Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,883, for James Meritt, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.C.
Meritt James
S. 21883
CONTENTS

South Carolina
16.471
Daniel Merritt of Anderson in the State of So Ca who was a Sgt Infantry in the — commanded by Captain — of the Regt commanded by Col. Cantey in the No Ca line for 1 mo 13 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of So Carolina at the rate of 36 Dollars 97 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Aug. 32 and sent to Mr. J. Thompson, Greenville C.H., S. Ca
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 73.94 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept — 18.48 $92.42
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nath. Chace Clerk Book E Vol. 6 Page 171

Pickens District
Certificate of William Southland - & Clerk of the Court
S o Carolina Anderson Dist t
Declaration of James Meritt

State of South Carolina. Anderson District. } ss.
On this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three, personally appeared before me, James Douthit, a justice of the Quorum in & for the District aforesaid, James Merritt, a resident in the said district of Anderson & State of South Carolina, aged Seventy-Eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oaths make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
First: - That he volunteered in a company of Infantry, in Surry County North Carolina, being then a citizen of the same, under Capt. Rich d Goode, Maj r Winston, and Col d Williams; and under their command was marched from said County to a place near Fayetteville called 'the Scotch Camp' - then called, 'Crops Creek' - on Cape Fear River. The Scotch were subdued & taken without fighting, and after a tour of four six weeks we returned home - This was in the beginning of the war; the exact date he can't remember -
Secondly. That he volunteered, for three months, in a company of Infantry Volunteers, raised in Surry County, & commanded by Capt. Goode to go against the Cherokee Indians. This company was raised soon after our return from the "Scotch Camp", & was marched under Capt. Goode to Long Island, on Holston River, where the troops from Virginia and North Carolina were united under the command of Col d Christie. From Long Island Col d Christie marched the forces to the Cherokee nation. In this expedition he declares that, Capt d Goode, Maj r Winston, Col d Williams and Christie, were the officers under whom he served. That on their arrival in the Cherokee nation, the Indians fled from their huts and villages - that they afterwards came in and agreed with the officers to make a treaty, & accordingly they did hold the treaty in the following spring. To the best of his recollection this tour commenced early in the month of August

and was not ended until the last of November - He believes that, the term of service extended to very nearly four months, but is well assured that it was not less than three & a half months -
3 1/2 or 4. Monthly - Thirdly, That his next tour of service was under Capt. Campbell, in whose Company of Infantry he volunteered for three months, and was marched from Surry County in N.C. into S. Carolina opposite to Augusta in Georgia, thence down the Savannah River to a place thereon, called, "the two Sisters". Thence across the state to Bacon's Bridge. Here we were associated with the army under Genl. Lincoln & Genl. Butler. Our Camps were moved about from one rice-field to another for many days until we had an engagement with the British. He was in this action during the engagement. Genl. Lincoln was the commander of the Americans, & Provost that of the British. After this action, & ten days before the expiration of his term of service - (e. i. three months) - he was taken sick in Camp, & was there sent home. -
3. Fourthly, That after his return home, he again volunteered in a troop of Cavalry Commanded by Capt. Minor Smith in Surry County N.C. to go against Ferguson and the forces under him. Under Col. Cleveland we came upon Ferguson at King's Mountain. Here he was in the action on King's Mountain, in which Col. Campbell had the Command and in which Ferguson was defeated. After this action he was appointed as one of the Guard, and as such, under order proceeded with the prisoners to Moravian Town, where he was stationed to guard them, until the guard was dismissed. This tour was commenced for no definite term that he can recollect - the troop being raised specifically for the purpose to assist in defeating Ferguson. The time he was in actual service in this tour, to the best of his recollection, was not less than three months. At the end of his several tours of service he was dismissed, but he never received any formal discharge. He has no documentary evidence that would be of any use in the investigation of his claim - But is acquainted with William Sutherland, resident in an adjoining District - (Pikens) who can testify, to a part of the services, at least, which he rendered the United States, in the war of the revolution.
That he has never received any pension, and that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of

