Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12985, Thomas Becknel, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. 6.
Becknel, Thomas
S. 12985-
B.L.Wt. 61274-160-55-
CONTENTS
G.R. carded

1856 Nov 17 th Duplicate issued and sent to Jos. Edwards Present. 1856 Dec 30 - Special order to 3 rd Auditor.
Date of death not on A.B.
73751
7644  Kentucky
Thomas Becknel of Madison Co in the State of Kent who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Cleveland of the R gt commanded by Col Cleveland in the N.C. time for 7 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of May 1833 and sent to Joseph Turner Richmond
  Arrears to the 14 th of March  46.66    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept  16.66     63.32  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 1 Page 3

E. Butts
223. 751 Act Mar. 3. '55
Thomas Becknell. P.W. 61.274 May 9 th 57
Ad: 160 acs, May 8/57 B. Norton. Bewig. wa.
P.W. Act 7. June 1832 No 7614
Special. May 8. '57 S. Cole
John S. Edwards. President
Vd. B. = 109.0

14244.
Declaration of Thomas Bicknell for a pension

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832
State of yo Kentucky Madison County Set { }
On this 1 st day of October personally appeared in open court before the worshipfull court of Madison  some County and State of Kentucky. Thomas Becknel aged sixty nine years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the ben- -efit of the act of congress passed 7 th June 1832 that he entered the service of the united States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, he volunteered some time in August 1780 in the County of Wilkes in the State of North Carolina, his Colonel was by the name of Benjamin Cleveland, his Major was by the name of Jesse Watters, his Capt by the name of Larkin Cleveland, he left the service some time in March 1781  the date he entered the service he is unable to state correctly, but he knows it was within a few days of the time of the battle of King's Mountain, he thinks not more than ten or twelve days. he rendezvoused at Wilkes courthouse, and marched on towards

70 Kings mountain, and was guarding the baggage waggons, at the time of the engagement, from thence he marched to the barracks, and staid there some time guarding the prisoners, from thence to Fayetteville, from thence to a river called Inarree from thence he marched on near Glaster and was discharged. he served seven months and upward, he knows of the Regular officers, Colonel Micajah Lewis and Wm J Lewis, he knows of no person whose testi- mony he can procure, who can testify to his service. He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 He received a discharge, but has lost it, and has no documentary evidence. He was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia in March 1763. He has no record of his age at this time, having lost it. He resided in Wilkes county, North Carolina when called into the service, where he remained for some time after the war, then removed to Georgia, then back to North Carolina, then to Kentucky, Madison county, where he has resided about twenty two years and where he now resides. He is known in his present neighborhood to the Rev. Samuel Kelley of Little and David Haggard of Rockcastle. Given to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Thos Becknell Mark
3

We, Samuel Kelley, a clergyman, residing in the county of Estill, but a near neighbor to Thomas Bicknell, and David Haggard residing in the county of Rockcastle at this time, but formerly in Madison county and a close neighbor to the said Thomas Bicknell, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with the said Thomas Bicknell, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 69 years of age; that he is respected and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Given and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
3
David Haggard
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 Samuel Kelley, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman residing in Estill county, and that David Haggard, who has also signed the same is a resident of Rockcastle county, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Yrs Good &c
E. Burk
Henry B. Blackburn

170 State of Kentucky Madison County
David Irvine clerk of the County Court of Madison County. Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Thomas Becknell for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 5 th day of October 1832 David Irvine Clerk

Thomas, Beekman Madison County Ky.
Application for New Certificates
Send duplicate to
J. S. Edwards,
Attorney
Address:
A Smith
Ant Worms Rackens the Court Kentucky
McRae
J. S. Edwards Present

State of Kentucky
County of Madison
On this 4 th day of October 1855, before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County of Madison, personally appeared Thomas Beck- -nill, who on his Oath declares, that he is the same person, who formerly belong to the company com- -manded by Captain Lewis in the Regiment of North Carolina Militia commanded by Colonel Cleveland in the war of the rebellion, that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Kentucky, that he received a certificate, under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War, which certificate on or about the day of 18 the precise time not re- -collected, from loss of memory, caused from age and infirmity, was placed by him in the hands of Joseph Turner, his attorney, who is now dead, that said Certificate is lost, after a careful examination cannot be found.
Thomas his  Becknill Mark.
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year aforesaid by making his mark in my presence, understanding, after the same was read to him, & I have no interest in this Claim nor concerned in its prosecution.
E. J. Hudson J. P.

