Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6046, for Robert Hyde Saunders, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Saunders Robert Hyde
S 6046
CONTENTS

Lib. to R. H. Saunders Jan 5. 1841 same Jan. 7. 1841. do. to same March 10. 1841 Secy. of War. " 17. 1841. Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838, from 4. Sep 1833 to 5 Oct 1833. age Notified 12 th May 1841.
Lib. to A. Ray 3. Feb 1842 R. H. Saunders resigned June 8. 1778. See rolls of Crump's Co. Col. G. Gibson's reg t . See letters to J. P. DuVal and J. Mosby July 30. 1846
12.050.
Virginia
Robert H. Saunders
Henrico in the State of Va: who was a Sup t in the ————— commanded by Captain ————— of the Reg t commanded by Col: Gibson in the Va: ————— time for 24 months —
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 228 - Dollars 33 - Cents per annum; to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of March 1833 and sent to Col: John Campbell. Treasurers. - W.S. -
  Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  $ 56.66    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept  114.16     $ 170.82  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice - Clerk. Book E Vol. 6 Page 26

Col Campbell will be much obliged to Mr Edwards to let the enclosed application for a pension have an early re-examina- tion as convenient & to communicate to him the results
Yours truly of the U.S. Mar 16 1893

State of Virginia } County of Henrico }
On this 11 th day of March 1833 personally appeared before the County Court of Henrico of the State of Virginia Robert H Saunders of said County, in the State aforesaid aged seventy four 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 provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he marched as a volunteer from the County of Cumberland under Mayo Carrington in the month of June 1775 to Williamsburg & did there enlist with the said Carrington as a minute man & was soon called upon to march to Norfolk where he arrived on the 1 st day of Jan y -76 at which time the British landed & set fire to the town & on the 15 day of Feby -76 he enlisted with Mayo Carrington as a Sergeant in Capt Chas Flemings Company of the 7 th Va Regt for three years - Not long after this we were ordered to Gloucester C.H. & from thence to Gwynns Island where we remained until we completely dislodged the enemy & drove them off, leaving their Cables behind them - About August -76 he marched to Gloucester town where he obtained a recommendation from the officers of the Regt to the executive of Va & was appointed an Ensign, recruited his quota received his commission & was afterwards arranged in Col George Gibsons Regt That being the first Va State Regt - On the 8 day of July -77 he began his march from Williamsburg under the command of Col Gibson & on the 13 th day of September of the same year he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant & drew his pay & rations as such - He was then at Alexandria where he had taken the small pox & on the 21 st was put under marching orders for the grand army at the north where he continued in service till the latter part of June -78 when he returned to Va & was afterwards returned a Supernumerary Lieutenant date of Commission 13 of Sept -77 as appears

appears from a Supernumerary list of Officers admitted to Record by the House of Delegates of Virginia - He hereby relinquishes all claim to any other pension whatever & declares that his name is not found on the pension roll or agency of any state whatever -
Robt. H. Saunders
Virginia, Henrico County to wit:
At a quarterly court continued by adjournment and held for Henrico County at the courthouse on Monday the eleventh day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty three and in the fifty seventh year of the commonwealth.
The foregoing declaration of Robert Hyde Saunders was this day subscribed and sworn to in open court by the said Saunders, and the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as his states.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and annex the seal of the said County on the day and year aforesaid.
Jest. Loftin N. Ellett C.H.B.

Proof of heresy St Robert Southwell Vas L. -
George Mackay Mty.

In Henrico County Court February 2 nd 1846 The Court on the motion of Joseph Mosby and upon the evidence of John Sneads and Albert Sneads, doth certify, that it was fully proved in open Court, that Robert H. Saunders died in the County of Henrico in October 1833. That he left at his death a widow and two children Robert M. Saunders and Martha J. Saunders; that these two children were his only legal heirs at law; that his widow died in 1834. That his son Robert M. Saunders died in the year 1845, leaving a widow Mary Saunders and two children named Margaret Ann and Philip Howard Saunders, who are the only legal heirs of their father Robert M. Saunders. That Martha J. Saunders, the daughter of the said Robert H. Saunders is now living and the wife of Joseph Mosby, who together with the widow and heirs of the said Robert M. Saunders are now residents of the City of Richmond Virginia.
State of Virginia, Henrico County to wit:
I Loftin N. Ewell Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Henrico in the State of Vir- ginia, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true transcript from the records of the said Court.
In testimony whereof I hereto subscribe my name and annex the Seal of the said Court this 4 th day of March 1846.
Loftin N. Ewell, Clerk.
Henrico County State of Virginia to wit }
I John G. Mosby President of justice of the Peace of the County Court of the said County of Henrico, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Loftin N. Ellett, who has given the annexed certificate is Clerk of the said County Court of Henrico, & that his said attesta- tion is in due form - Given under my hand & seal this 5 th day of March in the year of our Lord 1846
John G. Mosby P.P.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Robert Hyde Saunders 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.
L. 6,046
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1775 marched under Ensign Mayo Carrington from Cumberland Old C.H.   July 15 1776 Ser. ot. Charles Fleming ✓ 7 th Va.   June 27, 1777 Ensign ✓ George Gibson 1 st Va.   Sept. 13, 1777 to June 1778 Lieut. ✓ ✓   Adjutant   was afterwards returned as a supernumerary & continued as such to end of war.  
Battles engaged in, none stated.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, — in 1777 Powhatan Co., Va.
Date of application for pension, Mch. 11, 1833. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Henrico Co., Va.
Age at date of application, seventy-four years.
Remarks:
Sol. died in Henrico Co. Va. 5 Oct 1833. his widow ——— died in 1834. leaving only two children. Martha T. who was wife of Joseph Mosby in 1846 & Robert M. Saunders who died in 1845 leaving widow Mary & children, Margaret Ann & Philip Howard Saunders.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Back of adm. jacket states that sol. resigned June 8, 1778, Capt. Crump's co.

Secy of War
Mar 31. 1841.
06

Pension Office
March 31. 1841
In the case of R. H. Saunders, dec d the affidavit of Stovall is relied on to prove that Saunders was in the service during Arnold's invasion. This vague and indefinite statement establishes no material fact. To substantiate the claim it is necessary to shew that Saunders became a supernumerary under the resolution of October 1780. There is a total want of such proof. Saunders possibly might have been in the service when Arnold invaded Virginia, in 1781, and for aught we know in a militia regiment, as many officers who had been in the regular army, did afterwards turn out occasionally in the militia. Let the witness state to what reg t  Saunders  he belonged: how long he served in it after he (the witness) saw him at Cabin Point; and at what time and under what circumstances I. left the regiment.
Goode's affidavit is as general and indefinite, if not more so, than that of Stovall. Goode says that "Saunders served in some capacity or other , nearly , or quite during the war, as I have every reason to believe! " No comment on such evidence is deemed necessary.
Gen. Muhlenberg's letter  statement merely states that Saunders was returned as an officer in the muster

rolls of which he has the copies at home. This letter proves nothing more than that Saunders' name was on a master roll.
The Auditor's certificate is annexed to a paper purporting to be an extract from a master roll in his office, on which Saunders' s name appears as a Supernumerary Officer. The roll is without signature  any date, and it cannot of course shew when Saunders became a Supernumerary officer , which is all important, as that is the point at issue. But even if it had a date But even if it had a date, it could not be admitted as evidence, as it has no signature, and no one knows who made it out, or under what authority it was made.
It is asked what rules of evidence we have, and whether they are not such as the Commissioner thinks proper arbitrarily to fix for each case. To these queries it is sufficient to say that the rules are known every where, and have been sanctioned by Congress for many years. As to the rest It is considered unnecessary to reply to the other parts of Mr. Saunders' s letter.
Every case must be decided on its own merits, and the pro- cess must be in conformity with the rules established for the government of

the office. It is no argument in favor of a claim that a committee of Congress report favorably in the case. The Committees have their own rules of evidence and act accordingly. We have never been bound by their rules, be governed by them  even if and could not, even if we were familiar with them. But as as they have never been promulgated, we cannot say what they are, and therefore can we do not know how they arrive at their conclusions as to the sufficiency of evidence in any case.
(not signed.)
Sent to the Hon J Bell Secretary of War.

