Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,138, for Thomas Lewis, Virginia

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SERVICE                                           NUMBER
Va.                     Lewis, Thomas        S.7.138
                                                          
                                                           carded
 ============================

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Ctf.
 12.695  Virginia
=========================
Thos. Lewis     Dec'd (?)
Rockingham in the State of Va.
a Pte. (?) third in the Company commanded
Captain Rush of the Regt commanded
Corp. McClay in the Virginia
for 10 mos. & 5 days.                   12.695
=========================
Private  6.15              21.67
Ensign.  3.00             30.00
Lieut.        0.20            8.89
                             _______
                               60.50
==========================
(?)    on the Roll of Virginia.
at the sum of 60. Dollars 56. Cents per annum
(?) on the 4th day of March, 1831.
==============================
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of May '33 and sent to HG Gambill s.s. Rockingham
=============================
(?)   P.O.
to the 4th of March 1833.          121. 12
allowance ending Sept. 1833.       30.28
                                                     ====
                                                  $151.40
⎨ Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer, Clerk
E. Vol. Six Page/''

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20788 12695

Thos Lewis Ger. Va

Report to the Eamonds
G H F Evans
[?}ing 1883

Adm 6. months 15 days provate

3 ' Ensign
20 days Leiut

26.60
12
379.92

3/26.66
8.84

H. I Gambill C.C.
Rockingham Co
Va

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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. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (bus: ). 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, showing the Service of Thomas Lewis In Rockingham Co Va

[table 11 columns] Period when the service was rendered/ duration of the claimants service years/ months/days/ Rank of the claimant/ Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served/ Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers/Battles in which the applicant was engaged/ Country through which he marched/ Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period/ Evidence by which the declarations in experienced. 
Sept. '76/ . / 3/ . / pr/ Cat Nall/ / / Va 72 Rockingham Va/ Grady September who swea to 2 & 2 towns - & the 1st.
'80/ [?]/ 13./ . / "/ Cat Rush/ [?] / / " / - / /
'87/ " " / 1/ x x / " / Cap Houston / / / / /
-/ . / 3/ .. / Ensign / "-/Col. McClary /  [?] Jamestown / "/  / / 
Sept '87. / not September/ / adjutant/ - / Co Smith/ / / / / 
[?] / "For 6 1/2 mos I served as private. For 3 mos a Ensign. 20 days as Lieutenant & adjutant"

I am respectfully, 
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions

6. mo 15 days pv
3 ' Ensign
20 days Lieut

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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 as 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
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, 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 Country 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 day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the country 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 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, 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 of Virginia 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 in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with  , who has 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 a 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 application 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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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 born?
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 live now?
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 service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
6. [ 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 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 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 properly 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 June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent hereto, 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 he 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 - ear - 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 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 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 had no politic 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 office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any payer 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 enter 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.
[IJ] 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. 

W. L. Williams & Clk

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No 4i623
Thomas Lewis. S JR.

Declaration for a 
Pension

Rockingham County Va.

Page 8

State of Virginia Rockingham Count to with,

On this 20th day of August in the year 1832, Personally appeared in open court before Jacob D Williamson, David Huston, Reuben Moore, and Augustus Waterman, Justices of the court of the county of Rockingham now sitting, Thomas Lewis Jr. a resident of this said county in the state of Virginia aged upwards of 42 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 [?] of Comardsd to [?] June 4th 1832 [to wit]

I Thomas Lewis Son of the County of Rockingham in the State of Virginia do make the following declaration,
I was born in this county where I now live then a part of Augusta County, and according to the family record/ a copy of which is in the family Bible of my brother the late Charles Lewis with whose family I live, the original being taken I believe by the family of my brother Benjamin to the state of Missouri/ I was born on the 26 of January 1760 - I served five tours of militia service during the war of the Revolution or at least I had created for the service of five tours, being sometimes discharged sooner than the epiration of the three months for which I entered, as will be more fully explained herein after and in addition to those times I was affixed in the year 1778 (I believe it was) to serve eighteen months in the regeslaw service, I then a substitute was hired for me/ with out my knowledge a desire/ who took my place in that service. - and each time I entered the service a volunteer. 

