Contributed by: Betty Babitzke
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
On the 5th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Scott Circuit Court now sitting, John Wilhite, a resident of Scott County and State of Kentucky, aged 87 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, 1832.
The said John Wilhite states that during the Revolutionary War he lived in the County of Orange and state of Va. that he was born in Culpeper that he has no register of his age but he says he is now 87 years of age. That he has no particular citizenship in any County. That he has no family & no home, That he lives most of his time in Owen County adjoining Scott that he is as well known in Scott as in Owen & as his witness are both in Scott & the Court sitting, he prefers making his declaration in Scott he states that he served four tours of militia duty during the revolution.
The first tour was in the year 1778 from his best recollection & for 3 months under Command of Capt. James Barbor of Culpeper County, VA. The 2nd was in the following year 1779 under command of Capt. Robert Miller for 2 months - under Genl Welen - was stationed principally at Fredricksburg. 3rd tour was in the next year 1780 under Capt. Benj Johnson of Orange, Virginia & Col Thomas Barbor. The 4 tour 1781 under Capt. George Waw at the siege of York at surrender of Cornwallis & was for 3 months making Eleven months all of which he served faithfully- no written discharge. Signed this day above in open Court & also he relinquishes all claims but this & is not on the Pension list of any State
John Wilhite "X" (his mark)
Test: Rch M. Johnson
At the same time Achillis Stapp and Richard Sebree came into open court and made oath they have heard the declaration of said Wilhite & Achillis Stapp says that he can prove positively the faithful services of said John Wilhite for the two tours in 1779& 1781, that in 1779 he served with him & 1781 he saw the said Wilhite in service & at the close of this tour he carried said Wilhite home who was very sick & Richard Sebree proved that the declaration was true to his own knowledge as to the tours set fourth by said Wilhite under Capt. Benj Johnson of Orange in 1780 this the said Sebree was out____ the same tours & in the same mess.
Signed by said Stapp & Sebree
Achilles Stapp "X" (his mark)
Richard Sebree "X" (his mark)
Wit: Rch M. Johnson
_____ the parties requested their names be signed as they wrote badly on account of age
We, John T. Johnson, a clergyman, & Richard M. Johnson both residing in Scott County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Willhite who has subscribed & swears to the above declaration that we believe him to be 87 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 this 5th of September 1832.
Circuit Court of Scott Co.
J. T. Johnson
Rch M. Johnson
Circuit Court of Scott County
September 5, 1832
John Wilhite of Scott County this day produced in court a declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7, 1832 subscribed with his name and to which he made oath in open court and the affidavit of Achilles Stapp and Richard Sebree to which they made oath in open court and also the certificate of John T. Johnson, a minister of the Gospel, and Richard M. Johnson to which they made oath in open court; and the court hereby declares 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 soldier of the revolution and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that the said John T. Johnson who has signed the said certificate is a clergyman residing in Scott County and that Richardson M. Johnson who has also signed the same is also a resident of said County and is a reliable person and that their statement is entitled to creditability.
Scott Circuit Sept 5, 1832, I James H. Humphrys, Clerk of the Scott Circuit Court do herby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the Court in the matter of the application of Richard_______ _______ _______ In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 5th day of September 1832.
(Signed) J. H. Humphreys, Clk.