Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 36242, for John Prior, Virginia
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Va.

Prior, John

NUMBER
S. 36242

CONTENTS
Page 2

18659 R
Georgia
====
John Prior,
(aged 67)
of Burk County in the State of Georgia
who was a Private in the Regiment commanded by
Colonel Wood of the Virginia
line, for the term of (from 1777 to the fall of 1782)
(on Roll) War
====
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 30 of Sept. 1820.
====
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 of June 1822
and sent to John Carpenter Eqr
Waynesboro' Georgia
====
Arrears to 4th of 
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept 1822 $34.66
====
$34:60
====
4 mo 10 / 
8 " / 30
32
2.66
----
34.66

{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
+
May 1820

Vol 9
Page 207

The date of the commencement of this pension was altered from 25 Apl 1822 to 30 September 1820 on the 24 May 1823 -
See letter to Agent

h^ d. . Oct 8 - 1823
9 B
Page 3

John Priors Coppy
from the records in Waynesborough

the [illegible] declaration
[rest of statement is illegible]
Page 4

State of Georgia}
Burke County} The schedule of John Prior alluded to in the foregoing statement is one Shot Gun [3 illegible words] ten dollars that he has no stock of any kind ["kind" crossed off] description that he has four in family including himself viz one boy and two Girls the oldest a boy about 14 years [illegible] the youngest a girl about 10 years of age that he is by [3? illegible words] that from his old age and infirmity, he is [[illegible] to work for support of himself and family and he has [illegible] of support for himself and family except [4 or 5 illegible words] his own labores and the small afsistance his [illegible words] him
John Prior (his x mark)
[illegible name of judge] Judge

I John Carpenter Clerk of the superior Court of Burke County do hereby Certify that the foregoing oath and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is Ten dollars. In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and private seal there being no seal of Court this 5th day of March 1821
John Carpenter Clk [his seal]
Page 5

Georgia}
Burke County}
Superior Court September Term 1820 present
the Honorable Christopher [illegible] Esq
Judge of said Court District of Georgia ss}
On the 30th day of September 1820 
personally appeared in open Court (being a court of record [illegible] John
Prior aged sixty three years and upwards who [rest of line illegible]
to law doth on his oath make the following [rest of line illegible]
obtain the provision made by the acts of Congrefs [rest ofline illegible] 
1818 and the 1st of May 1820 that he [rest of line illegible]
for the term of three years or during [rest of line illegible] 
In the year 1775, in the State of [rest of line illegible]
commanded by Captain Swearingen in the [illegible] Regiment
commanded by Col Wood that he [rest of line illegible]
Regiment above five years and then was transferred [rest of line illegible] 
a Regiment commanded by Col. [rest of line illegible] 
of Virginia on the continental establishment [rest of line illegible] 
in said Regiment except when a person [rest of line illegible] 
In the year 1781 when he was discharged [rest of line illegible] 
service in the State of South Carolina at [rest of line illegible] 
was in the Battle viz one at Brandywine [rest of line illegible] 
and one at Monmouth that he was a prisoner of the [rest of line illegible] 
for 8 months and that he has no other evidence [rest of line illegible] 
said service except his own oath and in [rest of line illegible] 
1st of May 1820. I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of 
the United States in the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not
since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property 
or any part thereof with intent thereby [rest of line illegible] 
bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congrefs [rest of line illegible]
to provide for certain persons engaged in the [rest of line illegible] 
of the United States in the Revolutionary war [rest of line illegible] 
day of March 1818. and that I have not nor has any person for me 
any property or securities contracts or debts [rests of line illegible]
income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereunto
annexed and by me Subscribed,
John Prior (his x mark)
C. B. Strong Judge
S.C.O.D. Georgia
Page 6

September 6, 1938

BA-J/AWF

Mr. Elliott Spear
Bastrop
Louisiana

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records in the Colonial Wars and the Revolutionary War of the following soldiers:
Richard Womack, from Georgia or Virginia, wife Nancy Childres:
John Henry Pryor, from Georgia, Virginia or "Carolina", wife Margaret Gains:
Joseph Clark, from North or South Carolina, Georgia or Virginia, wife Martha:
Peter Hill from North or South Carolina, Georgia or Virginia, wife Rachel;
B. B. Spear, from North Carolina or Virginia, Wife Mary Peyton.

This office has no record of service rendered prior to the Revolutionary War. Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land which have been made to the United States, based upon service in that war.

A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of either Richard Womack or Henry Pryor, or for a Peter Hill from any Southern State. These surnames were searched under similar spellings.

In order to identify the record of the B. B. Spear in whom you are particularly interested, as much as

[Written at the bottom of this page] See his letter in Joseph Clark S. 8208
Page 7

possible of the following data in regard to him are essential, in addition to his full name: approximate dates of birth and death and places of residence at enlistment and after service.

