Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8740, James F Hudgins, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Hudgins, James F.
S. 8740
CONTENTS
carded

Ed. G. L. & A. Th. Smith Nov 19. 45
Suspended See Letter to Mr. J. McIntosh and Pension Agent April 15. 1846
31.287 North Carolina James F. Woodgins of Warren Co in the State of N. Co. who was a Private in the Company comm. by Captain Walker of the Regt comm. by _____ in the _____ line for 9 months
Va. ★ Nov. 21/44 Records corrected
Inscribed on the Roll of _____ at the rate of 30 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Dec. 1837 and sent to _____ Edwards Warrenton N.C.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1837 $195.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mar '38 15.00 $210.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by _____ Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 6/2 Page 59

State of N o Carolina } Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions. - Warren County } May Term 1835.
On this 26 th day of May 1835 personally appeared in open Court - before the Justices of said Court - now sitting - it being a Court of Record, James F. Hadzins of the County of Warren aforesaid, 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 7 th June 1832. That sometime in the spring of the year 1780, being then a Resident of the County of Lunenburg, State of Virginia, he became a Substitute for three months in the Militia in the place of one Carrington Garet - under the command of one Capt. Walker - The Co: first met at the Magazine near Taylor's ferry, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, was marched thence to Hillsboro, N. Carolina - where they met & joined the other Virginia Militia under Maj r Nelson - Remaining at this place a few days - They marched to Guilford Court House - then to New Garden five or six miles the other side of the Court House - Here they remained several weeks, and were marched thence to Salisbury - then to Mays ferry on the Pedee River - where they were stationed for some time - making frequent excursions in pursuit of the Forces - killing some & taking others Prisoners. While in this service Gates' defeat at Camden took place - for on the return of this affiant to the ferry from an excursion he found there some of the sick and wounded who had been engaged in that battle - Shortly after this battle, the Co: to which this affiant was attached, was marched back to New Garden - where he received a regular discharge from Capt. Walker - which he is unable

new to produce - having lost or mislaid it. - Not many weeks after his return Home - he was drafted as a Militia man - and attached to the Company commanded by Capt. Wm Hays - It met at Alley Moe's Tavern in Lunenburg - and was marched thence to Caling Point - on the James River - where they joined the Reg: of Militia under Col: Edward Garland - marched thence to Mackey's Mill, near Suffolk - then to Chuckatue - then to the Long Bridge on the dismal swamp. In the march between the two latter places they passed near the British Fort in Princess Ann - and received several fires from the Fort - at the Long Bridge they met a good many troops under Col: Parker. Genl: Morgan and his force also came in here and stayed a short time - From this place they were marched to the Fort at Black Water - where they stayed, he thinks, about a week - and returned to the Long Bridge - where he was furloughed till his time of three months expired - and received his discharge, which is also lost or mislaid - Not very long after his return Home from this service - he was again called out for three months in the Militia as a private - and attached to the Company under the command of Capt. Wm Fisher & L: Wm Ragsdale which met also at Alley Moe's Tavern - they marched thence to Petersburg and there joined several companies of Militia and some Regulars - Recollects seeing here a Capt. Nelson & L: Riddler engaged in enlisting soldiers for the Regular Army - They were overtaken below Petersburg by a Reg: of Militia under the command of Col: Tucker - and were marched to Cobham - opposite James Town - and there crossed James River - and marched through Williamsburg to Gloucester Court House - and having crossed York River five or six miles above Little York Town - moved down to Little York and became a part of the force stationed on the north side of the Town - under the command of Genl: La Fayette - He saw him often - also Col: Garland of the Virginia Militia -

Genl. Washington was at this time stationed in the Fork of the Rivers York and James. Cannonading was kept up for many days and nights and ceased on the 18 th October 1781. The next day the British surrendered and the Prisoners - he thinks, were sent under guard to Albemarle Barracks. This affiant was discharged in about a fortnight after the surrender about two weeks of this last service unexpired. This discharge is also lost or mislaid. This affiant avers that besides the services above set forth, he served other terms of duty in the Militia - in the capacity of a Substitutes. (He is certain - one term of three months) but he cannot speak of them with sufficient particularity to introduce them in this declaration - being very young and the periods long since passed by - almost all the particulars have escaped his memory.
This affiant was born in Lunenburg County - Virginia, 3 rd of July 1768 - He resided there during the war - & shortly after its close, he moved to Mecklenburg - Va. where he remained about seven years ago to Warren N.C. in which he now resides. He has no Register of his age - and the only evidence in his power now to produce, is the accompanying deposition of Barrington Garget - To obtain which he was put to great expense and trouble in going to Lunenburg - Virginia.
This affiant relinquishes every claim to a Pension or Annuity except the present - & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state.
Subscribed in open Court
James B. Haddox
E. H. Drake Clerk of Warren County Court

We Chastell Allen - Clergyman - & Mr. F. Hilliard - both of the County of Warren aforesaid, hereby certify that - we are well acquainted with James H. Hutchins who has sworn to & subscribed the foregoing declaration - That we believe him to be of the age he represents - 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 to & subscribed
Chas. Allen
in open Court.
Wm. F. Hilliard
E. D. Drake clk of Warren County Court
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion to be, after the investigation of the matter and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Dept: That the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier - and served as he states - and the Court further certify that Chastell Allen who has signed the above is a Clergyman, resident in said County - & that Wm. F. Hilliard is also a Resident - & a credible person - & that their statement is entitled to Credit.
I Edward Drake, Clerk of the Court aforesaid, hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James H. Hutchins for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office 27 th May 1833
I Henry Fitts Chairman of the Court aforesaid hereby certify that Edward Drake who has signed the foregoing Certificate - is, and was at the time of putting his signature thereto, Clerk of said Court & that his attestation is in due form.

Rebrog
8740
INVALID.
File No. 8740
James F. Huddleston Prison War
Act: June 18th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1st , Page 185
[Arrangement of 1870.]

31.287
James F. Hodgins N. C.
Sister to Mr. J. Montgomery Apr 18 th 46 " Hon. J. R. J. Daniel May 30, 46.
Act June 7 th 1852

Franklin County State of Virginia
This day appeared before me
Sterling Cooper and made oath in due form of Law that James Hedges served a term of duty under Capt. Wm Hays of Shenandoah County Virginia in the Revolutionary War. Richard Hays Lieutenant. Edward Gatliff Major. Doulman Col o . He marched to the Double Bridges in Prince Ann & there was stationed awhile & then on to Blackwater fort and then returned to the Double Bridges near the British fort and was discharged near the Double Bridges in Prince Ann County after three mos service
Sterling Cooper
Subscribed and sworn to before me / Justice of the Peace In the county and state aforesaid this 22 nd day of November 1834 J B Burwell J P

State of Virginia Franklin County
I Caleb Tate Clerk of Franklin County Court in the State aforesaid, do hereby Certify that John S. Burnwell whose signature appears to the within Certificate, is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, duly Commissioned and qualified according to the laws of the State aforesaid, and that all his official acts are entitled to faith and credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office the 24 th day of November 1834, in the 59 th year of the Commonwealth.
Caleb Tate

Franklin County State of Virginia This day appeared before me
James Moore & made oath in due form of law that Jno. Henderson was the oldest Brother of Immanuel Henderson who enlisted under Jno. Johnston of Fauquier County State of Virginia and went on to the North & served his term of duty of three years in the Revolutionary War & then returned to the above named County & then cleared a District in Brunswick County N. W. for eighteen months and then went on to Charleston South Carolina & there was killed.
James Moore
In presence and I swore to before me in the county. and state aforesaid this 22 nd day of November 1834
J. Burwell J.P.

