Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9,179, James Clatterbuck, Va.
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(8-1776)
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1. Va. Clatterbuck, James. S:9.179
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[top right] 12 351
Virginia
James Clatterbuck
of Madison in the State of Va
who was a Pr: [Private] in the [blank space] commanded
by Captain Bradley of the [blank space] commanded
by [blank space] in the [drawn five-point star with blank dot in the middle]
[illegible] for 15 months -
[drawn five-point star with blank dot in the middle]
[right aligned] Va. Line. Nov. 26/04.
Records completed. [illegible by may be JC initials]
inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 50 Dollars - [blank space] Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Apr.
and [illegible] Belfield Cave/clk/Madison
Arrears to the 4th of March 1880  100-
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. --  25
[double sum line]
$125-
{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act Jun3 7, 1832}
Recorded by Nathaiul [Nathaniel?] Rice Clerk
Book E Vol 6 Page 4
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Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
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Virginia Madison County SS
On this 24th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Madison now siting James Clatterbuck a resident of Madison County and State of Virginia aged Seventy^two years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on this 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 and served as herein stated In the year 1776 or 1777 It was as well as my memory serves me the first draft that took place from the County of Culpeper in Virginia an acquaintace [sic] of mine by the name of Elijah Beckum was drafted for a Tour of three months and I substituted myself for him. The Company to which I was attached was Commanded by Capt. Wm. Bradley
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2 The Regiment I believe was Commanded by Col. Alcock. I marched to Heidalers [Hunters?] Fourge [sic] [Forge] and Falmouth and remained in and near those places occasionally keeping a look out on the Potomac and Rappahannoc [Rappahannock] Rivers, At the expiration of the three months I served for Beckum my own tour came on and I had to continue in the same service on my own account for another three months. On further reflection I believe the first tour was on my own account and the next Tour was the one that I was Beckhams substitute. The last tour was under Capt. Wm Staunton and my impresseon [impression?] and belief is that Col. Edward Stevens, (shortly after Genl. E. Stevens) commanded the Regiment to which I was attached It was not many months after I returned from performing this last Tour that I was again drafted for a Tour. I cant say whether it was Two or three months, from the County and State I was first drafted, The Captain to whose Company I was attached this third
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was commanded by Capt. Robt. Pollard, The Col of the Regiment I cant recollect the Troops with which I served this third Tour was commanded by Gen'l Mathews I marched this third tour to the neighborhood of Williamsburg in Virginia and a part of the time stationed at Sandy point on the James River during my stay at and in the neighborhood of Sandy Point their (there) was a small engagement with the Enemy, the Regular Troops were principally concerned.
It was I think in the year 1779 that I was again drafted for a tour in the militia from the County and State I resided in when first drafted.  This was my fourth tour the company to which I was attached was commanded by Capt. John Waugh, the Col of the regiment has escaped by memory at this time.  From Culpeper County in Virginia I marched to the neighborhood of Richmond Va and in that section I joined the troops under Genl. Mathews, the American
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and British army during this said fourth tour came in contact at Petersburg Virginia and I have the consolation of believing that my duty as a soldier was faithfully performed during the engagement I discharged my musket thirteen times and at last I had to retreat and destroy a bridge in our rear  The facts of this engagement and many other incidents are very fresh in my memory but for want of education the days or the dates the name of the officers and other occurrences are floating in my mind somewhat in confusion.  
It was in the year 1780 or 1781 that I was again drafted for a tour of two or three months I don't remember which from the County and State I resided in when first drafted.  The Cap't to whose company I was attached was commanded by Capt. Gillerson  The Troops with which I served this Tour was under the command of Gen. Edard Stevens
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during this my fourth Tour. I was marched to the State of South Carolina and remained a short time in and near 
Moncks Corner 

The Enemy at this time had possession of Charleston and without being able to effect any thing of much interest we had to take up the line of march back to Virginia - hard marching and hard times  were at this time quite familiar to me

Yet I cant for my life say the month or date of the begining or end of this tour, In the month of August or Sept. 1781 
I was again drafted for a Tour of three months from the County and state I resided in when first drafted, I was again attached to the Company under the Command of Capt Pollard and again Commissioned by Genl. Stevens

I was marched to the neighborhood of Richmond and then to the vicinity of Yorktown and was present at the
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Commencement of the Siege, and  actively engaged from the beginning to the end After the surrender of the British army under Lord Cornwallis I was engaged in guarding the prisoners to Winchester Virginia where I was discharged by Genl. Stevens.

