Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2559, Alexander Forbes, Va.

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SERVICE Va.
Forbes, Alexander 
NUMBER S. 2559
Carded
Contents

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Death not on A.B.

7648
West Tennessee
Alexander Forbes
(unreadable - Lincoln Co./Service?) in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Shelton of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Green in the Virginia
line for three years from 1777

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State of Tennessee
Lincoln County  S.S.

On this 19th day of October 1832 personally appeared before the justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions for said County Alexander Forbes a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged Seventy two years who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832. 

That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1777, with Lieutenant 
Clough Shelton (afterwards Capt Shelton) of 
the Continental line, and served in the 10th Regiment of the Virginia line, under the following named officers. Capt Shelton, Major Harvis, Col. Stephens, all of the 10th Regiment, which was afterwards reduced to the sixth Regiment. The 10th Regiment was of General  Muhlenburgs brigade, but after it was reduced to the sixth, I was attached to Genl. Scotts Brigade and  was commanded by Col. Green, of which troops Lord Sterling was Major General.

This applicant enlisted as above for the period of three years, he resided when he enlisted in Amherst County and State of Virginia, and after serving out his full term he left the service in the year 1779. he does not  recollect the day & month when he enlisted, nor the day and month when he was discharged.

This applicant was born on the 3 day of March 1760 as he has been informed and believes, but he has no particular record of his age. From Amherst County, the place of his nativity he removed after the war to  Madison County in Kentucky, then to Adair County in said state, thence to Jackson County Alabama, thence to Lincoln County Tennessee , where he now resides.

When he left the service he received a written discharge from Col. Guess of the Continental line, but it has been lost or mislaid so that it cannot be had, when he enlisted he resided in Amherst County Virginia, and was marched to White Marsh Camp, in  the State of Pennsylvania in the fall of 1777, from thence he was marched to Valley Forge where the troops took up winter quarters, for 1778.

In the following

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Spring and summer he marched through 
the Jerseys and in the winter of 1779 I lay in Winter Quarters at Boundbrook, and when winter quarters were broken up there we 
went to Paulers Hook in New York and stormed and took that fort, the watch 
word, at which place for the Americans was 
"Stoney Point" because that battle had then been recently fought, this applicant was not at the battle of Stoney Point but was near enough to be in hearing of the guns. 

As a reward for the bravery of the troops in taking Paulers Hook, each soldier received twenty dollars, at which time this applicant states his term of service had well nigh expired, and for which reason he was sent as one of a guard over the British prisoners there taken to Philadelphia, where he was regularly discharged by Col. Guess as above stated, his term of service having then fully expired.

This applicant knows of but one person living 
by whom he can prove his service as above set forth, and that is Noel Battles of St Clair County Alabama, whose affadavit vouching the same is not here submitted to the Court, and can not be had, without great trouble & expense _ 

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State.
[signature] Alex Forbes

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Robt Singe clerk

We Isaac McCown a clergyman residing in Lincoln County Tennessee, and John Vicus residing in the same County and State, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Alexander Forbes, who has subscribed and Sworn to the above

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declaration, that we believe him to be 
seventy two 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 to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
Robt S Inge clk
Isaac McCown
John Vickers

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 that Isaac McCown who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Lincoln & State of Tennessee and that John Vickers who has also signed the same are residents in the same County, and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Elliot W. Fletcher Samuel Buchanan  
Saml Todd   court presiding 

I Robt S Inge Clerk [illegible] of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Lincoln County Tennessee, do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Alexander Forbes for a pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 19th day of October 1832
Robt S Inge clerk

[round illegible seal attached]

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No 23841
Alexander Forbes
Tennessee

