Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7483, for John Sheets, Pennsylvania
Page 1

[notecard]
[upper left]
SERVICE
Penn.
[center]
Sheets, John
[upper right]
NUMBER
S.7488

carded
Page 2

[Lefthand side]
Duplicate certificate issued 4
No 1863 and sent to I. M. 
Sheets Parkersburg, Va
[illegible] Hon. SS Hays(?) & 3 [illegible]
28 [illegible] 1863
[illegible] at the Treasury [illegible] the
Act of the 6th April 1838 from
4 Sep 1833 to 4 Sep 1841 Aug 15
notified 4 March 1843
Paid as above from 4 Sep
1841 to 4 March 1842. Agent
notified 3d De in 1844.
------------------------------

Date of death
not in A.B. 

------------------------------
[Righthand page].

23025.

Virginia
John Sheets
of Wood Co in the State of Virginia
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Snyder of the  [blank] commanded
by [blank] on the Pa
line for [blank]
==================
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 20 Dollars --- Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
==================
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of October
1833 and sent to H. S.
Prentiss Esqr Parkersburg Va.
==================
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833                           $50.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March '34      $10.00
                                                                         =====
                                                                           $60.00
                                                                          =====
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7 1832}

[left-hand side illegible]
d by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Vol. 6 1/2    Page 32.
Page 3

I John Sheets Junior, do certify that I am about 48 or 49 years of age. That I have from my Earlier recollections understood and believed that my Father John Sheets was a Soldier in the revolutionary war. I also believe that he is considerably upwards of 80 years of age, and have full confidence in his Declaration above. 

     John his X mark Sheets Junr. [signature]

Sworn and Subscribed to the 18th March 1833
before me,  H. L. Prentiss JP

We the undersigned do certify that we have been acquainted with John Sheets who is applying for A Pension for upwards of Twenty years And have no hesitation in saying that we believe any statement he would make. That by his neighbors he is considered an honest Illiterate Dutch man that we think him too old to remember particulars as to names of officers &c as well as unable to explain plainly in English all he might remember yet concur in the belief of what he states.
    Given under our hands this 4th march[sic] 1833
        Barnes Beckwith
        Jonathan Prentiss [signatures]

I can only add to the above that I have known the old man John Sheets about the same length of time, that he lived on my brothers[sic] farm as a tenant. I have frequently heard him recite the times of his service, and had confidence and now have in all he sets out in his declaration. The certificates above were Subscribed and Sworn to before me.
     H. L. Prentiss JP

4th March 1833
And I do further certify that John Sheets , Barnes Beckwith & Jonathan Prentiss are respectable men and entitled to credit where they are known one of them Beckwith is a Justice of the peace & near neighbor of the Aplicant[sic] Given under my hand this 7th Oct 1833
     H.L. Prentiss JP [signature]
Page 4

John Sheets Wood County Virginia

Ret. f.
Admit as
Private
6 mo. $20-

H. P. Prentiss Parkersburgh Wood
County Virginia
Page 5

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
6 Aug 1833

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

[Table] Draft ________ 
A Statement, showing the service of John Sheets  Wood County Virginia

Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service: 0 Years - 2 Months - 0 Days | 0 Years - 4 Months - 0 Days
Rank of the Claimant:  private
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: Genl Washington, Cap Snyder
Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service:  80 years - Chamberstown now Chambersburg Pennsylvania
Proof by which the declaration is supported:  Traditionary evidence & Clergimans
certificate - not certified credible 
paper authentic



Battle of Trenton, Genl Washington

I am respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 6

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who was bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As Rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians [musicians] or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides, And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of [blank] County of [blank]} ss.

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] 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 country through which he resided when he entered the service: the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [pointing finger icon] 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 [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                 A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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, 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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &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 hi-
Page 7

3

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 dome 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 who should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party.  And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein 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.

