Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,088, for James Shotwell, Virginia
Page 1

[Registration Card]  (9-1776)

SERVICE Va. | Shotwell, James | NUMBER S, 17088
Carded
CONTENTS {Blank]
Page 2

[Unfolded record, divided into 2 halves - Pg.1 & Pg.2]

Pg.1
[partly illegible] Feb 17 Sep. 1834
[illegible] ? Banks Esgn.
[illegible] - 73. Cave & [illegible] Agent.
& {illegible] 22,1837
Letter 13 May 180[illegible] 3. leave
order to pay & J... Fry, Jane
                               12,1837X
                                30 June 1837
Paid at Kees Treasury under
Hies Acts of Hies 6th April 1838
from 4 Marsch 1839 to 4 Sept.
1839. Agts notified 24th June
1840
-------

Pg.2
Virginia 27.895
==========
James Shotwell
Madison in the State of VA
as a Pv in the command
[illegible] captain of the PV commanded
[illegible] & Banburn in the Va:
Cmd: 2 weeks
=========
Transcribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 26 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=============
Certificate of Pension issued the 23- day of August
  and sent Builies Cave
H C. Madison C H Va
=============
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 34           |  64.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. | 10.77
                                                         | ====
                                                         | $75.42
                                                         |  ====
{ Revolutionary Claim,}
{ Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Arath. Cuce Clerk,
[illegible]book, & Vol. 61/2 Page 33
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
posted June 7th 1832.
State of Virginia County of Mad[illegible] (Madison?)

On this 19th day September 1832 personally appearing
before William H Hill one of the Commonwealth
Justice of the peace in and for the County of
Madison and before Justice James Marshall[illegible]
with County and State aforesaid in
a former soldier of the Revolution aged twenty
years, who being first duly sworn according to Law,
doth on his oath make the following declaration, in
order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress
proposed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service
of the United States under the following named
officers and served as huxxxn xxxxated [illegible]. Cdr James
Bonhouse and Captain Henry Lowtis in the
fall of the year 1780, the declarant served this
Town as a substitute for John Gacous[?] - after this
in the year 1781 in the spring of the year the decla[-]
rent was drafted and served under Cdr [Navy rank?] James
Slaughter, Major Henry Till and Captain
Fisher [illegible] he resided in the County of Cxxx[illegible]
=in State of Auginion[sic] (Virginia?), afterwards in the same
year the declarant went into the service
as a substitute for Mr John Zachary the
names of the officers not particularly recollected
but believes that Robert Roebuck was the
Captain under whom he served, afterwards
The declarant was drafted in the same year,
under Major Haleh[sic] [illegible]Commander, the subsequent
[illegible] addresses not particularly recollected.
Page 4

He was in the Battles of Petersburg, Sandy Point,
Cabin Point and at the commencement and
thing of the siege of York in the month
of October in the year 1781, after the siege the
declarant march with the prisoners then
taken to the Barracks near Winchester
in the County of Frederick in the State of
Virginia when he with his companions
in arms were discharged and returned to their
respective homes, and that he has no
evidence of his services except the affida[-]
vits herewith forwarded. He was not
acquainted with the regular officers except
General George Washington.
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 the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above
[signed] James X Shotwell [deponent made his mark]

I Whitham[?] C. Hill do hereby certify that the
foregoing declaration was taken before me
one of the Justices of the peace in afforesaid
County of Madison in the State of Virginia in and that from my personal knowledge certify that the said James Shotwell from bodily infirmity is mea-
-sable[sic] of travelling to the County Court of
Madison; and I do hereby nione[illegible] certify
that after the investigation of the matter and
seeing the interrogatories presented by the
War department, that the above named [.....]
Page 5

[deposition continued for prior page]

applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and
served, and served as he states. Given in & by
my hand this 19th day of September 1832
[signed:] Wm. H. Hill

