Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15692, John Vest, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Vest, John
8 15692
Carded
CONTENTS

Virginia 23.578
John West Resided in the State of Va who was a Pvt in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Marm in the _____ line for Encampment:
Enscribed on the Roll of Virginia the rate of 20 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 th day of Feb, 34 and sub Hon. Ch. H. Claiborne P. 10
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 97 Pemi-anl. allowance ending Mar 34 10
1 60
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E Price Clerk, Book E Vol. 64 Page 37
date of death not on A.13-

State of Virginia County of Bedford S.S.
On this 25 th day of February 1833 personally appeared in open court before Sedovich M c David George Stapler, William Leftwich Inward (William Jerry) Hamilton Justus. The Court of Bedford County now sitting the same being a court of record. John West a resident of the parish of Rappahannock in the county aforesaid and State aforesaid aged Eighty two years who being first duly sworn doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. His register which he has seen and recollects but which is now mislaid, states that he was born in the county of Portsmouth in the State of Virginia in the Year 1750. In the ninth Year of his age his father removed with him into the county of Buckingham in said State where he lived about eleven Years from thence he moved into the county now called Campbell then a part of the county of Bedford in said State where he resided till he became of age and lived there through the whole of the Revolutionary war. In 1789 he became a citizen of Bedford County or that part of it which now retains that name and has ever since & does now reside there by his estimation he is now about Eighty Two Years Six months and some days old. The first call of militia from the said county of Campbell then a part of Bedford as aforesaid was to a tour of duty to the lead mines in Virginia to protect and guard the workmen the Tories, Indians and a number of negroes that were taken in attempting to escape to Governor Dunmore from their masters who after they were so taken were sent to the lead mines and employed in digging of ore to make lead to carry on the war but who had to be closely watched either the Tories, Indians or negroes set fire to the furnace house and burnt four rafters in the roof before the fire could be extinguished but with great difficulty. This deponent and others saved the house and utensils. The same night a ferry boat and a large canoe which was used in bringing the car from the other side was loosed from the landing set adrift and was no more found. In this tour of duty he enlisted as a volunteer and thinks it was on the first day of August 1774 but if he is mistaken as to the date of the Year he is quite certain it was the same Year that the battle was fought at the falls of the Ohio against the Indians. He served in the company commanded by Captain William Leftwich and Lieutenant Jonathan Richardson from the said County.

of Bedford now Campbell. From the Rindymons they marched through the county now called Franklin to the county in which the lead mines are situated then called Fincastle now Wythe. In their march through the mountains they were divided and a part sent to the salt pits works and he was one of them he is at a loss to tell how long they remained at the salt pits works but thinks it was about a month. From thence they were called to the lead mines under the circumstances above stated when they served the balance of the tour. He ever did and does now believe they served three months fully and not less than that period as he is an old man and in long will stand before the judge of quick and dead to answer for the deeds done in the body and therefore cannot swear to a punctilio to gain a day if he were to lose a month. They were reg- -ularly relieved by another recruit of men. On returning home he remembers to have met Capt. Thomas Buford and his company from Bedford then on his way out to the falls of Ohio to the Indians and that they lay at the Big Lick in the now county of Botetourt on the same night. This was in the month of October or November the . . . same month in which he was dis- -charged and returned home. The second time he was called to go into service he was discharged as were the rest of the company also without marching from the place of Rindymons where they had met with all things prepared to march and were told that they had or would have credit for a full tour of duty of three months he supposes as if they had actually served it, and such was the common understanding in those days. This call was to go to the Eastern shores of Virginia. He remembers that William Salter the forage master brought a load of flour for the use of the army, and the whole was condemned on his hands by Colonel Jeremiah Early and Capt. John Colaytor. It seems the enemy had left the place and the company after leaving home three days at the Rindymons as aforesaid was discharged. He was occasionally called out against the Tories in the neighborhood and remembers being on a tour of five days in hunting them at one time three days at an other in guarding them and three days in waiting the call of Genl. Green. He then again in the year 1778 judging from all the circumstances he can recollect, while Patrick Henry was Governor

