Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 15422, for William Jennings, Virginia
Page 1

[Printed table with entries by hand. Top section "Service" and bottom section "Contents". Multiple lines, few entries]

[printed top left small letters:] (3-1776)
[printed text:] SERVICE
[below printed text SERVICE]
Va. [Virginia]
[to the right of Va, next column:] Jennings, William
[printed text: above the lines next column to right] NUMBER
[Below the printed NUMBER] R15422
[two lines below the number entered:] Va. [Virginia] Half Pay

[below is a new section separate from the top by a double line that spans the entire width of the page. Below the double line is printed text:] CONTENTS
[first column of multiple lines on left side of document are empty of any entries]

[second column of multiple lines on the right half of the document has text entered]

[line 1:] See N. A. Acc. No. 874  [Account Number 874 - do not know what the "N.A." refers to]
[line 2:] No. [number] 050092 Half Pay
[line 3:] William Jennings
[line 4:] also papers in N. A. Acc. No. 837 Va [Virginia] State Navy [ "Navy" may not be correct]]
[line 5:] William Jennings, YS File
[line 6 - very faint:] (erroneously placed there)
Page 2

Pension Office
June 13. 1837
I hereby certify that I have examined the
claim [the word "of' lined out] on account of the revolutionary service of the late
[the word "Captain" is lined out] William Jennings, who was a captain in the [lined out words] Virginia State regiment of Artillery commanded by Col. T. Marshall; that he served till the year 1781, when that
regiment was reduced; that he died at Hampton in Virginia, on the tenth of October seventeen hundred and ninety one [October 10, 1791]; that the case is embraced by the provisions of
the act of Congress of the 5th of July 1832, entitled, "an act to provide for the liquidating and paying certain claims of the State of Virginia"; that the claim should therefore
be allowed at the rate of Three Hundred Dollars [$300] per
annum, from the twenty second of April Seventeen hundred and eighty three [April 22, 1783], when the war terminated, to the tenth of October, Seventeen hundred and ninety one [October 10, 1791], when said Jennings died; and that the amount is payable to Robert C. Jennings, of the District of Columbia, attorney of Thomas Clarke, of Elizabeth
City County in Virginia, administrator on the estate of said William
Jennings, deceased.
J. L. E.
Commissioner of Pensions
Approved, June 13. 1837
J. R. P.
Secretary of War.
Page 3

[bifold document, appears to have writing in the landscape orientation on the opposite side that is bleeding through.  The following text is entered on the left side of the bifold section]

[top left]
Certificate _ Wm [William] Jennings, dcd [deceased]
Act 5 July 1832
June 13. 1837

[bottom left]
Recorded vol [Volume] 43. page 127
Page 4


I, William B. Lamb, Seargent
of the City of Norfolk, and as such,
administrator of William Jennings
deceased, do hereby constitute and
appoint Joseph Segan, my attorney to receive from the Government
of the United States all compensation of five years full pay and interest
and all [illegible] of Half Pay
due to the said William Jennings as 
a captain of the Virginia State
line the war of the revolution,
under the act of Congress of July
5th 1832, or any decisions of the
Courts of Virginia, or of the proper
Department of the Government
of the United States, amounting to
$12,000 
and my said attorney is authorized [?] to grant receipts & do all
legal acts necessary in the promises,
with power of substitution as will{???}
my hand and seal this 31st
day of July 1849
[ Signature in another hand:] William B. Lamb  Seargent [this word entered below the signature]
[to the right of the signature a hand-drawn square - squiggly lined - with the word "seal" entered to the interior of the square]
[below the above declaration in the same hand:]
City of Norfolk to wit [squiggled bracket here]
This day William B. Lamb before me an alderman in and for the City aforesaid acknowledged the foregoing Power of attorney to Joseph Segan to
his act and deed for purposes therein
stated Given under my hand this 31st
day of July 1849.
[illegible initials] Whitehead J.P. [justice of the peace]
Page 5

