Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16002, for Evan Thomas, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Thomas, Evan
S. 16002
carded
CONTENTS

Virginia 23. 449
Edward Thomas stationed in the State of Va he was a Captain in the Company: commanded by Captain Robinson of the ————— commanded ————— in the ————— for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of Jan. 34 and Sarah D. Garrison Clarkburg Ct. Va
arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 Due semi-annual allowance ending June 30 40 — $ 240 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by C. T. Clive Clerk, Book C Vol. 64 Page 35
Rev. Capt. 10 March 1835 ————— " 26. 1836 to W. G. Singleton to H. J. Klugenstein, R. D. Jan. 10. 1837 H. J. Johnson Apr. 5. 1838  not found

State of Virginia,
Harrison county - to wit:
On this thirtieth day of November, 1833, personally appeared Ewan Thomas, aged 80 years, and now a resident of the county and state aforesaid, before the undersigned, Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Harrison, and being first duly sworn, 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 was born in Chester County in the State of Pennsylvania, as he understood from his parents in the year 1753 - on the 28 th day of February - that he has no other record of his age. From thence he removed to the county of Loudoun, in the State of Virginia; thence he removed to the then District of West Augusta, in the State aforesaid (now Harrison county) where he now resides.
That in the year 1777 he volunteered as a private soldier, in a company commanded by Capt. William Robinson; that he was stationed at Powers' fort on Simpson's creek, a branch of the Monongahela river, and served a tour of six months. Again in the spring of 1778 he volunteered under the aforesaid William Robinson, was stationed at the same place, and served a tour of six months. And that in 1779 he volunteered again in a company commanded by Captain Andrew Davidson, and was stationed at Powers' fort aforesaid and served a tour of six months. Again in the year 1780 he volunteered in a company commanded by Captain Joseph Gregory, and was stationed at a block house, where Clarksburg now stands, and served a tour of six months. That in

the year 1781, in the month of March, he again volunteered, in a company commanded by the aforesaid Captain Gregory, was stationed at the place last aforesaid, and served a tour of six months. That again in the year 1782 he volunteered under the same officer, was stationed at the same place, and served a tour of six months. In all the aforesaid tours he served as a private soldier, and was employed in traversing the country between the Monongahela and Ohio rivers; that he was not engaged in any civil pursuit. He further states, that the aforesaid officers were regularly commissioned and in the service of the State aforesaid; and at the expiration of each of the above tours, he was orally discharged by his officers.
He has no documentary evidence by which to prove the above services; and knows of no living witness, except John Goodwin, whose deposition is hereto annexed. He hereby relinquishes every other claim 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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  Evan Thomas.
We Hamilton Goss, a clergyman residing in the county of Harrison, and State of Virginia, and William Martin residing in the same county and State, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Evan Thomas who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 80 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier and an indian

spy of the Revolution; and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Hamilton Goss, William Martin.
And I Joseph Johnson a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county of Harrison and State of Virginia do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and Indian spy during the Revolutionary War, and served as he states. And I do further certify that it appears to me that Hamilton Goss, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in said county of Harrison, and that William Martin, who has also signed the same is a resident also of the said county of Harrison, and is a credible person and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I do further certify that from age and infirmity, the above named Evan Thomas is unable to attend at the Court house, in order to qualify to his declaration.
Joseph Johnson, J.P.
State of Virginia, Harrison county to wit:
On the 17 th day of December, 1833, personally appeared before me Jacob Coplin a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, John Goodwin in his 72 nd year
of

of age, and made oath that he is well acquainted with Evan Thomas, the present applicant for a pension, and that he knows that in 1777 Evan Thomas volunteered in a company commanded by Captain William Robinson at Powers' fort, now in the county of Harrison, and served a tour of six months and was engaged in scouting and spying, and that he knows that the said Evan Thomas volunteered again in Captain William Robinson's company, and served a tour of six months in 1778 at Powers' fort, and was employed scouting and spying during the said tour, and that in 1779 he knows that Evan Thomas volunteered in a company of volunteers commanded by Captain Andrew Davison, and was stationed at Powers' fort, and served a tour of six months; and that he knows that Evan Thomas volunteered in a company commanded by Captain Joseph Gregory, and was stationed at a Block house where Clarksbury now stands, and served a tour of six months in 1780. And he knows that Evan Thomas volunteered in Captain Gregory's company of volunteers, and served a tour of six months at the aforesaid block house in 1781- and that Evan Thomas he believes is not less than 80 years of age, and that Captain Wm Robinson, Captain Andrew Davison & Captain Joseph Gregory were duly commissioned officers in the service of the State of Virginia as militia captains.
John his Goodwin. mark
I do further certify that John Goodwin is a

