Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5293, Peter Bonnett, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Bonnett, Peter
S. 5293
CONTENTS
Carded

record July 7.
Virginia 16.241
Peter Bonnett
of Lewis in the State of Virginia who was an En Spv in the company commanded by Captain Coburn of the Regt / commanded by Col. Duvall in the Virginia line for 2 years
See letter to J.C. Ha April 17 1834. do. to W.G. Singleton 1834
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 80 Dollars ~ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 th day of July '33 and sent J. Wampole Weston Va.
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 160 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept " - 40 $200
Mar. 16. 1835
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk Book E. Vol. 6. Page 3
Ack 16 Mar: 35 P. Bonnett by J. Wampole att Hoffman

No 24094
Peter Bonnett
Lewis County
and Spy Virginia
W.C.
Admit as Indian
Spy Sgt. $80
2. not authentic
J. Wansley Weston C. House Lewisville Virginia

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 11. 1833
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 subjained 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 Peter Bennett Lewis County Ky
   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.     Aug 1780 1 6 - Private Maj c Williams 24 years one living witness & traditional evidence   Oct - - - - - - Indian Spy Capt m Roberson 24 years   Fall 1782 1 - - Indian Spy Col l Prockett   Spring 83 - - - Indian Spy Genl l Clarke   Capt m Roberson "60 years" not "Roberson"   Col l Duval   Col l Wilson  
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 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 [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.
John H. Atkinson

State of Virginia Lewis County. ss.
On this 5 th day of February in the year 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of Lewis Co. court at the Courthouse of said Co. now sitting, Peter Bonnett a resident of the said Co. of Lewis in the State of Virginia aged 69 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he was drafted in March 1779 or 1780, to serve a term of eighteen months in the Virginia, under Capt. Jonathan Coburn. That he started in March 1779 or 80 (he cannot now say which year) from what is now Harrison Co. in Virginia, under Capt. Coburn and Major William Lowther, who commanded Captains Coburn, George Jackson's & Jacob West's Falls Companies. They ascended the West Fork river to where Brownsville now stands from thence to what is now Elizabeth town near Pittsburgh, were halted at this last place as a kind of Rendezvous, from thence the different companies performed in detachments many trips during that summer and fall, on the Virginia side of the Ohio below Pittsburgh guarding against Indians were at times engaged in constructing boats; continued at Pittsburgh, Newell's store.

store, and. Natives Island all the following winter, finished the boats and procured flour and other rations a considerable supply; under the command of Col. Crook- ett who arrived there some time in the fall 1779. - In the spring of 1780, a day, not certain, but thinks it was 1780. The whole, or nearly so, of the Troops, as well Militia, as others descended the Ohio, some it was said were to join Genl. Clarke, others were to go to Big Beaver, and some to go to Meals Station. Then at the mouth of Little Kenhawa, where Parkersburg now stands. - The troops started, some were halted at Big Beaver, some at Meals Station, and the residue proceeded on down the Ohio as declarant understood. to join Genl. Clarke. Capt. Coburn was halted at Meals Station, - there was stationed there when we arrived a Company command- ed by Capt. Sylvester Ward. - Here affiant and his brother Lewis Bonnett were ordered to act as Indian Spies from April 1780, till October 1780, they did act as Indian Spies during that period under the com- mand of their Ensign Benjamin Wells who belonged to Capt. Coburn's company. - He, and his brother Lewis Bonnett lived in what is now Mason, Jackson, Wood, and Tyler Counties. - The whole station and Spies were under the control of Col. Durvall who was occasionally there.

declarant was discharged in October 1780, or 1781. He was then prevailed on by his Capt. Coburn to agree to continue another year to act as an Indian Spy. Capt. Coburn urged the exposed situation of the frontier parts of Virginia as a plea, stated that it was easy to detect Indians along the Ohio who were marching against the settlements, and thus prevent much massacre; - declarant had already served eighteen months as a private soldier, as a militia man and Indian Spy from March 1779, or 1780, till October 1780, or 1781. He consented to serve another year and again entered, as well as he can now say in October 1780 to serve one year as an Indian Spy. He and his brother Lewis, spied in now Mason Jackson, Wood, & Tyler, Counties in Virginia.
The following winter was one of great severity in which the troops all rendezvoused at the mouth of Little Kanawha, suffered exceedingly from cold and scarcity of provisions when the Spring came which was in March 1781, declarant continued his spying on the same tract of country under Capt. Coburn till October 1781, or 82 when he was discharged and went home having served one year this last tour as a private soldier, and

and Indian Spy. - He was ordered out again in April 1783, by Col. B. Wilson, as an Indian Spy had a brother killed in a skirmish with Indians, continued two months and was discharged, having served during the War of the Revolution not less than two years and six as above stated.) He has no documentary evidence. - He knows of no person, except his brother Lewis Donnett, who testimony he can procure who can testify to his services, - He hereby renounces 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, this day and year aforesaid.
Peter this X Bonnett, + mark.
He saw several interrogatories prescribed by the War Department. - He answers as follows. viz. -
1 st That he was born in that part of Virginia in which is now Hardy Co. in the year 1764. 2 d That he has no record of his age. 3 d That he was living in that part of Virginia which is now Harrison Co. That he lived in different places in said Co. till Lewis Co. was detached in 1816, when he fell into the latter, and lives there still. -

