Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6274, John Tucker, Va.
Page 1

(3-1776)
Service Va.
John Tucker
Number S.6274

Born in Md.
Carded
Contents
Page 2

Virginia   5,058
John Tucker
of Harrison in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Booth of the Regiment commanded
by Col. Evans in the Virginia line for 2 years
Reduced from [  ] 80

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 43 Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 22nd day of July 1836, and Sent to Hon. Joseph Johnson, Bridgeport, Harrison Co. Va.

Arrears to the 4th of March '36 equal  216.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Sept -  21.66
                                                            __________
                                                              238.31
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by R. Burdiss Clerk,
Book 6 1/2  Vol. 6   Page 35.

Let to Hon. J Johnson, Neb 1827
Set. 26. April 1837-Pero. Agent
ditto ---A. P. Goff
Order to pay & letter to A.P. Goff 12 Sept 1837.
Page 3

John Tucker

$80 per ann

Hon. J Johnson
H R
Page 4

Brief in the case of John Tucker of Harrison County in the 
State of Virginia [illegible]
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?
Before a Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
______________

3. How old is he?
89 years--

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.     Duration of Service.    Rank.  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

Years,  Months,  Days.    As a       Gen


In 1777 Spring   --- 12---   Spy    Capt: James Booth
1778 Spring        2   -----    Spy    Colo. John Evans

5. In what battles was he engaged?
None -------

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
in Mononghahela Virginia

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
By 1 living witness (as to 1st Service) --

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
The affidavid is not authenticated.--

X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

James Ord    Examining Clerk.
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John Tucker's
Declaration
Page 6

6
Virginia
Harrison County

On this 22d day of Sept. 1832 personally appeared in open court before Benjamin Baych, Benjamin Stout, Jacob Coplin, and Joseph Johnson -
The court of Harrison County now sitting John Tucker of Harrison County and State afforesaid aged 89 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 act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

Early in the spring of 1777 he volunteered as a spy under Capt. James Booth of the County of Monongahalia State of Virginia  That he was stationed in Coons Fort on the West Fork of the Monongahalia River

That he was employed in Traversing the country between the Monongahalia and Ohio Rivers particularly on the waters of Buffaloe Bingamin Tenmile and Middle Island, Creeks during which time he was frequently successfull in the discovery of Indian signs and as often gave notice to the forts and settlements of approaching danger Sometime in the June of the same year when in company with Johnithan Boyers who was also a spy they discovered an Indian trale near the mouth of Tenmile Creek which they followed up the River some distance where they found the body of Mrs. Grigsby who had been murdered the preceeding night Soon after a party of Indians appeared at Coons Fort and killed a Miss Coon when in view of this defencement who with several others conveyed the Inteligence to the surrounding settlements he continued in [illegible] service twelve months when he was discharged verbally
Page 7

by his officer  In the spring of 1778 he again entered the service as a spy under Col. John Evans  Was stationed at Kerns Fort upon the Monongahalia River where Morgantown now stands  That he continued guard said Fort and to reconenter [reconnoiter] the surrounding country for the term of two years during which time he had frequent skirmishes with the Indians
He was present when John Woodfield and  [Thomas] Miller Jr was killed within a short distance of the Fort

At another time they were attacked by a large party of Indians near Coburns Fort a Mr. Jackson Haycraft and Thomas were killed. He was in various other skirmishes and had several very narrow escapes for his life he was discharged orally as before he is now old and infirm and in great need of his country aid. He has no documentury and relies upon the [coidence] of his brother Henry Tucker who was in the service at the same time. He removed from Monongalia to Fayette Pa. thence to Harrison where he now resides. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State  Sworn to and subscribed
John Tucker his mark
Page 8

of the application of John Tucker for a pension
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office this 2nd day of November 1832    D. Davisson C.H.C.

