Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,553, for John King, Maryland
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(3-1776)
Service: Md.
King, John
Number: S.5,553
carded
CONTENTS
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Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
14th Nov. 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 which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agent, 6 of the 7 children of John King a pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of eighty Dollars and cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 have been paid at this Department (6/7th of his pension), from the 4th of September 1842 to the 28 Feby. 1843.

Respectfully yours,

/Albion K. Parris/
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
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Virginia
At a Superior court of Law continued and held for Montgomery [illegible cut off] county at the court house on Tuesday the 15th day of Sept. 1829.
On this 15th day of September 1829 personally appeared in open court being a court of record for the said county of Montgomery, being one of the counties composing the 12th Judicial circuit [illegible cut off] John King resident in said county aged nearly Seventy 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 of March 1818 and the 1st of May 1820, that he the said John King enlisted for the term of three years (or during the war, on the      day of April in the year 1778 in the state of Maryland in the company commanded by Captain Daniel Stull in the regiment commanded by Colonel [illegible cut off] John Gunley in the line of the state of Maryland on Continental [illegible cut off] establishment. that he continued to serve in the said corps until [illegible cut off] the 25th (as he believes) day of April 1781, when he was discharged from the service near Camden in the state of South Carolina that he hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension except the present. that his name is not to his knowledge on the roll of any state except that of Maryland, and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for [illegible cut off] pension, about eight or ten years ago, he had a little furnace [illegible] blown up, and about three or four years ago he had a [illegible] and a smith shop burnt. these misfortunes produced such affects [illegible] his circumstances as to make him gradually more and more sensi[illegible cut off] of his need of [illegible assistance] Until now when he feels satisfied [illegible cut off] he must come to want without some aid in addition to his [illegible cut off] means he always felt an unwillingness to make this application [illegible cut off] but his growing necessities have prevailed over this unwillingness [illegible cut off] and he feels himself constrained to ask charity from his country  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 1818 and that I have not since that [illegible cut off] by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property [illegible cut off] any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it [illegible cut off] to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in land and naval service of the United States in the revolution
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was passed on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me not have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. Schedule of the estate of John King, one hundred and sixteen acres of land unimproved Mountain Land in two tracts one of 45  acres the other of 71 acres, worth in his opinion not (at any rate) more than $100. Two head of Horses one about seven years old the other about twenty five, worth together in his opinion $60, two head of cattle worth $15. seven head of hogs running wild in the woods $5. Two stills that were burnt in the still house eight or ten years ago  very much injured  worth $20. He has in addition to these things a little cheap and necessary household furniture, his family is composed of himself, two single daughters and one married with her husband and one child, his occupation has been that of a farmer and powder maker, in a small way. The said John King on his oath further declares that since the 18th of March 1818 the following changes only to the best of his recollection have taken place in his property: In 1818 he had of Lands besides that he has stated in his schedule a tract of mountain land [illegible containing] 240 acres worth probably a dollar per acre which he made the property of one of his sons under the following circumstances out the year 1820 finding himself to be growing feeble under [illegible which], he proposed to his son who was then near 21 years of age [illegible that]t if he would live with him and work for him, he would [illegible after] his marriage give him the said tract of 240 acres, and [illegible accordingly] rodingly this son having worked for him (this applicant) [illegible the last] seven years, and then got married, he surrendered the premises to him in compliance with his promise. He has had no other resourses besides those mentioned in his schedule since 1818 except [illegible]s which he sold to Samuel Webster both together for $50 to [illegible repay] y in part a debt of $67.84 due to said Samuel Webster for [illegible the]e purchase of one of the stills mentioned in the schedule with [illegible parts]ts  and other furniture for distilling spirits, which were burn [illegible] in the still house. that his present stock of hogs & horned cattle the remnant of the running stock from 1818. which he has [illegible] ected by no disposition, of any part thereof except by [illegible] inary family use and common accidents with the exception
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of the sale of a heifer made four or five weeks ago to Charles Reynolds for $7. in part payment of a debt due to him of $15. 
Sworn to and declared on the 15th day of September 1829 before Superior court of Law for the county of Montgomery in term It is ordered to be certified that it appears to the satisfaction of[illegible] the court that the said John King did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceeding declaration against the common enemy for the term of three years under one engagement on [the illegible] continental establishment; and it is further ordered to be certified that it is the opinion of the said court that the [illegible] total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is two hundred dollars.
[seal white paper with zigzag edges attached to left margin]
In Testimony that the foregoing is truly copied from the records of the said county 
I Charles Taylor clerk thereof have hereunto  set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 14th day of October 1829 in the 34th year of the commonwealth
[signed] Charles Taylor
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[handwritten on pre-printed form]
13

Virginia
John King of Montgomery Co. in the State of Virginia who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Stall of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Gunby in the Maryland line, for the term of three years from April 1778 to April 1781

Inscribed on the roll of Virginia at the rate of eighty Dollars per [month crossed out] annum, to commence on the 4 day of March 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 2d. of July 1832 and sent to Hon. R. Craig. H. R.

