Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31400, for William Sutton, Virginia
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(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Va. Sutton, William or Alpheus    S. 31400
CONTENTS
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ILLINOIS 7941
Wm. Sutton
of Gallatin in the State of Illinois
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Jackson of the Regt. commanded by Col. Meriwether in the Virginia line for 8 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 26. Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of Apl. 1833 and sent to Henry Eddy. Shawneetown. Illinois.
Arrears to the 4th of march 1833. 53.32
Semi-an. allowance ending 4 Sept. 13.33
1833            
$66.65
Aug 15- 1839
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm R. Palmer, Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 8 Page 62.
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17996-7941
William Sutton, of Gallatin County, Ill.
Adm 8 Months from 1781.
Henry Eddy, Agent, Gallatin County, Ill.
Shawneetown
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BRIEF in the case of Wm. Sutton,
County of Gallatin, in the State of Illinois. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  A Court.
2. If before a Judge does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?  68 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.  | Duration of Service, Years, Months Days.  |  Rank.  | Names of General and Field officers under whom he served.

Vol. In 1788.  | 2  |  pr.  | Col. Meryweathers, Capt John Jackson, Col. Holmes, and Cap. Eaton.

Vol.   |  6  |  " | 

5. In what battles was he engaged?  Little York
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Berkley County, Va.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  No.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. R. Turner, Examining Clerk.
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Wm, Sutton
Gallatin Co. Ill.
Pension Application-
17996
Wm Sutton's Declaration
for a Pension
(Copy)
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of Illinois County of Gallatin} SS
On this 5th day of September 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. Thomas C Browne Judge of the Circuit Court of the county of Gallatin aforesaid now sitting Alpheus Sutton now called William Sutton a resident of the said County and State aged Sixty eight 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that in the latter part of September 1781 he volunteered into the United States service to go with many & his neighbours to the siege of York he was then in the 18th year of his age and volunteered under Capt John Jackson in the Virginia militia his march was from Bath Berkley County Virginia where he volunteered to Martinsburgh 35 miles where they rendezvoused crossed James River at the falls of rappahannock one mile above Fredericksburg thence to Williamsburgh 12 miles from York and the next day he joined the main army at York There being no vacancy for Capt Jackson his men were transfered into other companies he had forgotten the Captains name under whom he was placed but recollects that he was in Col Merryweather Regm out of Virginia - militia
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When Cornwallis surrendered his army on the 19th Oct 1781 the next day the British troops marched out of York, and stacked their arms and returned back to town and stayed until next day when we marched the prisoners within four miles of Williamsburg where we camped the first night thence through Williamsburg and Fredericksburg and across James River at the falls of Rappahannock Thence to the forks of the road where the troops were divided one half to Winchester Barrack the other half to Fredericks town Barracks in Maryland and this applicant marched with and [illegible] the prisoners to Harper's Ferry where he was discharged after being in the Service of the United States for the space of Two months - he then went home to Bath in Berkley County and stayed about [illegible] weeks and then volunteered again and went to winchester Barracks 45 miles from Bath and there guarded the prisoners six months under Capt Latove and Col Holmes till the prisoners were discharged - In 1785 he came to Kentucky where he settled and remained til 1810 and his father having died in the mean time he took his name of William by which he has been known ever since In 1810 he removed to Gallatin County Illinois where he has resided ever Since and still resides
This applicant states that he served eight months in all two months at Little York and Six moths at Winchester Barra in Virginia He was in the Battle of Little Yor but in no other The regiments he served wit were Col Merry weather (to which he belonged and Col Durks_
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he has no Documentary evidence of his and he knows of no person living whose Testimony he can procure, by whom he can prove his services
He Hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State.
This applicant further states that he had two written discharges but they were both lost by time or accident he not having thought them of any use to preserve he states that he has no record of his age but believes that he was in his 18th year when he entered Service _ one of his discharges was given by Capt Laton at Winchester and the other was granted at Harpers Ferry by his Captain whose name he has forgotten after the prisoners were marched to that place after the Battle of Little York
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid} Wm Sutton Leod White clk
We Wilson Henderson a clergyman residing in the county of Gallatin State of Illinois and Michael Jones residing in the Same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Sutton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 68 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolutionary war and that we concur in that opinion Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid} Leo White Clk
Wilson Henderson 
Michael jones
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interogatories 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 Wilson Henderson who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said county of Gallatin Illinois and that Michael Jones who has also signed the Same is a resident in the same county & is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Leonard White Clerk of the Circuit for Said County do hereby certify that the foregoing court is the original proceeding of the Said Court in the matter of the application of William Sutton for a pension In Testimony where of I have here unto set my hand & seal of office this th day of September 1832
Leod White Clk
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ev.&1812 Wars Section.
ADY our
March 31, 1930.
Mrs. Carrie P. Cozart,
322 South Main Street,
Harrisburg, Illinois.
Dear Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31400, it appears that William or Alpheus Sutton while a resident of Bath, Berkeley
County, Virginia, enlisted the latter part of September
1781, served two months as a private in Captain John Jackson's Company, Colonel Merriwether's Virginia Regiment, and was in the siege of Yorktown.
Two weeks after the above service he enlisted and served six months in Captain Eaton's Company, Colonels Holmes and Darke's Virginia Regiments.
It is stated that soldier's name was Alpheus Sutton,
that in 1785 he removed to Kentucky and remained until 1810, and his father having died in the meantime, he took his
name of William by which he has since been known. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832 while a resident of Gallatin County,
Illinois, where he had lived since 1810, aged sixty-eight years.
He died August 15, 1839.
It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.
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SHAWNEETOWN ILL NOV [illegible]
application for Pension of Wm Sutton}
FREE
Hon Lewis Cass Secy. of War Washington City
NoPIND gcer 17996
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Shawneetown, Ill Oct 29, 1832
Sir,
I enclose herewith the application of William Sutton, a revolutionary soldier, for a pension under the late act of Congress.
Any communication to him, relating to his application, you will please address to my case at this place.
Respectfully Henry Eddy.
Hon Lewis Cass Secy. of War.
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Sutton which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension
he is entitled?
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V. 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.
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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 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 shewn 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.
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. 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 claimants 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.
++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating
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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
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31400
Revy INVALID.
File No. 31,400
William Sutton
or Alpheus
Priv Rev War
Act June 7th 32"
Index:-Vol. D, Page 405
[Arrangement of 1870.}

