Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5697, for David Jones, Georgia
Page 1

( 2 - 1776 )

SERVICE
Ga
Jones, David
NUMBER
R. 5697
B Mar. 2, 1749 in Chester Co. Pa.
res at [illegible] Richmond Co. Pa.
res in 1832 Meriwether Co. Ga.
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[handwritten]
David Jones
Ga.
No. 19589
Dead
Ga
not made on [illegible]
[illegible]
4 Jany 1834
J. M. Wayne,
e. i-j.
5697
Hon J. M. Wayne
W. B. Ector
Greenville Meriwether Co. Ga.
Page 3

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
April 16 1833
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 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 [paper torn] with this greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the service of David Jones
Period when the
service was
rendered.
about
Oct
1775 enlisted
about 1779 vol.
about 1781
Duration of the
claimant's service.
Years.
Months. 21
Days.
about 30 mos
in all 29 mos
Rank of
the
claimant.
Pri 
Names and Rank
of the Company
officers under
whom he served.
Capt. Joseph Duncan
Capt. K Walker
Capt. Thos Aspey
Capt. Thos. Aspey
Names and Rank
of the General
and Field officers.
Col. Ins
Maj. L. Marbury
General Williamson
Maj Few 
Col [illegible]
Battles in which
the applicant was
engaged.
Keynee
Siege of Savannah
Country through
which he marched.
thro
Wilkes Co.
Place of abode
when he entere the service, and age
at the present period
83 years
Richmond Co. Ga.
Evidence by which the 
declaration is
supported
traditionary Witnef [Witness]

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and volunteers [missing text] 
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military [missing text], but not those who were [missing text] were employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance
, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of     } ss.
On this     day of      personally appeared (a) before    
A.B. a resident (b) of
in the county of
and State, Territory or District of
aged (c)   
years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his
oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion [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 [missing text] 
under more than [missing text] enlistment, he must [missing text] period, [missing text] 
town or county and State in 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.
A. B.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
I       of the Court of       hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with      ,
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And 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 Court, in the matter of the applicacation [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
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there [missing text]
one of the declarations, [missing text] according to the [text missing] case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogates to all applications for [missing text] 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 he 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 [missing text] have ever existed upon the subject.
[missing text] infirmity, may [missing text] therefore 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 clamant 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 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 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 [missing text] 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; 
highly about it on every case be clearly shown under what is the
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 to hold 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 certification 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 the 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.  
[illegible] The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Milita 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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[handwritten]
State of Georgia, Meriwether County
S. S.
C.
On this twelfth day of September 1832,
Personally appeared before me Willie B. Ector an acting legal justice 
of the Inferior or County Court in & for said county, David Jones, a resident of said county & State, aged eighty three years since the 2nd
day of March last, who first being sworn, according to law, doth
on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain
benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832.
& that he was born in Chester County Pennsylvania on the 2nd
March 1749- has no record of his age-- resides now in Meriwether
County State of Georgia - removed from Pennsylvania to Georgia about
Christmas 1774 & settled in Richmond County where he entered service
enlisted for two years commencing about October 1775 which whole
time he served except the three last months- served as a private soldier
in Infantry - enlisted under Joseph Duncan Captain who was killed by
one of his own men, after his death his first Lieutenant Robert Middleton
became captain by whom he was discharged about August
the year 1777 making twenty one months, his Majors name [crossed out] Gen. Marbury,
John Stewart Colonel - during this service was stationed principally in
& about Augusta, Georgia, 
also at Clarks station, also Jack's fort
& then forts which formed a chain of protection for the frontier of
the State, discharged in August by John Houston, Governor of the State by written discharge which he has long since lost,
had several
skirmishes with the Cherokee Indians whilst stationed at Clarks station Wilkes county. 
This under State authority, militia.
2nd -
Entered as a private volunteer in
Infantry about 1779 as near as remembered under Gen'l 
Williamson, Henry Walker captain,
marched from Wrightsboro Columbia county on an expedition against
Page 7

