Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19464, for James Sims, Virginia
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(3-1776)
SERVICE                                                                                          NUMBER
Va.                                  Sims, James                                               S. 19464


                                                                                                                           carded

CONTENTS
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A. Copy of the
Declaration of 
James Sims. -
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State of Virginia
Nicholas county}
On this eighteenth day of February 1834, personally appeared before me William Sims a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Nicholas in the State of Virginia, and as Such a member of the County Court of Nicholas, which is a Court of Records, James Sims aged seventy nine years on the 8th day of October next, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1822.  That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.  In the month of June 1777, according to his recollection he was called into the service as a drafted militia man under Captain John Tutt for a tour of three months.  He served as Orderly Sergeant in said Company.  He resided then in Culpepper County Virginia, and said Company was collected in said County.  The Company was marched toward Fredericksburg, and [illegible] moving about through the Country around thereabout guarding it from the [illegible] of the British, Tories, and negroes, and after serving out his time he was discharged, but whether it was in writing or verbally, he does not recollect.
On about the 1st of October 1780 he was again called into the service as a drafted Militia man, under according to best of his recollection, Captain James Tutt, but whether that was really his name or not, he recollects him to have been a slim shaped man.  This was for another tour of three months.  They were marched in the direction of York Town to aid in the siege of that place, but before they reached that place Lord Cornwallis had surrendered.  They assembled in the County of Culpepper Va. and were placed under the Superior command of Col.
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2.
Slaughter, after serving out his time he was discharged but whether in writing or not he does not recollect.  After served in this company as Orderly Sergeant.  He was born in Culpepper County Va on the 8th day of October 1754.  He has a record of his age at home.  He was living in Culpepper County Va when called into the service where he continued to live until the year 1800, when he moved to the place of his present residence in Nicholas County, but which was then Kenham County Va. He was called into service as a drafted militia man.  He has stated the names of his officers under whom he served, and the general circumstances of his service according to his recollection in his foregoing detail.  He was discharged from the service at the end of both tours but he does not know whether it was in writing or not, but if in writing he does not know what has become of it.  He is known to Jonathan Windsor and Henry Tritt of his neighborhood (there being no clergyman who can be procured) who can testify to his character for veracity and their general belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution.  He knows of no documentary evidence whereby to prove his services, and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name i not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.  Sworn to an subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
James Sims
We Jonathan Windsor and Isaac Collins residing in the county of Nicholas in the neighborhood of the aforesaid James Sims hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said James Sims who subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be about seventy nine years of age, that he is a reputed and believed in the neighborhood where
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3
he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Issac collins
Jonathan Windsor
Henry Tritt.
And the said Justice of the peace do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter, and do after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and I do further certify that it appears to me that Jonathan Windor and Henry Tritt, who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in the neighborhood of the said James Sims are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.  I further certify that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of the said applicant and that the said James Sims from age and bodily infirmity, in my opinion, is unable safely to attend any Court of Record in his said county.  He resides about 20 miles from the court House.  I further certify that from a long and intimate acquaintance with the said applicant, I have generally heard it said that the was a Revolutionary Soldier and I have no doubt myself.
I further certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings of myself in the matter of the application of the said James Sims for a pension.  Witness my hand and Seal of the county of Nicholas aforesaid the day and year aforesaid.
William Sims    Seal
I Samuel Price Clerk of the county Court of the Nicholas County do hereby certify that William Sims, Esq was on the eighteenth day of the month and year is a Magistrate in the said County of Nicholas duly commissioned, qualified and acting as such, that full-faith and credit are due to all his acting and doings as such and the written signature purporting to his is genuine.
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4.
Seal
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my said Office this 20th date of February A.D. 1834.
and the 58th year of our Independance.
Samuel Price
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[On the top left side of the page.]
original papers sent to W.G. Singleton
U.S. Dist att's, at Winchester Va. Mar
13.1835.

{On the bottom of the left side of the page, perpendicular to the page.]
[illegible] 21 Mar 35 Rice ag.
"               21   "     "  Co. Clerk} D. %

[On the right hand side of the page.}

Virginia   23.916
James Sims
Nicholas in the State of Va
who was a Srgt. in the __ command
Captain __ of the Regiment commanded
by Col. Slaughter in the Va
line for {illegible]
drop found
Va. Agency Book shows dropped Mar 21, 1835

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of .30 Dollars -- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March. 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of April 34
and [illegible] Samuel
Price, Nicholas Co - Va

Arrears to the 4th of Mar, 34              90-
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep      15
                                                          $105.
{Revolutionary Claim.
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk,
Book C Vol. 6 Page 38
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May 7, 1932

