Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 2504, Michael Crooks, Va.

SERVICE
Ha.
Brooks, Michael
NUMBER _____
R 2504
CONTENTS

V 34.597 Michael Brooks Indiana
Hon. John Ewing Kincennes Indiana

State of Louisiana Parish of Orleans
On this 30th day of September Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-eight personally appeared in open court before the Circuit Court of Knox County now sitting Michael Brooks a resident of Knox County in the said State aged Seventy Eight years who being first duly sworn deposes to the fact that on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits 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 herein stated. That he was born near Philadelphia Pa in the year 1780 and from thence when a youth with his parents first removed to Loudoun and then to Berkeley County Virginia. That at Shepherdstown (Berkeley Co Virginia) in January 1781 he enlisted in the Continental service for three years - the officer who enlisted him was Capt Henry Behringer or Behringer of the regular army. I had no Colonel. That he remained with Col Major Gray and Captain Kirkpatrick commanded under General Washington. (does not recollect Major Gray's first name but thinks it was William) after his enlistment was employed most of his time in guarding the prisoners at Winchester Virginia until the beginning of October 1781 when he was marched towards York town in Virginia to re-inforce Genl Washington & when the detachment

State of Indiana Harrison County ss
On this 13th day of September Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-eight personally appeared in open court before the Circuit Court of Harrison County now sitting Michael Brooks a resident of Warrick County in the said State aged Seventy Eight years who being first duly sworn gave evidence to wit, that on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed March 3rd 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he was born near Philadelphia Pa in the year 1780 and from thence when a youth with his parents first removed to Loudoun and then to Berkeley County Virginia. That at Shepherdstown Berkeley Co Virginia in January 1781 he enlisted in the Continental service for three years as a soldier. The officer who enlisted him was Capt Henry Belincher or Belincher of the regular army. I had no Colonel. That he remained here but a Major Gray and Captain Patrick commanded under General Washington. I does not recollect Major Grays first name but I think it was William. XXXXXX After his enlistment was employed most of his time in guarding the prisoners at Philadelphia Virginia until the beginning of October 1781 when he was marched towards Yorktown in Virginia to re-inforce Genl Washington & when the detachment

to which this deponent belonged arrived at the point of James River an express arrived communicating the news of the surrender of Cornwallis. on the receipt of this information the march of the troops was stopped and shortly after a draft was made among them "who should stay and who should go home" this deponent drew "to go home" and was at that time discharged. That he left his discharge with his mother who lost it. The discharge was signed by General Mullenburgh. was engaged in no battles during his enlistment as and does not remember the names of the countries through which he marched except part of Frederick Co Va. That he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony can prove who can testify to his service. 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 in open court.
His Michael Brooks mark

12 7 Question 1st Where - When and in what year when you born?
Answer In the State of Pennsylvania, in the year 1760
Question 2nd Have you any record of your age if so when is it -
Answer none.
Question 3rd When when you living when called into service? When have you lived since the revolutionary war? and where do you know lived?
Answer. Berkeley County Virginia? In Virginia. Kentucky & Indiana
Question 4th When you called into service when you drafted? did you volunteer or when you a substitute and if a substitute for whom
Answer I was enlisted.
Question 5th Tell the names of some of the regular officers who when with the troops when you served. such continental & militia regiments as you can recall and the general circumstances of your service
Answer Capt Henry Betinger enlisted me. James Kirkpatrick was the Captain of the company in which I served, & - Gray was the our Major -

Question Did you receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given signed and what has become of it
I received a discharge. It was signed by Genl. McLean but have lost it
Question State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
Col. Robert Benton & Major M c Lean know me well -

I David Warford a Clergyman living in Lawrence Co Ills & the Robert Bunting Junr & Asst M c Elkine residing in the county of Knox State of Indiana hereby certify that we are well acquaint- ed with Michael Brooks who has sub- scribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be 78 years of age and that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn & subscribed The day and year aforesaid David Warford Robert Bunting Jr & M c Elkine
And the said Comrs do hereby declare their opinion after an 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 he states. And the Comrs further certify that it appears to them that Robert Bunting Junr and Asst M c Elkine are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit and the comrs further certify that it appears to them that David Warford who has signed the foregoing certificate is a Clergyman residing in the county of Lawrence State of Illinois A. M. Armstrong Pres. Comrs

State of Indiana Knox County, ss I William R M c Leod Clerk of the County of Knox County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Michael Crooks for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13 th day of September Eighteen Hundred and thirty eight M c Leod Clerk By W. M c Leod D.C.

March 16, 1932.
BA-J/ADY our
Miss Susan Brooks, Shoals, Indiana.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to one Michael Crooks , a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein are obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, R. 2504 , based upon his military service in that war.
Michael Crooks was born in Pennsylvania near Philadelphia in 1760 and when a youth moved to Loudoun and then Berkeley County, Virginia.
He applied for pension September 13, 1838 while a resident of Knox County, Indiana and stated that while a resident of Shepherdstown, Berkeley County, Virginia, he enlisted in January 1781, served in Captain James Kirkpatrick's Virginia Company and was discharged shortly after the surrender of Cornwallis.
After the Revolution soldier lived in Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of six months service as required by the pension law.
There are no family data.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

MS
September 22, 1925.
Mrs. Stella E. Staley 2617 Ashland Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Madam:
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R-2504, it appears that Michael Crooks was born in 1760 near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and resided in Berkeley County, Virginia during the Revolution.
It is alleged that he enlisted in January 1781 and served until after the surrender of Cornwallis, in Captain James Kirkpatrick's Company, under Major Gray in the Virginia Troops.
He applied for pension September 13, 1838 while living in Knox County, Indiana, but his claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish specific proof of service as required by the pension laws.
There is no data on file as to his family. His residence in 1840 is not on record.
The above noted is the only Michael Crook or Crooks found on the records of this Bureau prior to 1840.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commissioner.

1925 Sept 22 - Went to Mrs. Stace & Dalby (see letter in Ct. Penn. Richard Cummingham. S 2483) mdy 1932 Mar. 16. Writ. to Susan Brooks. See John Brooke, S. 30970. avy.
2504.
P. O.
Michael Crook
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Rej. book gives reasons for rejection "He did not Application filed: serve 6 months", 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized, _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Michael Brooks Indiana
Rejected
Packet 25 Sept. 1838 Non J. Ewing
did not serve six months.
2504
Act 7 June 1832.

War Dept. P. Office Apr 25. 1838
Sir,
The declaration of Michael Brooks has been ex No. all of it, to have enlisted in January 1780, under Capt. Henry Bedinger of the Virginia line and to have served under Captain Kirkpatrick, and that he was employed in guarding prisoners at Winchester until October when on his march to York Town, was informed by ex of the surrender of Cornwallis and that and thereupon there was a draft made to decide who should remain in service and who should return home, which latter fell to the lot of the applicant and he was discharged. Although there were continental officers commanding at Winchester, yet the militia to which class Captains Bedinger and Kirkpatrick belong, yet the applicant's service was as a militia man, none of those who were enlisted to serve as regular soldiers having been discharged as alleged. The militia did not serve in terms of

so long duration as six months, which is necessary in order to obtain a pension under act of June 1832. The claim has therefore been rejected and the papers filed in this office.
John Ewing Sept 28-38 66
To our John Ewing Vincennes, Indiana.