Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15352, James Atkinson, Va.

Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE.                         NUMBER
Va.   Atkinson James     S. 15352
        or 
        Adkinson
carded 
CONTENTS

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order to pay                                                                       
see letters to J. Ficklin & P. Capt.                                 
nw. 9.1836      

26574
Kentucky
James Adkinson
Pike Co. in the State of Kentucky he was a private in the com. commanded Captain
Dalton of the regt. commanded Col Dalton in the Virginia line for 1 year

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 40 Dollars   Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Mar[torn]
1834 and [illegible] 
Johnson NR 

Arrears to the 4th of March    120.00
Semi ant. allowance ending  4 Sept   20.00
$140.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Dan'l Boyd Clerk, Book E Vol. 7 Page 1

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At Court Martial held at the Court house of Fayette County the 30th Day of July 1781.
 It Appearing to the Court Martial that James Atkinson be cleared from serving his Six Months Tour & it is ordered that he be discharged from the same, on his Serving a Six Months Tour the Southern States agreeable to a late call for a further part of our Militia to join General Greene
A Copy Test
Jas Akin C.C. Martial

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Copy of document in the case for Jas Atkinson.

At a court martial held at the court House of Fayette County the 30th day of July 1780. It appearing to the Court that James Atkinson be cleared from serving his six months tour, and it is ordered that he be discharged from the same, on his serving a six month tour to the Southern States, agreeable to a late call for a further part of our militia to join General Greene.

A Copy Test.
Jas Akin, C.C. Martial

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28.998
Jas Atkinson
W [squiggle] Order
Rev services 
va Roll
30 months
services
discharge.
inclosed
Pike County
(Ky)
[faded writing]

Hon R.M. Johnson
N.R.

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Jas. Atkinson
[squiggle] Decla. H.
30 months
ser. va. state
Troops
discharge forwarded
Pike cty Ky.

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State of Kentucky
County of Pike [squiggle] L.S.
on this 26th day of december 1833. personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace for said county in this county of Pike and State of Kentucky. James Atkinson resident in the county of Pike and State of Kentucky and Eighty six 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 for afsed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the  United State under the following named officers and served as previous stated-- To wit he entered the service as a volunteer for six months in the militia of the state troops of virginia in the county of Pittslyvania under Captain James Brier and Col. Robt. Daulton  on the 7th day of May 1778. from there
he was marched directly to Petersbug and after remaining there till June 1778 about the
15th he was then marched to Albemarle Barracks to Guard some prisioners there, and to be ready to opose the enemy if he should make an attack, he remained here untill the first of November 1778 and there our company was ordered to march to Richmond & having served out of his time he received a discharge
some time in that month and returned home his discharge before spoken of was not given in writing, but a letter to Col. Daulton Stating the service but he never presented it and never obtained any thing more than the above letter & certificate

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On the 22d day of March next year 1779 he enlisted as a common soldier for three years. went under Captain Chas White as recruiting officer and under Col. Aikin in Pittsylvania – he was amediately marched to a place on the bay called Portsmuth  oposete Norlfolk and
there guazed some tories or against them that would accompany the british and plunder and steale the tories would hide in a large swamp, and we frequently had several skirmushes after them and shot and killed two in August 1779. he remained here till October 1779 and from there was marched to a town called Williamsburg where there were some troops. from this place to Richmond where we rendevouzed that winter 1779 in the month of April 1780 Four[?] companies was marched & he with them, to Norfolk. he here remaind four months, and their allowed a furlow of forty days to go home, in the month of September he got back having been gone from Norfolk only 17 days. we guarded millitary stores untill Gen Arnold during that fall came up the Chesepeake bay and we retreated over to a large swamp and from there we went to Petersburg and Gen Phillips was there from there we went to Richmond and was was
joined by Gen Layfayette and kept the british out of that place. this was in December 1780. the upper works were marched after this to Camel court house va.

