Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,342, Joseph West, Va.
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Va. West,Joseph R11,342
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32.626 Declaration of Joseph West for a Pension
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The Declaration of Joseph West In order to obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Kentucky
Wayne County "illegible" set
On this 28th day of October 1834 personally appeared Before Roger Oatts a justice of the "illegible" of Wayne County Kentucky Joseph West, who from Bodily infirmity and age not will able to attend the county courts and who is a resident of Wayne County Kentucky Aged 72 years and 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
The he enters the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated I the said Joseph West about the first of April 1778 in montgomery county state of Virginia the precise day not now "illegible". By authority of the laws of "illegible" was drafted ^as a private to guard the "illegible" and forts on the frontiers
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and occasionally to act as Indian spies my captains name was Thomas Right and Lieutenant Drury Ham, ensign not now recollected; we first met or rendezvoused at "illegible" James Hendersons of said county of montgomery we then marched to fort Lafferty on the frontiers of said county at that time.  And a part of us Remained in the fort, guarding it, and small Detachments of us were constantly out Ranging as Indian Spies.  I having 3 served out my tour of three months in said fort and by turns as an Indian Spy I was discharged by my "illegible" Captain in writing.  I then returned home And shortly removed down on New River still in montgomery county and in the Bounds of Captain George Paris. And in about the first of April 1779 The precise date not recollected I was appointed by the captain George Paris with Drury Ham in said county as Indian Spies. Having served a tour Before. The captain & company insisted that we should act.  I was thus appointed with said Drury Hams for three months to act as Indian Spies.  We first met at fort Lafferty, and spied the county from the fort down new River to the Clover Bottom on Blue Stone
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Where we met other spies from the Blue stone Settlement and returned backwards and forwards spying for Indians until our tour of three months again expired and we were discharged by Captain Paris at the Garrison aforesaid in writing and I returned home. 
And about the first of April 1780 the precise day not recollected, the time the Indians commonly infested the frontiers I was again appointed an Indian Spy with John Jimmerson, by the same Captain George Paris for three months in said county of montgomery.  and we again marched to fort Lafferty and we spied over the same frontiers down New River to the Clover Bottoms on Blue Stone.  Where we met other two spies Every friday from the Blue Stone settlement, and in this backwards and forwards spying continued Backwards and forwards Spying in said frontiers and near the Expiration of the tour one evening just Before dark when we were about to Pitch our camp. We heard a noise like that of Turkies. the said Jimmerson said he would go and try to kill one and meet me at the Camp, but against my advice. I did not like "illegible" sign.  He started and was gone a short time I heard a gun
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fire, and quickly I saw Jimmerson Running towards me and two Indians in pursuit of him.  I was then in the edge of a Laurel Thicket and they passed me.  It being nearly dark and Jimmerson getting in the Laurel thicket below me which was very thick he escaped the Indians.  I went in another direction to an elevated point, in the edge of that Laurel and watched all night, at the dawn of day I took a direction to the fort and got there in about Ten miles and Reported, the circumstances. and five solders with myself making six started Back. And after going about five miles we met the said Jimmerson coming in who was shot thro the shoulder & he informed us how he got in the thick laurel and concealed himself from the Indians And Matthew Farlow was ordered appointed By captain Paris to take the place of Jimmerson with me, and having served out my last three months Tour. I was again discharged by Captain Paris in writing. & I returned home.. I got my house and everything in it burnt up about 12 years past & I think my three discharges were burnt up. I respectfully claim a compensation for three tours amounting to nine months as a private. The said Joseph West was born in Sussex county in the state of Delaware in on this first day of December 1762
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By the Record of my Father & mother but when very young my Father & mother moved to Rockingham "illegible" in the State of Virginia where we lived till I was about 12 years. "illegible" my father then moved, to where now is called Greenbrier county. but then montgomery county and I lived in montgomery county about Twenty years I then moved to Kentucky in "illegable" in county Kentucky ^and then lived 13 years I then Removed to Wayne County Kentucky where I now live and have lived about 27 years.  "illegible" said Joseph West have now, no documentary evidence "illegible" known of my pension in this part of the county By whom I can prove my said Revolutionary Services. "illegible" said Joseph West, do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present.  I declare my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
I am well known by many in Wayne county to with Ruebin "illegible" and Isaac Bond and Washington Wiley who can testify to my veracity in this above Declaration & knows of ^and can testify likewise to my services with General Sinclair. General Wayne & "illegible" Jackson at orleans. Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid "illegible his Before me "illegible name" Joseph West + his mark
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Mr John Emberson a clergymen residing in Wayne county Kentucky and, David Carinder residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph West who has subscribed and sworn to this above Declaration; that we believe him to be 72 years of age, that he is reputed & generally believed in this neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.  Sworn to and subscribed this day and year afore said Before me Roger Oatts "illegible" "squiggle line" John Emberson David Carinder
I the said Roger Oatts a justice of the peace for Wayne Count Kentucky do hereby declare my opinion after this investigation of this matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that this above named applicant, was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.  And I the said Roger Oatts further certify, that it appears to me that "illegible" "squiggle line" John Emberson who has signed the preceding a clergyman resident in the county of Wayne Kentucky and that David Carinder who has Also signed the same is a resident of Wayne Kentucky and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit. The said Joseph West not being well able to attend before the County Court, by reason of Bodily infirmity
Roger. Oatts "line" JP
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I William Simpson Clerk of the court of Wayne County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings, in the matter of the application for a pension of Joseph West for a Pension Before Roger Oatts Esqr. who is a justice of the peace of Wayne County Kentucky and that full faith and credit ought to be given to  the official acts of said Roger Oatts, as such.  In Testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and Seal of office the 28th day of of October in the year 1834 William Simpson
Clerk of the Wayne Count et
"Seal with ribbon affixed"
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April 12, 1938.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mr. H. H. West
214 South Hill Street
Los Angeles, California
BA-J/ady [illegible]
Joseph West
R.11342
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request to know where Revolutionary War rejected claims for pension are kept.
Claims for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary War, which were rejected, are on file in this office.
You cite Joseph West of Wayne County, Kentucky, whose record you desire. His record follows.
Joseph West was born December 1, 1762, in Sussex County, Delaware. The name of his parents are not shown. When very young he moved with his parents to Rockingham County, Virginia, and when about twelve years old he moved to Montgomery County, that part which was later called Greenbrier County, Virginia, about twenty years later he moved to Madison County, Kentucky, and thirteen years later he moved to Wayne County, Kentucky.
On October 28, 1834, while a resident of Wayne County, Kentucky, where he had lived about twenty-seven years, Joseph West applied for pension and stated that while a resident of Montgomery County, Virginia, he enlisted about April 1, 1778, and served three months in Captain Thomas Right's Virginia Company as Indian spy and in guarding the frontiers and forts on the frontiers; that from about April 1, 1779 he served three months as Indian spy in Captain George Paris' Virginia Company; that from about April 1, 1780 he served three months as Indian spy in Captain George Paris' Virginia Company.
The claim for pension was not allowed as his frontier service as guard and Indian spy was not provided for in the Act of Congress under which he applied. 
There are no family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Jan 13. [illegible] at-
James L. Edwards, Esq
Com. of Pensions,
Hon R. M Johnson
V. Prest [president]. U.S.
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Senate Chamber
Jan 12, 1838
[illegible] Edwards will please send me the papers in the case alluded if he can not grant the pension or I wish to try the last resort congress to Satisfy the applicant
Truly yours
R[illegible] Johnson
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Hon R. M. Johnson
Jan 13 1838
Ken
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War Dept. Pen Office

