Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8599, for Christian Rasor, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
U.S.
Basor, Christian
RE 8599
Born in N.J.
CONTENTS

Revolutionary Pension Claim of Ezekiel Raper of Co. Clark Miss M. Thompson Fri. July 26. 1853 Dapers ca d for

State of South Carolina } Spartanburg District } Be it known That on this ninth day of February A. D. 1833 before the undersigned a Magistrate for said State & District personally appear- ed Ezekiel Razor a resident of Spartanburg District in the State aforesaid, and made oath according to law that he is a son, and also the Executor of Christian Razor deceased who was a soldier in the war of the revolution, and who has here tofore made application for the benefit of the Pension act of 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 & revoking all powers of Attorney & authority heretofore given and appointed
of my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Christian Razor 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 the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at Washington

City D. C. Agency 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.
Ezekiel Razor (Seal)
Jno. G. Baskin
D. H. Jones.
Sworn to and subscribed and acknowledged before me the day and year above written and I hereby certify that I believe the said Ezekiel Razor to be directly interested in said claim as set forth and to be the identical party therein alleged.
Jno. G. Baskin (Seal)
May 1872
State of South Carolina }
Abbeville District }
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Generals for said State & District that Ezekiel Razor the party who has sworn to and acknowledged the foregoing declaration and power of Attorney is the son & executor of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify that John G. Baskin Esquire before whom the preceding power of Attorney & affidavit

were made and acknowledged, was at the time of so doing a Magistrate in and for said County, and that the signa- ture purporting to be his I believe to be gen- uine.
South Carolina } I, Matthew McDonald, Clerk of the Abbeville District } Court of Common Pleas for said District do hereby certify, that Geo. G. Bashum Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit was made (as appears by his name in his own hand writing attesting the same) was at the date thereof a Magistrate for said District duly appointed, sworn & commissioned & had signed the Roll of Magistrates, kept by Law in my office -
Given under my hand & seal of Office at Abbeville the Ninth day of February Anno Domini 1853.
Matthew McDonald
C. C. P. V. G. S.
A. D.

37.137
Christian Passoni
Declaration
Six months served

— Declaration —
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of South Carolina Abbeville District.
On this twentythird day of October — in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fortyfive personally appeared in Open Court, before the Rev. Eldon Frost the presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions, now sitting for the District and State aforesaid Christian Raper a resident of Abbeville District in the State of South Carolina aforesaid aged Eighty six 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as here in stated.
That he entered the service of the United States in Culpepper County in the State of Virginia, as a draughted militia private, under a Captain Poffard and a Major Boyce, does not recollect who was Colonel, that he was marched from Culpepper County, in the year 1781 to a place called Sandy Point thirty miles distant from Richmond, from Sandy Point he was marched to Petersburg where he and the American forces there, were defeated by the British, a Capt. Reed took the command of the company, the applicant was in, on the day, before the battle of Petersburg, by which defeat, the American forces were dispersed in every direction the applicant with others proceeded to Richmond, and there overtook Major Boyce and Genl. Muhlenburg who I believe commanded this expedition, our time of service having expired, we were discharged verbally and I went home to Culpepper, other militia having taken the place of the discharged forces I was with, this tour of duty was performed, by the first division of the draughted militia, or rather the applicant will more minutely state that there were five divisions of militia in Virginia and the applicant belongs to the first division from which, and the second & third divisions, a draught was taken, to serve them in the,

