Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 861, for William May, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
NC
May, William Susannah
N. 861
Born in N.C.
CONTENTS

5494 Nashville Tennessee
Dusannah May, widow of William May, who was a Genl. in the Va Line and N.C. Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 10 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of May 1844 and sent to
Casa Dobbins Tullahoma Tenn
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. / Page 220.
Rep. 16. May 1844
Her claim was improperly adjusted by the papers of Mrs May of McMinn Co. instead of Mrs May of Sumner Co. — See Ltr. to Nashville Pension Agents, of the 12. July. 1844.
Date of death not in AB

71 14 Pittsylvania (west)
William May
of Sumner Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company, commanded by Captain Pleasants of the Regt. commanded by Col. Lane in the N.C. mtn for 6 mos from '80
Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of March 1833 and sent to Hon. Wm Hall H of Reps.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833. $ 40.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 10.00
$ 50.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book E Vol. 7 Page 88

When you make letter book at your copy
State of Tennessee } ss Sumner County } Jurisdiction
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, of the 7 th July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows. On this 11 th day of September 1843 personally appeared before the County Court for Sumner Sumner County State of Tennessee. Susannah May a resident of said County of Sumner - aged seventy five years - 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 7 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows - That she is the Widow of William May who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary War and served in the state of North Carolina under Capt for his services aforesaid he was allowed a pension of $20 - per annum and was placed on the Pension List Roll of the Nashville Tennessee agency. She further declares that she was married to the said William May on the 25 day of December 1786. That her husband the aforesaid William May died on the 5 th day of January 1843 and that she has remained a Widow ever since that time - That she has no record of her marriage but she has of her Childrens births which will show that her first daughter was born in 1788. She was not married to him previous to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the 1 st of January seventeen hundred and ninety four that is at the time above stated.

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court at the regular September Term on the day and year first above written Susannah her May mark
State of Tennessee Sumner County } ss
I William P. Munday Clerk of the County Court in and for the County aforesaid do certify that Susannah May this day appeared in open Court and was sworn and subscribed to the foregoing declaration
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said Court at Galatin in the County aforesaid on the day and year first above written W. P. Munday Clerk
William May a credible witness appeared in Court and being duly sworn doth on his oath declare that he is the son of William and Susannah May - that a family Register which he has in his possession which is now cut from the book and here attached is the genuine family record of his parents - that his Father was a Revolutionary pioneer and died on the 5 th of January 1843 and that Susannah his Mother has remained a widow ever since that time Sworn and subscribed this 4 th day of September 1843 Before me Elijah Bobbitt J. P.

4 State of Tennessee Sumner County S.S.
On this 16 th day of August in the year 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions Now sitting William May a resident Citizen of Sumner county State of Tennessee aged seventy four years 64:00 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 the 7 th 1832 -
Ms. B. 1. 6 v. 16 p. 10
That he entered the service in May or June in the year 1780. as a substitute for Samuel Peak for the term three months in Wake County State of North Carolina that he was mustered into service at Wake County Courthouse then the plantation that Col Harry Lane then lived on which was the Low of Rawley Now stands - that the Company he belonged to was commanded by Captain Lewis Bledsoe 1 st Lieut. Jacob Bledsoe Ensign Andrew Mc le and was attached to the 2 d Regiment of North Carolina militia under the Com- =manded by Col. William Moore & Major Nolis - General Britton commanded the Army - that he marched from Wake to Chatham Courthouse and from there to

5 by Cross Creek and by Old Bridge to Cotton Crop Roads - while in camp at this place General Gates passed on his march to Camden South Carolina that he was then marched into South Carolina to a place called Beardsley's Mill about 24 miles from Camden where he was in camp and contended there for sometime - that the Company and Regiment to he belonged to was in the Battle of Camden when General Gates was defeated - that he was unwell with the sickness and was left behind to guard the baggage and was not in the battles after the defeat of General Gates the army was dispersed and he returned home -
He was again drafted  called into service in October 1780 that he returned to Bell's Mill on Deep River in Guilford County and was there mustered in to service under Captain Bryant and Lieut. - Searey for the term of three months - Capt. Bryant's Company was attached to Col. - Pasley's Regiment that he was marched from there and crossed the River and on to Salisbury he was in camp about a mile from Salisbury and remained there during his term of service - while there he was employed in making Cartridges for the army. There was

6 a company of forty or fifty taken from his Regiment to act as a guard to guard some British Prisoners, the was one of that company and was marched from Salisbury to old Morristown Tenn where the prisoners were and guarded then from there to Hillsborough Orange County North Carolina where he received his Dis. Charge in the Market house in in Hillsborough - he cannot read wrighting and does not recollect who it was signed by - he has lost or destroyed it that he has no written or documentary Evidence of his services - that he was Born in Wake County North Carolina in the year 1758. That he resided there when he entered the services that he has no record of his age that he remained in North Carolina many years after the close of the war when he moved to Surry County Tennessee where he now resides and has lived for the last Twenty five years -
He hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension
Roll of the agency of any state - known to us in our Court Augt 16th 1832 J. P. Douglass Clerk
William H. May Mark
I do hereby certify that I know to

