Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,588, John Williams, N. C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
NC.
Williams, John
R 11,588
Born in Va.
CONTENTS

State of North Carolina } I John Williams a Rutherford County } resident of said county aged seventy nine May next Born in Virginia Lunenburg County May 1752. Makes on oath the following declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 9th June 1836 I enlisted under Captain Col. Archibald Little one of the State Troops of N o Carolina at Hillsborough in said State for eighteen Months and was mustered under his Brother William Little to Wilmington in said State & was there stationed the whole of the time of my enlistment except a times as we were marched up the Cape Fear River to a place called the half way swamp to meet the Tories who were encamped at that place I was mustered up there during the course of my service was in no battle & was honorably discharged by my captain W m Little. I returned home. I was then drafted as a Militia Man from Caswell Coun- ty N o Carolina & Marched under Captain George Samuel for the relief of Charleston. When we got on as far as Orangeburgh we heard that the I obtained a furlough for three weeks & when before I re- turned Charleston was taken. I was discharged by my captain & returned home. The year of Genl. Defeat I went a 3 months tour as a substitute for a drafted Militia man by the name of Benjamin Hubard and marched under Captain William Hardin from Caswell & joined Genl. Army near Camden. whilst I was stationed there Genl. Lord Lumsden made a requisition for four hundred men to guard his prisoners & plunder consisting of two Brigs Cannon & eighty waggons which he had

which he had taken from the British on the South side of Wateree near Camden I was one of this de- tachment & were guarding the prisoners & heard the cannon during Gates Defeat. We pushed on to a point a little above the Mouth of Fishing Creek on the So- side of Wateree where we halted about one o'clock the 16 th day of August with our prisoners I & my comrade John Doakings halted to get some peaches when four British Cavalry, hussars & directly Fortitudo troops followed on to attack Sunnier's Guard & put them all to pieces whilst they were pulling bevers & preparing to eat. Their arms all out of their hands except those guarding the prisoners I & my comrade dodged out of the way & up the Wat- -ee & came up into Middleburgh County, N o Carolina near Charlott & kept on home I was call'd out in about 3 weeks & was stationed 10 miles from Charlott & was discharged by Gen Sullivan who was killed at the Battle of Guilford Walls, N.C. Col. Williams came in to Cornwall and I again substituted for John Williams & marched & before we reached Kings Mountain Ferguson was defeated & we were permitted to go home. I volunteered to go against the Cherokees & marched from Cornwall to Hillsborough & then through Salisbury & on up the Catawba & at or near a place call'd Green River Ford we met Gen l Thomas Patten who turned us back General Rutherford had men enough I was about six weeks out this time upwards of thirty years ago I gave my papers to one William Twitty who said that he understood we were to be paid for our services & he never returned them nor do I know where they are Inverness the 1 st Dec r 1804 J n Ferguson. Have you any record of your age

Ans: I have not. My oldest Brother raised me & told me my age. My father died when I was 3 years old
Interrogatory 3 When where you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolution. & where do you now live Ans I was living in Caswell County North Carolina when called into service and lived there until about forty two years ago I removed to this County & have lived here until now when I am still living
4 th Inter. How were you called into service Ans I was at Hillsborough in Orange County at a General Muster Col. Little was there as a recruiting officer & recruited me in that place and enlisted me as before stated. I have already stated that served two tours of duty as a substitute of three months each & served weeks as a volunteer to go against the Che-
-rokees Interrogatory 5 th I have answered as far as I can recollect I can say further I knew Genl Decatur who fell in Genl. Defeat I knew Genl. I saw General Marion & Decatur part when he left the army a few days before Genl. Defeat to go on some expedition to stop the Gats - Defeat was on Wednesday and we were cut up on Friday at Fishing Creek by Tarleton as already stated
John W. Williams
I do further declare on oath that I am not on any pension roll whatever & do for the purpose of claiming the above pension release & give up all claims to any other pension whatsoever
John Williams

