern army. I do further state that I entered the service under Col Ambrose Ramsey of N. Carolina, and during the war was transferred to Long's Regiment and the duties principally performed by me when under Long was carrying express from one army to the other.
I also declare that I never received any certificate for the reward of $80 to which I was entitled under a resolve of Congress passed 15th May 1778. I further declare that I received a discharge but has long since lost or mis-laid it so that I cannot find it. I further declare that I was not on 15th day March 1828 on the pension List of the United States.
10th Feby. 1830
[signed] John Birdsong

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Personally appeared before me William C. Deer an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Madison & State of Tennessee, being duly empowered to administer oaths, Genl. William Birdsong a citizen of said county who did make oath that John Birdsong by whom the foreseeing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed & believed to have been a soldier in the army of the revolution in manner as therein stated he further states that said John Birdsong was active carrying express from the Northern to the Southern army and suffered various privations and [illegible] many risques as I  he and the officers in said army give him great credit for so doing and that said John continued in service from sometime in the year 1780 until after the capture of Lord Cornwallis I am now acquainted with the situation of the said John Birdsong he is old and [illegible] & is a very poor man has no property to support on, the reason that I am positive of the facts stated I was a soldier in the aforesaid army.
[signed] W Birdsong

witness my hand this 20th day of February 1830. Sworn to and subscribed before the day & date above
[signed] WC Deer JP

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State of Tennessee
Madison County

I Roderick McIver Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for said County do hereby certify that William C Deer Esquire before whom the written affidavit was made is now and was at the time of Certifying the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and Duly authorized to Administer Oaths
In Testimony whereof I have hereto Set my hand and affixed my seal of office at office in Jackson the 20th day of February 1830.
[signed] R. McIver Clk

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The State of Tennessee }
Fayette County              } Circuit Court January Term 1846

Personally appeared in open Court
before the Hon W.C. Dunlap Judge al. presiding John
Birdsong, a citizen of said County of Fayette and makes oath that he was a soldier engaged in the Revolutionary war
against the British and Tories. He states that his first
service was under Col Ambrose Ramsay the then Col
of the County of Chatham in the State of North Carolina
in which County deponent then resided. This was in the
year 1780. His father John Birdsong was then the 1st
Major of said County & was taken prisoner in 1781 shortly
after the battle at Guilford and was prisoner until about
February 1982, part of the time at Wilmington, then in a
prison ship thence at Charleston. Affiant was in
several skirmished under Col. Ramsay.  One of them
was at the head of a law at Eli Bransons where we had a
fight with the Tories. I think Capt Medart commanded
the company I was in. I was often dispatched when
under Col Ramsay to assist in the conveyance of public stores
to Ramsays mill & also to Hillsboro. I cannot recall how long I was under Col Ramsay.

I next served under Col John Littrell & made a number of skirmishes under him & a number of skirmishes, [illegible] & his men several times [illegible] was at or near

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Lindleys Mill on Cain Creek, in which Col. Littrell was killed & also Mjr John Nawl & he recollects a soldier by the name of Burton was severely wounded in the belly & William Dilliard a near neighbor was killed & many others killed & wounded. Genl Butler commanded but it was understood he ran about the beginning of the battle & the command ended on Col. Littrell - He also served some time under
Capt William G [illeg.] -  The battle of Lindleys mill was fought to try to retake Gov. Burke who had been taken prisoner at Hillsboro some time before - I had been engaged two days before the battle carrying word to officers calling them in & got to the ground just as the battle commenced - and affiant states further that a short time before Gov Burke was made prisoner he was dispatched by some of his officers to warn the Governor not to return to Hillsboro

He states also that his Brother Capt Batt Birdsong was for some time a Deputy quarter Master the Commander of the Station Harrisburg in Granville County and affiant was in the service there not less than nine months & during a good part of the time was dispatched often with messages to officers at other places - being dispatches and a short time during temporary absence of

Page 7

his Brother he commanded the station  Affiant was in service until Cornwallis was captured but [illeg.] about Christmas of that year--
Affiant has resided in the County of Fayette about fifteen years--and is now near Eighty 4 years old-- & has not heretofore applied for a pension for the reason that I have been able to live without it & for no other reason--but the Death of members of my family & my age becoming too great to enable me to make a living at my trade (the hatters business) has left me destitute & without the means of support.
John Birdsong