of Virginia in the latter part of the war but the month or day he cannot tell, he marched from Campbell County then Bedford as aforesaid under the command of Capt. John Talbot, Lieutenant Thomas Holmes who was afterwards killed in the battle of Guilford, and Ensign Arthur Morley. The Company met at Huntley Tavern passed Charlotte Cumberland Morley. The Company met at Huntley Tavern passed Charlotte Cumberland Morley. The said Talbot was at that time a member of the Legislature and went after his company was discharged from the army into the house of Burgess which was then sitting at Williamsburg. In this time of duty he entered the service as a volunteer and marched under the aforesaid Officers first to Williamsburg in VA crossing James River at Richmond and Manchester passed through Henrico, New Kent, Hanover & remained at Williamsburg about six weeks as well as he can now remember Col. Mason then had the command of the Regiment to which he was attached. From Williamsburg he was marched to York Town where his company was attached to the Regiment under the command of Col. Lightfoot as well as he can remember at this distant day. He is unable to say how long he remained here but is satisfied it was until he was regularly discharged and feels assured that the time was one of not less than three months duration, he remembers that some of the men were tried at Williamsburg while he was there for looting and otherwise injuring the the inhabitants & the park of Governor Henry. In this time he was at York Town when the British vessels came in sight within the capes and cannonaded the American Row Gallies from about 9 o'clock in the morning till near one hour by sun in the evening, it was said one of the enemies vessels was very much damaged. The land troops were drawn up in a line on the shore in view of the enemy with as much display as possible having the colors unfurled drums beating & when after having anchored there for several days the enemy disappeared without endeavoring to effect a landing. There was no doubt at the time that they would have landed but for the troops stationed at the place. For this time of duty he received a written discharge but has lost or mislaid it and in fact he never expected after receiving it to want it again. He thinks the discharge was obtained by his father for him from Capt. Talbot some time after he returned from the Legislature of which he was a member as aforesaid. He recollects it was said that the discharge would have been obtained at the expiration of the service but for the hurry of

the Captain to take his seat in the Legislature - In about a Year after the expiration of this Tour he was preparing to march again upon another to York Town, had all things ready for a final service knapsack baggage &c and had left home in the said County of Campbell then Bedford as a militia man regularly drafted when at the rendezvous of the militia at the head of Matties Creek he got into conversation with Col: James Callaway the commandant of the regiment and was told by him that if he would go and catch one William Sawyer a deserter from Col: Washington's corps of horse and withal a noted Song he would receive a discharge from the whole term for which he had been drafted Col: Washington had sent officers to Prince Edward County in Virginia authorised to advertise in the public Gazettes the names of all deserters from his Corps and that if would come and deliver themselves up they should be pardoned for the offence of desertion, which most if not all necessitated but this celebrated Sawyer. This deserter understanding the proposition of the Colonel thus made to him he accepted it and did so with the assurance that if he caught Sawyer delivered him to the officers at Prince Edward County as aforesaid obtained a receipt for him and got Captain Heath's discharge who was Capt: of this Regiment's company. He would be released from the full term. He accepted the proposition at the time the more readily as he was in such a situation with his family that he could not readily leave home. Accordingly he went in pursuit of the said Sawyer as he had been requested and was fortunate enough to apprehend him. Then in pursuance of the instructions received delivered him to the proper officers in Prince Edward County, forty miles (he thinks) from where he apprehended him, obtained a receipt for him and then afterwards a discharge for the full term (from Captain Heath) which he has also lost. On his return homeward he met the company of Captain Heath on their way down at Cub Creek in the County of Charlotte. This was towards the fall of the Year he thinks or in the first part of the fall, at least he remembers that the surrender of Cornwallis took place soon after this and he should have been there also had he not have been discharged in the manner as aforesaid - He has no documentary evidence by which to prove his services but he refers to the affidavits of John Hunter of

beauty of Mansfield and John Turner of the County of Bedford to prove his services to the lead mines and the town to Williamburg York Town & under Captain Salbot each of three months duration. He has no testimony by which to prove his other services and there is no one living to whom he can have access to prove the same, he perhaps could do it if he was not too old and infirm to ride so far as he must necessarily to ascertain the facts. He has been unable to procure the certificate of a clergyman or the other individual as required by the act of congress simply because there is no one living in the neighbourhood that can testify to such a belief, this deponent having moved to Bedford in that part of it in which he now lives subsequent to any of his services as aforesaid renders it difficult to refer to any individual particularly as to the General belief in the neighbourhood . The distance is about 30 miles.
He makes the following answers to the interrogatories propounded by the war department
To the 1 st Interrogatory, see body declaration for an answer.
To the 2 nd The Same
To the 3 rd The Same
To the 4 th The Same
To the 5 th The names of many of the officers are familiar with but few if any of the regular officers were ever with me that I now remember.
To the 6 th Interrogatory - I did receive discharges for my services in each case I believe and I think they were given by my Captain except when we were all discharged in a body than I did not, they are now lost.
To the 7 th Interrogatory see the body of the declaration for an answer. The whole of his actual services will amount to not less than six months and eleven days and if he is paid for the other four when he was discharged as stated he would be entitled to pay for not less than 12 months. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is on the pension roll of the agency of any state - Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court.
John Vest
We William S. Goggin and Joseph Wilson residing in the County of Bedford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John

