Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1,806, Presley Dollins, Va.

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[upper left corner] (8-1776).
[column headings: SERVICE. [untitled]. NUMBER]
Va. Dollins, Presley. S. 1.806
[handwritten] carded
[bold dividing line]
[left column heading: CONTENTS]

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7183
Tennessee (west)
Presley Dollins
of Lincoln Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain - - of the regt. commanded by Col D. Harvey in the Virginia [illegible] [illegible] for 11 months from '79
[double line divider]
Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars 0 0 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
[double line divider]
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of March 1833 and Sent To A. Q. Nicks Esq. Fayetteville T.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $40.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending, 4 September 1833 $10.00
[totalled] $50.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7 1832.}

Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book E Vol. 7 Page 76

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Let to [illegible]: Union Bank & to
D. Eastland, July 2. 1835

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State of Tennessee
Lincoln County

on this 23rd day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty 
two personally appeared in open court before 
Abner Steed  Jesse Daniel  Samuel Buchanan Gentlemen Justices of the pleas and quarter Sessions for Lincoln county  now sitting Presley Dollins a resident of the county of Lincoln and State of Tennessee age Eighty one years who having been 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 passed June 7th 1832.

That he entered the service of the united States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that in the Spring of the year of 1779 he was drafted for the term of two months to assist in bringing the burgoyne [General John Burgoyne] Prisoners from Charlottesville to the Barrecks in Albemarl [Albemarle] county virginia 
a man by the name of Wheeler was Captain at Charlottesville after the prisoners were received at the barracks  he was commanded by Capt. Miller  Daniel Harvey was his Colonel  he continued to guard said prisoners until his time expired And he was discharged by Capt Miller

In the year of 1781 he was drafted again for the term of two months his Capt was James Woods a man by the name of Richardson was Col. of the first regiment of virginia Militia to which this applicant belonged  the Brigade was commanded by Gen. [Thomas] Nelson
they march to Richmond and through different parts of the state of virginia after 
the british Some times the british would run them and at other times they would make the british retreat

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after his term of service expired he was dismissed about Seven miles below Louisa Court House in  the State of virginia  this applicant did not received any written 
discharge for this term.

On the 28th day of July 1781 he was again drafted for the term of two months Major 
John Mochn lead the squad from Albemarle County virginia to to Mobbins Hills on James River in the same state where the Joined the great army commanded by Gen. [Thomas] Nelson  we did not remain there long before 
this applicant was detached from the great army and commanded by Strange officers he does not know any of their names except Col Matthews who commanded a regiment at Duncastle about twelve miles above Williamsburg in virginia  

he stayed at Duncastle some days where he was taken sick and sent to the hospital at Williamsburg   he remained there a short time and his term of service expired and he was discharge by a written discharge from Gen George Washington who at that time was commander in Chief of the american army  
he has since lost it and also the discharge that he received from Captain Miller he has lost 

he was born in Orang [Orange] county virginia on the 9th day of July 1751. he believes he has always had a record of his age taken from his fathers bilbe [Bible] until Some few years ago he thinks he has lost it 
at all the different terms he was called into Service he was living in Albemarle County state of virginia and has lived there since the war until about twenty years ago he moved to 
Lincoln county Tennessee where he now lives

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he is known in his present neighborhood to 
R William Edminister Esq Chairman of the court of pleas & Quarter Sessions for Lincoln county & state aforesaid and Col Reuben H. Boone Capt James D Cole who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. And that he has no documentary evidence and that he 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 an annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state in the united States 
Sworn to subscribe the day and year aforesaid
Presley Dollins

We Cumberland Wilson a clergyman residing in the county of Lincoln and State of Tennessee and James D. Cole & William Edminister residing in the county and State aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the above named applicant who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration and we believe him to be eighty one years of age and  that he is reputed and believe in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution and that we do concur in that opinion

Sworn to subscribed that day and year aforesaid 
Cumberland Wilson
Jas D Cole
Wm Edminister

