Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1897, John Chester, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.B.
Chester, John
S.1897
carded
CONTENTS
This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO 052397

6753 Tennessee
John Chester
of — in the State of Tennessee who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Harrison of the Rifles commanded by Col Hagan in the N. Carolina line for Pensions 2 years — $80.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of March 1833 and sent to W. Fitzgerald
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 — $160.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. " — 40.00 $200.00
Disb.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Vincent Luce Clerk. Book D Vol. 9 Page 145
Lit & G Lynn Aug 21. 1843
Kath and Sharon
16 31 62 64 173

[Faint handwritten text in the background] FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Hackson Tennessee October 11 th 1842 Received of John W Campbell Agent for paying pensions in Hackson Tennessee Seventy Three Dollars and Ten Cents being for Ten Months and twenty Nine days pensions due to John Chester Deceased who was a Pensioner under the act of the 7 th June 1832, from the 4 th day September 1841 to the 3 rd day of August 1842 (on which day he died) for which I have signed definitive Receipts $73.10
Jacob Humble Adm of John Chester DST
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

John Chester's
Declaration for A pension
$80 per an
Hon. W. Fitzgerald

State of Tennessee Shelby County
On this ninth day of October, personally appeared before the justice of our Court of Pleas and quarter sessions, of the County of Shelby aforesaid, John Chester, a resident of said County, in the State of Tennessee, aged about eighty four 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 the 7 th 1832 -
That according to the then arrangement of choosing soldiers by ballot, when a certain number less than the whole, were required to enter the service out of a militia Company, this declarant was once selected by ballot as aforesaid, in Dobbs County North Carolina about the year 1779 or 1780. He then proceeded, under his Capt. Benjamin Harrison, to Kingston, on Neuse River, the place appointed for the meeting of the troops - And from thence went on to head quarters, at West Point, on North River, about two hundred miles North of Philadelphia - But after leaving the State of North Carolina, & before we reached the head quarters the men received a certificate from Col. Hogan, stating that from that period the term of their service commenced. Sometime in the latter part of the summer, or the forepart of the fall we reached West Point, & continued stationed there until the weather became so cold that in consequence of our not having any barracks to lodge in, we were compelled to retire to Philadelphia, to take up our winter quarters; where we remained until our term of service expired, which was nine months after leaving the State of North Carolina - We then took shipping from Philadelphia to Portsmouth, and travelled from thence by land, to the town of Halifax in North Carolina, where we received our discharges, - This declarant states, that having lost his certificate he placed his discharge in the hands of a purchaser of the assets of his pay, to enable him to receive the same; since which time he has not seen or heard of his discharge

He then served a three months tour in the state of South Carolina about the time the British took possession of, and occupied the city of Charleston - He does not now recollect the names of any of the officers under whom, he served during this tour - He received a discharge at the end of his term of service, but cannot now account for the loss of it. - He then volunteered for eighteen months, and served under Captain Benjamin Coleman, Major Redding Palavant, and Genl. Greene - This was about the date of 1782 or 83  1784 - He served this tour chiefly in South Carolina, between Charleston, about James Island - After his nine months term of service, in the North, he was exempt from serving any more for the space of three years, as was all others who served during that tour. - At the end of his eighteen months service, in South Carolina, as a volunteer, peace was made between the contending powers, and the war closed, and the troops were dismissed, and received their discharges. - This declarant states that owing to the great lapse of time, together with other concurring circumstances,  causes he is at present unable to produce any discharge, which he read during the whole war - This declarant at the time of his entering the service of the United States, was a resident of Ogbys  the County, North Carolina, and according to his best recollection the Regiment in which he served was called the nine months, was called the 2 nd Regt. - And also that he has no documentary evidence to prove the fact of his service, nor does he know of any person who can testify to the same.
He 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.
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid - W m H Johnson Clerk
John his Chester mark

We Thomas Ross a clergyman & John Terrell residing in the County of Weakly & State of Tennessee hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Chester, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - That we believe him to be eighty four years of age - That he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion -
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid -
Wm H Johnson Clerk
Thomas Ross John Terrell
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 Thomas Ross who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the County of Weakly, and that John Terrell who has also signed the same, is a resident of the County of Weakly County, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Perry Vincent Chairman of Weakly County Court
J. H. Gilchrist Deputy Clerk
William H Johnson Clerk of the County Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of John Chester for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my office the 12 th day of October 1832
Wm H Johnson Clerk of Weakly County Court

