Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2691, for George Purvis, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Purnis, George Elizabeth
Nr. 2691.
CONTENTS

Duplicate issued April 30 th 1852 & sent to Hon P. Powell House of Reps
Let to A. Brown 22 March 53
907 R Virginia Elizabeth Purvis widow of George Purvis who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Va private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 10 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of Feb. 1852 and sent to
Hon P. Powell H. of R.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 128 Vol. A

Letter Brown May 17, 1837
Virginia 12.841
George Davis
of Nelson in the State of Virginia who was a priv: in the _____ command by Captain _____ of the Regt. command by Col. Mathews in the Virginia line for 21 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 70 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of May '35 Lovington C.H. Va. and sent S. Garland
Arrears to the 14th of March '33 - 140 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept. " - 35
$175
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk, Book E. Vol. 6. Page 21

Geo. Purvis
va.
No. 25783-
Adm'd as a private 21 month $70.00

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, shewing the Service of George Purvis
   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.     1775 vol. - 3 - Pvt.   1776 " - 3 - " 75 years   1777 drafted - 3 - " Col. Meriwether Maj. L. Pope Amherst Co. Va. Traditionary Witnesses   - - 3 - " Col. Matthews   1778 - - - " Col. D. Ganes   - - 3 - " " Tompkins   - - 3 - " " Meriwether   24 or 25 May and 2nd Dick d last - 3 - "   of August = } - 3 - "  
21
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 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 12 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.

Virginia.
At a Court of Monthly Session held for Nelson County at the Courthouse on the 25th day of September 1832.
State of Virginia Nelson County } S.S.
On this 25th day of September 1832. personally appeared in open court, before the court of said County, now sitting, George Davis, a resident of said County, and State aforesaid, aged seventy five years, the 19th of October next, 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 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and service as herein stated: That in the year 1775, he joined a Volunteer Company in the County of Amherst State aforesaid, commanded by James Higgimbotham, as Captain, Joseph Cabell as Lieutenant & Nicholas Cabell as Ensign; the Company met at Nicholas Cabell's in said County, and then marched direct to Williamsburg, Virginia, by the way of Richmond, and served there under said officers three months, or upwards, and was then marched back to said County, & discharged. He does not recollect what field officers commanded at Williamsburg. He was standing guard when Governor Dunmore made his way to the British Shipping: a guard was afterwards placed at his house to take him in case he should return. That in the year 1776, he again entered the service in a volunteer Company commanded by Captain James Montgomery, Silman Walton Lieutenant, (and the Ensign he has forgotten, the Company met at Lovings Gap in said County, and marched by Richmond to Petersburg, (where headquarters was about three miles above Petersburg, where he remained at a place called the Long Ordinary, until his tour of three months expired, having stayed about ten days at Petersburg) in the first part of the tour; two Regiments were stationed there, one of which was commanded by Col. Stoval, the name of the other Col. he has forgotten, he does not recollect the name of the other officers of said Regiments; after the tour of three months was out, the Company was then marched to Richmond, & discharged. That in the year 1777 (he believes) he was drafted in said County of Amherst and marched from Roberts in said County in a company commanded by Captain John Digges, Lieutenant Morrison, (and he does not now recollect the name of the Ensign), to the County of Hanover, where the Company was attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. Meriwether Major John Bope. after getting to Hanover, Captain John Digges resigned, and the Company was put under another Captain, his name not recollected. The Regiment was then marched an easy march to the Burnt Ordinary between Williamsburg and James Town where the Regiment was stationed till the tour of three months has expired, the Company then marched to Bottom's bridge below Richmond, and was discharged. That in the same year (he believes) he was again called into service, and served in a Company commanded by Capt. John Christian

