Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,152, William Townsend, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
W. L.
Townsend, William
S. 17/52.
Carded.
7
CONTENTS

19327 Indianit
William Townsend
of Morgan Co in the State of Ind a who was a pr te in the co mp commanded by Captain Lacks of the reg t commanded by Col. Nichobald in the M il line for H is M aj
Inscribed on the Roll of Ind a at the rate of 50 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Aug t 1833 and W m C. Rep
Arrears to the 4th of March 100.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept t 25.00 125.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Royal Clerk, Book C Vol. 7 Page 131

20,516
William Townsend. Indiana.
for 1775 private 15 months. $50.
William C. Ross, Agent. Franklin, Johnson County, Indiana.

BRIEF in the case of William Townsend,  County of Morgan,  in the State of Indiana.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Judge.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? No.  3. How old is he? 72 years.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Enlisted In 1775. 9. pr. Gen. Ash, Col. Archibald, Capt. James Fack, Capt. Goodman, Capt. Craig, Capt. Bowen, Capt. Th. Harris.   Sub. in 1777 for Joseph Howell. 3. Pr. Gen. Gates, Capt. Wm   Called out in 1778 & 79. 3, or more. " Hughston, Capt. Reese. Capt. Jos. Shier.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Brier Creek, Camden, & Stono.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Nickelborough County, N.C.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. R. Turner, Examining Clerk.

State of Indiana Morgan county
On this 13 day of November 1832 personally appeared before the Honorable John Matthews Probate Judge of said county of Morgan. William Townsend a resident of said county aged seventy two years who being 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 power June the seventh Seventh 1832
That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1775. on or about the middle of May in said Year. for the term of Nine Months and served in the fourth Regiment of the New Series as they were then called under the following named officers to wit Colonel Archibald Little who commanded said Regiment the Lieutenants and Majors names not recollected the Captain's Name under whom he served was James Jack. Lieutenants — Lewis. Ensign — Clark That he served under said enlistment until some in the month Month of August 1776. Notwithstanding he enlisted in the Army in May in the year 1775 yet he was not called on to March until about the first day of July in the same year and that he was furloughed on the 24 th day of August in the same year until the first day of March 1776 But Notwithstanding on or about the sixth day of November 1775 he was called upon to Pendergrass at Charlotte it being the county seat of Mecklenburg county State of North Carolina

(2) from thence the company to which he belonged march'd to the ten Miles house within ten Miles of Charlestown in the State of South Carolina and there remained for a short time until the defectant companies march'd to said place and formed the Regiment And from thence the said Regiment March'd to Puritstough on the Savana River And from thence up the said River to Augusta from thence the Army cross'd the said River about Sixty Miles to the Mouth of Brier creek at which place we had an engagement with the British Army And Battle were Defeated by said Army at said engagement and Battle. We were commanded by General Ash I believe as well as I recollect And from said Battle ground we were driven back across said Savana River And the defectant March'd down to a place call'd the Black Swamp at which place was one or more Regiments, When we got there we lay there for a short time and from thence we cross'd the River and March'd into Augusta in the State of Georgia

And from thence (2) the army was March'd across Over into the State of South Carolina and continued to March on toward Charlestown but when we got about within about twenty Miles of Charlestown to a place called Stono we Learned that the British had Surrounded Charlestown and there we had a battle with the British which Lasted about three  two hours or some- -ing like that time And from that place the company to which I belonged Marched to a place called Blueford at which place I think as well as I can recollect we Stayed about eight or ten days from thence we Marched backward to a place called Cocons Bridge and from thence we continued on in the direction from where we Marched at first and when we got on some considerable distance we were Ordered to encamp for the Night And we deposited our guns in an old house And on the Next day I received a printed Discharge

(4) The Blank of said discharge was filled up with writing signed by Captain Goodman during the foregoing campaign. There were a Number of New captains the Names of which I believe was as follows to wit James Craig David Cowan Thomas Harris and — Dunahoo I got My discharge on or about the tenth day of August 1776. and further this declarer says that some time in the Summer of 1777. one Joseph Howell was Drafted for the term of three Months and that he hired to the said Howell as a Substitute for and during the said term of three Months and served in the army of the United States for and in the room place and stead of the said Howell for and during the said term of three Months. That he Marched from Mecklen- burgh county On towards Camden under the command of Captain William Hughston Lieutenant John White and ensign

