Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1179, William Burchett, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Vai
Burchett William
S 1179
CONTENTS
Barded

19576 Kentucky
William Burchett of sumber the State of Kentucky who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Roberts of the regt commanded by Col Glen on the W line for 9 months
bot. 11 Mar 37
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 30 Dollars & Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Sept 1833 and 1834 OWEN Columbia
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 75.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending March 15.00 $90.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by David Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 4
J. Ficklin & Co inc Sept, July 8, 1837.
Dead Letter to W. J. Irwin esq. 20 Nov 45.

State of Kentucky ss. Cumberland County 3
Be it Remembered that on this 11 day of May 1833 Personally appeared before the undersigned Justice of the peace in and for the County of Cumberland aforesaid William Burchett a resident of the County of Cumberland State of Kentucky aged 78 years 7 th October 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 7 th 1832 That in the month of July 1776 he was drafted as a private Militiaman in Surryburg County State of Virginia and immediately entered the service of the United States in Captain Edward Broadnax's Company he states that he belonged to Christopher Robertson's Militia Company at the time he was drafted and was put under the command of Captain Broadnax. Robertson not being called out at that time he states that Broadnax & his Subalterns was strangers to him and he does not recollect the names of the Lieut & ensign he was immediately upon his being drafted attached to said Capt Broadnax's.

Company and marched on to a place called Hungary town (and properly named) where he was joined to Col. John Glenn's Regiment he from there marched to Petersburg from there to Williamsburg where he staid a considerable time guarding that place he was from there marched to the mouth of Little York River to guard that point where he remained where he remained untill the British troops that was in that region of country moved southward When it was believed their stay at that place was no longer needed and having served out the full term for which he was drafted Being three months he was Honorably discharged by his Capt and returned home he positively states in this tour he faithfully served three months and ten days. he states that he has lost his discharge after having kept it many years not believing it would ever be of any use to him, he was in no engagement nor did he join any Regular troops that he recollects he has no recollection that there was any troops except Col. Glenn's Regiment, he states that sometime

after his return home as before stated he moved to and settled in Halifax County Virginia and in the spring of the year 1781 he thinks about the first of May he was again drafted as a private Matthew- an and put into a company commanded by Captain Moses Turner, he states that he joined S d Capt Turner at Halifax old Courthouse; his mother Capt at home in Halif- ax was Joseph  Deborah  Fuller who did not go; this Declarant was sent on to Halifax Courthouse where he joined to Turner's Company the S d Turner & his subalterns was strangers to him and he has forgot the names of the Lieut & Ensign he was joined to Col e Williams Regiment at Halifax and march to Salisbury North Carolina where he remained some days to recruit themselves from there he was marched to Charlottesville, from there he was marched to 96 in South Carolina where General Greene lay with a number of troops where he remained for some time and was then marched to Broad River having had several skirm- ishes with the British & Tories while at 96 & its vicinity on our way to Broad

River, he was then marched on through through Camden and on to the high hills of Santee the time had fully expired being three months Capt Turner dismissed his company and went home; there was at that time great need for men in that region of country and this declarant volunteered under Capt Edmond King the British and Tories Being in the vicinity he was stationed for several weeks when some prisoners was taken and Capt King & his company - this declarant one was ordered to guard said prisoners on to the creek = in where he remained some time and River, where he was discharged By his Capt in this last tour he served three months making in the whole nine months and ten days for which he claims a pension he states that he did not take any discharge from Capt Turner but he did from Capt King which he has lost as he did his first never calculating it would be of any service to him he took no partic- ular care of them, he has no do-

Summary Evidence of his Service nor does know of any Person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his Service except his brother John Burch of this County whose affidavit he has procured and is annexed hereto he states that he was born in County Linnysburg in the State of Virginia on the 7 th day of October one thousand seven hundred and fifty four 1754, as he has always been informed by his parents which he believes to be true; he has no register of his Birth, he lived in Linnysburg County Virginia when he was first called in service, after he returned from his first service sometime thereafter he moved to Halifax County Virginia where he lived when he served the two last tours and until after the final close of the Revolutionary war when he moved back to Linnysburg where he remained about four 4 years then he moved to Charlotte County Virginia where he lived several years then he moved to Knox County Tennessee where he lived one year and then

