Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,269, James Boyd, N.C. Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Nb Va.
Boyd, James
S 12269
CONTENTS
Carded

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6. April 1838. from 4 March to 4 Sep 1840. Age notified 9. June 1841
Virginia 20,394
James L. Boyd
of John G. in the State of Va. who was a P in the Company commanded by Captain Siler of the Regt commanded by Col. [blank] in the [blank] Virginia [blank]
13/11 P p 43.33
N.C. Val. Records completed Aug 4/65
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of June and July 6 1834 J. H. Clifton AR
Arrears to the 4th of Feb 34 131.00 Pens. allowance ending Sep 40 21.66
$151.66
Revolutionary Claim, for June 7, 1832.
Recorded by A. Sprague Clerk Book [blank] Vol. 6 th Page 4

State of Virginia Patrick County
on this 11 th day of September  October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the court of Patrick County now sitting James Boyd a resident of Patrick County aged 67 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated
that he entered the service of the United States he believes in the year 77 in the fall season of the year as a volunteer private soldier in place of his father Joseph Boyd under Capt James Gideon of the County of Surry North Carolina where he Boyd then lived on an expedition to the swamps he believes in South Carolina against Colonel Fanning who was in command of a party of Tories and British he was marched to Guilford old court house where joined there Genl Boyle Parker's company Fanning was at that time in Hillsborough in which place he done much mischief an express was received by the dextrous commander to make haste to that place which he did but before he arrived there Fanning had left there but soon made his appearance on a high hill in sight of our army but upon our approach he fled and was pursued by us to the next regiment commanded by Colonel Martin Armstrong to the Bogue swamps above mentioned where he took shelter and where they marched to the Shallow Hills where we remained for some time subjecting the Tories and the Loyalists from there we were marched back to Guilford where we were expecting Fanning to return remained there until our three months tour was at an end the dextrous was then discharged by Genl Gideon from whence he returned home
Hon. C. H. Cabell

The next tour of duty the declarant performed was as a Volunteer under the same officer G. D. Gideon he believes in Sept 1878 was moved to the shallows ford of the Yadkin River from there to Salisbury where they joined the  matilda company. Stayed there a short time was reinforced enough to the Mulberry fields on the Yadkin River from there to Burk Burnett House from there to Fredell and back to Salisbury from there to the shallows ford of the Yadkin River again. The object of this expedition was to reconnoitre the country and keep in subjection the Tories and disaffected who much annoyed in that country. The declarant was here discharged from this three months tour by Capt James Gideon those discharges for have long since been lost. They served this declarant as a part during the war which was necessary to have in their days after the close of the war he thought them of no service to him. Therefore took no further care of them the next tour of duty the applicant performed was he believes in the year 1879 he was then sixteen years of age and placed on the Muster list he entered the service under Capt James Gideon at that time a Volunteer during the war was was stationed at Askins mills in Surry County on the  Yadkin River Creek where he remained for some length of time he thinks two months or more this was in the fall season of the year. The succeeding winter General P. P. Pickett arrived with his army this declarant was then with eight or ten others was given up to General Pickett to act as spies on P. P. Pickett and his army being strangers to the country this applicant remained under Pickett during that winter or about three months our head quarters were at the Shideak Bakers in Surry County North Carolina though during that time frequent reconnoitring expeditions were made in the neighbouring country Pickett's army was stationed here to guard the frontiers and keep in subjection the Tories and disaffected in the spring Pickett moved off his

