Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15967, for John Richards, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Richards, John
S. 15967
carded
CONTENTS

Virginia
23495
John Richards of Richland in the State of Pa who was a sergeant in the 1st commanded by Captain James of the Regt commanded by Col. Trig in the Revolutionary War time for 10 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of Feb 34 and Rev. S. M. Cutcher W. M. Cutcher
Arrears to the 14th of Mar. 1831  53.32 Pension allowance ending Mar. 1831  16.67 599.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. T. Lee Clerk Book 6 Vol. 64 Page 30
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of Rev. 6 th April 1838 from 4. Sep 1839 to 4. Sep 1840 Agt Notified 1. Dec 1841
Dead Paid as above from 4. Sep 1842 to 4. March 1843. Agt Notified 3. Dec 1844
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of Rev. 6 th April 1838

John Richard
Virginia
No 11978.
Admiral's parol - 10 months $33 33
11. 14
Int. 1.2.7.
May 9. -33 -
P. 387.
France
Washington
Comgrille Brookland C.H. va

BRIEF in the case of  John Richards of Goochland County in the State of Virginia (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 78 Years 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.     In 1778 — " — 1 — " — Private Gen. Washington Wayne & Hays Col John Taylor Capt. Hatcher   1779 — " — 2 — " — " Col Harrison Major McGill & Coleman   1780 — " — 2 — " — " Col Morris Major Armstead   1781 — " — 5 — " — " Capt William H. Miller Capt. Duke, H. Kelly, Foulke   10  
5. In what battles was he engaged? none 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Goochland County 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? one living witness in part traditional 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
C. Little Examining Clerk.

J. Richards.
11970

State of Virginia County of Goochland } ss
On this 17 th day of September 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court of Goochland now sitting, John Richards, a resident of the said County & State aforesaid, aged seventy eight years, the 30 th day of November next, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated as a Militia man, he entered the service in the County of Goochland he thinks, in the year 1778, and marched to the Barracks in Albemarle County in said State, under Captain John Lord, for the purpose of guarding prisoners, his other Company Officers he does not recollect, Colonel John Taylor commanded, the other field Officers not recollected, he served a tour of duty at this time of four weeks - he again entered the service he thinks in the year 1779 under Captain Gideon Hale, Lieutenant David Rutherford, ensign not recollected, and marched to Mackey's Mills in Isle of Wight County in said State, field Officers were Colonel Harrison, Major McCall & Major DeBlumen, Adjutant DeBlumen Kennedy, at this time he served a tour of duty of two months.
He again entered the service he thinks, in the year 1780 under Captain Wm H. Muller, he thinks, the other Officers not recollected, and marched to Cabin Point in Surry County in said State & crossed James River to the City of Williamsburg, and various other places, field Officers Colonel Nathaniel G. Morris & Major Emmeshead, others not remembered, and served a tour of duty of two months.
He again entered the service in the year 1781 and thinks he served two or three Tours from the said County of Goochland under Captain Edmund Duke, Captain Stackley Towles, Ensign Thomas F. Bates, other Officers not recollected, he was at the Siege of York & surrender of Lord Cornwallis in October 1781, field Officers General Washington, General LaFayette, General Stephen General Wayne & various others in their last tours of duty - he served at least five months, he was in no battles during his service - He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.

whatever
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John Richards
And the said Court 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 the said Applicant could not with reasonable convenience produce a clergyman in open Court to make the usual Certificate
I, William Miller Clerk of the Court of the County of Goodland aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Richards for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this first day of October One thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Will. Miller, Clk.

I John Rutherford of the County of Louisa state of Virginia do hereby certify that I served with Mr. Richard of Goochland County of said state, in the time of the Revolutionary War viz First Term 1778 to the Barracks under Capt. John Kirk, the other officers not recollected.
Second Term in 1779 to the best of my recollection under Capt. Gideon Hatcher, Lieutenant David Rutherford Insign not recollected, to Mackays Mill Isle of White County was Field Officers Col. Harrison, Maj. En. G. Lee & Maj.
Declarant Adjutant William Kennedy.
Third Term 1780 at different places below Richmond and Pendleton at Cabin Point Surry County Officers not recollected.
Fourth Term 1781 under Capt. Hokeley Fowler below Richmond.
Goochland County to wit
I John Rutherford personally appeared before me Henry Maffie a Justice of the peace for said County and made oath to the true statements aforesaid to law.
Given under my hand this 3rd day of Sept. 1832
Virginia ss. Goochland County
I William Miller Clerk of the County Court of the said County, do hereby certify that Henry Maffie before whom John Rutherford made the foregoing affidavit and whose signature is annexed thereto, is an acting Justice of the peace in the said County, and that his signature aforesaid is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this first day of October, One thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Will. Miller C lerk

