Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30530, for James Lawson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
10.
Lawson, James
S. 30530
CONTENTS

19268 Kentucky
See letter 14 May 1834 to Hon R. M. Johnson R.R.
James Lawson of Greenup Co. in the State of Ky. who was a Capt. in the 1st Regt. commanded by Capt. Hester of the 1st Regt. commanded by Col. Clark in the 1st Regt. time for 9 mos.
Entered on the Roll of Pensions at the rate of 30 Dollars per annum to commence on the 28th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of March 1832 and Robert D. Stockton Greenup Co. Ky. on the 28th of March 60 00 the same ending 1st Sept 15 00
875 -
{ Revolutionary War Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Diana Day Clerk Book 5 Vol. 1 Page 17

2 V o 18473
James Lawson of Greenup County Kentucky
from 1778 private 9 months. $30.
Robt. T. Stockton Greensburg.
Mr. Stockton P. H. Greenup barring Kentucky Ken

BRIEF in the case of James Lawson  County of Greenup in the State of Kentucky  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.     Period.  Duration of Service.  Rank.  Names of General and Field Officers    Years,  Months,  Days.  under whom he served.      Infry In 1774 or 1778 Infry 1782   6 3   private private  Gen. M c Arthur Col. Clark, Col. Darden, Major Bedinger     5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Hampshire County Virginia  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
R. H. Shepherd
Examining Clerk.
This is to certify that, while at Williamsburg, he was of the men assigned to the service of the Continental Army, to go on an expedition to capture Muddy Run. He further states that he was in company with that officer - That he was one of 200 men by Col. Mathews - That he served three months under Genl. St. Clair, his Col. being David Legman, when St. Clair was defeated.

James Lawrence Davis

State of Kentucky Greenup County ss
On this 11th day of February 1833 personally appeared in open court before the county court of Greenup county now sitting, James Garrison, a resident of the county State aforesaid aged seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law, with me his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of 1832, before June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers served as herein stated, That he was born in March 1760 that he has the record of his age at his house in this county, That he was drafted in Hampshire county Virginia, in which county he then resided, that he entered the service on the eleventh day of March in the year 1777 or 1778 under Capt. Moses Hutton, Lieutenant Sylvester Ward, Ensign Jonathan Heath. he marched to the mouth of Wheeling and there remained in service until the 11th of September following, that then there he received a written discharge from Moses Hutton which he has long since lost or destroyed, he states that while the troops to which he belonged, lay at Wheeling a Lieutenant Lawrence Harrison, a regular officer came from Pittsburgh, with orders from General Hand for ten men out of Hutton's New River Light Infantry company to go on an expedition down the river to where Marietta now stands, that he volunteered as one of the ten from Capt. Hutton's company, saw their return they closely pressed by the Indians,
The states further that in the summer of 1782 he entered the service again under a draft furnished from Hampshire county Virginia to New Castle under Capt. Elderly, and that Col. Dunk and Major Redinger were in company, that this term was for three months and the time of service from general rendezvous was
That he was thus taken as one of the patrols which consisted of two hundred men, commanded by Col. Matthews, who was afterwards sent against the whiskey boys, Our general stand while his patrol was at a place known by the name of "Burnt Ormary" above Williamsburg, He states that he has not

documentary evidence for which he can establish his services. (He expects to prove his services at the time he has a brother living by whom he could prove his services as patrol, but he resides at such a distance that it would be very inconvenient for him to procure his evidence. He states that he served three months under General St. Clair. The name of the camp under whom he served was Robert Slaughter, that he was in St. Clair's defeat, besides much other service against the Indians, about that time, although he may not be entitled to receive any thing for his services in St. Clair's campaign, yet he thinks it proper to speak of it in connection with his other services, as evidence of his willingness at all times to step forward to offer his services when his country might require them.
He states that he resided in Adams County Ohio before removing to Greenup county & that he has resided here (Greenup county Ky) for the last 8 or 9 years that he is well known to the undersigned.
Charles Philip L. James Patton. To the latter of whom was known him forty years or more. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Given to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
James Dawson
We Charles Philip L. James Patton residing in the county of Greenup state of Kentucky hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James Dawson who has subscribed hereto the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy three years of age that he is respected and beloved

in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, I had no entir- ely concurred in that opinion. I have not subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Charles Phillips
James Patten
State of Kentucky
Greenup County
vs Greenup County Court, May term 1833.
At a County Court held for Greenup County at the Courthouse in the town of Greenupburg on Monday the 6th day of May in the year 1833.
James Lawson, this day produced in Court his declaration to obtain a Pension under the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832, as a Soldier of the Revolution, and subscribed and sworn to the same in open Court, and also, the Reverend Charles Phillips a Clergyman and James Patten, both Citizens of this County subscribed and sworn to their Certificate annexed to said declaration.
And the said Court doth 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 seems to them that Charles Phillips Clergyman, who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the said County of Greenup, and that James Patten, who has also signed the same is a resident in the said County of Greenup, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Alfred H. G. Nichols, Clerk of the County Court of Greenup aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of James Lawson for a Pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this sixteenth day of May 1833. (and in the 57th Year of the Commonwealth.
A. H. G. Nichols. C. CC.

May 16, 1934
XXXXXX XXXXXXX
James Lawson-S.30530 BA-J/AWF
Miss Mary R. Ellis 4111 Warwick Blvd. Kansas City, Missouri
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Lawson, who received a pension in Greenup County, Kentucky.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.30530, based upon the Revolutionary War service of James Lawson.
James Lawson was born in March, 1760, place not stated, nor are the names of his parents given.
While residing in Hampshire County, Virginia, James Lawson enlisted March 11, 1777 or 1778 in Captain Moses Hutton's Virginia company, marched to Wheeling, where he volunteered under Lieutenant Lawrence Harrison and went on an expedition down the river to where Marietta "now stands", returned to Wheeling and was discharged by Captain Hutton, September 11, of the same year. He served three months in the summer of 1782 in Captain McCarty's company under Colonels Darke and Matthews. He served three months under Captain Robert Leomon and was in General St. Clair's Defeat. He also had other tours against the Indians, no details given.
James Lawson resided in Adams County, Ohio, before moving to Greenup County, Kentucky. He was allowed pension on his application executed, October 1, 1832, then

living in Greenup County, Kentucky, where he had lived eight or nine years.
There is no reference to wife or children.
He had a brother in 1832 living "at such a distance"; his name not given.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address to whom sent, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., citing the following data:
James Lawson Certificate #19268 Issued August 21, 1833 Rate $30.00 per annum To commence March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Kentucky Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Leavon 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? 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? Yes  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?  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? Yes 
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.
†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 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.

Greensburg Ky. May 9 th
Free
To the Secretary of War Br. Q. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions to Washington D.C.

Greenwich
May 29 th 1833
Dear Sir,
In reference to the enclosed certificate on the claim of James Garrison, corrected with the only objection that appeared against it, I also enclose the former statement, there were compelled to have another statement. I another certificate on account of the death of the clerk who signed the certificate upon the first, I hope this will be found correct, please let me hear from it. Also from the application of John W. Howe from this county which I forwarded about the same time, they are both quite old, & it would be a great gratification to them to find that their country had allowed a compensation for their services, when their cases have been examined please advise me or J. B. G. Nichols, clerk of the county court.
I oblige N. D. H. S.
Robert D. Stockton

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
AWF:MLB
July 21, 1930
Mrs. King Becker 1010 H Street Sacramento, California
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 30530, that James Lawson was born in March, 1760, place not stated.
While residing in Hampshire County, Virginia, he served as follows:
From March 11, 1777 or 1778, in Captain Moses Hutton's Company Va. Reg. that marched to Wheeling where he volunteered under Lieutenant Lawrence Harrison and went on an expedition down the river where Marietta now stands and returned to Wheeling and was discharged by Captain Hutton September 11, 1777 or 1778; in the summer of 1782, three months, in Captain Mc Carty's Company under Colonels Danke and Matthews; in 1791, three months, under Captain Robert Leamon and was in General St. Clair's Defeat.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 1, 1832, at which time he was living in Greenup County, Kentucky, having moved there from Adams County, Ohio.
There is no reference to wife or children.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

In reply to your request of _____, received for a statement of the military history of a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.      1775  1776  1777  1778  1779  1780  1781  1782  1783   1 yr  1 yr  1 yr  1 yr  1 yr  1 yr  1 yr  1 yr  1 yr   Private  Private  Private  Private  Private  Private  Private  Private  Private   Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]   Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]  Col. [unclear]   N. York  N. York  N. York  N. York  N. York  N. York  N. York  N. York  N. York   
where [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] [unclear]
Battles engaged in, _____  Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____  Date of application for pension, _____  Residence at date of application, _____  Age at date of application, _____  Remarks: He died in the [unclear] No data as to wife or child

1111 Warwick Blvd. Kansas City, Mo.
Pension Bureau Washington D. C.
Dear Sir: James Lawson of Virginia received a pension for services in the War of the Revolution. He died in Green- up County, Ky. in 1834. Will you please send me his records. Thanking You
Very Respectfully (Miss) Mary R. Ellis
May 1st 1934

1019 H street
Sacramento California
May 17 th - 1938.
Bureau of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:-
In looking up references in our State Library I find in the records of the Revolutionary soldiers the names of Lawsons, which are, I am sure, my ancestors. Will you please give me all information you have records of and of their wives, names if possible and would it be possible to tell me if these are all relatives, and how they are related. The names are as follows:-
1) Nathan Lawson, Washington Co. Kentucky- 2) John Lawson, Nelson Co " " 3) James Lawson, Greenup " " 4) Thomas Lawson, Dredell North Carolina William Lawson Rev. Scott Virginia
I have given you the names, etc, as I find them, but these locations may not be their place of enlistment. Thanking you I am very truly
Mrs King Becker 1010, H. St Sacramento Calif

Lakeport, Lake Co., Cal. June 8, 1907
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
My grandfather, James Lawson, was born Mar 11 th 1760 and died November 11 th 1844. I am told that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. I desire to be furnished with a record of his service.
He received a pension, but whether under the war of the Revolution or the war of 1812 I do not know. He was in both wars. At the time of his death he was living near Gruntpsburg, Greenup Co. Ky.
In the Revolution I think his services would be either from Virginia or Penn. Please send me a record of his service as I desire it for patriotic purposes.
Respectfully yours
Mrs. Mary J. Arnold Lakeport, Lake Co. Cal.

