Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17000, for James Parks, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.6.
Parks, James
S. 17000
Born in N.C.
CONTENTS
carded

Missouri James Parks 26108 Whereas in the State of Mo was a PA in the Company commanded by Captain Charles of the Regt commanded by Col Hardy - in the Mo Caroline line for -
11 Mo 26 1/2 PA $ 39.56
Inscribed on the Roll of Missouri at the rate of 39 Dollars 56 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of March and sent to 1834 Here Ino Bull, H.R.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1834. 118.68 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Apr . 19.78 $ 138.46
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. P. Wagner Clerk, Book C - Vol. 8 Page 86
✓

State of Missam Chariton County of Chariton 352
In The Chariton County Court January Term 1834
On this 28th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, personally appeared in open Court, Samm Parks an resident of the County and State aforesaid, aged eighty one years in February next, 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 was drafted into the service of the United States on the 12th day of April 1781, for one year. Then in Captain Joseph Rhodes Company of Infantry of Militia in the County of Northampton State of North Carolina, the said Company belonged to the Regt. Commanded by Lieut. Colonel Hardy Murphy And Major George M'Kee, Col. Murphy was ordered to Join Gen. Nathaniel Green at Fork Mott, from which place the Army was Marched to the Utaw Springs where Gen. Green fought the last battle with the British in South Carolina in Sept. 1781, from there we was Marched to the high hills of Santa, from thence into the fords of the River Santa, water run and Congaree, from we was ordered to Cross the Congaree River to Col Thompson Plantation, from thence the Army was Marched to a place known by the name of the Round O where the Army was detained some days, whilst there we was Joined by General Wayne, Atkinson and Gist, who was said to be from the siege of Little York in the State of Virginia, from thence the Army was Marched to Jacksonburrow, from thence we was Marched to the Stone Ponds said to be about forty Miles South of Charleston, at which place the Army was ordered into winter Quarters; In the spring of 1782 the Army was ordered to march to Bacon Bridge on Ashley River, at which place I was duly discharged as first Sergeant of Capt. Rhodes Company, which appointment was made at the time I was mustered into service, and continued to hold the Command of first Sergeant during the whole continuance of I was discharged on the 8th day of April 1782 which was signed Lieut. Col. Hardy Murphy, Major George M'Kee And Capt. Joseph Rhodes, the discharge I obtained to the best of my recollection was filed in some office at Halifax Court house, and what has become of it, I never understood I was in actual service eleven months and twenty six days, during which time I was either in the field or Garrison, and for the time during which the service was performed, I was not employed in any Civil pursuits; I was born in Northampton County in the State of North Carolina in February 1753 and if I should

live to the time I was born in February next I was he eighty one years of age. He hereby relinquishes every Claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Mississippi to which he is entitled and to which he is now entitled. E. B. Dabbs Clerk
Question 1st. Where and in what year was you born Jarred Dabbs Answer I was born in Northampton County in the State of North Carolina in 1753.
Question 2nd Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? Answer I have no record of my age, all the information, is derived from my Parents, who repeatedly informed that I was born in February 1753 in the County of Northampton State of North Carolina.
Question 3rd Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live.
Answer I was living in Northampton County in the State of North Carolina when called into service, after the war was over I moved my family to Madison County State of Kentucky, from there I moved to Henderson County in same State from Henderson I moved to Charleston County State of Mississippi, where I now reside.
Question 4th 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 was drafted into service, I neither volunteered, nor was I a substitute.
Question State some of the names of the Regular officers who were with the troops, when you served, such as Continental, and militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the General Circumstances of your service.
Answer I have no perfect recollection of the names of the Regular Officers, except Gen. Nathaniel Green Commander in chief I recollect Colonel Gurney, but whether or not he belonged to the Regular, or militia service I can not say. nor do I recollect, as respect the number of Regiments, either Regular or militia, I have at this time no recollection, The militia Officers that was ordered out from Northampton County I have a perfect recollection of Lieut. Col. Henry Mumprey Major Geo. McRae and Capt. Joseph Rhodes These officers signed my discharge.
Question did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Answer

