Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File [BLANK], John Holcomb, Va.
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(3 - 1776 )
SERVICE
NUMBER
CONTENTS
VA
Holcomb, John
Dis.
No papers
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VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON

February 18, 1936

Honorable Joseph W. Byrns
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Byrns:

I have received your letter of February 13, 1936, in behalf of Mrs. W. L. Brosius and Mr. George L. Price, both of Nashville, Tennessee, whose letters you enclosed, also, copy of the report from the General Land Office, Interior Department.

Mrs. Brosius states that a claim for bounty land was made, also, a claim for commutation pay in behalf of heirs of John Holcombe, based upon his service as captain of the 4" Virginia Regiment, War of the Revolution.

Mrs. Brosius has expressed her appreciation of the satisfactory report from the Interior Department in regard to the disposition of the Virginia military bounty land warrants as revealed by the records of that department, and desires now to know what disposition was made of the claims for commutation pay, and especially the names of the heirs of Captain John Holcombe and whether or not the claim was presented by them or by their representative.

The claim for commutation pay in which Mrs. Brosius and Mr. Price are interested was a private claim presented to the House of Representatives, and not a claim for pension, consequently, that claim does not constitute a part of the records of this Administration.

An exhaustive search of the Revolutionary War records of the Veterans Administration has been made, previously, in behalf of Mrs. Brosius, and the only record found and reported to her was that of a United States pension which was granted Captain John Holcombe, of Campbell County, Virginia, under an Act of Congress approved April 25, 1808. This pension was granted for disability
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incurred in line of duty. The papers in such early applications were destroyed when the British burned the city in 1814, hence, no details of service, or wounds, or family are available from that claim.

In a volume entitled House List of Private Claims, 1st to 31st Congress, it is shown that claims for commutation pay for the heirs of John Holcombe for his Revolutionary War services, were presented to the House of Representatives during the 2nd Session, 23rd Congress, 1st Session, 24th Congress, 2nd Session, 24th Congress, and 2nd Session, 25th Congress, each by petition and the pages of those journals are recorded, respectively, as 106, 672, 270 and 112. The report was adverse and laid on the table. As a possible source of the information desired, I would suggest examination of the designated pages of those journals in the Congressional Library.

I regret very much that further data are not available from the Veterans Administration to aid your constituents in their research.

The letters of Mrs. Brosius and Mr. Price, and copy of report from Interior Department, are returned herewith.

Very truly yours

FRANK T. HINES

[stamped] SIGNED AND MAILED
FEB 1936

[initials] WCB - 2 -
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RECEIVED

(embossed stamp)
RECEIVED 
CHIEF CLERK

FEB 17 1986 AM
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{in pencil} Mr Black
att of
OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION

FEB 15, 1936
Referred to Mrs. Fuch
FOR FURTHER ATTENTION&
{IN PENCIL}reply
Aden sig - 
nature
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{pencil} Please add 3 negts.

2127 BANCROFT PLACE
WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Director
Veterans' Bureau - 

Sir: If the request be a proper one, I respectfully ask that your pension files or any records relating to the Revolutionary War, be examined for the name Arthur or Beverly, or perhaps Arthur Beverly Holcombe of Virginia.  The tradition of my family is that such a
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youth was a brother of John and Branch Holcombe of Prince Edward Ba, and that Arthur and Branch were killed at either Brandywine or Germantown.
The War Dept records state that Branch Holcombe was a private and cadet in Capt. John Holcombe's Company, 4th Virginia Regiment; also that Cap. John was commissioned Sept: 28, 1776, was wounded at Germantown Oct. 4, 1777 was on the company muster roll May 1775.

Heilman's Register shows
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this John was Colonel of Va. Militia 1780-81.  Was he pensioned?  I wish to get any information possible about Arthur (or Beverly) and Branch Holcombe, and whether either of them was killed or wounded, and where. If a fee is charged for such a search I will gladly pay it.

Very respectfully, 
JW Holcombe
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MISS ELIZABETH DUPREE ELLIS
104 North College Avenue
Fayetteville, Arkansas

March 19, 1939

Pension Bureau
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sirs

Do you have  a record of a Col. John Holcombe, in the Revolutionary War, in Virginia, and granted a pension in 1808.  Patrick Henry signed his first commission.

Do have a record of a John Holcombe who was in the 1790 census from
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Greenville Co, S. C., and who has, I think, probably in the Revolutionary War from either S. C. or Virginia?

