Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7327, for Charles Porter, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
Ab
Porter, Charles
S 7327
CONTENTS

5266
South Carolina
Charles Porter
of Anson in the State of N. Carolina who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Varair of the Regt commanded by Col. Tind in the N. Carolina line for 6 months 20 days
order to pay Augt. 26, 1837.
Inscribed on the Roll of S. Carolina at the rate of 22 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Feb 1836 and sent Hon. S. Bethune House of Reps
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 $33.33 Penzant. allowance ending 14 Mar 33 11 11 $44.44
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Madison Clerk Book D Vol. 8 Page 39

Pension Office May 29 th 1877

State of N o Carolina } Court of Pleas and Quarter Anson County } Sessions April Term 1827
On this 9 th day of April 1827 personally appeared in open Court, being a court of record for said County, (which Court is a court of record by the law of this State which created it, which proceeds according to the course of the common Law with a Jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount which keeps a record of its proceedings and which also possesses the power of fine and imprisonment, Charles Porter, resident of said County aged between Eighty and Eightyfive years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of congress of the 18 th March 1818, and the 1 st of May 1820, that he the said Charles Porter enlisted and was received into the Continental line, that he was to serve until the that the time of his enlistment was in August or Sept r 1780, and the place of his enlistment was Tarboro'

in the County of Cape Fear and in the State of N o . Carolina, in the Company commanded by Captain James Veras, in the Regiment commanded by Col d Nicholas Long in the line of the State of N o . Carolina, that he continued to serve in the Regiment, until May 1781, when he was taken a prisoner by a detachment of the British Troops, under Col d  the Farlow, that he remained a prisoner ten or fifteen days and was then parol d by the said British Troops, and continued under parole until the close of the war that he was not in any battle, that at the time of his capture he was engaged in taking the public ordnance from the Magazine near Halifax, over the Roanoke river, that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present, that his name is not on the roll of any State except the State of N o . Carolina, and that the following are the wagons, which actuated him in not making an earlier application for a pension (Ves,

his circumstances have hitherto been easy or at least so much so as to enable him to support himself and family, but that now adverse fortune has frowned on him in his old age, when he is no longer able to provide any the least support but that he is now a supplicant from necessity and in pursuance of the act of 1 st of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a Resident Citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of any property, or any part thereof with intent thereby to do so diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" passed on the 18 th day of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other

than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by the Subscribed. That since the 18 th day of March 1818 the following change has been made in my property, That in 1820 he had a tract of land of 200 acres in Anson County which was sold by the Sheriff of said County an execution in favor of J. Heath to pay the debts due thereon , that he has not now nor had any property except, what is contained in the annexed
Schedule hereto and declared on the 9 th day of April 1827- in open court. Charles Porter I William Dismukes clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions for the County of Anson do hereby certify. That it appears to the satisfaction of the court that the said Charles Porter did serve in the Revolution war as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common Enemy for twelve months in one engagement on the continental establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the Schedule annexed are truly copied from the records of the said court, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the annexed Schedule is some hundred and one  one hundred and one Dollars. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court, this 9 th of April 1827
W. Dismukes Clk.

Inventory of the property of Charles Porter
  1 Bay Mare worth $40   2 beds & furniture worth 30   1 Cow & calf 12   2 Small Cattle one year old 6   8 Head of Sheep 8   2 pots one dish & dozen plates $5   3 chairs - worth     $101 
I further declare that I the undersigned Charles Porter further declare that his family consists of his wife & six children viz Charles aged 20, William aged 18, Alexander 12 years, Stephen 11 years old, Judith 9 years, Maria about 2 years of age, and that they are incapable to support him & family, that he is a Bricklayer by trade, and from his advanced age he is unable to pursue it Charles Porter
Sworn to in open Court 9th April 1827
H. D. Smith Clerk

State of N. Carolina } This day personally came before me Anson County } Joseph Medley High Sheriff. Adam Lockhart a Justice of the peace for the County of Anson and made oath that as High Sheriff of the County of Anson he had the land spoken of in Charles Porters declaration sold for the sum of the year to satisfy an Execution in favour of Col. I. Blocker, and the said Joseph Medley further states that the proceeds of said Execution has applied to the satisfaction of and in discharge of the debt contracted upon said, which land was sold by an order of the County Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions of the County of Anson.
Sworn to before me this 10 th April 1827
Joseph Medley
Witness Lockhart