June 18 1838
I herewith return to Mr
Garth's letter to
you respecting the
case of
Joseph West and have to state
his alleged services were
not of the character provided for that act provided for
by the act of 7 June 1832. The decision of the Dept, in his case is therefore adhered to. A copy of his papers
will be sent to you so soon as it
can be prepared,
Hon R. M. Johnson
Pres U. States
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Hon. [Sherrod Williams] 14, June 1838 O.C.
Record Vol [volume] Sept [September] 9 P [Page] 4
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War Dep - [Department] Pension office June 14, 1836
Sir, I have the honor to enclose herewith Copies of The papers of Joseph West. [text struck through]. If he could [illegible] that [illegible] [text struck through] he belongs to any body of troops called to service under authority of law, [illegible] as set forth in the of his Declarations, there would be no objection whatever to granting him a Pension.
signature J [illegible]
[illegible] Sherrod Williams
House of Rep
Encl.
me office  Enter Enter this on K[illegible] Index
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House of Rep [representatives] June 13th 1836
L. J. Edward, Esq
You will be so good as to enclose to me the paper Declaration and other papers (if any) in the case of Joseph West of Ky. [Kentucky] made to obtain the benefit of the act of June 7th 1832. I design presenting them to Congress to have a special law passed for his benefit
Yours respectfully Sherrod Williams
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Herd[Sherrod] Williams
Dec 26, 1835
Record Vol[volume] 28. P.[page] 236.
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War Dept.[department] Pen.[pension] Office
Dec 26, 1835
Sir
Enclosed is the M- Garth's letter to you and the letter from this office to Mr" Garth respecting the case of Joseph West, dated April 24, 1835.  Mr" Garth says in his letter that the Department disallowed Mr- West's claim, because he fought on behalf of the King of England. Upon looking at the enclosed letter it will be seen that it was not on that account that the claim was disallowed [ text struck: but because he did not serve in a regularly organized corps called into service by competent authority and subject to military disciplines] The decision in the case cannot be reversed.
C[illegible letter]
Hon:[Honorable] S. Williams,
N R
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Department of War
Pension Office
April 24 1835
Sir Upon a more particular and careful examination of the declaration of JoP [Joseph] West. I find that his services were not of a character to entitle him to the benefits of the pensions of the Act of 7 June 18[illegible]
At a very early period, while Virginia was yet a colony a very considerable emigration took place to the western part of it  The formation of these new settlements was attended with much peril and great privation; but so important was this object considered, the King of Great Britain England made his proclamation offering high inducements to the whites to migrate west and to make settlements. The inducement - was- four hundred acres of land of these our protecting in fee, to my family, and a preemptive right to the thousand more; in this year 1776. The convention of Va [Virginia] passed a law confirming all rights then acquired by settlers
The rapid increase of the white settlers became [illegible] annoyance to the - Indians, they were
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brought into frequent collision with each other; this led in the end to open warfare which continued not only thro [through] the revolution, but for many years after its termination. Every settlement had a fort, to- [missing part of paper] what they flew for safety when attacked by the Indians. Whilst engaged in their agricultural pursuits, they had their spies,  guards security and rangers to watch the movement, and approach of the Indians. Of this  [illegible] the claimant appears to have been one. As this service is not embraced in this law, his claim is rejected and his papers placed on file. 
Jam

