Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2017, for Amasa Spencer, Virginia
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

Service: Va.
Number W. 2017

Spencer, Amasa
Precilla or Priscilla

Born in N.Y
Page 2

Indiana 7208

Amasa Spencer
of Vernon in the State of Ind who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Morton of the regt commanded by Col Watkins in the Virginia line for 9 months & 12 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 31 - Dollars - 88- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of March 1833 and sent to Wm A Bullock Vernon Ind

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - 63.76
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept - 15.24,
[ =] $79.70

Revolutionary Claim, [text cut off]
Act June 7, 1832. [text cut off]
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk
Book E  Vol.7  Page 129
Page 3

Let to S. S. Harding July 29 1844
" to same Aug 2, 44
Let to A Spencer Sept 5, '45
Page 4

[page badly torn]
815
Indiana
Precilla Spencer
widow of Amasa Spencer
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
-
Va line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 31 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the [scratched out "4th day of March, 1848"]
3. February 1853.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of  June 1853 and sent to
Achilles Vawter
Vernon Ia

recorded on Roll of Pensioners under Act of
{words scratched out} Page  190 Vol. A,February 1833
Page 5

[written in margin "5832"]

State of Indiana
Jennings County} ss

On this day personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable the Jennings Circuit Court of Jennings County State of Indiana now sitting Amasa Spencer aged seventy two years a resident of this said County of Jennings and State aforesaid who being first duly sworn deposeth and saith, and upon his oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That about the first of June 1779, he entered the service as a soldier in the United States Army in the  County of Charlotte in the State of Virginia as a substitute for and in the place and rank
of Irvin Wood a drafted private under the command of Captain William Morton in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joel Watkins for the term of three months. And that afterwards to wit about the last of May 1780 at the said County of Charlotte in Virginia he was drafted for the term of five months and
served as such drafted Soldier in the company commanded by Captain Thomas Williams in the 4th Regiment of Virginia
Page 6

[duplicate page]

Alamance in Guilford County N. Carolina and that he hath no documentary evidence of his
services, and that he knows of no persons except some persons in Mercer County State of Kentucky whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. He hereby relinquishes all and every claim 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.

And in answer to question 1st. He was born in the County of Albany State of New York in the year 1760
Ans. 2. He has no record evidence of his age which he can exhibit in Court
Ans. 3. He was living in Charlotte County State of Virginia when he entered the service and removed in the year 1782, into that part of & then the State of Virginia, which is now Lincoln County Kentucky
ans. 4. He first entered the service by being a substitute for Irvin Wood. Secondly by draft 3rdly by voluntary enlistment
Ans 5. The names of some of the Officers he says are Brig. Genl Stevens. Maj Genl Gates. DeKalb & General Greene. Colonel Watkins, Lucas and Cocke, Capt. William Morton, Thos Williams
6. He did not receive a discharge but was
Page 7

Alamance in Guilford County N. Carolina and that he hath no documentary evidence of his
services, and that he knows of no persons except some persons in Mercer County State of Kentucky whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services. He hereby relinquishes all and every claim 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.

And in answer to question 1st. He was born in the County of Albany State of New York in the year 1760
Ans. 2. He has no record evidence of his age which he can exhibit in Court
Ans. 3. He was living in Charlotte County State of Virginia when he entered the service and removed in the year 1782, into that part of & then the State of Virginia, which is now Lincoln County Kentucky
ans. 4. He first entered the service by being a substitute for Irvin Wood. Secondly by draft 3rdly by voluntary enlistment
Ans 5. The names of some of the Officers he says are Brig. Genl Stevens. Maj Genl Gates. DeKalb & General Greene. Colonel Watkins, Lucas and Cocke, Capt. William Morton, Thos Williams
6. He did not receive a discharge but was
Page 8

troops commanded by Colonel Lucas and in the Brigade of General Stevens, and served the said five months, was rendezvoused at Hillsboro in North Carolina, and served the
above time in North Carolina & South Carolina under the following Regular Officers General Gate,. General DeKalb of the  aryland troops, General Stevens of the Virginia troops and was discharged from the above service of five months at Guilford Court House in North Carolina and that afterwards, to wit, in the month of February 1781 he enlisted for the term of six weeks in the company commanded by Captain William Morton at the County of Charlotte in the State of Virginia in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Cocke, and served the said term of six weeks, and was discharged at Ramsey's mills on deep River in North Carolina, making in all of his services nine months and an half. And that his
marches were from Virginia to North Carolina and to Suttons near Camden South Carolina, and that he was engaged in the Battle of General Gates ^with the British^ in Augt 1780 near Camden in which the American army was defeated, and that he was engaged in the battle at Guilford Court House in North Carolina in March 1781. under Maj. General Greene and skirmishes one at Reedy Fork of Haw River in N. Carolina and another on a creek called
Page 9