The following interrogatories were propounded by the
said Wm. H Hill and the answers to them
respectively given as follows.
Question. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. Near where I now live then a part of the
County Culsxxx[illegible] (Culpepper?) ngt. I was born in the year 1762.
Question. Have you any record of your age and
if so where is it? Answer, I have no record of my age.
Question. Where were you living when called into
service, where have you lived since the Revolu[-]
tionary war, and where do you now live?
Answer.  When called into the service I lived in the
County of Culpepper - after the war I lived near
xxais[illegible] in the State of North Carolina - afterward
I returned to my native State and was within
one mile of where I was born, now the
County of Madison.
2. How were you called into service; were
you drafted did you volunteer,were you
a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
Answer[.] I was drafted twice as before stated
and mail[illegible] twice as a substitute once for
John Gaius[?] and once for John Zachering[?]
2. State the names of some of the Regular
officers who were with the Corps, when you served
each continental and Militia Regiments as you
can recollect and the general circumstance
of your service. Answer I have no distinct [....]
Page 6

[deposition continued from prior page]
recollection of many of the regular officers[.]

I recollect Gen.ls Washington, Lafayette
Col.s Clonphton[?] Edmund Davis[illegible]
Major Welch and Major Boyce and
some of the Captains but with them
were regular continental or militia officers
I did not know.
[Handwritten note, written vertical to one side of the above paragraph]  13.357 | James Shotwell

Question. Did you rekall[illegible] receiving a discharge order and 
if so by whom was it given & what has become
of it. Answer[.] I never received a discharge
the men were all mustered after surrounding
the prisoners at the Barracks near Winchester
in the County of Frederick in the State of Virginia
and [illegible]dismissed[?] by Col. Colmess[?] and Major Heter[illegible]
 
2. State the [inserted word illegible] (pious?) persons in town to whom you are known
in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your
character for veracity, and their belief of your
service as a soldier of the Revolution?
Answer. Major Wm Chapman, John Fray Uiss[illegible]
Jarrell Dennis Cross Captain Robert Thomas
Col. Jim Banks and many others.
Page 7

State of Virginia County of Madison Sv

This day personally appeared before me[underlined]
one of the Commonwealths Justice of the
Peace in and the County of Madison and
State aforesaid William Youell, Dennis
Crow and Joseph Sampson who being
duly sworn deposeth and saith, that they
have know[sic] the foregoing James Shotwell, whose
declaration was made before Wm. H. Hill [illegible initials?]
On this day; they respectively know the said
James Shotwell whilst in the armies of
the United States during the Revolutionary
war; and they humbly testify to the truth of
of[sic] the service he rendered according to
to[sic] the [illegible foregoing? of the time ] 
declaration being eye witnesses
to the greater part of the time he was in
service, and they believe this Js[?] Shotwell
did not serve less than [illegible three] months
during the war, and further these officers
=nt[sic] saith not.
[signed] Wm Youell - made his mark
[signed] Dennis Crow - made his mark
[signed] Joseph Sampson - made his mark

The foregoing affidavit of Wm Youell, Dennis
Crow and Joseph Sampson was subscribed
& sworn to respectively before me on this 19th
day of September 1832.
[signed] Wm. H. Hill
 
I certify that the above named William Youell, Dennis Crow and Joseph
Sampson are all credible persons & full [illegible] faith and credit and should be
given to their evidence. Given under my hand this 4th Jun 1834
[Signed] Wm. H. Hill
Page 8

State of Virginia, Madison County SS.
  I Belfield Cave Clerk of the County Court of
said County, being a court of record according to the Constitution
and laws of Virginia, do hereby certify that William H. Hill who
hath signed the certificate on this paper, and also the certifi[-]
..icate to the paper hereto annexed, is an acting Justice of the
peace in and for said County, and was such at the time of
signing said certificates, and that his said signatures are
genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my name and affixed the seal of said
Court this 20th. day of October one thousand
eight hundred and thirty two.
Belfield Cave C.C.
Page 9

