Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 5898, for Christian Peters, Virginia
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SERVICE NUMBER
Va. Peters, Christian S5898.
Carded
CONTENTS
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Christian Peters
Declaration
Sept: 17" 1832

11.063
Virginia
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Surprise a party of Tories which were collected at a place he thinks called the Black Swamp before their arrival the tories dispersed but they took 14 prisoners in the neighbourhood as will as he recollects, part of their men were sent back with the prisoners and the ballance marched down the River to George Town where they took 25 British prisoners some Rum and some clothing and then another part of their men up the River to Greens head quarters with the prisoners the ballance of them marched on and Joined Genl. Morgan who was flying before the British about 36 hours he thinks before the Battle at the Cowpens we marched with Morgan the ballance of the day after we Joined him & the next day the succeeding night the Army moved in the night about half a mile from the place they were encamped the place selected for the Battle leaving some men to keep up the fires untill day light the British were then close on them and the Battle commenced the next morning about sunrise or a little after. I belonged to the Riflemen and was Stationed on the right of the Army and was in the 2nd company counting from the right they had the pleasure at that place of taking 600 prisoners they then moved on before the British to Salisbury where their company was detailed in part to convey the prisoners to Virginia after leaving Salisberry by the time they had finally crossed the Yadkin River the British advanced Guard were on the other bank but the river was raising fast and they could not cross at that place - they lost their Baggage Waggon which they had taken with them from the County of Rockingham in Virginia from the Yadkin river they encountered no other difficulties untill they arrived at Pitsylvania Court House in Virginia where they delivered the prisoners to the militia of that County from thence they marched on to the County of Rockingham
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where they were discharged sometime in the month of April his Bounty he sold in part pay for a Horse and gave up his certificate and discharge to the man to whom he sold his Bounty
In the month of June afterwards he volunteered as a Seargeant and marched with the militia from the County of Rockingham in Virginia under Captain Jeremiah Beasley and march to the eastern part of Virginia and was attached to the Regiment commanded by General Campbell Col. Jack Willis and Majr Rucker - during this trip they were in the Battles of Hot water and James Town at Hot Water the Battle lasted two Hours & ten minutes and they were unsuccessful and retreated under the Shelter of Genl. Wayne fourteen of the men in their company were wounded and one killed at the Battle of James Town he was on the right where there was but little danger but Genl. Waynes regular Troops suffered very much. he served this time three months after Joining the Army but it was about four months from the time the company let home untill they were marched back and discharged. he does not recollect that he received any discharge for this service making in all of service performed by him about two months the tour against the Indians about seven months as a corporal to the South Altho six months was the time for which he volunteered and about four months in Virginia as a Sergeant altho three months was the time for which he volunteered and served after Joining the Army in all of which service he carried his own Rifle Tomahawk & Butcher knife. he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Christian Peters
Sworn to and subscribed the day
and year Aforesaid
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we James Clark Henry Alexander and James A Dunlap residing in the County of Monroe and State of Virginia (no Clergyman residing in the neighbourhood of Christian Peters) hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Christian Peters who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe to be 71 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood whe he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion James A Dunlap
Sworn to and Subscribed the Saml Clark
day and year Aforesaid Henry Alexander
I John Peters of the County of Giles and State of Virginia do hereby certify that I was we acquainted with Christian Peters, who has who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration during the revolutionary war. that I know of my own knowledge that he enlisted under Capt Robt Cravens and marched to the South and Served I believe six months and that he afterward volunteered and marched with the militia of Rockingham under Capt. Beasley and Served I believe three months
John Peters
Sworn to and subscribed in Open
Court this 17th day of September 1832
I John Dunn of the County of Monroe and State of Virginia do hereby certify that I served one tour in the revolutionary war in the year 1781 with Christian Peters of Peterstown in this County we marched from the County of Rockingham together I think we started the 1st day of June and we served I think some little more than three months we were in the same company and were both in the Battles at Hotwater and James Town and I do further certify that from the report of the neighbourhood & the conversation I had with the said Christian Peters when we were in the Army together I think I can safely say that there is no doubt but that the said Christian Peters
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had served in the Southern Army before we served together as above stated and I believe that he served as a Sergeant
given under my hand this 30th day of August 1832
John x his mark Dunn
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 15th day of September 1832
Conrad Peters J.P.
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 Samuel Clark Henry Alexander and James A Dunlap who have signed one of the preceding certificates, are residents of the County of Monroe and State of Virginia; that John Peters who has signed another is a resident of Giles County & State aforesaid; that John Dunn who was unable to appear in Court, made the preceding affidavit before Conrad Peters Esq a Magistrate whose attestation as such is genuine, is a resident of the County of Giles & state aforesaid and is a Credible person; and that their several statements are entitled to credit.
