Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32151, Martin Burris, Va.
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SERVICE NUMBER
Va. Burris, Martin S. 32151
CONTENTS
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Illinois 13223
Martin Burris
of Morgan in the State of Illinois
who was a private in the Compy commanded by Captain Hunter of the Regt commanded by Col. Lindsy in the Va line for 6 Months
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES

Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois
at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of May 1833 and sent to D. Rockwell Clk Morgan Co Court Jacksonville Ia

Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1833 $40.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept - 10.00
$50.00
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J W Clagett Clerk
Book E. Vol. 8 Page 55

Order to pay & letter to Wm Thomas 16. Jany 1838.
Letter to Hon W. W. Chapman H.R. - 24 Jany 1839.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 March 1837 to 16. Jany 1839. the Day of his death. Agt Notified 3 Jany 1840
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State of Illinois Morgan County SS.
On this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and thirty two, personally appeared in open Court before Samuel D Lockwood presiding Judge of the circuit court of said County now sitting, as a court of Chancery, Martin Burris a resident of the County of Morgan and State of Illinois aged Seventy seven 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He resided in Albemarle County, Virginia previous to and during the whole period of the Revolutionary War, during the War, (he cannot recollect the date) The Militia of the Regiment to which he belonged was divided into classes, for the purpose of supplying requisitions made upon the Regiment for soldiers, the class to which he belonged, was called in and he in consequence of the call, entered the service in a company commanded by Captain John Hunter of said County of Albemarle, the company met at Col Boswells and was organized at that place, the time at which the company
[illegible] the company marched
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from Col Boswells to join a Regiment commanded by Col Reubin Lindsey, but the order of march was changed, and the company marched to Richmond Virginia, and remained at Richmond as a guard until the company was discharged, this deponent was the first Sergeant of the Company during the whole time of service, and he served on the campaign three months, was discharged and returned Home this deponent recollects that he was discharged almost four months before Lord Cornwallis was taken, Capt Hunter gave the deponent a discharge in writing which was signed by the Captain, the discharge was either lost by accident or destroyed, About two or three weeks after his return, the deponent was again called on to serve a tour of three months, he joined a company commanded by Capt Jeremiah Hammer, the company was organized in Albemarle County, and deponent joined the Company at a Church not far from Richmond, the Company was detached from the Regiment which was commanded by Col Lindsey, and ordered to remove Ord[illegible] stores and previous from Westhaus on the South fork of James River up to Wares Mill, the Company Removed the stones up the River, to said mill, and remained
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at the mills until the time of service expired, deponent served on this Expedition three months and was discharged, he received a written discharge from the Captain but this discharge is lost, he served in the expedition as first Sergeant of the Company during the whole period of service - He has no documentary evidence to prove his service, and he knows of no Witness in the State of Illinois by whom he can prove his service, He can prove that he served by one Leonard Davis, who resided in Chester County Tennessee, the last that has been heard from him by the deponent, and deponent believes that he is yet living-
The deponent was born in Albemarle County Virginia on the 14th February 1754. he has a Record of his age at his own house where he now lives, Which was copied from a Record made by his father in a family Bible, he resided in the said county of Albemarle until after the Revolutionary war, about the year 1788 he removed to Surrey County North Carolina, About Eighteen years ago he removed from said County of Surrey to Benton County Tennessee, he removed
[illegible] four years since, when he removed
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to Morgan County Illinois where he now resides, He is personally known to William O'Rear, Equilla Hall, Isaac Bennett, & William Scott, all of whom reside in the neighborhood of the deponent
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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 or Territory
Martin Burris x his mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Saml D Lockwood
Judge &c

We Micajah B. Rowland a clergyman residing in the County of Morgan and Isaac R Bennett residing in the same county hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Martin Burris who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy seven 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 15th day of JB Bennett
November 1832. Micajah B Rowland
Saml D Lockwood
Judge &c
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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 Micajah B. Rowland who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Morgan and that Isaac R Bennet - who has also signed the same is a resident in the same county and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit.
Saml D Lockwood
Judge &c

