Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,962, for John Pipen, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
n b
Pipen John Liper
S8962
CONTENTS
boarded

North Carolina 16058
John Piper
of Franklin in the State of North Carolina who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Harris of the Regt commanded by Col. Birchell in the North Carolina line for 8 mos.
Order to pay 20 Sept 1887.
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of June 33 and sent S. Patterson Simsbury N.C.
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 - 93.32 Pension allowance ending 4 Sept " - 23.33
$116.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk, Book E., Vol. 6. Page 57

State of North Carolina } County of Franklin }
On the 12 th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Judge of the Superior Court of Law & Equity, now sitting John Pippin a resident of the county of Franklin and State of North Carolina aged seventy seven 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he was born in the county of Gloucester State of Virginia on the 5 th of July 1755 according to a register of his age which he has now in his possession at home - That at an early age he removed to the county of Halifax State of North Carolina thence to Bath County same State where he was living when first called into service, and in that section of the said county of Bath which now forms Franklin, he has lived since the Revolution and he is now living in the same county. In November 1778 he was drafted in the said county of Bath to serve as a private militia man for the term of five or six months (the exact term not recollected) in a company commanded by Captain Britton Harris, and under him by Lieutenant Philemon Hawkins, though as to the name of the lieutenant he is not positive. That with his company he was marched first to Kingston on the Neuse River in Lenoir County, thence to Elizabeth on the Cape Fear River in Bladen County, thence to Charleston in South Carolina; after remaining there a short time, he was marched up to the town of Augusta Augusta, where he crossed the Savannah River over into the State of Georgia, thence down to Briar Creek where the Americans under Genl. Ashe were defeated by the British. He was engaged in the battle and after the defeat he retreated and after suffering many privations and many adversities difficulties he made his way back to

Savannah River and to North Carolina when he fell in with Genl. Rutherford who command- ed the South Carolina militia, and after marching with their forces a day or two, he went with a party of his company down to Paris Camp, thence to Waverly Hill a few miles off, where he remained until his discharge which he received in writing from Abraham  David  David David but which is now lost. He does not recollect whether his discharge was signed by Genl. David or some superior officer. Genl. David , he thinks, was commander of his company at the time of Captain David had returned home before the company crossed over into Georgia. He does not recollect the name of the officer to which he belonged, but remembers it was commanded by Col. David afterwards Genl. David of Georgia . He recollects among the field officers having commanded at the battle of Brier Creek Genl. David , Genl. David and Col. Williams who was esteemed among the officers as a very brave and meritorious officer. He served about five months and returned home in May of the year 1783. He has no documen- tary evidence by which to prove his posses- sion of service, but believes it can be established by the testimony of Genl. David whose deposition he will endeavor to procure and transmit herewith.
This applicant further declares that about the month of October 1783 a company was drafted in the county of Franklin  for that month  and  and was formed out of part of it for the purpose of

marching Men and spent in taking Wilmington North Carolina, there is the company of the British under Genl Craig. He was appointed Lieutenant in this company by Col o William Brickell, and directed to take command of it and march it down to Tarbo- rough in Edgecombe County. He did so, and after arriving at Tarborough, Captain Nathan Turner took command. The company remained at that place for several weeks, during which time the intelligence of the capture of Lord Cornwallis was received which occasioned great rejoicing - From Tarborough he marched toward Wil- mington and reached the Richlands of New- River where Col o William Caswell met his company, informed them that Genl Craig had abandoned Wilmington, and ordered them to return and be discharged when upon the company was marched home and discharged. His appli- cant states that he has made diligent search for his commission but cannot find it. His commission was given him by Col o Brickle but he does not know by whom it was signed. He was not attached to any regiment during his term of service. He has no docu- tory evidence to prove this term of service, but he believes that Briggen, whose affidavit is herewith, will establish the fact material facts relative to it. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or gratuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the army of any state.
John Difeu
Fair Lawn
Nov 10 1818
W Patterson C.A.

We William Arendell or Clergyman residing in the County of Franklin and State of North Carolina and Guston Parry residing in the same County near State, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Patten who has intermarried and whose testimony to the above declaration that he is a Clergyman here to be about twenty years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
William Arendell
Given in our presence. N Patterson etc.
Guston Parry
And the said Court do hereby Redacted their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the Court 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 William Arendell who has signed the proceedings certificate is a clergyman, resident in the said County of Franklin and that Guston Parry, who has also signed the same, is a resident of the same county, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
(I) Nathan Patterson Clerk of the Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Patten for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this day of given this 23 d of October 1832
N Patterson Clerk

State of North Carolina Franklin County
ss-
This day personally appeared before me, one of the acting Justices of the Peace for the County of Franklin, J. S. Webb who, being first duly sworn according to law, to state what he may know relative to the service of John Pippin as a private militia man during the war of the American Revolution, doth on his oath depose and say that he knew the said John Pippin at the time of the Revolution and has continued to know him ever since - that he was drafted in the same company with the said John Pippin and served with him during a tour to the South, and was with him at the battle of Briar Creek. that the company was first commanded by Captain Britton Harris. that the services John Pippin performed during the tour the ordinary duties of a common soldier and that the said John Pippin is the same individual whom he understands was recently, applied to the Superior or Court of Law and Equity held for the county of Franklin during the second week of the present month for a pension under the provisions of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
Subscribed Sworn to before me at the house of the house of the said J. S. Webb in Franklin County on the 17 day of October 1892
J. S. Webb
Just
J. S. Webb (J.P.C.)

