Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,636, Ansel Cunningham, Va.
Page 1

(S-1776)
SERVICE Va.
NUMBER S. 31,636

Cunningham, Ansel or Ansell

CONTENTS
Page 2

Georgia 16.307

Ansell Cunningham of Jackson in the State of Geo who was a pri in the - commanded by Captain - Vaughn of the Regt commanded by Col. Tucker in the Va line for 1 year

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of July "33 and sent to Pensioner Hurrianne Shoal [illegible] Geo:

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 80
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 20
$100-

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by N Rice Clerk.
Book E Vol. 6 Page 87

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838 from 4 March to 24 Aug 1840
Agt notified 7 Dec'r 1844
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE
May 22d, 1844.

Sir: 
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The widow of Ansel Cunningham, dec'd a Pensioner in the Roll of the Georgia Agency, at the rate of Forty Dollars and - Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March to the 24th Aug. 1840.

Respectfully, yours,

Albion K. Parris [signature]

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 4

Ansell Cunningham
Ga.
No. 19528

Admit as a private
12 mo $40-

Ru

Ansell Cunningham
Hurricane Shoal Jackson Co
Ga.
Page 5

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
April 15 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 exists, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show 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, showing the Service of Ansell Cunningham

Period when the service was rendered.
[1st line] 1779 sub.
[2nd line] drafted

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. 
[1st line]  [blank]
[2nd line] [blank]
Months. 
[1st line] 6
[2nd line] 6
Days. 
[1st line]  [blank]
[2nd line] [blank]

Rank of the claimant.
[1st line] Capt. Reuben Vaughn
[2nd line] Capt. Rich Whitton

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Genl Fos Marion
Col. L Burrell
Gen'l Lincoln
Maj. Wadkins
Col. Tucker
Gen'l Lawson & Steuben

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Stono

Country through which he marched.
From Machlerburg to So. Ca.

Place of abode whne he entered the service, and age at the present period.
68 years
Mechlenburg Co. Va.

Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary
Witness

I am, respectfully.
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 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 of to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. 

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

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers: [blank] 

[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 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 and Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank] 

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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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, of 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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 day 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 [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c. 

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the general 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 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 inquiry 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 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 pensioner 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 immediate, 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 garrisons; 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 [illegible] 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 proper officers, under his seal of office.
The notes from (e) and (i) are [illegible] equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops. The proof required by rule [illegible] 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 8

Georgia Jackson County}

Personally appeared before us in open Court Ansell Cunningham a resident of the State & County aforesaid aged Sixty Eight years who being first sworn as the Law directs doth on his oath [his oath duplicated and stricken through] 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 in the fifteenth year of his age as a substitute ^for John [illegible] under the following named officers, and served as herein stated, that he entered the service in the state of Virginia and County of Mecklinberg in year 1779 under Capt Reuben Vaughn, Genl Frances Mason Col L Burrell were the field officers I marched to South Carolina joined Gen'l Lincoln at head Quarters, was in the Battle at Stone River and in an engagement the day before in a scouting Party and took two small vessel on Stone River_ that I entered the service in the winter season perhaps January and was discharged in last of July of first of August, ^folowing having served a six months [illegible] My discharge is lost or misplaced so that I have no way to wstablish the same, as all of my officers I believe to be dead, and I know of but one of the soldiers living who served with me, and we lived in the same mess together that is James H Kidd whose testimony accompanys this declaration_ I was Borned and dwell in the County of Mecklinberg in the State of Virginia and lived there several years after the wars I think about 1778 I then mooved(sic) to
Page 9

to Georgia where I have lived ever sinc(sic) am now a Resident of this County and I also was ^Drafted and went [word "called" stricken through] out an other tour and served six months under Richard Whitton [Richard underlined] as Capt and Major Madlenis and Col Tucker and Gen'l Lawson & Stubon marched to James River had a scurmish(sic) at the Pointy fork of James River retreated to Coles ferry on Staunton River and after remaining there a while, moved back [word "to" stricken through] crossed James River at Tucker Woods on ferry marched on and joined LaFayette near or below Richmond, and near old James Town had an encounter with the British, followed Conwallis on to Little York, Term of Service expired & was discharged, I have lost my discharge and have no way to establish my service but by my own oath, I know of none of my officers, or fellow soldiers, living that I can procure there(sic) testimony,

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to any Pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the Roll of any State or agency, as a Pensioner

Sworn to and subscribed this Sixth day of November 1832

Ansel Cunningham [signature]

