Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 8964, for Robert Pleasants, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Pleasants, Robert
88964
bearded
CONTENTS

Virginia 16611
Robert Pleasants
of Goodland in the State of Virginia who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Miller - of the Regt commanded by Col Taylor in the Virginia line for 7 mo.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Sept 1833 and sent to John C. Cutchin Present
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 $ 58.33 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 34 - 11.66
69.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Witherams Clerk Book 8 Vol. 1 Page 21
Dead Letter to William Miller. 12 June 1843. Same Dec 14. 1843 Same order to pay 20 Aug 1844.

Robert Pleasant
11973
at Pleasant for a funeral Mr. Montgomery when all my hand and a day of October One and thirty five

State of Virginia } County of Goochland } S.S.
On this 17 th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the justices of the peace, the court of Goochland County, now sitting, Robert Pleasants, a resident of the County of Goochland and State of Virginia aged ninety 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.
I was born in the county of Goochland as I was informed by my parents the 15 th of March 1742. — I have no record of my age, the book in which my birth was registered is worn out or destroyed. — I was born where I now reside I have never resided in any other county, with the exception of one or two years of my youthful years, substantially where I now live.
I was drafted in the Militia and served many tours, I have no doubt between fifteen and twenty during the whole revolutionary war: whenever there was an alarm from the enemy, I was called up, generally for short periods. My memory is very defective as to dates and the length of time I served in each tour; nor can I recollect many of the short tours, where I went, or with what officer. I never failed to obey any call. Such as I have a distinct recollection of, I will state, but can't say that I recollect certainly the regular order of them, & I may state some of them as occurring before the others, when the subsequent tour had in fact priority. — While the British prisoners called the Saratoga prisoners were stationed at the Albemarle Barracks in the County of Albemarle, I was twice detailed for tours of duty to guard the prisoners & served the tours which I now think were three weeks each tour: the first was if I am not mistaken in the winter about the close of the year 1779 or commencement of 1780. I recollect distinctly it was excessive cold weather, I was under Capt. Wm. H. Miller the 1 st tour & the 2 nd under Capt. Duke. I recollect at the time of the 2 nd tour the peach trees were in bloom I think it was in the month of April. Col. Taylor was the commanding officer at that place while I was there: Col. Montaine and Major Roberts were also there.
I was on one tour of duty to Cabin Point on James River below Richmond under Capt. Thomas Halcher from Goochland & Edward Redford, lieutenant. I recollect that Col. William Dandridge commanded some troops at that place. Col. Charles Fleming commanded our regiment: we were discharged at that place, without any written discharge. My recollection is so imperfect I cannot state the time I was detailed for this last tour of duty: all I recollect is that I had been there so long, I became sick of remaining there, and hired a substitute by the name of David Saunders & gave him a colt one year old and my blanket to take my place. — At another time I was drafted and marched to Richmond at the time Cornwallis came to Richmond; I was ordered

out by Col. John Woodson and I think Capt. Thomas Hatcher was my Captain. At Richmond we were under the command of the Marquis La Fayette. How long we remained I can't recollect; the enemy retreated before we reached Richmond. — At another time I was ordered out and marched to Harrars Island below Richmond. I was there under the command of Capt. Wm. Holman. Col. Nathaniel Morris had the command of the troops at Harrars Island; while there we took a small vessel from the enemy that got aground in the River. I recollect being at Hoth Ford & marched towards Williamsburg where met by an express turned back and marched to Charles City Courthouse. — I will not undertake to say how long I was in service during the revolution; but have no hesitation in saying I was in actual service between seven & eight months & I think much longer. During the war an order was made that if any person would take up a deserter, he should have credit for a tour of duty. I did take up a deserter & delivered him to Col. Morris of Goochland County, who gave me a certificate accordingly to credit me for a tour of duty. — A law existed that every ten men that would furnish a man to serve six months should have credit for a tour of six months. I with nine others did hire a man by the name of Wingfield who accordingly went into the army & I have never heard of him since: we gave him about One thousand dollars, I paid one hundred dollars for my part. — I have no documentary evidence, and don't know of but one person whose testimony I can procure, who can testify to my service; that person is my neighbor James A. Moore who was with me in service a part of the time. Being required to state the names of persons to whom I am known in my neighborhood, and who can testify to my character &c. I will say that I am known by every person in the neighborhood and as it would be too tedious to enumerate them all, I will only mention a few that have long been acquainted with me. Charles Rogers, Robert Bedford, Samuel A. Craigwell, Francis H. Royster, Doctor Thomas Curd, James Pleasant former Governor of Virginia, Carlton H. Pleasant, David Royster, William Miller, clerk of the Superior County Court of Goochland, Col. Benjamin Anderson, Charles S. Hatcher & Capt. Robert H. Pleasant. — I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Given to & subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Robt. Pleasant

