Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,649, for Ashur Reaves, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb Va
Reaves, Ashur
S17649
Copy in Va CONTENTS
carded
This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

at new Buck odo 78 1852
Same Nov 21/54
Same Jan 3/54
Ohio. 19024.
Asahel Haines of Green Co. in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Wm. — of the Regt. — commanded by Col. Gordon in the Virginia line for 12 months. 4 NO
$13. 33 / 100
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. at the rate of $13 Dollars 33 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of August. 1833 and sent to James L. Grover. Piqua. Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of March, 1832. 86. 66. Semest. allowance ending 1 Sept 33, 21. 67.
$108. 33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M rs Dabney Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 5 Page 22,

John Reaves
20/5/4

In the State of Ohio Green County Court of Common Pleas of the Term of November 1832
Green County ss Personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid at the above Term and on the 23 rd day of November A.D. 1832 Ashter Keane a resident of Silver Creek Township in the County of Green aforesaid aged seventy five 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 act of Congress passed June 9 th 1832
That he entered the service of the Militia State under the following officers and served as herein after stated He states in the year 1778 to the best of his recollection and belief and in the summer of that year and he thinks in or about the month of July he entered the service of the U.S. and was drafted for a tour of three months and marched under the command of Captain Gomer, his first name was George; the names of the other company officers if they had any he does not recollect John Virginia  North Carolina Halifax County and State of Virginia to Petersburg Virginia. He remained but a short time at Petersburg and the company not being needed at that time and place the company of Capt Gomer was ordered home to Halifax County and each member of the Company went to his own home but was not discharged but continued to Muster once in every two weeks but was not called to march into active service until the expiration of the three months for which they were drafted and were then discharged in writing by the Captain - He was in active service on this tour about 3 or 4 weeks and at the time he was drafted he lived with his Father in the County of Halifax and about 12 miles from Halifax Court House and near what was called the Mulberry field on a creek called Sandy Creek - Shortly after he was discharged as above stated himself and his father moved to the County of Wilks in

The State of North Carolina and about 2 miles from Wilks Court House on the Yadkin River - where he lived until the fall of 1789 and as well as he recollects about the month of October or September when he again entered the service of the United States as a substitute for a man the name of Fuller who had been drafted as he said for a term of three months, under Captain Goran whose name was either George or Charles and he can not say which. He marched under the command of Captain Gordon to Salem N.C. and there joined two other Companies and they were taken command of by Major Bartgove and they were employed in scouting through the surrounding country - sometimes all in a body and some times in separate companies. They marched as far as Camden S. Carolina and were at one time united with other troops at that place, but for a short time only - The object was to prevent the Tories in that part the country from embodying themselves and conveying intelligence and provisions to the British - The Tories it was said were headed by the Celebrated Forrest who produced great disaffection among the citizens in that part of the State in North Carolina - Major Bartgove lived near the father of this applicant in Wilks County & At the expiration of 3 months the Company of Captain Gordon marched home were in no battle of any kind and were discharged by Captain Goran but not in writing
In a few days after he returned home he enlisted as it was then called for a term of three months in Wilks County and went out again on horseback under the same Captain Gordon against the Tories - The Company of Captain Gordon was about 50 in number and he believes over the most part of the State of N. Carolina were at Camden in S. Carolina, and on the Congree and Santee Rivers and on Muddy Creek and were at one time in hearing of the Cannon of Cornwallis army at Charleston when that place was attacked.

cked or it supposed to be at that place - Captain Gordon fell in with a Company of 12 or 13 Tories in the neighbourhood of a small Town near the line between North & South Carolina; they were en- gaged in making Quarters for the Tories - Captain Gordon took them or a part of them and tried condemned and hung three of them all on one limb and marched off and left them hanging Shortly after this the three months expired and the company was discharged but not in writing and he returned home to Wilks County -
In about one week he again volunteered and entered the service on horseback to go ag- ainst the Tories who had collected to a consid- able number at a place called the Shallow- ford on the Yadkin River and marched out under Captain Cleveland - Col. Gordon had command of the expedition and had about 300 men under his command - Col. Gordon overtook them at the Shallowford attacked and killed several and the balance were disper- sed. He then returned home to Wilks County and was discharged. He was absent from home on this expedition about 3 or 4 weeks.
He remained at home about 3 weeks and again entered the service as a volunteer horseman for no particular time and imme- diately went out against the Tories under the command of Captain Isbell. They marched to Salem and scouted in that neighbourhood for about 4 weeks but finding no enemy Captain Isbell returned home and this opp- ortunity was discharged and returned home. There was about 50 men in Capt. Isbell's Company - He states that he remained at home but a few weeks he does not recollect certainly but thinks but 2 or 3 and again enlisted for a term of three months under Captain William

