Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5901, for William Pepper, Delaware
Page 1

SERVICE
Del.

Pepper, William

NUMBER
S 5901

carded [far right of page]
Page 2

[handwritten]

Set S Goodwin
May 21/57
Set Pension Agent Augt 16/57

Virginia 12.5-3F
[double underline]

William Pepper of Harrison Co in the State of Virginia who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Geo. Smith of the regt commanded by Col. Collit in the Virginia [crossed out and asterisk]  line for 18 months--
[asterisk] Delaware
Record corrected
May 10, [illegible date]
[double line across page]
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 60 -- Dollars  Cents [crossed out] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
[double line across page]
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of May 33 and sent to Joseph Johnson Bridgeport Va.
[double line across page]
Arrears to the 4th of March 33   120.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sept. 30.00
[double line]
150.00
[double line]
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Book E- Vol. 6- Page 21
Restored

[Following  written in the right margin vertically]
Let 12 march 1835  N Goff
Let to Wheeling Agt. Feb. 21, 1837
Let to Hon. J Johnson Feb '39
To same March 24 1840
Page 3

State of Virginia
Harrison County
To Wit

Be it know that on this 10th day of April 1833 personally appeared before me Jacob Coplin a Justice of the Peace for the County and State aforesaid William Pepper aged 72 years who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress papers June 7 1832

That he was born in Sussex County State of Delaware on the 23rd day of August 1761 as he has been informed by his parents for he has no record of his age that in the spring of 1778 he was drafted in a company of militia under the command of Capt. George Smith and attached to a regt. commanded by Col. Collit that he marched with said regiment to Lewistown thence to Deep Creek where he was discharged having served six months that in the following year he was drafted again and placed under the command of Capt. Charles Moore that he was stationed some time at Deep Creek thence at Broad Creek and on the Bay Shore where he was discharged having served six months. 

Soon after his discharge he volunteered in a company commanded by Capt. Kirkwood was employed with said company to guard the Bay Shore watching the movements of the enemy and endeavouring to prevent them from landing he was engaged in several skirmishes during said service to wit at Lewistown Deep Creek and at Broad Creek that he continued in service six months and received a written discharge signed by the above Capt. Kirkwood which has since been lost that in the spring of 1783 he
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again volunteered his services in a company commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Herron that he was again employed on the Bay Shore as before described and was discharged orally by his Capt. at the expiration of six months. He was called out upon several other occasions and served short tours. All of the above services was preformed as a private in the militia in the State of Delaware except that under Capt. Kirkwood who he thinks belonged to what was called the Delaware line. He further states that he now is blind and very infirm that he is conscious he has forgotten many facts & circumstances which he recollected but a few years ago he does not remember the names of the Regular officers with whom he served but would refer to Col. Thos C Nutter, Saml Hale Esqr., James Radcliff and others of his neighborhood for his moral character and their belief of the truth of this declaration.

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. He further states he continued his residence in the State of Delaware until he was forty years of age when he removed to Shenandoah County in Va from there to Pendleton thence to Harrison County where he now resides. He has no documentary evidence to prove the above services, nor does he know of any living witnesses by whom he can prove them. Sworn to this 10th day of April 1833. 
William Pepper his X mark
Jacob Coplin

We do certify that William Pepper - the present applicant - is entirely blind and that we have long known him and he has long been considered a man of strict & unimpeded habits veracity and entitled to the utmost credit that he is believed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War in the neighborhood and that we concur in the opinion. 
James Radcliff
Isaiah [illegible]
Wm. W. Callahan

Thos. C Nutter
137 [illegible]
Saml Hall Esq.
Page 5

We Jess H Goss a clergyman residing in the County of Harrison in Virginia and Isaac Johnson residing in the same county and state aforesaid also appeared before me a Justice of the Peace as already recited and being likewise duly sworn upon these oaths do say that they are well acquainted with William Pepper who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that they believe him to be seventy two years of age as stated by himself that he is refuted and believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War and that they concur in that opinion and they do further state that said William Pepper is now helpless poor and destitute of the means of support and blind - Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Jacob Coplin

Hamilton Goss
Isaac Johnson

And I Jacob Coplin said Justice of the Peace in and for said county and state do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and putting the investigation prescribed by the War Department that the above named William Pepper was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I do further certify that Jess H Goss who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the county and state aforesaid and that Isaac Johnson who has also signed the same is also a resident in said county and state and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
And I do further certify that said William Pepper can not without great inconvenience   as being blind & by reason of great bodily infirmity attend the court of this county for the purpose of making the foregoing declaration
Given under my hand this 10 day of April 1833
Jacob Coplin JP
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I David Davisson clerk of the Court of Harrison County do hereby certify that Jacob Coplin is a magistrate as above said that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his is genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name this 17th day of April in the year of our Lord 1833
D Davisson

Wm Peppers Declaration
Page 7

February 9, 1933
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
William Pepper - S.5901
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. E. H. Thornburg
654 Sixth Avenue
Huntington, West Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of William Pepper, who dies in 1841 in Harrison County, Virginia.

The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.5901, based upon the Revolutionary War service of William Pepper.

He was born August 23, 1761 in Sussex County, Delaware: the names of his parents not given.

While residing in the state of Delaware, William Pepper enlisted and served as a private with the Delaware troops, as follows - from the spring of 1778, six months in Captain George Smith's company, Colonel Collit's regiment; the following year, six months in Captain Charles Moore's company; shortly after the expiration of this service, six months in Captain Kirkwood's company, and was in skirmishes at Lewistown, Deep Creek and Broad Creek; in 1781, six months in Captain Ebenezer Heron's company; he also had several short tours, no details given.

William Pepper lived in the state of Delaware until he was about forty years of age, when he moved to Shenandoah County, Virginia, from there to Pendleton and then to Harrison County.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
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executed April 10, 1833, then a resident of Harrison County, Virginia.

It is shown that the soldier's wife knew him at the time of the war, but that they were not then married; her name is not stated.

The soldier, William Pepper, died May 29, 1841; Johnson Pepper was his only surviving child.

Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 9

Pepper William (William Pepper)

J. C. Edwards 
Division Office
D.C.

Mar 18 1840

Jos Johnson
HR
Page 10

House of Rep 19th March 1840

HP Edwards

I respectfully request to re-examine the pension claim of W Peppers of Harrison Co Va who was stricken from the roll after the report of W. G.  Singleton.

Also the case of M C McCume. the latter at the request of Saml L Hays of Lewis County.

Very Respectfully
Jos Johnson

let 7 March
Page 11

over

Pension Office
May 16, 1837

Wm Pepper, Va Wheeling Agency
Act 7 June 1832. $60 per annum

To what time paid
F. F. Kirby

Prvt 4 March 1834

see other side
Page 12

Restore this man to the rolls and direct the pension agent to pay him from the 4 March 1834 when cost said. (to 29 May 1841 when he died. Pay to John Pepper his only surviving child -- THIS PORTION HAS BEEN CROSSED OFF)
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Admit as a private for 18 months - $20.00
Page 14

Bridgeport April 19th 1833

Dr. Sir

Enclosed are the cases of [illegible] Hicknun & Wm Pepper as they are returned cases they will be intitled to your canty attention please send certificates to me at this place
Yours respectfully
J. L Edwards Esq  Jos Johnson
Page 15

12537

William Pepper Pens
Harrison Cty.

in Entitled
Page 16

William Pepper draw $60

I called on this old gentleman on the 10th July 1822. Found him blind deaf and with very little mind. I could get no intelligent statement of his revolutionary service from him. Only learnt in general terms that his services (as he done any) were in Delaware. He mentioned the names of the following officers under whom he alleges to have served, to wit Col. Collick - Capt. George Smith - Lieut. Vincent - Ensign Samual Williams - Sergeant Samual Hall and that he served two or three years.

His wife states that she knew her husband through the war, that they were then not married. And she knows that he was frequently called into service on Indian River - Saulsbury, Vienna, & Lewistown. She has no doubt but he was in service ten years - he being an emigrant to this country I could procure no testimony -
A copy
W. G. Singleton
Nv. 17. 1824
Page 17

Rev War

5901

INVALID

File No. 5901
William Pepper
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 1832

Index: Vol M, Page 292

(Arrangement of 1870.)

1920 May 22 Hist to Mildred W. McBee
1920 July 26 Hist to Miss Sarah Guiter
1928 Nov 23 Hist to Elizabeth A. Frisbie aeey
1928 Dec 26 Hist to Elizabeth A. Frisbie
adv. fur. only Wm. Pepper see corresp. in John Logan W. 1788 aeey
1931 Hist to Mrs. Inez Howe aeey
1933 Feb 9 Hist to Mrs. E. H. Thornburg aeey

(not sure if it was 'aeey' or something else)
Page 18

Rev Sec 1. ED

Columbia, Missouri
June 25, 1920.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Department of the Interior,
Revolutionary War Section,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

I shall be under many obligations to you if you will send the record of service, in the Revolutionary War, of Peter Lampkin, Bounty Warrants, War. 4,254; and also of William Lampkin, Bounty Warrants, War. 5,114.

Would also appreciate receiving the record of service of William Pepper, S. of W. 1835, Pension 2,151; and of Capt. David Patterson (or Patteson) whose company service at the Siege of York in 1781.

Very truly yours,
(Miss) Sarah Guitar

Stamp mark:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
D JUN 28 1920
Page 19

Stamp mark:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
D MAY 3 1920

188 Spruce St.
Morgantown W. Va
Mar. 13, 1920

War Department
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sirs:

I am writing to know if you have record of a William Pepper who fought in the Revolutionary War. All the data I have by way of identification is that he came from Delaware and fought in the cavalry. 

I shall appreciate
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any facts you can give me about said William Pepper.

If I am applying to the wrong department please advise me as to whom I should write for the information I need. Thanking you in advance.

I am Very truly yours,
(Mrs.) Mildred Wright McBee

Stamped:
ASSISTANT AND CHIEF CLERK
MAR 16 1920
5 WAR DEPT.

Received AGO, Mar 17, 1920
ag
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, April 17, 1920.

Respectfully returned to
Mrs. Mildred Wright McBee,
188 Spruce Street,
Morgantown, West Virginia.

The name William Pepper has not been found on the records on file in this office of Delaware soldiers in the Revolutionary War.

The collection of Revolutionary War records in this office are far from complete, and it is suggested as a possibility that the desired information can be obtained from the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C. 

P. C. Harris
The Adjutant General.

FORM NO. 74-A.G.O.
Ed. Nov. 26-19---25,000.
Page 22

Stamp mark:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
O NOV 17 1928

Cynthiana, Kentucky.
November 15th 1928.

Mr. Winfield Scott,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,

I am interested in the record of the Revolutionary Soldiers, listed below, and have been referred to you by Mr. H. H. Shenk, Archivist of the State Library and Museum, of Harrisburg Pa. who furnished me with certificates of war service of one dollar each. Will you kindly write me your charge for like services?

1. William Pepper. There were three William Peppers in the Rev. War. They were all related, and the only way I have of distinguishing my ancestor is by the name of his wife, and his children, who received his pension, after his death. He was from Culpepper Co Virginia. (The record of one William Pepper is referred to in 9 V.R.  W. D.  1962.)

2. John Logan. As in the case of William Pepper, I need the names of John Logan's wife and children, who received pension, to distinguish him from another John Logan, living at the same time.

3. Samuel Knight, Revolutionary soldier, living in Funkstown, Maryland, 1785 to 1828. Was also in war of 1812 - 14.

My object in searching for the records above the above men is in service to the Ky. Historical Society, and the Nat. D. A. R. 
Resp. Yours,
Elizabeth A. Frisbie. Cynthiana, Kentucky.
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Stamp mark:
RECEIVED JUL 27 1931
[illegible]
PENSION FILES SUBDIVISION

Gadsden Ala
Jul 24, 1931

Sirs ---Please send me what information you have in your office concerning William Pepper, a soldier in Rev. War. He enlisted from the state of Del. in Spring of 1778 and 1779, then again 1781. His capts. were George Smith, Charles Moore, Kirkwood & Ebenezer Heron. Col. was Colonel Collitt. The information I have is from 
V.L.M.F.
S.F. 5901
Rev. War. 
and oblige
(Mrs.) Inez Howe 228 Broad St

(over)
Page 24

I wish to establish his pension record and I have seen that in Wash. but do not know just where to find same.

Thanking you again
Inez Howe
228 Broad St
Gadsden Ala
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Stamp mark:
RECEIVED
JAN 31 1933
MAIL SUB-DIV.
READER 19
VETS ADM.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON

January 26, 1933

Your File Reference: BA-J/MLB
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Mrs. E. H. Thornburg
654 - 6th Avenue
Huntington, West Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of January 18, in which you request information relative to William Pepper, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this office to make a proper search of the records.

In order to identify the record of the particular soldier named William Pepper in whom you are interested, should it be on file, as much as possible of the following data should be given: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.

Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator

Approximate date of birth 1761
Death 1841
Place of resident at time of enlistment: Sussex Co. Delaware
Residence of his service: Harrison Co Virginia (later Barbour Co. West Virginia)
Name of widow: Nancy Johnson Pepper
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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

August 7, 1931

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section AWF

Mrs. Inez Howe
228 Broad Street
Gadsden, Alabama

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 5901, that William Pepper was born August 23, 1761 in Sussex County, Delaware.

While residing in the state of Delaware, he enlisted and served as a private with the Delaware Troops as follows - From the Spring of 1778, six months in Captain George Smith's company, Colonel Collit's regiment; in 1779, six months in Captain Charles Moore's company; soon after the expiration of this service, six months in Captain Kirkwood's company, and was in skirmishes at Lewistown, Deep Creek, and Broad Creek; in 1781, six months in Captain Ebenezer Heron's company. He had other short tours, no details given.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 10, 1833, then a resident of Harrison County, Virginia.

It is shown that the soldier's wife knew him at the time of the war, but that they were not then married. Her name is not stated.

The soldier died May 29, 1841.

Johnson Pepper was his only surviving child.

Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 27

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF/eel

November 23, 1928

Elizabeth A. Frisbie
Cynthiana
Kentucky

Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 5901, it appears that William Pepper was born, August 23, 1761, in Sussex County, Delaware.

While residing in said State, he enlisted and served as a private with the Delaware Troops as follows:

From the spring of 1778, six months in Captain George Smith's Company, Colonel Collit's Regiment; in 1779, six months in Captain Charles Moore's Company; soon after the expiration of this service, six months in Captain Kirkwood's Company and was in skirmishes at Lewistown, Deep Creek and Broad Creek; from the spring of 1781, six months in Captain Ebenezer Heron's Company. He had other short tours, no details give.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 10, 1833, at which time he was living in Harrison County, Virginia.
Page 28

He died May 29, 1841.

It is shown that the soldier's wife knew him at the time of the war but that they were not then married. Her name is not given.

Johnson Pepper was his only surviving child.

The above noted William Pepper is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner
Page 29

S. F. 5901

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington, D. C.,

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Pepper a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widows) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Spring 1778
Spring 1779
Soon after
Spring 1781
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
6 mos.
6 mos.
6 mos.
6 mos.
RANK.
Pvt.
Pvt.
Pvt.
Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
George Smith
Charles Moore
Kirkwood
Ebenezer Heron
COLONEL.
Collit
check mark
check mark
check mark
STATE.
Del.

Battles engaged in, several skirmishes, and Lewistown, Deep Creek & Broad Creek other short tours

Residence of soldier at enlistment, lived in Delaware until he was 40 yrs. old

Date of application for pension, Apr 10 1833. His cl. (claim) was al. (allowed)

Residence at date of application, Harrison County Va.

Age at date of application, born Aug 23, 1761 in Sussex Co. Del. Died May 29. 1841.

Remarks: His wife stated that she knew her husband through the war that they were then not married, her name is not given. Johnson Pepper was his only surviving child.
Respectfully,
Commissioner

Only Wm. Pepper

Date of death & name of child taken from data on back of auditor's paper stating date of last payment.