Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,475, Absalom Ailstock, Va.
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
Va. [handwritten]
Ailstock, Absalom [handwritten]

NUMBER
S. 6,475 [handwritten]

carded [handwritten]

CONTENTS
Page 2

[handwritten]
13.125. -
Virginia.

Absalom Ailstock
of Rockbridge in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the Comp.y commanded
by Captain Harris. of the Reg.t commanded
by Col. Richards in the Virginia
line for six mo. + 20 days.

22. 78/100

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
the rate of 22 Dollars 78. Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14. day of May, 
1833 and sent to J. Mc. D.
Recd. cc. Lexington . Rockbridge co.
virginia
Arrears to the 4th of March.1833.          45.56
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept.33.   11.39
                                                             $56..95

{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by [...] Palmer. Clerk, 
[...]ook 8 Vol. six Page one.

[Reverse side]
Se.t to [...] J. McDowell
Jan. 16th, 1850

Se.t to [...] Feb. 1st, 1850
Page 3

[handwritten] 
Absalom Aylestock

22012
Page 4

State of Virginia
Rockbridge County [..]

On this day personally appeared in
open court, before the justices of said court, said court being
a court of record, and now sitting: Absalom Ailstock a 
resident in said County and State, aged 70 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
This applicant is a free born Mulatto, and not being
able to read, or write, is too unacquainted with dates, to be
particular, as to the exact periods when he went into service.
This applicant states, that he was born in Louisa County, 
State of Virginia, (the year he does not know) having no record
of his age, where he lived until 12 or 13 years after the Revolution, when he moved to this County, where he has since lived.
He states that his first service in the Revolution, was from the
County of Louisa, in this state, the Militia having been called
out by Divisions under Col. Nelson + Captain John Saunders, both
of Louisa County, it being rumored that, the British were about
to land upon the Virginia Coast, he cannot state in what 
year [^this happened] but believes it was in the year preceding Cornwallis's
defeat, and thinks he was about 17 years old, from the circumstances, that a short time previous to this, he was not capable of standing a draught for 18 months, not being 18 years
of age; the age required by Law, and that in the summer
following his first tour, he did not stand a draught for a 
term of 18 months, but drew clear _ He states that he walked
from Louisa County in the beginning of the winter, to Hanover Courthouse, in this state, where he went under the command of Col. Fountaine, and Major Winston, [Regular?] Officers, and Col. Nelson returned home. Thence proceeded to
New Kent Courthouse, received orders (as this applicant thinks from the Governor, after remaining one week at
Page 5

New Kent Courthouse, and returned to Hanover Courthouse,
there remained two or three weeks, when Adjutant Mayers if
this applicant recollects right, he being called by the soldiers
Laudy Mayers, was sent to the Governor for further orders, who
returned with directives to dismiss the men, and this applicant returned, after a service of 4 Weeks, he received no discharge, the orders
from the Governor being a general discharge, to the Louisa Militia, 
as he understood from it being read aloud by Adjutant Mayers.
This applicant further states, that he was called out into the
service of the United States, in the same manner as he was in his
first tour, in the spring following, about the 7th of April in the Year of Cornwallis,s Defeat, and marched from said County
under Capt William Harris of Louisa County, directly to Richmond, where he joined the 2nd Regiment, under Col Richardson
and Major Armistead. The British he states had been at Manchester on the opposite side of the river, and burned the Tobacco
warehouses, the ruins of which this applicant distinctly saw from
the Richmond side - Thence marched down the River in Nelsons
Brigade, how far he cannot say, but to a place called as he
believes "Marben Hills" upon the river, where the Brigade was
stationed, for the reason as this applicant believes, that the
British were in the habit of coming up the River as high as
this place in two gun boats (little boats with a gun on each end)
for the purpose of Plunder, whilst here Col. Richardson had a skirmish
with these gun boats, two of which he took, and 17 men Prisoners,
thence marched down the River about a days Journey, Thence across to Spotsylvania, where this applicants Term of service expired,
and he was discharged. This applicant gave his discharge to one
of his fellow soldiers, not having a safe place to keep it, and
has never seen it since. His tour was 3 months + 2 days
This applicant states that he served another tour of 3 months
service, having been called out in the same manner as formerly, about the middle of July succeeding the last tour, and
marched to near old Williamsburg under Capt Benjamin Harris
of Louisa County, where he joined Nelsons Brigade (afterwards at York called Lawsons Brigade) Col Richardson was a field officer
in this Brigade, and Major Martin had Taken the place of Major
Page 6

