Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7819, James Ward, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb
Ward James
S 7819
CONTENTS
carded

North Carolina 23.227
James Ward of Bertie in the State of N. Car who was a P o in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg t commanded by Col o Pugh in the No Car line for 6 months —
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of Dec r 1833 and John H. Reynolds Windsor NC
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1830 97 Semi-ant. allowance ending Nov 30 10 — $ 107 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nat. Rice Clerk Book E Vol. 64 Page 79

State of North Carolina } Court of pleas and quarter Sessions Bertie County } 2 nd . November term 1832.
On this 15 th day of November in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions of said County of Bertie now sitting, James Ward, a resident of a place called White oak in the said County of Bertie N.C. aged seventy 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 and served as herein stated: namely: That he entered said service under Captain Thomas Pugh and William Davis, Lieutenant, Company officers; and Col. John Pugh Williams, a field officer. That he entered said service in the month of April in the year 1779, that he left said service in the fall or latter part of the summer of the same year, having served the full term for which he entered said service. He states that he was born in Bertie County and resided there when he entered the said service and that he was drafted for three months. He states that he was in the Battle fought at Briar Creek in the State of Georgia and that he was then under the Command of the aforesaid Col John Pugh Williams that Genl as he was chief in Command at that Battle. That his captain at that battle was one John Wolfenden who was taken a prisoner by the British; his first Capt; the above named Thomas Pugh, having left the service. He states that he marched from Windsor in the aforesaid County of Bertie by the way of Wilmington to North Carolina and then through South Carolina to Augusta in Georgia and from Augusta to Briar Creek where the battle was fought. He states that he has no recollection of the names of the regular officers who were with the troops when he served or of having served with any Continental regiments or Continental Companies which he can describe in this first tour of duty; and that he served the whole term for which he was drafted; and that he was discharged by Lieutenant William Davis, before named by the order of his Col. John Pugh Williams, and that he returned to Bertie County his place of residence; that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of

no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to this service -
The said James Ward further states that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated for another term of three months and under another engagement.
He states that for this last term of service he was drafted in for three months Butler County where he resided for three months . That he entered the service in this second tour under Captain John Folk - one, Dempsey Cook was Lieutenant in the company commanded by said Capt Folk. General Gregory & Colonel Dozier were the field officers under whom he served - He states that he entered this term of service in, or about, the month of April in the year 1781 and that he continued in said service until about the last of August or first of September in that year, having served the full term for which he was drafted - That he was discharged - That he was in no battle in this last tour of service. That he was marched from Butler County, his place of residence & where he entered the service, to Winston in the said state of North Carolina, and thence to a place called north West Bridge in Virginia where he was stationed, that  during his march and whilst at that place, which was called Head quarters, he was in the company commanded by said Capt Folk - He states that he knew Genl. Gregory & Col. Dozier before named, who were in command at that place - That he returned to the said County of Butler after receiving his discharge and has resided in said County ever since - He further states that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, except John Lednum, who served in the same company with him, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to this term of service.
The said James Ward 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
C. A. Rhodes Clk
James Ward mark

I, John Lednum, residing in the County of Bertie North Carolina hereby certify that I am well acquainted with James Ward who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and I believe him to be fully seventy years of age - I further certify that I know him to have been a soldier of the revolution for that I served as a soldier and in the same company with him for three months in the year 1781 in the State of Virginia as he has stated in the above declaration -
Sworn & subscribed, The day & year aforesaid
his John X Lednum mark
C. A. Rhodes Clk
We Mady White and Gervis Tadlock residing in the County of Bertie & state of North Carolina hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Ward who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 70 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 & subscribed, The day & year aforesaid
Mady White
Gervis Tadlock
C. A. Rhodes Clk
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after an 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 stated. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Mady White and Gervis Tadlock who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the County of Bertie and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. -
I, Elisha A. Rhodes Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions of the County of Bertie, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Ward for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 15 th day of November in the year 1832.
E. A. Rhodes Clk