Sworn to and Subscribed
in open Court   William Burton Clk

Also appears in open Court at the same time Gen. William Birdsong resident of the County of Madison in said state and states that he is of the age of about 81 years & is the Brother, next youngest to John Birdsong the foregoing affiant-- He states that John Birdsong was a soldier in the Revolutionary War against the British & Tories-- Affiant recollects his first service was under Col Ambrose Ramsay of Chatham, his Father being first Major--

Page 8

said John was also some time under Col Lyttrell  He also served some time under Capt William G Colins-- Affiant also states Col Lyttrell fell, with other brave men, while commanding at the battle of Lindleys mill on Cain Creek-- Also that he served under his Brother Capt Batt Birdsong a Deputy quarter Master at Harrisburg in Granville County some nine months & was after detailed to carry dispatches during which time he went through many dangers-- Affiants recollection is that his services were dispensed with shortly after the Capture of Cornwallis-- said John is now 83 or 84 years old--is poor & helpless & without any means of a support-- He was a volunteer in the revolution & never drafted.  Affiant also recollects his Brother John assisted to carry the provisions beef & pork to Ramsays mill which was afterwards captured by Cornwallis-- He thinks said John was in service two years from the best of affiants knowledge--
William Birdsong
his X marks.

Sworn to and Subscribed
in open Court   William Burton Clk

Page 9

Feruary 4,  1932
RA-J/MCS

Mr. Joe M. Birdsong
P. O. Box 263
West Point 
Georgia

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter of December 19, 1931,
requesting information in regard to John Birdsong, a soldier
of the Revolution.

The data contained herein are obtained from papers on 
file in pension claim, R. 855, based upon the Revolutionary
War service of John Birdsong.

He applied for pension February 20, 1830, while living in
McNairy County, Tennessee.

It was alleged that while living in Chatham County, North
Carolina, he enlisted sometime in 1780 and served until after the
surrender of Cornwallis, was with the North Carolina troops under
Captains Medaris and William Chalson and Colonels Ambrose Ramsey,
Nicholas Long and John Littrell.  He was engaged in carrying express 
(redacted) army and the southern army, was in several 
skirmishes one of which was at Eli Branson's and he was in the battle of Lindley's Mill.

His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of 
the alleged service, which was the requirement of the pension law.

In 1846 he stated that he was "near eighty-four years old"
and had lived in Fayette County, Tennessee, for about fifteen
years, and he referred to the death of members of his family but 
did not state any names.

[Handwritten at the bottom of letter, page 1]

Letter written to Hon. F.P. Stauton, Mar, 4, 1846
from Pension Office, refers to Wm. Birdsong 
as the soldier but evidently meant John
Birdsong as claim on account of service of Wm.
Birdsong was not made until 18 J-4.
As Wm's. name appears in John's claim they may have
confused the two names when writing said letter.

Page 10

The soldier, John Birdsong, stated that his father, John 
Birdsong, was first major of Chatham County, North Carolina, in
1780 and was taken prisoner in 1781 shortly after the battle of
Guilford and was held at Wilmington and Charleston until about
February, 1782.  He also stated that his brother, Captain Bath?
Birdsong, was deputy quartermaster in command of the station at
Harrisburg in Granville County for sometime during the Revolution.
The soldier's brother, General William Birdsong, was living in
Madison County, Tennessee, in 1846 at which time he was about 
eighty-one years of age.

The above noted is the history of the only John Birdsong,
on account of whose Revolutionary War service a claim for pension
was made to the United States.

Very truly yours,

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator

Page 11

Acts
Ex'r.
INVALID.
[stamped] RECEIVED
855
John Birdsong
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
18
18
118
32 Feb. 4 hist. to Mr. Joe M. Birdsong
1933 Mar. 13. Joe M Birdsong  Bdr. Cost of photos M. M. H J.
1933 Apr. 14. Photos
mailed to Joe M. Birdsong
& account. Div. ntfd agy

Page 12

21191
John Birdsong
Tennessee
at 18 March 1818 & 15 May 1828
Requested 17 March 1830 by letter to Hon. D. Crockett
could not locate this letter.  M.C.S. 8/4/32
855
found Mch 10, 1933

