JACKSON CO., TN - REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION APPLICATION - REUBEN GRAVES Contributed by: Mary Lu Johnson [hellomlu@bellsouth.net] ******************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ******************************************************************************** RWS GRAVES, Reuben, VA #S3408, of Jackson Co, Tenn. Abstracted by Mary Lu Johnson. Pvt, company commanded by Capt Rodgers of the regt commanded by Col Flemming in the Virginia line for 8 months, Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee, to commence 4 March 1831, certificate of pension issued 2 Aug 1833. 23 Oct 1832, Reuben Graves resident of Jackson County, Tennessee, aged about Seventy-two years, testimony as to service in Court of Law and Equity. Entered the service of the United States in Virginia Military as a substitute for his father John Graves in the latter part of February or early in March 1776 in the company commanded by Capt Peter Rodgers in the regiment commanded by Col Lewis Burrell in Brig Genl David Mason's brigade. Mustered into service in Halifax Co, VA at Dobe's old store, age then between fifteen & sixteen years of age but being stout and well grown for his age and well known to the captain, he was received as a substitute for his father as aforesaid. Marched to Guilford court house No Carolina then to Salisbury where he remained about two months - then to Mecklinburg County & thence to Camden in SC where he was discharged 20 May 1776, then being 16 years old. As well as he recollects mustered into service for a tour of five months but was discharged before the expiration of the time aforesaid. Discharged signed by Genl Mason and the same has been lost. 8 January 1781 again returned to service of Virginia Militia, being drafted for a three months tour company commanded by Capt Charles Wall - served in Col Fleming's regiment in Gen Muhlenburg's brigade. Mustered in at Petersburg, Virginia, marched to Cabbin point, thence into the County of Nansemond the British then being in Portsmouth. Continued in the section of Country above Portsmouth until discharged at a place called Bobb's old field in the County of Isle of Wight as well as he recollects on the 8 April 1781. Discharge signed by Capt Wall has been preserved and is herewith exhibited. Late August or early Sept 1781 drafted in company commanded by Capt Fleming Bates in Genl Stevens' brigade in Halifax Co. Marched to Yorktown where he remained until Cornwallis was taken and ____ prisoners until met by the Maryland troops and he was discharged in Leesburg about 13 Nov 1781. Discharge signed by Capt Bates. Assisted in guarding the prisoners as aforesaid and for this he was to have a credit for a three months tour in addition to this one for which he was drafted & which discharge has been lost. Stated a noted Tory Dr. Thomas Smith, had been taken prisoner and carried into Maryland afterwards escaped, and that he was called upon to go with Capt George Willing and stalk Smith, and they took said Smith and by the directions of Col John Coleman guarded said Smith to Fredericksburg about 200 miles from the residence of said applicant. Having produced the receipt of Capt Ba?rbe for the body [person] of said Smith to Col. Coleman, applicant given certificate for tour of Militia duty. This was about March 1782 and said certificate has been lost. Said applicant states born County of Spotsvylania, State of Virginia 23 May 1760, record in old family bible of his fathers from which applicant transcribed his age into one of his own. Does not know where his father's bible is. Resided in Halifax at the different times he entered the service of the United States. Removed from Halifax year of 1805, settled on War trace creek in Jackson County, Tennessee where he has since resided. Daniel Ramsey & Matthew Brooks of said County of Jackson and Miles West a clergyman living adjoining County of Smith have been long and well acquainted with applicant to whose annexed affidavits he refers. [Signed] Rubin Graves 2 Oct 1832 deposition of Daniel Ramsey, resident of Jackson Co, TN aged about 69 years, stated he resided in County of Person, NC adjoining Halifax co, VA previous to his removal to TN. Prior to removal, well acquainted with Reuben Graves applicant. Heard Graves state he served in the Revolutionary war in the Virginia Militia as substitute for his father John Graves. Does not recollect dates. Deponent [Ramsey] removed to Tennessee in the year 1805 and has since resided in the neighborhood of said Graves and for a part of the time within a few miles of him. Graves sustained fair and unblemished reputation in his neighborhood... [Signed] Daniel Ramsey [NOTE: Daniel Ramsey was a Rev War Pensioner - mlj] 2 October 1832, deposition of Miles West a clergyman in the adjoining County of Smith and Matthew Brooks, resident of said County of Jackson state they are well acquainted with Reuben Graves, believe him to be about age 72, has good reputation... s/s Miles West, Matthew Brooks 14 May 1833, Reuben Graves appeared before Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions before Justices David Apple, John McCarver & Tandy K. Witcher, states he cannot remember precise dates of tours of service by reason of old age. [Signed] Reubin Graves 18 Jan 1932, letter in file from Mrs. Ann Carver Graves, Belle Meade Dr., Nashville, Tenn, requested information in pension file of Reuben Graves who served in Halifax Militia, stated he married Elizabeth Yarbrough in Halifax Co., VA Nov 28, 1786. [She also requested record of Henry Carver of NC who received Warrant #4772 and that of Wm Carver of NC "who received a pension for his services in the Revolution". On 12 Oct 1932, Ann Carver Graves requested record of William Hamlin or Hamblen who was commissioned a Lieutenant in 4th VA Regt 21 Mar 1776 [Reply of A.D. Hiller, Asst to Admr stated no record of William Hamlin/var was found].