Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3,036, for John Polly, Virginia
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Service Va
Polly, John or Polly Susan
Number W. 3036

Contents
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See letter 23 Jan 34 to N. Tennke [illegible] [illegible] and letter to W. Owens [illegible] [illegible] Ken
Report to Ken [illegible] 23 Jan 34 also letter to Post [illegible] at Columbia Ten.
Certificate of pension noted to the office on a [illegible] letter and [illegible] to W. Owens at Columbia Ken 3 March 1834.

22 198
Kentucky
John Polly
Adair Co in the State of Kentucky was a private in the company commanded by Captain Nelson of the reg commanded by Col in the regiment for nine months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 30 Dollars ___ cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of January 1836 and sent to W. Owens Columbia Kentucky.

Arrears to the 4th day of Sept 1833  - 75 - 
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 March 1834 - 15 
                                                                   $90

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1932}
Recorded by W.M. Allison Clerk, Book [illegible] Vol 7 Page 23
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State of Kentucky Adair County Court
January Term 1833
On this 7 day of January 1833 personally appeared in open court before the worshipful Justices of the County Court of Adair County in and for the State of Kentucky now setting John Polly [illegible] a resident citizen of the county and state aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to law on his oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress paped June 7th 1832 that he entered the services of the United States as a [illegible] volunteer [illegible] man in the year 1777 for the term of six months under Captain James Shelton, Saint Turley Choice, Ensign William Ferguson, in the County of [illegible] state of Virginia he was [illegible] marches to the [illegible] of neath [illegible] Ridge where he was stationed about two months as a guard to the Frontier from there he was marched to Fort Chapel on new from where
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they were joined to another Capt Company whose name he cannot now recollect he was kept there some time and had a battle with the Grenway after which he as marched back to [illegible] when he remained in the service guarding the [illegible] in until his term of service expired having served full six months was then marched to Col. Hughes where he was honorably discharged by his Capt and returned home he again the year 1778 in the same county and state as before mentioned [illegible] in the year of March entered the service of the United States as a volunteer militiaman for three months under Capt. Thomas Brown, Saint Jacob McCraw Ensign Elliot his Christian name not now recollects he was engaged the whole of this tour in escorting [illegible] clothing and munitions from Paytonsbury Virg to Salisbury North Carolina and other places as ordered in this tour he faithfully served his country three months and was
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at Paytonsbury honorably discharged and returned home he still continued a countryman of the same county and state and in the latter part of the year 1780 he enlisted under Capt Turley Choice for and during the war and [illegible] enlisted the service as a regular soldier he marched to Haw River where he was joined to General Greene's army and attached to Maj Walton's Battalion he remained there for a considerable time and was marched to various parts and places sometimes in Carolina and Virginia and in this way he was kept for a long time marching from place to place as he understood in the Summer and Fall of 1781 way to [illegible] the English but so is he report as he was commanded in this way he continued service until the final conclusion of peace which he knows was in 1783 but he states most positively that in this last mentioned service he was engaged in the service for upwards of three years he was after the close of the war honorably discharged by his Capt. and thus his services
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ended for which he has [illegible] no compensation, he states that he [illegible] discharged in writing for each of his towns but at that time did not know they would be of any service to him has long since further cast or misplaced them so that he cannot find them or any of them [illegible] he know where they are he has no discriminatory evidence as that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services , he further states that he was born in Pittsylvania County State of Virginia in the year 1760 as he has always been informed by his parents which he believes to be true he never heard them speak of his birth being ant other time than. The [illegible] stated he has no [illegible] of his birth he continued a citizen of Pittsylvania County Virginia until after the close of the war when he moved to and settled in the state of South Carolina in Camden District where he married and resided about 12 years when he moved to Washington County now in the state of Tennesee where he remained until the year 1803 when he moved to the state
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John Pollys declaration
For a pension

Va [illegible] Roll
no on Roll

WM Owens
Columbia, KY
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of Kentucky and soldier in the neighbourhood of the place where he now resides and in which neighbourhood and the place he now lives he has [illegible] [illegible] he hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity accept the present and declares his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state sworn to and subscribed to this day and year.
[signed] John Polly

We Franklin Berry and John W Garnett residing in the county of Adair hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Polly [illegible] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 72 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year [illegible]
Franklin Berry
John W. Garnett

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the said court do further certify and declare their opinion that John W. Garnett and Franklin Berry who have signed said certificate are residents of the County of Adair
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in the state of Kentucky and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Kentucky Adair County Set
William Caldwell Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Polly for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office this 8th day of January 1833.
Wm Caldwell clerk
Adair County Court
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State of Kentucky}
Adair County} SS.

