Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4467, for John Kesterson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
va.
Hesterson, John
S 4 4 6 7.
CONTENTS
Carded

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 March to 4 Sept 1837. Agent notified 5 Nov 1838.
Paid as above from 4 Sept 1837 to 4 Sept 1838 Agent notified 9 Aug 1839
as above from 4 March to 4 Sept 1839 Agent notified 13 June 1840
Order to pay 4 April 1842.
Jonesborough agency Tennessee 13/753
John Resterson
of Green Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain ... of the Reg't commanded by Col. Follis in the Virginia line for 14 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Jonesborough at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of June 1833 and sent to Hon J Blair
Arrears to the 14th of March 93 32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 23 33
$116.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel B. ... Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 6 Page 128

State of Tennessee Greene County
On the 17 th day of
October 1832, personally appeared before me Hugh Dobbie one of Acting Justices of the peace for said County aforesaid John Watson aged Seventy three years and resident in the County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in Order to Obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the fol- lowing named officers and served as here- in stated to wit being a resident citizen of the County of Fauquier in the State of Virginia on and previous to the year 1781 he enlisted into the Army of the Revolution at Hofford old Court House on the 21 st March 1781. under Lieutenant Starks and marched to Fredericksburg and was mustered into service under Capt. Tolle and Major John Willis that he served under Tolle for a

short time and was transferred under the com- mand of Col d Gaskins & was commanded by General Shelburne - we were sometimes at front of fort and Shelburne marched us from there when the British were in sight of that fort then we marched to Staunton River and by Express was marched back to Richmond and down James River to Old James Town at Newmarket I was placed under the command of Genl Wayne and we had a fight with the British at James Town - when we got Whip d from them we marched to Little York and remained there until Cornwallis surren- dered. I then procured a furlow from the phi- sician attending our Regiment in consequence of the ague which I then had. I went home and staid at home 3 or 4 months I then re- joined the army at New Bedford Court house under General Muhlenburgh and remained at that place until I was discharged on the 21 st September 1782 that he has no documentary evidence nor does not know of any Officer by which he can establish his service but can estab- lish the same by the testimony of several.

Other persons now residing in this neigh- bourhood, he hereby retires every day Whatever 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 nor is there any resident minister of the Gos- pel in his vicinity by whom he can establish the facts required by the Secretary of War in his instructions nor is he able to attend court-
Given to and subscribed John Hesterson Senior before me this 17 th October 1832.
Hugh D'Archie Esq. Justice of the Peace Green County
like Joshua Browne and William Hesterson residing in the County of Greene do certify that we are well assured and acquainted with John Hesterson who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age that he is respec- ted and believed in the neighbourhood where he re- sides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Given to this 17 th October 1832 Joshua Browne William Hesterson Hugh D'Archie Justice of the Peace Green County

I Hugh D'Arce one of the acting Justices of the peace for said County do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the Secretary of War that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as that said I do further certify that it appears to me that Joshua Bowling James Boozman and William Stevenson who have signed the preceding certificates are credible persons and their statements entitled to credit I further certify that the applicant is unable to attend the court from bodily infirmity
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 19 th October 1832.
Hugh D'Arce Seal Justice peace for Greene County
I Andrew Patterson clerk of the Court of Pleas & Sessions County do hereby certify that Hugh D'Arce whose signature and attestation appears to the foregoing proceedings is and then was an acting Justice of the peace and in commission for said County.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 22 nd day of October 1832. A. Patterson By C. Q. Sevier De

John Chesterson Tennessee found in V a Rolls & Spelt John Keserton
5
Buy. 7 13 33 R-192
The Hon. William Fitzgerald

BRIEF in the case of  John Resterton, -  Co of Greene  in the State of Tennessee  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Justice of the peace  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? So does  3. How old is he? 73 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     21 March In 17 81 Jul 21 September 1782 - private Col. Tolle - Major Prillie - Col. Gaston    "Bick & on furlough for 3 or 4 months"
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Names Town, Va.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Langquier Co. Va.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Trad'y  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Fawcett Examining Clerk.

