Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 9516, for John Thrift, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb
Thrift, John Elizabeth
W 9516
Born in Va
CONTENTS

16.254 South Carolina John Thrift P.O. Pickens in the State of South Carolina who was a pri: in the company commanded by Captain Morse of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cleveland in the North Car: time for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of South Car: at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of July '33 and sent Col: Geo. Grisham Falls P.O. S.C.
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 4 0 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " - 7 10 8 50
Recorded by Wm { Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. } Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6. Page 81
Det. Agt: June 16. 35 payf. his " " Sept 10 " " resumed " " " " J. Grisham Dead - let to Hon. J. Calhame Nov 18. 1844 Paid at the Treasury under the Act of 6. April 1838 from 4. March to 20. Aug 1840. age Notified 24 April 1845

6703
S. Carolina,
Elizabeth Shrift, widow of John Shrift, who was a Private, in the N. C. Line,
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of March, 45, and sent to
M. M. Norton Pickens C. S. S. C.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
June 17: 1844,
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 170
2 Verbs.
1 act 1838, " " 1843,
Rep.

Martha Shrift was born July the 12 Day in the year of our Lord 1787
Mary Shrift was born October the 4 Day in the year of our Lord 1784
Susannah Shrift was Born June 11 th Day in the year of our Lord 1792
John Allen Shrift was Born February 16 th Day in the year of our Lord 1794
Allen Henry was born January the 28 Day in the year of our Lord 1797
Elizabeth Shrift Henry was born January 12 th day in the year of our Lord 1817

No 15334 John Thrift Pickens Dist. South Carolina
Almost on purchase 6 mo $20
13 - Int. 1.2.3.7. Apl 19. '33 - $ 3118
Col Joseph Grisham Falls Post Office Pickens Dist S.C.

District of Pickens  BRIEF in the case of John Thrift  in the State of South Carolina (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? about  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     Vol In 17 3 Private Capt Morse Col Cleveland   Vol mountain 3 " " Morris Genl Anthup  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Kings Mountain  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wilkes Co NC  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary Evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? about 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Dyer Castor
Examining Clerk.

Application of John Thrift 15334
Direct answer to Care Col. Joseph Graham Falls Post Office Pike Co. Dist. S.E.

State of South Carolina } Pickens District }
On this the first day of October in the year 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. Richard Gantt, in the Superior Court of Sessions and Common Pleas now sitting at Pickens Court House, John Thrift a resident of the State and District aforesaid, aged seventy three years on the 6th of Jany next, 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 the 7th of June AD 1832. To wit; The said deponent entered the service in the Revolutionary war as a volunteer, and served two campaigns, as herein after is stated, both taken together amount to some small time over six months of actual military service. First the said deponent entered as a volunteer some short time before the battle of Kings Mountain under the following officers, himself being a common soldier, - Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, Lieutenant Col. Joseph Hearn, Major Hartgrove, Major Benjamin Hearn and Captain Abram Morse, other officers not remembered. - That further, said deponent was a resident of North Carolina - That he started from Wilkes Court House, crossed Catawba River then Green River, then Broad River at the Cherokee Ford. Col Cleveland had gone on ahead of the foot soldiers and in command of his Horse, was present at the Great Battle of Kings Mountain and returned with some hundreds of British Soldiers and Tories taken at Kings Mountain. Col Cleveland met his army of Foot at the Cherokee Ford of Broad River, - The deponent John Thrift was amongst the Foot soldiers who met Col Cleveland at the Cherokee Ford. Said deponent with the army marched back and carried the prisoners taken at Kings Mountain to Cashtown, afterwards he was discharged from service, having been three months in the service.
Again, one year or thereabouts after the battle of Kings Mountain, this deponent, John Thrift, entered the service of the common Cause of Am. Liberty, as a volunteer, under the following officers, General Rutherford, Major Thomas Hays (or Macguire) Capt Thomas Morris and 1st Lieut James Ireland. Took up arms when the army assembled at Salisbury. Was living then in Rowan County NC - marched from Salisbury to Finisdale Ferry of Pee Dee - was stationed near the Pee Dee about two weeks, made several marches along Pee Dee in quest of Tory parties and was engaged in checking and keeping them down, during which time crossed the Pee Dee Cape Fear River about twenty miles below the mouth of Croft Creek.

