Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3662, for David Pearson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Wa
Pearson, David
S 3662
carded
CONTENTS

West Tennessee 13974
David Pearson of Rutherford County in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Anderson of the Regiment commanded by Col Downum in the Virginia line for 18 months private
Inscribed on the Roll of W. Tennessee at the rate of 60 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Feb 1833 and sent to Wm
Brady, Murfreesboro
Arrears to the 4th of March 120.00
Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 30.00
$150.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk
Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 92

17333
David Pearson,
Leave free from 1778 private 18 months. #60.
Anderson Co. S. D. Virginia Va
Says in latter part of original declaration, that he served 18 months, in amended declaration 22 m. 2 wks.
William Brady,
Jn R. Laughlin Morgreesboro'

BRIEF in the case of  David Pearson,  County of Rutherford  in the State of  Tennessee  (Act 7th June, 1839.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Justice of Peace 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes 3. How old is he? 81. or 82, 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     dropped   " In 17 not stated - private Gen. Muhlenberg, Lawson.   3 Capt Bais, Capt. Anderson   3 Capt Knight, Capt. Fos,   3 Gunner Col. Doorman   3 Major Edmonson, Capt.   not stated Lennin, Capt. Crowley   Capt Oglev,  
5. In what battles was he engaged? None 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Chesterfield Va 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witness, & traditional 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached
X  Certify , that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
C. H. Stewart Examining Clerk.

David Person
17333

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832
State of Tennessee Rutherford County
Daviderson an acting justice of the peace
On the 18 th day of October 1832 personally appeared before me at his own house in the County and State aforesaid David D erson a resident of said State and County, aged eighty one or 82 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 7 th June 1832 - That he was born in the County of Amherst City State of Virginia, but in what year he cannot recollect, and then moved to Charles City County, and afterwards to Chesterfield County, and in Chesterfield he was drafted, and joined the service of the U. States at Chesterfield Court House under Capt. Joseph Smith  Boyle - At this point of rendezvous, the Capt. was informed that the situation of declarant was such that he could not leave them - and he was furloughed for forty days, and declarant returned home - and before the expiration of the forty days the Company was discharged - Declarant is an illiterate and an unlettered man and does not know the year that he entered the service in this campaign - Shortly after the service had expired declarant, moved with his family to Amelia County, and within twelve months after his first tour, he was again called out under Capt. James  Rankin  Rankin in Anderson, and rendezvoused at the rope works at Richmond, under Genl. Malenburg, and here he was stationed until his tour expired and he was discharged by the Genl. in command. In this campaign he served his full tour of three months - He returned home, and remains there until his number was again called out, and he then  thinks in the same year; declarant again joined the service, under Capt. James  Rankin  Rankin and again rendezvoused at the rope works at Richmond under Genl. Malenburg and was encamped there until discharged, after his tour had expired, which was three months, and declarant returned home - Declarant remained at home until his tour of duty again came round, and he entered the service under Capt. Joseph Grumman  Rankin and rendezvoused at Swift Creek in Chesterfield County under the command of Genl. Malenburg - Declarant shortly thereafter Col. Downman and Maj. Edmondson commanded the Regiment to which he was attached - The Corp. was encamped at Swift Creek upwards of a month, and was then marched from the point by Chesterfield Court House, and then the high road to Old Point - and after being encamped there some time, the corps or a part was marched to Milton, and after a short encampment there declarant was discharged and returned home - Declarant recollects, that while at Milton, there was then encamped at the same time regular troops, but who commanded them he does not know - In this campaign he served his full tour of three months - Some time after declarant returned from this tour he removed with his family into Nottoway County, when he arrived just before Christmas, tho' he cannot recollect the year, and shortly after Christmas he was again called into service under Capt. John Dennis and rendezvoused at Bellurens Spring - at this place Col. Downman and Maj. Edmondson joined the corps and took the command - and marched through Dinwiddie County, and then to Carys Mills in Chesterfield County - then across James River and then to Milton - At this place Genl. Malenburg took the command - while declarant was encamped at Milton the negroes and Tories were plundering and committing other outrages up James River, and Col. Richard Randolph was sent with a detachment of Infantry to put a stop to them, and defeated them at the dwelling house or on the farm of Col. Charles Carter - An express came to Milton, to the commanding Genl. desiring a reinforcement to bring off the property taken from the Tories and negroes; and it was

