Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,821, for William Merritt, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. 6.
Merritt, William
S. 2821
CONTENTS
Carded.

North carolina 12.535
William Merritt
of Stokes in the State of North Carolina who was a pri. Inf'ty in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg't commanded by Col. Williams in the North Carolina line for 8 months
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 30 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7. day of May '33. and sent E. Shober Salem N.C.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - 61.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4. Sept " 15.33
$76.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by William Miller Clerk. Book E. Vol. 6. Page 48.
Dead
Paid at the Treasury Under the Act of April 1838 from 4 March to 22 May 1841. Age Notified 1. Oct 1844

William Merritt N. C. a.
Admit as a private in the Infantry 3 mo. 10.00 private of Cav 5 mo. 20. 16 $30.66
E. Shuler Esq Salem N.C.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
1834
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 subjoined 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 William Merrell
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1780 Vol. 3 Pri. Genl. Rutherford 70 years   " 5 Pri. Horse Col. Williams & General Surry Co. N. C. Additional Witness  
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 days 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 quote [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.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Oct. 12 th , 1843.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The widow of William Merritt, dec d , a Pensioner on the Roll of the North Carolina Agency, at the rate of Thirty Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March - to the 22 nd May 1841.
Respectfully, yours,
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

State of North Carolina Stokes County ss.
On the 14 th day of March 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions now sitting for the County aforesaid William Merritt a Resident of the County of Stokes aforesaid aged Seven Years last December who being first sworn according to Law. Doth on his oath make the following Declara- in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the 9 th June 1832, That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officer and Served as herein after stated. (sworn) That he entered the Service as a Volunteer for three months a private under Captain John Walbert & Lieutenant Robt Hill at Surry County Court house for three months commencing about four weeks before the Battle of Cameron in South Carolina. The exact date he does not recollect. But he marched from said Court house under the Command of said Lieutenant Robt Hill to Salisbury in North Carolina, where Captain William Meredith from Surry County aforesaid came with part of the Company composing the Captain's Company from Surry & joined those commanded by Lieutenant Hill, when Capt. Meredith Commanded said Company at head quarters in Salisbury. From there marched to Anson County in North Carolina under the Command of General Rutherford ford. where Lieutenant Hill was badly wounded in a severe storm of wind by the fall of a tree, when and where this applicant & two other Soldiers was ordered by General Rutherford to wate on & take care of his Lieutenant Hill, and conveyed him to his place of residence in Surry County N. Carolina during this Service the memorable Battle of Guilford Court House hap- pened this applicant having served this three months was discharged. And immediately there after entered the Service as a Volunteer horseman & found his own horse under the Command of Capt. Thomas Evans in Surry County aforesaid. and marched from Capt. Osburns in said County as a Ranger to scourge the Tories that were pestering some Sections of the County in mountains and tributary waters of the Yadkin River, and served in

Served as Ranging through Surry & Rowan counties one expedition after another when ever call d on until he served five months and two weeks, during this service he was in one small skirmish at Surry County house call d Richmond when he rec d a ball through his hat & one through his shot bag & horn. Col o Jo Williams & Col o Lenoir were the field officers. Capt s Halbert, Capt s Woldridge, Capt s Krouse & Capt s Scott commanded as captains & were compelled to retreat from the force, one month of the above service was an expedition under Capt s  Sturtevant Horn & Col o Joseph Williams from Surry County to the Mulberry fields in Wilkes County, Carolina & guarding the prisoners that were taken at the Battle of Kings Mountain at the old Moravian Farms, all these are facts. Tho' he has no documentary evidence, But can prove by the testimony of his former Lieutenant Rob t Hill as to the greater part of 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 first above mentioned —
The following Interrogatories were propounded at (treat) first. Where were you Born — William Nevitt Answer. In Essex County in the Commonwealth of Virginia and have you any record of your age and have you any record in his father's Bible that he was born the 20 th of December 1762
2 nd Where were you living when call d into the service. Where have you lived since the Revolution, and where do you live now
Answer I lived in Surry County in North Carolina when call d into service, and by the division of said County I fell in that part call d Stokes County & have resided there ever since
3 rd how were you call d into service, were you drafted, were you a Volunteer or were you a substitute —
Answer in all my services rendered I was a Volunteer 5 th State the names of the Regular officers with whom you were acquainted if any with the troops when you served and the Regiments as you can recollect & the general circumstances of your service.