Page 13

[stamp]
JACKN
FEB.
23
TN

Mail
21191

JM

Honbl. David Crockett
Washington City

[written across addresse]
Rejected March 13,
1890

Page 14

[stamp]
JACKN
FEB.
23
TN

21191
Mail

JM

Honbl. David Crockett
Washington City

[written across addressee]
Rejected March 13
1890

Page 15

Jackson
Feby. 22nd 1830

Sir
Enclosed you will find a document on behalf of John Birdsong of McNairy  I think that he could [?] have had the affidavit & of another witness, however none was at present to be come at and he thought he would risque [sic] it with one. he desires me to enclose it to you believing that one can be done for him through you than any other way.  he requests that you shall lay his papers before the Secretary of the Treasury and give him an answer as to the result & he wishes you to write to me on the subject as I am under promise to give him information as soon as I receive it from you.  If he cannot get his pay from the enclosed, please inquire if an additional affidavit will entitle him to it  he can by going 50 or 60 miles get another affidavit.  let me hear from you as soon as practicable and also let me hear how the land law comes on. Jonathan R. Burlison is in my office and wishes to be remembered to you.
Respectfully yours  &c.
Austin A King

Page 16

37.196

William Birdsong
Ten:
Act. 7 June 32

Page 17

Also appears in open Court Levin H Coe a witness aged 89 years and states that he is & has been personally acquainted with John Birdsong, named in the foregoing Declaration of himself & affidavit of William Birdsong for about Ten years past  He is poor & in needy circumstances-- affiant regards him & from his knowledge of his general character among his acquaintances, also considers him as a man of trust & strict integrity and would give ful credit to any statement he would make in oath--  Affiant has often during his acquaintance met the said John Birdsong at public meetings & has often heard him recognized & reputed to have served in the War of the Revolution & this never disputed or denied by any person & affiant believes he was such--
L. H. Coe

Sworn to and Subscribed
in Open Court  William Burton Clk

Personally appeared also in open Court William C. Dunlap, Presiding Judge, who makes oath that he has been personally acquainted with John Birdsong named in the foregoing affidavit of L H Coe for 28 or 30 years-- that he first knew him

Page 18

as a neighbour of his (affiant)  Further in East Tennessee shortly after the close of the late war with Great Britain that about that time he often saw Birdsong at public places talking with soldiers who had served in that war-- They talking of incidents of that war & said John talking of services he had participated in as a soldier of the Revolution-- that said John not only himself always [illeg.] then & since to have been a soldier of the Revolution, but he believes has always been so respected by others & affiant believes that he was-- affiant knows him, & also from the general character & standing he has always mentioned for truth during his acquaintance, would believe his statement made on oath. 
W C Dunlap

Sworn to  Subscribed
in Open Court
Wm Burton Clk

Page 19

The State of Tennessee
Fayette County               Circuit Court January
                                       Term  1846

This day comes into open Court, before the Court in Session, the Hon W. C. Dunlap Judge and Presiding John Birdsong and presents his declaration for a pension, as a soldier of the Revolution & subscribes the same & makes oath to the truth thereof in open Court  Also at the same time & place appears in open Court William Birdsong, Levin H. Coe & William C. Dunlap [illeg.] who file respecting this affidavit in relation to the claim or Declaration of said John Birdsong, which are sworn to by affiants respectively in open Court-- and it is ordered by the Court that the same [illeg.] & also that the Clerk of said Court certify under the seal of said Court that the said affiants are credible witnesses and that the Court believes the statements made in said Declaration & in said affidavits are true as therein stated

I William Burton Clerk of the Circuit Court of said County of Fayette do hereby certify that the foregoing is a correct & perfect transcript from & of the Records in my office as the same appears of Record in my office in relation to the Declaration of John Birdsong for a pension--
In Witness whereof I have

Page 20

hereunto set my hand & affixed the
Seal of said Court at Office
in the Town of Somerville
this the 21 [?] Day of Jan-
-uary 1846--
William Burton Clerk

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                                                          76
Sir                                  Gen. Off
                                       March 4. 46
I have the honor to inform you that the papers of Mr. John Birdsong have been examined & filed-- The regulations herewith sent show he fully complied with and the period length & grade of each tour however short should be separately & distinctly set forth with names of company & field officers--stations--marches--battles probable numbers of the corps in each instance & all material facts which could enable the Dept. to adjudicate each term understandingly [sic]--
The certificate of the Compt. of N.C. in proof of each tour should be adduced
Enter on Index

Hon. F. P. Stanton
H.R.

