Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5507, for John Kersey, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Hersey, John
S 55707
CONTENTS
Carded

12.137 Virginia
John Kewey of Larissa in the State of La - who was a 1st - in the -- commanded by Captain -- of the -- commanded by Col. Taylor in the La line for 21 months -
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 70 - Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of April 1833 and delinued 9.00 Pension -
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 140 - Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep. -- 35 - $175.-
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 6 Page 15.
1887 July 21 James W Kerrey that pension has been paid to March 4 1833 - Soldier not entitled to B Land on his life time & act of 1855 after death of soldier & his widow grant land to another person except a child who was a minor March 3 1855 Prior

State of Virginia } Louisa County } ff
On this 9 th day of March 1833 personally appeared, before me, Davis Richardson one of the Justices of the peace in and for said county, John Hensley, a resident of the same county, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following amendment to his Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832 -
That in his first tour he was drafted from the militia of Louisa, and marched to Williamsburg under Capt Anderson, does not recollect the date, but remembers that it was at the time Lord Dunmore left Virginia - guarded the place, and was in no battle - does not recollect the other officers of his Regiment, or any other officers - saw some regular troops but does not recollect particulars - was prosecuted by the bad treatment, they received from enlisting - served two months and was discharged - That he served another tour, being drafted in the company of Capt Hughes, from the same county, at the Albemarle Barracks, in the fall of the year, the date not recollect - guarded the British prisoners - served two months and was discharged - Soon after his return, and directly after Christmas, he substituted himself for his father Thomas Hensley, and marched under Lieutenant Street to the same place and served a tour of two months, and was discharged - That in the following summer he again substituted himself for Davis Penson, and marched in the militia of the same county under Dick Hollock to the same place - served two months and

Was discharged - during each of these three tours was engaged in the same duty; guarding the British prisoners - There were regular troops at the Barracks under Col. Taylor who also commanded the Militia. He collects no event of note - That he again substituted himself when Arnold came to Richmond, for William Anderson, (and others in the company from the same county, under Captain Philips. Marched to Richmond thence to City Point where he crossed the river - thence to Cabin Point thence to Isle of Wight Church - thence to Smithfield - thence back again to the neighbourhood of Petersburg where he was discharged, after two months service - Was in no battle - Col. Mathews commanded the regiment and Genl. Nelson commanded the party - There were regular troops but he does not recollect who or who were the officers - That he again substituted himself for his father the same year, and served a tour of two months under Captain Watson in the militia from the same county - Marched to Richmond and was employed the whole tour, in marching backward and forward in that country, and along the James River - Col. Mathews and Genl. Nelson commanded - There were regular troops and Genl. Wayne commanded - Was in no battle and he collects no event of interest. That he was next drafted from the same county, and served one month under Capt. John Saunders - Marched to New Kent Court House, where hearing that the enemy had gone to Fredericksburg, they turned about, and marched as far as the Bowling Green, at which place learning their mistake, they returned to Hanover Court House and he was there discharged - does not recollect any officer other than captains, of whom there were four from Louisa - Was in no battle (and he collects no event of note) - That he was again drafted very soon after his return, and served a tour of three months, under Captain Turner Anderson - Marched by Richmond to the

Hobbling hills, and 4 mile creek; then returned to the neighbour- hood of Richmond, and from thence marched in the wild goose chase as it was called, through the counties mentioned in his former statement; and was discharged at Boozelle's Tavern in Louisa - Col. Mathews again commanded the reg- iment - the other officers recollected were Genl. Nelson Wayne and Lafayette - there were regular troops and many militia, and he recollects no event of particular interest - His next service was as substitute for William Anderson when he marched from the same county, under Capt. Henry Johnson in the militia to the siege of York - Was stationed on the Gloucester shore under Col. (and Genl. McLean) - there were regular troops there, and he lay near the French troops - he was in no battle but on several occasions heard the firing of skirmishing - recollects no event of note, (and was discharged and after the capitulation of the enemy, after having served three months), that he again substituted himself soon after the surrender of Cornwallis; for Edmund Hawkins of Hanover and marched in the militia of the later county under Lieutenant Daven- port to York to guard the captured property and served two months. Col. Dabney commanded - Carried the cannon on board the ship of the French Admiral - there were no reg- ular troops there and he remembers no further particulars. That he thinks he served many other towns, but cannot distin- ctly recall them to his recollection, and that he may have stated some of the above services in the wrong order, from the confusion of his recollection, but he is very certain he served those towns under the officers named, (and for the time mentioned) - That as stated he never had a discharge

