Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,701, Jacob V Goodown, Ga.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
Ga.

Goodown, Jacob V.

NUMBER
S. 31,701

Born in S.C.
CONTENTS
Page 2

Goodown, Jacob V.
of Jefferson in the state of Georgia
in the
commanded
Irwin of the Rgt commanded
Col Clark in the
Leo
line for 9 mos:
27.910
Inscribed on the Roll of George
the rate of 31.
Dollars 11 Centis per annum,
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Aug '34
and Such Hon. R. L.
Gamble Louisville 
Arrears to the 4th of Mar $93.33
Semi-ant. allowance ending $15.56
 $108.89
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
corded by Nath Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 91 -
Paid at the Treasury under the 
Act of the 6th April 1838 from 
4 Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838 after
notified 12th Decn 1838.

Death not on A. 13
Page 3

State of Georgia
Jefferson County

On this 4th day of October 1833 Personnal
ly [sic] appeared in open Court before
Justices of the Jeffer
son Court of the County aforesaid now sitting in Chamber
Jacob Godown of the same State and County aged a little
upwards of Seventy four years who being [illegible] duty sworn accord
ing to law doth on his oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress [illegible] June
the 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States
as a volunteer in Captain Alexander Lewis Company that
he was residing in the County of Burke and State of Georgia
when he entered that he was attached to the Regiment Com
manded by Col Elijah Clarke that he entered as a private
about the 20th of May 1781 that he was at the siege and capture of 
Augusta by the Americans under the Command of Col
Clarke & Pickens that after the Capture of Augusta the Company
of Captain Lewis to which applicant belonged was transferred to
the Command of Col. John Twiggs and after the Capitulation 
of Augusta was stationed for some time on [illegible] in
the County of Richmond & State of Georgia some time in the 
course of the summer of the same year the applicant was
transferred to the Company Commanded by Captain Abman
Beckham was in an engagement with the Indians of the Chero
kee tribe under the Command of Col. John Twiggs on the [illegible]
[illegible] the regiment to which he was attached a part of the
time was Commanded by Col Asa Emanuel towards the
latter part of the year 1871 this applicant was drafter for the
militia in which he had been serving for the summer [illegible]
to supply the Army Commanded by General Wayne near Savan
nah for the term of two months which he served and was stati
oned at Ebenezer not far from Savannah and was discharged
from [illegible] Wagner Command he thinks about the month of March
1782. He then rejoined the army from which he had been detach
ed and renamed in service scouting against the Indians 
and Tories until near the close of the Summer 1782 that he
was acquainted with few of the Continental officer draft.
Page 4

General Wayne after the close of the war the army to which he was attached was disbanded in Burke County near Waynesboro
in Georgia that during the whole of his service he was in the State in Georgia in Richmond, Burke Chatham, Effingham and
other parts of the state pursuing Tories & Indians he was in the field during the whole of his service and was engaged in no
the civil pursuit during the whole of his service and wast engaged in no ther civil pursuit during the time he was engaged in service the applicant was a horseman and served the whole time as such except
two months he was with Genl  Wayne in which he served in the infantry he was attached to
Company regularly embodied and ordered out by competent authority, he never received a written discharge he was born according to the information of his family on the 17th day of August 1754 in the State of South Carolina
on Broad River near Sherey Ferry has no record his age and has never seen any and thinks there never was any which he 
resided in Burke and Jefferson Counties in the State of Georgia ever since the close of the Revolution except about Eighteen months
which he resided in Talbot County in this state that he now resides
in Jefferson County 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 Twelve months as a private. Ten monthw of the time as a horseman and two months as an Infantry man. that his service commenced as above mentioned about the month of May 1781 and he remained constantly in service till near the close of tthe summer 1782 having
in the County between Savannah & Augusta and upon the Ogeeechee River and in various parts in Georgia and for which services
he claims a pension that he has no documentary evidence and
that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify  to his service that
a minister of the Gospel
are acquainted
Page 5

with the applicant in his neighbourhood and can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a
soldier of the Revolution that he hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to any pension or annuity whatever except the present
and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.

