Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 3891, for David Shields, Virginia
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Va.

Shields, David

NUMBER 
S 3891.

CONTENTS  

Carded.
Page 2

Ohio. 7.857.

David Shields. -
of Clinton Co. in the State of Ohio.
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Hutchins of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Boyer in the Virginia
line for 7 months & 20 days.-
7 -23.33
20. 2.22
25.55

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio,
at the rate of 25. Dollars 55 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of April, 1833 and sent to
B. Hinkson his Wilmington, Ohio. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 51.10
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Septr 33, 12.77
$63.87

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 8.  Page twenty four

Deed
Paid at the Treasury under the
Act of the 6 April 1838 from
4 Sep 1840 to 4. March 1841. Agt
Notified 28 Feb 1842
Page 3

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
Jan'y 18th, 1842.

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 Executor of David Shields, decd, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio Agency, at the rate of Twenty five Dollars and 55 Cents per annum under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid from the 4th of Sept. 1840, to the 4th March 1841.

Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions, 
Present.
Page 4

8653. 7857
Clinton County -
Ohio
David Shields
Adm for 7 mos & 20 days
from 1779 -
23.33
2.22
25.55

B. Hankson
Wilmington PO
Clinton Co
Ohio
Page 5

BRIEF in the case of David Shields
of Clinton County in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? before a Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 80

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
drafted
Oct in 1779
Feby - 1780
Sept 1780
in the fall 1781 } he served as a vol but the precise time not stated - 

Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
3 mos
1 mo
3 mos
20 days

Rank.
As a
Private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. 
Capt Hutchins & Colo Boyer
Genrl Mackintosh -
Colo Boyer & Col. Matthews

5. In what battles was he engaged? skirmish town of Portsmouth

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Augusta County Virginia Battle of
Green Spring - 

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? authenticated

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
John N Ashton
Examining Clerk.
Page 6

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
The State of Ohio County of Clinton Ss 
On this 27th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before George J Smith President Judge and Jesse Hughes, Aaron Sewell and James Dakin Esquires his associates in office, constituting the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County now sitting David Shields a resident of Liberty Township in said County and
State of Ohio aged 80 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 circumstances & under the following named officers to wit In or
about the 1st of October 1779 this deponent resided in the County of Augusta and state of Virginia and was then and there drafted for a tour of three months in the Militia of said State that he rindezvoused at a place called Hands Meadows at the foot of the North Mountain and was placed under the command of Captain
Samuel McCutchen; from thence he was marched in the companey of said McCutchen to the Ohio River about 30 miles below Fort Pitt when said company joined the Regiment commanded
by Colonel Boyer who was a resident of Staunton Virginia but whose given name this deponent cannot recollect. About the same time he was attached to said Regiment it was placed under the command of General McIntosh whose given name also unknown to this deponent. From thence the troops amounting to about 1000 of regulars  and Militia commanded by said Genl. were marched with this applicant in the lines about 80 miles across said River into the
Wilderness on an expedition against some Indians, but before they arived at the point of destination they were met by a deputation of said Indians when and where as he understood a treaty was formed between them and the United States. The troops were encamped at this place about six weeks and then returned to a place on the Ohio River then known by the name of Fort McIntosh where they were detained until after the expiration of their term of service about one month and as well as this deponent recollects were dis-
Page 7

charged about the first of February 1780 making a tour of about 4 months service, no written discharges were given as well as this deponent recollects nor did he ever draw one cent of pay
for said service. He returned to his residence in said County of Augusta where he remained until about the 1st of August or September in the year 1780 as well as he recollects when this deponent
was again drafted for a tour of 3 months and attached to the company commanded by Captain John Cunningham a resident of said County of Augusta. The company paraded at the Town of Staunton and were then marched with this defendant in the ranks to Richmond Virginia where said company was attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Matthews and
Lieutenant Col Boyer aforesaid. From thence the said Regiment with this deponent was marched down James River about 100 miles to a small Town about 16 or 18 miles above Portsmouth where General Muhlenburg was then encamped and to whom the Virginia Militia contained in the Regiment aforesaid were then and there attached and where they were also encamped most of the time during 3 months. During the time this deponent was frequently called out in short tours of marching and endeavoring to ascertain the position of the enemy and on one occasion was
engaged in a considerable skirmish near the Town of Portsmouth aforesaid whither the said Company of Cunningham and another Company had been sent expressly for the purpose of bringing on an engagement with the enemy and ordered to retreat, but no general Battle did succeed as had been anticipated and the troops returned to their encampment - At the end of his said term of three months this deponent was discharged at said Muhlenburg's encampment and returned home to Augusta County. Afterwards sometime in the latter part of the summer or beginning of the fall of 1781 and about the time that Lord Cornwallis passed through the City of Richmond when the whole Country was alarmed and a call was made for mounted Volunteers when this deponent with some others of his neighbors, volunteered his services found his own horse &
Page 8