The discharge from this and other Tours long since lost, The whole of my service so far as I can now remember is fifteen months - but one fact I well remembered was absent from home in performing the diferent Tours more than Two years and how to account for my act being able to remember more than I do is what astonishes me 

I was born in  the County of Caroline Va and have resided in Madison County and Culpepper from a Boy, I have no record of my age but have no doubt that the account given is correct. The affidavits of Mason Colvin & Humphrey Major are herewith referred to, My neighbors William Kemper  Col. Henry Hill and John Massey are referred to as to my character and standing in society.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
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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 State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
James Clatterbuck 
his mark X

Mr Jno Kehler
a clergyman residing in the County of Madison Virginia and Henry Hill residing in the same hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with James Clatterbuck who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy two years of age; 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 

Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Jno Kehler
Henry Hill

[illegible round seal attached]
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Virginia.  At a Court held for Madison County the 27th day of September 1832.  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 John Kibler who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the County of Madison, and that Henry Hill who has also signed the same is a resident in said county + is a credible person + that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Belfield Cave, Clerk of the Court of said county, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Clatterbuck for a pension.
I, Belfield Cave, Clerk of the Court of said county, to hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of James Clatterbuck for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15th day of October 1832.
Belfield Cave, Clerk
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Virginia, Madison County, to-wit:
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, James Clatterbuck 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 services, but according to the best of his recollection, he served no less than the periods mentioned below, and in the grade of Soldier, for the years mentioned in the declaration to which this is an amendment, I served no less than fifteen months, and for such service I claim a pension.
1 Where and in what year were you born.
- Answer Culpeper County, Virginia.  I am in my seventy third year
2 Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it
- Answer I have no record of my age - if I had I could not read it
3 Where were you living when called into service.  Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live
- Answer I lived in Culpeper County when called into service.  I have lived in Culpeper and Madison County ever since the beginning of the Revolutionary War
4 Question I have answered in the body of my declaration
5 Question
- Answered in the body of my declaration
6 Question Did you ever receive a discharge from the service + if so by whose order was it
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given and what has become of it
Answer The discharging was given me by the captains named in my declaration and they have been long since lost
7 Question.  Answered in the body of my declaration to which this amendment is an appendage, Given under my hand and seal this 22nd day of March 1833 - 
James Clatterbuck his mark
C. R. Gibbs
State of Virginia, Madison County
I Belfield Cave Clerk of the County Court of said county, certify that Charles R. Gibbs in an acting Justice of the peace in an for said county and duly authorized to administer an oath, and that the signature above purporting to be his, is his genuine signature.  In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 22 day of March 1833.
Belfield Cave, CMC
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9179
Invalid.
Revtran
File No. 9179
James Clatterbuck
Ser Rev War
Act:  June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. W, Page 65
(Arrangement of 1870.)
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Jas Clatterbuck
Admit for 15 months as a private $50.00
Belfield Cave Esq
clk Madison CH
B. Cave Va
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which these answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claims of James Clatterbuck, Madison Co. Virg. 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?  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
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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 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?
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 to 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?  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?  All answered but 6
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. H. 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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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 i 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 mush 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 corp 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 in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and 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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Humphrey Major Certificate
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I Mason Colvin of the County of Culpeper in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that in the War of the Revolution I was drafted in the County where I then resided and State reside three different time to perform tours in the Militia; and I am under the impression that each tour was for three months - and further certify that James Clatterbuck now residing in the County of Madison was likewise drafted and served in the same Regiment with me three tours.  I am not positive what year any of the tours was performed except the last which was at the siege of (illegible)
Mason Colvin his mark
Culpeper County, to Wit.  This day came before the inscriber a Justice of the Peace in the County aforesaid, Mason Colvin and was sworn to and subscribed his name, to the above certificate of the Revolutionary Service of James Clatterbuck.  Given under my hand this 20th day of August 1832.
Wm Walden
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I Humphrey Majors of the County of Madison and State of Virginia do hereby certify that James Clatterbuck of the County of Madison and State of Virginia was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution and drafted to serve from the County of Culpeper Virginia (illegible) after I was myself in the service with him about six months and I have reason to believe that he performed several tours when I was not in service.  Given under my hand and seal this 19th day of Sep. 1832
Humphrey Major Seal
The above sworn to before me this 19th day of Sept. 1832.  Given under my hand and seal.
Chs R. Gibbs