Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,616, Abijah Flora, Va.
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SERVICE NUMBER
Va. Flora, Abijah R. 3,616
CONTENTS
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Abijah Flora
W.C. E
Rejected
Mr. Creighton
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(2)
BRIEF in the case of Abijah Flora Twin Township
Russ Cy in the State of Ohio
Act 7th June, 1832.
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 75
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.
Spring 1780 6 Boatman Capt Stockton Capt Lee Col Mitchell
5. In what battles was he engaged?
none mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
Hampshire Cy Va.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
one living Witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
The Court does not give its opinion
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. C. Easton
Examining Clerk.
15 Jany 1833
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Power of Attorney
case of
Abjah Flora
Virginia
or
Ohio.
Oct 23d 52
F E Hassler
Present
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(5)
The State of Ohio Ross County S.S.
Be it know that before me Robert J. Robertson, a Justice of the peace in and for said County and state personally appeared Thomas Flora aged about seventy four years and Robert Flora aged about sixty four years residents of said County, who being duly Continued and Sworn, in due form of law, state on oath, that they are children of Abijah Flora deceased late of said County, who was a Revolutionary soldier of the United States, whose claim for a pension was, and is Suspended at the Pension office at Washington City; that the said decease entered said service in the state of Virginia; that he died in the County of Ross in the year 1840; they believe on the 10th day of May that their mother named Margaret Flora died in Ross County Ohio about the 22d day of March AD 1838. That their father and mother were married about the ---- 
year 1775 that they resided in Ross County Ohio from about the year 1779. until the time of their respective deaths
And furthermore they by these presents constitute and appoint James Sinclair, of the city of Chillicothe, Ohio, and F. E. Hassler of Washington City D.C. irrevocably our attorneys with power of substitution, and in our name, and in belief of ourselves and the other heirs at law of the said Abijah Flora, to examine into, prosecute, demand, and receive, from the United States Government and state officers our rights in all and any manner of claim or Claim for Pension, Increase of Pension, or land, that may be due to us, as the children of the said Abijah Flora who died leaving the same undrawn, as in right of law we may be entitled - In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our names and affixed our seals this 27th day of September 1852
attest Thomas Flora seal x his mark
J. H. Brooks 2 witnesses Robert Flora seal 
Wm Ward
Signed, sealed, and acknowledged and sworn to before me, and I further certify that the said Thomas Flora and Robert Flora have always, by the community been known as the children of Abijah Flora deceased - This dated this 27th day of September 1852
Robert, J, Robertson
Justice of the Peace
The State of Ohio
Ross County SS I Angus L Fullerton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid do certify that Robert J Robertson Esqr before whom the aforegoing affidavit was taken was at the time of taking the same and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly Commissioned and sworn as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 28th day of September AD 1852
Angus L. Fullerton Clerk
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(6)
The State of Ohio Ross County S.S.
Be it known that on this 19th day of July A.D. 1853 before me Robert J. Robertson a Justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared John Flora aged Sixty two years who being duly sworn declares on oath that he is the son of Abijah Flora, late of said County (and now deceased) who was a revolutionary soldier from Hampshire County in the State of Virginia and who died in Ross County Ohio on or about the 12th day of May 1840 leaving no widow but leaving Thomas Flora, Robert Flora, and John Flora, who were his only surviving Children at the time of his (said Abijah's) death and who are still living: That his (deponents) father resided in the State of Ohio upwards of forty years before his death= That his (deponents) father, Abijah Flora, is the same who some time before his death made application to the commissioner of Pensions of the United States for a pension for service in the war of the Revolution= That deponent has heard his father say that he served in said war & went from Hampshire County aforesaid and as the deponent believes served under Captain Stockton or Capt Lee, or both, probably under Col Mitchell
He this deponent farther do Constitute and appoint James McClair sand F. E. Hassler as his Attorney in and about the prosecution of his said Claim for pension money as one of the Children of the said Abijah Flora and whom allows to receive the money so allowed and does to him as said heir whether for pension commutation or otherwise
In witness whereof the said John Flora has hereunto set his hand and seal this 19th day of July A.D. 1853
Attest Robert J Robertson
Samuel Littler John Flora x his mark seal
sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of July AD 1853
Robert J Robertson J.P.