disbanded with the other troops without any written discharge.
7. He is known to John Walker Clerk of the
Jennings Circuit Court, and William Sanford Sheriff of said County who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Amasa A Spencer, his mark

Sworn & subscribed to in open court this 29th day of August 1852-

We the undersigned do certify & testify in open Court of the Jennings Circuit Court in & for the County of Jennings State of Indiana that from our acquaintance with Amasa Spencer the above named applicant, we believe he is of the age he represents himself in his above declaration, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that we concur in that opinion
John Vawter Clergyman
Alanson Andrews

Sworn & Subscribed to the day & year aforesaid And the [illegible] Court do hereby declare the opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the
above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. & the court further certifies that it appears to them that John Vawter who signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident of the County of Jennings Indiana & that Alanson Andrews who also signed the same is a resident in the County aforesaid is a credible person - & that the statement is entitled to credit.
Ezra F. Pabody 
Samuel Fincial } [illegible] Judges
Page 10

I John Walker Clerk of the Jennings Circuit Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Amasa Spencer for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Vernon this 29th day of August 1832
John Walker Clk
Page 11


State of Indiana
Jennings County} ss
On this 16th day of April one thousand
 eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Court of Common pleas in and for said County Precilla Spencer aged sixty six years who being first duly Sworn according to law doth upon her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed February 3, 1853
entitled an act granting pensions to certain widows That she is the Widow of Amasa Spencer who was a soldier in the  Revolutionary war, and was a pensioner of
the United States when he died, that he died on the 10th day of July 1846, and that she was married on the 5th day of January 1835 by Seth M Chace a Justice of the peace and that she has never afterwards married but still remains his widow- Priscilla Spenser, her mark

Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid
Attest: James M. Hill Clerk

We Thomas C Richie and Lewis Fitzgerald residing in the County of Jennings State of Indiana hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Precilla Spencer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe her to be 66 years old that, she is reputed and believed
Page 12

in the neighbourhood where she resides
and that we know her to be the Widow of Amasa Spencer who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War and who drew a pension until his death and that he died on the 10th day of July A.D. 1846. Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court
Lewis Fitzgerald
Thomas C Richey

I Ezra F Pabody Judge of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Jennings and state of Indiana certifies that he is acquainted with the said Precilla Spencer at
Thomas C Richie, Lewis Fitzgerald who have
been sworn to the foregoing and Subscribed their names as such are credible persons, and that their Statement is entitled to credit.
Ezra F. Pabody,

I James M Hill Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Precilla Spencer for a pension.
And also the Copy of the Marriage of the said Precilla Spencer.
State of Indiana Jennings County
To any person legally authorized to Solemnize the Rites of Matrimony
Page 13

This is to authorize you to join in the holy State of Matrimony Amasa Spencer to Precilla Fitzgerald and this shall be your sufficient Warrant for the same in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office at Vernon this 5th day of January 1835. 
John Walker clk

State of Indiana
Jennings County ⎬ ss
I hereby certify that Joined together in the holy Station of Matrimony as husband & wife Amasa Spencer & Precilla Fitzgerald on the 5th day of January 1835
Seth M Chase [seal]

I further certify the foregoing is a true copy of the Marriage license and return of Seth M Chace J.P. as recorded in the Marriage Book and in the Clerks office now on file. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal of office this 6th day of April A.D. 1853

James M. Hill Clerk of the Circuit Court of
Common Pleas of said County
Page 14

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
3-525

AW
W. 2017
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,
192__

In reply to your request of ___, for the history of Amasa Spencer, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, the following is taken from the soldier's  & widow's claim for pension.

[COLUMNS: DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF
SERVICE. RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED;
CAPTAIN/COLONEL.
STATE.]

