Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38,928, for George May, Virginia

SERVICE
May George
NUMBER
S. 38928
CONTENTS

12.619- East Tennessee George May
of Jefferson in the state of Tennessee who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Weedon of the Virginia line, for the term of 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 16 of June 1819.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 of July 1819 and sent to John Watt Wilkinson Esq. Warrentsburg, Jefferson County Tennessee
Arrears to that proportion of Semi-annual all'ce ending 4 Sept 1819.
16 3.6
$21.06
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continu
from June 16 Sept 1819
W. H. Smith to the Hon. Mr. Cook, H. P. 20 December 1820
Rate of death roll on a B

wrote to John Wilkinson Esqr Jefferson County Tennessee 23 July 1819 & Enclosed Certifs - state of Pension -
2302
Adm C

State of Tennessee } Jefferson County } ss
Be it remembered that this day came George May an old citizen of the said County before me William Hill a justice of the peace and one of the jus- tices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Ses- sions in and for the said County which Court is a Court of Record, and the said George May for the purpose of obtaining a Pension under an Act of the Congress of the United States lately passed dated March 18 1818 entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" and being duly sworn maketh the following declaration on oath to wit
Hon. Wm. Blount. The said George May thinks he is now upwards of seventy years of age that when he was eleven years old he to- gether with the rest of his father's family emigrated from Germany to the United States where he has been a citizen ever since mostly in the State of Virginia and for the last sixteen or seventeen years he and his family have resided in the said County of Jefferson in the said State of Ten- nessee - That he resided in Loudoun County State of Virginia at the commencement of the Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the United States in the year 1776 - that after having served a term of duty for six months in what was called minute men under Captain Charles West he enlisted as a soldier at Hampton in the said State of Vir- ginia for the term of two years under the said

most in the Virginia Line on the Continental Establishment in the Third Virginia Regiment commanded by Col. W McCall who this deponent believes was afterwards a general - John Dyer was a lieutenant in the same company and Major Leach was a Major in the Regiment who this deponent thinks was afterwards wounded in some Battle and died of his wounds but does not recollect which battle he does not recollect - This deponent does not recollect the time exactly he enlisted for the said two years but recollects the place to wit at Hampton offered  but and that he was marched from Hampton to New York in the said Regiment and was afterwards at the taking of the Hessians at Princeton (or Trenton; he is not certain as to the name) but he is certain he was there and fought in the service of the U.S. (so far as necessary) and also at a skirmish at Brimsfield - That he served out the said term of two years and was discharged at Middlebrook near Germantown in the State of Pennsylvania by Capt. Thornton as well as he recollects the said Capt. West being promoted - This deponent further states that he kept his said Certificate of discharge for several years together which together with a parcel of Continental money which he had and thinking both to be of no value threw it away it away - This deponent does not recollect the time he was discharged but recollects it was shortly after the Battle of Germantown in which Battle he was - This deponent does not know of any person in this State of Disrespect

by whom he can prove his said service - And that he is in reduced circumstances and needs the assistance of his country being very poor with a numerous family
Sworn to once subscribed This 19 th day of September in the year 1818 before me the said
his George May
William Hill
State of Tennessee } Be it remembered that Jefferson County viz } this day came the Peter Tuff a credible Witness, a respectable citizen of said County and a near neighbour of mine before me the said William Hill a Justice of the peace and one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the said County and being duly sworn deposes and saith that he has been acquainted with the above- named George May for upwards of twenty four years - that he was acquainted with the said George when he lived in Loudon County in the State of Virginia and ever since he came to this County which is for above sixteen years - that from the said frequent conversation he has had with the said George concerning the Revolutionary War and from the established character of the said George as to stating the truth - he this deponent has no doubt but the said George served as a soldier in said War as by him stated - and this deponent well knows the said George to be in very re- duced circumstances and needs the assistance of his country
Sworn to and subscribed This 19 th day of September 1818 before me the said
Peter Tuff

State of Tennessee Jefferson County ss
I the above named William Hill a Justice of the Peace and one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions in and for the said County which Court is a Court of Record - do hereby certify that to the Secretary of War of the United States - That from my personal knowledge of the before named George May for upwards of sixteen or seven ten years I am satisfied that the declaration above made by him is substantially true - That he is justly entitled to a Pension from the United States under the late act of Congress and that he is in very reduced circumstances and needs the assistance of his country - given under my hand this 11 th day of September A D 1818
William Hill
The above named George May wishes his certificate of Pension if allowed to be directed to the Post office Bondridge in the said County
George May
State of Tennessee
I Joseph Hamilton Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions of Jefferson County do certify that the before named William Hill Esquire whose signature of attestation is to the foregoing declaration of George May and the foregoing certificate to the said Department of War, was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace and one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions for said County - which Court is a Court of Record & full faith & credit is given & due to all his official acts as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 21 st day of Sept 1818
J. Hamilton Clerk

