Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3669, for John Pettijohn, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. 6
Pettijohn, John
S. 3669
CONTENTS
carded

North Carolina 12.6.15
John Pettijohn
of Chowan in the State of North Car. who was a Spani in the company commanded by Captain Barbe of the Regt. commanded by Col. Haughton in the North Carolina time for 9 months & 15 days -
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 31 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of May '33 - and sent Malachi Haughton, Edenton C.H. N.C.
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 63.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " - 15.83
$79.15
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by William Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6. Page 57

227 11 John Pettijohn N.C.
Admired a private with the N.C. Militia 9 mo & 15 days 37. 44
Malachi

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, shewing the Service of John Pittjohn. N 6
   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.     Octo: 1798 draft. 3 0 Lieut. Crary Lieut. Crary March to Augusta So entered in N 6 and now lives in Cowan County Pa State   July 1799 # 3 15 " " G. a   May 1781 " - 3 and Capt. Hampton Capt. Hampton Col Dozier Taken prisoner at West Bridge short time North West Bridge V. a. Certificate of three Citizens - knows of no surviving witnesses  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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.
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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] 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.

State of North Carolina } Chowan County Court } December Term 1832.
On this eighteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before the Worshipful Justices of the County Court of Chowan, now sitting John Pettigrew a resident of the said County of Chowan in the State of North Carolina, aged Eighty years and upwards, 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein after stated - In the month of October in the year 1778 he was drafted for three months in the County of Piquemans and State aforesaid - that by virtue thereof he was enrolled as a private soldier in a Company of Militia whereof William Barber was Captain, John Bracey Lieutenant and Henderson acting Ensign - that on the 1st day of January 1779 he as a private advanced marched with said Company from the Town of Edenton and on that day crossed Albemarle Sound for the Town of Augusta in Georgia, at which place he with the aforesaid Company arrived on the 8th day of March of the said last mentioned year and continued there to perform his duty as a private soldier in said Company until the 15th of April in the said year of 1779 when he was discharged and returned home - General Rutherford was Commander at Augusta - the names of the other field officers of this affair he now knows them he does not now remember.
That in April or May of the year 1780 or 1781, but which of these months or years is not by him now remembered he was drafted for three months in Chowan County in the State aforesaid

as a private soldier in the Militia - that he was at- tached to Captain Charles Haughton's Company - David Swain was the Lieutenant - that shortly after being drafted he was marched to the North West Bridge in Virginia where this affiant served as a private sol- dier (and Carter) - that he was under the command at the Northwest Bridge of Genl. Gregory - Bozier Colonel - that in going up from the Army at North West Bridge to the American Guard at Portlock's Bridge this affiant with twelve others amongst whom was David Swain the Lieutenant (and Samuel Penn a private) was captured by the British and retained by them for 13 days when he was sometime in the month of July in the year aforesaid discharged upon parole by the British - that he then returned home to the County of Chowan in the State of North Carolina where he has resided ever since - this affiant further states that he does not know by what particular name the several Regiments to which he was at- tached were designated other than that they were called the North Carolina Regiments - he further states that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can pro- duce, who can testify to his service
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 of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
John his  mark Pettijohn
Edw. Hoskins Clk

I Liberson Pratt residing in the County of Chou- an do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Pettijohn who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration, and that I believe him to be and that the whole of his declaration is correct 80 years of age, and that I have heard John Clements who has been dead more than 20 years say that he and said Pettijohn were together as private soldiers in the War of the Revolution and that they were taken prisoners at the Northwest Bridge by the British
Sworn to and subscribed John  his  Pettijohn the day & year aforesaid mark Liberson + Pratt . Edm Hoskins Clk.
We Delight Nason and Joseph Jackson residing in the County of Chouan aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Pettijohn who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing De- claration, and that we believe him to be eighty years of age, and we attach full faith and credit to the said John Pettijohn's Declaration on oath - We fur- ther state that we have heard Samuel Rea , who died last January at the age of between 70 & 80 years say that he and said John were at North West Bridge in the time of the Revolutionary War and that they killed a Heifer and said Pettijohn sold the Hides
Sworn to and subscribed } the day & year aforesaid }
Edm Hoskins Clk.
Delight Nason his Joseph + Jackson mark
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the In- terrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant John Pettijohn was a revo- lutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the

John Pettibone 22/11
the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that Zebulon Pratt, Delight Nixon and Joseph Jackson are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit -
Deborah Haskins J.P. Katharine D.P. Richd T. Browning J.P. Joseph Manning J.P.
State of North Carolina } Chowan County }
I Edmund Haskins Clerk of the County Court of Chowan do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Pettibone for a pension -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office of Clerk of Chowan County Court, at Edenton this 13th day of December in the fifty seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America & in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Edm Haskins CLK

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
acy amt
October 19, 1927
Lyle Pettyjohn Blue Earth Minn
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 3669 , it appears that John Pettijohn enlisted in Perquimans County , North Carolina in October 1778 and served as a private in Captain William Barber's North Carolina Company, until April 15, 1779.
While residing in Chowan County, North Carolina, he enlisted in April or May 1780 or 1781 and served as a private in Captain Charles Haughton's Company, Colonel Dozier's North Carolina Regiment, was captured by the British at North West Bridge, Virginia, and held thirteen days when paroled in July.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 18, 1832, while a resident of

Chowan County, North Carolina, aged eighty years.
There are no data as to family.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to any soldier named William Pettijohn (or similar spellings of that name).
In order to make a proper search of said records for soldiers named Pettijohn, the full name is essential, with as much as possible of the following data- approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service, and first name of widow.
Owing to lack of clerical force available for the purpose, only two histories are furnished each inquirer.
Respectfully
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

1927-Oct 19 11 am to 12 30 pm 1927-Oct 19 11 am to 12 30 pm cont.
Revbur
3669
INVALID.
File No. 3669
John Pettijohn
Print Rev War
Act: June 7 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 291
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Sir,                      Nobaro Clinton 19 th January 1833.
Enclosed is the declaration &c of John Pettijohn for a pension - I will thank you to inform me of its receipt &c - He resides in this neighbourhood and any communication made to me shall be imparted to him.
very respectfully I am Sir yr obt serv Malachi Houghton
to Bass. Genl.

LINDGREN & PETTIJOHN LAWYERS
BLUE EARTH, MINN.
May 26, 1927.
Pension Department Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Re: Revolutionary War Pensioners.
In connection with an ancestral chart which I furnished to the State Registrar of the Minnesota Society S. A. R. I was advised to write your department for the record of one John Pettijohn or Pettyjohn of North Carolina who, I understand, was a Revolutionary War Pensioner still living in 1833 and then aged 82 years.
It was also suggested that I request you to furnish me with record or detail information concerning any other Revolutionary War Pensioners of the name of Pettijohn or Pettyjohn.
I am therefore writing you to request you to furnish me with the information and record above referred to.
In this same connection I advise that one Isaac Pettijohn, the son of a William Pettijohn of Virginia went into services in the War of 1812 as a substitute for Mr. John Moore and was wounded in battle and died in consequence of his wound. This Isaac is not a direct ancestor of mine but his father Wm. Pettijohn is a direct ancestor. It occurred to me that you might have some record of Wm. Pettijohn's activities in connection with Revolutionary affairs, which you could get at more readily through the record of Isaac Pettijohn aforesaid. If you are able to supply me with any information relative to said Wm. Pettijohn I deem it a special favor.
Thanking you in advance for any information and records which you may be able to furnish me in this connection, I am
Very truly yours,
LP PEP