Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31347, for Philemon Saunders, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
la
Saunders, Philemon S. 31347
CONTENTS

by 14 th 1837. - in in — Apr 11 th '37 to Kentucky from 1836 — Apr 15 th '37
Virginia 16663
Self F. Fm — e Transp 4: Sept.
Philemon Saunders Jr. Franklin in the State of Va who was a Pvt in the Company comman- by Captain Hudson of the — command by ————— in the 1 st line for 9 months.
Date of death not on A.B-226
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 10. Dollars — — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
repeats of Pension issued the 12 th day of Sept: 32. and such Pension Mary P.C. Bedget 30: 00
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 75 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar: 34 15
$90-
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Price Clerk Book E Vol. 6 Page 27

State of Virginia County of Franklin
On this 9 th day of August 1832 personally appeared before me Benjamin Wood a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Philamon Saunders a resident of the County and State aforesaid 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 9 th 1832 viz: That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. First he was drafted as a militia man under Captain Joseph Headen in Fluvanna County where he then lived and marched from thence to Hillsborough in North Carolina at which place a division took place among the militia, and he the applicant was transferred to the Company commanded by Capt. Thomas Lightwick of Bedford County in order to complete his Company and marched from thence under his command to Camden in South Carolina to the place where the battle in which Gates was defeated was fought commonly called the Battle of Gates' defeat, and was engaged in the said battle the name of the place being unknown where it took place he does not now recollect. That he the applicant was marched from thence to Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina at which place he the applicant having served his term of six months for which he was drafted was honorably discharged and from thence he returned home to Fluvanna County in Virginia, where he had remained but a short time when he was again drafted under Captain Anthony

Headed of Shenandoah County Va and marched from thence to the City of Richmond in Virginia that place being the head Quarters at the time he was marched thence. the names of the Com- manding Officers more than above named he does not now recollect from thence he was marched to near York Town in Va the place he does not now recollect and was in the army at the close of the Revolutionary war, at which time he was honorably dischar- ged after having served as three months longer and that he the said applicant is too old and infirm to travel to Court with any sort of convenience to make his declaration and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State referencing  other than of the agency of the State of Virginia and the said applicant further states that he has no documentary evidence of his services & that he does not know of any person by whom he can prove them except Julius Saunders Sr & perhaps Genl. Lacey & General

Mr. Levi Whitman Saunders I make the following answers to the following interrogatories, propounded to him as prescribed by the War Department (No 1) When and in what year was you born?
Answer, I was born in Fluvanna county Va the year I cannot recollect. Do you have any record of your age? If so where is it?
Answer, I have none now. Nor never did have that. I now recollect where were you living when called into service, where have you since since the revolutionary war? Where do you now live?
Answer, I lived in Fluvanna county Virginia and have since since in the county of Franklin, & now live in the same.
How were you called into service were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute? If so for whom?
Answer, I was drafted.
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 service.
Answer, To this question the applicant answered about the same in substance as is contained in the foregoing declaration.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer, I rec d a discharge the name of the officer who gave it I do not now recollect & what has become of it I cannot tell.

7 th Shall the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolu- tion — Isaac Green Sam Houslip &
Answer } The applicant further states that there is no person that he with any kind of convenience can retain
I Benjamin Booth the aforesaid justice of the peace do hereby declare as my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named Applicant was a Soldier of the revolution and served as he states & I do furthermore certify that it appears to me that Isaac Green & Sam Houslip who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the county of Franklin, are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit and I do furthermore cer- tify as my opinion that the said Applicant is too old & infirm to travel to the courthouse without putting himself to considerable inconvenience & same expense given under my hand and seal the 10 th day of Aug t 1833
Benjamin Booth

Philemon Saunders

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
State of Kentucky, _____
County of Shelby _____ ss.
On this 4 th day of March 1837, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Shelby personally appeared Philemon Saunders Sr., who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Thomas Leftwich — in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Greene in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Virginia from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of Kentucky where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Virginia to Kentucky, he had five children living in Kentucky, all married and settled except one & that he wished to come to Kentucky that he might not only be near them, but is also living with one of them.
Philemon Saunders Sr., his mark
Sworn and subscribed to before me, } the day and year aforesaid. }
Henry B Shannon
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath, is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.
In every case where the Clerk of the Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should be sent with the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.—In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small 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.

