Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7173, for Thomas Melsops, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.C.
Melsope, Thomas R 7173 or Millsaps
Born in N.C.
Barsheba
CONTENTS

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of North Carolina, County of Giles & Greenbrier Sessions Macon County 3rd December term 1832
On this 25 day of December 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Court of Giles & Greenbrier Sessions now sitting Thomas Melson a resident of the County of Macon & State of North Carolina aged about 80 who being first duly sworn according to law doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 I was born in Macon County North Carolina which is now Randolph and was living there when I entered the services of the United States as a volunteer under the command of Capt. Aron Hill Lieutenant Ebenezer Williams & Capt. Belford as Minutemen & continued in the service about 12 months the time I entered was about 12 months before peace was made with Great Britain Commenced the service as a private horseman in a troop but was frequently on foot for I was engaged in following the tories that was commanded by a Mr. Forster a tory officer we had two engagements with them one or two times one at night and I think it was in the month of March or last of February (making 12 months) and I never got my discharge for upon the news of peace being made we were permitted to go home until further orders and about the same time my father was killed by Tories in his own house on the east side of where we were or the road that leads to Cross Creek now Fossilville I never received my discharge & there is no person now living that I can by whom I can prove my services by I moved from Macon to the State of Tennessee in Carter County then to Giles County then to Macon County & Howard

I do hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any Agency of any State. Sworn to & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid Question 1. John Patten
Thomas (his mark)
1. When and in what year were you born 2 Have you any record for your age and if so whom is it 3 Where were you living when called into services whom 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 when you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service 6 Did you ever receive a discharge from service and if so from whom was it given and what has become of it
7 I am acquainted with Humphrey Poy & Amos Cuntz who lives in my neighborhood and who can testify to my character for veracity and the belief of my services as a soldier in the revolution
We Humphrey Poy & Amos Cuntz the clergymen residing in the County of Moore & State aforesaid and that we are residing in the same do hereby certify we are acquainted with Thomas Pyle who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be so from all that he is reputed

and believe in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that belief sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid  John Tatham J.P. Humphrey Poxon  Amos Curtis
And the said County 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 in view of the States and the count further certifies that it appears to them that Humphrey Poxon & Amos Curtis who has signed the preceding certificate are disinterested persons and that their statement is entitled to credit as such
John Tatham
by the County. And I John H. all Clarke of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions do hereby certify that the fore going is the original proceedings of the said court in the of the application of Thomas Melson for a pension in testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & seal of office this day of Decr 1832
John Hall Clerk

Thames Melaps. Declaration for a pension
27.270-
Inspection at 21. Oct 1870. H. M. Hall Frank R. Lee M. O. Co.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4 th of July, 1836.
State of Tennessee ss. Sevier County ss. On the fifteenth day of July Eighteen hundred and forty four, personally appeared before the subscriber Boreheba Millsaps a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged about Eighty five years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836; That she is the widow of Thomas Millsaps, who was a private soldier, and volunteer in the army of the Revolution and she further declares that when he entered the service he resided in Randolph County N. Carolina about the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and volunteered in Capt Isaac Taylor's company the first three months tour, and I recollect to have heard him say after his return that he served under Col. Welford, and marched from Randolph County to Deep river, and she believing he was drafted the second three months tour, and recollects of his marching to Pine fort and being there stationed to guard the fort but does not recollect the officers names at that place, but some time after his return, he was drafted a third time for three months more, and marched to a place called the Hanging Rock, and she believes at that time he was under the command Col. or Genl. Crump, and at an other time she recollects of his marching to the shallow ford of the Yadkin river, and was stationed there for some time to await the arrival of 500 British which was expected to pass

that way, and after two months service that tour, he returned home, making in all eleven months. She further declares that the said Thomas Millsaps never drew a pension for his services, and she declares that she has no documentary evidence by which to make proof, neither has she any family record by which to prove her marriage, but she further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Millsaps some time in May 1777, and that he died on the 1 st day of April 1837, and has remained a widow ever since, and she further states that she was married in Randolph County N. Carolina by a preacher of the Gospel, by the name of Shockleford which will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto attached
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of July 1844.
Michael A. Rawlings (Seal)
Justice of the peace
Barshaba Millsaps mark
And I further certify that the said Barshaba Millsaps is from bodily infirmity and old age unable to attend Court.
Witness my hand and seal this 15 th day of July 1844.
Michael A. Rawlings (Seal)
Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee
Sevier County 3 personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for said county Harkless V. Cagle and made oath according to law that he has been well acquainted with Barshaba Millsaps whose name appears to the foregoing Declaration and believing her to be eighty five years of age, and that she is a respectable person of said county and that due credit should given to any statements made by her in said declaration, and that he never heard

