Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4753, for Baxter Ragsdale, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
No. 6. Va.
Ragsdale, Baxter
S. 4753
CONTENTS
Carded.

7597 Wm Lemmy
Boyer Ragsdale of Bedford in the State of N. Tenn who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Bennett of the Reg t commanded by Col Goddy in the N.C.A. time for 6 months
* N.C. and Va.
Records completed May 2, 1904.
Inscribed on the Roll of W. Tenn at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of May 1833 and L. H. Jones McKinne H. Shelbyville
Arrears to the 4th of March 40.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 10.00 $50.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Bay Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 94
South west from A. B.

20920
Paxton Ragsdale,
Declarations

State of Tennessee J.B.
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832.
On this 9 th day of November in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and thirtytwo personally appeared in open Court before the worshipful M c P. Null, John B. Armstrong & Sam l Phillips Esq rs Gentlemen Justices of the peace for Bedford County in the State aforesaid; appointed to hold the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County. Now sitting, Baxter Ragsdale a resident of said County of Bedford aged Seventytwo years two months and sixteen days; Who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer and served as herein stated, (So Writ.) That he entered the service of the United States as a drafted Soldier, same time in the Spring of 1780 the precise day and month he does not at this time recollect, but thinks it was in May or June of that year; and was marched towards the American Army in South Carolina under the command of Gen l Gates; He states he was placed in a Company commanded by a Captain

Peter Bennett of Granville County in the State of North Carolina, and was marched by him and a Colonel Gaddy to Genl. Gates Army in South Carolina where he was mustered into service on or about the 1 st of July 1780 and was marched about a month afterwards to a place then called Ruegeleys Mills. Where he remained about fifteen days and was then marched; across the Catawba river in a company commanded by Capt. Samuel Jones to join General Sumpter which he says he thinks was about the 15 th or 16 th of August, and was marched under Genl. Sumpter down the Catawba river, as he was told to prevent the British from crossing at some particular ford on said river but that Genl. Sumpter retreated on the evening of the 16 th marched all that night, all day and night 17 th and on the 18 th August, the British troops overtook Genl. Sumpter's army; near to a place called Rocky Mount in an old field on the Catawba river, where a battle ensued between he thinks Col. Farlons light horse and some mounted gunners of the British Army; and the troops under Genl. Sumpter; He says that the troops under Genl. Sumpter gave way and fled in every direction He says he made his way to Bells Mill on deep river where he met his old Capt. P. Bennett and joined him again and was marched from that to the Town of Hillsborough Orange County

N. Carolina where he again saw Genl. Gates and Genl. Butler, and remained there and in that County until about the first of October when he says he was discharged after his term of three months service was out and returned home to Granville County N.C. Deponent States that he removed from Granville to the County of Lunenburg in the State of Virginia, where he was drafted again and entered the Service of the United States in a Company commanded by Captain M. Mackey and was marched to Genl. Geo. Washington's Army where he says he saw Genl. Lafayette and conversed with him, on the 27 th day of June 1781. and was marched by Genl. Washington to what was then called Mobbens Hills on James River, and from that was marched, along in view of the City of Richmond, on to a place called Newcastle on Pomunkey river and from that dawn the same some distance, and then across to York river and was marched from an encampment in that neighborhood within twelve miles of Williamsburg as he was told, where he says the Americans were attacked by some British light horse and were compelled to retreat toward the main army when he was on his way back he met with his Captain who had not been on this little excursion, at the house of a Mr. Shephard and his Captain being discharged, and he says his term

of three months was then out and his Captain gave him a discharge in writing for the same making in all a term of actual Service of Six months; and that he has no documentary evidence whatever and that he knows of no person whose testi- he can procure who can testify as to his Service. — And that he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity whatever except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in the United States
By the Court.
Int. 1 st Where and in what year were you born;
Ans. I was born in the County of Lunenburg in the State of Virginia on the 24 th day of August in the year 1760
Int. 2 nd Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it.
Ans. I have a record of my age at my house in this County in my Bible, which was taken from my father's family record
Int. 3 rd Where were you living when called into Service Where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live. —
Ans. I was a citizen Granville County North Carolina when I first entered the Service of United States & a citizen of Lunenburg County State of Virginia when I entered the Service the last time, and from that I moved to Granville County North Carolina & from that remained there until the close of the revolution; and then I removed into Franklin County North Caro- lina; and I removed from Franklin County last

Militia in the year 1807 In Bedford County on the Wartrace fork of Duck river in the State of Tennessee Where I have lived ever since and where I now live. — Q th 4 th How were you called into service were you drafted, were you a volunteer or were you a a substitute and if a substitute for whom. — Ans r I was drafted altogether
Q th 5 th did you ever receive a discharge and if so when is it. —
Ans r I did receive two discharges in writing but when they are now I cannot tell
Q th 6 th State the names of some of the Regular officers that were with the troops where you served the Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstan- -ces of your service. —
Ans r I recollect Genl. Lafayette, and Gales, and have seen their Regiments, and other officers, but cannot now recollect the names of either. — I also recollect that Col. Gaddy commanded the Regiment of Militia I first served in but do not know the number of it, and I believe I have given the general circumstances of my service in the foregoing declaration. —
State the names of some persons in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your service as a Soldier of the Revolution.

