Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31363, for Hugh Simpson, Virginia
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SERVICE: Va. S.C. Mil. 1787
Simpson, Hugh
NUMBER: S. 31363
CONTENTS
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Kentucky
Hugh Simpson
of Warren Co in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Thompson of the Regt commanded by Col Campbell in the Va line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of April 1833 and sent to Philip C Morehead, Bowling Green Ken

Arrears to the 4th of March 160.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 40.00
$200.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 27

Date of death not on AB.
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Hugh Simpson
21029

State of Kentucky
Warren County Sct
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State of Kentucky
Warren County sct.
On this 5th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Asher W. Graham Judge of the Warren Circuit Court now sitting Hugh Simpson a resident of said County and state afd aged seventy one the 23d March 1832, 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 entered the service of the United States in the year 1776, and served four months in the full season thereof under Captain Daniel Trigg. There were no superior officers whilst we were out on this expedition, This trip was up on the frontiers of Virginia to defend it from the Indians, we were sent about at the head of Clinch and Bluestone, he then resided in Montgomery County Virginia as did Capt Trigg also.
In the spring of 1777 he served two months under Captain Frederick Edwards, we were here in pursuit of deserters and caught two of them and sent them on to the armory. There were no superior officers on this expedition.
In the fall of 1777, he served six months commencing from the first of the fall, and they did not return till after the first of March 1778 under Captain James Thompson, we were ordered out on this expedition to guard a garrison near the mouth of New River, where there was a battle with the Shawnee Indians in 1774 Captain Thompson was from Washington County Virginia and took command of us, Captain Edwards was from Montgomery and was there a captain of the militia under whom this applicant mustered when at home
In 1778 This applicant served at one time three months under Col William Campbell, on New river, against the tories, who were raising in arms. we took some of them, killed some, and hung one of them, he served under the same Colonel. Two other expeditions of four months in 1779. This was also against the Tories to keep them down and was sometimes in South Carolina, about the Morcurcin Towns. 
In the year 1783. This applicant served three months under Major Joseph Cloyd on this expedition we fought
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his youth. That he was an honest sober just man and that he served his tours of duty faithfully, and demeaned himself as a good citizen, This applicant would further state that he has no other documentary evidence of his services. nor does he know of but one man living who knows of his services and he cannot now find out where he lives, his name is John Ewing. he can procure no evidence of living witnesses. he has not now his discharges.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and I declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afsd. 
Hugh Simpson

We David L. Mansfield a Clergyman residing in the County of Warren and state of Ky. and Samuel G. Whyte residing in the same County and state afsd hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Hugh Simpson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 71 years old. that he is reputed, and believed to be a soldier of the revolution, in the neighborhood where he resides, and that we concur in these opinions.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afd.
D. L Mansfield
S G Whyte

As an amendment to the within declaration this applicant would state that he served six months commencing from the first of September 1777 and ending the last of Feby 1778. he did not however reach home till after the first of March, sometime. This applicant believes he served three years in all.
Hugh Simpson
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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 David L. Mansfield who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Warren County and that Samuel G. Whyte who has also signed the same is a resident of sd County and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Asher W. Graham
Judge of Warren Circuit Court

I Jonathan Hobson Clerk of the Court of Warren County do hereby certify that the foregoing Contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Hugh Simpson for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 8 day of September 1832.
Jona. Hobson

Hugh L Simpson 
21029

State of Kentucky
Warren Count Sct
At a Circuit Court held for the County aforesaid for the trial of chancery came, on the 29th day of November 1832 Hugh Simpson appeared in Court, and made oath to his amendment (at the fact on bottom of the preceding page) to his former declaration for a pension
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix my seal of Office this 29 day of November 1832
Jona. Hobson
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No 21029
Hugh Simpson Warren County Kentucky

from 1776 private
2 years $80.