This declaration concerns believes to the south the detestable time returned to Capt Gidens again a short time after this a party of Indians were discovered lurking about the Lead mines the white inhabitants fled from them for refuge across the mountains an an expedition was immediately set on foot under the command of Capt Underwood this applicant together with the twenty or fifteen others of Capt Gidens company was attached to Underwoods company who was marched off to the Lead mines and from there to the Black House a distance of about eighty miles the Indians took shelter in the mountains of Branch river it was considered not worth while to pursue them further were marched back to Surry again This applicant states that it is impossible from the nature of his service for him to  to and the length of time that for him to detail it as it actually occurred in addition to what he has stated he well recollects of being present at the taking of Mark Atkins and Joseph Burke Tories who had come to Williams Grifins blacked and Bobed said Grifins at his money and other valuable property they were condemned and hanged the next day at Bernards camp in Henry county Virginia he was also at the hanging of Adair Short at Stuart creek after this he was a short time under Capt Elphinstone Station of Henry county Virginia Stationed at the Gouens in said county he was in second line with said Station Stationed at head spots in the last mentioned county he thinks about two weeks he also states that he was constantly in service from the time he was put on the muster roll until the surrender of Cornwallis at York he was never in any battle was March to the battle of Guilford under Capt Gidens but did not reach that place until the next day after the battle was fought the British had left there he was informed General Green was in pursuit of them he states that he saw no soldiers except the two for mentioned above that he has no documentary evidence of his service and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except he can lay hands on William Borders and Elisha Cyrus of the county of Patrick and state of Virginia that  that in the county of Surry North Carolina in time of the revolutionary war and for some time thereafter but about forty years ago he moved to the county of Patrick state of Virginia where he has resided ever since

He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension whether to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the army of any state of the United States sworn to and sub- scribed the day and year aforesaid James Boyd
We William Carter and Martin Bland residing in the County of Patrick and State of Virginia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Boyd who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age that he is reported and believed in the neighbour- hood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Wm Carter Martin Bland
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 William Carter and Martin Bland who has heretofore signed the preceding certificate are residents in the county of Patrick and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit and that there is no clergyman residing in the neigh- bourhood of the said applicant
I Abiam Staples Clerk of the Court of Patrick County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Boyd for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17th day of October 1832
A. Staples Clerk
James Boyd
Declaration
En. upen

State of Virginia
Patrick County
This day James Boyd of the county aforesaid personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid and in order to amend further explain and more particularly specify his services in the Revolutionary words stated in his declaration made in open court on the 11th day of October 1832 after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that as respecting his two first three months term mentioned in his declaration he knows of no further amendment or explanation he can give to them. He states that the section of country where the residue of his services were performed was in the north western corner of Surry County North Carolina and in the adjacent neighborhoods it being the frontier settlement lying along the East side of the blue ridge of mountains. That this section of country so much abandoned with Tories and robbers who formed themselves in companies concealing themselves on the west side of the mountain would frequently pounce down upon the friends to liberty kill and plunder and off again to their places of concealment; that it became absolutely necessary for the safety of the inhabitants to keep companies of men garrisoned or embodied at given points along the East side of the mountain to prevent those depredations and of possible subdue those enemies to liberty. For this purpose Captain James Gideon and his company of militia was stationed at Asbury Mills in Surry County North Carolina about ten miles from the mountain near the Virginia line. He further states that there was but two choices for men to take in this section of country one was to join the Tories and outlaws and of course take the woods and the other was to join the Whigs take the field or garrison or both as occasion might require. This applicant states that he became of age to go on the muster roll in the May 1779, he was accordingly enrolled in Captain James Gideon's company. He was permitted to strall where he pleased until October following October 1779 the first day of that month to the best of his recollection he entered the service under Captain James Gideon as a private soldier during the war. Gideon was at that time stationed at Asbury Mills above mentioned he remained here in garrison at least two months during which time a file of men was sent out in pursuit of Sheppard Adkins and William Norton Tory Robbers who was taken brought to head quarters tried and condemned.

