Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9893, John Wilkins, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N 6
Wilkins John Sarah
N 9893
Born - Va -
CONTENTS

North Carolina
23.533
John Wilkins of Stokes in the State of N.C. who was a Pvt. — in the — commanded by Captain — of the Regt. commanded by Col. Armstrong in the N.C. line for 1 mo: 14 days —
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 24. Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of Feby. '34. and Supt Hon: A. H. Shepherd D. B.
Arrears to the 14th of April '34: $62.10 Semi-ant. allowance ending March '34 12.44
$74.54
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. Lee Clerk, Book C Vol. 6 Page 79

3305 North Carolina
Sarah Wilkins
widow of John Wilkins decd. a pensioner, Act 7 June 1832, who died on the 14 May 1838 of Stokeo in the State of N. Carolina who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the regt commanded by Col Armstrong in the N. Carolina line for 7 mos. 14 days
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 24 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1838.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of May 1840 & sent to Hon. John Hill of N.C. House of Reps
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1840 $ 44.98 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep. 40 12.44
$57.42
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3d }
Recorded by D.M. Cundy , Clerk Book A . Vol. 2. Page 171.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. On this the 12th day of March 1833 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the court of pleas and quarter sessions now sitting in and for the County of Stokes in the State of North Carolina, John Wilkins, a resident of the said County of Stokes, aged about ninety two 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, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated (viz), From great age & infirmity and the consequent loss of mem- ory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of time he served, or the names of all the officers under whom he served, but that it was in the month of March (date not recollect) that he was first called into service as a volunteer in the company commanded by Capt Charles McAnally, Lieut Wm. Merridy, in Surry County North Carolina, under Major Winston, and Col. Armstrong, we marched to Old Richmond, in Surry County N.C. where we stayed for some time, then we marched in several directions, and was at one time at Bethabara, or Moravian Old Town, in the said County, I think I was at the least one year in this tour of service under the above named officers I next volunteered as a militia man in the said County of Surry under Capt. William Hickman and I think his son Edward Hickman was Lieut. in this company I served three months at the least. I again volunteered under Capt. Wm. Merridith under whom I served at various times in all more than three months - Joseph Gibson was our Lieut. I again volunteered under Capt. John Morgan under whom I marched to Guilford County N.C. this was sometime before the battle of Guilford N.C. under this Capt. I served about two weeks - I was never in company with any regular soldiers that I know of Capt. William Shippen, commanded a company with us during part of my services but I was not in his company - we were stationed at one time at Salem N.C. - I was often employed guard- ing prisoners - I know that I served in all about two years, but cannot state precisely the length of my services more than I have that

That is to say the first tour as a private militia man 12 months at least 2 nd do. do. do. 3 do. do. 3 rd do. do. do. 3 do. do. 4 th do do. do. 2 weeks do.
making in all ————— 18 months & 2 weeks And for the said service of Eighteen months and two weeks he claims a pension.
Answers to the seven Interrogatories proposed by the War Department
Ans. 1 st I was born in Northumberland County in the State of Virginia, as I have been informed by the word of my mother in the year 1741.
do. 2 nd I have no record of my age that I know of.
do. 3 rd I lived in Surry when called into the service have lived in the same neighbourhood ever since, and now live at the same place - it now being Stokes County where I live as the County of Surry was divided & Stokes taken off.
do. 4 th I turned out as a volunteer every time as I never would stand a draft.
do. 5 th I do not remember the names of any other officers with whom I served but those already mentioned.
do. 6 th I never received any written discharge.
do. 7 th I have no documentary evidence of my services nor do I know of any person by whom I can prove the same. I am well known to John L. Wilson a clergyman residing in this (Stokes) County and Wm. Ward Esqr. & John McCall col. of the R. M. L. V. also Esqr. & James Daring Esqr. who were and will testify to my veracity and their belief of my services.
He, the said John Wilkins hereby relin- quishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of the agency of any State Territory or District
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
W. Hill
John Wilkins Mark

Abs. Scales, M. R. Moore, and Col. John Wilks. We John L. Wilson a clergyman residing in Stokes county N.C. and Wm. Ward of the said County of Stokes in the State of N. Carolina do certify that we are well acquainted with John Wilkins who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that he is a respectable person residing in Stokes Coun- ty N.C. that we are well acquainted with the said applicant, that his reports and belief in the neighbourhood where he lives as have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. - we also certify that we believe him the said applicant to be ninety two years of age.
M c Hill . . . .
A. Gales Matt Moore John Wilks
And the said court, declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named appli- cant, John Wilkins, was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. The said court also certify that Absalom Scales, Matt. R. Moore and John Wilks, who have signed and sworn to the above certificate are credible persons residing in said county of Stokes, and that their statement is entitled to credit. There is no clergyman in the applicant's neighbourhood who can attend court without great inconvenience and expense to the applicant.
M c Hill . . . .
Justus Weston. J.P.
W. Wilcox J.P.
Solomon P. Hester J.P.

