Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 21,356, for Thomas May, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
NC
May, Thomas
S 21,356
CONTENTS

Jackson Square North Carolina 2 nd 1863
Thomas May of Pittsboro in the State of N.C. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Alfred of the Regt commanded by Colonel in the N.C. Mil; for 8 1/2 months
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 28 Dollars 32 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of July 34 and sent from R.R. to Purch. Pittsboro N.C.
Arrears to the 14th of Mar 34 84.96 Semi-ant. allowance ending 14 Sep 34 14.16 $99.12
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Kate Price Clerk. Book Vol. 6 1/2 Page 65
abt 9 Sept 1834. George Luther
Order to pay Nov. 4. 1836 - see letters to P. Agt. & H. A. Racher Feb. 9. 1837-
Letter to Hon. J. W. Crockett & Co. to Pen. Agt. 21. Aug 1840
To Jackson Tenn from 4 Sep 1834 26 Feb 1840.
Letter to 3 d Auditor 28 April 1840
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838 from 4 Sep 1834 to 4 March 1839. Age notified 3 d June 1840
Paid as above from 4 th March to 4 Sep 1839 Age notified 7 th Oct 1839.

Declaration of Thomas M. Clay
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of Seventh of June Eighteen hundred and thirty two made before me George Ruther one of the acting Justices of Peace in and for the County of Chatham and State of North Carolina on the third day of August 1833 Thomas M. Clay personally appeared before me George Ruther one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Chatham and State of North Carolina. He Thomas M. Clay Being a Resident citizen of said County of Chatham and of Twenty Seven years old on the first day of April last past and after being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God 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 the 7th June 1832 That he was drafted for a three months term and entered the service as a private on the 12th day of June 1780 and served under the following named officers that he was drafted in the County of Franklin North Carolina that he marched under Captain Johnson & after from the County of Franklin his destination to Johnson Lead House from thence he was marched to Cross Creek then he remained seven days from thence he marched to Randolph at Coquet House from thence he was marched to South Carolina thence they were marched to General Gates army and marched to Synniburs Creek near Camden that he remained under General Gates until after his Army was defeated that there was term of service expired and he got his discharge and returned home that his discharge was signed by Major Griffin that he gave his discharge into the hands of his father when he returned home that his father died soon after the close of war of the Revolution and his papers were taken into the hands of his Administrators and that he some

of the Discharge he is unable to say But says it was destroyed as a useless paper. And he further upon his oath states that he was drafted a second time in the County of Franklin for a three months term that he again entered the service as a private under Captain Swann Preston that he entered the service on the first of June 1781 and was marched from Franklin County to Halifax Town on Roanoke. The while he remained at Halifax he was commanded by General William Buckle and Col. Nicholas Long that he was stationed at Halifax until within a few days before his term of service expired and he further upon his oath states about eight or ten days before his term of service expired that the following named continental officers came on from Charleston South Carolina (lower) Brigadiers Coleman Peter Brant and Thomas Partee. That they came up for volunteers that he with a number of others served as volunteers at Halifax Town under the above named continental officers and marched from Halifax Town Tarborough from Tarborough to Duplin Court House where they found General Butler who was stationed there about ten weeks from there they marched across New River near Wilmington where they were stationed about four weeks from there he was marched to Kinston that at Kinston the terms of the service of some of the men expired and there he was discharged the last of October. And he further upon his oath states that when he was discharged at Kinston he was informed by the officers that they did not have paper enough to give each soldier a separate discharge that all the men from Franklin County got their discharge on one piece of paper and he further says that one of the company who had charge of it put it in his knapsack and that on their way home the knapsack accidentally got destroyed and all its contents with it and he further says that from old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot positively say how long he did serve in the last term that is to come to days But he can safely say that he served seven and a half months that with his first term makes eight and a half months in the whole that he served And he further says that he has no