The legality of their marriage, disputed in the neighborhood in which she resides,
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18 th July 1844. Michael A. Rawlings S Justice of the peace B Karkles T. & Pagle her mark
State of Tennessee Sevier County B personally appeared before me an acting justice of the Peace for said County Solomon Millsaps and made oath according to law, that he has been well acquainted with Thomas Millsaps, who was the husband of Barshiba Millsaps whose name appears to the foregoing declaration, and that he has often, and at divers times heard the said Thomas Millsaps say in my presence, and in the presence of others in his neighborhood, that he served in the Revolution, as stated in the aforesaid declaration, and that due credit should be given to his statements in said case, and that she is the widow of the identical Thomas Millsaps aforesaid.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this th 18 th day of July 1844 M. A. Rawlings (Seal) Justice of the Peace B Solomon Millsaps
State of Tennessee ss. Sevier County B August Term 1844 County Court The Declaration of Barshiba Millsaps certified on the 15 th day of July 1844 by Michael A. Rawlings a justice of the peace in and for said County being submitted to the Court, the said Court doth approve his proceedings and acts in said case, and hereby direct the Clerk

to endorse the approval on the papers.
D. Mullender (Seal)
Carlos Mills (Seal)
J. S. Emert (Seal)
State of Tennessee ss Sevier County } Court of Sevier County do hereby certify that the foregoing proceedings are the original proceedings had and approved of by the County Court of Sevier County at its August Term 1844 relative to the declaration of Parshiba Millsaps to obtain the benefit of Acts of Congress relative to Revolutionary pensions. And I further certify that the sponsor Michael A. Rawlings is and was an acting justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that the foregoing pertaining to his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Office in Sevierville this 5 th day of August 1844.
D. N. Tarnley Clerk
State of Tennessee ss Sevier County } Court of Sevier County, do hereby certify that D. N. Tarnley whose name appears to the above certificate is and was at the time it bears, duly Clerk of the County Court of Sevier County, duly

State of Georgia Fannin County
Be it known to all men, That I, David Millsaps, of the County and State aforesaid, son and heir at law, of Bishaba Millsaps deceased who was the widow of Thomas Millsaps a revolutionary soldier of North Carolina, do hereby constitute and appoint W. M. Varnum my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to examine the claim to a Revolutionary pension filed in the name of my mother the said Bishaba Millsaps deceased, and in my behalf to prosecute said claim, and to introduce any additional evidence or argument necessary to establish said claim and for me to receive from the Commissioner of Pensions the certificate of pension when said case shall be allowed, and my said Attorney is hereby authorized to appoint one or more Attorneys under him to aid in the prosecution of said claim, and I hereby make all powers of attorney or authority heretofore given in relation to this case.
Witness my hand and seal this 25 day of March 1857.
S. M. Reolston
A. Rudolph Not. Pub.
Lumpkin Co. Ga.
David Millsaps mark

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
7173
P. O. Melsop
Barshaba Holsop
Service: widow Thomas Millsaps or Melsop
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Thomas Melsaps Plan
Suspended
Letter 24 Oct 1833-
John Hall
29 Aug 34 J. W. Lewis
26 Jan 1835 Do:
Arch d 1832

6266
Barkley Millinery
Trn
See let: to R? Lanning Oct 26. 1844.
7173
act 4 July 1836

State of North Carolina Macon County
I John Hall the form clerk of the Court of Pleas, Quarter Sessions for the County of Macon aforesaid, maketh Oath in due form of law before me R L. L. Esq. and doth say on Oath, that I never did receive the paper which appears to be lost or mislaid in the case of Thomas Millsaps, and from the date and description given to James W. Gartin by the Commissary of Pensions, that I was not in office at the time the paper arose as I was then in Macon County aforesaid Sworn to and subscribed before me the 14 th day
of Nov. 1834 J. H. Gartin
John Hall 11/3/34

