Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,118, for John Koonts, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb.
Koonts John
S. 7.118
carded.
CONTENTS

orth Carolina 16.284
John Koonts (5)
Davidson in the State of N. Car
who was a Pvt. in the commanded by Captain of the Regt commanded by Col. Lock - in the N.C. line for 9 months.
Date of death not on a P.
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 30 - Dollars. — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of July 1833 and sent to John A.
Oregon, Lexington N.C.
Arrears to the 1 st of March 1833 60. Semest. allowance ending 4 th Sept - - 15.
$ 75. -
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice - Clerk, book E Vol. P. - Page 46.

State of North Carolina Davidson County .3. v
On this 11 th day of November A.D. 1832 personal appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of Pleas & quarter sessions, now sitting John Hoons a resi- dent of Davidson County State of North Car- olina, aged Twenty seven 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 the 7 th 1832 — That he entered the service of the United
States in Rowan County (now Davidson County) of which he was then a Citizen State aforesaid, the year not now recol- lected, was drafted and served under Capt. Lyons, Col. Sock and Genl. Rutherford, marched to the South served three months and was discharged — Soon after his return home was drafted again served under Capt. Soff marched to the East in pursuit of the Tories through Randolph

and Moor Counties, served three months, and was discharged The other officers now remembered William Standard Lieutenant and Col. Lock Some time after his return home was dis- missed a third time, served under Capt. Sapp three months and was discharged, most of his time in the last three months against the Tories in Rowan and Randolph Counties officers Lieutenant Standard & Col. Lock was in no regular engagement and has no documentary evidence of his service has lost or destroyed the certificate of his service and discharge. He hereby rela- quishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of agency of any State, sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - John his Hoots mark
We George Fritts a Citizen of David Pencelbury State aforesaid & George Gledhill a Citizen of Rowan County

State aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Roonts, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declara- tion; That we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and that we concur in that opinion. George Fritts further Certifies that he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war with the said John Roonts, & knows of his own knowl- edge that said Roonts was a soldier of the Revolutionary war.
George Fritts mark
George X Gladfeller mark declar.
And the said Court do hereby their Opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations 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 George Fritts & George Gladfeller are Citizens of the Counties named in their Certificate, that they are Creditable

and respectable persons and that This Certificate is entitled to credit—
I David Mock clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in Davidson County State aforesaid, do hereby Certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Hoots for a petition— In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 18 th day of November A.D. 1832
D. Mock Clerk

John Root N.C. No. 19373
Chas
a. l. m
Dr. A. Hogan Springton N.C.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Apl 20 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. These 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 John Roant
   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.     drafted 3 Pri. Capt. Ly sons Col. Lock Genl. Rm 77 years Rowan Co. N.C. Traditionary   " 6 " Capt. Soper Col. Lock   " 3 " Capt. Lopp  
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.  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 loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [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.

19373
6.
Admiral's mark 9 mo 30-
John A. Hoyan Gp Scranton Pa

The accompanying Declaration of John Reents with certificates from the War Department with objections; the Declarant appeared before Andrew Surridge an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Davidson County and offered the following Amendment and Explanation on oath of his declaration. That He has no documentary evidence of his service That as he is informed and believes his first service was in the summer of the year 1770. in what was called the Cherokee expedition and that he served in it three months under General Rutherford in the company of Capt. Lewis. That his second term of service for three months in Capt. Leffs company of the was as he thinks in the year 1779. That his third term of service in Capt. Leffs company was for three months was part in the spring of the year 1781.
That he was born in York County Pennsylvania in the year 1755 that at the age of 20 or 21 years he removed to Rowan County North Carolina and now resides in the part now called Davidson that he has no record of his age. That he was residing in Rowan County when first called into the service of the United States was drafted as a private soldier. That he is unable to recollect any thing further of and concerning his service than is herein before stated.
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 15th day of May 1800.
his John Reents mark
Andrew Surridge
David Mock Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Davidson County North Carolina hereby certify that Andrew Surridge before whom the foregoing amendment to the declaration of John Reents appear to have been sworn to is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Davidson County and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this the 15th day of May A.D. 1800.
D. Mock Clerk

(6) July 13, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. J. W. Crowder Box 62 Kingston, Tennessee
JOHN KOONTS S. 7118 our BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of recent date, in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Cyrus L. Roberts, of Virginia, and John Koonts, of North Carolina.
Because of the large number of requests for records of soldiers of the Revolutionary War and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible to comply in full with each request which requires so much time and research.
The record of John Koonts follows as found in pension claim, S. 7118, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Koonts was born in 1754 in York County, Pennsylvania, and at the age of twenty or twenty-one years, moved to Rowan County, North Carolina. The names of his parents are not shown.
While living in that part of Rowan which later became Davidson County, North Carolina, John Koonts enlisted in the summer of 1778 and served three months as private in Captain Lyon's company, Colonel Locke's North Carolina regiment on the Cherokee Expedition. He enlisted in 1779 and served three months as private in Captain Lopp's company, Colonel Locke's North Carolina regiment. He enlisted early in the spring of 1781 and served three months as private in Captain Lopp's company, Colonel Locke's North Carolina regiment.
John Koonts was allowed pension on his application executed November 14, 1832, while a resident of Davidson County, North Carolina.
There are no data in the claim relative to soldier's family.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of John Koonts, you should

write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
John Koonts Certificate #16234 Issued July 24, 1833 Rate, $30 per annum Commenced March 4, 1851 Act June 7, 1832 North Carolina Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