The amended declaration of John Polly for pension.
Be it remembered that on this 17 day of May 1833 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in [illegible] for the County of Adair aforesaid John Polly who being duly sworn [illegible] and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent [illegible] of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of all his service and the various incidents that happened during the war but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below and in the following grades.
He states positively that he served as a volunteer militiaman six months under Capt James Shelton and he also states positively that he served three months as a volunteer militiaman under Captain Thomas Brown as he has stated in his original declaration, and presumes he need not again set forth the particulars as he has in his former declaration hereto announced; states the events respecting the two aforesaid tours with as much precision as he can recollect.
He states that he may have been mistaken in his original declaration as to the line he enlisted in it may be that he is ignorant of the difference between the Virginia State line and Continental Troops but he positively states that he did enlist under Captain Turly Choice in the year 178- as stated n his former declaration and when reflection
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he is now able to state that He was in Col. William's regiment general Hugar's Brigade. He was joined to that corps at a place called the high rock ford he well recollects that he was in several skirmishes with Cornwallis's troops while on this march to Guilford Courthouse, that he was in that Battle he well recollects that General Hugar was wounded in that battle he recollects General Stephens was also wounded he recollects that some short time after this battle at Guildford he was marched on to Fort Watson when there was some skirmishing but the particulars he does not recollect so well as to venture a particular assumption he recollects Marion was there he further states that he was at the Battle of Camden he was also at the Siege of 96. Sometime thereafter he cannot state how long it was Genl Greene marched on to  Virginia and the declarant under Capt Choice and Colo Williams was marched on to the north through Maryland unto Pennsylvania he recollects being at Hagerstown and Lancaster where they quartered for a considerable time and marched to various places and forts in Maryland and Pennsylvania. He did not join the main army again until the surrender of Cornwallis but was not [illegible] and after peace was made. He positively stats that he faithfully served six months as a militiaman as before stated as also the three months tour and that he served in each of them with a Godwin [illegible] called into service by competent authority and that during the period of ? he was constantly either in the field or in the garrison and for the time
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which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit,
he likewise states that he served as an enlisted soldier the time before stated for at least two years that in the last service he served with an embodied Corps called into service by competent authority that he was either in the field or garrison the whole time but mostly in the field and fore the time during which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuits should he mistaken as to his belonging to the state troops or Continental line he knows he is not mistaken as to his services nor the length of time of each and for which services he claims a pension should his name not be found on the state or Continental rolls and for that cause a pension cannot be allowed for that services he hopes a pension will be allowed for the term he served in the militia. He hopes his name is on the roll and will be found. He has no hope of ever obtaining any positive evidence of service the time has been so long and he is so far removed from the Country where the service was performed and [illegible] not know a single [illegible] in Kentucky by whom he could [illegible] services; and having lost his discharge as stated in his original declaration he has no documentary of the fact nor is he able to go to his country where the services was performed to search for proof indeed he knows of none even there. 
Where and in that year were you born? 
Answer I was born in Pittsylvania  County State of Virginia in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty 1760 agreeable
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to the information of my parents which I believe to be true.
2 Have you any record of your age if so where is it?
Answer I have none nor had I ever any.
3. Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the revolution and where do you now live?
Answer I lived in Pittsylvania County State of Virginia when I entered the service and continued a citizen of that County and State until after the close of the Revolutionary War, after which I moved to and settled in the state of South Carolina Camden District, where I resided about twelve years when I moved to Washington County (now) state of Tennessee where I remained until the Year one thousand and eight hundred and three when I moved to the an settled in the County of Adair State of Kentucky where I 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?
Answer The first and second tours I served as a volunteer militiaman, the third and last I served as a regular private
5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service
Answer I recollect General Greene
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John Polly
Adair Kentucky
G. G. Brewer
[illegible] private
grants
$30

Wm Owens
Columbia 
Kentucky
Page 15

2

General Stephens, General Marion, General Hugar Colo Williams under whom I served in my last tour.

Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it.
Answer: I received a written discharge for each tour given by my respective captains [illegible] the first by Capt Chelton the second by Captain Brown and the third by Captain Choice all of which I have long since lost.

7 State the names of some person to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution
Anr I am acquainted with John W Garnett Franklin Berry who has certified for me in my former declaration together with many others who would [illegible] certify the same was [illegible] convenient to procure their allowance But I live in a remote junction of the county thirty settled and I have said but little about any services and I further state that there is no clergyman being near me nor do I know of any who has heard if [illegible] in the neighbourhood that I was a soldier of the revolution as I live an obscure life and have for many years and said very little about my service having been performed so long ago. But I have no doubt that any man with whom I am acquainted would certify as to my character and veracity subscribed and sworn to this day and year ago.
John Polley
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State of Kentucky Adair County sgr
I Clayton Miller a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of do certify that on this day the before named John Polly subscribed and sworn to the amended declaration before me and do declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the investigators inquired by the war dept [illegible] that the applicant is a used and of the county of Adair and that he was a soldier of the revolution and served as he states and that he is an upholdable person.
Given under my hand the day and year ago
Clayton Miller J.P. AC

Kentucky Adair County sgr
William Caldwell
Clerk of the county court for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before Clayton Miller Esqr in the matter of the application aforesaid John Polly for a pension in his amended declaration and  do further certify that said Clayton Miller Esqr before whom the foregoing made a declaration was sworn to by the applicant is and was at due time of [illegible] and declaring to said amended declaration a justice of due justice for Adair County and a Justice of the Adair County Court duly commissioned and qualified and that the signature of said Miller attached to said amended declaration is his genuine signature and also certify that I have attached together the papers accompanying said amended declaration and the original papers.
In testimony where of I have here unto set my [illegible] and [illegible] due services [illegible] and court this 18th day of May 1833

Wm Caldwell [illegible]
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3081
Kentucky
Susan Polly
widow of John Polly
who served in the Revolutionary
war as a Private
Va Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
30 Dollars
Cents per annum to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 
16 day of [illegible] 1849
and sent to
Wm Trabue
Columbia
Ky
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848 Page 253 Vol 3.

Sent to Hon A Buckner
[illegible] 1849
Reportd
Jauy 16 1849
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9820
Susan Polly
Ken:
Act 7 July '38
h. and 40.' m. 83_
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State of Kentucky}
Adair County}
On this the 26thy day of August 1843 personally appeared before me Josiah Hunter as acting Justice of he Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid Mrs. Susan Polly a resident of the said county aged seventy nine years and who after being first duly sworn according to law doth an her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress paped 7th July 1838 an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows to with that she is the widow of John Polly who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and she thinks belonged to the Virginia State line and fought under general Green and who on account of his service as said soldier in said war and in said line received a pension of thirty dollars per annum and to the evidence composing the matter of the application of her said husband for said pension she refers for such particulars as are necessary in the investigation of her claim. She further declares she has no documentary evidence whatever neither does she know at this time of any person
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living by which she can prove her marriage by. She further declares that she was married to the said John Polly in the commencement of the years seventeen hundred and eighty three and that her said husband died on the 4th day September eighteen hundred and forty, that she was not married to the said John Polly previous to his leaving the service but the marriage took place prior to the first day of January 1794 vig at the time above stated and that she has never since the death of her said husband intermarried but she continues his widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the}
day and year aforesaid before me}
Josiah Hunter}
Susan Polly
x her mark