BA-J/AWF     our
James Sims
S. 19464

Mrs. Laura M. Blake
Kincaid
West Virginia

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which
you request information in regard to James Sims,
a soldier of the War of the Revolution.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 19464, based upon Revolutionary War service of James Sims.
He was born on October 8, 1754 in Culpepper County,
Virginia.
He was allowed pension for service of six months
as sergeant in the Virginia troops, War of the Revolu-
tion, on his application executed February 18, 1834, at
which time he was living in Nicholas County, Virginia.
Upon examination of his claim by the United
District Attorney, his name was dropped from the pen-
sion rolls, March 21, 1835, as it was shown that he did
not render the alleged service.
In 1835, his son William was referred to, The
name of James Sims' wife was not stated and there is
no further reference to children.
Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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if anything more comes up
about this claim leave it
for me to explain
I know about the investigations
made all through that
part of Va.
CW
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Rev Sec
H
Union, S.C.
Feb 3rd, 1916

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Sirs:
Will you kindly send
me the record of James
Sims of Nicholas Co. Va.
who served in the Revolution.
Very truly,
Mrs. W. F. Gilliam
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[Round stamp in black ink]

PENSION 
D
U.   FEB 5 1916  S.
OFFICE
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rev
Kincaid. W.Va.
Mch. 19, 1932
Veterans Administration
Bureau of Pension
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Will you please give
me the war record of
James Sims for Revolutionary
service.
He received pension while
living in Nicholas County
Would like all the information
possible as to wife, children
when enlisted in army,
served under whom,
battles engaged in or
any information available
a number of his descendants
desirous of joining D.A.R.
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but so not have any
record of service.
I am not sure, but
think he must have
enlisted from Culpepper
County (or from some
point on Jackson River
Thanking you for any
information you may
give me.  I am
Yours truly
Mrs. Laura M. Blake.
Kincaid,
West Va.
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[Left side of page.]
Rev War 194.64
INVALID
File No. 19,464
James Sims
Sergt Rev War

Act: June 7th 32

Index:- Vol. 2, Page 367
(Arrangement of 1870.)

[Right side of page.]
1916 Feby 11 Hist. to Mrs. W.F. Gilliam
1925 July 21 ""        W.S. Johnson Aug
1928. Aug. 11. W.S. Johnson infd of
cause of dropping from roll.
etc.  AW

1932 May 7 - {illegible] to Mrs. Laura
M. Blake [illegible]
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Payments to be made
at Richmond
by H. [illegible] S. Br: Bank.
Agent for paying Pension=
ers, in the Agency of Va.


Recorded in the Pension Of=
fice, in Book C Vol [illegible]
Page 33 by N. Rice
Clerk.
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[This page has a large X through it.}
WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the las of the United States of the 7th June 1832* William Sims - of the State of Virginia -
who was a Sergeant in the War of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Thirty dollars and  - cents per annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi=annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 21 day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty Four.
Lew Cass
Secretary of War.
*James
Examined and 
Countersigned.}
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
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1812 War Section.

August 11, 1925.

Mr. W.S. Johnson,
State Treasurer,
Charleston, W.V.
Sir:
I have to advise you, in response to your letter of the first instant, relative to the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 19464, of James Sims, that on February 18, 1834, said James Sims stated under oath, that while living in Culpepper County, Virginia, he was drafted in June 1777 and served three months, as an Orderly Sergeant, in Captain John Tutt's Company of Militia and also that on or about October 1, 1780, he was drafted for three months as an Orderly Sergeant, in Captain James Tutt's Company of Militia, (that he was not sure of the name of his Captain), and that Cornwallis had surrendered before they reached Yorktown and that he was discharged after serving out his time.
Upon this statement and the testimony of two witnesses, Jonathan Windsor and Isasc Collins, residents of Nicholas County, Virginia, who declared that they were well acquainted with James Sims, who was reputed and believed to have
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Rev. &

been a soldier of the Revolution, pension was allowed to James Sims.
Such was the practice at that time, when there were no military rolls of the companies in which a soldier served, on file and when the soldier was unable to furnish the testimony of comrades who served with him.
Many such claims were re-opened for investigation, in pursuance of the requirements of the Secretary of war, and on January 10, 1835, said James Sims stated before the United States District Attorney, that while living in Culpepper County, Virginia, in his nineteenth, or twentieth year, he was drafted for three months in Captain John Tutt's Company, Colonel Slaughter's Regiment, but was discharged at Norfolk and got home before the three months expired.  Also that in the year Cornwallis was captured, he was drafted for three months, captain's name forgotten, and after being on the march for nearly one week, we sent home on the news of the surrender of Cornwallis.
On January 15, 1835, before said District Attorney, Spencer Hill testified that he had known James Sims since he was ten years and had lived in the neighborhood with him during the Revolution and all their lives.  That he never heard of James Sims being in the service as a soldier and that he never pretended that he was in the
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service until after the passage of the pension law.  Another witness, Joseph McNutt concurred in this statement.
After this investigation, the United States District Attorney reported that the claim was fraudulent, James Sims was dropped from the pension roll on March 21, 1835 and it does not appear that he ever appealed for restoration to said roll.
Respectfully, 
Winfield Scott
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.

I consulted Mr Proctor, Law Division about this letter, particularly as to last paragraph which he advised should go as above.
AW Aug 11, 1925.
See Statement of Singletori U. S. District Attorney in claim of Josiah Davisson S8307 - that papers sent to him for investigation were burnt up in the Federal Clerk's Office at Clarksburg in Aug 1836.
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W. S. JOHNSON.
TREASURER.

