Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,070, for William Minor, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Qa
Minor William Miner, or
$ 11,070
CONTENTS
Carded

Virginia 26.395
William Minor* of Bedford Co. in the State of Va who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain John of the Reg't commanded by Col. William in the Va Inf'ty Artillery.
1 Yr Pr $100.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 40 Dollars & — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of June and sent to 1131 Kennebec St. H. Claiborne H/R
Arrears to the 4th of March 120.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept 1 20.00 $140.00
Revolutionary Claim. Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. J. Sprague Clerk, Book 8 — Vol. 62 Page 24 —
William Minor* Records corrected. Mch 25/05. f.
Back of check sent on 4/2

31, 180
William Minis Declaration for a pension Virginia
Bedford County Va.
f 1777 per #40.
H. M. H. Calborne

State of Virginia County of Bedford ss. be.
On this 26 th day of March 1834 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Bedford County now sitting the same being a Court of record William Meiner a resident of said County in the State of Virginia aged upwards of 81 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 the Seventh 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. In the year 1777 in the month of January he thinks but the day of the month or the precise time he cannot now remember by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he was drafted as a militia man from the County of King William in Virginia where he then resided, and marched from there under the command of Captain James Martin Lieutenant Ambrose Sipsecomb and Ensign John Penickston, to Williamsburg then the seat of Government and at the time that Patrick Henry was Governor of the State. He does not know that he was attached to any particular Regiment. He was he believes under the direction and control of the Governor himself, the Troops were kept there as a guard and to watch the movements of the British who were constantly expected to land at that place. He remembers at Williamsburg among others the names of Captain's Henry & Johnson, There was no engagement with the enemy this tour and after having served out his tour which was one of three months and not less he was discharged. He does not remember from whom he received his discharge but thinks it was given by the Governor himself to the men generally. The discharge was not written. He cannot remember the month or day when he was discharged for the reasons before stated either in this tour or any other. It was however he believes in this instance in the Spring of the year 1777. In the Spring of the year following the last tour, or in the winter of that year, but the day or the month of the year or the year itself with exact certainty he cannot now remember for the reasons before stated he was again drafted as a militia man from the same

County (where he then also resided) under the command of Captain Robert Drayton, John King first Lieutenant, Richard King 2nd Lieutenant, and Nathaniel Fox Ensign. He marched from the County aforesaid under the said officers until they came within 6 or 7 miles of Williamsburg where they were stopped by the Captain's order when Col. Holt Richardson came who directed the Captain to remain there with his men until he went to and returned from Williamsburg. They were then ordered towards Lees Ferry to cross over from James City into Charles City, and after crossing Chickahominy River to go to Sandy Point on James River, from thence they crossed and joined General Muhlenberg's army which was then down the River coming from towards Norfolk. The Ensign crossed with 16 men of whom this declarant was one, the others refused to cross and returned home. After crossing the river at this place where it was said to be three miles wide Ensign Fox with his sixteen men went on down the river and joined Genl. Muhlenberg's army. They then turned back up the river with the army until they came to Appomattox river; at this place the British who had been advancing up the River divided, the larger vessels continued in James River whilst the small craft went up in the direction of Petersburg. Every thing was then made ready for action on the part of the Americans and each man had his place assigned him, Ensign Fox and his men were all put with the light infantry under Col. Alexander Dick who commanded the infantry when engaged. Ensign Fox was placed on the left of the infantry and this declarant under Lieutenant Hox on the right. Fox's party first engaged the British but retreated after a few fires. This declarant and his party were the next to engage them and they had been commanded by Col. Dick to stand until the British advanced within 60 yards of them and then to fire twice before they retreated which was done accordingly. The British returned a brisk and severe fire - the balls of the enemy passed often near the head of this declarant and could be distinctly heard. Whilst the party to which this declarant was attached retreated it kept up a fire upon the British until it joined the main line when a general engagement took place but finally the Americans were compelled to retreat. Col. Dick at the head of the American
Oliver, I am finally landed near Johnstown
 * there could be seen by the Americans at intervals when the situation would admit of it. The American force continued to advance up the river also until the British under 

