Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,269, for James Morrison, Virginia
Page 1

SERVICE
Va.

Morrison, James

NUMBER 
S.31,269

CONTENTS
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Order to pay 18 Oct. 1837.
Letter to J Ficklin 18 Oct 1837.

13581
Kentucky
James Morrison
of Union Co in the State of Kentucky who was a Srgt & pr in the company commanded by Captain Allen of the Regt commanded by Col. Merideth in the Virginia line for 11 months private, 3 months Sergeant.  

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of May 1833 and Sent to James R Hughes Morganfield

Arrears to the 4th of March            103.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept   25.83
 $129.15

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk.
Book E  Vol. 7  Page 18
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23020
James Morrison
Union Co
Kentucky

from 1776 private
& Srgt 14 months.
Pr 11 months  $36.66
Sergt. 3 "           15.-
                       
                         $51.66

Morganfield

James R. Hughes Clerk
Union Co
Kentucky
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
May 15, 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 Jame Morrison, Union Co., Kentucky

Period when the service was rendered.
March 1776
1780
Fall 1780
1781   

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.     Months.    Days.

 - 7 or 9 -
-  2  -
 - 3 - 
Not stated

Rank of the claimant.
Pri
"
Elected Sergeant
"

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Col. Meridith
Maj James
Cap. Allen
Lieu. Parsons
Cap. not recol.
Lieu. German
Maj Williams
Capt. A Baker
Lieu. Parks
Cap Holcomb

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.
78 years
Prince Edward Co Va.

Proof by which the declarant is supported.
Traditionary

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
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         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 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:
       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 claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned offices, 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 

     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 first being 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, if 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 or any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____.                         A.B.
     Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
     [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) herby 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. 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 product 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means or corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of 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 subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above 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?
     How were you called into service;  were you drafted, did you volution, 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 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 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 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 the 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.

(The following are small type footnotes at the bottom of the page.)

[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 declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e]  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served;  otherwise a claim cannot be had.  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 Just of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that, by reason 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 according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase "about three or four months" is too 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 ribbons, 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.
 
                         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.
     [j]  The notes from [a] to [i] are 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.

Joseph Rowen Clerk
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress on the 7th of June 1832.

State of Kentucky 
County of Union SS

On this 18 day of February 1833 personally appeared in open court before the County
Court of Union County in the State of Kentucky now sitting James Morrison a resident of 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 benefit of the provision made by the act off Congress, passed June 7 1832.
That in the month of March 1776, he enlisted as a soldier in Prince Edward County Virginia, in which county he was born and raised and then resided, in the company of Virginia Militia called the “minute service” commanded by Charles Allen Captain, Josiah Parks Lieutenant
and James Allen Ensign – at the time he enlisted, he was discharged from the militia company to which he had previously belonged – that under the belief that their service would immediately be required and in order to have the men properly drilled Capt. Allen called out his company and exercised them for two or three days at a time but did not leave the county of Prince Edward till the month of May or June when he was marched with the company to Manchester opposite Richmond where they were joined by other companies and Maj’r James took command — they were then marched to old Williamsburg, then to Little York, then to Hampton and Col Meredith
took command of the Regiment, they remained there for sometime and there received and celebrated the Declaration of Independence — they were crossed over to Portsmouth opposite Norfolk where they remained till near Christmas where they were discharged and marched home
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with their baggage waggons and got home in the Christmas Holydays – he having been kept
under the control of his enlistment from March till that time When Gates was defeated and his army dispersed in the year 1780 the Virginia Militia returned home but were required by proclamation to rejoin the army — James Graham who had been in the Battle and had got home to Prince Edward County was unable, from fatigue and indispositions to rejoin the army as required by the proclamation. This applicant consented to take his place and marched with others from Prince
Edward County Virginia to Guilford County North Carolina and joined the American Army in the company to which Graham had belonged  the name of the Captain he does not recollect — Bryan W German was the Lieutenant of the company and this applicant with the company were generally employed in procuring forage for the army and were generally between the points occupied by Cornwallis and Gate’s army— he remained until the Virginia Militia to which he belonged were discharged the length of time he cannot state, but believes more than two months
In the fall or winter of 1780 in Prince Edward County as a volunteer he joined the Rifle
company commanded by Andrew Baker Capt., Joseph Parks Lieutenant and Joseph Reed Ensign they rendezvoused at Prince Edward Courthouse where he was elected Sergeant by the company — he was marched with the company to Guilford North Carolina where they were joined by another Virginia Rifle Company Thomas Smith Captain — they were also joined by two companies from Delaware called Delaware Blues, one of them was commanded by Capt Kirkwood – Maj. Williams (afterwards killed at Eutaw ) had the command of the four companies – when he was absent, Kirkwood commanded — they were kept on severe and
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constant duty between the army of Green and
Cornwallis — Kirkwood one night marched the four companies to Cornwallis’s army, took a
centinel prisoner, fired upon the army and retreated— he distinctly recollects that Kirkwood told them on the retreat that they need not apprehend pursuit, the General would suppose he was about to be seriously attacked and would not follow them that night — He remained upon duty until his term of enlistment which was for three months expired, which was a short time before the battle of Guilford, was discharged nd returned home 
      In 1781 at the time of the Siege of York, he again volunteered in Prince Edward County in
the militia company commanded by John Holcolm Capt. – Lieutenant & Ensign not recollected, marched from Prince Edward Courthouse to Petersburg, were detained there
some days and were then discharged upon being apprised that their services were not required at York This applicant further states that he cannot find upon examination any of his discharges nor does he know of any person now living by whom he can prove his service and has no documentary evidence thereof — 
that he resided in Prince Edward County till the year 1797 when he moved to Mercer County
Kentucky and about the year 1780 moved from Mercer to the place where he yet lives in Union
(then Henderson) County Kentucky
     He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to  pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State — He has no record of his age — he is well known to every early settler of this county having lived in Peace & Harmony in it for upwards of thirty years, and all his acquaintances can testify to his character
for veracity and their belief in his services as a soldier of the Revolution — 
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
                               James Morrison
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We Hugh W Robb a clergyman residing unknown county and Jonah Williams and Sam Casey residing in such county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Morrison who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
     Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
                         Hugh W. Robb
                         Josiah Williams
                         Sam Casey