June 1777. 3 mos. private.
Capt William Morton/colonel Falkner. VA
....
Fall 1778. 3mos. Captain William Morton. Colonel Joel Watkins.
....
June 1780. 5 mos.Captain Thomas Williams. Colonel Lucas Porterfield
....
Feb. 1781. 2mos. Captain William Morton. Colonel Samuel McGill. Cocke
...
May, 1781. 3 mos. Captain Jo. Fenkway. Colonel Lynch
....

Battles engaged in, Camden, Guilford & some skirmishes
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Charlotte Co. Virginia.
Date of application for pension, Aug 29, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Jennings County Indiana.
Age at date of application, Born Albany Co. N.Y. June 5, 1760.
Remarks: He died July 10. 1846. Soldier married in Jennings Co. Indiana Jan. 5 -1835, Precilla or Priscilla Fitzgerald - she was allowed pension on her application executed Apr. 6- 1853, while living in Jennings Co. Indiana aged 66 years. There is no further family data

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 15

[envelope]

{postmark}
Vernon, Ind
Apr 7

Free

Hon
Loren P Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
Page 16


[envelope]

Free

Hon L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

{POSTMARK}
VERNON Ind
JUN 18
Page 17

June 22d 1853
Addl evi: in case
Prescilla Spencer 
widow of Amasa

Act 3d Feby 1853
Rev.

Achilles
Achilles Vawter
Vernon
Inda

Department of the interior,
Pension Office, Official Business
Page 18

Vernon In. June 18th 1853
To the Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir
your letter of the 6th instant to Mrs Pricilla Spencer widow of Amasa Spencer informing her that the evidence of identity is insupported which her claim is necessarily suspended. I herewith send the affidavit of two reputable individuals who certify that
they are well acquainted with Pricilla Spencer & Amasa Spencer a revolutionary Pensioner of the State of Indiana and if necessary I could procure others. If the identity is not sufficient, please inform me of the lack or any other deficiency, and I will promptly attend
to it.

I am very respectfully your obedient Servant
Achilles Vawter
Page 19

1777 3mos Capt William Morton Col Wadkins or Walkin

1778 3 mos Capt William Morton Col Wadkins or Walkin

1780 5 mos Capt Thos. Williams Col Lucas

1781 2 mos 150 Capt Wm Morton Col. Cock

1781 3mos Cap Jn Fenkway Col Lynch

Amasa Spencer
Page 20

5832

Amasa Spencer
Indiana
from 1779 private
9mos 12 days
$31.88
Vernon
Indiana
Feb 20, Free
Hon John Carr
H. Reps.
Washington City

Wm A. Bullock
Vernon Indiana
Page 21

Vernon Feb. 20. 1833

Dr Sir
(illegible) a letter requesting that the Revolutionary claim should be made known to you and that you would under whose services you could in their behalf. I have forwarded to the Dept application in favor of Evan Thomas, Amasa Spencer, and Robt McGill and your attention to their business will secure to you their remembrance and oblige yours. The two first have been forwarded some times, and corrected of former errors.
The latter was for'd yesterday for 2nd time
Respectfully Yours
Hon John Carr 
W A Bullock
Page 22


Milan August 6th 1844
Col J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions

Sir
In compliance with your instructions on the other half of this letter (of 29th aug) I forward the Dictations of Amasa Spencer for an increase of Pension, and hope it will all be satisfactory

I amYours [illegible]
Stephen S. Hardy
Agent
Milan

J.L. Edward
Washington City
D. C
Page 23


Pension Office
July 29 1844
Sir,
I return you the declaration of Amasa
Spencer, for increase of pension, that it may be so authenticated as to admit of examination without destroying the authentication.

I am, Sir,
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servant
J L Edwards

Stephen S Harding, Esq
Milan, Indiana
Page 24

Milan Ina March 9th 1844.
Col J. L. Edwards
Commisr of Pensions
Dear Sir
Enclosed & forward for the Declaration and pension certificate of Mr Amasa Spencer for an Increase of his Pension of $31.88 granted to him on the 18th day of March 1833. You will [illegible]. I have not compared the narration of Mr Spencer with some of the Recorded events of the time when he  served, and as he is wholly [illegible] a character above suspicion, although he may be mistaken in the chronology of events,
yet no living man [illegible] can recollect dates, or at least [illegible] and names of [illegible] officers better than he has done. This you will readily concede. And he asks of the Commissioner of Pensions an increase of the same for the whole length of time (to wit) Sixteen months which he served and the difference between the amount of his present Pension and a pension granted for the amount of 16 months from the 4th March 1831 to the present time. This he hopes the cheerfully awarded him and from this time an increase of his pension for $53.33/ per annum or what other amount is [illegible].