Thanking you, I am
Respectfly yours, 
Elizabether D. Ellis
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(embossed oval stamp)

REVOLUTIONARY  & 1812 WARS
SECTION
NOV4 1930
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
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WOODRUFF HOTEL
J. B. MILLER, Proprietor

GALLATIN, MISSOURI Nov. 1st 1930

Pension Department
War of Revolution

Gentlemen - 

My maternal ancestor Capt John Holcombe, from Va I am informed was Capt of the 4th Virginia regiment - and they thought later of the 9th Va.  Can you give me confirmation
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WOODRUFF HOTEL
J.B.MILLER, Proprietor
GALLATIN, MISSOURI                 1930

of this please.  Or - will you plase give me such information as the records give - His wifes name was Martha.  Will you please give me any names of his children that the records give-  Also the year he received the Land Grant.  and if any of his children's names
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WOODRUFF HOTEL
J.D.MILLER, Proprietor

GALLATIN, MISSOURI                                  1930

appear on it, give me those please.  I am only trying to prove my eligibility to a Patriotic Society - Very many thanks for the favor

Very Truly
Mollie P. Brosins
Mrs. W. L. Brosins
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Townsend VETERANS ADMINISTRATION Form 7206 Rev. March, 1927 SPECIAL ROUTING SLIP 100774 Date Received 2/15/36 Follow-up date 2/20/36 From Byrns, Joseph W. Date 2/13/36 Description and subject:  Req. inf. re land grant referred to in letter from the General Land Office of Oct. 26, 1935.  File classification__ Record attached__ Record charged to __ Routed to Gen. Hines Referred to __ Tentative reply made__, 19__.  Special Classifier __ Complete reply will be made on or before___, 19__.  Complete reply made __. 19__ __(Signature of Dictator) NOTE.--Dictator must indicate above whether his reply is tentative or complete.  If tentative, he must fix a date when complete reply will be made.  White copy will be forwarded to the Congressional Mail Unit when tentative reply is made, and pink copy will be so forwarded when complete reply is made.  2-14250  U.S. GOVERMENT PRINTING OFFICE
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Nashville, Tenn -
Feb 16 1938

Administrator of Veteran
Affairs - Washington D. C.

My Dear Sir -

I am descendes from Col John Holcombe of Va - who serves in the Revolutionary War.  I am trying to get all the history of his that I can - and his family - I have gotten this
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much of this claim - but, have not succeedes in getting the names of his heirs - Will you please give the names of the heirs making the petition for commutation - There is a traditions in the family that one of them was my granfather-and Col Holcombe did not serve the required time - was why the petition was rejected - In a volume entitled House List of Private claims 1st to 31st Congress 2nd Session 24th Congress Page 127 of Brg Mr Coles the Petition of Col John Holcombes heirs was presented - 1st Session 24th Congress Page 672 Mr Underwood presentes a petition of a part of the heirs of Col John Holcombe.
2nd Sessions 25th Congress Page 112 orders the petitiors referred to the
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Committee on Revolutionary claims was rejeted by the Committee Jan 25 1838 - 

{?} Davenport presented the petition 2nd 24th Congress Page 106 - 
I will appreciate it - and thnak you so much if you can give me the names of all the heirs ,along the claim - Very Sincerely

Mrs. Jno. A. Jones
1201 Gartland Ave
Nashville Tenn
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Corinth, Miss.
July 28, 1928

Com of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

My dear Sir:
Kindly furnish me pension record of my ancestor, John  Holcombe born in Prince Edward Co, Va.  likely served in Revolution from there as his brother did; married Martha Venable, daughter of Abraham Venable -  He may have died (d. 1783.), in S. C. as a later ancestor lived in Union Co. S. C. I think he was a Capt of Prince Edward Militia - 

Very gratefully
Clara N. Ray -
information needed for papers in patriotic society.
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San Antonio, Texas
Jan 3rd 1931

Land Office 

Wasington D. C. 

