Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1644, Samuel Bryson, N.C.

SERVICE
N. 6.
Bryson, Samuel
NUMBER
S. 1644
CONTENTS
carded

32027 West Tennessee
Samuel Bryson of Wilson Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Co. C. commanded by Captain Watts of the reg t commanded by Col. Dixon in the N. Carolina line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Sept r 1833 and Josiah J. McClain Lebanon
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r  73 3/4 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March  15 3/4 $90 50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 73
death not on A. B.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 1832
State of Tennessee } Wilson County }
On This 10 th day of May in the year of our Lord 1833 personally appeared, before me Jehu McMinn one of the acting justices of the peace for said County and a member of the County Court of the same, it being a court of record, Samuel Bryson a resident of said County State, aged about Seventy nine 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 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein stated.
He was a citizen of Rowan County North Carolina when the war commenced, to which he had moved from Lancaster County Pennsylvania when in his 13 th year of age. He first entered the service as a militia-man under a draft & went out into what was called, the "Snow Campaign" which was so denominated on account of the unusual depth & quantity of the snow which fell at that time. But owing to the imperfection of his memory this age he cannot state the month or year this tour was performed. He thinks Dixon was his Colonel & John Work was his Captain, & they were under the command of General Rutherford, but he does not remember who were the other officers. They passed over the Catawba, - South fork, - Lawson's Fork & a number of other streams into the State of Georgia. They were marching upon a band of Tories under the command Colo. Fletcher who had become formidable in that quarter. Before they had got to the place, the "Liberty Troops" had come upon Fletcher's band & conquered them & came meeting us with Fletcher the Tories in strings. He distinctly recollects that Fletcher was well guarded, & was riding a horse with his feet tied securely under his belly. He was

stout chunky man. They were taking him on to the City of Charleston. He then turned back & marched home. & were regularly discharged in writing for this Three months tour. They had a terrible bad time of it as the weather was excessively cold & inclement. General Rutherford was with us, he saw him every day & knew him well.
The next summer, he thinks, there was a call for men to guard the Cahaba to prevent the Tories from coming over & marauding the settlements, & he volunteered for three months, & went out under the command of Capt. Joseph McCallum. - There was but one company, - the other company officers are not remembered. They continued to guard the river up & down for three miles during the term of service for which he volunteered. He resided about fourteen miles from the station in the midst of the Tories, & was in continual alarm & dread for fear they would destroy his family & possessions. Once or twice during the time he got the liberty of going home, to see whether they had done him any injury, but always returned the same day to his post. This duty was performed under a call from General Rutherford. He served out his time and received a written discharge, which is long since lost.
Soon after he returned from this engagement Colo. Davidson who lived near him, came to his house, & told him that his (Davidson's) son, his wife & child had just been killed by the Indians & he wanted some person to go with an express to Genl. Rutherford's Camp about 70 miles off, & he promised to give him a discharge for a three months tour if he would go on that duty. It was a very dangerous undertaking as he would have to pass through two Tory settlements one about seven & the other about five miles across. He however agreed to go, & very early the next morning called upon the Colo. Davidson & got the express

papers, & went with all speed, & passed through the thickest of the vile Tories, & reached Rutherford's Camp about Sun down. He remained there two days & was sent with a guard as one of them, to convey some Tory prisoners to Salisbury Jail. They guarded them on four miles beyond Salisbury to join about two hundred more prisoners, who had been taken by Colo. Washington at the battle of the Cowpens; & the said prisoners were all then sent on to Virginia. He then returned home, & got a discharge for a three months tour from Genl. Rutherford. He was out on this occasion to the best of his recollection ten days at least.
He was soon after that drafted as a "minute man" for three months. Colo. Brevard was his commanding officer. The other officers are not now remembered. He was often, nay, almost constantly out on scouts, so that he could not pretend to attend to his regular ordinary business. Sometimes they would go out on a special service & be out only one, two or three days, at other times they would be out one, two & three weeks according to the exigency & nature of the service. Frequently they would get home one day or night & have to start the next. At the expiration of his time he received a written discharge for three months which is long since lost.
Just before the battle at Ramsour's Mills, while out watching to see what way the enemy would come when the spies took him & one of his brother's prisoners, & carried them on under guard to the battle ground. Soon after the battle commenced he made his escape & after much risk & difficulty got home.
So this applicant has three discharges for twelve months and has been in actual service nine months & ten days. It seems to him but just, as he agreed with the officers to go on the express through great danger for a three month discharge that this arrangement should be considered binding on the government. But this is a question which he refers to the justice of the department. If it be thought improper to allow him only for the time he was in actual service under a regular engagement by draft or volunteering, then he will be entitled to pay for, nine months & ten days - The time he was a prisoner not included.
Owing to old age & his frailty of his memory he is

not able to state the dates of time that he served, nor more particulars about the same than he has stated
He has no documentary evidence of his services, nor does he know of any living witness by whom he can prove his services.
He always served as a private - never had any command.
After the war he moved to Pendleton County in the state of South Carolina, where he remained seven years when he moved to Burke City N. Carolina, where he lived eight years, - he then moved to Wilson County Tennessee, where he now resides.
He has no record of his age, but from his memory he knows that he is in his seventy ninth year.
He would state that he is known to a large number of respectable neighbours, & he believes they would all testify to his character for veracity, among whom he would name the following, viz, George Bogle, Wm. G. Odom, James Odom, John Bryson, — Cooper, — Davenport, Alexander — Summers &c
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
Sworn to & subscribed before me — Samuel Bryson This 10 th day of May 1833
atts John W. Minn on Acting Justice of the peace for Wilson County
We James Thomas a clergyman, residing in the County of Wilson and Thomas Leech residing in the same hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Bryson, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be in his seventy ninth year of age; that he is respected & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion.
James Thomas
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Thomas Leech
John W. Minn J.P.

