Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 2023, John Whitman, Va.
Page 1

SERVICE
Va.
 
Whitman, John

NUMBER
S 2,023

Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

7475
East Tennessee

John Whitman
Campbell in the State of E Tenn
was a private in the company commanded
Captain Swearing of the ____ commanded
by ____ in the Va
line for 13 mo

Inscribed on the Roll of E Tenn
at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of April
1833 and sent to Wm Cary
Jacksboro

Arrears to the 4th of March.................86.66
Semi anl. allowance ending 4 Sept...21.66
....................................................................$108.32

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 66

Date of death
not on [illegible]
Page 3

13.5110
John Whitman
Declaration for
a pension under
act of congress of
7th June 1832

L
Page 4

State of Tennessee  
Campbell County ⎬Court of pleas and Quarter Session Sept Term 1832..
On this 10th day of September One thousand Eight
hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Justices of
the said Court now sitting, John Whitman a resident of said
County aged about Eighty two or three 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 provision made
by 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. That he was at that time a resident
of Hampshire County in the State of Virginia_ that he was there
drafted to serve eighteen months. that he entered the service
under the command of Captain Bedinger commanded by Genl
Stanbow was marched to Winchester from there a cross the
bblue ride [sic: should be ridge] to Fredericksburg thence to Albemarle Barracks from
there to James River to point fork upon James river there
we met the British and retreated up the Country into
Halifax County upon the Roan Oak [sic: should be Roanoke] river from there we
Marched back and Joined Genl Wayne and the Marquis
Delafayette [sic] remained with them until I was taken sick
and fell to the hospital. I had served half my term of service
and hired a man to serve the balance of my time, as will more
fully appear by reference to my discharge which is hereunto
annexed this service was performed in the year 1782
Two years previous to that time I served four months tour
under Captain Swearinggin of the Eighth Infantry crossed
Ohio thirty miles below Fort Pitt & build Fort Mc [Illegible] at the
month of Big Beaver, then to the head of Muskingum and built
fort Lawrence and there returned home to Hampshire County
upon the Potomack river at Genl Broadhead
was with the troops. If he ever obtained a discharge for this last
mentioned service it is lost- after the war he moved to
Tennessee where he now livess he hereby relinquishes every
claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the 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
John x his mark Whitman
Page 5

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above
applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states

I William Carey Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for
Campbell County in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the 
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter
of application of John Whitman for a pension

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
Seal of office this 27th of December AD. 1832
William Carey 6th
Page 6

No 13.540
Jno Whitman
Campbell Co

from 1780 private
13 months
$43 33/10

Cap Swearingen
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of John Whitman of the County
of Campbell in the State of Tenn
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 82 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
In 1780
1782
Duration of Service.
Years,_
[Crossed out, 1]
Months,
4
[Crossed out: 6]
9
Days. _
Rank.
As a
Private
drafted
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt. Swearingen
Capt. Bedinger

5. In what battles was he engaged? None

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hampshire Cy Va.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? document

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
no Clergyman's Certificate

Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.

Levin Belt
Examining Clerk.
Page 8

September 3, 1935
xxxxxxxxxx

John Whitman-S.2023
BA-J/EEL 

Mrs. R. H. Ervin
Hillcrest
Troy, Alabama

Dear Madam:

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file
in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.2033, based upon the military
service in that war of John Whitman.

The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of
John Whitman are not shown.

While residing in Hampshire County, Virginia, John Whitman
enlisted, served as a private in Captain Swearingen's Company, 8th
Virginia Regiment, marched to the mouth of Big Beaver about thirty
miles below Fort Pitt, and assisted in building Fort McIntosh
then marched to the head of the Muskingum River, and assisted in
building Fort Laurens; the expedition was under the command of
General McIntosh and the length of his service was four months:
he again enlisted, served in Captain Bedinger's Virginia Company.
was under General Steuben and the Marquis de Lafayette and was
discharged January 28, 1782, on account of sickness, having served
nine months.

After the Revolution, he moved to the state of Tennessee, in
which state, in Campbell County, he was residing and aged about
eighty-three years, when he was allowed pension on his application
executed September 10, 1832.

There are no data concerning soldier's family.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 9

3 - 871.

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Brieiedf by L. D. L.
Claim No. ____
Certificate No. ____
Claimant ____
Soldier John Whitman
Service Va
Additional Service Rev. War
No ____ claim, State records ____, 190_.
No claim, combination records ____, 190_.

REMARKS:
No claim except
 I. #2023
---
Chief Division
Page 10

1934 - Apr 30. Hist to
G. L. Ridenour Letter
in case Frederick L Lester
S. 1672- EEL

1935 Sept 3. Hist to
Mrs R. H. Ervine

2023
Rev War.
INVALID.

File No. 2023
John Whitman
Pvt Va. line

Act: June 7, 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 402

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 11

August 31, 1935.
BA-J/ILL

Mrs. R. H. Ervin
Hillcrest
Troy, Alabama.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request
the Revolutionary War records of Aaron Richardson and Matthias
Whitman, of Monongalia County, West Virginia, or Virginia, also,
the records of Daniel Alder and John Whitman, of Virginia.

A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made
and there is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based
upon service in that war of a Mathias Whitman of Virginia or West
Virginia, nor of any soldiers named Aaron Richardson and Daniel
Alder. The record of John Whitman of Virginia is furnished herewith
from his claim for pension claims for pension and bounty
land which have been made to the United States are the source of
the data furnished by the Veterans Administration regarding
Revolutionary War soldier.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 12

April 30, 1934
XXXXX

BA-J/EEL
Frederick Nester-S.1572
John Whitman - S.2023

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records
of several soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the
limited clerical force available for furnishing such information, it
has not been possible to comply with each request which requires so
much time and research. The records of Frederick Nester and John
Whitman cited by you are given herein as found in their pension claims,
based upon service in the Revolutionary War.