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here we staid till we joined Gen Greene in March 1781. we re-enforced him, and this applicant was severely wounded in the battle of Guilferd and was compeled to leave the service – he was discharged by Col Aikin, after he got home on the 30th July 1781, he served in all about 30 months He knew many officers & Regts during his service – 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 
James Atkinson

We Theophylus Powell a clergyman residing in this county of Pike and state of Kentucky and Simeon Justice Jr. residing in the same county certify that we are well acquainted with James Atkinson who has subscribed duly sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty six years of age and that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 

Theo Powell [symbol]
Sim. Justice Jr. [symbol]

State of Kentucky
Pike County

I Simeon Justice, a Justice of the peace for said county, do hereby declare my opinion the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogators presented by the War Department. That the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I do further certify that Theo. Powell who hath signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in Pike County Kentucky and Simeon Justice Jr.  who hath also signed the same is a resident of Pike County Kentucky and that he is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit and that the applicant from bodily infirmity cannot attend court.  Given from under my hand this day & date afs'd. 

Simeon Justice JP.

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State of Kentucky
Pike County Courts clerks office sct

I John D Mims clerk of the court aforesaid, do hereby certify that Simeon Justice is a Justice of the peace, and that his signature to the foregoing certificate is genuine-

In Testimony thereof I have here unto set my hand and after my seal of office here to this 25th day of December 1833

Attn. John D Mims clk

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1. Where and in what year were you born
Ans. I was born in Pittsylvania Va S. 3 April 1747--
2 Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Have it recorded by my father in the family; it was in virginia the last I heard of it
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live
An. I was in Pittsylvainia, and I lived there for a while after the the war, and then moved to Kentucky where I now live
4 How were you called into service were you drafted, did not you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
Ans I was a volenteer first for 6 months and enlisted for three years in the scond place and got wounded at Guilford and was discharged because I was an invalid,
5 State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served. such continental and millitia Reghments as you can recolect and the general circumstances of your service.
Ans. I knew Gen Layfayette Gen Mullenburg Col Bluford Gen Lee Col. Nathaniel Clay. Col. Williams Col. Morgan, George Savage Merser. Gen Guiss and Smallwood Col Gillus[?]

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he served in all in actual service 30 months, he first served as as a volenteer for 6 months then he enlisted for three years and served under Gen Mullenburg and Gen Layfayette, he guarded some some stores and some baggage wagons. he was int the battle of Guilford and there got severely wounded and disabled. and returned some and was discharged by Col Jos Akin a Col. in the Regular service, in consequence of his wounds to the Scty of War. he served as a Millitia man called state troops. his name will be found on the roll –6. did you ever a discharge from service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
Ans I recd a dischge certying my former service under Gen Greene and before it was signed by Jos Akin I did not receive one

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at the barracks the part [illegible word]
7 State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify to your character for veracity and their belif of your service as a soldier of the rolution
Ans. William Reig, Simeon Justic Jr Gen William Ratliff. Col Geo. Powell, Thomas owen Thom’s.
Hackney – the Revd William Tackite, Revd Theo. Powell. to John C Lester John Nunney James Rowe Sr. James Rowe Jr. Joseph Harless. 
James Atkins

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28.998

James Adkinson
Ken

from 1778 for 1 yr
#40
amend as accurately as possible + send back to me

Rh M Johnson

see note within

Hon R. M. Johnson
H R

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June , 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Joseph Adkinson

[Table headings]
Period when the service was rendered.
1778 1779 to July 1780

Duration of the claimant's service
Years.  Months.  Days.
                  6

Rank of the claimant.
Pr.

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Col Daulton
Cap Brewer

Age at present, and place of abode when he started the service.
86 Va

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary and documentary

The applicant should state each tour of service distinctly + the length thereof as required in note.
If the applicant enlisted for three years his name should appear on the rolls.  As it is not found he should produce proof of his service as required by the regulations. The document with the papers appears to be a certificate given by a court martial exempting the applicant from further service. He can only be allowed up to the 15 March 1781 upon producing proof of said service.  There is nothing in the document to show how long the applicant served.  March 17, 1834

I am respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832,

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia,"and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon ivil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c.  Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded form the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Services.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians, or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832,
State, Territory, or District of}
County of } ss.

