Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16435, for John Kersey, Virginia
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SERVICE: Va.
Kersey, John
NUMBER: S. 16435
carded
CONTENTS
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13.663
Indianapolis - Ind
John Kersey
of Nicholas Co in the State of Kentucky 
who was a private in the Compy commanded by Captain Patterson of the regt. commanded by Col Boon - in the Virginia mila line for 2 years from 1780

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of May 1833 - - and sent to M Hopkins 
Carlisle.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833, $160.-
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep " 40
$200.-
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm Allison Clerk
Book E. Vol. 7 Page 16

Lett. Saml. Merrill, Mar. 7. 37
Cir - Tra - - do - do.
Transfd. to Indianapolis
for 4" Sept. '34 - June 29 - '37
New certif - issued 29th. August '37. & sent to Saml. Merrill, Esqr. Indianapolis
"888"
Nov 24 - history to L C Draper Wen Prior
Date of death not on A.B.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed  7th. June 1832
State of Kentucky
Nicholas County} Sct
On this 26th day of Nov 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before John Eward Benj Edwards & W. J. Williams Justices of the Court of the County now sitting John Kersey a resident of the United States in the County of Nicholas & State of Kentucky aged Sixty Eight years on the 11th day of March 1832. 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 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein Stated ~
That I was born in Pittsylvania County in the State of Virginia on the 11th of March 1764, I went to Kentucky in the year 1779, & about the 1st. of September 1780 I went to Lexington Station, or Fort, and immediately after I went to Lexington Fort I think in the month of September 1780 I was enroled, in the Militia States Service, in Captain Robert Patterson's Company, William McConnell was his Lieutenant, in Col. Daniel Boone's Regiment, & Levi Todd was major in Boones Regiment, under those officers I rendered services as a soldier and was often called out on scouting parties, until the spring of 1781. The Indians early in the spring of 1781 attacked McConnel's Fort and wounded one man, at Lexington we were put to repairing the Fort, & in the afternoon of the same day the Indians killed John Wymer; And Henry McDaniel killed an Indian, all of which I saw, within 40 yd of the Fort we took up arms & ran to the place as soon as we could but before we got there the Indians skelped the white man & ran off, after that our country was frequently [illegible], in the month of April, May & part of June, I served a tour of duty of two months on
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the Kentucky river at a place then called Leestown, & was there on fatigue every day, & while at Leestown the Indians killed & skelped two of our men & made their escape - I then returned to Lexington & was kept in constant service, on scouting parties, & at different Forts, through the year 1781 and 1782, and about the middle of August 1782, I was under the Command of Capt. William McConnell & was of 16 that got into Bryan's Fort, at Bryan's Station at the time Simon Girty with 500 Indians besieged the Fort, our party & with what was in the Fort amounted to a little upwards of 30 men. This siege was a few days before what was called the Blue Lick defeat in Licking river - After that General George Rogers Clarke sent out orders for all able bodied men, both officers & soldiers to be ready to march that fall against the Indians, And on the 1st day of November 1782 we set out & marched under the Command of Capt. McConnell, who was under the Command of Genl. Clarke, to the Shawnees towns on the big Miami river, we burned five towns, took Eight prisoners & a few sculps - at the towns the Indians wounded Capt McCracken, & on our return we buried him on the North West bank of the Ohio river, & returned to Lexington Fort, on the last day of November 1782, I commenced the service of the United States in the month of Sept. 1780 & quit the service on the last day of Novr. 1782, except after that I was repeatedly called out to go against the Indians & served tours of duty for a year or two afterwards, When I entered the service I volunteered, I know Genl. Clarke who Commanded the Illinois Regt. of Regular soldiers, Genl. Clarke Commanded at the falls of Ohio, at the Iron Banks & at Illinois
I have no documentary evidence of my services
and
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I know of no person But Josiah Collins whose testimony I can procure, to prove the services,
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state - Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
John x his mark Kersey
Sworn to, in Open Court
Att J. G. Parks clk

Josiah Collins aged 75 years the 2nd. day of May 1832 was introduced as a witness in open Court and being first duly sworn according to law, Says he was present when John Kersey wrote his Declaration heard it read, he says that the Statements contained in said declaration are true, that he was in the service & served with said Kersey under the same officers & at the same time And further that John Kersey did render the service stated in his declaration
Josiah Collins
Sworn to in Open Court Att. J. G. Parks clk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, that the above named applicant was in the service of the United States during the period of the Revolutionary War and served as he states. And that Josiah Collins whose affidavit appears above is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Kentucky
Nicholas County Sct.
I J G Parks Clerk of the Court of Nicholas County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said court in the
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matter of the application of John Kersey for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 27th day of November 1832.
J. G. Parks C.N.C.C.

State of Kentucky Nicholas County SS.
I John G. Parks Clerk of the Nicholas County Court, do certify that John Davidson before whom the above affidavit was made, is a Magistrate in said county of Nicholas and the signature purporting to be his is geniune.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said County on the 5th. day of April 1833.
J. G. Parks Clk

State of Kentucky Nicholas County Sct.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for said County, John Kersey, who, being duly sworn, deposeth & 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 period mentioned below, and in the following grades: 
For two years & two months I served as private & as a militia soldier, And for such services I claim a pension."
Given under my hand this 5th day of April 1833
John Davidson J. P. N. C.