Documentary Evidence to prove his service That he must therefore rely upon the Evidence of Jonathan Stone and William Cook and such others as he may be able to find if they are yet alive who served with him or have a knowledge of his services
And He hereby Relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a Pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency or in any state
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 3 rd day of August 1883
his Thomas H. May Mark
Godfathers Subscribers
When and in what year were you born have you any Record of your age if so where is it now where were I was Born in in Franklin County North Carolina on the first day of April 1761 my father kept a Record of my age in his family Bible which my Brother William May got after the Death of my father and has it now I kept it in Franklin County and out of that I had it written into my own Bible
Where were you living when called into the service and where lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live
I lived in Franklin County from the time I was Born until about five years ago I removed to Shelby County where I now live
How were you called into the service were you drafted Did you volunteer or were you a substitute if a substitute for whom
I was drafted the first and the second time as I stated in my Declaration and last before my Commission for which I was drafted I served under I volunteered under the Continental officers that I named and it was understood when I volunteered by all who heard and that we volunteered for the during the war state the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the Troops where you

Sir In Continental and militia Infantry Regiments as you can Recollect and the General Circumstances of your Service as you can Recollect etc. I have stated all the officers and all the Circumstances of my Service that I can Recollect in the Body of my Declaration
State the names of some persons in your present neighborhood who can Testify to your Character for Veracity and their Belief of your Service as a Soldier of the Revolution I will state the names of the Rev d Frederick Rollins and William Cross who are my near Neighbors and have been ever since I came to Chatham and who are as Respectable men as any in the County
State of North Carolina Chatham County I George Luther do hereby Declare it as my opinion that the Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states given under my hand 3 d day of August 1833
Geo Luther
We Frederick Rollins a Clergyman Residing in the neighborhood and William Cross in the same neighbor- hood hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas May (and have been ever since he came to the County) who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be truly the person 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 to and Subscribed Before me the 3 d day of August 1833
Geo Luther
F. Rollins William Cross

Revolution
21356
INVALID.
File No. 21,356
Thomas M. Pr. B. M.
Act: June 7 th 52 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 252
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
September 29 th 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Thomas May, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Jackson, La. Agency, at the rate of Twenty eight Dollars and 32 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 4 th Sept. 1839.
Respectfully yours,
J. Weaver Acting Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
April 30 th , 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Thomas May, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the North Carolina Agency, at the rate of Twenty eight Dollars and thirty two Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1834, to the 4 th March 1839.
Respectfully, yours,
Edward E. Parrish
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

No. Reps
July 20 th 1860
Sir
I have the honor to enclose you the application of Thomas May a pensioner who now resides in my District for a transfer of his pension. He has been endeavoring for some time to obtain a transfer, but for want of the proper form he has not been able to make a formal application to the Dept until now
I would respectfully beg your early attention to the subject.
I have the honor to be,
Sir, very respectfully
Your obed. Servt.
John W. Crockett
Jas. L. Edwards Esq
Comm. Pensions
War Dept.

Jan 29. 1840
Free
Henry L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington
68

Post Office
Boydsville. July 25 1840
James L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Sir.
Thomas May, a pensioner in under the Act of July 1832. at $28 38 per Ann. was paid in this Office to the 4 September 1834
Sincerely
From Mr. Austin
John N. Austin J. N. Austin

Oct-22
Thurs
16th
1832
Danny & Peter and Agnes Companions of Penury Washington.

