Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11423, John White, Va.

SERVICE
Wa
White, John
NUMBER _____
P 11423
CONTENTS

State of Virginia
Louisa county ss.
On this 13 th day of June 1843. person- ally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county, and a judge of the court therein being a court of Record John White a resident of the county aforesaid aged about ninety one or 12 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following decla- ration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 4 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That is to say - That he was drafted as a Militia man from the county of Louisa aforesaid while the Prisoners upon at the Libermarle Barracks, and marched to that Barracks in the fall time of the year, as a private, in the company of Captain Harris, served three weeks and was discharged. That he does not remember the name of the Superior officers, nor any material circumstance except that he saw the Mexicans drawing up large trees of wood for shelter. That immediately upon his return he marched again in the Militia of said County as Substitute for his brother William. Marched from this County under Captain James Bryant, served in the country about Hanover Court House, Hanover Town, and Gainesville three months as a private, and was discharged. That he saw no enemy and remembers nothing of note - There were no regular troops, and he does not remember any other officers. That as soon as his time was out, he was taken in his own time, and did not come home. He thinks his Captain this tour was Harry Johnson and he served two months again as private of Militia, and was discharged. That he served this tour in the same neighbourhood and remembers no particular incident connected with this service. That his memory is much gone, and he was constantly in the service, either in his own tour, or that of his brother so that he cannot distinguish very clearly between his different tours. But he thinks his next tour was under Captain Ridgely - and in the place of one of his brothers. He did not recall force

before he was again called out and serve again two months, as a private of the Militia. That he was in the same country this tour, and marched sometimes into James City County, and sometimes into New Kent. He says did not command him the whole time of this tour, but he does not remember who succeeded him. He thinks he did not reach home after this tour before he was again called out. He thinks at  very soon  after  he was again called out and served again two months as a private in the Militia and in the same country. That all attempts to distinguish the rest of his tours, for the following reason would be in vain. He remembers that he spent the whole of the next winter constantly in the service and, then the following summer also. He remembers several Captains names, - and several Colonels - that is - Capt. Turner, Anderson, and Capt. Richard Philips, Capt. Arliss and William Philips. During the whole of this time he saw no regular soldiers nor their officers. He remembers the Militia of Spotsylvania, Hanover and Fluvanna. He remembers several incidents - one was, seeing a very large kettle of meat boiled at New Castle - Another was that he went into the Hospital at Richmond to attend Simon Gooch who had been bitten by a spider - and there he saw many wounded men - One he remembers had a wound through the body, and he saw a bill hooker - a sort of drawn through his body. That in the whole of this time he was in no battle, and saw no enemy. That he was again called out in the Militia in James City County when the British came into James River, and they retreated to Richmond and formed the line of attack at Richmond. Saw the British burn the place here at Malvern Hill and then they retreated into Hanover. He joined a party of volunteers to cross over to Malvern Hill to arm and destroy some flour and he remained in the house destroying the flour till the light horse got into the town. He had to run very fast and was into the river and swam into the boat. They then retired into Hanover then into

Caroline, and when near the Bowling Green there was a great Thunderstorm which frightened the men much. Thence to the neighbourhood of Fredericksburg where they staid three days and washed their clothes, and cleaned their Guns - Thence by the Wilderness road into Madison where they joined Wayne - Thence to the Rapidan ford, where they remained till they heard the British were at Aquia Creek house - when they marched to Brandywine - and there they heard the British were at Red Bank - They then marched by the Doctors Road to Red Bank where the British had retreated - Then they cleared a road from Red Bank to Walnut Tavern and assisted in clearing the road - Thence they marched to Columbia or the point of Fork by Richmond to York Town where he served as a private of militia until after the surrender of the British. He thinks he marched under Capt. Philips but he was arrested at Walnut Tavern, and he does not remember him afterwards - At the Rapidan ford he attracted the attention of the Marquis by his having caught a squirrel and sketched the skin, upon his hat and made a cockade of the tail - and the Marquis took him to attend upon him - and he continued to wait upon him until after the surrender, except while they were clearing the road. That he always marched in line with his gun, and always answered to his name at muster - but in the camp he waited upon the Marquis. At the siege of York the Marquis staid in a large house some distance from the town - and he staid to get supplies and wait upon him - He saw the British march out and stack their arms - That he saw no regular troops till they joined Wayne when he saw his army and him - That by reason of great age, and the loss of memory he cannot say positively the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grades - For at least two years I served as a private in the Virginia Militia and for such service I claim a pension. That he was born in the said county of Louisa in May 1753 as he has heard but his register has been burned in his house which was burned up and he has

