Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,543, John Ballenger, Va.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE Va
Ballenger, John. 
NUMBER S. 31,543
CONTENTS
Page 2

Alabama 19.834
John Ballenger
in the County of St. Clair in the State of Alabama
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Gillenson of the Regt commanded
by Col Stevens in the Virginia
line for two years
Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama
the rate of 80 Dollars 00. Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Sept
1833 and sent to John
McCutchen, Present.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 200.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 40.00
---
240.00

⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Recorded 12
Wm. B. Palmer, Clerk

Book 6
Vol. 8
Page 43
Page 3

84776
Alabama
John Ballanger's
declaration
Henry L. Handy (?) Esq.
Washington City
John McCutchen

Paid 25

Ashville A
Nov. 25 12

26,478
Page 4

State of Alabama
St. Clair County ⎬
Circuit Court fall term 1832
On this eighth day of November personally
appeared in open court before the Honorable Anderson Crenshaw
Presiding Judge of the circuit court now sitting, John Ballinger
of the County and state aforesaid aged about seventy three 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 act of Congress passed
June the 7th 1832 - That he was born in Culpeper County Virginia
in the year 1759 that he has no record of his age, but that his knowledge
of the same is traditional that he was living when called into service
in the County and its last mentioned, that after the close of the
he removed to the State of South Carolina, thence to the State of Alabama
and County aforesaid about eight years since where he still resides
Claimant further states that he entered the service of the United States as a regular enlisted soldier
the 16th of January 1777 in the County of Culpeper
Virginia as aforesaid that he attached himself to Captain John
Gillason's company
that in or about March following he march
with said company to Newcastle in the State of Delaware where
himself and a part of the company were inoculated for the small pox.
Thence they marched to head quarters at Middle Brook New Jersey. The company to which this claimant belonged was attached to
the regiment which Colonel Edward Stevens commanded. shortly
after they had thus reached head quarters they were marched under
Col. Stevens to the State of New York but had no engagement with the British who about this time quit the state of
New York and sailed around to the mouth of Elk Creek in the Chesapeake bay, nothing remarkable occurred this year in the
regiment to which the claimant belonged, they were
marched some twenty miles perhaps from Philadelphia to Valley Forge where they
 went into winter quarters with the major fort
of the continental forces. When the campaign open in the follow
in spring colonel Stevens resigned his commission and
this claimant still under Capt Gillason was attached to
the 6th regiment which was commanded by Colonel John
Green and Gen. Scott had command of the brigade.
They were marched under the last named officers into the
State of New Jersey where the battle of Monmouth was fought.

As well as this claimant can recollect about the month of July
this claimant was in that battle, it took place as he believes in


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the County of Monmouth Claimant does not recollect that any distinguished officers fell on either side. The American forces were
[illegible] in this battle by Gen. Charles Lee who afterwards was discharged
as this claimant believes for disobeying orders. The American the succeeding winter being that of 1778 and 79 went into winter quarters at Middle Brook New Jersey. The succeeding
spring this claimant was taken from the regular army and attached to a regiment of light infantry under Gen. Wayne
officer by the name of Stilton (Christian name not recollected
by Claimant) was his immediate captain they made several marches
the course of this year but had no engagement with the
enemy worth a relation save that at Stony Point on what was
then called the North but on the Hudson river in the State of
New York which they attempted and succeeded in storming
on the night of the 6th of July 1779 in this engagement Col. Hays was
wounded but not mortally also another officer whose name
forgotten by this claimant.   Claimant has thus given
a general and imperfect but nevertheless a correct
statement of the fort he took in the revolutionary conflict for as his recollection serves him aright.  In June
1780 at the City of Philadelphia he received a written discharge from Colonel Febecker which made the term of
his service three entire years. Claimant further avers that he has long since lost or destroy his discharge supposing it never could or would avail him any thing-
Claimant further avers that he holds no documentary evidence
nor is he acquainted with any living person
have testimony he can procure who could certify to his
services as a soldier of the revolution and lastly
he relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
annuity except the present and declares his [illegible] is
not on the pension roll of the agency of any state

His
John X Balling
Mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day and
year aforesaid in open court
[illegible]  Clerk  CC
Page 6

We James L Lewis Clergyman residing in the County of
St Clark and State of Alabama and Zacharia Cooper
residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Ballinger who has subscribed and
Sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to
be seventy three 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.
J L Lewis
Z. Cooper

