Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,899, John Comer, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Conner, John.
S 17899
carded
CONTENTS

See letters to C.M. Mitchell & P. Light Nov. 4. 1835
Virginia 23.770
John Connor
Grayson in the State of Va who was a Pvt. in the Company commo by Captain Jones of the _____ command by _____ in the Va. line for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 20 - Dollars _____ Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 th day of Apr. 34. and sent Samuel McLean and Grayson. C.H.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 60 - Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept - " 10 -
$70 -
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk Book E Vol. 69/2 Page 6

State of Virginia Grayson County } ss.
On this 22 nd day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the justices of the County Court of Grayson now sitting, John Comer a resident of Grayson County in the State of Virginia, aged 79 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 act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under a Capt. Lewis force of Amelia County in the State of Virginia, as a Militia man, who were called Minute men, and marched under the Command of the aforesaid Capt. Lewis force to Norfolk in Virginia, and arrived there on New Years day in the evening the same night the town was set on fire by the British, but this declaration does not now recollect the year, James Horton and Robert Horton were his first & second Lieutenants, after the British had fired Norfolk this declaration marched about 10 miles from that place to a point at or near Kemp's landing, then so called, where he remained until the month of May following having been in the service, under the aforesaid Capt. Jones, about 4 months. This declaration then went into the Marine Service under a Capt. Hanway, or Hanby, and was sent to a place on James River called Sandy Point, where he remained waiting for a galley, some short time, and so soon as it arrived

he went on board and sailed to Old Point Comfort. The galley was commanded by Capt. John Calvert. This declarant was in the Marine Service about 3 months as well as he now remembers, after which  under the said the Marine Service He was afterwards in the same Service under Capt. Pollard, and Lieutenant Stratham in a galley, called the Hero, commanded by a Capt. Rooter. This declarant was a midshipman on board of this galley for about 6 months, having served in it 12 months altogether. He left the aforesaid galley in September 1777 and in the year following he went as a seaman on board a new vessel built at Gosport & commanded by a Capt. Wren, and Lieutenants Stratham's left just before she sailed he was taken sick and did not accompany the vessel, which After this he was 3 months in the service at a Merchant Mill, making flour for the army. This mill was in Amelia County Virginia & belonged to two gentlemen by name of Cooke. After he left the aforesaid mill he again entered the U. States service under a Capt. Hughes and served 4 months when the whole company were discharged shortly after the surrender of Cornwallis. This declarant having served 2 years and 4 months, in the whole as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. This declarant was born in Caroline County Virginia in July 1753. He has now no record of his age. He resided in Amelia

County Virginia when he entered the Service, and continued to reside in that County, until he removed to Grayson County Virginia, about 40 years ago, where he now lives. He was drafted as a militia man, except when he was in the Marine Service, & then he was a volunteer. He was acquainted with some of the Regular officers, but has now forgotten their names. He never received a written discharge, and knows of no surviving witness who can testify to his service in the war of the Revolution; but he is known to Stephen Hail & James Brown in his present neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his service in the war of the Revolution. 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.
John Corner
We Stephen Hail, a clergyman, residing in the County of Grayson, and James Brown — residing in the same County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Corner who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 79 years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion. Stephen Hail Jr Sworn, and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid. James Brown

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 Stephen Hail who has signed the preceding certificate is a Gr. Clergyman Resident in the County of Grayson and that James Brewer who had also signed the same is a resident in the County of Grayson, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Marshall Dickerson, Clerk of the the Court of Grayson County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Conner for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court, at office, this 27 th day of October 1832.
M. Dickerson
John Conner
Yours Mr. Garman Richard H. Hail Grayson

On this 24 th day of June 1833 personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of Grayson County now sitting, John Cannon, an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, and, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following amendment to his declaration made in this Court on the 22 nd day of October 1832, in order to obtain the benefit of the said act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States as a drafted mil- -itiarian under the Command of Capt. Lewis Jones, as is stated in his original declaration, in the year 1775, month of November, and arrived at Norfolk in Virginia on the evening of the 1 st day of Aug. 1775, and the same evening that Norfolk was burned. This declarant was then marched to Kemp's Landing and remained in actual service under the Command of Capt. Jones & Lieutenants Barnes & Robert Foster until the month of May in the year 1776, having served a tour of 6 months. The declarant then entered the Marine Service as a volunteer under the Command of Capt. Harris and was put on board a Gally, Commanded by Capt. John Colvocoresses and was in actual service a tour of 3 months. The declarant again volunteered & went into the Marine Service under Capt. Pollard & Lieutenant Stratton and was put on board a Gally called the "Herc" Commanded by a Capt. Alooton, and was in actual service as a mariner 3 months and as a midshipman 9 months. In the month of May 1779 the declarant volunteered as a Seaman or Sailer on board of a new vessel built at Gosport, Va. Commanded by Capt. Warren & was in actual service 2 months before

