Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8857, for William Locke, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Locke, William or Starr
S 8857
CONTENTS

25, 1838
Ohio - Pittsburgh Agency
William Locke alias Star of Jefferson Co. in the State of Ohio who was a sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Reck of the Regt commanded by Col Armstrong in the Margineer line for
200 Dr of Cavalry $100. -
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio - P. Agency at the rate of 100 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of Dec r and sent to 1833 Mr H. H. Scavitt, 1st of Rep
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 - 250. 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Nov '33 50
300 -
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. P. Spayen Clerk, Book C Vol. 8 Page 117 -
118
Set to Wheeling age 29 1837 - do. to same May 9. 1837 " Same J. S. Moteley 12 June 1845
Dead

Acc. 25. Sep -
9805
Ohio

State of Ohio, Jefferson County ss.
On this 28 28 th of August 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the court of Common Pleas of said Jefferson county now sitting, William Locke, otherwise called William Starr, a resident of Rip township, in said county of Jefferson aged eighty eight years the 1 st day of March last, who being duly sworn according to law, on oath, makes the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That he enlisted as a private, in the service service of the United States, at Moron's Mill, Frederick County, in the State of Virginia, in the company of Light Artillery, raised by order of Governor Jefferson of the State of Virginia, some time in the latter part of the month of December 1779, or near as this declarant can recollect, with Capt. Reed, (whose Christian name declarant does not remember) then the commander of said company - This company was an independent company of state troops, and not attached to or connected with any Regiments - This declarant enlisted for during the war - The next spring after his enlistment, Capt. Reed resigned his command, or quitted the army for some cause, and the command of the company then devolved upon Capt. Arnaud, or Arnone, a French Officer, who commanded the company for some months, and then the command of the company devolved upon Capt. Arnauld of Virginia, who continued to serve as Captain till the close of the war. This declarant further says, that he thinks John Goodall was the first Lieutenant of the company, when he first enlisted, & William Fingsley or Finsley, 2 nd Lieutenant - who continued to serve as such during the war - William Graves officiated as the quarter master of said company. This declarant further states, that he was honorably discharged at the close of the war, he thinks in Sept. 1781 or '82 - Before

The company was discharged, the company it was marched to Richmond Virginia, and this declarant feels certain, that his discharge was signed by Governor Jefferson. This declarant at the time of his enlistment resided in Frederick county, in the state of Virginia. He was at the battle of York town, and actively engaged in that action - during his service, he was often employed as an express rider, & in that capacity traversed every part of Eastern Virginia. This declarant further states, in explanation of the fact of his having two names, that he is by birth an Englishman, and was pressed into the service of Great Britain in the city of London, near the beginning of the revolutionary war, and landed at Long Island, from Long Island, from whence he deserted from the British Army - His real name is William Starr , but after his desertion from the British army he changed his name to William Locke , and by that name enlisted in the American service as above stated. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of any agency in any state.
James Ross Wells Clerk William his  H Locke mark
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant, was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I James Ross Wells, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said Jefferson County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of William Locke, for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Stauntonville, this 4 th day of September A.D. 1832.
James Ross Wells Clerk

9.805
William Locke alias Starr Jefferson Co Ohio Pits
Adm 2 years Four Cavalry $100.
Hon A. H. Searle Ho. of Rep.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
25 th Nov. 1 Nov. 1833.
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 William Locke alias Stark.
   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.     Decr 1779. priv Car Cap. Reed Col Arnyang 88 years Fred Co No  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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)                      , who has 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 inquiry 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 three 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 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.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section KRL
June 26, 1930
Galen H. Swimley Bunker Hill West Virginia
Dear Sir:
Filed I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.8857, it appears that William Starr, an Englishman, was born March 1, 1744, place not stated. He was pressed into the British service, at London, early in the Revolution and landed at Long Island, where he deserted from the British Army and changed his name to William Locke .
While living in Frederick County, Virginia, he enlisted in December, 1779, and served as a private in Captain Reed and Armisted's Independent Company of Virginia Light Dragoons under the command of Colonel Armand. He was engaged at the siege of Yorktown and was discharged in September, 1781 or 1782.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 25, 1832, while living in Ross Township, Jefferson County, Ohio.
There are no data as to his family.
The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to John or George Locke, under any spelling of the surname.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Moore's Gatt Works Apr 20th 1837
Martin Van Buren President of U.S.A.
Dear Sir I hope you will not consider me impertinent who is an obscure individual in addressing you to - I suppose it to be said that I am an old Revolutionary Soldier now near 93 years of age of pecuniary Circumstances & very frail. My papers necessary for the receiving of the pay due 4th of March have been drafted by an experienced hand. & have been returned 3 times. The objection to the first was in the close of the affidavit of identity. My Clerk had written "Executed in presence of" the agent at whaling whose penetration must be very acute directed it to be closed (signed sealed in presence) a new paper was required. which was accordingly prepared & forwarded. No objection was found except a small drop of ink which had accidentally fell on the paper but obliterated in no respect. The third paper was objected because it was executed before a judge of the Court instead of a justice of the peace — Now my dear friend whether those grounds upon which the several papers have been rejected are valid I do not take upon me to determine but I am well assured the former agent at Pittsburgh would have passed it. — The papers rejected have been examined by a legal character who without hesitation pronounces them good. — The cost to me including clerks fees postage &c. will be little less than $6. I have no doubt you will hear of the rascally conduct from other sources & I trust you will adopt such measures as will protect the rights of those who

who have bled in the service of their Country I am at a loss whether to make another trial or not. as it seems almost hopeless as the scoundrel who is agent seems determined to evade the payment I hope you will excuse my troubling you
Sincerely yours
Wm. Lock (alias) Starr
0711 April 28. 1837.
Pension Office
Jemmed J.B.P.
Moors Satt works ap 20th
Free
His Excellency
Martin Van Buren
President of the U.S.A.
Washington
D.C.
Ref to the Subt of War M.W.B.

Steubenville June 3 d 1873
Dear Sir
I have the honor to transmit to you a Pension Certificate, Evidence of the death of the Pensioner, of the appointment of an Administrator. Also an affidavit of the Pensioner himself made immediately before his death. If the papers are not all in form, to obtain an order for the arrears of the pension from the last payment, to the time of the death of the Pensioner, please let one of your Clerks send me the forms for that purpose
Very Respectfully. Your friend
Col. J. Smith.
V. Hokeby
Col. J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions Washington

12 June 1843
L. Stokeley

188 Pension Office June 12 th 1843
Sir I have this day instructed the Pension Agent at Wheeling, Virginia, to pay the amount due, William Locke, alias Starr, upon the production of the proper vouchers. The papers are herewith returned.
I am &c
J. Stokes Esq. Steubenville Ohio

Auditors Office
Dec: 4. 1833.
Sir
I have received from you the papers concerning John Miller, George Alban and William Locke, and have had their cases examined.
There are four persons named John Miller on the army Registers in this Office who settled their accounts for depreciation. A certificate in reference to one of them a soldier of cavalry I send you. W m Locke or Starr, is not on the army Registers, — but it appears that a William Locke of the State line received Land Bounty.
John Alban is not to be found on either Register of depreciation settlements nor did he receive Land.
Very respectfully
Your obed t Serv t
J. E. Heath

[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through.]
REC FEB 23 1926 DIVISION

Law Office J. CLINTON SEARLE Suite 306-307 Robinson Bldg. Rock Island, Illinois
February 20. 1926.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Record Division, Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs;
Kindly send me a statement of the military history of WILLIAM LOCKE alias WILLIAM STARR, a soldier in the REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Including birth, time of enlistment, service, date of application for pension, residence, death or when pension ceased, and any other information of his record.
Enclosed find check for One Dollar for same, if this is not correct, kindly notify me and thanking you for the information.
Yours Truly,
Enc. chk. GS.S
Mrs. J. Clinton Searle 307 Robinson Bldg Rock Island Ills.

1911 Feb 17 Hist. to Professor J. C. Sanders, V. L. M. 1926 Feb 23 Hist. to Mrs. J. C. Searle & check for one dol- lar returned to her. au. 1927 Jan. 21 Mrs. Banya Hall advised as to her get date of death - 2:30 returned to her. See letter & receipts in Peter Houghton's 6981 aug. 1930 June 26 Hist. to Gale F. Swinney - E.E.R.
Reborn
8857
INVALID.
File No. 8857
William L. Creech  Prior Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1932
Index: - Vol. 101 , Page 227
[Arrangement of 1870.]

3-2233
113
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
Feb. 23. 1926
Chief Rev. Sect. Division.
I have this day received from Mrs. J. Clinton Searle, check No. .... for $1.00, requesting
photostat copy post office address } as per
letter herewith.
check returned Div and Finance Div Moff. AW
O. J. RANDALL
Chief Finance Div.
26.6 L.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
February 23, 1926.
Mrs. J. Clinton Searle, 307 Robinson Building, Rock Island, Ills.
Madam:
In response to your letter of the twentieth instant, I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 8857, it appears that William Starr, an Englishman, was born March 1, 1744, place not stated. He was pressed into the British service, at London early in the Revolution and landed at Long Island, where he deserted from the British Army and changed his name to William Locke.
While living in Frederick County, Virginia, he enlisted in December 1779 and served as a private, in Captains Reed and Armisted's Independent Company of Virginia Light Dragoons under the command of Colonel Armand. He was engaged at the Siege of York and was discharged in September 1781, or 1782.
He was allowed pension, on his application executed August 25, 1832, while living in Ross Township, Jefferson County, Ohio.

Book 1879-1880, Ills. Pittsburgh, Ohio His. 1. Clinton Searle
Report No. 1880.
There is no data on file as to family.
For the date of his death, you should apply to the Record Section, Civil Division, General Accounting Office, 1800 E. St. N. W. Washington, D. C. citing all of the following data: William Locke, alias Starr, Certificate 25738, issued October 30, 1833, rate $100 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Pittsburgh, Ohio Agency.
No fee is charged for this service and herewith is returned your check for one dollar on the State Bank of Orion, Ills, dated February 20, 1926, drawn to the order of the Department of the Interior, signed Gail South Searle.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

Bunker Hill, W. Va. April 24, 1930.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
✓ Please send me Revolutionary pension records, if any, of John, ✓ George and William Locke or Lock (occasionally spelled Lauck ), of Frederick (or Berkeley) County, Va., with beneficiaries if any, and oblige,
Yours very truly,
Galen H. Swinimley

Act. July. 15, 1911. p
Am. 8 9022 only S- Mf. 3 8857 " "

J. C. SANDERS, A. B. SCIENCE
PREPARATORY BRANCH WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY KEYSER, WEST VIRGINIA
Feb. 8, 1911
Sir:
Does your office contain any record of service in the Revolutionary war of either of the following men:?
Abner Messenger, of Conn, or William Locke, of Virginia ??
If you have record of both or either, I would be pleased to have copy of same.
Respectfully,
To the Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
J. Sanders
FEB 10 1911