Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3415, Walter Greer, N.C. Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
n.l. Va
Greer, Walter
S 3415
Born in Pa
CONTENTS
boarded

W.C. Tennessee 26.887
Walter Brown Arlington Co in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain McKinley of the Right commanded in the Virginia for service
20. 1. 80. 00
W.C. and Va. Line Records corrected
Inscribed on the Roll of W.C. Tenn  Mar. 7 at the rate of 80 Dollars each per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of June and sent to -
Br. S. A. Service, Arlington Co. Tenn
Arrears to the 4th of Feb By 240.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 1 Sept 80.00 320.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. P. Morgan Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 3 Page 91
A.P. Died Feb. 13- 1835.

State of Tennessee  September
Overton County Circuit Court Term 1839/
On this 28 day of September A.D. 1839 personally appeared in open court, it being an court of record, before the Honorable Nathaniel W. Williams: Circuit Judge in and for the third judicial circuit in said State, now sitting Walter Greer a resident citizen of Overton County in the State of Tennessee aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to the laws of the land doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the acts of Congress passed June 7th 1839, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
In October 1776 He volunteered in B Detachment levying Virginia, for a three months tour and marched to the Cherokee nation against the Cherokee Indians. went to the Chota town, Tuskegee town, & Dragon towns canoe. All which towns places, were destroyed, when he was at them, Had no battles, some ten Indians were killed, His officers were in the company to which he belonged, Captain William McLennahen, Lieutenant James McDaniel, Ensign John McRoberts, 1st Christy or Christian commanded the regiment Lieutenant Col. Rafael commanding the line to which he belonged Mays name not recalled, returned home after his line of service had expired, Did not receive any discharge while on the campaign he was

at a place called Fort Henry on the bank of Holston river
He further states that in the Spring of 1774 he volunteered for a tour of three months and marched to Potts' Fort on Craig's Creek in Botetourt County Virginia, the Company to which he belonged consisted of twenty two men, they took possession of the fort and continued there as a guard to protect the frontier & those in the fort until his term of service was expired. One half of his time he acted as a spy, the distance they had to go from the fort was thirty miles, the highest in command was a lieutenant by the name of Andrew Arm- -strong. During this tour he was in no engagements. The Indians stole some horses belonging to persons in the fort. He with fifteen more men went in pursuit and got two of the horses, but never over- took the Indians. He states he served out his full term of three months, received no discharge then moved into Washington County North Carolina He there volunteered and went out as a ranger by order of Col John Lewis. During this time he was under the command of three Captains first, John Patterson; second Capt Gibson Capt Owen Ellison. The company consisted of some upwards of sixty men, received no discharge Soon after this time moved to Sullivan County in the same State, and in the Spring 1780 again volunteered and joined a ranging company commanded by Captain John Wood

and he states he was lieutenant, and (3) served as ranger on the frontier seven months, his company consisted of some up to forty men, they were in no engagement. Soon after his return he went a campaign of twenty days to Powell Valley under Captain John Lury.
In the month of October 1781, he volunteered and marched to South Carolina, under Command of Lieut. Isaac Shelby, Lieutenant Col. Anthony or Blackner, and Captain Thos Wallace, and was placed under General Marion. They went to Hickahatchi  Hickahatchi point, and at that place took nearly eight prisoners without firing a gun. This was a tour of three months, he served a few days over the time and was discharged. He states this concluded his service as a soldier in the revolution. He further states he has no documentary evidence of his service, of except one eight months tour as a ranger, which he could prove by Col Stephen Lepelays, but he is a very old man and he has tried in vain to get him to come to court, & must therefore rely on other testimony.
He hereby relinquishes all claim to any 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 I am kind of John Green

Where and in what year were you born? I was born in the State of Pennsylvania and as I now recollect was born in the year 1759 Have you any record of your age if so where is it? Ans. I have not Where were you living when called into service. When here you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live Ans. I served as stated to the Counties of Washington & Sullivan Counties, as stated before from thence to Monroe County & have continued to reside in the same County ever since
How were called into service were drafted did you volunteer, or were you a substi- tute, and if a substitute for whom
Ans. I was never drafted, nor a substitute but always went out as volunteer
State the names of some of the regular officers who with the troops when you served, such Continental & militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service

