Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5173, John Holmes, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N. b.
Holmes, John
R. 5173
CONTENTS

STATE OF North Carolina } COUNTY OF New Bern } ss.
BE IT KNOWN, That on this Eighth —
day of August — A. D., eighteen hundred and fifty One before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Mary Jane Beasley a resident of Brunswick — County, and made oath according to law that she is the Daughter of John Holmes late of Brunswick County who applied for a pension under act of 7th June 1832 and who was a Revolutionary — Soldier of the United States ,
at the rate of  ten — Dollars per annum , that she has been informed that the said Pension ought to be increased  allowed ; that she is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Mary J Beasley
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me.
Wm. H. Austin J. Peace.
I, Wm. H. Austin Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that
Mary J Beasley of Brunswick who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of that County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
Wm. H. Austin J. Peace.
I, L. H. Martiller Clerk of the — Court of the County
and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John M'aulan — before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is his signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed my official Seal, this Eighth day of
August A. D. 1851 .
L. H. Martiller Clerk by Daw Dickson Dy CLK

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I,
Mary J Beasley
hereby constitute and appoint George C. Ames Esquire my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of John Holmes for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to , , , , , , , , , ,
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall law- fully do in the premises.
Witness my hand and Seal this
8th day
August A. D. 1851
Mary J Beasley
Signed and Sealed in the presence of
Eliz H Hall
STATE OF Nor the Carolin } COUNTY OF New Hanover } ss:
On this Eighth day of August A. D. 1851
before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Mary J Beasley and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand, the day and year aforesaid.
Wm M'Anan

34766
John A. Holmes
P 65
Ad June 7 1832
Ms. A. 1. 1 v. 11 p. 65

Geo. R. Holmes
June 1832
Sec 21
N. H.

State of North Carolina } S.S. County of Brunswick }
On this fifth day of December personally appeared John P. Holines a resident of the County of Brunswick and State of North Carolina aged eighty 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 seventh 1832.
That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven and served at Fort Johnson under Capt. Robt. Ellis and Lieutenants Jas. Smith and John Devane that said Fort Johnson as then called was in the County of Brunswick and State of North Carolina. That he enlisted for the term of two years and served twenty two months of that time when a British Brig and Sloop of a large Sloop came in from Sea and took the Fort and blew up the Magazine there were about eighty or ninety men in Garrison they all made their escape with the exception of Lieutenant Devane Sargent Denny and three men who were taken prisoners and carried to sea and kept three or four days and when put ashore on Dismal point the greater part of the Company went to Wilmington and N. Carolina and got their discharges. This Declarant got his discharge from Capt. Ellis but has lost it. That he never entered the service afterwards. That he now That he resided in Brunswick County N Carolina

at the time he entered the service. That he was not engaged in any battles than that already mentioned.
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 North Carolina.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. John R. his  mark Holms
To the To the first interrogatory required to be propounded by the department he replies That he was born on Black River in Bladen County about the year seventeen hundred and fifty eight
To the second interrogatory he says. I have no record of my age
To the third interrogatory he says I was living in Brunswick County NC when called into service and have been living in said County ever since.
To the fourth interrogatory he says I enlisted at Fort Johnson as already stated
To the fifth interrogatory he says I do not recollect the names of any other officers than those already mentioned
To the six interrogatory he says I did receive a written discharge from Capt. Elliott and it is lost
To the seventh interrogatory he says I am known to Nathaniel Potter and John Anderson who can testify for me, that he cannot procure the statement of a Clergyman, at present, as there is no Clergyman at the present seat of the Court, with whom he is acquainted. That he had determined not to apply for a

Pension, but finding himself reduced to great poverty and unable to live without assistance, rather than be placed upon the list of Paupers in his own County, he has determined to ask for his pension.
Given to me subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Witness
Nathl Potter clk
John R. his X Holmes mark
Personally appeared in open Court Nathaniel Potter and John Anderson, who upon their oath state that they are acquainted with John R. Holmes the Applicant named in the foregoing Declaration, that they believe he is about eighty years of age as he represents, that he is reported and believed in the neighbourhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier and they concur in that opinion.
Sub
Nathl Potter
John Anderson
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above-named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
I Nathaniel Potter Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Brunswick do hereby certify that the original foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John R. Holmes for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 5 th day of Dec r 1838.
Nathl Potter clk

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
5173
P. O.
John W. Holmes
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .

34766 John R. Holmes, NC Act 7 June 1832 — Let to Nathl Patten 18 June '39.

34.766
John R. Holmes
NC
W. H. C. June 2/39 Ft. Pella " 18/39 M c London Mich 31/41 Hon J. J. McKay May 11/46 Geo. C. Ames Nov 24/51. " " July 10/52 " " Feb 9/53 W. J. Clarke Feb. 4/54.
5173
act June 7 1832

aw Reg #
5173

John Holmes - Prob. N. Carolina - Rev.
North Carolina
No Recd. in Old Books - Ref. File No 5.173
OK
Evidence insufficient act 1828

State of North Carolina Comptroller's Office
I, William J. Clarke, Comptroller of public accounts in and for the State aforesaid, having charge of the records of payments made by said State on account of the Revolutionary War, do hereby certify, that the following entries appear on the Book of settlements made by John Ashe, Souther Treasurer, to wit:
Paid Governor's warrant to Robert Ellis Esqr. Commissary of Fort Johnston, dated July 31st 1779 £5,000 currency Book No. 37 "Robert Ellis, Fort Johnston, Governor's warrant 29th May 1780 £5,000 currency" "Ditto 10 May 1780 £10,000 currency"
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 22d. day of September 1852 — Wm J. Clarke Compt'r

Pensions Office February 4, 1854.
Sir,
Have you among your Records, or is there among the Records of Mr. Hill, a list of the men who garrisoned at Fort Johnston, from the time it was abandoned by Governor Martin in 1775, to its reduction by a British frigate in 17-? Capt. Robert Ellis was, as appears from your certificate, now before me, the Commissary of that Post, and served as such until some time in May 1780. It is probable that he was also in command; and it is desirable to ascertain whether there was a John or John H. Holmes attached to his company. If so, I will direct the parties interested, to apply for the necessary certificate.
I am, Very respectfully, Your Obt. Servt.
J. P. Wallace Commissary.
Maj. Wm. J. Clarke, Comptroller of the State of N. Carolina, Raleigh N. C.

Comptroller's Office N.C. Raleigh March 3 d 1854 -
Sir
Diligent search of the records of this office has been made unsuccessfully for the information desired in the foregoing letter.
The pressure of business has prevented an earlier reply
Very respectfully Wm. J. Clarke, Compt'r.
Hon. S. P. Waldo, Commr. of Pensions Washington City -
Cl. V. 1854

Very Respectfully, Your obed Servt Geo L. Ames

Washington Sept 27 1852
James E Beach Esq Sir,
I enclose herewith a Certificate from the Constitution of North Carolina to be used as evidence in support of the Claim of John Holmes of NC. Under the act of 7 June 1832.
In his Original declaration States that he enlisted in 1777 for 3 years at Fort Johnson under Capt Robert Ellis, and continued to serve for 22 months when the Fort was taken by the Enemy!
The Certificate of the Constitution which I now present shows that Capt Ellis was in Command at Fort Johnson at the period referred to by Holmes, and that he received Warrants upon the Treasury of that State Amounting to $25000 Currency. The Specie Value of these Warrants cannot now be ascertained but it is amply sufficient to cover the service at that place for which Holmes set up a claim for Capt Ellis and his Company, which should be sufficient to remove the objections heretofore urged to granting a pension in this case.

Very Respectfully Your obed Servt Geo. C. Dyer

Mr R = 80 years old Hohne die 1839 Dec 5
77 2f. Nat. Klimat + Mi 22 m. P. Ellis
=

See Bdd + N o 347/16 John Holmes ag o 85
77
Robt. Ellis, Artillery N.O. stationed at Fort Johnson until 1781 —
1781. 1 st . Co. Mills
Col. Potter. with
to Nat. Potter 18 Jun 1839

State of North Carolina
Office of Secretary of State
I William Hill, Secretary of State, in and for the State of North Carolina do hereby certify, that it appears from a Book of settlements of the accounts of the Officers and Soldiers of the continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, that John Holmes was allowed as one of the twelve months Drafts the sum of eighty Dollars on a final settlement of his account
Given under my hand this first day of April 1852
W. Hill Secretary of State

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office 15 th June 1839.
James L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I do not find the name of John R. Holmes on the musterrolls of the line of this state in the revolutionary war. I find the name of John Holmes who enlisted as a private soldier in Capt. Mills's Company of the 10 th Reg t on the 18 th Dec r 1781 for 12 months.
Yours respectfully
W. Hill

Revolutionary Claims Free
Honorable Genl. D. Ingham Secretary of the Treasury Washington City DC.
John Holmes. Recd 27 April 1829

John Holmes.
Recd 27 April 1829
New.
Honorable Sam. L. D. - Secretary of the Navy Washington Smithsonian Institution Library H. P. C.

