Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,433, Robert Wilson, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Wilson, Robert
S. 6, 433
CONTENTS
carded

Supd. reletter Sept. 22, 1835 to P. G. L. & Mr. Singleton, not here Let. Agt. drop it, Oct 21 1835
Date of death not on A.D.
Supd. Oct. 21, 1835
27 13. 1824 Virginia
Robert Wilson
of Monroe in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Robertson of the Regt commanded by M c Campbell in the (Virginia) line for 6 months
drope nd 6 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 20 Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of May 1833 and sent to John Hutchinson for Union Monroe Co Va Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $49.00 Pemi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept - 10.00
$59.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
J. W. Clagett Clerk
Recorded by Book E
Vol. 6 Page 60

Robert Wilson Monroe county

+ Robert Wilson - Genl. P. A. Militia
I the undersigned Robert Wilson in pursuance of the requisition of the Secretary of War, make the following a. declaration of my services as a Colonel in the army of the Pres. Col. Regt.
I think I am now about 75 or 76 yrs old. am a native of Augusta County. Va. lived in Botetourt during the war. moved to Munroe Monroe 10 years ago - about 3 weeks before the Christmas of 1780. I volunteered I think for about 600 men. joined Capt. James Pulaski's company marched to Green Point. Where an army in South Carolina. on the way from here with Major Campbell was attacked by his command. Friend Genl. Morgan on his retreat 2 or 3 days after the Battle of the Cowpens. - we marched to Gadsden's farm. then to Guilford, and then to Dan River. at the last mentioned place Genl. Morgan left us. I think he took our troops with him. I think he quit the army - don't remember who commanded the army after Morgan left. at Dan River I was discharged and went home - I heard him about the middle of April. I found a letter from him in service about 5 months. and gave it to Mr. Preston who wrote my declaration. - in addition to the above. I was for 3 or 4 days against the lines. In the army of Genl. Charles I have to subscribe my name
September 20th 1835.
Robert Wilson mark +

Rob t Wilson 23683

+ Virginia:
A Court held for the County of Monroe at the Court House on Monday the 21 st day of January 1833
State of Virginia Monroe County } ss.
Robert Nelson now an Inhabitant of the County aforesaid being this day in open Court at the January Term held for the County aforesaid it being a Court of record, having been duly sworn, in order to obtain the benefit of the pension act passed June 7 th 1832, upon his oath makes the following Declarative Statement. He says that he is about 72 years of age, though he cannot recollect the exact year in which he was born, as the register of his age was destroyed by the burning of the house in which it was; that he was born in Augusta County in Va but removed, very young, into Botetourt County where he was 'till; as he thinks, he was twenty two years of age, when he was drafted to defend the lead mines in the western part of the state from an attack which it was believed was meditated against them by the Tories and the enemy; the Company in which he was drafted was under the Command of Lieutenant Grimes, but that they did not go all the way to the mines, having been ordered back when they had arrived near the New River. He does not know the exact time of his service in this tour, but does not think that it was more than a month. He does not recollect the year in which this happened but thinks it was about two years before the Capture of Cornwallis. He further says that the fall before the capture of Cornwallis he volunteered under James Robertson Captain, James Scathardale Lieut and Alexander Smiley ensign that after they had left Winchester that Major David Campbell overtook them about the Moravian Towns and commanded them and the march beyond the Catawba river, where Gen. Morgan assumed the Command afterwards they commenced a return to Virginia towards Virginia and at the Island Ford on the Potomac river they had a skirmish with the British one evening after sun down, in which it was said by deserters that thirty six of the enemy were killed and wounded, and that two of their men Johnson & Dohart were killed and John Allen was taken prisoner but made his escape that night, a

man named Hart was wounded and Cap t Handey was taken prisoner and died on his way round by water to Fort town.
He says that he was not in any other action but was sometimes closely pursued by the enemy. He says that during this Campaign Morgan resigned and returned home. He says that his company was within two days march of the army at the battle of the Cowpens. He says they were with the line in the edge of S. Carolina and in N. Carolina. The time of service he thinks was five months. He served out the whole time from November to April - that is November 1780 until April 1781, but did not procure a discharge for the most of the officers were sick,
He hereby relinquishes all claim to every other pension or reward whatsoever. He has within two years lost the use of his right shoulder and is incapable of making any exertion for his support. Robert Wilson (mark)
The following are true copies of a Certificate of John Herbert sworn to before William Humphreys Esq y a Justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid & the certificate of the sitting members of the Court at the time the foregoing declaration was made, & which Certificates are filed & made a part of the record as follows to wit
I John Herbert do certify that I was in the service of the old Revolutionary War; that to the best of my recollection I started in November 1780 and returned in April 1781. I was a Volunteer in the Company of Capt t Alexander Handley, and recollect of Robert Wilson, that now lives on Totts Creek being in the service the same time in the Company of Capt t Robison a Volunteer; and we were under the command of Maj r David Campbell who took command of us at the Moravian Town as we went out; and we had one skirmish with the British on the other side of the Sable river on the third day of February 1781; We lost our clothing in the battle. We got our discharge before our time was out. We had Volunteered to go to South Carolina. Given under my hand this 19 th of January 1833
Monroe County Court
This day John Herbert personally appeared before me and made oath that the above Certificate is true to the best of his recollection. Given under my hand this 19 th of January 1833 W m Humphreys

Monroe County Court
We whose names are hereunto subscribed Justices of the peace for said County and now sitting in Court do hereby certify that we are and have been acquainted with John Herbert who has signed the above certificate for twenty years and that he is a man of strict truth and veracity - given under our hands this 21 st Jan'y 1833
Hugh Caperton JP R Shanklin JP William McDaniel JP John Hinchman JP Sam l Clark JP
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 foregoing named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that John Herbert who hath signed the preceding certificate is a resident of Monroe County and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to full credit.
I John Hutchinson Jr. Clerk of the Court of Monroe County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Robert Wilson for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Union this 21 st day of January 1833 and in the 57 th year of the Commonwealth. J. A. Hutchinson Jr. Clerk.

