Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,951, Christopher Hand, Va.
Page 1

[printed form, completed with handwriting]
(3-1776)

SERVICE
Va.

Hand, Christopher

NUMBER
S. 6,951

carded

CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

Virginia 23.433
Christopher Hand
of Monrai [Monroe] in the State of Va
who was a Sergt in the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded
by Col Maffitt in the Va
line for 8 mo:

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 40 Dollars [blank] Centers per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Jan 34
O Hutchison Jr: Union CH. Va

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833-         100-
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar: 34   20 -
[total]                                                   $120

{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832 .      }

Recorded by Nath: Rice. Clerk
Book E Vol. 6yr Page Inf
Page 3

Another pension certificate iss? See
letter to Pen. Agt. [illegible] 16. 1874 _ [illegible]
Book E. Vol 6, p. 12.

Death not on O. B.
Page 4

State of Virginia  )
Monroe County   ) Set
On this 31st day of December 1832 personally
appeared before me Jacob Johnson a Justice of the peace in
and for the County of Monroe & state aforesaid Christopher
Hand a resident of the said County & state aged upwards of
74 years, who being first duly sworn according to Law
doth on his oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th
1832 that he entered the service of the United States under
the following named officers and served as herein stated,
that he was drafted in the month of January or February
(as well as he now recollects) in the year 1781 to serve
a tour of duly of six months in the army of the revolution
as a sergeant, from the County of Augusta & state of Virginia
(where he then resided) under Captain Stevenson Lieutenant
Smith of Staunton Va & Col George Maffitt; that the
troops then drafted from the said County of Augusta
rendezvoused at the Widow Teas's on Middle river in
said County & marched from there through the counties
of Albermarle, Fluvanna Goochland Henrico to Richmond
& thence through the Counties of Charles City James City
to Williamsburg & thence crossing the James River to
Norfolk, thence through the lower part of Virginia
& North Carolina to Guilford Court House North Carolina
when he & the Virginia militia joined the regular Army
under the Command of General Greene, some short time
before the battle of Guilford, which took place some
time in the middle of the month of March 1781.  He
recollects that at that battle, in which he was, the Virgin
ia militia were drawn up in line of battle in rear
of the front rank and when the Brittish [British] advanced
it fled, but the virginians stood their ground & faught [fought]
until their commander the brave General Stevens ordered
them to retreat.  General Stevens was wounded in 
this engagement and afterwards died of his wounds
He was well acquainted with General Stevens before
Page 5

he went to the army & knew him whilst in it before the
battle.  He recollects that after this battle the american
army retreated to a place called Speedwell Iron
works not far from Guilford; and after makeing [making] some
short stay there, marched towards the state of Virginia
and then marched back again to North & South Carolina.  He does not recollect of being in any other
important engagement, but at Guilford, but was in
many skirmishes with the enemy.  He has forgotten
the names or numbers of the continental regiments or
companies with whom he served, but as well as
he now recollects, their commander (whose name
he does not recollect) at the battle of Guilford,
was killed, He knew General Greene the Commander
of the Southern army at that time; He was well
acquainted as before stated, with General Stevens,
who was a brave man.  He has seen Col Williams
& Col Lee who belonged to the regular troops.
He served for the term of six months as first or
Orderly Serjeant, and for two successive months
afterwards makeing [making] the term of eight months
in the said capacity.  He was discharged as well
as he now recollects) in the latter part of August
or first of September 1781.  His discharge was signed
by Col Maffett, which was burned when his
house was burned in the County of Augusta Va.
He had a record of his age in a bible of his Fathers
but that was also burned when the house was.
He had entirely forgotten in what year he was
born, from that record.  He was told when his
parents emigrated to america, with him, that he
was then about fifteen years of age; and that
was some few years before the commencement of
the revolutionary war; that he was born in Ireland.
He returned from the army to Millers Ironworks
Page 6

in the said County of Augusta, where he hired to work
& remained some years, & then removed to the County
of Monroe, then called Greenbrier, where he has ever
since resided, as does now reside.  He has no document
ary evidence, & knows of no person whose testimony he can
procure who can testify to his service.  He cannot state
the reason why he was not discharged for two months
after his term of service expired, but this he recollects
that Col Maffett called at the Generals quarters
there several times before he obtained permission
to discharge the troops under his command whose
term of service had expired.  He is known in his
present neighborhood to Jacob Johnson Esq. Jacob Ellis
William Ellis William Johnson James Tincher and others
who can testify to his character for veracity and their
belief, & his services as a solider of the revolution
["He has no documentary evidence, & knows of no person
whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service" is deleted] 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 state
Christopher Hand
Sworn to & subscribed the )
day & year aforesaid           )
before me
Jacob Johnson JP
We William Ellis & James Tincher residing in the
County of Monroe & state of Virginia hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with Christopher Hand who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we
believe him to be upwards of 74 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. 
William Ellis
James Tincher
Sworn & subscribed the day )
& year aforesaid before         )
me
Jacob Johnson J.P.
Page 7

And I the said Jacob Johnson a Justice of the peace
as aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion, after the
investigation of the matter, and after putting the
interrogatories prescribed by the war Department,
that the foregoing named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier and served as he states; that he is unable
from bodily infirmity, to attend the Court of Monroe
County, for the purpose of making the foregoing
Declaration.  And I do further certify that it appears
to me that William Ellis & James Tincher who have
signed the preceeding [preceding] certificate are residents in the
said County of Monroe and are credible persons,
and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Given under my hand the day & year first
before written
Jacob Johnson JP
I John Hutchison Jr clerk of the Court of Monroe
County certify that Jacob Johnson is a magistrate as
above and that the foregoing signatures purporting
to be his are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & seal
 of office this 24th day of
January 1833 & on the 57th
year of the Commonwealth
Jno Hutchison JP

Christopher Hand
23685
Page 8

23.685
9 
4674
Christopher
Hand
Va

Adm for 8 Months

John Hutchison Jr
Union
Monroe Cty
Va
Page 9

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
[blank] 183[blank]

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 shew [show] what is
necessary to be done.  Those 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.  

[Table title:  A Statement, shewing the Service of Christopher Hand Va.]
[column headings: Period when the service was rendered.  Duration of claimant's service. Years. Months. Days.  Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.  Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.  Proof by which the declaration is supported.]

Jny. 17[illegible] 8. orderly Sergeant Cp Stephenson 74--born in Ireland entered in Augus a. 64. V.a and now lives in Monroe Cy Va

Certificate of US Citizens

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 10

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 claim
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians [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 [blank] )
County of [blank]                               )ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] 
[blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District
of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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) [blank], with [blank] and
served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:
with and
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he serv-
ed 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. [hand symbol pointing right] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and per-
sons 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 [blank]
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 revolu-
tionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank]
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank]
day of [blank] & 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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank]
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 Revo-
lutionary 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 [blank]
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank]
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this [blank] day of [blank] & c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commis-
sion; 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 ser-
vices 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
Page 11

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 at-
tempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-
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 giv-
en, 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 tes-
tify 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 pro-
cure, 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 fol-
low 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 element 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
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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank].  For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; 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 of places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent au-
thority;  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 pub-
lic 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 con-
tains 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 wit-
nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[hand symbol pointing right] The notes [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.
Page 12

