Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3678, for William Pelham, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Wa
Pelham, William
S 3678
carded
CONTENTS

(498)
H
Ohio Roll
William Belham Virginia Line 3 Years. -
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month, to commence on the 21 st of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th of May 1818 and sent given to Wm. Blagrove, Washington City.
Arrearages to 4 th Sept r 1818 4 months 14/30 $ 89.33.
{ Revolutionary claims, } { Act 18th March, 1818, }
✓ Mansville Ohio
let to H. R. D. Owen July 1 '46 " " same July 30. 1846.

I William Pelham, Native of Virginia, but at present residing at Zanesville in the State of Ohio, do declare on oath, and say, that in the time of the revolutionary war, I served at least three years, as a Surgeon's mate and Junior Surgeon in the Continental Hospital established in Virginia under the direction of Doctor William Rickman; — That I am unable at this time precisely to ascertain dates, having no documents at hand to refer to; — That about the month of March, I think, in the year 1780, I resigned the appointment of Junior Surgeon on Continental establishment, and afterwards entered as Surgeon in the Virginia State Hospital in which capacity I was present at the siege of York; — That the Governor and Council of the Commonwealth of Virginia, on satisfactory proof being exhibited to them of my having served three years on Continental establishment did allow my claim of bounty land, and that patents were accordingly issued to me from the General Land office at Washington, as may be correctly ascertained by reference thereto; — and moreover, that I am in reduced circumstances, and therefore needing the assistance of my country, whose cause I have never failed to support with my utmost ability.
Wm Pelham
(Note.) The Patent for twelve hundred acres of Land is thus endorsed "1200. A. W. D. N o 2778"
"Recorded in the General Land Office in Vol. 6, page 154, of Patents of Land granted to the Virginia line on Continental Establishment. N o 13. Van Landt"
"I Certify that William Pelham was originally entitled to the Bounty Land granted him by the within patent"
Given at the General Land Office of the United States this 4 th day of June 1812
Edward Tiffin "

State of Ohio Muskingum County ss
} Personally appeared be- fore me Daniel Stillwell one of the associate judges of the court of Common Pleas in and for said County the above named William Pelham who being duly sworn proved to my satisfaction that he did serve in the revo- lutionary war against the common enemy as sta- ted in the above deposition; which I do accordingly certify, under my hand at Zaneville this fifteenth day of April in the year of our Lord eighteen hun- dred and eighteen
Dan l Stillwell Associate judge
State of Ohio
Mus k County ss
I David Chambers, Clerk of the court of com- mon pleas for the County of Muskingum and State of Ohio, Do hereby certify, that Daniel Stillwell Esq t . be- fore whom the within deposition was taken was at the time an acting associate judge for said county duly commis- sioned as such, and that faith and credit may and ought to be given to his official acts as well in courts of Justice as elsewhere. In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my official seal at Zanesville the twenty first day of April 1818.
David Chambers, Clk. M. Eq.

207 Letters of Administration
A.
/

State of Indiana Posey County set I Turner Nelson Clerk of the Probate Court in and for the County of Posey and State of Indi- ana do hereby certify that administration of the goods chattels rights credits monies and effects which were of William Pelham (surgeon) late of Posey County deceased who died intestate is granted unto Victoria C Pelham and the said Victoria C Pel- ham having qualified and given bond as such administratrix is duly authorized to take upon her self the administration of such estate according to law.
Witness my hand and the seal of the Court this 12th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven. J. Nelson clk By M Leavemount Dpty
The State of Indiana Posey County set
I Turner Nelson Clerk of the Posey Probate Court do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and complete Copy of the letters of admin- istration granted to Victoria C Pelham on the estate of William Pelham (surgeon) as the same is on record in my office
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my office at Mount Vernon this 13th day of January A.D. 1848 J. Nelson clk

