TRANSCRIPTION OF PENSION APPLICATION OF BURWELL SPENCE by Carolyn Spence, Jan. 1999 from original copies from National Archives War Department files. I have underlined any words that I was unsure of. Also spelling was corrected by me.

State of Virginia County of Grayson This 24th day of September in the year of our Lord 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of Court now sitting Burrell Spence a resident of the county of Grayson in state of Virginia at the age of 69 years near as he can recollect, 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 day 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, Alexander Gordon, Capt., and Col. Malbry and Col. Francis Lock and he served three months under some of the said officers and General Green, Col., Lee, so called, he saith it was in the year 1781 on the second day of August when the claimant entered the service and was discharged on the 27th day of October 1781. From the first tour in one engagement in South Carolina at the Eutaw Springs. He was in the militia service under above named officers, which was militia and resided in the state of North Carolina in Surry County, when he entered the service and further saith he was drafted and was in a battle at the Eutaw Springs in which he was engaged. They march through the state of North Carolina as for the name of the other officers, he knows not, for he was under Capt. Alexander Gordon, Col. Malbry, General Green, Lee, and officers in time of Battle at the Eutaw Springs when we was obliged to retreat. The said Lee commanded us to follow him which we did and he entered the service the second time on the 2nd day of May in the year of 1782 under the command of Capt. Ward and was discharged 1st day of June 1782. He resided in the state of Virginia, Montgomery County, when he entered the service. He was drafted. He was in military service and was marched through to the head of the Clinch River to Whitten's Station and was in no engagement the last time and he has documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. I hereby relinquish any claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of agency of any state.

Questioned by the court:

1. Where and what year were you born ? He answers: My parents tell me that I was born in Bedford County in state of Virginia. The year he knows not.

2. Have you any record of your age ? He saith not. 3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolution War and where do you now live ? He saith: In the state of North Carolina, Surry County when I first entered the service. Second tour I lived in the state of Virginia in Montgomery, then lived in North Carolina in Ashe County then moved to the state of Virginia in Grayson County and I now reside in the same.

4.How were you called into service ? Were you drafted or volunteer ? He answers: I was drafted both times.

5. State names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops, said Continental and Militia regiment as you can recollect and the general circumstances. He says as for the regular officers, he knows not. The officers which he named was Capt. Gordon, Col. Lock, Col. Malbry Lee, General Green, which officers first was in battle of Eutaw Springs in South Carolina, as for the regiment, I know not.

6. Did you ever receive a discharge and by whom was it given, and if so, what has become of it ? He said: I received 2 discharges. First from Capt. Alexander Gordon and Col. Francis Lock. Second from John Taylor. Discharged from Capt. Ward's camp, which discharges are produced in this court. First in the letters and begins to wit: Camp at Bell's Branch October 27th, 1781, This may certify Burrell Spence has served a three months tour of Duty in my camp under command of Col. Lock as a good and faithful soldier and are hereby discharged. Alexander Gordon, Capt. Francis Lock, Col.

Second discharge: Montgomery: I do hereby discharge Burrell Spence from Capt. Ward's camp militia he having served the tour for which he was drafted and during which time he behaved himself well. Witness my hand this First day of June 1782. Jno. Taylor

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 good behaviour. He saith : John Cock, Esquire, Irwin Montgomery, Esquire, is acquainted with him in my present neighborhood. As for services, I know of no one to prove it by.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year afore said.

his Burrell X Spence mark

We, Irwin MONTGOMERY and John COCK, Clergymen, residing in the neighborhood hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Burrell Spence which has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 69 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year afore said. Irwin Montgomery John Cock

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of this matter, and after putting the interrogatories perscribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he stated. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Irwin Montgomery and John Cock who have signed the preceeding certificate as Clergymen residing in the County of Grayson and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Martin Dickerson, Clerk of the Court of Grayson County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Burrell Spence for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at office, this 15th day of October 1832.

Martin Dickerson

End of transcription: Aftermath: War Department Brief was prepared by a Mr. Easter on 21 February 1833 listing duration of service as:

8/2/1781 to 10/27/1791 2 months and 25 days 5/2/1782 to 6/1/1782 1 month

Burrell was rejected for failure to serve 6 months.

See pension application # 2 of 1843

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