Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 1955, Stephen Hancock, Va.
Page 1

Service
VA (Virginia)
Hancock, Stephen
Number
S1955
Page 2

7252
East Tennessee
Stephen Hancock
of Knox Co in the State of E Tennessee
who was a private in the company commanded
[by] Captain King of the Rgt. commanded
[by] Col Woods in the Virginia 
[line] for 1 year
Inscribed on the roll of East Tennessee
at the rate of 40 Dollars [0] Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of March
1833 and sent to James Hair 
Knoxvill Tenn
Arrears to the 4th of March $80.00
Semi-anl, allowance ending 4 Sept 20.00
$100.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{ Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk
Book 6, Vol. 7 Pager 46
Page 3

State of Tennessee  Knox County Js
On the 4th day of October 1832 Personally appeared  in open 
count before us Elijah Johnson Thos Brown and B. Mcnutt 
three of the acting Justices of the court of Pleas and Quarter 
Sessions in and for said county now sitting it being a court of 
Guard Stephen Hancock a resident of the County of
Knox and state aforesaid in  the county of Knox and state of 
Tennessee aged 79 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 act of Congress passed June
7th 1832 that he entered the service of the united States
under the following named officers and served as herein
stated He resided in Halifax county Virginia
at which place in February 1780 he volunteered
for a six month tour against the british under Capt
Edward King in Col Thomas Woods Regiment in
Genl Lawsons Brigade rendezvoused at Halifax 
Court house marched to Petersburgh then to Williamsburg
thence to Warm Springs thence to Hampton roads 
then returned to Warm Springs lay there till
our time was out and was there honorably discharged
which discharge was signed by Capt. King and
was afterwards burnt when his house was  burnt 
He was discharge in august 1780. He served at this 
time six months
Again  while living at the same place as above
he substituted in the [illegible] and [illegible] Absolum 
Hancock for a three month tour in September 1780 under 
Capt Wm Baits in Col John Wilbushy
Regiment in Genl Lawsons Brigade rendezvoused
in Halifax Court house Marched to Petersburgh
thence we went on board of a French vessel
Page 4

and went to Norfolk by water then we marched 
to the Dismal Swamp thence to Williamsburg thence
to York town there we lay till our time was out
and were honorably discharged in December 1780
which discharge was signed by the said Capt Boits
and was burnt at the same time & in the same manner
as the last Served at this time three months
Again while living at the same plan as above
in January 1781 was Drafted for a three months 
tour under Capt Tapley White in Col Bartons
Regiment rendezvous at Halifax Courthouse
Marched to Petersburgh thence to the Warm Springs
thence to Portsmouth thence to the Hampton roads 
thence to Petersburgh thence to Warm Springs
lay there till our time was out  and was then 
honorably Discharged in Apl 1781 which discharge 
was signed by said Capt White and lost at the time 
and in the manner of the two former ones Served
at  this time three months  He served in the 
whole twelve months  He has no documentary 
evidence and he knows of no person whose testimony
he can  provide who can testify to his service 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a 
pension or annuity except at present and declares
that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid There is no 
clergyman in his neighborhood nor name that he knows of by
whom he can proove the report of his service
Stephen Hancock [his mark X] X
Sworn to in open Court
4th Octo 1832
Wm Swain [illegible]
Page 5

No 15524
Stephen Hancock 
Knox County Tennessee
from  1780 private
1 year 
$40.
James Hair
Knox Ville Tennesee
Page 6

BRIEF in the case of Stephen Hancock
County of Knox in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? [no answer]
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?  79 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
[four chart column headings]
Period/ Duration of Service/ Rank/ Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

Period: Vol. in 1780 /Duration: 6 months/ Rank: as a private/ Officers: Gen. Lawsons, Capt King, Col Woods
Period: sub [no year]/ Duration: 3 months/Rank: [blank] / Officers: Capt Baits, Col Wilbush
Period: drafted 1781/ Duration: 3 months/ Rank: [blank]/ Officers: White, Col Bartus

5. In  what battles was he engaged?  None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Halifax County Virginia 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, why documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
M Clagett Examining Clerk
Page 7

December 10, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Stephen Hancock,S.1955
Honorable William L. Nelson
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Nelson:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the
pension claim, S. 1955, based upon the Revolutionary War service of 
Stephen Hancock.
The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents 
were not given.
While a resident of Halifax County, Virginia, he enlisted and
served as private with the Virginia troops as follows: from February ,
1780, six months in Captain Edmond King's company in Colonel Thomas
Wood's regiment ; from September, 1780, three months in Captain William
Baits' company in Colonel John Wilbush's regiment and was substitute
for Absolem [underlined word] Handcock (relationship not shown); from January, 1781,
three months in Captain Tapley (possibly meant for Tarpley) White's
company in Colonel Baits' regiment.
Stephen Hancock was allowed pension on his application executed
October 4, 1832, at which time he was seventy-nine years of age and 
was living in Knox County, Tennessee.
The papers in this claim contain no data relative to wife or
children of Stephen Hancock.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
[handwritten note added] Death not on A. B.
Page 8

Application of 
Stephen Hancock
for a Pension
15524
Direct to James Hair 
Knoxville Tennessee
Page 9

We Jesse Parker Jonathan Parker residing in the said County of Knox and state of Tennessee hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Stephen Hancock who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 79 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Sworn in Open Court
4th Oct 1832 Wm Swan DC  [signed] Jesse Parker Jonathan Parker
And the said Court being a court of record do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation prescribed by the war Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and appears to them that Jesse Parker and Jonathan Parker who has signed the preceeding certificate are residents in the said County of Knox and State of Tennessee and are credable persons and that their statement is intitled to credit. 
[signed] Elijah Johnson  Thos Brown  Br McNutt
Justices of the court of pleas and Justices Quartersessions in and for the said County of Knox and state of Tennessee
Page 10