The State of Ohio Ross County S.S.
Before the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said county personally appeared George Yoakam a credible witness who being duly sworn deposes and says that he was well and personally acquainted with Abijah Flora in his life time and also is well acquainted with his family 
That the said Abijah died in Ross County Ohio on or about the 12th day of May 1840= That he left no widow - his wife having died about a year previous
That he left at his death the following Children, to wit Thomas Flora Robert Flora and John Flora who were the only children who survived him and that the said Thomas, Robert and John are still living
That (he this deponent) knew the said Abijah Flora when he resided in Hampshire County in the state of Virginia, where deponent also then resided That there was no other Abijah Flora then living there, as he believes that he (deponent) also knew said Abijah in Ross County Ohio, where he lived for more than forty years before his death - and that the said Abijah is the same whose claim for Pension was suspended, at Washington City at the time of his death - And deponent further testifies that he is in no way interested as a witness herein George Yoakam
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of July AD 1853
Robert, J, Robertson J.P.
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The State of Ohio
Ross County SS I Angus L Fullerton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid do Certify that Robert J. Robertson Esqr before whom the aforegoing affidavits were taken was at the time of taking the same and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly Commissioned and sworn to such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 17th day of August AD 1853
Angus L Fullerton Clerk

Revolutionary
Additional Evidence
Claim of
heirs of
Abijah Flora
Ohio Suspended
1832
Cole
Filed Aug 2d. 1855
F. E. Hassler
Washington
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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 (1)
The State of Ohio
Ross County SS. On this 19th day of Novemr. 1832, personally appeared before the Judges of the Supreme Court, for the County of Ross in the State of Ohio, now sitting, Abijah Flora, a resident of Twin Township in said County, aged Seventy five years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the Revolutionary War, from Hampshire County, Virginia, where he then resided; from his best recollection about the spring of the year 1780, on a tour of six months, and serve out the same under Captains Stockton & Lee, in Col. Mitchel's Regiment, of Regular Troops; and was employed the whole time in [illegible] provisions, from the mouth of Conagochag, to Old Town, in Maryland, for the western army - at the expiration of which tour of six months, he was discharged, but has lost his discharge
That from information recd. from his parents, he was born in Hampshire Co Virginia in the year 1757, where he resided for the last 33 years, That he has no documentary evidence of his services, and knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to any of his service, except the testimony of Phillip Hartley, which is hereto attached - He hereby relinquishes every claim 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
Abijah Flora x his mark
Sworn to & Subscribed in
Open Court this
19th Novem. 1832
H Fullerton Clerk
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We John Mick a Clergyman, residing in Twin Township in the County of Ross, and state of Ohio and William Kearns a Clergyman residing in the same place hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abijah Flora, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy five years old, or there about, that from a long acquaintance with him we believe him to be a man of the strictest truth.
John Mick
William Kearns
John Mick sworn to & subscribed in open court November 19th 1832  
Humphrey Fullerton Clerk

Ross County SS.
Interrogatories propounded by the Court to the applicant and his answers under oath
1.  Where were you born.
Ans. In Hampshire County Virginia.
2.  Who did you enlist under
Ans.  Capt Stockton
2.  What other officers did you serve under
As. Capt Lee - Col. Mitchel
2.  Where did you enlist
ans. In Hampshire County where I lived & was born
2.  Did you get any discharge
A.  Yes - it was signed by Capt Stockton and I have lost it long ago.
Abijah Flora X his mark

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court 19 Novr. 1832
H. Fullerton Clerk
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In the matter of Abijah Flora for a pension the court are satisfied that John Mick who signed the affidavit attached to the declaration is a clergyman and a man of truth and now order the same to be certified together with the original papers.

The State of Ohio
Ross County SS
I Humphrey Fullerton Clerk of the supreme Court of the State of Ohio in and for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abijah Flora for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 11th day of December AD 1832 & of this state the 31st
Humphrey Fullerton Clerk
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(10)

February 1, 1939

BA-J/AWF
Abijah Flora
R. 3616

Mrs. A.R. Hanna
Neosho
Missouri

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Albright and John Flora (Florea) of Frederick County, Maryland, or any soldier with that surname, during the War of the Revolution.
The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claim for pension found based upon service of either Albright Flora or John Flora, under any spelling of that surname.
The Revolutionary War record of Abijah Flora is furnished herein as found in claim for pension, R. 3616 based upon his service in that war.  It is hoped that this record will aid you in your research.
Abijah Flora was born in the year 1757 in Hampshire County, Virginia (later West Virginia).  The names of his parents were not stated.
While a resident of Hampshire County, Virginia, Abijah Flora volunteered in the spring of 1780 or 1781, and was employed in transporting provisions, by boat, from the mouth of the Conococheague to Old Town, Maryland, under Captains Stockton and Lee, Colonel Mitchel, about six months.
He continued to live in Hampshire County,
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Virginia, until sometime in 1798, then moved to Ross County, Ohio.
Abijah Flora applied for pension November 19, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Twin Township, Ross County, Ohio.
The claim for pension was not allowed as proof of six months' service in an embodied military corps, as required by the pension law was not furnished.
Abijah Flora married "about 1775" Margaret;  the date and place of her birth and names of parents were not given.  She died in Ross County, Ohio March 22, 1838.
Abijah Flora died May 10 or 12, 1840, survived by the following children-
Thomas Flora, aged about seventy-four years in 1852 and a resident of Ross County, Ohio;
Robert Flora, aged about sixty-four years in 1852 and a resident of Ross County, Ohio;
John Flora, aged about sixty one years in 1852 and a resident of Ross County, Ohio.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible data in regard to family.
Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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[STAMP]
REJECTED

