Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7,604, for William Neves, Maryland
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Service 
MD
VA
Neves, William
Number
R. 7604
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John Mc Lean 

Hon. C. E. Haynes
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State of Georgia
Carly County

On this the seventeenth day of October eighteen hundred and thirty seven, personally came before the Honorable  the Superior Court for said county, William Neves, a resident of the county of Carly and state of Georgia, aged seventy two years (being born on the 9th December 1764) who bring first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the decision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832-
That he volunteered under Captain Nathaniel Fox of King Williams County, Virginia, in the month of (illegible) in the year seventeen hundred and eighty one, with John Hill, James Johnson, Auridon Johnson, and about thirty others for the purpose of guarding William's Ferry on Pamunkey river in King Williams County Virginia to prevent the negros from crossing over to the British who won their (illegible) in New Kent counts as well as to prevent the British from crossing over to the (illegible) side of the river, it being the only crossing place for some distance above and below. That he continued in that service under Captain Fox, as a private, or man as he can now recollect for the (illegible) of their week, and while in that service was drafted as a militia now under the proper authorities of Virginia, and ordered to (illegible) at Ruffin Ferry on Pamunkey rivers in King Williams county Virginia, under Captain William Terry, whose lieutenant was John or Thomas Waller but the Christian name was not recollected. Wherefor this compromise (illegible) at Ruffin Ferry all under the command of Colonel Holt Richardson of King Williams County Virginia. They remained at Ruffin Ferry for  or five weeks and marched to Burbon Hill on James river, and there joined the continental army under the command of the Marquis de Lafayette-they remained there for or five weeks until the army contracted from various (illegible) General Lawson Stephens has the command of the militia. They marched from Burbon Hill under
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the command of the Marquis de la Fayette to New Castle in Hanover county Virginia - Remained there two or three days, marched from thence to New Kent, Court House, and from thence to the Brick House at the confluence of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey rivers - From thence they were detached under the command of Colonel Taylor, and Major Campbell (or Schammell) and crossed over York river near the dividing line between King and Queen & Gloucester counties - they remained on the east side of York river, (having frequent skirmishes with the British stationed in Gloucester Fort) until relieved by Captain Taliaferna's company from King William county - While declarant was stationed at Ruffins Ferry, he was transfered by order of Colonel Holt Richardson, from the Militia to the Maryland Troop [illegible], commanded by Captain Noland, where Lieutenant was one Murphy who afterwards deserted to the British, and as this declarant is informed, was taken prisoner at the capture of Cornwallis at Little York - While on the march from Ruffins Ferry to Morbon Hills, and delivered over to the American army. This declarant was drafted for three months, but served over his time, and until relieved by the arrival of Genl. Wayne from the south. In a few days after Genl. Wayne arrived on York river, Capt. Taliafernas company was stationed there to relieve Captain Terrys, which was then finally discharged.  This was near the dividing line between King and Queen and Gloucester counties, in the lower edge of King and Queen, and as near as declarant can recollect, but a few days before the remainder of Lord Cornwallis- He received a regular discharge but in the lapse of so many years it has been lost. He also received a certificate for the amount of his pay.
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but for which he has never received a dollar. They were both given and dated but a short time before the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at little York -
He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a provision or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written -
[signed on right] William Neves
Alfred Iverson. Judge. Supr. Court. Chatt. Circuit

And the said court doth hereby declare its opinion that the above mentioned applicant was a soldier in the Revolutions army and served as he states
[signed on right side]
Alfred Iverson
J.S.C.C.C.

Georgia
Early County.
I Joel W. Perry Clerk of the Superior court for the said county, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court, in the matter of the application of William Neves for a pension

Given under my hand and private seal, thru being no seal of office; this 17th Oct. 1837 -
[signed on right] Joel W. Perry Clk S.C

Georgia,
Early County.  Personally comes before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county. William Neves, 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 period mentioned below and in the following grades - for three weeks I served as a private
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volunteer under Captain Nathaniel Fox - For three months served as a private in the Militia of the state of Virginia, under Captain William Terry, and the officer named in the foregoing application. For two weeks I served as a private in the Maryland Troop of honor under the command of Captain Noland; and for such service I claim a pension - Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 17th Oct. 1837
[signed on right] William Neves
[signed on left] John McLean J.P.

