Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,205, for Edward Slater, Virginia
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Va.

Slater, Edward

NUMBER
S. 18,205

Carded

CONTENTS
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23,709
Virginia
Edward Slater [of] New Kent in the State of Virginia
who was a pr. in the - commanded by Captain of the Regt commanded by Col: Allen in the Va line for 10 mo: 6 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 34 Dollars - Cents per annum [to] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Mar 34 and sent to- J. Tyler U. S. Senate-
Arrears to the 4th of March 1831-      102
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept-"    17
                                                           $119
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.      }

Recorded by N Rice - Clerk,
Book E Vol. Y Page 33
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Edward Slater - New Kent
Va
No. 25280

Hon: Jno Tyler.
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State of Virginia
New Kent County, to wit:
On this 17th day of March 1834, personally appeared in Open Court before William H. Macon Bev. Crump John Augt Taylor and Thomas H. [illegible] and Ro. Graves the Court of New Kent County now sitting. Edward Slater a resident of the County of New Kent and State of Virginia aged Seventy five 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 stated, that he first entered as a regular militia man under Capt Geo. Baker of the County of New Kent Va (the Colonel was Richmond Allen of said County & State, the precise date of his entrey into service not recollected, but he knows the fact that it was about the commencement of the Revolutionary war) at Williamsburg Va and after remaining there from four to six weeks, (not less than four weeks) returned home, and remained until called on, which was some few days, then marched to York Town Va under Capt Geo. Baker where he remained on duty [illegible] tour not shorter than four weeks, and again returned home and remained only a few days and was again ordered to the Half Wayhouse Elizabeth City County Va under Capt Geo. Bull of New Kent County Va where he remained on duty a time not shorter than ten days, & then returned home in a few days received orders to march to Hamton [Hampton] Va under Capt. Geo. Baker where he served in regular service a tour of duty not shorter than eight months and was discharged. That he resided in the County of New Kent Va when he entered the service, he was attached to the militia of the County which were ordered out en masse - he was in no battle - he has before stated where he was at different times marched & stationed - The first time he was called into service at Williamsburg Va he recollects that Genl. Nelson was in command at that place - that he has no documentary evidence of his discharge never having recd one in writing, but was informed by his Cap at Hampton Va in a genl [general] order to his company that the troops stationed there were discharged & all left there at the same time; that he knows of no person living in the County except John Breeding who knows the fact of his having served in the Army- and his certificate accompanys this declaration-
To the Interrogations directed by the war Department to be propounded to every applicant he answers 
That he was born in the year 1759 in the County of New Kent Va
That he has no record of his age, but recollects well to have seen it in his fathers family Bible. That he was born in the County of New Kent, has lived in said County all his life, That during his whole time of service in the Revolutionary War (which he has endeavored to state with as much exactness as his mind at this time will enable him to do) he was a regular militia man-
That he has stated in his declaration the names of some of the officers as well as he
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recollects- That he never did receive a written discharge
That he is known to John Breeding and James Williams-who can testify as to his character for veracity, and his belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution, and that Colo. William H. Macon the presiding member of this County will also certify as to his character and his belief of 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 role of any State- Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid-
Edward Slater

I James Clopton-a clergyman residing in the County of New Kent and State of Virginia do hereby certify that I have seen and known Edward Slater who has subscribed and sworn to the declaration, that I believe from his appearance that he is Seventy four years of age as he states, that he is reputed, and what I have learned from others to have been a soldier of the Revolution - and we John Breeding & James Williams residing in the same County & State do hereby certify that we are acquainted with Edward Slater, who has subscribed and sworn to said declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy four years of age and that he is respected & we know him to have been a soldier of the Revolution. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Jas Clopton
John[illegible] Breeding 
James Williams

I William H. Macon presiding magistrate of the Court of New Kent County State of Virginia do hereby certify that from the information I have received from others as well as what has happened within my own observation that Edward Slater who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration is entitled to credit, that I believe him to be fully Seventy four years of age, that he reputed and believed and I myself believe (having served in the army) that he was a soldier of the Revolution 
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afd. [aforesaid]
W H Macon

And this 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 soldier of the Revolution and served as he states - and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that James Clopton who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of New Kent and that John Breeding and James Williams- who have also signed the same are residents of the said County of New Kent and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
W H Macon
R. Graves
Beverly Crump
John. Augustine Taylor
Tho. H. Terrell
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I John D. Christian clerk of Mrs [illegible] and Ms [illegible] of New Kent do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matters of the application of Edward Slater for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of office this 17th day of March 1834.

Mo:D:Christian clk
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Return S
Admit 10 mo & 6 day
private $34.00

Hon:
J- Tyler
30 Decr: 33
W. [rest of line crossed out: "E. Heath Esqr. Richmond Virginia"]
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
1. August 1833

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 examining 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 Edward Slater New Kent County Virginia

Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days
Served about 1 [mo] -12 [days]
Called out about 1 [mo] -12 [days]
Ordered out about 14 [days]
Ordered out about 10 [mos]
10.04
Rank of the claimant.
private
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Gl. Nelson,
Cap Baker, Col Allen
Cap Baker,
Cap Ball,
Cap Baker,
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
74 years 
County of New Kent Virginia
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence certified credible & Clergyman certificate paper correct.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, mucicians 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.
Series
County of
On this
day of
A.
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
of
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.
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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
who has
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 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.
1,
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
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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 exexpected
. 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.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv-
6. ┃
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.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will fol-
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.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the person or periods of the war when he served.
livery continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
lan can be had at the time of his service, and the infant grates 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:
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
This is the things --
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 person 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 milita, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
able. 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 authey
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.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must at 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 pubseal
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.
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 to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
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18205
INVALID.
File No. 18,205
Edward Slater
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th, 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 344

{Arrangement of 1870.}