The Virginia magazine of history and biography (Volume 21) online

Water, under the command of Col. Willis, was at the battle of
James Town under the command of Gen'l Wayne in July 1781,
that he continued with the army and marched to Yorktown
where he continued in his command as an Ensign until the sur-
render of Lord Cornwallis, shortly after which the troops were
discharged and he returned to his residence in Augusta County
having been absent in the service about five months — tliat his



12 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

commission of Ensign was signed by Thomas Jefferson while
Governor of Virginia, that he remembers when looking over
his papers some few years since to have seen it, but that on
looking for it lately he has not been able to find it and supposes
that it has been destroyed lost or mislaid.

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 State.

William Davis one of the justices of the peace for Augusta
County deposed in open Court that he had known Joseph Bell
from about the period of the Revolutionary War to the present
time, having resided in the same neighborhood during that
time, the fact of his having served several tours of duty as one
of the militia of Augusta County was one of general notoriety,
that he has often heard it spoken of by men in the neighbor-
hood who was in the service with the said Bell, he remembers
particularly to have heard his brother James Davis (now de-
ceased) speak of having served three several tours of duty with
the said Bell and being one of his mess, that he knows the fact
that his brother James was absent from home in the service —
the said Davis father stated that he had always understood and
had no doubt but that the said Bell did hold a commission of
Ensign in the war of the Revolution and served in that capacity
as stated by him, that he was at the house of the said Bell some
few years since and the said Bell showed him his commission of
Ensign which was signed by Thomas Jefferson as Governor of
Virginia. That he believes the said Bell to be about yj years
of age. That the said Bell is a man in whose statements every
reliance may be placed.

Maj. William Willson of said County of Augusta also ap-
peared in open Court and deposed that he was well acquainted
with the said Joseph Bell in the war of the Revolution, that he
knows the fact that the said Joseph Bell did serve the tour of
duty under Capt. John Lyle as set forth in the said Bell's declara-
tion this day presented to the court and read in his presence, that
he said William was on the said tour of duty with the said Bell
which commenced in July 1776 and terminated in December



REVOLUTIONARY PBN6ION DECLARATIONS. 13

1776, that he heard of the said Bell's being out on other tours
of duty during the war of the Revolution and entertains no
doubt but that he was, that the said Bell is reputed and believed
in his neighborhood to have been a soldier and officer, that the
said Bell has always been regarded as a man of strict veracity
and from his knowledge of him and the character he has always
sustained he would rely upon any statement made by him, that
he believes the said Bell to be about yj years of age.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the
investigation, of the matter and after putting the interrogatories
prescribed by the War Department that the above named appli-
cant was a Revolutionary Soldier and officer and served as he
states, and the Court further certifies that they are personally
acquainted with the said Joseph Bell the applicant and William
Davis and William Willson whose testimony is above set forth ;
that they are all residents of the County of Augusta and State
of Virginia and highly respectable and credible and that their
statements are entitled to full credit.



Smith Thompson.



State of Virginia,

Augusta County towit :
On the 24th day of July 1820 personally appeared' in open
Court being a Court of record for said County Smith Thompson
aged about seventy-three years resident in the said County,
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath
declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows : that
he enlisted in Staunton in Virginia on the loth day of July
1777 with Lieut. Robert Kirk of the Company of Captain Gran-
ville Smith; that he was then marched to White Marsh and
attached to the i6th regiment commanded by Colonel William
Grayson ; that he was in the battles of Monmouth Court House,
Stoney Point, Paulus Hook, and at the siege of Charleston
where he was captured, and that he was afterwards at the
battle of Guilford Court House, and the capture of Comwallis,
and that he was discharged in the month of June 1780. He is