I John Hutchison Jr Clerk of the Court of Monroe County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Christian Peters for a pension
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office at Union this 24" Sept 1832 In the 57th year of the Commonwealth
Jno. Hutchison JPMC
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Chistian Peters which require further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout [amount] of pension he is entitled?
No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
yes,
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. 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 he belonged. The magistrate who may administer 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.
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 ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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Christian Peters
Monroe Cty
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Christian Peters
Joined 10 mo Va. Militia
I the undersigned Christian Peters, make the [illegible] Declaration of my Services as a Soldier in the war of the Revo [Revolution] Towit-I was born October 16. 1760.  am a native of Rockingham County Va. & lived in [illegible] County during the war. I move to Monroe County in 1789.
In May or June 1780 I was drafted for 3 mo. Marched from Rockingham Co. in Capt Robert Cravens company to Taggarts Vally [valley]. there was 3 forts in the vally [valley]. One company was separated and apart sent to each Fort. Capt Cravens with myself & others went to the upper Woods part remained
there not less than one month, when Capt Cravens and some of his company including myself returned to Rockingham immediately upon our return Capt Cravens [illegible] up for volunteers for a Frontier campaign. I joined
his company volunteered for 6 mo. and was appointed a Corporal.  William Smith a Lieut & Nelson Ensign - [Illegible] day in September we set out from Rockingham, & marched to Hillsborough N.C.  & then joined Gen. Stephens army. (Joined Gen Stephens on the 16th Octo my birth day) Genl Stephens Marched his army to Sailsbury & thence to
Cheraw Hills, in there Joined Genl Greens army. Some Small part of the army including myself under (I think) Major Anderson was sent down to Georgetown on the Pede [PeeDee]. had a small skirmish with the enemy and took some prisoners. We marched on and joined Genl Morgan near to Cowpens a short time before the battle. I was in the Battle of Cowpens. on which Genl Morgan took about 600 prisoners. after the battle as made good our retreat - after the British across the Adkin a Sudden rise [illegible] enabled us to make safe our retreat. My company was detached with other company to guard the Prisoners to Pittsylvania Court House at that place the prisoners were delivered over to the Militia.
The company then marched in a body to Rockingham
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and was there discharged. I was at least 6 months in actual service.
In May 1787. there was a draft in Rockingham
for 3 month men - John Hammer was among the drafted and he was orderly Sergeant of the company. From some cause or other he was unableing [sic] to go into the Service Capt.
Jeremiah Beesley offered me the Sergant [sergeant] place if I served substitute in Hammers peace. I accepted the offer.
Our company marched to West [illegible] near
Richmond, there joined our Regt & marched to Hot Water here we had a small [illegible] with enemy Col Will's commanded [illegible] afterward at the Battle of James town in which
Gen. Wayne commanded. I served out the 3 months & thus ended my service.  My brother John knows my Service. I [illegible] wrote my Declaration & charged me nothing.
Witness
JW Kelly
Christian Peters
A Copy W. G Singleton
me nothing. Sept 6. 1835
Witness
Christian
ales
W Helly
Abopy W. Sylton
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Request from Cemeterial Branch
Sept. 10 - 1930
for - Sept 12-30
cell slips returned
Rev
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WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
WASHINGTON
8 /26/30 19
MEMORANDUM TO:
Bureau of Navigation,
Navy Department,
Washington, D.C.
* * * * *
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard,
Treasury Building,
Washington, D. C.
* * * * * * *
The Surgeon General,
Washington, D.C.
* * * * *
In order that headstones properly
inscribed may be furnished, it is requested that the "Service" of the decedents
named on the enclosed applications be
verified and returned as soon as practicable
to this office.
The regulations provide that the name of
the State from which the decedents came
be inscribed on the headstones. It is
requested that this information be given
and that any corrections be made in red
ink on the form.
X
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
* * * *
The General Accounting Office,
Washington, D.C.
***
In order that headstones properly inscribed
may be furnished for the graves
of the decedents named on the enclosed
applications, it is requested that you
furnish this office the correct spelling
of the names and complete designation
of the organizations.
29 /86
[black round stamp]
PENSION OFFICE A U.S. SEP 10 1930
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Summary of Christian Peter's Declaration for Pension: Revolutionary War
Date of Enlistment
1. About June 1, 1779
2. Sept. 1, 1779 to about April 1780
3. June 1781
Length of Service
1. about 2 mo.
2. about 7 mo.
3. about 4 mo
Rank
1. Private
2. Corporal
3. Sergeant
Officers under whom service was rendered
Captain 
1. Capt. Robt Craven
2. Capt. Robt Craven
3. Capt. Jeremiah Beasley
Colonel
1. Not given
2. Not given
3. Col. John Willis
General
1. Not given
2. Joined Gen. Stevens in N.C.; then joined Gen. Greene in S.C.; & just before battle of Cowpens joined Gen. Morgan.
3. Gen. Campbell etc.
Against whom & where
1. Indians at So. branch of Potomac.
2. Against British
3. against British
From what state enlisted for war
1. Rockingham Co., Va.
2. Rockingham Co., Va.
3. Rockingham Co., Va.

