Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6,321, William Turner, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Turner William Sarah
N. 6,321
CONTENTS

Virginia 16658
William Turner — of Amherst in the State of Vir who was a Priv. in the Regt commanded by Captain of the  Regt commanded by Col. Christie in the Vir line for 17 years.
11 27 137
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 55 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Sept. 33. and Sister J. Thompson . Amherst — Vir
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. 137.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar. '34 27.50
$165.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by O. Price Clerk, Book C Vol. 6 Page 29

Virginia -
Sarah Turner
widow of William Turner, deceased, who died on the 30th September, 1834. of Amherst Co in the State of Virginia who was a priv: Heavt in the command by Captain of the Regt command by Col: Christie - in the Virginia line for
priv: Heavt $505 -
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 55 Dollars 50 Cents per annum to commence on the 1st day of March, 1834. 1st: August, 1834 -
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of May 1834 and sent to John Thompson for: Amherst, Co. Va.
Arrears to the 14th of Mar: 1839 $252.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 1/ Sept: 27.50
$279.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3rd }
Recorded by M c Stearns Clerk, Book A - Vol. 2 Page - 159

William Turner
Yrs.
9780
Alma as Pri 3 mo to Sept 9 mo 45 $ 55
1. 317
Sp: Leb.
30- March
J. Thompson
anchored
No

BRIEF in the case of William Turner  County of Anhalt  in the State of Va.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open 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. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In 17 3 Private Capt Tharmund   3 Inf'ty Capt Christian   3 " Capt Samson G. Larsen   3 Sgt Capt Hogg Betham   3 3rd  
5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Anhalt Albemarle Co. Va.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? In a military
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Nicholas Scott Examining Clerk.

9780
William Juneo
Declaration for a pension

On the 21 st day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of Amherst County, now sitting, William Turner a resident of the said County aged about 72 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 the 7 th June 1832.
That he was born in the County of Albemarle sometime in the year 1760, and that he has a register of his age at his residence, and that when the Revolution opened it found him residing in the County of Amherst, a County adjoining to Albemarle . And that after the location of the Barracks in Albemarle for the security of the British prisoners taken at the North (but the month or year he does not remember) he was detailed as a private in the Militia to serve a tour of three months at the said Barracks. That he marched from the County of Amherst and served the said tour of three months under the command of Capt Philip Thurmond . That he remembers nothing which is worthy of remark. That occurred in that service except the death of Capt James Garland who was also in service at the Barracks and was there killed by a continee on duty. That after this period he was again called into the service from the County of Amherst and served another tour of three months, as orderly sergt stationed at Rockets near Richmond, in a company commanded by John Christian from the said County. That there after he was again called into the service from the same County and was engaged in what is called the Guilford expedition, and served out his tour as orderly sergant to the company commanded by Capt Young Landrum, that he does not remember to what regt his company was attached in that expedition, but he does remember that it was attached to Genl Lawsons brigade. That the company to which he was attached was not engaged in the battle of Guilford, but was near the scene of action, that he saw the dead and wounded removed from the field of Battle, and he well remembers seeing Genl Edward Stevens removed from the Battle ground badly wounded. That he was discharged from this service at Frenso wells miles in the State of North Carolina after a service of three months. That thereafter and very soon he was again drafted in the service from the same County, on a tour of duty for three months, intended to aid in the reduction of York Town. That he marched from the County of Amherst as a sergant in a company commanded by Capt Benjamin Digginbotham, and on the line of March to York Town, was appointed and commissioned an ensign in the said company, which commission in the great lapse of time he has lost. That some days after joining the Army before York Town under the command of Genl Washington, he together with his Captain were discharged as

supernumerary officers and ordered to return to their homes. That their discharge as aforesaid took place but a few days before the capitulation of the Post. That since the period of the Revolution, he has continued to reside in the County of Amherst; that he has no documentary evidence to support his said claim for service, nor does he recollect, that he ever used any, if he did they have been lost, nor does he know any living witness or witnesses by whom he could prove his services. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Wm Turner.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
We Daniel Day a clergyman residing in the County of Amherst & Jesse Beck residing in the said County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Capt William Turner who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Daniel Day Jesse Beck
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 Daniel Day who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Amherst, and that Jesse Beck, and that Jesse Beck who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Amherst, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Virginia
I Robert Tinsley Clerk of the Court of Amherst County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Turner for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this twenty Seventh day of August one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two in the fifty Seventh year of the Commonwealth.
Robert Tinsley

4107 Sarah Turner Wid of William V.S. Ad July 4. 1836 Mama 1780 Died 1834 Allow of 55 per ann from 1834
To Thompson Jr Amherst Ct, V.S.

