Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 17,246, for James Purvis, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Purvis, James
R. 17.246.
Va. half pay
CONTENTS

I James Purvis of Frederick county and state of Virginia do hereby make my last Will & Testament in manner and form following that is to say.
First I desire that the perishable part of my estate be sold by my executor herein after named or such part thereof as they may think proper to sell as soon after my decease as they may judge convenient, and out of the monies arising therefrom pay off my just debts and funeral expenses but should the perishable part of my property prove insufficient for the above purposes then I desire that my executors sell as much of my land where and how ever they may think sufficient and out of the monies arising from such sale pay off & satisfy such of my just debts as may remain unpaid out of the sales of the perishable part of my estate which they may have sold.
2 ly After the payment of my just debts & funeral expenses I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Cassandra a certain residue of my estate real & personal during her natural life.
3 ly After the decease of my wife Cassandra I desire that my executors do sell of the residue of my real property and after all expenses and after all expenses that may arise in carrying this my last will & Testament into effect is fully paid & satisfied the whole of the residue be disposed of in the following manner, That is to say
1 st I will & bequeath to James Purvis only son of James & Cassandra Purvis five hundred dollars current money 2 nd I will and bequeath to my brother William Purvis one third part of the remainder and his heirs, 3 rd I will & bequeath to Sarah Purvis sister of said William & her heirs one other third part of the said remainder 4 th I will & bequeath to John Purvis son of John Purvis dead

& his heirs the other third parts of said remainder.
8 th & Lastly - I do hereby constitute and appoint My beloved wife Cusandria Executrix & My friend James Ricly Ex or of this my Last Will & Testament & it is my desire that they shall not be required to give security for their performance & hereby revoking all other former wills & Tes- taments by me heretofore made, I do hereby declare this & no other to be my last will & Testament.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hands & af- fixed my seal this sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord 1811
Signed, Sealed, published & declared as & for the last will & Testament of the above named James Purvis
his James Purvis (Seal) marks
In presence of us
James Ricly
Thomas Kent
G. H. Harrison
A. B. the words in such part thereof as they may think proper to delete was Interlined before signed
At a Court held for Frederick County the 2 nd day of December 1811. This Last Will and Testament of James Purvis decd. was proved by the oaths of Thomas Kent and George H. Har- rison two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Cusandria Purvis & James Ricly the Executrix and Executor therein named who made oath accor- ding to Law certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form they having entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of six thousand dollars without security agreeably to the direction of the will which bond is condition- ed for their due and faithful administration of the said decedant's estate
By the Court
J. Keith Clerk

James Purvis Esq.
The petition of James Purvis Executor of James Purvis and praying the benefit of an act passed by Congress the 5 th of July 1832."
Dec- 26. 1832.
Ref. to the Select Committee to which was ref d on the 18 th of Dec r instant, the petition of the Rhode Island Brigade to be
Armstrong 18. R. I. Brigade Com

6 To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled, the petition of James Purvis executor of James Purvis die respectfully representing therewith -
That your petitioner is the Executor and legal representative of said James Purvis die as will appear by a copy of his will and certificate of qualification herewith annexed and duly certified under the seal of the Clerk of the County Court of Fredericks. (Marked A).
That your petitioner to wit James Purvis was an officer in the Virginia State Line , during the war of the rebellion and as such became entitled to the benefit of an act passed by the General assembly of Virginia at its May session 1779 - allowing to the officers of the State Line half pay for life - and also entitled thro' his representatives to the benefit of an act of Congress of the 5 th of July 1832, providing for the payment of said claims for half pay.
Your petitioner will briefly state the services of the said James Purvis - advert to the testimony by which those services are sustained and also to the doubt expressed by the Secretary of the Treasury to the allowance of this claim under the act of the 5 th of July 1832, referring your petitioner to your honorable body for relief.
It is deemed unnecessary to refer to the services of the

said Purvis in the first Virginia regiment from the 8 th day of September 1775, until 1779 - for however meritorious their services were, and however well merited by the testimony of Col. John Green, they constitute no claim to the compensation provided for by the act of the General Assembly of Virginia of May 1779, and the act of Congress of 5 th July 1832.
Not so, however, in services subsequent to that period which have been by reference to these two laws. In 1779, Purvis was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Virginia State regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Crockett, which regiment was then stationed at Albemarle barracks in the State of Virginia guarding the prisoners taken at the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne. On the 8 th of October 1779, Purvis was promoted to the rank of a Captain and served in said regiment in that capacity until said regiment was discharged upon the cessation of hostilities between the Confederate States and Great Britain.
The evidence in support of the facts above stated is in the form of the petitioner's conclusive and herewith accompanies the petition. It is
1 st a certificate of Col. Payton dated on the 28 th of October 1784, and certified from the office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates Virginia. This certificate was the testimony when