any State.
He further adds to this declaration, and under solemn oath, declares, that, by reason of old age, extreme affliction of body, and a consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear to the precise lengths of his services, to the exact periods of the War when they were rendered; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned above in this declaration, and as herein stated; e. i. he firmly believes he served in the Infantry, as a private, not less than seven & a half months; and as a private in the Cavalry, three months; and for this service he claims a pension.
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me
James Douthit J. Q.
3
his
James X Merritt.
We John B. Chappel clerg n & John Wilson citizen
Hereby Certify, that, we are well acquainted with James Merritt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution; that we concur in that opinion; and, that, from the effect of a Cancer, (which has deprived him of his left eye & corroded the surrounding flesh so as to have the socket, & left side of his face, almost entirely bare,) we are satisfied that he has not been able for many months past, to attend personally before any of the Courts of the District; and that, by the progress of the disease his life must necessarily soon be terminated.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Before me James Douthit J. Q.
John B. Chappel
John Wilson
Asst. of Ins. Mutt to the Interrogatories presented by the War Department.
 1. "I was born in Essex County, Virginia, March, 1 st 1755."  2. "I have no record of my age. But apart it, from the declaration of my parents, to be as above stated."  3. "When called into service, I was living in Surry County North Carolina, where I continued to live, after the war ended, for one, or two, years; there I moved into 

(Newberry District, S th Carolina where I lived for ten years, & from there I came to this place where I have lived ever since until the present day."
Answers made by James Merritt to the Interrogatories presented by the War Department.
 4. "I volunteered in every instance when there was a call made for men to be raised out of each Capt y company. I never stood a draft."  5. "I don't recollect the names of any of the regular Officers in Command when I served unless, Gen l Lincoln and Andrew Williams were - Williams was Col d or Gen l . I can't say which."  6. "I never received a formal discharge."  7. Many of my neighbours will testify to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier in the Revolution - namely John H. Rosamon, W m Holcombe Geo. Dileworth 
And I, James Douthit, One of the Justices of the Quorum, and an acting magistrate, in and for the District of Anderson and State of S th Carolina, as aforesaid, do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant, James Merritt, was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And I do further certify that it appears to me that John H. Rosamon and W m Holcombe & Geo. Dileworth who have signed the preceding Certificate, are residents in the aforesaid District; that they are persons of high credit, and that their statement is entitled to Credit. I further certify, That I am well satisfied, from my own observation of the facts, that their statement in relation to the applicant's bodily infirmity, is literally, and strictly correct. The applicant lives in the vicinity of my own residence, where each of us have lived for many years, and upon enquiry, I am of opinion that it is the general belief of the neighbourhood that he was a soldier of the Revolution, & that I do not know that any doubts have ever existed on the subject. - To the said Interrogatories, the above are the written answers of the said James Merritt. - James Douthit J.P.
I, Van A. Lawhon, Clerk of the Court of Sessions and Common Pleas in the District of Anderson & State of South Carolina, do hereby certify, that James Douthit, before whom the above proceedings were had, is an acting Magistrate and Justice of the Quorum, in & for the said District; That, he is also a clergyman of long & high standing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 24 th day of June 1833. Van A. Lawhon

South Carolina. § Pickens District. § ss.
Be it known, that before me Joseph B. Reid a Justice of the peace in and for the District aforesaid personally appeared William Southerland Sen. who being first duly sworn according to law, saith that, James Merritt, of Anderson District, did serve Three months, to his own personal knowledge, with him in the service of the United States, during the Revolution, in Capt. Richard Goodie's Company, which was commanded by Col. Williams & Maj. Winston, all of Surry County in North Carolina.
Sworn to & Subscribed the tenth day of June A. D. 1833. Joseph B. Reid (J.P.)
William Southerland Sen. his mark W. Southerland
I William L. Keith Clerk of the Court of Sessions and Common Pleas in & for the District & State aforesaid, do hereby Certify that Joseph B. Reid is an acting Magistrate and Justice of the Peace in and for the said District, and that this signature annexed, purporting to be His, is his genuine signature:
I also certify that, William Southerland is a respectable citizen of the said District and that His affidavit is entitled to credence.
Given by me under my hand and seal of Office this 11 th day of June in the Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty-three.
William L. Keith C.C. G. S. H. C. P.

N o 26027
James Merritt Anderson District South Carolina
Adm l on parole June 13 th Sept 24. 67 3— Cavalry — 12 50  $ 36. 97
John D. Thompson, Greenville C. H. S. 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 subjjoined 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. These 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, showing the Service of James Merritt Anderson 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.     Vol — — 28 priv. Capt Goode, Major Winder Col. Williams 78 years Sierra County Traditionary evidence None Witnesses certified credible.   Vol. — 3 15 " Capt Goode, Col. Christie South Carolina   Vol. — 3 — " Capt Campbell, General Lincoln   Vol. — 3 — Cavalry Capt Minton Smith, Col. Cleveland   10. 13 Battle of Kings Mountain  
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 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 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 _____. 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.
[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.