March 25, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
John Kesterson, S. 4467 BA-J/MCS
Mrs. Edythe R. Whitley 2710 Belmont Blvd. Nashville, Tennessee
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of John Kesterson or Kelterson.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 4467, based upon the military service of John Kesterson.
He was born in Fauquier County, Virginia. The date of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.
While living in Fauquier County, Virginia, he enlisted March 21, 1781, served as private in Colonels Tolles' (probably meant for Towles') and Gaskins' Virginia regiments, was in the battle of Jamestown and was discharged September 21, 1782.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 17, 1832, at which time he was living in Greene County, Tennessee, aged seventy-three years, and he then signed as John Kesterson, Senior.
In 1832 one William Kesterson was living in Greene County, Tennessee, but it was not stated that he was related to the soldier and there are no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Soldier's death not on agency book

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Oct o 27 1838.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Westerson Senior a Pensioner on the Roll of the Innerboro. En. Agency, at the rate of Forty six Dollars and fifty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1837 to the 4 September 1837.
Respectfully, yours,
Alison B. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Hesterson — which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? It does II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? He did III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? He has V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? He has VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? He has VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? He has IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? He has X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? It is, & is so distinguishable.

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? There is
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? He has
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? They are
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
1 & 2
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
State of Tennessee Green County on this 18 th day of March 1833 personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County John Resterson and in explanation of amendment of his declaration in the particu- lars specified in the foregoing brief, made oath that he was born in the County of Fauquier State of Virginia as stated in his declaration, that he has no record evidence of his age.
He further states that he served in the war of the Revolution & in the Seven Years war in his declaration the term

of eighteen months, for which term of time he claims a pension. The whole of eighteen months he served as a private -
I claim to be also enrolled
before me this day &
date within written
John Stevenson Senior
Test Hugh. O'Halloran
Justice of the peace
The above Hugh O'Halloran is an acting Justice of the peace for Greenough & his signature is genuine April 26 th 1883 J. Blair
John Stevenson
Jan 1781 part 10 months
$46.66 100
James signing O'Halloran

Mrs. Edythe R. Whitley 2710-Belmont Blvd. Nashville, Tenn.
March 16, 1935.
Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
REVOLUTIONARY---- John Kesterson---- Greene County Tenn.
Kindly furnish me with a copy of the pension papers of John Kesterson ( Kelterson), Greene County Tennessee. I think he was allowed pension under act of 1832, probably under act of 1818. I think he served in the Revolution from Virginia.
Thanking you, I am
Sincerely,
Edythe R. Whitley

1935 Mar. 25. List to Mrs. Edythe R. Whitley M.C.S.
Rev Mar
44467 INVALID.
File No. 44467
John Hastenson Pitt. bar line
Act: June 7/33
Index:—Vol. A, Page 202
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 15. 1840

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 13 th , 1840.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Hesterson, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Jonesborough, Tenn. Agency, at the rate of Forty Six — Dollars and Sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March, to the 1 st Sept., 1839.
Respectfully yours,
William L. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

FREE
Dear Mr. Evans, James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Jonesboro March 26 1842
J. L. Edwards Esq. Sir
Sir. herewith enclosed you will receive the voucher of John Foster a Pensioner under the act of 7 th June 1832. who has not applied for his pension for more than one year. and according to the Comptroller's Circular of 29 th Sept. 1836. cannot be paid by the Agent at Jones- borough without a special order from the Commissioners of Pensions authorizing the payment. has been given. I therefore have to request that you instruct the pen- sion Agent at this place to pay the amount due and enclose the voucher to me directed to Jonesboro Tenn. and oblige
Very Respectfully
W. M. Meek

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 23 rd , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1833 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Westerson, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Jonesborough, Tenn. Agency, at the rate of Forty Six Dollars and Sixty Six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1837, to the 4 th Sept. 1838,
Respectfully, yours,
William H. Harrison Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.