Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,685, George Foster, Va.

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SERVICE Va. Foster, George NUMBER R. 3685

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George Foster
Declaration for a pension
17295

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State of Tennessee
Hickman County
Court of Pleas & quarter sessions October term 1832. On this 10th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justices thereof now sitting George Foster a resident of said County of Hickman aged seventy two 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 act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated to wit Capt William Morton & Col Thomas Reed in the State of Virginia Charlott County I was mustered into Service at the Court House of said County as a Militia Marched from there to Peetersburgh & there remained untill discharged after having served a tour of three months from thence I went home, this tour was performed in the year 1780, after this I volunteered to serve a tour of six weeks which was received as one of six months by the State of Virginia under Capt Spencer we were mustered into service at Staunton River from thence we marched to Guilford Court House & fought the Battle known in history by that name which Battle I was in, from there we marched to Deep River at Ramseys Mill, & here I was mustered out of service for a tour of six months although I did not actually serve that long a period I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state or territory. George Foster
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
We Gabriel Fowlks & Pleasant Walker residing in the County of Hickman aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with George Foster who has subscribed & Sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be ^about seventy two years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Gabriel Fowlkes
Pleasant Walker

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And the Said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories proscribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he stated And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Gabriel Fowlks & Pleasant Walker who have signed the preceding certificate reside in the said County of Hickman & are credeable persons & that their statement is entitled to credit 
Aron B Wilson [JP]          
Wm B Cragg  [JP]       
Daniel Shouse [JP]        
 I Samuel Sebastian Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Hickman aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of George Foster for a pension                 
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & seal of office the 8th day of October 1832 & of our Commonwealth 57     
S Sebastian, clerk

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No 17295
Geo Foster
Hickman County Tennessee
Rejected, did not serve six months, see letter March 6 1833 to Samuel Sebastian Clerk of the Court of  Hickman Co. Vernon Tennessee
3685

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BRIEF in the case of George Foster County of Hickman in the State of Tennessee     
(Act 7th June, 1832.)           
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court     
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?       
3. How old is he? 72 years               
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period.   Ent’d [entered] in 1780     Duration of Service.  3 months  Rank.   Private        Names of Generals and Field Officers under whom he served.    Captain Morton   Colonel Reed
Period.    Vol. in 1780   Duration of Service.  6 weeks     Rank.  Names of Generals and Field Officers under whom he served.   Captain Spencer
5. In what battles was he engaged? Guilford Court House            
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Virginia Charlott County        
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary      
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? No clergyman                          
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.                  
J W Clagett            
Examining Clerk.

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3–525            
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,               
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.             
R. 3685           Washington, D. C., 19               
In reply to your request of   , received      for a statement of the military history of George Foster a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pension on file in the Bureau. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT     1780     LENGTH OF SERVICE  3 months   RANK.    Pvt.    OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain William Morton    Colonel Thomas Reed      STATE  Va.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT   1781   LENGTH OF SERVICE   6 weeks   RANK.   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain William Spencer
Battles engaged in  Guilford          
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted in Charlotte Co, Va            
Date of application for pension, Oct 11, 1832               
Residence at date of application, Hickman County Tenn              
Age at date of application, 72 years                            
Remarks: There is no data as to his family           
The cl. was rejected on the found that he did not render 6 mos. service as required by the Act of June 7, 1832 under which he applied for pension. It does not appear that he ever was allowed bounty land by the United States.             
Respectfully,            
Commissioner

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Rejected
Tennessee

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February 16, 1939

BA-J/AWF
George Foster
R. 3685

Honorable Joseph W. Byrns, Jr.
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Byrns:

Reference is made to your letter in behalf of Dr. W.A. Harper of Nashville, Tennessee, whose letter you enclosed. Dr. Harper requests the Revolutionary War record of George Foster of Virginia.

There is only one claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of a George Foster (Forster, etc.) of Virginia. The records show that in reply to Dr. Harper's letter to this office, dated February 8, 1939, he was furnished the record of that soldier February 13, 1939. It has reached him, doubtless, by this time.

Dr. Harper's letter of February 1, addressed to you is enclosed herewith.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

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February 13, 1939

BA-J/AWF
George Foster
R. 3685

Prof. W. A. Harper
School of Religion
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of George Foster from Virginia, who later lived in North Carolina.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, R. 3685, based upon the military service of George Foster in the Revolutionary War. This is the record of the only George Foster (Forster) of Virginia, found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

The date and place of birth of George Foster are not given, nor are the names of his parents shown.

