Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1739, William Wiggins, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb.
Wiggins, William
S.1739
CONTENTS

22005
West Tennessee
William Wiggins of Montgomery in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the com d commanded by Captain Hargrove of the reg t commanded by Col. Sinton in the Mobile line for 6 months and 13 days
Inscribed on the Roll of W. Tennessee at the rate of 21 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Sep r 1833 and S. N. Marshall Clarksville
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r 1833 $ 34 13 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar ch 34 $ 10 83 $ 44 98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book C Vol. 1 Page 99
Set. 1. John L. H. Tournier, Jan 22/60.

State of Tennessee
5 Circuit Court
Chancery County
August Term 1833
The complainant states out of bill
Reggins in his declaration herein
has made at the Circuit Court
for the County of Maury at
The August Term of said Court
1832 - to obtain the benefit of an
act of Congress passed June 7th
1832.
Declarant states that he entered the service - at the time mentioned in his far more declaration which this is intended to amend and explain) - that  which June was the first of April 1781 - and that he remained in the service of the United States - under the agreement - as far stated in his declaration hereafter made until the Capture of Cornwallis which declarant alleges - and
states to have been on the 19th day of October 1781 - which would make the time this declarant served - six months and fifteen days - declarant here states that he was discharged - as before stated in his declaration hereafter made - and that he enlisted as a Common soldier and served as such until the discharge - was given after the Capture of Cornwallis - by the
Major Kirtland referred to in his far more declaration declarant states that he thinks the Major's name was Griffin but he cannot at this time certainly recollect -

His name - - I declare how far his names be the interrogatories presented by the War department - -
Interrogatory 1 st
Where and in what year were you born - Since I was born in the State of North Carolina in the County of Martin - I cannot state in what year I was born - Forcing I now think I am in and about 73 or 74 - years of age -
Interrogatory 2 - Have you any record of your age - and if so where is it - Since I have no record of my age - I do not know my information of my age from an Elder Sister
Interrogatory 5 th
State the names of some of your regu- lar officers who were with the Troops where you served such Continental and Militia regiments as you can well recall and the general circumstances of your services - For an answer to this interrogatory the department is referred to the body of my declaration hereby made - which gives the names of the officers under whom I served and also the general circumstances of my services as far as I can now recollect -
Interrogatory 7 th
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neigh- borhoods and who know of you

Your Character for honesty and the value of your services as a soldier of the revolution -
In answer to his interrogatory the depart- ment - is referred to the certificate of Capt. Markel - a Cherokeeman and Dawson Bayley who are their high honors - I have known this certificate ever since I came to the state of Tennessee from the state of Missouri and - - William Wiggins
This day personally appeared in open Court Will Wiggins and made oath that the matters and things set forth in the above application declar- ation are true - as stated August 28th 1853 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal having no other seal of office, at office in Clarksville this day & date above written P. M. Marr Clerk of Montgomery Circuit Court

State of Tennessee                      S.S. Montgomery County ss
The enclosed certificate & attestation is in the usual form - There is no seal of office belonging to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Montgomery nor is any required by Law - The certificates are in the hand writing of Peter N. Marr & the signatures thereto are also in his proper hand writing and he is now the acting Clerk of said Court
Clarksville Aug. 28 th 1833
C. Johnson

State Tennessee & Circuit Court Montgomery County 3 August Term 1832.
On the 22nd day of August personally appeared before the judge of the Superior Court for the State of Tennessee residing for Montgomery by William Wiggins a resident of Montgomery State of Tennessee aged seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the Army the United States the first of April 1781 by enlisting for the term of one year with Captain Hargraves in the Continental line, that he served in the regiment under the following officers, that he was taken by Capt Hargraves beyond Smithfield N Carolina he was then put under the command of Col William Sinton & soon united to Capt Berry Green Company, not long after Col Sinton was broken for deserting some horses, in consequence he was then put under the command of Col Henson near Wilmington; and ever in the battle at Rockfish Creek near Wilmington and was wounded in his right thigh a little above the knee. The Americans were routed, they then fell back to Mud Run near Smithfield and remained on Mud Run until after we heard of the capture of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown after this news came that the British had left Wilmington, we were then discharged, but from the fight at Rockfish Creek our Col had never again found us, & the Major that was there whose name I have forgot told us we might be discharged for further orders. I never had a regular discharge owing to the circumstances before mentioned.

at the time I enlisted I was near Roanoke River County of Halifax North Carolina
There is no person now living by whom I can prove my service, the last of my fellow soldiers, that lived any where in this Country that I know of, were Genl R. Barry & Thos Bayly, died a few years since Thos Bayly was commissary for our Regiment
We hereby acknowledge every claim whatever to a pen- sion or an annuity, except the present and we declare that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State or territory sworn to and subscribed this 22 nd day of Au- gust 1832. in open Court
Test P. M. W. C. Clerk                      William Wiggins
We Robert McCorkle a Clergyman in the county of Montgomery and State of Tennessee and Dawson Bayly residing in the same County & State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Wiggins who has subscribed & sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years old that he is respected and beloved in the neighbour- hood where he lives to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion sworn to and subscribed the day and year above stated
Test P. M. W. C. Clerk                      Robert McCorkle Dawson Bayly

and the said Court do certify and declare their opinions after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named appli- cant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as in State, and the Court further certify that it appears to them that Robert McErla who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in the County of Montgomery State of Tennessee and that David Dugay who has signed the same also is a resident of the county & State aforesaid and is a credible person and that their statement is in- titled to credit.
Mary M. Humphreys
I Peter A. Merr. Clerk of the Circuit Court of Montgomery Co. State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing is the original pro- ceedings of the said Court in the matter of the matters of the said Court application of William Huggins for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal having no other seal this 22nd day of August 1832.
DM MAN 612
of Montgomery Circuit Court.

