Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1695, for John Mc Canlass, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
n. b.
Mcbanlass, John
S. 1695
carded.
CONTENTS

19320 West Tennessee
John McCanless of Giles Co in the State of Tennessee who was a Sergeant in the com commanded by Captain Moore of the regt commanded by Col Atkinson in the 1st line for 18 months Sergeant
16915
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 70 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Sept 1833 and Granada Sister Pulaski
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 225.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending March 45.00 $270.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam Boyd Clerk Book C Vol. 7 Page 89
X

State of Tennessee November  October term of the County Court Files County held held at Pulaski for said County in the year 1832
On this 17 day of October  Nov. A.D. 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the the justices of the  Court  now now sitting & holding said Court John M. Cantup aged Twenty Eight years since the 10 th day of June last who being first duly sworn accord- ing 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 under the following named officers and served as herein stated. — When he first entered the service in the Revolutionary War he resided in Orange County, North Carolina, where he continued to live during the whole war except when absent in the defence of his Country. — He first vol- unteered & entered the service in Capt. William Morris Company of Mounted Troops. — in General Butler's Brigade said General Butler resided in the said County of Orange
This term of service only lasted three months, & was entire- ly performed in the said State of North Carolina — During which they did but very little except to take a number of Scottish Tories, who resided in different parts of said State of North Carolina. — He went into service as a volunteer with in the Cavalry under Capt. James Adkison — He was marched through various parts of North Carolina

Having entered and lost service in the said County of Orange He was then stationed at Esopus Creek, where he and his Special Troops, remained during the rest of the term of service, which was in all six months - The object of this Expedition was to guard Campbelltown by intercepting the High land Scotch Donies so as to prevent them from crossing Cape Bear River at the said town Campbelltown for the pur- pose of joining the British forces - He next volun- teered as a light horse man, for another six months service, & went into service under Capt. George Hodge & He was ordered back again to guard Campbelltown, where they performed the same service which he had in the former expe- dition under Capt. Addison - He was principally at the Ferry on Cape Bear River near Campbelltown General Butlers was again there their superintending office - from whom they received several orders Gen. Butler had then his head quarters in Ulster County - He was then discharged & again joined the service of his Country in Capt. James Ferriss's Company of light horse - in which he served for the term of three months - during which he was engaged in scouring the Country - to effect which they marched through the entire settlements in Ulster County & various other parts of the Country & was engaged in for the purpose of quelling the Donies - They then returned to General Butlers head quarters where they were then discharged. He next went into service

under the Command of Capt. Cobb in his Company of Caval- ry in General Armstrong's Brigade for the term of three months - as a Volunteer, - in said troops. - During this term they marched through North Car- olina into South Carolina - On near to Camden where the British forces were then lying - He was under the immediate Command of Col. Huger he was in no important battle during any of the of the above services - But they had many skirmishes & took a number of enemy prisoners.
The next & last expedition in which, Applicant served during said War, he was under the Command of Col. Williams - He was marched through during this term principally through North Carolina. The object of this expedition was to intercept the Tories & prevent them from stealing & carrying off horses in the British - During this expedition upon their march from Dan River to Hillsborough in North Carolina At Pines Tavern Applicant was taken prisoner by the British - and was kept sometime as a prisoner in Hillsboro. whither he was conveyed after he was taken during the term that he was with the British as a prisoner, He was in hearing of the battle at Guilford - At this time he & other American prisoners were put up in high pens & guarded - Still at the places where the British could successfully stop as

they marched through the Country. — He recited several parols & discharges which he could remember — but has lost or mislaid them all, — He yet has in his possession the Oath of Allegiance which he took to the United States in 1838 which is marked A. & him with trans- mitted by the War Department to the President sometime after the war in the said County of Orange Co. County of Ohio he moved to William- son County Tennessee where he lived for years, he thence removed to Giles County & State of Tennessee where he has lived for the last twenty years, or upwards and he now lives. Applicant further states, that he was an orderly sergeant in all the every town of the above named He hereby relinquishes every claim what- ever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state and that he has no documentary evidence and he knows of no person by whom he can prove the above facts, whose testi- mony he can obtain —
Sworn to and subscribed Jim Wilson the day & year aforesaid German Lester Clk.

Question required to put by the war department.
1. When and what year was you born?
I was born in the year 1854 June 10 th in New London County in the state of Pennsylvania.
2. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it.
I had a record of my age in my family Bible, but my grandchildren sometime since tore it out & it has since been lost.
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
I have fully answered this question in my declaration.
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, or did you volunteer or were you a substitute & of a substitute for whom. I volunteered in all the service above set forth.
5. State the names of the principal officers (e)
I have answered this question as fully as I can in the said declaration.

6. Did you ever receive a discharge and if so from whom and where is it? I have received several discharges but lost them all as set forth in my said declaration.
7. State the names of the persons in your present neighborhood who can testify to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. Ans. Maj. Nathan Harmer, Robt. Gordon Thomas R. Gordon, Richard Briggs, Harrington L. Field, John Wilson and many others — John McCarlap sworn to and subscribed the day XXXX 18
4 year aforesaid Germantown Ct.
We John Wilson a clergyman, and Nathan Harmer residing in the said County & State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John McCarlap who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in their opinion, and that he is a man of that character.
John Wilson
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Nathan Harmer
Germantown Ct.

