Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 4344, for James Stiff, Virginia
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[illegible in parentheses]
Service  Va.  
Stiff, James | Molly
Number W4344
Contents
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Virginia 16,264                      see letter to W.L. Groggin July 23.1833     

James Stiff
of Bedford in the State of Virginia
who was a pri. in the company commanded
by Captain Terril of the ---- commanded
by ----- in the Virginia
line for 2 years
{illegible] Cap Terrill Co
[illegible] 26th 1776

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
as the rate of 80- Dollars --- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of July '33
and sent Hon, N. H Clairborne Rocky Mount Va

Arrears to the 4th of March '33   -      160
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " -  40
                                                           $200

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk,
bool E. Vol. 6 Page 27
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Virginia 3271

Molly Stiff
widow of James Stiff deceased
a pensioner, act June7, 1832
who died on the 19 May 1837-
of Bedford Co in the State of Virginia
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Terrill of the rgt commanded
by Col. ---- in the Virginia
line for 24 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond
at the rate of 80 Dollars --- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 19th day of May 1837.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of March
1840, + sent to Hon. W.L. Goggin
House of Reps.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1840                    $223.55
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep '40        40.00
                                                                      $263.55

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the Bd}
Recorded by D McCurdy Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 159.

[At the top right of page]
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under
the Act of April 6th 1838 from 4th
March to 24th May 1841
Agent notified July 258th 1842
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State of Virginia
County of Bradford S.S.
On this 12th day of February 1833 personally appeared before me Robert Campbell a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid
James Stiff a resident of the parish of Rupell in the County and State aforesaid aged near 76 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
He thinks it was in the month of February 1776 but the day of the month he cannot recollect, he entered the service from the County of Bradford and State of Virginia with the 5th Regiment of the Continental Troops from the state of Virginia under the following named offers to wit
Henry Terrill was Captain; John Goggin was first Lieutenant. Thomas McReynolds second Lieutenant and Robert Watkins was Ensign.  That he marched from Bedford County and State of Virginia shortly after this when in the latter part of the month of February as aforesaid on the first March by the was of Richmond to Williamsburg where he remained a short time.  Thence to Suffolk where he staid awhile, from thence to Portsmouth where he staid also but a short time thence to Norfolk where he remained till the fall of the same year; from this place he was again marched to Williamsburg where he remained but a short time when he was taken sick but in what month or the day he cannot tell but it was in the later part of the year; he obtained a furlough from General Lewis of Virginia.  This Genl. Lewis died in Bradford County on his return home from the Army.  This deponent after obtaining the furlough as aforesaid returned home where he remained till he recovered when he returned to the Army after being absent about 3 months as upwards at least it was in the spring of the year after he was first taken sick he is satisfied it was not less than 3 months and he thinks but since if any more that he was absent in his sickness.  On returning he joined the Army at Philadelphia the headquarters of which were at Middlebrook in the [illegible] and while there the battle of Brandywine he thinks took place