Sturges, and the company met at and started from Salem and marched under Capt. Sturges on foot and joined the main army under Genl. Gates near Camden S. Carolina. This company consisted of about 100 men and was not attached to any particular Regiment but were employed as a company of light and independent troops as spies and scouts. Shortly after he arrived the battle of Camden was fought in which Gates was defeated. The fight was commenced by the company of Capt. Sturges. After the defeat of Gates by Cornwallis, he never saw either Genl. Gates or Captain Sturges. The whole army was scattered and the Militia never were formed after the battle. A few of the Militia that went from Wilkes County got together and returned home and together, but before they reached home he volunteered to join the army of Genl. Green near Guilford Court House where he had a battle with the British. but this applicant did not arrive until three days after the battle when he joined the army of Genl. Green at Salsbery and marched with the army as far as Halifax County N. Carolina as it was retreating before Cornwallis's Army.
He states that he again entered the service as a volunteer under the command of Captain Cleveland to take guard some prisoners taken at the Kings Mountain and he volunteered the city after the battle of Kings Mountain. The prisoners were brought to Wilkes Court House by Colonel Cleveland the Father of Captain Cleveland and this applicant remained with them.

prisoners about 2 weeks, at Wilks court House They consisted of about 20 British and 20 Tories, and they were then carried to Salisbury in North Carolina and he remained there about six weeks, and was then discharged and returned home. The date of the last time he entered the service he cannot state with greater certainty than by saying it was shortly after the Battle of Kings Mountain. Since the performance of the above services, he states that he has resided in Salina County about about 16 years and was married in that county and moved from there into Dawkins County and State of Tennessee and lived about 11 years on the lands of William Cock who was for many years a Member of Congress from that State for a number of years , and lived in the State of Tennessee in all about 13 years - He moved from there to the State of Ohio the year that the war was commenced with Great Britain and has lived in the county where he now resides about 20 years - He can neither read nor write and has no record of his age.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state and that he has no documentary evidence of his services and that he knows of no person by whom he can prove his services above stated or any part thereof.
Sworn to (Subscribed) in Ashur his Reames April Court No 23 d 1832 Mark P. Brown att.
We William Sutton a Clergyman residing in Silver Creek Township in Green County Ohio and Christopher Bus- sey a Justice of the peace in the Township and county

aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asher Reaves, who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration; that we believe him to be of the age of seventy five years; that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and we further state that he is a man of good character and his declarations are entitled to credit whether made under or not under oath.
Sworn to and subscribed in open
Court Nov 23 d 1832
J. Brown, Clk.
William Sutton
Christopher Hunsucker
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after full hearing 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 William Sutton who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in said Township of Silver Creek in Greene County, Ohio, and that Christopher Hunsucker who has also signed the same is a resident in the same township County of State. And is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I James Brown, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Greene County and State of Ohio, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Asher Reaves for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 28 th day of Nov 1832 J. Brown, Clk.

