Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,020, for John Stephenson, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb.
Stephenson, John
S.2.020.
Born in N.C.
Carded.
CONTENTS

7281 West Tennessee
John Stephenson of Rutherford in the State of W Tenn who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Olburn of the Regt commanded by Col Harrington in the North Carolina line for 7 1/2 months
Date of death not on A B.
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tenn at the rate of 25 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 d day of March 1833 and sent to Wm Brady Murfreesboro Tenn.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 50.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 12.50 $62.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 96

State of Tennessee Rutherford County
August Term of the County Court
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress, passed 7 th June 1832
On this 29 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before Henry Frost, James C. McWhorter and Barnes D. Bowen Esquires Justices of the Superior Court sitting. John Stephenson a resident in the County and State aforesaid, aged about seven years, that he was born on the November 17 th 1755 in the County of Mecklenburg North Carolina and that in February 1780 he in the County of Charlotte North Carolina joined the service of the United States as a Volunteer under Capt d James Osburn. In a few days there after the detachment was marched for Charleston South Carolina; first to Monks Crossings - where being some of Harbison being in the neighborhood, when the detachment was marched or turned to the left, to avoid pursuit; and arrived at a place called Strawberry , and from thence to Wadsworth - and then took water for Charleston - and landed at Gadsden's Wharf - at Charleston he was attached to the company of Capt d David Grafton - He was at the siege of Charleston , by General Clinton , and was taken prisoner - He was detained a prisoner ten days - and then paroled, and returned home. On this campaign he was three months and fifteen or twenty days - His recollection is that he was attached to the third Regiment of Artillery, and that it was commanded by Col. Armstrong , or Harrington , and that Thomas Harvey was the Maj. As he returned from Charleston he met the Virginia Troops commanded by Genl Burford , who were attacked by the British in N. Carolina on a Creek called Cowpens - And he thinks that a Col Woodruffe commanded a detachment of regulars at Charleston - and that they were marched to that City, immediately in advance of the Troops to which he belonged - After his return from Charleston and remaining at home less than twenty days, he again volunteered his services to march to Wilmington - He joined Capt d John Rodgers company at Charlotte - he thinks in June 1780 - John Stephenson was the Lieut d in Rodgers company, the Regiment or detachment was commanded by Col Robert Arrowsen . The detachment was marched from Charlotte and crossed the Gadson at the mouth of the river called New  Dunaway and crossed Little River and also Little Cape  fair - then to the mouth of the Winyaw - Cornwallis at York - This detachment of Artillery was commanded by Genl Grafton St. Rutherford , Col Arrowsen and Maj James White . He was at the battle of the siege of Charleston He fought the series at Pack's  Hill , at Beaver  Swamp , and at White  Marsh . under Arrowsen and White - He was in the service under the command of Capt d  Osburn near four months - and under the command of Capt d  Rodgers upwards of four months - He
never

got a discharge, for he was taken prisoner in his first tour and was paroled, and he received no discharge when discharged from his second tour under Capt Rodgers
J. B. Langhlin, Atk.
John Stephenson
He hereby relinquishes every 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
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
And to the same day and year aforesaid appeared personally in open Court Joseph Moore and made oath that in the year 1780-81 - and afterwards he was acquainted with John Stephenson who resided in the County of Mecklenburg North Carolina, and he recollects that said Stephenson attached himself to Capt Osburns company of militia as a volunteer to march to Charleston, and did march for that place, and he saw the said John Stephenson after the capture of Charleston and soon after his return from thence; and Stephenson then had his parole, which the Patriots had given him - Said Stephenson was transferred from Osburns company to that of Capt David Fraford at or near Charleston - Stephenson was in service after his return from Charleston under Capt Rodgers about the time that Com. Providence was there - His first tour of service to Charleston was near four months - but what length of time he served under Capt Rodgers affiant does not know; but has heard it said by those who were in the same service, that it was five months or thereabouts -
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
J. B. Langhlin, Atk.
Joseph his X Moore mark
We William H. Knight William Alexander and John Witherspoon a sister of the present, both residing in the neighborhood of John Stephenson, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with said John Stephenson, who has sworn to and subscribed to the within declaration; that we believe him to be 77 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution; and we concur in that opinion - And we further certify that the character of Joseph Moore, whose name is subscribed above, stands unimpeached for truth and veracity
20th
J. B. Langhlin Atk.
William H. Knight
John Witherspoon

