Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9206, Sterling Cooper, Va.

SERVICE
Va.
Cooper, Sterling
NUMBER
S. 9206 B.L.H. 31895-160-55
CONTENTS
[Lined area for contents entry]
[Lined area for contents entry]

Virginia
Sterling Cooper
Man here in the State of Virginia who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Cunningham of the Regt. commanded by Genl. Muhlenberg in the Virginia Militia for two years from 1778
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of Eighty Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of December 1832 and sent Hon. M c Clintock H. B.
  Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832  120 00    Semi-annual allowance ending 1 March 1833  40 00     160 00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Henry B. Sylvestre Clerk
Book D. Vol. 7 Page 94
Rev 3 mar 55-186030

186030, at 3 March July 9/58
James D. Cooper Minor child of  James D. Sterling Cooper Prisoner — Wa. young
1861-1865 Revolutionary War
va Line 32-2842 ED: 160 ac, p. 28/56. B. J. D.
1861 H. G. Hawk Present
Vol. 62-27. 2

Starting Cooper Dec 1 st

Virginia Franklin County Set
On this 5 day of November 1832 personally appeared before the county court of Franklin now sitting Sterling Cooper 79 years old a resident of the county of State aforesaid, who was born according to the family register, 20 th June 1780 in Amelia County Virginia who being first sworn according to law on his oath doth make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832 that in the war of the revolution in 1777 or 1778, he cannot say which, he entered as a substitute for Serjant  Private  Walker in Livingston  Living burg County Va, in the regular army for the term of eighteen months, under Capt William Cunningham, and marched to Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, where he was attached to the 14 th Va Regiment under Genl William Muehlingburg. The whole commanded by Genl Washington, that while in service he was in the battle of Monmouth, that having served out his term faithfully & honorably he was discharged by Genl Washington and returned home that in the year 1780 he enlisted or enrolled himself to serve three months under Capt Thomas Ship, to guard a magazine in Mechingburg County Va, that he enlisted in said county and served said three months faithfully and was discharged soon after there being a call for troops, soon after there being a call for troops he went from Livingburg as a substitute for a man of the name of Hammock, the company he belonged to was commanded Capt Wm Hays his brother Robert Hayes was the Lieut, he was marched to a place called the Seven Bridges, in Nansemond County Va at Seven Bridges Col d Downman commanded all the troops there assembled, he served the full term of three months & was then discharged, on returning home to Livingburg county where he then resided he was drafted and marched in a company commanded by Captain Jones and marched from place to place in Virginia like he joined the main Army

under Genl Washington and was a York town at the Surrender of Genl Earl Cornwallis to the Americans and French Armies, that soon after he was dis- charged after a service of about three months - That soon after the war he moved to Franklin County, where he at present resides, for his character in every respect he refers to the court and the people among whom he has so long resided and to a Elisha Arnold of Henry County Va a man of great respectability who knew him while he was serving his country, he has no discharges or other documentary evidence if he had such & he sup- poses he has had them they are lost or mislaid he hereby relinquishes all 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 Sterling Cooper Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
We Mary Grew Jr. a clergyman residing in Franklin County Virginia and Nathl Blackburn residing in same County & State, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Sterling Cooper, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Seventy two years old that he is reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution in the neighbourhood where he resides, and that we concur in that opinion, Mary Grew Jr Nathl Blackburn Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

And the said Court doth hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the said applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and the said Court doth further certify that Moses Green Jr is a clergyman in the said County of Franklin and that Nathaniel H Claiborne who has also signed the preceding Certificate is a citizen residing in the said County, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Virginia to Wit
I Caleb Tate Clerk of Franklin County Court of Liberty certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sterling Cooper for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said Court this 21 st day of November 1832 in the 57 th year of our foundation
Caleb Tate Clerk "

Yrs 186030
Act March 3 rd 1855.
James S. Cooper Minor Child of Sterling Cooper Decd. a late Revolutionary Pensioner Under the Act 7 th June 1832.
Virginian Agency.
Security Lend.
Has never rec d . land.
206
Hamilton S. Hunt Washington D.C.

State of Virginia } County of Franklin } ss.
On this 12 th day of June 1855 before me a Justice of the peace for the aforesaid County and State, personally appeared George Cooper a resident of said County & State aged 64 Years who being first duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the Guardian of James D. Cooper, the Minor child of Sterling Cooper deceased a late Revolutionary Soldier and Pensioner, that said Sterling Cooper was more than twenty Years ago pensioned under the act of June 7 th 1832 at the rate of Eighty dollars ($80) per annum for two years service as a private in the Virginia Militia in the War of the Revolution with Great Britain, resided in the County of Franklin State of Virginia, and died therein or about the 9 th day of January in the year 1836 leaving them surviving the following named children viz: Frances William Langton George W. Sterling Herbert Benjamin S. Louisa M. Charity M. Sarah R. & the said James D. Cooper and that the said James D. Cooper being now 20 Years of age is the only surviving Minor child of said Sterling Cooper. Dec d that said Sterling Cooper left no widow who is now alive. He further declares, that he makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which the said Minor child may be entitled under the act passed the 3 rd March 1855.
He also declares, that he has never received nor applied for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress except as above. William A Dickinson of Pittsylvania County Virginia is authorized to prosecute this claim, and to receive any Warrant that may be issued
George Cooper Guardian of J. D. Cooper.

Personally Came. John Finney and Charles Hunt residents of Franklin County in the State of Virginia who upon Oath declare that they are personally well acquainted with James D. Cooper that he is now 20 years of age and was 20 years of age on the third day of March 1853 and that he is the only surviving Minor child of Sterling Cooper decd. who was a Revolutionary Pensioner at $80. per annum & who died in the County of Franklin State of Virginia on the 9 th day of January 1836 leaving no widow who is now alive, that they are also well acquainted with George Cooper, and saw him sign the foregoing declaration, and know him to be the identical person therein represented. Namely, the legally constituted Guardian of said James D. Cooper, and that they have no interest in this Claim.
John Finney (Seal) Charles Hunt (Seal)
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me this 12 th day of June 1853 and I certify that I know the Claimant to be the person he represents himself to be. that I know the witnesses to be Credible persons. & that I have no interest in this Claim.
Robert Prunty J.
State of Virginia County of Franklin ss.
I Robert A. Scott Clerk of the County Court of the aforesaid County and State do hereby certify that Robert Prunty Esquire before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made, is and was, at the time

of taking the same, an acting justice of the peace Wichita and for the County and State aforesaid, duly Commissioned and qualified, and that his signature above is genuine, and I do also certify that it appears from the records of said Court that George Cooper is the legally constituted guardian of Francis O'Cooper, who is a Minor Child of Sterling Cooper, Deed? a late Revolutionary Prisoner at 80 years of age.
Witness my hand & Seal of Office on this 21 st day of June 1853
No. A. Scott clk.

Sterling Cooper pa.
from 1778 private 2 years. $80.
admitted
76a N.H. Blackburn.
1. State the service, as reflected in the court records. 2. How old is he? 3. If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is entitled to both interest? 4. Was the application made before a Court or a judge? 5. If so, in the State of 6. (See also June, 1888.)
Examination Clerk. 1. Is the applicant supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionally established facts? 2. Are the papers submitted as to form of application and as to what respect? 3. Is it the fact that the foregoing statement and the annexed papers with the evidence in the case above are correct? 4. Is it the fact that the foregoing statement and the annexed papers with the evidence in the case above are correct? 5. Is it the fact that the foregoing statement and the annexed papers with the evidence in the case above are correct?

BRIEF in the case of  Sterling Cooper  of Washington Co in the State of Pa.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Subst In 1777. 8 1 6 pr Gen. Cunningham 14th Regt   enlist d 1780 3 Capt The Ship.   Subst. 3 Wm Hays   disch d about 3 James  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Lebanon Co Pa  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
on Roll, Traditional
 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? defective  peculiar of some no specific 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. H. G.
Examining Clerk.