during this second Campaign under General Rutherford this deponent was some time more than Three Months in actual military service as a volunteer, before he was discharged and the army broke up. Both campaigns make the same amount to some more than Six Months of service, under arms.
The deponent hereby every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
In open Court William L. Keith Clerk } John T. Shrift his mark
We, Nimrod Sullivan, a clergyman residing in the district of Pickens, State of South Carolina, and Jesse Neville, - citizen of the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the above named John Shrift, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: That we believe him to be seventy two or three years old: That he is reputed and believed in the neighbour- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Nimrod Sullivan
In Open Court William L. Keith Clerk } Jesse Neill

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after an  an investigation of the matter, and after putting  hearing the 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 Simon Sullivan who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the State and district aforesaid, and that Jesse Nevil who has also signed the same is a resident in the same and is a cred- ible person, and that their statement is entitled to full credit.
Richard Gault
I, William L Keith, clerk of the court of Pickens, aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original pro- =ceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of John Thrift for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand, and Seal of Office, this last day of Oct. 1832.
William L Keith 66 Y.S. 46.6. P

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4 th July 1836.
State of South Carolina Pickens District \equiv ss.
On this tenth day of October 1844. Personally appeared before William D. Steele Esq. Judge of the Court of Ordinary for the District and State aforesaid, Mrs. Elizabeth Thrift, a resident of the same District and State, aged as she believes, about ninety four or ninety five years, who, being first duly 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 John Thrift, who was a Private in the War of the Revolution, and she thinks, served under Capt n . Morris in Col. Cleveland's Regiment of Infantry a portion of his time, but she cannot say much about it as she has become so frail and forgetful, he however served, she thinks, several tours, and some the one after their marriage, but she does not know much of the places he was at, or the date & period of his service, tho' he was at various places in North and South Carolina, which will more fully appear by reference to the Declaration of her late Husband, upon which he drew a pension, he was however she thinks, near the Battle of Kings Mountain, which was previous to their marriage & does not know that he was in any other Battle, that they lived in Caswell, Rowan, Wilkes, and Iredell Counties, in North Carolina at different times, and afterwards moved to Union District South Carolina, and from thence to this District, about twenty three years ago, where her husband lived until his death & she has lived ever since: That she was married to the said John Thrift at one Squire Sanders' near the Grassy Knob in Wilkes County N. C. by a Baptist minister

by the name of Petty, since the Revolution She way her husband the said John Thrift happened not to be in the Battle at Kings Mountain, he was in his company on the way to meet the Army returning, the battle being over.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Thrift in the month of March in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty one, which she recollects well from the fact of it, being the next March after the Battle of Kings Mountain; that her husband the aforesaid John Thrift, died on the twenty second day of August (1840) one thousand eight hundred & forty, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
She also declares further, that she has no record of her marriage, nor does she know that she ever had, but if so, in moving about so much from place to place it is lost; she presents herewith, an old slip of paper, containing a record of the births of a portion of her children, amongst which will be found recorded, "Mary Thrift was born October the fourth day in the year of our Lord 1784." which was her second child; Elizabeth Thrift being her oldest, was born near three years before the birth of Mary; her birth was recorded in an old Prayer Book by one Peter Smith, which Book is lost by some means or other in her rambles. The births of Martha (as it is written) and Mary Thrift, as shewn by the record on the slip of Paper herewith sent, was recorded by one Alexander Whitaker, and this said slip has been in her care ever since, kept in an old Testament.
She furthermore declares that her husband was a Revolutionary Pensioner, and herewith presents his Pension Certificate as evidence of the fact, to be forwarded in company with her declaration.
She is old and infirm, and unable to go to Court,

and does not recollect at present any thing further that she is informed is necessary to state.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before
William D. Steele
Judge of the Court of Ordinary for Pickens District.
Elizabeth her Thrift
South Carolina Pickens District
Before me personally appeared Rev. Joseph Grisham a highly respectable citizen of the District and State aforesaid, and made Oath in due form of law, that he was well acquainted with John Thrift who formerly lived in this District and neighborhood, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner, that he was believed to have been a Soldier in the War of the Revolution, that he died in August (he believes, about the 22 d day) 1840. that Elizabeth Thrift who is now making application for a Pension, was, ever since he knew them, (which is, about twelve or thirteen years,) reputed to be the wife of the said John Thrift, that they lived together as such, and he never heard it doubted but that they were such; that the said widow Elizabeth Thrift yet lives in this district, and yet remains a widow; this deponent further states, that he believes, the said widow Elizabeth Thrift to be truthful, and has no reason to doubt the statements made by her in her Declaration.
Sworn to 10 th October 1841. before Miles M. Norton Notary Public & Ex-Off. M. P. D.
Joseph Grisham