I have no form for proceedings for an increase of pension, but made the
genl form and  I hope that the papers are made out satisfactory.

Yours respectfully
Stephen S. Harding
Agent
Milan
Ina
Page 25

20

Official
Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Vernon Ina
July 29

Aug 4, 1845
A Spencer
[illegible]

Mr Amasa Spencer
Vernon Ina
Milan Ina
July 12
Page 26

Milan Ind June 12 1845-
Dear Sir
I have this moment read your note of
4th inst in relation to your pension Certificate and requesting me to forward same to you immediately. When I sent on your amended declaration for a Pension I included to the Commissioner of of Pensions your Certificate, and he has not returned
it. I am now assisting an answer from the
War office in your case; but I am most fearful that the Department will refuse to surrender
back the Certificate, if it does I cannot return it as a matter of course. I am sorry indeed that you attempted to have your pension increased as long as it has been attempted with so many difficulties. Whether or not the Pension Commissioner will return your certificate remains to be seen. You can add him if you think best on the subject and make such explanations as you can. you ^have^ his letter to me before you on the subject.

I am Very
Respectfully
your friend
S Harding

Mr. Amasa Spencer
Vernon
Ind
Page 27

The State of Indiana
Jennings County ⎬
On this this 17th day of June1833. before me William B Hagins the undersigned, a Notary Public within and for the State and County aforesaid, personally appeared Robert D McCammon and William A Bullock two credible witnesses who being duly sworn according to law say on oath that they are personally acquainted with Mrs Precilla Spencer, who is a resident of the state and County aforesaid and who has made application to the commissioner of pensions for a pension on account of the services of her late husband Amasa Spencer deceased^ who was a soldier in the war of the  evolution, and who, at the time of his death was a revolutionary pensioner of the State of Indiana, and that they know her to be the identical Precilla Spencer, who is the widow of the identical Amasa Spence who was a pensioner of the state of Indiana
Robert D. McCammon
William A Bullock Seal

Subscribed and sworn to before me the day
and date above written. And I further
certify that from my own personal knowledge of the said Amasa & Precilla Spencer and the facts stated in the above affidavit, that all the matters stated are true Wm B Hagins Notary Public
Page 28

No 937
Precilla
Spencer
widow of Amasa
Indiana

Let to Claimt
June 6/33
Act Feby 3/33
Page 29

April 11, 1833
Appl. of Precilla Spencer widow of Amasa
Jennings Co, Indiana
7208

Act 3d Feby 1953
$31.88 per annum
Commencing 3d Feby, 1853

Claimant 
Vernon, Jennings Co, Ina

Achilles Vawter, Vernon, Ind.

Department of the Interior
Pension Office, Official Business
Page 30

Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
City
Page 31


Vernon 28th July 1845
Sir
Some months ago, perhaps it may be years
since, A Mr Stephen S Harding, informed me that I was entitled to an increase of pension ,under provisions made by act of Congress, Something like 14. 16 or 18 months since. At the insistence of said Harding, I placed in his hands my original Pension Certificate, of which, I heard nothing until I received a letter enclosed by him to me, dated Pension Office December 2nd 1844."
Signed J L Edwards

Addressed within, and without, on the invellope "Stephen Harding Esqr" Which letter (illegible) Strong doubts as to ^(illegible)^ my original, or first claim, set up, by me, for a pension, on which my original certificate of Pension claim was first allowed,Oon account of discrepancies between the first and last applications, for benefits secured by Law to Soldiers of the Revolutionary War, Permit me to say, Sir, that any Discrippency, (discrepancy) between my first application, and the one made by Harding, is not attributable to me. It is a
Clerical error of Mr Hardings, ^that he^ misunderstood me, & has misstated me. I know from your Letter, (as to dates,) and being very aged and hard of hearing. He may have misunderstood my answer, or I may have misunderstood the  purpose of his enquiry. I do not suppose there is one
man in all this community, that has lived long enough, to be acquainted with old
Revolutionary soldiers who has the shadow of a doubt, of my being a Soldier of the
Revolutionary War, or that would hesitate
one minute to certify to my truthfulness, and uprightness, as a man.
And in order to place my self before the Department in my true character ^or standing here ^ amongst my neighbours and fellow Citizens I have procured
the Certificate of some of the oldest and most Respectable citizens in the County of Jennings
Page 32