State of Virginia City of Norfolk sc
I John Williams Clerk of the Hustings Court [a local court] of the City of Norfolk
aforesaid in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Nathan E Whitehead Esquire who hath given the preceding certificate is a justice of the peace in and for the said City duly appointed and qualified - that full
faith and credit are due to all his acts as such _ and that the signature "N E Whitehead" thereto subscribed is in his proper hand writing as I do verily believe. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said Court and subscribed my name this thirty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine [July 31, 1849], and of the Commonwealth the seventy fourth.
Jno [John] Williams cc [Clerk of Court]
[to the left of the last four lines of text and signature is the outline of an eight pointed star with a circle inside with faded imagery - the seal of the said court]

[entered by a different hand:]
I substitute Francis A. Dickins
Esq to carry into effect the purposes
and objects of this power of Attorney
Given under my hand & seal de
31st day of July 1849 [July 31, 1849]
Jos: Segar [Joseph] 
[to the right of his signature is a squiggled circle with illegible letters entered inside the circle - a representative seal?]

[below the above text is another entry made vertically in a different hand - in the lower left corner of this document:]

Saurb, [illegible - possibly "Adury" ?]
Wm. [William] Jennings
to
[Possibly "Segan et al"?]
Pow. Atty [power of attorney]
Page 6

Dec 30, 1865.
Ree to arrears 
and W. Jennings, [illegible initials]

[below this is this:]

[unknown text]

[below unknown word is written an upside down word]
Messero
Page 7

Messers [formal plural abbreviation of the word "misters"] J. B. & A J Smith
Gentlemen
I lately received information
that it was probable that there was standing
an unsettled balance due my grandfather
Capt [Captain] William Jennings an officer during the Revolution. I suppose you will be able to ascertain by an inquiry either at the Treasury or pension offices _ to effect which my mother and the rest of heirs of my grandfather forin me in fully empowering you to act in this
matter as you may deem most advisable
for our interest
I remain Gentlemen
Washington Dec 27/ 45 [1845]
very truly Your Obt Servt [Obedient Servant]
James R Jennings
Page 8

H M Morfit Esq.
My dear Sir
I arrived here on Wednesday morning and found the family pretty well & saw my
Page 9

to learn from what quarter or firm what services that find answers, and of my orders have compromised themselves by signing the document referred to, that you will direct to any persons receiving any money that might belong to my (illegible) Mr. Robinson James or myself.  This happens that a Mr. Cheeseman went yesterday  Washington as he told the Genl the fund would be payable by the 7th of November.
     The Jennings of Norfolk Whereunto by a Mr. Mayo at the convention, another family there own (illegible)  I am told (illegible)
     I have been under the action of (illegible) today - else I should make every (illegible) off, also I consider it my duty to arrange as far as I can any (illegible) for my mother and I do not expect to be able (illegible) when I leave at (illegible) mention to  (illegible) the causes of my delay  (illegible) it necessary.  Expecting (illegible), I remain.

                               (illegible)
                               W E Jennings

Norfolk Nov 2, 1849
Page 10

Copied from M.M.H. J. list
Dec 29 1931

February 19, 1932.
BA-J/ADY
Wm. Jennings, Rev. war,
r.15422

Mr. J. S. C. Ellington, 
933 Arabella Street,
New Orleans, Louisiana

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter relative to Williams Jennings, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The records show that one William Jennings served as a captain in the Virginia Line, War of the Revolution.  His place of enlistment, his age and the name of his wife are not shown.  He died October 10, 1791, at Hampton,  Virginia.

The records also show that in 1837, one Robert C. Jennings, of the District of Columbia, attorney for Thomas Clarke, of Elizabeth City County, Virginia, administrator of the estate of William Jennings, deceased, received the amount of pension which was due on account of the service of William Jennings, as  captain in the Virginia Line.

Very truly yours,

A. D.. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 11

An abbreviated letter was written to John M. Harrison, of Atlanta, Ga. because upon examination of these papers, it would seem that there were two William Jennings in question, and it was difficult to determine to which William Jennings the grandchildren, etc. belonged.
See letter (in this claim) of W. R. Jennings,
dated Nov. 2, 1849

December 29, 1931
BA-J/MMHF

Mr. John M. Harrison
1250 Hurt Building
Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter relative to William Jennings, soldier of the Revolutionary War.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers in that war.

