Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 14982, Leonard Helm, Va.
Page 1

SERVICE
Va.
Helm, Leonard

NUMBER
R. 14982
Va. Half-pay.

CONTENTS
Page 2

No 1 [underlinded]
Page 3

State of Kentucky
Hardin County 3 Set
July Term 1850
15th July 1850
This day Ben Helm appeared in the County Court of Hardin in the State of Kentucky being a Court of Record and made the following statement On Oath.  "That he is now in the Eighty fourth year of his age. He is the son of Thomas Helm who removed to Kentucky in the year 1780 and resided for a short time at the falls of the Ohio Now Louisville. His father had two Brothers Simon Helm and Leonard Helm. That he has seen and Knew Leonard Helm. That he knows the fact from Common report obtaining a general notoriety in that day. that Leonard Helm entered the Revolutionary service as Captian [Captain] under General George Rogers Clark in the Illinois Regiment and as Captian [Captain] served under General Clark in and during that Campaign. He further states that after the return of General Clark he became well acquainted with him and held repeated Conversation with General Clark Concerning the services of this affiants uncle Leonard Helm, that General Clark informed him that Leonard Helm had served with him in the Illinois Regiment as a Captian. [Captain] General Clark related to him many facts connected with the services of Leonard Helm tending to show the value and importance of his services to the Country.  Affiant further states that he has been informed and from general rumour of the day that Leonard Helm died in the County of Jefferson in the State of Kentucky. The facts stated herein by him were of general notoriety and he was the more intimately acquainted with the facts because of his
Page 4

near relationship. The affiant Ben Helm is
personally known to the members of the Court and full faith and credit is due to his statements made On Oath

In Testimony that the foregoing is truly Copied from the Order Book Commonly
called the Minute Book of said Court

I Samuel Haycraft Clerk of said Court have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at my office in Elizabethtown this 2nd day of August 1850

Saml Haycraft Clk [signature]
Hardin County Court


State of Kentucky
Hardin County Set

I William M Dunavan presiding Justice of the Peace of the County Court for the County
aforesaid do certify that Samuel Haycraft whose name appears to the above certificate is Clerk of said Court and that his attestation is in due form of Law.   Given under my hand this 2nd day of August 1850

William M. Donavan PJHco [signature]
Page 5


Morganfield KY
20th Feby 1834

 Free [underlined]

Hon'ble
The Secretary of the Treasury
Washington
D. C.
Page 6

175
Leonard Helm
Rcvd 7 March 1834

Morganfield KY
3rd Feby 1834
Hon'ble
The
Page 7

To the Hon'ble. The Secretary of the Treasury of U. States
We do hereby authorize & Empower Mr John Boyle of Henderson County in State of Kentucky to demand and receive from the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States all the information, which it may be in his power to furnish-- respecting the half pay, which according to the late Law of Congress of United States of 5th July 1832 may be, still coming, and due to the heirs of the late Captain Leonard Helm of the Illinois Regiment, commanded by the late General George Rogers Clark, in the war of the revolution the said Leonard Helm being our Uncle, the full brother of our mother Anne Floyd alias Helm. Given under our hands and seals in Union County, Kentucky this 18th day of February 1834
Henry Floyd [circled: LS.]
John Floyd circled: LS.] 
In presence of M Haloway [?]


Hon: The Secretary of the Treasury
Respected Sir
The above H. & J. Floyd, are very respectable Citizens of Union (our next) County. Their names & forms go on by this mail to yr. Department for 2 pay on acct of their late father, Lt. Hny Floyd's services in the Ils regt & they desire still further to know in what way their maternal [underlined] uncle Cap. Leonard Helm's half pay is to be with a hope of soon hearing-
Most respectfully
John Boyle
Henderson Ky 18th -2nd Mo. 1834
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No 3 _
Page 9