1644 For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May 1828, I John Atkney of the County of Brunswick in the State of North Carolina, do hereby declare that I enlisted in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued in its service untill its termination at which period I was a private in Captain James Milly Company in the fifth Regiment of the North Carolina line. And I also declare that I afterwards received a certificate for the reward of Eighty dollars, which I was entitled to under a resolution of Congress passed the 15th of May 1778. And I further declare that I was not on the 15th day of March 1828 on the Pension list of the United States.
his John L. Atkney mark
Before me Benjamin R Lock a Justice of the Peace in the County of Brunswick, in the State of North Carolina personally appeared this day James Setty and Samuel Viny of the said County, who did solemnly make oath that John Atkney by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed & believed to have been a private in the Army of the Revolution in manner as therein stated - Witness my hand this the 13th day of April in the year 1829
Benj. R. Lock
Esthane Potter clerk of the Court of the County of

Brunswick, in the State of North Carolina, do certify that Benjamin R Lock upon whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was at the time a Justice of the Peace of the County of Brunswick and duly sworn to administer oaths
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this the 13 th day of April in the year 1829—
Walter Potter Clerk B.C.C.

Wilmington N.C. April 21 st 1829
Honorable Samuel D. Ingham
Sir
Enclosed you have the necessary papers of John Atkinson to entitle him to the benefits of an act for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the Army of the Revolution, approved on the 15 th of May 1828; Should Mr. Atkinson be entitled to the benefits of the act, I am requested to say to you, to enclose him a check to this place, directed to my care on the United States Bank at Fayetteville
I am very Respectfully your Obedient servant
Ann Atkinson
Bison

State of North Carolina } County of New Hanover }
Personally appeared before me John C. Bowden a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Miles Potter of the county of Bruns- wick and State aforesaid; who being duly sworn depo- seth and sayeth, that he is now sixty seven years old, and that he has been acquainted with the late John Holmes of Brunswick County, since his first recollec- tion, and that he has always been respected to have been a Revolutionary Soldier, he further sayeth that he has frequently heard John Holmes speak of being in the Revolutionary war; And that it was before him, who was then an acting Justice of the Peace in Brunswick county, that the said John Holmes, made affidavit of his services in the war, upon his second application to the United States for a pension, and that at that time, he complained of R having been inserted in his name upon his first application, through his ignorance, that he never assumed the R in his name before or since, and he further sayeth that, this John Holmes was the real applicant for a pension, And that he has never known a John R Holmes in the county of Bruns- wick, And that from general reputation, and from what he has heard from John Holmes, he thinks he should have received a pension from the United States,
Sworn to and subscribed to before me Miles Potter this 7 th Feby 1852 J. C. Bowden J.P.

State of North Carolina,
NEW HANOVER COUNTY.
I, L. H. MARSTELLER, do certify that M o C Bruden Esq , whose signature appear to the annexed Deposition was at the date thereof An acting Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid.
Witness, L. H. MARSTELLER, Clerk of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of New Hanover County, at office, under the seal of said County, the tenth day of February , A. D. 1852
L H Marsteller, Clerk. By Sam Dickson Dyelk

State of North Carolina } County of New Hanover } I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the within named Miles Potter, And that he is a Man of high respectability and truth, and there- fore the within deposition should be relied on received, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7 th day Feby A.D. 1852
M c Borden C.S.