I the foregoing subscribing Justice do hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with the foregoing John Polly and his wife Susan who has been a professor of Religion for many years and that full faith and credit is due her statements, I know her and children and think the older to be at least 60 years old and doubt not but she is the lawful wife of dec John Polly. I further state the Declarant is wholey unable to appear in open court by reason of age and sickness and is confined to her bed at this time and that she has never intermarried since the death of her said husband but still continues his widow. This the Day and year above written.
Josiah Hunter J.P. AC
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State of Kentucky}
County of Adair} Act
At a County Court continued and held for the County of Adair at the Courthouse in Columbia and Tuesday the 3rd day of October 1843. It is ordered to be certified and recorded that the proceedings in the matter of the application of Mr. Susan Polly for a pension before Josiah Hunter Esq. on the 26th day of August 1843 in and the same are now submitted to the Court and are Sanctioned by the Court. At is further ordered that the said proceedings are entitled to as full faith and credit as though they had been made in open Court.
I William Caldwell Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing order is truly and correctly transcribed from the records of said court in my affect. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this 4th day of October 1843. 
Wm Caldwell Clk
By [illegible] Caldwell D.C. and that Josiah Hunter whose signature appear to the foregoing affidavit and certificate is and was at the time of signing the same an active Justice of the Peace for said County and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine______
[illegible] - The foregoing four [illegible] are apart of above certificate and were written here as part before affixing the seal to said certificate.
Attest
[illegible] Caldwell D.C.
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John Polly K.
Wm Owens
Columbia K.
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
April 3rd 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 tabular form. On comparing the 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 the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particular directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (this: }). 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.

A Statement, showing the service of John Polly Adair Co K.

Period when the services was rendered | Duration of the claimant's service: Years/Months/Days | Rank of the claimant | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers | Battles in which the applicant was engaged | Country through which he marched | Places of about where he entered the service and age at the present period | Evidence by which the declaration is supported

Vol. '77
" - '78
Enlisted '80

3 "
   3

pr
"
Capt. Shelton
" Brown
" Choice

____________
___________
none

Va
"nc
" " 
Pittsylvania Va

[illegible]
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUN 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 rolla 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, 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 Count of} ss.
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 services {and if her 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 and State in which he resided when he entered the services; the battles if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied 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 and 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.
I ___________ 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 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 day 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. 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, an will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in the detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as many 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 alleged services, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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8
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 can 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 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 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 of 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 the 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] 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 services, 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 an 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 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 services I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and he 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 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 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 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. 
[arrow] 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.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.}

[signed] W.L. Williams Ct. Clk
Page 26

Aug.
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
[illegible]

September 20, 1928

Mrs. H. E. Lipscomb,
3215 Chamberlayne Avenue, 
Richmond, Virginia.

Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 3036, it appears that John Polly or Polley was born in 1760 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
While residing in said county, he enlisted and served as a private with the Virginia Troops, as follows:
In 1777, six months in Captain James Shelton's Company, and was in an engagement at Fort Chapel; from March 1776, three months in Captain Thomas Brown's Company; and from the latter part of 1780 in Captain Turly Choice's Company, Colonel William [illegible] Regiment, was in the battles of Guilford Court House, Camden, Siege of Ninety-Six, and in several skirmishes with Cornwallis' Troops, and served until in 1783. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 7, 1833, at which time he was living in Adair County, Kentucky. He died September 4, 1840.
The soldier married after the war (no definite date given) in Camden District, South Carolina, Susan, her maiden name is not stated.
Page 27

COPID BY ADY

She was allowed pension on her application executed August 26, 1843, at which time she was living in Adair County, Kentucky, aged seventy-nine years.
In 1843, she was living in Russell County, Kentucky. They had eight children, no names are mentioned.
Respectfully,

E.W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.
Page 28

9029
Kentucky
Susan Polly
widow of John Polly
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832, 
and who died on the 4 Sept. 1840
of Adair Co in the State of Ky
who was a Pri in the Company
commanded by Captain Nelson of the
reg. commanded by _____________ in
the Va line for 9 months.

_________________________________________________

Inscribed on the Roll of Ky
at the rate of 30 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on [crossed out] the 4th [end cross out] day of [crossed out] March, 1836 [end cross out] 4. Sept, 1840.

_________________________________________________

Certificate of Pension issued the 29" day of Jany '40 and sent to Hon. G. A. Caldwell
Ho. of Reps.

