Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8481, for Thomas Prichard, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.C.
Prichard, Thomas Mary
R. 8481
CONTENTS

No 37202 Thomas, Richard Lim ad 7 June 1832
Ad. J. Johnson Chair of Reps

State of Tennessee S.S. Sullivan County
On this 24 th day of February 1846
personally appeared before me Christian Levaney an acting Justice of the peace of Sullivan County and State of Tennessee Thomas Richard of the County & State aforesaid aged eighty four years the 24 th of Last September 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 the 7 th of June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated First he entered the service as a substitute in the place of William Pendragon as a private for a three months tour against the Tories he entered the service in Orange County State of North Carolina under Captain Abraham Slen and Colo. William McCollough after serving the aforesaid time he entered the service as a volunteer against the Tories under the aforesaid officers March through & secured the Counties of Chatham Orange Wake & Moore & served a three months tour & being Honorably discharged by S d officers he then was drafted in the County of Chatham for a three months tour & went into service under Capt. William Jones & Colo. Golsom & marched through a large portion of North Carolina in search of Tories met and engaged the Tories at the War fields near Lewis Forks also had an engagement with the Tories at Lindleys mills in or Orange Chatham County, declarant states that he served in all eleven months for which he claims a pension he further states that all the persons by whom he could make positive proof of his services have long since departed this life and that he has no documentary proof and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services declarant further deposeth that the reason why he never applied for a pension prior to this time was his living in a remote part of Tennessee in the mountains in Carter County for the last 10 or 12 years together with his indigent circumstances and bodily infirmities that he was unable to make any appeal to his government for relief until he removed to

Sullivan County where my friends told me that government had made provision for the Revolutionary Soldiers
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 before me Christian Cummiskey
Thomas his Prichard mark
Justice of the peace for Sullivan County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace for Sullivan County State of Tennessee Thomas Prichard of S. County who being duly sworn deposeth and saith by reason of Old age and infirmity of Body he cannot attend at the Court House in his County to acknow- ledge the above declaration and further deposeth and saith that he cannot in consequence of the loss of memory swear to the precise day or months of his entering the service or the precise time of his discharge he further swears he received a discharge each time in writing when his service ended but they are lost or destroyed
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day & date aforesaid
Thomas his Prichard mark
Christian Cummiskey Justice of the peace for
Sullivan County

We William B. White and Thomas Adle Residing in the County of Sullivan & State of Tennessee hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Prichard who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty four years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid
Christian Crumley
Judge of the peace for Sullivan County
William B White Thomas Adle
Interrogatory 1 st
Where and in what year were you born
Answer I was born in Sussex County in Virginia in the year 1761 from the best information I can get from the family record
Into 2 Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it
Answer I have no record of my age but my Grand Father kept a record of my age in Sussex County
Intog 3 Where were you living when called into service when have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live
Answer I lived in Orange County when I entered the service in North Carolina I have lived in the States of North Carolina & Tennessee since the Revolution and I now live in Tennessee
Intog 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 first served a three months term as a Substitute in the place of William Pendergrass. I then volunteered & served a three months term & lastly I was drafted in Chatham County & served a three months term.
Ques. 5 th 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.
Answer There was no Regular Officers commanding the troops when I served but there was Stationed near me in or at Guilford Court House where the army under General Green concentrated. I was in Service when Col. Waller was Stationed at Hillsboro. We were on the East Swamp when General Marion was near Wilmington. There was other Regiments in the Country when I was in Service. Col. Little was Stationed at Little's Barrack near the Skeeter Mountain. Col. Maburn was Stationed below the Haw fields also Col. Taylor & Col. Logan were Stationed in Orange County.
Ques. 6 th 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 received a discharge at the end of my term of my Service in writing from my Captain but they are all lost or destroyed.
I Christian Cauley In testimony of the facts as aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion after the Investigating the matter and after

Noting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Regular Revolutionary soldier and served as he states; And I further certify that it appears to me that William B White and Thomas Adde who had signed the preceding certificate are residents of the county of Sullivan and State of Tennessee and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit and I do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Thomas Prichard for a pension etc.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day & year aforesaid
Christian Crumpler Justice for said county
I Abraham McEllen do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William B. White & Thomas Adde whose names appear to the foregoing certificate that they are credible men & residents of Sullivan County in the State of Tennessee & that full faith and credit are due their attestations as such & I further certify that Christian Crumpler is an acting Justice of the peace for said County & that full faith and credit are due his official signature as such Signed this 11 th of March 1826
A. McEllen

State of Tennessee I Jacob T. Mepick Clerk of Sullivan County to the County Court for said County and State, do hereby certify that Chris- tian Crumley whose signature appears to the foregoing instruments of writing, is and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the peace for said County and that his signature appears to be in his own proper hand writing — I further certify that Wm R White and Thomas Odle and Abrahams McClellan who have signed the certificates to which their names are af- fixed, are men of truth — Given under my hand and Seal of office at Office in Blountville this 4 th day March 1846 Jacob T. Mepick Clerk of Sullivan County
I Robt P Rhea Chairman of the County Court of Sullivan County Do certify that Jacob T. Mepick whose signature which appears above is Clerk of our said Court and duly and constitutionally elected and qualified according to law Given under my hand this 17 th April 1846 Robt P Rhea Chairman of C.C. of Sullivan

Perstitutional claim Mary Pritchett widow of Thomas Pritchett
Charles B Tucker Attorney Present 3

o Revolutionary.
Act 7. June 1832.
Thomas Prichard.
Susp d — Tennessee.
To examine papers. Power of Atty. from Widow, in place of
Chas. C. Tucker, Atty.
Present.
30. May 54.

