Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S., John Wilson, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. 6
Wilson, John
S. ✓
CONTENTS

2545 North Carolina
John Wilson
of Cumberland in the State of N. Carolina who was a Private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col: Armstrong in the N. Carolina line for 3 years from 1778.-
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 29 th day of Nov: '32 and sent to John Winslow, Fayetteville, N.C.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 120.- Pension allowance ending 4 Mar '33 40.- 160.-
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice, Clerk, Vol. 8 Page 47-

John Wilson North Carolina No 5782.
Apr. 1778 3 yrs. $80.
look in N.C. Rev.

BRIEF in the case of John Wilson of Cumberland County in the State of North Carolina (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Revolut  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 76 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.     In 1775 balloted Volunteered into the Continental Service } } } } } Service not stated Private Gen. Capt James Armstrong   Served about three years Col James Armstrong  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? —  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Linn County, North Carolina  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional, State, "that his discharge was sent to the War Department on a prior occasion"  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Defective in regard to proof of service
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
SL
Examining Clerk.

State of North Carolina Cumberland County
On this 6 day September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the worshipful county court of Cumberland now sitting John Wilson a resident of Cumberland in the county of Cumberland & State of N. Carolina aged 76 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 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated (to wit) That he entered into the militia service as volunteer about November 1835 under the command of Capt. James Armstrong - at Greenville in Pitt county from which place they marched through Dobb's & Duplin counties into Bladen county where he attacked a party of Tories under the command of Col. McLeod - at Moore's Creek where we be completely dispersed their band & killed their commander Col. McLeod after this battle he returned to Dobb's county where he lived about two years when he was balloted into the continental service for the term of nine months owing  owing to his bodily indisposition he was stationed at Kingston he after - wards joined the company commanded by

Col James Armstrong in the regiment under the command of Capt. Thomas Armstrong in the regiment commanded by Col. James Armstrong in the line of the State of N. Carolina on the continental establishment that he continued to serve about three years when his health would permit - bodily infirmity has so much impaired the mind of this declar- ant that he is unable to state the country through which he marched or the precise time he was engaged in service he states that he was stationed during his service at Kingston - at Greenville in Pitt county at from Greenville he marched to Halifax in Halifax County from there to Hillsborough in Orange County - he then marched to Greenville where he was discharged by Col. James Armst- rong which discharge has been sent to the War Department on a prior application made by the present applicant, this declarant further states that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify as to his service. I also state he has
He hereby relinquishes John Wilson every claim what- ever to a pension or annuity whatever except the present & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state
Sworn to & subscribed this year & day aforesaid
John Wilson
Subs Jonathan Evans J P

The following interrogatories were propounded by the Court
2nd 1 where & in what year were you born
Ans I was born in Pitt County N Carolina AD 1756
2nd 2 Ans to question 2 My age was recorded in a family bible which is in the possession of my son
2nd 3 where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live Ans I lived in Pitt County when called into service where I lived one year after the war & then moved into Wayne where I lived about seven years & then lived in Sampson about thirty years & then moved into Cumberland where I have lived ever since
2nd 4 how were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute Ans I first volunteered for six months & was afterwards drafted for the next service nine months service & was then returned as a continental soldier during the war Ans to question 5 Capt Coleman Capt Thomas Armstrong Lieut Charles Garret to more particular inbodied in my declaration Ans to 6 question I received a discharge from Col James Armstrong which discharge was among my papers & sent on to the war Department in 1823 - Ans to question 7 Richard Hutchabe William Bell and William Moore

we Richard Huckaba & William Killian living in the county of Cumberland do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Wilson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 76 years of age that he is reputed and believed in neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn & subscribed the year & day aforesaid
Jonathan Evans JP
R Huckaba W Killian
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department to after the investigation of the matter that the above named applicant was a Revolution -ary soldier & served as he states and the court further certifies that Richard Huckaba & William Killian who have signed the preceding certificates resides in the county of Cumberland & are creditable persons & that their statement is entitled to credit
Jonathan Evans JP
Wm. B. D. Galt
William Markham JP
John W. Foster JP
State of North Carolina I Daniel M Diarmia Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of Cumberland County do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of John Wilson for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office at Fayetteville this 15th day of September A.D. 1832
D M Diarmia Clk
57 82

