Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 32029, Obedieth Turpin, Va.
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Turpin, Obedieth or Obadiah  32029
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Indiana
Obadiah Turpin
of Marionola in the state Indianna
who was a private in the [illegible] commanded
by Captain Wartham of the [illegible] commanded by [illegible] in the Virginia line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Indianna at the rate of 20 Dollars   - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.
Cerificate of Pension  [illegible] the 7 day of March 1834 and [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of March  60.00
[illegible] allowance ending Sept  10.00
$70.00
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by [illegible] Boyd  Clerck
Book 8 Vol. [illegible] Page 131
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Obediah Turpin
Pension Declaration
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(Page 1)
The State of Indianna Marion County [illegible] on this 12th day of February A. D. 1822, [illegible] before the honorable John C. [illegible] sole Judge [illegible] Court of the County of Marion aforesaid, [illegible] sitting, Obediah Turpin of the County of Boon in the said state of Indianna aged [illegible] years, who being first duly sworn  according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit made by the [illegible] act of congress passed June 7 1832 That at Luxemburg County in the state of Virginia [illegbile] enlisted into the army of the United States, as a private soldier for the term of 18 months, sometime during the year 1779, and he thinks as earley as the month of March or April of that year, he having been in the service about 11 months previous to the surrender of Charleston,, South Carilina, by the American Army. That he entered a company commanded by Captain Richard Washam in the regiment commanded by Colonel  [illegible] of the Virginia [illegible] That he continued to bear arms in this regiment [illegible] a short time, and owing to his being
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(Page 2)
other field and company officers; That from the place of his enlistment [hyphenated elist-ment] he was marched to elerdsburgh [Elerdsburgh] where he had remained three or four weeks previous to his being to his being engaged as waggoner which business he followed in and about Petersberg and it vicinity until late in the fall or winter ensuing his elistment, he was sent in the same employment into the state of South Carolina and in the spring following he accompanied [ac-comanied] a detachment which was marched to the reinforcement [rein-forcement] of the city of Charleston then besieged by the British Army. In marching to Charleston this declarant recollects that he passed through Guilford County, crossed Rock river and the Yadkin a short distance above their junction and passed down the the Big Pedee [found Pee Dee River in the Carolinas] for a good many miles, and thence to Charleston, and was there employed in the
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which time his 18 months engagement terminated and he received a discharge from the services (Service 18 months)
That at the County of Lunenberg within mentioned, he again, about the commencement of the year 1781, being but a few months after his first discharge entered the service for a second time for a three months tour as a substitute for one John Williamson in a company of Virginia militia commanded by Captain Francis De Graffeurced of whose company one Redder was Ensign. The names of the other officers are not now recollected, That from Lunenburg County he was marched to Portsmouth in Old Virginia was stationed there 6 or 8 weeks, and was marched thence to Petersburgh where he remained until the expiration of his engagement and was discharged having served out his three months tour. Under the engagement was in Company with no regular The British then had possession of Portsmouth
This declarant stats that 3 months before the capitulation of Lord Cornwallis at York Town he was drafted into the service at Lunenberg County aforesaid and was placed as a private in a Company Commanded by Captain Jay or Gay of the Va. Militia, was immediately marched to York Town where he was employed as a servant or waiter, by one Jesse Walton who was engaged in providing and forwarding arms & ammunitions for the use of the army, that he continued as a servant to this said Walton until after the surrender of Cornwallis's army when he was discharged
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Service Number
Va. Turpin, Obedieth  S32029
or Obadiah
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(Page 6)
But owing to his having been engaged as a waggoner during the his first tour, the shortness of the two last tours, the latter of which he acted as servant, & the great lenth of time which has elapsed since the revolution render it impossible for the declarant to recollect the names of many of his officers or of militia regiments with which he served, & for the general circumstances of his service he refers to the preceding part of this declaration ~ 6th He received a discharge at the expiration of each of his times of service; but the names of the officers who gave the same are not now recollected;  his discharges had been previously lost or they were burnt in his house which was consumed by fire in the state of Nort Carolina.
7th He has no documentary evidence, and he knows of no person who can testify to his service; and owing to his limited acquaintance from the shortness of his residence in the new and sparsely populated County where he now resides, he is unable to state the names of any persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood who can testify as to his Character for veracity & who have at the same time, had an opportunity of forming a belief as to his services as a soldier of the revolution. But he is well acquainted with Mr. John Smart a respectable man of Morgan Cty Ia & also with Joseph person of
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residing in the same County & neighborhood last aforesaid who will be recognized by any Court, Judge or Justice of the peace in the County where they reside as credible witnesses & who are the only witness in the part of the states where the declarant now resides who can testify as to his veracity and reputation as a soldier of the revolution
His witnesses residing out County, there being no person in the same know to the declarant who had ever prepared pension papers & there being no seal provided for the Court in Boon County have made it most conveniant for him to make his declaration in this Court, with which he has some acquaintances.
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 any agency of any state or Territory
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court on the day and year first within written
February 12, 1833.
Obidieth Turpin
Teste
James H. Ray Clerk
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(Page 8)
And the Court having put the interrogatories prescribed by the war department which are satisfactorily answered declare their opinion that the reasons assigned by the declarant for not having made his declaration in the County where he resides are good, the said County being very new & sparsely populated; And that in the opinion of the Court the Witnesses named in the annexed declaration could not have been produced in Court without unreasonable expense and inconveniance to the applicant ~

