Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1918, for John Massey, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Massay John Massay or
S. 1918
carded
CONTENTS

Tennessee W 4
John Moasey or Myrray of White in the State of Tennessee who was a Private in the Compy commanded by Captain Kelpatrick of the Regt commanded by Col. Pebecker in the Virginia line for 18 mos
Health met in A. B
Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee at the rate of 100 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 d day of March 1833 and sent to Hon. S.C. Isaacks, A.R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r '32 $90 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar r '33 30 $120 0-
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. H. Hales Clerk, Book 10 Vol. 9 Page 154

who were called "Burgayne's men" or "Burgayne's hessians" etc.
Certifies, that it appears to them that Levi Perkins who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident of the County of White and that William Hitchcock who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit -
Nathl Williams Juf to
12 206 John Chapley
for My Declaration
Attorney at Providence
received on Dec 11th $102-3-10-
adm d
18 mo due
60 3/4

State of Tennessee } White County. } ss
On this 27 th day of August 1832 personally appeared before me Nathaniel Williams Judge of the Circuit Court of Law and Equity for said State, now sitting in the said County of White, John Massey a resident of White County and State of Tennessee, aged, about sixty seven years: who first being 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 7-1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
He entered the service, as a substitute in the place of Thomas Hammonds who had been drafted for eighteen months, in the Company of Captain Kilpatrick, at a place then called " Cumberland Old Court house - barracks " in Virginia - but in what County he has no recollection, as he was then very young, not exceeding, as he believes fourteen years of age; was wholly illiterate, and has so remained ever since. Captain Kilpatrick's Company was attached to a Regiment of Militia Commanded by Colonel Feebecker . He believes that this was in the month of February or March 1799. - From the place where he entered the service, he marched with the Troops to Manchester Virginia, for the purpose of guarding the Magazine, which was then at that place. He was very sick nearly all the time he remained at Manchester, and in consequence of his extreme indisposition, can only recollect, in general terms, the object for which the men were stationed at Manchester. The eighteen months for which he engaged as a substitute, expired without his having to be stationed any where except at the " Old Barrack's " above mentioned and at Manchester : At or near the time of the expiration of the period for which he substituted, he enlisted at Manchester , in the United States army, as he believes. - After his enlistment, he was sent to " Winchester Barracks " to guard some prisoners

who were called "Burgayne's men" or "Burgayne's hessians". He cannot recollect to what Regiment he belonged after his enlistment. It was but a short time before the surrender of Lord Cornwallis as well as he can remember. He was again the victim of disease at Winchester, and obtained a furlough, and left there; and returned to Amherst County Virginia where he afterwards resided. And before his furlough expired, the war terminated, and the news of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis reached him, just as he was about to return to join the army. His memory has been much impaired by severe sickness of late. — He has no documentary evidence by which he can establish the foregoing facts nor does he know of any living witness by whom they can be proved.
1 From the best information he possesses he was born on the 30 th day of May 1765 in the County of Hanover Va a 2 The Record of his age was contained in a Bible which was lost when he had the misfortune to have his house burnt, in the County of Greene in East Tennessee, about thirty years ago. 3 At the time he was called into service he lived in Fluvanna County Virginia. — after the close of the war he lived in Amherst Va a from thence he removed to what is now Greene County in East Tennessee. — From thence to what is now Overton County in West Tennessee. — from thence he removed to White County where he now resides and has resided upwards of twenty five years. 4 As to the manner of his being called into service, he has already stated that he was first substituted for Thomas Hammonds, in the first instance, and subsequently enlisted. 5 He cannot recollect the names of the Regular officers — at Manchester where he remained a considerable time guarding the magazine, there were only a few men, who were left there to repulse an expected attack upon it, from the negroes, which however was not made. — At Winchester he was so extremely sick, that he had no opportunity of forming any acquaintance. — he was indisposed all the time he remained there, and left it under furlough as above stated, when he was scarcely able to walk. 6 He did not receive a discharge being under furlough when the war closed. — This furlough was burnt when his house was .

