Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8441, Henry Evans, Va.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Va.   
Evans, Henry    

NUMBER
S. 8441
carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

Virginia
Henry Evans.
Rockbridge in the State of Va.
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Taylor of the Regt commanded
by________ in the Va. 
line for 8 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of  Pension issued the 14 day of May
1833 and sent to family.
McD Reid., Lexington P.C. Va.

Arrears to the 4th March 1833. 53.32
Page 3

Order to (illegible) May 24, 1857
J. Anderson- James Day

Date of Death Not ou AB
Page 4

Date of death not on AB

[Vertical]
Order to [illegible] May 24, 1837
I. Anderson - [illegible] day.
Page 5

State of Virginia Rockbridge County   August 16th 1832

On this day (Name crossed out), Personally appeared before me William Paxton, a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid, Henry Evans, a resident vis sa. County & State, aged ninety two years, who to being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to attain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered into the service of the States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated- he states, that from extreme age, and from natural and bodily deformities, he he is unable at this time to give a full account of his services, and of dates and places- he states that he first entered into the service of the United States as a volunteer, against the Cherokee Indians, under Cpt John Gilmore, them of Rockbridge County, State of Virginia, and now dead- he does not recollect any other officers, under whom he served in this expeditions, but Is under an impression that Hugh Logan was a Lieutenant, them of (Illegible), now renamed to (Illegible) of the Western States.- This applicant believes that he served about two months in that expedition.- This applicant further states, that in his next tour in the service of the United States, he was drafted as a militia man for three months that he marched from Rockbridge, about 1779 under Cpt William Hall (or James Hall), them of Sa. County
Page 6

of Rockbridge, and now dead, and [illegible, crossed out] to Richmond where he [illegible] head quarters--under what [illegible]for officers he does not now recollect. - from the [illegible] he believes he went to Petersburg, in this town he served three months--he states that he was in no skirmishes in this expedition----This applicant further states, that he was again [illegible] and a militia man, and marched from Rockbridge afore [illegible] about 1781 or 2. [illegible]
Capt. James Gilmore, [illegible[ of [illegible] County. now dead--that he marched to Richmond, and then on to the siege of York, [illegible] what regulan officers he cannot now recollect. In this town he served three months. This applicant further states that he went from [illegible]  County of Rockbridge, under Capt. William Paxton, then of Rockbridge County , Virginia, and now dead [illegible crossed out] to Point Pleasant, against the Indians, the particulars of this expedition he cannot  now recollect. This applicant further states, that he was born in the County of Albamarle state of his [illegible] in the year 1740.
He has not any record of his age.
He states that he was living in ]illegible]  County of Rockbridge when drafted into service, where he has lived since.
He states that he never received a discharge.
He refers to James Greenlee Esq. [illegible] C. Burks, of his [ illegible............] , for his[illegible] as a man of veracity
Page 7

and that they believe him to have been a [illegible] be on any soldier.
This applicant hereby relinquishes every claim  whatsoever 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. 
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year above written.
his
Henry Evans
mark.

Mr James Greenlee, and Samuel C Banks residing in the [illegible] County of Rockbridge, in the immediate neighborhood of Henry Evens, do hereby certify that we are [illegible...........] with, the applicant who has sworn to and [illegible.....] at one [illegible]
(I James Greenlee for 52 years and I  Samuel C Burks for 30 years) that we believe him to be 92 years of age-that he is [illegible] and believes in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Revolutionary Soldier--that his character  for veracity is pure and [illegible
illegible]--that we concur in the opinion of all those who know him, that he was a Revolutionary [illegible illegible]--we further certify, that [ ] Evans has been found in 10. years is legaly blind-- and that his bodily 
infirmities are so great that he lives upon the charity of his country and of one [illegible] his friend--that his only [illegible] is his bed and his [illegible]ing apparel.
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sworn to and subscribed the day and year above 
written.                    (signatures) Samuel Burke
                                                    James Greenlee
Henry Evans
21995

