Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31384, for Henry Sparrow, Virginia
Page 1

Service
Va.
Sparrow, Henry
Number
S. 31384
Contents
Page 2

25398
Kentucky
Henry Sparrow
of Mercer Co. in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Shipp of the regt commanded by Colo Munford in the Virginia line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Jany 1834 and G L Waugh Harrodsburg

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 30.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 10.00
$60.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by David Boyd Clerk
Book E Vol. 7 Page 31
Page 3

Date of death not on A.B.
ILL
Page 4

27.201
Henry Sparrow
Mercer County,
Kentucky

from 1781 private
6 months
$20.

G. L. Waugh.
Harrodsburg.
Kentucky.
Page 5

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

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.  Those 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 compiling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
__________________________[claim copy]
A Statement, shewing the Service of Henry Sparrow
Period when the service was rendered - 1781
Duration of claimant's service.
Years.
Months - 6
Days.
Rank of the claimant.  - Pr.
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
    Cap Shipp, Col. Munford
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. - 68 bd.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Witnesses

Fold3 File #17537208 Names found on this page include:[BLANK], Munford; [Blank] Shipp; J L Edwards; Henry Sparrow.  Image provided by Fold3.
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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 regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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 applicate 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     date 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 duly sworn, according to law, both on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)      , with     and served in the          (c) 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 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 a 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 of 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 paper 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 all 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 days 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 if 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, and 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) nd 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

Fold3 Fil #17537209 Names found on this page include: [BLANK]. Image provided by Fold3.
Page 7

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 on of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, of true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at-tempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-pected. 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 you services.
   6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv-en, 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 tes-tify 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
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State of Kentucky
Mercer County

On this second day of September, A.D. 1833 Personally appeared in open court before the worshipful justice of sd. County now sitting Henry Sparrow aged sixty eight years a resident of the county of Washington and state of Kentucky, 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 the 7th 1832. 
That he entered the service of the united states under the following named officers and served as herein stated, that he was drafted at Mecklenburg Court house state of Virginia in the spring of the year 1781. Under Capt Thomas Shipp in Colonial William Munford Regiment for a Tour of six months and marched to Taylor's ferry on the Roan Oak River. When I was detached as a guard to sd. ferry and also guard to the magazine that was kept about on half a mile from sd. ferry, where he was stationed and in which capacity he acted untill after the surrender of Cornwallis at York when he was honorably discharged having served upward of six months. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the presents and declares that his name is not on the Role of the agency of any state. 
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforementioned. 

Henry Sparrow

On this 2nd day of September 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of said court now sitting James Clarke a citizen of sd. County of Mercer and State of Kentucky, aged seventy four years, being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath state that he served as a guard with the sd. Henry Sparrow
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=row at Taylors ferry on the Roane Oak River. That upon his arrival then from Guilford he found said Sparrow then acting as a guard to sd ferry and the Magazine that was kept about a half mile off. That he knew Sparrow They were raised in the same County together and were discharged at the same time and place. That he is fully Satisfied that the said Henry Sparrow served his full Tour of six months and that he was a faithful Soldier and farther not. Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afsd. James Clark
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 has stated in his foregoing declaration, And the Court further certifies, that James Clark who has also signed his sd Deposition is a citizen of Mercer County Ky. and a Credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
I Thomas Allen Clerk of the Court of Mercer County do Certify that the foregoing Contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Henry Sparrow for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 2nd day of September 1833
Tho Allen Clk
Mercer County Court
Page 10

The farther Declaration of Henry Sparrow made in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 7th 1833.
Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department and Answers as follows -
Question 1st. When and in what year were you born
Answ. I was born in Mecklenburg County Virginia in the year 1765. Octr. 9th. near the Roan Oak River
Questn. 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it
Answ. I was Christened in the old church of England, as I was informed by my parents, but I do not know that any record of my age exists at the present day
Quest. 3. Where were you living when you were called into service were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute, for whom.
Answ. I lived in the state & County afsd and was drafted for a tour of six months. I do not recollect the year that I removed to this County. I know that I have lived in Mercer County Ky, upwards of Forty years some few years since I removed to the County of Washington near the Mercer line where I now live
Questn. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental and Militia Regiment as you can recollect and the General Circumstances of your Service.
Answ. Genl Green was our principle commander Col. Munford was the Commander of our Regiment and Capt. Shipp commanded at the Magazine I recollect no particular circumstances of my service except what is named on my first declaration 
Questn Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
Answ. I did receive a discharge at the time I quit the magazine from the officer in command but is lost or mislaid so that I cannot find it
Questn State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood
Page 11

who can testify to your Character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Answ. Honbl. Thos P Moore, James Clark, Col C T Burton Dvd Boling Wm Gunther Esqr. Saml. Ewing Esgn. and my whole neighborhood if it be argued. 
And further sayeth not Signed and sealed this 7th day of Decr. AD 1833.
Henry x his mark Sparrow {Seal}

