Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8529, for James Purvis, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. C.
Purvis James
R 8529
CONTENTS

James P. Morris
James
James P. Morris
James
21028

State of Kentucky
Pulaski County Set.
On this 20 th day of November, 1832 personally appeared before the honorable Justices of the County Court of Pulaski County , State of Kentucky. Now sitting as a Court in Open Court. James Purvis aged about Sixty Nine years a Resident of Pulaski County State of Kentucky 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 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in Pitt County North Carolina when in his Sixteenth year as well as he now recollects with Captain Joseph Gray for the term of One year and served in the Regiment of Col d John Heritage John Allin Major in the North Carolina State line. He was in the 4 th Regiment as was  was was during the war, stationed some time at Fort Tazewell below Newbern North Carolina and when not at the station was marched to different places for the purpose of keeping down the Tories and such other  Other parties as the situation of the Country might require was sometimes in Cape Fear River sometimes on Peele & in Drowning Creek and at the expiration of the Twelve months was regularly discharged at a Farm called Kingston in North Carolina and received a discharge signed by the said Major Allin which has long since been lost mislaid or destroyed afterwards the time not known in the County of Martin State of North Carolina he indentured as a Substitute

(2) for his Brother William Purvis to perform a three Months Tour in the Militia of the said State of North Carolina, and served in the Company of Captain Williams in the Regiment of Col o Askin, was rendezvoused at Kingston, and marched to the army under the Command of General Gates, and was engaged in the Battle, the resulted in the defeat of General Gates's defeat. After the Defeat the army was scattered, and he returned home after having served about two months. afterwards in Martin County North Carolina, the time not being he became again a substitute for his Brother Lewis Purvis, for a three Months Tour, and served he rendezvoused at a Farm called Halifax, North Car- olina, and the day after the rendezvous, he was ordered with a detachment in all 300, to be placed under the Command of Capt Coals & Capt Coalman Regular Officers, under them he was marched along on New River, and was a while stationed at a place called New River Chappel, and at that place was discharged and received a discharge signed by Capt Coalman which has long since been lost or laid up destroyed. he further states that in addition to the above Militia Service, he served two other small Tours. Afterward while a resident of Pitt County North Carolina the time not now recollected, he enlisted for the period of Eighteen months in the Regular Army, on Continental establishment, as he understood under Capt Benjamin Coalman in the Regiment of Archibald Lytle, Riding Blight's Battery, was marched to Charlotte South Carolina and joined the army of General Greene, and continued with the army until after the peace

was made and concluded. he was engaged in the Service under this last enlistment about one year, after the Proclamation of peace. he received a writing from the Orderly Sargent. signed by the Captain as he understood authorizing him to return home. he was born in  Station not in the Battle fought with the British By Genl Greene near Camden. being on Guard that day. to protect the Baggage waggons. he was born in Martin County North Carolina. he does not know the date. there is no Record of his age. that he knows of. and also he is unable to state as to age is from what his Parents told him when a Boy. he is himself entirely illiterate. being unable to Read or write. he continued in North Carolina after the war until he removed to the State of Tennessee Resided there about for three years and about Twenty years since. he removed from Tennessee to Pulaski County Kentucky where he now resides. he has no Documentary evidence of his Service. and knows of no person by whom he can prove it. unless he can prove some portion of it. Circumstantially by Francis Aldridge of Pulaski County. who was in the same army with the applicant under the last enlistment. but has no positive Recollection of the Service rendered by the applicant not being in the same Company/He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State.  Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
James X his Lewis mark

State of Kentucky
(4)
Pulaski County Set.
The affidavit of Francis Aldridge, aged about between Sixty Seven & Sixty eight years a resident of Pulaski County, made in open court, before the Pulaski County Court, on this day of August November 1832. he states that he was in the Regiment of Archibald Lytle. Major Blount was also an officer, as mentioned in the within Declaration of James Purvis, and was marched to Ashley Hill South Carolina, and formed the main army under General Greene, and he upon oath states that he recollects to have then heard that a man by the name of Purvis belonged to the army, and he well knows that Capt. Coalman, belonged to the Regiment as stated by the said Purvis in his Declaration and the said Francis Aldridge further states that eighteen Twenty years anterior to this, he met with the said James Purvis, and after conversing about the last war, and hearing the name of Purvis, he thought he recollects the name of Purvis as been engaged in the service under Genl Greene as stated by Purvis, and mentioned his recollection to Purvis, and this affiant and Purvis then talked over and conversed about the events and transactions of the service under Genl Greene, and he has no doubt that James Purvis was in the Regiment of Lytle as stated by him under Genl Greene and served as he states, sworn & subscribed to in open court the day aforesaid

