Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,073, Major Groom, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Groom Major
S. 31,073
CONTENTS

7445 Kentucky
Major Groom
of Caldwell in the State of Kentucky who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Buckner of the Ky. Inf. comm. by Col. Barbee in the V.A. time for S r M o 24 As
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 29 Dollars 32 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of April 1833, and D r Thomas Wayne Princeton Ky.
Arrears to the 4th of March 58.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4/2/32 14.65 $73.23
{ Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 10

note flenth not in AB

Major Groom.
20953
Virginia State bonds.

State of Kentucky Caldwell County ss:
On this 29 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before James E. Miller, Morton A. Purvis and William Lander Esqrs. justices of the county court of said county & State now sitting, Major Groom a resident of said county & State, aged 60  64 years, who being first duly sworn, 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 the following named officers, and served as herein stated and in the year 1780 as he now believes to wit: That at about the age of seventeen, in the County of Orange, State of Virginia he was drafted in the militia of that State for the purpose of guarding the prisoners taken at the capture of Burgoyne who were confined at the Barracks in Albemarle County, Virginia - that while in this service, which was the term of six weeks weeks, he was under Captain Buckner - that two companies of regulars were in the same service, one of which was commanded by Capt. Berkeley, and several militia companies - that these prisoners were confined in the interior to keep them out of reach, and to prevent a recapture. That a short time afterwards he was again drafted from the same County for the same purpose, and again stood his tour of six weeks and was again discharged, as he was relieved by other drafts. That not long after this time, he was again drafted from the same County, under Colonel Dark, Lieutenant Galt. Forrester (his Capt's name is not remembered) that they joined the Regt. at Richmond, and proceeded to Cabin Point; thence to Petersburg, thence to Richmond again, which marching and countermarching was to meet the movements of the British then in the country, and a further object was to guard James river & to prevent the enemy's vessels coming up that river. The expedition was for two months, after which he was again discharged. That in a short time he was again called out under Col. Matthews to guard York river and the lower part of the country - that they marched first to Williamsburg and to several other points, that were thought to be in danger - that an engagement at Jamestown was confidently expected at that time, but the enemy retired for the time and did not appear - that he was out in this tour for two months, and was again discharged of that

not long afterwards, from time in 1781 as well as he remembers he was again drafted to go to York - that two companies were drafted from his County, and rendezvoused at Williamsburg, and from thence marched to Yorktown and there joined Genl Washington, who was besieging Cornwallis at that place. The enemy had built a battery on a small Creek a small distance from the town, and annoyed much annoyed our men digging intrenchments - this Creek ran into the river below the town - the battery was abandoned in a short time, as rifle men approached under cover within gun shot, and compelled them to retreat. The American army was posted on both sides the river, and the French fleet was below the town, so that the town was completely surrounded. Washington's plan was to intrench himself, and so advance by degrees, to protect his men from the enemy's fire, and in about ten days our batteries were raised, and we returned the fire - the first battery was raised below the town, and the firing continued without intermission until Cornwallis surrendered both the posts of Yorktown and Gloucester point, which was about the 18th of October 1781 - that he served in this expedition, two months and was discharged, making in all, eight months of his service as a soldier in the revolution. In this siege, Governor Nelson commanded the Virginia militia, as well as he remembers. He knows of no person now living who served with him in either of the campaigns - they may be in Virginia, but there is no one in this country that he knows of - He states that he was born in Orange County Virginia, but the precise time he does not know. According to the custom of the country, when an infant he was christened at Church, and his age and name registered - that his parents failed to get this Register before the war, and then it was impossible, and the record was lost - that from his best information he was about the age of seventeen when he was first drafted into service - that he received discharges from his service, but they are worn out and lost - that he supposed he belonged to the Virginia State troops, and that his name is on the rolls in the War department - that lived in Virginia for many years after the war, and moved to this County where he has lived for the last 13 years. 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 Army of any state whatever. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Major Groves

We Timothy McMan a clergyman, and Law on Robertson and Benford Lewis residing in the county of Caldwell State of Kentucky hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Major Groom who has sworn to subscribed the above declaration, that we believe to be at least sixty (60) years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neigh- borhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn subscribed the day of year aforesaid before (me) Jas. L. Dallam
Timothy McMan L Robertson Benford Lewis
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 Timothy McMan who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the said county of Caldwell, and that Lawson Robertson, and Benford Lewis who have also signed the same are residents of the same County, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to Credit.
M. A. Breckenridge James C. Wells Pres.
W. L. Groom
I Nathan L. Dallam Clerk of the County Court in and for the County of Caldwell, State of Kentucky do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Major Groom for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, the 20 th day of August 1832 In the year of the Com th .
N. L. Dallam