State of Kentucky
County of Madison
Be it known that on this 21 st day of October 1855, personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, S. W. Bicknell and John Burke persons whom I know to be respectable and residents of the county aforesaid, who being first sworn as the law directs, upon their oaths, declare that they are personally acquainted with and neighbors to Thomas Bicknell, who has sworn to and signed the foregoing statement, by making his mark in our presence, that they personally know him to be the identical same person described in the foregoing affidavit, and that he signed the same as aforesaid in our presence, and that we are disinterested witnesses.
S. W. Bicknell
State of Kentucky County of Madison
John Burke
Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year last above written & I certify that I personally know the deponents, to be respectable persons of credit, whose oaths are entitled to full faith and credit, & I certify that I have no interest in this claim or concerned in its production.
E. T. Hudson J.P.

State of Kentucky, Madison County set.
I Thomas H Barnes, Clerk of the County Court for said County, do certify that Elyah D. Hudson, Esq. whose genuine signature appear to the foregoing affidavit, is and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and sworn and that full faith is due all his official acts.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Richmond, this 31 st day of October 1856.
Thos. H. Barnes, Clerk

Thomas, Reckless
Madison } Application Co Ky } for Bounty Lancer Act 3 d March 1855.
J. S. Edwards Washington City Attorney.
Adrs. p. 273. 751
Adams
Williamstown Kentucky
Special } S. Cole } C. C. } filed by John S. Edwards May 8 1857

State of Kentucky } County of Rockcastle }
On this 30 th day of April in the year 1857 personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, Thomas Becknel, aged he thinks 93 years, a resident of the county of Madison in the state of Kentucky, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Thomas Becknel to whom a pension was granted by the United States, under the act of congress approved 7 th June 1832, at $23. 33 / 100 cents per annum upon his application from Kentucky, an account of his services as captain Lewis, in the regiment of North-Carolina Militia, commanded by Col. Cleveland, in the year 1780 in the revolutionary war, the exact time & length of his services he cannot now precisely state, an account of loss of memory caused from age & bodily infirmity, but from the best of his knowledge and belief he served as above stated in said war for more than 14 days, and was honorably discharged at what time or place he cannot precisely state, and refers to his application upon which his pension was granted, filed in the pension office at Washington City,
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled, under the act approved 3 rd March 1855. He also declares that he has not received a warrant for bounty land, under this or any other act of congress, nor made any other application therefor,
his Thomas X Becknel mark

we do. Goveh and W. K. Becknel, residents of the county of Madison, in the state of Kentucky, upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Thomas Becknel, in our presence on the day and year first above written, and we believe from the appearance and statements of the affiant, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and that we have no interest in this claim nor concern- =ned in its prosecution.
W. Goveh W. K. Becknel
The foregoing declaration and affidavit, was sworn to and subscribed, before me on the day and year first above written, and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be, & I have no interest in this claim nor concern in its prosecution, and it is more convenient for the claimant to swear to his declaration in Rockcastle County Kentucky - than in Madison Co Ky
B. H. West J.P.R.

State of Kentucky County of Rockcastle
I, E. D. Fish — clerk of the county court in and for said county. Certify that P. A. West Esq. is and was at the time of signing his foregoing certificate, a Justice of the peace in and for said county duly commissioned and sworn according to law. That his said signature thereto, is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said county and signed my name clerk of said court. On this 1 st day of May 1857
E. D. Fish Clerk

Thomas Becknel
14244
from 1780 private months $23.33
Joseph Turner Richmond,
Pa

BRIEF in the case of county of Madison
14244
Thomas Becknel in the State of Kentucky (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? _____  3. How old is he? 69  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.     August 17 80 vol "Seven months & upwards" As a Private Genl Cleaveland. Major Walton, Capt. Cleaveland.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wilkes Co. N.C.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. Waugh Examining Clerk.
Feb 15 th 1833

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
Washington
March 10, 1938.
Honorable Louis Ludlow House of Representatives Washington, D. O.
BA-J/ILL Thomas Becknel S. 12985
My dear Mr. Ludlow:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Senfield (Sanfield) Bicknell , who lived in Estill County, Kentucky, in 1830, and that of Thomas Bicknell of Madison County, Kentucky, who served from North Carolina and died in 1831 or 1833.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a Senfield Bicknell, under any spellings of both names. The Revolutionary War record of Thomas Becknel, whose name is shown also Bicknell, is furnished herein as found in pension claim, S. 12985; he served from North Carolina and was a pensioner of Madison County, Kentucky.
Thomas Becknel was born in the month of March, 1763, in Albemarle County, Virginia; the day of his birth, and the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Wilkes County, North Carolina, he enlisted sometime in August 1780, served as a private in Captain Larkin Cleveland's company, Colonel Benjamin Cleveland's North Carolina regiment, marched to King's Mountain and guarded baggage wagons at the time of the engagement there, afterwards guarded prisoners, and was discharged from service sometime in March 1781.
The soldier continued to reside in Wilkes County, North Carolina, for some time after the war, moved from there to Georgia, returned to North Carolina, and moved later to Madison County, Kentucky.
See War Pension of Estill Co Ky - for service in War of 1812 - Act Age - 1816 - One file Senfield Bicknell

