Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,558, Aquilla Blakely, Va.

Page 1

Service                     Number
Va.  Blakely, Aquilla S. 31,558
        Blakley, Aquila

This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

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Alabama 13.336.
Aquilla Blakely.
of Bount Co. in the State of Alabama
who was a M.t Sergt. in the Co. commanded
by Captain Lynch. of the Reg.t commanded
by Col.Christy. in the Virginia
line for 9 mos.
6. Months as Private. 20.00
3. Months as Sergeant. 15.00.
$35.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama.
at the rate of 35 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2.d day of July, 1883. and sent to
P.D. Clark. Blountville, Ala.

Arrears to the 4th of March, 1833. 70.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4.Sept. 1833 17.50.
$87.50.

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Mr. R. Palmer. Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 8. Page 43.

Paid at the Treasury under
the Act of the 6th April 1838
from 4th March 1837. to 4 Sept 1837. - Agt notified 23. Oct
1838

Paid at the Treasury under the
Act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 Sept 1837 to 4 March 1838. Agt
notified 21 Dec 1838.

Letter to Hon [illegible] R.  Cobb
Dec. 9. 1848.

Page 3

On this 18th day of September 1832 personally
appeared in open Court Before Marston Mead
the Judge of the County Court Blount County
now sitting Aquilla Blakely a resident 
of [blank/redacted space] in the County of Blount and State
of Alabama aged ninety two years Who Being
first and duly sworn according to Law doth on
his oath make the following declaration 
in order to obtain the Benefit of the act of
Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the Service of the United States
under the following named officers and served
is herein stated.  That in the faul of the 
year - That the sun was totally eclipsed
the date not recollected but believes it was 
in the month of September 1776 he enroled
himself as a volunteer in the Company of 
Capt Henry Lynes under the command of
Col Christy of the Virginia Militia and 
at the time of his enrolment resided in Patrick
County in the State of Virginia and the day 
he left home the sun was eclipsed and it was
so dark the fowls went to roost and he was
in the service Three months in Christys 
Camp against the Cherockee Indians
Capt Henry Lynes Company - Marched alone
from Patrick County - to the three springs
six miles above the Long Island of Holston
River & rendezvoused with the Militia of
Virginia & some other states - Supposed in
all to be five or six thousand and remained
[eligible] five days & from thence marched
to the Indian Towns on the Telico plaines
& Destroyed the fields of Corn Beans and

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Potatoes & Burned their Towns - Called Dragon Canoe.  Lattico & Chichoney & in one of these towns we took five lives - which this deponent was informed was captured of Col Bird by the Cherochee Indians - This Deponent was in no battle in Said Company and was discharged in the month of December of the Same year; & his discharged Lost. he was a private during Said Campaign  Deter Hurston was his Lieutenant and Thomas Jones Ensign all resided in Patrick County Virginia And this Deponent again volunteered and Entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and Served as herein Stated.  he enrolled himself as a volunteer in the Company of Cape James Lynch and [the words "virginia Militia" are indicated as inserted between the words "Lynch" and "and"] was an orderly Sergeant in said Company and at the time of his enrollment resided in Patrick County virginia & marched from Said County in the August or September (the year not recollected But thinks it was one or two years after Christys Campaign)

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Ensign of Said Company and all resided in Patrick County - this Deponent on this tour was in no Battles and got no written discharge and this Deponent again Enrolled himself as a volunteer - from the County of Patrick in the Company of Capt James Shelton of the Virginia Militia in the Faul Season the year not recollected - and was Stationed at the Flour Gap in Patrick County Virginia one month and discharged in the Last of Autum of the same year.  There was But one Company in this Tour Daniel Ross was the Lieutenant in Said Company & the Ensigns name forgotten - this deponent was a private in this Tour & Got no written discharge.  And he again volunteered as a private in the Company of Capt. James Poteet of the Virginia Militia under the Command of Col. Abram Penn of Patrick County Virginia and this deponent at the time of his enrolment - which was in the Faul of the year 1780 as well as he recollects.  Resided in the Said County of Patrick and Marched from thence to the Shallow ford of the Adkin River in North Carolina against the Tories who were on a March to Join Lord Cornwallis There in South Carolina - here Col Penns regiment Captured Eighty or Ninety Tories - this deponent was engaged one month in Said Tour and discharged sometime in the faul of Said year.