David Witt JJC [signature]
Robt Smithwick JJC [signature]
Aug J Brown J.J.C. [signature]
Page 10

Georgia Clarkson County} 

I Reubin Thornton a Clergyman and ^citizen of Franklin and David Witte a citizen of Franklin County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ansell Cunningham who has subscribed ^& sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he riicdes(sic) to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion

Sworn to & subscribed this sixth day of November 1832

Reuben Thornton [signature]
David Witte [signature]

and we Joseph Hampton David Witte ^& Robert Smithwick & Aug't Brown do hereby declare our opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatorys(sic) 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 Reubin Thornton who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County Franklin and that David Witte who has also signed the same is a resident of this county and are credible persons, and that there(sic) statement is entitled to credit. 

Aug J Brown J J C [signature]
Robt Smithwick J. J. C. [signature]
Joseph Hampton J. J. C. [signature]
Page 11

Georgia Jackson County}

I Sylvanus Rippley Clerk of Superior Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceding(sig) of said Court in the matter of the application of Ansell Cunningham for a Pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my & seal of office this 6th day of November 1832_

Sylvanus Ripley [signature]
Page 12

September 22, 1914.

Hon. Oscar W. Underwood,
House of Representatives.

My dear Mr. Underwood:

In response to your letter of the nineteenth instant, and the enclosed letter from Miss Julia Cunningham of Taladega, Alabama, I have the honor to advise you that Ansel Cunningham who served in the Virginia troops, Revolutionary War, was allowed pension on his application executed November 6, 1832, while residing in Jackson County, Georgia, and his widow was allowed the arrears of said pension up to August 24, 1840.

It does not appear that his widow made application for pension on her own behalf and there is no provision of law which would entitle her heirs to such pension.

The above noted is the only pensioner of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.

Very truly yours,
G M Saltzgaber [signature]
Commissioner.
Page 13

31636
Revy
INVALID.
File No. 31,636
Ansell Cunningham
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 94

[Arrangement of 1870.]

1912 Nov. 4 Hist. to Mrs. J. M. Thornton  V.L.M.

1914 Apr. 24 Hist to Mrs. Chas. Milward V. L. M.

1914 Apr 29 Hist. to Mrs. John A. Ewing V. L. M.

1914 Sept. 22 Hon. O. W. Underwood infd heirs no title aw

1914 Dec. 16 Hist. to W S. Crosley

1931 June 3 Tombstone data to [illegible]
Page 14

Mrs. Chas. Milward,
407 So. Broadway
Lexington Ky.

Record in claim of Ansel Cunningham
S. F. 31.636.

April 24, 1914.
Page 15

Talladega. Alabama.
Oct 28. 1912
323. East St

Reccord(sic) & Pension Office:

Dear Sir-

Will you please tell me if, Ansil Cunningham [name underlined] received a pension for Revolutionary Services?

If he did, will you please send me a copy of the pension [pension underlined]. Is his name mentioned in any other connection?

Very truly.
Mrs. J. M. Thornton
323 East St
Page 16

U.S. PENSION OFFICE.
D
APR 25 1914 [ink stamp]

917 16th St. N. W.

Commissioner of Bureau of Pensions
Washington

My dear Sir:

Please send me the record of Ansell Cunningham [name underlined] of Jackson Co. Ga. who received a pension issued July 30th 1833. 

Kindly let me hear from you at once as I am leaving the city

Thanking you,
I am
Page 17

yours truly
Mrs. John A. Ewing
Apr. 25th 1914.
Page 18

U. S. S. Florida,
Navy Yard, New York,
December 10, 1914.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Pension Office
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-

In behalf of my wife, a descendant, I request information concerning:-

1. Ansell Cunningham, a Revolutionary pensioner, from Jackson County, Georgia. Age 74 in 1833. All practicable family data included in his application is requested.

2. John Cunningham, Major, battle of Cowpens. Presumably from Wilkes County, Georgia.

I will very much appreciate any information you may be able to give me.

Very truly yours,
W. S. Crosley [signature]
Commander, U. S. Navy.

U.S. PENSION OFFICE.
D
DEC 11 1914 [ink stamp]
Page 19

SIXTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
OSCAR W. UNDERWOOD, CHAIRMAN.
CLAUDE KITCHIN.
HENRY T. RAINEY.
LINCOLN DIXON.
ORDELL HULL.
WINFIELD S. HAMMOND.
ANDREW J. PETERS.
A. MITCHELL PALMER.
TIMOTHY T. ANSBERRY.
JOHN N. GARNER.
JAMES W. COLLIER.
AUGUSTUS O. STANLEY.
CLEMENT C. DICKINSON.
MICHAEL F. CONRY.
SERANO E. PAYNE.
JOSEPH W. FORDNEY.
AUGUSTUS P. GARDNER.
J. HAMPTON MOORE.
WILLIAM R. GREEN.
CHARLES H. SLOAN.
VICTOR MURDOCK.
NEYLE COLOUITT, CLERK.

COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
Sept. 19, 1914.

Hon. Gaylord M. Saltzgaber,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

My dear Sir:

I enclose herein a letter from Miss Julia Cunningham, of Talladega, Alabama, in reference to the pension claim of Ansel Cunningham, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Kindly inform me of the facts in this case, returning her letter with your reply.

Very truly yours,
O W Underwood [signature]

LAW DIVISION RECEIVED SEP 21 [ILLEGIBLE] [ink stamp]

Identify 
P.L. Canon

CHIEF'S DESK
LAW DIVISION
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS
SEP 21 1914 [ink stamp]
Page 20

WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
WASHINGTON

IN REPLY REFER TO QM 293 A-C (Collins, Eli)

March 7, 1931

Subject: Military Record.
To: U. S. Pension Office,
Washington, D. C.

1. It is requested that this office be furnished with a statement of the military service of Eli Collins, Pvt., served in Capt. M. Little Col. Dozier, Capt. T. Hormer, Col. S. Moore, and Capt., Woods, Col. Collier

Ansel Cunningham, Pvt. Reuben Vaughan Richard Whitton, Virginia, died Nov. 4, 1852, and buried Presbyterian Cemetery, Hurricane Shoals, Ga.,

Ernest Gorsse, Pvt. Co. B, Clark's Bat. Mo. Lt. Arty., died August 10, 1892, and buried in St. Paul Evangelical cemetery, at Columbia, Ill. Prnsion(sic) Certificate number 11273.

2. If this information is not [words 'of record" stricken through] ^Mex. W [illegible] in your office, it is requested that this communication be forwarded to the State Pension Office, or the Department having jurisdiction in such matters.

3. This information is requested for the purpose of furnishing Government headstones for the graves of the veterans concerned.

For the Quartermaster General:
John T Harris [signature]
JOHN T. HARRIS,
Major, Q. M. Corps,
Assistant.

Encl.
Fr. Env.

30/981/

WIDOW DIVISION
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
MAR 13 1931
[ink stamp]

U. S. PENSION OFFICE
MAR 9 1931 [ink stamp]

Mexican War Sol. C. 11273
B.L.W. #10398-160-47 Ernest Gorsse

A. G. is not in the Mex. War claim
H.M.S.
Page 21

May 21, 1931.

Q.M.293
AvC (Collins, Eli)

Quartermaster General,
War Department,
Washington, D. C.

WIDOW DIVISION
Mex. S.C. 11,273
Ernst Grosse

Dear Sir: 

In response to your letter of March 7, requesting the military service of Ernest Gorsse, a private in C. B, Clark's Battalion Missouri Light Artillery and late pensioner under certificate #11,273, you are advised that our records in his bounty land claim #10398-160-47, under the name Ernst Grosse, show that he served as a private from June 21, 1846 to August 28, 1847 in Captain Woldemar Fischer's Co. B, Battalion of Missouri Light Artillery.

The records do not indicate that he served in a Capt. Clark's Battalion nor do they show the date or place of his death.

The service records of Eli Collins and Ansel Cunningham, requested in your letter, have not been found but we are today forwarding your letter to our old War Division in an effort to identify their services and you will be further advised in the premises in the near future.

Very truly yours,
E. W. Morgan,
Acting Commissioner.

HMS : vms
Page 22

3-525
RECORD DIVISION.
Revolutionary War Records Section
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,  [blank], 19[blank]

S. F. 31636

In reply to your request of Pen. Ansell, received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Ansel Cunningham a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (of his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Dates of enlistment or appointment.
[1st line] Jan'y 1779
[2nd line] ✔

Length of service.
[1st line] 6 mos.
[2nd line] 6 mos

Rank.
[1st line] Pvt.
[2nd line] "

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
Captain.
[1st line] Reubin Vaughn
[2nd line] Richard Whitton
Colonel.
[1st line] Lew Burrell
[2nd line] Tucker
State.
Va.

Battles engaged in, 
Stone River the day before & [illegible] at Pointy Fork of James River. James Towne

Residence of soldier at enlistment, 
Mecklinburg Co. Va.