Ordina
Sarah Hadley daughter of Ashur Reams
North Star, Darke Co. Ohio

Hon. 3 d Auditor M. States Treasury Sir
Please pay to Elizabeth Cottrell for my use my share of the arrears due my late father Asbur Peave deceased & oblige Your humble Serv t North Star, Darke Co. Ohio } Sarah her X Hadley November 14 th 1859 } mark
Witness
Interlined with "for my use" J. M. Houston
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Order.
Obediah Reams son of Asbur Reams -----
Sumption Prairie, St Joseph Co. Ind. -----
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

To the Hon. 3 d Auditor U.S. Treasury
Sir Please pay to Mrs
Elizabeth Cottrell, my share of the bal. of Pension due my late father, Asbur Reaves at his death - & oblige
Simpson Praria St. Jo. Ind. Nov 22 d 1857 Attest: A.S. Dumbard J.M. Hunsicker
Yours truly Abadiah his Reaves mark

STATE OF Ohio County of Greene } ss.
BE IT KNOWN, That before me Elijah Hussy a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Mrs Elizabeth Cottrell (a widow & a daughter of the late Asbur Reaves)
form of law that She is a daughter of the late Asbur Reaves deceased, and made oath in due deceased, the identical person who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, at the rate of forty three dollars thirty three cents per annum, and is now dead, to whom a certificate of pension was issued, which is herewith returned mislaid and lost, Though careful search has been made therefor it cannot be found. That she had not intermarried but continued the widow of
That the said deceased pensioner resided in the County of Greene in the State of Ohio for the space of about thirty six years before his death, and that previous thereto he resided in Tennessee & Virginia that — he died* on the 31 st day of July in the year of our Lord
1845; that no widow now exists, and only the following named children viz: The said Elizabeth Cottrell of Bowersville, Greene County Ohio — Judith Reaves of Supton Prairie St. Joseph County Indiana, and Sarah Hoadley, and a widow of North Star, Wayne County Ohio.
Witness Thomas W. H. H. H. Sworn to and subscribed on this 3 rd day of November A. D. 1857, before me Elijah Hussy Justice of the Peace.
Elizabeth Cottrell mark
Know all men by these presents, That I, Elizabeth Cottrell above named daughter of the late Asbur Reaves
deceased a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, at the rate of Forty three dollars 33 — cents per annum, do hereby constitute and appoint SHERMAN & ADAMS, of Galesburg Illi- nois, my true and lawful attorneys for me and in my name and stead to demand and re- ceive from the Treasury of the United States, paying pensions at Washington, D. C., the usual warrant or certificate for the balance of pension due said pensioner up to the 31 st day of July 1845, being the day of his death.
Witness my hand and seal this 3 rd day of Nov. 1857
Elizabeth Cottrell mark
[L. S.] [L. S.] [L. S.] [L. S.] [L. S.] [L. S.]
Attest:
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
Give the exact date of death.

STATE OF Ohio County of Greene } ss.
BE IT KNOWN, That on the 30 day of November 18 57 , before the sub-
scriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, personally appeared said Elizabeth Battrall above named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed for the purposes therein set forth and described.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
Elijah Hussey
Justice of the Peace.
STATE OF Ohio Greene County, ss Greene } ss.
I, Yost Boyd Clerk of the _____ Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Greene and
State of Ohio do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibi-
ited to said Court that Asher Reams deceased, was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, at the rate of forty three dollars 33 cents per annum and was a resident of the county of Greene in the State of Ohio
and died in the county of Greene State of Ohio the 31st
day of July in the year 18 45 ; that he has no widow now surviving & only
the following named children, viz: The said Elizabeth Battrall of Brownsville, Greene Co. Ohio, Obediah Reams of Linniton Prairie St. Joseph Co. Indiana, and Sarah Hadley, a widow, of North Sta. Darke Co. Ohio -
that _____ is administrator or executor of said
I also certify that Elijah Hussey is a magis- trate duly appointed and commissioned to act as such, and that his signature above written is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
[L. S.] seal of office at Sima this 31st day of December 18 57
Yost Boyd Clerk of Court of Com. Pleas
Greene Co. Ohio Shuman & Adams Libanon Ohio Attys for Applicants
Application of Elizabeth Battrall et al children of Asher Reams of Greene Co. Ohio for a share of his

No. 20154 19624 Ashur Weaver Green county State of Ohio
Return is
Adm for 1 year and 1 Month _____
James L. Grover Clerk Xenia Green County State of Ohio

