Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37,475, for Thomas Swift, Virginia
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE 
Va.

Swift, Thomas

NUMBER
S. 37,475

CONTENTS
Page 2

Kentucky 
5,056

Thomas Swift 
private  4
Virginia line 1778 - 1 year 
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the ate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on 
the 15 of August 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 23d of Decr. 1818
and sent to the Hon: R M John
son H. Representatives U. S.

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 17/31 & 4/30 mos. $5 44
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar: 1819 - $48.---
$53.44
=====

{ Revolutionary claim, }
{ Act 18th March, 1818. }

Henry County 
Continued
Page 3

Notification sent to
James Simrall Esq
19 Oct 1820
Shelbyville
Ky

[Written vertically in right margin]
Date of death not doc AB
Page 4

Thos. Swift
Shelby County, Kent.


Con
Page 5

Commonwealth of Kentucky Shelby County Sct

Shelby Circuit Court June term 1820

On this 20th day of June 1820 personally appeared 
in Open Court being a Court of record of 
common law and Cincinnati Jurisdiction for 
the County and State aforesaid, Thomas Swift aged 
sixty years resident in said County and State who 
being first duly sworn according to law doth on 
his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary 
war as follows, that he enlisted as a soldier in 
the month of February 1778 in Hanover County Va.
in the company commanded by Captain John 
Winston in the regiment commanded by Col.
John Davis of the Va. line on the Continental 
Establishment that he continued to serve in said 
corps until 1779 when he was discharged while 
the army lay in winter quarters on the Raritan 
River again in the June following entered the service 
as militia man and joined Genl. Gates and 
was at the Battle Campden.  He further states 
that he made application for a pension by his 
declaration dated 15th August 1818 and received 
his pension Certificate dated the twenty third 
day of Decr. 1818 No 5056 and have drawn 
his pension up to the 4th March 1820
Page 6

He further states that he is a farmer by occupation 
but is unable to do hard labour [labor] and [illegible]
keeps a small school to assist him to support his 
family he has a wife and four children 
living with him.  his wife old, his children 
living with him three sons and one daughter
his oldest son near eighteen years the second 
son sixteen years old and third son about 
fourteen years old who is entirely a cripple 
moves only on his hands & feet his daughter 
about twenty five years old.  his family is helpless 
and not capable of rendering him much aid 
in support; And I do solemny [solemnly] sware [swear] that I was 
a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th
day of March 1818 and that I have not since that 
time by gift, sale or in any way disposed of 
my property or any part thereof with intent 
thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself 
within the provisions of any act of Congress 
entitled an act to provide for certain persons 
engaged in the land and naval service of the 
United States in the Revolutionary War passed 
on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have 
not nor has any person in trust for me any 
property or securities contracts or debts due 
me nor have [remainder of sentence struck out]
Page 7

I any income other than what is contained 
in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me 
subscribed.  The following is a Schedule 
of all his property to wit: One horse saddle & 
bridle worth $45 two cows & calves $20 one 
[illegible] $15 one kettle $6 one pot $1 one table 
$3 one [illegible] iron $2 making together 
about ninety two dollars in vale
Tho. Swift

Sworn to and declared [struck out: in open Court] on the 20th day 
of June 1820 in open Court.
Saml. Sevis Clk SCC

I Samuel Sevis Clerk of the Shelby Circuit Court in 
the 4th Judicial District in & for the Commonwealth of 
Kentucky do hereby certify that the foregoing oath, and the 
Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the 
records of the said Court, and I do further certify that 
it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount 
in value of the property exhibitted [exhibited] in the aforesaid 
Schedule is ninety two dollars.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set 
[word Seal encircled] my hand, and affixed my private seal (there 
being yet no seal provided for [words struck out] said 
County on this first day of July 1820 and 
29th year of this Commonwealth.
Saml. Sevis Clerk
Shelby Circuit Court 
4th Jud. Dist.
Page 8

[Left side]

