Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3,334, John Ellison, Va.
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Virginia Service
John Ellison
Number S 3334
Born N. J. 
carded
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Ohio 7723
John Ellison of Fayette, in the State of Ohio, who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Quiggs of the Regt—commanded by --- in the Virginia Military line for fifteen months.

Transcribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of $50.00 per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of March 1833 and sent to S. Beckley, Burlington, Ohio.

Appears to the 4th of March 1833, semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep. 1833.
100,00
25.00
---------
$125.00

Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by William R. Palmer, Clerk. Book E, Vol. 8, page 7.
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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress papers June 7, 1832.

State of Ohio
Lawrence County
Court of Common Pleas of August Term 1832

On this 28th day of August 1832, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Please held at Burlington, in and for the county of Lawrence aforesaid, now sitting, John Ellison, a resident of Fayette Township in the county of Lawrence aforesaid, aged about 70 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 7 June 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers. I served herein stated -

Firstly - In the year 1777 - as he believes - he resided in Bedford County, Virginia - now Franklin County - he enlisted as a Volunteer for the Term of three months in the Compnay Commanded by Captain Rentfro - for the purpose of guarding the county against the Indians - Enlisted at Bedford County - immediately marched to place of [Rendequory?] - at Big Springs in Botetourt. From thence went with Company to Widow Konts on Round Oak Creek, Northfork - thence to Robert Kings near the hill of said creek. Thence marched to Withur's J. Pott on Sinking Creek - Remained in Botetourt during the whole term - at the expiration of which he was discharged - signed by Captain Wm. Renfro - which discharge has been long since lost - Discharged at Robert Kings on Round Oak - It was in the summer season - went home in the fall - don't remember the month.
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Discharged by the same Lieutenant Preston Gilbert - His Discharge has been long since lost.

Thirdly - In the same Fall he believes - he was again drafted from Bedford County to perform a Term of three months service - he obeyed his draft, entered the service under Captain John Triggs, remained with him at New London some days - then marched toward Newfolk, Virginia - went three miles - when we were met by Col. English - who brought near that our service, were not needed - and this declared we then Discharged with the next Company. There were about 100 men in all.

Fourthly, in the year 1780, in the Fall, this testament, along with others, marched with a regt. volunteered to perform a Term of three months service - Declarant enlisted into Captain Artur's Company, who was quickly after succeeded by Capt. John Smith - marched from Bedford County to Peterburgh in Virginia - then he continued till about Christmas when Declarent and all the Regt. were discharged by Col. Lynch, who had commanded the Regt. - The [illegible] Officer in Declarent's Company were 1 Lieutenant Mon Green and Lieutenant George Turnbull, Ensign James Burns, Orderly Sergt. Gay Smith, Major Lawson - he thinks. Was in no battles - did camp duty at Petersburgh - Lay close by Bannister Bridge.

Fifthly - In the year 1781 - sometime before the surrender  of Cornwall's, he was, again, drafted from Bedford County to perform a Term of three months - marched under Captain John Triggs from Bedford to Yorktown - arrived there about the commencement of the siege - was there during the whole seige and after the surrender. Was Discharged (about three or four days after) by Capt. Triggs and went home.

This Declarent would here state positively that all the above terms of service were performed - faithfully - and in all cases, he was duly Discharged. But he is not certain that they were performed in the order of time stated above. His greatest doubt is about the period when he served the 2nd Term above specified. It may be that it was performed after the 3rd Term above specified. 

1. He says he was born in East Jersey in Burlington County - and moved to Pennsylvania, Maryland, near Baltimore.
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next to Bedford in Virginia when he was about nine or ten years old. Remained there till about 1810 - except he was in Montgomery County, and other places, two or three years. Lived in that part of Bedford which was sent off to Franklin County and came to Lawrence County, Ohio, in 1810 where he has been and now resides.

2. He has no record of his age - believes he was born Sept. 9, 1761.

3. Resided in Bedford, now Franklin, in Virginia during the War.

4. Entered the service as before stated, as a Volunteer and a substitute for his Father. He was drafted and Volunteered and lastly, he was a Substitute for his father.

65. Cannot name any other Officers, particularly Washington and La Fayette [illegible] .

He served as a Private in all cases - was always Discharged as he before stated. All which lost or misplaced many years ago.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever 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.

He has no documentary evidence nor any witness by whom he can prove his service in this section of county. He knows of no persons to refer to who can state any particular [illegible] evidence of his service. Except Judge Wm. Miller and Elisha B. Greene have heard something in relation to his service and whom he wishes to be examined. 
Attest, Jos. Wheeler, Clerk

Mr. Elisha B. Greene and William Miller, residents of Burlington, in this county of Lawrence, do certify that we are well acquainted with John Ellison, who has submitted and sworn to the above Declaration, and that we believe him to be 70 years of age. And the said William Miller says he has heard said John Ellison and his father, who was in the Revolution, often talk of this service years ago, and he believes that his father has no doubt of the services of said John Ellison. And the said Elisha B. Greene says he has often talked with Ellison on the subject of his service in the Revolution and has heard said Ellison speak of his services as stated in his Declaration years ago. And he believes he has heard one Overstreet of this county, a Revolutionary soldier, speak of said Ellison's service. And said Miller and Greene agree, in opinion, that said Ellison was a soldier in the Revolution, but they cannot say that it is a matter of general reputation that he was a soldier; neither had they heard it doubted that said Ellison was a soldier. There have been nothing either way except by above set forth.