[Page divided into two columns - Col 1 and Col 2]

[Col 1.]
17.088
INVALID
-------------
File No. 17,888
James Shotwell
Sui[illegible] Rev War
-------------
Act: June 7th 82
Index:- Vol. / , Page 340
(Arrangement of 1870) 

[Col 2.] 
Decr - 10 - 1900
J. M. Shotwell
Lansing Mich.
Page 10

[Page divided into 7 sections - S1 thru S7]

[S1]
17088
Jas Shotwell

[S2]
Sept-19-1802  -
Madison Co V[illegible] -70

[S3]
Sp 9 80  Culpepper
Capt Henry Paulle[?]
Col Jas. Barbour
                  2  m

[S4]
spg 81
          Capt Fisher Rice
          Col Jas. Slaughter
                   2  m

[S5]
81  Capt Roebuck
     Col - 2 wks

[S6]
81  Col Edmonds
 2  m

[S7]
Petersburg, Sandy Pt & Yorktown
Page 11

      Madison Co: SS: Va - May 7th 1837
Sir - The pension papers of James
Shotwell and William Youel are herewith
sent, to know whether after what has
heretofore taken place in relation to them,
the agent in Richmond has not unneces=
=sarily again rejected them, and thereby
run the pensioners to unnecessary expense
and delay. There certainly cannot be any
doubt as to the genuineness of these papers.
There is no blot or scratch to justify
in the opinion of the undersigned,
the objection now made to the power
of attorney of William Youel. But
those who have the right must descide[sic].
Respectfully your
Ob.St.
Belfield Cave
Page 12

[Letter - From:] TREASURY DEPARTMENT
                          Second Comptroller's Office
                          June 17th, 1840.
Sir: Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States," James Shotwell,-
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond Va Agency, at
the rate of Twenty one Dollars and fifty five Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1839
to the 4th Sept. 1839.
Respectfully yours
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.


To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 13

[Envelope]

Madison Co }               Free
Sept.=13th   }
J. L. Edwards Esq

mail              ] Commissioner of Pensions
                     }  Washington
Page 14

[Letter - From:]
Madison County Augst. 12th dep.1834
J. L. Edwards Esq
                      Sir The papers of James
Shotwell, an applicant for a pension
under the act of Congress of the 7th June
1832, were sent by the Clerk of Madison
County [illegible] Ss?. in the month of June last, as were
as recollected. They was placed within
post office Madison Co. Ss[illegible]; nothing has
been heard of them since.
Yr. Obn. St
L. Banks
Page 15

[Envelope with stamp and Address]
[Postmark:] RICHMOND - JUN 10 VA | FREE

[Addressed to:]
J. L Edwards Esq.
Coms. of Pensions
Washington D.C.

[Vertical Text containing name of sender]
Jas. Shotwell
Vaginia
Page 16

[Letter]
Bah[illegible]. 10 June,
Dr Sir,
  The enclosed pension has  
been sent To and fro. a good many
times by mail at the expense of
the poor man who is in great need
of the Acnts - you may recollect[?]
of receiving a communication from
Belfield Cave of Madison Co some time
ago on the subject of the same.
  The objection now is the errasure [sic]
of the 15th March in the power of atty,
shall you be pleased to order it
paid[underlined] - in its present form.
  The oath above dated the same
shall then be dead on that
day - Your early reply will confer
additional fauon[illegible] only[?].
[Signed:]  J J Fry.
Page 17

Additional or explanatory Declaration made by
James Shotwell in the County of Madison and State of
Virginia on this 4th day of June 1834 in order
to obtain the benefit of the act granting the aforesaid
June 7th. 1832.

