Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,996, Caleb Dodson, Va.
Page 1

SERVICE Va.
Dodson, Caleb 
NUMBER R. 2,996
CONTENTS
Page 2

T. W.
Caleb Dodson's decd.

In [illegible] are claimed only 5 mo [illegible] 
Caleb Dodson [illegible] also states to be 5 mo.
202
Page 3

Virginia to wit
On this 25th day of September 1832.  Personally appeared before the Court of Halifax County now sitting, Caleb Dodson a resident of said County and State aforesaid agd eighty one 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 Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.  That he entered te service of the United States being drafted the 1st of March 1779 and marched from the County of Halifax in the State of Virginia in a Company of Militia which was commanded by Capt Peter Rogers Lieut Anthony Irby and Ensign Peter Barksdale to Salisbury, North Carolina, there we joined a Regiment under Majr Hubbard 
Colo. Mason, and Colo Burwell and were stationed there two or three weeks, from there we marched to Mecklenburg NC from thence to Camden South Carolina and from thence to Stono in said State and were stationed at that place until we had a severe battle with the british in the month of July 1779.  Genl. Lincoln was our chief Commander, Lieut Irby of the Company to which I was attached was shot through the knee and soon after died of the wound-  we were defeated and retreated a small distance but remained in the neighbourhood of Stono until our term of service expired.  I was discharged by Capt Rogers in the month of August 1779.  the whole time of service rendered in this tour including the time of travelling [traveling] home, was upwards of six months my discharge is
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[the word discharge is crossed out] is lost and cannot be found, but the service rendered is proved by John Jones and Edward Henderson who were both soldiers with me in the same Company and stationed at the same place.  I was born in the County of Fauquier in the State of Virginia in the year 1752.  I have no record of my age but know from the information obtained from my parents that I was born in that year.  I came to the County of Halifax when I was about 12 years old.  I lived in that County when I entered the Service of the Revolution.  I lived in the same County when the war ended and have lived in the said County ever since.  I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.-
his signature [hand drawn X] Caleb Dodson
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion after the Investigation of the matter and from the proof exhibited to them, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  that they believe him to be a man of strict veracity-  and the Court further certifies that John Jones and Edward Henderson whose Certificates upon oath, have been presented to us in this case are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to Credit.
Page 5

I Samuel Williams Clerk of the Court of Halifax County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Caleb Dodson for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 15th day of October 1832
[signature] Samuel Williams
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22966
Caleb Dodson
Va
Rejected
Let Sam Williams
C. C. Halifax Co
Va. May 9 1833
Edwd Henderson
Jno Jones
Thos. Griffin
Thomas Williams
Page 7

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 9, 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832 has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  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 must be removed, before a 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 you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Caleb Dodson Halifax Co Va.
Period when the service was rendered.
drafted 1 March '79
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. Months. Days.
5 Months
6 Months
Rank of the claimant.
pr.
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Cap Rogers
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col Mason
Col Burwell
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Stono
County through which he marched.
Va, NC, SC
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
89
Halifax Col Va.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Witnesses who swear to his tour
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Note:  Document is page 2 of REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
Page 9

Note: Document is page 3 of REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
Signature attached:  W. L. Williams Ex clk
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Rev. War Section.
March 16, 1916
Miss Mary Lee Dodson,
Merchants State Bank,
202 West Main Street,
Humboldt, Tennessee.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 6 instant, you are advised that in the Revolutionary War pension claim Rejected File 2996 it is alleged that Caleb Dodson was born in Fauquier County, Virginia in 1752, and that while a resident of Halifax County, Virginia was drafted in March 1779 into Captain Peter Roger's company Colonel Mason and Burwell's Regiment; was in the battle of Stono and discharged at that place.  In the winter of 1781 served under Captains Hopson and Williams for several days as a guard on the Dan River.
His claim was not allowed because of lack of proof of six months service as required by the act of June 7, 1832 under which he applied.
There is no family data on file.
Very respectfully,
[signature] G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
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No. 22966
Caleb Dodson
Virginia
Rejected- see letter to [the name Saml. crossed out] Thomas Williams of the 9 May 1833-
2. Sept 1832 Same
29 [illegible] 1835 Same
2996
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Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir
Please advise if the name Caleb Dodson of Va. appears on your record.  also that of Joseph Blakemore of Va. & [first name illegible] Davis of Va. in N. C. 
Corinth, Miss.
Very Truly
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Office note
 The name of the writer of this letter was interpreted as Mrs. R. Darell when the reply was sent Apr. 24, 1916, but as the letter was returned unclaimed, and the writing was so obscure we cut off the signature and pasted it on the envelope.
AW.  May 12, 1916
Stamped:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
C
APR 17 1916
Page 14