I, James H. Ray, Clerk of the Circuit and Probate Courts of Marion County, Indiana, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court of Robak of said County; in the matter of the application of Obadiah Turpin for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 12th day of February A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
James H. Ray.
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Ws John Smart - a clergyman residing in the County of Morgan and State of Indiana and Joseph Pierson residing in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Obediah Turpin, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that we have been well acquainted with him for at least the eighteen years past; That we believe him to be 72 years old; that he has always been reputed & believed in the different neighborhoods where we have been acquainted with him to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion-
John Smart 
Joseph Pierson
The above certificate sworn to & Subscribed before me one of the Justices of the Peace in & for the County above mentioned on this nineteenth day of February A.D. 1833 ~
Mordecai P. Miller
Justice of the Peace

The State of Indiana Morgan County SS
I Mordecai P. Miller one of the Justices of the peace in and for the County aforesaid hereby certify that John Smart who has signed the above certificate is a clergyman resident in the said County and that Joseph Pierson who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County and credible person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit. In
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Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my official seal this
nineteenth day of February A.D.
1833
Mordecai D Millar
Justice of the Peace

Indiana [Illegible]
I William Street Secretary of
State of the State aforesaid certify that
Mordecai D Millar whose certificate is
appended to the foregoing declaration is now
and was at the time of making said
certificate an acting Justice of the peace
for the County of Morgan and states [illegible]
 and that full faith is is due to his
official acts as such.

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name
and affixed the seal of the
said State at Indianapolis
this 25th day of Feby 1833-

William Sheets
Secretary of State
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Obadiah Turpin
Indiana

[illegible]
for 1776 per anum
$20.
Hon. G. L. Kinnard
Calvin Fletcher
Indianapolis
Ind
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
21 June 183

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  Tn 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 the regulations will show what is necefsary 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.

A Statement, showing the Service of Obadiah Turpin
[Column 1]
Period when the service was rendered.
[1.]   1779
[2.]   1780

[Column 2]
Duration of the Claimant's service.
  Years.   Months.   Days.
[1.]  1            6
[2.]                6

[Column 3]
Rank of the claimant.
[1.]  pr.
[2.]  pr.

[Column 4]
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
[1.]  Col. Meriwether
[2.]

[Column 5]
Age at present, and place of above when he entered the service.
[1.]  72.  Va.
[2.]

[Column 6]
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
[1.]  Traditionary
[2.]  not found on the roll as a private.
       Should state whether he served in any other capacity than that of wagoner, or whether he held any rank.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Regulations under the Act of June 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers,: all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. [Et cetera] Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. [Et cetera] 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 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 
County of
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 provion [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: [blank]
(Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he [entered] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c. [Et cetera] )
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 da 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. [Et cetera]
If on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscr9be a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: [blank]
(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 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. [blank] 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. [Et cetera]
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition,, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service' were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a soldier: Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
6. 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 he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these [persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other person, 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 of County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. [Et cetera] . 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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] . For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] ; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months", is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. [Et cetera] 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.
[THE FOLLOWING SECTION (j) IS {BRACKETED} FOR MORE INFORMATION NEEDED]
(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.
The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed.  The notes and the regulations will show what is  necefsary 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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Obediah Turpin

[Column 1]
Period when the service was rendered.

[Column 2]
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. Months. Days.

[Column 3]
Rank of the claimant.

[Column 4]
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.

