Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2417, John Crabb, N.C. Indian War In 1789

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. b.
Crabb, John
R. 2417
Indian War in 1789
CONTENTS

Declaration , In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832. — State of Illinois
Green County ss. On this Sixth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine, personally appeared in open Court, before the County Commissioners Court of Green County now sitting, John Bratt, a resident of the County aged State of Illinois aged Seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated —
2 In the fall of 1779, according to my best recollection in the month of November, I was called into the service of the United States to guard a Post called John Harrys station, under the Command of Captain Robert Rail & Lieut. George Brooks, situate in Carters Valley on the waters of the Holston River, then in the Territory of North Carolina, now Hawkins County State of Tennessee — I continued in that service at least two months, and received a discharge from Capt. Rail accordingly. — A part of the time I was at the fort, and the other part of the time I was engaged with others in scouting parties, going out to watch the Indians & who frequently came to the settlements around and stole Horses & Cattle from the inhabitants, & committed other depredations. —
1 In the Spring of 1780, the Post above mentioned was abandoned. — And during the Summer following the Indians frequently made depredations upon the property of the inhabitants, and I volunteered my services at different times as a ranger or spy, under the Command of the above named Officers. — The Colonel commanding was John Sevier. — During that season I performed at least one month service. —
1 In 1781 in the month of February or March I was called out to pursue the Indians as they had Murdered William Brooks, brother of Lieut. Geo. Brooks. — I performed a severe tour of at least one month under the same Officers before mentioned.

In the Month of April thereafter I was again called out for the same purpose, as the Indians had murdered a man by the name of Thomas Fisher near the head of Caney Creek - I performed a service at that time of at least three weeks under the same Officers. - From the last mentioned time to the Month of June 1782 I was called out at different times to perform the same kind of service under the same Officers, & in the same section of Country. - I cannot recollect the length of time I was engaged in these services, at the different times during this season. But I really believe that I performed during this season at least one Month of faithful service. -
During the season last above mentioned I had been called out in the service at so many different times to serve for short periods, that I concluded to enlist for a regular term, and did in the Month of June enlist under Captain Robert Nail for three Months, and was stationed at a place called Nail's Station, situated on Caney Creek - I performed my three Months service according to my enlistment, & received a discharge from Capt. Nail accordingly. Which said Discharge and also the one received in 1779 as before mentioned has long since been lost or destroyed. -
Soon after the close of my last mentioned service orders came from Col. John Sevier to Capt. Robert Nail to raise a Company to enter into service against the Tories and Indians, as the Tories were leaving Honeycutt station on Holston River & joining with the Chickasaw & Cherokees. I volunteered with others in that service under Capt. Nail and was called out by Col. John Sevier, according to the best of my recollection & belief, the last of September 1782. - I was engaged in that service seven weeks. - Our Company was collected & formed at the mouth of Big Creek on the waters of Holston River - We crossed the River at Dodson's ford & marched to French Broad River, which river we crossed at a place called the Big Island, and from thence went to Tennessee River, crossed it at a place called Chota ford - that brought us into the Cherokee nation of

Indians. — While there our Company was engaged in three or four skirmishes with the Indians, killed about twenty & took about twenty five Indian prisoners. — We found a white Man who was a Tory, the refusing to surrender was shot. — Our Company then went to the house of a white Man by the name of Rodgers, who surrendered himself & 14 Negroes, which together with his property, such as Horses, household goods &c we brought with us when we returned to the Mouth of Big Creek, the place from which we started. — While we were in the Cherokee Nation of Indians, & soon after we had taken Mr. Rodgers a prisoner, the Indians sent a flag of truce by an Interpreter two or three other Indians requesting that a treaty of peace might be effected between them & our people. — Col. Sevier agreed to meet the Indians at a Town called Chota. — Such a Meeting was had & a treaty was concluded. — The terms of which I do not particularly recollect — but I recollect distinctly that Col. Sevier made an exchange of prisoners with the Indians to the number of about twenty five. — Immediately after the exchange, we were ordered to return, as we had with us the prisoners obtained by exchange from the Indians, and our provisions were reduced to a small quantity, scarcely sufficient for the subsistence of so many. — After serving seven weeks faithfully, I received a discharge from my Commanding Officer, which has long since been lost or destroyed. —
I further state that I am informed by letter from S. L. Edwards of the War Department that in my Declaration made & sent to said department in March 1835, it was stated by me that the service performed by me as last above mentioned, was in the year 1781. — If such was the date or time there given, it was a mistake made in drawing up said declaration which I did not discover at the time I made it. — For I recollect then as I do now, that the said service was performed in 1782.
I would further state that I now know of no person

