Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2843, for Jeremiah Minor, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Minor, Jeremiah
S. 2843
CONTENTS
Carded.

22.142 Kentucky
Jeremiah Minor Scott Co. in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Bruce of the reg t commanded by Col Spencer in the War of 1812 for 9 months from 1815
let 5 June 1817 L. C. Suggett
Enscribed on the Roll of Kentucky the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum. commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Oct. 1833 and sent to Hon. R. M. Johnson G t + ing.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $75. — Gratuitous allowance ending 4th Mch 34 15 —
$90. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Allison Book C Vol. 7 Page 1

Jeremiah Minor Scott Co. Tenn
for 75 private 9 months $100.
$30.
Wm R. M. Johnson Great Crossing Tenn

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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. 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 Jeremiah Minor
   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.     Enlisted 1775 7 Private Col Brice Col Spencer 87 Va Traditionary.   1777 1 Pr.   1780 1 "  
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)           , who has 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 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 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 fix 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 [j] 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.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of long res p passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Kentucky - Scott County S.C.
On this 19 th day of August 1833 June - in which Minor personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court now sitting a resident of the County & State above named aged 87 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following de- claration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of long res p aforesaid. That in the month of June 1775 he was enlisted as a minute soldier under Capt. Bruce, in the State of Virginia & Orange County where he resided at the time of his en- listment. That Bruce through likeness never took command. That Col. M c Spence commanded in his stead at that time. That he served from that time till the burning of Norfolk near about seven months as well as he recollects or a little under. That Dunmore was about that time driven from Virginia; remained about the

Coast & sent round to St. Augus- -tine; obtained 260 british sol- -diers commanded by Capt. Gordis; these with the refu- -gees took post at Norfolk; That the minute men, he being one marched against them & met them at a place called the Great bridge. That they killed Capt. Gordis & eight of his soldiers & wounded others & compelled them to return to Nor- -folk, then to their shipping, from whence they fired hot balls & burnt the town. The minute men were discharged. That in the year 1779 he per- -formed a tour of duty as a mili- -tia man in the service of the United States for or two one or two months at Albemarle Barracks in guard- -ing the prisoners (being Burgoyne's troops) - That in 1781 he again served a tour of duty being one month in the same capacity against General Cornwallis, being in all about 9 or 10 months -

That it has been such a length of time she has no documentary testimony to the case set forth.
Sworn to & subscribed, the day & year afo.
Jeremiah Minor
Sworn to in open court. 19 th August 1833 Ben B. Smith Clerk
We the undersigned John Johnson a Teacher of Chris- tianity residing in Georgetown Scott County & State Ind. o Do hereby residing in same County as here- by certify that we are well acquainted with Jer. h Minor who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be of the age stated by him; & that he is re- spected & believed in the neigh- borhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution as stated & we con- cur in that opinion
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afo. J. J. Johnson - Sworn to in open court August 19. 1833 John Durace Ben B. Smith Clerk

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 in the States and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John J Johnson who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said County of Scott and that John D. Wall who has also signed the same is a Resident in the said County of Scott and is a Credible person and that their Statement is entitled to Credit
I Ben B Ford Clerk of the Court of Scott County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the application of Jeremiah Allen for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 30th September 1833.
Attest Ben B Ford Clerk

2843
INVALID.
Perkins
Am
File No. 2843
Jeremiah Minor Pr. Va. Mil.
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 256
[Arrangement of 1870.]
2843 67 2

The Amended Declaration of Jeremiah Minion of Scott County State of Kentucky In order to Have His Pension Increased under the Law of the 7 of June 1832
He States that he was a Sergeant during the whole term of his Services as set forth in his former Declaration which fact he presumes was not stated in his declaration from the Amount of Pension he now receives and will appear from the Records of the old muster Rolls on file He Prays that his Pension may be Increased and that he may Receive a Sergeants Pay here from under my Hand this 12 th day of April 1837
Jeremiah Minion
Scott County } State of Kentucky }
Personally appeared before me A Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Jeremiah Minion Aged 90 years and well known to me to be a man of Truth and Respectability and subscribed the foregoing Dec- laration and made oaths to the Truth of it before me from his great age and the Distance he resides from the County Seat and his bodily Infirmary he is unable to appear in Court given from under my Hand this 12 th day of April 1837
A Calcutt Esq

State of Kentucky
Scott County Yes.
I Ben B Ford Clerk of the Court for the County aforesaid do certify that Andrew Calvert says before whom the foregoing affidavit purporting to have been made is an Act of Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. Given from under my
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of my Office on this Seven the 11th May 1837
Ben B Ford

June 3
Gen: Minor
for 1884
Dear Sir,
Free
J. L. Edwards Committee of Pension Washington City

Grange Town Scote 60 1/2 May 25 1837
Dear Sir Will you have the kindness to Examine Jeremiah Niven's claim for a Pension as a Sergeant
Yours very Respectfully Lewis C Suggett Hon J L Edwards Committee of Pensions Washington City

Free J. T. Wilson p.m.
Col R. M. Johnson
Choctaw Academy Scott Co. Ky

Be so good as to enclose these papers & have the pension allowed.
M c Ford has miserably delayed sending these papers. G. T. J. —