Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,739, Abraham Carter, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Carter, Abraham
P 1739
CONTENTS

No. 38,008. Declaration of naturalization Card.
Act. June 7. 1832.

State of N. Carolina } On this the 6 th day of County of Yadkin } July 1850, personally appeared before me the undersigned an act- ing Justice in the County and State above named, Abraham Carter a resident of Big Ivy in the County of Yadkin and State of North Carolina, aged ninety eight 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 Borg- naps passed June the 4 1832; That he entered the service of the United States, as a volunteer (The applicant is not certain whether he was properly a volunteer, as he entered the ser- vice under the following regulation, viz When General Washington was preparing for the invasions of Yorktown Va, he sent a regi- ment or demand to the County of Bucking- ham and four others, to send him, a company from each county to consist of the single or un- married men; that if they did not turn out of their own will for this that he (Washington) should have to compel or press a sufficient number use, from this circumstance he (Carter) thought he and his comrades were volunteers) on or about the first day of August in the year of one thousand seven hundred and eighty one, in a company of Virginia State Infantry Com- manded by one Peter Gaskins or Gerson from the County of Buckingham, and State as above mentioned; and that the time for which he entered was for 6 months, that at the time of his entering said service he was a citizen of Buckingham County near Maysville

and state of Virginia. And further that he entered said service as a private, and he was not promoted to a higher rank while in said service, but served out the entire time of his engagement in the afore mentioned capacity. He also says on his oath that the afore mentioned companies were when assembled placed under the command of Colonel William Anderson, but that each company was commanded alone by its captain until their arrival at Yorktown, at which place they first began to receive orders from said Colonel Anderson.
From Marysville the Col of Buckingham he says the company to which he belonged began their march towards the seat of war which at that time was at Yorktown; passing (as well as his memory serves) through Cumberland county, thence into Chesterfield, crossing James River, and thence into the county of Charles City (and probably into the lower edge of Henrico, but is not certain), then up to New Kent, and from there to Yorktown, where the afore mentioned Colonel William Anderson took the immediate command of all the late arrived forces. As to the general or field officers who held command over his Colonel he does not know their names, but says that to the best of his recollection, that he and his Colonel (who acted as a private) was one night under the immediate command of the Frenchman Lafayette, but says that Washington was the only head commander of which he had any knowledge. He also says that in

This night engagement he received a wound in the left arm, but was not entirely disabled from doing duty. But on the 19th day of October in the year 1781 he alleges that he received an other wound in the right thigh which entirely disabled him from duty, and after the battle had finally ceased he says that a friend carried him to a place in the camps where he obtained medical aid. He further says that from this wound he was confined to his bed for about four months after the termination of said battle of York Town; and that by assistance of friends he was gotten in at a private house, and there remained until about the first of February in the year 1782 when he became able to make his way home: That he arrived back again at his father's residence in Buckingham County on the 15 or 16th of February in said year 1782, or thereabouts. And that he then made application for his pay and was paid for seven months wages in Continental money: also that his Col, William Anderson sent him a discharge, which is now lost or mislaid and has been for many years. And further more, the declarant deposes on his oath, that he has been a cripple from and on account of the afore mentioned wounds from the time of receiving down to the present time: and that he is now entirely disabled from getting about, his own house. He further declares that he has never before made any application for a pension on account of his services in the Revolutionary war, and that he has no claim for a pen

him on this or any other shore, neither on that of the United States, therefore he has none to relinquish: but he does relinquish the present signed his after death  his mother.
I own to and subscribe before me the said Justice day and year above written.
W. H. Morris
Justice
State of Carolina } I, an acting justice in County of Greene  Greene the County and State heretofore mentioned, do hereby certify that Abraham Carter who has made and duly signed the foregoing declaration is from bodily infirmity incapable of attending on any of our courts, and has been for many years, (about twenty). I also state that he is a highly respected citizen in this County, and I am firmly of the opinion that he was a revolutionary soldier, and that he served in the Company and Regiment mentioned in his declaration.
I further certify that I believe him to be sixty eight years of age, and the neighborhood is generally of opinion that he was a revolutionary soldier; nothing being known to the contrary that I know of - In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal on this the 16 th day of July 1850
W. H. Morris
Justice
State of Carolina } We John Wheeler clergyman County of Greene  Greene  (R. B. V. L. S. Rev.) residing in the County of Greene and residing in the same, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham

have heard and believe him to be ninety eight 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.
John Wheeler Chas. Smith
R. B. V. Service
Sworn and subscribed before me an acting Justice on this the 6 th day of July 1850
H. Harris Justice
State of N. Carolina, I E. H. Honeycutt Clerk Yancy County } of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions for Yancy County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings had before said Justice in the matter of the application of Abraham Leaster for a petition in testimony whereof I have set my hand this 6 th day of July 1850
Seal
E. H. Honeycutt Clerk
State of N. Carolina, I an acting Justice in County of Yancy } said County do hereby certify that, R. B. V. Service is a highly respected citizen in this County, and that John Wheeler who also has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman residing in said County, and that they are both entitled to credit. In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal, on this the 6 th day of July 1850
H. Harris Justice Chas. Smith