which Purvis in 1784. was considered by the Government of Virginia entitled to a Captains Land Bounty for services in the Virginia line. The admission of his right at that early period to rank as a Captain in the Virginia line, your petitioners would respectfully suggest ought to be conclusive of the question (See Document marked B) 2 nd The deposition of Capt. Thomas Young . Capt. Young now resides in Mason County Kentucky, is the only surviving Officer of Col. Crockett's regiment and is known to the representatives from that District as a man of high character & unquestionable veracity. He testifies to the fact that Captain Purvis was an officer in the regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Crockett, and served as such officer till the regt was discharged. (See Document marked C)
3 rd The deposition of Major Henry Bedinger . Major Bedinger now resides in the County of Berkeley, State of Virginia, is a gentleman of the highest character & respectability and was himself an officer in the war of the Revolution - His testimony to the services of Purvis is full and in some detail. (See Document marked D)
If it were desirable to sustain the claims of said Purvis by additional testimony, such additional evidence could be found in the regimental diaries & order books of that period. But your petitioners respectfully suppose the case to be sufficiently made out.
Notwithstanding the above testimony showing so satisfactorily as it ought to have been deemed - The right of Captain Purvis to be considered as an officer in the regiment commanded by Col. Crockett and to receive his pay & emoluments as such, has been rejected

by the Secretary of the Treasury, because he was unwilling when his own responsibility to set the precedent of allowing the claim of an officer whose name did not appear upon a list of the Officers of that regiment which had been furnished to him by the Auditor of Virginia.
Let it be here remarked that no possible evil could result from such a precedent, this being the only case of the kind which could come within its operation. For the result & names of all the Officers of the Virginia regiments has been omitted by a board of discrimination - the result of a horse proceedings as now in the proportion of the Secretary except those of Col. Crockett's regiment - and as to these there was a board of discrimination in the case of Crockett's regiment. So a list made out, which list it will be shown is lost, yet there is a perfect correspondence between the unauthenticated list in proportion of Mr. M c Lane & the before kinds in the cause - save alone in the case of Capt. Purvis
But to return to the Secretary's doubt. It is true, that shortly after the close of the war, the State of Virginia with a view of as- certaining what officers were entitled to half pay, & honorarium instituted what are called boards of discrimination and it will be very cheerfully conceded by your petitioners, that if the list now in proportion of the Treasury Department, exhibiting the names of Col. Crockett's regiment, can be shown to have been

made out under the authority and sanction of one of those Boards, it would require strong testimony to overthrow the right attached to its conclusions. altho there are instances as will be seen by reference to the Candler letter & exhibit where those boards have omitted the names of officers who were subsequently admitted to be entitled to their compensation. See the cases of Major Dole and Dr. Brodie.)
But the fact is the list of Candler's regiment now in possession of the Secretary so far from purporting to have been made out under the authority of any Board of discrimination - is utterly without date, - without proof of its genuineness and is not noticed in any manner whatever. (See why he mentions annexed man No. )
That there was a board of discrimination which designated the officers of Col. Candler's regiment who were entitled to half pay will appear from the accompanying papers - that the proceedings of that Board have been lost since 1784 will appear from papers. ) and that the list in possession of the Secretary can not be an accurate list of those officers is manifest. That in Candler's regiment there were six Captains See document ( ) but the list makes but three .
The proceedings of the Board which set upon the claims of Candler's regiment was lost in 1784 - It is possible the present is a list which was subsequently made out by some person

upon his own authority to settle the account: But whether this be so must also be impossible to say.
The present bill was found by the Clerk of the House of Delegates in 1831, carefully thrown among the papers of his office and by him handed over to the Auditor.
The Letter of the Auditor of the 25 th of August 1832 exhibits his opinion of the extent to which reliance can be placed upon that document. See his letter accompanying the petition marked ).
The Secretary of the Treasury considering this case not free from doubt, has declined adjusting the claim of Purvis in pursuance of the Act of Congress of the 5 th of July last.
Never having had & unjust this determination of the Hon- noble Secretary may be considered the final and con- clusive up of the present testimony, your petitioner hopes that a ready justice will be done by your Honorable body. To this end he prays the passage of a special act of Congress authorizing & requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to adjust, settle & pay to your petitioner as Executor of James Purvis: old his half pay as a Captain from the 1 st day of January 1782 to the 7 th of November

1811- and your predecessor as on duty bound will ever be.
James Ruelly Secretary of James Purdie

Jan 7, 1925.
Olive A. Swanson, "La Vue" Summit, Spotsylvania Co. Va.
Madam:
I have to advise you, that from the papers on the claim, R. 17246 7346, it appears that James Purvis , who at one time was a resident of Berkeley County, Virginia, married Cassandra, whose maiden name and date of marriage are not on record. He died in Frederick County, Virginia, ia, November 7, 1811. Names of children not on record.
On July 13, 1832, James Riely of Frederick County, Virginia, his executor, applied for half pay under the Act of July 5, 1832 on account of his services as a Cap- tain in Colonel Joseph Crockett's Virginia Regiment, dur- ing the Revolution, but the claim was not allowed, owing to lack of proof of his services in Colonel Crockett's Regiment, upon which said claim was based.
The above noted, is the only Revolutionary War claim on file for a James Purvis of Virginia.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

James Purvis
Volunteer
Revolution
Discharged _____, 18
5065
REJECTED
File No. 17246
Var. Pay Act 32 July 5, 1832
Received not allowed, 187
Attorney.
1923 Aug. 31. Hist. to Mrs. H. O. Swanson, au 1925 Jan 7. Hist. D.O.A - Swanson. Au.

