Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,315, Farel Hester, Md. N.C.
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SERVICE
MD
N.C.
Contents

Hester Farel
or Ferrel

NUMBER
32315
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Illinois 19,708

Ferrel Hester

Roger C in the State of Illinois
who was a Private in Co. commanded
by Captain Bacchus of the Regt commanded 
by Capt Smallwood in the Maryland
line for 80 mo.14 days
$28.22/100

Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois
at the rate of 28 Dollars 22 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of pension issued 22d day of Aug
1833 and sent to G.B. Shellege, Paris. (illegible)

Arrears to to the 4th of March 1839 $56.4
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sept 33 14.11
$70.55


⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Wm R Bacchus, Clerk,
Book ? Vol eight Page 57.
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State of Illinois
Edgar County Ss.

On this 4th day of June 1833 personally
appeared in open Court before the County Commission
Court for the County of Edgar and State of Illinois
being a court of record, Ferrel Hester a resident
of the County aforesaid aged eighty two 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 1833.

That he entered the service of the United States 
under the following named officers (illegible)
herein stated to wit that he served as a private
soldier being drafted three months under Capt.
Bachears in the fall of the year 1776 General
Smallwood and Major Oglesby all the field officers
recollected. That during this tour he was in the battle of
the prolies. That he served as a private soldier being
drafted under Capt. McGuire two weeks to guard
section of Bargains men from Taney Town to the
Potomac river. That this tour commenced on the 25
day of December 1777. That during the two
tours before mentioned his residence was in
Frederick County in the State of Maryland
That he served another tour as a private soldier being
drafted for three months in a company commanded
by Capt Read. That he obtained (illegible) to leave Capt
Reads company and join a rifle company commanded 
by Captain Naul. That during this tour
he was in the army commanded by Gen. Ghates and
that he was at Ghates defeat. That he entered the army
this tour early in May in the year 1780 and continued
in the service till Ghates defeat on the 16 of August
immediately after which time he left the army.
That he served another tour as a private soldier being (illegible)
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under Capt Reed under the Command of General Davedson. That he was serving this tour in Davedsons death on the 1st day of February 1781 and that he was by the side of Gen. Davidson when he was killed. That his residence during this and the preceding tour was in Rowen County in the State of North Carolina in the forks of the Yadkin. That he served another tour of two months as a private soldier under the command of Capt. William Lansbery drafted. That during this tour he was stationed at Maxwells Station under the head of Clinch river in the State of Virginia. That his residence was at this time on the South Fork of [illegible] season but that he cannot recollect the month or year. That from his great age and the consequent failure of his memory he cannot state more particularly the periods of the year at which he served than he has done in the preceding statement. That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person [whose] evidence he can procure who can testify as to his services. That he was born in the County of Roscommon in England in the year 1750 and landed in America in the year 1774. That he has no record of his age. That when called into service in the Frederick County Maryland that soon after the close of the war moved to the State of Linnipee in Sulivan County in which State he lived about forty years from when he moved to this county where he still continues to reside. That [illegible] time he was called into service he was drafted and served as a private soldier. That he recollects the names of General Ghates Smallwood and [Davedson] with whom he served at various times, and that he circumstances of his service as set forth in t he preceding part of this declaration. That he never received any written discharge from the service. That he is known in his present neighborhood to William J. Mayo a clergyman and Garland B. Shelledy
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who can testify as to his character for warranty and this belief in his services as a soldier in the revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Ferrel Hester

We William J. Mayo a clergyman residing in the County of Edgar and State of Illinois and Garland B. Shelledy residing in the same county certify that we are well acquainted with Ferrel Hester who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him to be eighty two years of age, that he is respected and believed in the in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur on that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Will J Mayo
Garland B. Shelledy

And the same 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 applicant further testifies that it appears to them that William J. Mayo who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Edgar and State of Illinois and that Garland B. Shelledy who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit.
Henry G. Smith
Ferrel Hester
Joseph Matkin

I, Milton K. Alexander Clerk of the County Commissioners Court for the County of Edgar and State of Illinois, do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding
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ings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ferrel Hester for a pension. And Henry G. Smith, Hall Sims and Joseph Matkin are the County Commissioners of Edgar County and that the signatures attached to the foregoing certificate are their genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and private seal (no seal of office being yet provided) this fourth day of June A. D. 1833.
M. K. Alexander Clerk

The above named Milton K. Alexander is known by me to be Clerk as above stated in his certificate and was at the date and making thereof this is made & attested in due form working to the Court of this State.

John M Robinson
Carmi Ill
June 18, 1833

Ferrel Hester
Declaration
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19.708
Ferrel Hester
Illinois

Admin 8. Mo & 14 days


G. B. Shellege
Paris
Edgar County
Illinois
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War Department
Pension Office
17th Aug 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 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.

A Statement showing the Service of Ferrel Hester

Period when the service was rendered:
1. 1776
2. 1777
3. 1780

Duration of the claimant's services in Years, Months and Days:
1. 3 months
2. 14 days
3. 3 months
4. Nott stated
5. 2 months

Rank of the Claimant:
Private for all tours

Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served:
1. Capt. Bacchus and Gen. Smallwood
2. Capt. McGuire
3. Capt. Reed & Naul
4. Capt. Reed
5. Capt. Low

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service:
82 years - Frederick County, MD

Proof by which the declaration is supported:
Traditionary

I am respectfully
Your obedient Servant

J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
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-2-
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, 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 County of }ss. 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. 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 day 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 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 it 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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3

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 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 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. 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 he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 bis 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 mouths 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 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 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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. [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 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 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 [a] to [j] 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.
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Revolutionary War Records Section

3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Pensions
S.F. 32315

Washington, D.C.

In reply to your request of blank received blank for a statement of the military history of Farel or Ferrel Hester, a soldier of the revolutionary war, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this bureau. (On list of 1835 as Ferrel)

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment:
1. Fall 1776
2. Dec 25, 1777
3. May 1780
4. too light to read
5. Fall 1780

Length of Service
1. 3 Mos
2. 2 weeks
3. 3 Mos
4. illegible
5. 2 mos

Rank:
Private for each tour

Officers under whom service was rendered
1. Capt. Bacchus and Gen Smallwood
2. Capt. McGuire
3. Capt. Read and Naul
4. Capt. Read and Gen Davidson
5. Capt. William Low

State
1. Md
3. N.C.

Battles engaged in - Peolies, Camden, Cowans Ford
Residence of soldier at enlistment - Frederick Co MD
Date of application for pension - June 4, 1833 His Claim Allowed
Residence at date of application - Edgar Co Ill
Age at date of application - born in 1750 in Roscommon, Ireland
Remarks - No date as to family

Respectfully

Commissioner
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INVALID
Revy 3235

File No 32315
Ferrel Hester
Pri  Rev War

Act: June 7, '32
Index Vol 2 Page 181

[Arrangement of 1870.]

1914 July 23 - Hist to Leta C Davis
Page 13

Paris, Ill June 8th 1833

Mr. J.L. Edwards

I herewith enclose to you the declarations of Ferrel Hester and George Redmond for a pension under the act of June 7th, 1832. Also a copy of the objections returned by you with their former declaration in both cases the objections being precisely the same. The objections I think are entirely removed except that pertaining to the period of the war at which the service was performed and that as far as it ever can be they are so old and their memories so far impaired that the dates cannot be ascertained more accurately so far as I have ever had anything to do for old soldiers dates appear to be the most difficult for them to remember. If any part of their time is sufficiently established allow for that for no further amendment can be made.

Yours

G B Shelledy

J.L. Edwards
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STAMP

U. S. PENSION OFFICE
JUL 13 1914
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Paris, Illinois,
July 10, 1914.

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

My dear Sir:

Please send me the military record
of Farel Freitil Hester, James Knight, Sr., and William
Means. These men were Revolutionary Soldiers
and were drawing pensions in Edgar County, Illinois,
in the year 1835.
Yours truly,
(Miss) Leta C. Davis

(stamp)