Moved to Sullivan County State of Tennessee where he remained until the year 1821 when he moved to Cumberland County Kentucky where he now lives; he knows Capt. James Williams. Col. Mark Martin together with all his near neighbours who could testify to his character & veracity all of whom are his near neighbours he lives in a remote part of the County near 20 miles from the Courthouse he has never tra- vailed about any since he has been in this State he never has been at the Courthouse nor has is there any Clergyman living near him indeed he does not know that there is any Clergyman who ever heard him speak of his services, he further states that from old age and bodily infirmity he is unable to attend Court to make his declaration there, he hereby renoun- -ces his every claim whatever to a pensi- -on or annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State sworn to and subscribed the day of year of John Holland S.P.C.C. William his Burchett mark

We
James Williams C. M. Conner Residing in the County of Cumberland State of Kentucky do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the William Burchett who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be 78 years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion and we further certify that from old age and bodily infirmity the said William Bur- chett cannot attend Court we further certify that there is no Clergyman resi- ding in the neighbourhood of said William Burchett we further certi- fy that said William Burchett is a man of good character and that his statement is entitled to credit subscribed and sworn to this day a year ago.
John Roland S.P.66
James Williams C. M. Conner
I John Burchett of Cumberland County State of Kentucky aged 71 years do certify that the above named

William Burchett who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration is my brother I know from the in- formation of my Parents he is the age he states and I further certify that he served the term as he has stated that is I know he started with the army as he has stated & was gone the length of time as he has stated and when he returned it was always reported and believed he served faithfully the full term It never was doubted. Sworn to and subscribed the day & year of John Noland A.D. 66 J. Noland
State of Kentucky, Cumberland County ss I John Noland one of the Commissioners of the peace in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the above named William Burchett who has subscribed to the above declaration was duly sworn to the same before me on the day therein stated, and I do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named William Burchett the applicant was a soldier

of the Revolution and served as he states and I further certify that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend Court and I further certify that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of said William Burchett and certify that said William Burchett is a reputable man and is entitled to credit and that I believe he is the age he states and that he is a resident of the County of Cumberland State of Kentucky and I also certify and declare that Capt James Williams Cornelius M Conner
who has signed the preceding certificate are residents of the County of Cumberland State of Kentucky and are credible persons and their statements are entitled to credit and I further certify that John Burchett who has likewise signed the preceding certificate is a resident of the County of Cumberland and that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit and that I believe he the said John is the age he states & that he is moreover unable to attend Court from his bodily infirmity and I further certify that the above named persons subscribed and were sworn to the above certificates before me The day & year of?
John Voland J.P.

Kentucky Cumberland County ss.
Milton King Clerk of the County Court for said County do hereby Certify that John Voland esquire, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing declaration & affidavit, that he is a justice of the peace in & for said County, duly Commissioned & qualified that his signature is genuine - and his Official acts entitled to Credit -
Given under my hand and the seal of my office this 13 th day of May 1833
M. King Clk

26.698
William Burchett Limbosland Co., Ken.
from 1776 private 9 mths. p 30.
Wm Owens. Columbia. Ken

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 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. These 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 Burchett
   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.     1776 3 Pt. 6th Broadway Col Robertson Col J. Gyles. 78 Va Traditions   1781 3 " Cap Turner Col Williams   " 3 " Cap King  
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.
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 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 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.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

11 th in Burchett - Kentucky - Feb 132
To what time last paid?
10 th to 4 th March 1835
JH

INVALID.
New War
File No. 1179 William Burchett, Pro. Va. Line.
Act: June 7, 1832.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 49
[Arrangement of 1870.]

No El July 8.
Wm Mitchell Kenah
2
Edwards Ely Cambridge Puffin Washington City
1

Leicester 1/4 July 1. 1839
Dr Sir
I will thank you to direct the agent here to pay the within Pension if no objection exists &
very respectfully you ob td Serv t Joseph H. Allen

Feb. 17. 1895.
Friend
M a Burdett,
Dec'd.
Albany N.Y.
Mr Evers
Concord Conn.
of New Haven.
Washington D.C.
free

Albany New York February 4 th 1845
Sir
Jesse Burch of this County some time since requested me to write to you on the subject of a small Balance of Pension due his Father at his death which took place on the 20 th day of January 1838. he states that his father, he thinks had a Deed. Due him at the time of his death he states that his father William Burchill drew twenty dollars per annum he wishes to know what was due him at his death.
On his behalf I am your Humble serv t
Wm J Saltonstall
James A Edward Washington City
Sir

Columbia Ky May 20. 1883
Revolutionary Claims
June 16 Honble
J. D. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
By

Columbia 18 th May 1839
Dear Sir
I herewith return you the original and amended Declaration of Mr. Sewell* I presume the objections are removed I also send you the original Declaration of Mr. William Burchett. Which when read please answer me as soon as convenient
I am Dear Sir yours ob d Serv t .
Wm. Owens
* Old case Taken out