army and joined the other volunteers from Augusta who proceeded toward the army of Cornwallis and after having met to the number of 50 or 60 they elected their officers when a young man whose name this deponent cannot recollect was elected Captain being an entire stranger with whom he had no previous or subsequent acquaintance.  From thence they were marched to the City of Richmond where they met a great many other mounted volunteers to the amount of 600 and upwards who this deponent believes were in rather a disorganized State, but they were employed & sent in the pursuit of said
Cornwallis & employed in harassing his rear until after the arrival of Genl. Washington with his troops from the North, when the said mounted Volunteers were discharged from the service. This deponent has no documentary evidence to produce in proof of his service nor does he know any person whose testimony he can procure excepting the deposition of James Henry herewith produced
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. This deponent believes he was born sometime in the year 1752 after the war he continued in Augusta County until 1787 or 1788 when he removed to the State of Tennessee where he resided until the year 1807 when he removed to the neighborhood where he now resides & has been ever since
David Shield

Sworn to and the day & year aforesaid
Isaiah Morris clk. 

We William Hoblett and Ashley Johnson residing in the Township of Liberty Clinton County Ohio hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Shields, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 80 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 he
concur in that opinion sworn} 
William Hoblet
Ashley Johnson
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid} 
Isaiah Morris, clk }
Page 9

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, 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 William Hoblett and Ashley Johnson who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of Liberty Township in said County of Clinton and are credible persons and that their Statement is entitled to credit.

I Isaiah Morris Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original preceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of David Shields for a pension
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Wilmington the 15th day of
September AD 1832 Isaiah Morris Clk

David Shields
8653
Page 10

sion on file in this Bureau, David Shields --- File 3891

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Oct 6, 1779
Augt or Sept 1780
Summer 1781
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
4 mos
3 mos
40 days
RANK.
Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Samuel McCutchen
John Cunningham
as a mounted militia man
COLONEL.
___Boyer
___ Matthews
STATE.
Va

Battles engaged in,  Skirmish at small town near Portsmouth.
Residence of soldier at enlistment,  Augusta Co. Va
Date of application for pension, Aug. 27, 1832
Residence at date of application,  Liberty Twp, Clinton Co. Ohio
Age at date of application, born in 1752. Died July 21, 1841*
Remarks: No data as to family

* from ---- book. 

1787 or 1788 moved to Tennessee
Page 11

3891
Rev War
INVALID.

File No. 3891
David Shields
Pri Va. Line

Act: June 7, 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 337

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

Oct. 6/97 Wm G. Shields, El Dorado Springs Mo.

1909 May 25 Hist. to Mrs. H. R. Davis V.L.M. 

1910 July 5 Hist to John E. Shields V.L.M. who is advised that the above is the only pensioner of
that name from any southern state in Rev. &
no claim for any soldier that name War of 1812.

1913 Apr. 16 Hist. to L. Margaret Chaney. V.L.M.

1914. Jan 28.  John E Shields with no other David
of Southern States & no Capt. Shields at all.
Page 13

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

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes

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 amout of pension he is entitled? yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?  yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

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? yes
Page 14

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?  Witnesses only

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been 
produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

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?

XIV. + If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? yes

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? yes

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?   authenticated

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

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 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.
Page 15

3
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 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.
+ 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
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 paper 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.
>> In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 16