776 3
William Wiggins Montgomery Co from 1781 private 6 1/2 months. $21. 66 100 return
43 32 1083 5. 10. 16. (Sub. 2. 5.) 34. 13
E P 379
11 March
P. N. Mott P. N. Mott Clarksville
re sent

7763
BRIEF in the case of  William Wiggins  County of Montgomery in the State of Tennessee  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73  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 1781 April not stated private Gen. Capt. Hargrove, Col. W. Linton, & Capt. Perry Grimes,  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Rockfish Creek  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Halifax Cty. N. C.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The Clerk's certificate has no public seal affixed 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Waugh
Examining Clerk.

December 7, 1937.
Mrs. J. P. Harbour R. R. 1, Box 327 Pueblo, Colorado.
BA--J/ILL William Wiggins S. 1739
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Abram and William Wiggins of North Carolina.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is not possible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of that war. The record of William Wiggins is furnished herein as found in his claim for pension, S. 1739, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
William Wiggins was born in the year 1759 or 1760, in Martin County, North Carolina; the names of his parents are not shown.
While residing near Roanoke River, in Halifax County, North Carolina, he enlisted April 1, 1781, served as a private in Captains Hargrove's and Berry Grimes' companies, Colonels William Linton's and Kenyon's North Carolina regiments, was in the battle of Rock Fish Creek in which he was wounded above the knee in his right thigh, and was discharged just after the surrender of Cornwallis.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 22, 1832, at which time he resided in Montgomery County, Tennessee. He made no reference to wife or children; however, he referred to an older sister, but did not state her name.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of the person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this

pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following:
William Wiggins Certificate #22005 Issued September 25, 1833 Rate $21.66 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832. Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Wilson Wiggins - Jr.,
ad. 1832
his letter
Comr of Pensions Washington D.C.

Jackson May 26 th 1860 Comm ee of Pensions at Washington
Dear Sir
I write to enquire whether there is a claim due from your off- ice or the pension office to the heirs of Wilson Miggins decd, if so, state what is necessary to be done to ob- tain the same - Address me at "Jackson Tenn"
Yours &c Mrs L. H. Lowrie
not you but the endorsement is in this claim

Mr. Higgins -

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 Wiggins which require 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? No public 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? yes 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? 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? 1. 2. 3. 7.
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.
¶ 11  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 be sent with the papers."

1911 Dec. 8 Hist. So A. H. Fland. Letter in J.F. 36844 John Whitaker. V.L.M. 1911 Dec. 19 Hist. So Wm J. Bliss. V.L.M.
Rev Mar.
1739. ✓ INVALID.
File No. 1739 William Wiggins Duo N. G. Dine
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index: —Vol. A, Page 4106
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pueblo, Colo.
Nov. 23 - 37
Veterans Administration Washington D. C.
Send one Mrs. Finch Dec. 4-
Gentlemen,
I would like to know if you have in your Revolutionary War Records, any data on an only one NC Abram Wiggins who was living in Burke Co. N. Carolina in 1790. I don't know whether he was a soldier or not but thinks he was. Also would like data on a only one NC William Wiggins who served in Bricksells Co. and enlisted Nov. 28 - 1776.
Thank you very much for this information
Yours truly
Mrs. J. P. Harbaur Pueblo Colo.
P.P.O. Box 327.

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
William Higgins S.L. 1739
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 1 1781 6 mos. 15 days Pvt.  Hargrove  Benj Green (?)   William Linton  Kenyon  N.C.   was wounded in right thigh in battle at Rock Fish Creek  
Battles engaged in, See above  Residence of soldier at enlistment, near Roanoke River, Halifax Co. N.C.  Date of application for pension, Aug. 22, 1832. Hugel. al.  Residence at date of application, Montgomery Co., Tenn.  Age at date of application, 72 or 73 yrs. born in Martin Co. N.C.  Remarks: No data as to family.

1017 ST. PAUL STREET, BALTIMORE, MD.
December 9, 1911.
Pension Bureau,
Record Division, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:-
I have obtained some references to pensions given to Revolutionary soldiers, and as I understand you will furnish copies of these records for four individuals I write to ask that you will send me these records of the following three:
1. William Wiggins . North Carolina line. Application for pension made at the age of 74. Died in Montgomery Co., Tenn.
Senate Documents, Vol. XIV, p. 81.
2. Arthur Wiggins . Private N. C. Militia. Application for pension made at the age of 76. Pension commenced Mar. 4, 1831. Died in Bertie Co., N. C.
3. Wilson Wiggins . Private Va. Line. Application for pension made at the age of 72. Pension began Dec. 12, 1822. Died in Sussex, Va.
Senate Documents, Vol. 13, p. 101 of Va. Rec.
Very truly yours,
Wm. A. Blip