brought to camp and exposed to public censure, and amongst it was two negroes - and the auctioneer using some language which displeased Mr. Boyd, who drew his sword and struck the auctioneer, and wounded him dangerously - Boyd as he understood was chastised for the offence - After his fall three months later he was discharged and returned home - Declarant moved back to Amelia with his family - and was again drafted and placed under the command of Col. McRae - and rendezvoused at Chubb's Ford Court house - and a detachment was sent to the Waccamaw, for arms & munitions, and were met by the contraband troops, among them - The Corps was equipped to the satisfaction of the contrabands - Col. Downman, and Mr. Brannan was in command at Waccamaw - Major Genl. Bolton - At this place declarant was one of the best sent back to Col. Point and placed in the hospital; and then being no hospital, declarant with the rest of the sick were discharged, and he went home - Soon after his return home he again entered the service under Capt. John Dennis, and was marched to Milton, and from Milton he was marched to Askins, and back again to Milton - The day of the battle was spent at Milton at this time, and he took a detachment of regulars and militia, and on a Saturday and Sunday he cannonaded the British camp at Petersburg - *
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Lewis Bolen Jps David F. Pearson mark
We Randolph B Hall clergymen, Charles Park, residing in the neighborhood hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Pearson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty one years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Lewis Bolen Jps Randolph B. Hall Charles Park
Interrogatory 1 st When and in what year were you born? Answer I was born in James City County Virginia - but the year I do not recollect
Question 2 nd Have you any record of your age; and if so when is it? Answer I have no record of my age
Question 3 rd When were you living when called into service; when have you lived since the revolutionary war, and when do you now live?
Answer - I was living in Chesterfield, and Amelia and Nottoway - I have lived in Virginia - in the aforesaid counties, and Halifax - and since in Tennessee
Question 4 th How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom?
Answer - I was drafted
Question 5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such contrabands and the like inasmuch as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer - I do not recollect any officers belonging to the regular service but Lafayette - I saw some regular soldiers, but

what they were or who commanded them I do not know -
Question 6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer I did from Genl. Mulhulany, but I have lost them
Question 7 th 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?
Answer Elyes Hickethier, William Wallacer, William Douglass - John Stoop - Joshua Coleman -
And the said Lewis Sollen further of the peace affixed do hereby certify and declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after perusing the interrogatories presented by the War department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states has the said Justice of the Peace further states, that he is well acquainted with Randolph B Hall a clergyman of the Presbiterian Church who has subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit, and he certifies that they are residents of the neighborhood of the applicant, and they are both persons of good character, and that their statements are entitled to full credit, and I further certify, that I am well acquainted with John Person who has subscribed and sworn to the affidavit below, and he is esteemed a man of truth and veracity - and I further certify that the applicant is from bodily infirmity unable to attend Court, the applicant is blind and has been for some years
Lewis Sollen J/P
John B Pearson making oath, that he was acquainted with the applicant David Person during the revolutionary war, and more particularly at the close of it, when he could recollect more distinctly the accuracy of those times - and he well recollects, that the applicant served on full four of duty in the service of the United States under Capt s Crawley and that he knows of his performing before and after said four of duty, other service, making more than the period of six months - sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Lewis Sollen J/P
John B Pearson