Question 1st - Where and in what year were you born
Answer - I was born in Hyde County in State of North Carolina about five miles below the Town of Washington on Pamlico River, where I lived until about the age of thirteen or fourteen - from thence I moved to Camden in Dobbs County in the State of North Carolina, where I suppose I lived as much as twelve years - from thence I moved into Edgecomb County in North Carolina, where, according to my present imperfect recollection, from age & infirmity, I lived about twenty five years - from thence I moved to the State of Tennessee in Williamson County, where I lived nearly eight years - from thence I moved into Hickson County in the State of Tennessee, and there I lived about fourteen years - from thence I moved to Maury County where I now reside, and have been in this County not quite two years -
2 Question - Have you any Record of your age & if so when is it -
Answer - I have no Record of my age, nor have I ever seen any; and the only knowledge I have of my age is from the information of old persons, who knew me in my infancy -
3rd Question - Where were you living when you were called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live -
Answer - I lived in Dobbs County North Carolina when I was called into service, and I have stated part of early in my answer to your first question where I have lived since the Revolutionary war, and also where I now live -
4th Question - How were you called into service; were you drafted did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, And if a substitute for whom.
Answer - The first tour I served. I balloted in. according to the custom of that time, and I served nine months to the Northward after leaving the state of North Carolina - and recd a discharge which I have since lost - The second time I substituted in the place of Lewis Davis for a three months tour, and served chiefly in South Carolina

About the year 1781 or 82 I volunteered for eighteen months, and served in South Carolina, under General Greene. Majr Redding Blount & Capt. Benjamin Coleman -
5th Question - 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 -
Answer - Genl. Greene. Majr Redding Blount and Capt Coleman are the names of three of our officers - the names of the subordinate officers, from the frailty of memory, occasioned by old age and disease, I do not now recollect. Capt Benjamin Harrison was our Capt in my nine months tour to the North. and Col Hagan was our Commander in Chief, who after we reached head quarters at West Point was made a General - Our Regiment to the North, was called I think the 23 rd I was not in any general engagement during my service in the army - I was in about thirty miles of Charleston in South Carolina, when the British forces took and occupied it - While I was stationed at West Point on the North River, a party of the British landed a short distance below where we were stationed, and a party of our men were sent out against them, but they soon got aboard of their vessels & sailed off -
6th Question. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; & if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it -
Answer - I recd a discharge at the end of my nine months service but who signed, I cannot now distinctly recollect, but I am of the impression that Capt Harrison signed it. This discharge I let go to a purchaser of the arrearages of my pay, to enable him to receive it; and have never seen or heard of it since - The second discharge I recd for a three months service as a substitute for Lewis Davis, but who signed it, or what I have done with it am wholly unable at this time to tell - My third discharge was signed by Capt Coleman, and was for a term of eighteen months service. and I think it was dated sometime in the year 1782 or 83 - This

an charge I have also lost or mislaid. owing to the letter care that I thought necessary to bestow on its preservation and the great length of time since I received it
7th Question - States the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution -
Answer - John Arroll. Perry Vincent. Jubilee Rogers & Parson Thomas Rapp are all tolerably well acquainted with me, and can testify to my veracity, and their belief of my services as a soldier of the American Revolution
State of Tennessee
Heathly County } Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for said County, John Chester, who, being sworn, deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory - as 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 & under the following officers - The first tour I entered the service, agreeable to the best of my frail recollection in the year 1779 or 1780, under Harrison as our Capt. & Hogan for our Col. - This tour I served not less than twelve months, a part of which time we were on march and the ballance of our time we were in Garrison at the place of Rendezvous, which was Kingston in North Carolina - during the whole of this term of service I was a private soldier -
The second tour I served three months as a private in 1781, during which time we were chiefly on march only a few days stationed at a time in any place; the names of our officers. I do not now recollect, owing to the loss of my memory in a great measure. / -
In Seventeen hundred & eighty two or 1788 I entered the service of the United States as a private, under Capt. Coleman, Majr. Reading Blount & General Green for an Eighteen months tour, but I served only

twelve months of the time, for several months of this time and were in Garrison on Ashley Hill the balance of the twelve months we were de- tained on James Island below Charleston until the making of Peace - And for such service I claim a pension -
Sworn to & subscribed before John his Chester on this 4th February 1853 mark
E. D. Dickson G. P. (Recd)
State of Tennessee } I William H. Johnson clerk We the court } of the court of pleas & quarters sessions for said county do certify that Ephraim D. Dickson whose attestation appears to the above certificate is an acting Justice of the peace for said county duly commissioned and qualified and
That the signature annexed is his genuine signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at office the 1st Day of January 1833 Wm H Johnson Clerk