4 th That he was first drafted to serve 18 months on the western waters as a Private Militia man. Then he volunteered to serve one year as an Indian Spy. was lastly ordered out in 1783 in April and served two months.
5 th He saw Col. Gibson, Col. Crockett, Ma. Jm Walls, Col. Duvall, and saw at Pittsburgh some General whose name he has forgotten. He also saw, and well knew Col. Wilson, and Major Lowther. He saw at Pittsburgh what was called the 9 th regt. He thinks this was continental troops. He saw regular militia. The general circumstances of his service was as before stated.
6 th He received two discharges from Capt. Co- burn, one for 18 months service, and one for one year he has lost both. He received a verbal discharge from Col. Wilson from his service in the Spring of 1783.
7 th He is known in his neighbourhood to Jacob Abbott, and Philip Cox Jr. They can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. There is no Clergyman residing near him. He can prove his services by his brother Lewis Bonnett who he now here produces in Court. - Subscribed and sworn to this day and year aforesaid.
This Peter X Bonnett, mark.

Lewis Bonnett appeared in open Court this 5 th day of Feb y . 1833, before the Justices of Lewis Co t Court, and made oath that he is the brother of declarant, that he is now 71 years of age, that he was a fellow soldier with Peter Bonnett his brother, who has signed the above declaration. That said Peter is 69 years of age and that he did serve as he states above, subscribed and sworn to this day and year above and then.
Lewis his Bonnett.
Me. Jacob Abbott, and Philip Cox r residing in the County of Lewis in the State of Virginia, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Bonnett who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 69 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion. Sworn to, and subscribed this day and year, aforesaid.
Jacob Abbott.
Philip Cox r .
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories pre-

described 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 Lewis Bon- nett who has in Court signed and sworn to the first preceding certificate, is the Brother of the a- bove named applicant. is 71 years of age, is a credible person, and his statement is entitled to credit. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Jacob Ab- bott, and Philip Goff who have in Court signed and sworn to the last preceding certificate are res- ident citizens of Lewis County a- foresaid, that they are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit. The court further certifies that there are no clergymen residing near the applicant.
Virginia } Lewis Co. } ss.
I John Talbott clerk of the coun- ty court of Lewis Co. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the appli-

cation of Peter Bonnett for a Pension In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand, and affixed my private seal. (not having been furnished with an official one.) This 9. th day of February 1833.
J. Talbott.
I do certify that John Talbott is clerk of the County of Lewis, and that his signature is in his pro- per hand writing.
March 20. th 1833. Lewis Maxwell.
The Department will please ex- amine this application of Peter Bonnett, and results communi- cate the results to me at Weston. Lewis Co. Va.
J. Wamsley.

Rev. War Section.
March 8 1921.
Mrs. Gladys Somerfield, 814 N. Second St. W. Arkansas City, Kans.
Madam:
In response to your letter of Jan. 30, 1921, you are advised that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, Survivor File No. 5293, it appears that Peter Bonnett of Lewis County, Virginia, was allowed pension in 1833 as an Indian Spy in the Virginia Troops, War of the Revolution but on an examination of his case by the United States District Attorney his name was dropped from the pension roll March 16, 1835, as it was shown that he had not rendered service during the Revolution, according to the statement of his brother Samuel Bonnett.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

Rev War
5293
INVALID.
1921 Mar. 8. 1921. Heir to Mrs Gladys Somerfield Ark City Kans.
File No. 5293
Peter Bonnett
Re Rev War
Act: June 7 th '32
Index:—Vol. M, Page 38
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Report in the case of Peter Bennett a Pilsener
Hand
✓

Dear Friend. Cousin.
William Powny aged 72 yrs. Says that Peter Bennett came West of the Allegany Mountains in 1785. Then a Stupling of a boy.
Nicholas Carpenter. See Mitchell. & Henry Fisher from the same source.
This man Peter Brunnitz same lot is exactly 89m and a wholly illiterate. Respectfully & politely W. G. Smedley Special Agent.

814 North 2nd. W.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Arkansas City, Kansas. Jan. 20th. 1921.
Dear Sir;--
I am asking you for the pension records of two of my ancestors viz:--
R. 16873 Searchman Our given in the State Librarian Report of Va. of Rev. soldiers as follows Sec. of War 1835 Pen. 2-page 149.
Grand — Peter Bonnett same sec. of war records page 160.
Both were Rev. War soldiers of Virginia. Thanking you in advance, I remain,
Yours truly,
Mrs. Gladys Somerfield 814 N. Second St. W. Arkansas City Kansas.