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And He again Enrolled himself- as a Substitute in the place of Thomas Goff in the Company of Capt George Hairston of the Virginia Malitia at the time of enrolment resided in Patrick county - & entered the Service about the first of March 1781 and from the County of Patrick March to Guilford Court House in South Carolina and the day after the Battle the Said Company joined Gen Greens Army, Gen Lawson & Gen Stephens Comanded the Virginia Militia & does not Know the name of the Col the Company Marched alone from Patrick County to Gen Greens Army near Guilford.  Then marched with Gen Greens Army in pursuit of Lord Cornwallis Army, and persued him as far as Deep River and Gen Greens Army & Earl Cornwallis encamped within three miles distance of each other both on the North Side of the river and the Latter immediately on the Bank of the Same and there killed & Butchered [illegible] or Twenty Bullocks - and in the night made a Bridge by Cutting large Saplings Long enough to reach from one rock to other [illegible] that projected above the waters in Said River & upon Said Saplings were placed fence rails across the River and at this River Gen Green stoped the pursuit a [illegible] thence Capt Hurston and his Company were ordered - to Cape Fair & there Joined [illegible] Light Infantry and marched there about

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four Days and were then Discharged in the Last of March or first of April in the year 1781 in this Tour he Served one month - Joshua Renfro was the Lieutenant in this Company and the name of the ensign forgotten - at [illegible] River a soldier was hung on a Walnut Limb for Desertion - and at Deep River - another was hung for the same crime on a White Oak tree.  both Belonging to Gen Greens Army - the latter was hung at Cornwallis Camping Ground the next day after he crossed Deep River - this Deponent was seldom among the regular Troop [illegible] but [illegible] appears - & has no Documents to prv his Service and Knows of no person whose Testimony he can procure who can Testify to his Services  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 & subscribed the day [illegible] aforesaid - - Aquila Blakley

we John Fowler a clergyman residing in the County of Blount state of Alabama and Samuel A Cargo residing in the Same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Aquilla Blakely who has subscribed and Sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be ninety two years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides

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to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we Concur in that Opinion

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid

John Fowler

Subscribed & sworn to this Day & year aforesaid

Samuel A Cargo

The Answers of Aquilla Blakely to the Several Interrogatories propounded to him by the County Court of Blount in pursuance of the Instruction of the War Department - Answer to first I was Born in Forqure County Virginia in the year 1740.

Answer to second Intg  I have no record of my age - Answers to third Intg - I always lived in Patrick County Virginia when I was Called into Service - 4th I was always a volunteer But one - & then Substituted in place of Thomas Goff in Capt Hairstons Company

5th - I was with Gen Green a short time & have already Stated my march with him - I Saw a regular officer either Gen or Col Lee of the Regular Troops - on Capefair in North Carolina - Gen Lawson and Stephens Commanded the Virginia Militia when I was a Tour in North Carolina - But I do not recollect any of the Militia [illegible] Being only about one month on the Tour to Gen Greens Army - & on Christys Campaign - he recalled Col Christy & Col Lewis there were others [illegible] & field officers But there names are forgotten me.  have Stated as well as I recollect the the Gen Circumstances of my Service.

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answer to 6th Intg - In my return from Cheslys Company I was discharged by Capt Henry Lynes & the same is lost & the Second Compaign got no written Discharge I received no written discharge on the Tour with Col Penn and as the Last tour he received no written Discharge - 

Answer to 7th  I am known in my present neighborhood by John Yuldeny Samuel Cargo Esq. Gordon Killian Caleb Murphree and they can testify to my Charactor for verasity and they all Believe I was a soldier of the Revolution

Sworn & subscribed to the
Day & year aforesaid

Aquilla Blakley

Since the revolutionary wars I removed to Grayson County Virginia & lived there eight or Ten years then moved to Jefferson County Tennessee & lived there about five years then removed to Blount County Alabama where I now live & have been here over fifteen years.  

