Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16078, William Chambers, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.C.
Chambers, William
S. 16078
Born in Va.
CONTENTS
carded

5091 Indiana
William Chambers
Jackson Co. in the State of Indiana who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. commanded by Col. John Strong in the N. Carolina Mts. for 12 months, from 1780
Date of death not on AB
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Febrn uary 1833 and sent to Hon John Harr, M. R.
Arrears to 4th of Sep 32 — $45. — Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mch. 33 15
$ 60. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Allison Clerk, Book 8 , Vol. 9 , Page 180

Wm Chambers 21298

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
State of Indiana } County of Jackson } ss
On this thirteenth day of November in the year 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Abel Findley Judge of the Probate Court of the said County of Jackson the same being a Court of Record now sitting William Chambers of Salt Creek Township in the same County of Jackson in the State of Indiana aged Eighty six years past who being first duly sworn according to law rather than 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 hereinafter stated That when he this Declarant was about twenty years of age he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer with others in the fore part of the month of October but the day of the month being unlearned and unable to read and the year he does not now precisely recollect (Except that as to the year as nearly as he can now recollect the Revolutionary war was then progressing about four years) in the County of Surry in the State of North Carolina in the company of volunteers of North Carolina Militia for the term of six months commanded by Captain Harry Smith Lieutenant Henry Dinkle and Ensign Carter Hodge forth under Colonel John Armstrong and Major Winston and General Rutherford where he remained with said Company in different places in Surry County a short time while preparing for service when he this Declarant marched with his Company from Salisbury in Surry County thence to a small town called Little Pine Tree (where the Army remained a few days) thence to Bellows Corner on the road towards Charlestown in South

Carolina (where the British Army were then established) there up to the place called the Two Sisters on Loony river) thence (with a detachment of the Militia under Major Ashby) to Matthews Bluffs and remained there a few days opposite to Augusta in the State of Georgia where the British were then lying until about a week when the British left Augusta and returned towards Charlestown thence with the detachment of Militia in order to rejoin General Rutherford That on the way and before the detachment rejoined General Rutherford he this Declarant was in an action at Briar Creek between the detachment of Militia and the British of Superior Numbers and force who there attacked the Militia who after some fighting were forced to retreat from the British and cross the river and then rejoined General Rutherford where this Declarant continued in the service with the Army until the expiration of the said term of six months for which he so volunteered to and entered the service as above stated and after the expiration of the term of service he was regularly discharged therefrom That in this action at Briar Creek many of the Militia were killed that he this Declarant escaped by swimming the Loony river and while on the enemy in that engagement and while were drowned, That this detachment of Militia to which this Declarant belonged during this march as above stated was commanded during the time by Major Ashby And also in that engagement or battle or fighting as above stated That about one year afterwards but this Declarant cannot recollect the precise time he was drafted out of the company of the State of North Carolina Militia commanded by Captain Johnson in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Benjamin Cleveland in the county of Wilkes aforesaid and being so drafted this Declarant was attached to and

That the service in the Company was intended by Captain John Blemant under Colonel Robert Cleveland and Major David Brown for the three months against a party of Tories under the command of or headed by a Colonel Garrison there this Declarant marched with his said Company with the Army to Salem or Callat Moravian town thence to Deep river to to Crop-Creek where he continued in the service with the Army until the Expiration of said term of three months for which he was so drafted as above stated when he this Declarant was regularly discharged That owing to his age and being unlearned and want of intelligence he is unable to relate all the circumstances and particulars of his several terms of service nor the precise times when he and left ended the service and was discharged therefrom with more certainty than as above stated That he recollects of the names of no officers of the regular service whom he knew to be such Except Generals George Washington of whom this Declarant was told while in the service as above stated This Declarant is unable at this time to describe any of the continental Regiments or Companies while in the service That he this Declarant has no documentary Evidence of his service And knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service Except Nathaniel Chambers who was with him this Declarant in the service during both terms of service as above stated
That he this Declarant 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 That he this Declarant was born in his Lunenburgh county on Meherrin river in the state of Virginia but he does not recollect in what

year he was born except that he was about twenty years old when he first entered the service of the United States when the Revolutionary War was protracted about four years as above stated that he has no record of his age That when he was living when he first entered the service as above stated in Surry County North Carolina as above stated And that he lived when called into the service when he entered it the second time in Wilks County in the state of North Carolina as above stated to which county he had removed after he had been discharged from the service as first above stated That since he was discharged from the second term of service above stated he lived in Wilks County aforesaid several years but does not recollect the precise number of years think perhaps about ten or twelve years then he removed to Madison County in the state of Kentucky where he lived above eight or nine years but cannot recollect precisely the length of time that he then removed to Salt Creek Township in Gibson County in the state of Indiana where he has since lived and still lives
That he entered and was called into the service as above stated That he does not recollect any of the names of the Regular Officers and Regiments and Companies in the service and general circumstances of his service Except as other than as above stated That he this Declarant received a written discharge from his first term of service by Captain Henry Smith who was named who gave this discharge to this declarant That he this declarant

