Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38,412, for Levi Swanson, Virginia

Page 1

Service
Va.
Swanson, Levi
Number
S.38412

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26710
Kentucky
Levi Swanson
of Morgan Co in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Ball of the regt commanded by Col Gaskins in the Virginia line for 7 1/2 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 23 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of May 1834 and Hon. Amos Davis HR

Arrears to the 4th of March 75.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 12.50
$87.50
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 48

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29,980
Levi Swanson
Ken.

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Declaration

[illegible] to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

State of Kentucky Morgan County} S.S.

[illegible] March 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the said [illegible] now sitting Levi Swanson [Levi Swanson underlined] [illegible] Levi Swanson [Levi Swanson underlined] being first duly sworn [illegible] to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832_

That [illegible] United States [illegible] the 1st [illegible] 15th of September 1779 under the command of Captain [illegible] Bell and Colonel Thomas Gaskins [illegible] Northumberland County State of Virginia as a Militia man [illegible] of the County Court fot the Term of Three months [Three months underlined] [illegible] between the 1st & 15th of Sept 1779 at a place called Hobbs hole under the command of Captain [illegible] Bell that at the [illegible] his [illegible] Three months [illegible] & before he was discharged he volunteered under Captain Ball & Colonel Thos Gaskins for Eighteen months as a Guard to Guard the [illegible] and [illegible] to prevent [illegible] its [illegible] he States that he served [illegible] of 18 months [illegible] that closing [illegible] Revolution [illegible] terribly [illegible] York  [illegible] Norfolk [illegible] & Suffolk he was stationed a short time at each place closing his service the precise [illegible] at each place [illegible] now recollect [illegible]

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that he was Discharged at [illegible] May 1790 by Capt Ball, That he was [illegible] Northumberland County State of Virginia the year 1757_  He has no record of his age he lived in Northumberland county Virginia when called into service that he first entered the service under [illegible] Colonel as a militiaman without [illegible] that after three months service volunteered ^ for 18 months That he cannot recollect any of the officers who were with the army except those [illegible] named above [illegible] is far as he can recollect [illegible] the place where he marched to & were stationed during his [illegible].

He states that he received a written discharge from Capt [illegible] but does not know what has become of it_

He states that he is known to Thomas [illegible] who he became acquainted with at [illegible] then under the command [illegible] whose statement is herewith forwarded_ That he is known to Joseph Hussman & Joseph [illegible] of his neighbourhood who can testify as to my character for veracity_ He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present [illegible] declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State 

Levi Swanson  X his mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforsaid(sic)

We Joseph [illegible] a Clergyman residing in Morgan County Kentucky and Joseph Hanna residing in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Levi Swanson who has subscribed and swore to the above declaration that we believe him to be 77 years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been

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a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion

[illegible signature]
Jos Hanna [signature]

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

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 Joseph [illegible] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in Morgan County and that Joseph Harmon who has also signed the same is a resident of the same county and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit_

John [illegible]
[illegible signature]
[illegible signature]
[illegible signature]

I James G [illegible] Clerk of the County of Morgan County do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Levi Swanson for a pension. 

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 3d day of March 1834

J G [illegible] 
clerk of Morgan County

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29.980
Levi Swanson
Rev

f Sep 1779 to May 1780. 7 1/2 months.
$25.-

The above is all that can be allowed. see [illegible] state [illegible]

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
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 exists, 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 Levi Swanson

Period when the service was rendered.
from 15 Sep 1779 to May 1780

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. 
Months.  [3 stricken through]
Days. 

Rank of the claimant.
[line 1] Pr.
[line 2] Pr.

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
[line 1] Cap Roll
[line 2] Col T. Garkins Cap Ball. Va line

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 
77 Va

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionar(sic) & witness

not found in the Roll, should have his service as required in note  j.


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 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 of 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 [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers: [blank] 

[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 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 and Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank] 

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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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, of 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 [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c. 