We the undersigned Thomas Curo
residing in the county of Goochland do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Robert Pleasants who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be ninety 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
Thos Curo
I Amos L. Moore residing in the county of Goochland do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Robert Pleasants who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration; that he was a soldier of the revolution and was in service with me, as I well recollect, at Hoth Ford and at Four mile creek, and I have no doubt he served at other places as stated in his declaration: that we have lived near each other ever since the revolution and have often conversed about our services in the army of the revolution; and that I have no doubt he is ninety years of age as stated by him in his declaration.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Amos L Moore
And the said Court 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 the said Applicant can do not with reasonable convenience produce a Clergyman in open Court to make the usual Certificate, (and that Thomas Curo and Amos L. Moore are persons residing in the said County, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit)
I William Miller Clerk of the Court of the County of Goochland aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the

application of Robert Pleasants for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this first day of October One thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Will. Miller Esq
11993
Robert Pleasants

Goodland Co. Va. Dec 11
Dec 14 1843
Madam Robert Pleasants
The Commissioner of Pensions
free
Washington City.
D.C.
Mad.

Virginia
Goakland C. House
9 th Dec. 1823.
D. Sir,
I have been sick & could not conveniently, attend to the communication received from you on the 12 th June last till now, concerning the little balance of Pension due to Robert Pleasants dec d . from all I see the papers now enclosed to you will be sufficient to authorise you to issue a warrant to John Sheppard the executor of Robert Pleasants dec d for the balance of pension due Mr. Pleasants at the time of his death - I enclose to you the evidence of Mr. Pleasants death, the time he died the qualification of his executor & the original certificate of Lewis Cass the secretary of War granting him - the annual sum of $23.33 cents - You will please enclose to me a certificate for the balance of Pension to enable Mr. Sheppard to draw it - If these papers are not sufficient say if you please what else is necessary and if possible it shall be sent on - The balance due is small, yet to a poor man it is something
Yours with Respect.
Wm. Miller
The above noted papers are not found in the claim now. Oct. Nov. 16. 1920

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Robert Pleasants a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1 Served at various times in all 7 mos Pvt Wm H Miller Va   Dake Taylor   Thos Halcher Chas Fleming   Thos Halcher John Woodson   Thos Holman Nathaniel Morris  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Goochland Co Va
Date of application for pension, Sept. 17, 1832. Hisch was al
Residence at date of application, Goochland Co Va
Age at date of application, Goochland Co Va - Mar. 11, 1742
Remarks: It is not stated whether he was married
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Robert Pleasants No 7 June p 23. 33.
p to 4 Sep 1842
JA

Ro. Pleasants

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Robert L. Plocavanti 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? Yes 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? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No 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? Yes 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? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
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? one living witness
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? —
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? yes
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? yes
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.

Clifton Forge, Virginia, October 10, 1920.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
It will be very much appreciated if information as to service, dates of birth, enlistment, discharge, marriage, etc., may be furnished for the following named soldiers in the Revolutionary War :
With Virginia troops
Arch. Pleasants S. 3939 Robert Pleasants
both of these men drew a pension.
Thanking you, I am
Yours very truly,
(Mrs.) Mattie McCutchan.

1920 Nov 17. Test. to Mrs. Mattie McCutcheon, ad.
Revan
8964
INVALID.
File No. 8964
Robert Pleasant
Br. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 12 , Page 298
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Robert Pleasants Va W.D.
Adm 7 Months private $23.33.
416.66 11.66 58.33
John M c Cutchen Washington City
Robert Pleasants

State of Virginia Goochland County } ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid. Robert Pleasants who being duly sworn deposith 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 grade: For seven months I served as a private in the infan- -try —
Robt. Pleasants
Sworn and subscribed this 21 st day of May 1833
before me a Justice of the Peace G. Woodson Payne
Virginia } ss. Goochland County }
I William Miller Clerk of the County Court of the said County, do hereby certify that G. Woodson Payne, before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, was then, and is now an acting Justice of the Peace in the said County, duly commissioned and authorized to administer oaths, and that his signature above is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 23 rd day of May 1833.
Will. Miller Clerk