Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7868, Ambrose Whitledge, N. C.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
N.B.
Whitledge, Ambrose
S. 7868
Carded
CONTENTS

North Carolina 16. 307
Ambrose Whitley
of Jones in the State of N.C.
who was a Pvt. in the commanded by Captain of the Regt commanded by Col. Young in the N.C. time for 7 months
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of July 33 and sent to Pension Comp at P.O. Jones Co N.C.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 46.66 Sem.-ant. allowance ending Sept " 11.66
$58.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. Rice - Clerk, book C Vol. 6 Page 59

State of South Carolina County of Grant
On this 14th day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Court in the Court Superior Court of Law for the said County of Grant before the Honorable John R. Bennett Judge of said Court Mr. Peter Andrew Whittlesey Resident -ent of Grant County aforesaid in the State aforesaid Aged Eighty five 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers & Sergeants under the following named Officers & Served as herein stated: first that he volunteered in New Hanover County under Captain Roach in the Militia of South Carolina; during the Month of March 1779 to term three months "out of the State" that from New Hanover his Company was marched to Fayetteville in this State where they joined the rest of the Regiment that this Regiment was commanded by Colonel Jones. From Fayetteville they marched to Charlotte in Mecklenburg County in this State where they were encamped for some short time. From whence they were marched into South Carolina near Augusta; from there they marched to and crossed the Savannah or Savannah River where they joined the

Regular Troops under General Lincoln they then went down the River in search of the Enemy into the State of Georgia On the mean time the enemy crossed the River and took the road towards Charleston. Whereupon the American troops also crossed the River and went in pursuit as far as a Bridge called as this declarant recollects Bacon's bridge. The British did not enter Charleston but return- ed and fortified an Island (the name of which he cannot now remember) and built a Battery on the side next the main land. Here they had a fight with the American Troops but declarant was not in the Battle but was absent under a Major's command below Charleston to watch some Boats of the enemy passing and reposing from their shipping to open the Island in order to prevent their landing on the main land & to cut them off if practicable. After the battle spoken of in a short time the British went on board of their ships and returned to Savannah and the Regiment in which declarant served was marched to South Carolina to be discharged their term of duty and being in having expired but this declarant with several of his Neighbours from New Han- over County prayed for and obtained a discharge in South Carolina and took the short way home. This discharge may

given declarant by Colonel James, John -on or about the day of July 1779 and is herewith sent - On this Service the declarant was engaged between four and five months - The second time decla- -rant served was in the latter part of the year 1780 when he again volunteered for three months. The British entered the Mouth of Cape Fear River and he volun- -teered under Captain Thomas Lloyd in the Artillery Company raised in Wilmington -from which place they repaired to Blounts Bridge and joined the troops under Colonel Young and Bloodworth. They staid at the Bridge some considerable time and from thence marched to Rutherford -s Mills, in Holley Shelton district; after encamping here for some time they marched to Linton Bridge in Duplin County where they again encamped for about time and from thence declarant was march- -ed under General Lillington to Haverton in Dobbs County (New Bern) where his time expired and he received from his General on the 28 day of April 1781. a discharge which is herewith sent. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any State - Given to Subscribed the day and year aforesaid James Whittle Houston C.S.C.

Interrogatories.
1. Where and in what year were you born? Ans. In the state of Virginia near a small town called Hampton during the year 1748.
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
Ans. I have not. My father with his family removed from Virginia to Bertie County in this state and I left them at an early age and have not seen the family since.
3 d . When were you living when called into service? Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Ans. I was living in New Hanover County when I entered the service, since the War I have lived part of the time there, a part in Onslow County and the residue in Jones County where I now reside.
4 th . How were you called into service were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
Ans. I volunteered both times as stated in my declaration.
5 th . State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served. Such Continental or State Regiments as you recollect and the several circumstances of your service.

Ans r General Lincoln was the Commander there were regiments commanded by Colonel Johnson and others whom I do not now remember and the circum- -stances are there set forth in this declaration -
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service if so by whom was it given & what has become of it
Ans r Yes on the 8th day of July 1779 I received one from Colonel James Johnson and on the 28 th April 1781 another from General Lillington both of which accompany this declaration -
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbor- -hood and who can testify to your character for veracity and their belief of your serving as a soldier of the Rev- -olution -
Ans r Emanuel Jarman, Henry Rhodes, Gunn King - H. Houston C.S.C.
We Emanuel Jarman, Henry Rhodes, & Gunn King residing in the County of Giles aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ambrose Whitledge who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty five years of age, that he is respected and believed in

the neighborhood where he resides; to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion — Given & subscribed the day of  of  March  March year aforesaid — J. Houston C.S.C. Henry Rhodes  George King
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories pre- -scribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served at the States — And the Court further certifies that it appears that there is no Clergyman residing in the neighborhood of the applicant and that Emanuel Jarman, Henry Rhodes and George King who have signed the above Certificate reside in the County of Fannin and are credible persons & their statement is entitled to credit — J. Donald J. Hall
I John Houston Clerk of the Superior Court of Law for Fannin County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the origi- -nal proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Ambrose Whittaker for a pension —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office

This 14 th day of March 1833—
W. Howden C.S.C.

State of North Carolina Open Court, — 8/
Personally appeared within 10th day of June in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty three in Open Court in the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Jones County Ambrose Whitley named in the annexed Declaration to the proceedings and being duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God doth on his Oath attest the said declar- -ation by stating the facts, that his service named set forth in said declaration was as a private, that within first term he served for months, one of which was in the State of North Carolina & the other three out of the State; that within second term he served three months and that during the whole seven months he was not employed in any Civil pursuit — Declarant further swears that he does not know of any witness living by whom he can prove his service and begs leave to refer to his discharge herewith as the only proof he can make of the fact —
Ambrose Whitley
Stacyan Co

ambrose Whittledge n. b M o . 24119-
Adm rs as a private y mo 1/23/33
e. l.
Ambrose Whittledge Leomf or P.O. Jones 6 o N.B. applicant Front Compt or Jones 6 o n. b.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
apl 29 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 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. 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 Ambrose Whittedge
   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.     March 1779 vol. between 4 and 5 mos Pri. Col. J. Johnson Genl. Lincoln 85 years   1780 vol. 3 Pri and Col. Comngt Bloodworth New Ha = never co. N. C. Additional Documentary  
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 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 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 place, 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 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.

September 12, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ambrose Whitledge, S. 7868 BA-J/MCS Am
Miss Ella Thorpe Rosedale Indiana
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of a soldier surnamed Whitlege.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 7868, based upon the military service of Ambrose Whitledge, the only soldier with that surname (searched under all spellings) that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Ambrose Whitledge was born in 1748, near Hampton, Virginia. He stated that his father moved with his family from Virginia to Bertie County, North Carolina, but did not give any names.
While residing in New Hanover County, North Carolina, he enlisted in March, 1779, served as private in Captain Roach's company in Colonel Jonas Johnston's North Carolina regiment and was discharged July 8, 1779. He enlisted in the latter part of 1780, served as private in Captain Thomas Lloyd's company under Colonels Young's and Bloodworth's and was discharged April 28, 1781.
After the Revolution he lived in New Hanover County, Onslow County and Jones County, North Carolina.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 14, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Jones County, North Carolina, and he was then referred to as Ambrose Whitledge, Senior.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to wife and children of the soldier.
Very truly yours
Soldier's Death not in Agency Book A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

James Whipple hath said his term of Duty is Discharged until it can be his turn to return the 28 th of April 1781
Ab. Huntington No 9

Andrew Whittledge
D. 7, 7868
nc