Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,575, John Bradley, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb.
Bradley, John.
S. 31,575
Number Nb.
CONTENTS

Georgia 27.929
John Bradley
of Jackson Co in the State of Georgia who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain W m Haddon of the Reg t 6 commanded by Col. Greyham in the N Carolina line for 12 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of Sept. 1834 and sent to A.S. Clayton, Athens, Geo.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1834 140.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mar ch 35 20.00 $160.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. D. Williams Clerk, book 8 Vol. 6. Page 86.
Date of death not m ch 35

John Bradley
17849.
A S Clayton - Albany

1833
State of Georgia On the Third day of June personally appeared in Open Court, before us Edward Adams, Nathaniel L. Surratt & Samuel Gregg, Judges of the Inferior Court of said County now sitting, John Brad-ley, a Resident of the State & County aforesaid, Aged 74 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States as a private Volunteer, and served as herein stated, in the Militia line, in the month of February 1776. he being then a resident of Rutherford County in the State of North Carolina, under Capt. McFadden, & marched to Cross Creek under Colonel William
1. Greyham against the Scotch, & was in the service 40 Days. He further states that in the month of June in the same year he volunteered & served as a private under the same
2 officer a three months tour against the Indians, that the duty here performed was in guarding McFaddis Fort in the County of Rutherford. He further states that he volunteered
3 as a private & served a three months tour as one of the Rangers under Captain Cook, which tour ended in 1777. which service was performed on the frontiers of North Carolina
He further states that in the year 1777. or 1778. he 4 volunteered as a private for, & served a three months tour under Capt. John Potts, & was occupied in building Fort Hampton on the frontiers of North Carolina. That some time after, (the precise date not recollecting) he volunteered
under Capt. James Withers as a private & served a 5 tour of three months as a Ranger, was after the Tories principally, during this tour. The next was a three months 6
tour as a private & a Volunteer under Captain William Whitesides in the year 1779. or 1780. was engaged as a Ranger after the Indians & Tories. He further states
that he was in two skirmishes, to wit, one at Edward Hampton, & the other at Camp Creek. He further states that just before Ferguson's defeat at Kings Mountain
(year not recollecting) he enlisted as a private for six
7 months under Capt. James Miller, & were after

the Tories during said service. That our operations were principally in South Carolina, on Santee & Tigan Rivers.
He further declares that he served as a private a short time after the Indians under Capt. James Grey, and & Maj. Singleton, that during their Scout we killed five Indians. He further declares that he has no Documentary proof, & knows of no other way by which he can establish his services but by his own Oath, And that he Verily believes that the whole time of his services during the Revolutionary War, was not less than Twenty-three Months.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or Annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State
John Bradley
Sworn to & Subscribed this
Day & Year aforesaid
Edward Adams J.P.
C Nathl C Garrett J.P.
Samuel Burns J.P.
We William Pentecost, a blurry man, residing in Jackson County, & Daniel McDaniel, residing in the same, hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with John Bradley who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 72 Years old, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution; & that we concur in that Opinion.
Sworn to, & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Edward Adams J.P.
C Nathl C Garrett J.P.
Samuel Burns J.P.
W. Pentecost
his
Daniel McDaniel mark

And the said Court do hereby certify & declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, & served as he has stated.
And the Court further Certifies, that it appears to them that William Pentecost who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the County of Jackson, and that Daniel McBarnes who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Jackson & is a credible person, that their statement is entitled to Credit.
Edward Adams J.P.
Wathel C. Garrett J.P.
Samuel Burns J.P.
William Cowan I Sylvanus Ripley Clerk of the Inferior Court of Jackson County, when sitting as a Court of Ordinary do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Bradly for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my Hand & private seal, having no seal Seal of office This third - Day of June 1833.
William Cowan C.C.O.
I A. Clayton a member of Congress from Georgia do certify that William Cowan whose signature & attestation appears above is the Clerk as stated by him above & that the attestation is in his hand writing - Given under my hand this 21 st Dec r 1833
A. Clayton M.C.

State of Georgia On this day of Jackson County
John Bradley
17849.
A. S. Clayton Atkins

June 28, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
John Bradley-S.31575 BA--J/AWF
Mrs. Dave Funk Fort Morgan, P.O.Box 524 Colorado
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Bradley of North Carolina, and Richard T. Bradley from Georgia, soldiers of the War of the Revolution.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States, based upon service in that war. A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of Richard Bradley (Bradly), who served with the Georgia troops. You were furnished, July 18, 1933, the record of the only soldier named Richard Bradley (Bradly), found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The Revolutionary War record of John Bradley which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 31575, based upon his service in that war.
John Bradley was born in the year 1759 in Bute (which was later Warren) County, North Carolina; the names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Rutherford County, North Carolina, he volunteered and served as a private with the North Carolina troops, as follows:
From in February, 1776, forty days in Captain McFadden's company, Colonel William Graham's regiment; from in June, 1776, three months in Captain McFadden's company, Colonel William Graham's regiment, guarding Fort McFadden; later in 1776, three months in Captain Cook's company of