living, who served with me during the times above stated, or any part of them, or who knows of my having performed the services mentioned in this declaration. It is therefore out of my power to obtain the testimony of a witness who can from his personal knowledge of my services, testify to them. —
And I hereby further state that the Discharges which I received from my Commanding Officer, were long since lost or destroyed. — In about the year 1798 my Father's house was destroyed by fire; and it is my belief that my said Discharges were burned with the house. —
In conclusion I would state that I have given in this my Declaration a true account or statement of my services as performed by me during the war of the revolution, according to my best recollection & belief. — But in consequence of the lapse of time which has intervened since the performance of said service, & the failure of my memory, occasioned by old age, I may have made some mistake. But of this I am very certain that in stating the length of time I served at the different periods mentioned in this my Declaration I have made no mistake. —
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 the agency of any State. —
Sworn to & Subscribed In open Court, before the Commissioners Court of Greene County State of Illinois This sixth day of April 1839.
John Crabbe marks
J. H. Murphy Clerk

Wrs Abraham Enslon a clergyman residing in the County of Greene and State of Illinois and John W. Scott residing in the same County and State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Crabb; that we believe him to be seventy five years of age last May; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.  Subscribed and Abraham Enslon clergyman Sworn to this 8 th day of March 1839. John W. Scott  P. Murphy 6th add 36
The following Interrogatories were propounded by the Court to John Crabb the applicant for a pension, and the following answers were made by said Crabb to the same  1 st Where and what year were you born Ans. I was born in Frederick County Va. on the 15 th day of May 1763. —  2 d Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it, — Ans. I had a record of my age but it was burned, when my Father's house was burned in 1796. as stated in my declaration  3 d Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live Ans. I was living when called into service in Carter's valley North Carolina on the waters of Holston, now Hawkins County Tennessee

Ans. Since the Revolutionary war I have lived at or near Beans Station Tennessee from the year 1783 until the year 1808. From thence I removed to Knox County near Knoxville Tennessee, where I lived until 1828. — From thence I removed to Greene County, Illinois where I now reside, —
4 th Q. How were you called into service, where were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Ans. — I was a volunteer in every instance — and not a substitute, —
5 th Q. State the name 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 service.
Ans. — Capt. Robert Rail, Lieut. George Bragg, Maj. Valentine Francis, & Col. John Sevier, — I know of no Continental or Militia Reg t , — Other Col. Col. — I The nature of the service rendered by me was such that formed no acquaintance with any officers except those under whom I served. — For a full answer to the service rendered by me & the circumstances I must refer to the foregoing declaration.
6 th Q. — Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it, —

Ans. I received three discharges, I think, and all signed by Captain Robert Friel, and they were burned with my Father's house in 1796,
Q 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.
Ans. — Abraham Enslie, John M. Scott, Edward  Edward Hriston Reynolds, Thomas Cummins, Col. Elijah Vanhorne, at Supton Fell at Delhi, —
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the above 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 Abraham Enslie who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Grant and State of Illinois, And that John M. Scott who has also signed the same is a resident of the same County and State, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
March 6. 1889.
Alexander King John Thompson Gailton Smith
Judges of said Court

I Philip A. Ramsay Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of Scurry County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of John Grubb for a Pension In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand, and seal of the said Court this 6 th day of March 1889,
Philip A. Ramsay Clerk

Grane County Illinois July 29 1838
Dear Sir I Recd. yours of 22 of May, I feel Disposed to make another effort to get my Pension I Shewed the letters I Recd. from you to Lawyers Cauerly and English, to make out my papers again They objected at first to have any thing to do with it - as Bledsoe had been trying to do the business for me they had a political quarrel at the Re-Election of Gen. Jackson which still remains, Bledsoe is the strong opposer of the Administration he Bledsoe disagreed with me on account of my support- -ing the Administration of Jackson and Spenceburn and always to told me, that he never Recd. any answer from the Department until I Shewed the letters I Recd. from you this summer he then said he had Recd. information from the Department but had forgotten to tell me of it or the cause that I could not draw my Pension
Mr Cauerly and English advised me to inform the Department as far as I could tell the services I had rendered up to 1782 (which I did not from Bledsoe) that I could make oath of and then Call living witnesses that would Certify that they believed I had performed service and was Entitled to my Pension
I will relate now to the Department all the services performed up to 1782 according to my best recollection and also the men that will say I deserve a Pension there names etc. Some time in the fall of 1779 I moved from the state of Va. to Carters valley then the state of North Carolina I was called out in the winter of 1779 and 1780 to Guard a fort called Harrys Station under the Command of Capt. Robert Hoil and Sp. Brooks I remained there through the winter & served as well as recollect upwards of two months in the spring of 1780 the fort was broken up I was called more until the spring of 1781 Except voluntarily as a spy in the spy company I cannot recollect how long but several days at a time but immediately after the murder of Brooks Brother to our Lieutenant by the Indians I was ordered out and went with a Company in pursuit of the Indians which I performed a severe tour of about one month during 1781 Some time in the early part of 1782 I was ordered out in a Company to pursue the Indians as they had murdered a man by the name of Thos Fisher near the head of Cane Creek on the waters of Holston I served there a tour of two or three weeks, Shortly after I returned home I enlisted three month and was stationed at a place called Hoils Station on Cane Creek I remained there full three months some time in the spy Company and keeping the fort