[Signed]
Elisha B. Greene
Wm. Miller

Sworn to and submitted this day and year aforesaid.
Attest, Jos. Wheeler, Clerk.
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogating prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further states and satisfies that William Miller and Elisha B. Green, who have subscribed the foregoing certificate (no Clergyman having any acquaintances with said applicant being resident in the neighborhood which resides in Burlington as stated, are persons well known to the Court as credible persons and not their statements are entered  to and it.

I, Joseph Wheeler, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of John Ellison for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 28 day of August 1832, and of this State, the thirteenth.
[Signed] Jos. Wheeler, Clerk.
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Declaration of John Ellison for a Pension

Entered in Court, August 28, 1832

7266
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7266
John Ellison
Ohio

Admitted from 1777.
15 months
$50.

S. Beckley
Burlington, Ohio
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7266

Breief in the case of John Ellison, Fayette Township, Lawrence County in the State of Ohio.
(Act 7th June 1832)

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

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [no answer]

3. How old is he? About 70 years

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

In 1777 drafted 3 months as a Private under Capt. Rentfro.

In 1778 or 1779 served 3 months as a Substitute for his father, Amos Ellison, as a Private under Lieut. Gilbert.

In the same Faa, he believes served 3 months as a Private under Capt. John Triggs.

In 1780, he served 3 months as a Private under Capt. Arthur

In 1781, he served 3 months as a Private under Capt. John Triggs.

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bedford County, Virginia.

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

Rev. & 1812 War Section

November 24, 1926

Claude S. Phillips
Box 1454
Charleston, W. Va.

Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S 3334, it appears that JOHN ELLISON was born September 9, 1761, in Burlington County, New Jersey, and was the son of Amos.

While living forty miles west of New London (the Court House), Bedford (later Franklin) County, Virginia, he enlisted and served as  private with the Virginia troops as follows:

From the summer of 1777, three months in Captain William Rentfro's Company.

In 1778 or 1779, three months in Lieutenant Preston Gilbert's Company, as a substitute for his father, Amos Ellison.

In the fall of the same year, about three months in Captain John Trigg's Company.

In the fall of 1780, nearly three months in Captain Arthur's and John Smith's Companies, Colonel Lynch's Regiment.
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In the fall of 1781, about three months in Captain John Trigg's Company, as a substitute for his father, Amos Ellison; he was in the siege of Yorktown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, at which time he was living in Fayette Township, Lawrence County, Ohio.

There are no further data on file relative to his family.

Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner
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7266

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Ellison which require further proof of 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 application did not make the declaration in the county where re 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?  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?  yes
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 & has a device
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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?  certified by two citizens
XII  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  yes  There is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood
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?  yes
XIV + If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
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 ++ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  yes
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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8 
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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. 
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 be 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 authenticated 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 end 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.
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MMHF

December 2, 1926

Claud S. Phillips
Charleston, PO Box 1454
West VA.

Sir:

I have to advise you relative to the Revolutionary War pension claim of John Ellison, S. 3334, that there is no data on file relative to his family except the reference to his father.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid, and possibly the date of his death, you should apply to the Civil Division, General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. citing all of the following data:
"John Ellison, Certificate No. 7723, issued March 23, 1833, rate $50 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Ohio Agency"

Respectfully
Winfield Scott 
Commissioner
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Charleston, W. Va., Nov. 29, 1926

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Department of Interior
Washington, D.C.

In re:  John Ellison-S. 3334
Rev. and 1812 War Section

Dear Sir:
Please accept my thanks for the very complete report sent me on November 24, 1926, on the Revolutionary Pension status of the above captioned soldier.  By means of the same I have been able to clarify the claim of my daughter to D.A.R. membership.  One thing, however, is lacking, that I presume your records will establish, namely the date of death, as there was evidently something to warrant the discontinuance of pension, unless it was paid to a widow.  If there was a widow, we have no record, as several valuable family records have been destroyed by fire, and by careless people.
Anything you may supply as to the date of death, and termination of pension, will be greatly appreciated.

Very respectfully
Claude S. Phillips
P.O. Box 1454
Charleston, W. Va.
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P.O. Box 1454 Charleston, W.  Va.,
September 27, 1926

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Will you kindly refer to the record of Revolutionary Pensioners, and give me as complete a record as the rolls show of JOHN ELLISON, private Virginia Militia, referred to in "Report from Secretary of War, 1835, (double paged)-(513-514) Vol. iii, p. 158 under "Ohio" - Lawrence County-(tabulated form), which states - 

"JOHN ELLISON, private, annual allowance $50.00; sums received, $150.00; Virginia Militia; March 28-(or 23), 1833; commencement of pension March 4, 1831; age 72."

This soldier is referred to in McAllister's "Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary war", by J.T. McAllister, 1913, p 270 under Part V.-"Alphabetical List of Pensioners residing outside of Virginia in 1835, who pensions were granted for services as Virginia Militiamen":-

JOHN ELLISON, age 72, residing in Lawrence Co. , Ohio."

Please give me the command, where enlisted, under what officers, age, date of death, place of residence in Virginia and Ohio, as well as any reference to family.

Very truly
Claude S. Phillips
Box 1454, Charleston, W. Va.
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Revolutionary
3334

INVALID

File No. 3334
John Ellison
Pri. Va. Ma.

Act:  June 7m '32
Index:-Vol. A., Page 112

Arrangement of 1870

1926 Nov 24.  hist to Claude S. Phillips
1926 Dec 2 Claude S. Phillips advised have to obtain date of last payment ??
MMFH