the applicant was again called into service, with the fourth fifth & first divisions of the Virginia Militia viz. —————
That he again entered the service as a draughted militia private from Cuspeffer County in the State of Virginia in the year 1781 under a Capt James Clark, and a Major Thomas Graves, but does not recollect who was Colonel, by some means a Capt. Fincks took the command of the company, and were marched to within twenty five miles of Yorktown, and the Militia took a Hessian fort or redoubt, and another redoubt or fort called Sigbee Hill, on the next day and night, the American Army cut an entrenchment around the British Works at Yorktown extending above and below the River, the applicant actively engaged, in strengthening the American lines at Yorktown until the surrender of Cornwallis the applicant says he was stationed near the Park of American Artillery where the British grounded their guns, drums, fifes, swords, & flags in regular lines, and marched without them back again into Yorktown, the applicant says the British looked fine, and marched well, and upon the whole they seemed very impressed, the applicant or the company to which he was attached was detailed with other Militia to conduct a portion of the prisoners taken at Yorktown to within four miles of Winchester here the applicant and the troops or American force he served with verbally discharged without rations or the means of obtaining them, the applicant was eighty miles distant from his home in Cuspeffer and he as well as others suffered greatly from hunger, no one being willing to sell us food for the paper money we had received for our services, this tour of duty was performed in the 1 st Division which was again called upon, when the fourth & fifth divisions also served alternating three divisions at a time. The applicant does not know a living witness whose evidence he could obtain to testify to his services in Revolutionary War. There is living in the same District within a few miles of the applicant a Mr. James Black, who says he was at the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown and I have no doubt of the fact that he was there, from the repeated conversations I have had with him on the subject, he is a very respectable character of Abbeville District and his Affidavit is subjoined in support of this application. The applicant in answer to the interrogatories, required to be prepared by the act of Congress 7 June 1832. States

 1 st That he was Born in Sussex County New Jersey in the year 1750.  2 nd He has no record of his age, but solely relies upon his recollection  3 rd I was living in Culpepper County State of Virginia, when I was called into service both tours of duty. I have lived since the Revolutionary War in Abbeville District in the State of South Carolina, where I now live.  4 th I was called into service, by being draughted as a private in the Virginia Militia as I have already stated. —  5 th In answer to the fifth interrogatory, I can state the names of Gen l Washington Gen l Lincoln, Gen l Mullenburg but does not recollect the names of many others who may have commanded Continental and Militia Regiments when he served, and the general circumstances of his services he has stated already as well as he can recollect them. —  6 th I never received a written discharge neither did the troops with whom I served, my discharge was verbal in both tours of duty  7 th Col Joseph Dickson, William Barnard Esq, Gen l Geo W Hodges, Rev d Hugh Dickson, Col Sam l Downard, Capt s Pinckney Jones, Dr s William Jones &c the entire neighborhood in which I live and reside. — 
He (the Applicant Christian Pearson) 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Christian Pearson
We Franklin Branch a clergyman residing in the District of Abbeville in the State of South Carolina, and Joel Gullett — residing in the same District and State do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Christian Pearson who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be eighty six 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 and Subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Franklin Branch
Minister of the Methodist E. Church
Joel Smith
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 Franklin Branch — who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman Resident in Abbeville District in the State of South Carolina and that Joel Smith — who has also signed the same is a Resident of the same District and State and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Edward Frost
Presiding Judge.
I John Livingston Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions for the District of Abbeville in the State of South Carolina do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Christian Rorer for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this twenty third day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five and in the Seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America. — Jno Livingston
ccp

State of South Carolina } Abbeville District }
I James Black do solemnly swear on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that I have been personally acquainted with Christian Rason the within Applicant for a Pension for thirty-eight years last past, that he is a citizen of credit and veracity, that he and myself have had frequent conversations, relative to our revolutionary services in the War of the Revolution and in the service of the United States, and particularly in relation to the Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, altho I did not know the applicant, at that time, being in different companies and regiments from each other, yet I am confident that he must have been at the Surrender, from many little details of facts, which I knew positively to be true, for instance the same work in which the French planted their hot balls, the quantity of facines, the rough made baskets to be filled with earth, in constructing entrenchments, the position of the American forces, the surrender of the British, the March of the Prisoners &c all confirms me in the belief that Christian Rason was a Revolutionary Soldier, and that he was at the Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in the War of the Revolution.
Sworn to 29 th October 1845
Before David W. McEntee, Magistrate
James Black
South Carolina } Abbeville District }
I James Livingston Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Abbeville District do hereby certify that David W. McEntee who hath signed the foregoing affidavit is a Magistrate and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine. Given under my hand and Seal of Office at Abbeville Court House the fifth day of October 1845 James Livingston
Clerk Court Common Pleas Abbeville District.

