Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1640, William Bowman, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Bowman William
S. 1640
CONTENTS
carded

19546 East Tennessee
William Bowman of Marionville in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Hanby of the regt commanded by Col. Hammett in the Va line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars & Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of Sept 1832 and Stephen Beck Delphi
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $30 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 1834 $10 00
60.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 37
Letter to H. Graham Auditor 26 June 1839
Death not on A. B.

216 653
Address of S. Hicks, Delphi, Marion County, Tenn.

State of Tennessee Marion County
S. S.
On this 20 th day of May 1833, personally appeared in open court, before the justices of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions of said County, now in session at the Courthouse in the Town of Jasper, William Bowman, a resident in the County and State aforesaid, aged seventyfive years, on the 4 th day of this Inst. who being first duly sworn according to law, dath on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, viz - That in the County of Henry in the State of Virginia, in the month of March (the day of the month he cannot recollect) in the year 1780, he was drafted to serve a three months tour of duty, as a private, under Captain Hanby, Genl. That (the Ensign named he has forgotten). That when he was drafted to serve said tour of duty, his father was on his removal from Virginia to the State of North Carolina and this applicant being doomed yet to serve his father, was by him prevented from serving said tour of duty, and was compelled to go with him to the State of N. Carolina; That he went with his father to North Carolina, where he staid til the spring of the year 1781, when he returned to Henry County, Virginia, where he remained during the summer season, and til some time in the month of September 1781, when he was, for his delinquency ordered into service by Captain Hanby, the officer he had been drafted to serve, to perform a six months tour of duty; That he was sent by said Captain to Prince Edward County, Va. (when (in the month of Sept. 1781) he was placed under the command of a Regular officer by the name of Ried, whose given name he has forgotten, nor does he know his grade of command as he has heard him called by different titles, from Major to Lieutenant. That he continued to serve said officer, as a private, from the day of September 1781, til the day of March 1782, making six months, the term he had been doomed to serve. This applicant states that he was not engaged in any battles during said service. That he was marched under said officer, Ried, from Prince Edward Co. to Richmond in the State of Virginia, where he was shortly placed as a guard over

the Magazine that had been captured with Lord Cornwallis, and that he remained there as a guard until his term of six months expired. This applicant states that the only officers he has any recollection of during his service at Richmond, were Col. Hamilton, Captain Ewing and the officers he had been placed under to serve, that they were all Regular officers and the only ones he was with at any place. — This applicant states that he has no documentary evidence of his service, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.
This applicant states that he was born in Halifax County, in the State of Virginia on the 4th day of May 1759. — That he had a Record of his age in his bible, but the Book has been lost or destroyed, though he retains good recollection of his age. — That he was living in Henry County, Va. when he was first called into service, but went with his father to North Carolina, and returned to Henry County, Va. before he performed any service, as he has already stated. — That after he was discharged from the service, he returned to Henry County, Va. where he lived about one year, from there he removed to Grayson County, Va. where he lived about fourteen years, from there he removed to Henry County etc. where he lived about five years, from there he removed to Grainger County Tennessee, where he lived about Eight years, from there he removed to White County, Tennessee, where he lived about two years, from there he removed back to Grainger County, Ten. where he lived about fifteen years and from there he removed to Marion County, Tennessee where he now lives. — That he was first drafted to perform a three months term of duty and was taken by his father from Henry Co. Va. to North Carolina, that he returned to Henry Co. Va. where he was by his officers ordered into the Regular service, as he has before stated and that he was never a substitute. — That he has already stated the names of the only Regular or Militia officers he knows that he was with as other officers or troops except those at Richmond, Va. — That he was regularly discharged from the service, by Rev. the officers he served, in the City of Richmond, Va. in the month of March 1782. and that brought his discharge with him home and left in a family he was boarding with, and has never since been able to find it.
This applicant states that he is acquainted with and refers to the following named gentlemen of his neighborhood, viz, Rev. Emanuel Rogers, Johnsey Lapsater, John Williams, John Roberts, Aaron Smith, Rev. Asa Will Rogers, Edward Seabourn, Greenville

Dockery and Jesse B. Sherrell & Rev. David Nelson some of whom can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. — He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any state.
his William Bowman mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Mt. Telly, C. R.
By Wm. H. Standefert D.C.
We David Nelson a clergyman residing in the county of Marion and state of Tennessee, and Greenville Dockery & Jesse B. Sherrell residing in the same county and state, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Bowman, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be 74 years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. —
David Nelson
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Mt. Telly, C. R.
Greenville Dockery
By Wm. H. Standefert D.C.
Jesse B. Sherrell
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 David Nelson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the county of Marion and state of Tennessee, and that Greenville Dockery Jesse B. Sherrell and who has also signed the same is a resident in said county and state, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John Mitchell
Matthew Pryor
J. M. C. Bride
E. Hornbeck
Justices of the said Court