I entered the militia service of the United States for the first time in the month of September 1776 under Captain William Nall of this (then Augusta) County and served three months in an expedition of the northwestern part of this state against the Indians, who had [?] in the spring or summer of htat year, done some mischeif in those parts. - The greater part of the time we were stationed in a fort then called West Falls fort (from the name of hte owner of the land). I a part of the time in [?] [?] valley. - Of those with whom I then served I know only of two who are now living, Robert Harnsbarger of Augusta and John Pence Law of this county whose deposition is hereto amended - during that expiration no  officer of the Regular army was with us  but soon after, a company of Regulars under Capt Michael Buyan was for a short time stationed  in the great valley. - My second tour was in the year 1780 in a company commanded by (Col ther/ Captain John Rush of this county whose affida-

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-vits as hereto [?] [? as from [?] [?] time we entered the service, but think it was in the month of October, I remember that we were discharged in the month of December, some short time before the expiration of three months. - We were principally employed or on camped near Richmond and were under the command of Colonel Sampson Matthews of Augusta County. - Some time in the month of December there being then no enemy in that part of the country, and our service nearly expired/ we were discharged at "Bacon Branch" near Richmond. - In the spring of the year 1871 I again entered the service under the command of the late Colonel then/Captain George Huston of this county and marched/furnishing on our horses - arms- & provisions/ to the South branch of the Potomac, for the purpose of breaking of an establishment of Torries/ or Rogalish / attempted to be made by a certain General Claypoole whose head quarters were at Cape Capon. - We were under the command of Colo Benj Harrison, of this county. - Genl Isaac Jane was also engaged in this expedition. The establishment was entirely broken into and destroyed. - IN this tour I think I was not in service more than a month - perhaps not quite so long. but in consequences of our complete sweep we were discharged and had credit for a tour of duty. - Early in the month of June in the same year I again went into the service as an Ensign in a company under the before mentioned Capt George Huston. - In this tour I was actively engaged the whole time, and mostly in very fatiguing services. - principally performed in the county round about Williamsburg, and in that part of the state. In this tour I was in two engagements with the British. The first was called the Battle of Hotevaler, near a creek some fifteen or 20 miles above Williamsburg - The Battle (or skirmish/was between a Brigade of militia under the command of Colo John Willis, and a part of the British army. - This Brigade was attached to the army under the Marquis La Fayette, - and Col. Willis was an affisor in the Regular

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service, and being at that time (I believe) a super numerary, had temporarily the command of their militia Brigade - The other engagement was at James Town, between the army under La Fayette and the British. In this affair Genl Wayne with his Brigade made a charge with the bayonet upon the British line, and being repulsed, his retreat was covered by our brigade under Col Willis, - here Colo Wm Bowyer of Staunton was taken prisoner by the British. - After serving three months, I was discharged at a place called "Bottom bridge" some 15 miles below Richmond. - The Regiment in which I served this tour was commanded by a Col McClary of Augusta, the Brigade was (as above stated) commanded by Colo John Willis for a part of the time, who was succeeded in the command by General William Campbell, of Virginia and formed a part of the army under La Fayette. - Soon after my return home, I received the appointment of Lieutenant and as such, immediately volunteered my services, and again entered the service in the month of September, '81 and was appointed by Col Daniel Smith the adjutant of his Regiment. I joined the army before Yorktown, - but in consequence of the desertion, and great failure of the militia to enter the service into which they had been drafted there were a great many super numerary officers, and I being only a Junior Lieutenant/ having been only appointed a very short time before was discharged as a super numerary, and returned home with Maj Gavin Hamilton, and Capt Sei Harrison of this county, soon after the commencement of the siege of York. - I was also in the year 1778 drafted into the regular service for 18 months, and having made the necessary preparations I went to Col Danl Smith, (the intimate friend of my father) for the purpose of entering into the service, when I found that Colonel Smith had hired a substitute who took my place. - I was perfectly willing to have entered into the service as I had been offered by Col Posy/ with whom I was well acquanted/ that he cer-