State of Virginia, Franklin County to wit.
I Caleb Sale Clerk of Franklin County Court in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John S. Burwell whose signature appears to the within Certificate, is an acting Justice of the peace, in and for the County aforesaid, duly Commissioned and qualified according to the laws of the State aforesaid, and that all his official acts to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office the 24 th day of November 1834 in the 59 th year of the Commonwealth
Caleb Sale

State of Virginia Mecklenburg County
This day Salley Overby personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and made Oath in due form of Law that James Hudgins marched as a soldier from the County of Lunenburg Va in date of 1778 or 1779 under Capt Alexander Walker to the magazine at Saylers Ferry in the County of Mecklenburg From thence to Hillsboro N.C. and so on to Walsbury Mask Ferry on the Pedee river and back to Gilford County N.C. where he was discharged. —
Also the said Salley Overby made oath that James Hudgins in the date of 1781 Marched from the County of Lunenburg Va under Capt William Fisher for York Town and was at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis — given under my hand this 31 st of August 1835 her Sally Overby mark
This is to certify that I have been acquainted with Salley Overby the witness who has subscribed her name to the foregoing affidavit and believe her to be a woman of strict veracity given under my hand this 31 st of August 1835
Dancy Pennington J.P.

State of Virginia } County of Mecklenburg S.C. }
I John G. Baptist clerk of the county court of the county aforesaid do certify that Drury Pennington who has signed the within certificate is one of the Justices of the peace in and for the said county duly commissioned and qualified, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said county this 11 th day of August 1836.
Jno: G. Baptist. C.

Rocky Mount, Va Januy 1 st
5
M. J. Montgomery Esq.
: Clerk of Warren County Court.
Warrenton, N. Carolina

Franklin Co. Ho. Va Decem. 29 th 1845.
Dear Sir,
Your letter, dated 11 th Inst. desiring information concerning Sterling Cooper (a Revolutionary Soldier) and James Moore, reached me by the last mail - both of the above named gentlemen were residents of this county, and Moore still lives in the county about 20 miles South East of this place, on Snow Creek, he is an old man, and formerly lived in Lunenburg County in this State - Cooper died in this county some 7 or 8 years ago.
Very Respectfully Yr ob t serv t
M. G. Carpenter
To the Clerk of Warren County Court N.B.

House of Representatives April 5. 1876 -
J. L. Edwards Esq - Com. of Pensions
Sir,
I have received from Maj M. J. Montgomery of Warrenton N.C. the enclosed papers, and to request your early attention to them, and that your communication after their examination be sent to him at Warrenton.
very respectfully your ob. servt J R Daniel

Mr. Edwards Warrenton paid 56 3/4
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Adm. your Hbr N. Melick Capt. Miller
James A. Hendryx N.C.
Apr 24 Oct 1832. WASHINGTON

Warrenton N.C. April 19 th 1837.
Sir:
I am requested to say to you, that the reason why the application of Mr. Huddies for a pension (which you will find enclosed) has been delayed so long is that at the time it was made out, some of his friends had taken it, intending to forward it immediately, and laid it aside with some other papers, and never thought of it again until recently, and now is handed to me with a request that I would send it by to day's mail. Should it be found supported by such evidence as would entitle him to a pension, you will please forward this certificate to me at this place. With sentiments of high regard, I am your ob. servant Edwin D. Strickland

Narroway C.P.O., Va 17 th Feb
5-
The clerk of Warren county court
N. Carolina

Sir,
Stottoway Feb y 15 Feb y 1845. 1.20
I have this long delayed answering your communication in relation to Mr. W m Powell Esq., with the view of inquiring of his representatives. The old gentleman once a resident of this county & residing upon the banks of the river Stottoway has been dead many years - leaving, as I am informed four sons and two daughters, all of whom as far as I can ascertain, have left the county or are dead. There is however one M c Le residant living in the county of Linnabury (D r ) Mr. William (Powell) with whom I have this day, for the first time, had an interview, And I now refer you to him as the most likely to be able to be addressed upon the subject of your communication to me. The executors of Mr. William Powell Esq. have executed his will, settled up their accounts and are both dead. And to not believe there has ever been any other qualified representation of his estate.
Yrs &c.
F. Fitzgerald

I cannot find a warrant entry survey or patent either in the name of James D. Huggins or William Darnell, I find a patent in the name of James Huggins for 600 acres lying in Nelson County on Green river founded upon military warrant and not for services in the war.
It is possible that Huggins may have been entitled to a warrant and that it never has been issued, in that case the warrant can said be issued upon application to the Virginia Land office or returned for shift
James Robertson R. Claff
By E. A. M'Acway O. R.