This day personally appeared before me one of the
Commonwealths Jusiices of the Peace in and for this
County aforesaid the said James Shotwell land
xxxxxx the xxxxxing to say that the first Town[time]
he served during the war of the Revolution was as
a substitution for one John Gaar for the space of
Two months[both underlined]^once private^ commissioning in the early part of the
month of April in the year 1780 he was discharged
sometime in the month of June of the same year
at a place called Germantown in the County of
Culpepper in the State aforesaid by Captain Henry
Lowles.  Afterward in the spring of the year^1787^ in
the early part of the month May, this deponent
was drafted as a private soldier and served
as such for two months and was then discharged
at the Madison xxxx  xxxx [illegible] in the City of Richmond
in the state of Virgina in the month of June of
the same year, the previous day from the lapse[?]
of him & loss of humors not reflected; He was
discharged by Major Henry Hill. Afterward in
the same year the declarant was made substitute[?] 
for one John Zachary and served two weeks[underlined] at
which time he was discharged the month in which
his service was rendered the deponent cannot swear
with certainty but is positive that he served
two same as before stated. Afterwards in [.....]
Page 18

[Continued from previous page ....]
in the later part of the month of August in the
year 1781, the declarant was drafted and moved
to the city of York and continued in active
service until the surrender of Lord Cornwallis
to the American forces under the command of
General Washington; the declarant was then
sent with the prisoners captured to the Barracks near Rochester in the County of Fredricksburg in
the State of Virginia where he was discharged
by Major ^Nathaniel[?]^ Welch the officer in command, the last
of October or the first of Nov. in the same year the
day not recollected but this time was not less than
two months; making in the aggregate [illegible] in and
of  xxxary[illegible] service of six months and xxxxx[illegible]
micxxxx[illegible] for which he claims the bounty of the
Government. Given under my hand this day
and year first above was given. James X Shotwell made his mark.
[signed:] [illegible] H. How.

Madison County Ss
Mr Robert Garnett a Clergyman residing in
the County of Madison near Lionel Barnes 
residing in the same hereby certify, that
are well acquainted with James Shotwell
who has subscribed & sworn to the forgoing;
that we believe him to be twenty years of
age and that he is reputed and believed in
the neighbourhood where he resides to have [.....]
Page 19

[continued from previous page]
been a soldier of the Revolution and that we
concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid.
Robert Garnett
Lonie Banks

State of Virginia Madison County Ss
I Clarance H. Hieu Justice of the peace in and 
for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that it
appears to me that Robert Garnett who has
prepared the preceding certificate is a Clergyman
resident in the County of Madison and Hac Levin 
Banks who has signed the same is resident in 
the said County and is a credible person, and 
that this statement is entitled to credit.
Given under my hand this 4th. day
of June 1834.
[Signed] Hon H Hieu

State of Virginia, Madison County Ss.
I Belfield Cave Clerk of the County
Court of said County, certify that
William S. Hill is a magistrate
as above, and that the foregoing
signatures purporting to be his
are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed
my seal of Office, and subscribed my name this [....]
Page 20

[continued from previous page]

16th day of June in the year 1834
[Signed:] Belfield Cave CC.
Page 21

Jas Shotwell
       Ve (Va?]


Accnt preval - 
6mo & 2 weeks
$21.55
Page 22

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
James Shotwell, Madison Co. Virginia, which require
further proof or explanation.

I. 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[sic] 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
Page 23

[Page No.]  2

X1. 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? Three living witnesses - credibility not certified

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing it? No

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?

XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
      If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
      Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?

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? All answered

   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-election he served not less than 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.

[Applicant's name written vertically on page 2 = Jas Shotwell]
Page 24

[Page No.]  3

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 in-
definite, 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 objection
able. 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 entitied 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 case 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.
             In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates 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 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.
Page 25

[Envelope - postmarked]  Free

[Addressee]
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of pensions
Washington. City
Madison expres[?]
April 19th

[note written vertical to address]
Jn at Apr 22
N A [illegible]
Page 26

[Letter from:] Madison Cl: SS: Va April 17th 1837

Sir
The undersigned believing there is no good cause, to
justify the agent for paying pensions in Richmond Va.
rejecting the two pensions of James Shotwell and
William Towel, they are herewith enclosed to you, to know
whether these papers have been properly rejected.
Very respectfully
your obt. St.
Belfield Cave
Page 27

[Envelope - postmarked] Free
Madison cH2w[?]
June 28th
[vertical date:] June 30. 