State of North Carolina ss.
I John Hill Clerk of the County Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions for the county of Stokes in the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Wilkins for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office the 15th day of March 1833.
John Hill. ccc.
Pension claim John Wilkins
Walter D. Sale, Matt. R. Moore & John Webb who have certified on behalf of the applicant are men of the persons respected in the County - I know there is no clergyman residing near the residence of the applicant - A. R. Shepherd
Book 6. p. 10

State of North Carolina Stokes County
3 on this 24 th day of September
1833. Personally appeared before me Charles Banna a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid. John Williams a resident of said County, who being first sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following explanatory amendment to a declaration made by him at last  the Court of said County in order to obtain a Pension for Services rendered by him in the Revolutionary War as a Militia Private Soldier he being a very old man & afflicted with a Paralytick Complaint & consequent Loss of Memory he States that he cannot recollect the different periods of entering into the Service of the U. States and names of all the officers he then knew as well as all the different Services of the Country through which he was march d by his Officers a part of whom he has named in the foregoing declaration of March last, But that he is certain that he actually did perform at least the full length of Services expressed in his declaration aforesaid But further States that the said declaration was drawn by an Attorney at Law a W m Murchison & read in haste to him and it appearing therein that he said applicant declares for one years Service at one Siege under a Captain M c anally, which in fact and in truth he thinks he did not express himself, nor did he understand that the declaration read that way. But that the true intent and meaning of his declaration of his Services is that, he first entered the Service in the year 1777 as stated in his declaration aforesaid & served as a minute private Soldier first under Capt. M c anally & captains afterwards under Captains Meredith, Dickerson, Bortick, Morgan & some time Lieutenants all of whose names it is impossible for him to recollect at present, but that from early in the Spring of the year in 1777 he was fully, or more than half his time called out into actual Service by his officers Col d Martin Armstrong, Maj r Winston or his Captains & at some times was out perhaps only ten days, two weeks four weeks or a month at a time & some times more, in Scouring and ranging the Country around about for the purpose of subduing, Charising & keeping the disaffected or Loyal part of the Inhabitants. That were strong along the Yadkin & Dan Rivers & their Tributary branches up into the Blue Ridge of Mountains to and fro in every direction & often times half this & that this actually this applicant acted

Served for & in the years 1777, 1778 & 9 at least one year & under different officers in the cause of liberty, as he expressed himself commanded by officers aforesaid in behalf of the United States and afterwards he served at least six months as stated in the aforesaid declaration. He Sworn and subscribed the day and year first above mentioned at his own place of Residence in the County of Stokes aforesaid  John his Wilkins mark  before me J Bannan J.P.
On the same day above mentioned Sarah Wilkins wife of the aforesaid John Wilkins aged Eighty four years On her oath declared that she intermarried with said John Wilkins the first day of March 1772 in the County of Northumberland then Virginia & in the year 1773 they removed to Surry County N.C. where where they have resided ever since, the from the division of the County is now Stokes County. That her husband aforesaid during the Revolutionary war it appears to her that he was absent from his house & home only half his time in the Service of the United States whenever called on by his officers which often happened & some times was roused up in the dead hours of night & leave his bed with the deponent along with three little infants & been out in pursuit of some Villains or Tories that was about to embody in some garden of the County. Sworn & subscribed 21 st Septm 1833 before me J Bannan J.P.  Sarah her Wilkins mark
State of North Carolina Stokes County  I John Hill Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Stokes County aforesaid Certify that Charles Bannan is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my Name this 3 rd day of October 1833  J. Hill