Washington City
March 18 1841
Sir,
Inclosed you have my views on the report of the Com- -missioner, which your clerk showed me. - & as I am here with but little means, waiting upon the results of this claim, it would be very acceptable to have your opinion at an early day as your public duties will permit. Respectfully, your obt. Servt.
Re Mr Saunders

4/126.
ente.
Hon: John Bell
Set. of war

Washington City
March 18 1841
Sir,
Although the truth of the declaration made by the Commissioner, "That the claim to the land pension turns upon the fact of his (Lieut. Saunders) having served to the end of the war or was reduced to a supernumerary under the resolves of 1780" is conceded, yet the reasonings by which he arrives at his conclusion negativing the claim, are not warranted by the facts, & furnish strong evidence of the validity thereof thereof, whilst the manner he treats the subject, together with his declaration to me, indicate too plainly a pre-determination to make an unfavorable report. I therefore respectfully ask your consideration to the following views & statement of the case.
"The essential point of his (Lieut. Saunders) continuance in the service, to the close of the war as an officer in the line or as a supernumerary" is clearly established by the following evidence:
1 st By the affidavit of Stovall who proves service during Arnold's invasion of Virginia in 1781 & not in 1780 as stated by the commissioner.
2 d By the affidavit of John Goode Jr who proves service during the war.
3 d By the proof now submitted in a copy of a letter of March 24 th 1790 from Genl. Muhlenberg to my father in which the Genl. says he is returned as an officer in the muster rolls of which he has the copies at home.
4 th By the certificate of the Auditor of Va. of his return as a supernumerary of the Va. Cont. Line on a roll of record in his office, which roll, by the legislation of Congress recognising it as record evidence and thereupon granting to claimants commutation pay, that stands upon the same grounds as this claim , must, I humbly conceive, be received by the officers of government as obligatory upon them to take it as such, when Congress has so declared it. The principle that the legislation of

Congress is a guide & rule for the officers of the government in the administration of its laws the commissioner denied in his conversation with me, & says in his Report that it is not material to inquire into the evidence rules adopted by Congress in its action. That "this claim will be determined on by its own" "proofs under established rules of evidence"
What established rules of evidence? Such as the commissioner shall think proper arbitrarily to fix for each case according to his individual feelings & sense of propriety at the time, without regard to the evidence received & decisions of a paramount Tribunal, that creates the law & says upon what terms & evidence its benefits shall be conferred. The consequences flowing from such a course by the officers of government, whose duty it is to carry out the laws of Congress & not place themselves as judges above the law I shall not here undertake to describe.
The force of the application of the act of Congress to this particular claim is made more manifest by the "Second fact" which the commissioner says, controverts the conclusion "That Lieut. Saunders was" " constructively in service as a supernumerary to the close of the war".
That fact is "That he claimed & received in 1823 from Virginia land for" "3 years service only" as a Continental officer. Now the case of Everard Meade was precisely like this. He too had received from Va. land for 3 years service, tending to prove what the commissioner attempts to make that fact prove in this case, that the amount of service was only 3 years. See Rept. Com. 1833-4 Vol 1. Sec: 54. Yet Congress decided, upon this very evidence, here produced, notwithstanding the allowance by the Executive of Va. for 3 years service only, his heirs were entitled to commutation & consequently Meade entitled to the benefit of the act of 15 of May 1828 had he been alive at the time of its passage.
The 3 rd fact stated to controvert the conclusion above mentioned is "That he (Lieut. Saunders) did not receive commutation". Upon this point I have recently made application to Congress & a report was made by Mr. Crittenden in behalf of the committee on revolutionary claims in favor of the claim & herewith filed. And I am sure I can safely declare

that his legal ability to decide upon the evidence & validity equity of such or any other case far surpasses either the commissioner or the former Secretary of the Treasury Mr Ingham & consequently entitled to more respect & consideration from the department.
The 2 d fact stated as controverting the same conclusion is "That he was not returned in 1784 as entitled to nor did he ever assert a claim for the bounty land which such service gave him against the U.S." - I am not aware of any statute of limitations on this head, nor do I think that the omission to make the claim forfeited, as the commissioner insinuates, the right subsequent to make the application & establish the claim. I knew nothing of such a bounty till since my arrival in this city nor do I believe my father did. He had a plenty however of this world's goods to enable him even if he knew of it, to live & die without its small benefit.
The commissioner has thus admitted from the evidence "That Lieut Saunders was constructively in service as a supernumerary to the close of the war" & that conclusion to be only controverted by the above mentioned three facts . But in his apparent desire to give them weight & consideration, he loses sight of the evidence & disregarding the reference made & recognised as conclusive, deems it "not material to enquire or even examine its bearing on the case - Nor does he pay even enough respect to the report of the Committee to mention it in his report, but to war against the claim makes the declaration, without any qualification "That he did not receive commutation" as his third & last reason to controvert what he is pleased to style " constructive " evidence of service. From the known respectable character of the documents, & the undoubted record evidence, being the best the nature of the case admits of, it is difficult to perceive by what legal acumen the commissioner decides the service to be only " constructive " & to controvert his " constructive " deductions is forced to resort to " three facts " existing under such circumstances as to lead to the very opposite conclusions the commissioner arrives at. Respectfully submitted Re: Lieut. Saunders

Coase of N. H. - Sunday evening as before Ent. of his father N. H. - Saunders, a suit. in machinery room.
I have been assured, & with a strong desire to come to a conclusion for well to her desire all the filed in the words the remarks which I admitted by the claimant, but I can perceive no clear or sufficient ground for which I can find justification  reverse  any the objection of the claimant. J. H. G.

C. M. Saunders, Esq. April 15, 1841 Q. 6.

Pension Office April 15. 1841
80
Sir,
In the case of Lieut. Robert H. Saunders, decd. the Secretary of War, on examining the papers, has made the following endorsement thereon:
"I have examined, and with a sincere desire to come to a conclusion favorable to the claim, all the evidence filed in the case, with the remarks upon it submitted by the claimant, but I can perceive no clear or sufficient ground upon which I can reverse the decision of the Commissioner. "J. B."
R. M. Saunders Esq. N. Virg a Present
act 1828

Letters Pen. office.

Pension Office.
March 10. 1841.
Sir, I have examined the claim presented by you under the act of the 15 th May 1828, on account of the revolutionary service of the late Lieutenant Robert H. Saunders. It appears that he applied in 1829 for the benefits of that law, and that the claim was not allowed because there was no proof as to the time when Lieutenant Saunders retired from the service. Such proof has never been furnished. The objection which was then made has not, of course, been removed. * I enclose herewith a copy of a letter from the Treasury Department on the subject.
I am, respectfully,
Your Ob: Servt:
J. L. Edward
R. M. Saunders, Esq. Richmond, Virginia.
* Turn over

The objection made to the allowance of the claim in 1829 is I think removed by the affidavit of actg July 15 1830 Stoval, who proves that Lt Ro H Saunders was in service in the year 1781-2 by the act allowing Commutation pay to the heirs of Everard Meade upon the ground of his return as Supernumerary in this very roll on which Lt Ro H Saunders name is returned-
This act & report of the Committee is to be found in the work titled Revolutionary Claims published by order of the House of Representa-
-Tives to which please refer - also refer to the report of the Committee of the Senate on Revolutionary claims made on my petition for commutation pay & herewith file - Goree. affidavit of date Nov 10 1831 (who was one of the most intelligent & respectable men in Pocahontas County Va) also proves service during the war-
Ro H Saunders
* This is a mistake - See Peter Hagans letter -
R 7 u S -

Case of R. M. Saunders
Report of the Committee on Pensions and evidences produced are not considered sufficient
Pension Office.