[Addressee]
J. L. Edwards Esqr. Commissioner of pensions
Washington. City

[notes written vertical to address]
Jm at W El [?]
[claimant name:] Jas. Shotwell
Page 28

[Letter From:]
Madison Tho: Va June 23rd. 1837


Sir,
The paper of James Shotwell (herewith) is sent
to know whether he can now draw his pension.
  The word "15th" in the power of attorney
was neither raised, blotted or scratched; it
could not therefore be noted as having been done
so, by the magistrate who acted. The under
signed therefore thinks this pensioner has
been run to unnecessary expense and delay -
If the money can now be paid, please enclose
the papers to Joshua I. Fry Richmond.
   I am your obt. St.
    Belfield Cave

[note scrawled under letter]
Over 90 days
Page 29

[Letterhead contains a photograph of Michigan School for the Blind, Lansing. It also lists the names of FOUR members of the Board of Control]

[Letter dated:] DEC.3.1900
[Addressed to:] TO THE HON., THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
   WASHINGTON, D. C.

DEAR SIR:
   WILL YOU KINDLY ADVISE ME HOW AND WHERE I MIGHT OBTAIN A STATEMENT
OF THE RECORDS RELATING TO A REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER | OR SOLDIERS | NAMED
JOHN SHOTWELL, AND THE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUERIES?
DID ANY PERSON NAMED SHOTWELL SERVE IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR IN A
REGIMENT FROM VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, OR GEORGIA. IF SO.
HOW COULD I OBTAIN AN ABSTRACT OF HIS OR HER MILITARY RECORDS? THE
INFORMATION IS DESIRED FOR GENEALOGICAL PURPOSES TO DETERMINE WHETHER
HIS OF THEIR DESCENDANTS ARE OR ARE NOT ENTITLED TO MEMBERSHIP IN  A
HEREDITARY PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.
   HAS ANY PERSON NAMED SHOTWELL RESIDING IN EITHER OF THE SOUTHERN STATES
BEEN AT ANY TIME A UNITED STATES PENSIONER? IF SO, HOW COULD I OBTAIN AN
ABSTRACT OF THE RECORDS RELATING THERETO--SHOWING THE GROUND ON WHICH
SUCH PENSION WAS GRANTED, THE TIME DURING WHICH IT WAS PAID, ETC. WITH
REFERENCES TO VOLUME AND PAGE?
   IF THERE ARE ACCESSIBLE RECORDS BEARING UPON THESE POINTS BUT OF WHICH
NEITHER THE ORIGINALS NOR TRUEYWORTHY COPIES ARE IN THE POSESSION OF THE
U. S. GOVERNMENT AT WASHINGTON, WILL YOU KINDLY ADVISE WE WHERE THEY MIGHT
BE FOUND.
   IF YOU CAN VERY KINDLY GIVE ME REFERENCES TO ANY OTHER PUBLISHED OR
UNPUBLISHED SOURCES OF SUCH OR SIMILAR INFORMATION, THAT FAVOR, AS WELL AS
YOUR REPLY TO THE ABOVE, WILL BE VERY GRATEFULLY APPRECIATED BY---
     YOURS RESPECTFULLY,
       ANBROSE S. SHOTWELL.
         SCHOOL FOR THE
           BLIND.
             LANSING,
                MICH.
Page 30

[ILLEGIBLE IMAGE OF A LETTER WITH A U. S. PENSIONS OFFICE STAMP - DATED: NOV 5 1900]