Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1545, Richard Brown, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.C.
Brown, Richard Sarah
W. 1545.
CONTENTS
He was 31 1/2 in Pa. res at Gen. Dickinsburg Co. N.H. born in 1832 Giles Co. Tenn. & died there Oct. 28, 1839 -

23442 West Tennessee
Richard Brown of Giles Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Co commanded by Captain Brown of the regt commanded by Col McDowell in the line Carolina line for 1 year and 10 months
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Jan y 1834 and German Lester Pulaski
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1833 36.67 Femi-ant. allowance ending $220.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by David Boyd Clerk, Book 80 Vol. 1 Page 73

76. James Lee, Clerk
Sarah Brown widow of Richard Brown who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 73 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Febry 1849 and sent to
Hon. G. W. Jones, House of Reps.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners on February 2, 1848, Page 341 Vol. 2
29 July Book D.

State of Tennessee Court of Pleas & quarters for said Giles County 3 d County for August term 1832
On this 20 th day of August, 1832 personally appeared in Open Court, before the justices of the Court of Pleas & quarters Sessions for said County now sit- ting Richard Brown Resident of the County of Giles aforesaid, aged seventy six 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 August, - passed June 7 th 1832,
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - That is to say, that he entered the service, as a private militia, soldier, under General Rutherford about the first of August 1776, to proceed in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians, which he accordingly did under the same officer - The term of his service, as specified in the stubs expired in three months after, they entered the service - He states, that they had no engagements on that expedition that the enemy fled before them, and only took a few prisoners and returned home - At the time the said Brown entered the service as the service above specified he resided in Mc. Leishburg County North Carolina - That he went out on said expedition as a volunteer - That they marched through part of North Carolina & the Cherokee Nation - That he did not serve as now recollects with any Continental troops during the war - That he has no documentary evidence, & that only persons, that he knows of, by whom he can prove any facts

retiring to his services, as William Bigham of the Bedford County & said State. And William Alexander of said State, & County of Allegheny. He states, also, that he was a private soldier for the term of nine months as a State Vol- unteer, in said State of North Carolina they were called State Troops, during said term he served under Col. McDowell & that his Capt. named was James Jack he was marched out of North Carolina through South Carolina to Purya burg, in the State of South Carolina he was there attached to the Regular Army under Col. Malby & Capt. Gordon, he lay with the Army at Purya-burgh from December until the first of March following when they marched to Augusta in the State of Georgia from there to Bacon Bridge near Stone, where they lay until the Stone Battle in which he took an active part, he was furloughed in August  September 1875 and in September 1875 finally, discharged.
He commenced his next term of service in the Spring of 1881 - for said term, he was a volunteer in the State service in said State of North Carolina and acted as a private soldier therein. - & during that term which was a ten months term, he said served under the command of State Brant Moore in the Regiment of Col. Littleton. John Wilson was the lieuten- ant in said Company. He was marched General constantly through the State of South Carolina during the whole term. He also served "in General Skelton's batteries as a minute

man, One was under General Ruth- ford at the Battle of Bransons. But he was not in the Battle fought at that place on account of the misarrangement of a dispatch, but was at the place immedi- ately after the said Battle was over. He lived in North Carolina, during the whole war of Revolution, & in the said County of Mt. Linguagh. That during the first term of service above mentioned, he served in Capt Robert Ersers Company during the whole of said three months term in the the  he also states that he has no docu- character mentary  to any of the above He hereby relinquishes ever after claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Army of any State. Witness and subscribed, this day and year aforesaid. Richard H. Brown Germanester Clerk Mark
In the following statement (minutes) were propounded to the said Richard Broom, the applicant in the above declaration. In open Court on the 20th day of August 1882.
18. Where & in what year were you born?
1. Where & in what year were you born? — Answer: By said a pleasant day — 1756 in the State of Pennsylvania. — 2. Have you any record of your age, & if so where is it?
where here is it? Answer by the same, He has a record of his age, in his father's family Bible in the manuscripts of his father, at the same own house in said county. — 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the

