Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8640, Joseph Guilford, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. b.
Guilford, Joseph
S. 8640
CONTENTS
carded

North Carolina 16445
Joseph Guilford Beaufort in the State of North Car: who was a privi: in the company commanded by Captain Barrow of the Regt commanded by Col. Seawell in the North Car: time for 20 mos. 21 days
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 69 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of June '33 and sent W.A. Blount Wilmington N.C.
  Arrears to the 4th of March '33 -  138    Pemi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " -  34.50     $172.50  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6. Page 41

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832
State of North Carolina } ss. County of Beaufort } ss.
On this 22 nd day of August 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid, now sitting, Joseph Guilford, resident of the County of Beaufort & State aforesaid aged Twenty years, three months and six days, 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. First. He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to any pension or annuity, except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of the United States that he was born in the County of Pasquotank, now Camden, State of North Carolina - at the age of seven was removed to the County of Pitt where he continued to reside till he volunteered in the company of Capt Samuel Banows of the North Carolina Militia in the year 1780 about the last of the month of June in the County of Pitt. then marched from the town of Kingston on Neuse river, when he marched to Hailey's Ferry on Pude river, by the way of Blake Court House, thence across Cape Fear at Bladenborough ferry into South Carolina, thence to Salisbury in North Carolina thence to Charlotte, thence down back to Salisbury by Cowan's ford, thence to Chatham Court House, thence to the Shallowford on the Yadkin, thence into Rowan, was placed in the Hospital from which he was discharged by Col. Worth; making in the whole in the whole four months. He understands that Shaw was their Colonel and Sumner their General.
He was next in the service for three weeks for the purpose of meeting the British who were said to be at Wilmington - marched, took five British prisoners returned home understanding they had evacuated Wilmington.

In the latter part of July 1781. he volunteered under Capt John Godley for the purpose of marching against the British forces then at Newbern under the command of Major Craig - he marched to fore Creek Mills & there at works to assist the enemy if he should come - was sent on the picket guard - fired at the enemy advancing, was soon at length taken by a flanking or plundering party - was thence sent prisoner to Wilmington, thence to Charleston where he remained a prisoner on board of the prison ship Eski till after the battle of York when on November the 6th 1782 he was exchanged returned home after an absence of about sixteen months. In this service James Raham was the Colonel. He was at Green's camp between Ashley Ferry & Bacon bridge immediately after the exchange - he received no written discharge or paper writing of any kind - The certificate or discharge by Wath given at Roanoke he has lost. The record of his age he presumes is in the family of his uncle at the place where he was born in Pasquotank. Joseph Guilford
Sworn to & subscribed in open court by Jos. Guilford Joint of Phoebe & Leander J. Jones 1832 Wm Ellison CLK
John Nobles make the oath that he is in his seventieth year of age - that he has known Joseph Guilford from their youth the numbers that Joseph Guilford was in service at the time Craig was at Newbern - was at that time taken prisoner as he has always understood & continued a prisoner till peace Subscribed & sworn to in open court by John Nobles Aug 3rd 1832 Wm Ellison CLK
his John Nobles Mark

Britton Edwards maketh oath that he has been acquainted with Joseph Guilford for many years - that he is about seventy years of age - is united & believed in the single household where he resides - have been a soldier in the revolution - & the said Britton Edwards concurs in that opinion. Subscribed & sworn to as open court by Britton Edwards - Aug. term 1832. Yrs Ellison clerk
Britton Edwards
State of North Carolina,
Beaufort County,
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Aug. term 1832
The said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after hearing the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a revolution-ary, soldier & served as he states and the Court further certifies John Nolle & Britton Edwards, who have signed the preceding certificate as residents of the County aforesaid and as credible persons - and that this statement is entitled to credit.
William Ellison clerk of the Court aforesaid & do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jos. Guilford for a pension. In testimony whereof I have here-

Writs let my hand and seal of Office this 22 day of August 1832
Wm Olsson Clk
15118 Stephen H. Foster

