Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4975, Leonard Higdon, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
N. C.
Heigdon, Leonard Susannah
R. 4975-
CONTENTS

State of North Carolina Macon County } S.S.
On this 9 th day of December One thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Five. personally appeared before me J. D. Franks a Magistrate and a member of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in and for said County, Susanah Higdon a resident Citizen of Macon County North Carolina, aged Sixty Nine (69) Years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her Oath make the following Declaration in order to Obtain the benefit of the provisions Made by the act of Congress passed 7 th July 1838. entitled an act granting half pay and Pensions to Certain widows Also in order to obtain the amount or arrearage of Pension which accrued and fell due to Leonard Higdon (her husband) under the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832. That She is the widow of the said Leonard Higdon who was a Privet Soldier in the War of the Revolution, and for Proof of his services She refers to the Declaration Made by her husband in his lifetime Now on file in the war Department, She further declas that She was Married to the said Leonard Higdon on the 31 st day of March Seventeen hundred and Ninety One, in Rutherford County North Carolina, That her husband the afforesaid Leonard Higdon Died on the 11 th day of September One thousand eight hundred and thirty Seven (1837) that She was Not Married to him prior to his leaving the Service but the Marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and Ninety four (Wiz) at the time above stated, Sworn to and Subscribed on the day Susanah her Higdon mark and Year above written before Me, J D Franks J P R (E B)

State of North Carolina
Macon County
I J. D. Franks Magistrate as above do hereby Certify that Susanah Higdon who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration before me this day is unable by Reason of Old age and bodily infirmity to appear before the Court to Make this her Declaration, and I further Certify that the foregoing declaration was read to her & professed to be understood by her before Subscribed & sworn to, this the 9 th day of December A.D.
J. D. Franks Seal
1845
State of North Carolina
Macon County
I J. H. Gray Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions do hereby Certify that J. D. Franks whose Name appears to the foregoing Declaration & Certificate is and was at the time of signing the same a Magistrate & Member of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in and for said County, & that the signature thereunto annexed purporting to be his is Genuine & entitled to full faith & Credit as such,
In testimony whereof I hereunto set My Name and affix the Seal of said Court this 9 th day of Dec r A.D. 1845
J. H. Gray Clerk of Macon County Court

State of North Carolina } Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Macon County } December Session A. D. 1845-
I J. R. Gray Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in and for said State & County do hereby Certify that the foregoing Declaration of Susanah Higdon was this day laid before the Court aforesaid (Now sitting in Franklin) was examined by the Court and approved whereupon it was ordered by said Court that the Clerk Certify the same by the seal Department.
I also Certify that it was shown in evidence to the satisfaction of said Court that Susanah Higdon is the widow of Leonard Higdon as set forth by her in the foregoing Declaration & that she has not married since the death of her said Husband, and it is further shown in evidence to the satisfaction of said Court that she is unable by reason of Old age & bodily infirmity to appear before the Court to make this her said Declaration.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court this the 9 th day of December A. D. 1845-
J. R. Gray Clerk of said Court

South Carolina State Court County of Macon } 3
On this eighth day October personally appeared in open court before the Judge now sitting Leonard Higdon a resident of Macon in the County of Macon and State of South Carolina aged 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 Jan 7 th 1822.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. All my service as a private
I served under Colonel Thomas Wade (As not recollect the name of the Major) - He also was captain. I entered the service in the year 1780.
I was born in Anson county, N.C. in the year 1754. I have no record of my age.
I resided in Anson County North Carolina when I entered the service and remained two years after the close of the war when I after living in Georgia one year removed to Burke County S.C. Carolina where I have lived until about four years ago since that

That time I have served in Macon County I was drafted for that period of my service to which I now allude. I was engaged at the Battle or Skirmish of Welles  Welles Bridge in the Gum Swamp. Captain Wilson was killed in this battle. I did not go out of the State of North Carolina in this campaign. I do not recollect the names of any regular officers nor did I serve with any regulars. I was called out on an emergency to oppose the British & Tories who were stationed at or in the Gum Swamp. I did not receive a written discharge. I know of no person who can testify to my services and whose testimony can be produced except John Valant of Georgia whose deposition, though informally taken is herewith transmitted. His term of service lasted about three months. I was also in service two or three short terms before this under the same Colonel Wade amount- ing in all to something like four or five months. After my services under Col. Wade I served under General Rutherford as a volunteer a term of six months. When I entered this service I cannot remember but we marched on to Welles N. Carolina and there remained until the

Surrender of Lord Cornwallis - There were no regulars with us. I served various short terms of service of which I cannot give a partic- ular account, but the whole of my service amounts to about eighteen months.
The Rev Charles Stiles & William Latham live in my neighborhood & will testify as to my service Character and the belief of my services.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
1st When and in what year were you born?
2 Have you any record of your age, and if so, when is it?
3 When were you chosen when called into service When had you laid down 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, when you served such Continental and Militia regiments as you recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from service and if so, by whom was given and what has become of it?

