Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File B. L. Wt. 1937-200, Levi Grooms, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Grooms Levi
B.L. Mt. 1937-2000
CONTENTS

Levi Grooms No. 1937

DEPARTMENT OF WAR.
Regulations for the heirs of Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary Army, who were slain by the enemy, or who have died since the war, and have not received land from the United States.
By an Act of Congress of the 16th September, 1776, it is provided, that the Officers and Soldiers who engaged for, and continued to serve during the war, or until discharged by Congress, and the heirs of such Officers and Soldiers as shall be slain by the enemy, shall receive land in proportion to their rank.
N. B. Those who engaged for three years, or for any other period than during the war, or who died of sickness, fatigue, or casualty, are not entitled to land from the United States.
The following declaration (and enclosed blank form of heirship) must be filled up and signed by the proper authorities :
State of Kentucky }
County of Scott }
Groom, Charles H. }
do, upon oath, testify and declare, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that
did enter the service in 17 , for the term of
and served as a a Lieut in the Regiment No. under the command of Colonel
line ; and that he continued
in the service aforesaid until the 11th day of Oct 1777 when he was
killed in battle. I further declare, that I have never received a warrant for the bounty land promised to the heirs of
a Groom on the part of the United States ; nor do I believe that he ever received
it, or transferred his claim to it in any manner whatsoever : therefore,
Know all men by these presents, that I, Charles H. Groom aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint Nat R. Johnson to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, a warrant for the quantity of Land due to me as aforesaid ; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purposes above expressed.
Attest,
Will Johnson
Personally appeared the above named Charles H. Groom subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and made oath to the same, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined to be my free act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
Attest,
William Johnson Justice of the Peace
Scott County Ky
In testimony that the above written Will Johnson was a magistrate authorized to administer oaths, and take acknowledgements, &c., in the State of Kentucky at the above date, and that his name there subscribed appears to me to be his usual signature, has unto affixed the county seal, and subscribed my name and qualified
this 29th day of April 1833
A. Johnson

State of Kentucky
Scott County Jct. September Court 1831
Satisfactory Evidence is produced to the Court that Horatio, Charles H, Thornton H, Hiram B. and Elizabeth Groomes are the children and only heirs at law of John Groomes late of Stafford County Virginia decd who was the elder brother of Levi Groomes an Officer of the Virginia line and who fell in Battle in the Army of the Revolution being at the time of his death an unmarried man and without issue, which is ordered to be certified under the seal of the Court
State of Kentucky
Scott County Jct.
I A. B. Ford clerk
of the Court for the County aforesaid do certify that the foregoing Order of Court proving the Heirs of Levi Groomes decd is fully and correctly transcribed from the Records in my Office
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my Name and caused the Seal of said County to be affixed at my Office in Georgetown the 22nd day of September 1831 and 40th Year of the Commonwealth
A. B. Ford

7 The affidavit of Mr. Jacobs now a revolu- tionary Pensioner states that he lived during the revolution before near Falmouth Virginia, that he was personally intimate & acquainted with Levi Grooms & his whole family con- nections from Byhead who lived near the same place that this affiant entered the service of the Revolution & served in the war of the revolution that he knows of his own personal knowledge that Levi Grooms, who was an amiable & promising young man entered the service of his country early in the Revolution as an officer, that he believes it was in the character of a captain of Spotsylvania in one of the Virginia Continental Regts that he saw saw the S d Levi Grooms recruiting soldiers for his Regiment as a recruiting officer at Falmouth that he also states that he understood at the time, 1777 that S d Levi Grooms was in the Battle of Brandywine on the 11 th Sept 1777 & was there killed in Battle that he had

as mere right to believe this as any notorious & traditional fact of the revolution as it was a general belief & understanding in about Falmouth where S d Groom had been raised & where his father his mother & brothers of lived & he also knows that he never saw S d Groom after the 11 th Sept 1777 and in corroboration of this fact S d Groom never did return, if he had been alive the presumption is that he would have returned to his home altho' he does not recollect that ever saw S d Groom Groom's companion, yet he knew him to be an officer as he knew all others in the revolution by seeing them com- mand, & exercise authority with the Regi- mentals to distinguish them from the soldiers, & it was always easy to know who was an officer & who was not - no person could be easily imposed upon in that respect. It was always a matter of notoriety in the place, or neighborhood where the person lived and with their

