Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,173, John Vest, Va.
Page 1

(3—1776)
SERVICE Va.
Vest, John.
Page 2

Missouri (19.827
John Vest
of Crawford Co in the State of Missouri
who was a private in the Comp. commanded
by Captain Mosley of the Regt. commanded 
by Col. Bass in the Virginia
line for 10 m. 18 d.
$33.33
198
$35:31

$70:62
17:65
$88:37

Inscribed on the Roll of Missouri 
at the rate of 35 Dollars 31 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Sep.
1832 and sent to J. Harrison little piney

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33  $88:37
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Dec '04  17:65
$106:02
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Go. A. Stiles Clerk
Book #. Vol. 8. Page 89.
Page 3

17.173
INVALID.
File No. 17.173
John Vest 
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:—Vol. 1, Page 448
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 4

[All the repetitions below are original.] 

State of Missouri}
Crawford County} On this twenty fourth day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared
John Vest [crossed out: illegible] a resident of the County of Pulaski 
formerly a resident of the County of Crawford, but now of Pulaski,
in consequence of a late division of Counties, the reason of the 
application being made in [crossed out: Pulaski] Crawford is that the evidence all
reside in Crawford County, before William E. Hawkins and George H Coppedge Judges of the County Court of the County of 
Crawford, he the said John Vest aged eighty two Years the fifth
day of October last, 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 1932
and in Seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven this deponent was a resident of Chesterfield County in the State of Virginia, and was drafted and entered the service of the United States on the 25th of August 
in the Year 1777 under Capt Blackburn Mosley and Lieut 
Archibald Bass, Commanded by Col. Joseph Bass, and 
rendezvoused at Permuda [Bermuda] hundred, Virginia, and took up 
march for old Williamsburg, thence to Hampton, at the 
junction of the Hampton & James Rivers, &c. and after a three-
months tour were discharged but did not receive any written discharge, and in the Year 1778 was called upon by virtue of the draft aforesaid, Served a tour of 
eight days guarding the magazine in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
by virtue of the draft aforesaid
under Capt. Thomas Baker, and in the Year 1779 this deponent served
a tour of eight days guarding the magazine in Chesterfield County in the 
State of Virginia , by virtue of the draft aforesaid under Capt Thomas Baker, and in the Year 1780 this
deponent was a resident of Powhatan County in the State of Virginia,, And 
in the month of March this deponent was drafted, around Dec. 4, And
entered the service under Capt George Williamson, Lieut John Perry 
and was kept in readiness until in the month of January 1891 and 
was called into service under the last mentioned officers,
commanded by Col. John Willis and Maj Dan'l Duval, and 
marched to Petersburgh the place of rendezvous, thence to Bland House  
from thence eight miles below at a crop road we met 12 hundred 
of Arnolds men the Queens Rangers, and had an engagement with 
them. But the British kept the ground, we then marched to Suffolk, 
on Nancy Mumm [Nansemond] River and stationed ourselves and then
remained until dismissed. making a tour of three months but received 
no written discharge, and in 1781 in the latter part of the month
Page 5

of April this deponent was called upon and went to drive the British from Richmonn [Richmond] in Virginia. And was employed that tour 22 days but from what authority called into service this deponent cannot recollect. And in the month of May 1781 this deponent was [crossed out: drafted] called into service by virtue of the draft of March 1780 under Capt Edward Munford and rendezvoused at Ratleffs old field commanded by Genl Sawson Col. St. George Tucker of the Sixth Brigade, and marched to New Kent Courthouse, thence to Holts forge on Chickahomany River.  Thence to Mobin Hills, thence to New Castle thence to Parks Springs & on the 27th of July 1781 this deponent was dismissed and received a written discharge signed by Gen'l John Markees [Marquis] Delafayeth [de Lafayette] and Col St. George Tucker, the whole tour was three months, and in the month of October 1781 by virtue of the draft aforesaid this deponent was called upon to go to Little York against Cornwallis under Capt Edward Mumford, and marched thirty miles below Richmond where we were dismissed. the news having reached us that the enemy had surrendered, making that service ten days, and 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. 
John his x mark Vest 
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid James Harrison J.P. 
Q By the Court, when & in what Year were you born?
A on the 5th Oct'r 1750
Q have You any record of Your age
A No, information records from parents many years ago.
[Crossed out: Q How were you called into service were you]
Q where were You living when called into service
A Chesterfield City Virginia & Powatan [Powhatan] County
Q how were you called into service. were you drafted, volunteer or =
A drafted, around No. 4 & 6
Q State [crossed out: some] the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served
A Gen'l Stephens. Gen'l  Wayne. Gen'l Sawson. Gen'l Marcus del Lafayette.
Q Did You ever receive a discharge from the service
A Yes I received one syned [sic] by Gen'l Markus Delafayette and Col. St. George Tucker.
Q what has become of the discharge
A I do not know. I suppose it was lost many years ago
and that he knows of no person who can testify to his actual service
Page 6