sworn to and subscribed the day
& year aforesaid
Jacob V Goodown


Eli Hudson J.
Clement J.
Holt J.C
We Abraham Busley a clergyman residing in the County of Jefferson and John Way (illegible)
residing in the County of Jefferson hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Goodwin who has sworn
to and subscribed the above declaration that we believe him to be
Seventy four years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution
and that we concur in that opinion
sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
John Way
Abraham Buckley
Eli Hudson
John Clements 
Asa Holt
Page 6

And the said Court do declare their opinion after the investigation  of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented
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
Abram Busley who has signed the preceding
Certificate as a Clergyman resident in the County of Jeffferson  and that John Way (illegible) who have also signed the same as residents of the County oof Jefferson and are credible persons and that their statement
is entitled to credit
John Holt
John Clements
Eli Hudson 

David C. Bothwell Clerk of the Superior Court of the County ofJefferson do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of the said Court in the matter of the application of  Jacob Goodwin for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
act my hand and seal of Office this 7th day of October 1833
D Bothwell Clk
   
(Faint image of a seal, no wording)
Page 7

November 29, 1939
\
Honorable Carl Vinson
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Vinson:

BA-J/Yes
Jacob V. Goodown-
S. 31701
Reference is made to your letter of November 25, 1939, with enclosure from Mrs. J. T. King of Milledgeville, Georgia, who request information  relative to Revolutionary War soldiers, Jacob Goodowns, Godowns or Sodowns,and Sterling or Starling Jordan or Jourdan, both of Jefferson County,Georgia.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States and based on the military service of soldiers in this war. A careful search of the
records fails to show such claims on file on account of the service of
Sterling or Starling Jordan or Jourdan,
T
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, S.31701, based on the Revolutionary War service of Jacob V. Goodown.

Jacob V. Goodown (personal signature) was born August 17, 1754, on
Broad River near Shereys Ferry" in South Carolina. The names of his parents
are not shown.

While a resident of Burke County, Georgia, he enlisted about May 20, 1781, served as private in Captains Alexander Irwin's and Abner Beekham's companies in Colonels Elijah Clarke's, John Twiggs' and Asa Emanuel's Georgia regiments, was at the siege and capture of Augusta by the Americans and was in an engagement with the Cherokee Indians on Little Ohoopee River;
late in 1781, he was drafted from the militia in which he was serving, to supply the army commanded by General Wayne near Savannah, served for the
term of two months and was discharged in March, 1782. He then enlisted in
the Georgia militia and served as scout against the Indians and Tories
until the close of the summer of 1782,



7
of 23
Page 8

After the close of the Revolution, Jacob V. Goodown lived in Burke and Jefferson Counties, Georgia, with the exception of about
eighteen months when he lived in Talbot County, Georgia,

Jacob V. Goodown was allowed pension on his application executed October 7, 1833, at which time he was living in Jefferson County, Georgia, with post office at Louisville, and he stated that
he was then "aged a little upwards of seventy-four years." On this date he also  stated that "he was born according to the information of
his family on the 17th day of August, 1754."

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

Mrs. J. T. King's letter addressed to you November 17, 1939, isreturned herewith.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 9

The Director
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir: 
In re: 
Goodowns, Jacob
Jordan, Sterling
I herewith enclose a letter that I have received from Mrs. J.T. King, Milledgeville, Georgia with reference to the above mentioned cases. 
I would appreciate it if you would give me the information she desires so that I can advise her. 
Thanking you for your kindness, I am 
Yours very truly, 
Carl Vinson 
Carl Vinson, M.C.

Please return Mrs. King's letter for my files when it as served its purpose.
Page 10

31701
Reig INVALID

File No. 31,701
Jacob Goodown
Pri     Rev Was

Act: June 7th '32
Index: ---Vol. 8, Page 159

[Arrangement of 1870.]


1939 Nov. 29, hist. to Hon. Carl Trusen for Mrs. J.T. King.   MCA
Page 11

Louisville AUG 21     Free R L Gamble
Y.L Edwards Eg
Washington City 
Lo.l.
Page 12

Louisville 20th August 1834
G.L Edward Eg. 
Sn
yours of the 8th ____ in answer to my letter accompanying the application of Jacob Goodowns for a Pension has been received you say the Department is unable to determine to what amount of service the claimant is entitled but ____ a _____ to fine a certificate for nine and one third months is so advised, I report that should the statement of M. Goodowns is not so explicit as to enable the Department to give him a certificate for twelve months, but as he is very poor and needy and believes that the Department is even _____ing to do full and ample justices to all revolutionary claimants whenever it is satisfied that it is due. I consent on the behalf of Jacob Goodowns to receive the certificate for nine and one third months trusting that he will be able at some future time to show satisfactorily to the Department that he is entitled to what he claims in his _____ application. 
I have the honor to be very
Respectfully yours  Abatsent 
R.L. Gamble
Page 13

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office, 
December 8th, 1838.