Know all men by these presents that I Leonard Jenkins, son of Molly Jenkins late Helm, & daughter of Capt Leonard Helm of the Illinois Regiment, do hereby nominate constitute and appoint Richard Pindell of Lexington Kentucky my true and lawful attorney in fact, with power of substitution, to demand and receive from the Register of the Land Office in Virginia and from the Department at Washington City any warrant or warrant that may be due to me on account of the Services of Capt [Captain] Leonard Helm an officer in the Illinois Regiment, Va State line, during the war of the Revolution, and our said attorney is fully empowered to surrender the said warrant or warrants to the Commissioner of the General Land office at Washington City and receive scrip for the same which scrip or warrant he is hereby authorized to sell or assign.  And our said attorney by these presents is further authorized to demand and receive from and receipt to the Government for all that may be found due to Capt Leonard Helm for Revolutionary services or on account from the State of Virginia of the United States as Indian agent or otherwise, and to do any legal act necessary in the premises to be done in accomplishing our intents and purposes herein, and for this purpose we hereby ratify and confirm any act or deed of our said attorney Hereby revoking all other powers of attorney.  In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands & seals this 20th day of August [crossed out: April] 1851
Leonard Jenkins   Seal [circled]
State of Iowa
Powesheik County ⎬ Set
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Leonard Jenkins, party to the foregoing power of attorney to Richard Pindell and acknowledged the same for the purposes therein expressed. Given under my hand & seal this 20th day of August [crossed out: April] 1851.
David Cassidy Seal [circled]
Page 10

I have this day executed to R Pindell a power of attorney to demand & receive whatever may be due to me from the State of Virginia or the Government of the United States, either in land or money, on account of the
Revolutionary Services of Captain Leonard Helm or on account of any claim he may have on said state or Government & I hereby bind myself & agree
to pay him one half of any sum he may recover & receive as a fee for his attention & services in recovering the same.
Witness my hand & seal this 20th day of [crossed out: April] August 1851.
Leonard Jenkins
Test [testimony]
Stephen Moore
Page 11

State of Iowa
County of Poweshiek [crossed out: illegible]

I Stephen Moore Clerk of the District Court for said County certify that David Cassiday whose signature appears to the foregoing acknowledgement is and was at the time of taking said acknowledgement an acting Justice of the Peace for the said County duly commissioned and qualified to act as such and that full faith and credit ought to be given to all his official acts as such.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the seal of said court at Montezuma this 20th day of August [crossed out: April] 1857.

Stephen Moore Clerk of the Dist [underlined] Court P. Co. Lowe
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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF/eel
am [handwritten]

April 4,1929

Lulu Wood Martin
2194 Coventry Road
Cleveland, Ohio

Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.14982 [underlined], it appears that Leonard Helm [underlined] served as Captain in the Illinois Regiment, under General George Rogers Clark. He was appointed in August, 1779, Indian Agent for the State of Virginia.
He died in Jefferson County, Kentucky, before the close of the war.
Half pay was claimed on account of his service but not allowed as he did not serve until the close of the war as was required by the Act of July 5, 1832, under which the application was made.
In 1834, soldier's nephews, Henry and John Floyd, children of Anne (sister of Captain Leonard Helm) and Lieutenant Henry Floyd were residing in Union County, Kentucky.
In 1839, Doctor Helm, of Warrenton, Virginia is referred to, no relationship stated.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.

[hand written along the side of the page: " I also sent Henry Floyd R. 14982 1/2 as the family data in both seems very intermingled"]
Page 13

Helm, Leonard
Va R14982
Page 14

[crossed out: at] Lawrenceburgh Ky
August 28th 1838.