no record of his age - That in the great lapse of time all his witnesses have died except William Michie - by him he can prove some part of his service and to the rest of his service he has no witness - and that he has no documentary evidence - To the first question presented by the War department he answers -
First, (as in previous answers) upon Old Point Comfort - I suppose in May 1862 To the second - No I have not it got burned up -
Third - "Who called into service I was living upon Old Point at my father's house - I have since lived at a heap of places in the same county, and I now live in the same county -
Fourth - I went sometimes as a substitute for my brother William but generally I was drafted
Fifth - "Braves & The Marylanders - and I remember no other - I recollect the army commanded by "Braves and the Marylanders - but the militia did not associate with the regulars - I went with army whenever I was called - and answered to my name whenever I was called - I served most of the time about "Hanover Town and Court House - and Grinnell's old field - and then back at the siege of York and in the wild Goose chase -
Sixth - I never received a written discharge - if I did I forgot it - Seventh. Patten Robert, John Stuart, Dickerson J. Hinshaw, and also my neighbours -
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 - or territory John his White
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
We James D. Roberts a clergyman residing in the same county of Louisa and Pleasant Harkins residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John White who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be ninety one years of age, that he

35.561 John White Va
Act 7. June '32

is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood 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 - James D. Roberts And I Bickerton J. Winston Justice of the peace and judge as aforesaid do hereby declare my 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 I further certify that it appears to me that James D. Roberts who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman resident in the said County of Louisiana, and that Pleasant Hackett is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit - And I also certify that the said John White is utterly unable to attend the court of the county or any other court of record for the purpose of making his declaration - by reason of great age and of bodily infirmity - Given under my hand the day and year first above written B. J. Winston J.P.
And I John Hunter - Clerk of the court of the county aforesaid being a court of record - do hereby certify - That Bickerton J. Winston before whom the preceding declaration and affidavit were made, was at the time of making the same and still is a Justice of the peace and a judge of the court in and for the county aforesaid - and that the signature above purporting to be his is his genuine signature -
John Hunter Clerk of Louisiana County Court

State of Virginia
Louisa County (to wit,
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for said County; William Michie a resident of said County aged seventy nine years and a credible person and made oath that John White a resident also of said County served as a private in the Militia of said State with me the said Michie nine weeks ; under the command of Capt. Fox a part of the time, Majr Campbell Colo. Armstead and Genl. Nelson and Genl. La Fayette; that the Company to which we the said Michie and White, were attached was not stationed at any one point, but was marched through the Counties of Louisa, Spotsylvania, Hanover Henrico &c. and finally discharged at the Manakin Hills below the town of Richmond in said State sometime during the month of July in the Year 1781.
Wm Michie
Sworn and subscribed this 15 th day of June 1843 before me.
B. W. Braham. J.P.