No 5
John Chester
£73.10 31 Jan 1832
4 September 1841
to 3 August 1842
11 October 1842

State of Tennessee } Be it known, that before me Hickman County } John H. Christian justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared John Chester, and made oath in due form of law that he is the identical (John Chester) named in and original certificate in his possession, of which (I certify) the following is a true copy
War Department, Revolutionary claim I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7 th June 1832 John Chester of the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Eighty dollars per annum during his nat- ural life commencing on the 4 th of March 1831 and payable semi-annually on the 4 th of March and 4 th of September, in every year. Given at the war office of the United States, this the 8 th day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Sec. 6 of Secretary of war That he now resides in Hickman County, State of Tennessee and has resided there for the space of six months past previous thereto resided in Weakly County, Tennessee to and subscribed before me,
This 2 nd day of August 1842
J. H. Christian — Justice of the Peace Hudson, Dudley
John H. Chester (seal) his mark
Know all men by these presents that I John Chester of Hickman County, State of Tennessee, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States do hereby constitute and appoint Jacob Turnbull my true and lawful attorney, for me, and in my name to receive from the Agent of the United States, for paying pensions in Jackson, State of Tennessee, my pension from the 4 th day of September 1841 to the 4 th day of March 1842 Witness my hand and seal this 2 nd day of August 1842 Sealed and delivered in presence of
Hudson Dudley Jacob B. Hobbs
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
John H. Chester (seal) his mark
Received from GAO

State of Tennessee } Be it known, that on the 21 st day Hickman County } of August 1842, before the Subscriber a justice of the peace in and for said county, personally appeared John Chester, above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his actual deed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned J. H. Christian justice of the peace
State of Tennessee } Hickman County } I James D. Easley clerk of the county court of said Hickman County, hereby certify that John H. Christian is a magistrate as above; and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal at office, this 21 st day of August 1842 J. D. Easley Clerk of the county court of Hickman County
State of Tennessee } Hickman County } Be it known, that on the 19 day of August  Octr 1842, before the subscriber, a justice of the peace in and for said county, personally appeared Jacob Humble the attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney, and made oath that the same was not given him by reason of any sale, transfer, or mortgage of the pension, or arrears of pension therein authorized to be received by him sworn to and subscribed, the day and year last above mentioned, before me J. H. D. justice of the peace Jacob Humble

August 16, 1912.
Rear Admiral Colby M. Chester, U.S.N. Albany, New York.
Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 9 th and received the 10 th instant, you are furnished the military history of all, and the only, pensioners named Chester found on the Revolutionary War records, and advised that said records fail to afford any information in regard to Caleb and Jason Chester.
John Chester, Sur. File No. 1,897, was born about 1748, in Hyde County, North Carolina, about five miles below Washington, on Pamlico river, resided at Contentnea, Dobbs County, North Carolina, when he enlisted and served as follows. In 1779 or 1780, as Private, under Captain Benjamin Harrison, Colonel Hogan; twelve months. While the British occupied Charleston, in 1781, he substituted for three months, officers not recollected. Volunteered in 1782, under Captain Benjamin Coleman, and Major Redding Blount, and served until the end of the War; eighteen months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1832, while a resident of Weakley County, Tennessee.

1912 Aug. 16. Hist. to Rear Adm. C. M. Chester letter in W. File 17611 Giles Chester. C.
Rev War.
1897
INVALID.
File No. 1897
John Chester Pat. S. Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: — Vol. A , Page 64
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Payments to be made at Nashvill. Tenn. by the M o & Bo o Bank U.S. Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of
Recorded by Vinal Luce Clerk, in Book D Vol. 9 Page 115

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, John Hester of the State _____ of Tennessee _____ who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution _____
is entitled to receive Eighty _____ dollars and _____ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this _____ 8 th day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
Lee
Secretary of War.
ad gned. } J. Edwards
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Capt. Harrison Coleman's Companies in the N o Carolina line -
Payments to be made
at Nashville, Tenn.
by the B. & O. Bank N.S.
Agent for paying Pensions,
in the Agency of
Recorded by Virgil Lee
Clerk, in Book D Vol. 9
Page 115