Henry Tucker appeared in open court and made oath that he was employed in the service of his country as a spy in the year 1777 & that his Brother John Tucker who has Sworn & Subscribed the above declaration was a spy at some time under Capt. James Booth & that he [illegible] 12 [months?] under him as he states
He further testifyed that his Brother John Tucker was employed to guard Kernes Fort under Col. John Evans but does not know how long he served at the other place.
Sworn & Subscribed to this 22. Sept. 1832           
Jacob Coplin of P.                              Henry Tucker his mark

I do certify that Henry Tucker now has assigned the bove certifycat is a [?] man. and that [?] [?] aught to be paid to his testimony
Dember the 15th 1832   Jacob Coplin [illegible]
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I certify that John Tucker is reputed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been an old Indian fighter; and that full faith & credit may be given to his statement under oath
J. Johnson
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5058
John Tucker, __Pen
Harison Cty_
Indian


File 6274
Page 11

John Tucker, draw $87
on the 18th July W Tucker gave the following narative of his revolutionary services he is in his 87th year of age lives in Maryland when 20 yrs old battles on Booths creek Harrisons cty that during the war of the revolution he lived at Steny Fort and Booth Fort was appernted by Capt James Booth as spy per [illegible] he served for the year & [illegible] one dollar a day [illegible] know what the money was paid by the state  by the letters this was a paid to Capt Booth was killed that was corth place in 1777 (or 9?) he came after this sema at Camden Fort near near Myan town under Col Zachariah Morgan for 2 years whilst at this station was chiefley guarding whilst others were working Time [illegible] worked himself but not often a good many at the fort they worked and guarded alternatly 
trote this pension is accordlingly infirm in body and mind he could not give particulars from the Generaleties given by him I am satisfied that what service he did perform was unathzed by the Both authrtes and wholly regular he got the settlement right 
W G Singleton
Nov 21. 1834
Page 12

January 2, 1940

BA-J/CC
John Tucker
S.6274

Claire Tucker Willson
1190 South Williams
Denver, Colorado.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Tucker of Harrison County, Virginia.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim S.6274 based upon service of John Tucker in the Revolutionary War.

John Tucker was born in Maryland, and when twenty years of age he settled on Booth's Creek, Harrison County, Virginia.   During the Revolutionary War he was a resident of Monongalia County, Virginia and lived in Forte Kerns and Booth.  Names of his parents are not shown.

John Tucker enlisted early in the spring of 1777, served as Indian spy and as guard to the various forts in that vicinity under Captain James Booth and Colonels John Evans and Zachariah Morgan, and was in many skirmishes with Indians; length of service about four years.

After the Revolution he moved from Mongalia County, to Fayette, Pennsylvania and then to Harrison County, Virginia, where he was living when allowed pension on his application executed September 22, 1832.  At that time he stated he was aged eighty-nine years and at a later date gave his age as eighty-seven years.  In 1836 he was living in Monongalia County, Virginia.

No reference was made to wife or children.
Page 13

In 1832, soldier's brother, Henry Tucker, stated in Harrison County, Virginia, that he served as spy one year with John Tucker.

No further family data are shown.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of John Tucker, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

John Tucker
Certificate #5056
Issued July 22, 1836
Rate $43.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Virginia Agency.

Very truly yours
AD HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 14

Jno Tucker Va act 1832
to what time has he drawn his pension?
5058
Hon Jos Johnson
HR
[crossed out widow Ryland
Nichs N Ryland]
Page 15

2nd Brief
John Tucker
credibility of witness
not certified
Page 16

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Tucker which require further proof of explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? -------

IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V.  *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  Yes

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  Yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VIII.  Has the court given their opinion? Yes

XI.  Has the clerk given his certificate? Yes

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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2
XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No

XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? -------------

XIV. + If the applicant has produced a witness as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? No

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes

XVI.  ++ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes (except deposition of Witness)

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not which of them is not so answered? No 1st & second not answered

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:  "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For year months, and days, I served as a For months and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3 It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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. QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of 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. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate.
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[illegible] Pwt act 1 March 1835
goff

Virginia 18 Jany 1836
Hon Jos Johnbson 
21 March 1836

5058
Virginia 
John Tucker of Harrison in the state of Va who was a pr in the Compy commanded by Captain Booth of the Regt commanded by Col Evans in the Va loine for 2 years from 1777
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of Feby 1835 and sent Hon J Johnson Haude of Refs
Arrears to 4th Sept 1832  120
Semi-anl allowance ending 4th Mar 33  40
$160
{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk
Book D Vol 7 Page 121
Page 20

Rev War
6274
INVALID
File No G274
John Tucker
Priv Rev War
Act June 7th /32
Index: Vol M Page 380
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 21

19 Jan 2 Hist to Claire Tucker Willson cs
Page 22

Denver Colo
1190 So Williams
Dec 10, 1939
The War Department
Bureau of Pensions
Washington DC
Gentlemen
I should like the pension record of my Revolutionary ancestor Harrison County West Virginia John Tucker; rank, private; Description of service, Virginia Militia; placed on pension roll, Feb 2, 1833; age 91
The above is copied out of Third Biennial Report of the Dept of Archives in West Virginia concerning Revo9lutionary soldiers who received pensions. 
I am anxious to locate name of children and wife of above mentioned John Tucker.
Any information about this John Tucker will be greatly appreciated. 
Yours truly,
Claire Tucker Willson
Page 23

Payments to be made at Richmond, Va
By the Presd: WS pr Rke
Agent for paying Pensions in the Agency of Virginia
Issues new certificate for $43.33/100 
13 mo pri
To Hon Jos Johnson
Bridgeport Harrison Co Va
Recorded by N Rice
Clerk in Book [crossed out D] E Vol 6 1/2
page 121  35
Page 24

WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June 1832, John Tucker of the state of Virginia who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Eighty dollars and -- cents per annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831 and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Second day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Lew Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned} JL Edwards
Page 25

War Department
Pension office
February 4 1837
Sir
In reply to your enquiry of this morning in relation to John TUcker, I have the honor to inform you that his stipend has been paid to the 4th March 1834, at the rate of eighty dollars per annum. His pension having been reduced to $43.33/100 per annum on the 22d of July last there will be the sum of $20 due at the next semi-annual payment on the 4th priscimo if he should be living at that time.
I have the honor to be very respectfully your obt servt
JL Edwards
Hon Joseph Johnson
House of Representatives
Page 26

War Department
Pension Office
March 21st 1836
Sir,
If John Tucker will return the pension certificate which was issued to him for $80, a new one will be issued for 13 months service, which is all that can be allowed. This is the amount of service for which he was paid by the state of Virginia 
I have the honor to be
very respectfully 
your obet servt
JL Edwards

Hon Joseph Johnson
House of Representatives
Page 27

J Tucker

Hon Jos Johnson
HR
Page 28

Recd 240
43.33 1/3 for 5 years
5
206.66
43.33 1/3
2500
Page 29

John Tucker Va Roll, Act 7 June 1832 at $80 per annum Be Pleased to say unto what time he has been paid?
Pension office
June 28 1836
to the 4th March 1834
S Hyde 
3 audt office
June 28 1836
Page 30

free
M at Sept 11
Mr Edwards

[post marked
CLARKSBURG
SEP
7
VA]

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
DC
Page 31

Clarksburg
5 Sept 1837
At the request of Mr Tucker I enclose you a power of atty executed by him on this day for you inspection & if found correct I am enstructed to request you to forward this to Abbott P Goff at Wheeling for payment I also enclose you an old power of atty in order to shew you that the last is in conformity with the correction then given
your obt svt
WP Goff
Page 32

John Tucker, Virginia roll - act 7 June 1832, Be pleased to say up to What time, ad what rate, he was last paid?
Pension Office
Nov 4. 1837

paid the 4 March 1834 @ $80- reduced to 43.33-
JH
Page 33

William S. Morgan, MC.
Mr. J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington.

Va. Jan 13
Hon W. S. Morgan
HR
Page 34

House of Representatives Jan. 12th. 1836.
Mr J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Sir, I am requested to enquire of you the cause of the suspension of the payment of John Tucker's pension. He is now a resident of Monongalia Co. Va. But probably was placed on the list when in Harrison County Va. He is very old & has lost his recollection so much that he cannot now hold a common conversation on any subject without forgeting it, and commencing on something else.- In this condition Mr. Singleton found him & without giving him any information of his business or intentions asked him questions which the old Man answered carelessly & to his own injury as seems from the enclosed letter from Col. T. S. Haymond, whose statements may be relied on. If you will have the goodness to write me soon on the subject, it will be acknowledged and a great favour.
Very Respectfully,
Your most obedient
humble Servant,
Wm. S. Morgan.
Page 35

free
James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington

Apl 15
Va Roll
Jno. Tucker,
Jno Bennett
Page 36

Charlesburg Virginia
April 8th 1857
J L Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Sir I enclose you John Tuckers power of Atto for your inspection - as he has not drew any Money for more than a year, & also send, a letter direct to Colo H Johnson, showing that, on the 4th of March last, there would be due him $20=
I enclose also J Bennett's Power of Atto, also the Certificate of the Clerk, certifying M Winters to be a justice &c- whome before boath the powers of Attos wer acknowledged,-
Wil you be so good as to forward al to A P G H Wheeling Va after you have inspected The Tucker power of Atto
Very Respectfully
your Hmbl Sert
Nathan Goff