Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 16,861, for Zerah Osborn, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Osborn, Jerah
PP 16 861
CONTENTS

No. 30,548.
Gerah Osborn
Mr.
Randolph Co.

State of Virginia } County of Randolph } ss.
On this 1 st day of November A.D. 1833. Personally appeared before me one of the Comm- -onwealth's Justices of the peace in and for said County of Randolph and Virginia State, Zerah Osborn a resident of Cove Settlement in said County of Randolph. aged 78 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 7 th 1832.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated
That in the month of March 1776 affiant Volunteered as a private and Indian Spie. under Capt. Haymond on Cheat River at Maners Block House then in Augusta County Virginia, for a period of Six Months and was marched to Stradlers Fort on Dunward Creek, a branch of the Monongahalia River, near where Morgantown Now stands. When Capt. Haymond Company reached said Stradlers Fort on Dunward Creek, Capt. Haymond enquired of his Company of Volunteers. Whether there was any man in the Company that could drill the men, and go through the exercise of Military Tactics, no man replying whether he could or not, until affiant who stepped forward and said he thought he could - (for he had been drilled in Morris County and State of Jersey, from whence he emigrated, to Military tactics and understood the same). he was asked to proceed done so, and Capt. Haymond appoi-

-nted him first sergeant in his Company of Volunteers. Capt. Baymond appeared much pleased, and de- -volved considerable of the drilling duty upon affiant. On intermediate meetings after spying excursions, affiant took charge of four men namely, Andrew Shepherd, Aaron Grimes and Tho. Saly. and James Fannin. and proce- -ded to examine the War paths of the Indians leading up Fish Creek, and Fishing Creek from Ohio River, which headed against New Mile Creek, Buffalo Creek, Newcard Creek, S.C. emptying themselves into West Fork of Monongaha- -lia, and Monongahalia River itself, and leading to the Settlement which affiant had to defend, all the afore mentioned streams now lies in the Counties of Now W. Va. Tyler, Barrigon, and Monongahalia, Virginia affiant and his Company (which were not detached from him that year) continued their examina- -tions until October of the year, and altho- -ugh many visitations of the savages were made into the West Fork (Settlement) of Monongaha- -lia, and occasionally on the Monongahalia Settlement, yet affiant and his Company never were in any personal conflict, during the above period and was discharged by his Capt. Baymond. Then in the Spring of 1777. Capt. Baymond in April of that year, divided a Company of Volunteers, he had raised. Among whom affiant was One the Com- -pany again was raised from Cheat River. then in Augusta County Virginia, Now in Randolph County Virginia consisting of Twenty Five

Men, who had Volunteered for Six months each as Indian Spies and privates, Capt. Maymord advised that ten men should be stationed at Manders Black House on Cheat River, to aid those who were left to protect that settlement during that season, Capt. Maymord proceeded with the remainder , Fifteen men to Morgantown, (in Mon- -ongahalia County now) then Augusta County Virginia, and left affiant with the residue of Ten Men on Cheat River, at Manders Black house as aforesaid. appointed him again first Sergeant, over said Men directed a Continuous Spying by said Men, on the Waters of Clear Run, Horn Sho Run, (Waters of Cheat River) and on Waters of Syrets Valley. Buckhannon River & c. Now in the Counties of Randolph, Lewis, and Harrison, and state of Virginia affiant and his Company diligently performing their duty during that season, he Commanding as first Sergeant and although the havoc of the Indian enemy spread glooms, through the neighboring Country and that their approach, and flight, (after having committed their horrible deeds) was on several Occasions, closely pursued by affiant and Comp- -any, yet they were in no personal Conflict that year. and as well as affiant remembers Only succeeded in rescuing three horse breakers the property Mr Goff and Perkins, that the Ind- -ians had stolen, continuing in service until the latter end of October 1777. and Capt. Maymord not yet having returned, and the term of servitude for which Capt. Maymord had Volunteered his

