BEDFORD COUNTY, TN - MILITARY - Pension Application of Daniel Meadows ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Steve Carson ==================================================================== Pension Application of Daniel Meadows NARA, Revolutionary War Pension Application S1699 Meaders, Daniel Born in North Carolina S1699 carded 22195 5 West Tennessee Daniel Meaders Bedford County in the State of Tennessee was a private in the company commanded by Captain Sneed of the regiment commanded by Colonel Taylor in the North Carolina Militia for 6 months & 8 days for 1778 ________________________________________________________________ Subscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 23 Dollars 38 Cents per annum. To commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 ________________________________________________________________ Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of October 1833-----and sent to John Bruce, Shelbyville. ________________________________________________________________ Arrears to the 4th of February 1833------------------$58.45 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 1836- 11.69 $70.14 Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832 Recorded by William S. Allison Clerk Book E Vol. 7 Page 93 ________________________________________________________________ State of Tennessee, Bedford County--On the 15 day of August 1832 Personally appeared in the open court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Bedford county in the State aforesaid Before Samuel Phillips, John B. Armstrong and John S. Nail, esquires Justices of the peace appointed members to hold said court Daniel Meaders aged sixty nine years and nine months who being first duely (sic) sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States in August 1778 into Captain Sneed's company of horsemen Northcarolinia (sic) line in a regiment of horsemen commanded by Colnel (sic) Phillip Taylor and as he believes the Briggaid (sic) in which he served was commanded by Genereral (sic) Butler. That he served as a horseman three months the first time he went into service, that during the terms of service aforesaid he went from Granville county in the State of Northcarlinia to Soulsberry in the state last aforesaid from there he mached (marched?) to a little town called Pinetree in the state of Southcarlinia (sic) afterwards the name of said little town was changed to some other name which he does not now recollect and from thence he marched to a little town called Charlott in the state last last (sic) aforesaid at which place he remained only one day and then he marched to a little stream called Rocky River in the state of Northcarlinia there he march (sic) to the town of Hillborough in the state of Northcarlina where he was discharged. That during the term of service aforesaid he was acquainted with General Butler, Cornal (sic) Phillip G. Taylor, Major William Abner and Captain Farrow, Captain James Saxton, Captain John Guin Captain John Henderson. At the expiration of the three months aforesaid Colonel Phillip Taylor gave him a writen (sic) discharge But he has lost or mislaid said discharge and has searched for it but cannot find it and he does not know where it is at this time. That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify as to his service during the three months aforesaid. He states that afterwards some time in the year 1779 but he does not know in what month he again volunteered and went into service as a horseman in Captain John Givin's Company of horseman (sic) who went out with his company as a scouting party to persue (sic) the British tories (sic). That he served about seventeen days under Captain John Givins at the expiration of which time Said Guin left said company and went to Hillborough in the State of Northcarlinia (sic) and after Guin absented himself from said company the Leutennant (sic) of said company whose name he does not now recollect took the command of said company. That he served three months in the company last aforesaid. That during the three months last aforesaid he march (sic) through different parts of Granville Orange and Wake counties all in the state of Northcarlinia.. That during the three months last aforesaid Captain John Givin who had returned back to his company agan (sic) gave him a writen (sic) discharge but he has lost it and does not know where it is at this time That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify as to his second Term of service. That sometime in the year 1779 he volunteered as a horseman in Captain John Henderson's company. That he volunteered under said Henderson with a design to serve three months but at the expiration of eight days Captain John Henderson verbally discharged him there being no necessity for him to serve any longer at that time. That during the eight days aforesaid he was acquainted with Captain John Henderson. That during the eight days last aforesaid he march (sic) from Granville county in the state of Northcarlinia to the town of Halifax in the state last aforesaid and the town of Halifax he was discharged. That he has no documentary evidence nor he knows of no person whose evidence he can procure who can testify as to any of his services whatever. That he served in all six months and eight days. He hereby relinquish (sic) 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 or teritory (sic) in the United States. Sworn to and subscribed on this 16 day of August in the year 1832 Daniel Meaders James M. Kisick, Clerk Questions to be ast (sic) Daniel Meaders l. Where and in What year were you born Answer. I was born in Granville county in the state of Northcalinia (sic) on the 14 day of November 1762 2. have you any record of your age Answer. I have not it was put down in my father's bible and said Bible was either destroyed or worn out I know not where it is 3. Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live Answer. I was living in Granville county in state of Northcarlinia (sic) at time I went into service and resided there till about fifteen years ago I removed from there to Garrard county in the state of Tennessee remained there one year then I removed to Warren county in state aforesaid lived there several years do not recollect how long then removed to Bedford County in state of Tennessee where he has lived ever since 4. How were called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom Answer. I volunteered all three times 5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such continential and state line) Regiments as you can recollect and the general Circumstances of your service Answer. I was acquainted with General Butler. Cornel (sic) Phillip Taylor. Major William Hunt. Captain Farow Captain James Saxton Captain John Givin & Captain John Henderson & Captain Samuel Snead and the General circumstances of my service are above stated. 6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it Answer. Cornal (sic) Phillip Taylor gave me a writen (sic) discharge at the expiration of my first term of service but I do not know where it is & at the expiration of my second term of service Captain John Givin gave him a writen discharge which is lost and at the expiration of his third term of service Captain John Henderson gave him a verbal discharge. 