Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,976, Thomas Wright, N.C.

SERVICE
N. b.
Wright Thomas
NUMBER _____
S. 7976
CONTENTS
carded.

16.304
South Carolina
Thomas Wright
of Dublin — in the State of S.Ca —
who was a M o : in the commanded by Captain of the Reg t commanded by Col: Riven in the 5 o C a line for 3 months —
A No. Lines. Aug. 8/44 Records corrected.
Inscribed on the Roll of S. Carolina at the rate of $43. Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of July 1833 and Inst n . No. 7713. Wright. Fayetteville N.C —
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 86.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept — 21.66 $108.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. Rice Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 Page 59
order to pay 30 March 1837 order to pay 30 March 1839 ✓

22735
Thomas Wright N. 6.
Admib as a precept 13mo 43.33
e. not authent.
W. Wright Haytensville N.B.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 13. 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. 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 Thomas Wright No 6
   Period when the service was rendered. 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.     Octo 1779 entered 3 Private Capt Williams Col Hearn Providence born at New Hanover entered service in Dauphin by No 6 and now lives in S County   May 1780 2 6th Faser other officers Several actively engaged in the service of the army in S. Carolina   Apr 1781 2 6th Fort Col Malmody = 13 then to Wilmington   volunteered about 1781 6 Nullur for a 6th House to Wilmington and many other places Certificate of two Citizens  
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 he 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.
No allowance for services in riding expd.

Th. Wright Dillardian
22735
1832 1755 77

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, Duplin  COUNTY.
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Nov. Term 1832
ON the 28 th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of the County of Duplin now sitting, Thomas Wright a resident of said County, who will be seventy one years of age on the third day of December next, who being 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 & served as herein stated 1 Under Daniel Williams Capt, Thomas James Lieut, Danl Clark Ensign, in a regiment commanded by Col James Ken- in Sept. or Oct 1778 & performed a three months tour of duty which ended about Christmas or the 1st of January following that he resided in Duplin County at the time. that he was a volunteer light horseman, that he was in no battle, that he marched from Duplin County to Pedee in S.C. a little above Culpeper's ferry where he encamped and reconnoitred upon the enemy's line up & down Lynch's creek & Black River, that he joined the South Carolina troops on Pedee commanded by Col Culps & Major McIntosh.
2 Under Elias Gaison Capt. he fought with the other officers in Jan 1780 when he was actively engaged in Sampson county now the Duplin after the Tories - for a term of two months
- That he was then marched to Wilmington by Captain John Fort. Lieutenant James Wright in the spring of the year 1781 - and at the big bridge they entrenched - and were joined by General Linington then remained a consid- erable time - and reconnoitred the British lines down to the little bridge from the big bridge he was marched to Rutterford's mills - there he was sent to Harrison's creek to keep custody between the two armies - when the British lines were reconnoitred - was then joined by Col Alalmundy Captain D. G. Loback and Major Henderson with a troop of horse who they were ordered to march down and storm a picket of British lying at Smith's creek near Wilmington - a part of Major Craig's army before making the enemy had left. Then they remained guarding until Cornwallis marched into Wilmington - when they returned to Rutter- ford's mills - from there to Linnsburg in Duplin county encamped from there to Hatterton and discharged - having served in this tour about six months -
That he was born in 1761 - That he has a record of his age on a piece of paper copied from the bible - That he was living when called into service in Duplin county where he now lives and when he has lived since

Answer In Dufly County. Since the Revolutionary war I have lived in Dufly and now live in Dufly County
4 How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute, if a substitute for whom
Answer I allways volunteered
5 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served - such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect & the general circumstances of your service
Answer
General Moon and Captain Walker I recollect who I believe were regular officers
The militia regiments I recollect were commanded by Col Hernal and Col Bloodworth. The general circumstances of my services I refer you to my declaration
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given - and what has become of it - Answer I never received a discharge was allways verbally discharged
7 State the names of persons to whom you are known in your neighbourhood - and who can testify as to your character for veracity - and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution
I am known in my present neighbourhood to Col James Hill Sheriff - and General Stephen Miller Solicitor - who can testify as to my character for veracity - and their belief of my services in the revolution

