Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4764, for Jesse Reams, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Reams, Jesse
S. 4764
Carded
CONTENTS

7673
West Tennessee
Jesse Reams
Stewart Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Beagrin of the regt commanded by Col. Banister in the Virginia War for six months from 1777
Entered on the Roll of W Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of May 1833 — and sent to John H Clement Doer
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $1.40 — Semi-ant. allowance ending 14 Sep 20
$1.60
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. Wilson Clerk, Book 6. Vol. 7 Page 95

13.929
Handwritten vertical text, possibly in Arabic script.
Small handwritten mark or signature.
Multiple lines of faint, illegible handwriting on the right side of the page.

State of Tennessee Circuit Court Stewart County September Term 1832
On this 28 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Circuit Court of Stewart County sitting here. Plaintiff was born in Wayne County, Virginia and State of Tennessee aged seventy four years and six months. Who being first duly sworn according to Law took on his oath and made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 18 th March 1832, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as a Private. Plaintiff says that he cannot give a list of time and the infirmities incident to his advanced age speak with desired particularity but states to the best of his knowledge that Sergeant Jones was the Colonel of the division with which he served that Edward Peagram was the Captain of his immediate company. Plaintiff says from his best recollection having no data to which to refer for greater accuracy that he entered the service under the above named officers in the fall of 1817 or 18 and served a two months term probably a day or two more or less. Plaintiff says that his term of service under the above engage- ment was discharged in the service of his coun- try with the Virginia Militia in the lower part of that State. States that he was

That he was Station'd with his Company and he believes another Captain's Company at the town of Smithfield in the State of Vir- ginia and that they were marched from there to Suffolk. When they arrived soon after the burning of that place by the British forces. States that he was a Resident of Dinwiddie County on the State of Virginia at the time of his discharge from the Service. That in his part of the State the Militia served by both men. Took a part staying at home while others went and vice versa. Also States that he was this War engaged as a battle that he marched thro' the Southern Counties of Virginia below Peters- burg. Says that he don't remember that there were any regular troops in that Service with his division that he belong- to the Dinwiddie Militia from N. Says that he has no documentary evidence to which he can refer and that his removal from the State of Virginia to Springfield he now resides has deprived him of the Neigh-neighborhood evidence upon which he could have relied. Also present States that after two years thereafter in the years 79 or 80 he again entered the Service of his Country in the manner above mentioned for another two months then. Says that he was in the Militia from Virginia and the same County as before that Bannister he believes was the Colonel from his County Militia and that Baker Peggins was he believes the Captain of his Company

States that this tour was also in the fall of the year. Apphane States that they were marched to Petersburg. That he was then retained to guard the Cannon and some of his company with others were about that time engaged in the all air at Bull hill on the river below Petersburg where there was a delightful warm attack upon a British vessel Apphane States that Baron Steuben was at Petersburg for some time during his war and stay at Petersburg as a guard over the Cannon; The same sort of Documentary evidence is felt here and the removal above alluded to shut him out from Neighborhood reputation which he would otherwise have possessed. Apphane says that in 1781 he served another two months tour in the manner before mentioned as he believes under Colonel Apphane and Booth as the Captain of his company which went from the same County and State as before mentioned. This term was also in the fall of the year. He says that they collected at Danwoodie Point river and marched to Haties Run Church and from there to Williamsburg where they stay until the action at Little York. That most of his company were marched to York and were engaged in that Battle. But that the baggage was detained at Williamsburg and he was placed as one of the guard over it and was thereby prevented from participating in that action. Documentary evidence is here also wanting he never expecting to need it and his removal

from the place of his former residence precludes the possibility of getting the evidence of those who served in the town with him. He hereby relinquishes all claim whatsoever to a portion or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the former roll of the agency of any state and that this is his first application.
Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court Sept R Reams September, 24 th 1832 J. H. Clements clerk
Mr. Christopher C. Clements and William Williams citizens of the County of Stewart make oath that they have been acquaint- -ed with S r Reams the petitioner for several years and from their acquaintance with him think that he is a man of above mean intakes to credit and a consider- -able number of our best citizens Sworn to in open Court Sept 24 th 1832 J. H. Clements clerk
And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion after the investigation of the matter that the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolutionary war and serves as a state and the Court further certifies that it appears that the William Wil- -iams and C. C. Clements who have signed and sworn to the preceding certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. H. Mitchell Presiding Judge

I John H. Clement Clerk of the Circuit Court, for the County of Kent (included in the 5 th Judicial Circuit) and State of Tennessee, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Jesse Harris, for a pension—
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, at Office in Dover this 28 th day of September 1832—
John H. Clement Clerk

13929
Jesse Reams Stewart county Tennessee
from 1777 private 6 in the p20.
John St Clements Esq Dover Tennessee

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 subjunct notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Jesse Beams, Stewart county, Tenn.
   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.     Draft 1777 2 privat Captain Ragins Colonel Irons Smithfield 71 Simnsville Tradition   1779-1780 2 Same Col Baumster Dumfries Virg.   1781 2 Capt Booth Col Epps Count. house marched to Hatchers run  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ 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 hours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their services. 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [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.
Pease

mmh cur
September 15, 1926
Mrs. Joseph W. Greene 319 North Spring St., Independence, MO.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 4764 it appears that Jesse Reams was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, date not stated.
While a resident of Dinwiddie County, Virginia, he enlisted in the fall of 1777 or 1778 and served two months as a private in Captain Edward Peagrim's Company, Colonel Joseph Jones' Virginia Regiment.
He enlisted in the fall of 1779 or 1780 and served two months as a private in Captain Baker Pegrim's Company, Colonel Banister's Virginia Regiment.
He enlisted in the fall of 1781 and served two months as a private in Captain Booth's Company, Colonel Eppes' Virginia Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 26, 1832 while a resident of Stewart County,

mmstf our
September 15, 1926
Mrs. Joseph W. Greene 319 North Spring St., Independence, MO.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 4784 it appears that Jesse Reams was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, date not stated.
While a resident of Dinwiddie County, Virginia, he enlisted in the fall of 1777 or 1778 and served two months as a private in Captain Edward Peagrim's Company, Colonel Joseph Jones' Virginia Regiment.
He enlisted in the fall of 1779 or 1780 and served two months as a private in Captain Baker Peagrim's Company, Colonel Banister's Virginia Regiment.
He enlisted in the fall of 1781 and served two months as a private in Captain Booth's Company, Colonel Eppes' Virginia Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 26, 1832 while a resident of Stewart County,

Tennessee aged seventy-four years and six months.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner. Dx

1926-Sept-15-Filed to Mr. Smith Excess...
Rev. M...
4764.
INVALID.
File No. 4764
* Jesse Reams Print B.W. War
Act: June 7 th 1882.
Index:—Vol. m , Page 311
[Arrangement of 1870.]
* Jesse Reams. Records corrected Apr 7 1899

Independence Pioneers Chapter, D. A. R.
INDEPENDENCE. MO.
July 21, 1926
Commissioner of Pensions, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
In Mc Allister's "Virginia Militia in the Revolution" Jesse Ream, aged 76 of Stewart County, Tennessee, is listed as having received a pension in 1835 for services in the Virginia Militia, Revolutionary War.
Mrs. Miner D. Woodling desires his military record and all family history for admission to The Daughters of The American Revolution.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Joseph M. Greene, Regent.
319 North Spring St. Independence, Mo.