Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 7,952, Arthur Wiggins, N.C.

SERVICE
N.6.
Wiggins, Arthur
NUMBER
87952
carded
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.

12.736
North Carolina Arthur Wiggins
of Burtie in the State of North Car who was a pri. in the _____ commander + Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Mathews in the North Car time for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18. day of May '33 and sent H. Reynolds Winston No. 6 a
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 — 160 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. — 40 $ 200
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by William Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6. Page 59
Arthur Wiggins

Arthur Wiggins 24893 N. 6 a
Admit as a private for 2 years 1881
H. Reynolds Pineon N. 6 a

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Arthur Wiggins
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1779 drafted 6 Pri Col. Mathews 45 years   enlisted 18 " Col. Murfree Hattiesburg N. 6° Bentley Traditionary Witness  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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, musicians 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) _____, who has 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

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 traditional 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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.
[k] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Arthur Wiggins
24893
Arthur Wiggins' declaration for a pension under an act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.

State of North Carolina } Court of pleas and quarter Sessions Bertie County ss } of February term 1833.
On this 13 th day of February 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the said Court of pleas and quarter Sessions of the County of Bertie, now sitting, Arthur Wiggins a resident of said County and State of North Carolina, aged 75 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 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under Captain Allen Ramsay in the year 1779 at Winton in Hertford County N.C. That he was drafted for six months service. He does not recollect the month in which he entered the said service. He marched was marched  with by the said Capt Ramsay from Winton where he entered the service, to Charleston South Carolina, and was in the service of the United States at Charleston when that place was taken by the British. That he was there taken a prisoner by the British. At the time he was taken prisoner, he was in the Company commanded by Capt. Bailey having been who was taken prisoner with him. Capt. Ramsay with whom he went to Charleston, he thinks had left there, and he thinks this was the reason why he was placed under Capt. Bailey. He thinks Col. Matthews commanded the regiment in which he served at the time Charleston was taken but of this he is not certain. Samuel Deans, Thomas Minton William Furnigan, Josiah Hedgepeth and many others he could name, served in the same Company with him all of whom he believes are now dead; and he knows of no one now living who served in the Company with him. Seth Butler of Bertie County whom he then knew &

yet knows, was then in the service of the United States at Charleston. The said Jethro Butler is now living in Butte County and he thinks the said Butler can testify to this deponent's service. When this deponent entered the service he was a resident of Butte County, and he served the six months for which he was drafted, while a prisoner and was then discharged he has no documentary evidence and he knows of no person except the before named Jethro Butler whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his said service.
The said Arthur Wiggins further states that after he had served the six months for which he was drafted and was discharged as before stated ; that he enlisted in the service of the United States for 18 months under Capt. Bailey and served from the time of his enlistment until the end of the war. His memory does not enable him to state the time when he enlisted under Capt. Bailey, nor the time when he was discharged. He thinks it was in the 10 th regiment in which he served and that the regiment was commanded by Col. Murfree; but of this he is not certain as his memory fails him. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or bounty except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. He states that he had a brother whose name was Matthew Wiggins, now dead who was also in the said service at Charleston. The said Arthur Wiggins thinks he the said Arthur was in the said service at Charleston and about for nearly two years. He is sure that he spent two or three winters there, and that he was in the service all the time whilst there except when he was a prisoner as before stated. After the war he returned to Butte County, Al. where he was born and where he now resides, and has resided ever since the end of the war.

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.
Sworn to & subscribed The day and year aforesaid
Arthur his Wiggins mark
C. A. Rhodes Clerk
Jethro Butler, residing in the said County of Butte N.E. hereby certifies that he is well acquainted with Arthur Wiggins who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that he believes him to be 75 years of age, that he knows him to have been a soldier of the revolution, that he served with him and about at Charleston South Carolina and knows him to have been in actual service of the U.S. as a soldier for a considerable time perhaps for two years or more. The said Jethro Butler further states, that he, the said Jethro, is now a pensioner of the United States under an act of Congress passed in the year 1818.
Sworn & Subscribed The day and year aforesaid
Jethro his Butler mark
C. A. Rhodes Clerk
We R. C. Watson & Joshua M. Page residing in the said County of Butte hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Arthur Wiggins who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 75 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed The day & year aforesaid
Robt. C. Watson
C. A. Rhodes Clerk
Joshua M. Page
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named Arthur Wiggins was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. and the Court further certifies that it appears to them

That Jethro Butler who has signed one of the preceding certificates and that R C Watson & Joshua M Ray who have signed another preceding certificate are resi- dents of the County of Bertie and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
E. A. Rhodes OK
State of North Carolina § I Elisha A Rhodes Bertie County § clerk of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Arthur Muggins for admission — In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office this 22 day of February 1833
E. A. Rhodes clerk

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Arthur Higgins S.F. 795-2
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1849 Allen Ramsey Matthews K. C.   Bailey   was taken prisoner at Charleston   After release Bailey Murfree   Served to close of war 2 years in all.  
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Benton Co. K.C.
Date of application for pension, Feb 10 1882 His ch. of
Residence at date of application, Benton Co. K.C.
Age at date of application, 75 years b. in Benton Co. K.C.
Remarks: ✓
Very respectfully,
brother Matthews
Commissioner.

Windsor Feb 23 To the Honorable
Steele
Feb 27 The Secretary of War Care of J. L. Edwards Esq. Washington City D. C.

Windsor N.C. Feb y 22. 1833.
To the Honorable The Secretary of War.
or J. S. Edwards Esqre.
Sir-
Enclosed I hand you the Declaration of Arthur Wiggins of this County (Butte) an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
Some months since I enclosed to you the Declarations of William Watford, John Hoggard, Isaac Hendrixen, John Lednum, Thomas Johnson, Daniel Pierce and James Ward all of this County, applicants for pensions under the same act of Congress - I hope ere long to hear the fate of these old men, and that it will be favourable.
Pray when will their cases be taken up and decided?
I am, Sir.
with great respect
yo mo obedt servt
A. Reynolds

Rev. War
7952 INVALID.
1911 Dec. 19 Hist. Soc. Wm J. Bliss V.L.M. Letter in L.F. 1739 William Wiggins.
File No. 7952
Arthur Wiggins Pre Rev War
Act: June 9th '82
Index:—Vol. 18 , Page 210
[Arrangement of 1870.]