Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,142, for John Lednum, North Carolina

SERVICE
Nb.
Lednum John
NUMBER
S.7.142
CONTENTS
carded.

North Carolina 16.758
John Lednum of Boston in the State of Mass who was a private in the Regt commanded by Captain of the Regt commanded by Col. Heritage in the N.C. line for 15 months
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 7. Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st day of Sept. 1832 and John H. Reynolds Windsor N.C.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1832 125 Semi-ant. allowance ending Dec 1832 25 $150.-
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Rice Clerk, Book E Vol. 1 Page 47

The Amended declaration of John Lednum a Revolutionary Soldier, for a pension under the act of the Congress of the United States of the 7 th day of June 1832; made at August term of Bertie County Court 1833.
The said John Lednum appeared in Open Court and made answers to the following interrogatories.
Interrogatory 1. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. In Bertie County, North Carolina, in the year 1754.
Interrogatory 2. Have you any record of your Age & where is it?
Answer. My Birth was recorded in a prayer book, which was afterwards Sold at a Sale and Carried away.
Interrogatory 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Answer. I have always lived in Bertie County, State of North Carolina, where I now reside, except the time I was in the Service.
Interrogatory 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you Volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer. I enlisted for one term of Nine Months, and was drafted for two terms of three months, each as stated in my original declaration.
Interrogatory 5. State the Names of some of Regular Officers, who were with the troops where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you may recollect and the general circumstances of your Service.
Answer. My first term of Service was under Colonel over.

and Heritage, of the North Carolina State troops, under whom I served nine months, Captain Gaswell & Lieutenant Asahel Whitfield were officers in the Company in which I served. I have no recollection of any Continental or Militia Regiments which were in the Service at that time.
My second term was under Major Pugh (whose name Christian is not recollected) under whom I served three months. Captain Solomon Cherry and Lieutenant Watford were Officers in the Company in which I served this term. There were several Companies of Militia stationed with his Company at Six Mile Creek, but the names of the Officers are not recollected.
My third term of Service was under General Gregory and Colonel Dossier under whom I served three months, the Company Officers were Captain John Folks and Lieutenant Dempsey Cook. I do not recollect the names of any other Officers in the Service at that time than those mentioned above.
Interrogatory 6. Did you receive a discharge from the Service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer. At the expiration of my first term of Service (say of nine months), I received a discharge from Colonel Heritage. - At the expiration of my second term (say of three months) Captain Solomon Cherry gave me a discharge. And my third discharge I received from Lieutenant Dempsey Cook then in Command of the Company, Captain Folks being absent, which was given by orders of Colonel Dossier. All

three three of these discharges were long since destroyed, as I did not know that they would be of any service thereafter.
Interrogatory 7- State the names of Persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for integrity and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer. In addition to John Ashtburn, Daniel Pierce and James Ward, I now add the names of the Reverend Reuben Lawrence, & Edward Gull  James Raynor & Nathl. Calliphet and also Benjamin & John Nicholls, the two last are so very infirm that I fear they could not be
induced to appear before this Court. I have subscribed in Open Court this 14 August 1833. John his mark Lednum
Mr Reuben Lawrence, a Clergyman residing in the County of Berks and James Raynor & Nathl Calliphet residing in the same County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Lednum who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy eight 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 & subscribed the day & year aforesaid In of Taylor Atty Reuben Lawrence James Raynor Nathl Calliphet
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 Reuben Lawrence who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Bertie and that James Ragnut and Nathaniel Calliphet who has also signed the same assessments in the County of Bertie and are Credible persons and that their statement is entitled to Credit.
I Jonathan A Taylor Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Bertie County in the State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Adams for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand Seal of office at this 14 day of August 1833
Jonathan A Taylor Clerk
50- to 10 mo 1833
John Adams Application for a pension annuity
A Ragnut Nathaniel Calliphet

John Lednum N.C.
No 19370
Rel
H. Reynolds Windsor N.C.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjuncted 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, shewing the Service of John Lednum
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     thinks in Febry 1778 enlisted 9 Pri. Capt. Caswell Col. Herstage 78 years   1779 drafted about April 3 " Capt. Sol. Cherry Maj. Pugh to Newbern Bertie Co. N.C. Traditional Witness   1781 drafted 3 " Capt. Geo. Polk Genl. Gregory Col. Dozier to Newbern to return to Newbern from Bertie to Tarborough From Bertie to Winston Salem to North west Bridge  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [a] 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.
Name not on the roll - must prove his service if he has service

Revolutions
7142
INVALID.
File No. 7142
John Lederman
Brn Brn. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 220
[Arrangement of 1870.]

and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after an investigation
application of John Lednum for a Pension
19370 v