Aquilla Blakely

Sworn & subscribed to the 
day & year aforesaid

And the Said Court do hereby declare this opinion adter the investigation of the matter and adfter putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that Aquilla Blakley the above named applicant was a Revolutionarty  Soldier and Served as he States and the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that John Fowler who has Signed the preceeding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Blount State of Alabama and

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11921

that - Samuel A Cargo who has also signed the same is a resident in the County or [illegible] aforesaid and is a credible person and that their Statement is entitled to Credit.

Marston Mead
Judge CCB.C

I Mace T P Brindley, clerk of the Court of the County of Blount and State of Alabama do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Aquilla Blakley for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereonto set my hand and private (having no public or official) seal of Said County Court at the Court House in the Town of Blount [illegible] and County of Blount aforesaid this Eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.

Mace T. P. Brindley Clerk C.C.

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on the first day of June 1833, personally appeared in open court before Marston Mead Judge of the County Court of Blount County now sitting Aquilla Blackely a resident of [blank] in the County of Blount and State of Alabama aged ninety three years on the 10th day of October [illegible] who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration as an amendment to his Declaration made in this court on the 18th Day of September 1832 in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 - That Since filing his original Declaration reflection on the past events of the American Revolution [illegible] here that he enroled himself as first Stated in his Declaration in the early part of September 1776.  He enroled himself in the Company of Capt Harvey Lyon and Served three months Tours as therein Stated & Discharged in December in the same year and recollects he did not get home until after Christmas in the Same year.
__________
__________
2nd and on his Second Tour under Capt James Lyon as an orderly Sargent that in month of August in the year 1778 he enroled himself as in his original Declaration that the [illegible] was in [illegible] years when he got to [illegible] Fort he can not recall at the Day of the month but believes it was early in August in Said last mentioned year and was in active Service three months as before stated.

3rd - And he again enroled himself as before

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started the third tour under Capt James Shelton - that he has reflected and is Satisfied that he enroled himself as a [illegible] near the last of September (in the next year after his Second Tour) in the year 1799 - and was Stationed at the Flour Gap two months instead of one month as I before Stated and returned home the last of November being in active Service all the time.

4th.  The Fourth Tour under Capt. James Poteet under Col Penn - he enroled himself near the last of September in the year 1780 and Served one month under Col Penn and during this Tour was an orderly Seargent and discharged some time in November in said year - 

5th - on the last Tour under Capt Harston - he can make no alteration - and hereby declares - that he has lost all the Discharges he ever received and has no documentary evidence to prove his service as a revolutionary Soldier and knows of no living witness who can Testify to his Revolutionary Services and believes none can be procured and believes there are no documents in existance to prove his services as aforesaid he again hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present and Declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State 
Aquila Blakley

Subscribed & sworn to in open Court the day & year above written.  
Mace T. P. Brindley. Clerk C.C.

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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states in his original & amended declaration

Marston Mead
Judge of the County
Court for Blount 
County

I Mace T P Brindley Clerk of the Court of the County of Blount in the State of Alabama aforesaid do hereby certify that the forgoing original declaration of Aquila Blakeley dated the 18th day of September 1802 and this amendment dated the first day of June 1833 contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of said Aquila Blakely for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand and seal of office this first day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three & of American Independence the fifty seventh year.

Mace T P Brindley Clerk C.C.

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11.921   13.336
Aquilla Blakeley
Blount Co
Ala



[illegible] 9 Months
3 Months thereof as
Sergeant.



