Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5778, for Edward Morton, Virginia
Page 1

(3—1776)
Service Va.
Morton, Edward
Number S. 5778
carded
Contents
Page 2

4980
Virginia
Edward Morton
of Pendleton in the State of Va;
who was a pri: in the compy commanded
by Captain Bell of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Morgan in the Va.
line for 6 months from 1780.

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 20 Dollars ___ Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of Jan 33
and Sent Hon Wm
McCoy House of Reps

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832    30-
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar:33  10-
$40

d. Feby 20. 1852

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk
Book D Vol. 7 Page 126

Paid at the Treasury under
the Act of the 6th April 1838
from 4 Sept 1837 to 4 March
1838. Agt notified 12 Jany 1839
Page 3

Pendleton County, To Wit.
            On this 3rd day of October 1832 Personally appeared before the Justice of the County Court of Pendleton, Edward Morton, a resident of the County aforesaid, aged about 68 or 69 years next March, but has no record of his age in the county. Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. 
States that he served as a Volunteer under Capt. David Bell in the Revolutionary War against the Indians for a tour of about four weeks, the year not precisely recollected, but marched to Clover Lick in the County of Augusta, he states that at the time of his enlistment he lived in the Bull pasture waiting in the county of Augusta & State of Virginia, but was in no actual engagement,
He received no written discharge; He further states that he Volunteered in the Militia service of the State of VA in the year 1780, and month of September, against the British, and marched to South Carolina under the command of Gen. Morgan, & belonged to Capt. Bohannans Company, he stated he was in the Battle of the Cowpens, received no wound, he further states he received no written discharge. He further states that he served another tour of duty, say three months, was at the siege of York under the command of Capt. Thomas Hicklin, in the year 1781. And that he came round by the way of Winchester as a guard with the Prisoners. 
                     his
       Edward  X  Morton
                   mark
Page 4

This day Edward Steuart came before me Charles Steuart, a Justice of the Peace for & in the County of Bath, and made oath that Edward Morton was legally drafted with himself at the seige of York under the command of Capt. Thomas Hicklin in the year 1781. And that the above mentioned Morton with myself came round by way of Winchester as a guard with the prisoners. 
                       Edward Steuart

I do hereby certify that the above certificate was sworn to & subscribed before me Chal.
Steuart this 11th day of Sept. 1832.

                                            Chal. Steuart
Page 5

And the said Court do hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states-

  I, Zebulon Dyer, Clerk of the Court of Pendleton County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Edward Morton for a Pension-

         In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 8th day of October 1832 and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth-        
                                      ZDyer

I certify that Edward Morton, who claims this Pension, is an illiterate patriot & reputed to be honest by his neighbors of whom this subscriber is one. I have known him as far back as I have recollection of any one. He is entitled to full credit on oath.  He is poor in property, but rich in spirit, is a farmer, a poor farmer, all who know him gives the reputation of a Revolutionary Soldier (as the saying is). 
Capt'. now, but not then, Edward Stuart, who testifies in his behalf, is highly respected as a citizen & is a man of Faith.  

It is within my knowledge that he was absent from home on these tours of duty, but I cannot tell the number of months he served or was absent from home, but I believe what he swears to. 
                                    WmWilson
                                    Jan'y 10 1833
Page 6

I certify that Charles Steuart is Justice of the Peace for Bath County & that his signature is in  his own hand writing.                    Wm M'Coy
                                                        Edward Morton

My recollection enables me to say that he was absent from home for a tour of duty - of at least three months - on a trip to South Carolina  [illegible] further                 Wm M'Coy

62
62
----
124
Page 7

November 11, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Edward, Morton, S.5778
Mrs. Cordelia Hall
#4 McCarty Apt.
Clarksburg
West Virginia

Dear Madam:
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 5778, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Edward Morton.
He was born in March, 1763 or 1764. The place of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.
While living on the "Bull-pasture Water" in Augusta County, Virginia, he enlisted, date not given, and served four weeks against the Indians, as private with the Virginia troops under Captain David Bell. He enlisted in the fall of 1780, served three months as private in Captain Bohannon's Virginia company and was in the battle of Cowpens. He enlisted in 1781, served three months as private in Captain Thomas Hickin's Virginia company and was in the siege of Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 3, 1832, at which time he was living in Pendleton County, Virginia.
Edward Morton died February 20, 1852.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the family of Edward Morton.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive As.
to the Adm
Page 8