facts & views he believes that Dave groons was killed as he is, in the Battle of Manassas wine as a friend in one of the Virginia Continental Regts. He believes it was the 6 th or 7 th Regt. He says that for many years his calling has been Teaching School & in this city of April 1833 Mr Jacobs
Scott County. Set
This day Mr. Jacobs made oath to the above affidavit before me a justice of the Peace for said County & for Certify that I have known the said Jacobs forty years both of us living in this County. Said Jacobs is a man of good standing, & a credible witness and his statement on oath is entitled to as much credit as any man so far as he knows or believes - he signed this 5 th day of April 1833 Mr Price (over)

I have been acquainted with John Jacobs who gave the within affidavit upwards of 25 years, & from personal knowledge state him to be a man of strict veracity, & truth. He is highly respectable & worthy of confidence. John Price signed the within certifi- cate & he was then & is now a justice of the peace for Scott County Ken. Rh. Johnson 4 April 1833
affidavit in case of Levi Grooms & Jacobs

Col. Gibson's Death on Mex's Wounded Gen. Worth
1847 1755 72
Sep. 12, 1847 - 10.00 G.M.
20 Ah rs of rum distributed among the soldiers who were in the battle of Vera Cruz
} 5.06 P.M.

on the 11 th Nov r 1822) appeared in Open Court, James Mason aged 95 years, a resident of Owen County, and Oath declar that he enlisted in the year 1777, in Capt n Fleming Co y Col t Weather Regt n being the 1 st Virg a — he served three years was in the battle of Brandy wine & was wounded there, & was discharged from said Reg t , & that soon after enlisted in the 2 d Regt of Yorkers in the year — in Capt n Grigg Co y Col t Peter Gantiverts Regt n he served three years & was discharged — again enlisted at Albany N.Y. in the 1 st Capt n Ant n Moores Co y Col t Lamb's Regt n & at the close of the war was regularly discharged
see Affid. Pension papers under act 1818 Kent y Agency — 20 Dec 1822 N o 18.852

The affidavit of Wm Suggett and Joseph Hobbs They state that they are well acquainted with James Mason who lives in this county & who has given his affidavit in the case of the heirs of Levi Grooms. the sd Mason is a very old man - but remarkable at his age for a sound & mind the possession of all of his faculties - the sd Mason is temperate sober a man who is poor & works for a living, that a family lives about two miles from this place Great Crossings - That the sd Mason is an orderly member of the Baptist Church at this place & his walk & conversation & conduct corres- pond with his profession as a christian as far as we know & believe and we have no doubt, that that his statement upon oath ought be be considered creditable & worthy of belief signed this 27 th day of March
H 93
Wm Suggett
I am intimately acquainted with Wm Suggett & Joseph Hobbs Joseph Hobbs & Sarah Grooms for many years. this state for high upwards of 20. they are equal to any person in this state for high credit & reputation. I have known Mr Mason slightly since the last year so far as my knowledge extends he is sober industrious & discreet & considered a man of truth R. M. Johnson

the affidavit of Sarah Craig, formerly Sarah Grooms - that she married John Grooms, the brother of Levi Grooms in Fauquier Co. Va.  about the the 4 th day of May 1787 that she sd Sarah is about 87 years of age. That she has conversed with the her husband the brother to Levi Grooms & the mother of sd Levi & the neighbors then after her marriage as well with the friends & family connections of sd Grooms about the sd Levi Grooms, and the fact was notori- ous by such conversations that sd Levi Grooms was killed in the Battle of Brandywine 11 th Sept 1777 as a lieut lieutenant in the Virginia continental service - that from the tradition & conversations of that early day about Levi Grooms she has no doubt but what sd Grooms was killed in the Battle of Brandywine as a lieutenant aforesaid. These conversations of course were repeated for years more frequently than she can state.
Signed this 29 th day of March 1833
Sarah X Craig mark