14 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

now unable from age and infirmity to follow his occupation
which is that of a weaver. He has already made a declaration
under the act of Congress passed on the i8th day of March
1818 which is dated the i6th of July 1819, his pension certificate

is dated day of October, 1819. He further swears that

he was a resident citizen of the United States on the i8th day
of March 181 8 and that he has not since that time by gift sale
or in any other manner disposed of his property or any part
thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring himself
within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled an act to
provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval ser-
vice of the United States in the revolutionary war passed on
the 1 8th day of March 1818; and that he has not nor has any
person in trust for him any property or securities contracts or
debts due to him nor has he any income other than what is
contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by him sub-
scribed. He further swears that the only members of his fam-
ily are his wife aged about forty-five years who is sickly and
infirm and unable to contribute materially towards the support
even of herself ; and a small servant girl about eight years old
belonging to John C. Sowers of said County.

Schedule.

One house and lot in the town of Staunton in which I reside
and of which about three hundred and fifteen dollars of the
purchase money remains unpaid, no part of which I am able
to pay.

Two walnut tables.

6 Windsor chairs.

6 leather bottom chairs (old).

2 Split bottom do.

I Loom and harness.

I Quill wheel and swifts.

I Clock.

I Cow and two calves.

I Old desk.

I Bible and some religious books.

Debts due me about ten dollars against which is to be set oflF



RBVOLUTIONART PENSION DECLARATIONS. 16

debts due by me besides the purchase money of the said house
and lot upwards of $100.00.

(Signed) Smith 1 hompson.

Sworn to and declared on the 24th day of July 1820 before
the said Court of Augusta County.

I, Erasmus Stribling, clerk of Augusta County Court do
hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto
annexed are truly copied from the records of said court and
I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that
the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the afore-
said schedule is seven hundred and seventy dollars. In this
estimate the house and lot are valued as encumbered with the
purchase money.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and af-
fixed the seal of the said Court on the day of July in

the year of our Lord 1820.



James Burnley.

State of Virginia,

Augusta County towit:
On this 29th day of August 1820 personally appeared in
open Court being a Court of record for said County, James
Burnley, aged about seventy years, resident in the said county,
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath
declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows : that
he enlisted with Captain Moses Hawkins in Fluvanna Va., that
he marched under the said Captain to Middlebrook in New
Jersey, from thence to the White Plains and was engaged in
the battle of Brandywine in the fourteenth Virginia regiment
commanded by Colonel Lewis, and was afterwards engaged
at the siege of Mud Island, from whence he went to Valley
Forge where the army wintered, he afterwards fought in the
battle of Monmouth & was discharged by the Dr. General as
being incapable of service. He is now so infirm from age that
he is able to do but very little work, he has already made a



10 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL IIAGAZIKB.

declaration under the act of Congress passed on the i8th of
March 1818, the date of which declaration he does not recollect
his pension certificate is dated the seventh day of January 1819.
He further swears that he was a citizen of the United States
on the 1 8th day of March 1818 & that he has not since that time
by gift sale or in any other manner disposed of his property
or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it as to
bring himself within the provisions of an act" of Congress en-
titled 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 i8th day of March 1818 & that he has not nor
has any person in trust for him any property or securities con-
tracts or debts due to him nor has he any income other than
what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed & by him
subscribed. He further deposeth that the only members of his
family are himseilf and his wife who is about 50 years old, in
bad health and not able to do any work. He rents a small
house with a little lot containing less than a quarter of an acre.
His circumstances are so destitute as to require the assistance
of his Country for a support.

Schedule of the estate of the said James Burnley necessary
doathing and bedding excepted.

2 beds and furniture.

I set knives and forks.

I do spoons.

4 chairs.

I spade.

I mattock.

Shovel and tongs.

I pot rack.

3 pots.
I oven.

I frying pan.
I flesh fork.
$56.00.



REVOLUTIONARY PENSION DECLARATIONS. 17

Rent due against the same property $60.00 (7vhich cUl the
property is not worth the amount against the same).

W. B. COALTER.

August 24, 1820.

his
James X Burnley.
mark



William Francis.