1917 Aug. 3. History to Mrs. C. H. Smoot C
1919 Aug. 4, above advised only one statement of service to same person. C
1921 Feb'y 18 Hist. to Miss Mayme Morton + Mrs. Abbie M. Compton.
1925 - Hist. to Clifford R. Myers - MMHF
1931 Jan. 17 hist. to Mr. E. F. J. Tafe. M.C.S.
1933. Feb. 24, hist. to Quita McKinley M.C.S.
1936, Nov. 11. hist. to Mrs. Cordilia Hall. M.C.S.

5778 Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 5778
Edward Morton
Priv Rev. War
Act: June 7th /32
Index:—Vol. M, Page 263
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 9

Edward Morton,
Allow only 6 mo
REturn by
$20 per ann
Wm. McCoy
$20 per ann
Page 10

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Edward Morton which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the delaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for this not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. Has he mentioned 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?
No.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
No.
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his cerificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Page 11

2.
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No.
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
has a witness
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper office under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And; if not, which of them is not so answered?
3. 5. 7. _____________

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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 of 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."
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV.  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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
Page 13

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 5th, 1839.

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," Edward Morton, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Virginia, Agency, at the rate of Twenty _____ Dollars and _____Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept., 1837, to the 4th March 1838.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 14

February 24, 1933
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Edward Morton, S. 5778
BA-J/MCS

Ouita McKinley 
c/o Clarksburg Publishing Company
Clarksburg
West Virginia

Dear Madam:

The data furnished herein are obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 5778, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Edward Morton.

He was born in March, 1763, or 1764, place not stated.

While living on the "Bull-pasture Waters" in Augusta County, Virginia, he enlisted, date not given, and served four weeks against the Indians as private with the Virginia troops under Captain David Bell. He enlisted in the fall of 1780, served three months as private in Captain Bohannon's Virginia Company and was in the battle of Cowpens. He enlisted in 1781, served three months as private in Captain Thomas Hicklin's Virginia Company and was in the siege of Yorktown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 3, 1832, at which time he was living in Pendleton County, Virginia.

He died February 20, 1852.

The papers in this pension claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 15

January 17, 1931
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
MCS:MLB

Mr. E. F. J. Tafe
437 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California

Dear Sir:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 5778, that Edward Morton was born in March, 1763 or 1764, place not stated.

While living on the "Bull-pasture Waters" in Augusta County, Virginia, he enlisted, date not given, and served four weeks against the Indians as private with the Virginia troops, under Captain David Bell. He enlisted in the fall of 1780, served three months as private in Captain Bohannon's Virginia company, and was at the battle of Cowpens. He enlisted in 1781, served three months as private in Captain Thomas Hicklin's Virginia company, and was in the siege of Yorktown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 3, 1832, at which time he was living in Pendleton County, Virginia.

He died February 20, 1852.

The papers in this pension claim contain no data relative to soldier's family.

The above noted is the history of the only soldier named Edward Morton that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

Very truly yours

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Page 16

MMHF
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

February 12, 1925
Clifford R. Myers
Capitol Annex, Dept. of Archives
Charleston, West Va.

Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 5778 it appears that Edward Morton was born in March 1763 or 1764, the place not stated.
While living on the "Bull-pasture Waters" in Augusta County, Virginia he volunteered and served as a private four weeks under Captain David Bell in the Virginia Troops against the Indians, the date not given.
He enlisted in the fall [clerk note: I did not use Sept. as he served 3 mos & the battle was Jan 17 - '81 -] of 1780, served three months as a private in Captain Bohannon's Virginia Company under General Morgan and was at the battle of Cowpens.
He enlisted in 1781, served three months as a private in Captain Thomas Hicklin's Virginia Company and was at the Siege of Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
Page 17

ed October 3, 1832 while a resident of Pendleton County, Virginia. He died February 20, 1852.
There is no data on file as to his family.
[clerk note: only 1]
Respectfully,

