Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5350, John Doss, Va.

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Service | [Name] | Number
VA | Doss, John | S. 5350

Carded

Contents
[Blank]

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Order to pay [illegible] letter to J. J. Doss
26. Oct. 1838
Dead
Paid at this treasury under this act of 6 April 1838 $6 from 4 Sep. 1841 to 2 Dec. 1841.
Agt. Notified 23 May 1843

Virginia 16.198
John Doss
Buckingham in the state of Virginia
He was a pri. in the company commanded by captain Cary of the reg. Commended by Col. Hathers in the Virginia for 6 months and 12 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 2 dollars 32 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of July ‘33 and sent Maj. William Duval Oakville Va. 

Arrears to the 4th of March ‘33 
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 Sept. “ [‘33] 
42.64
10.66
———-
$53.50

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Hen. Miller Clerk
Book E. Vol. 6. Page 60

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State of Virginia Buckingham County to [illegible]
On the 20th day of June 1833 personally affirmed before Mr. Jonathan Phelps one of the pastors of peace for the County of Buckingham and a [illegible] of the justices of the County of Buckingham in this state aforesaid [illegible] court is a court of record. John Doss a resident of said county and state aforesaid afforded age of seventy five years, [ineligible] being first duty sworn doth [illegible] oath made the falls [illegible] in order to obtain the benefits of the act of congress passed June 1st 1832. [Illegible] enlisted the service of the United States as a private soldier first under the command of Capt. Cannon that he recorded and marched from the county of Buckingham in the State of Virginia crossing James river to Appomattox Court House from there he went to the [illegible] remained there five weeks and returned home, that he suspects it was six weeks from the time he left home [illegible]return, got no discharge as the Capt. left us there he does not recollect the month or year of that tour of duty, [illegible] he was drafted from the County of Buckingham to serve a second tour of duty that he marched from Buckingham Court House through the County of Prince Edward and Charlotte, crossing the Roanoke River and [illegible] the [illegible] Army commanded by Gen. Green, and was in the battle at Guilford in this tour he was a private under the command of Capt. Chambers does not recollect the names of any other officers that he marched in their tour as well as he recollects from Buckingham Court House that 1st of Feb. and got home the first of April. Got no discharge as we were ordered to make our[illegible] that he was drafted from the County of Buckingham to serve a third tour of duty [continued on next page]

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That he did serve the same three months as a private and marched from Buckingham Court house in 1781 does recollect the [illegible] under the command of Capt. Cary through Richmond to Malvern Hill, from Malvern Hills to Williamsburg. that he does not recollect the names of any of the offices names except Col. Matthews and Capt. Cary that he was discharged after serving three months at camp [illegible] Magazine Sept. 18th 1781. Received a discharge signed by Capt. Cary which he send with this declaration, he knows of no person [illegible] was in the service with him at Albemarle and Guilford and that when interrogators [illegible], he state in America to the [illegible] that he was born in the County of Buckingham and state of Virginia in the year 1758. In answer to the second he states that he has no record of his nameage that his ancestors informed him of the day of his birth. In answer to the third he states that at each time he was called into the service he reported in the county of Buckingham and state of Virginia, that he has resided in the same County and state ever since the war. If the [illegible] and [illegible] in the same Country and state of Virginia. to the fourth he states that he was drafted in every tour he served. In answer to he fifth he states as before stated that Gen. Green, Col. Matthews, Capt. Chambers, and Cary are all the officers he cannot recollect at this time. In answer to the sixth he states as he has stated before that he received a written discharge for only one tour signed by Capt. Cary which he still has and sends with this declaration. In answer tot he seventh, he refers to D. T. Mace C. Spencer Col Sam H Chambers [illegible]William Duval the [illegible] Walker and John Isbell, for his character for [illegible] and [illegible].before that he was a soldier of the revolution he further states that he has near thirty miles from the Court House and from age and bodily informedly cannot attend there walking great inconvenience to gratify to  his [illegible]

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He fiercely relinquishes every claim for a pension [illegible] except the [illegible] and he [illegible] that his name is not on the [illegible] if any [illegible] in any state [illegible] Sworn and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid

[Signatures]
J. R. Phelps
John Doss

We Gabriel Walker a [illegible] residing in the County of Buckingham and State of Virginia and Bryant Nowlin residing in the same county certify that as far as we are acquainted with John Doss who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five years of age: that he is [illegible] and believe din the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the revolution and that we [illegible] in that [illegible] 