Sir,
Will you please furnish me with the information indicated in the enclosed letter from Wm H. Todd Esq: Viz: the authority under which Dr Helm of Va received the pension or half pay of Leonard Helm a Capt of the Va State line - and the names of the heirs, as the papers [crossed out: show] on file show, who are entitled to the [crossede out: illegible] moneys due to Capt Helm's heirs and the amount paid to Dr Helm.
Jam[illegible due to tear]
[illegible due to tear] of Harrodsburg Ky

Col J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions

P.S. If the papers showing these facts are in the Colony Department please refer this to the proper bureau.
J.H.
Page 15

Record Division.
January 24, 1911.
Mrs. D. G. Scholton,
20 East Barney Street,
Gouverneur, N. Y.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 19th, and received the 21th instant, you are advised that you were furnished the history of Leonard Helm,
R. File No. 14,982, Rev. War, January 7, 1911, and he is the only Leonard Helm found on the Revolutionary War pension records.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 16

Capt Helm = Ky
P
for Mr Geddes

Hon J. Minor Com
Pensions
Washington

[stamped: FREE]
[stamped: LEXINGTON KY. DEC 10]
Page 17

Leonard Helm
de[illegible]
act 5 July 1832
[crossed out: illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible]
[crossed out: illegible R. Pindell illegible] 19/53
[crossed out: Sam illegible 28/55]
Page 18

1911 Jany 7 Hist. to
Mrs. D. G. Scholton V. L. M.
(Letter in W.F. 3811 John Helm)
1911 Jany 24 Mrs. D. G. Scholton that the above which was furnished her Jany 7, 1911 is the only soldier of that name found.
1912 Oct 26 Mrs. J. D. Rhoades V.L.M.
1929 - April 4 - Hist to Lulu W. Martin W F

No. 14982
ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1871. [struck through]
WAR OF 1812. [struck through]
3133 [struck through]
Leonard Helm
Capt
Va Line
Revolution
Discharged [left blank], 18[left blank]
4055
REJECTED [stamped]
Half Pay - Act '32
Received [left blank], 187[left blank]
See claim of Henry Floyd for half pay
Attorney
Page 19

Oct 18 - 1912
Pension Office
War Dept. D.C.
Will you please let me know if the records make mention of a Capt. Leonard Helm of Col Geo Rogers Regiment or of any other Helm of Kentucky or Virginia. If so how I may get
further information and the expense I would incur. I wish to trace my geneologyas I am a Helm of Kentucky.
Yours Truly
Mrs J.D. Rhoades
2141 San Jose Ave
Alameda
Calif.
Page 20

Jan 19th 1911
20 East Barney
Gouverneur NY
Dept of the Interior
The reply in regard to John Helms, received and
many thanks for the prompt reply
now if you will kindly send me a record of Leonard Helm, I would be very much obliged, I think he is the uncle I want the record of, it means [unintelligible] other baron the D.A.R. [unintelligible] & oblige
Page 21

2
Yours
Mrs D G Scholton
20 East Barney St
Gouverneur NY
Page 22

Cleveland Ohio
August, 21 - '28
To Pension Dept
Rev Section
Washington D. C.
Kindly send me record of what you have of Captain Leonard Helm [underlined] of his family, birthplace & etc. He was Capt of Company organized in 1778. (sent out by State of Va) under Col Geo Rogers Clark (of N.W. Territory fame)
oblige
Lulu Wood Martin
2194 Coventry Road
Cleveland Ohio
Page 23

No 4
Com
Leonard Helm
[illegible] July 32

J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Hon J Harlan

[stamped: NEW[illegible] FEB [illegible]]
[stamped: FREE]
Page 24

Lawrenceburg K
Aug 28

Free
J. Harlan [unerlined]

Col J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.

[vertically: [illegible]  Leonard Helm 5 July 32]
Page 25

Lexington Ken Dec 10. 1835
J Minot Com. Pensions
Washington
D Sir
Yours of the 19th in relation to the
claim of Capt Len: Helm was not in due time-
Does it not appear that Capt Helm received
his pay until the time of his death as a
captain? He died before the period of time fined by the Department as the termination of the Revolutionary War as appears from his will, yet I presume it can be shown that he continued until that went in the actual service of the Government. Would this proof show that he came under the provisions of the act referred to?
I enclose the certificate of the Clerk of the Jefferson Cty Court showing that after his death his executors made proof in open Court of the balance due him as Indian agant [agent]- Will you let me know what became of this balance, to whom twas  paid- It is not taken into the account of his executors & his heirs never received it-
Upon the return of the [unintelligle] Regiment who were made supernumerary? Was he among them?
My Res:
R Pindell
Page 26

