Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3661, for Abel Pearson, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N 6
Pearson, Abel
S 3661
CONTENTS
carded

13844
West Tennessee
Abel Pearson
of White Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Stephen of the right commanded by Col. Severe in the line line for 19 months
W. Line Records corrected Mar. 11 '34
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of June 1833 and sent to Richard Nelson Sparta
Arrears to the 4th of March 126 66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 31 66
$158 32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Bo 6
Dan Boyd
Clerk,
Vol. 7
Page 92
Date of soldier's death not on A.B. list

12.202.
Application of Abel Pearson for a Pension

State of Tennessee White County - 3 88.
On this 21 st day of August in the year 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Honorable Judge of the Circuit Court for White County, now sitting, Abel Pearson a resident of White County, in the State of Tennessee, aged about Sixty Eight 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 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
The first tour he served was as a Volunteer commanded by Col. John Sevier, Major Jesse Walton and Major Jonathan Tipton, and Capt. James Stinson, he entered the service some time in the latter part of the summer or first of the fall of the year 1779, but cannot tell the day of the month or the month; he was discharged by being mustered out of service not having been discharged in writing; by the commanding officer a short time after Christmas in the same year he thinks he served three months this tour. during this Campaign, and as is believed in the month of September, he was in the battle of Boyd's Creek in what is now East Tennessee and in Sevier County he thinks. The Indians consisting of Cherokees were defeated and about Eighteen of them killed and many wounded. The field officers who commanded during the engagement were Col. Sevier, Maj s Walton & Tipton.

He then lived in Washington County in What is now the state of Tennessee, and was marched from that place through a wilder up country or nearly so to the place of the engagement. He was not in any other engagement during this tour; but was actively engaged in the enemy's country, and burned the towns of Chillicothe, Chikama, & Chilhowee. He can prove this tour of service by Know as Gist who served with him; and knows  in his power knows of no other person by whom he can prove this tour. By -
This applicant again entered the service of his country as a Volunteer under Capt. Jacob Brown, he thinks in September in the year 1780, and marched to the Greasy Cove on Clinchy River, where Col. Campbell, Sevier & Shelby met, they marched across the Alleghany mountain, fell in with Col. Cleveland on the way and overtook the British and Tories, on Kings Mountain, and on the 7 th day of October in that year it is believed, the enemy were defeated, with a loss it is believed of about four hundred killed on the ground, the loss so far as he knows on part of the Americans was not near so great. Col. Williams received a wound of which he afterwards died. Capt. Robert Sevier shared the same fate. About six or seven hundred prisoners were taken & applicant guarded the prisoners to Salisbury, and was marched to Turkey Cove on Catawba river, and there mustered out of service, without a written discharge, by Col's Campbell, Sevier, Shelby, & Robertson. He then returned home having served something like four months this tour. Applicant could prove this tour by Abraham Sevier & Samuel Hance, if he could procure them, but he is not able

to procure their attendance they not being residents of this county. --
In the early part of the year 1781, this applicant again entered the service of his country under Capt. Luke Boyer, commanded by Col. Sevier & Col. Robertson, and if any other field officers, he has forgotten them. We met in the greasy Cove, he was marched across the head of French Broad river, and to what was called the middle settlements or Over hill Towns in the Cherokee nation. Seventeen or Eighteen prisoners were taken by the Whites, and five or six Indians were killed. On part of the Whites, Capt. Davis & John Beard were killed, a few of the Indian towns were burned by the troops. He was then marched home to Washington County and mustered out of service having received no written discharge. This was a three months tour and applicant served about that time, perhaps a little over or under, he cannot say. --
This applicant thinks it was in 1778, he served as a guard six months commencing in October under Capt John Frimble, and was stationed at Sherrill's Station on Clinchy river; and at the expiration of the above time he was discharged but received no written discharge from Capt Frimble. He was a Volunteer in this tour and in that which he served under Capt Boyer. --
In the month of September in the year 1781, as he thinks he again entered the service of his country as a Volunteer under Capt. George Dougherty, the field officers under whom he was placed were Col. John Sevier, Col. Charles Robertson, Maj. Walton, Maj. McWabb, Maj.