At a Court of Quarterly Session begun and held for Amherst County at the Court House on Monday the 19th day of November 1838
Sarah Turner this day filed her Declaration and certain papers therewith in order to obtain a pension from the government of the United States which Declaration is in the following words to wit;
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836
State of Virginia. County of Amherst } ss.
On this 19th of November 1838 personally appeared before the County Court of the County aforesaid in the state aforesaid, it being a Court of record, Sarah Turner a resident of the said County aged 77 years on the 4th day of March next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed the 4 July 1836. That she is the widow of William Turner who was a private orderly, sergeant and ensign and served as such in the Virginia militia and service of the United States in the war of the Revolution - That her said husband in his lifetime filed his declaration for his services under the Pension act of the 7th June 1832 and obtained a certificate for a pension that is to say for the sum of Fifty five Dollars per Year which he received semiannually up to the 4th September 1834, the original certificate of which pension will be if practicable procured from his Executor and forwarded herewith - That so great is the lapse of time that she cannot of her own knowledge speak of the duration of his said service but she does verily believe that his declaration upon oath relating thereto is true and she hereby refers to an office copy of that declaration also to the copy filed in the Pension department at Washington together with the evidences therewith as a part of this her declaration - She further declares that she was lawfully married to the said William Turner on the 20th day of August 1786 Seventeen hundred and Eighty - That her marriage as aforesaid was celebrated by the Reverend Sam Irvine a minister lawfully authorized to solemnize marriages and belonging to the Presbyterian Church, That no licence from the clerk of the County of Albemarle - The residence of her father was obtained, but the banns were thrice proclaimed in the church which was then and still is one of the modes prescribed by law for celebrating the rites of matrimony in Virginia. She further declares that her said intermarriage took place with the said William Turner before the termination of his last period of

service to wit: on the day & year aforesaid and that her said Husband died on the 30 th day of September 1834 and that she hath remained his widow and unmarried ever since all which will appear by the proof herein referred to & hereto annexed
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year before written in open court
her Sarah Turner mark
Samuel M c Garland C.A.C.
Nelson County to wit:
This day personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Frances Bailey aged eighty seven years and made oath in due form of law that she is well acquainted with Sarah Turner the widow and relict of William Turner deceased and has been acquainted with her for the last seventy years past and that she will recollects when the said Sarah intermarried with the said William which took place on the 20 th day of August in the year 1780 and that the marriage aforesaid was celebrated by Samuel Irvine a minister of the Presbyterian Church after the banns had been thrice proclaimed in the church as was some times the mode of celebrating marriages in that day and that she understood and believes that the said William drew in his life time a Pension from the government of the United States for his revolutionary services under the act of the 7 th of June 1832 which is mentioned to identify the said Sarah as his widow and that the said William departed this life at his residence in the county of Amherst on the 30 th day of September in the year 1834. Given under my hand this 30 th day of October 1838
John Diggs (J.P.)
I certify that Frances Bailey who has made the foregoing affidavit is respectable and credible person. Given under my hand this 30 th day of October 1838
John Diggs (J.P.)
Nelson County to wit:
This day personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Jane Dawson aged seventy five years and made oath in due form of law that she is well acquainted with Sarah Turner the widow and relict of William Turner deceased and has been acquainted with her for the last sixty years past and that she will recollects of being present when the said Sarah intermarried with the said William which took place on the 20 th day of August in the year 1780 and that the marriage aforesaid was celebrated by Samuel Irvine a minister of the Presbyterian Church after the banns had been thrice proclaimed in the church as was some times the mode of celebrating marriages.