to be hanged. they were marched to the gallows under guards, while their general was preaching only 15 minutes to live (according to order) Colonel Shepherd arrive with a repress for them they were accordingly repressed while one of the guards was standing the barrel of his gun on the ground his hand on the muzzle the gun went off and shot the whole contents through his hand this applicant was then given up to General Pickens as stated in his declaration. Stayed with him in actual service three months. General Pickens winter quarters was in about five miles of Capt Gideon's garrison. Holding sufficient defense for the night Gideon's road while Pickens remained there Gideon's company was set at liberty except those given up to him by Gideon's to act as spies or pilates as mentioned in his declaration. Soon as Pickens went off Gideon's company was again stationed at Ashers miller this applicant with the rest to the best of his recollection where this was in the Spring of 1780 he remained here in garrison (except when sent out with small parties to see what the Tories were about which was frequently the case) about two months when he was sent off under Captain Underwood against the Indians as mentioned in his declaration in this expedition he marched through the west end of Henry County Virginia (now Patrick County) over the mountain through Grayson County to the Lead mines in Wythe County through with County and Washington County to a place called the Black Horse. Thence pursued the Indians about thirty miles further into the mountains of Clinch River where they lost their trail and their provisions giving cause they returned back to the Lead mines which was at that time guarded Stayed here about two weeks to see if the Indians would return and then marched back to Wythe County again, where he again joined his own company he was engaged he thinks in this expedition at least two months but he believes nearly three months in a short time after this Capt Gideon took this applicant and several others and went over the mountains in Grayson County Virginia a distance of about twenty miles in search of Burke and Oldkins tory robbers and with the aid of a tory who betrayed them into their hands they succeeded in taking them prisoners who was afterwards hanged as stated in his declaration, they were engaged in this tour about ten days and then returned to their garrison (as it was called) in a short time after this a company of men was sent out in search of Adam Smith another mischievous tory who caught him and hung him at the same place Stuart's creek. This applicant was present when he was hung but did not go in search of him. in a short time after this William Nail a leading tory with four others stole some horses belonging to the company of Captain Gideon the company . Capt Gideon not knowing how many was with Nail sent Lieut Gideon in pursuit of them and four others on pursuit of them who came up with them so near to our fort that the firing of their guns was distinctly heard. This applicant with several others were sent to their aid when they reach the spot they found Lieut Gideon and two others dead on the ground the others of the company had made their escape they also found one of the Tories killed and another wounded whom

Heel was attempting to leave off but was compelled to drop him on which the work of death was soon finished They pursued him up Salt Peter ridge to the top of the mountain a distance of about ten miles but did not ever take him return back again to the garrison. Captain Gidens took as many of his com- pany as had horses to ride and went in pursuit of Heel and his Tory company This applicant and the rest of Gidens company who stayed joined Capt. Eliphas Shelton company of Virginia militia who was ordered to the upper end of Henry county Virginia to guard the neighbourhood in Gidens absence. Shelton sta- tioned his company at the Gables in Henry county Virginia about 7 miles from Gidens head quarters. Henry county and Surry county lay along side of each other only the state line between them. This applicant stayed with Shelton at this place about four weeks as he thinks at least four weeks. Capt Gidens in this time having return- ed to his station Sheltons company was marched off This ap- plicant again returned to Gidens company. A short time after this a man by the name of Nickols together with 3 or 4 others murdered William Setchell a worthy and a worthy citizen of Henry county Va. on the Chatham river within a few miles of our garrison. Gidens as before in the case of Heel pursued Nickols. Shelton as before was marched up again Stationed his company at head Speathes near where he was before stationed This applicant together with the rest of the company left and 30 with Gidens in pursuit of Nickols again joined Shelton stayed with him at this place two weeks. Gidens again returned Shelton company was as before marched off. Nickols as he was informed was taken near the Yorktown springs and hanged. This applicant again returned to Gidens company nothing more of importance took place until the last of February or first of March 1781 we were still in garrison when Capt Gidens received information of the approach of Lord Cornwallis near the mountains. Towns in Carolina it was then expected he would cross the mountains to take possession of the lead mines Capt Gidens sent this applicant and 20 or 30 others under Lieutenant Thomas Carlan to watch his Corn- wallis movements having ascertained that Lord Cornwallis had pursued a course towards Dan river. They return to Capt Gidens with the information having been about about 8 days Capt Gidens received orders from Colonel Martin Armstrong of Surry county Va. to march with his company and join the North Carolina militia at Guilford Court House. He says before they reached there the battle of Guilford was fought a short time before this Gidens had moved his station to Hams- on Johnsons creek near his former station and in the same county to which place they returned from the Guilford battle nothing of importance took place within the rem- -embrance of this applicant while stationed at this last mentioned place which was from the first of March 1781 until the last of October 1781 when the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at York- town was announced. This applicant was then finally dis- charged. That this amendment taken in connection with his declaration specifies his services in the revolutionary war as plainly and dis- tinctly as can set them forth that after serving the first three months the terms mentioned in his declaration he entered the