Lakeport, Lake Co. O. 1896. Commissioner of Pensions Dec. 7, 1896. Washington D. C.
Dear Sir,
I wish you would kindly give me some information of James Lawson who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War enlisting in Virginia about 1776. He was then only a boy about 16 yrs of age.
He was also in the war of 1812 enlisting I think from Adams Co. Ohio. He drew a pension afterward, when he lived in Greenup Co. Ky. as nearly as I remember.
Please tell me all the facts and what amt. he drew and for what length of time.
You will confer a great favor
Yours Respectfully
M. J. Arnold

30 530 Rev INVALID.
File No. _____
James Madison 1815 - 1836
Act: James Madison
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 286
[Arrangement of 1870.]
James #97 Hisley - to Mrs Arnold Salemport, Calif St. B. V
1917 June 22. to Mrs. Mary J. Arnold 1930 July 22. " " " King Becker 1934 May 16. " " Miss Mary G. R. Ellis

154 Pension for services rendered to the United States by John Harkness (deceased)
At a Circuit Court continued and held for the Circuit aforesaid at the Court house in the Town of Frederickburg, on the first day of October 1852
Present the Honorable William H. Hobbs Circuit Judge James Harrison a Soldier, of the Revolution this day produced in Court his Declaration to obtain a Pension under the act of Congress of the 28th June 1852 and Subscribed and sworn to the same in open Court and also the Depositions of Charles Phillips a clergyman and Witness the Warrant for the Citzing of this Court and Subscribed and sworn to this Certificate annexed to said Declaration
And the said Court 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 Soldier in the Revolution and served as the States and the Court further certify that it seems to them that Charles Phillips who has signed the annexed Certificate has Declaration is a clergyman resident of this County of Frederickburg that Clement H. Warren who has also signed the same is also a resident of the County aforesaid and is a credible person and that their statements are entitled to credit
John Harkness Clerk of the Court for the Circuit aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing (containing the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application for a Pension for a Pension)
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 1st day of December 1852 and in the 4th year of the Commonwealth Attate W. Harkness Clerk

State of Kentucky County of Greenup Jct
On this first day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Circuit Court of Greenup County now sitting James Emerson a resident of the county aforesaid aged seventy two 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 4 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.
That he was born in March 1760 that he has the record of his age at his house that he was drafted in Hampshire County Virginia, in which county he then resided, that he entered the service on the 11 th day of March in the year 1777 or 1778 under Capt Moses Wilson, Lieutenant Sylvester Ward, Ensign Johnathan Heath, he marched to the mouth of Wheeling and there remained in service until the 11 th day of September following, that he then & there received a written discharge from Moses Wilson which he has long since lost or destroyed.

He states that while the troops to which he belonged lay at Wheeling, a regular sentiment. Laurence Harrison a regular officer came from Pittsburgh with orders from Genl. Harada for ten men out of Capt. Hutton's 2 d ten from Capt. Hovsep's company to go on an expedition down the river to where Marietta now stands, that he volunteered as one of the ten from Hutton's company. on their return they were closely pressed by the Indians. — He states further that in the summer of 1782 he entered the service again under a draft & marched from Hampshire county Virginia to New Castle under Capt. McCarthy & Col. Col. Dark & Maj. Bedinger were in company that the term was for three months, and the time of service from general rendezvous was
that he was then taken as one of the Patrol which consisted of two men & a horse, commanded by Col. Matthews who had been out previously  was afterwards out organized the Whiskey Boys, our general stand while patrol was at a place known by the name of "Burnt Ormary" above Williamsburg. He states that he has no

documentary evidence by which he can establish his services. He expects to prove his services at Wheeling by Benjamin Euland. And he has a brother living by whom he could prove his services at pulaski, but he resides at such a distance that it would be very inconvenient for him to prove his evidence.
He further states that he served three months under Genl St. Clair. his capt. Robert Leckie & that he was in St. Clair's defeat. Besides much other service against the Indians about that time, And though he is informed that he is not entitled to receive any thing for his services in St. Clair's campaign, yet he does not think it unright to speak of it in addition to his other services. He states that he has resided in Greenup county, Ky. for the last 40 years & that he is well known to the Rev. Charles Phillips & Clement H. Pringle Esq. He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 and year aforesaid James Lawson

We Charles Philips Clergyman residing in the county of Greene and Edward H Waring residing in the same county certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Hanson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two 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 and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Charles Philips,
E. H. Waring.
Signed the said Samuel hereby declares that after the investigation of the matter by putting the interrogatories presented by the court, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, served as a soldier. And the court further certifies that it appears to that Charles Philips who has signed the certificate is a clergyman residing in the county of Greene & that E. H. Waring who has also signed the same is a president of the county of Greene and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.