Lieutenant James Pamplin and Ensign Thomas Haskins, the Company met at Amherst Courthouse, and marched from thence down into the County of New Kent, to a little place not recollected, where the Company joined the Regiment commanded by Col Matthews, he does not recollect the names of the other field officers; after this the Regiment was continually moving about, and guards placed at almost every cross road, so there was no place of regular service; the British were then at Hanover town, the Regiment was stationed from three to five weeks at a place called the Burnt Chimneys, between Williamsburg and Norfolk, he served in this tour three months. and the Company marched to Richmond, & was discharged. That in the year 1778. (he believes), he was again called on, and served in a Company commanded by Captain James Pamplin, Lieutenant Sam Bell and Ensign Sam Allen, the Company met at Amherst Courthouse and marched on by Albemarle old Courthouse, on James River, then by Richmond to Gillis Creek, and joined a Regiment commanded by Col Daniel Ganes and then marched on to an old meeting house below Richmond, between James Town & Williamsburg, the meeting house was called (he believes) Hickory run meeting house, there the Regiment staid four or five weeks. it then marched to a place called Holts old forge, on the Chickahominy, where it remained some time, say a month, when it again marched, in company with another Regiment, to Bacon's Tavern, about half way between Richmond and Williamsburg where the tour of service expired, & the Company discharged. That he was again called on. (he believes,) in the year 1778. or 1779, and the Company met at Amherst Courthouse, and under the command of Capt John Jacobs, Lieutenant James Rice, the Ensign not recollected, the Company marched by Richmond, and joined a Regiment commanded by Col Tompkins, just below Rockets, the other field officers not recollected, the Regiment then marched down James River, near to James Town and staid there a short time, say a fortnight, or three weeks, and then marched towards Williamsburg, and was constantly moving about; guards were again placed at almost all the cross roads, & other places, so the Regiment had no regular station, after serving out the tour of three months the Company was marched to Richmond & discharged. That in the year 1780 or 1781. he again joined a Company of Volunteers. commanded by Capt Gilman Walton, Lieutenant James Roberts, the Ensign not recollected, the Company met at Loving's Gap, in Amherst County, and marched to Richmond, and crossed James River, and marched down to Osburns and again crossed James River, where the Company joined a Regiment, by whom commanded he does not recollect, nor the other field officers nor the number of the Regiment, after joining the Regiment it marched near to a place called the Malvern Hills, the Regiment staid there about ten days, and was marched about from place to place in

the lower country. (and was again statione d a while at the Burnt ordinary, at this place (said Burris was on guard one night under Lieutenant Roberts, when the British light horse were said to be approaching), the guard fled, (and secrete d themselves in a thicket. two of the Light horse of the enemy came up (and one was shot by one of the guard, through the thigh, of which he died, & the horse was killed dead; the other made his escape; after this the Regiment march ed towards Richmond, a few miles, to a place of few houses, the name not recollecte d . staid there a few days, when the Company in which he was was march ed to Richmond & discharge d , having serve d three months. In the year 1781, he thinks, about the 19th or 20th of May, Cornwallis has cross ed James River at Columbia in pursuit of the Army, under Lafayette, who again cross ed back, at this time a Company of volunteers was again raise d in Amherst County, (and James Morrison was Captain. — Reid was Lieutenant, the name of the Ensign not recollecte d , (said Burris volunteer d in this Company, it met at Ulvericks Gap, then called Key's Gap in the said County of Amherst, (and march ed near Columbia, where the Company remaine d some few days; Cornwallis was then at Mrs. Lewis with his forces (and as the different Companies & forces from the upper country were gathering upon him he continue d to move down the country, the gathering forces continue d to follow on, until they got to Richmond, where the company, of which said Burris was a member, joined a Regiment, commanded by Col. Meriwether, the other field officers not recollecte d ; the forces under Lafayette, to which this Regiment was then attached then march ed down to within two miles of James Town, where Genl. Wayne's army was statione d . Genl. Lafayette command ed them to move from that place to another. He, said Burris, heard the picket guard, under Wayne & the British fire upon each other, none of the soldiers under Col. Meriwether was in that guard. It was thought the next day there would be a general engagement. The Company in which he was a member was a rifle Company (and each man was directed to run thirty bullets, the next morning the army was put in motion, Capt. Morrison's rifle Company was place d as front guard to the Artillery, so this company was in advance of the Artillery, following, (and the order was if the enemy made its appearance the rifle Company should fire & file to the right and left, and let the Artillery come into play. after this, very early in the morning before it was clearly light some officer came riding up, (and order ed a halt, but the army continue d to march on until it arrived in sight of James Town, (and found Cornwallis & his forces had taken shipping. The forces staid there near the town on a light two or three days. (and then march ed to Malvern Hills, (and was statione d there until the Company of Capt. Morrison was discharge d , having serve d three months or more; he having enter ed the 24th or 25th of May (and was not discharge d until the last of August. He serve d in the whole service

