Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5187, Thomas Holt, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Holt, Thomas
R. 5187
CONTENTS

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7. 1832.
State of Kentucky, Union County } ss. — On this, 11 th day of October, 1834, personally appeared, at his residence in the dwelling house of Henry Holt, his son, before the undersigned, a justice of the County Court, in and for the above said County of Union and State of Kentucky, Thomas Holt, a resident in said Union County and State of Kentucky, aged 81 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. 1832. — That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. — He states that he first entered the service in Chesterfield County, Virginia, as orderly Sergeant, under Capt. William Randolph, of the same County in the Virginia Minute Service; the day and year he cannot recollect, but he knows that it was in the first or second year of the Revolutionary war, and immediately after Governor Dunmore left Williamsburg, and went on board the Fanny-man-of-war, because they marched from Chesterfield down to Williamsburg, and the ship was in the harbor below town when they arrived; they were stationed at Williamsburg, he does not know how many men were in the station, nor does he remember the officers generally, but that Patrick Henry who was afterwards Governor of that state, was principal, in command. He states that he volunteered on this occasion, he believes the term of engagement was six months, but he was discharged at the end of three months, that Capt. Randolph discharged him, and paid him some gold for his services, but he can't say how much. He states that some time he does not know how long, but he believes it was ten or twelve months after he was discharged as above, he was recommended to Governor Henry, by Col. John Bowlin, and Archibald Carey who was Speaker to the house in the Virginia Assembly, and on their recommendation, this applicant was appointed Capt. Protem in the 15 th Regiment of Virginia Continentals, under Col. David Mason and Lieut. Col. James Ennis, he states that when he received the appointment there was given him in charge 16 or 18 men who had been enlisted by one or two others who had been appointed before him, that his order was to take them in charge and try to recruit a company, including them with the promise that if he succeeded he should have a commission and command them in the line, he recruited them at Chesterfield Court house, then permitted them to go home and stay till he should call for them and was engaged himself in trying to recruit men to fill his company, but though he was all the time trying, for at least three months he believes that in all that time he could and did enlist but one man, he does not remember his name, but he engaged him in the neighborhood of Williamsburg, and had him qualified before a squire, by the name of Johnston who lived near. He states that after he found it impossible to fill his company he marched from from Chesterfield Court house in the direction to Williamsburg, across James river and as far as Col. Charles Carter's and then sent them on to Williamsburg by a sergeant, and retired from service. He states during the whole of the above time he found his own horse and bore his own expenses, and that he did faithfully devote his whole time to the recruiting service, for which he never received one cent. He states that shortly after, but he does not know the precise time, Capt. Theodorick Bland, the Clerk of the court in Prince George County, came to the to recruit a company of light horse for the Continental service and this applicant joined him and stayed with him in training at the  Court house about three weeks, and then went with him into Prince George to be received into the service but before the Captain's party were received here, the Capt. gave liberty and applicant left the company; Capt. Bland's company were received into service and shortly after went to the north, where he thinks Bland raised to bear the title of Col. before he returned to Virginia; this Bland, before he started to the north made this applicant his deputy in the Clerk's office, and he continued to transact the business in the office until Bland became eligible,