68 James Parris.
Not Allowed
See letter to the Hon.
John T. Barlow
18 Jan. 1833. N o 105.
J. H. G. Rilly Oct 29/57

money of the United States of America, or from such officers of the State of Virginia or the United States whose duty it may become to distribute the amount recently appropriated by an act of Congress for the liquidation of the claims of Virginia, all sums of money, that may be due and coming to me as Executor of the last will and testament of said James Purvis deceased, by virtue of and in consequence of his services as an officer of the Virginia State line, during the War of the Revolution and acquittances and other sufficient discharges for me and in my name to execute and give and to do all other acts and things in and concerning the premises as fully as I could do, were I personally present, assenting thereto.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 13 th day of July 1832
James Rieley
Frederick County Set
This day James Rieley, whose name is subscribed to the above instrument of writing, personally appeared before the undersigned Justices of the Peace in and for the

Fredrick County Det
This day James Riely the person mentioned in the foregoing power of attorney, personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and made oath that Capt. James Purvis late an Officer of the Revolutionary Army died on the 7 th day of November 1811
Given under my hand and seal this 13 th day of July 1832
W. Harkness (S.S.)

Parris Case
Faulkner's Notes
For Mr. M c Lane

To the Secretary of the Treasury,
The claim of James Purvis a Cap't in Crockett's Reg't.
The claim of James Purvis to the benefit of the act of the 5 th of July 1832 has been rejected by the Auditor, because the name of said Purvis is not to be found on the list of Col. Crockett's Regiment. If there was in existence a perfect list of Crockett's regiment, the ground of objection would be very guard. But we know that the list of Crockett's regiment has been lost and no perfect one (so far as I am informed) has yet been found.
As to the list accompanying these papers. It is true the name of Purvis does not appear in for it. But that list is without date — without authentication, and with nothing appertaining to it, calculated to give it the force of a conclusive document. The Auditor of V th checking of it (see enclosed letter) remarks "whilst it may be considered conclusive as to the officers named , it is not necessarily so as to those who are not named. The return of Major Wall is without date" &c.
His claim is substantiated by the strongest evidence
1 st The deposition of Capt. Young, (the only surviving officer of Col. Crockett's regiment) proves that James Purvis was a Captain in said Regiment & served as such until the end of the war . (See deposition)
2 d Henry Bedinger (an officer himself of the Revolution), proved in open Court, that Purvis was a Captain in Crockett's regiment and served as such until the end of the war.
Besides this we have every kind of corroborative testimony except the mere omission, namely that his name does not appear upon a list without date, without authentication &c.
He received land as an officer &c.
The auditor presumes that omission of names abroad occurred in the reports of regular Boards — Is an omission therefore, wonderful in an informal paper of the character above spoken of?
Chas. F. Faulkner
This argument was prepared by Mr. Faulkner before the additional testimony was produced. It is of course defective in molecular construction. J. S. B.

This list shows that there were six Captains in Crockett's Regiment & confirms the deposition of Capt. Young, while it exhibits the unpossibility -near almost certainty that the list of Crockett's reg t  known referred to in the petition, is not a genuine one.

A Board of Officers, Ordered to act by General George Rogers Clark to examine into the claims of the Officers of Col o Crockett's Regiment. Respecting their Ranks.
Col o John Montgomery President Major Thomas Quirk - Captain W t George } Members Capt Brashear - Capt J. Girault
After examining the claims of all the Officers of said Regiment, and their certificates from Col o Crockett, and being informed that the Regiment never consisted of more than six Companies, Mustered and doing duty.
The Board are of opinion that the said Regiment should be continued full to that number by promotion of the Officers now commissioned, and upon examination find that the Officers are entitled to the following promotion.
Ensign Moore to a Lieutenancy the 1 st July 1780 by the promotion of Lt. Herney to Captain.
Ensign M c Garock to a Lieutenancy the 15 Aug t 1780 by the resignation of Lieut M c Gill.
Lieut Glenn to Captain the 13 Oct r 1780 by the death of Captain Hanley.
Ensign Walls to a Lieutenant the 13 Oct r 1780 by the promotion of Lieutenant Glenn.
Ensign Bullock to a Lieutenant the 11 Jan y 1781 by Lieut. Dan l Andersons dismissal.
Lieut Browning to a Captain the 2 Sept r 1781 by the death of Captain Chapman.
Lieut Moore to a Captain 2 Sept r 1781 by the death of Capt Tipton.
Ensign Deering to a Lieutenant the 2 Sept r 1781 by the promotion of Lieutenant Browning.
Ensign Green to a Lieutenant the 2 Sept r 1781 by the promotion of Lieutenant Moore
J. Clark B. G.
J. Montgomery P o
In Council April 4. 1782. Referred to the Commissioner of War. Benj. Harrison

a true copy of a paper filed in the auditor's office of Virg a . J. M. Heath and
24 Dec r 1832

Virginico. Berkeley County to wit,
I Harrison Wait Clerk of the County Court of said County. do certify, that Sil- -vester Fryatt who has certified the foregoing af- fidavit of Henry Reppinger, is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my official seal, at Martinsburg in said County, this 23 d day of November 1832 and 57 th year of the Commonwealth.
Harrison Wait Clerk