W th The undersigned Ambrose Mills Esquire one of the Justices of Rutherford County & Alexander McFadden a citizen of said County do certify that we have been acquainted with John Williams the declarant that we believe him to be a man of veracity & we have full confidence & faith in the truth of the facts he would swear to it that we have known him for thirty years & have always understood & believe that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war & such has been his common character.
A. Mills Esquire
Qualif.
John W. McFadden
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 as stated in his application. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Ambrose Mills and Alexander McFadden who have signed the above Certificate are residents in Rutherford County, that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Thos. P. Bissett Clerk of the Court of Rutherford County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Williams for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 10th day of September AD 1833.
T. P. Bissett Clerk
Thomas P. Bissett
John Williams 8568 Pensioner

John Williams
30.779
Suspended
11588

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 subjjoined 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
   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.     1778-79 1 6 " Private Capt. Lytle Capt. Lytle 82 paper lost. Letter sent   1780 - 3 Private Capt. Thompson Capt. Haden 81 Recommended by a Disputable Clergyman and Citizen with my own affidavit   1780 - 3 Private Capt. Gator Capt. Davidson Capt. George Samuel 81   1781 1 15 Private Capt. Williams Capt. Faulkner   1782 1 15 Private The same Officers as above   2 5  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 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 _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Stat. of North Carolina } personally appeared before me Rutherford County } the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County, John Williams and after being duly sworn deposed and sayeth that in his former Declaration he made as full a statement of his Service as his Recollection would justify his memory to state he has procured from the Pay Roll at Halifax N. Carolina a statement of his receiving pay at two different times which sums I did receive as payment for my Service as a Soldier of the Revolutionary war and am informed that the Muster Rolls of N. Carolina was burnt in Raleigh N. Carolina this is all the proof that I can procure at this time on that part of my Service which was one year & six months pay - 18 months in the year 1780 I was drafted & served three months under Capt. Wm. Harden & Col. William Moore - 3 months in the same year I was a Substitute for a man by the name of Hubbard and served three months under Capt. George Samuel, Col. Steven Moore and Genl. Gates and Hunter 3 months and Davidson - in 1783 I was drafted and served under Capt. George Faulkner 1 1/2 - commanded by Col. Williams and served 1 1/2 - my next was under the same Officer - 27 months
I have stated how I lost my Discharges if the proof cannot be thought sufficient for me to obtain a pension for the first 18 months as an enlisted Soldier I hope I will be allowed for the nine months that I served in the militia I am poor needy and destitute and a small sum would be very acceptable to me in present situation Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21 st day of July 1834
Martin Beane (J.P.)
John Williams (J.P.) mark

I Tho F Birchall clerk of the Court of Pleas & Common Pleas as for the County of Rutland do certify that Martin Beam Esq is a Magistrate of said County as within set forth, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my seal of office & subscribed my name the 22 nd day of July A D 1834
J. H. Birchall clerk

In I have been acquainted with John Williams the Applicant for the within Pension for at least thirty years and have no doubt but he served as he has stated he stands fair in all respects and is believed to be a man of truth he is very poor but respected by his acquaintance
E. Katten
John Williams Essex Co 10 Jany 1782 John Williams Adams Co 20 July 1778 John Williams Vaughan Co 21 Feb 1777 4 yrs John Williams Jackson Co 13 Jany 1777 3 yrs John Williams Latimer Co 1777 for war

John Williams
Asp. 1/2 a pint of bottle the rest
- 1 18 Asp. x 4 1 12 x 3 1 12
Supper Dr. J. F. Pritchett Oct 4 1833

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 Williams 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? No 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?
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? No
not in the Bill
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? No
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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?
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 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 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 shewn 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.
† 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 authenticates 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 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.
¶ 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 accompany the papers.
The name of John Williams does not appear upon the Roll of P.M. as having enlisted for 18 mo. The applicant must therefore produce proof as above required.