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Beaufort, North Carolina, Joseph Guilford, who being duly sworn deposes 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 in the following years: — For one year, eight months and twenty one days in service as a private — that is to say in the service first mentioned in the foregoing declaration served four months — in the next service three weeks — in the last, one year & four months, making together twenty months & three weeks; for such service I claim a pension.
Sworn to and Subscribed before me May 20 th 1833
Joseph Guilford
Richard Banner W.
State of South Carolina Beaufort County I William Ellison Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said County. do hereby certify that Richard H Banner is an acting Magistrate for said County. and that due faith & credit may be given to his Official acts — Given under my hand & Seal of Office this 24 th May 1833 —
Wm Ellison Clerk of said Court

Joseph Guilford N.C. No. 21191.
Adm'd as peroral 20 months & 21 days $149.00
q. m.
Wm A. Blount Washington D.C.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Apl. 20. 1833.
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 Joseph Guilford
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1780 vol. 4 Pri. Capt. Saml. Barrow Genl. Sumpter Col. Savall From Pitt Co to Kingston then to Haileys ferry thence into S.C. then to Salisbury then to Chatham P. H. then Shallowford then to Roan 70 years 3 months 6 days Witness Traditional   1781 " about 16 Capt. Geo. Godley Maj. Craig Col. Lash Col. Gorham Pitt Co N.C.  
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 day 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 enquiry 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 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 [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.
[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.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., _____, 190__
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Joseph Guilford a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. File 8,640
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1780 4 mos. Pvt. Samuel Barrow _____ N.C.   _____ 3 wks. _____ officers not specified _____ _____   Dec 1781 16 mos. _____ John Collier James Gorham _____   Captured by British and imprisoned in prison ship etc until exchanged Nov 5 1782.  
Battles engaged in, _____  Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pitt Co. N.C.  Date of application for pension, Aug. 22, 1832  Residence at date of application, Beaufort Co. N.C.  Age at date of application, 70 yr. 3 mo. 6 das - b. in Pasquotank Co. N.C.  Remarks: No family data.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

ack Sept 20, 1911 aem PLEASANTON CALIF. SEP 19 1911
DIVISION CALIF. SEP 19 1911

Arrow President HON. STEPHEN C. BRAGAW WASHINGTON, N. C.
Vice-President MR. JOHN A. WEDDELL TABBORO, N. C.
Secretary-Registrar MR. R. T. BONNER AURORA, N. C.
Treasurer DR. JOHN C. RODMAN WASHINGTON, N. C.
Historian MR. E. W. MYERS GREENSBORO, N. C.
Chaplain DR. H. M. BONNER NEW BERN, N. C.
Sons of the American Revolution North Carolina Society
Organized February 22, 1911
Board of Management
Consisting of the Officers Ex-Officio and the following Compatriots
MR. F. H. VON EBERSTEIN CHOCOWINTY, N. C.
MR. F. C. KUGLER WASHINGTON, N. C.
DR. J. G. BLOUNT WASHINGTON, N. C.
MR. B. T. BONNER AURORA, N. C.
MR. L. D. BONNER BONNERTON, N. C.
Office of Secretary-Registrar
AURORA, N. C., September 18th, 1911.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
S. 8640      Please send copy of the declaration for pension of Private Joseph Guilford of Beaufort County, Newbern District, North Carolina. His name appears in the pension list in Vol. XXII, Page 66 N.C. State Records
Thanking you in advance for the great kindness I am,
Yours truly, (Miss) Lottie Hale Bonner
P. S. Joseph Guilford was my great great grandfather.

1911, Sept. 21 - Hist. to Miss Lottie Hale Bonner
1911, Dec 28.
To Fr. Mr. General U.S.A. For Tombstone Fr.
Reuben
8640 INVALID.
File No. 8640
Joseph Guilford Priv Recd Bur.
Act: June 7th 1882
Index:—Vol. 1st , Page 154
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Washington D.C. May 27: 1853
Sir
The claims of John Noble & Joseph Guilford for Pensions, which you returned to me some weeks since, have been handed over to those gentlemen & their statements amended as you suggested was necessary. As I am fully persuaded they are justly entitled to a pension I forward them again with the hope that all difficulties are now removed & that they will early receive the reward of their patriotism. I send you also the claim of Mr. Beale - your early attention to these claims will confer a favor on the claimants & oblige
Yours sincerely &c.
Will. A. Blount
1/2 23 3/4 68 3/4