Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,532, William Couch, Pann Va
Page 1

Penn or Va. Couch or Coutch or Crouch, William. R. 2532.
Margaret.
Page 2

on the 7 day of May 1855 be fore me I Jacob Rosnik an acting justice of the peace personly apered Margot Coutch and made oath in due forme of law that she is the identicle widow of William Coutch and that she was mar[r]ied in guilford county [deleted "Virginia"] N.C. on the 19 day of September in the year 1789 and that he volunteered in Penncilvania in the year 1777 and was discharged in the year 1781 and that he Served fore year in the revolution war and was shot in the thigh at the battle of york town and that he dide in the year 1809 and that she has never bin paid by the navy or mariene for his service in the war and that he was orderly Sergen in the lighthouse company and that she has not bin paid from the year 1781 to the year 1855
Jacob Rosnik

State of Virginia for  county  towit, 
I, John W. S. Morison clerk of the court of law of the said county of law in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that Jacob Rosnick before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is an acting justice of the peace in and for the said county and state duly elected commissioned  and qualified according to the constitution and laws of the said state
In  testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and annex the seal of this said state. this 7th day of May 1855 in the 79th year of this Commonwealth
J. W.S. Morison Cl
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i had we ust [used] to be called Crouch,
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State of Virginia  }
Count of Lee        }SS On this 16 day of June 1855, personally appeared in open court, Non Supior, for the County and State aforesaid, Margaret Couch, Who in due and Solemn form of Law, doth, on her oath, declare, that her Husband, William Couch, was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, that he entered the army in the state of Pensylvania in the year 1772, that he served in Said War, subsequently Four years, and was honorable discharged, in the year 1787. and was wounded in the thigh at the Battle of Yorktown, that his first service in the State of Pensylvania was a Vollenteer Service, that his Subsequent four years service was in the Continental, or State line, & that he served as an orderly sergeant in a Company of horses, that she was married to the said William Couch in the County of Guilford North Carolina, on the 19th day of September 1789, and that he died in the year 1802, and that he never received a pension, nor has she ever received pension, she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining pension, under the Act of 1836, and for obtaining Bounty land, under the Act of 3 March 1855.
Margaret Couch 

Seal [circled and located to the right of the signature]

Sworn to, and subscribed in open court this date above written.
Jacob Rosnik

State of Virginia Lee County towit,,
I, John W.S. Morison clerk of this court of this said county of Lee, in this State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Jacob Rosnik before whom this foregoing declaration was made, is and was at the time of making the same an acting justice of the peace in and for said county and State and and acting justice of the peace duly elected [deleted word] commissioned and qualified
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according to the constitution and laws of the said state and testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and [illegible] the seal of this said court this 26th day of June 1865 in the 79th year of this Commonwealth
J. W.S. Morison
Page 6

Margaret Crouch
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State of Virginia  }
Court of Lee        }SS On this day personally appeared before me as Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid, Margaret Crouch, who in due and solemn form of Law doth, on her oath declare, that the reason she made her declaration in the name of Couch, was, that she did not know, it made any difference, that the family, is sometimes called Crouch, and sometimes Couch, that when she was married to Wm Crouch, he was then called Crouch, but since living in this part of the Country they are called Couch, but that she believes the true name is Crouch, because that was the name of her Husband William Crouch who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution
Attest William Stanridge
Thomas R  Burk
               her
Margaret X  Crouch           [seal]
              mark
Sworn to, and subscribed before me the 30 day of July 1855, and I certify what Mrs Crouch has deposed to, is really the Truth, that the family is  called by many Couch, whereas their true name is known as Crouch, given under my hand this date above written, 
 John W. Sword     J.P.

State of Virginia Lee County towit,
I, John W. S. Morison clerk of this court of the said county of Lee, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that John W. Sword before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, is an acting justice of the peace in and for the said county and State duly elected commissioned and qualified according to the constitution and laws of the said state and that his signature thereto
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and testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and amend the seal of this said court this 30th day of July 1855 in the 80th year of this Commonwealth
J. W.S. Morison
Page 9

Claim of John Crouch for arrears of pension

Taken before the county court
Hancock county Tennessee
This 2nd day of March 1857

[line separating text]