Gentlemen,

My maternal grandfather John Holcombe was given a land grant for services in the Revolutionary War.  He gave this grant or the right to take land to his daughter Mary - She died not enter any land - but in after years - so family history says - her two sons in law entered suit to try to have the right to enter land on the grant - or to recover
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some pension - I would be so pleased to find a record of this suit - Of course they failed - and my only desire is to verify family history - even if I would have prefered that they had not tried - Will you please tell me how I may find the record - as I am told it does exist - and is in Washington - I will very greatly appreciate any information or help that you may be able to give me and thank you - Very Truly

Mollie P Brosens

Mrs. W. L. Brosins
314 N. Alamo
San Antonia, Texas
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section NCS: MLB November 14, 1930 Mrs. W. L.  Brosius Gallatin, Missouri Dear Madam:  You are advised that in the report of the Secretary of War in relation to the pension establishment of the United States, on the list of invalid pensioners of Campbell County, Virginia, appears the name of John Holcomb, Captain in the Fourth Virginia regiment, pensioned at the rate of $180 per annum from December 1,1807, under the Act of April 25, 1808.  There are no data on file relative to the family of said pensioner and no further data relative to him, owing to the destruction of papers when the War Office was burned in1814.  The above noted is the only soldier who served with the Virginia troops by the name of John Holcomb that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.  Very truly yours E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner
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& 1812 War Section MCS  April 6, 1929 Clara N. Ray Corinth Mississippi Madam:  I advise you that in the report of the Secretary of War in relation to the pension establishment of the United States, on the list of invalid pensioners of Campbell County, Virginia, appears the name of John Holcomb, Captain in the Fourth Virginia Regiment, pensioned at the rate of $180 per annum from December 1,1807, under the Act of April 25, 1808.  There are no data on file relative to  the family of said pensioner and no further date relative to him, owing to the destruction of papers when the War Office was burned in 1814.  The above noted is the only soldier who served with the Virginia troops by the Name of John Holcomb that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.  Respectfully, E.W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner
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M.C.S. Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.  See case of Philemon Holcombe S. 4399 April 5, 19928.  Mrs. Virginia Holcombe Buck, Madison, Indiana.  Madam:  I advise you that in  the report of the Secretary of War in relation to the pension establishment of the United States, on the list of invalid pensioners of Campbell County, Virginia appears the name of John Holcomb, Captain in the Fourth Virginia Regiment, pensioned at the rate of $180 per annum from December 1, 1807, under the Act of April 25, 1808.  There are no further data on file relative to said pensioner and none whatever relative to his family, owing to the destruction of papers when the War Office was burned in 1814.
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portion of latter dated Jan. 7. 1920-& address to Mrs. M. T. Eltonhead, 221 W. 83 St. N.Y. City (See her letter in Old War Inv. File 13417 John Holcomb U. S. Rifles-Act Mil Est.) 3-1864 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS In the Report of the Secretary of War, in relationship to the pension establishment of the United States, which was published in 1835, the list of invalid pensioners who resided in Campbell County, Virginia, showed John Holcomb, Captain of the Fourth Virginia Regiment, pensioned from December 1, 1807, under the Act of April 25, 1808.  There are no papers on file relative to said claim, owing to  the destruction of the War Office when Washington was burned in1814.
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December 8, 1916.  Respectfully referred to the Commissioner of Pensions (Rev. Records Section) with the request that the usual data be furnished to me in order that the name of John Holcombe, Army of the Revolution, referred to herein, may be located upon the records of this office.  Return of letter requested.  Oscer W Price Auditor.
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December 9, 1916.  The Auditor for The Interior Department, Washington, D. C. Sir:  In response to your communication dated the eighth instant, you are advised that the Revolutionary War records show that Capt. John Holcombe was placed on the Invalid pension roll of Virginia, at $15.00 per month from December 1, 1807 under the Act of April 25, 1808, but there is no further information concerning him in this Bureau, as there are no papers on file, the same having been destroyed when the British burned the War Office in 1814.  The Report of the Secretary of War printed in 1835, giving the names of Invalid Pensioners residing in Campbell Co., Virginia regiment, was pensioned at $180.00 per annum from December 1, 1807 under the Act of April 25,1808.  There is no certificate number.  Very respectfully, G W Saltzgaber, Commissioner.  Pages 59. & 120 Old written Invalid Book.
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(Office note only) See claim of Isham Brown Va. S. 39210 Capt. John Holcombe had his thigh broken in the battle of Germantown. Lt & Capt. 4th Va. regt. Col. Stephens.
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January 7, 1914.  Mrs. W. L. Brosius.  First National Bank Building, Gallatin, Mo.  Madam:  In response to your letter dated the 31st ultimo, you are advised that one John Holcombe was pensioned at the rate of $15. per month. to commence on December 1, 1807. under the provisions of the Acts of Congress of April 25, 1808, and April 10. 1806, but there are no papers on file relative to said pensioner; the records of pensions allowed prior to 1814 being incomplete owing to the burning of the War Office by the British in 1814.  A careful search of the records of this Bureau fails to show a claim for pension or county land on file for a Captain or Lieutenant John Holcombe of the Virginia troops, or for his wife Martha.  Very respectfully, Commissioner.  The Acts above refer to Rev Soldiers.  See Mayo & Moultons Pension Laws.  Also see John Holcombe in list of private claims
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William Lewis Brosius, M. D. First National Bank Building Gallatin, Missouri Dec 31st, 1913.  Pension Dept. My Dear Sir-My maternal grgr grandfather Captain John Holcombe drew a pension of $15 per month from Dec 1st, 1807.  He lived and died in Virginia--was living in 1811--Wife's name Martha.  Will you please give me such record as you find
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out from the Pension Dept. I thank you for your reply.  Very Truly Mrs. W. L. Brosius P.S. he was 1st Lieut. 4th Virginia 19th Feb. 1776.  Captain Jan 1st 1777 to March 25, 1779.  1914 Jany 6 Mrs. W. L. Brosius 1st National Bank Building Gallatin, Mo.  3-871 RECORD DIVISION Department of the Interior BUREAU OF PENSIONS Briefed by V. L. M.  Claim No.--Certificate No.--Claimant--Soldier John Holcombe Service Rev. Additional Service Lived and died in Virginia wife's name Martha Lieut. & Capt. Va troops No--claim, State records--, 191 No claim, combination records--, 191 REMARKS:  No Rev. cl. as above. No old act bounty land.
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100774 The Speaker's Rooms House of Representatives U. S. Washington, D. C. General Frank T. Hines, Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.   My dear General Hines:  I am sending you herewith enclosures which are self-explanatory.  My constituents are seeking all available information concerning the land grant referred to in the letter from the General Land Office of October 26, 1935.  You will note that I have received another inquiry under date February 11th.  If from your files you can furnish any additional information on this subject I will appreciate it if you will advise me.  Very sincerely yours, Joseph W Byrns February 13, 1936
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January 27, 1931