On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank]
A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank]. with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left service; (and if he served under more than term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.  This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, of (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.           A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule in not (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We A. B.. a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them the A. B. and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the service of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as many have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
Where and in what year were you born?
Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testily as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.


[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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
served as a - - -. For - - - months and - - - days, I served as a - - -; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which 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 that 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 shown 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 garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 

[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[I] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 

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 papers 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 offlice of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.


Proof of Service. 
[j] 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 claimant's 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.

The notes from [a] to [I] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. 

[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

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State of Kentucky}
County of Pike}  SS.

On this 24th day of February 1834 personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace for said county in the county of Pike and state of Kentucky James Adkinson resident in the county of Pike and State of Kentucky aged Eighty six years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of act of Congress passed June 7 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following mentioned officers and served as herein stated, under Col. Robt Daulton, Capt James Bruer in Pyttsylvania County, Virginia in the State troops of the said State, for six months on the 15th June (as he remembers) 1778 from this County he
marched Albemarl barracks at this place he remained Guarding the prisoners that had been taken in the North until the month of Nov’r. 1778, from this place in the aforesaid month
of Nov’r. he was marched to Richmond Virginia, and in this month or December he was discharged for his Tour of six months. his discharge in this instant was not in writing a letter was given him certifying he had served out his time in order that his Col might give a formal discharge. his best impression is that he
was discharged in December about the 15th th
or 20th

2d Tour
The 22d of May 1779 he engaged as a common private in the Virginia troops for three years in Pittsylvania county Virginia, under Col Aikin, Captain Charles White, an officer who recruited and enlisted men, he was immediately mustered into service under his officers and about the 29th May 1779 he was marched a considerable distance down the cuntry to the Bay near the mouth of James River to a place

Page 19

Portsmouth in Virginia the neighbourhood around this place had been considerablely anoyed by some tories in disguise, who had some runaway negroes with them and stoled and pilfered a great deal, and as it was then said killed several men tho shiping were laying in the bay in sight. those robers took refuge in a large swamp on the river about seven miles from Norfolk Va, they collected a small force, and in a smal encounter with them and the scouts in August 1779 two or three were killed, he remained here on duty until October following and they agessions of the tories had been put down his Company was then marched to a Town called Williamsburg, at this Town there were several companys of State troops.
one Copy of Regulars and a regt under Gen Clay of Millitia he was not there, the provissions for the winter service had been removed or a quarter part thereof, to Richmond he was marched to Richmond where he was rendouvouzed until April 1780. he cleaned fire arms during his stay at this place, and there
was a Captain and his company of Hessians there for a while that were prisioners about this time the british from N. York threatned to invade Virginia, and many regiments of Millitia were raised. he marched to Norlfolk Va. and there obtained a furlow for 40 days. he had remained at Norfolk from May to Septr 1780 when he got the furlow just mentioned & he went to Pittsylvania, and wa gone about
seventeen days. returned. Gen Mullenburg commanded the troops, and Gen [Robert] Lawson was also sometimes in Camp. there

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had been collected considerable quantity of Bacon, and flour, and salt beefe and other millitary stores for the army which were deposited over in Norfolk, he remained here guarding them during that fall. Gen Arnold came in ships and one General Philips up the bay and burnt several towns and forced us to retreat from Norfolk, this was in Decr 1780 or the first Jany 1781 he cannot now recolect precisely. he was marched to Petersburg and from there near Richmond he himself was in the
Town. the Army was encamped by the marquis De la Fayette who aposed the british from coming into Petersburg and Richmond, from tha place the up Cuntry Millitias was marched to Camel Ct. House Virginia in Jany 1781. during the month of February 1781 he remained here, until the virginia troops joined Gen. Green. from Pittsylvania (he was marched from Camel Ct. Ho. to Pittsylvania) he then joined the army of General Greene under Col Aikin who however did not undertake gon with the troops. he was in the battle of Guilford court house North Carolinia called some times Martinburg. he was
severely wounded in the battle which was in March 1781. After this he served no more being unable to do so. in June he got home and on the 30th July 1781 he was discharged at Pittsylvania (not at Fayette County as the copy of the discharge sets out) from further service, & the then six months Tour because he had served long enough to exempt him independant of his wounds

Page 21

he states he was Constantly in the service from the 22d May 1779 till the battle of Guilford in North Carolinia in March 1781 except seventeen days being then an invalid he quit service. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or anuity except the present and declares his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
James Atkinson

Kentucky To wit
County of Pike Act
I hereby certify that James Atkinson made oath to the above amended declaration and I declare in my opinion, the he is a credible witness and that his statement is entitled to credit. and I do hereby certify that in my opinion the applicant was a revolutionary soldier + served as he states.  
Feby 24th, 1834
Simeon Justice JC.