5 a credible person, and that his testimony is entitled to credit. Given under my hand the day and year aforesaid.
Jacob Coplein, J.P.
I David Davison, Clerk of the County court of Harrison, do certify that Jacob Coplein and Joseph Johnson are magistrates as aforesaid, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, this 28 th day of December, 1833.
D. Davison.
(Seal)

March 6, 1935.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Walter Anderson Box 1172 Clarksburg, West Virginia
BA-J/ady Thomas Evan, S.16002 Arthur Trader, S.30169
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to Evan Thomas and Arthur Trader, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Their records are furnished you herein as found in the claims for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary War.
Evan Thomas, S.16002
Evan Thomas was born February 28, 1753 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents are not shown. When twenty-three years old he moved to Loudoun County, Virginia, and in June 1777 moved to the District of West Augusta, that part later called Harrison County, Virginia.
Evan Thomas applied for pension November 30, 1833, at which time he was a resident of Harrison County, Virginia. He alleged that he served during the years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781 and 1782, as a private under Captains Peyton Harrison, William Robinson, Andrew Davisson and Joseph Gregory in the Virginia troops, stationed in Power's Fort and a block house near the later location of Clarksburg, from which he went out on scouting, ranging and spying tours, amounting in all to about three years service.
His name was placed on the United States pension roll of Harrison County, Virginia; the rate of his pension was $80.00 per annum. The pension certificate was issued January 24, 1834, to commence March 4, 1831.
Upon an investigation by the United States District Attorney in 1834, it was found that he was not entitled

to pension under the Act of June 7, 1833 and his name was dropped from the pension roll. The date of his death is not stated.
In June 1777 Evan Thomas was a married man. The name of his wife is not shown and there are no further family data.
*****
Arthur Trader, S.30169
Arthur Trader was born in 1747 in Augusta County, Virginia. He moved from there to Hardy County, and thence to Monongalia County.
He applied for pension December 5, 1833 at which time he was residing in Monongalia County, twenty-seven miles from the Court House, immediately on the Harrison County, Virginia, line, where he had lived for eight years.
He alleged that while residing in Monongalia County, Virginia, he enlisted and served as a private, spy and ranger with the Virginia troops as follows:
From some time in June 1776, four months in Captain Zachariah Morgan's Company, in the vicinity of Coburn's Fort, where his father, whose name is not given, had a cabin; from some time in May 1777, three months and fifteen days in Captain Zachariah Morgan's Company; from some time in May 1778, four months and fifteen days under the same captain; that in June 1779, he enlisted for five months in Captain James Neel's Company and served four months, and his father served as his substitute the last month; that from some time in June 1780, he, Arthur Trader, served three months and fifteen days in Captain Zachariah Morgan's Company and from some time in April 1781, three months and fifteen days, and in 1782, three months and six days under said Zachariah Morgan.
His name was placed on the pension roll of the United States, the rate of his pension was $79.00 per annum. The pension certificate was issued January 17, 1834 and pension commenced March 4, 1831.

Upon an investigation by the United States District Attorney, his claim was found to be fraudulent, that he did not render the alleged service and his name was dropped from the United States pension roll on March 20, 1835.
The soldier, Arthur Trader, also stated that he served in Lord Dunmore's War in 1774.
There are no family data.
Kindly make your requests over your personal signature.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

16.002 INVALID.
1935 Mar. 6. Hist. to Walter Anderson A.N.Y.
File No. 16.002
Evan Thomas
Bi Free War
Act June 7" 82
Index :— Vol. 1 , Page 374
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I HEREBY certify, that the accompanying pages numbered from one to five, inclusive, are truly copied from the original  transcribed from true copies on file in the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions, Department of War, the original having been sent from the office for the purpose of prosecution
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That JAMES L. EDWARDS, who has signed the foregoing certificate, is Commissioner of Pensions; and that to his attestations full faith and credit are and ought to be given.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the Department to be affixed, on this eleventh — day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Seven .
J. P. Butler Secretary of War, ad interim .

I HEREBY certify, that the accompanying pages numbered from one to four, inclusive, are truly copied from the originals in the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions, Department of War.
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
BE IT REMEMBERED, That JAMES L. EDWARDS, who has signed the foregoing certificate, is Commissioner of Pensions; and that to his attestations full faith and credit are and ought to be given.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the Department to be affixed, on this Twenty-sixth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- six .
Secretary of War.