the affd avnt of James Mason of Brattle County Kentucky. He states that he was in Braddock's deft at or the monongahela in the year 1755 - that as soon as the revolution war broke out before the declaration of in- dependence he enlisted for 2 or 3 years as will as he can recollect at this time in the company of Capt. James Gregg in the 2d N. York Regt Conn commanded by Col Peter Ganvoort. That after his discharge he went to Virginia where he enlisted for & during the war served till at Gloucester discharged near Alexandria Va that he was personally acquainted with Levi Grooms, who was an officer, viz a lieutenant in Capt Thompson's company of the 7th Virginia Regt commanded by Col Heath, that he S d Mason was a soldier of S d Regt under the command of Capt Fleming. That S d Regt was in the Battle of Brandywine 10th Sept 1777 & that this affiant was wounded in the leg & had his big toe shot off.

Swi That the 5 th Lieutenant Grooms was killed in the 5 th Battle - he was shot through the body - that in the retreat he helped by the 5 th Grooms who was then dead. The wound was mortal & he died on the ground & before the Battle was over - 5 th Grooms was always designated as other officers of his grade by Regimentals & he knows that 5 th Grooms did command as Lieutenant before at the time of his death as aforesaid. Signed this 27 th day of March 1833. his James M. Mason Mark
March 29 th 1833 Scott County Set. This day the following persons came before me a justice of the Peace for Scott Co. Ky & made oath to their respective statements as signed by them viz James Mason, Sarah Grooms, Wm Leoggett & Joseph Hobbs and I do certify that I am personally acquainted with all & each of 5 th persons & believe them highly creditable & respectable entitled to belief
William Johnson J.P.

Choctaw Academy April 9 th 1833
Dear Sir,
I hope I now enclose to you proof entirely satisfactory to prove the rank services & death of Levi Grooms. I do not see how record evidence would be more satisfactory. It is impossible in the nature of things that public rumor & traditional & circumstantial proof of such events as the case details would cheat & defraud the services & rank & fate of an officer or soldier of the revolutionary war or any war are as well known by tradition & common history in the neighborhood where he lived as if every one was on duty by his side. If you think the proof sufficient give the warrant & transmit it to the Genl Land office with a request from me that the Serif issue to the heirs & send it to me & a receipt from the heirs shall be forwarded upon its receipt.
Now let me ask the Special & particular & preping favor to me to let me hear from you without delay & oblige your friend
A. N. Johnson
Mr Gordon Esq

Dep t of War, Bounty Land Office April 18 th 1833
Sir
Your letters of the 30 th ult o , and 9 th inst t , with their respective enclosures, have been duly received; Permit me to assure you that, I have not been unmindful of the case to which they refer, and am gratified in receiving the additional testimony of John Jacobs, and Mary Jacobs, who, it appears, were well acquainted with Lt. Grooms and his family, and were residents of the same neighbourhood at, and prior to the period of his entering the service - The weight of their testimony, in connection with that of James Mason, is now deemed sufficient, fairly to establish the necessary facts in relation to the birth, services, and manner of death, of Lieut. Levi Grooms; a said Warrant will therefore issue in their names, in conformity with the proof of kinship heretofore filed in the case. It is requisite however, under the rules of the Dep t that an application should be made according to the printed form herewith sent, same having been heretofore filed - For the execution of this form, your Certificate in relation to the official character of the Magistrate may be substituted for that of the Clerk of the Court -
Permit me to suggest, as a measure to obviate any probable difficulty in the issue of the Scrip, that you obtain a short power of Atty. signed by each of the heirs, authorising the surrender of the Warrant, and a demand for the Scrip, due thereon - Which, if transmitted to this office, will be then sent, (accompanied by the Warrant, and other needful instructions) to the Commiss ry of the Gen l Land Office
I have the honor to be Wm. Gordon
Hon ble R. M. Johnson Choctaw Academy Kentucky