Revolutionary War, & where do you now live? Answer. By the same, - When called into service I lived in North Carolina, & did live there during the war only when in actual service. Since I left North- Carolina upto the present time I have lived, & yet do live in the state of Tennessee in part of the time in Williamson County, and for the last twenty years thereabouts in Giles County & said state. At the time when you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
Answer by the same - I volunteered as in all the expeditions and the above mentioned & for all the services which I performed during the Revolutionary - war.
5th State the names of some of the Regular officers, who were with the troops, when you served, such as Continental & Militia Regiments, as you can recollect & the General circumstances of your service -
Answer. - By the same. The names under head. Malbody & Capt. Gordon who were regular officers that I was under the command of Capt. Erwin in general Rutherford's Brigade in the militia service - & the general circumstances of my service I have stated in my declaration herewith filed.
6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given, & what has become of it.
Answer by the same. I got a discharge from Capt. Frank Moore, & I threw it away -

I do not recollect who I got the letters from but I have not any of them now in my possession.
7th. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neigh- bourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity & the value of your services as a soldier of the Revolution!
Answer by the Deponent I can prove my services as a soldier in the Rev- olution by William Bigham of Bedford County & William Alexander of Hunting County & State of Tennessee. — My general character by John Berkelson Esq. John Dubrey Esq. Ephraim N. Mosey Esq. Ephraim Patrick Al- der Stinson James Haynes Esq. — Thomas Walker John Haynes and many others, all of my neighbourhood & of the said County of Giles — subscribed & sworn to his Richard B. Brown the day & year aforesaid mark
We John Wilson a clergyman, residing in the County of Giles & State of Tennessee Mrs John Haynes John Henderson Esq. residing in said County. I do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Richard Brown a Revolutionary Soldier who has subscribed & sworn to the above declar- ation. That we believe him to be seventy six years of age, that he is respected & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion — John Wilson

And the Court said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after
Sworn to Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Henderson John Haynes
Germanester Clk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the court department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as in States. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Wilson who has signed the above preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the County of Giles & State of Tennessee, & that John Haynes & John Henderson who have also signed the same are residents in said County & State, and creditable persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Thos. S. Webb
A. Black
J. M. White
Germanester Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions holden for the County of Giles in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing

Declaration of Sarah Brown, Widow of the late Richard Brown , a Revolutionary Soldier in order to procure the benefit of act of Congress approved 3 February 1848.
State of Tennessee } Giles County } ss
On this 23 rd day of September A D 1848 personally appeared before me, Benjamin S. Ritchey a Justice of the Peace, and of the County Court of said County, Sarah Brown , aged seventy four years, a Resident of said County, and personally known to me, who having been duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of 3 February 1848, granting pensions to widows of those who served during the war of Independence, to wit: That she is the widow of the late Richard Brown, who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and received a pension under the acts of Congress of 1838, during his life:— That she was born April 4 th 1774, and was married to said Richard Brown on the 2 nd day of May 1797, by Joseph Hudd, Justice of the Peace, That she has no evidence of her marriage except the family record kept by her late husband, which Record, will be exhibited in this case, in the evidence of others: that she has now in her possession the original discharge, which she obtained after her marriage from the Bethel Church, Certified to York County, South Carolina, on the 17 th day of October 1798, by order of the Church Session, signed by Elders, William Davis, & Jos. M c H.

That Certificate she files with her declaration and makes it a part thereof, marked exhibit A.
She also herewith files also, and makes it part of her declaration the certificate of dismission which was given by the Ruling Elders of the Gilead Church, Mecklenburgh North Carolina, on the 23 day of October 1804, which was given jointly to her and her late husband, which she declares to be the original dismission, which has ever since remained their property, and since her late husband's death, in her exclusive property. Said paper is marked exhibit B.
She further declares that she and her late husband first lived, until 1804, in Mecklenburgh North Carolina, then in Wilkes County State of Tennessee until the year eighteen hundred and eleven, at which time they removed to Giles County, Tennessee, where said Richard Brown continued until his death, which occurred in the year eighteen hundred & thirty nine, on the 28 th day of October, and that she has ever since continued to reside in the same place, and has remained a widow ever since, to the present time.
Her late husband, she believes received a pension of about Seventy Three Dollars per Annum. She always understood that he served as a private, but she refers to his own declaration now on file in the Pension Office, for information upon the amount and character of his services. She was married by publication of banns, in York Co. South Carolina and she knows no person now living who was present at the marriage.
Sarah Brown Seals (mark)
Subscribed and sworn to before me the day & year above written B. F. Ritchey