Interrogatories
Question 1 st - When and in what year were you born?
Answer - I was born in the County of Mecklenburg S th North Carolina - 10 th November 1755
Question 2 nd Have you any record of your age; and if so when is it?
Answer none
Question 3 rd Where were you living when called into service; when have you lived since the Revolutionary War; and where do you now live?
Answer In Mecklenburg North Carolina, and some that time I have lived in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Question 4 th How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer I volunteered
Question 5 th State the names of some of the regular troops and officers with them when you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer - I do not recollect the names of the regular officers, except Col Buford who in their common and the Virginia Troops, and a Col Woodruff - I recollect the Virginia Corps before surrender - and the Corps under Woodruff - I volunteered in Charlotte Feb y 1780 - was marched to Charleston - to Wadsworth's corner - to Shurton's, Waverly & - landed at Gadsden's wharf - was at the siege of Charleston, and there taken prisoner - and afterwards paroled and went home - served there about three months 20 days - He thinks he belonged to the 3 rd Militia Regiment - In Charlotte June 1778 I again volunteered, Col Robert Arrowood commanding the Regiment - and Col Buford the whole detachment was marched towards York - and after crossing Little Egg Harbor, heard of his capture - In this time I served four months - I was in battle against the Tories at Rockfish, at Rapp's Swamp, and at White Marsh under Col Arrowood
Question 6 th 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 got a discharge
Question 7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood; and who can testify to your character for veracity - and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution?
Answers - Simon Weatherly, William Doran, John L. Seton, Thos. S. Rucker, Thos. Powell, James Ramsey, James McKee, David McKnight, Mordecai McKnight, James McKnight, Alexander McKnight, Charles Brady Esq.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after perusing the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the within applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that the said John Alexander whose name is affixed hereto is a clergyman resident in the neighborhood of the said John Stephenson, and that John Witherspoon who has also signed the same, is a sister of the present residing in the same neighborhood, and that both are men of the first respectability, and that their testimony are entitled to credit - And that Joseph Brown, whose deposition is annexed hereto, is a man of veracity and truth.
Given under our hands in open Court the day and year aforesaid
re an affidavit from a letter to us from John Alexander, that he is sick and could not reach Court - and William McKnight, who has subscribed the same is a man of truth and veracity
H. Scott G. Mitchell V.D. Brown
I John R. Laughlin Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Rutherford and State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of John Stephenson for a pension.
The testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 23rd. day of August 1832 at Marysville
John R. Laughlin, Atk.
James Partlow makes oath that he knew John Stephenson who, has sworn to and subscribed the within declaration, a revolutionary soldier, and he states that said Stephenson was in the service of the United States at the time he states, at McMinnville, and other places - and he thinks he saw said Stephenson at Cheatham Middlesex County, where he served, but he does not know how long said Stephenson served.
Sworn to and subscribed this 22nd day of Aug r 1832 in open Court
J. R. Laughlin, Atk.
James Partlow

State of Tennessee
Rutherford County ss County Court May Term 1892
Alexander Nesbitt, aged seventy years in open court personally appears, and made oath that he was acquainted with John Stephens in the year 1780 and afterwards in the State of North Carolina and he knows that said Stephens was at the siege of Charleston as a soldier of the Revolution and that he served that campaign, as he has set forth in his said declaration
Sworn to and subscribed this 22 nd day of August 1892
J. P. Langlin, At.
Alexander Nesbitt
Attest 1892