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4)
tainly would procure for me a Commission in the regular services. - I do not remember that I was received (or demanded) any written discharge from the service, - nor did I ever after my first tour demand or receive any pay for my services. - My first Commission was signed by W. Jefferson I think, - the last perhaps by Gov. Nelson, though I am not positive who they were signed by - however, after the close of the war I resigned my commission into the hands of Col Harrison who was then the Colonel of the Regiment to which I belonged and I hereby relinquish any claim whatever to any pension or annuity weeps the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state, nor have I ever before applied to the government for any aid whatsoever. - Having the testimony of Col Rush, and John Pence sew hereto annexed to substantiate this my declaration I deem it hardly necessary to refer to another person to testify to my character, or their belief of my services in the revolution but would maintain the names of Judge Smith, - Dr. Harrison - Colo Manzy - Geo Gilmen esq. - Genl Porterfeild of Augusta, when to any respectable citizen in my neighborhood. - Given under my hand this 11 day of August 1832. Sworn & substantiated to in open court [?] on this day & year four [illegible] 1832. 

Th L Lewis

I, John Rush, of the county of Rockingham in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Lewis son of this country, who hath made the foregoing declaration, and I have known him intimately since he was a small boy - I have carefully examined the statement above made, and have a distinct recollection of most of the facts therein stated and have full confidence in the correctness of his whole statement. - I will remember that at an early age he served a tour under Captain William Nall against the Indians in the North Western part of this state. - I was then a Captain & Mr. Lewis lived in my company bound

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and his name was on my muster roll. I also know that he served in Captain Hustons company in the expedition against the Torries on the South Branch of the Potomac which broke up Genl Claypoole's establishment. I went myself in that expedition as a volunteer (private) under Huston, and recollect some anecdotes, of occurrences in which Mr. Lewis was concerned. I also distinctly recollect of his serving a tour in "81 as a commissioned officer in a company commanded by Capt Huston - when he went as such into the service I lent him my sword. I am not positive as to his rank, whether it was Ensign or Lieutenant, - and during that campaign I went into the service myself as the Captain of a company of volunteers more than Infantry for 20 days, and I remember to have fragments met with Mr. Lewis in the service, and particularly in the battles at Hotevaler, and James Town. - I cannot say that I do distinctly recollect of his having been a member of my company in the tour which I served in "80 near Richmond, but I have not a doubt that such is the fact. - His answers to all my questions concerning things that took place in the company are so correct, and so many things are brought to my mind that I had before forgotten that I do now remember, - so many particular circumstances occurring at different times & places, relating to persons & things, and which it would be impossible for one to know and relate so correctly & sincerely who had not been the whole time with us, would satisfy my mind, even if I had had a doubt of his statement - but my long acquaintance with him & his unquestionable character for truths and integrity command my most implicit confidence in the correctness of his statements. - Nor do I now remember who was appointed the adjutant by Colo Smith, but I do distinctly remember that Mr. Lewis was considered one of our best and most active officers, & perhaps the very best acquainted with military disciple of any other in this part of the country at that time, he was always considered a very brave man. - Given under my hand this 11 day of August 1832.

John Rush

Rockingham County Sc
The foregoing statement was this

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day subscribed and sworn to by John Rush Son before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia. - and the subscriber further certifies that the said John Rush is an old and infirm man, & represents that he could not attend to give his testimony in open court without much inconvenience and bodily pain - Given under my hand this 11th day of August 1802.

T H Lewis


I John Pence son of Rockingham County in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that I have known Thomas Lewis son of this county since he was a small boy. We were raised in the same neighborhood, and I have known him ever since. - I know that he was a soldier, and an officer, in the militia service of the United States during the war of the Revolution. - I have carefully examined his declaration as hereto announced. and I have a distinct recollection of many of the facts therein stated, and I have full confidence in the correctness of his whole statement. To the accuracy of his statement of his services in the north western expedition under Capt Wm Nall against the Indians in the fall of 1776 I can confidently testify, as I myself served in the same company with him in that expedition. - I can also testify to his serving a tour of militia duty in the year 1780 under Capt John Rush, and know that his statement relative thereto is strictly true, being also a private in the same company myself in that tour. - I also know of his having went under (Col then) Capt George Huston in an expedition in "81 against the Torries on the South Branch. - I also know of his going into service in June "87 under Capt Huston as a commissioned officer. - I went under Capt Rush upon a twenty days tour, and recollect to have frequently seen Mr. Lewis in service in that time, and particularly after the engagement, at Holevater, [crossed through ] and James [?] [end cross through]. - and all the circumstances