Mr. Rodes Garth
Monticello KY
Record Vol. 28 p. 2
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Monticello Wayne County Ky-[Kentucky]

Dr. Sir
With Difficulty, Mr Joseph West was enabled to attend our county Court, And made his Declaration for a pension before the court, he is now old and very infirm has been a soldier a good part of his life.  I have that paper to enclose his Declaration before the Magistrate
Roger Oatts Esq & your Direction sent with it Back with his present Declaration made in our Court. And we hope a favorable Result
Very Respectfully your friend.
Rodes Garth
John L Edwards Esq
commisioner of Pensions [squiggle line}
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Declaration
of Joseph West
for pension
made in open
Court March 1835
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The Declaration of Joseph West
In order to obtain the Benefit of the
act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
concerning Pensions
On this 24th day of March
1835
Before the County Court of Wayne, in open Court
personally
appeared Joseph West
who is a
Resident of Wayne County Kentucky
aged 72 years and 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 the 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the united
States under the following named officers
and served as herein stated. I the 
said Joseph West, about the first
of April 1778 in montgomery County
State of Virginia, the precise day not
now
Recollected.
By authority of the laws of
Virginia I was Drafted as a
private to guard the frontiers and
forts
on the frontiers and occasionally to act
as Indian Spies, my Captains name was
Thomas Right and Leutenant Drury Ham,
Ensign not
now recollected.
We first met or
rendezvoused at Col James Hendersons
of said County of Montgomery
We then
marched to fort Lafferty on the frontiers
In said said county at that time
and a part of us Remained in the fort guarding it. And small Detachments of
us, were constantly out Ranging as Indian
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Spies.
And Having served out my tour
of three months in said fort, and occasionally
as an Indian spy. I was discharged by my
said Captain in writing at Fort Lafferty
I then returned home. And shortly afterwards removed down on New River, still
in Montgomery County, and in the Bounds
of Capt George Paris
And in about
the first of April 1779. the precise day not
now recollected, I was appointed by
the Captain
George Paris with Drury Ham
in said County as Indian Spies. The
Captain and his company insisted we
should act. I was thus appointed with
said Drury Ham for three months to act
as Indian Spies. we accordingly marched
to fort Lafferty and spied the country
from from the fort down
New River to the Clover Bottom on
Blue Stone, where we met other Spies
from the Blue Stone Settlement, and
returned backwards and forwards a
spying for Indians, untill our tour
of three months again expired. and we
were
discharged by Captain Paris
at the Garison aforesaid In writing
and I returned home.
and about the first of April 1780
the precise day not now recollected
about the time the Indians commonly
infested the frontiers. I was again appoint
Indian Spy with John Jimmerson
by the said Captain George Paris, for
three months in said County of Montgomery
And we again marched to fort
Lafferty and
the
spied over the said
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said
frontiers down
new River to the clover
Bottoms on Blue stone, where we met
other two Spies on every friday from
the Blue Stone Settlement, and we thus continued backwards & forwards
Spying in the said frontiers.
And near
the Experation of this tour, one evening
just before dark, when we were about
to pitch our camp we heard a noise
like that of Turkies. The said Jimerson
said he would go and try to kill one
and meet me at the camp, but against
my advice, for I did not like the sign.
He started and was gone but a short
time,
& I heard a gun fire. And
quickly after I saw Jimmerson running towards me, and two Indians in pursuit of him, I was then in the edge of a laurel
thicket and they passed me
It being
nearly dark and Jimmerson getting in the
Laurel thicket below me which was very
Chick he escaped the Indians, I went in
another direction to an elevated point in
the edge of the thicket of Laurel and watched
all right,
At the dawn of the day ┃
took a direction towards the fort, and got
there in about Ten miles travel, and reported
the circumstances. and five Soldiers with
myself making six started back, towards said
Laurel thicket. And after going about five
miles, we met the said Jimmerson coming
Inn, who was shot thro the Shoulders
And He informed us how he got in the
thick laurel and concaled himself from
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the Indians, we returned to the fort. And
Mathew
Farlow, was ordered & appointed by
Captain
Paris, to take the place of said
Jimmerson with me. I having served out
this my last three months tour. I was
again discharged by Captain Geo. Paris, in
writing At fort Lafferty & I returned home
I got my my house and every thing in
it burnt up about 12 years past, & I
think my three discharges were then burnt
up or were previously lost.
I respectfully claim a compensation for
the said three tours of duty, amounting
to nine months as a private.
I the said Joseph West, was born in Sussex County in the State of Delaware
on the first day of December 1762
By the Record of my Father & mother
But when very young, my Father &
mother, removed to Rockingham in the
State of Virginia, where we lived till
I was about 12 years old. my
Father then Removed to where is now
called Greenbrier, County; But then Montgomery
County. And I lived in Montgomery County
about 20 years. I then removed to
Kentucky in Madison County and there lived 13 years, I then removed to Wayne County
Kentucky, where I now line and have
lived about 27 years-
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I the said Joseph West have now
no Documentary evidence of my said services
and know of no person in this part of
the country By whom I can prove my
said Revolutionary Services.
I the said Joseph West do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or
annuity except the present and declare my
name is not on the pension roll of the
Agency of any State.
I am well known by many persons in
Wayne County, to wit Rubin And Isaac
Bond & Washington Wiley who can testify
to my veracity touching the above declaration
for a pension.
They know and can also
testify of my military services since the revo
lution, with Genl. St Clair, Gail Wayne
& General Jackson at New Orleans
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid in open court