Wash who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 82 Years of age, that he is a credible man and his statement is is entitled to credit
Jos Wilson Wm L Groggin
Bedford County to wit
This day personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid John Hunter a credible person who is entitled to credit of the County of Campbell (formerly a part of Bedford) aged seventy five years who after being first sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement to wit, and deponth that at the time Patrick Henry was Governor of Virginia about the Year 1778 but cannot remember the date of the Year precisely, he served a tour of duty in a volunteer company of Militia and marched from the County of Bedford aforesaid now the County of Campbell with John West which company was commanded by Captain John Talbot Lieutenant Thomas Kearney and Arthur Montoy Ensign. The said Company marched by the way of Richmond in Va to Williamsburg Then the seat of Government in said State, where said Company was stationed several weeks and from thence they marched to York Town before which place a short distance lay the British fleet. The said Company he believes served before they were discharged between two and three months but thinks it was nearer three if not fully three months he cannot recollect the precise time. The said John West was with him in said Company he believes all the time and remained in service till the Company was discharged. He has heard that part of said West's declaration related to this tour of duty and believes it to be correct.
John Hunter
Sworn and subscribed before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid - and given under my hand this 29 th of November 1832
Ben A Donald J.P.

No 22947 John West W.
RE
Pay to the order of to Mr. Boggins Liberty C. & T. June 20. 1833 - Col. Mason
Admiral de la guerre 6 months - $20
For Mr. Claiborne H.R.
Robert C. Mitchell Clerk Bedford County Pa. V. Liberty

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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. Those 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 John West Spofford County Virginia
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Vol Enlist 1774 Aug Previous to 1775 Priv He was occasionally called out against the Tories and remembers, being on a tour of 14 days amounting to 11 days in all Capt Talbot Col Mason Lightfoot Ga Scdmire Va Age 82. Spofford Co Va Living Witness  
1778 Vol
His actual services amount to not less than 6 months and if he was paid for other tours he would be entitled to pay for not less than 12 months
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
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) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he 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 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 in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases. unable to procure a clergyman
[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.
Dyer Castor Exam Clerk

Washington September 12, 1931
Cleo E. Vest C/o Comptroller, N.&W. Ry. Company Roanoke, Virginia
BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 15692, that John Vest was born in the year 1750 in Powhatan County, Virginia. In the ninth year of his age his father moved with him to Buckingham County, Virginia, where he remained for eleven years, then moved to that part of Bedford County, Virginia, which was later Campbell County.
While living in Campbell County, Virginia, he volunteered August 1, 1776, and served three months as a private in Captain William Leftwich's Virginia company and was engaged in guarding the saltpeter and lead mines from burning by the enemy. He enlisted in 1778 and served three months as private in Captain John Talbot's company, Colonels Mason and Lightfoot's Virginia regiment. He enlisted in the fall of 1781 under Captain Heath and Colonel James Calloway, was designated to capture William Carver, a deserter from Colonel Washington's dragoons, which he did and received Captain Heath's receipt for Carver, as well as his own discharge, the date of which is not given.
In 1789 he was living in Bedford County, Virginia.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 25, 1833, while residing in Russel Parish, Bedford County, Virginia, aged eighty-two years six months and some days.
There are no family data on file.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