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the general 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

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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 inquiry 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 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 _ year_ months, and _ days, I served as a _. For _ months and _ days, I served as a _; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pensioner 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 immediate, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrisons; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of 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 [illegible] 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 proper officers, under his seal of office.
The notes from (e) and (i) are [illegible] equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers, and State Troops. The proof required by rule [illegible] 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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3-525
RECORD DIVISION
Revolutionary War Records Section

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,  [blank], 19[blank]

S38412

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Levi Swanson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (of his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Dates of enlistment or appointment.
Sept 1779

Length of service.
May 1780

Rank.
Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
Captain.
Ball

Colonel.
Thos Gaskins

State.
Va

Battles engaged in, 
✔

Residence of soldier at enlistment, 
Northumberland Co Va

Date of application for pension.
Mar. 3, 1834 his cl was al

Residence at date of application,
Morgan Co. Ky

Age at date of application,
[77 stricken through] born Northumberland Co Va in 1757

Remarks: 
No [illegible] data

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6-2856

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State of Kentucky Morgan County} S.S.

The Deposition of Jacob Johnson a Revolutionary Soldier taken to prove the service of Levi Swanson who is an applicant for a pension

This Deponent states that he lived a neighbor to Swanson in Northumberland county viz that they was raised in the same neighbourhood where Swanson lived at the [illegible] this Deponent went with him to the place of Rendezvous at Hobbs hole in the month of September 1779 and saw Swenson received by Capt Ball he states that he then returned home he states that he met Swanson in the spring of the year 1780 at Hobbs hole and saw him discharged he having been sent there without horse for him to ride home he states that he read several letters from Swanson while he was in the army he has no doubt that Swanson was in the army from from(sic) Sept 1779 to May 1790_ & further saith not
Jacob Johnson  X his mark

I Joseph H. Hanna a Justice of the peace in and for Morgan County fo certify that Jacob Johnson this day subscribed and swore to the above statement before me

And I do further certify that he is a credible person

Given under my hand this 15th day of April 1834_

Jos. H. Hanna
Jpeace

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State of Kentucky Morgan County} S.S.

I James G. Hazerigg clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid do certify that Joseph H Hanna whose name is signed to the preceding Certificate is aduly commissioned qualified acting Justice of the peace in and for Morgan Coutny and that his signature is genuine

In Testimont whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of office this 15th day of April 1834

J G Hazerigg
clerk of Morgan County Court

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State of Kentucky MorganCounty} S.S.

The Deposition of Thomas Hambleton a Revolutionary Soldier taken to prove the service of Levi Swanson a Soldier of the Revolution and now an applicant for a pension

He states that he is well acquainted with Swnason became acquainted with him at Givens Island in the fall of 1779 while he was under the command of Col Gaskins the Captains name he doesn't recollect, he saw Swanson in the service at York he saw no more oof him untill(sic) the [illegible] at Hobbs hole in May 1780- at which time he was discharged I was under Captain Terrill the time Swanson joined the army I do not know further than this when I saw him at York he told me he had been in the service (I think) two months I cannot recollect any further of his service
Tho. Hamilton  X his mark

I Joseph H Hanna a Justice of the peace in and for Morgan County do certify that Thomas Hamilton this day subscribed and swore to the above Deposition before me and that he is a credible witness

Given under my hand this 14th day of April 1834

Jos. H Hanna
Jpeace

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State of Kentucky Morgan County} S.S.

I James G [illegible] clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid do certify that Joseph H Hanna whose name is signed to the preceding Certificate is a duly commissioned qualified acting Justice of the peace in and for Morgan County and that his signature is genuine

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal office this 14th of April 1834

JG [illegible]
clerk of Morgan Court

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38412
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 38,412
Levi Swanson
Pri Rev War
Act: 18" March 18"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 410
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1922 Sept: 7. Hist to F. B. Culver au

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Maryland Society
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
ORGANIZED APRIL 20, 1889

President
OSBORNE I. YELLOTT
931 CALVERT BLDG.

Secretary
GEORGE SADTLER ROBERTSON
1628 LINDEN AVENUE

Registrar
FRANCIS B. CULVER
2203 N. CHARLES ST.

Baltimore, Md., 17 Aug. 1922

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir:

Will you please supply the Revolutionary War record (with personal data) of Levi Swanson, private in the Virginia militia, who was pensioned as a resident of Kentucky?

Yours truly,
Francis B. Culver [signature]

PENSION
U. S.
AUG
28 1922 [ink stamp]