Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30531, for Thomas Lamb, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Wa.
Lamb, Thomas
S. 30531
CONTENTS

1827 Warwick Thomas Sams of Middlesex in the State of New who was a for in the Co commanded by Captain Johnson of the 20, L commanded by Col. Mathews in the Va line for 2 years
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838 from 4. Sep r 1835. to 16 Dec r 1836 Agt notified. 4 June 1841
Inscribed on the Roll of Ken at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per ann. n, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 17

27619. Thomas Lamb Madison Co Kentucky
from 1776 private 2 yrs $80.
Mr. Lamb was a volunteer, (Va.) militia-man - not a regular soldier - Joseph Turner
Joseph Turner Esq. Richmond. Madison Co Kentucky

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
183
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 Thomas Lamb. Madison Co. Kentucky.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776 " 3 " Priv Col. Mathews Capt. W. Johnson 31 years One Witness.   Apr. 1777 " 3 " " Col. Mathews Capt. Webb Orange   Fall Ditto " 3 " " Col. Mathews Capt. Porter 60. Va.   Apr. 1778 1 4 " " Col. F. Taylor   July 1781 " 4 " " Col. Innes Major Gentry.  
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 } ss.
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 days 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 here 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 place 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.
Joseph Rowen Esq.

State of Kentucky Madison county 3 rd Set.
On this 3 rd day of December 1882, personally appeared in open court, before the Worshipful, the county court of Madison, now sitting, Thomas Lamb , Senr. a resident of Madison county, and State of Kentucky, aged 81 years the 1 st day of January next, who being first duly sworn according to law, cloth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1872. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He volunteered his services in September in the year 1876, (he thinks) for three months under Captain William Johnson, and was also under Col. Matthews. He rendezvoused at Orange Court house, Virginia, and marched from thence to Richmond, and was there ordered on the South side of James River and was stationed at Old Point; from thence he was marched to Petersburg and from thence to Richmond where he was discharged towards the latter part of December. He again volunteered a second time, for three months, in the Spring of the year 1877, towards the latter part, under Capt. Webb, and was again commanded by Col. Matthews. He was again rendezvoused at Orange Court house, and marched to the mouth of Pamunkey River where he was stationed, and where he remained till he was discharged. There were no continental troops with him at either of the above tours. In the fall of the year 1877, (he believes) he volunteered his services the third time for three months under Capt. Porter, and was again commanded by Col. Matthews. He rendezvoused again at Orange Court house, and was marched down on the Pamunkey River, where he was stationed as guard till discharged, which was the latter part of the year 1877 or first of the year 1878. He well recollects it was very cold, weather when he was discharged.
In the Spring 1878 he was called upon to guard Gen. Beauregard and his army, (who were then prisoners of war) near Elbermole Court house, and served in this capacity eight tours of duty, and he thinks each tour consisted of sixty days. Col. Francis Taylor commanded the troops stationed at the Barracks to guard Gen. Beauregard and his army. He volunteered again for three months, (but served nearly four months) the last of June or first of July 1878, under Capt. George Waugh.

He was also under maj. Gorey and Col. Innes. He was rendered at Orange Court house again, and again marched down to the mouth of the Pomonkey river, marched from thence to the Mills on the Rappahannock, and from thence to Little York to meet Lord Cornwallis, and there remained till his Surrender, after which he was discharged. He never received a discharge for any part of his services, and has no documentary evidence; and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services, except Robert  Edwards  Shaw  Core . He was born in Spottsylvania county, Virginia, on the 1st of January, 1751, according to the account he received from his parents. He has no record of his age. He resided in Orange county, Virginia, when called into the service, and continued to reside there for several years after the revolutionary war was over, and then moved to Madison county, Kentucky, where he has resided for twenty nine years, and where he now resides. He volunteered his services at each time of entering the service. The names of the regular officers and the general circumstances of his services were as before stated. He is known in his present neighborhood to the Rev. William  Peterson  and  William  Og  Wallace  Peterson and William Og. And he asserts, when all his services are put together, two years and eleven months. He hereby relinquishes every claim 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. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
John Linn a resident of Madison county, State of Kentucky, aged 75 years, states that he is personally acquainted with Thomas Loughlin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and was well acquainted with said Loughlin in the revolutionary war; that he is personally acquainted with said Loughlin's services in the revolutionary war, and he knows of his own knowledge that Loughlin rendered the services as above stated in his declaration. Sworn and subscribed to, this 4th day of Dec. 1832 J. Linn
State of Kentucky Madison county ss I, Joseph Turner, a justice of the peace for the county and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that John Linn, a resident of Madison county, the day personally appeared before me and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing certificate as true. I also certify that said Linn is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand this 4th of Dec. 1832 J. Turner J.P. m.c.

(William Yates We, Thomas Rollins a clergyman, residing in the county of Madison and William Off, residing in the same, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Thomas Lamb, Sen'r. who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 81 years of age on the first day of January next; that he is respected 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 to, the day and year aforesaid.
William Yates
William Q Q 3
And the said court do hereby declare their opinions, 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 in States. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that James  William Yates  Ballard , who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the county of Madison, and that William Off , Roberts  Livingston  and  others  and John Leek , who have also signed the same and a preceding certificate, (the last cost, witness ) are all residents of Madison county, and are all four  three of them credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Given under our hands the day and year aforesaid.
Thomas M. [unclear]
John Hawkin
William Westcott

State of Kentucky } Madison County } 3 rd set.
I, David Irvine, clerk of the court of Madison county, do hereby certify that the foregoing order- tion contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Thomas Lamb sen. for a pension. I further certify that Joseph Turner, whose signature is hereto attached, is a justice of the peace for Madison county, regularly commis- sioned and duly qualified as such, and that his signature to the certificate of proof of Thomas Lamb is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 27 th day of February, 1803. David Irvine Clerk
Prof. Lamb
23619

30 531 by  INVALID.
File No. 30, 531
Thomas Lamb
His Rev. Rev.
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 296
[ Arrangement of 1870. ]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
May 24, 1841.
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 adm on of Thomas Lamb, dec d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Kentucky - Agency, at the rate of Eighty - Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1835, to the 16 th December 1836.
Respectfully yours,
Edward B. Harris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Richmond, Ky. 12th June, 1833.
Dr. Sir - On yesterday evening I received the enclosed declaration and brief in relation to the revolutionary services of Thomas Lamb. I have compared his declaration with the printed instructions, and I am unable to discern wherein it is defective. The examining clerk, (Joseph Raper,) is most certainly mistaken in making his case at (j.) I do not understand that a militia-man is required to prove his services by two credible witnesses - Neither did I suppose that the names of the militia were to be found on the records of the Department. If Mr. Lamb's declaration set forth that he had enlisted, then and in that case, if his name had not been found upon the roll, the reference (j.) would have suited the case. Therefore I have come to the conclusion that Mr. Raper has mistaken the nature of the applicant's service. The reference at (m.) will not hold good. It will be found upon a reexamination of the declaration that the whole series in interrogatories have been fully and completely answered . I have therefore returned the papers without making any additions to them whatever. The claim of William Johnson is also enclosed, with the objection, all removed.
Respectfully Joseph Turner