Pension Office
Washington Oct 17 1836.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Memoir May I receive under the Act of June 1832, application for payment of the balance due him from the 21 Sept 1834 to the 21 Sept 1836 at $28.32 for Annuity has about to receive the Annuity & I have directed him to apply for new Annuity in 10 days
Sincerely Yours Obediently J. M. Washburn Agent

Hall of Reps:
February 6 th 1837.
Dear Sir,
I inclose you a certificate for the renewal of the Pension certificate of Thomas May. In consequence of his remote situation from the pension agency and the smallness of the pension, he did not apply for it as regularly as it is required by the regulations of the War Department.
very respectfully
A. Renscher
J. L. Edwards Esq

Application for a transfer
State of Tennessee. County of Gibson S.S.
On this 6th day of January 1840 before me, the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Gibson personally appeared Thomas May, who, on his oath declares that he is the same person who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Swan Gorton in the Regiment commanded by Col. William Brickle in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of North Carolina from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State of Tennessee, where he intends to remain and wishes his pension to be there payable in future.
The following are his reasons for removing from North Carolina to Tennessee, viz. his children being, and residing in Tennessee, and he a lonely old man, desirous to spend the last remnant of his days in the midst of his family.
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid
Thomas May
N. T. S. Clerk a justice of the peace

State of Tennessee County of Gibson ss.
On this 6 th day of January 1840 before me the Undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Gibson. Personally appeared John S. Rust and Mac A. Cook both Credible wit- nesses who, on their oaths, declare that they are ac- quainted with Thomas May the above named applicant for a transfer of his pension; that he is a man of veracity and credibility; and that he is the identical same Thomas May described in the foregoing Affidavit.
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid.
Mac A. Cook John S. Rust
State of Tennessee, County of Gibson ss
I Allen G. Simms Clerk of the County Court of the County of Gibson aforesaid, do hereby Certify that Nelson O. Cole whose attestation appears to the foregoing Affidavit is a Magistrate as above stated duly Commissioned and Qualified; that the above signature purporting to be his, is genuine and due faith and credit is due to all his Official acts as such
In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my Seal of Office at Office in Trenton this 6 th day of January in the year 1840
Allen G. Simms Clerk of Gibson Co. Court

State of North Carolina Franklin County
This day personally appeared one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County and after being sworn on the Holy Evangel of Almighty God in due form of Law deponeth and saith as follows (over) That he was personally acquainted with Thomas May the present applicant for a Pension before and during the Revolutionary War That deponent Recollects that Thomas May entered the Service as a private under Capt Julian Alford and was attached to South Carolina that he was Drafted for a three months Tour and that he served his term out which Service as well as his next Recollects was in the Summer of 1780 that he Thomas May Returned home after General Defeat in South Carolina and this deponent further saith that he recollects that the said Thomas May again was Drafted for a three months Tour in the Franklin County Militia that he entered the Service under Capt Lawson Pranton and was attached to Halifax But how long he Remained there he does not know But that he is confident that he Remained his term out and that he has every Reason to believe and does believe that Thomas May served as long as he sets forth in his Declaration This deponent further saith that he served as a neighbour to Thomas May from his youth untill about four or five years ago Thomas May Removed to Chatham County that he knows of his own knowledge that Thomas May during his age and time sustained the character of an honest upright man and that he does not think he can state anything in his Declaration which is not substantially true

And further this Deponent saith that the Deponent is and has been before me this 6 th day of February 1834 W m Cook
State of North Carolina For the County of
I, Foremost being one of the acting Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the aforesaid affidavit was sworn to me and subscribed by William Cook before me and do further certify that the said William Cook is a man of good character entitled to credit on oath here in having had the 6 th day of February 1834 - J. Patterson J.P.
State of North Carolina For the County of
I, Smith Patterson Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Franklin do hereby certify that Foremost being before whom the aforesaid affidavit was made by William Cook is an acting Justice of the peace in the aforesaid County of Franklin, and that the signature hereunto subscribed is genuine. Given under my hand Seal of the County, at office at Smithburg the 6 th day of February 1834 J. Patterson Clerk

