Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,155, for John Story, Virginia
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(3—1776)
SERVICE  Va.
Story, John
NUMBER  S. 6.155

Carded
CONTENTS
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Virginia 12.562
John Story
of Southhampton in the State of Virginia who was a pri. in the company commanded by Captain Simmons of the Regiment commanded by Col. Blount in the Virginia line for 8 months and 12 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 28 Dollars --- cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10. day of May '33 and sent to Jas Rochelle (clk) Jerusalem  So. Hampton Co. Va. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  56
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  14
$70

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by William Miller Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 6. Page 26.
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No. 5480
22933

John Story a Revolutionary Soldr.
Declaration for a Pension
1833
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State of Virginia
County of Southampton
On this 18th day of February 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of
the Court of Southampton County now sitting John Story a resident of St. Lukes Parish in the County of Southampton and State of Virginia aged Seventy two 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 the service of the United States under the following named Officers (and served as herein after stated) Captain Joshua Nicholson and served a tour of six or Eight weeks at least six weeks that he next served a tour of six weeks under Captain Arthur Boykin that he next served a tour of six weeks under Capt. Jesse Whitehead, whilst serving under the above named Captains that Colo. Walls & Reddick were the only field officers, that he now recollects that he next served a tour of six weeks under Capt. Simmons, William Boykin Lieut: next a tour of six weeks under Capt. Rodgers and next a tour of six weeks under Capt. Mitchell That whilst he was under Simmons and Rodgers and Mitchell that Colo Benjamin Blunt and Major Thomas Vaughan were the only field officers. That he now recollects, he has also stated all the Company officers recollected. This applicant cannot say positively that he served under the above named Captains in the order in which they are set down for Mitchell may have been 5th or 4th &c, That he entered the service in January 1781 the day nor day of the month he does not recollect, but firmly believes it to have been between 1st & 10th of January. That when he entered the service he was a Substitute for Saml. Woodard in the Va. Militia and served under Capt. Joshua Nicholson 6 or 8 weeks as before stated, that he was immediately drafted in the Va. Militia, and served as stated above, that he left the service immediately after the surrender of Lord Corn Wallace at York Town The applicant here remarks that he cannot with precision state the dates of the tours above named, but that he was constantly in service from the time he commenced until the Surrender of Lord Corn Wallace at York Town That he was at York during its siege That he never was in a battle That he resided in the County of Southampton State of Virginia when he entered the service, Marched from Southampton to Cabin Point Va. from thence to Smithfield from thence to Jericho thence to Murdaughs old field (the British being then in Portsmouth) Thence to Black Water thence to James Town, thence to Williamsburg, thence to York Town and remained at York until the surrender of Wallace. That he was born about the year 1760 in the County of Southampton Va., that he has no record of his age. That he has been living
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in the County of Southampton State of Virginia since the Revolutionary War, and that he at this time lives in the same County & State. That he does not recollect any of the Continental or Militia Regiments nor the names of any of the Regular officers. That he never received a discharge more than a genl. or verbal one give to the Soldiers after the Surrender of Corn Wallace. That in the six tours he served as a private. That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to the whole of his service but that a Certificate of Lewis Story is hereto annexed. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present. & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year first aforesaid
John Story

We Davis Bryant a Clergyman residing in the County of Southampton and Jas. Powell residing in the same hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with John Story who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about Seventy two 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 & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Davis Bryant
James Powell
Southampton July 1833
This is to certify that John Story served at least a Tour in the Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War that Blunt & Douglas were his first officers, that I served a part of a Tour whilst Corn Wallace was at York and well know that John Story was there & never returned home until the Surrender of Wallace
Lewis Story

Southampton County
Personally appeared before me Jacob Barnes a Justice of the in the County aforesaid. Lewis Story who has signed the immediate preceding Certificate and made oath to the truth of the allegations therein contained. I do further certify that the said Lewis Story is a resident of Southampton aforesaid and is a credible person and that he now draws a pension for services rendered in the Revolution
Given under my hand & Seal this 9th day of Feby 1833
Jacob Barnes J.P. Seal
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Southampton County February 1833
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace John Story who being duly sworn deposeth & 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 in the following grades. For six weeks I served as a private volunteer for Samuel Woodard who was a private For Seven months I served as a private (drafted) and for such services I claim a pension. Given under my hand & seal this 9th day of Feby. 1833
Jacob Barnes JP Seal

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 Davis Bryant who has signed the first proceeding Certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Southampton and that James Powell who has also signed the same is a resident of the same County and a Credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
I, James Rochelle Clerk of the Court of Southampton County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of John Story for a pension. I hereby further Certify that Jacob Barnes whose name is affixed to two of the proceeding Certificates are in his proper hand write, that he is a magistrate in the County of Southampton and that full faith & credit ought to be given to all his acts as such ~ In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 25th day of February
-1833
James Rochelle CC
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22933
Jno Story
Va.