P. D. Clark 
Blountsville
Ala

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11.921

BRIEF in the case of Aquilla Blakeley
of Blount Co in the State of Alabama
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

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

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

3.   How old is he?  92 Years

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

____________________________________________________
Period.  |   Duration of Service.   |   Rank.   |   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
____________________________________________________

       |    Years,   Months.  Days     |     As a     |     Gen.     

believes Sept. In 1777     |        3 [months]     |   Private     |   Col Christy - Regt Virg
Capt [illegible]  Co   Mil Volun

not stated     |     3 [months]     |     Sergt     |     Capt Jo Lyons   Do    Do

Do     |     1 [months]     Private     |     Capt Js. Shelton   Do   Do.

Fall of 1780     |     1 [months]     |     Do     |     Col Abr. Penn -   Do.

March 1781     |     1 [months]     | Do     |     Capt. Geo Hairston  [illegible]
a Substitute

5.   In what battles was he engaged?  None stated.

6.   Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Patrick Co. Virga. 

7.   Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  by the traditionary evidence of two witnesses.  One a Clergyman.  Certified to be credible persons.

8.   Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Defective & not attached according to the regulations, Private Seal affixed.  no Official Seal.

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

E. Stephens

Examining Clerk.

Page 16

State of Alabama
Blount County

Be it known that before me John C. Gillispie as justice of the peace in and for the State & County aforesaid, personally appeared Ruth Anderton and made oath in due form of law, that She is the daughter and only known serviving child of Aquilla Blakely the identical person who was a pensioner, and is now dead and to whom a Certificate of pension was found of which the following is a true copy:

War Department.
Revolutionary Claim

I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th of June 1832 Aquilla Blakely of the State of Alabama who was a private & Sergeant in the army of the Revolution is entitled to receive thirty five dollars per annum, during his natural life.  Commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable Semiannually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in Every year.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this Second day of July one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three.

John Robb
Acting Sectetary of War

Examined and
Countersigned

J. S. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

That the deceased pensioner resided in Blount county in the State of Alabama for the space of twenty years.

Page 17

before his death: and that previous thereto he resided in the State of Tennessee, and the State of Virginia.

Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 25th day of
November [illegible] 1850
John C. Gillespie J. P.

Ruth  x her Mark  Anderton

State of Alabama
Blount County

Be it known that on the 25tth day of November [illegible] 1850 personally appeared before John C. Gillispie a justace of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Austin Murphree & Harvey Poe who being duly Sworn according to law, depose and say that they of their own knowledge know that Aquilla Blakely a Revolutionary pensioner late of Blount County is dead.  that he [illegible] the 7th day of December [illegible], that he has left no living widow, and that Ruth Anderton who here makes application for the arrearages of his pension is his only known living Child, and that She is twenty one years of age, And they further depose and say that they have no interest Either directly or indirectly in the Said Matters.  And further these deponents say not.

Sworn to and subscribed before me
this day and year above written

Harvey Poe
Austin Murphree
John C. Gillespie J.P.

And I hereby Certify that Austin Murphree & Harvey Poe whose names are Signed to the above deposition are Truthful & Credible men - On whose veracity full reliance may be placed

John C. Gillespie J.P.

Know all men by these presents that I Ruth Anderton of the County of Blount and State of Alabama do hereby constitute and appoint A.M.Gibson

Page 18

My true & lawful attotney, for me and in my name to receive from the agent of the United States for paying pensions in Huntsville in the State of Alabama, the amount due to Aquilla Blakely deceased a revolutionary pensioner to which I am entitled - being the ballance of Said pension from the 4th day of March 1838 to the 7th day of December 1838 which was the day of his death.

Witness my hand and Seal this 25th day of Nov. 1850

Sealed and delivered in presence of
Austin Murphree
Matthew H. Hanna

Ruth  her x mark  Anderton   [another illegible mark}

State of Alabama
Blount County. 
Be it known that on the 25th day of Nov. 1850, before the Subscriber a Justace of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Ruth Anderton above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her voluntary act and deed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.

John C. Gillespie
Justace of the Peace

State of Alabama
Blount County S.S.
Be it known that on the 25th day of November 1850 before the Subscriber a Justace of the Peace in and for Said County, personally appeared A. M. Gibson the attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney and made oath that the same was not given him by reason of any Sale transfer or Mortgage of the pension or arrears of pension therein authorized to be received by him and that he does not know or believe that the Same has been pledged, Sold, Mortgaged, assigned or transfered to any person whatever.
A. M. Gibson

Sworn and Subscribed before me   
the day and year last above written
John C. Gillespie  J. P.