7 th State the names of some persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behavior during services as a soldier of the revolution
Sworn to & subscribed, the day and year aforesaid Leonard his Higdon mark
We C. Hites a clergyman, residing in the county of Macon and state of North Carolina and J. Buchanan residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Leonard Higdon who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him to be 78 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Charles Hites
James Buchanan
And the said court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting it before the only prescribed by the War Department that the named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that C. Hites who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Macon etc. and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
I hereby certify that foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of for a pension in testimony whereof I have set my hand and seal of office day as

And the said Court hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatory prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a soldier and served as he states. And the Court further finds certifies that it appears to them that Charles Stites who has signed the preceding Affidavit, is a clergyman residing in the county of Mason A.C. and that James Buchanan, who has signed the same is a resident in the County of Mason A.C. and is a credible person in that their Statement is entitled to credit. I files M Dawell clerk of the court of Pensions do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Leonard H. G. Davis for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office This 12 th day of October 1852
M Dawell C.C.

J Graham N. La.
1939.3
Leonard Hodgson ✓
Return to M. J. Graham
Hon. J. Graham H.R.

Georgia Lumpkin County } In Person came me James Cantrell an acting justice of the Peace in and for said County John Tallant who being duly sworn saith that deponent and Leonard Higdon was in a little at the Green Swamp in the service of the United States under the command of Colonel Ward & Captain Wilson In the Revolution were the date not Recollected deponent further states that there he and said Leonard Higdon was together at Salsbury Heath Places and times in the state of North Carolina this I state to the Best of my Recollection sworn to and subscribed before me August 26 1833 James Cantrell J.P. } his John T Tallant mark
Georgia } I James Cantrell do certify that I have Lumpkin County } been acquainted with John Tallant who has made the above affidavit for several years and for his character and affirmation they are entitled to full credit given under my hand seal this 26 th August 1833 James Cantrell J.P. } his John T Tallant mark
I hereby certify that James Cantrell is an acting Justice of the Peace of said County given under my hand and private Seal having no Seal of office this 26 th August 1833 W.P. Luickham } his M.P. Luickham mark
Georgia } I M.P. Luickham clerk of the supe- Lumpkin County } rior courts for said County do hereby certify that James Cantrell who has certified

ors to the correction of John Tollen and has sub- scribed to the foregoing Affidavit was on oath my Jus- tice of the peace at the time of subscribing to the said affidavit I certificate and that due faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office my private seal now being for public use this 12 th day of Februy 1832
M c William
I state that, from information rec d from gentle- men of the most unquestionable veracity, M c P. William was, on the 12 th Feby last, Clerk of the Superior Court of Lumpkin County, Georgia -
Thomas - J. Foster
M c from Georgia -

St. Louis Mo. Mar. 6 th 1834.
Personally appeared before me the under- signed a Justice of the peace for said County Leonard Higdon who being duly sworn deposes oath 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 services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period of 10 months and he knows him in the following terms of services and all of my services as a private -
I was living in Anson County at the time when I first entered into the service of the Confederate States in the year 1879. I volunteered and went into the service under the command of Capt. Wilson May White & Col. Thomas Wade. Marched from Anson County down through here to Brownings Creek into Franklin Robeson County I think from there I marched to the what was called Niggro Hill and the to Left Swamps over streets Bridges all in the sum- mer months as well as I was recruited & then marched back to Anson County count house in no battle met in British Army but captured some Tories This service continued for not less than a year and I received no discharge

of men which to cross the Creek but concluded to cross and spent the time are half of the time they got along the Bridge a Battle commenced with the Tenochtitlans and the British got into the swamp At the end of the Bridge no prevent the remainder of the Army from crossing it was one of the men that got a cross and was in the Battle wh ich lasted about two hours and the Americans Army returned. Capt. Wilson was killed which I saw as two of the British dragoons on a retreat over took him and he turned on his horse shot one of them down with his pistol & the other shot him through the back but he did not fall off his horse at the time but several of them closed upon him & Hughes him down with their lances there was a good many killed & wounded but I don't recall the number then we marched home to Chichen Itza no change this town is an cen ter I know not of the 3 month to a month
I was drafted there for 6 month living in a house in the Spring of the year 1780 under the command of Capt. Glegg Major White had made love and got the then said month from Chichen Itza to Drawing Creek then Richman came to Robertson and then en camped him days and while the Holden was out out to reconnoitre with 20 horse men came along a company of about 300 & charged upon them with his 20 men & killed 25 of them on the field and the Balance run & got most of his men killed then we marched down to the Cape Fear River and then met the British Guard & there was a scuffle & they crossed the river & then marched on to Wilmington but before we got there the British had took ship ing all but their rear guard who was attacked by a party of our horse who killed and wounded a

