Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 5718, for John Jones, Virginia
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(3-1776)

SERVICE                                                 NUMBER
   
Va.                               Jones, John         R5718
Indian campaigns
in Ky. [Kentucky] 1783-84

CONTENTS
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37460
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State of Kentucky
Bath County

On this eleventh day of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty seven personally appeared in open Court and now sitting in in Bath County and State of Kentucky John Jones a resident of our State and County aged eighty five years the twentyeth day of Feby [February] next month who being first orally sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following acclamation in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 that he entered the services of the United States under the following names of officers and served as Rese in [illegible]. I was called into active service by the order of Capt. Sowyel Woolfolk I think in the 1783 or 1784 which year I cannot conclusively state but do state my time in service commenced under Capt. Woolfolk in one of the years 83 or 84 and was under his command as a spy and ranger for the term of these years. I [illegible] [illegible] in the now county of Woodford near Governor Scott and near Kentucky river. My services as spy and ranger was mostly in the defense of the settlements from the falls of the Ohio of Louisville up to Lexington and often between Louisville and [illegible] to Harrodsburgh. I was close in pursuit of the Indians when they kiled the son of Governor Scott on the Kentucky river. They also kiled a man named Valentine at the same time they killed young Scott. I as the spy gave immeasurable information to Capt. Woolfolk. He and his company went in pursuit of them. We took the trail came to spot where the two men were kiled crossed Kentucky River and pursued them but did not overtake them. We returned almost unable to travel from fatigue and starvation. John Craig was Lieutenant in Capt Woolfolk's company and was a very efficient officer. I served as stated under Capt. Woolfolk and afterwards Col. Sowyel Woolfolk as spy and ranger three years through heats colds starvation and nakedness. A fist of parched corn was often three day provision afterward had nothing not even  corn on forced marches. To Capt.
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to Capt. Woolfolk I was appointed and so was George Corin we were often together. Corin ranged and spyed in the [illegible] the upper part of the State as well as in the lower part. Both of us appointed by Capt. Woolfolk at the [illegible]. George Corin was in the battle of the blue licks and was shot through his mouth or jaws. He was as brave a man as any man in his day. He feared no Indians. I also volunteered to go with Col. Clark's regiment to go on an expedition against the Indians. We  [illegible] Frankford Kentucky and marched to mete Col. Clark at Louisville where we joined Clarke's regiment. I went as a volunteer with Col. Clarke against the Indians. We march across the country through a very swampy [illegible] overflowed County of [illegible] until we came to pass Vincennes Indiana, we encamped near that place about ten days. During that time Fort Vincennes was surrendered to Col. Clarke and we took a number of Indian prisoners. I think thirty or more. After this we again took up a line of march to go further into the back country but owing to the fact that our prisoners were all of et up and consumed. Col. Clarke marched us back to the Ohio oposite Louisville where we were discharged. I received a discharge but I have long since l lost or misplayed it I have not see it for many years it was given to me by Capt. Morrison the captain of my company I served under Col. Clarke in his expedition on the Wabash a tour of service about three months from the day of rendezvous to the day of discharge. I further state that the close of my service under Col. Sowyel Woolfolk I did not get my discharge nor did I get a discharge from him and having removed to Bath Country where I now live I did not see him for many years. I called on him in Woodford County in July 1815 and after the usual [illegible] and conversation about our services I asked him to give me something to show for my services while I was under his command as a spy and ranger. Col. Woolfolk then made and gave to me
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the certificate which I hereunto attach to my application and rely upon as full and ample evidence of my service in [illegible] as set forth in this my application. I further state I know of man living by whom I can prove my services. The last man who I knew who did serve with me was Rodger Clemmens an old brother soldier who died about five years since. I therefore rely on the certificate given to me by Cap. Sowyel Woolfolk in 1815 for proof of my service.

We hereby relinquish every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and acclaim that his name is not on the pension roll of the  agency of any state this being his first application 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforementioned. John Jones. 

We, Asa Maxey a clergiman [illegible] in the state of Kentucky and county of Bath and W.M. Sudduth resident in the same state and county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Jones who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty five years of age of which he is reputed and believe 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 day and year aforementioned. Asa Maxey. W. M. Sudduth. [illegible] Henry. 

And the said court do hereby acclaim this opinion after the investigations of the matter putting the interrogations forescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifys that it appears to them that Asa Maxey - who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergiman resident in the state of Kentucky Bath county and that W. M. Sudduth is a credible person and that there
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statement is entitled to credit