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the court 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 Wilson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Giles County of Giles & Wayne, & that Nathan Farmer who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said County of Giles, and is a credible person that their statement is entitled to credit
Thos. J. Webb, one of the Justices of Giles County court
A. M. M. Upshaw one of the Justices of Giles County court
Isaac Jones one of the acting Justices of Giles County court
State of Tennessee
I Gervan Lester Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions held for the County of Giles in the State of Tennessee do certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of

of John M. Canby for a Pardon.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 3 rd day of January 1833.
German Lister Chy
John M. Canby
State of Tennessee Sevier County To all to whom these presents shall appear justice of the Court of pleas & quarter sessions holden for said County. We hereby certify that German Lister whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is clerk of said court and was at the time of signing said certificate, and that full faith & credit is and ought to be given in to all his official acts as such & that the said certificate is in due form of law given under my hand and seal this 11 th day of January 1833 Richard Upshaw Jr. Presiding Justice of said court Sevier County

No 2255 1/2 West. John W. Cautlap Tenn
for - Sept 18 th 1890. $90.
180.00 45.00 120.00 60 30
Pulaski German Sester W.R. Giles County Court Tennessee

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
May 10 1833
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 shew what is necessary to be done. Those 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 McCulloch Term  Ohio Co
   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.     Vol Mounted Troops 3 6 12 Private Capt Moore Adkison None M.C. Age 78 Orange County Traditionary   Vol Light Horse 6 Cs. Sergt. Hodge Genl Butler N.C. N.C.   " 3 " Gwin Col Kenyon Skirmish N.C.   " 3 " Coble N.C.   " Williams N.C.  
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 certificate.
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 , 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 [j] 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.
G. H. Castor Exam Clerk

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 John M c Canliss , 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.F. / 695.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     ✓ 3 mos. Ordly Sgt William Moore ✓ N.C.   ✓ 6 mos. James Adkison ✓   ✓ 6 mos. George Hodge ✓   ✓ 3 mos. James Beinn ✓   ✓ 3 mos. Coble Keayes   1781 ✓ Williams Williams, Was taken prisoner at Pau-Jawm, paroled & discharged  
Battles engaged in, many skirmishes.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Orange Co. N.C.
Date of application for pension, Nov 19, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Giles Co. Tenn.
Age at date of application, born June 10, 1754 in New London Co., Penn.
Remarks: in 1832, soldier referred to his grandchildren names not stated; there is no further family data on file, but Nathan Jarmer, a resident of Giles Co. Tenn in 1832, testified to the soldier's character.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

1915 Jan 13: Territory to Mer.
M.C. McCaulless. M. B. H.
1915 Jan 22 Mrs. M.C. McCaulless that soldier's birth was stated correctly.
Rev. H. H.
1695 INVALID.
File No. 1695
John McCaulless Dept. N. T. Service
Act: June 7, 1882.
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 242
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Morris town. Tenn. Jan. 16/1918-
100 Commissioner of Pensions Washington. D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Thank you very much for the record you sent me a few days ago, on John M c Canless. I feel sure this record belonged to the ancestor I was wanting the record of. But I want to ask you if you will please examine this record again and see the date of this man's birth? You gave it to me 1754. I have it about 1749- But the place of his death etc. fit in exactly. The reason I

ask you to refer to this once more for me, I have seen the record of one John M c Canless who applied for a pension from Hardin Co. Kentucky, he was born in 1754. So I thought there might be a little mistake in the copying. The John M c Canless through who lived in Giles Co. Tennessee is Certainly my ancestor. Please notice too the place of his birth, as I hardly thought it in Penn. as the record you sent me showed. If there is any charge for this extra work kindly let me know.
Thanking you I am Respectfully yours Mrs. M. C. M c Canless, Morristown. Tenn.

Morristown, Tenn.
Jan. 8. 1915-
Commissioner of Pensions Washington. D. C.
Dear Sir:-
From your letter of recent date, I understand that you have the Revolutionary war record of more than one John Mc Canless, or Mc Can l less, and that I must give certain data in order to obtain this information. I am unable to tell you in what section of the country he lived. His son moved to Tenn. but from where I am not able to find out, but the date of his birth was about 1749

as the record I have states he died in 1840 in 91 st year of his age. He married Susanna  Farmer and had children bearing the following names. Thomas, David, Farmer, Betty, Virginia, John, Ellen, Nancy, & Suckey. Most you, with this much information - give me the record of John McCandless that you think the right one? I will so much appreciate it. I have written and written and I just can't find out any more than I am sending you. If you don't want to go to the trouble of trying to identify the right

John M c Canless, would you mind or is it against your rules to send me the records of all of the John M c Canlesses you have and let me make the identification if possible?
I am sorry to trouble you to this extent, but will certainly appreciate any help you can give me on this.
Thanking you I am Respectfully yours (Mrs M. C.) Nannie F. M c Canless Morristown. Tennessee.
303 East 3 rd . North St.

V. L. Mc Rev. War Section.
January 22, 1915.
Mrs. M. C. McCanless, Morristown, Tennessee.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 16 th instant, you are advised that in the claim of John McCanless , Sur. File No. 1,695 , Rev. War. the soldier stated under oath that he was born June 10, 1754. in New London County, Pennsylvania.
The date and place of his death are not stated.
Very respectfully,
J. M. [Signature] Commissioner.