Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4571, for William Lofty, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va. _____
Lofty William _____
S. 4571 _____
CONTENTS
carded

order to pay Nov. 4. 1836
26756
East Tennessee
William Softy of Washington in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Jones of the reg t commanded by Col  in the Virginia line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of May 1831 and therefor Blair 7686
Arrears to the 4th of March 65.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept 10.00 $ 75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 37

State of Tennessee } County of Cocke }
On this 26th day of April 1836 personally appeared before me John Gillet a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Cocke and State aforesaid, William Lofty, a resident citizen of Cocke County and State aforesaid, aged Seventy two years and eleven months, who being first duly sworn according to law both on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That the Declarant, William Lofty was born on the 10th day of May 1761 in Chesterfield County, within ten miles of Petersburg in the State of Virginia. At the age of six years he moved with his father to Dan River, in Halifax County, in the State of Virginia. He lived in Halifax County until he was thirty six years of age, when he moved to the Catawba River in the State of North Carolina, where he lived for years Then he moved in an  the year to Cocke County, East Tennessee. He remained here five years, and then moved to Powell's Valley, where he remained but six months - His family becoming very unhealthy, he returned to Cocke County

East Tennessee, where he has lived ever since and where he now lives. His father had a record of Declarant's age; But Declarant has none. In the month of October day not recollected in the year 1780 Declarant was drafted at his company muster ground at the house of Old Billy Wilson, about twelve miles from Halifax Court House by Captain Robert Jones. Our place of Rendezvous was at the Red House, where one Dobbins lived in the State of North Carolina, about ten miles from where we were drafted - Halifax County being bounded on the South by the North Carolina line. Captain Jones was disabled by being thrown from his horse, and was unable to proceed with his company. At the Red House, Captain John Faulkner of Halifax County, took command of our company. The Lieutenant is not recollected. He believes that William Wilson Junior was the ensign, though he is not certain. The Ordinary Sergeant's name has escaped his memory, though he will recollect the man. Wallace Wilson was a Sergeant, the other Sergeants are not recollected. Ned Luck was one of the Corporals, the others not recollected. There were other Companies, who met at the Red House. From the Red House we

was marched to a Magazine on the other side of Dan river below Fox's ferry). On our way we crossed Dan river at Sir Peyton Skipper's Ferry). We were more than a week marching then, moving on slowly, on account of some of our men being sick. Our Company, together with several others, were stationed at this Magazine to guard it. The name of the Officer in Command here, has escaped the memory of Declarant. He believes that the Commanding officer was a Colonel. We remained at the Magazine about seven weeks, when we were marched to Genl Parsons' in the direction of Hillsborough. At Genl Parsons', we remained seven days or thereabouts - being three days in reaching his house. From Parsons' we were marched to Hillsborough, being about two weeks in reaching that place. Two or three days after we reached Hillsborough, Capt Faulk- ner's men were discharged, having served out their term of three months, and this Declarant received a written discharge in the month of January day not re- collected 1781. from Capt Faulkner for his term of three months, which discharge he has lost, when he moved from Catawba river in N.C. to Cocke County, E. T. As soon as Declarant was discharged by Capt Faulkner, he volun- teered at Hillsborough in the month of Janu- ary day not recollected 1781. under Captain Dick, whose Company had just been raised

being composed of Volunteers for three months. Lieutenant and Ensign and non Commissioned Officers are not recollected. Major Donohoe was a Major at Hillsborough and Decla- rant believes was in Command there at that time. At Hillsborough we remained about seven or eight weeks. We were regu- -larly drilled, and at the expiration of this time we were marched towards the main Army under Genl Greene near Guilford Court House. On our way the Declarant, with others, was attacked with force, and were left in cabins on the road being unable to proceed - Capt Dick marched on with his company and a week after Declarant's attack of force, the Battle of Guilford took place. Declarant lay three weeks, with a severe attack of fever, before he was able to move, when he joined his company on the other side of Guilford. Shortly there after in the month of April 1781. day not recollected Declarant was discharged by Captain Dick not far from Hillsborough. He received a written discharge from Capt Dick for a term of three months, which dis- -charge he lost at the same time that he lost his other one. There were no regular Officers or Soldiers - either at the Magazine or at Hillsborough - when Declarant was in service and as he did not join the main Army under