As led. Mayhew of the light horse, led. Norse  Bras of the light horse, captain Smith. of led Mayhew's troop of horse, I saw General for at the high hills of St Lea, there were led. Lewis & led. Shelby's regiments
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
As I never received any discharge
State 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 service as a soldier in the revolution
John McDonald Esq. led. Stephen Capeland James Fanchies Abraham Lewis & Joseph Bates Esq James to in open Court 28 th Sept 1832 Walter Greer Geo M Lewis etc By E. V. Bullow DO
This day Lewis Slower minister of the Gospel & Hugh
6 Armstrong both citizens of Austin in the State of Tennessee, state that they have for many years past been acquainted with Walter Greer, the said Slower states he lives within about seven or eight miles of him, and the said Armstrong within seven miles and are both well acquainted with him the applicant who has subscribed his name & sworn to the above

With regard to [illegible] we believe him to be of the age he represents or at least he is a very old man that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood [illegible] he resides to have been [illegible] been a soldier in the revolution and we entertain in that opinion
Given to us open Court the 28th Sept 1832 Geo M Lewis clerk
Hugh B Armstrong
By E Mullins DO
George W Lewis is and was at the date of the attestation to the declaration the clerk of the Circuit Court of Overton County Tennessee And E S Callum attested to me the due execution by him as deputy clerk of said court of the [illegible] - [illegible] annexed in his name above and below. I believe there is no seal of said court 1st May 1833
Walter Green Declaration Person
J. G. Isaacs
As the said Court hereby gives declare its opinion, after 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 that Lewis Stover who signed the above certificate is a clergyman the said Hugh B Armstrong who has also signed the above certificate, are both citizens of Overton County, And that the said Armstrong is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Left 29th 1830
Notary Public Williams
State of Tennessee County of Overton I George W Lewis clerk of the Circuit Court of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Walter Green for a Pension & testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal having no official provision for said Court at office the 15th day of December 1832 George W Lewis
By E Mullins DO
On the [illegible] Overton County Court 1832 [illegible]

March 25, 1937.
Mr. Sylvester Greer Dixiana, Alabama.
BA-3/ILL aw Walter Greer S. 3415
Dear Sir:
The record of Walter Greer is given herein as found in his claim for pension, S. 3415, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Walter Greer was born in the year 1759, in Pennsylvania; the day of his birth, exact place, and names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Botetourt County, Virginia, he volunteered in October 1776 and served three months as private in Captain William McClennahan's (possibly meant for McClanahan's) company under Colonel Christie, in the campaign against the Indians when Indian towns were burned and a number of Indians killed; he volunteered in April 1777 and served three months as private under Lieutenant Andrew Armstrong, guarding Pett's Fort in Botetourt County. He moved into Washington County, North Carolina, and served seven months as a ranger in Captains John Patterson's, Gibson's and Egan Elleson's companies; soon afterwards, he moved to Sullivan County, North Carolina, and in the spring of 1780, joined Captain John Wood's company of rangers and served as lieutenant seven months, engaged on the frontier; soon after, he served twenty days under Captain John Lacey; he enlisted in October 1781 and served three months or more as private in Captain Thomas Wallace's company, Colonel Isaac Shelby's North Carolina regiment, during which they went to Hedral's Point, where ninety-eight prisoners were taken without firing a gun.
From North Carolina, the soldier moved to Overton County, Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September

28, 1832, at which time he resided in Overton County, Tennessee.
There are no data in regard to the family of Walter Greer.
The soldier died February 13, 1835.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

March 25, 1937.
Mr. Sylvester Greer Dixiana, Alabama.
BA-J/ILL Walter Greer S. 3415
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Walter Greer, a pensioner of Overton County, Tennessee, and George Mayberry, a pensioner of Perry County, Alabama.
The records of these two soldiers are furnished you herewith.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Letter in Rev. Rec. George Mayberry - S-11030 - A. W. F.

