Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30965, John Collinsworth, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
va.
Collinsworth, John
S 30965
CONTENTS

Illinois 7251 East Tennessee to
see let to Pen agt at Knox ville E. T. 26th Feby 1834
Transf. from East Tennessee to Illinois - 2 nd May 1834. for 4 th Sep. 1833. - Notification sent to Pensioner, Lebanon, St. Clair Illinois.
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 4 th March to 6 th April 1838. Agt Notified 23 rd May 1843
John Collinsworth
of Granger Co in the State of E. T. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Lee of the Regt commanded by Col Gibson in the Virginia line for two years
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of March 1833 and sent to Wm. G. Locke C.C. Granger Co Tenn
Arrears to the 4 th of March 1833 160.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st Sept 40.00 $200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk Book 8 Vol. 7 Page 39

State of Tennessee
Trangier County 3 On this 13 th day of October 1832 personally appeared before the Honorable Samuel Powell Judge of the Circuit Court of Trangier County in the State of Tennessee John Kollensworth a resident of the County of Trangier County in the State of Tennessee aged sixty nine 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1776 with Lieutenant as a substitute for Edmund Kollensworth my brother Wiscatt, and went to Alexandria (now in the District of Columbia) where I joined Capt John Lee in the marine service, on board the ship of war Liberty, commanded by Capt Walter Brooks afterwards Commodore Brooks where I remained for one year after the expiration of said term of service I enlisted in the land service for three years under Capt John Lee was at Norfolk in the state of  in Virginia Virginia. He states that he first joined the service under Capt Lee sometime in the Spring  Winter of 1776 the precise time not recollected previous to his joining the Marine Corps. He states further that he entered the land service same time in the Spring of 1777 under Capt Lee the precise time not recollected - and that the first State regiment was made up
He further states that in the year 1776 my brother Edmund Kollensworth went to a muster in the County of Culpeper State of Virginia where there was a Lieutenant Wiscatt who was a recruiting officer enlisting soldiers for the term of two years in the Continental volunteer companies. The said Edmund enlisted and took the bounty. When he returned home and thought of what he had done he did not like it.

I stated to my father that I would take his place and I did so. When the company was made up it was put under the command of Capt John Lee from Culpepper County Virginia we were directed to march to Alexandria (now in the District of Columbia) on the Potomac river where I joined the marine service on board the sloop of War Liberty Commanded by Capt. afterwards, Commodore Walter Brook, where I remained for one year. In the year 1777 I volunteered for three years in the Land service under the before-mentioned Capt John Lee then the first state regiment was made up and marched off under the command of Col George Gibson and joined General Washington's army at the Valley Forge on Skury's Creek near. The said State regiment was attached to General Muhlenberg's Brigade early in the month of June 1778. The army left Valley Forge and came up with the British army at Monmouth and on the 28 th day of June 1778 Gen Lee commanding the rear of the American troops was ordered by the Commander-in-Chief to attack the retreating enemy Instead of obeying the order he conducted in an unworthy manner and greatly inconvenienced the arrangements of the day. The battle was fought on the 28 th day of June 1778 and lasted all day. I was in the engagement all day. At night the British left the field and moved on to Sandy Hook where they took shipping. From thence the army marched on through the Jersey and nothing more took place worthy of notice until the battle of Stony Point, which was taken by the American army on the night of the 15 th of July 1779 Gen Muhlenberg's Brigade was ordered to draw near to the fort to cover a retreat if it should be necessary. As Gen Wayne had lost some of his men orders were given to fill up the Brigade I volunteered a few days

after the Battle of Stony Point and joined Genl Wayne and went on with said troops to Sandy Beach on the North river (a Hudson river) After we left Stony Point it was taken possession of by the British and in a short time after I was ordered to take three men and reconnoitre the fort which was fifteen miles off and to report any discovery I ought make I accordingly reconnoitred the fort but discovered nothing of importance and then returned to Sandy Beach  Beck after an absence of one day and night I remained at Sandy Beach in Genl Wayne's Brigade until I was discharged in the year 1780. I returned home and in the year 1781 I went to Montgomery County Virginia and just before the battle of Kings Mountain I volunteered with two drafted Companies commanded by Capt Stephen Gregg and Capt. Parris. Majr Clayd commanded the men We marched on to join the army that fought at Kings Mountain We had got within one or two day's march when word was brought the battle was over. On the same night an express came that there were two hundred Tories to crop the of  of soldiers on the next morning and we marched on to meet them. We met and fought and conquered them 16 or 17 of the enemy were killed and wounded. Capt's Burk and Parris their leaders were killed and we lost but one man. I then returned from the army.
I was also engaged in the last campaign against the Cherokees Indians which was the last campaign against them.
We hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity whatever except the present and declare that it is not  it is not on the pension roll of any agency of any State known to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Wm E. Cooke Clerk By D. Barton D.C. John Collinsworth