State of Indiana, where I now live & have lived for about 18 years. If the statements already made, and the testimony of my neighbors should remove all doubt as to the Justice of my original claim to a Pension, I do hope the proper officer of the Department, will forward, once without delay, my
Original Pension Certificate to me, at the Post office in Vernon Jennings County Indiana. As I am fair advanced in life, and very needy of the bounty of the Government. And if any ^one^ ever mentioned it, I do know myself to be one of the number.
Respectfully
Amasa Spencer

Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of
Pensions

State of Jennings County the undersigned, citizens of said County having know Amasa Spencer (illegible); for many years. And always as a Respected Revolutionary Soldier, know him to be incapable of knowingly mistaking any thing, under oath or otherwise. And we have not the shadow of a doubt of his having been a meritorious soldier of the United States American, Revolutionary War. And that any discrippincies between his first application made for a Pension, and the one made by Stephen Harding, is an error of said Hardings, unintentional no doubt. Spencer is very hard of hearing and has misunderstood, Hardings Questions, or Harding has misunderstood, the reply of said Spencer, And in this way we have no doubt occured the want of perfect harmony in both the
first and last statements of Amasa Spencer.
Wm Bullock who prepared his first & original papers.
W. Jennings Vawter

John Vawter
Smith Vawter
Ezra F. Pabody
Page 33

James Wilson
Levi Butler
W Todd
Danl Lattimore
Achilles Vawter
Deland Morris
Elizab. T. Spaulding
David G. Vawter
Samuel Wagner
Hickman New
Allen Hill

Being much debilitated in my whole right arm, you may be at a loss to make out some words ^in the foregoing communication. At some times I have to forbare attempting to write at all, at other time have more command of the pen. Perhaps at, or in some parts of Spencers letter you may have to guess. But of the main points all is correct, substantially correct, I have no doubt.
John Vawter

State of Indiana
Jennings County SS. 
I William R. Walker Clerk of the Circuit Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify ^that^ John Vawter of said County is a Minister of Baptist Church in good standing, that Smith Vawter is a respectable merchant of said County, that Ezra Pabody is Judge of the Probate Court of said County as also a Physican in high standing, that Wm A. Bullock is a Respectable attorney at law, that L.W. Tood is County Treasurer, that Daniel Lattimore is a Minister in high standing in the Presbyterian Church, that Achilles Vawter is Post Master at the County seat of said County, that Samuel Wagner is a Justice of the Peace, that Hickman New, is a minister of the Gospel in the Reform Baptist Church of high standing, that Allen Hill  is one of the Commissioners of the County Court and that those other persons above named are all respectable Citizens of said County & further that I am acquainted with said Amasa Spencer decd, and believe the foregoing statement of his to be true. 
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Seal of said Court at Vernon this 28th day of July
A.D. 1843
Wm R. Walker Clerk
Jennings Circuit Court
Page 34


Brief in the case of Precilla Spencer, widow of Amasa
Jennings County and State of Indiana
3rd February 1853
Claim, ("original,")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of  7thJune 1832, 
Marriage proven by
record evidence,
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent: Achilles Vawter Esq,Vernon, Indiana
Examining Clerk.  S. C. Boynton
Page 35

1.
Declaration of Amasa Spencer in order to procure an increase of his pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

State of Indiana
Jennings County ⎬ 
On this 8th day of March 1844, personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable the Judges of the Jennings Circuit Court, in and for the County of Jennings and State of Indiana aforesaid, now in session Amasa Spencer a resident of the said County of Jennings and State of Indiana aged Eighty four years the 5th day of next June (1844) who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to procure an Increase
of the Pension heretofore granted to him on the 15th day of March 1833 under the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as he stated. In the month of June 1777 in the County of Charlotte Va. he entered the service as a substitute for one Irvin Woods (who had been drafted,) and served for three months under the following named officers to wit General Pawson, Col. Falkner, Captain William Morton, Major Morris Lieutenant Col. Wadkins (or Watkins), 1st Lieutenant Johnson, Ensign Word Bowlin, Orderly Sergent, John Burrows (or Burroughs), and 1st Corporal William Farren (or Fareen), He rendezvoused, at Peterborough, Va, continued there about 7 or 8 days, from thence marched on through Richmond and the burnt towns (as they were called) to the mouth of James River; he continued there, and at Williamsburgh [crossed out " as a guard to the Military Stores"] until the expiration of his time of three months for which he entered as above stated. During all of this time he was in no engagement, nor did he see the enemy nearer than where their shipping lay off the mouth of James River. This tour was performed in the 17th year of his age he having entered the service about the time of his completing his 17th year. He then after his tour was up, in the fore part of September 1777, returned to his residence
in Charlotte County Va, where he remained until the beginning
Page 36