State of Virginia } On this the 10 th day of County of Fauquier } July 1850 personally ap- peared before me the undersigned an act- ing Justice in the County and State above mentioned Stephen Carter a resident of the County of Fauquier who being first duly sworn according to law says on his oath that Abraham Carter was a soldier of the Revolution, and that he belonged to one Peter Gaskins company of Virginia Infan- try, and that the said Peter Gaskins Com- pany when in the service was command- ed by Colonel William Anderson of Cam- berland County and State of Virginia. That he enlisted or entered the service some time in the month of August (he thinks) in the year one thousand seven hundred eighty one, that he entered for six months as did the whole company, but he says after the battle of York Town and capture of Gen- eral Cornwallis, the company was discharged, and came home, being gone about 5 months & fifteen or twenty days. But the said Car- ter did not come home until the last of January or the first of February in the year following; That when he did come, he he was not able to do any labor, owing to a wound he had received in the thigh while engaged in said battle.
Deponent further says, that some time after the above said Abraham Carter arriv- ed at his father's residence which was then in Buckingham County and State

of Virginia, that the said Abraham Boston received a discharge from the hands of Col. Anderson, but who had signed it, or where it had come from, he does not now remember; and at the same time the said Abraham renewed his hopes for seven months. (Here the deponent says that he does not know for a certainty as to its being for seven months, as he did not know the amount to which he was entitled, But the Colonel when he gave it to him said it was for seven months, and that he has frequently heard the said Abraham say so.) Deponent further says on his oath that the above mentioned Abraham Boston has been all his life from the time he was wounded an invalid, and a great portion of his time not able to get up in a chair, and that he believes it all originated from said wound.
He further says that the said Abraham Boston resided in Buckingham till the year 1820 when he moved to this county where he has continued to live to the present time: he further says on his oath that he Stephen Boston was only fourteen years old when the said Abraham returned from the battle of Yorktown; that he was personally acquainted with the Captain & the Colonel under whom the said Abraham rendered the service, that he has often heard Captain Gordon speak of the service of the said Abraham and of his being wounded in the thigh during

the battle at Yorktown. He also says that he had some acquaintance with Colonel Anderson, but mostly from character - that he saw him when he gave the soldier Abraham his discharge and paid him his money - He further says that he was not himself in the service, but knew these facts from what he saw and how others relate.
Stephen his Cartwright
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
Abraham Justice
State of Warrenton County of Fauquier } On this the 10 th day of July in the year 1850, personally appeared before me the undersigned an acting Justice in and for the County and State above mentioned, William Sedgwick who being first duly sworn according to law, says on his oath, That he has been well acquainted with Abraham Cartwright since his (Sedgwick's) as a "boy", and that he was personally knowing to his entire service of the United States during the war of the Revolution from the County of Buckingham and State of Virginia. That the said Abraham Cartwright entered for its services as one Captain Cartwright's company, but the name of the Colonel, he does not know as they had no Colonel until the Colonel arrived at Yorktown.

but says that he was told his name was Sullivan ; that the said Cartwright a stout young man when he entered the service, and that he came home a cripple having received a wound in one of his thighs which has rendered him quite a lame man ever since. He further states that he does not know that the said Shahan  Boston did receive this wound in the battle of Yorktown, but speaks from the authority of Boston himself and many more of the men who were with him, and belonging to the same company. He further states that the often mentioned Boston entered the service in the year 1781 but the month he does not recollect, and that he returned home in the year 1782, being gone as well as he can recollect over six months.
William his  Graves  mark
Sworn to and subscribed my and your clerk witness, before me an acting Justice
J. H. Ward Justice
State of Maryland I am acting Justice in County of Garrey the County and State also as mentioned, do hereby certify that I have only professed the said Stephen  Boston and William  Selfridge  Sim in relation to the said Shahan  Boston and his services as a Revolutionary soldier, and believe that they have stated the truth to the best of their

knowledge. I do also certify that they are both credible witnesses, and so far as I know disinterested. I also certify that it is the general opinion of the neighborhood where the said Brook Carter resides that he was a revolutionary soldier and I am sure in that opinion. In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal on this the 10th day of July 1850
Att. Harris Justice
Then all men by these presents shall know that I Brookman Carter of the County of York and State of Me do hereby certify and appoint John B. Woodfin my true and lawful Attorney, and in my name to transact all business, receive moneys and sign receipts in as full a manner as I could do were I present and acting for myself. This 10 July 1850
Brookman Carter
Be it known that before me the undersigned personally appeared Brookman Carter who acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his own act and deed.
Subscribed and acknowledged before me the undersigned an acting justice in said County on this the 10th day of July 1850
Att. Harris Justice

State of N th Carolina } E. H. Weyant Yancey County } Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the said County of Yancey do hereby certify that M c Rearis is A Justice of said County was duly commissioned and qualified according to Law and I believe the signatures as appears to the foregoing paper to be his are genuine in Testimony whereunto I have affixed my Seal of office and subscribed my name at office in Burnsville 18 th July 1830
E. H. Weyant Clerk