1917 Setp 28 Hist to Mrs. E.S.Walker
1918 Aug. 13. Hist to Mrs. M.C. Floyd
1930 Mar 31. Hist. to Mrs. Carrie P. Cozart A.D.Y.
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Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution Rev Sec [illegible]
MRS. JOHN C AMES, STATE REGENT 4527 GREENWOOD AV. CHICAGO
MRS. SIAN WELTY, STATE VICE-REGENT BLOOMINGTON
MRS. THOMAS WHITE, STATE SECRETARY 295 S. EAST AV. OAK PARK, ILL
MRS. JOHN W. ROWCLIFFE, STATE TREASURER, 424 FAYETTE ST. PEORIA
MRS. EDWIN R. WALKER STATE HISTORIAN 1117 S. FIFTH ST. SPRINGFIELD
MRS. NOBEL C. SHUMWAY, CONSULTING STATE REGISTRAR 4416 N. ROBBY ST. CHICAGO
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
1117 S. 5TH st Springfield Ill-
E.C. Tieman
Acting Commission of Pensions
Dear Sir!
William Sutton was a pensioner for service in the Revolutionary war in Gallatin County Illinois.
I think he was from Virginia _ Will you kindly give me his service as a soldier of
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that war for the Sutton family?
Thanking you in advance for kindness I am Sincerely yours Mrs. E.S. Walker
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Effingham, Ills, Augst 7th, 1918 Rev Sec S
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir.
Will you please have a copy made of Rev. War service of William Sutton, born in Virginia in 1764, and died in Gallatin County, Ills.
He served in 1781 under Capt. John Jackson, and Col. Thomas Merriwether; served again at Yorktown.
Will you please give all data you may have of record as to his marriage and of children. I will be very grateful for the above requested information.
Address Mrs. Mary C. Lloyd R. F. D. No. 1 Effingham. Illinois.
PENSION U.S. OFFICE. O AUG 10 1918
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Harrisburg, Illinois, January 29th, 1930.
United States Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
I am seeking information of the Revolutionary War service of William Sutton, born in Va. in 1764. Served in the Revolutionary War 1781. Was pensioned, Later lived in Kentucky and Illinois. The name of wife and children is also desired, if same can be obtained through the Pension Bureau. Thanking you in advance, I am,
Very respectfully,
(Mrs.) Carrie P. Cozart,
Address:
Mrs. Carrie P. Cozart
322 South Main Street,
Harrisburg, Illinois.
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In reply to your request for _, received _ fora statement of the military history of William Sutton a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in the Bureau. S.31400
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS  UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. | STATE
Latter part of Sept. 1781 | 2 mon. | Private | John Jackson | Merriweather | Va.
Two weeks after above. | 6 mon. |  | Eaton | & Holmes & Darke | 
Battles engaged in, Yorktown & surrender of Cornwallis
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Vol at Bath Berkley
Date of application for pension, Sept 5 1832 His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Gallatin Co Illinois from 1810
Age at date of application, sixty-eight years.
Remarks: It is stated that soldier name was Alpheus Sutton, but in 1785 removed to Ky and remained until 1810. and his father having died in the mean time he took his name of William by which he has since been known
Respectfully, Commissioner.
J-2856