|
Circuit Court
August Term 1832
The declaration of Joshua Pearre in order to obtain the benefit of the Act
of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.
On this 3rd day of September personally appeared in open court before the
Judge of Court now sitting, Joshua Pearre, a resident of Williamson County,
and state of Tennessee. In the 75th year 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 aforesaid Act.
That he entered the service of the United States in the month of June 1776,
the year independence was declared and under the following named officers to
wit: Brigadier General Brian Beall and in the regiment commanded by Colonel
Charles Griffith and in the company commanded by Captain Phillip Marony, and
Elisha Beall, Lieutenant, the company officers I don’t recollect but I do
still recollect the names of upward of 20 men that composed part of Captain
Marony’s company which are as follows: Lieutenant Will Marony, brother to
Captain Phil Marony, Basil Harding, John Marshall, William Jacobs, William
Sprigg, Sam T. Sprigg, William Hilton, Thomas Kirk, William Barnett, Luke
Barrett, William Elish, Edward Salmon, John McCrary, Joseph Tew, Roger Caho,
Abraham Fardo, Jacob Reads, Elisha Roads, Robert Life, Charles Griffith,
William Beattys, Henry Beattys and Gary Harding and I entered the service
above stated as a volunteer for six months in what was called the Flying
Camp. In the month of September 1777 I was drafted into the service of the
United States as a drafted militiaman in the company commanded by Captain
William Bailey, Colonel Eneas Campbell being one of the Colonels – the name
of the other I have forgot and when called into the service as above
mentioned I resided in Montgomery County and in the State of Maryland and
with regard to the country through which I passed while in the service; in
my first tour it is as follows to wit: We joined General Washington’s army
in the city of New York, I think some time in the month of September 1776
and when we left the city of New York we were marched up to King’s Bridge
near Fort Washington where we remained for several weeks. From thence we
were marched to a place called Tuckahoe Heights where we were nearly
surrounded by the enemy and had to decoy them and make our escape under
cover of the night to white Plains in the state of New York and on the 30th
of October 1776 I fought the battle of white Plains in the state of New York
and I was present on the ground the day of the battle and the regiment I was
in, which was Colonel Charles Griffith’s, received orders to march and
reinforce the troops engaged, accordingly we took up the line of march but
had not marched more than ¼ of a mile before the British, it seemed, had
taken one of our rideouts and turned three of our own pieces of cannon on us
and one ball struck the ground within a few paces of where I was, which
threw us in some confusion but by dodging or falling when we heard it coming
it passed over or through our ranks without doing any injury to anyone
except the fright it put on some, for one man by the name of William Scaggs
broke his rank and ran quite into camp before stopped, of which he never
heard the last of during the remainder of the campaign and in a few days
after the battle we were marched up to Croton Bridge and Pekskills[?] and
thence we were marched to Fort Lee opposite Fort Washington on Jersey Shore
where we were when the Fort was taken and five of the men of Captain
Marony’s company who were sent over to reinforce the Fort, were taken
prisoner, four whose names I will recollect wherein are as follows to wit:
John Marshall, William Jacobs, Robert Life and William Sprigg, the name of
the other man I have forgotten and from Fort Lee we were marched back
through New Jersey and into the city of Philadelphia where our time expired
and where I was discharged from my faithful service of six months as stated
above. When in the service in the year 1777 we lay the whole time with
General Washington’s army in the state of Pennsylvania above Germantown at a
place called Chestnut Ridge, for which time of service of two months I was a
drafted militiaman. I don’t recollect receiving a discharge whatever and the
said Joshua Pearre said that in his first tour of six months he served as a
Corporal and in his second of two months as a Sergeant and also that he has
no documentary evidence and that he knows of no persons whose testimony he
can procure who can testify to his service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except
the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the
agency of any state whatever.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[signed] Preston Hay, clk &c; Joshua Pearre
Here follows the interrogatories put by the court in the case of the
application of Joshua Pearre for a Pension.
1st - where and in what year were you Born
Ans - I was born in the state of Maryland, the 22nd day of December 1757.
2ly - Have you any record of your age
Ans - None But I will recollect seeing my age recorded in my father’s book
wherein he recorded all his children’s ages, which record was in these
words: Joshua Pearre, son of Alexander and Sarah Pearre was born on the 22nd
day of December 1757, which I never shall forget, this book is now in
Maryland.
