Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2585, John Gulley, Va.
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Va  Gulley, John  S.2585  carded
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https://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.png7585 West Tennessee

Johhttps://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pngn Gulley of Jackson Co in the State of W Tenn who was a private in the [unknown] commanded by Captain Johnston of the [unknown] commanded by Col James in the Va
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21089
John Gulley
Declaration
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State of Tennessee
Jackson County
November Sessions 1832 of the Court of Pleas and 
Quarter sessions of said County

On this 13th day of November 1832 personally appeared
in open Court before Willam Grey, Tandy K. Wicker, and
Christopher Clemens.
Justices of the Court of pleas and Quarters for Jackson
County now presiding being a Court of Record John Gulley
a resident of Jackson County and State of Tennessee
aged ninetyfour years Who being first duly sworn
according to the law of the land doth on his oath make the 
following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the 
act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States on the
28th day of December 1777 in Orange County State of 
Virginia where he then resided under Captain Benjamin 
Johnson as a drafted soldier. Thomas Borbar was his 
Major, he marched under them from there to Nolands 
ferry - where there were a great many British Prisoners
taken by Genl. Gates &  Arnold at Saratoga he marched 
from there to Albemarle County Virginia Guarding the 
prisoners- Stayed there some time till another Small 
[illegible] came there to guard the Said prisoners- he was 
then discharged and went home where he arrived on the 
15th day of February 1778 he got no written discharge 
having served one month and a half this time
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He entered the service of the United States again as
a drafted soldier on the first of September 1779-
in Culpepper County State of Virginia under Capt
Elijah Brantley- Col. James Barbar marched from 
there to Richmond which place the British Army
had invaded and burnt to rubble & Stones - but had
left then before applicant got there - he then
marched back to Culpepper County the place of 
his residence and was discharged having served
one month this tour- but got credit for a three months 
tour - as he understood from the Governor of Virginia 
he got no written discharge 

He entered the Service of the United States again as a 
drafted soldier on the first day of April 1781 - in Culpepper 
County State of Virginia under Captain Fisher Price-Lieutenant 
Gibbs & Ensign Borbar- James Stanton commanded the 
Regiment to which he was attached - he marched from there 
to a little Town called Suffolk where he joined the main army 
commanded by General Mulenburge he marched with Said 
Army to Peters burge where a battle ensued with the British
Army commanded by General Phillips & Arnold which lasted
two hours & four minutes where the Army of the United
commanded by General Mulenburge said to Retreat with a 
loss of Six killed and thirty wounded - he then marched up
James River on the South Side  to [illegible] ferry and crossed 
over to Richmond. Stay there two day - the Army was Reunited
by
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Governor Jefferson General Layfayett & other
officers- he marched from there to bottoms
bridge Stayed there two days- & marched back
to Richmond Stayed there one day & night 
he then hired a Substitute by the name of 
Robert Brown and went home having served
two months this tour- got a discharge Signed by 
Col Stanton which he lost many years ago
He entered the service of the United States again
as a drafted Soldier in the first of September 1781
in Culpepper County State of Virginia under
Captain William Watts and Lieutenant Benjamin 
Cave- Graves was his Major and Borbar was his
Col- he marched from there to Little York where 
the said Capt Watts Lieutenant Cave & Col Borbar
were dismissed from the service, he was then 
commanded by Col Edmonds Captain Covington
& Nathaniel Welch  Major Duvall causing to land 
the artillery under Major Duvall
[crossed out: he was in the Siege of Little York until 
the surrender of Lord Corn Wallis he marched] 
from there to [illegible] County Virginia guarding
the prisoners and was discharged at the [illegible] 
in that County in the last of November on the first
of December 1781 having served more that two months
this tour- he got no written discharge that he has no 
documentary evidence by which he can prove his service 
on any part thereof nor does he no of any person whose 
testimony he can procure who can testify to his service 
on any part thereof
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he hereby [crossed out: declares that his name] 
relinquishes every Claim to a pension or annuity 
except the present and declares that his name is 
not on the pension Roll of agency of any State 
And the said applicant further States that my old 
age and the consequent loss of memory he can not 
Swear more positively that he has before stated to
the lenth of time he served but to the best of his 
Recollections he served at least Six months and 
one half-
John Gulley [his mark] X

