Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2582, Aaron Grigsby, Navy

SERVICE
NUMBER
Navy
Grigsby Aaron
S 2582
ended
CONTENTS

Act 9 Feb. 1836 u
Pa. forst
Order to pay 16. Oct 1837
Olney Gregby
to the rate of 30 Dollars per month to commence on the 4th day of March 1835
Granted on the Roll of the Pension at the rate of 30 Dollars per month to commence on the 4th day of March
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of 1835 and for the sum of Lester Paton
Arrears to the 1st of March 60.00 Interest allowed ending 6/1/35 15.00 $75.00
Revolutionary War Act Feb 7. 1832
Recorded by Daniel Boyd C! Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 79

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Tennessee } On this the 27 th day of November Hick County } 1832 personally appeared in open court in the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Hick County Tennessee before Edward D. Jones Simpson & White and Thomas S. Webb Esquires Justices of the Peace affirmed to hold said court the said court being now sitting Aaron Groggely a resident of Hick County Tennessee, aged eighty years old as well as he can ascertain his age (having no record or other written evidence of his age) 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 7 th June 1832.
That he entered the Naval Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein- below set forth stated. He was born in the county of Stafford in the State of Virginia, that sometime in the year 1782 as well as he recollects he became a sailor on board a Merchant vessel at Alexandria in the then State of Virginia the said vessel was loaded with tobacco for Spain & declarant went out in her to Spain as a sailor & returned on- board her to Salem in Massachusetts where the said Merchant ship was wrecked. Upon arriving at said Town of Salem in Mass declarant with some others, of the said Merchant vessel's crew being out of employ, volunteered as a Marine- soldier in the service of the United States on board the ship called "The Grand Turk" a 22 gun ship of sixty fourers - at the Town of Salem in the State of Massachusetts, - sometime in the latter part of the year 1782 or first of 1783 as well as he can now recollect for a cruise of six months against the British. The said ship Grand Turk was commanded at that time by one Captain - Pratt under whom declarant entered the service as aforesaid.

at the time of said arrestment or Volunteering as aforesaid the said Ship Grand Turk was lying at Salem recruiting Men for a six Months cruise. Declarant does not now recollect the name of any of the other officers of the said Grand Turk. Shortly after his entering the Service on board said Ship Grand Turk as aforesaid she sailed, before her cruise off the West Indies, the Service - upon which said Ship was ordered, for which Declarant volunteered or joined - When said Ship had been at sea about two Months she captured a large British Schooner from St Augustine bound to Bermuda, with a cargo of lumber or Ship timber - as a prize - but a few days after said capture the said Schooner was retaken off Martinico by the said Grand Turk whither the Declarant having been put on board of the said Schooner with others of the crew of the Grand Turk, to be taken to the Island of Martinico for sale as aforesaid was taken prisoner with all the said Schooner's crew. On the way to Martinico, by an English fifty gun Ship called the Dolphin. The Dolphin coming the Schooner & her crew to the Island of Barbados, or the Barbary Islands in the West Indies where Declarant with the balance of said Schooner's crew, were thrown into confinement & kept as a prisoner for seven Months and until the independence of the United States was acknowledged by Great Britain and peace between the U. States & G. Britain made. When he was set at large, without being exchanged for, & without any discharge & made his way - to the United States again. Declarant does not recollect more precisely than stated above the time of his entering the Service as aforesaid but does recollect distinctly, that he was out from the time of sailing the Grand Turk from Salem about nine Months nearly preceding the conclusion of peace aforesaid. Declarant does not know any other services or other than

force in service of the States. During his said service he has no documentary evidence by which he can establish nor prove his said service nor does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his said service. He states that he served during the said service including his said imprisonment for at least nine months, but the precise time of his entering the said service or being at liberty on the Island of Baraboo or Barbary he does not recollect cannot state, more particularly than is done above.
Declarant being relinquished any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State whatever.
Sworn to and subscribed to day of year aforesaid.
his Aaron H. Greggby mark
Germanester Clerk
I was born in Stafford County Va in the year 1752 or 1753 or close that time. Have no record of my age - was in Salem Mass when called into service & was a resident of Va. since the revolution war I have resided in the State of Va. till 1808 when I moved into Giles City Tenn where I have resided ever since. I entered the Naval Service as a volunteer as aforesaid. Know no other troops than those of the ships on board of which I served as aforesaid. Never received any discharge, and am known to Captain Henry B. Causier many other Samuel H. Grigsby R. H. Allen & many others in my present neighborhood who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this day same day aforesaid.
his Aaron H. Greggby mark
Germanester Clerk