Robert Loyd
We John Cooke Samuel French residing in the County of Greenup State of Kentucky hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Collenworth who has subscribed and assented to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of revolutionary war and that we concurs in that opinion herein to and subscribed this 12 th day of October 1833
John E. Cooke Clerk By N. Barton D.C.
John Cooke Samuel French Robert F. Loyd

John Collinsworth's (Declaration)
15540.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinions after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as his state. And the Court further certifies that and who have signed the above certificate are residents of the County of Greenlee and State of Tennessee and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I William E Cooke clerk of the circuit court for Greenlee County in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of John Coleman work for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this office this 22 nd day of October 1832 William E. Cooke Clerk By his deputy D. Barton
Question propounded by the court &c. Question Where and in what year were you born Answer I was born in Culpepper County Virginia in the year 1763. Question Have you any record of your age if so where is it. Answer I have no record of my age to be come at now. Question Where were you living when you entered the service when have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live

Answer When I entered the service I was living in Culpeper County Virginia and have lived principally in Vermilion since the Revolutionary war and I now live in Greene County near Farmville
Question How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom Answer I entered the service as a substitute for Edmund Collinsworth in the Continental army.
Question State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer. Regular Officers Genl George Washington Genl Wayne Genl Muhlenberg Genl Morgan Genl Lee Col George Gibson Lt Genl M'Call and Genl Trefil. I do not recollect any of the Continental or Militia regiments and as to the circumstances of my service I refer to my declaration.
Question Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
Answer I did receive a discharge but by whom it was given I cannot now recollect as it has been lost many years ago.
Question State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and whom can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier in the revolution.
Answer Michael Mapenzill Col Samuel Bunch Maj Genl John Locke

No 15546-
John Collinsworth
Granger County
Tennessee
on State Roll as a married private on Roll
from 1777 private 3 years $80.
William Cook Jr
Granger County Court
Tennessee

BRIEF in the case of John Collensworth of Granger County in the State of Tennessee (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 69  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. As a Gen.     In 1776 1 Marine Gen. Scott Capt Lee - Capt Brooks   Enlisted 1776 3 Private Capt Lee Col. G. Gibson  Halley line   1777. " "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Culpeper Co Va  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not connected as regulations require 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Dyer Castor
Examining Clerk.

January 23, 1936.
Miss Daisy L. Whiteside Route 2, Belleville, Illinois.
BA-J/ILL John Collinworth S. 30965
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of John Collingsworth of Virginia, who died in St. Clair County, Illinois, Benjamin Medbury (Medberry) who was born 1718, died 1795 and married Sarah Kimball, and Absalom Pennington who was born in 1753 in Virginia and died in 1836 or 1837 in St. Clair County, Illinois, said to have been a pensioner for war service.
A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service of the above noted Benjamin Medbury, nor of any Absalom Pennington; various spellings of the surnames have been searched. The record of John Collinworth is furnished herein as found in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 30965, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Collinworth was born in the year 1763, in Culpeper County, Virginia, and lived there with his father during the period of the Revolutionary War; the names of his parents are not shown.
He enlisted in the spring of 1776 in Captain John Lee's Virginia company, marched to Alexandria, Virginia, entered there as a marine on board the sloop of war, "Liberty", commanded by Captain Walter Brooks and remained one year. This service was rendered as substitute for his brother, Edmund Collinworth, also of Culpeper County, Virginia. John Collinworth enlisted in the spring of 1777, near Norfolk, Virginia, served as private in Captain John Lee's company, Colonel George Gibson's Virginia regiment, joined the army at Valley Forge, was in the battle of Monmouth, marched through

New Jersey, thence, after the battle of Stony Point, to "Sandy Beach" ( on the Hudson, or on North River) and continued to serve until sometime in 1780. John Collinsworth returned to Culpeper County, Virginia. Afterwards, he went into Montgomery County, Virginia, volunteered, shortly before the battle of King's Mountain, served as private under Captains Stephen Trigg and "Barris", under Major Gloyd, marched towards King's Mountain but did not reach there at the battle, but was in the engagement with the Tories when they crossed the Adkin River. After his return to Culpeper County, Virginia, he was engaged in the campaign against the Cherokee Indians, officers and length of this service not shown.
The soldier moved from Culpeper County, Virginia, to Grainger County, Tennessee.
John Collinsworth was allowed pension on his application executed October 13, 1832, at which time he resided in Grainger County, Tennessee. In January 1834, he had moved from there to St. Clair County, Illinois. He stated that he had moved there "for the purpose of making better provision for his family" but he did not give the names of any members of that family. His post office in 1834 was Lebanon, Illinois.
John Collinsworth died September 6, 1838, in St. Clair County, Illinois.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

30965 INVALID. Ray
1936-Jan. 23 - Hint. to Miss Daisy L. Whitehead - J.L.L.
File No. 30,965
John Collinsworth Rev War
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index: —Vol. 2 , Page 88
[Arrangement of 1870.]

John Collingworth of Hlevin
appl n for Transfer 12 Feb. 1834
see let to Rev. A. G. Knoxville E. Tennessee
26 th Feb 1834
sent him R.R. copy of the above on 9 th April 1834
Telegraph Office January 28
Edward Lloyd
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Rev.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Ollensworth 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? He 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? Yes
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? No
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? No
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.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
May 8 th , 1843.
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," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The adm on of John Collinworth, dec d , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Illinois — Agency, at the rate of — eighty — Dollars and — 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 6 th Sept. 1838,
Respectfully yours,
Edward B. Parsons Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) ST. CLAIR COUNTY, SS. }
I JOHN HAY, Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court of the
said county of St. Clair (and ex officio recorder of civil Commis- sions,) do hereby certify, that Sam W. Roman Esquire, the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was at the time of executing the same an acting Justice of the Peace of said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and to all such his official acts, full faith and credit, are and ought to be given.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said
Court at Belleville this twenty eighth day
of January in the year of our
Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty four — and of the
Independance of the United States of America, the fifty eight th.
John Hay
to ex and Peace

State of Illinois S s .
St. Clair County S s .
This is to certify that the within named John Collensworth, who executed the foregoing certificate is the identical individual described in the said affidavit. Given under my hand and seal at Lebanon this Eighteenth day of January A.D. 1834.
Thomas Taylor
To all it may concern know ye
That Mr. Thomas Taylor who this day signed and sworn to the above certificate is considered a man of veracity: and his evidence is entitled to due credence - Given under my hand and seal this Eighteenth day of Jan'y 1834.
A. H. Roman (Jus. Peace)

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of St Clair  St of Illinois ss.
On this Eighteenth day of January A.D. 1838 before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of St Clair personally appeared John Collinsworth who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain John Lee in the Regiment commanded by Colonel George Gibson in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Tennessee from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of Illinois where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Tennessee to Ill. To Wit for the purpose of making a better provision for his family
Sworn and subscribed to, before me, } the day and year aforesaid. }
John Collinsworth
W. H. Norman Just. Peace
¶ The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrates, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The county Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
¶ The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the Pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify, that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.

War Department, Pension Office, 20 th Oct. 1823.
Sir,
In answer to your letter of the 8 th instant, respecting the claim of John Collingsworth to a pension, I have to state, that it does not appear from our records, that it was ever before presented to this Department. But if it had been, a pension could not have been allowed him on account of service in Col. George Gibson's regiment, as that regiment did not belong to the continental establishment. The law of the 18 th of March 1818, provides for those only who served on that establishment.
I am, respectfully, W. O. St. L. J. L. Edwards
W. G. Blount, Esq. Knoxville, Tenn.

John Collingsworth , born Virginia; moved to Claiborne Co., Tenn.; later moved to St. Clair Co., where he died (date not known).
Wanted: all available data, including names of wife and children; dates of birth, death and marriage of John Collingsworth and of his wife; also, his service in Amer. Revolution.
Daisy L. Whiteside, R. 2, Belleville, Ill.

Benjamin Medbury (Medberry) of Rhode Island; b 1718; died 1795; married (2nd) Sarah Kimball.
one in file is son of Benj - b. 1759-61 Wanted: his service in the American Revolution.
Daisy L. Whiteside, R. 2, Belleville, Ill.

Absalom Pennington ; born Virginia, 1752; died St. Clair Co., Illinois, 1836 or 1837; said to have been pensioned for back pay for war service; married Marjorie Perkins.
Wanted: his service in American Revolution, and other data.
Daisy L. Whiteside, R. 2, Belleville, Ill.

BELLEVILLE CHAPTER BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS
R. 2, January 2, 1936.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C. Gentlemen:
Will you kindly send me the information requested on the enclosures, if your records have such data, for applicants for membership in the society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and greatly oblige
Encl. 2
Yours very truly, (Miss) Daisy L. Whiteside, Registrar.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Collis William GRADE Private LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11031 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED August 14, 1795 to Francis Sherrard, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.