The Revolutionary War records of Joseph Clark and John Prior are furnished herewith.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 8

[illegible abbreviation}

36242
Revy INVALID.
====
File No. 36242
John Prior
Pri Rev War
====
Act: 18th March 18
Index: Vol. 2, Page 331
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Oct. 7 1901
Mrs Jude P. Brown - chicago
----
1930 - Feb 6 - Hist to Mrs. Arthur H. Allen - awf.
----
1938 - Sept 6 - hist to Elliott Spear
see his letter in Josph Clark S. 8208 awf
Page 9

September 6, 1938

BD-J/AWF
Joseph Clark-S. 8208
John Prior-S.36242

Mr. Elliott Spear
Bastrop
Louisiana

Dear Sir:

The data which follow concerning Joseph Clark were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S. 8208, based on his service in the War of the Revolution.

Joseph Clark was born April 12, 1752, place not stated, nor were the names of his parents given.

Joseph Clark was twice married, name of his first wife not shown. He married about the year 1812, Catharine, whose maiden name was not stated. Joseph Clark died February 5 or 6, 1839, at his residence in Orange County, Virginia. His widow, Catharine Clark, survived him a few years, definite date of her death not shown; she had no children.

The following names of the children of Joseph Clark, and his first wife are shown in the claim:
Larkin Clark, who at one time lived in Morgan County, Georgia;
Martha E. Clark, who married Reuben Clark of Madison County, Virginia;
James Clark, who at one time lived in Elbert County, Georgia;
Mary Clark, who married Colonel (his first name not given) Herd of Morgan County, Georgia;
Ann P. Clark, who married Adjutant General John
Page 10

2-

C. Easter or Eaton of Elbert County, Georgia;
Elizabeth Clark, who married Colonel Thomas White of Jones County, Georgia;
Sally T. Clark, who married Lewis Shirler of Louisa County, Virginia;
Tabitha Clark, who married Cuthbert Reese of Jones County, Georgia;
Eunice H. Clark, who married Solomon H. McIntire of Madison County, Virginia;
William D. Calrk of Orange County, Virginia;
Bathsheba S. Clark of Orange County, Virginia.

William D. Clark, February 20, 1851, applied for pension on account of the Revolutionary War service of his father, Joseph Clark, who served from Orange County, Virginia. Pension was allowed for two years' service as private of artillery in the Virginia troops.

The pension was paid the following children in 1851:
William D. Clark, Martha E. Clark, Ann B. Eaton or Easter, Elizabeth White, Sally T. Shirler, Tabitha Reese, Bathsheba S. Clark.

Robert or Robin Clark, brother of the soldier, Joseph Clark, was ninety years of age in 1850, and a resident of Orange County, Virginia.

The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible data in regard to family.

******

John Prior - S.36242

The data furnished herein relative to John Prior were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S.36242, based on his service in the War of
Page 11

3-

the Revolution.

The date and place of birth of John Prior were not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.

John Prior enlisted in Virginia, sometime in the year 1775, served as a private in Captain Swearingen's company in Colonel Wood's Twelfth Virginia Regiment, was transferred to Captain Alexander Parker's company, Colonel Posey's Virginia regiment; he was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and the "fall of Charleston", and was discharged in the fall of 1782 at Charleston, South Carolina. He stated that he was a prisoner held by the British eight months, no details of his imprisonment given.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 30, 1820, at which time he was aged sixty-three years "and upwards", and living in Burke County, Georgia. He stated in 1820 that his family consisted of a boy aged fourteen years, and two girls, the younger girl about ten years old; their names were not given, nor was it shown that they were related to the soldier, John Prior.

John Prior died October 8, 1833.

In order to obtain the name and address of the person who received the last payment of this pension, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data:
John Prior
Certificate #18569
Issued June 19, 1822
Rate $8.00 per month
Commenced September 30, 1820
Acts of March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820
Georgia Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 12

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF/eel

February 6, 1930

Mrs. Arthur H. Allen
357 Ponce de Leon Avenue
Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension Claim, S.36242, it appears that John Prior enlisted in 1775, and served in Captain Swearingen's Company, Colonel Wood's Virginia Regiment, was transferred to Captain Alexander Parker's Company, Colonel Posey's Virginia Regiment and served until 1781 ["1781" crossed off] or 1782. He was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and fall of Charleston. He stated that he was a prisoner held by the British eight months.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 30, 1820, at which time he resided in Burke County, Georgia, aged sixty-three years.

In 1820, he stated that he had four in his family, including himself, namely one boy about fourteen years of age and two girls, the younger girl about ten years of age, their names are not given nor is there any relationship shown.

