Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,626, Lawson Hobson, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Hobson, Lawson
S. 2,626
carded
CONTENTS

See letter to T. Marten, Pulaski P. Act Dec. 1. 1836 do to Pleasants Nov. 22 1839. No. Feb. 10. Ht let to Pension 9 th May 1840. let 3 June 1840 No. A. W. Brown
West Tennessee 30,689.
Lawson Hobson.
Colonel C o in the State of Tennessee was a Bri. in the Campy commanded Captain Mosby of the Regt commanded Genl. Lafayette in the Virginia for 7 months & 20 days
scribed on the Roll of No. Tennessee at the rate of 25 Dollars 55 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 th day of June 1836, and forwarded to the Hon. G. J. Shields, A. of R.
  Invars to the 4th of March '36.  127.75    Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 th Sept.  12.77     $140.52  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by R. Burdick Book E 2 - Vol. 7 -
Clerk,

Lumson Hobson
24698
the sum of twenty five hundred and that full faith, is due to all his official acts as such person under my hand this 9th day of April 1833
Free A. Cook

State of Virginia Giles County
On this Eighth day of
April 1888 personally appeared in open court before William A Cook Chancellor now sitting Lawson Hobson
a resident in the County of Giles & State of Virginia aged 78 Seventy nine years on the 31st day of December 1882, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the fol- lowing statement or declaration in or- der to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1882
That he entered the service of the United States and served as herein stated under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That in he entered the service of
the United States in the year 1778 in a volunteer company of cavalry commanded by Captain Littlebury Mosby & Lieutenant Wade Mosby they were not attached to any particular
Brigade nor regiment by him  he lived at the time he entered the service in Cumberland County Virginia at the time the service in Powhatan county the place of
rendezvous & the place of training & mustering the company was Petersburg in Virginia under the command of General Baron Steuben. They served principally as a guard to Petersburg & Richmond to prevent the enemy from plundering the
citizens of those towns & the adjacent country. He entered the service as above stated in the year 1778 & volunteered for the balance of the war & served in the company until after the defeat of Cornwallis when he believed
he had served in said company about four years he  he was then discharged but had not the discharge he  he was at the battle at Petersburg under the command

of Colonel Baunton if there were any general officer in immediate command and he  they do not recollect it and at present believe that the United States Army at that battle were commanded by Colonel Baunton, the battle was fought on the part of the United States principally by Malitow and the town of Petersburg was taken by the British and the United States troops made their escape by retreating he  they do not recollect whether any prisoners were taken or not but if any there were very few.
In the course of his service he  they remembers being under the command of Genl. Stutson, General Lawson, and General Lafayette, Station  10th Voluntary  They  They were  then  then  they  they were trained for service and then Lawson until after the battle of Petersburg they  they then marched up James River through Chesterfield County Virginia, occupied a place called Wilton and there fell under the command of General Lafayette and I believe Lafayette commanded the troops as the bellum of the town I served so far as they  they were commanded by any General officer under the command of Lafayette they  they marched down James River on the North side and were for some time stationed in Burnside at a place called Morris hills they  they marched down to a place called Chickahominy and to several other places in that county and about the time Cornwallis was defeated they  they were marched back to Petersburg he  I believe a little time before his defeat and shortly after his defeat they  they were together with the balance of the company discharged at Petersburg by General Lawson.
The statements above are the general circumstances of my service he  he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or any other pecuniary except the present and declares that my name is not on the pension role of of any the agency in any state I subscribe to and subscribe in Open Court the 8th day of April 1833
Lawson Hobson
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court the 8th day of April 1833.
Charles C. Sherwood Chd Master of the Chancery Court at Pulaski

questions put by the Court 18 th When and in what year were you born I was born in Northumberland County in the state of Virginia in the year 1758 December the 31 st .
Q 2 nd Have you any record of your age and if so when is it?
I have my age recorded in the family Bible of my father which is now in the possession of William Rob- son, who now lives in the state of Virginia & who is a brother of mine.
3 rd When were you living when called into service; in the have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and when do you now live.
I was living in Cumberland County state of Virginia, when I was called into service, where I lived during & since the Revolutionary war until 1807 when I removed to the state of Kentucky where I have lived ever since & from the year 1810, in Giles County where I now live.
4 th When were you called into service were you drafted or your volunteer

