Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7180, for Smith Mason, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Mason, Smith
S 7180
n
Carded
CONTENTS

12.7.01. Virginia
Smith Mason of Carolina in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Fyler. of the Reg t C y commanded by Col. Thornton in the V. a line for Vir g mo t
Inscribed on the Roll of Virg a at the rate of 20 Dollars 00. Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of May 33 and sent to J. Minor,villeboro. Va
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 40.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1833. 10.00 $50.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. M. Salter Clerk Book 0. Vol. six Page 17
Act 6. April 1838 found the Modified 19. Oct 1844.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act 1841. to 28 July 1842. Cgt.
Date of death not on A.R.

Mason Smith.
21973

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832.
State of Virginia } County of Caroline } ss
On the 12 th day of November 1832 personally appeared before the Justices of the County Court of Caroline and State of Virginia, Smith Mason a resident of and in the County of Caroline aged Sixty nine 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 7. 1832.
That he entered the Service of the United States and served as herein stated. He was drafted in the Virginia Militia at Caroline Court House in March 1779 under Captain James Johnston. He marched to Williamsburg through Hanover, and the James River Counties, under Colonel Anthony Thornton, where he was put under the Command of Governor Henry, and there served as a Guard to Capital and College Landings. He served his whole Tour there being two months. — In his next Tour he was drafted in the latter part of October in the Year 1779 under Captain John Tyler (George Tyler being Lieutenant) marched for Williamsburg, went as far as Red Bank Court House, was there countermanded and sent back to Port Royal, staid there two months.
In the third Tour he was in the Service three months. He was drafted in the County of Caroline under Captain James Sutton, marched down below Richmond, to the Morven Hills. He then went up to Culpeper to join the Marquis La Fayette whom he joined at the Sacoow Ford. Returned to Bottoms Bridge and was there discharged.
In his fourth and last Tour he was drafted at and marched from Caroline Court House under Captain John Tyler and marched down to the Siege of York, he was stationed on the Gloucester side of the River, and remained there during the Siege after which he marched to Fredericksburg and was there regularly discharged. He was here in this tour two months. He was born on the 20 th of March 1763. The Register of his age is in his family Bible. He has no Revolutionary Papers and has always lived in the County of Caroline. By reason

of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot be more particular or definite in his declaration. He has no other testimony than that of his Brother Benjamin Mason aged sixty seven which is hereto annexed.
We hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or an 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
Smith Mason
We Spilsbee Woolfolk a Clergyman residing in Caroline County, and W m W. Dickinson residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Smith Mason who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be sixty three years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution; and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and Year aforesaid
Spilsbee Woolfolk W m W. Dickinson

Caroline County } Sch State of Virginia }
I Benjamin Mason aged sixty seven years being first duly sworn do hereby declare that the several tours and services of Smith Mason my brother are true I having lived in the house with him and well recollecting his marches and tours as set forth in the annexed declaration In the last tour he sets forth I was with him as a militia man. Given under my hand this 12 Nov 1832
Benjamin Mason
State & County aforesaid }
Personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the County of Caroline and State of Virginia the above affiant Benjamin Mason who made oath in due form to the truth of the above certificate, and I do moreover certify that said Benjamin Mason is a person of truth and credibility. Given under my hand this 12 th November 1832
Henry C. Coleman J.P.C.
Virginia, Caroline County to wit:
I John L. Pouderton Clerk of the Court of said County do hereby certify that Henry C. Coleman whose name is subscribed to the above Certificate is an acting justice of the peace in and for the said County duly commissioned and qualified and that his said signature is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said County this 13 th day of November 1832.
John L. Pouderton Clk

And the Said Court do 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 appears to them that Spilker Wolfolk who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the County of Caroline and that W W Beckinsaw who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Caroline and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I John L Pendleton Clerk of the Court of Caroline County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Smith, Orason for a pension.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12th day of November 1832
John L. Pendleton

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPROLLER'S OFFICE,
Sept. 25 th 1843.
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," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The Adm: of Smith Mason, dec d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Twenty — Dollars and — Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1841, to the 28 th July 1842.
Respectfully, yours,
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

No 21973 Smith Mason 12.) 01 Virg o
Adm for 9 Months From 1777.
$ 30. —
William G Minor Attorney at Law Wilkesboro Carolina Co

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Smith Mason Caroline Co. Va.
   Period when the service was required. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Draft 1779 2 Priv Capt Johnson Col Thornton None Va Age 64. Caroline County Traditional   " 1779 Oct 2 " " Tyler Swearing Witness   " 3 " " Sutton Lafayette   " 2 " " Tyler Surge of York  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss.
County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do 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 appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person.

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
The notes from [a] to [e] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
For Castler Dean Clerk

September 4, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Jennie T. Grayson P. O. Lock Box 105 Charlottesville, Virginia
SMITH MASON S. 7180 BA-J/MLB Am
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Smith Mason, of Spotsylvania County, Virginia.
You are furnished below the record of the only soldier named Smith Mason found in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The data therein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 7180, based upon his service in the Revolution.
Smith Mason was born March 20, 1763, in Caroline County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Caroline County, Virginia, he enlisted in March, 1779, served two months as private in Captain James Johnston's company, Colonel Anthony Thornton's Virginia regiment, marched to Williamsburg, where he served as guard to the Capitol and college landings. He enlisted the latter part of October, 1779, and served two months as private in Captain John Tyler's Virginia company. He enlisted, date not given, and served three months as private in Captain James Sutton's Virginia regiment. He enlisted, date not stated, served two months as private in Captain John Tyler's Virginia company, and was stationed on the Gloucester side of the river where he remained during the siege of Yorktown; in his last tour, his brother, Benjamin, served in the militia with him.
Smith Mason was allowed pension on his application executed November 12, 1832, while a resident of Caroline County, Virginia, where he had always lived. He died July 28, 1842, place not stated.
There are no family data shown in the claim, other than the reference to Smith Mason's brother, Benjamin Mason, who in 1832 was aged sixty-seven years, when he made affidavit in Caroline County, Virginia, in support of the soldier's claim for pension.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

P. O. Lock Box 105 CHARLOTTESVILLE ALBEMARLE COUNTY VIRGINIA
Aug. 20. 1935-
To
Pension Bureau Washington D.C.
Please send me the records contained in the pension papers of our Smith Mason of Spotsylvania Co. Virginia. He was a soldier of the American Revolution -
I will appreciate any and all data family, service, + any dates connected with this soldier -
Thank you (Mrs) Jennie T. Grayson

1935, Sept. 4. Hist. to Mrs. Jennie Mason — mLB
Rev. War
7180
INVALID.
File No. 7180
Smith Mason
Briv Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 1 p. 3 , Page 236
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Bringing Great Falls Commissioning Case Respectfully referred to the Secretary of the Navy 6 Dec. 1882
Respectfully referred to the Secretary of the Navy 6 Dec. 1882
Washington
a. a. c.

When the enclosed has been acted on please forward to W m G. Minor Attorney at Law, Villeboro, Caroline Co. Va.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Mason, Thomas GRADE Private LINE Delaware
WARRANT NUMBER 10825 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED April 19, 1792 To warrant shown
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.