Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8676, for John Pledger, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Pledger, John
S. 8676
CONTENTS
carded

Virginia 23.300
John Pledger of Hampton in the State of Virginia who was a private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Blount in the Virginia line for 2 years —
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of Jan. 1834. and said T. P. Gray — J. M. Gray —
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 2.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 4.00
$ 240 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Cath Rice Clerk. Book 2 Vol. 67 Page 25.

State of Virginia Southampton County, ss
On this 17 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the justices of the Court of Southampton now sitting John Pledger, a Resident of the County of Southampton in the State of North Carolina aged Seventy five 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 enlisted as a volunteer in the Militia under the command of Capt. Edwin Gray, from the County of Southampton in the State of Virginia in the year 1776. and marched under the Command of Said Gray to Williamsburg, and was discharged in thirty or forty days. That he afterwards volunteered under the Command of Capt. Henry Taylor from the County of Southampton that he marched to Norfolk and was under the Command of Said Taylor as his Captain, when Norfolk was burned by the English, who commenced burning the town, and after they had commenced the Americans fired it also . That he served under the Command of Capt. Shadrach Lewis from the Said County and also under the Command of Col. Benjamin Plant of the Said County of Southampton. That he was frequently called out during the War in the Militia and volunteered twice as above stated but he is unable to state the particular periods when he entered the Service. He is confident that he served more than two years as a Militia man during the War, That he was stationed once at the great bridge once at Norfolk once at Williamsburg, once at Fort Petersburg and once on the Banks of James River while he was under the Command of Capt. Henry Taylor. That he was also stationed at Williamsburg, while under the Command of Capt. Edwin Gray. That he was afterwards placed under the Command of Lieut. Cummings of the Regular Army under whose Command, he was stationed in the County of Nansemond at McKenzy's Mills, and that Major Deedman was Commandant at that place. That he then resided in the County of Southampton aforesaid, and always entered the Service from that County. That he marched through the Counties of Southampton, Isle of Wight, Nansemond, Princess Ann, Surry, Elizabeth , and Charles City. That he never had any written discharge, and was in no other engagement, but the one at the burning of Norfolk. That he knows of no one now living but Mr. Elias Love, who knows of his being in the Service - he was the first who marched from the county at the commencement of hostilities under the command of Capt. Edwin Gray and arrived at Williamsburg just after Lord Dunmore quit that place. The annexed certificate will sustain the declarations of the petitioner
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court.
John Pledger mark.

This day personally appeared before the court of Southampton in open court John Hawkins Pond of the county aforesaid and being duly sworn according to law deposeth that he was in service with John Pledger the within named applicant at Williamsburg & other places & believes the declaration of the said Pledger contains the truth so far as stated given under his hand &c this 17th of September 1832
John H. Pond
Virginia Southampton County to wit
This day personally appeared before us
two of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, Elias Love of the said County and being duly sworn deposes and saith. That he was in several terms of duty with the said John Pledger, during the Revolutionary War, and that he has heard the within Declaration read, and believes it to contain a true statement of the said John Pledger's service so far as stated by the said Pledger. Given under our hands and seals this day of 1832
1832
J. P. Love
J. P. Love
We Junior Murfee a Clergyman residing in the County of Southampton and John H. Pond residing in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Pledger who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five years of age; that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Rev- olution and that we concur in that opinion - Sworn to and subscribed the 17th day of September 1832.
J. Murfee
John H. Pond

Virginia Southampton County September Court 1832.
Where the Said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he stated. And the Court further certify that it appears to them, that Simon Murfer who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the said County of Southampton and that John H. Pond who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said County and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit.
I James Rochelle Clerk of the County Court of Southampton do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Pledger for a Pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court this 18 th day of September 1832.
James Rochelle C. S. C.
The annexed declaration of John Pledger to the Question (negativa) did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides, in explanation says that he now resides in Northampton County N. Carolina and came over to Virginia to make his declaration because he thought it must be done in the state he served from & for the purpose of obtaining the certificate of Mr. Pond with whom he served in the revolution - it is impossible for him to state on oath with more precision the particular periods of the war at which he served he could repeat many minute and trifling occurrences which he is advised would have no weight in this matter having kept no account and of course speaking from memory it is impossible for him to state the exact length of his service at different times in the revolution but is sure that he served more than two years and always as a private soldier either

as a drafted militiaman or as a rollintun He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state sworn to and subscribed this 12 of June 1833 before me a justice of the peace for the county of Southampton John Pledger  Richd Griffin
I do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with John H. Perkins Ponder for near forty years and have always found and believe him to be a upright man & no man has supported through a long life a better char- acter for morality & integrity given under my hand & seal this 12th of June 1833
Richd Griffin
Objections to interrogatories No. 1, 2 & part of 3.
The declarant was born 22nd of Febry 1757 has a record of his age at home (in North ampton county state of N. Carolina) was living in Southampton county state of Virginia when he entered as a rollintun man capt Gray has lived part of the time since the revolution in Virginia, a part in Kentucky and is now living in North Carolina . North ampton county -
John his Pledger sworn to & subscribed before us two of the Justices of Southampton county this 12th of June 1833 at Jerusalem as witness our hands & seals this
Richd Griffin N. McLeish

