Ratcliff, Francis - Corporal in Revolutionary War
The Library of Virginia, Archives
Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants
link:
http://lvaimage.lib.va.us/cgi-bin/GetRev.pl?dir=0806/R01058http://lvaimage.lib.va.us/cgi-bin/GetRev.pl?dir=0806/R01058
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(Found this on surnamesearchdaily - April 23, 2006)
Ratcliff, Francis, Rank: Corporal Service: Army
See papers, 1802
Available on microfilm, Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants,
Reels 1-29
Certificate: William Pierce, Junior Captain
Discharge: Ed Carrington, Lieutenant Colonel
Letter: Francis Ratliff (Did they mispell? Earlier was
Ratcliff)
The act of the General Assembly passed on June 22, 1779 which established the Virginia Land Office, also provided for the rewarding of lands promised as bounty for specified Revolutionary War Military Service.In order to qualify for bounty land, a soldier had to serve at least three (3) years continously in the state or Continental line.Militiaservice did not count.Servicemen submitted various documents such as affidavits of command-
ing officers and fellow soldiers and discharge papers in order to substantiate their service record.When the claim was proved, the Governor's Office issued a certifi-
cate to the register of the Land Office authorizing him to issue a warrant.The first warrant was issued in 1782 and the last in 1876 as heirs of warrantees continued to seek lands for additional service.Land awarded as bounty was in the present day states of Ohio and Kentucky.
The papers accumulated as proof of service are now part of the records of the Executive Dept. Office of the Governor (RG#3) and are called 'Bounty Warrants' if approved and 'Rejected Claims' if disapproved.These records are housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia.