Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,810, for Joseph Lawrence, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va. N.C.
Lawrence, Joseph Lawrence, or
S 31 810
CONTENTS
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Letter to J. de Lea 83 and 30. Decr 1839
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838, from 4 March 1838 to 4 March 1839. Age notified 7. May 1840
26613 Indiana
Joseph Lawrence of Monroe Co. in the State of Indiana who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Carr of the regt commanded by Colonel in the Virginia line for 1 year
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 40 Dollars 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of April 1834 and Henry G. L. Kinnaird H. H.
Arrears to the 4th of March 120.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 20.00 $140.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Saml Boyd Clerk Book 8 Vol. 7 Page 119

Declaration.
State of Indiana Monroe County
On this eleventh day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Honourable as Amy Kinney President Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of said State and Abraham Partick and Stephen P. Hall Associate Judges of the Circuit Court of said County now sitting, the same being a Court of Record. Philip Lawrence  resident of Green County in said State aged seventy  years (the first day of next month) who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act of Congress passed June 7 th A.D. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following Officers, and served as herein stated to wit:
That he was born in Albemarle County Virginia. He has not in his possession any record of his age; it being with his step Mother Isabella Lawrence in Surry County North Carolina as he is informed and believes. But as well as he is able to state from a recollection of the knowledge obtained when he had the opportunity of ascertaining correctly he was born in the Year seventeen hundred and fifty five. He was a small boy, perhaps two or three years old as he is informed & believes, at the time of General Braddock's Defeat. His father's name was Richard Lawrence. This declarant resided in Virginia in Albemarle County when he was born until the

sixteenth Year of his age, when he went to the Captain of the Company within whose bounds he resided and enrolled himself. The first or second Year after his said enrollment he stood a draft.
In his twenty first Year as well as he can recollect and in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and seventy five or six, (being now so frail from old age, and on that account so deficient in memory as not to be precisely certain) and a short time after his marriage, he volunteered and entered the Service of the United States, in the Militia of the State of Virginia in a Corps of "Minute men". He did not engage for any precise period of time as such Volunteer, but undertook to serve in the expedition to, and for the defence of Williamsburg in Virginia and such other expeditions as might become necessary against the British. Said Troops were footmen. He was rendezvoused at Albemarle County Court House in said State of Virginia and entered the said Service and served under the command and in the Company of Foot Commanded by Captain Carr, whose first name as well as he recollects, was Labry. In a day or two after that rendezvous he was marched in said Company by itself (there being no larger division or command) down to the Wind Tavern on the Road to Williamsburg. On their way at said Tavern they received the news that the British
had taken Williamsburg, and had afterwards retreated to their shipping. Said Company with this Applicant was discharged from said Expedition. He received no

had taken Williamsburg, and had afterwards retreated to their shipping. Said Company with this Applicant was discharged from said Expedition. He received no written discharge, but continued under order, to rendezvous at the same place under the same officers. He was not under the command of a Colonel during said Expedition. By reason of his loss of memory he can not state all the circumstances of said "Minute Service" in said Expedition, nor the particular circumstances of the residue of the time during which he served in such minute service. He was repeatedly ordered out rendezvoused and marched in short expeditions upon alarm, and continued in such Minute Service during his continuance in Virginia, which was about one year and a half. According to the best of his recollection he served in said "Minute Service" at least One Year. He received no written discharge. He can not safely swear as to any other particulars of said service from his loss of memory, owing to his old age and as he believes hardships peculiar to his life. He He removed to Surrey County North Carolina and there permanently settled himself.
In the Spring of seventeen hundred and seventy seven (he can not give the date with more certainty) to the best of his recollection, he volunteered as a Ranger in the Militia of North Carolina in a Company raised

in said County of Surrey, mainly if not exclusively and to range in said County and Country adjacent He volunteered for no particular period for the pur- pose of watching and guarding against the depre- dations of Tories, who were stealing, robbing and committing other injuries. He ranged in said County of Surrey and thereabouts and served in such service at least nine months and within a very short time of that precise term. Said Company of Rangers were foot men, and commanded by Cap- tain William Underwood. He was discharged in the latter part of said year, in Hartley , in said County of Surrey; but not in writing; none being given.
On the year in which the British destroyed Wilmington in North Carolina he can not remember with sufficient certainty to state the year. The Militia of North Carolina being divided into divisions of ten men each and called out in rotation. This ap- plicant and the division to which he belonged was called into the service of the United States in said Militia in the Company of Foot commanded by Captain David Umphrey. The manner in which he was called into the said service, resembling as near as he can describe it, the nature of a draft. He was rendezvoused at Old Richmond Surrey Court House in North Carolina.