David Pearson
1733
* during the campaign the British commanders Genl. Staff and Genl. Stephens took refuge at Mt. Spence, and then Stephens was killed - After the campaign, the Army crossed the River and was ordered to Petersburg, but the order was countermanded and returned to the encampment at Bristow - and from there the corps was marched to Richmond - The corps was then under the command of Lafayette, Muhlenberg, and Lawson, and was marched north to meet Genl. Wayne - and the command moved up through Virginia and crossed the Rappahannock at the Rappahannock ford, and there in Culpepper County, and information was received that Genl. Wayne was at Culpepper Church - Declarant was discharged in Culpepper and returned home - In the last campaign, declarant was in service four months - Declarant had been at home but a short time when he was again called out, under Capt. Richard Ogilvie, and he being unable to do duty, he was furloughed, for forty days, and before the furlough had expired, all the drafted men were ordered to join their respective corps, and declarant set out on his march for head Quarters, and after arriving within two days march of York, he met the troops returning, conveying the intelligence of the capture of the British Army - and he returned home after a service of four weeks - He thinks he was in service eight months or upwards - tho' he cannot recollect the dates at which terms he entered and quit his different campaigns - He cannot read and he has no record in his profession to aid his memory - and he has lost his discharge.
Louis S. Glen J.P.
His David Pearson mark

The amended declaration of David Pearson in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832
State of Tennessee } Rutherford County }
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace for the County and State aforesaid at his own house in said County and State the revolutionary soldier David Pearson, who subscribed and sworn to his first declaration before Lewis Wrote a Justice of the peace for said County of Rutherford on the 18 th October 1832 and which declaration is here to annexed, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot decar[ ate ] particularly as to the precise periods or length of his services, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and at or near the times specified, and in the following grades — For the period of six weeks under Capt Joseph Bass as a private drafted militia man in the year 1778 — For three months in the year 1779 as a drafted militia man under the command of Capt Penderg Anderson — For three months 1779 as a militia man under the command of Capt [blank] Branstle — For three months as a militia man under Capt Joseph Jennings the last of the year 1779 or early in the year 1780 — For three months — For three months a militia man under the command of Capt John Dennis in the year 1780 — For three months as a drafted militia man under the command of M c Cracken in the year 1780 For For four months in the year 1781 under the command of Capt John Dennis as a drafted militia man — In the year 1781 which was his last tour under Capt Richard Oglesby, he served two months as a drafted militia man, including his actual service, and the time he was furloughed — making the whole length of declarants services twenty two months and two weeks and for such service I claim a pension
David Pearson mark
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 25 th day of April 1833 — The applicant being blind and infirm and unable to attend court given under my hand as a Justice of the peace
J. W. Gentry

The State of Tennessee,
I John R. Laughlin, Clerk of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Rutherford County, do certify that John W. Cooley Esquire before whom the amended declaration of David Pearson was sworn to, is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County of Rutherford, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts --
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said court to be affixed at office, in Murfreesborough, 29 th Apr. 1833
John R. Laughlin Clerk

State of Tennessee Rutherford county. ss.
John R. Laughlin, clerk of the county court of pleas and quarter sessions of said county, do hereby certify, that Lewis Tolson, Esquire, before whom David Pearson Hall, Charles Parks and John B. Pearson, made the affir- davit herein by them subscribed, was on the day the same bear date an acting justice of the peace within and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that all his official acts are entitled to full faith and credit. And I do furthermore certify, that the declaration and affidavits, not herewith were inclosed, sealed, to me and that they have been out of my hands until sealed up by me and put into the post office at Murfreesborough.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at office in Murfreesborough, this 27 th day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, and of the Independence of the United States the fifty seventh.
John R. Laughlin, Clk.

D. Pearson
J. R. Langlin

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims ; of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of David Pearson which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? no V. * Has he mentioned 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? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? the Justice has IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? witness XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? the clerk has Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 39
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
distinguished

Rev. May
3662
INVALID.
File No. 3662
David Pearson
Port. Va. line
Act: June 1 st 1832
Index:—Vol. 24 , Page 291
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mem. Oct. 2
file
James L. Edwards, Esquire, Commissaire of Pleasants, Washington City.

Laughlin, County Court

This applicant is very old and infirm, is now blind and a pauper - I therefore hope that the department will act upon his case immediately - If he is to obtain a Pension, it is particularly desirable that he should have it as early as practicable.
Yours very respectfully
James C. Edwards Esq. Comr. of Pensions
W. B. Brady
Meadowbrook Dec: 29 th Apr 1833
W. B. Brady
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