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He was not in the battle of Brandywine as he was left on guard in the City of Philadelphia.  he went from thence to Valley Forge, from thence to Germantown after this the next day the battle of Germantown took place; he thinks it was in the month of August 1777 as well as he remembers.  He was in the battle from the commencement to the close of it; it commenced at day break and continued at 12 O'clock.  General Stevens he believes was the chief commander in the battle. Col. Josiah Parker had command of the Platoon he was in during the engagement by some means Samuel Parker broke his sword off at the hilt.  General [illegible] had command of the Brigade.  It may be proper here to state that when he marched out to join the Army after being sick that he and all the men with him were inoculated for the small pox at Dumfries in Virginia where he staid perhaps three or four weeks and then joined the Army at Philadelphia as before stated. After the battle of Germantown he marched from thence back to Valley Forge or near there as well as he can recollect where he remained in Winter Quarters with the Army till the next February 1778 when after being in the service according to his engagements two years he was discharged the day of the month he cannot remember.  He received a written discharge he thinks from Captain Fontenay but now cannot tell where it is, it perhaps was burnt at the time his house was consumed by fire some four or five years afterwards and where his other papers were destroyed.  He remained during all the time aforesaid under one time of enlistment not less than two years; during his term he was acquainted with Captain G[illegible] Scruggs from the County of Bradford who belonged to the 5th Regiment of the Va Continental Troops also.  There was a Major Ball in the same Regiment to which he was attached.
  After this when he had been at home several years but how many he cannot tell entirely but it was awhile before Gates' defeat the date of the month or year [illegible] he cannot recollect, he was drafted as a malitia man from the County of Bradford and State of Virginia and marched from the said County from the Town of New London he thinks on the 10th of June of the same year to Hillsborough in North Carolina by the way of Wards Ferry on Staunton River thence by Dan River at White's Ferry.  He remained some tome at Hillsborough and was then sent to Richmond with others (having in their charge thirteen naggans) for spirits ammunitions + for the Army; and returned to Hillsborough a short time after Gates defeat after having served a tour of duty not less than three months.  (He is inclined to believe it was longer he was dismissed.) He served at Hillsborough till he was dismissed, the precise time he was dismissed he is utterly unable
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to tell.  He does not remember time he was received a written discharge for this part of his service; but it inclined to think he and the other men mostly received a verbal discharge. His whole service in the war was not less than two years and three months to wit one tour of two years in the Continental line [illegible] by the testimony of Jonathan Grooms to whose affidavit he refers and is a living witness; and the other tour of three months as a malitia man as before stated under command of Capt. Thomas Leftnick + he thinks John Leftnick was a Lieutenant and Robert Clark was also an officer.  He has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his services.  He was born in the County of Cumberland in Va. and moved to Bedford when but a small child; he does not know the date of the month or year that he was born but from various circumstances he thinks he is 76 years of age or nearly so; he has no records of his age nor did he ever have.  He has resided ever since the Revolution, did before, resided at the time and now resides in the County of Bedford and State of Virginia.  He is unable to procure the testimony of a Clergyman to testify as to his character for veracity or the general belief of his services in the neighborhood because he knows no one who can make such a statement or this is acquainted with the general opinion of the neighborhood; and there is no Clergyman immediately in his neighborhood; he is known however to John P. Gray and William R. James--
   and many others in his present neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the of the Agency of any State.
James his X mark Stiff
Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid
Robert Campbell J.P.
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Answers to the Interrogatories prescribed by the War department made by James Stiff purporting to getting a pension under the Act of Congress of June the 7th 183 appended to his Declaration and subscribed and sworn at the same time + place
Answer to the 1st Int.  See the body of the Declaration for an answer
Answer to the 2nd "  See the body of the Declaration for an answer
Answer to the 3rd "  See the body of the Declaration for an answer
Answer to the 4th.  The first tour of Two years I was called into service as a regular soldier of Continental line.  The second I was drafted as a malitia man
Answer to the 5th.  See the body of the Declaration for an answer.
Answer to the 6th.  See the body of the Declaration for an answer.
Answer to the 7th.  See the body of the Declaration for an answer.
James his X mark Stiff
Subscribed ans sworn to as above before me a justice of the peace for the county of Bedford the day and year aforesaid 
Robert Campbell J.P.