Service of the united states again as stated above on the first day of October to the best of his recollection 1779 and was discharged on the last of October 1781 during which time he was either in the field or in garrison. and for the time during which the above service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit
Question by the Magistrate
where and in what year were you born - Answer I was born in the County of Berks State of Pennsylvania on the 8th day of May 1763
Question by the same Have you any record of your age - answer my age is set down in a bible in my possession which used to belong to my parents. Here the witness made a statement of his service which is as follows
   Service years m days     Capt James Bedens as a substitute 3 in 1777   a substitute under the same 3 " 1778   General Bedens as a spy or patrol 3 " 1777 1780   Capt Underwood 2 " 1780   Capt Stephen Shelton of Henry County Virginia 1 15 1780   under Capt Bedens as a Volunteer at different periods from Oct 1779 to Oct 1781 1 6 15   2 7 to making in  
the whole two years and seven months he states that he can produce no other evidence than testimony. he hereby released any part of the above claim which in the opinion of the officers of the War Department may not be sufficiently clearly set forth - and desires that he may be placed on the pension roll for as much of his services as are sufficiently set forth sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th day of September 1833
Martin Bland A.P. James B. G. G.
Virginia to wit
I Abram Staples Clerk of the County Court of Patrick certify that Martin Bland is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified as such and that the signature to the foregoing certificate purporting to be his is genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of my Office this 28th day of September 1833. in the 58th year of the Commonwealth
A. Staples Clk

State of Virginia County of Patrick
on the 19th day of April 1834 personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the County of said James Boyd a resident of Patrick County aged 71 years the 8th day of May 1834 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 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the united states under the following named officers and served as here in stated
he says he entered the service of the united states he believes in the fall season of the year in 1777 as a private soldier under captain James Gideon of the county of Surry state of North Carolina. This applicant states that his father was drafted and was unable to march in consequence of a severe beating he had a short time before received from the Tories This applicant states that he volunteered to go in his father's stead and was accepted of by captain Gideon and marched under him from the county of Surry North Carolina the time above mentioned in an expedition against Colonel Fanning who commanded a party of Tories and British. he was marched to Guilford old court House there joined a company commanded by Capt. Francis from there he marched to Hillsborough N.C. where Fanning had some much success from Hillsborough they pursued Fanning to the raft swamps he believes in South Carolina where he took shelter he was then marched to the Cheraw Hills station there no store house was

March boot back to Hillsborough was there discharged by Capt Gideon from which place he returned home having served in this expedition three months Colonel Martin Armstrong commanded this expedition until they left Hillsborough for the raft swamps they were then commanded by Colonel Purcell of Guilford County. The next tour of duty he performed was again in stead of his father who was drafted to march against the Tories this he thinks was in the year 1778 he marched under Captain James Gideon from the County of Surry North Carolina to the shallows ford of the Yadkin River from there to Salisbury from where he was joined by other companies Marched from there to the Mulberry fields on the Yadkin River from there to Burke Court House from there to Indill Court House thence back to Salisbury was here station as short time then marched again to the shallows ford of the Yadkin was then discharged from this tour of duty having served three months this expedition was commanded by Colonel Williams of Surry County. The two discharges as above mentioned he says was signed by Capt Gideon and have long since been lost. The next tour of duty this applicant performed he says was he believes in the year 1779 he was then 16 years of age and place on the muster roll in Capt Gideons company of militia in Surry County aforesaid this was in the spring of the year and in the fall of the same year to the best of his recollection an army of men was order to be station ed at at Aspers Mills in Surry County North Carolina for the defence of the frontier this army consisted of several hundred persons composed of parts of several companies chiefly under the command of Col Shepherd and Armstrong This declarant states that