[Footnotes]
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, makes ___ from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity in which case the declarant will follow the rule had down for his _____.
[b] The declarant must make his declarations 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 of ____ of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. Who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of 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 ---- month, 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, at 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 names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. In mention of every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an enlisted 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 affix 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 papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached therein by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, 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 mst 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. 
[k] 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 is note [l] applies to continental troops only.
[m] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[n] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[o] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
Page 8

War Department
Pension Office
Washington
D. Columbia
Page 9

Virginia 
At a quarterly Court held for Wood County at the Court House thereof before the Commonwealth Justices of the Peace in and for said County on Monday the 18th day of March in the year of our lord 1833
Present
Jonas Beeson, Jr. [illegible] Hinehelds Beckwith Henry Steed and Joseph Tomlinson Court Justices Personally appeared in Open Court before the Justice of said Wood County now Setting John Sheets a resident of said County and State aged 80 years and aforesaid? 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 from June 7 1832 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as he Stated - That I was first drafted for two Months service and went from Chamberstown (I was learn to called this place Chamberstown though now called Chambersburg Pennsylvania under one Capt Snyder whose Christian name was Conrad? (the English of which I do not understand) joined with said Snyder two months and then I enlisted in the regular service for four months and rec'd a bounty of eight dollars and Capt Snyder continued in the service and was our Captain and the most of our company enlisted and served under him. I do not remember the names of any of the Regular Officers but General Washington - I was marched from Chamberstown when I first started to Philadelphia from thence to a place called Amboy (I think) in the state of N. York where I enlisted. from thence I went to a place above N. York - I was in the Battle of Trenton, our Capt. then being a prisoner, Our first Lieut. Commanded in the action. his name was James Young who was from near Chamberstown. Genl Washington was our Commander at the time
Page 10

I served out my time 4 months and was discharged 4 miles from Trenton , we received our discharge from one Cutherson which took us to Philadelphia and then got our final discharge and returned home to the [illegible].  My discharge, I have lost long since not considering it of any value, [illegible] not   knowing of any person now living with whom I served having long since moved from Chambersburg ( say 30 years) I was born in Lancaster County Penn. in what year, I cannot say as I have no record but am confident that I am upwards of 80 years of age.  I left Chambersburg upward of 31 years ago, and moved to Patterson Creek  Hampshire County Virginia from these towns to this (Wood) County where I have resided for the past twenty two years.  I am personally know to all my Neighbors (Viz.)  John Sheets (my Brothers Son) To Benjamin Mitchell Esqr. Peter Anderson Esqr. Jonathan and  H.S. Prentiss and Reece Woolf Esqr.  the 4 letters of whomever I have finally convinced my residences here and Henry Sheets from his infancy.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State whatever.

 John Sheets X his mark [signature]

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
John Stephenson Jr CWC

I Benjamin Mitchell Clergyman residing in the County of Wood and State of Virginia do hereby that I am well acquainted with John Sheets who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration.  That I believe him to be 80 years age , that he is respected and believed by those who know him to have been a soldier in the Revolution and concur in that opinion.
Benj. Mitchell
Sworn and subscribed the day }
and year aforesaid}
John Stephenson Jr C.W.C.-
Page 11

I Henry Sheets of Wood County do hereby Certify that I have known John Sheets who makes the above Declaration. from my earliest recollection and believe him to be of upwards of 80 years of Age.  I have always understood that he was one of the revolutionary Soldiers.  He being my Fathers Brother.  I have a distinct recollection from my Boyhood of hearing them Speak and talk of it in their families.  I am now upward of 50 years of age, and have full confidence in the Statement he has made both from his character and honesty, and the early notions I have framed on the subject.

Henry Sheets X his mark [signature]

Sworn and subscribed the  }
day and year aforesaid        }

John Stephenson Jr. C.W.C. Wood County Court March Term 1833
John Sheets this day came into Court and subscribed and made oath to his declaration agreeable to an Act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832 in order to obtain a pension for his service as a soldier in the Revolutionary war.  And after the Court having fully examined the Applicant in the foregoing statement together with the affidavits of Benjamin Mitchell Clergyman and Henry Sheets taken in open court, the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion that above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.
Virginia SS
I John Stephenson Jr. Clerk of the County Court of Wood County do hereby certify that the foregoing contain the original proceedings in the matter of the applicant John Sheets for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at the Court House this 11th day of April 1833 and in the 47th year of the Commonwealth.
John Stephenson Jr.
Page 12

May 23, 1932.
 
BA-J/ILL
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
John Sheets - S.7483

Mrs. L.D. Prewitt
Forest City, Iowa

Dear Madam: 

Reference is made to your letter requesting information relative to John Sheets, a Revolutionary War Pensioner. 

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 7483, based upon the service of John Sheets in that war. 