Pension Office,
March 31. 1841.
In the case of R. H. Saunders, dec d , the affidavit of Storal is relied on to prove that Saunders was in the service during Arnold's invasion. This vague and indefinite statement establishes no material fact. To substantiate the claim it is necessary to shew that Saunders became a supernumerary under the resolution of October 1780. There is a total want of such proof. Saunders possibly might have been in the service when Arnold invaded Virginia in 1781, and for aught we know in a Militia regiment, as many officers who had been in the regular army, did afterwards turn out occasionally in the Militia. Let the witness state to what regiment Saunders belonged: how long he served in it after he (the witness) saw him at Cabin Point; and at what time and under what circumstances, S. left the regiment.
Goode's affidavit is as general and indefinite, if not more so, than that of Storal. Goode says that "Saunders served in some capacity or other , nearly ,

or quite during the war, as I have every reason to believe! " No comment on such evidence is deemed necessary.
Gen. Muhlenberg's letter merely states that Saunders was returned as an officer in the Muster rolls of which he has the copies at home. This letter proves nothing more than that Saunders' name was on a Muster roll.
The Auditor's certificate is annexed to a paper purporting to be an extract from a Muster roll in his office, on which Saunders's name appears as a Supernumerary Officer. The roll is without any date, and it cannot of course shew when Saunders became a Supernumerary Officer, which is all important, as that is the point at issue. But even if it had a date, it could not be admitted as evidence, as it has no signature, and no one knows who made it out, or under what authority it was made.
It is asked what rules of evidence we have, and whether they are not such as the Commissioner thinks proper arbitrarily to fix for each case. To these queries it is sufficient to say that the rules are known every where, and have been sanctioned by Congress for

many years. It is considered unnecessary to reply to the other parts of Mr. Saunders's letter. Every case must be decided on its own merits, and the proof must be in conformity with the rules established for the government of the office. It is no argument in favor of a claim that a committee of Congress report favorably in the case. The Committees have their own rules of evidence and act accordingly. We have never been bound by their rules, and could not be governed by them even if we were familiar with them. But as they have never been promulgated, we cannot say what they are, and therefore we do not know how they arrive at their conclusions as to the sufficiency of evidence in any case.

Pension Office.
March 17. 1841.
Sir,
In obedience to your order I have the honor to make the following report upon the application of the Son and Executor of the late Robert H. Saunders, for the Bounty Lands authorized by resolve of Congress of 16 th September 1776, and the pension allowed by act of 15 th May 1828.
The claim to the land and pension turns upon the fact of his having served to the end of the war, or was reduced to a Supernumerary under the resolves of 1780.
In the life time of Lieut. Saunders he applied for the benefit of the act of 15 May 1828, and his claim was resisted by the Secretary of the Treasury for reasons assigned to the claimant in a letter of 30 th December 1829. No further effort was made to shew that he "served to the end of the war, or was a Supernumerary officer to the end of the war, subject to be called into service," and therefore he may be regarded as having abandoned that claim, when he was informed of the essential point to be established.

In 1833 he made a declaration under the act of 7 June 1832 in which he stated that, he returned from the army in the North in 1778, and was afterward returned as a Supernumerary; and in his declaration in 1829 he admitted that, in 1781, he "was out of service in consequence of an affair of honor", but, "was reinstated afterwards by General Muhlenburg". These statements shew that, he has not in definite terms described his service under oath to have been such, as to entitle him to a pension under the act of 15 th May 1828.
Nor has his Executor, in the proofs now submitted and referred to in his letter, established the essential point of his continuance in the service, to the close of the War, either as an officer in the Line, or as a Supernumerary. The roll of resigned and Supernumerary Officers found in the Auditor's Office at Richmond without date or signature, proves no more than, at some time he was a Supernumerary. This is probably a roll lately furnished by Major Duval, who was an agent for Revolutionary claims, and which is described by the Clerk of the Committee of Claims of the House of Delegates of Virginia, in his certificate on file in this office. In that event it is entitled to no more

weight than the deposition of Major Duvall, who is or was a very respectable man - but, whether authentic as an original record, or entitled to the weight of parole evidence only, it affords no proof of his having become a Supernumerary after the resolution of October 1780; which should be clearly shewn, in order to entitle him to the benefits of the act of 1828.
The witness Ferguson Taylor, who was a neighbor, entered the service at the same time, appears not to have been acquainted with Saunders relation to the service after the summer of 1776, when the regiment marched to the North.
John Goode, Senr. also a neighbor, deposes that Saunders served in some capacity, nearly , or quite , during the war, as he has every reason to believe, having frequently seen him in service.
L. Stovall saw him in service at Cabin Point in 1780, as Adjutant.
Mr Wagner's letter shews that, in January, 1778, Lieut. Saunders was charged with a sum of money on the Ledger of the Army Settlements.
The foregoing constitute all the evidence relied upon to prove that Lieut. Saunders was con-

= Structively in service, as a Supernumerary to the close of the War. This conclusion is controverted by the facts, 1 st ; that he was not returned in 1784, as entitled to, nor did he ever assert a claim for, the bounty lands which such a service gave him against the U. States; 2 d That he claimed and received in 1823 from Virginia, land for 3 years' service only; and 3 d That he did not receive commutation.
Whatever may have been the evidence ad- -duced and the rules adopted in the case of Everard Meade, by Congress, it is not material to enquire. This claim, before this Department will be determined upon by its own proofs, under the established rules of evidence. It does not appear that he is entitled under the act of 15 May 1828.
MS. B. 1. 6. v. 26.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully Your Ob st Serv t : J. L. Edwards
Hon: John Bell. Secretary of War.

Washington Feb 1. 1842.
Sir,
I have just had an interview with Mr. R. M. Saunders of Richmond V a . He is here attending to some claim before Congress. He ap- =pears to think there was not a proper reckoning made of his Father's pension under act 1832. Indeed he says, the service as a Lieut, was to the end of the war.
Will you be kind enough to have the papers of Robert M. Saunders under act 1832. V.a. roll, examined, and if any further allowance can be granted, He will consider it a great favor if you can afford me an answer before he leaves the City which will be in a day or two.
I am Sir
Yours, Most Owt Servt. Alex. Ray
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions

George Mackay June 3/50
Dear Sir,
Yours truly yours
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd inst. and in reply to inform you that the same has been forwarded to the proper authorities for their consideration. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, George Mackay

Pension Office 241 June 3. 1850
Sir,
The case of George Robert H. Saunders, dec d who was an officer in the Virginia State service, has been again examined. My letter to Mr. Duval of the 30 th July 1846, a copy of which I herewith enclose, will shew that his representatives are not entitled to half-pay under the act of July 5. 1832. It is very clear that he resigned, and no one who resigned, acquired a right to half-pay or commutation under any law whatever.
I
commutation Book
George Mackay Esq Present

Filed Jan 22/50 with habeas corpus
H. R. H. Saunders V. &
1/2 pay claim
George Mackay

Washington City D.C. January 21 st 1850
Sir
I addressed you some days ago asking for your report in the case of Lt. Robt. H. Saunders claim for \frac{1}{2} pay. I have this day received the enclosed paper to be filed among the papers in your possession in the case.
Have the goodness to allow me to renew my request
I am very respectfully Your Gt. S er . George Mackay
Commissioner — Pensions
See Sen. Doc. 150. 2 d Sess. 26. Cong. 1840. t 41

George Mackay of the City of Washington is hereby empowered to act as my attorney for the purpose of prosecuting the claim for half pay of St. Robert H. Saunders a Virginia revolutionary officer, before Congress or the departments of the government of the United States, to apply for papers to receive and receipt for all sums which may be paid on account of said half pay, and do all other acts that he may deem necessary. Giving and granting my said attorney full power in the premises to substitute others or in anywise to act and do as I might or could do now I personally present, at the doing thereof, hereby revoking all former powers by me made as Executor of the said St. Saunders.
Given under my hand seal on this 25 th day of February A.D. 1850.
In presence of William P Jackson Wm Lloyd Wilson
Joseph Mosby Esq. R. H. Saunders
City of Richmond & State of Virginia } To wit
Personally appeared before me an Alderman of the City aforesaid this day Joseph Mosby subscriber to the foregoing power of attorney to George Mackay and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed. Given under my hand the 25 th day of February in the year Eighteen Hundred & fifty James Evans Jr.

State of Virginia City of Richmond Court
I Charles Howard clerk of the Hastings Court of the City aforesaid do hereby certify that James Evans — was an Alderman of the City aforesaid at the time of taking the annexed affidavit of Joseph Murphy and acknowledgment to the annexed power of Attorney, and now is an acting Alderman in for the City aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law, and that the Signature of the said James Evans — is his genuine signature, according to my belief — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the Hastings Court of the City of Rich- mond this 26 th day of February in the year Eighteen Hundred and Fifty —
Chs: Howard, clk.