By Wm M Strickland
address Sneedville
E Tennessee
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State of Tennessee    }
County of Hancock    } SS
on this 7th day of March A.D. 1857 personally appeared in open court before the court of Hancock county John Crouch a Resident in the county  of Hancock and state of Tennessee aged about 49 years who being first duly sworn according to law states that he is the youngest of the Six only remaining children of William Crouch Dec who was a Revolutionary soldier & Margaret his widow who has heretofore made application for a pension under [illegible] act of Congress passed; and deceased on the [erased/blank space] day of AD 1856, in the state of [illegible] without obtaining it and that he believes that he with the other five only surviving children as aforesaid are entitled to what ever is due & that the united States are indebted to them under the laws of Congress for the pension to which the said mother was entitled to, and that for the purpose of investigating & establishing the aforesaid claims he appoint Wm M Strickland of Sneedvill Tenn & his substitutes, his true and lawful attorneys with irrevocable powers to examine all papers on file & to inquire into the validity of the aforesaid claims and to do whatever he him self could  or must do [illegible] he personally present to establish his [illegible] claim, and by this act he revokes all other powers heretofore given by him and by his consent to any all and every other persons and that he promises that he will not revoke this, sworn to and subscribed the day and year
John Crouch            [seal]

And the said Court do hereby declare that the above named applicant has always by the Commonwealth been known as one of the surviving children of William and Margaret Crouch and that we believe from his appearance and statements that he is this person he represents himself to be
       Thos. R. Coleman County Judge
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State of Tennessee    }
Hancock County        }  I Richard Mitchell clerk of this County Court of Hancock County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of John Crouch for arrears of pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 2nd day of March 1857
Richard Mitchell clerk
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[printed] Know all Men by these Presents, That [handwriting] I Margaret Couch a [printed] resident of [written] the [printed] County of [handwritten] [illegible] in this [printed] State of [handwritten] Virginia [printed do hereby select, ordain, constitute, and irrevocably appoint, with power of substitution, [handwritten] JW Stevens [printed] of [handwritten] Abingdon my [printed] true and lawful Agent and Attorney, for [handwritten] me [printed] and in [handwritten] my [printed] name, place and stead; to examine into, enter, prosecute, file and defend, before the proper Department of Government, or other tribunal, any claim, or suit in [handwritten] my [printed] behalf, or in which [handwritten] I [printed] may be legally interested, by virtue of  [handwritten] my claim for pension, in [illegible] of my Husband, Wm Couch [illegible] a soldier of the revolution, and 
[printed] Further empowering [handwritten] my [printed] said Agent and Attorney, or his substitute, to apply for and receive any Money, Bounty Land or Bounties, Pension Claim of Claims, or other dues, of any kind whatsoever, that may be found to be due [handwritten] me in said pension, and Bounty land under act of the 3 March 1855,
[printed] And further empowering [handwritten] my [printed] said Agent and Attorney, and authorizing him to receipt therefor, and give full and free acquittance thereof in his name, as [handwritten] my [printed] Agent and Attorney in fact, but all for [handwritten] my [printed] benefit and behoof. Hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever [handwritten] my [printed] said Agent and Attorney may lawfully do, or cause to be done, as in these premises specified; and as though [handwritten] I [printed] were present personally and acting for [handwritten] myself [printed] Binding [handwritten] my [printed] heris, legal representatives and assigns to comply with, and fully carry out and complete any obligation, contract, of agreement, that is, or may be made between [handwritten] me [printed and [handwritten] my [printed said Agent or Attorney, his legal representatives, heirs or assigns. In witness whereof [handwritten] I [printed] do hereunto affix [handwritten] my [printed] hand and seal this [handwritten] 16 [printed] day of [handwritten] June [printed] 186[handwritten]5
[signed] Margaret Couch 
[SEAL written twice, each word enclosed in asterisks]

[printed] Witness,

Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of 
[handwritten] [illegible]
James Anderson
Jacob Anderson
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State of Virginia County of Lee
On this 16th day of June
One Thousand Eight hundred and fifty five before me,
Jacob Rasnik
a presiding Justice of Court in and
for said County and state, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared, Mary Couch
the identical person whose name is attached to the annexed Power of Attorney, and being duly questioned, acknowledged the same to be her free act and deed as specified. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my name, the day and year last above mentioned. 
Jacob Rasnik
J.P.
State of Virginia County of Lee
I, John W. S. Morison
Clerk of the County Court in and for the County and
State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Jacob Rasnik
whose genuine signature appears
to the foregoing affidavit, is, and was, at the time of signing the same. justice of the peace
in and for the County and State aftresaid, duly commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such, are entitled to full faith and credit; 
Given under my hand and seal of my Office this 6th day of June
1855
Page 14

