File contributed for use on USGenWeb/MOGenWeb Lincoln County Heritage Page by Allen Avner,  6 Nov 2011. 

Pension Record of Thomas Copenhaver
Transcribed from National Archives Revolutionary War Pension File R-2311.
Allen Avner, 14 December 2006.

National Archives Revolutionary War Pension File R-2311 for Thomas Copenhaver
Transcribed 14 December 2006 by Richard Allen Avner from a photo copy of the original
-----------------------------------------
State of Missouri )
) SS
County of Lincoln )
On this sixth day of May personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the County Court, now sitting, Thomas Copenhaver, a resident of Lincoln county and State of Missouri aged seventy one years who being duly sworn according to Law, on oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of an Act of Congress passed June 7th AD
1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as therein stated. The infirmities of age and lapsed time have destroyed all recollection of the Field officers names. William Glaves was my Captain. I entered the service in the month of August in the year 1780. Our tour of service was for two months, at which time the company was discharged. We was in no engagement during the time. I resided in Montgomery County, Virginia when I entered the service, which was as a Volunteer. We rendevoused at the Lead Mines in Montgomery County Va. From there we marched into North Carolina to Hoozier town where I was taken sick and left behind.

We served with no regular troops. Having volunteered in a call from the proper authority to go against, and keep in subjection the Tories who at times had nearly overran North Carolina. The Company I belonged to was discharged in North Carolina. Where I cannot say as I was left behind sick as before stated. Many of the men came back by the way of Hoozier town with whom I returned home.

I again entered service in the Fall of 1780. Colonel William Preston and Major Joseph Cloyd were my Field officers and Captain Robert Buckhannon and 1st and 2nd Lieutenants William Campbell and Robert Davis was my Company officers. We entered for three months as Volunteers and was discharged about the time of the battle of Guilford Court House. I was in one engagement this tour, which was at Haw river with a Part of Cornwallis's army. Some three or four days after we were discharged. I know of no particular circumstances that would tend to give light on the subject of my service save one. When on our march, a man of the name of Carr who deserted and gave Tarlton notice of our coming or they would have been completely surprised by us. That I have no documentary evidence that I know of, nor no person save one James Davis, a nephew of one of our Lieutenants who can testify to my service. The affidavit of Mr Davis I have inserted here

State of Missouri )
) SS
County of Lincoln )

James Davis having been duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that he is personally acquainted with Thomas Copenhaver, the applicant. That to his certain knowledge said applicant served the last tour as stated by him in his declaration as he lived a near neighbor to him at that time and that he has every reason to believe that he served as before
stated by said applicant. He also knows of said applicant having went out at several times against the Indians after the War with Great Britain. And further the deponent saith not.

Sworn and subscribed to in open court ) James Davis
May 8th 1834 )
Francis Parker, Clerk )

I also made two (separate?) excursions against the Indians about the time peace was made with the British. They being at that time very bad, coming into the settlements, committing depredations, killing men, women, and children. Captain Robert Davis was my officer commanding in each of the tours. The times I served against the Indians I cannot say
precisely, perhaps two months.

Question 1st- Where and in what year was you born
Answer- I was born in Lancaster County Pennsylvania in the 16th day of July AD 1763.

Ques. 2nd- Have you any record of your age and if so where is it
Answer- 1 have a record of my age at home made by my father in German.

Question 3rd- Where were you living when called into service. Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live.
Answer- I resided in Montgomery County Virginia when called into service and continued to live there until 1831 when I removed to Lincoln County Missouri where I now reside.

Question 4th- How were you called into service. Were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute -- if so, for whom.
Answer- I entered as a Volunteer all the different times I was in the service of my country.

Question 5- State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect - and the general circumstances of the case.
Answer- We were never attached to any regular troops to the best of my recollection. My service was altogether against the Tories on the frontiers of North Carolina near Virginia. There was never more than one Regiment together, at least none was ever attached to ours, if my memory does not fail me. As to the circumstances of the case, they are pretty much as I
have already stated: The Tories at that time had nearly overran all North Carolina. Troops were continually being called for from Virginia to keep them in subjection.

