Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1256, for Robert Stewart, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Wa
Stewart, Robert
S1256
Carded
CONTENTS

19370 Kentucky
Robert Stewart of Owensboro in the State of Kentucky who was a Capt. Lt. Col. in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the regt. commanded by Col. B. Hill in the Va line for 8 months, Captain 6 " " Lieutenant 6 " " Sergeant 4 " " Private
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 283 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Sept d 1832 and Hoor N
111 108 32 Arrears to the 4th of Sept d Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 141 66
$849 98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam Boyd Clerk Book C Vol. 1 Page 78

State of Kentucky S. S. County of Owen 3/8.
On this 30 th day of August 1833 personally appeared before Jacob H. Smith a Justice of the Peace in and for Owen County and a member of the Owen County Court Robert Stewart a resident of the said County of Owen in the State of Kentucky aged 78 years who from bodily infirmity is unable to attend the proper Court and 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 under the following named officers and served as herein stated viz: being a resident of the County of Powhatan in the State of Virginia as he did in the month of March in the year 1777 as well as he remembers entered the service of the United States as a private volunteer soldier in the Company of Capt. Forrest upon a term of six months and was immediately appointed by his Captain orderly sergeant of said Company and served as such during the whole of said term. He states that he reassembled with his said Company at the Courthouse in Powhatan County Va. and was immediately marched with his said Company to Manchester on James River opposite Richmond Va. where he was kept stationed for some time and was then taken across the river to Richmond where he remained in Garrison under Col. Willis during the residue of his term of duty from which after having fully and faithfully served as orderly sergeant as aforesaid during the whole period thereof he was honorably discharged and returned home.
He further states and declares that in the month of September 1778 as well as he remembers he again entered the service of the United States as a volunteer upon a term of three months in the Company of Capt. James Stone and was immediately elected Lieutenant thereto and served as such during the whole period of his said term. That William Stephens was elected ensign. He states that he reassembled with his Company at the Courthouse in the County of Powhatan where he still resides and that he marched with his Company from thence to Petersburg Va. on the Appomattox River and was there stationed during the whole of his term of service his Company constituting the Garrison of that place.
He further states and declares that in the month of May 1779 as well as he remembers he assisted in raising a Company of Volunteers to serve upon a term of three months,

Which Company was designed to assist in guarding the Coasts and protecting the Country from the depredations of the British. that the Company was raised and entered the service during the same month viz: May 1779 by the request and under the direction of Col. Holkins. that he this declarant upon the organization of the Company by the free voice thereof was elected Captain and served as such to said Company during the whole of said period of three months. that he re-assembled his said Company at the house of this declarant's father in Powhatan County and joined Col. Holkins who had collected several other Companies of volunteers & militia and was marched by him towards Portsmouth Va. which place was then in possession of the British under Genl. Howe - there but was evacuated by them before they reached its vicinity. that the British had destroyed an immense amount of public & private property at Portsmouth Norfolk, Suffolk and other places in their vicinity. He states that he was stationed at Suffolk with his Company by his Colonel to protect that place and the Country round about from the depredations of the British. that he remained in the service till the expiration of his tour when his Company was discharged and he returned home. He recollects upon this tour to have seen Genl. Lawson, Col. Holkins, Parker & Green.
He further states and declares that early in the Spring 1780 he moved to Kentucky and landed at the falls of Ohio in the latter part of March 1780 where there was some troops under the Command of Genl. Clarke at which he remained for some weeks (about three weeks) and then went to Bryan's Station and remained in the fort at that place and assisted in its protection & defense till August of the same year viz: 1780
He further states and declares that in August 1780 he again entered the service of the United States as a volunteer upon a tour of three months in Capt. Donaldson's Company. that he was immediately elected Lieutenant of the said Company by the free voice thereof and served as such during the whole of his tour. that John Smelling was elected ensign. He states that he was marched by Genl. Clarke upon an expedition across the Ohio to Piqua way the principal Indian Town on one of the forks of the Miami. which was

