Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7602, for Francis Steel, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Steel, Francis
S. 7602
carded
CONTENTS

North Carolina 16/164
Francis Steel Sr. of Stokes Co. in the State of North Car. who was a private : in the company commanded by Captain Overton of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Virginia line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of North Car. at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of July '33 and sent H. B. Barner Germanton N. C.
Arrears to the 14th of March '33 - 160 Sem.-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " - 40
 $200
X
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6. Page 55
Head
Paid at the April 6 th 18 to Dec r 18 th 1
Treaty undithelld of 39 from September 4 th 1840 841. Ag t Nov r 26 th 1842.

Francis Steele Rev Pensioner, Act of 1832 - N. 6 th Rolls Power of att n to exam -ine the Papers in case in favor of S. B. True
Whole
June 11/52
Presented by S. B. True June 12/52

Know all men by these presents that I William Steel of the County of Stokes and State of North Carolina and one of the children and Legal Representatives of Frances Steel a Revolutionary soldier, and Elizabeth Steel his wife who is now deceased, do hereby irrevocably in- stitute and appoint S. Blanchard Tree of Washington City my true and Lawfull attorney for me and in my name to examine into and prose- cute any claim that may be due or found to be due the children & Legal Representatives of Frances Steel - in virtue of the services of the said Frances Steel - in the Revolutionary war, and the several acts of Congress in relation thereto, and that might have accrued to either of the said par- ties & not drawn during their life time and now due their legal representatives. - Thereby authorizes my said agent or attorney to do all things that I might or could do if personally present, and I hereby ratify & confirm all that my said agent or attor- ney may do or cause to be legally done in the premises. - Making all authority I may have given to any other person in the premises whatsoever - Witness my hand & seal this 4 th day of May 1852
allied
William Steel
William Steel State of North Carolina County of Stokes William Steel
On this 4 th day of May 1852 personally appeared before me and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and deed - and I certify that I well knew the said William Steel and that he is the person now present and who execu- -ted the foregoing power of attorney
Stephens 34 Room 19

State of North Carolina County of Stokes      § § Be it known that on This 4 th day of May 1852 before me the under- -signed a Justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared William Steel and made oath according to Law that he is a son of Francis Steel who was a Revolutionary soldier and a pensioner of the Government of the United States and who is sup- posed to have been entitled to additional pen- -sion. That he is directly interested interested as a claimant in said claim his father & mother both being dead, and he makes this affidavit to be filed with such papers or additional evidence as my said agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
William Steel
Sworn to and subscribed before me Friday and year above written Stephen H Poore J P
I Stephen H Poore Justice of the peace in and for said County of Stokes and State of North Carolina do hereby certify William Steel who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable citizen of said County and as I believe directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
Stephen H Poore J P

State of North Carolina } County of Stokes }
I John Hill clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions for the County of Stokes do hereby certify that Stephen H. Poer whose name appears as a witness to the foregoing power of attorney, is a duly commissioned, qualified and acting Justice of the Peace in and for said coun- ty of Stokes, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 20 th day of May
1852
John Hill, c.c.c.

State of North Carolina Stokes County
September 20 th 1832
personally appearing in open Court Francis Steele Jr. Resident of the County & State aforesaid age 74 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth make oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832 that he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1777 & 8. with Col. Joseph Cavil, and served in the 14 th Regiment of the Virginia line under the following named officers. marching with Col. Cavil  Lieut. Col. Tucker to the middle Brook. Captain, whom I was enrolled under Captain Overton. Lieutenant Col. Burfoot who was the Ensign of the Company but was raised to the rank of a Lieut. and took the place of Lieut. Col. Tucker. The Col. was by the name of Davies, Samuel Cavil was Brigade Major & Brigadier Genl. Muhlenburg Commanded the Brigade Lord Sterling was also a Commanding General in our Army from the middle Brook Camp we were marched out of the State of New Jersey to the State of New York to a place called Smith's Clove; where we were stationed a while from thence marching to the Stony Point Fort Sling where we had a battle with the British. beat the enemy & took possession of the place. Genl. Washington from thence marching to Ramapo at which place we remained stationary for some time, whilst at that place we took powder hook which was in possession of the British, our troops were comman- ded by a Col. Giff in that engagement. The winter season was at this time approaching. we marched to the Bearskin Ridge to winter quarters. from there we marched to Trenton in New Jersey by order of Genl. Washington, at this place the Army was dissolved. all the men who had enlisted for during the war, went on to Carolina under Genl. Greene & perhaps those who had another campaign were sent also. of the balance of the men were put under Col. Overton who marched us on to Philadelphia, where we were stationed & remaining until our time of service run out, were then marched by order of Genl. Washington to Alexandria in the State of Virginia where I received my discharge from the service by Col. Feebaker, after getting home I gave my discharge to my Father. I know not what has become of it. my discharge specifying my term of service, which was for three years. Sometime after I had arrived home to my Father, I was drafted