23683
Robert Wilson N. a.)
Adv 6. Months
John Hutchinson Jr Union Monroe County Va

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 Robert Wilson Va
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      He thinks he thinks he thinks he thinks  fall before 1800 - 5  Private  Lieut Green  Capt Robertson  Col Morgan  and Major Campbell   1/2 born in Augusta Co Va  enlisted there and now  lives in Monroe Co. Va   one surviving witness  proves the last four 5 m   
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 _____
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 _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has 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 days 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is 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.

October 14, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Robert Wilson, S.6433 BA-J/MCS
Mrs. W. G. Johnston P.O.Box194 Berwind West Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of September 14, 1937, requesting information relative to Robert Wilson, a Revolutionary War pensioner who lived in Monroe County, Virginia (later West Virginia).
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.6433, based upon the military service of Robert Wilson.
Robert Wilson was born in Augusta County, Virginia. The date of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.
When he was very young he moved to Botetourt County, Virginia, and was living there when he enlisted. He stated that he enlisted "about two years before the capture of Cornwallis" and served about one month with the Virginia troops under Lieutenant Grimes. He enlisted in November, 1780, served in Captain James Robertson's or Robison's company with the Virginia troops under Major David Campbell, marched to the south and was in a skirmish at Island Ford on the Yadkin River, length of this service five months.
In 1825 he moved to Monroe County, Virginia (which was later West Virginia).
Robert Wilson was allowed pension on his application executed January 21, 1833, at which time he was aged seventy-two years and resided in Monroe County, Virginia. In 1835 he stated that he was "near about seventy-five or seventy-six years old".

In 1835 Robert Wilson was requested to make an additional statement before the United States District Attorney in regard to the length of his service and in that declaration stated that he served five months and three or four days and that he alleged only that length of service in his former declaration and was misunderstood by the person who took his deposition.
The pension law under which he applied required service of at least six months in a regularly organized military corps, therefore his name was dropped from the pension rolls October 21, 1835, because of insufficient length of service.
The papers in the claim contain no data relative to the family of Robert Wilson.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Reabran
6433 INVALID.
1931- July 15 - Hist. to Hon. Hugh S. Keating. Letter in case Parker Lucas, S 8868- 8869 1937 Oct. 14 Hist. to Mrs. W. G. Johnston, Med.
File No. 6433
Robert Wilson Re Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: — Vol. a , Page 419
[Arrangement of 1870.]

P.O. Box 194 Bernind, W. Va. Sept 14, 1937
The Pension Dept., Washington, D.C. Dear Sirs.
In McAllister's Rev. Soldiers beginning on page 234 - Pensioners residing in Va. in 1835 who received pensions as Va. Militiamen, embracing those who reside EE in now what is W. Va. "Robert Wilson seventy-four years old Monroe Co., W. Va." My great grandfather was Robert Wilson lived in Monroe Co., W. Va. Please give the full war record or any other infor- mation that it may contain I am, Very truly, Mrs. W. G. Johnston

Calcutta
Oct 21 1832
GC
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]
Bureau of Maps 2121

Dept of War
Per off
Oct. 21. 1835
Sir:
You are please to inform Robt Nelson, Mr Carlton and James Ellison, persons of Monroe Co. that their names have been drop'd from the pension roll: neither of them have  actual  Ellison having preferred 6 months service . Nelson does not pretend to have served more than 5 months. Carlton claims 10 mo, 5 of which he alleges to have performed in Capt Morris Guest Co of Cavalry of Ky and that he was with him in the Battle of Rues mountain - Capt Guest - now resides in Ky; & has furnished the Department with an original muster-roll of his company in the expedition to Rues mountain & to Hillibow in 1780. But Mr Carlton name does not appear thereon. Ellison claim is clearly a fraudulent one, he never having served but a few weeks. They will retain their pensions calculated to their offi ce .
Yours
To H. Hutchinson Jr
Union
Moore L.
yr

It appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.6433, that Robert Wilson was born in Augusta County, Virginia, date not given, and when very young moved to Botetourt County, Virginia.
While residing in Botetourt County, Virginia, he enlisted "about two years before the capture of Cornwallis" and served about one month under Lieutenant Grimes in the Virginia Troops.
He enlisted in November, 1780, served in Captain James Robertson's or Robison's Company under Major Campbell in the Virginia Troops, marched to the south and was in a skirmish at Island Ford on the Yadin River, length of service, five months.
In 1825, he moved to Monroe County, Virginia(now West Virginia).
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 21, 1833, at which time he was aged seventy-two years and resided in Monroe County, Virginia. In 1835, he stated that he was "near about seventy-five or seventy-six years" of age.
In 1835, the soldier was requested to make an additional statement before the United States District Attorney in regard to the length of his service and in that declaration stated that he served five months and three or four days and that he alleged only that length of service in his former declaration and was misunderstood by the person who took his deposition.
The pension law under which he applied required service of at least six months in a regularly organized military corps, therefore his name was dropped from the pension rolls October 21, 1835, because of insufficient length of service.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.