2
of the fall of Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Eight (1778) when he again entered the service as a substitute for three months for one John Cuningham He resided also in Charlotte borough, VA, at the time and served this 2 tour under Col Watkins (a Lieutenant Col in his first tour). Lieut Col Jamison, Maj Reed, Capt. William Morton, Lieut John Woods, Ensign John Burroughs, (who had also been advanced since his first tour from orderly Sergeant to Ensign) 2d Sergeant James Cole (his 1st sergent not recollected) and Corporal Ford.  He served this tour of three months at, and between old Williamsburg and New London as a guard to the Military stores. New London is in Bedford County about three hundred miles from Williamsburgh as near as he can state and it was between these two places and at them where the serving in this tour was rendered. He was not engaged all of the three months as aforesaid, but about two months and a half the other two weeks were spent in foraging for the Army. Sometime about the first of December 1778, he was duly discharged after serving out the full period of time, for which he entered and he returned to his home in Charlotte Co. He was discharged at Rocky River Meeting House. He remained at home untill about the first of June 1780, when he was drafted for Five months. This draft was ordered by the Governor of Virginia; The object of it was to raise troops to reinforce our troops in South Carolina. A little afore this time, the Brittish had landed at Savanah [crossed out - St Augustine] or Augusta and marched up to Charleston and Captured it, and if he remembers right it was about the time of the aforesaid event that he entered for five months, and which was his 3(rd) tour. This tour of five months he served under Genl Stevens of Va, Col Lucas, Lieut Col Dowlman, Major Morris (not the same Morris that he served under in his  first tour) Adjutant Robert Bradshaw, Capt Thomas Williams, Liet James Stevens or Harvey, Ensign Andrew Irvin, Sergeant David Caldwell and Corporal Ford. The Company rendezvoused at Charlotte Court House and marched to Hillsborough N.C. and crossed Dan River at
Page 37