for a term of eighteen months but not liking to go into the service so soon after getting home, I hired a substitute in my place, his name was Philip Lockhart. I gave him a horse & suit of clothes. (was living in Amherst Co. Va. when I enlisted, & also at the time I was drafted) shortly afterwards I was drafted a second time, for a term of three months & marched to Hood's Fort on James River under Capt. Richd. Balinger, Lt. Thos. Jones, Ensign Nollard. our Col. name as well as ap. I now recollect was Gaultier remaining at Hood's Fort until discharged.
Shortly after I returned home, I was drafted a third time for a term of three months & marched out to the siege of Little York under Capt. M c Stewart. Lt. Chas. Egan. This was the hardest siege I had during the war, it was for near-nineteen days and nights almost constant fighting. after Lord Cornwallis surrendered, I marched with the British prisoners to a place called Walnut Ridge Barracks about 7 miles beyond Winchester in Rockingham Co. Virginia, at which place I was discharged & went home.
Sworn and subscribed to in open Court This 12 day of September 1832 Francis his mark M c Hill. c.c.c.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as a State
6 John Bell Clerk of the Court of Pleas of Notes & Exceptions and Quarter Sessions, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Francis Steel for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at the seat of said Court at office in Germantown in said County of Notes the 15 day of Sept 1832.
M c Hill. c.c.c.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 192
In reply to your request of _____, for the history of  Francis Steel , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, the following is taken from the _____ claim for pension.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1778 3 yrs Pvt Overton for G. Bell Daniel Pa.   3 mos Richard Bellinger Gaultin   1781 3 " John Stewart  
Battles engaged in, Stony Point Paulus Hook Siege of York Residence of soldier at enlistment, Amburst Va Date of application for pension, Sept 12, 1832  that was all Residence at date of application, Stokes Co NC Age at date of application, 6 Mar 11, 1759
Remarks:
wife Elizabeth died before him  He died Dec. 18, 1840 leaving children Wm only name stated
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

✓ 1873
Richardson of Francis Sled for Pearson Stoke Cy. C.W.
• ✓

(William A. Mitchell) Stokes County ss  On this day personally appeared  before me  William A. Mitchell North Carolina ss  John Vaughn, and  parties of the  pension and for said County, Francis Steele the within appli- cant for a pension, & maketh oath in due form of law That he hereby relinquishes every claim 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
Sworn & subscribed to this 15 th day of Janu- ary 1833
Francis his Steele mark
W. A. Mitchell Sp. Clerk
John Vaughn Deed
North Carolina ss  ss - I John Hill clerk of the Stokes County ss  ss - I John Hill clerk of the County ss  ss of bliss  bliss & quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that William A. Mitchell & John Vaughn who signed the above affidavit is & were at the time of their signing the same acting parties of the pension  pension for said County & that due faith & credit ought to be had to their official acts as such In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office This 4 th day of May A.D. 1833
J. Hill. cler.

State of North Carolina Stokes County 333
On the 29th day of April 1833, personally appeared before me Charles Banner one of the Justices of the peace in & for the County aforesaid Mary Neal of the County aforesaid Seventy years of Age who being first sworn according to Law doth on her oath declare that she perfectly remembers that her brother Francis Steel when living in Amherst County in the Commonwealth of Virginia enlisted in the Army of the United States in the time of the Revolutionary War & was gone along time she does not recollect exactly when she remembers when he started into the Service & his returning from the Service with a written paper call a discharge - and after his return from said Service he served in in the Militia Free Town of three months each or more she believes, which was about the close of the war the precise date she cannot recollect - the above paper or discharge she thinks was used by Col. Feebaker as she read it often, sworn & subscribed the date above written
before me Mary her Neal marks C Banner J.P.
State of North Carolina Stokes County 333
Personally appeared before me Charles Banner one of the Justices of the peace in & for the County aforesaid Mary Neal who swore to & subscribed the above deposition, that she appears to be Seventy years of Age, And is believed in the neighborhood where she resides to be a pious credible old lady & of good sound mind & memory & that her affidavit on oath is entitled to credit given under my hand this 29th day of April 1833
C Banner J.P.

State of North Carolina Stokes County 31.
We James Martin sen. & Henry Carter both residents of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Francis Steel who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declarations on of the 12 th day of Septem r 1832. & his Relinquishment of the 15 th day of Jan y 1833. & the present one. That we believe him to be Seventy four years of Age that he is reputed & believed in the Neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion - Sworn & subscribed this 29 th day of April 1833.
before me J Banner J.P.
J. Martin Sen d
Henry Carter
State of North Carolina Stokes County 31.
I Charles Banner one of the acting Justices of the peace in & for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify & declare my opinion after investigation of the matter & putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that I am of Opinion that Francis Steel who Sworn & Subscribed the foregoing declarations on of the 12 th Septem r 1832. & his Relinquishment of the 15 th of Jan y 1833. and the present one of the 29 th April 1833. that he appears to be Seventy four years of Age & is accounted in his Neighborhood to be a man of truth. and a Respectable citizen. & I am induced to believe he was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states, and I further certify that there is no Clergyman residing convenient to the old man that could give the Certificate required. But that the honorable Col o James Martin sen d aged upwards of ninety years & Henry Carter Esquire who signed the preceding Certificate are Residents of the County aforesaid, and are as credible persons as any in the County and that their statement are entitled to Credit
Given under my hand this 29 th April 1833
C. Banner J.P.