forces crossed the bridge and then took it up in order to prevent the British from crossing in the pursuit. They however continued firing across the river with their cannon which was returned by the Americans, the firing was very destructive to the houses. The Americans even after they had retreated across the River had several of their number killed. This declarant believed at the time of the onset made by his party in that engagement that he killed a man in the British line and he still believes so.
After firing awhile across the river the Americans were ordered to retreat and accordingly they went from there to Chesfield Court house, from thence to the Coal Pits, and then they marched up the river to Randolph's Ferry where they crossed. From there they marched down the river to Richmond where this declarant again met with the rest of the Company who had refused to cross at Sandy Point. The British in the mean time had gotten up the Bridge again at Petersburg and had come on as far as Manchester with their army. This declarant was then put under Col. Holt Richardson and the British and Americans continuing on opposite sides of the river went up and down it again without however coming to an engagement. This declarant was finally discharged. He received no written discharge that he now remembers. He thinks it was a mere verbal discharge from the Captain. He served this hour he believes four months but he will say for certainly that he served not less than three months. He was a private in all his services, at no time during the same was he in any civil employment.
In the course of a year or so after the expiration of the last mentioned hour, in warm weather but the month or day or date of the year he cannot now remember for the reasons before stated, he was drafted again as a militia man from the same County where he then also resided, under Captain Peter Richardson, Zelethaines Lieutenant, and William Boywell Ensign. They were called out in this instance to protect and guard the County against the expected invasion of the British. This was highly necessary, that part of the County being much exposed, lying as it did between the Danube and Mattaponi Rivers which at their junction formed York River where the British vessels could come up and where it was constantly expected the British would land. He continued

in this service and marched from one part of the country to another, where there was most danger apprehended until he was finally discharged at the expiration of this term which was three months duration and not less. He thinks in this instance he merely received a verbal discharge from the Captain as he believes was the custom at the time. He was in no engagement during this tour. He saw or became acquainted with but few soldiers or officers this tour except those who marched with him.
In the year 1781 as he believes, at least it was in the same year that Cornwallis surrendered at York Town during the summer of that year but the month or day he cannot now remember for the reasons before stated. This declarant was again drafted as a militia man from the same county where he then resided and marched thence under the command of Captain James Wade and other officers, whose names he has now forgotten except Thomas Knowles who was an orderly Sergeant. They marched from the county aforesaid to King & Queen through Gloucester County and joined the Army or a part of it under Colonel John Taylor, from there they marched into Middlesex County through various parts of the adjacent County and after a time joined the Army under General Ward, he remembers also Col. William Campbell who held some command, the number of the regiment to which he was attached he does not remember if he ever knew. But Col. John Page of Gloucester was Colonel of the regiment and James Baytop either Lieutenant Colonel or Major of the same. - Cornwallis was then in York Town, the troops this declarant was with were kept almost constantly moving from one part of the country to the other and seldom remained long in one place, they regulated their movements by those of the enemy and generally went where there was considered to be the most danger. He remembers they remained awhile at Bulbards old field, (Dare) Church and Gloucester Courthouse, it was feared at that time that the British were about to make a combined attack some where near that point and hence the great preparation which was made. The enemy in a short time however were completely put down at York Town and this declarant was finally discharged in a few weeks after the surrender of Cornwallis without being in any engagement that tour. The day or the month he was discharged he cannot now remember.

He received this tour he thinks a written discharge from Colo. Baytop but it is now lost or mislaid. He saw many of the British prisoners after the surrender of Cornwallis. He served during this tour three months and not less. The whole of his services will amount to not less than Twelve months or one year . Throughout the whole of his services he was a private soldier, and during the time of his service was in no civil employment. He was born in the County of King and Queen on the 29 th day of August 1752 as appears by a register of his fathers, that register is now lost or mislaid. He lived in that County till he thinks he was 23 years old when he moved into King William County in Va where he resided during the war and while in service. In 1789 he moved into the County of Bedford where he has resided ever since and where he now resides. He has no documentary evidence by which to prove his services or any part thereof nor does he know of any person now living by whom he can prove the same except his brother Thrasivoulos Oliver whom he met with in several different tours, and who was a soldier at the same time. Though he and this declarant were under different officers and marched from different Counties, he also refers to William D. Walker affidavit as circumstantially proving his services. Having lived in the County of King William during the war and then afterwards moved to the County of Bedford where he was a stranger renders it externally difficult to meet with persons who know anything of his services except by report this being the case his reputation in the County as a soldier is the more difficult to establish according to the rules of the War department. There are many persons in the County who believe he was a soldier as stated. Owing to these circumstances it is the more difficult to procure the certificate of a clergyman. Having removed into the County of Bedford a stranger after the war from a very distant County away from all his fellow soldiers he hopes will be a sufficient reason for his not being readily enabled to furnish the particular kind of presumptive evidence which the law requires when to be had .
He makes the following answers to the several interrogatories prescribed by the war department (viz)
To the first Interrogatory he answers. In the County of King & Queen in the State of Virginia in the year 1752 on the 29 th day of August -