A careful search of the Revolutiony War records has been mad in your behalf and no record found of such claims having been made on account of the services of a William Jennings, who died in 1793, in Willoes County, Georgia.

The records show that one William Jennings served as captain in the Virginia Line, War of the Revolution.  His place of enlistment, his age and the name of his wife are not shown.  He died October 10, 1791, at Hampton, Virginia.

The records also show that in 1837, one Robert C. Jennings, of the District of Columbia, attorney for Thomas Clarke, of Elizabeth City County, Virginia, administrator of the estate of William Jennings, deceased, received the amount of pension which was due on account of the service of Williams Jennings, as captain in the Virginia Line.

For information in regard to the land that was granted by the state of Virginia to Robert C. Jennings, heir of William Jennings, a captain in the Virginia State Line, War of the Revolution, it is suggested that you apply to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, this city, citing Warrant No. 7726, for four thousand acres of bounty land.

Very truly yours,

A.D.
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
Page 12

Rev. War Section

February 27, 1913

Mrs. A. L. Porter,
Sylacauga Ala.

Madam:

In response to your letter dated the 17" and received the 20" instant, you are advised that a careful search of the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fails to afford any information in regard to William Jennings described by you.

The only soldier of that name found on said records, who died prior to the year 1800, is William Jennings who served as a Captain in the Virginia State Artillery, commanded by Colonial T. Marshall, until the regiment was reduced in 1782.

The place of his enlistment, his age, and the name of his wife are not stated.  He died October 10, 1791, at Hampton, Virginia, and in 1837, arrears were paid to Robert C. Jennings of Washington.  D. C., attorney of Thomas Clarke of Elizabeth City County, Virginia, administrator on the estate of said William Jennings deceased.

In 1849, solider's grandchildren: James R. Amanda, Indiana and W. R. Jennings, Mrs. Clarke and Mrs. Robinson, were referred to.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 13

Virginia
At a Hustings Court [see comments] continued and held for the City of Norfolk
on the 27th day of July 1849
William Jennings having departed this life in this City intestate
as it said more than three months, and no person applying for administration of his estate, on the motion of Robinson and Clark
it is ordered that William B Lamb Sergeant of this City [term "Sergent of the City" was replaced by Sherriff in the 1960s] take into his hands the estate of the said William Jennings and administer the same according to law
[entered by the same hand:]
I John Williams Clerk of the Hustings Court of the City of Norfolk aforesaid, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the above is a true copy from the records of the said Court. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said Court, and subscribed my name this twenty eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine [July 28, 1849], and of the commonwealth the seventy fourth
Jno. [John] Williams cc  [ cc = Clerk of Court]

[to the left of the last paragraph is an image of a seal placed on the document. It is an eight pointed star with illegible words printed on the outer edge and an image in the center. ]
Page 14

Washington 27 March 1850
Sir, as the attorney of Joseph Segar Esq [esquire]
attorney of Wm [William] B. Lamb administrator on the
estate of William Jennings decd [deceased] who was a
Captain of Artillery in the Va [Virginia] State
line during the war of the Revolution
I have the honour [sic honor] to present his claim for commutation with interest giving
credit for the half pay heretofore made
under the act of Congress of the 5th July
1832.-
Yours respectfully
Francis A. Dickins
James L Edwards Esq
Com [commissioner] of Pensions
P.S. Enclosed I hand you the power of attorney
and certificate of administration
F. A.D. [Francis A. Dickins]
Page 15

[bifold paper, all writing on the right side]

[illegible word ] 28/50

William Jennings
act 5 July 1832
[very faint signature - unable to read]
Filed by
F. A. Dickins
Page 16