We John P. Gray + William R. James - 
residing in the County of Bedford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Stiff who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him 76- years of age or thereabouts; that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
John P. Gray
W, R James

Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid [the next line is completely illegible due to folding or tearing.]
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State of Virginia
Bedford County } fr.
  On this 20 day of June 1839, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, Molly Stiff, a resident of Bedford County, and Russell Parish in the state aforesaid, aged about seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of congress passed July 4th 1836.  That she is the widow of James Stiff deceased, late of said county and state, who was a private in the War of revolution, and who for his service obtained a pension from the United States of eighty dollars per annum.  She is illiterate old, and infirm, and her memory not retentive of facts, which transpired so long ago, but from which she has heard from her deceased husband, and others and from her own imperfect remembrance.  She believes his services were as follows.  She said James Stiff enlisted in the army of the United States probably in the spring of 1777, and marched from New London, then the county town of Bedford, the county in which he then resided; to Baltimore and from thence to the army under General Washington, which he joined, and in which he served the term of his enlistment, to wit two years and returned home in Bedford county, Virginia.  She cannot recollect the day and the month in which he entered the service nor the time of his leaving it, but she well recollects to have heard him say he served two years, and she remembers herself that he did serve two years  - of course, if he enlisted in the spring of 1777, and served two years, he must have left the service in the spring of 1779.  She believes from what she heard him say that he served with Captain George Lambert, but of this she is not certain.  She has also heard him speak of Genl. Green + Wilson and Col. Lewis and thinks it probable he served under those officers, but she cannot say positively that he did.  She believes he was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown.  She does not remember the country through which he passed.  She recollects that he said a part of the company among whom was himself, went a part of the way by water.
   She said James Stiff returned home after his term of enlistment expired and in the month of September, probably in the year of 1779; though she cannot positively say, she was married to the said James Stiff by Rev. Wm. Holt, she thinks, about nine months after his term of service expired; he then remained at home, year and some few months, when he was
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drafted into the service of the United States as a militia man in Bedford County, Virginia where he then resided, and marched from New London the place of rendezvous, under Capt. Terry, she believes or perhaps Capt. Terry was only along with them.  She does not recollect the day, the year nor month when he was drafted, but she believes it was in the month of June.  He marched through the southern part of Virginia to Hillsborough probably, and joined the army of Genl. Gates, but who were his field officers, she does not recollect.  She remembers to have heard him speak of Genl. Stevens and he might have been under him, but she does not recollect.  He was not in the battle in which General Gates was defeated because he was ordered to take charge of Waggon loaded with powder in place of a man who was not considered true to his country.  He served his months, but she does not recollect the day, when he was discharged.  She has no documentary evidence in support of her claim, or of the services of the said James Stiff.  She declares she was legally married to the said James Stiff in the month of September, she believes in the year of 1779.  The day of the month she cannot recollect, and that her husband, the aforesaid James Stiff died on the 19th day of May 1837. and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by references to the proof hereto annexed, and she further declares that her said husband was a pensioner of the United States, that he obtained his pension, she believes sometime between September 1832, and March 1833 - and received the sum of eighty dollars per annum. The certificate she supposes was sent to the agent in Richmond when the arrearage of pension were paid, after his death.  She may be mistaken in her recollection of facts, as her memory is very imperfect.
   She further declares, that by reason of bodily infirmity, she cannot attend before the court to make this declaration without great inconvenience.
Molly her X mark Stiff
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State of Virginia
Bedford County } JP
I, Thomas Brown of the county and state aforesaid, aged ninety years, a revolutionary pensioner of the United States do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Molly Stiff of Bedford County Virginia who has made a declaration to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836.  That I believe her to be seventy nine years old having been acquainted with her from her youth.  That she is the widow of James Stiff dec. of said county, who was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States - this affiant marries the sister of the said Molly Stiff sometime before the said Molly was married, and that when the said Molly was married to the said James Stiff, the affiant + his wife were [illegible] sent for to the marriage but this affiant did not go - his wife, who is since dead, went,  told this affiant when she returned that her sister Molly and James Stiff were married.  This affiant further says that he was in the habit of friendly intercourse with the said Molly and her said husband James Stiff for years.  That their marriage was never doubted, so far as her known or believed.  The day of their marriage he does not recollect - but he does recollect that the said James Stiff, before his marriage served in the regular army of the United States - at the North - and that after he returned home, he was married, and went again into again into the service, and was in the army at the time of Gates' defeat in the south. That it was reported and believed in the neighborhood, where the said James stiff resided.  That he served in the War of the revolution and that he died, as this affiant believes sometime two years ago, and that the said Molly his widow, has remained a widow ever since his death.  He thinks she was married between sixty and sixty three years ago, and that she is a person of respectable character.  This affiant further states that when the said James Stiff went into the service in the south, the said Molly Stiff, his wife, came to this affiant's house and remained a part of the time of his absence.
Thomas Brown