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 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 show 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, (brus: { ). 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, showing the Service of Abner Peaves Green County, Ohio.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Mar. 1778 28 Private Captain Jones Colonel Major Hartsgrove Camden From Halifax Co. 75 years Traditionary.   July 1779 3 " Captain Gordon Colonel Gordon " Halifax   for Fallen Enterprise Captain Gordon General Gates Attributing Virginia County Virginia   Vol 210 78 " Captain Gordon General Green to Salem N. Carolina   Vol 28 " Captain Gordon Camden S. Carolina   Enterprise 3 " Captain Isabel State of North Carolina   Vol 42 " Captain William Marshall Shallow Ford to Salem   9 119 From Salem to Camden S. Carolina   From Salisbury Halifax County, N. Carolina  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
* He was he states in active service on this tour about 3 or 4 weeks

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 or 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 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.
[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 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 is 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.
} 16

October 26, 1939
Ethel Arnett Curtis 811 West 4th Street Pomona, California
asher BA-J/AWF Asher Reaves S. 17649 aw
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Asher Reaves who served with the Virginia troops, and later lived in Ohio.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S.17649, based upon the service of Asher Reaves in the Revolutionary War. This is the record of the only Asher Reaves found on file in the Revolutionary War pension records of this office. The names were searched under similar spellings.
Asher Reaves was born in the year 1757 in Prince William County, Virginia. The names of his parents are not given.
While residing, with his father on Sandy Creek in Halifax County, Virginia, Asher Reaves enlisted sometime in May, 1778 and served three months as a private in Captain George Comes' company of Virginia troops. He moved, shortly after the expiration of this service, with his father to Wilkes County, North Carolina and enlisted in the fall of 1779, served three months in Captain Gordon's North Carolina company under Major Hartgrove, doing scout duty. He enlisted, again, and served three months in same company. He served three or four weeks in

Captain Cleaveland's company, Colonel Gordon's regiment, and was in an engagement at Shallow Ford. He served four weeks in Captain Isbel's company, out in pursuit of Tories. He enlisted in 1780; served three months in Captain William Nawl's company, and was in the battle of Camden. He served again in 1780 about eight weeks in Captain Cleaveland's company, guarding prisoners taken at the battle of King's Mountain.
Ashur Reaves was allowed pension on his application executed November 23, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Silver Creek Township, Green County, Ohio.
Ashur Reaves married in Halifax County, North Carolina, date of marriage and name of wife not stated. He lived about sixteen years in Halifax County, North Carolina, then moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee, and later moved to Ohio. He died July 31, 1845.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data.
In order to obtain the name and address of the person who received the last payment of this pension, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:
Ashur Reaves Certificate #19624 Issued August 8, 1833 Rate $43.33 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Ohio Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

MRS. JOHN CARTER BARDIN
429 CENTRE STREET
DALLAS, TEXAS
Dec 29
1926
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
For D A R purposes will you please have sent to me a copy of the application for pension of
Asher Reeves (Reaves)
he was born Virginia 1757 and died Ohio. He enlisted from Wilkes Co, N.C. and applied for pension in, or about 1833.
Mrs. J. Carter Bardin
Mrs. J. Carter Bardin, State Registrar, Texas Society U S D of 1812

7

REC Hilleboro Ohio
March 14 th 1921
Dept. of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Revolutionary War Recor. Section
Would you please send me as soon as possible the military history of "Asher Reeve" Dates of application and granting of pension:
He was born in Virginia in 1758 and entered the Rev. War when sixteen years of age: Served as one of General George Washington's "mounted body guards": He died in 1845 in Green Co. Ohio:

Thanking you for your kindness I am Very Respectfully Martha Peeres Hayrich 230 West St Hillsboro Ohio

Cincinnati Ohio.
Mar 12 th 1837
Rev. Pension Bureau Dept of Interior
Will you please send me whatever data you have on the following Rev. soldier.
He was — Asher Rees son of George Rees. Was a Cavalryman — promoted to
very important at the present. My national number is 239.575.
Enclosed find stamped envelope. Thanking you I remain
Litta Parker. (Mrs Geo. I. Parker)

Corp. & assigned to Gen. George Washington as body guard (mounted) drew a pension until his death
Important questions—
(1) Amount of pension — (2) Residence town where he enlisted. (3) Date of birth. — I am a W.A.R. my daughter desires to become a member, and these questions are
very important at the present. My national number is 239.575.
Enclosed find stamped envelope. Thanking you I remain
Yours truly
Litta Parker.
(Mrs Geo. I. Parker)

