Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7845, for Peter Owen, Virginia
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(3—1776)
SERVICE  Va
Owen, Peter 
NUMBER  R. 7845
CONTENTS
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12186
Henry County — Tennessee
Peter Owen
5.8.9.10.11.12.13
+
Henry

John Q H Dunlap
Paris Tennessee
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BRIEF in the case of Peter Owen
of Henry County in the State of Tennessee  
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge
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.  In 1787 
Duration of Service. Years,  Months, Days.  2 [months] 
enlisted for three years at expiration of 2 months & served the time out as he states
Rank.  As a Private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Captn Mayo

5. In what battles was he engaged? none  
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Virginia Luneburg County 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary & living witnesses 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct 

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
Jno H Ashton  
Examining Clerk.
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Peter Owen Va
5.12.1864
25.968 } same case
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
State of Tennessee
Henry County } ss
On this third day of December 1833, personally appeared in open court, before the Circuit Court of Henry County now sitting, Peter Owen, a resident of Paris, in the County of Henry State of Tennessee, aged Sixty 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 Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:  In the month of May 1891 he became a substitute for Benjamin Taylor, of Lunenburgh County, Virginia, who was drafted to serve a two months tour in the militia_  The Captain was named William Hays_ The Lieutenant: Richard Hays_  he thinks the Colonels name was Nelson, but cannot be certain_  That he was immediately marched with the company to Rendezvous at Prince Edward Court House  after staying there some ten or 12 days the company marched along with a larger number of troops to head Quarters but he cannot recollect at what place head quarters was held_  At head Quarters he recollects General Wayne with 600 Riflemen_  & Marquiss Lafayette, & General Nelson_  & General Lawson who was the militia General, who commanded the Brigade or division to which he was attached_  He recollects hearing among the men, that the army, when collected
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at head Quarters consited of twelve thousand men—  He recollects the progress of the march from head Quarters through Virginia in pursuit of Cornwallis [crossed out: toward York Town] _  recollects this army crossing a river in Boats_  recollects that during the march the 4th of July came round & that the army celebrated the day  the troops were drawn up in Brigades_  in the first place, 14 pounders were fired as a signal for the men to prepare for the celebration of the day_  the men were accordingly drawn up in brigades as above stated_ with a 40 pounder on the right & left of each Brigade, the firing commenced always on the right of each Brigade, the discharges of the 40 pounders on the right first took place_ then the musquetry running from right to left of them the 40 pounders on the left_  So on_  The Marquiss Lafayette rode through the ranks with his hat off during the celebration, accompanied by a few officers on horseback_  recollects a thicket of walnut trees in front that he occasionally retired to from the burning sun_  Recollects that during the march two officers had a quarrel, which they settled by a dual with Pistols, & one of them was badly wounded in the breast.  He recollects that toward the close of his two months it became the general talk in the Army that there was more men embodied than there was any use for, that it was running the government to an unnecessary expense_  a few days perhaps a week before his term of 2 months expired, a proclamation was issued informing the men that any that chose to enlist in what was called the Virginia State Legion, had liberty to do so_  the conditions of service in which Legion was, that the men were considered as
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minute men_ were permitted to go home & to attend thier officers at the nearest [crossed out: officers] Legions whenever ordered by their officers_  the term for which they enlisted, in this corps was three years_  & they were bound not to leave the State during that time.  Capt Hays, the captain under whom he entered the service, became an officer in the State Legion, & invited as many of his men as thought proper, to enlist under him in this new corps_  He (applicant) was one of the first that turned out, & received half of the bounty—seven Dollars, & took a promise for the other seven, which was never paid  recollects three of his mess mates-viz- William Hinton, Mathew Hubbard & Rice Wuller- all from his own neighborhood in Lunenberg County (where this applicant should have sooner stated, that he was born & always lived all the time of his entering the Service)—  a great many enlisted at the same time in this new corps & returned home after which they were occasionally called out & exercised for 3 or 4 days at a time_  Sometimes near a week_  This applicant was reportedly called out to the Rendezvous in Lunenburgh County & drilled _ until peace was proclaimed, after which the officers became more remiss, & called the men more seldom to the rendezvous to exercise_  
He was never discharged from the Service_  After the conclusion of the peace some little time Capt. Hays & his brother Lieut Hays ceased to call out the men, & the corps, or that company seemed to die away without any formal dismission or discharge_  This applicant cannot possibly state how long he belonged to this State Legion_  he is safe however in saying that he belonged to it one year & a half, commencing in July 1891— 
He was never in any engagement_  That he has
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no Documentary evidence of his service & that the only person that he now knows, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service, is Mary Morgan, the widow of Peter Morgan decd_ who lived during the Revolutionary War, at the same house with this applicant, & now lives in Hickman County, Tennessee, & to whose evidence, annexed hereto he refers.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State
Peter Owen {seal}
Sworn to & subscribed the year aforesaid—
sworn to & subscribed in open Court
James Jones  Clk

We Samuel McGowen, a clergyman, residing in the County of Henry State of Tennessee and Samuel Hawkins residing in the same County & State, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Peter Owen, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty eight years old; 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
Saml. McGowen
Saml. Hawkins

Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  Sworn to in open court 4 December 1833
James Jones Clk Clk.