whole amt of services charged 10 months and 18 days

State of Missouri}
Crawford County} JP
We Thomas Snelson a clergyman resident of the county and State aforesaid and William Coppedge and [rubbed out: the] John Malone residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Vest who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be eighty two Years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Thomas Snelson
William Coppedge
John Malone
Sworn to and subcribed the day & year aforesaid,
James Canison Clk

State of Missouri Crawford County
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 Thomas Snelson who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident of Crawford County, and that William Coppedge and John Malone who has also signed the same are resident of the County of Crawford, and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
William. E. Hawkins
G. H. Coppedge

State of Missouri County of Crawford} JP
I James Harrison clerk of the county court of the county aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Vest for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal there being no seal of office yet provided at my office in the County of Crawford done at office this 24th day of June AD 1833
James Harrison
{seal: LS}

I William H. Ashley a Representative in the Congress of the United States from the State of Missouri do hereby certify that James Harrison whose name is subscribed to the foregoing proceedings as clerk, is the clerk of the County Court of Crawford County in the State of Missouri. and that I have
Page 7

every reason to believe that the signatures therein purporting to be his are genuine 
given under my hand this 17th day of July 1833
W H Ashley
Page 8

22786
John Vest
Crawford Co Missouri

Return e i no
Adm 10. Months 18 days.

James. Harrison

Little Piney P.O.
James Harrison Clerk
Crawford Co
Missouri
Page 9

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office. 183
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.  These 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 John Vest   of Crawford Co, Missouri

Period when the service was rendered.
1777 || 1778 || 1779 || crossed out 1780] || Jan. 1781 || May 1781 || Oct. 1781

Duration of the claimant's service.
3 months || 8 days || 8 days || [crossed out: not stated] || [crossed out: not stated] 3 months || [crossed out: Not stated] 2 months 22 days || 10 days

Rank of the claimant.
Private [throughout] 

Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Cap B Mosley Lieu A Bass || Cap Baker || Cap Baker || Cap G Williamson Le. Perry || Do. No || Cap Ed Mumford || Not stated

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col. Jo Bass. || None || Div || Not recollected || Col Willis Ma Duval || Gen. Lawson || Not stated

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
None || None || None || None || Richmond || None || None 

Country through which he marched.
Virg'a || Delta || Delta || Delta ||  Delta || Delta || Delta

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
82 years Chesterfield Co Virg'a

Evidence by which the declaration is supported 
Traditionary

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

48
1. 18
9 –
10 – 18
Page 10

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered wand 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 classes are embraced in this law: 
1. 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 claim- ing the benefit of this law its officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians 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 ______ personally appeared (a) before ___________ A.B. a resident (b) of ____________ in the county of __________ and State, Territory or District of ________ aged (c) _______ 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) _______, with ________ and served in the _________ (e) regiment of the _________ line, under the following named officers:
 [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. 
I __________ 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 _______ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , 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 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 of 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 11

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or if detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribed and be sworn to, one of the declarations also provided, according to the 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, or 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 lived 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? And if a substitute, for whom? 
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 ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, 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 to 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 enquiry 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 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 must 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 conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declaration must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continual officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot 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 applicant cannot, by reason of 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 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 and _______ days, I served as a _______; and 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 reconciling to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italicized] about three or four months, is to indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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 shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular 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. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] 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 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. 
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 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 not to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
Proof of Service. 
[j] 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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
[pointing finger icon] The notes from [a] t [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.