Subscribed and sworn to
the day and year aforesaid
27

And the said Court do hereby declare its opinion after
the investigation of the matter and after pulling the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the
above name applicant was a revolutionary soldier
served as he states. And the court further certifying that it appears to it that James L. Lewis who has signed
the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident of the
that
County of St Clair and state of Alabama and Zacharia
Cooper who has also signed the same is a resident of
the same county and state and is a credible person and
that their statement is entitled
to credit
Anderson Crenshaw
Judge presiding
I, James L. Lewis Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County
and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings in the matter of the
application of John Ballenger for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of office this 8th day of November A.D. 1832.
J. L. Lewis Clerk CC
Page 7

Ashville St Clair Co. Alabama Nov. 24th 1832
Henry S. Handley Esq

D. Sir
you will please to attend
to the application of Mr Ballenger and take the fee you ask. By doing this you will much oblidge the within
named applicant as well as this subscribed his agent and
friend.   Any communication directed to either of us will be
punctually attended to and thankfully received
yours &c
Ralph P. Lane

Paid 25
-
John McCutchen
Washington City
Page 8

26.478.

19.834
John Ballenger
Alabama
Adm 2 years $80

John
McCutchen
Washington City
Page 9


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 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
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

Statement, showing the service of John Ballenge
Period when the service was rendered: 1 Jan'y 1777

Duration of the
claimant's service: 3 Yrs

Rank of the claimant: Pvt

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: Cap. Gilleason,
Col Stevens 

Age at present, and place of abode when he had entered the service: 73 years, Culpeper County, Va.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary
On roll
Va. County

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:
The Regular Troops.
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
On this
day of
County of
of
.
A.
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 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)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
with and
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 servunder
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. 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
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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
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 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
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
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
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 11

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected
. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
CASC.
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.
G.
{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 une has become of it?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
low the rule laid down for his guidance.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will for
┃ The deal
conforming to the rule.
rant 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
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 the name of the Cabinet under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
it as to enable the Department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitied 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 doth and
of the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the promise
saith, that, by reason
recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following year, according to the best of his
days, I served as a
Forpaths
, and --
and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
is the son to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the senior his service. The use of the prisons three or four months
too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
the mint, &c without specifying the tours; the name of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
ly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent on
pursuit.
that 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
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
the Clerk must give me crick or a
The Clerk must that 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 pubpapers
.
his seal of office, the certificate of a stember of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
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 conin
the midavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
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.
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
is the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the will
us, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office
nies to continental troops only.
are all equally applicable to the cases of militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
tionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration:
Page 12

Mr. H. W. Thomason
Opelika, Route 12
Alabama

January 23, 1936
XXXX
BA-J/MCS
John Ballenger, S.31543

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter of January 8, 1926, requesting the Revolutionary War record of John Ballenger of Virginia
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in
the pension claim, S. 31543, based upon the military service of John
Ballenger, the only soldier of that name that is found in the Revolutionary
War records of this office.
He was born in 1759 in Culpeper County, Virginia. The names of
his parents were not given.
While living in Culpeper County, he enlisted January 16, 1777,
served as private in Captain John Gillison's company in Colonel Edward
Stevens' Virginia regiment and later in Colonel John Green's Virginia
regiment, spent the winter of 1778 at Valley Forge and was in the
battle of Monmouth in the spring of 1779 he was detached and served
in Captain Shelton's company of light infantry under General Wayne, was
in the battle of Stony Point and was discharged in January, 1780, by
Colonel Febiger.
After the close of the Revolution he moved to South Carolina,
from there to Alabama and about eight years later he moved to St.
Clair County, Alabama.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 8,
1832, at which time he was living in St. Clair County, Alabama,
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's
family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 13

31543
INVALID.
File No. 31573
John Ballenger
Pvt Rev War
Act:
June 7 82
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 26
Arrangement of 1870.
1936 Jan. 23. [illegible] to
Mr. H.W. Thomason
Page 14


---
R # 2. Opelika, Ala.
January 8, 1835
The Veterans Administration 
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:
I am writing to find out if you
will please look through your records of the
Revolutionary war and see if you a pension
paper
or other war record of John Ballenger of Virginia
that would verify his war record and anything
of a genealogical nature. Thanking you very
much, I am
Yours respectfully
H. W. Thomason
Page 15

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12 - 5 - 41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
New York
Ballentine, William
GRADE Private
LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 6840
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

ACREAGE. 100
ISSUED Sept. 22, 1790
to Rebecca Slingerland et al



"The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.