Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7454, for John Saunders, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Saunders John
87454
carded
CONTENTS

31. H 60 Richmond Virginia
John Saunders
Greenland in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Walker of the Regt. commanded by Col Fleming in the Virginia line for 6 months & 26 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 22 Dollars 89 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of May 1838 and sent Hon. J. W. Jones No. of Dept.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1838 $160.23
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. " 11.44
$171.67
{ Revolutionary Claims, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. Addison Clerk Book E Vol. 6 1/2 Page 34
Rev. 24/60 Jno. G. Davis

State of Virginia Goochland County set -
I personally appeared before the Sub- -sentis Justice of the peace in on for said County, Samuel H Saunders a resident of said County, and a credible person and made oath. That some four years ago, he was requested by his father John Saunders who now resides for a pension and who then resided in the county of Louisa in the said State, to obtain the testimony of two persons who it was supposed would prove the service of the said John as a Revolutionary Soldier. That he did set about it by calling that name of the Magistrate in his neighbourhood, to several of whom he applied more familiar with the subject, and they all declined to assist him. That he consequently failed to obtain the testimony for the said John, and one of the persons to wit Thomas Moore has since departed this life and the other Frank also was found on application to be entirely ignorant of said John's service. That he informed his father of the failure, and heard nothing more from him. And being under the impression that the service must be proven by two witnesses to entitle the Soldier to a pension, and finding that but one of the persons spoken of could prove anything, supposed it impracticable to get a pension for his father and therefore said nothing more on the subject. Sworn and subscribed this 19th day of March 1838
Saml H Saunders
before me
Charles Guerrant

State of Virginia, Goochland County ss:
I William Miller Clerk of the County Court, of the County & State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Charles Guerrant is a Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 29 th day of August 1835, and will expire on his death, removal from the County resignation or removal from Office, and that his signature within written is genuine.
Given under my hand & the seal of said County this 20 th day of March in the year, eighteen hundred & thirty eight.
Wm. Miller Clerk
Wm. M. Jones M c

34137 M c Saunders
Br j Al 7 June 1882
Allas 4 mo 26 day pri $22,88 per ann.
Virginia Militia Capt. H. A. Clarke
and Seal of Office this 17 th day of July 1887 and in the 62 d Year of the Commonwealth Wm Miller, CLK
No 10 Young A R

State of Virginia Woodland County } ss.
On this 1 st day of July 1837 personally appeared in open court before the court of the said County, now sitting, John Saunders a resident of the County aforesaid, and State of Virginia, age twenty three 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 17. 1832.
That in the winter of the year when he was sixteen years old, he was drafted, and marched as a private in the militia from the said County of Goochland, in a company of which Thomas Hatcher was Captain, Lieut. not recalled, and Joseph Davis he thinks ensign to the lower part of Virginia, crossed James River at the Rocky Ridge, at the commencement of the falls, near where the river crosses the road at Shirley Mansions, marched thence to New Kent Ct. H. Thence to Hopton's ferry, thence to Sandy Point where they again crossed the river to Cabin Point, where they met with a regiment of militia, under Col. Wm Fleming, and there he continued to serve until he was discharged and that in this tour he served at least eight weeks as private in the militia. That he heard of no enemy, saw no regular troops, or any other militia regiment, and was in no battle. That when Arnold came to Richmond he was again drafted from the militia of the same County, and marched under Capt. Nat. Morris, who he heard had been a col. in the northern Army. Reached Richmond while the slave houses at Manchester were still burning, though the enemy were gone. Marched thence to New Kent Ct. H. where he saw blood on the staircase, and saw a hat split through the crown, and heard there had been some fighting between the enemy and the Americans. Thence to the neighbourhood of Wormsleyburg. Thence to the Malvern Hills. Thence to Farrar's Island, and while there the British formed on the opposite side of the river, and fired some cannon at the Army, and a magazine ship was blown up, either by the enemy or the Americans. Served some time in these places. Then marched up to Richmond, and continued to serve at a place called Gillely's Creek, and in the neighbourhood, until he was discharged. And that in this tour he served at least two months as private in the militia. Admitted saw a Major whom he saw, though he is not sure he was Major of his regiment, and Pleasant, was Col. Saw no regulars, and not

Other Militia Regiment that he recollects. That in the summer of the year of the siege of York he was again drafted, and marched in the militia of the same County in a company of which Duke was Capt. and Thomas Bates Lieut. I believe he thinks Ensign to the lower Country. Stated at several places and when within two miles of Williamsburg they were overtaken by Genl. Washington and his aids. A few miles below Williamsburg they halted and remained for about three weeks. And were then attached to Genl. Stevens brigade and marched down to York Town, where he continued to serve during the siege. Found the Army encamped around the town, and the enemy in the town and in small forts around. He assisted in making a way for the cannon to be drawn up from the water. Afterwards assisted in repairing the forts which were left by the enemy and in building the batteries and intrenchments. He remembers that a party stormed a small fort, under the command of Col. Washington, which was afterwards retaken by the enemy, and then again by Col. Washington. And this he heard from his brother who was one of the party and who is now dead. For fifteen or sixteen days the firing was so constant that they could not see the sun, and could not tell whether it was clear or cloudy. He was present at the surrender and was then discharged and that in this tour he served at least three months as private in the militia. Cannot remember his Col. or Major, or any officer in particular except those already mentioned. Saw many regular troops and recollects the Rhod Island troops in particular. Saw many militia, and the French troops. They were encamped near Williamsburg when he passed. And he could also see the French fleet whenever he went down to the works. That he can prove some part of his service by Joseph D. Mathews and the rest owing to the lapse of time he is unable to prove. That he has been prevented heretofore from claiming the benefit of a pension, by living out of his native County, and not understanding that he could make his claim in any other County. but that now he has returned to his former residence, and having met with his former Comrades is enabled to obtain his testimony. And that he has no documentary evidence. And that he makes reference to Rev. Matthew Webb or  Levi  Levi  Shackelford  Shackelford and Richard Shackelford  Shackelford and Wm. Shackelford  Shackelford Sons.