a little upwards of two years, having served some times over (and above the regular term, (and as it was the practice, not to discharge one company, until another came to take its place. He does not now know what has become of his discharge, as he kept no care of them, so they are lost, nor has he any documentary evidence of his services. He knows of no person living who served with him, but he knows Hezekiah Hargrove & Charles Purvis both of whom knows of his services, & can also testify to his veracity. 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 the agency of any State. Sworn to (and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
George Purvis.
The Court pronounced the following Interrogatories to the applicant and they were answered as follows.
1 st Question. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. I was born the 19 th October 1757. in the County of Caroline.
2 nd Question. Have you any record of your age, & if so, where is it?
Answer. I have it here in this Bible, (which was shown to the Court.)
3 rd Question. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolution, (and where do you now live?
Answer. I lived in the County of Amherst since its division, in Nelson, & have ever lived since the War in the same County. . . .
4 th Question. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute (and if a substitute for whom?
Answer. I first entered as a volunteer & served some as a volunteer 4 times, & as a Militia man drafted 4 times, of three months each time.
5 th Question. State the names of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental & Militia regiments as you can recollect, (and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer. I have stated all these things in the declaration here prepared which I refer you to, it is very long (and would take some time for me to rehearse the whole. It has been prepared by my directions, (and is all true. The Court will please read it as my answer.
6 th Question. Did you ever receive any discharge from service if so, by whom was it given, (and what has become of it?
Answer. I received a discharge from Capt. Higginbotham from Col. Meriwether & several others, from all my commanding officers. I believe, when I left the service, at the different times, but I have since taken no care of them, believing they were of no service, they are all lost.
7 th Question. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present.

neighbourhood, and who can testify to your character for veracity, & of their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
Answer. Hezekiah Hargrove, Charles Purvis, Robert Rives & Spotswood
Garland. Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid. George Purvis. We Hezekiah Hargrove & Charles Purvis, the first aged 85 years & the latter aged 66 years residing in the County of Nelson, formerly a part of Amherst County, hereby certify, that we reside in the neighbourhood in which George Purvis lives, who has made the foregoing declaration, during the revolutionary War, except a part of the time, when said Hargrove was in service himself, that we well know that said George Purvis was frequently in the service of the country, both as a volunteer & Militia man, during the revolutionary war, and we believe he was in the service every year (and we think, to the best of our recollection, that he was in the service at least seven or eight different times, and we further certify, that we are well acquainted with the said George Purvis, that we believe him to be a man of 75 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, because we know the fact. We also state that he is a man of veracity, & can and ought to be relied on. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Hezekiah Hargrove Charles Purvis.
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 Hezekiah Hargrove, and Charles Purvis whose affidavits have been given in this case, (and are hereto attached), are men of respectability (and their statements are entitled to credit.
A copy of the record.
In testimony whereof, I, Spotswood Garland, Clerk of the said Court, do hereunto set my hand, and affix the seal of my office, this 20th day of November 1832. (and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth.
Sp. Garland.