________________________________________________

Total amount,
$
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by F.. Swann, Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 375

No 266
May 19th 1845
Certe is [illegible] [illegible]
Jany 23' 45 at $30 per annum com. 4th March 1856 + ending 4th Sept. 1840 + sent to Hon. G. A. Caldwell.
[illegible] Columbia, Kety
Page 29

No 266
[illegible] [illegible]
[illegible] Res Keny 23 1845
/ Under act 1838
" " 1843
" " 1844
Reported.

6636
Kentucky
________________________________________
Susan Polly,
widow of John Polly,
who was a Private,
in the Va Line
________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843 
_________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Jany '45
and sent to 
Hon. G. A. Caldwell
Ho. of Rep.
________________________________________
[Act of March 3, 1843]
Recorded in Book A
Vol 2 P. 185
Page 30

3215 CHAMBERLAYNE AVENUE
RICHMOND, VA

Nov. 12, 1927
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:
Will you kindly send me the Revolutionary records of Edward and John Polly who were soldiers of Virginia but pensioned in Kentucky -- Perry and Russell counties.
With thanks,
Vey truly yours
[illegible] H. E. Lipscomb
Page 31

9820
Susan Polly
Ky
Sent to Hon. G. A. Caldwell 15 May '44
" "  M. King Aug 31 '44
" " Hon. G. A. Caldwell Dec. 19 '44

Act July 7, 1838
Page 32

WIDOW, &c.
------------------
[illegible]
File No. 3036
Susan Polly
Widow
John Polly
Priv. Rev War
__________________
Act: July 2' 1848
Index:--- Vol. M., Page 135.
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1928 Sept. 20 Hist to Mrs. H. E. Lipscomb [illegible]
Page 33

State of Kentucky}
Adair County}
On this the 27th day of September Eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared before me Josiah Hunter an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid. Archelaus A. Strange a resident  of so County, who, after being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following statement to wit that he has been well acquainted with John Polly and his wife Susan for thirty five years and knew the said John Polly to b a pensioner for many years up to his death which took place on the day of [illegible] September 1840 he further states that he is acquainted with their children and thinks the oldest to be more than 60 years old and the youngest forty years (8 in number) he further states that the dec. John Polly drew $30 per annum he further states that the said Susan Polly is a Lady of credibility and a professor of religion for many years and that full credit is due her statements and that she has never since the death of her husband intermarried but still remains his widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before me}
Josiah Hunter J.P.A.C.

[signed] A.A. Strange
Page 34

State of Kentucky}
County of Adair} S.S.
I William Caldwell Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Josiah Hunter whose name appears to the foregoing [crossed out] certifi [end cross out] affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same and acting Justice of the Peace for said county and the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine on testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 4th day of October 1843.
WM Caldwell Clk
By Jennies Caldwell DC
Note the letters "certifi' erased before certifying edited
Jennies Caldwell DC

State of Kentucky} 
County of Adair} S.S.

"At a County Court begun I held for the County of Adair at the Courthouse in Columbia on Monday the 3d Day of June 1844.
Ordered that it be certified that Archelaus A. Strange a resident of this County who made affidavit on the [illegible] September 1843 before Josiah Hunter Esq. in relation to Susan Polly's claim for a pension is a man of
Page 35

respectability and that his statements on oath are entitled to full faith and credit."
I William Caldwell Clerk of Said Court do certify that the foregoing order is truly transcribed from the records of Said Court in my office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 3rd day of June 1844.
WM Caldwell Clk
By Jennies Caldwell D.C.
Page 36

9820
Susan Polly
Ky
Act July 7 '38
[illegible]
9 months priv
---------------
$30 per an.
--------------
[crossed out, illegible]

Also
Act of March 3 '43
No 6924

Hon G. A. Caldwell
[illegible]
Page 37

[entire page is crossed out with an "x"]

