Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15355, Joseph Alexander, S.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Alexander, Joseph
NUMBER
S.15355
carded
CONTENTS
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Ohio 19610.
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Joseph Alexander of Clermont Co. in the State of Ohio who was a Pte. & Lieut. in the Co. commanded by Captain Berry of the Regt. commanded by Col. Thomas in the South Carolina line for two years.
18 mos. Private 60.00
6 mos. Lieut. 80.00
[total] 140.
---
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 140. Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 8. day of Augt. 1833 and sent to JD. Morris, Batavia. C.Co. Ohio
---
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 280.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 33 70.00
[total] $350.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer Clerk, Book E. Vol. 8. Page One.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
State of Ohio
County of Clermont SS
On this 31st day of August personally appeared before me Robert Haines one of the associate Judges of the Court of common in said County Joseph Alexander a resident of Clermont & County aforesaid born on the 10th day of May 1759 aged upwards of 73 years 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 United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. I first entered the service under Colonel Thomas about the last of Nov. 1775 in the District then called 96 in South Carolina & left it about Christmas following. I was six weeks in the service as a volunteer under Capt. Berry & Lieut. Berry. We marched to the upper parts of the State of South Carolina in pursuit of the Tories we were discharged at Craneys Mill on Reverns Creek
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[illegible] out a second time as volunteer in the the year 1779 under said Col. Thomas & Major Lusk Capt. Berry & Lieut. Berry aforesaid we served three months on Savannah River under General Williams in detachments guarding ferries or crossing places into place called Buck Island had one skirmish with the Tories & were discharged at Buck Island. 3rd next time out as volunteer under General Sumpter at a place called Steel Creek about the 1st of June of 80 in North Carolina. General Sumpter soon after left us & went to a place called Hillsboro. I was then attached to the Command under Col. Williams aforesaid we then were marched to Kings Mountain there we had an engagement against Col. Ferguson of the British Army where said Ferguson was defeated & killed. This as near as I recollect was 7th of Oct. 1780 - in August of the same year he had an engagement at Musgroves Mill in the District then called 96 in South Carolina - about a month after the Battle of Kings Mountain we had an engagement black stocks [Blackstocks] ford on Tiger [Tyger] River against Col. Tarleton he commanded the British Horse, & defeated him. General Sumpter was wounded we made a litter for him & took him away in the night [illegible] Tarleton came on with four hundred foot & two [illegible] pieces as a reinforcement according to the best account & we retreated we soon afterward separated & went in what was called scouting parties along the Indian front against the Cherokees & Tories.
In the year 1781 I rec. a Lieutenants Commission from Benjamin Garret Governor of South Carolina & served in capacity till the end of the war
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We were guarding the forts & Stations on the Indian frontier till about the last of August 1782 when we went into the Cherokee Nation under General Pickens & were then Discharged
He hereby relinquishes any former pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State or of any only on that of the Agency of the State of Ohio
Sworn to & subscribed the day year aforesaid
Joseph Alexander his mark X

Where & in what year were you born
in County of Antrim in the north of Ireland
Have you any record of your age & if so where is it
I have none all my records being burnt with my house in the month of March 1800
Where were you living when called into service where lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live
I was living in district no 96 in South Carolina I left South Carolina in 1810 I removed to Ross Co. Ohio & in 1812 I removed to Franklin Township Clermont Co & State of Ohio where have lived since that time 
How were you called into service were you drafted or did you volunteer or were you a substitute & if a substitute for whom
I was always a volunteer
State the names of some regular officers who were with the troops where you served such continental militia regiments as you can recollect & the general circumstances of your service
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Ans I was in the neighborhood where Col. Morgan Defeated Tarleton & Col. White before whom I was sworn in when I recd. my commission the general circumstances said as before described
Q. Did you ever receive a commission & if so by whom was it signed & what has become of it
Ans I did it was signed by Benjamin G[uerard] then Governor of South Carolina which commission was burnt in March 1800 with house & household gone entirely in Spartanburg County South Carolina
Q. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
A. I am acquainted with Peter Hastings & Lewis Mill & several others who I believe would all testify
I do certify that interrogatories above stated was correctly and promptly answered and from those facts I believe the above named 
Joseph Allexander to be entitled to a pension the above being sworn to and subscribed
Before me Robert Harris [illegible subtexts]
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8408
19610.
Joseph Alexander
Ohio
Adm 2 years 6 months thereof a Lieutenant

8408

Jonathan D. Morris
Batavia P.O.
Clerk of Court of Clermont Co.
Ohio
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BRIEF in the case of Joseph Alexander Co of Clermont in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? before a Judge
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? No reason given
3. How old is he? 73
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.

