Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13684, for William Laney, Virginia
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SERVICE
Va.
Laney William
NUMBER
S.13684
Carded
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3361
Kentucky
William Laney
[of] Harrison in the State of Kentucky who was a Private in the compy commanded by Captain Glass of the -- commanded by -- in the Virginia line for 9 months from 1780
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 30 Dollars -- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19. day of Decr 1832 and sent to Hon R. M. Johnson, House of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832                        45.--
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar: 33       15.--
                                                       [double line] 
                                                                 $60.--    
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book D Vol. 9 Page 47
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William Laney
Harrison Co
Ky
Rt admit for 9 mo
private - $30 per ann.
[faint handwriting] See Mr Ed,
4.6.
[illegible]
Colo R. M. Johnson
H. R.
Decr 29. 1832
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BRIEF in the case of WIlliam Laney of Harrison Co in the State of Ky (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? 72 Years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[a table follows with column headings: "Period," "Duration of Service," "Rank," and "Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served."]
Period.           Duration Rank   Officers
     drafted 3 months pr Cap. Songneckas Co.
      vol.       3     "        "   [no one listed]
  again called upon 3 months pr Cap Glass Co
                           9 months
5. In what battles was he engaged? [blank]
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Frederick Co. 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? One witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I CERTIFY that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signed] H H L Examining Clerk.
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State of Kentucky Harrison County Ect
On this 8th day of October 1832 personally appeared before the Justices of the Harrison County Court in open Court, Wm Laney aged 72 years the 12th of August last a resident of sd County and State 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 was drafted into the Army of the United States as a private soldier in the militia thereof and served in that character for three months in the fall succeeding the Battle of the Cowpens. That he was drafted in Frederick County Virginia and immediately thereafter he marched in Col. Holme's Regiment from the Round Hill Barracks near Winchester Virginia to Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania sd Regiment having marched for the purpose of guarding some prisoners taken by General Morgan at the Battle of the Cowpens. That he remained with his regiment at the Barracks near Lancaster about two days when he was permitted to return home. That he belonged to Capt Longnecker's Company, that Adam Hepkill was Lieutenant and John Perrill was Ensign. That Capt Longnecker's Company composed a part of Major John Gilkerson's Battalion which belonged to Col. Holme's Regiment. That he served out his Tour of three months and received a Discharge from Capt Joseph Longnaker which he has lost and therefore he cannot produce it. That he afterwards volunteered as a private soldier under an engagement to serve three months as a volunteer militia man if his services should be required. That he joined the army near Winchester Virginia and from thence he marched to Zanes's Ironworks in Frederick County and lay there one day and night & thence he marched to a creek called Big Capon in sd. County and thence he marched to Genl Claypole's farm in another County and from thence to Col. Brake's farm on North River where we lay five days. on the top of the
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the mountain between Claypoles farm and Brake's farm three men were overtaken by us who refused to surrender one of whom was killed and the other two made their escape. Some prisoners were taken at Brakes farm and from that place we were all permitted to return home & remain until we should again be called into service. That some short time afterwards he was called upon to join his company for the purpose of guarding some prisoners from the Round Barracks to Maryland on the opposite side of the River from Shepherd's Town in the State of Virginia. That he joined his Company in obedience to the call and assisted in guarding sd. prisoners and was then again permitted to return home. That General Morgan was the officer highest in command and this applicant belonged to Captain James Glass's Company and the Battalion Commanded by Major Wm Davis. That he does not recollect whether he got a written discharge or not, but he recollects that he served out his complete Tour of three months and a little more. That if he ever had a written discharge he does not know where it is and he knows of no living witness except his Brother John Laney by whom he can prove his services. He relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[signed] X his mark WIlliam Laney
The Court propounded the following Interrogatories to the applicant To wit: 
1st Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age?
3rd Where were you living when called into active service?
4th How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute?
5th 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 & the general circumstances of your service.
6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
7th State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
To the first Interrogatory he answered that he was born in Lancaster County Pennsylvania in the year 1760
To the 2nd he answered his age is recorded in his father's Bible but it was not in his possession
To the 3rd he answered that he was living in the State when called into service. That he lived in the State of Virginia in Frederick County until the year 1790 from that time he has lived in Kentucky
To the 4th he answered that this question was answered in the Body of his declaration.
To the 5th he answered that he recollects the names of none
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of the regular officers except such as belonged to the Regiments in which he served. He thinks than an officer of the name of Sniggers was one of Genl Morgans aids [sic]
To the 6th - he answered that this question is answered in the Body of the declaration. 
To the 7th - he answered that he is known to John Laney of the State of Ohio who is now in Harrison County Kentucky & who knows that this applicant was a soldier of the Revolution. That he is known to John Trimble and John Moore who reside in his present neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [signed] X his mark William Laney
I John Laney a resident of Brown County State of Ohio do certify that I am an elder Brother of the sd. William Laney who has made the foregoing declaration. That I resided in Frederick County State of Virginia when sd. Wm Laney entered the service as a revolutionary soldier in Col. Holmes's Regiment. That I recollect when he left home to join the Regiment and when he returned home after performing his tour of duty. That I also recollect when he entered the service the second time under General Morgan; that I recollect the circumstances of his leaving home to join the army and that he found his own horse & his own provisions and that he had a small Gray horse. I also recollect when he returned home the second time as I saw him a few days afterwards.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. [signed] Wm Laney
We John Trimble and John Moore residing in Cynthiana Harrison County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Wm Laney who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration & we believe him to about 72 years of age & that we believe him to have been a soldier of the revolution. 
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
[signed] John Trimble
              John Moore
And this Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the war department
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department that the foregoing applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that John Trimble & John Moore who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of Cynthiana Harrison County and are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit. And the Court doth also certify that in their opinion that no clergyman in the neighborhood of sd. applicant knows that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and this Court does not believe that there is any neighborhood reputation or belief on the subject.
Commonwealth of Kentucky }
Harrison County                    } Set
I Samuel Endecott Clerk of the County Court of said Count, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of William Laney for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 16th day of November 1832 and in the 4th year of the Commonwealth.
[signed] S. Endecott Clk H.C.

William Laneys Declaration
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May 3, 1939.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mrs. Leone Laney Betts                     BA-J/CC
331 West 31st Street                    William Laney
Los Angeles, California.                  S. 13684
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Laney who served in the Virginia militia and received a pension in Harrison County, Kentucky.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim S.13684, based upon service of William Laney in the Revolutionary War.
William Laney was born August 12, 1760, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Frederick County, Virginia, William Laney enlisted in the fall after the battle of Cowpens, served three months as a private in Captain Joseph Longnecker's or Longnaker's company, Colonel Holmes' Virginia regiment; volunteered served three months as private in the same company; enlisted served three months as private in Captain Samuel Glass' company, Major William Davis' Virginia battalion.
William Laney moved from Virginia to Kentucky in about 1790, and was allowed pension on his application executed October 8, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Harrison County, Kentucky.
No reference was made to wife or children.
In 1832, John Laney, an elder brother of William Laney was living in Brown County, Ohio.
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In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of William Laney, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
William Laney
Certificate #3361
Issued December 19, 1832
Rate $30.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Kentucky Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
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William Laney
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Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Laney 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? No
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 amount 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
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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? ----------
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason for not obtaining it? yes
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? witness
XIV. + If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes
   Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes
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? [blank]
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? y [line drawn through "y"]
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 ______ . For ____ months and ___ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 [words italicized] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. [italicized]
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. [italicized]
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of the office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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[round mailroom stamp at top]
RECEIVED MAR 13 1939 Vets. Adm. 47 Mail Sub-Div. 
Los Angeles Calif.
March 9 -1939
Mr H. D. Hiller, Administrator
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir,
Please furnish me with all the information in the pension papers of William Laney, a private in the Virginia Militia, who received a Revolutionary War pension while residing in Harrison Co., Kentucky.
Thanking you in advance for your consideration of the above.
Very Sincerely Yours
[signed] Mrs Leone Laney Betts
331 West, 31 St.
Los Angeles, Calif.
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13684
Rev. War INVALID.
File No. 13, 684
William Laney
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 216
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[opposite page notation]
1939 - May 3 Hist to Mrs. Leone Laney Betts