State of Kentucky Bourbon County Sct.
This day personally came before the undersigned
a Justice of the peace in and for the County 
aforesaid James Henry a citizen of said County aged about seventy four years and of good fame and reputation. He the said Henry being duly sworn saith: that he is well acquainted with David
Shields, who is at this time, a resident of the
County of Clinton in the State of Ohio, that he has personally known him from the year 1779. The said Henry further saith, that at that time the said Shilds lived in Augusta County in the State of Virginia, and that he the said Shields served, as the said Jas. Henry understood at that time and ever since a tour of three months under General McIntosh.  said deponent lived at the time in the
said County of Augusta and within the distance
of a mile or mile and half of the said said Shields. The time of the above campaign the deponent does, not now distinctly recollect
Page 17

but knows it was some time previous to the
year 1781. The deponent further states that the
said David Shields served a tour of three months also in the year 1781. in the early part of that year as deponent thinks. said Shields went as a draft, in the company of Capt. John Cunningham, who the field officers were deponent does not recollect.; The deponent also states that the said Shields served a tour of twenty days in the summer before Cornwallis was taken, as a mounted militia man, he was marched to the neighborhood of the Battle of Green spring at which time said deponent saw said Shields, and rode his hor part of a days march (deponent being sick)
About the year 1787 or 1788 the deponent states that the said Shields removed from Augusta to the State of Tennessee where the deponent visited him about a year after his removal. When he left Tennessee he removed to his present residence in Ohio deponent states that the said David Shields is as he considers about six years older than deponent. Certified from under
Page 18

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Sct
I Thos P Smith Clerk of the County Court of
Bourbon and state aforesaid Do certify that Wm
Rogers is a justice of the peice in said County and acting as such before whom the forgoing affidavit was made and all whose acts are entitled to due respect and Credit in any Court of record
In testimony whereof I place my seal of office this 14th day of August 1832
Tho. P. Smith.
Page 19

3-871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Briefed by A E Wilson July 2. 1910
Claim No. _______
Certificate No. alleged to have enlisted from Tenn. lived in Eastern Tenn. and died in Ala.
Claimant _________
Soldier David Shields
Service from any Southern State.
Additional Service Rev.
No _____ claim, State records _______ , 190___
No claim, combination records _____ , 190 ___

REMARKS:
No O. W. In Wid or Ry. as above except S.F. 3891.
Va service, residence  Augusta Co. Va. till 1788 - Tenn till 1807,  & then Ohio from 1807 to 1832.

Chief Division
Page 20

Will you Please See if a Man by the name of David Shields Drew any pinsion for service in
the Revolutionary War he resided in Tennesee at that time
Ps look for his his name in both the 1776 and 1812 War he was my Great Grand Father and I  anxious to find out all I can about him and his Family as there is an estate left to his wife Susan Edwards & unless I can find out something about him through you, People in England will get the Estate I would like to find out where they were Married & there is no one living in Tennesee that  I could inquire of So please do all you can for me. If I could get a history of his Family like you gave me of William Dollor I would be all right. There wase a David Shields enlisted from Monson Mass, but I do not think
Page 21

he wase the right one but I have not been able to find out who his wife wase as yet but my Aunt sed she did not think he wase the right David Shields unless he came out to Tennsee after
the Rev War wase over, but I found found out he still lived at Wilberham Mass in 1820 and I am afraid he is the Wrong man you will please see if you can find a David Shields who enlisted in the Rev War for tennesee he lived in the Eastern part of Tennesse & suposed to have died in Alabama.

Ps is there any history of Tennesee that you think would be likley to have any thing of this kind in it
if so where could I find it Ps let me here from you soon. [Over =]
Page 22

I would be willin to pay you something if you could  drict me where to get a copy of David Shields & Susan Edwards Marrage License or if you can tell me where they were married at & their full names if you can tell me this I will send you $2.00

RECORD DIVISION
JUN 27 1910
Page 23

I  Joseph Shields was born March 7 1824.

Father David Shields died March the 8 1843
died in East Tennisee Bradley County

my mother died 5 years before father, died in 1838.
Page 24

O.W. & N. Div.
W.G. Exr.
No. on Desk.

Washington D.C.
Sept. 28, 1891.

You should state on the back of this letter when and where your father David Shields died, name & date of death of his widow if one survived 
him and the date of your own birth.
respectfully
Green B. Raum
Commissioner.

Joseph Shields
El Dorado Springs
Mo.

Copy of last call from Comr's office answered as per opposite page
Oct. 1st 1891.

U.S. DIVISION
A. & N. S.
SEP 24 1897

OLD WAR & NAVY
SEP 28 1897
[illegible]

U.S. PENSION OFFICE
SEP 23 1897
Page 25

Commissioner of Pensions-
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir -
At your earliest convenience will you please
send me the pension records of the following
Revolutionary soldiers-
Lewis Robinson. Virginia Militia placed on pension roll May 10" 1833
David Shields. Virginia Militia placed on pension roll April 11" 1833
and oblige
L. Margret Chaney
Hillsboro, Ohio -
Page 26

U.S. PENSION OFFICE
B
APRIL 10 1913
Page 27

E.W.

