Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37,397, for John Symms, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Symms John or Sims
S. 37,397
CONTENTS

14875 14875 Q
Kentucky
John Sims (16)
Montgomery County in the state of Kentucky who was a Private in the regiment commanded by colonel Taylor of the Virginia line, for the term of Two Years
scribed on the roll of Kentucky at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on 1 st of October 1818
of Pension issued the 9 th of Sep 1819 to B. Wells Esqr. Paris Kentucky
  years to 4th of  Sep 1819.  86.99    semi-annual all'ce ending  Mar 1820.  48.00    Mar 23 4/31 30   $134.99  
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued Mar 24 1821.
Notif sent to Hon. B. Trimble Atty General, Montgomery Co. Ky
24 March 1821.
Date of death not on file.

Reuben Ellis on a ledger, State ...
Lieut. Pettie until the regiment of Guards was discharged - That the time during which this officer knew the said Sims as a soldier was about eighteen months or two years, he is certain it could not be less than eighteen months.
Seven to before me this 4. August 1819. P. W.
B. W. Wells
I Benjamin Mills Judge as aforesaid do certify that the foregoing additional Statement of William Blackmore Esqr. was sworn to before me on the date last aforesaid and that it fully appears to my satisfac- tion from the said additional statement (presently witness of highly respectability) that the said John Sims was enlisted did serve as a regular soldier, re-enlisted for the term of nine months & upwards in the continental army, as in said state- ment is deposed. Given under my hand the date last aforesaid.
B. N. G.

(12) THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY,
Montgomery County, Sec.
On this ninth day of October 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the circuit court, in and for the state aforesaid, personally appeared John Lewis aged fifty seven years;—who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following statement and declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late law of Congress. entitled, “an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War;” that he is a citizen of the state of Kentucky, and resident in the county of Montgomery ; and that he was enlisted for two years at Albemarle County in the state of Virginia on or about the 1778 or 1779 day of by one Anderson Thompson and served in the company commanded by captain Robert Barnett of the Regiment of guards of the Virginia Regiment of guards to guard the Prisoners of Burgoyne's army. Commanded by Col. Francis Taylor that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, in the continental army, against the common enemy, until about the spring 1782  day of when he was honorably discharged from service at Charlottesville in the state of Virginia by Genl. Wood ; that he was in service two years and was in the  two battles of but was afterwards among the state militia at the taking of Cornwallis
and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has lost his discharge, and has no evidence in his power, of his services and discharge, other than that which is here transmitted.
Sworn and declared before me the day and year aforesaid.
B. Mills

Reuben Elliott should state an oath that he is well acquainted with the within named John Sims, and says that he is in indigent circumstances - & stated in need of a support by the Pension allowed him by law - That all his property or what ever he has worth two hundred Dollars and that he has a large family of children known to the applicant in very small and that he has to labor hard for his living and by that supports his family consisting of a wife and children, and he is very infirm and subject to disease.
I, Benjamin Mills — Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said applicant John Sims — did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, for the term of nine months and upwards, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress — and it further appears to my satisfaction, that said applicant is in such indigent and reduced circumstances, as to require the aid of his country, pursuant to the above recited act. Given under my hand the day first before written.
B. Mills

Before me Benjamin Ellis a judge of the General Court and a circuit judge of the State of Kentucky (being the same who took the foregoing or annexed declaration of John Sims) this day appeared William Clarkson Esqr., who being duly sworn, did depose and say, that in the year 1779-80, near as he can recollect, he lived at the Barren in Edmonson County Virginia and there acted as assistant commissary for the troops of that place, who acted as guards to the prisoners of Burgoyne's army. Colo. Taylor of Orange County, commanded the guards, and the regiment was called the regiment of guards. This deponent has re- mained there almost the whole time that Bur- goyne's troops lay there, and was there ac- quainted with the aforesaid applicant John Sims the whole of the time, and knew him to be a regular soldier in Colo. Taylor's regiment, during the whole period, and as well as this deponent's memory serves him said Sims belonged to Capt. Barnett's company. Barnett during the time resigned and the company was afterwards commanded by