14221
John Pledger Va
Admit as a private - 2 years $80
2. 3. 5. 7.
but 1. 2
May 1 st 33.
Ch. 1 aug. 33 P 366
Bl Gray
in Rockville
South Park
Jerusalem
va

BRIEF in the case of  John Pledger  County of Northampton in the State of North Carolina  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 75
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.     Volunteered In 17 30. or 4 days private Gen. Capt Gray Capt Taylor   Again volunteered } he is confident that he served more than two years Capt Lewis   was frequently called out Col Blunt   Capt Cummings  
5. In what battles was he engaged? the burning of Norfolk
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Southampton Va
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses and traditional evidence
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.
John L. Watson Examining Clerk.
18th feby, 1833

State of Virginia, Southampton County, Nov. 2. I James Rochelle Clerk of the County Court of Southampton in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Benjamin Griffin and Nicholas M Sebell Esqrs who have signed their names to the preceding certifi- cate are acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified according to the Constitution and Laws of said State.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of my Office this 28 th day of June 1833.
James Rochelle C.S.C.

John Pledger

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 Pledger 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? no 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? no IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? not with precision 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? no 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? 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?
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? yes
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?
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? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? no, 1st 2nd and 3rd
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 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.
† 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.
The applicant must specify his services as above, or no favorable action can be had on his case.

Rev War
8676 INVALID.
File No. 8676 John Pledger Priv. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. Set , Page 298
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Statement of John Pledge's services during the Revolution a private Militiaman
   Name of Officer under whom he served Place where service was performed & with what Corps By what authority called into service In field or Garrison & whether for the time in any civil pursuit Duration of each term of engagement     Capt Edwin Gray Williamsburg. Va the Corps not recollectd Volunteered as Militia men In the field in and near Williamsburg no civil pursuit So the best of his recollection thru  the  four weeks   Capt Henry Taylor At the great Bridge thence to Demp's Landing & thence to Norfolk. V.A. Same as above Part in the field & part in the Barracks at Norfolk called out for 6 Mo's & thinks he remained in service about that time 6 months   Capt Shadrach Lewis & to the best of his recollection under Major - Durval Babs old field near Smithfield Va Genl. Mullenburg called out as the first division of Hampton County V.A. Militia for 6 weeks. in the field 2 Tours Six weeks } 12 Wk. Six weeks }   Same officers Meads Mills Same as above Same Six weeks   Capt Robert Nichols Stones Mills & Cabin Point Same as above Same (2 Tours) twelve weeks   Capt Solomon Hod. Mills Babs old field near Smithfield Va. Same as above Same Same   Capt Roger Cabin point & Stones Mills Same as above Same Same   officers not recollectd Surry Co. Horse Same Same Same   except Col Gaskin Brick Church near Norfolk Same as above Same (2 Tours) twelve weeks  
3 26 12 18

  Stones Mill, Same as above Same Same   officers Surry C. House Same Same Same   not recollected   except level Brick Church Same as above Same (2 towns) twelve miles   Gaskin near Norfolk   3 26 12 18 24 20   May 7. Poythress 107   Capt not recollected Near Norfolk Same Not recollected Not recollected 
Signed
John X Pledger mark
State of North Carolina } Northampton County }
This day John Pledger personally appears before me
John White a Magistrate in & for the County of Northampton aforesaid made made Oath according to Law to the truth of the above Statement of his services (So far as he can recollect them in the revolution) The said John further swears & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear as to all the services, nor length of time he was performing them, further than above stated, except that he was frequently called out during the span of five years, & believes he was, in the said service near half the time, nor can he recollect the names of all the officers under whom he did serve Given under my hand the 15 day of November 1833.
John Pledger

State of North Carolina
I Richard H Weaver Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, for the County of Northampton, in the State aforesaid, hereby certify that John White who has signed the foregoing Certificate, is and was, at the time of signing the same, an acting Magistrate in and for the County aforesaid, duly Commissioned & Qualified as such, that his signature above is genuine. In testimony of which I have hereunto affixed the seal of my office at office in Northampton the fifteenth day of November AD 1833.
Richard H Weaver Clerk