Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,673, for Josiah Sykes, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb.
Sykes, Josiah
S 7673
Born in N.C.
carded.
CONTENTS

16.400 North Carolina
Josiah Sykes
of North Carolina in the State of N.C. who was a Pri. — in the Company commanded by Captain Devane of the ————— commanded by ————— in the N.C. line for 21 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of N.C. Carolina at the rate of 70. Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Augt. 33 and Rev. D.W. Stanley Wilmington N.C.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1831 140 — Semi-annual allowance ending Feb. 1831 — 35 $ 175. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nath. Rice — Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 Page 56

United States of America State of North Carolina New Hanover County -
On this 13 th day of December A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for New Hanover County now sitting, Stephen  I speak Sykes a resident of New Hanover County, State of North Carolina aged ninety two years on the fifth day of March last, 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 June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he first joined the Militia as a volunteer under Captain John Devane. That he does not recollect the year when he entered the service, but that he is certain he entered it at the beginning of the war. That while under Capt Devane, he does not think he went out of the County of New-Hanover. The Company was kept in the County marching about through the County to annoy the Tories and discover their plans. That nothing

of importance occurred during his service as — volunteer under Capt. Devane, except the Battle at Moore's Creek Bridge in the above-mentioned county. — That Capt. Devane understanding that McBride with a considerable number of Tories — were marching towards the Bridge and intended crossing it. He took the Company to the River threw up an entrenchment near it, took up a the Bridge and left nothing but the sleepers for them to cross on. — That having three brass pieces he placed them in a range with the three — sleepers of the Bridge. — and then kept the men entrenched. — That very early one morning the Tories arrived. — McBride at the head marched across upon getting over, he waved his sword around his head, and said "Come on my boys, the day is our own," when he was instantly shot down, and all those on the sleepers coming over were fired upon and shot — falling off into the Creek. — That they attempted — three times to come over, but all being killed — who came on the sleepers, they did not attempt it a fourth time, but those of them who were left alive retreated. — That he served under Capt. Devane as volunteer, six months. — That he was next drafted and served under Capt. Stephen — — And served three months, at Green Field near Wilmington in New Hanover County North Caro- lina. — That he was next drafted in Bladen County

and served six months or thereabouts under Captain Thomas Haynes, that he was marched from Bladen County South Carolina to Pedee in South Carolina, and from thence back again to Brown Creek in Bladen County, backwards & forwards through that section of Country - that during his service under Capt. Haynes nothing of any consequence occurred. They were all the time in search of Tories, that while in Bladen County they attacked a small party of Tories on the Brown Marsh and killed one man. That his Captain Thomas Haynes died - and not long after he was again drafted and served under Captain Timpson M c Rea about six months - that while under M c Rea he was employed with the com- -pany he was in, in gathering cattle for the use of the soldiery - that he got cattle in Bladen County South Carolina and drove them to Green's Camp - back of Charleston - Upon being asked what Battles he was in - he recollects and states that he was drafted and served under a dutch Captain from the west whose name he does not recollect, that he was while under him a part of the time at Green's Camp in South Carolina - that he went under the Command of General Green, being (his same dutchman from the west being his Cap- -tain), to the head of the Santee River - that while in Camp at the Eutaw Springs they were attacked

by the British - about the break of day - That a Battle ensued, which lasted as well as he can recollect, about two hours - when the British re- -treated, that General Green then sent a flag to them to return & bury their dead - which they did. That General Green with the main body of the men returned to the Camp, - but understanding that the remainder of the British who were in that engagement, were to march to the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, - sent Morgan with some of the men, - commenced a march for Cape Fear River in North Carolina - that he (his opponent) was among them under Morgan - That while on their march at the Cowpens, while encamped for the night they were attacked by the British and Tories - an engagement commenced which lasted he thinks about an hour or an hour and a half when the enemy retreated - That he does not recollect when these engagements happened, but he is certain they were after the battle at Savannah in Georgia - - That he does not recollect the names of any officers besides those he has already mentioned - That he has no documentary evidence of his service, and that he knows but one person now living who can know of his having served in the Revolutionary war, and that person is a coloured man by the name of Nichols, living on Long Creek in New-

- Hanover County - I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and I declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State
To the Interrogatories propounded by the Court - he makes the following answers -
To the first Interrogatory he saith -
I was born in North Carolina, in Edgecombe County - The year when born, he cannot precisely say, but thinks he was ninety two years of age the fifth day of March last -
To the second Interrogatory he saith -
My Father put my age in a large Bible, - which he gave to one of his last sons, - who carried it to Kentucky -
To the third Interrogatory he saith -
I was living in Bladen County North Carolina, I have since the war lived part of the time in Bladen County & part of the time in New Hanover County, North Carolina - I now live in New Hanover County -
To the fourth Interrogatory he saith -
I served as volunteer for six months, and after that was drafted -
To the fifth Interrogatory he saith -
I have already answered this as fully as I am able in the above declaration to which I beg leave to refer -
To the sixth Interrogatory he saith -
I never did receive a written discharge -