[Column 5]
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
77 past
Chesterfield
County
Virginia

[Column 6]
Proof by which the declaration is supported.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered wand 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 classes 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 claim- ing the benefit of this law its 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 } ss. 
County of 
On this ______ day of ______ personally appeared (a) before ___________ A.B. a resident (b) of ____________ in the county of __________ and State, Territory or District of ________ aged (c) _______ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year (d) _______, with ________ and served in the _________ (e) regiment of the _________ line, under the following named officers:
 [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service: (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ________
 Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. _____________: A.B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
 And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
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 of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the _______ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and 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 of commis- sion; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration , (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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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 on be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply an clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier. {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declaration will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an 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 no less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades:-For [blank line] year [blank line] months, and [blank line] days, I served as a [blank line]. For [blank line] months and [blank line] days, I served as a [blank line]; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [in italics: 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 officer, 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 no written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticate, 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.
[stamp of a hand with index finger extended & pointing to the right] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 20


May 21, 1937

Obedieth Turpin
S. 32029
BA-J/AWF
Mrs. Joe G. Curry
21 South Irvington Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which
you request the Revolutionary War record of Obadiah Turpin, pensioned while living in Indiana.
The data furnished herein were obtained from
papers on file in pension claim, S. 32029, based
upon the service of Obedieth Turpin, in the War of
the Revolution.
Obedieth ( as his signature is shown) Turpin
was born in the year 1761 in Prince Edward County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Lunenburg County, Virginia
, he enlisted in the spring of 1779, served in
Captain Richard Worsham's company, Colonel Merriwether's Virginia regiment, marched to Petersburg,
then served as wagoner, went to Charleston, South Carolina, and continued in the service eighteen months. He enlisted early in 1781, served three months in Captain Francis DeGraffenreid's company, and later
in 1781, served three months in Captain Jary's or Gery's company, and was discharged after the surrender of Cornwallis.
After the Revolution, he moved to Rutherford
County, North Carolina, to Knox County, Kentucky, to


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Page 21

Monroe County, Indiana, to Boone County, Indiana.
The soldier, Obedieth (Obadiah) Turpin, was
allowed pension on his application executed February 12, 1833, then a resident of Boone County, Indiana.
The papers on file in this claim contain no
reference to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment
of pension, name and person paid, and
possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you
should apply to the Comptroller General, General
Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C. and give the following data:
Obadiah Turpin (as he was pensioned)
Certificate 26617
Issued April 7, 1834
ate $20.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Indiana Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 22

Personally appeared before me Henry McAllister a Justice of the Peace Mordecai Millar and Deposith and Saith that he has bin Personally acquainted with Obadiah Turpin for upward of forty years and that has bin his Standing name and farther moar that the Said Obadiah Turpin has bin a man that Supported a good honest Character during the Same length of time
Mordecai Millar
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 1st day of December 1836 Henry McAllister
Justice of the Peas of Morgan County and State of Indiana
Personally appeared befoar me Henry McAllister a Justice of the peas William Snoddy Stated that he had bin personall acquainted with Obadiah Turpin for fifteen or sixteen years and Obadiah Turpin was his Standing Name William Snoddy
Sworn to and Subscribed befoar me this 1st day of December 1836
Henry McAllister
Justice of the Peas Morgan County
and State of Indiana

I do hearby Certify that I have bin personally acquainted with Obadiah Turpin for fifteen or Sixteen years and I know that obadiah Turpin has bin his Standing Name December the 1st 1836 Henry McAllister
Justice of the peas of Morgan County and State of Indiana
Page 23

State of Indiana
Morgan County} ss
I Hannibal R Stevens clerk of the Morgan Circuit Court do certify that Henry McAllister Esquire before whom the within affidavits have been made was at the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned & qualified as such and full faith and credit are due to his official acts, and the Signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony Whereof I have hereto
subscribed my name and affixed the
seal of said Court this 2nd day of
January 1837 H R Stevens Clk
Page 24

State of Indiana
Owen County, Sct} Before me thomas harvey a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Owen and State Aforesaid personally appeared Joseph Landrum of Lawful Age and on his oath dully administered by me doth Say the first of his being aquainted with obediah turpin was in Virginia Which has ben Something Like twinty five or thirty years ago and I never knew him Calld by no other Name than Obediah turpin and that he was always an Honest Man as fare as I know and part of that time I have Ben aquainted with him in the State of Indiana Owen County And it has always ben the Same} Joseph Landrum
Sworn two and subscribed
before me this 19 day of
January 1837
Thomas Harvey {seal}
Justice of the peace

