Research by Jane Stubbs Bailey
GHERKINS, ZACHARIAH GERKINS JERKINS
Revolutionary War Pension S45843, North Carolina
From Microcopy 804, Roll 1063 "Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land-Warrant Application Files" Gephar, John - Giard, National Archives, Washington, DC.
Copied October 25, 1994 by Jane Stubbs Bailey
6832. Florida Territory Zachariah Gherkins Leon County in the Territory of Florida Was a private in the company commanded by Captain Tronter/Trowter of the Regiment commanded by Col Nicholas Long in the North Carolina [troops?] and militia for 2 years. 45843 Inscribed on the Roll of Florida at the rate of $80.00 per annum commencing 4th day March 1831
Certificate of Pension Issued 8th day of March 1833 and sent. Gen Call of
Florida
Arrears to 4th of March 1833 $160.00
Semi annual allowance ending
40.00
4th of
September
$200.00
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Henry H. Sylvester, Clerk
Book D? Vol. 10 page 201
Territory of Florida, County of Leon.
On this 17th day of January 1833 personally appeared in open court before John A. Cameron, Robert R. Read, and Thomas Randall, Judges of the Court of Appeals for said Territory now sitting, Zachariah Jerkins a resident of the county and Territory aforesaid, aged seventy-seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following officers and served as herein stated. That he first entered the service of the United States in the year 1776 or 1777. At that time he resided in the County of Halifax, North Carolina he cannot be more definite as to the time he entered the service That he entered as a volunteer in Captain Crowly's company which was under the command of Gen. Jones and served in that tour of duty for about four months (or 6) does not recollect the name of the colonel of the regiment. While in this tour of service he marched from Halifax County, N. C. up to Charlottesville and Hilsborough in said state at which last named place he was discharged. Shortly after his discharge at Hilsborough the date he doesn't recollect, he entered as a volunteer in Captain Turner's Company Colonel Long was the colonel of the Regiment. Under these officers he marched to Charlestown South Carolina in which place he remained for three or four months (is not certain as to length of time) and left there a short time previous to the British making an attack on that place. That while on that tour of duty he was in no engagement except light skirmishes with small parties of British and Tories and received his discharge shortly after leaving Charlestown. Immediately after his discharge he returned to Halifax, N. C. and a short time afterwards (the date he does not recollect) entered the service as a volunteer in the company of Captain Williams. Col. Seawell was colonel of the Regiment and John Brickell Lieutenant colonel. Under these officers he marched towards Camden, South Carolina to join General Gates who he met retreating after his defeat. Joined his army and accompanied it to Pede River and from thence to Deep River and thence to Salisbury, NC where he received his discharge. Was on this tour of duty about five months. He then returned to Halifax County, N. C. where a short time afterwards he again entered the service of a troop of cavalry under the command of Captain Robinson and Col. Read and joined General Green near Guilford Court House, N. C. and served under those officers at the Battle at that place. He then marched with the cavalry of General Green to Camden, S. C. was discharged on the Pede River. In this tour of duty was one about five months. That the next tour of duty he performed was in the North Carolina State Troops in which he volunteered in the month of October 1781 for a twelve month tour of duty in the County of Halifax, N. C. in the company of Captain Swantrouton. There was no higher officer in command during the tour of duty other than Major Long. Had had little action since to perform and was principally engaged in quelling the Tories. While on this tour of duty marched from Halifax to Salisbury, was in the neighborhood of Fayatteville and was on Pede River and Deep River. Was discharged in October or November 1782 and was never in the service afterwards. There are no witnesses now living in his power to process by whom he can prove his services. He received written discharges after most if not all of his tours of service but they together with the record of his age have been destroyed by fire. He was acquainted with the following officers in the regular service. General Green, General Gates, Col. Lee, and Col. Washington. He has no documentary evidence by which to establish his services than such as may be on file in the departments at Washington. Lastly 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. He further states that he is not acquainted with any Clergyman whose statement he can procure in compliance witht the instructions from the War Department but begs case to refer to the evidence of Edmond Blackshear and George Ogden, witnesses who proved his services on application which he made for a pension about three years since whose testamony he is informed is on file in the War Department. He further states that both of said witnesses have since departed this life. Sworn to in open court 17 January 1833 Zachariah Jerkins Jas. Linn. CR mark CC Williams Alfred A Fisher residing in the County of Leon and Territory of Florida hereby certify that they have been acquainted with Zachariah Jerkins who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration and we declare him to be about 77 years of age, that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion. Sworn to in open court C. C. Williams 17 January 1833 A. A. Fisher Jas Linn, Clerk. And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after following the interrogations 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 C. C. Williams and Alfred Fisher who have signed the foregoing Certificate reside in the county of Leon and Territory of Florida that they are credible persons and that their statements be entered to credit. Thomas Randall Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeals
Territory of Florida, Leon County
I Zachariah Gerkins do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the
United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time
by gift, sale or in any manner whatever disposed of my property or any part
thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the
provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain
persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the
Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have
not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or
debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the
schedule hereunto annexed and by me subscribed.