11216
Barbara Milesap, Maurice Thomas Ten Act 4 July 1836
Richard L. Loney Attorney Springfield Vernon

elected and Commissioned according to law, and due credit should be given to his Official acts as such.
Given under my hand and seal this 5 th day of August 1844.
Moses Thompson (Seal) Chairman of the County Court of Sher- burne

State of Tennessee Cocke County ss personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace for said County Jane Yeats and made oath according to law that she has been acquainted with Thomas Millsaps and Barshelia Millsaps for the space of sixty years or upward and do certify that I was present when they were married in Randolph County N. Carolina about the year 1778, and have often heard him say he served in the Revolutionary war.
Sworn to subscribed before me this 10 th day of July 1844
Nathan H. Stokely justice of the peace for cocke county.
Jane her Yeats mark
And I further certify that I have been well acquainted with Jane Yeats whose name appears to the above certificate and that she is a respectable person in her neighborhood, and that due credit should be given to any statements made by her in the above certificate -
Witness my hand and seal this 10 th day of July 1844.
Nathan H. Stokely justice of the peace for cocke county.
State of Tennessee Cocke County ss I John Gorman Clerk of the County Court of Cocke County do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Nathan H. Stokely Esq. whose name appears to the above certificate, is now and was at the time it bears date an acting justice of the peace in and for said County

and that the signature pertaining to be his is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Office in Newport, this 10 th day of July 1844.
John Gorman Clerk

Sec- N.C. %o. Melrup
FREE
J. L. Edwards Camp - Persians Washington City D.C.

Raleigh Nov 30 th 1834
Mr Enclosed is a Statement made by Thomas Milson relative to his services in the war of the Revolution your will learn from the statement that the declaration was not before the applicant when he made his Statement by a reference to your letter Book you will find that you directed the papers to John Hall the former clerk of Warren County together with a letter containing the reason why the applicant pension was not granted this fact I learn from your letter to me some months since I think the papers of Milson was forwarded from the war depart- ment in October 1833 I hope this course will answer every purpose that the declaration would for from your letter to me I learn the only reason why the pension or the main one was that the applicant's services was not in language

so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he was entitled to & to make the matter fair before the department he has caused this statement to be made and herewith all the pension applications enclosed in one of the first creditors to wit John Hall who swears that he never got the papers. He says the in not to be found - Return the determination of the department to me directed to my residence at Lake Eliza Marion County Mo close your Query
J. L. Edwards Washington
Respectfully J. H. Quinn

Appended
North Carolina - This day personally Thomas McAlister Macor County before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for said County and after being duly sworn deposed that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection he knows not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following Grand (to wit) I was living in Randolph County when I first entered into the service of the United States in the year 1780 in the month of October I became a volunteer under the command of Col. William Bell and I am not certain about who was General this service was a hard march from here from Raan to Guilford in Randolph County & from there down in Chatham County below Deep River and there we court a long while in a wooden stock where we then relied with him above Deep River and on river line up to the Red Bank at what was called Red Bank quarters I got no discharge and am certain that this term of service was not less than 20 days in which I was not engaged in any civil pursuit I then when I entered into the service I was living in Randolph County at or near Guilford & volunteered in the year 1781 I was under the command of Lieutenant Eliza Williams the Col. did not go Col. Bedford in the year 1782 service marched from Guilford to Newbern & there I met with who live on the main big road leading from Salisbury to Cross Creek near Spottsville and there we had an engagement with the Tories & Fannin was informed was there had been wounded - But I do not recollect who was wounded had been wounded after a short engagement the Tories retreated we had one killed & they had one killed by the name of Smith killed as I was informed & we marched in pursuit of them & came up with them again & found upon their wounded one we then returned home and I am certain I served not less than 20 days this term I forgot to mention in the first place my first term was in 1780 living in Raan under the command of Col. Cole & Col. McAlister Col. McAlister Col. Rutherford I was a volunteer and marched from Raan down near Padgett's

