Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7484, for Charles Shaw, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Shaw, Charles
S. 7484
carded
CONTENTS

Virginia
6178
Charles Shaw
of Harrison in the State of Va. - who was a Pvt. in the Company by Captain Holmes of the Regt. by Col. Ed. Corcoran in the War: time for 6 months -
Letter to Fabius M. Shaw: son Pension agt. at Richmond Va. Jan 23-57 Same letter Oct 31/51
Letter to S. Godwin Jan 23-57
Duplicate Certificate issued July 26 th 1837 and sent to
S. Godwin
Present
Left by Mr. Whiting March 31/57
Sub Pen. Agt. in state in 1835 to N. Goff Nov. 23, 1835
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 20 - Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 th day of Feb. 1833 and sent to S. Godwin Johnson. House of Reps.
  Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1832  $0.    Semiannual allowance ending Sept. 33  10-     $40-  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice - Clerk Book D Vol. 7 Page 129

Charles Shaw Declaration
[Large decorative flourish or signature]

State of Virginia County of Harrison
On this 14 th day of Sept. 1832 personally appeared in open court before
The court of Harrison County now sitting Charles Shaw of Harrison County, and the afforesaid aged seventy four 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 7 th 1832.
That in the spring of 1781 His residence being in the County of Fauquier in the State of Virginia He was drafted in a company under the command of Capt. William Holmes March to Richmond and joined the Regt. commanded by Col. Elias Edmunds from Thence to York Town where he remained in the service until the surrender of Lord Cornwallis After which he was detailed to guard the Prisoners to Winchester where he was discharged Having Served Six months He obtained a written discharge which has since been lost He remembers that Lawson Burges was Adjutant to the Regt. to which he belonged He also remembers to have seen General Washington and the Marquis Lafayette at York Town He removed from Fauquier to Harrison County where he now resides He is acquainted with

The Rev Sedediah Siers Francis J. Hataway Adam Manier and various others residing in the neighborhood to whom reference may be had That he has no documentary evidence which go to prove the above service but relies upon the affidavit of William Ford herunto annexed He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or except the present annuity, and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the agency of any State Charles Shaw Sworn to and subscribed his mark
And the S d 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
Jacob C. Coplein J.P.
I David Davidson clerk of the court of Harrison county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the applicat n n of Charles Shaw for pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 2 nd day of November 1832 H. H. Clavison C.H. & C.

Mr Hamilton Goff of the county of Harrison a clergyman and Jacob Copen residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Charles Shaw who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 74 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
Given and subscribed this 8th day of December 1832
I do hereby certify that Hamilton Goff who has signed the above certificate is a clergyman and that Jacob Copen who has also signed it is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Given under my hand this 17th day of Dec 1832
Matthias Winters
I certify that Matthias Winters is an actual Just of the peace for the county of Harrison Pa.
Feb. 22 1833
J. Johnson

Mr. Cole
S. Garrison Parent.
[Faint, mirrored cursive handwriting, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a formal letter.]

State of Virginia Harrison County } ss.
On this 13 th day of February in the year 1857, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, Charles Shaw, a resident of said county, and made oath in due form of law that he is the identical Charles Shaw who drew a Pension from the United States Government, of twenty dollars per annum for about two years; that in, or about the year, 1834, he was stricken off of the Pension roll, since which time he has not drawn anything; he thinks he drew up to the 14 th of March 1834. That since that time he has had to move several times, by which means, or some other his original Pension Certificate has been either lost or destroyed & cannot be found. And he makes this statement under oath, to draw from the proper Department a new Pension Certificate.
Charles his Shaw mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me, this day & year first above written, and I hereby certify that said Charles Shaw is a very good man, I believe say about ninety years of age, and that I believe the above statement to be true.
J. M. Boggs J. P.
State of Virginia Harrison County } ss.
On this 13 th day of February 1857, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid, James Shaw, a son of Charles Shaw, aged fifty years who being duly sworn, deponeth and saith that his Father, Charles Shaw, whose signature is above written, and who hath made the

above statement, is the identical Charles Shaw who, up to about the year 1834, drew a pension from the United States; that he was then living with his said father, and knows that about that time he was stricken from the Pension roll; that his said father at that time had a Pension certificate as described by himself; that his father has since then had to move several times, and that after diligent search therefor, his said pension certificate cannot be found. Subscribed & sworn to before me this day & James Shaw Mark J. M. Boggs J. P.
Virginia
Harrison County Court February 6 th 1851
It was this day satisfactorily proven to the Court that John Neely a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States died on the 21 st day of June 1835 leaving a widow Margaret Neely who is now living and that said Margaret has never married since his death but is now and has ever continued the widow of the said John Neely deceased.
I Eli Marsh Clerk of Harrison County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true transcript from the records of my office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 14 th day of February 1851
Eli Marsh CLK
The above certificate was entered by mistake on the wrong paper about Eli Marsh CLK

Virginia
Harrison County S to wit.
I Eli Marsh Clerk of Harrison County Court hereby certify that John W. Boggs who has signed his name to the annexed certificate, is now and was at the time of doing so a justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn and that the signature aforesaid is his signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal. said Court This 7 th day of February 1857
Eli Marsh CLK

Rev War
7484
INVALID.
No. 7484
Charles Shaw
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Box:—Vol. 1 , Page 338
[Arrangement of 1870.]

