Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2097, Joseph Coffer, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
or Coffer, Joseph Cofer
R.2097
CONTENTS

State of South Carolina District of Abbeville
On this twenty first day of december 1832 personally appeared before John Scott Justice to keep the peace for the arrest aforesaid, Joseph Cofer a resident of Abbeville district So. Ca, aged 86 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in or der to obtain the benefit of the provi- sion made by act of congress passed June 7 th 1832. — I am not certain what year I enlisted in the army, but recollect it was the 7 th day of October. I was enlisted by 1 st Lieutenant George Wancock in Capt Joseph Pannel's com- pany & served in the regiment command- ed by Col. Starke. When I entered the army of the United States I was a resi- dent of Amherst county in the state of Virginia. — Capt. Miller, Capt. Mosley, Capt. Galt Lincoln, Capt. Elbert, belonged to the same regiment. I did & we were commanded by Genl. Lincoln & Genl. Elbert. The company I was attached to marched to Savannah & arrived there the 7 th of March. I was out in various & upraised scou- ting Parties. I remained near that place over twelve months & then obtained a furlough for three months to return to Virginia to visit my family. — I did so and on my return met with Genl. Butler at Salisbury in North Carolina & marched with him & his nine hundred men living until I

joined the remnants of my company near Augusta Ga - Genl Butler returned to the company I belonged to & several others making in all 446 - were marched to Charleston, where we remained about - three weeks, we were then marched to - where we met with Genl Butler; Heot. Malbary was authorized to raise a company of silver men, & I was chosen one of them & fought under him at the Battle of Stone, marched from there to Beaufort - & then to Augusta, here I obtained another furlough & my term of 3 years enlistment expired about the time the furlough did.
I was promised bounty land when I enlisted, which I have never received. I had a wife & one child at the time of my enlistment.
I hereby relinquish every claim what ever to a pension or anuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.
Sworn to, & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
John Scott, Jr
his Joseph Koffer mark
P.S.
Any information or communication for Mr Koffer will be directed to Oakhous Mills & Hobville District So. Ga.

Further testimony in Joseph Cofer's case to make his declaration more definite —
I entered the service the seventh day of October, (year not positive) Marched to Georgia where I remained until August come a year following, which lacked two months of two years then I received my first furlough for three months, I got it prolonged till Christmas, then I returned and met with the remnant of my company at Golphins (after Savannah fell into the hands of the British) Then we marched to Charleston S. C. Afterwards we fought the Battle of Stone. I am sure I remained in actual service at that time not less than six months longer, which would make all added together two years and four months, But to be more definite and far within bounds, I say two full years sworn this 5 th day of March 1834
Before me
John Scott JP
Joseph his Cofer mark

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 15 th 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Joseph Coffer, Abbeville Co. South Carolina
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     7th October 1800 private Col. Starke Gen. Lincoln Gen. Elbert 86 Ghent Virginia certificate of the court, and of several citizens of their belief in the statement of the applicant.  
Enlisted for 3 years, served over one, obtained a furlough - was absent - joined another corps, and obtained another furlough, which extended to the end of the three years - not definite.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. 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 services. 
6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Handwritten notes: Unco [illegible] of the [illegible] as [illegible] from the [illegible] made [illegible] and for [illegible] the [illegible] given [illegible] and [illegible] for [illegible] Laura [illegible] Court [illegible] of October [illegible] Woodlawn [illegible] B.L.K. [illegible]

The State of South Carolina Abbeville District
I James G. Landlaw, Clerk of the Courts of Session and Common Pleas for the District aforesaid do hereby cer- tify that John Scott before whom the within three affidavits were made who has signed the same as an ac- ting Justice of the Peace in and for the said District that all the facts and credit are to be given to his attestations as such. And that the within signatures pur- porting to be his are genuine Given under my hand and seal at Abbeville Court House this seventh day of October 1833.
J. G. Landlaw Clerk.
The particular place or place, where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent au- thority; 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. [1] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [2] The opinion of the Court is always required. [3] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [4] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pub- lic seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the 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 con- tains the affidavit, or other papers 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. Mode of authenticating papers. Proof of Service. [1] 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 claimant's 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 wit- nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. [2] The notes from (a) to (c) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (1) applies to continental troops only. [3] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases. [4] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [5] The answer to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

