Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,144, for John Thompson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Thompson, John.
8 17 144
Carded
CONTENTS

idea.
John Thompson
who in the State of Indiana was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Fitzhugh of the  commanded in the Virginia for 1 month was paid for 10 " " 20 " " of Inf y
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 11 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 1st day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of July 1833 and  Evving Vincennes
Arrears to the 1st of March 82.20 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep t 20 60 102 80
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by  Clerk, Book  Vol.  Page 131
Dead - see letter to Vincennes Agency 4th William, Mar 18. 1837.
Letter to J. H. L. Senior 3 d Ave 11 June 1840
Dead Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1835 from 4 Sep t 1835 to 21 Dec 1835 the day of his death - Age notified 30. June 1840

June of Ill Feb 27. 1837
Ward Department
Mrs Ann Thompson now of The county in this state widow of the late John Thompson died of Knox county Indiana has shown me a certificate signed by the secretary of war bearing date July 15. 1833 stating that "John Thompson of the state of Indiana who was a private in the army of the revolution was entitled to receive $41.10 per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4 th of March 1831 and payable semi annually on the 4 th of March and 4 th of Sept in every year She says that her husband recd his pension up to the 4 th Sept 1835 and that he died on the 20 th Decem- ber following she subsequently removed to and now resides in this state has never recd the pension for the time intervening between 4 th Sept 1835 the death of her husband (20 Dec 1835) she now wishes to receive the amount in this state it having been formerly paid at Vincennes Indo will you please inform her or me at this place how she is to proceed to

obtain it
Yours of Feb 2nd A Williams

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 22 d , 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," The widow of John Thompson, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Madison, Ind. Agency, at the rate of Forty one Dollars and ten Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of Sept. 1835, to the 21 st Dec r 1835, the day of his death.
Respectfully yours,
Edward E. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Indiana } ss. Knox county. }
On this 20 th day of October 1832, personally appeared in my office at Vincennes, State and county aforesaid, before me an associate Judge of the circuit court of said county, John Thompson a resident thereof, and a feeble old man, now aged about seventy two years, who, first being 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 the said John Thompson, was born in Caroline county, State of Virginia, in the year 1760, as he learned of his parents, and verily believes that in said county of Caroline, he entered the service of the United States, in the year 1776, as a volunteer in a company of horsemen, commanded by Captain John Fitzhugh, and was in said company at Williamsburg, from thence marched to York, and from thence to Hampton where the company continued until its period of service had expired - That in May 1781, he volunteered in a company raised in said county, and was marched to South Carolina, and was in the army under General Gates, which was defeated on the 16 th August near Rudleys Mill - after which the company was at Guilford court house, and was discharged there on the first day of November - That on his return home he volunteered in

in a company to serve in the north, and marched to Fredericksburg, but the company was there stopped, and ordered home - that the next ensuing year he volunteered in a company raised in said county of Carolina, under Captain George Terrill and marched to Glouster, from which post he was, with others, detailed to procure horses, which service he performed and took the horses to Little York where Washington commanded, and as the French for whom the horses were intended, did not then require them they were ordered to be returned to their proper owners, and he was sent to perform that duty when Cornwallis surrendered, and after guarding the British prisoners to near Bowling Green the company was marched home and discharged - that in the revolutionary war, he remembers serving in company's commanded by Capt. Edmond Pendleton, and Captain Berk Goodall on separate tours, and that his actual services on various tours, during the war, occupied him at least one year - that he remembers to have received only one written discharge, and that was from Capt. Goodall, which has been lost or destroyed a long time since - that he has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his

services. - 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 any state agency - He further declares, that it was out of his power to attend during the last session of the circuit court to have this declaration authenticated in open court. Sworn to and subscribed { John Thompson the day and year aforesaid }
R. P. Price Associate Judge
We, Robert Jordan, and Martin Lade residing in Knox county, Indiana, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Thompson who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration - that we believe him to be about seventy two years of age - that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier in the revolu- tion, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed { Robert Jordan the day and year aforesaid } Martin Lade
Associate R. P. Price Associate Judge
I Richard P. Price associate Judge of Knox county circuit court do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the foregoing matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that John Thompson the said applicant was a revolutionary