John Richards Amended declaration
To Richard B. - I have always lived in Frederick County Virginia

State of Virginia } Goochland County }
On this 15 th day of July, 1833 personally appeared an open court, before the court of the County aforesaid now sitting John Richards a Resident of the said County (and State) aged 78 years (and being first duly sworn according to law) both on his oath made the following Supplementary Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 9 th 1832.
That he was born on Sinking hole Creek in the said County of Goochland on the 30 th day of November 1754 and has no record of his age. That all his services and property accounted in his former declaration as far as he can recollect, except that, he is now of opinion that the service mentioned last and set down as one tour, was in fact two separate tours, though they were probably connected. He recollects no other officers than those formerly mentioned, but remembers distinctly, that he was at Richmond under Towles when a detachment of the British army under Cornwallis came to Manchester. Saw them firing at the shipping on the river, and afterwards, on the Army, and then was sent up the river to guard it - ferry - that he thinks returned home by the permission of the officers, but did not remain at home many days before he was again drafted marches into service and was at the siege of York on the York side. That in each of these tours he served two and a half months as a private. That he was always a private and that he was always drafted.
To Question 1 st he answers, on Sinkinghole, in Goochland County on the 30 th Novemr. 1754.
To Question 2 d - I have no record of my age.
To Question 3 d - I have always lived in Goochland County Virginia.

To Question 1 th - I was always drafted
To Question 3 th - answered to the satisfaction of the Court
To Question 6 th I received a written discharge at York from Major Brigg - but have lost it - I never received any other To Question 7 th The Rev d Lewis Chaudoin. John Underwood esq r Dr. Andrew Kean
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John his  mark Richards
We Lewis Chaudoin a Clergyman residing in the County of Goshland aforesaid and John Underwood residing in the same hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Richards, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neigh- -bourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolu- -tion, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Lewis Chaudoin
John Underwood
And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investiga- -tion of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court fur- -ther certifies that it appears to them that Lewis Chaudoin who who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the said County of Goshland, and that John Underwood who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same County and is a Credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I William Miller Clerk of the Court of the County of Goshland aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Richards for a pension (upon his supplementary Declaration)
In testimony whereof I have hereunto (set

set my hand and seal of Office this 18 th day of July 1833
Will. Miller

March 3, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXX
John Richards-S.15967 BA-J/AWF
Quartermaster General Memorial Branch War Department Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Richards.
The data furnished below were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.15967, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John Richards.
He was born November 30, 1754 on Licking Hole Creek, Goochland County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not given.
John Richards, while living in Goochland County, Virginia, served as a private with the Virginia troops, as follows- in 1778, four weeks in Captain John Curd's company, under Colonel John Taylor, and was a guard at Albemarle Barracks; in 1779, two months in Captain Gideon Hatcher's company, Colonel Harrison's regiment; in 1780, two months in Captain William H. Miller's company, Colonel Nathaniel G. Morris' regiment; in 1781, five months under Captains Edmund Duke and Stoakley Towles, and was at the siege of Yorktown and surrender of Cornwallis.
John Richards was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1832, then living in Goochland County, Virginia.
The application for headstone for John Richards, and

letter from Mrs. Eliza Lee Lacy Lacy, 531 Park Street, Charlottesville, Virginia, are returned herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Assistant to Administrator

P 15964 INVALID.
File No. 15967
John Richards Pre Rec War
Act: June 7 th 52
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 112
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Dec. 18-1903 W. F. Clark - Extn
sent to divn.
1928 - Dec. 27 - 1928 to Mrs. C. L. Facy awg 1930 Oct 14 - High Ry. to Hon. James V. McClusky for Mrs. Bertende Fosler Spence - see letter in George Fosler A. 3685 awg
1933 - mch. of tombstone data to Memo Br - all slips returned awg

John Richards.
va
John W. Cutchin Washington.

