Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4332, Meshack Henderson, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb
Henderson, Meshack
S 4332
CONTENTS
Carded

15 th April 1837.
see to pay letter to Hon. Mr. Moore 4 th April 1838.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 From 4 Sept 1836 to the 15 April 1838 Agent notified 1. Aug 1838.
26/9/26 East Tennessee
Meshack Henderson
of Roanoke in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the regt commanded by Captain Wynn of the regt commanded by Col. Chast in the Volunteer line for 9 mos. pro. of Cavalry.
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 37 Dollars 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of May 1834 and Hon. James Henderson
Arrears to the 4th of March 112 50 Pens. allowance ending 4 Sept 18 75 $131.25
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Lucy Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 46

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 27. 1838.
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," Margaret, child of Meshack Henderson deceased , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Knoxville, Tenn. Agency, at the rate of thirty seven Dollars and fifty Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 - has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1836 to the 15th April 1837, the day of his death -
Respectfully yours,
Almon K. Parris Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

State of Tennessee. Roane County On this 1 st day of March 1834 personally appeared before me John Wiley — an acting Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid. Marshall Henderson a resident of the county of Roane and State of Tennessee aged about 78 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 under the following named officers and served as herein stated to wit, applicant resided in Roane County State of North Carolina, when he entered the service and entered the service as well as he now recalls in the year 1778 and served under Captain Wynn, was attached to the regiment that was commanded by Col. William Wick, applicant applicant entered the first service for no particular term, that he volunteered as a private mounted horseman at Salisbury, was marched from thence to Cain Creek in Randolph County where the Tories were embodied had an engagement with the Tories and routed them but did not take any prisoners as it was in the night and they dispersed in every direction applicant was then marched to Surry County Moravian Town, thence to Albemarle river Giles County, applicant was then sent out on different scouting parties, applicant was continued in this first service several months applicant was then discharged by

Captain Wynn and went home where he remained but a short time then returned again under Captain Wynn aforesaid and Col. Kil as a private mounted horseman applicant was employed in collecting horses and wagons for the Army after they got a sufficient number was then engaged in trans- porting the wagons and horses to Rappahannock river river, when General Butler received them applicant was then marched to Middle Creek in Lewis County in pursuit of the rebels & Bratton was in no engagements in this town, applicant served not less than three months in this last town, applicant then went home, owing to old age and bodily affliction and consequent loss of memory cannot recollect all the particulars of his services, applicant served not less than twelve months he is certain, applicant was born in the State of Virginia Culpeper County in the 1756 according to the age information of his parents, the record of applicant, was lost many years since applicant states the names of the following officers who served at the same time Major Miller Col. Lopp & General Butler He applicant does not recollect of receiving but one discharge which is now lost applicant states the names of the following persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution to wit Hiram Harrison, Anderson Thacker Absalom Patten He applicant continued to reside in Rowan County North Carolina 17 or 18 years after the war then moved to Rutherford Co. N.C. then moved to Macon County

Before when he served several years then moved to Anderson County Tenn then moved to Roane County where he now resides and has resided ever since, applicant has no docu- mentary evidence of his services and that he knows of no person who testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services, appli- cant cannot procure a survey man to assist for him as there is none in the neighborhood near him 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 the agency of any state, applicant served in an independent corps called into service by competent authority, applicant was engaged in no civil pursuit during his said service
I swear to and subscribe before me this day and year Mark H. Henderson aforesaid John Wiley
Justice of the Peace for Roane County Tenn
We Abrahm Potter & Anderson Thacker citizens of the county of Roane hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Mark H. Henderson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about 78 years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion I swear to and subscribe the day and year aforesaid Al Saloon Potter sworn to and subscribed before me this day & year aforesaid John Wiley Justice of the Peace S.C. Anderson & Thacker