He does not know  memor the above as divided , but as he cannot remember the several dates precisely when he entered and left the service, and as these particulars may help the department in the investigation of his claim, he has been thus minute in stating
what he can recollect. He states that in the same year that Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington at Little York, which he believes was 1781, in August or September, that he was drafted in Chesterfield County for three months; he entered the service then in order to the company of Capt Francis Goode of Virginia militia, who also lived in Chesterfield County; they were attached to the regiment of Col. — Gaskins in General Muhlenberg's Brigade, they marched down James river to a place called Goopers mills in the neighborhood of Suffolk, it was after the burning of Norfolk, and their aim was to prevent the British from coming to Petersburg and Richmond; they were stationed at the above mills about three weeks, he thinks Gen. Muhlenberg quartered, himself, at the house of a wealthy man by the name of Mead; he states that whilst here Col. Gaskins made this applicant, Quartermaster to his Regiment, and that he continued in his staff as such, til his time was out, that the British commenced moving up the river by water and that Muhlenberg moved from here by land to Petersburg, where they met Gen. Philips and gave him battle, this applicant was present, but having charge of the baggage, was not in the action, he thinks the two armies were about equal in numbers, say 1200. each, but the British being better trained and equipped, beat them and they retreated to Chesterfield Courthouse and thence to Richmond, where they met Gen. Lafayette coming to their aid, with the men under his command, perhaps 1200 or 1500 they passed his review on the Richmond heights, then joined him and marched down the river to a place called the Meadow bridges and here they encamped, the regulars on one side and Muhlenberg's men on the other of a valley in which they all got water out of one spring, and this applicant remembers that whilst they were thus situated, two soldiers, one of each troop met in the valley to get water and raised a quarrel, on which those on each side took part, met in the valley and began to box severely, and it was as much as all the officers could do with drawn swords to quell the disturbance. He states that Gen. Lafayette marched from this place to Petersburg and besieged the British there, but this applicant with Col. Gaskins' regiment and perhaps Muhlenberg's whole brigade continued here, he knows that he remained here, til his three months expired, and that besides his duty in camp he was employed in the neighborhood, in procuring provisions for the troops at this place and for those at Petersburg. Lafayette defeated the British and retook the town, he heard it said that in this siege a cannon-ball passed through the house of Mr. Bowlin where Philips was, and killed him in bed.
He states also that during the above siege Gen. Lafayette quartered at the house of David Holt who was this applicant's father, and who lived in the corner of Chesterfield County close to Petersburg, that while there the General became acquainted with this applicant's wife who spoke the French language fluently, and that upon her admiring the plume he wore which was of a deep sky blue colour, he gave it to her and this plume was kept for many years in this applicant's family. He remembers that when his time was nearly out, Gen. Lafayette sent his compliments to this applicant in Col. Gaskins' stead with the offer of the rank of quarter master to his staff, by Maj. Nicholas who was one of the Gen. aids; but that being greatly fatigued by the heavy duties he had to discharge, and wishing to return to his family he declined the offer, his time expired shortly after, and he was discharged, without pay, and went home and saw no more. He states that his great age, bodily infirmity and particularly an extreme deafness, (all of which together make it absolutely unreasonable, if not utterly impossible for him to make his declaration in court,) put it out of his power to detail the in relation to his service, the facts, with greater precision and propriety, that he has here in detailed the whole as fully as he can, that he knows certainly to the entire satisfaction of his own mind that he did serve at least nine months in the manner herein before stated, (i.e.) say four months as orderly sergeant two months as quarter master, and three months as Capt. Protem. in the recruiting service, for which he claims a pension.