The soldier died October 8, 1823. Agency Book

Very truly yours
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Page 13

Atlanta Ga.
Jun 30, 1930.

The Bureau of Pensions
Washington D. C.
The Secretary.

Round stamp mark:
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
JAN
31 1930

Dear Sir:

Kindly give me any records of John Prior who served in the Revolutionary war from Virginia and died in Burke
Page 14

Co. Ga. in 1823. -

Robert Allen who also served in the Revolutionary war from Virginia and died in Madison Co. Ala.

Please give me also any family data on the records. -
Oblige
Yours sincerely
Jessie Prior Allen
Page 15

Address
Mrs Arthur N. Allen
357 Ponce de Leon Ave.
Atlanta, Ga
Page 16

Waynesboro Ga
Aug 12

The Honorable John C. Calhoon
Secratery of The War Department
Washington

[Written on right side] Mr Edwards

[Written in middle] See letter to pensioner
30 Augt: 1822

[Written in lower left corner] for mail}
Page 17

Waynesborough August 12th 1822

Dear Sir In Closed I forward you a Copy of my original pitition for a pention the object of my addrefsing you is this, my pititon and the pitition  of Jefse Farrow were both obtained at the Same time and were both put in the post office together Shortly after the proceeding had in the Superior Court Mr Farrows was returned for want of formality or Some other Cause unknown to me but I heard nothing of mine, I then applied at the Superior Court of April Term 1822 which was forwarded whin I Recd your Check or draft commencing on the 25th April 1822 accompined with Jefse Farrows Commencing in the year 1820 which is upwards of one hundred and Eighty dollars more than I Shall receive if your honor will not have the thing arranged for me the Same is of Great Consequence to me as I am old and unable to Support my Self by my labour your attention to the above and a Speedy answer returned will Confer a lasting favour on your humble Servent 
John Prior

The Honorable John C Calhoun
Page 18

Georgia}
Burke county} Superior Court September term
1820 Present the honorable
Christopher B [rest of line illegible]
District of Georgia (ss)
On the 30th day of [rest of line illegible]
Personally appeared in open Count (being a
court of record) John Prior aged sixty three
years and upwards who being [rest of line illegible]
according to law doth on his oath [rest of line illegible]
-ing [probably "following"] declaration in order to obtain the provision
made by the acts of Congrefs of the18th March
1818 and the 1st of May 1820 that he the said
John Prior enlisted for the term [rest of line illegible]
or during the war on the [rest of line illegible]
the year 1775 in the state of Virginia in the 
company commanded by Captain Swearingen
in the 12th Virginia regiment commanded
by Col Wood that he continued [rest of line illegible]
in said Regiment about five years and was
then transfered to the 8th Virginia [rest of line illegible]
commanded by Col Posey in [rest of line illegible]
State of Virginia on the continental
establishment that he continued to serve [rest of line illegible]
Regiment (except when a prisioner) until the
___ day of ___ in the year 1781 when he
was discharged from the said [rest of line illegible]
State of South Carolina at Charleston that he was in three Battles viz one [rest of line illegible]
one at Germantown, and one at Monmouth
that he was a prisoner of the [rest of line illegible]
for 8 months and that he has [rest of line illegible]
-dence [probably "evidence"] now in his power of his said service
except his own oath + in pursuance of the act of the [rest of line illegible]
That I was a resident Citizen of the United
States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that
Page 19

I have not since that time by gift sale or in
any manner disposed of my property or any
[1st part of line illegible] with interest thereby so to diminish
it as to bring myself within the provisions of
the act of Congrefs entitled an act to provide
for certain persons engaged in the land and
navel service of the United States in the 
Revolutionary war pafsed on the 18th day of
March 1818 and that I have not nor has 
any person in trust for me any property or
securities contracts or debts due me nor have
[1st part of line illegible] other than what is contained
in the Schedule hereunto annexed and by
me Subscribed.
John Prior (his x mark)
[illegible name] Judge}
[Illegible ] Georgia}

State of Georgia}
Burke County} The Schedule of John Prior
alluded to in the foregoing
statement is one shot gun
[1st part of line illegible] 10 dollars that he has no stock of
[1st part of line illegible] that he has four in family 
including himself viz one boy and two girls
the eldest a boy about 14 years of age and the
youngest a girl about 10 years of age that he
[1st part of line illegible] a planter that from his old
age and infirmity he is [illegible] unable to work 
[illegible] support himself and family and he has
[1st part of line illegible] support for himself and family
except [illegible] [illegible] from his own labour
and the small afsistance his family can 
render them
John Prior (his x mark)
C. B. Strong
Judge
Page 20

