Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,288, Thomas Bryant, Va.

SERVICE
Var.
Bryant, Thomas
NUMBER
S 30,288
CONTENTS

As of 10 March 1834
Kentucky 23001
Thomas Bryant Fayette Co in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the Com commanded by Captain White of the ... commanded by Col Davis in the Virginia line for 90 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Nov 1833 and H S Bradley Lexington
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 166.67 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March 33 33 $300 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk, Book E Vol. 1 Page 20

State of Kentucky: Fayette County Set:
On this 18 th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Mayor of the City of Lexington, now sitting, Thomas Bryant a resident of the County of Henry and State of Kentucky, aged seventy one years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
That about the 1 st of June 1780 he was drafted and entered the service of the United States under the following named officers: viz Capt. Ino Holliday, Lieut John Chew, Genl Edward Stephens, Colo George Stubblefield, Colo Joseph Spencer & Major Morris: that at the time he entered the Service he resided in Spotsylvania County Virginia: that he marched first, to Hillsborough, North Carolina and thence to Camden South Carolina and was in the battle of Camden: that after the battle of Camden he returned to Spotsylvania County, Virginia.
That some time in the fall of 1780 he was again drafted and entered the Service of the United States under Capt. White in Colo Davis's regiment:
Southall was the Major. That he went to and was stationed at Richmond Court House and was engaged most of the time in guarding the prisoners, but occasionally in guarding & transporting Provisions &c: that he was drafted for eighteen months, but owing to his having been taken sick, he was discharged about two or three months before the expiration of his time: which discharge was left with his fathers papers, and has been lost or mislaid: He was born in Spotsylvania County Virginia in 1761 but has no record of his birth
That he served under Genl Gates and was acquainted with Genl Spottswood & Weedon of the regular Army. He refers to Thomas Smith, Thomas Brown, Thomas Delvooldridge, James Carey, and D. Hunter, living in his

immediate neighborhood as to his character for veracity & belief in his Revolutionary services. This affiant removed from Spotsylvania to Culpepper County Virginia where he lived about fourteen years; that he removed thence to Tennessee where remained about one year and from thence removed to Fayette County Kentucky where he resided about four years and then removed to Henry County Kentucky where he has resided ever since, to wit about twenty years.
He further states that he has no documentary evidence whatever of his having served in the Revolutionary War, but expects to be able to prove the fact by Abraham Ferguson, John Damaby, Jesse Bryant and James True.
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 & year aforesaid.
Thomas his  Bryant mark
Abraham Ferguson aged seventy one years, states upon oath, that he and Thomas Bryant who has made oath to the foregoing statement entered the army about the same time: that they marched together to Hillsborough North Carolina and started from thence towards Camden: that shortly after they left Hillsborough this affiant was detached to procure some provisions and left the said Tho. Bryant with the army. He recollects that Colo Stubblefield commanded the Regiment and that said Thomas Bryant served under Capt. Geo. Holliday.
Abra m Ferguson

City of Lexington State of Kentucky } set.
Amended declaration of Thomas Bryant, made this 8 th day of October 1833, before C. Hunt Esq. Mayor of the city aforesaid, in order to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832.
Said Bryant states that the first term which he served as detailed in his original declaration, under Capt. Holliday, was not less than five months, and his term under Capt. White was not less than fifteen months. That, when he was discharged as therein mentioned, he remained at his father's in Spottsylvania County Virginia, un- til the spring of 1782, when he again entered the service as a waggoner under Thomas Collins & Michael Robinson, waggonmasters, in which sta- tion he served not less than four months and not more than five. He was employed during that time in Spottsylvania County. He states that his answers to the several interrogatories con- tained in the instructions of the War Department are embodied in the original and amended dec- larations. He files herewith an affidavit of Joseph W. Shannon, a minister of the gospel in his immediate vicinity, sworn to before Samuel Demaree Esq. a justice of the peace for Henry County, in which county said Bryant resides. The reason why he has made his declaration in the city of Lexington, is that the witnesses, whom he relied on to prove his services, lived in Fayette County, were old men and unable to go to Henry County, and consequently said Bryant was obliged to come to Fayette County to obtain their deposition.