Washington April 4 th 1852
James E Heath Esq Sir
I enclose herewith two Affidavits in the Case of John Holmes, identifying him as the John Holmes who served as a 12 Months Man in the North Carolina Continental Line.
Miles Potter, the Justice before whom Holmes made his Second declaration, states that he, Holmes, "then complained that the 'R.' had been inserted in his name upon his first Application through ignorance, that he never assumed the R. in his name before or since. This Witness further states that this John Holmes was the real Applicant for a Pension, that he has never known a John R. Holmes in the County of Brunswick, that he has frequently heard the said John Holmes speak of being in the Revolutionary War, and that from his general reputation and from what he has heard from Holmes he thinks he should have received a pension from the United States."
William R Hall, a gentleman of high standing and for several years a Member of the State Senate, states that he was personally acquainted with John Holmes, that he had had conversation with him in which he stated that he was entitled to a pension in account of his services in the Revolutionary War, that he had always known him as John Holmes only, and that he knew of no other person by that name in that County. that so far as

he knew him to be worthy a man of respectability and truth.
I present also the Certificate of the Secretary of State of North Carolina, showing that John Holmes received a final settlement Certificate as a 12mo man -
This additional evidence will be sufficient I trust to remove the objection raised in the report from your Office to Mr Landon of 29 March 1841. a copy of which has lately been furnished me
Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt Geo. L. Ames

Rev L. P. Nold
Long Prison

The case of Pres. R. Holmes, Sept A. C. Oct '32, has not, it seems to me, been examined with sufficient accuracy, and I have therefore to suggest a reconsideration of it.
In his original declaration he claims to have served under Capt. Ellis, and gives such minute facts with regard to the organization of the Company as as furnish prima facie evidence that his statement was correct. Men who are making false statements carefully avoid entering into particulars, but Holmes nar- rates circumstances, in which he could easily be detected, and gives the names of the sub- ordinate officers, with the circumstances attending the capture of Fort Shuram, the latter of which is historically correct. He produces a witness who swears positively to his service at that fort. There are the oaths of two persons to the material facts, who are not contradicted by any known facts of history and who are entitled to be credited and respected. Since the filing of these affidavits, a certificate has been filed from the Comptroller of A. C. showing that Ellis was in com- mand at Fort Shuram during the years 1778, 1779 and 1780 — There is as strong

Corroboration as could be required, although the fact is entirely proved now in the examiners letter. It was only necessary to show that Ellis was in command during the year stated by the claimant and his wife and this has been conclusively done.
It is seen by the papers that Johnson is an illiterate man, and he may have been employed as in the conflicting statements made by him as to his second service. He may never have intended to say that he did not serve after his time as Free Johnson expired, or he may have been destroyed into an improper declaration as to service under Miles. This service I do not insist upon, as I admit that, as the case stands, it could not properly be allowed. But I do contend that the first service is well proved.
Very truly Yours &
J. P. C. Tipton

THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
To all to whom these presents shall come, GREETING:
BE IT KNOWN, THAT Joseph Green
whose name in his own proper hand-writing, is subscribed to the annexed Certificate, is, and was, at the time of granting the same, A Justice of the Peace for the County of Brunswick
and that his said Certificate is in due form
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, HIS EXCELLENCY, DAVID S. REID , our Governor, Captain General, and Commander-in-Chief, hath signed with his hand these presents, and caused our GREAT SEAL to be affixed thereto. Done at our City of RALEIGH, on the first day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and fifty- two and in the Seventy Sixth year of our Independence.
David S. Reid
BY THE GOVERNOR:
W. H. Jones PRIVATE SECRETARY

State of North Carolina
County of Brunswick } Personally appeared before me Joseph Green a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Col Wm R Hall formerly a representative in the State Legislature from this County; who being duly sworn depo- seth and sayeth, that he was personally acq- ainted with the late John Holmes of this County, and that he has had conversation with him, in which he stated, that he was entitled to a pension for his Revolutionary services, and that the United States ought to pay him. He further sayeth that Mr John Holmes, though illiterate as far as he knew him was a man of respectability and truth, and therefore any statement made by him he should think might be relied upon. And he further sayeth, that he knew of no other John Holmes in the County, and that he always knew the said John Holmes by that name only, Sworn to and Subscribed - Wm R Hall to before me this 25 th day Feb 1852
Joseph Green P.P.