Kingston I. Aug 11 3 P.M.
Aug 21
Mr. Charles H. Smith
Edwards Esq. Com ee of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Kingsport Tenn. Aug. 11. 1848 -
J. L. Edwards Esq -
Sir - I wrote to You some weeks ago asking some information as to the necessary steps to be taken to enable the widow of a deceased Rev d . Soldier to draw a pension, and you were so good as to send me the different acts or laws that have been pass d by Congress on that subject. - The person to whom I had referenced, is Mrs. Chester, the widow of John Chester dec d . who was a Revolutionary Pensioner on the Roll of the last Tenn. Agency. - She has a fair Record of her marriage, in the hand writing of her husband, but is I think unable to produce any evidence of the particular service her husband perform d . -
I suppose that he produced satisfactory evidence of this previous to his obtaining a pension - Would it be sufficient for Mrs. Chester in her declaration to state, or refer to the fact that her husband was a pensioner and that there is evidence of his having perform d . service in the Department? - and if this is insufficient could she obtain from the Department the papers or statements sent on by her husband? - Any papers, or information you can favor me with on this point will be most very thankfully received - I am pretty certain that the old lady is entitled to a pension, if she can only

get her papers properly executed - and she needs it.
Respectfully Yrs
John Lynn

with Joseph Harmon Capt Harmon Revolutionary claim Act 18th March 1818 Discontinued Oneida Co NY
3122.
4
New York.
1880 April 19 Miss M. K. Talbot military & personal history
Joseph Seymour, Capt Harmon private Connecticut line April '77 to April 1780 In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of New York, at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 6th of April, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th of Sept. 1818 and sent to the clerk of the Oneida, Co. New York
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818. to mid 2/30. 39.73 semi-ann. all'ce ending 4th Mar 1819. 48.00
$87.73
Discontinued Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.
Discontinued Oneida Co NY
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER Received from GAD

STATE OF
ss. County.
BE IT KNOWN, That on the _____ day of _____ 18____, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared the above named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his free act and deed. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
J. P.
STATE OF
ss. County.
BE IT KNOWN, That on the _____ day of _____ 18____, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, personally appeared the Attorney named in the foregoing Power of Attorney, and made oath that the same was not given him by reason of any sale, transfer, or mortgage of the Pension, or arrears of Pension therein authorized to be received by him.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year last above mentioned, before me.
J. P.
STATE OF
Tennessee ss. Hickman County.
James H. Wasley Clerk of the Court of Monthly Sessions holden at the Court House in the Town of Centerville in and for said County, on the 5 th day of September 18 62 , do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that John Chester was a Pensioner of the United States, at the rate of Eighty dollars and _____ cents per annum , was a resident of the County of Hickman in the State of Tennessee and died in the County of Hickman and State of Tennessee in the year 18 62 , on the 3 rd day of August that he left no widow but the following children and only heirs. John Chester Jr. Mary W. Chester Nancy Chester Sarah White formerly Sarah Chester Lucy Wilson formerly Lucy Chester and that Jacob Humble is the Administrator of said John Chester deceased duly qualified as such according to Law I further certify that Samuel Baker is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Centerville this 5 th day of September 18 62 .
J. H. Wasley Clk
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

STATE OF Tennessee } ss. William County.
BE IT KNOWN, That before me Sam d A Baker a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Jacob Humble.
and made oath in due form of law, that he is the lawful administrator of John Chester the identical person who was a Pensioner and is now dead, and to whom a Certificate of Pension was issued, of which the following is a true copy:
WAR DEPARTMENT. Revolutionary Claim
I certify, that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7 th June 1832 John Chester of the State of Tennessee who was a private in the army of the revolution is entitled to receive Eighty dollars per annum during his natural life Commencing on the 4 th of March 1831
and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year. Given at the War Office of the United States, this 8 th day of March 18 35
Lewis Cass Secretary of War.
That the deceased Pensioner resided in William County, in the State of Tennessee for the space of about Two months before his death, and that previous thereto he resided in Maury County Tennessee
Sworn to and subscribed, this 5 th day of September 18 42 . Sam d A Baker J. P.
Jacob Humble A.D.M.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That
of the County of _____ and State of _____ of _____, Pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint _____ my true and lawful attorney, for _____ and in _____ name to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying Pensions, in Nashville, State of Tennessee, the balance of said Pension, from the _____ day of 18 _____ (the time to which he was last paid) to the _____ day of 18 _____, the day of his death. Witness _____ hand and seal this _____ day of 18 _____. Sealed and delivered in presence of