Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7252, for William Morris, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
16
Morris, William
S 7252
Carded
CONTENTS

Order to pay to John Morris
16.878
North Carolina
William Morris* of Burke Co in the State of N. Carolina who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Kemp of the Regt: commanded by Col. Ch. D. Smith in the N. C. Ma- rine for 8 mo 20 ds.
William Morris* Records completed July 26/44
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 28 Dollars 88 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Oct 1833 and South Hon. J. P. Carson
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $72.22 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 31 14.44 $86.64
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book C Vol. 6 1/2 Page 15

State of North Carolina } On the 22 nd day Bunke County } of October 1832
personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions now sitting a majority of said County & State William Morris Esq aged 82 Years The 19 th day of Nov r next - who first being duly sworn according to Law doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.
I first volunteered in my 28 th year (he states he was born in 1750) in the Summer season for 3 months under Capt s Kemp (believed his name was Jonathan) & Col o Charles McDowell in the this County (Bunke) (I then lived where I now reside) and marched down into South Carolina while on this tour was in the battle that was fought at Colo Red Banktons. we were attacked in the night by a company of British Dragoons & some Tories after fighting some time the British retreated and got what prisoners we had. Capt n Kemp & Capt n Kenadys Companies done the hardest of the fighting of horsemen .
Next morning there was a detachment sent after them. our officers They got all the horses they could start & picked them men & started them in pursuit. we pursued about 12 Mile & overtook them. we had a skirmish with them, we killed some of the enemy & took about 20 prisoners. they had about 20 of our men prisoners, which they had taken before. they were all released in the fight or rather got away & returned with us to the Camp.

I dont recollect the date but think it was in the summer of 1878 or 9 we done no more fighting till my term of service was ended I was discharged near Pockolick River in 1864. I got no written discharge Col o McDowell allowed me to come home eleven days before my time was out on account of my Wife whose situation required me to be at home. In the fall of the  summer I volunteered for 3 months more to go under Capt n Whittaker but he got killed before I got to him & Lt l Boyakin took his place we marched to the State of Georgia  South Carolina against the Tories. We had several skirmishes with Magerts & Cunninghams companies of Tories & upon one occasion we killed 5 of Cunninghams men on Pockolick River in S o Carolina. We had a skirmish -mish up a small creek that runs into Lynn River in in S o Carolina with a party Capt n by the name of Bright in that skirmish my Mother-in-law John Raburn was killed & one other of our company wounded. I served my three months out & was discharged by Capt n Boyakin. I seen this discharge among my papers about three years ago. I have made diligent search since I learned we were to get pay for our services, but cant find it nor I know not what has be- -come of it - I next volunteered for 3 months under Capt n George Walker to guard the frontier against the Indians this was the next winter after I returned from the war after the Tories. We were stationed at the upper fort on the Catawba River in this county near where Esq r John Burgin now lives.

I served out my time at that place there was no fighting done & was discharged by Captm Walker. I dont think I got a written dis- charge from him. after this I was twice a volunteer to go to the Cherokee Nation we didnt volunteer for any particular time but turned out for the trip be it long or short The first time I went I went under Captm Daniel Smith, one of the McDowells commanders we were only gone a few weeks, we killed a good many & took some prisoners & plunder. I killed one Indian warrior myself & took another prisoner & brought him back to Captm Smith. we then went This prisoner led us on to a town but the Indians got had left it before we got there we got some of them horses & other plunder. The next route was under Majr Joseph McDowell (afterwards Genl McDowell of Johns River) we were out about the same length of time & killed & took some prisoners & drove the Indians back from the frontiers. This ended my services. I got no written discharge from either of these officers when we got back to the settlement we were dismissed & each man went home
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present - and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state or of any state
Sworn to & subscribed this day & year his William X Morris marks of said test J Ewan flat

Declaration X Pension
John William Morris 65

I served out my time at that place there was no fighting done & was discharged by Captain Walker. I don't think I got a written dis- charge from him. after this I was twice a volunteer to go to the Cherokee Nation we didn't volunteer for any particular time but turned out for the trip be it long or short The first time I went I went under Captain Daniel Smith, one of the McDowells (commander) we were only gone a few weeks, we killed a good many & took some prisoners & plunder. I killed one Indian Warren Payzup & took another prisoner & brought him back to Captain Smith. we then went This prisoner led us on to a town but the Indians got had left it before we got there we got some of them horses & other plunder. The next route was under Capt. Joseph McDowell (afterwards Genl McDowell of Johns River) we were out about the same length of time & killed & took some prisoners & drove the Indians back from the frontiers. This ended my services. I got no written discharge from either of these officers when we got back to the settlements we were dismissed & each man went home
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present - and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state or of any state
Sworn to & subscribed this day a year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two J. E. C. [unclear] his William H. Morris Marks

North Carolina } Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Wake County } October Term 1832
Personally appeared in open Court now sitting Benjamin Waring Esq. & after being sworn testifies on oath that he has known Mr Morris Esq. who signed a sworn to the forgery declaration & has resided in the same County with him upwards of forty years and that he bears the reputation of an honest citizen & upright
Man sworn to - open Court 22.0 Oct 1832 J Brown Chs. B. Waring
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original now on file in my office.

