Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,654, for Daniel Pitchford, Virginia
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Service                                                       Number
Va.                       Pitchford, Daniel          S.30654                                   
-------                     --------------------      --------
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Kentucky 
Daniel Pitchford 
Of Allen Co in the State of Kent
Who was a pr in the co commanded
By Captain Gilde of the [illegible] commanded 
by Col Hauskin in the Va line for 

Inscribed on the roll of Kent 
At the rate of 23 dollars 22 cents per annum 
To commence on the 4th day of March, 1834

Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Augt
1833 and [illegible]
[illegible]
Arrears to the 4th of March 
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 Sept 
46.44
11.61 
58.05
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by D Bay Clerk
Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 22
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State of Kentucky Allen Circuit Court November Term 1832. On this the 24..th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open Court before......... 

Asher Graham [illegible] Judge of said court in the court house of said county in court Sitting Daniel Pitchford serv. a resident of said County of Allen and state aforesaid aged Seventy one years the twenty fifth day of July 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 7, 1832. 

That he was drafted into the service of the United States to serve a tour of duty as a militiaman in chesterfield County state of Virginia in march 1779 and served as a private in Captain      Gills Company in the Regiment commanded by Colo: Creed Hauskins  and Colo. or Gene. Nelson, that applicant shortly after the draft together with others composing said militia company repaired to Bermuda Hundred the place of Rendezvous, from thence he marched with said company to Williamsburg, from thence to  Little York and from thence in June 1779 to Hampton where they remained several weeks for the purpose of guarding the coast against the British who were in Hampton roads some time about the last of June they were marched back Williamsburg and then discharged applicant having served some small time nine than three months under, and in virtue of his draft
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State of Kentucky Allen Circuit Court November Term 1832. 
On this the 2th day of November 1832
before......... 
Asher W Graham [illegible] Juge of said court in the court house of said county in court sitting Daniel Pitchford [illegible] a resident of said County of Allen and state aforesaid aged Seventy one years the twenty fifth day of July. 
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 7, 1832. 

That he was drafted into the service of the United States to serve a tour of duty as a militiaman in Chesterfield County state of Virginia in March 1779 and served as a private in Captain    Gills Company in the Regiment commanded by Colo: Creed Hauskins and  Colo. or Genl. Nelson, that applicant shortly after the draft together with others composing said militia company repaired to Bermuda Hundred the place of rendezvous, from there he marched with said company to Williamsburg, from there to Little York and from there in June 1779 to Hampton where they remained several weeks for the purpose of guarding the coast against the British who were in Hampton roads some time about the last of June they were marched back Williamsburg and their discharged applicant having served some small time more than three months under and in virtue of his draft aforesaid. During his stay at Hampton, the British made an attempt to land, but were repulsed: 

In July following applicant engaged to drive and did drive a Waggon employed in hauling forage and for the division of the American army.
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commanded by General Charles Scott in which employment [illegible] continued until some time the next year; applicant then moved from Chesterfield to Mecklengburg County Virginia and then in February 1781 he again entered into the service of his County as a volunteer in Captain Smiths company of Volunteers in the Regiment commanded by Colo. Robert Montford, the company rendezvoused at Widow Abbotts near Skipwiths ferry on Roan Oak, from there marched up the River to Boyds ferry to reconnoiter the enemy, and prevent his crossing if possible, from there the Regt. marched to Taylors ferry below there crossed the Roan Oak, marched into Carolina and joined the Division of the American army under Genl. Green at the High Rock fort of Haw river, after the junction with Genl. Green the army moved on to Guilford Courthouse where they arrived on or about the 13th day of March as well as applicant recollects, Applicant states that he performed service all the time as a private in said company and faught in the Battle between the Americans and British at Guilford the day after Genl. Green's  arrival at that place, upon the retreat of the American army from Guilford applicant repaired to the place appointed for their rendezvous near the Iron works about Ten or Twelve miles from Guilford, where the Americans under Genl. Green remained untile the British had left Guilford and directed their march for Wilmington, Genl. Green pursued the British under Cornwallis as far as to Ramseys mill on Deep river whom he came up with the enemy, but Cornwallis continued his march
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+ Genl. Green continued the pursuit. At Ramseys mill Colo. Mountfort's Regim. left the main army and proceeded to Hillsborough where they were discharged same time in May 1781 applicant having in said Company and Reg. as a soldier from the time of his enlistment in Feb. up to that time, in all about Three months and three weeks to the best of his recollection. 