We James Goffin a clergyman and Francis Aldridge John Dewey and & Stephen Hail all residing in the County of Pulaski State of Kentucky and in the vicinity of said applicant James Parris hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
James Parris who has subscribed and sworn to the above and foregoing Declaration that we believe him to be of the age he states. That we have heard him talk & converse about and relate the events and transactions mentioned by him in his Declaration upwards of ten years anterior to this. and that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides where he was a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and believe his service as he states.
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
James Goffin Stephen Hail John Dewey Francis Aldridge State of Kentucky Pulaski County Court Set. } And the said County Court of Pulasker Kentucky
Declared their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that James Goffin a clergyman and Francis Aldridge, Stephen Hail & John Dewey
who have signed the preceding Certificate are citizens of Pulaski County Kentucky. are credible persons - and that their statement is entitled to credit & belief
Boone Goffin } Justices & members of J. Blevins } the Pulaski Robt. Moore } County Court J. McLean

I William F. Clark of the County Court holden for Pulaski County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of James Davis, for a license.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Private Seal (a seal for said Court, not yet returned) at my Office in the Town of Somerset this 8 th day of December 1832, and 41 st year of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
William F. Clark

21008
James Purvis AK
W. Hill
James Purvis 21008
Mr Fox Affidavit Somerset Pulaski Co AK

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjjoined 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, showing the Service of James Purvis. Pulaski Co. Va.
   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.     Enlisted 4th U.S. Line 1 for. Chas Allen Col Heritage none N.C. 60. Pitt Co. N.C. Tradg. of not   Subsisted again about 2 " Capt William Col Aspin Get. defeat " Atlanta N.C. on roll for part.   Enlisted afterwards 3 " Capt Coats "   Continental 1 about " Capt Johnson Col Lytle N & S.C. Pitt Co. N.C.  
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, 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) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [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.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
W. L. Wirtz am Ex clk

J. S. C.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
R File 8529
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Rev. War.
Washington, D. C., Jany. 31 st , 1912.
Mrs. Randolph Hartley. Fort Valley, Florida.
Madam:-
In reply to your request of 16 th inst. , received 20 th inst. , for a statement of the military history of James Purvis , 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     In his 16 th year, 1 year ✓ Joseph Cragg John Hermitage N. C.   * ✓ 2 mos. Williams Axum   ✓ 3 mos. Coats & Coleman ✓   ✓ 1 year Benjamin Coleman Archibald Lytle  
Battles engaged in, *Gates Defeat
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓ Enlisted in Pitt Co., N. C.
Date of application for pension, Nov. 20, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Pulaski Co., Ky.
Age at date of application, 69 years, born in Martin Co., N. C.
Remarks: This claim was rejected on the ground of insufficient proof of service, enlistment and discharge, as required by the Act of June 7, 1832 under which he applied.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
8529
P. O.
James Purvis
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

1912 Jan. 31. History to Mrs. Randolph Hartley 4-

See letter 16 May 1834 to Hon. M. Beatty. N. R.
8529

add. evidence on same River Kentucky rec. 28 Dec '33
Document No. 10.218
Howe J. P. Francis
Commissary General Washington City
Office

Forest Kentucky Dec r 7 th 1833.
Dear Sir,
By your letter of Nov r 15 th James Purvis of Pulaski County an applicant for a pension, is notified, that he is reported to have deserted the service of the U.S. on the 21 st June 1783. and that unless it can be shown, to the satisfaction of the Department, that he did receive a furlough as stated in his declaration, that a pension cannot be granted. as his attorney I prepared the papers upon his first application, and have thought it advisable for him to swear to an additional affidavit. which he said upon your letter being explained to him, he was willing to swear that he did not desert, and that together with traditional & circumstantial testimony is now all he has to offer, being very old and poor not able to bear the expenses of travelling back to the neighborhood where he lived when he rendered the Service to procure testimony and not knowing whether there many persons in being who then knew of the fact of his having received a furlough in making, in due course of nature of things it is almost a miracle, to find testimony to prove similar events and transactions that have occurred as far back as 1783. He has also retaken the affidavit of Francis Aldridge of a Prisoner of the U.S. who was engaged in the same service with the applicant, and who swears that before the disbandment of the Army or after he returned home, he never heard that the applicant had deserted. (They belonged to the same Regiment) and he states that he has known James Purvis in this county about 20 years and that he has never heard of his having deserted, nor does he believe he deserted and from their affidavits and facts which they attest in relation to the numbering of the Maryland line of troops (they not belonging to the same company) the conclusion is inevitable that Purvis did not desert but served till he was regularly discharged.
With profound deference, and unfeigned respect. Suffer me to offer a few suggestions in behalf of the application of James Purvis accompanied by the affidavits herewith enclosed, and beg that your Department will reconsider his case. The applicant has served in the Regular and Militia Service about two years before he enlisted for the 18 months for which he is reported to have deserted, and served of the 18 months more than 12 months.