3ly - where were you living when called into Service where have you lived
Since the revolutionary war and where do you now live
Ans - I lived in Montgomery County, state of Maryland when called into
service and continued to live there until the year 1811 and on the 10th day
of November 1811 I started with my family for the state of Tennessee and on
the first day of January 1812 I settled with my family in Williamson County,
Tennessee on Big Harpeth about six miles below the town of Franklin where I
remained for about 10 years. Then I moved over Big Harpeth in the fork
between Little and Big Harpeth and about 1 ½ miles above the mouth of Little
Harpeth where I now live in Williamson County, Tennessee.
4ly - How were you Called into Service where you drafted did you volunteer
or were you a Substitute and if a Substitute for whom
Ans - In my first tour of six months I volunteered and in my second tour of
two months I was called into service as a drafted militiaman.
5ly - State the names of some of the regular officers with the Troops where
you Served and Such Continental militia and reighments[?] as you can
recollect and the general of your Service
Ans - My first tour I recollect that General George Washington and General
Anthony Cane and General Putman and I think, General Sullivan and General
Smallwood and General Beall who commanded the corps I was in and was with
the troops where I served but I don’t recollect any of the regimental nor
Continentals nor militia except Colonel Griffith’s regiment that I was in on
my first tour and that Colonel Eneas Campbell was one of the Colonels but
whether first or second tour I have forgot the other colonels.
6ly - Did you Ever receive a discharge from the Service and if So, by whom
was it given and what has become of it
Ans - I received a discharge from my first tour of six months which
discharge I was given by Elisha Beall in the city of Philadelphia the first
or second day of December 1776. Captain Marony being absent at the time of
my discharge and for my second tour of two months I don’t recollect of
receiving any discharge.
7ly - 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 there
belief in your Services as a Soldier of the Revolution
Ans - I am known to Ephraim Brown, Robert Hulme, Moyer E. Carter, and James
Henderson. I am also known to Felix Grundy, Senator in the Legislature of
the State of Tennessee. Like wise I am known to Mr. John Bell, member in the
Lower House of Congress from the State of Tennessee and a number of others.
We, Robert Davis, a clergyman and Robert Hulme residing in Williamson County
and State of Tennessee hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Joshua Pearre who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we
believe him to be in the 75th year of his 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 )) [signed] Robert Davis
[signed] Preston Hay, clk &c )) [signed] Robt Hulme
And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion after the investigation
of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War
Department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution
and served as stated and the Court further certified that it appears to him
that Robert Davis who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman and
resident in Williamson County, Tennessee and that Robert Hulme who also
signed the same is also a resident in the same county and state aforesaid is
a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[signed] Thos Stuart, Judge &c
I, Preston Hay clerk of the Circuit Court of law and equity for the County
of Williamson, in the State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of
the application of Joshua Pearre for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and private seal (there
being no seal of office yet provided) at office in Franklin, this 25th day
of September, in the year 1832.
[signed] Preston Hay {seal}
Washington City – Nov 30 – 1832 – Preston Hay is clerk of the chancery court
at Franklin where I reside. I know him; and believe the above signature to
be in his hand exactly.
[signed] Ina[Ian?] A Eaton
State of Tennessee, Williamson County, Ss
To any authorized minister of the Gospel having to cure souls, or to any
Justice of the Peace for said County.
Those present are to authorize you, or either of you to solemnize the rites
of matrimony between Joshua Pearre Senior and Milly Ann Arnold provided
always that the said Milly Ann Arnold be an actual resident in the aforesaid
County of Williamson and do you indeed know the day on which you shall
solemnize the rites of matrimony between the parties mentioned license and
sight your names and titles and return these papers to the Office of the
Clerk of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of
Williamson aforesaid, written, I’ve witnessed after such solemnization rites
given at the Clerk’s office in Franklin, the 30th day of October AD 1828 and
of [illegible] of the United States the fifty third.
[signed] Tho Hardimon, clerk
of Williamson County Court
I do certify that on the 30th of October 1828 I solemnized the rites of
matrimony between Joshua Pearre and Milly Ann Arnold.
[signed] R Davis M.G.
I, Samuel B McCorrico[?] clerk of the county court of Williamson County in
the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy
of the license authorizing the marriage of Joshua Pearre Esquire[?] and
Milly Ann Arnold and of the rituals[?] made thereon by Robert Davis a
Minister of the Gospel who solemnized the rites of matrimony between[?] said
parties, as the same appears on file in my office.
In testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed my name and officed[?] the
seal of said court at office this 6th day of December 1853.
[signed] S B McCorrico[?]