George Foster enlisted in Charlotte County, Virginia, and served in 1780, three months as a private in Captain William Morton's company, Colonel Thomas Reed's Virginia regiment. He served six weeks in Captain Spencer's Virginia company, and was in the battle of Guilford Court House.

He applied for pension October 11, 1832, at which time he was seventy-two years of age, and a

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resident of Hickman County, Tennessee.

The claim for pension was not allowed as he did not render six months' service, which was the minimum length of service for which a pension was granted, by the law under which he applied.

The papers of file in this claim contain no discernible data in regard to the family of the soldier, George Foster.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

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January 9, 1939

BA-J/AWF
George Foster
R. 3685

Mr. J. A. Hunter
Elon College Post Office
North Carolina

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of George Foster, who served in the Revolutionary War from Virginia, and later lived in North Carolina.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, R. 3685, based upon the military service of George Foster in the Revolutionary War. This is the record of the only George Foster (Forster) of Virginia, found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

The date and place of birth of George Foster are not given, nor are the names of his parents stated.

George Foster enlisted in Charlotte County, Virginia, and served in 1780, three months as a private in Captain William Morton's company, Colonel Thomas Reed's Virginia regiment. He served six weeks in Captain Spencer's Virginia company, and was in the battle of Guilford Court House.

He applied for pension October 11, 1832, at

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which time he was seventy-two years of age, and a resident of Hickman County, Tennessee.

The claim for pension was not allowed as he did not render six months' service, which was the minimum length of service for which a pension was granted, [illegible] under which he applied.

The papers of file in this claim contain no discernible data in regard to the family of the soldier, George Foster.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

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January 27, 1938
George Foster
R. 36895
BA-J/AWF
Mrs. P. F. Crutcher
309 Harding Avenue
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of George Foster of “near Alexandria, Virginia”.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, R. 3685, based upon the military service of George Foster in the War of the Revolution. This is the record of the only George Foster of Virginia, found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The surname was searched under similar spellings.
The date and place of birth of George Foster were not given, nor were the names of his parents stated.
George Foster enlisted in Charlotte County, Virginia, and served in 1780, three months as a private in Captain William Morton’s company, Colonel Thomas Reed’s Virginia regiment. He served six weeks in Captain Spencer’s Virginia company, and was in the battle of Guilford Court House.
He applied for pension October 11, 1832, at which time he was seventy-two years old, and living in Hickman County, Tennessee.
His claim was not allowed as he did not render

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six months’ service, as required by the pension law, under which he applied.
The papers on file in this claim contain no reference to the family of the soldier, George Foster.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB
October 14, 1930
Hon. James V. Mc Clintic
House of Representatives
My dear Mr. Mc Clintic:
Reference is made to your letter of October 8, inclosing a communication from Mrs. Gertrude Foster Spence, Box 591, Sayre, Oklahoma, requesting Revolutionary War records, with family data, of seven soldiers. Her letter returned Oct. 14 -30
You are advised that this bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolutionary War unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made to the United States on account of his services.
A careful search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the services of Alexander Foster and Robert Humphreys, as described by you; or of any John Cardwell and Thomas Humphreys.
You are furnished herewith the histories of George Foster of Virginia, John Gill and John Richards.
George Foster
It appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 3685, that George Foster enlisted in Charlotte County, Virginia, in 1780, and served three months as a private in Captain William Morton’s company, Colonel Thomas Reed’s Virginia regiment. He enlisted in 1781, and served six weeks in Captain Spencer’s Virginia company, and was in the battle of Guilford.
He applied for pension October 11, 1832, at which time he was living in Hickman County, Tennessee, and was aged seventy-two years.

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His claim was not allowed as he did not render six months service as required by the Act of June 7, 1832, under which he applied.
It does not appear that he was ever allowed bounty land by the United States on account of the above service.
There are no data as to family.