Henry Beclinger of the County of Berkeley and State of Virginia now in his Eighty th year, States and declares, that he was personally well acquainted with James Purvis, an Officer in the War of the Revolution, both during, and after the War, he first became acquainted with said James Purvis at Albemarle barracks, in the County of Albemarle, State of Virginia, the said James Purvis being then a Captain in the Virginia State Regiment, under the Command of Col. Joseph Crockett, which Regiment was there temporarily stationed for the purpose of guarding the prisoners taken at the Capture of Burgoyne's Army. He became more intimately acquainted with said Purvis, during the Winter, Crockett's Regiment was encamped & stationed at Shep- herds Town, in Virginia, on its March to the Western Frontiers. This Affiant's Mother lived near Shepherds Town, and being then upon a visit there, from the Southern Army, he spent much of his time with the officers, he recollects Purvis well and particularly, he was an uneducated man, but of sterling worth, was during all the time while the Regiment existed, a Captain in it, he marched with the Regiment from Shepherds Town to the Falls of Ohio, and remained there until it was discharged — Captain Purvis soon after came to this County rented a plantation and married, he afterwards removed to the adjoining County of Frederick where he purchased a farm, and lived thereon, until his death, which took place about 1811 — This Affiant declares that all the time that where he, Purvis, he bore the character, of a faithful & correct Officer, while in the Regiment, and was of a worthy Citizen thereafter, until the period of his death — and, This affiant is further requested to state, that he was himself an Officer in the Virginia Line or Continental establishment, in the Revolutionary Army.
Berkeley County, to wit. 2.
Henry Beclinger Captain 5 th Virginia Key
Revolutionary Army
This 22 nd day of Nov r 1832 personally appeared the above named Henry Beclinger before me and made oath to the above statement according to Law, and that he signed thereon  which is read in his handwriting the same in my presence —
Sworn to before me — T. Atkinson Fryatt

The list of Col. Crockett's Repts. referred to in the petition, as that in the possession of the Secretary of the Treasury. (See Andrew's Letter)

Rank of the Officers of Lt. Col. Joseph Crockett's Regiment with the date of their appointments and commissions, what number of men, when joined, and the number when reduced.
   Names Rank When appointed Date of Comm n Remarks     Joseph Crockett Lt. Col. 1779 July 23 1779 Nov. 8 Entitled to half pay   Supernumerary Maj r in the Virginia Line George Walls called from the line Maj r July 23 ditto 6 Entitled to half pay   (William) Cherry a Supernumerary Capt. from the Virginia line Capt. July 23 ditto 8 Entitled to half pay   Thomas Young Capt. ----- ditto 8 Entitled to half pay   John Kenney Capt. ----- 1780 July 1 for his former services Entitled to half pay   Peter Moore Lt. July 23 Nov. 8 D o . D o . D o .   Thomas Walls Lt. July 23 D o 6 D o . D o . D o .   Hugh Mc Gavoock Ensign D o 8 Entitled to half pay   Rice Bullock Lt. 1780 Aug t 14 Entitled to half pay for his former services   Charles Green Surg n 1780 Feb y 1 D o . D o . D o .   Bernard Glen Lt. 1779 Nov. 8 D o . D o . D o .   Isaac Browning Lt. Nov. 8 D o . D o . D o .   Samuel Ball Green Ens Nov. 8 D o . D o . D o .   Henry Daring Ens Nov. 8 D o . D o . D o .  
It appears by returns of Col. Crockett's Regiment that there was raised 225 men, and the number when reduced 137 Men
Geo Walls Major W.B.
Virginia City of Richmond, to wit.
I George W. Munford Clerk of the House of Delegates & Keeper of the Rolls of the Commonwealth of Virginia, do hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true copy of the original return of the Officers of

of Col o Crockett's Regiment, on file in my Office.
Given under my hand this 16 th July 1832
George W. Munford B.H.D. & Keeper of the Rolls of Va.
a true copy of a paper filed in the auditor's office of Virginia.
J. M. Keith and
Dec 24. 1832.

68.
Rec. 31 Dec r 1882. from the Hon. John S. Barham.

The case of James Parvin He claims the benefit of the act of July 5th 1832 as one of officers a Captain in Brocketts Regiment.
His name does not appear upon the auditors list.
That list is not made up by the board of officers appointed in 1782 of which Col. Marshall: The return is signed "George Wall Major, M. B." "The audi- tor of Virg a says it "is without date & "does not appear to have been authenti- "cated by any act of the board of officers "but that board declined expressing any "opinion with respect to the claim of "Brocketts officers to half pay it might "not therefore have been deemed necessary to authenticate the Return. That the board "had some roll or return before them "is certain, and there is a fair presumption "that the one signed Wall is the one referred "to." He adds "there is no doubt mistake "as to particular officers were made"
Major Wall's list was not regarded by the board as perfect or they would have

authenticated it in all rational proceedings. In a list of the same Regiment, (Crockett's) countersigned by Genl George Rogers Black Black, April 4 th 1782, it is reported that Crockett's Regiment never consisted "of more than six Companies mustered & "doing duty!" "and that it should be contained full to that Number!" Yet Major Wally proves in this partial list which does not even profess to be a list of those entitled to half pay or to be a perfect list, reports three Captains only.
The reason of this defect is shown by deposition of Capt Thomas Young res. of Kentucky, who proves that Major Wally was detached from this Regiment to other service on the Western Waters in which he continued until 1784.
His list must have been made without the data before him to make it accurate & the Board of officers appear to have declined acting on it in 1782. The whole
This list neither approved nor authenticated by any one ought not to be regarded even as prima facie evidence