[Crossed out:
And the said court 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 is appears to them that [__] who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman]
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[...crossed out: respect in the county of Henry, that     who has also signed the same is a resident in the county of Henry and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit.]

Questions by the Court—
1. Where & in what year were you born?
Ans_  In Lunenburgh County Virginia_ I suppose in 1765 as, from the account I have kept, I am upwards of 68 years old__
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Ans_  I had a record, but left it at Ben Taylors in Lunenburgh County Virginia__
3. Where were you living when called into service?  Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Ans_  In Lunenburg County Va as above stated_ from there I moved to Orange County North Carolina_  & lived near Hillsboro' 7 years_ from there to Buncomb County. N Ca on french broad River.  from there to Logan County Ky.  where I lived ten or 11 years_  from there to Illinois, on Cash River_  where I lived about 15 ms_ from there back to Logan County North Ky_ thence to Williamson County, Tennessee, where I staid two years.  thence into Maury County Tene. where I lived 11 years_ thence to Henry County Tene_ where I have resided for the last 10 years_
4  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
Ans_  I was a substitute for Benjamin Taylor as above stated, in the first instance_ & I then enlisted in the State Legion of Virginia
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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 Service.
Ansr_  Never knew the names or number of any of the Regiments of the Regular Army that I was with_  As above stated, he recollects well the Marquiss Lafayette_ General Wayne_ & his 600 Riflemen_ General Nelson & General Lawson_  The general circumstances of the Service I have already detailed as far as I can recollect__
6.  Did you ever recieve a discharge from the Service, and if so, by whom was it given & what has become of it?
Ans_  I did not_ as above stated.
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_
Ansr  I will name the honl J.W. Cooke, James Jones, Nick Porter, John H Dunlap, T. Cooney, Saml McGowen, and in fact all the old settlers of this county.

[Crossed out:
I James Jones, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Henry County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Owen for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this    day of Noember 1833.]

Peter Olson {seal}
Sworn & subscribed the   day & year aforesaid 
Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court 3 Decr 1833
James Jones Clk
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And the said Court 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 Samuel McGowen who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman residing in the County of Henry and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Joshua Haskell {seal}
Judge of the 8th Genl Circuit in Tennessee

I, James Jones, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Henry County, Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original procedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Peter Owen for a pension
[Seal affixed]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and seal of office, this 10th day of December 1833.
James Jones  Clk
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Rev. and 1812 
Wars Section 
AWF/eel  [illegible: ans?]
July 26, 1929 

Cemeterial Branch 
Office of the Adjutant General 
War Department 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sirs: I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.7845, it appears that Peter Owen was  born in 1765, in Lunenburg County, Virginia. 
While residing in said county, he enlisted in May, 1781, for two months as private in Captain William Hays' Company, Colonel Nelson's Virginia Regiment, and a few days before his term of two months expired, he enlisted as a Minute Man to serve under Captain William Hays in the Virginia State Legion, if called upon, and was then allowed to return to his home, where he was occasionally called out to drill, but did not go again into active service. 
He lived after the Revolution, dates not stated, for more than eleven years, in Logan County, Kentucky, and in December, 1833, he was a resident of Henry County, Tennessee.  

Tombstone Data 
all corresp. returned
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He applied for pension but his claim was not allowed as he did not render six months service in the field, as required by pension laws.
Very truly yours
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
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REJECTED
7845
Peter Owen
P.O.
Service:
Enlisted: 
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:  The printed list of 1852 gives cause of rejection as "Not 6 months service"
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized. | Contract.
Cert. of Dis.  |  Searched for 

1924. June 24. Hist to Georgia T. Osborne  awf
199. Mch 23. ""  ""  Miss Nelle Kell  awf
1929. July 26.  Tombstone Data to Cemeterial Branch  all corresp. returned  awf
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O W Rej
#7.845

[Illegible]
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Peter Owen— Pvt.
Capt Wm Hays Co.
Continental line.  Rev.
Tennessee