The affidavit of John Arthur who now states that he is some seven years old, taken in the Clerks office in the County of Bedford. After being duly sworn sayeth that he was in point Superintendent of the lead mines. Then in Fauconberg now in the County of New River, in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six, under the direction of Col. Harry Lewis and Col. James Calloway and while this affiant was there in the year afore said Col. M c Leish came to the mines with a company of Militia and was stationed there to guard the place against the Torg and Indians that the said affiant acted in point as Commsy to the company and furnished them with provisions, during the station of said Company. The Lewis House was sit on five. He this affiant is not acquainted with John West and has no recollection that he was in the Company, But from the History he gives me in the burning of the Lewis as above stated, he must have been there and I am induced to believe that he was there and saw that Court under Col. M c Leish as afore said John Arthur mark
Bedford County To wit I do hereby certify that John Arthur was duly sworn to the above affidavit before me. that he is a credible witness. Given under my hand this 25 th day of Nov r 1833. J McDaniel J.P.
Bedford County To wit I do hereby certify that the above affidavit was taken by me as an Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Bedford, to that the interlineations, both in the affidavit and certificate was done by my self, in my own hand writing that before sworn to, on a page by Arthur. J McDaniel J.P.

John Vets declaration for a Pension
22947
Bedford County Pa.

Bedford County to wit
This day John Turner a credible person whose statement is entitled to credit of the County of Bedford came before me a Justice of the peace for said County and after being first duly sworn deposeth and saith that at the time that Patrick Henry was Governor of Virginia, but in what year he cannot recollect that he served a term of duty under Capt. Thomas Booey who marched from Bedford County, and proceeded to Williamsburg on marching from Bedford to Williamsburg, the first days march we fell in with Capt. John Tolbert's Company at Hinton Tavern and proceeded with said Company to Williamsburg and I will recollect of John West being a member of Capt. Tolbert's Company and was stationed at Lee's Courthouse together during the stay of Tolbert's Company which was afterwards marched to York Town. previous to their term of duty I served a term of duty with John West in Captain William Leftwich's Company who were stationed their term of service at the lead mines in New River from that and other circumstances he believes the said John West served in the war of the Revolution as he states
John Turner
Given and subscribed to this 27 th day of November 1832 before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid
Frederick Humphreys J.P.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after an 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 they do further certify that Joseph Wilson & William S. Goggin who have signed the annexed Certificate, are residents of said County, and are credible persons.
I Robert C. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court of Bedford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a true copy of the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John West for a pension - And I further certify that Benjamin A. Donald & Rudolph Esqrs. whose signatures are annexed to the annexed Certificate, are acting Justices of the peace in said County, duly commissioned and qualified according to law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 2 nd day of March 1833 in the 57 th year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
R. C. Mitchell

Verbs dicta amended va
Han NH Claiborne HR Claiborne

State of Virginia, 3 d Sec. County of Bedford
I Robert A Dickenson deputy Clerk of the County Court of Bedford in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Lovewick A tt Daniel before whom the foregoing Supplemental declaration of John West, was made and before whom the annexed affidavit of John Arthur was made, is and was at the time of signing the Certificate thereto annexed an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, duly commissioned and qualified according to the Constitution and laws of this State. and that it appears to me that the foregoing Signat
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, the 31 st day of January 1834 in the 58 th year of our Independence.
Robt A Dickenson D.C.

Buford County State of Virginia To Wit
The supplemental declaration of John West made this day of January in the year 1834. before me Lodowick M c Daniel a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid. The said John West being first sworn with an oath state, that in the declaration heretofore made by him in order to entitle himself to the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832 he stated that the town saved by him to the lead mines in Virginia was (as he then thought) in the year 1774 and that it was in the same year that the battle was fought at the Falls of the Ohio against the Indians. Subsequent reflection and actual proof of the fact has satisfied him that the said town was saved in the year 1776 and for proof of the fact he refers to the affidavit of John Arthur herewith filed & exhibited. The said affidavit is supposed that Captain Leftridge's company in which this affiant was at the time was there in the year 1776 and the affidavit of John Turner heretofore filed in his previous declaration proves that this declarant served in the said company. By reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he was then unable and is still unable of his own knowledge to speak with certainty as to the dates of the years in which he saved his several towns he therefore had to rely upon his own imperfect memory aided by the recollection of some of the circumstances of the times which appear now but in the dimness of a far distant prospect. When he stated that the town aforesaid was in the same year that the battle at the falls of the Ohio was fought he was impressed with the belief more strongly because he remembers that about the time he saved the town a song which had been composed on the occasion of the battle was very often sung among his acquaintances and in this hearing since he supposes he received the impression that the town was saved in the year of the battle. Conversation with others also lately has satisfied him that Captain Thomas Buford was not the man whom he mentions in his previous declaration as having met on his return from the town aforesaid.