44) The testimony of Capt Young proves that he was Captain Purvis was an officer of that grade in Brocketts Regiment that he was with it in 1779 & remained in service the full period of time that the said Regiment was in service
Young was himself an officer & he gives on oath the list of officers belonging to it. Capt Youngs character for veracity worth & respectability are testified to by Mr Marshall of the House of Reps from A.G.
Major Henry Bedinger of Berkeley County Va proves the same fact. He knew Purvis whilst in Brocketts Regiment. Knew that he served to the close of the war & knew him after the war in private life. Major Bedinger is shown by Mr Armstrong of the H. of R. to be worthy of all trust
The Legislature of Virg a acknowledged by joint resolution in 1784 that Capt Purvis was entitled to Lands for 3 years service & allowed him it to him accordingly. See Eliza Hayward certificate. Now that Regiment was not 3 years in service

altogether. But Purvis had been a client previously & completing both terms of service to wit previously in continental & the whole term of brockets, made more than 3 years & it was therefore allowed. see also Doyle's certificate
68.
Dec. 31 Dec. 1892. from the Hon. John J. Burhan.

The deposition of Captain Thomas Young of Mason County Kentucky now in his seventy ninth year taken to be read as evidence in a matter of appeal pending in the Superior Court of law for the City of Richmond in which the officers of Colonel Joseph Crockett's Regiment or the 7th Virginia State Regiment, suing for their half pay are appellants and the auditor of Public accounts is appellee.
Thomas Young being first duly sworn
Question 1st State if you were an officer in the Regiment commanded by Col d Joseph Crockett and how long you continued to serve therein?
Answer I was commissioned a captain in the Virginia State Regiment under the command of Joseph Crockett in November 1779 and continued to serve therein until the time for which the men were enlisted had expired which was the last of December 1781 at which time myself with all the officers returned home as supernumeraries, holding ourselves in readiness to return to the service when called on
Question 2 d Who were the officers of that Regiment at the expiration of the term of the men's enlistment and the return home of the officers as supernumeraries as aforesaid?
Answer There was Joseph Crockett Colonel - George Walls major - William Cherry James Purvis John Kerney Peter Moore Isaac Browning and myself Captains - Rice Bullock Samuel Green Henry Daving Thomas Walls Hugh McGarock Bernard

= Glenn Lieutenants and Charles Green Surgeon - - -
Question 3 rd Were any of the Officers called into service after the expiration of the term of the mens enlistment and the return home of the Officers as supernumeraries?
Answer Major George Walls was called into the service after that period at the falls of the Ohio
Question 4 th State how long Major George Walls continued in service after the expiration of the term of the mens enlistment and the return home of the Officers as supernumeraries?
Answer Major George Walls was continued in service at the falls of the Ohio after the expiration of the term of the mens enlistment and the return home of the officers as supernumeraries and remained at the head of the military station there I believe until the spring of 1784
Personally appeared before us the subscribers two of the Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid the above named Captain Thomas Young of Mason County and made oath to the above statement in reference to the Regiment commanded by Col Joseph Crockett, as witness our hands and seals the 10 th day of November 1820
J Brown { Seals } James Blair { Seals }
State of Kentucky. Mason County set. James Polivka I Marshall Clerk of the County Court for said County certify that this John Brown and James Blair and were at the time of signing the same Justices of the peace in and for Mason County duly commissioned and qualified and that due faith and credit is due to all their official acts. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court for said County the 12 th day of November 1830. Clerks fee & tax on Seal $1.00 Marshall Clerk

Report of the Board of Officers, respecting the Regiments entitled to Half pay.