Subscribed + sworn to before me, Robert Campbell a Justice of the peace in + for the county state aforesaid, by Thomas Brown, whom I do hereby certify to be a person of highly respectable character for veracity and a credible witness.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name this 20th day of June 1839.  I further certify that the words "who is since dead" were interlined in [illegible] affiant before it was sworn to 
Robert Campbell J.P.
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4618
Virginia Jr.
At a court of monthly Sessions continued and held for Bedford County at the court house on Tuesday the 25th day of June 1839.
The foregoing declaration of Molly Stiff, together with the affidavit of Thomas Brown and the certificate of Robert Campbell, were this day produced in court and the same having been examined.  It is ordered that it be certified to the War Department of the United States.  That the said Robert Campbell is a Justice of the peace in and for the county of County Bedford duly commissioned + qualified according to the constitution and laws of this Commonwealth - and that the several signatures to said declaration, affidavit and certificates are genuine, and that the said proceedings in the country are hereby afforded, ratified and confirmed.  The court doth further certify that it adheres to them by satisfactory evidence, [two words are crossed out] said Molly Stiff is the widow of James Stiff deceased, late of this county, who departed this life on the 19th of May 1837, and who was a pensioner of the United States by pension certificate dated at the War Office the 20th of July 1833 and signed by John Robb acting secretary of War.  That said Molly Stiff and James Stiff deceased were legally married, and were known as husband and wife in the said county for more than sixty years part. that there is no record of marriages in this court prior to 1780.  That said Molly Stiff is a resident of this county, a lady of high respectability and character and that from bodily infirmity she cannot attend court without great inconvenience.  The court also further certifies that Thomas Brown, the affiant, is a resident of the county and a person of high standing respectable character and that his testimony is entitled to full faith.
I John R. Steptoe Deputy for Robert C. Mitchell Clerk of said court, hereby certify that the foregoing is a true transcript of the record of said court.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said court the 6th day of July 1839, in the 64th year if American Independance.
Jno. R. Steptoe D.C.
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Hon. W. L. Goggin
H.R.
Page 13

I Martha B Bowyer, of Botetourt County Virginia, now in my my sixty seventh year of age, certify that I was well acquainted with James Stiff dec'd late of Bedford County, and his widow, Mrs Molly Stiff now living in Bedford and an applicant for a pension.  That some fifty or perhaps fifty two or three years ago, I was boarding at the home of the said James Stiff and Molly Stiff, when their son Richard Stiff was born, and that Sally Stiff, William Stiff and John Stiff children of the said James + Molly Stiff, were born before the said Richard Stiff.  That the said Molly Stiff is the aunt of the said Martha Bowyer, and she has no doubt she was legally married to her husband James Stiff, altho she was not present at the marriage, according to her recollection, the said Richard Stiff was born between the 1788 and 1790, and that she is unable to write, in consequence of having lost the use of her arm.
Martha her X mark B. Bowyer

Sworn subscribed before me, John W. Holt, a Justice of the peace in the County aforesaid by the said Martha B. Bowyer, in my county aforesaid, whom I do hereby certify to be a credible witness.  Given under my hand this 29th day of October 1839.
John Q. Holt J.P.
Page 14

State of Virginia
Bedford County } Jr.
I John Stiff of Bedford County Virginia, a son of the late James Stiff of said county, and Molly Stiff widow of said James stiff and now an applicant for a pension, certify that some years ago he copied from  the family register of said James and Molly Stiff the ages of all the children of said James + Molly Stiff in a [illegible] book, which is now destroyed.  That before its destruction he copied his own age into the family Bible, now before him and which register is as follows.  John Stiff was born May the 18th 1786.  That he is the fourth child of said James Molly Stiff, that the original register of the family was carried many years ago, by his sister to the State of Kentucky, and what has become of it, he does not know - but presumes it is in the possession of his sister.  He also states that he recollects when an older brother and sister, and himself were baptized by the late Rev. James Turner of the presbyterian Church, of which his father + mother were members.  He was baptized not very long after his parents joined the church. If the Rev. [illegible] Turner kept a register of baptisms, he understands it is probable it was burnt with his house, some years before his death.
John Stiff

subscribed and sworn to before me Frederick Aunspaugh a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, by John Stiff, whom I hereby certify to be a man of respectable character and a credible witness.  Given under my hand this 16th day of November 1839.
Fredrk Aunspaugh J.P.
Page 15

State of Virginia, Bedford County Jr.
I John R. Steptoe, Deputy for Robert C. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court of Bedford in the state of Virginia certify that I have diligently examined the records of the said court, and that after such examination I have not been able to find any record evidence of the marriage of James Stiff and Molly Stiff.
Jno R. Steptoe

subscribed and sworn to before me Armistead Otey a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid by John R. Steptoe, whom I hereby certify to be a man of respectable character and a credible witness.  Given under my hand this 12th day of March 1840.
A. Otey J.P.
Page 16

State of Virginia
Bedford County } Jr
I Robert C. Mitchell clerk of the county court of Bedford in the State of Virginia, certify that John W Holt before whom the foregoing deposition of Martha B Bowyer was sworn to - Frederick Aunspaugh, before whom the foregoing deposition of John Stiff was sworn to, and Armistead Otey, before whom the foregoing deposition of John R. Steptoe was sworn, are and were at the times of the [testimony] of the said deposition respectively, only commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be them are genuine.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court on the 12th day of March 1840. in the 64 year of American Independance.
R. C. Mitchell CBl
Page 17