Thos Wm Norville Esq r Jesse Davis, William M c Ginn and James Arnold and Stephen Murphy Esq r and that is not in my power to allow the evidence of a clergyman at this time sworn to in open court the day and year aforesaid;
C. M. H. H. Clerk      Baxter Ragsdale
State of Tennessee
Bedford County } To wit: Term 1832.
On this 9 th day of November in the year 1832. Personally appeared in open Court Wm Norville and James Arnold who after being duly sworn according to law, deposed and saith that they are citizens of Bedford County and neighbours of Baxter Ragsdale who has subscribed and sworn to the fore- going declaration; that they have been well acquainted with said Baxter Ragsdale for ten or fifteen years in his present neighbourhood, that he is reputed and believed by his neighbours to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that they concur in that opinion; that they believe said B. Ragsdale to be a man of strict honesty and veracity they also believe him to be the age he states he is. Sworn to in open court the day and year aforesaid.
C. M. H. H. Clerk
J. Arnold Wm Norville

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 applicant Baxter Ragsdale was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. — and that Col. James Armald and William Harrill Esquires who has signed and qualified to the preceding affidavit are Citizens residing in said County of Bedford and that their statements are entitled to full faith and credit in any court whatever
J. S. Veill John B. Armstrong Samuel Phillips
I James McRae Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for Bedford County in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Baxter Ragsdale for a Pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office in Shelbyville 31 st of December 1832
J. M. McRae

21930
Dexter By dale N.Y.
for 1780 print 6 months. $20.
James M. Dickey & Co. Bedford Co. N.Y.

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 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 Dexter Ragsdale Bedford Co. Va.
   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.     drafted Spring '61 3 .. Pr Capt Bennett Vellackey Col Gaddis Gen. Thomas N. H. C. Va. 72. 2. 11 Granville Co. Va. Lynchburg Va. Tradg.   " " 3 .. "  
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 fix 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.
□ 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
W. L. Williams Clerk

October 8, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Am Baxter Ragsdale, S.4753
Mrs. Lee M. Ragsdale 305 North Lorraine Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of October 5, 1937, stating that you had lost the abstract of papers on file in pension claim of Revolutionary War soldier, Baxter Ragsdale, which was sent you September 9, 1936.
This abstract is furnished you herein, as shown by papers on file in pension claim, S.4753, based upon the military service of Baxter Ragsdale.
This soldier was born August 24, 1760, in Lunenburgh County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
While living in Granville County, North Carolina, he enlisted in May or June, 1780, served three months as private with the North Carolina troops under Captains Peter Bennett and Samuel Jones and Colonel Gaddy and was in the battle of Rocky Mount. He moved from Granville County, North Carolina, to Lunenburgh County, Virginia, where he enlisted in 1781 and served three months as private in Captain M. Mackey's Virginia regiment.
He then moved back to Granville County, North Carolina, where he remained until the close of the Revolution when he moved to Franklin County, North Carolina. In 1807 he moved to Bedford County, Tennessee "on the wartrace fork of Duck River".
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 9, 1832, at which time he was living in Bedford County, Tennessee.

The papers on file contain no data whatever in regard to the family of Baxter Ragsdale.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Baxter Ragsdale, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of soldier's death, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing the following data: Baxter Ragsdale, Certificate #7597, issued May 3, 1833, rate $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, West Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1919 Aug. 5 Hist. to Florence V. Monson
1936 Sept. 9. List. to Mrs. Lee M. Ragsdale. Recd
1937 Sept. 22. Mrs. Lee M. Ragsdale. inf. full list sent her Sept. 9. 1936. See letter. Rev. Dr. John H. H. R. 1062
1937 Oct. 8. abstract again from Mrs. Lee M. Ragsdale. Recd
Rev. Monson
4753.
INVALID.
File No. 4753
Baxter Ragsdale Print Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. M , Page 308
[Arrangement of 1870.]