Filed
The board of Officers that sat at Richmond in February 1782 gave it as their opinion (in their proceedings) that no gentlemen that were appointed to command in the four regiments that were directed to be raised by the Act of Assembly passed in May 1779, for the defence of the eastern & western limits of this State, could or ought to be considered as entitled to Half-pay, except the Officers of Col o Crockett's Regiment, which they understood, was the only regiment of those four, that ever was raised.
They discriminated from  some Officers, as in their opinion in these (then) circumstances not entitled to Half pay; & expressed their doubts with respect to the claims of others; the Executive have left the matter of doubt as they found it, therefore, they are below, distinguished into discriminated & disallowed.
of doubt as they found it, therefore, they are below, in part. The whole of the claims were not considered by the Board of Feb. 1782 and other boards have at different times sat since, by directions of the Executive. It is by the Executive author-
times sat since, by directions of the Executive. By the Executive authority From the lists that were transmitted by the diff't Boards to the Executive, & by the Executive transmitted to the Auditor, the following statement is made out, intended to give a compendious view of the whole.
the Auditor, the following statement is made out, in order to show the same. This to be observed that several Officers included in the following Half pay list, are since dead.
    What Board of Officers Regiments or Corps Strength when raised or formed Non Comm d Officers & privates reduced Officers when the Board sat On the H. P. list Amt. of half pay   Supern ff Service Total Discrim Disallowed     February 1782 First State 630 195 for the war May '80 18 10 28 1 24 £1381 a a   Same Second State not known 31 for the war 17 4 21 3 18 1243 a a   Same State Artillery 300 & 400 Uncertain 32 6 38 3 4 31 2295 a a   Same State Garrison not known 174. Near all for the war 7 2 9 9 1633 a a   Same State Garrison not known 2 1 3 3 198 a a   Same Illinois Troop 39 10 for the war 9 9 654 a a   Same State Cavalry not known uncertain 15 15 1053 a a   April 1782 Illinois regiment 350 130 x 13 753 a a   1783 Crocketts regiment 11 11 803 a a   May 13 th 1784 Navy 133 £9213 a a    Officers omitted when the Board of July 1782 sat, to be inserted in any list. Major Dick Dr. Brodie.  Amount of the half pay extended above } £7859 a a  N. B. The above lists, contain all the Officers, that served in Col. Dabney's Legion. The return of Crocketts regiment made by a board that sat last fall to the Executive, has said was sent to the Assembly & can't now be found, therefore the amt. of half pay is not extended, tho' it is supposed the number of Officers is right. The pay of the Navy I am unacquainted with.  x appears to have been altered from some other figure to 3. 

Auditors office 23. July 1832
I do certify that the within is a true copy of a paper or document filed in this office by Judge Cabell.
J. N. E. Heath
Audr of Va.

Rec'd 18 Jan'y 1853

L r
The United States In account with James Purvis
C r
  To pay as Lt. from 11 Jan. 79 to 8 th Oct. following 71 9 4 1781   To pay as Capt. from 8 th Oct. 79 to 13 th June 1781 241 4 . May   To retained Balance 60 11 8 
  By pay & subsistence received at 480 9 4 18 8 3 3/4   Band times 3400 . . 30 . .   By Cash 1800 . . 32 . .   By do of Treasury of Virginia   By sundries of R. Martin at 13 7 . 13 7 .   Walt. barracks   Certificates 328 12 9   Carried 229 12 9 
I do hereby certify that the foregoing account is truly extracted from a Book of settlements in this office upon which Certificates issued for the balance of their full pay to the officers of the Virginia line on Continental establishment. I further certify that it appears by the Continental army Register that a Certificate issued to James Purvis as an Ensign of infantry on the 18 Nov. 1781 for £30. 12. 8 — and that on the 6. February 1783 a certificate issued to him as a Captain of Guards for £282 12. 9.  Given under my hand at the Auditor's office Richmond this 16 Jan 1833 J. M. E. Beatty aud. V. A.

Virginia. Frederick County S t
I Thomas Allen Tidball clerk of the Court of the County of said, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true transcript from the records of my office.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my Court this 12 th day of July 1852 & in the 5 th year of the Commonwealth.
T. A. Tidball

Virginia
Fredrick County, Vt.
I Thomas Allen Edlance clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that John Bishell and Daniel Ladd Esqrs, whose names are signed to the foregoing certificate are and were at the time of signing the same, acting justices of the peace for Fredrick County duly commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are due, and ought to be given to all their official acts as such.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my court this 12 th day of July 1832 in the 57 th year of the Commonwealth.
— T. Allen

I am well acquainted with Major Henry Bedinger of Berkeley County Virg a , an Officer in the Army of the Revolution, and that full confidence may be placed in any statement he may make
Yours Affectionately Wm Armstrong
Dec. 31. 1832

Auditors Office
Aug. 25. 1832.
My dear Sir
It affords me at all times great pleasure to answer your enquiries. The same mail which brought your letter also bore one from the Secretary of the Treasury desiring information with respect to Crockells Regiment. Whilst I think there is a strong reason to believe that the Roll or Return of Crockells officers in the clerks office of the House of Delegates is as far as it goes a true list it does not by any means follow that there might not have been other officers in that Regiment whose names do not appear therein. Whilst the list may be considered conclusive as to the officers named it is not necessarily conclusive as to those who are not named. The Return of Major Walls is without date, and does not appear to have been authenticated by any act of the Board of officers, but that Board declined expressing any opinion with respect to the claim of Crockells officers to Half pay, and it might not therefore have been deemed necessary to authenticate the Return. That the Board had some Roll or Return before them is certain, and there is a fair presumption that the one signed Walls is the one referred to.
There is no doubt that mistakes as to particular officers were made. The Board of

1782 in their arrangement as it is called of the State officers, entitled to Half pay - omitted the name of Alexander Dick who was clearly in service and a prominent officer. This omission was corrected by the very Board assembled to consider the claims of Crockett's officers, though not strictly a part of their duty. After a lapse of two or three years Walls who made the Return might very well have forgotten or omitted the names of some of the officers. Nothing is more probable. —
I am with sincere respect and esteem yours truly
W. E. Heath
Chas J. Faulkner

