Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1735, William White, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
White, William
S. 1735
CONTENTS
carded

22035 22034 West Tennessee
William White of Lincoln in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the com d company by Captain Shelton of the reg t commanded by Col. Gaskin in the Virginia line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Sept r 1833 and Davis Eastland Fayetteville
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 200.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 40.00 $240.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 99
1889 April 3 Dr F.S. Nash history -

State of Tennessee County Court Lincoln County } October Term 1832
On this 17 th day of October 1832 personally appeared before the Justices of the county Court of Lincoln County Tennessee, William White a resident of said County and State aged about 78 years the 10 th of January next who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of a provision made by act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following officers and served as herein stated viz That he volunteered in Col. Stephen's regiment of minute men in Fauquier County, Virginia some time in the month of September in the year 1775 (as he thinks) Major Thomas Marshall also commanded in said Regiment, the Company to which I belonged, was commanded by Capt John Shetton who was afterwards killed at the battle of Brandywine or German town. (I now forget which) and also by Lieutenant John Marshall son of Major Thos. Marshall, more Chief Justice of the United States. - in the same month we marched from our County to Culp's Court House in Virginia, where we commenced building barracks, but before we completed them an opportunity for us to go to the lower country where Governor Dunmore was raising a disturbance we immediately marched to Williamsburg.

and were there stationed for the capital three or four weeks. During the time that our regiment was stationed at Williamsburg, I volunteered and went with a rifle company commanded by a Capt. Bluford to Hampton road and at Hampton we had an action with five small British vessels called "tenders" lying in a creek a small distance from the Bay, one of which we took, and drove the others off. From Hampton we marched back to Williamsburg and I joined my regiment. We then started towards Norfolk where Governor Dunmore had established himself, and came to a bridge about fourteen or fifteen miles from Norfolk, called at that time the Long Bridge. At which place was a British fort commanded by a Capt. Hordyce. There was also another fort about five miles below the Bridge at a ferry which was guarded by some Tories and negroes Genl. Scott, being with our army at this time was up for Volunteers to storm the lower fort. I & several of my company besides others, went & stormed the fort near the ferry having crossed over between the forts during the night - we completely routed them & took several negroes & one white man prisoners. We marched back to the Long Bridge & raised Breast works against the fort where Hordyce commanded - in three or four days afterwards Hordyce marched out of fort to storm our breast works, when we killed, wounded & took prisoners his whole company except one Ensign who made his escape, - Capt. Hordyce was shot through the body with two balls -

We then marched to Norfolk against Dunmore who retreated to his vessels and set fire to the town - We lay at Norfolk a few weeks and were then marched back home, where we were discharged about the middle of April, having been in service between seven & eight months - In the month of May following, I went to Alexandria now in the district of Columbia to see my brother John White, who had enlisted in a company, commanded by the same Capt. Shelton, who was so unwell as to be unable to do service. I then became a substitute for my brother for three months, after which he returned and took his place, - during the time I was a substitute, we lay the greater part of the time at Alexandria, but three or four weeks before I left that service, we marched over to the Washington side of the Potomac river, & after remaining there two or three weeks, we started toward Philadelphia, but before we had gone far, my brother came & I returned home. -
Some time in latter part of the year 1780, I enlisted in the service of the United States for the term of eighteen months, in the company commanded by Capt. Warman (or some such name) attached to the regiment of regulars commanded by Colonel Gaskins & Major John Willis, in Fauquier county Virginia - We assembled at Fredericksburg, where, as soon as the different companies arrived they were sent to Powhatan Court, to be in discipline by Lieut. Steuban. - As soon as we arrived at Fredericksburg, I was appointed orderly sergeant, in which capacity I continued to act during the

