Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,508, for Mathew Tate, Virginia
Page 1

Va.
Tate, Mathew
S. 11.508
Page 2

E. Hon. W. Taylor,
March
of 
1824
Virginia
27871
Mathew Tate
of Rockingham in the state of Virginia
what was a private in the Company Command
by captain__ of the Cliff Command
by Col. Green 
in the Virginia State
line for two years
inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
as the rate of 80 Dollars __
cents per annum
so commence on the 4th day of March 1831
certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of July
18 h, and pcal allul
Bryan Harsonhing na
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834. 240
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 40.00
$280.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Henry Hyluster Clerk
Book Vol. Page 35
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30.334
-
Please to direct your
reply to Allan C. Bryan
Harrisonburg
Rockingham City
Virginia
He was regularly discharged 
of his enlistment
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State of Virginia
County of Rockingham
On this 17th day of March 1834 personally appeared before
the Justices of the Country Court of Rockingham County, now sitting,
Matthew Tate as resident of the County of Rockingham, State of Virginia, aged 73 years, who being first duty sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made
by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 -
That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1780 with Thomas Mountjoy(called Col. Mountjoy) and 
served in the 2d Regiment of Virginia line,
under the following named officer
He resided in Stafford County
Virginia, and early in the year 1780 as
well as he now recollects
enlisted for the term of 18 months, under the above named Thom,
as Mountjoy who was engaged in the 
recruiting services , and 
was styled Colonel, but in what
service or line he cannot say further than above
From Stafford he marched to Fredericksburg, Richmond, Petersburg, and Chesterfield Ct. House, where he was regularly enrolled and sworn in as a soldier
From Fredericksburg to Chesterfield, the detachment was under the command of Col. Hawes at the latter place General Stephens had  command 
From Chesterfield they marched to Cheraw Hills, under the command of Col. Greene at Cheraw Hills they fell in with Gen. Nathaniel Green, who had the command of the Southern Army. After a short stay at Cheraw Hills, they took the line of 
March, and continued marching and 
countermarching through the 
Southern Country. During his services he was in the following principal engagements viz. Guilford, Eutaw Springs, Camden, Ninety Six, and many inferior engagements. He knew Gen. Nathan, isl. Greene, and Col. William Washington of the Dragoons. The Regiment to  which he belonged was under the immediate command of Major Sneed, from the time they 
left Cheraw Hills and was under the command of  Capt. John Anderson and Lieut. Smith, throughout the whole term of his enlistment 
He was regularly discharged at
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Hillsborough North Carolina, after having served
eighteen months
the period for which he enlisted. He got a written
discharge
which he has lost
He enlisted a second time in Stafford County, Va.
under the 
same recruiting office Thomas Mountjoy, to 
serve during the war
He thinks this enlistment took
place about 5 or 6b months after the
surrender of Cornwallis, but cannot be positive as to the time
He marched to the Winchester barracks, and 
was put under the command of Capt. Kilpatrick, of the regular army, and continues in service that place until after Peace, and the army was disbanded.
He cannot be positive as to the length
of time he served under his last enlistment, but he thinks not less than six months
He knew Capt. Smith at Winchester, who believes was a paymaster, but was styled "Captain." He understood that the troops at Winchester were under command of an officer
whose name was pronounced Lordeny,
(a colonel) but how that officer's name
was spelled he cannot say. They had no fighting during this term in service and were stationed at Winchester the whole time,
guarding the British prisoners.
He was discharged after peace wars made
having served not less than six months,
as he believes but he cannot undertake
from loss of memory and lapse of time, to speak with accuracy
He got a written discharge, which has been lost likewise 
All of his services were rendered as a private solider- some
Capt. Covington & Mr. Daniel Graves who both 
served with him
the former as an officer and the latter as a private and the papers containing the evidence of his services put into
the hands of the Hon. Hugh Holmes who died shortly afterwards
and he has never been able to recover them.
Capt. Covington & Mr. Graves have both  died since.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity.
except the present, and he declares that his 
name is not on the pension 
roll of any agency in any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year 
a foresaid,
Matthew Tate
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and who said Court, do hereby declare their opinion, that who above 
applicant was a revolutionary solider, and serves he states;
I Henry J Gambill Clerk of the court of Roc that the Rockingham County Virginia
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding
of the said 
Maller of the applicant Matthew Tate
for a 
Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set hand and seal of office this 18th day
March in this year 1834
H.J. Gambill Clerk of Rockingham County Va.
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March 18/44
Matthew Tate
Col. Edwards
Court of Pensions
Washington
Hon. W. Taylor
HN W. Taylor
HN
March 22/44
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H. of Rep. March 16th
Dear Sir
You will oblige me by
informing me whether the name of 
Matthew Tate of Rockingham
County of Virginia, is to be found
on the roll of revolutionary per
sioners, if so, whether any for 
tion of his pension is unpaid, and 
how much. I as this information 
at the request of his widow
Respy
Mrs. Layler
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Since Mr. Tate's Declaration was returned by you