Mr. Pelham
Power of Attorney
K
8

Know all men by these presents that I Victoria C. Pelham Administratrix of the Estate of William C. Pelham late of Posey County. State of Indiana, and also of the late Surgeon William Pelham of the Virginia Continental and State lines, do hereby nomi- nate Constitute and appoint John P. Duval Esq. of Tallahassee Florida my true and lawful attorney in fact to demand and receive from the proper accounting officer of the Treasury depart- ment at Washington a warrant for the commutation of five years full pay with interest thereon, or for half pay for life under the act of Congress approved July 5. 1832. entitled, an act to provide for liquidating and paying certain claims of the State of Virginia. And also to pro- secute and secure all pensions bounties and claims due to me from the United States or State of Virginia for the Revolutionary services of the said Surgeon William Pelham And my said Attorney is hereby author- ized to receive twenty five per Cent of all pensions bounties and claims collected and found due to me for the Revolutionary services of said, and no more. And my said Attorney is hereby empowered to give receipts for the twenty five per Cent hereby authorized to be received by him, and to do any legal act necessary in the premises to be done in accomplishing my interests and purposes in having a full and complete settlement with the United States and the State of Virginia, And for this purpose

I hereby revoke all other powers of Attorney and ratify and Confirm all legal acts and deeds of my said Attorney in the premises. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24 day of February 1848
Victoria C. Pelham Seal
State of Indiana Posey County administratrix Set
I Tamm Nelson Clerk of the Posey Circuit Court of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Victoria C. Pelham who has signed the foregoing power of Attorney to John P. Duvall personally appeared before me in the Clerk's office of the County aforesaid and acknowledged the same to be her act and deed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court aforesaid this 28 day of February A D 1848
T. Nelson
Clerk

State of Indiana Gibson County set I James Lockhart presiding Judge of the Posey Circuit Court of Posey Coun- ty in the State of said do certify that Turner Nelson whose certificate is annexed to the foregoing power of Attorney from Vic- toria C. Pelham to John B. Duvall, was at the time of said certificate & now is an ac- ting Clerk of said Court: That said cer- tificate is in due form of law. That said Turner Nelson is the proper officer to make said Certificate, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such in every Court & office in the United States Given under my hand this 6 th day of March 1848
James Lockhart

Surgeon Mr. Pelham \frac{1}{2} pay claim
I
10

Washington City January 21 st 1850
Sir
Enclosed are the papers in evidence to sustain the application for \frac{1}{2} pay of Surgeon William Pelham a pensioner under the act of 1818.
I am very respectfully Your Ob. Servt. George Mackay
Commissioners of Pensions

Washington City D.C. April 24 th 1850
Sir:
On or about the 20 th of January last I enclosed to you certain papers additional in the case of Mr. Pelham Surgeon in the Virginia Continental and state line claiming a pay under the act of July 1832.
The case was filed originally to obtain the benefit of the act of May 15 th 1828 and rejected on the ground that he left the Continental line and joined the state line to the aid of the war. see Journal of the House of Delegates of Va. of Nov. 30 th 1784 stating service to the end of the war.
He was also a Pensioner under act of 1818.
Have the goodness to transmit to me your report in the case.
I am very Respectfully Your obedt. Servt.
George Mackay Attorney
Commissioner of Pensions

Victoria C. Pelham adm te of Hort Mr Pelham claim for \frac{1}{2} pay
I
11.
George Mackay atty

See journal of Va. Delegates June 2. 1784 — Nov. 30. 1784. served to the end of the war. — Smiths H. e. N o 30. rec d Lands

✓ May 10. 1850
Geo. Mackay.
Call attention to the case of Dr William Pelham under the act of March 18. 1818.
Ref d to Com ee of Pensions for Report. Dep. Secretary May 13 th 1850

Washington City D.C. May 10 th 1850
To The Sec y of the Interior
Sir
Enclosed please find the letter of Col l . Edwards addressed to the Hon R. D. Owen, admitting the fact that Doct. Mr Pelham served in the state line of Virginia for a period subsequent to March 1780 - at the same time denying the right of the Doct. to Commutation under the act of March 1828 for the reason that he did not serve in the continental line to the end of the War.
Smiths Va Doc. N o 30 shows that on the 24 th May 1809 he received a Warrant for 6000 acres of land
The journals of the House of Delegates of Nov. 30 1784 states that he served to the end of the war.
The Auditor of Va was ordered to issue depreciation certificates in his favor June 2 d 1784.
If he was not entitled under act of 1828 for services in the continental line, and served as a supernumerary in the state line, he is entitled to half pay under the act of July 5 th 1832. & under a recent decision, to commutation and interest, as he may select. He selects commutation and interest.
The reason of this letter being address