State of North Carolina Stokes County ss
I John Hill, clerk of the county court of Pleas & quarter Sessions for the county aforesaid. Do hereby certify that Charles Banner whose signature is to the foregoing declaration, deposition and certificates, is, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid. and that his official acts as such is genuine &c. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office & set my hand this 4 th day of May A.D. 1833 —————
J. Hill. a.c.c.
Declaration
Frances Steel of Stokes County N.C. for a Pension —————

State of North Carolina Stokes County
On the 29th day of April 1833. personally appeared before me Charles Bannan one of the acting Justices of the peace for the county aforesaid Francis Steel who has made his declaration as an applicant for a Pension as made to the Act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832 & he being duly sworn according to Law deposes & saith that by reason of old age, the length of time, & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot precisely remember the date of the different periods when he entered the service & returned out of service & was discharged which discharges he has lost but that he served as a private soldier in every service (total) three years as an enlisted private; & six months in the Militia under the officers named in his Declaration of the 12th of September 1832, that he knows of no person that he can prove his services aforesaid by. But by his Sister Mary Neal who intermarried with Jacob Neal who can testify that she knew of his entering the service & returning with his discharge when they resided in the County of Amherst, Virginia, the Applicant further states in answer to the 7th Query prescribed by the War Department that he is acquainted with a number of the good citizens of Stokes County N.C. (where he has resided for upwards of thirty years past) who can testify as to his character &c. and there being no Clergyman convenient to be had without much trouble & inconvenience to procure his certificate, therefore offers the Certificate of Col. James Martin & Henry Cartwright his Neighbors to prove as to their belief concerning the premises, as respects his character &c. and in answer to the first, second & third Queries - first he says he was born in Amherst County Virginia, that he had a record of his age in a Bible which is torn out & lost but it was March 1759 to the best of his recollection, 3rd that he resided in said County of Amherst when called into service that he emigrated from said County & now lives in Stokes County in N. Carolina. Sworn & subscribed the state first above mentioned.
before me
C Bannan J.P.
Francis Steel his mark

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPROLLER'S OFFICE,
April 15 th 1842.
Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"
The children of Francis Steel, Jr. deceased.
a Pensioner on the Roll of the North Carolina
Agency, at the rate of Eighty — Dollars and
— Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June
1832, has been paid at this Department, from the
4 th of Sept. 1840, to the 18 th Dec. 1840.
Respectfully, Yours,
William H. Harris
COMPTROLLER.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Francis Steel
Admiral as a private 2 yrs. $80
Recommend amended of file 9 P. H. Thompson 31. July 1853
Should prove his service as required within.
H. Bannow Esq. Gilmour Esq. H.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Francis Steel 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? no, 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? —
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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? —
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
not on the Rolls #
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? yes.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so 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 the 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.
# 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 authenticated 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 end 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.

Spartanburg S.C. July 12-1924
Commissioner of Pensions -
Gentlemen -
Will you please Send me a statement or authority where Francis Steel fought in Rev. war and received a pension he was in the Battle of Stony Point Paulus Hook, Siege of York, at enlistment was a resident of Amherst Co. Va. application of Pension Sept. 12, 1832

Am very anxious to get a child in the C. A. R. and that is what I need Can you give date of birth, marriage and death of his wife Elizabeth! and name of Andrew Steel their son and his wife Ruth Banks. Thanking you I am very Respt-
Mrs. Chas. K. Loveld President of Benjamin Roebuck C. A. R.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
July 23, 1924.
Mrs. Charles K. Gould, Spartanburg, S. C.
Madam:
I have to advise you that on July 20, 1923, you were furnished the full history of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Francis Steel, and owing to lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, it is not the practice to sent the same record twice to one person.
The date of birth, marriage and death of Elizabeth, wife of Francis Steel, is not on record nor is it stated that they had a son, Andrew.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. man
7602 INVALID.
File No. 7602
Francis Steel
Miss W. S. Clift
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol. 103 , Page 35-8
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1920 July 20. Recd. to M.W.C. of E. Smith. Am. 1924 July 23. Mrs. Chas. K. Smith advised no data on file re: to Elizabeth, wife of Francis Steel. 2m.

Spartanburg S.C. June 2, 1923
Commissioner of Pensions Kind Sir.
Please tell me Rev War if you have any record of "Francis Steel" and "William Ward" having fought in Rev. War? Am very anxious to get the authority, am sure they were in that war but have not the proof, families came from North Carolina State , County of Forsythe or Stokes. Any information given would be appreciated. Thanking you Am Resp.
Mrs. C. K. Gould Pres. Benjamin Reebuck So. 270 Marion Ave. C. A. R.