Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,170, for Henry Purgett, Virginia

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( 2 - 1776 )

SERVICE  NUMBER
VA.  Purgett, Henry   S18,170

CONTENTS     Carded

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Virginia  16977
Henry Purgett
Hampshire in the State of Va
who was a pr:-- (private??) in the [??] 
commanded by captain [blank] of the Regh 
commanded by Col. Riddle in the VA 
for 6 mo: 14 days
Date of death not on A. B.

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 21
Dollars 55 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Oct 33
 [ ineligible] B. White  Romney Va
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833              53.87
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34     10.77
                                                                ====
                                                                $64.64
Revolutionary Claim, of June 7, 1832. 
Recorded by Nath. Rice - Clerk
Book  Vol  6th  Page 28

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Henry Purgetts declaration

Hampshire County Va
Capt Johnson  6 month
[ illegible] 2 [illegible]
Mr Armstrong has supplied the defect by a memo on the back of this annexed affidavit.

John B. White

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State of Virginia
Hampshire County Set
On this 24th day of June 1833 personally appeared before the County Court of Hampshire Count of unlimited jurisdiction in all cases of law and equity.  Henry Purgett a resident of the said County and State aged
eighty years, who being 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 in the year 1778 in the fall . He was drafted in the County of Hampshire and marched from said County in a company commanded by Capt Abraham Johnson and was attached to a regiment commanded
by Col. Riddle and Major Vassetter, that they
marched to the mouth of Beaver Pennsylvania
when they built a fort called Fort McIntosh at a
place when the town of Beaver now stands

after this they marched to Tuscarawas one of the headwaters of the Muskingum , where we built Fort Laurens  and some time after returned home having been called in service only for six months. In the year 1781 he was drafted to go after the tories in the county of Hardy[illegible] two or three weeks 

...that he has no documentary evidence that he knows of and no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except the affidavit of James Parker hereto annexed.

He hereby relinquishes any claim whatsoever to pension or annuity except the present case
declares that his name is not on the pension
roll of the agency of any state. 

Sworn to and subscribed this day of year aforesaid
his
Henry X Purgett
mark

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We Frederick High and John Ludwick
residing in the said County of Hampshire that we are well acquainted with Henry Purgett who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty years of age, that he is [ineligible] and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in the opinion.

Sworn to [illegible] the day &amp; year [ilegible]

Frederick  High
John Ledwick

1 question When and in what year were you born
Answer  Near Frederick Town Maryland in the year 1753
2 question Have you any recd of your age and if so when is it 
Answer   I have no record of my age
3 question Where were you living when called into service. Where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you live now
answer   all the time in Hampshire County Virginia
4 question
How were you called into service; were you drafted or did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if - substitute for whom
Answer I was drafted
5 State the names of [ilegible] of the regular officers who were
with the troops when you served; Such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service. ┃
Answer Colonel Brodhead &amp; Lieut Sparks of the Continental {?} Shanks was killed by the indians. I also know Gen McIntosh but can recollect nothing.  The rest of the question is answered in my declaration.
6 question  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so,
By whom was it given &amp; what has become of it

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Answer I never receive a written discharge
7 question  state the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your service as a soldier of the revolution
Ans. Frederick High, Harry High & John Ludwick

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter and after putting
the interrogations 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 Frederick
High and John Ludwick who have signed the
foregoing certificate are residents of Hampshire County
and credible persons and that their statement is
entitled to credit (there is no clergyman residing
in the neighbourhood of the applicant

I John B. White Clerk of the Court of the County of Hampshire do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Henry Purgett for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 24 day of June 1833
John B. White

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Hampshire County sct
James Parker this day made oath before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for said county that he is well acquainted with Henry Purget an applicant for a pension, that he knows of his own knowledge that said Henry served as set forth in his declaration in a Company commanded by Capt. Abraham Johnston this affiant being one of the party. Given under my hand this 16 day of April 1833
Wm. Armstrong

Virginia Hampshire County ss
I John B. White Clerk of the court of the said County do hereby certify that William Armstrong whose name is subscribed to the above affidavit was at the time of taking and subscribing the form and is now one of the commonwealth's justices of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit is due and ought to be given to all his official acts.
In testimony whereof I

[left side of document] 1833  John B. White [/left side of document]

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have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of the said county this 24 day of June 1833.