-tions. Given under his hand in open court this day & year aforesaid & sworn to. his Thomas + Bryant mark.
The foregoing amended declaration of Thomas Bryant was this day made before me the Mayor of the city aforesaid in open court, and sworn to by said Bryant in due form of law. Given under my hand this 8 th day of October 1833. Charlton Hunt
I Harry J. Bodley clerk of the city of Lexington do hereby certify that the foregoing original and amended declara- tions and certificate of Jos. W. Shannon contain the original proceedings in the case of Thomas Bryant on application for a pension. In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 8 th day of October 1833.
H. J. Bodley

23037
Thomas Bryant Fayette Co Kentucky
from 1780 private 20 mths.
$ 66. \frac{66}{100}
3333 5 166.67
H.C. Bradley Esq. Lexington. Fayette Co. Kentucky.

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 Thomas Bryant Foyett 60 Kentucky.
   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.     See 1780 list 1 1 1 Priv Gen. E. Stevens Col. G. Shubblefield Maj. Morris Capt. Holliday Lieut. Chas. L. 71 years Sholoyl Va Four Witnesses   Ditto about 5 " " " " " Gen. Gates Col. Davis Maj. Southall Capt. White 60 Va  
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.
My Questions
 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 , 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.
[l] 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.
Joseph Pownall Esq. etc.

est Rev
30 288 INVALID. Rev
1893 Aug 27 H to L. B. Bryant Harrison
File No. 30-288
Thomas Bryant Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 54
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Payants pension case
I ask it as a particular favour to have on this Glain paper the withheld me the result of
oblige Chas Johnson
7 15 15
37

I do certify that My first knowledge of Mr Thomas Bryant was about Twentyfive years ago When we both lived in Fayette County Kentucky upwards of Twenty years ago we both moved to Henry County Ky, since that time I have lived near said T. Bryant and we have been Intimately acquainted from that time and do state that his character as a man of truth and stands strict honesty no mango stands  Christian  faith  and his Given under my hand this 3 rd day of October 1833 Joseph W. Shannon
State of Kentucky Henry county. set I Sam l Darnee. a Justice of the peace in and for Henry county. do hereby certify that Mr. Joseph W. Shannon. produced to me a certificate of licence to preach the gospel. and made oath to the above certificate. acknowledged & signed in my presence. given under my hand this 3 rd day of October. 1833. Sam l Darnee. J.P. H.C.

Thomas Bryant
23837

John Damaby aged seventy two years and James True aged eighty four years state upon oath that they resided in Spotsylvania County Virginia at the time Capt. John Hollidays Company left there for the South and that the above named Thomas Bryant was a member of said Company started with them
John Damaby James True his mark
Jesse Bryant aged sixty six years states upon oath that he lived with his father and recollects that the above named Thomas Bryant (who is his brother) was drafted twice and was gone with the army as stated by him in the foregoing declaration: That said Thomas was taken sick at Richmond Virginia while in service and was discharged and brought home to his father's in a road waggon and remained sick for some months.
This affiant has seen the written discharge of his brother referred to by him.
Jesse Bryant
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 Abraham Ferguson, John Damaby, James True and Jesse Bryant whose names are attached to the foregoing affidavits are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Charlton Hunt

I, Henry J. Bodley clerk of the Court for the City of Lexington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Bryant for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the City of Lexington this 18 th day of October 1832.
H. J. Bodley, clk, city Lex

War Department Pension Office May 4, 1833
Sir,
I herewith return Mr Picklin's letter to you and have to state that Thomas Bryant's papers have been examined and they are herewith enclosed. The objections to the admission of the claim will be seen by a reference to the printed sheet which accompanies the papers.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your Obedt Servt.
J L Edwards
Hon: W. T. Barry, Post Master General.