Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13473, Michael Humble, Va.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Va.

Humble, Michael

NUMBER
S. 13473

carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

Virginia  16650
Michael Humble
of Frederick in the State of Virginia
who was a private in the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Regiment commanded
by Colonel Gibson in the Virginia
line for 7 1/2 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 25. Dollars--Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of Sept 1833 [blank]
and [Justice?] Samuel
Kirchavel, NewTown Stephensburgh Virginia
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833     62.50
Semi-annual allowance ending     12.50
4 March 1834                               $75.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7,1932}
Recorded by JP. Rice   Clerk
Book [illegible: S?]  Vol. C   Page 14
Page 3

No 25879
Michael Humble 
Frederick County, Virginia
Return is
[illegible] as private
Pension $20

Samuel Kerchavel Newtown Stevens
Frederick County Virginia
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
5th August 1880.
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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Michael Humble, or Michael Kemble
Frederick County Virginia
Period when the
service was
rendered.
Draft 1. Sept 1777
Draft Jun 1781
Served Wint 1782

Duration of the
claimant's service.
Years.
Months
6
-
1
Days.
-
15 or 20
-
Rank of the
claimant.
private
Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Cap Nisewander, Col Gibson
Cap Bell, Genl. Morgan
Cap Glass
Age at present, 
and place of abode
when he entered
the service.
76 years
Frederick County Virginia
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence, and
Witnesses papers not properly
attached.
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," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons 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 } ss.
County of
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 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 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.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I
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 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 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 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
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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
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.
{Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, 
{and what has become of it?
6. {To a Soldier.
{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 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
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.
[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 person 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 claimant 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 
metals are long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year----months, and--- 
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
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place 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 the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix 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 certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of 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 their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well 
as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses,
and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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25879
Page 8

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832
State of Virginia}
Frederick County} SS
On this 8th day of June 1833 personally appeared before the
undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the County of Frederick
and State of Virginia at the dwelling house of Moses Russell
Esq. Michael Humble (aged upwards of 70 years) a resident of the
said County (he the said Michael being an old and decrepid
man, and unable to attend Court without great inconvenience,)
and being first duly sworn according to law doth make the following 
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of
congress passed the 7th June 1832 "for the relief of the officers
and soldiers of the war of the revolution," that he the deponent 
entered into the service of the United States on or about
the first of September 1777 and served until the first of
March 1778, that he was drafted in the Militia of Frederick
County Virginia and marched from Winchester on said first of
September, in the company commanded by Captain John Nisewander
that from Winchester the company marched directly
to Fort Pitt, and was placed under the command of Colo
Gibson (deponent doth not recollect the Colo Christian name)
remained about three weeks at Fort Pitt, and from thence was marched 
to Fort Wheeling and remained about four weeks at that
fort, and from thence returned to Fort Pitt, and remained
about one week, and from thence the company marched back
to Winchester, and was then placed as a guard over the British
prisoners, to best of deponants recollection they were called part of
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(2)
the prisoners taken with General Burgoine, they were part of them
English, part Scotch, and part Hessians, on the said first day of March
1778 this deponent was regularly discharged by the said Capt John Nisewander;
but his discharge is either mislaid or lost, and he is now
unable to produce it.
The next tour this deponent served, was in the month of June
1781, he was drafted to march into the County of Hampshire in Virginia,
to quell an insurrection or rebellion, commonly called Claypoles 
and Brakes rebellion the company was commanded by Capt Bell
(deponant doth not recollect his christian name) this tour only
lasted about fifteen or twenty days. This expedition was commanded
by Genl Daniel Morgan, Colo. John Smith, Major John Nisewander
and others
The next and last tour this deponent served, was as guard
over the British prisoners at the Winchester Barracks, under Capt Saml
Glass, in this last mentioned service the deponent served about one
month, this was in the winter 1782. The prisoners were removed or a part
of them from the said barracks, and this deponent marched with
the guard in the month of February 1782 to Shepardstown on the
Potomack river, and crossing the Potomac the said prisoners were
delivered into the custody of the Maryland Militia. From this tour
of service this deponent, was regularly discharged, but which discharge
is also mislaid or lost, and he cannot now produce it
He hereby relinquishes every claim, 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}                        Michael Humble
before me the day and}
year aforesaid}
Page 10

(3 )
We Philip P Burk
and Moses Russell do
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Micheal Humble (There
being no longyman in the neighborhood with whom the said Michael
Humble is well acquainted who can certify to the fact of his being
reputed a soldier a soldier of the revolution, and that we believe
that he is of the age he states himself to be, we also know the pet
that he was drafted to serve a term in the militia in the war of the
revolution
Sworn to and subscribed
Philip Bucher
day and year aforesaid
N.L. Gordon J. P
M. Russell

