Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6995, for George Mason, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Wa
Mason, George
R 6995 —
CONTENTS

State of Virginia Caroline County to wit
On this day personally appeared before me Henry C. Coleman as Master of the peace in said County of said George Spenser aged eighty three 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 of the act of "An act to provide for the raising of troops" passed March 13 th 1862, "That some time in the year 1875 he enlisted under Capt. Oliver Taylor (Sawyer) in what was then called the minute Service, living then in Spotsylvania County; after the Regiment was so completed as to justify it we were called out into Service 20 days in camp a few miles be- low Fredericksburg on Rappahannock River to learn soldiers duty; In the same fall Richard Johnston of Caroline County was appointed Col. to the Regt., after which we had to meet at muster 4 days in a month; we were not called into actual Service un- til towards August 17 th 1862; we then marched down about 3 miles below Williamsburg to Springfield Camp commanded by Maj. Andrew Buchanan (Wm. Taliaferro being Captain) after being there a short time, we were marched to Hampton, we did not stay there very long before we were discharged by an act of the General Assembly as was then said. So the minute Service was put down, that soon after this he was enrolled in the Milicia, that shortly afterwards there was a call for 100 Volunteers from Spotsylvania to go down to Williamsburg for 40 days; two Captains were appointed, Capt. Craig & Bartlett that he was in Craig's Company & marched down to Williamsburg & remained there until the tour was out, Col. Winston of Spotsylvania commanded. Sometime after this in April 1879 he returned into Caroline to live & served a tour in the Milicia under Capt. John Tyz- ler who marched to Williamsburg & continued there until General Arnold drove us out, then we marched across Rappahannock into King William, thence to Page's Town & thence to Richmond; where we continued till released: that most of the time he was in Service was under Col. Thomas Matthews of the 2 nd Virginia Regt.; that soon after this he served under Capt. Francis Tompkins in the "Maryland's Flying Column" as it was then commonly called, after which Capt. John Clarke supplied the place of Capt. Tompkins, with whom he served at Dan-

Widger etc. etc.; some short time afterwards Joseph Dogarnett acted as Captain 'till the line was out, Some time, to the best of his memory in the year 1780. That after- wards he marched down after Cornwallis before New Kent Court house where he remain- ed some time in Camp; after which he returned & went to Churchton near Bot- tom's bridge, when they were returned, he thinks, this was in July which to the best of his recollection was the last time he served.
He further states that he has never received any pension or annuity as a Revolutionary Soldier & that he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not enrolled on the pension list of any Agency in any State.
George Mason
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 1 st day of October 1832
Henry C. Coleman
Caroline County Virginia to wit-
I Spilsbe Woolfolk a licenced Minister of the Gospel in the County of Caroline & State of Virginia do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with George Ma- son who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration & I believe him to be 80 years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to be a revolutionary Soldier
Spilsbe Woolfolk
Caroline County, State of Virginia to wit
I certify that Spilsbe Woolfolk, who subscribed the above certificate is a licenced Minister of the Gospel. Given under my hand this 1 st October 1832
Henry C. Coleman

Caroline County, State of Virginia to wit
This day personally appeared before me Henry C. Coleman a Justice of the Peace in the County aforesaid & State of Virginia Sackville Thacker of Louisa County & State of Virginia who being first solemnly sworn according to law doth state as follows That he was in the Revolutionary war, in Service with George Mason, whose affidavit is herewith annexed (which has been carefully & slowly read to him) in all the tours stated by said Mason, except the Minute Service; & has no doubt said Mason officiated in that Service; He also states that he has been acquainted with George Mason for upwards of fifty years living near him most of the time & believes from various Circumstances that he did his regular Service in the Revolutionary war (for at least two years) as stated by him
Sackville his Thacker mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 1 day of October 1832
Henry C. Coleman
Caroline County, State of Virginia to wit
This day personally appeared before me Henry C. Coleman a Justice of the Peace in the County aforesaid & State of Virginia Smith Mason of the County & State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law doth state as follows that during what was called the Flying Tour by the Hessian in the Revolutionary war he was in the same Reg t with George Mason, that he served the tour out & were relieved at Bottom's bridge on Chickahominy & marched home together, Thomas Matthews being Col l . Before he was on the Musket road he knows that George Mason served 4 or 5 Tours in the Revolutionary war, he himself being under 16 years old & he further states that he firmly believes George Mason served in the Revolutionary War not less than two years
Smith Mason
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 1 day of October 1832
Henry C. Coleman