State of Indiana} Before Joseph Landrum a justice
Owen County Sct} of the peace for the County of Owen and State Aforesaid personally appeared Patrick White of Lawful age and on his oath Duly administered by me doth Say that he has been aquainted with Obediah turpin twelve or fourteene years and obediah turpin has Ben his Standing Name and I Never knew him Called By any other Name in that Lenth of time and as to his Conduct I always found him Straight and honest as fare as I ever knew
Patrick White
Sworn to and Subscribed
to before me this 21st day
January 1837
Joseph Landrum {Seal}
Justice of the peace
Page 25

Indiana, to wit:
Owen County} I Hiram H. Housen Clerk of the Circuit Court of said county certify that Joseph Landrum [illegible] whose signature appears to the above affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same acting justice of the peace in and for said county, duly elected commissioned and qualified according to law, and that full faith and credit are due and as such should be given to all their official acts as such and especially the foregoing as the within signature purporting to be theirs are genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office at Spence in said county this 23rd day of January A.D. 1837.
T. Edgermann Clk.
Page 26

State of Virginia Chesterfield County about 18 miles from Petersburg on the appomatix River-listed under Capt Worsham and Major Marryweathers Who marched  to and Joined General Washingtons Army where I was put in the artilery where I Remained three years and served as a Sergeant until discharged
Page 27

State of Virginia Chesterfield County about 18 Miles from Petersburg not far from affermatack River Listed under Capt wossum Randebrez Richmond then Carried on to Washington army then trowed into the artilery and their remained untill discharge & I was in the battle Swanano and Bunker hill at twelve years and a half old when I entered into the service and further my knowlege is not sufficient to state any further at this time only that I served 3 years and was discharged at a little York from the artilery - ( I was Sergt in artilery )
[signed] Major Marryweathers &
[signed] Capt Worsham
Page 28

32029
Revy INVALID.
File No. 32,029
Obediah Turpin
Pri Rev War
---
Act: June 7th 32 
Index: - Vol. 2 Page 424,
[ Arrangement of 1870. ]
Page 29

1908 Febry 12 Hist to John L Barnett V.L.M.
(Letter in L.F. 32348)
1924, Aug. 13. Hist to Mrs.
J. M. Holloway
UM.
1928 July 26 Hist to
Hon Lloyd Thurston amy
1932 Feb 15  Hist to Theodore S. Wood
1932 May 21 Hist to Mr. Joe G Curry amy
Page 30

Des Moines
Iowa
Jan 29 - 1932

Comissioner of Pensions

Sir
Please can you give me the Military History in the Revolutionary war - of
Obadiah Turpin - his name is page 184 Pensioner Clay County Indiana Census 1840. Volume Printed by Blair Rivers 1841 under Act of 6th Census with names ages, Place of Residence by Marshals of Several Judicial Districts. Returned by them - he does not appear to Reside with any one else - any family data will be greatly appreciated.
Theodore S Wood - Des Moines Iowa
3816. Hubble Blvd.

[indistict word inserted above Obadiah]
Page 31

1411 Duncan are
Chattanooga Term
July 19-1924

Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sirs

Will you please give me, if you have the pension records of Obediah Turkin - 200 - Sergeant Va St. Line April 17-84-
also - Lisby or (Cicily Turpin) 5.V. R.  W.D. 111.  - I think of Chesterfield Co. Va. 
awd
Page 32

who removed to Ky.
Please let me hear at your earliest convenience if they received pensions for their Revolutionary services. Yours truly,
Mrs. J. M. Holloway
1411 Duncan are
Chattanooga
Tenn.
Page 33

Indianapolis Ind
Mar 11 1937

Veterans Administration
Rev. War Records Division
Wash. D.C.

Dear Sir 
Will you please send me the Revolutionary service of Obadiah Turpin - private in Penn. Militia - pension 1831 while living in Marion Co. Indiana.

Respectfully
Mrs. Joe G. Curry
21 S. Irvington and
Indianapolis
Ind

See 1835 list received Pa

[date stamp upper left corner]
Outer circle numbered from 1 to 12 with 1/4 hour dividers, arrow pointing to 3:15.RECEIVED
MAR 15 1937
VETS ADM 
READER # 11
[/date stamp]
Page 34

[typed letter]

Rev. and 1812
War Section.

February 15, 1932
BA-J/AWF

Theodore S. Wood
3816 Hubble Blvd.
Des Moines, Iowa

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter relative to Obadiah Turpin, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 32039, based upon the military service of Obedieth ( Obadiah ) Turpin during the Revolutionary War.

He was born in 1761 in Prince Edward County, Virginia.

While a resident of Lunenburg County, Virginia, he enlisted and served as a private with the Virginia troops, as follows from sometime in March or April 1779, in Captain Richard Worsham's company, Colonel Merriwether's regiment, served eighteen months, a part of the time as wagoner; early in 1781, three months in Captain Francis DeGraffenreid's company; and later in 1781, three months in Captain Jary's (Gery) company, and was discharged after the surrender at Yorktown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed February 12, 1833, then a resident of Boone County, Indiana,

He stated that after the Revolution he lived in Rutherford County, North Carolina, Knox County, Kentucky, Monroe County, Indiana, and Boone County, Indiana.

 There is no reference to wife or children.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 35

July 26, 1928

Honorable Lloyd Thurston
Osceola,
Iowa.

My dear Mr. Thurston:

In response to your letter of the twenty-third instant, I have the honor to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 32029, it appears that Obedieth or Obadiah Turpin was born in 1761 in Prince Edward County, Virginia.

While residing in Lunenburg County, Virginia, he enlisted and served as a private with the Virginia Troops, as follows--

From March or April 1779, in Captain Richard Worsham's Company, Colonel Merriwether's Regiment, and served eighteen months, a part of the time asawagoner; early in 1781, three months in Captain Francis DeGraffenreid's Company; and later in 1781, three months in Captain Jary's (or Gery) Company, and was discharged after the surrender of Yorktown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed February 12, 1833, while residing in Boone County, Indiana.
Page 36

He stated that after the Revolution, he lived in Rutherford County, North Carolina, Knox County, Kentucky, Monroe County, Indiana, and Boone County, Indiana.

There are no data as to family.

Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 37

August 13, 1924.

Mrs. J. M. Holloway,
1411 Duncan Ave.,
Chattanooga, TENN.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.32029, it appears that Obedieth or  Obadiah Turpin was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia, in 1761.

While a resident of Lunenburg County, Virginia, he enlistedin March or April 1779 as a private in Captain Richard Worsham's Company, Colonel Merriwether's Virginia Regiment, and served 18 months. He enlisted in the beginning of the year 1781 and served 3 months in Captain Francis DeGraffenreid's Virginia Company. He enlisted in 1781 as a private in Captain Jary's (or Gery's Virginia Company, served 3 months and was discharged after the surrender of Yorktown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed February 12, 1833, while a resident of Boone County, Indiana.

There is no data on file as to his family.

Respectfully,

Acting Commissioner.
Page 38

[printed form,blanks filled in by hand]
[parts of top edge torn off]

[missing] contained in his (or his widow's) application for a pension with this bureau. Obediah Turpin S. F. 32 [missing]

[table column headings]
DATES ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.

LENGTH OF SERVICE.

RANK.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED | CAPTAIN | COLONEL.

STATE.

[data presented in narrative form]
Enlisted 1779 for 18 months as a private under Captain Richard Worsham and Colonel Meriwether, State of Va.

Enlisted beginning of year 1781 for 3 months as Private under Captain Frances DeGraffenreid State of Va.

Enlisted in 1781 for 3 months as a Private under Captain  Gary or Gery State of Va.

Battles engaged in, [blank]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Lunenburg [?] Va
Date of application for pension, Feby 12, 1853. His Cl. was al. (Claim was allowed)
Residence at date of application, Boone [?] Ind.
Age at date of application, Born in Prince Richard isle Va. in 1761.
Remarks: For date of last payment of pension and probable
date of death apply to Auditor for the Interior Dept
Treasury Dept. citing the following data. Obediah Turpin Ctf [Certificate]
26617. Issue Apr. 7 1834 June 7. 1832. Agency Indiana

[right side, on edge]
For Tombstone Purposes.
Page 39

[typed letter]

LLOYD THURSTON
8TH DISTRICT IOWA

COMMITTEES:
INSULAR AFFAIRS
COINAGE, WEIGHTS, AND MEASURES
CIVIL SERVICE
CENSUS

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.

Osceola, Iowa.
July 23, 1928.

Colonel Winfield Scott,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Colonel:

Mrs. Thurston is doing some work on her ancestral tree and is desirous of learning as to the family of Chediah Turpin, who enlisted in the Revolution Army from the State of Virginia, and who subsequently resided in the states of Kentucky and Indiana, and if possible, would like to learn as to the place of residence and members of the family of the above named.

I assume that the soldier above named was on the pension rolls and that there might be some data in your files concerning his place of residence and members of his family; there also might be information relative to land grants that would prove of interest.

Thanking you in advance for any information you can submit in connection with the foregoing request, and with kindest personal regards,
I am,
Yours very truly
[signed] Floyd Burston
Libya Thurston