Washington City D.C. February 28 th 1850
Sir
I wrote you some weeks since for your report in the case of Lt. Robert H. Saunders, filed in your department by Genl. Dewal of Florida as attorney for the Executors, which letter you have not thought proper to reply to.
The Executors are so confident of the justice of their claim, they insist on my continuing to importune you, until the matter is understood, with that view, I enclose you my authority, and have again to ask you to report the situation of the claim, so that if more testimony is required, it may be speedily submitted.
I am respectfully Your Obedt Servt George Mackay Atty.
Com te of Pensions

Lt R H Saunders
no 299
5 July 32
H. A. Dickens, Pus age 23 rd 47

Washington 23 April 1847.
Sir.
I have received a letter from Joseph Mosby Executor of L t R. H. Saunders requesting me to attend to the claim, without stating its nature, but only that the papers are filed in your office. — Will you be so good as to let me see the papers or know what they are?
Respectfully yours &c Francis H. Dickinson.
James L Edwards Esq. Com r of Pensions.
Probably not 5 July 1852

A Roll of the Resigned & Supernumerary Officers of the Virginia Continental and State Troops.
   Name Rank Date of Commission Promotion Since Caps Situation Residence     R H Saunders Lieut 13 Sept 1777 ----- V. C Supernumerary Powhatan  
Note. This Roll is without date.
The above is a true extract from a Roll now on file in this Office
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office Richmond this 9th day of March 1846.
J. E. Heath Aud r Pub accts

Tallahassee Florida Aug 10. 1846
Sir
Your letter of July 30 th has been rec d . The letter has evidently been written by some young clerk, and you have not had time to examine the merits of the case. - It is no answer to any one point made by me in the presentation of the case. If you will read the argument to sustain the claim you will find that I have taken notice of the resignation of Lt Saunders, as returned, and of the paper without date, showing that he was a supernumerary officer. - I think I have proved that if Lt Saunders resigned any Appt, it was a Staff appointment, and that from the three years services proved to the Executive of Va before his land bounty was granted, that he could not have become supernumerary before 21 Oct 1780 which would of course supply the date of the paper returning him supernumerary and certainly prove that he did not resign his commission in the line 8 June 1778. I was in hopes this claim could have been investigated and settled by written representations and argument according to your suggestions, but I am now satisfied of my mistake, as there can be no satisfactory decision, where there is no reply to arguments presented. I must therefore postpone further application until I can present the claim in person, hear and reply to your objections
Yours with respect
John P Du Val
J L Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D C

Mr. Wilson
Aug 3 rd 46
Mr. James M. [?] Chas. [?]
Oct 10 th 1846 Letter of [?] the 31 st [?]
Com tee on Pensions Washington City

Richmond July 31 st 1846.
J. L. Edwards Esq r
Dear Sir
I wrote to you about 2 months since, asking information with respect to yr. decision in the claim of the heirs of Lieut. Col. H. Saunders for revolutionary services, which was presented by Genl. Jos. P. Darrel, by power of Atty from me as the General Exrs. of Robt. H. Saunders - I have not received a reply to my letter and the object of this present is again to invite yr. attention to the subject with the request that you will do me the favour, to give me the desired information at yr. earliest convenience -
My Respectful Obdt Servt Jos. Mosby

Pension Office 699 July 30. 1846
Sir,
The papers in support of the claim of the administrator of the late Robert Hyde Saunders have been examined and filed. On searching the rolls of Captain Abner Crump's company, of Col. George Gibson's regiment, it appears that Lieut. Robert H. Saunders, of that company and regiment, resigned his commission on the 8 th of June 1778. He was never after that period in the service. He therefore never acquired a right to half-pay, and his administrator has not of course any claim whatever to half-pay under the act of July 5. 1832. He was pensioned under the act of the 7 June 1832. His receiving land from Virginia for three years service, and receiving a certificate for the balance of his full pay, constitute no claim whatever for half-pay. The paper purporting to be a copy of a roll showing that he was a supernumerary officer, cannot be admitted as evidence. The paper from which the copy is taken is without date or signature, and has nothing about it that gives it

any authenticity, and is therefore entitled to no credit whatever. A copy of such a paper cannot possibly have any  establishing weight in the adjustment of a claim.
S
John P. Du Val, Esq. Tallahassee Florida. Joseph Mosby, Esq. Richmond, Va.
Enter this Act 5 July '32 No. 299

July 29 46. / 0
J. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.
recd. Robert H. Saunders half penny

Tallahassee Florida July 20 th 1846
Dear Sir
I have rec d a letter from Jos Mosby  W. Saunders Esq r of Rott H Saunders of Va State line, complaining of neglect in his case for half pay, under the act of 5 July 1832 - I wrote to you myself sometime since upon this subject and requested an answer. I am somewhat surprised at your silence, as it is the first time you have ever failed promptly to respond to any of my letters, and for which attention I have often expressed my satisfaction here and at Washington. I hope I shall still have it in my power to make the same declarations. Address a line also to Mr Jos Mosby W. Saunders of Pres t Va yours with extreme respect,
John P. Du Val
J. L. Edwards Esq r Comm ee of Pensions.
PS. I do not wish to trouble my friend Hon. D. Westcott in the Senate with this matter as I know you prefer transacting business by letter. JPD

Tallahassee Florida June 18. 1846
Mr Sir
Will you be so good as to inform me of your decision in the case of Lieut Robert H Saunders Va State line Inf ry pay under act 1832 -
Yours &c
John P. Duval
J. S. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions.

Memorandum for the Comm. in the case of Lewis Rott H. Saunders vs Watson.
J. P. Duval Pres.

The Com r of Pensions will be so good as to communicate his decision in the case of Lieut Robert H Saunders of the Va State Line to his Hon d Jos Mosby Esq Richmond Va
Mar 6. 1846
J P B Wirt

May 18 '46.
Saunders
J. L. Edwards Commr of Pensions Washington City D. C.
Lieut Saunders Recd Half pay.

Richmond May 15 th 1846 J. L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir,
I am informed by Genl. Sam P. Arval, that he submitted to you some weeks ago, on behalf of myself as the Executor of Lieut. Saunders, the a claim against the government for Revolutionary services of said Lieut. Saunders, to- gether with the evidence & arguments in the case - I take the liberty therefore, as Genl. Arval himself has left Washington, to inquire directly from you whether you have yet considered the case, and if so what has been yr decision in reference to it - of which you will please do me the favour to advise, at yr earliest convenience
Very Resp ly Yr obed Servt Jos: Mosby

Washington City, Apr 6 - 1846
Dr Sir
Be so good as to communicate your decision in the case of Lieut Robert H Saunders to his Adm te Jos Mosby Esq Richmond Va and to myself at Tallahassee Florida yours with respect John P DuVal
Hon J S Edwards Comm te of Pensions

Genl. Jas. P. Duval
Washington City or In the Comm. of Pensions

Richmond March 26 th 1846. Genl John C. Duvall
Dear Sir,
I am without any of yr. fav: to which to reply & write to enquire, of the progress towards the settlement of my Claim - my expectations of the recovery of the Claim, are more sanguine than they have heretofore been (in as much as you have presented some facts in support of which were before overlooked) - Therefore trust you will par- don my anxiety - . The resignation of Lieut. Sanders in 1778. as recorded in War Office at Washington, is the only feature in the case I presume which can create any doubt of its validity - In Con- versing a day or two since, with an old & intimate friend of Lieut. Sanders (I mean Genl. Gambel, Mayor of Auburn), he informed me that Lieut. S, did acknowledge, that he resigned his Commission in 1778 - Having been induced to do so by his brother officers in consequence, of a duel in which he was engaged - but that his resignation was only temporary, that he was again reinstated and continued in ser- vice as Lieut. till after the battle at York Town - He procured the evidence of Genl. Muhlenburg touching that point, in a letter addressed to him the year previously to the death of the latter, but as the letter contained no address in the interior, & the superscription had been defaced, by having been long carried in the pocket, it was, not regarded as valid evidence - The letter refers to, if I mistake not is on file with the other papers in the case at Washington Hoping to hear from you by return mail I remain Yr. Friend & C Jos. Morby

Genl. Geo. P. Duvall
Washington City or For the Comm. of Pensions
Sir:
Washington City Mar. 29. 1846
With thanks
Please give the within letter from the Col. of the 1st B t H. Artillery of the Pa. Line on which account he has resignation by natural more in the service of the Army. Yours S r Duvall

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia State Line, during the Revolutionary War, as settled their Accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, that a Certificate issued on the 28th day of July 1783 , in the name of Robert H Saunders as Lieut of Infantry for £ 86. 2. 3, which Certificate appears to have been delivered to himself and was given for services prior to the 1st January 1782.
{ No Seal } of          } { Office. }
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this
9th day of March 184 6 .
J. E. Heath AUDITOR.