[Signatures]
Gabriel Walker
Bryant Nowlin

Buckingham County State of Virginia
I Jonathan J. Phelps am of the pastors of the year for the county aforenamed, do declare it is my [illegible] after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations presented by the war department that the above named [illegible] was a revolutionary soldier and [illegible] that of is known to me personally [illegible] who has signed the preceding [illegible] is a reputable clergyman of the County of Buckingham in the neighborhood of said Doss and that Bryant Nowlin who has also signed the same as a resident of the same and is a creditable person, and that this statement is [illegible] to credit I further certify John Doss who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration from age and his duty  [illegible] is unable to attend at the court service of his county [illegible]. I further certify that John Doss is well known to me to be a man of great sincerity. Given under my hand the day and year aforesaid.

[Signature]
J. R. Phelps

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State of Virginia Buckingham County to  [illegible] personally appeared before me the [illegible] for the County of Buckingham and State of Virginia John Doss who being duly sworn [illegible] to [illegible] that by [illegible] of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to his service length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he server not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades [illegible] the [illegible] he server not less than six weeks for the second tour he served as private as well as he can recollect his months, that he served the third tour as a private three months for which he has a discharge [^and for which service [illegible]] given under my have the day and year aforesaid. 

[Signature]
J. P. Phelps

Virginia
I Rolfe Eldridge clerk of the county court of Buckingham in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that J. P. Phelps before whom the declaration of John Doss, and the several [illegible] in support of declaration were sworn to in an [illegible] justice of the peace in and for the said county and that the signature among [illegible] to the the D. J. P. Phelps are genuine. 

[illegible] I have [illegible] my [illegible] seal of the said county court on the 4th day of July 1833

[Signature}

R. Eldridge C.B.C.

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John Doss
Buckingham 6
Va

RU

AOMO

C.M.

Wm. Duvall
Buckingham Va

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 30, 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. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to 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 John Doss

Period when the service was rendered | Duration of the Claimant’s 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 marked. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period | Evidence by which the Declaration is supported

“Didn’t serve quite 3 months” | 1 (months) | 12 (days) | Private | Captain Cannon | [illegible] | Albemarle | 15 Years Buckingham Co. Va. | [illegible]

1781 | 2 (months) | “ [Private] | Capt. Chambers | [illegible] | March from building Court House | 

3 (months) | Capt. Cary | Col. Mathers | 

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. By ____________ 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 Revo- Íutionary 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 commis- sion; 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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[continued]

3

Will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroboration the declaration of the applicant, in 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 to be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following 9m0 interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, of Volunteers, except the Militia o 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, of were you a substitute? And, if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troop, 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 live 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 traditionally evidence of service is deemed very important, in Thea blended 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 in 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 or 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 he Court. 
Whenever any official act is require 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 Clerck of the Court of County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such a person is a judge of 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 7th, 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 service of the deceased, the period of this death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

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 April 11, 1931 

Mrs. John P. Cook
1385 West 19th Street 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 

 Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MLB

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 5350, that John Doss was born in 1758 in Buckingham County, Virginia. 

While a resident of Buckingham County, Virginia, he served as a private with the Virginia troops, as follows: 

Six weeks in Captain Cannon's company [^no dates given] and from February 1, 1781, to April 1, 1781 in Captain Chambers' company, and was in the battle of Guilford Court House; three months ending September 18, 1781, in Captain Robert Cary's company, Colonel Matthews' regiment. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed June 20, 1835, while a resident of Buckingham County, Virginia. 

The soldier died December 2, 1841. 

There are no data as to his family. 

Very truly yours 

E. W. MORGAN 
Acting Commissioner

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Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller’s Office,
April 18th, 1843.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled “An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by a certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,” and the 3rd section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The Executor of John Doss, dec.- a pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Twenty One Dollars and 32 Cents per Annum, under the law of the 4th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1841, to the 2 Dec. 1841-

Respectfully Yours,

Albion k. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

[Attachment]
Camp new magazine Sep. 18, 1781
John Doss soldier from the County of Buckingham hath served his tour of duty in the militia and is hereby [illegible] given from [illegible] my hand the day and oath
Rob. Cary Capt.

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[On Side]
[illegible] Oct 26

J L Edwards, [illegible]
[illegible]
Washington, D.C.

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[illegible] 24, Oct, 85

D Sir:

When you [illegible] if the enclosed paper are [illegible] here. [illegible] - if zero, will you direct to agent I [illegible] try.

