Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 36611, for James Irvine, Virginia
Page 1

Va.     Irvine, James                  @.36611
          Ervin
          Erwin
Page 2

S.201
Kentucky
ctf 5.201

James Irvine
private
Virginia line. 1776 2 years
Capt. Johnson
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 0 Dollars per month, to commence on the 25th of May, 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th of Jany 1879 and send to the Hon. R.M. Johnson, House of Rep. U. States.

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1878 (illegible) mo   $26.86
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th May 1879           $48.--

                                                                       $74.86

Revolutionary claim, Act (smudged text) March, 1818
Page 3

See letter Feb. 22 1836 to 
Hon. R.M. Johnson See letter
to Hon. H. Hines, Richmond, Va
March 17, 1831
Dup. certificate issued Oct.
24 1835 and sent to J. Harlan, Nicholasville, Ky 
Let to same Feb 24 1836

(written vertically)
James Irvine original declaration
Lexington Ky
Page 4

See letter Feb. 22 1836 to 
Hon. R.M. Johnson See letter
to Hon. H. Hines, Richmond, Va
March 17, 1831
Dup. certificate issued Oct.
24 1835 and sent to J. Harlan, Nicholasville, Ky 
Let to same Feb 24 1836

(written vertically)
James Irvine original declaration
Lexington Ky
Page 5

District of Kentucky, SS. 
     On this 25th day of May 1818 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the State of 
Kentucky for the said district, personally appeared James Irvine aged sixty-eight years, resident 
in Jessamine County in the said district, who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth 
on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the 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 James Irvine enlisted in the year 
1776 in the state of Virginia for the term of Two years in the company commanded by James 
Johnson of the 6th Virginia Regiment commanded by Colonel Ball and served said time & then 
served Three years in the 14 Virginia Regiment under Colonel William Davis and; that he continued to Serve in the said Corps, or in the service of the United States until the year 1780 when he was discharged from service in Morris Town in the state of New Jersey, that he was in the battles of Brandywine , Germantown , Monmouth & Guilford and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services but what is here annexed. 
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid .                       
                                Benj.  Johnson, Circuit Judge

I, Benjamin Johnson Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said James Irvine did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress. 
     Given under my hand this 25th May 1818 
                                        Benj. Johnson
                                        Circuit Judge
(seal of the court)
Page 6

Lunenburg County October 6 1797 James Irvine who was raised in this County and during the late war served as a Soldier in the Continental Army in which he was active since which has behaved himself as an honest Citizen and is now about to removed to the State of Caintucky , This is to Certify that the said Irvine leaves this County in good Credit and in 
general esteem as an honest hard laboring man.  Given under our hands. 
           Joseph Yarbrough 
           Fredk. Nance [Frederick Nance] 
           John Moon 
           Robert deGraffenreid 
           John Barry Senior

Jessamine County viz. 
This day Thomas Wilkins of Washington personally came before me a Justice of the peace for 
said County of Jessamine & made oath that James Irvine served as a regular soldier 3 years in the 
14th Virginia Regiment under Colonel William Davis, and got a regular discharge for his service.  
     Given under my hand this 7th day of October 
      1816. 
                   John Metcalfe
Page 7

(written vertically)
James Irvine private
14th Virg. Regt 1776
 to 1780 22 May 1818

(written vertically)
Cert: as to this claimants circumstances wanting

I am satisfied that the (smudged text) named James Irvine is in such reduced circumstances as to need the assistance of his country for support.

Rh. M. Johnson
Member of Congress
Jany. 6 1819
Page 8

District of Kentucky Fayette Circuit Sct. 
On this 21st day of September 1820 personally appeared in open court being a court of 
record for said District and Circuit of Fayette County James Erwin aged 64 years resident in Jessamine County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: I enlisted in the Continental service in the revolutionary War in the year 1775 or 1776 under Captain James Johnson in Lunenburg County Virginia, State of Virginia, and served five years, the first two I served in the 6th Virginia Regiment, and the next three I served in the 14th Virginia Regiment under Captain Winston    
Served at the battle of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, at the Taking of Stony Point with old Wayne, and was at the battle of Guilford in the militia after the 5 years and many other skirmishes all in the Continental service.  And 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 time, by gift,
Page 9

sale or in any manner whatever 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 service of the United States in the revolutionary war” 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 nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me 
subscribed: the amount of the value of the property of James Erwin – Hogs worth $30, household 
furniture $35 – Horses $50, cattle $75, Sheep $8, cash $54, an old Negro woman over 60, worth 
say $10         
$262 
                                      James X Erwin
                                        (X his mark)
                                         