In the Seventh Interrogatory he saith -
Lieuten Orr, William Lewis, David Jones, William Scudder. I cannot remember any more names -
This Deponent states that he cannot procure the attendance of a Clergyman without too much inconvenience & expense. Josiah  his  mark Stephen K. Sykes
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
We Lieuten Orr and William Lewis - both residing in the County of New Hanover, State of North Carolina, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Josiah  his  mark Stephen Sykes, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ninety two 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 to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
his Lieuten K. Orr mark his William Lewis mark
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after furthering the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named Applicant was a soldier of the Revolution, and served as he states. and the Court

further certify that it appears to them that Lieuten Orr and William Lewis who have signed the preceding certificate, are both residents in the County of New-Hanover, State of North Carolina and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I John W Stanly Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for New-Hanover County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Josiah  Stephen Sykes for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 13 th day of December A.D. 1832
John W Stanly Clerk
State of North Carolina New-Hanover County - Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Josiah Sykes, who being duly sworn deposith and saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear posit- ively 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 one year and nine months I served as a private; and for such service I claim a pension.
Sworn to and subscribed before me the Justice of the Peace for County aforesaid this 3 rd day of May 1833
his Josiah Sykes Mark
John Kerr J.P.

I John W Stanley Clerk of the court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the county of New Hanover do hereby certify that John Tharr before whom the preceding dispo- -sition of Josiah Sikes was taken & who has signed the same was at the time of affixing his signature thereunto an acting Justice of the peace for the county of New Hanover. That the same is in his proper hand writing & that full faith & credit should be given thereto. Given at office this 11 th day of May A D 1833 under seal of the same
John W Stanley
J. W. Stanley Wilmington N.C.
Copies countersigned Edmond L. Toot
for Josiah Sikes

O. W. & N. Division.
W. S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., February 25, 1898.
Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of + JOSIAH SYKES + a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     See supplemental statement.  
Battles engaged in,
See supplemental statement.
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Riesden Co., N. C.
Date of application for pension,
December 18, 1842.
Residence at date of application,
New Hanover Co., N. C.
Age at date of application,
Ninety-two years on March 5, 1842.
Remarks: He was born in Edgecombe Co., N. C. No record has been found of Joshua Sykes as a pensioner.
Mr. E. S. Bronson, 94 So. Cliff St., Ansonia, Conn.
Very respectfully,

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D. C.,
Supplemental.
Josiah Sykes.
In his declaration for pension he made the following statement concerning his services:
That he enlisted about the commencement of the war as a private soldier in the company commanded by Capt. John Devane, and served therein about six months during which time he participated in the engagement at Moore's Creek Bridge; that he was next drafted and served under Capt. Stephen Andrews for about three months; that he was next drafted and served about six months in Capt. Thomas Haynes' company; that he was again drafted and served about six months under Capt. Fannie McRae; that he was also drafted (date not remembered) and served as a private under a Dutch Captain from the West, whose name he could not recollect, under the command of Gen. Greene and during this service was engaged in the battle of Austin Springs and in the battle of Cowpens.

Reorgan
7643
INVALID.
File No. 7643
Elijah Sykes Div. R.R. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 183 , Page 367
[Arrangement of 1870.]

July 25, 1896.
Mil. Key to Elbronson Esq., Ansonia Conn.
July 17-1897-History to Mrs- Robert Bronson Ansonia Conn.
1917, Aug. 17. History to Walter G. Scott. Letter with claim { Thomas A. Dikes [M. F. 99]

Out
Ansonia, Conn.,
Jan. 18, 1897.
Mr. D. V. Humphreys Comm. of Pensions
Dear Sir: —
Will you please send me the Revolutionary record of Joshua Tikes , of Sampson Co., N. C.
He died before the pensions were issued at Orkin,

but his wife applied for and received me. Her name was Baker before her marriage but I do not know her first name.
Joshua Lihus was born and married in Va., but lived afterwards in P. C. and must have resided from that state.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Robert Bronson, Ansonia, Ct.

WM. E. DODGE, PRESIDENT. A. A. COWLES, VICE-PRES. AND TREAS. WM. H. MATHEWS, SEC'Y.
Form A 4-95-2000.
Ansonia Brass & Copper Co.
not I " C " R
Ansonia, Conn. Jan'y 18 th 1896
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly inform me whether there was ever a Revolutionary Pension in North Carolina, by name Joshua Dikes. if so will you kindly give me such information as you may have about him, and oblige
Yours truly,
E. B. Bronson 93 South Cliff St, Ansonia Conn.

I 7673 L. W. B.
February 17, 1897.
Madam:
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Joshua Sikes, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that one Josiah Sikes made application for pension on December 13, 1832, at which time he was 92 years of age and residing in New Hanover county, N. C., and his pension was allowed for twenty-one months' actual service as a private in the North Carolina troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Capt. Haynes and General Greene. He enlisted in Bladen county, N. C.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Mrs Egbert Bronson, Ansonia, Conn.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Josiah Sykes a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. F. 7673
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 or 1776 6 mos Priv. John Devane ✓ N.C.   ✓ 3 " Stephen Andrews ✓   ✓ 6 " Thomas Haynes ✓   ✓ 6 " Jurpin McRee ✓  
Battles engaged in, Moore's Creek Bridge, Courbans, Eutaw Springs.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bladen Co., N.C.
Date of application for pension, Dec 13 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, New Hanover Co., N.C.
Age at date of application, B. March 5, 1740, Edgecomb Co., N.C.
Remarks: There is no data relative to wife or children.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.