Returned from last mentioned tour, applicant removed to the adjoining county (Lunenburg) when he was drafted some time in August or September 1781 to serve a three months tour as a militia man, in the Company by Capt. Joseph Gecter commanded applicant served only about ten days under Captain Gecter the Company Rendezvoused at Lunenberg Courthouse and proceeded in the direction towards Williamsburg and Little York, but this applicant became disabled by the Rheumatism and was discharged by Captain Gecter about the tenth day after he had found this Company. This applicant confidently states that he served as a Soldier of the Revolution at least seven months. That he never left the Army at any time without being discharged by the Command-ing Officer But he has no recollection of having ever received a written discharge from any officer. After the Revol: War applicant moved to Granville N. Carolina, from there to Pendleton County S. Carolina, and from there to Long Creek where he now resides in Allen County Kentucky. 
Applicant knows of no person whose testimony he can process.
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                                deposition is in this matter, save the individual whose hereto appended applicant has often spoken of his having been a soldier of the Revolution, and as he believes has been generally reputed and considered in his neighbourhood to have served in the Revolutionary War. Applicant was born in Chesterfeld County State of Virginia on 25 July 1761 as the family - Register in his possession shows and as he believes. For his reputation in war and of having ever been reputed a soldier o the Revolution he relies on the statements of those who have long known him whos certified 
accompanies this his declaration of service 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension on an annuity accept the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any state 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and yea aforesaid Daniel Pitchford 

I Eli Pitchford a resident of Allen County and State of Kentucky, being first duly sworn according to law depose and say that applicant Daniel Pitchford and himself are brothers that in or about the year 1779 deponent lived with their father William Pitchford in Amelia County Virginia, and applicant lived with their uncle Jesse Stiles in Chesterfield County (Va) deponent was then but a small boy but amongst his earliest and clearest and most durible recollections are the following (To wit) The recollection of hearing his father about that time state, that he had to go and fight the British at or near Williamsburg unless he could get his son Daniel (the applicant) to go in his place, that his father stated that he would go into Chesterfield and try to get Daniel  to go and left home with that intent as he said. On the
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return of his father, he remarked that he had been disappointed that Daniel (the applicant) had to go in his own place, and that he also would have to go in his own place, or words of the foregoing import.
The recollection of seeing his father shortly after equiped with his blanket knapsack + with his Gun on his shoulder, his taking leave of the family and marching off to fight the British as he stated is so indeliably imprinted on his mind as never to be freed. This deponent has no personal knowledge of applicants having served as stated by him; but he well recollects hearing his brother often make the same statements to him and others that he has made in the foregoing declaration, that said statements have most, if not all of them, been made by others in the  presence and hearing of the deponent and have never been in the slightest degree contradicted so far as he has ever heard. This deponent further states, that applicants volunteering and marching under the Command of Colo: Montford as stated by him aforesaid, his being in the battle of Guilford and discharge at Hilsborough in N. Carolina were matters of notoriety in Virginia and never controverted so far as he ever heard. There is our circumstance by him particularly remembered (To wit). That the fate of sd. applicant was a matter of great concern with the whole family, the news of the Battle had reached them in Amelia; several who had been in that engagement had returned and they could not learn what had become of the applicant after the discharge of Mountfords Regiment at Hilsborough. Their father prepared to go in quest of him and was about to set out when applicant returned home, much debilitated from sickness and fatigue.
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This deponent further states, as he recollects hearing of applicant being drafted to serve, and his marching under Captain Gecter, of his return and of his being disabled by the Rheumatism for a long time. Applicant has always been reputed and believed to be a soldier of the Revolution, and that reputation and belief has never been questioned so far as this deponent hath ever heard or believes. Deponent hath frequently examined the family Register in the possession of the applicant and from that, it appears that he is was seventy one years old in July last and the same is entitled to full credit and belief. 

