Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4760, for Nathaniel Reeves, Virginia
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
New York
Va.

Reeves, Nathaniel
or Reever

NUMBER
S. 4760

Born in N.J. [notation]
Carded

CONTENTS [blank]
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Ohio   No. 13280

Nathaniel Reeves
of Clermont in the State of Ohio
who was a private and Indian spy in the company commanded by Captain Tyler of the Regiment commanded by Col. Morgan in the New York line for 11 months and 25 days


NY and VA line

Nathaniel Reeves Record O.K. April 7 

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio 
at the rate of 39 Dollars 43 cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.


Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of June 1833 and sent to J.D. Morris
Batavia Clermont Co. Ohio

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  $78.86
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833  $19.71

$98.59

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by J. W. Clagett Clerk,
Book E Vol. 8 Page 22
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application 
of Nathaniel Reeves
for a pension
under the Law of
June 7th 1832
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Declaration made in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1833.

State of Ohio
Clermont County ss.

On this sixth day of May 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Hon. John M. Gilleson Presiding Judge of the ninth Judicial Circuit of Ohio and Represents [illegible] Joseph Whitaker & John Sweeney Esquires associate judges in and for the above named county Nathaniel Reeves aged seventy six 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 in the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated:
I was born near Elizabethtown New Jersey on 3rd day of October in the year 1756 as appears by a record of my age copied from my father's family Bible into my own which he believe to be correct. When I was yet an infant my father moved with me (as I have been informed  and believe) to Ulster or Orange (I do not know which to as I lived near the line) County in the state of New York.
In the time of the Revolutionary War my father with myself and the rest of his family moved down to [crossed out: illegible] to Minisinck [Minisink] a low Dutch settlement, on the Navesink [Neversink River] which empties into the Delaware [River].  While I lived at this place I entered the service of the United States as an Indian Spy. In the spring of the year 1777 but the months is not remembered
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Captain Tyler was the commander of the party. [crossed out line: illegible] We acted as spies on the [crossed out: illegible] Delaware River, we went from the Shongum [Shawangunk] mountains on to the Delaware and from that river to the frontier. Our business was to guard the settlements and a [illegible] town in the time of danger when we saw an sign of the Indians we [illegible] to the settlements and alarmed the inhabitants we spies and the frontier for about forty miles part of our scout was on ten mile river and across Coshethten [Cushetunk] and from there back to the Minisink and continued in the employment ranging up and down the aforementioned county for five months [crossed out: illegible] Sometimes I was at home for two or three days but not more than [illegible] two weeks or twenty days and when at home was engaged in my usual occupation, but in [crossed out: illegible] late of the fall and sometimes in the dead of winter I was out so that I can safely say that I served not less than five months in that season. The Delaware and Shawnee were troublesome [crossed out: illegible] [illegible] This service as a volunteer and served as a private Captain Tyler had no commission except [crossed out words: illegible] as a captain of militia company and when we went out as volunteers [illegible] we voted him in as our captain. Moses Thomas was either ensign or Lieutenant I do not remember which. I had no written discharge. Sometimes our company consisted of eighteen or nineteen men sometimes there were but two or three of us. We had no engagements in this years service. 

In the year 1778 while I [crossed out: illegible] lived at the before mentioned place my time [illegible] residence, to which my father and his family myself and my [illegible] they had been driven from the mouth of ten mile river on the Delaware in the [crossed out: illegible] month of February we went out again and staid
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not less than fifteen days volunteered and served as a private Indian Spy under the command of the same Captain Tyler before mentioned. We started [crossed out: illegible] from the Shongum [Shawangunk] Mountain and crossed the Minisink settlement and went up the Delaware river to ten Mile river, then across to Coshethen [Cushetunk] on the Delaware. We saw Indian Disguise and returned to the settlement and gave town notice. While we were returning from this town we met with three families in canoes coming to the settlement. Robert Land and Jacob Walkers family and also Wood family. The [illegible] [illegible] of the family and the older boys were among the Indians acting against the whites & these women and children run off from them and had got to the before mentioned place they came down in canoes. When we found them they almost perished with cold and hunger we took them to the Minisink settlement. [crossed out: after we] I had no written discharges from this Service. In this year [crossed out: illegible] soon after my return from the above mentioned tour I started again under the command of Captain Tyler.  We went on the same route with some variation of no great consequences and [crossed out: illegible] most which from the loss of memory are long [illegible] on another tour as Indian Spies.  I was a [crossed out: illegible] volunteer and served as a private. I served during this summer, spring and fall not less than five months. The greater part of the time we were commanded by Captain Tyler.  Moses Thomas as above was second in command.  Tyler and Thomas were both killed in the battle of Lackowack.  about forty whites were killed in said battle. It was fought with the Delaware Shawnee British and Tories as was said. I was not in the battle. After the death of our Captain
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We did not elect another but acted without a commander. We found our own provisions [illegible], ammunition and clothing I was acquainted with Major Deker a [illegible] [illegible] of New York and Major Phillips and Col [crossed out: illegible] Weetzoner. They came out to guard the frontier. During this year part of Minisink was burnt by the Indians British and tories and a few of the inhabitants killed. This took place just after harvest. [crossed out: illegible]

