Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,729, Abner Hanks, Va.
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SERVICE NUMBER
Va. Hanks, Abner S. 31,729
CONTENTS
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26612
Indiana
Abner Hanks.
of Johnso Co. in the State of Indiana
who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Harrison of the regt commanded by No Colonel in the Maryland line for 6 months Va
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana
at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 7 day of April 1834 and F M Finch Franklin
Arrears to the 4th of March 60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 10.00
$70.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 114

Order to pay
Letter to Pen Agt 5th Oct 1837.
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50 246
Abner Hanks
Indiana
from 1780 pri
6 months
$20.

F. M. Finch
Franklin
Indiana
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Indiana Towit Johnson Circuit Court
Johnson County March Term A.D. 1834
On this 18. day of March 1834 personally appeared before the Honorable Johnson Circuit Court, now sitting Abner Hanks a resident of said county in the state aforesaid, aged 71. 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 of June 7, 1832.
That he was drafted into the service of the United States in April of the year 1780. under the command of Captain George Harrison. who is the only commissioned officer under whom he served whose name is now recollected: That at the time of entering said service he was a resident of Richmond County in the State of Virginia: That from the point of enlistment. he marched to Leedstown in said state; and while at said place an express arrived informing of the contemplated attempt of the British to land in the Chesapeake Bay and requesting aid. where upon a second draft was made, and it was the lot of this applicant to be drafted for said expedition, That from the time when he entered the service as aforesaid until his discharge he was constantly engaged in the service as aforesaid until his discharge he was constantly engaged in the service of the United States for a period not less than three months.
That afterwards and immediately subsequent to his return home from the performance of the duties aforesaid, he was again drafted into the service of the United States under the Command of George Sisson and other officers none of whose names are now recollected: That in this last term of service he was engaged three months principally in guarding the transportation of provisions, and other necessaries of the armies. in that part of the country. That at the end of said term this applicant was regularly discharged; but whether that discharge was written or orally given he cannot now recollect. - it being the custom then to discharge militia-men both ways: That he has no documentary or other written evidence of his service; and that the whole period thereof was not less than six months. 
Herewith he presents the affidavit of Samuel Dunaway a citizen of Kentucky who is cognizant of the services. by this applicant performed as aforesaid
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
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state or territory.
And in answer to the interrogatories here now propounded by the Court, the said applicant saith.
1. That as he is informed and believes he was born in Richmond County in the state of Virginia in the year 1763.
2. That he has no record of his age.
3. That when called into service he was a resident of Richmond County Virginia, afterwards of Henry County Kentucky, & now of Johnson County Indiana
4. That he was drafted into service
5. That he recollects the names of none of the regular officers who were with the troops with whom he served.
7 That he is known to William Irwin a clergyman and Richard Foster both of whom are his neighbors, whose affidavits are hereto annexed
Ab Hs
Sworn to and subscribed March 18. 1834 in open Court hanks
Saml Herriott Clk
We William Irwin a clergyman residing in Johnson County Indiana and Richard Foster residing in the same hereby certify that we are acquainted with Abner Hanks who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 71. years old; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution; and that we concur in that opinion.
William Irwin
Richard Foster
Sworn to & subscribed in open court March 18. 1834
Saml Harriott Clerk
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 certify that it appears to them that William Irwin who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Johnson County; and that
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Richard Foster who has also signed the same is a resident of said county and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
B F Morris
Daniel Boaz
William Keaton
I Samuel Harriott Clerk of the Circuit Court for the County of Johnson do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Abner Hanks for
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the 18th. day of March 1834
Saml Harriott
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January 3, 1933.
BA-J/ILL
The Memorial Branch xxxxxxxxx
Office of The Quartermaster General Abner Hanks
War Department S. 31729
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request data for headstone for Abner Hanks, a Revolutionary War soldier.
The record given below is obtained from the appears on file in pension claim, S. 31729, based upon the service of Abner Hanks in that war.
Abner Hanks was born in 1763 in Richmond County, Virginia.
While a resident of Richmond County, Virginia, he enlisted in April, 1780, and served three months as a private in Captain George Harrison's Virginia Company. Immediately after his return home, he enlisted and served three months in Captain George Sisson's Virginia Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 18, 1834, while a resident of Johnson County, Indiana; he had moved to Indiana from Henry County, Kentucky.
There are no data relative to his family.
The application for headstone of Abner Hanks and all correspondence pertaining thereto are returned herewith.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Assistant to Administrator.
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Henry County Sct.
This day Samuel Dunaway personally appeared before me one Price Nuttall a Justice of the Peace in and for said County & made oath that Abner Hanks now a Citizen of Johnson County Indiana Served with this Deponent in the state of Virginia as a Militiaman of the said state, in the revolutionary war for the term of six months, the fifth tower under Capt. George Harrison the second under Capt. George Sisson, & this deponent further saith that the said Abner Hanks was raised in the same neighborhood, with him the Said Deponent (to wit) in the County of Richmond & State of Virginia where the afforesaid services was rendered & further this deponent saith not, Given under my Hand as a Justice of the Peace in and for said County this 4th November 1833.
Price Nuttall. J.P.H.C. Seal
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Henry County Towit,
I Edmund P. Thomas Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do Certify that Price Nuttall before whom the foregoing deposition was taken is a Justice of the Peace in and for the sd County of Henry duly commissioned and qualified
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and that full faith and credit is due and ought to be given to all his acts as such-
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at New Castle this 6th day of November 1833 and in the 42d. year of the Commonwealth
Test Edmd. P. Thomas C