Lieut. Pitt's until the regiment of Guards was discharged - That the time during which this deponent knew the said Sims as a soldier was about eighteen months or two years, he is certain it could not be less than eighteen months.
Sworn to before me this 4. August 1819.
B. Mills
I Benjamin Mills Judge as aforesaid do certify that the foregoing additional Statement of William Blackmore Esq. was sworn to before me on the date last aforesaid And that it fully appears to my satisfac- tion from the said additional statement ( now the witness of highly respectability ) that the said John Sims was enlisted did serve as a regular soldier, as in said for the term of nine months & upwards in the continental army, as in said state- ment is deposed. Given under my hand the date last aforesaid.
B. Mills

so that in a measure is a source
before the public eye...
John Symms
Schuchard
14/7/75
PAW
See letter on file from Hon. D. Prumble, of 7 Feb. 182
REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

Additional
ORIGINAL CLAIM.
District of Montgomery County, Va. Circuit State of Kentucky.
On this 12th day of Oct 1890 personally appeared in open court, (a) [being a court of record (b) for the district circuit, county, or corporation, as the case may be,] aforesaid
John Hymms aged 60 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March, 1818, and the 1st May, 1820, that he, the said Hymms, enlisted, for the term of two years, on the day of in the year 1779 or 1780, in the state of Virginia in the company commanded by captain Burrell in the regiment commanded by colonel Taylor in the line of the state of Virginia on the continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps until his time was out when he was discharged from the said service, in Albemarle County in the state of (c) Virginia.
He refers to his former statement for further facts.
That he was in the battles of and that he has no other evidence, now in his power, of his said services, except what has been heretofore set
And, in pursuance of the act of the 1st May, 1820. I do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be,) that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. (d)
Sworn to, and declared, on the 12th day of October 1890 before the Judge of the Montgomery Circuit Court then sitting.
I, Micajah Harrison clerk of the said Circuit Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath (for deposition) and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is One hundred 26 dollars. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said court, on this twelfth day of October 1890 as Clerk of the Court of the Circuit of Montgomery
M. Harrison

A Schedule of John Symms, Astoria  He says he has no land, no stock -    1- Horse $ 25 - 1 Mow & Coll $ 25 -  $ 50 -    2 Cows & one calf -  17    10 Hogs -  15    2 Pigs - $ 42 3  82    1 Table - 4  64    6 Chairs - 3     1 Cupboard & contents 15 3      $146  
Which is all the estate he has real or personal - saved a sum less than ten dollars and his X He owns upwards of fifty Dollars ($50 -) He has a wife, about 58 - & a weakly woman & 4 Daughters - also a son who does not live with him - He is affected with Rheumatic Gravelly, and has the Palsy so that he is unable to labour -
John Symms
Schedule
14 1/2
10 1/2

(7) July 23, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. M. Eliot Box 149 Bloomington, Illinois
✓ JOHN SYMMS S. 37397 BA-J/MLB cur
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of John Sims, a soldier of the Revolutionary War who was pensioned for service, from October 9, 1819. You state that he lived in Bath and Montgomery Counties, Kentucky.
The record of John Symms or Sims follows as found in pension claim, S. 37397, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
The date and place of birth and names of the parents of John Symms or Sims are not shown.
later in He enlisted in 1778 or 1779 in Albemarle County, Virginia, served two years as private in Captain Robert Barrett's company, Colonel Francis Taylor's Virginia Regiment of Guards, and was engaged in guarding the prisoners of Burgoyne's army at Albemarle Barracks. He curved was afterwards among the Virginia militia  troops at the taking of Cornwallis; no details of that service given.
John Symms or Sims was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1818, while a resident of Montgomery County, Kentucky, aged fifty-seven years.
In 1820, the soldier was still living in Montgomery County, Kentucky, at which time it was stated that he had a wife aged about fifty-eight years, four daughters, also a son who did not live with him; names of wife and children not given. There are no further family data.
In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of this

soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
John Sims Certificate No. 14875 Issued September 9, 1819 Rate $8 per month Commenced October 9, 1818 Act 18th March, 1818 Kentucky Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

2 nd Oct. 1810
John Sims
In 1778 or 1779 enlisted for two years in the Vir a Reg t of Guards fulfilling the Prisoners of Brandywine Army
Served till the Spring of 1782
79 to 82
Taylor Virginia
M c Gregor Falls
Samuel
Dayton Mills Ohio
The name of the Col o member of the Regiment & proof of service, by the testimony of a credible witness, are wanted. —

State of Kentucky 356 October the 9 th 1878 Montgomery Circuit
I Garrett Davis Deputy clerk of the circuit aforesaid hereby certify that Benjamin Mills whose name appears to the certificate of John Simms was at the time of so doing and now is one of the Circuit Judges of the said aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn according to law and due faith and credit is and ought to be given to all such of his official acts as well in the way of Justice as thereon
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and caused the seal of the circuit aforesaid to be hereunto affixed
G Davis Clerk

37 397 INVALID.
Ray
File No. 87397
John Sims Dr. H. H. H.
Act: 18 March 18 th
Index: — Vol. 9 , Page 868
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1932 Jan 26 - Stock to Dean Berry - M.L.B. 1938 July 27 - Hist. to M. Elect. MFB.

Veterans Administration Washington D.C.

Bloomington, Ills., July 8-1938 Administrator - Dear Sir:-
Will you please send me the Revolutionary War record of John Sims, a private inscribed on the Pension List Roll of the Kentucky Agency - Sept. 9-1819 at residence at that time of Bath Co., Ky., and for 22 yrs., previously of Montgomery Co., Ky. Pension commenced Oct 9-1819. If not given where can I obtain his age and place of birth? Respectfully yours Box 149 M Eliot

Forest City, Iowa Dec. 31, 1931
Veterans Administration Revolutionary War Section Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I should like to know if either of the Revolutionary war soldiers listed below or their wives secured a pension or a land grant from the government in return for their service. If so, I would like such history of claim as you are able to give me.
✓ SIMS , JOHN - 79 in 1840. Born in 1761. Revolutionary war soldier. Lived in Bath county, Kentucky, in 1840. Had son Benjamen.
○ CROW , JACOB ( 1740 - 1800 or 1806) born in Virginia; died in Mercer county, Kentucky; private in Capt. David Stephenson's company, 8th Va. regiment under Col. Abraham Bowman for 1 year; transferred to Capt. Wm. Croghan's 12th Va. regiment.
Thanking you very kindly, I remain,
Yours very truly,
Dean Berry Dean Berry

January 26, 1932
BA-J/MLB
Mr. Dean Berry Forest City Iowa
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter of recent date, relative to John Sims, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 37397, of John Symms or Sims, based upon his military service in that war.
John Symms or Sims enlisted in 1778 or 1779 in Albemarle County, Virginia, and served two years as private in Captain Robert Barrett's company, in Colonel Francis Taylor's Virginia Regiment of Guards, and was engaged in guarding the prisoners of Burgoyne's army at Albemarle Barracks. He was afterwards among the Virginia militia at the taking of Cornwallis; no details of this service given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1818, while living in Montgomery County, Kentucky, aged fifty-seven years.
In 1820, soldier was still residing in Montgomery County, Kentucky, at which time it was stated that he had a wife aged about fifty-eight years, four daughters, also a son who did not live with him; names of wife and children are not stated.
There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator
Did not use 1780, year of enlistment given by soldier as surrender of Cornwallis was in Oct. 1781, which could not have given a yrs service as stated by him.
MLB

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Symond, Martin GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7755 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 13, 1792 To John Hagan, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.