Thomas Becknel was allowed pension on his application executed October 1, 1832, at which time he resided in Madison County, Kentucky; he had resided in that county about twenty-two years. The soldier applied April 30, 1857, for the bounty land which was due under the Act of March 3, 1855, on account of his service in the Revolutionary War, at which time he resided in Madison County, Kentucky. He was allowed 160 acres of bounty land on warrant #61274.
In 1856, one S. W. Bicknell was a resident of Madison County, Kentucky. In 1857, Wm. K. Bicknell resided in that same county; they both signed their names Bicknell. No relationship between these persons and the family of the soldier was stated.
If you desire information in regard to the location of the land which was granted Thomas Becknel, you should address The Commissioner, General Land Office, this city, and furnish that official the following-bounty land warrant #61274, 160 acres, Act of March 3, 1855.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following:
Thomas Becknel Certificate #7614 Issued May 6, 1833 Rate $23.33 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Kentucky Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

1912 Jan 5. Hist. to W. K. Agbill 1938. Mar. 10 - Hist. to Hon. Louis L. Dreyfus
Revised
12,985
INVALID.
File No. 12,985
Thomas Becknel
Min. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

AB Becknel Thos Becknel 871 1834 MC
RECORD DIVISION
Department of the Interior BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Briefed by AW JAN 27 1912
Claim No. I searched
Certificate No. very where
Claimant
Soldier Thomas Bicknold
Service Bicknell
Additional Service Beicknell Backnel Rev. Becknel
No claim, State records, 191
No claim, combination records, 191
REMARKS:
No such person claim Not in Am. State Papers - Printed list of 1834 gives Thos Backnel, of Madison Co Ag Book gives Thos Becknel
This is Thos. Becknel S12985 MC

AMERICAN EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION
HAVEMEYER BUILDING
#3, The Verne, Carnegie & East 79th St, Cleveland, O., Dec. 29th, 1911.
To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
Sir,
Thomas Bicknold was a Revolutionary soldier who probably served under General Green; for he fought in the engagement known as "the Battle of the Cowpens" where Green was in command. During the later years of his life Thomas Bicknold resided in Madison County, Kentucky. It is my understanding that he drew a pension. He died at the reputed age of 104 about the year 1855. (This date is a guess based on the fact that I was born in 1848 and barely remember him).
I am seeking proof that this old soldier - my grandfather on the maternal side - was enlisted and served his country in the Army of the Revolution. If such proof exists in the records of your Office, and if you can facilitate me in ascertaining the fact, the service will be greatly appreciated,
Very respectfully,
W. Kitzbill

61. 274
Her Aug

Brief in the case of
Thomas Becknel, Invalid.
County and State of
Kentucky
act
7 th June 1832.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Duplicate pension certificate -
The pensioner declares that his pension certificate (placed in the hands of an attorney to draw an annuity of pension, and who is since dead) has been lost -
(If for increase.)
Pensioner identified by credible witnesses -
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
J. S. Edwards Present,
R. M. Ray
Examining Clerk.

LOUIS LUDLOW 12TH DISTRICT INDIANA
Henry B. Bicknell
SUBCOMMITTEES: POST OFFICE AND TREASURY CHAIRMAN DEFICIENCY
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEVENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS WASHINGTON, D. C.
March 5, 1938.
Hon. Harold W. Breining, U. S. Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.
Do not send - not Per. Mrs. Francis Senfield Bicknell - ON 17 6647 - Wounded Dudley's Defeat - Sec. 1 War Senfield Bicknell - Invalid East. Co. Ky
Dear Mr. Breining:
Senfield (Sanfield) Bicknell and Thomas Bicknell (Bicknel) served during the Revolutionary War. Senfield Bicknell lived in Estell County, Kentucky, leaving there in 1820. Thomas Bicknell, also spelled Becknel, was from Madison County and moved from there to Henry County, Kentucky. Thomas died in Madison County in 1833 or 1831. He was 71 years of age at that time. He may have served in the North Carolina Militia.
I shall be most appreciative if you will try to locate the files of these two men and will send to me all of the information in regard to their personal and military records which the files show.
Very sincerely,
Louis Ludlow

In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of Thomas Becknel a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
S. File 12,985
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug. 1780 Mch. 1781 Larkin Cleveland Benj. Cleveland N.C.   marched to Kings Mountain and was guarding baggage wagons at the time of the engagement.  
Battles engaged in, none stated.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wilkes Co., N.C.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 1, 1832. Allowed.
Residence at date of application, Madison Co., Ky. for past 22 yrs.
Age at date of application, born in Mch. 1763 in Albemarle Co., Va.
Remarks: after war he resided in N.C., Ga., N.C., Ky.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Becknel 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? yes 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? yes 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, the description or indication by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

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? Yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 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? Yes XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? No If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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? Yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
 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 period 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 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 shewn 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.
† 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 authenticates 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 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.