State of Tennessee Giles County
On this 23 rd day of September 1898 personally appeared before me, Sarah Brown , widow of the Richard Brown , aged about seventy five, and made oath in due form of law, that the facts and statements made in the foregoing declaration are true and correct, and that the exhibits, set forth as accompanying papers, are also genuine, and such as they purport to be. I further certify that Sarah Brown , is infirm in body, so that she could not travel to the Court House of this County, but her mind is sound and her statements are entitled to full faith and credit. She is personally known to me, and has been for many years, & I know her to be the identical Sarah Brown , who was the wife, and is now the widow, of the late Richard Brown , deceased.
B. F. Richey

State of Pennsylvania Giles County ss.
I, Edward D. Jones, Clerk of the County Court of Giles County in said State, having probate jurisdiction, do hereby certify that Benjamin F. Rechy whose name is signed to the foregoing Certificate is and was at the time of the signing of the same, a Justice of the peace of our said County of Giles, duly qualified & confirmed as such, 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 Pulaski on this 27 th day of September A.D. 1848.
A. D. Jones Clerk
No 108.
Sarah Brown Wid of the hand John
Oct 29 July 1848
Marina 1797
Marina dead 1839
John 1810 monthly
John 1793 Feb 1848
Dr 4 March 1848
Wm H. Jones
W. G. R.

Richd Brown was Born May 31 ————— 1756 Sally Brown was Born April 4 ————— 1774 Richd Brown and Sally Bigger was married on the 2 of May ————— 1797 Joseph Gordon Brown, was Born, at 10 o'clock of April 5 ————— 1798 John Starr Brown, was Born at 11 o'clock in the morning of Dec r 86 ————— 1801 was born Zerue Milton Brown, at 11 o'clock in the Morning April 7 ————— 1804 Richd Harvey Brown, was Born 2 o'clock In the afternoon of June 26 ————— 1808 Sally Elize Brown was Born 3:0 o'clock in The Morning of June 19 ————— 1813 James Madison Brown, was Born of July 15 — 1817

Exhibit A.
This paper writing was exhibited & filed with the depositions of Joseph Gordon Brown, & James M. Brown, this day Oct. 2 1848, in the case of the application for pension by Sarah Brown.
Samuel C. Glance
Justice of the Peace of Marshall County State of Tennessee

In the matter of the application of Sarah Brown, widow of Richard Brown, deceased a Revolutionary Soldier for Benefit of act of 28 Feb y 1848.
State of Tennessee Marshall County
On this 2 nd day of October eighteen hundred and forty eight, before me, Samuel A. Glenn a Justice of the Peace of said County, & also a Justice of the County Court thereof, Joseph Gordon Brown, with whom I am personally acquainted, appeared in person, and he having been duly sworn accord- ing to law, made oath, that the paper hereto annexed, marked Exhibit A, purporting to be the family Record of Richard Brown, deceased and Sarah Biggers, and which states that they "were married on 2 nd day of May 1797" is the original family Record of the said Richard Brown, deceased, and is in the proper handwriting of the said Richard Brown from beginning to end; that the said Joseph Gordon Brown, whose name is on said Record, as born April 5, 1798, who now gives evidence, is the eldest child of the said Richard Brown, and knows that this Record has ever been considered and taken to be a true Record of the births & marriages of the said Richard & Sarah, his wife, and of their children; that he has been distinctly to have seen his father write the names, & dates of the births of his children from about the year 1808, down to the last entry, and that there was never any other or different record of

of said family, since his recollection: that his father Richard Brown was the same who drew a pension during his life for Revolutionary services, and who died on the 28th day of October 1839, in Giles County State of Tennessee, where his widow Sarah Brown yet lives.
Efficient in both direct or indirectly interested in their application.
to subscribe before me,
the day and year above written.
J. G. Brown
Samuel A. Gyleson
for said County
State of Tennessee
Marshall County
On this 2nd day of October 1848 personally appeared before me, Samuel A. Gyleson a Justice of the Peace & of the County Court above named, James Madison Brown, who having been duly sworn according to law, made oath that the paper writing hereto annexed, marked exhibit A, in the foregoing declaration of Joseph Madison Brown, is the original family records of his father the late Richard Brown, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and that it has been in the custody and care of the said James M. Brown from the 28th day of October 1839, the day of the death of said Richard Brown, down to the present time, and that it is now the same, unaltered & unchanged, as written down by his father, in his lifetime.
He further states that he is not