We Matthew Swanport, a clergyman, residing in the county of Giles and John Buchanan resi- ding in said county & state hereby certify that we are all acquainted with Lawson Hanson, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbour- hoods where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that all concurs in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the 8 th day of April 1833.
Matthew Swanport
Charles C. Abernathy clerk Master of the Chancery Court at Pulaski.
John Buchanan

or were you a substitute. And if a substitute for whom?
I first substituted & went into service for the term of three months, as a militia man in place of my brother Caleb Hobson. I was employed by Col. Henry Leipworth as a recruiting officer, & also to lay in provisions for Washington's army which services I rendered but do not recollect how long I was engaged about it. I next volunteered under Capt. Littlebury Mosby & continued in this service from 1861 until the end of the war, which was near about four years to the best of my recollection.
5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental & militia Regiments as you can recollect, & the general circumstances of your service.
(I was under Gen. Merlenburgh & Col. Clanceman as to the remaining inquiries in this question I have

set them out as fully as I can in my declaration.
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
I received a discharge from the service in which I was a substitute General Mullenburgh, but do not recall or know what has become of it. And an other exam en "Larson" as set forth in the declaration I state the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify to your character for veracity & their belief of your per- -vices as a soldier of the Revolution I am known to Matthew Linnport John Buchanan John W. Badenhauer David Porter & May & this in my present neighbourhood who will all give the above testimony He further states that he has no documentary evi- dence of his services and except Wade Massey of Kirksville knows of no person by whom he can prove any of the above facts except by his own oath.
Larson Hobson

And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion, after the investigation of the case, or matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented put by the war. depart- ment, that the above application was a valid one of the Revolution, and deserved as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Matthew Scavansport who has signed the foregoing Certificate, is a resident in Giles County & said State of Tennessee & is a Clergyman. and that John Buchanan who has also signed & sworn to the same is a resident in said last men- tioned County & State, and is a Cred- itable person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit
Will A Cook Chancellor of the Western division of the State of Tennessee
State of Tennessee Giles County let 3
I Charles C. Abernathy clerk & Master of the Chancery Court at Pulaski, in said County & State do hereby certify that the foregoing Certificate is a true and correct copy of the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Lawson Hobson for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, (there being no seal of office) this 9 th day of April A D 1833 and of the independence of the United States of America the 57 th year.  Charles C. Abernathy clerk &c

State of Tennessee } Chancery Court April Term 1833 Giles County
I William A. Cook, Chancellor of the Western Division of the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that Charles C. Abernathy whose name is signed to the foregoing Certificate is Clerk & Master of the Chancery Court at Pulaski, and was at the time of signing said Certificate and that full faith, is due to all his official acts as such given under my hand this 9 th day of April 1833
Wm A. Cook
Lawson Hobson
24698

February 18, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/EEL Lawson Hobson-S.2626
Mrs. M.T. Shipman Williamsburg Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Thomas and Lawson Hobson, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made in your behalf and no record found of a claim for pension or bounty land having been made on account of the services of any soldier named Thomas Hobson; you are herewith furnished the history of Lawson Hobson, the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Lawson Hobson was born December 31, 1753, in Northumberland County, Virginia.
While residing in Cumberland County, Virginia, he enlisted early in 1778, and served at various times on short tours until after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, as a private under Captains Creed Has- kins and Littleberry Mosby, Colonels Downman, Sciopworth and Banister in the Virginia Troops and was at the battle of Petersburg. He stated that on one tour, he served as a substitute for his brother, Caleb Hobson.
In 1807, he moved to the state of Tennessee, and in 1810, to Giles County, that state, where he was residing when he was allowed pension on his application executed April 8, 1833.
It is not stated that soldier was ever married.
See claim of Littleberry Mosby B.L. Mt. 64-300
Could not identify Creed Haskins or Col. Scipworth as a Col. Downman of Va. There was one of Ga
Soldier that stated he enlisted in May 1778 under Littleberry Mosby but stated claim he returned not to Va. until Dec. 1778

In 1833, soldier's brother, William Hobson, was residing in the state of Virginia.
There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Lawson Hobson
Tennessee
Suspended
28 November 1834
E. J. Shields do.
4 April 1836
same June 9. '36

1933 Feb 18 - History to Mrs M. J. Shipman Eld.
Rev War
2626 INVALID.
File No. 2626
Lawson Hobson Print Rev War
Act: June 7. 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 176
[Arrangement of 1870.]

infant Capuchin
Low Moby
Ref. —
Brain? Must be Peter 6
4 years —
capt Wade Malig Sumus fall 79 or spring 1750 —
Peter from 6 to 8 weeks — 1 1/2
  Gulf  3 mo —  3    2 symo.  2 1/5    4 to 5 weeks  1     7 2/7  