State of Tennessee Jefferson County, Esq. June 16 th June, 1819.
The before named George May and Peter May appeared in Open Court this 16 th day of June in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen and being duly sworn respectively say on oath that the foregoing declarations and statements in writing by them respectively made, and by them respectively subscribed were at the date thereof and still are true. Whereupon it is ordered by the court that the foregoing proceedings be certified and transmitted to the Secretary of War, United States, and also that this Court is satisfied that the said George May is in reduced circumstances and needs the assistance of his country.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 18 th June 1819.
Joseph Hamilton Stark By his Dep for Hamilton Stark

N.B. The writer of this note respectfully suggests the propriety of allowing the pension to Old Mr May from the time of the first application; on the following grounds viz. 1st That it appears evidently that William Still before the first declaration on oath and affidavits were made once who certifies the application was then (and in fact still is) not only a Justice of the Peace, but also a Justice of a court of record. Justices and Judge are synonymous terms - John Marshal is a Justice of the peace as well as Chief Judge of the U. S. - So are all the Judges of the Court of King's Bench and Common Pleas in England called Justices - Every Justice of the peace in the State of Tennessee is a Judge of a County Court, and the County Courts are Courts of Record and have extensive jurisdiction; to wit they have jurisdiction to wit in all pleas of a civil nature, and in criminal cases as high as petit larceny. In this case it has been expressly stated and certified in the proceedings, which have been before had, that William Still was at the time "a Justice of the peace and a Justice of the County Court which is a court of record,"
2) In point of precedent - it is known to the writer that in similar applications pensions have been allowed to James Robertson, John Boyd, Billy Holloway and Robert Everett of Blount and State of Tennessee, to which reference is requested

30 Although it is not a legal reason, yet there can be little impropriety in the stating, that the applicant is a  very poor old man with a numerous family and probably cannot live long
If the Subordinate officers in the War Department should reject the claim coextensive with the time of the first application - it is wished that the Honorable the Secretary of War himself would examine the case
If the correctness of this statement so far as respects the writer should be doubted I would beg leave, if not too much trouble, to refer to the honorable Joseph Anderson 1st Controller of the Navy Department, who knows me well
John Wilkinson

Filed by John Cooke
493 504
George Mays
Declaration
John Sturtevant
Con. Dec 20. 1821 Sent to John Cooke A Rep.
Dec. 17. 1821

Schedule
State of Tennessee Jefferson County ss September Sessions A.D. 1821.
On this thirteenth day of September A.D. 1821. personally appeared in Open Court, being a Court of record (having the power of fine and imprisonment, and also having been made a court of record by the laws of said State,) for the said County George May aged seventy nine years, resident in the County of Jefferson aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows, he enlisted in Loudon, County State of Virginia, under Captain Charles West, third Virginia Regiment Continental line, commanded by Colonel Wharton, General Washington's brigade, and marched under Captain Charles West to Newgate, thence to Williamsburgh, thence to Little York, thence to Hampton, and remained six months, thence to New York, thence to the White Plains, thence to Middle Brook, during which time he served two years and six months, and was discharged.
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th Day of March 1818. and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent thereby to to diminish it, so to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary service war" passed on the 18 th Day of March 1818. and that I have

not, nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed
One mare worth $25.00 Two Cows & three Calves 27.00 One young heifer 4.50 Five hogs & 13 pigs 19.00 $75.50
his George X May mark
The declarant further states that he is by occupation a farmer and is able to pursue it being aged and infirm that he has a wife Rachel thirty five years of age tolerably healthy Seven Children ages as follows. George aged eighteen not healthy James aged sixteen healthy, but has had his fingers on his right hand cut off, Martin aged fourteen is not healthy Stacy aged ten years healthy, Sam aged eight years healthy Rachel aged seven years healthy - Moses aged three years healthy
his George X May mark
It is therefore considered by the Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the foregoing schedule is seventy five dollars - fifty Cents