February 25, 1932
BA-J/MLB
Mrs. M. Frank Carpenter Box 133 Maiden, North Carolina
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to John Koonts (Koonce, Koons, Koontz), a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 7118, based upon the military service of John Koonts in the Revolutionary War.
John Koonts was born in 1754, in York County, Pennsylvania, and at the age of twenty or twenty-one years, moved to Rowan County, North Carolina.
While living in that part of Rowan which was later Davidson County, North Carolina, he enlisted in the summer of 1776 and served three months as private in Captain Lyon's company, Colonel Locke's North Carolina regiment, in the Cherokee Expedition. He enlisted in 1779 and served three months as a private in Captain Lopp's company, Colonel Locke's North Carolina regiment. He enlisted early in the spring of 1781 and served three months as private in Captain Lopp's company, Colonel Locke's North Carolina regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 14, 1832, while living in Davidson County, North Carolina.
There are no further data in regard to the soldier and none whatever in regard to his family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Lib. of Cong. Hist. to Maj. C.C.C. Can, 8" Ad. Can. Ft. Leavenworth, Kans. C 1932 - Feb. 25 - Hist. to Mrs. M. Frank Carpenter - D.B. 1937, July 13 - Hist. to Mrs. H. Crowder - M.
Reuben
7118 INVALID.
File No. 7118
John B. Smith David B. Smith
Act: June 1 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 211
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1834 I. Street,
Washington, D.C.
Dec. 5. 1892.
The U.S. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:
I have the honor to request that you will be kind enough to furnish me from the records of your office, all the data obtainable in regard to the services of Private John  Scouts , of

of Colonel Lock's Regiment of the North Carolina Line, during the Revolutionary War, 1776-1892-1-977.
Please forward the desired information to my address, 447 Washington Boulevard, Free Chicago, Ills., as oblige
Very respectfully, Yours truly,
C. C. B. Carr.
Major 8 th Cavalry, U.S. Army.
K

rec our Bureau of Pensions.
J The history of Philip Koontz sent to this applicant.
Dec 1 - 92 Only one to each applicant.

K
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas,
January 4', 1894.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I have the honor to request that you will furnish me , from the records of your office, the military history and record of services of John Koonts, a private in Colonel Lock's regiment of the North Carolina Line, during the Revolutionary War.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Major 8 th Cavalry, U. S. Army.

Maiden N.C.
Jan 22 1932
Mr. A. D. Hiller
Veterans Administration Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: Quite awhile ago I wrote in regard to some information I wanted So am enclosing your letter with mine.
I would like to know something about John Hoonts  Hoore  Hoons Hoonts Born Nov 17, 1754 His wife was Dorothea Clodfelter she was born July 25-1755
In the Colonial Records he is listed as a private in the Rev.

In the Record of George Fitz or Fitts from Revolutionary pension abstracts - Rowan Co., Geo Fitz - N.C. S 686X The names of Peter Everhardt and John Koontz are given to certify credence for the service of George Fitts.
I would like to have information about John Lang or Kong do not know date of birth but he died prior to 1791. His widow Elizabeth married Felix Mortzinger. John Kong.

Children were (Thomas I think) Susannah John Jr. Jacob and Frederick.
From Colonial Records I found one John Bang was a pirate in Bravado Co 1781 for a period of 12 mo left service July 21 1781.
One John Bang was with the Regulators Oct 9 1769 Colonial Records Vol 8 p 78, 79
Hoping I may hear from you real soon I am Sincerely yours Mrs. Martha Carpenter

MINISTRATION
on September 8, 1931
THIS LETTER REFERS TO YOUR FILE NUMBER:
IN REPLY REFER TO: BA-J/MCHT
Mrs. M. Frank Carpenter Box 133 Maiden, North Carolina
Dear Madam:
You are advised that because of the very large number of requests similar to yours, and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, this office is unable to make a series of investigations and reports relative to soldiers of the Revolution for one person.
Kindly designate two soldiers whose histories you most desire, give their full names and as much as possible of the following data: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
Upon receipt of this information a careful search of the records will be made in your behalf and the histories furnished, if on file.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Kingston Tenn June 29 37
Veterans Administration Washington D.C.
Will you please give me the Rev-war record of Eynest Roberts of Virginia whose record of service during the Rev-war has recently been established and reported by the W.A.R. Magazine
Would also like to have the record of John Boonty of N.C.
I believe these to be my ancestors If you do not have these records please advise me where I might find them
Thanking your office for past favors Very Truly Martha Roberts Crowder
address
Mrs J. W. Crowder Kingston
Tenn
Box 62