Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,964, for Stephen Silvy, Virginia
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SERVICE                                                   NUMBER
                     Silvy, Stephen                       S. 31964.
                     Silvey

CONTENTS






This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
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12,033
Georgia

Stephen Silvey
of Taliaferro in the State of Georgia 
who was a private in the County commanded by Captain Burley of the Regt commanded by Col Taylor in the [illegible]
for 2 years-

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of March 1833 and Given to Herman Mercer, [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of March 01833 - 160
Semi-anl. allowance ending {illegible] 40
                                                             $200
Revolutionary Claim,
Act of June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Na- Rice - Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 Page [illegible]
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No, 7  13,870
State of Georgia
Taliaferro County
Stephen Silvey Revolutioner
for Pension
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State of Georgia
Taliaferro County
On this 4th day of October 1832.
In person came before the Justice of the Superior Court of this County and State aforesaid Stephen Silvy Late of the Revolutionary army , Resident in the County of Taliaferro + the State of Georgia aged 78 years as fare as he knows for he has no Register of his age who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832.
I Stephen Silvey do Most Solemnly declare that I entered the service of the United States in 1779 in Virginia under Captain Barly by Inlistment was commanded by Major Roberts and Colonel Taylor for 2 years I served my time at Albamarle Barracks and Manchester all in Virginia was then Discharged and Returned home  I then became a Substitute for 3 men 2 months each (viz) Ben Willis - one Clark and another man name not Recollected and Served at one time for six months without going home ^but one time.  I served under Captain George War Captain Hawkins. Colonel Mathew.  During this Service I was at the Taking of Corn Wallis.  I was acquainted with General Bland, General Evis and General Washington
I was in several Scirmishes but in no general Battle or engagements.  My Service was all in Virginia where I then lived.  My Discharges are los.t  I then moved to North Carolina and lived in 1 year.  I then moved to South Carolina and lived 2 years.  I then moved to Georgia where I have ever lived to the present day.  I have no [illegible] to much Service and all tho I have no living witness to prove this Declaration it is Solemnly the truth.
I hereby Relinquish every Claim whatsoever to a pension or bounty except the present and Declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State Sworn to and Subscribed this day and date first written.
Stephen his X mark Silvy

Malcom Johnston  J.S.C
R.S. Dickinson J.S,C
Edward James J.S.C.
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State of Georgia
Taliaferro County
We Malcom Johnston and William L Tucker Clergymen residing in this State and County aforesaid do hereby Testify that we are acquainted with Stephen Silvy who has sworn and Subscribed the above Declaration that we believe him to be 78 years of age that so far as we know he is reputed and believed in his Neighborhood where he resided to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn to and Subscribed the day + year first written
Malcom Johnston
Wm L Tucker
R Q Dickinson JSC
Edward James JSC
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 applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he States and the Court further Certify that they are personally acquainted with Malcom Johnston and William L. Tucker who has assigned the preceding Certificate and know them to be Clergymen and resident in Taliaferro County, Goergia that they are credible persons and that their Statements are instilled to full credit.
R.W. Dickinson JSC
Edward James JSC
Malcom Johnston JSC

Georgia
Taliaferro County
I Quinca O'Neal Clerk of the court of Taliaferro County, Georgia do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Silvy for a pension in Testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal of office this 4th day of October 1832. 
Quinca O'Neal Clerk

Georgia
Taliaferro County
I Quinca O'Neal Clerk of the Court of said County do hereby certify that R. Q. Dickinson Malcom Johnston and Edward James whose names appear to the foregoing affidavit as subscribing witnesses are Justices of the Inferior Court of the said County and that full faith and Credit aught to be had and given to their attestation as such given under my hand and seal of office this 4th day of October 1832.
Quinca O'Neal Clk
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State of Georgia
Taliaferro County
I, Stephen Silvey do hereby appoint Herman Mercer my true and Lawful attorney both of the State and County first written - Infact and for me and in my name to do and transact all matters and things necessary to be done in the recovery obtaining and collecting any pension or annuity that may be due me under the a t of Congress passed 7th of June 1832.  in favor of the Soldier of the Revolution and he my said attorney is fully Authorized to Collect Receive and Receipt for me and in My name as tho I was personally present and also to do all things whatsoever that may be necessary to be done in and about the recovery of the same as witness my hand and seal this 4th day of October 1832.
Stephen his X mark Silvy      Seal
R.Q. Dickinson JSC
Edward Janes JSC
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No 58
Stephen Silvey
Mar. 1831 to Mar 1833
[flourish mark]


FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Act June 7, 1832
Savannah, Ga
Bundle #7
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State of Georgia
Taliaferro County
SS
Be it known that before me Samuel Johnson a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Stephen Silvy and made oath in due form of Lae that he is the Identical Stephen Silvy named in an original Certificate in his possession of which I certify, the following is a true copy.  War Department Revolutionary Claims.  I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June 1832.  Stephen Silvy of the State of Georgia who was a private in the revolutionary army, is entitled to receive Eighty Dollars per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the fourth of March 1831, and payable semi annually, on the 4th of March, and the 4th September, in every year, given at the war office, of the United States, this 18th day of March 1833.
signed Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and 
Countersigned
signed J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of pensions - 
That he is entitled to a pension of Eighty Dollars per annum on account of Services rendered to the United States during the Revolutionary war that he served in Captain Burleys Company of Militia in Col. Taylor's Regiment that he now resides in Taliaferro County State of Georgia and has resided there for the Space of Seven years past that he previously resided in Wilkes County Georgia.  Sworn to an subscribed this 29th 
April 1833.
Stephen his X mark Silvy
Georgia enter lined before assigned
S. Johnson J.P.