State of Tennessee Carroll County
Know all men by these presents that I Mary Prichard widow of Thomas Prichard late an applicant for a Pension Revolutionary do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Charles C Tucker of Washington City my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to prosecute my claim for a Revolutionary Pension to which I may be entitled under the act of Congress passed or any other act of Congress and do hereby authorize and empower him to examine all papers and documents on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere to file additional evidence or arguments to receive the Pension certificate when issued which I wish made payable to me at the Postoffice agency Memphis and to do all things in and about the procuring said Pension which I might or could do were I personally present hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said agent and attorney shall lawfully do in the premises. Witness my hand and seal this 7th day of April 1854 signed sealed and delivered in our presence the day & date above.
Mary Prichard (Seal) mark
William Southwick Hamilton C Smith
State of Tennessee On this 7th day of April 1854 before the Carroll County Commissioners Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths in and for the County of State aforesaid personally appeared Mary Prichard widow of Thomas Prichard deceased. The matter of the foregoing Power of Attorney done well known and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed for the purposes therein expressed Witness my hand and seal this 7th day of April 1854 Attest
Chas. Hetherly (Seal) JP for 66
Hamilton C Smith
State of Tennessee On this 7th day of April 1854 personally appeared before me Thomas Hetherly a Justice

of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths in and for the County of ... Mary Prichard widow of Thomas Prichard ... aged about ninety years ... resident of the County & State of ... and being duly qualified according to law, says that she is directly interested in any Pension or annuities of Pension which may be due under the acts of Congress for the Revolutionary Service of her husband, the said Thomas Prichard, who served in said war of the Revolution, for the term of nine months as she believes under and after as captain. She further states that her said husband made an application some years ago, when he resided in the County of Sullivan in said State, but did not receive as she believes any pension for his said service. She therefore asks that she may receive the Pension due her said husband, and pension from after his death, to wit from the 24th day of April 1849 the date of her said husband's death.
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & date above. May Prichard mark
Attest Thos Hetherly J P for 66 Hamilton O Smith
State of Tennessee ss I Thomas Hetherly a Magistrate in and for the County of ... do hereby certify that the above named May Prichard is the widow of the said Thomas Prichard who he believes did apply for a pension as by the said affidavit stated. Given under my hand & seal the 9th day of April 1854
attest Thos Hetherly - J P for 66 Hamilton O Smith
State of Tennessee ss County Court 3 p
I James Brady Clerk of the County Court of the County of ... do hereby certify that Thomas Hetherly, before whom the

foregoing papers were executed, this being an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid day authorized by law to administer oaths and duly Commissioned and qualified. And the foregoing papers to him are
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal the seal of office at office in Elizabethtown, the 29th day of April A.D. 1854
JA Broadly Clerk clerk of the County Court
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

N 37202 Thomas P. Richard True
Let to Hon A. Johnson March 26 do to James S. May, Oct. 17. 41 v and Dec. 12. 45. Hon A. Johnson J. S. May May 11. 47. Hon A. Johnson Jan 17. 1848. Act 7 June 1832

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
8481
F.O. Early to Penn Thomas Pritchard
Service: NC Troops
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
A.O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Pension Office, March 21st. 1846.
Sir,
I have the honor to return, herewith, the papers in the case of Thomas Prichard an applicant for a pension under the act of 7th Decr, 1832; that the proceedings before the single magistrate may be submitted to and approved by a Court of record, during its session.
Claimant, alleges that he performed three tours of service in the North Carolina Militia, one of which was a substitute for William Pendegrass. He must produce the testimony of respectable persons, who, from their personal knowledge can testify that he was out with the Militia at least three times, and also show by the certificate of the Comptroller of that State, that he was paid for said service, before his claim can be admitted.
The fact of having delayed, until this late day, to apply for a pension when the means of proving his services by comrades were daily diminishing, raises a presumption so strong against the validity of his claim, that the clearest and most abundant evidence will be required to remove it. The reasons assigned for this delay are

Altogether insufficient.
No proof whatever has been produced to sustain claimant's allegation.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your Obt. Servt. J. B. Edwards
Wm. Andrew Johnson, House of Representatives

House papers Jan'y the 10th 1848
Col Jas I Edwards.
Will please send me the papers of Thomas Richards, an applicant for a pension - revolutionary claim - And enclose this letter a receipt for the same. I omitted to enclose with the others written for in my letter this - I instructed to buy the papers before enclose -
I have the honor to be &c
Col Jas I Edwards
A. Johnson