J.W.S. Morison 
Mary Couch
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15349
Margaret Crouch,
Widow of William
Virginia
J.W Stevens Sep 17, 1855
Same October 22, 1853
W.M Strickland Feby 5, 1857
same March 25, 1857, same
May 9 1857
[line] [illegible] [line] lee B. land Case
Hon G.W. Hopkins
april 22 1858
E B Crockett Nov 23,1859 
2532
July 7, 1838 Va
Page 16

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3,1873 
2532
P.O. 
Margaret Couch
Service: wid. of William
REJECTED [stamped on paper]
Enlisted: [blank line], 18
Discharged: [blank line], 18
Application filed: [blank line], 18
Alleges: 
Re-enlisted:
Attorney: 
P.O. 
Recognized. Contract. 
Cert. of Dis. Searched for, [blank line] 18
Page 17

Mailed Nov 10 (1853)
from Abingdon Va
Page 18

Hillsborough 6th November 1855
J. W. Stevens, Esq.  
     Tis by direction of your favor dated
1st Nov 1855 I have made diligent search in my office for the evidence of a marriage between William and Margaret Crouch, or Couch, the oldest bond in my office is 1751 there being no Law in the State of North Carolina requiring a bond to be filed with the Clerk until 1775 Section 8 Chapter 134  So you see the marriage may have taken place in this county before 1781  anything I can do in the matter I will most cherfully do for you as I have failed to render the service required I herewith inclose all your stamps but two they being the postage on 2 letters
                                       Very respectfully,
                                          Geo Laws
I examined in the files of Bonds up to 1800 which time I supposed way far enough  G. L.
Page 19

Comr. of pensions
     My Dear Sir,
          I owe you an appology.  I felt sure, I had forward the within paper, looking over my papers this morning I found it.  Shows how uncertain memory is.  I hope I shall be Excused,  as it was not design.

                   I am Dear Sir
                    Very Respectfully
                    Your POT 87
                              J. W. Stevens

I am seeking certificate of Marriage.
Page 20

Washington DC
April 19 1858

George C Whiting Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
     Enclosed I send you a letter addressed to me by Mr William H Morrison Jr in regard to some pensions, the original Agent for these claims has been dead some two or three years.  Mr Sebastian Stickley was the agent since his death the parties have heard nothing from the claims
I will thank you to inform Mr Morrison what is necessary to be done in order that the parties may obtain their pensions and oblige

Your Truly
G. W. Hopkins
Page 21

Circle Postage Stamp 
Abingdon Va.
Oct 8 

Comr of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
D.C.

On left upper hand side of paper under address written lengthwise:
Margaret Crouch
William   Va   Sus, 1838

Right upper hand side of paper:
FREE stamped lengthwise
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Abingdon Oct 6th 1855
Comr of pensions

Dear Sir
     Have you been able to lay your hand on the declaration of Margaret Crouch, She declared both for pension & Bounty land.  If per Claim for pension is admited in that case for Bounty land, there are if my memmory serves me two distinct declarations, one for pension, the other for Bounty Land.  If not found please inform me & I will have them renewed.
I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Your POT 87
J. W. Stevens
Page 23

Margret Crouch

William [illegible]

[postmark] Arlingdon Va.  Oct 8

[written in hand, vertically]  
Comm of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
D.C
Page 24

Abingdon August 18th 1855

Com of pensions

Dear Sir,

In the case of Margant Crouch, I omited to enclose power of attorney (and now enclose it)

I am [illegible] son
Very respectfully
Yours Oct-81

J N L Coons
Page 25

Freedinville 2 day of March 1854

Her Sir

You will pleas to give me all the information you can about the condition of Margast, deceased widow of William Crouch Why her claim [illegible] not allowed and [illegible] is now required to establish the claim for the [illegible] and oblige
your humble 

Hon W Striakland
Freedinville E Tennesee

Hon commissionar
of pensions
Washington City
DC
Page 26

Abington  July 4th 1855
Com of pensions

Dear Sir

Enclosed is declaration  of Margaret Couch for pension in [illegible] of her husband Wm Couch and on proof being advanced, declaration in [illegible] him
Page 27