Power of Attorney of Chapman White son of John Act June 7 th 1832.
POWER OF ATTORNEY

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
STATE OF Virginia COUNTY OF Louisa } ss:
Be it known that before me, a Justice
of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared
* Chapman White resident of _____ in the county of Louisa in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, states that he is † a son of John White deceased of the county of Louisa and State of Virginia who was a revolutionary ‡ soldier and that he is directly interested as a claimant in the pension for which application was heretofore made by said John White deceased and constitutes and appoints ISAAC N. COFFIN, of Washington, D. C., his true and lawful attorney, with irrevocable power to examine into, investigate, and establish the claim for said pension, and do all acts necessary thereto.
In witness whereof, he the said Chapman White has on this 2 nd day of December 1852 hereunto signed his name, and affixed his seal.
Witness:
Luther M. Jones. SWM ovn
Chapman  his  White  mark
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me, on this 2 nd day of December 1852.
A. F. Butler J. P.
STATE OF Virginia COUNTY OF Louisa } to wit:
I, David M. Hunter clerk of the County court, of the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, That Alexander F. Butler Esq. before whom the foregoing power of attorney was acknowledged and affidavit made, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court this Second day of December 1852.
David M. Hunter Clerk.
† Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name again; if he is dead, and the widow is living, insert her name; if both dead, insert one of the living children's names; if the children are all dead, and either of them survived the former unsuccessful applicant, insert the name of the administrator of that former applicant.
‡ Here insert the word "soldier," or "officer," whichever he was.
NOTE.—When a female is the person who executes this paper, please put the letter s before the word he in every place where it occurs.

35561
John White
78
Left L M Dabney def 7-1831-
" " " " def 26 " "
" " Hon. J. W. Jones security. "
Act 7 June 1832-

25561 Shall We Go
John & Clara Delaney July 17. 1914 A. J. Delaney Feb. 29 1914 11 H. 2 3
act 7 th June 1852

John White                      Capt. Harrison 1 Four 3 weeks;            1778 or 1779 at Barrack, 2 - 2 mo    Capt Byams as a substitute for W White 3 - 2            "            " 4 - 2 -        Capt Phillips    substitute 5 - 2 -        Capt Hughes 6 - 2          Capt H. Johnson    substitute 7 - 2          Capt Ford & S. White 8 - 2          Capt Johnson    substitute 9 - 3          Capt Walker 10 - 3         Capt Phillips 11 - 3                            substitute

11, H 23 O. John White
Service: _____
Enlisted: Va. _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
REJECTED

Montpelier P.O. Vt. Nov. 6 th
September 18. 1843
Sir
Your letter suspending the award of a pension to John White is received, and its contents I confess cause me much regret. The old man's standing in his own neighbourhood and the aspect in which he is regarded by all persons, who know him, conspire to render it at first view, painful for him to be refused any claim which he should advance - and of this feeling I confess I partake. I have not communicated to him the result of his application as yet - hoping that we may suggest some means which shall appear to him less harsh and ungracious, than than a total failure -
I am however aware, that the duty of the accounting officer of the Government cannot bend to considerations such as influence neighbourhood opinions. Mr. White must bring himself within the predicament required by our rules or he has no right to expect a pension. These rules have been wisely and beneficially contrived to effect the liberal intent of the Government - and should I imagine contain provision for such a probable case as this. A man of undoubted veracity and respectability - performs the services required 62 years ago - in a distant land and among strangers - the services and consideration at that time entirely unimportant - such as every body does - 51 years after - importance is unexpectedly attached to these transactions. This actor - for 11 years more from the most laudable motives, declines to avail himself of the benefit resulting from these facts - already become history - but at length after this great lapse of time does determine to take the provision - He cannot give, at the advanced age of 91 - a connected and discriminating account of these transactions - but recollected them all - and

