Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 2039, Benjamin Cleaver, Va.
Page 1

SERVICE. Va.

Cleaver, Benjamin

NUMBER  R2039

Born in Md.
Page 2

13.491
Benjamin Cleaver
Amended Declaration
for a pension
Page 3

State of Kentucky
Grayson County [illegible]
The affidavit of William Cleaver taken
at the town of Leitchfield Grayson County Kentucky
on the 27th day of May 1833
This desponant  being in the 72nd year of his
age and first duly sworn saith that he has
has been acquainted with Benjamin Cleaver 
ever since he was a boy and that he knows the
said Benjamin Cleaver lived in Tigers Valy
on the Monongahala River in the state of Virginia
in time of the Revolutionary War
he knows the said Benjamin Cleaver was in the
service of the United States in the Revolutionary
War that he knows of the said Benjamin guar
ding Forts and the Frontiers in Tigers Valy in
[illegible] he knows of the service Benjamin Cleaver going on
[illegible] campaign in 1774
the year 1774 that he moved to [illegible] with
the said Benjamin Cleaver to the Kentucky settle
ment in the year 1779 that he knows of 
the said Benjamin Cleaver being called by
Genl. Clark to guard and assist in building
Forts at the falls of the Ohio River in the year
1781.  That he knows of the said Benjamin
Cleaver going as a sergeant under Captain
Davis on Genl. Clarks campaign against the 
northern Indians in the year 1782 and that
he was in service three months on this campaign
This desponant was on the same campaign
Page 4

State of Kentucky
Grayson County sed
I William C Wortham a Justice of the 
Peace in & for the county aforesaid do certify
that on this day William Cleaver personally
appeared before me and made oath to
and subscribed the above & foregoing affida
=vit.  I do further certify that [crossed out "the said"]
am well acquainted with the said
William Cleaver and that he is a man
of credibility.  Given under my hand
this 27th day of May 1833
[signature] Wiliam C. Wortham. JP.G.C

State of Kentucky
Grayson County set
I Jack Thomas Clerk of the County
Court of the County aforesaid do certify that
William C Wortham who has subscribed his
name to the above certificate is and was at
the time of signing the same Acting Justice
of the Peace in & for the county aforesaid
Page 5

and that his signature is in his proper hand
writing to whose official acts due faith and
credit is due.

In testimony whereof I has
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of my office
this 27th day oay of May 1833
[signature] Jack Thomas Clk
Page 6

State of Kentucky
Grayson County S.S.
On this 24th day of September 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before Joseph Boones Benedict Carrico & William Patterson
the court of Grayson County State of Kentucky now sitting Benjamin Cleaver a resident of Grayson County and state of Kentucky aged 81 years who being first 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 in the following manner, In 1774 in the spring of the year he lived in Tigers Valey in the state of Virginia on the Monongahala river the indians became troublesome supposed to have been excited by the British, the people forted that he was appointed sergeant and himself and others who were detailed for that purpose was ordered to guard the forts and frontiers of Tigers valey in the summer he was in service in guarding the forts about 4 or 5 months and in the latter part of the summer he was called on & volunteered to go out on Dunmores Campaign against the Indians, and marched to the mouth of the Big Canhaway where they had a battle with the Indians, that he travelled about 300 miles on this campaign and was in service about 4 Months, and on the next year 1775 the Indians still being troublesome being excited by the British, he entered the service again under the Command of Captain Friend
Page 7

and was stationed in Tiger's Valey to guard the forts and Frontiers of Tigers Valey & built another fort all under orders from the government this season he was in service during the spring and summer, he was also in service of the United States during the summer seasons of the years 1776, 1777 & 1778 in guarding the forts and Frontiers of Tigers valey all under orders from the government or state of Virginia and at one time went to guard Beef Cattle from Tigers valey or towards Pittsburg the cattle was intended for the army of the revolution at this time he was gone about one Month. In the year 1779 he moved to the Country near the falls of the Ohio River and in 1781 he was ordered by Genl. Clark to assist in guarding and building forts at the falls of the Ohio River at this time hew as in service about 15 days - In 1782 he went on a Campaign against northern Indians he went under Captain Davis and was himself sergeant this Campaign was under the Command of Genl. Clark, they went to the Shawnee Towns and burnt several of the towns, had some skirmishes and took 14 prisoners, he was 3 months in service on this campaign.
Questions propounded by the court to the applicant
Question 1st. where and in what year were you born - Answer I was born on 29th day of January 1751 in the state of Maryland
2nd Question - Have you any record of your age and if so where is it - Answer I have none
Page 8