either directly or indirectly, inserted in this application. James M. Brown (Seal)
Sworn to & subscribed before me, the day & year above written.
Samuel A. Glem P.P. for said County.
State of Tennessee ss. October 2nd 1898. Marshall County, ss.
I hereby further certify that I am personally acquainted with Joseph Wilson Brown and James M. Brown, whose names are signed to the foregoing deposition or affidavits, in the case of the applications of Sarah Brown willow etc. for a pension, and that they are in the opinion of the undersigned, persons who are entitled to full credit & belief.
Samuel A. Glem (Seal) P.P. for said County
State of Tennessee ss. Marshall County ss.
On this 2nd day of October A.D. 1898 before me Alexander Bigger, a Justice of the Peace & also of the County Court of Marshall County, State of Tennessee, Joseph Bigger, aged 71 years a citizen of Marshall County in said State, who having been duly sworn according to law, states that he was acquainted with Richard Brown, & Sarah Bigger, before the year 1897; that he knows they were married in York District South Carolina, about the month of May 1897, that said Sarah was the sister of the said

witness. & he was often at the house of the said Richard Brown, & his his wife, in Mecklenburgh County, North Carolina, in the year 1797, and has known the family ever since. The said Richard Brown was a Revolutionary soldier & drew a pension before his death. Witness was not at the wedding, being away from home at the time, but he knows that they were married as stated & lived together as man & wife about forty years before his death.
Witness bears no interest whatever in this application.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this year & 5th day of Novr 1818.
Alexander Biggers
State of Tennessee } I further certify that Marshall County } Joseph Biggers, whose name is signed to the foregoing deposition is entitled to credit & belief. He is about seventy one years old, is a man of respectability for truth and honor in his neighborhood. Oct 2nd 1818.
John Lunsford

State of Tennessee } Marshall County } S.S.
I John Elliott clerk of the county court of said Marshall County do hereby certify that Samuel A. Glenn and Alexander Bigger whose names appear to the foregoing affidavits and before whom the foregoing affidavits were made is now and was at the time of signing the same acting Justices of the peace for said county they both having been duly commissioned & qualified as such and that the signatures to the foregoing affidavits purporting to be theirs are genuine and that full faith and credit is due all their official acts as such —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at office in the Town of Lewisburg this 3rd day of October 1848
John Elliott (Clerk)

No 22551 Richard Brown Tenn
for 174.6 private 22 months $73. 33 100
German Lester Clerk Giles County Court Tenn

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 10
1833
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. 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,  shewing the Service of Richard Brown Giles Co Tenn
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 Priv Capt Esawen Gen Rutherford None M.C. Age 76 Davidson   Aug 1 Vol 3 Col S.C. Mecklen Livingston   Vol 9 " Sack. McDowell Stono Giles Co   1781 " 10 " Gordon Malbody N.C. Age 6.   " Moore " Settlem S.C.   Minute men Gen Rutherford  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (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 he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons --one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the 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] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Dyer Custis Exam Clerk

Rey WIDOW, &c.
File No. 157.5
Sarah Brown
Widow
Richard Brown
Pr. Rev. Wm
Act: July 27, 1948
Index:—Vol. A , Page 81
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Joseph H. ... Certificate
Exhibit. No. 1

October 22-1804- No Carolina Muhlenburg County
This is to certify that Richard Brown and Sarah his wife has lived within the bounds of Gilead Church and has received the privileges of the Church from us and have conducted in a Christian manner and leaves us free of all cause of Church censure as far as known to us and may be admitted to communion with the church of Christ where God in his providence may order their lot. Certified by us the Day and Year above written -
James M c Knight M c Knight John Mack Elder
Certificate
Exhibit No. 1

These are to Certify that Sarah Bigger jun: now Sarah Brown has lived within the Bounds of this Congregation from her infancy behaved herself soberly and inoffensively is free from any scandal known to us. Certifyed at Bethel in York County South Carolina this 17 th Day of October 1797
Signed by order of Session
William Davis Elders Jos M c Kenzie
7 this

State of Tennessee ) August suspicions of the like circumstances Court of pleas of the quarter suspicious of the quarter of pleas of the ten suspicions of the  quarter of pleas of the 1832 This day being the 20th. day of August 1832, personally appeared William Alexander a citizen of Maury County & said State of open court states, on oath after being sworn according to law that he has been personally and intimately acquainted with Richard Brown of Giles County, a revolu- tionary soldier, from his days down to the present date both in the State of North Carolina & the said State of Tennessee, & that said Brown has lived in said two States, since affiant was acq uainted with him, at the present time & the said Brown was in the Amer- ican service in the Revolutionary war, but how long affiant does not know - But he knows he was in different expeditions, & actual service service during said war - And that affiant puts quite confidence in the statements by the said Brown - Respecting his services in said war made in his declaration filed on this day in said County Court of Giles County which affiant has read and he also states, that he has no hes- itation in believing the statements of William Bigham a citizen of Maury