I have in family none but my wife aged about 62, very much afflicted with the Rheumatism and a 
swelling in her breast, I myself am very much afflicted with Rheumatism pains in my arms, and can scarcely cut wood enough to make a fire to warm me in the winter.  The old Negro woman before mentioned is rather a burden & expense.  My pension certificate is dated 6 January 1819, is numbered on the 2nd Side of the sheet 5201, and on the back 15 and is in the name of James Irvine 
                                       James X Erwin
                                          (X his mark)

Sworn to and declared, on the 21st day of September 1820 before

                                   W. Warren Circuit Judge
Page 10

I Thomas Bodley clerk of the Fayette Circuit Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing affidavit and Schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said court.
     In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this twenty fifth day of September 1820, and in the 29th year of the Commonwealth
                  Tho. Bodley  C.F.C.C.
Page 11

                            November 8, 1936
                             xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
                                    
                                       BA-J/EEL
                                       John Brest -S.10420
                                       James Irvine -S.36611
Honorable William L. Nelson
226 House Office Building
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Nelson:
       Reference is made to your letter in which you request, in behalf of Mrs. James R. Short of 997 Maryland Avenue, Columbia, Missouri, the Revolutionary War record of James Ervin, pensioner of Jessamine County, Kentucky in 1840 and that of John Best or Brest, pensioner of Bourbon County, Kentucky, in same year.
     The records of John Brest (not Best) of Bourbon County, Kentucky, and James Irvine (shown also as Ervin and Erwin) of Jessamine County, Kentucky are furnished herein as found in the claims for pension, S.10420 and S.36611, respectively, based upon their service in the Revolutionary War.

John Brest
S.10420
     John Brest was born March 25, 1760.  The place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
     White residing in Berkeley County, Virginia (later West Virginia).  John Brest enlisted in 1780, served as a private in Captain Oldham's company and after the death of that officer, in Captain J. Anderson's Company under Major S. Snead in the Virginia Troops:  he was in the battles of Guilford Court House and Camden, at the siege of Ninety Six and battle of Eutaw Springs, where Captain Oldham was killed, and was discharged January 17, 1782, having served eighteen months.
     He was allowed pension on his application executed August 14, 1832, which residing in Bourbon County, Kentucky.
     There are no data as to soldier's family.

James Irvine
S.36611
     The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of
Page 12

James Irvine are not shown.  He was reared in Lunenburg County, Virginia.
     While residing in said Lunenburg County, James Irvine enlisted in 1776, and served two years as a private in Captain James Johnson's Company, colonel Hall's Virginia Regiment and three years in Captain Winston's company, Colonel William Davies' 14th Virginia Regiment.  He was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and at the taking of Stony Point.  After the termination of this service, he enlisted and served in the Virginia Troops and was in the battle of Guilford Court House, dates of this service and names of officers not given.
     In 1797, he moved from Lunenburg County, Virginia, to Jessamine County, Kentucky, where he was residing when he was allowed pension on his application executed May 28, 1818.  At that time he gave his age as sixty-eight years:  in 1820, he stated that he was aged sixty-four years and in 1835, seventy-seven years:  no explanation was made for these discrepancies in age.
     In 1820, he referred to his wife as aged about sixty two years.  There are no further data in regard to her and no reference was made to children.
******
1 encl.
Mrs. Short's
letter.                              Very truly yours

                                        A.D. HILLER
                                        Executive Assistant
                                        to the Administrator.
Page 13

(written vertically)
195
Kentucky
Schedules
Rec. 14 Oct 1920

(written vertically)
Thomas H. Hickey
Lexington, Kenty.

Free

Mr. John C. Calhoun
Secretary at War
Washington City, D.C.