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which he mentions in relation to those affairs I remember either personally, or by report from others.
very well, - I do not recollect, the circumstance of his going into service as an adjutant, - and perhaps I might not have known it at the time, as I was not an officer myself, nor called into service at the time he speaks of. But I do well remember that Mr. Lewis was considered one of the very best officers in this part of the country at that time, and I always heard him highly spoken of for his bravery, and for understanding the discipline better than any other officer about here. And from my knowledge of Mr. Lewis, and his unquestionable character for veracity and integrity, I have full confidence that his whole statement is strictly true. Given under my hand this 11th day of August 1832. Subscribed and sworn to on this day & year aforesaid in open court.

Solomon Toney

And to said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after pulling the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and officer and served as he states. - and the court, moreover takes pleasure in certifying their opinion that the said applicant is a man of unimpeachable veracity and integrity, and has always had the reputation of having been a brave, and active soldier and officer of the revolution, - and the court further certifies that John Rush and John Pence for (their being no merid[?] clergyman immediately in his vicinity). who have signed the foregoing certificates are (highly respectible)/and creditable men, and that their statements are inttelled to full credit.

I Henry J Gambill clerk of the court of Rockingham County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Lewis for a pension, and I further certify that Samuel H.. Lewis esquire, before whom it appears that the said John Rush was qualified to his said certificate is awaiting justice of the peace in an a for said county, and that the signature is his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seat of my office this 27th day of August in the year 1832 and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth.

H. J. Gambill Clerk of Rockingham County Virginia

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September 25, 1935

Thomas Lewis -- S. 7138 
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. B. Sage Mitchell
21 Frencliff Road
Bloomfield, New Jersey

Dear Madam:

The data pertaining to Thomas Lewis which follow were obtained from the papers on file in the pension claim, S. 7183, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.

Thomas Lewis was born January 26, 1760 in Augusta County, that part which was later Rockingham County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not given. 

While residing in said county, he volunteered in the fall of 1776 and served three months as a private in Captain William Hall's company, in an expedition to the northwestern part of the state against the Indians. He enlisted sometime in October, 1780, served two and one half months in Captain John Rush's company, Colonel Sampson Matthews' Virginia regiment. He served in the spring of 1781, about twenty days in Captain George Huston's company, Colonel Benjamin Harrison's regiment in an expedition against the Tories on the South Branch of the Potomac. He served from early in June, 1781, three months as ensign in Captain George Huston's company, Colonel McClary's regiment, and was in the battles of Hotwater and Jamestown. He was appointed in September, 1781, lieutenant and served as adjutant about twenty days in Colonel Daniel Smith's regiment; after which he was retired as a super-numerary officer. He stated that he also served as guard to prisoners taken at the battle of Kings Mountain, dates and names of officers for this service not given.

He was allowed pension on his application exe-

Page 16

cuted August 20, 1832, then residing in Rockingham County, Virginia. He then referred to his brother, "the late Charles Lewis with whose family [?]"; and also stated at the same time that his brother, Benjamin Lewis at one time lived in the state of Missouri.

One S. H. Lewis in 1832 was Justice of the Peace in Rockingham County, Virginia. It is not shown that he was related to the soldier, Thomas Lewis, nor is it stated that the soldier was every married.

Very truly yours


A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Page 17

The Amended Declaration of Thomas Lewis son of Rockingham County is being made in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed 7 June 1832
Rockingham County
State of Virginia
He Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for Rockingham County in the State of Virginia Thomas Lewis son of the said county who being first duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positive as to the precise length of time of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the peris as below mentioned, and in the following grades
"For six and a half months I served as a "private - For three months I served as an Ensign - and "for twenty days as a Lieutenant & adjutant. And for " this services I claim a pension - The service was as follows - "as a private under Capt. Nall 3 months against the Indians " in 1776 - under Capt Rush 2 1/2 months near Richmond, in 1780 - under " Capt Huston 20 days against the Tories on South Branch of "Potomac in 1781 - and also at least 10 days in guarding a "body of prisoners from this county to Woodstock in Shenandoah " County. / This service I omitted to mention in my former declar"ation, I cannot recollect the date when it was performed, but I " well remember that the Prisoners were British & Tories, taken at "Kings Mountain - some of them were sick which caused us " to be longer in that service than we should probably have oth"erwise been. - One of men died on the road. - My services " as Ensign was 3 months under Capt. Geo Huston in 1781 in the "country round about Williamsburg & York - & 20 days as a "Lieutenant & adjutant in the face of 1781. I was, (for the "reason stated in my declaration of August last) discharged "as a supernumerary on joining the army at the Seige of York. "-For further details I beg leave to refer to my declaration "of 11 August last, - herewith returned, (as I hope) duly authenticates " Given under my hand this 23 Nov 1832.
Tho Lewis Son
Sworn to & subscribed this 28 Nov 1832 before me
S H Lewis

Page 18

Personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace for Rockingham County John Pence son of the said county, who being duly sworn deposeth & saith as follows.

I John Pence son of Rockingham in Virginia do hereby certify that I have this day examined the amended declaration of Thos Lewis son hereto affixed, and I believe the same to be correct. - I know of his serving three months in 1776 under Capt Nall against the Indians - in 1780 under Capt. Rush at least two & a half months. - and I also know that he went under Capt Geo Huston against the Tories on South Branch in the early front of the summer in 1781 (I believe it was) - I know that he served as a commissioned officer under Huston in 1781 in the country about Williamsburg - I believe that he served three months as he states, (I was twenty days in the service at the time under Capt Rush, & Mr. Lewis was in the service before I entered, & I left him in it, when I was discharged) - I also know that he was a private in guarding the British prisioners th rough this county & to Woodstock in Shenandoah County. I was with him & think that we were at least in days in the service. I remember the [?] which he mentions of the sickness of some, & the death of one of the prisoners. - but I do not remember the date, except that it was in the fall of the year as to the dates I cannot say positively, but of the service I am positive - for det[?] I refer to my testimony taken in the Court in August last - & dated 11 August 1832 - Given this 23 Nov 1832.
J Solomon Toney
Sworn to & subscribed before me this date above written. 
S. H. Lewis

Personally appeared before me a Justice as aforesaid John Rush Jr. who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, as follows - I John Rush son of Rockingham county in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that I have examined the amended Declaration of Thomas Lewis son hereto [?] - and I do know, that most of the facts therein stated, are true. - and I believe that his whole statement is true. - I have [illegible] to refer for pentien[?]  to my certificate before signed and sworn to by me on the 11th day of August last, which is to the best of recollection correct, except that/on the 5th page & 13th line from the top/ the words "mounted Infantry" are interlined, instead of "mounted riflemen".
John Rush

Sworn to & subscribed before me this date above written
S H Lewis

Page 19

State of Virginia, Rockingham County to [?]

I Henry J Gambill Clerk of the Court of the said county do hereby certify that, Samuel H Lewis esqr before whom the annened amended Declaration of Thomas Lewis Jr. was sworn to and also the [?] Certificate of John Pence and John Rush were sworn to in an [?] Magistrate in and for the said county duly commissioned and anqui[?] and that due faith and Credit is and ought to be given to all his official [?] as such as well without an [?] court.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and and affixed the seal of my said County this 21st day of December in the year of our Lord 1832 and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth.