3616

Abijah Flora

The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for rejection

"not six months' service"

1939 Feb 1 - hist to Mrs. A.R. Hanna  AWY
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Ohio   (9)
Abijah Flora
Ohio
Act 7 June 1832

Rejected
See letter to Hon: Wm Creighton Jr.
Febry 11th 1833

F.E. Hassler  27th Sept 1853

3616
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Abijah Flora claims for six mo service as a boatman in transporting the public stores.  (4) 
This is not deemed a military service within the contemplation of the act .  These papers are placed on file


Portion of letter of Feb. 11 1853 to Hon W. Creighton relative to this claim
Page 16

Aug 22, 1853.

A.O. &c in
case of Abijah 
Flora, decd.

O.

Act 1832

F.E. Hassler,
Present

Department of the Interior,
Pensions Office, Official Business

(7)
Page 17

Abijah Flora

Mr. Creighton
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(3)
Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abijah Flora which require further proof or explanation.
I.  Does the declaration shown 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 his not doing so?  - 
IV.  Has the declaration 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?  Yes
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?  No
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 revolu-
tionary service?
Yes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing it?
[left blank]

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?
[left blank]

XIV. 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?  No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under
the seal of office?
Yes

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. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And;
if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes

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 recol-
lection he served not less that 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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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served;
and the particulars rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of
the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

QUERE VIX.  Proof of Service
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he
must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits
the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as
well as the regiment, company, and line to which hi belonged.  The magistrate who may adminis-
ter the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature
of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must 
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being im-
properly attached to the certificate.
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F.E. Hassler
Sept 27/53
Page 22

(8)
568

Pension Office
27th Sept. 1853

Sir,
The additional evidence in the case of Abijah Flora decd. of Ohio, has been received, and filed with the original application.
The evidence as to Abijah's services as boatman, is insufficient.  the witness testifying to its performance not having been in a situation to know.  The dates of Abijah's intermarriage with the applicants mother, and of their death have not been proved;  nor is the evidence sufficient as to the name and number of the surviving children.

FE. Hassler Esqr.
Washington.
D.C.
Page 23

The State of Ohio
Pike County ss
Be it know that before me Peter Fortney a Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, personally came Phillip Heartly, and made oath in due form of law, that he was intimately acquainted with Abijah Flora, now of Twin Township in Ross County, Ohio, while he resided in Hampshire  County, Virginia, which was from his youth untill after the close of the Revolutionary War and this deponent further saith that the said Abijah Flora enlisted in the Army of the United States in Hampshire County in the State of Virginia, and that he was engaged and served in the boating service of the United States for the term or period of six months during the summer previous to the surrender of Cornwallis, and further saith not
Phillip Hartley  x his mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of Novr 1832
Peter Fortney J peace

State of Ohio
Pike County Ss
I Hallam Hempstead Clerk of the court of Common pleas for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Peter Fortney Esqr., before whom the foregoing affidavit appears to have been sworn to was at the time of taking the same and still is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County of Pike duly commissioned and qualified, and that full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such as well in Courts of Justice as thereout.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Piketon this 16th day of November AD 1832
Hallam Hempstead Clerk

[SEAL]
Page 24

Neosho, Mo.,
Dec 27th 1938.

Veterans Administration Bureau
Washington, D.C.

[STAMP]
Received Dec 29 1938
Mail Sub-Div
Vets Adm
Reader #24

Gentlemen:-
Am working on a Revolutionary D.A.R. line.  I find Albright (Flora) Florea from Fredericks Co. Maryland and a John Florea from there also.  I wonder if you have anything in regard to the Floras on your Pension Records of Rev. times.  I wondered if John could be Albrights father or brother.  Any dates you have or any thing in connection with these names in any was I'd appreciate very much.  Albright F. was of English descent & his wife was Charity or Ruthy of Dutch descent.
Thanking you in advance for any information or suggestions I remain
Sincerely
Mrs. A.R. Hanna
Neosho, Mo.
Page 25

The National Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name  Flora, Jacob
Grade  Private
Line     Maryland
Warrant Number 11204
Issued December 24, 1791 to - not shown