Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4558, for Tapley Lightfoot, Virginia
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
(3-1776)
SERVICE					NUMBER
Va.		Lightfoot, Tapley		S. 4558
[left blank]						carded
				
CONTENTS

[left blank]
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(left side of booklet)
7683
West Tenns
Tapley Lightfoot
of Williams Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain White of the regt commanded
by Col Davis in the Virginia
line for 18 months from 1778
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 60 Dollars __ Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of May
1833		and sent to Watkins
Harris Franklin
Arrears to the 4th of March 33	$120
Semi-anl, allowance ending 4 of ? 33	     30
					$150
			{Revolutionary Claim,}
			{Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Wm Allison	Clerk,
Book 6,  Vol 7.  Page 87
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Tapley Lightfoot
22575
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The State of Tennessee -  Williamson County
 	On thes 22nd _ day of January 1833 personally
appeared before the worshipfull the Court of Please and
Quarter session for the County of Williamson – State of
Tennessee, Tapley Lightfoot a resident of the County and
State aforesaid aged 69 years who being first duly sworn
according to law. doth make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress pass
-ed June 7th 1832.
	he was born in the County of Hanover
State of Virginia on the 15th February 1761.  He has a 
record of his age in his possession, which was copied
from his father’s family bible.  now in the possession of a 
sister older than himself in So. Carolina.  He resided in
the County where he was born until he went into service
which was in June ’78.  He was then a bound appren
-tice and having quarreled with his master, he left his
service without his consent, and enlisted as a regular
soldier, for the whole war under a recruiting Captain
named Thomas Price at Hanover Court House.  From Han
=over C.H. he was sent to Norfolk with about 3 and 20
others under the command of a Sergeant named Smith.
In Norfolk and the country adjacent he remained attach
ed to the company commanded by Capt Tapley White
and regiment by Col Davis, until the month of August
1780.  He then marched with his company to the county 
of Chesterfield Virginia.  From C. G. House he was march
ed to the Shirley Hundred where he was engaged in a 
skirmish of guards in which applicant thought his
commander Col Davis exhibited great cowardice.  At C?
? House he remained until the month of January 81.
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 (left side of booklet)
by which time about 1000 men had assembled there of whom
two regiments were formed, one commanded by Col Camp
-bell, the other by Col Haw.  applicant was attached to 
the regiment commanded by Col Campbell.  The two reg-
iments marched from Chesterfield C. House to join the
army of Genl. Greene which they overtook at the Cheraw
Hills about two or three weeks previous to the action at
Guilford Court House.  Applicant was in that action.
   After it he marched with Greene/s army in pursuit of Lord
Conrwallis to Ramsey’s Mills on Deep River, thence to Camden
So. Carolina. where Green, found & fought Lord Rawdon
applicant was also in this action.  After it the army 
marched to Ninety Six a fort held by some British Troops
under Col Granger.  Gen Green lay before the fort with
his army about one month and was then compelled by
the arrival of Lord Rawdon with reinforcements to raise
the siege  and retreat.  He crossed the Catawba River to the
High Hills of Santee where he received a reinforcement of 
No Carolina militia.  He then returned in pursuit of Lord
Rawdon and came up & fought with him at the Eutaw –
Springs.  Applicant was also in this action and received a 
severe wound in the leg and a slight one in the arm both 
with a bayonet from the same man.  In this action
the regiment to which applicant belonged was stationed on
the right wing.  During the action this wing which was
entirely composed of the two Virginia Regiments above
mentioned was overpowered by superior numbers. &
compelled to throw down their arms and ask for quar
-ter, at this critical moment Col Washington arrived
at the spot with his squadron of horse. made a furious
charge upon the enemy’s left then engaged with ? and
broke their line.  Our two regiments resumed their (illegible)
completed the defeat and came out of the action with
(right side of booklet)
360 prisoners although we left Col Washington a prisoner
in the hands of the enemy and our brave Colonel
dead upon the field of battle.  Applicant remained with 
the army after this action marching from place to place
wintering at the High Hills of Santee; thence marching to the 
Round O., thence to the Hickory Hills. where he first re
=ceived information of the termination of hostilities.
Applicant was marched thence under Majr Edmunds
to Salisbury. where the soldiers were discharged.  He recei
-ved a written discharge from the service and a certify
icate purporting that he had received nothing for his
services. at the time of his discharge applicant had
neither hat, coat, shoes, nor stockings,  his whole appar
-el consisting of a pair of flaxen trowsers and a 
shirt of his own making.  In this condition it is not
surprising that he lost those papers.  They never reached
home with him.  He was discharged about the last of Jan
uary or first of February 1782.  He now deems it alm-
ost unnecessary to mention the names of the officers that
he knew but in compliance with the instructions of the 
Secretary of War, says, he was well acquainted with
the persons of Greene, Lee, Washington & Marion & knew
all the Captains in his regiment, Culverson, Anderson
Scott Crawford & Walls He has no papers to prove his 
services and knows of no person living by whom he can 
prove them but refers to John Atkinson a clergyman_
and Seth Sparkman _ _ residents of his
neighbourhood who can testify to his character for veracity
? to his character in his neighbourhood as a soldier
of the revolution.  He lived in No. Carolina two years
after he left the service and having lived 2 years in 
Hanover VA 4 or 5 years in Rowan No. Car. 6 or 8 in the
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counties of Pasquotank & Perquimans, about 20 years in
Guilford, about 3 years in Wilkes No. Car.  about 5 years 
in Benford Cty Tennessee.  moved to this county about
(?) years ago and has resided here since.
He hereby relinquished all claim to any pension or
anuity except the present and declares that his
name is no on the Pension Roll of the agency of 
any State whatever			his
				Taply (x) Lightfoot
					mark
we John Atkinson a clergyman and –
Seth Sparkman – 
residents in the county of Williamson do hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with Tapley
Lightfoot who has sworn to the above declara
-tion that we beleive him to be as old as he
states, that he is reputed and beleived in the
neighbourhood where he resides to have been
a soldier of the revolution and that we concur
in that opinion.		John Atkinson (?)
				S Sparkman
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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 appli
cant was a soldier of the revolution & served
as he states.  and the court further certifies – 
that it appears to them that John Atkinson
who signed the preceding certificate is a 
clergyman resident in the County of Will
iamson. State of Tennessee. and that Seth Sparkman
who also signed the preceding certificate is also
a resident of the said State & County. that they are
credible persons and that their statement so
entitled to credit.			Gilbert Marshall
					G. McGiven
					Wm Johnson
I Thomas Hardeman Clerk of the Court of Pleas and
Quarter sessions for the County
of Williamson State of Tennessee.
I do hereby certify that the fore
-going are the original pro
-ceedings of the said court
in the matter of the applica
tion of Tapley Lightfoot for
a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
seal of office this 31st day of January 1833
				W H Marshall (?)
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No 22575
Tapley Lightfoot   Tennessee
     Va Roll
a roll for 18 m
from 1778 private
     18 months $60
Watkins Harris
	Franklin
	Tennessee
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
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 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.										Tenn
 A Statement, showing the Service of Tapley Lightfoot.  Williamson co
June 1778 Inlisted for the whole war
dischargd  Feb 1. 1782
Capt White.  Price
Col Davis   Campbell
Guilford Court House   Eutaw
Va    Va    NC    S.C
Aged 6(?) yr   Hanover County VA
Tradetionary
			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 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. [pointing hand icon] 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 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 me 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-
[next page] 
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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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 no, 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 be served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of this 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 is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. [underlining by hand begins] 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. [underlining by hand ends]
	[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 be 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.
	[pointing hand icon] 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.
Dyer Custer
Exam Clerk
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[typed form with handwritten entries]
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D. C., _____________, 19________