No 20953
Major Groom Cadwell County Kentucky
From 1780 8 Months
Admitted
From 1780 private 8 mo. 26 days.
$29. 30 100
Buckner Dunk
Na
Thomas Hays Punton Kentucky

Over
BRIEF in the case of  Major Green  County of Caldwell  in the State of Kentucky  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 69.  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. As a Gen.     Grafton In 1780 42 Private Capt. Puckett   " 42 " Col. Dink   " 2 " Col. Matthews   " 2 "   1781 2   8 24  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Orange Co Va.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional Evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Over  Over Castor  Examining Clerk.

December 28, 1959
XXXXXXXXXXXX
MAJOR GROOM S. 31073 BA-J/HRIF:MLB can
Mr. Littleton Groom 243 Hyerson Street Brooklyn, New York
Dear Sir:
You are furnished herewith, as requested, photostatic copies of four pages of the originals thereof in the claim for pension, S. 31073, based upon service of Major Groom in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

NO. 503
BA-J/MLB
DECEMBER 15, 9
REV. & 1812 WARS SECTION XXXXXXXX
War & Navy, Branch 970
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Top (3)
Rev. War claim for pension of Major Groom,
File No. S. 31073
Actual one of each page.
dated General J. B. Mante - Aug 20, 1832 - after - Burgoyne's surrender, at Saratoga - etc. same date - off. pocket - 17p
$1.00
4 pages
XXXXXX
Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 inches at top of each page and return papers in folder with corresponding name and number.
Chief, Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

December 5, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Littleton Groom 243 Ryerson Street Brooklyn, New York
MAJOR GROOM S. 31073 BA-J/MLB
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request photostatic copies of the papers in pension claim, S. 31073, based upon service of Major Groom in the Revolutionary War, also of his brother, John Groom, who served in the Revolutionary War, if his record is on file.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file which was made to the United States, based upon service in the Revolution of a John Groom, under any spelling. Such claims are the source of data furnished by the Veterans Administration in regard to soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Photostatic copies of the papers on file in pension claim S. 31073, based upon service of Major Groom in the Revolutionary War, will be furnished you at the rate of twenty-five cents per page. The number of pages to be copied is four.
Remittance should be made by money order drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States and mailed to the Veterans Administration, Arlington Building, this city, when the copies will be prepared and mailed to you.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

243 Ryerson Street, Brooklyn, N. Y., December 6, 1939.
Mr. A. D. Hiller, Executive Assistant to the Administrator, Veterans Administration, Arlington Building, Washington, D. C.
6577
Dear Mr. Hiller:
Thank you very much for your letter of December 5, 1939 (Your file MAJOR GROOM S31073 BA-J/MLB ), relating to the pension record of my great grandfather, Major Groom.
In accordance with the advice contained therein, I am sending you herewith a United States postal money order drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States, in the amount of $1 , to cover one photostatic copy of the four pages of the papers on file in Pension Claim S-31073.
Thank you, too, for your advice that neither the pension nor bounty land records show a claim filed by John Groom under any spelling.
Yours very truly,
and  Littleton Groom
/ Encl. one

243 Ryerson Street, Brooklyn, N. Y., October 2, 1939.
Pension Bureau, Revolutionary War Veterans, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
I should like to obtain a photostat copy of the complete pension application and record of my great grandfather, Major Groom , who was granted a pension, as a Revolutionary War veteran, effective March 4, 1831. I understand that the number of his record in your Department is S31673. Upon receipt of advice from you as to the cost of the ? photostat copy, I shall be glad to send you a money order to cover the same.
Major Groom had an older brother, John Groom , who was also in the Revolutionary War, having lost a leg in the war. Will you please advise if you have a pension record covering him. If so, I should also like to have advice respecting the charge for a photostat copy of his record.
Very truly yours,
Littleton Groom

1939 Dec. 5 - Littleton Groom & Divid cost of photos & report and Groom 1937 Dec. 28 - Photo mail to Littleton Groom & City Div - m. & money
31073 Rev INVALID.
File No. 31,073
Major Groom Rev Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 82
Index: - Vol. 2 , Page 165-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

See BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Mary Groom which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? 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? 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? 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? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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?

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