Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,269, for James Morrison, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Morrison James
S. 31,269
CONTENTS

Order to pay 18 Oct 1831. Letter to J. Hicklin 18 Oct 1831.
13581
Kentucky
James Morrison
of Union Co in the State of Kentucky who was a Sgt & Apr in the company commanded by Captain Allen of the Regt commanded by Col. Meredith in the Virginia line for 11 months private 3 " " Sergeant
scribed on the Roll of Kentucky the rate of 5 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of May 1833 and South James N Hughes Morganfield
arrears to the 14th of March 103.32 semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 25.83 $129.16
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Issued by Daniel Boyd Clerk Vol. 7 Page 18

23820.
James Morrison Union Co Kentucky
from 1776 private 2 def - 14 months Pr. 11 privats. $36.66 Sergt 3 " 15.- $51.66
Morganfield
James R. Hughes Clerk Union Co Kentucky

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of James Morrison Union Co. Kentucky.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Mar 1776 " 2 " Pri Col. Meredith. Maj. James. Col. Allen. Lieut. Parks. 78 years Prince Edward 60 Va. Traditionary.   1780 more than " 2 " " Capt. Not recol. Lieut. Gorman.   Fall. 1780 " 3 " Electa Serg. M c Williams Capt. Baker Lieut. Parks.   1781 Nov 15th " " Capt. Holcomb.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the 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 place- 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 in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph Rawles Boeck

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832
State of Kentucky } County of Union } ss
On this 18 th day of February 1833 personally appeared in open court before the now sitting County Court of Union County in the State of Kentucky, James Morrison a resident of said County, aged seventy eight 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 7 th 1832.
That in the month of March 1776, he enlisted as a Soldier in Prince Edward County Virginia (in which County he was born and raised and then resided) in the company of Virginia Militia called the "minute service" commanded by Charles Allen, Captain, Josiah Parks Lieutenant and James Allen Ensign - at the time he enlisted, he was discharged from the militia company to which he had previously belonged - that under the belief that their services would immediately be required and in order to have the men properly drilled - Capt Allen called out his company and exercised them for two or three days at a time but did not leave the County of Prince Edward till the month of May, when he was marched with the company to Manchester opposite Richmond where they were joined by other companies and Major James took command - they were then marched to Old Williamsburg, then to Little York, then to Hampton and Col. Edmund took command of the Regiment, they remained there for sometime and there heard and celebrated the Declaration of Independence - they were crossed over to Portsmouth opposite Norfolk where they remained till near Christmas when they were discharged and marched home

with their baggage waggons and got home in the Christmas Holidays - he having been kept under the control of his enlistment from March till that time
When Gates was defeated and his army dispersed in the year 1780 the Virginia Militia returned home, but were required by proclamation to rejoin the army - James Graham who had been in the Battle area had got home, to Prince Edward County was unable, from fatigue and indisposition to rejoin the army as required by the proclamation - This applicant consented to take his place and marched with others from Prince Edward County Virginia to Guilford County North Carolina and joined the American Army in the company to which Graham had belonged the name of the Captain he does not recollect - Bryan or German was the Lieutenant of the company and this applicant with the company were generally employed in procuring forage for the army and were generally between the points occupied by Cornwallis and Gates's army - he remained until the Virginia Militia to which he belonged were discharged - the length of time cannot state but believe more than two months
In the autumn fall 1780 in Prince Edward County as a volunteer he joined the Rifle company commanded by Andrew Baker Capt., Joseph Parks Lieutenant and Joseph Reed Ensign. They rendezvoused at Prince Edward Courthouse where he was elected Sergeant by the company - he was marched with the company to Guilford North Carolina where they were joined by another Virginia Rifle Company Thomas Smith Captain - they were also joined by two companies from Delaware called Delaware Blues, one of them was commanded by Capt. Berkwood - Major Williams (afterwards killed at Eutaw) had the command of the four companies - when he was absent, Berkwood commanded - they were kept on severe and