Acting Commissioner.
Page 18

In reply to your request of _____, received ______ for a statement of the military history of Edward Morton a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 5,778

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[1] [checkmark]
[2] Sept. 1780
[3] 1781
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
[1] 4 weeks
[2] [checkmark]
[3] 3 mos.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
[1] David Bell
[2] Bohannon
[3] Thomas Hicklin
COLONEL.
[1] [checkmark]
[2] Morgan
[3] [checkmark]
STATE.
Va.

Battles engaged in, Cowpens & siege of Yorktown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bull pasture Waters. Augusta Co. Va
Date of application for pension, Oct. 3, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Pendleton Co., Va.
Age at date of application, "68 or 69 next March." Died Feby 20, 1852} from A..B
Remarks: there is no family data on file.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6—2856
Page 19

August 4, 1919.

Mrs. C. H. Smoot,
Camden-on-Gauley,
West Virginia.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the twenty-first ultimo, relative to the Revolutionary War pensioner Edward Morton, Survivor's File No. 5,778, you are advised that his history was furnished you under date of August 3, 1917, and that it is not the practice of this Bureau to furnish more than one such statement to the same person.
Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Page 20

November 11, 1936
xxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/MCS
Edward Morton, S. 5778

Mrs. Cordelia Hall
#4 McCarty Apt.
Clarksburg
West Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War records of Edward Morton who was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1765, and James Stuart who was born in what is now Highland County, Virginia.

As means of identification of the record of the particular James  Stuart in whom you are interested it is essential that you furnish as much as possible of the following data: approximate date of birth and death, place of residence at enlistment and after service and first name of widow.

You are furnished herewith, the record of the only soldier by the name of Edward Morton that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 21

Clarksburg W. Va.
Oct 20, 1936
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir.
Will you kindly send to me the war record of Edward Morton [clerk note: only 1] a Revolutionary soldier who was born in Rockingham Co. Va in 1765,
Also of James Stuart [clerk note: more] a Revolutionary soldier who was born in what is now Highland Co. Va.
Thanking you very much for this favor
I am
Very truly
Cordelia Hall,
 (Mrs. B. H. Hall
#4 McCarty Apt.
Clarksburg.
West -Va.

[stamp]
RECEIVED OCT 22 1936
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM. 
READER No. 16
Page 22

Clarksburg, W. Va.
June 14, 1932.

United States Pension Office,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:

Will you please send me a record of the Revolutionary services together with any genealogical information that may be contained in his application for pension of Edward Morton who in 1840 resided in Pendleton County, West Virginia.

I would also like similar information relative to Zachariah Rexroad, who resided in the same county in 1840.

Thanking you in advance for such information as you may send me and hoping to hear from you at an early date, I am

Very truly yours,
Ouita McKinley

Address:
Ouita McKinley,
c/o Clarksburg Publishing Co.
Clarksburg, W. Va.

[stamp]
RECEIVED JUN 15 1932
RECEIPT SECTION
PENSION FILES SUB-DIVISION
Page 23

War Department                          Rev. Sec.
Revolutionary Pensions Dept.      [Illegible initials]
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:-
Kindly advise me the contents and information contained in the application for a pension, by one Edward Morton of Highland County Virginia, which pension dated from January 31, 1833 and was numbered 4980. Respectfully years,
                            Mrs. C.H. Smoot.
July 22/'19  Camden-on-Gauley, W.VA
Page 24

I. F. W. E.
Revo

Senate of West Virginia
Charleston
ESKRIDGE H. MORTON
WEBSTER SPRINGS, W. VA.
January 17, 1921
Sen House, W. Va.
Box 52.

Pension Office,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me certified copy of the application for pension, by Edward Morton of Virginia? Edward Morton was a private in the Revolutionary War & the application concerns pension for his service as such.
Ed. Morton is an ancestor of mine and I am quite anxious to secure this information, for substantiation of that claim -
Very respectfully,
(Miss) Mayme Morton.
Page 25

United States Railroad Administration,
Director General of Railroads
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

Camden on Gauley, W. Va.
January 16, 1921..

