Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1,910, James Cheshier, Va.

SERVICE
U.S.
Cheshire, James
NUMBER
R. 1910
CONTENTS
Blank lined area for contents entry
Blank lined area for contents entry

State of Illinois Fayette County ss
On this 25 th day of December 1843 personally appeared before the Probate Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid James Chesier a resident of said County of Fayette aged ninety four years and upward, 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 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as here-in stated (viz) he served in the time of the Revolutionary War in Prince William County State of Virginia - and he served five lawful tours of three months each the particular dates of which he is unable to state - The first tour was shortly after the Battle of Bunkerhill the first militia that was called into service from that part of Virginia. The militiamen were clapped and he belonged to class No one he was called out and served under Capt William Farrow. They were marched to Leesburg where they were stationed
after which he was drafted and served four other tours one of which was under the said William Farrow - one under Capt Luke Cannon - one under Capt John Hedges and one under Capt Samuel Love - one of his Lieutenants was named Robert Hedges - another by the name of Overhall
He served under Col Lee and under Genl Harry Lee one tour the troops to which he belonged were called the northern troops - and they were attached to Genl Greene's army and was marched into South Carolina to a place called Long Island
He was in the following battles. at Brandywine - at the Cowpens - at old Williamsburg - and at Gates defeat
He was in service at the time Corn Wallis was taken was on his march to that place - The time he was marched into South Carolina he was at the hanging rock - but not until the

battle was over. he was kept in service this tour several weeks after his regular tour had expired. he had got his discharge and was on his way home at the time of the Battle at Guilford Court house - and the fifth day after he got home he was drafted to go the tour to Little York where Corn Wallis was taken at the expiration of each tour he got a discharge and a certificate from his officers. which he preserved untill about thirty six years ago - on Christmas eve. his house was burnt at which time they were destroyed
he has no documentary evidence by which to prove his service nor does he know of any person living whose testimony he can procure to prove his service
one other short tour he thinks proper to mention - The British had set fire to and burnt Bruns buildings at the mouth of Quantico - The militia were called out in mass. they drew arms at Dumfries and were in service a few days and were discharged (or dismissed without a discharge untill further orders)
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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before me Israel Lee P.P.P. James Cheskie mark
We Rutherford Shelton, John Lansford & Harrison D. Herdife serjeants of Fayette County Ill certify that we are well acquainted with James Cheskie who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 94 years of age that he is reputed and believed to be a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed this 25 day of December 1843
Before me Israel Lee P.P.P. John Lansford James Cheskie mark Harrison D. Herdife Rutherford Shelton mark

and the said Probate Justice of the peace does hereby declare his 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 I further certify that it appears to me that Rutherford, Shelton, John Lansford, and Harrison G. Hargis, who have signed the preceding certificate, are credible persons residing in this County, and that their statements entitled to credit - and I certify that on account of the age and infirmity of the said James Chesher, I have waited on him at his residence some 12 miles from my office.
Given under my hand and private seal, no official seal being provided as yet for this office. This 25 th December 1843
question - Is it not true that you are a soldier of the War Department? answer - Yes, I am a soldier of the War Department.
question - Where and in what year were you born?
answer - In Prince William County, Va. in 1749.
question - Have you any record of your age?
answer - Not any, from information of my parents I was born
question - Where were you living when called into service - when have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you live now?
answer - In Prince William County, Virginia - since then in Halifax and Henry Counties, Va. and now in Fayette County Ill.
question - How were you called into service - were you drafted - did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? answer - I was drafted.
question - State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the Troops when you served - such continental and militia Regiments as you can recollect. answer - I recollect - Genl Lee
Genl Green. Genl Lafayette and Genl Washington - Col Lee - Col Morgan
question - Did you receive a discharge and by whom was it given? answer - I received discharges for every tour. Signed by my