I Charles McClung Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quartersessions in and for the said county of Knox and State of Tennessee (it being a court of Record) do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Hancock for a pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office in Knoxville this 19th day of Oct 1832
     [signed] Chas. McClung\     by his Dep Wm Swan
Page 11

February 13, 1940
BA-J/MCS
Stephen Hancock, S.1955

Mr. James N. Adams]
502 East Ash Street
Taylorville, Illinois

Dear Sir:

     Reference is made to your request for information relative to Stephen Hancock.
     The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, S.1955, base on the Revolutionary War service of Stephen Hancock.
     While a resident of Halifax County, Virginia, Stepehn Hancock enlisted and served as private with the Virginia troops as follows: from February, 1780, six months in Captain Edmond King's company in Colonel Thomas Woods's regiment; from September, 1780, three months in Captain William Baits' company in Colonel John Wilbush's regiment and was substitute for Absalom Hancdock 9relationship not shown); from January, 1781, three months in Captain Tapley 9possibly meant for Tarpley) White's company in Colonel Baits' regiment. 
     Stephen Hancock was allowed pension on his application executed October 4, 1832, at which time he was seventy-nine years of age and was living in Knox County, Tennessee.
     The papers in this claim contain no data relative to wife or children of Stephen Hancock.
Page 12

If you desire to obtain  the date of last payment of pension of
Stephen Hancock, the name and address of the person paid and possibly
the date of soldier's death, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller
General, Records Division, General Accounting Office,
Washington, D.C., giving the following data:
Stephen Hancock, Certificate 7252, issued March 20, 1833, rate
$40 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, East
Tennessee Agency.
Very Truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 13

December 10, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J / MCS
Stephen Hancock, S.1955
Honorable William L. Nelson
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 
My dear Mr. Nelson:
Reference is made to your letter of December 8, 1936, enclosing
a letter from Mrs. Aline M. Brown of Jacksonville, Missouri, who
desires the records of Stephen and William Hancock who served in the
Revolutionary War.
The references, given by Mrs. Brown as means of identification 
of the particular Stephen  and William Hancock desired, do not apply 
to the records of this office.
You are furnished herewith, the record of the only Stephen Hancock
found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
In order to identify the record of the particular William Hancock
in whom Mrs. Brown is interested, it is essential that she furnish as
much as possible of the following data: approximate date of birth and
death, place of residence at enlistment and after service and first
name of widow.
Very truly yours
A.D.HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 14

502 East Ash Street
Taylorville, Illinois
January 29th, 1940
Director of Pensions
Veterans Administration 
Washington, D. C. 
Stephen  Hancock 
Virginia soldier Rev. War
Res. Roane Co., Tenn.
Sir:
One Stephen  Hancock is listed in a local history as a soldier of
the Revolutionary War, from  the State of Virginia, residing in Roane
County, Tennessee, who was pensioned under an Act of Congress enacted
in 1832. If I may have the data I wish you would please send me whatever
may appear of record, if anything, touching his personal or military 
history, family, residence, etc., and oblige
Yours respectfully,
James N. Adams.
[round black ink stamp]
RECEIVED FEB 1 1940
MAIL SUB-DIV 
Reader No. 2
VETS ADM
Page 15

WILLIAM L. NELSON MEMBER: COMMITTEE OF AGRICULTURE
SECOND MISSOURI DISTRICT
WASHINGTON ADDRESS: 
225 HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
HOME ADDRESS: 
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
December 8, 1936
Mr. A. D. Hiller, Assistant
Executive Administrator
Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C. 
My dear Mr. Hiller:
Enclosed is letter from Mrs. Aline M. Brown,
of Jacksonville, Missouri, who wishes to obtain
the war records of Stephen and William Hancock. 
We would appreciate it if you could furnish us with this material.
When the enclosure has served your purpose, please return 
it for our files.
Thanking you, I am
Sincerely yours,
WM. W. Sterrett
Secretary to Mr. Nelson
level S
[added handwritten note with line pointing to name]
her letter returned: Signature illegible, & possibly Olive 
instead of Aline Brown [illegible initials] 12/10/36
[round black ink stamp]
RECEIVED DEC 9 1936
MAIL SUB.DIV.
VETS ADM [illegible] 1
Page 16

[left page]
1936. Dec, 10, hist. to Hon
Wm. L. Nelson for Mrs. Aline M. Brown. [illegible initials]
1940 Feb. 13, hist to Mr. Jas N. Adams [illegible initials]
[right page]
Rev War. 
1955
INVALID.
File No. 1955
Stephen Hancock
Pvt, Va. line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 157
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Stephen Hancock which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
      assigned for his not doing so? [no answer]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V.  * Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension
       he is entitled? yes
VI. Has he given names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the relation? yes
VII. Has he made relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the 
      Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
     from  any other seal? yes
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[page] 2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service? [answer] 2 citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [answer] yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [answer] yes
XIV. + If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service? [ no answer]
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? [no answer]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the 
regulations direct? [no answer]
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [answer crossed out illegible]
XVI. +Are the papers authenticated asthe regulations direct? [answer] yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? 
And if not, which of them is not so answered? [answer] 1.2
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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.
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[page] 3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months" is too indefinite,
and all qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state 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 shewn 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 embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed 
in any civil pursuit.
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
+QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
[manicule symbol] In every case where there clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 20

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
FORM VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Hancock, Thomas GRADE Private"in the LINE Artillery Artificers of Pennsylvania"
WARRANT NUMBER 13233 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 2, 1791 
to ___not shown_-
* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on  this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of
"Land  Warrants Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants 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.