Concede for a moment, that the Applicant did desert at the time he is reported to have done so. Peace was then made, and proclaimed. There was then no need to retain the Men longer in Service, except to discharge them in obedience to proper orders. There was no further fighting to be done. And still  it will I am persuaded occur to your Honor as it does to me, that Should he have deserted that Cowardice or want of Patriotism, was not the cause and motive of desertion. The History of those times are replete with instances of the Best Blood and Bravest Soldiers of the Revolution, having deserted, or openly quitting the Service, which amounts to the same, after the declaration of peace. Mr. Purvis served in all to the making and declaration of peace about 3 years - and under the peculiar circumstances of this case, his extreme old age, his poverty, his Services, and the reported time of his desertion if your Honor under the circumstances should not be satisfied that he did receive the furlough and did not desert. I hope you will consider his claim for Services rendered anterior to the last enlistment at least Menominon, and grant him a certificate for his services up to that time.
But I do earnestly hope, that your Honor, will view the application of James Purvis, accompanied by the enclosed affidavits in a different light. They together with the traditional evidence accompanying his declaration, afford irresistible circumstantial and presumptive testimony, that he did not desert as reported and I feel no hesitation in stating, that I have never seen or heard of a man who ever heard that he had deserted, until the letter of your Honor, and that the most respectable of the citizens of this County, who have known James Purvis, from the time he first settled here, would swear that they never have during all that time heard his character for veracity or integrity called in question, and that they have always heard, that he was considered a Soldier of the Revolution, and never heard of his having deserted. Affidavits to this effect, if they would be admissible

as testimony, and more satisfactory to the Department, should be legally taken, and forwarded.
There is another Encumbrance in favor of the Applicant - described fastens and imprints upon a Man, a stain that he never wash out or efface like pitch it adheres closely. Nor can he remove so as to escape & elude it like atmosphere, let him remove where he will, it follows and encompasses him. Character will follow.
Your Honor is respectfully referred to the Hon. Martin Beatty an Representative in Congress, for the Character & Standing of the parties who have deplored in favor of the applicant —
in preference of the claimant in other cases. I have herewith enclosed the letter of your Honor.
From the history of the lines, the facts & testimony, there is no doubt that the Secretary of the War, or the officer who reported Pervis a deserter, was mistaken. (unless there was another James Pervis) the business of the army in those days was very carelessly & harshly done, and the desertion of another soldier was either thru mistake or the result of another soldier's absence from the roll line, put down to the credit and ruin of the applicant. I hope your Honor will be satisfied that he did not desert. I think the testimony warrants the conclusion.
The case of James Pervis now assumes a special and ordinary aspect. Should his claim be rejected, he will hereafter be considered in a new character, a Renegado and his family be regarded as the descendants of a deserter. A recommendation of his case, is respectfully solicited, and hope that a pension will be granted for the full time, at least for his services anterior to the last enlistment.
With profound regard, Suffer me to subscribe might
Your O. Servt. Thos. M. Fox

II Envié Samedi 15
Dimanche
Académie des Sciences

State of Kentucky
Pulaski County ss.
Be It Known, that before me Bowmly Goggin A Justice of the Peace in and for the County & State aforesaid, on this 4 th day of December 1833. Personally appeared James Purvis a Resident citizen of Pulaski County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, state, that he has heretofore made application in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832. and he further states, on oath, that at the close of the Revolutionary war he was serving as a Regular soldier in the Company of Captain Coleman, belonging to the Regiment of Col. Lytle was under the Command of Genl Greene, that the Army was encamped and stationed at Carnes Island near Charleston South Carolina, that when he entered the service, he enlisted for the period of eighteen months in the County of Martin State of North Carolina, and belonging as he understood to the North Carolina line, that he was engaged in the service in the Regiment and Army aforesaid, stationed at the place aforesaid, when the Army rejoined for the Proclamation of peace, that after the making of peace, he continued in the service, until the Army was disbanded, and at Charleston aforesaid, he was discharged from the service and at the time of his discharge was very sick with the mumps and received a furlough & permission to go home, there being then no further need to retain him in service which furlough as he states in his declaration heretofore made, he has lost, and the said James Purvis now states on oath, that he did not desert from the service aforesaid nor did he at any time during the Revolutionary war desert from the service, and that he did not desert from the service when under Genl Greene at the place aforesaid but remained in the service until he was properly and regularly discharged, the exact day he was discharged

