Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17073, for Joseph Saunders, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va Sea Service
Saunders Joseph
S 170-73
CONTENTS
Va half pay
See D.A. Acc No 837 Virginia State Navy Joseph Saunders, Y.S. Files Va Half Pay

let s 74 Feby Pension agen t Mobile. — let to Pen agen t City, April 11. to Pen agen t a The Amount dr t 4 th March 183 of his death Washington
- 1833 to ts. at Washig t, Washng ton 1834 & let t Mobile. u from the 1 to the day paid in City.
836, Dec 6 - J. E. Saunders - for more identity - (he wrote Joseph H. Saunders) 1837 Jany 8 - J. E. Saunders with history Prot
In pay allowed Feb 21, 65
Alabama 5657-
Joseph Saunders of Lawrence in the State of Ala. who was a Lieut t in the the comm d . by Captain State - of the - comm d . by Navy of the Virginia years from 1774. Va. Sea Service
Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama as the rate of 365 - Dollars --- Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Feby. 1833 - and sent to Hon: S. W. Mardis. House of Reps
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 547.50 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Mar: 33. 182.50 $730.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Nathan Rice --- Clerk Book Q Vol. 10 - Page 206

am
ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1871.
WAR OF 1812.
3284
Heirs of Joseph Saunders Gi-
Va Key Revolution
Discharged _____, 18
5084
Ny Pay _____ act-32
Received _____, 187
Attorney
90

Col. Saunders
Hon. Mr. Randall & Co.

State of Alabama County of Lawrence
On this 25 th day of Sept 1832 personally appeared in open court before me John White. Judge of the circuit court of Lawrence County now sitting. Joseph Saunders resident of S d County of Lawrence in the state aforesaid aged seventy five years who being first 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 officers and served as hereinafter stated —
I do hereby certify that I was born in Lancaster County, Virginia in June 1757. and I intended to serve in three years in Navy of Va on 7 th March 1777. the recruiting officer was name Thomas Dousing. who never Service came into active service. I was placed on board Ship Dragon then on the stocks building at Fredericksburg Va commanded by Capt Eliezer Callander. John Lurtie first Lieut. I helped to rig her was landed in her and as soon as she dropped from the slip into the channel and ship was on board. I was interested with charge of the prisoners and pressing rations. and when the guns came on board I was interested with the charge of Magazine & making cartridges. I continued to act in both of these stations until a was engaged. & he took charge of that department I continued to fill the other place for sometime. Mr David Henderson from Fredericksburg was Clerk of the ship. a board of officers organized stated the Navy Board. by whose authority the Navy of Va was regularly commissioned & etc. They held their office at Williamsburg. prior to the transferring seat of government to Richmond. This board. clerks of ships reported the Books and Stations of ships crew. &c &c. and from them drew money for payment of ships crew. If these records could be referred to ample evidence could be obtained for those claiming pensions of the Navy department. for some two or three years from first establishment but my age and infirmity prevent my benefiting therefrom. Three ships, a brig and tender were commissioned and ordered on a cruise destination not published. on the second or third day fell in with a large ship. proved to be a British seventy four. which gave chase to our fleet came up fast with us. night came on our fleet separated. changed course and evaded pursuit. Returned to our station near the capes of Va in order to protect the commerce of the Chesapeake bay. which was much harassed by the British privateers. after this nothing other worthy of note transpired for some time. (But find committed. the Names of ships and commanders thereof. that was ordered on a cruise. I now state them Ship Packer commanded by Robert Taylor. Ship Imprest commanded by Carly Saunders Ship Dragon commanded by Eliezer Callander. Brigs. Name forgot commanded by John Lurtie former first Lieut. of Ship Dragon. and a tender. on this station a sale came in sight. gave chase to our ship. we fired over guns. concided one man. and hit one sales long looking. let some of sales hang half mast. she proved to be a privateer came down upon us and fired into a head of us. began to take in sail. found her mistake we gave a broadside. or two. She heaved up her sales. soon by us giving us a broadside & made her escape. The war board by Capt. Taylor. who came along side to know what it meant. and took out of our ship men & officers and gave chase to privateer came up with her and engaged her the action was warmly contested. and the Capt Taylor. who was then commander of the squadron. was dangerously wounded and several of the men. & Lieut. Hamilton. think next in command. Rose away with her to take care of her wounded