Augusta County to wit :

On this 23 day of October 1820 personally appeared in open
Court being a Court of record for said County, William Fran-
cis, aged about eighty years, who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on his oath make the following declara-
tion in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Con-
gress of the i8th of March 1818 and the first of May 1820,
That he the said William Francis enlisted for the term of three

years on the day of in the year 1776 in the

State of Virginia in the Company commanded by Capt'n
Thomas Bell in the regiment commanded by Col. Grayson in
the line of the State of Virginia on Continental establishment,
that he was in the battles of Brandywine, Germanown, Prince-
on, Trenton, and that he continued to serve in the said corps

until the day of ^779 when he was discharged

from the said service at the Valley Forge in the State of Penn-
sylvania, and that he has no other evidence now in his power
except his own oath. And in pursuance of the Act of the first
of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen
of the United States, on the i8th day of March 181 8, and that
I have not since that time by gift sale or in any other manner
disposed of my property or any part thereof, with intent there-
by so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of
an Act of Congress entitled "an Act to provide for certain per-
sons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States
in the Revolutionary War" passed on the i8th day of March
one thousand eight hundred and eighteen ; and that I have not,
nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities,



18 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE-

contracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income other
than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by
me subscribed ; that I am by occupation a farmer, but rendered
unable by age and infirmity to follow it; and that my wife
whose age I does not know is unable to contribute towards my
support, and my children who were able to work have left me.
Schedule of the property of William Francis.

1 oven, I pot, and skillet, $2.00

2 knives and forks, 2 tea cups and soucers, .25
2 chairs, .25



$2.50
his
William X Francis.
mark



Alexander Nelson.
Virginia, Augusta County, towit:

On this 23d day of August 1825 personally appeared in open
Court being a Court of record for the County aforesaid in the
said State of Virginia (having its proceedings according to
the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in
point of amount, keeping a record of their proceedings and
having the power of Fine and Imprisonment) Alexander Nel-
son, resident in said County, aged seventy-eight years, who
being first duly sworn according to Law doth, on his oath, make
the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made
by the Acts of Congress of the i8th March 1818 and the ist
May 1820 : That he, the said Alexander Nelson, enlisted for the
term of eighteen months, in the Fall of the year 1780 (the
month & day not recollected) in the Town of Staunton in the
State of Virginia, in the Company commanded by Cap. Laps-
ley, in the regiment commanded by Col. (the Colonel's

name not remembered) in the line of the State of Virginia on
Continental establishment : That he was marched to Hillsboro,
in North Carolina, where he was placed in Cap. Wallace's Com-
pany, in the regiment commanded by Col. Hawes : He was in
the battles of Guilford Court House, Camden, and Eutaw



REVOLUTIONARY PENSION DECLARATIONS. 19

Springs, & at the siege of Ninety Six : He afterwards lay sick,
for some time, in the Hospital at Camden, & was subsequently
marched with his Company (which was commanded by Cap.
Stribling after the battle of Guilford, where Captain Wallace
was killed) to Salisbury in North Carolina, where, having
served out his full term, he was honorably discharged, which
discharge he has accidentally lost : That he hereby relinquishes
every claim whatever to a pension, except the present : That his
name is not on the roll of any State, except Virginia ; and that
the following are the reasons for not making earlier application
of a pension : his unwillingness to subsist on charity or become
a burthen to the public, so long as he was able by any and every
exertion to procure a scanty subsistence for himself, but his ad-
vanced age and increasing infirmities have disabled him from
further pursuit of means necessary for a support.

And, in pursuance of the Act ist May 1820, I do solemnly
swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the
i8th day of March 1818; & that I have not since that time, by
gift sale or in any other manner, 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, en-
titled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the
land and naval service of the United States in the Revolution-
ary War" passed on the i8th 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 hereto annexed
and by me subscribed. That since the i8th of March 1818, the
following change has been made in my property: One horse
sold to James Buchanan for the sum of Twenty five Dollars,
for which I hold his note, &: which is entered in my schedule,
the recovery of which is, however, very doubtful.