Treasury Department Third auditor's office 7 Febry 1846
Sir
I have received your letter of 3 rd inst. in which you state, that you wish to procure information, whether your name is to be found on the pay roll of the Kings Line of the Revolution in order to procure an increase of your pension.
In reply I have to state, that the Revolutionary records in this office relate to the officers thereof, that there are no muster or pay rolls of the soldiers of that period, they having been principally destroyed, & the few that were preserved are in the Pension Office - No such evidence as you desire to procure, it is believed can be obtained at this late day -
Respectfully
Yr. obt. Servt.
John Hagner Secy
Mr Jas H. Hudgins care of M. J. Montgomery Esq. Warrenton Va

5
M. J. Montgomery Esq Atk. Warren County Court N. Carolina
3/28/53

Richmond Va Jan'y. 28. 1846 House of Delegates
Dear Sir,
I rec d your favor of the 23 rd on my return from Brunswick on yesterday. I have to day gotten the Auditor to examine the roll of the Continental Army of the Rev- olution & he says he can not find the name of J. H. Hudgins —
Yr. Ob t Servt. R. S. Turnbull

5
M c J Montgomery Esq Winston North Carolina

Executive Department Richmond V Jan 5 1866
Sir
The Governor directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2 nd inst., & to inform you that this department affords no information whatever, touching the services of the person mentioned. No pay rolls of the State or Continental lines are to be found in this department - it is said they were sent to the War Office at Washington many years ago & there destroyed in 1864.
Very respectfully
Henry H. Richmond Secy of War

A
Mr Montgomery E Warrenton North Carolina

Frankfort June 10 30
Sir your letter dated the 11 th of this month was received by me this morning & immediately forwarded to the Deputy Registrar of our land office. The Registrar is absent on account of sickness. The Deputy is the acting Registrar and knows more about the office and than most others. He has been in it twenty two years you will see his statement annexed to this letter. I am with respect to my for nothing the Registrar, which and on half with thanks which you need not trouble yourself with Yours sincerely J. B. B. in respect to

Ms. A. 9. 2. 27 New Bedford
(Pension Papers) 75
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Warrenton N.C. 4 Dec. 1836
Yr
At the request of old Mr. Hudgins I herewith return to you all the papers touching his application for a pension - accompanied by an affidavit of his own in explanation of the difficulties alleged against its allowance.
I have myself a knowledge of many of the facts set forth in his affidavit. I think I drew the declaration of 1832 and upon its return drew that of 1833. I have a distinct recollection of the affidavit of Carrington Garrett & knew that it was before me when I prepared the declaration, in which reference is made to it. It, with the declaration, was left with the clerk Caswell Drake to be forwarded to you, but a new clerk being appointed at the Court after (August 1833) it was not forwarded - and could not be found until sometime in 1835. I have no doubt the affidavit established a portion of the service claimed to be rendered - and think it highly probable it has never been reclaimed by Hudgins or any of his friends from the clerk's office.
You will find included the declaration of 1833 - much mutilated by the change of dates & the name of the clerk - a slight inspection however will satisfy you that it was prepared at May Term 1833 & when Caswell Drake was clerk. The declaration of 1836 seems to be a liberal transcript of the other. It is true the old man is poor & has been unable to employ an agent to attend to this matter for him - and hence it is that I have been obliged to take the trouble upon myself. I do not know who drew the declaration of 1836. That of 1833 I am well satisfied the clerk cannot now produce - I do not recollect, but should not be surprised if it had been burnt or destroyed by myself, after that of 1833 was prepared - for I did not believe it could be of any further use. Whenever I have had occasion to write his name - I find that I was not very particular in spelling it - and have at different times written it in different ways. I am certain however that the various signatures James Hudgins & James F. Hudgins appearing in the papers now sent were affixed by the same person.
A knowledge of the character for probity of the old man would, I am sure, weaken very much the suspicion which rests upon his claim. Stephen Turner and John Bullock who testify to his character are men of the highest respectability - and live very near him. The first is a minister of the Gospel - the other a very respectable merchant.

