Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7707, for Daniel Thacker, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Thacker, Daniel
S 7707
CONTENTS
Carded

23-211  Virginia  Daniel Tracket of Fluvanna in the State of Virginia who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Glenn of the Regt commanded by Col. Dabney in the Virginia line for Rems.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 40 Dollars 000 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Novr  1833 and sent to J. Winn  Minnville, Fluvanna Co. Va.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833. $ 100.00 Semest. allowance ending Sept 34  20.00 $ 120.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 6 1/2 Page 35

State of Virginia Fluvanna County 3 S.S.
On the 28 th day of October 1833 personally appeared before the Court of Fluvanna County, State of Virginia Daniel Thacker a resident of the County and State aforesaid, aged seventy five 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 7 th 1832. That he served in the Virginia Militia during the revolutionary war, under the following named officers, and as herein stated. To wit. That in the spring of the year 1780 about the first of April, he marched from the said County of Fluvanna as a substitute for Samuel Smithson in a Company under Captain Joseph Haden to Hillsborough in the State of North Carolina. That he was there transferred to Captain Fontaines Company in Col. Sponcers Reg. t and marched to Pede River in South Carolina, and after being stationed there a few days returned to Hillsborough some time in the fall of the year, where he was discharged after having served at least six months.
That in the spring of the year 1781 he marched from the said County of Fluvanna as a substitute for Thomas Smith under Captain Daniel Gilman, to Richmond; That Captain Gilman was discharged in a few weeks thereafter and he was attached to Captain Millers Company wherein he served the balance of his term, three months, in the lower part of Virginia in Col. Dabneys Regiment - and returned to Richmond, where he was discharged That he then joined a Company under the late General Haden Captain Anthony Haden from Fluvanna from Fluvanna, and served his own term of three months therein, marching through the lower part of Virginia & then pursuing the enemy through the Counties of Culpeper, Orange, Louisa & Fluvanna, and then to Yorktown from thence they returned to Richmond and was discharged at West Ham near Richmond. That Col. Dabney commanded the detachment with which he served.
That he never received a written discharge. The said Daniel Thacker upon his oath as aforesaid further saith, that by reason of the length of time and the uncertainty of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned above, To wit. He served as a private in Capt. Haden's and Fontaine's Companies not less than six months, in Capt. Gilman's and Miller's Companies not less than three months and

in Captain Anthony Haden's Company, not less than three months, for which service he claims a pension. That the Corps with which he served, were called into service by competent authority. That he was either in the field or in garrison for the time during which the service was performed, and that he was not employed in any civil pursuit. That he was born in the said County of Fluvanna. Has no record of his age. That he resided in the said County of Fluvanna when he was called into service. That he has resided there the greater part of his lifetime since, and still resides there.
That Jesse Hughes, Pearce W. Melton and John Haislip are persons to whom he is known and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
Daniel Thacker
Affidavits
State of Virginia
Fluvanna County } ss.
Jesse Hughes a credible person this day personally appeared before me John W. Wirt a justice of the peace for the County of Fluvanna & Made Oath, that in the year 1780, Daniel Thacker, the above named applicant marched from the said County of Fluvanna in a Company, under Capt. Joseph Haden to Hillsborough in North Carolina. That this affiant was Lieutenant of said Company under Capt. Haden. That for the want of a sufficient number of men Capt. Haden was considered supernumerary and discharged. That this affiant and the greater part of his men, were then attached to Capt. Leftwich's Company in Col. Stubblefield's Regiment under Genl. Stevens Brigade. That he marched from Hillsborough to Pedee River in South Carolina. That a part of the army was left at Pedee River and a part including this affiant, proceeded after several days march to join Genl. Gates and was in the Battle of Camden. That they returned from Camden and recrossed Pedee with the troops that had been left there to Hillsborough where he was discharged after being in service at least six months. That he was  has no  any  further recollection of said Thacker's service after he left Hillsborough  Pedee River . but is of opinion his statement is correct in all material facts. That he recollects Col. Spencer spoken of by said Thacker, but was under the impression he was Lieutenant Col. in said Stubblefield's Regiment. That he is the same Daniel Thacker now residing in the said County of Fluvanna.
Jesse Hughes
Sworn and subscribed this 28 th day of August 1833
J. W. Wirt