Power of Attorney from Exo Y St. Robert H Saunders Va. S.H.

Know all men by these presents that I Joseph Morby, Executor of Robert H. Saunders deceased do hereby constitute and appoint John P. Duval of Tallahassee Florida, lawful Attorney in fact with power of substitution, to demand and receive from the War Department at Washington City, any warrant or warrants that may be due to me as Exor. aforesaid on account of services of Lieut. Robert H. Saunders, an officer in the Virginia State or Continental line during the war of the revolution - And my said Attorney is fully empowered to surrender the said warrant or warrants to the Commissioner of the General Land Office at Washington City and to demand & receive scrip for the same, which scrip or warrants he is hereby authorized to sell or assign. And my said Attorney is further authorized to demand & receive from the proper account- ing Officer of the Treasury Department at Washington a warrant for the Commutation of five years full pay with interest thereon, and also to demand and receive all bounties and claims due me as Exor. aforesaid from the United States for the revolutionary services aforesaid and to give receipts for all money, warrants, and scrip received by virtue of these presents and to do any legal act, necessary in the premises to be done in accomplishing my intents & purposes as Exor. aforesaid in having a full & complete settlement with the United States - hereby revoking all other Powers of Attorney and ratifying and confirming any act or deed of my said attorney. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this 7 th day of March 1846
J. Morby Executor Seal of Robt. H. Saunders

City of Richmond } To wit State of Virginia }
Personally appeared before me, a justice of the Peace & Alderman for the City aforesaid, Joseph Mosby, Executor of R. H. Saunders subscriber to the foregoing Power of Attorney to John P. Dural and acknowledged the same to be his act & deed.
Also appeared personally before me Jesse Snead a creditable witness who made oath, that he was well acquainted with Lieut. Robert H. Saunders of the Vir- ginia Continental, or State line, - that he was placed on the pension roll under the act of the 7 th June 1832 at $228 \frac{33}{100} per annum, then residing in the County of Monroe Virginia, & that the w th the same person named in the annexed Power of Attorney to John P. Dural.
Given under my hand & seal this 7 th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred & forty six.
James Evans P. Seal
State of Virginia } To Wit City of Richmond }
I Charles Howard Clerk of the Hustings Court of the City aforesaid do hereby certify that James Evans — was a justice of the Peace & Alderman of the Hustings Court aforesaid, at the time of the taking the annexed affidavit of Jesse Snead, and acknowledgement of the subscriber to the annexed Power of Attorney, and now is an acting justice of the Peace, and Alderman, in & for the City aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law; and that the signature of the said James Evans justice of the Peace and Alderman, is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof, I have

hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the hustings Court of Richmond City this 7 th day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty six.
Chs. Howard, clk.
Seal of original City of Richmond } To Wit
I William Lambert, Mayor of the City aforesaid, in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the attestation, hereunto an- nected and made by Charles Howard, Clerk of the said Court, is in due form of law and by the pro- per officer appointed by the laws of the said State for that purpose & that full faith & credit are due thereto, in every Court or office in the United States. Given under my hand in the City aforesaid this 7 th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six, and of the independence of the United States the seventeenth year.
Wm Lambert Mayor

4 J. Sanders Em Car Lee Gibson Captain Ormiston Le Gibson
Re H Sanders 2 nd Set Oct 1777
No 77-Rev
NA on roll for 9th & pay after 4 Corps
Feb 1778
On March 1778 to Apr 7 & to May
June 78 Re H Sanders
NA on July 78 NA on Sept
NA on March & Sanders plan Oct 78
Harry L. A.
St. 13 Sept 1777 - omitted June 1778
7 m. 17 days & 1 hour -
See Rolls

District of Columbia Washington County ss. Washington City
On this first day of February 1842. personally appears before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. Robert Mc Saunders, a resident of Richmond Virginia, and the adm r upon the Estate of A. H. Saunders dec d , who was a late pensioner under the act 1832. on the Virginia roll, at the rate of $228. 33 per annum. and was paid up to the day of his death which took place. on the 5 Oct. 1833. as will be shown by evidence now on file with the Pension Office.
It on the object of this declaration being made is in order, to obtain an increased rate of pension for said Saunders service, in the capacity of Sgt. Ensign or Lieutenant, under the act 1832. from the 4 March 1831. up to the 5 Oct. 1833 the time of his death. Re m. Saunders Estate
Sworn and subscribed to on the day and year above written before me.
J. Wiley Jr. J. P.

R. H. Saunders
Act 5 July 1832
Rejected. See letter 3 June 1850 to G. Mackay

R. M. Saunders, dec d . Act 15 May 1828. Virginia can.
Rejected.
See letters to R. H. Saunders April 15. 1841 —
9218

Mar 16 '46
Conw act 5 July 1832
R. H. Saunders
half pay.
Rejected. V 3 R. H. Saunders resigned June 8. 1778. See letter July 30. 1816 to J. P. Duval and J. Moby -
wards Col
summoned of Pensions
Washington City
bro P. Duval Pres.

Mrs Cochrans F Street
Washington City
J L Edwards Esq Com te of Pensions.
Sir
I present the claim of the Administrator of Lieut Robert Hide Saunders of the first Virginia State Regiment, commanded by Col George Gibson, for half pay for life under the act of 5 July 1832. The claim of the rep s of Lieut Saunders has been before Congress for commutation pay under the impression that Gibson's Regiment was on Continental establishment. Upon the application to Congress for Lt Saunders commutation pay Mr Brillenden from the committee on Revolutionary claims, to whom was referred the petition of the heirs of Robert H Saunders submitted a report accompanied by a bill [5232] for the relief of the legal representatives of Robert H Saunders deceased. The bill was read and passed to the second reading in the Senate of U.S. Feb 2 d 1841. Mr Brillenden made the following report Feb 2. 1841 to accompany bill [5232]. That from the testimony in this case it appears that Robert H Saunders in the year 1775 or 1776 entered as a soldier in the 7 th Virginia Continental Regiment. That he continued in the service and acted for a time as Regimental Adjutant and on the 13 th of September 1777 was commissioned as a Lieutenant and afterwards became Supernumerary and so continued till the end of the revolutionary war. Upon this state of facts the committee are of opinion that the representatives of the said Lieutenant Robert H Saunders are entitled to commutation of five years full pay in lieu of half pay for life, promised by the resolves of Congress and they accordingly report a bill". The case was not further acted upon until Feb 4. 1842. When Mr Phelps of the Senate of U.S. submitted the following report. That the petitioners present in support of their claim the following evidence. 1 st The affidavit of Ferguson Taylor who states that in 1775 or 1776 Saunders enlisted in the 7 th Virginia Regiment and served as a Sergeant in the same, but this witness knows nothing of his services as a commissioned officer. 2 d The affidavit of John Goode Senior who states that Saunders served in some capacity or other nearly or quite during the war as I have every reason to believe, for I frequently saw him in service my self. 3 d The affidavit of William Price who states that he knew Saunders at Valley Forge. He was then an officer of the Virginia Continental Line; he returned to the South,