All you see to add that from my own knowledge of H. D. G. and the concurrent opinion of all his neighbors I entertain a strong belief that he has maintained his credit. This persuasion has been my only inducement for troubling myself with his business. He is entirely without the means of paying for services of any kind.
Do me the favor to apprise me of your decision upon this claim, as soon as the duties of office will permit.
With Sentiments of great Respect & Sincere
Yr. Sincere Servt.
J. H. Edwards
— 41 —

Hon. J. L. Daniel H.R.
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commr. Pensions Washington City D.C.

Warrenton N. C. April 1 st 1846.
Hon J. C. Edwards
Sir: I herein send you Jas. F. Hawkins Declaration for a pension, as a soldier in the Va. Line of The Continental Army. It has been delayed for some months hoping to be able to collect such evidence, as The Department requires; but from the length of time & other circumstances since the services of the applicant were rendered, I found it exceedingly difficult to gather any thing which will comport with the rules of your Department - The annexed letter, being answers to those by me written, tho' they contain no direct evidence, show, that the old man conceives himself entitled to a pension as a 3 years Continental Soldier, and his declarations explains why he did not declare for his said services, at the time he declared for his Militia Services. The force of which you will readily appreciate in view of the fact, that the subject of Pension claims a few years ago, was very little understood even by men, whose opportunities of information were much greater, than his - an old man living in an obscure part of the country who never had the means of reading even a newspaper paragraph on that subject

This, therefore is a case, which I hope, in behalf of this old man will be considered upon its merits & that the strict proof required generally, will not be urged by the Department, as a reason for its rejection. There are many old respectable persons in the counties of Lunenburg & Mecklenburg & in this county (Alamance) whose statements are entitled to the strictest credibility, willing to testify to the character of the applicant, and who are willing, if necessary, to make oath that he has always been considered & believed to have been a Continental, as well as a Militia soldier. By letter from the Clerk of Franklin Court Va. I learn with regret of the death of Hester Cooper upon whom Hodgins mainly relied in his declaration to substantiate the term of his services - Hodgins says that Cooper was a Sergeant toward the close of the war and when he enlisted was much older than himself - that if Cooper were alive he would be nearly 100 years old - consequently over 90.
I address the undersigned at this place & oblige Yours &c most Respectfully M. J. Montgomery

State of N. Carolina Warren County }
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions November Term 1837!
On this 28 th day of Nov r 1837. personally appeared in open Court - before The Justices of said Court - now sitting - it being a Court of Record - James Hodgins - of the County of Warren aforesaid - who being duly sworn - doth on his oath declare, That - when he received information from the Commission of Pensions at Washington City - that - his application for a pension in 1832 had been disallowed because he had inadvertently mistaked his three several terms of duty to be six instead of three months - he procured an amended declaration to be prepared and formally proven at May Term 1833 of this Court according to the regulations of the War Dep. and left it with other papers, with Caswell Drake then Clerk of said Court who promised to forward it to Mr. Edwards of the Pension Office. but the said Clerk having resigned and a successor appointed at an extra Court of the same year (1833) the declaration so prepared was lost or mislaid in the delivery of the papers and records of the office to the new Clerk - and was not found until sometime in the spring of the year 1835 - Tho' this affiant - in person and by his friends repeatedly applied for it - He nearly believes that the affidavit of Barrington Garret left with the Clerk to accompany the declaration was lost in the same way - for he has not since been able to obtain it - Tho' repeated search has been made for it - He avers positively that the said affidavit has not been destroyed by himself or by any one by his procurement - and that he still deems it material but has no means of replacing it - This affiant further declares that the delay which has attended the prosecution of his claim has been owing to no neglect of his own, but to the loss of the declaration in the manner aforesaid, and the want of friends competent - and willing to advise and assist him - not being able, from his extreme poverty, to employ an agent or attorney to undertake in this behalf for him. - As to the discrepancy in the manner in which his name is spelled or written this affiant - solemnly declares it has not resulted from any design or motive on his part to practise a fraud or imposition - but that he is the identical James Hodgins or James F. Hodgins mentioned in the several declarations - and that being scarcely able to write his name & having but seldom occasion to do so he did not deem it material which of the signatures he used. He further most solemnly avers that he is unable to produce at this time the declaration of 1832 That it has been lost or mislaid - and he nearly believes not by his own neglect - but by some one of the numerous persons who have had from time to time the custody of all his papers connected with this claim. This affiant - asks permission to state his confident - believe that a sufficient apology for the error committed in the declaration of 1832 will be found in the antiquity of the transactions of which he speaks - and in his tender youth - he being quite 18 years old at the commencement of his service - The soldiery of that day consisted of men engaged for three months

