Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3465, Samuel Watkins, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
NC
Watkins, Samuel
S 3465
Carded
CONTENTS

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838, from the 1 st March to the 4 th Sept 1839. Agents Notified 4 th Sept 1840
25134 West Tennessee
Samuel Watkins Humphreys in the State of Tennessee who was a Private in the Co. C. commanded by Captain Wall of the reg t commanded by Col. Wade in the volunteer line for 14 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Nov 1833 and then for Johnson Present
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept 116.67 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March 233.33 $140.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book E Vol. 7 Page 33

28.324
Sam & Watkins
Johnson

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832. State of Tennessee On this 23 rd day of July 1833. Humphreys County personally appeared Samuel Watkins before in open court, a resident of the State of Tennessee in the County of Humphreys aged twenty three 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 7 th 1832 That he volunteered in the Army of the United States in the month of Sept r in the year of 1780 with Capt. Wall and served in the Regiment commanded by Col. Wade's And he marched through three adjoining Counties (his) Anson Richmond & Montgomery to subdue the Tories, And he remained in the same Company and Regiment until Genl Green took the command of our Army above the Cheraw Hills with his Regular troops - He states that he went in Company with Genl Green thirty or forty miles but finding the Tories getting very troublesome in the Neighbourhood of Cheraw the Regiment under Col Wade returned to guard the three Counties first named in which service he served until the the 1 st of June 1781 to  at this time he substituted in the place of John James to go with Genl Green Army then in South Carolina near the Waccaw Springs just before the battle was fought at that place. At this time Col Wade sent orders to Genl Green that the Tories were collecting on Drowning Creek North Carolina and was about committing many depredations in that part of the Country and he was ordered to return to  stay in that neighbourhood.

He states that he served at this time in the Company commanded by Capt. Jack McDonald and was attached to the Regt. Commanded by Col. Thos. Wade. He states that he was at the Battle fought at Belle's Bridge on Drowning Creek, about the 7 th of August 1861 and that Col. Crawford Chiles & Williams were also at the battle fought at that place. He states that the night before the Battle was fought they marched about twenty miles and posted themselves near a bridge - And there was a company of 30 men picked out to guard said bridge and this deponent was one of the thirty - and they captured one Loy in his attempt to cross said Bridge. After this Battle the Army marched back to their old Campground, near Hales Ferry on Pedee. About two weeks after the Battle was fought at Beates Bridge in August Col. Wade was defeated in about half mile of the same place where the Battle was first fought at. Col. Wade crossed the bridge and the Tories was laying in ambush and surrounded him before he discovered them. we lost about sixteen men in that engagement and had to retreat across Pedee River and camped at Joseph Martin's and guarded the Ferries. The Army stayed there about one week and from thence marched to their old Campground. at that place we received information to meet Genl. Rutherford's Army at Monroe's Bridge on Drowning Creek there they camped all night and Genl. Rutherford went down the Creek on the east side and Col. Wade on the West there they marched to a place called the burnt cabin where this deponent's service expired immediately at the same time about  1 st of Sept. He again substituted in his Brother Thos. Watkins place for three months under Capt. Dudley Hask Conf. which was attached to the same Regt. Commanded by Col. Wade.

From there we marched down Drowning Creek to Coles Bluff now known by the name of Sunnertown where we crossed and met General Rutherford's Army from thence the two Armies joined and marched to Elizabeth on Cape Hare River there they camped and the next morning the Army parted and Rutherford's Army crossed the River and marched through the Country to the S.E. fork of S.D. River in Hanover County to Bluford's Bridge and joined Genl. Butlers Army before we got to S.D. Bluford Bridge after staying at that place and neighborhood three or four weeks when and where we received the news that Lord Cornwallis was taken at Yorktown at that same place we was discharged 200 miles He states that he received two discharges from Genl of three months service each one from Capt Zach McDonald and the other from Capt Dudley Noak and delivered the same discharges to Robt Webb a Senator from the County of Richmond S.C. for the purpose of getting something for his services but now does not know what has become of them — for six months He again volunteered with Capt Wall under Col Williams & Crawford In Richmond County to range through the same County and down in So. Ca. to break up what what was called The Truce the object was to break up a set of Lories on Pee Dee. in that Campaign we caught Five Lories and hung them
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.
Test D. G. Henderson Clerk
Samuel mark Watkins

July 1. Where & in what year were you born Ans I was born in N.C. Anson County on the 15 of June 1760
July 2. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it.
Ans My Father recorded in his Bible and the Bible is in No Ca.
July 3. Where were you living when called into service. Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live.
Ans in Richmond County No Ca and lived there until the year 1811 from there I moved to Stewart County Tennessee and lived there until the year 1819 from thence to Humphreys County Tennessee where I now live.
July 4. How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute. And if a substitute for whom.
Ans I volunteered for 12 months if required and served 12 months. Then substituted for 3 months in the place of Jno Jones after that I substituted for 3 months in the place of Jno Watkins after that volunteered for 6 months and served till 1 st April 1882
July 5. 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 serv- ices as a soldier of the revolution.
Ans. Phil Brasington D. Brasington Rott Brasington Jacob Browning Chapman James John Scratt Isaac H. Moore
draw same as per examination