another who stayed in Wilmington about one month  and the  mentioned  back  back I am certain that I lived not less than five months this time as a private I was for several hours which I have lost or misplaced so that I cannot find it often in my list my 6 months term I put under the command of a French captain to stay to see which the English would do then after Gen. Rotherford had left them for home with the main part of his Ar- my I am certain that I remained with that force about 25 days after my five months term had expired and it was in that period that the British and the Col. force relieved me from going back w- ithout the British return as I was called for I was drafted then for 3 months in the year 1780 as part of 1781 Capt. Holden made the other officers many not recruited many he found in into a condition near Camden as was the station at a mill & from there was station at a mill near Camden then came home I lived not less than 3 months this time as a private shortly after my return home I was ordered by Col. Wade to march to Solisbury He then and from there to Rocky River in Camden County to guard provisions I do not recollect who was the officer this time but I am certain that I lived not less than 4 months as a private I am certain that I lived not less than twenty two months and 25 days as a private which time I was not engaged in any civil pursuits and for which services I claim a pension due to and due & divided before me this 4 day of October 1834.
his Leonard H. Higon mark
Attest J. W. Johnson
I the undersigned Clerk of the court of pleas in and for the County of Camden do hereby certify that the within is an exact copy of the original thereof and that the same is true to all intents and purposes as the same appears to be given to all his officers as such in testimony whereof

Leonard H. Higgin lost Amendment June 14th 1834

The Amendment of the declaration of Leland Helder made in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 4th 1832 I was living in Ulster County at the time I first entered into the services. I was drafted the first time for three months & served at the time under the command of Col Wade & Capt Miller & Capt Miller was killed in the Battle at the Gums swamps at Beller Bridge in Ulster County or near it. He was a regular as I now recollect of being there at a small detachment to fight the Tories & some British. This service was performed as a private. This service was performed in 1780. I think I was then no older than 16 or 17 at the time with certainly I did not receive any discharge & if I had performed three times from that time as a volunteer under Col Wade all the Tories but one of them Capt Glen & some others  the country from Ulster Co to the Gums swamps driving some Tories & Col Helder generally scouting after the Tories & some fine British fighting of course a great deal of guns fired. The service of the Tories was performed in the year 1780 and 1781 in all of this volunteer services I have not left there for more than a fortnight I entered into the services again in the year of 1781 as a volunteer living in Ulster Co. He under the command of Gen Rotherham Capt White & Col Wade and marched to Willemijt. He & from there to Salisbury He remained there for a time & a while & from there to the mouth of Rocky river & then remained for a time & I believe in all the service was not less than six months I was a volunteer there was some little time between these services I was at home a few days at a time but continued in services generally for when at home a few days I was obliged to go to Fort Johnson to be in Garrison at the

mouth of Rocky River I lived not less than six months in Garrison & marching about in these different lines at the different places. I was drafted there for the month in 1781 here in Appomattox He Capt Holden made a violent assault with us all & ordered to Camden level now  the  men  had  not  to  Camden but was stationed at a mill & there remained as a Guard to give notice of the movements of the Tories and to keep them from being furnished to the British & to procure provision for the American Army and never was laid to the American Army this service continued for 3 months & was for pay as present I was several discharges but the love all had lost or destroyed
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace for Mason County He Lemuel Higdon who being duly sworn deposes and saith that by reason of old age and the loss of memory he can not swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection he lived not less than the period mentioned in the foregoing details of his services and the whole amount of months below being one year & six months or sixteen months as a private and for such services a claim on pension sworn to and subscribed before me this 9 day of June 1834
W. R. Siler
his Lemuel Higdon mark
I know that John Totham Clerk of Mason County the court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said County do hereby certify that W. R. Siler who has testified & subscribed to the foregoing amendment to the declaration of

Leland Higginson was at the time of Labaree being to the same an acting Justice of the peace for said County and that due faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 14 day June 1834
John Southworth
I enclose your communication of the result of this paper to Mr. Ginn for or to him (miser County) He who is the agent for said Higginson at this time. I am sure He J. L. Edwards As you will see the amount of balance in ac- count when the specification of same are given J. M. Ginn

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the county of Macon & state of North Carolina Leonard Hughton who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and 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 9 months I served as a private volunteer -
For 9 months I served as Private Militiaman, and for such service I claim a pension
Wm B. Wilson
dis Leonard Hughton -
I hereby certify that Barthel Wilson the justice whose name is above written is an acting justice of the peace for Macon County, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full credit this 17th June 1838
McDowell B.C.

