Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11835, John Stephen Woodson, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Woodson, John Stephen
R. 11835-
CONTENTS

Hon Mr. S. Carter
certifying officer, should accompany the holder... ...the certificate of a member of Congress, bearing the official character and signature of the... ...to have officers of Congress, bearing the official character and signature of the... ...to have officers of Congress, bearing the official character and signature of the... ...to have officers of Congress, bearing the official character and signature of the...
...to have officers of Congress, bearing the official character and signature of the... ...to have officers of Congress, bearing the official character and signature of the... ...to have officers of Congress, bearing the official character and signature of the... ...to have officers of Congress, bearing the official character and signature of the... ...to have officers of Congress, bearing the official character and signature of the...

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Stephen Woodson which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No
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
His name is not found on V a Noll's and he should therefore prove his service by two credible witnesses
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? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
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? no
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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? 2nd set 6/7/5
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.

Pulaski County & State of Virginia to wit:
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for the aforesaid County, in the State aforesaid, John Stephen Woodson who being duly sworn, deposes & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but in a general way, he can swear that he served two years & more, & refers to his original declaration for a detailed account of his services as his indistinct recollection allows him to make. He says that the periods of the war during which he served are better designated by the facts to which he refers such as his having been at the battle of the Long Bridge, at the battle of Germantown, at the battle of the (Coopers etc) than he can otherwise fitly designate them. He says in the body of his declaration that he was at the South almost two years, & moreover, that he was not on various other occasions making in all certainly more than two years. His memory he says is very indistinct & refers to his declaration for the names of such officers as he remembers - & upon examination it will be found that it contains the names of several - With regard to the certificate of a clergyman he says it is impossible for him to procure it, there being no clergyman that knows any thing about him as a soldier of the revolution. The certificate, again, of persons who have actual knowledge of his services in the revolution he cannot procure, & hopes that such evidence as he has obtained of his being deputed to have been a soldier of the revolution (This being the evidence at first allowed when none better could be obtained) will be deemed satisfactory. Of documentary evidence he has none having as he has before stated, lost the certificate of discharge which was granted him at Richmond by Col. Washington. As to the names of persons in his neighbourhood who can testify as to his character for veracity - he can only name many who are acquainted with his character, but T. Potts & William Winge, whose names are attached to a certificate on the sheet containing the declaration, are the only neighbours that have of late heard that he was a soldier of the revolution, except his own children whose names he forbears to use. The reason of this is, that he has of late returned to this section of the country, in which he was raised. He can however, give the additional names of Wm. Potts, Stephen Potts & Austin Speers & many others indeed, too, who can testify as to his character for veracity.
Given under my hand & seal this 8 th of June in the year 1833.
John H. Foster (Seal)

We, William Porter, Stephen Porter & Austin Hays, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Stephen Woodson & have no hesitation in giving it as our opinion that he is a man of the strictest veracity.
Wm Porter Stephen Porter A. Hays
Monhatan County Va. to wit:
This day personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the aforesaid County, the above-named William Porter, Stephen Porter & Austin Hays, & made oath to the truth of the above certificate. And further, I certify hereby that they are all credible persons, & also that Thomas Porter & William Wingo, whose names are attached to a certificate on the sheet containing the original declaration are credible persons. - Witness my hand this 8 th day of April in the year 1833.
W. C. Porter
The foregoing of these papers would respectfully suggest that upon a close examination of the original declaration some of the objections marked will not be found to lie.
This is a case of extreme hardship, & it is respectfully hoped that the claim will not be again rejected, as the applicant can add nothing more.
By reference to the original declaration of John Stephen Woodson it will be manifest that he serves much longer than this year.
End.