Page 19

State of Alabama
Blount County
J. P. John C. Gillispie Judge of the Probate Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John C. Gillispie is a Justace of the Peace in and for Said County, duly commissioned and qualified that his commission was dated on the Seventeen day of April A.D. 1850 and will Expire So Soon after the first Monday of March 1853 as his Sucessor shall have been duly qualified and that the foregoing Signature purporting to be his are genuine.

Given under my hand and private Seal there being no official Seal of Office at Blountville in Said County this 25th day of November 1850

John C. Gillespie Judge of Probate.

I Know John C. Gillespie to be Judge of the probate court in an for the county of Blount and State of Alabama on the 25th day of November 1850

WRW Cobb

Ruth Anderton
Pensioner

Page 20

No 10 [illegible]
_________________
Aquilla Blakeley decd.
(only child of)
_________________
Unclaimed Pensions
$36 00/100
____________________
Reported Feb 28, 1851
Retd.  "     "     "
_____________________
Reqn. No 1.100, dated 1st & sent to Treasury, 1st March 1851

Act 6 April

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FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Page 22

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE

The United States

To Ruth Anderton only surviving child of Aquilla Blakeley, deceased, 
--------inscribed as a pensioner on the roll of the
Huntsville, Alabama, agency,
per an act of 7 June 1832.       Dr


For his pension from 4 March 1838 inclusive,
to 7 September, 1835 inclusive at $35 00/100 a year  $26 00/100


Stated, February 25, 1851 by  Wm. T. R. Saffell,


TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.

Revised February 28th, 1851 by Saml. B. Parris

Page 23

June 29, 1931.
Mrs. D. B. Hollingsworth
Edgefield, South Carolina


Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
ILL

Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31558, that Aquila Blakley,
pensioned Aquilla Blakely, was born October 10, 1740 in Fauquier
County, Virginia.
While a resident of Patrick County, Virginia, he served
as private and orderly sergeant in the Virginia troops as follows:
from September, 1776, three months in Captain Henry Lynes' Company,
Colonel Christy's Regiment; from August, 1778, three months in
Captain James Lyon's Company; in 1779, two months in Captain James
Shelton's Company; from September, 1780, one month in Captain James
Poteet's Company, Colonel Abram Penn's Regiment; from March, 1781,
one month in Captain George Hairston's Company,

After the Revolution, soldier moved to Grayson County,
Virginia, and resided for eight or ten years, then moved to Jefferson
County, Tennessee, remained about five years, and moved to
Blount County, Alabama.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
September 18, 1832, while a resident of Blount County, Alabama,
where he had lived for more than fifteen years.
There are no data relative to his family in the papers
in this claim.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to show
a claim for pension on file on account of the services of Benjamin Blockman.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.

Page 24

[left side]  1924 Nov. 10 Hist. to Miss Kate White [initials] aw
 1931 June 29 Hist. to Mrs. D. B. Hollingsworth [initials] ada
31558
INVALID 
Rey
File No. 31,558
Aquilla Blakely
Sergt Rev War
---
Act June 27 32"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 42
(Arrangement of 1870)

Page 25

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
October 12th, 1838

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," Aquila Blakely a Pensioner on the Roll of the Decatur, State a Agency, at the rate of thirty five Dollars per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837 to the 4th of September 1837.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Page 26

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 10th 1838.

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,' Aquila Blakely, a Pensioner of the Roll of the Decatur, Alabama, Agency, at the rate of Thirty five Dollars per annum, under the law of the 7th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1837 to the 4th March, 1838.

Respectfully, yours, 

Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions, 
Present.

Page 27

11.921
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Aquilla Blakely which require
further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
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? no
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 amount of pension he is entitled?
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? No

Page 28

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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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? [crossed out text]
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? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For year-----
-- months, and ---------
days, I served as a------
-- For -----months 
and --- days, I served as a--------;
and for such service I claim a pension.