RECORDS.
CHANGE TO BE MADE.
CORRECT.
State, Tenn
S.F. No. 3415
Class, Invalid
Name, Walter Greer
Service, M. B and Va
Company, Regiment, &c., should be invariably specified.
Va.
INCORRECT.
Amelonville
Mch. 7, 1904

1937-Mar. 25- Hist. to Mr. Sylvester Greer - L.H. letter in Rev. George Maybury. S. 11030-
Perkins
3415 INVALID.
File No. 3415
Walter Greer
Pvt. Was. Milia
Act: June 11/38
Index:—Vol. A , Page 149
[Arrangement of 1870.]
N.C. and Va. Line Records corrected Mar 7 th 9

State of Tennessee Overton County On this 10th day of May in the year of Our Lord 1830 personally appeared before me Isaac West a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Overton aforesaid Stephen Copeland Sin aged seventy seven years old a citizen of said County who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Walter Greer a citizen of Overton County Tennessee and who has made application for a pension under the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832 and that he knew him in the year of 1780 in the County of Sullivan and State of North Carolina and that he knew the said Greer to volunteer in the Spring of 1780 for the term of seven months under Capt John Wood as Ranger by Order of Col. Shelby and that the said Walter Greer was commissioned and qualified as Lieutenant of said Company he does not recollect seeing his commission but was a private soldier of said Company and voted in the election when the said Greer was elected and that he acted as Lieutenant during said time of seven months and he has no doubt but what he was commissioned for that was clearly his understanding and never heard his authority questioned as an officer was always obeyed as such by all

the Company given under his hand and seal this day and date above written Stephen Copeland
State of Tennessee Overton County } I Isaac West an acting Justice do hereby certify that Stephen Copeland whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit was this day duly qualified to the same according to Law and signed the same before me with his own hand and pen also that that he has been a neighbor to me for a great many years that he is an old man and I have no doubt but what he is as old as he represents in his statement above made also that he is a man of good character and Respectability and is entitled to as much credit as any man living that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a soldier of the revolution also I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Walter Greer and that he is a man of credit and respect and is entitled to full credit upon his oath and at the same time I have for many years understood in this neigh- borhood that the said Greer was a soldier of the revolution and I concur in that belief and never heard the matter doubted given under my hand and seal this 15th day of May A D 1833
Isaac West
State of Tennessee Overton County } I James McDonald a clergyman and president of the County and State aforesaid certify that I am well acquainted with Walter Greer who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration that I believe him to be of the age he represents himself to be and that it is reputed

and believed in the neighborhood where he recently to have been a soldier of the revolu- -tion and I concur in that opinion and believe his Declaration to be correct given under my hand and seal this 21st day of October 1833 James M. Donald Recl
State of Tennessee  vs Overton County  This day personally came James McDonald before me Dempsey Moore one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County and made Oath in due form of law that the foregoing Affidavit which he signed in my presence is the truth to the best of his know- -ledge. and I further certify that James McDonald is a clergyman living in Overton County and is entitled to full credit as any other clergy- man given under my hand & seal this 21 st of October 1833  Dempsey Moore
State of Tennessee  Overton County  I William Gow clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that Isaac West and Dempsey Moore Esquires are Magistrates as above and that the signatures to the foregoing Certificates purporting to be theirs are genuine In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office This 2nd day of November 1833
William Gow clerk of the County Court of Overton County

True it is I did act as a Lieutenant the time stated in my Declaration but as I have not as yet been able to make satisfactory proof of the fact you will allow my claim as a private soldier given under my hand and seal this 1st day of May 1824
Walter Bruns Head

Walter Green
(14)
# 1776 pr 2 yrs #80.
George W. Lewis Clerk Overton Co. Memphis

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Walter Greer 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? No 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? No 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.
Should prove that he received a commission as a Lieutenant and served as such.
The applicant states in his declaration that Stephen Copeland could testify only to his term of eight months at which time he served as a private. Unless more satisfactory proof of his having served as a Lieutenant, he can only be allowed as a private.
Nov 21, 1831