W H E L MAR 20 1880
10
Mr. [unclear] [unclear]
Heath Ky Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Mar 27/67
Charles Shaw
Da-32,6175
A. R. G. Capt. J. H. H. Special Agent to Thompson Pen. Mt. Washburn to City D.G. Commission of Revenue

Harrison County Court
personally appeared before me Sam. Kemble a Justice of the peace in & for the County a- foresaid - William Gaard of Monongahela County & made oath in due form of Law. that he was a Soldier in the Revolutionary war - & that Charles Shaw of the County aforesaid served with him - under Col. Belmont - & both was discharged near Winchester Va in the fall 1781 - Given under my hand this 30th day of June 1832 - Sam. Kemble J.P.
I do hereby certify that Mr Ford who hath sworn to the above certificate is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit when under oath. Given under my hand this 17 day of June 1832 Sam. Kemble J.P.

I David Dairpon Clerk of Harrison County Court do hereby certify that Samuel Kimble is a magistrate in and for said County
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and seal of office This 26 th day of January 1833 D Dairpon C.H.
6/11: only I have

Charles Shaw
Va:
Shaw in his dec says that he was depts of 6 mo - 1781 - in his statement to Whrightn he says he sub. for J Johnson - he could not have been Eva -
Alim Q 6 mo. p20-
Hon. J. Johnson

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Charles Shaw , which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? 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? No. 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? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly 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.
†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.
† The official character and signature of Matthias Winters is not properly certified, and the court should certify to the character of the witnesses Toanson Goss & Jacob Baplin.

Rec
Nov 23
for
James L. Edwards Esq. Hon. & of Pennsylvania City of Washington

Winchester Nov 17 th 1853
L. B. Edwards Com d of Pensioners
Sir In an importance every after day by the rejected pensioners in this region, - I will name another 3 cases of rejection which I most conscientiously believe are entitled to the full amounts which they were drawing. To wit Sh d Shaw of the County of Monongalia of Monongalia County - I in person examined Shaw & reported his case to Mr. Kingston when I examine him, he gave me a clear and full detail of his services - Such an one as he could not have had he not done the services - he is a simple & honest old man. - you inform me that he states in his declaration that he was drafted for 6 months &c - he states to me that he was substituted for George Johnson &c - he has lately been to see me, I have again examine him, he gives me the same narrative he did before - I then asked him why he had stated in his declaration that he was drafted; he then said he was

drafted to go for Johnson & Co - The old man did not know the meaning of the two terms - draft - Sechsteltee - That is he thought both words meant the same thing, - he says his agent who got him on the pension roll asked him if he was drafted & he told him he was - did not tell him he had gone in the place of Johnson
He Mr Ford he did not examine him, he recalled that Mr Singleton told me that Fords mind was much impaired, that he had not given him a satisfactory narrative H H - I am told by many that it is notorious that Ford served a greater part of the war - that there is 2 or 3 persons now living who know him, & know of his services - It is said that he procured his service when he made his declaration - his friends have borne over some 3 or 4 times from Monongahela to get me to go and give evidence in his Fords behalf, they say that the witnesses are to inform to trace H H - on they would petition them to this place - from what I hear, I doubt not in the least, but that Ford

Should be returned on the person lists, - I hope you will return the two above lists
Very Respectfully
your obedt Servt
Nathan Goff

(Copy)
Pension Agency Wheeling Va March 18. 1857
James O'Keath Esq Commissioner of Pension
Dear Sir
A Pension Voucher of Charles Shaw, who appears to have been placed under the Act of 7 June 1832 at rate of $20 per annum from 4 March 1834 to 4 March 1857 was this day presented to me for payment - said Shaw resides in Harrison County Virginia being within the limits of this Agency and his Certificate appears to have been issued from your office on the 24 Feby 1857
I have not received instruction from your office to pay such a pensioner.
If you have sent such instruction it has never reached me.
Shall I pay said Pension?
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Geo S Thompson
Pension Agent

Pension Agency Wheeling Va.
March 18. 1857
Jas O'Neath Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
A pension voucher of Charles Shaw, who appears to have been placed under the Act of 7 June 1832 at rate of twenty dollars per annum from 4 March 1834 to 4 March 1857 was this day presented to me for payment said Shaw reside in Harrison County Virginia being within the limits of this agency and his Certificate appears to have been issued from your office on the 24 Feby 1857
I have not received instruction from your office to pay such a pension, if you have sent such instruction it has never reached me —
Shall I pay said pension?
I am very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Geo S Thompson

Pension Agency Wheeling March 29 1858
J. S. Heath Esq. Com r of Pensions
Dear Sir
Enclosed, I send copy of a letter I addressed to you on 18 inst and would respectfully ask an early answer - as the pensioner therein mentioned is desirous of receiving his pay
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Geo s Thompson
Pension Agent

Charles Shaw via Mr Mr Cole Jan 23 1887.
J. G. Adams Esq. Washington D. C.
Mr. G. Adams Esq.

Harmont, Marion Co. Va Jany 8 th 1857.
Dear Sir,
I am authorized & requested to call up the claim of Charles Shaw of Harrison Co. Va to a pension & prosecute the same. Mr Shaw was a pensioner for a number of years, until, as he alleges & as is here believed, he was improperly stricken from the roll. Mr Shaw is a very old man & is believed to have rendered the necessary services. I desire to call up this case through you, and this is to request you to prosecute the same & at your earliest convenience let me hear from you & the Dept.
Mr Shaw is very inferior & in absolute want , it is to be hoped therefore, that if he is entitled the Government will not withhold it from him. And if he is ever benefitted thereby, it must be soon. Is it, therefore, asking too much of the Dept to examine the case of this old soldier at once, and give him the benefit of this country whilst he lives?
Yours Truly J H English
J. Godwin Esq. Washington D.C.