but that it was, George Buford. He now feels applied that from these circumstances the term mentioned as aforesaid was in the year 1776 and not in the year 1774 as he had before stood; he therefore prays the Department to reconsider the decision rejecting his claim for services under the Act of June 7 th 1832 because it did not appear by "satisfactory evidence that the claimant performed after April 1775 actual military service to the amount of Six months" and to reinstate his declaration which on that account was rejected and placed upon the files in the War Office as will appear by the letter of S. L. Edwards Esq. of the 31 st June 1833. He prays that this his amended declaration be received in connection with that heretofore made Subscribed and sworn to before me this day and year aforesaid.
J. M. Daniel A.P.
John T. West his mark

Ja AD
May 25
To the Honorable
Louis Bap
Free
Secretary of War Washington City

Ans
Liberty Bradford County Pa
May 18 th 1833
Dear Sir,
Enclosed is the Declaration of John Vail for a pension which has been returned to him for one or two three annuities which are now supplied. You will perceive that his actual services are distinctly stated at not less than Six months and his actual services is all you can expect to receive pay for. You will see that this service is proven by reference to the testimony. The papers are again forwarded in the hope that he will get his pay as the defects are supplied.
You will confer a singular favor upon two worthy & respectable old men of this County by informing them through me what has become of their applications to Mr Charles Nelson and William Davenport. These papers were sent on last October or perhaps in Sept: and have never been yet heard from whilst others long since sent to your department have been allowed. If these claims are to be returned for amendments at times be as soon as possible. C. Nelson's there can be no doubt about: & as little of Davenport's services. Please give some attention to these two old men they have been long in suspense. I should be glad to hear of James Stapp also. since this I am yrs &c
W. L. Goggins

Department of War Pension Office
June 20 th 1833
Sir:
The declaration of John Vest has been examined, and it does not afford satisfactory evidence that the claimant performed after April 1775 actual military service to the amount of six months a life period not entitling him to the benefits of the provisions of the act of June 7. 1832. His claim is therefore rejected and his papers placed upon the files in this office.
I am, very respectfully Yr. Ob dt Serv.
J. Edwards
W. L. Goggin Esq.
Liberty Bedford Co
Virginia

15692
INVALID.
File No. 15692
John West
Rev. New York
Act: June 7" 32
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 445
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1913 Dec. 20. History to J.E. West 1928 June 6 - M.B. Rothrock advised cost of photos $3.75 1928 June 28 - Photos to M.B. Rothrock 1930 March 17 - D.C. Testaco. cost of photos - See George West, N. 26th & 1931 Mar. 25. Photos mailed to Douglas C. West + Fin. Adv. ntfs. 9.07. 1931 Sept. 11 - Hist. to Cleo E. West

Bureau of Pensions. Rev.&1812 Wars Section Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
March 19, 1931.
541
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rev. War claim for pension of John Vest, File No. S.15692.
Actual 1 of each page.
12 pages.....$1.80
xxx
Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 in. at top of each page and return papers in each case in folder with corres- ponding name and number. The word "omit" written in pencil on those pages which are not to be copied.
Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars Section.

List to Douglas C. Vest:
Sol. decl. Jan. 1834 2 pages John Arthur's affid. Nov. 25-1833 + Court record 2 " Sol. decl. Feb. 25-1833 5 " John Hunter's affid. Nov. 29-1832 1 " John Turner's affid. Nov. 27-1832 1 " Sol. Ctf. jacket No. 23578 1 "
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Bureau of Pensions
247 JUL 28 1837

JAMES W. CAMMACK ATTORNEY GENERAL
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FRANKFORT, KY.
M. B. HOLIFIELD FIRST ASSISTANT JAMES M. GILBERT SECOND ASSISTANT CLIFFORD E. SMITH THIRD ASSISTANT SAMUEL B. KIRBY, JR. FOURTH ASSISTANT S. H. BROWN FIFTH ASSISTANT GEO. H. MITCHELL SIXTH ASSISTANT
March 6, 1931.
M.O.# 381631 - $2 70
Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Rev. E. 1812 War Section: MMHF.
Gentlemen:
On March 17, 1930, I received a letter from you stating that you had on record the Revolutionary War pension claims of,
John Vest, S. 15,992 (12 pages.) Philip H. Vest, S. 7789 (6 " )
18 15 90 27
You further stated that you could furnish me photostatic copies of the foregoing records at the rate of 15¢ per page.
Am enclosing herewith money order for $2. 70 for which you will please send me the records of the two above mentioned pensioners, at your earliest convenience.
Very truly yours, Douglas C. Vest Frankfort, Kentucky.