Sor: 
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Jacob Goodown, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Savannah, Geo. Agency, at the rate of THirty one Dollars and eleven Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th of June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1831 to the 4th March, 1838. 
Respectfully yours, 
Albion K. Parris 
Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions, 
Present.
Page 14

I.L. Edwards Egs
Washington 
Dist Columbia
Page 15

SERVICE                                                   NUMBER

Ga.     Goodown,Jacob V.                      S. 31701





Boonin S. C.
CONTENTS
Page 16

(8-1776)

SERVICE                                    NUMBER
Ga.          Goodown, Jacob V.    S.31.701

Boowink. C
CONTENTS
Page 17

Georgia
Jefferson County}   Personally appeared before me the under signed a Justice of the Peace in and for the Country of Jefferson aforesaid Jacob Goodowns a Revolutionary soldier who being duly sworn [illegible] and saith that by reason of old age and the congruent lapse of memory he cannot [illegible] positively as to the precise entire length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less he is certain than twelve months as a private soldier in constant actual services [illegible] and above this time he served in scouting or patrolling parties, the time now claimed for he was with an embodied corps all the time called out as he had always understood by [illegible] of competent authority he cannot state the length of termination of the several tours continuing this term of twelve months if indeed it was divided into tours it may have been the case (for [illegible] this applicant now known) the applicant first volunteered and then was drafted into the army under Earl Wayne where he served two months as stated in his original declaration. The balance of the time he served under Militia Officers as stated in his original declaration. The applicant understood that his services continued for the twelve months, it may however have been divided into tours if it was, one tour must have commenced immediately after the expiration of the others, as to this the applicant cannot fortunately state but this he knows that he was under the command of officers who were in the service of The United States and embodied for at least twelve months, ten months as a dragoon or horseman and two months in the infantry. The applicant thinks he may it justly claim for three months more service, but he prefers to claim for lifetime as he thinks he is entitled to rather than encounter the risk of claiming for a greater service than he has actually performed. The time and place where he served is that as described in his original declaration and for which he now claims a pension. 
{sworn to and transcribed before me this 29th July 1854} Jacob V. Goodown
Robert Crooks J.S.
Page 18

Georgia} I, David E. Bothwell, clerk of the Inferior Court of Jefferson County do certify that Robert Crooks before whom the wethers applicant appears to have been taken in a Justice of the Peace for the County of Jefferson acting under the authority of this ___ and that his ___ there to is genuine given under my hand and ____ this 29th day of July 1834.
David E. Bothwell clerk
Page 19

Sir
Department of War
Pension Office
October 25 1833
I have examined your declaration and not finding
if satisfaction have herewith returned it for amendment
the act of June 7 1832 contemplate no allow
and except for actual service in the Army of the
United state called out by competent authority and
regularly embodied
The Militia were never called out to serve 12
months at a time; and for such service as an
probably performed to wit, that of patrolling, and
other duties of domestic police, no compensation is allowed
I have however enclosed herewith a brief pointing
more fully the course pursued in presenting your claim
and also containing the rules and regulations of the Department
he deciding thereon
Jane Tapley
---
-
the Servant
Edward
Jacob Brown
Law will
a
Page 20

           27.285
Jacob Goodown

     Ga:

Sub.let. Ha. RL Gamble
Aug 8. 1834

allow 9/3 mo jan
31.11
 Surp-Hon: R.L. Gamble
c Louisville Ga:
Page 21

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 is 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, (this: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of
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.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
COmmissioner of Pensions.
Page 22

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 Staff or the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all person 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 the 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 
On this   day of   personally appeared (a) before   A. B. a resident (bb) 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 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. 
[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 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
Page 23

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 on 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 t he 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 the 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 of Justice of the 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.