Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1246, for Alexander Reid, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Reid, Alexander
S 1246
Carded
CONTENTS

17461 Kentucky
• Alexander Boyd a negro born in the State of Ohio who was a slave in this co. commanded by Captain D. A. Brown of the Inf. commanded by Col. Lewis in the " " " for 1 year
Found on the Roll of Kentucky the sum of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum. commencing on the 1st day of March, 1831.
The said Pension issued the 2nd day of Feb. 1832 and Jan 1832 L. G. Anderson Lancaster Amount to the Widow, March 1832 20 00 Pension since existing 1832 20 00 Total 40 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam Lloyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 25

I have known the aff d Allex Reed for twenty years and upwards. He is a man of high character for and has always been considered a man of truth, honesty & integrity, and such I believe him to be. 5 th June 1833
Robt P. Fletcher
William Miller and John Haines
250/79
Rev. Mr. ... ... .. ... ..

State of Kentucky Grant and County Set 3
On this first day of May 1833 personally ap- peared before James Henderson a Justice of the Peace for said County of Grant and said as such one of the Judges of the Grant and County Court Also in the said, a resident of said County, aged 81 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
He states that he entered the service of the militia in 1774, and served a tour of 3 months against the Indians - That he served under Capt Alexander O'Callaghan, and Charles Lewis as Colonels - That he then moved to Amherst County, State of Virginia, and joined the troops at Staunton and marched to the Big Kanawha where a severe engagement took place with the Indians in which Col Charles Lewis was killed -
That he again volunteered in Batallion Company, State of Virginia, under Capt James Barrick in the year 1780 - the mouth of June or July, and marched down the River to Point of Fork against the Tories, under command of Col Hugh Lord British - That he served a three months tour tour, and returned home after entering the Tories -
That he again volunteered in militia in the winter of 1780 under Capt James Barrick, and marched to the Big Island on Holston River, after the other Indian Indians under the command of Col British in Campbell's Station where he served a three months tour.
That in the spring of 1781 he again volunteered in Amherst County under Capt James Barrick in the mounted infantry, and joined the main army near a place called Ball's Bluff, and marched down near Mil- am's Ferry, where an advanced guard had an engagement with the British forces, and after accompanying the country for some time he returned home, having served a tour of thru months.

That again in the year 1781 he was employed for months in Spring hill to supply the Army with horses  for  the  war was, and was a promise to go to Fort Shane he could have done to as long of months -
That he has no documentary ev- idence in his possession in relation to his services, and knows of no person by whom he can prove his services -
He hereby acknowledges that claims whatever to a pension, or aho- ly except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state -
Given to subscribed the day of Decr 2 nd - Alexander his Reid mark
We William Miller and John Slavin residents citizens of Greene county, state of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Alexander Reid who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 87 years of age; that he is upright and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides to have been in service of the Revolution, and are concurs in that opinion -
William Miller John Slavin
And the said James Henderson as one of the Judges of the county court of Greene and once hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the matter, in after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department - That the above named applicant was a revolutionary war- rior, and served as he states, - and the said Judge further certifies, that William Miller and John Slavin who have signed the above said certificate are respectable and

...of... and then... ...to... - ... ...the... is ...to... ...by...
James Henderson J. P.
Where... Amherst County Virginia I was born the 11 th day of July 1752.
Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? I have and it is in my possession.
Where were you living when called into the service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Amherst to Via 2 nd & 3 rd times in Potomac River. I left in... I have lived principally in... where I now live since the war.
How were you called into service - you volunteered, were you drafted or was a draft held?
Ans - I volunteered
State the names of some of the officers who were with the troops when you served - the colonel, and with a regiment, as you can remember, and the general or commanding officer in command? - But. Genl. Wayne The Marquis, Genl. Stark. Col. Dick. & his Regiment.
Did you ever receive a Discharge - from the service, and if so by whom and at what time? - No! I never had any that I recollect of.
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify to your character for verac- ity - and their belief of your... as a...