Arrears to 4th of March 1832  $80.--
Semi-anu'l All'ce ending 4 Sep' 40.--
$120.--

{Revolutionary Claim, Acts [March 18, 1818 and May 1, 1820 crossed out] 7 June 1832}

Rec. Book D,. Vol 7. fol: 117.

[second column]
Dead
Letter to Hon A. S Chapman 12 Feb. 1841
Same person  7 Jany 1845.

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of 6 April 1838, from 4th Sept 1842 to 28 Feb 1843 Agt Notified, 23d Jany 1845
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[handwritten on pre-printed form]
5553
Rev War handwritten sideways
INVALID. 
[illegible scribble]
File No. 5553
John King Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th "32
Index:-Vol. M, Page 207
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Is the transaction as to the land bona fide?

Craig 68. [agreed crossed out] 
Revo. Pensions
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Resolved, that the Committe on [revolutionary crossed out] Military Pensions be, and they are hereby instructed to enquire into the expediency of allowing a pension to John King of Floyd county & State of Virginia, for services rendered in the War of the revolution; and that the Documents relating hereto, on file in the Clerk's office of this House, be reported to said Committee
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House of Representatives
January 6th 1845
Dear Sir
I herewith a communication from one of my Constituents. making enquiry in relation to the Warrant of John King. Which he thinks may be in your office -- Should it have been lost in what way could it be remedied - 
Most respectfully
your obt Sevt-
[signed] Augustus A. Chapman
Hon. J. L. Edwards --
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[handwritten on pre-printed form]
C.
KNOW all Men by these Presents, That I, John King of the county of (a) Floyd revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint Robert Craig my true and lawful Attorney (b), for me, and in my name, to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying Pensions in Washington City D. C. [state of crossed out] my pension from the [illegible] day of March 1831, to the fourth day of March 1832
Witness my Hand and Seal, this 18th day of June 1832.
[signed] John King [black rectangular stamp with word SEAL in center]
Sealed and delivered in presence of} Henry Dickinz

State of Virginia}
Floyd County, } ss. 
Be it known, That on the 18th day of June 1832, before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared John King above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, the day and year last above mentioned.
[signed] George Sheler J. Peace.
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Washington June 28th 1832
D. Sir
I, herewith send you the papers in the case of John King. I hope you will arrange matters so as to enable me to draw the amount now due to him. I have the power to do so
Very respectfully
[signed] R Craig
J. L. Edwards
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Washington City
February 9th 1844
Dear Sir
I herewith enclose you a communication from one of my constituents covering the pension certificate of John King Decd and the copy of an order of the County Court of Floyd County Va. You would confer a favour by informing what more will by necessary for obtaining the amount due to the representatives of said King Decd.
I am most respectfully your Obt Servant
[signed] Augustus A Chapman
Col. J. S. Edwards
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Hon. Lewis Cass
Sec. of war
Washington D.C. 

A Howard L.C.

Private [illegible] 2 years [illegible] June 1832
Hon. R. Craig
H. R.
[illegible] Feb 2 1832
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Washington June 30th 1832
Hon. Lewis Cass
Sir,
John King, whom I well know some time before the passage of the late bill respecting pensions, made out his declaration, in conformity with the provisions of the acts of Congress of 1818 and 1820, and transmitted it to the Department over which you preside, with a view to obtain a pension He did not succeed because is was supposed the amount of his property excluded him There is no doubt of his services. The only difficulty [illegible] upon the amount of his property. The case was laid before Congress & a bill passed by the H. of Rs. in his favour both in the present and last session of Congress
Since the late inactment, upon the subject of pensions, with a view to the relief of the old man whom & whose wants I well know, I transmitted to him a blank
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power of attorney that he might return it to me for the purpose of enabling me to draw & carry to him the amount now due. The power was returned , and appears to have been executed on the 18th of June 1832. I have not the slightest doubt that the transaction is fair, in all particulars
Now I wish to know whether you will regard the execution of the power as evidence of identity of person, of which there is not the least doubt on my mind And, if you can regard it will you so far favour the old man as to order the payment of his pension?
[Mr crossed out] Edwards thinks it a fair case, but not within is discretion. He will be able, I think, to explain the matter so as to remove all difficulty, should you call on him, as I hope you will.
His declaration is stated to have been made in Montgomery County & his power
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of attorney in the County of Floyd. To remove any difficulty from this apparent discrepancy I have to state that since his declaration was made the county of Floyd has been created by an act of the Virginia Legislature, prior to which act it was part of Montgomery County
Sir be pleased to incur this trouble, thrown upon you. It is done because I know personally the honesty of the case, and because I know the harmless good old man, King, to be in much need of this bounty
with great respect your &c
[signed] R. Craig