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And the said court do hereby declare their opion [opinion] after an investigation of the whole matter and after putting the interrogations proscribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolution and served as 
he has stated

And the court further Certifies that it appears 
to them that Cumberland Wilson who has subscribed and sworn to the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in Lincoln County Tennessee and Wm Edministon & 
Jas D Cole who has also signed the same are residents in the county and State aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
Jesse Daniel
Samuel Buchanan
Abner Steed

I Robert S Inge clerk of the court of pleas & quarter Sessions for Lincoln county Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding in the matter of the application of Presley Dollins for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office 23d day of October 1832
Robt S Inge Clk.
[seal not noticeable on page]

[written in right margin]
Presley Dollins
17373

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17373
Presley Dollins
Lincoln Co Tennessee
from 1779 private
6 months
$20.
A.Q. Nicks
Attorney at law
Fayetteville
Tenn.

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BRIEF in the case of [handwritten] Presley Dollins
of Lincoln in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

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

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

3. How old is he?  [handwritten] 81

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

[column headings: blank header (self made column). Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]

Drafted. In 1779. 2 Months,. As a Private. Gen. Nelson
do. 1781. 2 Months. do. Col. Daniel Harvey
do. ____. 2 Months. do. Gen. Washington

5. In what battles was he engaged? [handwritten] None named

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? [handwritten] Albemarle Co. Virginia

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? [handwritten] Traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [handwritten] Perfect

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

[handwritten] T. S. Bradford
Examining Clerk.

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S.F. 1806
Washington, D. C. , 19

In reply to you request of ---, received---for statement of the military history of Presley Dollins a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[chart headings]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
LENGTH OF SERVICE
RANK
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
STATE.
Spring 1779/ 2 mos./ Pvt/ / Captains Wheeler & Miller / 
Colonel Harvey/ Va.

1781 / 2 mos. / Capt James Wood /Colonel Richardson
 
July 28, 1781 / 2 mos. / Colonel Matthews 

Battles engaged, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Albemarle County, Va
Date of application for pension, Oct 23,1832 His. I. was Residence at date of application. Lincoln County Tennessee  Date of application, born July 9, 1751 in Orange County Va.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family The only soldier of this name & c

Respectfully, 
Commissioner 
6-2856

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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of, Presley Dollins, Lincoln Co. Tenn. which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? [handwritten] yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [handwritten] 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? [handwritten] 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 amount of pension he is entitled? [handwritten] yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
[handwritten] yes

VII. Has he made relinquishments of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? [handwritten] yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [handwritten] yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? [handwritten] yes

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? [handwritten] yes

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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? [handwritten] yes

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? [handwritten] yes

XIV. [symbol] 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?
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 applicants service?

XVI. [symbol]Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [handwritten] yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? [handwritten] All 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.

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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 user of the phrase [italicized] about three or four months [end italics] 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 objectionable.  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.
[symbol]QUERE XIV. [italicized] Proof of Service. [end italics]
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.
[symbol]QUERE XVI.  [italicized] Mode of authenticating papers. [end italics]
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 the office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
[symbol]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.

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Free
Fayetteville T. 
Oct 27

Pension office
The Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington City

[written on left margin]
recd. 12 . Novr.
Ten. 17373

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Free
Fayettesville T.
Oct 27

Pension office
The Hon. Lewis Cass 
Secretary of War
Washington City

[written left margin]
recd. 12. Novr. 
Tenn.
17373

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Fayetteville Octr 23d 1832

Sir

You will pleas [illegible] any intelligence or papers you wish for me to have to my [illegible] A Q Nicks attorney at law Fayetteville Tenn. I very much oblige your friend [illegible]

Presley Dollins

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Presley Dollins

[illegible]

[illegible]

7183  [illegible]

[illegible]

Davis Eastland
Fayetteville 
Ten

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State of Tennessee
Lincoln County 
Be it known that before A T Nicks a Justice of the peace in & for the county aforesaid personally appeared Presley Dollins and made oath in due form of law that he is the identical Presley Dollins named in an original certificate in his possession of which I certify 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 June 1832 Presley Dollins of the State of Tennessee (west) who was a private in the war of the Revolution is entitled to receive twenty dollars and 00 cents per annum during his natural life. Commencing on the 4th of March 1831 and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.