Rev. War Section.
May 8, 1917.
Grace Youngblood, Box 96, Republic, Missouri.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the thirtieth ultimo, you are advised that the papers in the claim of James Meritt Survivor's File No. 21,883 Rev. War, show that he was allowed pension on his application executed June 10, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Anderson District, South Carolina.
He stated that he was born March 1, 1755, in Essex County, Virginia, but that he resided in Surry County, North Carolina when he enlisted and served as a Private in the North Carolina troops as follows.
Volunteered in the beginning of the war, date not rec collected, under Captain Richard Goode, and Colonel Williams in the Infantry; marched to the Scotch Camps---then called Cross Creeks---where the Scotch were taken without fighting, and he returned home after serving four weeks.
Volunteered soon after above, under Captain Goode and Colonel Williams, marched to Long Island on the Holston river where they joined Colonel Christie and proceeded to the Cherokee Nation, where a treaty was made with the Indians; served three and a half or four months.
He next volunteered in Captain Camplin's company of Infantry, marched from Surry County into South Carolina and joined General Lincoln at Bacon's Bridge; their camps were changed from one rice field to another until we had an engagement with the British who were commanded by Provost; served three months.
After his return home, he volunteered in Captain Minor Smith's company of Cavalry, under Colonel Cleveland; was in the battle of Kings Mountain, and guarded the prisoners at Moravian Town until his term was out; having served three months.
There is no family data on file in the claim, and no dates of enlistment or discharge given.
The above is the only James Merrit, under any spelling of the name, found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
J. M. Beitzel Commissioner.

Revocation
21 883
INVALID.
1917 May 8. Hist. to Grace Youngblood f. 1919 Mar. 1 Alice M. Schneider info data compiled from papers not from a book.
File No. 21,883
James Morris Rev Mr
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 117
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Pension papers in the case of Samuel Kennett or (McKnett) the crew number as of 1832 - See Ga files, and it may be of South Carolina case William Brown

one 2¢ stamp paid. Revo. Stamp ret'd or Pub Box 96 Republic, Mo. Sec. m k April 30, 1917. m
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir: I wish to obtain any information about Richard Ragsdale (wife - Rebecca Mitchell), James Merritt (wife - Nancy Coggin), John Ragsdale (wife - Amy Molding) who, I believe, served in the war of 1776. I do not know what state they were from or what company, but I think they were from North or South Carolina or Tenn.
The Adjutant General referred me to you for information more than I received there.

I will appreciate anything you can find out for me, as I wish to join the D.A.R. and must have sufficient proof.
Yours very truly,
Grace Youngblood.

Rev War mss
Springfield, Mo., February 20th, 1919.
530 S. Camp bell St-
Bureau of Pensions, Revolutionary War Section, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:--
Please send me the volume and page containing the pension record of James Merritt shown by survivors file No. 21883, Revolutionary War.
The descendant of James Merritt who made appli- cation for the D.A.R. through the Rachel Donnelson Chapter of which I am Registrar has asked for the volume and page in addition to some other data sent by you.
Thanking you in advance for courtesies, I am
Yours sincerely,
Alice M. Schwider Registrar
memor

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of James Merritt (Anderson) 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 21,883
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Beginning 1780 1 mo. Private Richard Goode Williams N.C.   3 1/2 mo. " Goode Williams   3 mo. " Campbell   3 mo. " Major Smith (Cavalry) Clelland  
Battles engaged in, Bacon's Bridge, Sept. 7, 1780, Kings Mt.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Guilford, North Carolina.
Date of application for pension, June 10 1833. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Anderson District, S. C.
Age at date of application, born March 1 1758 in Essex Co., Virginia.
Remarks: _____
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. War Section.
March 1, 1919.
Alice M. Schneider(or Schroeder) 530 S. Campbell St. Springfield, Mo.
Madam:
In reply to your letter of the 20" ultimo, relative to The Revolutionary War record of James Meritt , North Carolina Troops Survivor File 21,883, you are advised that his history which was sent on May 8, 1917, to Grace Youngblood of Republic Mo. is the usual form furnished by this Bureau for use in making application for membership to the patriotic societies.
As the data then sent was compiled from the original papers in the pension claim and not from a book, there can be no such reference to a volume and page as you request.
Very respectfully,
J. M. Catzab Commissioner.