Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 44,492, for Thomas Lawson, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
12
Lawson, Thomas.
S. 44,492
CONTENTS

12.551 North Carolina
Letter to Pay Agt. Aug 22 1826 Dead
Thomas Lawson
of North Carolina in the State of Ohio who was a _____ in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Gen. Lock - in the N. E. Arm. one for 11 months -
He died
May 19 - 1845 Age
Entered on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 39. Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 24th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Apr. 33 and with S. Fall Statesville, N.C.
Arrears to the 24th of March 1833 66.66 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. - 16.66 $83.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk Book E Vol. 6 Page 47

Thomas Lawson N. C. N o 9550-
Adm d in a rural po 10 m. etc. B. 23

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Thomas Lawson
   Period when the service was performed. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1845 or 46 drafted 6 Pri. Capt. H. S. -gens Col. Locke Genl. Rm Therford Lt. Genl. Davidson ~8 years Muhlen =burg Co A. C. Traditionary  
was frequently called upon and served until after Battle of defeat about 6 weeks - verily believes would amount to in all at least 12 months
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity, in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about 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.
[1] 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.
[2] The notes from [a] to [e] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [1] applies to continental troops only.
[3] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[4] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[5] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of Florida ... August 22nd ... 1832 ... appeared ... the purposes of a lease of pleasure ... resident of ... both sides ... the benefit of the act of congress passed ... 1832
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and terms ... in states.
That in the latter part of the year 1831 or early in the year 1832 ... for the year ... commanded by Lieut. Col. ... at that time ... in the ... that he was ... to the ... States ... to be embodied ... he was then ... the expiration of six months ... and should after his discharge ... again enter in the same ... the close of three months ...

the Cherokee Nation in pursuit of Indians, that after the defeat of the Indians and performing the duty of the campaign he was discharged and returned home. He was then frequently called upon and served in small scouting parties, a occasion would require until after Genl. Yates' defeat in 1865 he was then put under the command of General Davidson and was under him about six weeks, watching the movements of the Indians before he was discharged. He cannot at this late period state with certainty the whole amount of his services but firmly believes that it would amount, in all, to at least twelve months. He was born in Alabama County State of Virginia in the year 1754 from the best account he could get of the age, having no record of it. He was born in the County of Middlesex when he entered the service He believes that some time after the war he removed to Linn County Iowa where he has lived ever since. That he was called into service as above stated under the officers above named and at the time he was in service he knew many other officers but has forgotten their names. He has no recollection of ever receiving an honorable discharge but he does know that he was referred to Sam Hampton and John Bracken to prove his character. That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person living in this part of the country whose testimony he can produce, who can testify to his services.

The South American war claim whatever to a pension is as much excite the present and future...
John Simon Block
Thomas...
We James Thompson & John Mackay residing in the County of... That we are well acquainted with Thomas Pearson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be 78 years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, and further say that their opinion is founded upon statements made by the said Thomas Pearson...
James Thompson John Mackay

And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after, fully, the information presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served in the State and the Court, further certify that it is, agreeable thereto that James Templeton and John Mackey who signed the preceding Certificate reside in the County of Pender and State of North Carolina and is a credible person and that their Statement is entitled to Credit. J. Humphreys Clk.
I Abraham Simonton Clerk of the Court of Plea, and Sessions of Pender County North Carolina do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Thomas Lawson for a pension
Thomas Lawson
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the 22 nd day of August, 1832.
A Simonton Clerk
Bl of
Simonton Clerk Pender County N.C.

WARS Section AWF/eel
June 3, 1929
Cemeterial Branch Office of the Adjutant General War Department
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 44492 , it appears that Thomas Lawson was born in 1754, in Albemarle County, Virginia.
While residing in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served as a private with the North Carolina Troops as follows:
From late in 1775 or early in 1776, six months in Captain Higgins' Company, Colonel Locke's Regiment; shortly afterward, three months in Captain Higgins' Company, Colonel Locke's Regiment, and later six weeks under General Davidson.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 22, 1832, at which time he was living in Iredell County, North Carolina.
He died May 19, 1845.
Respectfully,
HAROLD D. CHURCH Commissioner.
Aug 22 1832 application recorded as of 1832
Thomas Lawson

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application
to the Pensions Bureau.
Nov. 24 1812
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
STATE.
CAPTAIN.
COLONEL.
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension,
Residence at date of application,
Age at date of application,
Remarks:
He died May 19. 1845- Agency Book
Very respectfully,
317935m10-97
Commissioner.

1911 Aug. 19 High School at night. Letter in P.F. 44492 John Gray. 1912 March 1st or 2nd Valparaiso. Letter in 1912 to Lawson. P.F. 44492 1929 June 3. Tombstone data to come. Pa. & all corresp. returned.
44492 Rev INVALID.
File No. 44492 Thomas Lawson Prot. Inst. N.E. Line
Act: 7 th June 1852
Index:—Vol. 3, Page 257
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Aug 22 1826 Miss Sarah
Jenny L. Edm. Egan - Commissary of Prison Washington.

Union Office
Waynesville. August 18 th 1826
J. L. Cumming Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Sir:-
Please direct the pay to,
for Thomas Lawson Asst of 1832. 2 mos 25 days - $ 6.92 for remainder not on record.
Very respectfully Yours Obediently.
Saml Austin Actg.