Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16442, for Larkin Lane, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Lane, Larkin
S. 16442
CONTENTS
carded

73.900 Indiana
Sarkin Lane
of Parke Co. in the State of Indiana who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Coleman of the regt commanded by Col. Merriam in the War of the Rebellion for 6 mos. 7 days from 1861.
Inscribed on the Roll of Indiana at the rate of 20. Dollars 77 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of July 1833 — and sent to Joseph A. Wright. Rockville.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $ 41.54 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 10.38
$ 51.72
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. Wilson Clerk, Book E. Vol. 10 Page 119

State of Indiana
County of Posey 55
Posey Probate Court
May Term 1833
On this 22 nd day of May 1833. personally appeared in open court before the court of Lewis Wade Judge of the court of Probate, a court of Record, now sitting. Leah  Leah a resident of Union Township, Posey county Indiana. aged 71 years and three months and - - - days, who being duly sworn, according to law, did on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That she entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and said as herein stated, that some time in July in the year 1781. (the day not recollecting) at the country of Spottsylvania State of Virginia she was drafted as a Militia man under Captain Frank Calman, Lieutenant Benjamin Penherton, Major John Henderson, Col. Thomas Mendenhall. about twenty miles from Fredericksburg in the State of Virginia. at a place called Chubb's old iron mines in said countys of Spottsylvania. we marched from there to Falmouth Farms. beyond Fredericksburg leaving Fredericksburg to the right. we stayed at Falmouth about a week, and then the Pennsylvania Key Stone Battery was retreating from the bridge of York. and we gained them about 15 miles from Falmouth; we then kept on up the country until General Washington's regular army joined us near the Raccoon ford on the Potomac River, and we then followed them until we got into York. we were stationed at the new Magazine near Williamsburg until Genl. Washington's artillery came from the Nation, then we were moved down below Williamsburg at a place called the Deep Springs, we laid there three

or four weeks, then we moved from there to York, and continued there until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox then stayed there until we took his men to Albemarle Barracks. We went no farther than Fredericksburg. There I got my discharge, having been in said tour three months, in said tour from Colonel the captain was sick a part of the time, and also John Ligg from Fredericksburg served in his place. I returned home to my residence in Spottsylvania County onward, where in November 1780. at the said County of Spottsylvania and state of Virginia under the officers as above stated except that the said John Ligg was our captain all of the last tour, was drafted to said second tour, for at that time all the men between 16 and 50 were subject to be drafted, as Lord Cornwallis was at that time running over the country and plundering the same, we started from the same place in said County of Spottsylvania onward, and marched to the Albemarle Barracks, where we stayed until we were discharged, having been in said last tour three months and four days, and business. At the Albemarle Barracks was to guard the prisoners. We were in said last tour one Major Boice was given written discharge for both of said tours, but have not been long since lost or mislaid at the time . The names of no person living by whom we can prove his services. The Party relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except to present and declare that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state. Therefore in answer And he made the following answers to the questions propounded to him by the court. That he was here in the 1762 on the 22 nd day of February at the County of Spottsylvania and state of Virginia, and that he has no record of his age, and that he was living in the County of Spottsylvania state of Virginia when called into service, and that he was drafted, and that he cannot state any other officers, names or any other circumstances.

connected with his service then abandoned. And that he and since two discharges that the same have long since been lost, and that from Holliston County of Essex. He moved to the county of Linn in the state of Virginia, and moved from there to the state of Kentucky, and from there to the state of Indiana, the names of the persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood are Aaron Harland Charles Sargent and Moses Brooks, who can testify as to his character for truth and morality and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Given and subscribed in open Court
May 22 nd 1833 S.arkin Lane
We Aaron Harland a clergyman residing in the neighborhood of the said Sarkin Lane and Charles Sargent and Moses Brooks in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Sarkin Lane, who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration, that we believe him to be of the age of Seventy one years, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.  Given and subscribed on day and Aaron Harland year aforesaid Moses Brooks Charles Sargent
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 Sarkin Lane was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Aaron Harland who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman residing in the neighborhood of the said Sarkin Lane, and the most Minister of the Gospel in said township of Union and county of Port to the said Lane, and that Charles Sargent and Moses Brooks, who has also signed the same are residents of said Township of Union and county of Port aforesaid.

as admissible evidence, and that these statements are entitled to
credibility and
signed May 20 th 1833
of Court -
Frederick Hall, Presiding Judge
I, John G. Davis Clerk of the Court of the District Court of North County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John G. Davis for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 20 th day of May 1833.
John G. Davis Clerk
John G. Davis Application for Pension 1833
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

• V o 25484 Larkin Lane Parke County Indiana
from 1781 private 6 notes & 7 days. $20.77 100
Joseph A. Wright, Rockville, Parke County Indiana

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
188
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 Jerkin Lane Parke County Indiana
   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.     Drafted July 1781 — 3 — private Col. Colman, Major Henderson, Col. Kentucky 71 years Pennsylvania Traditional evidence papers correct   Drafted Nov 1781 — 3 7 " Same officers 60 years Virginia  
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 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 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.
[z] 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.
[k] 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.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