I certify that these papers were received from the Clerk of the Court of Lawrence County, Alabama: There can be no doubt that they are genuine.
Yassa W. Mardis
See claims of Richard Taylor, Capt. Va Navy.
Commodore Taylor never came into actual service again. Capt Wm Saunders then commanded ship Tarter. Capt James Barron the Elder. was then Commodore, and Capt Callander Resigned and Capt James Markham an old seaman commanded ship Dragon He was an old inferior man and soon Resigned. then Capt Edward Taisz commanded Dragon about or before the time for which I enlisted expired. I was promoted to a Master's mate and being pleased with my Station. I continued in the service. while many of my comrades. took discharges and went home. and when the British came into Hampton Roads. ship Impial I think . however one of the Ships commanded by Capt Richard Barron. and the Dragon. that Lay there. were obliged to give way to Superior force. and go up James River. some British ships came up James River up as high as 2nd Chickahominy and then Lieut Chandler and myself obtained permission of Capt James Markham the commissioner of the Navy. to take a Gally and man her and go on a attack a British Ship then off the mouth of the river. we accordingly went down and made the attack the Ship was a letter of Mark. of 12 or 14 Guns. and the action continued until our ammunition failed. and we bore away. no lives lost on our side. but shot. language and sound shot flew thick around through our sails & Rigging. until we got out of reach - I was promoted to a Lieut in the Navy. and instructed to man and fit out a Gally as quick as possible. my Commission was signed by Capt James Markham then commissioner of navy) and go down near the British fleet to watch their motion if any action their took place with notice. I was to give notice to Genl. Lafayette as the any Commander nearest therto. and attend to any orders from Genl. Lafayette. I did so and joined Lieut. Chandler then on the P. Station of Look out. who in a few days was taken by a decoy fitted out by the British for that purpose. and did a prisoner in their possession. about the time the British army came from Charles Town to Petersburg the their Vessels began to come higher up James River. they sent a number of gun boats. up to our ship yard to destroy what was there. I had filled my Gally. with naval stores to take up the River to conceal them but wind and tide being against me could not go on. came to put a spring on my cable. and awaited their arrival. it was not long before they came in sight and as soon as near enough I discharged my cannon at them. Seize my Vessel. and made my escape to shore with the men I had with me. this was the last active service I had in the navy. but rendered service to the army in conveying forage and provisions to them in a set of small craft I had procured by Commission of Capt. Taisz of the Navy. considering me as a naval officer. and on this service when off Mouth of York River. I recd a signal from French admr that Genl. Cornwallis had surrendered to the American arms. I went right up to York through British fleet and released the Lord. While there. I was ordered by Capt. Taisz to take a Lieut and Guard go on board a British Ship who was about to sail unrestricted as to dead. But Information said she had many slaves on board contrary to stipulations. I was instructed to search her and all I found lying on shore. I did search her. found only one. brought her on shore and delivered her to the proper authority. there was no more call for the officers or marines of the navy. that I ever heard of. I considered my subject to such call until peace took place. and then on some short time thereafter the state of Va made arrangements to settle their pay at the auditor's office at Richmond.

accordingly I attended them produced my Commission as evidence and Recd my full pay. also. a bounty in Land of 2680. 3 / 4 acres equal to pay and bounty of a Capt s in the army. Which by the arrangements in that case provided. a Lieut. in Navy Ranked and Recd pay equal to a Capt s in army. so in higher grades as Capt s equal to a Col n etc - all which will appear by a reference to those records. But But here I am informed by the present auditor of public acc s V a . M c James Heath. of Richmond. that my name do not appear on Record of Land office there. but that a Lieut t . Joseph Saunders of the army drew a land bounty - I am impressed with a belief that an error took place in one of the Clerks. stating army. instead of navy. in their books. for I know they were much hurried on. If it be material to have this corrected. it could I think be easily done. If the order sent from auditor's office. to land office to issue the Land Warrant. could be found. & if the dates were the same or within a day or so. and written by same hand. and if no other Joseph Saunders can be found on those Records. it amounts to a demonstration that I am the only person. and did receive the Land bounty - as did most assuredly the same day I settled my acc s or a day or so after - My commission and a copy of the Records. of auditor's office Richmond. of my settlement of my acc s there after peace. is put into the hands of M c James W. Maddox Representative. of middle District Ala a to Congress. Together with this statement and other documents. making my Reputation in support of my claim to a pension according to a Law of last Congress. giving pensions to all Revolutionary Servants. He is hereby appointed my agent in all legal matters thereunto relating.  In giving a narrative of occurrences. which transpired so many years before. there may be some errors or mistakes. as to dates. order etc. nevertheless the substance are strictly true I do further state that when I enlisted into the Navy. I lived in Lancaster County V a after the War. and I had settled my accounts at the auditor's office in Richmond for the balance of my pay & Recd the am t of £188. 3. in a certificate as also bounty of Land. my mind was turned to provide something for old age or for support of a family if I ever had one. and with this view I left my native place and went to Brunswick County V a some time about 1789. settled there and devoted my time to domestic economy. and religion. I was quiet & contented Rejoicing in the prosperity of my country. felt proud and animated at every recollection, that I was one of the tho' I have that I was thousands who risked their lives for their country's Liberty - & gloried in enjoying the benefits. the fruits of all our suffering and toil - In the year 1822 I removed to Tenn s . Stayed there one year. and then moved to Lawrence County Alabama. where I now reside. my retired situation. at a distance from my native place. I know of no person that can testify any thing of my actual service in the Navy of the State of V a in the revolutionary war. but have some acquaintances who will testify as to reputation and the common opinion of my acquaintances. touching my revolutionary services. Viz John P. Malone & Major Thomas Mackin both of Time Stone Col t Alabama and Rev d Turner Saunders of this Col t and State. near neighbours to me.