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August 13, 1930
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB
Mrs. W. R. Spence
Sayre, Oklahoma
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 3685, that George Foster enlisted in Charlotte County, Virginia, in 1780, and served three months as a private in Captain William Morton’s Company, Colonel Thomas Reed’s Virginia Regiment. He enlisted in 1781 and served six weeks in Captain Spencer’s Virginia Company, and was in the battle of Guilford.
He applied for pension October 11, 1832, at which time he was living in Hickman County, Tennessee, and was aged seventy-two years.
His claim was not allowed as he did not render six months service as required by the Act of June 7, 1832, under which he applied.
It does not appear that he was ever allowed bounty land by the United States on account of the above service.
There are no data as to family.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner

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JOSEPH W. BYRNS, JR.
5TH DIST. TENNESSEE

COMMITTEE ON POST OFFICE AND POST ROADS

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.

February 11, 1939

General Frank T. Hines,
Administrator,
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D. C.

My dear General Hines:

The enclosed letter was received from Dr. W. A.
Harper of Nashville, Tennessee, requesting information relative to one of his wife's ancestors, George Foster of Virginia. I believe the question raised is whether or not this George Foster, who moved to Orange County in 1814 and died in 1848, served in General Washington's Army.

I have been advised by the War Department that some United States pension records, of which you have custody, might disclose some information relative to the proper identification of the above veteran.

I shall appreciate your advising me in this connection.

Very truly yours,

Joseph W. Byrns, Jr.

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VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF RELIGION
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
W. A. HARPER
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
2-8-39
Dear Sirs –
Mrs. Harper descends from George Foster, a Revolutionary soldier from Va, who [illegible] in 1814. Can you tell me who his wife was? And from what part of Va he [illegible] of the 23rd [illegible] 1817 [illegible] Mrs Harper wants to join the D.A.R. and [illegible].
Sincerely,
WM Harper
[stamped] RECEIVED FEB 10 1939

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Elon College (P.O.), N.C.
Nov. 25, 1938
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C. 
[stamped] RECEIVED NOV 28 1938
Gentlemen:
Descendants of George Foster reputed to be a soldier of the Revolutionary War are desirous of marking his resting place. I talked to a grandson (a mere lad of 88 years) who stated that he, himself, was born in 1850, his mother (daughter of soldier George Foster) was born in 1807 and came with her father to Orange County in 1814 or thereabout. She thought her father came from Virginia. The George Foster in question died in Orange County in 1848. I shall appreciate any information your records of Revolutionary pensioners discloses.
Very respectfully yours,
J. A. Hunter
Elon College, N.C.

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George Foster
Pine Bluff. Ark.,
Jan, 17- 1938.
Pensions Bureau,
Washington. D. C.
Dear sirs –
Please send me copy of abstract of George Foster’s only one of Va pension papers – including dates of his death & birth.
He was from “Near Alexandria, Va. And married Judy Purcell. Fought in the American Revolution.
If there is a fee for this information, let me know, and we will remit at once.
We are anxious to complete papers as soon as possible.
Respect.
Mrs. P. F. Crutcher
(Request Pine Bluff Chapter D.A.R.)
309 Hearding Ave
Pine Bluff, Ark.
RECEIVED JAN 20 1938

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SEVENTY-FIRST CONGRESS
REPUBLICANS
FRED A. BRITTEN, ILL., CHAIRMAN
GEORGE P. DARROW, PA.
CLARK BURDICK, R.I.
A. PIATT ANDREW, MASS.
JOHN F. MILLER, WASH.
ROY O. WOODRUFF, MICH.
FLETCHER HALE, N.H.
W.E. EVANTS, CALIF.
CLARENCE E. HANCOCK, N.Y.
J. RUSSELL LEECH, PA.
WILLIAM R. COYLE, PA.
MENALCUS LANKFORD, VA.
WILLIAM E. HESS, OHIO
RUTH HANNA MCCORMICK, ILL.
DEMOCRATS
CARL VINSON, GA.
JAMES V. MCCLINTIC, OKLA.
HERBERT J. DRANE, FLA.
PATRICK HENRY DREWERY, VA.
MORGAN G. SANDERS, TEX.
JOHN F. QUAYLE, N.Y.
STEPHEN W. GAMBRILL, MD.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES U.S.
COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
JAMES V. MCCLINTIC
7TH OKLAHOMA DISTRICT
October 8, 1930.
Hon. E. W. Morgan, Acting Commissioner,
Bureau of Pensions,
Interior Department,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Commissioner Morgan:
In the absence of the Congressman I am enclosing you herewith a communication addressed to this office by Mrs. Gertrude Foster Spence, of Sayre, Oklahoma, under date of September 30th, in which she expresses a desire to be furnished with the Revolutionary War records of several men from Virginia and North Carolina, together with such information as may be available concerning their families. I have communicated with the Adjutant General in this connection, but for the reason the Revolutionary War records in his Office are far from complete, he has suggested that your Office may be able to furnish us some information in this connection.
Thanking you for any trouble you may go to in this matter, I am, Sir, Respectfully yours, H. Sorensen, Secretary.
Her letter returned Oct 14 -30