State of the agency p 1 Sworn to in open Court Augt 16th 1832 A H Douglass Clerk
William his May Mark
7 I do hereby certify that I know to of my own personal knowledge that William May did serve as a Soldier in the Revolutionary and that he was at Camden when General Gates was defeated and was left to guard the Baggage as he has stated in his declaration for a pension -
Sworn to in open Court Augt 16th 1832 A H Douglass Clerk
Stephen his Forrester Mark

We Elisha Vaughan a clergyman residing in Sumner County as a Thomas Anderson residing in the same hereby certify we are well acquainted with William May who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be only four years of age and that he is reputed and believed to be in the neighbourhood when he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion sworn to in open Court
August 16th 1832
Elisha Vaughan Thos Anderson Attest J. H. Douglass Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the questions proposed 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 Elisha Vaughan who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in Sumner County and that Thomas Anderson who has also signed the same is a resident in the same is a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit. —
I Alfred H Douglass Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter- sessions for Sumner County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the said Court in the matter of the application of William May for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and Seal of office this 20 th August. A.D. 1832 and 57 th year of American Independence.
A. H. Douglass Clerk

State of Tennessee } I Elijah Beadle Chairman Sumner County } of the monthly County Court of said Sumner County do hereby certify that William S. Sunday is clerk of said court and that this foregoing attestation is made in due form of law. Given under my hand and seal on this 14 th day of September 1843 Elijah Beadle C.C. Chair. of S. C. Court

A T A B L E.
   Y  Page      Ye holy souls in God rejoice  75    Ye islands of the northern sea  208    Ye nations round the earth rejoice  211    Ye servants of th' almighty King  244    Ye sons of men, a feeble race  195    Ye sons of pride that hate the just  108    Ye that delight to serve the Lord  243    Ye that obey th' immortal King  289    Ye tribes of Adam join  317    Set (faith the Lord) if David's race  187   
F I N I S.
us fan. 11-1

Caly May the daughter of Wm May & Susannah May his wife was born June the 11 th Day 1788 Nancy May was born January the 2 nd Day 1790 Nancy May was born March the 20 th 1792 Thomas May was born July the 22 nd Day 1794 Mary May was born December 22 nd Day 1796
William May who has here given his affidavit was born after the year 1786 and his name is not on the above list.

August 25, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL OW William May-W.861
Mattie V. Ellsey 1202 Grand Avenue Jackson, Mississippi
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of William May, of Sumner County, Tennessee, and Thomas May, of Gibson County, that state.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of that war. You are furnished herein the record of William May, the data for which were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.861, based upon the military service of that soldier.
William May was born in Wake County, North Carolina, in 1758. Exact date of his birth and names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of said Wake County, William May enlisted early in the summer of 1780, served as a private in Captain Lewis Bledsoe's Company, Colonel William Moore's North Carolina Regiment, and was discharged after the battle of Gates' Defeat. Soldier stated that his company and regiment participated in this battle but because of sickness, he was left behind and guarded the baggage wagons; he enlisted again in October, 1780, served as a private in Captain Bryant's Company, Colonel Paisley's North Carolina Regiment, marched to Salisbury, North Carolina, where he was employed in making cartridges for the use of the army, and was then sent to the "old Moravian town" to guard some British prisoners, and was discharged after serving three months.
Could not identify any of this Reiner by Leitman
After the war, he remained in Wake County, North Carolina, for a number of years, then moved to Sumner County, Tennessee, where he had lived for twenty-six years when he was allowed pension on his application executed August 16, 1832.

William May died January 5, 1843, place not shown.
The soldier married December 25, 1786, Susannah. The date and place of her birth and names of her parents are not shown.
Soldier's widow, Susannah, was allowed pension on her application executed September 4, 1843, while residing in Sumner County, Tennessee. At that time, she gave her age as seventy-five years but in 1844, she stated that she was aged about eighty years; no explanation for this discrepancy in age was stated.
Children of William and Susannah May:
Caty May . . . . . born June 14, 1788. Nancy May. . . . . " January 2, 1790. -ailley(torn)May. . . . . " March 20, 1792. Thomas May. . . . . " July 22, 1794. Mary May . . . . . " December 22, 1796. William May . . . . . " after 1796, date not shown, in 1843, was living in Sumner County, Tennessee.
Brothers of soldier were referred to but no names were given.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Date of her death not on AB

1202 Grand Avenue Jackson, Mississippi August 9, 1937
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear sir;
I find listed in the U. S. Census of Pensioners for the Eastern, Western and Middle Districts of Tennessee in 1840 the fol- lowing persons;
  Middle District Sumner County    Name - - - - - Age - - - - - Person living with at that time    William May - - 85 - - - - - Major May    ✓ 2  

Western District. - Gibson County Name - - - - - Age - - - - - Person living with at the time Thos. May - - - - - 78. - - - - - Thos. May
What will be the cost of copies of William May and Thos May's pension papers including their applications for pensions.
Very truly yours, Mattie V. Elzey.
Address - - - - - 1202 Grand Ave Jackson, Mississippi