John Sheets was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, date and plce [sic] not stated. 

While a resident of Chamberstown (later Chambersburg), Pennsylvania,  he enlisted and served two months as private in Captain Conrad Schneider's Pennsylvania Company; after a few days, he reenlisted at Amboy, in the fall of the year, served as private in said Captain Schneider's Company, was in a battle in New York in which Captain Schneider was taken prisoner by the British; Lieutenant James Young then took command and they were in the battle of Trenton, at which place the soldier was discharged, length of this tour four months. 

The soldier lived in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, until about 1803, then moved to Patterson Creek, Hampshire County, Virginia, then to Wood County, Virginia. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed March 18, 1833, at which time he resided in Wood County, Virginia, having lived in that county about twenty-two years.   He stated then that he was "upward to eighty years" and in 1835, gave his age as eighty-five or eighty six years. 

In 1841, the soldier was living with this son-in-law and family; none of their names were given; solder's wife was living then but her name was not given.

1.
Page 13

In 1833, soldier's son, John Sheets, Junior, made affidavit in Wood County, Virginia, and gave his age as forty-eight or forty-nine years.  At that time, Henry Sheets, the son of soldier's brother, was a resident of Wood County, Virginia, aged about fifty years; the name of brother of the soldier was not given. 

A search of the Revolutionary Was records of this office fails to show a claim for pension on file based upon the service of Clement or Bennet Wheeler.

Very truly yours, 

A.D. Hiller, 
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 14

[Lefthand side]
1932 - May 23 - Hist to Mrs. L. D. Prewitt. ILL


[Righthand side]
INVALID.
Rev War

File No.  483
[illegible] [too faded]
[illegible] [too faded]

Act:  [illegible] [too faded]
Index: - Vol. 1st, Page  338

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

John Sheets Wheeling Va #20 act 7 June 32 last paid 28 Sept '41 GMC

pd. 4 Sep 1833
JH
Page 16

[torn page]

    18.58
3060. -
1520. - [strikethrough]
1520. - [strikethrough]
----------
4600.00
Page 17

Virginia 23025
John Sheets of Wood in the State of Va. who was a pri. in the Compy commanded by Captain Snyder of the _ commanded in the Pa. line for 6 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 20 Dollars _ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of Oct 33.  and sent H. L. Prentiss Parkersburgh Va.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 50
Semi-anl. allowance ending Mar 34 10.
$60.
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk, Book L Vol. 6 1/2 page 32
Let Agent payt r esd. Oct 21 35
Let Jno Hutchinson p Oct  21 35
Let Allan C. Hayes 15 Jul 1836
Let J. M. Steed Sr. Apr 28th 1841
Let Same person 30th Oct 1841
Let to Hon S. L. Hays Dec 18 1841
Letter to J. M. Steed Esq Parkersburgh Va Sept 6th 1842
Same person 26th Sept 1842
Let 21 March 1835 Pen. Ag. 'Judg't to Hon. L. Cass 18 Apl 1856
Page 18

[receipt of payment]
[mix of pre-printed and hand completed]

United States Pension Agency, }
Wheeling March 1845               }
Received of J. Steen Browne, agent for paying pensioners,
Ten Dollars, -- Cents being for 6 months' ---days' Pension, due to John Sheets from the 4 day of September 1844, to the 4 day of March 1845 for which I have signed duplicate receipts.
$10 0/100
J. S: 1 Atty in fact for John Sheets
Page 19

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Feby 1st 1843.


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," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension
agents, John Sheets, --- a Pensioner on the Roll of the Wheeling Va - Agency, at the rate of
Twenty Dollars per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1833, to the 4 Sept. 1841.
Respectfully, yours,
[signed] Albion K Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present
Page 20

[stamped] Harrisonburg Sep 23
[stamped] FREE

Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington D.C.

[written vertically on left edge]
Page 21

Petersburg Va. Sep 21 1841

[writing is very faded and extremely difficult to transcribe]
Page 22

whether he can now obtain his pension and how where and to whom he should apply.  As he resides to ? from any Post Office he may get the desired information [illegible] --by directing to me at this place.

