Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18470, for William Jeffreys, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Jeffreys, William S. 18470 or Jeffres
boarded
CONTENTS

Virginia 16.887
William Jeffrey. of Pittsylvania in the State of Va who was a Pri: — in the — commanded by Captain — of the Regt commanded by Col. Meriwether the Va line for 6 months —
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia — at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of Oct 33. Mrs Store — and Sarah J. Williams
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. 50 — Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar: 34 10 — $60. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Cath: Price Clerk. Book E Vol. 6 1/2 Page 20
Date of death not ascertained

William Jeffrey
Virginia
No 11654.
Claim as a
Private
hmo p 2 a
The name of William Jeffrey previously appeared in the last will but none else
of the estate of Mrs. Williams
March 13 1823
Williams Grove.
Mrs Williams
of 1790

BRIEF in the case of William Jeffreys of Pittsylvania Co in the State of Virginia (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 74 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.     Enlisted In 1777 2 — — Private Gen. Scotts Brigade Major Laurens Capt. Jefferys & Butler Capt. Stone Col. Berkeley, 1st Regt. Capt. William D. Lee   Winter 1781 Voluntary Eighteen fine weeks "   August 1781 drafted upward of 4 months (definite for 2 years)  
{ 15 Regt. Continued }
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Brandywine & Siege of York  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Richmond County Virginia  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Two living witnesses & traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? — Papers defective on separate sheets 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas Little Examining Clerk.

11654

State of Virginia Pittsylvania County, to wit,
On this 17 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Stephen Coleman, John L. Adams, Vincent Bileher and W m M c Williams the court of Pittsylvania County now sitting William Jeffreys a resident of the said County, and State aforesaid aged 74 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 th 1832, that he enlisted in the army of the United States early in the year 1777 with Samuel Colston, in the County of Richmond in the state of Virginia for two years, he was attached to Captain Jeffres' Company of the Va. State line and marched with him to Alexandria, his men were vaccinated at that place for the Small Pox and remained there about two months, then marched through George Town to Baltimore, and staid there about four weeks, then marched through Lancaster to the Valley Forge in the state of Pennsylvania, at that place they joined the 15 th Regiment under the command of Major Mercer in General Scotts Brigade He was then put under Lieut. Butler who soon became Captain in the said 15 th Regiment, of the Virginia line they remained at the said Valley Forge during the winter of 1778, early in the spring the army marched to Stone Whimney on its march he was taken sick and was sent to the Hospital about five miles from the Valley Forge, was confined there until the month of June. When he joined the said company again in the main army, at the White Plains in the State of New York and remained there until the fall, the British not then far off. The American army then pursued from place to place and had an engagement with them at Brandywine, the American army was forced to retreat and went to White Marsh

thence it was principally marching in different directions until I took up Winter Quarters at that in the spring following he was discharged having served two years under that enlistment, and then returned home in the year 1779 his discharge is lost or mislaid and can not be found He does not know He does not know a person now living that was in that service with him In the year 1780 He moved from the County of Richmond to Pittsylvania County Virginia in the winter of 1781 The British were in the State of North Carolina He volunteered in a Company of Militia and marched from the County of Pittsylvania under Capt Joshua Stone to Boyds Ferry on Roan river from there into the State of North Carolina marching in various directions until he arrived at the Suck Rock in Rockingham County N.C. He was then discharged by Capt Stone in the month of March 1781. The whole time of service rendered on this Tower was 8 or 9 weeks his discharge is lost and cannot be found, and He does not know a person living that was in service with him at that time. About the first of August 1781 he was drafted in a company of Militia and marched and marched from the County of Pittsylvania under Capt William Dix and Lieut David Hunt & Ensign Clement M c Daniel to Little York and was stationed there in Col. M c Leathens Regiment until Lord Cornwallis surrendered himself and his army to General George Washington in the month of October 1781. He was then ordered to march with Capt Charles Williams & Lieut David Hunt to guard the British prisoners taken at Little York to Noland's ferry on the Potomac river. He was discharged verbally by Capt Charles Williams at the said Noland's ferry in the month of November 1781. the whole time of

Service rendered on this tower including the time of travelling home was upwards of four months the service rendered is proved by Isham Farmer and Lewis Haley who were soldiers with him in the same company He was born in the County of Richmond in the State of Virginia He supposes in the year 1758 He has no record of his age. He lived in the County of Rich- -mond when he entered in the army of the revolution in the year 1777— He lived in the County of Pittsylv- -ania when the war ended and lived in the said County 10 years, then moved to the County of Halifax in the State of Virginia and lived in that County 15 years, then removed to the County of Pittsylvania and has been lived in that County ever since. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an- -nuity 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
William his Jeffries mark
I Isham Farmer of Pittsylvania County and State of Virginia do hereby certify and Solemnly swear that during of the revo- -lutionary war, I was drafted in the Militia service of the United States, and marched under the com- -mand of Capt. William Dix and Lieutenant Clemens McDaniel from the said County to Little York, that I was Stationed at that place and was attached to the Regiment Commanded by Col. Meriwether and that William Jeffreys of said County was drafted into the service at the same time and marched with him under the same officers and was attached to the same Company and Regiment and Stationed at the same place and that both of us were present when Lord Cornwallis surren- -dered