P. S. I inclose the power for inspection. Of court, I must make the usual oath before receiving the money I am well acquainted with George Sheld [illegible] justice who signed the certificate to the power of attorney & know [illegible] is personally acquainted with John King
[signed] R. Craig
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21051

HOn Robt Craig VA
8 Dec 1829 H. R.
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Montgomery County (to wit)
This day Steven Burnel of Lawfull age personally appeared before me Andrew Lewis a justice of the peace in and for the County of Montgomery and made oath that John King purchased a still of my Step Father Samuel Webster with all the vessels belonging to said still, for the sum of [illegible] four dollars and that this said John King til the said Samuel Webster have two Horses in part payment of said still, that this affiant has lived with said John King a considerable time, and that he the said King has been so unfortunate as [illegible] by few his still House and a smith Shop, which burning destroyed all his vessel and very much [illegible] his Still, and this affiant he nows that his step Father Samuel Webster to whom the above still was contracted has left this state so that his affidavit cannot be procured Subscribed to this 14th day of September 1829
[signed] Stephen Burnett

Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 24th Day of Septemb. 1829
[signed] A. Lewis
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Affidavit
Montgomery County (to wit)
This Day Andrew Lewis of Lawful age personally appeared before me Jonathan Conner a justice of the peace in and for the County of Montgomery and State of Virginia and made oath that he has for many years lived a neighbour to John King. that he is an honest inoffensive old man and as a Man of Truth he is entitled to full Credit, and is from the infirmaties of age and reduced curcumstances entitled to the Bounty of his Country in the service of which as a soldier in the revolutionary war in the Maryland Line this affiant knows him [illegible] the matters of allowance, and [illegible] in Guilford County State of North Carolina, which actions took place in the month of Feby 1781, but a very short time before the G[illegible] actions took place at Guilford Court House, in which Battle this affiant has every reason to believe said John King acted his part as a Brave soldier, as the Regiment He was then in always was said to act Bravely, since or shortly after the close of that war I have the greatest part of my time lived a neighbour to said King. and his aged parents, who informed this affiant that their son John King enlisted in the regular Service, very young some years before of age, [illegible] of thirty years this affiant has lived a neighbour to said John King and his deportment was [illegible] of a good Citizen subscribed to [illegible] this 24th Day of September 1829
[signed] An Lewis
Sworn and Subscribed to before [illegible] this 24th Day of September 1829
[signed] Jn Conner
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Affidavit
Montgomery County (illegible)

This Day Henry King of Lawfull age personally appeared before me Andrew Lewis a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Montgomery and state of Virginia, and made oath, that about the time or shortly after the Death of his Mother, that John King my father (I then being under age) observed to me that if I would continue to live with him and manage the place or plantation on which he lived containing two hundred and forty acres, that he would give me the plantation when I got married, under which agreement I lived with him for [crossed out] and laboured for him six or seven years after I was of age and that his father in consideration thereof has given him the land further this affiant sayeth not Subscribe to this 24th Day of September 1829

Henry King

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 24th Day of September 1829

A. Lewis
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Montgomery County (towit)
This day Charles B Reynolds personally appeared before me one of the Commonwealths Justices of the peace for the County afforarsaid & mde oath that he purchased of John King a three year old Heifer at Seven Dollars It being in part payment to the said Charles b Reynolds for a Barrow of Salt Peter purchase for said John King that the said John King have not directly or indirectly conveyed any property to me but what was conveyed without any future prospects from me for said property given under my hand Oct 14th 1829
[signed] Peter Guerrant [word seal surrounded by circle]
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Virginia Montgomery County Sct.
I Charles Taylor clerk of the county court of Montgomery do hereby certify that Andrew Lewis, Peter Guerrant and Jonathan Conner Gent. before whom the foregoing affidavits were severally made, are now and were at the time of taking the same acting Justices of the peace in and for the county of Montgomery aforesaid, and [illegible] such full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all of their official acts as well in courts of Justice as else where. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court at the court house this 6th day of November 1829
[signed] Charles Taylor. Ck
[white paper with zig zag edges attached to left margin]
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Report of Com in [illegible] Case of John King
[illegible crossed out]
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In the Case of John King it is fully & sufficiently proved that he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary army for long Period [illegible] nine months It appears that he had conveyed about 240 acres of poor land worth about $1. per acre to his son in consideration of his son's services for seven years & he is required by the war department to exhibit satisfactory evidence of a written contract having been executed prior to the performance of the labor alleged to have been performed by his son - The committee conceives that the Petitioner was as much bound by a parole contract to [illegible] his son for [illegible] as he would have been by a written contract & if it was a fair & bona fide transaction (which from the evidence) the Committee [illegible crossed out] do not doubt, the Petitioner is properly entitled to the benefit of the Pension laws --
[illegible] Therefore [illegible] a [illegible] 
[illegible crossed out]