State of Virginia, County of Powhatan, to wit:
On this 1 st day of September, in the year 1832, personally appeared before me, John G. Porter  Woodson , a Justice of the Peace of the aforesaid County of Powhatan, John Stephen Woodson, a resident of the same County, age seventy six years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he was born in the year 1756, in the County of Goochland & State of Virginia, & continued a resident of that County until he was about twenty two years of age. That being so, is extremely infirm in body, his recollection is indistinct about many matters connected with his revolutionary services; but that he was one of the earliest who entered into the service of his country, having volunteered his services when only sixteen or seventeen years of age to go forth against Governor Dunmore, & having during this time been in the engagement at the Long Bridge, which is in the neighborhood of here - That this engagement was in the fall, & that Charles Scott from Hanover County, who afterwards became Genl. Scott, & another man from the same County, whom he does not recollect, were officers in this engagement - & that at this time he was from home, as he supposes, about two months - That not long after - how long he does not remember - he again volunteered his services & went down to York Town, & at the the surrender of Lord Cornwallis - That he was at Yorktown when it was fired by the orders of Governor Dunmore - That after his second term of service had expired & he had staid for a time at home, he again volunteered his services, although a resident of Goochland County, joined a new company from the County of Prince George, & thus became a member of the State Troops of Virginia - That of this troop of horse, Theodorick Bland was Captain, Col. Linton, & John Henry, son of the celebrated Patrick Henry, Colonel. That they marched to Williamsburg, & staid in Waller's Grove, near the Town, about ten days - That they then started to the north, & so far getting very far, Bland resigned his place as Captain & Col. filled it up - That they joined Linton's Legion somewhere at the north, but where he does not recollect - That he was in the engagement at Germantown, & in a variety of skirmishes with small parties. That on one occasion, a party of five & twenty reconnoitering pressed himself among the number, crossed the Schuylkill in a boat with the view of intercepting a party of the enemy, & Captain Col. lost his life by a shot from the opposite shore - That after they landed on the other side of the Schuylkill, he well remembers the circumstances of being chosen

reconnoitering
While thus engaged , I shield his party was surrounded, by a British horseman, & the awkward predicament of the Briton by the failure of his horse to leap a stone fence, the horse halting midway upon it — That he was at the north nearly two years, & spent his first winter, pretty much, in the neighbourhood of the Valley Forge — That he was called from the north to the South some time after the middle of the year, (date he does not well re- member) for he will remember that his troops of Horse arrived the river at Richmond on the 22 nd day of September — That they went on to North-Carolina, & fought in the bat- tle at the Cowpens — That on this occasion, he acted as Lieutenant of his troops of Horse for That after this battle, Partlow was near overlooking the troops in offering some order — the order he believes — That, after this engagement, they marched to Richmond in Virginia, where they were discharged by Col. Washington, but this discharge he has lost — That this, as he believes, was in November, & that then he had served two years , lacking a few days, as a trooper in the regular service — That either Col. Stagg or Richard Holt, both cadets, was the Captain of his troops of Horse in the engagement at the Cowpens — That after receiving the discharge from Col. Washington, he, on several occasions, of his own accord, & especially when Philips was committing his depredations in the neighbourhood of James River, went down, furnished means, in the neighbourhood of Williamsburg — That, on every occasion, his service was voluntary, having never gone out except as a volunteer — That, as he has before said, he was born, as he has always understood, in the year 1756, & that, consequently, he is now 76 years of age. — That after living in Goochland County until he was about twenty two years of age he removed into the bordering County of Powhatan — & there lived until he was forty two years of age, when he removed to the County of Henry in the Western part of the State — That here he remained about twelve years, & then removed removed to the State of Kentucky, where he lived fifteen years — That after this he returned back to his native State, where he has continued to live in different counties with his connec- tions until the present time — and That now he is, & is likely to continue, a resident of the County of Powhatan — That his having changed about so much in life, from place to place, renders it more difficult for him to procure the necessary evidence.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid. —
John S. Woodson
Mr. Thomas Porter & Com: Comrs of Pulaski County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Stephen Woodson, whose name is above subscribed — that we believe him to be about 70 years of age — that he is by reputation a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in the belief. — Given under our hands this 19 th day of September, in the year 1832
Thomas Porter William Wingo
Pulaski County to wit: This day personally appeared before me, Rev. C. Porter, a Justice of the Peace for the aforesaid County, Thomas Porter & Com: Wingo & made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate. — Given under my hand this 19 th day of September, in the year 1832. —
J. C. Porter
And the said Justice of the Peace does hereby declare his opinion that the above-named old man was a revolutionary soldier, & served as he states at that, on account of bodily infirmity, he is unable to attend the courts of his County. —
J. C. Porter
I, Joseph B. Davis, a Justice of the Peace for the aforesaid County of Pulaski, do hereby state, that as far as I am able to ascertain, & I doubt not that it is so, the applicant for a pension, John Stephen Woodson, is a person of the strictest integrity and honour — that in early life he was a man of wealth, but by a train of unfortunate events he has become poor — that for years he has been unable to move without the crutch, & that now he can scarce move with it — that he is without a family, & without any home, save that which is afforded him by the indulgent & generous charity of his affectionate & praiseworthy relations — that he is, indeed, dependent upon them for all things. — Given under my hand this 19 th day of September in the year 1832. —
J. B. Davis
I, William J. Dague, Clerk of the Court of Pulaski County do hereby certify that Rev. B. Davis & John C. Porter after  before  herein  subscribed  affirmed  before  me as Justice of the Peace for Pulaski County, do state the significance of the foregoing — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Seal of Office this day of September in the year 1832. —