3.
Owens Ferry. From Hillsborough he crossed deep river and encamped there 7, or 8, days from thence to Peedee and [illegible] the same to General Gates Head Quarters, at Ridgeleys Mills about twelve miles from Camden. From thence he was marched for Camden having in the meantime been transfered to the command of Col. Porterfield. This Battle called the Battle of Camden was fought on the 16th day August 1780, and was commenced about the break of day on the morning of the 16th August. It was fought about half way between Rudgeleys Mills, and Camden being about 6 miles short of Camden. The history of this day is known. This applicant was in the front ranks of this dreadful engagement and had to retreat from before the fixed bayonets of the enemy- no bayonets being furnished
for those taken from the soldiers a few days previously order of his commander, as was said at the time to disencumber as much as possible the soldiers, with the understanding that they were to draw others the same as Genl Gates Headquarters.  It was here that DeCalb fell at the head of his brigade* troops. It was here also that he saw his
Colonel (Porterfield) mortally wounded and taken off the Battlefield, held on to his horse by two soldiers and he has never forgoten the cheering words of the brave man "Boys dont be disheartened, I am a dead man, but dont mind that" Major Smith was also badly wounded at this engagement. Genl Gates had left the army on the battlefield, and a disorderly retreat was made to Hillsborough N.C. He stayed here about two weeks, and then was marched to Guilford County to a place called New Garden. There he remained five or six weeks, when he was marched to Guilford Court House and encamped near the same. He remained for 3 or 4 weeks until his five Months had expired when he was duly discharged by Col Stubblefield and he returned home to Charlotte Co. Va in Nov. 1780. After the Battle of the (illegible) in Jany 1781 It is (illegible)
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4
that Patton was defeated in this Battle, and Col Morgan with about 300 prisoners of War, marched to (illegible) Genl Greene. Greene  marched the prisoners for Virginia pursued by Lord Cornwallis. Genl Green sent an express for a reinforcement to Col Reed of Charlotte Co. NC. This was in the latter part of January 1781. Col Thomas Reed mustered his regiment at Coles Ferry on Staunton River. He belonged to Capt William Mortons Company and on sunday evening the last of Janry 1781 or first of feby (February),  a company of Volunteers consisting of two Hundred (amongst which was this applicant) was raised to march to the  reinforcement of Genl Greene. They volunteered for six week. And on  monday morning marched for genl Greenes head quarters in Hallifax Co. near a small River called Banister. This tour (being his fourth) he served under Col Teney Cock, Lieut Col Williams, Majr James Hubbard, agents Caldwell and Whitelock, Capt William Morton, Lieut Morton (a nephew of the Captains), Ensign Barnes, also Sergeant Barnes and Corporal Enes. After spending a short time at Halifax Co. he was transferred to Col Samuel McDowells Command. McDowell, had command of Riflemen, and here this applicant was engaged in two skirmishes, one at Adams River, and the other at Alamant Creek Va. The first skirmish
was fought across Adams River, and one William Parks had his thigh broken, and was left in the ground, and one other man had his thumb shot off- It was rumored that the brittish took 27 men, yet they here so (illegible) and chased so fast on our people across the River that he could not stay to remove the wounded me. At Alamants Creek two Americans and one Catawba Indian were killed. Never learned how many of the enemy were killed or wounded, these engagements were three or four days apart, and six or eight days before the Battle of Guilford Court House. From [words scratched out] marching and continue marching in Alamant County he was marched near to Guilford Courthouse
(Contined to page 51
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Page 5,
-
He remained near Guilford Court-house marching and Countermarching in the immediate vicinity and in hearing a part of the time the drums of the enemy for about two weeks, until the 13th March 1781. (He thinks this is the time) when the Battle of Guilford was fought there. The enemy keept (kept) the ground, but after burying their dead they did not pursue the American army, but marched with all dispach for Wilmington N.C. where their shipping
lay. This applicant was in the hottest of this engagement, and saw Genl Stevens when he was shot through the thigh by a musket ball, and saw him taken off the field.  The command of Gel Stevens Brigade [illegible] upon Col Henry Cock, who immediately pursued the British on their march to Wilmington with Genl Green. The enemy had about one days start of our forces as yet so hotly were they pursued, that they were only five miles in advance of the American army when they reached their shipping, and many of their rear guard were fired on by our rifleman and killed. On the Road leading from Guilford to Wilmington about Eight or ten miles from the latter place he was discharged by Col Cock, after having served Eight weeks instead of 6 weeks he, together with the rest of the two hundred (who survived the Battle), returned to their homes in Charlotte Co Va. They had remained two weeks over the time for which they volunteered at the special request of Genl Green. And in April
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6
1781 he reached his home in Va. He remained but a few days at home before he again entered the service on this fifth and last tour. This was about the first of May 1781. He entered this time as a substitute for one John Fernkway and served for three months. During this he served under the following named officers (to wit) Col Lynch, Lieut Col Joel Leftridge, Majr Smith, Capt Jo. Fenkway. Lieut Jones, Ensign Jones (brother) Sergeant James Cole, and Corporal Barnes. They [unclear] near the upper part of Halifax County where they took under their charge about 600 Brittish prisoners, (the most of them were taken at the [illegible]) from thence he marched as one of the guard of the prisoners aforesaid to Winchester, where he remained as a guard until the expiration of his time of three months, when he was discharged about the first of August 1781. And here this applicant would remark that he has given the above history of his Marches, and the names of places, dates &c. &c, solely from memory, (never having even read a history of those times, he being unable to read), and he may be mistaken as to dates but he is not mistaken as to the general facts in the case - That when he applied for a Pension and one was granted him many years since 15th day of March 1833 for $31.88 he was totally unaquainted with what he should do in the matter, and that his agent
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7
failed to put down all of his tour of service, that he has been advised long ago that he should have drawn more than the present amount of his Pension. And he now asks the Commissioner of Pensions to examine his present Declaration and to allow to him the amount which he should justly claim under the act of June 7th 1832, and he here (illegible) his, served tours (his) from June 1777 to Sept, same year Three months -from the fall of the year 1778 to December
same year, three months from first of June 1780 to Nov same year five months from 1st Feby 1781 to April same year two months from 1st May 1781 to August same year three months, making in the whole sixteen months. And this is the true amount of time which he served. And he further states that the agent who made out the papers on which his pension was granted inform him that it would be of no use to claim for the three months now claimed, as
his 2d tour, and the three months now claimed as his fifth tour making 6 months, Because he stood a great part of his said tours as a guard to the Military stores, and a guard to the provisions at Winchester. He has no idea at this time what his former declaration states, only he suffers that as he aimed to tell the truth then as he has
now that there will not be that kind of
(illegible sentence)
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8.
the hopes the Department, may have in this narration of service long since rendered to the County. He hopes that he has been particular enough in his statement after
naming the following Regular officers with whom he served and personally knew. York, one Green General Gates Col Morgan Col Washington Col Lee, (both commanded
Calvery and were at the Battle of Guilford, He also knew Gene De Calb, and saw him a month before he fell at Camden (or near Camden). He also remembers Genl Hugee who commanded the 1st Maryland line of the Battle of Guilford, He also knew genl Marion and Genl Peter Hervy (*) Mr. Spencer would not say what particular troops De Calle Commanded at Camden but thinks that they were the Maryland State troops) And this applicant further states that he know of
of no person whose testimony he can procure to prove his said service, and that he has no documentary evidence to prove the answer
He hereby relinquishes every claim who here to after to a pension or annuity except the present, and die
swear that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State only on that of the agency of the State of Indiana for the sum of Thirty one dollars and as above stated
Amasa Spencer
.
Sworn to and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid in open Court
John Walker
Page 43

