Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1554, for Peter Luna, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Luna, Peter
S. 1554
carded
CONTENTS

25086
West Tennessee
Peter Lewis Linn Lincoln Co. in the State of Tennessee he was a private in the company commanded Captain Bruce of the 2nd Regt commanded by Col. Russell in the 2nd Div. one for 7 months and 15 days
La Line Records Bk Oct 9 '03
Enscribed on the Roll of 1st Regt the rate of 25 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Nov 1833 and Robert Brig Genl Stewart
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 62.50 Pension allowance ending 4 March 12 50
75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Saml Boyd Clerk
Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 87
Let to Wm G. W. Jones Feb 10th 1831 New Cert in the 11th Feb 1846 and sent to Wm G. W. Jones with the letter above. West of R.R. at the P. O. Nashville, Mar 5 '15

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Tennessee Lincoln County 3 rd ss.
On this the 16 th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions for the County and State aforesaid now sitting. Peter Luna being an ancient in the County & State aforesaid aged Seventy three 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 officer, and served as hereinafter stated (that is to say), He entered the service of the United States as a volunteer, at the Long Island of in the state of Virginia  Hotchkiss under Captain Isaac Bledsoe, when company was, with several others and under the command of Col. Russell as well as he recollects the particular day & month he does not recollect, in which he entered the service, = He volunteered at this time for the term of six months, and remained in service  at the Long Island , time remained in service at the Long Island, until soon after the treaty of Holston at the Long Island, and acted as a guard during the time in which the treaty was concluded = the particular time at which he was discharged he does not recollect but it was in the year 1798 as well as he recollects, it was the same year in which the treaty of Holston was concluded. He remained at Long Island during said term of six months as a frontier guard, = After he quit this service, he continued

to act as occasion required without having entered into any regular service, as a scouting party, until sometime in the year 1779 - at which time, he was called into service in Capt. Andersons Company for an month to guard Blackmores Station, which term of service, he performed at said Station, after which term expired, he was relieved by an other Company, after this time he went to Cumberland River, which and arrived at the place where Nashville stands two days before Christmas 1779 - and has lived in the Counties of Davidson Sumner, & Lincoln ever since - in which latter County he now lives, He further states, that he went from Cumberland to Kentucky in the year, 1782, as well as he recollects - and when arrived there orders had just been issued by Col. Benj. Logan, for men to go against the Indians, he volunteered under Col. Logan, and marched to the Blue Lick, but before they arrived at Col. McGary & Col. Trigg who had gone on after the Indians, got defeated there - and before they arrived the Indians were gone - they arrived at the Blue Lick in time to assist in burying the dead - which was about two days after the battle, He thinks he was out this time as well he recollects two or three weeks, He thinks this defeat was in the fall or Summer of 1782, He has no documentary evidence of the service aforesaid, his discharge he has lost, or destroyed, There is no person living by whom he can prove the service aforesaid for the term of six months, But for the term of one month at Blackamores Station, he can prove his service by George Blackamore, who was in the Station at that time, as a drummer - this station was station was kept built & named after his Father John Blackamore, He was living about fifteen miles above

the Long Island an Station, at the time he first volunteered. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or anuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any state in the Union. Sworn to and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid Robt Inge clk Peter Luna
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - Wm Edmiston Thos. 26. Th. and Samuel Brink clerk  of the  present I Robert S. Inge Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Sessions for the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Luna for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 16 day of October 1832. Robt Inge clk
I George Blake one of the County of Lincoln State of Tennessee do hereby declare on oath that he is a acquainted with Peter Luna, the foregoing applicant for a pension, that he knew him at Blount's station an Clinch Station, and that he served the term of an month at said station, as stated in the foregoing declaration, that he was in the station