Joseph West
his X mark
me John Emberson
a clergyman residing in the County of Wayne
and David Corinder residing
in the same hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with Joseph West
who has subscribed & sworn to the above
Declaration that we believe him to be 72
years of age, that he is reputed and belived
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in the neighborhood
when he resides, to
have been a soldier of the Revolution
and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day and
year aforesaid
John Emerson
David Corinder
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
as he states
And the Court
further certifys that it appears to them
that John Emberson
who has signed the
preceeding certificate, is a clergyman, resident
in the County of Wayne aforesaid and
that David Corinder, who has also signed
the same is likewise a resident of said
County of
Wayne and is a credible person
and that
their statement is entitled to credit
Roger Oatt J. N.
Joseph Baker P
to Inge one W.
Martin Beaty J.P
Moses Salle J.C
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I William Simpson Clerk of the Court
of Wayne County
do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings
of said court, in the matter of the 
application of Joseph West for a pension
In Testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office
this 24th day of March
the year 1835
William Simpson Clerk
of the Court of Wayne County
[seal affixed with tape]
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32,626
Kentucky
Joseph West

Rejected
113212

[text crossed out]
do 4 Jan 1826 [illegible] 
[text crossed out]
copies sent 19 Jan 38
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1938 Apr. 12. 
Hist. to H.H. West
A.Dy.
11,342
P. O.
Joseph West
Service: ___________
Enlisted:   REJECTED
Discharged: __________

Application filed: 1852 Rejected
and Suspended Pensions book gives Reasons for rejection "Indian ward-frontier defence".

Alleges: _______________
Re-enlisted:  ___________________
Attorney:  ___________________
P. O.  _________________
_______Recognized.
________Cert. of Dis.  Searched for _________
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
214 SOUTH HALL STREET
PHONE, VANDIKE 1818

SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA
2539 33RD AVENUE
PHONE, OVERLAND 8465

[Date seal]
RECEIVED
Mar 28 1938


H. H. WEST COMPANY
Manufacturers' Representative
ESTABLISHED 1907
Los Angeles, California.

CODES:
Bentleys
A.B.C., 6th Ed.
Western Union

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:2
I recently saw a list of the names of Revolutionary War soldiers
whose claims for pensions had been rejected, among which was:
JOSEPH WEST of
Wayne County, Kentucky. Will you please advise where these
rejected claims are kept, so that I can have this application looked
up, as I think he is one of my ancestors.

Thanking you, I am,
Yours very truly,
H. H. West.

HHW/klc