Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 8619, Jonathan Cowherd, Va.
Page 1

Va.   Cowherd, Johnathan       W 8619
                          Elizabeth
Page 2

25191
Duplicate certificate March 13 1834 and sent to Rose Johnson
Original certificate returned by M Ron Johnson in a dead letter and destroyed May 2, 18034
Jonathan Cowherd
of Greenleo in the State of Kentucky 13, 
who was a  private in the  Corm commanded 
by Captain Buford of the  of the  commanded
by Col Stephens in the Virginia 
line for 1 year private
6 months  Lieutenant
____________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 120 Dollars ---Cents per annon
to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.
____________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued on 7 day of Dec
1883 and  (illegible)
____________________________________________

Arrears to the 4th of Sept                     300-
Semi-amt. allowance ending 4 March  60
                                                                  ____
                                                                 $360 .00 
                                                                          ------
                                                                           100

                                  {Revolutionary Claim }
                                  {Act June 7, 1832        }
Recorded by Daniel Boyd  Clerk,
Book E      Vol.  7       Page 6
Page 3

Kentucky, 4219
Elizabeth Cowherd
widow of Jonathan Cowherd
who died on the 20 July 1844
of (blank) in the State of Kentucky
who was a  private in the Co   commanded
by Captain Buford of the regle commanded
by Col Stephens in the Va
line for 1 year 
___________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky 
at the rate of 120 Dollars 00 Cents
per annum, to commence  ( crossed out 4th day
March, 1843). 20 July, 1844,
_____________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of Nov
15 and sent to 
Aaron Harding
_________________________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of  Greensburg 
Semi-annual allowance ending 
                                                            Ky
                                                    ______________
             {Revoluntionary Claim    }
             {Act July 4, 1836,               }
             {Section the 3                     }

Recorded by F. L. Swann, Clerk
Book C   Vol. 1   Page 194

Page 2 of fold

Date of widow's death not  in AB
Page 4

    State of Kentucky Green County  Sd
On this 28th day of February 1833, personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the  Green Circuit court holden at Greensburgh Kentucky Simeon Cowherd, a Son of Johnathan Cowherd a resident citizen of said county and state aforesaid, (said Johnathan Cowherd being a man of unsound mind), said Simeon Cowherd being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to attain for his said father the benefit of the provision made by the act of congress of the 7th day of June 1832.  Towit that his said father Johnathan Cowherd according to the family tradition is seventy seven years of age last October  was born in the county of Culpepper and state of Virginia, resided there til 1796, in that year he removed to Green county Kentucky where he has continued to reside since - that many years since at least twenty five, while his father's mind  not free from disorder or derangement, he cannot from him that during the American Revolution, in the year 1775 or 1776 he served a tour in the Virginia Militia of twelve months from the county of Culpepper, where he resided at the time, in a company then commanded by Captain Abraham Buford, and he thinks in a regiment commanded by Col Stephens, who was afterwards General Stephens; in this tour his own father represented that he served only as a private soldier, at Norfolk and in the county of Suffolk and was in the Battle of the Long Bridge - Said Simeon also states that he had in like manner learned from his father that in the year 1781, he served a second tour of six months in the Militia of said state from the same county as a Lieutenant in a company commanded by Capt Elijah Kertly in whose regiment he does not remember but recollected to have learnt from his father that Major Robert Powel & Major Robert Robuck were commandants of the Battalions of said regiments. This service he learnt in
Page 5

like manner was performed in some of the lower counties of Virginia, guarding & defending the seaboard. Son Simeon also stated that he had seen many years paid the commipion of Lieutenant to his father from the governor of Virginia, under which the last tour mentioned, should have been served, the said commipion he thinks according to the best of his recollection was date in the fall of the year 1780-after this last tour was served his father asks and frequently heard him say, Capt Kertly was appointed major and he had been appointed to command the company. Captain Buford who commanded the company at the commencement of the Revolution having been commipoins Colonel - said Simeon states that his recollection was the more perfect & strong after this subject from the circumstance of his fathers having a bundle of commipion, field away together  among-at which was a commpaion as assistant Judge of the Green Circuit Court, one as quarters  before Judge, and the commipaions of Captains & Lieutenant as above stated-about the time his father became deranged he burnt many of his papers amongst which were foatents for land, and from the fact that the papers above named towit-the commipions cannot now be found amongst his fathers papers he presumes they have also been destroyed, at least he cannot now after the most diligent search find them. He knows of no documentary testimony, by which his fathers services aforesaid can be proven the aspects to be able to positive & traditionary testimony to establish his said fathers service - so far has he relinquishes every claim to any  amunty of pension for his father except the present and declares his fathers  return so far as he knows or believes is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state-said Simeon states that
Page 6

