Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31469, Littleberry Wells, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Uw -
Wells, Littlebury or Littlebury
S. 31469
CONTENTS

Kentucky 19/158
Littlebury Wells
Resides in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Vance of the 2d Regt commanded by Col Goad in the War for 14 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 40 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Aug 1832 and Deed to E D Thomas Newbarth
Arrears to the 4th of March 933 3/4 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 2,433 $11665
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam Smith Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 32

State of Kentucky } Henry county set. }
On this 7 th day of January 1833
personally appeared in open court, before the Justices of the county of Henry now holding court for said county (it being a court of record) Littleberry Wells - a resident of the county of Henry and state of Kentucky - aged seventy years on the 13 rd day of April last past - who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declarations, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the united states under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
That he and his father Michael Wells, belonged to the same company of militia in the county of Chesterfield in the state of Virginia - where he resided when he entered the service of the united states - and that the members of the company were numbered - & a certain number of the company were bound to go into the service when ever called on - & that they were called on by rotation - & that when so called upon, they were bound to remain with the army until they were discharged, as they were not called upon & did not enter the service for any specified time - That he served seven tours, in the Virginia militia, as a private, that he served four of the tours by virtue of the call made upon him as above stated, & that he served the other three tours, by substitution & in the room of his father Michael Wells - who was called upon & selected as above stated - First Tour. That he entered the service in the month of September in the year 1778 - a private the Virginia militia - in the manner as above stated - That he joined the army at Petersburg in Virginia - under Capt.

Thomas Goude, Lieutenant Eze k iel Dance - and that Robert Goude was Col. of the regiment - of the regular officers he recollects, Genl. Morgan & ag t ant Thos. Prid e - from Petersburg, we marched to Chesterfield Court house - from there to Fall Creek Church - then crossed James river & went to Richmond - recrossed the river & went to Manchester, where he was discharged, verbally, by Col. Goude in November 1778 - in this tour he served two months & a few days but claims only for the two months -
2 nd Tour - That in March 1779. his father Michael Wells, was called upon as above stated - and that this applicant substituted himself in the room of his father - & that he joined the army at Danvood Court house in Virginia in March 1778 - that he entered the service under Capt. Eze k iel Dance, (the same person who was Lieutenant in the first Tour -) Lieutenant William Threlt - Creed Skaskins was Col. of the Regiment - that he entered & served as a private in the Virginia militia - (He does not recollect the name of the regular officers) From Danvood our company marched to Petersburg & from thence down the Appomattox river to James river & down James river to Blood's fort. just before which time the fort had been attacked by the British and that his company was ordered then to assist in the defence - that he remained there until May 1779 & was then verbally discharged by Capt. Hill who had the command of the fort. In this tour he served two months -
3 rd Tour - In September 1779. he was again called upon as aforesaid & entered the service as a private & served in the Virginia militia - & joined the army in Sept r aforesaid at Petersburg & entered the service under Capt. Dance. Lieutenant William Chealans - Skaskins was Col. of the Regiment - in this tour he recollects among the regular officers, a Major Boyce - from Petersburg we went to Norfolk, Virginia - & remained there until November, when he was discharged - this was in 1779. That he was discharged by Capt. Dance - In this tour he served two months & some days, but only claims for two months -
4 th Tour - That in February 1780 his father Michael Wells, was again called upon as above stated

and that this applicant again substituted himself in his room - and that he entered the service under the same Captain. Dancis & Lieutenant Cheatam. Blackins was the Col. of the Regiment - He does not recollect the name of any of the regular officers - That he joined the army at Manchester - Virginia - at this time the Patriots were on the opposite side of the river about some houses in Richmond - from Manchester he went to Petersburg where he was verbally discharged by Capt. Dancis in April 1780. in this town he served two months & longer but claims only for two months -
5 th Jour. That in October 1780, he again entered the service, being called on as aforesaid, in the Virginia Militia & served as a private. That he entered under Capt. Dancis & Lieutenant Mathew Cheatam - & Col. Robert Dancis - that he does not recollect the name of any of the regular officers - that he joined the army at Petersburg except Genl. Morgan - That he joined the army at Petersburg, from whence we marched to Cabin Point - then to Norfolk & returned to Cabin Point in December 1780 - where he was then verbally discharged by Lieutenant Cheatam - then Captain - That he served two months in this town -
6 th Jour. That in April 1781. his father Michael Wells was again called upon as above stated - & that this applicant again substituted himself in the room of his father - That he entered the service in April 1780 under Capt. Henry Archer, Lieutenant Richard Bell - & Col. Gourd - & served as a private in the Virginia Militia - He does not recollect any of the names of the regular officers. That he & his company joined the army at Petersburg - then marched to Williamsburg from that place York - then we returned to Petersburg where he was verbally discharged by Capt. Archer in June 1781.
7 th Jour. That in August 1781. he was again called upon in the manner aforesaid & entered the service in August 1781. under Capt. Thomas Gourd, does not recollect who was the Lieutenant - Blackins was

