Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3419, Abraham Grooms, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Grooms, Abraham
S. 3419.
CONTENTS
boarded

Ohio 22 500.
Abraham Grooms.
of Adams Co. in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the Co. — commanded by Captain Baylor, of the Regt — commanded by Col Pendleton in the Virginia line for less six mo.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio at the rate of 20. Dollars 00 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of Nov. 1832 and sent to Joseph Darlington. West Union, O.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. — 1832. 50.00. Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mar 34. 10.00. $60.00.
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm R. Palmer Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 8 Page 9

Paid at the Treasury under the Acts of the 8 th April 1838 from the Mards to 4 th Sep 1839. Agt notary D.O. Aug 1840

The State of Ohio Adams County Court of Common Pleas October Term 1833 Ss
On this 20th day of October 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable George I Smith president of the 7 th Judicial Circuit Robert Morris and John Kincaid and Samuel M c Clanahan Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting. Abraham Grooms a resident of the County of Adams and State of Ohio aged ninety three 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 th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein sta- ted - On the first tour he does not now recollect the name of the General. Colonel Philip Pridleton commanded the Regiment the officers commanding the Company to which he was attached was Captain Benjamin Baylor Lieutenant Andrew M c Cornick and Ensign Francis Matheny - that he was drafted in the Militia in Bark- ley County Virginia in the month of August in the year 1777 and served in the Militia three months on the said tour that he did not receive any discharge but was marched home under his Captain Baylor - That at the time he enter- ed the service he resided in Barkley County Virginia - That he was not in any Battle that he was marched from Barkley County Virginia to the neighborhood of Virginia (Philadelphia) and from thence to the Rising Sun, and continued in the neighborhood of the Rising Sun till his time expired that he did not serve with any Continental Regiment or Company but the day his time expired the Company was marched up to General Pot- ter's Quarters and there dismissed that he has no docu- mentary evidence in support of his claim (And the said Abraham Grooms doth further declare upon his solemn oath that he again was drafted in the Militia in

Barkley County Virginia about the first of July 1781 and immediately entered the service of the United States His Company officers were Captain William Vanderve the subaltern officers not recollected. That he was dischar- ged about the first day of October 1781 that he cannot produce his discharge or say what has become of it that he does not at this time recollect the rank and names of any of his officers but that of his Captain that he resided in Barkley County at the time he was drafted and marched off in the service of the United States that he was not in any Battle during the second term That his Company and he with it was marched from Barkley County Virginia to Pannony where the Company was detained some time & from thence he was marched to Williamsburgh where they joined the French troops and continued there till discharged that he has no documentary evidence to offer in support of this claim He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pen- sion or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Interrogatories required
1 Where and in what State were you born
Ans near the Gunpowder falls in the State of Maryland but when young my father removed to York County Penn- sylvania from thence to Barkley County Virginia where I resided till I came to this County about 34 years ago where I have resided continued to reside ever since.
2 Have you any record of your age & if so where is it I have no record of my age
3 Where have you had a living when called into the service and where have you lived ever since the revolutionary war and where do you now live.
I was living in Barkley County Virginia at the time I was called into the service since the revolution- ary war I lived in Barkley County Virginia a few years and then removed to this County where I resided

ever since and where I now reside
4 How were you called into service
I was drafted each time
5 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with you the troops when you served, such Continental & Militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service
The infirmities of old age has so impaired my memory that I cannot at this day recollect the names of any officers except that of Colonel Philip Pendleton Captains Bayle and Vandever Lieutenants McCormick and Ensign Matheny - I recollect to have seen General La Fayette on horse back commanding the troops.
6 Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
On the first tour I received no discharge at the conclusion of the 2 d tour I received a discharge signed by William McCamp (his rank not recollected) the discharge has long been since lost - I supposed when I received it it would not ever be of any use to me and therefore took no care of it.
7 State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution
In compliance with the above I will state the names of the Rev d William Page the Rev d Christopher Wamsley and Judge Dinning
Abraham his Grason
W m Christopher Wamsley a Clergyman residing in Mark Oldams County of said and Benjamin Dunning in the same County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abraham Grason who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 90 years of age that he is of the refused and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we can

in that opinion
Benjamin his Batterfield mark Christopher Wamsley
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the day and year of our Lord Joseph Darlington Clerk A.C.
Be it remembered that on this 20 th day of October in the year aforesaid personally appeared in open Court Benjamin Batter- field of full age and being sworn in due form of law deposed and saith that he formerly resided in Berkeley County Vir- ginia and a near neighbour to the aforesaid Abraham Grooms; that he has been acquainted with the said Grooms ever since this deponent was a small boy; that the said Abra- ham Grooms was drafted in the Militia in Berkeley County in the year 1781 and served a three month tour; that he returned to his home in the County aforesaid in the fall of that year and that this deponent was at the house of the said Abraham Grooms when he returned home - This deponent frequently heard it talked of in the neighbourhood by the neighbours that the said Abraham Grooms had per- formed the first tour in the Militia, stated in his foregoing declaration but being young at that time, cannot now recollect the facts so as to state the particulars of nor not now remember the time of his starting on the tour or of his returning home
Benjamin his Batterfield mark
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid
Joseph Darlington Clerk A.C.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department

That the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, (and buried in the States. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Christopher Wamblly who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, residing in the County of Adams aforesaid, and that Benjamin Batterfield who has also signed the same (and the foregoing deposition) is a resident in the County of Adams aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Joseph Darlington Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Adams and State of Ohio. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abraham Groomer for a pension.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my Office this 20 th day of October in the year of our Lord 1833.
Joseph Darlington Clerk A.C.

Abraham Grooms Ohio
Adm. H. Mowles $210
Joseph Harrington West Union Ohio

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Abrahams Grooms.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1777. 3. priv Capt. Bayton Col. Pendleton 93 years. Berkeley Traditionary and   1. July 1781. 3 " Capt. Vander 60 No a living Witness  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  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. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 as the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposes 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 services 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 that 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 shown 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 authorized 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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 oath 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Abraham Grooms , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Aug 77 3 mos Pvt Benj Baylor Philip Pendleton Va   July 1 81 3 " Mr Vandever        
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Berkeley Co. Va
Date of application for pension, Oct 20 1833 His d. was al.
Residence at date of application, Adams Co. Ohio
Age at date of application, 93 born near Gunpowder Falls in Md.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 27, 1840.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1833, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Abraham Grooms, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Ohio Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March, to the 1 st Sept. 1839.
Respectfully yours,
Wilson E. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

West Union Ohio
Feb. 1, 1921
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: -
I am asking your assistance in tracing an ancestor, Abraham Grooms who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He lived in Adams Co., Ohio after the war and was drawing a pension here as late as 1830 or 1833. Please give me all the information you can, or tell me where I can get information concerning his enlistment and date of discharge from the army - or anything concerning him that would be a help in tracing the relationship.
And oblige,
Yours Truly,
Mrs. Emma J. Naylor
Box 275.

Reuben
3419 INVALID.
File No. 3419
Abraham Groom First Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 149
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1921 Mar. 11. Reist. to E. J. Maylor and