That in the month of June 1781 - this declarant with 62, volunteered under Col. Duncan Captain William D. Dyer Major Moulton Lieutenant James Wright and Adjutant Daniel Williams - and attacked a company of Tories commanded by the Mobbs and McAlister - and completely defeated them at Peter River Mills - after so the same body of men were continually engaged in little skirmishes with the Tories. for two months
About this time Major Craig with the British Army came to Rockfish - but the night before the engagement the declarant was sent by Col. Duncan upon an express and before he had done his business. The party was defeated - as he believes in August 1781 - having served three months - after this for three months were continually engaged in watching the Tories - This declarant states that he never received a discharge - That Col. James Wright now living knew that he was engaged in the revolution - and that he is known in the neighbourhood in which he lives to Col. James H. Hill Sheriff of the County and Stephen Miller Collector.
That there is no clergyman living in his neighbourhood.
2. When and in what year were you born. Answer I was born in Rockingham County 3rd day of December 1761.
2. Have you any record of your age and if so when is it.
I have on a piece of paper copied from my Father's Bible family.
3. When were you living when called into service. When have you lived since the revolution war & when do you now live.

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Thos. Wright
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
I James Wright do certify that Thomas Wright was a soldier of the revolution having been with him in active service during the war.
James Wright
Sworn and subscribed 28th of November 1832
Test Jas Pearsall Clerk
WE, James H. Hill a Clergyman residing in residing in Duplin
County, State of North Carolina, and Stephen Miller residing in said County,
hereby Certify, that we are well acquainted with Thomas Wright
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 71
years of age; that he is reputed and believed to have been a Soldier of the Revolution; and that we concur in
that opinion.
H. Hill
Sworn and subscribed, this 28th day of
November A. D. 1832
S. Miller
Test Jas Pearsall Clerk
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 James H. Hill
who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the
and that Stephen Miller
who has also have
signed the same, are resident in the county of Duplin and are credible persons and that
their statement is entitled to credit.
I James Pearsall Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Wright for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 28th
day of November A. D. 1832
J. Pearsall Clerk
State of North Carolina } Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Duplin County } Sessions. May Term 1833.
On this the 29th day of May A.D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court before James Lawson, Stephen Graham & Richard Miller Esquires Justices now holding the Court aforesaid Thomas Wright the aforesaid declarant in order to amend his preceding declaration, who being first duly sworn, doth farther declare and say, that in

his first tour of service under Captain Daniel Williams commencing in September or October 1779 he served three months as a private; that in his second tour of duty under Captain Elias Faison commencing in January 1780 he served two months as a private; that in his service under Captain John Fort, being his third term he served six months as a private; that in his fourth term of service under Captain William Dickson in an expedition against the Tories commencing in June 1781 he served two months as a private; that in his service in August 1781 under Col James Kenan and Capt. William Dickson, he served three months, that he was only engaged for one night in riding express, that in this service he was also a private; that in his last service against the Tories, he was under different captains viz Captain Fort, Captain Michael King, and would make excursions in pursuit of the Tories, that Col Kenan was then his head commander, that in this tour he served three months as a private, that he thinks this service was in the year 1782, that he forgets his other officers except those he has stated
Sworn to & subscribed the day & date above written
Robt Wright
And the said Court certifies after a further investigation of the matter certify and declare their opinion that the said applicant served as he has stated in his amended declaration J. P. Lawson J. P.
P. Graham J. P.
R. Miller J. P.
I, James Pears all Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Duplin County hereby certify that the foregoing contains the proceedings of the said Court in amendment of the preceding declaration of the aforesaid applicant
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this the 29th day of May A.D. 1833.
J. Pears all Clerk

Rev 11-20
7976 INVALID.
File No. 7976
Thomas Wright
Priest Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1st , Page 417
[Arrangement of 1870.]