Armistead, as this applicant believes. Thence marched below
Williamsburg, a short distance, where the Brigade encamped until
Washingtons Troops came on from the North, in the rear of which,
this Brigade fell- and marched on to York. This applicant states
that the Battle was commenced on Sunday morning, by the
French at the Poplar Redoubt, and the next day, the regiment to 
which this applicant belonged was transfered to this redoubt,
for the purpose of changing it into a gun battery. This applicant states that he was occupied during the siege in digging
intrenchments, and making sand baskets and faccines for
the intrenchments Batteries. This applicant received his discharge, by order of General Lawson, from order by ^Seargeant Lieutenant Shelton, which discharge he delivered to one of his mess mates, for
safe keeping, and has never seen it since.
This applicants service in this tour was 3 months lacking
4 or 5 days.
This applicant can refer to the personal knowledge of no
living writings in his behalf. But to Daniel Ruth of his neighbourhood, James D. Davidson, Richard Morris and the Rev.d Andrew 
B Davidson all of said County, as evidence in his behalf.
This applicant hereby relinquishes every Claim 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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written.

Absalom [his] X [mark] Ailstock

I Daniel Ruth of the County aforesaid, and residing in the
Neighbourhood of the applicant who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration, do certify, that I am well
acquainted with the said Absalom Ailstock. That I believe
him to be 70 years of age, as he represents, that he is a free born
Mulatto, and has always supported an unimpeached Character for
honesty and veracity. That it is the general belief of his neighbourhood, that he was a Revolutionary Soldier [that no doubts?]
to my knowledge have ever existed upon the subject, and that
I concur in that opinion. I further certify, that I have often at
different times several years preceding this application when the
Page 7

above applicant could have had no interested motive in view,
heard said applicant recount his services in the War of the 
Revolution, in substance and particulars to correspond with each other in the above declaration.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written.
Daniel Ruth

I James D Davidson do hereby certify, that I prepared the above applicants declaration, that from minute examination I
gave him, from his intimate acquaintance with circumstances
of the war, and from my having asked him many questions with
the concealed intention of detecting him, if disposed to make false 
statements, I am fully convinced that he was a soldier of the revolution, and served as he states.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written.
James D Davidson

I Richard Morris of the Town of Lexington Rockbridge County, do
hereby certify, that I have been acquainted with Absalom Ailstock,
who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration, that I believe
him to be strictly honest in every respect. That I heard him 8 or 10
years ago relate his services in the War of the Revolution under the
command of Capt John Saunders, Capt William Harris + Capt
Benjamin Harris, in the years 1780 + 86 - and have heard him
relate his services at the Siege of York; all corresponding with the above declaration.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written.
Richard Morris

I A B Davidson a Clergyman of the County of Rockbridge, do
hereby certify, that I am acquainted with the said Absalom Ail-
=stock, and that I am satisfied, that it is the belief of his
neighbourhood, that he was a Revolutionary soldier.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written.
AB Davidson

Virginia
Page 8

[vertical in right-hand margin] A Aylstock

At Rockbridge County court October 1st 1832
The declaration of Absalom Aylestock together
with the certificates of Daniel Ruth, James D Davidson, Richard Morris, and Andrew B. Davidson of which the forgoing are true copies were produced
in court and severally sworn to and subscribed in open court _ and the
said court declared their opinion after investigating the matter and
after putting the interrogatories presented by the War department that the
above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
and the court further certified that it appeared to them that Andrew
B Davidson who has signed one of the preceding certificates is a clergyman
resident in this county and that Daniel Ruth, James D Davidson and
Richard Morris who have signed the said certificates are residents in
this county and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit _
In testimony whereof I Samuel McReid
clerk of the said county court have here-
unto set my hand and official seal this
10th day of October 1832 and in the 57th
year of the commonwealth.

