Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 10620, John Ellis, Md.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Md.
CONTENTS
Ellis, John
NUMBER
S.10620
Born in Md.
Carded
CONTENTS
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23129
District of Columbia
-
John Ellis 
of Prince Wm in the State of Virginia
he was a pri in the Compy commanded
Captain Jordan of the commanded ---
in the Va* Line for 6 months
month-
*Maine Line
Mch 25, 1905 ┃
Records corrected. S 
Inscribed on the Roll of Dis. of Columbia
at the rate of 20. Dollars -- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Nov. 33
and Sent Col. E. Brooke
Geo: Town DC
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1823
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar: 34 
  50_
  10_
$60
{ Revolutionary Claim, {Act June 7, 1832.        }
Recorded by Nath Rice Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 Page 110
Letter to J. D. Logan 31. Oct 37
I
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State of Virginia
County of Prince William Viz:
On this 18th day of June, 1833. personally appeared before me the
Subscriber, one of the Justices of the Court of Prince William County, being
Court of Record John Ellis in the Seventieth year of his age,
of the said County, 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 7 1832
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
In the month of July in the year 1782, he was drafted from
the
Militia in St. Mary's County, in the State of Maryland to serve in
the Company of Capt. Charles Gordon of said County, for the space
of six months and was employed the whole of that summer in
marching up and down the Potomac River, to prevent British (illegible),
 the River being very much infested at that time by the British (illegible), who depended mostly on plunder to obtain supplies
or provisions, which rendered it necessary to secure every boat on these
water, to prevent the escape of slaves, and disaffected persons, furnishing them more provisions 
during this period, a British schooner, coming very
in the shore and not suspecting that we could do then and in
ing, we had prepared a nine pounder, and approaching pretty
near to them, we commenced a tree, and making ourselves
G. Eaton
whole Boat belonging to Captain, we boarded her, and made
Prisoners of twelve men, we carried the said Schooner to Will
her up will the men
omsburg and delivered and to the guard. In this
service, which allowed him no time to devise to my civil occupati
Ch
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being employed when he had any leisure in making Carriages for the Army, he remained undergoing great fatigue and suffering
many privation, until the six months were fully complete and ended.
At Christmas of that year he enlisted in the Regiment commanded by Col. Jordon his Captain of the name of Jordon, and during the war, and was employed from that time until
the 2d of July 1783 in the same kind of service, guarding the coast the service of soldiers being no longer required, Cornwallis having surrendered at York Town, and the Troops generally   disbanded his company was discharged, which discharge he did not keep,and he returned home, always one was considering himself bound, whenever called on to render service according to the terms of his enlistment so long as there should be an appearance of hostilities with the British
I 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 State
John Ellis  his mark
Sworn and subscribed the day and
year aforesaid
Geo. G. Tyler

Interrogatories prescribed by the war department,
where in what year were you born?
Answer In St. Mary's County in the State of Maryland 1760
Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Answer. If there be any record of my age, it is at Leonard Town
out of my reach
Where were you living when called into service; where have you
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lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now here?
Answer
I lived in St. Mary when called into service came to Virginia about 4 years ago and have remained here ever or since
How were you called into service, were drafted did you volunteer, as were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom/
answer - I was drafted for the first six month, after which I enlist for the use and of the war
State the names of the same of the Regular pieces, who were with the troops, where you served; such continental and militia officer
Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service
Answer - I do not know that there were any regular officers engaged in the same service with me, unless the Jordan will. There are some of the name of Eaton and Tippets
State the names of persons to whom you are known in his Neighbourhood and who can testify to your character for veracity, and
their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution 
Answer
- I am will known to Major George Gray Tyler before whom his declaration is made I am  known to Col .Edmd Brooke near whom
I lived 40 years age in this County and to many others, but I do not know that they have any personal knowledge of my services
John France 
Cyrus  Marsteller
 We A. Tyler residing in Prince William County, Virginia do hereby certify that we
we will acquainted with John Ellis, who has subscribed and sworn the above declaration - That we believe him to be of the age he has stated, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion
John Florance
Cyrus C Marsteller
A. Tyler
Sworn and subscribed the day
year aforesaid 
Geo. G. Tyler
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And I the said George G. Tyler, do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter  and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And I further certify that I have known the Declarant many years, and have always understood and believe he was a Revolutionary Soldier, and that he has but one leg, the other being amputated several years ago, which renders him utterly incapable of travel to the Court house, which is 18 miles from his residence and himself very weak and emaciated. And I also certify that In Florence Cyrus C. Marsteller & A Tyler who are the subscribing witnesses to their  relief of John Ellis's service are credible persons.
                        Geo G. Tyler

Virginia Prince William County to wit

I John Williams Clerk of the County Court, for the said County of Prince William, in the state of Virginia, do hereby certify that George G. Tyler who hath given the preceding certificate was at the time of signing the same, and now is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county duly commissioned and qualified to said office- and that full faith and credit are due to all his acts as such.
    In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and annexed the seal of the said county, this 2nd day of September 1833.