Jas. Olsson Lamb: New York City Kent, N.Y. 20 Dec 1822

This day personally appeared before the Subscriber a justice of the peace for Scott County Ky James Mason a pensioner, who made oath that he was well acquainted with Lieut. Levi Grooms who was Lieut. in the 9 th Virginia Regt which was commanded by Col. William Heath in the Continental -al Troops during the Revolutionary War & that said Lieut. Grooms was killed in the Battle of Boondywine These facts he swears came under his personal knowledge having seen said Grooms before & after he was killed in said Battle - given under my hand this 5 th February
1833
William Johnson Justice of the Peace for Scott County Ky -
I do certify that Mr Johnson is a justice of Peace for Scott County Kentucky & that James Mason personally known to me being my neighbour, is a man of truth & credit
Ph. A. Johnson

Hon. R. M. Johnson May 25. 1833
12. Levi Groves
Groom
No Recd 162 120

Department of War Bounty Land Office May 25 th 1839
Sir
Your letter just marked the 17 th inst. With its enclosures, has duly received — Agreeably to your instructions, I have this day transmitted to the Governor and Council of Virginia, Certified Copies of all the papers filed in this Office, upon which Land Bounty was allowed to the heirs of Lieut. Levi Grooms, decd., together with your letter addressed to his "Excellency Mr. Floyd and Council" —
I herewith return you Mr. M. B. Coleman's letter, and have to state, in reference to the inquiries submitted therein, that the Acts of Congress providing Bounty Lands for the Soldiers in the late War, apply, exclusively, to those who enlisted for five years , or during the War ; to their heirs, and to the heirs of such of the 12 Months Volunteers , who died , or were killed , whilst in service. — No provision in bounty lands having been made for, either the 12 Mo t Volunteers , or 18 Months Men , who survived the War
I have the honor to be W. Gordon
Hon ble R. M. Johnson Great Crossings Kentucky

Hon. R. M. Johnson (Decent 3 rd 1831)
Levi Groom
7141937 for 200 acres

War Dept t Bounty Land Office
Decem r 2 d 1881
Sir
In answer to the inquiries submitted in your note of to-day, I have to state that, the Certificate left by you at this Office, contains satisfactory evidence of heirship in relation to the heirs of Levi Grooms, deceased, who is stated to have fallen in battle in the War of the Revolution.
The heirs of those Officers and Soldiers who belonged to the Continental lines of the Army in the War of the Revolution, and who were slain by the enemy , or died from wounds received in battle , are entitled to bounty lands from the U. States! The name of Levi Grooms not being returned on the Records in this Department, among those Officers who fell in battle , it is required by the Regulations which govern this Office, that, satisfactory evidence shall be adduced to show when, and where, and in what battle he was slain, also to show, to what line of the Army he was attached, and the rank he held therein at the time of his death, or previous thereto.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Yours
The Hon ble Nich o M. Johnson
H. Gordon

from the State
St. L. Johnson
case of the State of Levi Grooms

Please inform me of the Certificate in the case of the heirs of John Grooms is sufficient to prove membership also of an officer who was killed in Battle, in the revolution, was entitled to land, that is was his heirs entitled. Levi Grooms was killed in the Battle of Brandywine as Sub. officer in the case of the soldiers Robley
Wm. Johnson

The Affidavit of Nancy Jacobs, now Resident of Scott County formerly a Resident of Virginia near Galax made the following statements, that she was well acquainted with Levi Grooms, when a Remoting Office at Galax and that the s d groomer was killed in the Battle of Brandywine as it was so stated about Galax & he never returned since 5 th Ap r 1833. Nancy Jacobs
Scott County ss This day Nancy Jacobs made oath to the above affidavit before me a Justice of the Peace for this County & I do certify that I have known the s d N. Jacobs for forty years both of us now living in s d County s d N. Jacobs is a lady of good standing & a credible witness her statements on oath is entitled to as much credit as any lady in the County so I have known given under my hand this 5 th Ap r 1833. John Price P.G.
I do certify that John Price signed the above & he was then & is now a justice of the Peace for s d Scott County & s d Price is a man of high character & respectability & am an honor, veracity & integrity R. H. Johnson 1833

I return you my sincere thanks for your letter relative to the claim of Sarah Groom being I now enclose the declaration of the acting. Rec. Please deposit the present  enclosed when issued in the Genl. Land Office when issued with a request here made that the Scrip issue as soon as it can to all of the heirs enclosed to me. In a few days I will send you the power you speak of requesting the issue of scrip to the heirs & its delivery by one of the heirs. The other two heirs are to me. Several hundred miles away & cannot be easily had at this time but as the crop is not to be I presume a power from one being a majority of the heirs will justify the issue of the scrip to all of the heirs. It will not you will let me know soon R. H. Johnson

Am R. M. Johnson May 7 th 1833.
Waverly
67 1/2 - 18 3:75 =
Miss Grooms
Dr. R. M. Johnson
2 Wm Gordon Esq Land Board 26 Sts of Washington

Sir,
Dept t of War, Bounty Land Office
May 7 th 1833
Your post marked the 1 st and enclosing the required Declaration & Power of Atty in the case of the claim for bounty land by the heirs of Lieut. Grooms, decd d , is received. I have therefore issued Land Warrant N o 1937. for 200. Acres in the names of the several heirs, and agreeably to your instructions, have this day deposited the same in the Gen l Land Office — Mr. F. Keller of that Office, informs me that, as the Warrant will be considered as deposited by you, no further power in relation to the Scrip, will be deemed necessary, and that he will as speedily as practicable, have the Scrip prepared and transmitted to you.
Yrs &c Hugh Gordon
Hon ble R. M. Johnson
Great Crossings Kentucky
W. B. [unclear] Benton, Ky.

Mr. Gordon Esq. 3, 3, Prince of Wales Terrace Prince of Wales Terrace Kings of Wootton
Mr. Asgill Esq. F.R.S.
Recd Apr 13, 1883

1433 1766 67
My Dear Sir,
Please examine the within let me know if the proof is now sufficient I consider Mrs. Evans's testimony equal to an oye with us. In such cases tradition is never incorrect. Feel great anxiety to succeed for the heirs as conscientiously. believe they are entitled.
answer me as soon as hope to oblige your sincere
friend
Rh. Johnson
30th March 1833

Hon R M Johnson
Case of the heirs of Lem Grooms &
Wm Gordon Land Bounty War Dept
Recd. Feb 18 1833

My friend I now send you positive proof in the case of Mr. & Mrs. Groom. her ship according to Law still with you last Sept. 1861. Please let me hear from you Yours sincerely R. M. Johnson
Feel great interest for this poor family

M m Selden
Oct. 4 th 1831.
Levi Grooms

War Dept Bounty Land Office
Oct 22 nd 1881
Sir
The inclosed letter from Col. Rich d M c Johnson is respectfully submitted to you, with the request that you will make the investigation required by it, and inform me of the result.
Your early attention will be gratifying to Col. Johnson, as well as to
Your obl St.
W m Gordon
W m Selden Esq
Reg d of the L d Office - Rech d V d .
The letter above referred to relates to an inquiry relative to the right to bounty land by the heirs of Levi Grooms. Who is stated to have been an Ensign or Lieut. of the Virg a Line - Col. Johnson has this day been informed that the name of Levi Grooms is not returned on the list of Officers of the V a Line as entitled to land from the U. States.

you do not know how much I thank you for your prompt -rep in the case of Lee-Grooms I must ask another favor in the case. wish you to make out a copy of all the Papers upon which you granted a warrant & enclose them to the Gov. & Council stating the fact of your issuing the warrant.
& send the enclosed letter with the Papers and as soon as done let me know it & the cost of a copy & I will request a breid in the City to May 4. most sincerely
Yours R. E. Johnson
see my letter to Gov. Floyd & does it not require a power to do what I ask. and