John Kersey's
Declaration
T. A. Mershell
Page 7

State of Indiana} SS.
County of Boone
On the twenty seventh day of May AD 1837 Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the Said County of Boone personally appeared John Kersey who on his Oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company Commanded by Captain William McConnel in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Robert Patterson was first Enroled in Captain Robert Pattersons Company then Captain Robert Patterson was advanced to Collonel then was enroled in the Said Captain William McConnells Company in the Regiment then Commanded by the Said Colonel Patterson in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Kentucky from whence he has lately removed, that he now resides in the State of Indiana where he intends to Remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, i future
The following are his reasons for removing from Kentucky to Indiana, is that his Children resides in Indiana and he is better satisfied with them - 
The reason why Colonel Robert Pattersons full name was not inserted is that it was neglected and the reason why Captain William McConnells name was not incerted in the other affidavit is that it was forgoten the Mr. Kensey being very old, and the subscribing Justice of the Peace neglected instructing him to put his mark to it.
John x his mark Kersey
Sworn and subscribed to before
me the day and year aforesaid
Jacob Barb a justice of the peace

State of Indiana} SS.
Boone County
Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid
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personally Came Samuel S Brown of Lawful age, who being duly sworn upon his oath saith that John Kersey who has this day exhibited before me his original Certificate as Revolutionary Pentioner on the Roll of the Kentucky Agency, is well known to him and is the Identical John Kersey, named in Said pention Certificate, and who has drawn his pention thereon; and further Saith that Said John Kersey Resides in the County of Boone and State of Indiana.
Samuel S Brown
Sworn to and Subscribed before me on this 27th day of May - AD. 1837 and I certify that the Said Witness is a man of respectability and entitled to Credit.
Jacob Barb justice of the peace

State of Indiana} SS.
Boone County} I Samuel S Brown Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County aforesaid, Certify that Jacob Barbe the above Subscribing Justice of the peace, is an acting Justice of the peace of the County of Boone aforesaid, Duly Elected Commissioned and qualified into office, and his signature is genuine.
Witness Samuel S Brown Clerk of the Said Boone Circuit Court and the Seal of said Court (a scroll) hereunty annexed at Leabnon This twenty seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty seven.
Samuel S Brown Ck, B.C.
{Boone County Seal}
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November 14, 1935.
BA-J/MMHF/ILL
John Kersey
S. 16435

Miss Eva M. Ball
418 North East Street
Lebanon, Indiana.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of John Aldridge and John Kersey, both pensioners of Boone County, Indiana, in 1840.

Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible to comply with each request which requires much time and research. The record of John Kersey is furnished you herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 16435, based upon his service in that war.
[clerk note: Hist. ILL]
John Kersey was born March 11, 1764, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and went to Kentucky in the year 1779; the names of his parents are not shown.

While residing at Lexington Station, Kentucky, he enlisted about September 1, 1780, served at various times until the end of November 1782, amounting in all to two years and two months, as private in Captain Robert Patterson's company, Colonel Daniel Boone's Virginia regiment and in Captain William McConnell's company, Colonel Robert Patterson's Virginia regiment. During his service, he was engaged against the Indians at Fort McConnell, was in the battle of Blue Licks, assisted in burning the Indian towns, and at Bryant's Fort when it was attacked by Simon Girty.

After his service in the Revolutionary War, he continued to serve on tours against the Indians during a year or two; no details given regarding this service.

John Kersey was allowed pension on his application executed
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November 26, 1832, at which time he resided in Nicholas County, Kentucky.

In May 1837, John Kersey was a resident of Boone County, Indiana; he stated then that he had moved there recently from Kentucky because his children resided in Indiana, but he did not designate the names of said children, nor the name of his wife or date of his marriage.

In 1837, one Benjamin Kersey stated, in Boone County, Indiana, that he arranged the transfer of the pension of John Kersey from Kentucky to Indiana, but he did not state his relationship to the soldier.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of John Kersey, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:

John Kersey
Certificate 13663
Issued May 30, 1833
Rate $80 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832.
Indiana Agency (transferred from Kentucky Agency).

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

2.
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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 John Kersey 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 him not doing so? -

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No

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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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? a witness

XIV. [notation sign 1]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? -

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? yes

XVI. [notation sign 2]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? 
_________________________
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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Free
War
the Chief Clerk
Washington
City

M Hopkins
Carlisle,
Kentucky.
Page 14

Kentucky Carlisle April 5th 1833
Enclose back to M Hopkins if any thing is done for the benifit of the applicant
Yours &c
M Hopkins
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S. F. 16,435 Washington, D. C., _________, 19__

In reply to your request of ________, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Kersey a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
AW Sept. 1780
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
served at various times until Nov. 1782
RANK.
Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Robert Patterson
William McConnell
COLONEL.
Daniel Boone
Robert Patterson
STATE.
Va.
After above served a year or two against Indians no details given

Battles engaged in, at Bryants Fort when it was besieged by Simon Girty with Indians at Shawnee Towns on Big Miami
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted at Lexington Station Ky.
Date of application for pension, Nov. 26. 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Nicholas County Ky.
Age at date of application, born Mch. 11. 1764 in Pittsylvania Co. Va.
Remarks: In 1837 soldier was residing in Boone Co. Indiana where he had gone to be near his children their names are not stated and there is no other data on file as to his children.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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Lebanon, Indiana.
Oct. 20, 1935.
Veterans Administration
Washington D.C.

