Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4025, for George Sullivan, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
N. 6. Pinn.
Sullivan, George
S. 4025
cardeed
CONTENTS

2671 Miss Nancy
George Sullivan of White Co in the State of Mississippi who was a private in the co. commanded by Captain Smith of the regt commanded by Col. Allen in the Louisiana line for 18 months & 13 days
Pat. Mc. Line. Records A.K. Mar. 19'04
Inscribed on the Roll of Miss. Veterans at the rate of 28 Dollars 25 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of May 1834 and then 212 Wheeler T. M.
Arrears to the 4th of March 85 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 14 17  100 17
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam Boyd Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 7 Page 97
32cts added to act

30.476 George Sullivan Tennessee
e.g. for 1719 p 8 1/2 m. $28. \frac{33}{100}
Wm. J. B. Forrest, N. R.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. 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 George Sullivan
   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.     1779 4 Pt. Cap Col Elvin 73 Pa & N.C. Traditionary.   1871 about 5 " Col M c Intosh Col Smith.  
The magistrate should give his opinion in his official capacity as a justice of the Peace. He also noted (e)
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 (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before 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 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.

State of Tennessee
White County
November
On this 16 th day of October in the year 1833
personally appeared before me one of the acting justices of the peace for White County & State of Tennessee George Sullivan, a resident citizen of said County of White with on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Tennessee passed June 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated
He states he entered the service of the United States in the war of the revolution, in the County of York in the State of Pennsylvania in the month of March 1779 as he now recollects the date, He states he volunteered. They were not in regular company. They got an authority from Col. Plowman or Elvin to draw provisions at leastwise in the State of Pennsylvania, which enabled them to draw provisions at the military stores until they got to headquarters. They found headquarters at a river called as he thinks called Rariton in what was called the Jerseys. He states he there joined a company commanded by Captain - Douglas, Col. Miller commanded the regiment. States he cannot recollect the names of the other officers in his company. Marched to the North river above the City of New York, cannot recollect of passing through any towns before he got to the North river. The army in which he marched was called the Pennsylvania Brigade. This said was commanded by General Wayne. The point on the North river at which they stopped was called West Point. When he entered the service he understood it was for a term of three months but he states he was out not less than

four months. He received a discharge as he recollects from Col Miller at a place called then the Highlands of York in the neighbourhood of West Point. He states that while on this tour he was frequently engaged in scouting parties. Some times as guard for wagons. While after Sullivan He states that he was in no battle while performing this tour of duty. After he was discharged he was employed by two officers & furnished a horse to accompany and assist them on their way to the South. Went with them to South Carolina, part of the way by land & part of the way by water. One of the officers was named Johnson the other was a Frenchman & his name is not recollected. He states that as he recollects he left South Carolina in July 1780 and went to North Carolina. Stokes County. & then again entered the service of the United States.
He states that he hired himself as a substitute for one Andrew Robison in the County of Surry now the County of Stokes in North Carolina in the month of August 1781. Rendezvoused at Richmond in said County of Surry in July but did not get out on March until about the first of August. He states he joined a company commanded by Oliver Smith of the Horse. Robert Mayes was the lieutenant insign not recollected. One Col. Smith commanded the regiment of horse, and a man by the name of Greines was major. He states that he was a sergeant in his company and served and acted as such.
He states he marched first to the Moravian houses, from that place down to what was called the Newberry on the Adkins river.

from thence to Waccamaw Lake, from thence to down Drowning Creek. From thence to the mouth of Cape Fear at a ferry. There was a little firing. The main British army was on the opposite side of the river in Wilmington North Caro- lina. The American Army remained there for some time when the British Army left that quarter of the Country. The dragoons or horse to which he belonged were some engaged riding over the Country in pursuit of the Tories. He relates that one remarkable occurrence happened about 8th who commanded a company of horsemen killed four Tories himself with his sword. While riding through the Country they were one night surprised by some Tories, who upon being pursued instantly fled. They killed one next morning. During the time he was out led, Wade from South Carolina with a troop of horse from that State joined them — While at Cape Fear river General Rutherford lay on the opposite side the river from the horse, that is the Wilmington side. He states that he was in no engagements while he was out except at Cape Fear. There were some British in a house on the South side of the river which the Americans fired on, but the force to which he belonged could not take it the place was too well stockaded. They left it soon after. He states that he was discharged at a place called the two Sisters not far from Wilmington. His discharge was signed by Col Smith. He was discharged a few days before Christmas. He states that he was out in the service about five months at the time of his discharge and he has stated the circumstances attending his service to the best of his recollection, he is old & infirm & his recollection is very defective. His service as a soldier of the revolution has closed

