Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7489, for William Mullens, Virginia
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Va.
Mullens, William 
or Mullins 
Number 
R. 7489
CONTENTS
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(1)
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed june The 7th 1832
The state of Alabama
Franklin County
on this 30th day of March 1842 personally appeared before me John J. Richeson- one of the acting justice of the peace in and for the said County William Mullens a citizen of the state and county above now near eighty years of age who being first Duly sworn according to Law Doth on his oath make the following Declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 that he enlisted into the service of the United States for six Months and guarded Loughland fort at the Elk garden on the fruntiers [sic] part of Washington County and State of Virginia and servid [sic[ under Capt. John Kincade and was paid of my Monthly wagers [sic] by the same Capt. when my term of six months expiered [sic] or afterwards the second tower [tour] of duty I substituted in the place if Samuel Preest who was drafted and ordered out to serve six months against the Cherokee Indians. I William Mullens served that six months fully out under Capt. Thomas Price and was discharged by him and returned to Washington County Virginia after sum [sic] time had allapsed [sic] I volunteered to go to the south against the British and near the time to start the Indians took a family of seven children and the mother this changed my my rout [sic] Capt. Richard Thompson called on me to pirsue [pursue] those Indians and accordingly I went out and servid [sic] forty Days  Capt. Richard Thomson was ordered this Expedision [sic] by Col'n Andrew Cowen who had the command of the Melisia [militia] in Washington county at that time this term of forty days service I believe was rendered in 1780 shortly after my return to Wasashington [sic] County from this tower [tour] of duty Col'n. Cowen saw proper to send orders to this same William Mullens and by this writen [sic] order I was bound to range through the wilderness down a water coarce [course] called Sandey at that time I then entered into that tower tour] of duty which was to make deligent [sic] serch [sic] for the sign of the hostile Indians and chose one
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man to Range with me which was Capt. Richard Thompson this man and myself was kept in actual service that summer season out till Cold weather came on by this order we were admited to be at home but to be ready at a minuts warning thereore I Kep my arms and all other necessary acquiptments ready to start at a moments warning untill the Leaves put out the next Spring when this order bound me to start out again and when a second Order Came to hand I chosee Alexander McGarlen to go with me then started out through the Same part of this wilderness Country and Continued in actual service untill permitted to come in the fall when we returned home and as above I Kept myself in rediness till Spring as above then was again Ordered out to serve the summer season Through and under orders of this same instruction I continued to serve year after year for  Sum years after peace was ratified with Briten in 1783 that he further states that he has no Documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to the Service which I rendered and that the Discharges which I received is Lost or so mis Laid so that I cannot present them to the honbl. Department he further states that he removed from Washington County Virginia to Powels Valey from there to Wayn County Kentucky from there to Madison County Alabama and from there to were I now Live, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state whatever

The State of Alabama} personally appeared
Franklin County} before me the undersigned a justice of the peace William Mullins who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of Old age and the Consequent Loss of Memory he cannot Sware positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of my Recollection I Served not Less than the period mentioned below and in the following grades}
Date
[3] 1780
[5] 1783
Years, Months, Days
[1] 6 Months
[2] 6 Months
[3] 40 Days
[4] 2 Years
[5] 3 Years, 40 Days
Officer
[1] Capt Kincade
[2] Capt Price
[3] Capt. Thompson
[4] Coln. Cowen
[1] private
[2] private
[3] private
[4] a spye
and the reason why I have not made application for a pension Earlier is for want of understanding and for want of a proper form by which I cold have a Declaration made out to present to the Hon. Department untill the present time
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and for the Services above set forth which I rendered I claim a pension he hereby relinquishes every Claim whatever to a pension or annuity Except the present and Declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any state whatever
Sworn and Subscribed the Day and year aforesaid
William x his mark Mullens {Seal}

The State of Alabama
Franklin County
We James Smith a Clergyman residing in Franklin County and Abner Tackitt residing in the same hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with William Mullins who has Subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be near Eighty years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a Soldier and served as he stated above and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and Subscribed the Day and year aforesaid
James Smith {seal}
Abner Tackitt {seal}

