Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6,298, for William Lester, Virginia

SERVICE
Va.
Lester William
NUMBER
R. 6,298
CONTENTS

34.067 Mrs. Lester Mrs. Lester Declaration for Pension James

State of Tennessee Wilson County  Circuit Court, March Term 1837
On this 8th day of March 1837 personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. Saml. Anderson now sitting as presiding judge of said Court, the same being a court of record, William Lester a resident citizen of said County of Wilson & State of Tennessee, aged seventy six years on the 3rd day of October next, who being first duly sworn according to law, who does on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed July 7 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers & served as herein stated.
In July 1779 he volunteered, in Bedford County State of Virginia for two months service. James Adams was his Captain - John Magohie was one Lieutenant - Henry Peterson was Ensign. Charles Lynch was Colonel - the other officers not recalled. The object of this force was to guard the lead mines in Montgomery or Fincastle as they were then called, not far from Fort Chisell on New River. They had no battle on that tour but took many of the Tories prisoners. He remained most of the time in the fort except when they would go out in detachments to scour the country, in which he frequently engaged. Under this engagement continued in the service two months & was regularly discharged.
In 1781, as he now thinks, at the time Cornwallis was surrounding the country, a proclamation was issued calling for volunteers for six weeks to arrest his progress, & promising that all who would enter that service should have a credit of two months. Under this invitation he volunteered, under Captain John Buckley - the other officers not now remembered. He then lived in Pitsylvania Va. They marched to Hillsborough, where they went under the command of Genl. Stevens as he now thinks. From that they marched on towards Guilford under Genl. Greene. He was not in the Battle of Guilford, but was placed with others

to guard the baggage wagons, & continued on that duty till after the battle, when he with the others were discharged. He was in actual service on this tour at least 30 days.
In the same year (1781) he again volunteered under Quarter Master McGraw, into the service of the United States, to convey provisions & forage from one part to another for the army. In this engagement he drove a wagon of the government, in the transportation of provisions for the army as before stated from Pittsburgh in Va. to different points in North Carolina, on the Catawba & other places, for sixty five days when he was discharged.
So he served in all Six months & five days , counting the Guilford tour according to the terms of the said proclamation. He moved from Bedford Va. to Pittsburgh then to Radford Va. then to Campbell Va. then to Nelson County Va. He has never been married. He has no documentary evidence, or living witnesses by whom he can prove his service. He is now 86 years of age. He has never received a pension, & also never made any pension roll. He has never received a pension, & also never made any pension claim for a pension but the present sworn to in open court.
Wm L. Martin clerk of the circuit court of Nelson county
1837 Sept 1
We John Bonds  Benj. Sallaby , a Clergyman, residing in Nelson County State of Tennessee & Bird Smith residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Lester who has subscribed to the above declaration - that he believes him to be in his Seventy Sixth year of age - that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed the 8th day of March 1837 in open court.
Benj. Sallaby Bird Smith
Wm L. Martin clerk of the circuit court of Nelson county

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinions, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named ap- plicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that it appears to them that Reverend  Samuel  Smith  Williams who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the County of Wilson State of Tennessee & that Bird M. Smith who has also signed the same is resident in the same County & State, & both are credible persons, & that their statement is entitled to credit Given under our hands this 17 th day of March 1837
Sam Anderson Judge B. C. Smith Clerk
I, William L. Martin Clerk of the Circuit Court of Wilson County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Lester for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office, this March 14 th 1837
Wm L. Martin Clerk of Wilson Circuit Court

June 19, 1933
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BA-J/EDL aw
William Lester-R.6298
Blanche S. Sturts 3014 West Sixth Street Kansas City, Missouri
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of John Lester, of Virginia, and of several soldiers named William Lester, also of Virginia.
A very careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made in your behalf and no record found of a claim for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon service of a John Lester, variously spelled, who served from Virginia, or who applied for pension while residing in that state. The history of William Lester, the only soldier of that name, who served from Virginia, found on the Revolutionary War records of this office, is given below, as obtained from the papers on file in his claim for pension, R.6298, based upon his military service in that war.
Search made by Mrs. Leach.
William Lester was born October 3, 1761, place not stated.
He applied for pension March 8, 1837, while residing in Wilson County, Tennessee, and stated that he enlisted in Bedford County, Virginia, in July, 1779, and served two months as a private in Captain James Adams' Company, Colonel Charles Lynch's Virginia Regiment; that he enlisted in 1781, exact date not given, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and served one month in Captain John Burkeley's Virginia Company, and that he again enlisted in same year, specific date not shown, and served sixty-five days as a wagoner under Quartermaster McCraw.
His claim was not allowed as he did not render six months service as was required by the pension laws.
He stated that he moved from Bedford County, Virginia, to