February 8, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS Sterling Cooper, S. 9206
Mrs. A. H. Bishop 520 North 5th Street Arkansas City Kansas
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Sterling Cooper.
He was born June 20, 1760, in Amelia County, Virginia. The names of his parents were not given.
While a resident of Lunenburg County, Virginia, he enlisted in 1777 or 1778 and served eighteen months as private in Captain Cunningham's Virginia company and was in the battle of Monmouth. He enlisted in 1780 and served three months as private in Captain Thomas Ship's Virginia company. Soon afterward he enlisted and served three months as private in Captain William Hayes' company in Colonel Downman's Virginia regiment. He next enlisted and served about three months as private in Captain Jones' Virginia company and was at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 5, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Franklin County, Virginia, having moved there soon after the Revolution.
He died January 9, 1836, in Franklin County, Virginia, and was survived by the following children: Frances, William Langston, George W., Sterling Herbert, Benjamin F., Louisa M. Charity M., Sarah R., and James D. who was born March 3, 1835.
The name of the soldier's wife was not given but it was stated that she was not living in 1855.

In 1855 one George Cooper of Franklin County, Virginia, aged sixty-four years, stated that he was the guardian of James D. Cooper, the minor child of Sterling Cooper, the soldier, but he did not state that he was identical with the soldier's son, George W. Cooper.
There are no further data relative to the soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

The affadavit of Elisha Arnold of Lawpse age after being sworn on the holy Evangelist of Almighty God. deposith and sayeth that on his (Elisha Arnold's) return from the continental army in the year 1778 he met Sterling Cooper in the state of Maryl- -nd on his way to join the continental army at Valleyforge and that to his knowledge the s d Cooper was gone some considerable time from home as we were both raised boys together and lived neighbors together after Coopers return and this affiant further sayeth not
Elisha Arnold -
Franklin County to wit
Subscribed and sworn to before Thomas S. Keen a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid this 8 th September 1832
Thos S Keen J.P.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Sterling Cooper which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 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? yes  yes 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 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? yes

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? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?
Traditional evidence  XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes
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? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? to 7th and 8th
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 the 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.
†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 authenticated 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 end 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.

Act 3 d March 1855.
Hon. S. P. Waldo Com te of Pensions
1860.30.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section M.A.
December 10, 1925
Mrs. Martin Martin 122 W. Third St. Anaconda, Montana
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 9206, it appears that STERLING COOPER was born June 20, 1760, in Amelia County, Virginia.
He enlisted in Lunenburg County, Virginia, in 1777 or 1778 and served eighteen months as private in Captain Cunningham's Virginia Company; he was in the battle of Monmouth. He enlisted in 1780 and served three months as private in Captain Thomas Ship's Virginia Company. Soon afterward he enlisted and served three months as private in Captain William Hayes' Company, Colonel Downman's Virginia Regiment.. He then enlisted and served about three months as private in Captain Jones' Virginia Company; he was at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 5, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Franklin County, Virginia. He died in said county January 9, 1836, leaving the following children: Frances, William Langston, George W., Sterling Herbert, Benjamin F., Louisa M., Charity M., Sarah R., and James D. who was born March 3, 1835.

The name of the soldier's wife is not on record.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

122-West Third St., Anaconda Montana.
November 3-1925
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington D. C.
My great grandfather, Sterling Cooper, was granted a pension in 1835; at this time he was living in Franklin Co., Virginia. His service during the Revolutionary War was in Virginia.
Will you please furnish me with a copy of his application papers, also giving any family data they may contain, and let me know your charge for this service.
Yours truly,
Mrs. Martin Martin

Aransas City Texas Jan 25 th 1934 Section Pension Dept. of Rev. Soldier Record Washington D.C. Gentlemen —
Will you kindly advise me of the Rev. war pension issued to Sterling Cooper , of Franklin Co. Va. He was placed on pension rolls Dec 7 th 1832 Commencement of pension March 4 th 1831 aged 74 years. He was a member of Va. militia & was allowed L.B. for 3 yrs service in Continental line as private by Gov. John Floyd, I am most desirous of learning all family data given in his application or granting of this pension, especially, the names of his wife and children & parents if given.
Thanking you kindly, I am sincerely, Mrs. A. H. Bishop #520 North 5 th St. Aransas City Texas .

Rev May ✓
9206
INVALID.
1924 Feb. 8. List. to Mrs. A. H. Bishop McA.
File No. 9206
Sterling Cooper Tri New War
Act: June 1st 82
Index:—Vol. 1st , Page 75
[Arrangement of 1870.]