November 20, 1935.
Mrs. H. L. Hancock 516 Howard Avenue Rockville, Indiana.
RE-J/ILL Larkin Lane S. 18442
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Larkin Lane, a pensioner.
The data given herein regarding Larkin Lane are found in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 18442, based upon his service in that war.
Larkin Lane was born February 22, 1782, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, he enlisted sometime in July 1781, and served three months as private in Captain Frank Colman's company, Colonel Thomas Merriweather's Virginia regiment; he enlisted in November 1781, and served three months and seven days as private in Captain John Legg's company, Colonel Thomas Merriweather's Virginia regiment.
Capt. Colman - perish.
The soldier moved from Spotsylvania County, Virginia, to Louisa County, Virginia, thence to Kentucky, and from there to Indiana.
Larkin Lane was allowed pension on his application executed May 22, 1833, at which time he resided in Parke County, Indiana. The soldier made no reference to wife or children.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this

pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
Larkin Lane Certificate 13800 Issued July 11, 1833 Rate $30.77 Commenced March 4, 1831. Act of June 7, 1832. Indiana Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. MILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Rockville Noble County Indiana
May 24 th 1833
Dear Sir Enclosed is the application of Luther Lane for a pension - made before the Noble Circuit Court. which is a court of Record. in answering this application. I wish you would inform me whether the name of John S. Kessler is drawn to the Department. on any of the Rolls. He was at the taking of Lord Cornwallis. and was on the French Fleet at that time. He was a German by birth. and was a regular in the Army of the United States, and was some three or four years. He died in March 1832. and his relations would only be entitled to one year's pay - and if you can furnish me the forms and instructions in cases where the Applicant dies. before he applied. and after the taking effect of the Act of June 7 th 1832.
(John S. Kessler)
Yours Respectfully J L Edwards Esq. Joseph A. Wright Pension Agent Pension Office Washington City

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
April 13, 1926.
L. W. Redington, Major, U.M.C. Office of Quartermaster General, U.S.A. Washington, D.C.
Sir:
I have to advise you, that in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16442, it appears that Larkin Lane was born Feb. 22, 1762, in Spotsylvania Co. Va.
He served as a private in the Va. Troops from July 1781 for three months in Capt. Frank Colman's Co., Col. Thos. Meriwether's Regt. and from Nov. 1781, for three months and seven days in Capt. John Legg's Co. Col. Thos. Meriwether's Regt. He was allowed pension. Date of his death not on record.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Larkin Lane a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. F. 16442.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July, 1781. 3 mos. Pri. Frank Colman. Thos. Meriwether Va.   Nov. 1781. 3 mos. 7 das. John Legg. Thos. Meriwether  
Battles engaged in, _____ ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Spottsylvania Co., Va.
Date of application for pension, May 22, 1833. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Union Twp., Parke Co., Ind.
Age at date of application, B. Feb. 22, 1762. Spottsylvania Co., Va.
Remarks: There is no data relative to family.
(Date of death not on Agency Book) (must)
Very respectfully,
Commissioner. ✓

Veterans Administration Bldg.
Dear Sir:
Please send me the Pay roll voluntary service of Larkin Love who was a private in Virginia militia and pensioned in 1831, while residing in Parke Co. Indiana.
Thanking you. Sincerely
Wm. H. L. Hancock
576 Howard Ave. Rockville. Indiana.

Parke State Bank
Capital $75,000.00
A. K. STARK, CHAIRMAN A. H. STARK, PRESIDENT W. J. WHITE, VICE-PRESIDENT G. C. MILLER, CASHIER H. M. RICE, ASST. CASHIER
Rockville, Indiana. Feb. 6, 1913.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I would like all the information that you can give me as to the Military Service of Larkin Lane who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War serving from Virginia.
This data is wanted for the purpose of obtaining admission to the Daughters of the American Revolution for my daughter.
Any information that you can give me on the matter will be highly appreciated.
Very truly yours,
Quincy Swaim

WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL WASHINGTON
IN REPLY REFER TO QM 293 A-C Lane, Larkin
April 8, 1926.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
In order that a headstone may be provided for the grave of the deceased named below, The Quartermaster General requests that the correct military service and the spelling of the name be supplied this office from the records of the Pension Office:
Private Larkin Lane, Enl. July 1781 and served three months, under Captain Frank Coleman, and Colonel Thomas Merriweather. Date of application for pension, May 22, 1833.
Very truly yours,
L. W. REDINGTON, Major, Q.M.C., Assistant.

16 442
INVALID.
File No. 16 442
Larkin Lane
Pri Rev War
Act: Jane 7" 89
Index: — Vol. 8 , Page 217
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Feb. 14. 1913. History to Mr. Quincy Strain.
1923. Jan. 4. Hist. to Mrs. Branson Letter in cl. S. 22288 David Danmot.
1926. Apr. 13. Tombstone data to D. M. G.
1935. Nov. 20. Hist. to Mrs. H. L. Hancock - S. L.