to you is, that the heirs are justly complaining at the unnecessary delay of the action of the Com t of Pensions. It would seem from the points in the case, and the fact that other cases have been presented and acted upon since the presentation of this, that the delay arises from inadvertence or design. After repeated inquiries I rec d a note from the Com t stating that the case was on file and would be reported to me in  due time . This has become somewhat indefinite, and I would respectfully ask the Secretary to hasten the period.
Very respectfully &c George Mackay Attorney

J. L. Edwards, Comr of Pensions Washington D.C. May 15. 1850.
Respecting the case of William Pelham, dec? Papers 12 in number.

Pension Office, May 15, 1850.
Sir.
In the case of William Pelham, deceased, I make the following report:
In 1818 he applied for a pension under the Act of March 18, 1818, and upon the evidence contained in the enclosed paper marked F his claim was allowed. It will be seen that his claim was predicated upon his service in the Continental army only, and for no other than Continental service could he have obtained a pension under that law. When an enquiry was made here in 1846 as to the right of his heirs to commutation for service in the Continental army, he was informed by my letter of the 1st July 1846 to Mr. Owen (vide paper marked G) that he could not have acquired a right to such commutation because he left that service in March 1780, and entered the service of the State of Virginia. This letter was based upon his own statement. Not a word was said by him as to his continuance in the State service, and of course nothing was said in my letter on the subject. No inference can legitimately be drawn from what is stated in my letter that Pelham was in the State service at the end of the war, or that he became a supernumerary while in such service. On the con-

than there is not the slightest intimation that he even belonged for a single day to any regiment of State Troops designated in the law of July 5, 1832 as being entitled to either half pay or commutation. Yet a claim is now presented under that act, and it is boldly asserted but with not a little of evidence, that he served to the end of the war. The books and papers of this Office have been carefully examined but they afford not the slightest evidence that William Pelham ever was a single day in any regiment of regular State Troops belonging to Virginia.
The resolution of the House of Delegates of the 2d. June 1784, simply declares that Pelham's account for medical services may be liquidated; and Smith's report, which is also referred to in enclosed paper marked I., shows that Pelham received land for his service as a Surgeon for three years in the Continental Army.
The papers in the case, marked from A to M. are herewith enclosed. I also enclose a brief, and the letter from the Agent for the claimant, who asks your action on this case.
I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your abt Servt.,
J. L. Edwards
Hon. T. Ewing
Secretary of the Interior.
Commissioner of Pensions.

Report in the Case of Williams Pelham
Unfavorable to Appellant

Pensions Office Nov r 10 th 1851.
Sir
I have examined with care the papers in the case of William Pelham, claiming a pension under the Act of July 5 th 1832, and am of opinion that it should not be allowed.
The Act of July 5 th 1832 provides that the amounts of certain judgments obtained against the State of Virginia by the officers of certain corps shall be paid. These corps are as follows. Officers of Col l George Gibson's Regiment
" " The second State Regiment. Col l Brent Dabney
" " Regiments of Col l Clark & Brockett
" " Captain Rogers' Troop. Illinois Service
" " State Artillery, Col l Marshall.
" " State Garrison Reg t Col l Muter
" " State Cavalry Major Nelson.
" " Navy of Virginia
The Act further authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury "to adjust and settle those claims for half pay of the officers of the aforesaid Regiments, and Corps, which have not been paid or prosecuted to judgement against the State of Virginia and for which said State would be bound on the principles of the half pay cases already decided in the Supreme Court of Appeals of said State"
It is not alleged that William Pel

has served in either of the Regiments or corps above mentioned, but on the contrary he states in his declaration, after saying "I served at least three years as a Surgeons Mate and Junior Surgeon in the Continental Hospital established in Virginia under the direction of Dr Williams Pickman" he proceeds to state "that about the month of March, I think, in the year 1780, I resigned the appointment of Junior Surgeon on Continental establishment and afterwards entered as Surgeon in the Virginia State Hospital in which capacity I was present at the siege of Yorktown"
The late decision, which gives the election between half pay, under the Act of July 5 1832, and commutation and interest, cannot affect this case, as it does not come within the provisions of said Act which are confined in their operation to the corps above named. The officers of these Regiments and corps can select whether they will accept half pay under the Act of July 5 1832 or commutation and interest but none other, if I am correct.
Very respectfully Yr Ob Servt J. H. Dridge Esq re
J. E. Heath Esq re Comm ee of Pensions