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IN REPLY REFER TO      Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.           AWF:MLB            
3-2562 VETERANS ADMINISTRATION 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS          
WASHINGTON July 30, 1930              
Mrs. W. R. Spence            
Sayre             
Oklahoma               
Dear Madam: I advise you that the data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained in your letter.               
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below, as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this bureau. 
Spoken Name     Maiden Name
First name of widow Margarel Shell             
Full name of soldier Richard Foster               
Residence of soldier at enlistment Virginia ? Charlotte Co or Prince Edward Co.              
Residence of soldier after service McMinville Tenn.                  
Name of state from which he enlisted Tennessee ?                        
Approximate date of birth 1785                       
Approximate date of death 1833                  
Kindly return attached letter with your reply.                   
Respectfully, E. W. MORGAN                   
Acting Commissioner.              
Will you Kindly return enclosed Revolutionary history of Alexander Foster. How can I ascertain if

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this Alexander Foster received a grant of land at Shell’s Ford Tennessee & It was either an Alexander or a George that received the grant and one of these men was the father of Richard, my grandfather, Alexander Foster’s father. I am anxious to trace the grandfather of Alexander Foster born in Warren Co. Tennessee at McMinnville or Viola in 1832. He was youngest of 7 children, his father, Richard, dying in Alexander’s infancy. Children of Richard were, Mahala, Thurza, Jane, Rachel, George, Caroline, Richard & Alexander. My grandfather being of Irish ancestry leads me to think this Alexander may have been his relation but was always told his people came from Virginia, Prince Edward Co & Charlotte Co. A George enlisted from P.E. [Prince Edward] Co. in Rev. but Alexander is supposed to have had the grant in Shell’s Ford.

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Parma, Missouri
Jan. 14, 1920
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly tell me what information you have relating to the services during the Revolutionary War of the following:
Anderson Nunnelly of North Carolina,
Thomas Walker of Northumberland County, Va.,
John Walker of Northumberland County, Va.
Thompson Fowlkes of Virginia.
Geo. Foster of N.C. or Va. He laid his land warrant on Morgan Creek, Hickman County, Tennessee 1815. He probably received this land warrant, I thought, for Rev. service, as a great number in that county did.
Thanking you, I am Very truly yours,
Mrs. Ruby F. Michael,
Parma, Missouri
[stamped] PENSION D US OFFICE JAN 19 1920

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1920 Jan’y 30 Hist. to Mrs. Ruby F. Michael
1930 Aug 13 Hist to Mrs. W. R. Spruce awf
1930 Oct 14 Hist to Hon James McClintic for Mrs Gertrude F. Spruce awf
1938 Jan 27 Hist to Mrs. P. F. Grutchen
1939 Jan 9 hist to Mr. J. A. Hunter awf
1939 Feb 13 “ “ Prof. W. A. Harper awf
1939 Feb 16 Cong. Byrns adv. This record for Dr. W. A. Harper awf
3685
P.O.
George Foster
Service: Va Militia
Enlisted: [blank], 18
Discharged: [blank], 18
[stamped] REJECTED
Application filed: [blank], 18
Alleges: The printed list of 1852 of rejections gives cause of rejection as follows: “not six months service”
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized. Contrac
Cert. of Dis. Searched for [blank], 18

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S. Sebastian
[illegible] March 33
Re. vol. 25
Pa. 7.

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War Department
Pension Office [illegible] March 1833
Sir,
The case of George Foster has been examined. By the Act of 7th June 1832, a period of service, of at least six months, is requisite to secure the benefit of the provision of that act. The service performed by the declarant does not amount to six months, his claim is therefore rejected.
The papers are retained on the Files of this office
Respectfully
Saml Sebastian Esqr
Clerk of the Court of Hickman County Ky

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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of George Foster which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1, 2. 7

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year ____ months, and ____ days, I served as a ____ For ____ months and ____ days, I served as a ____; and for such service I claim a pension.

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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.