He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension except the presents and a claim for half pay from the state of Virginia secured by the act of congress passed 5 th July 1832 entitled an act to provide for liquidating & paying certain claims of the state of Virginia and declares that his name is not now on the pension roll of the agency of any state and I hereby relinquish said half pay which has accrued since the 4 th March 1838 on condition that I obtain the benefit of the act under which this declaration is made.
Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid
Joseph Saunders.
I Thomas M c Lakin residing now in the County of Limestone Alabama age 63 years hereby certify that I am well ac- quainted with the said Joseph Saunders and has been for thirty five or forty years - That he believes the said Joseph Saunders who has subscribed that seem to the above declaration, to be ninety five years of age - That his acquaintance with said Saunders commenced at the time of first living in Greenville and said Saunders in Brunswick County. His affiant afterwards removed to Brunswick about the year of 1796 and that when

The said Saunders resided he was reported to have been an officer in the Navy of the United States State of Virginia during the Revolution - and this was the general belief - I never had any doubt of it myself - The said Saunders has always sustained an unimpeachable character as a man of rectitude morality and respectability.
Sworn to subscribe the day & year above
John White
Thomas Maclean
I John P. Malone a resident citizen of Limestone County Alabama aged 54 years hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Joseph Saunders and have been for about 30 years - I believe him to be 75 years of age - My acquaintance commenced at the time the said Saunders resided in Brunswick County Virginia where he was reported and believed to have been an officer in the Navy of Virginia during the Revolution and that he was always sustained an excellent character as a man of piety morality & respectability - I have no doubt and never had any of the truth of the report of said revolutionary services.
Sworn to subscribe the day & year aforesaid
John White
John P. Malone
Mr. Turner Saunders a clergyman residing in Lawrence County Alabama and Robert H. Watkins residing in the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Joseph Saunders, that they believe him to be 75 years of age, that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion - and the said Turner Saunders certifies further that he is about 50 years of age and that he has been acquainted with the said Joseph Saunders

Saunders from the time of his boyhood, that when he resided in the county of Brunswick Virginia it was reported and believed that he served in the Navy of Virginia during the Revolutionary war - that no man has sustained a better character for piety when he has resided.
Sworn to subscribe the day & year above
Turner Saunders
Robert H Watkins
And the said court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and the 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 certify that the said applicant, Turner Saunders a clergyman and Robert H Watkins all living in Lawrence County Alabama and have been personally known to the presiding officer of this court for many years and that they are men of full credit and their statements can be trusted to full credence.
I John Gallagher Clerk of the Circuit Court of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Joseph Saunders for a pension. The testimony of which I have hereunto put my hand and affixed my seal of office this 26 th Sept 1832 John Gallagher Clerk
1 in 256

Courtland Alabama
18 th December 1886
Hon John C Black Coemte
Dear Sir
Your very courteous reply to my request for a copy of the application of Joseph H Saunders for a pension was duly received; and I have drawn on my memory to reproduce the main facts of his case.
Joseph H Saunders (I am not certain he always wrote it with an H) was raised in Brunswick Co Virginia. He was first Lieutenant under Capt Travis, on the Tartar in the Virginia Navy. When the British fleet came into James River, he had been put by his Captain, into a command of a Schooner. A calm prevented his escape from the boats of the enemy; and in preference to being captured he blew out the bottom of his Schooner, with a small cannon and landed on the pen insula; and reported to Genl Washington, then before York Town. From that time until the end of the war, he and his crew were employed in bringing down the River supplies for the Army in flats . Lieut Saunders had no difficulty in proving his claim ( except for it was verified by the records of the Navy Department)

except for this short term; but there, by a fortunate occurrence, met, in my office, with a comrade named Black in my office (for I was aiding the old patriots, without charge and had a crowd around me du- ring court.) Lieut Saunders lived at this time in Lawrence County Alabama. It seems to me, his claim was proven in court in 1828 or 1829.
I am with much consideration
Your obedt. servant
James E. Saunders