soldier and served as he states. And I do further certify, that it appears to me that Robert Jordan and Martin Lade who have signed and sworn to the foregoing certificate are residents of said county, of credible character, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand, the day and year aforesaid.
R. P. Rice Associate Judge
State of Indiana, of Knob County
I Daniel G. Johnson Clerk of the Knob Circuit Court do hereby certify that R. P. Rice whose signature is signed to the above certificate is qualified
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Office at Vincennes this 20 th 1832
D. G. Johnson Clerk

July 31, 1933
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/EEI
John Thompson-S.17144
James Vickers-R.10939
Mrs.C.T.Land Enfield Illinois
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Thompson, a Revolutionary War soldier of Virginia, who was pensioned while residing in the state of Indiana and who subsequently went to White County, Illinois, where he died; also the record of James Vickers who applied for pension in White County, Illinois.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made in your behalf and no record found of a John Thompson, of White County, Illinois. The record of a John Thompson, who served in the Virginia Troops and who received pension while residing in Knox County, Indiana, is furnished herein, the data for which were obtained from the papers on file in his claim for pension, S.17144, based upon his military service in the War of the Revolution. There is no way for this office to determine whether or not this is the soldier in whom you are interested. The history of James Vickers is also furnished herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, R.10939, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution.
John Thompson S.17144
John Thompson was born in 1760, in Caroline County, Virginia. The names of his parents are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.
While residing in Caroline County, Virginia, he volunteered sometime in 1776 and served at various times on tours, at least one year in all, until after the surrender at Yorktown as a private under

Captains John Fitzhugh, Samuel Temple, Fountain(probably meant for Fontaine), Park Goodall, George Terrill and Edmond Pendleton in the Virginia Troops: he was in the battle of Gates' Defeat.
John Thompson was allowed pension on his application executed October 20, 1832, while residing in Knox County, Indiana.
He died December 20, 1835, as stated by his widow, or December 21, 1835, as shown in an official paper in the pension claim. The place of his death is not stated.
His widow, Ann, survived him and in 1837, was residing in Knox County, Indiana: there are no further particulars in regard to her and no reference is made to children.
* * * * *
James Vickers R.10939
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of James Vickers are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.
The soldier married Polly Johnson. The date and place of their marriage and the date of her death are not shown. He married October 18, 1799, in Sevier County, Tennessee, Elizabeth Mowery. She was born September 1, 1782; place of her birth and names of her parents are not given.
The soldier was living in White County, Illinois, about 1835. He died on May 20, 1840, in Hamilton County, Illinois. It was stated that he was a minister of the Baptist Church.
On March 28, 1849, soldier's widow, Elizabeth, then a resident of Hamilton County, Illinois, applied for the pension that might have been due on account of the services of her husband, James Vickers, in the War of the Revolution and alleged that he enlisted, date and place not shown, served in Captain Harris' Company, Colonel Williams' North Carolina Regiment, and in Captain Wallace's North Carolina Company; that his service amounted to nine months, three months of which was as a ranger and spy and that he was in a battle of the Savannah

River, in which battle his horse was wounded.
Elizabeth Vickers' claim was not allowed as she failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law.
The widow stated that her husband, James Vickers, had seven children by his first wife, and that the oldest, John Vickers, was only eighteen months older than she. The names of the other children are not given and there is no reference to any children by soldier's wife, Elizabeth Mowery Vickers, and no further family data.
* * * * *
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

17.144 INVALID.
1933-July 31- Hist. to Mrs L. G. Land - Etch
File No. _____
John Thompson Prin Rev War
Act: _____
Index:—Vol. _____
Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Thompson India
Nov 1776 Pri Rate of Inf y & Cavalry 17 th . P t . Can 1 m 10 days 5.55 " Inf 10 m 20 " 35.55 $ 41.10
Jno Ewing. Versailles Vincennes

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 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? yes 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? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 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? yes

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? NO
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? NO
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? yes
Watterson  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? yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes
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? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 7 not answered.
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.