1939
EX-101
P. O. Abraham Castor
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Not reported in list of 1852.
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

No 38,008
Abraham Carter
N.C.
Act y o June 1832
Lot 1 1/3 Woodfin Div 21/50
Same May 21/51
1739

Burnsville Wayne Co. Minnesota
May 29 th 1887.
Sir
It has been near 12 months since I sent to the Pension Office the Declaration of Abraham Carter of this county claiming the benefit of the act 7 th June 1832. That Declaration was made agreeable to the form prescribed by the Secretary. He then showed by credible testimony (men of undoubtable veracity ) that he was himself of good character and that they (the witnesses) knew said Carter to have served in the Revolutionary war as much as 6 months.
It was then shown by the proper authority or authorities, that these witnesses were men of good character , and marked ye; they had sworn that they knew Carter to have been in the service for at least 6 months. It was then shown that he had never had any other reputation than, that he was a soldier in said war. This looks like coming to the point , but Mr J. L. Edwards had some doubts as to its legality; and therefore could not allow the claim. But he did not inform me what ought to be done to insure its success.
Mr Carter is dissatisfied with Mr Edwards decision and so would any one who knew what proof had been made. It is respectfully asked of you, that you have that claim reexamined and see if Mr Carter is not justly entitled to said

Pension of $20. per annum, at least.
I can show by 2 Ex members of Congress and our present Member that Mr Carter has an excellent character, and that it has never been doubted, that he was a true Whig & faithful soldier in the B. War. He is now old & helpless & has  nothing  to  live  on  but  his  pension to that which is his due.
Please inform me soon, because if rejected again, the claim must go before Congress.
I believe the claim is a just one, & will be found trying to get it allowed as long as there is any chance.
I am Sir with great Respects Your Obed Servt Jno B. Woodfin
Hon Jas E. Heath Comm of Pensions Washington City D.C.

J. B. Woodfin Mar. 20/50.

Pension Office Nov 21. 1885.
Sir:
The declaration of Abraham Leaster has been received.
The late period at which he makes his application, especially under the circumstances alleged, is almost conclusive against it. He is supported by no one who knew him in service or was old enough to note the particulars of his service. His company is stated to have been disbanded after 5 months and 15 or 20 days' service, though he was continued on the pay roll. It is not even shown that any such officer as he pretends to have served under ever was in commission from Buckingham County, Va. Under all these circumstances of presumption against the claim and of lack of evidence to support it, it cannot be admitted.
J. B. Mowfin Esq. Bucksville N. C.

Barnsville January 6 o Mo. Jan 23 1851
Sir
The case of J. S. Webb of Co D th Mo. Reg for involved pension filed in the office by me, you will place in the case of S. Godwin Esq for further prosecu- tion.
Also that of Blackston Stewart of company K th 5 th Reg Tennessee vols (Mexican war) for involved pension filed by me you will place in said Godwin's case
The case of Abraham Abraham Carter from January 6 o Mo. for a pension under the act the 7 th June 1832 filed by me in the summer of 1850, I wish to be given into the hands of S. Godwin Esq.
Yours Carter
The case of Robert Fox (for S.W.P.) private in Co K th 1 st Reg Mo. vols you will also give place in the case of S. Godwin Esq.
The officers affidavit in this case was sent to the Pension off in May 1851. The case was filed by me from this county in 1850.
Yours Respectfully
Jno B. Woodfin
Hon. J. B. Woodfin Court of Pensions
Cut a h Dorothy Baker up 6 M th 1851

May 21, 1857
J. B. Woodfin Esq. Barnesville, N.C.
Copy
Sir:
No additional evidence has been received in the case of Abraham Carter since the letter of the 21 st November last was written to you concerning it. It stands now, therefore, as it stood then.
J. E. Heath Commr

Hampton Virginia March 1850 July 15 th 1850
Sir
Enclosed you will receive the case of Abraham Carter a revolutionary soldier, and who claims a pension under the act of 7 th June 1832.
I presume that Mr Carter's claim can not fail, as I have produced the evidence required by the two declarations.
Two eligible witnesses prove to his service which was not required by law, in the case of Virginia soldiers. But I had it at hand and thought it best to adduce it.
Yours Sir, your obedient
And humble servant
John B. Woodfin

Burnsville Janey Co. Ia Feb 3 1857
Sir
During last summer I filed in the Pension Office the case of Abraham Carter a Revolutionary Soldier, now a citizen of this county making application for a Pension under the act of June 1832.
From the proof which I produced in that case I feel very confident that it will ultimately pass if not before the Department it will I think before Congress: but I think on a thorough investigation, by the Office that he will be found entitled to a Pension. His character is proven to be good: his proof of service also I think pretty good.
He is now on the County, having no one to assist him or do for him
There is not a man in Cowley who can give a better character than can Mr Carter. I hope I will hear soon what is the issue, so that if rejected (as Mr Edwards rejects all or near all old claims) I may be getting the case ready to carry up.
Respectfully your obedient And humble servant John B Woodfin
Hon J. D. Heath Com Pensions Washington city