Pensions Office
Jan [illegible] '45
Sir,
The added evidence of the date of the marriage in the case of Susan Polly has been examined and filed as the law requires the best attainable proof the date of the marriage should be established by public or private record or documentary evidence and its only when satisfied that no testimony of the above description exists the departed can receive parole evidence. When records is had to [illegible] old evidence, in establishing a fact the time of the occurrence of which is so remote, the testimony shall act for the circumstances calculated to in press the date upon the mind of the witnessed. It is the more undisputable to as certain the precise date of the marriage in as much as the nature of the claims depends upon its. Matthew Walkins [illegible] is too much in its character to safe by the law.
Hon. GA Caldwell [illegible]
9820
Act July 7th' 38
Page 38

Land Office, Annapolis, Aug 15th, 1833
Sir,
Yours of the 2nd and 9th [illegible] with the declarations of Archibald Roberts and John Polly [illegible] enclosed were received. __  In the case of Archibald Roberts, [illegible] with and you enveloped a certificate, as his name appears upon a militia pay roll in this office, _____ as respects the case of John Polly [illegible], I have to inform you that his name does not appear upon any of the rolls, _____ the declaration in each case are herewith returned.
I am very respectfully
Yours [illegible] [illegible]
G.G. Brewers

J.L. Edwards Esq
Page 39

9820
Susan Polly
Ken:
Act 7 July 38
Page 40

Frankfort Kentucky
October 18th 1843

Sir,
I herewith enclose you the declaration of Mrs. Susan Polly of Adair County Kentucky under the Act of Congress to [illegible] the 7th day of July 1838 and the evidence in support of her claim. I am informed that Mrs. Polly was married to her deceased husband in a district which has since become Fairfield District South Carolina. I am insisting I garnered of what causes to [illegible] in order to [illegible] [illegible] evidence of the said marriage being advised that to this day it is not indispensable to the legality of a marriage that license should [illegible].
I however hope that the evidences in this case hung the best in my [illegible] will be satisfactory as to the marriage before [illegible] day of January 1794.
You will please enclose to me at Frankfort [illegible] Certificate of allowance.

I am Sir very respectfully
your [illegible] servant
C. H. Trabue

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City
Page 41

Susan Polly
under the joint resolution of 23 January 1845 and Act 7 July, 1838

[illegible] $30 per an
from 4 March 1830
to 4 September, 1840

Hon GA Caldwell
Columbia
Kentucky
Page 42

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the resolution of Congress of the 23rd January 1845,
Whereas the act of the 30th April 1844 prohibited me from drawing a pension for the [illegible], drawing which my husband was a pensioner, I now make the following statement under oath to obtain the benefit of the resolution above mentioned: I am the widow of John Polly who was a private in the war of the Revolution; I have drawn a pension at the rate of thirty dollars per annum from the 4th September 1840, and now ask for the amount due from the 4th of March 1836, to the 4th September 1840, when my former pension commenced.
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 12th day of March 1845
[illegible] her Daughters Adair County Kentucky
x Susan Polly her mark

Josiah Hunter Justice of the Peace

I certify that the declarant is personally known to me and that she is the same individual she represents her self to be in the foregoing affidavit.
Josiah Hunter Justice of the Peace
Page 43

State of Kentucky
Adair County [illegible]
I William Caldwell Clerk of the Adair County Court do hereby certify that Josiah Hunter who has signed the foregoing is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Adair in the State of Kentucky and that the above signature is his.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and office this 7th day of May 18[illegible]5 at Columbia in Adair County in the State Kentucky.
Wm Caldwell
Page 44

Hon J L Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington City DC
Page 45

Columbia Adair Cty
Kentucky, Oct 14th 1848
Sir,
Enclosed I send you the Declarations of Mrs Polly, Mrs Booker, Mrs [illegible] Drawn pensions under the acts of Congress of the act of the 2nd Feb 1848.
You will be pleased [illegible] there are certificates of allowances at your earliest [illegible] for they are [illegible] objects of clarity some four or five weeks since I wrote to you requesting to send on a Mrs Sarah Barkley's pension certificate for five years from 1836 to 41.
Your granted have certificates of allowance for five years from 1843 to 1848. She made declaration under the act of 1838.
Your earliest attention and reply to the above will be gratefully acknowledged.
I am respectfully 
Your obd. servant
Wm Trabue