Due to me from James Astor, $100.00

Due to me from John & James Brafford and Sam'l Doak, 15.00
Due to me from John Hays, 1.25

Due to me from Joshua Hyden, 2.00

Due to me from William Gilke.son, 1.50



VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.



Due to me from William Glendy,




2.00


Due to me from David Grove,




2.00


Due to me from James Buchanan,




25.00


Shoemakers' Tools,




5.00


I Trunk,




3.00




$156.75




his




Alexander


X

mark


Nelson.


Peter Mines.







State of Virginia,

Augusta County towit :
On this 26th day of June, 1820, personally appeared in open
Court being a Court of record for said County Peter Mines
aged about sixty-nine years resident in the said county who
being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath de-
clare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows : He
enlisted with Capt. John Hays in the County of Rockbridge in
Virginia on the first day of Sept 1777 and was marched in
Company to White Marsh and was there attached to the 9th
Virginia regiment commanded by Col'o George Mathews ; that
he was marched from White Marsh to Valley Forge from there
to Morristown, to Trenton and thence to Philadelphia, that he
was in the battles of Monmouth Court H^ouse and Guilford
Court House and that at Monmouth Courthouse from severe
labor in erecting huts for winter quarters he was badly rup-
tured, that he was discharged in the month of July 1780, that
he is unable to obtain a livelihood by his occupation which is
that of a breeches maker. He has already made a declaration
nder the Act of Congress passed on the i8th day of March
1818 the date of which declaration he does not now recalled,
his pension certificate is dated the 7th day of Jan'y 1819. He
solemnly swears he was a resident citizen of the United States
on the 1 8th day of March 18 18 and that he has not since that
time by gift, sale or in any other manner disposed of his prop-



REVOLUTIONARY PENSION DECLARATIONS. 21

erty or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as
to bring himself within the provision of an act of Congress
enitled 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 i8th day of March 1818, and that he has not
nor has any person in trust for him any property or securities
contracts or debts due to him, nor has he any property except
what is included in the schedule here unto annexed. He has
no family but his wife an old and infirm woman and a daughter
who contributes nothing to his support.

Schedule of property

Two cows, three hogs, altogether worth thirty dollars.

his

Peter X Mines.

mark



Sworn to and declared on the 26th day of June 1820 before
the said Court of Augusta County.

I, Erasmus Stribling, Clerk of Augusta County Court do
hereby certify that the foregoing oath is truly copied from the
record of said Court. In testimony whereof I have hereunto

set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on the

day of .

John Ballard.
State of Virginia,

Augusta County, towit,

On this 26th day of June 1820, personally appeared in open
court, being a court of record for the said county, John Bal-
lard, aged about sixty years, resident in the said County, who
being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath de-
clare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows : He en-
listed with Lieuten't Howard, in Loudoun County, State of
Virginia and was marched to Fredericksburg in said State
where he was attached to Captain Adam Wallace's Company,
& Col. Bluford's regiment. From Fredericksburg he marched
with said regiment to Petersburg, in said State and was en-
camped near that place during the winter. The spring follow-