John B White

Viginia Hampshire County

I William Armstrong the justice of the peace before whom the within affidavit was made do hereby certify that James Parker the within named affiant is a credible person and worthy of credit upon oath. Given under my hand this 10th day of October 1833.

Wm. Armstrong

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Viginia Hampshire County

I William Armstrong the justice of the peace before whom the within affidavit was made do hereby certify that James Parker the within named affiant is a credible person and worthy of credit upon oath. Given under my hand this 10th day of October 1833.

Wm. Armstrong

have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of the said county this 24 day of June 1833.

John B White

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No 25848

Henry Purgett Hampshire County
Virginia

Return for

Claims as a 
Private
6 Mo 14 days
$21.55

Jas B White - Romney Virginia

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War Department
Pension Office
1 August 1833

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, (thus: }). You will when you return your papers to this Department send this printed letter with them and you will by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement showing the Service of Henry Purgett Hampshire County Virginia

Period when the service was rendered:
1. Draft Fall 1778
2. Draft 1781

Duration of the claimant's services in Years, Months and Days:
1. 6 months
2. 14 days

Rank of the Claimant:
1. Private
2. Private

Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served:
1. Capt. Johnson, Colonel Riddle
2. Officers not named

Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service:
80 years Hampshire County Virginia

Proof by which the declaration is supported:
Traditionary evidence, & one witness not certified credible papers correct

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. 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 County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION, In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or District of County of }ss. On this 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , 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, 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 in (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 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 it 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

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3

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore. these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 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 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 the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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 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 bis 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 mouths 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 or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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 his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. Mode of authenticating papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of 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. The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. [l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

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Mr. Robert W. Burgett
Brown Lindens
Camargo, Illinois.

BA-J/ILL
Henry Purgett
S. 18170

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Henry Burgett or Purgett, listed as a pensioner in the Report of the Secretary of War in 1835.

The data given herein are shown in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 18170, based upon service of Henry Purgett in the Revolutionary War.

Henry Purgett was born in the year 1753, "near Frederick Town Maryland"; the day of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Hampshire County, Virginia, he enlisted in 1778 and served six months as private in Captain Abraham Johnson's company, Colonel Riddle's Virginia Regiment, during which he assisted in building Fort McIntosh and Fort Laurens. He enlisted in 1781 and served two or three weeks against the Tories in Hardy County, names of officers not given.

Henry Purgett was allowed pension on his application executed June 24, 1833, at which time he resided in Hampshire County, Virginia.
He had resided there ever since the Revolutionary War. His name was born Purgett on the pension roll. His name is not shown Burgett in this claim.

The soldier made no reference to wife or children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office,

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Records Division, this city and furnish the following:

Henry Purgett
Certificate #16977
Issued October 21, 1833
Rate $21.55 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Virginia Agency

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator

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18170
INVALID

File No 18170
Henry Purgett
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th, '32
Index Vol 1 Page 305
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1937 Dec 30 - Hist to Henry W Burgette

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Robert Wilson Burgett
Brown Lindens
Camargo, Illinois

December 14, '37

Veteran's Administration
Washington D.C.

VETS ADM Received Stamp - Dec 17, 1937

Mr. A.D. Hiller

Dear Sir

I should like to know if you have any information regarding a Henry Burgett or Purgett a revolutionary soldier from Hampshire Co Va.

I have found a reference to him on p 147 of a "Report from Sec'y of war...in relation to Pension Establishment of U.S. V.2 Washington 1835."

I did not however have

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access to that book.
Thanking you for any information you might send me, I am
Very truly yours
Robert N. Burgett