Feb 4. 1840.
Term.
LS
George W. Crump Esq. Washington City
James M. Wilson

Mountain-Spring Tennessee Giles County Jan. 20 th 1840
3
Sir
In answer to your letter of the 22 nd November, I have to say, that it has no foundation on record to show what you have stated, that I was a volunteer in a Minute company; and there is no such record or roll, to show that I was in any such company as you have stated. I volunteered to serve my country for or during the war & never was discharged from that service, until the war was over; and you must have looked at some other roll or record, where my name is not recorded. I never expected to be paid for my service to my country; but I did expect some more than you have allowed me. You have allowed me seven months service, and for that service $25-50, which is lower than any soldier ever served for. To calculate it per month, would give $3-60; and per day would be ten cents, which you must know is lower, than any soldier ever served in the Militia or any other service. - It was two or three years after Congress passed the law that the revolutionary soldiers should be paid for their services. I at last heard that my Lieutenant

was alive. I wrote to him to state what he knew of my services as a Volunteer Soldier. He stated before Powhatan Court in the state of Virginia, that he commanded me as a Volunteer Soldier, for or during the war; and I have stated the same in my declaration and no one has disputed the veracity of either of us, that knew us, and I should be sorry any one should do so now. I am now eighty six years old and a few days. I want nothing but what is right; and I hope you will examine well into the matter & give me my just rights. I do not remember what my pay was, but I think it was the same with the Regulars. You must see that there is a mistake about it. Your character stands so high and good. I have no doubt but you will see justice done me. In so doing you will greatly oblige me. I confess it is an unpleasant thing to me to contradict what you have stated in your letter to me. But my experience & knowledge & suffering for- bids me to be silent on the subject of the old war, & if you will search the records you will find that the old revolutioner is right. As I remember all about the old war, as old as I am. I am sir your obedient humble Servant
Lawson Hobson

From Hon A. W. Brown And June 3. 1840
Larson Nelson

N.P.R. May 29 th 1830
Sir
I enclose a letter from your Department to my predecessor E. J. Steele, with certain memorandums made by me in the presence of Mr. Hobson upon his conversation with me - my rough draft but which I hope you will be able to understand. Please make search for the terms that the other Morality (the Captain's service) & see if there be any way to enlarge the pay of Mr. Harkness as due to him. whatever new proof I will attend to having taken but if the records shows the longer service of the Capt. I suppose that would be evidence of like service of his men - you will please notice the extension which he draws between Capt & Lieut. Morality
Very respectfully
A. W. Brown
Genl. J. L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions

A280 3 sheets
Nov 21. 1839
Pension Office
Hobson
Adkins
Deputy of Gen Hobson at S.D.
FREE
FREE
and not

1839 McDowell Spring Jan. 1st 5"
Sir
I received your letter three or four years ago, with a certificate of $25.50, which I was much surprised, and thought I would send it back to you but did not, I write to you as a gentleman, to see Mr. Rife, as I entered in the service of my Country for during the war by order of Congress, that I was to find my own horse and my clothing and not to be removed out of the state of Virginia, and no man can show that the Volunteers during the war, was ever discharged until the war ceased, then I was discharged and not before, and no man could discharge us without orders from Congress, I find in your letter you paid my services which has been ten months and twenty days, my left tenant was a young man of a delicate constitution and was not with us more than half of his time (he employed one Gofly Merit who was a forage Master to the Army) to take his place and went home to his Mother, and was backward and forward but held his commission until the Volunteers agreed to not be bound to the state of Virginia, then he threw up commission and was with us more, and then Gofly Merit was appointed in his place, and my left tenant declared on oath, that I was a soldier during the war, and I have

In my declaration due the same to my left knee he through age his coming and did not discharge. Volunteered for Service in the Cavalry four years, and in the militia three months, after I ask of you, is to reward me as every has the old soldiers, I do not write to you because I am so bad off, I am beholden to my country for support. me: I thank my god while I was young the hand that holds the pen, and the other hand that administers to our necessities, that I am not beholden for support. I am not rich but I have a sufficient competency. It was ten or twelve months after Genl Washington capt. Genl Wallis before it was known that George the third King of Great Britain had sent the Articles of peace when that was done Genl Washington exchanged prisoners and discharged his army and then I was discharged and not before, I should have wrote to you before now but Mr. Shields turned a federalist and I would have nothing more to say or do with him but Mr. Brown is chosen in his place and will do what is right no doubt, as he is a true democrat as you are yourself I wish to be put on a level with my old friends of the Revolutionary war I am not making my right against you I hope you will consider my case and see that I have justice. It is all I ask, I do not blame you for being very strict about the pension money as I

I do believe from what I have heard that there there are men drawing Pensions that never served in the service of their Country but that no person that there that did serve should be cheated out of their rights as I have proved by my office and my own declaration.
I am with respect
Your humble Servt. Dawson D. Wilson
on the man

NOV 29 1877 P
FREE
Lawson H. Kimball Postmaster
Edward E. Esq Commissioner of Pensions Miss  Washington City, D.C.