7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution Answer. Samuel Haggard John . The Reverand William G. Wood & James Haggard Daniel Meader Sworn to in open Court 16th August 1832 J. M. Kisick, Clerk We Richard Cunningham residing in the county of Bedford in the State of Tennessee and James Haggard Junior residing in the same hereby Certify that we are well acquinted (sic) with Daniel Meaders who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty-nine years & nine months old That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we can concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Sworn to in open Court 16th August 1832 Richard Cunningham James Haggard Junior J. McKisick, Clerk And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after puting (sic) 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 Richard Cunningham & James Haggard Junior who has (sic) signed the preceeding certificate are residents in the county of Bedford and state of Tennessee and that James Haggard Junior and Richard Cunningham who has (sic) signed the same allso (sic) residents in the county of Bedford and state of Tennessee are credable (sic) persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. J.S. Neill Samuel Phillips John B. Armstrong I James McKisick clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Bedford county in the state (sic) of Tennessee do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Daniel Meaders for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the 17th day of August 1832. J. McKisick I Richard Cunningham a Clergyman resident in Bedford County in the state of Tennessee hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Daniel Meaders who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. That I believe him to be now about seventy years eight months & twenty days old . That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion. R. Cunningham Sworn and subscribed the 6 (sic) day of August 1833 J. McKisick, Clerk We, Samuel Haggert and Jessee Burchet & Willis Green all residing in Bedford county in the state of Tennessee hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Cunningham who has subscribed & sworn to the above Certificate and that on the 16 (sic) day of August 1832 the time at which said Richard Cunningham subscribed and swore to the first certificate in this case he was silent at that time having been silenced by his church but on the 3 (sic) day of this month said Richard Cunningham was again restored by his church as a preacher and that he is at this time a preacher of the gospel in very good standing. Samuel Haggard Jessee Burchet Willis Green Sworn to and subscribed This 6 (sic) day of August 1833 J. McKisick, Clerk And the said court do hereby certify that it appears to them that Richard Cunningham who has signed and swore to the preceeding certificate marked A is a clergyman in good standing and resident in Bedford county in the state of Tennessee and is a credable (sic) person and that his statement is entitled to credit. James B. Armstrong being dead William McGuire Samuel Phillips (3rd signature unreadable due to fold in page) I James McKisick Clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Bedford county (sic) in the state (sic) of Tennessee hereby certify that the proceeding (sic) certificates marked A. B. and C. contains (sic) all the additional proceedings in the case of the application of Daniel Meaders for a pension. J. McKisick, Clerk 18823 Daniel Meaders West Tennessee Bedford County from 1778 private of cavalry & infantry 6 months 8 days Private of cavalry 3 months 12.50 Private Infantry 3 months 8 days 10.88 $23.38 John Bruce Shelbyville, Tennessee Brief in the case of Daniel Meaders of Bedford County in the State of Tennessee (Act 7th June, 1832) 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? (no answer) 3. How old is he? 67 years 9 months 4. State his service as directed in the form annexed. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Period Duration Rank Names of General and of Service Field Officers under whom __________ Yrs. Mon. Days___As a______he served_________________ Volunteer- 3 Private Colonel Taylor, Captain ed in 1778 Cavalry Sneed, North Carolina August Troop Volunteer- ed in 1779 3 Private No colonel--Captain Givin Cavalry North Carolina Troop Volunteer- 8 Private Captain Henderson ed in 1779 Cavalry ________________________________________________________________ 5. In what battles was he engaged? (no answer) 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? North Carolina. Granville County 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evi dence, or by the rolls? traditionary 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Seal is wanting on one sheet I CERTIFY that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. W.L. Williams, Examining Clerk Revolutionary War 1699 INVALID File Number 1699 Daniel Meader (sic) Private N. C. Militia Act June 7, 1832 Index:--Volume A, Page 253 [Arrangement of 1870] Shelbyville, August 6th 1833 Sir I have again sent you on the papers in the case of the application of Daniel Meaders for a pension. I hope they are now correct. Sir please if said papers are correct to put him on the Pension Roll and send me his certificate. I should be glad if you would attend to the case of Joseph Jacobs whose Pension papers as well as I now recollect I sent on to you several months ago from this place but never have received any return whatever. I am my dear sir with sentiments of high essteem (sic) your friend & humble servant John Bruce The Honourable (sic) Lewis Cass Secretary of War WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, March 19th 1833 SIR: I return herewith the papers in support of the claim of the person whose name is hereto annexed. These papers are in several respects defective. This case is accompanied by a brief. The objections are contained in the negative answers, in red ink, given to the questions. Particular attention should be paid to the accompanying regulations and the the explanatory notes subjoined to the brief. The extraordinary press of business in this office, arising from the great number of claims under the act of June 7, 1882, has hitherto prevented us from attending to the applications sent by you. The investigation of the cases presented under this law has been difficult and laborious, and notwithstanding the greatest exertions have been made by this Department, an earlier attention to your business has been found impracticable. The brief has been prepared to meet all cases, and thus to save the excessive labor which would otherwise be imposed upon the office, and which would consume so much time as to render the delay two fold greater than it now is in the investigation of claims and writing letters. Each case is considered correct in all respects except in relation to those questions to which a negative answer is affixed. No other alteration or addition will be required. I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. L. Edwards Daniel Meaders John Bruce Esquire Shelbyville Tennessee BRIEF objectives to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Daniel Meaders which require further proof or explanation. I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? (no answer) II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? (no answer) III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? (no answer) IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? (no answer) V. *Has he mentioned 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? (no answer) VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? (no answer) VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? (no answer) VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? (no answer) IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? (no answer) X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinquished from any other seal? (no answer) XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Answer = No. two citizens XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? (no answer) XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? (no answer) XIV. ** If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? (no answer) XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? (no answer) XVI. ***Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Answer = No. XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? (no answer) ______________________ EXPLANATORY NOTES. *QUERE V. 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 that 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 they served two years in the miltia, &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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was (page is torn) applicant served with an embodied corp called into service by competent authority; (page is torn) in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the services was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit. **QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. 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 claimants 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 or the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. ***QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. (image of hand with a finger pointing to the right) In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.