Declaration of Amasa Spencer
for an increase of
pension under the
act of June 7th 1832.

S. S. Harding
Agent
Milan
Ina
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9

Mr William C Bramwell a clergyman residing in the County of Jennings and State of Indiana, and Hickman New residing in the same County and state do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Amasa Spencer, wo has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration, that we believe him to be eighty four years old next June, that he is respected and [unclear] in the neighbor hood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

William C Bramwell
Hickman New

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John Walker clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinions after the inspections of the matter, and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above named officiant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William C Bramwell who has signed the preceding  certificate, is a clergyman resident in the County of Jennings and State of Indiana, and that Hickman New who has also scribed the same is a resident in the said County of Jennings and State of Indiana, and is a credible
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10,
person, and that their statement is [illegible]

M.C. Eggleston
President [illegible] 3d Judical Circuit Indiana

I John Walker Clerk of the Jennings Circuit
Court in and for the said County and State, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Amasa Spencer for an Increase of Pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of  and upon these
of said Court at Vernon this 5th day of March 1844
John Walker Clk

Questions propounded to Amasa Spencer by the Court,
1 Where and what year were you born?
Answer - I was born in Albany County New York the 5th day of June 1760,
Question 2d. Have you any Record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Answer. I have, in my Bible, that is at my house in this County
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Question 3d Where were you living when called in service. Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Answer. I lived in Charlotte County Va, when I entered the service in 1782. I left Virginia and moved to Kentucky. I resided there until sixteen years ago when I removed to Jennings County Indiana where I now reside.

Question 4th Answered - Three times I entered the service as a substitute, once as a volunteer and once I was drafted. I was a substitute for Irvin Wood, the 2nd time for John Cunningham and the 3rd time for John Fenkway-

Question 5th answered - I knew as I have afore stated Genereal Green, General Gates, Col Morgan, Col Washington, Col Lee, Genl DeCalb, Genl [unclear], Genl Marion, Genl Harvey, and for the [illegible] I would ask the court to look at my declaration for the names of Militia Officers.

Question 6th answered - I only received one written discharge it was for my 2nd tour, of three months and was given  by Col Watkins, the other times I was discharged honorably.

Question 7th answered. I refer the court to Col Audrey [?], Col Vauter [?], W.A. Bullock,  Col Bramwell [unclear]
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WIDOW, &c.
Revy
File No. 2017
Precilla Spencer, Widow Amasa Spencer, Priv. Rev. War.
Act: Feb. 3, 1853
Index:- Vol. 2, Page 232
(Arrangement of 1870)

[Facing page]
1923-May 12 - Hist. to Mrs. Louise F. Rowan. See letter in James Spencer - W 4590 aus[?]