Col. of the regiment. That he joined the army at Petersburg from thence he marched to Williamsburg & from thence to Little York - That he was at the siege & surrender of Cornwallis - in October. Genl. Washington Lafayette & Lincoln were among the regular officers - That after the siege, he went as one of the guard of the prisoners, as far as Hanover court house, and was there taken sick & then discharged in the first of November 1781 - he was discharged in meeting by a regular officer whose name he has forgotten & that he has long since lost his discharge - in this town he served, some days more than two months & a half but claims for two months & a half only -
- He states that from old age & consequent loss of memory he can swear as to the precise length of his service - but from the best of his recollections & he well remembers - That he did not send less than fourteen months - in the seven towns - above mentioned above - & always as a private in the Virginia militia - for which service he claims a pension -
He states that he was born on the 3 rd day of April 1762 in the county of Dinwiddie & state of Virginia - and that he resided in Chesterfield county state of Virginia, at each of the periods, at which he entered the service - In 1796 he removed to the state of Kentucky - where he has resided ever since & for the last 30 years, where he now lives in Henry county. That his father left a record of his age which showed that he was born 3 rd April 1762. but that he has not seen it since he left Virginia - That he has now no record of his age - That he is known in his present neighborhood to Francis Bokennon & Blank Moody who can testify as to his character

Little Berry Wells.
22546

for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution - That he has no document or any evidence of his service - & that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any state - Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Littlebury Wells
We Abner Bohannon a clergyman residing in the county of Henry state of Kentucky and Blankly Moody residing in the same place - hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the above named Littlebury Wells who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be seventy years old - That he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion - Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Abner Bohannon Blankly Moody

No 22546 Littlebury Wells Kentucky
from 1778 print 144 months $46 \frac{66}{100}
The certificate of the court in the case of Peter-Poore has been attached to the declaration of Littlebury Wells, and vice versa .
E. P. Thomas New Castle Kentucky

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 subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Littlebury Wells Hovey Co. Kentucky
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. 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 marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1778 Sept. 2 Private Capt Goude Col Goude None Virginia Aged 77 Traditionary   Subst 1779 March 2 " " Lance " Huskins None " Whitley Co.   " " Sept. 2 " " " " " " " "   Subst 1780 Feb 2 " " " " " " " "   " Oct 2 " " " " Robertson " " "   Subst 1781 Ap Discharged June " " " Archer " Goude Brave of York " "   " " Aug 2 15 " " Goude " Huskins " " "   Served in all 14 Months.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

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 } ss. County of }
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 A. B.
Sworn to 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 (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of of the Court of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but 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

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 traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of 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 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 garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must 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 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Exan. blank 

31469 Recy INVALID.
File No. 31,469
Littlebury Wells Rev Rev War
Act: June 1 st 89
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 443
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Peter Horce Jr
22545
Q

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Henry County January Term 1833. Jany 7 th
On this 7 th day of January 1833 came here into Court (being a Court of Record) Littleberry Wells & produced into Court his declaration for a pension under the Act of Congress of 1832 to which he was answer - and the Court hereby declared 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 Abraham Bohannon who has signed the foregoing certificate is a Clergyman, resident in Henry County, and that Blanket Woody who has also signed the same is a credible person, and a resident of said County of Henry, and their statement is entitled to credit - Which is ordered to be certified -
He Edmund P. Thomas clerk of the County Court of Henry County do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Littleberry Wells for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court and Office this 7 th day of January 1833 -
E. P. Thomas