time I was in service part of the company to which I belonged, under Lieut. Stubblefield, parts of two other companies, one under Capt. Heild, & the other under Lieut. whose name I now forget, were on our way to Newhatten Court House for the purpose before mentioned, when we had proceeded some distance an express arrived, informing us that the British had burnt Manchester and and ordering us to cut across the country to Point of Fork in order to avoid them as we not yet received any arms, and to guard that place as our arms and public stores were there - Here we joined Lieut. Stubblefield, and drew our arms - we remained there two or three days, when an express arrived that the British under Col. Tarleton were marching upon us - Stubblefield became alarmed and ordered us across over James River and remove our stores, but before we had entirely succeeded Tarleton came up and took some of the stores. two of the Baggage Waggons & made prisoners of the guard - On that night, Stubblefield ordered a large quantity of rails to be produced to make fires, and ordered the army to retreat leaving and Ensign with a small company to keep up the fires in order to deceive the British - he had sent up and down the river four or five miles to destroy all the boats to prevent the enemy from crossing to pursue us - we retreated to Halifax Old Town, marching day and night three days, without provisions and without rest - we staid there a few days and were ordered to return to James river and join Genl. Wayne & Col. Hays who were then pursuing Lord Cornwallis - we crossed the river at Carters ferry & joined Genl. Wayne at his quarters and our regiment

was attached to his forces as light infantry Cornwallis & his army retreated down the river Your army under Genl. Wayne continued to maneuver so as to harass them them very much in their march, especially at Green Springs where they crossed crossed the river, we attacked their rear and did them considerable injury after crossing the river which was near Old Town they marched to Williamsburg & proceeded on to York Town, in all which route we followed them, and finally being stood them all prison- ers at that place - After the surrender of Lord Cornwallis our regiment was marched back to Powhatan Courthouse where we remained until the latter part of the succeeding April our regiment being then ordered to Savannah and I being very unwell, I procured a substitute to go in my place and I returned home, and was not in service any more during the war, - I had a written discharge, but it is now lost - I think the term of my service from the time I enlisted till the time I left the service was about fourteen or fifteen months, during all which time I acted acted as orderly sergeant in our regiment - In addition to the officers before mentioned, I was was acquainted with Genl. Washington, Col. Hamilton, his aid, (who commanded us at the time we were drawing in the intrenchments at the siege of York Town) also with Genl. Wayne others , Greene, Lee, Scott, Woodford, Sumpter, Morgan, & I was born in Fauquier county Virginia - on the 10 th day of January 1753 - I have a record of my age now in my possession; I lived there when I entered service - after the revolutionary

When I moved to Rowan County North Carolina where I lived about thirty years, then came to this County where I now live - at the time I left the service, a new Colonel had just been appointed to the command of our regiment from whom I received my discharge, but whose name I now forget - I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
I have no documentary evidence of my services, nor do I know of any person whose testimony I can proceed to testify to the same unless it be Chief Justice Marshall, with whom I served in a regiment of what were called "Minute Men" at the beginning of the war as to my character for veracity & revolutionary services. I would refer to the Rev. Cumberland Wilson Col. Wm Moore & Col. Isaac Holman & Mr. James Bright sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Test. Robt Dugdale Clerk William his White mark
We the undersigned a clergyman residing in Hay- ettsville Lincoln Co. Tennessee & Mr. Moore & Isaac & James Bright Holman residing in said County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William White who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing decla- ration - that we believe him to be about 78 years of age, - and 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 to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Test Robt Dugdale Clerk Cumberland Wilson William Moore Isaac Holman J Bright

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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states And the Court further certifies that Cumberland Wilson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said County of Lincoln and that William Moore, Isaac Holman and James Bright, who have also signed the same are residents of said County and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit —
Almon Slid Wm Edmiston Samuel Richardson
I Robert S. Inge, clerk of the County Court of Lincoln County, Tennessee, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of William White for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at office this 17 th day of October 1832
Robert S. Inge Clerk.
Adams To the care of Davis Cartland Grayville Tennessee

State of Tennessee } Lincoln County } Personally appeared before me Thomas S. Storall an acting Justice of the peace in for said County. William White who being duly sworn deposith & 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 seven months , I served as a private & volunteer Col. Stephen's Regiment of minute men - For three  months , I served as a private, a substitute for my brother - For fourteen months , I served as an orderly sergeant in the eighteen months Regiment of Regulars, commanded by Col. Gaskins & Major Willis - For such service I claim a pension.
Wm White
Sworn to & subscribed this 18th April 1833 before me William his  White mark
D. S. Storall Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee } Lincoln County } I Francis L. Hincannon clerk of the County Court of said County certify that Thomas S. Storall, before whom the fore- going affidavit was taken is an acting Justice of the peace in for said county, that his said signature is genuine and that in official acts are entitled to full faith & credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court at office this 26th April 1833 F. L. Hincannon Clerk