State of Tennessee, Oct.
I John Kelly clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the County of Marion, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Bowman for a pension. — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal (not having an official seal) at office in Jasper this 20 th day of May 1833.
John Kelly C. R.
I certify that John Kelly By Wm B Standifer S.C. is clerk of Marion County Court and that William B Standifer is his deputy, and that there is no seal of office for said Court and that his signature is
Inverness
May the 20 th 1833
James Standifer former M.C.
Attorney at Law, Memphis, Marion County Tenn.
214. 653

26.653
William Bowman Marion Co Tennessee
from 1780 private 6 months. $20.
Stephen Hicks Delphi. Tenn.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjuncted 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. Those 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 William Bowman
   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.     draft 1780 6 P Capt. Hanby Col. Hamilton 24 Va Traditionary,  
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 inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix 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 [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

September 15, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS William Bowman, S. 1640
Mrs. William Van Bell Hawkinsville Georgia
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 1640, based upon the military service of William Bowman.
He was born May 4, 1759, in Halifax County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
With his father, he moved from Henry County, Virginia, to North Carolina, in 1780, but returned to Henry County in the spring of 1781 and in September, 1781, he enlisted and served six months as private in Captain Rice's Virginia company.
After his service he returned to Henry County, Virginia, about one year later he moved to Grayson County, Virginia, where lived about fourteen years. He then moved to Surry County, North Carolina, where he lived about five years when he moved to Grainger County, Tennessee. After living there about eight years he moved to White County, Tennessee, where lived about two years and from there moved back to Grainger County and about fifteen years later he moved to Marion County, Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 20, 1833, at which time he was living in Marion County, Tennessee.
There are no data relative to wife and children of this soldier.
In the list of pensioners reported by the Secretary of War in 1835 this soldier was erroneously recorded as applying for pension from Knox County, Tennessee.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Feeny June 14 Pension Office
June 14 33
26 653.
Washington City.
Secretary of War
Hon. John P. Hale
Albany June 25. 33
Dear Sir,

Delphi, Marion Co. Tenn.
May 25 th 1833.
Dear Sir,
Herewith I send you the Declaration of Mr. Bowman for a pension. You will address me at this place, on the subject of the same, should it be attended to before Col. Standifer, or whoever may be our Representative shall arrive here.
Respectfully
Your Obed. Servt.
Stephen Hicks
Hon. Lewis Cass.
Secretary of War.

June 1891 H. Graham G. C.
Record Vol 18 Page 343

Department Pension Office
21 st June 1839
Sir
I have referred the papers in the case of William Bowman to the 3 d Auditor of the Treasury in conformity to the Act of the 16 th April 1838
I am H
H. Graham Esq Layzerelle Tenn

193 Sept. 15. Chit. to Wm. Wm. Van Bell. See letter in Wm. Bowman S. 16328 null.
Rev Han.
1640
✓ INVALID.
File No. 1640
William Bowman
Miss. Va. Line.
Act: June 7 1882.
Index: — Vol. a , Page 36
[Arrangement of 1870.]

September 15, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Wm. Bowman, S. 1640
Wm. Bowman, S. 16328
Mrs. William Van Bell Hawkinsville Georgia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of September 7, 1935, requesting information in regard to William Bowman who received a Revolutionary War pension while living in Washington County, Indiana, and William Bowman who was pensioned while living in Knox County, Tennessee.
You are furnished herewith, the record of William Bowman, S. 16328, who was pensioned while living in Washington County, Indiana, and William Bowman, S. 1640, who applied for pension from Marion County, Tennessee, but was erroneously reported as applying for pension from Knox County, Tennessee.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

May 4 1833 74
1759

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Bowman a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
S. File 1640
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     March 80 3 mos. Pri. Harby   Sept. 81 6 mos. Rice ✓            
Kington Tenn Roane Co.
Battles engaged in, none
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Henry Co. Va
Date of application for pension, May 20, 1833.
Residence at date of application, Marion Co., Tenn.
Age at date of application, B. March 1759 Halifax Co. Va
Remarks:
dis 1839 df 19546
Very respectfully,