Battles engaged in Hot Water; Jamestown; Yorktown.
Residence of soldier at time of enlistment: Rockingham Co., Va.
Residence of soldier at time of application for pension, Peterstown, (Union), Monroe County, Va., now W. Va. date: Sept. 17, 1832 [Union is County seat of Monroe).
Age of applicant at time pension was asked for: 71
[Soldier carried own rifle, tomahawk and butcher-knife, throughout Revolution].
Note: It was an honor to serve under Willis - if you can put this on my statement, please do so.
See: Lee "Memoirs", p. 415, - "Lafayette selected seven hundred and fifty of his best militia marksmen, and dividing them into three corps of light infantry, placed them respectively under the command of Three regular officers, of whom Major Willis was one."
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Troy, Kansas. May 17th. 1926.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir;-
In order to perfect the records so as to make me eligible to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution, I would thank you for a certified copy of any record in your department showing the service of Christian Peters in the Revolutionary War. He went from Monroe County, Virginia and served as a corporal under Capt. Craven and under the immediate command of Gen. Stevens and in the army of Gen. Greene in South Carolina and took part in the battle of Cowpens. After his discharge, he again entered in the service, in June 1781, as sergeant under Capt. Jeremiah Beasley and in the regiment of Col. John Willis and Maj. Rucker and in Gen. Wayne's army in Eastern Virginia.
He was pensioned on June 18, 1833, his pension commencing March 4, 1831. This last information comes from a report from the Secretary of War,-- in relation to the pension establishment of of the United States, (Washington 1835.) Vol. 2, page 172.
Any charge for service will be gladly paid on request.
Yours,
(Isabel Symns Reeder) Isabel Symns Reeder
Mrs. C.W. Reeder,
Troy, Kansas.
U.S. PENSION OFFICE O
MAY 19 1926
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Narrows, Va. Sept. 11, 30,
Director of Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you please tell me if you have any information concerning the war record, and whether or not a pension was paid to Edward Hale of Franklin(?) Co., Va. who was a private in the army of the American Revolution serving in the campaign in North Carolina as a member of Capt. Shannon's company from Walker's Creek in what is now Giles Co., Va. This company joined Col. Preston and Maj. Cloyd in North Carolina.
Also, the record of Christian Peters

U. S. PENSION OFFICE D
SEP 13 1930
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Rockingham Co., Va. who served under the command of General Nelson, and was a member of Lafayettes corps at Yorktown.
I shall be grateful for any information which you can give me about either of these.
Yours very truly,
(Miss) Nell Hale.