(stamp)
LEXN

OCT 4
Page 14

                         Lexington 2d Oct. 1820

Dear Sir,
     I forward to you Mr. James Erwins Schedule under the late act of Congress.  He wishes to be reinstated on the Pension List.  Will you enclose a certificate in a letter directed to me by return mail for that purpose, or state the defect, if any, in the schedule.
     It would be a favor to me to be furnished with the two acts of Congress on this subject.
                            Most Respectfully
                            Thomas M. Hickey
Page 15

The State of Kentucky
County of Jessamine
Sch

James Ervin, a Citizen and Resident of the State and County aforesaid, personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and authorized to act as such, and made oath, that he said James Ervin is a Revolutionary Pensioner, and is the identical person of that name now on the Roll in the War Department.  That on the 8th day of September last past, he applied to the Agent for paying Pensions at the office of the Bank of the United States at Lexington, Ky. and received his semiannual payments of forty eight dollars.  That upon his return on that day, when within about four miles of his residence, he lost both his money and original certificate issued by the War Department - and has not, as yet, been able to find within;  although he has made diligent
Page 16

enquiry --  He states that his certificate entitled him to receive the sum of ninety six dollars per annum during his natural life.  He is unable to recollect the date or number of his certificate.  It was given to him for services rendered in the War of the Revolution Commencing in the year 1776, when he entered the service in Capt Johnson's Company, in the 6th Virginia regiment commanded by Col. Ball in which he continued for two years -- He then entered the Army again in Capt. Winston's company in the 14th Regiment commanded by Col. Davis, in which latter Regiment he served three years.
     The affiant is now in his 78th year and his memory of all the circumstances connected with his services is not so good as it has been.  He states that he
Page 17

found his services by the depositions of William Fullilove, Anthony Fullilove and Thomas Wilkins -
     He prays that another certificate may be issued for him by the War Department.

                                       James X Ervin
                                         (his X mark)

Sworn to before me -
14 Oct. 1835
  A. Wake JP

The Commonwealth of Kentucky
Jessamine County Sch
     I Alexander Wake, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, certify that James Ervin, whose mark is affixed to the foregoing written statement, did on the day of the date hereof personally appeared before me, and made oath, that the facts stated therein are true in substance and in facts - and I further certify that I am acquainted with the said James Ervin and that he is a Revolutionary Pensioner. - 
     Given under my hand this 15th day of October 1835.

Alexander Wake J.P.J.C.
Page 18

Joseph L Maxwell M.D. of Nicholasville Ky. states upon oaths, that he is well acquainted with the within named James Ervin, and that he has seen in the possession of said Ervin, a certificate from the War Department, authorizing him to receive a Pension of ninety six dollars per annum during his natural life.  He further states that he thinks the certificate referred to was dated in the yar 1818.  or 1819 as he has been drawing a Pension for many years under the act of 1818.  He states further that he is well acquainted with the said Ervin, now an old man, and that the statements made by said Ervin, may be relied upon as true.
                              Joseph L Maxwell 

State of Kentucky
                    Jessamine County Sch
     This day came personally before the undersigned Justice of the Peace for the Court  Joseph L. Maxwell whose name is subscribed to the above certificate and made oath that the same is true to the best of his knowledge.
      Given under my hand this the 16th day of Oct 1835
                   Alexander Wake JPJC
Page 19

State of Kentucky
Jessamine County Sch
     I Daniel B Price Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify that Alexander Wake Esq who has given and signed the certificates on the annexed paper was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid and that his said signatures are genuine.
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court this 16th day of October 1835.
                 Danl B. Price
                  Clerk Jessamine County Court

(seal)
Page 20

Free

Nicholasville Ky
Oct 17

J.L. Edwards, Esq:
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

(written vertically)
Oct 24
Jas Ervin
for Dup Cert
Ky

1818
7 Jan 19
Page 21

Nicholasville Ky
October 16th 1835

To
J.L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir - 
     I herewith enclose to you the affidavit of James Ervin of the loss of his Pension Certificate - He desires that a new one be issued and forwarded to him at this place.
                      Respectfully
                      Your Obt. Svt
                           J. Harlan
Page 22

                      House of Reps
                       Feb. 9th 1826

Sir,
      In the month of October last, I prepared an affidavit for James Ervin alias James Irvin stating the loss of his certificate for a Pension, and Requesting a renewal of it, which I forwarded to you from Nicholasville Ky - will you be so good as to examine the papers and act on the application of Mr Erwin?-  I may have spelt his name Ervin instead of Irvin - I know the old gentleman he being a Resident of my district.  If by the rules
Page 23

of your office, it is missing that the orthography should be corrected, please advise me.
                   I am very Respectfully,
                      Your Obt. Servt.
                          J. Harlan

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Page 24

(stamp)
NICHOLASVILLE KY
NVR
29

Hon. Richard French
M.C.
Washington City
District of Columbia 

(written vertically)
Wm. T. Willis
Page 25

                              Nicholasville Ky  Jan 29th 1845.