Frederick Nester
S. 1572

Frederick Nester was born April 24, 1739 in Germany. The names
of his parents are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.

While residing in Rutherford County, North Carolina, he enlisted
in February, 1780, served three and one-half months as a private in
Captain Johnson's Company, Colonel Grimes' North Carolina Regiment
and went on an expedition against the Tories and Cherokee Indians:
in a few days after his return from this tour, date not given, he enlisted
and served two months as a private in Captain Jenkins' North 
Carolina Company and went on another expedition against the Cherokees:
after his return, he moved to Burke County, North Carolina, enlisted
there, and served two months as a private in Captain Pickerstaff's
Company, Colonel McDowell's North Carolina Regiment and was out against
the Tories in his next tour of service, he served three months in
Captain Connally's Company, Colonel Grimes' North Carolina Regiment;
started on the march for the Cowpens a few days before the battle but
failed to reach that place until the day after the engagement and was
in duty guarding prisoners across the Catawba River; he was next engaged
Page 13

in the wagon service and served from May to December, year not given:
he hauled the baggage of the members of Captain Mordaca Clarke's North 
Carolina Company from Burke County to a place below Camden, South 
Carolina, was there placed under General Edmonston, Wagon Master; he
was at the battle of Eutaw Springs but the only part he took in that
engagement was to carry the wounded to the hospital in his wagon.
Specific dates of service are not shown.
After the Revolution, Frederick Nester moved to Montgomery County,
Virginia and thence to the state of Tennessee.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 10,
1833, while a resident of Campbell County, Tennessee.

There are no data as to soldier's family.

* * *

John Whitman
S. 2023

The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of
John Whitman are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.

While residing in Hampshire County, Virginia, John Whitman
listed served as a private in Captain Swearingen's Company, 8" Virginia
Regiment, marched to the mouth of Big Hoover about thirty miles below
Fort Pitt and assisted in building Fort McIntosh; then marched to the
head of the Muskingum River and assisted in building Fort Laurens
the expedition was under the command of General McIntosh and the length
of his service was four months: he again enlisted, served in Captain
Bedinger's Virginia Company, was under General Steuben and the Marquis
de Lafayette and was discharged January 28, 1782, on account of sickness,
having served nine months.

After the Revolution, he moved to the state of Tennessee, in which
state, Campbell County, he was residing and aged about eighty-three years
when he was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832.

There are no data concerning his family.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 14

In reply to your request of 28 ultimo, received 30' int
for a statement of the military history of John Whitman
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his [crossed out: (or his widow's)] application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT | LENGTH OF SERVICE.
1780 ┃4 mos
to Jany 28 1782- 9 mos
RANK. ____
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Swearingen
Bedinger
COLONEL. ____
STATE. 
Va
..

Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hampshire Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 10 1832 claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Campbell Co. Tenn.
Age at date of application, 82 or 83 years
Remarks: The claim was allowed
No family data on file
Page 15

R. H. ERVIN
DEPT. PSYCHOLOGY
State Teachers College
Troy, Alabama

August 24, 1935


Mr. A. D. Hiller
Veterans Administration
Washington D.C

Mr. dear Mr. Hiller:
I should like to have the Revolutionary War Records
any pension claims of the following:
Aaron Richardson - Monongalia County, West Virginia (Virginia)
Matthias Whitman ..
Daniel Alder W.D.263, 2 .... Virginia
John Whitman, War 4, 349, Rev. Army, V. 1, P. 59. Virginia
X
All spo

I enclose a stamp for reply
Thank you very much.

Respectfully your
Violet Gross Ervin
(Mrs. N.H. ERVIN)
Hillarest
Troy
Alabama

(1- 3 cent stamp att.
Sm.)

RECEIVED
AUG 26 1935
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS ADM 
Reader # 88
Page 16

DR. HUGH L. McLEAN
WILMORE, KY.

3/28, 1909-

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir _
Can you give me any
information in regard to
the service in the Revolutionary
War of Larry Stevens or
John or Andrew Whitman
the Virginia troops
I shall greatly appreciate
any suggestion that might
aid me in finding their
records.
Address -
Mrs. H. L. McLean
Wilmore

Kentucky

U. S. PENSION OFFICE
A
MAR 30 1909
Page 17

No 13.540

John Whitman
Page 18

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Whitman 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?

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 the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes

VII. Has he made a 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

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
Page 19

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service? no

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it? no

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? no

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
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?

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?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? No

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 ____months,
and ____days, I served as a ____ . For ____months
and ____days, I served as a ____ ; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 20

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 such 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 objection able. 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 an 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. 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. In every case where the 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 21

Frederick County January 28th 1782
John Whitman a draftee for eighteen months from
Hampshire County having all ready [sic] served half his time
And being rendered unfit for present service by sickness
his produced a man to serve in his stead during the war 
and as for one James Kenny the man who is to serve
in his stead shall produce a certificate, that he has
actually joined the Virginia troops at or near
Cumberland Court House, then the said John
Whitman shall be entitled to a full discharge
and according to Law will be exempted from all
Draffts [sic] exception an actual [illegible]  as having
Furnished a man for the war.
PJ Muhlenberg Brigadier General
S file 2023
Page 22

[left side of paper, vertically along margin]
Oct. 10
13.538 to 60 [poss. 40?]

[top left side of paper]
Jacksboro, Lea.              free
September 27th

[center]
The Secretary of War
War Office 
Washington City

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