Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5723, for Humphery Majors, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Majors, Humphery
S. 5723
carded
CONTENTS

12.344
Virginia
Humphrey Major ss of Madison the State of Va who was a pr: in the commanded by Captain of the Regt commanded by Col: Thornton in the Va line for 10 months
Humphrey Major ss Records corrected May 20/44
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 33. Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 24th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Apr. 33 and South Bedford Cave. clk Madison. Va
Arrears to the 24th of March 1833 66.66 Pension allowance ending Sept. - 16.66
83.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. Rice. Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 6 Page 17-

1 Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
Virginia Madison County SS
On this 27 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Madison now sitting Humphrey Majors a resident of Madison County Virginia aged Twenty Five 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 the 7 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated In the month of February the date has escaped my memory but it was either in 1776 or 78 I was drafted for a time of two months or three my memory fails to say which from the County of Culpeper Virginia (now Madison) where I then resided

2 and Still reside, I was attached to the Company commanded by Capt. William Hawton The Regiment was commanded by Col. William Thornton, I march from Gulpeper to the Town of Galston Virginia where the Troops were stationed for the purpose of having an eye to the movements of the enemy on the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers, I was engaged during this Tour in various reconnoitering service. In the Fall of the same year that I served the above Tour I was again drafted from the County I resided in when first drafted for a Tour of Two months The Company to which I was attached was commanded by Capt. Reuben Beal The Regiment commanded by Col. Edwards, I march to the tide water Country in Virginia and as low down as Williamsburg where the Troops with whom I served was under the Command of Genl. Matthews In the interim between the above first and second Tours I was detailed to assist in driving cattle from the County of Gulpeper the County of New Kent in Virginia

3 I was only one month on this duty, and was detached by Capt. Davenport for the purpose. In the year 1779. or 1780 I was again drafted for a Tour of Two months from the County and State I resided in when first drafted, The Company to which I was attached was commanded by Capt. John Bell The Regiment was commanded by Col. James Slaughter, I was march again to the tide water Country in Virginia and the greater part of the time in the Counties of Sussex City Charles City and New Kent in Virginia keeping a look out on York River and James River In the month of August 1781 I was again drafted from the County of Culpeper Va and attached to the Company commanded by Capt. Robert Pollard, The Regiment was under the command of Col. Alcock I joined the American Troops under Genl. Wayne and Genl. Lafayette at Raccoon Ford in the County from which I was drafted, From the Raccoon Ford I marched

4 with the American Army under Gen! Lafayette again to the tide water country in the vicinity of Richmond Virginia From the neighborhood of Richmond the Army marched to the vicinity of old Jamestown where I was engaged in a fearful encounter with the enemy a part if not the whole force under Lord Cornwallis, after sustaining my post long enough to have five deliberate fires with my Rifle we had to retreat with the loss of a good many Cannon A short time after the above engagement and a little while before the commence- ment of the Siege of Yorktown, and at the time the Militia from the upper country were assembling I was detailed to assist in driving a large drove of Cattle out of the reach of the Enemy and in consequence of this service was not present at the Siege or surrender of Yorktown, At the latter end of my tour I was engaged in guarding the Troops taken at York as far as Fredericksburg where I was discharged

5 The whole term of my service in the Militia in the above Town was Five Months , From all these towns I was Honourably discharged and the discharge long since lost, I have no knowledge of any person who can testify to all the different towns I served in the Militia, Herewith inclose the affidavit of James Clattenbuck and others who can testify to the greater part of my service, I was born in the county of Caroline Pa in the year 1757. I have often said the Register of my Birth it is now in the possession of my nephew W m Majors of Culpeper, I have resided in the county of Madison ever since the year 1774. or 75, I refer to my neighbours Col d John Banks William Finks Angus Rucker and Churchill Gibbs. The two last sawing officers of the Revolution 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. In witness whereof he has hereunto set his hand the day and year aforesaid Humphrey Majors

6 th We J. W. W. a clergyman residing in the county of Madison Virginia and Joseph Carpenter residing in the same County certify that we are well acquainted with Humphrey Mays who has subs- cribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Twenty Five years of age That he is reputed and believed in the neigh- borhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Inward to subscribed the day and year aforesaid
J. W. W. Joseph Carpenter
Virginia. At a court held for Madison county the 27 th day of September 1832. 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 John Kehler who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the county of Madison, and that Joseph Carpenter who has also signed the same, is a resident in this county and is a credible person, and that their state- ment is entitled to credit.
I P. Field Clerk of the said court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Humphrey Mays for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15 th day of October 1832.
P. Field Clerk

Admit for 10 months to a private $33.33
Belfry cave (CCIE) Madison Co Madison G. H. Va

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Humphrey Major, Madison co. Virginia 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 No 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? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 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? 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? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes  no XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? All 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 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.
REQUIRE 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.
REQUIRE 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.

Purvis
5723
INVALID.
File No. 5722
Humphrey Majors Pr. Rev War
Act: June 1 th 82
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 236
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Humphrey Majors Record corrected. May 20, 1904.

I James Blatterback of the County of Madison and State of Virginia aged Twenty two years in May last, do hereby certify that to my knowledge Henry Shrey Mayors of Madison County Va. Served two or three hours in the Militia I was myself a soldier at the same time and well remember him in the service, Given under my hand and Seal this 19 th day of Sep. 1832
This James Blatterback Seal mark
W. Madison County To Wit This day James Blatterback made oath before me to the above affidavit to which he affixed his mark, Given under my hand and seal this 19 th day of Sep. 1832
W. R. Gibbs Seal

Joseph Carpenter of the County of Madison and State of Virginia do hereby certify that in the war of the Revolution - and towards the end of it he was drafted two or three times in the Militia from the County of Culpeper Virginia, I take pleasure in saying that Humphrey Mays of the County of Madison was drafted several times and served in the Militia from the County of Culpeper Virgin, I have been well acquainted with Mr. Mays before the war of the Revolution; and ever since He has resided in the County of Madison ever since I knew him, Given under my Hand this 24 th day of Sept. 1832
Joseph Carpenter
Virginia Madison County To Wit
This is to certify that the above is a true copy of the above certificate, Given under my Hand and Seal this 24 th day of Septem- ber 1832
A. H. R. Glibb

Madison
This day personally appeared Humphrey First duly sworn deposes.
be reason of old age and in- loss of memory he cannot swear, swear 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 grade of Soldier In the years 1776. 1777 and 1778 either four or five months in the year 1779 in the Fall of the year two months In the years first mentioned a short tour of service in addition to the regular tour In the year 1781 The latter part of July or first of August Three months — For ten months in all I claim a Pension, Given under my hand this 20 th day of March 1833
+ E. H. R. Gibbs
Humphrey Mayors
The above is intended as an amendment to the Declaration of Humphrey Mayor herewith forwarded. — + E. H. R. Gibbs
+ It is known at the War Department that an a major's rank in Madison County Virginia

...court of said ...that Charles R ...ing justice of the peace in ...the County of ... ...as an oath, that the signature ...on this paper, purporting to ...is a true and genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of my office and subscribed my name this 20th day of March 1833.
Philip Campbell
Transmitted to the Land Office on July 24, 1941

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Majors, James GRADE Private LINE Virginia
WARRANT NUMBER 12399 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED March 4, 1796 to — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.