Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6737, Willian Bridgwater, Va.

SERVICE
Va.
Bridgewater, William or Bridgewater
NUMBER
S. 6737
CONTENTS
Carded

Virginia 16. 189 William Bridgewater Nelson in the State of Virginia who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Brooks of the Regt. commanded by Col. Mathews in the Virginia line for 10 1/2 months
William Bridgewater Records corrected.
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of July '31 Livingston and sent S. Gailan Va
Arrears to the 14th of March '33 - 73. 32 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept " - 18. 33
$91.65-
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk, Book 2. Vol. 6. Page 3

Virginia.
At a Court of Monthly Session, held for Nelson County, at the Court-house, on the 22nd day of October 1832.
State of Virginia (and County of Nelson } to wit
On this 22nd day of October 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of the County of Nelson, now sitting William Bridgewater a resident of the County of Nelson and State of Virginia aged seventy five years the 29 th day of June last past, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States as a Militiaman in the County of Henrico (and State of Virginia) under Captain James Price not long to the best of his recollection after the commencement of the revolution, that they marched to Richmond in the said County (and State) at which place he served a tour of three months as guard to the Magazine he has no recollection of any other Officers stationed there, after the expiration of the said three months he was discharged and went home, the next time he was drafted was sometime after perhaps a year of this however he is not very certain, but he recollects the cause, as he was then informed, of the requisition, it was owing to an invasion of Richmond by the enemy, commenced, by one Lefley who committed some spoilations of minor importance after which it was said the said enemy's troops left Richmond, in consequence of which he the said Bridgewater was marched to an old field in King William County called King William old field where he joined some other troops the names of the commanders not recollecting, there he stayed a few days when they recrossed Rappahannock River to Holts Forge where they joined other troops and stayed for a short time; from thence they marched to old Williamsburg where they were stationed till the expiration of his tour which was three months, when he was discharged and went home; the name of the Captain under which he served this last tour was John Brooks, he can't recollect the names of any other Officers, he says he was on one other occasion ordered out as a guard to guard some wagons from Richmond to the Barrax near Charlottesville in Albemarle County Virginia which service he performed under one Charles Price who had the command of the guard which tour was performed in about twenty days, (and he was was one other time ordered out as a guard to guard some prisoners from Richmond to the Barrax near Stanton in Augusta County Virginia, which service he performed in about twenty five days the next tour he performed was as follows; in the last of June or first of July 1781 in the County of Henrico (Virginia) a Company was drafted the command of which devolved on Captain John Brooks at which time the said Bridgewater was absent from Henrico, that being his place of residence; upon his arrival home which was a day or two after, found that some of his connexion (and many of his acquaintance) was gone he followed on a short distance below Richmond where he overtook the

company and offered to volunteer and was received by Captain Brooks as such, from thence they marched several days with other troops down James River to Menses ferry where he and a part of the troops crossed James River under the command of Colonel Matthews to the best of his recollection, the balance keeping on the north side of James River; after crossing he marched down the south side until they got opposite old James Town and there recrossed to old James Town in French boats; and from thence marched to old Williamsburg, where they were stationed with the main army, where he first saw General Lafayette, other officers that he now recollects to have seen, there was General Lawson whose Brigade he was attached to, and General Stevens and General Nelson, and there in the main street of Williamsburg it being on Washington's arrival from the north he saw General Lafayette and General Washington meet, and it was a meeting ever to be remembered by those who witnessed it; this meeting to the best of his recollection took place on a Wednesday, after which General Washington stayed in Williamsburg until the evening of the next day, where it was said he went to old James Town and took water, from thence to the mouth of York River where it was said the French fleet was lying, and on the following Wednesday he returned to Williamsburg and on the Saturday following they received orders to march to York, he having meanwhile been detached as a sergeant to General Nelson's Guard; the line of march was taken up for York on Saturday, the French army in front, on Sunday evening the French took Bigeau Hill, he then being one of General Nelson's Guard, he was not in the fortification but was employed in carrying letters from the Generals Markes to others and performed such other duty as required by the General; he says he being stationed at the General's Markes which was perhaps a quarter of a mile south of the enemy's breast works at the foot of a small ridge which concealed the enemy's movements from him, and near the top of said ridge a little on the south side was our fortification, in this situation he stayed until the surrender of the enemy which was about a week after his tour of three months expired; and the reason why he did not leave the army at the expiration of his tour was because he was told by Captain William Carter (who had meanwhile taken the place of Captain John Brooks who from sickness or some other cause had left the army at Williamsburg) that the enemy would be compelled to surrender in a few days, which was the case, he then being bare for clothes and his tour having expired about a week he set out for home leaving the enemy and York in possession of our army.
Questions by the Court
1st. Where and in what year were you born.
Answer. I was born as I have been told by my parents in the County of Henrico; and according to my father's record of my age I was born June the 29th 1757
2nd. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
Answer. I have one, and it is now in my possession.
3rd. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived

since the revolutionary war. (and where do you now live?)
Answer. When I was called into the service I lived in the County of Henrico State of Virginia (and lived there several years after the war. (and then with my father moved to that part of the Amherst County Virginia. which has since been taken off (and is now Nelson County. (and I now live in Nelson County.
4th How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or was you a substitute. (and if a substitute for whom. 3
Answer. I was drafted all but the last hour I served. (and then volunteered.
5th 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 service. P.
Answer. I have given the names of all the officers to me recollectes. except a French officer which was at the siege of York who was called Count d'Pushamore or Ruchembro. (and the general circumstances of my service is set forth as fully in the body of my declaration as I could do it without going into small occurrences which would not be worth notice.
6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service (and if so. by whom was it given (and what has become of it?
Answer. I never received a written discharge to my recollection. but at the expiration of each tour was told by my officer that I was at liberty to go home.
7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood who can testify as to your character for veracity (and their belief of your service as a soldier of the revolution. (The Court will please enquire of W m Mc Woods & Alex r Roberts (and any other of my neighbours to say whether I am a man of veracity. (and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution. The Court will also please enquire of W m Mc Woods & Alexander Roberts who can testify whether or not from their acquaintance with me they believe me to be as old as I represent (and that I am reputed (and believed) in my neighbourhood to have been a revolutionary soldier (and whether or not they concur in that opinion. 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 or Territory. Sworn to (and subscribed) the day (and year aforesaid.
William Bridgewater.
We W m Mc Woods (and Alex r Roberts residing) in the neighbourhood of William Bridgewater do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Bridgewater who has subscribed (and sworn to the above declaration. that we believe him to be seventy five years of age. that he is reputed (and believed) in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution. (and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to (and subscribed) the day (and year aforesaid.
W m Mc Woods.
Alex r Roberts.

On this 22 nd day of October 1832 personally appeared before the court of the county of the county of Nelson now sitting. Nathaniel Bridgewater (and after being duly sworn according to law) doth, upon his oath, make the following statement: that him (and his brother William Bridgewater) live in the county of Henrico (Virginia), with their Father, in the time of the revolutionary war, that his brother was older than himself (and altho' he was young), he recollects that his brother went from home, it was said into the army, and was gone some time, and then returned home, but he can't recollect how long his brother was gone. after his return home (and a short stay) he volunteered, as he the said Nathaniel was informed, he knows the said William went again from home (and has no doubt that he was in the army, but don't recollect how long), but recollects that he was absent when it was said Cornwallis was defeated at York, (and got home some short time after, and further he saith not.
Nathaniel Bridgewater
And the 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 William M. Woods (and Alexander Roberts, who have signed the preceding certificate, are residents in the said county of Nelson, (and that their statement is entitled to credit.
A copy of the record.
In testimony whereof, J. Spotswood Garland Clerk of the said court, do hereunto set my hand (and affix the seal of my Office this 19th day of November 1832. (and in the 57th year of the Commonwealth.
J. Spotswood Garland
M m Bridgewater
25-150
(3)

Wm Bridgewater Va No 25180 -
Almut 92 mo pr - 37.66 1. Lucy 5 36.66 L.P.
S. Garland Esq. Livingston C.H. Va.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 31 st 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 subjunct 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 Bridgewater
   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.     drafted 3. Pri: 75 years   3. " Henrico   about 20 Co. Va Traditionary   1781 " 25 Witness   3 " Col. Mathews   10 15 part of this draft  
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)                      , who has 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, deponeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months" is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is 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.

Reckon
6737
INVALID.
File No. 6737
William Bridgewater Re Rev War
Act: June 7 th '32
Index: — Vol. 68 , Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870.]
William Bridgewater Records corrected. June 20, 1900

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace for the County of Nelson in the State of Virginia William Bridgewater who being duly sworn deposes and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of recollection he cannot state with precision the periods of the war when each of his tours of service was performed but to the best of his recollection his first tour was shortly after the commencement of the war - he thinks in the year 1876 his second a year after that he thinks and those tours which he served one to guard some wagons and the other some prisoners was performed in the interval between the last named tour and the year of 1881 and the length of his tours was not less than the periods stated below the first three months the second three months third twenty days fourth twenty five days and fifth three months and that he was sergeant not less than one month of his last tour and for his services he claims a pension given under my hand and seal this 18th day of June 1883
James Woods
State of Virginia } to wit. Nelson County. }
I, Spotswood Garland, Clerk of the Court of Nelson County, certify that James Woods is a Magistrate as above, and that the foregoing

signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my office, this 27th. day of June 1833, and in the 57th. year of the Commonwealth.
Sp: Garland
Virginia.
At a Court of Monthly Session, held for Nelson County, at the Courthouse, on the 24th day of June 1833.
On the motion of William Bridgwater, who has applied to the Government of the United States for a Pension, under the Act of Congress, passed the 7th. day of June 1832; it is ordered to be certified that Nathaniel Bridgwater, whose affidavit is filed in said application, is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to entire credit. A copy from the records of said Court.
In testimony whereof, I, Spotswood Garland, clerk of the said Court, have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name, this 27th. day of June 1833.
Sp: Garland