No 101 3
March 17 - 1837 Pension Office J. Thompson Iowa
Mr. D. Sherman Washington D.C.
Enc. [sketch of a document]
March 28 1837

Ms 001 3
March 17. 1837.
Pension Office
M c Thompson
Washington
9 5/8
Washington
Mr. Dechaineux
Enclosed
March 25. 1837

Additional Declaration to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832.
State of Indiana } County of Knox }
On this 13 th day of March 1833, personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Amory Kinney, President Judge of the circuit court of said county now in session, John Thompson an applicant for a pension as an old revolutionary soldier, who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath say, that he rendered service, as a private soldier, as set forth and related in his original declaration verified before Judge Price one of the Associate Judges of our said court, and performed one tour of duty additional, (which he did not, when making that declaration, distinctly recollect) in the summer of the year 1777, as a volunteer in a company raised in Caroline county, Virginia, under Capt. Sam t . Temple, and marched to Williamsburg in said state where he performed Garrison duty for one month, and the company was at the expiration of that period, discharged by Capt. Temple's orders; That he is unable to state with precision, the length of all the tours of service specified in his original declaration but he served in the Horse company of Captain Fitzhugh forty days, and he clearly remembers that he served for six months in South Carolina under three different captains, before he was discharged at Guilford court house; Two of said captains names he well recollects, namely, Captain Fountain and Capt. Goodall; he believes the tour of duty under under Capt. Terrell was one months duration, and some of the others were for longer, and some for shorter periods, which he is unable to particularize. He is positive his actual periods of service during that war in the service of the United States, would count one year or more. I sworn to in open court, and John Thompson subscribed in my presence, the day and year aforesaid. A. Kinney

I Henry M. Shaw, a clergyman residing in Vincennes, Knox county, Indiana do hereby certify, that I am acquainted with John Thompson, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that I believe him to be seventy two years of age as verified by his original declaration that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that I concur in that opinion.
Sworn to, and subscribed in open court, this 14 day of March, 1833.
A. Kinney
Henry M. Shaw
The court hereby declare, that Henry M. Shaw, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Vincennes. In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand, the day and year aforesaid. — A. Kinney
State of Indiana Knox county } ss.
I, A. D. Scott, clerk of the circuit court of said county of Knox, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the proceedings of our said court in the matter of an additional declaration of John Thompson, to obtain a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and seal of office, this 14 day of March, A. D. 1833.
A. D. Scott

Revolution
Indiana Pet Cases
Mail

Vincennes, La., March 15 1883
Col. Edward Eng. Jr.
The additional declaration of Cornelius Mervy, and John Thompson, together with the papers returned in relation to the claim of each to a pension as soldiers of the revolution are inclosed. about a week ago, I sent the additional declaration of Peter McAnelly; and I think, advised of claims long unheard of (as they were the first sent on) namely. Thomas Baird, Mr. Lindsay, Thomas Pirtz, Howard Putnam, Fred. Stahl and William Durham.
Very Respectfully, Your obed. Servt. Jno. Ewing

ary Pensions.
Free
War Department, Pension office, Washington city

Enfield, Ill. Jul. 23, 1933.
6600 P
Veteran's Administration Washington, D.C.
C P - 6 - 2 Ill
Dear Sir: Won't you please send me any information you may have relative to John Thompson , Revolutionary soldier of Virginia. He came to Indiana in 1833, and was pensioned there. Then he came to White County in Illinois where he died. ✓
Have you any record of James Vickers ? He made application for a pension in White County, Illinois in 1834, stating that he had served in the Revolutionary War. I do not know whether or not the pension was granted.
Thanking you very much, I am,
Very truly yours,
Margaret D. Land.
(Mrs. C.F.)
Registrar Haback Chapter, D.A.R.