MRS. LEE M. RAGSDALE
305 NORTH LORAINE AVE., KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
October 5, 1937
Mr. A. D. Hiller, Executive Assistant, Veterans' Administration, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Hiller:
Thank you very much for your letter of September 22nd, in which you give me an account of the service of John Hites, and in which you tell me that your office has no further data on Baxter Ragsdale.
I was mindful at the time I wrote my request of your previous assistance in the matter of Baxter Ragsdale, but carelessly had lost the carbon of my letter. I did not mean for it to be a request for duplicate material. A letter from the historian, Mr. Landon C. Bell, had informed me that there was a long affidavit on record and suggested that I might get names of family from this. I am sure that I could find what I want if the records of Bedford County, Tennessee, had not been burned when the court house was fired by a mob several years ago.
With full appreciation of your assistance, I am
Very truly yours,
Margaret W. Ragsdale (Mrs. Lee M. Ragsdale)

V 2 1/2 postage stamp rec'd. 7/13/19 K
Monday, July 28, 1919
Rev War m. e.
U. S. Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
I am desirous of obtaining a copy of the pension record of Baxter Ragedale, of Virginia and Tennessee, whose name was placed on the pension lists about 1833-35. He served in the Revolutionary War.
Thanking you in advance and hoping to have an early reply, I am,
Respectfully Florence V. Monahan 517 Lincoln Ave. Staten Is., N. Y. Midland Beach,

305 Lorraine Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee, August 19, 1936.
Mr. A. D. Hiller, The Veterans' Administration Bureau, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Hiller:
I should be most grateful to you and to the Veterans' Administration Bureau if you can help me in obtaining some information regarding a Baxter Ragsdale who served in the Virginia line in the Revolutionary War and who was later pensioned in Bedford County, Tennessee.
From "Tennessee Pension Rolls", which I found in the Knoxville library, I get the following information, which I hope you will be able to supplement:
Baxter Ragsdale Private Annual allowance 20 00 Sums received 60 00 Desc. of service Virginia Line When placed on pension list May 3, 1833 Commencement of pension May 4, 1831 Age 74
There is an apparent discrepancy between the commencement of the pension and the date on which he was placed on the lists, but that is the way it was listed in the book on page 47.
What I especially want to know is the name of his wife (widow probably), the name of his heirs, and of his parents and the time and place of his death and birth.
I have tried to get this information from the Bedford County records at Shelbyville but have been told that the court house was burned two or three years ago and that many valuable records were lost at that time.
It is hardly probable that you would also have the name of his parents, but, if you have, I should

appreciate having it too.
I am asking for these records in order that my husband and my son may use them for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.
I greatly appreciate your courtesy in considering my request.
Very sincerely yours,
Margaret W. Rasdale (Mrs. Lee M. Rasdale)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S. F. 475-3
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Reyer Ragedale a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 7 June 1780 3 mos. Pvt. Peter Bennett Samuel Jones Gaddy N.C.   1781 3 mos. M. Mackey Va.        
Battles engaged in, Rocky Mount.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Granville County N.C.
Date of application for pension, Nov. 9. 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Bedford County, Tenn.
Age at date of application, born Aug. 24. 1760 in Lunenburgh Co. Va.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family.  After his first service soldier moved from Granville Co. N.C. to  Lunenburgh Co. Va.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

September 22, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Mrs. Lee M. Ragsdale 305 Lorraine Avenue, North Knoxville, Tennessee
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Hite of Virginia, born in 1710, and died in 1792, who served also in the French and Indian War, and the Revolutionary War record of his son, John, also, the Revolutionary War record of Baxter Ragsdale.
This office has no record of service rendered in the Colonies prior to the Revolutionary War. There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a John Hite who was born in 1710. The record of one John Hites has been found and is furnished herewith.
On September 9, 1936, you were furnished the full history of Baxter Ragsdale as shown by papers on file in papers of his pension claim, S.4753. There are no data on file relative to the family of this soldier. It is suggested that in order to obtain the date of last payment of the pension of Baxter Ragsdale, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid (this might show some family name) and possibly the date of soldier's death, you address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing the following data:
Baxter Ragsdale, Certificate #7597, issued May 3, 1833, rate $20 per annum; commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, West Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

September 9, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Baxter Ragsdale, S. 4753
Mrs. Lee M. Ragsdale 305 Lorraine Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of August 19th in which you request information relative to Baxter Ragsdale who served in the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 4753, based upon the military service of Baxter Ragsdale.
This soldier was born August 24, 1760, in Lunenburgh County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
While living in Granville County, North Carolina, he enlisted in May or June, 1780, served three months as private with the North Carolina troops under Captains Peter Bennett and Samuel Jones and Colonel Gaddy and was in the battle of Rocky Mount. He moved from Granville County, North Carolina, to Lunenburgh County, Virginia, where he enlisted in 1781 and served three months as private in Captain M. Mackey's Virginia regiment.
He then moved back to Granville County, North Carolina, where he remained until the close of the Revolution when he moved to Franklin County, North Carolina. In 1807 he moved to Bedford County, Tennessee, "on the wartrace fork of Duck River".
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 9, 1832, at which time he was living in Bedford County, Tennessee.
The papers in file contain no data whatever in regard to the family of Baxter Ragsdale.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Baxter Ragsdale, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of soldier's death, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing the following data: Baxter Ragsdale, Certificate #7597, issued May 3, 1833, rate $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, West Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator