Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 21100, for George Lewis, Maryland
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MD Lewis, George R. 21100
also in N.W. Indian War
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George Lewis Papers
29,180

Application for a pension
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The State of Indiana
Clarke County ss.
Clark Circuit Court October Term 1832.

On this 23rd day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, personally appeared before the honorable Judges of the Circuit Court of Clark County and John Carr, presiding Judge of the Circuit Court for Clark County now sitting, George Lewis, a resident of the said County of Clark and State of Indiana, aged 67 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 of June 7th, 1832.

That he enlisted in the regular service in the State of Maryland in Prince George’s County on the 23rd day of August in the year 1780 and that he enlisted into the service of the United States as a private under the command of Captain George Alexander Simmon and continued in the service for three years. He also states he belonged to the 1st Regiment of Light Infantry attached to the command of General Harmar. He recollects the number of the Regiment to which he belonged where he was discharged. That the company was joined under the command of General Harmar to the 10th. That the company was sent to Baltimore and after remaining for some time soldiers were moved to Trenton where they were stationed at Trenton for some time. He further states that they remained attached to the army commanded by General St. Clair and were marched under the command of General St. Clair toward Canada. He further states that he was in a battle fought by General St. Clair against the British and Indians. The year in which the battle was fought he cannot recollect, but recollects that it was sometime before he was discharged. He states that he was in several other small engagements during his service time.
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and submitted to his open court. The copy and proof appear.
That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in the United States.

Sworn and subscribed to in open court the day and year above.
Test: Henry Howard, Clk

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above-named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.

I, Henry Howard, clerk of the Circuit Court of Clarke County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of George Lewis for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 27th day of October 1832.

Test: Henry Howard, Clk
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29,180
George Lewis
Indiana

Rejected.
Did not serve during the Revolutionary War.
See letters of Feb. 34 to Hon. John Carr.
M.R. return.
Case 6 June 1838 to J.R. Pindell.
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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 what objections exist and what must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The rules and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed you will find marked in the margin with a brace { }. You will return your papers to this Department, and this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
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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, mucicians 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 } ss.
County of }
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.
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 days 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 if 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
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 inquiry 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 andavit 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."
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 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.
[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 fix 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 credibilityof 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 [i] 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.
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6315 R

George Lewis, claims to have served in Rev. war from Maryland but his age dates from 1765 or 1767, both are given. Witnesses testify he was in service in 1776. He was in the N.W. Indian war 1790-5 & the case transferred to a new No. 21,100.
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No. 29,180
George Lewis
Indiana. Act of June 1832

See letters: 1 Feb. 1834 to Hon. J.
Case H.R. do. 6 June 1836 to Hon.
J.R. Pindell: do. to Hon. T.J. Henley
10 Dec. 1844: do. to W.H. English
Feb. 11, 1845:
Hon. T.J. Henley May 30, 1846

6315
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Copy George Lewis's Declaration and my letter of 10 Dec 44 & sent to Hon. T.J. Henley.
H. Rev
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21,100

P.O.:
George Lewis

Service: Northwest Indian War in the regiment under General Harmar & General St. Clair
Enlisted: 1790-5
Discharged:
Application filed: Rejected
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.:
Recognized:
Contract:
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Washington City
Nov 4th, 1844

Hon. J.L. Edwards

Sir,
I am acquainted with George Lewis, who makes the accompanying declaration, and I have no doubt of its truth. I am also well acquainted with Clergyman Willey and Mr. Burt; they are both creditable persons. George Lewis is a very old and infirm man and is very ignorant. He scarcely knew that he was entitled to a pension until he was informed of it by others. Hence the delay in making application.

Yours respectfully,
Jno. Henley
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Land Office, Annapolis, Jan 28th, 1824

Sir,
Yours, with the declaration of George Lewis enclosed, was received. I have again very carefully examined the Muster and Pay Rolls of the Revolutionary War in this office, and do not find his name on any of the rolls. I would also further remark, that I do not find the name of Charles Price upon any of the rolls, who makes affidavit that he served in the same (or with him). The declaration is herewith returned.