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, to whom he was attached, and forth in their affidavit, the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer 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.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Richard 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? Yes 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? Yes 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, 1852? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes 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?
no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
yes
As no do  Sho  an  grand  age , and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Returned
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? no
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
no
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? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 12th not answered
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."

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 18 th , 1844.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The Exrs. of John Richards, decd., a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Thirty Three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1842, to the 4 th March 1843.
Respectfully, yours,
James M. Madison
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
November 15 th , 1841.
Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," John Richards — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va. Agency, at the rate of Thirty three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1839, to the 4 th Sept. 1840,
Respectfully, yours,
William L. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

State of Virginia County of Goochland

State of Virginia } ss. Goodland County }
I William Miller Clerk of the Court of the County of Goodland aforesaid, do hereby certify that Henry Maysie, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of John Rutherford was made, and whose signature is annexed thereto, was at the time the same was made before him, and still is, an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County, duly commissioned, and authorized to administer oaths, and that his signature aforesaid, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 18 th day of July 1833.
William Miller, Clerk

March 16, 1928
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D. C.,
Dr. Sir:-
Will you please be so kind as to see if you can find any Record of one John Richards who was a soldier in the Revolution. He went out from Goochland Co. Va. He married Miss Wanda Rutherford July 28, 1780. He died June 22, 1848. Thanking you in advance for any information you will give me
I am Most Sincerely, Mrs. C. L. Lacy, 4205 4 th St. N.E., Charlottesville, Va.

WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL WASHINGTON
FEB 25 1933
1931
Memorandum for
The Surgeon General, Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, Commandant, United States Coast Guard, Treasury Department, The Commissioner of Pensions, Interior Building, General Accounting Office, F Street, between 4th & 5th, N. W.
1. The attached application has been submitted to this office for Government headstone to be erected at the grave of the decedent named thereon. In order that the proper inscription may be placed on the stone it would be appreciated if your office would verify the name and service on the application, checking and making such corrections in red ink as may be necessary to show the correct spelling of the name and complete designation of the organizations.
2. In addition, please advise State from which decedent came.
application for headstone data for John Richards S. 15967 - all corresp & application for headstone returned mch 3 - 1933

John Richards
It appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 15967, that John Richards was born November 30, 1754, on Licking Hole Creek, Goochland County, Virginia.
While residing in said Goochland County, Virginia, he enlisted and served as a private with the Virginia troops, as follows:
John In 1778, four weeks in Captain John Curd's company, Colonel John Taylor's regiment and was a guard at Albemarle Barracks; in 1779, two months in Captain Gideon Hatcher's company, Colonel Harrison's regiment; in 1780, two months in Captain William H. Miller's company, Colonel Nathaniel G. Morris' regiment; in 1781, five months under Captains Edmund Duke and Stoakley Towles, and was at the siege of York and surrender of Cornwallis.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1832, at which time he was living in Goochland County, Virginia.
It is not stated that soldier was married.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner
Letter addressed to Hon James V. McClinton for Mrs. Gertrude Foster Spence - See letter re George Foster R. 3685

December 27, 1928
Mrs. C.L. Lacy 420- 4th Street, N.E. Charlottesville, Virginia
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.15967, it appears that John Richards was born November 30, 1754, on Licking Hole Creek, Goochland County, Virginia.
While residing in said Goochland County, Virginia, he enlisted and served as a private with the Virginia Troops as follows:
In 1778, four weeks in Captain John Curd's Company, Colonel John Taylor's Regiment and was a guard at Albemarle Barracks; in 1779, two months in Captain Gideon Hatcher's Company, Colonel Harrison's Regiment; in 1780, two months in Captain William H. Miller's Company, Colonel Nathaniel G. Morris' Regiment; in 1781, five months under Captains Edmund Duke and Stockley Towles and was at the siege of York and surrender of Cornwallis.
He was allowed pension on his application executed

September 17, 1932, at which time he was living in Gooch- land County, Virginia.
It is not stated that soldier was married.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.