State of North Carolina Franklin County } ss
I Smith Patterson clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for the County of Franklin do hereby certify that Wilson D Webb Esq. before whom the within affidavit was made is and was at the time of doing the same an acting Justice of the peace in the said County of Franklin and that the deposition read and to be his is true and correct
Given under my hand & seal of the County at office the 23 rd October 1833
S. Patterson Clerk
State of North Carolina Franklin County } ss
I Wilson D. Webb, the Justice of the Peace, before whom the within deposition was made do hereby certify that the deponent Jesse Webb is a credible person and that his statements are entitled to credit. Given under my hand & private seal this 18 th day of May A.D. 1833
W. D. Webb Esq
State of North Carolina Franklin County } ss
I Smith Patterson clerk of the Court of Pleas & quarter sessions for the County of Franklin do hereby certify that Wilson D Webb Esq. who signed the foregoing Certificate is the identical Wilson D Webb before whom the within affidavit was made and that he is still an acting Justice of the peace in the said County - Given under my hand & seal of the County at office the 23 rd October 1833
S. Patterson Clerk

Declasified
Mr. Pipher
24111

State of North Carolina Franklin County
Superior Court of Law and Equity Fall Term A.D. 1832
Amos Bridgers personally appears in open Court and maketh oath that he has heard the declaration of John Pippin read that he knew the said John Pippin during the Revolutionary war, that he served in the company raised for the purpose of taking Wilmington, that the said Pippin acted as Lieutenant in the same company, and that all the material facts stated by the said Pippin in his declaration are true to the best of his recollection and belief.
Amos Bridgers Sworn to on this day J. Patterson C.M.
State of North Carolina Franklin County
I Jeremiah Perry an acting Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid hereby certify that Amos Bridgers whose affidavit of proof above is a credible person and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit. Given under my hand & seal this 21 st day 1833.
Jer. Perry J.P. (Seal)
State of North Carolina Franklin County
I. Samuel Patterson clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Franklin aforesaid do hereby certify that Jeremiah Perry Esq. whose official signature appears to the foregoing certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
Given under my hand this 21 st day 1833.
S. Patterson C.M.

State of North Carolina } Franklin County }
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Franklin aforesaid, John Pippin who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection and belief, he served in his first tour not less than six months and for that period he claims a pension. in his second tour, in which he was Lieutenant he served not less than two months and for that time he claims a pension.
With respect to the requisition that the answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department with the declaration, he states that by reference to his declaration it will be seen that in answer to the 1 st interrogatory he states that he was born in Gloucester County, Virginia, in the year 1755 on the 5 th of July. To the 2 nd question, that he has a record of his age now in his possession at home. To the 3 rd question, that he was living in that section of Bath County, which now forms Franklin, that he has lived in the same county ever since the revolution, and that he is still living in the same. To the 4 th question, that in both tours he was drafted. To the 5 th question, he has answered by stating with as much particularity as he can recollect the names of some of the Regular Officers, with whom he served, such continental & militia Regiments as he can recollect, and the general circumstances of his service. To the 6 th question, he answers that in his first tour he did receive a written discharge, which is now lost that the discharge was given him by Michael Dent, a sergeant, but whether signed by said Dent, or some Superior Officer is not recollects. in second tour, he states that he received a commission from Col o William Brickell, signed byckell, signed by him, but that he cannot now find, though he has made diligent search for that purpose. To the 7 th question, he refers for any

sworn to the certificate of William Arndall clergyman and Gaston Perry, attached to his declaration - subscribed & sworn to before me this 18 th day of May 1833
Wilburt G. Baker Jr. Sp -
John B. Dizon
State of North Carolina Franklin County } } }
I Smith Patterson clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Franklin aforesaid, do hereby certify that James Ballou Esq. Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Peace in the aforesaid county, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. Therefore give faith Credit are due his official acts as such
Given under my hand & seal of office at Smithburg this 31 st May 1833
J Patterson Clk

Ino. Pippin N. C. N o 2411 -
Admit as Lieut. 2 mo. 24.66 Private 20.00 $46.66
e. j. m. not authenticated

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Apl 29 1883
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 subjined 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 John Pippin
   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.     Nov. 1778 draft about 6 Pri. Genl. Thos. Eaton 77 years   1782 drafted 3 St. Col. Wm. Riebell Bertie Co. N.C. State County since divided into Franklin & Warren Traditionary Witnesses  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 (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.

June 29-1902 Might D. Taylor Weatherford Texas
Revised
8962 INVALID.
File No. 8962
John Piper ★
Great Blue War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 12, Page 297
[Arrangement of 1870.]
John Piper ★ Nov. 22 1902 Records corrected. JF.