J. Saunders du act July 5. 1832.
Feb 22 o 1845
Record, vol 43 p 159

Pension Office
February 22. 1845
I certify that I have examined the claim of the administrator of the late Joseph Saunders, who was a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy; and I find that he was allowed half-pay under the act of the 5 th of July 1832, entitled "an act to provide for liquidating and paying certain claims of the State of Virginia," from the 3 rd of September 1783 to the 4 th of March 1831. The administrator now claims pay from the 31 st of October 1781 when he left the service, until the 3 rd of September 1783,  March 1831 , when his half-pay commenced, and also from the 4 th of March 1831, when his half-pay ceased, up to the 2 nd of May 1833, when he died. It is my opinion that the claim should be allowed, and I certify that half-pay at the rate of one hundred and eighty two dollars and fifty cents per annum is due for the periods claimed, and is payable to his administrator Robert Fenner, of Laurence County, Alabama.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Approved
Secretary of War.
Enter This on Book act July 5. '32

17.073 INVALID.
Am
File No. 17.073.
Joseph Clunders Adm. Dist. New York
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 335
[Arrangement of 1870.]
James E. Hanley assistant att.

Re. 9 Jany. 1834.
924. 616. Auditors Office Dec. 30 1833
Sir,
I have recd yours of the 23 d inst enclosing the papers of Joseph Saunders a Lieut t in the Navy of Virginia during the Revo n war - & in reply have to state that no further or additional evidence can be found in this office, than what is contained in those papers.
I am very respectfully your obedient servant
J. M c Heath
The Hon R. B. Taney Secretary of war the Treasury

in I herewith send you the Pension Certificate of Joseph Parnady (deceased), late of Laurens County North Alabama with the request that you will take it up and issue a certificate in its stead payable at this place.
I have the honor to be Respectfully
Washington City Apr 18 th 1834
Ann W. Mardis
See the same to be paid at Phil a place. L. L.
I do know of my own knowledge that Mr. Joseph Parnady never died by himself or any one else for him receive an annuity on the Pension certificate dated 14 th  June July 1833.
Ann W. Mardis

No. 2 Jan'y 1834
926
64.7
H. A. Dickens esq.
Pension Off Jan'y 2. 1834
Dear Sir -
The pension of Joseph Saunders as a Lt of the Va. Navy was granted by special decision of the Secy. and the file could not be allowed to be taken out. As the papers are short if you can step & examine them it will relieve me from the necessity of furnishing you a copy of them which I will cheerfully do if desired -
Yrs with great esteem Geo. M c Crump
H. A. Dickens esq.

$365 per anno
Hon. S. W. Mardis H. R.
pay in Wash ng to 1 st Sept. 1832 - & after in Alab- ama -

Copy
State Yard, March 20 th 1781.
Sir
I am to desire you to take the Command of the Lewis Gally, and as a Lieut in the Navy of this Commonwealth, and use every exertion in your power to have her man'd and ready for service as expeditious as possible. You are also to observe that you are to follow any instructions that may be given you from the Marquis Fayette
I am very respectfully
Sir
Your most ob t Serv t
Signed, James Maxwell
Lieut. Saunders Commanding the Lewis Gally

15-9774-11m R 9183 B 9184

F 17.072
Lawrence Co
Courtland Alabama
8 Sept 1887
Gen. J. C. Black
Dear Sir
In a statement as to the services of Joseph Saunders in the Virginia Navy enclosed in your courteous favor of the 8 th  Decr Jan'y 1887, I think the clerk copying the document has made a mistake in the Christian name of Capt Lady Saunders. The Sec. of Pa. His. Society and Campbell in his history of Virginia write the name Leely . Please recommit the document to the clerk and if there be mistake, have him to interline the true name and have it returned to me.
Again you will oblige me by having a search made to ascertain if Capt William Saunders, (or any person on his behalf) ever made any application for a pension, and what statement was made in the application as to the County of his residence when he entered the Navy and his services.
And send me the same sort of an abstract as to the services of Capt Leely Saunders.
I am very Truly Yr Oth Servant James E Saunders