six months and for a longer period - and he hopes no unworthy imputation will flow from the mistake committed by him - for he now again solemnly & sincerely affirms that the services stated in the declaration of 1836, were forwarded, and rendered by him.
sworn to disbelieve in open Court.
Ever yr Best alk
Laura H. Higin
Stephen Turner & Mr. H. Bullock on oath declare they for many years lived near James H. Jenkins who has sworn to the above affidavit - and are well acquainted with him and believe him to be a man of integrity of heart & honesty of purpose - and should not hesitate to believe his declarations on oath. Sworn to & subscribed
in open Court this 28
Wash. 1839-
Edw. M. Best Alk
John H Bullock -
Stephen Turner
I Edward W. Best Clerk of the Court aforesaid hereby certify the above proceedings to have been had before the Court aforesaid in manner as above stated.
Ear. W. B. ust blk
I Henry Fitts Chairman of the Court aforesaid hereby certify that - Edward N. Best - who has signed the foregoing Certificate, is and was at the time of putting his signature thereto, Clerk of said Court & that his attestation is in due form.
Henry Fitts Ch m Woburn

James F. Hudgins'
Declaration.

State of North Carolina } Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Warren County } November Term 1845
The foregoing declaration of James F. Hudgins, at present a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of Thirty Dollars per annum, as taken before Thomas S. Jenkins, one of the acting magistrates in & for S d County of Warren, being exhibited in open court, is examined & approved by the court, as though the same had been taken in court and the court are of opinion, that the facts set forth in the said declaration are true as therein stated.
Whereupon, it is ordered by the court, that the Clerk of this court certify the same to the War Department.
A copy from the minutes
W. J. Montgomery Clerk
State of North Carolina.
I, Marcelus J. Montgomery Clerk of the court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Warren County in said State, do certify that the above are the proceedings of the court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Warren County in said State upon the matter of application of James F. Hudgins for an increase of pension as taken before Hon. T. Jenkins Esq. on the 20 th day of this month. In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my official seal at Warrenton in said State this 27 th day of November A.D. 1846.
W. J. Montgomery Clerk

Declaration
State of North Carolina { On this 20 th day of November Warren County } A. D. 1845 personally appeared before me Thomas J. Judkins one of the justices of the Peace and a member of the court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in and for said County of Warren and in the State of one- said James F. Hudgins a citizen of s d County aged eighty four years who being first duly sworn according to law makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832 entitled "an act for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the revolution to wit..." "That he is a native of the County of Lunenburg State of Virginia of the age of eighty four years or thereabouts to the best of his recollection that when a little more than fifteen years of age & in the year (he believes) 1776 he enlisted for three years as a private in the Va Line of the continental army of the United States in s d County of Lunenburg under Capt James Johnson who was a recruiting officer of the United States & one Epaphroditus Redder or Rudder as his Lieutenant— that together with a company of sixty some odd men he marched under the s d Johnson & Redder or Rudder to the town of Baltimore which was a place of rendezvous when & where he was delivered up to Col Wallace and mustered into his regiment (the fourth Va Regt he believes) with one Ellis as his Capt (the number of whose company in s d Regt he does not recollect) and from thence marched under s d Wallace to City of New York — that upon his arrival at that place he was considered too young to per- form military duty and was employed in waiting upon the doctor or surgeon in the camp whose name he believes was Thompson or very much like it — that after the lapse of some months and about the time he was sixteen years old he was put under the command of the s d Col Wallace as his recollection at present serves him who commanded