June 26, 1956
BA-J/[illegible]
Christopher Hand, S. 6951
Lillian B. Whanger
701 Grand
Fulton, Missouri
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to
Christopher Hand who served in the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in
the pension claim, S.6961, based upon the military service of Christopher
Hand.
He was born in 1758 in Ireland.  When he was about fifteen years
of age he came to America with his parents whose names were not given.
While living in Augusta County, Virginia, he enlisted in January
or February, 1781, and served eight months as orderly sergeant in Cap-
tain Stevenson's company in Colonel George Maffett's Virginia regiment
and was in the battle of Guilford.
Some years after the close of the Revolution he moved to Monroe
County, Virginia, which was then called Greenbrier County,
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 31,
1832, at which time he was living in Monroe County, Virginia.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's
family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Christopher 
Hand, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly
the date of soldier's death, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller
General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C.
citing the following data:  Christopher Hand, Certificate 23433, issued Jan-
uary 20, 1834, rate $40 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7
1832, Virginia Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assitant
to the Administrator
Page 13

[printed form, handwritten responses]
Virginia 12.793.
Christopher Hand.
of Monroe C. in the State of Virginia
who was a Sergt. in the Compy commanded
by Captain Stephenson of the Rgt. commanded
by Col [blank] in the Va Mila. [militia]
line for 8 mos
$40
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of May
1833 and sent to John
Hutchison Jr Union M.C. Va.
Arrears to the 4th of March. 33. 80.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 33. 20.00
[total] $100.00
{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832.       }
Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer, Clerk,
Book C Vol. six Page 12.
Page 14

Another certificate improperly iss?
in this case.  See page E. Vol.  6 1/2.
page 17-- See letter to P. Agt. Act.
16. 1834.
Page 15

Virginia
Returned.
Free
6 Jany 1834
Pension Office

Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington City

Union Va
Dec. 28 1833

Pension Office
Page 16

Union Monroe CH Va
Decr. 26th 1833
Sir:
Old Mr. Hand may be in error, but
he still adheres to his original declaration that
he was drafted for a tour of six months
By refering to Samuel Sams declaration
and Berryman Jones Affidavit annexed, you ┃
will find that Sams and Jones were drafted
for six months: they would seem to corroborate
the old man on this point
Yr obdt Servt
Jno Hutchison Jr
Page 17

Waldron, Ark., Sept. 10, 1939
Veterans Administration,
Archives Division,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
I respectfully request the Revolutionary Army data concerning:
General Christopher Hand, pension list Monroe County (W.Va.) [handwritten notation pointing to name of General Christopher Hand, "only one']
1835, age 75.
1740 Remarks: Aaron Leaming, 2nd, Colonel Cape May Co. N.J. and
member Continental Congress, in his diary, states his son Christopher
Leaming married Deborah Hand; that his daughter Sarah married
Jesse Hand; that his son Johnathan Leaming married Judith Hand.
McAlister's Virginia Militia in Revolution states that
General Christopher Hand commanded a corps of Western Pennsylvania
Riflemen at Maiden's Head, N.J. and held Cornwallis back while
artillery crossed the creek (Gen. Thomas Leaming commanded Artillery),
1777, and was stationed at Ft. Pitt, Ft. Wheeling, and Point Pleasant
1777 - 8.
U.S. Census enumerates Christopher Hand in Rockingham Co. N. C.
1790.
War Dept. reports Christopher Hand was court-martialed for
delinquency 1783 from Capt. John Dickey's Company, Rockingham Co. Va.
8th Va. Reg, and no other record. This would indicate, as I have
found in other instances, that said Christopher Hand had removed
from that Rocingham [Rockingham] Co. Va to North Carolina prior to being
so court martialed for not reporting to rendezvous. The Court-martial
evidently was not because of disloyality [disloyalty].
1939. Now, we sold our old homestead here to Grady Hand and comparing
notes we find our ancestors run parallel and perhaps are descendants
from the same source.
Both Mr. Grady Hand and myself want to know more about
this soldier, particularly the members of his family.
Very respectfully,
Sam K Leming [signature]
Sam K. Leming
1st World War, Veteran

[date stamp]
RECEIVED
SEP 13 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV
Reader No. 2
VETS ADM
Page 18

[printed form, handwritten responses]
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank]
for a statement of the military history of Christopher Hand
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his ['{of his widow's)" is crossed out] application for pen-
sion on file in this Bureau. 
S. 6.951

[column headings: Dates of Enlistment or Appointment., Length of Service., Rank., Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered. Captain. Colonel., State.]