St J Gambill Clerk
of Rockingham County Virginia

Page 20

Feby. 15. 1897 History to
Dr E. A. Gibbs, Medical
Div. Pension Bureau.
[line]
Aug 7 '99
Mrs. W. McK Bloke
Evansville
Ind.
[line]
Feby -19-19 as same & 
same
[squiggly line]
1909 Feby. 17. Hist. to Miss A. P. Starke - C
1931 - Dec. 28 - Hist to Col R. W. Fleming 
1935 - Sept - 25 " Mrs. B. Sage Mitchell

7138
Rev War
INVALID
The No. 7138
Thos Lewis Son
Riv Rev. War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. 7 e5, Page 220
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 21

September 24, 1935

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Letter in Thomas Lewis S. 7138

Mrs. B. Sage Mitchell
21 Ferncliff Road
Bloomfield, New Jersey

Thomas Lewis, S. 7138
James Sage, R. 9140
BA-J/MLB

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of James Sage who served from 1779 to 1783, a part of the time under Colonel Crockett, also, of WIlliam, Charles, Thomas, or Andrew Lewis, from Augusta County, Virginia.

There is no claim for pension or bounty on file based upon the service in the Revolution of the William, Charles, or Andrew Lewis described by you. Such claims are the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by this office.

It is suggested that information in regard to the military service of those soldiers might be obtained from the Adjutant General, War Department, this city.

The records of Thomas Lewis and James Sage described by you have been found and are furnished herewith.

Very truly yours


A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Page 22

S7138

December 28, 1931
BAA/J/ AWF

Colonel R. W. Fleming
Bureau of Aeronautics
Navy Department
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter relative to Thomas Lewis a soldier of the War of the Revolution from Augusta County, Virginia.

The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the pension claim, S. 7138 based upon the military service of Thomas Lewis in the Revolutionary War.

He was born January 26, 1760 in Augusta County, Virginia.

He enlisted, while residing in said county, and served as follows in the Virginia troops - in the fall of 1776, three months as private in Captain William Nall's company; from sometime in October 1780, two and one half months as private in Captain John Rush's company under Colonel Sampson Matthews; ten days guarding prisoners taken at the battle of Kings Mountain, dates and officers not given; in the spring of 1781, about twenty days in Captain George Huston's company in Colonel Benjamin Harrison's regiment; from sometime in June 1781, three months as ensign in Captain George Huston's company in Colonel McClary's regiment and was in the battles of Hotwater and Jamestown; in September 1781, twenty days as lieutenant and adjutant in Colonel Daniel Smith's regiment.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 30, 1832, then a resident of Rockingham County, Virginia.

There is no reference to wife and children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pen-

Page 23

sion, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, S. 7138, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., citing all of the following dates - 

Thomas Lewis
Certificate number 12695
Issued May 20, 1833
Rate $60.58 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Virginia Agency

Very truly yours

A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator

Page 24

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank]
for [illegible]atement of the military history of Thomas Lewis Senr
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or is widow's) application for pen-
sion on file in this Bureau.  S. File 7138

[column headings] Dates of Enlistment or Appointment, Length of Service, Rank, Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered Captain, Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered Colonel, State
Sept 76 | 3 mos | Pvt | William Nalls | Blank | Va |
Oct 80 | 2 1/2 mos | Pvt| John Rush | Sampson Matthews | blank |
written between lines | check mark | 10 days | blank | guarding prisoners takin at Kings Mountain | blank |
Spring 81 | 20 days | blank | Cpt George Huston | Benj. Harrison | blank |
[illegible] 81 | 3 mos | ensign | George Huston | Mcclary | blank |
Spt 81 | 20 days | lieut & [illegible] | blank | Daniel Smith | blank |
Battles engaged in, [illegible] & Jamestown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Augusta Co., Va
Date of application for pension, Aug 20 1832. [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Rockingham Co, Va
Age at date of application Born Jan 26, 1760 in Augusta County, Va
Remarks: To and for death, etc

[crossed out 1832 referred to brothers {Chas dick, Benj, Mo}]

Page 25

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
WASHINGTON
August 1, 1931

THIS LETTER REFERS TO YOUR FILE NUMBER:

R. W. Fleming, Lt. Comdr. U.S.N.
Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, 
Washington, D.C.

IN REPLY REFER TO:
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
RE: Thomas Lewis
ILL

Dear Sir:

You are advised that the data given by you are not sufficient to enable this office to make proper search of the records.

As a means of identifying the particular record in which you are interested, should it be on file, as much as possible of the following data is essential: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.

Please return these letters with your reply.

Very truly yours,

A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.