To the second he answers - I had in my Gallows register a record of my age but it is now lost or mislaid -
To the third he answers - In the County of King Williams in Virginia and have lived since the war in the County of Bedford and now live there -
To the fourth, fifth & sixth he answers - see the body of the Declaration for an answer -
To the seventh he answers - I refer to Reuben Parker, James Oley, William Calvert, John West and William Whittow as persons to whom I am known in my present neighbourhood and who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a Soldier of the Revolution -
He 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 any agency in any State -
William Miner
Sealed to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court -
We Reuben Parker, James Oley, William Calvert, John West and William Whittow residing in the County of Bedford in Virginia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Miner who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 81 years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion - Sealed & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Reuben Parker
James Oley
Wm Calvert
John West
William Whittow
Bedford County, to wit
This day Thressivorus Miner came before me Frederick Amspaugh a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and made oath that during the War of the Revolution whilst he this affiant was a resident of King and Queen County in Virginia, and whilst he was in the war he saw his brother William Miner in the service also, the said William Miner then resided in King Williams whither he had removed before the War - This affiant saw the said William Miner at three different

times performing duties as the other soldiers (Wag), at New Kent also near a place called West Point on York River and the third time near Rappahannock river in Middlesex County, he thinks. He does not remember the officers under which he served, but thinks at one time when he saw him he (his brother) was under one Druit as Captain. This affiant is of the opinion that his brother was under different engagements each time he saw him.
Threesixtus Minor
And I certify that Threesixtus Minor is a credible man and entitled to credit, and that the above affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me this day. Given under my hand this 22 nd day of February 1834.
Frederick. Simmspaugh J.P.
Bedford County to wit
This day William S. Walker aged Seventy two years came before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and made oath in and found of law that he has reasons to believe that William Minor now an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of June the 7 th 1833 was in the engagement which took place at Peter's Creek between the British and Americans during the Revolutionary War as the said Minor has stated in his declaration. He is of this opinion because he has had a conversation with said Minor in relation to that engagement and from many circumstances stated by him he feels satisfied he must have been there or he could not be supposed to have been acquainted with them. This affiant was there or near the place where the said engagement took place being himself then a Lieutenant in the Army and he therefore knows some of the circumstances stated by said Minor and facts within his own knowledge, though he did not see said Minor himself. That he knows or now recollects and he believes said Minor served as he has stated in his declaration. Subscribed and sworn to this 26 th day of March 1834 before me —
Col. Daniel Poe
And I Lodowick M c Daniel a Justice of the peace in and for the said County further certify that the aforesaid William

31. Mr. [unclear] I Walker is a man of the highest respectability that his statement is entitled to credit and that he is the same person for whom a pension certificate has issued from the War Department as a Lieutenant in the War of the Revolution. Given under my hand this day and year last above named. V. M c Daniel J.D.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the several 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 James Otey who has subscribed the foregoing certificate is a justice of the peace in the County of Bedford, and that Reuben Parker William Calvert, John West and William Whittow who have also signed the same are residents of the County of Bedford that each of them are credible persons and that their statements is entitled to credit; and also the Court certifies that the reason assigned by the applicant for not producing the certificate of a clergyman is satisfactory and in their opinion sufficient.
I Robert L Mitchell Clerk of the County Court of Bedford in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains a true copy of the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Minor for a pension. and I do further certify that Frederick Amspangh and Lodowick M c Daniel who have signed and subscribed the foregoing affidavits, are and were at the time of signing the same acting Justices of the peace in and for said County.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the 10 th day of April 1834 in the 58 th year of American Independence.
R. L. Mitchell C.R.C.

March 1, 1938
William Minor S. 11070 BA--J/AWT aw
Mr. Frank B. Kunst P.O.Box 472 Morgantown, West Virginia
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Minor of Augusta County, Virginia, later Monongahela County, Virginia, and you state he was pensioned while a resident of Bedford County, Virginia.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, S. 11070, based upon the military service of William Minor in the Revolutionary War.
William Minor was born August 29, 1752 in King and Queen County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given. He lived in King and Queen County, until he was about twenty-three years of age, then moved to King William County, Virginia.
While residing in King William County, Virginia, William Minor served as a private with the Virginia troops, as follows- early in 1777, three months in Captain James Martin's company; three months in Captain Peter Richardson's company; four months in Captain Robert Druit's company, and was in the battle of Petersburg under Colonel Alexander Dick, also under Colonel Holt Richardson; in 1781 three months in Captain James Wade's company, part of the time in Colonel Baytop's regiment, was in the Siege of Yorktown, and