Carolina. Being sent by Captain Humphrey to his (the Captain's) residence for his clothes and money when this applicant returned to the place of rendezvous, said Company had marched, and this declarant at his own request for fear of Tories was placed in the ranks of a Company commanded by Captain Kimmins. This applicant marched in said Company to Bell's Mills on Deep River in Randolph County North Carolina. At or near said Mills said Company was fired on by the Tories under Colonel Garrison and said Company fell back twelve miles or thereabout and encamped for the night. Next morning this applicant went to Captain Kimmins and told him, and advised him of the necessity of joining other companies in advance and of the wish of said Applicant to join Captain Humphrey on his way to or Head Quarters at Wilmington. Captain Kimmins replied that he intended to stay there and eat out the damned Tories before he left them. This declarant expressed his anxiety to March, remarking that they were without ammunition or in great want of it and with out the means of doing any good and that he thought something more than eating ought to be done, that they were badly situated to fight. Upon which angry words ensued. This Applicant told Captain Kimmins he would quit him. The Captain threatened to shoot him. This Declarant defied him and left him, and con

considering it unsafe and unnecessary to attempt to reach his Captain (Ampney?) alone through a Tory Country, he returned to Surry County and reported himself to Colonel Armstrong and was placed under his order in a Light Horse Company (Cavalry) designed for Wilmington. But before said Cavalry Company marched said Captain Ampney returned with his Company, and the object of the expedition being at an end, said Cavalry Company never marched. He was in said service to Bells Mill, at least four weeks, and was discharged (in said County of Surry) when he had rejoined Captain Ampney's Company & Command without waiting. Having faithfully to the satisfaction of said Captain Ampney & Col. Armstrong and all his Officers (excepting Captain Simmons) served said four weeks.
In the Year Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine as near as he can state from his recollection he volunteered in the service of the United States in the Militia of North Carolina in the Company commanded by Captain James Giddens and marched from Surry County where he entered such service & rendezvoused, until said Company joined Colonel Benjamin Cleveland and was under his command in Wilkes County in said State. He then continued under the command of said Colonel. He volunteered

as forgoing not for any precise length of time, but to go in the expedition to King's Mountain against Colonel Ferguson. On the March in said expedition in Wilkes County by order of his Officers this own choice he was mounted on a horse in a Light Horse Compa- =ny & continued transferred to, & in said Company. & by such permission of his Officers. this own consent was in the same enrolled. said Cavalry company was commanded by James Sheppard Captain. said Captain James Giddens' Company being Infantry or Foot men. Thence they moved to Green River in South Carolina where they with this Ap- plicant were discharged. The Spies having reported that the British had retreated to Ninety Six, the Head Quarters of their Main Army at that time. He received no written discharge nor did his comrades. He served in said town probably more but at least five weeks . He does not recollect the County where he was discharged
In the same year as the recollection best serves him, being said year if he is right in his memory of 1779. being he is certain a short time before the Battle of Guilford, and whilst the British were at Hillsborough Colonel Martin Armstrong of Surrey County employed this Applicant with others who volunteered and

formed a Company and entered into an engagement with said Colonel Armstrong to go a tour to the Lead Mines on New River for the purpose of packing Lead and guarding and defending themselves on the March. They found their own stores Arms and Ammunition and marched under the orders of said Colonel, though he was not present on the March. The engagement in its terms was that each man should pack from Chisel Mines on New River two hundred pounds of Lead and delivered at a convenient point in the country. For which said Colonel Armstrong engaged that it they should receive credit for one tour of duty as if the same had been performed in any other way way . The length of the period or tour to which said expedition after Lead should be deemed equivalent was not mentioned. No Officer accompanied said expedition. They marched as much as possible in concealment. & kept the object of their journey a secret. They marched to said mines twelve of them including this declarant, and brought back each his two hundred pounds of Lead and according to the Colonel's order delivered it at Salisbury in Rowan County North Carolina. They performed said service and procured said Lead under great difficulties & in great danger greater than generally attended other kinds of service. Which