8250.
Nashville Tennessee
rep. 1 ap d 1847
Susannah May
widow of William May
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 5 th Jany: 1843 of Sumner Co in the State of Tenn: who was a Pri in the Co commanded by Captain Dillard of the Reg. commanded by Col Henry in the Virginia line for 12 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of Nashville T en at the rate of 40 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of April 1843 and sent to Daniel May. Carmi. Illinois
Total amount, $200.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. J. Swann Clerk, Book 2. Vol. 1. Page 357

9701
Susannah May.
Tennessee
Ad July 7 th '38
Admitted
12 mo.
priv
$40 per an.
Daniel Hay.
Carmi
Illinois

1937 Aug 25: Visit to Mother Dr. Ellzey, E.E.L.
Rev War
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 861
Ausannah May.
Widow
Wm May.
Priv. Va. Line, Rev War
Act: March 3, 1843.
Index:—Vol. M. , Page 1
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Carmi Illinois 14 th September 1843
Sir
I herewith send you the declaration of Susannah May - who claims a pension under the act of the 9 th July 1836 - Will you please give the case your early attention, and inform me of the result
I am Respectfully your obt Servt
Daniel May
James L Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

5838 May 11 44 Tenn.
Act Wm. May $40 per per
Caswell Gallatin Tenn.
PAID
37 3/4
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington (D.C.)

Gallatin May 11 th 1824. James P. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
I have enclosed to you the declaration of Surannah May, for property authentication etc. You will on the receipt of which, please send me the Certificate, by Mail directed to Gallatin Sumner County Tenn. and much oblige yours Cason Dobbins

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of an act of Congress of the 3 rd March 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7 th 1838 State of Tennessee - Sumner County
On this 25 th day of April 1844 personally appeared before the Subscriber an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Sumner Susannah May a Resident of said County aged about Eighty Years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3 rd March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That She is the widow of William May, who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution. And that She has received a Pension Certificate for forty dollars per annum under the act of 7 th July 1838, She further declares that She is Still a widow
Sworn to and subscribed Susannah her mark May On the day and year above written before me Joseph Smith J.P.
I do certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Susannah May Given under my hand the day and year above written
Joseph Smith J.P.

State of Tennessee Sumner County ss I William S. Munday Clerk of the County Court of Said County, do hereby Certi- fy that Joseph Smith whose name appears to the within declaration is, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Said County, duly com- -missioned and qualified as such, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine, and that full faith and credit are and of right ought to be given his official acts.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and aff- ixed the Seal of Office at Alpine in the Town of Gallatin this 30 th day of April A.D. 1844
Wm S Munday Clerk
State of Tennessee ss Isaac C Douglas Chairman Sumner County ss of the County Court of Sumner County do hereby certify that W m Munday whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate is Clerk of the County Court of Sumner County and that the above signature is genuine and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his official acts as such given under my hand this 1 day of May 1844
Isaac C Douglas Chairman of the County Court of Sumner County

Amended Declaration 8 State of Tennessee Sumner County, ss.
On this 19 th day of November A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions now sitting William Stacy and makes the following Supplement to his Declaration for a Pension
That he served Two tours of three months Each as a private Soldier making a Service of Six months for which he Claims a pension That he would refer to Thomas Anderson Esq r Elisha Vaughan & Michael Runnels as persons well acquainted with him in his neighbourhood where he resides who can certify as to his Credit & respectability for truth sworn to in open Court Nov. 19 th 1832 A. H. Douglas Clerk his William Stacy mark
State of Tennessee Sumner County - I Michael Runnels of said County & State aged Seventy years the 3 rd day of December 1832 do certify that I was well acquainted with William Stacy whose name appears to the preceding Declaration for a pension in Wake County State of North Carolina that we were raised boys together he being about 3 years older than applicant - that applicant knows of his own personal knowledge that applicant did serve one of the Tours he has spoken of in his Declaration - and that he

9 has always been informed by  by the father of affiant  his Brothers & Neighbours of affiant that he served two Lovers - The reason why affiant does not know personally of but one term of service is that his father removed during the war from Wake County to Surry County upon the addition and was living there when affiant done said service - he then returned to Wake County about the year 1861 - and affiant then understood that affiant had done two Lovers of service and has always understood and believed so - affiant has been well acquainted with affiant ever since they were Boys that he believes him to be a man of truth and that his statement are entitled to full Credit -
Sworn to in open Court Nov 19th 1832
Michael his Runnels Mark
J. W. Douglass Clerk
And the said Court hereby certify that the above named Thomas Anderson Elisha Vaughan - and Michael Runnels whose names appear to the foregoing Certificate are Men of Respectability and that their statements are entitled to full faith and Credit -
John S. Swainy James Wilson William Barr

State of Tennessee Sumner County. I Alfred H Douglas Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of said County do hereby Certify that the foregoing Contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of an amended Reapplication of William Gray for a Pension In testimony I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 31 st day of November A.D. 1832 — and 57 th year of American Independence A. H. Douglas Clerk

William Jay
Pension
Claim
4616.
Admrs & Cmo
from 1780 per mth 6 months. $20.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME May William GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9873 and 13445 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED May 5, 1791 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.