he has procured the enclosed or accompanying certificate
from the auditor at Richmond, which I presume
some will be sufficient to establish his claim
to a pension. I return the papers for this 
further actions of the office
Your obt Serv.
J.L. Edward Esq.
Allan C. Bryan
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Revhan
11508
INVAILD.
File No. 11.508
Matthew Tate
Per Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:- Vol A Page 369
June 3 1901
J. Price Truitt City
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OWTU. ECL
May 27,1901
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
My dear sir:
Will you kindly
furnish me with a
record of Matthew Tate
of Rockingham Co. Va.
who recd a pension -
This informationed is 
desired for D.A.R
purposes-
Very truly,
J. Price Truitt
(over)
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Peter Hanger Esq
3d Auditor
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Penna Office
March 19,1844
Please state to what time
Matthew Tate a pensioner
on the Richmond, Va Roll
has been paid. He was 
pensioned at the rate of $80
per annum
P. Horne Esq
3d Auditor 
Due  9 Feb 1814 part that paid
OH
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This is to certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers
and Soldiers of Virginia Continental Line, during the Revolutionary War,
as settle their Accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay,
according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session,1781, that a Certificate
issued on the 24th day of October 1783 in the 
name of
Matthew Tate as a Soldier of Infantry
for 36.0.0, which Certificate appears to have been delivered to ---
Dan Pugh-- and was given for servicers prior to the 1st January,1782.
{No Seal of Office}
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this
6th day of May 1884
Mr. E. Neall AUDITOR.
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Matthew Tate
30.334
Admit as private
2 years $80
Pr:
Tap. 34
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7,1832 has been examined, and the papers are herewith  reburned.
The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which most be removed, before pension can be allowed.
The notes and the regulations will shew what is  necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin
with a brace (thus }). You will , when return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and 
You will by compiling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Matthew Tate
Period when the service was rendered
Duration of the Claimant service
Years Months Days
Rank of Claimant
Names and ranks of Field Officers under whom he served
Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service
Proof by which the declaration is supported
I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGUALTIONS UNDER THE ACTION OF JUNE 7,1832
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been constructed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, 
and and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers, all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
The Regular Troops.
2.
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3.
Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss.
County of
On this
day of
A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
of
in the county of
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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
and
served in the
(e) regiment of the
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
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 applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,
Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
day of
& c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
and State, Territory or District
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3
alleged service, as  they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of  each person 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, of of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to , one of the declarations above provided, according to nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following(m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension on account of service in the Militia, State troops, Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so , where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service;  where have you live since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier.{ Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.{ Did you evfe4r receive commission, and if so, by whom, and what has become of it?
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 their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
(a) The declarant mut appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
ing to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
claim
(e) Every  continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
not be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where 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
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 than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year----months, and
days, I served as a-
For months andand
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,
too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
the million, without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars
ionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what then this form of a declaration is
the duration of each term of engagement;
place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority
; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
and Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pubseal
of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains

the
affidavit, or other papers as
ticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
under the seat of one of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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 claimant's 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
by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
he was in the liturrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
name of her upon the roll - he must rely
---
neson and the
Tate