Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3841, James Turner, Md.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Md.
Turner, James
NUMBER
S. 3841
Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

[2 page booklet]
[left page]
Dead.
Letter to [?S]Auditor US Aor S.
March 18  March 1840
Paid at the Treasury under
the Act of the11th April 1838
from 4th Sept 1838 to 31 Jany
1859. Agt notified 2d April 1840

[right page]
Ohio. 19.892
-------------
James Turner.
of Allen Co in the State of Ohio.
who was a Private in the Co. commanded 
by Captain Cressup of the Regt. commanded
by Colo. Ward in the Maryland
line for twenty Months.
-----------
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio.
at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
-----------
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d. day of Sept. 1833. and sent to J. E. Chaplin. or the Clerk of the Court of Allen Co.
-----------
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 33,     166.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending
 [illegible] '34,                               33.33
                                              ------------
                                                 $ 199.98

Wapahkonetta, P.O. allen Co. Ohio
------

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832.}
 Recorded by Wm. K. Palmer
[bo]ok  E   Vol. 8    Page 26.
Page 3

Declaration of 
James Turner
for a Pension --
under the act of June 7th AD 1832.
22601
Page 4

The Declaration of James Turner in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832

State of Ohio  }
County of Allen  } ss
On this 18th day of August AD 1832 personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Allen and State of Ohio. James Tanner a resident of the County aforesaid, aged seventy six years on the 27th day of October just past.  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 1775 with Capt. Michael Cressup and service in a Regiment which he thinks was called the 1st Rifle Regiment but he is not certain as to the Number of the Regiment, under the following named officers. Col. Hayes who command said Regiment, whose baptismal name is not now recollected his company officers were Capt. Michael Cressup who [illegible] at New York in two or three months after this declarant enlisted.  1st Lieutenant Moses Rawlings, 2nd Lieut. Daniel Cressup, 3d Lieut. Richard Davis, & Ensign Michael Cressup, Junr. Captains Morgan of Virginia, Price of Maryland, & Stevenson of Virginia who commanded [illegibles] in the same Regiment. At the time this declarant enlisted he resides in Hagerstown Washington County, Maryland.  The Regiment was marched to Boston soon after this declarant enlisted, passing thru part of Pennsylvania, New Jer [torn out] [N]ew York Connecticut & Mass [torn out] Boston
Page 5

where it arrived soon after the battle of Bunker Hill. We remaining in the vicinity of Boston until the Spring of 1776, when we were marched through Wickford, Connecticut to the City of New York, then to Bergen Point & thence to Staten Island when the company to which this declarant belonged was Discharged.  some time about the last of June 1776. This declarant enlisted for the Sum of one year , was in no regular battle during that period but was engaged in several skirmishes with the enemy while laying at Boston.

Immediately after his discharge as aforesaid this declarant proceeded to Lancaster in Pennsylvania and volunteered his services in what was called the Flying Camp & was very soon marched to Cony - Island.  The Regiment was commanded by Col. Jacob Clark, Capt. Jacob Myers commanded the Company to which this declarant belonged & in which he had a 1st Lieutenant commission. General Sullivan & Sterling then commanded the American Army on Cony Island this declarant was in the battle fought on the 27th day of August 1776 new Flat Bush commonly called the Battle of Long Island. Soon after that battle the troops left Cony Island & crossed over to New York whence we were marched to a place called Mile square above New York where was a skirmish with the Hessians[??] in which this declarant was engaged.  From the last mentioned place we were marched to White Plains, when another battle was fought. thence we were marched to New Brunswick New-Jersey, thence into Pennsy [torn out]  thru[??] Princeton & Trenton this de [torn out] ed Five months on
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this tour at the end of which time he was discharged A Philadelphia.

In the month of January 1777. this declarant again volunteered under Capt Joseph Chaplin at Sharpsburgh. Washington County, Maryland. James Chaplin was the first Lieutenant of his Company  & Thomas Crampton the second and was attached to the Militia of Maryland. He  
does not now recollect the names of the field officers of the Regiment to which his company belonged. We were marched to Morristown New Jersey when the head quarter of the army then was, & the company of this declarant was stationed at Basken Ridge three or four miles from Morristown between that place & the British army then lying A Brunswick New Jersey.  During the month of January a detachment to which this declarant belonged, consisting of three or four companies, was marched to [illegible] in New Jersey to [illegible] a party of the British who had erected a small fort there, but was compelled to retreat after a smart skirmish.
We say at Basken Ridge or near there in light of Sterling Forest, as the seat of Gen. Lord Sterling was called, during the remainder of the winter.  This declarant was discharged about the first of April, having this tour, served about three months.  This declarant received written discharges from the service at the three several times. above mentioned which he preserved for several years, but at length destroyed, not anticipating that they would ever be of any use to him. He also at the same time destroyed his commission, and is not now able to recollect by whom it was signed. He was born about five miles from Baltimore in Mary \land the 27th of October 1755
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He has no record of his age except in his own family Bible in which it was me from traditionary information.
In the month of July 1777 this declarant was married & settled in Washington County, Maryland where he resided four years then moved to Washington Co Pennsylvania in where he remained about two years then went to Mason County Kentucky where he resided about 20 years there to Champaign County Ohio where he remained about 16 years; thence to Allen County. same State, where he now resides. 
There are no persons within the knowledge of this declarant residing in this State who were personally knowing to his services as a soldier in the Revolutionary war.  
but he refers to the subjoined deposition, of the Rev.. William Chaffee Christopher Wood. . Samuel Lippincott and James Daniels for his character for veracity. & their belief as to the truth of the foregoing statement.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the aging of any State.
James Turner
Sworn to & subscribed
the day & year aforesaid