Dear
Halifax N.S.
Mar 20 th 1834.
Sir
Your letter of the 14 th Feby last was received, I handed your letter over to Mr. Henry Melkes, (who is engaged in searching out military claims) and he has handed me the following memorandum which he got from the old book, of records, — — — — —
  John Wms  Col d R.  361. 16-4  by Thos Danabo    "  " Private  19. 7-1  " Sherid Barron    "  " Lt.  181. 6-4  " Thos Armstrong    "  " Private  41. 15-1  " Wm Sanders  
The name of John Williams appears thus often in the way above stated, the amts owed was paid by the persons whose names are attached so it appears these persons or the John Williams named has no the pay that was due
Yours Truly Jos. L. Simms

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
P. O. 11.588
John Williams
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

I Drury Dobbins a clergyman resident in the County Rutherford & State aforesaid do hereby certify that I am acquainted with John Williams who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration that I believe him of the age he states himself to be. I further certify that the said John Williams is believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolutionary war In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 9 th day of September
1833 sworn to in open Court the 9 th Sept r 1833
Drury Dobbins
J. P. Birchett Clk
I Thos. P. Birchett, clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in and for Rutherford County do hereby certify that John Williams made oath to the truth of his amended declaration (within) at the day of its date in open Court. I further certify that Drury Dobbins whose certificate is sworn to as above, is a a clergyman resident in Rutherford County, estimable for his piety & correct moral deportment, and that he is a credible person. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office & subscribed my name at Rutherford the 10 th day of September 1833
T. P. Birchett Clk

of Rutherford County No 6  The amended declaration of John Williams, to be taken as part of his declaration, heretofore made & enrolled in the Court of said County on the 10 th of September 1832 who upon oath declares that he served under Capt William Little at Wilmington as already stated 18 months as a drafted militia man for Three months under Capt Samuels, but was on service four months lacking of two days, six weeks as a Volunteer under Capt Douglas to go against Cherokee. Three months as a substitute under Capt Hardin, of six weeks D o under Col Williams making on his own account twenty three & a half months on his own account & four months & a half as a substitute. This affiant further declares that his age and infirmity is such that he cannot go to court to inquire of any person living who could prove his services. That he is very poor has but one child in the State & she a sickly elderly woman that he knows of no living witness to whom he might apply to corroborate his statement & if the foregoing will not answer he must then lose the compensation promised by the Government for services long rendered & still unperformed
John Williams
Execat before me in open Court the 8 th July 1833
J. P. Ditchett Clk

State of North Carolina } On this 24 th day of April 1836 Personal Rutherford County } appeared in open court before the Justices of Said Court now sitting John Williams a Resident of the United States in the county of Rutherford and State of North Carolina aged 82 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement or declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of the Congress passed the 7 th of June 1832 Sayeth that he is far removed from the place where he resided when he served his different Terms in the Revolutionary war and if any of his Col d fellow Subservants living he has no knowledge where to find them but his character for Truth and Veracity will be given by persons who have been acquainted with me for the last 30 years but from Col d age and consequent loss of Memory I cannot swear positively as to the precise length of the different Terms I served nor the dates but according to the best of my memory not less than the period mentioned below and in the following order and for which Service I claim a Pension I hereby Relinquish every claim to a Pension except the present and declare that my Name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State whatsoever Sayeth that his first Term he enlisted for 18 Months in the year 1778 under Captain William Lytle Col d Asahel Tabor of the Continental The Troops then encamped in Caswell County N. Carolina we was Marched from that place to near Wilmington N. Carolina where we was Stationed we Scouted and secured the Neighbourhood for a least Sixty Miles I Recollect that I served as high up the River as the halfway Swamp to keep down the Scotch Settlement known as Tars in them days I was Discharged at Wilmington and Returned home to Caswell County I think early in the year 1780 I was Drafted and served a Term of 3 Months under Captain William Harden commanded by Col d William Moore we was Marched to Hillsboro N. Carolina then to Orangeburg N. Carolina from that place we Set out for Charleston before we reached that place it was Surrendered and we Returned home to Caswell County N. Carolina where we was Discharged my Next was a Substitute for a man by the Name of Hubbard for 3 months under Captain George Samuel's command by Col d Steven Moore we was Marched on to near Camden N. Carolina where we Joined the Main Army under Genl Gates from there we was sent to join Genl Sumter in the Battle on the Wateree where we was Defeated we was Retied or halted about Charlotte N. Carolina at the expiration of my Service I was Discharged by General Davidson and Returned home to Caswell County N. Carolina

