Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10483, Reuben Cook, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. b.
book Reuben
S. 10483
CONTENTS
cardeal

Alabama 22 493.
Kenben Cook.
of Fayette Co in the State of Ala who was a Private in the Co — commanded by Captain King. of the Regt commanded by Col. Heston in the North Co. time for 11 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama. at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of Nov. 1833. and sent to David Payton. Fayette Co. Ala
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 — 91.65 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Mar 34 18.33
$109.98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Palmer Clerk, Book E. Vol. 8 Page 44.
Letter to S. Payton 13 April 1843.
10 Paid at the Treasury under the Act 6. April 1838 from 4 March to 4. Sep. 1842. Cpt Notified 7 th Dec 1844
Date of death not on AB

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832. The State of Alabama Fayette County.
On this 1 st day of October 1832 Personally appeared in open court before Walter Perkins Judge of the county court of Fayette county now sitting Reuben Cook a resident of the county of Fayette and State of Alabama aged about seventy-three 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 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States in the Militia some time about the last of November 1776 in Onslow County North Carolina under the following named officers, Captain John King who was commanded by Col. Philip Alston and Generals Bryan and Ash and marched from Onslow County to Elizabeth and from thence to near Charleston South Carolina and from thence to Augusta and from thence to Briar Creek where the army was defeated by the British and Tories and Col. Alston taken prisoner, and rendezvous again at the white house near Genl Rutherford station and from thence to Black swamp in South Carolina and then to Onslow County in North Carolina where I received a discharge some time about the last of April 1777; I again entered the service in the Militia some time in January 1780 in Onslow county N. Carolina under Captain William Gray who was commanded by Col. Reuben Grant and General Grington and marched from thence to Kingston N. Carolina and there received a discharge about the last of April 1780
I again entered the service in the Militia some time about the last of June or first of July 1780 under Captain Murrill who was commanded by Col. John Spicer and marched from Onslow county to the Cross roads in Duplin County N. Carolina

and from thence to the rich land chappell in Onslow county N. Carolina when I received a discharge some time about the first of October 1780 all three of which discharges are lost or mislaid so that they cannot be found and that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State, Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid:
Walter Harkins Judge of the county court } Reuben his X Cook Test Daniel Peyton Clk } mark.
We John G. Morris and Samuel Caple citizens residing in the county of Fayette State of Alabama do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Cook who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about seventy three years of age that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid:
Walter Harkins Judge of the county court } John G. Morris Test Daniel Peyton Clk } Samuel Caple.
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 John G. Morris and Samuel Caple who has signed the preceding certificate are residents in the county of Fayette and are creditable persons

and their statement is entitled to credit
I Daniel Peyton clerk of the county court of Fayette county Alabama do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Reuben Cook for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal at office there being no official seal for said county this 22 d day of November 1832
Daniel Peyton clk
The above is a true copy of a declaration made in connection with that of John Read.
See claim of John Read S. File 14.267
F.W.

The State of Alabama } On this 3 rd day of September 1833 Fayette County. } personally appeared in Vacation before the Hon ble Walter Hawkins Judge of the county court of Fayette County Alabama Reuben Cook a resident of said county and State aged about seventy three 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 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States in the Militia some time about the last of November 1776 in Onslow County North Carolina under the command of Captain John King, who was commanded by Col s Philip Alston and Genls Bryant and Ash and marched from Onslow County to Elizabeth thence to near Charleston South Carolina thence to Augusta and thence to Reian Creek where the army was defeated by the British and Tories and Col l Alston taken prisoner and the army retreated and gathered again at the White house near General Rutherford's station and from thence we marched to Black Swamp in South Carolina thence to Onslow County North Carolina where I received a discharge some time about the last of April 1777. making a service of full five Months again I entered the service in the Militia some time in January 1780 in Onslow County N. Carolina under the command of Captain William Gray who was commanded by Col l Reuben Grant and Genl Harrington and marched from thence to Kingston N. Carolina and there received a discharge about the last of April 1780. Making a service of full three months I again entered the service in the Militia about the last of June or the first of July 1780 under the command of Captain Merrill who was commanded by Col l John Spies and marched from Onslow County to the cross roads in Duplin County N. Carolina thence to rich land Chapel in Onslow County N. Carolina where I received a discharge about the first of October 1780 making a service of three months and for which service I claim a pension. All three of which discharges are lost or mislaid so they cannot be found and that I know of no person whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my service and that there is no clergyman living in my vicinity

