Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 7,227, for Valentine Miller, Virginia

SERVICE
Miller Valentine
NUMBER
R 7227
CONTENTS

(Virginia Monroe County)
On this 21 st day of November 1842 Valentine Miller a resident of the said County of Monroe aged eighty years the 12 th day of January 1842 who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 That some time in the month of December 1776 he enlisted as a Revolutionary soldier under Captain William George for the term of three years in the County of Loudoun where he was born and raised. he cannot now remember the day of the month on which he enlisted but he recollects that he was enlisted about ten months before General Burgoyne was defeated and his army taken by the Americans he lacked about one month of being fourteen years old when he enlisted, but being unusually large strong and healthy for of his age he was received and fully served the said term of three years in said war and received his discharge in the state of Pennsylvania signed by General Casey. he states that after he had received his said discharge and had returned home - he was drafted for six months as a militia man, and was in service as such at Little York in Virginia, at the time Cornwallis surrendered that shortly after that surrender, he with others of the militia were discharged & returned home having served the full six months. he was never wounded whilst in said war, and has never received his bounty in land or any pension and is on no pension list. He further states that during the term of his enlistment he was at Mud Island fort. eight miles from Philadelphia which was commanded by Col o Samuel Smith when the place was attacked by the British and was eventually taken. that at that place his Captain (George) was wounded taken prisoner and he understood died, that

his company were all killed or taken prisoners except eight with himself and they were afterwards attached to other companies, he was also at the taking of General Burgoyne and his army in October 1777. The Officers under whom he principally served during his enlistment as far as he can now recollect their names, were General Casey, Col o Samuel Smith, Col o Clappan, Cap t M c George, Lieutenant Stairs, Ensign D. Havens. That he was in no general or principal engagements during the said war except at Mud Island, the taking of General Burgoyne and the siege of Little York when Lord Cornwallis was taken in October 1781. He further states that some years after the war aforesaid was ended and when he with his family resided in the County of Rockbridge in Virginia his dwelling house with nearly the whole of its contents was destroyed by fire in which he had a chest which contained all his money papers, Books &c and amongst which papers he had his discharge, all of which were entirely destroyed and lost, he states that the loss of the discharge he much regretted as he supposed it would prevent his obtaining the bounty in land which he is entitled to, he further states that on the 20 th day of May 1833 he made a declaration on oath in the County Court of Monroe County for the purpose of obtaining a certificate of Pension which was certified & sent on the City of Washington but was afterwards returned for the want of proof of service, and not having it in his power at that time to furnish such proof he made no further attempt in the business until about three years since when he had that declaration again sent with the affidavits of Mary Vance & Isaac Hutchinson (whose testimony accompanies this) those papers certified were given to Col o Andrew Beine who promised to make all fair exertions to procure a pension, but it appears

from a certificate of J. S. Edwards that those papers in support of the Claim were never presented or filed by the said Beine or any papers in support of said Claim. He further states that after his first application in 1833 he heard of a man by the name of John Noland residing in Gallia County state of Ohio who had been born and raised in Scott County Virginia in the neighborhood with him had enlisted & served with him in the said War was discharged and returned home with him & by whom he knew he could prove his service, but owing to the death of the said Noland shortly afterwards he failed in procuring his evidence, he knows of no person now living with whom he served in said war or by whom he could positively prove his service, he thinks there is one Christopher Sheffer yet living if he can find where he lives and get his evidence by whom he can possibly prove his enlistment this leaving home to go into service as an older brother of Christopher (Jacob Sheffer) was enlisted about the time he was, started with, & served with him until he lost his life at Mud Island.
Valentine his Miller mark
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 Valentine his Miller mark
subscribed in open Court this 21 st day of Nov: 1842.
Monroe County to wit:
This day Catharine Fink of lawful age personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the said County of Monroe

and made oath that upwards of forty years since whilst her father Valentine Miller resided in the County of Rockbridge and when this affiant was perhaps about twelve or thirteen years old her said father had his house with the principal part of its contents destroyed by fire and well recollects that the chest which contained her father's papers and money was amongst the property destroyed in said House and that endeavoring to save the property in said House her father was much scorched & injured by the fire & she also remembers of her father & mother lamenting the loss of the money &c sworn to and subscribed before me this 27 th day of October 1842.
Catharine Her F Fink (mark)
Henry Alexander J.P.
Virginia Monroe County to wit.
This day Mary Vance of lawful age personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in & for said County and made oath that upwards of forty years since whilst she was single she lived with her father Philip Eneminger in the County of Rockbridge in Virginia and in the neighborhood where Valentine Miller resided (the said Miller being an applicant for a Pension as a revolutionary soldier) that she well recollects of the said Miller having his house and its contents destroyed by fire, she did not actually see the house on fire but seen the ruins after it was burned and heard the said Miller & her sister Miller's wife lamenting that they had lost nearly every thing they had in said house, they had lost their Books &c and that she (from report) has every reason to believe that the said Valentine Miller was a revolutionary soldier & served in said War. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29 th day of October 1842.
Michael Alexander J.P.

