Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8084, William Boyd, Va.

SERVICE
Va.
Boyd, William
NUMBER
S. 8084
CONTENTS
Carded

The Treasury under of April 6 th 1838 from to Sept 4 th 1841. ag 2 and 28 th 1842
Virginia 16645
William Boyd —
Albemarle in the State of Va — who was a Pr: — in the — commanded by Captain — of the — commanded by Col. Harrison in the Va — for 7 months.
Paid at the rate March 4 th 1841
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 23. Dollars 33. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of Sept. 33. and Sarah Garrett. Charlottesville — Va
  Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833  58.32  44.66    Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar: '34  11.66  11.66     $69.98  58.32  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by O. Price Clerk Book E Vol. 6 Page 3.

Virginia:
At a court held for Albemarle County 11 February, 1833.
On this 11 th day of February, 1833, personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court of Albemarle, now sitting (being a court of record) William Boyd, a resident in the said County, State of V a : aged about 76 years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following Allegation  Allegation , in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the U. States, under the following named Officers, and served as hereinafter stated: That he entered the service at the time Patrick Henry, was Governor of V a : the particular year he does not recollect, but thinks it was in the year 1777. It was in the fall of the year when he entered the service, the Company was commanded by Capt: Haden, & Major Geo. Thompson was the Major. — That he lived in Louisa at the time — The Company to which he belonged, together with another Company, were marched under Maj: Thompson to the town of Williamsburg in V a : where they remained a considerable time when they were discharged after having served out the tour. — That he was with the said troops from the commencement to the end of the same — and served as a volunteer. 2 d Tour — That he served a second tour in the year, he thinks, 1778. He marched under Capt: Hughes to the town of New-Castle in Hanover — after serving about four weeks — he was discharged in the County of Hanover — In this second he was drafted.
3 d Tour — He entered a third tour in the service, he thinks, in 1779 — under Capt: Lee — Major McVell & Col: Harrison were officers in the Regiment. He served the whole of this tour, & entered as a volunteer: He was discharged at Petersburg in Virginia.
4 th Tour — That he entered the service the 4 th time in the year 1781, in the month of May, being drafted as a Militia-man — He marched under Capt: Philips to Richmond, and joined the Regiment at Mayo's Hill near Richmond — Maj: Boyce was an officer in the said Regiment — the said Regiment was then marched to oppose Lord Cornwallis who was about to cross James River — The Regiment went as far as the Malvern hills. From thence they crossed the Rapid Ann, & then recrossed the same River at Raccoon Ford & came into the County of Albemarle — Genl: Wayne had

in the meantime united with the said Regiment a number of Regular & Commanded the forces. The troops were then marched into Hanover and after some stay, went to Richmond, after Lord Cornwallis had left it. They then marched to James Town, where an engagement took place with the enemy, in which Lafayette had the Command. After the battle the troops came up to Richmond where Genl: Campbell took the Command, at which last mentioned place, the said William Boyd was discharged, having served two months -
5 - He then volunteered as an exp'res in August, 1781 & continued till January 1782, in service - His service as an exp'res was confined to the state of Virginia. Also that he has no documentary evidence that he knows of no person by whom he can prove the whole of his services. - He has obtained the affidavit of Solomon Wood as to the fact of his being a revolutionary soldier, to which he refers. The certificate of his services as exp'res was sold to Maj: Forsyth. 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 & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid - William Boyd The Court then propounded the following interrogatories, which, with their answers are below.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
Ans. In the County of Hanover, and I believe, in the year 1756 or 1757.
2. Have you any record of your age? & if so, where is it?
Ans. I have no record of my age -
3. Where were you living when called into Service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, & where do you now live?
Ans. In the County of Louisa when called into Service, & since the Revolutionary war I have lived in the County of Albemarle, where I now reside.
4. How were you called into Service? were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? & if a substitute, for whom?
Ans. I volunteered in some of the towns, & in the others I was drafted, as set forth in the body of the foregoing declaration.
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the

troops where you served; such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect, & the general circumstances of your service?
Answer. — I refer to the names & Regiments mentioned in the foregoing statement, for an answer to this interrogatory.
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service? & if so, by whom was it given, & what has become of it?
Answer. — I never received a written discharge, but was discharged with my Company.
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity, & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
Answer. — Mr. R. Harris, Mr. Seale, Francis B. Hart, Isaac Paul, James Paul Nathl. Garland, Abm. Westland & to my neighbours generally.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year of our Lord
W. Boyd
We Thornton Rogers, a clergyman residing in the County of Albemarle, and William D. Hart, residing in the County of Albemarle, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with W. Boyd who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and that we believe him to be 76 years of age; that he is reputed & believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Thornton Rogers
W. D. Hart
"Albemarle County, viz:
I, J. W. Gantt, a Justice of the peace for the County of said State of Virginia, do hereby certify, that Solomon Wood, of the County aforesaid, this day personally appeared before me & made oath that he knew W. Boyd to be a soldier in the American Revolution, & that he had seen the said W. Boyd in the American Army both at York & at James Town. Given under my hand and seal this 23 day of Janry: 1833.
J. W. Gantt Esq.
And the said Court do hereby declare this 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 further Certificate, that it appears to them that Thornton Rogers, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, residing in the County of Albemarle - and that W. D. Hart who has signed the same is a resident in the County of Albemarle, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Wm Garrett, Clerk of the County Court of Albemarle, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of William Boyd for a pension. And I further certify, that Wm. W. Powell Esq., before whom the affidavit of Solomon Wood was taken, is at this time & was at the time of taking & signing the same - an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County - duly commissioned & qualified (and that full faith is due to all his official acts, as such.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Court, this 18 th day of Feb 1833, in the 57 th year of the Commonwealth.
Wm Garrett
Wm Boyd
Pension Declaration