State of Kentucky
Pike County clerks office sct.
I John D Mims clerk of the court of the county aforesaid hereby certify that Simeon Justice is a Justice of the Peace; and that his signature to the foregoing certificate is genuine
In testimony where of I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of my office thereto this 25th day of February 1834
John D Mims Clk

Page 22

Apl 25
Prestonsburg Ky     free
Apl 15

Jas Adkinson

Hon James L Edwards

Commission of 
Pensions
Washington City

Page 23

Prestonsburg
14th April 1837

Hon J. L Edwards
Sir. I enclosed you some time since, the pen certy & power of atty of James Adkinson together with some letters from Jos Ficklin
Mr Adkinson is dead + my authority as atty ceased with his demise, -- the appeal I took is therefore abandoned
--He has left no widow Executor or Adw.  He has left some sons. Are they entitled to the money due till his death?  You will please return the letters to me and the pen certificate + co to Jos. Ficklin, Lexington Ky. if it is af any value to the heirs
I have the honor to be yrs
HC Harris

Page 24

In reply to your request of ________, received ______ for a statement of the military history of James Atkinson or Adkinson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) [crossed out] application for pension on file in this Bureau.  S.F. 15,352

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.

May or June, 1778

March or May, 1779

LENGTH OF SERVICE.

6 mos.

to July 30, '81

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
CAPTAIN
James Bruer
Charles White

COLONEL 
Robt Dalton
Atkin

STATE Va.

Battles engaged in, Guilford, where he was wounded.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pittsylvania, Va.
Date of application for pension, Dec 24, 1833.  His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Pike Co., Ky.
Age at date of application, B. Apr. 3, 1747, Pittsylvania, Va.
Remarks: He died about April 1837, leaving no widow, but leaving several sons, names not stated.

Respectfully,
Commissioner

Page 25

P. 15352

INVALID.

File No. 15,352
James Adkinson
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. 1, Page 3

[Arrangement of 1870]

1918, August. 21 History to Mrs. Annie W. Adkinson  F.W.

Page 26

[upside down office stamp]
PENSION
L
AUG
U. 9. S.
1918
OFFICE

[cancelled postage stamp]

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS ONLY

Bureau of Pensions,
Department, of the Interior, 
Washington, 
D.C.

Page 27

Please send me copies of pensions granted for Revolutionary service to-
WILLIAM ADKINSON of Virginia pensioned 1835 for service in the Revolutionary War.
James Adkinson of Virginia pensioned 1835 for service in Virginia but then living in Kentucky.
This data is to be used in making out application blanks for D.A.R.
Thanking you, and please address-
Mrs. Annie Williams Adkinson,
c Wythe Block Coal Co.,
Erbacon, Webster Co. West Va.

Rev War +
J+H

Page 28

Prestonsburg Ky
mihl

Hon. Richard M. Jo

House
Was

Page 29

March 18t. 1834

Dear Sir,
I have as you directed set forth the tours in this case as correctly as I could. If any objection should be taken which I think there cannot be, you are authorized to do what you think is best. It is a mistake in the Dept. in copying his discharge in "Fayette" is is Pittsylvania instead thereof.
Your friend,
HC Harris

Hon Rh. M Johnson
House Reprst.

Page 30

Nov 1 82

Jas. Adkinson
Ken roll

[stamp] LEXINGTON  OCT 20 KY.