Hon. Valentine Miller R. 7227 Valentine Miller
March 31, 1925
Harriette N. Tilton Winslow, Washington.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 7227 it appears that Valentine Miller was born January 12, 1762 in Lou- doun County, Virginia.
While living in Monroe County, Virginia he applied for pension November 21, 1842 and stated that while a resident of his native county he enlisted in December 1776 as a private in Captain William George's Virginia Company and served three years; was at the taking of Burgoyne and at the siege of Mud Island Fort under Colonel Samuel Smith; also, that he enlisted in 1781 and served six months in the Virginia Militia and was at the Siege of Yorktown, served under Colonel Clapham.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish sufficient proof of the alleged service as required by the pension laws.
Soldier married the daughter of Philip Ensminger of

Rockbridge County, Virginia, her name and the date of marriage not stated.
In 1842 soldier's daughter Catharine Fink stated that "upwards of forty years ago her father was living in Rockbridge County, Virginia and she was then about twelve or thirteen years of age".
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

Virginia Monroe County to wit
This day Isaac Hutchinson of lawful age personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in & for the said County, and made oath that some years since this affiant was in Gallia polis in the State of Ohio and whilst there he became acquainted with an elderly man by the name of John Noland who stated that he lived some few miles above that place on the Ohio in Gallia County and enquired of this affiant if he knew a man by the name of Valentine Miller (or Felly) as he was often  called  on called and being told that this affiant was acquainted with and lived within a few miles of such person, Noland said if he was the man he wished to enquire for, that he was near his age was large & had been very strong & active, and spoke the english language very imperfectly and described him so particularly that this affiant told Noland that he must be the man he wished to hear from. Noland then after enquiring how he was, how he was doing & asked the affiant if he knew whether Miller had got the land which as a revolutionary soldier of the Virginia line he was entitled to, this affiant stated he neither knew a pension or had got his land as he had been informed. Noland stated that he ought to have both and stated that Miller and himself had been born and raised in the same neighborhood in Loudon County Virginia that they had enlisted at the same time served together three years and were discharged at the same time and returned home in Company  together The said Noland went on to mention a number of difficulties which he said that they had encountered during the service that at one time the company they belonged to were all killed or taken except some very few and that they were

then placed in other companies - that Miller & himself happened to remain together - this affiant further states that after he returned home and informed Mr Miller of what had passed between Noland & himself, and after Miller had first made application for a Pension the said Miller requested this affiant to write to some person who lived near to Noland and to get his evidence - this affiant did accordingly write to a certain Samuel Henderson residing in Mason County Va but that something like five or six weeks after he had written he received a letter from Henderson informing him that soon after receiving this affiant's letter he had crossed the Ohio River for the purpose of getting Mr Noland's evidence but found that Noland had died was buried about two weeks previous - sworn to and subscribed before me this 21 st day of November 1842 Isaac Hutchinson Hugh Caperton J.P.
Virginia Monroe County Civil This day personally
Virginia Monroe County to wit This day Christopher Sheffer of lawful age personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Monroe and made oath that he was born and raised in the County of Loudoun in the state of Virginia and in the neighborhood where Valentine Miller (who is said to have made application for a Pension as a revolution- ary soldier) was raised, that he well recollects of Captain William George enlisting a Company to serve in the revolutionary war, that an older brother than him- self was one of the men thus enlisted - Peter France, Lewis France, Anthony Grove, Martin Wayland, Peter McMahon several by the name of Emery as well as the said Valentine Miller with a number of others were enlisted in the Company of the said George - the affiant further says that he the,