Sta A declaration to Obtain a pension
Name
State of North Carolina Anson County
October session 1832
On this 9 th day of October 1832 personally appeared in Open Court Before the Worshipful Justices of said Court of the County of Anson now sitting Charles Porter a Resident of the said County of Anson and State of North Carolina aged eighty 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 under the following named officers and served as herein stated, he states that he was drafted as one of the State troops for the State of Virginia that every tenth man in each Company, or one out of ten had to go, and that he was drafted to go, and that he entered the Service under Captain James Moore about the first day of December in the year 1780 and that he marched under S d Col o from Halifax town in Halifax County that he lived in Edgecomb County North Carolina when he was drafted, and that when he arrived when he arrived at Halifax he was continued under S d Captain & under the Command of Col o Long some short time when he being a Brick Mason was taken by said Col o Long & put to work for the use of the public, to Building public houses etc which Col o Long said he had a right to put such tradesmen to, & he continued at S d work under the directions of Col o Long and others for public use which he never rec d pay for until

Some time in May when the British Army came on and when the British came near town S d Porter was ordered by Col Long to go with a Horse part and get provision out of town a cop The River he states that he had taken two loads of Bacon across the river & had got to the River with the 3 rd load when he was taken a prisoner by the British dragoons and was carried back to Halifax & put in Jail where he continued until near the time that the British left which he thinks was about 10 or 12 days when his wife and Brother came & petitioned to the British Commander to discharge him on parole which The British Commander did on parole & on conditions he should not join his Company again, he states that some short time after the enemy was gone from from Halifax he went to some commanding officer to know whether or not he was at liberty to join the army again and he was told he had better not for if he did the British or Tories took him again they would hang him, and that he continued at home and held himself in readiness to join the army if called on, but was never required neither by Col Long or Capt. Virair to join the army again during the war or until Wallis was taken, before which time his Term of Service had expired or was nearly out and he further states that his Capt. Virair & Col. Long was both absent about the expiration of his term of Service so that he never applied for a discharge and he says that he would have  taken a premium  he would have  for  ten months & 10 days before and he hereby relinquishes 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 any no documentary evidence  any no documentary evidence  to the subscribed the day & year aforesaid
I hereby certify Charles Porter

We Mr. Culpepper Clergyman residing in the County of Anson and Edward Winfield a Presbiterian Preacher in the said County do hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Charles Porter who have Subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty six years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to of been a revolutionary soldier & that we concur in that opinion sworn to & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid. Edw. Winfield
I have frequently conversed with Charles Porter & have heard him speak of his services & sufferings & have no doubt he did serve And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after The investigation of the matter & after putting the interro- gatories 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 Mr. Culpepper who has - signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman & a Resident in the County of Anson & that Edward Winfield who has Also signed is a Resident in the County of Anson and is also entitled to credit
Wm Johnson Chairman of Anson Court
Charles Porter 15843
I William Darnaker Clerk of the Court of Anson County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the originals proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Charles Porter for a pension as a revolutionary soldier In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 9 day of October 1832
W. Darnaker Clerk
Pray by the Court Justice the P o where and in what year were you born Anson, in Edgecomb County about the date of 1745
Have you any record of your age answer no I have none When were you living when called into the service & when have you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live Anson, I lived in Edgecomb when called into the service and continued there for two or three years after the war

and then moved to Darlington District of Carolina & continued there till 1790 then I moved up to where I now live & have been here ever since —
4 th How were you called into the service, were you drafted were you a volunteer or were you a substitute did a substitute for Who Answer I was drafted for
5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served such continental & militia brigadiers as you can recollect & the general circumstances of your service Ans. I do not recollect the names of them for I only marched from Edgcomb to Halifax, I know that I marched under Capt. Pirair and shortly after I got to Halifax I was put to Brock work and continued till the British came to town &c
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so by who was it given & what has become of it
Ans. I never rec d any discharge from my Captain for I was taken prisoner & discharged by the British on parole & did not enter the service again till my time was out.
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood & who can testify as to your character as to verac- ity and the belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution (Answer, I think that my neighbours generally believe that I was a soldier tho none of them is now living in this part of the country that know me then
can testify as to my veracity & that they think I served as a soldier
State of Virginia Ames County
Charles Porter
I William D. Perkins Clerk of the Court of Ames County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Ct. Court in the matter of the application of Chas. Porter for a pension as a revolutionary soldier In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 10 th day of Oct. 1832
W. D. Perkins Clerk