Hunters Park of Tennessee Pulaski Nov 18 th 1836.
Sir Mrs. Hobson, of Giles County, a Revolutionary Pensioner, under the act of the 7 th June 1832, has applied to me, for the amount due her. The circular from the Treasury Department, under date the 30 th September, requires that when the pension has not been demanded for more than one year that the proof of the pensioners identity, &c. &c. shall be transmitted to the Commissioner of Pension before the payment is made. Hobsons Certificate, was not issued until the 11 th June 1836, but reverts back for payment, to the 4 th of March 1831. Does this case come within the scope of the Circular referred to? The fact that the Certificate was not issued until within the last six months, appears to me to do away the necessity of the formality required in the Circular of the 30 th Sept. Will you oblige me by a communication directing upon this subject
Yr obt Servt
Henry Martin
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pension Washington City

H 68. May 9. 40
Prison Office
20
Washington City
The Board of Directors
FREE

Mountain Spring. Giles County Tennessee 27 April 1860.
Sir,
I received yours of the 10 th February and have examined the contents, and find that you place the volunteers for during the war, with the Militia, which never was the case. The volunteers for during the war were raised to supply General Washington's army with more men, and not to keep the Militia from being drafted, as you have stated. The day I volunteered in the service of my Country, the act that Congress made to raise volunteers was read to me, in these words, A man that volunteered was to find himself a horse and clothing and was to serve during the war and not to be carried out of the State Virginia: and can any man believe, that the volunteers for during the war had any connection with the Militia men at all. You state that the volunteers were raised to keep the Militia from being drafted. Well, if the Militia were drafted, they went into the Regular service, and were called Regular Soldiers. Well if the volunteers took the place of the Militia, being drafted, they went into the service as a Militia man would, if he had been drafted and would have been called regular, as the volunteers were called regular volunteers called and served. in time out, as we had engaged to do, and never was discharged until our time was out as you have stated, and we were regularly trained to the exercise of the Cavalry by an old Country man, General Baron Steuben and his staff one week in every four weeks, and we were seven or eight months, before we were thought fit for action and we were constant on the enemy until the enemy came to Petersburg and we retreated and crossed James river and joined General Lafayette's Army and then we were commanded by General Lafayette, as long as the British Army staid on the waters of James River and went away, we were sent to Petersburg, and then we were commanded by General Lawson. Can any man think we served but seven months, in all that time, and that we were militia men, and had the militia pay, and finding our own horses and clothing is out of all reason. And how you come to find out, I served but seven months is foreign to and then was discharged, except you took it from my Lieutenant applying for his pension, and ten months, 20 days, his giving up his commission on account of his health, and quitting the Army could not discharge the soldiers, and about the time you state, that the volunteers were discharged, there was a greater call for men, than any time of the Revolutionary war, for from the latter part of 1780 1781 men were wanted and called for, than any time of the war, and could it be supposed that the volunteers should be discharged, when men were so much wanted, there was no such thing took place. I wish you would be so kind as to look at the act of Congress made to raise the volunteers, and see if I have stated facts. I think that the act states what the volunteers pay was to be, but I am not sure, that it did. I do not think it any advantage to you, to keep me out of my pay, and if it were, I do not think

you would do it from your Character. — I hope you will see into the matter and let me have my rights, I want nothing but what is right. And you will much oblige your humble servant
Larson Hobson

adn. by Mr. Sylvester
7 mo. 20 days pri
25 55/100
Hon E. J. Shields Ho. Rep.