Res. 18 Jany 1833
197.
To the Honble the Speaker and House of Delegates The Petition of James Purvis humbly represents
That he enlisted in the first Virginia Regiment on the 5 th day of September 1775, and on the 7 th day of March 1777 was appointed an Ensign in which capacity he acted until the 18 th day of February 1778 when he resigned. That in the month of January 1779 he was appointed a Lieutenant to serve in the Regiment to guard the Convention Prisoners, and was promoted to the rank of Captain the 8 th day of October following in which rank he served until the Regiment was disbanded in June 1781. That the resignation of your Petitioner in the year 1778 was occasioned altogether from the consideration of his want of Learning sufficient to discharge the duties incident to his Appointment to attain which, he applied himself until his appointment in the Regiment of Guards:
Your Petitioner therefore prays this Hon ble House to allow him the same bounty of Lands as is given by Law to a Captain.
This

(198)
This is to certify that Ensign James Purvis enlisted in the first Virginia Regiment the fifth day of Sept 1775 and was appointed an Ensign the 7th day of March 1777 and assigned his commission the 28th February 1778
Given under my hand the 24 October 1784.
(A copy from the original) John Green late Col. 6th V. Regt. Marker Vandeventer L. C. A. Off.
I certify that James Purvis was appointed a Lieutenant in the County of Culpeper to serve in the Regiment to Guard the Convention Prisoners in the month of Jan'y 1779 that he was promoted to the rank of Captain the 8th of October in the same year, & served in that rank until the Regiment was disbanded in June 1781
Orange County 28 October 1784.
H. Taylor Col. late Regt. Guards
Richmond 14th Jan'y 1833.
The foregoing petition of James Purvis, the Certificate of Col. John Green, and the certificate of Col. H. Taylor, are true copies of the originals, now on file in my Office.
George W. Munford C.H.D.

Richmond. Dec. 28/1832
Dr. Sir,
I send you two forms of the 25 & 26" for which you will accept my thanks. I am very much inclined to think if the papers are exhibited in their present shape to the Secretary of the Treasury, he will pass the claim without any difficulty. I do not know, indeed, that the Secretary himself ever saw any of the papers. It was the Chief Clerk of the Auditor's Office who undertook to reject for the reasons endorsed on the papers. The Secretary himself then will hear no further of opinion to overrule. Besides when these papers were before presented, it was solely upon the report of Capt. Green - but now sustained by the testimony of Beringer - Col. Taylor in 1784. and a great resolution of the House of Delegates in 1784. - it seems to me to present a conclusive case.
I do therefore with great pleasure accept your services and I shall regard as a special favor, if you will

Present the plan to the consideration of the Secretary of the Treasury - I think he will pass it without the least difficulty. Should he fail to do so it cannot propel the case. I am sure that adopt the measure which you have suggested in the matter of which I have the fullest confidence.
The report of the Committee on Federal relations will be talked of on Monday. It will be discussed very much at large. It will I think be adopted but only with some important modifications.
With great respect
Yours sincerely
Rev. John S. Barrow & Jas. Faulkner Washington

Rec d 18 Jan y 1833.
(196)
183.
Auditors Office Richmond
16 January 1833.
Sir
I have delayed answering your letter of the 3 rd inst, from unavoidable causes. I now hasten to forward you a copy of the Vouchers upon which Captain Purvis obtained his land bounty - together with a copy of the settlement in this office upon which certificates issued to him both as Ensign and Captain for the balance of his full pay &c. I can find no evidence that Capt Purvis belonged to Crockett's Regiment or to the State line ; on the contrary all the proofs afforded by this office seem to establish the fact, that he was in the Continental service both before his resignation in 1778 and after his reappointment as an officer of the Convention guards employed to guard the prisoners at Charlottersville, captured at Saratoga. Colonel Taylor whose certificate you will find among the vouchers and who commanded the Convention guards is certainly enrolled in the Continental line . He does not state in his certificate that any of Crockett's officers were attached to his command, nor can I refer to any evidence of that fact in this office.
I presume however that the service of Capt Purvis would entitle him to commutation as an officer in the Continental line .
With great respect? Your obed t Serv t Jas. E. Heath
The Hon Louis M c Lane

Warrant No 3563. in the name of Jas. Purvis a Captain for 4000 Ac. of Ld. in conformity to a Resolution of the Genl. Assembly of Wm. has been located in Park in Pa. sects No 1588. for 1000 ac " " 1607 " 2187. as appears from the Abstract of location furnished by Allen Latham the Surveyor of the Pa. State General Land Office 31 Decr 1832 Elijah Wayman
I am personally acquainted with Capt. Thomas Young whose deposition is taken in support of the application of the Reps. of James Purvis for half pay. and I know said Young to be a man of veracity and of great worth and res- pectability. Thos. A. Marshall Washington Dec. 31 st 1832

Wm. Lynchcher. Va Sept. 26 th /57.
W. C. C. V. Kelly,
Heed. Sept. 29 th / 57, Answered Oct. 3 rd 1857.