In reply to your request of __________, received _______ for a statement of the military history of Tapley Lightfoot a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

[column headings: Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. Length of Service. Rank. Officers under whom Service was Rendered. Captain. Colonel. State.]

June 78 to fall of 1782. Pvt. Tapley [illegible] Davies. Campbell. Va.

Battles engaged in, [illegible], Guilford, Camden, Eutaw Springs
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hanover Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, June 22, 1833
Residence at date of application, Williamson Co. Tenn
Age at date of application, B. Feb. 15, 1761 in Hanover Co. Va.
Remarks: No data in file as to family

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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(left side of booklet)
1920 Jan. 26. History to
Miss. E. L. Brodch(?) aw_
(right side of booklet)
Rev War 4558
INVALID
File No. 4558
Tapley Lightfoot
Privt Rev War
Act:  June 7.  1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 223
[Arrangement of 1870,]
Page 14

(Postmark FRANKLIN TEN FEB 1)	22575		Free
To.  The Secretary of the Department of War
			Washington City
Page 15

		Franklin. Tenn. Janry. 31st. 1833.
Any communication upon the subject of the endow?
may be directed to.		Watkins Harris.
				    Franklin.
					Tennessee
Page 16

{Postmark PENSION U.S. JAN 14 1920} 		The Highland Apartments
							Apt. No. 1_
							640 Highland Avenue,
							Atlanta, Georgia.
							January 11, 1920.
The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Sir,
	Kindly give me copy of pension application of 
Tapley Lightfoot, (name also borne as Tapley Lightfoot
who resided in Williamson County, Tennessee in 1840_
for services in the Revolutionary War.
Also any family data on file with application
for pension
		Yours very truly,
		(Miss) Elizabeth Lightfoot Branch