12,507.
Re Jan 29. 1846.

"State of North Carolina. Know all men by these presents That we Simon Hizon & Saml Carpenter of the County of Rutherford & State aforesaid are held and firmly bound to his excellency the Governor for the time being and his suc- -cessors in his Office in the sum of Five hundred pounds to which payment well and truly to be made and paid we bind ourselves our heirs Executors &c. jointly and sever- -ally firmly by these presents sealed with our hand & dated this 30 th day of March A. D. 1791
The Condition is such that whereas the above bounden has made application to the Clerks Office for Marriage License to be celebrated between him and Susannah Davis of said County Now if there shall not appear hereafter any lawful reasons to obstruct said Marriage then the above obligation to be void other- -wise to remain in full force and virtue in Law Signed sealed & delivered in the presence of Simon Hizon (Seal)
Saml Carpenter (Seal)
State of North Carolina } Rutherford County } I G. W. Logan Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County Certify that the above is a true Copy of the Original now filed in my Office To which I refer
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Affixed the Seal of said Court at Office and subscribed my name this 13 th day of May 1826
G. W. Logan. Clerk

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
49970
P. O. Leonard Higen
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Leonard Hodson North Carolina
Suspended
at 6 march 1835
A. W. Givins. —
49 N —
Set. H. Lake April 10/40

Franklin Clb
Major County Oct 15th 1834
Dear Sir
Enclosed is the papers of Leonard Higdon after being again amended I hope you will be satisfied with his explanation & make him such an allowance as you may think him entitled to return your draft to James M. Ginn directed as above Am yours
J. L. Edwards
J. M. Ginn
up Pender Christopher

12507 Jan 29, 1846
Susan Hayden.
Aug 7. 1898
Rev. Lyndon Griffin
Present
from
Lyndon E.

Washington Jan 27 1846.
Sir
I enclose herewith the claim of Mrs Susannah Higdon of N.C., widow of Leonard Higdon Decd, who made an ade application in his life time for a pension under the Law of 7 th June 1832, & asserted for several terms of service in North Carolina, amounting in the aggregate to about 17 or 18 months, who have been unable to find record proof of that service from the Compt- roller's books but he informs us that the records of such service in his office, are indeed very imperfect & does not raise a presumption against a claim, it is hoped that the proof offered by Mr Higdon will be considered sufficient under the circumstances to justify the allowance of at least a portion of the service, & that Mrs Higdon may receive a part of that, she so much needs & thinks herself so justly entitled to.
the claim is submitted for consideration
& I am Very Respectfully Your obt Servant Nathan Leake
Hon J. L. Edward Comm ee of Pensions Present.

Edward H. H. H.
18
19399.
doubt.
lupus
Return to William J. Franklin Macdonald

War Department Pension Office Sept. 8-1834
Sir:
Unless Leonard Heggdon will distinctly specify each item of actual service performed in embodied Corps, giving the names of his Company and regimental Officers so that his services can be traced and verified, no compensation of his allowance under the Act of June 7-1832, can be made. From his account of his volunteer service in his last statement, it is probable that it was not such as comes within the Act. The papers are returned for a more clear and intelligible explanation in order that a definite decision may be made without recourse to conjecture -
I am Respectfully Your Obedt. J L Edwards
J. M. Irvine Esq. Franklin K.C.

10. Mr. A. J. ... Recd London ... District of Columbia
Hendersonville Al Oct 20th
J. L. Edwards Washington
Mail

Wendersville 25 th Octr 45.
Dear Sir
I wish to know the Condition of the Claims of Leonard Higdon it is Assorted under act of 7 th June 1832.
I also wish to know the Reason why the Payment of the Pension of Supt Palmer is Stopped or Suspended. His Claims was Assorted under Act of 7 th June 1832. Also, was Granted & the Rec d one two or three years pay. but in the year 33. or 4. the Payment was Stopped for what Cause he does not know, There is no doubt in my mind, but that there is a Mistake in this Matter. There can be no question but that Supt Palmer is justly entitled to Pay for 6 Months Service, I am anxious to see this Mistake corrected.
I wish also to know the Condition of the Claims of William Woodley, under same Act.
I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Your Ob t Servant. Elisha King
J. S. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.