Very Respectfully
your obt. servant,
J.M. Steed

Commissioner of Pensions }
Washington City                  }



P. S. As you may desire to know something of me before responding to the above inquiries I take leave to refer you to Mr. G. Singleton U. States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, with whom I presume you are acquainted.
     Respectfully,
     J.M.S.
Page 23

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City   D.C.
Page 24

Parkersburg Va. Oct. 23rd. 1842

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Sir

I enclosed the affidavits which I understand you to require before the application of John Sheets for a [illegible] of his pension certificate can be granted.  If you find him sufficiently [not sure of word] it is his desire that now  forwarded the certificate to him at this [illegible] directed to the care of -

Very Respectfully yours

J. M. Reese

[most of letter too faded to transcribe properly]
Page 25

[written vertically left edge]
Aug 22 1842
W Evans

[stamped] Parkersburg Va Aug 23 
[stamped] FREE

J.L. Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City DC
Page 26

Parkersburg Va. Aug. 12' 1842

J. L. Edwards                       }
Commissioner of Pensions }

Sir

Enclosed are the statements in the case of John Sheets which I believe are in accordance with your printed instruction, furnished same months since.  I enclose them to [illegible] pension that [rest of sentence too faded to transcribe] [beginning of next sentence too faded to transcribe] must be if since before the pension can be drawn. If the vouchers are sufficient to authorize payment for the amount of his pension you will please inform me whether I can obtain it by [illegible] on the Treasury Department, and if not what other means would be most proper & convenient--Or if the documents are insufficient please point out these defects.
I am
Very Respectfully yours
J. M. Steed
Page 27

FREE

J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Nv Evans
Sept 26 '42

[Postal Stamp]
PARKERSBURG
Page 28

Parkersburg Va Sept 14th 1842

Sir Your favor of the 6th inst is just recd - in which you say "In answer to your favor of the 12th August last, enclosing the papers in the case of John Sheets, which are herewith returned, I have to say" re The papers, in the case of John Sheets, however are not received, though "the form of an application for a new certificate" and "a set of forms & regulations prescribed by the Department" referred to in your letter, have come to hand. The papers which you intended to return were, I presume, either accidentally misplaced in your office, or enclosed in a separate package which has miscarried. If they have not been sent please have them forwarded at your convenience.
I am Sir, 
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
J. M. Steed






J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 29

No 28
John Sheets
$10
Act of June 1832
6 mo
Page 30

State of Virginia }
West County } Ss

Be it known that before B. Beckwith a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeard[sic] John Sheets and made oath in due form of law that he is the identical person named in an original certificate in his possession of which (I certify) the following is a true Copy.

Duplicate
War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the Laws of the United States of the 7th June 1837 John Sheets of the State of Virginia who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty dollars per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year. Issued in ? of one dated 26th October 1833 and numbered 23 or 25 which has been lost or destroyed.
     Given at the War Office of the United States this fourth day of November one thousand Eight hundred and forty two
     John C. Spencer
     Secretary of War [Seal]
Examined and
Countersigned

J L Edwards
commissioner of PenSions[sic]

that he now Resides in Wood County Virginia and has resided there for the Space of Thirty two years past and that previous thereto had ReSided[sic] in Chambersburg Pennsylvania 

     John his X mark Sheets [signature]

Sworn and Subscribed this 4th day of March 1845 before me
     Barnes Beckwith JP
     Isaac H. Samuels Witness
Page 31

Know all men by these presents, that I John Sheets of Wood County, Virginia Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint J. List my true and lawful attorney for me, and in my name to Recieve[sic] from the Agent of the United States for paying pensions in Wheeling State of Virginia my pension from the 4th day of September 1844 & the 4th day of March 1845.  Witness my hand and Seal this 5th day of March 1845

     John his X mark Sheets

Sealed and delivered in presence of
Barnes Beckwith JP
Isaac H. Samuels Witness

State of Virginia }
Wood County     } SS

Be it known That on the 4th day of March 1815 before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County, personally appeared John Sheets above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand the day and year last above mentioned
     Barnes Beckwith J. Peace

State of Virginia }
Wood County }SS

I John R. Mendoch Clerk of the County Court of Said County in the State aforesaid do hereby Certify that Barnes Beckwith Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County and Find the foregoing signature Purporting to be his as genuine—

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said Court this 17th day of March 1845 and in the 69th Year of the Commonwealth