State of North Carolina Stokes County ss.
On this second day of December 1833. personally appeared before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid. John Wilkins at his own place of Residence in the County aforesaid. who being duly sworn. deposeth and saith. that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot positively swear 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 manner (to wit) that in the Spring of the year he thinks in 1777. there was a call for the Militia in Surry County N. Carolina & he with others went with their horses & guns to a certain Mr. Myers near Old Ricks or Surry Old Courthouse. where Captain Wm. Wm. Wm. & Lieut. Meredith had raised a Company part drafted & part Volunteers he believes & from said Myers they marched to Richmond aforesaid. where they met with Col. Martin Armstrong & Maj. Joseph Winston he there entered as a Volunteer & March as a horseman in said Company & another Company commanded he believes by a Dutch Captain named Smith crossing the Yadkin River at a Strange place he does not know the name of the ford & through a Strange part of the Country in pursuit of a Company of Tories & British as he understood, our Companies parted & he thinks his Capt & Co March down the River on the South side & crossed another smaller River he thinks the South Yadkin. Then crossed the big River below & met the other Company & then through Strange Settlements he believes in Rowan County & Salem and took a party of Tories prisoners & guarded them to the old Moravian Town & put them in an old church & he remained as one of the guard at that place for several days & was dismissed by his Capt. Col. Armstrong was present; in this tour he believes he was at least one month & found his own horse - and in a short time after he returned home there being another call for men. he joined a Volunteer in a Capt. Hickmons Company of horsemen & found his own horse he cannot tell the date. But many & met with a Capt. Halbert & a small Company near Old Richmond aforesaid and remained there some time. when a Capt. Wm. Shappard & his Company joined our Company & Col. Williams commanded as Col. Some times Col. Laniar was with our troops. & March across the Yadkin River & through a Strange part of Country many Miles he cannot remember any note place Except a Mountain call the Fox knobs & Mulberry fields on the Yadkin River & then across the River & other rivers on the North side the Yadkin and down to the old Richmond & then to the Townfork near Maj. Winstons he thinks at which place he was dismissed for a Service of at least three months Another tour of Service he entered & served as a Volunteer under

under Capt Wm Meredith & a Joseph Gibson, was his Lieutenant. Met & Randavoused at Richmond aforesaid where he saw Col o Williams & Col o Armstrong & a Number of other Officers he cannot name & present. I was marched down the Yadkin River after crossing near Richmond & crossed  again the River at the Shallowford, when news came that the Forces had embodied up the River where we march with all speed up to Rich d Mont where we met the Forces where a Skirmish ensued. They being too strong for our party, we were compelled to retreat with confusion and disorder only one man of ours was wounded & he & several others was taken prisoner Those names he does not remember. Col o Williams was our had Command r & he thinks there was a Capt a Sheffield & Capt a Hutto that he knew (who are now dead) the  who was in the engagement and after this defeat he met his Company again & served out his term of three months in guarding the prisoners that was taken at the Battle of Kings Mountain from near the Shallowford to the old Moravian Town in a large meadow call d the Bull pen at which place he was discharged & returned home, & the next & last service that he served as a Volunteer under a Captain John Morgan there being a call for a Company to march to Guilford County in order to join troops commanded by Maj. Genl. Greene Winston who had sent for reinforcements but when his Capt a Morgan & Company reached Guilford Court house Winston & his men had left that place & had marched and had had a Skirmish with a party of British & Tories at a place call d Whitesells Mills & on hearing these news our Company returned home and was dismissed after having served at least two weeks as a private soldier The many short services that he knows he served as a minute man or Ranger after the Forces in scouting parties, appearing not to come under the meaning of the act of Congress of June 18 th 1832 he has not enumerated, nor does he remember the different routes that he was engaged, But the above services (first
One month as a private volunteer horseman Do. Do. Do. Ditto Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. in a foot company 2 weeks as a private Do. in a foot company making in all 7 Months & two weeks which he knows he did actually serve as aforesaid for which he now claims a pension the remainder of his services of more than one year he believes he performed at sundry periods & under various officers during the Revolutionary War as a Minute Man or Ranger in the County of Surry which he cannot remember half, and further he states that he cannot find or procure any witness by whom he can prove any of his services aforesaid

aforesaid. as all those that served with him is either dead or removed out of the County; therefore has no other way to prove his Services but his Own Oath, and believes That the foregoing statement after duly calmly considering every occurrence that happened, as well as his imperfect memory will serve him that the foregoing amendatory statement. to the former declarations is just & true. Given and the date first above written. before me
J Bannner J.P.
John his Wilkins mark
State of North Carolina
I Charles Bannner one of the acting Justices of the in and for the County of Stokes. Certify that I attended at the house of John Wilkins who swore & subscribed the above amendatory declaration, after waiting on him several hours in trying collect his best recollections respecting his Services as a Soldier in the time of the Revolutionary war he stating that he could not find or hear of any witness living that he could prove any of his Services by. But from his own Oath. I am of opinion that the foregoing statement by him made is correct and that he served as therein stated. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my this 16 th day of December 1833
J Bannner J.P.
State of North Carolina Stokes County
I John Hill clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for Stokes County aforesaid certify that Charles Bannner is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine — In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 17 th day of December 1833.
J. Hill

Found in the trunk of Mrs. Lately arrested for main depredation at Milton N. C.

