Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6137, for Thomas Sorrell, Virginia
Page 1

(3- 1776)
SERVICE
Va. 

Sorrell, Thomas

NUMBER
S. 6/37

CONTENTS
Page 2

4004

Virginia

Thomas Sorrell. 
of - County in the State of Virginia 
who was a Private in the Company commanded 
by Captain - of the Regiment commanded 
by Col. Porterfield in the Virginia 
line for 21. months. 


Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 70. Dollars 00 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued she 8.th day of June 
1833, and - to -
J. W. Chinn. H of R. 

Arrears to 4th of - 32. ~ 105.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4. Mar 35.00
'33/3 140.00

{ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer Clerk 
Book D. Vol. 7. Page 127.
Page 3

District of Virginia. Westmoreland County
On This  day of  1826 Personally appeared in open court being a court of Record, agreeably to the Laws of The State of Virginia, Thomas Sorrell, aged about Sixty two years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provisions made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 1st May 1820. That he the said Thomas Sorrell enlisted about the year 1780 for eighteen months under a Capt Curl who was a recruiting officer, and by him/with other recruits was marched to Williamsburg and delivered up to Capt. Thomas Drew who commanded a company of contintental troops of the Virginia line, which company was attached to a regiment - whether of Continental or State Troops he does not perfectly recollect. But always  believed (as he enlisted) he was in continental service and regiment-said (as he now thinks) was commanded by Colo Porterfield with other Troops march'd to the southward and was in the Battle of Gen.l Gale's defeat at Camden where Colo. Porterfield was wounded and afterwards died, and altho' Colo. Porterfield might have commanded a State regiment - yet the company which I then was in after the Battle of Camden was commanded by Capt. Mann and that I continued to serve in said company until the expiration of eighteen months when I was discharged in the City of Richmond by the said Capt. Mann - and that he has no other evidence of his services now in his power - 
And in pursuance of the act of the 1st May 1820. I do Solemnly swear that I was a Resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March One Thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and naval services of the United States: in the Revolutionary war." passed on the 18th day of March One Thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not nor has any person in Trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me nor have have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed -
[drawing of a pointing finger] Schedule is on the other side.
Page 4

Schedule viz
No real estate whatever Occupation a Farmer Rents Land and pays $  pr year. 
Personal estate viz 2 cows & calves worth $
2 yearlings worth $  4 Hogs 1 sow worth $
and ten small Shoals worth $
household property supposed to be worth $

Family - himself aged 68 years infirm painful and but little able to pursue his calling - his wife about 45 years not able to contribute much to her support 1 Daughter now residing with me 11 years old not able to support herself.

Subscribed by me

Sworn to and declared on the  day of  1820. before the Court of Westmoreland County while in Session. - 

I Joseph Fox clerk of Westmoreland County court do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said court; and I do further Certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibit in the aforesaid Schedule is  dollars and  cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said court on this  day of One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty.
Page 5

[handwritten]

Thomas Sorrell
Westmoreland County
Declaration No 3

Canceled as interlined the blank at top filled agreably [sic] to the former declaration here with filed
Saml. Templeman

No Colo. Porterfield of the Va line on continental establishment.
Page 6

State of Virginia
County Court of Westmoreland.
On the 27th day of April in the year 1818 Came before the said Court being a Court of Record. Personally appeared in Open Court Thomas Sorrell Aged about sixty years, Resident in the said county who being first sworn according to Law, doth on his Oath make the following statement and declaration, in Order to obtain the provisions made by a late Act of Congress entitled an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War That he the said Thomas Sorrel enlisted under a Capt. Thomas Downing of Northumberland County in the said State about the year 1780. For eighteen months in the Continental Service and Virginia Line and was marched from thence by Capt. Curl to Williamsburg and delivered up to Capt. Thomas Drew and joined a Regiment commanded by Colo Charls Porterfield the said Regiment march thru North Carolina to Camden in South Carolina where they met with the enemy under Cornwallis and was in the Battle of Gate's defeat. And Returned with a Capt Man to the City of Richmond, And was regularly discharged in writing sometime in the Spring 1782. after serving this [illegible] after his return home he was drafted for three months and was at the Siege of York. his discharge has been long since lost or dislodged That he is now old and in Reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support.