We state the names of the following persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood who can testify as to his Character for Veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution - Viz- Isaac Taylor , who has for many years Represented this County in the State Legislature - The Hon. Jacob C. Isaacks our present representative in Congress, Mayor Henry Lyda , Turner Lane Esq.  Col. Jose C. Dew , William Hitchcock Esq.  Isaac Lincoln , Merchant of Sparta, and the Rev. d Levi Perkins .
We hereby relinquish Every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Anthony Devereux Clerk John H. Mapay
We Levi Perkins a clergyman residing in the County of White and State of Tennessee and William Hitchcock residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Haffey who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be sixty seven 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 to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Anthony Devereux Clerk Levi Perkins Clergyman Wm. Hitchcock
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 said Court further

Certifying, that it appears to them that Levi Perkins who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident of the County of White and that William Hitchcock who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit -
Nathl Williams pres
12 206 John Mapes
for My Declaration
Attaining a Pension
Recorded on the Notes 102-310-
adm d
18 mo pre
60 3/4
State of Tennessee White County I Anthony Dibrell clerk of the Circuit Court for said County. Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Mapes for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal (there being no seal of office yet provided) at office this 17 th day of September A. D. 1832. —
Anthony Dibrell Clerk
Q D D C C

Mr. Roles 1220 ft John Masey
adm D
Hon
J. C. Spence H. R.

BRIEF in the case of  John Massey  County of White  in the State of  Tennessee  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 67  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Entered in March In 1779 1 6 As a Substitute for Thos. Ham- monds Gen. Col. Frebecker (Fitziger) Capt. Talpatrick Virginia Troops  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? 
Not any
 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
Spottsylvania  Fluvanna Co. Virginia
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional 
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
Not properly attached  No official seal
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas. G. Wilcox Examining Clerk.
21st July 1835

March 1, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
John Massey, S.1918 BA-J/MCS Am
Honorable J. Ridley Mitchell House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
My dear Mr. Mitchell:
Reference is made to your letter of February 25th, with enclosure from Mr. O. T. Massa of Cookeville, Tennessee, who desires the record of John Massey who drew pension for service in the Revolutionary War while living in Tennessee.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.1918, based upon the military service of John Massey or Massay.
He was born May 30, 1765, in Hanover County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
While living in Fluvanna County, Virginia, he enlisted in February or March, 1779, served eighteen months in Captain Kilpatrick's company in Colonel Feebecker's (possibly meant for Febiger) Virginia regiment; immediately after the expiration of the eighteen months he again enlisted, names of officers not given, was engaged in guarding prisoners at Winchester Barracks and served until the surrender of Cornwallis.
After the close of the Revolution he lived in Amherst County, Virginia, from there moved to Greene County, Tennessee, from there to Overton County, Tennessee, from there to White County, Tennessee, where in 1832 he stated he had lived over twenty-five years.
John Massey or Massay was allowed pension on his application executed August 27, 1832, at which time he was living in White County, Tennessee.
The papers in the claim contain no data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
Mr. Massa's letter
Feb. 23, 1937 was returned to Hon. Mitchell
Mar. 1, 1937  Mass
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

J. R. MITCHELL 4TH DIST. TENNESSEE
MEMBER COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Congress of the United States House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. February 25, 1937.
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Enclosed find letter of inquiry from my constituent Mr. O. D. Massa, of Cookeville, Tennessee, regarding his ancestor John Massey, who drew a pension for service in the Revolutionary War.
Please note what information Mr. Massa desires from his enclosed letter, and if you have same available, will appreciate very much your compliance with his request. If not, please advise me, so that I may take the matter up with the War Department. Please return Mr. Massa's letter for my future reference, and oblige.
Thanking you for your cooperation and assistance, I am
Very sincerely yours,
M. C.
JRM:CF

1937 Mar. 1. hist. to Hoy. G. P. Mitchell for Mr. O. D. Massa. mcd
Rev War.
1918
INVALID.
File No. 1918
Johan Waaker or Marray Port. Val. Line
Act: June 7, 1882
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 234
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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

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? Yes 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? No XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? No
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.