Jan or Feb. 1781. 8 mos. Orderly Sergeant. Stevenson. George Moffett. Va.

Battles engaged in, Guilford
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Augusta Co., Va.
Date of application for pension, Dec. 31.1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Monroe Co., Va.
Age at date of application, born in 1758 in Ireland.
Remarks: Emigrated to America about the age of fifteen
with parents--names not stated.
No family data.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-2856
Page 19

September 30, 1939
BA-J/MOS
Christopher Hand

Mr. Sam K. Leming
Waldron
Arkansas

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your request for information relative to
the Revolutionary War service of General Christopher Hand who in
1835 was on the pension list of Monroe County, West Virginia.

The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the
pension claim, S.6951, based on the military service of the only
Christopher Hand that is found in the Revolutionary War records of
this office.

Christopher Hand was born in 1758 in Ireland.  When he was about
fifteen years of age he came to America with his parents whose names
are not given.

While living in Augusta County, Virginia, he enlisted in January
or February, 1781, and served eight months as orderly sergeant in Captain
Stevenson's company in Colonel George Moffett's Virginia regiment and was
in the battle of Guilford.

After his service in the Revolution, he returned to Miller's Ironworks
in Augusta County, Virginia, and remained
"some years" and then moved to
Monroe (then Greenbrier) County, Virginia.

He was allowed pension on his application executed December 31, 1832,
at which time he was living in Monroe County, Virginia.

The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the family of
Christopher Hand.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Christopher
Page 20

Hand, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly
the date of soldier's death, it is suggested that you address the Comp-
troller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, 
D.C., giving the following data:

Christopher Hand, Certificate 23433, issued January 20, 1834, rate
$40 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Virginia
Agency,

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 21

September 20, 1938
BA-J/MCS
Christopher Hand, S.6951

Mrs. Blanche Braham
Missouri School for Deaf
Fulton, Missouri

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the record of the Revolu-
tionary War soldier, Christopher Hand, S.6951.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the
pension claim, S. 6951, based on the military service of Christopher
Hand. 

He was born in 1758 in Ireland. When he was about fifteen years
of age he came to America with his parents whose names were not given.

While living in Augusta County, Virginia, he enlisted in January
or February, 1781, and served eight months as orderly sergeant in Captain
Stevenson's company in Colonel George Moffett's Virginia regiment and was
in the battle of Guilford.

Some years after the close of the Revolution he moved to Monroe
County, Virginia, which was then called Greenbrier County.

He was allowed pension on his application executed December 31, 1832,
at which time he was living in Monroe County, Virginia.

The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's
family.

in order to obtain the date of last payment of pension of Christopher
Hand, the name and address of the person to whom it was paid and possibly
the date of soldier's death, it is suggested that you address The Comptroller
General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing
the following data: Christopher Hand, Certificate 23433, issued January 20,
1834, rate $40 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832,
Virginia Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 22

[envelope cover]
FULTON, MO
AUG 17
3:30 PM
1938

[date stamp]
RECEIVED 
AUG 19 1938
[illegible]

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

Veterans Administration
Washington D.C.
Page 23

Aug. 17, 1938
Veterans Adm
Washington D.C.
Dear sir: will you
please send me the
service record of 
Christopher Hand
S.6951, a soldier of the
Revolution, and any 
record you might have
concerning his
family, his birth
and death date?
Yours truly
Mrs. Blanche Braham
Mo. School for the Deaf
Fulton, Mo.
Page 24

[post card cover]
[stamped]
FULTON, MO.
APR15
3:30 PM
1936

[date stamp]
3 [arrow point]
RECEIVED
APR 17 1936
MAIL SUB.DIV
VETS ADM
[illegible] 11