Sworn to and subscribed the same day and year aforesaid 
Eli Pitchford 

We Zadock B. Thackston a clergy man residing in Allen County Kentucky, David A, Porter Robert H. Paris, Joseph Pullian & Eli Pitchford. 
and all afs. residing in Allen County Kentucky hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel Pitchford [illegible] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy one 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 that opinion. 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid [signatures] Zadock B. Thackston 
David A. Porter 
Robert H. Paris
Joseph Pullian 
[illegible] 
Willi M' chilearle
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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 in proof that Zadock B Thackston who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergy man resident in Allen County Kentucky and that David A Porter 
Robert H. Paris Joseph Pulliam and Eli Pitchford who also signed the same as residents in said county and as creditable persons, and their statement written to credit Asher W. Graham 
Judge afsd. Court 

I David Walker Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the County of Allen state of Kentucky do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Daniel Pitchford sent for a pension. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 30th day of November in the year One thousand Eight hundred and Thirty two. [watermark on the bottom left] David Walker Clerk 
[stamp on bottom with abbreviation reads: "sig"]
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Daniel Pitchford
from 1779 private
6 months 29 days.
$23.22/100
5.16
P 246
Feb. 14 33

Clk of the Court,
David Walker
CT
Scottsville
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BRIEF in the case of Daniel Pitchford
County of Allen in the State of Kentucky
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? ~

3. How old is he? 71

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
[1] Drafted In 1779 March
[2] 1779 July
[3] Vol. 1781 Feb.
[4] 1781 August
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
[1] 3 Months
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30654
[illegible] INVALID 
File No. 30,654
Daniel Pitchford
[illegible] Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 489
[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 Daniel Pitchford 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 to what amount of pension he is entitled? 
No 
yes [yes crossed out] 
the was on service is not [illegible] by the act

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 Clerk's 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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                                [page number 2 in the top of page]
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 revolu-tionary service? [handwritten answer] yes 

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-ing it? [unanswered with handwritten line] 

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 be had? [handwritten answer] yes 

XIV.  If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? [unanswered with handwritten line] Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? [unanswered with handwritten line] 

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [unanswered with handwritten line] 

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [handwritten answer] No 

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? [handwritten answer] 6. 

                           Explanatory Notes. 
Quere V. 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 consequeat loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recol-ection 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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                                                                                [page number 3 in middle of the top of the page] It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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. 
[symbol] QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. 
 
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 heir affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as  well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may adminis-ter 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. 
[symbol] QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers. 

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being im-properly attached to the certificate.
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Scottsville KY 
April 30 Free 

To The Secretary of War 
[Note written on the side reads: KY [illegible] ] 

Washington City. 

For pension office
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State of Kentucky } 
Allen County. } SS. 

Be It Known, That on the 27th.. day of April 1833 before the subscriber, a Justice of the peace in and for said county personally appeared Daniel Pitchford the within and above named declarant and subscribed and swore to the within amendment to his origional declaration for the obtainment of a pension from the reputed states for services as a soldier of the Revolution
In testimony whereof I have hereunto my hand the day and year above mentioned 
R H Paris J. P.  A C  
[watermark in the bottom left corner]

State of Kentucky Allen County. Sct. 

I David Walker Clerk of the Court of Allen County K.Y. certify Robert H. Paris is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 29th day of April   1833. 
David Walker 
clerk of the court of Allen 
County state of Kentucky
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State of Kentucky 
County of Allen Sct.

I Daniel Pitchford do amend my proceeding declaration by adding thereto the following; responsive to the objections to the admission of my claim to a pension forwarded to me by the department of War (To wit) personally appeared before me, He undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Allen and state of Kentucky Daniel Pitchford 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 Three months and five days, I served as private soldier under Captain Gill. I served [crossed out]. For Three months fourteen days I served as a volunteer private soldier under Captain Smith For Ten days I served as a private soldier under Captain Joseph Geter working in all Six months Twenty nine days and for such service I claim a pension. This applicant upon his said oath further deposeth and saith that the service as a Teamster mentioned in the proceeding is not in the above calculation of service nor was it intended to have been included in the first declaration as by an examination thereof he thinks will readily be discovered. In answer to the 6th interrogatory prescribed by the department of war in the said declarant on his said oath deposeth and saith That he hath no written discharge from any of the services above set out herein, that he has no recollection of ever having had any written discharge from any officer under whom he served; but that his recollection and firm belief is, that in every instance he and the other soldiers with whom he served were paraded and addressed by the commanding officer and discussed verbally. 
Dan;' Pitchford 

Subscribed and sworn to by the said Daniel Pitchford this 27.. th day of April 1833 before me 
Robt. H Paris  J. P. A. C.