Winchester Virginia September 26 th 1857
Colt of Albinus Eng
Dear Sir
Some years ago, I think immediately after the passage of the Act of Congress approved July 27 th 1832, providing for the payment of certain debts due the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Hon Chas James Faulkner on behalf of my grand father, presented the claim of Captain James Davis under said Act: that said claim was before the Department for some time & eventually rejected for insufficiency of proof of service in the Regt of Col Crockett, upon which service said claim was grounded.
I desire, if not contrary to the rules of the Department, to get a copy of the papers filed or if that cannot be furnished an abstract of the evidence on file at the Department, which may relate to his service in Crockett's Regiment, the other service in the Continental line. I do not care for, but am so situated in regard to the other, as to be unable in presenting a claim before the "Board of Claims" to do justice to its merits. I trust you will do me this kindness & will furnish the copies I desire, or if not the abstract - there is on file an affidavit of Capt Henry H. Benning which I should like to have in full if possible & trust you may comply with my request.
I have filed my authority to make investigations in the Pension Bureau some two years ago in application for bounty land for the line of Capt Davis - presuming he had served until the end of the war & had become supernumerary in the Continental line before he entered the State line.
Yours With great respect Yours &
Edw A. S. King

Mr. Winchester. Jr. Oct. 24 th /59, P. H. S. Riely. Recd. Oct. 24/59.
Rough report at the request of Mr. R. to the Committee of Pur- suers.
3 rd Trustees Off- set Oct 27/59 Wagomina
Architect
Mr. Randall,

Winchester Virginia
Oct 28 1857
R. C. Atkinson Esq
Dear Sir
Will you do me the kindness to refer my letter of the 28 th ultimo in relation to the claim of James Davis under the Act of 3 rd July 1832, as an officer in Col. Crockett's Regt to the Secretary of the Treasury or the Department which had the adjudication of those Claims.
I was aware it had never been allowed, but the claim was presented by the Hon C. J. Faulkner in 1833 for adjudication & rejected - the papers he informs me are on file & I have no doubt mistaken the Bureau, & to which they were submitted.
I am with respect Yrs
W. M. King

Rev. War Section.
Aug. 31, 1933
Mrs. H. D. Swanson, Trent, Va.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the claim, R. 7246, it appears that James Purvis, who at one time was a resident of Berkeley County, Virginia, married Cassandra, whose maiden name and date of marriage are not on record. He died in Frederick County, Virginia, November 7, 1811, Names of children not on record.
On July 13, 1832, James Riely of Frederick County, Virginia, his executor, applied for half pay, under the Act of July 5, 1832, on account of his services as a Captain in Colonel Joseph Crockett's Virginia Regiment, during the War of the Revolution, but the claim was not allowed owing to lack of proof of his service in Colonel Crockett's Regiment, upon which said claim was based.
Respectfully,
E. A. Mays
Acting Commissioner.
aw.
I did not use any of the services of the Officer James Purvis as given in the copies of the Va State reports in this claim as both of his witnesses stated.
Crockett's Regt & there is no proof of identity in connection with service of other Capt. J. which covered same period
and anyhow no connection with family's death of F Pop Fred Co Va

La Vire
Summit, Va. Spotsylvania Co.,
Dec. 27, 1924.
Department of Interior Bureau of Pensions Rev. War Section Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Kindly send me the Revolutionary War record of James Purvis of Virginia. If there were several James Purvis, kindly give me the record of all of them.
A prompt answer will be greatly appreciated.
Very truly yours Oliver Alsop Swanson

WORLD WAR JUL 21 1923 SECTION

OFFICERS
MRS. V. M. FLEMING, PRESIDENT MRS. C. O'CONOR GOOLRICK VICE-PRESIDENT MRS. H. H. SMITH, COR. SECT'Y MRS. M. G. WILLIS, JR., REC. SECT'Y MISS SALLY N. GRAVATT LOCAL TREASURER MISS DORA C. JETT, REGISTRAR FLANDERS NATIONAL BANK, TREAS. MRS. E. F. BIRCKHEAD CHAIRMAN ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE
TRUSTEES
CAPT. M. B. ROWE MR. M. G. WILLIS MR. EDGAR M. YOUNG MRS. JNO. T. GOOLRICK MRS. EDWARD F. BIRCKHEAD MRS. ROBT. LEE STOFFREGEN MRS. HAMILTON M. ECKENRODE
"Help Save that Which Washington Helped to Create"
THE KENMORE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED
FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA
STANDING COMMITTEE
HON. E. LEE TRINKLE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA COL. I. N. LEWIS COL. DAVID B. DEVORE MR. GARI MELCHERS DR. THOMAS NELSON PAGE MR. MARK SULLIVAN MR. CHARLES MOORE MR. JAMES A. EMERY MR. FRANK C. BALDWIN DR. KATE WALLER BARRETT MRS. W. RUFFIN COX MRS. J. TAYLOR ELLYSON MRS. JAMES H. CAMPBELL MRS. ANTHONY WAYNE COOK
July 16, 1923
Dept of Interior Bureau of Pensions Revolutionary War Records Section. Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Will you kindly send me the statement of the military history of Capt. James Purvis and any family data you may have, and oblige,
Mrs. H. D. Swanson Summit, Virginia Spotsylvania County.