|
On this 6th Day
of April A.D. 1833, personally [appeared] before us; William Johnson,
Christopher E. McCurey and Gilbert Marshall[?], Justices of the Court of
Pleas and quarter sessions held for the County of Williamson, John Freeman,
a resident of said County and State aged 70 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 provisions of an Act of Congress passed the 7th
day of June A.D. 1832. That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
I was born in the state of North Carolina in Onslow or Hanover County, I do
not recollect which, in the year 1763 where I lived but a short time, my
father moving with his family soon after my birth to Craven County in the
same state where I lived until I was 11 or 12 years old when I moved to
Jones County in the same state where I lived when I was first drafted the
first day of March in the year 1780, and rendezvoused at a small town named
Kingston on the tenth day of March 1780. My Capt. was William Blank, my
Majors were Bonner and Brickell. I was marched under Gen. Caswell with other
troops from Kingston, Lenore County (N.C.) to the State of South Carolina
crossing Peedee, and Congaree at Friday’s Ferry. We set out for the aid of
Charleston. Then we marched towards Charleston and got in about 35 miles of
that place when we heard of the surrender of Charleston to the British. We
then went down the Congaree and crossed Santee River and encamped at the
high hills of Santee for a short time. We then marched on by Camden and then
to Cross Creek on Cape Fear River now Fayetteville. There we remained until
we were discharged which was three months from the time we crossed the South
Carolina line. We were discharged in 3 months time from the time we crossed
the (S.C.) line making at least three months and a half service but my
discharge was but for 3 months signed by Capt. Blank.
I returned home and in the spring of 1781 I entered as a substitute in the
place of James Tippet into Capt. James Green’s company and served a three
month tour. This company was attached to a Regiment commanded by Col. Avery
who was under General Linnonton[?]. The purpose of this expedition was
against the British at Wilmington. We marched to Bluford Bridge where we
encamped and lay some time in consequence of the weakness of our force it
not being sufficient to attack the enemy. I think we remained stationed here
till my tour of three months aforesaid was out. Joseph Roads who had taken
the company under his command in the place of Capt. Green signed my
discharge which together with my former is now lost.
I next, while living at the same place, volunteered under Capt. William
George who commanded a company against the Tories. I served one month and a
half under Capt. George when he gave up his place to Daniel Simmons who
commanded in his place. I served one month and a half under this latter
Capt. And he signed my discharge for three months. This tour took place
about the time Cornwallis was going from Wilmington to Newbern, a short time
before his surrender. We had several slight skirmishes with the Tories. I
claim a pension for nine months and a half service. All my discharges are
lost. I state Esqr. Anthony Jordan, Col. Newton Cannon, […?] Perkins, Edmond
Lawrence, Bartel Jengin, James Goat, Esqr., my neighbors to whom I refer as
to my […?] character and reputation and their belief of my service in the
Revolution. There were no other officers except those named but Col. Kinion
who was with the troops where I served. Col. Kinion was with the troops in
my first tour.
I was 17 years old the 5th of January1779 and was drafted in March
following. I had been bound out to an old man by the name of Thomas Doolan
who kept me from being drafted when I was 16 years old. I have no
documentary evidence of my service. I know of no person who can prove my
service as stated. I have a record of my age in my son’s family bible taken
from my father’s . I lived in Jones County till after the Revolution when I
moved to Warren County, Georgia, from which I moved to Tennessee 23 years
ago and settled in Williamson County where I have been being ever since and
now live.
I hereby relinquish every claim to a pension or annuity whatever except the
present and declare my name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any
State.
[signed] John Freeman X his mark
Subscribed to & sworn in open court 5th April 1833
[signed] Thos. Hardeman, Clk.
We, Thomas L. Douglas, a clergyman resident in the County and State
aforesaid and Nicholas Scales, also a resident of the same County and State
do hereby and also certify that we are well acquainted with John Freeman who
has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be
in his 70th year of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood
where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution and that we concur
in that opinion.
[signed] Tho. L. Douglass, Nichs. Scales
Subscribed to & sworn in open court 6th April 1833
[signed] Thos. Hardeman, Clk.
And the court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the
matter and after their putting of the interrogatories prescribed by the War
Department, that the above named applicant was Revolutionary soldier and
served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them
that Thomas Douglas who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman
resident in the said County and State. Nicholas Searles who has signed the
same also a resident of the same County, that they are credible persons and
that their statement is entitled a credit.
[signed] C. E. McEwan[?]; [signature illegible]
I, Thomas Hardeman, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions held
for the Williamson County aforesaid, the State aforesaid do hereby certify
that the forgoing contains the original proceeding in the matter of the
application of John Freeman for a pension in testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of office
24th day of April A.D. 1833
[signed] Thos. Hardemon, clk
|