Questions propounded to the applicant by the magistrate
where and what year were you born
In the State of Maryland within about eleven miles of Freder
town, on the 24th July 1757 according to the account given
by my parents
Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it
I have no record of my age in my possession but I suppose it might ┃
be found in the Church book of Maryland
when you living when called into the service, where
the revolutionary war, and where do you now live
have you laid
I lived in the County of Frederick, in the State of Virgin
called into the service and have lived in the said County
since and still live
.
How were you called into the service were you drafted did you 
the same place
ed into the service
be
by
in
cente
were you 
and if a substitue
Clar
continental
head
the
at
circumstan
Page 11

(4 )
your service
ans.  I do not recollect any continental officers except Colo Gibson
nor do I know to a certainty that was a regular officer, nor do
I know that we were joined to any continal or militia except
that commanded by Colo. Gibson, I can only reflect the names 
of the militia officers under whom I served, John Nisewander
was my Capt. John Barnes was Lieutenant and Robert Cockran
was our ensign. The general circumstances of my service
are detailed in the preceding declaration
6th.  Did you receive a discharge from the service; and if so by whom
was it given and what become of it
ans.  I received discharges for the several tours I served, the first from
Capt. John Nisewander, the second from Capt. Bell and the
last from Capt. Saml Glass, but they are all mislaid or lost
and I cannot now produce them
7th.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your neighborhood
who can testify as to your character for veracity and their
belief your services as a soldier of the Revolution
ans.  Catharine Bly a woman upwards of 70 years of age can testify
as to my absence in the service, and Moses Russell Esq. and
Philip P. Bucher will give their opinion of my character for
veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier in the war
of the Revolution
the war
Catharine Bly a resident of the County of Frederick and state
of Virginia aged about seventy one years, being first duly sworn according
to law declares that she well recollects when Michael Humble was
first drafted to serve in the militia in the War of the Revolution.  It
Page 12

(5 )
tour of service the first time he was out. She this deponant also recollects
that the said Michael served another tour against the tories.
She also recollects that he served a tour as one of the guard over the
British prisoners at the Winchester Barracks. This deponant believes this
was in the Winter of 1782                                  
                             Catharine her x mark Bly
Sworn to and subscribed}                                  
before me the day and year}
aforesaid
N.L. Gordon

Maj. Philip P Bucher aged upwards of eighty years a resident of
the county of Frederick & state of Virginia being first duly
sworn according to law, declares that he is well acquainted 
with Michael Humble, the applicant for a pension, that he knows
the fact that he the said Michael was drafted in the war of the
Revolution to serve a tour in the Militia of Frederick County, and
that he believes the said Michael served out his tour. He the
deponant also knows the fact that the said Michael served in the 
expedition, for quelling the tory insurrection or rebellion commonly
called Claypoles Rebellion. He this deponent also believes the said
Michael has always born the character of an honest upright man
and a man of veracity                                   Philip P Bucher

Sworn to and subscribed}
before me the day and}
year aforesaid}
NL Gordon JP

Moses Russell Esqr. aged upwards of seventy years also at
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that he is well acquainted with Michael Humble the applicant
for a pension, and he knows the fact that the said Michael was drafted
to serve a tour in the Militia of Frederick County, and that he
believes he served out his time.  He this deponant also recollects, that
the said Michael served in the expedition against the tories, or at
best he always understood and believes so served.  The said deponant
also further believes that the said Michael is a man of upright
character, and is a man of veracity
Sworn to and subscribed}                               M. Russell
before me, the day & year}
aforesaid
N.L. Gordon
Page 14

in the Virginia state line. Given under my hand this 11th
day of June 1833.                                  John Smith


I Thomas Allen Tidball Clerk of the Court of Frederick County hereby
certify that Nash L. Gordon Esqr is a Magistrate as above and that the 
foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.  In Testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of
my office this 13th day of June in the year 1833.
                                                                T.A. Tidball
                                                                Clerk of the Court of
                                                                Frederick County
Page 15

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Page 16

Winchester 22 Aug 1833

Sir
Your letter of 5th instant has been duly recd.
which has been duly attended to.
Presuming from your directions, that
all that was necessary to be done, was to attach
with a piece of silk ferreting the two sheets
of paper containing the Declaration of affidavits
together I applied to the Clerk of the court of
Frederick county, and he fixed the papers as
we understand your directions
The applicant (Michael Humble) is a very
poor old crippled man, and if it suits your convenience,
it would render the poor old man, an
important service, to forward his certificate immediately.

Most respectfully
Yours &c
Saml Kercheval
P.S.
Please direct your answer to the Post office
at New Town Stephensburg Va.
S.K