since he performed faithfully, and to the acceptance of said Colonel. He received from said Colonel no certificate or discharge in writing. He served in the said expedition seven days : and such a tour of duty as to which it was an equivalent he understood to be the time necessary for an expedition to that part of the country where the Main Army of the enemy was then posted; which was Hillsborough: & the time necessary for such an expedition must have been at least five or say four weeks ; for which four weeks, he prays an allowance of pension.
He again Volunteered in the Militia of North Carolina. The date he can not state from his failure of memory, but it was, about two weeks, he will remember before the Battle of Guilford. He entered the service at Surry County, North Carolina in the Company of Foot commanded by Elias Murphy, Captain under Colonel, & in the Regi- ment commanded by John Armstrong, who during a great part of the War was a Major in the Regular Army. This de clarant raised & armed in Surry County & was, marched about fourteen Miles, or thereabout when the said Colonel Armstrong dispatched him this declarant with an express to meet Colonel Preston and Major Brockett from Holston on New River. He met them at the Meadows on the head of Coxes Creek. His horse, he having been mounted

for the purpose of his errand being injured by hard riding the declarant was left behind the Army, and was delayed in his return. On his way after the main Army he met with his Captain James Giddens, who having been ordered back to Surry County from the main Army with twelve men to protect the settlement on the frontier of Surry in the Hollow of Yadkin River this Applicant fell in with him & marched with him under his command. This Declarant with said Captain Giddens & Command first took a Tory and as well as he recollects his name was John Roberts a Tory Colonel. They promised him and his son their liberty and gave it to them they having told him his son also if they would inform them when to find Joseph Purcell and Mark Adkins two other Tories. They found them and hung them. It being Colonel Armstrong's order to hang all Tories wherever they were caught. Said Old Col. Roberts was the same who was taken a prisoner at Kings Mountain as he was informed. By the time of this hanging said Tories & guarding for a short while the Hollow of the Yadkin the Battle of Guilford was over and the war being principally ended in that portion of the country the declarant was discharged from the Service Under this engagement the declarant served upwards of one month perhaps, he will state positively at least three weeks . He was not discharged in writing
(Whilst engaged in the Ranging Service herein before stated in 1777, he now recalls to mind an additional circumstance occurred.

occurred. Col Robert, said Long Colonel it was reported was about to raise a corps of Tories, and was, subsequently ascertained to have done so, to join the British Army.
Captain James Giddens, and another Captain appointed to collect in squads of four a five to prevent any suspicion at McBrayer's store. This applicant with four others on their way to this place of rendezvous, stopped at Wood, on the Flower Gap Road and a company of Tories of fourteen commanded by Coil coming in sight this Applicant and his squad mistook them for Whigs, and his brother being sent toward them to request them to halt, they appearing to intend to pass. They lacked and surprised and surrounded this Applicant & his comrades, and made them prisoners, and after stripping them of their horses and guns released them. After travelling all night they reached Captain Shelton's Camp. He served in a number He served in a number of other towns of a less important kind. For a long time before the Battle of Guilford he was little else than a soldier day and night, at all times whether in the regularly embodied regiments or not. He was from home carrying off proper guarding and watching against the movements of bands of Tories. Some of these less important occasions he has been advised has not been mentioned, some of them and the incidents of these described he has in part forgotten. nor can he positively declare that these mentioned are in the order in which they occurred.