for which I got a Discharge that was worn out at last Immediately after that the orders came by Col. John Sevier to hold our Selvers in readiness as the Tories were leaving Hony Cutts Station and offering joining the Indians all that would serve against the Tories and Chickemogs and Cherokees Indians should not cross the moun- -tains to fight the British I recollect well that I was agreed to join in and guard the frontiers
I next was called out in the fall of 1782 under Col John Sevier where I served seven weeks tour hungry and fatigued which is now fresh to my mind The seven weeks is now on file in your office you say I reported them to be performed in 1781 which I solemnly declare was a mistake either in my or Mr. Bledsoe it has always borne in my mind that it was performed in 1782 I after that time have performed tour after until Blounts Treaty for which I think I am Entitled Something for my services
I lately called on Gov. Reynolds late Representative to Congress, Also on Col John W Scott John Col, John R Black of this County who has all been acquainted with me in Tennessee and this state for 30 or 40 years
I also called on Houston Reynolds of this County who was acquainted with me 40 years ago
I also called on the Hon. Calum Tunnell and Franklin Witt and R. W. English members of our Legislature they say they will sign my recommendation at any time when presented there are all facts which I can substantiate and will do if they are sufficient to draw my Pension
They shall be drawn up as the two above Gentlemen take me in accordance with the Act of 1832 made and provided for in such cases
you will please inform me immediately if they are sufficient when authenticated
I will send them on immediately after Court yours very Respectfully
Pension Commissioners
John Crabb mark
Direct to Delhi

RECEIVED
2417
P. O.
John Crabb
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Rejected, see letter 28 March 35 to M. G. Bledsoe.
let 14 Feb 1838 to W. L. May let 22 May 1838 to appt. let 31 July 1839 Messrs Caverly & Goodrich let 17 Feb. 1840 Hon. John Reynolds.
24/7 Act 7 June '32

Declaration, in order to be placed on the pension list under the Act of the 7th June 1832. State of Illinois, Greene County ss.
Be it remembered that on this fourth day of March A.D. 1835, in Open Court before the county Commissioners, Court of Greene County Illinois, being a Court of Record, John Crabb a resident of the same County, aged Seventy one years, on the 15th day of May last, Who being 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 of the 7th of June, 1832;— That he was born on the 15th day of May 1763, in Shenandoah County, Virginia, he lived there until he was five or six years old he then with his parents, removed to Bottetourt County Virginia, lived there about four years— then moved to Montgomery County Virginia, lived there six years— then moved to Halsan, Sullivan County North Carolina from thence he removed to Hawkins County in the year 1781, he was enrolled for Muster, And this year he listed in the North Carolina Militia under Captain Robert Ryle, George Brooks, Lieutenant, and served three months, in guarding the frontiers, against the Indians and Tories, In the same year his father was drafted to go against the Indians and Tories, And this Applicant served as his substitute, Seven Weeks, under Captain Ryle, Col. John Sevier, Valentine Sevier, Major. In the year 1782, he entered the service under Captain John Bunch, Col. John Sevier, and served one month at the Block house, on Clinch River, on the Old Station —by trace;— He served one month under the same officers, at the Rossberry Station, on Flat Creek, Haw- kins County North Carolina; the date not now distinctly recollected. Subsequently the Indians came into the Settlement and killed two men— Colonel William Cook and Colonel Outlaw, beat up for

for volunteers - this Applicant joined them and went against the Cherokee and Chickamauga Indians and served five weeks. - He served another tour under Captain William Henderson, against the same Indians he thinks this last service was in the year 1789. He lost a Brother, this campaign Captain Henderson also lost a brother He served two or three weeks at this time. He feels confident he has served eight and a half months; he knows he has served more, but he cannot prefer to it, with sufficient precision to make a claim for it. His father and Brothers served likewise on several campaigns their discharges and those of this Applicant, were all in a bundle of papers, together, which were destroyed by fire, together with his fathers house in the year 1791 or 1792, in Hawkins County North Carolina, His whole service was as a private - His discharges, being last as before mentioned, he has now no documentary evidence to show his service. He was in no battle nor does he recollect at any time during his service to have seen any regular officers. After the war he married in the State of North Carolina, and continued a citizen of the same until the State of Tennessee was formed, he then lived in the now County of Grainger Tennessee until 1798, then moved to Knox County Tennessee, from thence in 1827, he removed to Greene County Illinois, where he has continued to the present time. Joseph J. Basy a Minister of the Gospel and James D. Scott, and James Surney, and John Reynolds the last Member of Congress, can testify and speak as to the character and residency of this Applicant. - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.
Subscribed Examined & sworn to in open court this 14 th March A.D. 1835
His John X Crabbe Mark
Moses A. Hudson Clerk