my age was recorded in my fathers Bible and it was burnt in his house
3rd Question where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live
Answer at the time I was called into service I lived in Tigers valey in the state of Virginia and and moved to the settlement of Kentucky in 1779 and settled in that part which is now Nelson County, I now live in Grayson County State of Kentucky at which place I have lived 16 years.
4th. Question State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served and such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect and the general Circumstances of your service - Answer the officers under whom I served were those already stated and the general Circumstances of my service was as I have before stated in this declaration
5th Question - did you ever receive a discharge from the service answer - No I did not 
6th Question - 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 -
Answer, Uriah Pirtle, James Burtle, William Ewing, John Jamison, Peter Fulkerson, John Fulkerson, Charles Wortham, John Cunningham, William C. Wortham-
That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure
Page 9

who can testify to his service except the evidence of William Cleaver whose affidavit is here filed in Court-
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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 & year aforesaid
Benjamin Cleaver
We Martin Utterback Clergyman residing in the County of Grayson and state of Kentucky and Charles Wortham residing in the same place do hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Cleaver who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be 81 years of age and 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
Martin Utterback
Charles Wortham

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 Martin Utterback who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in Grayson County state of Kentucky and that Charles Wortham who has also
Page 10

5
signed the same is a resident of the same place and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
I Jack Thomas Clerk of the Grayson County Court and state of Kentucky do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Cleaver for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 24th day of September 1832
Jack Thomas
Page 11

State of Kentucky
Grayson County Sct
On this 27th day of May 1833 Personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Grayson County being a Court of Record Benjamin Cleaver, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following statement in order to amend his Declaration for a Pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th 832, That in the year 1774 he entered the service of the United States in the militia of Virginia under Captain Friend; and his services was the guarding Forts and the Frontiers in Tigers valey in Virginia and was in service at least four Months that in the latter part of the summer in the year 1774 he volunteered and went on a Campaign to the Mouth of Kenhaway against the Northern Indians on this Campaign he was under Captain Lewis in a Regiment Commanded by Colonel Lewis of the Virginia Militia and was called Dunmores Campaign, that he marched to the mouth of Big Kenhaway where they had a battle with the Indians, on this Campaign he served at least 4 Months, that in 1775 he was in service of the United States in assisting to drive Cattle for the army from Tigers Valey toward Pittsburg and was in service 30 days that he does not recollect the names of the Officers he was under in this
Page 12

service it was under orders from the government - that in 1779 he moved to the falls of Ohio, and in the year 1781 he was ordered by Genl. Clark to assist in guarding and building forts at the falls of Ohio River at this time he was in the service of the United States at least 15 days - That in the year 1782 he volunteered under Captain Davis and went on a Campaign under Genl. Clark against the Northern Indians on this Campaign he was a sergeant, they went to the Shawnee towns toward Detroit and burnt several of the towns had some skirmishing & took 14 prisoners he was three months in service on this campaign for which he claims a pension
That he has no documentary evidence except the Deposition of William Cleaver which is hereto annexed as a part of this Amended Declaration, he further states that he was a scout in 1788 against the indians under Captain Wilson in the militia of Virginia
Benjamin Cleaver

State of Kentucky
Grayson County Sct
I Jack Thomas clerk of the Grayson County Court in the State of Kentucky do certify that the above and foregoing contains the Amended Declaration of Benjamin Cleaver
Page 13

for a pension made, subscribed, and sworn to by the said Benjamin Cleaver in the said Court
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 27th day of May 1833
Jack Thomas C,G,C
Page 14

Benjamin Cleaver
Act 1832 
LKy





2039
Page 15

State of Kentucky
County of Grayson
Be it known, that on this fourth day of March A.D. 1853 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Charles C. Cleaver one of the legal heirs & administrator of Benjamin Cleaver Deceased
resident of Lieutsfield P.O. in said County, and made oath according to law that he is the heir and admr of Benjamin Cleaver who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of
That he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore give, I hereby constitute and appoint SAMUEL M. KNIGHT, of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Benjamin Cleaver - for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Charles C Cleaver
Admr of Benjamin Cleaver Decd.
Sworn to, Subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Charles C. Cleaver to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
A. C. McBeath Justice of 
The peace for Grayson County Ky

State of Kentucky
County of Grayson
It is hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Grayson County that Charles C Cleaver the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, is the heir & admr of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that A C. McBeath Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office,
this fourth day of March 1853-
Edwin Thomas Clerk
Grayson County Court
Page 16

1349
B Cleaver
Kentucky
5.6.19.16
Rejected see
letter 7 Feb 33 to
Jack Thomas Litchfield
Kentucky

J Thom
Page 17

13491
BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Clark
County of Grayson in the State of Kentucky
(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? 81

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
[1] In 1774 vol
[2] 1775 "
[3] Sundry other times
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
[1] "about 4 or 5 months"
[2] about 4 months
[3] Not stated precisely
Rank.
As a
Sergeant
Names of Generals and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
[1] None mentioned
[2] ditto
[3] Capt. Friend.

5. In what battles was he engaged? None

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Tiger's Valley VA

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary & Witness

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? They are not attached to the Seal as required

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
T. Waugh 
Examining Clerk.
Feb 16th 1833
Page 18

Cleaver, Benjamin
(VA.)  R-2039

[written on right side of page]
Ben Cleaver
[illegible]
Rev services
Page 19

WE, the Auditors of Public Accounts, do hereby certify, That Benja. Clever is entitled to the Sum of Twenty pounds 8p Specie, for his services in the militia of this State, under Capt. Davis from Jefferson County agreeable to an Act of Assembly "intituled An Act to regulate and affix the pay of the militia heretofore called into service." Given under our Hands, this 22nd day of Jany 1783
B Clark
34
Page 20

Feby 25/52
C. C. Cleaver
re: to application
of Benj: Cleaver

Ben. Edwards Esq
Hon M Heath
Comr of Pensions
DC
Page 21

[back of an envelopelope]
For Pension
Page 22

July 12/52
Rel: to Case of
Benj: Cleaver
decd. 
Maj Ruby
Letter from Chs. C. Cleaver of Litchfield Grayson Co: Ky.

Ben. Edwards
M Heath
Pension Office
DC
Page 23

Jan 12/52
Chs. C. Cleaver
re: to his father's pension

Ben Edwards Esq
James E. Heath Esq
Comr of Pensions
D-C-

Benjamin Cleaver
Kentucky
Rejected
See letter 7 Sept.
1833. to J. Thomas.
See letter 3 March
1837 Hon. J. Calhoun
do. 6 March 37
Hon B. E. Grey, Apl. 19, '32
same Sep 16 1852
did not serve
six months in a
military capacity during
the Revy war
Page 24

[crossed out]. Acts of July 14, 1862 and March 1878

[stamped Rejected with initials

2039
Benjamin Cleaver
Page 25

[written on left margin Marc 6.]

J L Edwards
Pension Office

written sideways hon J Calhoun HR
Page 26

Washington 4th March 1837
Sir
Will you be good enough to file the within with the application of Benja Cleaver for a pension, and if it is sufficient evidence to entitle him to be placed upon the rool send me the certificate to Harduzburg Ky-
If not please advise me of it.
With great respect
John Calhoon
Page 27

James L. Edwards Commissioner
of Pensions
Litchfield Ky Pension Office
June 3 Washington City
free

June 11
Page 28

Hona Ben Edwards Grey
MC
Washington Cty
D.C

Litchfield Ky
feb 11 free
Page 29

near Litchfield Grayson Co
Feb 7th 1852
Mr Ben Edwards Gray Dear Sir your letter of the 9th Jany to comply with your request I have Examined the Clerks office of this County to find out the Exact date that Benjamin Cleaver declaration for a pention was filed
but from the nearest date that we can give it was in the forepart of the year 1833
I have writen to Judge Calhoon to know about that Sertificate that I give to him to file in that office with the declaration at Washington City

Please to attend to this for me and if there is anything lacking rite back to me and I will ampelly satisfy you for youre Services yours with respect
Charles C. Cleaver
Page 30

Ho of Reps
24th Feb

Hon M Heath
Comr of Pensions
Sir
C. C. Cleaver in the enclosed letter state that Benjamin Cleaver in 1833, (or about that time) filed in the Pension office his application for a pension
Please inform me if you can find those papers of Benjamin Cleaver and if so what is necessary by way of proof to obtaining the Pension asked for
Yrs very Respectfully
Ben. Edwards, Gray
Page 31

House of Representatives
9th July 1832
Mr Heath
Sir
Please see the enclosed letter of C.C. Cleaver enquiring relative to the application of Benjamin Cleaver which was filed in the Pension office in 1833 - Please see the enclosed letter, and I hope you will be able to find the papers of Mr Cleaver and inform me what (if any thing) is necessary to enable the warrant to issue
Allow me again to invite yr particular attention to the statement of the letter herewith enclosed
Yr Obt Svt
Ben Edwards Grey
Page 32

James E Heath Esq
Commr of Pensions
Dear Sir
Please inform me when the amount will issue upon the Declaration of Benjamin Cleaver - Is the paper or certificate, said in the enclosed letter to him been given to Judge Calhoon now in file in In Dept - I refer you to the enclosed letter
I am with Great respect
Ben Edwards Grey
10th Jany 1852