State of Kentucky
Jefferson County
Be it remembered that at a County
Court held for Jefferson County at the Court House in the City of Louisville on the 2nd day October. 1787
The following order was entered of record that
"On the motion of Leonard Helms has ordered that it be certified that his [unintelligible] of sundries furnished as Indian Agent appears unsurable, sufficient & satisfactory voucher being produced for the same"
In Testimony whereof & that the foregoing is
truly copied from the records of Court
I the Clerk thereof have here to set my hand official seal the 27th day of December 1855
A.M. Thurston
Ck.
Fee $1.25
Page 27

19094
Com of Pensions
Nov 9, '35
Wants the loan of papers upon which
land was allowed the heirs of Leonard Helm.

[?] & papers sent.
[?] 13th/35
App No. 312

R 

Nov 12/33 Niles
Page 28

Pension Office,
November 9, 1855-
Sir,
Please loan this office, for a few days, the papers upon which land was allowed the heirs of Leonard Helm, who was a Captain in the "Illinois Regiment" of Virginia State troops during a part of the revolutionary war.

I suppose the greater part of this evidence is at Richmond; but the attorney for the heirs who is prosecuting a claim for half pay, seems to think that some important testimony is on file in your office.
I am. very respectfully,
Your Obt Servant,
J. Minot
Commissioner

Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks
Commissioner
General Land Officer
Page 29

Copy 

December 28, 1855

R. Pindell
Livingston, VA

Sir: 
In reply to your letter of the 10" instant you are respectfully informed that nothing could be possibly due a party (under Act of July 5, 1832) who died while in the service during the Revolutionary War. Half pay was allowed from the time an officer became supernumerary or from the close of the war to the date of his death in lieu of full pay. Captain Helm was not a supernumerary officer. He appears to have left the military service to take charge
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of the civil duties, devolved upon him by the State of Virginia. 
Application should be made to the authorities of Virginia as to the balance due him as Indian Agent.
I am [vc] 
J Minot Com.

R.G.

copied by [aws] April 4, 1929
Page 31

Copy
November 19. 1855
R. Pindell
Livingstone, Kentucky
Sir: - I have received and carefully examined the papers transmitted by you in support of a claim for half pay under act of July 5, 1832 of the heirs of Capt. Leonard Helm together with those upon which land was recovered, which at your request I procured from the General Land Office.
The record of this office show that Captain Helm, after having been a captain in the Illinois Regiment, was appointed Indian Agent in Aug. 1779, and there is no record evidencethat he ever rejoined the army in a military capacity. To recover land in this case, it was only
Page 32

necessary to prove a service of three years at any period of the Revolutionary War.
On the other hand to sustain the present claim 
for half pay under Act of Congress of July 1832 and the Virginia Act of 1779, it is indispensable that he should have served until the close of the war, or become supernumerary by the reduction of his regiment. The evidence upon which the land claim was allowed discloses the fact that he died before the close of the war. The claimis therefore clearly not embraced by the provisions
of the aforesaid act.
R.G.
I am &C
of Minot Con.
Copied by
Court. April 4, 1929
Page 33