John Jones [illegible]
Peter Guerrant [illegible]
Hugh Porter [illegible]
John M. Richards
Moses Derkin
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Sowyel Woolfolk Certificate
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Woodford County 18th July 1815
This is to certify that Mr. John Jones now of Bath County in the yearly setting of this State served in my company about three years and for the most part of the time he served as a spy and ranger and was active in pursuing the Indians when ever [illegible] could learn of their committing murders or being in the settlement
And that he served as a volunteer in the Army Commanded by Gen. Clark against the Indians on the Wabash. Given [illegible] my [illegible] Col. Sowyel Woolfolk
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And the said Court having [illegible] the interrogation for a pension on account of services as a spy with Col. Sowyel Woolfolk and Volunteer with Col. Clarke - "Where and in what year was you born"
"I was born in North Carolina Beau County"
"Have you any record of your  age and, if so, where is it"
"I have the record of my age taken from my father's bible which is set fourth in my application."
"Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since and where do you now live"
Ans "I lived in the now county of Woodford when called into service. I then moved to Madison County then moved Bath County where I now live and have lived fifty four years past. "
"How were you called into service were you [illegible] did you volunteer or were you a substitute"
"I was called into service by order of Col. Woolfolk and by him appointed as a spy and ranger and volunteered under Capt. Morrison and Lieutenant John Craig and commanded by Col. Clarke"
"State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recount and the [illegible] [illegible] of your services"
"My services having been as a spy and  volunteer under Col. Clarke and [illegible] in my application. I further state Capt. Robert Sanders was with us as Capt. of a company [illegible] Col. Clarke out at the surrender of Vincennes and Capt. Morrison and many [illegible] recollection. " 
"Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it"
"I received a discharge from Capt. Capt. Morrison for my services under Col. Clarke which was lost or mislaid so that I have not seen it for many years. I never got a discharge from Col. Woolfolk at the time of discharging his men but called on him a number of years afterwards and he gave me from his own hand a certificate of my services performed
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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 [illegible] [illegible]
"I will state the name of Samuel Young a man who I have been acquainted with for forty years and also the name of [illegible] Odd S. Bigstaff whom I have been acquainted with for the last twelve years and the name of Putnam Ewing whom I was acquainted with for more than thirty Ewing."
Personally appeared in open court and made oath in due form of law that they became acquainted with the application John Jones for many years as state by Jones above that we believe he is of the age he represents and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a revolutionary war soldier and that we concur in that opinion and further believe he served as sett forth in his application
[illegible] to [illegible] subscribed
Simel Young
Odd S. Bigstaff 
Putnam Ewing
I William M Sudduth [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] of Bath County do hereby  [illegible] that the [illegible] [illegible] the [illegible] proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Jones for a pension. In [illegible] [illegible] I have hereunto set my hand and [illegible] of [illegible] 11th day of Jany 1847
W. M. Sudduth
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I do hereby constitute and appoint Caleb White of Maysville Mason County Kentucky my agent and attorney  for me and in [illegible] to our claim and and receive from the government or proper officers of government any and all money[illegible] or certificate for money that may or will be found due me for and on account of application for a pension application [illegible] date with this 11th day January 1847 
John Jones
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October 8, 1936
Mr. William C. Alexander
144 F. Street Salida, Colorado

John Jones R.5718
John Jones W.9084

Dear Sir,
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of John Rice Jones, who served under General George Rogers Clark in the suppression of the Wabash Indians and who was appointed commissary general in place of John Craig, Junior, and in 1790 was a member of Captain Pierre Gamelin's company of militia at Fort Vincennes and was in the expedition under Major John Francis Hamtranck against the Indians; also, information in regard to three brothers with the surname Barger, who were members of the same command and who later became brothers-in-law of John Rice Jones.
The pension records beginning with those of the Revolutionary War and covering the period to the War of 1813 have been searched and no claim for pension found based upon the service of a John Rice Jones. The records of two solders with the name John Jones, who served under General Clark, and are furnished herein hoping that they may aid you in your research. No claim for pension has been found based upon the service during that period of any soldiers with the surname Barger or Bargar. Such applications are the source of information furnished by the Veterans Administration in regard to soldiers who served during that period. 
John Jones-R.5718
The data which fellow are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R.5718, based upon the service of John Jones.
John Jones was born February 20, 1762, in Rowan County, North Carolina. The names of his parents are not shown. After his service, John Jones lived in Madison County, Ken
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tucky, then moved to Bath County, Kentucky.
On January 11, 1847, while residing in said Bath County, where he had lived for fifty-four years, John Jones applied for pension and stated that in 1783 or 1784, he enlisted in what was later Woodford County, Kentucky, and served in Captain Sowyel Woolford's Company, raised for the defense of the settlements in Kentucky, for about three years, the greater part of the time as an Indian spy and ranger. One John Craig was lieutenant of said company. John Jones later volunteered and served three months in Captain Morrison's Company under General Clark in an expedition against the Wabash Indians at Post Vincennes. He did not state that he ever served as commissary.
His claim was not allowed as the service rendered by him was subsequent to the Revolution and was not provided for in the Act of June 7, 1832, under which he applied.
The date of his death is not shown nor are there any data in regard to his family.