William Boyd Virginia
Pa
Adm. as private 7/10. p 2333
Ira Garrett Esq. Charlottesville Va

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. 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 Boyle
   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.     1777 vol: 2 Maj: Thompson about 76 years   1778 drafted about 4 weeks   1779 vol - 2 - Col. Harrison Louisiana Traditionary   May 1781, drafted 2 Maj. McGill Witness   August 1781 vol 7 Maj. Boyle   remained till Jan'y 1782 captain  
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 , 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 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.

Rev. War Section.
May 21, 1933.
Honorable William J. Harris, United States Senate, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Harris;
In response to your letter of the 18th instant, I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 8084, it appears that William Boyd was born in Hanover County, Virginia, 1756 or 1757, and while residing in Louisa County, Virginia, enlisted and served as follows.
Fall of 1777, as a Private two months in Captain Haden's Company, Colonel Mason's Regiment Virginia troops. 1778, as a Private one month in Captain Hughes' Company, Colonel White's Regiment. 1779, as a Private two months in Captain Lee's Company, Colonel Harrison's Regiment. May 1781, as a Private two months in Captain Philip's Company, Colonel Reuben Lindsay's Regiment. August 1781 to January 1782 served as an Express. He was in an engagement at Jamestown.

He was allowed pension on his application executed February 4, 1833, while a resident of Albemarle County, Virginia.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Herewith is returned the letter of Willis M. Boyd of Adairsville, Georgia.
Sincerely,
Commissioner.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 11 th , 1842.
Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States,"
William Boyd, —
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Virginia Agency, at the rate of Twenty three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 4 th Sept. 1841.
Respectfully yours,
William L. Parris
COMPTROLLER.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

1923 May 21 - That to Sen. Thos. J. Harris for William M. Boyd - und.
Rev. H. H.
8084 INVALID.
File No. 8084
William Boyd Rev. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index: — Vol. 1 st , Page 88
[Arrangement of 1870.]

United States Senate,
Washington, _____ May 18 _____, 19 23
Hon. Washington Gardner, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I have the honor to submit the following com- munication for your consid- eration, and to ask that the request made therein be com- plied with if possible.
When the matter is dis- posed of, will you kindly have the letter returned to my office, and oblige.
Yours truly,
A handwritten signature in cursive, appearing to read "W. H. C. C.", written in dark ink over the printed text.
U. S. S.

Albemarle County, Virginia.
This day William Boyd personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the peace for the said County who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith that by reason of old age, and 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
   Months     1 st to in 1777 two months 2   2 nd do in 1778. one month 1   3 rd do. 1779. two months 2   4 th do. - 1781 two months 2   5 th do. 1781 five months & a half 5 1/2   12 1/2  
That in the four first hours, he served as a private, & in the last as an officer. That he served with embodied corps called into service by competent & competent authority, and that he was either in the field or garrison or riding as a dragoon, &

for that time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit -
Given under my hand and seal this 3 rd day of August 1833
W. Gant
Albemarle County is
I, J. W. Gant a Justice of the peace for Albemarle County, do hereby certify that Solomon Wood of the County aforesaid, personally appeared before me on the 22 nd day of January 1833 and made oath that he knew William Boyd to be a soldier in the Revolutionary War, & that he had seen the said William Boyd in the American Army both at York & at James Town - And I further certify that the said Solomon Wood is a credible person, & that his statement is entitled to belief. Given under my hand & seal this 3 rd day of August 1833
W. Gant

Albemarle County. Virg.
This day the foregoing named William Boyd honorably appeared before the undersigned - a justice of the peace for the said County, & made oath that from his advanced age and loss of memory he cannot undertake to state with absolute certainty the names of all the Colonels under whom he served - But according to the best of his recollection Col. Reuben Lindsey commanded the regiment to which he was attached in the year 1781 - While riding as a courier as stated in his de- claration he was under the orders of Major Claiborne. That Col. Mason had the command in the first tour - He believes Col. White commanded the the second and Col. Harrison the 3 rd tour as stated in his declaration. Given under my hand & seal this 3 rd day of August 1833.
W. Gault (clerk)

State of Virginia
Albemarle County, to wit,
I Ira Garrett Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that John M Gault whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Certificate is now and was at the time of making the same An acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified as such and that his signatures are genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said County Court this 6 th day of August 1833 in the 58 th year of the Commonwealth.
Ira Garrett C.C.