State of Kentucky
Henry County Sct
I Elijah Clubb oldest and presiding magistrate in and for said County do Certify that Edmund P. Thomas who has certified the foregoing is clerk of the County Court for said County and his Certificate is in due form of Law. Given under my hand and seal this 6th day of November 1833
Elijah Clubb Seal
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April 14, 1931.
Mr. P. M. Meehl Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
Marshall, Minnesota. MMHF: ILL

Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31729, that Abner Hanks was born in 1763 in Richmond County, Virginia.
While a resident of Richmond County, Virginia, he enlisted in April, 1780 and served three months as a private in Captain George Harrison's Virginia Company. Immediately after his return home, he enlisted and served three months in Captain George Sisson's Virginia Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 18, 1834, while a resident of Johnson County, Indiana, to which state he had moved from Henry County, Kentucky.
There are no data relative to his family.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.
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Rev. & 1812
Wars Section
ILL
August 29, 1930.
August 29, 1930.
Hon. C. C. Dowell
House of Representatives, U.S.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Dowell:
Reference is made to your letter of August 25th in which you request for Mrs. E. C. Brooks, of Knoxville, Iowa, the information relative to the Revolutionary War record of Mr. Abner Hanks.
You are advised that the history of the above named soldier, Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31729, has been furnished her this day.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner
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Rev. & 1812
Wars Section
ILL
August 29, 1930.
Mrs. E. C. Brooks
Knoxville, Iowa.

Dear Madam:
As requested by Hon. C. C. Dowell on August 25, 1930, you are furnished herewith the history of the Revolutionary War soldier, Abner Hanks.
From the papers in the pension claim, S. 31729, it appears that Abner Hanks was born in 1763 in Richmond County, Virginia.
While a resident of Richmond County, Virginia, he enlisted in April 1780 and served three months as a private in Captain George Harrison's Virginia Company. Immediately after his return home, he enlisted and served three months in Captain George Sisson's Virginia Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March, 18, 1834, while a resident of Johnson County, Indiana, to which State he moved from Henry County, Kentucky.
There are no data on file regarding a family.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.
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Rev. & 1812
Wars Section
ILL 
June 14, 1930.
Mr. O. F. Woodward
Masonic Temple
Marshall, Minnesota.

Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31729, it appears that Abner Hanks was born in 1763 in Richmond County, Virginia.
While a resident of Richmond County, Virginia, he enlisted in April 1780 and served three months as a private in Captain George Harrison's Virginia Company. Immediately after his return home, he enlisted and served three months in Captain George Sisson's Virginia Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March, 18, 1834, while a resident of Johnson County, Indiana, to which State he moved from Henry County, Kentucky.
There are no data on file as to his family.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.
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MMHF
Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
MMHF/eel 
February 28, 1929
Mrs. Paul Byers
Franklin
Indiana

Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31729, it appears that Abner Hanks was born in 1763 in Richmond County, Virginia.
While a resident of Richmond County, Virginia, he enlisted in April 1780 and served three months as a private in Captain George Harrison's Virginia Company. Immediately after his return home, he enlisted and served three months in Captain George Sisson's Virginia Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March, 18, 1834, while a resident of Johnson County, Indiana, to which State he moved from Henry County, Kentucky.
There are no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section MMHF
April 25, 1924
N. J. Robinson, Atty.,
Tracy, Minn.

Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31729, it appears that Abner Hanks was born in 1763 in Richmond County, Virginia.
While a resident of Richmond County, Virginia, he enlisted in April 1780 and served three months as a private in Captain George Harrison's Virginia Company. Immediately after his return home, he enlisted and served three months in Captain George Sisson's Virginia Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March, 18, 1834, while a resident of Johnson County, Indiana, to which State he moved from Henry County, Kentucky.
There are no data on file regarding a family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Date of death not on AB.
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In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Abner Hanks, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. File 31,729
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. STATE
Apl. 1780 3 mos. Pvt. George Harrison Va.
3 mos. George Sisson
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Richmond Co., Va.
Date of application for pension, Mch. 18, 1834.
Residence at date of application, Johnson Co. Indiana
Age at date of application, born in 1763 in Richmond Co. Va.
Remarks: His claim was allowed - No family data.
Very respectfully,
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February 4, 1931.
Bureau of Pensions. 
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section. 541
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rev. War claim for pension of Abner
Hanks, File No. S.31729. Actual 1 of each page
See Charles Allen, S, 36399.
xxx 90c.... 6 pages
Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corresponding name and number. 
The word "omit" written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
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P. M. Meehl
COUNTY ATTORNEY ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
LYON COUNTY, MINN. Marshall, Minn.
March 23, 1931
United States
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C. 
U. S. PENSION OFFICE B
MAR 26 1931
Gentlemen: Re: Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
I am enclosing herewith the blank which you remitted to me with as much information as I am able to get.
Thanking you, I am
Yours truly
PMM:HT Meehl
ENC.--
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IN REPLY REFER TO 3-2562
Rev. and 1812 UNITED STATES
Wars Section. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
AWF:MLB WASHINGTON March 4, 1931
Mr. P. M. Meehl
Marshall
Minnesota
Dear Sir:
I advise you that the data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained in your letter.
Please fill out each of the blank spaces below, as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this bureau.
First name of widow
Full name of soldier Abner Hanks
Residence of soldier at enlistment Virginia
Residence of soldier after service Indiana
Name of state from which he enlisted Virginia
Approximate date of birth
Approximate date of death
Kindly return attached letter with your reply.
Respectfully,
E. W. Morgan
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
U. S. PENSION OFFICE B
MAR 26 1931
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P. M. Meehl
COUNTY ATTORNEY ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
LYON COUNTY, MINN. Marshall, Minn.
February 11, 1931
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I would appreciate a letter from you setting forth the record of Abner Hanks, whom I understand, served in the Revolutionary Army.
Thanking you, I am
Yours truly,
PMM:HT
Rev P. M. Meehl
U. S. PENSION OFFICE B
MAR 26 1931
U. S. PENSION OFFICE B
FEB 14 1931
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House of Representatives U.S.
COMMITTEE ON ROADS
Washington, D.C.
SEVENTY-FIRST CONGRESS
CASSIUS C. DOWELL, IOWA, CHAIRMAN
CHARLES BRAND, OHIO EDWARD S. ALMON, ALA.
JOE J. MANLOVE, MO. C. B. HUDSPETH, TEX.
DON B. COLTON, UTAH BOLIVAR E. KEMP, LA.
W. H. SPROUL, KANS. LINDSAY WARREN, N.C.
JOHN M. NELSON, WIS. WILBURN CARTWRIGHT, OKLA.
ROBERT H. CLANCY, MICH. OLIVER H. CROSS, TEX.
CONRAD G. SELVIG, MINN. CLAUDE A. FULLER, ARK.
C. MURRAY TURPIN, PA.
ROWLAND L. JOHNSTON, MO.
FRANK M. RAMEY, ILL.
JOSEPH C. SHAFFER, VA.
ALBERT G. SIMMS, N. MEX.
J. ROLAND KINZER, PA.
JOE N. JENNESS, CLERK
August 25, 1930.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
U. S. PENSION OFFICE 
AUG 27 1930