General Greene, while after the Battle of Guilford he did not know any of the Regular Officers, having been but a  never been short time connected with the Main Army. The Declarant hereby re- -nounces 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 William his  T Lofty this 26th day of April 1834 mark
before me.
John Gillet Justice of the Peace for each he county
Question 1 st When and in what year were you born? Answer 1 st I was born on the 10th day of May 1761 in Chesterfield County, State of Virginia.
Question 2 nd . Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Answer 2 nd . I have no record of my age. My father had one, by which I know the time of my birth.
Question 3 rd . Where were you living when called into Service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Answer 3 rd . When called into Service, I was living in Halifax County, State of Virginia. Since the Revolutionary War, I have lived in Virginia North Carolina and Tennessee, where I now

live in Cocke County, East Tennessee.
Question 4th How were you called into Service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a Substitute and if a Substitute for whom?
Answer 4th. I was drafted in my first term for three months by Capt Robt Jones and served out that term upon Captain John Faulkner.
In my second term I volunteered for three months and served out that term with Capt Dick.
Question 5th. 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.
Answer 5th. In my first term, I was drafted in October 1780 and discharged in January 1781.
I was mostly stationed at a Magazine on the other side of Dan river, N.C. below Fox's ferry. There were no regular troops there.
I was discharged at Hillsborough in January 1781 and in the month of January 1781. immediately after my discharge by Captain Faulkner, I volunteered upon Captain Dick - upon whom I remained mostly at Hillsborough, where we were regularly mustered and disciplined. We were marched toward the Main Army in Guilford and I with others, was attached with them, upon which I suffered for three weeks, and was thus prevented being in the Battle of Guilford - I joined Capt

Dick's company afterwards and was discharged by him near Hillsborough in the month of April 1781. I served two terms of three months each. I did not know any of the Continental Officers or regiments - not being in service with them - Being prevented by sickness from joining the Main Army immediately before the Battle of Guilford, and being discharged a few weeks after that Battle. Question 6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer 6th. I received two discharges - one for a three months term from Captain John Faulkner, and another for a three months term from Capt. Dick. I lost them, while moving from Catawba near Mt. C. to Cocke County, East Tennessee.
Question 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Answer 7th. I would refer to the Reverend Thomas Smith and Mr. Joshua Smith and Mr. J. Gillett who can be examined as required by the War Department. Sworn to and subscribed this 26th day of April 1834 William his Lofty before me.
John Gillett Justice of the Peace for said County
Mark

We Thomas Smith a Clergyman, residing in the County of Cocke and State of Tennessee and Joshua Smith & J. Gillett residing in the same county and State, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Softy, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration and annexed answers; that we believe him to be seventy two years and eleven months of age; that he is report- ed and believed, in the neighbourhood, when he resided, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and to be a man of veracity and integrity, and that we concur in that opinion. Thomas Smith Clergyman.
Sworn and Subscribed Joshua Smith this 26 day of April 1834 Jackson Gillett before me.
John Gillett Justice of the peace for said county

State of Tennessee } County of Cocke } April 26th 1834
And the Said Justice of the peace hereby de- -clares his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant William Lofty was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he States. And the Said Justice further Certifies, that it appears to him that Thomas Smith who has signed and sworn to the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the County of Cocke, and State aforesaid, and that Joshua Smith & Jackson Gillett who have also signed and sworn to the same are resident citizens of Cocke County and State aforesaid, that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit; And the Said Justice further certifies that the above named Applicant, William Lofty, is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend Court.
John Gillett Justice of the peace for cocke county

State of Tennessee County of Cocke
I George M. Porter Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarters Sessions of Cocke County, and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John Gillet who has attested the Signature and oath of William Softy to the foregoing pension declaration and annexed answers, who has attested the Signa- tures and oaths of the testifying Clergyman and Citizens to their Certificate, and who has himself subscribed a Certificate in behalf of said Softy, is now and was at the time of attesting and signing the same, an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Cocke and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified and that full faith and credit are due, and ought to be given to all his Official acts as such; And I further certify that the Signature of John Gillet whereon it appears in the foregoing paper is in his own proper hand writing.
2. Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the same this 21st day of June 1834. of Office.
G. M. Porter Clerk of Cocke county Court

Mr Porter 30966 is clerk of the Kings of Pleas for Cork County & there is no kettler seal of office let 30 John Glass May 11 th 1834
William Loftys Declaration
f-1780 p 68 p 20.
testimony of Deed on it to be placed in Kingsville agency J Glass

Reeking ✓
4571 INVALID.
File No. 4571
William Loftus Port Royal Line
Act: June 7 th 1882
Index:—Vol. A , Page 236
[Arraignment of 1870.]

East Tennessee Agency Knoxville Oct. 10 th 1836
Sir
In pursuance to instructions received from the Comptroller A. H. Purvis Esq. by yesterday's mail dated 29 September 1836. Relative to further instructions to guard against frauds; you will please find enclosed William Loftys papers made out, claiming a pension of Twenty Dollars per annum from the 6 day of March 1835. upto the 14 day of September 1836 — being three Semi-annual payments due him, which my Books show I have retained Mr Loftys Original Certificate of Pension; all submitted for your consideration and further instruction.
I have this day caused a publication of the instructions received in our newspapers for the benefit of the Pensioners.
I am Respectfull yours etc, Sir,
A. H. Purvis Agent
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City