Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,978, for John Presnell, North Carolina

SERVICE
Nb.
Presnell John
NUMBER
S.8978
carded.
CONTENTS

See letter to Hon. J. Graham Jan. 27, 1837
23 52 9 North Carolina
John Presnell Dark Co. in the State of N.C. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Knights of the Regt. commanded by Gen Rutherford in the North Carolina line for militia for nine months.
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 35 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Febry 1834 and handed to Newland Esq Pseud.
Arrears to the 4th of 4 Sept 1833 87. 52 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March 1834 17 52 $ 105.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. Sylvester Clerk, Book E Vol. 16 1/2 Page 19

State of North Carolina - Burke County This day personally appeared before us, the undersigned Acting Justices of the peace in and for the County & State aforesaid John Presnell, Sr. who after being duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelists in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 for the Relief of certain Officers & Soldiers of the Revolutionary War doth on his corporal oath say that he Entered the service of the United States under the command of John late Knight & Lieut. Colonel Bookshier & Lieut. Thomas Williams as a volunteer for three months against the Cherokee Indians during which time we was ordered to Catties Fort in Burke County N.C. by Gen. Rutherford, at which place we remained until we was ordered to march against a detachment of Tories commanded by a British officer by the name of Fannan

in the counties of Randolph Guilford & Chatham N. Carolina. And continued his service  service  until until he was honorably discharged, by which services was rendered either in the year 1779. or 1780 - Said Prescott
Further Swears - That immediately after the expiration of the aforesaid term of service, he again entered in the services of U. States as a Substitute for Samuel Townsend. For three months under the aforesaid Captain John Knight in Col. Belfors Regiment of Cavalry, and that he served the aforesaid time and was honorably discharged Said Prescott further swears that he was drafted in the Cavalry & served three months under the aforesaid Captain Knight in the aforesaid Col. Belfors Regiment No. of The Regiment for 80 days, Said Prescott
Further Swears that during this term of service he was kept traveling mostly through the counties of Guilford Randolph Chatham Montgomery & Ransom to away the services until the expiration of his term of service which was shortly before the death of Said Col. Belfors, Said Prescott further that he received a discharge as aforesaid

For the the three towers delivered. and he believes the same would never be of any service to him hath either lost or mislaid the same and does not now know where they are. and that he is not now nor never has been in the Pontiac Roll. of any the state governments or the Genl. government and hereby Relinquishes all claims except the present us Sworn to & subscribed before this 10th day January 1834.
Attest. J. Turner his mark John P. Prustnull his mark
After which the following Interrogatories was propounded to said Prustnull which he answered as follows, Ques 1 When & where were you born Answer I was born in the state of Virginia tho I do not recollect the name of the County was much as I was removed from Virginia when a child to North Carolina
Ques 2nd Where did you live at the time you entered the service of your country as a soldier Answer in Randolph County N.C. Ques 3rd Where do you now live

and, in Burke County N.C.
2. 4 th by Whame were the three Discharges given for the three toward you served answer my first Discharge was given by Captain Edward Williams. The two other discharges was given me by the aforesaid Captain John. Knights  Knights
2. 5 th name same of your principal officers under whom you served. answer Genl Rutherford Col Calygon Col Du Gin & Col Belfer under whom I mostly served.
2. 6 th in what year were you born? am the 1 st day January 1757.
2. 7 th have said all were you when you entered the Service answer I think I was either in my Twenty Seventh or Twenty Eighth year of my age. —
2. 8 th Why did you not go before one of the Courts of your County to make your Declaration? answer because among to the distance I am living thirty miles from our County Seat

and owing to my infirmities I am unable to travel a much less distance being almost entirely blind and am barely able to visit my nearest neighbours,
2.9 to Can you mind your business by any means now living, answer I can prove part of my business by
With the Martin Cunningham Esq.
Whose deposition you can now take, this and the only part now living in my knowledge by Whom I can prove any part of — my business
Sworn to subscribed
before us this 10 th day January 1834.
attest
John his P. Prunell Esq. mark
H. Seamer for Seal E. Broadhurst for Seal