he volunteered in this engagement and was stationed at this place under capt Gidens at least two months months when General Pickens arrived with an army for the defence of the frontier was stationed at or near Abbeville Sabers Mills in Sumter county North car- olina this applicant with several others of Gidens company was given up to Pickens to act as spies or scouts being acquainted with the country he was stationed here under General Pickens during the time his army remained here which was at least 2 two months he thinks this took place in the winter of 1779, 80 though he does not pretend that he is entirely correct as to dates but states that he is certain of the performance of the service at same period of the war when Pickens army was marched off he again returned to capt Gidens the next tour of duty this applicant informed was under captain Underwood against a party of Indians who were discovered lurking about the Lead mines in with county Virginia from which place the whole in hope to fly for refuge across the mountains in this expedition he marched from Sumter county North Carolina through the west end of Henry county Virginia across the mountains to the Lead mines on New river where they gained a company commanded by capt Powell they pursued the Indians to a place called the Black House he thinks in Washington county Virginia rested a while here and then pursued the Indians into the mountains of Clinch river then gave up the pursuit and returned back to the Lead mines remained at this place a short time then marched back to Sumter county having been engaged in this tour

15) three months and 15 days. This applicant states that he served under capt. Olaphus Shelton of Henry county Virginia 4 weeks stationed at the garrison in Henry county Virginia to guard the frontier in the year 1780. He  says says he served a second tour of 2 weeks under the same officers in the same year stationed in the same county at head quarters on the New River He states that portions of several companies where stationed at the two last mentioned places to wit: parts of Shelton's Lyons barlow and capt Gideon companies consisting in the whole of upwards of three hundred men. He does not recollect any higher officers than Captains. They were ordered here in consequence as he was informed of the murder of Setzer and others by the Tories. in the last escape dilign he was a volunteer never wanted to be dropped. The next tour of duty this applicant believes was performed in the month of February and March of 1781 when the news of the approach of Lord Cornwallis from the south the march under of Lieutenant Thomas Barlow to ascertain what direction Cornwallis was taking it being thought by some that he intended crossing the mountains to take possession of the lead mines having volunteered ordered to Salem North Carolina and having ascertained that Cornwallis had changed his course towards Eastern Virginia they returned back and marched under captain Gideon who was ordered to march with his company and join the North Carolina Militia at Guilford Courthouse but did not arrive at the appointed place until the second day after the battle of Guilford was fought the dead was not all buried. Gideon's company was ordered by General Hamilton to return back to the defense of the frontier they accordingly marched back again

having been engaged in this employment at least one month and six days. He states that he performed many other short terms of duty after  after being claimed in his former declaration which services he now declines claiming for. He says he never got a written discharge but the two mentioned above he also says he may be mistake as to the periods of the war when his services were performed but that he has stated the periods to the best of his recollection. That he was not acquainted with any regular officers his services being entirely with the militia. That he has no documentary evidence of his service and that he knows of no living witness by whom he can prove his services. He states that he was born in the county of Bucks in the state of Pennsylvania on the 8th day of May 1763 according to his father's register of ages.
now in his possession that he resided in the county of Surry state of North Carolina at the time of the revolution and about 48 years ago he moved to the county of Henry state of Virginia now the county of Patrick where he has resided ever since and where he now resides.
He is known to Major William Carter of Patrick where he has resided ever since and where he now resides. His neighbors certify to their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution and as to his correctness for veracity. 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 of the United States. and further states that by reason of bodily infirmity he is unable to attend the court that he resides near thirty miles from the court House is old and infirm and no horse to ride and if he had a horse he thinks the fatigue would be too great for him to bear. sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written.
James B. Boyd
Martha Bland JP

William Gorton and Archibald Stuart residing county of Patrick and state of Virginia hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Boyd who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration That we believe him to be 71 years of age and 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 before us this 22nd day of of April 1834
W. Gorton
Arch Stuart
and I the said Justice of the peace as aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the in language to prejudice  together together with the long personal acquaintance I have with the applicant that he was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states and I further certify that William Gorton and Arch Stuart who has signed the preceding certificate are residents in the county of Patrick and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit and that there is no clergyman residing in the neighbourhood of the said applicant certified under my hand and seal this 22nd day of April 1834 and further certify that it appears to me that the applicant is unable to attend Court
Morton Gland
Hon. J. H. P. Bland

State of Virginia,
County of Patrick
Be it known That on the 22 nd day of April 1884 personally appeared before the undersigned a further of the peace in and for the county aforesaid Thomas Cyrus of the county aforesaid a credible person and made oath that about forty five years ago he heard Joseph Boyd (the father of James Boyd the present applicant) say that he was twice drafted in the revolutionary war, and that his son James Boyd the present applicant served both times for him before he was of age to be compelled to serve in his own place and that he has been acquainted with the said James Boyd ever since and fully believes he served as stated in this declaration sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written.
Martin Bland J.D.
Thomas his Cyrus mark
Patrick County to wit
I A. Staples Clerk of the County Court of Patrick County
Certify that Martin Bland, whose signature appears to the foregoing paper is a magistrate of the County aforesaid duly appointed & commissioned according to law. That the said signature purporting to be his is
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of Office this 23 rd day of April 1884
A. Staples

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 192
In reply to your request of _____, for the history of Jas. Boyd , a soldier of the Revolutionary War, the following is taken from the Sol. claim for pension.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     + Fall 1877 + at various times to Oct. + 1781 in all and served 2 yrs. 7 mos. Pvt Jas. Gidens Parker Underwood E. Skellon Martin Armstrong NC   He served 2 times of 3 mos. each as substitute for his father Joseph Boyd  
Battles engaged in, Skirmishes
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Surry Co. NC.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 11, 1832 - at
Residence at date of application, Patrick Co., Va.
Age at date of application, 6 May 8, 1763 in Bucks Co., Pa.
Remarks: There is no family data on file -
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 1 st , 1841.
Sir :
Under the act 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," James Boyd, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond Agency, at the rate of Forty 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. 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William B. Paton
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

15.440 James Boyd Virginia  for 1778 $43 \frac{33}{100}
under Cape Henry General Pendarvis Col. Hutton 1778 1779 1780 1781 1782 1783 1784 1785 1786 1787 1788 1789 1790 1791 1792 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800
Hon: N.H. Claiborne
10.15 28 14 106 10.03 71
79 31 34 1.65
months
3 3 5 11
27 34 63 71 1.34
3 years
111
3 years
3 3 4 2 2 14

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Boyd which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? V. * Has he mentioned 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? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No, two citizens.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No.
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
The applicant must specify his service in conformity with the rule above.

   years m days     Capt Gideon as State Attorney 6   General Jackson as a spy 3   Batt under wood as Volunteer 2   Capt Shiloh as a Volunteer 1 15   Capt Gideon as a Volunteer 1 6 15   2 7 00  

Rev. War
1923, Mar. 28 hist. to W. M. Boyd - EW
12. 269 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 12, 269
James Boyd Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 39
[Arrangement of 1870.]

17.1.2 Boyd Orchard Company
Adairsville, Georgia
Feb. 8, '23
Commissioner of Pensions Revolutionary Section Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Please send me Revolutionary pension data on James Boyd of Patrick county Virginia.
Yours truly W. M. Boyd