No Record old Books.
Suspd & Ref claim File No 7.845
OK

The man's name is not on the Tennessee Agency book under Act. of May 13, 1868.  it does not appear that his claim was allowed under that act
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Peter Owen
Tennessee
Rejected.  Did not perform six months actual service against the enemy.  See letter 6 Jany '34 to T. Cooney, Paris  Ten

7845
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John Dunlop
for 
Peter Owen.
Recd 17 July 1829
189
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Paris Ten
June 29

Revolutionary Claims
Hon Samuel Ingham
Secretary of the Tresuary
Washington City
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1683.
Original Claim
Declaration in order to be placed on the pension list for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the revolution, approved on the 15th day of May 1828  I Peter Owen of the county of Henry and State of Tennessee do hereby declare that I enlisted in the continental line of the army of the revolution for and during the war and continued in its service until its termination, at which period I was a private in Captain William Hays's company in the    Regiment of the continental line
and I also declare that I afterwards received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars which I was entitled to under a resolve of Congress passed the 15th of May 1778.  and I further declare that I was not on the 15th of March 1828 on the pension list of the United States.
Peter Owen {Seal}
Signed.  Before me Albert Pettey an acting Justice of the Peace for the county of Henry and State of Tennessee
Albert Pettey  JP.

James Dobbs {Seal}
G. White {Seal}
Personally appeared this day James Dobbson and Greenup White both citizens of the county of Henry and State of Tennessee, who did securely make oath that Peter Owen by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed and believed to have been a private in the army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated
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Witness our hands and seals this 27th day of June 1829

I Thomas K Porter Clerk of the court of the county of Henry and State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that Albert Petty before hom the foregoing affadavits was sworn was at the time an acting justice of the peace for the county of Henry State of Tennessee  and duly empowered to administer oaths in Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court this 27th Day June 1829.
Thom K Porter  Clk Pro temp
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1829
Paris Tennessee  June 27th
Dear Sir
Mr Peter Owen a resident of this county is a very old infirm man, and with those who have long known him, bears the character of an honest good citizen,_  that he has served his country no one doubts.  he mentions that he has lost his discharge.  Should any further proof be required you will please inform me.
Respectfully
John H Dunlop
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State of Tennessee
Hickman County} ss.
Personally appeared Mary Morgan, a resident of said County of Hickman, before me, [crossed out: an acting Justice] William B Cragg an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and made oath in due form of law, that she is well acquainted with Peter Owen, at present of Henry County, Tennessee, having Known him from infancy.  That they both resided, during the Revolutionary War, at the house of Benjamin Taylor, in Lunenburgh County, Virginia.  That she well recollects the circumstance of said Owens going into the army as a substitute for said Taylor.  But she also recollects his return home after an absence of some two or three months.  
And she also recollects that he was frequently called out to the Rendezvous on duty, after his return.  & remained on duty for a few days at a time.  [Crossed out: She also recollects Capt Hays under whom said Owen served.]
Mary her x mark Morgan {seal}
Given under my hand & seal this 27 day of November 1833.
Wm B Cragg JP

[At least three illegible notations in left margin]
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State of Tennessee
Hickman County SS.
Personally appeared John G Easley James Erwin and George Loveless before me Wm B Cragg a justice of the Peace in & for Hickman County, & after having duly sworn according to law, state that they are well acquainted with Mary Morgan, who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed certificate  That they believe her to be seventy years old or upwards.  that she sustains a good & reputable character in the neighborhood where she resides.  & that they would place full confidence in any statement she might make.  Given under our hands & seals this 29th day of November 1833.
John G.. Easley {seal}
James Erwin {se}
Georg his x mark Loveless {se}
Sworn to & subscribed before me the date above.
Wm B Cragg JP

I do certify that John G Easley, James Erwin & George Loveless who have signed & sworn to the
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above certificate are resputable citizens of Hickman County & thier statements are entitled to credit.  I also certify that I know the above mentioned Mary Morgan & concur with them in my opinion of her respectability & intigrity
Given under my hand this 27 day of November 1833.
Wm B Cragg  Justice of the Peace

[Margin note: illegible]
State of Tennessee  Hickman County.
I Samuel Sebastian clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in & for the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that William B Cragg Esqr whose Signature appears above is and was at the time of the above written day and year an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Said County and that full faith and credit are and ought and ought to be given to his official acts as Such...  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal [crossed out: on this 27th day o] affixed the Public Seal of Said Court.  At office on this 27th day of Novr A. D. 1833
S Sebastian Clk
By deputy Wm. K. Sebastian