Jno R. Mendoch Clk
Page 32

State of Virginia
Ohio County Ss

     Be it Known that on the [blank] day of March 1846 before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County personally appeared J List the attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney and made oath that the same was not from him by reason of any sale transfer or mortgage of the Pension or arrears of Pension therein authorized to be received by him.
     J. List

Sworn & Subscribed the day & year last above mentioned before me
     Luke Woods JP
Page 33

Col James L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Washington City
Page 34

Winchester December 3, 1841

Dear Sir

I take leave to introduce to your acquaintance the bearer hereof John M. Steed Esq. of wood[sic] county and who will have some business with you tracking a pension claim from his county.
     I take pleasure in Stating[sic] from my person[sic] knowledge that Mr. Steed is a Gentleman of integrity and of Strict veracity. and that all Statements made by him attesting Said Claim may be Strictly believed in
   Very Respectfully  
       Your obt servt.
        W. G. Singleton

James M. Edwards Esq.
Washington City
Page 35

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Oct. 16th 1843

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," and the third section of therof August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, ______ John Sheets ______ a Pensioner on the Roll of the  _______Wheeling, Va. _______ Agency, at the rate of  _____twenty ____ Dollars [strikethrough 'and ___ Cents'] per annum, under the law of the _____ 7th June 1832 ____ has been paid at this Department, from the  ____ 4th of Sept. 1841. ____ to the ____ 4th March 1842. ____
Respectfully, yours

[signed] Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present
Page 36

[Postal Stamp]
PARKERSBURG VA
OCT 21

J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Jho Sheets
[Illegible]
Oct 28 '41
Page 37

[a letter regarding the pension application of John Sheets.  Refer to original.  Document too faint to render an accurate word for word transcription]
Page 38

difficulty above suggestion together with any other information you may be pleased to offer on the subject may hasten the continuation of an object much desired by the party most interested and perhaps prevent disappointment and absolute trouble
I am
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servt
J. M. Steed

J. L. Edwards, Esq.                }
Commissioner of Pensions  }
Washington City D.C.          }
Page 39

State of Virginia }
Wood County    } SS

On the 21 day of Oct 1842 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Wood personally appeared John Sheets who on his oath declares that he a [illegible] person who for mostly [illegible] the company commanded by Captain 

[refer to original.  Handwriting too faint to make out key words in order to render an accurate transcription]
Page 40

State of Virginia}
Wood County} SS

October 21st 1842

I John Kincheloe a magistrate in the county aforesaid do hereby certify that he has [illegible] most satisfactory witness to wit, residing of the facts as [illegible] of Barnes Beckwith that John Sheets personally appeared before me to take the oath of liability is the soldier person with whom also about the year 1825 ?? before me after those years drew a pension from the United States for services in the Revolutionary war and is the one person to be employed and represents him to be not as his agent in the proceeding of said Pension. Given under my hand & seal with veracity on the day and year above mentioned.
     John Kincheloe [signature]

Virginia, Wood County, to wit
     Personally appeared before me John Kincheloe a Justice of the Peace for said County, Barnes Beckwith, [illegible] the said is an acting magistrate of said county and known by me to be a man of veracity, who being duly sworn makes oath that he personally knows Mr. Sheets, who has[ illegible] been taken, before this oath of identify and well known that he is the same person as the above who about the year 1833 or 1834 drew a Pension for services in the Revolutionary War and that he knows that the said John Sheets employed for Henry L. Prentiss to act as his agent in reference to his said pension and that said Prentiss in or about the year 1836 privately removed to parts unknown to affiant. 
Barnes Beckwith [signature]
John Kincheloe JP

Subscribed & sworn before me
this 21 day of October 1843
Page 41

State of Virginia 
Wood County SS 

I John R. Mendock Clerk of the County Court of Wood County aforesaid do hereby certify that John Kindal Esquire and was at the date of the foregoing Certificate an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified as such and that the Signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
     In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court This 25th day of October AD 1842.
 