John Barret Esq who is clerk of the Green Circuit and county courts is the  committee to said Johnathan Cowherd regularly, appointed by the Green Circuit Court after said Johnathan, had been found by an inquisition taken in said court, to be of unsound mind- Sworn to and subsanted the day and date above.
                                   Simeon Cowherd  

On this 28th day of February 1833 personally appeared in Green Court before the Judge of the Green Circuit Court General Janus Allen of said county, and being duly sworn according to law, stated that he was well acquainted with Johnathan Cowherd and who is now a lunatic Y that he had been acquainted with him for thirty or more years, and when said Cowherd was a Judge of the quarters relation court of Green county Kentucky, and when he was in his right mind, and that said Cowherd was, intimate with him saw Allen and often at his honor, and that he frequently heard and said Cowherd, speak of his services as a soldier in the American Revolution, and he thinks he has heard him speak of his being an officer in one of the campaigns, tho of this he is not so positive, as in relation to  his services, and said Allen states he believed the statements to be true, from the respectable character of said Cowherd, then while he was in his right mind, nor has he
Page 7

ever heard it doubted that he said so serve, in the american revolution, at the time said Cowherd made these statements he was a man of respectability and truth, and his statements entitled to beliefs said Allen also stated that he was, acquainted with the characters of Col Abraham Buford of Scott County Ky and has always understood that he was a man of  credit respectability and his statements on oath enabled to belief said Allen also stated that he was acquainted with Simeon Cowherd whose affidavit is attached hereto, & that he believes the statements made by said Simeon are true, & that his oath is entitled to credence, and respect- Sworn to and subscribed this day & date above
                                  James Allen
On this 28th day of February 1833 personally in open Court before the Judge of the Green Circuit Court, Samuel Brents, and Andrew Barnet who being duly sworn, state that they are well acquainted with Col Abraham Buford of Scott County Kentucky, and that he said Buford is a man of high respectability and undoubted veracity and that full credit ought in his opinion
to be given to any statement made by said Buford. They also state that they were well acquainted with Jonathan Cowherd of Green County Kentucky previous to his derangement of mind and that the said Cowherd was always considered a man of high respectability and strict truth when in his right mind, Sworn to you subscribed the day and year aforsaid
                 Samuel Brents
            (signature illeligble)
Page 8

Declaration of Elizabeth Cowherd in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836, or the benefit of such other act as she may be entitled to

State of Kentucky Green County  acts on this 4th day of April 1845 before me Archibald Webster a Justice of the peace in and for Green County Kentucky, personally appeared Elizabeth Cowherd a resident of Green County Kentucky aged 84 years who being first duly sworn by me according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed 4th July 1836, as of such other act as she may be entitled to and she states that she is the widow of Jonathan Cowherd deceased-that shad Jonathan Cowherd was for many years before his death Lunatic, and was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, and had a committee appointed for him who regularly received & collected his pension down to the 4th day of March 1844-that after this on the 20th day of July 1844 the said Jonathan Cowherd departed this life leaving her his widow, and leaving an arrearage of pension due him from the 4th of March 1844 to the 20th of July 1844 the time of his death that she made out the necessary proof of her claim to the same and by attorney collected of the agent for paying pensionsat Louisville, Ky said arrearage  up to the 20th July 1844-she had at the time the pension certificate of the husband the said Jonathan Cowherd, but gave it
Page 9

up with the other papers in support of her
claim to said arrearage, to the pension agent at Louisville Ky, so that she has not now the
pension certificate in her possession, she however retained a copy of said pension certificate which is as follows to wit-
War Department Revolutionary Claim Duplicate.
I certify that in conformity with the law of
the United States of the 7th June 1832 Jonathan Cowherd of the State of Kentucky who was a private and Lieutenant in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive One hundred and Twenty Dollars and - cents per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4th of March 1831 and payable semi annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year given at the War office of the United States this 13th day of March One Thousand Eight hundred and Thirty-four
[ ? ]
Examined & countersigned
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Secretary of War
she states that the said Jonathan Cowherd was a soldier in the army of the revolution, and
on account of his services as such said
pension of $120 per annum was allowed
him, but she is unable to state the particular
character, and different tours of service rendered by him, she presumes full proof of the same will be found with the papers accompanying his application at the War Department. She states that she was married to the said Jonathan Cowherd in Culpeper County State of Virginia in the month of April in the year 1777, which was
Page 10