I James R. Hughes Clerk of the County Court for the County of Union in the commonwealth of Kentucky do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of James Morrison for a pension.
(seal)
     In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said County Court this 18th day of February 1833.
                  James R. Hughes
Page 11

State of Kentucky
Fayette County
Be it known that on the 10th day of October 1834 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said county personally appeared H.A. Pierson & made oath that he resides in Union County Ky and states that John Pierson a pensioner has made & continues to make attempts to draw his pension through an agent in Lexington but has hitherto failed from a defect in his power of attorney or some other part of his papers and that up to the present day the said John Pierson (who was living about two weeks ago when this deponent left home) has not been paid.  The said H.A. Pierson further states an oath that he is personally acquainted with James Morrison a pensioner of Union County, who is old & inform and not able to travel with ease & convenience.  Given under my hand at Lexington Ky.
     Sworn & subscribed
     the day & year last above
                   Hosea A. Pierson

Danl Bradford, JP
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Lexington Ky October 10th
     I certify that the pension paper of 1837 the within named John Pierson have within the last two years been sent to me frequently & found defect in the certificate & papers have been returned lately.
                    Joseph Ficklin
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Morganfield Sept 8th 1837

Dear Sir
    At the request of Mr. Morrison I enclose you his pension certificate declaration of Identity and the proof together with his power of attorney to you to draw his pension for 2 years past.  My frequent and long absences from home the two past years and his inability to ride from together with the fact of my having from a number of years done nearly all writing for him has prevented his drawing regularly for it   When rec'd you will pay yourself for  your attention to it and remit the balance to him at this post office together with his pension cert.
                       Him Casey
                       Saml Casey
                              see next page
Page 14

Lexington Ky 10th October 1837  I certify that the within named Saml Casey's a man of respectable standing in the county of Union & that from my own knowledge and the statement on oath of HA Pierson this day given I am fully satisfied of the correctness of the within statement by the said Saml Casey
                     Joseph Ficklen
                          Atty
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Oct 17
Mr Evans

Free

JL Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pen
Washington City
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 Lexington Ky 10th October 1839

Sir
     The papers of John Pierson have been returned for defects and are again expected  Will you please order the payment on producing paper vouchers.  The loss of the pensioner makes the enclosed oath & may both father & son be considered creditable citizens.
     The same HA Pierson who testifies to the cause of delay in his fathers papers also, states the fact of James Morrison (the other pension case enclosed) being unable to attend to his business I have entire confidence in the Statements of HA Pierson & Saml Casey which you have enclosed.
                  Respectfully
                    Your obt servt
                              Joseph Ficklin
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31269
Revy
INVALID.
AWN

File No 31,269
James Morrison
Sergt Rev War

Act:  June 7 32'
Index:- Vol. 2, Page 285

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Morganfield Ky (Pension Claims) Free
Mch 11 1833

The Honorable
Secretary of War
Washington City
DC

Ky
23620