Georgia
I John Carpenter Clerk of the [rest of line illegible]
Court of Burke county do hereby [rest of line illegible]
the foregoing is truly copied from [rest of line illegible]
of said Court, and I do further [rest of line illegible]
John Prior [rest of line illegible]
30th day of September 1820 [rest of line illegible]
copy of the foregoing; for the [rest of line illegible]
[possibly "admitting"] to the Secretary of War, [rest of line illegible]
[illegible] me that he had sent it or deposited it [rest of line illegible]
after enquired of me, whither [rest of line illegible]
Given under my hand and [rest of line illegible]
office in Waynesborough thereby [rest of sline illegible]
of Court this 11th January [illegible]
John Carpenter

Georgia}
Burke County} Personally appeared before me John
Prior and being Sworn [rest of line illegible]
he deposited the original [rest of line illegible]
which the foregoing is a copy in the [rest of line illegible]
Waynesborough, Sometime in October 1820 he [rest of line illegible]
particular day for the purpose of [rest of line illegible]
Is the Secretary of War agreeable [rest of line illegible]
acts in such Cases made [rest of line illegible]
John Prior (his x mark)
Sworn to before me}
this 11st January 1823}
John Bell J. P
Page 21

State of Georgia}
[illegible]} I Robert Walker one of
the Judges of the Superior Court of the State
[1st part of line illegible] do hereby certify that John Carpenter
who has signed the within Certificate is the Clerk of
the Superior Court of the County of Burke in the
State aforesaid was the Clerk of said Court at
the time he signed said Certificate and that due
faith + credit is and ought to be given to
his [illegible] as such + that his said attestation 
[1st part of line illegible] except that it goes further than
[1st part of line illegible]. And I do further certify that 
C. B. Strong was one of the Judges of the
superior Court of the State aforesaid and President
of Burke superior Court on the 30th Day
of September 1820. Given under my hand
this 14th Day of May 1823.
Robt. Walker Judge
Sup Court S. Georgia
Page 22

Georgia}
Burke county} Superior Court April [rest of line illegible]
Present the Honorable [rest of line illegible]
Judge
Personally came John Prior and being sworn [rest of line illegible]
that he is upwards of Sixty Seven years of [rest of line illegible]
County and State aforesaid and that he [rest of line illegible]
during the Revolutionary War as follows [rest of line illegible]
of Virginia for the term of three years during [rest of line illegible]
___ days [illegible] some short time before the Battle of [rest of line illegible]
in the company commanded by Captain Swearingen [rest of line illegible]
Regiment of the Virginian line commanded by Colonel [rest of line illegible]
that he continued to serve about six years [rest of line illegible]
Regiment until the fall of the year [rest of line illegible]
he from the eighth Virginia Regiment [rest of line illegible]
Posey at Charleston South Carolina and [rest of line illegible]
Parkers company that he served faithfully [rest of line illegible]
was in [illegible] and fought in many Battles [rest of line illegible]
evidence of his services (his discharge being [rest of line illegible]
and the oath hereto annexed he further [rest of line illegible]
was a resident citizen of the United States in the 18th March 1818
and that he has not since that time [rest of line illegible]
disposed of any property or any part thereof [rest of line illegible]
so to diminish it as to bring himself within the provision of the 
act of Congrefs entitled an act to provide for certain persons
engaged with land and navel services of the United States in
the Revolutionary war past on the 18th of March [rest of line illegible]
not nor has any person in [illegible] for him [rest of line illegible]
contracts or debts due him nor has any in [rest of line illegible]
contained in the Schedule hereto annexed by [rest of line illegible]
John Prior (his x mark)
Sworn to before me
25th April 1822
Jn H. Montgomery
Judge Sup Cts. Ga.

Georgia}
Burke County} In Superior Court Personally came
Jefs Farrow and being sworn saith
that he knew John Prior during the [rest of line illegible]
battle of Brandywine until the end of [rest of line illegible]
was a soldier of faithfull and brave [rest of line illegible]
line commanded by Genl. Scott that he [rest of line illegible]
the fall of Charleston South Carolina [rest of line illegible]
have ever [illegible] that the said John [rest of line illegible]
in very indigent circumstances and unable [rest of line illegible]
Page 23

John Prior

On Roll

Page 244
Page 24

and infirmity to support himself by his own labour
Jefse [Jesse] Farrow (his x mark)

Sworn to before me this 25th April 1822
Jn. H. [illegible last name]
Judge [3? illegible words]

Schedule of John Prior alluded to in the foregoing Statement
Georgia}
Burke County} 1 [illegible] ax $1.50
John Prior (his x mark)

Georgia
I John Carpenter Clerk of the Superior Court of Burke County do hereby certify that the foregoing  oath and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the Said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the Said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in aforesaid Schedule is one dollar + fifty cents.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal there being no seal of Court this 17th day of May 1822
John Carpenter