I did not, and know no more of his services except from hearsay. In the affidavit of Littlebury Stovall, who states that during Anold's invasion in 1779 or 1780 he saw Saunders actively engaged as Adjutant to one of the regiments then under the command of General Mecklenburg (Muhlenburg). 5 An extract from a roll in the Auditor's office at Richmond in which Saunders is stated to be supernumerary, but the roll is without date, and no means of ascertaining the date of it furnished the Committee. This is all the evidence in support of the claim. The Committee have consulted the rolls found among the Washington papers now in the Department of State, and find that Saunders resigned on the 8 th of June 1778. He of course was not in service when the half pay was granted and was never entitled either to half pay or commutation. The testimony of Stovall merely proves that he was temporarily in service upon the emergency of Anold's invasion, but it neither proves that he was then upon the Continental establishment, nor that he was in service on the 21 st of October 1780, or continued to serve to the end of the war. It is well understood that deranged officers of the Army were on such occasions temporarily in command of the Militia but such service is clearly not within the resolutions allowing half pay or commutation. The Committee therefore recommend to the Senate to adopt the following resolution. Resolved that the prayer of the petition be rejected. In 1832 Gibson's Regt was recognized as Continental by the Secretary of War. War Department January 14. 1832.
Agreeably to your request I have to inform you that the regiment commanded by Colonel George Gibson of the Virginia Line was on the 12 th January 1830 decided by the late Secretary of War to be a continental regiment, from Oct 1777, it appearing to his satisfaction, that by an Act of the Virginia Assembly, that it was put in the place of the 9 th Virginia Continental Regiment, which was nearly destroyed at the battle of Germantown. I am very respectfully your obedient servant.
Hon John S Barbour
Leesburg Va
House of Representatives
Subsequently the Sec y of War has determined that this Regt is a State regt and not Continental and several officers of the Regt who received commutation have since been paid their half pay for life at the Pres t Dept, deducting the commutation received. In proof that Congress has

Subsequently considered Gibson's Regiment as a State Regiment. I refer you to Report No 264 Sen Doc! Vol 4-1843.4. base of Serant John Baer Soldier, and Report No 310 case of Lieut Robert Lovell. It is in proof that Lieut Robt Hide Saunders belonged to Gibson's Regt. and that the said regt was a State Regiment and as such recognized by the Continental Congress, I refer you to the following extract of the Journals of the Continental Congress Vol 2 page 418 Jan'y 23. 1778 "That $400 be advanced to Robt Hide Saunders Lieutenant in the Virginia State Regiment commanded by Col George Gibson, for the use of a party of the said Regiment on their March to Camp; the said Col Gibson to be accountable" It is obvious that the last report by Mr Phelps of the US Senate is illogical, and the construction of the evidence forced, losing sight entirely of the evidence of the petitioners referred to by Mr Crittenden in his former report to the Senate viz that the said Lieut Saunders became Supernumerary and so continued to the end of the revolutionary war . Judge Marshall proved that Gibson's Regt marched to the north in 78 or early in 79 and served under Gen Washington until the close of the campaign in 1779. Mr Phelps in his adverse report, draws a strange deduction from the evidence of Littlebury Stowell who states that during the Hessian invasion in 1779 or 1780 he saw Saunders actively engaged as Adjutant to one of the regiments then under the command of General Muhlenberg. viz. That although Muhlenberg was a Continental Officer he on that occasion commanded a Militia Regt and that Lieut Saunders another regular officer acted as Adjutant to the Militia Regt. such forced deductions show nothing but a case prejudged. There was a fatal error committed when the claim was presented to the Senate for commutation. It was, in not obtaining the certificate of the Register of the Land Office of Ba which is now presented marked A. and which shows that Lieut Saunders received 2666 2 / 3 acres bounty land for at least three years services. It may have been for a longer period as the same quantity of land is granted for any services not less than three years, or over six years. It will be seen by an extract from the roll of the Resigned and Supernumerary Officers of the Virginia Continental and State Troops authenticated by the Auditor of Acct and marked B and filed here with that

Lieut Saunders was commissioned 13 Sept 1777 (The date when Super numerary is not known) but if you will add three years services to the date of his commission for which his land bounty was allowed, his actual services will be brought down to 13 Sept 1780 and probably longer as 2666 2/3 acres could only be received for any length of services under six years. But add three years to the date as stated by the Secy of War, when the 1 State Regt Comd by Col Gibson was transferred to the Continental line, from Oct 1777. Three years would prove services to 1 Oct r 1780 which would certainly make the Lieut Supernumerary after 3 rd or 21 Oct 1780. The Washington papers refered to by the Committee as evidence of the resignation of Lieut Saunders 8 June 1778, if it be the same officer, must have alluded to his resignation as Adjutant for it comes in di- rect collision with his proved services of three years for which he was al- lowed land bounty by Va, and the evidence of his being Supernumerary so as to entitle him to commutation according to the report of the first committee, and also the evidence of services by Littlebury Strall who makes affidavit that he saw him in service under Gen Muhlenburg in Arnold's invasion in 1779 or 1780. The regimental Paymaster Adjutant and Quater master were required by a resolution of the Continental Congress to be appointed from the supernumerary Lieutenants in the line. Vide Journals Cont l Congress Vol 3 page 538 Oct 21. 1780 & Vol 4 page 19. It may then be fair to infer that if Lieut Saunders resignation is mentioned in the Washington papers, that it was his resignation as Adjutant and not his commission in the line as Lieutenant, or that it was some other officer, or if he then resigned his commission he afterwards entered again in the service. These inferences are not forced but are consistent with all the evidence adduced for or against the claim. I have thus fairly presented this case for the consideration of the Commissioner of Pensions. He will see that I have excluded no testimony however adverse to the interests of the representative of Lieut Saunders. Justice is all that is required and of which there is no doubt we shall receive at the hands of the Commissioner, whatever may be his decision. The evidence filed by Lieut Saunders in the office when he obtained his pension under the act of 7 June 1832 has not been commented on, because not known to the parties. The Commissioner will also give that evidence his consi- deration.
With respect John P Du Val
All in fact for Adm t of Lieut Saunders Also file the Certificate of the Aud t of Va for balance of Lt Saunders full pay marked b.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
29 Dec 1829.
Robert H. Saunders of _____ in the County of Henrico — in the State of Virginia — has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such until the reduction under the Resolves of October 1780,
at which period he was a Lieutenant in the _____ regiment of the Virginia line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, not stated , dollars, paid to him by the agent in the State of _____
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
In order of the Secretary. F. B. Dickinson.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
30 th December 1829
does not It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for the commutation of five years full pay to Robert H. Saunders - Lieut. in the Virginia line, amounting to  dollars
It further appears that Robert H. Saunders - not is now on the pension list of the any _____ agency, and has been since the 3 rd March 1826 at the rate of  per month
The Revolutionary records in this office furnish no information whatever in relation to the services of Lieutenant Robert H. Saunders of the Virginia line -
Wm Hagner Am

General Land Office 29 Decbr 1829
The name of Robert H. Saunders does not appear on the List of Warrants issued by the Register of the Land Office at Richmond Va so far as they have been received.
G. W. G. Wilson Commissioner
War Department Bounty Land Office Dec r 30 th 1829
The name of Robert H. Saunders, does not appear on the list of Officers of the Virginia Line, among those, entitled to Bounty Land of the U. States, or, to whom a Land Warrant have issued
Wm Gordon

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act intitled "an act for the relief of Certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution" approved on the 15 th May 1828 I Robt. H. Saunders of the County of Henrico in the State of Virginia, do hereby declare that I was an officer of the Virginia continental Line in the Army of the Revolution, and served as such from the very commencement of the war in 1775 (when I entered the Minute Service of this State as a volunteer soldier) until 1781 when the arrangement of the Army was carried into effect pursuant to the Resolves of Congress, excepting a short period during which I was out of service in consequence of an affair of Honor. I was afterwards reinstated by General M c Laughlin and when the said arrangement took place, I wished to attend the Board, but was told by Genl. M c Laughlin, my services were too important at that time to be spared, and that he would attend to my interests.
I was made a Supernumerary Lieutenant in the arrangement as will appear by the Rolls in possession of the Committee of Claims of the Legislature of this State. I was always ready and willing to render services whenever called on. —
Witness my hand this the 23 rd day of June in 1829
Robt H Saunders
City of Richmond to wit:
Before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the Corporation of Richmond aforesaid in the State of Virginia, personally appeared this day William Price and Robert Priddy of said City who did, make oath, That Robt. H. Saunders by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reported & believed to have been an officer in the Army of the

notwithstanding as stated by him.
Witness my hand this 24 day of December in the year 1823.
Richd Shore
Know all men by these presents, that I R. H. Saunders in the county of Henrico, in the state of Virginia do hereby consti- tute and appoint Andrew Stevenson my true and lawful attorney, with a power of substitution, for me, and in my name, to receive from the United States the amount of pay now due to me, under the act, entitled "an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution" approved 18 th May 1828 as a Lieutenant in the Virginia line of the army of the Revolution. Witness my hand and seal this the 23 day of Sept. in the year 1829
R. H. Saunders
City of Richmond, state of Virginia
Before me James Rawlings a Justice of the Peace in the City of Richmond  County of Henrico  aforesaid in the state of Virginia personally appeared this day R. H. Saunders whose name is subscribed to the foregoing power of attorney & acknowledged the same to be his act and deed & also declar- ed that the same was not given by reason of any transfer, or of any attachment, levy or seizure, by any legal process whatever, of the pay therein authorized to be received, but that the said pay is to inure wholly to his personal benefit. Witness my hand this the 23 rd day of December 1829
James Rawlings.