State of Tennessee ))
Williamson County ))
On this 5th day of December 1853 personally appeared in open court before
the County Court of said county which is a court of record, Charles R.
Pearre, a resident of said county, aged 24 years, a credible person and made
the following declaration in due force of law to obtain the benefit of the
provision of the Act of Congress of 3 February 1853, Section 2.
That he is the son and only child of Milly Ann Arnold Pearre deceased, who
was the widow of Joshua Pearre deceased, late of Williamson County,
Tennessee, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under Act
of 7th June 1832, at the rate of $42.00 per annum in the Roll of the
Nashville Tennessee agency, that he died in said county on the 9th day of
October 1847, and left a widow, the aforesaid Milly Ann Pearre to whom he
was lawfully married in Williamson County, Tennessee on the 30th day of
October 1828, that she continued his widow till the day of her death, which
occurred in said county on the 4th day of November 1853, that before her
death, to wit, in January 1852; she drew at the Treasury Department the
amount of pension due the said Joshua Pearre when he died, said declarant
refers to the papers now on file in said Department in that case, that she
left only one child and no others who is himself, that his father, the said
Joshua Pearre was married twice and by his former wife had one child to wit,
Elizabeth Bateman, who still survives and lives in Hickman County, Tennessee
and that he and the said Elizabeth Bateman, are the only surviving children
of the said Joshua Pearre. Declarant requests that, if he is entitled to the
whole amount due his deceased mother, the pension be made payable to himself
and that if he and his half sister above named are equally entitled, that
the pension be made payable to George W. Armstrong, who is the Administrator
of the said Milly Ann Pearre, deceased, duly qualified as such according to
law, in order that the amount due may be equally distributed between them,
that he has surrendered over other documentary evidence in support of the
claim.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day ))
and year above written and I hereby certify )) [signed] Charles R Pearre
{seal}
that I am not interested nor concerned in the )) Attest:[signed] G. W.
Armstrong
prosecution of the case or in its result )) Attest:[signed] William Spencer
Attest:[signed] Samuel B McCorrico[?], clerk ))
of said Court ))
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited in open
court before the County Court of Williamson County, Tennessee to prove and
did prove to the satisfaction of said Court by the oath of George W.
Armstrong and William Spencer hereafter written, who I certify are residents
of Williamson County, Tennessee and are credible witnesses, that Joshua
Pearre was a Revolutionary Pensioner at Nashville, Tennessee, that he died
some years ago in Williamson County, Tennessee and left a widow named Milly
Ann Pearre who married him and continued his widow till the 4th day of
November 1853, when she died, leaving only one child, Charles R. Pearre,
surviving her, who is the only child of the said Joshua Pearre. I further
certify that it appears of record in my office that George W. Armstrong is
the Administrator of the said Milly A. Pearre duly qualified as such
according to law. In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed my seal of office in open court this 5th day of December 1853.
{seal} [signed] Samuel B. McCorrico[?], Clerk
March 4, 1910
Honorable T. F. Simms
House of Representatives
My Dear Mr. Simms:
In reply to your letter dated the first and received on the third instant
and the enclosed letter from Mr. T.P. Bateman of Nashville, Tennessee, I
have the honor to advise you that in the claim Wid.File No. 5,518,
Revolutionary War. It appears that Joshua Pearre who was the first son of
Alexander and Sarah Pearre was born in Maryland December 23, 1757, and while
a resident of Montgomery County, Maryland, volunteered June 1776 and served
as a Corporal in Captain Philip Maroney’s company, Colonel Charles
Griffith’s regiment in the Flying Camp, he was in the battle of White Plains
and was discharged December 1776 in Philadelphia.
In September 1777 he was drafted in the militia and served two months as a
Sergeant in Captain William Bailey’s company, Colonel Eneas Campbell’s
regiment. He was allowed pension on an application executed September 3,
1832, while a resident of Williamson County, Tennessee to which place he had
moved January 11, 1812. He died in Williamson County, Tennessee, October 9,
1847.
The soldier married twice, the name of his first wife is not stated, there
was one child by this marriage, Elizabeth Bateman, who was living in Hickman
County, Tennessee in 1853.
He married in said county and state October 30, 1826, Milly Ann Arnold, who
died in Williamson County, Tennessee November 4, 1853, leaving one child,
Charles R. Pearre. He was allowed the pension due his mother on his
application executed December 5, 1853 while a resident of Williamson County,
Tennessee, aged 24 years.
Very Respectfully Yours,
Commissioner
|
