Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1536, John Hughs, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. 6.
Hughes, John
S. 1536
also Ft. Clair's Defeat
CONTENTS
Carded

22324 East Tennessee
John Hughs of McMinn Co the State of Tennessee who was a private in the 100th Regt commanded by Captain Lewis of the 1st Regt commanded by Col [blank] in the Alabama line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of Oct 1833 and License to Jackson & Wilson
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 50 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 10
$60
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 46
State of Tennessee

27.166 John H. Leigh. Leicester

DECLARATION
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
State of Tennessee, } ss.
County of McMinn } ss.
On this 5 th day of September personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the County Court of said county, John Hughes a resident of said county and state, aged about 80 - 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He states he entered in to the army under Capt. Siney and was in the Battle at Wallagon River, and served under said Siney a term of six months. He then resided in Burke County in the state of North Carolina. He was then called out under Sinclair, and served under him some length of time, and was engaged in the battle called Sinclair's defeat. His Captain, was Jacob Tipton, at Sinclair's defeat, he lived in the same place in Burke County in the state of North Carolina. He states that from extreme the debilities of extreme old age, he has forgotten a number of excursions or skirmishes that he was engaged in against the Tories, he moved from Burke County North Carolina in to Blount County in the state of Tennessee and from Blount County to the County of McMinn in the state of Tennessee. When he was discharged he states that he received a discharge about the close of the war, but he

has lost the same years since, and in due not now, he attests, in what way the same was last, he states he believes he is about eighty years of age but has no record of that fact.
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 and subscribed the 5 th day of September 1832
John his X Hughs mark
We Sylvanus Couch a clergyman residing in the county and state aforesaid, and Rachel Blevins residing as aforesaid, that says she was present and does know that the above hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Hughs - who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and 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. and Rachel Blevins does know of his own knowledge that he was a soldier 1832 Sworn to and subscribed the 5 th day of September of the Revolution
Rachel his X Blevins mark Sylvanus Couch
And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigating the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that
Sylvanus Couch citizen of the county who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, that he and Rachel Blevins - who has also signed it, are resident as they therein state, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John Miller Benj. Isbell A. Babb

I H. D. Lusk Clerk of the County Court of the County of Miami aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Hughes for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at office, this 5 th day of August September 1832
H. D. Lusk Clerk By his Deputy B. H. Miller

27. 166.
John H. Hughs McMinn Co. Tennessee.
for — private 6 months $20.
Saml. H. Gordon Athens. Tennessee

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the 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 shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Houghs
   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.     6 Col. Seris no Col. 80 N.C. Traditioary  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before 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 persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
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 _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

TELEGRAM.
U. S. Pension Office,
A. M.
P. M.
July 14, 1875.
From
To Mr Eaton
Will you please return the John Hugh Case pensioned in 1838 The revolutionary roll of town is very imperfect & by looking the papers the date to which last paid may be found
Dobson

22324
Answered July 14. John Hughes Rev. Penn roll was paid to Sept 4, 1894 as shown by the records of the office H
(Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page)

August 9, 1932
John Hughes-S.1536
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/KEG
Mr. William F. Ogburn 230 Park Avenue, Room 2725 New York, New York
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Hughes, a soldier of the Revolutionary War who drew a pension in McMinn County, Tennessee.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.1536, based upon the military service of John Hughes in that war.
John Hughes, while residing in Burke County, North Carolina, enlisted, date not given, and served six months in Captain Sevier's North Carolina Company, and was in a battle at the Watauga River; he later served in Captain Jacob Tipton's Company under St. Clair and was in the battle at St. Clair's defeat.
After the Revolution, he moved from Burke County, North Carolina, to Blount County, Tennessee, and from said Blount County to McMinn County, Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, at which time he was aged eighty years and resided in McMinn County, Tennessee, at that time his signature was by mark "John Hughes".
There are no data as to his family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.
Date of death not in death an AB.
Mrs. F. said write second service as I have written it.
Had Old War cards searched - was thought he might have thought rec'd that he was for a pension sub. to Rev. no claim

THE PRESIDENT'S RESEARCH COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL TRENDS
Corporate Name: Research Committee on Social Trends
WILLIAM F. OGBURN, Director of Research University of Chicago Chicago, Ill.
HOWARD W. ODUM, Assistant Director University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, N.C.
EDWARD EYRE HUNT, Executive Secretary Department of Commerce Washington, D.C.
230 Park Avenue, Room 2725 New York City July 19, 1932.
Department of Revolutionary and 1812 Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:
I am interested in securing the Revolutionary record and any data you may have on John Hughes who served in the Revolutionary War in the North Carolina troops and drew pension in McMinn County, Tennessee. I would appreciate very much having you send me what is in the record letting me know the charges.
Sincerely yours,
William F. Ogburn William F. Ogburn

Rev. Wm. ...
1536 INVALID.
1932-Aug 9- West To Wm F. Ogburn EBL
File No. 1536
John Hughs. Pro. N.T. ...
Act June 7, 1832.
Index: Vol. a , Page 183
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Hughs
East Tenn.
was pensioned in Oct 1833 from 4 mch 1831
no p ay ment appears Enters on our Roll Book
W.H. Whitney 3 rd awr office.

18813 St. Louis Mo.
St. Louis Mo.
27. 165 27. 166 Grand St. Louis
St. Louis
St. Louis
St. Louis
Washington City

Atkins 1 st September 1833
Sir.
After examining the enclosed plan
Ad dress:
Sam l H. Jordan