Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,146, for Peter Ledford, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb.
Ledford Peter
S. 7146
carded.
CONTENTS

16.278 Nath Carolina
Due to pay - Sept 1, 1837 Let to B F Rainwater for coffee.
Peter Ledford Jr. of Macon in the State of N. Car who was a M cav : in the — commanded by Captain — of the Regt commanded by Col. Dagan in the N. C. line for 6 mo: 9 days
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 26. Dollars 52 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of July and Smith E. H. McClure. Asheville N.C.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 58.04 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept - 13.26 $66.30
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M Rice Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 Page 47
†

22721
Peter Leaford
N.C.
Adm t of parcel lev d 6 mo. 9 days $26.52 e not authentic.
E.H. McClure
Asheville
N.C.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 13 - 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   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.     entered 15 days before the Battle of Guilford Served till 1 st after capture of Cornwallis on the Sais. 6 Trooper 6 th Regiment Col Dagan left in Randolph 6.4 born in Randolph 69 entered the service in 3 rd County and now lives in Marion - Certificate of Chanceryman and citizen  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
G. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such 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 _____; 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 [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule m 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.

Franklin N.C. June 20. 1893
Dear Sir,
Please examine and pass on Mr. Lepros' claim at an early date as the multiplicity of your business will permit and forward to me the result to Asheville N.C.
and oblige yours &c
E.A. N. W. Blair

Peter Ledford application of Declaration

State of North Carolina } County Court of pleas and quarter sessions June Macon County. } sessions 1833.
On this 19 th day of June 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the justices of the County Court of pleas and quarter sessions, of Macon County, now in session, Peter Safford, Sen r . resident in the said County of Macon and State aforesaid about seventy four 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 act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
He first entered the service as a trooper in the Company of Cavalry in the Company commanded by Capt. John Knight, Lieut. Elijah Williams and Col. Thos. Dugan, in the County of Randolph in this State on or about the first day of March 1781 or fifteen days before the battle of Guilford, at which time he had marched with Col. Dugan & Capt. Knight in pursuit of Col. Fanning a Tory who commanded a number of Tories in the middle and lower parts of this state. This time he this declarant served as a private trooper under the same officers five weeks, during which time he with the other troops under command of the same officers was marched through the County of Randolph and other places on the border of South Carolina and along the river Road, when returning to Randolph Court house the troops were dismissed subject to the call of their officers at any time when called upon.
Remaining at home at about three days he was again summoned into service and again joined the troops at Randolph Court house under command of the same officers and served two weeks during which time they were engaged in pursuit of Col. Fanning the Tory Col. who with his troops had been committing depredations in the County of Randolph, and who at this time passed to the narrow of the Yadkin River. Returning home they were again dismissed subject to a momentary call: remaining at home three days they were again called out in pursuit of the Tories and again returning to Randolph Court house he was dismissed as before subject to any momentary call of his officers having served three weeks this time.
Remaining at home three or four days he was again called into service and joining the troops at Randolph Court house he remained in service six weeks during which time he and the troops to which he was attached were kept in the County of Randolph and the adjoining Counties: returning to Randolph Court house the troops were permitted to go home remaining at home one or two days the troops were again embodied at Randolph Court house.
Remaining the service at this time Eleven weeks the troops returned to Randolph Court house and were at finally discharged having served all this time under the same officers having served his term of six months being the time for which he originally volunteered in the North Carolina State troops.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or

annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency of any State.
When were you born?
I was born in Randolph County North Carolina, some time in the year 1758.
Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? I have none nor never had.
Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live?
When called into service I lived in the County of Randolph; since the revolutionary war I have lived in the counties of Burke and Mason, North Carolina in the latter of which Counties I now live.
How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute? And if a substitute for whom?
I was a Volunteer and served six months in the as a private in the Company of Cavalry under command of Capt. John Knight Lieut. Elijah Williams & Col. Wm. Dugan.
State the names of the names 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 am not aware of there having been any regular troops or officers with the troops where I served nor of any Continental or militia regiments; and as for the general circumstances of my services I have already stated them with as much precision as my memory enables me to do with the exception, that while in service we were drawn up in battle array against Col. Fanning, who is famous in the annals of Toryism and who each time refused to give battle.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
I did receive a discharge from the service by Col. Wm. Dugan, which is now lost or mislaid.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the 10th 19 th day of June 1833
John Hall Clerk
Peter his Leford
We Amos Curtis a clergyman residing in the County of Mason N. Carolina and John Howard resident in the same do certify, that we are well acquainted with Peter Leford Sen r , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid
John Hall Clerk
Amos Curtis John Howard

And the said Court do certify 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 certify that it appears to them that Amos Curtis, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the first County of Macon, and that also signed the same is a resident Macon County is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Joseph H. Hill Isaac Tunnell
David Smith
I John Hale clerk of County Court of Macon County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Peter Ledford for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 19 th day June 1833
John Hale
I certify that Peter Ledford de was for many years a citizen of Burke County & lived a near neighbour to me since my earliest recollection, like the year 1822. When he removed to this (Macon) County. He sustained the reputation of an honest & excellent citizen whose oath is entitled to every confidence. He has always since my recollection, been reported to have been a soldier of the Revolution & I have no doubt of the fact. I hope there will be no difficulty in allowing him a pension. (L. Edwards Govt. Com. Pat.) Saml. Pearson