South Carolina } Before me personally appeared Capt. Robert Pickens, District } Craig, a man of highly respectable character, and made oath in due form of law, that he was well acquainted with John Shrift during his life time, for the last eighteen or twenty years, that he lived a near neighbor to him for about twelve months, and has all the time since, but little out of the neighborhood, and known him & his wife Elizabeth Shrift to live together all the time as man and wife, and never heard it doubted, but that they were legally married, and believe, etc to be so; the old man was also reputed to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & he has no doubt of the fact, the old Lady is yet unmarried, and as her character for veracity, is, as far as he knows, good; he has no reason to doubt her statement in her Declaration. Robert Craig
Sworn to and subscribed this 15 th October 1844. before Miles M. Norton Notary Public & Ex. Off. M. P. C.
6336.
I, William L. Keitt Clerk of the Court for Pickens, Dist. S. C. certify that Miles M. Norton is a magistrate as aforesaid, and the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, are genuine, and also that William D. Steele is Judge of the Court of Ordinary, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this fifteenth day of October 1844.
Wm. L. Keitt Clerk of the Court of Pickens, District S. C.

State of South Carolina } Pickens District } Personally ap- peared, before me the undersigned, a justice of the Peace &c John Thrift of the said District, who has applied for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 — and being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, he was born near Petersburg in the State of Virginia on the 6 th day of January 1760 as he was informed by his parents; That he has no record of his age — That at the time he was called into the service he lived in Wilkes County in the State of North Carolina — during the war he moved into Roan & lived in it till it was divided he was in Redell at the division & lived there till the year 1804 — He then moved to York District in South Carolina lived there six years, till 1810 — when he moved to Union District in this State where he lived twelve years till 1822. — He then moved to Pendleton District, & has lived in that part of Pendleton now the judicial District of Pickens for the last Eleven years.
He is very poor, infirm and illiterate, a memory much impaired, with a Wife very much affected, he has got at so great a distance from his companions during the Revolutionary war, that he does not know of a single living Witness, there is none that he has heard of or can procure — He is personally acquainted with Col. Joseph Gresham, Col. David McKinney who commands the Regiment he lives in Lieut. Col. Jesse McKinney of 1 st Bat n

Sepe Neville, who is a near neighbour & who says he is satisfied that I was, at the Battle at King, Mountain from many circumstance, which he knew to be as related, as we have often conversed about our troubles during the Revolutionary War —
Also Also acquainted with William L. Keith the Clerk of the Court — and William D. Sloan the Sheriff of the District of Picken. And confidently appeals to all to whom he is known as he does not know any man who would not wil- lingly testify to his credibility.
Sworn to and subscribed This third day of June 1833.
Before me
Nathan Boon J. D. (J)
his mark
The State of South Carolina.
I William L. Keith, Clerk of the Court for Picken District, do hereby certify that Nathan Boon — Esquire whose signature appears to the foregoing Affidavit is one of the Acting Magistrates duly appointed and qualified as a justice of the Inferior for the District aforesaid, and that all due faith is, and ought to be given to his Testimonial, as such —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office the third day of Anno Domini 1833.
William L. Keith Clerk of Court

9074
South Carolina
Elizabeth Thrift widow of John Thrift who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 22 August 1840 of in the State of S. Carolina, who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Morse of the reg commanded by Cleveland in the N C line for 6 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of S C at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836. 22 d Aug t 1840,
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of March 1845 and sent to M. M. Norton
Pickens CH Total amount, $ 100.
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. H. Swann Clerk, Book Vol. 4 Page 313

6336 Elizabeth Shrift widow of John J. C. Rejected. Lett. Lissa M. Horton 25 Nov 1842
act 4 July 1836

No. 11.681
Elizabeth Thrift Mother of John Sc
act 7 July 1838
Adm 6 mo per $20 00 per Ann
from 22 d August 1840 to 4 March 1841.
no. 6992 Adm 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844 no. 442 $20 00 per Ann
Miles M. Norton Pickens S.C.