[signed] Saml McD Reid
Page 9

No 22012
Absalom Ailstock
Va.

13.125
absalom ailstock.

Adm for 6. Mo 25 days
from 1780

2.22
1.56
3.34
2.18

Samuel McD Reid
Clerk Rockbridge
County Court
Page 10

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 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.

_________________________________________________ Va
A Statement, shewing the Service of Absalom Ailstock. Rockbridge Co

Period when the service was rendered.
Year preceding defeat of Cornwallis
April 1
July

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years
[blank]
Months
[blank]
3.
3.
Days
28
2
Lacking 4 or 5 days

Rank of the claimant.
Priv

Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Capt Sanders
Harris
Harris

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col Nelson
Fountaine
Richardson

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
None
[blank]
York

Country through which he marched.
Va
[blank]
Va.

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Aged 70
Louisa
Co Va

Evidence by which the declaration is sup-ported.
[?]

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

This applicant is a free born Mulatto
Page 11

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 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, claim-
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in-
stance, 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    }
County of                                 } ss.

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]
A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District
of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 provion [sic] made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers: [blank]

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he serv-
ed 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 enered [sic] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. [[hand emoji pointed right]] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and per-
sons 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 [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A.B.

[And the will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolu-
tionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 day 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 Revo-lutionary 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 [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Page 13

6475
INVALID.
File No. 6475
Absalom, Ailstock
Pri Rev. War
Act: June 7th, 1832
Index:- Vol. A Page 4
Page 14

Pension Office
January 16th 1850

Sir:
In reply to the inquiring contained in your memorandum, in the case of Absalom Ailstock, a pensioner on the call of the Virginia Agency at $22 78/100 per Anum, I have to state, that he has been allowed a pension for the service alleged in his declaration, which was 24 months, and twenty-five days.

I have the honor to be very respectfully your servant,
[Signature]
JL Edwards

[SIGNATURE]
Hon. James McDowell
House of Reps.
Page 15

H or Reps [House of Representatives]
21 January 1850
The Comr [commissioner] of Pension will oblige me by informing Mrs Ailstock the points set forth within-
1st Whether the $22.78 per. an. which Mr Ailstock has hereunto recd, is or is not the whole pension which he is entitled to?
2nd Whether the six months & 25 days pension mentioned is or is not a new allowance to Ailstock, & if a new one whether it has been understood to who paid and & how & when?
 
Respectfully,
[Signature] JS McDowell
[illegible]
Page 16

Jany [January] 2/50
A. Ailstock's
Memo: for   
an increase 
of his pension

To her attended to in Washington City
Ar Alli

Jas M Dowell
H [illegible]
[illegible] Jan '50
Page 17

Memorandum
Absalom Ailstock, a colored free
man in Rockbridge City Is an
old Revolutionary Soldier 
who was at The Taking of
Cornwall's. Now 94 years of age
and a pensioner since 1837-
Complains,
That he receives only
$22.78 per year & has never
rec'd more than that sum at any time.
He thinks this  
is but half pay and desires
me to ascertain if more can't 
be gotten for him at Washington  

This I have promised to do. William I White of Lexington is Ailstock's Atty: drawing his
pension and keeping his papers - papers originally drawn by Jas D Davidson of Lexington.
Either may be communicated with in relation to this subject from Was'ton. [Washington].
Jas Mc Dowell
[Illegible]
29 Oct 1849
Page 18

13125
Virginia
Absalom Ailstock
of Rockbridge in the state of Virginia
who was a private in the Compy commanded 
by captain Harris of the Regt commanded
by Col. Richards in the Virginia 
line for six mo.s & 25 days
22.78/100