Eliz Peavon
July 1/52
Wilson
Paulus Powell House Rep

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 29 th July, 1848.
State of Virginia. ) County of Nelson. ) S. S.
On this twenty fourth day of January, 1852 personally appeared before me, Alexander Purvis — a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, Elizabeth Purvis, a resident of the said County, aged Eighty five years, who, being duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed 29 th July, 1848. — That she is the widow of George Purvis, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution — She refers to the declaration of her late husband, now on file in the War Department, for a particular statement of his services.
She further declares that she was married to the said George Purvis on the twenty ninth day of October, in the year seventeen hundred and ninety five; that her husband, the aforesaid George Purvis, died, on, or about the fifteenth day of October, in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the second of January eighteen hundred, viz: at the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow, and that she has never before made any application for a pension.
Elizabeth her Purvis mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me
Alex r Purvis J. P.
_____

State of Virginia } County of Nelson } S. S.
I Thomas I. Moape clerk of the County Court of said County, do hereby certify that Alexander Brown whose name is subscribed to the within and foregoing certificate, is, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, at Office in Livingston this 27 th day of January A. D. 1852 and in the 76 th year of the commonwealth.
Thomas I. Moape clerk of Nelson County Court.

Geo. Purvis to our Marriage Bond Elizabeth Murphy Essex

Know all men by these presents that we George Purvis & John Loving Jr are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency Robert Brooke esquire Governor of Virginia and to his Successors in office in the just and full sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to the pay ment of which well and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs & firmly by these presents as witness our hands and seals the nineteenth day of October 1795.
The condition of the above obligation is such that Whereas there is a Marriage shortly intended to be had and Solemnized between said George Purvis and Elizabeth Murphy if therefore there shall be no lawfull cause to obstruct the said Marriage then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue
Sealed & delivered in the presence of us Reuben Brunford.
George Purvis John Loving Jr
State of Virginia County of Amherst 30
I Dan M Garland Clerk of the County Court of Amherst in the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the above writing is a true copy of an original bond filed in my said office
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 17th day of June 1851 and in the 75th year of the Commonwealth Dan M Garland, Clerk

August 3, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Julian Dillon 5 Amphiel Road Richmond, Virginia
BA-J/ady George Purvis W.2691
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to George Purvis, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, W.2691, based upon the military service in that war of George Purvis.
George Purvis was born October 19, 1757, in Caroline County, state, and the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Amherst County, Virginia, that part which was later called Nelson County, Virginia, George Purvis enlisted in 1775, and served three months as private in Captain James Higginbotham's Virginia Company. He enlisted in 1776, and served three months as private in Captain James Montgomery's Virginia Company. He enlisted in 1777, served as private in Captain John Digges' Company, Colonel Meriwether's Virginia Regiment; length of service three months. He enlisted in 1777, and served three months as private in Captain John Christian's Company, Colonel Matthews' Virginia Regiment. He enlisted in 1778, and served three months as private in Captain James Pamplin's Company, Colonel Daniel Ganes' Virginia Regiment. He enlisted in 1778 or 1779, and served three months as private in Captain John Jacobs' Company, Colonel Tompkins' Virginia Regiment. He enlisted in 1780 or 1781, and served three months as private in Captain Tilman Walton's Virginia Company. He enlisted May 24 or 25, 1781, and served three months as private in Captain James Morrison's Company, Colonel Meriwether's Virginia Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed

September 25, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Nelson County, Virginia.
He died October 15, 1838.
Soldier married October 25 or 29, 1795, in Amherst County, Virginia, Elizabeth Murphy.
Soldier's widow, Elizabeth Purvis, was allowed pension on her application executed January 24, 1852, at which time she was aged eighty-five years, and a resident of Nelson County, Virginia.
In 1851 her only son resided in the neighborhood of Variety Mills, Virginia, his age and name are not stated.
In 1832 one Charles Purvis, aged sixty-six years, was living in Nelson County, Virginia, no relationship shown. There are no further family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the death date of widow, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following data: "Elizabeth Purvis, widow of George Purvis, Certificate No. 907, issued February 14, 1852, rate $70.00 per annum, commenced March 4, 1848, Act of July 29, 1848, Richmond Virginia Agency".
Very truly yours
G. H. SWEET Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1911 May 11 Hist. to Mrs. Grace Lundon 1930 Mar. 27 Photos to Jessie M. Casanova & Fin. Alvin 1939 Aug. 3. Hist. to R.H. Mrs. Julian Dillon
Reo WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2691
Elizabeth Purvis Widow
George Purvis Br. Rev. Wm.
Act: July 29, 1848
Index: — Vol. M , Page 144
[Arrangement of 1870.]