He can not from his loss of memory give dates or circumstances with more precision than he has herein. It has been with difficulty he recalled the names of places. Some he has forgotten. A few owing to their having made deep impressions at the time they transpired he is able to state only.
He lives in said County of Albemarle in Virginia when first called into service in said first town of service, called the "Minute service". He lives in said County of Surry in the State of North Carolina at the times of entering the service in all the towns & expeditions, in the foregoing declaration described after said "Minute service" in Virginia.
He states that many of the services by him performed some of which were in short expeditions and therefore not mentioned were attended with more hardship and danger, than services in large regularly organized armies. When large numbers of Militia were raised and the fact known to the Tories, they seldom failed to seize upon such opportunities to commit their depredations. In defending the lives & property of the families of the absent citizens (Whigs) much of the applicant's time & services were employed. And this was important service.
In said town to Wilmington North Carolina the time he quarreled with Captain Simmons, had almost forgotten to state he was in the appointment of First Sergeant.
Previous to his emigration to the State of Indiana to the County of Allen's where he resided about eleven years or upwards

Prior to his emigration to the State of Indiana to the County of Warrick where he resided about eleven years or upwards
he resided in said County of Warrick in the State of North Carolina. He now resides in Green County, and has there resided about four years. Said County of Green joins said County of Warrick in the Circuit Court of which (the latter) he makes this declaration. The declarant says The reason for making his declaration in this County ( Warrick ) instead of Green, is that David Banta Clugymon and William Burch his Witnesses, reside in Warrick where the declarant is well known. That he could not attend at the Circuit or any Court of Record of Green County with his Witnesses without great inconvenience. The County of Warrick being in the same Circuit and the same Judge (President Judge) present.
He has never received one cent of pay for any part of said services. He has no documentary evidence of any part of said services, nor does he know of any person or persons who, by testimony of his services, he could procure except the Certificates herewith. He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
He can not state the names of any regular officers other than those herein mentioned. He never received a discharge or commission. He is known to Colonel Thomas Warrick and others of his own neighborhood in Green who can testify to David Banta Clugymon and William Burch

of Monroe County who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. In open Court.
Joseph his  X Laurence mark
I David Banta a clergyman of the Gospel in the County of Monroe Indiana aged seventy years, hereby certify that I resided in the County of Warrick Indiana in the same neighborhood with Joseph Laurence who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration about ten years that I visited and preached in the Church of which the said Joseph Laurence was deacon frequently during part of said ten years and during the other constantly and regularly. That I was during said ten years well acquainted with him. That I have been familiarly acquainted with him since the end of said ten years in Green County in this State up to this time making in all about thirteen years or upwards during which I have been familiarly and well acquainted with him. That I believe him to be seventy seven years of age, that in both of said neighborhoods during said thirteen years or upwards in which he resided he was and is reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution and I concur in that opinion. David Banta.
J William Burch aged sixty five years resident in the County of Monroe and near

been a soldier of the Revolution and I concur in that opinion.
David Banta.
Of William Burch aged sixty five years resident in the County of Monroe and near to the line of Greene County both in the State of Indiana and in the neighbourhood of Joseph Laurence who has subscribed and sworn to the above and foregoing declaration, certify that I am well acquainted with him. That I knew him well for ten or twelve years in Surry County North Carolina when for that length of time they both resided in the same neighbourhood, that he has resided in the same neighbourhood with said Joseph Laurence near said County line of Greene for three years and up to this time. That I believe him to be seventy seven years of age that he was in said neighbourhood in Surry County North Carolina and is in said neighbourhood in said County, Greene Indiana reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion. I am aged as above.
William Burch
Sworn and subscribed the year aforesaid in open 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 soldier of the Revolutionary War, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that David Banta who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident hereofore in the same neighbourhood, and then and now well acquainted with the Applicant that he now as he states resides in Monroe County Indiana, and is acquainted with him as he states, and that William Burch who also has signed and sworn to the the last foregoing certificate is a resident in Monroe County Indiana and in the neighbourhood of the said Joseph

Lawrence, that they are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit. Done in open court.
A. Kinney Abram Bushk, S. G. Seall
State of Indiana } Monroe County } Jacob B. Dowe Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe County in the State of Indiana aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Joseph Lawrence for a Pension. said Court being a court of record.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, whereat, in the Town of Bloomington this eleventh day of October in the Year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and thirtytwo.
J. B. Dowe Clerk of the Court of Monroe County Indiana.

31 810
Rev INVALID.
File No. 31, 810
Joseph Lawrence Rev War
Act: June 1 st 82
Index: —Vol. 2 , Page 287
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 3 d , 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," Joseph Lawrence, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Madison, Ind. Agency, at the rate of forty Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, 1838, to the 4 th March, 1839.
Respectfully, yours,
Wilson B. Parry Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.