William Paxton, Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, as hereby declare. that the [  ]
Henry Evans from bodily infirmities, is unable to
attend at the Court House of [  ] County-- and that after having investigated [  ] Evans application, and put the In[illegible], prescribed by the man [illegible
illegible], do believe that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states--I do further certify that James Greenlee Esq. and Cpt Samuel C. Burks
are credible persons, and that their statement is [illegible] to credit.
[illegible] the day and year above written.
               (signature) William Paxton
State of Virginia.
Rockbridge County [illegible]
I Samuel McDReid clerk of the court of said county in said state, do hereby certify that William Paxton [illigebile]  whose name is subscribed to the above certificate now is and was at the time of signing this name as acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commishioned and qualified, and that all his official acts are entitled to full faith and credit and that his signature is genuine--
In testimony whereof I have [illegible]
set my hand and affixed my seal of office
this 20th Day of December 18[]2 and in the
[illegible]7th year of the commonwealth.
           (signature) Samuel McDReid
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No 21995
Henry Evans Va
13.134.
Adm for 8 Months

Samuel Mc D. Reid Clk
Rockbridge County Court
Virginia
Page 10

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. 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.

A Statement, showing the Service of Henry Evans. Rockbridge County
Period when the service was rendered.: Vol; Draft 1779; 1781-2
Duration of the claimant's service.:
Years:
Months: about 2; 3; 3
Days:
Rank of the claimant.: Priv, ", ", "
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.: Capt Gilmore; " Hall; " Gilmore; " Paxton
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.: ~; ~; Hon; ~
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.: None; ~; Siege of York
Country through which he marched.: Va; Va; Va
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.: Aged 92; Rockbridge County Va
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.: Traditionary

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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ing and to one of the base of
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
┃ ---
---
were 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 in
stance, 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.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
of
On this
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory or in
County of
day of
A.B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
aged (c)
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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 made by the set of Congress
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
served in the
with
(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 serv-
---
him 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 enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged.
and the country through when he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of
sons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
to the cares of orders and per-
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
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
ry 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 Troo
ses and
Subscribe a declaration in Virginia, will make and
the foregoing, with the following auditions, viz:
What
and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
WHO HAS
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Clerk of the Court of
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the preacher of that the foregoing
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
& 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 resumony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the serthe
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 12

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there
subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
To a Soldier.
6. ┃
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given
and what has become of it?
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.
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 be
fore 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.
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.
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.
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he render. If it should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the person or persons of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give him when he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
---
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of to be in his 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:
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 write some length of his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the persons mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year----months, anddays
, I served as a . For months and served for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each apoleast 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 others, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what offers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular piece of places where the service was personnet that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority
; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time farm; which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix his seal, and it has no device or temples by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congres, moving the final character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mack of attesting 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 amached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, or as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Sec.
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 latter of 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 pages who may stamister the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses
, and the official character and signature of the magistrate recorded by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
note applies to continental troops only.
( This traditionary evidence is indispensable in milk
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent in the War Department, with the declaration.
Dyer Castor
ex Clerk
Page 13

September 24, 1934
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/MBL
Henry Evans-S.8441

Mrs. D. C. Moors
181 Greenwood Avenue
East Orange, New Jersey

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Henry Evans, a Revolutionary War pensioner, who lived in Rockbridge County, Virginia.

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim; S.8441, based upon the military service of Henry Evans in that war.

Henry Evans was born in 1740, in Albemarle County, Virginia. The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in Rockbridge County, Virginia, he served in Captain William Paxton's Virginia Company and went to Point Pleasant on an expedition against the Indians. No further particulars are given.