State of Tennessee Rutherford County
August Term of the County Court
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress, passed 7 th June 1832
On this 29 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before Henry Frott, James C. McWhorter and Barnes D. Bowen Esquires Justices of the Superior Court sitting, John Stephenson a resident in the County and State aforesaid, aged about seven years, that he was born on the twentieth of 1755 in the County of Mecklenburg North Carolina and that in February 1780 he in the town of Charlotte North Carolina joined the service of the United States as a Volunteer under Capt d James Osburn. In a few days thereafter the detachment was marched for Charleston South Carolina; just at this time - when near some of Hartson being in the neighborhood, when the detachment was marched or turned to the left, to avoid pursuit; and arrived at a place called Strawberry, and from there to Wadsworth - and then took water for Charleston - and landed at Gadsden Wharfe - at Charleston he was attached to the company of Capt d David G. Gafford - He was at the siege of Charleston, by General Lincoln and Clinton , and was taken prisoner - He was detained a prisoner ten days - and then paroled, and returned home. On this occasion he was three months and fifteen or twenty days - His recollection is that he was attached to the third Regiment of Artillery, and that it was commanded by Col. Arroyton, or Harrington, and that Thomas Harvis was the Maj. As he returned from Charleston he met the Virginia Troops commanded by Genl. Buford, who were attacked by the British in N. Carolina on a Creek called Cowpens - and he thinks that a Col Woodruffe commanded a detachment of regulars at Charleston - and that they were marched to that City, immediately in advance of the Troops to which he belonged - After his return from Charleston and remaining at home less than twenty days, he again volunteered his services to march to Wilmington - He joined Capt d John Rodgers company at Charlotte - he thinks in June 1780 - John Lathan was the Lieut d in Rodgers company, the Regiment or detachment was commanded by Col Robert Arrowsen. The detachment was marched from Charlotte and crossed the Yadkin at the mouth of the river called New River - and crossed Little River and also Little Cape Fear - there was the news of the battle of Cornwallis at York - This detachment of Artillery was commanded by Genl. Griffith Rutherford, Col Arrowsen and Maj James White. He was at the battle of the siege of Charleston He fought the series at Paul's Creek, at Paul's Swamp, and at White Oak under Arrowsen and White - He was in the service under the command of Capt d Osburn near four months - and under the command of Capt d Rodgers upwards of four months - He
never

got a discharge, for he was taken prisoner in his first tour and was paroled, and he recovers no discharge when discharged from his second tour under Capt Rogers
J. R. Laughlin, At.
John Stephenson
He hereby relinquishes every 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
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
And to the same day and year aforesaid appeared personally in open Court Joseph Simon and made oath that in the year 1780-81 - and afterwards he was acquainted with John Stephenson who resided in the County of Berkeley South Carolina, and he recollects that said Stephenson attached himself to Capt Osburns company of Artillery as a volunteer to march to Charleston, and did march for that place, and he knew the said John Stephenson after the capture of Charleston and soon after his return from thence; and Stephenson then had his parole, which the British had given him - Said Stephenson was transferred from Osburns company to that of Capt David Frazer at or near Charleston - Stephenson was in service after his return from Charleston under Capt Rogers about the time that Fort Moultrie was taken - His first tour of service to Charleston was near four months - but what length of time he served under Capt Rogers after that does not know; but has heard it said by those who were in the same service, that it was five months or thereabouts -
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
J. R. Laughlin, At.
Joseph X Simon his mark
Wellington, Va. Knight
We the undersigned  the undersigned , and John Witherspoon a Justice of the peace, both residing in the neighborhood of John Stephenson, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with said John Stephenson, who has sworn to and subscribed to the within declaration; that we believe him to be 77 years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution; and we concur in that opinion - And we further certify that the character of Joseph Simon, when sworn to and subscribed above, stands unimpeached for truth and veracity
Given to in open Court
28th
J. R. Laughlin At.
William M. Knight
John Witherspoon

June 7, 1935.
Miss Maudie Shaw c/o State Treasury, Capitol Montgomery, Alabama.
BA-J/III. John Stephenson S. 2020
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Stephenson, a pensioner of Tennessee, in 1840.
The record of John Stephenson is given herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 2020, based upon service in that war. It is the record of the only pensioner of Tennessee with that name, found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
John Stephenson was born November 10, 1755 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina; the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, he enlisted sometime in February 1780, served as private in Captain James Osborn's company, Colonel Harrington's North Carolina regiment, went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was transferred to Captain David Crawford's company, was in the Siege of Charleston, was taken prisoner and detained about ten days, after which he was paroled and returned home; he served subsequently as private in Captain John Rodgers' company, under Major James White, in the North Carolina troops, marched to Wilmington, was in engagements with the Tories at "Rock Fish, Rafts Swamp and at White Marsh", and was in service at the time of the surrender of Cornwallis; his entire service amounted to at least seven and one half months.
Name of Colonel was omitted as it could not be verified.
After the war, the soldier resided in North Carolina, from which State he moved to Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August

23, 1852, at which time he resided in Rutherford County, Tennessee.
There is no reference to wife or children of John Stephenson, nor is his residence in 1840 shown. In 1852, when the soldier made application for pension, one Jesse Alexander was referred to as a clergyman who resided in the same neighborhood with him.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

1935- June 7 - Hist. to Miss Manda Shaw - J.L.L.
1937- Sept. 30 - Hist. to Miss Rebekah Jett - See letter in Samuel Killough Rev S.4475-J.L.L.
New Wat
2020
INVALID.
File No. 2020
John Stephenson Pat. N.C. line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: — Vol. R , Page 356
[Arrangement of 1870.]

