Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3,638, for Peter Parker, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb.
Parker Peter
S 3638
Born in N. C.
CONTENTS
carded.

7672
West Tennessee
Peter Parker
Stewart Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Hill of the regt commanded by Col Dozier in the M.C. Militia for 7 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of W. Tennessee at the rate of 23. Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Feb 1833 and sent to John H. Clements Dover
Arrears to the 4th of March 33, $46.66 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 11.66 58.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. H. Ellis Clerk Book 16 Vol. 7 Page 92

State of Tennessee County of Stewart
On this twenty sixth day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before James C. Mitchell the presiding Judge of the Circuit Court of the fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Tennessee, including the County of Stewart, now sitting. Peter Parker, a resident of the State of Tennessee and County of Stewart, aged seventy five 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. I was drafted in Chowan County North Carolina I think, in April or May 1776, under General Ashe, Colonel Peter Doige, and a Major Myren. Gayle was elected Captain; but for some cause was soon removed and Hill was made Captain in his stead. Simon Stalling was Lieutenant - we were mustered into service in Edenton North Carolina and marched to Wilmington the company to which I belonged, was sent to Brunswick, a short distance, as a guard, and while at Brunswick, Captain Hill was tried by a Court Martial on a charge of taking glass from the windows of houses which had been destroyed in Brunswick on the approach of the British, found guilty and broke of his commission. Lieutenant Stalling took his place. Ensign William Walton - during our time at Brunswick, one hundred regulars or more, mutinied and determined to go home; but were prevented by one hundred Militia volunteers, of which number I was one, under Major Darr, our adjutant. I was drafted for and served three months - was in no engagement and was discharged at Wilmington North Carolina.
I was drafted a second time at Edenton North Carolina, I think in January, the year I do not recollect, under Captain Joseph Whidbey, the company was not full - Captain James Norrett of Tyrrell County came with part of a company - the fractions of Whidbey's and Norrett's companies were thrown together - Norrett became Captain and Whidbey Lieutenant of the amalgamated companies. John Bond was Ensign - we were marched to a place, then called, the North West Bridge in Virginia - Isaac Gregory General, Colonel Peter Doige, and Major Kirby - we were called twice or oftener to Edenton Hill - while at Edenton Hill, the Regular troops commanded by Colonel Parker, took, at the Great Bridge near Norfolk Virginia, a boat in which was a trunk and in the trunk, a letter from General Gregory to the British Commander, saying where General Gregory and the American troops were and informing him that they could be easily

taken - Colonel Parker assumed the command and ordered the Militia back to the North West Bridge - I do not know what became of the case of General Gregory afterwards - during this campaign 6 or 8 men left camp and went home they were brought back, tried by a Court Martial and punished - I was drafted for three months; but served four months, and was discharged at the North West Bridge -
I was drafted a third time, for three months, at Edenton North Carolina, the time I do not remember - was mustered into service but peace was proclaimed and the Army discharged without marching out - Colonel James Blount of Chowan County was with the troops the time I went from Chowan County North Carolina -
1- Where and in what year were you born? I was born in Chowan County North Carolina the 19 th May 1757 - 2- Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it? I have no record of my age in this country - my age was recorded in my father's bible and is in Chowan County North Carolina - 3- Where were you living when called into the service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live?
I was living in Chowan County North Carolina when called into the service - I have only lived in Sumner County Tennessee, except a few months in Wilson County Tennessee until I moved to Stewart County Tennessee in 1826 and I still live in Stewart County Tennessee -
4- How did you enter the service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
I was drafted on each occasion I never substituted -
5- State the names of some of the regular officers who served with the troops when you were, such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service -
The Regulars at Wilmington were commanded by General Moore - Colonel Parker was said to have the command of 1500 Regulars at or near the North West Bridge in Virginia and Griffin Dandridge was a adjutant at that place - I know the names of no other officers except those I have named and the general circumstances of my service, I have already stated -
6- Did you ever receive a discharge and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it?
For the 1 st campaign I was discharged by Lieutenant Stalling for the 2 nd by Captain Norrett and the 3 rd time the troops were disbanded - all my discharges are lost -
7- State the names of persons to whom you are known and who

can testify as to your character for veracity and good behavior and that they are of opinion you served as a soldier of the Revolutionary War. For character for veracity etc. I refer to-
and I have no documentary evidence and know of no person whose testimony I can procure who can testify as to my service in the Revolutionary War. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court Peter Penber
Jno H Clements Clerk
We William B. Cherry and Lemuel Cherry residing in the State of Tennessee and County of Stewart do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Barker who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that he is an honest and industrious citizen and that we believe him to be seventy five years of age and we entertain no doubt but that he served in the Revolutionary War as he had stated
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court W B Cherry Lemuel Cherry John H Clements Clerk
And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations 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 it that William B. H. Cherry and Lemuel Cherry who have signed and sworn to the preceding certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit -
H. H. Mitchell Presiding Judge
Know all men by these presents, that I Peter Barker of the State of Tennessee and County of Stewart have made, ordained, authorized nominated and appointed and by these presents do make, ordain, authorize, nominate and appoint Philander Priestly of the State and County aforesaid my true and lawful attorney for life and for my estate and for my own proper use and benefit to ask, demand and receive of the Government of the United States of America such sum or sums of money as are and may be due and coming to me the said Peter Barker under the act of Congress allowing Annuities to certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution approved June 7th 1832 and to have, take and use all

certify as to your character for veracity and good behavior and their opinion as to your having served as a soldier of the Revolutionary War. For character for veracity etc. I refer to
and I have no documents and kind of resolution in that testimony I fear none who can testify as to my service in the Revolutionary War.
Given to me and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court
lawful ways and means in my name or otherwise, for the recovery thereof and to do all lawful acts and things concerning the premises as fully in every respect as myself might or could do, and I attorned under him personally present at the doing thereof and attorned under him one or more for the purposes aforesaid, to make and gain at his pleasure to my said attorney hereby ratifying and confirming whatever my said attorney shall in and making lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the premises.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of September 1832.
Peter Parker
John H. Clements
I John H. Clements, Clerk of the Circuit Court, for the County of Stewart (included in the fifth Judicial Circuit) and State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Peter Parker for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, at Office in Dover this 28th day of September 1832.
John H. Clements

13933
Peter Parker
Stewart county
Tennessee
from 1776 print 7 months!
$23 \frac{33}{100}
John H. Clements of H. Dover Tennessee

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined 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 Peter Parker, Stewart co. Tennessee
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Drafted 1776 3 private Capt Gayle Capt Hill Col Dorier Wilmington Great Bridge Norfolk N.W. Bridge 75 Showan co North Co. tradition   do — 4 Capt Harret Col Dodge  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (1) 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 he 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 case of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [m] 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.
Feb 1832

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Peter Parker Sur. File 3638
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     April May 1776 3 mos Pvt { Gayle Hill Peter Dange Ky.   Early 4 mos. Howell Peter Dange  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Chowan Co. N.C.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 26. 1832 His el. was al.
Residence at date of application, Stewart Co. Tenn. (where he moved in 1826)
Age at date of application, born in Chowan Co. N.C. May 19. 1757
Remarks: /

1910 Mar. 26 Hist. Soc John C. Parker. (Letter in Y.F. 3637) V.L.M.
Rev. John
3638. INVALID.
File No. 3638
Peter Parker
Print. Rev. War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 286
[Arrangement of 1870.]