constant duty between the army of Green and Cornwallis - Sirrwood one night marched the four companies to Cornwallis's army, took a centinel prisoner, fired upon the army and retreated - he distinctly recollects that Sirrwood told them on the retreat that they need not apprehend pursuit, that the General would suppose he was about to be seriously attacked and would not follow them that night - He remained upon duty until his term of enlistment which was for three months expired, which was a short time before the battle of Guilford, was discharged and returned home
In 1781 at the time of the siege of York, he again volunteered in Prince Edward County in the militia company commanded by John Holcomb Capt - Lieutenant & Ensign not recollecting, marched from Prince Edward Courthouse to Petersburg, were detained there some days and were then discharged upon being apprised that their services were not required at York - This applicant further states that he cannot find upon examination any of his discharges nor does he know of any person now living by whom he can prove his service and has no documentary evidence thereof - that he resided in Prince Edward County till the year 1797 when he moved to Mercer County Kentucky and about the year 1800 moved from Mercer to the place where he yet lives in Union (then Henderson) County Kentucky
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension role of the  any agency of any State - He has no record of his age - he is well known to every early settler of this county having lived in Bear Harmony in it for upwards of thirty years, and all his acquaintances can testify to his character for veracity and their belief in his services as a soldier of the Revolution - I now subscribe the day and year aforesaid
James M c Clendon

We Hugh W. Robb a clergyman residing in Union county and Isaiah Williams and Sam Casey residing in said county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Morrison who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be twenty eight years of age, that he is respected believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Hugh W. Robb Isaiah Williams
Sam Casey
I James R. Hughes Clerk of the County Court for the County of Union in the Commonwealth of Kentucky do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of James Morrison for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said County Court this 18 th day of February 1823
James R. Hughes
235.66
James Morrison

State of Kentucky Fayette County } Be it known that
on the 10 th day of October 1837 before the subscribers a justice of the peace in & for said County personally appeared H. A. Piercon & made oath that he resides in Union County Ky and states that John Piercon a pensioner has made & continued to make attempts to draw his pension through an agent in Lexington but has hitherto failed from a defect in his power of attorney or some other part of his papers and that up to the present day the said John Piercon (who was living about two weeks ago when this deposition left home) has not been paid. The said H. A. Piercon fur- ther states on oath that he is personally acquainted with James Morrison a pensioner of Union County who is old & infirm and not able to travel with ease & convenience. Given under my hand at Lexington Ky
Sworn & subscribed } the day & year first above } Hosea A. Piercon mentioned before me
Sam Bradford, J.P.

Lexington Ky October 10th
I certify that the pension papers of {1837} the within named John Pison have within the last two years been sent to me frequently & found deficient. The certificates & papers have been returned lately.
Joseph T. Hokin

Chorgaunfield Sept 8 th 1837
Dear Sir
At the request of Mr Harrison I enclose to you his pension certificate declaration of Identity and the proof together with his power of attorney to you to draw his pension for 25 years past - My frequent and long absence from home the two first years and his inability to raise from Liverpool the fact of my having for a number of years done nearly all writing for him, has prevented his drawing regularly for it. When rec d you will pay yourself for your attention to it and remit the balance to him at the post office together with his pension cert.
Yours respectfully
Alan Casey and early
See next page

Lexington Ky 10 th October 1837 I certify that the within named David Casey is a man of respectable standing in the County of Union & that from my own knowledge and the statement on oath of H. A. Preston this day given I am fully satisfied of the correctness of the within statement by the said David Casey Joseph Perkins aff
Morganfield Ky Sept. 12 Joseph

Mr Evans
Yrs
L L Edwards Esq 600 Fifth Ave Washington City

Lexington Ky 10 th October 1839
Dear Sir
The papers of John Pierce have been returned for defects and are again expected will you please order the payment on producing proper vouchers - The son of the pensioner makes the enclosed oath & prays both father & son be considered Creditable Citizens -
The same H. A. Pierce who testifies to the cause of delay in his father's papers also, states the fact of James Harrison (the other pensioner left enclosed) being unable to attend to his business. I have entire confidence in the statements of H. A. Pierce & Samuel Casey which you have endorsed.
Respectfully
your Father
Joseph Pierce

31269 Ray INVALID.  ew
File No 31,269
James Morrison Leigt Rev no
Act: June 1 st 82
Index:—Vol. 3 , Page 285
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Morganfield Ky (Pension Claims) Free Mch 11/1833
The Honorable Secretary of War Washington City D.C.
236220