Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,776, for Christley Kapplinger, Virginia
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
Va.

Kapplinger, Christley

NUMBER
S. 8776

Born in Penn.         carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

Date of death not on AB

7143
Virginia
Christley Kappinger
of Rockingham Co in the State of Virginia
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Riddle of the Regt. commanded
by Col Nall in the Virginia
for 11 months from '80

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of March
1833 and Sent to
James Hall Esq Harrisonbury Va

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833   $40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833   10.00
$50.00

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832.  }

Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book E   Vol. 4   Page 15.
Page 3

No 13730
Christley Kapplinger
Rockingham County
Virginia
from 1780 pro
rate 6 months
$20.
James Hall Esq
Harrisonburg
Virginia
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Christley Kapplinger  County of [illegible] in the State of Virginia (Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he?
82 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. :  [illegible] in 1780 to 1781
Duration of service: Years, Months, Days, [illegible]
Rank: As a private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served: Gen. [illegible]-burg 
Captain Riddle of [illegible]
Captain [illegible] 
Gen. Washington

5. In what battles was he engaged? 
Siege of York[town] 

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
Buckingham of Virginia

7. In 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
Correct

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
Mr cla[ilelgible]  Examining Clerk.
Page 5

13730
Christian Kaplinger
Declaration

Colo. Hall
Page 6

State of Virginia  }
Rockingham County   }  S.S.
On this 21st day of August in the year 1832-
Personally appeared in Open Court before Joseph Cravens, David Hintor
George Clarke & Augustus Waterman  -- the Justices of the County Court
and composing the County Court of Rockingham now sitting --
Christley Kapplinger a resident of the said County of Rockingham
and State of Virginia aged Eighty two years the 10th day of March last
past, 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 the 7th June 1832.
That he was born in the State of Pennsylvania in 1750 and was brought
to Rockingham County State of Virginia by his parents about Eighty
years since where he has continued to, & now resides
That he entered the service of the United States under the following
named officers, and served as herein stated.
He first entered the service of the United States as a Drafted
militia ^ man about the close of the year 1780, under Capt George
Riddle & Col Nall, served at Edmonds Hill Virginia  In the
State of South Carolina under General Muhlenburg, served three
months was regularly discharged in South Carolina received no
written discharge
That he entered the service of the United States the second time
as a Drafted Militia man in the year 1781 under Capt Cowger ^ or Coaker
was marched imediately to the neighbourhood of York Town Virginia
and served there during the Investment surge & surrender of Lord
Cornwallis, was under the command of Gen Washington, the commander
in Chief during this tour, served three months was reqularly
discharged but received no written discharge.
That he has no documentary evidence, and that he can prove
his services as aforesaid by a certain John Moore a very old man
whose attendance he endeavoured to procure, but could not, that
he ^ can prove by many others that he was drafted twice & went into
the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
That He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or
Annuity except the present and declares that his name is not
Page 7

on the pension Roll or agency of any State
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Christley Kapplinger  his X mark

Mr William Bryan a Clergyman residing in the County of Rockingham
State of Virginia and Richard Custer residing in the same County
& State. Hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with -
Christley Kapplinger who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing
Declaration that we believe him to be Eighty two years of age
that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he
resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we
concur in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
William Bryan
Richard Custer Jr  his x mark


An the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation
of the matter, and 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 William
Bryan, who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman, resident in
the County of Rockingham, and that Richard Custer Jr. who has also signed
the same, is a resident in the County of Rockingham, and is a credible person,
and that their statement is intitled to credit.
I Henry J Gambill Clerk of the Court of Rockingham
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of
the said Court in the matter of the application of Christly Kaplinger
for a Pension;

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of my office this 27th day of
August 1832 and in the 57th year of the
Commonwealth
H. J. Gambill Clerk
of Rockingham County Virginia
Page 8

June 1, 1939

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

CHRISTLEY KAPPLINGER
S. 8776
BA-J/MLB orn

Mrs. Eli Vernon Brown
3516 Poppleton Avenue
Omaha, Nebraska

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of Christian or Christopher Keplinger
who served in Lieutenant Colonel Weltner's German Regiment.