We Henry B. Cannon & Samuel H. Grigsby — residing in the county of Giles State of Tennessee in the vicinity of Aaron Grigsby hereby certify that we are well acquainted with — Aaron Grigsby who has subscribed and sworn to, the above declaration that we believe him to be about eighty years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to subscribed the day and year above said. Court 27th Nov 1832 German Lester Clerk  Samuel H. Grigsby Henry B. Cannon
And the said court do hereby declare on their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the revolution — and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that it is very inconvenient if not impracticable for said Aaron Grigsby to produce in court a clergyman of his vicinity — and that Samuel H. Grigsby and Henry B. Cannon who have been the presenting certificate are residents of the county of Giles and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. Witness our hands at the day and year above. E. D. Lewis one of the justices of Giles County Tenn
Thos. McWhorter one of the Justices of the Court H. White one of the Justices of the Court
I German Lester Clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in Giles County Tenn do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Aaron Grigsby for a pension testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand at my office in Pigeon Forge this county Tenn this the 29th day of November 1832.
German Lester Clerk

No 22094 Aaron Gagsby Tenn West from 1782 Maine 9 months, p 30
German Lester Clerk Giles County Court

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 subjjoined 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. Those 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, showing the Service of Aaron Grayby Giles County Tenn
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1782 — — — Sailor aboard of a merchant vessel Aged 80 Tradition  
Vol as a Marine Soldier on board of the "Franklin" a 22 Gun Ship at Salem Mass, sometime in the latter part 1782 or first 1783 for a cruise of 6 months — Commanded by Capt Pratt. Sailed to the West Indies — Kept as Prisoner till Independence was declared when he was set at liberty — He was out 9 months preceding conclusion of peace
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 day 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 Enlisted Man 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 evidence, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry 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, Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper officer of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is true.
No pension can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the passage of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the application required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his service, the names of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the facts upon the whole matter.
appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the guidance of the Court, and make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not appearing.
He must invariably be mentioned. mention the period or periods of the war when he served. officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so 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 infirmity of age, or the loss of memory, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
I, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B., who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of the infirmity of age, and the 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 during the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, 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 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.
 [1] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.  [2] The opinion of the Court is always required.  [3] The Clerk must give the certificate in every case.  [4] 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.
 [1] 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 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.  [2] The notes from (a) to (d) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [1] applies to continental troops only.  [3] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.  [4] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.  [5] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration. 
Dyer Castor Sam Clark

Dear Sir
Sunday 11th 1883
220948
Friend Grafton
St. John's
Washington City
PRICE

INVALID.
WIDOW, etc.
3 Navy
File No. 2582
Aaron Grigsby Private V.C.
U.S. Navy Per Mar
Act June 7. 1932
Index: Vol 7 Page 79
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1
Shaw
Superior Court New Jersey
Feb 14 J. P. Brown Esq.
Attorney General Commissioner of Pensions
Annapolis Md 107699
Washington City D. C.

West Sum- Files Copy Jan 21 st 1836
J. S. Edwards Esq. Sir
enclosed I send you my Pension certificate obtained as you will see, at the War Office in May 1833 - In Sept. following I made application to the Pension Agent at Nashville, and drew what was then due. Not being in particular need for the money and thinking that I could at discretion defer and draw the money, I neglected to apply until this winter when the Agent at Nashville informed me that it was necessary to write on to you giving the reasons why I have not drawn and if those reasons were satisfactory you would direct him to pay the money. I can give you no other reasons than those are already assigned (To wit) not needing the money and ignorance of the Law in relation to the case. I am apprehensive that this method of procuring in the

communicating with you upon the subject — is entirely vague or at least not legal. I said Sir I find that at my advanced age the pains and trouble required to prepare papers & draw Pension money are almost equal to the services for which said money is intended as a compensation. It is not
You will please however do as may seem legal & right in this matter and either direct the payment of the money or give me necessary instructions by letter how I shall proceed to get it. I can draw up again such papers as those originally presented as the Office upon which the enclosed Certificate was obtained and if you consider that course best return my certificate with instructions how to proceed
Yours respectfully his Aaron T. Grigsby mark
Direct to Lynn Creek P.O. Giles Co. Tenn

Oct 14 1872
W. Evans
FREE
J. A. Stuart Esq. Museum of Science Northfield

11/12/32 Oct 2nd 1837
The enclosed suspended warrant was returned to me in order to obtain a special order for its payment from you. The requisition is for the amount here mentioned to have it been communicated to the executive there of Sept 36. which Mr Hagner overruled as the matter contained with this I promised that you will be willing to allow the pay - etc and to have it sent to the Officer who should have charge of it I suppose it is necessary to return it to him as the funds have been paid to the pensioner. The original Certificate you will please return in the event that all is satisfactory
Yrs obed serv J. S. Edwards Esq. Henry Martin Commission of Pension Agent Washington City