Virginia
George Mason
16900 Caroline County to Wit,
I John L Pendleton Clerk of the Court of said County do hereby Certify that Henry B. Coleman whose name is annexed to the foregoing Certificates, is an acting Justice of the peace in for the said County duly qualified according to law. In Testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of the said County this 8 th day of October 1832 In the 56 th year of the Commonwealth
John L Pendleton
Virginia,
Caroline County to Wit,
I James B. Thornton presiding Justice of the peace in for said County do hereby Certify that John L Pendleton whose name is annexed to the above Certificate is Clerk of the said Court duly qualified and that his said Certificate is in due form of law. Given under my hand this 8 th day of October 1832
James B. Thornton

George Mason Virginia
Suspended July 17 1834 Ed. L. W. S. Minor Esq. Villeboro. Ga
6895
Act 7. June 34

6995-1 am
P. O. George Mason
Service: REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

George Mason suspended act of June 1832 via _____ Caroline Co.
Isaac Kamen del'. Suspended at 7 p.m. in regular to V.M.
+ Sophia Homer wrote. for Francis H. Dickinson
Mat found in files

Caroline County State of Virginia
I Henry C. Coleman a Justice of the Peace in said County & State do hereby certify that George Absalom a Resident of the County of Caroline & who is an Applicant for a Pension under the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832 is an aged & infirm man upwards of 80 years old & not in the habit of going to Court. he resides about 26 Miles from Caroline Court house, & I do not think he could attend without without much inconvenience. His Witness Sackville Thacker or Smith Mason live the one in the County of Louisa about 25 Miles from Caroline Court house, & is infirm & upwards of 80 years old he says & in my opinion too infirm to ride there without much pain; The other lives about 10 Miles from said Court House & although old & infirm I should think could attend. Given under my hand this 8 th day of October, 1832
Henry C. Coleman

George Melson
W. S. Minor
Viileboro PO
Caroline Co.
Va
Army 6th Inf'ty Chesapeake P.O. Caroline Co.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of George Winton Caroline which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? no VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

 XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 121  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?  If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? no  Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 121    XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 121  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1. 2. 6. 7. 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Virginia Caroline County Sch James
The annexed declaration of George Mason, a revolutionary claimant, under the Act of Congress of June 7, 1832, which was returned from the War department under a letter from J. L. Edwards Esq. dated 6 th May 1833 for defect and informality (being numbered in the Pension office N o 16,900- of the County of Caroline ) herewith amended.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the aforesaid county of Caroline the said George Mason who being first duly sworn deposes and saith that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his revolutionary services but to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades. For three months and  days I served as an enlisted soldier. For eight months and  days I served as a militia man, making in all eleven months and  days and for such service I claim a pension - and from old age, infirmity and loss of memory I cannot more particularly specify my services than I have done in my aforesaid declaration.
George Mason
Sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the peace as aforesaid this 7 th day of March 1834
Wm. W. Dickinson J.P.C.
And I the said Justice of the peace do hereby certify that said George Mason is too old and infirm to attend the Court house of his county without injury to his health - that I believe him to be a soldier of the Revolution and to have served as he states - that H. C. Coleman Esq. the magistrate before whom said George Mason made his former declaration is dead - that I am well acquainted with Jackson Shackelford and Smith Shackelford the witnesses to whose credibility Mr. Coleman requested to testify and I believe them to be both persons of character and truth.
Given under my hand this 7 th day of March 1834
Wm. W. Dickinson J.P.C.

Virginia Caroline County to wit
I John L Purdinton Clerk of said County Certify that William W. Dickinson whose name is subscribed to the within Certificate is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the peace in & for the said County duly Commissioned & qualified and that his said signatures are in my presence
hand and the seal of the said County this 14th day of July 1834 - John L Purdinton