Octo the 9 th 1832
to of North Carolina Anson County
October Session 1832 This day
into open Court Barnaby Porter and his  mother  mother after being duly sworn on the holy evangelist he says that when he was about ten years old that his father Charles Porter was called into the Service of the United States as a soldier and that he remembers his Marching to Halifax Town North Carolina he thinks the time he states in his declaration and he remembers being sent by his mother to carry his father Clothes, and he further says that he remembers well his father being taken a prisoner by the British & put in Jail & he remembers that his father & mother & uncle went out petitions to the British Commander & got him out of Jail and he further thinks that his father entered the Service for one Year Sworn to & Subscribed in Open Court This day & year first above written
Barnaby Porter
State of North Carolina
Anson County
I William Perkinson Clerk of Anson County Court, do hereby certify that in the opinion of the Court, Barnaby Porter who has sworn to and subscribed to this Affidavit is a Resident of the County of Anson aforesaid, that he is a respectable man & that his declaration is worthy of Credit - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office at Wadesboro the 13 th day of October A.D. 1832.
William Perkinson

1584 3/4
Chas Porter of North Carolina
Travels
6 mo 20 days
amt
$22.22
Wm S Bethune

BRIEF in the case of
Chas Porter of Anson North Carolina in the State of (Act 7th June, 1832.)
of County
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 87  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.      About 1 st Nov 1780 In 17 to continuing public service till some time in May 1781, when he was ordered to resume Prisoners, was taken Prisoner, kept 10 or 12 days & was released on condition not to serve again. Says He lived before he was a Prisoner  Drafted & being a Pioneer 1 1 Capt Warin Col Long  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Eagcombe County North Carolina  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living & Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Wilson Examining Clerk.

January 29, 1929
Mrs. Bama Jennings Porter 230 Riverside Drive New York, New York
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.7327, it appears that Charles Porter was born in 1745 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
While residing in said Edgecombe County, he enlisted in the fall of 1780 and served in Captain James Variar's (?) Company, Colonel Nicholas Long's North Carolina Regiment; in May, 1781, he was taken prisoner by the British and held ten or fifteen days at Halifax, when paroled and continued on parole until the close of the war.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1832, at which time he was living in Anson County, North Carolina.
In 1827, he referred to his wife, her name and age not given, and to six children; Charles, aged twenty years; William, aged eighteen years; Alexander, aged twelve years; Stephen, aged eleven years; Judith, aged nine years; and Miar(??), aged two years. In 1832, a son, Barnaby, resided

Rev. and 1812
in Anson County, North Carolina, and stated that he was ten years of age when his father was called into the service.
There are no further family data.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Rejected, 30 th May 1827. See letter to Mr. Lismukes, Clerk of Anson Co. Wadsworth. N. C.
8338

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8338
P. O.
Charles Porter
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____ REJECTED _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges:

April 18, 1928.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Sirs:
Will you please send me the abstracts of the pension applications of James Henderson, John Kidd and Charles Porter, of North Carolina. They served in the Revolutionary War from North Carolina and all drew pensions.
Thanking you very sincerely in advance and trusting to be favored with an early reply.
Yours very truly,
Bama Jennings Porter Mrs. Bama Jennings Porter,
230 Riverside Drive,
New York City.

Union Office
Myrtleville Augt 22. 37
James L. Edwards Esqre
Commissioner of Pensions
15
Sender for your inspection.
Act 32. Charles Peter. deceased. at. $22.22 " Elisha. Remark. 12 mo 20
respectfully
Yours Truly
John M. [unintelligible]
[unintelligible signature]

Chas Porter

State of North Carolina } Ingon D least Anson County } appeared before me W Hammond on of the Justices of the peace In said County and made oath that Judgments which were obtained by him against Charles Porter and on which the said Charles property was sold by Joseph Elliott Esq. Sheriff of Anson County when obtained by him for debts lastly due by said Charles Porter,
Sworn to and subscribed this 22 nd day of May 1827.
W Hammond J.P.
Ingon D Cask

Rev War
7324
INVALID.
File No. 7324
Charles Porter
Pri Rev War
Act: June 1 st 32
Index:—Vol. 1 st , Page 299
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1827. Jan. 28. H. & Mrs. Bama J. Porter (cont.)

15843
Chas Porter
of North Carolina

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

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service ? Yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had ? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service ? Yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses ? Yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct ? Yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ? Yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

20.13 R
Charles Paken
Anson Co
N.C.
Act 18 March 1828
Rejected. see letter May 30. 1827 to
William Desmottes Clk
Madenborough N.C.
Wachoboro May 23rd
The
Union Office May 29th 1827
Washington