U. S. PENSION OFFICE D
SEP 13 1930
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106 Woodlawn Road, Roland Park,
Baltimore, Maryland
July 16, 1934
RECEIVED JUL 17 1934
Dept. of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

My dear Sirs,
I should like to here from your Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, statements of the services rendered, during the American Revolution, by my ancestors - Samuel Clark and Christian Peters, respectfully.
I enclose a brief summary, each, for your benefit, as neerly as I can make them out from the declaration for pension papers of Samuel Clark and Christian Peters on file at the Circuit Clerk's office, Union, Monroe County, W. Virginia - if I can do anything else to cooperate in this matter, please let me know.
Although I am now a teecher of Baltimore, I am from Southwest Virginia (Monroe County), and wish to have the statement regarding my ancestors for the purpose of adding to my D.A.R. records, as supplement papers; I also wish to place copies of the statements from you with other family records for preservation, among old family papers of value.
Please let me know your charges for same. Thanking you, also, I remain
Very truly yours,
(Miss) Bertha Lewis Clark
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Calvert City, Ky.
July 18, 1937.
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.
In preparing a family history and chart of my family, I have been referred to you by the War Dept.
I am trying to find any thing that I can of the Ancestry of Christian Peters-
It appears from the records that we have that he lived in Rockingham Co Va. Was drafted in the year 1779 to go with Capt Robt Cravens to fight the Indians on the west fork of the south branch of the Potomac, that he was gone on this duty two months and then enlisted with Capt Cravens as a corporal and went to South Carolina, was with Morgan and Greene 
was at the battle of Cow-Pens, where 500 or more prisoners were taken
He was sent back with the prisoners and then enlisted again for three months as a sergeant with the Militia of Va. under Capt Jeremiah Beasley, marched to the eastern part of Va and attached to the regiment of General Cambbell, Col. Jack Willis and Major Rucker.
He was in the battle of Hot-Water and Jamestown.
He and his brother John who also was a soldier of the Revolution were at the surrender of Cornwallis in Oct 1781, were under Gen Nelson in Lafayett's corps.
After the War he settled Peterstown, now in Monroe Co. W. Va. and is buried there, He was granted a pension when he was 71 yrs old and in the year 1931 a War Memorial tablet was placed at his grave there by the Gov.

If you have records of The Revolutionary war veterans I should like to know how to get any information of Christian Peters.
He also had a brother John in the war and a brotherin-law John Dunn.
Will you please advise me.
Very respectfully,
O E Peters
O.E.Peters

Did not ask for John Peters or John Dunn

RECEIVED JUL 24 1937
MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS ADM
READER #5
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Rev. & 1812 
Wars Section
AWF/ILL
September 26, 1930.

Miss Nell Hale
Narrows, Virginia.

Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 5898, that Christian Peters was born October 16, 1760 in Rockingham County, Virginia.
While residing in Rockingham County, Virginia, he enlisted in May or June, 1780 and served one month as a private in Captain Robert Craven's Virginia Company. He enlisted in September, 1780 and served six months as a corporal in Captain Robert Craven's Company and was in engagements at Georgetown and Cowpens. He enlisted in May, 1781 and served three months as a sergeant in Captain Jeremiah Beasley's Company, Colonel Jack Willis' Virginia Regiment and was in the battles at Hotwater and Jamestown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1832, while living in Peterstown, Monroe County, Virginia.
It is not stated that soldier ever married.
Very truly yours,

E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.
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AW
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
July 15, 1929.

Mrs. C. W. Reeder,
Troy, Kans.