at the same time, as a drummer and recollects him well, and has seen him ever since - they both came to Cumberland in the same year, and lived neighbours, with a few exceptions ever since.
Sworn to & subscribed
this 16 th October 1832.
Robt. Inge clk
George Blackmore
Paterson Jr 17290
State of Tennessee Lincoln County
I William Edmundson Presiding Justice of the Peace for said County, and state do hereby certify that George Blackmore who has sworn to the foregoing statement is a man of truth, respectability and of good standing, and that his statement is in all to the full fact and credit. In testimony whereof I have here to set my hand this 16 th October 1832.
Sworn to in open court
This 16 th April 1833.
Wm. Edmundson Presiding Justice
I Robert S. Inge clerk of the county court of Lincoln County State of Tennessee do hereby certify that George Blackmore who has been offered to the foregoing affidavit of the premises of this sum, appeared in open court on the 16 th day of October 1832, and swore to & subscribed, said affidavit that William Edmundson who has certified to the credibility of said George Blackmore is the Presiding Justice of said court, and the signature to the same is his genuine signature, and that said William Edmundson appeared in open court this day & swore to the contents of the same.
In testimony whereof I have here to set my hand and offered my seal of office this 16 th April 1833.
Robt. S. Inge clk

No 17290 Peter Luna Genl. Lincoln County Tennessee
from 1779 private 7 pmts. $25.
Robert G. Ingle Clerk. Lincoln County Court Tennessee

BRIEF in the case of  Peter Tuna Sen 1 Jr  of Lincoln County in the State of Tennessee  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 79 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.     Volunteer In 17 6 private Gen. Capt. Shields Col. Russell   1779. 1 " " Anderson.   1782 2 or 3 4 or 21 " Col. Logan  
5. In what battles was he engaged? None 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? about 15 miles above the long Island on Holstein 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living Witnesses - 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Dyer Casbrr Examining Clerk.

New War.
1554 INVALID.
File No. 1554
Peter Luna Sen. Dro. N.Y. Line.
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 230
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Virginia Line Records corrected, Oct 9 03 T.

State of Tennessee } Lincoln County } On this 20 th day of September 1833, personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the Circuit Court of said County now sitting. Peter Luna sen. a Resident of said County (State) aged about seventy three years, who being first duly sworn, doth on his oath make the following additional declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
I was born in Botetourt County in Virginia on the 1 st day of October 1760 according to the information derived from my mother, but I have no record of my age
I would refer for my character for veracity and revolutionary services to the Rev. Henry Talley and George Blackemore Esq.
Sworn to and subscribed this day & year aforesaid - in Open Court.
Right clerk Peter Luna
We Henry Talley a clergyman residing in Lincoln County Tennessee, and George Blackemore residing in said County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Luna sen. who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be about seventy three 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 this 20 th day of September 1833 Henry Talley
Right clerk George Blackemore

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Henry Sally who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in said County of Lincoln and that George Blakemore 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.
I James Bright Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lincoln County Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Peter Lina for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private (having no seal of office at the time) the 20 th day of September 1833
J. Bright Clerk (Seal)
I William M. Ings, Member elect to the Congress of the United States from the tenth Congressional District of the State of Tennessee, hereby certify that James Bright who has signed the preceding certificate is the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lincoln County, Tennessee, that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine and that all his official acts are entitled to credit. Given under my hand this 10 th day of October 1833 Wm M Ings

State of Tennessee } This day personally appeared Marshall County } before me Asa Holland one of the acting Justices of the peace for said County Peter Luna Signer and made Oath that he entered the Service as well as he recollects some time between 1776 and 1780 though does not recollect the precise date. He When he entered the Service he lived about fifteen miles above the Long Islands on Houlston River though does not recollect the name of the County. he does not know whether the County was laid off or not. Isaac Bledsoe was the Captain he enlisted under. he thinks that Colonel Russell was the commander he was served six months in his first town he then became an Indian Spy. he served officers under several officers during his service he was at the battle of the Long Islands of Houlston though it was before he enlisted he was commanded at that time by Capt William Goffe. he continued in the Service untill after the Battle of Chickamauga And that he is on no other Pension roll but present. and that he Relinquishes all claims to all other Pensions or Annuities Whatever Sworn to and Subscribed } Peter Luna before me This 16 th day of January 1846 Asa Holland Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee ss This day personally appeared Marshall County ss before me Asa Holland one of acting Justices of the peace for said County James Stinson and Griffith J. Linnard and makes Oath that they have been acquainted with Peter Luna for the last thirty years. and that they would believe him on Oath in a court of Justice and that his Oath is entitled to credit Sworn to and subscribed by James Stinson before me This 16 th day January 1846 Griffith J. Linnard Asa Holland Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee ss I Henry Talley Minister Marshall County ss of the Gospel hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Peter Luna, and lived a near neighbour to him since the year 1818. and would believe him on Oath in a Court of Justice Witness my hand This 16 th day of January, 1846
Henry Talley
State of Tennessee ss I certify that James Marshall County ss Stinson and Griffith J. Linnard are men who stand high in the estimation as respects veracity and their Oaths are entitled to credit This 16 th of January, 1846
Asa Holland (Seal) Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee Marshall County I Martin W. Oakley certify that Geo Holland is a justice of the peace as above he having been com- missioned and qualified as such and that full faith and credit is due all his official acts as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at office the 28 th day of January 1846.
Martin W. Oakley of said court
State of Tennessee Marshall County I Wilson F. Davis Chairman of the county court of Marshall County do certify that M. W. Oakley whose signature appears to the above certificate is clerk of our said court & duly qualified as such & that the signature is his own genuine signature & that the above certificate is due form of Law and the seal used by him as above is the only seal used by him as county court clerk of our said county of Marshall
Wilson F. Davis Chairman of Marshall County Court