PAID
James E. Heath Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Variety. Mills N o 9 th . May. 1851.
James E. Heath Esq o
Dear Sir,
Will you pardon me for trespassing on your valuable time, and give me the information I am requested to get for the widow of an old Revolutionary Soldier.
M r George Purvis, formerly of this County, for his services in the revolutionary war, was on the pension list, roll of the Virginia Agency at the rate of Seventy dollars per annum, and had drawn his pension to the 1 st of March 1838 - in the fall of that year he determined to remove to Tennessee, and in the latter part of September he left this County but did not live to reach his destination, having died on the 2 nd day of October 1838 - his widow Elizabeth Purvis still survives, and resides in the State of Tennessee - they were married on the 25 th Feb y : 1795. M r Purvis' certificate of pension is lost.
I am requested to enquire whether M rs Purvis is entitled to the arrears of pension due to her husband from the 1 st of March 1838 to the time of his death - to a pension as his widow, under different laws of Congress, from his death, during her life or widowhood - and to bounty land under the law of the last Congress; - and if she is, whether her pension and arrears of pension could be made payable in Richmond.
Will you do me the favor to give me the above information, and it will be an additional favor if you can give me the necessary forms, and instructions how to act, to secure to M rs Purvis whatever she may be entitled to -
I am
Yours with much esteem
Alex r Brown
(Over)

The only son of M rs Purvis resides in this neighborhood, she has requested him to make these enquiries for her, and it is at his request I have ventured to trouble you -

Variety. Mills N o 20 th Dec. 1852
James E. Heath Esq r .
Dear Sir
M rs Elizabeth Purvis, the widow of George Purvis, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, is now in the receipt of a pension, commencing on the 4 th March 1848. She has been informed that she is entitled to a pension from the time of her husband's death in Octo: 1838, to the 4 th of March 1848, and that it is only necessary for her to apply to you, and refer you to the evidence on which she secured the pension she now receives. Will you pardon me for troubling you, and do me the favor to examine her declaration and the evidence accompanying it, and if she is entitled to any arrear or further pension, inform me how to proceed for her, and send me the necessary forms.
I wrote to you in Octo: last in behalf of M rs Bryant the widow of Parmenas Bryant. I should be glad to hear that she is entitled to a pension. I am
very respectfully
Your ob t Serv t
Alex r Brown

Lovington, Va. 16 th Dec. 1832.
Capt. John Thompson Jr, who is now in Washington City, is authorized to attend to the enclosed two claims for Pensions, of James Robson and Bransford West: - Be pleased therefore, to hand them to him, should he call for them.
Respectfully,
Sp: Garland, Clerk of Nelson County, Va.

Brief in the case of Elizabeth Purvis widow of George, Nelson County and State of Virginia act 29 July 1848.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase." )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a planter Record proof of marriage
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
Hon. J. Powell W of R
G. C. A. Examining Clerk.

Was in Jan, Apr 30, 1852
I hereby certify that the pinnion certificate in favor of Elizabeth Purvis, widow of George, admitted under the Act of July 29, 1848, which was sent to me, has never reached the hands of the party entitled, having been by me mislaid or lost and I have been unable again to recover it. I therefore request that another may issue.
Paulus Powell

No 1052
Elizabeth Harris, widow of George
la
Act 29 July 1848
Married 1795
Wid d died 1838
Adm d 21 months for $70 per annum, Court 4 March 1848.
Richmond
Wm P. Powell, H of R

State of Virginia County of Nelson } S. S.
Be it remembered that at a County Court begun and held for said County at the Court house, on Monday the 26 th day of January 1852. The following orders amongst others was entered up, to wit. "On the motion of Elizabeth Davis and the affidavit of Beverly Hargrove who is a credible person, it is ordered to be certified to the War Department that she is the widow of George Davis deceased, who was a pensioner of the United States on account of services rendered during the Revolutionary war, and that the said George Davis departed this life, on or about the 15 th day of October 1838."
State of Virginia County of Nelson } S. S.
I Thomas I. Mafie clerk of the County Court of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full true and perfect copy of an order made on the motion of Elizabeth Davis and the affidavit of Beverly Hargrove, from the minutes and records of said Court.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Loungston this 27 th day of January A. D. 1852. and in the 76 th year of the commonwealth.
Thomas I. Mafie clerk of Nelson County Court

