Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38,421, for John Taylor, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
10
Taylor, John
S 38,421
CONTENTS
Montgomery Co Va Never married

19,027 Virginia John Taylor 2 c
of Montgomery Co in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Nixon of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Mulenburgh in the 10 th line, for the term of two years
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of July 1820
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th of July 1820 and to Little Robert Craig Esq Montgomery Co. Va. Virginia
Arrears to 4th of
Semi annual allowance ending Sept 1820
2 mo 8 16 1. 6 17. 6
{ Revolutionary claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. }
$ 17. 6 $ 17. 6
March 1. 1820
Date of death not on A.R.

Page 185 - Key 2
John Taylor
Declaration

ORIGINAL CLAIM.
County of Montgomery . State of Virginia
On this first day of July 182 3 , personally appeared in open court, (a) [being a court of record (b) for the district, county,  Montgomery county, or corporation, as the case may be,] of Montgomery a person John Taylor resident in said county, aged eighty seven years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress, of the 18th March, 1818, and the 1st May, 1820, that he, the said John Taylor enlisted for the term of two years on the first day of March in the year 1778 in the state of Virginia in the company commanded by captain James Moore in the regiment commanded by colonel Muhlenberg in the line of the state of Virginia  8th Regiment on the continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps until the fall of 1779 when he was discharged from the said service, at  at  Waltham in the state of (c) Pennsylvania  at which place immediately after his discharge he re-enlisted to serve during the war, & accordingly
That he was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown & Monmouth  which took place upon his second enlistment the latter afterwards and that he has no other evidence, now in his power, of his said services, except the affidavits accompanying this declaration
And, in pursuance of the act of the 1st May, 1820, I do solemnly swear or affirm, (as the case may be,) that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th 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 so to diminish it as 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 war," passed on the 18th 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. (d)
Schedule of the whole estate of John Taylor, both real & personal - Lands - none personal property (cattle & farming apparatus only none his)
Sworn to, and declared, on the 1st day of July before John Taylor the court of Montgomery county, Virginia  marks
I, John Taylor clerk of said court do hereby certify, that it appears, to the satisfaction of the court, that the said John Taylor did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement, on the continental establishment. I also certify, that the foregoing oath, (or affirmation,) and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is 100 dollars and 00 cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, & fixed the seal of the said court, on this 1st day of July 182 3 .
John Taylor Clerk of the Court of the County of Montgomery

(a) The whole of the form prescribed in the first section, to verify the amount of property of the applicant, the oath of the party, and the certificate of the clerk excepted, must be done while the court is in session.
(b) All are courts of record, within the contemplation of the act of Congress,
1st. Which are expressly made courts of record by the laws of the state which create them;
2d. Which have been solemnly adjudged, by the tribunals of the several states, to be courts of record;
3d. Which proceed according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of their proceedings.
4th. Which have the power of fine and imprisonment;
And courts which proceed according to the course of the civil and canon law, having neither of those attributes, are not courts of record, although they may keep a registry of their proceedings, and possess a seal. The court should, in every instance, state on the face of the proceedings, that it is a court of record, and state why it is such.— [Opinion of the Attorney General of the U. S.]
(c) If the declarant shall have served under more engagements than one, he should set forth the company, regiment, and line, or ship, vessel, or corps, in which he may have served, as also the time of entering, and the time and manner of leaving each service.
(d) Here enumerate each article of real and personal estate, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, and subscribe the same. The declarant must also mention his occupation, his ability to pursue it, the number and names of his family residing with him, their ages, and their capacity to contribute to their support, in order that the department may be enabled to decide whether the applicant is in such indigent circumstances as to be entitled to the pension. It is the opinion of the Attorney General, that the words of the 3d section of the act of the 1st of May, 1820, "in such indigent circumstances as to be unable to support himself without the assistance of his country," comprehend those only who are incapable of supporting themselves without the aid of the government, except by private or public charity.

John Taylor Montgomery Co. Va. original declaration 14, Sept r . 1819.
Various services, Col o . Neville's regt. Virginia line, (time not specified, and left blank.) —
It is required, that the applicant state the time of his enlistment in Col o . Neville's regiment, and the time he was discharged therefrom; also, that the testimony on oath, of two or more disinterested and credible persons, certified as such by the judge, prove his services 9 months in continuance on continental estab t . designating the regim t . and line in which he served.
Charles Taylor, agent, Montgomery Co. house, Va. 21 st Sept r . 1820.

District of Virginia to wit
On this 11 th day of September 1820, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the General Court in the State of Virginia, & Judge of the Superior Court in the circuit composed of the counties of Botetourt, Montgomery, Giles, Monroe, Greenbrier, & Nicholas, personally appeared John Taylor aged 86 or 87 years resident in Montgomery County in said State who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war; That in the said John Taylor enlisted for the term of two years on the _____ day of _____ in the year _____ in that part of the State aforesaid which was then called Fincastle now called Montgomery County under Capt. Knox of the Regiment commanded by Col. Bowman in the line of the State of Virginia on continental establishment in which service he continued until the end of the aforesaid term of two years, when he again on the _____ day of _____ in the year _____ at Valley Forge in the State of Pennsylvania enlisted to serve during the war under a Capt. Woodfall of the Regiment commanded by Col. Muel in the line of the State of Virginia on the continental establishment That

he continued to serve in the said corps or in the service of the United States until the day of in the year after the surrender of Cornwallis when he was discharged from service in the State of Virginia near the town of Bennington. That he was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown & Monmouth & that he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his Government for support & also that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services except the affidavits which will accompany this declaration.
The said John Taylor also, (being first sworn by me) stated upon his oath that he was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 & that he has not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of his property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish as to bring himself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval services of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed on the 18 th day of March 1818; And that he has not now has any person in trust for him any property or securities contracts or debts due to him other than what is enclosed.

in the subjoined schedule, & by him subscribed & sworn to before me the subscriber
The following, is the schedule of the said John T. above mentioned.
Exclusion of his wearing apparel - One pen-knife
John his Taylor mark
The said John Taylor also saith upon his oath that he has no children (never having been married) & that his occupation is that of a common laborer; but his bodily infirmities are such as to render him wholly unable to pursue any occupation or to perform any effective labor.
I James Allen one of the Judges of the General Court in the State of Virginia & Judge of the inferior Court of Law in the Circuit composed of the Counties of Botetourt Montgomery Giles Montgomery & Nicholas, as stated in the passing declaration, do certify that I appear to my satisfaction that the said John Taylor did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy upwards of six years, in the continental establishment. I am also satisfied that he needs the assistance of his country for support. And I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & have before me to the Secretary for the Department
- want

ment of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress. Given under my hand and seal this 11 th day of September in the year of Christ 1820.
James. Monroe

Mr. Taylor's appeal stating the reason why he should be put on the pension list.
These papers must be returned with the declaration, so he may let John Taylor a copy of the enclosed form to the War Dept.

Montgomery County Set
This day John Taylor came before me a Justice of the peace of the county aforesaid & made oath that during the revolutionary war he enlisted under Capt. John Knox, of the eighth a mile corps regiment, commanded by Col. Bowman. That he with the other troops were marched to Charleston in the state of South Carolina, that they remained there five months. From thence they were marched to St. Augustine. That the said John Taylor taking sick he with six others were permitted to go to Salisbury for the recovery of their health. That he afterwards rejoined the army at Middle Brook in New Jersey where after which he continued with the army without interruption. The said John Taylor saith that he served during the revolutionary war six years & eleven months and was honorably discharged at Winchester in Virginia. He says that  which discharge has been long since lost. The said John Taylor further saith that he is now eighty four years of age, deprived of the use of his arms & that he has no property of any description & that he has no other resource upon which to depend for support, but the Bounty & Justice of his country.
September 14 th 1819. Cyrus Robinson.

October 22, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. J. B. Nicklin 707 East 4th Street Chattanooga, Tennessee
JOHN TAYLOR S. 38421 BA-J/MLB Am
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Taylor, of Giles County, Virginia.
The record of John Taylor follows as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 38421, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of soldier's birth and names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Pinecastle (which was later Montgomery) County, a part of that circuit of Virginia which also included Botetourt, Giles, Monroe, Greenbrier and Nicholas Counties, John Taylor enlisted about March 1, 1777, served as private under Captains James Knox, Woodfall and Colonels Muhlenberg, Bowman and Neville, in the Virginia troops, was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth and was discharged sometime after the surrender of Cornwallis, then returned to Montgomery County, Virginia.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 1, 1823, at which time he was aged eighty-seven years and a resident of Montgomery County, Virginia.
In 1830, John Taylor stated that he had never married.
In 1819, one Charles Taylor was Clerk of the Superior Court of Law of Montgomery County, Virginia, no relationship shown to the soldier, John Taylor.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator
note: John Taylor was born March 1, 1777, at a farm in Botetourt County, Virginia. He was a private in the Continental Army, served in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, and was discharged in 1781. He received a pension of $20 per month, was in the 1820s.

38421
INVALID.
Pay
File No. 38421
John Taylor His Rev War
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 500
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1934 Oct 22-3611-30

707 East 4th Street, Chattanooga, Tenn. Oct., 13th, 1934.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Will you please send me any family data that may be found in the pension papers of John Taylor of Giles County, Virginia?
And oblige,
Yours very truly,
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "J.B. Nicklin", written in dark ink on a light background. The signature is stylized with a large initial "J" and a horizontal line underneath the name.
J.B. Nicklin.

Virginia
At a Superior Court of Law held for the County of Montgomery the 17 th day of September 1819
John Taylor produced in Court his own affidavit and the affidavits of James Charlton and Henry Lone for the purpose of entitling himself to a pension under the act of Congress passed the day of . The court is of opinion that the evidence proves that the said Taylor served more than twelve months as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The court is further of opinion that he is in every Indigent circumstances and needs the assistance of his country for support. Therefore it is ordered that the said affidavits together with the foregoing opinion be certified to the Secretary of the department of war.
A Copy
Teste
Charles Taylor Clerk

J. L. Edwards Esq.

Montgomery C. House July 2 nd 1823
Sir I have much reason to thank you for your polite attention to my request in behalf of John Taylor an applicant for inscription upon the pension roll of the U.S. I again transmit to you his papers with such amendments as I have been able to make to them — The affidavit of James Johnston, enclosed & marked A. will (I think) much strengthen the evidence of his claim to this bounty of the Nation.
I have in preparing his declaration, framed as nearly as his information would warrant (& I think in all material points) the form which you were kind enough to send me. You will note some deviation in his last declaration from his first — As in his first he states that his regiment was commanded by Col. Bowman in his last that it was commanded by Col. Muhlenburg. This inconsistency seems to have arisen from his ignorance of the order of promotion & the extent of command by an inferior officer in the absence of an officer of the next superior grade. But let this matter be as it may his age & natural infirmity of intellect furnish his excuse. He seems, once to have had the best qualifications of a private soldier but none (courage excepted) of an officer even of the most inferior grade. Your attention to this, I assure you will be gratefully remembered by yours.
Humble servant Robert Craig

Virginia
At a Superior court of law held for Montgomery County the 8 th day of April 1822:
John Lefer came into open court, and upon his oath stated; That at some early period of the revolutionary war of the United States, John Taylor (who is now present before the said court, resided generally at the house of this affiant's father. That it was about this time understood in the neighbourhood and by himself, (the said affiant) that the said John Taylor had enlisted in the army of the United States. That he was absent from his neighbourhood about two years, at the end of which time he returned in the drop of the soldiers of the army, stating that he was then in its service and was upon furlough, after remaining some time at home, he again went off, stating that he was about to rejoin the army, which statement this affiant believes was doubted by no one;
It is ordered to be certified to the secretary of the war department of the United States, that John Lefer who made the foregoing affidavit, is a man of strict veracity, and as such is entitled to full faith and credit.
Virginia, Montgomery County to wit.
I Charles Taylor clerk of the Superior court of law for said county, do hereby certify that the foregoing is truly extracted from the records of the said Superior court.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court at my office this 24 th day of April 1822 in the 46 th year of the Commonwealth.
Charles Taylor

At a Court held & continued for the County of Giles, on Wednesday the 26 th day of June 1832
It is ordered to be certified that James Johnston appear- -ed in court and made Oath that John Taylor who this affiant understands had made application to the Superior Court of Law for Montgomery County to certify his claim on the general government for a pension for revolutionary services.
This affiant states that he belonged to the eighth Virginia Regiment - commanded by Col. Muhlenberg, that he became acquainted with the said John Taylor in the year 1777
That the said John Taylor belonged to a company commanded by Capt. James Knox - that the said Captain Knox joined the regiment to which this affiant belonged in the year 1776 at or near Tarborough - North Carolina - That the said John Taylor continued in the service in the American lines as a common soldier from the time this affiant became acquainted with him in 1777 - until the month of February 1778 that he enlisted at the Valley Forge in the year 1777 for three Years or during the War as this affiant understands
That this affiant left the army in the month of February 1778. That he then left the said John Taylor then in the service of his country as a private or common soldier - Between three or four years afterwards this affiant heard that the said John Taylor had returned to the County of Montgomery in the state of Virginia - That this affiant went to see him and recognized him to be the same man he had left in the army as before stated - and the same whom this affiant has understood has applied for his pension as above stated - - It is further ordered to be certified that

James Johnston is a man of unimpeachable character for truth and veracity. If it is further ordered to be certified that this is a court of Records and has power to fine & imprison and proceed according to the course of the common Law with a Surety action unlimited in point of amount keeping a record of its proceedings & has been solemnly adjudged so by the Superior Tribunals of this State all which is ordered to be certified to the department of War of the United States — Given under my hand and the seal of my Office as Clerk of the County Court of Giles County in the State of Virginia this 19 th day of August 1892
David French Clerk

Montgomery County S it
This day James Charlton Esquire aged about sixty seven appeared before me a Justice of said County & made oath that he has this day seen John Taylor, that upon now seeing him he recollects to have seen him many years ago in the County of Montgom- -ery in the State of Virginia, that he went into the Service of the United States during the revolution- ary war & marched as this witness believes into the Carolinas, that the said John Taylor returned during the war into the County of Montgomery that he brought some clothes which the Bayonet appeared to have penetrated. That this witness understood that the said Taylor

was then in the service - He left this country but whether he was then in in the service this deponent does not know,
This deponent has never seen said Taylor since, until this day Given under my hand this 12 th day of September 1819
James Barnett Esq.