State of North Carolina 3 rd
Burke County 3 rd I, William A. Swanson a regular ordained minister of the Gospel in the Ancient Baptist Church do hereby testify that the foregoing Declaration of John Presnell was taken in my presence and that I further believe him to be the man he represents himself to be, I swear to & subscribed before us.
Attest J. Turner P st Eld W. M. P. Swanson J. E. Bradburn P st Eld
State of North Carolina 3 rd
Burke County 3 rd This day personally appeared before us the undersigned Justices of the Peace William A. Swanson & James M. Smith Esq rs . Who after being first duly sworn according to Law said on oath that the new John Presnell Who has made the foregoing Declaration and that they knew him during the Revolu- tionary War and knew him to be gone some time or three years but how long he served they do not know and said Presnell was generally & always reputed to be a true Whig & good friend to Liberty sworn to & subscribed before us.

this 10 th day of January 1834
attest
H Turner Pres d Martin Van Buren W m Bradburn Pres d
I William Swanson minister aforesaid do certify that the deposition of Martin Van Buren & William Smith was also taken in my presence and that Van Buren & Smith are gentlemen of unquestion- able good reputation and that their oaths are entitled to the utmost respect I swear to & subscribe as before as attest H Turner Pres d W m P. Swanson W m Bradburn Pres d
State of N. Carolina } Brock County } 3
We the undersigned Magistrates acting in & for the County & State aforesaid do certify that the aforegoing declaration was made in our presence and sworn to before us as above stated and that the Rev. William P. Swanson in whose presents the same was taken is a Regular ordained Minister of the Gospel and we further certify in company with his affidavits that we believe John P. Spruill himself to be the man he represents him- self to be and we further certify that full faith and credit should be paid to the Oaths of Martin Van Buren &

William Smith Esq m as they are gentlemen of unquestionable good character and having given under our hands & seals this 10 th day of January 1834
A. S. [unclear] J. E. Bradburn
State of South Carolina Berkeley County
I Joseph J. Ewing Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for the County of State of South Carolina do hereby certify that Harrison Turner and Isaac E. Bradburn who have attested the foregoing declaration of John Purnell applicant for a pension and has also attested the accompanying affidavits were at the time thereof acting Justices of the peace that W. P. Swanson is a regular clergyman and that Martin Van Cannon and William Smith Esq m when affidavits are above are citizens residents of the County of Berkeley and entitled to credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office done this 31 st January 1834
J. J. Ewing Clerk

September 23, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
John Presnell-S/8978 BA-J/AWF aw
Mrs. Sarah P. Porter 161 W. Third South Street Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of the Revolutionary War pensioner, John Presnell.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 8978, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John Presnell.
He was born January 1, 1751 in the state of Virginia, the names of his parents not given.
John Presnell enlisted, while residing in Randolph County, North Carolina, where he had moved when a child, and served with the North Carolina troops as follows-
In 1779 or 1780, three months in Captain John Knight's company; immediately afterward, three months in Captain John Knight's company, Colonel Belfors' regiment of cavalry; a little later three months in same company and regiment.
The soldier, John Presnell, was allowed pension on his application executed, January 10, 1834, then a resident of Burke County, North Carolina.
There are no data in this claim relative to his family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address to whom sent, and pos-

sibly the date of death of the pensioner, John Presnell, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data-
John Presnell Certificate No. 23520 Issued February 25, 1834 Rate $35.00 per annum To commence March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 North Carolina Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWP/sel
June 13, 1929
Mrs. H.V. McCheaney 102 Watson Court Frankfort, Kentucky
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.8978, it appears that John Presnell was born January 1, 1751, in the State of Virginia.
While residing in Randolph County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served with the North Carolina Troops as follows:
In 1779 or 1780, three months in Captain John Knight's Company; immediately afterward, three months in Captain John Knight's Company, Colonel Belfors' Regiment of Cavalry; a little later three months in Captain John Knight's Company, Colonel Belfors's Regiment of Cavalry.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 10, 1834, at which time he was living in Burke County, North Carolina.
There are no data as to family.