[handwritten]
2.
the Creek Indians, & immediately succeeding on an expedition against
the Cherokee Indians in which last was at & in a considerable battle
fought at Keynee in South Carolina where was joined by a
detachment of Troops commanded by Colonel Pickens, marched
through Wilkes County on this expedition stationed on the way awhile
at Fort Covington in the fork of Broad & Savannah river. - This
service in these two tours estimated safely at three months or more. -
This service State volunteers. -
3rd -
Was stationed at Burke Jail, Burke County Georgia,
two months, was attacked by the British & dispersed, Tom
Aspey captain, William Few Major & Ben Few Colonel, joined
Captain Aspey at Wrightsboro Columbia County Georgia - was a
private soldier in the Infantry - the British commanded by Colonel
Brown from Augusta in a sortie who was wounded there-- this
service as to date & the year he could not particularize from
his old age & lapse of memory. - Received no written discharge then.
This was during the Revolution. -
4th -
Was
at & in the Seige [Siege] of Savannah Georgia about the
year 1781 his Captain was Tom Aspey whom he joined at
Wrightsboro, Georgia, marched through
Louisville Jefferson county, was a volunteer private militia, State Troops, 
majors name forgotten & other officers also having been arranged to
regular officers-- this was the same time that Count Pulaski was
[crossed out] killed & Count De Estany who commanded the French naval
force was defeated with the Americans - the British had possession
of Savannah & the Americans made the attack & storm to capture
it but were repulsed with immense loss. -
This was in the
Summer or Fall of the year, & the service with him continued
about three months, that long or more.
---
Summary time in all of the above 1st 21 ms. 2nd 3 ms. 3d. 2 ms. 4th 3 ms.
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[handwritten]
making in all twenty nine months. - 
He freely relinquishes any claim to a Pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. - And that he knows of no person by whom to prove his services as herewith set forth, & that he has no original documentary evidence to present in proof or corroboration of the same, all Revolutionary vouching which had having long since been lost & destroyed.
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid. - 
Willie B. Ector J. J. C.
David Jones
We, Absalom Jackson & Alexander Patterson, both private citizens, farmers, residing in the county of Meriwether State of Georgia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Jones whole has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty three years of age since 2nd March last; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood, where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion. - And that said David Jones labors under such bodily infirmity on account of extreme old age, constitutional weakness & giddiness of the head as renders him incapable of attending Court. - 
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. - 
Willie b. Ector J. J. C. 
Absalom Jackson his mark
Alex, Patterson
Page 9

[handwritten]
2
4
Georgia
Meriwether County
By Willie B. Ector one of the Judges
of the Inferior Court in & for said County
The said Judge or Justice, as above, does hereby
declare it as his opinion, after the investigation of the matter &
after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department
that the above mentioned applicant was a Revolutionary soldier
soldier & served as he states. And the said Judge or Justice
further certifies that it appears to him, acting officially as
the aforesaid that Absalom Jackson & Alexander Patterson
who have signed the preceding certificate are respectable citizens
& residents of the County of Meriwether State of Georgia
& are credible persons & their statement entitled to credit. And
said Judge or Justice further certifies that said applicant
can not from bodily infirmity, on account of extreme old age, 
constitutional weakness & giddiness of the head, attend the
Court without manifest inconvenience or danger.
Willie B. Ector J.J.C.
Meriwether Coty. Ga.
I, Edward W. Hussey, Clark of the Inferior or county court of Meriwether County State of Georgia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding as on Record of said Court in the matter of the application of David Jones for a pension through one of our Justices, Willie b. Ector, taken out of Form time on account of bodily infirmity of applicant.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & private seal, there being no seal of office, this 20th - day of October 1832.
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5697.
P. O. David Jones
Service: _____________, 18
Enlisted: ______________, 18
Discharged: ____________, 18
Application filed: _________, 18
REJECTED, 
[crossed out] 
The printed list of 1852 gives cause of suspension as [crossed out] follows:
Attorney:
P. O. ______________
_______Recognized. _______Contra [missing text]
_______Cert. of Dis.   Searched for ________, 18
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[handwritten]
David Jones
No. 2. 
19539
Page 12

This
affidavit subsequently discovered obtained & annexed

George
-
Meriwether County
Personally appeared before me Joseph
Peavy who being duly sworn deposeth & saith
that he knew David Jones during the Revolutionary War, that
they were neighbours that they are associate at times in the American
cause & that he knows him to have been a true Whig.
Sworn to & subscribed before me
26th
October 1832
Willie B. Ector J. J. C.
Joseph
his mark
Peavy
Page 13

Hon
Jas M. Wayne
Jany 4th  1834
P.C.
Re vo.l 34
Pa 17
Page 14

Depart. of War
Pen off
Jany 4 '34
R Tue 5761
Sir
The declarations of Chs Jordon and David
Jones have been received, [crossed out] and
are suspended & placed upon this upon the files of the office [/crossed out]
In as much as the applicants have died [illegible]
there declaration were made, and of cause
rendered of [illegible] to bring their
claim wither the [illegible] presented by the
Depart, without the direct testimony of [illegible] debt
Witness who shall be able to specify the
service of the applicant, there claims have
been suspended and the papers placed
upon the files of War Office
[illegible signature]
J. M. Wayne
H. R.