State of North Carolina
At a Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions began & held for the County of Cumberland at the Courthouse in Fayetteville on the first Monday of March A.D. 1830 Being the first day of the month & 54 th year of American Independence —
Present the Worshipful Justices of said Court
State of North Carolina Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Cumberland County 3 March Term 1830
On the 1 st day of March A.D. 1830 personally appeared in open court being a court of Record for the County & State aforesaid which Court proceeds according to the course of the common law with a Jurisdiction unlimited in amount keeping a record of their proceedings & which Court has the power of fine & imprisonment John Wilson aged Sixty three years resident in the County & State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18 th March 1818 & the 1 st of May 1820. That he the said John Wilson was balloted into the United States Service in Dobbs County in or about the year 1778 for the term of nine months which Service not being satisfactorily performed he was returned a Continental Soldier during the War That he then joined the Company commanded by Capt. Thomas Simson in the regiment commanded by Colonel James Simson in the line of the State of North Carolina on the Continental establishment that he continued to serve for about three years when his health would permit but from his bodily infirmity increasing upon him he was discharged from the said Service on the 4 th day of March 1782 at or near Greenville on Tar River by Col n James Simson which discharge is hereunto annexed that he was in no battle while in the Continental Service but was in the battle of Moore's Creek while in the militia Service under Col n Gaskill of this State in 1776. In which Campaign this deponent being from the exposure of his person

& fatigue induced the sickness that has sorely afflicted him & disabled him from labour for about 39 years last past. That he is in reduced circumstances as will appear by the annexed schedule & stands in need of the aid of his country, that he is supported by the charity of one of his sons who is also a poor man. This applicant further declares that he hath no other income now in his power of said service except his discharge a copy of which is herunto annexed, he being in another and distant part of the State from his place of residence during the Revolutionary War & that he is informed & verily believes that both his Captain & Colonel have long since departed this life & if any of his fellow soldiers are now living he is unable to search for them to produce their testimony.
And in pursuance of the act of Congress of the 1 st of May 1820 I the said John Wilson do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any way disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it so as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18 th day of March 1818. And that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any other income than is contained in the schedule herunto annexed and by me subscribed.
Schedule of the property of John Wilson March 1 st 1820
  Item 1 st One Chest Walnut at $1.50   " 2 a Chair & Bottles 1.20   " 3 a One Skillet .30   " 4 th One Pewter pint Basin .20   " 5 th Six old Tin Cups .50   " 6 th One Ironing-Plate .20   " 7 th Two Churns Bottles .50   $4.00 

  Schedule Cont a Sm l V. Brct. fam d $4.40   Item 8 th Two pint tickler Bottles — .20   " 9 th One Tin P o — .40   " 10 th One Lot old woodenware — .20   " 11 th One Smoothing Iron — .40   " 12 th Sugar dish — .20   $6.00 
This applicant further swears that the reason he has not sooner applied to be placed on the pension list is, that he was informed & believed that the act of Congress had been repealed. That his family consists only of his wife and himself, his wife being of the age of 71 years infirm and unable to assist except in a very small degree in the support of herself and this applicant. This applicant further swears that the following is an account of the property in his possession on the 18 th of March 1818 and not now owned by him — — —
   Description of Property — To Whom sold — Date     One Horse — $40. Arch a Fleming 1822   One Cow — S. Burnell Wilson 1820   " " 10. Elias Dannie "   " " 9. Unknown "   5 head of Sheep — 5. "   4 head of Hogs — 4. "   Household furniture $10. "   218 acres Poor Land $165. James Pierce 1823  
This applicant hereby transmits an authenticated copy of the deed of conveyance of his land, and further swears that in the money arising from the proceeds of this land and the sales which he has made since the 18 th of March 1818, he and his wife have since lived by paying sometimes first at other times six Dollars per month & that they are now living upon it and it is nearly exhausted. There being $48. 67 Cents due him by note or account, —
March 10 th 1836
John W. Wilson
Sworn to & Subscribed in open court Test D tt G. Giarmina Crk