In order to search the records of this bureau for soldiers of the War of the Revolution, the full name of the soldier is essential with as much as possible of the following data pertaining to him; approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
Due to the very large number of inquiries similar to yours and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, only two histories are furnished each inquirer.
Respectfully,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

161 W. 3 rd So. St.,
Salt Lake City Utah.
Sept. 12- 1933.
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
On page 80, vol. 22, State Records of N.C., among the Revolutionary War Pensioners is found the name of one of my  John Presnell , Private. I have written to the Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D.C., and he reported to me that the Revolutionary War records were incomplete and the above name was not found.
Since his name was among the pensioners I am writing to you for further data.
My grandfather, Elijah C. Presnell , told me his grandfather Jonathan (or John) Presnell , came to America when 15 years of age and fought in the Revolutionary War.
I am trying to trace my ancestor's genealogy. I wish to obtain information that is available from every source concerning his war record, parents names, when and where born, wife's name, etc., also when and where he died.
My grandfather said that he died about 1836, age 75 or 76 years. Any information will be appreciated.
Yours truly Mrs. Sarah Presnell Porter.

Frankfort, Ky., Jan. 27, 1929.
Dear Sir:—
Have you among the records of your office any
1. Presnells , of North Carolina , or Virginia , or, 2. Watlingtons , of N. Car. , or Va.
Grateful for any information, Sincerely,
Mrs. H. V. McChesney, Frankfort, Ky.
I have records from "N. C. State Papers" of John Presnell , Revolutionary Pensioner of N. C. S 8978
102 Watson Court, Frankfort, Ky.

1929. June 13 - Trial to Mrs. H. V. McChesney 1933. Sept. 23 - " " Mrs. Sarah P. Potter
Rehran
8978
INVALID.
File No. 8978
John Presnell
Prin. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 102 , Page 302
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I David Norton do certify that the signatures of H. Turner Esqr of Burke County N. Carolina to the Declaration of John Presnell of said County & State for a pension, are the genuine signatures of said Esqr Turner except his signature to the last Certificate in said declaration. Which signature was written by J. E. Bradburn Esqr in the presence of Esqr Turner by with the consent special directions of said Turner given under my hand at the City of Washington this 22 nd day of February 1834 J. M. [unclear]
I certify that Genl. D. Newland whose name is attached to the foregoing Certificate is personally known to me - and that his statements are entitled to the utmost credit Feb 23 d 1834 James Graham

State of N. Carolina } Bunke County }
This day personally appeared before us the undersigned acting Justice of the peace in and for the County & State of said William Smith Esq. who after being duly sworn according to law Layeth on oath that he knew Capt. John Pright who was reported to be a Captain in the Cavalry of the North Carolina troops in the Revolution -ary war & that S d Pright having to S d Smith that the S d John Pright was one of his Rangers and that he was a true and vigilant Soldier and an honest Whig S d Smith further I swear that he thinks he has known S d John Pright for about forty three years and that he has always had S d John Pright reported as a Soldier in the army of the N o Carolina troops in the Revolutionary war I swear & subscribe to before us the 10 th day of January 1834
attested
Th o Turner H. Esq. J. C. Bradburn Esq.
Wm Smith

Ino Milstead '28 Woolgreen -32 Ino Ravnall Presnell 16
Mr. J. Graham HR

John Nettles an old soldier, obtained a certificate for $ and employed David Newland to get the money for him. Newland lost the certificate, and then sent to Washington for a new one and got one for twice the original sum.
I desire to know who rec d this last Certificate, and if the above facts are true -
W m Green of Haywood Co. N.C. sent on Dec c last fall what has become of it?
John Purnall an old soldier of Burke Co N.C. It is alleged that David Newland & J. E. Bradburn committed a forgery in the presence of one Gaither in putting the Magistrates name to his certificate
23520
James Graham