Virginia
City of Richmond - to wit:
I. Th: C. Howard Clerk of the Hunting Court for the City of Richmond do certify that John Shore before whom the foregoing affidavit of William Price and of Robert Priddy was this day made, And James Rawlings before whom the annexed Power of Attorney from Robt Saunders to Andrew Stevenson was acknowledged, are Aldermen for this City and were at the time of giving their respective certificates, And are duly qualified to administer oaths - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court This 24 December 1829.
Th: C Howard.
It appears by an affidavit made by Robert H Saunders made in open court for the purpose of obtaining the benefits of the act 7 June 1832 that he resigned. I saw this affidavit in the possession of Mr Saunders Son 6 Feb 1832 Francis A. Dickens.

Re Mr Saunders
To
Application
War Department
S126.

To,
The Hon: John Bell Secretary of War
The application of Robert M Saunders The son & Executor of Robert H Saunders dec d for The Bounty land of 200 acres promised under the resolve of Congress Sept: 16 th 1776 & the difference in pay arising & accruing under the pension act of May 15 th 1828 & what the deceased received under the act of July 7 1832, respectfully sheweth: That Ro H Saunders enlisted in the year 1775 or 1776 as a soldier in the 7 th Va Cont t Regiment - on the 27 th of June 1777 was commissioned an Ensign - on the 13 th of Sept: 1777 was commissioned a Lieutenant & in that capacity continued in the service & in the year 1781 acted for a time as Regimental Adjutant & afterwards became Supernumerary & so continued till the end of the revolutionary war. For these facts see the following accompanying evidence - Affidavit of Ferguson Taylor & John Goode Journal of the Council of the State of Va - Peter Wagner's letter Littleberry Stovall's affidavit & the certificate of the Auditor of Va of his return as sup r Va. Cont t . Report of the Senate Committee on Revolutionary Claims on my petition for commutation
Respectfully your obt Servt.
Ro M Saunders
It appears that application was made, of which I was not aware, in 1829. The objection then urged is now removed by the affidavit of Stovall obtained since then & dated Feby 15 1830. who proves service in the year 1781. & The aff t of Goode Nov r 10 1831 who proves service during the war & by the legislation of Congress since 1830 allowing the commutation pay, in lieu of half pay, to the heirs of Eversa Meade dec d on the ground of his being returned sup r in this very roll on which my father's name is so returned - Report of the Committee to that effect & the act can be found in the book titled Revolutionary Claims published by order of the House Washington City
Ro M Saunders
March 12 1841
See Rep t No. 54. Sec 20 1833 - Repts. Com. 1833-4 Vol 1. pp 54

R. M. Saunders, Esq.
March 10. 1841.
Q. C.

Pension Office 74
March 10. 1841
Sir
I have examined the claim presented by you under the act of the 15 th . May 1828, on account of the revolutionary service of the late Lieutenant Robert H. Saunders. It appears that he applied in 1829 for the benefits of that law, and that the claim was not allowed because there was no proof as to the time when Lieut. Saunders retired from the service. Such proof has never been furnished. The objection which was then made has not, of course, been removed. I enclose herewith a copy of a letter from the Treasury Dept. on the subject.
I remain Sir &c.
R. M. Saunders Esq. Richmond, Va.
Enter this on Reg. act 1828

New York March 24 th 1790.
Dear Sir,
I am hono red with your favor of the th is instant, and am sorry to inform you, that at present it is out of my power, fully to comply with your request.
I perfectly remember the circumstances you allude to, the time you were appointed an officer in the Virginia line, I also know that you are returned as such in the muster rolls, of which I have the copies. But as I have not the necessary papers with me; I am unable to ascertain matters sufficient for a certificate. As soon as I return home, I shall have it in my power fully to comply with your request. Be pleased to present my best compliments to your brother & family, I have not had the pleasure to hear from him, since I left Virginia.
I am dear sir
your most ob t serv t .
Muhlenberg
Executive department. Jan y . 15. 1841.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a paper filed in my office.
W m H. Richardson Sec y Com ee

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
March 10 th 1841.
Sir :
Under the act 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," Executor of Robert H. Saunders, dec d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Two hundred & 29 Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1833, to the 5 th Oct. 1833.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Harris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
FEBRUARY 2, 1841.
Submitted, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. CRITTENDEN made the following
REPORT:
[To accompany bill S. No. 232.]
The Committee on Revolutionary Claims, to whom was referred the petition of the heirs of Robert H. Saunders, for commutation pay, &c. for the revolutionary services of their ancestor, have had the same under consideration, and report:
That, from the testimony in this case, it appears that Robert H. Saunders, in the year 1775 or 1776, enlisted as a soldier in the 7th Virginia continental regiment; that he continued in the service; acted for a time as a regimental adjutant, and on the 13th of September, 1777, was commissioned as a lieutenant, and afterwards became supernumerary, and so continued till the end of the revolutionary war.
Upon this state of facts, the committee are of opinion that the representatives of the said Lieutenant Robert H. Saunders are entitled to the commutation of five years' full pay, in lieu of the half-pay for life, promised by the resolves of Congress; and they accordingly report a bill.
Blair & Rives, printers.

Extract Journal of the Council of State of Va 1777
Ro  M  Saunders " " " Richmond Va

Friday June 27. 1777.
The governor and council proceeded agreeable to a resolution of the general assembly to settle the rank among the captains and subalterns in the three battalions belonging to this state and granted commissions to the following officers who are of the battalion ordered to join General Washington viz -
Ensigns -
James Meriwether James Withers Robert Hyde Saunders William M c Queen Joseph Saunders Anthony Frazier Samuel French Elliott Rucker Thomas Gaines John Best.
Executive department.
January 28. 1841.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true transcript from the journal of the council of the state of Virginia for the year 1777.
John H. Richardson Secy Com tee

Certificate of Auditor of V -

(Copr)
A Roll of Resigned & Supernumerary officers of the Virginia Continental + State troops.
Name Rank Date of Commis n Promotion since Corps Situation Residence R H Saunders Lieut Col 1777 Sept r 13 - - - - - VG Sup r Powhatan
The above is a true extract from a roll of resigned and supernumerary officers now on file in this office. The said roll is without signature or date.
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office Richmond this 24 th December 1840.
(signed) J. E. Heath and

Office of Secretary of the Senate U. States 8 th March AD 1841
I certify the foregoing to be truly copied from a paper on the files of this office
Albion B. Smith Secretary

Mr Edwards
Sir, I wish to ascertain from your office, to what regiment company I line to which Robert Hyde Saunders belonged during the revolutionary war as Lieutenant
Respectfully
Robt. H. Saunders
July 5 1840

Mr Edwards
Com te of Pensions

Sir,
I desire to know if the name of Robt H Saunders is to be found in any of the books in your office as an officer of the Va Line on Continental establishment
Respectfully
Jany 6 18240
Robt H Saunders
SI List of 55 Navy Officers who have not yet paid full pay. Robt H Saunders - 2d Inf. Munitf. 28 July '83 L 89: 2:3

3 mo. Serf _____ 15-00 12 m. Serf _____ 120-00 9 m. Serf _____ 120-00 3255.00 $228: 33 1/3 a

General Land Office 9 th February 1833.
I certify that a Warrant N o 7268. in the name of Robert H. Saunders for 2000 2 / 3 acres issued by the Register of the Land Office at Richmond Va. on the 8 th of November last, for his three years service as a Lieutenant in the Virginia Continental line, is on file in this Office.
Elijah Hayward
Commissary

Re. 7. Feb 1833.
This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia State Line, during the Revolutionary War, as settled their Accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session, 1781, that a Certificate issued on the twenty eighth day of July 1783 , in the name of Robert H. Saunders as a Lieutenant of Infantry for £ 86.. 2.. 3 which Certificate appears to have been delivered to himself
{ No Seal of Office. }
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this fourth day of February 1833.
J. H. Heath
AUDITOR.