He states that there is no person living by whom he can prove his service or any portion of it. He states that he has been unable to make sooner application. He lives about twenty five miles or upwards from the court house of this county. He has been and is yet wholly unable to get to court to make his declaration. He can only walk by the aid of crutches. He states he is very poor & almost in need of the aid of his country. He states that he has no documentary evidence of his service. He possesses or lost his discharge never supposing that they would be of any use.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except and declares his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.  George Sullivan
State of Minnesota, White County This 16 th day of November 1833 George Sullivan personally appeared before me Henry Burston one of the acting justices of the peace for White County & made oath in due form of law, that the foregoing declaration is just and true to the best of his knowledge & belief. Given under my hand & seal the date above.
Henry Burston Justice of peace
This day Zechariah Kirkland & John Maynard personally appeared before me and made that they have long been acquainted with George Sullivan the above applicant & whose signature subscribed. We believe him to be seventy three years of age or at least he is a very old man, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.  Given to & subscribed before me this 16 th day of Nov. 1833
Zechariah Kirkland John Maynard
Henry Burston      Zechariah Kirkland

30. 11. 76
George Sullivan
Declaration
Pension
Hon. J. B. Forrestus

Subrogation presented by the Department
Where and in what year were you born?
I was born in Pennsylvania York County, as to the year I cannot state only as I have learned my age & kept a count I am now seventy three years old And I have no record of my age
When were you living when you were called into the service When have you lived since the time revolutionary war & when do you now live.
I set out out first from York County Pennsylvania since the revolution I have lived in North Carolina Hoke County being part of Cumberland, from that place I moved to Virginia, moved back to North Carolina, then removed to Tennessee, & I have lived in White County upwards of twenty
How were you called into the service, were you
drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom
I was in the first tour a volunteer, next I was a substitute Andrew Robertson
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
I knew Col Stewart of the regular army in the North. General Wayne, Col. Shelby
In the South General Rutherford, & the officers I have before stated in my declaration, & I cannot make a more minute detail than I have already made of my service
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given & what has become of it
I received a discharge in the North from Col Miller & in the South Col Smith. They are both lost

State the names of persons to whom you are known your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their and their belief of of your services as a soldier of the revolution Zechariah Kirkland, John Ellison, James Ellison John Petty, Abraham Petty, last. Jan 6. One of many more
George Sullivan
I Henry Burton one of the acting justices of the peace for said County of White County, State of Tennessee do certify that the foregoing interrogatories were by me propounded to the said George Sullivan and answered by him on oath, Given under my hand & seal this 16 day of November 1833
Henry Burton Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee I Henry Burton an acting Justice of the peace for White County do hereby certify that George Sullivan the foregoing declarant, is wholly unable to attend Court Owing to age and infirmity - I also certify that Zechari- ah Kirkland and John Maynard whose depositions are herewith given, are entitled to full credit and are men upon whom statements on oath, the utmost reliance can be placed Given under my hand and seal this 16 th November 1833
Henry Burton Justice of the peace
I certify Henry Burton is a justice of the peace for White county and also a clergyman and
The signatures above are genuine. May 1 st 1834
John B. Forest A. Long
John B. Forest John B. Forest

State of Tennessee White County
I Henry Burton
a clergyman residing in the said County of White do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with George Sullivan the foregoing applicant for pension who has sworn to and signed the foregoing declaration, that I believe him to be of the age he represents at least I can say he is very old man. That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and I concur in that opinion
Henry Burton
William Hitchcock of the acting justices of the peace for the County of White do hereby certify that Henry Burton a clergyman in White County and a respectable man entitled to credit has sworn to and subscribed to before me this 6th of December 1833 Test Wm Hitchcock Justices of the peace Henry Burton
State of Tennessee White County
I David H. Clark of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the County of White aforesaid do hereby certify that Henry Burton and William Hitchcock Esquires whose names are subscribed to the affidavits to the foregoing declarations made by George Sullivan for a pension under the act of the Congress of the United States of the 7th June 1832. are now and were at the time of subscribing their names thereto as such two of the acting justices of the peace in and for said County of White duly commissioned and qualified to act as such, and that full faith and credit

is and and should be given to all their official acts as such and that they are justices of a Court of Record, and that the foregoing contains all the proceedings, had in relation to said declaration before said justices.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of said Court at affix the 12th day of April A. D. 1834. and of the Independence of the United States the fifty eighth year.
James H. and clerk of said Court

Re New
4025
✓ INVALID.
File No. 4025-
George Sullivan
Port Royal Line
Act: June 7/932
Index:—Vol. A , Page 364
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Pa & N.C. Line Records corrected, Mar 19 '42

Shasta 73 13th April
fin.
W. B. Forrester member of Congress Washington etc.

Ypsilanti April 15 th 1834
Dear Sir)
I here enclose you the declaration of Mr Sullivan. I hope it will receive your early attention
It has for some time been mislaid It has been in rough Records
I will be glad you can make it pass with a favourable reception
With sentiments of high respect Yours &c
J. B. McCormick
to J. B. Forrester
N.B. I have received Mr. Swallows I am much obliged to you.