said Valentine Miller from what he always understood verily believes did actually serve his term of enlistment in the said revolutionary war and afterwards returned home his this affiant's brother and a number of others of said Company never returned he understood that the Company were principally taken prisoners or killed. this affiant at the time of the enlistment of the Compa- -ny had not got his growth had to stay much at home with his father, he did not see the Company start into service or actually return this affiant was never him- -self in that war - this affiant further says upon oath that he has been well acquainted with the said Valentine Miller since they were boys, and that he has always considered him a man of truth and has not the smallest doubt of his service in the war aforesaid. Sworn to and subscribed before me, on this 29 th day of November 1842.
Hugh Caperton J.P.
We William Adair a clergyman residing in the County of Monroe (State of Virginia) and John Hutch- -inson Jun r . residing in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Valentine Miller who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and are concur in that opinion
Sworn to & subscribed                      William Adair in Open Court this                              J n Hutchinson Jr. 21 st day of Nov r . 1842
At a Court of Quarter Sessions held for the County of - Monroe Virginia at the Court House thereof on Mon- -day the 21 st day of November 1842, and in the 67 th

year of the Commonwealth.
The Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that Valentine Miller the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states, And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that William Adams who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the County of Monroe and that John Hutchinson Jr. 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 John Hutchinson Jr. Clerk of the Court of Monroe County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Valentine Miller for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Union this 22 nd day of December 1842. Jn Hutchinson Jr Clerk
I John Hutchinson Jr. Clerk of the Court of Monroe County certify that Henry Alexander whose name appears to the within affidavit of Catharine Fink, Michael Alexander whose name appears to the affidavit of Mary Vance, & Hugh Caperton whose name appears to the affidavits of Isaac Hutchinson & Christopher Sheffer, are magistrates in the said County & that their signatures are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office at Union this 22 nd day of December 1842. Jn Hutchinson Jr Clerk

1925-Mch. 31- Hist. to Harri- ette N. Tilton - MMN.F
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
725257 P. O. Valentine Miller
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: Printed list of 1852 gives as cause of suspension - "Proof of Re-enlisted: services required by two witnesses."
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Valentine Miller Virginia
Act 7 th July 1832.
Disseisin
Set to Hon G. A. Sumner, Esq. 18 th 1843
7227

Jan 29 - 1857
Mr. Beckine's letter showing S. God- win's authority to make other claims of John Canter- bury & others -
Mrs. Dunn Val Miller { Va Elizabeth Wiseman Mrs. ... Mrs. Canterbury

Winslow, Wash.
Feb. 7, 1925
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give military record and all family data of George Gideon- He enlisted from Leesburg, Loudon Co., Va. War 1812
Also, Revolutionary record of Valentine Miller of Loudon County, Va.
Thanking you,
Harriette Norton Tilton
Organizing Regent, D.A.R. Winslow.

Gen H
295
Jany 18 1863
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that the claim of Valentine Miller has been examined & his papers filed under the act of 3. June 32. It appears that he applied in 1833 and that his papers were returned to Mr. Bawyer - He states that they were subsequently presented to this office but in that he is mistaken - Those papers should be produced & filed in this Dept. He states that he enlisted in 76 for 3 years in Loudoun Co in the Va Line  army of the Continental & served out his enlistment & was subsequently drafted for & actually served a term of 6 mos in the Militia. The service of 3 years cannot be traced upon the Va Line or the State Troops in which alone such a term of service could have been rendered. This silence of the memorums records upon

which his name should appear so far discredits his claim as to impose upon them the obligation of complying with a long established rule requiring in such cases the testimony of two credible witnesses having a personal knowledge of the circumstances of the enlistment - service & discharge -
With respect to the draft for 6 months service from the militia it may be remarked that there was no such service - No militia was obtained in service in that state for a longer term than 3 months & few terms extended to that length
Gen J. W. Summers R. R.
Dear Mr. Summers July 18 1843

Washington, Jan'y 21/57,
Sir,
The enclosed of Mr Biarne, will no doubt satisfy you that I have authori- ty to prosecute the claims of the following person or their heirs in Monroe Co. Va., John Canterbury, John Dunn, Valentine Miller, & Elizabeth Miller, widow of Joseph,
Yours respectfully S. J. Godwin

Jan 11. 1843
va.
Valentin Miller
J. L. G. S. S. S. S. Com. Pensions Washington D.C. H. M. G. W. Summers H. O. R.

No. Reps June 10. 1843.
Sir
I transmit herewith the Declaration of Valentine Miller of Monroe County Virginia, to which I ask your early attention.
Very Respectfully
Grover Summers

23.707.
Valentine Miller Declaration
Hon G. W. Sumner H. O. R.