William Morris
4513 H Specific 258
Page 233
1 Febr 1833
212555 71666 24404
Wm H Carson Ho Rep,

BRIEF in the case of William Morris of in the State of (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? in open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 82 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1778. & 1779 2. 20 As a Gen. Capt. Kemp Col. M c Dowell   In the Fall, year not stated 3 Lieut. Boyallin   Next Winter, year not stated 3 Capt. Geo. Walker  
after the above, alleges that he was in two periods of service of a few weeks each under Capt. Dan e Smith, and Major M c Dowell
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bucks County N. Carolina  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence, and the living witnesses, whose testimony is only calculated to show that the applicant did serve against the Indians  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? they are not attached according to the Regulations 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Gordon Examining Clerk.

State of North Carolina } September 22 nd Burke County } 18 th 33 —
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in & for the said County of Burke William Morris Esq of said County who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith that by reason of old age, & consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise period of the war at which he served or as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollections, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, & in the grade of a Soldier
His first service was as a Volunteer for three months in the year (as he believes) 1778 — The reason why he believes that it was in 1778 is that he thinks he was then in his 28 th year & he was

born in the year according to the record of his age in the year 1950 He was discharged eleven days before his term was out on account of the situa- -tion of his wife as set forth in his declaration - In the fall of the same year he volunteered for three months more under Capt n Whitaker but he he (Whitaker) got killed before he started & he was commanded by Lt Boyakin who took Whitakers place & served out the three months as set forth in his declaration
My next service was under Capt n George Walker as a volunteer for three months which was in the winter & spring following (viz) 1864 which service he performed as set forth in

his declaration upon the frontier to guard against the Indians after this I was there a volunteer to go against the Indians as set forth in my declaration I was there two trips, we did not volunteer for any particular time, but for the expedition - I was out as well as my memory serves me 28 days in the first expedition & about 35 or 40 in the last - both I therefore claim These expeditions were in the year 1780 - I therefore claim for three three months tours except eleven days in the first tour & for two one months tours making eleven months except the eleven days - & for which he claims a pension subscribed sworn to date his above written - William for Morris D. G. G. G. B. Marks

PS. I have not fixed the different sheets together with a rebound or tape but submit it as it is because you know my hand writing which is on every sheet except the clerks certificate etc. which was made out in my presence when the original declaration was sworn to.
I am T. Carson

State of North Carolina Burke County
3
I James Reed presiding Justice of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion that after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I further certify that it appears to me that Benjamin Burgess Esq. who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of in the County of Burke and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit Given under my hand and seal this 23 rd day of October 1832
James Reed Presiding Justice
State of North Carolina Burke County
3
I James Erwin Clerk of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of William Morris Sr. for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 1 st of October A.D. 1832 and in 57 th year of the independence of the U.S. Clerk James Erwin Clerk

Rev War
7252 INVALID.
am
File No. 7252
William Morris Sr.
Prior Rev War
Act: June 7 June 7 th 1812
Index:—Vol. 1 st , Page 263
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Admitted, 16,878
June 7 1832,
8 mos 420 d/pri $28.88
Letter to
John Morris Dec 6 1854
William Morris p o to Lillie B.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Morris which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no etc V. * Has he mentioned 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? no etc no allowance can be made for any service which is not particularly set forth as the regulations require VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
There was no clergyman at the Court House the day that the original declaration was sworn to. Dan Hoarson XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? None
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no
XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. †Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
• QUERE V. 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.”

from Morris
Alameda Private 8 mo 30 - $ 28.88
57.76 14.44 72.20 it b h
11.0 Ca

William Morris, paid to 4 Mar: 1834. Very Honored See also
Pen off, Dec 4 1852
Sir,
4 m 114
William Morris, N.C. Roll, ad June 7 1832, $28.88 a year, Please state to what time paid, R J Atkinson Esq Hiram Allen,
Very Respectfully J Cole Col of Bk Pen off Triflett

I certify that David Glass is an acting Justice of the peace in & for this county and that he he administered the usual oaths to W m Morris & John Broadley Esq s in my presence. I also certify that W m Morris is an old & respectable citizen of this county & there is no doubt in my mind of the truth of his statements as set forth in his declaration & the explanation which I wrote for him this Sept r 22 nd 1833
Paul C. Carson
J. L. Edwards Esq s Pension Agent

Miss Morris
FREE
L. B. Maloo Esq. Comm: Pur. Washington City D.C.

Marganton N C 24 Nov 1854
Sir,
My Father W m Morris a Rev: Pres: under act of 7 June 1832 died in Ap l 1844 I am unable to say whether or not he made application for, and re- his pension to 4 th March preceding his death or was paid only to 4 th before preceding.
Please examine and let me know
Respectfully
Yrs &c
Geo. Morris

State of North Carolina } September 22 nd Burke County } 1833
Personally appeared before me the subscribing Justice of the peace for said county John Bradly Osgood and after being duly sworn deposeth & saith that one James McDaniel appeared before him in the county of Rutherford in for which county said Bradly is an acting Justice of the peace, and made oath before him the said Bradly that William Morris the the present applicant for a pension was in the Army with him during the Revolutionary War & served two three months

hours with him the said McDaniel The affidavit of said McDaniel was sent on as he the said Brady understood with the original decla- -ration but it is not now with the papers returned which is the reason that he the said Brady has been called on to make this statement - sworn to a subscribed date before writer
D. G. Goff
John Bracey