Revolutionary War Military certificate's

[Mr. McD]

Has anyone here ever ordered Revolutionary War Military certificates? I am curious if you found anything of genealogical value. I have found Revolutionary war records can be hit or miss. Some land bounty records name heirs some don't. In Virginia the certificates can only be obtained through the Library of Virginia for $40. Other records I have gotten online.

I have traced my GG grandfather to Hanover County VA where he enlisted in the Revolutionary war abt.1783 at age 15. He appears to have served in the First Virginia Regiment A Foot as a drummer.

I am researching two men of my surname who fought in the 14th Virginia Regiment one died in June of 1777 and one in 1778 in the service of their country. Both are the right age to be have been his father, both were from Hanover County. They are my only leads at this time.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. LIke any pension records, hit or miss

On one uncle's record, none of his children are listed--just his wife, whose name I already knew. Only thing of genealogical value I got from the papers was a record of where he lived and when he moved. On a 4gr grandfather's record, the information given was, by and large, incomplete AND incorrect. His widow claimed they were married in a town in the Berkshires--and there is NO record of a wedding there--they were married in CT instead! Plus she didn't name all of her children.

Boy, I feel for you having to figure out which man was the father of your ancestor. No hope of a probate record? Deeds? To my mind, this would more likely give you clues as to who was your ancestor's father. It was through a will (and who was designated executors) that I was finally able to push back a generation on a family line that had stymied family genealogists for decades.

[Mr. McD]

2. These are not pension records

They are proof of service certificates required to receive land grants. They verify that the soldier has completed 3 years of service and some may contain supporting documents. Those that are 1 page are just the certificates. The one I am interested in contains 3 pages. I have no idea what may be in them. If I was sure of a family relationship I wouldn't hesitate ordering them.

Unfortunately Hanover County VA. was a burned county. There are very few records available before 1865.

The Bounty warrant of one of the two men I am looking at named one heir and his wife (not my ancestor, he would have only been 16 at the time of the claim was filed so I don't think that rules him out as possible kin).

The other ones wife is named in a pension claim (1790). The two men could very well be brothers.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. gotcha

Haven't gotten any of those, so can't say what they would contain. Have you checked out the DAR Roll of Honor? If either man is contained in it, their descendant genealogies should be available.

[Mr. McD]

5. Thanks for the reminder

I did one a few weeks ago. The other one a few minutes ago. They had no record of the first one.

[Rosie1223]

4. Looks like the LDS has this on microfilm

Check with your local Family History Center

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=723941&disp=Military+certificates%2C+A-Z%20%20&columns=*,0,0

Good Luck! (I have several courthouse burnings to work around too.)

[Mr. McD]

6. Thanks, I will check them out

I am thinking about going to their library in Salt Lake City this fall and spending a few days.

[Mr. McD]

7. I ordered the film last night.

It will take about 3 weeks. It will cost $6.00 plus copies for 4 records compared to $40 each through the Library of Virginia. :thumbsup:

[Mr. McD]

8. I finely recieved the microfilms

Unfortunately these have no genealogical value in my case but may for some, especially if the person in question was an officer. It would appear that the more land a solider was entitled to the more documentation was required.

[sybylla]

9. By officer do you mean anything above Private?

Or just the highest order of officers? I have at least one who served but off hand I can't remember if his rank was Sargent or Captain. Either way, I'm guessing it makes a difference.

On the other hand, I'd probably still order the films as it might prove the cause for the family's move to New York state.

[Mr. McD]

10. I didn't pay that close of attention to the NCO's

but one general had at least 60 pages of documentation. A lesser officer (I forget the rank) had at least 30 page. My men were all privates. 1 to 3 pages was all they had.

The amount of acreage pledged was on a sliding scale based on rank, ranging from 100 to 1,000 acres. A private was entitled to 100 acres for 3 years service I have ran across a Lieutenant Colonel who received seven thousand Acres for 7 years service.

[sybylla]

11. Wow. You've convinced me to take a look.

There might be something in there to prove why they ended up in NY.

[Rosie1223]

12. This is interesting to me too

My husband has an ancestor named John Smith that I am trying to trace. He received land bounties in Illinois from service in the War of 1812. Land databases show "John Smith" to have several thousand acres of bounty land in my target's home county. I assumed I was looking at trying to sort out several different John Smiths but now may re-examine this. A high ranking officer may have more documentation somewhere.

Thanks for sharing your story.