Jonathan Tipton, He entered the service in What is now Green county, He was marched through the Turkey cave, passed through Burke county in North Carolina, thence to Ramsour's mill thence to Tuckasegee ford on Catawba river, thence to Camden, from thence to the high hills of Santee where we were attached to the Brigade Commanded by Genl. Marion, He assisted in taking a British Hospital, and Eighty four prisoners, this was near Monk's corner. He there became acquainted with Col. Maham, Col. Lea, & Col. Morehead. He then continued with Genl. Marion until he served out a three months tour of duty and was mustered out of service by his officers at Nelson's ferry on the other side of Santee and returned home at his own expense. His tour applicant can prove by Thomas Gist. In each and every of these tours applicant furnished his own horse, and his understanding is that he served as a Volunteer to avoid the necessity of a draft, for when orders came for men to be called out he went voluntarily. This applicant cannot state accurately the dates of each of his tours, and has referred to a historical account of some of the trans- actions for dates.
Interrogatories propounded to the applicant by the Court.
1 Where & in what year were you born?
Ans r I was born in Carroll's tract Pennsylvania in the year 1764. May 2 nd day.
2 Have you a record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Ans r I have the a part of my father's family Bible in which the record of my age is is; It is now in possession & suppos n , of my daughter

in Bladsoe County Tennessee.
3 Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Ans. r In Washington County in what is now the State of Tennessee; since that time I lived in South Carolina Twelve years, in Union County in that state. about thirty years ago I moved to Carter County Tennessee and five or six years after that I again removed to Washington County Tennessee. about nineteen years ago I removed to Lincoln County Tennessee, where I entered the service in the late war, and when I quit the army I came to Bladsoe County Tennessee, and about seven years ago I removed to White County where I 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? Answer. I cannot state any more on this subject than I have already stated in the foregoing declaration.
5 State the names of some 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.
Ans. r I have stated the names of Genl. Marion Col. Maham, Col. Lea & Col. Morehead, and as to the balance of the question I have stated the most material circumstances relating to my service, as well as I can recollect.

6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service; and, if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer - I never received a written discharge, nor have I any documentary evidence of my service.
7 State the 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?
Ans: The Rev: John Scoggins - Esq. Scoggins Esquire, Archibald Cunnor, Capt. John White, Isaac Plunley & William Henry Esq.
He the said Abel Pearson 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 any the agency of any state.
Sworn to & subscribed this 21 st Dec r 1820 day and year aforesaid Anthony Darrow Clerk
Thomas Gist makes oaths in open court that he served at the same time & in the same tours that Abel Pearson did, as stated in the foregoing declaration when said Pearson was under Capt. Stevenson and under Capt. Scoggins Dougherty, the first of which tours the battle at Boyd's Creek was fought, and the last we

were attached to Genl. Marion's Brigade, and the said Pearson did serve in said two tours as he has set forth in the foregoing declaration, to the best of his knowledge recollection & belief. —
Sworn to & subscribed in {  his Thomas J. Gist Mark your court the day & year aforesaid Anthony Atwell Clerk
We John Scoggin a clergyman, residing in White county, and Fife Scoggin residing in the same county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abul Pearson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age; that he is respected and beloved in  the the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to & subscribed the day {  John Scoggin Fife Scoggin and year aforesaid Anthony Atwell Clerk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment, that the above named applicant was a revo- lutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Scoggin who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the county of White aforesaid, and that Fife Scoggin who has also signed the same is a resident

in the County of White aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit
Notwithstanding on of the judges of the Circuit Court of him a End for the State of Tennessee
I Anthony Dibble Clerk, of the Circuit Court for White County in the State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Abel Pearson for a pension.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal private seal (having no seal of office) this 19 th day of September A.D. 1832. —
AD
Anthony Dibble Clerk
12.202 Application of Abel Pearson for a Pension

12202
Abel Pearson
White Co.
From 1779 amt 19 mths.
$63.33
100.
5. 14. 16
P. 268
Oct 25 1877
Stenson Sevier Va J. C. Gaack H. R.
Rich Nelson Sparta Tenn.

BRIEF in the case of  Abel Pearson  County of White  in the State of Tennessee  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 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? 185  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.     Volunteer 1778 3 private Col. John Sevier Gen. Greene   Volunteer 1780 18 " Capt. James Hunsucker Gen. Greene   Volunteer 1781 3 " Capt. Jacobs Brown Gen. Greene   Volunteer 1781 6 " Capt. Luke Boyd Gen. Greene   Volunteer 1782 3 private Capt. John Trimble Gen. Greene   Volunteer 1782 3 private Capt. Geo. G. G. G. Gen. Greene  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 
Boyd's Creek, & King's Mountain
 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
Washington Co. now Tennessee
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? a living witness, & traditional evidence 
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
County Court has not properly attached, & no seal - the
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. G. Wilcox Examining Clerk.
21st July 1833

January 11, 1932.
cur BA-J/ILL
Mrs. Charles S. Passmore 717 West Granite Street Butte, Montana.
Dear Madam:
The data furnished herein relative to Abel Pearson are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 3681, based on his service in the Revolutionary War.
Abel Pearson was born May 2, 1764 in "Carrolls tract," Pennsylvania.
While residing in Washington County (which was later in Tennessee), he enlisted and served as a private in the North Carolina troops as follows: from sometime in October, 1778, six months as guard under Captain John Trimble; from in the fall, 1779, three months in Captain James Stinson's Company, under Colonel John Sevier and was in the battle of Boyd's Creek against the Cherokee Indians and engaged in burning the Indian towns; from September, 1780, about four months in Captain Jacob Brown's Company and was in the battle of Kings Mountain; from early in 1781, about three months in Captain Luke Boyer's Company under Colonels Sevier and Robertson and was in an engagement with the Indians; from sometime in September, 1781, three months in Captain George Dougherty's Company under Colonels John Sevier and Charles Robertson and assisted in capturing a British hospital near Monk's Corner.
The soldier stated also that while living in Lincoln County, Tennessee, he served in the War of 1812 and when he left the Army, he moved to Bledsoe County, Tennessee.
After the Revolution, the soldier resided in Union County, South Carolina, for twelve years, moved about 1802 to Carter County, Tennessee, and five or six years later moved to Washington County, Tennessee, thence to Lincoln County and then to Bledsoe County in that state.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 21, 1832, while a resident of White County, Tennessee, where he had resided

about seven years.
At the time the soldier made application for pension, he referred to his daughter in Bladsoe County, Tennessee, but he did not give her name. The name of his wife is not given.
Very truly yours,
A. D. MILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

1932 - Jan. 11 - Hist. to Mrs. Charles S. Passmore - see letter Rev. claim - W25056 - William Spencer - J.L.L.
Rev. claim
3661
INVALID.
File No. 3661
Steel Pearson
Pr. Va. line
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: — Vol. A , Page 291
[Arrangement of 1870.]
No Line. Records corrected. Mar. 14 '04

12. 202 Apr. 23
Sp. cuta 5 11 th Ap.
Per- Ret.
J. L. Edwards Esq. ~
Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington City D.C.
free
known
ramus

J. L. Edwards Esq. ~
Sparta Tenn. April 10 th 1833
Dear Sir.
Enclosed I return you the pension papers of Abel Pearson - I presume everything is now satisfactorily shown which can conduce to a favorable action on his case.
To say that he is laboring under the inconvenience of " age and want ," would only be to apprize you of what you take for granted. However, I have authorized him to hope for a speedy return, as all is now clearly shown which the department can desire to know.
Respectfully Richard Nelson of the firm of Nelson & Anderson

Ex 2 Abel Pearson
Isaac
Ex 3

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abel Pearson 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? No 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? The Clerk's private seal is affixed, having no seal of the Court of the County.