Hon JL Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, DC
Page 46

Burksville Ky Aug 21/44
M King
Pension for widow of John Polly
Page 47

Burksville Ky
Aug 21 1844
Hon
Secretary of War,
John Polly (of Russell County Ky) was enrolled as a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act 7th June 1832, on the 23rd of January 1834 and died 1838, left a widow whose marriage took place before 1794.
The old lady has requested me to write to the Department for such funds as will enable her to be placed on the Roll under the Act 7th July 1838.
The original pension certificate is lost or mislaid, she however cannot command it. She though has a copy of it. 
She thinks her husband [illegible] and probably including March 1838.
Be pleased to send [illegible] [illegible] instructions and say so what time, the pension was drawn and where now is the widow [illegible] to be [illegible] drawn after she is enrolled.
I have the honor to be yours
Respectfully,
M. King
Page 48

Pension Claim
Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Columbia Ky}
May 20}

Ky June 5
No [illegible] contains
his name
G.G. Brewer
Page 49

Columbia 20th May 1833
Dear Sir,
I return you John Polly's Declaration amended he has no chance as he tells me and as he states in his declaration to procure proof of his service in the regular army if therefore the proof upon that parish is not satisfactory I presume the pension can be allowed for his militia service.
Yours respectfully
Wm Owens
Page 50

State of Kentucky Adair
County Court January Term 1845

Be it remembered that on this day Matthew Walkup in the 65th year of his age personally came into open court and made oath that about 43 years ago he became acquainted with John Polly of Susan his wife that he continued to be acquainted with them until the time of the death of said John he further states that it was the same John Polly who resided in the county of Adair and who knew a pension for services rendered by him in the war of the Revolution he states that said Susan was his wife when affiant first became acquainted with them and remained so until the death of said John that she is now his widow and now resides in the county of Adair state of Kentucky. He further states that when he first became acquainted with the said John Polly and Susan his wife they had seven children, the oldest of which he states to the best of his belief was 17 or 18 years old he further states that said 7 children was [illegible] and believed to be the children of said John and Susan it was never doubted they lived together as such
Page 51

subscribed acknowledged and sworn to in open court.
Matthew Walkup

Kentucky Adair County [illegible]
At a county court began and held for the county of Adair at the courthouse in Columbia on Monday the 6th day of January 1845 _____ Matthew Walkup made oath in open Court to the foregoing affidavit in relation to the pension claim of Susan Polly widow of John Polly __ and it is ordered to be certified that said Walkup has long been personally known to the Court, and that they believe him to be an upright, industrious, honest man of strict integrity and that such is his general character, and that full credit should be given to his statements.

I William Caldwell Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify that the foregoing is a full and complete copy from the recording of said court in my office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto let my hand and affixed the seal of said court this 11th day of January 1845.
Wm Caldwell Clk
By Julius Caldwell DC
Page 52

State of Kentucky} Act
Rupell County}

On this 4th day of October 1848 personally appeared before me Willis Coffey a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Rupell and state of Kentucky Susana Polly a resident of Kentucky in the County of Rupell aged 85 years who being first duly sworn according to [illegible] doth on her [illegible] make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress paped on the 2nd February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of John Polly who was a private and that by reason of old age and loss of memory she refers to her former Declaration for further particulars. And that she has received a pension under the act of Congress paped 17th June 1844 at the rate of $30 per annum. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me}
Susan Polly
x Her mark

Willis Coffey JP

I certify that the foregoing Declarant Susan Polly is personally known to me and that she is the identical person who [illegible] a pension at the rate of thirty dollars per annum as stated in the above declaration in testimony where of I [illegible] subscribed my name the day and year above written.
Willis Coffey JP
Page 53

State of Kentucky Rupell County [illegible].
I William S. Patterson Clerk of the Rupell County Court do certify that Willis Coffey whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate is a magistrate in and for the county of Rupell duly commissioned and qualified [illegible] in [illegible] in dates the 30 day of May 1844 and that the foregoing signature [illegible] to his is genuine and seal of office given under my hand this 5 day of October 1848.
William Patterson Clerk
Rupell County Court