Virginia, to wit; I William S. Dane, clerk of the County Court of Powhatan in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify that John C. Porter and Joseph B. Davis, whose signatures are affixed to the within certificates, are acting Justices of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, & that full faith and credit are due to all their acts and certificates as such: -
In Testimony whereof I have
subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said County Court hereunto this 19 th day of September in the year one thou- sand eight hundred and thirty two. -
Wm: S. Dane C.
I do hereby certify that I believe the signatures of John C. Porter and Joseph B. Davis, subscribed to the within certificates, are genuine. Given under my hand this 2 nd day of October in the year 1832. -
Wm: S. Dane.
12.831 Jno: J. Woodson Declaration for an Injunction

Virginia Rev.
John Stephen Woodson Suspended.
See letters to Hon. Wm. S. Archer Col. E. Heath Virginia 28. June 1833-
11835-
Act 7. June 1832

REJECTED
11.835
P. O.
In: Stephen Woodson
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

REVOLUTIONARY PENSION CLAIM.
ACT OF June 7. 1832.
John Stephen Woodson. Virginia.
~~~~~ POWER OF ATTORNEY TO EXAMINE CLAIM. ~~~~~
CHARLES C. TUCKER, Attorney, Present.

Power of Attorney.
Know all men by these presents: That I Warren Woodson The son of John Stephen Woodson  deed of Powhatan county Virginia do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint CHAS. C. TUCKER , of Washington City, D. C., my true and lawful Agent and Attorney to prosecute the Claim of my father, John S. Woodson for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of or any other Act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said Claim on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed: and to do all things that I might or could do, were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and seal this 3 rd day of October 185 4 In presence of Warren Woodson } ss.
STATE OF Missouri Boone COUNTY—ss. On this 3 rd day of October 185 4 , before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared Warren Woodson and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned.
John C Davenport V.P.
STATE OF Missouri } ss. Boone COUNTY. On this 3 rd day of October 185 4 , before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Warren Woodson a resident of said County, and made oath according to law that he is the identical person who executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that he is directly interested in said Claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my said Attorney may use in prosecuting said Claim. Warren Woodson
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
John C Davenport V.P.
STATE OF Missouri } COUNTY OF Boone I Warren Woodson Clerk of the county court of said  county do hereby certify that John C. Davenport Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement were made and who has thereunto signed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 4 day of October 185 4
Warren Woodson clerk