Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,278, for William Stroud, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
NC
Stroud, William
R. 10278
CONTENTS

State of Mipipippi? On this 2 nd day of October A. D. 1892, Hinds County, I personally appeared in open Court be- fore Alfred S. Moon, Chief Justice of the County Court of Hinds County, now sitting, William Strood, a resident of Hinds County in the State of Mipipippi, aged about seventy five 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. To wit,
That he entered the service of the United States as a Volunteer under Alexander Outlaw, and served some time in and about Wilmington in the State of North Carolina in a Company commanded by Captain William Taylor & Lieutenant John Sullivan. The Compa- ny of which he was a member (private) was permitted to return home but instructed to keep in readiness to return at a minutes warning . After remaining at home for a short time he was called into service, passed through Wilmington and encamped near Brunswick. From thence he was marched to Lower Creek Bridge and from thence to the former camp of General — Caswell, a short distance from Wil- mington where he lost a Brother who was also a Pri- vate in the same Company. From the Caswell Camp he marched above Big Bridge over the North East fork of Cape Fear River, from thence to the Bridge

over Rock Fish Creek. Soon the Company was dispersed by the enemy. This Applicant was again called into service by order of Col. Henry Kenyon & marched into the Richlands of New River between Wilmington & Newbern where he was commanded by Major Wootton . The force assembled at this point did not exceed a hundred strong and by order of Colonel Kenyon (he having been disappointed in the arrival of other men) were dismissed to their respective homes from whence they were again called, and served at a place called the Bull Pen, in opposition to the forces who when taken were lodged there for safe keeping.
He afterwards volunteered in a Light Horse Company, commanded by Captain Nicholas Bowdin & scoured the country in search of forces; especially the Horse Pen Pocosin which was a place of resort & concealment for them. Corn Wallis shortly afterwards passed through North Carolina by the Bull Pen and after destroying a large quantity of Public Pork stored on New River left the State in comparative peace.
This Applicant during the times of his service was a Resident of Dupelin County North Carolina: and while in service was at times commanded by Joseph Rhodes & Joseph Williams in the regular service, their grades in command he does not remember. A Col. Ward also, commanded occasionally, but this applicant thinks he was in the Militia.
This Applicant can neither read nor write; had not in early life skill to record events and is now

wholly dependant upon a memory greatly impaired by age, and never improved by education, for facts which were not very important or interesting and consequently less impression on the mind. This Applicant extends the service early in life, and in a short time after the declaration of Independence; but the day or even the year he can not state: and the times of service were severally so short, and the officers so numerous that when the facts herein stated are considered, it is not surprising that other names are not well recollected.
This Applicant has no discharge, and does not believe that his statement can be corroborated by the testimony of any surviving witness: if there be a surviving witness he does not know where he resides; nor has he any document whatever by which to prove a single fact herein stated & connected with a service of more than 20 months in all. This Applicant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present facts and that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state or territory.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid V. H. Moore 69. H. 66 William his Stroud
We James Thigpen a clergyman residing in Wind County and Joshua Seale residing in the same are well acquainted with William Stroud who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration and believe him to be seventy five years old, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution we concur in that opinion Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid James Thigpen Joshua Seale

Questions by the Court
Where & in what year were you born
A. I was born in Duplin Co. North Carolina but can say on what day or in what year
Have you any record of your age & where is it if you have any such?
A. I have no record of my age nor do I believe any one has.
Where were you living when called into service, were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute
A. I lived in Duplin County North Carolina & entered the service as a volunteer
State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the Troops where you served, such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service
A. The circumstances are detailed in my declaration, the names of the Officers in the regular service I mentioned in the same and the Regiments or forces were commanded as before stated
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service?
A. I have none in my possession, neither do I recollect that one was ever given to me
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution
A. Those who have testified above are two of them; others are
When have you lived since the Revolution
A. I have lived in Pendleton District South Carolina, in Barnwell Dist in the same state & from South Carolina I moved to Mississippi where I still reside
Mr. Alfred G. Moore Wm C. Derrif & C. B. Noble, Commissioners of the County Court of Hinds County Mississippi do hereby certify that the statement of the Applicant to be true. A. G. Moore C. B. Noble Wm C. Derrif

William Stroud Mississippi
Return to the i
Yours F. E. Plummer Present

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
26 th Nov r 1888
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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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 William Shroud
   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.     Capt. Outram, " Taylor 70 years Traditionary —  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 (n) 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 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 [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.

March 14, 1929
Mrs. J. E. Bentley McMinneville Tennessee
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 10278, it appears that William Stroud was born in Duplin County, North Carolina, date not shown.
On October 2, 1832, while a resident of Hinds County, Mississippi, aged about seventy-five years, he applied for pension and alleged that while residing in Duplin County, North Carolina, he enlisted a short time after the Declaration of Independence and served at various times (no dates given) amounting in all to about six months, with the North Carolina Troops, a part of the time in Captains Taylor's and Nicholas Bowden's Companies, and under Major Moulton and Colonels Kennon and Ward.
The soldier's brother, name not given, a private in the same Company with him, died in the service at Camp Caswell.
After the Revolution the soldier lived in Pendleton and Barnwell Districts, South Carolina and in Mississippi.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof and specification of alleged service as required by the pension laws.

It is not stated that the soldier was ever married.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Marshall Stroud.
On September 19, 1928, you were furnished the history of Charles Paine or Payne, S.4643, of Warren County, Tennessee.
Due to the very large number of inquiries similar to yours and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, the bureau is unable to make immediate reply to each request pertaining to soldiers of the Revolution. Letters are being answered as rapidly as possible in order of receipt.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

April 7, 1931.
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section ILL
Mrs. J. E. Bentley McMinnville, Tennessee.
Dear Madam:
You are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to show a claim for pension or bounty land on file on account of the services of William Stroud of Pennsylvania or of Marshall Stroud.
On March 14, 1929, you were furnished the history of the William Stroud, R. 10278,
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

William Stroud
Mipippi
act 7 June 1832
Sasp-
10218

Revolutionary Records of Pension Department
Washington D.C.
To the Commissioner:
not as.
Will you kindly give me pension record of William Stroud who entered Revolutionary service from state of Pennsylvania and in company with Marshall Stroud (his uncle) and two other Revolutionary soldiers, Thomas and Reuben Brown, was taken prisoner on

a ship called the "Black Horse." These facts have been given me by a lady who says the facts quoted were seen by her in a pension paper, whose number was 139496. I shall be deeply obliged to have this record sent to me, or any other from William or Marshall Shroud of Pennsylvania.
Thanking you
Mrs. J. E. Bentley McAlpinville Tennessee
March 4, 1931

Commissioners of Pensions Revolutionary Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:
Several months ago I wrote to your Department asking for pension papers of William and Marshall Stoud Revolutionary soldiers from North Carolina. No reply has ever been received. It is a matter of special concern to

some work I am going to get these pensions if possible. May I ask after waiting so long may I have a reply?
Thanking you
Mrs J. E. Bantley McAlpinville Tenn.
March 7, 1929.
May I ask for Rev. pension of Charles Payne Jr. living in Warren Co. Tenn when granted pension

1929, Mar. 14, Heeb to Mrs. J. E. Bentley, M.E.E.
1931 - April 7 - Mrs. J. E. Bentley advised hist. furnished - S.L.L.
Acts of July 11, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
10,218
P. O. William Stroud
Service: William Stroud
abt. Aug. 15, 1906
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Rejected for further proof and specification
Application filed: _____, 18 of service (from 1852 list.)
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18