State of Georgia
Taliaferro County
SS
This Twenty ninth day of April 1833.  Conformably to the regulations of the war department of the 19th June 1824.  J. Samuel Johnson a magistrate of the County above named do hereby certify that I have the most Satisfactory Evidence (viz) a long personal knowledge with Stephen Silvy together with the foregoing affidavit and do believe that Stephen Silvy who has this day appeared before me to take an oath of Identity is the Identical person named in the previous Certificate which he has exhibited
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before me numbered 12033 and bearing date at the war office the 18th day of March 1833 that the said certificate was originally issued for him that he now holds the same in his possession and claims all the benefits arising therefrom given under my hand at Taliaferro County State of Georgia on the day and year as written.
S. Johnson J.P.
Know all men by these presents that I Stephen Silvy of Taliaferro County State of Georgia a Revolution pensioner of the United States do hereby constitute and appoint Samuel D Corbitt Savannah Georgia my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to receive from the agent of the United States for paying pensions in Savannah State of Georgia my pension from the 4th day of March 1831 to the 4th day of March 1833.  witness my hand and Seal this 29th day of April 1833.
Stephen his X mark Silvy       seal.
Sealed and delivered in presence
of S. Johnson J.P.
State of Georgia 
Taliaferro County   S.S.
Be it known that on 29th day of April 1833 before me a Justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Stephen Silvy above name and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his own act and deed in testimony where of I have here unto say my hand the day and year last before written
S. Johnson J.P.
I Quinca O'Neal Clerk of the Inferior Court of Taliaferro County and State of Georgia do hereby Certify that Samuel Johnson before whom the above power of attorney was executed was at the time a magistrate as he is then represented and that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his Signature is genuine Intestimony whereof I have herunto affixed the Seal of the said Court and Subscribed my name this Twenty ninth day of April Eighteen hundred and thirty three.
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER    Quinca O'Neal Clerk
Received from GAO
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STATE OF GEORGIA
CHATHAM COUNTY
BE IT KNOWN, that on the fifteenth day of May 1833 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Samuel D. Corbitt the Attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney, and made oath that the same was not given him by reason of any sale, transfer or mortgage of the pension, or arrears of pension therein authorized to be received by him.  Affirmed and subscribed the day and year last above mentioned, before me.
Samuel D. Corbitt
Jas Cleland 

Office Bank United States,
SAVANNAH, 15May 1833
No. 46
RECEIVED of John Cumming, Agent for Paying Pensions, One hundred + sixty Dollars, being for two years pension due to Stephen Silvey from the fourth day of March 1881; to the fourth day of March 1883 for which I have signed duplicate receipts.

$160-        Stephen Silvy
                by his atty Samuel D. Corbitt
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Stephen Silvey
Georgia
 
on Rolls

Admit as private 2 yr
on the Va. Cav Line
Capt. Burley
Col. Taylor $80.
from 1779

H. Merch
Agent
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BRIEF in the case of Stephen Silvey
of Taliaferro in the State of Georgis
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  in Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 78
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.       Duration of Service.    Rank.     Names of Gerneral and Field Officers
                                                                    Under whom he served.
                   Years     Months    Days.     As a        Gen.

in 1779           2                                    private    Cap Burley  Col Taylor
   "                                6                           "          Cap Waugh   Col Mathews


5. In what battles was he engaged?  at the taking of Cornwallis - several skirmishes - but no general battles
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  he lived in Virginia
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct

I Certify that he foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

George Taylor
Examining Clerk.
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31964
Rey INVALID.

File No. 31,964
Stephen Silvey
Div Rev War

Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 368

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Stephen Silvey which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V. *Has he mentioned 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 wo what amount of pension he is entitled? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerks' seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot he had? yes
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
         If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
          Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such and age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. +Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them in so answered? yes

EXPLANATROY NOTES.
*QUERRE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason o 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 of old age, and 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 ---; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3
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 of four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
+QUERRE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In the 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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner if 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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
+QUERRE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying office who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
      In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES                                     Division of Veterans' Administration Archive
form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LANDWARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Silwood, William GRADE Private  LINE Maryland

WARRANT
NUMBER  11698     ACREAGE    100   ISSUED December 23, 1795
                                                            to Geo Ponsonby, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department
fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.