Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1243, for Thomas Parker, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Wa.
Parker, Thomas
S. 1243
Carded
CONTENTS

See letter 21 Jan to Hon. P. H. Pope see letter 16 May 1834 to Hon. R. Vance & P. H. Pope.
{ Lett to Hon. H. Marshall } { May 21 1850. — }
19594  Kentucky
Thomas Parker of Jefferson Co. in the State of Kentucky who was a Sergeant in the company by Captain Hance of the regt by Col. Spottwood in the Virginia line for 2 years Sergeant
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 120 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Sept 1833 and Saml Van Winkle
  Arrears to the 4th of Sept  304.00    Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar  60.00     360.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam Boyd Clerk Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 22

26. 680
Thomas Parker Jefferson Co. Ken
from 1776 sergeant 2 yrs Jan 1820. on Roll as draft
Saml. D. Vance Middletown (Ken)

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjoined 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. Those 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 Thomas Parker
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1776 2 3 or 4 Militia Sergt & Maj Col Spottwood Col Haws 76 Va No evidence with papers. on Roll as Sergeant  
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) _____, who has 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 days 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 inquiry 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.

State of Kentucky County of Jefferson on the fifteenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally ap- peared before me Samuel D. Vallee and Samy Pomeroy two of the Judges of the County Court of Jefferson County Thomas Pather a resident of Jefferson County and State of Kentucky aged seventy five years on the 19 th day of Feby last past Who being first duly sworn, according to law doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the prov- ision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the Virginia Regiment of the Continental Army of the United States in the fall of the year 1775 for the term of two years and served under the following named officers viz Brigadier General Wreden, Colo Alex Spotswood and Capt Hawes and served out his full time of two years and rec d . a written discharge which has been lost, That he resided in the County of Caroline in the State of Virginia at the time of his enlistment and then marched to Williamsburg the place appointed for us to rendezvous where we joined the regular army; while at Williamsburg we rec d . orders to join the Northern army which we did at Philadelphia Pa te from thence we marched to Princeton New Jersey where we joined Genl Putnam from thence we marched to a little vil- lage on Raritton River from thence to

to the Heights of York while at the Heights of York we rec d information of the probable intention of the enemy attacking Phil a we were then counter marched to Phil a & through to Brandywine where we had an engagement under the command of Gen l George Washington, and after the Battle we retreated to a place called White Marsh as well as I now recollect and from thence we marched to Germantown where we had an engagement under the command of Gen l George Washington and from thence we retreated to a place as well as I now recollect called Valleyforge in New Jersey where I got my discharge. And that applicant further states that he served three or four years in the Militia which he does not think necessary to particularise at the present stage of the investigation of his claim. as he expects his name will be found upon the rolls in the war department. This applicant states that he joined the army as first or orderly Sergeant in which capacity he served till he joined the Northern Army, he was then promoted to Sergeant Major in which capacity he served upwards of twelve months and until he was discharged. 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 subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Thos. Parker
We Samuel D. Vance and James Pomeroy two acting justices of the peace in and for the County of Jefferson state Kentucky and by virtue of our Commission, judges of the County Court, do declare our opinion that the above- named applicant Thomas Parker was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, & that from old age and bodily infirmity he is not able to attend Court, and that from his appearance he is of the age he states. Given under our hands this 15 th July 1833
Samuel D. Vance James Pomeroy
I Worden Pope Clerk of the County Court of Jefferson County in the State of Kentucky and Keeper of the Seal of said County do certify that Samuel D. Vance and James Pomeroy Esqrs. Atty. have signed the foregoing Certificates when at the date thereof acting justices of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned & sworn

and that full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all their official acts as such
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the said seal this 19 th Day July 1833 and in the 43 rd Year of the Commonwealth Worden Foster
No. 683
Thos. Paton

INVALID.
New War
File No. 1243
Thomas Parker,
Sergt. Va. Line.
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 286
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Bounty Land office June 22 d 1827
22 June 1827
Rev Mr
Genl Land office
Hon J. P. Darboun City of War
Ans

Genl Land Office 21 st June 1827.
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit herewith for your Certificate agreeably to the act of May 1826, a Virginia Military Land Warrant, N o 5587, in the name of Thos s Parker, for 555 Acres — Surveys for the whole amount of this War t have been deposited in this office.
Mr s Bayly, the aff ee of one half part of this Warrant is now in this City and anxious to procure patents.
With great resp s . Your Ob t Serv t .
G. W. Graham
The Hon ble Jas s Barbour Secty of War

Capt. Thos. Parker Gen of Geo.
N o 5587. 1 Febr 1809 for 555 Acres for 10 months service } over 7 years — }
Warrant let d to G d L d Office

Middlestown Ky July 25 th 1833
free
Hon Lewis Cass
Secy of War War Department Pension office Washington D.C.
25/7/33 Dr. 68 3/4

Middle Town Ky July 20 th 1833
Sir Inclosed you will find the application of Thomas Parker an applicant for a pension. You will please direct your answer to Sam l D. Vance Middle Town Jefferson County Kentucky and it will be attended to. I inclosed to you some few weeks since the declaration of Daniel White you will also please direct your answer to his application as above to Sam l D Vance
Respectfully
Sam l D Vance

Washington. May 17. 1850
Sir.
M c Thomas Parker was a Revolutionary pensioner. He is understood to have served in the Virginia State line, and his name was on the Ky pension roll at his death. His heirs think they are entitled to land. Will you be good enough to inform me whether the claim appears from your files to be well founded and oblige
Yours very respectfully J. Marshall
J. L. Edwards Esq.