State of Tennessee Dipson County ss
I Joseph Hamilton Clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions of the County of Dipson aforesaid do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Declaration and Schedule, filed by George May, copied from the original recorded in my office at September Sessions 1820.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of my Office at Office in Dandridge the 10 th Day of October 1821
For Hamilton Clerk
State of Tennessee
I Joseph Hamilton Clerk of Dipson County aforesaid do certify that I am well acquainted with George May - that at September Sessions 1820. he filed on oath his declaration & schedule which was admitted to record - and on examination of the said Declaration I find that in two places the signature of William is placed in said Declaration - when it should ought to have been George. That said George May is aged & infirm, & that I have never known him to write his name - but always make his mark.
Given under my hand the 10 th Day of Oct. A.D. 1821
For Hamilton Clerk

January 8, 1932
Mrs. Ida M. Wray I.B. & S.C. Home Knightstown, Tennessee. Indiana
BA-J/AWF
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to George May, a soldier of the War of the Revolution.
The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.38928, based upon the military service of George May during the Revolutionary War.
He came when eleven years old, with the rest of his father's family (no names given) to this country from Germany.
He enlisted in 1776, while residing in Lou-doun County, Virginia, and served as a private in Captain Charles West's company in Colonel Weedon's Virginia regiment, he was in the battle of Trenton, a skirmish at Brunswick and battle of Germantown, length of service two years and six months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed, September 19, 1818, at which time he was living in Jefferson County, Tennessee.
He stated in 1821 that he was seventy-nine years of age, and at this time referred to his wife, Rachel as aged thirty-six years, and to the following children- George aged eighteen years, James aged sixteen years, Martin aged fourteen years, Stacy aged ten years, Jane aged eight years, Rachel aged seven years, and Moses aged three years.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Roswell, New Mex.
June 24. 1927.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dear Sir,
Can you give me any information regarding the following Revolutionary soldiers: Adonizah Davidson, of Col. Alexander Spottswoods 2 nd Va Regiment - as it stood from Jan to June 1777.
Wm. Davidson, of 3 rd Va. Regiment - commanded by Lt. Col. Wm. Heath, as it stood from Sept. 1777 - to May 1778. also,
George May, same & Wm Davidson

John May, of Col. Chas. Farnam's Va. & Md. new Regiment of Artillery as stood from Nov. 30. 1776 to April 1782. If you can give me the dates of where & when born & the names of any of their descendants. If this in- formation is not available at your office, can you tell me where to find it?
I inc. enclosed a stamped addressed envelop. & I will consider it a great favor if you will reply.
Respectfully
Mrs. S. H. Bradstreet.

1928-Jan. 12-11-20A to Mrs. E. H. Brachet 12/28 1932-Jan. 8- " " Mrs. Ida M. Wray and
38928 INVALID.
Ray
File No. 38998
George May Mr. & Mrs. May
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 306
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rev. and 1813 Wars Section.
awg
January 12, 1928
Mrs. L. H. Bradstreet 403 S. Mo. Ave. Roswell, New Mex.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 38928,
it appears that George May, when eleven years he with the rest of his family (no record) old, came to this country from Germany.
While residing in Loudoun County, Vir- ginia, he enlisted in 1776 and served (two years and six months) as a private in Captain Charles West's Company, Colonel Weedon's Virginia Regi- ment. He stated that he was in either the battle of Princeton or Trenton a scrimmage at Brunswick, and battle of Germantown. Long W. of Rev 29-86
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 19, 1818, while a resident of Jefferson County, Tennessee, aged about seventy years.
79 yrs
In 1831, he referred to his wife, Rachel,

as aged thirty-six years, and to the following children- George, aged eighteen years; James, aged sixteen years; Martin, aged fourteen years; Stacy, aged ten years; Jane, aged eight years; Rachel, aged seven years; and Moses, aged three years.
The above noted George May is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, who served with the Virginia Troops, and said records fail to afford any information in regard to any soldier named Adonijah Davidson, or to William Davidson, as described by you.
In order to make a proper search of said records for a soldier named John May, some of the following data is essential- approximate dates of birth and death and places of residence at enlistment and after service.
Owing to the very large number of similar inquiries and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose, the Bureau is unable to make immediate reply to inquiries relative to soldiers of the Revolution.
Such information is furnished by courtesy of the Government and without fee, and letters are being answered as rapidly as possible in the order of their receipt.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Q.M. 1st Bn

United States Veteran's Bureau Washington D. C.
Will you please send to me a copy of Revolutionary Service with all data of George May who served out of Va. and was drawing a pension (Rev. pension) while living in Jefferson Co. Tenn.
all I shall very much appreciate any data you may send.
Very respectfully
Mrs. Ida M. Wray I. S. & S. C. Home Knightstown Indiana
Dec. 1-1931,