State of Kentucky
Mercer County} SS
I Isaac Pearson a Justice of the peace and one of the Judges of the Mercer County Do hereby certify that Henry Sparrow subscribed to the foregoing Declaration & Interrogatories and answers came before and made Oath to the same Given under my hand and seal this 7th day of Decr. A.D. 1833
Isaac Pearson {Seal}

State of Kentucky
Mercer County Sct.} I Thomas Allen Clerk of the Court for the County afsd. do Certify that Isaac Pearson Esq. whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Certificate is an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County afsd. duly Commissioned and qualified and as such full faith and Credit is and ought to be given to every of his official acts as such
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of my office this 9th day Decr. 1833
Tho Allen
Page 12

February 3, 1938
xxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/EEL
Henry Sparrow-S. 31384

Mr. J. C. Sanders
Mineral County Historical Society
Keyser, West Virginia

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Henry Sparrow, who served in a Virginia Regiment and received pension while residing in Kentucky.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31384, based upon the military service in that war of Henry Sparrow.

Henry Sparrow was born October 9, 1765, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, near the Roanoke River. The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in said Mecklenburg County, Henry Sparrow enlisted in the spring of 1781, served in Captain Thomas Shipp's Company, Colonel William Munford' Virginia Regiment, marched as a guard at the ferry and also as a guard "to the magazines" which were located about a half mile from the ferry and was discharged after the surrender of Cornwallis, having served six months.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 2, 1835, at which time he was a resident of Washington County, Kentucky, near the Mercer County line, and then stated that he had moved a few years since from Mercer County, Kentucky, where he lived "upwardsof forty years."

It is not stated that the soldier ever married.

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 the Revolutionary War pensioner, Henry Sparrow (S.31384), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting
Page 13

Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Henry Sparrow
Certificate No. 25398
Issued January 4, 1834
Rate, $20,00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Kentucky Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 14

27.201
Henry Sparrow
Pension Claim

Geo L Waugh.
Page 15

1938 - Feb 3 - Hist to J C Sanders - EA.

31 384
Revy INVALID.
File No. 31,384
Henry Sparrow
Priv Rev War.
Act: June 7" 32"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 390
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 16

Feb. 5/94 line Hist. to Geo. Sparrow, 19 Oak St. Boston
1910 Nov. 15 Hist. to Mrs. W. S. Penick Letter in S. F. 30862 John Billingsby. V.L.M.
1922, July 5 hist to Wm E. Barton. En. (Rev.)
1922, Aug. 18. Wm E Barton notif no family data to show to get last payment. AW.
1925 Jan. 20 Hist to Mrs. J. T. Cannon AW.
1929 - Sept. 4 - Curtis Bynum not. cost of photos. See Thos. Shipp, S. 7487. MMHF
1929, Oct, 12, Photos mailed to Curtis Bynum & Fin. Div ntfd. A.D.Y.
1930 - May 13 - Hist. to Miss Winifred Ball. EEL
1934 - April 27 - Miss Winifred Bell advised regarding services of Capt. Ship - I.LL.
Page 17

Boston Mass Jun 8th 1874
The first auditor
Washington D.C Dear Sir
would you oblige me by giving the information I would like to know if the names of Henry Sparrow and that of Edward Latimar [handwritten note: no pension.] are enroled on the list of Soldiers of the Revolutionary war they are both from Princes Ann Conty Virginia Sparrow was a Captain and Latimar was a private they were my grand fathers parterned and
Page 18

mentioned
I am very truly
Yours
Geo Sparrow
19 Oak St
Boston
Mass

PS if this information is not in your department please turn it over to the proper place and oblige yours truly Geo Sparrow

[stamp]
US PENSION OFFICE
E
JAN 13 1894
Page 19

(Form No. 92.)
[stamp 1]
US PENSION OFFICE
G
JAN 13 1897

Treasury Department, 
FOURTH AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
Jany 12, 1894

Respectfully referred to Hon. Commissioner of Pensions as requested by the Writer, who has been so informed.
B.L.M.



[stamp 2]
JAN 16 1894

C B Morton
Auditor.
ENB
Page 20

SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE. 1-681
PHONE Branch 476 All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 36064
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 139. October 3, 1929. Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Pension Deliver to Room No. 5033 (ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copies of 5 pages from Revolutionary War pension  claim of Henry Sparrow, Virginia Troops, S. 31384.
No. of copies 1 of each Shall form be kept standing? days For further information see Mrs. M. M. H. Finch Room No. 5033 Phone No. 541 Approved: A D Wilkinson Chief Clerk of Bureau. Margaret M H Finch Chief of Division.
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
CHECK WORK DESIRED Duplicate Multigraph single or double space? Facsimile signature? Mimeograph one side or both sides? Facsimile signature? Folding Assembling once or twice? Stapling Once? Twice? Side? End? Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? Dated? Addressograph from lists Envelopes, size Proof list Labels (submit sample) Fill in letters Cards, size Pay rolls Corrections Tabulation sheets Photostat X Size actual official use? Repay? Yes $ .75. Blue Print Size Official use? Repay? Remarks (OVER)
[stamped] DIVISION OF PUBLICATIONS DEPT. OF THE INTERIOR RECEIVED OCT 4 - 1929
Page 21

NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus. 192 . (Date)
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN. Make new addressograph plate Change present addressograph plate Destroy present addressograph plate } On list as follows: Now reads 1 2 3 4 5  Should read 1 2 3 4 5
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION ADDRESSOGRAPH The above change was made 192 . Operator MULTIGRAPH Operator Date Type set by Date Remarks:  MIMEOGRAPH Operator Date Cut by Remarks:
Page 22

Macon Ave
Asheville N C
Sept 29 1929

M.O#434094 - $1.50

[STAMP]
Finance Division
Book-Keepers Desk
Oct 1 1929 
Bureau of Pensions

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Dear Sir:
Referring to the enclosed Rev & 1812 War Section M M H F.  Please find enclosed money order fo $1.50.  This is to cover photostats on Claims of

Henry Sparrow (S.31384)   5 pages
Bartlett Coxe or Cox           5 pages

I do not need the one of Thomas Shipp of Lunenburg as I have that already.

I wish to thank you for the courtesy and helpfulness shown in your letter.

Yours very truly
Curtis Bynum


[STAMP]
U.S. Pension Office
Oct 1 1929
Page 23

In reply refer to         3-1865
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
MMHF

United States Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington
September 24, 1929.

Curtis Bynum,
Macon Ave,
Asheville, North Carolina   

Dear Sir:
I advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to John Cox who enlisted from Mecklenburg County, Virginia or who was pensioned from that county.

Photostatic copies of papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claims will be furnished upon request at the rate of fifteen cents a page.

The number of pages to be copied in claim of Henry Sparrow (S.31384) is five:  the number to be copied in claim of Thomas Shipp (Lunenburg County, Virginia and the only pensioner by that name) is eleven;  the number to be copied in claim of Bartlett Coxe or Cox is five.

Should you desire to have them certified allow twenty-five cents additional for each set.

The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.

Very truly yours,
Earl D. Church
Commissioner.

[STAMP]
U.S. Pension Office
Oct 1 1929
Page 24

Rev.&1812 Wars Section
MHF

September 24, 1929.

Curtis Bynum, 
Mason Avenue,
Asheville, North Carolina.

Dear Sir:

I advise you that the Revolutionary war records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to John Cox who enlisted from Mecklenburg County, Virginia or who was pensioned from that county.
Photostatic copies of papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claims will be furnished upon request at the rate of fifteen cents a page.
The number of pages to be copied in claim of Henty Sparrow (S. 31384) is five; the number to be copied in claim of Thomas Shipp (Lunenburg County, Virginia and the only pensioner by that name) is eleven; the number to be copied in claim of Bartlett Coxe or Cox is five.
Shold you desire to have them certified allow twenty-five cents additional for each set.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH,
Commissioner.
Page 25

Mason Ave
Ashebille N C
Sept 1 1929

Bureau of Pensions
Washington D C

Gentlemen:

(1) Would you kindly advise me whether there is on file claim for pension on the part of Henry Sparrow of Mecklenburg County Va, a soldier in the Revolutionary War? And if there is such claim, will you advise how I can secure photostatic copy of the claim papers and what will be the charge therefor.
(2) Will you give me the same advice as to Thomas Shipp also of Mecklenburg County Va?
(3) Will you give me the same advice as to John and Bartlett Cox both also of Mecklenburg County Va?
Yours very truly
Curtis Bynum
Curtis Bynum

[in margin:  only one Lunenburg Co.]
[In margin:  no John who [?] fr. Meck. Co. or was pen. fr there.]
 