Given at the War office of the United States this 13 day of March one thousand eight hundred and twenty three
Lew [Lewis] Cass
Secretary of War
[hand written seal]

Examined and Countersigned 
J.L.Edwards

-that he is entitled to a pension of twenty dollars per annum on account of services rendered the United States during the revolutionary War 
-that he served in Captain Benjamin Wheelers 
& Millers company in the Virginia Militias 
-that he now resides in Lincoln County Tennessee and has resided there for the space of about twenty three years [illegible]:
previous thereto he

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lived in Albemarle County Virginia Said Dollins further states that he has not drawn any of his pension money for two years past. & he is informed that in consequence thereof it is necessary for him to send his papers back to the war department & assign some reason for not having drawn for that reason length of time - His reasons are that he is very old and infirm and unable to travel and the amount being Small he at first concluded to draw only once in a year 
- after twelve months has expired from the time he last drew he made a power of attorney to another person to get the money drawn, but on account of some confusion or imperfection in it. the pension agent at Nashville did not pay it 
- and on account of his inability to go to town to get some person to draw the power of attorney, who understood it. 
he has not drawn any and on account of there being no person living in his neighborhood who knew how to fix a power of attorney correctly. he has heretofore failed in receiving for the last two years pensions although he has made three or four different applications for it 
[illegible] before signed & qualified
 
Sworn to & subscribed this 1st day of June 1835
Presley Dollins
Before me 
AT Nicks Justice of the Peace

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State of Tennessee Lincoln County
It is known that before me A. J. Hicks a Justice of the peace in and for said County, personally appeared Joel Dollins Taliaferro Dollins, Amos Small, John J. Tate (whom I hereby certify to be  [illegible] and entitled to credit) and made oath in due form of law that they are well acquainted. Presley Dollins who has this day appeared before me to take the oath identity that they believe him to be the identical Presley Dollins named in the pension ^ certificate now in his possession, of which a true copy is given in his foregoing office with and that they do believe that the reasons assigned by him for not drawing his pension money are true
Sworn to [illegible] before me
A T Nicks Justice of the peace
June 1st 1835
Amos Small
Taliaferro Kollins
John J Tate
Joel Dollins

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[illegible text in top left corner]

JAMES T. BLAIR,
CHIEF JUSTICE
JACOB D. ALLEN, 
CLERK

DIVISION NO 1
A.M. WOODSON, P.J.
W.W. GRAVES, J.
CONWAY ELDER, J.
JAS. T. BLAIR, J.

STATE OF MISSOURI,
DIVISION NO 2
EDWARD HIGBEE, P.J.
DAVID E. BLAIR, J.
ROBERT F. WALKER, J.

SUPREME COURT

IN CHAMBERS
W. W. GRAVES, JUDGE.

JEFFERSON CITY

[handwritten] Jan. 29 - 1922

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Rev. War Section
Wash. D.C.

Sirs:

Have you on file any military record of the service of James Patterson, James Powers, and Pressley Dollins, all from Virginia? These names are found in Eckenrude's List of Rev. War soldiers from Virginia, and are all ancestors of mine.

Any military record and family data of same which you may have, please send to my address and I shall greatly appreciate the favor.

Respectfully,
(Address) Mrs. W. W. Graves
Jefferson City
R.F.D. No.4  Missouri

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE FEB 14 1922

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Rev Var.

1806

[handwritten check mark] INVALID.

File No. [handwritten] 1806

[handwritten] Presley Dollins

[handwritten] Priv. [illegible] Line.

Act: [handwritten] June 7. 1832.

Index:--Vol. A, Page 98

[Arrangement of 1870.]

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1922 Mch. 10 Hist. to Mrs. W. W. Graves