Answer
On the 8th day of April 1782 I received a discharge at Bacon Bridge on Ashley River in the State of South Carolina signed by Lieut. Col. Hardy Murphy, Major George Wheeler and Captain Joseph Rhodes. I lived in same office at Wallis for a Court house North Carolina to the best of my recollection.
Question
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolutionary.
Answer
I will mention Robert Hays and John Parkes and the Rev. James Keyte. The said Robert Hays and John Parkes came in open Court before the Justices thereof after being first duly sworn as the law directs signed the following Certificate to wit. That from an acquaintance upwards of thirty years they have been personally acquainted the above named James Parkes esq. And from which, they are authorized to say that he is a man of strict veracity &c. and that we always understood he was in the Revolutionary war. Robt Hays. Sworn & subscribed to in open court. Edward B. Calhoun clerk. John Parkes
Where upon the Rev. James Keyte appeared in open Court before the Justices thereof, after being first duly sworn as the law directs signed the following Certificate (to wit) That from a personal knowledge of several years of the above named James Parkes esq. he is authorized to say that he is a man of good character and strict veracity, and from the appearance of the old gentleman he is of the age he represents himself to be.
Sworn & subscribed to in open court. Edward B. Calhoun clerk.
James Keyte Minister of the Gospel
State of Mississippi, County of Chickasaw, ss
In the Chickasaw County Court Jan'y Term 1834
It is ordered by the Court to be certified to the Secretary of War, as the opinion of this Court, that they place full confidence in the foregoing statement made by J. Parkes esq. the applicant for a pension; and more so that they are acquainted with the above named Robt. Hays & John Parkes, also the Rev. James Keyte the clergyman, and that they consider them men of good character and strict veracity, that their certificates are entitled to full faith and credit in any Court of Justice.
In Testimony whereof I Edward B. Calhoun clerk of said County Court have hereunto set my Name and affixed the seal of said County Court, at office, on this twenty eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty four. Edward B. Calhoun clerk.

I hereby certify that the within named claimant is to my personal knowledge a man of morality and respectability.
John Smith

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWF/eel AW
October 9, 1929
Mrs. Inez Bonn-Miner Box 221 Salisbury, Missouri
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.17000 , it appears that James Parks was born in February, 1753, in Northampton County, North Carolina.
While residing in said county, he enlisted April 12, 1781, and served as first sergeant in Captain Joseph Rhodes' Company, Lieutenant Colonel Hardy Murphy's North Carolina Regiment and was discharged April 8, 1782, at Bacon's Bridge, South Carolina.
He stated that after the war was over he moved his "family to Madison County, State of Kentucky", from there moved to Henderson County, Kentucky, and from there to Chariton County, Missouri. names of family not given
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 28, 1834, at which time he was living in said Chariton County.

There are no names of his family given.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner James Parks, S.17000, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data:
James Parks, Certificate No.26108, issued March 6, 1834, rate $39.56 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Missouri Agency.
Very truly yours,
KARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

28. 650
James Parks Missouri
Return
Adm. N. Mantle
8 24. days
40.00
46
39.56
3
8.68
Hon John Buel
Co of Reps.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
11 th Decr 1833
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 subjocined 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 Calvin Parks
   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.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same), who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 inquiry 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 _____; 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[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.

1929 Oct. 9 - H. L. N. P. Inez Bonn - miner's ref.
17.000
INVALID.
File No. 17.000
James Parks Pr. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 295
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Salisbury, Missouri July 26, 1929
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please furnish me with the following data concerning James Parks , a pensioner of the Revolution buried here in Chariton County.
Date or place of birth and date of death and where, the place of enlistment, or the place of residence of this soldier. His war record was received this morning from the Adjutant General.
He was of the Virginia Regiment.
Thanking you in advance for the above information.
Yours respectfully, Mrs. Inez Bonn-Miner Box 221 Salisbury, Mo.