Memorial of Thomas Prichard of Sullivan Co. Tennessee. Praying for a pension, for Revolutionary services.
February 21. 1848. Referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions
June 20. 1848 Disch'd to lie
A. Johnson

Nashville Tn
Compt Office
I William F. Follins Comptroller of Public Account in and for the State of North Carolina do hereby Certify that the name of Thomas Pritchard appears of Record in this office as having had a Certificate for Eleven Hundred and Eighty One Pounds, ($1181) (Currency value) issued in his favor for Military Service as will appear in Book No 13 page 1. given Under my hand and seal this 5 th day August 1846.
Wm Follins Compt

House of Reps March 16 th 1848.
Sir.
(You will please furnish me with copies of all letters written by you in the case of Thomas Prichard an applicant from Tennessee for a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832, as the case is pending before the Court on Rev Pen. and I desire to know the reasons which induced its rejection at the Pension Office)
Very respectful
Your obedt Servt H. H. H. H.
Genl Redw ards

Finance Office, October 17 th 1846.
Sir,
The certificate of the Comptroller of North Carolina presented by you in the case of Thomas Prichard, exhibits a payment to his name, purporting to be for Military service of £1181, "Currency Value". As no estimate of the specie value of this payment can be made, this certificate cannot be received as proof of claimant's service.
Prichard's papers, returned by you, are not authenticated as required by the regulations. The Clerk should have certified under his seal of Office that applicant's declaration had been exhibited in Open Court, and that the proceedings before the magistrate had been approved; but as no evidence of Prichard's service has been produced it is thought to be unnecessary to send his papers back a second time.
James S. Mallay Esq., Paverville, Sullivan Co. Tennessee.
I am, very respectfully, Your Obt Servt. J. L. Edwards

Raleigh N C Aug 5 1846
Dear Sir
Your letter has been duly received and requests complied with. I have made the examination of the records and find the name of Thomas Pritchard as having had issued in his favor a Currency Certificate for (£1181) The value of which in Specie is not given since  since Currency certificates fluctuated in their value some times they were counted 100 for one and down lower. They will probably now have to estimate it at the Russian Office . I have made similar certificates which are on file there. one thing is very clear Mr Pritchard was a Revolutionary soldier and did service here long I am unable to determine from the payment being made in Currency and not in Specie value —
Very Respectfully
Your ob t Serv t
Wm. Hollins

I have opened and read this letter. You had better enclose the Certificate on to Washington City immediately and see what can be done and if the proof is not sufficient we must get some other if you can. I cannot be here next Monday. I will try to see Slaughter to day and if I see him I will write you what he knows about the Mills case.
Sept 1. 1846
Wm. H. Gifford
Miss Mary Gifford
James L. G. Blountville
Yours
Dec. 9. 1846
Miss Gifford
Asheville
The Pritchard
Esq. to Comrs of Rev. Pensions
Dear Sir,
Sept 4 James - the request to be made to him
H. A. Johnson
1702
Dec 2 nd 46

Papowville April 23 rd 1847
Sir
I was much surprised at receiving your second letter and one to the hon ble A. Johnson - refusing to grant Thomas Prichards pension. Your first letter to Mr. Johnson stated that the claim would be granted provided the Compt t Certificate of S d Carolina was produced that Certificate was sent you in due form in the Compt t . State Prichard has been a revolutionary soldier, & also that similar certificates were on file in your office upon which certificates pensions had been granted. It seems strange that Mr. Prichard should be so dealt with a man so deserving a pension as he has also made very satisfactory proff s . I do not wish to weary your patience with applications, but believing that Mr. Prichard is entitled to a pension, and the manner in which he has been treated: first promised by you to grant his pension provided the Compt t Certificate was produced and after that was sent you, you refused on the ground that the line of service was not stipulated in S d Certificate (a thing impossible to ascertain) I think upon the whole Mr. Prichard has been badly treated. I want you as you have the papers before you to re-examine them and grant Mr. Prichards claim if not this letter will be considered as an appeal to an other department. I hope you will write me on the close of this immediately what you will do in the premises.
Respectfully your Ob t servant
J. H. May

Papoville Sept. 25 th 1846 Sullivan County. Tennessee
Sir
I herewith return the papers in the case of Thomas Pritchard with the Certificate of the Chairman of the County Court Certified in open Court, and the Compt. of the State of N Carolina Certificate agreeable to your request in your letter to the Hon ble A. Johnson. It is impossible for Mr. Pritchard to make any further proof of services rendered as all his comrades are long since dead as set forth in his declaration. It has been some forty years since he left his native state and all his acquaintances are left and dead - he and his Lady are still surviving and are objects of Charity should his Country think proper to give him a pension & after you examine the papers please write to me. Immediately on the subject & should further proof be required please state precisely what that proof will be. Required But from your letter to Mr. Johnson when you return the papers to him I calculate the pension will be forthwith Granted -
Very Respectfully
Your Obedt Servant
Jas. I. May
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm. of Pensions