and then across to Tazewell on Cross Creek & the Cape Fear River and back to Roan by the way of Deep River the col under Whose command I was plain lined down by the cross on the south side of Deep River the Road leading from Salisbury to Hillsborough cross & from Hillsborough to Cross Creek which is Cross Fayetteville I got no discharge this term of service of active service that I was not engaged in no service per se to geth with the time that I was in Garrison was not less than 6 months this service was performed as a horseman in no battles
When I entered into the service the 4 th term I was living in Randolph County as a volunteer under the command of Capt Hill there was no col for Col W was Killed about the time we were near Randle and I we had no col that I recollect of and I entered in the year 1782 in the month of March started from Randolph to Hudders and there was stationed for 6 or 7 days and the return home during not less than 10 days this time in no battles
The six months service as given above as a volunteer but the circumstances attending the service had better be more fully explained I was drafted for the 6 th mo month in 1780 to go a feet to attack in to the west end of Pennsylvania & east end of Georgia and I was in will and thought by General Rotherford not to be able to perform the service in the rough country was to go into against the Indians & Tories the gave me the choice of finishing my one horse performing the service in the settled parts of the State and My plaid was filled a man whose name I do not know recollect and I took his performed the service then the service agreeable to General Rotherford's direction My Belief is my Col Name was Col Then the the hole of my service was performed as a

privet & the the hole of my services then which was performed while in service & marching was 9 months in which I was not engaged in any kind of service and for which services I claim a pension here to and subscribed before me this 28 day of October 1834
JN Miles J.P.
James M his Ellsops Clerk
Thomas Ellsops father swears that he never received the declaration since it was forwarded to the word particular after being made by him in the court of plus a grant of pension for all other causes etc. His sworn to before me this 28 Oct 1834 James M his Ellsops Clerk
North Carolina, I John Tatham Clerk of the court of Chatham County 3 and grant of pension do hereby certify that the debt who administered the oath to the said Thomas Ellsops in behalf of the foregoing affidavit was at the time & is yet a respectable in justice of the peace and due faith and credit is and any till to be given to all his official acts or such in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & offered my seal of office this 30 of October 1834
John Tatham Clerk
North Carolina I John Hall the former Clerk of the court of Chatham County do hereby certify that the said Thomas Ellsops oath in due form of law & faith that if ever I read the pension papers of Thomas Ellsops that the in last or else said so that I cannot find them after diligent search I was to a subpoena before me this day of 1834
And the magistrate who administered the oath to John Hall do certify that he is a man of good credit certified by me this

State of North Carolina } I John Hale Clerk Macon County } of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
for the County of Macon aforesaid do hereby certify that Bight Burwell Eay whose name is subscribed to the amendment of a former bill, to a former indictment of Thomas Stillings for the purpose of procuring a pension for Revolutionary services, is (and was at the time of signing the same) an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Macon aforesaid, and that due faith and credit is and ought to be attached to all his official attributions as such
In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand, and here affirmed the public Seal of my office — at office the 28 th day of September 1833 John Hale Clerk

Second Amendment to the Declaration of Thomas Millsaps made in order to obtain the benefit of act of Con- gress passed June the 7 th 1832
Frank Corbino Mason caught Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for said County Thomas Mil- lsaps who being duly sworn deposes on oath that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of mem- ory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below and in the following grades. I entered into the services of the army of the United States in the year 1782 in the month of March or April and remained in the army of the United States in Alabama until sum- mer in the month of March or April 1783 for I was in the army when the cessation of hostilities ceased.

took place and I believe at the conclusion of peace between the two governments but being an untitled man I have no date by which I can fix the time by but have to speak from memory I was under the command of Capt. Hason Hill Lieutenant Caligo McWilliams and Col. Bradford and served not less than twelve months or one year as a private with the mtd. corps in Meon Valley and was in two engagements with the Tatars that was commanded by an officer whose name is as follows I performed my duties as a volunteer and part of the time found my own horse as I was some time a horseman but that was owing to the direction of officers for the principal part of the time was after the Tatars and for this services I claim a pension sworn to and subscribed before me this 15 day of September 1833
attest Bright and Clerk
his Thomas Melvyn mark