Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 31239, for Alexander Major, Maryland
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Service
MD

Name
Major, Alexander

Number
S.31239
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13509
Kentucky
Alexander Major
of Hopkins Co in the state of Kentucky
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Hunter of the Reft commanded
by Col Buckhan in the MD 
line for 7 months

Inscribed on the roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 23 dollars 33 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of May 1833 and sent to James
Woodson, Madisonville

Arrears to the 4th of March $46.66
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept $11.66
$58.32

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk
Book E Vol 7 Page 18
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State of Kentucky 
Hopkins County } ss  (A)
On this 14th day of January 1833 personally 
appeared in open Court before the Justices of the 
Court for the County of Hopkins aforesaid now 
sitting Alexander Major a resident in sd County 
& stated aged seventy six 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 1830
That he entered the service of the United States 
under the following named officers and served 
as herein stated 
He states that he was born in Philadelphia 
County in the State of Pennsylvania 
on the 30th day of September 1756 that when 
he was about twelve or thirteen years of age
he removed with his father James Major 
to the State of Maryland and settled in 
the County of Baltimore in sd State where 
the Revolution found him that some 
time after the commencement of the Revolution he substituted for his father, James Major 
aforesaid in the County of Baltimore aforesd.
for three months under Captain William Hutson 
and Lieut Joshua Hutson of the Maryland 
of militia that he rendezvoused at [?] 
Town in the aforesaid County of Baltimore & marched thence  to the City of Baltimore 
where he joined Colonel Buckhanan or Bohanan
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of the Maryland Militia under whose command he remained in the City of Baltimore 
aforesaid until his term expired when 
he was discharged and returned home 
He received no written discharge 
He states that from the decay of memory consequent on age and infirmity he cannot 
state the dates of his services 
He states that shortly after he returned 
home as aforesaid he was drafted for three
months under Capt & Lieut Hutson aforesaid 
and Ensign Benjamin Todd that he 
rendezvoused in the neighborhood of his 
father aforesaid and marched thence 
to the City of Baltimore where he again 
joined Colonel Buckhanon or Bohanon 
aforesaid and after serving under his 
command one month, he was discharged 
and returned home. he 
received no written discharge 
He states that the Enemy were expected 
to attack the City while he was there but 
did not do so he further states that 
he saw at Baltimore a Colonel John 
Howard but whether he was a Continental 
or Militia Officer he does not 
recollect but he well recollects that said 
Colo Howard marched with his command 
Northwardly and this applicant afterwards
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understood that his Soldiers suffered much 
from the inclemency of the weather being insufficiently clad.
He states that after he returned from the aforesaid second tour he removed to Frederick County in the State of Maryland 
aforesaid and was there again drafted 
for three months under Capt George Goblin 
& Lieut John Stinson or Stevenson that he 
marched to Frederick Town in the said 
County of Frederick and was there employed 
under Colonel James Wells and Major Joseph
Wills of the Maryland militia in 
guarding certain prisoners of War 
until his term of three months expired 
when he was discharged & returned 
home he received no written discharge 
thus he served his Country 
seven months in the war of the Revolution. 
He further states that he is known to 
George Timmons & Abraham Ashby residing in his present neighborhood 
and that they can testify to his 
character for veracity and their beliefs 
of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution 
He states that after the Revolution he removed 
to the State of Virginia, thence to 
Woodford County Ky and from thence to Hopkins County Ky where he at present resides.
He states that he has no documentary
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evidence and that he knows of no person 
whose testimony he can procure who can 
testify to his services 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 
To a pension or annuity except the present 
and declares that his name is not on the pension Role of the agency of any State. 
Sworn to & subscribed the 
day year aforesaid }
Alexander Major
(B)

And George Timmons & Abraham Ashby residing in the 
County of Hopkins Ky hereby certify that Alexander 
Major who has subscribed & sworn to 
the above declaration is a resident in the County 
aforesaid that we are well acquainted 
with him that we believe him to be 
seventy six years of age and that he 
Is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been 
a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur 
in that opinion 
Sworn & subscribed the day, 
& year aforesaid 
George Timmons his [handwritten] X mark
Abraham Ashby
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23 Alexander Major Hopkins Kentucky from 1776 private 17 month $23.33 Hutson Buckhan M Samuel Madison Wooden Esq Hockins Co Kentucky
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War Department
Pension Office

Sir

The evidence in support of your claim under the act of June 7, 1832 has been examined and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed you will find marked in the margin with a Brace, (thus:}). You will when you return your papers to this Department send this printed letter with them and you will by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A STATEMENT showing the service of Alexander Major Hoskins Co Kentucky

Period when service was rendered:
1. {Cannot recollect dates}
2. Ditto
3. Ditto

Duration of Claimants service
1. 3 months
2. 1 month
3. 3 months

Rank of the claimant
1. Priv.
2. "
3. "

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served:
1. Col Buckhannon, Cap. Hutson, Lieut. J Hutson
2. Same officers as above
3. Col. Jas. Wells, Maj E. Wells, Capt. G Goblin, Lt. Stinson or Stevenson

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service:
76 years, Baltimore Co, Maryland

Proof by which declaration is supported:
Traditionary

I am respectfully
Your obedient servant
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
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-2-
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. 
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service. but not those who were occasionally employed with, the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION, In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or District of County of }ss. On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 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 certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but it neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore. these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace. the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. [a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. [e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 bis 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 mouths and days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension." {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 that 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 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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. [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 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 papers 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. Proof of Service. [j] 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 claimant's 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. The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. [l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Joseph Rowen [illegible]
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31239 
Revy INVALID.
File No. 31,239
Alexander Major
Pri Rev War 
Act: June 7th 32nd
Index: -- Vol. [? 2 or D] Page 256 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Kentucky 
Hopkins County } ss
At a Court held for the County aforesaid 
on the 14th day of January 1833.
The following entry among others was 
made in the  minutes of said Court viz,
Alexander Major a Soldier of the Revolution 
& applicant for a pension this day produced in Court 
his declaration under an Act of Congress passed 
June 7th 1832 & subscribed and made oath to the same 
and the certificate of George Timmons & Abraham 
Ashby thereunder written was also subscribed and 
sworn to in open Court Whereupon the Court 
do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department 
that the said Applicant was a revolutionary 
Soldier and served as he states in his said
declaration and the Court further certifies
that it appears to them that the said George Timmons & Abraham Ashby who subscribed 
the certificate above mentioned are residents of 
Hopkins County in the “neighborhood of said 
applicant and are credible persons and that 
their statement is entitled to credit”
I Samuel Woodson Clerk of the Court for 
County of Hopkins aforesaid do hereby 
certify that the foregoing is a true transcript
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of an entry in the minutes of sd Court 
as the same now in in my Office 
I further certify that the paper hereunto attached 
marked (A) is the original declaration 
mentioned in said entry as having 
been subscribed and sworn to by the 
said Major and further that the certificate 
at the foot of said declaration 
marked (B) is the original certificate 
mentioned in said entry as having 
been subscribed and sworn to by George 
Timmons & Abraham Ashby. 
In Testimony whereof I have 
hereunto subscribed my 
name and affixed 
the seal of said County 
Court the 15th day of January 
1833 
Sam. Woodson