Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8650, for Andrew Reed, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
94
Reed, Andrew Read, or
IP 8650.
CONTENTS

State of Virginia County of Floyd
On this twenty sixth day March personally before Jacob Helms a justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid at the house of the Declarant in the said County An- drew Reed a resident of the said County in the State of Virgi- nia aged 84 years & eleven months & unable by reason of age & bodily infirmity to attend in open Court who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to claim the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered and volunteered in the Army of the United States early in the month of June in the year of our Lord 1776 - in Captain William Leftwich's Company of Col. Caloway's Regiment & served until the 25 th of December following. Jonathan Rich- ardson was the Lieutenant of the Company when it was first organised & marched on the lead mines early in the Fall, when the Captain Leftwich left the lead mines early in the Fall, when the Company was then stationed & also many of the men returned with him - after which those who remained, among whom was this Declarant were under the command of Lieutenant Jonathan Richardson, & this Declarant therefore avers that he served 25 th of December. This Declarant therefore avers that he served not less than six months for which period only he claims a pen- sion. This Declarant further avers that at the time of his volun- teering he resided in that part of the then County of Bedford, which is now Franklin in the State of Virginia - that he marched thence by the usual & direct route to the Lead Mines in what is a present the County in the same State - that the Company in which he served was called, went, & remained there for the purpose of protecting the said mines & the settlement around them from the hostile incursions of the Indians, but dur- ing the period which this Declarant served no battles were fought with them. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen- sion or annuity except the present, & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State or Territory whatever. In answer to the 1 st interrogatory the Declarant states that he was born on the 20 th of April in in the year 1750 - not far from

Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania.
To the 2 nd Question he answers - That he has no record of his age. To the 3 rd That he was living in the upper end of Bedford, now Frank- lin County, Virginia, when he entered the service & since when he removed from there, it was to the place where he now resides. To the 4 th That he entered the service as a volunteer. To the 5 th That no regular or Continental Officers or troops were in ser- vice where or near to where he was engaged, nor any troops of any sort except this one Company of Captain Leftwich's, which belonged, as a- bove stated, to Col. Galloway's Regiment. That in the year 1778 in- telligence was received that the settlement at the Lead Mines was in danger from the Indians, & Captain Leftwich was authorized to raise a company of volunteers for the purpose of guarding & protecting it. That he did raise a company, one of whom was the Declarant.
To the 6 th Question, he answers - That he never received any other than a verbal discharge which was given by Lieutenant Com- mandant Richardson.
To the 7 th Question he answers - That besides Geo. Reed & John Duncan whose certificates are sent with the imperfect declaration which this Declarant has heretofore made & of which this is now made as an amendment he will mention his old neighbour Charles Simmons, as one well acquainted with his, this Declarant's character for veracity & aware of his revolutionary services, for he remained several days at the now old man's house on his way from the service above detailed. Sworn to & subscribed this 26 th of March in the year 1835.
Andrew his head mark
I, the above named Jacob Helms, Justice of the peace in & for the County of Floyd, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certifi- fy that the above written declaration was duly made, sworn & sub- scribed to before me & that the applicant Andrew Reed cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court. And I do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And I further certify that there is no clergyman resident in the vicinity of the said applicant & that I went to see

Charles Simmons named in the above declaration - that he is a very old man, being ninety years of age, but informed me that he well remembers that the applicant Andrew Read did call at his house on his return from the Lead mines & that Mr Simmons's family said that they had always heard him speak of the said applicant as having been a revolutionary soldier. Given under my hand this 25 th day of March in the year of our Lord 1835.
J. B. Simmons J. P.
Amended Declaration of Andrew Read
Floyd County ss Virginia
I, William Goodson Clerk of the Court, Court of Floyd do hereby certify that Jacob Helms is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, and that the signature to the foregoing amended Declaration of Andrew Read for a Pension purporting to be his is genuine -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of Office this 4 th day of April 1835
W. Goodson Clerk

