Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,260, Martin Hancock, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.C.
Hancock, Martin
S. 2,260
carded
CONTENTS

7587 West Tennessee
Martin Hancock Wilson Co in the State of W Tenn who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Allen of the Regt. commanded by Col Eaton in the W. L. time for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of W Tennessee at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of May 1833 and Scott Robert M Burton Lebanon
Arrears to the 4th of March 60.00. Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 15.00.
$75 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 82

State of Tennessee } Wilson County }
Declaration of Martin Hancock to obtain the provisions of the Act of Congress passed 7th of June 1832
On this day personally appeared in open Court before Jas. A. Byrd, David C. Hibbitts and Bynum Killings Justices of the Peace for the County of Wilson and holding the Court now sitting at the September Term A.D. 1832 in the town of Lebanon Martin Hancock aged 71 years having been born in the year 1761 as he learns from family tradition having no record of his age 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 7th 1832 - that he entered the service of the United States under the following name of officers and served as herein stated Dechant entered the service of the United States in the latter part of October or the first of November 1778 in what was then Bute now Franklin County in the State of North Carolina as a substitute for one Joseph Stearce who had been drafted for a five months tour he entered the service under Captain Allen of the North Carolina militia, Hopkins was the

Lieutenant, and I passed the Ensign in said Company they rendezvous at Kingston where was attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Eaton and the Brigade was commanded by Generals Ashel and Bryant they marched from the place of Residens ous through South Carolina to near Augusta in Georgia they halted near Augusta the British Army having possession of that place in several days the British left that place Augusta , the American Army crossed the Savannah river and followed them to Brier Creek when the American Army got to that place the British had burnt the Bridge over Brier Creek, the American Army attempted to rebuild the Bridge while in the act of rebuilding it the British Army recrossed the creek at a different point and attacked them in the rear which brought on the engagement at Brier Creek. after the American Army was defeated at Brier Creek Corps to which he  the I joined the Younger General Lincoln at Purysburg in South Carolina and continued with him until discharged after a service of five months the Company to which I belonged was attached was then discharged except myself, I was left to take care of my Lieutenant who was confined by sickness which detained me one month longer making in all

Friendly and others he can prove his character for truth - Declarant has long since lost his Discharges Declarant was raised in Franklin County in the State of North Carolina from there he moved to the State of Georgia - from Georgia to Tennessee where he has lived for about 22 years in the County of Wilson where he still resides. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension whatever except the Inherent and his name is not on the Pension Roll of any State in the United States.
Sworn to in open court this 27th day of Sept 1832
Martin Hancock
Isaiah M. Blair Clerk
of Wilson County Court
William Seawell aged sixty one years here of age that he has known Martin Hancock who has subscribed the foregoing declaration for more than fifty years he was raised in the same County with him Franklin County North Carolina he always understood from his father Colo Benjamin Seawell that David Hancock was in the Revolutionary war and that he was in the Battle at Brice Creek Witness has a distinct recollection of having seen David Hancock when he started under Captain Malons in the Regiment commanded by my father Colo Seawell to Rendezvous at Wake Court house he always understand and it was generally believed and reported that he was in the Battle of Gates's defeat - it has never been doubted in North Carolina or Tennessee
by all to whom David Hancock has been known

by all to whom said Hancock has been known that he was a soldier of the Revolution he has always supported a high character for truth and honesty and witness has no doubt that he served as stated in his declaration
Sworn to in open court 27 th Sept 1832
W. M. Grewell
Josiah J. McClain Clerk of Wilson County Court
William Grew aged seventy one years of Shelby County that he is now living in Hancock for sixty years that he knows he was a soldier of the Revolution he saw him after he had started in his tour of duty under Captain Allen he saw him after he returned from his tour of service in the South and thinks he was absent for about six months - the next tour of service under Captain Macauley witness was along with him and was with him in Gates Defeat - this was a tour of three months - which said Hancock ended out and was discharged - since Hancock has always been known and reputed in his neighborhood to be a soldier of the Revolution his character for truth has never been doubted -
Sworn to in open court 28 th Sept 1832
William Ken
Josiah J. McClain Clerk of Wilson County Court

Obadiah Freeman a Clergyman of Wilson County hereby certifies that he has long since known the applicant Martin Hancock he is reputed in his neighbourhood to be a soldier of the Revolution and he concurs in that opinion his character for truth is without a blemish
And the said Court hereby Adjudged Declares their opinion after investigating the matter and after putting the question Interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Abijah Freeman is a clerg- man resident in the County of Wilson, and also that William Beawell and William ever are who have assigned. The said are all creditable and citizens of Wilson County Persons - and the  the facts should be given their statements given  in  their  their  hands  hands & seals this 28 Sept A.D. 1832 J. M. [Signature] J. B.
Sept- J. M. [unclear] 18 [unclear]
Boise 4, Billings
Handwritten signature
It was said

a period of six months service. The next service I volunteered for three months - in Franklin County South Carolina under Captain Macomb  Kelley of the Militia, Ransom acting as Lieutenant. We marched to Wake Court house in June State under the command of Colo Seawell. They marched to Wake Court house the place of Rendezvous there Colo Seawell returned to Franklin to recruit and his company was attached to the Regiment commanded by Colo Askins and Colo Brickell  Brickell , they marched to the crops fields now known as Fayetteville from thence they marched into South Carolina and faced General Gates they then marched on to Rugeley's mill in June State from the time they started in the night in the direction of Camden a small skirmish took place in the night between the parties, the next morning the General engage- ment commenced which resulted in the defeat of General Gates. Afterwards DeClaremont was placed under the command of General Jones of the South Carolina Militia and continued until the term of service expired making a term of three months. DeClaremont expects he can procure part of not his whole service by Wilkins, Evers and William Seawell Esq. by whom to be further with the next. The death Theodore, Joseph Johnson Esq. Major E. A. White, Colo.

Faint bleed-through text at the top of the page.
Martin Hancock 15555
I Josiah T. McBlain Clerk of the County Court of Wilson County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Martin Hancock for pension.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this
Sept 25th 1852
Josiah T. McBlain
Faint bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, appearing in reverse order.
Faint bleed-through text at the bottom left.

15.555.
Martin Hancock. Wilson Co Tennessee
from 1778 private 9 months. $30.
4
Rob t M. Burton Lebanon. Wilson Co Tennessee

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjjoined 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 Martin Hancoch. Wilson 60 Tennessee
   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.     Nov. 1778 " 6 " Priv Gen. Ash. Col. Eaton Capt. Allen. 71 years Franklin Witness W m New.   " " 3 " " Col. Birchell " Askin Capt. Macons 60 N. Car a " W m Leavell  
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 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph Rowen

Rev War
2260 INVALID.
File No. 2260.
Martin Hancock
Print Rev War
Act: June 7.  1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 157
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Suspended
See letter 12 th
Dec: 1885 to Hon
J. Cag.

Martin Hancock application for Pension
Col. J. B. Bell's War Department Washington City
FREE
Oct 31
13333
Jan

Lebanon October 15 th 1832
Br Sir
Inclosed I send you the application of Martin Hancock I do not know a more honest and correct man than old Mr Hancock in the whole circle of my acquaintance his witnesses are all of the first respectability - there can & must be no doubt of the favorable action of the Department in this case You will let me know the result at Lebanon if the application succeeds the old gentleman requests a draft on the United States Bank at Nashville Yours
Robert M Burton