Madam:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the pension claim, S. 5898, it appears that Christian Peters was born October 16, 1760, in Rockingham County, Virginia.
Par while when res. in said Rock. Co. he enlisted in May, or June 1780 and served one month as a private in Captain Robert Cravens' Virginia Company. He enlisted in September 1780 and served six months as a corporal in Captain Robert Craven's Company and was in engagements at Georgetown and Cowpens. He enlisted in May 1781 and served three months as a Sergeant in Captain Jeremiah Beasley's Company, Colonel Jack Willis' Virginia Regiment and was in the battles at Hotwater and Jamestown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1832, while living at Peterstown, Monroe County, Virginia. It is not stated whether he was married.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
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July 26, 1934.

Miss Bertha Lewis Clark BA-J/ILL
106 Woodlawn Road, Roland Park
Baltimore, Maryland.

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Christian Peters and Samuel Clark, both pensioners of Monroe County, Virginia.
The records of these two soldiers are furnished herewith from their pension claims.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER,
Assistant to Administrator.
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August 6, 1937.
O. E. Peters BA-J/ILL
Christian Peters
Calvert City, Kentucky. S. 5898

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Christian Peters, who served in the Revolutionary War and received a pension on account of that service.
The data given herein were found in pension claim, S. 5898, based upon service of Christian Peters in the Revolutionary War.
Christian Peters was born October 16, 1760 in Rockingham County, Virginia; his father was a German, his name and that of his wife are not shown.
While a resident of Rockingham County, Virginia, Christian Peters enlisted in May or June 1780 and served one month as private in Captain Robert Craven's Virginia company, engaged against the Indians. He enlisted in 1781, served as a sergeant in Captain Jeremiah Beasley's company, Colonel Jack Willis' Virginia regiment and was in the battles of Hotwater and Jamestown, length of service between three and four months. He stated that, in all of his service, he carried his own rifle, tomahawk and butcher knife.
The soldier moved in the year 1789 from Rockingham County, Va., to Monroe County, Virginia.
Christian Peters was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1832, at which time he resided in Peterstown, Monroe County, Virginia.
No reference was made to wife or children of the above noted
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soldier.
In 1832, John Peters, the soldier's brother, was a resident of Giles County, Virginia; one Conrad Peters was a Justice of the Peace for Giles County at that time, no relationship to the family stated. Christian Peters referred to his sister, but did not state her name.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
Christian Peters
Certificate #12957
Issued June 18, 1833
Rate $40.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832.
Virginia Agency.
Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
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May 17, 1939.
Mr. Robert S. Franklin BA-J/ILL
P.O. Box 191 Christian Peters
Charleston, West Virginia. S. 5898

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Christian Peters, who was a pensioner of Monroe County, Virginia, in 1832.
Christian Peters was born October 16, 1760, in Rockingham County, Virginia; his father was a German, his name and that of his wife not shown.
While a resident of Rockingham County, Virginia, Christian Peters enlisted in May or June 1780, and served one month as private in Captain Robert Craven's Virginia company, engaged against the Indians. He enlisted in September 1780, served six months as corporal in Captain Robert Craven's Virginia company, during which he was in engagements at Georgetown and Cowpens. He enlisted in 1781, served as sergeant in Captain Jeremiah Beasley's company, Colonel Jack Willis' Virginia regiment and was in the battles of Hotwater and Jamestown, length of service between three and four months. He stated that in all of his service he carried his own rifle, tomahawk and butcher knife.
The soldier moved in the  year 1789 from Rockingham County, Virginia, to Monroe County, in that same state.
Christian Peters was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1832, at which time he resided in Peterstown, Monroe County, Virginia. He made no reference to wife or children.
In 1832, John Peters, the soldier's brother, resided in Giles County, Virginia. One Conrad Peters was a Justice of the Peace for
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said Giles County, in 1832, no relationship to the soldier's family stated. Christian Peters referred to his sister, but did not state her name, nor her residence.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
Christian Peters
Certificate #12957
Issued June 18, 1833
Rate $40.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832.
Virginia Agency.
Very truly yours,

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

2.