received a written discharge from his second term of service above stated by Captain John Cleveland above named who gave this discharge to this Declarant: before both which discharges have since been destroyed when his Declarant's house was burned while he was living in Wilkes county in North Carolina a few years after he left the service.
That he can prove his service by Nathaniel Chambers as above stated
William his Chambers
Sworn to and subscribed in open court aforesaid this day and year aforesaid
I, Nathaniel Chambers being being first duly sworn upon my said oath do certify and swear That I have examined the above and foregoing Declaration of William Chambers as the same has been read to me in open court aforesaid and that I know the statements and declarations therein made by him as therein stated to be substantially true in every particular as he has stated the same in his said declaration That he and myself are brothers and have either lived together or in the neighbourhood of each other since I cannot tell anything that I volunteered and entered the service and served with him during the term of service as above stated by him and fought with him in the engagements at Briar Creek as he has above stated That I

received a written discharge from his second term of service above stated by Captain John Cleveland above named who gave this discharge to this Declarant before the which discharge have since been destroyed where his Declarant's house was burned while he was living in Wilkes county in North Carolina a few years after he left the service.
That he can prove his services by Nathaniel Chambers as above stated.
William his Chambers
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this day and year aforesaid.
I, Nathaniel Chambers being being first duly sworn upon my oath do certify and swear That I have examined the above and foregoing Declaration of William Chambers and that I know the statements and declarations therein made by him as therein stated to be substantially true in every particular as he has stated the same in his said declaration That he and myself are brothers and have either lived together or in the neighboring neighborhoods of each other ever since I can recollect anything That I volunteered and entered the service and served with him the first term of service as above stated by him and fought with him in the engagements at Briar Creek as he has above stated That I

distinctly recollects of his beginning the river in our streets from the British in the engagement as he has stated that I attempted to swim after him but was unable to swim and returned back and hid myself from a tramp from the enemy scouting party until the next day without any clothes and shirt I recollect no material circumstances except as he has stated That I was drafted entered the service and served with the said Williams in the same Company as he has above stated at the time places and under the same officers during the three months That we both served together at the same time places and under the same officers of which and of whom as he the said Williams has above stated and I know the facts to be true and substantially correct That neither he nor he nor myself can read or write and are now old and feeble of body and mind and cannot recollect every name and particularly circumstances which occurred during the service unless very familiar to us
Nathaniel his Chambers
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after put- ting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment, that the above named applicant was a Revolu- tionary Soldier and served as he states and the court for this certifies, that it appears to them that Nath- aniel Chambers who has also signed the preceding Certificate is a resident in the County of Washington County State of Indiana and is a credible person

and that his statements is entitled to credit
I William Greenhaw Clerk of the court of Probate of Jackson County State of Indiana do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the origin- =al proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Chambers for a pension —
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal as the seal of P. Court J.6. Office of said court there being none as yet procured for said court this 10 th day of November AD 1832
William Greenhaw Clerk

April 26, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Lillian Lutes Brownstown Indiana
BA-J/EBL aw William Chambers-S.16078
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the pension record of William Chambers, who served in the North Carolina troops, Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16078, based upon the military service in that war of William Chambers.
William Chambers was born in Lunenburg County, Virginia, date of birth and names of parents not stated.
While residing in Surry County, North Carolina, William Chambers enlisted in October, year not given, served as a private in Captain Henry Smith's Company, Colonel John Armstrong's North Carolina Regiment, was in the battle of Brier Creek and served six months; the following year, he enlisted and served three months against the Tories as a private in Captain John Cleveland's Company, Colonel Robert Cleveland's North Carolina Regiment. Exact dates of this tour are not given.
Identified Cols! Armstrong & Cleveland
After the Revolution, he moved to Madison County, Kentucky, and lived eight or nine years, then moved to Jackson County, Indiana.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 13, 1832, while residing in Salt Creek Township, Jackson County, Indiana and aged eighty-six years.
There are no data as to wife or children.
In 1832, Nathaniel Chambers, a brother of the soldier, lived in Washington County, Indiana, and stated that he served with his brother, William, in the Revolutionary War. His age is not shown.

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, William Chambers(S.16078), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
William Chambers Certificate No.5091 Issued February 4, 1833 Rate, $30.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Indiana Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Pension Department Revolutionary Soldiers Washington D.C.

March 8-38.
Dear Sir -
Will you kindly send me the pension record of William Chambers p.i. Comanche A. Cavalry. Militia pensioned in 1831. Thanking you in advance.
Yours truly
Sallie Lutes. Brownstown Indiana

16,078 INVALID.
1938 Apr 26, Hist to Lillian Lutpr. E.H.
File No. 16,078
William Chambers
Pre War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 67
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mr Charles
from 1780 private 9 months.
$30
return
Half. Com

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Chambers which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? No.

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  No.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Chambers, William GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9099 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED November 26, 179- (torn) To William Lang assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.