Pittsylvania County, then to Halifax County, and then to Campbell, Virginia, and then to Wilson County, Tennessee. The dates of these removals are not given.
There are no data as to the family of William Lester.
Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

April 29, 1932
William Lester-R. 6298
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RA-J/DEL
Jessie P. Dorsey 325 Merton Road Apt. 411 Detroit, Michigan
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to William Lester, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, R. 6298, based upon the military service of William Lester in that war.
William Lester was born October 3, 1761, place not stated.
He applied for pension March 8, 1837, while residing in Wilson County, Tennessee, and stated that he enlisted in Bedford County, Virginia, in July, 1779, and served two months as a private in Captain James Adams' Company, Colonel Charles Lynch's Virginia Regiment; that he enlisted in 1781, exact date not given, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and served one month in Captain John Burckley's Virginia Company, and that he again enlisted in same year, specific date not shown, and served sixty-five days as a wagoner under Quartermaster McCraw.
His claim was not allowed as he did not render six months service as was required by the pension law under which he applied.
He stated that he moved from Bedford, Virginia, to Pittsylvania, then to Halifax, and then to Campbell, Virginia, and thence to Wilson County, Tennessee. The dates of these removals are not given.
There are no data as to his family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section HEL
August 21, 1930
Mrs. W.H.Barton 318 Russell Street Nashville, Tennessee
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.6298, that William Lester was born October 3, 1761, place not stated.
He applied for pension March 8, 1837, while residing in Wilson County, Tennessee, and stated that he enlisted in Bedford County, Virginia, in July, 1779, and served two months as a private in Captain James Adams' Company, Colonel Charles Lynch's Virginia Regiment.
He enlisted in 1781, exact date not given, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and served one month in Captain John Burkeley's Virginia Company, and again enlisted in 1781, specific date not shown, and served sixty-five days as a wagoner under Quartermaster McCraw.
His claim was not allowed as he did not render six months service in an embodied military corps as was required by the pension law under which he applied.
He stated that he moved from Bedford, Virginia, to Pittsylvania, then to Halifax and then to Campbell, Virginia, and thence to Wilson County, Tennessee.
There are no data as to his family.
Very truly yours
H. B. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Lester a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1779 2 mos. Pvt. James Adams Charles Grafton Va.   1781 1 mo. John Burkeley   1781 60 days wagoner under Quarter Master M c Lean  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pennsylvania Co. Pa.
Date of application for pension, Feb. 8, 1860
Residence at date of application, Wilson Co. Tenn.
Age at date of application, born Oct. 3, 1761
Remarks: He served from Bedford Va. to Pennsylvania then to Virginia then to Campbell Va. then to Wilson Co. Tenn. He was rejected on the ground that he did not have a pension on an individual basis as required by the act of June 7, 1842 under which he applied for pension.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

3014 East Sixth St Kansas City Mo. Jul 13, 1933.
Mr/ A D. Hiller, Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
In reply to yours of BA-J/1LL--R.2298.
This Christopher Cooper whom you gave me the records, might possibly be a brother of the Cooper I am looking for. I shall have to do further work on that record. Thanks.
I would like to ask if you have anything further concerning these Lesters whom I shall write about.
John Lister, surname also borne as Lester, served as a serg. in Capt. Thomas Nelson's Co., 1st. Va. Regt., Rev. war, commanded by Col Isaac Read, Lieut. Col. Grech and Co. James Hendricks, successively; The date of his enlistment is not shown. His name first appears on company muster roll for the month of May, 1777, dated June 9, 1777, and he was discharged Febr. 15, 1778. His name is also borne on a record under the heading: "A list of Soldiers of the Virginia line and Continental Establishment who have received Certificates for the balance of thier full pay agreeable to an Act of Assembly for passed Nov. session 1781," which shows that on July 17, 1786, a certificate for £19-6 was received by William Gibbs.
The records also show that William Lester served in the Rev War as a private in Hopkin's Troop, 4th Reg. Light Gragoons commanded by Col. Stephen Moylan. He enlisted April 28, 1777, and died Sept. 25, 1777.
The records further show that one William Lester served in that war as a private in Capt. Alexander S. Dandridge's Troop in the 1st. Regt. of Light Dragoons, commanded by Col. Theodorick Bland. He enlisted Dec. 28, 1777, to serve to Dec. 28, 1780, and his name is last borne on the rolls including the month of Nov. 1778.
The name William Lester, possibly the same man, appears as a soldier of Va. Cavalry on a record under the following heading: "A list of soldiers and of the Va. line on Conti nenkal Establishment who have received certificates for the balance of their full pay Agreeable to an Act of Assembly passed Nov. 1781," which shows that on Oct. 19, 1784, the sum of £81 51 D3 was received by William Reynolds.

The name William Lester appears on the same record as a soldier of Va. Infantry which shows that the sum of $16 S2 D8 was received by Mr Trigg.
Before proceeding, I would like to ask what these names William Reynolds and Mr Trigg have to do with these records. Does or was he supposed to give what was due to these Lesters mentioned?
The family by the name of Lester that I am trying to get Rev service information about were supposed to have lived in Montgomery Co Va. Have you any information regarding the above John and William Lesters, as to where they were born, where lived, who married, and children. I desire to establish Rev service under either Lester or Cooper, and seeing that I have more data concerning Lester, hope I may be able to link these families.
I received the above information regarding the war service of these Lesters from The Adjutant General's Office.
Hoping that you may be able to give me some additional information regarding the above Lesters, I am,
Very truly yours,
Benjamin S. Stultz

Detroit, Michigan March 28, 1932
Director of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:-
In order to establish my eligibility to the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, I desire information as to the service of my ancestor William Lester. ✓
Family records show that he was born in Virginia in 1760, and died in Tennessee in 1842, and that he served in Washington's Army of Virginia.
Any additional information which you can supply from your records will be greatly appreciated.
Very truly yours:
Jessie P. Dorsey
Jessie P. Dorsey 325 Merton Road Apt. 411 Detroit, Mich.

Edgefield Baptist Church
W. HENDERSON BARTON, Pastor Nashville, Tenn.
July 24, 1930
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Among our family records I have found papers showing that my great, great grandfather William Tester (or W.M. Tester) lacked only a few days of serving six months in Revolutionary War. He was born near the "Federal City" Oct 3, 1761 and died June 3, 1842. He moved to Tennessee in the fall of 1816.
Would you please search your records for some reference to him. If there is any fee I shall be glad to forward that.
Thanking you, I am Sincerely Mrs W.H. Barton 818 Russell St. (over)

This William Lester was the son of William Lester and it might be that you have some reference to his father.

Rev Sec
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C. Sir !
Will you be kindly give me the Revolutionary service of Original Wroe of Virginia Also the service of William Lester of Virginia Both are Ancestors and I would like to get their record if possible Thanking you I am
Respectfully,
H. A. Wroe
American Nat. Bank
Austin
Tex "

P. O.
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____
1916 Jan 18 Hist. to H. A. Wood V.L.M.
1930-Aug 21-Hist. to Mrs. J. H. Barton Ex
1932 Apr 29-Hist. to Jessie P. Dorsey Ex
1933-June 19-Hist. to Blanche L. Stuart Ex
Printed list of 1862 shows cause of rejection
"Not six months
military service"

CH 24 Pension Claim
Mnn- Feb 32.
Genl. Joel R. Poinsett Secretary of War. Washington City D.C.
ET

V Wm Lester Temper
Respectfully
Out find See letter 6 th May 1837 W. L. Martin, D r to Hon. Can't find Bell Jan 9. 1838, enclosing copies of papers. same ap d 23. 1838 Criminal fine
did not serve six months, and a part of the time as a wagoner
6298
1832

apl 23.
in at
Edw. Edw.  Edw.
L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions War Department
Hon. Geo. Bell H.R.

House Veto.
April 21 st 1838
Dr. Sir
The papers of William Lester a citizen of Wilson County in the state of Tennessee are on file in your office, praying a pension. The claim was rejected. I wish to lay it before the House & will be obliged to you to cause them to be transmitted to me.
Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
M. Noble
D. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

en 4.
Wm"> Genl. J. S. Preston Wm. Leslie of Tenn-- Col. J. P. Jackson
Mus. Jan 5. 1838.
Am. J. O' Bell H R

House Reps.
Jan'y. 4 th 1858
Sir
I have to request that you transmit to me a certified copy of the declaration and other papers in the case of William Lester, a soldier of the revolution & citizen of Wilson City, Tenn. with a view to submit his claims to the House for specific relief.
Respectfully
Wm. D. Hill
James L. Dreads Esq Comm. House