State of North Carolina County of Brunswick }
I do hereby certify that Col Wm R Hall the witness attached on opposite is a man of high respecta- bility and truth, and that all he has set forth in the deposition, should be relied upon. Given under my hand and seal this 25 th day February 1852
Joseph Green Pro Se
State of North Carolina
Office of Secretary of State
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for The State of North Carolina do hereby certify, that Wil- iam R. Hall whose signature appears within was a Senator in the Legislature of this State, from the county of Brunswick, in the years 1831, 1832 & 1833.
Given under my hand this 1 st day of April 1852.
W. Hill Secretary of State

I, Benjamin G. Hopkins do hereby certify that the above named John Holmes whose name appears in the above declaration is the identical John Holmes in therein represents himself and do believe the truth of his said declaration as above set forth and that he did perform the military services therein declared. I do further state that I have known the said John Holmes for a number of years & believe him to be a man of good moral character and a man of truth.
Wilmington N. C. March 20 th 1841
B. G. Hopkins
Personally appeared before me Jas T Miller one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of New Hanover & State of North Carolina the above named B. G. Hopkins who being first duly sworn according to law made the above affidavit. I do certify that the said B. G. Hopkins is a minister of the Gospel of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his statement is entitled to evidence - Given under my hand and seal this 20 th day March 1841.
Wilmington N.C.
New Hanover County. }
Jas T Miller
In testimony that the above written Jas T Miller was an acting magistrate authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgements &c in the County of New Hanover & State of North Carolina at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the County Seal and subscribed my name and quality at Wilmington New Hanover County this 20 th day of March 1841.
Thos A Davis

I, James Potter Snr aged Eighty five years do upon oath declare that I have been long acquainted with John Holmes who has subscribed the within declaration and acknowledged the signing thereof in my presence, and well knew that he is the identical person he therein represents himself to be; and further I do believe that he did perform the military service therein stated. I know of my own knowledge that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was, under Capt Robert Ellis & Lieut Devane at Fort Johnston in Brunswick County North Carolina, that he entered the service in the year 1777 or 1778, but which year I cannot with certainty say and that he remained at said Fort till it was destroyed by the British in 1781. That I have been and still am a resident of this county of Brunswick having been born in said County.
attest Miles Potter J.P. Brunswick County 6 th March 1841.
James his Potter mark
Before me Miles Potter Justice one of the Peace in and for the County of Brunswick and State of North Carolina personally appeared the above named John Holmes subscribed to the within declaration and in my presence acknowledged the same to his act & deed and like mine personally appeared James Potter Snr who hath subscribed the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectfully subscribed, this 6 th day of March 1841.
Miles Potter J.P.
In testimony that the above within Miles Potter was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgements, &c in the County of Brunswick & State of North Carolina at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, I have hereunto affixed the County Seal & subscribed my name and quality at Smithville, Brunswick County this 13 th day of March 1841.
W. H. Potter Clerk

where you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, & where do you now live? Brunswick County AL state the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with you in the troops, where you served; such continental & militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
They are all contained in the above declaration.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it - No.
State the name of the person to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services a soldier of the Revolution.
Richd Langdon S. B. Everett. D. B. Baker many others -
and after a full and satisfactory examination of the declarant both as to his moral character, his character for veracity and additional evidence of his Revolutionary services, & the unimpeachable character of the witnesses examined a love do declare herein that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier as he states, David A Fleming Esq. Prothonotary Public Clerk of the Court Pleas and Quarter Sessions County of Brunswick do certify that the foregoing contains the only original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Holmes for a pension.
Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this 2 nd Day of March Anno Domini 1841 -
Wm Potter Clerk
Before applicant John Holmes maketh oath being duly sworn according to law in open Court that he as a private soldier in the summer of 1777 he enlisted & how long he served the Revolutionary war in consequence of loss of memory & length of time but according to the best of his recollection he served not more than the periods mentioned below For 4 Years at Fort Johnston ten years as a private soldier with Capt. ... during his whole service he was a private
John his Holmes mark
Wm Potter Clerk

ms 1/2
Mar 24. 1841
Abner Holines, Act 1832.
FREE
James L Edwards Esquire - Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Wilmington N.C. 20 th March 1841
To Jas S Edward Esq Commissaire of Pensions
3 Sir
Enclosed you have a declaration of John Holms a citizen of Brunswick County in this State. His claim you will discover is laid upon the act of 1832. I suppose there will be no doubt of his right to claim under that act and hope that his claim is sufficiently authenticated. Should it not be however you will please instruct me how to proceed to satisfy your department of his military service - Your early attention to the matter is respectfully solicited.
Very Respectfully Your Ob t Servt M c London

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that it appears from the musterrolls of the continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, that John Holmes a private Soldier in Cap t Mills's Company of the 10 th Regiment entered the service on the 18 th day of December 1781 for the term of twelve months that nothing is said on said rolls, of the time of his discharge.
Given under my hand this 24 th day of June 1840.
W. Hill

