MILITARY SERVICE: REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION APPLICATION; 1832; National Archives microfilm group no.M804; Fulford, James, No. W4352; LDS film no. 0971032; TEXT: STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CARTERET COUNTY On this 18th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the court of pleas and quarter sessions now sitting, James Fulford a resident of [ ] in the county and state aforesaid for 77 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 [ ] [ ] June 1832.
That he was born in the county of Carteret state of North Carolina in the year 1755_______but has no record.
At Beaufort, in said county, about three month before the intelligence of the declaration of independence, he enlisted under Capt Enoch Ward in the independent company which was ordered to be raised by the Governor and committee. He served about three years in the county of Carteret aforesaid and was employed in guarding the coast and keeping down the Tories. Having volunteered under the command of Lieutenant [Beuthne] & Ensign Gibble eighteen of the company including the said James Fulford left their quarters and proceeded at night about 12 Miles in three clinker [built] [pilot] boats of 20 foot keel to the Bay of Cape Look Out and captured a province privateer of 10 six pounders & 36 men which had belonged to Baker & Bel[son] of Virginia and then was called the General Green.
At this time an American privateer called the Minerva Capt Chamberlain lay in the bay but the captain had been deceived by the English mans exhibiting the old papers of which the independents were advised by a deserter. When Lt [Beuthne] boarded he ordered every boat to be turned adrift & every man to do his duty. The vessel was taken but a few minutes when Captain Chamberlain was about to open a broadside upon her, but Lt [Beathals] hailing fire prevented him & he came on board &partook of the rejoicing.
This prize and cargo was sold for 25000 dollars of which no one of the independents received a cent.
After being discharged from the independent company, he enlisted under Capt. John Tillman & served at Fort Hancock on Cape Look Out Bay twelve months. The company was raised he thinks by an order from Congress by the influence of Capt [C ouleno] the commander of a French frigate that lay in the cape bay. This frigate brought 37000 bushels of salt & carried away 1800 H Had [hogs heads] tobacco which was brought through the sound from South Key in Virginia. While stationed at Fort Hancock assisted in taking a prize taken from the Spaniards by the British. This prize was sold and paid to Capt. Tillman but the rest of the company got nothing.
During the whole service he performed the duties of a private. He was regularly discharged, but has no discharge now in his possession nor does he know where it is nor has any recollection of it.
He has resided in Carteret county aforesaid during his life except occasionally on voyages.
Capt Edward [Enoch] Ward was the only US officer who came [among] them & he was then on enlisting service or recruiting.
He has no documentary evidence but his service or a part thereof is known to Zephariah Howland & James Gabriel.
He is known to General Thomas Marshall of Carteret aforesaid who can testify to his character for veracity and good behavior.
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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. James Fulford

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