the year 1760 and that he has a register of his age at his residence and that when the Revolution opened it found him residing in the county of Amherst a county adjoining to Albemarle - And that after the location of the Barracks in Albemarle for the security of the British prisoners taken at the North (but the month or year he does not remember) he was detailed as a private in the militia to serve a tour of three months at the said Barracks - That he marched from the county of Amherst and served the said tour of three months under the command of Capt Philip Thurmond - That he remembers nothing which is worthy of remark that occurred in that service except the death of Capt James Garland who was also in service at the Barracks and was there killed by a centinel on duty - That after this period he was again called into the service from the county of Amherst and served another tour of three months as orderly sergeant stationed at Rockets near Hickmounds in a company commanded by John Christian from the said county - That thereafter he was again called into the service from the same county and was engaged in what is called the Guilford expedition and served out his tour as orderly sergeant to the company commanded by Capt Young Sanderson that he does not remember to what Regt his company was attached on that expedition but he does remember that it was attached to Genl Lawsons brigade - That the company to which he was attached was not engaged in the Battle of Guilford but was so near the scene of action that he saw the dead and wounded removed from the field of battle and he well remembers seeing Genl Edward Stephens removed from the battle ground badly wounded - That he was discharged from this service at Rensowells Mills in the state of North Carolina - after a service of three months that thereafter and very soon he was again drafted in the service from the same county on a tour of duty for three months intended to aid in the reduction of York Town - that he marched from the county of Amherst as a sergeant in a company commanded by Capt Benjamin Higgens botham and on the line of march to York Town was appointed and commissioned an ensign in the said company which commission in the great lapse of time he has lost that some days after joining the army before York Town under the command of Genl Washington he together with his Captain were discharged as supernumerary officers and ordered to return to their homes That their discharge as aforesaid took place but a few days before the capitulation of the Port That since the period of the Revolution he was continued to reside in the county of Amherst. That he has no documentary evidence to support his said claim for service nor does he recollect that he ever received any if he did they have been lost nor does he know any living witnesses or witnesses by whom he could prove his services He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present

in that day and that she understood and believes that the said William drew in his life time a pension from the government of the United States for his revolutionary services under the act of the 7th of June 1832 which is mentioned to identify the said Sarah as his widow and that the said William departed this life as his residence in the county of Amherst on the 30th day of September in the year 1834 given under my hand this 30th day of October 1838
John Diggs J.P.
I certify that Jane Dawson who has made the foregoing affidavit is a respectable and creditable person, given under my hand this 30th day of October 1838
John Diggs J.P.
State of Virginia Nelson County } to wit:
I Spotswood Garland, Clerk of the County Court of Nelson County in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that John Diggs who hath signed the foregoing certificate is an acting justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified: that his commission bears date on the 21st day of June 1808 and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the said Court this 31st day of October 1838 and in the 63rd year of the Commonwealth
Sp: Garland, Clerk Nelson County Court.
At a Court of Quarterly Session continued by adjournment and held for the County of Amherst on Tuesday the 21st day of August 1832
William Turner a Revolutionary soldier filed his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed on the 7th day of June 1832 in these words:-
On this 21st day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of Amherst County now sitting William Turner a resident of the said County aged about 72 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 the 7th day of June 1832 in these words:- That he was born in the County of Albemarle some time in

and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Wm. Turner
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - and made oath thereto Also a certificate of Daniel Day a clergyman and Jesse Beck which was also sworn to & is in these words - "We Daniel Day a clergyman residing in the county of Amherst and Jesse Beck residing in the said county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Capt. William Turner who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be 72 years of age: that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion."
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Daniel Day
Jesse Beck
And the court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named appli- cant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Daniel Day who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the county of Amherst: and that Jesse Beck who has also signed the same is a resident in the county of Amherst and is a credible person and that the statement is entitled to credit
A. Copy
Teste
Samuel M. Garland Clk.
The above are copies of papers filed with the foregoing Declaration and referred to above. And the said court doth order it to be certified to the Pension Department in the City of Washington that it satisfactorily appears to the court from the affidavits of Francis Bailey and Jane Dawson that Sarah Turner who hath made the foregoing declaration was lawfully married to William Turner decd. late of this county on the 20th day of August 1780 after thrice publishing the banns, without licence from the clerk or marriage board a mode of celebrating the rites of matrimony then and still lawful in Virginia. That it also satisfactorily appears to the court and is known to the members composing the same that the said Sarah is the widow of William Turner decd. and that the said William was at the time of his death a pensioner of the united states on account of his Revolutionary services moreover it appears to the court that the said Sarah is a credible person
I Samuel M. Garland clerk of the county court of Amherst county in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing is a copy of the original declaration with the exhibits therein referred to of Sarah Turner which

was as it purports subscribed and sworn to in open court, together with the certificate of the court by its direction thereto appended.
In testimony of all of which I have hereunto signed my name sealed with my seal which I have caused to be annexed this 23 rd day of November 1838.
Samuel M. Garland