South Carolina } Personally came before me John Scott one of Abbeville Dist. } the justices to keep the peace in S d District Thomas Brough Sen d who saith that he is seventy one years of age, being Duly sworn deposeth and saith that he has known Joseph Cofer for the last fifty years past, that he always considered Mr. Cofer, a Revolutionary soldier, that he has good reason to believe, and does truly believe that he was a true Whig, and served in the revolutionary war, And was always recognized as such. — Thos. Brough Before me — John Scott Jp
Also came Jos e Matthews, and likewise saith that he is forty eight years of age, that he has known Joseph Cofer, for upwards of thirty years, that he always understood by Revolutionary characters that Cofer was a good soldier in the Revolutionary war, that he always believed him to be one. — Jos e Matthews Sworn this 5 th day of October Before me John Scott Jp
South Carolina } personally came before me John Scott one Abbeville Dist. } of the justices to keep the peace in S d District John Clark who saith that he is sixty two years of age. Being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he has know Joseph Cofer upwards of forty years; that he always understood by Mr. Cofer, and others who I believe to be Revolutionary men say that Joseph Cofer was a true patriot, and a Revolutionary soldier — Sworn this 5 th October 1833 John Clark Before me John Scott Jp

South Carolina } I hereby certify that the Abbeville District } under named witnesses are Respectable citizens and that their character is entitled to full confidence By Thos Brough Joseph C Mathews & John C Cook Given under my hand & seal this first day of October, 1933
John Scott Jr.
23759
Joseph C. Mathews
Abbeville District
South Carolina
John
...
Disputant, see his 25 Oct. 1933 D. to
Applicant Fallow's will South Carolina

Acts of July 14, 1802, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
2097
P. O.
Joseph Coffey
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O.
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Catharine Miles 24 th April 1834
Mr Robert H. H. H. H.
Farther testimony in Joseph Coppers case
J. L. Edwards — Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Department of War Pension Office October 28-1882.
Sir
Your claim for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832, has been suspended, and can receive no further action until you shall have adduced some further proof of your service, and stated definitely what portion of the period of three years you was in actual service. -
I am respectfully Your obedt Servant J L Edwards
Joseph Coffer Esq Cachan's Mills D.R. Cav

Orange Hill South Carolina
12. May 1853.
Sir,
The application of Joseph Coffey for a pension was suspended some years ago. Since which time both he and his wife have died, leaving children and grand children. Will you do me the favor to say which is the cause of the suspension, and whether a grand child will represent its parent in the distribution of the pension?
Very respectfully your obed. Servt. Armistead Buel.
Hon. Mr. Waldo. Comm. of Pensions.

Joseph Koffer - Cl. 5097 Suspended Dec 23rd 1892 at 10 - 11 am at the office of the President of the Company John J. Gorman Atty

The State of South Carolina } James Wardlaw, Clerk Abbeville District } of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the District of Abbeville aforesaid do hereby certify, that John Scott before whom the foregoing declaration was made is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said District, and that the signature annexed thereto is the genuine signature of the said John Scott.
Given under my hand and seal of Office at Abbeville Court House this ninth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three and in the fifty seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America.
J. Wardlaw Clerk.
South Carolina } Abbeville Dist. }
We whose names are hereunto subscribed do certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Cooper whose name is signed to the above declaration. We believe him to have been a soldier in the revolutionary war. Some of us have known Mr. Cooper for 30 & 40 years and we believe him to be the age he represents himself to be.
James Calhoun Jas Calhoun J. D. Mathews G. D. Mathews

from 2 page - first line joined the remnant of my company, this company was dispersed at Savannah, when the British took that place, I never could write, nor read write. Therefore I could not keep a record of any thing that took place, I know of no man living that served with me, I never got a regular discharge, I have to refer to memory for every thing that transpired, and it has failed me. V.C. Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a justice of the peace, Joseph Coper, 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 time his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than three years as a private, and for such service I claim a pension.
John Scott Jr
Joseph Coper mark
The Hon. Lewis Cass Secretary of War Washington City Pension Bureau  23759 216
Calhoun's Mills S.C.