The surname Keplinger has been searched under all spellings,
and no Christian or Christopher found on the Revolutionary War
pension records. One pension record, only, has been found under
a similar name, that of Christley Kapplinger. He did not render
the service cited by you; however, his record may interest you.
It follows as found in pension claim, S. 8776, based upon his
service in the Revolutionary War.

Christley Kapplinger was born March 10, 1750, in the State of
Pennsylvania, county not shown. About 1752, he was brought to
Rockingham County, Virginia, by his parents, whose names were not
given.

Christley Kapplinger enlisted, place not shown, about the close
of the year, 1780, and served three months as private in Captain
George Riddle's company, Colonel Hall's Virginia regiment. He
enlisted in 1781, served three months as private in Captain Cowger's
or Coaker's Virginia company, and was at the siege of Yorktown and
the surrender of Lord Cornwallis.

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed
August 21, 1832, at which time he was living in Rockingham County,
Virginia.

There are no data in the claim relative to soldier's family,
Page 9

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the
name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death
of the soldier, Christley Kapplinger, you should write to the
Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division,
this city, and cite the following data:

Christley Kapplinger
Certificate #7145
Issued March 6, 1833
Rate, $20 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
Virginia Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 10

(left side)
Rev War
8776
INVALID.
File No. 8776
Christley Kapplinger
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. 1st, Page 200
[Arrangement of 1870.]

(right side)
1931 - Apr 29 - Hist. to Mrs Philip A Spence. 
Letter in case of Jacob Kealing S 5550 EES

1935. Feb 25 - Hist to Mrs A. R Upgren - EES

1939 June 1 - Hist. to Mrs. Eli Vernon Brown - MRB.
Page 11

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Christley Kapplinger which require
further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
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? yes
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? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
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? Yes
Page 12

2


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? Yes
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? Yes
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?  No Witness
XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?   2.
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 -- and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 13

3
It is important in ail 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 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.

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 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 paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of take 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.
Page 14

February 23, 1935.

BA-J/ILL

Mrs. A. R. Upgren
3739 W. Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request
the Revolutionary War records of Ebenezer Andrews who served
August 1, 1775, as sergeant in Captain Peter Pitt's company, Colonel
Timothy Walker's regiment, David Andrews who served as private in
Captain Ephraim Hathaway's company, Colonel Pope's regiment and in Captain Josiah King's company, Colonel James Williams' regiment,
and the record of Christopher Kaplinger (Caplinger) who was a pensioner in 1833.

A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and
there are no claims for pension or bounty land on file based upon
service of the Ebenezer and David Andrews cited by you from Volume 1, Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors. The record of Christley Kapplinger, the pensioner, is furnished herewith.

Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 15

February 25, 1935 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/EML
Christley Kapplinger-S.8776

Mrs. A.R.Upgram
3739 W.Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.8776, based upon the military service of Christley Kapplinger in that war.

Christley Kapplinger was born March 10, 1750, in the state of Pennsylvania, county not shown, and about 1752, was brought to Rockingham County, Virginia, by his parents, whose names are not stated. 

Christley Kapplinger enlisted, place not stated, about the close of the year 1780, and served three months as a private in Captain George Riddle's Company, Colonel Nall's Virginia Regiment; he enlisted in 1781, serving three months in Captain Cowger's or Coaker's Virginia Company, and was at the siege of Yorktown and surrender of Lord Corawallis.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 21, 1832, while residing in Rockingham County, Virginia.

There are no data as to soldiers family. 
[illegible]

Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 16

April 29, 1931

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
EEL

Mrs. Philip A. Spence
Wytheville
Virginia

Dear Madam:

You are advised that this bureau is unable to furnish
the history of a soldier of the Revolutionary War
unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made
to the United States on account of his services.

A careful search of the records fails to show such
a claim on file on account of the services of Christopher
Kapplinger.

You are herewith furnished the history of Christley
Kapplinger, the only soldier with that surname found on 
the Revolutionary War records of this bureau:

It appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, S. 8776, that Christley Kapplinger was born
March 10, 1750, in the State of Pennsylvania, county not
shown, and was brought to Rockingham County, Virginia, by
his parents, whose names are not stated, about 1752.

He enlisted, place not stated, about the close of the
year 1780, and served three months as a private in Captain
George Riddle's Company, Colonel Hall's Virginia Regiment,
and in 1781, again enlisted, served three months in Captain
Cowger's or Coaker's Virginia Company, and was at the
siege of Yorktown and surrender of Lord Cornwallis.