I Daniel M c Diarmid clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in & for the County of Cumberland in the State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the declaration (for pension) of John Wilson in my office & as it appears upon the records of said Court I do further certify that it is the opinion of said Court that the total amount of value of the property exhibited in the foregoing schedule is fifty four Dollars & sixty seven cents — In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & caused to be affixed the seal of my said office & of the said Court —
Done at Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland aforesaid this 24 th day of March A.D. 1830 D m McDiarmid
Copy of Discharge This may certify that John Wilson a soldier in the Continental Service of North Carolina, being found unable to due the duty (by sickness) of a soldier is accordingly discharged from the said service — Given under my hand this fourth day of March 1782 James Armstrong Col o 1 st Cont l Troops —
Copy from the Original Hist. 1 D m McDiarmid
20.817

20.817
John Wilson
Cumberland Co. N o Carolina
Act 18 March 1818
Suspended
See letter to D. McDiarmid
18 May 1830 - D o June 1. 1830.

A Cole
John Wilson
Nov 1832
no other can
Hon
L. P. Waldo
Comm of Pensions

Letter of June 1791
I do hereby indorse the within Receipt unto the Hon. Alfred John Wilson
Verily yours as ever
John Wilson (N.C.) 87

This may certify that John Wilson a soldier in the Conti- -nentals Service of N. Carolina, being found unable to due the Duty (by sickness) of a soldier, is according -ly Discharged from the said Service —
Given under my hand this fourth Day of June 1782 —
James Armstrong Col. Thos. Col. W. Hays

7. The Hon. Lewis Cols Secretary of War Washington City D.C.

Fayetteville N.C.
6th Sep r 1832.
John Winslow Esq. an Attorney of this place having informed me that he forwarded applications to the War Department in behalf of several Revolutionary Veterans claiming Pensions. And having made a statement of his belief of their Services. This is to certify that full faith and Credit should be given to his statements and official acts.
J. B. Mann
Hon. Lewis Cap.

John Wilson
Wm Mills wife
a
see letter Jan. 20. 1829 to W. M c Diarmid

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office 16 th Janry 1829.
Sir
Your letter of the 8 th instant accompanying the Declaration of John Wilson, has been received and attended to; and after a strict examination of the muster-rolls, and other documents in this Office I am at a loss what to say respecting his claim, but from his discharge which I once had in my possession I am of opinion he did serve and is probably entitled to the benefit of the acts of Congress under which he claims.
I am respectfully your Obt. Servt. W. H. Hutt
James L. Edwards Esq re

FREE
Judson Wells
31. Navy Yard
War Department Washington City
D.C.
Mar 3
Discharge within.

Fayetteville May 25 th 1830
Sir
Yours of the 17 th inst. was rec d & the contents noticed. Enclosed I send you the instrument purporting to be the discharge of the applicant if it should not succeed in removing the difficulty. please to return it
James L Edwards Esq r
Resptly Yours &c. J M c Diarmid

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Wilson further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes 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? Yes 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? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes 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? Yes

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 ?
no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ?
no
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 ?
yes
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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 ? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ? Yes
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 the 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.
†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 authenticated 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 end 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.