Please send the Revolutionary war Record of:
(1) John Aldridge, private
Penn. line.
Pensioned 1831 on the 1840 list, Boone County, Indiana.

(2) John Kersey,
Age 77,
Boone County, Indiana.
[clerk note: Nov. 12 - 15
Note Mrs. Finch answered all Snd per request. ILL]
This information will oblige, Miss Eva M. Ball
418 N. East St, Lebanon, Indiana.
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Mexico, Mo.
December 6, 1921.

Pension Department,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
In McAllister's Virginia in the Militia, p. 278, I find Jno. Kersey of Nicholas county, Ky., formerly of Virginia, received a pension. Please send me his record of service.

Also of Augustine Payne of Fauquier Co. p. 252.
Respectfully yours,
(Miss) Tine C. Houston.

[stamp 1]
RECORD DIVISION
DEC 10 1921

[stamp 2]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE. D
DEC 9 1921
Page 18

[Left side of the page.]
16,435
INVALID.

File No. 16,435
John Kersey
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32
Index:-Vol. A. Page 204
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[On the right side of the page.]
1921 Dec. 27 Hist to Tine C. Houston
1935 - Nov. 14 - Hist to Miss Eva M. Ball - JLL
Page 19

John Kersey,
  for transfer

[Perpendicular to the page.]
Let the
transfer be
made.
JLE.

Pay dues fr. 4" Sept
1834 - over 2 Years.
Proper rank not
assigned to the officers
and the Clerk has no
public seal
   The papers however
came thru W Merrill,
Pen. Agt. to whom they
have been once returned
already.  Perhaps the de=
fect may not be considered
sufficiently material to
render further [illegible] from us
necessary.
   Respectfully referred
to the Court.      Jan 29" '37
R.B.
Page 20

Northern Bank Kentucky
Lexington March 7th 1837

Sir,
   John Kersey has been paid to the 4th Sept
1834 and will not be paid in future at this agency.
   Respectfully 
     Your Obt Servt
   John Tilford Prest
    per Wm Ernst
  pen Clk


J L Edwards Esqre
Comr of Pensions
   Washington
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Pension Agency
   Indianapolis August 18th '37

J L Edwards Esq
  Commissioner of Pensions
   Sir
   Herewith we forward you the
Affidavits of John Kersey and Benjamin Kersey in re-
lation to the certificate of aforesaid John Kersey, which appears
to be lost.
  If these Affidavits should be satisfactory, please forward
the Certificate to this Office.
   Yours Respectfully
Sam'l Merrill
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State of Indiana
Boone County}
  Be it known that before me Jacob Barb
a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, per-
sonally appeared John Kersey, and made Oath in due form
of law, that he is the identical person named in a certificate
as a Revolutionary Pensioner, "Act June 7" 1832." late of the 
State of Kentucky, at the rate of eighty dollars per annum,
that he has received pay up to 4th September 1834.  that the
said Certificate was sent to the Office of the Pension Agent at
Indianapolis for the purpose of obtaining a transfer from Ken-
tucky Agency to that of Indiana, by Benjamin Kersey; that
he has been informed by J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions of
date June 29, 1837. of his transfer from Kentucky Agency to that
of Indiana, but that he is unable to draw his money on
account of his Certificate being lost or mislaid, wither at Indianap-
olis or on the road, between Delaware.  The seal of Justice of Boone
County, and Indianapolis, and that the said Certificate was never
returned to him by said Benjamin Kersey, and that this Affidavit
is forwarded as an application for the issue of a new Certificate.
John his X mark Kersey
   
Sworn and subscribed this 4th
day of August 1837
before me 
Jacob Barb  J. Peace
Witness S S Brown

State of Indiana
Coone County}
  Be it known that before me Jacob Barb
a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, person-
ally appeared Benjamin Kersey, and made Oath in due form of law
that the Certificate named in the above Affidavit was handed to
him some time last spring; for the purposes of taking it to Indi-
anapolis to procure a transfer for said John Kersey named above.
That the said Certificate was used for the purpose above named
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at the Office of the Pension Agent at Indianapolis, and also at the
Clerks Office of Boone County, but date not known at this time where
said certificate is and further believes that said Certificate is
wholly and totally lost.
Benjamin Kersey
  Sworn and subscribed this
7th day of August 1837
before me
Jacob Barb - J. Peace

I Samuel S Brown Clerk of the County of
Boone County, certify that Jacob Barb is a Magis-
trate as above, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be
his, is genuine.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my
seal of Office, and subscribed my name,
this Seventh day of August
in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty
seven
 Samuel S Brown
Clerk of the Court of
Boone County