Ans; I knew Genl. Rutherford. Mag o John Armstrong who are Regular officers, and as respects the Militia officers that I knew I have already named as also the General circumstances I have heretofore stated 6 th he never rec d a written discharge
7 th he says he is acquainted with citizens of Stokes County who can testify as to his character & veracity but on this occasion can produce Mag o Rob t Hill who was his former Lieutenant above mentioned & Charles Banner. Citizens residing in said County of Stokes — &
We hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declare that his name is not on the Pension Roll. of the Agency of any State. Sworn & Subscribed the day & year above mentioned
William Merritt
W m Hill. cc.
We Robert Hill and Charles Banner residing in Stokes County in North Carolina hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with William Merritt who has Subscribed & Sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy years of Age. That he is reputed and believed in his Neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn & Subscribed the day & year first above mentioned
Robert Hill
W m Hill. cc.
Charles Banner
As Robert Hill maketh saith further that the aforesaid William Merritt did actually serve and perform the duties mentioned in the foregoing Declaration for the term of three months when I was wounded by the fall of a tree as therein stated when this Deponent was Lieutenant in the Militia from Surry County aforesaid — Sworn & Subscribed the day & year above mentioned
Robert Hill
W m Hill. cc.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogation prescribed by the War Department that the above named Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier. & served as he states, and that the Court further certifies that it appears to them that no Clergymen could conveniently be procured to give his Certificate - But that Messrs Robert Hill & Charles Bassner Esq. are Residents of Stokes County aforesaid and are credible persons and that their Statement is entitled to credit
W. Hill . . . .
J. T. T. T.
Benja. Ziglar P
Wm P. Poinsett Secy
State of North Carolina Stokes County }
I John Hill clerk of the County court of pleas and Quarter Sessions of Stokes County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of said Court in the matter of Application of William Merritt for a Pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal of office and set my hand at office this 14 th day of March A.D. 1833.
W. Hill . . . .

January 18, 1932
BA-J/MCS
Mrs. T. H. Boone 531 College Street Macon, Georgia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter requesting information in regard to William Merritt, a soldier of the Revolution.
The data contained herein are obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 2821, based upon the service of William Merritt .
He was born December 20, 1762, in Essex County, Virginia.
While living in Surry County, North Carolina, in that part which was later called Stokes County, he enlisted in 1780, about four weeks before the battle of Camden, and served three months as private in Captain John Halbert's North Carolina Company. Immediately afterward he enlisted as ranger in Captain Thomas Evans' North Carolina Company and served whenever called upon until he had served five months and two weeks; he was in a skirmish at Surry Court House and for one month of his service he was under Captain John Horn and Colonel Joseph Williams.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 14, 1833, at which time he was living in Stokes County, North Carolina.
He died May 22, 1841, leaving a widow but her name is not given nor is there any data relative to children.
The above noted is the history of the only soldier named William Merritt who served with North Carolina troops, found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

1932 Jan. 18. kid. to hero J.H. Boone. uncl.!
118 ;
Reuben
2821.
INVALID.
File No. 2821
William Merritt
Print Rev War
Act: June 7  1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 253
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Macon, Ga.
Oct. 22 - 1931
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
I wish to obtain information of the Revolutionary history of William Merrill of North Carolina.
Did William Merrill draw a pension for war services?
If so I would appreciate a copy of same. Very respectfully,
Mrs. G. H. Boone 5-31 College St., Macon, Ga.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
November 2, 1931
IN REPLY REFER TO:
BA-J/MCS
Mrs. T. H. Boone 531 College Street Macon, Georgia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of October 22, 1931, requesting information in regard to William Merrill, a soldier of the Revolution.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers in that war.
A careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the service of William Merrill of North Carolina.
It is suggested that as possible means of securing information in regard to the military service of this soldier, you apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, this city.
Very truly yours,
A. D. Hiller
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator
Letter enc. 1 Mr. A. D. Hiller Washington, D.C. Dear Sir:
In Oct. 1931 I wrote for a copy of William Merritt's pension application. The above letter in reply mistook the name Merritt for Merrill. In State Records of N.C. by Walter Clark, it names William Merritt pensioner, Vol. 22, page 76. I am sorry to trouble you again but I am anxious for the Revolutionary data of William Merritt of N.C. Very truly, Mrs. T. H. Boone 531 College St. Macon, Ga. Jan. 8-1932