his
Zachariah X Gerkins
mark
Sworn to and subscribed by marking in open court
this 16th Nov. 1831
David B. Macomb, Presiding Justice of Leon County, Mid Florida
Schedule of all the property of Zachariah Gerkins made this 16th day of
November 1831 viz:
1old cloth coat & 2 roundabouts
2 old waistcoats
5 pair pantaloons (summer oznaburgs)
1 shirt
1 old Hat
1 pr socks
1 pr shoes
1 cravat
his
Zachariah X Gerkins
mark
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 16th Nov 1831 in open court
David B. Bacomb Presiding Justice of Leon Cy
Leon County Mid Florida
I do hereby certify that I have examined the articles above enumerated and do
not consider tham to be over the value of five dollars and I furthermore certify
that said Gerkins is now a pauper upon the County, and supported as such by the
County of Leon, Mid: Florida.
David B Macomb
Presiding Justice of the County Court for the County of Leon, Mid: Florida
Territory of Florida, County of Leon I Daniel McRainy, clerk of the county court for the county and Territory aforesaid do herby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the record of my office. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and afficed the seal of the court hereto this 19th day of November 1831. D. McRainey, clerk. Territory of Florida Court
At a Court held for the County of Leon Middle District of Florida on Saturday the 22nd day of March A. D. 1828
Personally appeared in open court Zachariah Gherkins who being sworn deposeth and saith that he ws a private in the Company Commanded by Capt. Swan Tronten of the Regiment commanded by Col. Nicholas Long in the State troops of North Carolina in the year 1781 that he entered for the period of twelve months and faithfully served out his time as a private aforesaid and obtained a regular discharge which discharge he has long since lost. That he was Seventy one years old the 18th day of the present month (March) and that he is unable to maintain and support himself, and has no property in the world except the cloths on his back. And further that he was a private in the troop of horse commanded by Col. Read and Col. Webb of North Carolina and that he served five months in the same at which period the battle of Guilford Court house took place. The said troop did not participate in the action of that day. And further says that he served a tour of five months as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Turner, Col. S [this line is obliterated] fall of Charleston South Carolina. And that he also served as a private a tour of three months in the company commanded by Capt. S.? Williams in the Regiment commanded by Col. Seawell of the state of North Carolina at the period of General Gates defeat by Cornwallis at the ?htaw Springs near Campden South Carolina. And the said Gherkins in corroboration of the above facts tenders to this Honorable Court and prays that the same may be made a part of the record the following affidavit of one Edward Blacksheer a private in Capt. Jones Company of the same Regiment taken before Suday C. Ferrill Esq a Justice of the peace for the County of Thomas in the State of Georgia which said affidavit is in the records and figures following, towit, State of Georgia, Thomas County. Personally appeared before me Suday C. Ferrill a justice of the Peace for the County and State aforesaid Edward Blackshear and after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he saw Zachariah Gherkins as a private soldier in the company commanded by Nicholas Long in the state of North Carolina some time during the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one for the period of one year. That the said Gherkins faithfully performed all duties imposed upon him to the best of his knowledge. December 6, 1827 Edward Blackshear S. C. Ferrill, JP In testimony that the above written Suday C. Ferrill of Thomas County was a justice of the peace authorised to administer oaths in the state of Georgia [rest of line obliterated] Subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature I have hereunto subscribed my name and quality and affised my seal at my office this 16th day of December A.D. 1827 Malia Ferguson, CSC (Seal) And for further proof in this behalf the said county courts of Leon in the Middle District of Florida does hereby certify that the party to the above affidavit Edward Blackshear is well known to this court as a man of truth and veracity and responsible for any truth advanced or sworn to by him and that the said Suday C. Ferrill before whom said affidavit was taken was at the time of taking said affidavit a Justice of the Peace for the County of Thomas and State of Georgia. And furthermore the Court doth hereby certify its satisfaction of the above proof and also in relation to the poverty and inability on the part of said Gherkins to support and maintain himself. Whereupon it is ordered by the said court that the same be made a record of the court.