To Question 1 st he replies I can't say when I was born but I am seventy three years old - On Janes creek Goochland 2 nd - It is in the Parish Register in the Clerk's Office of the county of Goochland, as I believe - To Question 3 rd I lived in Gooch d when called in service - since then I have in Louisa County about forty years & I now live in Goochland - To Question 4 th - I was served my own four every time - To Question 5 th Answered in conformity to the statement in the declaration - To Question 6 th I never did - To Question 7 th M rs Matthew Webber, William Woodson
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John his Saunders mark
M c  Matthew W m Webber a clergyman residing in the said county of Goo-  William Bel & Sons chland and Richard McKee a clerk residing in the same county, hereby certify =y that we are well acquainted with John Saunders, who had subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be seventy three years of age - that he is respected and believed in the neigh- =ourhood where he resides to have been a soldier in the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Matthew W m Webber M c Woodson
I Joseph D. Watkins hereby certify, that I was raised in the neighbourhood of John Saunders who had subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and have known him intimately since my childhood - That they were both in the service in the Revolution, but being both very young my recollection is not so distinct as I could wish, in relation to the events of the war - But I distinctly remember that said Saunders was in the service, before the militia was called as it was called, for I recollect him well at Farris's Island, and also that said Saunders served at the Siege of Yorktown where

I also served a Tour-
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Joseph D. Hutt, 11.5
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 James  Matthew Rabber  is  who who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said County of Goochland, and that the  Wm  Goodson 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. And the court also certifies that it appears to them that Joseph D. Hutt, who has made the preceding affidavit is a resident within the same county and is a credible person.
I William Miller Clerk of the court of Goochland County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Saunders for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 17 th day of July 1837. and in the 62 d Year of the Commonwealth,
Wm Miller, CLK.
34437 M c Saunders M c A. 7 June 1832 Alias Wm 26 day per $22.88 per ann
Eugene Melick Capt. H. H. H.
Wm M c Jones H. H. H.

I David Saunders of County of Logan and state of Kentucky Do hereby certify that John Saunders of Goochland County State of Virginia served with me three Terms of duty in the Revolutionary War, under Captain's Watkins & Nat Morris. Given under my hand This 9 th day of Feb: 1838, State of Kentucky Logan County S.D.
his David X Saunders mark
I Denny W. Poor a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that David Saunders, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit personally appeared before me and made oath that the the matter therein contained are true, & acknowledged the same to be his hand. Given under my hand this 9 th day of Feb 1838 D.W. Poor J.P.K.T.O.
I know Denny W Poor whose signature (known by me to be genuine) is above. He is a Militia Colonel justice of the Peace has been a representative of his County in the Legislature & is a highly respectable citizen. There are many persons named Sanders in Logan County. They are very respectable persons I know many of them altho I do not at this moment identify any individual with the name of David Saunders.
J. B. Underwood 5 April 1838

July 27 Goodland (Port Huron) July 25 th 1837
Free Post
Pa Oct 1832
L. Edward Esquire (Commissioner of Indian Affairs Washington)
1780 20 37 1/2 = 73

Goodland Ct at House Van Monday July 17 1837-
Sir
I forward enclosed the declaration of John Sam- =sons, to obtain a pension under the act of 32. and take the liberty to request the attention of your office to it. My address is Montpelier Hanover Ct. at Van
Respectfully
C. K. Abney
J. S. Edwards, Esq.

John Saunders - Virginia See letter below Dabney Aug. 5 1877
Act 7 June 1882

J. L. Edwards Committee of Conference
Col. Dabney Esq. Goochland Co. Va. My Dear Sir

War Department, Pension Office,
August 5 1837.
Sir,
I have received the declaration of John Saunders, who applies for a pension under the act of 7 June 1832, and have placed it upon the files of this Office. When it is considered that between thirty and forty persons have within the last five years been pensioned in Louisa County; and a still greater number in Goochland County, the reason that Mr. Saunders assigns for delaying his application so long is far from satisfactory; and the Department will be justified in requiring further proof in support of his alleged service. The claim will therefore remain suspended until further evidence is produced.
I am, respectfully, Your obed. servt.
Geo. W. Brumf
C. W. Dubrey Esq. Goochland C. H. Virginia

Rev. War
7457
en
INVALID.
File No. 7457
John Saunders Priv. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]