My first Term I was Drafted and Served under Capt George Faulkner Col n Williams Commanded we set out for a Southern Town but before we joined the main Army Ferguson was Defeated at King Mountain we was Marched back home and Discharged I think this was 1 1/2 months say one month and a half My Next was a Volunteer under Captain George Faulkner Col n Williams Commanded we was Marched on to near the head of the Catawba in Burke County N Carolina where we met some of the Officers returning who had been in pursuit of the Indians from that Place we was Marched back to Caswell County N Carolina where we was Discharged This was One Month and a half
  1778- Col n Lytle Served 18 Months That he does not know of any person now living that he can prove his Service by but must depend entirely on his own recollection and the character he sustains when he now resides as a Disgrace to the Hon. James Graham This makes my Service Twenty Seven Months and for which Service I claim a Pension   1780- Col n Lytle Served 3 Months   1780- Col n Lytle Served 3 Months   1781- Col n Williams 1 1/2 Months   1782- Col n Williams 1 1/2 Months 
Question 1 st by the court. When and in what year were you born Answer. I was born from Information in Surryburg County State of Virginia in the Year 1752 Question 2 nd have you any Record of your age and if so when is it. Answer. I have it from the Original kept by my Sister at my Daughters in this county Question 3 rd Where were you living when called into Service where have you lived since the Revolution -any war and where do you now live. Answer. I was living in Caswell County N Carolina when first called into Service where I made my home until after peace was made I then moved to Rutherford County N Carolina where I have remained ever since Question 4 th how were you called into Service were you Drafted did you Volunteer or were you a Volunteer Substitute and if a Substitute for whom. Answer. I first enlisted for 18 Months in the State Troops of North Carolina and served as a Volunteer Second I was Drafted and Served 3 Months as a Volunteer my 3 rd I was a Substitute for a man by the name of Hubbard and served 3 Months my 4 th Service Drafted and served 18 1/2 Months my 5 th I was a Volunteer and served 18 1/2 Months Question 5 th State the names of some of the Officers who were with the Troops where you served such continental and Militia Officers Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances as you can recollect. Answer. I recollect General Gates General Sumter Davidson Col n Lytle, Dickson Moore, Williams I have stated the particulars above to the best of my recollection Question 6 th Did you ever receive a Discharge and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it. Answer. I recollect that I Received Several One was signed by Col n Archibald but the One was given by General Davidson I do not recollect who signed the Others but I think they was signed by the Captains I served under for I do not recollect any higher Officer present where we was Discharged

Some years after the Revolutionary War I put all my Papers into the hands of William Twitty a Near Neighbour amongst them was my Discharges I have made many enquiries for my Paper of Twitty before his Death and also of his Administrators since his Death. I have not been able to hear anything about them they are entirely lost to me I have through my friend wrote to Raleigh to see if my Name was on the Roll there they inform me they have not the Roll of that Company or Regiment that was Stationed at Wilmington In the year 1778-79. enquiry is made at Halifax but have not an answer. In question 7 th State the names of some person in your present Neighbourhood to whom you are known who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behaviour and your service as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Reverend Joseph Moore & David Gray, Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid in Open Court J. P. Dischert clk John Williams Seal Mark
We Joseph Moore a Gentleman residing in the county of Pender and State of North Carolina and David Gray residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Williams who has Subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be 82 years of age that he is Reported and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolutionary War and that we concur in the same Opinion Sworn to and Subscribed the day and Year aforesaid in Open Court.
J. P. Dischert clk
Joseph Moore Seal
David Gray Seal
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Soldier of the Revolutionary War and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Joseph Moore

who has Signed the preceding certificate is a Legislator residing in the county of Rutherford and State of North Carolina and that David Gray - who has also Signed the same is a Resident in the County & State and is a credible person and that their Statement is entitled to credit
I Thos F. Burchett Clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the county of Rutherford and State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original matter proceedings in the matter of the Application of John Williams for a pension In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office at Rutledge the 27 th day of April A.D. 1834
T. F. Burchett Cth