Dear Sir:---
I am in receipt of a letter from Mrs. E. C. Brooks, of Knoxville, Iowa, making request for information relative to the Revolutionary War Record of Mr. Abner Hanks, from which I quote the following:
"Can you furnish me with a copy of the pension record of Abner Hanks, a revolutionary soldier from Richmond County, Va. There is a possibility that when he applied for pension he was living in Johnson Co. Indiana. I am very anxious to learn all possible about him, expecially in regard to his service in the A. Revolutionary War."
Will you please send to Mrs. Brooks, such information as you may have relative to Abner Hanks, and oblige,
Yours very truly,
C C Dowell
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RW.
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COLLECTIONS PHONES.
AND OFFICE 365-J
INSURANCE RESIDENCE 484-W
O. F. WOODARD
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
SPECIAL ATTENTION TO PROBATE WORK
OFFICE IN MASONIC TEMPLE
MARSHALL, MINNESOTA.
Office of Commissioner Apl. 10th-1930.
of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
To said Commissioner,----
I am asked by one Mrs. Skyhawk, who is the granddaughter of Abner Hanks, of Revolutionary days, to write you for the war record of said Abner Hanks who was a soldier, at any rate a pensioner, of the U. S. Government, on account of the Revolutionary war.
She tells me that such record was procured by the family once before and has been used and lost in making application for membership in the D. A. R.
She wishes also to join such organization and will greatly appreciate the necessary record proof, on account of the said Abner Hanks, or regarding him.
Yours truly,
O. F. Woodard
U S PENSION OFFICE A
APR 14 1930
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RECORDS
JAN 7 1922
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2-1 ct stamped
envelope enclosed.
Rev Sec Aw
Fort Madison, Iowa.
Jan. 5, 1922.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Do you have the Revolutionary War Records of Abner Hanks, who served in the Virginia Militia as a Minute Man and of one William Jay from Virginia?
I need these official records to become a D.A.R. and would be very grateful for your help.
Yours truly,
Mildred Menefee
1123-3rd St.
Fort Madison, Ia.
U S. PENSION OFFICE A
JAN 7 1922
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Rev War
Fort Madison, Ia. 3-28-'22
Commissioner of Pensions;
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir;
I have at hand your information concerning the Revolutionary record of Abner Hanks, but it is lacking in the date of his death, or time pension was discontinued.
Have you the datum on this? 
Thanking you in advance
I am
Very truly yours,
Mildred Menefee
1123-3rd. St.
Fort Madison,
Iowa
As her letter in regard to soldier's death was forwarded to Auditor on Apr 8, 1922 -
This needs no reply-
AW
U. S. PENSION OFFICE. F
MAR 31 1922
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U. S. PENSION OFFICE F
JUN 11 1928
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U. S. PENSION OFFICE F
JUN 11 1928
Franklin, Ind.,
June 6, 1928.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear sir:- I would appreciate it very much if you will send me the record of service of my great great grandfather, Abner Hanks who served in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted from Ky. although Ky. at that time was a part of Virginia. He drew the pension for his service. I do not know the names of any of his wives but I have been told that he was married more than once, He is buried
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near the Johnson Brown county line in Ind.
Any information you can give me about him will be greatly appreciated. I am very anxious to know the names of all his children and the names of his wives. I would also like to know just how he was related to Nancy Hanks the mother of Abraham Lincoln. 
Accept my sincere thanks for the trouble I know this will be,
Yours truly,
Mrs. Paul Byers,
Franklin,
Ind.
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N. J. ROBINSON
ATTORNEY AT LAW
TRACY, MINN. March. 22nd, 1924
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington D. C. U. S. PENSION OFFICE MAR 26 1924
Gentlemen;-
I wish that you would let me know if we can in any manner get the war record, or a copy of the certificate of discharge of Abner Hanks, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, His descendants thinks that he enlisted from Virginia, and died in about the year 1848, He lived in Northern Indiana at the time of his death.
They want his record so as to establish their eligibility to join the Daughters of the American Revolution,
Yours Very Truly,
N J Robinson
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1931 Feb. 20. Photos mailed to Landon C. Bell, See Charles Allen (A.D.Y.) S. 36392
1931 - April 14 - Hist. to P. M. Meehl - ILL.
1933 - June 4 - Record furnished Q.M., War Dept - for tombstone - ILL
31729
Revy INVALID.
File No. 31,729
Abner Hanks
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 173
Arrangement of 1870.
1912 Feb. 15 Hist. to Mrs Sophia T. Deer, letter in Josiah Tanner W. File 9503 C
1922 Jan 20. HIst. to Mildred Menefee AW.
1922 Apr. 8. Letter of M. Menefee to Auditor for death date. AW
1924 - Apr. 25 - Hist. to M. J. Robinson MMHF
1926 Apr. 27, Hist to Rev W. E. Barton (see cor. in Thos. Hanks. Va. P. 4871) AW
1927 - Nov. 10 - Rev Wm E Barton advised only ones who enl. fr. Va & tracing of signature sent. See Cl. of Thomas Hanks- MMHF
1929 - Feb. 28 - Hist to Mrs. Paul Byers. MMHF.
1930 - June 14 - Hist. to Mr. O. F. Woodard - ILL
1930 - Aug. 29 - Hist. to Mrs. E. C. Brooks: Hon. C. C. Dowell advised. ILL.