State of West Virginia,
Office of Treasurer,
Charleston.
Rev. and 1812
War Section.

August 1, 1925
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Attention: Hon. Winfield Scott, Commissioner.
Dear Sir:
[In the left margin]
returned Aug 11.25
I am enclosing your letter of July 21 for your convenience in reply to my inquiry regarding James Sims.  The information regarding him is desired for the purpose of securing membership in the "Sons of the American Revolution.
I would like to know if the information is available, what services he rendered, if any, under whom, and the time and place.  I would also like to know why he was dropped from the pension roll, whether it was on account of not having served the length of time required, or whether it was for some other causes, and if so, what were the causes!
Thanking you in advance for this information, I am
Yours very truly,
W.S. Johnson
STATE TREASURER.

WSJ/w
Encl.
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July 21, 1925

W.S. Johnson, Treasurer
Charleston
West Va.

Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 19464, it appears that James Sims was born October 8, 1754 in Culpeper County, Virginia. [illegible]
He was allowed pension for service in the Virginia Troops, War of the Revolution, on his application executed February 18, 1834, while a resident of Nicholas County, Virginia, but upon an examination of his claim by the United States District Attorney, his name was dropped from the pension rolls, March 21, 1835. as it was shown that he did not render the alleged service.
Son William, in 1835, is referred to.  The name of soldier's wife is not on record.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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W. S. JOHNSON
TREASURER
State of West Virginia
Office of Treasurer
Charleston
July 18, 1925.

Department of Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Revolutionary Departments,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:
Will you kindly give me the record of James Sims of Nicholas County Virginia, now West Virginia, who was a private in the Virginia Militia and whose name was placed on the pension roll April 21, 1833.  I shall appreciate having the name of his widow and where and when she died if this information is available from your record.

Yours very truly,
W. S. Johnson
State Treasurer.
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V.L.M.
Rev. War D

February 11, 1916.

Mrs. W. F. Gilliam,
Union, South Carolina.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the third instant, you are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War claim of James Sims, Sur. File No. 19,464, that he was born October 8, 1754, in Culpeper Vounty, Virginia, and was allowed pension for service in the Virginia troops, War of the Revolution, on an application executed February 18, 1834, while a resident of Nicholas County, Virginia, but upon an examination of his claim by the United States District Attorney, his name was dropped from the pension rolls March 21, 1835, as it was shown that he did not render the alleged service.
Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
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[On the left side of the page, perpendicular to the page:]
[illegible]
H. Coley
W. G. Singleton
Jany. 15. 1835

[Right side of the page:]
James Sims
Pensioner
Nicholas County
Fraud - has drawn
no money -
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James Sims Pensioner Senr. 9 mo. arrears $30 Pension
I the undersigned James Sims, in pursuance of the requisitions of the Secretary of War, give the following narrative of my Services as a Soldier in the war of the Revolution & Statement of my ae to Wit - I am in my 79th. year of age. and a Native of Culpepper County. & lived in that county during the close of the Revolution. In my nineteenth or twentieth year of age, (I cant [illegible] what year) I was drafted for 3 mos. (three months) & Marched from Culpepper County under Capt John Teet (dont recollect the names of his [illegible] officers) Capt. Tutts company was attached to a Regt. commanded by Col. Jno. Slaughter which went from Culpepper, the Regt. marched to Norfolk. Cant recollect the names of any of the towns through which we marched in going to Norfolk. we were discharged at Norfolk in time to get home before the three months expired. in less than the year of the preceding term (I cant leto in what year) I was drafted again for 3 months. and hired a Substitute whose name was William Noll. gave him $500. in continental money & a ken rifle gun.
In the year in which Cornwallis was captured at Yorktown. I was drafted again for 3 mos. (three months) Set out from Culpepper County. under a Capt which name I have forgotten. in our preparing to set out in this march, for nearly one week, when the news of Cornwallis defeat was received, & we were ordered to return home - & was so having been in service this latter tower but one week - I was Sergeant. & they ended my Service - Saml. Price wrote my Declaration, to whom I gave the same narative of my service that I [illegible], I offered to give him $20. If he bought in my money. In witness of all which I hereto Subscribe my name. Jany 10. 1835
James x his mark Sims
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William Sims, son of James, says that his Father gave him the same account of his Services that he now gives -
Spencer Hill aged 73. says he has known Sims. Since he was 10 yrs. old. they were raised. & lived in the Same neighborhood during the war of the Revo. - never heard of his being in Services as a Soldier. Nor does he believe he can say - that Sims has been all his life a wanting & [illegible] man, and a great egolist. - & that he never pretended. that he was n service until Since the passage of the Pension Law. Hill has lived a neighbor to him all their lives -
Jos. McNutt. concurs in the statement given by Hill - they are both respectable men -
H Coley
W. G Singleton
Jany. 15. 1835

James Sims
Pensioner
Nehilas County
Fraud - has drawn no money -