The amended declaration of Lawson Hobson in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of — Congress passed June 7 th 1832
Personally appeared before me the under- signed a justice of the peace for Giles County State of Tennessee Lawson Hobson, age 8 Eighty years on the 31 st day of December 1833 who being duly sworn deposes & saith, that he entered the service of the United States as a sub- stitute for his brother Caleb Hobson, as a little British soldier in the early part of the year 1778 in the company of Capt. Conrad Hawkins in Cumberland County State of Virginia in the Regiment of Col. Daughman, he was marched out of Cumberland County through Pompton & Chesterfield Counties into Petersburg & directly from there to New Mills, where the army to which he was attached had its head quarters after staying there about six weeks they were then moved to Smithfield, where the army's head quarters were after they had been removed from New Mills . He continued in Smithfield the remainder of this term of service they did not meet the enemy during this service at the end of this term of service which 3 lasted for three months & during all of which time applicant was constantly in service as above set forth — he received discharge from said service from General Mullenburgh, who

Commanded at Smithfield. But apparently does not now ventury what has become of the discharge Through mistake & a belief that he could not compute the time, he was in service as sub- stitute in estimating his own services the above service was not mentioned in his for- mer declaration - He also states upon reflection, that it was early in 1878 instead of 1877 as mentioned in his former declaration that he entered the service of the United States - The above being the first service that he performed - which he has cor- rected in looking over it by changing the last figure of 7. into an 8. He still lived as he did during the war as a pe- ace service, in Cumberland County - (Virginia) but he went down into Fauquier County, & volunteered & entered the ser- vice in that County under Capt. Little Mosby as mentioned & set forth in his former declaration. He volunteered & en- tered the said service in which by the terms of the agreement between the officers & soldiers he was to continue during the continuance of the war, from that time, which was in the month of July or August 1878 during this term he performed the services mentioned in his former declaration. He ends in this service for the term of four years & received all the time as a private not in service

Volunteers. all the troops that were stationed as set forth in his former declaration & in which applicant was attached was to the company in which he was a member and one other company operated with Capt. Mosby, commanded by Capt. Joseph Grimal & Lieutenant Grimal. They did not form a regiment & for a time had no col. Col. When engaged in guarding Petersburg, Richmond & the adjacent country as set forth in his original declaration which contains the general circumstances of his service. The most of time in which this service was performed the troops to which he was attached were under training & engaged occasionally in scouring the country, this & guarding the above mentioned towns from the encroach- ments of the enemy occupied their time except when employed in other service as mentioned in his declaration. He further states as to his service mentioned in his former answer to the questions propounded by the court as recruiting officer & also as to

his laying in procuions for Washington That he recruited twelve men & they together collected Recrus for Washing- tons army - and drove them to one Thompsons a place of deposit prescribed by Col. Skipwith. He states that from age  the in formity of his memory at the lapse in con- sequence of his age & the great lapse of time, he cannot decide positively as to the length of this last mentioned service but he believes that it was at least two months & a half he got a discharge from Col. Skipwith for this service but that he has lost it also. In his answers to the court in his original declaration he stated, that he could establish some of his services by the Mosby of the state of Virginia. He has been unable to pro- cure his evidence as yet properly authenticated although he has used every exertion in his power to do so - He has two written letters on the subject & sent them to the nearest Post office the persons to whom they were directed one of them being directed to the said Mosby sometime in August 1833. He has received no reply & has since learned that the said Mosby was in a low state of health, & he knows that he is very aged, & he is apprehensive that he is dead or a surely would have heard from him. - He has sent

The Certificate to the state of Virginia, which was accompanied these papers before to be authenticated which will be done & sent back from there to the depart- ment to be referred & helping. — The statement of the services mentioned above and in his former declaration are correct to the best of his knowledge & belief for which he claims a pension
Signed to & subscribed
before me this 17 th
day of February 1834
Lawson Hobson
W. G. H. a justice of the peace, for the County of Giles, State of Tennessee,

State of Tennessee Giles County.
I German Lester Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions holden for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Nathaniel G. Hyde who se signature is affixed to the within certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County duly Commissioned & Qualified, and that full faith and credit is and Ought to be given to all his official acts as such. And that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at office this 17th day of February 1834.
German Lester Clk
State of Tennessee
Giles County
I Alexander Black presiding Justice of Giles county Court do here by certify that German Lester whose name is affixed to the foregoing certificate is Clerk of said County Court of Giles County and full faith is and credit to be given to all his acts as such and that his certificate is in due form of law Given under my hand and seal this 17th day of February 1834. Alexander Black presiding Justice of Giles County Court.

Williamsburg Va Nov 7, 1932
Veteran's Administration Gentlemen -
Please - give me
any information you can on
Thos. Hobson and Lawson Hobson they were in Revolutionary War
Respectfully Mrs. M. J. Shipman Williamsburg Va