Bedford County & said State, & that he is also also, that he appears knows said Bingham's father been a soldier in the American service in the Revolutionary war
Sworn to and subscribed Wm Alexander the day and year aforesaid Germanester Clerk
State of Tennessee Giles county court of pleas and quarter sessions Sept term 1833 vs John Dickey James McCallum and Bingham vs William Austin for said court now in session and held by an orderly enjoining that that William Alexander whose name is subscribed to the above certificate and affidavit is a man of respectability and that we believe his said statements made in said certificate and affidavit and that his other assets are entitled to credit and respect in the world as far as we have heard let it be found and sealed in the court the 31 st day of August 1833

State of Tennessee
Graves County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions August term 1823-24 We John D. Dickey James McClellan and Benjamin Williams Justices of said Court now presiding in and holding the same do hereby certify that Richard Brown is a Man of correct Moral habits, and that we do believe his statements in his application for a petition to be true We mean Richard Brown who has been and sworn to the foregoing Declaration for a petition

State of Tennessee August Session of the Circuit Fils County 3 of plea & quarter sessions for said County for the year 1832
This day, being the 20 20 day of August 1832 Personally appeared in open Court William Bigham, a resident in Bedford  the County & State of Tennessee, & made oath that he was personally, during before & since the Revolutionary war is  that he knows to be acquainted with the Richard Brown & affiant volun- teered, to go and did enter & and act in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians in the year 1776, served in said expedition for the term of three months, under Gen General Col. Foster- Ford, Col. Alexander in the Company & under the Command of Col. Col. Robert Erwin — & that for the during said term, said Richard Brown was in company as a private soldier in said Company, Regiment & Company Brigade and that they both, together after having marched thro' part of North Carolina & the Cherokee nation — & were honor- ably discharged from said said services but that he has not, or not since his discharge his since.
Affiant also states, that he was knowing to the said Richard Brown, entering into American services & his return therefrom, in two expeditions mentioned in the declaration filed in said Court on to day to wit, to wit: the nine months & the ten months tours, which

which he states, he believes the said B. Brown performed faithfully discharged his duty in said petition. William P. Bigham Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
German Lester Clerk.
I German Lester Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions holden for the County of Giles in the State of Tennessee do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the Or- ginal Proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the application of Richard Brown for a Pension.
In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Pulaski this 2 nd day of January 1833.
German Lester Clerk

State of Tennessee Giles County ss I, Arthur M. Upshaw Presiding Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions held for the county aforesaid do certify that Girmen Lester whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is clerk of said court and was at the time of signing said certificate and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such and that his said certificate is in due form of Law Given under my hand and seal this 11 th day of Jany 1833
Arthur M. Upshaw, J.P. Presiding Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
State of Tennessee Giles County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions November term 1833 This day personally appeared in open Court James S. Hays and William H. Lewis both Citizens of said County who being duly sworn According to law state that they are well acquainted with William Alexander and William Dugan who have signed and sworn to the foregoing affidavits or certificates and that they are men of veracity and good moral character and we believe that full faith and credit is due to their statements James S. Hays William H. Lewis in open court 26 th Nov 2 1833. Girmen Lester, clerk

State of Tennessee
Giles County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions November term 1833
We the Justices of the said Court do hereby certify that we have examined into the character and veracity of William H Lewis who has signed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit and are well satisfied that he is a man of correct moral deportment and character and that we believe his statements to be true. We also certify that we are well acquainted with James S. Haynes who has also signed and sworn to the above affidavit and that he is a man of undoubted veracity and truth and we concur in the statements made in said affidavit and in life etc. and we also certify that the said William H Lewis & James S. Haynes are citizens & residents in said County of Giles.
John Dickey
Benjamin Williams
James McCallum
State of Tennessee Giles County
I German Sester Clerk
of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions held
for the County of Giles in the State aforesaid do certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings, and amendments, of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Richard Brown for a Pension. In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my
deed, author
Richard Brown
hands and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 30 th day of November 1833.
German Sester Clk