Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6076, for David Shepherdson, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Shepherdson David
S 6076
CONTENTS
Carded

Virginia 16. 184
David Shepherdson
of Rockbridge in the State of Virginia who was a pri: in the company commanded by Captain Bias of the Regt. commanded by Col: Spencer in the Virginia line for 8 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 26 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of July '31. Lexington Va. and sent S. M. D. Reid
Arrears to the 14th of March '33 - 53. 32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. - 13. 33
$66.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk,
Book 8. Vol. 6. Page 27

State of Virginia
Rockbridge County set.
On this 3 rd day of December in the year 1832. Personally appeared in open court S d Court being the County Court of Rockbridge, a Court of record, and now sitting, David Shepherdsao, a resident in S d County & State, Aged 70 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 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated—
This Applicant states that he was draughted as a Militia man for 6 months about the fall of 1799, under Capt. John Bias of Louisa County Virginia, and marched from S d County of Louisa, about the 19 th of June 1780, having been transferred into the 2 nd Virginia Regiment, Thomas Shelton Lieutenant, and Anthony Winston Ensign, from Louisa, This applicant marched to Hillsborough in North Carolina, and there joined the Southern Army under Gen. Stephens & Col. Spencer, thence to Deep River, where he and his comrades had nearly perished, fasting 3 days, having eaten nothing but a few green crab apples. The army remained at this place a few days, and sent out 200 men, to thrash out some grain for the soldiers; there crossed Pedee at Massie's ferry, and marched to Camden, where after having remained a few days, he engaged in the Battle, fought between Gates & Cornwallis, on the 16 th August 1780 & which ended in Gates defeat. After the Battle the company to which this Applicant was attached, retreated to Hillsborough, and there rendezvoused. This applicant states that after being at Hillsborough, a short time provisions became scarce, that his Capt. & Lieut. advised his company, to return home and get provisions and clothing, having lost their clothes at the battle of Camden. They returned home, got provisions and clothing and again

marched on their way to Hillsborough, but not then Capt. Bias, and Lieutenant Shelton, who advised them to return to their homes again, they did return and were honorably acquitted by a Court Martial, which considered them as having served their term of duty. He states that he did not serve more than 3 months, actually; he received no discharge excepting from the Court Martial, he refers to the personal knowledge of Thomas Biddle & John Gibson of the County of Louisa, Vir- ginia, whose evidence he has procured.
This applicant states that he was again draughted as a Militia man for 3 Months in the spring of 1781. under Capt. William Harris of Louisa, he marched from Louisa to Richmond where he joined the Army, thence to Williamsburg, thence to James Town, and back again to Richmond, where this applicant saw the British at Manchester, burning the Tobacco, &c. This expedition he states was called the "Wild Goose Chase". This applicant served in this tour 3 Months; and was with his com- pany relieved, by a company from his own County, at William Dandridge in Hanover County, State of Virginia, where the Army had arrived, in pursuance of a general order from Washington, to retreat North of Richmond. This applicant received no discharge; he knows of no living witness, to his service in this expedition but his brother John Shepherdson, in this County, whose evidence, he has been advised to dispense with.
This applicant further states that he was again draughted from Louisa County, as a Militia man, for 3 Months under Capt. James Watson, whose place was afterwards supplied by Capt. Sam Pettis. he marched to Gloucester, and was there stationed, opposite to York, where this applicant was engaged during the siege. Gen. Weedon commanded the Brigade to which this applicant was attached. This applicant, received a discharge from one of the Col s under Weedon, he was not 3 Months in service, having marched the 1 st Sept.

He knows of no living evidence of his service in this War.
This applicant was born the 3 rd Augt. 1763, in Louisa county Virginia, where he was living when called into service, and where he lived for a few years afterwards; He lived in different counties of this state, at different times, but for the last 17 years has been living in this P o county of Rockbridge. He has no record of his age in his possession.
This applicant refers to the evidence of William Houston & Preston Trotter citizens of Rockbridge county Va. and Andrew B. Davidson a clergyman of said county & state aforesaid, - as evidence in his behalf.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever 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 & subscribed the day and year above written
David his  of Shepherdson mark
We William Houston & Preston Trotter of the county of Rockbridge & State of Virginia & residents in the neighborhood of the above applicant, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with David Shepherdson, the applicant in the above declaration, that we believe him to be 70 years of age as he states; that he has always been reputed & believed, in his neighborhood, to have been a revolutionary soldier, and that we concur in that opinion. We farther certify that no doubt to our knowledge have ever existed as to his services, and that the s d applicant is an honest and credible man.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
W m Houston
Preston Trotter
I Andrew B Davidson a clergyman of the county of Rockbridge, do hereby certify, that I am satisfied from conversation with respectable & credible men, that David

