Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31301, for William Peck, Virginia

SERVICE
Va.
Peck, William
NUMBER
S. 31301
CONTENTS

7487 Kentucky
Dead. See letter to R.H. Lee, May 19. 1837.
William Peck of Mason Co in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Coleman of the Regt commanded by Col D. Vick in the War time for 6 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 20 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of April 1833 and sent to Nicholas J. Coleman. Maysville
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $40.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 10.00 $50.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 22
He died Feb 13-1837

pm Peak
22921

State of Kentucky Mason County Sch
On this the 11 th day of Feby 1833 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the County Court, now sitting William Peck, a citizen and resident of said county of Mason & state aforesaid, aged sixty thirty 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. 1832 that he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer, in the County of Frederick, state of Virginia, under Capt. Mearns Calmes who commanded a Company in Col. M c Dade's Regiment, in Genl. Stevens Brigade. and served a tour of four months - That they encamped at Berry's ferry on the Shenandoah River, from thence they marched to Fredericksburg, where they remained several days, fixing & repairing arms &c - from thence they marched to the main army under Genl. La Fayette, which they joined at the Manassas Hill - from thence they marched to Richmond, thence to Manassas ferry - and thence to Williamsburg - and left the army at a place called the old Magazine - having received an order to draw provisions - which

was considered a discharge, the provisions being designed to take them home. - That he entered the service as above? on the 11. May 1781. and left the army on the 11. Sept afterwards.
In addition to the officers above named he recollects that W m Calones was the 1 st Lieut of his company, that Johnson Easton was his 2 nd Lieut & that Jeremiah Redmon was the Ensign. He also recollects that Capt John Bell & Capt Nathl. Ashby commanded Companies in the same Regiment & Brigade.
He also recollects that - Southall was Brigade Major. - and Geo. M c Beringer was acting as adjutant or a Major.
He also recollects that Genl. Lawson commanded a Brigade, which was near him.
He also states that he was drafted on the 7. May 1782, under Capt Alexander Sinclair to serve a term of two months at Winchester, Virginia. That he served out the term at Winchester Barracks, and was relieved by a succeeding Comp y . That he received no discharge - but certificates authorizing him to draw provisions which was a discharge -
He states that he was born in King George County Virginia, on the 20 Feb 1762 - That he has a record of his age in the family bible of his father, not now in his possession - which was transferred to a Bible now in his possession.

that he resided in Frederick County, Va. when he was in the service - after the revolution he resided in Frederick till 1807 - and then he removed to Ky. - and settled in Mason County - where he now resides.
He states that Capt James Ward, Charles Ward, Moses Fowler, John Solomon David Woods
who can state his claims to respectability & the his services in the revolutionary war
He states that he knows of no one whose testimony he can procure to prove his services that he has no documentary evidence of them
He hereby relinquishes all 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 & subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid -
William Beck
We James Ward & Charles Ward
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Beck who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be sixty three years of age, that he is respected & beloved in the neigh- borhood where he lives to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion James Ward Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid - Chs Ward

Kentucky Mason Co. Set
This day personally appeared in open court, before the judges of the Mason County court, now sitting - John Peete, who being first duly sworn, deposed that he is sixty six years of age - and said that he is sixty six years of age - and was large enough during the latter part of the Revolutionary war, to recollect that his Brother William Peete was in the service of the United States - that he well recollects the time when his Brother started from home - that the soldiers lay at Berrys ferry on the Shenandoah river several days - that he this affiant went to Berrys ferry to see his Brother, but got there too late, the soldiers having set off a few hours before he arrived - that he cannot state how long his Brother served but he recollects that he was gone a considerable time and returned home not long before the British prisoners were brought to Winchester Barracks - He recollects that his Brother served in the same year after the the surrender of Cornwallis - because that surrender was much talked of at the time.
This affiant also states that he recollects that his Brother William  Peete , served a tour at Winchester Barracks - after the taking of Cornwallis at Letter York, but the length of time he served, this affiant cannot state.

but can state that it was after the prisoners passed on to Winchester - because he remembers will to have gone to the road to see the prisoners passed. His Father lived about two miles from the road along which the prisoners passed -
Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court - day & year aforesaid Marshall Key. C. R. "3"
It appears to the satisfaction of the Court that John Peck who has signed & sworn to the above affidavits, is a man of respectability and that his statements are entitled to credit -
Mason County Ct. February Court 1833.
William Peck produced his Declaration with the Deposition of John Peck and the Certificate of Charles Ward and James Ward attached thereto, which were sworn to in open Court. And the Court after the investigation of the matter is of opinion that the said William Peck was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states and that the said Charles Ward, James Ward and John Peck are credible persons and their statements are entitled to credit.
I Marshall Key Clerk of the County Court for Mason County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of William Peck for a pension.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office of said Court the 12 th day of February in the year 1833. Marshall Key