State of North Carolina } S.S. County of Stokes }
On this 24 th day of November 1839. before me Charles Banner a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Stokes aforesaid personally appeared Sarah Wilkins a resident of the County aforesaid aged Eighty Eight years the 2 nd day of May 1839 as per her Father's family Record accompanying this declaration, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836; that she is the widow of John Wilkins deceased who was a Pensioner on the Pension Roll of the United States at the rates of Twenty four dollars and Eighty eight cents per annum as per pension certificate dated the 28 th day of February 1834. Signed by Lew. Cass Secretary of War, Numbered. 23.533. to which she begs leave to refer the Pension department of the United States for satisfactory proof of her said husband John Wilkins' serving as a private Soldier in the war of the Revolution; for which she claims a pension from the day of his death, she further declares that she was married to the said John Wilkins in the Month of March Seventeen hundred and Seventy, in the Northumberland Parish and Commonwealth of Virginia. by the Reverend - Layland, that her husband the aforesaid John Wilkins died on the 14 th day of May Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight in the County of Stokes at the place of residence where she now lives. and from old age and bodily infirmities is unable to travel to the Court of said County a distance of twenty four miles at least. to make this declaration. that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband John Wilkins. as will more fully appear by the proof herunto annexed, she further declares that she had the following named children born of her body whilst she and her said husband John Wilkins lived in Union together as Man and Wife (viz) the first was born in April 1781. and died at eight days old. the second was Nancy Wilkins. was born the 31 st of August 1774 3 d . John Wilkins was born the 20 th day of November 1777 - 4 th . William Wilkins was born the 11 th of May 1779 - 5 th . Delisha. was born March 23 d . 1781 - 6 th . Elizabeth was born December the 21 st 1782 - 7 th . George. was born the 28 th of February 1786 - 8 th . Jeremiah Wilkins. Born the 3 d Novem. 1789 turn over

and Thomas Wilkins her last child was born the 5 th of June 1792 a Family record kept & wrote by her said husband John Wilkins him- self on a leaf in a Testament & cut out, herewith attached to this paper will plainly appear, together with this applicants Father Wm Webb's Family Record. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above Written before me
J Banner J.P.
Sarah her Wilkins mark
North Carolina } ss
Stokes County } I Sherbis Banner a Justice of the peace in and for said county do hereby certify that Sarah Wilkins who swore to & subscribed the above declaration, from old age and bodily infirmity appears to be quite unable to travel to Court, and at her particular request I attended at her place of residence in the county aforesaid and took her Declaration as above on this 24 th day of November 1839. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand
J Banner J.P.
North Carolina } ss
Stokes County } Be it known that on this 15 th day of December 1839 before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for said county personally appeared Anna Ineed and she being duly sworn according to law, declares on oath that she lived a Neighbor to John Wilkins and his Wife Sarah Wilkins for the span of at least fifty years past, in Surry & Stokes counties North Carolina that she has just reason to believe that they were lawfully married as man & wife, from the report of some of their acquaintances that came from Virginia with them but are now dead; that they raised the family of children as named in the foregoing declaration of Sarah Wilkins that John Wilkins her husband died on the 14 th day of May 1838 in Stokes county aforesaid who was a pensioner and said Sarah Wilkins is the identical person that still is said John Wilkins. Du d Widow and has remained Un- married ever since his death, Sworn to and subscribed the day & year above written.
before me
J Banner J.P.
Anna her Ineed mark

Nancy Wilkins was born the Daughter of In d & Sarah Wilkins was born August 31 st 1772 John Wilkins the son of In d & Mary Wilkins was born of 20 th Day of November 1777 William Wilkins the son of In d & Sarah Wilkins was born May 11 th 1779 Deborah was born March 23 rd 1781 Elizabeth was born December of 21 st 1782 George Wilkins was born February 22 nd 1786 Jeremiah Wilkins was born Nov 3 rd 1789 Thomas Wilkins was born June 5 th 1792
David a negroes boy Son of Luke 1 st Day of Feb 1821 Mingo a negro boy Son of Luke 10 th of December 1823

Samuel Webb the Sun of Wm & Winniford Webbe was Borne February y e 23 rd Day 1744
John Webbe was borne October the 10 th Day 1747
William Webbe was Borne Jan y . the 22 nd Day 1748. deceased March 2 nd 1800
Sarah Webbe was Borne May
of 2 nd Day 1751 the above the widows
Frances Webb was Borne June the 20 th Day 1753
According to the Records of Wincanton Parish in Northumberland County

John Wilkins N.C.
e.
Rev
Chas Pinner Esq. Farmville Stoke Co. N.C. Amended & returned to the Department of War — — — (By L.)

