Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4,552, William Hancock, Va.

SERVICE
Va.
Hancock, William
NUMBER _____
R. 4552
CONTENTS

10566 W. Hancock lease
Ordination

William Hancock's Declaration
State of Kentucky } Adair County } ss
On this 10 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the Adair County Court now sitting William Hancock a resident of Adair County & State of Kentucky, aged 83 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth 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 the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He states that he entered the service of the United States in February 1780 under Capt John Goffe who was commanded by Genl. Mullenburg, Col. Parker & Major Deeloman & marched to Dismal Swamp by way of Petersburg and also at Suffolk where got his discharge at Dismal Swamp and returned home.
The war was about three months.
He resided in Bedford County Virginia at the time he entered the service. Four or five weeks after his return from Dismal Swamp He received orders from Col. Linch of Bedford County Virginia that if he with others would take and bring Tories and deserters and bring them to trial, that he should be cleared of any other service He states that he was engaged in the business of taking Tories &c from May

William Hancock's Declaration
State of Kentucky } Adair County } ss
On this 10 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justices of the Adair County Court now sitting William Hancock a resident of Adair County & State of Kentucky, aged 83 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, 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 the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He states that he entered the service of the United States in February 1780 under Capt John Spivey who was commanded by Genl. Mullenburg, Col. Parker & Major Deeloman & marched to Dismal Swamp by way of Petersburg and also at Suffolk where got his discharge at Dismal Swamp and returned home.
The war was about three months.
He resided in Bedford County Virginia at the time he entered the service. Four or five weeks after his return from Dismal Swamp
He received orders from Col. Lynch of Bedford County Virginia that if he with others would take and bring Tories and deserters and bring them to trial, that he should be clear of any other service He states that he was engaged in the business of taking Tories &c from May

1780 until the surrender of Cornwallis in which was in October 1781 about 16 months In his tour to Dismael Swamp he was drafted In the business of taking Tories he was ordered by the officers, & willingly engaged in the business He states that he has no documentary evidence by which he is enabled to prove 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 & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
William Hancock
We Nathan Gauther & belonging man residing in the County of Adair and Daniel Trabue residing (in the same) hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Hancock who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 83 years of age; that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid -
Nathan Gauther
Daniel Trabue
And the said Gauther do hereby testify 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 Nathan Gaither — who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman is a resident in the County of Adair, and that Daniel Trabue who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Adair, and are  they credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit —
I William Caldwell clerk of the County Court Adair County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Hancock for a pension —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office — this 23 rd day of August 1832 and 4 th year of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Wm Caldwell

10566
W m Hancock Kentucky
Rejected, engaged in taking deserters & looters without being in a corps regularly organized. See letter of August 33 to Robert Craven. Columbus, Ky.
Robert Craven Columbus Ky

BRIEF in the case of  W m Hancock  County of Adair  in the State of Kentucky  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 83  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     entered In 1780 about 3 private Gen. Mahlenberg Capt Trigg Col Parker Major   1. 4 about " Decolman Col Finch  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bedford County Va  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional two witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? def: in form no clergyman 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
C. H. Forrest Examining Clerk.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of William Hancock , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
P. 4,5521
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     July 1780 3 mos. 2 d Serjt. John Trigg Parker Va.   May 1780 to Oct. 1781 Private Capturing & guarding 2000 deserters. Lynch        
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bedford Co., Va.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 23, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Adair Co., Kentucky.
Age at date of application, born Oct 20, 1749 in Chesterfield Co., Va.
Remarks: he died in 1837 in Adair Co., Ky. Two children survived him in 1887, Oliver H. & John R. Hancock.
The claim was rejected on the ground that he did not perform six months' military service in a duly organized corps - the agreement to "take up voices" not being provided for by the Act of June 7, 1832 under which he applied.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

W. T. SINGLETON, M. D. EYE, EAR, NOSE AND THROAT 815-16 LONG BEACH BANK BLDG.
LONG BEACH, CALIF., April 2! 191 9  Rev Van
D.P.T.
Will you please assist me in gathering facts about my Great Great Grand Father William Hancock who lived during Revolutionary War days. He was formerly from England lived in Bedford Co. Virginia - later - in Edair Co. Kentucky. I have an aged cousin three times removed who is past eighty years old in Louisville Ken. who told me that said William Hancock served in the Revolutionary War from Kentucky - probably under General Andrew Jackson - Colonel of Ky. - with the famous rifle men in the battle of New Orleans. I am anxious to gather data for credentials for membership in the

Organization of Daughters of the American Revolution. afore said Cousin also told me that my great grandfather William Hancock had an old gun or cannon in his yard in Adair Co Kentucky which he captured during Rev war. said she remembers the old gun - that at some Democrat election - the grand old cannon was busted with the putting too much powder in it.
I truly hope you can help me to establish necessary data
Yours Sincerely - Mrs W. T Singleton 60 Ximeno St Long Beach Calif.

Dec 1807
May 25
Columbia May May 10 -
33
Henry To the Secretary of War Ky on Chieftains Department Washington City

Columbia S.C. May 9 th 1833
Sir I close you hear one of the old soldiers, claiming William Hencocks, he is old and infirm most of the he can scarcely walk and as speedily a division as possible I would like to know as it how long a time on hand and they he is as respectable a man as any in the country but I need not say any thing on that subject as our members in Congress. Dr. Nathan Gother, told me that called at the war department, gave information as to the standing of
Gen Lewis Col
your obedient & humble servant
Robert Craven

State of Kentucky } Adair County } S
I do certify that William Hancock with others were engaged in the State of Virginia in taking Horses & deserters. I recollect of them bringing some of them to my Father's and keeping them there in confinement for sometime given under my hand this 10 th 11 th day of August 1832. I was a bout 9 years old Simon Hancock

This day personally appeared before Me, the with in name of Simon Hencock, and made oath that the statements made in the with is true and also certify that the said Simon Hencock is a man that is intitled to credit
given under my hand this 16 th day of 16 th May 1833 Daniel Sedgwick
J. Mansel P. Certificate
This is to certify that the within manual of Simon Hencock is true and correct as shown that is intitled to credit on oath or otherwise given under my hand this 16 th day of August 1832 I have not seen him since the date of the he knows of the within manual

This is to Certify that the within named  Captain  John  Hancock  who has  subscribed to the within  is a man that is entitled to Credit  on Credit or otherwise given under my hand this 14 th day of August 1832  I was about nine years old when  he knew of the within named
J. Hancock Certificate
This day personally appeared John Me th Smith in name of John Hancock, and made oath that the statements made in the with is true, as also certify that the John Hancock to Credit given under my hand this 14 th day of June May 1833 (Dance Security)

R Craven Aug 9 33 S Williams " 23 33
Greensburg Ky. April 8-1887-
Dear Sir:
My father, William Hancock, was a soldier in the revolution-ary war and died in Adair Co Ky. in the year 1837. Before his death he made application for a pension but it was never allowed, he having died before it came to a final hearing. He has two children & heirs at law now living, myself & my brother John P. Hancock of Columbia, Adair Co Ky. Will you please inform me if we as his children are entitled to his pension or any money from the government on his account, and if so, what steps will be necessary to obtain the same? Please direct in care of W. H. Milby at Greensburg Ky. Yours Respectfully Oliver H. Hancock.
How John C. Black, Comr of Pensions Washington
D. D.

W m Hancock
Kentucky Rejected See Letter 9 th August 1833-4
No. 4552
Robert Craven Columbia

4552
0.
William Hancock
Service: _____
REJECTED
Dislisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Privileges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
0.
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

1887 May 2. Oliver H Hancock that the Service rendered did not entitle the soldier to a pension etc Brew
1919 May 12. Hist to Mrs. W. T. Singleton. P
P.
Se
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P.

R. Graves Aug 9. 1883 OC
Recordu Vol 25
pg. 156.

War Department Pension Office August 9, 1833.
Sir,
The papers in the case of William Hancock have been examined. The record He was drafted and performed one tour of three months, and afterwards in lieu of performing regular tours of duty in regular organized Corps , he was made a an agreement by engaged in taking up deserters and Tories.
Such service is not provided for by the act under which he claims, and as the did not perform service performed by him under his first tour was for a less period than six months the claim has been rejected. The papers will be placed on the files in this office.
Yours
Robert Bransdy Columbia Pa.

State of Kentucky Adair County Select J t George Labney do hereby certify that William Hancock was in the service of the united States at the Dixie Swamp under the Command Capt John Trigg who was under the Command of Genl Mulinburg Col Parker P th Unit th Ky Declamation and that said William Hancock was 3 rd Sergeant in Capt Trigg Company and the term was  8 months given under my hand this 14 th day of August 1882 I am in my 78 th year
This George Labney Mark

This is to Certify that the within named Captain George Dabney who has subscribed and sworn to this Certificate is a man that is intitled to Credit on bills or otherwise given under my hand this 14 day of August 1812 John Lyat

By way of Amendment and to fulfill the regulations of the War Department he states in addition to the statements made in his original Declaration that he was born in Chesterfield County & State of Virginia on the 20 th day of October 1749— That he has a record of his age at his residence in Adair County. That he is known in the neighbourhood where he resides by Daniel Frabue & Nathan Gaither who have given their Certificate annexed to his original Declaration and to Simon Hancock who has given a Certificate proving part of his service and to a great many others who would testify his reputation as a Soldier of the revolution if it were necessary—
He would state that owing to his old age & infirmity at the time his original Declaration was sworn to in the County Court of Adair that not a Clergyman was to be found in the Town of Columbia the seat of justice of Adair County and he was unable himself & could procure no person to get one for him before the Court would adjourn and he assigns the foregoing as a reason for not procuring a Clergyman to certify in the first instance— He states that after the 3 months term to Dismiss Swamps as mentioned in

his Original Declaration that he there went on to taking Tories & regarding them and had been at it before in obedience  to the orders of Col. Lynch of Bedford County Virginia that he served no regular tour except the 3 months tour before spoken of but was engaged 16 months in this kind of service was willing at any time called upon to enter into any other kind of service. He states that received for every Tory a receipt from Col. Lynch but has lost said receipts. He states that if he ever received a discharge for the aforesaid service of taking Tories that he has lost it — He would further state that he was 2 nd Sergeant in Capt. Griggs Company during his 3 months tour to Dis- =mal Swamp. He will William Hancock
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for Adair County William Hancock who being duly sworn deposeth & saith , that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the length of his service but according to the best of his

recollections he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades: For 3 months, I served as 2 nd Sergeant. For one year & four months as a private. Upon which service I claim a pension.
May the 9. 1933
Wiltshire & Wheat for 86
the foregoing a second check
Kentucky & Air County Ky.
William Calwell Clerk of the court bequest for the county of Essex to certify that the foregoing on this 22 d day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three the foregoing amended declaration of William Hancock was produced before the County Court for Adams County, N. H. etc. subscribed & sworn to by Said Hancock & in presence of us Original filed on Said court by Said Hancock on the 10 th day of August 1832 and afterwards tried at a county court began and held for the County of Adams at the Courthouse in Columbia on Monday the 8 th day of May 1833 the said Court do declare their opinion that the facts stated in said amended declaration are true
State of Kentucky Adair County set
I William Calowele clerk of the county court for the county aforesaid do certify that the foregoing contains all the original of the proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of William Sancock for a pension I do further certify that Sam Mutton P Wheat, James G Gales & Daniel Suddarth Esqrs whose names are attached to the three affidits accompa- nying the foregoing arrent were at the time

of the signing their names, Overt and State are acting Justices of the peace for Adair County and that due faith and credit is due to all their official acts as such and I further certify that each of their signatures to said affidavits are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 9 th day of May 1833
Wm Glonville
W. H. Hance