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

Veterans Bureau Adm.,
Washington D.C.
Page 25

[post card cover]
[stamped]
FULTON, MO.
APR15
3:30 PM
1936

[date stamp]
3 [arrow point]
RECEIVED
APR 17 1936
MAIL SUB.DIV
VETS ADM
[illegible] 11

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

Veterans Bureau Adm.,
Washington D.C.
Page 26

Rev Sec

Carthage, Mo.
July 10, 1922

Dear Sir:
Kindly send me
any information that you
have concerning Christopher
Hand of Ireland who fought
at Guilford Court House 
during the Revolutionary
War.  He enlisted at
Augusta.  I shall be very
greatful [grateful] for any information
Sincerely,
Virginia Tincher

Carthage, Missouri
R.R.2. To Mrs. L. C. Amsden.

[stamp]
PENSION
F
JUL
U. 18 S.
1922
OFFICE
Page 27

204 University Boulevard,
Norman Okla
Feb. 1. 1916
Feby 16. 1916.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Sir:
Do the records show that
John Hand of Pendleton Co. Kentucky,
Christopher Hand of Monroe Co, Virginia
Philip Hand of Virginia received
pensions for services rendered in
the Revolutionary War?
If so would like a copy showing
the service rendered and in what
Company.
Thanking you for the favor I remain

Cordially
Mrs. L. J. Edwards

Duplicate letter Feb. 16--in
W. 3016 John Hand.
Page 28

Rev War
6951.
INVALID.

File No. 6951
Chirstopher [Christopher] Hand
Sergt Rev War

Act: June 7th 32
Index:--Vol. [illegible], Page 160

[Arrangement of 1870.]

1916 Feb. 23. Hist. to Mrs. L. J.
Edwards 
1922 Aug 29 Hist. to Virginia
Tincher. mma
1936. June 23: hist. to 
Lilliam B. Whanger
mcs
1938 Sept 20 hist. to Mrs.
Blanche Braham MCS
1939 Sept. 30 hist to
Mr. Sam K. Leming 
mcs
Page 29

P
15881
INVALID.
consolidated with D.W. rev. File 6951
File No. 15.881
Christopher Hand
Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 164
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 30

State of Virginia )
Monroe County  ) SS.
On this 12th day of August 1833 personally appeared
before me Jacob Johnson a Justice of the peace in and for the County
of Monroe aforesaid Christopher Hand a resident of the said County
of Monroe and State aforesaid aged upwards of 74 years (being so
aged and infirm as to be unable to attend the County Court of Monroe
for the purpose of making this application) and 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 1832. That he ["enlists" crossed out] entered the service of the United States
under the following named officer and served as herein states: that
he was drafted in the month of January or February (as well as he
now recollects) in the year 1781 in the County of Augusta (where he
then lived) under Captain Stevenson and Lieutenant Smith (who
then lived in the town of Staunton) and Col George Maffett to serve
a tour of duty of six months; that after being drafted as aforesaid. he
was appointed orderly or first sergeant of said Company; that the said
Company rendezvoused at the Widow Teas' on middle river in the said
County of Augusta and marched from that place through the Counties
of Albemarle Fluvanna Goochland Henrico to Richmond and
from there through the Counties of Charles City & James City to Williams
burg, thence they crossed the James river to Norfolk in Virginia; thence
they with the militia then at Norfolk marched through the lower
part of Virginia, and through North Carolina to Guilford Court House
North Carolina where they joined the regular army under the command
of General Greene some short time before the battle at that place
which battle took place some time about the middle of march
1781 and in which he was. He remembers that when the enemy
advanced the front rank fled, and left the Virginians (where he
was fighting) exposed to the enemy's fire. They fought hand until
they were ordered to retreat by General Stevens then brave Commander.
They halted within about four or five miles of the battle ground and
it was then known that General Stevens had been killed in the
engagement. The American army retreated to a place called
Speedwell Iron works not far from Guilford Court House, and after
some short time marched towards Virginia, and afterwards returned
through North Carolina to South Carolina where he continued to
serve as Orderly Sergeant until he was discharged which took
place about the last of August or first of September 1781 His discharge
was signed by Col Maffett; having served faithfully the six
months for which he was drafted and two months thereafter 
making in all the full term of Eight months. The reason of his 
not being discharged for two months after his tour expired he supposed
to be because Col Moffett had no orders to discharge the men
Page 31