State of Tennessee } Lincoln County } Be it known that on this 20 th day of September 1833, before the subscribers a Justice of the peace in & for said County personally appeared George Blackmore aged about 70 years, who being first duly sworn, declares on oath that he is well acquainted with Peter Lima Senr. the applicant above named - that he knew him at Blackmore's Station on Clinch River, during the Revolutionary war, when he served a term of service of one month, said Blackmore being then a drummer at that Station - Sworn to & subscribed This 20 th day of September 1833 before me Wm Edmiston a Justice of the peace -
I, William Edmiston a Justice of the peace in & for the County of Lincoln & State of Tennessee, hereby certify that George Black- more who has subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit is a respectable man and a credible witness, and that his statement is entitled to full faith and credit - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20 th of September 1833 - Wm Edmiston a Justice of the peace -

State of Tennessee Lincoln County } J. Francis L. Kincannon Clerk of the County Court of said County, hereby certify that William Edmiston whose name appears to the preceding certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County. - that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine, and that all his official acts are entitled to full credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 28 th day of September 1833
J. L. Kincannon Clerk

No of Refs July 9 th 1846
Sir Enclosed please find the papers of Peter Lima who desires and thinks he is entitled to an increase of Pension and also back rations in the way of pension, that is that he should be paid the difference between his present pension and what it should have been.
Respectfully
J. W. Jones
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions

Peter Luna Junr
Davis Eastland Haytleville Ky.

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

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?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? No
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?
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 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 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 shewn 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.
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 authenticates 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 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Mar 23 rd 46
To
J. J. Edwards Esq.
Washington City
25086 N.Y.
Peter Luna Tenn. Ave

Pension Office Nashville. Tennessee March 15 th 1826.
Sir
In your letter of the 5 th Inst you say "I have received your letter of the 23 rd Ult and have to request that you will drop the name of Peter Luna from the Roll and make no payment whatever in the case."
As the name of Peter Luna does not appear upon the Roll of this Agency, I am inclined to believe, that your letter was directed to me through mistake, being intended for some other Agent.
I am Very Respectfully Your O b t Servant, A. M. Smith Pension Agent
A. L. Edwards Esq. Comm'r of Pensions Washington City.

Mar 4 '46.
S
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of pensions Washington City D.C.
Peter Luna Tenn. ill

Pension Office Nashville Tennessee February 23 d 1846.
Sir
In your letter of the 14 th instant you inform me that "A duplicate Certificate has this day been issued in favor of Peter Luna, a private in the War of the Revolution at the rate of twenty five dollars per annum under Act of 7 th June 1832; you will pay his pension up to the time of the last semi-annual payment, if he should be still living; and if not, you will pay the amount due up to the day of his death." This pensioner appears to have been paid at this Agency up to 1 st March 1836 and then "transferred to Pulaski Agency", since which I have not been apprised that his name was transferred back to this Agency, which induces me to think that there is some mistake in the matter.
I am
Very Respectfully Your obt Serv t
J. M. Smith Pen: Agent.
J. S. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City H.C.

Payments to be made at Nashville by the Rev. Mr. B. Banks Agent for paying Pension- ers in the Agricultural West Pensioner
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol 7 Page 87 by David Boyd Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Peter Luna Yundt of the State of Louisiana who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty-five dollars and 11 cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 19 th day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
John B. Calhoun Secretary of War.
Approved and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.