We William Chaffee, a clergyman residing in the County of Allen. Ohio & Christopher Wood, Samuel Lippincott, & James Daniels of the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James
Turner who has subscribed and sworn
Page 8

to the above declaration; that we believe him to believe him to be seventy six years of age; that he is a man of good moral character and an acceptable member of the Baptist Church: that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion 
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
William Chaffee
Chrisr Wood
Samuel Lippincott
James Daniels

And the said Court do hereby declare  their opinion, after the investigation of the matter & 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 the above named William Chaffee who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman residing in said County of Allen and that Christopher Wood. Samuel Lippincott & James Daniels who have also signed the same are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit

I, John Ward, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Allen County, State of Ohio solemnly certify that the foregoing contains the original of the proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of James Turner for a pension - - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Clerks office this 18th of August 1832.
John Ward Clerk Pro Tem

[circularish seal image shown]
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[22501 crossed out]
19.882
James Turner
Ohio

Adm 1. year & 8 Months
40.00
26.66
----------
$ 66.66
  25
-------------
133.32
  33.33
-------------
166.65

Sent to
J, E, Chaplin.
or to
C. of Court of 
Allen Co.
-------------
Wapahkonetta, P . Office;
Page 10


WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
8th May 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 you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
-----------------------
A Statement, showing the service of James Turner. Ohio

[Columns defined]
[c-1] Period when the service was rendered.
[c-2a to c-2c] Duration of the claimant's 
service.
[c-2a] Years.
[c-2b]Months.
[c-2c] Das.
[c-3] Rank of the claimant
[c-4] Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
[c-5] Age at present, and place of [illegible] when he entered the service.
[c-6] Proof by which the [illegible] to support

[Entries]
[no. 1]
[c-1]  [illegible] 1775 Vol.
[c2-a] 1
[c-2b&c blank]
[c-3] private
[c-4] Cp. Cressup  Col Ward
[c-5] 76 - born near Baltimore MD entered at Hagers Town  Md   now living in Ohio - Allen Cy.
[c-6 blank]

[no. 2]
[c-1]  1776.  "
[c-2a  empty]
[c-2b] 5
[c-2c empty]
[c-3] " [private]
[c-4] Cp. Myers  Col Clotz
[c-5 & 6  empty]

[no. 3]
[c-1]  1777.  "
[c-2a  empty]
[c-2b] 3
[c-2c empty]
[c-3] " [private]
[c-4] Cp. Chaplin
[c-5  empty]
[c-6] Certificate of a Clergyman and Citizens


I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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[note: "[[" and "]]" indicate use of bracket in the text of document]

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   }
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 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. [image of finger pointing] 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           of the Court of          do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of          for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this       day of        
& c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman. residing in the           and C. D. residing in (the same )
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with          ,  who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be             years of age;  that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident             in the 
and 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 12

[note: "[[" and "]]" indicate use of bracket in the text of document

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 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?
23. 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. {[illegible Did you ever receive a] discharge from the service, and if so, by who was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested 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 clergy man, 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 eaquiry[sic] 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, atttend[sic] 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 is 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 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 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 loss than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades ; - For ______year ______ 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 services.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must, in every case, be clearly shows under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place 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 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 certificate of a Member 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 their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time 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 under his seal of office.
[small stamp of finger pointing right] the notes from [[a]] to [[illegible]] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by [illegible] note [[j]] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable is 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 seat to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 13

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
March 20th, 1840.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States, "The children of James Turner, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio Agency, at the rate of Sixty Six - Dollars and Sixty Six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this  Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1838. to the 31st January 1839, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K Parris
Comptroller.

To the commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 14

[left fold 90 degree]
1932 July 16 Mrs. Orville D. Daily ref. to the Gen. Account . Office Lee Edw. Otis. S. 32425.

[right fold]
Rev War
3841
INVALID.
________
File No. 3841
James Turner
Privt Rev War
___________
Act: June 7" 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 380
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form Van-51
12-5-41 | Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Turner, James | GRADE Private |
 LINE Massachusetts

WARRANT NUMBER 5165 | ACREAGE 100 | ISSUED Aug.1. 1789 to Thomas Cushing -

______
*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, 1886, 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 e records in The National Archives.