As for the 5 & 6 interrogatories I refer you to the body of the declaration where you will find them fully answered in open court. 23 d July 1833 D. Henderson Clerk his Samuel Watkins mark
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
We Samuel Herrin a clergyman residing in Humphreys County and Isaac W. Moore a resident of the same, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Watkins who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we fully concur in that opinion
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year above written Isaac Henderson Clerk Samuel Herrin Isaac W. Moore

And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrog- atories prescribed by the war department that the above named Applicant was a Soldier of the revolution and served as he states, and the Court further certify that Lemuel Herrin who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman residing in Hum- phreys County, and that Isaac W. Moore who has also signed the same, is also a resident of said County and is a credible person & that their statement is intitled to credit-
J. Little J. P.
Ephraim Perkins Justice of the peace
Urbanus Barriff Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee
Dawsey P. Henderson clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Humphreys County do hereby certify that the foregoing depositions were severally sworn to in open Court at July Sessions 1833 of said Court & also that Isaac Pettie Ephraim in Perkins & William Henderson Esquires who were presiding Justices of said Court and who has declared their opinion on the investigation of said declaration, are acting Justices of the peace in & for said County of Humphreys duly qualified & commissioned and that all due faith & credit is due and should be paid to their official acts as such
In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the private Seal of said Court there being no public Seal procured - done at office in the town of Reynoldsburg this 10 th August 1833
D. P. Henderson Clerk
I am acquainted with Dawsey P. Henderson who is the Clerk of the County Court of Humphreys & also with his hand writing - the above subscribed said Signature is in his proper hand writing & there is no seal of office
Nov 29 1833
C. Johnson

28.324
Samuel Watkins Humphreys Co Tennessee from 1780 private 14 months $46. 66 100 14 mos proven 6 mos doubtful
allow the pension for fourteen months which will be satisfactory
E Johnson 29 th Nov 1833
Hon C. Johnson Present.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 Samuel Watkins
   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.     Sept 1780 to 1 June 1781 8 1 P. Col Wall Col T. Wade 73 N. C. Traditions & two witnesses.   1781 3 P. Col McDouall Col Wade   1 Sep 1781 3 P. Col Mark Col Wade   17- time not stated Col Wall Col William  
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. (L) 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

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 inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must 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 fix 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.
□ 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 traditional 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.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
August 18 th 1840.
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," Samuel Watkins, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Nashville Tenn. Agency, at the rate of forty Six Dollars and Sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 4 th Sept. 1839.
Respectfully yours,
William L. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

State of Tennessee } Personally appeared before me Samuel Carroll County } Ingram a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Matthew Coomington who being first sworn deponeth and saith, that he was born in the state of Maryland Queen Anne - County on the 24 th day of January in the year of our Lord 1760 and now a resident of Carroll County state of Tenne- see. Who in testifying as to the service of Samuel Watkins in the revolution, states that from lapse of time and loss of memory he cannot swear positively to all the circumstances of said Watkins's service but says that he the said Watkins entered the service volunteer about September 1780 under the Command of Capt. Wall as a regular soldier which company was commanded by Col. Thomas Wade and continued in said army until General Green marched his Army above Cheraw hills at which time he was attached to Green's army and remained in said Army until said Army left there for Gilford Court House having been taken as prisoner myself, I cannot state further any facts from my own knowledge having remained as prisoner till some time in February 1782 Also personally appeared James Cole who being first sworn deposes and says that he was born in the state of Virginia Bedford County on the 5 th September 1755 and now a resident of Carroll County and state of Tennessee who in testifying as to the

Service of Samuel Watkins in the revolution states that he knew him the said Watkins from his birth was also well acquainted with him during the war was with him at sundry times while in service viz at the Battle of Beatty's Bridge on Drowning Creek in N. Carolina in the year 1781 under the command of Col. Thos. Wade. He was with him again the same year when General Rutherford's State troops came to Richmond County N. C. at which time said Watkins was serving a Three months tour - at which time and place he joined the Army himself as Volunteer which took place - shortly after Governor Burke was taken prisoner. after this he was frequently with him the said Watkins in the service on scouting parties procuring provisions for the Army &c till 1782 or 3 - Owing to lapse of time cannot recollect the precise dates and places any further, so far as he knows said Watkins to have been a true and faithful friend to his country.
Matthew Gwynnton James Cole Sworn to, and Subscribe before me this 1 st day of July A.D. 1833
Samuel Ingram

I, Samuel Ingram a justice of the peace in and for the County County of Carroll and State of Tennessee do hereby declare — That Mathew Covington and James Cole whose names are signed to the foregoing depositions are residents of the County and State aforesaid and that I believe them to be of the ages they state and are credible persons and in situations to testify given under my hand this 1 st day July 1833 Samuel Ingram
State of Tennessee Carroll County } I Edward Swin Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid do hereby Certify That Samuel Ingram Esq. whose name purports to be tested - to the foregoing depositions of Mathew Covington and James Cole and signed to the foregoing Certificate is a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly qualified and Commissioned as such and that full faith and credit is and ought to be due to his official acts as such and that his signature thereto is genuine and that I have here-
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of said Court at Office in — Huntingdon this 1 st day of July 1833
Edward Gwin clerk

Rev War
3465 INVALID.
File No. 3465
Samuel Watkins Port N.C. line
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. A , Page 391
[Arrangement of 1870.]