before the last period of his services in the
Revolutionary war - that after their marriage the said Jonathan Cowherd served as a soldier in the army of the Revolution a considerable length of time, but as before stated she is not able from memory to state the particular length of time he served after their marriage. She states that she has procured and files herewith in support of her claim a copy of the marriage License Bond entered into by her Husband the said Jonathan Cowherd and her Father Thomas Kirtley in Culpeper County Virginia with the certificate of Fayette Mauzy Clerk of Culpeper County Court Virginia-- that no return of the marriage License could be found in said Clerks office as she is informed, the law (as she is informed) not then requiring any return of the License. she states that her name before her marriage with Jonathan Cowherd was Elizabeth Kirtley, and that she was a daughter of Thomas Kirtley- she states that she has now no family record of her age or of the date of her marriage, but from the best information she has she believes the is now 84 years of age and has been since the 31st day of January 1834 - she States, that she had 12 children by the said Jonathan Cowherd the oldest of which died and the second one is by the name of Willis Cowherd and he is now 65 years of age some months past; the youngest of her children is by the name of Coleby Cowherd and he is now 40 years of age some months past - that she has now no family record of the ages of her children but she is well satisfied that their ages are as before stated-
Page 11

she states that she and her Husband moved from Virginia, to Green County Kentucky forty odd years ago, and from that time resided in Green County Kentucky until his death and that she has not since intermarried and now is the widow of said Jonathan Cowherd and now resides in Green County Ky - she further states that from age and bodily infirmity she is not able, without great inconvenience and bodily pain to attend Court for the purpose of making this declaration in open Court, her place of residence being some 10 or 12 miles from the Court house in her county - she states further, that preparatory to her collecting the arrearage of pension as above stated, she procured proof to be made in the Green County Court in September 1844, of the Identity of said Jonathan Cowherd the time of his death, and that she was his Widow &c which proof was entered of record in said Court, a copy of which record she files herewith in support of her claim. she has also procured and files herewith in support of her claim the affidavits of Belfield Henry and William Hobson-- she hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that her name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State - sworn and subscribed
the day and year first
above written before me
Arch'd Webster J.P.G.C.
her
Elizabeth x Cowherd
mark
Page 12

24016
Jonathan Cowherd
Kentucky

From 1775 private & Lieutenant 18 months
Pr 1 yr            $40
Lt 6 ms           $80
                      $120

Declaration amended
?? ??

Jonathan Cowherd being a lunatic, John Barret has been appointed a committee

Hon. R.M. Johnson
N.R.

[Strike-through]  Nelson
[Strike-through] Wm. T. Dillis
[Strike-through] Gransburg, KY
Page 13

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
9th May 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
Jonathan Cowherd Green County Kentucky
Served 1775, 12 months, rank private, served under Capt Buford & Col Stephens
Served 1781, 6 months, rank Lieut., served under Capt Heatley, Maj Powel, Maj Robuck
Age at present 77 years, place of abode Culpepper County State of Virginia
Proof by traditionary evidence and 1 Living Witness
Witness not certified to be credible
Proof must be exhibited showing the precise length of the applicants service as a private, It should also be proved that he was commissioned and served as a Lieutenant

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 14

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular
places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1.  The Regular Troops.
2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3.  Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4.  Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of Count of } ss.
On this       day of        personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of          in the county of         and State, Territory or District
of        aged (c)        years, who being the first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. 
That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)         , with            and
served in the         (e) regiment of the            line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                          A.B
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                       of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                                for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of                                                  &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                                        and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                                                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
   [and then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the          
    and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                                     Clerk of the Court of                                   do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this                       day of                               &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 15

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be exexpected[expected].  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. 
{To a Solder.
{Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer,  
{Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party.  And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For __________year__________months, and __________days, I served as a ____________  For__________months and __________days, I served as a __________; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places, where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.

(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from(a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 16

November 6, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXX
W. 6819
JONATHAN COWHERD
BA-J/MLB

Mr. F. M. Ballard
3855 Oak Street
Mariemont, Ohio

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record
of Jonathan Cowherd who served as private and lieutenant in the
Revolutionary War in the Virginia line and was a resident of Green
County, Kentucky,
The record follows of the only Jonathan Cowherd (referred to as
Johnathan, also) found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The data therein were obtained from the papers in pension claims under
W. 8619, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Jonathan Cowherd was born in October, 1755, in Culpeper County,
Virginia. The names of his parents were not stated.
While living in Culpeper County, Virginia, Jonathan Cowherd
enlisted in the summer of 1775, served as private in Captain Abraham
Buford's company, Colonel Stephens' Virginia regiment, marched to
Williamsburg to defend the seaboard and was in the battle at Great
Bridge near Norfolk, length of tour twelve months. He entered the
service again June 13, 1781, served as lieutenant in Captain Elijah
Kirtley's company, under Major Robert Powell in the Virginia troops,
and was discharged December 15, 1781.
Jonathan Cowherd moved from Culpeper County, Virginia, in 1796
to Green County, Kentucky, where he was residing when he was allowed
pension on his application executed February 28, 1833. He died in
Green County July 20, 1844.
Jonathan Cowherd married in April, 1777, in Culpeper County, Virginia, Virginia, Elizabeth Kirtley, spinster, who was born January 31, 1750, and was the daughter of Thomas Kirtley. The name of Elizabeth's mother was not stated. Her father and Jonathan Cowherd together
Page 17

signed the marriage bond dated April 2, 1777, which was filed in
the County Clerk's Office of Culpeper County, Virginia,
Elizabeth Cowherd was allowed pension on account of the service
of her husband, Jonathan, on her application executed April 4, 1845,
while a resident of Green County, Kentucky.
Jonathan Cowherd and his wife, Elizabeth, had twelve children;
the oldest, whose age was not given, died; Willis Cowherd, the second
child, was aged sixty-five years in 1845; Simeon Cowherd, age not given,
in that year was a resident of Green County, Kentucky, and Coleby
Cowherd, the youngest, aged about forty years in 1845, were the only
children whose names were designated in the claims.
The relationship between Elizabeth (Kirtley) Cowherd and Elijah
Kirtley, the captain under whom Jonathan Cowherd served his second
tour, was not shown.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of
person paid and possibly the date of death of Elizabeth Cowherd,
you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office,
Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Elizabeth Cowherd, widow of Jonathan, certificate #4219, issued May 28,
1845, rate $120 per annum, commenced July 20, 1844, Act July 4, 1836,
Kentucky Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 18

Agreeably to a general one by his enlisting the Governor of Virginia [illegible] Randolph commanding the commandants of companies some which their respective companies to their respective commissions and discharge their men therefore discharge [illegible] Cowherd he serving [illegible] months and [illegible] days commencing on the 13th day of June 1781
Given under my hand this 15th day of Dec 1781 county [illegible]
Elijah Kirtley apt [illegible]

Robert Powell May 66 
[stamp] THE NATIONAL ACHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES
Page 19

W. F. 8619
Jonathan Cowherd
Rev. War
Va.
Page 20

Johnathan Cowherd
Declaration for Pension
24016
Page 21

This is to certify that Johnathan Cowherd,
(now a resident of Green County Kentucky,)
in the summer of the year 1775 enlisted as a
private soldier in my Company in the
Culpepper Minute Battalion, that he marched
with said Battalion to Williamsburg in the
latter part of that summer, & that he continued with a part of that Battalion in service at the Great Bridge, Norfolk & other places in Virginia until the summer of 1776, when the said Cowherd was sent home with the remaining part of said Battalion, which
Battalion was not, (so far as my knowledge
extends) again called into service.
Given under my hand this [blank] day of October 1832
A. Buford formerly
Col in the Va [Virginia] line
Page 22

State of Kentucky Scott County Sct
This day Abraham Buford personally came before me one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid and made oath to the facts contained in the within certificate and signed
the same 
Given under my hand this 2nd day
of October 1832
John Branham, JP [Justice of the Peace]

State of Kentucky Scott County Sct
I Ben B. Ford Clerk of the Court for the County aforesaid do certify that John Branham Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been made was at the time of taking said affidavit and now is one of the Acting Justices of the peace in and for the County aforesaid regularly appointed Commissioned and Qualified and authorized by law to administer Oaths, and full faith and credit is due and of right ought to be given to all
his Official Acts as well within, as without
this Commonwealth. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and and the Seal of the said County to be affixed at my office in Georgetown the 2nd day of October 1832 and 41st year of the Conwealth [Commonwealth]
Att [Attorney]  Ben B Ford clk ]clerk]
Page 23

Green Circuit Sct
I, John Barret the Committee of Jonathan
Cowherd concur in said statement in the declaration of Simeon Cowherd, and direct that said Jonathan may be placed on the Pension List, and that a certificate may Issue to me as his said Committee 
John Barret
At a circuit court continued and held for the Green circuit at the courthouse in 
Greensburgh on the 28th day of February 1833 Simeon Cowherd son of Jonathan Cowherd a Lunatick filed his declaration under the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832 to place the said Jonathan on the Pension List roll and made oath to the same also the affidavits of James Allen, Samuel Brents & Andrew Barnett accompanying the same were severally sworn to by them, also the affidavit of Abraham Buford was filed, and John Barnet the committee of said Jonathan Cowherd appearing in court and concurring with said Simeon in the declaration and praying that a pension certificate may issue thereon to
him as the committee, It is ordered to be certified as the opinion of this court
 that the above named Jonathan Cowherd (now a Lunatick) was a soldier and served as stated in the declaration of Simeon Cowherd
the affidavit of Col Abraham Buford, all of which is ordered to be certified to the secretary of the war department of the United States

I John Barret Clerk of the Green circuit court do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Jonathan Cowherd for a Pension
In testimony of all which I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of my said office
at Greensburgh this 2nd day of March 1833-
John Barret
Clerk of the Green circuit court
Page 24

State of Kentucky Green County Sct
This day personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County William Hobson, a resident of said County and made oath that upwards of forty years ago he became acquainted with Jonathan Cowherd and Elizabeth Cowherd, they were then at his first acquaintance with them residents of Green County Kentucky and living together as Husband and Wife, and continued so to live until the death of said Jonathan that some years after his acquaintance with them,  said Jonathan became a Lunatic and continued so till his death - that said Elizabeth has not again Married and is now the Widow of said Jonathan - that he was well acquainted with Willis Cowherd the Eldest living child of said Jonathan and Elizabeth and also with Coleby Cowherd their youngest Child, and from his knowledge and acquaintance with them, it is his opinion and belief that Willis Cowherd is now sixty-five years of age, and said Coleby about forty years of age
Wm Hobson

sworn to and subscribed be fore me this 29th
day of March 1845
James D Montey J. P. G. C. [Justice of the Peace Green County]

State of Kentucky Green County Sct
I further certify that William Hobson who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit is a man of credibility and truth, and that his affidavit is entitled to full credit and belief. given under my hand as a Justice of the peace in and for said County this 29th day of March 1845-
James D Montey J. P. G.C. Justice of the Peace Green County]
Page 25

State of Kentucky Green County Sct
I Archibald Webster Justice of the peace in
and for said County certify that Elizabeth
Cowherd who has sworn to and subscribed the
foregoing Declaration is unable in my opinion
from age and infirmity to attend Court-
I further certify that she is a credible person
and her statements entitled to full credit
and belief - and that from my knowledge
and acquaintance with her I believe her
to be 84 years of age. I further certify that
that for more than 25 years past I have
been acquainted with said Elizabeth and
her Husband Jonathan Cowherd deceased
that they lived together as Husband & Wife
until the death of said Jonathan that
she Elizabeth has not since married
and is now the Widow of sd [said] Jonathan and that he was a revolutionary pensioner
& also a Lunatic many years previous
to his death. I am also acquainted with
her Sons Willis and Coleby Cowherd, and
believe said Willis to be 65 years of
age and said Colby her youngest
child 40 years of age - given under
my hand this 4th day of April 1845
Archd [Archibald]  Webster
J.C.G.C [Justice of the Peace Green County]
Page 26

Green County Court September Term 1844
satisfactory proof was this day made in open Court by the oaths of Coleby Cowherd and Thomas Burnes that Jonathan Cowherd late of Green County Kentucky a Lunatic and
Revolutionary pensioner of the United States departed this life in Green County Kentucky on the 20th day of July 1844 - and that said Jonathan Cowherd was the Identical person named in an original or duplicate certificate certificate now here to the court shown, bearing date at the War office of the United States the 13th day of March 1834, and
signed by Lew Cass secretary of war, granting
to the said Cowherd a pension of one hundred
and Twenty Dollars per annum, and numbered
25191, and it was further proven to the
satisfaction of the Court that the said Jonathan
Cowherd departed this life leaving Elizabeth
Cowherd his Widow -  and that the said
Elizabeth Cowherd has not again married,
that she is now the Widow of said Jonathan
Cowherd and now living in Green County
Kentucky

A Copy Test
John Barret cgc [Clerk Green County]
By Geo. W. Montgomery DC [Deputy Clerk]
See next certificate
Page 27

State of Kentucky Green County Sct
I John Barret Clerk of the Green County
Court certify that Archibald Webster and-
James D Mottley are both Justices of the
peace in and for Green County Ky duly
Commissioned and qualified - that the signatures to the Declaration of Elizabeth Cowherd purporting to be said Websters are genuine, and that the foregoing signatures to the affidavits of Belfield Henry and William Hobson, purporting to be the signatures of said Mottley are also genuine, and that full faith and credit are due to all the official acts of said Webster and Mottley - I further certify
that the copy of record on the last preceeding
page in relation to the Identity, death &c
of Jonathan Cowherd is truely [sic] transcribed
from the records in my office.
In testimony of all which I have hereunto affixed the the seal of my office and subscribed my name this 5th day of April in the year 1845
John Barret clk [clerk]
Green County Court
By Geo. W. Montgomery DC [Deputy Clerk]

6441
April 12, 1845
Elizabeth Cowherd
widow of Jonathan
Ky
act 4 July 1836
77.C.44
Page 28

Johnathan Cowherd's
Amended pension
Declaration
Nov. 21st, 1833
Page 29

James Lasley JPGC [Justice of the Peace Green County] do certify that I was personally acquainted with Mr Jonathan Cowherd for a number of years before his derangement, and the said Jonathan Cowherd was a man of high standing and universally beloved by his neighbors and acquaintances he was
thought to be a man of great honestly and probity in the County aforesaid, he also served as Justice of the peace for several years Quartersession Judge, assistant Judge which offices he filled with great honor to himself
and justice to all parties given under my hand this 20th day of Nov 1833
James Lasley
Green County
State of Kentucky Sct

I John Barret Clerk of the said county court do hereby certify, that James Lasley whose name is subscribed to the several affidavit and certificates hereto attached, is a Justice of the peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified as such
according to law, and that his signature thereto is genuine. In Testimony whereof I hereto set my hand, and the seal of my said
office, this 20th day of November
1833 and 42nd year of the commonwealth-
John Barret
Clerk of the Green
County Court
Page 30


We Jonathan Cowhead Jr [Junior] & Thomas Kirtley are held & firmly bound unto the Commonwealth in the full and just sum of fifty pounds Current money of Virginia, to which payment will & truly to be made, we bind ourselves our heirs, Exors [Executors] & admins [administrators]. In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this the 2nd day of April 1777.
The Condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage suddenly intended to be solemnized between the above bound Jonathan Cowherd Junr [Junior] & Elizabeth Kirtley Spinster, daughter of Thomas Kirtley
Now if there be no lawful cause to obstruct the same, then this obligation to be void, else to remain in full force power, & virtue.
Jonathan Cowherd [seal]
Thomas Kirtley [seal]
Sealed & Delivered in presence of D. Jameson  [illegible]
I Fayette Mauzy clerk of the County Court of Culpeper do certify that the above is a copy of the marriage License bond of Jonathan Cowherd with Elizabeth Kirtley found amongst
the records of my office. In Witness whereof I Fayette Mauzy clerk of the said Court have here unto set my hand & affixed the seal of the Court this 15th day of February 1845.
F. Mauzy clk[clerk]
Page 31

Northern Bank Ky
Lexington March 28 1838
Sir
Accompanying this please receive for
your inspection the pension claims of
Joshua Hitchcock - 2 years due, the attorney states that very ill health has prevented Hitchcock from attending to it, and Jonathan Cowherd, lunatic, Geo W. Johnson Committee, 18 mos due; the death of James Allen former Committee, caused the delay in this case -
Very respectfully
Your Obt [Obedient] Servant
John Tilford Privt
per Wm Ernst
Pens: Clk [Pensions Clerk]

J.L. Edwards Esq
Comr [Commissioner] Penson
Page 32

I do certify that I have lost or mislaid
or misdirected the certificate of Pension of Jonathan Cowherd that the sd [said] Cowherd  has failed to receive it and I request a duplicate
Robert Johnson
12th March 1834
Page 33

Hon.
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner 
of Pensions
Page 34

Greensburg Green County Kentucky
April 5th, 1845
Hon J.L. Edwards
Dear Sir enclosed you
have the papers in support of the claim
of Elizabeth Cowherd to a pension when
a decision is had upon her case
please inform me of the result.
Respectfully your
Obt. sevt.
Aaron Harding
Page 35

6441
Elizabeth Cowherd
Widow of Johnathan
Ky
act 4 July 1836

Admd.
12 mo pri [private]      $40.00
6 mo lient [lieutenant] $80.00
                                   $120.00
Commencing on 21st July 1844

Aaron Harding
Greensburg
Ky
Page 36

March 18, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
JONATHAN COWHERD
W. 8619
BA-J/MLB