Rangers, out against the Tories and Indians; later, three months in Captain John Potts' company, and assisted in building Fort Hampton; a little later, three months in Captain James Witherow's company of Rangers; in 1779 or 1780, three months in Captain Whiteside's company; from just before the battle of Kings Mountain, six months in Captain James Miller's company; and shortly afterwards, fifteen days under Captain James Gray and Major Singleton, and was in a skirmish with the Indians, where five Indians were killed. He was in a skirmish at Edward Hampton's and one at Camp Creek.
About five years after the Revolution, John Bradley moved to Franklin County, Georgia, and from there to Jackson County, Georgia.
He was allowed pension on his application executed June 3, 1833, then a resident of Jackson County, Georgia.
The papers in this claim contain no data in regard to his family.
In order to obtain information relative to the last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should write The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following:
John Bradley Certificate # 27929 Issued September 13, 1834 Rate $40.00 per annum To commence March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Georgia Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

31575 Rev INVALID.
File No. 31,575
John Bradley Rev Rev
Act: June 1 st 1897
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 57
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1932-Mch. 30- birth to Mr. Franklin met- Garrett. requested by Harlan Peck 1935-June 28- birth to Mrs. Dale Brunk Aug 3

Please direct to me J. H. Blayton
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Adm. 12/11/84 $440 per annum
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

B.
17849
Hm A.S. Clayton H.R.

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
   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.      
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.
☞ The notes from [a] to [i] 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

M c Clayton
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Washington
Atticus, August 27 th 1836
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Accompanying this you will receive the amended declaration of John Bradley & you will do me & the applicant a great favor if you will look over it yourself. I can not but persuade myself it comes up fully to your requirements, as to time, place, circumstances, service, & officers, & unusual particularity as to the several tours performed - Please compare it with your printed directions herewith sent & the objections there specified & I think there will be no further difficulty in his case - He is a man of unquestionable character for truth & good conduct - Should there be any one or more of his tours rejected please give him a pension for such as are good, provided they amount to the time for which a pension is allowed, for he can do nothing more towards satisfying your department of his right to the bounty of his country than what is contained in his amended declaration.
Very respectfully Yrs OBT. W. L. A. J. Clayton

Fort Morgan, Colo., June 12, 35.
Veterans Administration, Washington D.C.
Gentlemen: —
Please give me the Revolutionary record and family record of my ancestor, only one of NC John Bradley of North Carolina.
Yours very truly,
Mrs. Dave Funk.
P.S. Was there only one C. & Ga. a Richard I. Bradley from Ga. who was a Revolutionary Soldier?
Wister sent list of only RB July 18, 1923
P.O. Box 524

Please send history in case of John Bradley! S. 31, 575 to Mr. Franklin M. Garrett 811 Penn Ave. Atlanta, Ga.
Harlan Jenkins 3/29/82.

March 30, 1932
BA-J/AWF
Mr. Franklin M. Garrett 811 Penn Avenue Atlanta, Georgia
Dear Sir:
In response to the request of Mr. Harlan Jenks of Washington, D. C., you are herewith furnished the record of John Bradley, a soldier of the War of the Revolution.
The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 31575, based upon the service of John Bradley, during the Revolutionary War.
John Bradley was born in 1759 in Bute (which was later Warren) County, North Carolina.
While residing in Rutherford County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served as a private with the North Carolina troops, as follows-
From sometime in February, 1776, forty days in Captain McFadden's company in Colonel William Graham's regiment; from sometime in June, 1776, three months in Captain McFadden's company in Colonel William Graham's regiment, and guarded Fort McFadden; later in 1776, three months in Captain Cook's company of Rangers, and was out against the Tories and Indians; later, three months in Captain John Potts' company and assisted in building Fort Hampton; a little later, three months in Captain James Witherow's company of Rangers; in 1779 or 1780, three months in Captain William Whiteside's company; from just before the battle of Kings Mountain, six months in Captain James Miller's company; and shortly afterwards, fifteen days under Captain James Gray and Major Singleton, and was in a skirmish with the Indians,

where five Indians were killed. He stated that he was in a skirmish at Edward Hampton's and one at Camp Creek, length of all his service twenty-three months.
About five years after the close of the Revolution he moved to Franklin County, Georgia, and from there to Jackson County, Georgia.
He was allowed pension on his application executed June 3, 1833, then a resident of Jackson County, Georgia.
There are no data relative to his family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person to whom paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, John Bradley, S. 31575, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., citing all of the following data-
John Bradley Certificate Number 27929 Issued September 13, 1834 Rate $40.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Georgia Agency.
This office makes no charge for this service.
Mrs. Snipe said could make this statement
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator