Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,232, James Wright, Va.

SERVICE
Va.
Wright, James
NUMBER
8.30.232
CONTENTS

Virginia N o 23244
James Wright
of Fauquier Co. in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Carr of the Reg't V. commanded by Col. Wells in the Virginia Troops time for 11 months & 6 days
He died Dec. 5-1835-
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 37 Dollars 33 Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10. day of Dec r 1833 and sent to R.D. Webb Richmond Va.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1833. 93.33 1/3 Semi-ann. allowance ending March 34 18.66 2/3 $112.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E. Vol. 67- Page 38

In Vansemond County Court 13 th May 1833.
State of Virginia County of Vansemond ss.
On this 13 th day of May 1833 personally appeared in open court before Josiah Riddick, Hardy Cross, Edward R Hunter, and Edwin B Sumner the Court of Vansemond, now sitting, James Wright, a resident of Vansemond County and State of Virginia, aged Seventy nine 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 entered the service of the United States as a militia man first under Captain Robert Carr and marched to Portsmouth, then under Captain Foster, then under Captain Robert Riddick, then under Colonel Benjamin Baker, and encamped in his old field in Vansemond County, when the refugees broke open his house and robbed him ; then under Captain James M c Clenny and Colonel Wells in the County of Isle of Wight, then under Captain Willis Parker, and then under Captain Kinchen Godwin. and that he served a tour of six weeks each under the above named officers making in all twelve months service that he was in a skirmish with the enemy on Vansemond river above Suffolk, whilst under the command of Captain Robert Riddick, that he resided in Vansemond County, Virginia, when he entered the service, that he was drafted in service that his marches were principally through Vansemond, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, and Surry Counties, Virginia that he served with Continental troops in Portsmouth, but does not recollect the

regiments of the officers names, and that he has no documentary evidence to offer in support of his claim. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
(Signe)
James Wright.
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,
Virginia County of Hampshire ss
I John T. Kelly clerk of the county court of Hampshire, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy as taken from the records of my office. In testimony and faith whereof I hereunto subscribe my own name and cause the seal of my county to be affixed this 4 th day of June 1833.
John T. Kelly clerk.

No 25400
James Wright Nansemond County Virginia
Return d h m
Admit as private 11 mo. 2 days 37 33
Jno T. Hilby Suffolk Nansemond County Virg a Rich d D. Webb Esq. Richmond

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
5 th August 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of James Wright Nansemon County, Virginia
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Entered — 1 12 private Cap Carr 79 years No evidence - paper authentication   Served — 1 12 " Cap Foster County of   Served — 1 12 " Cap Riddick Nansemon   Served — 1 12 " Col Baker Virginia   Served — 1 12 " Cap McClusky   Served — 1 12 " Col Wells   Served — 1 12 " Cap W. Baker   Served — 1 12 " Cap Goodwin   11 6  
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 days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
 6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?  { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB
July 15, 1930
Ethel M. Lowry Route # 3 Columbus, Kansas
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 30232, it appears that James Wright, while residing in Nansemond County, Virginia, served in 1777, 1778, 1779 and 1780, in the Virginia Militia, in tours of six weeks, under Captains Foster, Robert Riddick, James Mc Clenny, Willis Parker and Godwin, and Colonels Benjamin Baker and Wills or Wells. He was in a skirmish on the Nansemond River and served in all about twelve months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 13, 1833, at which time he was living in Nansemond County, Virginia and was aged seventy-nine years.
He died December 5, 1835.
There are no data as to his family.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

30 232 Rev INVALID.
File No. 30,232
James Wright Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 471
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1930-July 15-From L. Ethel M. Lowry copy.

IN REPLY REFER TO
3-2562
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. ILL
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS WASHINGTON
June 27, 1930.
Ethel M. Lowry Route #3 Columbus, Kansas.
Dear Madam:
I advise you that the data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained in your letter. Rev
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below, as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this bureau.
First name of widow Sarah Full name of soldier James Wright Residence of soldier at enlistment Residence of soldier after service Name of state from which he enlisted Virginia Approximate date of birth May 20 1753 Approximate date of death
Kindly return attached letter with your reply.
Respectfully,
E. W. Morgan E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

IN REPLY REFER TO
3-2571
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. ILL
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF PENSIONS WASHINGTON
June 27, 1930.
Ethel M. Lowry Route #3 Columbus, Kansas.
Dear Madam:
I advise you that the War of 1812 records of this bureau do not show that a claim for pension was ever made on account of the services of Thomas, or Thomas J. Lowry, or other spelling.
In order to identify the record of the particular James Wright of the Revolution in whom you are interested, kindly fill out and return the inclosed form.
Very truly yours,
E.W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

Amended Declaration of James Wright.
State of Virginia, County of Nansemond.
I, James Wright, of the aforesaid County and State, being duly sworn according to Law, doth, on my oath, make the following amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
That by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, I cannot swear positively as to the precise length of my service; but according to the best of my recollection, I served during the Revolutionary War as a private in the Militia, a period not less than Eleven months and six days, and for which service I claim a pension.
That this service was performed during the years 1777, 1778, 1779 and 1780, in tours of six weeks each, under the Officers named in my original declarations, to wit: Capts: Carr, Foster, Riddick, McCluney, Parker and Godwin, and Cols: Baker and Wills — that I recollect to have served a tour of six weeks, each under each of these officers, sometime during the years above stated, but it is impossible for me to say, (having no record of this service,) at this advanced age, being now seventy-nine years old, from mere memory, the identical month and year that I entered the service under each of the above named officers,* — That I know of no person now living by whom I can prove their services, — that I was called into service by competent authority — that I performed this service in the field in the Counties of Nansemond, Norfolk, Isle of Wight and Surry, Virginia — and that I was not engaged in any civil pursuit during the performance of this service. — Sworn to and subscribed this 28 th day of October 1833.
* I think I served one of those tours, under Capt: Carr in 1777, one under Capt: Foster in 1778, two under Capt: Riddick in 1779, two under Capt: McCluney in 1780, one under Capt: Parker in 1780, and one under Capt: Godwin in 1781 — Cols: Baker & Wills filled officers.
We Solomon Holland & Jacob Howell — residing in the County of Nansemond and State of Virginia, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James Wright, who has, in our presence subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. — Sworn to and subscribed this 28 th day of October 1833.
Solomon Holland Jacob Howell

State of Virginia, County of Nansemond.
Personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, James Wright, subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and made oath to the truth and correctness of the same. And I hereby declare it as my opinion, that the above named James Wright was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. — And I further certify Solomon Bellard & Jacob Howell who have, before me, subscribed and sworn to the preceding certificate, are residents of Nansemond County and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Given under my hand and seal, as a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, this 28 th day of October 1833. —
Isaac Lee
State of Virginia, } County of Nansemond, }
I, John T. Kilby, Clerk of the County Court of Nansemond, in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Isaac Lee — whose name is subscribed to the above certificate, is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Nansemond, duly commissioned, qualified and authorized to act as such, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In Testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and cause the seal of my County to be affixed, this 4 th day of Novr 1833. —
John T. Kilby Clk.