State of Kentucky Shelby County ss.
I certify that on this the 11 th day of March 1837, before the subscribers justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally came Joel Eastes a man well known to me and a man of truth & veracity, and on his oath states that the within named Philamon Saunders Sr. is the identical Philamon Saunders Sr. named and described in the within certificate, who took the oath therein mentioned and subscribed the same.
Sworn and subscribed before me this day & date above written.
Joel Eastes
Henry Bohannon
Shelby County ss.
I James J. Whitaker clerk of the County Court for said County do hereby certify that Henry Bohannon whose name is subscribed to the above Certificate now is and was at the time of doing the same a justice of the peace for said County Commissioned and sworn according to law and that full faith & credit is to be had to all their official acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 13 th day of March 1837. J. J. Whitaker CLK Shelby County Court

No 13. 414 Philemon Saunders Esq. Franklin County Virginia
return
Alma Las ad Pri 9 mo 8/30
12. 11. 18. 19.
Caleb Fath C of Court Franklin Co Va Rocky mount

County of  BRIEF in the case of  Philamon Saunders  of Franklin  in the State of  Virginia  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Justice of the Peace  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? Yes  3. How old is he? 69 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Drafted In 17 6 " private Gen. Capt. Steadman   Drafted " Two Not Mentioned 3 " Capt. Steadman  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Gates Defeat  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Fluvanna County Virginia  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional and living testimony  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct papers not properly connected 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
M. L. G. B.
Examining Clerk.

Letter in Joseph Saunders S. 11347
November 30, 1934.
Mary E. Cardwell 318 East 5th Street New Albany, Indiana.
RA-J/ILL Joseph Saunders S. 11347 Philemon Saunders S. 31347
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of November 13, in which you request the Revolutionary War records of a number of pensioners of that war.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited clerical available for furnishing such information, it has not been possible to comply with each request which requires such an amount of time and research. The records of Joseph Saunders and Philemon Saunders are furnished herein as found in the claims for pension, based upon their service in the Revolutionary War.
JOSEPH SAUNDERS-S. 11347.
Joseph Saunders, while a resident of Culpeper County, Virginia, enlisted early in September 1775, served in Captain John Green's company, 1 st Virginia regiment and continued until the close of 1777, at which time he was ensign, said regiment then commanded by Colonel George Gibson. He was appointed sometime in 1779, date not shown, lieutenant in Captain Mark Thomas' company, Colonel Crockett's Virginia regiment and continued to serve until the close of the year 1781.
Heirs - do not give this last service.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 20, 1832, at which time he was aged about seventy-six years; the date and place of his birth and names of his parents are not shown. He resided then in Bullitt County, Kentucky.
He died in Bullitt County, Kentucky, August 13, 1836.
Joseph Saunders was also allowed land by the State of Virginia

on account of his service as Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War.
Nat. P. Saunders, the soldier's son, was living in 1854; the name of soldier's wife is not shown, and there are no further data relative to his family.
*****
PHILEMON SAUNDERS -S. 31347
Philemon Saunders was born in Fluvanna County, Virginia; the date of his birth and names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Fluvanna County, Virginia, he enlisted and served as private in Captains Joseph Headen's and Thomas Leftwich's Virginia companies, during which service he was in the battle of Gates' Defeat, length of service six months. He enlisted and served three months as private in Captain Anthony Headen's Virginia company and was at the surrender of Cornwallis.
* Could not verify these Capt. Headen, but there is an Anthony Haden of Va - Capt - in our files
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 21, 1832, at which time he resided in Franklin County, Virginia; he had moved there from Fluvanna County, Virginia. He was then aged sixty-nine years, and was referred to as Philemon Saunders, Senior.
In January 1837, the soldier had moved to Shelby County, Kentucky, where he lived with one of his children; he stated then that he had five children living in Kentucky, all married except one, but he did not give any names. The name of soldier's wife is not shown. In 1837, his address was Christianburg, Shelby County, Kentucky.
In 1832, one Julius Saunders, Senior, of Bedford County, Virginia, stated that he remembered Philemon Saunders at the time he served in the Revolutionary War, but did not state any relationship between them.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