was discharged a few weeks after the surrender of Cornwallis.
The soldier, William Minor, was allowed pension on his application executed March 26, 1834, then a resident of Bedford County, Virginia, where he had lived since 1789.
It was not stated that the soldier was ever married. His brother, Threesivolius(?) Minor, was living in King and Queen County, Virginia, during the Revolution, and was, also, in the service; he was in Bedford County, Virginia, in 1834.
The papers on file in this claim contain no further reference to family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data-
William Minor, as he was pensioned Certificate # 26395 Issued June 12, 1834 Rate $40.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Virginia Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Rev. War
11.070 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 11.070
William Minor★ Prior to War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 258
[Arrangement of 1870.]
William Minor★ Records corrected.  Mch 25/05.  8
1934- April 13 - back to Frank Minor's case 1935- Feb 2 - ch 1 - " " Frank B. Kenned. case

March 28 th 1934
Veterans Administration Washington D.C.
Will you please give me the records of the following soldiers in Resolution - both pensioners I understand. William Minor, Va, born in Essex Co - probably died in Bedford Co Va Henry Sells Pennsylvania - was at Tully Forge - Is the parentage of each that interest me -
Yours, Frank Minor Manteo, Virginia
28 th

BUSINESS LOCATION HOUGH'S CIGAR STORE 305 COBUN AVE.
FRANK B. KUNST STAMPS P. O. Box 472 MORGANTOWN, W. VA.
Feb. 12, 1938
Veterans Bureau Washington, D.C.
15612
Gentlemen: - Please give me the Pension statement of Mr. Minor (miner), who settled in the dist. of West Augusta Va. later Monongalia Co. Va. Later became Green Co., Pa after the M & D line was run. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war - (Saw about 1744-6) - I have the following reference on him & wish to identify him as the settler at Minor's Fort Maple town Pa & his of Col John Minor.
References as follows. The State Library Reports vol. 9. (7 V.R.) W.D. 162, 2. " " vol 8 XXX 30 and 1000s. va Pa. arc. S of W Bedford vol 8: p 311 Penn 2115- Pa. arc. 3rd Series vol 23 - p 230 Bedford Co., Pa.
(Service on the frontier, in fact) Pa & Va
Thanks for an early reply, Sincerely yours
Frank B. Kunst
P.S. Information desired for the sons of the Revolution.

April 13, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
William Minor-S.11070 Henry Sells-R.9373 BA-J/AWF
Mr. Frank Minor Manteo Virginia
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of William Minor of Virginia and Henry Sells of Pennsylvania.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in claims for pension, based upon their service in the War of the Revolution.
William Minor-S.11070
William Minor was born August 29, 1752 in King and Queen County, Virginia, names of his parents not given. He lived in said county until he was about twenty-three years of age, when he moved to King William County, Virginia.
While residing in King William County, William Minor served with the Virginia troops as a private as follows: from January, 1777, three months in Captain James Martin's company; three months in Captain Peter Richardson's company; four months in Captain Robert Druit's company, was in the battle of Petersburg under Colonel Alexander Dick, after which was under Colonel Holt Richardson; from the summer of 1781, three months in Captain James Wade's company, part of the time in Colonel Baytop's regiment, was at the siege of Yorktown and was discharged a few weeks after the surrender of Cornwallis.
William Minor was allowed pension on his application executed, March 26, 1834, then a resident of

Bedford County, Virginia, where he had lived since 1789.
It is not stated that the soldier, William Minor, was married. His brother, Threesivolius (?) Minor, was living in King and Queen County, Virginia, during the Revolution, and was in the service; in 1834 he was in Bedford County, Virginia.
Henry Sells-R.9373
The date and place of birth of Henry Sells are not shown in the claim, nor are the names of his parents given.
Henry Sells applied for pension, October 31, 1836, then nearly seventy-six years of age and residing in Sullivan County, Tennessee, where he had lived since 1795. He stated that while residing in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, he served from the spring of 1773 under Captain Samuel Thompson and Colonel John Piper, was stationed, six or seven months, at Fort Robert Doe; after which he was a spy or scout under Captain John Dean and Major Shaver for the defence of the frontier inhabitants and was repeatedly called out against the Indians, until the surrender of Cornwallis.
The claim was not allowed, as the service rendered was frontier warfare against the Indians, and not called into service in a regularly organized corps by competent authority, as required by the provisions of the Act of June 7, 1832, under which he applied.
It is not stated that the soldier, Henry Sells, was married. His brother is referred to, his name not given.
Very truly yours
A. D. BILLER Assistant to Administrator