taken & destroyed & the corn destroyed and the Indians dispersed. A good many of the Indians were killed and the Army lost between 15 and 20 men. He states that after performing this service they returned & he was left stationed with a part of his company at the fort at Bryan Station during the balance of his term of service.
He states and declares that soon after the expiration of his above named term of service he left Bryan Station and went to Boons Station where he remained during the year 1781 except when absent as an Indian Spy - that he did in the month of April 1781 as well as he now remembers enter the service as a volunteer Indian Spy under Major Harlan for the term of six months, and continued actively engaged as such during the whole term of his said engagement. that his duties as such required him to assist in ranging a large tract of wilderness between Boons Station and the Ohio River -
He further states and declares that in January 1782 he went from Boons to Ashton's Station. In the month of May as well as he remembers the Indians killed a man at that Station whose name he has forgotton and carried off a negro the property of Capt. Ashton. Capt. Ashton immediately raised a company of about 25 or 30 men and he this declarant became a volunteer soldier therein. the period of engagement was indefinite and Capt. Ashton was forthwith engaged in the pursuit of the Indians and on the second day they overtook them and had a severe action in which Captain Ashton and eight of the men were killed & several other men severely wounded. The balance of the company including this declarant were compelled to retreat and they returned to the fort at Ashton's Station. He states that soon after their return to the fort they received a small reinforcement from Hoys Station which swelled their numbers to about 30 effective men and this declarant was elected Captain of the said company and took the command thereof by the consent of Col. Logan and by his order took charge of the fort at said Station. It was about the 1 st June 1782 that he took command of said company and fort as above named and he continued

at the fort and in the command thereof till sometime in August of the same year when he was called upon by Col. Logan to join him with his said Company to assist in the pursuit of a large body of Indians and Canadians who had besieged Bryan Station and were then retreating that he accordingly obeyed the call and joined him with his company somewhere between the 10 th & 20 th of that month - that he went in pursuit of them and under Col. Logan and they calculated upon overtaking and reinforcing Col. Boone & others who were already before them - that the day after they set out they met Col. Boone & some of the men who went out with him and from him they learned the disaster at the Blue Licks - they kept on to the Battle ground and which presented a frightful spectacle and collected and buried the dead - that Genl. Clarke directed a pursuit of the Indians and he continued with his company as Capt. thereof upon the expedition - they pursued them to their towns, Old Chillicothe New Chillicothe Peccary &c and burned them and destroyed their Corn - As soon as the object of the expedition was completed they returned and he this declaration by the instructions of Col. Logan again stationed himself at the fort at Ashton Station and continued in the command thereof and of his said company till about the 1 st Nov r 1782 about which time all further danger from the savages disappeared. He states that he served as Captain during the said year from the 1 st June to till the 1 st Nov r comprising a period of five months during which time he served constantly and faithfully in said capacity - that he served as a private in said company under Captain Ashton for about two weeks comprising the time previous & subsequent to his death up to the time of his (declarant's) election as Captain - that the period of engagement when he entered Capt. Ashton's company was not fixed - that when he took command of the company there was no time specified for its continuance in the service - the Indians were exceedingly troublesome during that year as all who were in Kentucky

at the time Can testify and it required the constant and unremitted exertion, of all the able bodied men in the country to protect it from their incursion, -
He further states and declares that he performed various services upon small scouting parties against the Indians, over and above those already enumerated but he cannot now from his advanced age and loss of memory state them with any degree of precision. He is certain however that he did perform the services above named at the time, and in the manner stated. He is certain from his present best recollection that he did not serve less than six months as an Indian Spy. Six months, as an orderly sergeant. Six months, as a Lieutenant and eight months as a Captain of Companies, during the War of the revolution and for those services he asks his Country for a pension.
He states that he has no documentary evidence of his services and that he at this time knows of no person except Jacob Hunter and Sherwood Madock by whom he can prove them in any part thereof.
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 & year aforesaid.
Robert his Stewart Mark
Interrogatories propounded to the above named applicant by Jacob H. Smith the justice of the peace above mentioned.
1 st Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. I was born in Powhatan County Virginia in the year 1785 according to the best of my knowledge from the best information which I have on the subject.
2 o Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? Answer. I have a record of my age in my Bible.
3 o Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary War and where do you now live.
Answer. I lived in Powhatan County Virginia when I entered the service upon my three first tours. in 1780 I moved to Kentucky and resided there when I entered the service upon

My other hours of duty - Since the revolutionary war I have lived in Floyd County Ky. till about 18 years ago when I moved to the the then County of Callatin with Owen County Ky on Eagle Creek and have there continued to reside ever since -
4th How were you called into the service were you drafted, and you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer. I was a volunteer in all the services which I per- formed
5th 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 service?
Answer. I recollect to have been in my service in Virginia Cols. Willis & Greene & Genl. Shelton who I believe were regular officers. I recollect also in the same service Cols. Hol- hman and Parker who were Militia officers. In my ser- -vice in Ky. I recollect Genl. Clarke and Cols. Nick, Logan, Krieg and Boone. Upon my first tour I served as orderly sergeant in the company of Capt. Forrest. A portion of the tour I spent in Garrison at Manchester Va. on James River and the balance of the time at Richmond Va. under Genl. Willis. Upon my second tour I served as lieutenant in the company of Capt. James Stone and was left stationed at Petersburg Va. on the Appomattox river upon my third tour I served as Captain of my Company which I raised un- -der the instruction of Col. Shelton. Virginia was then inva- -ded by Genl. Matthews who had his head quarters at Portsmouth but before we reached the vicinity of that place he had evacuated it. After this I moved to Ky. and in August 1780 I entered the service as Lieutenant in the Com- -pany of Capt. Donaldson. We were engaged upon an ex- -pedition conducted by Genl. Clarke against Piccaway who we took & burned & dispersed the Indians. In 1781 I acted as an Indian spy for six months under Major Harlan. In May 1782 I volunteered upon an expedition against a party of Indians in the Company of Captain Ashton and we had a Battle with the Indians, and were defeated - Capt Ashton & eight of the men were killed. Upon our return to the fort at Ashton Station I was elected Captain of the Company and continued in the command thereof from that time till 1st