22 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

ing he marched with said Bluford to the neighborhood of
Charleston in South CaroHna, & was afterward taken prisoner
at said Bluford's defeat at the hanging rock, where he was
badly wounded. He received three cuts on the head, a wound
in the side with a bayonet and one of his fingers was nearly
cut off. He suffered very severely from exposure to the in-
clemencies of the weather whilst encamped near Petersburg.
He is now entirely unable to do any kind of work, in conse-
qunence of the injuries which he sustained while in the service
of his country aforesaid ; and is so perfectly helpless that he
cannot put on or take off his own clothes without assistance.
He has already made a declaration under the Act of Congress
passed on the i8th March 1818, the date of which declaration
he does not recollect ; his pension certificate is dated the 8th
January, 1819. He has been some years in such indigent cir-
cumstances that before he obtained his pension from the United
States he was a charge on the County. And I do solemnly
swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the
1 8th day of March 18 18, & that I have not since that time by
gift, sale, or in any other manner 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 en-
titled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the
land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary
war, passed on he i8th day of March, 1818, & 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
is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, & by me subscribed.
The said declarant further deposeth that the only members of
his family are himself and his wife ; that before he became a
cripple, his occupation was that of a farmer, but he is now
unable to pursue and does not pursue any occupation whatever.
His wife is aged about forty-six years. Her time is occupied
in attending to the household duties & to this declarant, who,
from his helpless sitation, & the state of his wounds requires
much attention. She is able to contribute very little if anythmg
to the support of this deponent. She expects to obtain some
small compensation for attending to cleaning the Episcopal



REVOLUTIONARY PENSION DECLARATIONS. 23

Church in the town of Staunton, but that will depend entirely
upon the liberality of the members of the Church who may
choose to contribute.

Schedule of the estate of the said John Ballard — necessary
clothing and bedding excepted.

I Bureau.

I Chest.

I Candlestick.

6 Chairs.

1 Cricket.

2 Small tables.

I Small old looking glass.

1 Bible I prayer book.

2 Hymn books,

A few religious pamphlets.

I pair smoothing irons.

I Tub.

I Flour barrel.

I Copper tea kettle.

I Hair broom.

I Tub.

I Oven.

I Skillet.

I Tin Bucket.

I Old salver.

6 Knives and forks.

I Coffee pot.

I Tea pot.

6 Cups and saucers.

6 Plates.

3 Table spoons, iron.
3 Pewter tea spoons.

Perhaps some other articles too trifling to mention.

his
John X Ballard.
mark
Sworn to and declared on the 26th day of June 1820 before
the said Court of Augusta County.



24 virginia historical magazinb.

Thomas Yorkshire,

Augusta County Court, July 20, 1831.

It is ordered to be certified that it appear by satisfactory evi-
dence to this Court that Thomas Yorkshire, aged about 81 years
(enHsted to serve three years) on the 19th day of December,
1776, under Captain John Syms of the loth Virginia Regiment
and that he served out the three years complete in the United
States service; that afterwards in the year 1780 he again en-
listed in the Virginia service under Colonel Sampson Mathews
in Staunton, to serve during the year, that he was taken a pris-
oner at Blueford's defeat in the State of North Carolina, pa-
roled and so remained till the peace succeeding the Revolu-
tionary War; and that in the year 1792 he again enlisted and

served three years in Wayne's Army — that about the year

he placed in the hands of Jacob Kinney, Esq'r (then a delegate
from this county to the General Assembly of Virginia) his
military land warrant to obtain a patent, and with it, his dis-
charge &c, which the said Kinney alleged in his life time were
all lost, mislaid or destroyed.



REVOLUTIONARY ARMY ORDERS.
For the Main Anny under Washington 1778-1779.



FROM ORIGINALS IN THE COLLECTION OF THE VIRGINIA HISTORICAL
SOCIETY.)



(continued)

D. O. Paramus Saterday Oct'r 9th 1779.

F. O. Major Stephenson.

The whole Division to be in Readiness to march tomorrow
morning by the Left. The Gen'l to beat at 8 o'clock And the
Assembly at 9 o'clock.

the Deputy Q'r master Gen'l will Call on Gen'l Woodford this
Evening for instruction Major Cabell will furnish Cap't Booker



REVOLUTIONARY ARMY RECORDS. 2S

with the Non Comissioned officers & privates wanting to Cora-
pleat the Light Infantry & Col'o Phebecca's Return.
For police Captain Jones

For picket i

in G'd s I I

Q'r G'd I



D. O. Kakiate, Sunday Octr loth, 1779.