Miss Maud Cowherd
107 West Main Street
Campbellsville, Kentucky

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Johnathan Cowherd, who was born in Orange County, Virginia, and whose brother, James, was a sergeant in that war from Culpeper County, Virginia.
You are furnished herein the record of the only Jonathan or Johnathan Cowherd found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The data therein were obtained from pension claim, W. 8619, based upon his service in that war.
Jonathan referred to, also, as Johnathan) Cowherd was born in October, 1755, in Culpeper County, Virginia. The names of his
parents were not stated.
While residing in Culpeper County, Virginia, Jonathan Cowherd enlisted in the summer of 1775, served as private in Captain Abraham
Buford's company, Colonel Stephens' Virginia regiment, marched to Williamsburg to defend the seaboard and was in the battle at Great
Bridge near Norfolk, length of tour twelve months. He again entered the service June 13, 1781, served as lieutenant in Captain Elijah
Kirtley's company, under Major Robert Powell in the Virginia troops, and was discharged December 15, 1781.
Jonathan Cowherd moved from Culpeper County, Virginia, in 1796 to Green County, Kentucky, where he was residing when he was allowed pension on his application executed February 28, 1833. He died there July 20, 1844.
Jonathan Cowherd married in April, 1777, in Culpeper County, Virginia, Elizabeth Kirtley, spinster, who was born January 31, 1750,
and was the daughter of Thomas Kirtley. The name of Elizabeth's mother was not stated. Her father and Jonathan Cowherd together
Page 37

signed the marriage bond dated April 2, 1777, which was filed in the County Clerk's Office of Culpeper County, Virginia.
Elizabeth Cowherd was allowed pension on account of the service of her husband, Jonathan, on her application executed April 4, 1845, while residing in Green County, Kentucky.
Jonathan Cowherd and his wife, Elizabeth, had twelve children; the oldest, age not stated, died; Willis Cowherd, the second child,
was aged sixty-five years in 1845; Simeon Cowherd, age not given, in that year was a resident of Green County, Kentucky, and Coleby Cowherd, the youngest, aged about forty years in 1845, were the only children whose names were designated in the claims.
The relationship between Elizabeth (Kirtley) Cowherd and Elijah Kirtley, the captain under whom Jonathan Cowherd served his second
tour, was not shown.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of Elizabeth Cowherd, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Elizabeth Cowherd, widow of Jonathan, certificate #4219, issued May 28, 1845, rate $120 per annum, commenced July 20, 1844, Act July 4, 1836, Kentucky Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 38

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C. 
W. F. 8619
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Jonathan Cowherd a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension  on file in this Bureau.
Dates of enlistment or appointment: 1775 Length of Service: 1 yr
Rank: Private 
Captain: Abraham Buford 
Colonel: Stephens
State: Va
Dates of enlistment or appointment: 6 months 2 days 
Rank: Lieutenant
Captain: Elijah Kirtley
Colonel: Major Robert Powell
Battles engaged in: 1775 Long Bridge
Residence of soldier at enlistment: Culpeper Co Va
Date of application for pension: Feby 28, 1835 His cl [claim] was al. [allowed]
Residence at date of application: Green Co., Ky
Age at date of application: (see below)
Remarks: Soldier was born Oct. 1755 in Culpeper Co., Va. & moved from there to Green Co., Ky in 1796. He was [married] Apr 1777 in Culpeper Co. Va Elizabeth spinster daughter of Thomas Kirtley and died July 20, 1844 in Green Co., Ky. She was al [allowed] pension on an app [application] of Apr 4 1845 while a resident of [illegible] Co., Ky aged 84 years. There were 12 children Willis 65 yrs old in [illegible] Coleby 40 yrs old at that date & Simeon, age not stated are the only names [illegible] stated
Respectfully,

Commissioner.
[illegible] - 285C
Page 39

3855 Oak Street
Mariemont Ohio
October 23, 1939

H. D. Hiller, Administrator
Veterans Administrations
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-

Please furnish me with all the information contained in the pension papers of the following soldiers of the Revolutionary war, and oblige,
Yours truly
F. M. Ballard
[signature] F. M. Ballard

[handwritten] Send both as written up

Pensioned in Green County, Kentucky.
James Cowherd-Serg. Va. Line, 3-27-1833-3-4-1831 aged 76 years.
Jonathan Cowherd private & Lt. Va. Line - 12-7-3-4- 1831 aged 78 years.

[stamp]
RECEIVED OCT 24 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV
Reader No. 11
VETS ADM
-
Page 40

107 W. Main St.
Campbellsville, Ky.
Jan. 30, 1939
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Dear sirs:

I would like to 
get the Revolutionary War
record of Johnathan
Cowherd, who was born
in Orange Co. Va. His
brother, James Cowherd
was a Sergeant in the
war and enlisted Jan.
14, 1777 in Culpepper
Co. Va
I shall appreciate
any information
you can send me
about his Johnathan Cowherd's  war record
Respt, [Respectfully,]
(Miss) Maud Cowherd
Page 41

Barcroft, Va.
Chief of Dept. of Records
of Revolutionary pensions,
Dear Sir: -
The genealogist for the D.A.R. told me she has seen the record of pension allowed a Jonathan Cowherd (also spelled Coward) in your Dept.
Page 42

