Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,868, for Morris Morrison, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N 6
Morrison Morris or Morison
52868.
Carded.
CONTENTS

North Carolina 12.6.12.
Morris Morrison
Moore in the State of North Carolina who was a priv. in the company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. commanded by Col. Rone in the N.C. Line for 6 months
Records corrected
Morris Morrison Feb 6 '44
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13. day of May '33 and sent C. Dowd Carthage C.H. N.C.
Arrears to the 4th of March '33- 4 0 Semest. allowance ending 4 Sept " — 1 0
$ 5 0
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by William Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6. Page 48
Order to pay 30 March 1837
Letter to Pw Agt 1 st April 1840
Duplicate certificate issued 8 th Oct 1840 and sent to John Huske Esq. Pension Agent Fayetteville North Carolina
Order to pay 28 th April 1841.

22703 Morris Morison N. 6.
Admiral 6 mo. 20 private

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 subj d 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. Those 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 Morris Morrison N.C.
   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.     Feb 1782 Sub t 29 Col Campbell Col Moore Stationed at Camp Creek. Quarters Prisoner was engaged in driving cattle to Genl. Greene's Army 68 - born in the 67 of Barn- well N.C. - now in Moore 67 - entered the service and still lives in this place { Certified by two credible citizens - no clergyman near him - known by no surrounding witnesses to prove his service   July 15 11 Sub t 3 Col Smith  
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.
[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 is Note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Thomas Jefferson Application for a pension
22703

State of North Carolina Moore County
On the 20 th of August 1832 personally appeared in Open Court Before Joseph Tyson. Anderson B. Smith and John Patterson the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Now sitting Morris Morrison assisted in the State and County aforesaid aged Sixty Eight years, who being 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, Captain James Campbell, and Lieutenant Chapman commanded by Colonel Robert Bone, that he Entered the Service in February 1782 for three Months, that he left the Army on or about the 3 rd of May 1782 that during this time he was Stationed in Brooksburg, Now Fayetteville, guarding prisoners, that on or about the 15 th of July 1782 he Again Entered into the Service for three Months and that he Served this time under Captain Archibald Smith, and was employed during the whole of the time in collecting cattle and driving them in to the State of South Carolina to General Greene's Army who at that time was in said State near Charleston, that when he Entered the Army he resided in the State of North Carolina and County of Cumberland when he Entered the Service, that he Entered the Service as a Subaltern the first three Months for Duncan Campbell, and the Second three Months for James Bullard, that he was born in the year 1764, in the County of Cumberland in the State of North Carolina according to the Best information he has obtained, that he has No Records of his Age Nor does he know of any such Records. Since the Revolutionary War he resided in Cumberland and County until it was divided then fell into Moore County where he now resides, received discharge for the first three Months given by Colonel Robert Bone, which he has lost long ago, for the last three Months he received No Discharge. William Shaw Esq r Alexander Cameron Esq r and Malcolm Buie resides in My present Neighbourhood and is Well Acquainted with me and can testify as to my Character for Veracity, and their belief of my Service as a Soldier of the Revolution. That there is No Clergyman Near me, that that he has No documentary Evidence, and that he knows of no person whom testimony he can procure who can testify to his Service unless he can get Duncan Campbell who Served with him the first three Months and Edward McKay who Served with him the last three Months, and who he has lately understood is Still living in Cumberland County. He hereby relinquishes Every Claim What- soever to pension or annuity Except the present, and declares that his Name is Not in the pension Roll of the Army of any State. Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year Aforesaid
C. Miller M c 8700 15

We Alexander Cameron William Bell
Residing in the State of North Carolina and County of Moore Hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Morris Morison who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration, that we believe him to be Sixty Eight years of Age, that he is educated and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
M Bell A Cameron
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the Matter, and after putting the interrogatories, by the legal department that the above naturalized applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and sworn as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Alexander Cameron Esq. and William Bell Esq. who has signed
The preceding certificate is Residents of the State of North Carolina and County of Moore and credible persons and that their Statement is entitled to credit
State of North Carolina Moore County } I Benedict Dowe Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter
Sessions for the aforesaid County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the Application of Morris Morison for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office This 20 th day of August A D 1839
Benedict Dowe Clerk

Questions by the Comt
1 st Where and in what year was you born Answer In the year 1764 to the best of my information
2 nd Have you any record of your age A - I have no record of my age neither do I know of any
3 rd Where were you living when called into the Service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live A Since the Revolutionary War I have resided in Cumberland County until it was divided and this fell into Moore County where I now reside
4 th How were you called into the Service - were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a Substitute and if a Substitute for whom A I Entered the Service as a Substitute the first three months for Duncan Murphy, the second three months for James Bullard
5 th State the name 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 Service - Major McRae, Captain Ephraim Hadley, I cannot recollect the Regiments, the general circumstances of my Service is detailed in the foregoing Affidavit.
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. A I received a discharge for the first three months given by Col. Robert Roman which I have long since lost In the last three months I received no written discharge, but was verbally discharged by my Captain Archibald Smith
7 th 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 the length of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution A William Shaw Esq. Alexander Cameron Esq. Malcolm Buie and many others - W. S. H. W. S. H.

Pension Office
Washington March 20 th /46
J. L. Edmuns Esq.
Commission of Pension.
Sir,
Payment has been made to the Pensioner in stated below: for wife than daughter the same and below me.
Very respectfully John Quincy Adams J. Q.
Acct of June 1832.
John Morris 12 mo $ 21. 10. Morris Morris " - " - 20

Rev War
2868 INVALID.
File No. 2868
Morris Morrison
Priest Rev War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 162
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Junior Office.
Nashville April 23 d 1841.
James L Edwards Esq. Commission of Pardon.
Sir.
In re the petition in the case of Morris Morris act of June 1832 given to a M ch last. $20.
Please examine the same & return per the papers - very respectfully Yours Obediently -
James M c Whorter
Esq.

Oct 7 1840
Ms A. 9. 2. 21
FREE
Henry L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington -

State of South Carolina County of Calhoun
On this 2 o day of October 1840. before Mr. John Kuske. Justifying Pensions in South Carolina - Personally appeared Morris Morris of the County of Moore, who on his Oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Richard Smith, in the Regt. commanded by Col. Thomas Armstrong, in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of South Carolina - that he received a Certificate of that fact, under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War; which Certificate on or about the - day of September 1839 - was destroyed by fire at the time his House was burnt down. Given to me and subscribed before me the day and date Morris Morris also written -
John Kuske Notary Public
Mark.
2

Post Office
Augusta Me N.E Oct 2 o 40.
I Certify that Morris Morris whose signature is marked, affixed to the affidavit on the other side written is the same person who is now on the former Roll of this Office Act of 7 th June 1832. at the rate of Twenty dollars per Annum - That the said Person has heretofore been often paid by me.
J. M. Haskell Jt.
Please send the Certificate to
Jt. } Jt. }