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

I would like for you to gove [sic] me the date on which Edward Morton, Revolutionary soldier applied for a pension, and the length of time he drew a pension, and any other information your records show. He was my great-great Grandfather and I desire very much to get all official facts I can of him.
Thanking you in advance for this information, I am,

Very truly yours,
Mrs. Abbie Morton Compton
Page 26

                                                            [Illegible initials
                                                              1 Rev, Sec]
                                         
                                               [Stamped oval seal
                                                DEP'T. OF THE INTERIOR                     
                                                         RECEIVED
                                                     JUL 31 1917
                                                 TO (Illegible) UR. PENSIONS
                                                  SECT'S DEF. MAILS & FILES ]

C.H. SMOOT & COMPANY
MANUFACTURES OF
OAK, POPLAR & CHESTNUT
            LUMBER

EXPRESS, TELEGRAPH AND SHIPPING POINT
ALLINGDALE, W.VA.

CAMDEN-ON-GAULEY, W. VA.   July 28, - '17,

Secty War -
Revolutionary War Dept. -
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Kindly furnish me with a copy of the application for pension of Edward Morton, a private in the Revolutionary War. He resided in Nicholas County Virginia in 1849 and was a pensioner - He had resided in Highland County Virginia, previously- His Revolutionary claim appears to have been signed by "Lew Cass" ^Secty War,  &
countersigned by J. L. Edwards- and bore the number 4980. This information will be appreciated by
Yours respectfully, 
Mrs. C. H. Smoot
Page 27

State of West Virginia
Department of Archives and History
Capitol Annex
Charleston
February 6, 1927

Clifford R. Meyers
State Historian and Archivist

Commissioner of Pensions, 
U.S. Pension Bureau,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:

I notice that Edward Morton of Pendleton county, Virginia, now West Virginia, was granted a pension for services in the War of the Revolution. I would like to have whatever information is given in the files of the Pension Bureau concerning this soldier. If his parents are mentioned, please give their names. This request is made because of some research work I am doing in connection with Revolutionary soldiers of West Virginia. It appears that Edward Mortin was born in Rockingham; lived in Highland county and later moved to Pendleton. His descendants are extremely numerous in West Virginia.

Yours very truly,
Clifford R. Meyers.
State Historian and Archivist
Page 28

E. Palmer Tucker, Secretary
Captain Daniel W. Ferguson, Asst. Secretary
Colin Munro Gair, Treasurer
Burnham Robert Creer, Asst. Treasurer
Lansing Glenn Lytle Sayre, Registrar
Obra Eugene Monnette, Historian
Directors
David Ferguson Blankenhorn
Dr. Egerton Crispin
John Emerson Marble
General Charles Henry Whipple

Cassius Milton Jay, President
Vice Presidents
Judge Benjamin Franklin Bledsoe
Dr. Wesley Wilbur Beckett
Dr. Edward Marshall Pallette

Willis Milnor Dixon, Librarian
Nathan Wilson Stowell, Genealogist
Ella F. J. Tafe, Asst. Genealogist
Rt. Rev. W. Bertrand Stevens, D.D., Chaplain
Colonel Harcourt Hervey, Marshal

Board of Trustees
Eugene Waddell Britt
Judge Guy Richards Crump
Ralph Beldam Hardacre
John Emerson Marble
Henry Maurie Robinson

Sons of the Revolution in the State of California
437 South Hope Street
Los Angeles
December 19, 1930

Bureau of Pensions,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D.C.

[Clerk's note: Rev] Would you be so kind as to send me at your earliest convenience data on pensions of Edward Morton ( Virginia ) born 1764 died after 1830 service in Penn., probably. Also John Kyar of Virginia who served in the wars of 1812 and was at the battle of Lake Erie.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, I am

Sincerely,
E.F.J. Tafe
Assistant Genealogist.

Edward Morton Revolution. [Clerk's check mark]
John Kyar War of 1812. [Clerk's check mark]