Dear Judge
     I am very thankful to you for your last letter with the Commissioner of Pensions accompanying note to you as to Mr. Erwins claim for bounty land.
     This letter however communicates nothing to me unknown before.  If you will, note in my letter to will, be seen Mr. Ervin does not claim to have served as a continental soldier, but in the state troops of Va that's her state of Va here promises than troops bounty land, the history of our country abundantly manifested but she (illegible) to the US the most of her public Domain, are many of the claims more either, manifested by warrants, entries,  surveys or patents.  Mr. Ervin has never gotten either warrant or anything else in lieu of his promised land.  And Congress has you know on account of this (illegible) of land by Va from time to time made appropriation in order to satisfy those unsatisfy warrants.  Now the point of my inquiry was to know whether there is now any such outstanding appropriation of land or (illegible) for the satisfaction of such claims - & if so how they are to be procured.  This information I ask because I have not & but few persons here know the laws of the US, by which these things are ascertainable should he procure a warrant from the Law office in Va is then there any Law or other thing provided by congress for its satisfaction or is there a likelihood of any such further appropriation.  I beg to refer you again to my letter. These officers, at Washington are very polite but will give themselves very little trouble.
Page 26

I apprehend to satisfy inquiries of persons at a distance, the formal pathways to members of Congress is only skin deep - now I apprehend all those inquiries could have them answers by Mr. Edwards in about four or five times, instead of his going off half cocked at something not asked at all - my (illegible) instead to be in the legislature of attending to things of like sort from the public offices was to go to them in person with my letter or other communication in hand until the desired information or business was either procured or found not to be known.  This tho to a member of Congress I doubt not (illegible) known too troublesome for anyone, save Col. Johnson.  I was very truly sorry to learn the affairs of your clerk, I yet, hope he may make allright.  From the last Ky Gazette, I learn that, our State Treasury is minus about $75,000, but nobody knows anything about the money - our Legislature will (illegible) I apprehend than anyone (illegible).  Indeed does in the state of beggarly want of attributing in the Legislature that we are not what (illegible) a state by any means - I (illegible) materials in your house & the senate, is to depict the Texas annexation altogether this session, if not always - yet I do never hope it never may be otherwise.  I suppose at the inauguration the measurement of the people will be by the case instead of the thousand.  All of which I hope may turn out for the best, tho I pray much for the safety of our party of principles from the (illegible) of certain men and the desire for office.  With good wishes for your health & happiness and the welfare of our common country I remain your friend as ever.
                   W.T. Morris
Page 27

Free
R French


Col. J.L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington
DC.

(written vertically)
Feb. 3 1815
Respy James Irvin
Page 28

          House Rept:  February 4th 1845

Sir,
You will see by the inclosed letter of Major Willis of the date of the 29th (illegible) that the answer given by you to his other letter of the 11th of the same month (both of which I now inclose you) is unsatisfactory because not containing the information asked for. -- 

     He wishes to know, whether there is now any such outstanding appropriation of land or scrip for the satisfaction of the claims to lands, of those who served in the Virginia state line in the Revolution, and if so how they are to be procured.
     Please answer me fully and return with it the enclosed letters.
                      Very respectfully 
                                       Richard French
Page 29

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Comm Pensions

(written vertically)
Feb 10
Jas. Ervin
or Irvine
for Dup Cert
Ky (illegible)

Hon Jas Harlan 
HR
Page 30

Duplicate Certificate
issued
Page 31

File March 1819.
Page 32

Wm T. Willis
(complied with)