Jn. Williams
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Rev War
10620
INVALID. 
ow
File No. 10,620
John Ellis
Pri. Rev. War
Act June 7th 1832
Index:- Vol. A,  Page 113
[Arrangement 1870.]
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John Ellis
Pension paid to 4th Sept 1836
D.C - at 1832
for the C. C. Mr Cole
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Admit as a 
Private 6mo
$20.00

D.C.
Col. E Brooke
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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.  One 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 shew what is necessary to be done.  These points to which you 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, shewing the Service of -- [Name   State ]
=======================
[8 column table]
[Headings] 
[c-1]  Period when the service was rendered
[c-2 to c-4]  Declaration of the claimant's service
[c-2]  Years.
[c-3]  Months.
[c-4]  Days.
[c-5]  Rank of the claimant
[c-6]  Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
[c-7]  Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
[c-8]  Proof by which the declaration is supported.



I am, respectfully ,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, mucicians 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. [image of finger pointing] 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 days 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 if 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
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 inquiry 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 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."

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 [illegible] 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 an embodied corps 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.

[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 affix 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.
[image with finger pointing]The notes from [a] to [i] 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
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Groveton Va      Free
Sept 20th
J L Edwards Esgr
Washington City
DC

Sept 21
Mr. Evans

Ans
22nd Sept 1837
Page 14

Groveton Sept 16 1837
Dear Sir
John Ellis who has been reciving Pensions from govirment has lately have died and I have administer on his afficts and I find that he has some money due him on Pinsions I wish you would [illegible] me a printed form so that I may get the Power to draw it and send it to Groveton Prince Wm. County Va
and oblige you
John E Page
Page 15

District of Columbia
County of Washington viz:
On this 12h day of November, 1833, before the subscribe one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Edmund Brooke a President of George Town in the sd District, and makes Oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that he has known John Ellis an applicant for a Pension for somewhere about forty years, when said Ellis's Father, together with two other families by the name of Jordon and Ferrill, settled in the neighbourhood of this deponent's residence in the County of Prince William in the State of Virginia, being emigrants from St. Mary's County Maryland That one of these families were Tenants upon his Farm, and the others not more than a mile from him  That it was generally reputed and believed in that neighbourhood that the said John Ellis had been a soldier of the Revolution, but of his said service, this deponent has no personal knowledge. So far as the fact depends upon his own statement he believes is to be true having always considered him an honest man and a man of truth.
His condition as a cripple is deplorable and his circumstances as bad as they can be, being rendered incapable of work by a fall from a house some years ago which caused the amputation of a leg
Edmd. Brooke
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me
Joel Brown
Page 16

As agent for John Ellis an applicant for a pension for Revolutionary service, who claims for twelve months service, I am willing that his claim shall be admitted for six months, and hereby relinquish all claim to further compensation than his Pension Certificate will entitle him to for that term of service
Sam Brooke
Nov. 13h. 1833.

Col. E. Brooke
Present
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Groveton [illegible]
[illegible]
Free
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
DC

Oct 28
Mr Evans
Page 18

Groveton Oct 27th 1837
Dr Sir
I have your letter stating that there was no such person by the name of John Ellis a pensioner on the Rolls of your office if you will look [illegible] find it Recorded in Book E Not C page 110 by N. Rice if. you will then furnish me with a blank to make out his papers by I will be glad as I do not know the form if there is any thing more wanting you will please furnish it in the way of [illegible]
I am Respectfully your
John D Dogan

J. L. Edwards
D.C.
23129
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District of Columbia
County of Washington viz:
On this 11th day of November, 1833, before me the subscriber , one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County , personally appear Joshua Ellis of George Town D. C. & makes Oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that he has been acquainted with John Ellis from a very early period of his life, being born and bred in the same County of St. Mary's in the State of Maryland, from whence, he the Deponent, moved to George Town, where he has resided ever since. That he has often heard many persons in that part of the Country speak of John Ellis as a soldier of the Revolution, who had served a long time before the close of the war under Capt. Jordon, and was at the [illegible words] on the Potomac River. The particular length of time that he served, he does not know, but has heard the people of that part of the State say, that he was in service at the end of the war - That the said John Ellis moved to Virginia a great many years ago with several other persons from St. Mary's all of whom he believes are dead, and that the last time he said said Ellis, he was a perfect cripple, having but one leg, and reduced to great poverty. That he has always been considered a man of great truth, and that he would make no statement that was not true Joshua his x mark Ellis

Sworn to and subscribed & I hereby certify that sd Jos: Ellis is a credible person
Edmund Brooke