J.M.M.

Treasury Department.
Office of the Third Auditor,
Washington, D. C., September 21, 1891.

Joseph Shields, Esq.,
El Dorado Springs, Mo.

Sir:
Referring to your letter of July 30, 1891, relative to the military record of David Sheilds, a soldier of the war of 1812, you are informed that it has been referred to the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions for reply to you, together with such information as is fo record on file in this office.
Respectfully yours,
W H Hart
Auditor.

B.

U.S. DIVISION
A. & N. S.
SEP 24 1897
Page 28

U.S. PENSION OFFICE
SEP 23 1897
Page 29

Wilmington O. May 14 - 1909
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
I will be greatly obliged if you will tell me what you can about one of my ancestors, that served his country in the Revolutionary war David Shields (by name) son of William Shields of Virginia. I have been told by his Grand children that he enlisted in the Virginia milita and served one year as private in the infantry then reenlisted
in cavelry and served to the close of the war; he drew a pention for some time before his death, which was in 1841, of twenty five dollars a year, he moved from Virginia to East Tennessee in 1783 then came to Clinton Co. Ohio in 1808 a part of this information I gained through the
history of Clinton Co. the history claims that he drew the pention until his death. I am particularly desirous of finding out his age, who was his
commanding officer in the war and what battles he was in and what town & County in Virginia he enlisted from, he had a Sarah Shields sister that was
Page 30

married to Henry King in 1778 by the Rev., Mr Brown at Agusta Virginia  Some of the grand children claim that he was in the battles of 
Brandywine, Long Island, crossed the Delaware with Washington, in the battle of the Cowpens and at Yorktown, some say that one winter they almost starved to death in their winter quarters I am telling you all this in the hope that it will lead you on the right track.  it is claimed that he had a very fleet horse and acted as outrider (we would say scout now, I suppose) I wrote to the war department and they referred me to this department. I hope you will be able to give me the desired information and I thank you very much for the trouble I am putting you to.
Mrs H. R. Davis
153 Newham St.
Wilmington O.

U.S. PENSION OFFICE
A
MAY 17 1909

3891
Rev
Page 31

Grand Central Hotel.
S. A. Stephenson,
Mitchell A. Stephenson.

Cottages for Families,
Open all Year.

El Dorado Springs, Mo., Sept 18 1897

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sir: -
I find among papers of my father, lately deceased
the enclosed papers - one a letter from the Third Auditor of the Treasury, and the other a copy of letter from the Comr of Pensions and copy of reply on back of copy of letter-
From what knowledge I obtained of the matter in
the lifetime of my father he never received any
reply to the letter to the Comr of Pensions of Oct. 1st 1891.
Please inform me as to the status of this matter.
Respectfully
Wm H. Shields -

In the matter of Military record of David Shields soldier of War of 1812, and correspondence of Joseph Shields herewith enclosed.
Page 32

U.S. PENSION OFFICE
SEPT 23 1897
Page 33

Rev. War Section.

January 28, 1914.

Mr. John E. Shields,
R. F. D. 1 Box 57,
Ukiah, Cal.

Sir:-
In response to your letter dated the 24" instant, you are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford information in regard to any Captain named Shields or
relative to the David Shields described by said letter.
On July 5" 1910 you were furnished the history of David Shields S.F. 3,891, and also advised that he was the only soldier of that name from any southern state found on the Revolutionary War pension roll.

Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Page 34

3-1855
Record Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 5, 1910.

Mr. John E. Shields,
R . F. D. 1, Box 57,
Ukiah, Mendocino County, California. 

Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 13th and received the 25th ultimo, you are advised that a careful search of the records of this Bureau fails to show a claim on file for the Revolutionary War services of any soldier from Virginia, named William Dollar, Dollor or Dollin, other than pension claim, File No. 23,985, Ruth, widow of
William Doller whose record was furnished you on April 24, 1909.
For information relative to the land referred to in the enclosed letter of the State Librarian of Virginia, you should address the Secretary of the State of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, as it is
probable that said land was granted by that state.
You are herewith furnished the record of David Shields, Survivor File No. 3,291, the only soldier of that name from any southern state, found on the Revolutionary War pension records. This Bureau has no record of any soldier named David Shields of Tennessee, in the War of 1813.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

See letters in claim
Wed File 2296 -