(5) William Frazier and was there met by the British and was totally defeated by the said enemy. and lost all the baggage belonging to our Army at which place and battle we were commanded by General Gates there were present also Generals Rutherford and Green when we discovered that we were defeated every Man made his escape from the enemy in the best Manner possible possible and the Balance of the said three months we spent on the road homeward and in guarding the Settle- ment and in the latter part of said term I was commanded by Captain James Reare and received a written discharge from the said Captain Reare at the expiration of said term of three months and further this declarer says in the year 1778 or 1779 he was called out during the Spring Summer and Autumn Months of that Year to prevent the Tories from doing Mischief to the Whigs and also to intimidate them that they should not encourage

Or aid the British (b) in their State of warfare against the Americans it was in the country of Westmoreland and State of North Carolina he says he was called out for one day and some times for five or six days and sometimes for ten or twelve days at one time so that the summing Number of odd days when added together Makes the Number of three Months as he usually believes or more The declarer says they were called Minute Men they were required to be ready at a Minutes warning the Captains Name he believes was called Joseph Shin. The Lieutenants Name was Robert Poppel one of the last mentioned times he says he Marched into the State of South Carolina to or near the Catawba River where the Catawba Indians as it was said had a grant of Land from the King he says he served in the revolutionary war about 19 or 20 months in all And the said declarer in answer to the questions proposed by the court as required by the Instructions from the War department says that to the best of his knowledge and belief he was born

(7) On the 5 th day of April in 1760 that he has a record of his age in a bible which his Father gave gave to him. Which he believes was his fathers family record that he lived in Blackinburgh County in the State of North Carolina at the time he entered into the Army of the United States and between the times of the several terms of service aforesaid and continued in the service to live there until the year 1810 at which time he removed into the State of Indiana in Harrison County in said State of Indiana and remained there until the year 1820 at which time he removed into what was called the New purchase in the vicinity of White River in  into that part which now is in the County of Morgan and State of Indiana where he now lives or near that to that place
As to the first Second third fourth and fifth Interrogatories are contained in his declaration above so far as this declarer can recollect as to the sixth enquiry he says he had two discharges But has has lost them both long since as he did not

ever expect to receive any Benefit from them. As to the Seventh enquiry I am known by George A Phelps John Lins Thomas Early John Gray James Craig Benjamin Huffman who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolutionary war That he knows of no person who can testify to his services whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services and that he has no documentary evidence thereof. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present. and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State or Territory. Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
William H Townsend his mark

We Hiram H Craig (9) Clugymann residing in the the Town of Martinville Indiana and father  Wm H Craig father residing in the same place do hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with William Concurend who has subscribed to the foregoing and Sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy two years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been in the Revolution war a Soldier in the revolutionary war and that we concur in that opinion Sworn to and Subscribed the day of Hiram H Craig W H Craig

(10) And the Said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the Matter and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Hiram V Craig who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Martinville and that John  Wm Craig who has also signed the same is a resident near the same place and is a respectable person and that their Statements are entitled to full credit
John Matthews Probate Judge of Morgan County I. a

State of Indiana Morgan County ss Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, William Townsend 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; That under his first engagement which was really included two tours, he served for at least Thirteen Months, including the time from the 24 of Aug. until the 6 of Nov r 1778 (2 months and twelve days) during which time he was on for- lorn as a private soldier — In his second tour he served at least 3 months as private soldier — That in the Autumn of 1778 or 1779 he was in active service as minuteman at least two months — The said deponent thinks that he may be mistaken as to the date or period of his first enlistment — But he is confident that exclusive of his minuteman service he was actually engaged in the service of the United States as above not less than

I George A Phelps Clerk of the Probate court of Morgan county State of Indiana do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the appli- -cation of William Lowmirend for a pension
Witness George A Phelps Clerk of said court at the clerks office at Martinsville this 13 th day of November 1832 Geo. A Phelps Clerk

W. Townsend
20578

Sixteen months as a private soldier and for such service he claims a pension sworn to & subscribed before me this first day of June 1833
C.B. Butler Justice of the Peace
William Townsend
The State of Indiana Morgan County ss Also of the Probate Court I Hannibal R. Stephens Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the County of Morgan certify that C.B. Butler who has subscribed the above certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said county, that the above signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature, that the above named declarant and witness were subscribed and were sworn to the preceding declar- ation & affidavit in the Morgan Probate Court while in session and that the ten preceding pages contain the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the said William Town- send for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Court aforesaid this first day of June 1833
Hannibal R. Stevens Clerk of P. Ct.

Mr Townsend Pension Papers

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Townsend , which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
even interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 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 three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

17-152 INVALID.
File No. 17-152
William Townsend
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 " 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 377
[Arrangement of 1870.]