to certify to my credibility I hereby relinquish every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency in any State I sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Test Jas B Morton Clk
Reuben his Cook mark
Question 1 st When and in what year were you born
A. 1 st I was born in 1766 in the Pitts county North Carolina
Q. 2. Have you any record of your age
A. 2 I have a record of my age in a sermon Book taken from my father's record
Q. 3. Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live
A. 3 When I was called into service I was a citizen of Onslow county North Carolina since the revolutionary war I have lived in South Carolina and Kentucky and am now living in Fayette County Alabama
Q. 4 th How were you called into service
A. 4 th Each time of service I was drafted
Q. 5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served
A. 5. Besides the officers who commanded me there was Col Melvridy Capt Coleman, Capt Decotus and others which from the lapse of time I have forgotten the names,
Q. 6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so when is it by whom was it given and what has become of it
A. 6 Yes my first discharge was given me by Capt John King the second by Col Reuben Grant, and the third by Col. John Pierce all three of which discharges when I moved to South Carolina I left in my father's chest in Duplin county N Carolina, and at this time I do not know what has become of them but I have no doubt they are finally destroyed

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Reuben Cook a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. File 10,483
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Nov. 76 5 mos. John King Philip Alston N.C.   Jany. 80 3 mos. Wm Cray Reuben Grant   June or July 80 3 mos. Murrill John Spicer        
Battles engaged in, none mentioned Residence of soldier at enlistment, Onslow Co., N.C. Date of application for pension, Oct. 1 1832  Albany. Residence at date of application, Fayette Co., Ala. Age at date of application, 60  1760 in Pitt Co., N.C. Remarks: No data as to family.

1908 June 4. Hist. to David A. Rowe letter in S. File 46, 448 p
Reuben
10483
✓ INVALID.
aim
File No. 10483
Reuben Cook
Pris. Rev. war
Act: June 5th 1832.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 11
[Arrangement of 1870.]

27. 1832 Reuben Cook Declaration Harrison
STATE OF VERMONT COUNTY OF FRANKLIN

We John G Morris and Saml Caple citizens residing in the county of Fayette State of Alabama do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Cook who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about 73 years of age that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood when he under to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion, sworn to and subscribe the day and year aforesaid
John G Morris
Jas B Morton Clk
Saml his Caple marks
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 John G Morris and Saml Caple are creditable persons who has signed the foregoing certificate an creditable persons residing in Fayette County and their statement is entitled to credit
Jas B Morton Clk
Walter Haskin Judge
The State of Alabama I James B Morton clerk of the county Fayette County 3 court of said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Reuben Cook for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 2nd day of September 1833.
Jas B Morton Clk

The State of Alabama I Walter Harkins Judge of the Fayette County } County court of Fayette County Alabama do hereby certify that James B Morton whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is and was at the time of signing the same acting clerk of the County court for said county duly commissioned and qualified and full faith and credit should be given to all his official acts as such
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand at office this 2 nd day of September 1833 Walter Harkins Judge
which was on the 27. 882 Reuben Cook Declaration Harrison

STATE OF ALABAMA.
JOHN GAYLE, GOVERNOR OF SAID STATE,
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME.
Know Ye, That Walter Harkins whose signature appears to the foregoing & annexed certificate was at the time of signing the same 2 nd September 1833 Judge of the County Court of Fayette County - State of Alabama (which said Court is a Court of Record) duly commissioned & qualified -
THEREFORE, all due faith, credit, and authority are, and ought to be had and given. to all his official acts as such In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in Tuscaloosa, this the 3 day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three  three and of the Independence of the United States of America the fifty- seventh
BY THE GOVERNOR.
John Gayle James Thorn ton SECRETARY OF STATE.

27.852 22493
Reuben Cook Alabama
Adm 11. Months $36.66. 33.32 18.33 91.65
Daniel Peyton Hagette C. H. Alabama

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 subjjoined 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, shewing the Service of
   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.              
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 and State, Territory or District A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of 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 A. B.
Sworn to 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 (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 inquiry 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, deposes 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 fix 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.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[u] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPROLLER'S OFFICE,
April 11 th 1844.
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," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, Reuben Cook , _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Tuscaloosa, Ab. Agency, at the rate of Thirty six _____ Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June  1832 , has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March _____ to the 4 th Sept. 1842.
Respectfully, yours,
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Cook, Richard GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 5557 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Mar. 12, 1792 to — not shown —
*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.