the fourth Va regiment according to his present recollection under the s d Capt- Ellis whose company belonged to the s d fourth Va regiment - that he was at the battle of Brandywine and under the command of either Col Wallace of the fourth or Col Tucker of the second Va reg't (but from the great length of time since he cannot undertake to say with certainty which of the two commanded him) and during which battle he was wounded with the bayonet of a British soldier in left hand though not severely the scar of which may now be seen without difficulty - that he was also in the battle of Germantown and commanded by Col Tucker of second Va reg't but does not at present remember the number of company in which he was that they were the only regular engagements in which he was but was in several skirmishes that during his s d term of service he was marched through the middle and northern States ranging from Baltimore almost to the Canada line some times under Gen Washington whose word he remembers and some times under other officers whose names he cannot now recall to his mind - that after the expiration of his s d three years service of enlistment he was discharged at Baltimore the certificate of which discharge was given him and others by the aforesaid Col Tucker under whom he had been serving but considering the paper of no value he took no care of it and of course it was destroyed or otherwise lost sight of - the opinion prevailing among the soldiers commonly that their discharges were of no value and that they would never receive any thing else than what they had already rec d i.e their monthly pay - that after expiration of his enlistment he was draughted as a private in the Va militia performing three different tours

and when at the siege of York Town 1781 and after the surrender of the British General Cornwallis he rec d from Col Edw d Garland of Prince Edwards a piece of parchment containing as he was informed and believes the amount of land which Virginia agreed to pay to her citizens who enlisted for three years or during the war - that it was customary for field officers and Col s to issue these evidences to those soldiers whom they knew to have performed such service - that some years after the battle of Yorktown he sold the aforesaid land evidence to William Boswell of Amelia County Va but who if now alive would be in the County of Nottoway - that part of s d Amelia County lying on Nottoway river having been cut off year 1788 & formed into a new County by the name of Nottoway - the s d Boswell agreeing to pay him the sum of twenty dollars for the aforesaid land claim, which he thinks was to located in Kentucky & on Green River - that when he applied through his neighbour & friend the Hon. W. A. Edwards for a pension for his services he only applied for the Amt. which he supposed was due him from the Gov t for his militia services. He made no declaration of his services as a continental soldier; because he did not think or consider that he had any claim against the United States Government therefor - having been paid his monthly pay whilst in the service as aforesaid i.e. the continental service; and moreover he had never conversed with any person to whom he made known the facts of his services in the Va line of continental army - that he removed from s d County of Lunenburg 6 or 7 years after the war to the adjoining County of Mecklenburg Va in which he lived upwards of 36 years and since that time he has constantly

resided in the S d County of Warren N.C. - That he will be able to establish his continental services by Sterling Cooper of Franklin City Va if alive but he confidently relies upon the recorded evidence of his services on the muster roll of the continental line either in the City of Washington or Richmond Va to establish his claim - that he solemnly appeals to the authorities of the Gov t for the amt t due him as one of her citizens, and whose services almost three score years & ten gone by contributed tho' humbly to establish the liberties of the Country whose Gov t he now asks for the small additional amt t which would help him (now old & infirm) to support himself and family and with a firm reliance on the justice and truth of his claim he now submits his case and finally that he is now a pensioner of the United States at the rate of thirty Dollars per Annum and his name inscribed on the pension roll of North Carolina at Fayetteville in S d State
Sworn to & subscribed on The day & year first above written } James H. Huggins
J. P. Puckins J.P.
State of N.C. Warren County. I certify that I am well acquainted with James H. Huggins, who hath this day sworn to and subscribed the foregoing Declaration, & that his by reason old age & bodily infirmity unable to come to Court to make his said declaration And I further certify that he is a respectable & intelligent man and is worthy to be believed on Oath.
Given under my hand & Seal This 20 th day of Nov. 1845
J. P. Puckins J.P.