4107
op re
4 July 1836.
Ames Sturges
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington City. D. C.

Amherst Court House 24 Nov 1838.
Sir/
Under cover you will receive the papers of Mrs Sarah Turner, an application for a pension under the act of the 4 th July 1836 — you have been so kind as to act under this law that I have no doubt you have heretofore been called upon to look into our State laws regulating marriages, and that you will have seen that from a period anterior to our Revolution there were two modes, one by licence from the Clerk, the other by publication of the banns in the Church — If however you should not look into our revised Code of 1819 or 21st digest try on until then don't. Be pleased also to say how Mrs Turner is to obtain the small annuity due to her of her husband's pension to wit from the 4 th to 30 th Septm r 1834.
Respectfully yr obed Servt
John Thompson Jr

Bedford County Virginia I do hereby certify that William Turner no. of Amherst County Va, and myself served a tour of duty in the Revolution War of three months under Capt Christian and were stationed near Rich- -mond on Gillies Creek, and that the said William Turner was an Orderly Sergeant, and to the best of my recollection, it was in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine or eighty, This given under my hand this 27 day of May Eighteen hundred and thirty three - Charles Stewart
State of Virginia Bedford County to wit This day the above named Charles Stewart personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace for said County and swore that the foregoing certificate is true - That the said Charles Stewart is a credible witness and is probably 76 years of age Given under my hand this 27 day of May 1833. John W. Holt Jr.

State of Virginia Brooks County Oct 3
I Robert C. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby Certify that John W. Holt Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Charles Stewart was made, is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified according to law, and further that it appears to me that said signature is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 27 th day of May one thousand, eight hundred and thirty three
R. C. Mitchell B.B.

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 6321
Sarah Turner
Wid.
Wm Turner
Sergt Prov. line
Act: July 11 th 36, des. 2 nd
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 285
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Oct. 16/94 Hist. to Mr. Bell, 2 nd Dep. Com. Pension Office.
1894 Nov. 28 Visit to Wm. J. Robins, Richmond, Va.
Jan. 19. 1894. Hist to James B. O'Neill - Phila. Pa. 278
Apr 27/97 Histy to Jas B O'Neill St. 3 Phila Penna. } 3

Payments to be made at Richmond by the Ch. W. Br. Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Va
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book 6 Vol. 6 Page 29. by J. S. Hice Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, William Turner of the state of Virginia ————— who was a private & sergeant in the war of the Revolution ————— is entitled to receive Fifty-Five — dollars and ————— cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 11 th day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty-Three
Lewis Cass
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. §
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
October 17 th , 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Sarah Turner , — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Fifty five Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 4 th Sept. 1839.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Porter
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

State of Virginia Amherst County to wit
This day personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid Bassett Cash, and made oath in due form of law, that he was a soldier of the War of the Revolution, and served a tour of militia duty from the County of Amherst on what was commonly called the Guilford expedition, and that in that expedition he well recollects to have known William Turner from the same County of Amherst, who marched on the said expedition in another company, that the said William Turner was a sergeant, in his company and the affiant believes served out his tour in that character with fidelity — The exact length of the tour he the affiant does not exactly recollect except that it was about the period of three months — Given under my hand this 19 th day of August 1833
Ambrose Rucker
J. P.
Amherst County to wit
I Ambrose Rucker a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and before whom Bassett Cash hath made the foregoing affidavits and I do hereby certify that the said Bassett Cash is a credible person and that his evidence is entitled to full credit. Given under my hand this day & date first above written —
Ambrose Rucker
J. P.

