Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14684, for Joseph Thigpen, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
A.6.
Thigpen, Joseph
S. 14684
CONTENTS

Alabama 19.903
Joseph Thigpen
of Perry P.C. in the State of Alabama who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Host of the Regt. commanded by Col. Tasmell in the Nava- line for 6 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24. day of Sept. 1833 and sent to Rev. Horace Greenlee P.C. ala
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. 50.00 Pension allowance ending Mar. 31. 10.00
$ 60.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. R. Salter Clerk, book E. Vol. 8. Page 57.

The State of Alabama Perry County 3 rd Vols.
On this sixth day of February A D 1833. Personally appeared before the County Court of Perry County, Joseph Shigpen, a resident in the County of Perry and State of Alabama aged Seventy four years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the act by 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 - His first tour of service commenced in the month of November 1778 as a volunteer under the following named officers, Thomas Shoot, captain, Stringer McLean, Major, William Calwell, Colonel, William Bryant, Brigadier General and Col d Major General. He encamped at Kingstree in Dobb es North Carolina, and marched thence to Elizabeth or Cape Fear river, from the latter place they were marched down to a place called the Ten Mile home, being ten miles from the City of Charleston in South Carolina, where they staid but a short time. From the Ten Mile home they marched to Purisburg near the Savannah River, and then up the Savannah to a place opposite the Isle of Augusta, below below where the town of Hamburg now stands. From this latter place they crossed the Savannah and marched to Briar Creek where a battle took place between the North Carolina Militia, about fifteen hundred strong, and a few Continental Troops, under the command of General Leth and the British Troops commanded by General Prevost to which the Militia and Continental Troops were surprised and routed a considerable number being killed and a still larger number taken prisoners the loss on the part of the British was inconsiderable. In this battle General Elliot commanded the Continental Troops - From Briar Creek the Army under General Leth recrossed the Savannah and retreated to Purisburg where it remained a short time, when the North Carolina Militia was ordered to return home. He, the said Joseph Shigpen served in this first tour of duty nearly six months - at the time he entered the service he was living in Dobb es County North Carolina - After he returned home he was frequently engaged for short periods of time, in scouting parties in the vicinity of where

he lived in North Carolina and down down the country - at one time he served thirty five days under Capt: Samuel Causey guarding the magazine in Kingston at another time he served fourteen days and fifteen days under William Harper as Captain and Abram Shepherd as major in an expedition to Trenton in Jones County undertaken in consequence of the landing of some British troops at Wilmington under Major Craig - Craig after visiting Newbern and burning some houses retreating back to Wilmington and embarked with the troops under his command - He, the said Joseph Shigpen feels satisfied that in the several expeditions in which he was engaged after his return home from his first tour he served at least three months - making the whole time for which he served during the Revolutionary war, near nine months - all the service he performed was as a volunteer and he continued during the whole time to reside where he did when he entered the service the first time At the end of his first term of service he received a discharge, which he has long since lost - He was born in the year 1758. in Dobbs County North Carolina - He has a record of his age in his family Bible which is at his own house where he now resides - After the Revolutionary war he continued to reside in Dobbs County N.C. where he was born and where he lived when he performed the services above set out, until said County was divided when he fell into that part of it which after the division was called Greene where he continued to reside until April 1832, when he removed to Perry County Alabama where he now resides - There were very few continental or regular troops in any of the expeditions or tours in which he served - and he has no distinct recollection of the names of any of their officers - There was a small body of Continental troops at the Battle of Briar Creek as before stated who on the day of the Battle were commanded by General Elbert, but he does not remember the name of any other officer who commanded them - Joseph Shigpen
Sworn to & subscribed and sworn to this eighth day of February - A.D. 1833 J.B. Nave also

Ms. 22526
19.903
Joseph Thigpen Perry County State of Alabama
Return to
Adams B. Moates
$ 20.-
Joseph Thigpen Greensboro Perry County State of Alabama

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 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 Joseph Hignen Perry Co. Alabama
   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 1778 nearly 6 Private Capt. Thos. Shool Major John McGuire Colonel None stated Pensylvania Dobbs Co. N.C. 74 years Dobbs County Living with Tradition   Vol 1812 nearly 3 5 10 guard Captain Thos. H. Hignen Major Genl John D. Rife Genl. Elbert Major Col. Shepherd Cape Fear R. Ten miles W. Purvisburg up the Savannah mouth to Brier Creek occupied the Savannah R. at Purvisburg N. Carolina  
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                      A. B.
Sworn to 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 (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 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 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 [e] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. trans
14684 INVALID.
am
File No. 14,684
Joseph Thigpen Phil. Rel. war
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 374
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Thigpen, Joseph NC 514684