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
the rate of 22 dollars 78 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of May
1833 and 
Recd CC Lexington, Rockbridge co.
Virginia
Arrears to the Act of March 1833. 45.56
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 Sept. 33 11.39
$56.95

Revolutionary Claim
Act Jun 7, 1832

Recorded by WM R Palmer Clerk,
Book E Vol six Page one

2nd page:
Sent to Hon J Mc Dowell
Jan 16th 1850
Sent to Same Feb. 1st 1850
Page 19

Absolom Aylstock
222012
[unrelated text showing from different page in left margin]
Page 20

State of Virginia
Rockbridge County fc.
On this day personally appeared in
open court, before the justices of paid Court, said Court being
a Court of Record, and now setting: Absalom Ailstock a 
resident in said County and State, aged 70 years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath much
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 not being
able to read, or write, is too unacquainted with dates, to be particular, as to the exact periods when he went into service.
This applicant states, that he was born in Louisa County,
State of Virginia, (The year he does not know) having no record 
of his age, where he lived until 12 or 13 years after the Revolution, where he moved to this County, where he has since lived.
He states that his first service in the Revolution was from the
County of Louise, in This State, the militia having been called 
out by Divisions under Col. Nelson of Captain John Saunders, both
of Louisa County, it being rumoured [rumored] that, the British were about
to land upon the Virginia Coast, he cannot state in which
year (Handwritten note added, "This happened"), but believes it was in the year preceding Cornwall's defeat, and thinks he was about 17 years old, from the circumstances.
That a short time previous to this, he was not capable of standing a draught for 18 months, not being 18 years 
of age; the age required by law- and that in the summer 
following his first tour, he did stand a draught for a
term of 18 months, but drew clean: He states that he walked from Louisa County in the Beginning of the winter, to Hanover Courthouse, in this state, where he went under the command of Col. Saunders, and Major Winston, regular officers, and Col. Nelson returned home. Thence proceeded to New Kent Courthouse, received orders (as then applicant thinks from the governor, after remaining one week as
Page 21

New Kent Courthouse and returned to Hanover Courthouse, there remained two or three weeks when adjutant Mayers (if this applicant recollects right, he being called by the soldiers Landy Mayers) was sent to the governor for further orders, who returned with directions to dismiss the men. And this applicant returned, after a service of 4 weeks. he received no discharge, the orders from the governor being a general discharge, to the Louisa Militia as he understood from it being read aloud by Adjutant Mayers.
This applicant further states, that he was called out into the service of the United States in the same manner as he was in his first tour, in the spring of the following, about the 1st of April in the year of Cornwall's defeat, and marched from said County under Capt. William Harris of Louisa County, directly to Richmond, where he joined the 2nd Regiment under Col. Richardson and Major Armistead. The militia, he states, had been at Manchester on the opposite side of the river and burned the tobacco warehouses, the ruins of which this applicant distinctively saw from the Richmond side- thence marched down the River in Nelson's Brigade, how far he cannot say, but to a place called as he believes, "Mashen Hills, upon the river, where the Brigade was stationed, fort he reasons as this applicant believes, that the British were in the habit of coming up the river as high as this place in  [underlined]  two gun boats(little boats with a gun on each end) for the purpose of plunder, whilst here Col. Richardson had a skirmish with these gun boats, two of which he took, and 17 men prisoners, Hence marched down the river about a day's journey, thence across to Spotsylvania where this applicant's term of service expired, and he was discharged. This applicant gave his discharge to one of his fellow soldiers, not having a safe place to keep it, and has never seen it since. his tour was 3 months & 2 days.
This applicant states that he served another tour of 3 month service, having been called out in the same manner as formerly, about the middle of July Succeeding the last tour, and marched to near old Williamsburg under Capt. Benjamin Harris of Louisa County, where he joined Nelson's Brigade (afterward at York called Lawson's Brigade) Col. Richardson was a field officer in this Brigade and Major Martin had taken the place of Major
Page 22