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MMHF/eel

Mrs. W. L. Brosius
315 North Alamo
San Antonio, Texas

Dear Madam:

Your letter of January 3, 1931, addressed to the Land Office has been referred to this bureau for further reply in regard to the pension or bounty land of John Holcomb, War of the Revolution.

You are advised that the record furnished you on November 14, 1930, is that of the only soldier named John Holcomb of any Southern State, found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

It does not appear that a claim for bounty land was made to this bureau on account of his services.  

The claim for land to which you refer may have been made through Congress, in which instance it would be a matter of Congressional record.

Very truly yours,

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
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1 Inc.

1402824 "K" JAR

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
GENERAL LAND OFFICE
WASHINGTON

JAN 13 1931

(embossed oval stamp)
THE CHIEF CLERK
JAN 14 1931
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

The attached communication has been
received by the General Land Office and
is referred for answer to the Bureau of
Pensions, Veterans Administration.

A copy of letter of even date addressed
to the writer, Mrs. W. L. Brosius, 314 North Alamo, San Antonio, Texas, is attached.

(ineligible signature)

Acting Assistant Commissioner

1-10-NBL
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ADDRESS ONLY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE UNITED STATES PARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GENERAL LAND OFFICE WASHINGTON IN REPLY PLEASE REFER TO 1402824 "K" JAR  : Land warrants. : Information.  Mrs. W. L. Brosius, 314 North Alamo, San Antonio, Texas.  My dear Madam:  I have your letter of January 3, 1931, in which you request information as to whether or not this office has record of a grant of land to your grandfather, John Holcombe, on account of service in the Revolutionary War.   You state that he gave this grant or the right to take land to his daughter Mary and that she did not enter any land, but in after years her two sons-in-law entered suit in connection with the right to enter land on this grant or to recover a pension.  No record has been found of any grant of land on account of the service of any Revolutionary soldier by the name of John Holcombe.  By letter of even date your letter has been re-
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1402824 "K" JAR

ferred to the Bureau of Pensions, Veterans Administration, for reply as to the pension matter.