Depart of War Pen. Off Apr 5 1838
Sir
I have re-examined the papers of Isaac Shinn, Evan Thomas (an) E. Goodwin, who claim for services as Indian Spies in Western Virginia, but find no justifiable grounds for restoring their names to the pension roll, at from which they were dropped in 1835.
These persons, as was common in that day emigrated to the west, and obtained, each a head of land from the Government, called a settlement right, as a remuneration for the many perils and dangers to which they were necessarily exposed from their hostile character of the Indians.
The statements of these claimants are very similar, and at the same time, very unsearching. They resided in forts or blockhouses with their families, and during the summer of each year while the revolutionary war continued, devoted themselves alternately in small parties to the cultivation of the farm, and the protection of their settlement and crops from Indian depredation.
Isaac Shinn has placed this sum in its proper light, in his explanatory statement. He states that at an early period, and was asked of the Gov r and obtained: but that the soldiers did not form

than others sent for their protection. Indeed there does not appear to have been the most remote connexion with the latter, as the military operations for authorized by public authority. The services of the former were at all times required in the making and securing of their crops, and in keeping up the system of domestic police, for their mutual defence. The affidavits of B. Nutter, M c Goodwin, are returned: - being attached together, cannot be filed with the respective papers. for which they were intended
Recorded (116) M c Gehee L. 80
Thos. W m O'Connell
April 2 d 1838
W.C.
Dear Mr. Johnson. GK

23449 Evan Thomas = Pen Harrison City
Hand. Indian
en
Not on list

Evan Thomas deans. $80-
July 18 th Thomas made the following statement of his age and revolutionary services to wit - he is in his 82 nd year of age. Raised in Pennsylvania. Remained there until he was 22 yrs. old - then moved to Indiana County. and in his 24 year of age settled in Harrison County and has resided there ever since - he came to Harrison County in June 1777. - in the year 1776. and whilst he lived in Indiana County. he went as a volunteer to the Chesapeake Bay. in pursuit of the Tories - and had come to Indiana County. that the Tories were doing great mischief in the Bay. on getting on the Bay. were informed that the Tories had dispersed - returned to Indiana County. was gone about one month - Peyton Harrison was Captain had about fifty men under him -
On coming to Harrison County in June 1777. as before stated. he went with his wife to "Forbes Fort" remained there working & hunting until next Spring. - the summer following Andrew Davis went to Allegany County. on his return. he stated that he had a Commission and was appointed to Tackett Men. himself and twenty or thirty others enlisted under Davis. don't know for what length of time. - they went out in parties of from 10 to 15 and would hunt and raid for for a - Sometimes for two or three days at a time. they would return and others would go out. and so on. was in this Fort of Service. he thinks not up than two months -
Early next Spring he removed to Clarkstown where there were a number of settlers. Some of the Settlers were engaged in clearing ground and raising bread. whilst others were scouting and guarding against the Indians - they worked and Scouted . and Scouted and worked - alternately - one part Gregory was their captain - he (Thomas) was sometimes engaged in clearing and cultivating ground. and from time to time scouting as others were. - he remained at Clarkstown employed as above detailed for from four to five years - Capt Gregory was at Clarkstown all the time - in the winter season all hands would return to their

respective settlements. and spend the winter in Hunting Hb. - the letters were not interrupted by the Indians. in the winter season. - he cant pretend to say how long in the whole he was in actual service whilst at the station above mentioned -
Jack Copelan got his pension. He supposed wrote his declaration - gave him in substance the same statement now given - he drew to his declara- tion before the said Copelan. - didnt recollect the contract made with him. but he got $100-
In testimony that the foregoing statement contains the truth. I hereto subscribe my name
July 18. 1834
Witness
Nathan Goff.
Evan Thomas
A true copy.
W. G. Singleton
Nov. 17. 1834

February 10, 1935.
U. S. PENSION BUREAU
Will you plase send me pension record as follows: Evan Thomas of the Virginia Militia Arthur Trader of the Virginia Continental.
Signature?
Walter Anderson
Box 1172
Clarksburg W Va.

Evan Thomas's papers copied by W. M. Stewart in May 1836 were handed to Mr W. G. Singleton, U.S. Atty. Aug. 12. 1839 - with aff ts of W. M. I & J. L. E. — to bring suit as for the recovery of money paid on false papers —

C O P Y
Department of War Pension Office March 10, 1835
Nathan Goff, Esq. Clarksburg Virginia
Dear Sir:
You will be pleased to notify the following named persons who have been placed upon the pension roll for the Agency of Virginia, residing in Harrison County, that upon a mature examination of the respective claims, their names have been by order of the Department stricken from the rolls as not entitled to a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, to wit.
Evan Thomas
Others not copied for this case
I am &
C O P Y