We William Brown & John H. Kasey in the County of Franklin hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Philemon Saunders who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be 69 years of age, and that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion Given under our hands this 3 rd day of March 1841 William Brown John H. Kasey
The said Philemon Saunders to make the following answers to the following interrogatories propounded to him as prescribed by the War Department (Viz) 1 st Where & in what year were you born? Answer In Fuyanna county Pa. the year I do not at present recollect
2 nd Have you any record of your age & if so where is it? Answer I have none
3 rd Where were you living when called into service where have you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live? Answer I lived in Fuyanna county Pa and have since lived in the county of Franklin & now live in the same
4 th How were you called into service were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute & if so for whom? Answer I was drafted
5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served. Such Continental & militia regiments as you can

recollect & the general circumstances of your service? To this Question the applicant answered about the same in substance as is contained in the foregoing declaration
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so, by whom was it given & what has become of it? Answer. I recd. 2 or 3 discharges but from whom I do not now recollect. And what has become of them I cannot tell
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution? Answer James Meadows & Capt. John Coker Wm Brown & John N. Kasey
I Benjamin Booth in the aforesaid justice of the peace do hereby declare as my opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution & served as his status & I do further now certify that it appears to me that Wm Brown & John N. Kasey who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the County of Franklin, are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit, and I do further now certify as my opinion that the said applicant is in all likelihood in France & the Com tee thereon without putting him to considerable inconvenience and some expense. Given under my hand and seal this 21 st day of August 1832 Benjamin Booth (L.S.)

Mr B
Mr Prudome
James L. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington
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Virginia Comth
I Caleb Tate Clerk of the Court of the County of Franklin do hereby certify that Benjamin Birch whose signature appears to the annexed Certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Franklin duly appointed and qualified according and authorized to administer oaths &c and that full faith and credit are due and of right ought to be given to all his official acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my Seal of Office This 3 rd day of September 1832 and in the 57 th Year of the Commonwealth
Caleb Tate

Christiansburg Ky. Mar 30 th
Abt. Brunsme
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of pension,
Washington City
D. C.

Bank of Virginia. April 13. 1837.
Sir The last payment to Philemon Saunders ser t , private, a pensioner under the Act of June 7. 1832, at thirty dollars per annum, was to the 4. day of September 1836.
I am, respectfully,
Your obed t Serv t
Ant y Robinson for J. Brockenbrough.
J. L. Edwards Esq. commissioner of Pensions, Washington.

Philemon Saunders
Dec 2nd to Ky.
Mr. J. B. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City
14 Feb. for transfer to Bureau
Washington D.C. Feb 2nd
The Col. named in the original paper - the part of the application cannot therefore be taken.

Shelby County Kentucky. January 31 st 1837 Dear Sir
Having removed to Kentucky. Shelby Co. and being a Pensioner in the State of Va. and draw my Pension at Richmond under the Agency there, I now desire to be transferred to the Agency of Kentucky at Lexington, or such arrangement made so that I can draw my Pension in this state. this being done you will favor me by informing me of the fact soon as practicable. Please direct to Christiansburg.
J. G. Edwards
I am Very Respectfully your Obedt Servt.
Philemon his Saunders mark

18th Aug 1841 John H. Keary's New
Free
Pension Office Washington City

Franklin county V a 18 th Aug t 1835
Sir, I again forward you my declaration corrected Only in a few small places As I have given you the best information I am in possession of in relation to my Service as a revolutionarian though if there should be anything deficient I will try again to have it rectified. — please send your papers to Kasys D. O. Bedford V a , as though I live in Franklin county V a it would suit my convenience Best to hand the papers sent to Kasys as I am in a firm miles of that place. the papers returned to me say in the office about 2 months before I knew they was there, therefore it is my request you direct to Kasys Bedford V a in complying with the above you will oblige
Yours Respectfully Philemon Saunders

State of N o county } S.C of Spartanburg }
On the 10 th day of Aug t 1853 personally appeared before Mr Benja r Booth a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Scholemun Saunders a resident of the county and State aforesaid aged seventy years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth know his oath Make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7 th 1832 for service of the united States under the following named Officers. And served as herein stated. He was drafted as a Militia man under capt Joseph Bearden in Spartanburg county where he then lived, and marched from thence to Hillsborough in North Carolina at which place a division took place among the Militia and he the applicant was transferred to the company commanded by capt. Thos. Pettibone of Buford county in order to complete his company and marched from thence under his command near Camden in South Carolina to the place where the battle in which Gatz was defeated was fought commonly called the Battle of Gatz's Defeat, and was engaged in the said battle, the name of the place and county where it took place he does not now recollect, that he the applicant was marched from thence to Guilford courthouse in North Carolina at which place he the applicant having served his term of six months for which he was discharged was honorably discharged from thence he returned home to Spartanburg county in Virginia, where he has remained but a short time, when he was again drafted under capt. Anthony

Heads of Flandria County Va And Massachus from thence to the city of Richmond in Virginia that place being the head quarters at that time, he was marched thence, the names of the commanding officers more than a here named he does not now recollect from thence he was marched to New York Town in the place he does not now recollect, and was in the Army at the close of the Revolutionary War, at which time he was honorably discharged after having served a three months tour, and that he the said Applicant is too old and infirm to travel to court with any sort of convenience to make his declaration, and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the pre- sent and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Army of any State, and the said Applicant further states that he has no documentary evidence of his services & that he does not know of any person by whom he can prove them except Julius Saunders Sr. and perhaps General Joel Sedgwick.
Sworn to and subscribed the day of year aforesaid Philomus Saunders Sr. Residing in the Town of Benjamin Booth
We, Isaiah Greer & Saml Harris county of Franklin hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Philomus Saunders Sr who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declar- ation, that we believe him to be 78 years of age and that he is respected & believed in the neigh- borhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion Sworn to and subscribed to the the day of year aforesaid, Isaiah Greer Saml Harris

State of Virginia } Franklin County } Set.
I Caleb Sale clerk of Franklin County Court, do hereby certify that Benjamin Booth whose signature appears to the foregoing and annexed Certificate, is and was at the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly appointed and qualified according to law, and that full faith and credit is due, and ought to be given to all his official acts as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my Seal of Office this 15 th day of August 1833, in the 58 th year of our Independence.
Caleb Sale, C

1934 - Nov. 20 - Visit to Mary B. Cardwell - S.L.C. (Rite in English)
31347 Recy INVALID.
File No. 31347
Philemon Saunders
His Rev. Val
Act: June 7 th 39
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 35 1/2
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Virginia } Bedford County } S.C.
This day Julius Saunders Sr. personally appeared before me Lewis Wingfield a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid made each according to law. That he knows that Philimon Saunders now of the County of Franklin Virginia was draughted and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. That the said Philimon Saunders was draughted and marched into service under Captain Joseph Beaden of Fluvanna County Va. That he has known the said Philimon Saunders from a boy and as well as this deponent now recollects the said Philimon Saunders is now about seventy years of age. That he the said Deponent recollects that the said Philimon Saunders was in the service at the time Cornwallis was taken at York Town in Va. That he the said deponent has always understood that the said Philimon Saunders was a soldier of the Revolution and never found it questioned. That the said Philimon Saunders is a man of good character and entitled to credit upon his oath. and that he the said Deponent is for all purposes to give the Court to make the foregoing deposition.
Julius + Saunders Sr. Subscribed known to be mark before me Lewis Wingfield a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid according to law. This 20 th day of August 1832. Lewis Wingfield

State of Virginia County of Bedford Vt.
I Robert C. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court of Bedford do hereby certify that Lewis Wingfield whose signature is annexed to the within Certificate, is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that his said Certificate is in due form.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the 28 th day of August 1832
Rob. Mitchell C. Clerk
Bedford County & State of Virginia To wit
I Lewis Wingfield a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Bedford and State of Virginia do hereby certify that Julius Saunders Sen r whose affidavit was subscribed and sworn to before me on the 20 th day of August 1832 is a credible witness given under my hand this 1 st day of August 1832
Lewis Wingfield