[stamp]
Sep 3 1929
Page 26

April 27, 1934.

BA-J/ILL  MMHF
Henry Sparrow
S. 31384

Miss Winifred Bell
Jacksonville Journal
Jacksonville, Florida.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request to
know whether or not Henry Sparrow, S. 31384, engaged in any battles
during the Revolutionary War, in order that you might secure further
information in regard to the military service of his captain, Thomas
Shipp.
The papers in the above noted pension claim have again been
examined. It is not stated that Henry Sparrow or Captain Thomas
Shipp were in any battle. There are no further data in the claim in
regard to said Captain that were given in report to you on May 13,
1930. There is no claim for pension on file based upon service of
the above noted Captain Shipp.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 27

August 23, 1933

XXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL
Henry Sparrow-3.31384

Osie May Harris
714 Caroline Street
Jacksonville, Florida

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record
of Henry Sparrow, a soldier of the Revolutionary War and a pensioner.
A very careful examination of the papers in the pension claim
of Henry Sparrow, S.31384, has been made and the following data
found.
Henry Sparrow was born October 9, 1765, in Mecklenburg County,
Virginia, near the Roanoke River.
While residing in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, he enlisted in
the spring of 1781, served in Captain Thomas Shipp's Company, Colonel
William Manford's Virginia Regiment, marched to Taylor's Ferry on the
Roanoke River, where he served as a guard at the ferry and also as a
guard to the magazines which were located about a half mile from the
ferry, and was discharged after the surrender of Cornwallis, having
served six months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3,
1836, at which time he was a resident of Washington County, Kentucky,
near the Mercer County line, and then stated that he had moved a few
years since from Mercer County, Kentucky, where he had lived ""upwards
of forty years".
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 28

May 13, 1930

Miss Winifred Ball
2251 Myra Street
Jacksonville, Florida

Dear Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, S.31384, it appears that Henry Sparrow
was born October 9, 1765, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.
While residing in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, he
enlisted in the spring of 1781, and served six months as a
private in Captain Thomas Shipp's Company, Colonel William
Munford's Virginia Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
September 2, 1833, at which time he was a resident of
Washington County, Kentucky, near the Mercer County line,
and then stated that he had moved a few years since from
Mercer County, Kentucky, where he had lived upwards of
forty years.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
The above is the history of the only soldier named
Henry Sparrow found on the Revolutionary War records of
this bureau.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.

[in margin:  Date of death no in AB]
Page 29

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.

Jan. 20, 1925.

Mrs. Jouett Taylor Cannon,
Kentucky State Historical Society,
Frankfort, Ky.

Madam:

In response to your letter of the sixteenth instant, you are advised that from the papers in the pension claim, S. 31384, it appears that Henry Sparrow was born October 9, 1765, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia and while living there enlisted in the spring of 1781 and served six months as a private in Captain Thomas Shipp's Company, Colonel William Munford's Virginia Regiment.
He applied for pension September 2, 1833, while residing in Washington County, Kentucky, near the Mercer County line, and then stated that he had moved a few years since from Mercer County, Kentucky, where he had lived upwards of forty years. He was pensioned at the rate of twenty dollars per annum, upon a certificate
which issued January 4, 1834.
His residence in 1840 is not a matter of record.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Page 30

The above noted is the only Henry Sparrow found on the Revolutionary Tax records of this Bureau.
His name is erroneously entered on the printed lists of pensioners of Marion County, Kentucky.
Respectfully,
Hays Haymaker
Acting Commissioner.
Page 31

AW
Rev. War Section.

Aug. 18, 1922.

Rev. Wm. E. Borton,
Foxboro, Mass.

