Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,424, Hezekiah Chiles, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb.
Chiles Hezekiah
S. 2424
carded
CONTENTS

7623.
West Tennessee
Hezekiah Chiles
Lincoln Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Harrison of the regt commanded by Col Moore in the N.E. Ma for 6 months for 1780
Described on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of May 1833 and sent to Davis Cartland Fayetteville Tn
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $40 — Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 10
$50 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm H Gibson Clerk, Book C. Vol. 7 Page 74

State of Tennessee } Hickman Chiles Lincoln County } S.S. 21062
In this 14 th day of November 1832, personally appears before us, Henry Toney, and Cornelius Parnell two of the acting Justices of the Peace for the county of Lincoln aforesaid. Ezekiah Chiles, aged about 70 years, and resident in the County aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declarations, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
I was born in the state of Virginia but do not know in what county as I left there when very small & moved to N. Carolina, Granville County where I lived at the time, I entered the service. - I have no record of my age, and being quite illiterate, and having been for many years in a very low state of health I cannot now recollect when I was born, but I think it was some time in the year 1760 or '61 - - Some time in the latter part of the summer or the first of the fall of the year 1780, as near as I can now recollect, I was drafted in the N. Carolina militia for a tour of three months. I do not recollect who was the commander of the regiment but the company to which I belonged was commanded by a Capt. Kearcy. We rendezvoused at Granville Court house, and my company & another under the command of Capt Banks, marched down into South Carolina for the purpose of joining the army under Gates, who was then near Camden. S.C. - When we arrived within a short distance of Camden we met the army of Genl. Gates retreating, as they had just had a battle with the British and had been defeated. - We joined in the retreat, and after we had escaped from the British the militia were permitted to go home and Genl. Gates with the regulars retired to Hillsborough - After being at home a few days, we were

ordered to meet at Hillsborough, where were placed under the command of Genl. Butler (my company was then commanded by Capt Richard Harrison & Ensign John Rivers (the Lieut. not recruited) — after remaining at Hillsborough, about ten days, Genl. Butler, ordered five hundred of us to be marched under the command of Col. Moore and to join the forces then under the command of Genl. Smallwood, somewhere in South Carolina, but I do not now recollect where We remained some time at the encampment of Genl. Smallwood principally engaged in mustering and learning the military exercises — we were then sent (that is my company) against a small body of Tories who were collected at a mill on Waxaw Creek — when we arrived in about two miles of the mill, a troop of Cavalry who had been sent on after us, passed us and arriving at the mill, dispersed the Tories & drove them off before we got there — we were then stationed at the mill and remained there till our three months tour expired — we then returned to Head quarters, were dismissed & returned home — Some time in the succeeding summer I was again drafted in a company commanded as well as I now recollect by Capt Gilliam — my company & two or three other Companies were stationed on a ridge in Granville County, (the name of which I now forget) for the purpose of defending the country against the depredations of the Tories, by whom the inhabitants were frequently disturbed — I do not now recollect whether there was any officer over us of a higher grade than Captain we remained stationed on the ridge until the time for which I was drafted (which was three months, had expired — I then returned home, and was not engaged in any service afterwards —

I do not recollect that I ever received a written discharge. I have no documentary evidence, nor do I know of any person whose testimony I can procure to testify to my services - I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any state -
Sworn to & subscribed before us the day & year aforesaid
Henry Surney J.P. Cornelius Darnell J.P.
Hezekiah Chiles mark
We Albert G. Gibson a clergyman residing in the county of Lincoln and state of Tennessee and John Broadway residing in the said county & state, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Hezekiah Chiles who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be 70 or 72 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 to & subscribed before us the day & year aforesaid
Henry Surney J.P. Cornelius Darnell J.P.
Albert G. Gibson John Broadway
We Henry Surney and Cornelius Darnell, two of the acting Justices of the peace for Lincoln County Tennessee, do certify that Hezekiah Chiles, the above named applicant, by reason of affliction and extreme bodily infirmity is unable to appear before any court of record, in order to make the declaration aforesaid and we do also hereby declare our opinion

after an 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 we further certify that it appears to us that Albert G. Gibson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said County of Lincoln and that John Broadway who has also signed the same is a resident in said county, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Henry Turney - J.P. Cornelius Darnell - J.P.
I Robert S. Inge Clerk of the County Court of Lincoln County, Tennessee, do hereby certify, that Henry Turney and Cornelius Darnell whose names are subscribed to the preceding certificate, are acting Justices of the peace for said County of Lincoln - that their said signatures are genuine - and that their official acts are entitled to full faith and credit.
Given under my hand and the seal In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 8 th December 1832
Robt S. Inge By his deputy B.M. [unintelligible]
Addrip - In the case of Davis Eastland Hoytville Tenn.

21062
Hezekiah Childs N.Y.
for 1780 print 6 mths. $20.
Davis Eastland. Haydenville N.Y.

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 shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Zegeiah Childs. Lincoln Co. T.
   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.     drafted 1780. 6 for Capt. S. ... Capt. Harrison Capt. Gilliam Col Moore Maj. ... } none N. & S.C. 672. Granville N.C. Tradg.   — 1781. 6 " none listed " " "  
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 _____; 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 [j] 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.
[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. }
W. L. Wilson and C. C. C.

August 23, 1939
Mr. Ira N. Chiles P.O.Box 135 Huntsville, Alabama
BA-J/MCS Hezekiah Chiles, S.2424
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Hezekiah Chiles, a Revolutionary War soldier who was pensioned while living in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, S.2424, based on the military service of Hezekiah Chiles.
Hezekiah Chiles was born in 1760 or 1761 in Virginia, county not shown nor were the names of his parents given.
When a small boy he moved to Grenville County, North Carolina, and was living there when he enlisted late in the summer of 1780 and served three months as private in Captain Searcy's North Carolina company. After remaining at home a few days, he enlisted in Captain Richard Harrison's company in Colonel Moore's North Carolina regiment and served three months as private. He enlisted in the summer of 1781 and served three months as private in Captain Gilliam's North Carolina company.
Hezekiah Chiles was allowed pension on his application executed November 14, 1832, at which time he was living in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Hezekiah Chiles, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and

possibly the date of death of this soldier, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., giving the following data:
Hezekiah Chiles, Certificate 7573, issued May 13, 1833, rate $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, West Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Dayton Ohio T. Jan Dec 9 Dear Lewis C. as Secretary of War Pension Bureau Washington City

P. O. Box 135 Huntsville, Alabama July 26, 1939
Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
I should be greatly obliged if you would send me a copy of the of the Revolutionary War record of Hezekiah Chiles, who was a pensioner in Lincoln County, Tennessee. I should appreciate knowing anything on record as to where he came from etc.
Thanking you, I am
Very truly yours,
Ira N. Chiles Ira N. Chiles

1939 Aug. 23. hist. to Mr. Dr. N. Chiles ULS
Rev. Chiles
2424 INVALID.
File No. 2424
Keziah Chiles Print Rev. Par
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 14 , Page 64
[Arrangement of 1870.]