State of Illinois, Greene County ss.
I, Joseph J. Basey a Clergyman residing in the County of Greene and State of Illinois, hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with John Crabb, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that I believe him to be seventy one years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion, that his oath is entitled to full faith and credit.
Subscribed and sworn to in open court March 3 rd the 14 th A.D. 1835 Joseph J. Basey of the Ill C.B.
Moses A. Bleasdale Clerk
And the County Commissioners Court of Greene County, Illinois, do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories, prescribed by the War department that the before named Applicant, John Crabb, was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further Certify that it appears to them that Joseph J. Basey is a Clergyman and resides a Neighbor, to the Applicant, that James D. Scott, and James Suriney, are residents of this County, and credible persons, and their statements on oath are entitled to full credit
Subscribed in open court March 3 rd 1835
Cyrus Tolman Alexander King Thomas M. Tow
Moses A. Bleasdale Clerk
James D. Scott
State of Illinois, Greene County ss
I, Moses A. Bleasdale, Clerk of the County Commissioners Court, of Greene County, Illinois, do hereby Certify that the foregoing are the Original proceedings on the Application of John Crabb, for the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832.

That the same were taken, and the examinations Made this day in Open Court.
In testimony whereof I as Clerk as aforesaid hereunto set my Name and caused my Seal of Office to be Affixed this 14th day of March A.D. 1835
Moses A. Pleasae Clerk b6b6b6b6.
State of Illinois Greene County
We James Turney and James D. Scott in and of said County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that we are acquainted with John Grubb who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be about one year of age that he is respected and beloved in his neighbourhood and that he has been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion and that his Oath is entitled to full faith & credit.
32. 20. 1835 James Turney James D. Scott
Sworn and subscribed to in Open Court
James Turney James D. Scott
Moses A. Pleasae Clerk b6b6b6b6. " " " "
I, Moses A. Pleasae, Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court of Greene County, Illinois, do hereby certify that James Turney and James D. Scott subscribed and were sworn to the foregoing affidavits in Open Court.
Moses A. Pleasae Clerk b6b6b6b6.

May 7 1825 of the War Department
free
Mr. E. ... No. Washington City

Greene County Illinois April 21 st
Dear Sir I Received a letter from you through Mr. May the first Information I have Recd, since I sent my papers on to the War department I do not feel satisfied until I make another trial to get my Pension as my fellow Soldiers are drawing their Pensions
I am now old and feeble and have no property or money I am living about with my friends and Children my Children is but few and are Comfortable poor
you will please send on my papers to me that I can make another trial at the June term next to be holden in our County if I can make out six month service in the Revolution War I will do so if not I will trouble you again you will please direct them to Delhi Greene County Illinois I Return you my Concure Thanks for the Information you have given me through Mr. May
Yours very Respectfully
J. S. Edwards
his John Crabbe mark

Feb 17. 1840
Mr
J. C. Noble
St. Lawrence Bay
Cambridge
Mr Reynolds H. Q.
So as long term -

I am L. Edwards wife Came of Pensylvania
Sir
Permit me to ask, I am to write me in what situation is the claim of John Grubb of Grave C.O. Second for a pension.
I wrote you November one year ago, and I do not recollect the answer.
I am friend
John Reynols
17 July. 1840.

Feb 14
Miss
John Crabb
St. Edwards
Convent of St. Andrew
Washington City
W. L. May H.R.

Washington
Feb 14. 1838
Sir
I enclose herewith a letter from John Brattle of Green Co. Ill. in relation to an application of his Father for a Pension to which I solicit your attention -
I have the honor to remain very respectfully your Most obed Servt
William L May
J. V. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
P.S. Please return to me the letter enclosed

The Hon. Secy of the Interior Office.
Mr. Crabb, Oct 32.
John Edwards Esq.
Free
Van Stuyvenant Washington H.

A. L. Edwards Esq. Sir
Carrollton Green Co. Ill. March 6. 1839.
Enclosed is an application from John Crabb of this County for a Pension under the act of passed June 7. 1832. — You will confer a favor upon Mr. Crabb by examining his papers & sending us an answer to his application as soon as convenient. —
Please direct your communication to us at Carrollton Green Co. Illinois,
Yours ob't Serv't
Yours ob't Serv't
Cavender & Goodrich