[note handwritten in right margin "could not verify these officers"]

He was allowed pension on his application executed
August 21, 1832, while residing in Rockingham County,
Virginia.

It is not stated that soldier was ever married.

Very truly yours

E.W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 17

(stamp)
RECEIVED
FEB 13 1935
MAIL (illegible)

3739 - W st. NW. 
Washington D.C.
February 5, 1935

Veteran's Administration
Attention: Revolutionary Aud
1812 War Section:
Dear sirs:
I am very anxious to obtain any information that I can about the person whose names are on the enclosed sheet. I have given what information I have about them. Any other information aside from that I have asked for I would appreciate
Thank you - 
Yours truly
Marion A Upgren
(Mrs. A. R. Upgren)
3739 - W st NW.
Washington D.C.
Page 18

The National Archives
Form K-8
(Rev. 11-21-38)

Division of Reference

Referral Slip

Date March 17, 1939

Inquiry From:
Mrs. Eli Vernon Brown
3516 Poppleton Avenue
Omaha, Nebraska

Dated: March 8, 1939

Subject: Information concerning Christian and Christopher Keplinger. 

Respectfully referred to:
Veterans' Administration
Washington, D. C.

And the writer so informed.

R.us. Ita{illegible]
Page 19

March 17, 1939

Mrs. Eli Vernon Brown
3516 Poppleton Avenue
Omaha, Nebraska

My dear Mrs. Brown:
This is in reply to your letter of March 8, 1939, in 
which you request information relative to the families of
Christopher and Christian Keplinger, soldiers in the American
Revolution,
It is regretted that there are no records in the National
Archives which would be of assistance in this inquiry.
We are referring your letter to the Veterans' Administration,
since pension papers on file there may contain the information
desired.
Your stamped envelope is returned herewith.

Very truly yours,

P. M. Hamer, Chief
Division of Reference.

VGS:rt

[round stamp in upper margin] RECEIVED MAR 18 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV
Page 20

ROUTED TO    DATE
[illegible]
B


3516 Poppleton Ave.
Omaha Nebraska
March 8, 1939.

The National Archives
Washington, D.C.

Sirs:
Will you please send me
any data you have, especially
as to parents, children or relatives
of the following Revolutionary
Soldiers. It is to be used in
connection with the D.A.R.
Christian Keplinger (Kepplinger
served 9 months, discharged Mar
22, 1779 German regiment commanded
by Lt. Col. Weltner.
Christopher Keplinger, recruit
passed June 1, 1778 served 9 months.
These two names may belong
belong
Page 21

to but one man.
Thanking you for any
information you may give
me, I am
Yours truly
Cassandra Brown
Mrs. Eli Vernon Brown
Page 22

(circular stamp)
RECEIVED
MAR 18 1939
MAIL BUB-DIV
(illegible) 35
(numbers 1 through 12 around outer edge of circle)
Page 23

Andrews, Ebenezer
Vol. 1:246 Muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775 Sergeant in Capt. Peter Pitt's Company & Col. Timothy Walker's Regiment Enlisted May 2, 1775 and served 3 months and 6 days. Company returned Oct. 6, 1775. Order for County coat or its equivalent in money Nov. 5, 1775.
Please verify these facts
Name of wife
Date of death and place of death
place of burial if you have it.

Andrews, David service Mass.
Mass. soldiers and sailors 5:245
Private in Capt. Ephraim Hathaways company and Col. Pope's regiment. Service 17 days at R. I. on alarm of Dec. 8, 1776. Reported in camp at Bristol R. I. (later Mass.) Serg. in Capt. Josiah King's company Col. Mitchell's regiment commanded by Col. James Williams and Brigadier General Godfrey's Brigade service 8 days at R. I. on alarm of Aug. 2, 1780. Roll dated taunton P. 246
Page 24

Andrew, David cont.
Date of death - & place of death
And any other information you may have.

Christopher Kaplinger -(or Caplinger
On pension roll March 6, 1833 - 84 yrs. old
In Virginia state troops
Pension began March 4, 1831
Can you tell me anything about 
place and date of birth, parents 
names, names of brothers or sisters.
Or any other family information. 
The wife's name I know.