under his command sooner. He well recollects that Col Maffett 
waited upon Gen. Greens three times before he had leave to
discharge them. He was in no other general engagement
during his term of service but as before stated, but was in
several skirmishes with the enemy. He personally knew General
Stevens his have commander at Guilford & who was killed there, both
before he entered the service and whilst in it until that time
He recollects that he saw Cols Lee & Williams who
belonged to the regular troops, but he does not recollect the names
or numbers of the continental regiments or companies with
whom he served. He thinks, their commanded was also killed
at the battle of Guilford. He was born he believes in the
year 1758 in Ireland and came to America some few years
before the commencement of the revolutionary war, he was
then about fifteen years old. He had a record of his age
in a bible, which together with his discharge were burnt
when his house was burnt in the County of Augusta.:
that after he returned from the army he hired to work at Millers
Iron works in Augusta Va where he lived some years and
then he came to the county of Monroe where he has ever since
resided and does now reside. He is known in his present
neighborhood to Jacob Ellis William Ellis Jacob Johnson William
Johnson James Tincher & others who can testify as to his character
for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the
Revolution. He has no documentary evidence & knows of
no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify
to his service. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension
or annuity whatever except the present and declares that
his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any
State
Christopher his x mark Hand
Sworn to & Subscribed
before me this 12th
day of August 1833
Jacob Johnson J.P.
We William Ellis and James Tincher (there being no clergyman
resident in the neighborhood) residing in the said County of
Monroe hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Christopher
Hand who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be 74 years of age; and that he is
reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion
William Ellis
James Tincher
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year
aforesaid
Jacob Johnson JP.
Page 32

And I the said Jacob Johnson a Justice of the peace as aforesaid
do hereby declare my 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 I do further certify that it
appears to me, by a personal knowledge of the fact, that William
Ellis & James Tincher who have signed the preceeding [preceding] certificate
are residents in the county of Monroe and are credible persons
and that their statement is entitled to credit; that a clergyman
could not be procured, (there not being one in the neighborhood)
and that the said Christopher Hand by reason of old age and
infirmity is not able to go to the County Court of Monroe in
order to make this application
Jacob Johnson J P.

I John Atchison Jr clerk of the Court of Monroe County do
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of Jacob Johnson Esq a Justice of the peace in & for the County
of Monroe in the matter of the Application of Christopher
Hand for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of Office
at Union this 28th day of August, 1833
& in the 58th year of the Commonweath
Jno Hutchison Jr [illegible]

State of Virginia )
Monroe County ) SS.
This day the foregoing claimant Christopher Hand
personally appeared before me Jacob Johnson a Justice of the
peace in and for the County and State aforesaid and being
again first duly sworn according to law doth on his
oath declare that he was drafted to serve a tour of duty
of [words crossed out] six months as stated in the
foregoing declaration, but may be under a wrong impression
as respects the time for which he was drafted; he did not
apply for a discharge until the expiration of six months,
& said discharge was not given until he had served the
full term of Eight months, as stated in said declaration
Christoper his x mark Hand
Sworn to & subscribed           )
this 25 day of December 1833)
Jacob Johnson JP
Page 33

I John Hutchison Jr. clerk of the Court of Monroe County hereby
certify that Jacob Johnson is a magistrate as written above
that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is
genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of office at Union
this 26th day of December 1833 & in the
58th year of the Commonwealth
Jno Hutchison Jr. C[page damage]

Christopher Hand
Declaration
27410

Admit as Sergeant
8 mo $40

John Hutchison Jr.
Union C.H.
Va.