in writing nor has he any documentary evidence. And that in all his service he was a private
He answers to Question 1 st I was born in the lower end of Louisa County the 2 nd day of November 1756. as I have heard. to Question 2 d  As to the rest I have none
To Question 3 d I have always lived in the same neighbourhood in which I was born.
To Question 4 th I was sometimes drafted and at other times was a substitute as above stated
To Question 5 th I have above stated to the best of my recollection.
To Question 6 th No.
To Question 7 th Timothy T. Swift William Nelson Esqr and Elisha Jackson his John T. Rousay mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above mentioned before me
David Richardson J.P.
State of Virginia)
Louisa County to wit:
I John Hunter Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid do hereby Certi- fy that David Richardson before whom the foregoing declaration of John Rousay was made now is and was at the time of taking and Certifying the same an acting Justice of the peace and as such Judge of the Court of the County of Louisa aforesaid duly Commissioned and qualified according to law and that full faith and Credit is due to all his official acts as such. and that the signature above is his genuine signature In testimony whereof John Hunter Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid have hereunto set my hand and caused the public seal of said Court to be hereunto affixed this 13 th day of March 1838.
John Hunter B.L.O.

John Kersey Va.
Adm'd for Memo. as private in the P th Multia Col. Taylor
Maj. Henry S. Handy Washington City D.C.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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, shewing the Service of John Kersey
   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.     sub 2 Pri. Capt. David Anderson 75 years Louisa Co. Va. Traditional Witnesses   " 2 " Col. Taylor   " 2 "   " 2 " Capt. Richd. Phillips Col. Thos. Mathews   " 2 " Capt. Jas. Watson "   " 1 "   " 3 " Capt. J. Anderson Maj. McGill   sub. 3 " Genl. Lafayette   " 2 " Capt. Henry Johnson Col. Mercer   " 2 " Genl. Wayne   " St. David Davenport Col. Chas. Dubrey  
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 _____
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 the 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 [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.

Reb Mng
5507
INVALID.
File No. 5507
John Kersey Dis Rev War
Act: June 1 th 82
Index:—Vol. M , Page 202
[Arrangement of 1870.]

11/11/87
Henry

Old war Div. Ex't. No. Co. Reg't
Department of the Interior. BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C. July 11 th , 1887
Return this letter with your reply.
Sir,
John Kersey, act June 7. 1832, was allowed a pension of $70 00 per annum, as per certificate N o 12.137 on the Virginia roll - Be pleased to state the date to which he was last paid -
Very respectfully
John C. Black Commissioner
J. B. Williams Esq Third Auditor

Louisa Co Locust Creek Louisa Co Va July 15 1887
Hon John C Black
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I hold
in my possession the Pension Certificate of John Kenzey who served in the war of the Revolution and died soon after - said Certificate was issued without having drawn any pension money. The said John Kenzey was also entitled to bounty land the patent for which I believe was never issued. The Certificate for Pension was issued June 7 1832 entitling the Pensioner to a Pension of $70 00 per annum during his natural life beginning March 4 1831. Be kind enough to inform me what is necessary to establish my claim to the Pension and bounty land of said John Kenzey whose legal heir I am. Please forward the printed forms necessary in establishing & obtaining said Claim.

your Early attention will oblige Very Respectfully James W. Kersey

1888
1919
John Quincy, not June 7. 1831, and found upon examination of the box, an account for certificates of the 12th of the 1st of March to date the date of the last payment very respectfully
116
From Mr. Brewster

JFM.
Form 91 1/2.
Treasury Department,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
July 18 th , 1887
Sir:
In reply to your letter of 11 th inst. , in case of
John N. Eiser Certificate recorded in Bureau
Virginia Agency, Bureau Roll,
the records of this Office show last payment to have been made at 1.70
per month average to 21 March 1883 , in May 1883
Letter having returned
Very respectfully,
W. H. Welch Acting Auditor.
H. C. G. [unclear]
W. D.

Giles County State of Virginia St
This day personally appeared before me, Charles Dabney, a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, John Ward and Thomas Badget, both of whom I certify to be Credible Witnesses, and revolutionary Soldiers as is reported and believed by me, for the purpose of proving the Services rendered by John Kersey an applicant for a pension under the late pension Law.
John Ward Swears he was with the said Kersey on a tour of duty in the Militia, date not recollected on the South Side of James River that they crossed the River at Cabin point and marched down thro' the County of Nansemond into the Isle of Wight then back to Cabin point to Petersburg, and that they remained at least three months in the service on that tour, and that afterwards he and said Kersey were together on another tour of duty when they marched to Charles City Courthouse, to Four mile Creek, and up and down James River, to prevent the British from getting to Richmond, and that on this tour they served at least two months, He also states that said Kersey and himself served on the Militia at the barracks in Albemarle, guarding the prisoners taken at the Surrender of Burgoyne, and that they

Served two months on this tour. and that he was with said Keney on another tour of Service in the Militia which they marched to New Kent Chase back of St. Johns  St. Johns to the Boiling  Stream in Caroline  County . They served six weeks on this tour. He also states he was with said Keney on another tour of duty at the siege of York when he signed on the Gloucester side of the River and that this tour was three months.
Thomas Budget Swann he was with said Keney in the Militia Service at the Siege of York and that they served on the Gloucester side of the River, this tour was three months.
I do hereby Certify that John Ward and Thomas Budget made oath to the above this 8 th day of Sept r 1832.
Charles Dabney
State of Virginia
Louisa County to wit:
I John Hunter Clerk of the Court of the County of Louisa do hereby Certify that Charles Dabney who has taken and Certified the foregoing affidavits is a justice of the peace in and for the County of Louisa aforesaid and as such Judge of said Court that the above is his genuine signature and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 9 th day of October 1832 In the 57 th year of our foundation.
John Hunter (C d C)

State of Virginia Louisa County Sc. -
On the 10 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court of Louisa now sitting, John Kersey, a resident of said County of Louisa & State of Virginia, aged about 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. He served his first tour of duty in the Militia of two Months at Williamsburg under Capt. David Anderson; he served his second, third & fourth each of two months, at Albemarle barracks, in his own place and as substitute for Thos. Kersey & David Crenshaw Col. Taylor Com. - He served his fifth tour of two months at Cabin point Smithfield & Petersburg as substitute for William Anderson - his Captain was Richard Phillips, His Col. Thomas Matthews - He served his sixth tour of two months, at Richmond and Williamsburg the same year, his Captain was James Watson his Colonel Thos. Matthews; as substitute for Thomas Kersey. He served his seventh tour of one month at New Kent Court house, Hanover Court house, and Bowling Green Caroline County under Captain John Sanders. He served his eighth tour of three months, at Richmond, Malvern Hills, Hanover, Louisa, Spotsylvania Orange, Culpepper, Albemarle, Goochland & under Capt. Turner Anderson, Major McGill & General Lafayette. He served his ninth tour, three months, as a substitute for William Anderson, at the Siege of York Town under Capt. Henry Johnson, Col. Mercer & Genl. Ward. He served his tenth tour of two months at York Town as substitute for Edmund Hawkins of Hanover, under Lieutenant David Davenport & Col. Charles Dubrey. That from the best information he can obtain he was born November 2 nd 1758. in the County of Louisa where he resided when he went into service and has resided there ever since. He has no register of his age & never received any military discharge. He never was in any engagement. He can prove his services in part by John Ward & Thos. Budget.

That in reference to his character as a reputed soldier of the Revolution he refers to the evidence & Certificate - Timothy T. Swift &
Mr. Nelson his neighbors - He hereby relinquishes all claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present rank declared that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. Sworn to and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid - his John T. Swift mark
We Timothy T. Swift a Clergyman residing in the County of Louisa and Mr. Nelson residing in the same County hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with John Kersey, that we believe him to be about Seventy five 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 to and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid. Timothy T. Swift W. Nelson
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 Timothy T. Swift who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the said County of Louisa and that William Nelson who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said County, and is a Credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
James Michie Presiding Justice
I John Hunter Clerk of the Court of Louisa County do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Kersey for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 17 th day of September 1832.
John Hunter CLK