Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7262, for Charles Nelms, Virginia
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE Continental (Va.)
Nelms, Charles
NUMBER S. 7262
CONTENTS [blank]
Carded
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[left hand page]
see letter W. S. Goggin, Sept 26. 1834

Death not on A.B.

[right hand page]
Virginia 12.830
Charles Nelms
of Bedford in the State of Virginia
who was a Sergeant arty [artillery] 
in the company commanded by Captain [John] Dandridge of the Regt. commanded by Col. [Charles] Harrison  in the Virginia line for 2 years-

[hand drawn star]
Continental Line
June 25, 1904.
Record corrected. [illegible initials]

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 120 Dollars --Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of May '33 [1833] and sent to R. N. Dickenson Liberty C.H. Va.

Arrears to the 4th March '33 [1833] 
240
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 
" [1833] 60
$300

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 6 Page 19
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13.504
Charles Nelms
Declaration
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State of Virginia County Bedford S.S.

On this 24th day of September 1832  personally appeared before Samuel Hancock Samuel Mitchell Robert Campbell and George Steptoe the Court of Bedford County now sitting Charles Nelms a resident of the parish of Bedford in the County of Bedford and State of Virginia aged eighty 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 1777 on the 10th of march as he thinks with Jessee Drury, Joseph Sock, Thomas Carter, at about the same time in the County of Northumberland in Virginia and served in the regiment of Artillery of the Continental line then under the command of Col. Charles Harrison, and Lieutenant Col. Edward Carrington  under the following named officers To wit-

Samuel Drury was Capt. of the company in  which he served at the time he entered the service and then in a short time he resigned when Capt. John Dandridge was   appointed in his place and in addition to those before named officers of the Regiment to which he belonged one [Asher] Holmes was Major of the same regiment.

After John Dandridge was appointed Captain of the Company He this Deponent was appointed to the office of an orderly Sergeant and continued in that office in the same Company till he was discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment of three years: 

That in about a month after he enlisted in the County of Northumberland in Virginia where he resided at the time he entered the service he marched from the County aforesaid or rather was carried by water down the bay to Yorktown in Virginia where he remained he thinks near 11 months or perhaps 12 where he with part of the regiment was inoculated for the small pox and from thence they went with the disease to a place called Seleys on James River which had been the house of a private gentlemen and there they remained till well.

From that place they were marched to portsmouth [Portsmouth, Virginia] where they staid [stayed] till the fall from thence they were ordered again and marched to 
York Town [Yorktown, Virginia] where they remained till the next march and then were ordered to the North and joined the army under General [George] Washington at Valley Forge and on their was thither passed Harpers Ferry
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Hagerstown [Maryland], Fredericktown [Pennsylvania] and other place not now recollected when he joined the army at Valley forge [Pennsylvania] 

as before stated he thinks the British were in possession of Philadelphia from thence they (the British) retreated into the Jerseys and were pursued by the American Army which had been joined by the Company and Regiment to which this deponent was attached and they (the British) were overtaken by the americans at Monmouth [Battle of Monmouth, New Jersey 1778] where a battle ensured and ended in the defeat of the british Army. He was not immediately in the engagement but was stationed with part of the regiment on a hill near the scene of action and would himself together with those who were then stationed there with him have been engaged but as his was an artillery company could not be at the time for want of the proper arms. Capt. James Pendleton as he understood having drawn for his use the only remaining piece of Artillery on the field and they had no small arms of any kind at the time-

After the Battle of Monmouth [NJ] they marched to Smiths Grove [Kentucky] where they remained a time thence they went to New Windsor [New York] on the 15th of August 1779 as it appears from the orderly Book of this Deponent who before said was an orderly Sergeant in Captain [John] Dandridges Company which now in his possession from New Windsor [NY] they marched to a place called Jockey Holley one mile from Morristown [Jockey Hollow winter encampment in Morristown, New Jersey 1779-1780] and was there on the 5th of December 1779 

soon after this he cant recollect though how long the regiment to which he belonged was marched south though in a short time his term was expired and he was discharged and returned home in the Spring of 1780 he thinks in the month of March he received as he well recollects an honorable discharge from the service of his Country in which he had been constantly engaged for three years but by some means he lost it not thinking he should ever need it.

He has no documentary evidence of his service except the orderly book before referred to prove his service which is now exhibited to the Court containing the regular orders signed by him as orderly sergeant of the company aforesaid from the 28th June 1779 till the 11th of December of the same year and which was merely preserved by accident being the one he had last used at the time he was discharged the others previous thereto no doubt were left among the rubbish of the baggage waggon [wagon] 

He remembers the names and has often seen many of the general officers a list of which is prefixed to his orderly book from the general in chief commanding throughout the list of active 
subordinate
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officers with the dates of commission & That in addition to the services mentioned above living near the Chesapeake bay he was frequently called out and served as a minuteman for 12 months at intervals the British often infesting that part of the County in which he resided previous to the tour of this enlistment and making this kind of service essential to the safety of the Country.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State
Sworn to and Subscribed to the day and year aforesaid
Charles Nelms

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigations of the matter what the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolution and served as he states.