State of North Carolina } Warren County }
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions August Term 1836
On this 23 rd day of August 1836 personally appeared in open Court before the justices of said Court now sitting it being a Court of record James F. Hodgings of the County of Warren aforesaid 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 7 th June 1832 To wit - That Sometime in the Spring of the year 1780 being then a Resident of the County of Lunenburg, State of Virginia, he became a substitute for three months in the Militia in the place of one Carrington Gant under the command of one Capt. Walker. The Co. first met at the Wades Elmore near Taylor's Ferry, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, was marched thence to Hillsboro, N. Carolina; whence they went & joined the other Virginia Militia under Maj. Nelson; Remaining at this place a few days, they marched to Guilford Court House; then to New Garden, five or six miles the other side of the Court House. There they remained several weeks, and were marched thence to Salisbury, then to Mays's Ferry on the Pee Dee River; where they were stationed for some time, making frequent excursions in pursuit of the Tories; - Killing some & taking others prisoners. While in this service the defeat at Camden took place: for on the return of this officer to the Ferry from an excursion he found there some of the sick and wounded who had been engaged in that Battle. Shortly after this battle, the Co. to which this officer was attached, was marched back to New Garden, where he received a regular discharge from Capt. Walker, which he is unable now to produce, having lost or mislaid it.
Not Many weeks after his return home, he was drafted as a Militia man, and attached to the Company commanded by Capt. Wm Hays. It met at Alley Moore's Tavern in Lunenburg, and was marched thence to Cabbin Point on the James River, where they joined the Reg. of Militia under Col. Edward Garland, marched thence to Mackey's Mill near Suffolk, Va., then to Chuekatue, thence to the Long Bridge on the dismal Swamp. In the march between the two latter places they,

passed near the British Fort in Prince George County, and received several fires from the fort. At the Long Bridge they met a good many troops under Col. Parker. Gen. Morgan and his force also came in here and stayed a short time. From this place they were marched to the Fort at Blackwater, where they stayed he thinks, about a week, and returned to the Long Bridge; where he was stationed till his tour of three months expired, and received his discharge, which is also lost or mislaid. Not very long after his return home from this service, he was again called out for three months in the Militia as a private and attached to the Company under the Command of Capt. Wm Fisher & Lt. Wm Ragsdale, which met also at Alley Moore's Tavern. They marched thence to Petersburg and there joined several companies of Militia and some Regulars. Recollect seeing here a Capt. Nelson & Lt. Rudder engaged in enlisting soldiers for the Regular Army. They were overtaken below Petersburg by a Reg. of Militia under the Command of Col. Tucker, and were marched to Cobham opposite James Town, and there crossed James River and marched through Williamsburg to Gloucester Court House; and having crossed York River five or six miles above Little York Town, marched down to Little York and became a part of the force stationed on the north side of the Town, under the Command of Gen. La Fayette. He saw him often & also a Col. Garland of the Virginia Militia. Gen. Washington was at this time stationed in the fork of the Rivers York and James, Commanding was kept up for many days and nights, and ceased on the 18 th October 1781. The next day the British surrendered, and the prisoners, he thinks, were sent under guard to Albemarle Barracks. This affiant was discharged in about a fortnight after the surrender: about two weeks of this last service unexpired. This discharge is also lost or mislaid. This affiant avers that, besides the services above set forth, he served other tours of duty in the Militia, in the capacity of a substitute (he is certain, one tour of three months) but he cannot speak of them with sufficient particularity to introduce them in this declaration, being very young, and the period long since passed by, almost all the particulars have escaped his memory.
This affiant was born in Lunenburg County, Virginia 5 th of July 1762.

He resided there during the war, & shortly after its close, he moved to Mecklenburg, Va. Whence he moved about seven years ago to Warren N.C. in which he now resides. He has no Register of his age, and the only evidence in his power now to produce, is the accompanying deposition of Carrington Garret, to obtain which he was put to great expense and trouble in going to Lynchburg, Virginia.
This affiant relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present; & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state.
James H. Hodges
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court.
We Stephen Turner & William F. Hilliard of the County of Warren N.C. hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James H. Hodges who has sworn to & subscribed the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be of the age he represents, 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 to & Subscribed in open Court.
Stephen Turner Wm F. Hilliard
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion to be, after the investigation of the matter and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Dep., that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states; and the Court

further certify that Stephen Turner who has signed the above is a Clergyman Resident in said County - & that Mr. J. Williams is also a Resident - & a Credible person and that their Statement is entitled to credit -
I Edwin D. Drake Clerk of the court aforesaid hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James D. Hudgins for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal at office this 23 rd day of August 1836
E. D. Drake Clerk
Henry Fitts Chairman of the Court aforesaid hereby certify that Edwin D. Drake who has signed the foregoing certificate, is, and was at the time of putting his signature thereto, Clerk of said Court & that his attestation is in due form.
Henry Fitts Chairman Ellen G. Coast