Virginia
At a Court held for the County of Westmoreland at the Court House thereof on the 22nd day of March in the year 1819 Ordered that it be certified to the Secretary of the War department that Thomas Sorrel this day made his declaration before this Court upon Oath, as will appear by his said declaration filed in Court. And that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court from the evidence exhibitted That he served as set forth in his said declaration in the Revolutionary War Against the common enemy - It also appears to the satisfaction of the court that the said Thomas Sorrel is in Reduced Circumstances and Stands in need of the Assistance of his Country for Support -
Teste
[signed] Joseph Fox Clerk
Page 7

Thomas Sorrel's 
Declaration
No. 3
Page 8

Westmoreland County State of Virginia 16th of April 1818
The Affidavit of Thomas Sorrell Aged About Sixty years. Who declares upon Oath That he inlisted under a Capt Thomas Downing of Northumberland County About the year 1780 and was Marched from thence under a Capt Curl to Williamsburg and delived up to Capt Thomas Drew and Joined A Regiment under the Command of Colo Charles Porterfield and was marched from thence to Hillsborough in the State of North Carolina. From thence he was marched to near a little Town called Camden in South Carolina, where they met with the Army under the Command of Cornwallace, in the battle  generally called Gate's defeat - he then with the rest of the Army According to Order, [illegible] back to Hillsborough in North Carolina - at which place they continued untill his term of Service expried which was for 18 months he was then marched from thence under a Capt Man to the City of Richmond in Virginia at which place he was discharged and returned to the Northumberland, this was in the Spring of the Year Shortly after this Cornwallace appeared at little York in Virginia  he was drafted and Served a Three months Tour at that Siege. From which service he was discharged and shortly after returned home. This affidavit states that when discharged at Richmond, he received his discharge in writing, but from the length of time and believing it would never be of any use to him it was lost or destroyed. This affidavit States that he is old and infirm, has worked hard to support and raise a family of six children, and stands in need of assistance from his Country. 
Thomas Sorrel his X mark

Sworn to before me a Justice of the peace for said County
[signed] Saml. Templeman

Westmoreland County Towit
This day Alleck Saunders Aged about sixty years Came before me a Justice of the peace for said County and made oath that he knew the above Thomas Sorrell in the Service of the Continental Service and that he believes that the declaration made in the above affidavit is substantially true given under my hand this 16th day of April 1818
[signed] Saml. Templeman
Page 9

[handwritten]

State of Virginia
Westmoreland County, [?]
I Joseph Fox Clerk of the County aforesaid Hereby certify that "At a Court held for said County on the 27th day of April 1818" Thomas Sorrel a Soldier who served in the Revolutionary War in the continental service appeared in open court personally and presented his Declaration made oath there to according to the act of Congress passed at the last session making provision for needy Revolutionary Officers Soldiers &c. which was ordered to be certified according to the directions of said act -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 30th day of April 1818 In the 42nd year of our foundation
Jos Fox
Westmd. County to Wit
I William S Jett Judge or presiding Ma appears to my satisfaction that the said Thomas Sorrell and who now resides in the said county did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceeding [sic] declaration against the common Enemy for the time specified in the foregoing declaration on the continental establishment and I transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me to the secretary for aforementioned act of Congress given under my hand this 22nd day of June 1818
Wm Stalee Jett
Page 10

[handwritten]

Personally appeared before me Mr. John D Pitts of the County of Westmoreland in the state of Virginia & made oath that Thomas Sorrell of the said County and State, who petitioned for a pension under the act of Congress of 1818 was alive and seen 7th June 1832 and was alive and seen by his friend Pitts a few day since
J. Pitts
Subscribed & Sworn to this 7th day of January 1833. before
S Burch
Justice Peace County of Washington
District of Columbia
Page 11