Armistead, as this applicant believes. Thence marched below Williamsburg, a short distance, where the Brigade encamped with Washington's troops came in from the North, in the rear of where this Brigade fell- and marched on to York. This applicant states that the Battle was commenced on Sunday Morning, by the French at the Poplar Redoubt, and the next day the regiment to which this applicant belonged, was transfered [transferred] to this redoubt, for the purpose of changing it into a gun battery. This applicant states that he was occupied during the siege in digging intrenchments and making sand baskets and fascines for entrenchments and batteries. This applicant received his discharge, by order of General Lawson, from order Seargant [Sergeant] Shelton, which discharge he delivered to one of his mess mates for safe keeping, and has never seen it since.
This applicants service in this tour was 3 months lacking 4 or 5 days.
This applicant can refer to the presence of knowledge of no living witness in his behalf. But to Daniel Ruth of his neighbor, James D. Davidson, Richard Harris and the Rev Andrew B. Davidson all of said County, as evidence in his behalf.
This applicant hereby relinquishes every claim 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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written.
[SIGNATURE] Absalon Ailstock (His mark included)

I Daniel Ruth of the County aforesaid, and residing in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] of the applicant who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration, do certify, that I am well acquainted with the said Absalom Ailstock- That I believe him to be 70 years of age, as he represents, that he is a free born mulatto, and has always supported us in unreached character for honesty and tenacity. That it is the general feeling of his neighborhood that he was a revolutionary soldier, that I doubt to my knowledge have ever existed upon the subject and that I concur in that opinion. I further certify that I have often at different times, several years preceding this application when the
Page 23

above applicant could have had no interested motive in views, heard said applicant recount his services in the War of the Revolution, in substance and particular to correspond with each other in the above declaration.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
[SIGNATURE]
Daniel Ruth
I James D Davidson do hereby certify that I prepared this above applicants declaration, that from this examination I gave him, from his intimate acquaintance with circumstances of the war, and from my having asked him many questions with the concealed intention of detecting him, have disposed to make false statements, I am fully convinced that he was a soldier of the revolution, and served as he states.~
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
[SIGNATURE]
James D Davidson
I Richard Marris of the Town of Lexington Rockbridge County, do hereby certify, that I have been acquainted with Absalon Ailstock, who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration, that I believe him to be strictly honest in every respect. That I heard him some years ago relate his services in the War of the Revolution under the command of Capt. John Saunders, Capt. William Harris & Capt. Benjamin Harris, in the years 1780 & 86, and have heard him relate his services at the siege of York; all corresponding with the above declaration.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
[SIGNATURE]
Richard Marris
I A B Davidson a Clergyman of the County of Rockbridge, do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the said Absalom Ail-stock, and that I am satisfied, that it is the belief of his neighbourhood, that he was a Revolutionary soldier.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
[SIGNATURE]
A B Davidson
Page 24

 him to be strictly honest in every respect. That I heard him some years ago relate his services in the War of the Revolution under the command of Capt. John Saunders, Capt. William Harris & Capt. Benjamin Harris, in the years 1780 & 86, and have heard him relate his services at the siege of York; all corresponding with the above declaration.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
[SIGNATURE]
Richard Marris
I A B Davidson a Clergyman of the County of Rockbridge, do hereby certify that I am acquainted with the said Absalom Ail-stock, and that I am satisfied, that it is the belief of his neighbourhood, that he was a Revolutionary soldier.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
[SIGNATURE]
A B Davidson

Virginia
At Rockbridge County Court October 1st 1832
The declaration of Absalom Aylestock together with the certification of Daniel Ruth, James D Davidson, Richard Morris, and Andrew B Davidson of which the foregoing are true copies were produced in Court and [ILLEGIBLE] sworn to and subscribed in open court - and the said court declared their opinion after investigating the matter and after pulling the interrogators, presented by the War department that the afore named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states- and the court further certified that it appeared to them that Andrew D Davidson who has signed one of the proceeding certificates is a clergyman resident in this county and that Daniel Ruth, James D Davidson, and Richard Morris who have signed the said certificates are residents in this county and are credible pensions and that their statements are credible

In testimony whereof I James MD Reid
Clerk of the said county court have here unto sat my hand and official seal this 10th day of October 1832 and in the 57th year of the Commonweath.
[SIGNATURE]
James MD Reid
Page 25

No 220182
Absalom Ailstock
Va
13,125
Absalom Ailstock.

