Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,883, for John Mc Cloud, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
McCloud, John
S 13,883
CONTENTS
carded

7666 Kentucky
John M c Cloud of Bourbon Co in the State of Kentucky who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Little of the Reg t commanded by Colonel Daniel in the Virginia line for 10 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of May 1833 and Sarah Thomas D Smith Davis
Arrears to the 4th of March 66 66 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept 16 66 $83 32
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 18

21,682.
John R c Gland: Bourbon Kentucky.
from - private 10 months - $33. 33 100.
Little
Daniel
va
Thomas P. Smith, clk. Paris Bourbon County, 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 subjunctive 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 John M c Cloud, of Bourbon Co., Ky.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Draft. 1 P. Capt. Charles Little. Col. Daniel M c Cloud. Fairfax County from thence to Alexandria. Fairfax County Virginia. Traditional.   " 3 " Capt. Rich and John Col. Jas. Coleman Loudoun from thence to Lancaster. Aged 29 years   " 3 " Lieut. M c Cloud to Log Town from thence to Schuylkill.   " 3 " Thence to the Battle of Brandywine as fought from thence to Germantown.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 subjined 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 John M c Cloud, of Bourbon Co., Ky.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Draper. 1 P. Capt. Charles Little. Col. Daniel M c Cloud. Fairfax County from thence to Alexandria. Fairfax County, Virginia. Aged 22 years. Traditionary.   " 3 " Capt. Rich and Town. Col. Jas. Coleman. to Manassas.   " 3 " Lieut. Hill. Loudoun from thence to Lancaster.   " 3 " gone to Log Town from thence to Schuylkill. from thence to the Battle of Brandywine. was fought from thence to Germantown.  
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 }
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 day 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 _____ month; 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 , 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 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.
[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.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of Kentucky Bourbon County } fel On this the 10 th day of December 1832 personally appeared before me John Hedge a Justice of the peace in & for the County & State aforesaid. John McCloud a resident of the said County of Bourbon aged ninety two years the 16 th March next 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 Officers & served as hereinafter stated. He was first drafted for one month in Fairfax County Virginia & served that time his Captain was Charles Little, his Colonel was Daniel McCarly. during this service he was marched first to Alexandria then to the dwelling house of General Washington for the purpose of guarding it, at the house of General Washington his term expired & he was discharged; He was afterwards in Loudoun County Virginia at the house of William Bernmer drafted for three months his Captain was Richard Spurr. Kilgore Lieut.; Col. James Coleman Commanded the Regiment to which Spurr's Company was attached. He served this tour of three months & during this service, he was marched from Bernmer's house in Loudoun County to the Northward first he thinks to Lancaster then to Logtown, then to the Schuylkill then to the Brandywine, he arrived upon the ground when the battle of Brandywine was fought about eight days after the battle, he was then marched to Germantown then to the Rising Sun near Philad. & then to the Hanging Rock at which place he received his discharge from Capt. Spurr. He then returned home Loudoun County Va. & was afterwards again drafted for three months & served that time under the same Captain He was this time drafted at Kilgore's house in Loudoun County was marched by Captain Spurr from Kilgore's to the Army in Gloucester County Va. when he remained some time & was then with what he thinks about one half of the Army marched to a place called Russian on the River York at which last place he received his discharge and returned home to Loudoun County. He was afterwards drafted again under the same Captain for three months

and served that time. During this service he was discharged from the home of Captain Sparr in London County to the army in Gloucester County when he remained some time, was then marched to the Hanging Rock where he was discharged & returned to London County where he lives. He states that in all he served fifteen months, that his memory has failed him so that he cannot recollect further particulars than such as already have been stated, that he has forgotten the particular years when he was in the service & has not mentioned them, his memory that it has failed in this, serves him as to the length of his service & other particulars as before stated. He states that in every instance he received a regular written discharge from his officers but that when he moved from Virginia to Kentucky at supposing that they would ever be of any service to him, he destroyed them. He states that he has no documentary evidence whatever & knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service. He was born in Piscataway County, State of Maryland & though he has no register of his age he thinks thence believes that on the 16 th of March next he will be 92 years old. He lived in Fairfax County Va. then in London County Va. as before mentioned, he moved from Fairfax County London County to Bourbon County Kentucky eighteen years ago to the neighborhood where he now lives & has been living there ever since, he states that from his age & consequent disease & debility he has been confined to his bed for the six months last past & is now utterly unable to attend the Town of Paris at which place the Bourbon Circuit & County Courts are held. He states that there is no clergyman in his neighborhood who can state as to his reputation of his services in the Revolution, but he can mention Michael Hoff, Spencer Buckhanon & Jacob Leuberg to whom he is well known, who can state as to the common rumor & reputation on that subject. 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 or a grant of any state. He states that his hand shakes so much that he is unable to write his name or even to make his mark & has to direct another to write it for him.
John M c Cloud.
State of Kentucky Bourbon County Feb.
I John Hedges a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that on this the 10 th day of Dec r 1832 at the house of John M c Cloud in the County aforesaid the said John M c Cloud being the same person whose name is attached to the foregoing declaration, personally appeared before me & made oath in due form of Law that the statements of the foregoing declaration are true & that he served in the Revolutionary war as therein stated - And I do further certify that the said Applicant John M c Cloud is an individual of good character & that he is now confined to his bed & has been for several months past from old age & consequent debility & that it will be & is entirely impracticable for him to attend any Court to make his declaration for a pension - Given under my hand & seal this day & date aforesaid.
John Hedges
State of Kentucky Feb.
Bourbon County Court January Term 1833.
On this the 7 th day of January 1833 personally appeared in open Court Michael Staff & Jacob Levenbaugh & made oath in due form of Law, that they reside in the said County of Bourbon & in the same neighborhood where John M c Cloud who has made & sworn to the foregoing declaration lives, that they are well acquainted with said M c Cloud that they believe him to be ninety two years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that they

Concur in this opinion - Sworn to & testified to the day before a year last aforn?
Michael Neff
Jacob Lovelough
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter that the within named applicant, was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states - And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Michael Neff & Jacob Lovelough who have signed & sworn to the preceding certificate are residents in the said County of Bourbon, are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit -
I Thomas P. Smith Clerk of the Court for the said County of Bourbon do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John McCloud for a pension - And I do further certify that John Hedges Genl. before whom the within declaration of the said McCloud was taken & whose certificate of that fact is within and is dated the 10 th of December 1832, is at this present time sworn at the time of the taking of said declaration an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Bourbon, duly commissioned & sworn & that full faith & credit is due & ought to be given to all his official acts as such as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere and that his signature is genuine - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office the 7 th day of January 1833.
Thos. P. Smith. Clerk
68 P 17
John McCloud

Rev. War Section.
September 26, 1923.
Mrs. R. H. Foster, Pineville, Box 307, La.
Madam;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 13883 , it appears that John McCloud was born in Piscataway County, Maryland on March 16, 1741, and while residing in Fairfax County, Virginia, served one month in Captain Charles Little's company, Colonel Daniel McCarty's regiment of Virginia troops, and while living in Loudoun County, Virginia, he served three months in Captain Richard Spurr's company, Colonel James Coleman's regiment, and three months again under Captain Richard Spurr, also three months another time under same Captain, no dates of service are stated.
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 10, 1832, while living in Bourbon County, Kentucky. There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

1923 Sept. 26 Hair to Mrs. R. H. Foster Cur.
Reskin
✓ 13.883 INVALID.
File No. 13.883
John M c Cloud Pris. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: — Vol. 1 , Page 247
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Revolutionary Claim)
FREE
Jan. 19
Ry. 21582
Hon. Lewis Cap. Sec. War 5 Washington City D.C.

Pineville, La.,
Aug 6 th 23
Director of Pensions Office, Washington 42 D. C.
Sir - may I ask for all information of John McCloud who applied for pension in 1881 from Bourbon County Kentucky but served with Virginia during the Revolution.

Respectfully,
Mrs. R. H. Foster
Box 307
Pineville,
La.