he was taken sick. The declarant again entered the service as a drafted Militiaman under a Capt. Fuchs, as well as he remembers, and served a term of 3 months in the year 1781, the same year Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Va. The name of the Col. who commanded the Regiment in which this declarant was, in his first term of 6 months, was Spipes, as well as he remembers. — He does not remember the name of the Col. who commanded in his last term of 3 months.
This declarant during the time he served in the Gully, was mostly stationed at Hampton Roads, tho' sometimes he was in Hampton-Creek & Chesapeake Bay.
And the said Court do hereby certify that John Comer who makes this amended declaration
from the subscribed the day of year aforesaid.
John Comer And the said Court doth hereby certify that John Comer, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing amended declaration, is the same John Comer that made his declaration in this Court on the 22 nd day of October 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress (passed June 7 th 1832).

Virginia, Grayson County, To Wit;
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Grayson aforesaid John Gomer, who, being duly sworn, deponeth & 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 period mentioned below, and in the following grades; For 9 months I served as a drafted Militiaman; For 1 year and 5 months I served as a volunteer in the Marine Service; and for such service I claim a pension. ————— JOHN GOMER Sworn to & subscribed before me this 24 th day of June 1883 William Vaughn Jr

I Martin Dickenson, Clerk of the Court of Grayson County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the unrecorded proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Comer, for a pension. And I do hereby further certify that William Vaughn who has signed the foregoing affidavit is an acting Magistrate in for the County of Grayson, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Court at office, this 27 th day of June 1835 and of the Commonwealth of Virginia the 59 th .
Martin Dickenson

INVALID.
File No. 17,899
John Brown
Br. Geo. W.
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 445
[Arrangement of 1870.]

16,885 Mr. Comer
Sam. McComas Richm. Va.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Prof. Anner 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? 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? 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? Yes

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

War Department
Pension Office
August 17 1833
Sir:
The amended declarations of Stephen Clark, Benjamin Phipps, William Vaughn and Isaiah Austin have been examined and admitted. - their certificates are herewith enclosed. That of John Corner is also returned, that he may be able to prove his naval service. He must have either served on board a private or some public vessel belonging to the State; if the former he cannot be entitled to a Compensation; if the latter he will be required to prove it. The 3 months service at the Mill is inadmissible. As the case now stands he can have a certificate for $20. - per ann. Should he prefer it to an attempt to produce the required proof.
The claim of John Fielder has compelled to reject; as it does not appear from his original declaration that he served six months exclusive of his wagon service - he says he cannot say how long his last tour was but that he was to be allowed for a 3 months tour, and it would seem that it fell short of that period. Yet in his amended declaration, he has fixed it at 3 months 15 days. Thus circumstanced, proof at least will be required that this last tour did continue 3 full months.
I am respectfully
Your Obt. Servt
J. L. Edwards
Samuel M c Camant Esq.
Grayson C.H.
1 o

10054 PITON 23
23770
J. S. Edwards Esqr. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
FREE

Richmond Oct. 22 1835
Sir
At the request of the Agent at the Bank of Virginia I send you the enclosed for examination & directions to pay the same. Please to return it as soon as possible.
05553
Very respectfully
Yours sincerely
Thos. M. Mitchell

John Corner Yrs
Amount for private use $20
H. S. Glavin Esq. Union Office Washington City

fin
Grayson Co. Va. Jan'y 18 th 1834
I herewith enclose you the papers relating to the application of John Warner for a pension. I was in Richmond some short time since and examined the office there with a view to obtain some documentary evidence of Mr. Warner's naval service, but failed. I found a registry of three vessels, on board of which he says he served, and also the names of the officers who commanded them, all in strict accordance with the statement made in his declaration, and, as Mr. Warner is a man of unquestioned integrity, I have not the least doubt of the truth of his statements, though his service as a mariner cannot now be proved. You will please to send me a certificate in his name for 20 th per ann: as specified in your letter of the 11 th August last, if nothing more can be allowed him.
Very Respectfully Your Abdt. Servt. Sam l M c Camart
J. S. Edmonds Esq. Pension Office