Dear Friend M c
Sept. 8. A. 1833
"War Department"
I forward the Department the list of Col. Nathan King of (New Jersey) Militia General M c Leod
It is my wish to be informed of the date of the next meeting of the General Assembly, as of this day it is the anniversary of the formation
of the General Assembly, which is held on the first Tuesday of the month
Since the war in some of the states, and for the knowledge I have of the other states, and on other than I forwarded a day or two since
I have no other business at present, so may leave I suppose the Dept. to the business of the day
But I remain as ever I am the Conference of the Church I believe of the Presbytery
Yours sincerely J. M c Leod

Fayetteville NC
Sep. 8. H. 1832
I forward the Department the petitions of Col. Nathan King of Cumberland County Daniel Mclellan " " " and of John Wilson " " "
Col. King is so enfeebled by disease and age that he was not able to attend Court - the Court empowered one of their body to take his declaration as appears by the proceedings -
John Wilson is truly an object of charity - being now an inhabitant of the "Poor House" of this County -
From the examination of witnesses, and from the knowledge I have of the above applicants, as also those I forwarded a day or two since, I have no hesitation in recommending them - I referred the Dep t to Mr Harden in my last communication - I now enclose them the Certificate of the Hon ble L Bethune of this District -
Yr ob t Serv t
J. Musgrove
Atty: for Petitioners

Antigua Copy of Seal

This Indenture made this first day of March A D 1823 Between John Wilson of the County of Sampson and State of North Carolina for the one part and James French of the same County and State aforesaid of the other part witnesseth that I the said John Wilson for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and Sixty three Dollars to me in hand paid by the said James French the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and I myself there with fully Satisfied Contented and paid have Bargained Sold conveyed confirmed unto the said James French his heirs and assigns forever one certain Tract piece or parcel of Land situate lying and being in the County of Sampson aforesaid bounded as follows Beginning at a pin in the Edge of the pecan thence S. out to a Black oak thence S o 40 o E t 250 poles to a pin thence S o 51 o W t to a pin on the long point thence S o 12 o Chains 25 links to a Stake near Moses Lockermans Corner thence to and with his line S o 90 o E t 21 Chains and 46 links to a Stake his corner in said line thence that line N o 11 o E t 7 Chains to a small pin the corner thence his other line S o 80 o E t 16 Chains to a Stake thence N o 6 o E t to a pin the corner of another tract of 80 Acres thence a Dividing line N o 45 o E t 177 poles to a Stake his corner thence N o 28 o W t 43 poles to a pin thence N o 64 o E t to a pin in Tlemings line a Corner near the head of the little Branch thence Down said Branch to a small pin said Wilsons line

thence to a pine and gum in Porters pecosen a corner of another tract thence the Edge of the pecosen as it Meanders to the Begining and Containing 299  Acres , 299  Acres Two hundred and Eighteen Acres of Land be the same more or less which I and Price or parcels of Land with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining the said John Wilson for himself his heirs Exec rs Adm rs & assigns hereby sold set over conveyed release and confirm unto the S d James French his heirs Exec rs , Adm rs and assigns and I the S d
I John Wilson for myself my heirs Exec rs & Adm rs and assigns Doth hereby Covenant promise and agree to and with the said James French his heirs Exec rs and adm rs that I the S d John Wilson and my heirs Exec rs & Adm rs and assigns shall warrant and defend forever Defend the said piece or parcel of Land with all and every of its members and appurtenances free from all lawful claim of any person or persons whatsoever unto the S d James French his heirs Exec rs adm rs or assigns forever in witness whereof I the S d John Wilson hath hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal the Day and Year above written

Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of
Burrell Wilson John Wilson Seal Joseph Lockman
Sampson County November Term 1823 Then was the within Deed proven in open Court and Ordered to be registered J. L. Holmes C. C. Registered December the 24 th 1824
Brasfield Royal Register By Jon. Clutty
I hereby certify that the fore going is a true copy from the original - of April the 5 th 1830
W. Faison Register
State of N. Carolina Sampson County
I Thos Faison Clerk of the Superior Court and quorum in the County of Sampson do hereby certify that Brasfield Faison whose official registration appears to the above certificate is the Register for this County and as such and until I should be prior to his official acts
Given under my hand and Seal at office in Clinton the 5 th day of April 1830 of the Independence of the U States the 54 th
Thos Faison, C. C.