his forces to General Washington, and that the said William Jeffres was honorably discharged. Given under my hand this 25 th day of July, 1832.
Isham Farmer
Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 25 th July 1832.
Stephen Coleman
Pittsylvania County to (witt)
I Stephen Coleman a Justice of the peace for said County do hereby Certify that Isham Farmer who swore and subscribed to the foregoing certificates is a Creditable man. Given under my hand this 25 th day of July 1832.
Stephen Coleman
I Lewis Haley of the County of Halifax and State of Virginia do hereby certify and solemnly swear that in the year 1781 I was Stationed as a Soldier in the Regiment commanded by Col. Meryweather at York Town Va. in a Company Commanded by Capt. William Dix and that William Jeffres of Pittsylvania County was Stationed and served as a Soldier with me in the same Company and Regiment. at that place that we were both present when Lord Cornwallis surrendered himself and his army to General George Washington, that the said William Jeffres was then detailed as one of the guard to carry off the prisoners taken at that place. Given under my hand & seal this 11 th day of August 1832.
Lewis Haley
I James M. Williams a Justice of the peace in County of Pittsylvania and State of Va do Certify that Lewis Haley, who this day appeared before me and swore and subscribed his name to the foregoing certificate is a Credible man and that his statement is entitled to Credit. Given under my hand this 11 th day of August 1832.
J. M. Williams (Seal)

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Inte- rogatories prescribed by the war department, and from the Testimony exhibited to us 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 Johann Har- ner a Resident of Pittsburgh County and Lewis Haley a resident of Halifax County whose Certificates under oath have been presented to us in this case are Credible persons and that their Statement is entitled to credit,
I William Tunstall Clerk of the court of Pittsburgh county in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Jeffres for Pension —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal office this 26 th day of September 1832 —
Will Tunstall cl

May 9, 1932
William Jeffreys-S.18470 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BA-J/REL Am
The Reverend William Groaby Ross 1319 N. Sixteenth Street Boise, Idaho
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information relative to William Jeffries, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S.18470, based upon the military service of William Jeffreys in that war.
William Jeffreys(the name also appears as Jeffres) was born in 1758, in Richmond County, Virginia.
While residing in Richmond County, Virginia, he enlisted early in 1777, served as a private in Captain Jeffers'(no relationship to soldier shown) Virginia Company, and in Captain Butler's Company under Major Mercer in the Virginia Troops, was at the battle of Brandywine, at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777 and 1778, and was discharged in the spring of 1779. In the year 1780, he moved from Richmond County, Virginia, to Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and while residing there, volunteered in the winter of 1781, served as a private in Captain Joahn Stone's Virginia Company, and was discharged in March, 1781, after having served eight or nine weeks. He enlisted about August 1, 1781, served as a private in Captain William Dix's Company, Colonel Meriwether's Virginia Regiment, was at the siege of Yorktown and surrender of Lord Cornwallis, after which he guarded prisoners to Noland's Ferry on the Potomac River and was discharged in November, 1781.
After the Revolution, he continued to reside in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, for ten years; then moved to Halifax County, Virginia, and lived fifteen years; then returned to Pittsylvania County, Virginia, of which place he was a resident when he was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1832.

There are no data as to his family.
In order to secure the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, William Jeffreys, S.18470, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing all of the following data:
William Jeffreys, Certificate No. 16887, issued October 12, 1833, rate $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Virginia Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

18470
INVALID.
1932. May 9 - Visit To Rev. D. C. Ross Ed L
File No. 18470
William Jeffreys
Dis Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 446
[Arrangement of 1870.]

William Jeffres
Report to Tho Williams Williams Store Pittsylvania County Virginia

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Jeffreys 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 a reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes, 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? (Yes for 2 years) VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes 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? ✓ 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? Two witnesses 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? Yes, 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? Yes, Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes, 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? Yes, XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? ✓
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 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.
†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.
Proof of service will be required by the testimony of at least one witness, certified to be a credible person —
M c Jeffrey cannot prove his service as a Regular, his declaration shews at least six months service as a Militia Man. Send his Certificate for that time Thos. Williams atty

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
WM. CROSBY ROSS, MINISTER
1319 N. SIXTEENTH STREET
BOISE, IDAHO
The Pension Office, The United States of America, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
Will you kindly tell me if a pension was ever granted to William Jeffries, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, who made application in September 17th, 1832, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
If such a pension was granted, kindly tell upon what record, how long it was paid, and his address at the time of the last payment.
In looking up this record and telling me the facts you will receive my sincere appre- ciation and thanks for your trouble. xx
With best wishes to our Uncle Sam,
I am,
Sincerely yours,
Wm Crosby Ross.
March 28th, 1932.