Captain, which were destroyed by fire 36 years ago when my house was burnt
question State the names of persons in your present neighbourhood to whom you are known - who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution
answer Messrs Rutherford Shelton - Isham Lanford and Harrison High
question. This law, allowing pensions, was passed eleven years ago what are your reasons for not making application sooner answer Two or three reasons. I had removed from the place where I was known, had got all my papers burnt and I did not know how to prove my service - I thought I could live without it as long as I was able to work - a man by the name of Williams once offered to get me a pension for half but I thought his proposal not a fair one
State of Illinois
Fayette County ss
I James M Berry Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of Fayette County do hereby certify that Asahel Lee whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Certificate, is and was at the time of signing the same, Probate Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Fayette aforesaid, duly Commissioned and qualified; and that full faith and credit are due to all his Official acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Vandalia this 26 th day of December A.D. 1843
J. M. Berry Clerk
35690

July 10, 1917
Miss W. Beardsley, 619-625 Citizens Natl. Bank Bldg., Los Angeles, California.
Madam:
In response to your letter of the thirtieth ultimo, you are advised that in the claim R. File No. 1910, Rev. War, it appears that James Cheshier was born in 1749, in Prince William County, Virginia, and resided there at enlistment.
In an application for pension executed December 25, 1843, while a resident of Fayette County, Illinois, he alleged that he served five tours of three months, dates not stated, under Captains William Farrow, Luke Cannon, John Hedges and Samuel Love, and Colonel Lee, Virginia Militia; that he was in the following battles: Brandywine, Gates' defeat, Williamsburg, Cowpens and Yorktown. His claim was not allowed, on account of lack of proof of the alleged services, as required by the Act of June 7, 1832, under which he applied.
There is no data relative to family, on file in the claim.
Very respectfully,
After Res. in Halifax & Henry Cos, Va & in Del.
J. M. Sattergaber
Commissioner.

Carroll Illinois 9 th January 1844
Sir
I send you herewith the declaration of James Chesier, who claims under the act of the 7 June 1832 - being undeclared he cannot recollect dates as required by the regulations. I can only say for him that he is a member of the Baptist Church - seems to be conscientious - and I cannot doubt but he served in the Revolutionary War sufficient to entitle him to a pension.
When you can give his case your attention - let me hear from you Respectfully your Most servt
Daniel Hey
James L Edwards Esq Washington City

Mr
335 Sen off Aug 19 th 44
The unsupported declaration of James Chestard has been examined & filed - This appears to be the first objection of his claim which has been delayed during a rapid diminution of the means of proof without shewing the circumstances which have prevented from setting it forth when the sur- -vivors in & about Prince William Co. Va could have fortified it -
The period length & grade - names of officers stating &c of no one toget have been set forth as the rules require - and there must be some mistake in the statement that on the 5 day after he returned from one of his tours (having heard of the battle of Guilford on his way home) he was drafted to go to Yorktown &c
The drafts for Yorktown were made in Aug & Sept & the battle of Guilford was in March 1781 - This is merely noted to shew that his own statement cannot be relied upon

as the recollections of an unimpaired memory - and must therefore not only conform to the regulations in specifying the particulars of each tour but should be supported by the best attainable evidence
H. H. S. Webster
Aug 19
H. H. S. Webster Esq Charlestown N.H.

(35.690)
James Chesher
Illinois
Act 7. June '32
see Set. to H.H. Sylvester. Aug. 19. 1844
1910

REJECTED
1917, July 10. History to Miss W. Beardsley. J.H.
1910
P. O. _____
James Cheshire
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

351190
Jan'y 20 1844 NEW BEDFORD
See James Schukine 7 June 1832
James J. Church Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Rev
A. A. Clarke

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June 30, 1917-
Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.-
Sirs:-
James Cheshire applied for a Pension from Illinois according to my understanding. His record kindly furnish as to service claimed by him in the Revolutionary War, and whether he was ever granted a pension. This is needed in the preparation of some papers. Likewise,
William Sutton served in the Revolutionary War from Virginia. Did he receive a pension; if so what services were they granted for.
Thanking you for whatever facts you may be able to give of services claimed by these men or other data, for my papers, I am
Respectfully yours,
Moss W. Beardsley
Send reply to above address, please-