I am respectfully,
Your Obdt. Servt.,
George G. Brewer

J.L. Edwards, Esq.
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Washington City
May 2, 1846

Hon. J.S. Edwards Sir,
In the letter on the subject of George Lewis’ pension, the objection was that by his declaration he would have been too young to have been admitted into the service of the acts mentioned. Were not youth admitted into the service, I think it quite likely that Lewis, one very young, as his father was in the same service. Though it appears he is mistaken as to his age, as you know these old soldiers who were grounded without education, have but a poor opportunity of preserving precisely their ages.
From the declaration, he appears an honest and conscientious man and would not give confident matter any statement not strictly true. He has sworn positively to the service, and it would very unfortunate if this question as to his age, should invalidate his oath and deprive him of a pension to
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which I show no doubt of his being entitled to, of which he is so much in need.
I respectfully ask a reconsideration of the case.
Very respectfully,
Your obdt. Servt.,
Jno. Henley
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State of Indiana
Clark County ss.
Probate Court November Term 1833.
Be it remembered that at a Probate Court begun and held by adjournment at the Court House in Charlestown on the 12th day of November 1833 before the Honorable Willis W. Goodwin, Presiding, came Charles Price, who being duly sworn in open court, deposes and sayeth that he was in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War for the term of seven years and some months, part of which time he served as a regular and a part of the time as a militiaman. in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War for the term of seven years and some months, part of which time he served as a regular and a part of the time as a militiaman. Deponent declares and further states under oath that while he was in the service aforesaid, he was acquainted with George Lewis, who has applied. He declares and further states under oath that while he was in the service aforesaid, he was acquainted with George Lewis, who has applied for a pension.
That the said George Lewis was in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War; that he was in the battle fought at Gwinn's Island in the State of Virginia in the year 1776 against the British commanded by Lord Dunmore; that in one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven, he was still acquainted with the said Lewis, who remained in the service aforesaid. That he believes the said Lewis enlisted in the service aforesaid for the term of three years in the year 1777, that in the year 1776 he believes the Colonel under whom he commanded and the said Lewis was was by the name of Proctor.
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Then he was submitted to a sworn oath this 12th day of November 1833.
[Mark] Charles S. Price

Henry Howard, Clerk of the Probate Court for the County of Clark in the State of Indiana, do hereby certify that the foregoing statement made by the above-named Charles S. Price was made and sworn to before me, the said Clerk of Probate for said county, under oath and that the same is in form of record.

Given under my hand, seal of said court, and the courthouse, Jeffersonville, this 12th day of November 1833.
[Signature] Henry Howard, Clerk
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George Lewis
Declaration & Oaths
Indiana
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Declaration is in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832.
State of Alabama, Clarke County ss.
On this 18th day of November 1834, before the Honorable the Judge of the Clarke Circuit Court in session personally appeared George Lewis, a resident of Clarke County in the state of Alabama aged seventy-seven, 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 here stated. About a year and a half after entering the service, Lord Cornwallis and Col. Tarlton were expected to be drafted into the service of the United States in the County of Prince George in the state of Maryland under Capt. Courtney. He was marched from Prince George's County down to the shore of the Potomac River, where after some time there he was marched back into the county, where he was stationed at the mouth of the river. Lord Dunmore with the British fleet was in the bay, threatening the country and committing mischief upon individuals. He drafted for the term of three months and remained in active employment under Capt. Courtney as well as incidents to which there is declaimed any doubt about.
He does not recollect the names of any other officers during the term of service mentioned. He did not receive any bounty, nor was any clothing issued.
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At the expiration of the three months, he was not engaged in any battle during his term of service, nor can he recollect with greater accuracy than already stated. When it was mentioned that General Washington was in the vicinity, General Washington was sent to for aid; he returned an answer that the people of that neighborhood must do the best they could, as he was too much engaged with his forces where he then was to give them any assistance. In this state of things, a company was drafted for the immediate purpose of defending the County against Severn men, and Delaney was one of them as already stated. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any state.
His mark, George Lewis
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Eli McCalley, Clerk

We, John F. Willey, a clergyman residing in the County of Clarke and State of Alabama, and Thomas Burt, residing in the same county, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Lewis, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be of the age he states and to have been a soldier in the Revolution and that he is concerned in that opinion.
John F. Willey
Thomas Burt
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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 John F. Willey, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the said county of Clarke, and that the said Thomas Burt, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said county of Clarke and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Eli McCalley, clerk of the circuit court of Clarke County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of George Lewis for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 7th day of November one thousand eight hundred forty-four.
Test: Eli McCalley, Clk.