Novem. In 1775 volunteer 1 [mo] 14 [days] private Cap Berry Col Thomas
1779 volunteer 3 [mos] " " "
1st June 1780 " the length of service during this period is not precisely stated " Col Williams Genl Williams
1781 received a Lieutenants com and served under S Com till the end of the war was discharged last of Augt. 1782

5. In what battles was he engaged? Skirmish - an affair at Kings Mountain an engagt. at Musgrove Mills - Black Stock ford
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? District 96 S. Carolina
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary one living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
the papers are not attached agreeably to the regulations, the length and quality of service not stated, none of the witnesses are certified as credible
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.
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I certify that I am well acquainted with John H Hastings, Isaac Vandyke and John McKibben who have each sworn and subscribed to an affidavit in support of the claim of Joseph Alexander to a pension, and that they are men of veracity, and I further certify that it appears to me from the testimony of credible witnesses that John Morton who has also subscribed to an affidavit in support of the claim of said Alexander is a credible person-
Given under my hand & seal this 24th day of May 1833, at Franklin Township Clermont County & state of Ohio.
Josiah J. Gallup J.P. {seal}

The State of Ohio
Clermont County ss
I Jonathan D Morris Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that Josiah J Gallup Esq whose name is attached to the within affidavit of Joseph Alexander and to the above Certificate was at the time of taking and subscribing the same one of the acting Justices of the peace within & for said County duly commissioned and qualified and that the several signatures purporting to be his are genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Batavia this 30th day of May AD 1833 J.D. Morris Clerk
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State of Ohio
Clermont County
Personally appeared before me the under signed a Justice of the Peace in & for Franklin Township Clermont County & State of Ohio Joseph Alexander who being duly sworn deposeth & 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 six months I served as a Lieutenant
I served as a Private Soldier two years & four months & for such service I claim a pension
Joseph Alexander his mark X
Sworn & subscribed to before me this 21st day of May 1833 Josiah J. Gallup J.P. {seal}
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[first page]
P
15355
INVALID.
File No. 15355
Joseph Alexander
Lieut Rev War
---
Act: June 7" 32
Index: Vol. 1, Page 7
{Arrangement of 1870.}

[second page]
Mch 26. 1900
Mrs. Mary H. Baker
Cincinnati Ohio
---
Apl-10-1900
Hon. D. D. Woodmansee
Cinti, Ohio
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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 Joseph Alexander 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 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? 

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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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? Yes 

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?  

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? Yes

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? No

Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?Yes 

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? Yes 

                                                          ________________________________
                                                                     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_________mpnths   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 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 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.
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8408.
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We the undersigned do hereby certify and say that We verily believe from our acquaintance with the above named Joseph Alexander, that he is entitled to a pension from his country for services rendered as a soldier in the revolution, and furthermore we believe that he stands much in need of pecuniary will from his honest poverty & old age. Also that we have been acquainted with the said Alexander for Fifteen years past and have no doubts of his having served as a revolutionary Soldier and that he is a man of truth and veracity.
Sept 1st 1832.
State of Ohio
Clermont County
Franklin Township

Isaac Vandike
John H. Hastings
John McKibben

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of Sept AD 1832 Josiah J Gallup, J. P.

[round stamp] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES
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The State of Ohio
Clermont County SS
I Jonathan D Morris Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that the Honorable Robert Hains before whom the within and foregoing affidavit of Joseph Alexander appears to have been sworn and subscribed to was at the time and till is one of the associate Judges of the Court of Common pleas within and for the County of Clermont aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified And I further certify that Josiah J Gallup Esqr. before whom the above and foregoing affidavits of Isaac Vandike, John H Hastings, John McKibben and John Morton appears to have been taken and sworn to was at the time and now is one of the acting Justices of the peace within and for the County foresaid duly commissioned and qualified as such and I also further certify that Simeon Goodwin Esqr. before whom the within and foregoing affidavit of Peter Hastings appears to have been taken was at the time and still is one of the acting Justices of the peace within and for the County of Clermont aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified and that full faith and credit are due to all their official acts as such, and that the signatures of said Hains, Gallup and Goodwin are genuine-
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Batavia the 1st day of September AD 1832
J.D. Morris Clerk
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The State of Ohio
Clermont County
Before me one of the acting Justices of the peace within and for the County aforesaid personally came Peter Hastings a clergyman of Franklin Township in said County, who after being first duly sworn according to law upon his oath saith he has been well acquainted with Joseph Alexander now a resident of said Franklin Township for the term of fifteen years past, that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that he fully concur in that opinion and further saith not
Peter Hastings
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17th day of August 1832-
Simeon Goodwin JP {seal}
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I do hereby certify that I was acquainted with Joseph Alexander of Clermont County and Franklin Township in the time of the Revolutionary war, that he the said Alexander lived in South Carolina in, what is now called, Spartanburgh District, that he served as a soldier in that war, and bore a Lieutenant's Commission, I cannot say how long
John Morton
Sworn to and subscribed before me this seventh day of August AD 1832
Josiah J Gallup J.P.
State of Ohio
Clermont County
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[first letter]
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER.
Department of the Interior.
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

[stamp] Div. Action APR 10 1900 COMMISSIONER

Mr Bryant
Have letter written to Hon D. D. Woodmansee
Cincinnati Ohio giving particulars
N. Clay Evans

[second letter]
Pension Dept. Revolutionary Washington D.C.
Reuben Ross, Clermont Co of Maryland Continental Line, pension given June 13. 1824 place of enlistment and friend's name. children etc. death or when pension ceased. etc. age
Joseph Alexander, Clermont Co. Lieut in South Carolina Militia Aug 8th 1833. his age, peace of enlistment, childrens names wife name & time of death -

Col. Ainsworth
Fords Theater Resdg 10th NW
JNS

[sideways print]
DD Woodmansee Cincinnati
Page 21

Cincinnati O. March 16, 1900

Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly let me have a copy of the Pension Papers of Reuben Ross (Revolutionary Soldier) of Clermont Co. O. private in Maryland Continental line. (June 13. 1820, date of pension
also of
Joseph Alexander, Clermont Co. Lieut. in South Carolina Militia placed on pension Roll Aug 8. 1833.
Very Sincerely
(Jno) Mary H. Baker

15355