Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6150, for Joel Sturdivant, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Ja
Sturdivant, Joel
8 6150
Carded
CONTENTS

Virginia 12.958
Joel Sturdivant
of Dinwiddie in the State of Virginia who was a pani. in the company commanded by Captain Gibbs of the Regt. commanded by Col. Faulkner in the Virginia line for 12 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia the rate of 40 Dollars — Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of June '32 and sent Hon. M. Alexander and sent to Lombardy Grove
arrear to the 4th of March '33 — 80 Remnant allowance ending 4 Sept. " — 20
$100
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6 — Page 26

Recd. by Maria A. French files within.
Mrs. Lucy Holton, Dec. 24/57 Ann von J. Avery Dec 15/59
Date of birth not on file

Joel Sturdivant Declaration for a Pension
1832 August 20 th
15392
✓

State of Virginia, } County of Dinwiddie. } ss.
On this 20th day of August, 1832, personally appeared before me, before the Justices of the County Court of Dinwiddie County, now sitting Jack Sturdivant, a resident of the county and state aforesaid, aged sixty nine 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 7th, 1832: —
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as here in stated, to wit: That on the first day of July, 1779 he was called into the Military Service of the United States, being detailed by a draft of numbers from Dinwiddie County under Capt. George Pegram, Lieut. Peter Gipe, & Russell Hutchinson Esqrs., that the company was marched to South Carolina Hillsborough in N. Carolina, where it joined a body of troops of about two thousand men who were commanded by Genl. Stephens. That his company was attached to Col. Faulkner's Regt. and remained at Hillsborough he thinks about three or four weeks, for the purpose principally of being trained & disciplined previously to the march on Camden which was intended. That about a week before their departure thence, Genl. Gates hoped by their going on to outflank his own army considerably a head on the way to Camden, and stopped a day or two and received Genl. Stephens troops aforesaid. That his company then marched on under Genl. Stephens command to Gates Head

Inverness near Camden where he remained until the expiration of his three months tour. The action between Lord Rawdon & the American troops occurred near Camden previously to his discharge, but he was himself acting as a rear guard and consequently did not participate in it.  2. That the next tour of three months service which he performed as aforesaid was under Capt. Baker Poyner of the said County, and marched as light infantry to Suffolk, and were subsequently ordered to Portsmouth to attack the British there, but the British having retired from Portsmouth, by their ships, before the arrival of the company, it was countermanded just before its arrival there, & in a few days discharged by the expiration of their three months service. —  (* Here insert attestation on this paper.)
That he was born & has ever since resided in the County of Dinwiddie, That no record of his age exists that he knows of, but that he has no doubt from all the information which he possesses that he was 60 years old the 6th day of last June. That he acted as a Sergeant all the time he was in the Militia service, & served when regularly called out never as a substitute for others. That he never recd. any written discharge, but has no documentary evidence of his services, but that both he & others can prove them.  The the said Joel Sturdivant 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 whatever.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Joel Sturdivant
I William Menaally, formerly a soldier in the revolutionary war, and at present a farmer residing in the County of Dinwiddie and State of

3. That the next tour of duty which he performed was as a drafted Militia man under Capt. John who marched his company to Cabin John & other places on James River - recollects a skirmish against a scouting party of the British at Hood's. That Gilly was soon after appointed as a major to command the militia, & Capt. W. Walker then commanded the company but he does not recollect any of the subsequent officers. That he was ultimately discharged by the expiration of his three months tour of duty at Smithfield. —
4. That soon after by the regular recurrence of his name here in the draft - sometime in 1781 but he does not recollect the precise date he was called into service under Capt. W. Lewis of the militia from Dinwiddie County. I was marched to Petersburg where he was when Phillips & Arnold visited that place and recollects when compelled to retreat that they retired to Chesterfield Court House - when the British returned below again, the troops with which he was associated returned to hang on the rear and were stationed some time at Winton - that he performed out his full term of three months duty, & was discharged at Winton.
(P.P.) S. Peter Eppes, a Captain in the Militia of the United States in the revolutionary war from the County of Dinwiddie where I did then & at present do reside, hereby certify that in the year 1781 I saw the Sergeant Lock Studmont in service as a private in the militia in three different companies to the best of my recollection under Captains Gilly - Walker - and Lewis - that the common terms of duty were three months

but that I do not fully know how long the declaration or these compliances served in these occasions.
Sworn & declared the day & year aforesaid.
Peter E. S. h.

State of Virginia, Dinwiddie County ss; Personally appeared before the Justices of the County Court of Dinwiddie, in open Court, Joel Sturdivant, who in addition to his former declara- tion states that he cannot by reason of old age and the infirmities of his memory, state the period of the war in which his services were rendered - or the names of any regular Officers, who were with the troops - or of any other Continental or Militia Officers with whom he was in service. States or more particularly than he has done heretofore As can be in response to the 7 th interrogatory propounded to him, refer to any other of his former depositions to testify in his behalf than he has already done. That he knows he served at least twelve months in all as a private, for which he claims his pension . Sworn to & subscribed this 20 th day of May 1833. Joel Sturdivant
And the Court doth certify that the foregoing additional declaration of Joel Sturdivant, was subscribed and sworn to in open court, examined, and the Court doth order the same to be certified to the Department of War. -
I John P. Crump Clerk of the County Court of Dinwiddie County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the additional proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joel Sturdivant for a pension: -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto at my hand affixed the seal of my Office, this 20 th day of May 1833, in the 57 th year of the Commonwealth. -
J. P. Crump B.D.C.