John R. Mendock Clerk [signature]

Seal was placed on the left side of the document and covered over.
Page 42

John Sheets
Wood County
I have hereupon informed you that 

[Refer to original.  Handwriting too faded and blurry to render an accurate word for word transcription.]
Page 43

In compliance with the requisition of the Secretary at War I John Sheets do make the following statement in relation to my services in the Revolutionary war.
I am 85 or 86 years of age.  In a few months after the commencement of the Revolutionary war (but I can't recollect the year) I was drafted under Capt. Snider for two months at Chambersburgh Pa,.   We marched by way of Lancaster & Philadelphia to Trenton N. Jersey where we remained during our tour.  I then enlisted (in a few days after) at Amboy under Capt Snider for four months.  This was some time in the fall of the year.  We marched to N. York where after being there some thing like two or three months we had a battle in April.  Capt. Snider was taken by the British.  Lieut. Jas. Young thus took the command of our company and we marched to Trenton N Jersey There [we stayed] the balance of our tour and were discharged.  My discharge was lost or mislaid shortly after.  I served in all at least six months.  [Henry L.?] now look to draw a pension for me of which I have had twenty six dollars.  I know of no person living at this time by whom I can prove my service.
John Sheets X his mark
August the 22nd 1835
Testi
J. M. Steed
Page 44

Parkersburg Augt 24th 1835

G W Singleton Esqr

I have at length obtained and now enclose to you the statement of John Sheets in relation to his Revolutionary services.  I fear however that owing to the fact that we could not understand each others language, his statement is not sufficiently explicit.  Owing to his feeble state, it was difficult to make him understand my enquiries and still more difficult for me to understand him even with the aid of an interpreter.  I have conversed with many of his neighbors several of whom have personally known him for thirty years and all unite in the Opinion that he has faithfully served his country six months not withstanding he may not be able, in his dotage, to give the dates correctly.
As his [crossed out word] dissolution cannot be very remote, and his relations are unable to afford him the necessary comforts of life, if any thing is due him, his situation requires it as soon as pract[icable]
Very Respectfully yours,
J. M. Steed
Page 45

Circular stamp with let 2 inside and W.G. Singleton underneath the stamp.  //3/4

W. G. Singleton
Address shows Atty at Law
Wincheston not legible

The remaining document is upside down and cannot be transcribed as is. Please refer to original document
Page 46

Virginia Wood County to wit

I, Thomas Maddox of Wood County State of Virginia do hereby certify that I have known old Mr. John Sheets (who is applying for a pension) for twenty six years past that I have always considered him an honest upright old man, and I have full confidence in any statement he might make, and I do believe his neighbors generally concur in this opinion.  given under my hand this 10th Oct [r] 1833

Thomas Maddox [signature]

Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace for Wood county, Va. Thomas Maddox and subscribed and swore to the above affidavit, and I do further state that Thomas Maddox is a respectable & honorable man and so considered by all who know him
given under my hand this 10th Oct[r] 1833

H L Prentiss [signature]

Virginia ) SS

I John Stephenson, Jr., Clerk of the County Court of Wood County do hereby certify that the foregoing Henry L Prentiss before whom the foregoing affidavits of John Sheets, Barnes Beckwith Jonathan Prentiss and Thomas Maddox were taken is an acting magistrate for said County and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine. -

In testimony  whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 17th day of October 1833 and 25th year of the Commonwealth
John Stephenson, Jr. [signature]
Page 47

Parkersburg 18th Oct 1833

J. L. Edwards

Dr. Sir 

I return herewith the papers concerning the application of John sheets, Authenticated as per directions.  you will find by ref[illegible] that Mitchell certifies himself a clergyman & the certificate of the clerk or courts [may not be correct word] recognises the fact.  The traditionary Evidence is Strengthened by Maddox as to the special services.  the old man Sheets can only answer as heretofore that he was in the battle of Trenton & as set out in his declaration that his declaration contains the truth of the case  I believe no one who knows him will doubt

Yours Respectfully

H. L. Prentiss

P.S.  If want of Authenticity - or form should be wanting it can be furnished if required by your dpt [department]

HLP
Page 48

Forest City, Iowa
Apr. 16, 1932

Bureau of Pensions
Revolutionary War Sec.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs: 

Will you send me such family and personal data as is available from the pension records of: 

John Sheets, private - service, Pennsylvania militia, placed on pension roll Oct. 26,  1833. Pensions began Mar. 4, 1831 - age 81.  Wood County, W. Va.

Also did Clement Wheeler of Charles County, Maryland, receive a pension for services rendered in same war.  Tradition is my gr. gr. grandfather, Clement Wheeler's father - whose name was either Clement or Bennet of Charles Co. Md. fought in Rev. 

Thank you very much - 
Mrs. L. D. Previtt
Forest City, Iowa