Admitted

[Right side] 
Swifts claim 
on Govt

Rh W Johnson
Page 9

4th Judicial District of Kentucky Ss

On this 15th day of August 1818 before me the 
subscriber [struck out: one of the] Judge of the Circuit Courts 
for said district personally appeared Thomas Swift 
aged 58 years resident in Henry County in said 
district, who being by me first duly sworn accord
ing to law, doth on his oath make the following 
declaration in order to obtain the provision under 
by the late act of Congress entitled an act to pro
vide for certain persons engaged in the land and 
navel [naval] service of the United States in the Rev
olutionary War. That he the said Thomas Swift 
enlisted in Hanover County Virginia on the 14 day of Feby. 1778 in the com
many commanded by Capt John Winston of 
the 14th Virginia regt commanded by Col
Davies of Genl. Muhlenberg's brigade belonging 
to Virginia line and that he continued to 
serve in the said corps or service of the United 
States untill [until] March the 17th 1779 when he 
was discharged at the place where the Army 
had their winter quarters on Raritan River in the 
State of New Jersey by Col Davies
and that he was in the Battle of Monmouth 
He again was drafted and on the 6th day 
of June 1779 joined Capt John Prices company 
1st Virginia regt of militia commanded by Col Holt 
Richardson and served six months, and 
along when Genl Gates was defeated at Camden 
And that he is in reduced circumstances 
and stands in need of the assistance of 
his country for support, and that he 
has no other evidence now in his power 
of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me
Silas M. Noel [illegible] Judge
Page 10

I Silas M Noel Judge &c as aforesaid do certify 
that it appears to my satisfaction that the said 
Thomas Swift did serve in the Revolutionary 
War and that he is in reduced circumstances 
as stated in the preceding declaration against 
the common enemy for the term of nine 
months and served as stated on the Continental 
Establishment and I now transmit the proceed
ings and testimony as had before me to 
the Secretary for the Department of War
pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned 
act of Congress.
Given under my hand 
this 15th day of August 1815
Silas M Noel Ct. Judge
presiding in the 4th Judicial District Ky.

We the undersigned do certify that we 
have known Thomas Swift the applicant 
for a number of years and that 
we have always considered him an 
honest upright person and that he 
is in reduced circumstances as 
stated above.
W E Mier
James Barttell
John Mcendree

The above certificate sworn to before me 
the day & year above written
Silas M. Noel Ct. Judge
Page 11

4th Judicial District of Kentucky 
Circuit of Henry To wit

I Row Thomas clerk of the Court of the Circuit 
aforesaid do certify and make known that the 
Honble Silas M Noel who has signed the 
foregoing Certificate was at the time thereof & now 
is Judge in & for the said District Circuit 
duly commissioned & sworn.  And that full 
faith and credit is due and ought to be given 
to his acts as such.
[Blurred seal of Court] In Testimony whereof I the said 
Clerk have hereto set my hand 
and affixed the seal of said Court 
this 20 day of August 1818
Row Thomas
Page 12

February 16, 1933

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/EEL [illegible initials]
Thomas Swift- S.37475

Mrs. N.E. Melencamp
1508 Central Avenue
Dodge City, Kansas

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to you letter in which you request informa
tion in regard to Thomas Swift, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, 
and also in regard to a Civil War soldier.

The history of Thomas Swift is given below as found in the papers 
on filed in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.37475, based upon his 
service in that war.

The date and place of birth of Thomas Swift are not given.

He enlisted in Hanover County, Virginia, February 14, 1778, 
served as a private in Captain John Winston's Company, Colonel Davies'
Virginia Regiment, was in the battle of Monmouth and was discharged 
March 17, 1779; he enlisted a second time, served as a private in 
Captain John Price's Company, Colonel Holt Richardson's Virginia Reg
iment, and was at the battle of Gates' Defeat, length of this service 
six months.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 15,1818, 
at which time he was aged fifty-eight years and resided in Henry County, 
Kentucky.