Page 22

Washington 23d July. 1846.

Dear Sir
I enclose the affidavit and proofs of Jno. Birdsong of Tennessee and desire that you will examine them, and determine if he is entitled to a pension.  If you should find anything deficient please advise me, and if the proof can be made more satisfactory it will be done.

Very respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.
Fred. P. Stanton

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Page 23

COPY

War Department
Pension Office
March 13, 1830

Hon David Crockett
H.R.

Sir:

The papers which you left at this office this morning in support
of the claim of John Birdsong have been examined and placed on our files.
The claimant states that he entered the service under Colonel Ambrose
Ramsay, and, (and) was transferred to Col. Nicholas Long's regiment, he
was chiefly employed as an express rider.  Colonel Ramsay did not belong 
to the continental army, and Colonel Long did not command a regiment,
but held the station of Quartermaster General in the Army.  As the law
providing for revolutionary soldiers provides for those only who belonged
to the continental establishment, and served in a military capacity, ser-
vice either in militia or State regiments, or in a civil capacity in the 
general staff of the continental army, cannot in any case entitle the ap-
plicant to a pension.  Mr. Birdsong's case has therefore been rejected.

J.L.E.

Page 24

West Point, Georgia
December 19, 1931.

Director of Pensions
Washington, D. C.  

Gentlemen:
At the suggestion of the War Department, I am writing to see if you can give me any information in regard to John Birdsong, a Revolutionary soldier from North Carolina.
Any information you will give me will be appreciated.

[stamp, right margin]
RECEIVED 
DEC 21 1931
RECEIPT SECTION
PENSION FILES SUB-DIVISION

Yours very truly,
Joe M. Birdsong

P. O. Box 263

Page 25

West Point, Georgia
February 9, 1933
Mr. A.  D. Hiller, Assistant to Administrator
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: FOR YOUR FILE REFERENCE: BA-J/MCS
On February 4, 1932 you wrote me in regard to Revolutionary War Services of John Birdsong and referred to pension claim R. 885.
If it is possible, I should like to have a copy of the claim made (for family history reasons) and shall appreciate whatever you can do for me along this line. 
I inclose stamped self-addressed envelope for reply.
Very truly yours, 
Joe M Birdsong
Box 263

Page 26

[stamp, upper left]
ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
MAR 30 1933
RECEIVED

West Point, Georgia
March 28th 1933

Mr. A D. Hiller, Assistant to Administrator
Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.       [stamp] 45554

Your file:  BA-J/MMHF/ADY
                John Birdsong
                R.855.
[stamp, right margin]
RECEIVED
MAR 31 1933
DISBURSING DIV.
U.S.V.B. [?]

Dear Sir:
Replying to your letter of March 13th.
I inclose [sic] money order for $2.40 drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States to cover photostatic copies of papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, R.855, John Birdsong.  This amount will cover the copying of sixteen pages at fifteen cents per page.
I shall appreciate very much your assistance in having this copying done as soon as possible.

Yours very truly,
Joe M. Birdsong

Joe M. Birdsong
Box 263
West Point, Georgia

[stamp, right margin]
RECEIVED 
MAR 31 1933
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM.
READER #3 [?]

Page 27

BA-J/MMHF      Rev. & 1812
                          No. 155.

Rev.& 1812 Wars Section      April 7, 1933.
                                                541
xxxxx

UNCERTIFIED.
Rev. War claim for pension of John
Birdsong, R. 855

Actual     1 of each page

33.40.......16 pages
xxx

Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2
in. at top of each page and
return papers in each case
in folder with corresponding
name and number.
The word "omit" written in
pencil on those pages which
are not to be copied.  Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars
      Section.

[written in hand, right margin]
All pages taken
including the page
which has name of Hon.
David Crockett on [illeg.]
whom the letter of Austin
A. King of Feb.22, 1830,
was addressed

Page 28

March 13, 1933.
xxxx
BA-J/MMHF/ADY
John Birdsong
R.855.

Mr. Joe M. Birdsong
Box 263
West Point, Georgia.

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter of February 9, in which you request copies of papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, R.855, John Birdsong, the history of whom has been furnished you.
Photostatic copies of papers on file in said claim will be furnished you at the rate of fifteen cents a page.  The number of pages to be copied is sixteen.
Please make remittance by money order drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States.
Your stamped envelope is enclosed herewith.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.