I Hiram Stephenson do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Matthew Henderson who is applying for pension upwards of twenty two years have often heard him speak of his services in the revolutionary war, that I believe him to be a man of veracity & also believe that he served as stated in his declaration sworn to and subscribed Hiram Stephenson the day and year aforesaid
John Wiley Justice of the peace for Roan County
And I John Wiley an acting justice of the peace for the county of Roan, here declare my 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 I further certify that Abraham Patten, Anderson Beckham & Hiram Stephenson are all citizens of the county of Roan that they are credible persons and that their state- ment is entitled to credit and I also certify that said applicant from old age and bodily affliction is unable to attend court
John Wiley Justice of the peace for Roan County

29.973 Messack Henderson Jennifer Roanoke
e for 1770 per day 19 m $37.50 100
agrees to take on also
Non James Standifer N. R.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
March 20, '34
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 subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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, showing the Service of Meshack Henderson
   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.     1778 9 P. Car Col. Wynn Col. Neal 78 Traditional   1779 3 P. Car " "  
The applicant alleges he has been in service nine months during his first engagement and was engaged a part of the time in ranging through the country. It is supposed that he was not in actual service during the whole time. The time occupied in his different expeditions during the nine months should be given.
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Not more than six months can be allowed for his first service.
April 29, 1834
he must say what part, or the whole of the nine months he was in actual service.

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 A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District 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 per-
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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[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, 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 _____; 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 affix 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.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. War
4332. INVALID.
File No. 4332
Meeshack Henderson Pr. N.C. line
Act: June 14/932
Index:—Vol. A , Page 168
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Term
29. 9. 73
Methack Nanderson Temper
Hon. J. Standifer H R

I Henry Breazale Clerk of the County Court of Roane County do certify that John Wiley before whom the foregoing Declaration of Marked Henderson relating to his application for a pension and the Certificate of Andrew Thacker & Hiram Stephenson, was taken & sworn to is now & then was an acting justice of the peace in said County and his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing given under my hand & private seal not having a seal of office at office in Kingston the 7th day of March 1834
Henry Breazale Clerk By his deputy H. S. Morris
I certify that Henry Breazale is Clerk of Roane County Court and that H. S. Morris is his deputy and that there is no seal of office for said court and that his signature as Treasurer March the 18th 1834 James Monroe for M c 

W. Evans of Perry Apr. 3.
Im alt alt  alt
Sal. James L. Edwards Washington

House of Reps 2 nd April 1838.
Sir,
I have the honor of enclosing to you the pension papers of Markack Henderson deceased of Morgan County Tenn. You will please examine them and if found right and just please give the necessary order for the payment of the money for the benefit of his only heir, who appears to be in distressed circumstances.
I have the honor to be very respectfully your most obt. Servt.
W. Stone
Col. James L. Edwards
Washington
Alb.

State of Tennessee Roan County
Personally appeared before me John Wiley an acting Justice of the peace for Roan County Merick Henderson and after being first duly sworn makes the following amendment to his original declaration for pension applicant states that he was in the actual service of the United States during the whole term of nine months it being applicant's first term of service as stated in his original declaration applicant states that when he was not out on scouting parties he was otherwise engaged in the service of the United States applicant was not engaged in any civil pursuit during the twelve months for which he claims a pension but was the whole of said time in the actual service of the United States
Merick his Henderson mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14 day
April 1834
John Wiley
An acting Justice of the peace for the County of Roan & State of Tennessee

State of Tennessee Roane County I Henry Brezault Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarters Sessions for Roane County do certify that John Wiley esq before whom the foregoing additional order of the Court of Pleas & Quarters Sessions was his application for a peremptory mandamus an acting justice of the peace for said County duly qualified qualified and his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing given under my hand & official seal not having a seal of office at the time in witness whereof the 17th April 1834
Henry Brezault By his deputy J. C. [unclear]
I certify that Henry Brezault is clerk of Roane County Court and that J. C. [unclear] is his deputy and that his signature as in his own hand writing and that the said [unclear] is a true and correct copy of the original
As to the [unclear] in June 1834 N.C. [unclear]
1834 X E R
for acting justice of the peace for the County of Roane State of Tennessee
Amend. Declaration of [unclear] for [unclear]