Admit as a private for 8 mo and 12 days. $28.00

James Rochelle CC
SoHampton Co Va
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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 shew 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, shewing the Service of John Story  Southampton, Va
Period when the service was rendered.
1. Jany '81
2–6 [blank]
left in '82

Duration of the claimant's service
Years. | Days. | Months.
1.  - | 1 | 12
2. - | 1 | 12
3. - | 1 | 12
4. - | 1 | 12
5. - | 1 | 12
6. - | 1 | 12
[Total] - | 8 | 12

Rank of the claimant.
1. pr
2. "
3. "
4. "
5. "
6. "

Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
1. Cap Nicholson
2. " Boykin
3. " Whitaker
4. " Simmons
5. " Rogers
6. " Mitchell

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
1. Col Wills
2 " Redick
3. 
4. Col Blount
5.
6.

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
[Crossed out: Yorktown]

Country through which he marched.

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
72.  So.ampton Va

Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Trady. [traditionary] & witness who swears that he was in service

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 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 } 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 or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of th principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or in 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 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 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 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 according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italicized] 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 an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 

Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 

Proof of Service. 
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
[manicule] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
W L Williams Exc[illegible]
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AWF  our
Rev. and 1812 War Section.
March 19, 1925.
Thomas A. Storey,
Department of Hygiene,
College of the City of New York.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 6155, it appears that John Story was born about 1760 in Southampton County, Virginia.
While residing in said county, he enlisted in January 1781 and served as a private under Captains Joshua Nicholson, Arthur Boykin, Jesse Whitehead, Simmons, Rodgers and Mitchell, Colonels Wells, Reddick and Benjamin Blunt in the Virginia Troops, he was at the Siege of York and served until in October 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 18, 1833, while a resident of St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, Virginia.
It is not stated whether soldier was married.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
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information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. John Story Sur. File 6155
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. 
Jan'y 1781 
LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
served until Oct. 1781
RANK. 
Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
CAPTAIN 
Joshua Nicholson
Arthur Boykins
Jesse Whitehead
Simmons
Rodger's
Mitchell
COLONEL.
Wells, Reddick
and Benjamin Blunt
STATE.
Va

Battles engaged in, Siege of Yorktown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Southampton Co Va.
Date of application for pension, Feb'y 18, 1833. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, St. Lukes Parish, Southampton Co., Va.
Age at date of application, born about 1760 in Southampton Co. Va.
Remarks: No data as to family.
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Please send statement
to
Mrs. E. S. Lattimore
1534 "Tea" Street N.W.
Washington D.C.

[Stamp:]
RECORDS DIVISION
MAR 29 1909
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6155
Rev. War
INVALID

File No. 6155
John Story
Pri. Rev. War

Act: June 7" 1832
Index:—Vol. M, Page 357

[Arrangement of 1870]

1909 Apr 16 Hist. to Mrs. E. S. Lattimore  V.L.M.
1925 Mch 19 Hist to Thomas A. Storey  AWF.
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THOMAS A. STOREY
DEPARTMENT OF HYGIENE
COLLEGE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
FEBRUARY 9, 1925.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I am writing to ask you for such official transcription as you may be able to give me covering the service during the Revolutionary War of John Storey, or John Story.
The family records seem to indicate that he enlisted in January, 1781, and served until October, 1781 under Colonel Wells Reddick and Benjamin Blunt.
I find also reference to Captains Joshua Nicholson, Arthur Baykin, Jesse Whitehead, and some others.
I will be glad to have you verify these records if possible. I will appreciate any trouble you may take to give me this information.
Very truly yours,
Ts. A Storey

TAS:K.

[Stamp:]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
FEB 10 1925