Pickens C 76 463 145 Fray
prer
Feb 21 45
How. S. L. Edwards, Comm. of Pensions, Washington City D. C.
Eliza Shipley

Pickens S. C.
14 th Feby. 1845.
Dear Sir,
Your favour of 25 th Nov. last, stating that the Clerk's Office in Wilkes County S. C. would probably furnish evidence as to Mrs. Thrift's marriage to John Thrift; & that she would be placed on the pension list under the act of 1838, (if she would consent) upon the evidence then before the Department. The Clerk of the Court was then written to, but has not answered. Mrs. Thrift's consent was forwarded soon; on condition her claim be allowed hereafter, if the additional evidence could be obtained. - Under the circumstances, she is willing to accept under the act of 1838. unconditionally; as it is probably inconsistent with your rules & regulations to send it conditionally. (her certificate I mean).
Very respectfully, your ob dt . Serv t .
Miles M. Norton

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
21 st November 1844.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, the widow of John Thrift, dec d late a Pensioner on the Roll of the South Carolina Agency, at the rate of _____ Twenty Dollars and Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March to the 22 August 1840.
Respectfully, yours,
W. L. G. Davis
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.

No 15334.
Wm Shrift Perkins District. S. Carolina
Col Joseph Grisham Falls Post Office Perkins Dist S.C.

Born near Petersburg Va. 73 years old b: Jan'y 1833 - 18 1760
No record of age
Lived in Wilkes A.C. when called into service - went into Roan during war & till division then he was in Weddell lived there till 29 years ago - then moved to York S.C. lived 6 yrs moved to Union lived 12. this in Pickens near 114.

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Shrift which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides ? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned 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 ? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed ? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No
XIV. †If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
1 2. 3. 4.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Pickens C.H.S.C Dec
Dec. 19. 1899. Elizabeth Trickett Orphanage est. 1888.
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions Washington City D.C.

State of South Carolina District of Pickens
I, Elizabeth Shrift, (widow of John Shrift dec d who was a Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner), having made a Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the third section of an act of Congress of 4 th July 1836, bearing date the 10 th day of October 1844, do consent to receive a Pension under the act of Congress of 7 th July 1838, as I am very poor and needy, and may not live to enjoy any thing, if not at once obtained; provided, and on condition that if the additional proof required by the Commissioner of Pensions be obtained, my claim be hereafter, and thereupon, admitted under the act which my application was first made.
Witness my hand and seal, this fourth day of December 1844.
In presence of Jos: Gresham Miles M. Norton
Elizabeth her Shrift mark 

Pickers C. H. S. C.
4 th December 1844.
Hon. S. L. Edward, Comr. of Pensions,
Dear Sir,
In consequence of the infirmity of Mrs. Shrift, I have induced her to consent (as you will see annexed) to accept a Pension under the act of 7 th July 1838. which you say in your favour of the 25 th ult o will be allowed her on the evidence already before the Department. hoping yet to be able to establish the fact of her marriage prior to 1838 or previous.
She will in all probability, not live to enjoy what may be obtained, many days, from her present feeble appearance.
With many thanks for your promptness in this matter, I am Sir,
with the highest respect
Your Ob dt Serv t
Miles M. Norton

6336 Oct 25 C. C. Dec 4 1836 Eliz. Threlkeld  Pickens C.A.S.C. 18th October
Is
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City D. C.

Pickens, C. H. S. C.
15 th Oct. 1844.
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, Dear Sir,
I herein enclose you the Declaration of Mrs. Elizabeth Shrift, who is very old and infirm, and I therefore hope there will be as little delay as possible in examining her claim.
Very respectfully, your ob t Servt. Abel M. Norton

Rev WIDOW, &c.
div
File No. 9576 Elizabeth Thrift Wid John Thrift Print Rec. War
Act: March 3 d  1843
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 270
[Arrangement of 1870.]