Box 492 Newton, Ills, Dec 15th 1913.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D C. Dear sir. Will you kindly give me a copy of the record of one John Vest, who served in the war of the Revolution, from the state of Virginia. And drew a pension, (as I am informed) of $20.00 a year, from the general Government. I think he inlisted from, either Campbell, or Bedford Co's Va. I would like to know the date of his birth, date of inlistment, and date of his discharge. As well as the date of his last pension payment, which will show (I presume) something near the date of his death. Also give any other information regarding his service which is of record. If there are any records of any other men by the name of Vest give them also, and oblige, yours truly.
J. E. Vest.

SUBJECT:
NORFOLK AND WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
W. H. WILSON COMPTROLLER GOOCH VAUGHAN ASSISTANT TO COMPTROLLER B. F. PENCE TAX AND INSURANCE AGENT
August, 26, 1931
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen,
If possible, please give me the Military History of the following who served in The Revolutionary War,-
 ✓ GABRIEL VEST, ..... Bedford County, Virginia  ✓ GEORGE VEST, ..... " " "  ✓ JOHN VEST, ..... " " "  ✓ PHILIP H. VEST, ..... Chesterfield County, "  ✓ NATHAN VEST, ..... " " 
Yours truly, Cleo. E. Vest Cleo. E. Vest, c/o Comptroller, N.&W.Ry. Co., Roanoke, Va.

SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.
1-681
Handwritten initials
PHONE Branch 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No.
24560
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 137. Please furnish work specified below.
June 22, 1928 192
Bureau ordering PENSION
Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copies of 12 pages from Rev. War pension claim of John Vest, Va. Trps. S. 15892
No. of copies 1 of each page Shall form be kept standing? ..... days
For further information see M.M. Finch Room No. 5033 Phone No. 541
Approved: Ad. Silkinson Chief Clerk of Bureau.
M.M. Finch Chief of Branch 5033
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicating ..... single or double space? Facsimile signature? .....
Multigraph ..... single or double space? Facsimile signature? .....
Mimeograph ..... one side or both sides? Facsimile signature? .....
Folding ..... once or twice?
Assembling ..... Once? Twice? Side? End?
Stapling ..... Once? Twice? Side? End?
Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? ..... Dated? .....
  Addressograph from lists Cards, size   Envelopes, size Pay rolls   Proof list Corrections   Labels (submit sample) Tabulation sheets   Fill in letters 
  Photostat Size actual  Official use? .....  Repay? yes  $1.80    Blue Print Size .....  Official use? .....  Repay? .....  $ .....  
Remarks ..... (OVER)

NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus.
.....192 (Date)
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
 Make new addressograph plate  Change present addressograph plate } On list.....  Destroy present addressograph plate 
as follows:
Now reads   1 .....  2 .....  3 .....  4 .....  5 ..... 
Should read   1 .....  2 .....  3 .....  4 .....  5 ..... 
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made ..... 192
Operator .....
MULTIGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Type set by ..... Date .....
Remarks: .....
MIMEOGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Cut by .....
Remarks: .....

3-2233
15822
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
... June 14 ... 1928
Chief Rev. and 1812 War Section Division.
I have this day received from M.B. Rothrock ..... draft ..... in the amount of $1 80 ....., requesting photostat copy as per letter herewith.
Copies mailed Finance Div June 28/28 M.M.P.
O. J. RANDALL
Chief, Finance Division.
766.L
M.C.C. June 22