(amendment to James Ward's declaration for a pension. —) State of North Carolina. Butte County. Court of Pleas and quarter sessions, May term 1833.
James Ward the declarant personally appeared in open court and being first duly sworn according to law answered the following interrogatories as herein stated.
1. When and in what year were you born? Ans r . I was born in Butte County N.C. and as well as I can remember in the year 1763 —
2. Have you any record of your age?
Ans r . — I have not. I never saw one nor do I know that my parents ever kept a family record. They both died when I was a boy.
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Ans r . I lived in Butte County N.C. when called into service, I have lived in said County ever since the revolutionary war & now live in S.C. County.
4. How were you called into service?
Ans r . I was drafted
5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops, when you served and such continental and militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service?
Ans r . In my tour of service at the south as stated in my declaration I was under the command of Capt. Thomas Pugh for a short period afterwards under Capt. John Wolfenden. William Davis was my lieutenant. Col. John Rugh, Will Dams & Genl. Ashe were with the troops where I served. I was in the engagement at Briar Creek. —
In my tour of service in Virginia as stated in my declaration I was under the command of Capt. John Falk — Col. Dozier & Genl. Gregory were with the troops where I served —
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service?
Ans r . I did — but I have lost it. Genl. Gregory I think sent it to me by one of his aids. I served three months at the south and three months in Virginia. —
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and belief of your service as a soldier of the revolution.
Ans r . I am known to all my neighbours, among them are Mady White and James Tarlock, Jonathan Skiles, William Pender and others all of whom I think will speak well of me, and cannot believe that any one of my neighbours will say any thing against me.
Sworn to & subscribed before me in open court 15 May 1833
James his Ward mark
C. A. Rhodes Clk
State of North Carolina. Butte County. Court of Pleas and quarter sessions November term 1833.
We James Roff and Henry White, clergymen both residing in the County of Butte N.C. hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Ward who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 71 years of age or thereabouts; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 13 th day of Nov 1833 J. A. Taylor Clk
James Roff Henry White

James Ward N. C. No. 19371
and Put
Admit as a private 1 mo. $20.00
m.
H. Reynolds Windsor N. C.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Ap l 20 1833
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 subj d notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These 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 James Ward
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     April 1779 drafted 3 Pri. Capt. Tho s Col. Ino Hugh & Hugh Wm Davis Williams From Windsor by the way of Wilming- ton and Hm- S.C. to An- gusta in Ga & from Angusta to Briar Creek from Bertie to Winston thence to West Bridge 70 years Bertie Co N.C. Traditional Witness   1781 " 3 " Capt. Ino. Genl Ash Wolfenden Genl Greene Capt. Ino. = gory and Folk Col. Dozier Briar Creek  
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) _____ 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 day 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 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [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.

Rev. & 1812 War Section W.A.S.
September 20, 1928
Captain Edgar Thompson The Army and Navy Club Washington, D.C.
Sir:
I advise you that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 7819, that James Ward was born in 1763 in Bertie County, North Carolina.
While a resident of that county he enlisted and served as a private with the North Carolina troops as follows:
In 1779 he served three months in Captains Thomas Pugh's and John Wolfenden's Companies in Colonel John Pugh Williams' Regiment and was in the battle of Brier Creek.
From sometime in April, 1781, he served three months in Captain John Volk's Company in Colonel Dozier's Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 15, 1832, at which time he was living in White Oak, Bertie County, North Carolina.
There are no data on file relative to wife and children of James Ward.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

Chor 2 H. N. D.
Andr ne. Nov 16
Free
J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pen Washington D.C.

Windsor N.C. Nov. 15. 1833.
J. S. Edwards Esq. Com r of Pensions.
Dear Sir
Enclosed you have the declarations of John Hoggard and James Ward applicants for pensions under the law of the United States of the 9 th June 1832 - I have endeavoured to make the proof as clear as possible & hope I have succeeded so as to entitle them to pensions. -
I send the certificates from Wm Hill Esq. Sec y of State in N.C. as to the enlistment of Wm Watford & John Hoggard -
The affidavit of Wm Watford which is annexed to the declaration of John Hoggard will no doubt satisfactorily explain the case of said Hoggard.
Should pension certificates be granted them please enclose them to me
Respectfully
Yr. obed Servt.
A. Reynolds

1928. Sept. 20 just. to Capt Edgar Thompson M.C.S.
Reuben
7819
✓ INVALID.
File No. 7819
James Ward
First Box War
Act: June 7th 1872
Index:—Vol. 103 , Page 392
[Arrangement of 1870.]

THE ARMY AND NAVY CLUB WASHINGTON
14 Nov 27.
The Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Sir,
Will you please inform me if the following men were pensioners of the Revolution War of 1776.
Sgt. Benjamin Thompson Salem Co. N.J.
James Ward Hertford or Bertie Co. N.C.
Very Truly Edgar Thompson. Capt (M.C.) U.S.M.

James Ward

State of North Carolina.
Bertie County. Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions November term 1833.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after an 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 James Robb and Henry White as appears to them, who have signed the preceding certificate, are clergymen, resident in the said County; and that John Sedum, Mudy White and Gervis Tadlock who have also signed certificates in behalf the said James Ward, which are hereto annexed, are residents in the said County and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
State of North Carolina
Bertie County — ss I Jonathan S. Taylor
Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Bertie County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Ward for a pension — In testimony whereof,
I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this
14 day of November 1833
Jonathan S. Taylor Clerk