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commission of Pensions
Washington City

Page 31

Lexington Ky 25 Oct. 1836

Sir
I have had this moment by looking at the order of the 2nd  Comiss of the Treas Dept in his circular + of the 29th of last month obfirmed the necessity of sending to you the additional proof in all cases of application for payment over one year.  this ignorance of the pensioner of the above circular will I hope be a sufficient appology for sundry applications I have lately made to you under this [illegible] without enclosing the proper [illegible] which I now do in the case of James Adknison Jr. afsd herewith enclosed

very respectfully
Joseph Ficklin

Page 32

26574   Mar 14

Jas. Adkinson
Ky roll


see letters to P. Agt. & H.C.Harris
April 27. 1837

James L. Edwards. Esq

Commissioner of 
Pensions
Washington City

Prestonsburg
4 March

free

Page 33

Prestonsburg, Ky.
3d March 1837.

Hon. J.L. Edwards,
The Agent at Lexington has refused to obey your "order" to pay James Adkinsons pension, and as W.A. agent I have thought proper to appeal to you for redress. In my judgment the Agent at Lexington has evinced in the case as well as many others a captiousness and ignorance of his duties which should not be overlooked, and the only qualification he has displayed recently has been his great processing in quibbles which are worthless and not regarded at the Pension Bureau.  I am fully aware of the nicety that these rules require. But he goes far beyond every rule prescribed by you. I do not know the Agent, and therefore can have no enmity, but complaints have existed for a year or 18 mos unheard of before. I will submit the case of Jas Adkninson to you.  2 years have passed away and the old veteran has not drawn one cent in that time some eight to ten powers have been presented, all repealed, by the Agent at Lexington.  the last one I directed Mr Ficklin if he rejected, to appeal to you. He did so and you gave a

Page 34

written "order" to pay the money--when your order was presented on the 5th Jany last, the Agent refused to pay the money--Because the power of atto did not accompany the "order".--Your direction was to pay the money when the papers you enclosed him were presented. It was alleged that the power of atto was lost at Washington by you or some of your clerks and without which the wise Agent would not pay the pension. When Mr Ficklin wrote me this I was astounded for you never had the power of atto at al.  For Mr. Ficklin had enclosed it back to me under date of the 25th Oct 1836. Consequently you gave the order to pay the money without the power of atto. You only had the Additional proof a pen certify in you possession + with them only you gave the order to pay on reception of Mr. Ficklins letter of the 5th January last. (which I herewith enclose) you will see the Agent only wanted th power of atto + stated the facts..that you had ordered the money to be paid without it.

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However the Agent went about Legislating[?] an annulled your order, required more than you required, and again refuses to pay the money, 1st because the power was not presented in 90 days he knows it was presented in due time + his ignorance corrected by you by a reversal of his opinion-else how could you have even the order to pay.  2d He alleges a reason that his semi annual return had passed on. How sublimely ridiculous does this last objection or rather quilted[?] of the Agent appear. Suppose for instance a power was executed on the 24th of Dec. 1836. to draw from 4th Mar. to 4th Sept. 1836. why it could not be paid because it was prescribed on the 2d day of Jany. for his Semi Annual report had the day before gone to the Department.  He ought to know that Congress has not prescribed the mode [underlined] of payment or place [underlined] of payment, that these are left to you, t hat you can pay without or with power's of atty. and that when you "order" payment that order is conclusive (underlined) and must be

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obeyed-- for 18 mo. complaints have been made against the Agency at Lexington, and if such things are to continue, the old soldiers had much better surrender to a Government overgrown in prosperity and riches the sural pitance allowed them. The case of Adkinson is a shameful one look Sir at your files + there you will see his discharge and yet by the quibbles of the Agent at first are his culpable insubordination in the second have deprived the old man of his rights.  If "incompetent or refractory agents or subordinates" will not obey the corrective is in the hands of the principal. to dismiss them. The bank should not by keeping incompetent clerk. withhold the dues of the soldiers of the revolution--upon the whole--perhaps the Agent would "obey a second order But I have to you to act

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as circumstances require you give another order enclosed to Jos. Ficklin as before. The Additional proof Lexington, and your "disobeyed order" I have written Mr. Ficklin to enclose all to you
I have the honor to be very Respectfully yr obt sert
Henry C Harris