Lexington Ken Oct 31. 55
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Sir
The heirs of Capt Lenard[Leonard] Helm applied to the Department for half pay commutation for his services as a Captain in the Illinois Regiment under General George Rogers Clarke[Clark] in the Virginia State line. In a letter written by the Department on the 2nd Jan 1837 [unintelligible] John Carr it is stated that the papers on file contain no proof of identity, or service, nor do the Rolls show that the deceased was [unintelligible]. In 1837 the claim of the heirs for Bounty land was allowed & I refer to the papers on file in that case. The Rolls of the Regiment on file show that Lenard[Leonard] Helm was a Captain & the allotment of the lands in Clarkes grant in Indiana which is also on file show that land was allotted to him. The History of Indiana, & [unintelligible] mentions the name of Capt L. Helm & speaks of his services. His will is on file with the papers in the office of the Com: of the Land office referred to above - In addition to which I refer to the proof this day enclosed that department on an application
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on behalf of part of the heirs for bounty
land -
I also enclose the
1. Deposition of Bev Helm before the
Hardin County Court of Kentucky
2. The deposition of Jacob Vanmetre -
3. The power of attorney from part of the
Heirs -
These papers identify the heirs now applying as the true heirs of Capt Len: Helm of the Illinois Regiment and any further proof which may be required in this point can be furnished. If the death as shown by the will on file with the [unintelligible] of the Land office does not cut them off- they can be shown as the persons entitled beyond any doubt- There are now living a number of persons who can testify as to identity-
I presume Clarkes Roll as it appears in Charleston Indiana & the allotment of the [unintelligible] to distribute the lands in that grant are on file & I do not therefore have them copied- any required amount of proof can be produced to show that part of the heir now occupy part of the land allotted their in that grant-
My Res
R Pindell
Page 35

General Land Office:
[illegible: November ?] 13th, 1833.

Sir:
[illegible] with your request of the 9th [illegible], I send [illegible] the papers in the case of "Captain Lenard Helm, Virginia State Line," upon which [illegible] issued in Satisfaction of [illegible] [illegible] 7,369, for 4000 acres, pursuant to the "Act of August 31st, 1852."

I am Sir,
Your Obt Servant,
[illegible: The A. Huduch ?]
Commissioner.

[illegible]
Comm of Pensions

This [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] Grant of Land. U.S. never gave such amount & this officer had no title, to U.S. Land as this was granted to Line Officers only, prior to 1855. over
Page 36

report of Va, House of Delegates, Document no 32, page 11- (provided in 1834)

Our list of officers of Illinois Regt who have not received land for Revolutionary Services

Leonard Helm, Captain and Indian Agent with Remarks, Entitled to land for 3 years services. (This claim was among those referred by the executive to the agent and reported on).

This accounts from U.S. Land Office allowance noted on preceding page, it was paid by the U.S. after they had taken over the payments of Va. debts after cession of North West Territory by U.S. It was a part of the agreement

The Act of Aug 31. 1832 is not among the U.S [underlined] bounty Land Laws.
Page 37

Lawrenceburg Ky January 23nd. 1839
Dear Sir agreable to your Request
I now inclose this in the papers you Recd when you was here from the Pension office Concerning the Claim of Lenard[Leonard] Helms Heirs you recolect I have no doubt the Perport of Mrs H. Todds letter which you inclosed for Me to the war Department the answer of to which I send to you for your Examination I wrote to Doct Helm of Warrington Va. I Recd the answer on the Back of My letter to him Rather insulting then otherwise the answer was that the Doctor Did not know anything about the Claim of Capt L. Helm, without [unintelligible] to it,
Dear Sir Please Examon for Me & tell Me Precisley the Situation of that Claim & what proof is Required, for the stands inroled as a captin in the Revolutionary War & also indian agent for the Goverment of Verginia, the Heirs say that he Helm never Recd any Monthly Pay for his Services in Either Capacity, Pleas informe Me of all the Partickles within your power or if there has been any other Clames from any other sorce, for his Pension or half pay, if so Pleas informe me who they are, for I Believe there is some one trying to swindle the Heirs of Jones out of the Hole Matter, your attension to this matter will Much oblige your
Humble Friend
John Whip
Mr Jas Harlin Esq.
Washington City
Page 38

New York, Feb: 1 1839.
Sir,
I enclose you a letter from Mr John Whip with two letters heretofore received from you on the subject of the claim of Capt Leonard Helms heirs.
I am Very Resfy
Yours
James Harlan
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Page 39