Washington C.H. Nov Dec 10 th 1833
Sir
In closed is the declaration of John Marshall & George Wythe. I hope their declarations would not admit of amendment on the same sheet it was thought proper to amend them again
please give us an answer as early as possible.
very respectfully yours—
Thy humble Servt
Wm Grima

Free Hough
Joseph Hargrave Greensboro
Greene County Alabama

State of North Carolina
Greene County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
November Term 1832
Come into Court Richard Lowden and maketh oath that he Rev. d a five months tour with Joseph Huggins in the revolutionary War at the time of the British defeat under Captain Shook - Given under my hand that he said I have often heard him say that he saw other Tories and I believe he did -
Richard Lowden his mark
Sworn to in open Court Wm Williams CLK

I John Linner and Esau Sprague do hereby certify that we are agreed with Richard Lauritzen and Helen (what he shall be) to be true -
John Linner Esau Sprague
Given to us in open court Nov 13 th 1832
Wm Williams Clk

Aug 5.
Ala. date Post Office
Free
Genl. Lewis Cass Sec. of War Washington City D.C.

Greenborough Green County
Alabama 23 July 1833
Dear Sir
I herein enclose you my application for a pension as a Revolutionary soldier, under the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832. I hope the facts stated in my supplemental affidavit and its authentication will be deemed sufficient to prove that I am so. As soon as a decision is made which I trust will be early, I have to request that you will advise me of it, through the Post Office at this place it being the nearest to my place of residence.
Genl Lewis Cass Secy War
I remain testimony of Respect Your obed Servt
Joseph H. Whipple

The State of Alabama § 16. Perry County §
The supplemental Declaration of Joseph Thigpen, made and prepared in virtue and pursuance of instructions from the Pension Office, in the War Department of the Government of the United States -
The said Joseph Thigpen states that he is unable from the length of time that has elapsed since he performed the services set forth in his foregoing declaration, and the frailty of his memory, to state the precise time which he served and the exact period during which the services were performed - he feels confident however that his first term of service as set forth in his aforesaid declaration, continued over five months and lacked but a few days, if any, of six months. He He is not prepared to state positively and absolutely that it did continue six months, His mind however is as well satisfied that the said term of service did continue six months as that it lacked a few days - he cannot be more definite as to the other period of time stated in his said declaration he cannot be more particular than he has been - he is satisfied in his own mind that he served altogether nine months, but could not state more particularly than he has already - He hereby releases waives every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of Army agency in any State.
Joseph Thigpen
Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court this the 22 day of July AD 1833 - J B Nair 6th
The State of Alabama § Perry County § County Court July Term 1833
I J. B. Nair, Clerk of the County Court of Perry County in the State of Alabama do hereby certify that Joseph Thigpen, whose name appears subscribed to the above supplemental declaration, and who is the same identical person who made the foregoing signed declaration contained on the first & second pages of this sheet of paper, personally appeared in Open Court on this day made oath to and subscribed the above supplemental declaration, and that the same

The State of Alabama Perry County } County Court July Term 1833
I Jesse B. Hare, Clerk of the County Court of Perry County in the State of Alabama do hereby certify that Joseph Thigpen, whose name appears subscribed to the above supplemental declaration, and who is the same identical person who made the foregoing signature declaration contained on the first & second pages of this sheet of paper, personally appeared in Open Court on this day made oath to and subscribed the above supplemental declaration, and that the same is the original and not a copy. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of Office this 22 nd day of July AD 1833.
J. B. Hare Clerk.
State of Alabama Perry County } I. David Sullivan Judge of the County Court of Perry County do hereby certify that Jesse B. Hare is clerk of the County Court of Perry County, that the facts stated in his certificate above are true, and that the same is in due form of law. I further certify that I believe the statement of facts made by Joseph Thigpen in his supplemental declaration. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal at Open Court this 22 nd day of July AD 1833.
D. Sullivan Seal Judge C.C.

I James Veasey of Perry County & State of Alabama a licensed Minister of the Gospel and Samuel Allen a citizen of Perry County do hereby certify that David Beaird acquainted with the within named Joseph Higginson & believe him to be a Revolutionary character & a man of piety & respectability. Joseph Higginson an orphan. This 6 day of February 1833  Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this 6 day of February A.D. 1833
J. Veasey Samuel Allen mark
J B Nave Clk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after a careful examination of the above named applicant Joseph Higginson on oath in open Court & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that he was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states and also that United States pensioner named is a clergyman of this County of respectability & that Samuel Allen is also a citizen of this County & that the above certificate is entitled to credit - This sixth day of February 1833  Darklin Sullivan Judge of the County Court P.C.
I J B Nave clerk of the County Court of the County of Perry & State of Alabama do hereby certify that the above are the original proceedings had in the matter of the application of Joseph Higginson for a pension - given under my hand & the seal of the County before said this sixth day of February 1833  J B Nave Clk