Question 6- Did you ever receive any discharge from the service and if so (words obscured by ink blot) given and what has become of it.
Answer- (words obscured by ink blot) received any discharge at the time of my first tour. I was sick at the time my company was discharged. On my other tour the Regiment was discharged generally no one received individual discharges.

Question 7th- 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 your behaviour and your service as a soldier in the Revolution.
Answer- I am acquainted with Judge McFarlan, Col Watts, Captain Stewart, Gabriel Reed, Nicholas Wells, and William Beard.

I hearby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any state.
Sworn and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid in open court.
) His
Francis Parker, Clerk ) Thomas X Copenhaver
Mark

Mr Benjamin G. Sullivan, a Clergyman residing in the county of Lincoln and Henry Watts, residing in Lincoln county hereby certify that we are acquainted with Thomas Copenhaver who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy one years of age, that he is respected and believed within neighborhood where he resides
to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid in open court.
)
Francis Parker, Clerk ) Benjamin G. Sullivan
) Henry Watts

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the court do further certify that it appears to them that Benjamin G. Sullivan who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman
resident in the county of Lincoln, and that Henry Watts who has also signed the same is resident of the County of Lincoln and is a creditable person and that their statement is worthy of Credit.
John S. Besser P.J.C.C.
Geo. H. Zimmerman J.C.C.L.C.
Caleb McFarlan J.C.C.L.C.

I, Francis Parker, Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Lincoln and State of Missouri do hereby certify (illegible) foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Thomas Copenhaver for a pension. In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office this sixth day of May AD 1834.
(Seal) Francis Parker, Clerk

[The file contains an undated form letter stating that the pension application was being returned and that further information was needed on points marked in the returned application. No marks appear on the May petition but a summary statement of service on the form letter shows that Thomas had accumulated only 4 of the 6 months of service required to qualify for a pension under the 1832 Act. The length of service requirement appears to have not been understood by Thomas and his second petition was essentially a repeat of the first. No pension was granted.]

State of Missouri ) Lincoln County Court August term 1834
) SS
County of Lincoln )

On the fifth day of August personally appears in open court before the Justices of the County Court within and for the County and State aforesaid, now sitting, Thomas Copenhaver a resident of Lincoln County and State aforesaid, aged seventy one years who being duly sworn according to Law, on oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
an Act of Congress passed June 7th AD 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as therein stated. From infirmities and lapses of time, I have entirely forgotten my Field Officers names. William Glaves was my Captain. I entered the service in the month of August in the year 1780.

Our term of service was for two months. We was in no engagement during this time. My service was (illegible) in an embodied corps called into service by the authority of the
State of Virginia. My service was altogether in the field. Neither was I during said term of time engaged in any Civil pursuit. My residence was in Montgomery County Virginia at the time of entering the service, which was as a volunteer. We rendevoued at the Lead Mines in said county and State. From there we marched to Hoozier town in North Carolina, where I was taken sick and left behind. We served with no regular troops, having volunteered on a call from the State authorities to go against and keep in subjection the Tories who at that time had almost overran North Carolina. The Company I was in was discharged some where in North Carolina. Where I cannot say as I was sick and left behind as before stated. Most of my comrades returned by the way of Hoozier town on their way home after being discharged. With whom (them?) I returned home.

I again entered the service of the United States on a call from the Executive of the State of Virginia in the fall of 1780. Colonel William Preston and Major Joseph Cloyd was my field officers, and Captain Robert Buckhannon and 1st and 2nd Lieutenants William Campbell and Robert Davis was my company officers. We entered the service of the U. S. as Volunteers for the term of three months, during which time I was engaged in no Civil pursuit. My duties were altogether in the field, and (I) was discharged a few days before the battle of Guilford C.H.. I was in one engagement this time, which was on Haw River with a detachment of Cornwallis's army. Some three or four days thereafter we was discharged. I was at Salem in North Carolina taking care of some of my acquaintances who had the misfortune to be wounded at the battle on Haw River at the time of the battle of Guilford. The Guns could be heard quite plain. I know of no particular circumstances that would tend to give light on the subject of my service, save one. A man of the name of Carr deserted to the enemy and gave Tarlton notice of our coming, or we should have surprised them completely.