In 1820, he was residing in Shelby County, Kentucky, and then 
stated that his family residing with him at that time consisted of 
his wife and four children, three sons, aged about eighteen, sixteen 
and fourteen years respectively and one daughter, aged about twenty
five years.  He did not give the names of wife or children nor any 
particulars in regard to his marriage and there are no further data 
as to his family.  He stated that he was a school master.
Page 13

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name 
and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revo
lutionary War soldier, Thomas Price, S.37475, you should address the 
Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, 
Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data:
[Note: Last name Price is circled and the following written in top margin: Swift 
(was mailed in error)]

Thomas Price, Certificate No.5056, issued December 23, 1818, 
rate $8 per month, commenced August 15, 1818, Act of March 18, 1818, 
Kentucky Agency.
[Note: Last Price is circled and Swift has been written between the last two 
paragraphs]

Your letter has been referred to the proper division for reply 
in regard to the Civil War soldier.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 14

January 21, 1932

BA-J/EEL

Mrs.A.A.Immell
Box 285
Buchlin, Kansas

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record 
of a soldier with surname Swift, of Kentucky.

The record of Thomas Swift herein is that of the only soldier 
with that surname who was pensioned from Kentucky, that is found on 
the Revolutionary War records of this office.

The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file 
in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.37475, based upon the 
military service of Thomas Swift in that war.

Thomas Swift enlisted in Hanover County, Virginia, February 14, 
1778, served as a private in Captain John Winston's Company, Colonel 
Davies' Virginia Regiment, was in the battle of Monmouth and was dis
charged March 17, 1779; he enlisted a second time, served as a pri
vate in Captain John Price's Company, Colonel Holt Richardson's Vir
ginia Regiment, and was at the battle of Gates' Defeat, length of 
this service six months.
[Note written in left margin of the above paragraph: Could not identify Capt John Price]
[Note written in right margin of the above paragraph: He gave date of 2nd enlist
June 1779 but if he served 6 mos only, he could not have been at Gates Defeat which was in Aug 1780, so I left out date of this enl. & used battle as he was doubtless wrong in the date]

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 15, 
1818, at which time he was fifty-eight years and resided in Henry 
County, Kentucky.

In 1820, he was residing in Shelby County, Kentucky, and stated 
that his family residing with him at that time consisted of his wife 
and four children, three sons, aged about eighteen, sixteen and four
teen years respectively and one daughter, aged about twenty five 
years.  He did not give the names of wife or children nor any particu
in regard to his marriage, and there are no further family data.

He stated that he was a school master.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.

[Note at bottom of page: Date of death not on AB]
Page 15

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION  3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S.F.37475  Washington, D. C., [blank], 19[blank]

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank]
for a statement of the military history of Thomas Swift 
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired 
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen 
sion on file in this Bureau.
======================================================
DATES OF |
ENLISTMENT OR |
APPOINTMENT. |
________________ |
Feb'y 14, 1778 |
June 6, [struck out: 1779] 1780 |
[Note written vertically in left margin] AW. Camden bat was in Aug 1780 (not 79.
LENGTH OF |
SERVICE. |
___________ |
Mch. 17, 1779 |
6 mos |

RANK. |
______|
Pvt. |
[blank] |

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. |
______________________________________________ |
CAPTAIN. |
_________ |
John Winston |
John Price |

COLONEL. |
__________ |
John Daviess |
Holt Richardson |

STATE.
______
Va.

Battles engaged in, Monmouth, Camden [Note above Camden:] Aug 16, 1780

Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted in Hanover County Va.

Date of application for pension, Aug. 15, 1818 His cl. was al.

Residence at date of application, Henry County, Ky.

Age at date of application, 58 years

Remarks:  In 1820 referred to his wife and 3 sons living 
with him and one daughter.  One son near 18 years, one near 
16 yrs, and one near 14 years and his daughter about twenty five 
years old.  There are no names stated.