Treasury Department
Third Auditors Office
January 24, 1846
Sir
I have this day received your letter of 23 [followed by superscript 'd' = 23rd]
accompanying the papers in the case of Halfpay [sic - one word] of William Jennings the Captain in the Virginia State troops
which you have borrowed from this office, and also the papers & certificate for further allowance to him
Respectfully
Your Obt [obedient] Servt [servant]
P [followed by illegible letters] Hagner And
[the following is entered to the left and slightly below the above signature]

[above and to the left of this signature is a letter I cannot identify followed by a small circle - "To"?]   J. L. Edwards Esqr [esquire]
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 17

Wash    Nov 17 1849
Jos. T. Walker
As to Commentation
of Capt. Wm. Jennings
Rec. 19 Nov '49
Wash 
______________________________
Respectfully referred to
the Commissioner of Pensions & Audtor's office
Nov. 19, 1849
Jn S. Gallaher
   (written upside down)
Hon John S. Gallaher & Auditor

Comm

Ch Kirkpatrick
Page 18

(written upside dolwn)
Ch Kirkpatrick

Hon John S Gallaher
& Auditor

Wash    Nov 17 1849
Jos. T. Walker
As to Commentation
of Capt. Wm. Jennings
Rec. 19 Nov '49
Wash 
______________________________
Respectfully referred to
the Commissioner of Pensions & Audtor's office
Nov. 19, 1849
Jn S. Gallaher
Page 19

Washington,
Nov. 17. 1849
Sir
I am employed to procure the commutation
(5 years full pay) granted by the [the word "Revolutionary" is lined out] laws of Congress in favor of Revolutionary
officers in the case of William
Jennings who was a Captain for the said
in the Va [Virginia] State line
The Comm [commissioner] of the [illegible abbreviation - possibly "Gen" for "General].
Land Office informs me, that a Land
Warrant was issued No. 7726 by the
State of Virginia to Robert C. Jennings
sole heir of William Jennings, a Captain
for the war in the Virginia State line
for 4000 acres, & that the same has
been satisfied
Will you be pleased to
inform me in relation to the Commutation_
Capt. [captain] Jennings I am informed
died in the year 1819
with great respect,
You obt [ ? "obedient']
[illegible signature - Possible "Joseph" Unreadable Last Name]

Hon John S. Gallaher
3rd Auditor
Page 20

Capt Wm Jennings State Line
This officer was war commissioned Augt 5 1777, received pay as Lieut and Capt down to Dec 15 1779; is believed when in service down with winter of 1787, and perhaps longer.  He is entitled to land for a service of these at least.  Remarks of Capt Smith of year appointed to examiner and report when Revolutionary Claims,  Is he entitled to half pay and if so was he (illegible) it under the Act 5th July 32.
Page 21

See papers filed
in the case by
F W Dickes
Mar 28 /81
Page 22

Norfolk, Va. [Virginia]
July 9th 1849
Hon [Honorable] J S Edwards,
Commissioner Pensions
Sir,
As the attorney for
Mrs. Clarke and other
Heirs of Capt. [Captain] William Jennings, of the Virginia State Line,
I have to ask that no
payment of Half Pay or Commutation be made to Henry Northrup.
They are not willing that he shall be trusted with their money, and design
taking the legal [end of page]
Page 23

steps to revoke his
Letters of Administration; which were
illegally granted to say nothing
of the total irresponsibility
of Colonel Northup his Securities
I have the honor
to be
Very Resplly [Respectfully]
Yo Obt Sert [your obedient servant]
H P Chisman
Page 24


Washington
March 22 . 1 [next two number covered by ink spot] 5   [possible year1885]

My dear Sir
Please present the enclosed with
my respects to Coln [Colonel?] Edwards with a request that he will examine them at his leisure
Very Respectfully
your truly
W Collins

W Swann
Page 25

[Envelope addressed to:]

Hon. [Honorable] J. S. Edwards
Commis [Commissioner] Pensions
Washington

[Text written by another hand in portrait orientation on right side of envelope]
1/2 pay
Commissioner
Cawea[illegible]

[Top right corner is a circular stamp ]
10
Jul
6 [lined out] 
[There is writing around the inner portion of the seal but illegible - faint]
Page 26

[scrap of paper]

[check mark] allow
Page 27

[full sheet of paper, folded down center, written text on right side]

Wm [William] Jennings dec'd [Deceased]
act July 5, 1832 
[act = Revolutionary War Act granting pensions of July 5, 1832?]