(stamp)
NICHOLASVILLE KY
JAN 13 


(written vertically)
Mail
Hon. Richard French
M.C.
Washington City D.C.
Page 33

       Nicholasville Jessamine Co. Ky
       January 11th 1845

Dear Judge
     An old man of my county of the name of James Irvin who is a pensioner of the United States, has called to see me today, on the subject of a claim for him which he says was promised him at the time of his enlistment.  He says he served 5 years in the Revolutionary War, his first service was in the 6th Virginia Regiment, commanded by Col Wm Davis, in the company of Capt. Johnson and his second term was for three years in the 14th Virginia Regiment, commanded by Col. Ball, in the company of Capt Winston.  These periods he served he says fully out, & has received no land.  You can refer to his declaration in the pension office, his pension is 96$ per annum, granted him in 1835.  My object, in (illegible) you is to ask of you the person to communicate to me, whether congress has now any appropriation of land to satisfy such unsatisfied claims, and also to ascertain in the proper affairs whether Mr. Irvin is entitled to any, if so how much, how its to be procured.  I recollect some years ago, a large appropriation of land was made & then given to (illegible) the warrants in some affair at Washington, & the number was found so large that a considerable diminution of the claims (illegible) the consequences.  Has there been any further appropriations since & is then now any- perhaps in Richmond Va there may be some (illegible) in the public offices of Mr Irvines claims at any rate.  I ask the favor, that you may try & inform me fully, & in case he is entitled now, he will have to proceed in order to procure it.  We have no news in Ky now worthy of notice.  I see you are in Congress quite industrious this session, all which is quite commendable. 
        I remain dear Sir very truly your friend & 
        obt. servt
                       Wm. T. Willis
Page 34

(left panel)
36611
Revy INVALID.

File No. 36611
James Irvine
Pri Rev War

Act:  18th March 18th
Index: -- Vol. 2, Page 203

[Arrangement of 1870.]

(left panel)

1908 Oct. 6 to Gen. Bennett  H Young
1915 Mch 7. Hist to F.M.  Hocker  C

1936 Nov 11 Hist to Hon Wm. L. Nelson.  Letter in case of John Brest. S19429   Ereh
Page 35

     In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of James Irvine a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his S.File 36.611 application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Name also appears James Erwin.

(The following is a chart.)
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OF APPOINTMENT  1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE
2 yrs
3 yrs
RANK.
Pri.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN James Johnson
COLONEL Ball
CAPTAIN Winston
COLONEL William Davies
STATE.
Va
14 Va

Battles engaged in, Brandy, Germt., Mon, Stony Pt. & Guilford.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted in Lunenburg Co., Va
Date of application for pension, May 25 1818.  His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Jessamine Co., Ky.
Age at date of application, 68 yr.
     Remarks:  He moved fr. Lunenberg Co. to Ky in 1797.  In 1820 he was 62 yrs of age & ref. to wife as abt. 62 yrs - but did not state her name.  In 1835 he claimed to be the 78th  year of his age.
Page 36

Colchester Ills., Feb. 24 - 1914
Commissioner of Pensions
     Dear Sir, and Comrade
Would you please furnish me with Pension Record of James Ervin a Revolutionary War Soldier he was on the pension roll at time of his death and think he died in 1851 he was buried in Jessamine Co., Ky.  It is my  belief he belonged to a Virginia Regt. of command  it could have been from Ky that he enlisted but not probably  he served seven years all told he was 97 years of age when he died
            Resp yours  
             F.M. Hocker
             Colchester Ill.
Page 37

(Dept. of the Interior form)

3-871.
RECORD DIVISION
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Briefed by L.D.L.
Claim No._____
Certificate no._____
Claimant_____
Soldier James Irvin
Service Va
Additional Service Rev. War
No_____claim, State records_____,190__
No claim, combination records_____,190__
REMARKS:
No claim, except
(illegible) #4422
"              #36611
Born Sept. 4, 1753

_____Chief Division
0-8
Page 38

(letterhead)
Headquarters Kentucky division U.C.V.
BENNETT. H. YOUNG
Maj. Gen. Commanding
W.A. MILTON
Col. and Adj. Gen., Chief of Staff

Louisville, Ky. Sept., 26, 1908

Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:  
     I am seeking information about James Irvin for historical purposes.  He was a Revolutionary soldier.  He was born in Mecklenberg County, Va., in 1754and died in Jessamine County, Kentucky in 1851 at ninety-seven years.  He served seven years in the revolutionary war and was shot at the battle of Guilford Court House.
     I desire to know whether there is any statement of his services in connection with his service in the Revolutionary war.  I wish this for historical services.
                   Yours truly,
                   Bennett H. Young

1820
   64
1756  


(stamp)
PENSION RECORDS
SEPT 22 1908

(stamp)
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
SEP 28
1908