The State of Alabama
Franklin County
I John. T. Richeson a Magistrate in the County above named do hereby Certify that I have the moste Satisfactory evidence that I do know of my own knoledge that James Smith is a Clergyman and that full faith and credit is given to him and that Abner Tackitt is a Citizen in the County above that he is reputed and in titled to full faith and Credit; Given under my hand on the Day and year above written
John. T. Richeson JP {seal}
I will also Certify that the applicant William Mullens who is now present in his own proper person cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court
given under my hand on the Day and year above written
John. T. Richeson an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County
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The State of Alabama
Franklin County} I Michael Dickson Clerk of the County Court aforesaid do hereby certify that John T. Richardson is a Magistrate as above duly Commissioned & qualified and the signature purporting to be his is genuine
Given under my hand & private seal of Office (There being no public seal at this time) This 4th day of April 1842
Michael Dickson Clerk
of Franklin County -
{seal}

The State of Alabama
Franklin County} I Henry C Jones Judge of the County Court of Franklin County do hereby certify that Michael Dickson whos name is attached to the above certificate is the truly elected & commissioned clerk of the county court of said county & that his official acts are entitled to due might & effect as such 
Given under my hand & seal this 4th day of April 1842
Henry C Jones Judge cty {ss}

4 35.333
William Mullens
Alabama
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June 7, 1939
xxxxxxxxxx
WILLIAM MULLENS
R. 7489
BA-J/MLB

Mr. James Taylor Adams
Big Laurel
Virginia

Dear Sir:

You are furnished herein the record of William Mullens (or Mullins) as found in pension claim, R. 7489, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

The date and place of birth of William Mullens and names of his parents are not shown.

William Mullens, while living in Franklin County, Alabama, aged nearly eighty years, applied for pension, March 30, 1842, and stated that while a resident of Washington County, Virginia, he enlisted and served at various times under Captains John Kincaid, Thomas Price and Richard Thompson and Colonel Andrew Cowan in the Virginia troops, engaged in ranging on the frontiers and guarding the State of Virginia against the British and Indians, holding himself in readiness to go out at any time, and continued in service until after peace was ratified in 1783.

The soldier's claim for pension was not allowed as the service rendered by him was not considered actual military service as required by the Act of June 7, 1832, under which he applied.

William Mullens moved from Washington County, Virginia, to Powell's Valley; from there to Wayne County, Kentucky, then to Madison County, Alabama, and from there to Franklin County, Alabama. The date of his death is not shown.

It is not stated in the claim whether the soldier, William Mullens or Mullins, ever married.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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1918 May 1 Hist. to Ruth W. Woodward.
1936, June 6 - Hist to Jas Taylor Adams - MLB

7,489
P.O.
William Mullens
Service:
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _______, 18
Application filed: _______, 18
Alleges: List of rejected claims printed in 1852 shows cause of rejection as follows: "not military service".
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
______ Recognized. ________ Contract.
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Rev Sec
Little Rock Ark
April 25 - 18
Pension Office
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:- Have you any record of Rev. service of William Mullins of Va. who served in Rev. He was son of Matthew Mullins & Mary Maupin. Have copy of Matthew's

[stamp]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE. 
APR 28 1918
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paper but nothing of William.  William, Matthew & Gabriel were all sons of Matthew Sr. & all records mention their Rev. service but I want something definite of William
Very sincerely
Ruth W. Woodward
Mrs Clarence S Woodward.
2005 Scott St.
Little Rock, Ark.
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(8)
June 7, 1939
xxxxxxxx
BA-J/MMHF:MLB
Wm Mullens
R. 7489

Mr. James Taylor Adams
Big Laurel
Virginia

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letters in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Elijah and Sylvester Beverly, David and William Mullins, of Virginia.

There are no claims for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of an Elijah or Sylvester Beverly or David Mullins. The record has been found of one William Mullins, only, of Virginia. His record is furnished you herewith. All spellings of these surnames were used in the search of the records.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
R. 7489. Washington, D. C., _________, 19__

In reply to your request of ________, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Mullens a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[checkmark] AW
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
served at various times guarding the frontiers
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
[1] John Kincade
[2] Thomas Price
[3] Richard Thompson
COLONEL.
[1 & 2] [checkmark]
[3] Andrew Cowan
STATE.
Va.

Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Washington Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Mch. 30. 1842
Residence at date of application, Franklin Co. Ala.
Age at date of application, "near 80 yrs"
Remarks: The claim was rejected on the ground that the service rendered was not considered actual military service as required by the Act of June 7, 1832 under which he applied

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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Big Laurel, Virginia
November 18, 1936

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Will you please give me Revolution record of any William Mullins in Virginia. The William I particularly desire data on is the one who lived in Pittsylvania County, later going with Henry and probably with Franklin still later. He probably had sons, John, Booker, Thomas, Ambrose, Marshall and others.
Respectfully yours,
James Taylor Adams

[stamp]
RECEIVED NOV 14 1938
MAIL SUB-DIV
VETS. ADM. READER #21
Page 13

Apl 21. 1842
Wm. Mullens,
Ala. Act 1832
wait for letter

FREE
The Hon
James L. Edwards
Commissioner of pensions
At the [illegible] of the Hon.
George T Houston Reps. in Congress
Washington City
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G S Houston, 
Hon J L Edwards
Pension Office
Washington City

Dec 21. 1842
Ala.
Wm Mullen
Hon. C. S. Houston
HR
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(5)

Ho of Reps
20th Dec 1842

Sir
Enclosed is a document in relation to the application of Wm Mullens for a pension desiring a reexamination of papers now on file in your office together with some information as to the form of declaration also the kind of proof required, I also send you a letter from him to Mr Calhoun on the same subject, asking for information &C will you do what is right & consistent in order to afford the information desired
He speaks of me as the agent of Mr Mullens that I presume would not have effect on the application in any way I am however no further an agent than being the representative from his district & of Course desire to do & have done anything to enable him to obtain what may be due him if anything be due
I have the honor to be
Yr frd & Obt Servt
Geo. S Houston
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Hon J. L. Edwards
Pension Office
Washington City

Apl 26 42
Mr Allison
Hon. G. S. Houston
HR.
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(3)
Ho. of Reps
25th Apl 1842

Sir
I beg leave to enclose for your Consideration the letter of Wm Mullens written by the same old hand, I am in hopes he will soon leave my district or improve himself in the business he Claims to follow.
I have the honor to be
very respectfully
Yr obt Servt
Geo S Houston
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Hon. G. S. Houston
26. April 1842
OC
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(4) 334
Pen Office
April 26 1842
Sir,
The declaration of William Mullens has been exd. He alleges service on the Virginia frontier, which consisted principally in watching against the hostile attacks of the Indians. There is no satisfactory evidence that the service was during the period of the revolutionary war, and if it were during said war, those who were employed as alleged by the applicant, were not called out by authority of the state, and none for the general defense of the country, and none who were not so called out, are provided for by the pension laws. The claim has consequently been rejected and the papers filed. Mr Mullens letter is herewith returned.

Hon George S. Houston,
H.R.

OC
35,333
at 32
cents.
Page 20

William Mullens
Alabama (7)
Rejected
[Crossed out: 
See let 26 April 1842 Hon G. S. Houston
Same Dec. 29. 1842] [check mark]
(same Feb: 19, 1844)
This last letter refers to other claims & has no material bearing on Wm. Mullens claim)
did not serve in a military capacity by order of competent authority.
7489
Act 7 June 1832
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Hon. Geo. S. Houston
Dec 29. '42
Page 22

325
Pen Off (6)
Decr. 29 '42

Sir
I have the honor to return you the letter of Wm Mullens and in reply to state that his own statement of his service renders it doubtful whether it was rendered within the period of the revoy war and it is very clear from that statement that it was the self-organized Vigilanie [vigilante] of Frontier soldiers and not a military service in the Contemplation of the Act of 7 June '32. The Indian spies referred to were not an organized corps -

Hon Geo. S. Houston
H.R.
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME: Muller, Henry (Miller) Pencil notation only
GRADE: Private
LINE: New York
WARRANT NUMBER: 7471
ACREAGE: 100
ISSUED: July 20, 1790
to Samuel Curray, assignee

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.