Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6185, for John Sykes, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Sykes, John
S. 6185
carded
CONTENTS

Virginia 12.224
John Syke
Russell in the State of Va who was a Pvt in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg't commanded by Mathews in the Va line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 50 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of April 1833 and to Martha Vannus P Carell (ak) Libanon, Va
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 160 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept - 40
200
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 6 Page 26

See letter Oct. 16. 1835 to W. Robertson P. Cyt.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 1 st April 1838 from 4 March 1837 to 4 March 1838. Agt Notified 13 Decr 1838.
Let. to Pen. Agt Richmond, (in sum to pay) February 21, 1839.
Paid as above from 4 Sept 1839 to 4 March 1840. Agt Notified 23 March 1840.
Let. to Pension Agt Louis D. Crenshaw. 19 Jan y 1844.
Then Paid as above from the 4 th March to the 2 nd July 1849

11.353
John Lykes
Revolutionary claim

State of Virginia
Russell County to wit
On this 14 th day of September, 1832 personally appeared before the County Court of Russell County John Sykes a resident of Russell County in the State of Virginia, aged Eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he enlisted in the army of the United States about the four or five years before the taking of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown in Virginia under the following named Officers, Captain Markwell Warner, under the following named Officers, Captain Markwell Warner, under the following named Officers, Captain Markwell Warner, Lieutenant John Allen, the name of the Ensign not recollected, and was placed under the command of Col. Benjamin Ruffin, at a place called Brandon upon James River in Surry County Virginia after being marched from Prince George County where he enlisted as aforesaid. That the term of service for which he first enlisted was two years, but was discharged at Brandon after having served about 18 months, and that during that time he was attached to, and belonged as he now recollects to the Virginia State lines. After he was discharged, as aforesaid he returned to the County of Prince George, where he remained about three or four months, and then entered the regular service of the United States, under Captain William H. Avery, and as he now thinks Lieutenant Esps , the name of the Ensign not recollected, and was marched to a place then called the Groves, near Williamsburg in Virginia, where he was commanded by Col. Mathews, where they remained some time, and marched from thence to old James Town in Virginia, and after remaining there awhile marched back through Williamsburg in Virginia to an old field called Springfield Camp in Charles City County, where they remained some time; and then marched back through Williamsburg, crossed James River at James Town to Prince George County upon a scouting expedition, and to watch

the movements of the British fleet which then ascended the said James river up as high as about Westover, and continued their march up the river within sight of the British fleet - The fleet then sailed down the river, and the force under the command of Col. Mathews commenced a return march down the said river, and reached a cross roads about three quarters of a mile from Peter Wharfe about which place a part of the fleet landed and a battle was fought in the night between the British and the force under the command of Col. Mathews in which the said John Sykes took part - from whence Col. Mathews retreated, and marched down the south side of James river to Smithfield in Virginia, from thence to a place called Pinner's old fields; from thence to a place called Hobbs Hole lying between Smithfield and Portsmouth in Virginia; from thence returned by the same points to what was called the Burnt Mills; from thence crossing James river at Hog Island marched down to Swann's Island; from thence back to an old field near Williamsburg; from thence crossing James river marched into Dinwiddie county not far from Swann's point and after remaining there a short time, his term of service of two years expiring he was regularly discharged, which discharge in writing has been since lost or mislaid so that he cannot now produce it.
From that place he returned to his family in Prince George county and removed to Southhampton county, and during that year in the county of Southhampton he entered the service in the state line again for a term of three months, under Captain John Mitchell, Lieutenant George Swann in the name of the Ensign not recollected, and marched first through Williamsburg to Springfield Camp lying between the former place and Little York, where they were placed under the command of Col. Redick, and marched from thence down upon the lines of Portsmouth; thence marched back to the said Burnt Mills; thence up to Smithfield; thence to Swann's point aforesaid, when the three months term expired. That he then returned home to Southhampton.

security in Virginia, where he remained a short time, and joined the service again under Captain  Samuel Kilroe  the names of the  Lieutenant and under Captain Samuel Kilroe, the names of the Lieutenant and Ensign not recollected, and marched to Springfield Camp, where they were again placed under the command of Col. Redick; from thence down upon the line of Little York where they joined the main army of General Washington, about which time the second three months term expired, and the said John Sykes then substituted for one Britton Pravers for another term of three months under Captain William Bayton, belonging to the main army at Little York, and remained with the army of General Washington until the surrender of Lord Cornwallis; thence marched in the rear guard with the bulk of the force to Williams- burg where he was discharged after having served his country in the whole about four years and eight months.
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
John Sykes
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states James P. Carrell Clerk of the County Court of Russell County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Sykes for a pension.
In office the 2nd of November 1832 I have hereunto set my hand and seal of
James P. Carrell
November 6, 1832

John Sykes
Virginia No 11353
See p Roll on Roll - Adm d as p er sonal for Dyer at p er son - $ 80. Last Army Col o Mathews 4 th Co

BRIEF in the case of  John Sikes  of Rappahannock Co Va  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? 82 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.     Union States In 17 Enlisted for two years service 11 Aout 18 months " Private Gen. Col Ruffins Capt Raines Scallen on State Troops   Gen. not States Enlisted 2 Years Private Col. Matthews Capt. Avery 2d Bps, Regular Troops   Service in all about 4 Years  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Saye of York -  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Prince Georges County Va.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
C. Sille Examining Clerk.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Lykes a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. F. 6,185
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     ✓ 18 mos Pri. Hartwell Raines Benj. Ruffin Va.   ✓ 2 yrs Wm. H. Avery Mathews   ✓ 3 mos John Mitchell Reddick   ✓ 3 " Samuel Kelloc Reddick   ✓ 3 " Wm. Boykin ✓  
Battles engaged in, _____ ✓ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Prince George Co., Va. Date of application for pension, Sept 14, 1832. His cl. was al. Residence at date of application, Russell Co., Va. Age at date of application, 82 yrs. Remarks: There is no data relative to wife or children.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev. Hays
6185
INVALID.
1917, Aug. 17. History to Walter G. Scott. Letter with claim { Thomas A. Sikes M. T. 991.
File No. 6185
John Sikes His Rev War
Act: June 1 th 82
Index: — Vol. M , Page 367
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Sykes 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? Yes for Decade 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 ? Yes  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? No 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?  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? Yes  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 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.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
March 2 d , 1841.
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," John Sykes, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Eighty — 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. 1839 to the 4 th March 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Tarrif
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
December 6 th , 1838.
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," John Lykes, _____ a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Eighty — Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th day of March 1837 to to the 4 th day of March, 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
Alston H. Pitt-Rivers Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Decm 18 1843 Mr J. Edwards Esq Pow ally, to Dean Powny, Mr. Edwards Esq
Mr. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
7

Richmond Decm 16. 1843.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. Pensions Washington City. Sir &c.
Inclosed I hand you the pension claim of Mrs Ely for $48 and of John Dykes for $40. which the agent here declines paying on acct. of 90 days having expired since the papers were drawn.
The distance between this place and the counties in which the pensioners reside and the trouble and expense which would attend the return of these papers and the drawing of new ones are reasons which I hope will induce you to remit the amt. of the claims or to authorize their payment here.
Very Respectfully Yours M c Ob. Garis D. Crenshaw