State of Virginia County of Floyd
Be it Known, that on this 24 day of November A. D. 185 3 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Michael Reed (the son & heir of Andrew Reed a claimant for Revolutionary Pension) resident of La Grange in said County, and made oath according to law that he is the legal heir of Andrew Reed who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of 1842 that he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney, and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint James G. Taylor , of Floyd County Virginia  Michael Reed as heir of Andrew Reed my true and lawful Attorney, to prosecute the claim of Andrew Reed for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
his Michael Reed made
Sworn to, Subscribed and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Michael Reed to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
David H. Howell J.P.
State of Virginia County of Floyd
It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Floyd County that Michael Reed the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney is the identical child of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that David H. Howell Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office,
this first day of December 185 3
12. R. M. Gassaway Clerk
1. Claimant's name or names in full.—2. Post Office address. 3 "That he is the identical man," or, "that she is the widow of the identical man," or, "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c. 4. Leave this line blank.—5. "He is," "she is," or "they are."—6. Revolutionary soldier's full name.—7. Claimant's signature.—8. Claimant's name.—9. Magistrate's signature. 10. "Identical," "widow of," or, "child of."—11. Magistrate's name.—12. Clerk's signature.
N. B.—Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.

No 2200-1 Andrew Reed W.
Return d e m
Goodson William Goodson Clerk Floyd County Court Hoge R. G. W.P.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
13. May 183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tubular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunct notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These 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, showing the Service of Andrew Reed Floyd County, 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.     Enlisted Does not recollect the time he served Capt L. T. Wick Col Calhoun None Seaminly 1803 Hodgson Ky Traditionary  
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 } ss.
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed, and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. }
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which such 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 places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule 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. }
Dyer Castor Exam. Clerk

Andrew Reed
Virginia —
Rejected —
del. 13 12 April 1835
William Goodton
James C. Taylor Jny 6 1854.
8650
1832

Acts of July 11, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
8650
P. O.
Andrew Reed
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____
REJECTED
, 18
Discharged: _____
, 18
Application filed: _____
, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
get 8652
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____
Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. _____
Searched for _____
, 18

Christiansburg,
December 31 st 1853
Hon Sir,
Michael Rea & the son of Andrew Rea who was a revolutionary soldier & whose claim is now among the suspended on the rolls of your office, has made me his brother and lawful attorney; & being a close to you, his letter of attorney & would request, that you at once inform me why it is, Andrew Rea's claim for pension has never been allowed; also, what steps are necessary in order that his claim may be allowed.
In haste yours all sent
Hon S. P. Hildreth,
James C. Taylor

Andrew Reed Va. my 32
Hon. J. P. Waldo. Commr. of Pensions Washington City. D. C.
FREE

State of Virginia County of Floyd 3 set
On the 15 th day of October 1832 personally appeared before the Justices for Floyd County now sitting in open Court now sitting Andrew Reed a resident of said County and State who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. —
That he entered the service of the United States and served as hereinafter stated. — That he is 83 years of age last April. — That he was then enlisted in the County of Bedford now Franklin under Capt n William Leftwich, Col n Jonathan Richardson was our Lieutenant. We were marched to the Lead Mines to guard them. He does not recollect the year or time that he served in this tour. — He was there discharged and never served personally afterwards, but was sick & hired a substitute. He has no papers to show his discharge. — He hereby relinquishing every claim to a pension or annuity whatsoever, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll or agency in any State or Territory whatever — Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid. —
his Andrew C. Reed mark
We Geo Reed and John Duncan residents of the County of Floyd do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Andrew Reed who has sworn to & subscribed the above declaration, that we believe him to be 83 years of age that he is reputed and esteemed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion. —
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
his John F. Duncan mark
his George A. Reed mark
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 John Duncan and George Reed who have signed the same are residents of the County of Floyd and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. —
J. William Gordon Clerk of the Court of Floyd County, do hereby certify that the foregoing containing the original proceedings of the said in the matter of the application of Andrew Reed for a Pension. —

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for Floyd County (there being no seal yet provided for the County Court) this 15 th day of October 1832 —
Dr. Gordon J.P.C.C.
An true copy from the original deposited in my Office
Teste
W. Gordon Elk.
I George Shuler presiding Justice of the peace for Floyd County in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that William Gordon whose name is subscribed to the foregoing declaration is the clerk of the County Court aforesaid duly appointed and qualified according to law Given under my hand and seal this 13 th day of January 1833
George Shuler
Andrew Reed Declaration for a Pension
HH 21 22004