22921
Wm Beck. K.
Mason Co
From 1781 private 6 months.
Colmes
Duck
ya
Nichols @ Coleman Clayville K

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 William Seek. Chas. Co. Ky.
   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.     11 May 1785 4 for Capt. Colins. Capt. Dack None Va. Frederick Co. Va. Bradley & witness who knew that he was in the R. W.   11 Sept -   21 July 1782 2 " Capt. Colins none " " "  
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 he 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 _____; 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 , in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix 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.
W. L. Williams Ex Clk

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
Ques April 18, 1929
Mrs. George L. Hay 5635 Lowell Avenue Indianapolis, Indiana.
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31301, it appears that William Peck was born February 20, 1764 in King George County, Virginia.
While residing in Frederick County, Virginia, he enlisted and served as a private with the Virginia Troops as follows-
From May 11, 1881 to September 11, 1781 in Captain Marquis Calmes' Company, Colonel William Darke's Regiment; from May 7, 1782, two months in Captain Alexander Simrall's Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February 11, 1833, at which time he was living in Mason County, Kentucky.
He died February 13, 1837, leaving a widow, whose name is not stated. There are no further data as to family.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Peck , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. F. 31,301
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 11, 1781 to Sept 11, 1781 Priv. Marquis Calhoun Wm. Darke Va.   May 7, 1782 2 mos. Alexander Linnall ✓  
Battles engaged in, _____ ✓ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Frederick Co., Va. Date of application for pension, Feb. 11, 1833. His ch. was al. Residence at date of application, Mason Co., Ky. Age at date of application, B. Feb. 20, 1764, in King George Co., Va. Remarks: Soldier died Feb. 13, 1837, leaving a widow, name not stated.
The above is the only William Peck of Va. found on the Rev. War records of this Bureau.
Very respectfully,
(Date of death taken from Agency Book)
Commissioner.

504 Fourth Street Middletown, Ohio
December 7th Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
would it be possible for you to furnish me a copy of the military record of William Beck, who served with the Virginia troops in the Revolutionary war, and was a pensioner in eighteen thirtyfive
Very truly Yours
Mrs W. C. Crane

31301 Ray INVALID.
File No. 31,301
William Peck
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 319
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1912, Dec. 20. History to Mrs. W. C. Crane. Lrr.
1914, July 31. History to Mrs. W. H. Fisher. Lrr.
1929- April 18. Hist. to Mrs. George L. Haynes

M 8.31301 fr.
Paris Ky
July 22 nd - 14
J. L. Davenport, Commissioner,
Dear Sir
Mrs. W. B. Crane of Middletown, Ohio, wrote me that I could obtain the Military record of Wm Peck by writing you. She ob- tained it and I want the same. He was my Grandfather.
Now please understand me; What I wish is the Military record of Wm Peck a Revolutionary soldier under Col. Wm Darke of Va. I will appreciate it very much if you will send it me as early as possible.
Yours Respectfully
P.S.
Mrs. W. H. Fisher.
Please tell me how long he served. Could you give me any in- formation in regard to Peter Gladcock of Va. He was my Grandfather Pecks' father-in-law.

Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir: -
Will you please give me the information about the two names listed below. I copied these names from the Vol II of "Revolutionary Soldiers of Ky." in the Ky. State Library & one of the asst. librarians told me that if I sent the names to the War Dept. they would give me the desired

information. They said they hadn't any such records. If you haven't them, could you tell me where the I could find it.
From From.
Vol II "Ret. Soldiers of Va"
Peck, David (6 V.R.) W. D 125-1.
Peck, W m S of W. 1835 Pen. 3 Ky 47
Very truly yours
Mrs. Geo. L. Hay.
5635 Lowell St.
Indianapolis Ind.
Sept. 14. '28

Free
Wm Peck
Kea 10th
16 Apr 38
Rev. J. L. Edwards.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington City.

Frankfort Ky. 12 May. 1859.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
I have in my possession the original Certificate, of William Peck of the State of Kentucky a private in the Army of the Revolution, entitling him to a pension of Twenty Dollars per annum, in conformity with an act of Congress of 7 June 1832. Signed by Lewis Cass Sec. of War 16 th April 1833.
Mr. Peck died about two months since, and at his death some arrears were due. His wife is poor, and has requested me to obtain for her the balance due her late husband. Will you please inform me what formula is required by your office in such cases. Yours Respectfully & Richard Henry Lee .