Sir:

In response to your letter of the 1"" instant, you are
advised that in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.31384
of Henry Sparrow, there is no data on file as to his family.
There was no claim for pension made on account of his
services by any widow or dependents.
For the date of last payment of his pension and name of
person paid and date of his death, you should apply to
the Pension Section, Interior Department Division, General
Accounting Office, Ordnance Building, 1800 E. St. N. W.
Washington, D. C. citing all the following data:
Henry Sparrow, Ctf. 25398, issued Jan. 4, 1833, rate $20
per annum, commenced Mar. 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1833.
Kentucky Agency.
Very respectfully,
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.
Page 32

on file in this Bureau. Henry Sparrow S.F. 3184 DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. Spring of 1781 | LENGTH OF SERVICE 6 mos. | RANK Pvt | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. Thomas Shipp COLONEL. William Munford | STATE. Va
Battles engaged in, [illegible]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Mecklenburg C H. Va
Date of application for pension, Sept 2, 1833. His cl was aL
Residence at date of application, Washington Co. Ky. before that Mercer Co Ky.
Age at date of application, born in Mecklenburg Co. Va in 1765, Oct. 9th.
Remarks: the above noted is the only soldier of that name (no fam. data - Ew)
Page 33

J. C. SANDERS, President  LUKE McDOWELL, Secretary  C. N. FINNELL, Treasurer
Mineral County Historical Society
KEYSER, WEST VIRGINIA

January 20, 1938

United States Veterans Bureau,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen: --

If practical and consistent with the policy of your Bureau, we would like to have copy
of the Revolutionary record of one Henry Sparrow, soldier from a Virginia Regiment and pensioner from Kentucky,
If pension application states anything as to family,
marriage &c. would like that information.
respectfully
J. C. Sanders,
J. C. Sanders,
President Mineral County Historical Society
Page 34

Veteran's Administration
Washington, D.C.

Ward
Mary

Dear Sirs

Some time ago you sent me abstract from pension claim of Henry Sparrow of Mecklinburg County Va., for Rev. Service Claim#S 31384. This record showed that
Sparrow was in Captain Thomas Shipp's Company, Col. Wm. Munford's Regiment. Was there no data concerning battles?
I am not interested in family data of Sparrow but in military record because he was associated with Captain Ship. This is the only record I have been able to find of Captain Thomas Shipp's service, am trying to find what battles he was in cannot find it from War Dept. If there is any information as to battles engaged by Sparrow I shall appreciate hearing for
from you
Respectfully yours
(Miss} Winifred Bell
Winifred Bell
Jacksonville Journal
Jacksonville, Fla.
 [In margin:  furnished Winifred Bell May 13 - 1930-]
Page 35

Jacksonville Fla
Aug  14, 1933

Veterans Administration
Washington D.C.
Secretary of Rev. Records Dept

Dear Sir
I should like to have a copy of the pension papers of Henry Sparrow of Mecklenburg Co. Va. who I believe died in Ky.  He was at the siege of Yorktown in a company under Capt. Thos. Shipp.  I am particularly interested to know something of the regiment and officers mentioned.  It is the military history I am investigating.  A full copy of this person's papers would be highly appreciated.
Sincerely
Ozie May Harris
714 Caroline Street
Page 36

May 2 1930

Commissioner of Pensions
Dept of Interior

Dear Sir
A few days ago I wrote to you asking for copy of pension paper of Henry Sparrow  I am afraid I failed to state that Henry Sparrow was in Col. Wm Munford's Regiment.  He was from Mecklenburg Co. Va.  Perhaps this information will make it easier for you to search for record
Page 37

I believe I told you he was in Capt. Shipp's company.  I shall greatly appreciate a copy of this paper as soon as it is convenient for you to send it
Very truly yours
Winifred Sparrow Bell
2251 Myra St
Jacksonville, Fla.
Page 38

April 27, 1930

Commissioner of Pensions
Dept of Interior

Please send copy of pension papers of Henry Sparrow of Mecklenburg Co Va who served in Captain Thomas Shipp's company at siege of Yorktown 1780
Very truly yours
Winifred Ball
2251 Myra St
Jacksonville, Fla
Page 39