[signed vertically along right side]
Hon. C. E. Haynes
[illegible initials]
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Rejected
REVOLUTIONARY PENSION CLAIM.
ACT OF June 7, 1832.

William Nevis
Ga.

POWER OF ATTORNEY
TO EXAMINE CLAIMS.

CHARLES C. TUCKER.
Attorney,
Present.

Jan 11th 55
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Power of Attorney.
Know all Men by these presents: That I John Neves
(illegible) and one of the legatees of William Neves dec'd
do hereby constitute and appoint CHAS. C. TUCKER, of Washington City, D. C., my true and lawful Agent
and Attorney to prosecute the Claim of William Neves for any
amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of
_____or any other Act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorize my said
Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said Claim on file in the Departments at Washington
City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for
said Claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed: and to do all things
that I might or could do, were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney
may lawfully do in the premises.
John Neves

WITNESS my hand and seal this second day of January, 1855.
In the presence of ----) ss

STATE of Georgia Early  County - ss.
COUNTY -- SS.

On this second day of January 1855, before me a John N Whitken, a Justice of the Peace 
in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared John Neves 
and acknowledged the foregoing power of Athttps://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pngtorney to be his act and deed for the purpose
therein mentioned.
John Neves

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
Jno. H Whitaken J P

STATE OF Georgia
County of Early
I Thomas B. Andrews Clerk of the Sup Court do
hereby certify that John H Whitaken, Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit and
acknowledgement were made and who has thereunto signed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the
Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such
are entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed
my name and affixed my official seal this
2nd day of January 1855
Thomas B Andrews Clk. S.C.
Early C. Ga
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No 23500
Wm Neves
Early Co
Georgia

Hon. C. E. Haynes
H R. 

J.e..i.m. not aukert
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War Department
Pension Office
21 May 1833

Sir

The evidence in support of you 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. 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 William Neves early duration of claimant's service

Period when the service was rendered - Vol Jun 1781, ditto

Duration of claimant's service - 5 weeks, 5 weeks, 2 or 3 days

Rank of the claimant - Privat
Names and Rank of the company officer under whom he served - Captain Taliaferro, that then Gen. Lawson & Stevens, Captain Taliaferro

Names and rank of the general and field officers - Col. ****

Battles in which the applicant was engage - blank, 

County through which he marched - Ferry PA, Monkey River, King William Co, VA Ruffins Ferry, Pomonkey River, Morton Hills, New Cottecent C. House, Brick House, King and Queen Co VA, Gloucester Counties.

Age of Claimant - 69 years

Evidence by which the declaration is supported - blank

I am respectfully
Your obedient servant,

J.L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
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2REGULATIONS 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, 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 }ss. 

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 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. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a 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 or commission; but it 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 ae 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 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? 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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 bis 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 mouths 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 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. 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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 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 [j] 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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William Neves
Georgis
Rejected see let
to Hon C. E. Haynes
January 2d 1838

clo Hon J. Fry J Mar 19, 38
Hon A. H. Stephens
June 24, 1840.
7504
Act 1832

See letter in CL S. 9280
of John Black
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Act of July 14, 1862, and March 2, 1875.

REJECTED
7604
P.O. _____
SERVICE_____
Enlisted: _____ ,18
Discharged:______, 18
application filed: _____
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
p.o. ______
_____Recognized.  _____Contract.
_____Cert. of Dis. Searched for_____, 18
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7604
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House of Representatives 
15 Jun 1846

Dear Sir
Will you please examine the second letter and let us know what is the state of the old gentlemans claim and whether there is any [illegible] for him to get his pension. An early answer is requested.
Yours most respectfully 
A. W. Stephens 

J. L. Edwards }
Com. Pen   }