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
William Gailbreath Clerk of Jackson County Court

1 Where and in what year were you born
In Orange County State of Virginia in the year 1737. 
Have you any record of your age and if so where is it
I have no record of my age except it is recorded in the 
Church in which I was Christened
Where were you living when called into service Where 
have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where 
do you now live.
I continued to live in Culpepper County Virginia till the year
1794 - I then moved to Pendleton County South Carolina
where I lived nine years - I then moved to Barren County 
Kentucky where lived about five years-  I then moved to 
Jackson County State of Tennessee where I have lived 
ever since. except two years I lived in Lincoln County
Tennessee - 
How were you called into service were you drafted 
were you a volunteer or were you
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a substitute
and if a substitute for whom 
I was drafted as before stated

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 Service
I refer to the statement made in the foregoing declaration an
answer to this question my recollection being too much impaired
by time and the infirmity of age to state explicitly

Did you ever receive a discharge from the service. If so by whom 
was it given and what has become of it
I can make no further answer than is made in my foregoing Statement

State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present 
neighborhood and who can testify as to your caracter for veracity- 
and their beliefs of your service as a Soldier of the Revolution
The [illegible] Jonas Griffith  Major Plumlee  Capt Benjamin Graves
Captain James Keith  Major Clemins  Alexander Keith Esq. Major Welch
Capt John Plumlee and a number of others - he also states that he 
believes General Jackson knows that he is reputed to have been 
a soldier of the Revolution  - he was sent for and did attend a dinner  
given  to General Jackson at Carthage Smith County in 1826 - where
he was introduced to him as a Revolutionary Soldier
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Swornto and subscribed in open Court the day and
year aforesaid
John Gulley [his mark] X

William Gailbreath Clerk of Jackson County Court .
We Jonas Griffith residing in the County of Jackson
and State of Tennessee and William Plumley residing
in the same [illegible] certify that we are well
acquainted with John Gulley who has sworn to and
subscribed the above declaration that we believe him
to be ninety two years old and 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

Swornto and subscribed in open Court the day and 
year aforesaid.
Jonas Griffith William Plumley
William Gailbreath Clerk of Jackson County Court

[crossed out sentence: And the said Court do hereby 
declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a 
Revolutionary soldier and served as he stated and that 
Jonas Griffith who has subscribed and swornto  
the foregoing Certificate is a Clergyman.]

And the said Court hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter and after putting
the interrogation prescribed by the War department that the
the above applicant was a soldier of the Revolutionary War
and served as he states And the Court further certify that it 
appears to them that Jonas Griffith who has signed the 
preceding Certifcate is a clergyman resident in the County of 
Jackson state of Tennessee in the neighborhood of said applicant
And that William Plumley who has also signed  the same is a 
resident in the same County and state and in the neighborhood 
of said applicant and is a credible person and that their 
Statement is entitled fo credit
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Christopher Clemons justice of the peace
for Jackson County William Gring justice of the 
for Jackson County Tandy, K, Wicker Justice of 
the peace of Jackson County

I William Galbreath Clerk of the County of Pleas
and Quarter Sessions for said County ; do hereby 
certify that the foregoing contains the Original 
proceedings, of the said Court in the matter of the 
application of John Gully for a pension - 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand,
and affixed the seal of said Court at Office  this 
16th day of November 1832.
William Gailbreath Clerk

[illegible seal with ribbon attached ]
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21089.
John Gulley:
Tennessee.
from 1777 private
6 1/2 months.
$21.66
Wm. Galbreath Clk:
Jackson Cy.,
Tenn
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, 
has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following
is a statement in 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 John Gulley, of Jackson Cy., Tenn.
[ ** column headings]
**Period when the service was rendered.  **Duration of the claimants service.
Drafted in 1777- 1 1/2 month
[Drafted] in 1779- [no duration given]
Drafted in 1779 - 1 month
[Drafted] in 1781 - 2 months
Sep 1, 1781 - [illegible years] 2 months