Thompson
Campbell

Philip C. Morehead
Bowling Green
Ken
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BRIEF in the case of Hugh Simpson
County of Warren in the State of Kentucky
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? in Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 71-

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
[1] In 1776
[2] 1777 Spring
[3] 1777 fall
[4] 1778
[5] 1779
[6] 1780
[7] 1781
Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days.
[1] 4 Months
[2] 2 Months
[3] 6 Months
[4] 3 Months
[5] 4 Months
[6] 3 Months
[7] 5 Months
Believed he served three years in all
Rank. As a
[1]Private
[2-6] "
[7] Lieut
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
[1] Capt Trigg
[2] " Edwards
[3] " Thompson
[4] " Col Campbell
[5] " "
[6] Capt Edwards Maj Cloyd
[7] Capt Simpson Col Preston

5. In what battles was he engaged? I Know has with the tories

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Montgomery Co Va

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary Proof - Traditionary evidence

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Dyer Castor Examining Clerk.
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August 4, 1932
BA-J/AWF
xxxxxxxxxx
Hugh Simpson
S.31363

Mrs. William Dyer
327 N. Alabama Street
Butte, Montana.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Hugh Simpson, a Revolutionary War pensioner, living in Warren County, Kentucky in 1832.

The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.31363, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Hugh Simpson.

He was born March 23, 1761, place not stated.

While residing in Montgomery County, Virginia, he served in the Virginia troops, as follows:
In the fall of 1776 about four months under Captain Daniel Trigg, in the defence of the frontier of Virginia at the "Head of Clinch and Bluestone"; in the spring of 1777, two months under Captain Frederick Edwards; from September 1, 1778 until the latter part of February, 1778 under Captain James Thompson to guard a garrison near the mouth of the New River; in 1778, three months and in 1779, four months under Colonel William Campbell, out against the Tories; he was in the battle of Shallow Ford under Major Joseph Cloyd, and served three months; in 1781 served five months under Captain Edwards and Colonel William Preston and was in the battles of Allamance and Whitsalls Mills. 

He left Montgomery County, Virginia, about the year 1785.

He was commissioned, October 23, 1787, First Lieu-
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tenant in Captain John Simpson's company of South Carolina Militia, said Captain Simpson was soldier's brother.

The soldier, Hugh Simpson, was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, then a resident of Warren County, Kentucky.

The reference to soldier's brother, Captain John Simpson as given above, is the only data relative to his family.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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31363
Revy INVALID.
File No. 31,363
Hugh Simpson
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7 32"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 368
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1932 - July 22 - hist to Mrs. Chas S. Passmore
1932 - Aug 4 " " Mrs. Wm. Dyer - See her letter in William Brown S. 35788 AWF
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Pension case} free
R. M. Johnson
Col J. L. Edwards
Pension office
City of Washington

Aug 26"
Hon. R M Johnson

[stamp]
GEORGETOWN KY.
AUG 29
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I hope & trust my dear friend that you can with propriety comply with the request of my friend Ms. Worth or give an order to have the money paid here to the order of the administrator as soon as possible let me know
yours
[illegible—paper creased]
17th Aug 1834
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Bowling green Dec 5th 1832

Dear Sir.
A few weeks since I received the declaration of Hugh Simpson and Benjamin Pendleton which were sent back to me for amendment & for the certificates in Simpsons case
I therefore enclose you the certificate and his commission. The other certificate the least important the certificate of his character & honesty was also handed to me by Mr Simpson at the time I received the others, and inspected by the court with the others and mislaid by myself. The way it happened was this: when I was about to send the papers, I thought I would send on the two that are now sent and looked upon the other as unimportant, and must have mislaid it in that way, and afterwards in a conversation with our Judge, he advised me that he conceived it unnecessary to send any as they were noticed in the proceedings I then agreed with him & delivered sending them you now have them & can place Mr Simpsons pretensions in them. I have no doubt whatever that he is entitled to his pension, and that he was a faithful revolutionary soldier.
I also enclose Mr Williams papers for a
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pension, and will send Mr Pendletons back as soon as it is amended.
Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Philip C Morehead
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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 Hugh Simpson which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? 

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for him not doing so? 

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? 

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? 

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? 

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? 

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 

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?
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 

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? 
Documentary Proof

XIV. [notation sign 1]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 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? 