Rev Sec 
[check mark pencil] c

Merchants State Bank
C. H. FERRELL, PRESIDENT
J. R. JARRELL, VICE PRESIDENT
A. R. DOOSON, CASHIER
G. E. McDEARMON, ASST. CASH.
ESTABLISHED 1887
CAPITAL AND SURPLUS $100,000 00
Humboldt, Tenn. March 6, 1916
My dear Sir-:
I am writing you again in regard
the Revolutionary record of Caleb Dodson
of Va.
Caleb Dodson was born in Fauquier Co. Va
in 1750 and died in Halifax Co. Va 1836
He was married to Elizabeth Piety of
Culpepper Co Va. 1772.
He was a native of Va and was reared near N. C. line on Dan river.
From a history I find he served in Gates army in the disastrous battle of Camden and under Gen Green when the patriot army was reorganized
as to the record of Thomas
Preston Rogers of North Carolina
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my data is incomplete. I know he
lived in Granville Co. in the vicinity of
Raleigh N.C.. So far have been unable
to fixed date of birth and death
There is a diversity of opinion as to the
name of his wife.
Sallie or Peggie [illegible] the latter as there was a daughter "Rebecca".-
Will you see if you have the record
of Joseph Wakeman born in England died
in Rutherford Co. Tenn. Married
Elizabette Bishop of Va (1765-1855)
He entered the war at the beginning
and was wounded severely, before the
close
Many thanks to you for a copy of the records of their service if it appears
(Miss) Mary Lee Dodson
Page 16


1916 Apr. 24. History to Mrs Mary Lee Dodson. M.B.H.
1916 Apr 24 : history to Mrs 
R. Darell.
M.B.H.
1916 May 12, same hist. remailed - aw

2996
P. O.
Caleb Dodson
Service:
Enlisted: ,18
Discharged: ,18
Application filed: ,18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.  Contra[illegible] 
Cert. of Dis.   Searched for ,18
Page 17

Pittsylvania County to wit,
This day Joshua Dodson a Credible man
of the County aforesaid aged Seventy Seven years personally
appeared before me Stockley Turner
a Justice of the
peace in and for the County aforesaid, in the State of Virginia
and made Oath that Caleb Dodson of Halifax County, who
is an applicant for a pension was a Soldier in the War
War of the Revolution, that in the Winter of the year 1781
he was Stationed as a Guard on Dan River in the County
of Halifax to prevent the British army under Lord Corn
Wallis from Crossing (after Genl Greene and will remembers
that Caleb Dodson served as one of the Said Guard
on the said River, how long he cannot say, he was ordered
with others, to another ford, and left the Said Caleb.
Dodson in Service and is confident that he served in
the War of the Revolution not less than six months
---
---
Given under my hand this 12th day of September 1834
Sto. Turner Jpeace

I William Tunstall Clerk of the County Court of 
Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia, do hereby Certify that
Stokely Turner before whom the above affidavit was
made, is and was on the day of the date thereof an acting
Justice of the Peace in and for said County and
that his signature appears to be genuine.-
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of Office
this 12 day of September 1835
Will Tunstall
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addl decln [additional declaration]
Caleb Dodson
Va
Papers on File
No Record
Let [letter] to Thomas Williams
Decr 5 1833
Va
depd Nov 20 1833
Report to Thomas Williams
Williams Store Pittsylvania County Va
Page 19

Department of War
Pension Office
May 9. 1833
Sir
The declaration of Caleb Dodson, has been examined and is rejected for the following reasons, that
he did not serve six months any less period of
actual service does not come within the provisions of the act of June 7. 1833-
The applicant says that he entered the service
on the 1st March 1779, and that he was discharged in
the month of August 1779, which to entitle him to the
benefit of the act above recited, should have been on
the eve of the 31st day of August-and he proceeds and
says, that the whole time of service rendered on this
tour, including the time of travelling home, was upwards
of six months, tacitly admitting that in order to make
out the full period of 6 mos. the travel had to be in
cluded. His papers remain on file
I am, very respectfully
Yr obdt. Servt.
J. L. Edwards
Thomas Williams
William's Stone, Va.
Page 20