I Cary Nicholas, Clerk of the County Court of Leon County, Territory of
Florida do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Record made in
the case of Zachariah Gherkins a Revolutionary soldier. In Testimony whereof I
have hereunto subscribed my name and affised my private seal (there being no
seal of office) this 19th day of August A D 1828.
C. Nicholas, clerk
I David B Macomb, Judge of the County Court of Leon Territory of Florida do hereby certify that Cary Nicholas whose name appears to the above certificate is and was at the time of signing the same Clerk of the County Court aforesaid, and that due faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such Given under my hand and Seal this 19th day of August A. D. 1828
David Macomb
Judge of Leon County
Middle Florida
Territory of Florida Leon County
For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act of Congress of March
18th 1818, Entitled "an act to provide for certain persons, engaged in the
land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" and
other acts supplemental thereto, Zacheriah Gerkins, formerly of the state of
North Carolina, and at present a citizen of the Territory and County aforesaid,
first being duly sworn, saith that he was a soldier of the Revolution, and that
he served the following tours of duty against the British the then common Enemy
of the United States - viz - That he entered Captain Crowels Company under
General Allen Jones, in the North Carolina line, as a volunteer, and as well as
deponent can now recollect (being old and infirm and his memory bad) some time
during the third year of the war, and served for the space of three months. That
this deponent cannot recollect the time of entering or leaving this term of
service more nearly than as above stated. That the manner of Entering was [line
obliterated] was by the ordinary discharge. That he entered Captain Turner's
Company in Col. Lowery's Regiment (as deponent thinks) in the North Carolina
line, as a volunteer, and served for the period of six months. That this
Regiment was raised in North Carolina and marched immediately to Charleston in
South Carolina and placed under the command of Genl Hogan. That deponent entered
on this term of service as aforesaid, and left by the ordinary discharge. That
the particular service of the deponent, during most of the above named period,
was that of driving a waggon and acting as waggoner for the army under Daniel
Edwards, waggonmaster, who was under the command or direction of Col Long,
Superintendant of the waggons, belonging to the North Carolina Line. That the
period deponent volunteered for the above named tour of service, was some time
late in the fall of 1779 and the time of his discharge, late in the spring or
the beginning of the summer of 1780. That in the summer of 1780 this deponent
entered Captain William's company in Col. Lowel's Regiment in the North Carolina
Line under General Gates as a volunteer and served for five months and left the
army by the ordinary discharge sometime in the fall of that or the early part of
the winter of the following year.
That within a very short period (this deponent cannot exactly recollect how
long) after the expiration of the last mentioned term of service, this deponent
entered Captain Robinson's company in Col. Read's Regiment in the North Carolina
Line, under Genl Green as a volunteer and served in the cavalry (finding his own
horse and accoutrements) for better than five months, when he was discharged by
the ordinary discharge. That the Regiment to which he belonged immediately after
it was formed in North Carolina marched to Guilford Court House in that State
and was put under the command of Genl Green. That he was in the battle of
Guilford Court House and in the skirmish at Camden South Carolina between the
troops under Genl Green, and those under the British Commander Lord Rowdon.
