Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32557, for Henry Thornhill, Virginia

SERVICE
Va
Thornhill, Henry
NUMBER
S 32557
CONTENTS

Illinois - 19927.
Henry Thornhill Madison Co. in the State of Ill. who was a Private, in the Co. commanded by Captain Cravens of the Regt commanded by Genl. M c Intosh in the Virginia line for 9 months,
Inscribed on the Roll of Ills. at the rate of 30 Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Sept. 1833 and sent to David Pickett Edwardsville, M.C. Ill.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep - 33. - 75.00 Comm-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar. '31. 15.00 $ 90.00
Recorded By Miss Salma Clerk, Book C Vol. 8 Page 62, { Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }

8.998 Henry Thornhill Illinois
Thornhill,
Return 5.
Adm 9. Months
$ 30.—
D. Birkitt David Agent Edwardsville Madison County Ill

BRIEF in the case of Henry Thornhill County of Madison in the State of Illinois (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  How old is he? 75  State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. Gen.     "Some time in May year not recollected" In 17 volunteered about 5 1/2 private Capt Brown   Then again no date - " 8 " " G. S. McIntosh   July again 1841 volunteered 3 " Capt Hogan   14 months  
5. In what battles was he engaged? none Minonoca
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Rockingham Virginia
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional one living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The persons are not given - nor the exact time of service
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George F. Taylor
Examining Clerk.

State of Illinois } County of Madison }
On this 5 th day of September 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the County Commissioners Court of the County of Madison and State of Illinois, now sitting, Henry Thornhill, a resident of Goshen Township, in the County of Madison, and State of Illinois, aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn accor- -ding to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated: The said Henry Thornhill volunteered as a private soldier in the County of Rockingham, State of Virginia, under the Command of Captain Robert Craven, in the Virginia Militia, some time in the month of April, or May the year not recollected, and marched against the Indians to a place called the Digges Valley, from thence to the West Fork of the Monongahela river, below Red Stone, & there remained for about five months & was then discharged. He resided in the County of Rockingham and State of Virginia when he was discharged, & when he volunteered, was in no battle altho' they marched in close pursuit of the Indians for two days through the "West Fork Country," so called, but was not able to overtake them.
There was no other Company that marched with Captain Robert Craven, & he does not recollect the names of any Officers in any other Company, or in any Regiment. He further states that Michael Trout was one of the Lieutenants in said Company, & was left in the Command of a part of the Company, con- -sisting of thirty two men, deponent being one, which

the Captain took the balance of the Company and joined Genl. McIntosh, who was then in pursuit of the Indians, from which Campaign, Capt Craven did not return before disponent was discharged. He states that he received no discharge & that he has no documentary evidence. He says that he was in the service at this time six months.
He further states that he again entered the service as a Volunteer soldier in the Virginia Militia, County of Rockingham, State of Virginia, in the month of July, year not recollected, under the Command of Captain Ragans, and marched from said County through Williamsburg to Yorktown, was at the siege of that place, and remained there until within five days of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis.
He states that he thinks Captain Ragans Company was attached to the 10 th Virginia Regiment, but that he does not recollect the officers name commanding said Regiment.
He says that as Lord Cornwallis marched through Virginia from North Carolina, Captain Ragans & several other Companies marched after him, he keeping, as is said, about 20 miles ahead of them. He does not recollect the names of the lieutenants in Captain Ragans Company, nor of any other Officer that marched with them at that time. He says that in about two weeks after their arrival at Yorktown General Washington arrived & took the command.
He says that he was discharged five days before the surrender of Lord Cornwallis & that he remained in service, at this time, three months. He states that he received no discharge for this service, & that he has no documentary evidence. He says that he was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, and resided there until the year 1821, & then removed

to the state of Illinois, where he has resided ever since.
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 & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Henry V. Thornhill not
State of Illinois Madison County
On this 5 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the County Commissioners Court of the County of Madison, now sitting, Michael Beck a resident of the County of Madison & state of Illinois, aged 73 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, say that to his own knowledge, Henry Thornhill who has signed the foregoing declaration, served the six months under the command of Captain Robert Craven as stated by him. That witness resided in Rockingham County state of Virginia, where the said Thornhill volunteered & where said Thornhill resided. Witness went the Campaign with said Thornhill & when the Company was divided, went with Captain Craven & joined Genl. M c Intosh. He thinks this service was performed about two years before the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, and that at this time, they were in service six months. Witness has known said Thornhill from a boy & believes him to be the age he states. Witness also knows that he served the three months as stated by him in the foregoing declaration, that he served under Captain Ragan as stated by him, & that Jacob Linkhorn was the Lieutenant in said Company. Witness resided in Rockingham County at this time and altho' he did not belong to the same Company with  that said Thornhill did, yet he knows when he volunteered, saw him at

Yorktown, & knows that he was discharged as stated by him, about five days before the surrender of Lord Cornwallis -
Sworn to & subscribed The day & year aforesaid
Michael Deck
We, Washington C Ballard, a clergyman, residing in the County of Madison and State of Illinois, and Michael Deck, residing in the same County & State, 899 hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Henry Thoenhill, who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 75 years of age; that he is reputed & believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, & that we concur in that opinion.
Washington C Ballard Michael Deck Jr.
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 Washington C Ballard, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the County of Madison and State of Illinois; and that Michael Deck, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same County & State, and is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to credit -
I John S Lusk Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of Madison County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Henry Thoenhill for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Edwardsville this fifth day of September 1882.
John S Lusk Clerk

32 557 Rev INVALID.
1912, Aug. 14. History to Chas. F. Mills Letter with d.f. 32,583 Nathaniel West
File No. 32,557
Henry Thornhill His Rev. was
Act: June 1 st 32"
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 431
[Arrangement of 1870.]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Henry Thornhill 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? no 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? 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? yes
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? yes
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? yes  1st 2nd
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.
There is a discrepancy in the statements of the applicant It is evident there was but one term of service under Capt Craven & yet he says he served 5 and then 6 months. — if there were two periods one of 5 and one of 6 months he should so state & give dates of circumstances etc — the papers are therefore returned. —

FREE
EDWARDVILLE AUG 10 ILL
Rev. A. D.
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C. 1861

Edwardsville, Ill. Aug. 9. 1835.
J. S. Edwards Esq.
Sir,
Enclosed, I send you the amended declaration of Henry Thornhill, which, I hope, is sufficient. If any thing should be wanting, however, please return it as soon as convenient as Mr. T. is very old & cannot expect to enjoy the benefit of his pension long. I should have sent the amended declaration much sooner but have been absent. If you should deem the amended declaration sufficient, please enclose the certificate to Mr. T. as I shall have to be absent on the Circuit if my health will permit.
I am &c. &c.
David Pickett

Henry Thornhill
Amended declaration

State of Illinois } Madison County } Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in & for the County and State aforesaid Henry Thornhill, who, being duly sworn, de- -poseth 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 recollec- -tions he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For six months I served as a private under Captain Robert Craven as intended to be stated in my former dec- -laration - For three months I served as a private under Captain Ragan, as is also stated in my former declaration; and for such service I claim a pension.
Taken, sworn to & } Henry his Thornhill subscribed before } mark me this 9 th day of August A.D. 1833.
David Rickett Justice of the Peace " " for Madison Co. Ill.

State of Illinois Madison County ss. I John V. Lusk Clerk of the County Commissioners Court (and ex-officio recorder of civil commissions) in and for the County and State aforesaid, do certify that David Prickett Esq. whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavit was this day an ac- ting Justice of the peace in and for said County of Madison, duly commissioned and qualified and as such full faith and credit is, and ought to be given to all his official acts, and further I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said David Prickett, and verily believe his signature to the forego- ing affidavit to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and af- fixed the Seal of the said Court at Edwardsville this 9 th day of August A.D. 1853
J. V. Lusk Clerk