knows that he was an actor in them all. Tradition fortifies his own recollection but he can find no person who knows that he did act in all. It seems to me that any one who knew nothing of the regulations, but who read the Law and informed himself of the facts, would conclude that there ought to be provision for this case.
I saw the difficulties which would present themselves, and endeavored to get the old man to collect his recollections, and set them in order. But I am convinced he cannot, also as he is and infirm in health also. I hoped that the liberality in which this law was conceived, would provide some alternative. And I venture still to hope so. The affidavit he has made in conformity to the regulations, that he served 24 mos. in all, is deficient to some extent, in the propriety of detailing the terms of his service. There is a detail though to some extent, - and to that he might safely make the affidavit, and it might be if he admitted
The applicant's service, clearly began, from his detail to me, in 1779. I fear I have not conveyed this impression to you. There is no term mentioned, and no entry aluded to, which required that time. I consider it not unlikely that an adventurous active young man in such times, should have gotten into service somewhat irregularly. One thing is clear to any one who knows this old man, and as I have heard him talk, that any mistake he makes, is also unintentional.
I think Capt. Nickie, whose testimony is relied on by Mr. Fitch, was but once in service. He was probably too young to have done more service. His character however is unimpeachable. He is a citizen of the upper end of Louisa of fortune & respectability. The "Young" Thomas, H. Gilmer could doubtless put your suspicions on that point at rest.

I do not conceive for a moment that I have made one suggestion which has not already presented itself to you. I could not forbear however soliciting your attention again to the case, and asking you to give it, (with everyone concluding as all his acquaintances have) of the merits of the applicant.
With Respect Your Obedient C. W. Dabney
J. L. Edwards require Com d of Pensions -

Pension Office Se
September 7. 1843.
Sir,
The claim of John White has been examined and his papers filed under the act of 7 June 1832. The narrative of the several terms of service is not sufficiently definite as to the period, stations and names of Officers in each tour, as the rules require, and which is necessary in the adjustment of a pro rata pension. From the statements, it is inferred that his first service was in 1779 or 1780 at the Barracks, and there was no Militia service rendered by the Upper Counties Militia below date of November 1781. It would, therefore, be very extraordinary, for a Militia Man, even when he substituted his brother in turn, to render much service within that limited period. The Militia were called out on occasions only, which should be fully set forth by the Claimant.
If his means of proof have become insufficient, he is alone responsible for it. His only witness does not appear to have been a pensioner, and furnishes nothing in his deposition respecting any other service of Claimant than the tour of 1781, when the Militia were called out in great numbers to check Cornwallis. He should, in a deposition, set forth the period, length, and grade of his service in each tour, the names of the Officers, where stationed or marched and the

Occasion upon which the Bill was made
I am very respectfully, Your obedient Servant. J. L. Edwards
C. W. Dalbey Esq., Municipal Clerk, Hanover County.

Pension Office
September 26. 1843.
Sir,
In answer to yours of 18 inst in the case of John White, I am very sensible of the force of your remarks; but it should not be overlooked, that if his mind has become incapacitated to furnish the necessary detail of his services to enable the Department to adjust his claim understandingly, and the means of proof have been swept away by time, he is alone responsible for it. Unless the rules are complied with a pension cannot be granted him.
I am my respectfully, Your obedt servant, J L Edwards
C. W. Dabney Esq., Muscogee Heavier County, Virginia.

Montpelier, Post office -
Washington County, Vt. 17 Oct. 1843
Sir
Mr. White has attempted to comply with the requirements of the regulation. He says that having his attention turned to the result of his youth had caused him to have a fresher recollection of these things than he had when he made his declaration, or than he believed he should ever have. He makes his present statement with confidence, and made no promise before, that I will say to you - that, he would not wrong himself for all the money in the treasury. - This is one of those cases, better adapted for the action of an unregulated, than a regulated government. I cannot help wishing that you could have heard the old veteran's narrative, in person, untrammeled by any rules other than truth and justice. Such is the impression his manner, and discourse, has produced upon me. I am confident you could not for a moment have doubted, that he was a wild and venturesome patriot; that he had entered the service when first called on, that he had constantly sought apologies for continuing in service rather than for leaving it - and that he had in fact served four or five years - instead of two. I could not mention a British captain, which a somewhat extensive experience in the old soldiers' narrative enabled me to recollect, but that he had some recollection of having served under him. Clouded thoughts by lapse of time

and decay of memory. and the monotonous character of the impressions made upon his youthful mind by a continuation of twenty similar.
With Respect
Your Obedt Servt.
C. W. Labaree.
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions -

State of Virginia Louisa County ss.
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County Bickerton T. Winston and Pleasant Hackett residents of the said County and credible persons, and being duly sworn according to Law. do on their oaths say. That they are well acquainted with John White who is now applying for a pension under the act of Congress of June 9 th 1832 - and have known him long and intimately. That from their personal knowledge of the said White as well as from his reputation in his neighbourhood they feel assured that he is incapable of falsehood or fraud - under any inducement. That they have perfect confidence in the truth of his narrative of his revolutionary services - and that no presumption should occur against his claim from the time which has elapsed during which he has failed to assert it - that they feel assured that this delay has resulted from the peculiar sense of independence which has always actuated him - and that now this feeling is only partially subdued by the extreme age and infirmity under which he labors and which have disabled him from so improving his moderate property, as to make it sufficient for his support - which it has heretofore done - and that these facts really constitute Mr. White's claim one of the most imposing merit -
Sworn and subscribed this 10 th day of July 1843.
before me Charles G. Kimbrough
B.T. Winston Pleasant Hackett
by Virginia
Louisa County ss.
I John Hunter Clerk of the court of the County aforesaid. Hereby certify that Bushrod W. Brumham and Charles G. Kimbrough, before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, were at the time of making the same, and still are Justices of the peace in and for the said County, duly authorized to administer oaths - and that the signatures above purporting to be theirs, are their genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 10 th day of July 1843 -
John Hunter Clerk of Louisa County Court
see old Mr. State this morning and if any thing can be done here I will go right to send record - I could not have done it Dr. Brumham's

Montpelier Vt. O.
Hanover Vt. July 11. 1843
Sir -
Will you permit me to invoke your early age favorable consideration to the memorial of Mr. White herewith enclosed -
This case really seems as true gentlemen of his neighbourhood dependent to present claims of peculiar force - He is bed ridden and extremely poor - but with the freshest most graphic recollections of the affairs of the Revolution which I have met with - I fear I have done much less than justice to his narrative - in attempting to transfer it to paper - Nor one could doubt after hearing it, that his case is one - both in the ground of Charity and of Justice - which entitled him to the provisions of the Law: if anyone ever did,
I have endeavored since he made his declaration, to supply other testimony - But the witnesses of those days are now so scarce - and Mr. White has so long been confined - and when in service too - near but little under the ordinary Militia of his neighbourhood - that I have not found one person who remembered him - in addition to Mr. Michie - The character of the applicant however - is one which gives me confidence in presenting his claim upon his own evidence and that of tradition - in conformity with the just and liberal views of the late Secy. of War.
With much respect
Your obedt. Servt.
B. Labaree
J. S. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions -

State of Virginia
Louisa County ss
On this 9 day of October 1849 before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid duly authorized by the laws of the said State, to administer oaths, personally appeared John White a resident of the county aforesaid and made oath. That, from the great length of time since the Revolutionary War and his advanced age, it is probable that his present recollection of his services in the Militia in that war, may be different, from what it was, when he made his former declaration. but that from having turned his mind much to the subject, since he made his said declaration, he has more confidence in his present recollection of those events, than his former recollection of them. And that he desires his present deposition to be received, as his Narrative, to obtain a pension under the act of June 7. 1832, That his first service was, as formerly stated at the Barracks, but he thinks it was, in the fall of 1778 and not of 79 as formerly stated. He recollects guarding Barracks in the mountains and bringing full grown pumpkins. In this tour he served three weeks as private in the Militia under Capt. Harris. That in the spring of the next year, he went again into the Militia from the county of Louisa, as substituted for his brother Billy, and served as private under Capt. James Bryant. Marched into the lower country, about Hanover Court House. Hanover Town. New Kent. and Charles City. North Fork, where he saw the first Indians he ever saw. To the Malvern Hills and to Richmond. and served two months and was discharged. That as soon as this tour was over, he went again in his own time in the same grade, and served two months in the same region of country. He thinks Capt. By and was his Captain still. thought of this, he is not sure. He was so constantly in the service, and saw the same places so often, and under so many officers that he cannot positively state who were his officers at all times. If a pension cannot be allowed him on account of service so indistinctly recounted, he desires that these tours may be stricken from his claim. He served two months in this his third tour, and was discharged. He only remembers the same place in this tour, as mentioned in the last tour. That he did not return home after this tour, but continued in the service in his Brother Billy's tour, in the same region of country. He remembers two incidents of this tour, one was seeing the largest Net of mackerel he ever saw, broiled at New Castle in Hanover, and being at a Mile in Charles City, where the water had been drawn off to prevent the enemy from using it, and the men lived on soft Crabs. Philips he is sure  was was his Captain in this tour. That in this tour he served two months as private in the

Militia and was discharged. That he did not return home after this tour, but was drafted in his own town - and served his fifth tour under Capt. Hughes. This tour was in Cold Weather, and was in the same neighbourhood and he does not remember any thing particular concerning it. He served two months as private of Militia and was discharged - That his next tour he served under Captain Harry Johnson as a substitute for his same brother. He was in the same region of country in this tour was, once he thinks, at Richmond, and from there went to Chickahominy Swamp and Goodale's. In this tour he remembers that snow was upon the ground. George Michie was his sergeant or insign. He served two months as private in Militia and was discharged. Again - he continued in the service in his own town, and this was under Capt. Ford and Col. White White. He remembers of this tour only the fun and sport they had. Ford was a fine fellow and his men were very happy. He remembers being at Malvern Hills, and Richmond and at Chickahominy Swamp. Served two months and was discharged and was in this tour private of Militia. That after this he continued in service in his brother Billey's town - and was again under Johnson. His time was in alarm weather. He only remembers marching backwards and forwards through the same country - was at Chickahominy Swamp Brandy's old field - Maneuver Court House - Maneuver Town and back again. In this tour he again served two months as private of Militia and was discharged. That he did not return home - but stayed in service under Capt. Billey, Walker - in his own town. This was in the fall and winter season. They were in the neighbourhood of Malvern Hills, and there he and his Captain quarrelled, and after he was discharged. They stopped to fight. They did not fight. but he and Walker's Cousin Fariss fought about the same quarrel after it was at Louisa Court House. In this tour he served three months and was discharged. That he can distin- guish no other service till the British came into Virginia. He was, in the service at that time - in his own town was in James City county under Captain Phillips, and the Americans marched up the north side of James River while the British were on the south side. Lord Manchester burned and removed the tobacco smoke from the burning warehouse. They formed a line of Battle at Richmond. A party volunteered to go across to Manchester before the British reached Manchester to destroy flour. The British light horse galloped into town before they had finished, and the party retreated - and he being late in going, the enemy, and getting out of the house the Boat had put off and he had to jump into the river and swim to the Boat. From there they marched to Goodale, and took the Newport Road - and then the way happened which he set down in his declaration. In the two tours which he served

This year he was under Capt. Schilips. The first tour he served three months as private in his own tour. The second tour he served for his brother, and in that he also served three months as private of Militia.
John his X White mark
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me.
A. B. Vest J. P.
Virginia
Louisa County ss.
I, John Hunter Clerk of the court of the county aforesaid hereby certify that A. B. Vest was before whom the foregoing deposition of John White was made - was at the time of making the same, and still is, a justice of the peace in and for the said county - duly qualified - and authorized by the laws of the said state to administer oaths - and that the signature above, purporting to be his - is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and affixed the Public seal of said court this 13 th day of October 1843.
John Hunter Clerk of Louisa County court