Shepherdson, who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration has always been reputed and believed in his neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary Soldier. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written —
A. B. Davidson
State of Virginia —
At a court held for Rockbridge County the 3 rd Day of December 1832 —
A Declaration made by David Shepherdson together with annexed certificates of William Houston & Preston Trotter and Andrew B Davidson a clergyman, of which the foregoing are true copies, were produced and subscribed and sworn to in open court. And the said court declared 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 certified that it appears to them that William Houston & Preston Trotter who one of the proceeding certificates are residents in this county and credible persons, that the said Andrew B Davidson who signed the other proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in this county, and that their statements are entitled to credit. —
In testimony whereof I Samuel H. Reid Clerk of the said county court have hereto set my name and the seal of said County Court this 22 nd day of January 1833 and in the 57 th year of the Commonwealth
Sam l H. Reid

No 22955 David Shephardson Wm
Amount as a private- 8 mo 26 66
Samuel W D Reed Clerk. Tuckermans County Co W.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Apl 22 d 1833
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 tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew 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, shewing the Service of David Thompson Rockbridge
   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.     Drafted 1779 Feb 3 Pvt Capt Glas Col Spencer Waverly No NC Aged 70 Louisa County Va Testimonial Living Witness   1781 April Drafted 3 " Harris None Yes   3 " Watson Setts Under Weeden Partum No  
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 }
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 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 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 [i] 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.
For Astor Exam 661

Rev War
6076
INVALID.
File No. 6076
David Shepherdson R Rev War
Act: June 7 th '32
Index:—Vol. M , Page 338
[Arrangement of 1870.]
7

David Shepherdson
22955

Virginia Louisa County ss
On this 8th day of October 1832 personally appeared before me a justice of the peace of the said county and a judge of the court of the county. Thomas Bell a resident of said county for a credible person who being first duly sworn deposeth, that Davis Shiperson of the county of Rockbridge and state of Virginia served in the army in the second Virginia Regiment under Col. Spencer was at the battle of Camden and that he served till discharged - And also John Gilson also a citizen of said county (and also a credible person who also being duly sworn, deposeth that said Shiperson served in the Southern army in the time of Genl. defeat (and that he was in the same regiment with himself -
(and year aforesaid)
Charles Dabney
State of Virginia
Louisa County to wit:
I John Hunter Clerk of the Court of Louisa County do hereby certify that Charles Dabney esq. who have taken and certified the foregoing affidavit is a justice of the peace in and for the County of Louisa aforesaid, and as such judge of the said Court, that the above is his genuine signature and that full faith and credit are due to all his Official acts as such. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 9th day of October 1832 In the 57th year of our foundation.
John Hunter C. L. C.

Rockbridge County } to wit. State of Virginia }
Personally appeared before me John F. Carruthers a justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid, David Shepherdson, of the county aforesaid, who being first duly sworn, saith the and saith that by reason of old age and a con- sequent loss of memory, he cannot swear posi- tively as to the entire tenor of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served as a Private in the army of the Revolution not up than eight months, and for such service he claims a Pension. He further states in his last four mentioned in his declaration for a pen- sion, he served but 2 months as he thinks having stated before, that he served not less 3 months, and in that form of duty he be- lieves that he was not up than two months in the last four mentioned in his decla- ration, making his whole amount of ser- vice eight months, as above stated, and for that amount he claims. Given under my
hand this 3 rd June 1833
John F. Carruthers
State of Virginia } Rockbridge County for }
I Samuel M c D Reid clerk of the county court of said county do hereby certify that John F. Carruthers Gentleman whose genuine signature appears to the above affidavit of David Shepherdson is a justice of the peace in said county duly commissioned and qualified that his official acts are entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said county this 15 th day of June 1833 and in the 57 th year of the commonwealth -
Sam m M c D Reid CLK