I have no documentary evidence that I know of, nor of any person, excepting James Davis, a nephew of one of our Lieutenants who can testify to my last tour of service. The affidavit of Mr Davis, I had taken in my former application, but as it has been out of my power to procure his affidavit at this time owing to distance, I have caused the original paper that contains it to be sent to the department.

I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state.

Sworn and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid in open court. His
) His
Francis Parker, Clerk ) Thomas X Copenhaver
) Mark

1st Where and in what year was you born
Ans. I was born in Lancaster County Pennsylvania on the 16th day of July AD 1763

2nd Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it
Ans. I have a record of my age at home made by my father in German

3d Where were you living when called into service. Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live.
Ans. I resided in Montgomery County Virginia when called into service, and continued to live there until 1831, when I removed to Lincoln County Missouri where I now live.

4th How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if so for whom.
Ans. I entered as a Volunteer every time I served my Country.

5th State the names 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 the case.
Ans. We were never attached to any regular troops to the best of my recollection. My service was altogether against the Tories on the frontier of North Carolina near Virginia. There was never more than one regiment together, at least, none was ever attached to ours, if my memory does not fail me. The general circumstances of the case was pretty much as I have already stated. The Tories at that time had nearly over-ran all North Carolina. Troops were ontinually called for from Virginia to keep them in subjection.

6th Did you ever receive any discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it.
Ans. I never received any discharge. At the time of my first tour I was sick when my company was discharged. On my other tour the Regiment was discharged generally, no one receiving an individual discharge.

7th State the names of person to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and good behaviour and your service as a soldier of the revolution.
Ans. I am acquainted with Judge McFarlan, Col. Watts, Captain Stuart, Gabriel Reed, Nicholas Wells, & William Beard.

We, Benjamin Sullivan, a Clergyman residing in the county of Lincoln and Caleb McFarlan, residing in the county of Lincoln hereby certify that we are acquainted with Thomas Copenhaver who has subscribed to and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy one years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood when he claims to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed to the) Benjamin Sullivan
5th day of November 1834 ) Caleb McFarlan
Francis Parker, Clerk )

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after their investigation of the matter and after putting the interogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and the court do further certify that it appears to them that Benjamin Sullivan who has signed the preceding certificate is a
clergyman resident in the county of of Lincoln and that Caleb McFarlan who has also signed the same is a resident of the county of Lincoln, and is a creditable person and that their statements is worthy of credit.
William Young, P.L.C.C.
Geo. W. Zimmerman, J. C. C. L. C.

[Note: The passage of over 50 years from the time of his service to the time he applied for his pension may have dimmed Thomas' memory. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse was fought on 15 March 1781, not in 1780. However, Thomas indicates in the application that he served under Colonel William Preston. Colonel Preston indeed did lead the Montgomery County Militia into North Carolina. In a letter dated 13 April 1781, Preston wrote Thomas Jefferson, then governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, that he had mobilized the Montgomery County Militia on his own authority after hearing of the activities of Cornwallis in North Carolina. Preston ordered the militia to rendezvouse at the Lead Mines on 8 February 1781, and then marched them to join the North Carolina Militia and Continental troops. On 6 March 1781 they participated in a holding action at Whitesells (or Wetzel's) Mill on the Reedy Fork of the Haw River. Though near the Haw River, this engagement was not the better-known Battle of Haw River (or Alamance) which had been fought a few days earlier.]

File contributed for use on USGenWeb/MOGenWeb Lincoln County Heritage Page by Allen Avner,  6 Nov 2011. 

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