State of North Carolina, Court of pleas & quarter sessions Butler County } as. November term 1832 -
On this 15 th day of November in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions of Butler County aforesaid, now sitting, John Lednum a resident of said County and State aged 78 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States as a soldier in the State troops of North Carolina under the following named officers and served as herein stated viz. He entered said service under Colonel Heritage (he thinks his name was John Heritage) a full officer, Captain Caswell commanded the Company in which he served. The said John Lednum states that he cannot say with certainty in what year he entered the said service, nor in what month; but he thinks it was in the month of April February in the year 1778 - He states that he served in the said State troops for nine months from the time of his enlistment under his said officers Capt. Caswell & Colonel Heritage - He states that he was discharged at Kingston N. Carolina by Col. Heritage in the month of November or December following the term of his enlistment.
He states that he was born in Butler County N.C. and that Butler County was his place of residence when he entered the service - He entered the said service by enlistment as a volunteer at Kingston N.C.
He states that after his enlistment he was marched to with the regiment under Col. Heritage to the town of Newbern and was stationed a little out of the town, as the small pox was prevailing there,
He states that after remaining a short time near Newbern he was marched with the said regiment to the westward for the purpose of subduing the Tories who were said to be numerous in that part of the State - He states that after remaining at the west for some time he returned to Kingston with his said Colonel & his regiment and was there discharged after having served nine months.

The said John Ledrum further states that his memory does not enable him to state with certainty the counties & towns through which he was marched except as before stated. But he is impressed with a belief that he was marched to Hillsborough or Salisbury (he does not recollect which) where he was stationed a short time during this service. He thinks he was on the march to Vapo in pursuit of the Tories most of this nine months service. He furthermore states that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his said service. After his discharge at Kingston the said John Ledrum states that he returned to Bertie County his place of residence.
The said John Ledrum further states that he was drafted as a militia man for three months service in the year 1779 some time in the spring of that year. He was drafted in Bertie County his place of residence and placed under the command of Captain Solomon Cherry; Major Pugh, whose christian name he does not recollect, went with the said Company under Capt. Cherry to head quarters at six mile creek from the said County of Bertie County to Tarborough & thence to a place called Hughberry and thence to a place called six mile creek where he was stationed with with several other companies of militia from different parts of the country; and placed under the command of a French General whose name he cannot recollect. Major Pugh, before named, was Brigade Major and then in command to the French General over the militia at that place. He states that he was quartered at six mile creek until the term of his enlistment expired, & he was often sent out on scouting parties in quest of the Tories some of whom were taken and carried to head quarters. It was said at the time, that 250 Tories were embodied near moravian town, where the said Ledrum went on a scouting party with about 300 militia men for the purpose of subduing & taking them. They fled but were taken and subdued by the Virginia riflemen near rocky river who were out in pursuit of them at the same time.

He states that at the expiration of this three months service he was discharged and returned to Bulie his place of residence. He also states that he does not know a solitary individual who served with him in this tour, who is now living. That that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to this tour of service. —
The said John Sednum further states that he entered the said service on a third tour of duty under the following named officers and served as herein stated — viz. — That he was drafted in Butte County aforesaid for three months and entered the said service under Capt John Folk — one Dempsey Cook was his lieutenant — Genl Gregory & Col Dozier were the field officers in command. He states that he entered this service about the month of April in the year 1781 and that he left the same about the last of August or first of September in the same year and but a short time before the surrender of the British at Yorktown, Virginia — That he was in no battle in  during this term of service — That he marched from Butte County his place of residence to Winton in N.C. under the command of Capt. John Folk before named and from Winton to a place called North West Bridge in Virginia where he was quartered & stationed — He states that he knew Genl Gregory & Col. Dozier who were in command at North West Bridge, and that he continued in the service at that place until the term for which he was drafted expired. He states that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person except James Lefford who served in the same company with him, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to this service —
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 sworn to and subscribed.
The day & year aforesaid 3/
his John F Sednum mark.

We John Ashburn & Daniel Pierce residing in the County of Bertie and State of North Carolina hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Lednum who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 78 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid. John Ashburn Daniel Pierce in presence E. P. Rhodes Clerk
I, James Ward, residing in the County of Bertie North Carolina, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Lednum who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and I believe him to be twenty eight years of age. I further certify that I know him to have been a soldier of the revolution, for that I served as a soldier and in the same company with him, for three months in the year 1781 in the State of Virginia, as he has stated in the above declaration. Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. James Ward Mark E. P. Rhodes Clerk
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after an 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 John John Ashburn and Daniel Pierce and James Ward who have signed the preceding certificates are residents in the County of Bertie and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Elisha S. Rhodes Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions of the County of Bertie, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Lednum for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15 th day of November in the year 1832. —
E. P. Rhodes Clerk