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
July 22nd, 1842.
Sir:
Under the dare of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"
The administrator of Molly Stiff,
deceased, late - 
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va.
Agency, at the rate of Eighty - Dollars and
- Cents per annum, under the law of the 4th July
1836, has been paid at this Department, from the
4th of March, to the 24th May 1841.
Respectfully yours
[Signature possibly could be Albion JE Tarris]
COMPTROLLER.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present
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7946
James Stiff

(illegible) feb 26 1776
2yr Cap Terrell
Adm approval
2 yr $80

5, 11, 12, 13, 14,

(illegible)  1, 2, 5, 7,

Claiborne
29 Nov. P 112.
Page 19

7946.
BRIEF in the case of James Stiff
County of Bedford in the State of Virginia
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 75
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.                              Duration of Service.                      Rank.                        Names of General and Field Officers
                                                                                                                                    under whom he served.

Enlisted in 1777                 not stated                                    Private                       5. regt Va. Regular Troops
afterwards draft.                                                                                                       Cap. A. Terril. Gen
                                                                                                                                 Mulenburg.
                                          do   do                                               "                           Cap. Tho Leftwich

5. In what battles was he engaged? Germantown.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bedford County Va.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The official character of the magistrate is not certified.

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

T. Waugh        Examining Clerk.
Page 20

May, 21, 1931

Mrs. Ellen Mc Manaway
Box 109
Thaxton, Virginia

Rev & 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB

Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War Pension claim, W. 4344, that James Stiff was born, date not stated, in Cumberland County, Virginia, and moved to Bedford County, Viginia, when but a  small child.
He enlisted in February, 1776, and served as private in Captain Henry Terrell's company in the 5" Virginia Regiment, was in the battle of Germantown in Colonel Josiah Parker's regiment, wintered at Valley Forge and was discharged in February, 1778.
He enlisted June 10, 1780, and served three months in the militia in Captain Thomas Leftwich's company.

He was allowed pension on his application executed February 21, 1833, at that time a resident of the parish of Russell, Bedford County, Virginia, and was seventy-six years of age.

He died May 19, 1837.

Soldier married in September, 1779, Mary, whose maiden name is not given.

She was allowed pension on her application executed June 20, 1839, at which time she was living in the parish of Russell, Bedford County, Virginia, and was aged seventy-nine years.

She died May 24, 1841.

Names of children as found in the claim:

Sally
William
Page 21

Fourth child, John, born May 18, 1786, and a resident of Bedford County, Virginia in 1839.

Richard.

A daughter residing in Kentucky was referred to.

There are no further data as to the children.

Very truly yours

E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
Page 22

V  Virginia

Molly Stiff
widow of James

Sed letter to John A Wharton,
Sept. 11. 1839


Act 4. July 1836.
Page 23

James Stiff Va (illegible) 1832 $80
when paid                    HHL

Three Aud off
23 March 40
Died 19 May 1837 (illegible)
                                                 TH
Page 24

Box 109, Thaxtons, Virginia
Mar. 30/31
Commissioner of Pensions:
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-  Can you tell
me if Mary or Mollie
Stiff
widow of James stiff received
a pension?  He was Revolutionary
War.  She died about 1841 - or2
Mrs. Ellen McManaway.

Rev + 1812 War section
Page 25

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 4344
Molly Stiff
Wid.
JaS. Stiff
Pvt. Va. line

Act July 4th '36, Sec 34
Index:- Vol. M., Page 239
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[in the left margin of the next page]
1931 May, 21 [the rest of the line is illegible or too dark to see.]
Page 26

[ On the right side of the page " Hon W.L. Goggin" is crossed out]

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Pension Office
D.C.

Hon. W.L. Goggins
H.R. [This signature is written perpendicular to the page.]
Page 27

                                 House Rep.
                                      March 16, 1940

Sir,
     Enclosed is some additional testimony connected with the application of Mr. Stiff of Bedford Co Va. for a pension, now on file in your office.  Be so good as to inform me of the result of reexamination which I hope can be made at an early day.