[printed form with handwriting]

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Thomas Sorrell S. F. 6137
[table of columns]
|DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.|
1780
1781
|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|
18 mos
3 mos
|RANK.|
Pvt.
|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.|
|CAPTAIN.|
Thomas Drew 
Mann
no officers stated
|COLONEL.|
Charles Porterfield
Dabney
|STATE.|
Va.
Battles engaged in, Camden, and Siege of York
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Northumberland Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 16, 1818 His cl. al
Residence at date of application, Westmoreland Co. Va.
Age at date of application, 60 yrs.
Remarks: In 1820 his wife was 45 yrs. old and there were six children, one daughter 11 yrs. old, no names are stated.
Page 12

[printed form with handwriting]

Rev War
6134
INVALID.
File No. 6137
Thomas Sorrell
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 22
Index: - Vol. M, Page 352
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

[handwritten]

Declaration of Thomas Sorrell
Page 14

[printed form with handwriting]

3-871
RECORD DIVISION
Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Briefed by A[?] Mch 12, 1912
Claim No. [blank]
Certificate No. [blank]
Claimant [blank]
Soldier Thomas Sorrell
Service Rev War
Additional Service [blank]
No [blank] claim, State records [blank], 191
No claim, combination records [blank], 191
REMARKS:
No Act 55 B. L Wt
No Ad Act " "
No pens claim except S. 6137.
G C Kniffin
C-1944 Chief Division.
Page 15

519 N. 5th Ave.
Pine Bluff, Ark.
Feby 29 1912

Bureau of Pensions:
Will you kindly tell me if either of the four following soldiers were granted Pensions if so will you kindly give me copies of their Pension papers.
1 James Sorrell served 3 years as a Private in the State Navy.
2 Richard Sorrell
3 Thomas Sorrell
4 Elisha Sorrell
were each issued a warrant for 100 acres for three years services as privates
Page 16

in the Continental Line
The first named James Sorrell was also issued a warrant for 100 acres for three years service as a private in the State Navy.
Hoping to hear from you at your convenience.
I am 
Respectfully
Mrs. C. W. Pettigrew
Page 17

[handwritten]

J. W. Chinn
[?]
Jas: L. Edwards Esqr.
Pension Office
Washington -

[written upside down]
21 months as a private
$70 per ann
Page 18

[handwritten]

House of Reps 7th Jany 1838.
Sir
Enclosed is an affidavit of S. D. Pitts in relation to the pension claim of Thomas Sorrell of Westmoreland Cty. Va. The affiant is well known by me and is entitled to all credit. I am as confident of the existence of Thomas Sorrell, as I am of any fact, [?] obvious to the services and I have had communication with him [?] since July last
Yrs Respectfully
J. W. Chinn
Page 19

[handwritten]

1897.
Thomas Sorrell
Revy. Virginia
Westmoreland County
[double underline]
claimant states that he entered the service in the year 1780 for 18months and was attached to Col. Poterfield's [sic] Regt. that at the expiration of said term he was drafted for 3 months
[underline]
Found on the Roll of Va State Troops page 85 - received 15 Dec 1783. S 36 5 0 -
[underline]
Deposited 19 June 1832 by the Hon J. W Chinn. HR. See [?] 21 June 1832
Page 20

[handwritten]

Declaration
Thomas Sorrell Revolly. Soldier altho rejected. The Inclosed [sic] affidavit explains and forwarded to the Secretary.
Refer to 
Edward Sanford}
Thomas Douglass} and others on the same establishment allow'd.
William Spurling}
J. S. Templeman.
No. 15

Re[?] under the Law of May 1820. and forwarded to the Secretary of War -
Page 21

[handwritten]