That this deponent is without any Education (being unable either to read or to
write) and consequently has no memoranda or written memorials of any sort of his
services in the armies of the Revolution.
That this deponent is now nearly 77 years of age, that it is now allmost
fifty years since he left North Carolina, his native state, and consequently has
not had the advantage of intercourse with his fellow soldiers who were mostly
North Carolinians, to revive and impress the events of that war upon his memory.
That he may therefore have erred in some unimportant particular [obliterated] he
is confident his statements are strictly correct. That the written discharges
from the proper officers at the close of the above named terms of service which
had been preserved by this deponent were destroyed by the burning of the house
of his son, with whom he resides, about two years ago. That in addition to the
above named terms of service, this deponent served for twelve as set forth in
the petition of this deponent which was during the last winter, forwarded to the
War Department, where he is informed and believes it is now on file.
his
Zachariah Gerkins
mark
Sworn to subscribed by marking
16 November 1831
David Macomb
Presiding Justice of Leon C, Mid Florida
Rejected Dec 7, 1831 but arrears of pay in 1833.
County of Leon, Mid: Florida. ?????? to the Act of 18th March 1818 to provide
for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the U. S in the
Revolutionary War I do herby certify that the testimony of the services of
Zachariah Gerkins against the common enemy in the Revolutionary War for the
period of nine months or more on the Continental Establishment as above recited
in the above deposition and aplication taken in open Court and that the evidence
therein contained and placed on the record of this Court is full complete and
satisfactory.
David Macomb
Presiding Justice of Leon County
Mid: Florida
I James S. Linn, Clerk of the Court of Appeals for the Territory of Florida
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said
court in the matter of the application of Zachariah Jerkins. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17th day of January
AD 1833.
Jas. S. Linn, clerk.
I hereby certify that I have known Zachariah Girkins for four or five years and that it is the general belief of his neighborhood so far as I am advised that he was a soldier of the Revolution. I have no doubt myself that he was and that he is entitled to a pension. The evidence of Edward Blackshear a soldier of the Revolution, I have been informed, was taken in behalf of Jerkins some years since and I think will be found either in this or in some other office of the War Department.
R. K. Call
Headquarters of the Army Washington 11 Sept 1828
Sir:
I to transmit the enclosed paper which was addressed under cover to me Judge Macomb of Florida. It is the declaration of Zachariah Gherkins a revolutionary soldier who wishes to recover the beneifits of the act allowing pensions to the revolutionary army.
I am sir, most respectuflly
A. Macomb
To the Honorable
The Secretary of War
I found no Gurkins/Jerkins in Florida Census Indexes in 1830 and 1840. The 1850 Census Index shows John and Reason Gerkin in Marion County, Florida.
In July 1995 Henry J. [Jack] Small, Jr., who is now living in Tallahassee, Florida, checked on the Gerkins name in Leon County. Following is a quotation from his letter:
"I found a Zachariah Jerkins buying and selling land in Leon Co. during the 1850's. The first transaction happened in 1853 when he bought some land from a Francis E. Garn. Zachariah's wife is mentioned. Her name is Eliza J. I guess by 31 Oct 1855, Zach had died as the judge declared a decree that his property be sold to the highest bidder on the courtyard steps. Zach's administrator was Alvah Hopkins. 3 Dec 1855 the complaintant was Edward A. Willey et al. From 1855-59, three transactions took place."
Year
Grantor
Grantee
1855 Zachariah
Jerkins Admr Junius L. Taylor
1859 Zachariah
Jerkins Admr James E. Grenshaw
1859 Eliza J.
Jerkins JW Sanders
It appears that Zachariah Jerkins/Gerkins/Gherkins, Revolutionary War Pensioner, may have had a descendant in Leon County, Florida, who spelled his name Jerkins.
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