Deere W Milton a a man of Credibility this day personally appeared before me John Wynn, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Fluvanna and made Oath, - That in the year 1781 he marched with the above named Daniel Shacker from Fluvanna County under Capt. Daniel Tilman to Richmond. That Capt. Tilman was discharged this Company attached to Capt. Miller's Company. That this affiant, after remaining in Capt. Miller's Company a few weeks joined Capt. Woodfin's Company of light infantry, wherein he served the balance of his term of duty which was three months. That he left said Shacker in said Capt. Miller's Company and has reason to believe he served his full term therein as stated by him. That this affiant after being discharged from this term of service, also saw the said Daniel Shacker in Captain Anthony Haden's Company in the County of Hanover near Scotch Town. and believes that his statement as to the person mentioned is correct. That he is the same man and still resides in the said County of Fluvanna. Sworn to the best of his knowledge 1833 - Patrick H. Wallon Mark
Sworn and subscribed this 26 th day of August 1833 -
W. W. W. P.
John Haislip a credible person this day made Oath before me John Wynn - a Justice of the Peace for Fluvanna County that Daniel Shacker marched from Fluvanna in the year 1781 (as well as he recollects) in Capt. Daniel Tilman's Company to Richmond. That said Capt. Tilman was discharged in a few weeks thereafter & his men transferred to other Companies - but as said Shacker was not in the same Company, (though it is believed he was in the same regiment as said under Col. Dabney,) he cannot positively say that he served three months, but supposes he did as he afterwards joined Capt. Anthony Haden's Company, in which they served three months more in said Capt. Haden's Company under the same Col. Dabney as stated by him - John Haislip Mark Sworn & subscribed before me John Wynn this 26 th day of August 1833 - W. W. W. P.
We Isaac Lucado - a clergyman residing in the County of Fluvanna and John Sanders residing in the same County, hereby certify, that we are acquainted with Daniel Shacker, who has subscribed his oath to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid. Isaac Lucado John Sanders Richard Bratton
And the said Lucado & Sanders hereby declare their opinions after the

investigation of the matter, and after hearing the interrogatories proposed by the war department, that like said Daniel Thacker, the above named applicant, was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Isaac Lucas who has signed the preced- ing certificate as a clergyman resident in the said County of Fluv- anna, and that Jesse Sanders who has also signed the same, is a resident of the same County and is a creditable person, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Fluvanna County State of Virginia ss. 3
Geroyd Stillman Pres. Just.
I Abraham Shepherd Junior Clerk of the Court of Fluvanna County do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Daniel Thacker for a pension. And I do further certify, that the foregoing certificate John Wm whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is affixed to the foregoing affidavits of Jesse Hughes, Pearce W Melton, and John Haislip, is, and was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the peace in, and for the said County, duly Commissioned and qualified, according to the laws of the said State, and that the signatures thereto annexed are his genuine signatures.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office This 13 th day of November 1833 in the 58 th year of the Commonwealth. Ab. Shepherd Jr. Clerk

Rehman
7707
INVALID.
File No. 7707  Thacker *
Daniel Thacker
Pr. Bear War
Act: June 18 82
Index: Vol. 183 , Page 373
[Arrangement of 1870.]
* W.H. May 27, 1908.

No 21985 Samuel Thatcher W.
Return e f. —
Admit as a private 12 mo. $4000
William Minnsville Furman County, Va.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
11 th May — 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 subjoined 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 Daniel Thatcher Hazzard
   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.     Subst 1780 6 Capt Haden Col Spencer Mon W.C. Aged 74 Tradition   Served from 1780 to fall of 1781 6 " Fontaine " Hurricane County Living Witness   Subst 1781 about 3 " Tolman " Patney " Va   Vol 3 " Haden " " "  
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 me, 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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[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 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 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 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.
[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 [i] 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. § 7.
Dyer Castor Exam Clerk