XVI. [notation sign 2]Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so 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 recollection 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.”
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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 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 shown 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.
[notation sign 1]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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[notation sign 2]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 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.
[symbol of pointing finger]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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Free.
Hon: Lewis Cass
Sec: of War,
Washington City
(D.C.)

Dec. 15
Ky.
21028
29

[stamp]
BOWL. GR. K
DEC 6
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Lieutenant in Captain John Simpson's company of South Carolina Militia, said Captain Simpson was soldier's brother.

Hugh Simpson was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1832, at which time he was living in Warren County, Kentucky.

The reference to soldier's brother, Captain John Simpson as given above, is the only data relative to his family.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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[header]
UTAH
HOME FIRE INSURANCE
COMPANY

HEBER J. GRANT, PRESIDENT.
GEO. J. CANNON, VICE-PREST. & MGR.
ELIAS A. SMITH, VICE-PREST.

A. L. MACDONALD, SECRETARY
BERTRAM F. WILLIS, ASST. SECY.
EDGAR S. HILLS, TREASURER

DIRECTORS:
HERBER J. GRANT,
ELIAS A. SMITH,
JOHN F. BENNETT,
E. O. HOWARD,
LEON SWEET,
CHAS. W. NIBLEY,
GEORGE J. CANNON,
REED SMOOT.

DIRECTORS:
EDGAR S. HILLS,
THOS. N. TAYLOR,
ELIAS S. WOODRUFF,
EDWARD L. BURTON,
HENRY H. MCLAPP,
HARRINER S. ECCLES,
LOUIS S. CATES,
RICHARD W. MADSEN,
ANTHONY W. IVINS.

PASSMORE & CO. AGENTS
717 WEST GRANITE STREET
BUTTE, MONT.

[handwritten body]
July 3 - 1932
U.S. Pension Bureau
Washington - D.C.

Dear Sirs -
Do your pension records give any family data on the Rev. soldier Hugh Simpson living in Warren Co Ky then 73 (1832) -
also William Brown - a Rev. pensioner living in Warren Co Ky 1818 then 79 yrs old they both were from Vir -
Awaiting an early reply I am
Yours
Mrs Chas. S. Passmore
717 W. Granite St
Butte Mont

[stamp]
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
JUL 8 - 1932
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Montgomery County, Virginia Commonwealth S.C. ~
The Bearer hereof Hugh Simpson being to travel soon into South Carolina and Georgia States having made application to us the Subscribing Field Officers & as for a Testimony of his behavior - We therefore do hereby certify that We have been intimately acquainted with the said Hugh Simpson since he was a Youth and have always found him Sober, Just, and honest; he hath always served his towers of duty faithfully, and demeaned himself a a good Citizen; We hope he may be admitted into Society, and have the liberty to pass unmolested on his lawful Affairs, he behaving himself as becometh. Given under our hands at Montgomery Courthouse February 22d. 1785. ~ Walter Crockett Colo.
To all whom these presents} Joseph Cloyd Colo
may Concern - - } James McGavock J.P.
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STATE OF SOUTH-CAROLINA.
By his Excellency THOMAS PINCKNEY, Esq. Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Said State -
To Hugh Simpson
I Reposing Special Trust and Confidence in your courage and good conduct, and in your Fidelity and Attachment to the United States of America, have commissioned and appointed, and by these Presents do commission and appoint you the said Hugh Simpson
First Lieutenant in John Simpsons Company of Militia in the Upper Division of the Ninety six Regt.
which said Company you are to lead, train, muster and exercise, according to Military Discipline. And you are to follow and observe all such Orders and Instructions as you shall from time to time receive from me or the Commander in Chief for the Time being, or any of your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, pursuant to the Laws of this State. And all inferior Officers and others, belonging to the said Company are hereby required and commanded to obey you as their Lieutenant This Commission to continue during Pleasure.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal, this Twenty third day of October in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Seven and in the Twelfth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.

Thomas Pinckney
By his Excellency's Command,
Peter Freneau
Secretary