State of Virginia, Westmoreland County
Thomas Sorrell whose declaration and proof of service are herewith filed. Came before me Samuel Templeman a Justice of the peace, and Judge or presiding Magistrate for the County aforesaid and made oath; That instead of enlisting under Capt Thomas Downing in 1780 (as ignorantly) stated in his former declaration; That in the said Yeas [sic] there was a draft for 18 months on Continental establishment to March to the defence of Charls Town, That the militia of Northumberland County was laid often divisions of 16 men, each to find a man or to stand a draft. That he agreed to take the place of the 16 men, or the division to which he belonged and was examined and sworn in by Capt Thomas Downing (who was a Justice of the peace) and with the rest of the drafts and recruits was delivered to a Capt Curl, and marched to Williamsburg, and put into a Company Commanded by Capt Thomas Drew, and Regiment Commanded by Colo. Porterfield and marched to the southward and was in the Battle of Gates defeat where Colo. Porterfield was wounded and afterwards died, afterwards the Company he belonged to was commanded by Capt Man and he thinks the Regiment by Colo. Dabney and was discharged in Richmnd. by Capt Marm after serving 18 months or more. Sworn to before me this 6th day Sept. 1819.
Samuel Templeman
Page 22

Thomas Sorrell
Declaration
Attested by 2 witnesses


was testified on oath and again forwarded. Refer to this Thomas Sorrell served in the State and not the continental Line.
Page 23


State of Virginia Westmoreland County
The deposition of Alleck Saunders and William Thomas of lawful age taken this 9th day of August 1819 before Mr. Samuel Templeman one of the Commonwealth Justices of the peace, and Judge or presiding Magistrate of the County Court of of Westmoreland (being said sworn)

Alleck Saunders deponeth and sayeth that he knew Thomas Sorrell as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War. That in Williamsburg he was in the Company Commanded by Capt. Thomas Drew and was attached to a Regiment commanded Col. Portersfield, and in the said Company and Regiment was marched to the Southward, and was in the Battle of Gates' defeat at Camden. Afterwards saw him at Hillsborough where the army retired, and that the said Thomas Sorrell, he is certain he served over nine months. As he was acquainted with him longer than that time in the army. And that Col. Porterfield did Command the said Regiment and was wounded at Camden in Gates' defeat and died of his wounds at Camden after being a prisoner some time in Charles Town

William Thomas deponeth and sayeth that he was in the same Company with Thomas Sorrell, Commanded by Capt. Thomas Drew and that the Regiment was Commanded by Col. by Col. Porterfield and that in the Battle of Camden Gates' defeat Col. Porterfield was wounded and died (after his release from Charles Town as a prisoner) Whether the said Col. Porterfield was on Continental establishment or not he does not know, but he certainly knows that he marched the Regiment out of the State of Virginia thro North Carolina and into the State of South Carolina

Taken and Sworn to before me.
Samuel Templeman

I testify that Alleck Saunders and William Thomas are respectable men H.H.
Samuel Templeman


of Gath refered as Camden, difference Sam hoose at Hello borough
and (Regeneral 1001 marchee lo the and in the
where the Georrey and that the Jace Thomas Jossell he " Cestaen
he served Over Mene mouths, a he arguement led reseth him langer
than that kme in the away Onio that Coff Parterfactor des Comm and
aid of his levourns al Carooden after being a personal Srozer bone
the said Regament and was Wounded al Coridan in Gales's defeat d
in cheels Insure
Welleann 'thomas defroselh and Dayeth That hewar in the same
Company with Thomas Somell, Commanded by Capt Thomas Dearch
Are that the Regensional was Commanded by Colo by Cofo Posterfielde
Qaie that irr the Bullle at Gates, defect Cofo Posleef.. la
three concerned and deed lafter his Janeen Chaels Inears ms person)
Whether the said Colo Partesfille was on Contensional or not
he does not know beed he Customery Know's that he marched the
Regiment aret of the Shele of Vergenia theo nouh Carolena and
into the Sale of South of South Casolina
Taken I dees an 10 before me.
Flittlefy that allueu Saunamed William Thornas are Respectable
men H. w
and