105 John 10 Pelham
affidavit that Doct M c Pelham was a pensioner under Act 18 Mar 1818
Aug 48
F
5.

State of Kentucky County of Mason the nineteenth day of January 1848
Be it Known that on
John Pelham a resident citizen of the County of the County aforesaid personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid who being first duly sworn did depose and say that he was well acquainted with Surgeon William Pelham and that the said Surgeon William Pelham was a Prisoner under the act of Congress of the United States of the 18th March 1818
Subscribed & sworn to before me a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid the day and year above written John Pelham
James Arty J.P.
State of Kentucky County of Mason, ss. I James Arty Justice of the Peace as aforesaid certify that the witness who signed the above
affidavit is a creditable person and whose statement are entitled to confidence. Given under my hand 19th day
January 1848. James Arty J.P.

State of Kentucky County of Mason
Seal.
I John James Key — clerk of the County Court for said County of Mason do certify that James Artus was a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid at the time of taking the annexed affidavit of John Pelham and now is an acting Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid aforesaid duly Commissioned and qualified according to Law and the signature of the same James Artus Justice of the Peace is his genuine signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County at Washington, this 19. January 1848.
J. J. Key
State of Kentucky Kentucky County of Mason
Seal.
I James Artus Presiding Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Mason in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that

The attestation hereto annexed and made by John James Key Clerk of the said Court is in due form of Law and made by the proper officers appointed by the Laws of the State for that purpose and that free faith and credit are due thereto in every Court and office in the United States
Given under my hand this Nineteenth day of January 1848. James Arty Seal
Note. If the witness cannot state that Surgeon Pelham was a Pensioner under the act of 18 th March 1818 he will state at about what time he was a Pensioner

No 2 Victoria L. Pelham et al to J. Bond
State of Indiana
B.
2

Know all men by these presents that we Victoria C Pelham Camille Agniel and Nelson G. Net- tleton and William A Lugg are held and firmly bound unto the State of Indiana in the penal sum of ten thousand dollars for the payment of which well and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs executors and administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated this twelfth day of January A D 1848
Whereas the above named and bound Victoria C Pelham has been duly appointed by the Clerk of the Probate Court of the County of Posey in the State of Indiana Administratrix of the estate of William Pelham (surgeon) late of said County deceased and is about to receive let- ters of administration as such administratrix which have been duly granted to her by said Clerk.
Now therefore the condition of the above obligation is to the effect following to wit that the said Vic- toria C Pelham shall diligently and faithfully execute the duties and trusts committed to her as such administratrix and that she will obey all orders and decrees of the Probate Court of said County of Posey made pursuant to law touching the adminis- tration of the estate entrusted to her then and in that case said obligation shall be null and void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue in law
Taken and approved by
J. Nelson Clk, Probate Court.
Victoria C Pelham
Seal
C. Agniel
Seal
N. G. Nettleton
Seal
Wm Aug. Lugg
Seal

State of Indiana Posey County ss
I Turner Nelson Clerk of the Probate Court of said County of Posey do hereby certify that the within is a full true and complete copy of the bond given by Victoria C Pelham as the administratrix of the estate of William Pelham (surgeon). as the same is of record in my office
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Mount Vernon this 15th day January 1848
T. Nelson Clerk

W m Pickham
Suzan G Bury
Blair for Half Pay -

William Pelham and Claim for Half Pay.
Evidence.
1. Letters of Administration granted to Victoria C. Pelham on the estate of William Pelham decd. (Ex A.) 2. Administration bond of same date 12 th January, 1848. (Ex B.) 3. Luisa Evans was acquainted with William Pelham, father of William C. Pelham. Said Doctor W m Pelham died at the house of Mrs. Kinckly in Posey County, Indiana, on the 3 rd February, 1827. (Ex C.) 4. Mrs. Mings knew Doctor William Pelham, late of Posey County, La. decd, who died in said County late in 1826 or early in 1827. He was the father of William C. Pelham. (Ex D.) 5. John Pelham was well acquainted with Surgeon William Pelham, who was a Pensioner under the Act of Congress of 18 th March, 1818. (Ex E.)