November following. Most of that period was spent in the fort of which I had the Command. In August 1782 I joined an expedition against the Indians with my company and came under the Command of Col. Logan. Upon this expedition we buried the dead after the battle of the Blue Licks & pursued the Indians and burnt their Towns and destroyed their corn. 6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service, & if so by whom was it given and what has become of it? Answer. I received a discharge signed by my Capt. from my first tour which I have lost. This was the only discharge I ever received.
6 th Did you ever receive a Commission and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it?
Answer. I received a Commission as Lieutenant in the tour which I first performed as such, which was signed by the Governor of Virginia. and which I have lost. This was the only Commission I received though I afterwards acted first as Captain, whilst I remained in Va. & afterwards as Lieut. & Captain in Ky.
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer. I will name John Cobb and James Baxter as persons to whom I am known.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Robert his Stewart mark
We James Baxter a clergyman residing in Owen County Kentucky and John Cobb residing in the same County and State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert Stewart who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 78 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been an officer and soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. We also further certify that said Stewart is a man of good reputation and of high standing in his neighbourhood for veracity and that he has been principally if not entirely confined to his house for the last twelve months.

by his bodily infirmity
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
James Baxton
John Goble
And I the said Jacob H. Smith Member of the Owen County Court and Justice of the Peace as above named do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the said Robert Stewart the above named applicant was a revolutionary officer and soldier and served as he states. And I also further certify that it appears to me that the said Stewart is so infirm in body that he cannot attend the proper court to make his declaration and that these proceedings have been had at house in Owen County Kentucky in consequence thereof. I also further certify that it appears to me that James Baxton who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Owen County Kentucky and that John Goble who has also signed the same is a resident in the same County and State, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand this 30th day of August 1833.
J. H. Smith J.P.O.C.
State of Kentucky S. s. Owen County ss. I John C. Bacon, clerk of the Court of Owen County in the State of Kentucky hereby certify that Jacob H. Smith who has subscribed the preceding certificate was at the date thereof and still is, a Justice of the Peace for said County and a member of the court of which I am clerk and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature. And I further certify that these proceedings were this day presented to me in my office by him as the original proceedings had before him in the matter of the application of Robert Stewart for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 7th day of Septm 1833
J. C. Bacon c.o.c.
Clerk of the Owen County Court

The deposition of Lewis Vallandigham taken in the Town of Owenton Owen county Ky. on the 31 st day of August 1833 to be used on behalf of Robert Stewart an applicant to be placed on the pension roll of the United States as a re- -volutionary officer and soldier. This deponent being first duly sworn states that he is a resident of Owen county Ky and is on the pension roll as a soldier of the revolution un- -der the act of June 7 th 1832. he states that he is acquainted with the said Stewart and knew him slightly during the re- -volution. that the first time he ever saw him was at Bryans Station Ky. sometime in the year 1780. he saw him frequently afterwards in Ky during the revolution and knows that he served as Indian Spy and as an officer but he cannot state what his services were particularly - he thinks he served once as a lieutenant perhaps in Capt. Donaldsons company and he is impressed with the belief that he afterwards had the com- -mand at the fort at Ashtons Station. he is very certain that he also served at sometime after 1780 as a captain on on upon some expedition against the Indians during the war. he states that he has no doubt but that said Stewart served faithfully as an officer & soldier for he was highly esteemed at the time by those who were intimately acquain- -ted with him and much commended for his bravery. He states that the said Stewart now lives in Owen county Ky.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
his Lewis Vallandigham mark
State of Kentucky Owen county Set.
I Jacob H. Smith a justice of the peace in & for Owen county Ky. hereby certify that the foregoing deposition of Lewis Vallandigham was this day taken subscribed and sworn to before me by the deponent in Owenton and I further certify that the said deponent is a credible person and

that his statements are entitled to credit. Given under my hand this 31 st day of August 1833.
J. H. Smith J.P.O.6.