State of Tennessee Lincoln County } I Robert S. Inge who was clerk of the county court of said county, at the time, the within declaration was made, do hereby certify that the within decla- ration, and the certificate thereto annexed contain the original proceedings of said court at the October Term 1832 of said court, in the matter of the application of William White for a pension —
Given under my hand and the seal of said court, this 29 th day of April 1833. Robt. S. Inge Clerk
State of Tennessee } Lincoln County } I William Edmiston Chairman of the county court of said county do certify, that Robert S. Inge, whose name appears to the above certificate, was, at the time of the making of the within declaration, clerk of said court, and that his said certificate is genuine, and entitled to full faith and credit — Given under my hand and seal this 29 th April 1833
W m Edmiston chairman

No 17387 William White
Lincoln County
Tennessee
book on War Roll
From 1775 private 2 yrs out of pocket $80.
not on the Roll as a sergeant
return papers again returned 28 July 1833
Davis Castland,
Fayetteville Tennessee

BRIEF in the case of
William White of Tennessee  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? about 78.  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.     Vol In 1775. 7 or 8. private Genl. Marshall, Capt. Shelton   Subst: 3. " " "   Enlisted. 1780 - 14 or 15 - Sergeant " Willis, Capt Warman Col Gaskins Co. Line.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Shrermishes -  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Fauquier Co Va.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence 
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? the certificate of the certifying officer not attached to the paper which contains the affidavit by a piece of tape  A Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
Dyer Castor.
Examining Clerk.

No date Rev War.
1736. ✓ INVALID.
File No. 1735 William White. Pvt. Va. Line.
Act: June 7, 1892.
Index:—Vol. A, Page 1102
[Arrangement of 1870.]

William White
14,
Davis Cartland, Fayetteville Tenn
certifying officer, should accompany the papers. The certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the officer, in every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, is required to the validity of the certificate. Attached to the certificate are under the seal of office of the certifying officer, or as to prevent any labor from being improperly thereby must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the seal of which must have written on the same sheet of paper, which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the cer- in every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper, which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the cer- TOMBS XVII. None of the foregoing papers, under his seal of office. must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character, and signature of the mak- ing the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of the last of the same, as the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of the last of the same, as above his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits in a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department. TOMBS XIX. Proof of service. placed in any civil process. in the event of an appeal; and for the time during which the service was performed. applicant, and for the time during which the service was performed. of each term of service, and the particular papers or papers where the service was performed. able. It must contain a statement of the length of time served, the rank at the time of discharge, officers, and other particulars respecting their service. The term of a discharge is to be merely state that they served two years in the service, or, without specifying the last of the discharge, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who were never discharged, and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "to be paid according to the and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid, each and every it is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each and every

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 White which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

 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 ?  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 ?  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? No. If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?  XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ?  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ? No  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And, if not, which of them is not so answered ? 
 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.
Not found on the Roll as a Sergeant.
The applicant must prove his service as a Sergeant.

Fayetteville Ten. Sept r 7 th 1833
Dr Sir At the request of Mr. White, I herewith return the papers containing his application for a pension. — He requests me to state to you that he has been informed of a man living somewhere in Kentucky by whom he can prove that he was in the "eighteen months" regiment spoken of in his declaration, and that he was called "sergeant" but does not know whether he can prove by him that he had the appointment of sergeant; — This testimony he would have procured, but being very frail & infirm, and having no means of procuring it without going to Kentucky himself, he wished to have some certainty of its availing any thing, if he should undertake the Journey — He requests to be informed whether such proof, if made, would be sufficient to entitle him to his pension, (He is not now advised of any other proof —) and also, whether, if this proof be not sufficient, he will not be allowed a pension for the time in which he acted as a private Very respectfully Yours Davis Eastland