Respectfully,

Commissioner.
6-285C
Page 16

January the 4, 1932
Pension Department

Kind Sir:-

I wanted to gain a 
little information 
about a certain man 
by the name of Swift.
He lived in Holair Co.
Ky. and served in the 
Revolution war.

I wanted to find out 
his full name and 
where and when he 
enlisted in the 
Revolution war and 
how long he served.
His wife died and left 
a girl 10 or 12 years old 
and an old lady by the 
name of Lusk, took her
Page 17

to raise, and when she 
got married, she married 
a man by the name of 
James Albert Stolls, and 
they moved to Lawrence 
Co.  She and her father 
went to live at the 
Home of the Shaking 
Quaker's, where she died.
So I will be very 
thankful to you if you 
will try and find out 
all you can about these 
questions, and let me 
hear soon as possible.
Mrs. A. A. Immell
Buchlin
Box 285, Kansas

[Date and time receipt stamp]
Arrow pointing to 2:00
RECEIVED 
JAN 7 1932
[illegible] SECTION
PENSION [illegible] SUBDIVISION
Page 18

Record -
[illegible]

5640 MARYLAND AVENUE 
C H I C A G O

July 20, 1922.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-

Please send me a statement of the military services of Thomas 
Swift who was in the Revolutionary War as a soldier from Virginia. 
He lived in Henry County, Kentucky, about 1820.  

Included in this statement I would be very glad to have any data,  
such as date of birth and death, names of places where living, members' 
of his family, etc., etc. - in fact all the information on file as to 
his personality, etc.

Thanking you in advance for the favor, I am,

Very Respectfully Yours,

Chas. H Swift
Address:
Dr. Charles H. Swift 
5640 Maryland Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 

[illegible stamp]

[Circular mail receipt stamp]
PENSION 
F
JUL
U. 22 S.
1922
OFFICE.
Page 19

[Letterhead]
[Three columns]
[Left column]

PRESIDENT
WILLIAM FRANK EUGENE GURLEY
6151 UNIIVERSITY AVENUE

SECRETARY 
CHARLES ANTHONY BONNIWELL
5217 KIMBARK AVENUE

TREASURER
ARHTUR HAMILTON SCHARFF
5215 DORCHESTER AVENUE

REGISTRAR
CHARLES SCRIBNER EATON
35 NORTH DEARBORN STREET

[Middle column]
[Seal of the Illinois Society 
Sons of the Revolution]
Illinois Society 
Sons of the Revolution 
Chicago
January 14. 1920.

[Right column]
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
JOHN MELOY STAHL

Rev Sec
[illegible 
1
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT 
NELSON JOHN LUDINGTON 

THIRD VICE PRESIDENT 
EDMUND TAYLOR PERKINS

CHAPLAIN
REV. GEORGE DE MING WRIGHT

HISTORIAN
WILL SIDNEY TURNER

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 
D. C.

Dear Sir :-

Will you kindly send me the record of the revolutionary 
war services of Thomas Swift, who, I think was a resident of Henry Co.,
Kentucky at the time he drew a pension under the Act of 1818.

He probably was from Virginia.  Any data or information of a personal 
nature which might appear upon his application for pension, or on other 
papers filed in connection therewith would be thankfully received.

Very Sincerely Yours

Wm F.E. Gurley

[Circular mail receipt stamp]
PENSION 
D 
JAN
U 16 S.
1920
OFFICE.
Page 20

[Two columns]
[Left column]

37475
Revy INVALID.

File No. 37,475
Thomas Swift 
Pri Rev War

Act: 18th March 18th

Index:--Vol. 2, Page 410

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

[Right column]

1920 Jan'y 28 Hist to Wm F.E. Hurley
1922 Aug. 24 " " Dr Chas H.
Swift--Ew.
1932-June 21-Hist to Mrs. AA Immell
1933-Feb. 16-Hist to EEL
Mrs N. E. Melencamp
Letter to Soldier's Div
ision - EEL