Executive Department 8 th Oct. 1832
Robt. H. Saunders is allowed Land Bounty for his services as a Lieutenant in the Continental Line 3 years, if not heretofore drawn
John Floyd
A Warrant for 2566 2 / 3 acres issued (W: 7258) to said Saunders, dated Nov: 8 th 1832
A Copy from Records of Va. Land Office, Test. S. H. Parker Reg. S. Office

Hughson Taylor John Gorde } Affidavit Littlebury Street
Peter Hagner's letter
1825 to the Hon. the Lord Chief Justice
1825 to the Hon. the Lord Chief Justice

Before me William Ligon a justice of the peace for the county of Powhatan and state of Virginia personally appeared Ferguson Taylor who made oath in solemn form, that he enlisted in the 4 th Va Reg t on continental establishments in the revolutionary war / has lately received an allowance under the acts for the relief of certain surviving officers & soldiers of the army of the revolution; approved 15 May 1828) well recollects that Robert H Saunders now of the county of Henrico enlisted in the same regiment, was marched with this affiant from Cumberland Old C.H. together with a small party of recruits, under the command of ensign Mayo Carrington, to Gloucester C.H. when we joined the regiment & were arranged to the company commanded by Capt Charles Fleming in which company the said Saunders acted in the capacity of Sergeant. The regiment afterwards went to Gwynns Island to drive off Lord Dunmore after which we went to Williamsburg and this affiant has no recollection of being with the said Saunders after the regiment left the latter place to go to the north, nor of what other service the said Saunders performed. This affiant is not able to say certainly whether it was in the year 1775 or 1776 that the said Saunders himself enlisted nor can he say for what term the said Saunders did enlist, but believes enlistments were generally for three years
Ferguson Taylor
Sworn to and subscribed this 15 day of Feby 1830
W m Ligon j.p.
I do certify that to the best of my recollection the volunteer company at the commencement of the revolution did march from the county of Cumberland in June 1775 and did arrive as I have understood at Williamsburg immediately after Lord Dunmore went on board of one of the Kings ships; and I have no hesitation in saying that Robert H Saunders marched with them and that he

Robert H Saunders in some capacity or other served nearly or quite during the war as I have every reason to believe for I frequently saw him in service myself - Given under my hand this 10 th day of Novr 1831
John Gorde S r (Seal)
Pocahatan County to wit.
This day John Gorde sent personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in the aforesaid county and made oath to the truth of the within certificate. Given under my hand this 10 day of November 1831
Hos. J. Sampson
I do certify that during Arnold's Evacuation which I believe was in the year 1779 or eighty, the subscriber was in the service of his country at Leaburn point where he saw Re H Saunders actively engaged as an adjutant to one of the regiments then under the command of General M c Klenberg and in a few days after being there, the troops marched to M c Adie's or M c Adie's Mills Given under my hand This October 28 th 1831
Littleberry Stovall
Pocahatan County to wit.
This day the above named Littleberry Stovall appeared before me a justice of the peace for said county and made oath that the above certificate is true to the best of knowledge & belief - Given under my hand this 28 th day of Oct 1831
W m Ligon
Executive Department December 21. 1840
The foregoing are copies of papers filed in the office of this department (Signed) W m H Richardson S.C.
Treasury Department 3 d Auditor's Office
5 th January 1841
Sir.
In reply to your verbal inquiry of this morning, for informa- -tion in respect to the Revolutionary services of your father Lt Robert

Hyde Sanders of the Virginia Line I have to state, that it appears from the account books of the revolutionary Army, on file in this office that Lt Robert Hyde Sanders, of the Virginia Line was charged, in February 1778 with the sum of $400 that he had received from William Palsey - The purpose for which said $400 was received can not be ascertained from the Ledger and the Journal, which might possibly have shown the purpose for which it was received has been lost - The records of this office furnish no other information, than the above, of your fathers services during the revolutionary war
I am very respectfully your most obedt
Robert M Sanders Esq
now at Washington
(signed) Peter Hagner Adm.
Office of Secretary of the Senate in States 8 March 1841
I certify the foregoing to be truly copied from papers filed in this office
Albion D. Pickett Secretary

Letters of Mr Ingham P. Commissioner of Pensions

(Copy.)
Treasury Department.
December 30. 1829.
Sir,
Your claim under the above-mentioned act, has been examined. The act provides for no other officers than those who served in the continental line of the army of the Revolution, until the end of the war, or were reduced under the resolves of Congress passed the 3 d and 21 st of October 1780, or some subsequent resolve, and thereby became entitled to half pay for life. The records at Washington furnish no evidence of your service. Nor does the evidence transmitted by you shew, that you were reduced in the manner the act requires, but only that your name appears on the Rolls that have been filed under an order of the House of Delegates of Virginia as a supernumerary Lieutenant of the Continental line. It is probable that those rolls will shew when you became supernumerary; if so, they

will shew whether you are provided for by the act. If the fact cannot be shewn by those rolls, it may perhaps, be found in some other of the public records at Richmond.
I am, respectfully Your Obt: Servt:
(Signed.) S. D. Ingham.
Robert H. Saunders, Esq: under cover to the Hon: Andrew Stevenson, of Virginia. House of Representatives.

I hereby certify that I have in possession a Roll of the resigned and supernumerary officers of the Virginia continental and State troops which placed in my hand for the use of the committee of claims by Major William Duval under a resolution of the House of Delegates of Virginia upon which is entered the name of R H Saunders as a Lieutenant - date of Commission 1777 Sept r 13 returned as Supernumerary - place of residence Powhatan - of the Virginia Con- tinental line -.
Fabius Lawson Clerk of the committee of Claims - House of Delegates of Virginia
10 th December 1829 "

Recorder's Department Richmond Va 12 March 1833
The within is a true copy of a document filed in this department
Henry Richardson Secy Comt

I do certify that it appears on "A Roll " of the Resigned and Supernumerary Officers of the Virginia " Continental and State Troops," which has been filed with me, under an order of the House of Delegates of Virginia, that R. H. Saunders was returned as a Supernumerary Lieutenant of the Virginia Continental Line whose date of Commission was 13 Sept 1877, he then being from the County of Powhatan.
Richmond 23 Decr. 1829
Francis Lawton Clerk Committee of Claims House of Delegates of Virginia.

1916 Jan. 5. Hist. to Mrs. N. F. Gilliam v. 3. & neg. $
Reuben
6046. INVALID.
File No. 6046
Robert H. Sander Lieut. River War
Act: June 7 th / 82
Index:—Vol. M , Page 329
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Nº 17613
ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1871.
WAR OF 1812
3286-
R. H. Saunders Lt-
Vadine Revolution
Discharged _____, 18
5086-
REJECTED
Nº Pay — Act '82
Received _____, 187
Attorney.

REJECTED
9218
P. O. R. M. Saunders
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

January 5, 1916.
Mrs. W. F. Gilliam:
Union, S. C.
Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 28 th ultimo, you are advised that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services, and a careful search fails to show such claims for Jesse Saunders(Sanders) of the North Carolina troops, or for any Roger Parker Saunders (Sanders), or William Glenn(Glinn).
In order to identify claims, if filed, for Joseph and William Saunders (Sanders), in addition to their names, some of the following data is essential: names of some officers under whom they served, places of residence at enlistment and after service, approximate dates of birth and death, given names of their widows.
Very respectfully,
E. C. Tilman
Acting Commissioner.
Letter in S. 6046 Robt. Hyde Saunders.

Atk Per Sec
Union, S. C., Dec. 28, 1915.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:
Will you kindly send me any information you may have at hand con- cerning the following Revolutionary officers:
1. Jesse Saunders of N.C.

2. Joseph Saunders of Va. 3. Robert Hyde Saunders of Va. 4. Roger Parker Saunders of S.C. 5. William Saunders of N.C.
An early reply will be greatly appreciated.
Yours very truly
Mrs. W. T. Gelliam, Union, S.C.
P.S. I would also like to have some information on William Gelliam, born May 16, 176— died April 13, 1827. He was engaged in the Revolution according to his tomb.
Mrs. W. T. G.

aw Rej File #
9218

Robert H. Saunders - Lieut. Va. line -
Virginia
Ref. File No 9.218 OK
See letter # 3910 Act 1828