Date of application for pension.
Nov. 6, 1832 His cl. was al.

Residence at date of application,
Jackson Co. Ga

Age at date of application,
b. July 27, 1763 in Mecklinburg Co. Va.

Remarks:
Soldier left a widow no name is stated and there is no other family data
[illegible] Aug 24 - 1840

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-2856
Page 23

June 3, 1931

War Department
Office of Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
Washington, D. C.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF : MLB

Dear Sir:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31636, that Ansel (pensioned Ansell) Cunningham was born July 27, 1763, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.

While residing in Macklenburg County, Virginia, he enlisted and served as private with the Virigina troops, as follows: from January, 1779, six months in Captain Reuben Vaughn's company, Colonel Lew Burrell's regiment, and was in a skirmish the day before the battle of Stone River, and in that battle; later, six months in Captain Richard Whitton's company, Colonel Tucker's regiment, and was in a skirmish at Pointy Fork of the James River, and in the battle of Jamestown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed November 6, 1832, at which time he was living in Jackson County, Georgia.

He died August 24, 1840.

Tombstone data
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Georgia Jackson Coounty}

My Claim for a Pension under the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832_ having been returned an account of deficiency or informality I make the additional Declaration and Answers to the Interrogatorys(sic) as laid down by the rules of War Department.

that with regard to my first tour of service as mentioned in my Declaration I have no other witness but James H Kidd whose affidavid(sic) accompanied the Declaration which seems to be all that is required by the rules of the Department for militia man Volunteers and State Troops_ that with regard to my claim for the second tour of six months I have no ^living testimony that I know of and have no ^ " person to establish this James but by my own oath as done before_

Answers to the Interrogations as laid down by the Department

1st Interrogitory(sic) - I was borned in Mecklinburg County Virginia in the year 1763 - July 27th

2nd Interrogitory(sic) - I have no record [illegible] of my age

3rd Interrogitory(sic) - I was living in Mecklinburg County Virginia when caled(sic) into service
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and lived in said County several years after the War then moved to Wilkes County Georgia where I lived untill(sic) 1812 when I moved this County where I have lived ever since and now live

4th Interrogitory(sic) - I was a substitute in my first tour in the place of John Stephens - my [illegible] tour I was drafted_

5th Interrogitory(sic) - My officer in my first tour was Capt Reuben Vaughn - Major Pittis - Col Lew Burrell genl Mason - my second tour was under Capt Richard Whitton Major Wadkins Col Tucker genl Lawson
the first service down in South Carolina, the last in Virginia

6th Interrogitory(sic) - I received a discharge from my officers but have lost it

7th Interrogitory(sic) - I am known to Reuben Thornton and David Witt

Georgia Jackson County}

Personally came into open court [illegible] being an Inferior Court for the County aforesaid sitting for ordinary purposes, Ansel Cunningham who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that the above answers are [illegible] & true to the best of his knowledge & belief

Sworn to this 6th May 1833
Ansel Cunningham [signature]

Edward Adams J J C  [signature]
Nath'l C Jarred J J C [signature]
Samuel Burns J. J. C. [signature]
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Georgia Jackson County}

I William Cowan Clerk of the Inferior Court when sitting as a Court of Ordinary for said County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ansel Cunningham for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and private seal (having no seal of office) this 6th day of May 1833.

William Cowan SS [signature]
Clk C. O.
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Georgia Richmond County} 

Personally before me A Rhode one of the Justices of the Inferior Court of said County James H Kidd who being first duly sworn deposeth and saith that  in the ^year of seventeen hundred and seventy nine, as he very(sic) believes [illegible] Anslean(sic) Cunningham served a six months tour of duty under Captain Reubin Vaughn General Francis Mason and L Burrell were the commanding officers. the services was mostly rendered in South Carolina and in the American side the service in south Carolina was rendered under General [illegible] and that [illegible] the said deponent served with said Cunningham
Jas H Kidd

Sworn to before me
this 13th october 1832
A Rhodes J.J.C.N.N.

Georgia Richmond County}

I James McLaw Clerk of the Inferior Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that A Rhodes whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit as a Justice of the Inferior Court is one of the Justices of the Inferior Court for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified the same is
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duly Sworn to before a proper officer & full faith and credit should be had and given to his attestation as such

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of Office this 13 day of October 1832

James Laws Clerk [signature]
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name
Cunningham, Archibald

Grade
Private

Line
New York

Warrant Number
6919

Acreage
100

Issued
June 29, 1792
to David Hawkins, assignee

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