Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21431, for Micajah Procter, Virginia
Page 1

Service
Va. 

Procter, Micajah
Proctor

Number
S. 21431
Page 2

[Left side]
12.636

South Carolina

Micajah Procter 
of Chester in the State of South Car. he was a private in the company commanded by Captain Rieves of the Regt commanded by Col. Richardson in the Virginia line for 9 months & 21 days


Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina [at] the rate of 32 Dollars 33 Cents per annum [to] commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of May '33 and sent applicant  Chesterville, So Ca

Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 64.66
Semi-anl, allowance ending 4 Sept    16.16 1/2 
$80.82

{Revolutionary Claim}
Act June 7, 1832 }

[Re]corded by Wm Miller Clerk, 
{bo]ok E.  Vol. 6. page 77

[Right]
Order to pay Jan 19 1837.
Order to pay 10 Novr 1837.
Order to pay 20 Oct 1838.
Page 3

23765
Micajah Proctor
Chester District
South Carolina

Admit for nine months
and twenty one days
as a private
$32.33

Applicant
Chesterville
S.C.
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office

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 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 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 (this: }). 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 Micajah Proctor, Chester District, SO. Carolina

Period when the service was rendered } Duration of the claimant's service. | Rank of the claimant. | Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Volunteer 1777 | 3 Months. | private | Gen Lawson Col. Richardson Capt Sherkins | 72 Sussex County Virginia | tradition
Drafted | 3 Months. | | Col. Richardson Capt Rieves | | |
do | 3 Months | | same officers. | | |
Volunteer | 21 days | Capt Lawrence Smith | | |

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 5

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. [Et cetera] Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. [Et cetera] 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 officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of 
County of
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 [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) [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 served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he [entered] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c. [Et cetera] )
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 da and year aforesaid. A. B.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, [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. [Et cetera]
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 subscr9be a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: [blank]
(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 Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. [blank] 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.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify 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, this [blank] day of [blank] &c. [Et cetera]
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 produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 6

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition,, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be 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?
4. How were you called into service' were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a soldier: Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
6. 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 he 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 person, 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 a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court of County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The 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 satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. [Et cetera] . A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] . For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] ; 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. [Et cetera] without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service, This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as 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.
The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 7

23765
M Proctor
Direct the Issue
To Micajah Proctor
Chester District
South Carolina Chesterville P.O.
Page 8

State of South Carolina } 
Chester District              } SS
On this Sixth day of December 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before Peter Wylie Judge of the Court of Ordinary of District afroesaid now Sitting  Mickajeh Proc-ctor a resident of the State & District aforesaid, aged Severty-Two years who being first duly Sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the ben-efit of the act of congress Passed June 7th 1832
that he entered the Service of the United States [interposed: as a volunteer] in the Virginia Militia under Genl Lawson Col Richardson, Capt Grey Sherkins. Liet. Harmon Webb, Ensign Sterling, Harwell [Turnk?] in the year 1777  Marched from Sussex county State of Virginia through Williamsburgh to Little York  Service three months when diss-missed.  Some time afterward was drafted into the Virginia Militia for three months [interposed:  under] Genl Lawson Col Richardson Capt George Rieves  Marched from Sussex County Virginia through Williamsburgh to Little York Service three months when dismissed.  Some time after Drafted again for three months [interposed: under] Genl Lawson, Col Richard-son Capt George Rieves  Marched from Sussex to Williamsburgh Service three months when dismissed.  Sometime after the British  landed at Portsmouth when the People was generally called out the British marched from there to Suffolk and set fire thereto.  we mar-ched from susx to Smithfield and got arms and then marched to Suffolk thence Back to Smithfield where dismissed, this Term
Page 9

three week [interposed:  under Capt Lawrence Smith] was Drafted again but was disabled from further Service by reason of the Kick of a horse. 

Ans to Int 1st.  I was born in Sussex county Virginia State on the Second day of November 1760 as I have been told. 

Ans to 2 Int.  I have no record of my age but understood it was in a bible of my uncle Abner Proctor who lived in Surry County State of Virginia & moved to North Carolina Pitts County. 

Ans to 3 Int.  I was living in Sussex county State of Virginia when called into Service lived there five or six years after the Revolution then moved to the State of North Carolina Warran coun-ty where I lived sixteen years then moved to State of South Carolina Chester District and has lived there ever Since where I now live. 

Ans to 4 Int  I was first Volunteered.  And then drafted the remaining Service

Ans to 4th Int  I do not recollect any regular officers.  I recolect I was present when the fifth and seventh Regiments Sailed from York to Baltimore, but the officers I served und-er were Genl Lawson Col. Richardson Capt Grey Sherkins  Capt George Rieves Lieut Harmon Webb, Ensign Sterling Harwell, Capt Lawrence Smith

Ans to 6 Int  I never received any discharge but was dismissed the volunteers & militia never as I knew of got discharges.