**Rank of the claimant. Private [for all times served]

**Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Capt Benjamin Johnson
Capt. Fisher Rice
Lieut, Gibbs
Ensign Gordon 
Capt Wm Matts
Lieut. Benjamin Cave
Capt. Covington

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Major Thomas Barbor
Col. James Barbor
Col.  JL
Gen. Mulenburg
Col. Barbor
Major Graves 
Col. Edmond 
Major Nat Welch

**Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Petersburg

**Country through which he marched.
Orange County: from thence to Nolands Ferry: from thence to Albermarle County, Va.
Culpepper Cy Va; from thence to Richmond; from thence back to Culpepper.

** Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Orange County, Virginia Aged 95 years.

**Evidence by  which the declaration is supported.   Traditionary.

I am , respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., 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, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Territory, or District of County of } 88.

On this  day of  personally appeared (a) before  A.B. a resident (b) of  in the county of  and State, Territory or District of  aged (c)  years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)  , with  and served in the  (e) regiment of the  line, under the following named officers :

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers ; the time he left the service ; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers ;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service ; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [symbol of hand with pointing finger] 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 herby 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. 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
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.

1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.{To a Soldier.{Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer.{Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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 the 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 this 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 [this phrase is in italics] 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 office, 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 authenticate, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.

[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths much 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. [Flourish hand written to the right of this paragraph]
[symbol of hand with pointing finger] 
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by role 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.

W.R. Turner.
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October 7, 1938
BA-J/MCS
John Gulley, S.2585

Mrs. W. S. Johnson
1521 Lee Street
Charleston
West Virginia

Dear Madam:

     Reference is made to your request for information relative to John Gulley, a Revolutionary War soldier who was pensioned while living in Jackson County, Tennessee.
     The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.2585, based on the military service of John Gulley.
     He was born in 1737 in Orange County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
     While living in Orange County, he enlistd and served as private with the Virginia troops under Captain Benjamin Johnston for one and one hallf months beginning December 28, 1777. while living in Culpeper Conty, Virginia, he enlisted the first of September, 1779, and served one month as private in Captain Elijah Ceantley's (?) company in Colonel James Barbour's Virginia regiment. He enlisted the first of April, 1781, an served two months in Captain Fisher Rice's company in Colonel James Stanten's Virginia regiment and was in the battle of Petersburgh. He enlisted the first of September, 1781, served as private in Captains William Watts' and Covington's companies in Colonels Barbour's and Edmonds; Virginia regiments and was discharged the last of November or first of December, 1781. 
     In 1832, John gulley stated that he lived in Culpeper County, Virginia, until 1794 when he moved to Pendleton County, South Carolina; nine years later he moved to Barron County, Kentucky, and five years later he moved to Jackson County, Tennessee, where he continued to live with the exception of two years when he lived in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
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cousins. the soldier had a cousin, Philip Mallory, who served in the Revolution but he was dead in 1840. There are no further family data.
     Very truly yours
     A. D. Hiller
     Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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     John gulley was allowed pension on his application executed November 13, 1832, at which time he was living in Jackson County, Tennessee.
     The papers in said claim contain no data relative to the family of John Gulley.
     Very truly yours
     A. D. Hiller
     Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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[round black ink stamp]
RECEIVED 
OCT 8, 1938
MAIL ADM DIV.
VETS. ADM.
READER # 15

1521 Lee St.
Charleston, W. Va.
Oct 1, 1938.

United States Pension Bureau,
Revolutionary Division, 
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir:
Will you please send me the information contained in the
application for Revolutionary Pension of John Gulley. This
application was made May 3, 1833 while living in Jackson
County, Tenn. He was of the Virginia line.

Many thanks for your kindness in sending me this information.
I am trying to obtain a C. A. R. line for my little daughter.

Sincerely,
Erna Young Johnson
(Mrs. W. S.)
Page 19

[left hand page]
1938, Oct. 7. hist to Mrs. W. D. Johnston  MCd
[right hand page]
Rev War
2585
INVALID
File No. 2585
John Gulley
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7 183[?]
Index:- Vol. A, Page 154
[ Arrangement of 1870.]