Adm for 6 mo. 25 day
from 1780
Page 26

War Department, 
Pension Office
(Page Number?) 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 noted you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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, showing the Service of Absalom Ailstock, Rockbridge Co. VA

Chart Rows from left to right:
Period when the service was recorded, Duration of claimant's service (Years/months./days), Rank of the claimant, Names and Rank of the Officers under whom he served., Names and Bank of the General and Field officers., Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched., Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period., Evidence by which the decla-ration is sup-ported.


Row 1: Your preceding defeat of Cornwall (28 days), Priv, Capt. Saunders., Capt. Nelson, none, VA, aged 70 [illegible], Revolutionary
Row 2: April 1, 3 months, '', Harris,'' Richardson, ~, ~
Row 3: July, 3 months ([illegible] Unsure days), Harris, '','', York, VA
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
This Applicant is a free born Mulatto. [underlined]
Page 27

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 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, claim-
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in-
stance, 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 }
County of } ss.

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]
A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District
of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 provion [sic] made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers: [blank]

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he serv-
ed 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 enered [sic] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. [[hand emoji pointed right]] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and per-
sons 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 [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A.B.

[And the will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolu-
tionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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 [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 day 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 Revo-lutionary 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 [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Page 28

Document describes the Revolutionary War Pension Act of 1832 in great detail.
Signed at the Bottom by Dyer Castor, Exam Clerk.
Page 29

6475
Rev War [handwritten black check mark] INVALID.
File No. 6475
Absalom, Ailstock
Pri Rev. War
Act: June 7th, 1832
Index:- Vol. A Page 4
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 30

COPY OF DOCUMENT EARLIER IN FILE !!!

H or Reps [House of Representatives]
21 January 1850
The Comr [commissioner] of Pension will oblige me by informing Mrs Ailstock the points set forth within-
1st Whether the $22.78 per. an. which Mr Ailstock has hereunto recd, is or is not the whole pension which he is entitled to?
2nd Whether the six months & 25 days pension mentioned is or is not a new allowance to Ailstock, & if a new one whether it has been understood to who paid and & how & when?

Respectfully,
[Signature] JS McDowell
[illegible]
Page 31

Copy of earlier document in file

Pension Office
January 16th 1850

Sir:
In reply to the inquiring contained in your memorandum, in the case of Absalom Ailstock, a pensioner on the call of the Virginia Agency at $22 78/100 per Anum, I have to state, that he has been allowed a pension for the service alleged in his declaration, which was 24 months, and twenty-five days.

I have the honor to be very respectfully your servant,
[Signature]
JL Edwards

[SIGNATURE]
Hon. James McDowell
House of Reps.
Page 32

COPY OF DOCUMENT (16) EARLIER IN FILE.

Jany [January] 2/50
A. Ailstock's
Memo: for
an increase
of his pension

To her attended to in Washington City
Ar Alli

Jas M Dowell
H [illegible]
[illegible] Jan '50
Page 33

COPY OF EARLIER DOCUMENT (17) IN FILE

Memorandum
Absalom Ailstock, a colored free
man in Rockbridge City Is an
old Revolutionary Soldier
who was at The Taking of
Cornwall's. Now 94 years of age
and a pensioner since 1837-
Complains,
That he receives only
$22.78 per year & has never
rec'd more than that sum at any time.
He thinks this
is but half pay and desires
me to ascertain if more can't
be gotten for him at Washington

This I have promised to do. William I White of Lexington is Ailstock's Atty: drawing his
pension and keeping his papers - papers originally drawn by Jas D Davidson of Lexington.
Either may be communicated with in relation to this subject from Was'ton. [Washington].
Jas Mc Dowell
[Illegible]
29 Oct 1849