Information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. George Purvis R.F. 2691
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775 3 mos. Pvt. James Higginbotham Va   1776 3 mos. James Montgomery   1777 3 mos. John Dugger Mumford   1777 3 mos. John Christian Matthews   1778 3 mos. James Pamlins Daniel Gano   1778 or 1779 3 mos. John Jacob Tompkins   1780 or 1781 3 mos. Tilman Walton   May 25-30-1781 3 mos. James Harrison Mumford  
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Amherst Co. Va
Date of application for pension, Sept 25-1882 His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Nelson Co. Va
Age at date of application, born Oct 19-1757 in Caroline Co.
Remarks: decd Oct 15-1858
Soldier married Oct. 29. 1795- Elizabeth Murphy. She was allowed pension on an application executed Jan'y 24, 1852 while a resident of Nelson Co. Va aged 85 years. Her only son resided in the neighborhood of Painted Hills Va in 1857 no name is stated.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No.
41129
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 137.
March 19, 1930 192
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Pensions
Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copies of two pages from Rev. War pension claim, George Purvis, widow, Elizabeth, No. 2691.
No. of copies 1 of each page Shall form be kept standing? days
For further information see M.H. Finch Room No. 5033 Phone No. 841
Approved:
Margaret M. Finch
Chief Clerk of Bureau
Chief of Branch or Division.
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph single or double space? Facsimile signature?
Mimeograph one side or both sides? Facsimile signature?
Folding once or twice?
Assembling
Stapling Once? Twice? Side? End?
Electric typewriter Fill in addresses? Dated?
Addressograph from list
Envelopes, size Cards, size
Proof list Pay rolls
Labels (submit sample) Corrections
Fill in letters Tabulation sheets
Photostat x Size actual Official use? Repay? yes $0.30
Blue Print Size Official use? Repay? $
Remarks
(OVER)

NOTE: Routine changes of addresses may be made on this blank without formal reference through or initialing of chiefs of branches or chief clerks of bureaus.
.....192 (Date)
INDICATE BY AN X IN PROPER SQUARE ACTION TO BE TAKEN.
Make new addressograph plate } On list..... Change present addressograph plate Destroy present addressograph plate
as follows:
Now reads            1 ..... 2 ..... 3 ..... 4 ..... 5 .....
Should read          1 ..... 2 ..... 3 ..... 4 ..... 5 .....
FOR USE OF DUPLICATING AND ADDRESSING SECTION
ADDRESSOGRAPH
The above change was made ..... 192 .
Operator .....
MULTIGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Type set by .....
Remarks: .....
MIMEOGRAPH
Operator ..... Date ..... Cut by .....
Remarks: .....

Issued to
March 19, 1930
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Please send me uncertified photostatic copies of two pages from Rev. War pension claim, George Purvis, widow, Elizabeth, W. 2691.
x Jessie M. Casanova 731 Kennedy St. N.W. Washington D.C.
Received payment Thirty cents March 19, 1930
W. C. Stokes
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

5 Amphill Road Richmond, Va.
June 27, 1939
Veterans Bureau, Pension Dept.
Gentlemen:
I would like for you to advise me what pension George Purvis of Nelson Co.

Virginia received for his services during the Revolutionary War.
Thanking you in advance for this information. I am
Yours Truly, Mrs. Julian Dillon

McMinnville, Tenn. May 3.1911.
Revolutionary Record Room of the Pension Dept.,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:- We are asking information of two Revolutionary soldiers from Va. one of whom Geo. Purvis W 2691 applied for pension from Amherst Co. Va.. John Hopkins from Amherst county and Charnell Glascock neg from Henrico County. Thanking you for your attention to these requests,
Very truly,
Grace Langdon.
MAY 8 1911