John Jones
W.9084
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.9084, based upon the military service of John Jones.
John Jones was born June 8, 1769. The place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
John Jones enlisted in Virginia (county not shown) sometime in 1781, and served two years in Captain John Rogers company of Cavalry, under Colonel George Rogers Clark 'in the western country' and was discharged at or near Fort Vincennes.
He died May 17, 1840, in Nelson County, Kentucky.
The soldier married August 6, 1789, Jane, the daughter of James Sands. The marriage was recorded on the records of the clerk in the court for Nelson County, Kentucky. The date and place of birth of Jane and the name of her mother are not given.
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Jane, widow of John Jones, was allowed pension on her application executed October 2, 1852, at which time she was aged eighty three years and resided in Nelson County, Kentucky.
The widow stated that she had ten children by her husband, John Jones: the names of the following are shown:
William Jones - born August 30, 1790.
Margaret Jones - born April 3, 1792.
Elizabeth Jones - born December 23, 1794.
James Jones - born May 17, 1799.
Robert C. Jones - born December 14, 1801.
Samuel H. Jones - born August 13 or 15, 1804,
died in the 17th year of his age.

In 1855, four children were living, name Elizabeth, Mary, William and James Jones. The names of the other three children are not given. In 1853, William S. Jones lived in Nelson County, Kentucky: no relationship to the family was shown.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Jane Jones, widow of John Jones (W.9084), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:
Jane Jones, widow of John Jones, Certificate No. 6363, issued November 5, 1855, rate $100 per annum, commenced March 4, 1848, Act of February 2, 1848, Kentucky Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
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P.O. 1832 Ky
John Jones
Service: Bath Co 1847 age 85 years
Woodford 83 for 3 yrs - self  [illegible]
County of Woodford, [illegible], Ky, [illegible]
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
[stamp] REJECTED
The printed list of 1852 gives cause of rejection as "service subsequent to the revolution"
[margins] 1936 - Oct 8 - [illegible] to W m C. Alexander - E h -
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Here copied and sent
Hon. R. Horeucho, H. R.
25 March 1848

[illegible] Jan. 20, 1847
John Jones [illegible]
of Bath County Ky
June 7, 1832
Rejected: see letter letter
A. [strikethrough] Trumbo H. R. June 26, 1847
s918
Hn. A. Trumbo Hn.
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Papers copied and sent to Hon R. Fraericho, H.R.
25 March 1848..
{illegible} Jan 20, 1847
John Jones Esq
of Bath County KY
June 7, 1832
Rejected: The letter to Hon. A. Trumbo H.R. Jan 26 1847
V718
HM
A Trumbo HR
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Washington 20th Jany 1847

Dear sir, 
you have enclosed the declaration of one John Jones of Bath County Ky. for a pension under the Act of 1832. I certify that I have had a personal acquaintance with Mr. Jones for more than thirty years. As well with the Rev. Asa Maxey, Simell Young, [illegible] W M Sudduth, Putnam Ewing , J O S Biggstaff. They are all of a respectable citizen of [illegible] good moral character and [illegible] [illegible] and candid is [illegible] aught to be give to each of these statements. Was in the community in which they live. Have letters characters. I hope you will have it in your purview to give the case your attention [illegible] [illegible] of the result.
I am Dear sir [illegible] nat hand [illegible] A. Trumbo

Col J L Eduarar
[illegible] of Pensions
Washington DC
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Hon A. Trumbo Jan 26, 1847
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Pension Office
January 26, 1847
Sir,
I have examined and pled the papers in the case of John Jones, of Bath County, Kentucky. It does not appear that a performed army service during the revolutionary war. He appears to have been employed as an Indian Spy after the war ended. His case is not provided for by law. A pension cannot of [illegible] be granted.
I have [illegible]
Hon. A Trumbo
Home of Rev.

Enter this on the Kentucky Index
p.o.37460 - act of June '32
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Salida, Colorado September 14, 1936

The Pension Department,
Washington, D. C.

Dear sirs:
In a biographical sketch of John Rice Jones, by W. A. Burt Jones, (Chicago Historical Society's Collections) it is related that the said John Rice Jones, "in September 1786 joined the army of one thousand men raised and commanded by General George Rogers Clark, under the authority of Virginia, for the suppression of the hostile Wabash tribes of Indians." It is further related that "when Clark, after proceeding into the country of these tribes to a point some distance above Vincennes deems in inexpedient to proceed further, he fell back to Vincennes-------- and established there a military garrison of three hundred men------ under Captain Valentine T. Dalton ------ General Clark assumed supreme direction of the corps, levied recruits, appointed officers and impressed provisions for their support ---- and appointed John Rice Jones commissary-general, in place of John Craig, Jr., who was first appointed but did not act". It is further related that, in 1790, Jones was a member of Captain Pierre Gamelin's (militia) company at Port Vincennes---- which company participated in the famous but fruitless expedition against the Indians under Major John Francis Hamtranck in the fall of the same year". This command is known in history as the "Wabash Regiment" according to my information. 
I am desirous of obtaining such information as you have have, relative to the service record of John Rice Jones and also three brothers by the name of Barger, who were also members of the command, and who were at the time, or later became brothers-in-law of John Rice Jones in the the several expeditions mentioned and in any others in which may have engaged. Thank you in advance for any information you may be able to furnish me, I am
Sincerely yours
[signed] WMC Alexander
Mm. C. Alexander
[stamp/seal] Sep 17 1936
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