Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6716, James Bradford, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
116
Bradford, James
S. 6716
Born in Penn.
Carded
CONTENTS

North Carolina 16.
James Bradford
Retired in the State of N.C.
who was a P.M. — in the Regt commanded by Captain Irwin of the Regt commanded by Col. Irwin on the N.C. line for 8 months.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of Dec 6 & 10 1838 from 11 Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838. Age notified 5 Dec 1838.
16498
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Augt 33 and South State
Spears Concord C.H. N.C.
Years to the 4th of March 1833 53.32 m-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept — 13.33
$66.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nath: Rice Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 Page 35
R G Re Bo

James Bradford
25505

State North Carolina Calamus County
U.S. Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions April Term 1833
On this 16 day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Justices of said Court now sitting James Bradford a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged 71 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated.
The defendant says that he resides in that part of Allegheny County that is now called Calamus. That in the year 1779. in February he entered the Service of the United States as a volunteer under Captain James Barr and Col. Alexander an expedition against the Indians said to be collected at Ellsworth S.C. and served four weeks and was dismissed and returned home. He further states that in March 1780. he entered the Service as a volunteer under Captain Stephen Alexander & Col. Philip and served under said officers, five weeks
and immediately at the time of the five weeks was drafted for a three months term, and served the three months under Capt. Samuel Greene and Service General Nathaniel army at the battle ground of Camden. The second day after said battle of Camden was fought and march from there to Salisbury S.C. from thence march down the Gadsden River to Camden Ferry on said River, then crossed the said River to the West East side march down said River opposite to a small village now called Chisaw. Then crossed said River to the South side and march toward Camden S.C. and in a few days fell in with General Gates army and marched on with Genl. Gates army towards Camden until we came within a few miles of Camden, when we met

the British at a small creek called Gunns Swamp when both armies engaged, and the Americans was defeated. The battle is called Gates defeat . I was in said battle, my Capt. & Lieutenant being taken prisoners at said battle I served the balance of the three months under Capt. M c Falls and at the end of the three months was discharged by Capt. M c Falls and returned home.
He further states that in the year 1780 the month not recollects he again entered the service as a volunteer under Capt. Stephen  Hussars and Col. Trimes and served under said officers four weeks. He further saith that in the same year (1780) the month not recollects he entered the service as a substitute for Joseph  S. Steph for three months under Capt. Samuel  Reese & Col. Sheifer . Served the whole of the three months in the County of Muhlenburg  P.G. principally on scouting parties, but the main camp on Six mile creek in Pa county. And at the end of the three months was discharged by General  Washington and returned home.
He further states that in the year 1781. Sometime in the month of February he entered the service as a volunteer under Capt. Stephen  Hussars and Col. Williams and marched to Gloucester County P.G. and served two months under said officers and was dismissed and returned home sometime in April. Making in the whole of his service Eleven months and one week to the best of his recollection.
He further states that he got a written discharge for two hours of service but has lost them. He further states that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person except William  Carrigan Esq. of Cabarrus  P.G. and Samuel  Hamilton of the County of Cabarrus  P.G. whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state and he further states that he has no other claim . I was born in the state of Pennsylvania  York County in the year 1762

I have now no record of my age. My age was once recorded in my father's family record, but was lost many years ago.
I refer to John Robinson Clergyman and William Carrigan Esq. both of the County of Cabarrus and State of N.C. for my character for veracity.
Given to and subscribed the day and year first above
written Beetlehoof J. B. B. James Bradford
We John Robinson Clergyman and William Carrigan both residing in the County of Cabarrus & State of N.C. hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Bradford who has subscribed to the above declaration that we believe him to be 71 years of age, that is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that concurs in that opinion.
Given and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Beetlehoof J. B. B. John Robinson Wm Carrigan
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and such as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Robinson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the County of Cabarrus, State N.C. and that William Carrigan, who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Cabarrus and State N.C. and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Beetlehoof J. B. B.
State of North Carolina Cabarrus County I James G. Spears clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Cabarrus county in the state of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had in said Court in the matter of the application of James Bradford for a pension. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office at Concord this 17 th day of April 1833 James G. Spears Clk

No 25565
James Bradford Cabaniss County North Carolina
Amount as per bill 8 mo - $26.16
J. G. Spears bth Cabaniss County N. Carolina Concord C.P.

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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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, showing the Service of James Bradford Cabaniss County North Carolina
   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.     Vol. Feby 1779. - 1 28 { private Col Barr, Colonel Alexander, 71 years Cabanus County N. Carolina Traditionary evidence, paper correct   Vol Mar 1780 - 1 5 { " } Col Alexander, Colonel Pipher   Drafted - " - 3 - " Col Givens, G. Rutherford   Vol. 1780 - - 28 { " } Col Alexander, Col Irwin   Sub - 1780 - 3 - " Col Reese, Col Pipher   Vol. Feby 1781 - 2 - " Col Alexander, Col Williams   11. 01  
X not allowed
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.

Were not certain as to this name. so Mrs. T. cut off signature from her letter & pasted in an the outside of the envelope held me to write it here Sister,
May 18, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL James Bradford-S.6716
Mrs. T.U. Ninon Chatham Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Bradford, of North Carolina.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers filed in pension claim, S.6716, based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of James Bradford, the only soldier of that name who served in the North Carolina troops, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
James Bradford was born in 1762, in York County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents are not shown.
James Bradford volunteered, place of residence not shown, and served as a private with the North Carolina troops, as follows: from February 1779, four weeks in Captain James Barr's Company, Colonel Alexander's Regiment; in 1780, four tours, one of five weeks, one of four weeks and two of three months each under Captains Stephen Alexander, Samuel Givens, McFall, James Reese, Colonels Alexander, Phifer and Irvin and was in the battle of Gates' Defeat; from February, 1781, two months in Captain Stephen Alexander's Company, Colonel Williams' Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 16, 1833, while residing in Babarrus (that part which was formerly Mecklenburg) County, North Carolina.
There are no data as to soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, James Bradford (S6716), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting

Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
James Bradford Certificate No. 16498 Issued August 28, 1833 Rate, $26.66 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 North Carolina Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

1938. May 18 - 7 list To Miss L.H. Nixon - Et
Rev War
6716 INVALID.
File No. 6716
James Bradford Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Nov. 28. 1838.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," James Bradford a Pensioner on the Roll of the North Carolina Agency, at the rate of Twenty five Dollars and sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1837 to the 4 th March 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Abner H. Parsons Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Chatham - Va.
May - 2 nd 1938
Dear Sir
Will you kindly give me the record contained in the pension papers of James Bradford of R.C., a soldier in the Rev. War.
I am a descendant of this family - her name, so I cut her bio- out & pasted it on an envelope - Yours Truly M.H.Z.
It looked like "M.H.Z."