February 2, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Christian Rasor-R.8599 BA-J/AWF OW
Mary E. Joyce Violet Hill Greenwood, South Carolina
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Christian Rasor.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R.8599, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Christian Rasor.
He was born in 1760 in Sussex County, New Jersey, the names of his parents not given.
Christian Rasor applied for pension, October 23, 1845, then a resident of Abbeville District, South Carolina, and alleged that while residing in Culpeper County, Virginia, he served in 1781 under Captains Pollard, Rice and Major Boyce, was in the battle of Petersburg; and again served in 1781 under Captains James Clark, Fincks and Major Thomas Graves, was at the siege of Yorktown, and guarded the prisoners to Winchester, Virginia. All service in the Virginia troops.
The claim was not allowed as proof of six months' service, as required by the pension law, was not furnished.
Christian Rasor died prior to February 9, 1853.
In 1853 his son, Ezekiel Rasor, was living in

Abbeville District, South Carolina. The name of the wife of Christian Rasor is not shown, and there is no further reference to children.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

1925 - March 7 - Hiram & Cong. J. P. McSwain for M. Cox Gov. 1929 - May 23 - mds. J. B. McIntirel enl. See her letter in William Mason W. 5368 1935 - Feb. 2 - many 3 - Joyce - enl.
8599
P. O. Christian Raser
Service: _____
Enlisted: REJECTED _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
She printed list of 1852 Shows reasons for suspension Alleges: "For further proof by
comrades and the Culpeper county clerk that the desig- Re-enlisted: nated officers were in service".
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

37.137
Christina Rued
P.O.
Det. 6th. P. Specimen
Oct. 11. 1865
8599
Ad 7th Nov 1862

Sir
165 Yrs aff Dec. 10 45
The claim of James Black repeated for the first time without assign- -ing any reason for delaying while the means of proof were constantly & rapidly diminishing by death has been examined & disallowed The Dep't has no information of any Rifle corps authorized by the laws of Va organized in Rockbridge Co. 1781 and served Ymo continuously. The militia were closed & served in towns of 3 mts only. The Line & State troops were regulars under enlistment which were first organized in '76 and filled as occasion required by draft or new enlistment. It is perfectly clear that the service he describes is not that of the militia man- or enlisted soldiers under Va authority. If there was a Volunteer Company of Riflemen in that County it was of
Dec 5 10:43 H. V. Updegraff

course a component part of its institution, subject to the service prescribed by law. If it be true that he was out but once then it is true that his tour did not exceed three months —
In the case of Christian Rasor it is apparent that his first tour was curtailed by the incidents at Pilenburg in the Spring of 81 and that his other did not exceed 3 mos. The utmost he could have been required to serve in both was 6 mos and if it fell short a single day he is not entitled — Having delayed his application to this late hour he will be required to rebut the presumption raised by that delay with satisfactory evidence that he served at the least 6 months. This may be done by Comrades, or a certificate of the Clerk of Pulaski showing that the designated officers were in Commission in 1781 for that County.
Thos. L. Greer Esq.
Abbeville G.H. S.C.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWP/eel
May 23, 1929
Mrs. C.B.Fretwell 235 Pine Street Spartanburg, South Carolina
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 8599, it appears that Christian Rasor was born in 1760 in Sussex County, New Jersey.
While residing in Culpeper County, Virginia, he alleged that he served in 1781 under Captains Pollard, Rice and Major Boyce in the Virginia Troops and was in the battle of Petersburg. He again served in 1781 under Captains James Clark, Fincks and Major Thomas Graves in the Virginia Troops and guarded the prisoners to Winchester, Virginia, that were taken at Yorktown.
He applied for pension October 23, 1845, at which time he was a resident of Abbeville District, South Carolina, but the claim was not allowed, as he failed to furnish satisfactory proof of six months service, as required by the pension law.
Soldier died prior to February 9, 1853.