Kentucky State Historical Society Frankfort, Kentucky
President ex-officio GOVERNOR W. J. FIELDS First Vice President and Editor Register H. V. McCHESNEY Second Vice President COL. T. G. STUART Librarian MISS NINA M. VISSCHER Curator WILLIAM E. RAILEY MRS. JOUETT TAYLOR CANNON. SECRETARY TREASURER
HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTS MR. THRUSTON BALLARD MAJOR EDGAR ERSKINE HUME MRS. ANNIE H. MILES MRS. W. T. FOWLER MRS. W. LESLIE COLLINS MISS MARTHA STEPHENSON MRS. W. H. COFFMAN DR. WILLARD ROUSE JILLSON
January 16, 1925
Bureau of Pensions, Interior Department Washington, D.C. 
Gentlemen: In the Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or military Service, as returned under the Act for taking the Sixth Census in 1840, printed by Blair & Rives, Washington, 1841, is found the name of Henry Sparrow, aged 79, living in Mercer County.
In another list XXXXX merely bears the name "Kentucky Pension Roll" without date or place of Publication, but with the numbers 514 in brackets on each page, and gives pensioners of Kentucky under the heads - "Statement showing the names, rank, &c of Invalid Pensioners residing in the State of Kentucky.”
2- “Statement of the Names &c of the Heirs of non-commissioned Officers, Privates &c. who died in the United States service; who obtained five years half-pay in lieu of bounty land, under the second section of the act of April 16, 1816, and who resided in the State of Kentucky.”
3- “Statement of the names, rank &c of persons in the State of Kentucky, who have been inscribed on the pension list under the act passed the 18th of March, 1818.”
4- “Statement showing the names, rank &c of persons residing in the State of Kentucky, who have been inscribed on the Pension List under the act passed on the 7th of June 1832."
[stamp] US PENSION OFFICE JAN 10 1928
In this latter list, the name of Henry Sparrow does not ap- [appear] on the Mercer County roll, but in that of Marion County, with the statement that that he had been a Private in the Virginia militia, was placed on the Pension Roll January 4, 1834, and was 69 years old.
We have been unable to secure the statements from the Order-Books of either Mercer or Marion County, and will be under great oblications [obligations] to you if you will kindly furnish us with whatever data was filed in connection with the application for pension of both Henry Sparrow of Mercer County and Henry Sparrow of Marion County, with names of any members of their families who may be mentioned. It is possible that it was the same man, who moved from one county to another, but there is the name of Henry Sparrow on the Mercer County Census report of 1810, indicating that if he moved out of the county, he moved back.
The data furnished may have important bearing on the Lincoln family history, and will be highly appreciated if forwarded to us as soon as possible.
This society will gladly pay for any expense incurred, if the amount is stated.
Yours very truly [illegible] Jouett Taylor Cannon Secretary
Page 40

Rev. Sec

Foxboro, Mass., Aug. 1, 1922.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

I trust you will not deem me importunate in my repeated inquiries concerning [marked out: Henry] President Lincoln's relative Henry Sparrow of Mercer County, Kentucky. If you can add any item whatever who to that already furnished me, I shall appreciate it.
He was alive June 1, 1840, according to the published list of Revolutionary pensioners. Do not the lists of the office show when pension payments ceased by reason of his death?
Were there no claims for pension for widow or other dependents
made? Is there nothing of record that shows the name of his wife?
By 1840 Revolutionary pensioners were getting compartively [sic] few, and it would be gratifying to find something more about this man, and might be valuable to me.
Sincerely yours,
William E. Barton
V. 12
1842
Page 41

1.7.se
Rev p
The First Church of Oak Park
Congregational

REV. WILLIAM E. BARTON, D.D., PASTOR
RESIDENCE, 223 NORTH OAK PARK AVE.
TELEPHONE OAK PARK 777

OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

July 12, 192[?]

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir:-
I am grateful for your favor of July 5 with the military record of Henry Sparrow.  This is important literary material for me.  But is there no record of is death and its date?
And did he not have a widow?  If so, I greatly desire to know if her name was Lucy?
Your letter says there is no family data on file.  I am hoping that by some favorable chance a scrap of some sort may be found.
Thank you
William E. Barton
Page 42

The First Congregational Church
Rev. William E. Barton, D.D. L.L.D., Pastor
Mrs. Grace E. Mayer-Oakes, Director of Religious Education
Miss Zilpha Lloyd, Pastor's Secretary

Congregational Church House
Lake Street and Kenilworth Avenue
Telephone Oak Park 27

Oak Park, Illinois
May 25, 1922

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Department of Old Wars
Washington, D.C.

My dear Sir:-

I am informed that in 1840 there was living in Mercer County, Kentucky, a Revolutionary pensioner by the name of Henry Sparrow.

Will  you kindly inform me what is the record concerning his service; also, if possible the date of his death?

Cordially yours,
William E. Barton