State of Indiana Posey County set } I Turner Nelson Clerk, of the Circuit Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Richard P. W. Clance has before whom the foregoing deposition was taken was at the time of taking the same an now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Posey duly com- missioned and qualified according to law and that the signature of said Richard P. W. Clance within purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Mount Vernon this 13th day of January A.D. 1848.
T. Nelson clk
MS 4 Moses Winnings affidavit
time of Doct Pelham's death. Not between some time in the winter between 1826 & 1827.
Aug 4/8
D.
H

State of Indiana Perry County ss
Moore B. Winans being sworn upon and says that he was acquaint- ed with Doct. William Pelham the father of William C. Pelham late of said Perry County deceased, and that the said Doctor William Pelham died in said Perry County. sometime in the winter of 1826 and 1827 either late in 1826 or early in 1827 the precise day he cannot recollect.
Moore Winans
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13 th day of January 1848.
R. P. McClanahan J. P. Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Perry
I R. P. McClanahan Justice of the peace as aforesaid, certify that I am acquainted with Doct. Moore Winans who has signed the above deposition and that he is a credible witness and gentleman of integrity
R. P. McClanahan J. P.

Rev. War
3678
INVALID.
File No. 3678
Wm Pelham
Surg n War. line
Act: March, 18 th 1775
Index:—Vol. 28 , Page 291
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1 st July - '46.
J. L. Edwards
to Hon: R. D. Owen
Ho: Reps:
on claim of Dr. Wm. Pelham.
G
- George Mackay - Attg -

Pension office, July 1. 1846.
Sir,
I herewith return the letters of W. B. Pelham, Esq., and Mr. Duval, and have the honor to inform you that on examining the declaration of Dr. William Pelham, deceased, under the act of March 18. 1818, I find that he served three years as Surgeon's Mate in the Virginia Continental line, terminating in March 1780, at which time he resigned said appointment, in the Continental line, and entered as a Surgeon in the service of the State of Virginia. As he did not continue in the Continental service until the close of the war, or until he became a Supernumerary Surgeon, he acquired no right to bounty land, commutation, or the benefits of the act of May 15. 1828, from the U States.
I have the Honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Hon. R. D. Owen, House of Representatives.
Your Obedt Servant, J. L. Edwards

103 Louisa Eram
affidavit of death of Doct Pelham
Feb 3 - 1827
Inventory of affidavit returned Nov 13 - 1849
Aug 48.
C.
3

State of Indiana } Perry County, Set. }
Louisa Evans of the County aforesaid being sworn deposes and says that she was acquainted with Doctor William Pelham the Father of William C. Pelham, late of said Perry County, deceased, and that the said Doctor William Pelham, died at the house of Otis Hinebilly in said County the third day of February A. D. one thousand eight hundred and Twenty seven. (1827.)
Louisa Evans.
Sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid this 17 th day of January A. D. 1848.
J. B. Johnson J.P.
Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Perry.
J. B. Johnson Justice of the Peace as aforesaid certify that Louisa Evans, who signed the above deposition is a credible Witness, and her statements entitled to full confidence.
New Harmony, Perry Co. Ind. J. B. Johnson J.P.
January 17 th 1848.
Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Perry.

State of Indiana Posey County set 31 I. Turner Nelson Clerk of the Posey Circuit Court do hereby Certify that John B Johnson Esqr whose name is signed to the foregoing deposition as Justice of the Peace and who took the same was at the time of taking the same and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Posey duly commissioned and qualified and that full faith and credit are due all his official acts as such and that the within signature of the said J B John- son is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Mount Vernon this 20th day of January A.D. 1848 I Nelson Clerk