Page 29

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite
, and all 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same.
as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
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 30

House of Rep
Washington [illegible] 7" 48/

Sir
Inclosed please find a certificate [illegible] which please  examine and see if the claiment is or was intitled to anything before his death That he did not receive if so can his Legal Representatives receive it now.

Your early answer with the certificate please return as soon as possible and oblige me

I have the honor to be your Friend and obt Ser't

WRW Cobb


Col J L Edwards
[illegible] of [illegible]
Washington 
DC

Page 31

Edgefield S.C.
May 29-31

Bureau of pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir - Will you please give me such information as you may have on Revolutionary Soldier - Aquilla Blakely who enrolled July 2 - 1833. from Blount Co. Ala, age 94.  Vol XIII Sect. Doc. 514.23. Cong. 1st. Sess. 1833.4.

Also, Benj Blackman, private in Lewis Reg. Res.g Tuscaloosa Co. Ala, Trans. from [illegible], Sept 4, 1819, or april. 24, 1816, Vol. XIV. Sec. Doc. 514.23. Cong, 1. Ses. 1833-34.

With much appreciation,
Mrs. D. B. Hollingsworth
Reg. Old 96 Dist. Chap, D.A.R.
Edgefield S.C.

Rev

[stamp] Pension Office  June 1 1833

Page 32

1718 Cumberland Ave. Knoxville Tenn.
Commissioner, Bureau of Pension, Rev. Department. Washington, D.D.
Dear Sir: Will you please give me the pension statement of the following

Lingo, James in 7 Va. regiment [illegible] 13
[added by hand "no Lingo at all"]
Lingo, [illegible] from Harlin co Tenn 1815, transferred from N.C. 1813
[added by hand "Old War Jno File no 25222 Send"]

Rev. record of:
[illegible] Dick or Dicks, Jacob [handwritten circle and checkmark next to both last names]
Dick or Dicks, Henry both in va [Virginia] regiment [handwritten circle and checkmark next to both last names]
Blackley, Joeph, George, John, William, Va. [by hand, crossed out the 'c' to make "Blakley"]
Blakely, Aquilla, Pen 1835, Ala [Alabama] 9 [checkmark added by hand] [number added by hand, either "S31558" or "831558"]
Blakely, George. Pen 1835, 3 Ky [Kentucky]
[added by hand, checkmark and words "this is Leaky"]

Thanking you for any information on these names, 
very Sincerely, 
Miss Kate White
State Historian of Tenn. D.A.R Author of King Mountain Men

[circular stamp]
U.S.
OCT 24 
1924
OFFICE

Page 33

Miss Kate White,
1718 Cumberland Ave.
Knoxville, Tenn.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the pension claim, S. 31558, it appears that Aquila Blakely, or Blakley, was born October 10, 1740, in Fauquier Co., Virginia and while living in Patrick County, Virginia, he served as a private and orderly sergeant in the Virginia Troops as follows:

From September 1776, for three months, in Captain Henry Lynes' Company, Colonel Christy's Regiment.

From August 1778, for [illegible], in Captain James Lyon's Company.

In 1779, for two months, in Captain James Shelton's Compny.

From September 1780, for one month, in Captain James Poteet's Company, Colonel Abram Penn's Regiment.

From March 1781, for one month in Captain George Hairston's Company.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832. while living in Blount County, Ala.

There is no data on file as to his family.

Respectfully,
Washtinton Gardner
Commissioner.

Page 34

Payments to be made
at Mobile. 
by [illegible] Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners, 
in the Agency of 
Alabama.

Recorded in the Pension Office
in Book E Vol. 8.
Page 43. by [illegible]
Clerk.

Page 35

WAR DEPARTMENT

Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the law  in the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Aquilla Blakley of the State of Alabama who was a Private and Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Thirty five dollars and    cents[crossed out] per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and the 4th of September, in every year.

GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this Second day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three.

John [illegible]
Acting Secretary of War.

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.