Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21858, for James Lawrance, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Lawrance, James or Lawrence
S. 21858
CONTENTS

South Carolina 16.969.
James Lawrence of Spartanburg in the State of So Car who was a Pr. — in the — commanded by Captain of the Reg't by Col. Mason in the 1st line for 10 months.
Paid at the rate of 50 cts per month the Act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1838 to 4 March 1839. Age 20 Dec 1839. Notified
scribed on the Roll of South Carolina at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Due to Pay Age 19 April 1847. " " " Oct 12 1848. " " " Oct 3 1849.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of Oct 1831 Spartanburg and Dist E Roman
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. 133.33 Semiant. allowance ending Dec 1834 26.66 $159.98
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Nathl. Rice Clerk Book E Vol. 6 Page 73

+ James Laurance's Declaration
26.038

State of South Carolina Spartanburg District \frac{3}{4} to wit
On this 6 th day of September  March 183 3 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions for the said District Sitting James Laurence a resident of the said Dist. aged thirty three years who being first duly sworn according to Law, oath 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 fol- lowing named officers and served as his State did " I entered the Service of the United States on the 9 th February 1779. under Captain Joseph Winn, and marched to Halifax, on the Roanoke, N. Carolina and joined the Regiment commanded by Colonel Mason and Lieut Col. Burrell, and marched to Salisbury when the Army converged - from there we marched to Camden S.C. and from there marched to, and joined Genl. Lincoln's Army near Stone, and fought in the Battle of Stone after the Battle we remained under the command of Genl. Lincoln until the last of August when our Regiment was discharged having served nearly seven months. In the Fall of the same year I went again into the Service under Captain DeGrasse in the Regiment commanded by Col. Murre- weather in Maj. Clancy's Battalion, and

Marched to a place called Cobbin Point, and from thence to Portsmouth, where the British forces were stationed. - From this place I marched to Staneymond River, where we were stationed a few weeks and were discharged, having served in this town about three months. - In June 1780 I again joined the Army under Capt. Ragsdale, under the Com- mand of Genl. Lawson, and marched to Prince Edward, and from thence to James River and joined the main Army and moved to the Siege of Littleport - where I remained until a few weeks before the Cap ture of Lord Cornwallis - when I was relieved and discharged having served six months on this last. - I have no documentary evidence of my services and refer to William Pollard and Roland Johnson who served with me - I was born in King William Coun- ty in Virginia on the Twenty fifth March 1764. as I have been informed, having no record of my age; I resided in Lunenburg. Virginia when I entered the Service and have resided in this State principally, since the revolution and now reside in Spotsylvania So d . - I served as a draft - and never received any written discharge for my character for truth and moral deportment I refer to the Rev. Mr. Drumbley and John Rowland Esq. and Dr. M c Guire - I do hereby relinquish my claim whatever

to a pension or annuity as except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State I subscribe and acknowledge the day & year aforesaid James Lawrence Richard Gant
South Carolina Spartanburgh dist t by me John Grambling a clergyman resident in Spartanburgh dist t and Roland Johnson and William Pollard resident in the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Lawrence who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age - that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. - I subscribe and acknowledge the day & year aforesaid - - - John Grambling Roland Johnson William Pollard  W. Sumner J.L. Ex. Off.
And the said Court, do hereby declare its opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after pulling the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and died as he states. And the said Court further certifies, that it appears to it, that John Grambling who has signed the foregoing clergyman resident in Spartanburgh dist t

and that Roland Johnson and William Pollard, who hereto sign the same are residents in the said District and are entitled to pension and that their Statement is entitled to credit. — Sworn to & Subscribed the a day & Year aforesaid Richard Grant (Cmm)
James Lawrence
Declarant
26.038
The State of South Carolina Spartanburg District — 3
I Elisha Roman clerk of the Court of Sessions & Common Pleas in & for said District, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of James Lawrence for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office the 15 th day of May 1833. —
E. Roman Clerk.

James Laurence Spartanburgh District South Carolina
Rev
Admit as a private 14 mo. $13.33
E. Bernard clk. Office, Dept. of State South Carolina

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 James Laurence Spartansburgh District South Carolina
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Entered July 1779 near 7 - - private Col. Lincoln   Served fall " about 3 - - " Col. Winn, Col. Mason 73 years Traditionary evidence, papers correct.   Served 1780 - 6 - " Col. Duglass Col. McCreath Lynchburg Virginia   Col. Ragsdale, General Lexington Battle of Stono.  
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 days 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 that 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 inquiry 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 _____; 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.

Revolution
21 858
INVALID.
File No. 21 858
James Lawrence Br Rev Mr
Act: June 7 th 39 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 234
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 4 th , 1839.
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," James Lawrence, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the S. Carolina Agency, at the rate of Fifty three Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1838, to the 4 th March, 1839.
Respectfully, yours,
William B. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Pension Agency Charleston S.C. 24 Sept-1849
Sir I herewith forward the Voucher of James Lawrence a pensioner under Act 7 June 1832, for authority to pay the same -
I am Sir Respectfully (Your obedt Servt) M c Cluskey Agent
J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Pension Agency Charleston S.C. 14 October 1848
Sir I herewith forward the Voucher of James Lawrence a Pensioner under Act 7 June 1832. for authority to pay the same
I am Sir very Respectful Your obedient M c Cluskey Agent
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Pension Agency Charleston S.C. 13 April 1847
Sir
I herewith forward the Vouchers of James Laurence a pensioner under Act 7 June 1832, Jesse Vincent an Invalid Pensioner, and Mary Stanridge a Pensioner under Acts 3 March 1843 & 17 June 1844, for permission to pay the same —
I am respectfully Your obedient M c Farhan Agent
J. C. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

South Carolina } Spartanburg Dist } On this 9th day of October 1833. Personally appeared before the Subscribed, a magistrate of said District, James Laurence, who being duly sworn on his oath, saith in addition to his declaration herunto attached, that he served Seven months (lacking nine days) under Captain Jos. Winn in 1779. - That he served Three months in the fall of the same year under Capt. Segraffen- Reid, in Col. Murrecattys Regiment. - That he served Six months under Capt. Ragsdale in 1780. in the Regiment commanded by Genl. Lawson. Making in all Sixteen months. - James Laurence sworn to & subscribed before me this day etc.
William J. D. Cauff
I Elisha Bamar Clerk of the Court of Spar- tanburg District do hereby certify that William J. D. Cauff is a magistrate for said District as above stated, and that he is now at the time of taking the above affidavit duly qualified to administer oaths.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 9th October 1833.
E. Bamar Clerk of the Court of Spartanburg Dist.