[Crossed out:
State of Tennessee  Hickman County SS
I Samuel Sebastian clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said county do hereby certify that Mr B Cragg Esqr who has signed his name to the above affidavits was at that time an acting Justice of the Peace.]
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[crossed out: ...in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified and chairman of Said as such and faith and credit is due to his official acts—]

State of Tennessee  Hickman County S.S.
I Eli B. Hornbeck an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county do hereby certify that Samuel Sebastian Esqr who has signed his name to the foregoing certificate as clerk was at that time Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said county that full faith and credit is due to his Official Acts— In Testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand & private seal of office this 27th day of November 1833
Eli B Hornbeck 
Presiding Justice for said County

State of Tennessee  Hickman County SS
I Samuel Sebastian clerk of said County Court do hereby certify that Eli B Hornbeck Esqr who has signed the above certificate is chairman of said County Court, that his attestation is in due form of law.  In Testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand & private seal at office this 27th day of November 1833
S. Sebastian, Clk
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[Illegible]
Jan 6. 1834
Oe

Record Vol 25.
Page 284.
Page 28

War Department
Pension Office
January 6. 1824
Sir
The claim of Peter Owen has been examined.  He alleges to have performed a tour of duty of something less than two months, and then to have engaged to serve in the Virginia State Legion [crossed out: and was permitted to return to their ]  the condition of which were to turn out whenever called upon; that they rendezvoused several times at a particular place and were drilled but never were marched against the enemy.  The Act of June 7. 1832 provides for none who did not [crossed out: serve] perform an actual service against the enemy of at least six months.  His claim has therefore been rejected.  The papers will be placed on file in this office.
[C.V?]

T. Cooney Esq
Paris Tenn
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Illinois State Historical Library
SPRINGFIELD
OTTO L SCHMIDT, CHICAGO, PRESIDENT
CHARLES H RAMMELKAMP, JACKSONVILLE
LAURENCE M. LARSON, URBANA
JESSIE PALMER WEBER, SPRINGFIELD. LIBRARIAN
June 21, 1924

Pension Office,
Mr. Washington Gardner,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you be good enough to give me the service of Peter Owen who applied for pension while living in Kentucky?  I will much appreciate this information.
Yours very truly,
Georgia L. Osborne
Assistant Librarian, Illinois State Historical Library

[Stamp:]
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS
JUN 23 1924
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MISS NELLE KELL
215 N. ELEVENTH ST.
MT. VERNON. ILL.
Jan-5-1929

U.S. Commissioner of Pension
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please tell me if the following named men were Pensioners from the Revolutionary War.
Peter Owen (Owens)
John Kell
Joe Luke
Robert Little
MMNF
If so please send to me an official statement of same
And oblige
(Miss) Nelle Kell
Mt Vernon Ill.

[Stamp:]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
JAN 9 1929
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section 
AWF/eel 
March 23, 1929 

Miss Nelle Kell 
215 N. Eleventh Street 
Mount Vernon, Illinois 
Madam: 
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.7845, it appears that Peter Owen was born in 1765 in Lunenburg County, Virginia. 
While residing in said county, he enlisted in May, 1781, for two months as private in Captain William Hays' Company, Colonel Nelson's Virginia Regiment, and a few days before his term of two months expired, he enlisted as a Minute Man to serve under Captain William Hays in the Virginia State Legion, if called upon, and was then allowed to return to his home, where he was occasionally called out to drill, but did not go again into active service. 
He lived after the Revolution, dates not stated, for more than eleven years, in Logan County, Kentucky, and in December, 1833, he was a resident of Henry County, Tennessee. He applied for pension but his claim was not allowed, 
urg
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as he did not render six months service in the field, as required by the pension laws.
There are no data as to his family and the above noted is the only Peter Owen found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
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Rev. and 1812 Wars 
June 24, 1924  
Georgia L. Osborne,
Asst. Librarian, Ill. State Historical Library,
Springfield, Ill.
Madam;  
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.7845, it appears that Peter Owen was born in 1765 in Lunenburg County, Virginia.  
While residing in said county, he enlisted in May 1781 for two months as private in Captain William Hays' Company, Colonel Nelson's Virginia Regiment, and a few days before his term of two months expired, he enlisted as a Minute Man to serve under Captain William Hays in the Virginia State Legion, if called upon, and was then allowed to return to his home, where he was occasionally called out to drill, but did not go again into active service.  
He lived after the Revolution, dates not stated, for more than eleven years, in Logan County, Kentucky. and in
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December, 1833, he was a resident of Henry County, Tennessee. 
He applied for pension but his claim was not allowed,  as he did not render six months service in the field, as required by the pension laws.
There are no data [crossed out: on file] as to his family and the above noted is the only Peter Owen found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.