March 3, 1930.
Hon. Kenneth McKellar United States Senate Washington, D.C.
My dear Senator McKellar:
In response to your letter of February 26, 1930, with one, herewith returned, from Mr. H. J. Crumley of Benton, Tennessee, I have the honor to advise you that there is no provision of law under which the descendents of soldiers of the Revolutionary War are entitled to pension on account of services in that war.
The records show that one Peter Ledford, a soldier in the North Carolina troops, was a United States pensioner under Certificate Number 16278. The date of his death is not on record.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

D. F. Ransom
June 20

Pension Office, June 20 th 1860. }
Sir:
You do not state in your letter of 20 th ult o the grounds upon which Peter Ledford claims money due his father. It appears that a pension was allowed to Peter Ledford since July 21 st '33, at the rate of $26. 82 1 / 2 per annum, commencing 4 th March 1831; and the Certificate was sent to E. H. McClure, Esq. N. C.
Peter Ledford, Jr. can be entitled only to such amount of arrears of pension as was due his father, as remained unpaid at the date of his death, which can be ascertained by application to the 3 d Auditor of the Treasury.
D. F. Ramsour, Esq. (Murphy, N. C.)

Murphy N.C. May 20/60
Commission of Pensions
I have been requested by Peter Ledford Son of Peter Ledford a Revolutionary Soldier to enquire into his Father's claims, his Father drew his money for Minna year and then some amount due him will you please give me the amount due him & what is to be done to draw the money I should like to hear from you by return mail I Mutually oblige
Yours,
I am Yours with respect
D. H. Ramsaur

Rev. War Section. Rev. and 181 Wars Section
XXHP/181
February 19, 1923.
H. J. Crumley, Benton, Tennessee.
Sir;
In response to your letter of the 24th ultimo, relative to the pension of Peter Ledford, You are advised that there is no provision of law that would entitle the descendant of a soldier of the Revolution to arrears of pension.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Peter Ledford , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 7,146
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Mch. 1. 1781 Served at various times in all 6 mos. Pvt. John Knight ex of Col Thomas Dugan. N.C.                                                   
Battles engaged in, None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Randolph Co. N.C.
Date of application for pension, June 19. 1833. His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Waco Co. N.C.
Age at date of application, born in Randolph Co. N.C. in 1758.
Remarks: Son Peter alive in 1860; there is no further family data.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Apalachia N.C.
Dec 16-1913.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Please Search the records and see if you can't find Peter Ledford's name under George Washington.
Yours truly Mrs D. N. Crumley % H. J. Crumley

WESLEY L. JONES, WASH., CHAIRMAN REED SMOOT, UTAH FREDERICK HALE, ME. LAWRENCE C. PHIPPS, COLO. HENRY W. KEYES, N. H. HIRAM BINGHAM, CONN. TASKER L. ODDIE, NEV. GERALD P. NYE, N. DAK. W. B. PINE, OKLA. OTIS F. GLENN, ILL. FREDERICK STEIWER, OREG. LEE S. OVERMAN, N. C. WILLIAM J. HARRIS, GA. CARTER GLASS, VA. KENNETH MCKELLAR, TENN. EDWIN S. BROUSSARD, LA. JOHN B. KENDRICK, WYO. ROYAL S. COPELAND, N. Y. CARL HAYDEN, ARIZ. SAM G. BRATTON, N. MEX.
KENNEDY F. REA, CLERK
United States Senate
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
February 26, 1930
Hon. Earl D. Church, Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Commissioner:
The enclosed letter from Mr. H. J. Crumley, Benton, Tennessee, is self-explanatory.
I will greatly appreciate it if you will have the records examined to ascertain whether this Revolutionary soldier's name appears on the rolls and if so whether any bounty was ever paid him or his heirs.
Very sincerely yours,

74, Feby 24. Let to Archin office D F.O.K.
1913 Dec. 23. List Mre. A. Cr. Crumley. M.B.H.
1923 Feb. 19 H. J. Crumley informed as to arrears of pension 1920-Mch. 3 - Hon. W. McKellar adv. no pen. due descendants of soldiers of the Rev. M.M.A.F.
Rev. H. J. Crumley
7146
INVALID.
File No. 7146
Peter Ledford Sr.
Rev. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 st , Page 220
[Arrangement of 1870.]

CHIEF'S ROOM INVALID FEB 26 1923 DIVISION U. S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS

17A.3 Inv
Benton Tenn Feby 22-1923 Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Some three weeks ago, I mailed you letter, regard to bounty of ex soldier, Peter Ledford, And to this date I have heard nothing from you. Please search records and you will find that the said Peter Ledford, Was a soldier under Geo Washington, And there were $300 00 due him just before he died, and he never drew any of it. And my mother is the only direct relative living.
So please advise Yours truly H. J. Crumley

Rev Soc
Benton Tenn
Jan 24-1923
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Please look up record of soldier Peter Ledford. Who served under George Washington.
And the said Peter Ledford Never drew his $300.00 equity, And my mother (formerly Elizabeth Ledford) is the only one living of his direct relatives, And she wants this $300.00 And his pension money. So please look up and Advise at once.
Yours truly A. J. Crumley