After this in the year my father with myself and the rest of his family moved to Berkly County Virginia. In which county in the year 1781 in September I was drafted for three months. I served as a private in Captain John Hart's company I think [underlined]  a man named [crossed out: Cunningham] Cunnighim was lieutenant and I [crossed out: illegible] also think Isaac Moran was Col [underlined]. [crossed out: illegible] I belonged to Captain Anderson company and served under Captain Hart a few days before the company started Captain Anderson came to me and told me I need go - I told him I could not start in a few until I had got done seeding. After I got done I started & overtook Captain Harts company in Albemarle. We marched from Albemarle to Little York, through Fredricksburgh [Fredericksburg] and Williamsburgh [Williamsburg]. When we got there we found the main American army under the command of General Washington. There was a heavy cannonading which lasted several days. I staid there until they surrendered. Captain Harts company [crossed out: illegible] guarded a party of the British to Nolands Ferry on the Potomack [Potomac] & they were then given in charge of the Maryland [crossed out: illegible] men. [crossed out: illegible] 

At Nolands Ferry I was discharged. I had a written discharge which was Signed by Captain Hart which I
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have lost this was the only written discharge that I ever had. Gen Washington Gen Lafayette were with the [illegible] [illegible] I served. Major Becker [crossed out: Col Ph] Major Phillips and Co Weesner - regiments were in the neighbourhood in where I served. Col Isaac Morgan commanded a regiment in Virginia and I think but am not certain that I served in this regiment.

David White, Elder Ichabod Temple and Robert Decuham Hon Thomas Morris [illegible] know me in my present neighbourhood and can testify to my character [illegible] by and [illegible] [illegible] of my [crossed out: illegible] service as a soldier of the Revolution. I have no documentary Evidence, and know of no person whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my service. In the town to Little York in old Virginia I was in actual service not less than five weeks and five day. The other two [crossed out: to] tours were not less than five months each.

From Berkley County Virginia I moved into Monongalia County, Va. and lived there ten years and then moved to Hamilton County Ohio where I lived about ten years and the moved to Clermont County. I hereby relinquish every claim whither to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the Pension roll of the [illegible] of any state.
Nathael Reeves
Sworn to in open court May 6th 1833
J Dillons Clerk
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We John Pompelly [crossed out: illegible] residing in Ohio Township Clermont County Ohio and David White residing in the same township certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel [crossed out: Reeve] Reeves who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy six years [crossed out: old] 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 Pompelly
David White
Sworn to in open court May 6th 1833
J D Morris Clerk
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application of Nathaniel Reeves for a pension under the Law of June 7th 1832
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The State of Ohio Clermont Com. Pleas
May Term 1833

"On the 6th day of May 1833 personally appeared in Open Court Nathaniel Reeves an applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress in relation to provisions passed June 7th 1832 and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after having seen that the interrogatories prescribed by the War department were properly answered that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and the Court further certify that it appears to them that John Pompelly and David White who have Signed the preceding certificate are credible persons resident in Ohio Township in the County of Clermont Ohio and that their statement is entitled to credit"

I Jonathan D Morris Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Clermont Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Reeves for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 20th day of May AD 1833
J, D, Morris Clerk
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[duplicate page] [duplicates page 11]
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No. 25276
Nathaniel Reeves Clermont County Ohio

Adm 11 Months 25 days

Jno. D. Morris Clk Clermont County Ohio
Batavia
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[duplicate page] [duplicates page 13]
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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 a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Nathaniel Reeves Clermont County Ohio
[column headings: Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Years Months Days. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of Field officers under whom he served [hand written: Gen Washington]. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.]

Entered Sp 9, 1777. 5 [months]. Indian Spy. Cap Tyler. 76 years Orange County New York. Traditionary evidence certified credible - no Clergymans certificate and no reason given papers come atty attached
Vol - 1778. 15 [days]. " [Indian Spy]. Cap Tyler.
Served " [1778]. 5 [months]. " [Indian Spy]. [ left blank].
Drafted 1781. 1 [month] 10 [days]. private. Cap Harte, Col Morgan.

[added to bottom of last column] Battle of [crossed out: illegible] Lackowack

I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
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[duplicate page] [duplicates page 15]
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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 wand 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 classes 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 its 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 } ss. 
County of 
On this ______ day of ______ personally appeared (a) before ___________ A.B. a resident (b) of ____________ in the county of __________ and State, Territory or District of ________ aged (c) _______ years, who 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 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year (d) _______, with ________ and served in the _________ (e) regiment of the _________ line, under the following named officers:
 [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service: (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, 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.] 
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 ________
 Sworn to and subscribed the day 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 __________ of the Court of _____________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of __________ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ________ day of ________ &c. 
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the _______ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, __________ Clerk of the Court of _____________ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of __________ &c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge of 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
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or if detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribed and be sworn to, one of the declarations also 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? 
To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement to the applicant. 
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons-one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. -If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to 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 or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
 ______________________ 
[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 declaration must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continual 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. 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 ____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a ________. For ______ months and _______ days, I served as a _______; and for such service I claim a pension." 
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid reconciling to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italicized] about three or four months, is to indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 
Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as not 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. 
[pointing finger icon] The notes from [a] t [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.
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Rev War
4760
INVALID.
File No. 4760
*Nathaniel Reeves
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7" 1832
Index:-Vol. M, Page 311
[Arrangement of 1870.]
*Nathanial Reeves Records carried
Apr. 7 '04 a