Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17729, for William Thompson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
W
Thompson, William
8.17729
CONTENTS
Carded

Missouri 19.955
Wm Thompson
of Boon in the State of Missouri, who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Buchanan of the Regt commanded by Col. in the Virginia line for Seven months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Missouri at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Sept. 1834 and sent to Wm H. Ashley St Louis.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1834 58.33 Pension allowance ending 1. Ma. 34. 11.66
79.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm H. Ashley Clerk, ok E. Vol. 8 Page 88

M m Thompson
Pursian Claim

21 State of Mississippi County of Monroe 3 rd Sch. On this 2 nd day of July 1833. personally appeared before me the undersigned David Todd - a Judge of the Boon Circuit Court for the county of Monroe - State of Mississippi = William Thompson , who being unable to appear in open court by reason of bodily infirmity being a resident of said county & state aged eighty four 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 act of congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States in the county of Augusta Va. when he was born, in the month of April 1777 and joined the ar- my above Richmond , he was under Capt Bohannon , his Col now it is impossible to recollect his service was performed principally about Richmond and down the country. We marched down as low as Point of Light when we got there the British had left that place. We returned to Richmond when we was dis- charged having served three months and about ten days having the

waited the ten days after our time was out, for the arrival of other troops to take our place, on that trip he knows of the British doing much damage about Portsmouth such as burning tobacco houses, barns &c. — he remained at home till his town came again which was in the early part of the spring of 1781. he again was drafted or rather in the month of April about the first of it he turned out under Capt. Ebenezer Brown of Augusta and Col. Boyers. states that his service was principally about Richmond and down towards Williamsburg he on that trip was under Genl. Wayne, principally but saw Genl. Lord Shelburne & Morgan, frequently and was sometimes with them about half way from Richmond to Williamsburg. They had a skirm- ish with the British at a place he now recollects called hot water. he was also in the battle as he now recollects. The place to be at James Town. he will recollect that it was when the British commenced on the British part of them said to be was off the river but returned, his Col. was taken prisoner that day but was paroled again in a few days, he was then exchanged

few months since his maggot term. he cannot now recollect of having any maggot master if then wash cannot now recollect his name he states that he got no written dis- -charge for any of his terms he states that he has no document -any evidence of his service nor does he know of any living witness by whom he can prove them. and believes that such living witness cannot be had. he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares his name is not on the pension- roll of any agency in any state. Sworn & subscribed the day & year afore said, William Thompson.
We George Waters and Milton Osborn residing in the county of Boone and state of Missouri, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Thompson who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that in his own belief to be of the age of eighty four years, that he is respected and believed in the neighborhoods where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolu- -tion and that we concur in that opinion we further state that the

is no clergyman residing in the vicinity of the applicant.  In witness to & subscribe hereto the day & year aforesaid.  George Wates, Milton Osborn  Before me David Todd Circuit Judge Circuit Judge and the said Circuit Judge Circuit Judge by declaration their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. and the said judge further certifies that it appears to him that George Wates and Milton Osborn, who have signed the preceding certificate are resident citizens of the county of Boone, State of Missouri and that they are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit. The said judge further certifies that it appears to him that there is no clergyman resident in the vicinity of the applicant and that it appears from the great bodily infirmity of the applicant that he cannot attend court.  David Todd Circuit Judge of Boone County.
State of Missouri } sec. County of Boone } I Roger N Todd clerk of the Boone circuit court do hereby certify that

The foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the appl- -ication of William Thompson for a pension, had and taken before the Judges of said court in vacation
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Columbia This 22 nd day of July 1833 —
Roger N Ladd Clerk

R 144/29
INVALID.
File No. 17,729
William Thompson
Br. Rev. Mr.
Act: June 7 th 89
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 374
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Wm Thompson
20.942) 19.955
Adm F. Meath. —
$23.33 46.60 11.67 58.33
Ob: 4.11.12 to 14.16
For W. A. Ashley.

20.942
B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Thompson — which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? none
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? no
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? none
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?
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? 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 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.