William Miller and John Slaven
I have known the applicant for twenty years and upwards. He is a man of high character and has always been considered a man of truth, honesty & integrity, and such I believe him to be. 5th June 1833
Albert P. Fletcher
State of Kentucky Garrard County
I James H. Fletcher clerk of the County Court in and for the County of Garrard aforesaid do hereby certify that James Henderson Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken in an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and as such Clerk of the said Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the said Court to be hereunto affixed at my office in Frankfort the 4th day of June 1833 and the 57th year of American Independence.
James H. Fletcher

J. H. Spillman
June 1. 1849

Pension Office June 1. 1849,
Sir,
The enclosed certificate of the Clerk of Garland County Court, was received at this office some time since, unaccompanied by any letter to shew the object for which it was sent. If it be for the purpose of claiming an arrear of pension due in the case of Alexandra Reid, du d , this paper is not sufficient. In order to effect the object, such proof as the enclosed printed sheets direct, must be prepared and sent here, to Peter Hagner, Esq., Third Auditor of the Treasury
James H. Spilman, Esq. Lancaster Pa.
on file act 1818 Indiana

No 25679
Alexander Reid Garrard County Kentucky
From 1779 private 11 yrs $40.
S. H. Anderson Lancaster Kentucky

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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. 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, showing the Service of Alexander Reed Garrard County Kentucky
   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.     Entered 1779 — 3 — private Capt M c Clanahan, { Col l Lewis 81 years Traditionary evidence, paper   Vol. July 1780 — 3 — " { Capt Barnett, Colonel Crockett Ambert County Virginia correct   Vol. March 1780 — 3 — " { Capt Barnett, Colonel Campbell   Vol. Sept 1781 — 3 — Infantry { Capt Barnett,  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the 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 enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their services. 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.
¶ 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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. ILL
November 19, 1930.
Mrs. A. Dunn 118 West 4th Street Owensboro, Kentucky.
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 1246, that Alexander Reid was born February 11, 1752 in Amherst County, Virginia.
While a resident of Amherst County, Virginia, he enlisted in 1774, served three months as a private in Captain Alexander McClanahan's Company, Colonel Charles Lewis' Virginia Regiment against the Indians and was in an engagement at the Big Kanawha River.
He enlisted in June or July, 1780, in Botetourt County, Virginia and served three months as a private in Captain James Barnett's Company, Colonel Crockett's Virginia Regiment. The following winter, 1780-81, he enlisted and served three months as a private in Captain James Barnett's Company, Colonel William Campbell's Virginia Regiment against the Cherokee Indians on Big Island on Holstein River.
In the spring, 1781, he enlisted in Amherst County, Virginia, and served three months in Captain James Barnett's Virginia Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 1, 1833, while a resident of Garrard County, Kentucky, where he had lived since the war.
There are no data on file relative to his family.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

INVALID.
New War
File No.
1246
Alexander Reid.
Pa. Va. Line.
Act:
June 7, 1892.
Index:—Vol.
a
, Page
370
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1930 - Nov. 19 - Hirt to Mrs. A. Dunn. LLL.

Owensboro, Ky., November 6th, 1930
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I am endeavoring the preparation of a supplemental line in the D.A.R. Society and am writing to ask if you will send me the service record of Alex Reid who was living in Garrard County, Ky. in 1835.
Alex Reid is given as a pensioner in Virginia Militia if the Rev. War by McAllister, but only the name is listed. I believe the pensioner to have come from Virginia.
Yours very truly,
Mrs A. Dunn
(Mrs. A. Dunn) 118 W. 4th St. Owensboro, Ky.

Lancaster Ky "Revolutionary claims" June 7 th
File
67,150 80
Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War. Washington City.
March 1840
1840

Lancaster Ky. June 3 rd 1833.
Sir. Enclosed you will find the application of Alexander Reid for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
Also the application of Sgt Col Macle, under the same law.
They desire that these cases may be examined and answers returned to them at Lancaster Ky. where they both reside.
Respy. S. H. HARRISON