ILLINOIS CENTRAL SYSTEM
Revolutionary War Records Section.
I.S.O. S File 15092 Rev War.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. Bureau of Pensions.
Washington D. C. Dec 20, 1913.
Hon Mr Cass War
Mr J. E. Vest, Box 492 Newton Illinois. Sir;
In replt to your request of Dec 15, received Dec 17, for a statement of the military history of John Vest, a soldier in the Rev. War, you will find below the desired information as contained his application for pension on file in this Bureau
   Dates of enlistment  Length of service.  Officers under whom service was rendered.  State.      Aug 1, 1776  3 months  Capt Wm Leftwich  Va.    1778  3 months  " John Talbot, Cols. Mason and Lightfoot.     Fall 1781   " Heath " James Callaway.    
Instead of serving these officers he was designated to capture William Carver a deserter from Col Washington's Dragoons, which he did and received captain Heath's receipt for Carver as well as his own discharge.
Battles engaged in ----- (not shown)
Residence of soldier at enlistment- Bedford, afterwards Campbell Co Va.
Date of application for pension- Feby 25, 1833. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application- Russell Parish Bedford Co Va.
Age at date of application,- 82 years, 6 Mo and some days. Born in 1750 Powhatan Co Va.
Remarks;- For date of last payment of his pension and to whom paid apply to Auditor for the Interior Dept. U.S. Treasury Dept. giving him all of the following data " John Vest certificate No 23,578 for $20. per annum from March 4, 1831 issued Feby 28, 1834 under the Act of June 7, 1832 at the Virginia Agency.
Respetfullt,
G. M. Sattlzgaber, Commissioner.
Original certificate filed with application of Alice G. Rothrock for membership in Daughters American Revolution.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL SYSTEM
Chicago Ill June 12, 1928.
Hon Winfield Scott, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Your letter of the 6, File, REV & 1812 Wars Section, in re photostatic copies of orginal appers Rev War pension of John Vest, of Bedford Co Va.( S 15692) in which you advise a charge of 15 cents per page and that there are 12 pages.
I enclose New York Draft 3260 in the sum of $1.80 in payment for same. It will not be nesessary to certify them.
Thanking you I am,
Very truly
6646 Woodlawn Ave Chicago Ill.
PS.
I am attaching copy of record of the Department of The Interior, Bureau of Pensions, I. S. C. S- File 15692, Rev War, which definitely establishes the John Vest, whose record I am seeking.
M. B. Rothrock.
12 15 1.80

Pensions Section.
June 6, 1938.
M. B. Rothrock, C. A. Illinois Central R. R. Co., 63 rd Street Station, Chicago, Illinois.
Sir:
I advise you that photostatic copies of original papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim of John Vest, Bedford County, Virginia (S. 15692) will be furnished you upon request, under the Act of August 24, 1912, at the rate of fifteen cents a page with twenty-five cents extra for certification if that is desired.
The number of pages to be copied is twelve.
The proper amount should be forwarded to this bureau by money order drawn to the order of the Secretary of the Interior.
The Revolutionary War pensioner under the Act of 1818, Joseph Carter, (W. 6893) who served under Captain William Davis and Colonel Ballard in the Virginia Troops, was not of Culpeper County, Virginia but of Norfolk County, Virginia. The only other Joseph Carter found on said records is Joseph Carter (S. 30321) a pensioner of Washington County, Kentucky and who was a resident of Northumberland County, Virginia,
He ordered this

mmn5
during the Revolutionary War.
Please state whether you desire photostatic copies of either pensioner and you will be advised as to cost of photostatic copies.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.
COPIED BY ADY

ILLINOIS CENTRAL SYSTEM
May 17, 1928.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Please advise me cost of furnishing photostats, of application for pension of
John Vest , soldier Revolutionary War, who served under, 1776 Capt. Leftwich, 1778 " John Talbot, Col's Mason & Lightfoot 1781 " Heath " James Calloway. Residence of Soldier at enlistment, Bedford, afterwards Campbell Co Va.
Please be referred to your file S 15692 of date Dec 20, 1913
Also, photostats of application of Joseph Carter , soldier Rev War under Capt. Wm Davis, Col Bullard, 1st Virginia Reg, pensioned 1818 Culpeper Co Va.
Thanking you in advance I am
Very truly
M. B. Rothrock, C. A. Ill Cent RR Co 63rd St Station Chicago Ill.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Vest a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. File 15692
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug. 1, 1776 3 mos. William Leftwich ✓ Va.   1778 3 mos. John Talbot Mason & Lightfoot   1781 ✓ Heath James Callaway   Instead of serving under these officers, he was designated to capture William Carrer a deserter from Col. Washington's Dragoons, which he did, and received Capt. Heath's receipt for Carrer as well as his own discharge.  
Battles engaged in, ✓ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bedford (afterwards Campbell) Co., Va. Date of application for pension, July 25 1833. Residence at date of application, Russell Parish, Bedford Co., Va. Age at date of application, born - 1750 in Powhatan Co., Va.
Remarks: _____ _____ _____ _____
Respectfully,
Commissioner.