he cannot now from old age, and long lapse of time, state but well recollects he was in service, when the Maryland line of troops belonging to the army under Genl Greene Martinica and declared as peace was made, that they were free men, and would go home, without the discharge of the officers, and the line was afterwards pacified graciously & persuadably Genl Greene to return to their duty they done so, and remained until the army was disbanded
James X Perris mark
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before me.
Barnature"> Barnes Goggins J.P.
State of Kentucky
Pulaski County Set
Be it known that Before me Barnes Goggins A Justice of the peace, in and for the County & State aforesaid on this 4 th day of December 1833. Personally appeared Francis Aldridge a resdent citizen of Pulaski County aged sixty eight years who being first duly sworn according to law so then his oath declare and state, that he is a Pensioner of the United States on the roll of the Kentucky agency and that he has once heretofore appeared before the Pulaski County Court to give his affidavit & testimony in favor of James Perris upon his application for a pension, the same who has subscribed and sworn to the above foregoing affidavit. And he further states on oath, that he belonged to the same Regiment in the Regular Service at the close of the Revolutionary war - that the said James Perris belonged to the Regiment of Col o Lyle in in the army under Genl Greene, and encamped at Station at James Island

near Charleston South Carolina, that this affiant remained in the Service after the making and declaration of peace, until the Regiment to which he belonged was disbanded, and the soldiers discharged upon furlough and he now or at that time, that before the army was disbanded or afterwards, he never heard or knew, that the said James Purvis deserted from the Service aforesaid, nor did he ever hear that the said James Purvis had deserted from the Service, until yesterday, when the said James Purvis informed this affiant that he had been reported a deserter. he further states that it has been Twenty years since he first saw the said James Purvis in the County in which this affiant and the said James Purvis were in service under Genl Greene at Charleston afterwards living, he was then living in said County as a resident here now, and during all the period, he never heard of said by any person. nor has he ever heard or reported that he the said James Purvis had deserted from the Service. this affiant does not belong to the same company that James Purvis belonged to, but will recollect the circumstance mentioned by said Purvis in his preceding affidavit, of the mutiny of Maryland line of troops, and this affiant saw Genl Greene walk the lines, and heard him address the soldiers & persuade them to return to their duty they done so & remained until the army was disbanded.
Francis his Haradge mark
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Before me, and I do certify Bonnie Goffin B.P.
that Francis Haradge is a credible person, and his statements are entitled to credit. Bonnie Goffin B.P.

State of Kentucky Pulaski County } Set
I William Fox, Clerk of the County Court of Pulaski County do hereby certify that Borne Goggin, whose signature is subscribed and annexed to the two preceding certificates, is a Justice of the peace in and for Pulaski County, and that the two signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 7 th day of December in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Will Fox, Clk. of the Court of Pulaski County } _____
James L. James
Justice
Additional Affirmation

James Purvis, Kentucky,
William Rejected, deserted the service and did not again join the army. He left Fort Nov 15 1833 to apparently Somerset, Pulaski Co., Ken.

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State a- foresaid, do certify that it appears from the Muster- rolls of the Continental line of this State in the re- volutionary War, that James Purvis a private in Capt. Evans's Company of the 10 th Regiment enlisted in 1782 for 18 months and deserted on the 21 st day of June 1783.
Given under my hand this 16 th day of April 1833.
W. Hill

Dec. 19
N.Y.
21008
Lincoln P. Davis.
Free
Secretary of War,
Washington City,

Samuel P. Haskins, Kentucky, Dec 8, 1832.
Secretary of War,
Sir I have examined the several papers of mine & advise you the result of examination by letter directed to this place.
Offley Young
James Davis.

J. L. Edward. Commis n of Pensions
William Fox Esq. Somerset. Kentucky.

War Department Pension Office November 15. 1833
Sir,
The claim of James Purvis has been examined. It appears from a certificate of the Secretary of State of North Carolina who has complete rolls of the N.C. line, that the applicant deserted on the 21 June 1783, unless it can be shown to the satisfaction of the Department that he did receive a furlough as stated, he cannot receive a pension. The papers will be placed on file in this Office.
I am, respectfully Your Obt. Servt. J. L. Edwards
William Fox Esq. Somerset. Kentucky.

Recd JAN 22 1912
2

Fort Valley Ga Jan 16 th 1912
Com. of Pensions:
Washington D. C.
R8529 Please inform me if James Pervis of North- Carolina drew a pension for his services during Revolutionary war. He enlisted when fifteen years old, served for seven years. was in Gates defeat. I think he was from Bertie Co. N. C. Please give me any information you can about Warren company or any battles he was in - I certainly will appreciate it - any dates his age - or the year he

joined the army - His wife was Rhoda Roberts - of North Carolina.
By answering this you will confer a great favor on me. I am his Great Grand daughter -
Sincerely
Mrs. Randolph Hartley. Fort Valley. Ga.