JOHN BRANDON STATE TREASURER
State Treasurer of Alabama
THE STATE CAPITOL Montgomery
May 23, 1935
United States Pension Department, Washington, D. C.
Cannon Co. subj. Rush. Ec
Gentlemen:
The list of United States pensioners of 1840 shows that John Stephenson, age 89, was living in Cannon County Tennessee with Abner Alexander. Will you please give me John Stephenson's war record and the names of any members of his family you may have, including the name of his wife if given in your records, also ages and place of birth.
only Tenn pens.
Thanking you for this information, I am
Yours very truly,
Maude Shaw
Address: Miss Maude Shaw, C/o State Treasury, Capitol Montgomery, Ala.
1840 51

September 30, 1937.
Miss Rebekah Jetton Murfreesboro Tennessee.
BA-J/II L Samuel Killough S. 4475 John Stephenson S. 2030
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Samuel Killough and John Stephenson, pensioners of Tennessee in 1840.
The data which follow are shown in pension claims based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Samuel Killough and John Stephenson; this latter record is that of the only soldier with that name who received a pension in Tennessee, said war that is found on the records of this office.
SAMUEL KILLOUGH-S. 4475
Samuel Killough was born September 10, 1763, and lived from infancy in Chester County, South Carolina; the names of his parents are not shown.
He enlisted in August 1781, in Chester County, South Carolina, and served nearly three months as private in Captain Charles Miles' South Carolina company, engaged in guarding prisoners on Turkey Creek. He moved in the fall of 1782, with his father, to Wilkes County, Georgia. He enlisted there and served nearly nine months as an Indian spy with the troops under Colonel Clarke, stationed between the Oconee and Appalachee Rivers.
Samuel Killough lived in Georgia until 1806, then moved to Rutherford County, Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 1832, at which time he resided in Rutherford County, Tennessee. His residence subsequent to 1833, is not shown in this claim. The soldier referred in 1832 to "Col. Robert Jetton", a neighbor.

In 1832, Samuel Killough's son, Isaac, lived near Allenton, Alabama. The name of the soldier's wife is not shown, nor the date and place of their marriage given. There are no further data regarding his family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following:
Samuel Killough Certificate #13635 Issued May 29, 1833 Rate $39.12 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832. Tennessee Agency.
JOHN STEPHENSON-3. 2020
John Stephenson was born November 10, 1755, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina; the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, he enlisted sometime in February 1780, served as private in Captain James Osborn's company, Colonel Harrington's North Carolina regiment, went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was transferred to Captain David Crawford's company, was in the Siege of Charleston, was taken prisoner there and detained about ten days, was paroled later and returned home; he served subsequently as private in Captain John Rodgers' company under Major James White in the North Carolina troops, marched to Wilmington, was in engagements with the Tories at "Rock Fish, Rafts Swamp" and White Marsh, and was in service at the time of the surrender of Cornwallis; his entire service amounted to at least seven and one half months.
The soldier resided after the Revolutionary War in North Carolina, from which state he moved to Tennessee.

John Stephenson was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 1832, at which time he resided in Rutherford County, Tennessee. He made no reference to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite the following:
John Stephenson Certificate #7281 Issued March 23, 1833 Rate $25 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832. Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. MILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

John Stephenson
Pension Committee from 1780 for 12 months £25 10s 6d City of Washington City
Hon. A. Lewis Memphis (Tenn)
June 16 Retired

Murfreesboro 31 st December 1832
Honble Secretary of War
Sir
I return to you the declaration of John Stephenson, for a pension - after complying with the instructions of the department in its application - I have enclosed the brief, that the proper officers see, that his allegations have been complied with
Your early attention to the case of John Stephenson would be an act of charity to the applicant, as he is poor and destitute, of all the necessaries of life
Yours respectfully
J. Brady

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Stevenson which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? _____ IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? No such device

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
Two Citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
See 49
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
witnesses
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
yes.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.