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?
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? No
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? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
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.

No
Abd Pearson
For all Declaration
A. Pensive

I Jacob B. Isacks a representative in Congress from the State of Tennessee do hereby Certify that Anthony Dibull whose signature is appended, and whose private seal is affixed to the Declaration of Abel Pearson for a pension, is the Clerk of the Circuit Court of White County - I also Certify that said Clerk has no seal of office - and that said Dibull's signature is genuine throughout wherever it occurs in the papers of said Pearson on his application for a pension - said Declara- -tion and all the papers being now before me, I discover that the signature of said Clerk occurs first - to the affidavit of said Pearson - secondly - to the affidavit of Thomas Gist - Thirdly  Thirdly to the Certificate of John Scoggin a clergyman, and Lepe Scoggin, the witness as to said Pearsons Character - It again occurs at the end of the Certificate of said Clerk, certifying the Proceedings - I know  I know of my own know- -ledge, that each of these signatures of the Clerk is genuine, and in his own pro- -per hand writing - It also appears that the said Declaration was presented in open Court in the Circuit Court of White County on the 21 st day of August 1832 - Given under my hand this 25 th March 1833 J. B. Isacks

State of Tennessee } April Session of the County White County } Court 1833
Personally appeared before us the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions for said County Abel Pearson , 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. He served as a private the whole time of his service - 1 st The first tour mentioned in his declaration was not less than three months. and he is satisfied it was that long - 2 nd His second tour mentioned in his declaration, he can very safely say was as much as four months. 3 rd as to his third tour, although it is mentioned in his declaration, with considerable uncertainty, his best recollection now is, that he was in the service at this time, three months and eight days . But he feels able to speak with full assurance, that the tour was not less than three months - 4 th - on reference to his declaration it will be seen that his fourth tour is mentioned with certainty at six months - 5 th It will also be seen that his fifth tour is stated with sufficient certainty at three months . He therefore states that he served in all , Nineteen months , for which he claims a pension under the act of June 7 th 1832
Sworn to in open Court 9 th April A.D. 1833. Jacob A. Lane Clerk H. Chapman White County Court

State of Tennessee } April Sessions of the County Court White County } 1833 - on this 9 th day of April 1833, personally appeared in Open Court, Jesse Lincoln & William Usrey merchants in the Town of Sparta, White County, And Samuel Turney late Representative of the Counties of White and Kentucky in the State legislature, and made Oath in due form of Law, that they are now, and have been, for many years, acquainted with Thomas Gist , whose affidavit is ap- pended to the Declaration of Abiel Pearson for a pension, which affidavit appears to have been sworn to in the Circuit Court of White County on the 21 st August 1832 - They further state that the said Thomas Gist , is an aged, and respectable Citizen of the County of White in said State, and that he is entitled to full Credit on oath in a Court of Justice - Sworn to in open Court April 9 th A.D. 1833. Jesse Lincoln William Usrey I was At and clerk White County Court Samuel Turney
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that Thomas Gist whose affidavit is appended to the Declaration of Abiel Pearson for a pension, which affidavit appears to have been sworn to in the Circuit Court of White County on the 21 st day of August A.D. 1832 is a resident of the County of White and State of Tennessee and is a credible person and that he is entitled to full faith and credit on oath in a Court of Justice - We further certify that Jesse Lincoln, William Usrey

and Samuel Tury who have signed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit are also resident citizens of the town of Sparta White County Tennessee and are entitled to full credit. —
Asims Dearn Wm Brewster — Baze Buck
State of Tennessee I Jacob Hane clerk of the court of White County do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit of Abel Pearson and Testimonials are the original proceedings in said Cause had in said Court in the matter of the application of Abel Pearson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at office the 9th day of April A.D. 1833. And of the Independence of the United States, the fifty seventh year. Just Jacob Hane clerk of White County Court by N. Alcockam D.C!