Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2876, for Thomas Moorland, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Moorland, Thomas
S. 2876
carded.
CONTENTS

U 16 New York Chatham, 14 Apr 13 Dec 24
26509 26510
East Tennessee
Thomas. Heartland of Monroe Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Co. C commanded by Captain Woodson of the 1st Regt commanded by ... in the Pennsylvania line for 1 year and 6 days
Va Line Records corrected Feby 3 '64
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 40 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of March 1834 and James ... Coffey ... will
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 101.67 Semi-annual allowance ending March 20.33 $122.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 135

28.579
Thomas Moorland
o Jensen
see Roll of Pa. Va Roll for 18 mo. Service not a Roll
direct to James H. Coffin Madisonville Ky. Tenn.

State of Tennessee } Circuit Court. Monroe County - }
On this 11 day of Nov. 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. Chas. F. Rutherford Thomas, Mooreland, a resident of said County of Monroe, aged 80 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he was born in Southland County, Va., in March 1753. He has no documentary evidence of his age, his father's record being lost. He was living in said Southland when called into service, and resided there till 30 years ago, when he moved into Carter County, Tenn., where he lived till about 5 years ago, when he moved into said County of Monroe where he now resides.
He was in the Revolutionary War, in actual service about 3 years; but his memory is so impaired by old age that he cannot state the circumstances as particularly as he could wish. —
About the year 1776 he was drafted for three weeks to guard Williamsburg against the British, and was marched down under Capt. Edward Curd. He served the three weeks and rec d a discharge from Capt. Curd which he has long since lost.
In the spring, he thinks, of 1777 he enlisted for 18 months under Capt. Samuel Woodson, Robt. Woodson Lieut. He was marched to Philadelphia, and there went under the Command of Genl. Washington, encamped near Philadelphia. Marched under Washington towards New York against Cornwallis. He was out at the time the battle of Brandywine was fought, but not in the battle; and thinks he was on picket guard at the time. He rec d a discharge from the Capt. or Lieut. which he sold to one of his brothers for a horse. His brother is dead and the discharge he supposes, lost.
In the month of May, he thinks, of 1780, he was drafted for six months to march to the south against Cornwallis. (His Capt. he forgets the name of,) His Col. was Lieut. They joined troops at Hillsborough under Genl. Stephens, who commanded them on till they joined Genl. Gates, who then took command, and marched on to Roundabout Mills. Applicant was in the battle near Camden where they were defeated. Gates gave orders for them not not to fire till the British

charged beyond. When the British came near, Applicant and those who were with them fled, then retreated to Hillsborough; and afterwards were heard of the Capt of his company, whose place was supplied by Philip Wobbins, who commanded the balance of the term. From Hillsborough they marched to the Raw Hills, he thinks, and thinks he had returned to Hillsborough and was there when his time expired. He rec d a discharge from Capt Wobbins which is long since lost.
In the summer, he thinks, of 1781, he was drafted to go on to the North, against Cornwallis, for 3 months, he thinks, Col Anderson was his Capt - Gilliam Leavitt - Clemence May - he thinks - They marched about. He cannot remember where, till they had orders to march to Little York, for which they started, and had nearly reached there when they heard of Cornwallis' surrender. They then halted - and soon discharged & went home. (He remembers now that during this campaign he marched down towards the Yadkin under Capt Anderson against Forster , before he went on towards York) He was in service this time two and a half months - he thinks more. - He rec d a discharge from Capt Anderson which is long since lost. The following persons are at present his neighbors, and can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief in his service as a Revolutionary Soldier viz John Wolemsay, Andrew Potter, Jesse Coleman & Isaac Brawley -
He has no documentary evidence and knows of no person who can testify to his service. He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state. He knows of no clergyman immediately in his neighborhood; and having been in Monroe County but 5 years he is well acquainted with no clergyman in this County, and substitutes men who long knew him in Carter County Tn.
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid Thomas K. Moorland
E. H. Wren Atty