26. 627 Saml Bryson Wilson Co. Tennessee.
from private 9 months $30.
Josiah P. McClain clk Wilson Co. Lebanon Tenn

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjunct 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. These 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, showing the Service of Samuel Boyson
   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.     3 P. Colp Works 79 Traditionary   3 Col Dixon N.C.   3 Col McMullen not allowed   3 Col Brown  
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 (h) 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 inquiry 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, deponeth 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 fix 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [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.

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 inquiry 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 cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [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.

March 29, 1940
Miss Laura Speer 137 West Manchester Blvd. Inglewood, California
BA-J/MCS Samuel Bryson, S.1644
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Revolutionary War soldiers, Andrew, James, John and Samuel Bryson, or any soldier with the surname, Bryson, who lived in Laurens County, South Carolina, or in Buncombe and Haywood Counties, North Carolina.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to afford information relative to any soldier with the surname, Bryson, who lived in Haywood County, North Carolina, or in Laurens County, South Carolina.
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, S.1644, based on the military service of the only soldier of Buncombe County, North Carolina, with the surname, Bryson, that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The date and place of birth of Samuel Bryson and the names of his parents are not shown.
When fifteen years of age, Samuel Bryson moved from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Rowan County, North Carolina.
While a resident of Rowan County, North Carolina, Samuel Bryson served as private with the North Carolina troops as follows: in the year of the "Snow Campaign" (1775) served three months in Captain John Work's company in Colonel Dixon's regiment; the next summer served three months in Captain Joseph McMullen's company; next served ten days, having been requested by Colonel Davidson to go with an express to General Rutherford's camp which was about seventy miles distant, as Colonel Davidson's son and his wife and child had just been killed by the Indians; soon afterward served three months under Colonel Brevard.

After the close of the Revolution, Samuel Bryson moved to "Pendleton County," South Carolina, where he lived six or seven years when he moved to Buncombe County, North Carolina, where he lived eight years and then moved to Wilson County, Tennessee.
Samuel Bryson was allowed pension on his application executed May 10, 1833, at which time he was about seventy-nine years of age and was living in Wilson County, Tennessee.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Samuel Bryson, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly the date of soldier's death, it is suggested that you address The Comptroller General, Records Division, General Accounting Office, this city, giving the following data:
Samuel Bryson, Certificate 22027, issued September 27, 1833, rate $30 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, West Tennessee Agency.
The papers on file in said pension claim contain no data relative to the family of Samuel Bryson.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Saml. Bryson's Application for a Pension
26. 1. 27.

And the said John McMinn being an acting justice of the peace in & for Wilson County, & a member of the Court of Pleas & Quarter sessions for said county, the same being a Court of Record, do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier as he states. And I do further certify that it appears to me that James Thomas who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman residing in the said County, & that James Thomas Thomas Duck who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County & is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to full credit. I do further certify that the above applicant, Samuel Bryson, cannot from bodily infirmity attend at the Court-house of his County without great danger & difficulty, - his residence is about thirty miles from the Court-house of his county, where all the Courts are held.
I John McMinn an acting justice as aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before me in the matter of the application of Samuel Bryson for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand (private showing no seal of office) This 10 th day of May 1833
John McMinn an acting justice of the peace for Wilson County

State of Tennessee.
Wilson County } I Josiah M c Clain clerk of the county of said Wilson County. hereby certify that John M c Minn Esq is a Magistrate as above; and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at office in Lebanon the 20 th day of July 1833
J. M c Clain

1940 Mar. 29. List to Miss Laura Speer Wess
New York
1644. INVALID.
File No. 1644 Daniel Bryson Pris. N.C. State
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:—Vol. a , Page 412
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Miss Laura W. Speer 137 West Manchester Blvd. Inglewood, California
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Please furnish me with all the information contained in the pension papers of the following: Samuel Bryson , John Bryson, Andrew Bryson ✓ James Bryson, they were brothers, and my great great uncles. They were soldiers in the Revolutionary War, fighting at Cowpens, and Kings Mountain in South Carolina, they probably signed up while  by living in Laurens county, S.C. After the war they moved to Buncombe and Haywood counties in North Carolina. If they received a pension it probably was from Buncombe and Haywood counties in North Carolina.
The names of any Brysons receiving pensions from Laurens county S.C. or Haywood and Buncombe counties, N.C. I would appreciate very much as I am desirous of obtaining a record for my personal family record. one
Thanking you for your consideration of the above,
Laura Speer Miss Laura Speer 137 West Manchester Blvd. Inglewood, California