He states that he has no doubt, had papers that would have helped his memory in regard to dates, and some perhaps that would have gone to support his claim, though he is not sure he had any written discharges, but if he had, they with his appointment, are lost, and as he has none now whatever, he knows of no person now living by whom he can prove his services, and that the only Col. in the county with whom he was well acquainted (To wit, Claiborn Duval, whom he expected to certify for him is recently dead.
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
Thos Holt
The following are the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, with the applicant's answers.
1. When, and in what year were you born? (Ans.) In Amelia County Virginia, the 8 th day of July in the year 1753—
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it? (Ans.) I have none now, but this is what I have generally heard and think it true;
3. When were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live? (Ans.) I was living in Chesterfield County Va. in the vicinity of Petersburg, each time when called into service; I lived in that neighborhood till the year 1782 when I removed to Nelson County, in this State, thence I removed to this part, and I now live with my son Henry in this house.
4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did volunteer, or were you a substitute? (Ans.) I volunteered first, next served by appointment, in the recruiting service, and the last time I was drafted;
5. 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 and the general circumstances of your services. (Ans.) The same as stated in the declaration—
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service? &c. (Ans.) I am not certain that I had written discharges, but if I had, the first was given by Capt. H. Randolph, and the last by Col. Gaskins, for they respectively discharged me. (Interrogatory) Did you ever receive a Commission, &c. (Ans.) I never had a commission, as Sergeant I believe I served by verbal appointment of Captains, Randolph and Goode, and think Col. Gaskins made me quartermaster in the same way, and as recruiting Capt. I had a written appointment signed by Patrick Henry, but it is lost, thinking such papers useless, and not having kept house for years, as I have stated in my declaration, I have none now whatever that relate to the matter.
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. (Ans.) Nathaniel C. Floyd and George Givens are well acquainted with me.
We Nathaniel C. Floyd and George Givens residing in Union County and State of Kentucky hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Thomas Holt, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty one years of age; 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.
Nathaniel C. Floyd
George Givens
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
And I, Gibson B. Lyles, Justice of the Peace of the County Court in and for the county of Union and State aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed, as above and in part from my personal acquaintance with him, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and I also certify that I do believe that his bodily infirmities are such that it would be next

to be impossible for him to attend court and pass this examination; I also certify that the only clergyman who lived in his immediate vicinity, and who, I have no doubt would have certified for him, is now dead; And further that Nathaniel Floyd and George Owens, who have signed the preceding certificate, are residents in this county; that they are both credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit given under my hand this 11 th day of October 1834
Gibson B Taylor
32, 444 Thomas Holt Kentucky
I James R. Hughes Clerk of the County Court of Union County in the State of Kentucky, do hereby certify that Gibson B. Taylor whose name appears to the foregoing certificate, is, and was at the time of signing the same the Senior Justice of the County Court in and for said County of Union and State aforesaid. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signed my name and affixed the Seal of my office this 13 day of October, 1834.
James R. Hughes

February 15, 1939.
Mrs. Rudolph S. Stoyer 323 High Street Morgantown, West Virginia.
BA-J/ILL Thomas Holt P. 5187
Dear Madam:
The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, R. 5187, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Thomas Holt.
Thomas Holt, son of David Holt, was born July 6, 1753 in Amelia County, Virginia; the name of his mother is not shown. David Holt lived "in the corner of Chesterfield County close to Petersburg", Virginia, in 1781. Thomas resided in Chesterfield County in the vicinity of Petersburg at the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
Thomas Holt entered service first "immediately after Governor Dunmore left Williamsburg" and went on board the "Fowey", served as a minute-man under Captain William Randolph, under command of Patrick Henry, later Governor of Virginia, length of this service about three months. He served afterwards as a recruiting officer under Colonel David Mason and Lieutenant-Colonel James Innis of the 15 th Virginia regiment, and also three weeks in Captain Theodoric Bland's company of Light Horse, subsequent to which he was deputy clerk to said Theodoric Bland after he was promoted to Colonel. Thomas Holt enlisted in 1781, at the time General Lafayette was near Petersburg and served under Captain Francis Goode and Colonel Gaskins as a quartermaster, in all about two months. This soldier stated that his wife spoke French fluently and became acquainted with General Lafayette; also, that she admitted the plume he wore "which was of a sky blue colour" and that the General gave it to her. He stated further that General Lafayette's headquarters were at his father's (David Holt's) house in Chesterfield County, close to Petersburg.
Thomas Holt moved from Chesterfield County, Virginia, in the year 1789 to Nelson County, Virginia, thence to Kentucky.
Kentucky

Thomas Holt applied October 11, 1834 for the pension which might have been due on account of his service in the Revolutionary War. He resided then with his son, Henry Holt, in Union County, Kentucky, his post office, Morganfield. His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service of six months in a regularly organized military corps as required by the pension law under which he applied. The soldier died December 20, 1834.
The name of the wife of this soldier is not shown, nor the date and place of their marriage. There are no further data in regard to his family.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

REJECTED
5187.
P. O.
Thomas Holt
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Printed list of Rejected & Suspended Pensions - Page - 362 - Reason
Application filed: for Rejection - , 18
Service not in a regularly organized corps. Ill.
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
1439-4th. 15. Street. to Mrs. Penelope S. Stoye - Phil. See letter in B.A.H. M. E. 1069. See new - Phil. 1883

Rejected did not serve six mths. see letter 22 Jany 1835 to Hon. C. Lyon do to Hon. Moore 3 rd June 1835
5787

32.44.4 Tho s Holt Ken.
more than 16 years
She rejected, did not know six months in regularly organized church see letter of Jan 1835 to Rev C. H. Lyman
at New
Washington City
D.C.
(Station papers) three

Mr. J. L. Edwards, Esq. Union County Ky. May the 4 th 1835
Sir, your communication to the Hon. C. Lyon, on the subject of the declaration of Thomas Holt of this county, bearing date the 12 th January 1835, was forwarded to me by that Gentleman; from it I discover the claim was rejected on the ground that the Applicant served but four months, — I drew the declaration and was requested by Holt to attend to the matter, and as I have the first draft of the declaration in my possession which could not be made in court in consequence of the applicants infirmities, of which he is since dead, I discover that the conclusion that he served but four months has been arrived at by a misunderstanding of that part which relates to his service as Quarter Master. This is the language used in the declaration. He states that Lafayette marched from this place, to besiege Petersberg which was now in the possession of the British, that during this siege this applicant continued with Col. Gaskins at the last mentioned Camp. Here the camp alluded to, was the camp at the Head of our bridges, and not at Petersberg, as you infer. If you will review the paper you will find this to be the true meaning intended, and that he continued to serve by performing camp and other duties under Col. Gaskins to the end of the three months for which he was drafted. I received yours the 21 st of February and immediately wrote as above to Mr. Lyon but he had left before it arrived, he received my letter at home a few days since and advised me of its failure to reach you, and at the request of Henry Holt, son of the dead Claimant

I now address you, you will please reexamine the declaration, and oblige B Morris Moore
The following is the affidavit of Henry Holt in relation to the death of the above applicant.
This day personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for Union county and State of Kentucky, Henry Holt and made oath that his father Thomas Holt mentioned in the foregoing letter departed this life of old age and infirmities to which he had been subject, on the 20 th day of December 1834 and subscribed this 15 th day of May 1835.
I also certify that Henry Holt who has been sworn to, and subscribed the above affidavit is a man of good moral character and that his statement is entitled to full credit.
James M. Moore, J.P.
Kentucky Union County J.P.
I James M. Keagler clerk of the Union County court in the State of aforesaid, do certify that James M. Moore who has subscribed his name to the foregoing Affidavit is and was at the time of subscribing the same a Justice of the peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified as such and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such as will in courts of justice as therein.
In Testimony whereof I have

hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my said office this 16 th day of May in the year of our Lord 1835 - In the 43 rd year of the Commonwealth
James R. Hughes.
On receipt of this May 1835
5 250
May 29
J. L. Edebe and Esq.
Commissioner of Revenue Washington City
By

February 15, 1939.
Mrs. Rudolph S. Steyer 323 High Street Morgantown, West Virginia.
BA-J/ILL Thomas Holt B.L.Wt.#1069-300 acres Thomas Holt R. 5187
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Thomas H. Holt, probably an offspring of the branch of the Holt family, one of whom settled in Virginia; you state that John F. Holt, a son of this Thomas Holt, was born May 15, 1769 in York County, Virginia.
A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service veteran of a Thomas H. Holt. The records have been found of two named Thomas Holt, who served from Virginia; their records are furnished you herewith, and may aid you in your research.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.