Virginia, do hereby certify that I knew the above named declarant as a soldier of the revolution and served in the same companies with him during all the time stated by him as to the two first terms of service which he speaks of, but do not personally know of any other services performed by him in the Revolutionary War but have reason to believe that he performed these services as he states . Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
William Munnally
(If there is not affidavit on this paper)
We William E. Hargrave, a clergyman residing in the County of Dinwiddie, in the State of Virginia, and Joseph Goodwyn, a planter residing also in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joel Sturdivant, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty three years of age; that he is reputed, and believed, in the neighbourhood 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.
John E. Hargrave,
Jo: Goodwyn.
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, Capt. Peter Epperson that W. Munnally who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident of Dinwiddie County and a respectable, respectable person to whose statements, full credit is justly due,

and also that John E. Hargrave who has signed the certificate immediately preceding this is a Clergyman resident of the County of Dinwiddie, and that Joseph Goodwin who has also signed the same, is also a resident of the same County, and that they are credible, respectable persons, and that this statement is entitled to credit.
I John P. Crump, Clerk of the County Court of Dinwiddie County, do hereby certify that the forego- ing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joel Sherwin and for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and the seal of my office, this 20th day of August, in the year of our Lord 1832, and of our inde- pendence the 57th.

15392
Glimmer
26 Feb. '33 Obj. 16
C 29'3
Same as a previous 12m off 40—
How
Mr. Alexander H.R.

BRIEF in the case of Joel Sturdivant  County of Dinwiddie  in the State of Virginia  (Act 7th June, 1839)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Can't  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 69  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.     dropped 1st of July In 1799 3 Legionary Gen. Sturdivant Virginia Militia   his next term was for 3 " Capt Geo. Pegram "   dropped 3 " Capt Baker "   dropped 1781 3 " Capt Gibbs "   3 " Capt Wm Lewis "   12  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Not any  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Dinwiddie Co. Virginia  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses & traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attached 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Chas S. Wilson Examining Clerk.  24th July 1839

Crawfordsville Ind December 3 d
Sir
My friend Mr Henry Lane of Crawfordsville Ind informed me that if I would write to you you relative to the claim of the Revolutionary Soldiers you could give me any information I would wish. I would like to know if on the list of soldiers the name of Joel Sturdivant of Dinwiddie County Virginia a Capt in the Navy I think, is not registered. My mother had two uncles one in the Navy the other in the Army. John Sturdivant the Bro of Joel in the Army had his land given to his heirs some seventeen years ago. Mr Chambers Congressman from Kentucky was employed to attend to getting these lands he died suddenly in Washington since then nothing has been done with it will you be kind enough my dear Sir to see whether Uncle Joel's name is on the list and give me any information you may deem necessary to aid me in receiving the claim in case it should be worth looking after.
Respectfully
Yrs
Jacey Hollins
Address all to Lucy Holton Crawfordsville Ind

February 4, 1931
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section EEL Am
Mrs. R.D. Sturdivant Berlin Alabama
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.6150, that Joel Sturdivant was born June 6, 1763 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia.
While residing in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, he enlisted July 1, 1779, served four tours of three months each, the last in 1781, as private and sergeant under Captains George Pegram, Baker Pegram, Gibbs, William Walker and William Lewis and Colonel Faulkner in the Virginia Troops.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 20, 1832, while residing in Dinwiddie County, Virginia.
There are no data as to his family.
The above is the history of the only soldier named Joel Sturdivant, under any spelling of that surname, found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
No charge is made for this service.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Berlin, Alabama. Jan. 16th. 1931.
Mr. E.M. Morgan, Acting Commissioner, Veterans Administration, United States Bureau Of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir :-
Will you be so kind as to furnish me with the data on record at the Bureau Of Pensions about Lieut. Joel Sturdivant, who served in the Revolutionary War from Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Our tradition is that he drew a pension for his service Was Lieut. on a ship commanded by Capt. Joel Sturdivant.
The following note may help you to locate the Joel Sturdivant whom I seek :
" I, John Sturdivant, of Hancock County, Georgia, nominate and appoint Bevly Anderson of Petersburg, Va. my attorney, Oct. 1834. Received military warrant No. 1801 for heirs of Joel Sturdivant, Signed Bev. Anderson."
Any data that you will be so kind as to give me will be most gratefully received. If there is a fee for copying the data, please advise, so that I can send same.
Thanking you in advance, Very resp'tly yours,
Elizabeth R. Sturdivant (Mrs) R.D. Sturdivant, Berlin, Alabama.

Reorgan
6150
INVALID.
1931-Feb 4 - Hist. to Mrs R.D. Sturdivant, EGS
File No. 6150
Joel Sturdivant Col Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: Vol. M , Page 357
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Joel Sturdivant

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Good Shepherd 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? X 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? Yes 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? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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?
X XVI. †Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No  No. See Answer 16
X XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  See 76
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.

Joel Hurd's att.
This pensioner died shortly after the last annuity was recd. The heirs claim nothing more & desired me to return this certificate to the pension office - March 4 th 1842 M c G. Kennerly clerk of Div.
recd July 28. 1842
Payments to be made at Richmond by the Presd: U.S. Br: Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Virginia
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E. Vol. 6. Page 26 by W m Miller Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1882, Loel Sturdivant of the State of Virginia who was a prisoner in the war of the revolution.
is entitled to receive Forty — dollars and — cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1881, 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 18th day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three
John D. Root Acting Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.