State of North Carolina } Brunswick County }
On this second day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one, John Holmes personally appeared in open court before the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions held for the County of Brunswick and State of North Carolina, now sitting, the said Holmes being a resident in said County, aged Eighty five years, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the prov. by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he enlisted army of the United States, in the year 1777 with Captain Rober & in the Regiment of Artillery under the following named Robert Ellis Captain of Artillery James Smith 1 st Lieutenant Duran 2 d Lieutenants. That at the period of his enlistment, I was resident of the County of Brunswick in the State of North Carolina that he was stationed at Fort Johnston & remained in the garrison the time of his enlistment in the summer of 1777. till Fort was taken possession of by the British in the summer of 1781 the Fort was stormed by a British brig under the command of Steel and a British Schooner of war whose commander does not recollect, that the Fort was taken by the British and by them destroyed; that he made his escape & ret d to his home about 20 miles from said Fort that he remained there till in the year 1781 as above written 18 th December he joined a company of soldiers under the command of Capt. McRae, as by reference to the certificate of W m Hill Secretary of State for the State of North Carolina hereto affixed will more fully and at large appear, which certificate he prays may be made a part of his his declaration. That he joined Capt. McRae's company in the County of Brunswick State of North Carolina with which said company he proceeded through the County of Brunswick Crossed Little River, Waccamaw & Big Pee Dee River & Black River then crossed high up on the Santee at Murrays Ferry, then passed around the head of Cooper River and then on to Ashley River and crossed at Bacon's Bridge and about a mile from the bridge at Ashley Hill he joined Genl. Green's army the officers in the army at that place were Genl. Green Commander in Chief Major Griffith McRae Coln. Dickson, Capt. McRae, Captain of his

Company Hardy Holine, 1st Lieutenant, - But 2nd Lieut. that the army remained at Ashley Hill about six months & then proceeded to Stone River where they stopped about 3 months, and again returned to Ashley Hill where they re- -mained till the declaration of peace. That during the whole of the period of his enlistment, he was a private soldier when in the Garrison at Fort Johnston in North Carolina and when in the army of Genl Green. That he is unacquainted with any resident clergyman in this County, but that he will obtain the Certificate of a clergyman in the Town of Wilmington being in the adjoining County to this the one in which he resides. That he knows
3. When 5. D the 6. 7.
a man who would be able to give any declaration, within knowledge relative to the truth of the above statements. Being a man very old and infirm that he made an effort him before the court now in Session and that his bodily infirmity at a, to prevent his personal attendance, that he will now to obtain his deposition taken before a justice of the Court Common Pleas, & Quarter Sessions, for Brunswick County & have me certified before the Clerk of said Court which said depo- together with the said certificate of the clergyman aforesaid may be made a part of this his declaration - That at the time of his enlistment he was not engaged in any other employ- pursuit & that the only period in which he was not acting as
the C Claim the tr peace ha their o soldier & and for the Pens
a private soldier was the interval from his escape from Fort Johnston & his joining Capt Mills Company being a period of 3 or 4 months, at most. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and he declares, that his name is not on Pension Roll of any State. Sworn to and subscribed the year first above written Witness
In Offic
Task Pullen Clerk
John his Hol Mark
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Held for the County of Brunswick State of North Carolina
Upon the application the above named
John Holmes the court proceeded to put the following interrogatories to him 1 Where & in what year were you born? to which he answered in Bladen County in the year 1756.
Have you any record of your age? answer no.
at uce or what in the of time life th You o that a Mtn

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
27 April 1829
John Holmes of in the County of Brunswick in the State of North Carolina has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private in captain James Mills's company, in the fifth regiment of the North Carolina line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing.
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, T. Adkins.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
28. April 1829
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to in the
It further appears that John Holmes not is now on the pension list of the any agency, and has been so since the 3. March 1826 at the rate of dollars per month.
The name of John Holmes cannot be found among those of the North Carolina line to whom certificates for the gratuity of eighty Dollars, were issued -
Wm Hagner Auditor

War Depart: Bounty land Office 30 Apr. 1829.
The records of this office do not show that John Holmes of the N o Carolina line ever received or is entitled to bounty land of the United States. Robert Taylor

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Holmes John GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 9648 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED January 21, 1792 To Alexander Power, assignee of James Bennet, Adm rs .
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.