State of Illinois
Morgan County} SS
I Dennis Stockwell Clerk of the Circuit Court of said County setting at a Court of Chancery do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Martin Burris for a Pension -
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office of Said Court
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In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office of said Court done at Jacksonville Illinois this Fourteenth day of November 1832
Dennis Rockwell
Clerk
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Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Dec. 26th, 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th 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 Martin Burris, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Illinois Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837, to the 16th January 1839, the date of his death.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
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21265
Martin Burris
Morgan Co Illinois

Adm for 6 months 
$20

Dennis Rockwell Clerk
Morgan Co Jacksonville
Illinois
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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 show what is necessary to be done. These 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 Martin Burris Morgan Co, Illinois

Period when the service was rendered:
1. Date not recollected
2. No Date

Duration of the claimant's services in Years, Months and Days:
1. 3 mo.
2. 3 mo.

Rank of the Claimant:
1. Private then Seargeant
2. Seargeant

Name and rank of the company officers under whom he served:
1. John Hunger
2. Jer Hammer

Name and rank of the General and Field officers under whom he served:
1. Not stated
2. Col Lindsay

Battles in which the applicant was engaged:
1. None
2. None

Country though which he marched:
1. Virginia
2. Virginia

Place of abode when he entered the service and age at the present period.

77 years
Albemarle Co Virginia

Proof by which the declaration is supported:
Traditionary

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, musicians 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. 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 day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 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 it 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
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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? 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. 6. 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 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 enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration 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. [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 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 bis 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 mouths 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 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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 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 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 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 [j] 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.

Joseph Rowen Ex Ck
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21265
Martin Burris
Morgan Co Illinois

Adm for 6 months 
$20

Dennis Rockwell Clerk
Morgan Co Jacksonville
Illinois
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Rev. War Section.
 January 10, 1914. 
Mrs. Olivia G. Dunlap. 
Dunlap Springs. 
Jacksonville, Ills. 

Madam:
 in response to your letter dated the 5th instant, you are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to any soldier named
Bryant O'Neal ( under any spelling of the name). See negative 
The Revolutionary War pensioner, Sur. File No. 32, 151. Martin Burris, served in the Virginia troops, was born February 11, 1754 , and died January 16, 1839.
Very respectfully,
GW Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
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32151
Revy 
INVALID

File No. 32,151
Martin Burris
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7 32"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 98
Arrangement of 1870


1912 Feb. 16 Tombstone data to Mrs. O.F. Buffe.  Letters in S.F. 31504 James Wright V.L.M.
1914 Jun 10. Olivia G Dunlap sent date for tombstone
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Jacksonville Ill
27th Dec 1837. To J.L. Edwards
Commission of Pensions I enclose the application 
of Martin Burris, for and
order requiring his pension
to be provided
Very Respectfully Yours in Service WM Thomas
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Washington Jany 22, 1839

Sir
From the enclosed Affidavits you will perceive what information I desire.  If the affidavit is not sufficient upon which to draw the money in Washington or else where, please give me such information as you may think the case requires
Very Respectfully
Wm Chapman
of Iowa

J.L. Edwards Esq
Comr Pensions
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Woman's Home Missionary Society
Methodist Episcopal Church
OLIVIA G. DUNLAP
National Field Secretary
?????? ??? Jan 5th 1914
To Pension Bureau
Washington DC
Dear Sirs, Please send me the Military records of
the two following Revolutionary Soldiers.
Martin Burris Penn Troop 19 yr. Also of Bryant Oneal Fairlain Co Va. I would appreciate a prompt reply. When was the last date that a pension was payed these men. Thanking you in advance. Yours in Service Olivia G. Dunlap
Dunlap Springs
Jacksonville
Illinois

see the various letters to this woman on the miscellaneous correspondence she wants ??? date