And I George Luther do hereby declare at my oath 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 I do further Certify that it appears to me that Frederick Rollins who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Chazyman Resident in the neighborhood William Creek who has also signed the same is a Resident in the neighborhood and is a Credible person and their statement is entitled to Credit Given under my hand this 3 rd August 1833
Geo Luther Esq
And I George Luther do hereby Certify that Thomas May the above name named applicant appears to me from old age and Badly informed to be unable to travel to Court to make his Declaration and that upon application being made to me I attended at his Dwelling House for that purpose this 3 rd day of August 1833
Geo Luther Esq

State of North Carolina Chatham County
I Thomas Raynor Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions for the County of Chatham a- foresaid, do hereby certify, that George Luthra whose name appears officially signed to the foregoing declaration, and every part thereof, was an acting of the Court of which I am Clerk at the time of signing the same, and that it is signed with his proper signature, and that full faith and credit is due to his official acts. In Testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court at office the 22 nd day of Jan. 1834.
Thos. Raynor, C.C.C.
Hon. J. R. R. P. R. Co.
Admit as evidence
82. 1834
34.377
off Inverness

State of North Carolina Franklin County } }
This day personally appeared Ezra William P. Williams & Jeremiah Pugh two of the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Franklin Jonathan Stone and made oath that he has been acquainted with Thomas May from a small boy, that the said May was drafted as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and marched from Loudonburg in the County of Surry on the 12 th day of June 1780 under the Command of Capt. Julius Alford, that we marched to John S. Bent House, from thence to Cooper's where we remained about four days from thence we marched to Randolph old Fort. House from thence we marched to Randolph old Fort. House, from thence we marched to South Carolina where we joined General Gates & marched to the Synch's Creek near Camden then Capt. Henry Mace who Commanded the Company to which I was attached was ordered to the Infantry under Peterfield and left the said May, after which time I do not recollect of seeing him, which

I think was about the first of August in the same year.
we hereby certify that Jonathan Stone the foregoing Certificate was subscribed before us & that the said Jonathan Stone is a credible Man this 20 th day of August. 1832
W.P. Williams & P For Perry St
State of North Carolina Franklin County
I James Patterson Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Franklin State aforesaid do hereby certify that William P. Williams & Foremost Perry Esquires whose names appear officially subscribed to the foregoing affidavit are acting Justices of the Court of which I am Clerk and that the Signatures hereunto to be theirs are genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the Court, at office the 20 th August 1832
J. Patterson Clerk

Pension Office September 1834 N.C.
Martha Vineyard (Flee) Ph. 23 d August 1834
Honorable Lewis Cass Secretary of War War Department for Mail } Washington City

Northscunford Chatham County N.C. a 22 nd August 1834 Dear Sir A short time before the adjournment of Congress, the Declarations of Thomas May and Nathan Garborough for to obtain Pensions were sent on to the Honorable. S. Rutherford In order for him to file them in the Pension office and it was expected that he would attend to them and let the final result of their applications be known when he returned home But as Congress broke up sooner than Mr Rutherford had supposed when his last communication reached this neighbourhood he left Washington sooner than he had expected and whether from bad health or from political apostasy and a desire to see his constituents whom he misrepresented through the whole of last Session by yoking himself to the car of faction some now whether one or both these reasons keeps him away I am unable to say But so it is he has not been heard from in this part of the District since early in June. But the two applicants for pensions were both old decrepit and poor. Garborough has had some making his Declaration and has left a miserable poor old widow and both she and May are afraid that Death will overtake them soon and are very anxious to know the fate of the applications. and as neither of them have any family connections to do any thing for them their applications are made regularly to me every mail day for information from Washington

Now in order to satisfy them I have thought proper to write on to the War Department in order to get such information relative to the disposition of their claims, as you will please to give me. and I will only add that from what has come to my knowledge I am made to believe both claims are just and honest claims and the parties stand in need of every thing that they are Legally entitled to for they are old and poor If the claims have not yet been examined it will confer a great obligation upon them if they can be attended to as soon as possible and let me know the result by mail
I am with high consideration Your obedient & humble Servt
Honorable
Lewis Cass
Geo. Southworth