The deposition of Sherwood Moulden taken at the house of the subscribing justice on the 31 st day of August 1833 to be used in favour of Robert Stewart a revolutionary soldier. This deponent being of lawful age and duly sworn deposes and says that he is now about 72 years of age and is on the pension roll of the United States as a revolutionary soldier under the Act of 7 th June 1832. That during the revolution he was a resident of Rockhatten county Va. and was then well acquainted with the said Robert Stewart who was at that time a resident of the same county and so continued till about 1780 when he moved to Kentucky that whilst the said Stewart was living in Rockhatten county during the war, he this deponent remembers that he served in the company of Captain Forrest. He also recollects that he served in the company of Captain Stone as a subaltern officer he thinks a lieutenant. He is indeed convinced that he did so serve as a lieutenant in the said company. This deponent also recollects that at- -towards the said Stewart as he at the time understood raised a company of volunteers - he saw the company paraded at the house of the father of the said Stewart who lived in the immediate neighbourhood of the residence of this deponent and was there present when the company started into the service and the said Stewart had the command of the company and was said to be its Captain. - This deponent cannot say how long said Stewart served but knows that he was absent upon each occasion for some time sometime after the return of said Stewart from the mentioned tour which he performed as captain as aforementioned he moved to Ky. as deponent understood which he thinks was about 1780. A few years after deponent came to Ky. he met with the said Stewart and they renewed their acquaintance and for 18 years past they have lived within 8 or 9 miles of each other. He further states that he and said Stewart both live in Owen county - that Stewart is a man in high esteem as an honourable and truthful man and has been confined to his house by bodily infirmity for about twelve months.

past and is now so infirm that he does not believe him able to attend court to make his declaration.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Shirwood his X Maddox mark
Also the deposition of Jacob Hunter taken at the same time and place as the above and for the same purpose who being first duly sworn deposeth and saith - That he lives in Owen county Ky. and has lately made his declaration to be placed on the pension roll of the United States as a revolutionary soldier which has not yet been acted upon that he knows of - he states that he was well acquainted with Robert Stewart of Owen county Ky who is about making his application to be placed on the pension roll & has made his declaration before Jacob H. Smith a justice of the peace for Owen county for that purpose on yesterday - that he became acquainted with him at Bryans Station in 1780 and knew him intimately till some years after the war but has heard nothing from him for a number of years until since this deponent made his own declaration and presumed that he was dead - this deponent saw him yesterday having gone for that purpose to his house - this deponent also states that the said Stewart served as lieutenant in the company of Captain Donaldson in the expedition of Genl. Clarke against Piqua in 1780 - this deponent served in the same expedition and frequently saw said Stewart - this deponent also states that said Stewart served sometime in 1781 as a spy but how long he cant say - this deponent also states that in the year 1782 the said Stewart was at Ashtons Station and had the command of the fort after Captain Ashton was killed by the Indians in a battle - this deponent was then and saw him in that year and saw him - he the said Stewart was also during the same year in the expedition against the Indians after the battle of the Blue Licks and had the command of a company under Col. Logan - this deponent was also in said expedition - this deponent thinks that he could not have acted as a captain in 1782 less than 5 or 6 months and perhaps more - he may have acted much longer for Capt. Ashton was killed in May and the Indians continued very troublesome till late in the fall - the tour that said Stewart took as a lieutenant under Captain Donaldson was for

thru months -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
his Jacob X Hunter mark
State of Kentucky Owen county ss.
I Jacob H. Smith a justice of the peace in and for the county of Owen Ky. hereby certify that the foregoing deposition of Jacob Hunter and Sherwood Maddox were this day taken subscribed and sworn to before me at my house in Owen county and that the said deponents are credible persons and their statements are entitled to credit. Given under my hand this 31 st day of August 1833
J. H. Smith J.P.O.C.
State of Kentucky Owen County ss
I John C. Bacon Clerk of the court of Owen County in the State of Kentucky hereby certify that Jacob H. Smith whose name appears to the certificates attached to the above deposition of Lewis Vallandingham and Sherwood Maddox and Jacob Hunter is a Justice of the peace in and for Owen County and was such at the date of the said certificates and I further certify that he is a member of the court of which I am clerk and that the signatures to the said certificates purporting to be his are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 7 th day of September 1833.
J. C. Bacon c.c.c. Clerk of the Owen County Court

Robert Stewart
Rev. Claims
from 1777 Prings S er g t . Lieut & Captain 2 yrs. Cap 8 mo. $160.- Lt. 6 mo. 80.- S er g t 6 mo. 30. Pa id 4 13.33  $ 283.33
283 33 183 33 141 66  708 32
Non R.R. Johnson G et & up Re-

INVALID.
Miss Mary and
File No
1256
Robert Stewart
Capt. Va. Line
Act
June 7, 1892.
Index:—Vol.
R
, Page 356
[Arrangement of 1870.]