Admit a private
7 mo. 14 days. 23 33 1 51 24 88
Har. A. H. Shepard

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 8 th 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 subjunct 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 John Wilkins
   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.     Vol. 1 3 14 Pri. Col. Armstrong Maj. Winston about 92 years   " 3 " H o . Co.   " 3 Pri. Additional   " about 1/4    
for at various times served in all more than 3 years about 1/4 Pri. says he served in all about 2 years
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
QCH
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 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
John Perkins

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 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.
The applicant must specify his services as required above. —The Militia did not go out and play a year at a time during the revolution—

Found in the trunk of Ben- tally arrested for mail depredation at Milton N.C.

John Wilkins No. June 7. 1832. d. 1838 $24.88. when paid? H.H.B.
2 nd May
Pt. 4 March 1838 JH

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No.
9893
Sarah Wilkins
Wid
John Wilkins
Print Rev. War
Act:
July 17th 1836
Index:—Vol.
116
Page
340
[Arrangement of 1870.]

North Carolina } ss. Amendatory Declaration of the Giles County } Widow Sarah Wilkins. —
Be it known that on this 24 th day of February 1840 before me Charles Bannan a Justice of the peace of the Court of said county at the place of Residence of the above named Sarah Wilkins widow of John Wilkins De d She being old and from bodily infirmities not in a capacity to travel but very little and she being duly sworn according to law declares on her oath that She was married to the aforesaid John Wilkins in March 1770. (as stated in her former declaration) by the Rev d Layland after he had published the Bans for three or four weeks prior to their marriage and further she states that she knows of no living witness that was present at the time of her marriage in the Parish of Northumberland Virginia and cannot procure any other record as she has any knowledge of except the family record attached to her former Declaration. Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year first above written before me
Chas Bannan J.P. Sarah his Wilkins mark
We the undersigned Citizens and freeholders of the County & State above named Do hereby certify on oath, that the above named Sarah Wilkins is a respectable old woman for probity & truth and that her declarations as she has sworn to & subscribed is entitled to credit Sworn to and Subscribed this 13 th day of March 1840 —
before me
Chas Bannan J.P.
Robert his Paine mark Frances his Steele mark
State of North Carolina } County of Giles } I Reubin D. Golding Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for the County of Giles aforesaid. certify that Charles Bannan is a Justice of the peace of said Court and

and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. and further I certify that Robert Paine and Francis Steele — whose names are signed to the foregoing Deposition are persons of Respectability for probity and truth in the County County aforesaid. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of my office and subscribed my name This 30 th day of March 1840
Ruben D. Golsang

Sarah Wilkins Declaration for a Pension -
5034
Hm. Gottle of G. WQ

State of North Carolina
County of Stokes } I Charles Banner a Justice of the peace for said County, do hereby certify that the above named Anna Ineed who swore to and subscribed the foregoing Deposition bears the character of a pious respectable person for truth and veracity in the County aforesaid and neighborhood where she lives. She is Seventy one years of age & Daughter of Doctor William Hutchison deceased. Given under my hand this 15 th day of December A.D. 1839
C Banner J.P.
North Carolina
Stokes County } I Reuben D Golding Clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions for the County of Stokes aforesaid. Certify that Charles Banner is a Magistrate of said County as above, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is Genuine. In Testimony whereof I have here- unto affixed the seal of my office and subscribed my name this 25 th day of December 1839
Reuben D Golding Clerk

July 4 1836. — John Melkum, D 4 May 1838 Sarah M. 1770. S.
Pennoni —

40 3 4 38 . 5 . 14
1. 9. 21
1 y 24 88 6 m 12 44 3 m 6 22 15 ds 1 04 5 ds . 34 1 d . 06
44.98
5034 Sarah Wilkins Wed of John NL
Ad July 4 1836
Maria 1770 s.
and May 1838
Allas $ 24.88 per
ann from May 1838
How M. Hill NO HR

House of Reps.
May 1st 1840
Sir,
You will please examine the enclosed declaration of Mrs Wilkins and inform me of the result
Respectfully yours &c
Wm Hill of N.C.
bal
S. L. Edward
Commissioner of pensions