17649 ✓ INVALID.
New Var
File No. 17649
John Reavis
Pr. Rec. 1901
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: —Vol. / , Page 312
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1921, Apl. 15 hit to Mar- tha R Weyrich - En
1927 Feb 21 - Hist. to Mrs. G- Bardin. MM 1927
1933 July 7 - list to Mrs. H. Sinclair Williams see her letter in John Reavis's S. 7380 a. 4.
1937 April 3 - list to Mrs. Lewis 1939 Oct 26 - " to Ethel A. Curtis

April 3, 1937
Ashur Reaves S. 17648 BA-J/AVF
Mrs. Leo Parker 3380 Morrison Avenue Clifton, Cincinnati Ohio
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Ashur Reeves, who drew a pension "until his death".
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 17648, based upon the service of Ashur Reaves (as the name is spelled in the claim) in the Revolutionary War. This is the record of the only Ashur Reaves found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office; the names were searched under similar spellings.
Ashur Reaves was born in the year 1757 in Prince William County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
While residing with his father on Sandy Creek in Halifax County, Virginia, Ashur Reaves enlisted sometime in May, 1778 and served three months as a private in Captain George Comes' company of Virginia troops. He moved, shortly after the expiration of this service, with his father to Wilkes County, North Carolina and enlisted in the fall of 1779 and served three months in Captain Gordon's North Carolina company under Major Hartgrove, doing scout duty. In a few days, he enlisted and served three months in same company. He enlisted in about one week and served three or four weeks in Captain Cleaveland's company, Colonel Gordon's regiment, and was in an

engagement at Shallow Ford. He served four weeks in Captain Isbel's company, in pursuit of Tories. He enlisted in 1780 and served three months in Captain William Hawl's company and was in the battle of Camden; and served again in 1780 about eight weeks in Captain Cleaveland's company, guarding prisoners taken at the battle of King's Mountain.
Ashur Reaves married in Halifax County, North Carolina, date of marriage and name of wife not stated; he lived about sixteen years in Halifax County, North Carolina and then moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee, and later moved to Ohio.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 23, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Silver Creek Township, Green County, Ohio. He died July 31, 1845.
The papers in this claim contain no further reference to family.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

July 7, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
John Reavis-S.7380 Ashur Reaves-S.17649 BA-J/AWF
Mrs. H. Sinclair Williams 65 W. Corbin Street Concord, North Carolina.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of John Reavis and Isham Reavis of North Carolina.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to show any information in regard to Isham Reavis, but the record of Ashur Reaves has been found which may be the soldier in whom you are interested.
The Revolutionary War records of John Reavis and Ashur Reaves are given below, as found in their claims for pension.
John Reavis-S.7380
John Reavis was born in the year 1760 in Northampton County, North Carolina, the names of his parents not stated.
While residing in Surry County, North Carolina, John Reavis enlisted sometime in October, 1778 and served six months as a private in Captain Henry Smith's company of North Carolina troops.
John Reavis was allowed pension on his application executed August 25, 1832, then a resident of Surry County, North Carolina. He died July 6, 1841, leaving a widow, whose name is not shown, and there are no further data in this claim relative to family.

Ashur Reaves-S.17649
Ashur Reaves was born in the year 1757 in Prince William County, Virginia, names of parents not shown.
While residing with his father on Sandy Creek, Halifax County, Virginia, Ashur Reaves enlisted sometime in May, 1778 and served three months in a private in Captain George Comes' company of Virginia troops.
Shortly after the expiration of this service, Ashur Reaves moved with his father to Wilkes County, North Carolina and enlisted in the fall of 1779 and served three months in Captain Gordon's North Carolina company, under Major Hartgrove, doing scout duty; he returned home and in a few days enlisted and served three months in same company. He enlisted in about one week and served three or four weeks in Captain Cleaveland's company, Colonel Gordon regiment, and was in an engagement at Shallow Ford; and served four weeks in Captain Isbel's company, out against the Tories. He enlisted in 1780 and served three months in Captain William Hawls' company and was in the battle of Camden; and served again in 1780 about eight weeks in Captain Cleaveland's company and guarded prisoners taken at the battle of Kings Mountain.
Ashur Reaves was allowed pension on his application executed November 23, 1832, then a resident of Silver Creek Township, Green County, Ohio.
Ashur Reaves married in Halifax County, North Carolina, date of marriage and name of wife not stated; he lived about sixteen years in Halifax County, North Carolina and then moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee, and later moved to Ohio. He died July 31, 1845.
There is no reference to children.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator

MMH
February 21, 1927
Mrs. J. Carter Bardin 423 Centre St., Dallas, Texas
Madam :
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 17649 it appears that Ashur Reaves was born in 1757 in Prince William County, Virginia.
While a resident of Halifax County, Virginia he enlisted in May 1778 and served three months as private in Captain George Comes' Company of Virginia Troops.
Shortly after, he moved with his father (whose name is not given) to Wilkes County, North Carolina and enlisted in September or October 1779 and served three months as private in Captain Gordon's North Carolina Company, then returned home and in a few days enlisted and served three months in the same company.
He again returned home, and in about one week enlisted and served three or four weeks in Captain Cleaveland's Company, Colonel Gordon's North Carolina Regiment, after which he volunteered and served four weeks in Captain Isbel's North Carolina Company.
He enlisted in 1780, served three months as private in

Captain William Nawls' North Carolina Company and was in the battle of Camden.
He enlisted again in 1780 and served eight weeks in Captain Cleaveland's North Carolina Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 23, 1832 while a resident of Silver Creek Township, Green County, Ohio.
He married in Halifax County, North Carolina, the date of marriage and name of wife not stated; he lived about sixteen years in said county and then moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee, then later to Ohio.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

au 11/17/049
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of _____ a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1778 3 mos. 1st. Henry Laurens W.C.   1779 2 mos. Laurens N.C.   ✓ 2 1/2   ✓ 3 or 4 mos. Laurens Laurens   1780 4 mos. Isabel   1780 6 weeks Wm. Mays   Clemens  
Battles engaged in, Camden Residence of soldier at enlistment, Halifax Co. Va. & Wilkes Co. N.C. Date of application for pension, 1811 Residence at date of application, 1811 Age at date of application, born in 1757 in 1780 was 23 in 1787 Remarks: Name of his wife is not stated

811 W. 4th St. Pomona Calif. Oct. 2, 1939.
Veterans Administration Washington D.C.
do you have a record of Asher Peaves of Virginia applying for a Pension for Revolutionary War service.
He moved to Silver Creek Twp. Greene Co Ohio as early as 1813 He died 31 July 1845 aged 87. and was buried at the Baptist Graveyard at Jamestown Ohio. He was my 2nd Great-Grand-Father.
Yours truly
Ethel Arnett Curtis.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
March 16, 1937.
YOUR FILE REFERENCE:
IN REPLY REFER TO: BA-G
Mrs. Leo Parker, 3380 Morrison Ave., Clifton, Cincinnati, Ohio.
REEVES, Asher
Dear Madam:
The postage enclosed with your letter of recent date is herewith returned. No postage is required on replies to official inquiries.
Your communication is being given attention.
By direction,
W. C. BLACK, Chief Clerk.
Enclosure: (1) stamped envelope
Veterans Administration Form 3158 Return of Postage

Columbus, Ohio June 22 nd 60.
Theresa J. Adams.
Recd June 25 th 60 4 Mi 45 $133 3 / 100 July 45
Mr. Randall
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER Received from GAO