May I please have a copy of this record, in
full, and if there is one of a
James Cowherd, his
also. 
I specially wish the
ages, place of residence
and name of wife.
I will my greatly appreciate
this kindness of you.
Very truly
(Mrs)
Lelia C. Handy
Dec. 4, 1917
Page 43

1917 Dec. 8 Hist to Lelia C. Handy
1920, Nov. 8 Hist. to Mrs F. L. Douglas Ew- Letter
in W. 6721 Francis Cowherd
1939 Mar. 18 - Hist to Miss Maud Cowherd MLB
1939, Nov 6, Hist to F. M. Ballard MLB


Revy [Revolutionary]  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 8619
Elizabeth Cowherd
Wid. of
Jonathan Cowherd
Lieut, Va line
Act: July 4th / 36, 36 Lec. 3d
Index:--Vol. A, Page 145
(Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 44

State of Kentucky Green County Oct
This day personally appeared before the
undersigned a Justice of the peace in and
for said County Belfield Henry a resident
of said County and made oath that he
is now 65 years of age, and that more than
fifty years ago he knew Jonathan
Cowherd and Elizabeth Cowherd who was a
Daughter of Thomas Kirtley, that said
Jonathan and Elizabeth then lived together
as Husband and wife in Virginia more than
fifty years ago; that he then lived in
Virginia not far from them; that they
afterwards moved to Green County Ky
and he also, and after their removal
to Green County Ky they lived together
as Husband and wife until the death
of said Jonathan Cowherd that he had
no personal knowledge of their marriage
but has no doubt they were legally
married - that said Jonathan was for
many years previous to his death a Lunatic,
that said Elizabeth Cowherd is his widow
and now lives in Green County Ky.
sworn to and subscribed
before me this 28th day
of March 1845
Belfield Henry
James D. Mottley J.P.G.C.
State of Kentucky Green County Act
I James D Mottley a Justice of the peace in
and for said County certify that Belfield
Henry who has subscribed and sworn to the
foregoing statement is a man of credibility
and truth and that his said affidavit is
is entitled to full credit and belief -
given under my hand this 28th day
of March 1845
James D Monty J.P.G.C.
Page 45

State of Kentucky Green County Sct
This day Simeon Cowherd came before me a justice of the peace in and for Green County Kentucky, and made oath that since the return of the declaration made by himself for a pension for his father Johnathan Cowherd, he has found amongst the old papers of his father a discharge herewith filed marked A. the commission however he has not been enabled to procure, but has caused a letter to be written to the Secretary of State of the State of Virginia, requesting an examination of the office, for evidences of his having been
commissioned as Lieutenant, and if such a Commission xxx issue to forward the evidences to Colonel Richard M Johnston to be laid before the department. The said Simeon also stated that he had within a few
weeks past been at the late residence of Colonel Buford of Scott County Ky, whose affidavit he had heretofore taken, he went with a view of getting his affidavit stating if he would recollect more particularly the time of his fathers service as a private soldier in the company of minute men, but found that the said Buford had died in June last of the Cholera as he was informed by his family - Captain Kirtley under whom his father served as lieutenant died in 1790 he has always understood, he was a connection of this affiants - He is informed by Captain
Daniel Barber of Mercer County Ky that the
minute men, of Virginia in the year 1775
all served a year said Barber informed this
affiant, that he was in the minute men and
served a year under Captain John Green of Culpepper and was receiving a pension
therefore but did not serve in the same company with this affiants father. He requests, that the Secretary at War or Commissioner of Pensions
Page 46

would examine the length of time the minute men under Capt Abraham Buford, have been allowed for, he believes, it will be found they were allowed for one years service. He has been informed by his mother, Elizabeth Cowherd, that the minute men in the company of which his father served were writted at Culpepper Courthouse about six weeks before taking up their march & joining the army; he has been as yet unable procure any other or further testimony, than what he has herein referred to. He prays that the department may make an allowance of pension for 1 year as a private soldier and six months as a Lieutenant  Sworn and subscribed before me, this 20th day of November 1833
Simeon Cowherd

James Lasley JPGC [Justice of the Peace Green County]

State of Kentucky Green County Sct
This day Simeon Cowherd of said county
came before me and made oath, to the statements in the foregoing affidavit signed by him; and I as justice of the peace in and for said county do certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Simeon Cowherd, and believe his statements entitled to credit, and that he is a man of truth, and any statements made by him on oath entitled to full credence; I certify also that, when his father
Johnathan Cowherd was in his proper mind
I have heard him speak of his services in the
revolutionary war given under my hand
this 20th day of November 1833
James Lasley JPGC [Justice of the Peace Green County]