When having elapsed affiant gave to said man a Verbal discharge, then in April 1778. affiant Volunteered as a private and Indian Spy in Morgantown (now) then in Augusta County Virginia, on Monongahalia River, under Capt. Theopolis Philips, for a servitude of Six Months. and was stationed at Martins Fort. On brooked run, in said County (now) of Monongahalia, was ordered to spy on waters of Duncan Creek, Buffalo Creek, Ten Mile Creek, Fishing Creek, Fish Creek and Pinegama Creek in the Counties (now) of Lewis Harrison, Monongahalia, and Tyler State of Virginia, affiant done so, acted vigilantly watched the Indian War paths, came in no person- -al Conflicts and was discharged in October of that year having served the period for which he Volunteered. by his Capt. Philips. Then in March 1782. affiant Volunteered for a period of Nine Months under Capt. Theopolis Philips at Morgantown in Monongahalia County Virginia was marched to Pittsburgh then Fort Pitt. from thence to Wheeling on the Ohio River Contemplated an excursion into Ohio State; and by order of Col. Hane, Capt. Theopolis Philips marched his men to Morgantown, Monongahalia County. dis- -patched them to different Forts, and ordered them upon their spying excursions. until November of that year and affiant was discharged having served 9 months the services of affiant did not amount to less than 27 months in all and that during that time he knew the following named officers, at Prickett's Fort knew Capt. Springer, at Power's Fort Capt. Robinson, at Morgantown, Col. Evans, Capt. Baymood, Phillips & at Wheeling V t he saw Col. D. and S. Shepherd. He has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose

testimony he can procure who can testify to his services.
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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Isaac Allison
The said Justice then proceeded to propound the seven several interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, to which the said declarant answered as follows viz. To the
1 st I was born in Morris County in the State of New Jersey 15 th day of Augt. 1755
2 d I have no record of my age, but remember the account given me thereof by my parents.
3 rd When called into service, I was living On Cheat river in Augusta, (now Randolph) County Va. I have since lived in the same settlement where I now live in Randolph County Virginia
4 th I
In each and every town, I volunteered
5 th From the nature of my service, I had no opportunity of seeing any part of the regular Army. or regular Officers commanding. I seen Capt. Robinson who commanded a Garrison on Simpson's Creek now in Harrison County Va. Springs at Preak. etc, Phillips at Martins and Miners Fork.

in what is now Monongalia County Virginia I knew Col. Lane who commanded the militia of Ohio County.
6 th
I never received a written discharge at the expiration of each engagement I was verbally discharged, except the 2 d when I retired from service after having served out the time for which I engaged.
7 th I am known to Andrew Miller and John Graham who reside in my neighborhood, and can testify as to my character for veracity, and their belief of my services as an Indian spy in the wars of the revolution.
Jerah Osborn
We Andrew Miller and John Graham residing in Randolph County and State of Virginia hereby certify that We are well acquainted with Jerah Osborn who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 78 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
Andrew Miller John Graham
And the said Justice of the Peace doth hereby declare his Opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Depart- ment, that the above named applicant was a revolution- ary soldier and served as he states. And the said

Justice further certifies, that it appears to him that Andrew Miller and John Graham who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of Randolph County and State of Virginia, that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the said Justice further certifies, that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of the above named applicant, and that he from bodily infirmity is unable to attend the court of the said County of Randolph from which he lives 37 miles, And the said Justice further certifies that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before himself in the matter of the application of Zerah Osborn for a pension.
In testimony whereof I the said Justice have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12 th day of November in the year 1833.
George Wester Seal
State of Virginia Randolph County S.S.
I Archibald Earle Clerk of the County Court of the said County of Randolph, do hereby certify that George Wester is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at Beverly this 2 nd day of Nov. 1833.
Archibald Earle

16861.
Boyer
am
P. O.
Sarah Osborn
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Zarah Ashorn Virginia
Rejected. —
at 21 March 1835 County Clerk

Geral. Oshon - 4 pp. Nan. etc.
Not Enlito -

Jerah Osborn. served 27 months. - Applicant -
Luke Bryan, says that Osborn is a neighbor of his. has known him for 26 yrs - in those times he has had frequent conversation with him about the Revolutionary War, - he never mentioned that he took any part in those struggles until after the passage of the Pension Law of 1832, after that occurrence. Osborn continued that he had been in service for 3 months - but he don't like one word of what is the opinion of any one that knows him - this is one of J. F. N. column cases -
Copy.
W. G. Goring Com -
Frederick Miller.

And o Miller Zora Osborne r
Claims as Indian Spies Suspended for the consideration of the comm ee
Rejected
Johnson T. Newton Blackburg, r

Wadsworth by Garrison Lee Wier
Dear Sir
You herewith receive the Declarations of Andrew Miller and Zerah O. Dorr which you will please examine, and if allowed forward their Certificates to me at this place. if any Communications should become necessary; you will make the same to me by request of applicants
Very respectfully
Yours S.C.
Mr S. L. Edwards Commission of Pensions
Johnson & Newton