Very respectfully,

(Sgt) D. K. Parrott
Acting Assistant Commissioner

1-DONBL

-2-
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February 18, 1936 BA-J/MMHF:MLB no initials on orig. or green carbon copies Honorable Joseph W. Byrns House of Representatives Washington, D. C.  My dear Mr. Byrns:  I have received your letter of February 13, 1936, in behalf of Mrs. W. L. Brosius and Mr. George L. Price, both of Nashville, Tennessee, whose letters you enclosed, also, copy of the report from the General Land Office, Interior Department.  Mrs. Brosius states that a claim for bounty land was made, also, a claim for commutation pay in behalf of the heirs of John Holcombe, based upon his service as captain of the 4th Virginia Regiment, War of the Revolution.  Mrs. Brosius has expressed her appreciation of the satisfactory report from the Interior Department in regard to the disposition of the Virginia military bounty land warrants as revealed by the records of that department, and desires now to know what disposition was made of the claim for commutation pay, and especially the names of the heirs of Captain John Holcombe and whether or not the claim was presented by them or by their representative.  The claim for commutation pay in which Mrs. Brosius and Mr. Price are interested was a private claim presented to the House of Representatives, and not a claim for pension, consequently, that claim does not constitute a part of the records of this Administration.  An exhaustive search of the Revolutionary War records of the Veterans Administration has been made, previously, in behalf of Mrs. Brosius, and the only record found a reported to her was that of a United States pension which was granted Captain John Holcombe, of Campbell County, Virginia, under an Act of Congress approved April 25, 1808.  This pension was granted for disability
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incurred in line of duty.  The papers in such early applications were destroyed when the British burned the city in 1814, hence, no details of service, or wounds, or family are available from that claim.

In a volume entitled House List of Private Claims, 1st to 31st Congress, it is shown that claims for commutation pay for the heirs of John Holcombe for his Revolutionary War services, were presented to the House of Representatives during the 2nd Session, 23rd Congress, 1st Session, 24th Congress, 2nd Session, 24th Congress, and 2nd Session, 25th Congress, each by petition and the pages of those journals are recorded, respectively, as
106, 672, 270 and 112. The report was adverse and laid on the table. As a possible source of the information desired, I would suggest examination of the designated pages of those journals in the Congressional Library.

I regret very much that further data are not available from the Veterans Administration to aid your constituents in their research.

The letters of Mrs. Brosius and Mr. Price, and copy of report from Interior Department, are returned herewith. 

Very truly yours

FRANK T. HINES
Administrator of Veterans Affairs

-2-
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April 15, 1939

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/MCS
John Holcomb
S. Rev. War

Mr. J. W. Holcombe
2127 Bancroft Place
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your request for information relative to Revolutionary War soldiers, Arthur or Beverly or Arthur Beverly Holcombe and John and Branch Holcombe.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States and based on the military service of soldiers in this war. A careful search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the service of any soldiers named Arthur or Beverly or Arthur Beverly Holcombe or Branch Holcombe.

In the report of the Secretary of War in relation to the pension establishment of the United States, on the list of invalid pensioners
of Campbell County, Virginia, appears the name of John Holcomb, Captain in the Fourth Virginia Regiment, pensioned at the rate of $180 per annum from December 1, 1807, under the Act of April 25, 1808.

There are no data on file relative to the family of said pensioner and no further data relative to him, owing to the destruction of papers
when the War Office was burned in 1814.

No charge is made for this information.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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April 14, 1938 xxxxxxxxxxxxxx JOHN HOLCOM S. Rev. War BA-J/MMHF:MLB Mrs. John A. Jones 1201 Gartland Avenue Nashville, Tennessee Dear Madam:  Reference is made to your letter in which you request the names of the heirs of Colonel John Holcombe, Revolutionary War officer of Virginia, for whose service a private claim for commutation pay was presented to Congress, which you cite in your letter.  As the claim to which you refer pertains to Congressional records, and not to the records of this office, it is suggested that the names of the heirs of John Holcombe might be obtained from the Journals of the several sessions of Congress which you have named in your letter, of which there are copies, it is assumed, in the Congressional Library, this city. Very truly yours  A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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JUNE 14, 1939

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/MCS
John Holcomb
S. Rev. War

Miss Elizabeth D. Ellis
104 North College Avenue
Fayetteville, Arkansas

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for information relative to Colonel John Holcombe who served in the Revolutionary War from
Virginia, and was granted a pension in 1808, and information relativemto John Holcombe who served from South Carolina or Virginia and was living in Greenville County, South Carolina, in 1790.

The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to afford any information relative to a John Holcombe who lived in Greenville County,
South Carolina, in 1790.

In the report of the Secretary of War in relation to the pension establishment of the United States, on the list of invalid pensioners of Campbell County, Virginia, appears the name of John Holcomb, Captain in the Fourth Virginia Regiment, pensioned at the rate of $180 per annum from December 1, 1807, under the Act of April 25, 1808.

There are no data on file relative to the family of said pensioner and no further data relative to him, owing to the destruction of papers
when the War Office was burned in 1814.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator