Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3194, Spencer Coleman, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Coleman, Spencer
S. 3194
CONTENTS
carded
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

13733  East Tennessee
Spencer Coleman
of Monroe Co in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Francis of the regiment commanded by Col Campbell in the Virginia line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of June 1833 and South Hon  James Standifer Mountairy
Arrears to the 4th of March 66.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept 15 ~
$75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk Book 6 Vol 7 Page 59
See letter 6 Sep 1857 to J. A. Coffin Madisonville Tenn
Note of death recd in 1858

Direct the certifi- cate to
Jamus Hoffman Madisonville Ky. —

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
State of Tennessee } S.S. Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions. Monroe County }
On this 18 th day of December 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, now sitting, Spencer Coleman, a resident of said County of Monroe, aged 80 years and 10 months, 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 was born in King & Queen County Va, where his father remained a year or two after, and then moved to Stafford County Va, where he remained till Applicant was 14 or 15 years old, and then moved to Shenandoah County Va, where Applicant remained till he was 23 years old, or thereabouts, and had married. He then moved to the Seven mile ford in Western Virginia where he remained about one year. During this year, (what year he cannot remember) he was attached to the Company of Capt — Francis — under the Command of Col William Campbell. About the month of May the company to which he belonged, was called out by Col Campbell to go and guard the lead mines, on New River, Va. After said Company had been some time at the mines (which the Tories, had threatened to take possession of,) Col Campbell heard that the Tories were embodied up on New River, about 40 miles above the lead mines, and at the Big Glades, and marched his men to give them battle. When he came within sight of the Tories a short distance of the Tories he encamped, and sent out two spies to ascertain how the Tories were stationed. They fired on the spies, who had to return. Early in the morning, Col Campbell marched his forces, single file, on horse back, against the Tories, who were stationed in a thicket within the glade. When they came near the thicket, a young man came running towards them, and hallowing something which was not heard distinctly. But the

Col ordered a halt, till he came within hearing, when he told them that the Tories were running. The young man was son of a Capt — a Whig, who lived near the Glades, (and who joined Col: Campbell near the Glades) that had been taken prisoner by the Tories. So soon as it was ascertained that the Tories had fled, the troops under Col: Campbell scattered and pursued and indeed came up with but two of them, as they escaped at one side of the thicket, while Col: Campbell was on the other. The company consisted of between 90 and 100; the Tories were much more numerous. While Soon after the Tories were routed Col: Clearland from N.C. arrived, and joined Col: Campbell. Col Clearland took a Tory prisoner, charged with robbing a pedler, whom the soldiers hung, while the Court Martial were sitting on the trial of a prisoner taken by Col: Campbell. Col: Clearland and his men, with Col Campbell in company, then marched down one side of the river, and Col Campbell's forces, under command of Capt — marched down the other side, and met at Waller's bottom. Here many of the Tories surrendered, some have given up before. Col Campbell told his men that they might stay till a sale of the property that had been taken, or go home. Applicant, as his crop was ripening, and no one was at home to attend to it, returned, and never got any part of the proceeds of the sale. He reached home in August, and was gone at least 3 months.
The next winter he moved down to the Wolf hills near Abingdon Va, under command of Col Arthur Campbell, brother of Col William Campbell. The company to which he belonged was called out, shortly after, against the Cherokee Indians, who had been killing & plundering on the frontier. The names of the 2nd towns they destroyed he does not remember, but they were in what is now occupied. He does not remember how long they were out this campaign, but it was somewhat about three months. He was called out against the Indians on the frontier frequently, & was out sometimes a longer and sometimes a period

of but a week or two, under Captains, whose names he disremembers. He also hired a substitute, and paid him, for a three months term of service. Applicant cannot remember any of the names of the officers he served under except the Campbells.
He states that he was, in actual service six months, and, he is confident, much longer but cannot exactly say, as, except the two campaigns mentioned, his service was principally in protecting the frontier, and of short times. He therefore claims for but six months in all.
He has no record of his age; there was one made by his grandfather, but it is lost. He moved shortly after the last campaign he served against the Indians, down to Watonga in what is now Sumner Co., and soon afterwards peace was declared. He then moved down to Big Pidgeon in Cocke County Tennessee, and there lived about 40 years. In 1826 he moved to said County of Monroe where he now lives. He rec d no discharge.
He states that the Rev d George Snider, Thomas Russell, William White James Woody and Brantly Kimbrough are, at present, his neighbors and can testify as to his veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes any 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. He has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person who can testify to his services.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Spencer his Coleman Deaf
Wm. Callaway Clerk
We George Snider a clergyman, residing in Monroe county aforesaid, and Miller Isbell residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Spencer Coleman who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 80 years of age, that he is reputed & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
George Snider
Miller Isbell
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Wm. Callaway Clerk

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 George Snider, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the aforesaid County of Monroe, and that Miller Isbell, who has also signed the same, is a resident, also, in said County of Monroe, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to full credit.
Wm. Bayles
Justices, &c.
Isaac Carter
Launcelot Williamson
I Wm. S. Callaway, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Spencer Coleman for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private seal, having no official seal, this 18th Decr. 1832.
Wm. S. Callaway Clerk
I, James Standifer, Member of Congress, from the District composed of the Counties of Monroe, Mc. Minn &c in the State of Tennessee, certify that Wm. S. Callaway who signed the foregoing certificate is the lawful & acting Clerk of the said County Court, and that said Court is a Court of Record. — and that he has no public seal of office.
James Standifer
(The Dept of War will please forward any communication in reply to James A. Coffin, Madisonville Tenn.)

Amended Declaration of Spencer Coleman, the original having been sworn to on the 18th December 1832. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the County of Monroe, and State of Tennessee, Spencer Cole- man, who being duly sworn, deposes and saith, that by reason of old age, & 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 always as a private soldier, of Infantry never bearing any commission. In the year of 1777 he entered the service for a short space of time against the Indians and Tories. Being on the frontier he was frequently called on, and under Nelson and other Captains, whose names he can not recollect, he served at least three months. (more he has no doubt, by a good deal.) In 1778 he was called out for three months which he served, as a private, under Col. Wm Campbell. - In 1779, (he thinks,) he was called out for three months again which term he served under Col Arthur Campbell. - In all he was in service not less than 9 months, for which he claims a pension.
Sworn & subscribed before me this 25th March 1833 Jeremiah Frazer Justice of the Peace for Monroe County
Spencer Coleman Mark
I W. S. Callaway, Clerk of the County Court of Monroe County, Tennessee, do certify that Jeremiah Frazer before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, and who has certified the same, is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Monroe, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. Given by hand and private seal, having no seal of office, this March 25th 1833. (Over) - W. S. Callaway Clerk

November 8, 1935
Spencer Coleman-S.3194 BA-J/AWF aw
Miss Willie E. Coleman 1205 Volunteer Bldg. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Spencer Coleman who served from Virginia.
The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 3194, based upon the service of Spencer Coleman in the War of the Revolution.
Spencer Coleman was born in King and Queen County, Virginia, date of birth not given nor are the names of his parents shown. When Spencer Coleman was about two years of age, his father moved to Stafford County, Virginia and when he was about fifteen years old, moved to Shenandoah County, Virginia.
Spencer Coleman, while residing in Shenandoah County, Virginia, married when he was about twenty-three years of age and moved to Swen(?) Mile Ford in Western Virginia, and there joined Captain Francis' company, Colonel William Campbell's Virginia regiment, served three months as a private, guarded the lead mines on New Rover and marched to "Big Glades" against the Tories. He served three months under Captain Wilson. He moved near Abingdon, Virginia and served three months in Colonel Arthur Campbell's Virginia regiment out against the Cherokee Indians.
He moved, soon after the close of the Revolution,

to "Big Pidgeon", Cocke County, Tennessee and in 1826, moved to Monroe County, Tennessee.
The skitter , Spencer Coleman, was allowed pension on his application executed, December 18, 1832, then aged eighty-years and ten months and living in Monroe County, Tennessee.
There are no data in this claim concerning the family of Spencer Coleman, other than the reference to his marriage as shown herein.
If you desire information in regard to the last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following:
Spencer Coleman Certificate # 13733 Issued June 8, 1833 Rate $30.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 East Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Spencer Coleman
from 1777 private 9 months $30.
Hon M c Standifin
H. R.
Monroe
20

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Spencer Coleman 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? [Handwritten mark] IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No 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? 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? No but an M.C. certificate

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? Yes 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? Yes 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? Yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
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, deposeh 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.

Rev. Wm
3194
1935-Nov. 8. Supt. to Miss Willie E. Coleman and
INVALID.
File No. 3194
Spencer Coleman Port. Caroline
Act: June 7 th 32
Index: —Vol. A , Page 73
[Arrangement of 1870.]

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
1205 Volunteer Bldg.
October 31, 1935.
Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Please be kind enough to give me a brief account of the Revolutionary pension application of Spencer Coleman who served in the Revolution in Virginia.
I shall appreciate your courtesy.
Yours very truly,
(Miss) Willie E. Coleman
WEC