Received Dec 19 1931
RECEIPT SECTION
PENSION FILES SUB-DIVISION

Page 26

RECEIVED 
SEP 17 1935
MAIL SUB-DIV.

September 14, 1935

To:
The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

Do you have a record of the wife of one, JAMES SAGE, applying for a pension in your files? His service in the army dates from 1779 to 1783 conclusively in Col. Crockett's Regiment.

On the application, if you have one, does it give the date of James Sage birth and whereabouts: his marriage date also date of his death? I am in need of these records for the Daughters of the American Revolution, so any of this information which you find I would be very please to accept.

Do you by any chance have any application for a pension from a William, Charles, Thomas, or Andrew Lewis from Augustus County, Virginia?

Very truly yours,
signature?
(Mrs.) B. Sage Mitchell
21 Ferncliff Road
Bloomfield, N. J.

Page 27

[date stamped RECeIVED DEC 19 1931]
Request made for
Records of Thomas Lewis of Virginia
Officer in the Revolutionary War.
Data asked for is here furnished
Thomas Lewis born 1761 2nd son of
Col William Lewis of Augusta County Virginia
and Anne Montgomery his wife- Fater Col
William Lewis lived at the Sweet Spring
[crossed out West] Virginia.
Thus Thomas Lewis is said by a history of
Augusta County to have been appointed to
be an officer by Gen. Washington.
Hones History of Virginia tells of the three
very young sons of Col William Lewis
being among the volunteers from Augusta
County who marched to prevent the
British troops from passing through
Rockfish Gap and invading Virginia.
It is also believed that this Thomas
Lewis served on Gen. Anthony Wayne's
staff and is the Thomas Lewis spoken
of several times in a life of Gen
Anthony Wayne called Mad Anthony
Wayne which was published last year.
His older brother John Lewis was also
an officer & became a Major as did
Thomas Lewis also.  They both fought from

Page 28

the time they were very young. Thomas
was wounded. lost his health and
died [crossed out young] unmarried.
I do not know date of Maj Thomas
Lewis death but think it was
about 1800 - [illegible] cannot
verify this date

R. W. Fleming
Liet. Comdr U.S.N.
Bu. Aeronautics
Navy Dept. Washington D.C.

Please return all papers
[signature] RW Fleming

date stamped RECEIVED 
DEC 19 1931
[illegible] SECTION
PENSION FILES SUBDIVISION

Page 29

JUN 31, 1909

[DATE STAMPED PENSION A U FEB 2 1909 S OFFICE]

To the
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I am informed 
that certain information
may be obtained from your
office.
I am a lineal descendant 
of the following person who
received pension from the 
United States government,
for services at different times.
I wish to know if possible

Page 30

what these services were
how and when rendered
under what officers:

1.  Mrs. Agnes walker Lewis,
widow of Thomas Lewis Buck
ingham County, Virginia.
(Revolutionary War)
2.  Mrs. Jane Isbell Lewis, wid-
ow of Edmund Lewis, Buck
ingham County, Virginia
(Nov 1812) Mrs. Lewis
lived in Glasgow, [illegible], and
died in 1875.

Any information on these

Page 31

points will greatly oblige

(Miss) A. P. Starke
505 Brooks Street
Charleston
W. Va.

[DATE STAMPED PENSION A U FEB 2 1909 S OFFICE]

Page 32

[Rectangle Stamp]
O.W. & N. DIVISION
JUN 3 1899
RECEIVED.

Evansville, 
May 29 - "99

Pension Dept.
Can you send me any information as to Thomas Lewis of Virginia who served in the war of the Revolution in a company raised in Fairfax and Louden counties in that state?
I want to know if there are any records in the Pension Dept. which will prove his service in the Revolutionary war, and shall be grateful indeed to hear of them.
He afterwards lived near Bardstown, Nelson County, KY, where he died.  (over)

Page 33

Address:
Mrs. N. M K. Blake,
Ivanhoe Park,
Evansville, Indiana.

 [Circular Stamp]    PENSION
                                   I--I
                              U. JUN  S.
                                     1
                                  1899    
                                 OFFICE.       
[Illegible]