Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3805, for James Thompson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Thompson, James
S 3805
CONTENTS
Carded

Ohio. 22.337
John Thompson
of Union Co. in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the Co commanded by Captain Burles of the Regt commanded by Col. Taylor in the Virginia line for two years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 80 Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of Oct r 2 nd 1833 and sent to Silas G. Strong, Marysville. Union Co. Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1833. 2 00. Commutant. allowance ending 4 Mar 34. 40.
$ 240.
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. W. Palmer Clerk, Book E. Vol. 8. Page 26.
Let. to Jos. Thompson f. Oct. 22/40

26. 505
John Thompson.

Declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832
State of Ohio } ss
County of Union } ss
On this 28 th day of June 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Union aforesaid James Thompson a resident of Mill Creek Township in the County aforesaid aged Seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declarat- ion in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7- 1832 that he enlis- ted in the army of the United States in the 1777 (he thinks in this tho possibly in the year 1778) with Capt Gallant Burley and served in the Sixth regiment of the Virginia line under the following named officers Colonel Francis Taylor, Major Roberts, Captain G. Burley. — Taylor nephew to Colonel Taylor was lieut or ensign, that he Thompson enlisted to remain during the stay of the prisoners (he believes Bargoyues men) at Albemarle Barracks in Albemarle County Virginia that he continued in service some months more than three years during which time he was kept stationed at said Barracks. that he left the service in 1780. that his home then was in Amherst County Virginia that he was serving for a man in Amherst County by occupation a weaver (his name not remem- bered) that he enlisted with Burley when serving at the Barracks that he was in no battles during this service that just before he was discharged he was march as a guard for the Prisoners to Winchester on this march he passed through Stonerstown and Millersstown that he received a written discharge at Winchester but now has it not. that he got home in time to be drafted and he marched a gainst Cornwallis who then was in Peters burg Va. that his company rendezvous- ed at Sandidges above Richmond 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 of  any State I sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
James Thompson
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states
I Silas G Strong Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Thompson for a pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this twenty eighth day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Silas G Strong Clerk

No. 505 No. 22.33
John Thompson Ohio
Look on Va Role
an role
$80
Adm 3 years
$80.
Silas G. Strong Marysville Union County Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
14 th October 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 subjjoined 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. These 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 James Thompson
1797. or 8
   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.     Col Taylor Maj. Roberts 73 years  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State 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 loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should annex 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.

Watkins Union Co. O
Oct 15 1860
Geo C Whiting Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
I see that James Thompson a Sec d Soldier of the Virginia Line (Revolutionary War) is entitled to Land and Back pay your Will please search the Records and see How much is due Him and for word now the course for the Heirs to pursue so we can take the necessary steps to get it
Respectfully yours James Thompson Jr

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of James Thompson 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. 3805.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1777 or 1778 Over 3 yrs. Pvt. Garland Burney Francis Taylor Va.                                     
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Amherst Co., Va.
Date of application for pension, June 28, 1833. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Mill Creek Township, Union Co., Ohio.
Age at date of application, 73 yrs.
Remarks: There is no data relative to family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev War
3805
INVALID.
File No. 3805
James Thompson Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 372
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mar. 21, 98. Miss Virginia
S. Hodge, Cleveland, Ohio.
1917. Sept. 29. History to Mrs. John Florence. Jr.

No. 22.337.
James Thompson
Union Co. in the State of Ohio.
who was a Private in the Co. commanded Captain Burleson of the Regt. commanded by H. Wayne in the Ohio Militia for five years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Nov. 2 1833 and sent to wife G. Thompson, Marietta, Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 20 Emigrant allowance ending Dec. 24 4
$24.00
Revolutionary Class Aged June 7, 1833.
Recorded by Wm. Palmer
Book Vol. 8 Page 26

Payments to be made at Cincinnati. by P. M. B. Bank. Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Ohio.
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 2 Page 26. by W. H. Palmer Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, John Thompson of the State of Ohio who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Eighty dollars, cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this fifteen day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three .
L. D. H. [Signature] Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
Geo. H. [Signature] Acting Commissioner of Pensions.

Mr. S. Palmer
George W. Crump Esq.
Acting Commission of Pensions
War Department
Secretary's Office
H.B.

Dear Sir
Strong
S. G. Strong Charles
Geo. Brunt Astoria, Oregon
Silas G. Strong Esq.
It is presumed that Marysville. There is a mistake some where as the name should be James Thompson He says there was no other man by the name of Thompson in the same company that he was deceived by the name of James and the mistake must be in making out the certificate S G Strong

Dear
Mr. Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Geo. Thompson James
Watkins Oct 15 O

Learn inside this piece for pro- tection.

P. O. Plain City: Ohio. Rev 1 ENH Sep 24 1917
Bureau of Pensions.
I would like the Rev. War Record of one James Thompson Pensioner. drew Pension in Union County Ohio. for Revolutionary service in Virginia State Troops. Name of Wife desired. Respectfully.
W. re John Horner.

To the Department of the Interior,
Please send me a statement of services of James Thompson who was placed on the Pension Roll, Jan. 19. 1819. He was in Virginia Line. He was 82 years old — and of Frederick Co., Va.
Please give me any particulars you may have, and oblige — Yours truly — Virginia S. Hodge.
1096 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, Ohio

To - Department of Interior.
Will you please inform me whether James McMillan of York Co., Penns., or Gerrick Taylor , of Fayette Co., Penns., (who were soldiers in the Rev. War) are on record in your "Department"? And if so, I would like a copy of their services. Gerrick Taylor's sons moved to Maysville, Kentucky, and afterwards to Ohio. I think neither of these men drew a pension -
Virginia S. Hodge
March 10th. 1898.