                          I am very Respectfully
                          W. L. Goggins

J. L. Edwards Esquire
of Pensions
Page 28

'40.  3.  4
37.  5.  19
2.  9.  16

2   160
9     60
         3.55
      223.55

4618
Molly Stiff
Wid. of James
Va.
Act July 4. 1836
Married 1779
died May 1837
Allow $80 per anm
from
[Illegible name]
2yrs from Feb. 26. 1776
Page 29

V   Va.
Molly Stiff
widow of James
Act 4 July 1836



{perpendicular on the page]
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Page 30

Liberty Bedford Co. July 6. 1839
Sir: I send you herewith the claim of Molly Stiff for a pension.  You will review the statem in her declaration that the pension of her her husband was obtained between Sept 1832 and March 1833. - and the court certifies that his certificate was dated on July 1833 + this is owing to the fact that the [illegible] without having any paper to show the date and the court certifies from their record made on her application to receive the arrears of her husbands pension.  Please let me know your decision on the application.
Respectfully,
John A Wharton
Page 31

James Stiff
declaration for a 
Pension.


Bedford County, Va.
Page 32

Bedford County
State of Virginia

I Jonathan Grooms a resident of the county of Bedford aged Seventy-seven years and soldier of the Revolution hereby certify that I have been long acquainted with James Stiff.  He has heard him state his services and believes the same to be correct.  He was often with him during the war of the Revolution and knows the fact that he did enlist in the Army of the United States in the year of 1776 or 1777 under Capt. Henry Terrill and that he marched from the County of Bedford and remained as he understands two years in the Army.
Jonathan his X mark Grooms

This 12th day of February 1833 personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County of Beford Jonathan Grooms a resident of the said County and a respectable Citizen whose statement is entitled to credit and subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit in due form of law.  Given under my hand this day and year aforesaid.
Wm. Shrewsbury
Page 33

State of Virginia
Bedford County
I Thomas Brown of Bedford County Virginia, aged nearly 84 years, a soldier of the revolution, do hereby that in the year of 1777 or there abouts, he lived in the neighborhood of James Stiff.  That the said Stiff about that time enlisted in the United States Army and served some considerable time, perhaps two years, in the North, as he understood at the time, again in the 1780, the said Stiff was in the United States Service in the South, but cannot say how long he was absent.  He lived near neighbor to said Stiff during both these tours.
Thomas Brown

The above named Thomas Brown personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County of Bedford on this 11th day of February 1833 and subscribed and swore to the above affidavit.  And further it appears to me that the said Thomas Brown is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit.
Given under my hand this day and year aforesaid.
A. Otey J.P.
Page 34

And the said Robert Campbell a justice of the peace for the County of Bedford and of the justices of a court of Record doth hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories [illegible] by the war department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  And he further certifies that it appears to him that the said John P. Gray and William R. James who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the County of Bedford and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. [The rest of the sentence is crossed out.]
And the said Robert Campbell further certifies that it appears to him that the said James Stiff cannot [illegible] the testimony of a Clergyman as to his character for veracity + his belief of his services [the rest of this sentence is crossed out.] There being no Clergyman residing in the immediate neighborhood of the said Stiff and also further that the said Stiff is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend at the Court house of the said County where the Court of Records is holdem
Given under my hand and seal this day and year first above written
Robert Campbell J.P.
Page 35

State of Virginia
County of Bedford S.S.
I Robert N. Dickerson deputy Clerk for the County court of Bedford in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Robert Campbell before whom the foregoing declaration of James Stiff and applicant for a pension was made, and Armistead Otey whose certificate is annexed to the affidavit of Thomas Brown and William Shrewsbury whose certificate is annexed to the affidavit of Jonathan Grooms, all which are hereto annexed  are [illegible] at the time of signing the [illegible] [illegible] justices of the Peace for said County of Beford, duly commissioned and qualified according to the Constitution and laws of this State and that their official acts as such are entitled to full credit.  And I do moreover certify that it appears to me that these said signatures are genuine.

In testimony whereof I have therefore set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County Court this 14th day of February 1833 in the 57th year of American Independence.
Robt. Dickerson D.B. B. C.
Page 36

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES                     Division of Veteran's Administration Archives     
form VAN-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Stigefuse, John   GRADE Private   LINE  Pennsylvania


WARRANT
NUMBER  10385              ACREAGE  100   ISSUED November 26, 1795
                                                                               To John Shaw, assignee    

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.