Jan [January] 23 1846

Recorded Vol [volume] 43
page 176
Page 28

Pension Office
January 23d 1846
I certify that I have examined the claim of
the administrator of William Jennings, decd [deceased] and I find that under the act of July 5, 1832 half-pay was allowed for the service of said Jennings as a Captain in the Virginia State
Troops, from the 22d of April 1783. Half-pay is
now claimed from the 6th of February
1781, when he left the service. The claim in my
opinion should be allowed. I therefore certify that there is still due on account of [lined out words: "half pay"] said
service, half-pay at the rate of $300 per annum
from 6 February 1781 to the 22 of April 1783;
and that the amount is payable to James R.
Jennings, administrator.

Commissioner of Pensions [no name or signature]

Approve
Secretary of War  [no name or signature]
Page 29

[folded certificate - written text on left, printed document with hand entered information on right]

[left]
1913 Feb {February] 27 Hist to Mrs. A.L. Porter [followed by a cent symbol - "C" with a vertical line - could this mean "with"?]

1931 - Dec [December] 29 Hist to John M Harrison [initials] MMHT

[horizontal line]
1932 Feb [February] 19 Hist. to J.S.C. Ellington

[right]

[printed stamp with scrolling. Printed "No' - Number]
[Hand entered number within the stamp:] 15422

[Lined out printed letters:] 
ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1871
[lined out printed text:] WAR OF 1812

[multiple lined out entered by hand:] 3 1 7 4

[Entered by hand to dotted lines] 
William Jennings
Capt [Captain]
Va Artly [Virginia Artillery]
Revolution

[Printed] Discharged [blank dotted line] , 18 [empty space]

[entered by hand] 4074
1-0

[diagonal stamp - multiple lined out:] REJECTED 

Hf [half] Pay - act '32

[printed] Received [empty dotted line], 187[no entered date]

multiple empty lines
Attorney
Page 30

932 Arabella Street
New Orleans, Louisiana
Jan. 29, 1932

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, DC

Dear Sir:
Virginia Militia in the Revolution by McAlister, published in 1913, shows that William Jennings, was sworn in as a Captain, June 22, 1778, Fauquier County, Virginia.

If he was a pensioner will you please furnish me with such information as you may have concerning his family.

I am interested in obtaining this information for family data.

Yours very truly,

J.S.C. Ellington
Page 31

S.Y. TUPPER, MANAGER
W.O. SLAUGHTER, ASST MGR.
R.L. CLIETT, ASST MGR.
B. F. WEAVER, ASST MGR.
GEO W. GANTT, ASST MGR.
JOHN M HARRISON, AGENCY SECT.
JOHN A TISCHER, AGENCY SECY.

ROYAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED
(OF LIVERPOOL)

ROYAL INSURANCE COMPANY
SOUTHERN DEPARTMENT ATLANTA, GA.
E.D. SCHANE, SPECIAL AGENT
TWELFTH FLOOR HURT BLDG.

ATLANTA GA
NOV. 21, 1931

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,

It is my information that in the year 1834 one Robert Jennings was allowed some four thousand acres of land in consideration for the services rendered by his father William Jennings, Jr., as a captain in the Revolution.

This William Jennings, Jr., was the son of William Jennings who died in Nottoway County, Virginia, in 1775.  The son married Agnes Dickerson and in 1793 was living in Wilkes County, Georgia, and died in that year.

If you will advise me what your records show in regard to this matter I will appreciate it very much.

Very truly yours,

John M. Harrison
1250 Hurt Building.
Page 32

[vertical half page document]

050092 [printed by machine]
William Jennings
Capt. [Captain] Va. {Virginia] State Line