In 1853, a son, Ezekiel, was living in Abbeville District, South Carolina.
There are no further data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
awt
March 7, 1925.
Honorable John J. McSwain, House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. McSwain:
In response to your letter of the sixth instant, with enclosure from Mr. J. M. Cox, Toney Creek, South Carolina, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 8599, it appears that Christian Rasor was born in 1760 in Sussex County, New Jersey.
While residing in Culpeper County, Virginia, he alleged that he served in 1781 under Captains Pollard, Rice and Major Boyce in the Virginia Troops and was in the battle of Petersburg. He again served in 1781 under Captains James Clark, Fincke and Major Thomas Graves in the Virginia Troops and guarded the prisoners to Winchester, Virginia, that were taken at Yorktown.
He applied for pension October 23, 1845, at

which time he was a resident of Abbeville District, South Carolina, but the claim was not allowed, as he failed to furnish satisfactory proof of six months service, as required by the pension law.
Soldier died prior to February 9, 1853.
In 1853, a son Ezekiel was living in Abbeville District, South Carolina.
There is no further data on file relative to his family.
Very truly yours,
Acting Commissioner.
I failed to put in letter Mr. J. M. Cox of Toney Creek S.C. letter returned - but it is returned with letter to Cong. J. J. McSwain Ans. March 7-25-

Violet Hill Greenwood, S. C. January 23, 1933
Veteran's Bureau, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you please give me the war records of the following soldiers in The Revolutionary War:
1. Christian Rasor - born in New Jersey, D August 14, 1760 - died December 16, 1848 2. Michael Klugh - Born in Germany, near Elbing, Prussia (probably) Came to America about 1730 and went to Jamestown, Va. Moved to Culpeper, Va. where he died. Was in American army during four years of the Revolutionary War. Was at Yorktown D when Cornwallis surrendered. 3. Col. Pascal Dawes - Lived in Prince Edward Co. Va. served under Washington.
Very truly yours, Mary E. Joyce
P.S.
Michael may have spelled his surname - Klug

SIXTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
JULIUS KAHN, CALIF., CHAIRMAN. JOHN C. MCKENZIE, ILL.      PERCY E. QUIN, MISS. JOHN M. MORIN, PA.          HUBERT F. FISHER, TENN. HARRY E. HULL, IOWA.      WILLIAM C. WRIGHT, GA. W. FRANK JAMES, MICH.    DANIEL E. GARRETT, TEX. HARRY C. RANSLEY, PA.    JOHN J. MC SWAIN, S. C. JOHN PHILIP MILL, MD.    ISAAC R. SHERWOOD, OHIO. HARRY M. WURZBACH, TEX. JOHN J. BOYLAN, N. Y. LOUIS A. FROTHINGHAM, MASS. LISTER HILL, ALA. B. CARROLL REECE, TENN.    ELMER H. GERAN, N. J. JOHN C. SPEARS, OHIO. J. MAYHEW WAINWRIGHT, N. Y. DAN A. SUTHERLAND, DELEGATE FROM ALASKA. HOWARD F. SEDGWICK, CLERK. THERESE PIERSON, ASSISTANT CLERK.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON, D. C.
March 6, 1925.
Hon. Washington Gardner, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Commissioner:
I enclose herewith communication from Mr. J. M. Cox, Toney Creek, S. C., wherein he asks for certain information regarding the Revolutionary War Service of CHRISTIAN RASOR. Kindly have the files in your office checked to see if any trace can be found of the man and his service.
Thanking you for this attention, I am
Very respectfully,
A handwritten signature in cursive, appearing to read "J. J. B. Swann". The signature is written in dark ink and features a large, stylized initial "J" and a long, sweeping tail on the "n".