Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4538, for Alexander Lester, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Va.
Lester, Alexander
S. 4538
Carded
 - CONTENTS 

13983 West Tennessee
Alexander Lester
of Winchester in the State of Tennessee who was a sergt in the Infantry commanded by Captain Barks of the Infantry commanded by Col Thomson in the Virginia line for 4 months Sergeant 3 — — Private
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 31 Dollars — Cents per annum. to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of July 1833 and South. 64 States War Department
Arrears to the 14th of March  60 00 Pension allowance ending Sept  15 00 $75 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Saml. West Clerk, Book 1 Vol. 1 Page 87

11963
Alexander Lester
Tennessee
From 1781 private 2 nd M th Dept 7 mths. 2 nd M th Dept - 4 mo. 20. - Private 3. 10. - $ 30. -
only three months can be allowed for last term.
Richd L. Andrews
Franklin
Tennessee

BRIEF in the case of
Alexander Foster of the County of ... in the State of ... (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy Eight  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Drafted ... 11 Private Gen. ... Lincoln   ... 3 1/2 Sergeant Lt. Col. ...   Maj. ...   Capt. ...   Lieut. ...   Gen. ...   Col. ...   ...  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Battle of Yorktown  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Charlotte Virginia  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Two living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Black seal not attached to all the papers 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

Alexander Lister Esq.
Declaration
1196 3

State of Tennessee Williamson County
ss.
1
On this third day of Septem- ber 1832 before the Hon Thomas Stuart Judge of the Circuit Court for the fourth Judicial Circuit for the State of Tennessee now sitting at Nashville Lester Woodruff of the State and County afore- said aged 78 years who being first and seven according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act passed June 7 th 1832
He served two campaigns during the revolu- tionary war in the first of which he entered the service of the United States as a drafted militia man about the first day of January 1781 in which he served in the capacity of a Quarter Master Sergeant and acted as a Quarter Master Sergeant and under the following officers Captain Dudley Barbers. Batt. Lieutenant Richard Gaines and acted as a and served in the Regiment commanded by Col. Charles Stirling & Major Winston and attached to the Brigade commanded by General Stukenburg He marched over the following country: From Charlotte Court House Virginia to Petersburg - to Gabin Point to Smithfield - to Brackens Spills and to Babb's Old Field at which place he remained until discharged about the last of April - same year 1781. Making a term of four months. He received no discharge for this term.
He was drafted and entered the service of the United States a second time about the first day of September same year 1781 under the following officers (to wit) Captain Thomas Jones the other

2 Company officers not recalled. Command by Col Anthony or Lt Col Lewis Burwell and Capt Robinson and attached to the Brigade commanded by General LaFayette and marched over the following country from Lunenburg Court House Va. to Petersburg to Cabin Point and to Yorktown and there joined the main Army commanded by Gen. Washing- ton and after the Surrender of Cornwallis he was detained until about the middle of Decem- ber in same year 1781 at which time he was discharged making a period of about three and a half months that he served this campaign for which he received no discharge. He was in no regularly fought battles during the two campaigns above detailed. He does not recollect any of the Regular or Continental Regiments with which he served but at the Siege of Yorktown he served with and under General Washington General La Fayette and General Lincoln. He is from in Lunenburg County Virginia on the 8 th day of August 1754 according to his regu- lar at which he has no knowledge at home When he was first drafted he had moved to Charlotte Va and on his discharge returned to his Father in Lunenburg County Va. and was drafted and served his second campaign. After the Revolution he lived in Lunenburg County Virginia till 1811 since which time he has lived in Williamson County Tennessee. He has no documentary evidence of his services nor having received any discharge when he left his service. He knows of no person by whom he can prove his services except John Andrews who served

3 with him in the first Campaign mentioned in his declaration but in a different Regiment and commanded by different officers Officers and when the said John Andrews was returning from his second term he met the affiant on his way to join the army his second Campaign about the last of August 1781. and John both who were with him the second Campaign here mentioned He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the pen- sion and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State what- ever. Sworn to and subscribed to Alexander Lester in open court the day and year aforesaid Preston Keay etc.
I John Andrews do certify that I am a resident of Williamson County Tennessee and am well acquainted with Alexander Lester who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That I served with him the first campaign mentioned in his said declaration commencing about the first day of January 1781. and ending about the last day of April 1781. but under differ- ent officers and in a different Regiment and that the said Alexander Lester marched over the river Country mentioned in his said declaration and that I saw him a few days before he entered his second term in the last of August or first of September 1781. and that he was reported to have served the second term mentioned in his declaration. That I concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed to Preston Keay etc.
John Andrews

4. We Mark L Andrews a clergyman residing in the county of Williamson and State of Tennessee and George Andrews Jr. residing in the same county and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Lester who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 78 years old 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 to and subscribed } in open court this day } and year aforesaid }
Easton Keay clerk }
Mark L Andrews
Geo Andrews son
And the court does hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and sworn as he states and the court further certifies that Mark L Andrews who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman residing in the county of Williamson and State of Tennessee and that George Andrews Jr. who-

also signed the same is a resident in Williamson county and State of Tennessee and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit and further that the said John Andrews whose certificate is above given is a resident in Williamson county Tennessee is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit
Thos Stuart Judge &c
I Preston Way clerk of the Circuit Court for the fourth Judicial Circuit for the State of Tennessee in Williamson County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Alexander Lester for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal this 24th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two Preston Way Clerk

Rehran
4538
INVALID.
File No. 4538
Alexander Letter Sept. 10/32
Act: June 14/32
Index:—Vol. 4 , Page 219
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Tennessee
I hereby certify that Preston Way whose name appears as clerk of the Circuit Court for Maury County Tennessee aforesaid to the declaration of Myron Lester is and was at the time of making the same clerk, said court. before whom said declaration was made and that the signature is that of Preston Way and in his hand writing. And also that there is no seal of office provided for said court. Given under my hand this 11 th day of April 1833.
Felix Grundy

A. Lister

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Alexander Setzer which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? It is on one of the papers - but the principal document has no official seal. No

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? two witnesses
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
‡ QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡ QUERE XVI.  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 paper 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.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

I John Cook of the County of Williamson & State of Tennessee do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Alexander Lester who has subscribed and sworn to his declaration that I served with him during the revolutionary war a four months tour beginning in August or September 1781. We marched from Lumburg County Virginia to Petersburg to Port Yorktown where the British under Cornwallis were encamped and remained there during the siege and after the surrender we were discharged some time in November or December same year. I do recollect the officers under whom we served during this campaign. They were as follows Captain Thomas Jones in the Regiment commanded by Col Anthony Amstret or Col Lewis Burwell and attached to General Muhlenburgs Brigade.
Sworn to and subscribed by John Cook before me this 7 th day of September 1832
Wm Johnson J.P.
The State of Tennessee
I Thomas Vandaman Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Williamson in the state aforesaid do certify that William Johnson Esquire whose signature appears above and before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is & was at the time of making the foregoing affidavit of John Cook an acting justice of the peace in & for the County of Williamson aforesaid duly commissioned & sworn & that full faith & credit are due his official acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said Court at Office this 8 th Sept 1832.
T. Vandaman

The State of Tennessee
I Thomas Wardman clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for the county of Williamson in the State aforesaid do certify that William Johnson Esq. whose signature appears to the within affidavit of John Cook, and before whom the same was made is now and was at the time of making the same an acting justice of the peace for and for Williamson county aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are due his official acts as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court at office this 26 th day of April 1833.