Va Roll
on roll 
from 1777 private 
3 years $80

Robt S Singe Clk
Fayettesville 
Lincoln County Court
Tennessee

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War Department, Pension Office, 183  Sir:  The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a 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.  The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done.  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 the Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.  A Statement, showing the Service of Alexander Forbes Lincoln Co Tenn.  Period when the service was [illegible]| Enlisted 1777| years 3| Rank of the claimant. Priv |Names and rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt Shelton| Names of Rank of the General and Field officers. Stephen Green| Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Stony Point| Country through which he marched. VA PA NJ NY| Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Aged 72 Amherst County VA| Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary   I am respectfully Your obedient servant, J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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2 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 civil 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 from 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 service. $.  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, musicians 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, Terrirory, or District of County of}, ss,  On this      day of        personally appeared (a) before          A.B. a resident (b) of        in the county of        and State, Territory or District of      aged (c)     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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)    , with        and served in the          (e)  regiment of the              line, under the following named officers:                             .  {Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service, (and if he served under more than one 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 enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [pointing finger symbol] 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, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of            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            of the Court of          do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of            for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this               day of               &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 given in note (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             and C.D. residing the (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with            , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be            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 day 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 Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.        who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the         and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the            and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.    I,          Clerk of the Court of              do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of                for a pension.   In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal                  of office, this         day of                    &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 then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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3  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.  1.  Where and in what year were you forn?  2.  Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3.  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 4.  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom? 5.  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. 6. {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? 7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  The Court will see that he 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 his 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 enquiry 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 of 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 his is entitled.  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."  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 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 in 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 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 office 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.[hand pointing symbol] 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.  Dyer Castor

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January 18, 1937 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxAlexander Forbes  S. 2559  BA-J/MOS Miss J. N. Forbes 214 First Avenue Farmville, Virginia  Dear Madam:  Reference is made to your letter of December 31, 1936, requesting the Revolutionary War record of Alexander Forbes for Forbus who served three years in the 10th and 6th Virginia Regiments, enlisting in 1777.  The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 2559, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Alexander Forbes, the only soldier of that name (searched under all spellings) other than Alexander Forbes, W. 10998, (which record was sent you November 24, 1936) that is found i the Revolutionary War records of this office.  Alexander Forbes was born March 3, 1760, in Amherst County, Virginia.  The names of his parents were not given.  While a resident of Amherst County, Virginia, he enlisted in 1777 as private under Lieutenant Clough Shelton (later Captain Shelton) in the 10th Virginia Regiment, which regiment was later reduced to the 6th Virginia Regiment, and he served under Colonels Stevens and Green, was at the taking of the fort at Panlus Hook and was discharged in 1779, having served three years.  After the Revolution he moved to Madison County, Kentucky, from there to Adair County, Kentucky, from there to Jackson County, Alabama, and from there to Lincoln County, Tennessee.  He was allowed pension on his application executed October 19, 1832, at which time he was living in Lincoln County, Tennessee.  There are no data relative to the family of Alexander Forbes.  Very truly yours   A. D. Hiller Executive Assistant to the Administrator

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217 First Avenue--Farmville, Virginia  December 31, 1936 Administration Washington, D. C.  Some days ago, written Nov. 24, 1935 you sent are the record of Alexander Forbes in the Revolutionary War record Alexander Forbes W. 10998.  Thank you and this was just about what I expected to find as it agrees closely with what I have heard of my grandfather's service.  You sent the record as shown in his pension claim. Now, there was an "Alexander Forbus (surname also found as Forbes") served in Rev. war 6th Va. Regiment also 10th Va. regiment who enlisted in 1777 for 3 yrs. &c.

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"His name also appears on a record under the heading "A List of Soldiers of the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment who have received Certificates for the balance of their full pay &c."--- I believe they are two different men as my grandfather was too young a man in 1777 (14 yrs. old) to have enlisted at that time 1777.  I have understood my grandfather Alexander Forbes was 17 at the battle of Guilford C. H., March 15, 1781. and so he saw short service (6 months).  Now, will you, if you please look up Pension claim of Alexander Forbus (surname also found as Forbes) who served with Virginia militia on

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Continental establishment . He enlisted in 1777 for 3 yrs.
You might possibly look up militia of Stafford County, Virginia. What I want is the Pension Claim of an Alexander Forbes who served from Va. in Continental Establishment.
Very respectfully,
(Miss) J. N. Forbes
214 First Avenue 
Farmville
Virginia

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Rev War 
2559
INVALID.
File No. 2,559.
Alexander Forbes
Privt Rev. Wat
Act : June 7' 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 128
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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1937 Jan. 18 hist to
Miss J. N. Forbes  NilS