I Robert N Dickerson deputy for Robert Cettitchull Clerk of the County Court of Bedford in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a true copy of the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Charles Nelms for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at office the 4th day of October 1832 in the 57th year of American Independence.
Ro. N. Dickerson

[illegible seal attached covered in paper]
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March 13, 1936
xxxxxxxx
BA-J/MCS
Charles Nelms, S. 7262

Miss Ruth Nelms
Room #200, Courthouse
Memphis, Tennessee

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Charles Nelms who served in the Revolutionary War.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 7262, based upon the military service of Charles Nelms.

The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.

While living in Northumberland County, Virginia, he was frequently called out as a minuteman at intervals for a period of twelve months prior to 1777 and was engaged in guarding against the British who infested the country near his home. He enlisted March 10, 1777, as orderly sergeant in a company commanded first by Captain Samuel Drury and then by Captain John Dandridge in Colonel Charles Harrison's Virginia regiment of artillery and was discharged in March, 1780.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832, at which time he was eighty years of age and was living in Russell Parish, Bedford County, Virginia.

The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the family of Charles Nelms.

Very truly yours

G. H. SWEET
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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[left hand page]
Rev War
7262
INVALID.

File No. 2762
Charles Nelms
Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7th 32 [1832]
Index: -Vol. 1st, Page 273
[Arrangement of 1870]

[right hand page]
Jul 23- 1902
Mrs. Peter F. Brown
Salisbury NC. 

1914 Oct. 2 Hist. to Mrs Lily D. Dunlap
1921 Apr 26 Hist to Mrs W. R. Houston
1927 May 21 Hist. to Mrs H. Hugh [illegible]- MMF
1927 Nov 29 Hist. to Clara N. Roy MMF
1936 Mar. 13 hist to Miss Ruth Nelms mcs.
Page 9

R
Salisbury N.C.
July 17-1902-
Chief of War Claims & Pension Office
Washington D.C. 
Dear Sir - Will you kindly look over the records in your department & See if you have on file the service of any Nelms (illegible] :(Nelms) of Virginia & Maryland who served  during the Rev-
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Revolutionary War. Their Christian names I have never been able to learn, but will thank you very much for any assistance you can give me regarding these 
Soldiers-
If you are unable to furnish the information
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desired. Please tell me where it can be obtained. If there will be any charges for you kindness, let me know. Thanking you in advance. I am
Very truly
Mrs Peter Franklin Brown

Salisbury N.C

U.S. PENSION OFFICE A
JUL 18 1902
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Rev
(P.O. box 277)
Ansonville, N.C.
28 Sept. 1914
War Department
Washington, D.C.
My dear sirs,
My husbands great, great grand father, Charles Nelms, was a pensioner under the act of 1832 and will you please send to me any data that you may have and accept my sincere thanks.
Yours most truly,
Lily Doyll Dunlap
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Clara N. Roy? Ray?
Corinth, Miss.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 7262 it appears that Charles Nelms while a resident of Northumberland County, Virginia served one year at various times, prior to 1777, as a minute man in the Revolutionary War.
He enlisted March 10, 1777, served as orderly sergeant in Captains Samuel Drury's and John Dandridge's Company, Colonel Charles Harrison's Virginia Regiment of Artillery and was discharge in March 1780.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1838 while a resident of Russell Parish, Bedford County, Virginia aged eighty years.
There are no data on file as to his family.
The War of 1812 records of this Bureau fail to show that pension was ever claimed on account of the services of John Oakes of Guilford County, North Caroline whose wife was Hannah, and the Revolutionary War records fail to afford
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any information in regard to a soldier named George Dillard.
Respectfully, 
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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May 21, 1927
Mrs. Hugh H. Rather
Holly springs
Mississippi
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 7262 it appears that Charles Nelms while a resident of Northumberland County, Virginia, served one year at various times, prior to 1777, as a minute man in the War of the Revolution.
He enlisted March 10, 1777, served as Orderly Sergeant in Captains Samuel Drury's and John Dandridge's Company, Colonel Charles Harrison's Virginia Regiment of Artillery and was discharged in March 1780.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 24, 1832 while a resident of Russell Parish, Bedford County, Virginia aged eighty years.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner
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Rev & 1812 Wars Section MMF
RY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S.F. 7262 Washington, D. C., - , 19

In reply to your request of -, received - for a statement of the military history of Charles Nelms a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[2] Mc. 10, 1777
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
[1] 1 year
[2] 3 years
RANK.
[1] Minute Man of various times
[2] Orderly Sgt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN.
[2] Samuel Drury; John Dandridge
COLONEL.
[2] Charles Harrison's Arty.
STATE.
Va.

Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Northumberland Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 24, 1832. His cl. was al
Residence at date of application, Parish of Russell, Bedford Co. Va.
Age at date of application, 80 yrs.
Remarks: No family data

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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COMMISSION GOVERNMENT
E. W. HALE, CHAIRMAN HOSPITAL SOCIAL SERVICE
COMMISSIONER OF PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
AND FINANCE RUTH NELMS, DIRECTOR
BUFORD M. WHITE, SECRETARY
COMMISSIONER OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
LUTHER F. JONES
COMMISSIONER OF WORKHOUSE, ROADS AND BRIDGES
SHELBY COUNTY COURTHOUSE
OFFICE
SHELBY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MEMPHIS, TENN.
February
Seventeenth,
1 93 6

The Pension Office,
Washington, D. C.

My dear Sir:
Please give me any information that you may have concerning Charles Nelms who at the age of 80 years was granted a pension which he received for four years for his services in the American Revolution. This man enlisted March 10th, 1777 as a private in Captain Samuel Druary's Company. He also served under Captain John Dandridge in Colonel Harrison's Regiment, First Artillery of Continental Troop. He was made a Corporal and later a Sargeant and was known to have served in the Battle of Valley Forge.

I will thank you very much for this information.
Very truly yours,
Ruth Nelms
(Miss) Ruth Nelms,
Room #200, Courthouse,
Memphis, Tennessee

RECEIVED FEB 19 1936.
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM.
READER #79
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IN A BOTTLE THRU A STRAW 1-2 ct. Stamp MH
Rev Sec Chero-Cola
CW Botling Company
CARBONATED BEVERAGES
Thomaston, Ga. 3/24/21

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
I would appreciate your kindness in sending me any data the Revolutionary record in your office may afford relative to Charles Nelms
Bedford C Virginia
Yours Respty
Mrs W R Houston
Thomaston Ga
Upson County Chero-Cola Bottling Co.
DRINK
Chero-Cola

U.S. PENSION OFFICE. A
MAR 29 1921
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Rev.
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Pension Office
Washington DC
Dear Sir;
Please send me all of the information you have about Charles Nolms Revolutionary service. He was granted a pension about 1800 for Revolutionary Service.
I am a descendant of his. Kindly let me hear as soon as possible.
Cordially
Mrs. Hugh H. Rather
Holly Springs
Mississippi
[seal] U.S. Pension Office R MAR 17, 1927
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U.S. PENSION OFFICE F 
APR 8 1927

Pension Office
Washington
Dear Sirs:
Please send me all of the information you have about Charles Nelms Revolutionary Service?
He was granted a pension about 1830 for Revolutionary Service
I am a descendant of his-
I have written you about this before a month ago, and I will appreciate very much if you will find out something about this & let me hear from you.
I Am Cordially,
Mrs. Hugh H. Rather
Holly Springs Mississippi
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Corinth, Miss.
June 3, 1927
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C
U.S. PENSION OFFICE F
JUN 6 1927

My dear Sir:

Kindly furnish me pension records for services of John Oakes, War 1812 from Guilford Co N.C. Wife was Hannah, at least I think "John" & "Hannah" are the correct given names. He drew a pension.
I also want record of George Dillard, Revolutionary soldier from Culpepper Co. Va.
Same for Charles Nelms (1750-1834) who served in Revolution in Continental Artillery under Col. Charles Harrison, Va. Troops I think. He drew a pension.
These are to complete papers in patriotic organizations.
Thank you most cordially,
Clara N. Ray-
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Charles Nelms
11. 12. 17
Admit a Sergt.
[illegible] 2 yr $120.00
Page 24

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Charles Nelms 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 him 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 amount 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
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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? yes

XIV. [notation sign 1]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? 
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? 
Has the proper officer certified the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 

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. [notation sign 2]Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 
1st 2d. 5th. 7th
_________________________
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.”
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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.
[notation sign 1]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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[notation sign 2]QUERE XVI. 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 paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece 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.
[symbol of pointing finger]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.

The applicant must transmit his early book to the Office
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ML Coggin
Sept 26 1834
[illegible]
Records Vol. 24 page 430
Page 28

War Dept
Pension Office
Sept. 26. 1834
Sir,
Your letter respecting the case of Charles Nelms, has been referred to the Bounty Sand Office; from which you will receive an answer to your enquiry.
W.L.Goggin, Esq.
of Liberty
Lynchburg P.O.
Va.