J. H. SHERMAN. R. F. ADAMS.  SHERMAN & ADAMS  ATTORNEYS AND LAND AGENTS, Galesburg, Ills.  Special attention given to the prosecution of Military Land Claims for Soldiers of the War of 1812, and their Heirs.
CORRESPONDENTS are requested to reply with as little delay as possible. If the information asked for or business contemplated, cannot be attended to at once, a reply stating the cause and probable length of the delay is desired. As several interchanges of letters must usually pass before the title papers of our clients can be gotten into shape to enable us to recover or sell their lands, it is extremely important that each letter should be attended to with dispatch. Otherwise the time consumed in the preparation of a case is liable to operate (as in some instances it has operated,) to the defeat of a favorable result.
Lebanon Ohio Galesburg, Ill. Jan'y. 2 nd 1860
Hon. Third Auditor U.S.
Sir: Herewith we send you the application of Elizabeth Cottrell for the balance of Pension due her father, Asahel Reams at his death.
Please find also herewith sent orders from Obediah Reams and Sarah Hadly the other two children of Asahel Reams.
Please send Treasury Draft for the amount to our address at this place
and oblige Your humble Servants Sherman & Adams
Lebanon Ohio
P.S. By sending the Draft to us at this place you will save us inconvenience and delay.

The state of Ohio Green county court of common pleas of the Term of April 1833
Green county ss Personally appeared in open court at the above Term before the Judges of the court at p on the 6th day of May 1833 Asher Reames the same person who appeared in said court at the Term of Nov. 1833 and under oaths doth make the following additional statement and explanation of the statement then made by him in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832
He states that for the first time mentioned in his former declaration he was drafted as he nearly believes from having up close his memory in the month of May 1778. but what time in that month he cannot state and he did not leave the service until the expiration of three months from the time of his enlistment but was employed at his former applica- tion states In the statement formerly made there is one mistake which he is now confident he made on which was made in drawing his declaration and which he entirely overlooked The declaration states that the second time he entered the service it was in the month of September or October 1789. He now states that the date is there is a mistake of ten years in that statement of the time and he now states that in the month of September or Octo- ber 1779 he cannot state the time with more or greater certainty and he served as he has before stated. He left the service

after having performed the three months, four secondly above stated - He has in two or three instances in his original declaration declaration stated that he served for 3 or four weeks, he was particular not to state the time longer than he did actually serve & he was particular that he had served at least as long as the shortest time named.
He states that he has described his services and their dates, with as much certainty as it is in his power to do. He has never been able to read or write and can not have the benefit of any writing or other record and is left wholly to the frailty of his memory.
He knows that he did serve and where he served the dates are out of his memory.
He states that he was born in the County of Prince William County being in Va and as well as he can recollect and as he believes in the year 1957.
He has no record of his age -
He has stated & now states that when first called into service he lived in Wallis Co. Pa. & at all the other times when he was called out he lived in Wilk Co. T. B. He has stated the manner he was called into service in his original declaration.
He cannot state the officers nor the troops with whom he served nor the

general circumstances more accurately than he has stated in his original application.
The discharge mentioned in his original application was signed by the Captain and that discharge he has long since lost & he never had any other discharge.
He can prove by Isaac Leonard Esq. Benj Stoupe or as he believes almost any one of his neighbours, that he is a man of veracity & that he is, in their opinion a Soldier of the Revolution.
Asher P. Reaves, mark
Sworn to & subscribed in Open
Court May 6. 1833
J. D. Brown att
I James Brown Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Sussex County State of Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing explanatory statement was sworn to in Open Court by said Asher Reaves on the 6th day of May 1833.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and the seal of said Court at Lima this 10th day of May 1833.
J. Brown att

No. 2045 Entd. A/c
Ashur Neave (children of)
Cincinnati, Ohio (June 7, 1851) $17.67 $17.10
Rep'd Jan'y 6, 1860. Ret'd " 10. "
Reg't No. 6694, dated the 14 th sent to Treasury the 17 th January 1860.
2045 → (194 M.S.C) 1860

STATEMENT.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE.
The United States,
To Elizabeth Cottrell, for her own & the shares of Obadiah Reaves & Sarah Hadley per their own Only Children of Asahel Reaves Asahel late a pensioner of the Cincinnati Ohio Agency, per Act of Congress of June 7 1832, Dr. For his pension from March 4 1845, to July 31 1845, at $15.22 per annum $76.10
Stated Jany 6 1860, by E. T. M.
Clerk.
Treasury Department,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
Examined Jany 10 1860 by Jos: T. Adams
Clerk.
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAD