Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,145, for Anderson Thompson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Thompson, Anderson or Thomson
S 17,145.
Carded
CONTENTS

Thompson, Anderson Va. 5/7/45

A Wharton No.
See letter h 20. 1836
of persons Chesapeake who was a in the State of Pa. who was a seaman in the of the Pa. in the in the for 2 years
27954
scribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 320 Dollars — Bonds for a commence on the 1st day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of and  the to  the
Arrears to the 1st of the Pension allowance ending.
Recorded by Nathaniel Book C Vol. 6/2

Three 1831 H
15 H. H. H. 27.954 N. 20.5 H. H. H.
L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Liberty Va. Feb. 9. 1836
Sir: Anderson Thomson, a pensioner of the U. S. died some time during the past year, leaving several children - one of whom lives out of this state - Those in Virginia, are anxious to draw the arrearage of pension - but do not know, whether under such circumstances, the whole, or any part will be paid them, without Davis H Thomson of Baltimore joins in the power - This will subject them to much inconvenience. They wish therefore to know whether the executor will not be permitted to draw and pay to the children - or those in Virginia draw the portion to which they are entitled.
Yours Respectfully
John A. Wharton

Declaration of Anderson Thomson
22931

State of Virginia } Bedford County }
On this 19 th day of February 1833, personally appeared before me John L. Cobb a Justice of the peace in & for the county of Bedford in the State of Virginia, Anderson Thomson, a resident of Russell parish in the county and state aforesaid, born in Hanover county Virginia on the 11 th day of Sept 1755, aged 77 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 provisions made by the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832: That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the county of Louisa — and state of Virginia, where he then resided, some time early in the spring, (tho' he cannot recollect the day and the month) —, in the year of 1776, for the term of three years, and actually served the said term of three years, as second Lieutenant in the regular army of the United States, in the 3 d Regiment of the Virginia line, on Continental establishment. His field and company officers, were, Col. George Weedon, Lieutenant Col. — James Marshall, Captain Thomas Johnson, first Lieutenant, William White, himself second Lieutenant, and Joseph Bingham ensign. He enlisted some men in Louisa & other places, and marched with them thro' Spottsylvania, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Dumfries, etc., to Alexandria, where he joined his regiment, commanded by the officers aforesaid, in the month of May, he thinks, in the year of 1776. Some time after joining the Regiment, he marched from Alexandria to Williamsburg Va. and from thence to Westmoreland county in said state, to Horn's Point, or, as it is sometimes called, Russell's Point. In the year 1777 he thinks, in the summer season — he returned to Williamsburg, and finally, after staying at Williamsburg, several months, — he came back to Alexandria. He cannot state all the places thro' which the Regiment marched, because he was frequently engaged at different periods during his three years service, recruiting men in the Eastern part of Virginia — there were no other troops with his regiment at Alexandria, but when at Williamsburg, there were two other regiments raised by the state, and transferred he believes to the Continental establishment. His General was Andrew Lewis. His regiment marched to Williamsburg to protect the country against Dunmore — the militia not being considered a safe reliance. He was commissioned a second Lieutenant when he first entered the service, and served in that grade for three years — he was discharged at Alexandria in the spring of 1779, he cannot recollect the precise day — Col. Weedon made General during his service, after which Lieut. Col. Marshall took command of the regiment.
Immediately after the expiration of his first term of enlistment above mentioned, he cannot recollect the precise time of the month, but thinks it was early in the year of 1779, as he believes, he enlisted a second time into the service of the United States in the county of Louisa — and state of Virginia for the term of so long as the prisoners should stay at Charlotteville — and served two — years, as second Lieutenant in the Regiment of the Virginia line.
His field and company officers were Col. Francis Taylor, Lieut. Col. Fountain, Major Roberts — Robert Barrett Captain, himself second Lieutenant, Saml. Pettus, Ensign — He was stationed at the Barracks — in Albemarle county, Virginia, in guarding the prisoners taken at Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga, until the spring of 1781, at which time, he thinks they were removed. He cannot recollect the number of the number of the regiment — it was raised for the special purpose of guarding the said prisoners — He enlisted for so long as his services should be required for that purpose, and was commissioned a second Lieutenant and served as he is inclined to believe, three years; but as his recollection is not positive, and as he cannot recollect whether it was 1781, or 1782 when the prisoners were removed from Charlotteville, he prefers rather to be within the time, and has therefore set down his term of service, at two years — The militia was frequently called in to serve with his regiment — Col. Bland of the regulars, being the eldest officer, had the chief command — He lived in Louisa county each time, when he enlisted in the service —

He thinks he was the only Lieutenant in his company at the barracks, and he discharged the duties of 1 st Lieut - During the whole term of at least two years.
He served not less than the period mentioned below, to wit: The first tour, three years as second Lieutenant - and the second, at least two years - as second Lieutenant.
In the whole, at least five years, for which he claims a pension - He removed from Louisiana to Georgia about 1801, lived there one year, and then removed to Bedford, where he has lived ever since.
He has made this declaration before a Justice of the peace, because from bodily infirmity he is unable to appear in court.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.
Anderson his Thomson mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
And I, the said John L. Cobb - a Justice as aforesaid, do hereby declare my opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states - and I do also certify the foregoing contains the original proceedings had before me, in the matter of the application of Anderson Thomson for a pension - and I do further certify that by reason of bodily infirmity the said Anderson Thomson is unable to appear in open court.
John L. Cobb J.P.
State of Virginia } ff Bedford County }
I Robert C. Mitchell
clerk of the County Court of Bedford in the state of Virginia, do hereby certify that John L. Cobb before whom the above declaration of Anderson Thomson was subscribed and sworn to, is, and was at the time of the making of the same, an acting Justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified as such according to law; and that the above signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office. The 19 th day of February - 1833.
In the 57 th year of American Independence.
R. C. Mitchell

22931 A. Thompson Ga.
Per
1-
Hon. N. H. Claiborne HR official Andrew Thompson Liberty Bay

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 9. 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunctive notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Anderson Thompson Berkeley
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     2nd June '76 { 3 Regt Va Line { 7 June '79 { 3 2nd Lieut Capt Johnson Genl Lewis Col Woodson Col Marshall Va Louisville 77 None of not on Rolls   2 2nd Lieut Capt Barnett Col Taylor " "  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of :
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers, the time he left the service, (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers,) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service, the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of A. B. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, 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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person.

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 position and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about  here or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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 place 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Anderson Thompson name of W. D. Williams Clerk me upon the V. Gen. rolls he must prove his service and that he was commissioned as stated in his declaration.

17.145 INVALID.
File No. 17.145
Anderson Thompson
Lieut Genl War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 374
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Anderson Thompson 6-220 p/v. ai
20 Jan 1841
p. 4. 1/2

Mr. E. A.
Adm o
$320 per ann
if it a duplicate be issued immediately
Three
Edward Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Thompson, Anderson Va. 5/11/45

Liberty Bedford County Va. Sept 23. 1834
Sir: I send you herewith the pension claim of Lieut: Anderson Thomson - The papers have been sent on before, but returned because his name was found on the roll - since, which it appears from your certificate herewith sent, his name has been found on the roll in the pension office - I hope there is now no difficulty in allowing his claim - I do not know, but he may be mistaken in thinking the regiment to which he was attached in guarding the prisoners near Charlottesville, was a regular regiment - this however is only my own conjecture - I know nothing - not his service during the first tour, and supposed to entitle him to full pay - and all they were in the regular service and all I hope the papers will not be returned on account of the last service unless it is to get something more from you not from with the papers - I think it would be just to return the papers as he can in all probability obtain proof - by concurrence and expense - he is now, and has been for several years confined to his bed, by a paralytic attack, and his memory has very much decayed from the lapse of time & affliction - Great allowance ought to be made in relation to the misstate- ments of his statements - for all circumstances, considered. It cannot be supposed he should remember all the details of his service - I make these remarks not because I recognize any inaccuracy - any he always wants of minuteness in his statements - but because I think the Department ought to be apprized of his situation - I wish the papers, as also your certificate sent back, in case you are not satis- fied of his being entitled - your certificate, I should like to have returned, in any event, as it may be of service to him in the prosecution of his claim to county land - of his claim
Yours Respectfully &c. John A. Wharton

at June 22. last p.m.
[Handwritten signature/initials]
March 1835
JH

War Department. Pension Office. June 19. 1834.
Sir.
It appears from a list of officers of the Virginia Continental Line who received certificates for the balance of their full pay agreeably to an act of the Virginia Assembly passed November session 1781 that Anderson Thompson a lieutenant received a certificate, by his Attorney M c Dyer, on the 2 d February 1786. for £ 53. 15. 10. Virginia currency.
This is all the information this office affords respecting Lieut. Thompson's arrears.
Have the honor to be Sir.
Your ob t serv t . J. L. Edwards
Hon. N. H. Claiborne H. of Representatives.