We Andrew Patten and Robert Saunders both residing in the said County of Monroe hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Moorland, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be 80 years of age; that the said Patten (who is 27 years of age) has known him all his life, and the said Saunders 15 years, that they have always understood him to have been a Revolutionary soldier; and believe him to have been such. —
Sworn to and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid
E. H. Mear L.C.
Andrew Patten Robert Saunders mark
And the 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 Andrew Patten and Robert Saunders are both resident in said County of Monroe, and are credible persons, and that they subscribed the above certificate.
Charles F. Smith Judge Presiding
I John B. Tipton Clerk of the Circuit Court for Monroe County do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Moorland for a pension on testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal, having none official, this 11th day of Nov. 1833.
John B. Tipton CLK By E. H. Mear L.C.
I James Stanfield a member of Congress from the State of Indiana do certify that John B. Tipton is the clerk of the said Circuit Court, and that the foregoing certificate is signed in the hand writing of his lawful deputy E. H. Mear.
James Stanfield M.C.

28.579
Thomas Moorland
Temper
for 1776 m 1 yr 6 ds 40.66 100
Jas. A. Coffin Madisonville Temper

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 subjunctive 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 Thomas Moorland
   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.     1776 21 K 1   6 "   3 "   2 15   12 06 not on Roll see note  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES 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 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.

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
Aug April 9, 1926
Mattie C. Krumm Elizabethton Tenn
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 3876, it appears that Thomas Moorland was born on March 1753 in Goochland County, Virginia.
While residing in said county, he enlisted and served as a private in the Virginia Troops, as follows-
In 1776, three weeks in Captain Edward Curd's Company.
From the spring of 1777, eighteen months in Captain Samuel Woodson's Company.
From May 1780, six months under Lieutenant Hatcher, and was in the battle of Camden, and after that battle was in Captain Philip Webber's Company for the remainder of the time.
In the summer of 1781, two and one half months

in Captain Anderson's Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 11, 1833, while a resident of Monroe County, Tennessee.
It is not stated that soldier was married.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Elizabethton, Tenn.
Feb. 23 rd 1926.
The Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Please send any and all war records of Thomas Moreland (or Moorland) Revolutionary war who applied under List Act-1832 from Monroe Co, Tenn. for a Pension. Yours Very Truly.
Mrs Mattie C. Hrum.

18.
1917 Apr. 15. Reqd to Mrs. M.P. Roberts, 907 Laurel Ave. Brownstown, Texas. See her letter in an envelope to Mrs. M.C. S.C. Sutton. 1926 Apr. 9. H.W. to Mattie C. Newman
Reqs
28 3/4 6 INVALID.
File No. 2876
Thomas Moorland
Pa. Line
Act: June 7/932
Index:—Vol. A , Page 262
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Thomas Moorland Virginia Line. Records corrected Feb'y 3, 1904.

S. 2876
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 _____ 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.     1776 3 mos. Pvt. Edward King Va.   Apr. 1777 18 mos. Samuel M'Clure   May 1780 6 " S. H. Hutton   (Patrick M'Nab)   June 1781 2 1/2 Andrews   
Battles engaged in, Bandy
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Greenland Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Nov. 1822
Residence at date of application, Br. Virgin.
Age at date of application, 70
Remarks: There is no date on file for his family on file
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Pension Office
Dec 14, 1837
Respectfully referred to the Third Auditor for date of last payment.
D. Cole for Clerk
Thomas Moorland paid to 4 March 1840
Robt Johnson Auditor

Madisonville Ten.
February 14th 1834.
Hon. J. S. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir, The proof required to substantiate the claim of Mr. Moorland for that part of his service rendered in the Virginia Line cannot be obtained; as he is so very aged and infirm that he can do nothing in the case, and all the living witnesses, if any, are in Virginia. He may perhaps, if he lives, in the course of the summer or fall obtain some evidence to increase his pay; but now asks only for that part only which will be coming for his service in the militia - for twelve months & six days.
Very respectfully
Your Obedt Servt
J. H. Coffin