He enlisted in 1779 or 1780, exact date not shown, and served three months in Captain William Hall's or Captain James Hall's Virginia Company; he enlisted in 17[illegible], served three months in Captain James Gilmore's Virginia Company and was at the siege of [illegible]; the soldier stated also that he served in Captain John Gilmore's Virginia Company and went on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians; no dates for this service were given.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 16, 1838, while residing in Rockbridge County, Virginia.

There are no data as to soldier's family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the
Page 14

name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Henry Evans (S.8441), you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Henry Evans, Certificate No. 13134, issued May 14, 1838, rate $26.66 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Virginia Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 15

May 23d
here
Hy Evans
Norfolk
13,134.

[Vertical]
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner agent
washington D.C.

[Stamp 1]
RICHMOND
MAY
21
Va.

[Stamp 2]
FREE
Page 16

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner agent
washington D.C.

[Vertical]
May 23d
here
Hy Evans
Norfolk
13,134.

[Stamp 1]
RICHMOND
MAY
21
Va.

[Stamp 2]
FREE
Page 17

Dearsir
Enclosed you have the pension of Henry Evans - which has from his peculiar situation of inability to attend to business here Suffice to remain uncollected for two years. Consequently the agent for paying pensions here Cannot pay it without particular instructions from you which we will beseach you to give and return the enclosed
Respectfully
D Anderson Jr
Richmond May 20. 1837
Page 18

May 20, 1931

Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
EEL

Mr. Joseph K. Hull
P.O. BOX 39
Richmond, Virginia

Dear Sir:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.8441, that Henry Evans was born in 1740, in Albemarle County, Virginia.

While residing in Rockbridge County, Virginia, he served in Captain William Paxton's Virginia Company and went to Point Pleasant on an expedition against the Indians, no further particulars given.

He enlisted in 1779 or 1780, exact date not given, and served three months in Captain William Hall's or Captain James Hall's Virginia Company.

He enlisted in 1781, served three months in Captain James Gilmore's Virginia Company and was at the siege of Yorktown.

The soldier also stated that he served in Captain John Gilmore's Virginia Company and went on an expedition against the Cherokee Indians, no dates for this service given.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 16, 1832, while residing in Rockbridge County, Virginia.

There are no data as to his family.

In order to secure the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner,
Page 19

Henry Evans, S.8441, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data:

Henry Evans, Certificate No.13134, issued May 14, 1833, rate $25.66 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Virginia Agency.

Very truly yours

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 20

[Header]
181 Greenwood Avenue
East Orange, N. J.

[Handwritten]
Sept. 1 - 1934

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:-
Will you please give me any information you may have in your archives, about Henry Evans, a Revolutionary soldier, pensioner, who lived in Rockbridge County, Virginia - To whom, when & where his last pension was paid. The name of his wife, and children or heirs, his residence at time of death, date of death, or any facts about him would be very gratefully receive.
This Henry Evans is given in the Secretary of War's 1833 Pension List.
Thanking you for your courtesy, I am,
Very truly,
Mrs. D. C. Akers.

[Stamp]
REC'D
SEP 4 1934
MAIL SUB-DIV
[illegible]
Page 21

P. O. Box 39,
Richmond, Va.,
April 6, 1931.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
Will you favor me with any information that may be in your records concerning
Henry Evans, Rockbridge County, Virginia,
who served in the Revolutionary War and drew a pension therefor. I am particularly anxious to determine if possible his place and time of birth, names of parents, wife and children, if any, and whether he resided in Rockbridge County, Virginia, until his death; if not, where he died.
Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Yours very truly,
[Signed] Joseph K Hull
Joseph K. Hull.

[Stamp 1]
REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS
SECTION
APR 8 - 1931
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

[Stamp 2]
PENSION
O
APR
U 7 S
1931
OFFICE
Page 22

8441.
rev War
INVALID.

File No. 8441
Henry Evans
Pri Rev War
-
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. 1st, Page 117

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 23

1931-May 20. Hist. to
Joseph K. Hull - EES
______________________
1934 - Sept 24 Hist to Mrs D. C. Akers. EEL