J T Try

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Rev.&1812 Wars Section

[S5350]

December 2, 1925

Mrs. Edna Wilson Noel
The Sherman
1101 Fifteenth St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.

Madam:

I have to advise you that the name John Doss appears twice on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau— John Doss, S. 5350, born in Buckingham County, Virginia in 1758, served from that county, pensioned from that county and died December 2, 1841, and John Doss, S. 38669, born in 1749, enlisted in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, pensioned from Marion County, Tennessee and died September 16, 1838. 
It is not stated that either of these men lived in Moulton, Alabama.
If you will designate the soldier whose history you desire, the same will be furnished you.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner.

[She named the one on 1840 first who of course in not the one who died in 1838 but as she said he lived in Ala. I thought best to have her designate her soldier, after learning there are two]

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3-525
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions.
Washington, D.C., _______, 19__
S.F. 5350
5350

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Doss, a soldier of the revolutionary war, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pension on file in this bureau.

Dates of Enlistment of Appointment | Length of Service | Rank | Officers under whom service was rendered | State

[check] | 6 months. | Pri. | Capt. Cannon | [check] | Va.
Feb. 1, 1781 | Apr. 1, 1781 | Capt. Chambers | [check]
3 months ending | Sept. 18, 1781 | Capt. Robert Cary | Col. Matthew’s 

Battles engaged in, Guilford
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Buckingham County, Va.
Date of application for pension, June 20, 1833. His [illegible] was al.
Residence at date of application, Buckingham County, Va.
Age at date of application, born in 1758 in Buckingham County, Va. died Dec. 2 1841
Remarks: There is [^are] no data [crossed out: on file] as to his family.

Respectfully, 
Commissioner.

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In Reply Refer To
Rev. And 1812
Wars Section.
MMHF : MLB

3-2562
United States
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington

April 1, 1931

[Stamp]
Pension Office
U.S.
APR 17, 1931

[Stamp]
Revolutionary & 1812 Wars Section
Bureau of Pensions
APR 8 - 1931

Mrs. John P. Cook
1325 W. 19th Street
Oklahoma City, 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 puerile 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.

First name of Widow
Full name of soldier John Doss
Residence of soldier at enlistment Buckingham or Pittsylvania Co. Va
Residence of soldier after service Pittsylvania Co. Va.
Name of state from with he enlisted Va.
Approximate date of birth 1747
Approximate date of death After 1805

Kindly return attached letter with your reply.

Respectfully,

E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner.

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[Stamp]
Pension Office
U.S.
Nov. 9 1925

The Sherman
1101 Fifteenth St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Will you furnish the record of John Doss, a Revolutionary Soldier (a pensioner) of Moulton, Alabama, who was in the census, 1840, age 85. His wife’s name Sallie Doss. I desire this that a descendent of his, Virginia Franklin may join the patriotic society the Daughters of the Revolution. If possible furnish all family data in connection with his application for pension. As I have a position in the government hours from 9 to 4:30 so cannot call to search records for myself (over)

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[Continued from above page]

Please furnish this record at an early date.

Very sincerely yours,
(Mrs.) Enna Wilson Noel
November 8, 1925

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[Stamp]
Pension Office
U.S.
Nov 25 1925

The Sherman,
1101 15th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C.

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Two weeks ago I wrote you asking for the record of John Doss, a revolutionary pensioner and have received no reply. He was still living at 85 years in the 1840 census. His wife’s name was Sallie. If it is possible please give me any family record that may be mentioned in his application
[continued on next page]

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[Continued]

For pension. I have a Government position and it is not possible for me to call at the Pension Office.
I desire John Doss’ record that a cousin may join the Daughters of the American Revolution on his service.
May I have an Early reply?

Very sincerely,
(Mrs.) Enna Wilson Noel

Nov 23, 1925.

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John Doss was a resident of Moulton, Alabama

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5350
INVALID.
File no. 5350
John Doss
Pri. Rev War

Act: June 7th ‘32
Index: Vol. M, Page 99
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1918 June 5 History to Mrs. J. R. Rich letter in it. 9404 W. M. Doss.
1918 Oct. 26 Hist. To Mrs. Josephine Shields
1935 - Dec. 2 - Mrs. Enna W. Noel [inelligilbe]
1931 - Aug. 11: Hist. To Mr. John R. Cook [inelligilbe]