War Department
Pension Office
Sept. 18. 1838
Sir,
I herewith return the letter of Mr. Todd in the case of Leonard Helm, decd. and in reply thereto, I have to inform you that the claim has not been admitted, the evidence being insufficient. The letter, of which the enclosed is a copy, will show why half-pay has not been allowed.
I have the honor to
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
J. L. Edwards
Hon. James Harlan
Lawrenceburg
Kentucky
Page 40

Hon. James Harlan
18. Sep. 1838
OC
Page 41

War Dep [Department]
Pension Office
Sept. 18. 1838
Sir,
I herewith return the letter of Mr. Todd in the case of Leonard Helm, decd. and in reply thereto, I have to inform you that the claim has not been admitted, the evidence being insufficient. The letter, of which the enclosed is a copy, will show why half-pay has not been allowed.
J havch
Hon. James Harlan
Lawrenceburg
Ken. [Kentucky]
Act 5 July '32
Page 42

(Copy.)
War Department,
Pension Office,
January 2nd. 1837.
Sir,
In answer to the enquiry contained in the enclosed memorandum, respecting the claim of the heirs of Leonard Helm, decd. under the Act of July 5. 1832, I have the honor to inform you that the papers on file contain no proof of identity or of service, nor to the records shew that the decd. was entitled.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
(Signed,) J. L. Edwards
Hon. John Carr
House of Representatives
Page 43

Affidavit of Services of Capt Leonard Helm Ills Regt end of war.
This paper to be presented at Washington for half pay -
No 2
Heirs of L Helms
Page 44

State of Kentucky Hardin County
I Thomas Morrison a justice of the peace in the county aforesaid in the State of Kentucky do hearby [hereby] certify that Jacob [Varemetre] is a [illegible] [illegible] and that he personally appeared before me in my county aforesaid and made oath that he was made acquainted with Leonard Helm of Virginia and that he was a Captain in the Virginia State line and served in the Illinois Regiment under the command of Col. George R. Clarke and his [illegible] further states that he was an Ensign in the same regiment and that Captain Leonard Helm never resigned but continued in the Revolutionary war to the end
Given under my hand and seal this 27 day of November 1834 Thomas Morrison [signature]
State of Kentucky Hardin County
I Samuel Haycraft clerk of the county court of Hardin county so hearby certify that Thomas Morrison is a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid and over at the time of  taking the foregoing office and of the said Jacob [illegible] and now is a noting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Hardin duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that the signature of the said Thomas Morrison as Justice of the peace is his genuine signature 
in testimony whereof I have heard and set my hand and affixes the seal of the county court of Hardin this 29 day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four and in the 43 years of the commonwealth
Sam Haycraft [signature]
Page 45

State of Kentucky
Hardin County

I Green Adams presiding Justice of the County court of Hardin do hearby certify that Samuel Haycraft was at the time of affixing the Seal of the said County court to the with in affidavit and certificate and is now Clerk of the said County court, and that the attestation is in due form of Law and by the proper officer appointed by the laws of the said state and that due faith and credit are due to all his office al acts Given under my hand and seal this 26
day of February 1835-

Green Adams [circled: "seal"]
Page 46



Helm
&
Floyd

[stamped: LEXINGTON KY. SEP 09]

Josh [underlined]

The Honble The Secy of the Treasury.
Washington
Dr. Col.

[illegible] 15.661- [illegible]
Page 47

R. 16 Sept 18[illegible]

Sir
I transmit the enclosed document, respecting some land claim, at the request of Mr. John Boyle of Henderson, Kentucky.
I am respectfy [respectfully]
Your obt. servt.
H. Clay

The Secy [Secretary] of the Treasury.

Ashland $ Sept. 34
Page 48

Dec 17.

J. L. Edwards Esq
Coms of Pensions
Washington
City

Hn. Jn. oCarr, [Hon. John Carr]
HR. [House of Representatives]
Page 49

Washington Dec 16 1836
J L Edward Esq
I have enclose the memorandon of M Ezekiel Jenkins, please to answer it when convenient.
Your John Carr