Ans to 7 Int  I am well acquainted with Col. George Gill  Revd John B. Davies.  John McCreary, Esq who has been a member to congress, Revd Samuel McCreary, John Ropborough (Clerk of the Court) John Knox  Hugh Simpson

He hereby relinquishes every Claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and
Page 10

declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. 
Micajah Proctor 
his X mark

Sworn to & Signed in open 
Court date above
Peter Wylie Judge

South Carolina }
Chester District}  
We John B. Davies a clergy-man residing in the State & District aforesaid & John Knox residing in the Stae and District aforesaid do hereby certify that we are will acquai-nted with Micajah Proctor who has Subscribed & Sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy two years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. 
John B. Davies
John Knox

Sowrn to & Subscribed 
date above in open court
Peter Wylie  Judge
of the Court of Ordinary of Chester District

And the 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 [interposed:  married] applicant was a revolutionary Sodier and Served as he States and the court further certifies that it appears him that John Davies who sigend the preceeding certificate is a clergy man resident in South Carolina Chester District and that John Knox who has also signed the Same is a resident in Chester Dis-trict State of South carolina and is a credible person and that their State-ment is entitled to credit.   Peter Wylie J.C.O.C.D. 

I peter Wylie clerk of the court of ordinary of Chester District State of South Carolina do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Micajah Proctor for a pension.  

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this Sixth day of December 1832 
Peter Wylie CCOCD
Page 11

February 19, 1938

XXXXXXX

Mr. Gordon W. Proctor
#217 McKenzie Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico

BA-J/EEL
Micajah Procter-S.21431

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Macajah Proctor, who, in 1835, was living in Chester District, South Carolina, and drawing a
pension for service in the Virginia troops, Revolutionary War.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.21431, based upon the military service in that war of Micajah Procter.

Micajah Procter was born November 3, 1760, in Sussex County, Virginia. The names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of said Sussex County, Micajah Procter enlisted in 1777, and served three months as a private in Captain Grey Jherkins' Company, Colonel Richardson's Virginia Regiment; he subsequently served three other tours, the first for three months in Captain George Rieves' Company, Colonel
Richardson's Virginia Regiment; the second for three months under the same officers; and the third, for three weeks in Captain Lawrance Smith's Virginia Company; dates of these tours
not given.

After the Revolution, he continued to reside in Sussex County, Virginia for five or six years; then moved to Warren County, North Carolina and lived sixteen years; thence to Chester District, South Carolina.

He was allowed pension on his application executed December 6, 1832, while residing in said Chester District. He signed by mark, Proctor, was borne on the pension rolls as Procter.
There are no data as to wife or children.

Soldier stated that he had an uncle, Abner Proctor, who
Page 12

lived in Sussex County, Virginia, and later moved to Pitt County, North Carolina.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Micajah Procter (S.21431), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data;
Micajah Procter
Certificate No. 12636
Issued May 16, 1833
Rate $32.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
South Carolina Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 13

[Left]
 21431

Revolution

INVALID

File No.  21,431
Micajah Procter
Pen  Rev War

Act:  June 7th 32
Index:  Vol. 2, Page 327
(Arrangement of 1870)

[Right]

1926 - Sept 15  Hist to Mrs. Jos W. Greene  MMH
1938 - feb 19 - Hist to Gordon W. Proctor - Et for MMH7
Page 14

Rev. & 1818 Wars Section
September 15, 1926
Mrs. Joseph W. Greene
319 North Spring St.,
Independence, MO.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 21431 it appears that Micajah Proctor (pensioned Procter) was born November 2, 1760 in Sussex County, Virginia.

While a resident of Sussex County, Virginia, he enlisted in 1777 and served three months as a private in Captain Grey Jherkins' Company, Colonel Richardson's Virginia Regiment.

He subsequently served three other tours, the first was three months in Captain George Rieves' Company, Colonel Richardson's Virginia Regiment, the second tour was three months under the same officers, and the third, three weeks in Captain Lawrance Smith's Virginia Company.

He was allowed pension on his application executed December 6, 1832 while a resident of Chester District, South Carolina, to which place he moved from Warren County, North Carolina.
Page 15

Carolina.

It is not stated whether he was ever married.
Respectfully,

Winfield Scott
Commissioner.

Uncle Abner Proctor of 
Sussex Co Va & Pitt Co N.C.
Page 16

217 McKenzie St,
Santa Fe, New Mex.
Feb, 2, 1938.

Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen;
Will you please send me information from your records about Macajah [sic] Proctor, who is listed in "In Virginia Milita [sic] in the Revolutionary War."" As drawing a pension in 1835, for service performed in the Virginia Militia in the American Revolution. He was born in 1761, but was living in Chester District, South Carolina. in 1835. So this book reports.
I would be pleased to know the name of his father, brothers
and SONS, if you will be so kind to furnish me this information.
Yours very truly,
Gordon W. Proctor
Gordon W. Proctor.

[ink stamp:  RECEIVED FEB 7 1938 ]
Page 17

Independence Mo.  July 21  1926

Commissioner of Pensions
Bureau of Pensions
Wasington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: 

In McAllister's "Virginia Militia in the Revolution," Micajah Proctor, aged 74 of Cehster District, South Carolina is listed as having received a pension in 1835 or his services in the Virginia Militia during the Revolution. 

Miss Seelen Proctor desires his military record and all family history for admisstion to the Daughters of hte American Revolution. 

Sincerely yours
Mrs. Joseph W. Greene
Agent

319 North Spring St.
Independence, Mo.
Page 18

[Clantry?] & Mich Bank of So Ca
Charleston  29 Dec 1836

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington 

Sir

I enclose the following Vouchers vz. James Southerland, Edmund Singleton, and Micajah Procter, upon each of which there is 12 mos pension due, for authority from you for payment

I am very Respectfully 
Your Ob Servant
A Spears
Pension Agent