State of Virginia, to wit
This day Caleb Dodson of the County of Halifax
who is an applicant for a Pension under the Act of June 7th 1832
Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the
peace for the County of Pittsylvania, who being duly Sworn
deposeth and Saith, that by reason of Old Age and the Consequent
loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise day when
he left the service, but is positive he served to the expiration of
term of service, having been drafted to serve a tour of six
months duty, and believes he was discharged about the last of
August, 1779 or first of September 1779. This deponent further saith
that he omitted to state in his declaration that he served several
days as a Guard on Dan River in the winter of
1781 to prevent Lord Cornwallis from Crossing with his Army
the said River, he acted as guard at Millers Ferry and
and the Island Ford, under Captain Hopson and Capt
Williams with troops regularly embodied and called by
legal Authory. He is confident that he served in the
year of the Revolution not less than six months
for which he claims a pension and declares that during the
time of his Service he was not employed in any
civil pursuit.
Given under my hand this 9th day of September 1833
Stockley Turner J.P.
I do certify that I am well acquainted with the above named
Caleb Dodson and have known him at least forty years
that he is a Credible and worthy man and his Statement
is entitled to credit and merits the highest confidence
Stockley, Turner J.P.
9th of September 1833
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I William Tunstall Clerk of the County Court of Pittsylvania in
the State of Virginia, do hereby Certify that Stokely Turner whose
signature is annexed to the foregoing certificate was at the time of
subscribing the same an acting Justice of the Peace, duly empowered
to administer Oaths, that his signature appears to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & seal of office this 29" day of
October 1833. Will Tunstall
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I James Griffin of Halifax County in the State of
Virginia do hereby Certify that I was a Soldier in the
War of the Revolution, and know from my own
personal knowledge that Caleb Dodson of said County
was also a soldier of the Revolution, that we
were both
Soldiers in Captain Peter Rogers Company
of Militia and served a tour of six months service
in the year 1779, that said Company marched from
Virginia through North Carolina to Stono Ferry
in South Carolina, the said Company was in a
Battle at that place under General Lincoln
and that the said Dodson was honorably discharged
Given under my hand this 2nd
day of June 1835.
James Griffin
I Ambrose Haley a Justice of the Peace for the
County of Halifax in the State of Virginia
do
hereby Certify that James Griffin who this day
appeared before me and subscribed his name,
and Swore to the above Certificate is a Credible
man and that his statement on Oath or Otherwise
is entitled to Credit
Given under my hand this
2nd day of June 1835
Ambrose Haley J.P.
Virginia to wit
I William Holl Clerk of the County Court
of Halifax in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that
Ambrose Haley whose name appears to the foregoing certificate
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[illegible] is an acting Justice of the peace for said
County duly commissioned and qualified and that the
signature purposing to be his appears to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of said County at my office this
16. day of September 1835
Wm Holte
Page 24

Certificate from
Edward Henderson for
Caleb Dodson
[writing on bottom dup from other page]
Page 25

Virginia to wit -
Samuel Williams Clerk of the County Court of
Halifax do hereby certify that Daniel L Dunscomb
and Mel Spragins before whom the within deposition
of John Jones and Edward Henderson were taken
is Justices of the peace for said County, and that the
signatures thereto annexed are their genuine
Signatures
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed
the seal of said County at my office
this 15th
day of October 1832
Samuel Williams
Page 26

I John Jones of the County of Halifax and State of
Virginia do hereby Certify and Solemnly Swear that
I have been long acquainted with Caleb Dodson
of Said County and Know positively that he was a
Revolutionary Soldier, that in the year 1779, he marched
from the County of Halifax with me in a Company of
Militia which was commanded by Capt Peter Rogers
Lieut. Anthony Irby and Ensign Peter Barksdale
through the State of North Carolina to Stono in
the State of South Carolina. where we were
stationed together untill our term of service expired
that the Said Caleb Dodson was in a battle fought
at that place I think in July. and was honorably
discharged from the Said Service in August 1779
the whole time of Service including the time of
coming home was at least Six months-Given
under my hand and Seal This 24th day of Septemb. 1832
John Jones
his mark
I Danl L Dunscomb a Justice of the peace for
The County of Halifax and State of Virginia
do hereby certify that John Jones who this day
appeared before me and Swore to, and Subscribed
to the above Certificate is a Credible person
and that his Statement is entitled to Credit.
Given under my hand this 24th September 1832
Danl L. Dunscomb
Page 27

I Edward Henderson of the County of Halifax and
State of Virginia do hereby certify and solemnly
swear that I have long been acquainted with Caleb
Dodson of Said County and know positively that
he was a Revolutionary Soldier. that in the year
1779 he marched with me as a soldier from the
County of Halifax in a Company, which was
commanded by Capt. Peter Rogers and Lieut
Anthony Irby, through North Carolina, to Stono
in the State of South Carolina, that we were
stationed at that place together untill our
term of Service expired. and that the Said
Caleb
Dodson was honorably discharged from
the Said Service at that place, the whole time of
service rendered on that tour including the time
of travelling home was upwards of six months
Given under my hand and seal this 24th September 1832
Edward Henderson
His Mark
Sworn to before me the year and date above written
Mel Spragins
Page 28

War Del
PB
Feb
his
The ^ statement in the ^ affidavit herewith returned provides no explanation which will [illegible] this department in reversing the decision which the claim of Caleb Dodson was
rejected as you were affirmed by my letter
of the 9th May 1833. As it is not authenticated
it has not been filed among the papers.
Thos
Williams
William Store PO
Pittsylvania Co Va
G.C.
William
Page 29

Mr Williams
Sept 29 1835
AC
Recd Vol. 40 pa. 332
Page 30

Depart. of War
Pension Office
Sept 29 1835
Sir
I have recd the additional evidence in the
case of Caleb Dodson, but do not find it satisfactory.
From all the testimony in this case, aside from established material facts, I concluded
that Mr Dodson did not serve 6 months.

Tho Wms. who alleged he had performed the same 6 mo in company with Mr Dodson, did
not claim but 5 months: And by way of proof
introduced an affiant of Caleb Dodson who also stated the time to be five months only. And yet he comes forward and claims for himself six months.
James Griffin who also was allowed six months
for the [illegible] improperly will be dropped from the roll.

Hon
Tho Williams
Peytonsburg Pittsy Co
Va.