State of Virginia Amherst County Court
I Robert Tinsley Clerk of the County Court of Amherst in the State of Virginia aforesaid do certify that Ambrose Rucker esquire who hath given the within certificates is and was at the date thereof a Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Amherst duly commissioned and qualified. In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and seal of office this twentyeth day of August One thousand eight hundred and thirty Three in the fifty eighth year of the Commonwealth
Robert Tinsley

O. W. & M. Division, Cur P.S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., November 20, 1894.
Sir:-
In returning herewith your letter of the 15th. inst., you are advised that neither the maiden name of the widow of William Turner , nor the date and place of her death, is stated in any of the papers on file with her claim for pension.
By addressing an inquiry to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U. S. Treasury Dept, Washington, D.C., and stating the number of the widow's pension certificate (2345), the date when issued (May 15, 1889), and the Agency at which paid (Virginia), you may be able to obtain the date of the last payment of pension which will give you, approximately, the date of the widow's death.
Very respectfully,
J. B. D'Neill, Esq., #2715 W. 6th. St., Philadelphia, Pa.
1st. Deputy Commissioner.

J
Philada. Pa Dec 28 th 1896.
Hon D. D. Murphy. Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir.
Kindly send me a transcript of the records of your Office relative to the military service of my Great Grand Father William Turner on my Mother's side. He was born, lived and died in Amherst Co. Virginia and my Mother always said that both of her Grand Parents received a pension.
We know that he was under Captain Hurron. Capt Christian. Capt London and Capt Higginbottom. Col Lawson and Genl Greene.
Kindly give me the date of his enlistment & discharge his Company letter and Number of his Regiment. In fact a full copy in order that I can intelligently fill up a application for membership in the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
I shall be under great obligation to you. If you will favor me by send me an answer in a few days.
I am very
Respectfully
James B
118. So

VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
PHILIP A. BRUCE, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY AND LIBRARIAN, MRS. SALLY NELSON ROBINS, ASS'T LIBRARIAN,
RICHMOND, VA., Nov. 2 nd 1894
Dear Sir,
Sarah Turner, widow of William Turner, received a pension from Government, after her husband's death, for services rendered by the latter in the war of the Revolution.
I desire very much to know the maiden name of Sarah Turner, and the date of her death. I presume you have this information in the application for pension filed by Sarah Turner, when she got the pension and the records will show the date of her death.
If you will kindly cause this information to be forwarded to me, you will greatly
Oblige
Yours truly
Wm T. Robins
Commissioner of Pensions)

VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Nov 21 1894
Dear Sir,  I have the honor to inform you that the enclosed is a copy of a letter from the Virginia Historical Society to the Pension Office, dated Nov 20 1894, in the matter of the application for pension filed by Sarah Turner, widow of the late John Turner, who served in the War of 1861-65.  It is requested that you be so kind as to cause the same to be forwarded to the proper authorities.  Very respectfully, John D. Russell Chairman
Miss J. Estlin Bristol Eng.
Commissioner of Pensions

Amherst Court House 24 Augt 1833
The case of William Turner, returned from your department, for proof of grade only, is now returned to you again, with all the proofs he is able to obtain on that subject, and he desires me to ask your immediate attention to it and that if the department should not think his testimony on the losses, sufficiently corroborative of his own oath as to the last, he will be satisfied with pay for the last tour as S er gt — less than which he thinks he will not be allowed. Very Respectfully Yrs
John Thompson Jr

O. W. & N. Div t
F. S.
Ex't.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., Nov. 14, 189 4
Respectfully returned to
Wm. T. Robi
Richmond, Va.
For purposes of identification please fill out the enclosed slip as fully as possible and return it to this Bureau with your letter of Nov. 2nd.
J. M. Lochren
Commissioner.

William Turner

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Turner  enrolled 6 th Oct ee 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

 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? yes  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  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? yes  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? yes    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? yes  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 
 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."

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.

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.
MEMORANDA.
Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
Wm Turner
Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Amherst Co. Va
Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Amherst Co. Va
Date of death (as near as possible):
Sept. 30 th 1834
Christian name of widow:
Sarah
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
Both
Remarks:
Your name and address:
Col. Wm J. Robbins
Land Office
Richmond, Va

William Turner V o Ad June 7 1832 $55 When paid; HHS
p l 4 Sep 1834 JH