Abingdon   Nov. 9th 1855,
Com of pensions

Dear Sir

I enclose a letter from the Clerk of the County Court of Orange [illegible] in relation to the marriage of Wm & Margant Crouch  Who is an applicant for pension and Bounty land, you will [underlined, but illegible] the manager cannot be found, and we must fall back on [illegible] of manager [illegible]cognising Each other as Husband & Wife

I am Dear Ser
Very respectfully
Your obi. S
JVL Coons
Page 28

{?}needville  June 5th 1857

Sir
Re yours of may 7th 1857

Claim in right of Margant Crouch's pension under the act of July 7, 1838 you seem to say that you under stand me  to say in my letter of may 10th that because No proof can be addressed the claim must be allowed   Sir you misunder stood me I ment to the [illegible] -- that the record proof on file in that office was sufficient proof of service  all though not with standing the applicant differs with regard to the Rank,  grade [underlined]  &c, which is frequently the case, it is not surposed by that department that widows the age of the Revolutionary widows is at this date can recollect as to all the facts in the case now especially the facts that this claimant is mistaken in these is not the [illegible] that knows the meaning or the difference between Sergeant & Private and Cavalry & Infantry, so you now aware of the fact, Reason teaches you that the old lady in Setting up her claim was mistakend in claiming her husband to be a Sergeant while he was a Private, and of Infantry while she claimed him to be of cavalry ao there is no doubt but the old lady was mistaken as to the Rank &c of her husband  She alledged that her husband was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and the Records accordining to your letter to Mr. Stevens acknowledges the service, as to the
Page 29

marriage you acknowledge has been admitted but as you do not deem the evidence sufficient to establish the marriage [illegible] to 1794 [crossed out] you say the claim cannot be allowed under the act of 1838 which probably has not been 
sufficiently established to your Satisfaction but Suffiicent proof has been addressed to you that the parties was married anterior to 1800.

Under those circumstances you Should allow the marriage to commence[?] only from the 4th of march 1848 which I demand for my [illegible] that the claim should commence on the 4 day of march 1848 to the day of the [illegible] Margast death  on 130[?} day of Sept 1856, and if the [illegible] here after adduce Sufficiant evidence of marriage anterior to 1794 the [illegible] would only be allowed up to march 6, 1848  So I ask your Honor in behalf of my [illegible] to admit the news from the last mentioned date, we pray of your honors justice according to the custom of your office and the act of congress  So I hop your honor will admit the allowance without us having refer the claim to any other office

Very Respectfully your
Obediant  Servant
Wm  A Strickland
Cheedville E Tennessee
Page 30

Be it known before me John W. Sword a ____ justice of the peace in Leo County, State of Virginia, personally append James Anderson and Jacob Anderson and make oath in due form of law that that were personally acquainted with William Couch and Margot Couch, and that she is the same person that she has recommended herself to be in her _____ against government in Petitions claims and that she has not been married since the death of said Couch and that she has always been a lady of good character before his death and ever since she was left a widow and that she was  ____ discharge by law June the 16th day 18__.

James Anderson
Jacob Anderson
John W. Sword, J.P.
Page 31

Address the Hon. george C. White [illegible] Commissioner with Regard to the Claim of John Crouth &c

Wm. A. Strickland
Sneedville
Tenn
Page 32

Sniedville April 10th 1859

Dear Sir

In regard to the claim of John Crouch the son and administrator of his mother Margant Crouch dec in order to sustain his right together with the Rights his other Brothers and Sisters I first refer you to the Sec of the Regulaions of act approved July 4, 1836 which requires applicants to produce the best proof the nature of the case will allow I contend that this claim will not allow the proof of some one who knows the Service was rendered because the persons who served with him are all dead and they would be all the persons that could state positively to the fact therefore it is utterly imposable to obtain such proof see F Feb 7 [illegible] page 36 & 35 which is applicable to this claim. Sir to establish the Service by someone who served with him as as I understand by  your requesting the proof of Service to be made by someone that knows the Service was rendered, it is sir out of the question to Suspose that the pension law] or the opinions of Secretory or Attorney general or you rather would require such proof which is utterly imposibile for any claimant to produce at this late date therefore Sir I contend that
Page 33

ther is and been proof sufficient on the part of [illegible] for to sustain the applicants right to his claim the reason why I contend that we have produced sufficient proof on the part of service is from the fact that we think we have with what proof is on file in that office and herewith submitted in the is the best proof the nature of the case will allow.  See F.F.C. Triplett page 25-6  act June 3, 1832, which should be consulted which is the form of proceedings as to proof required.

As to the proof of marriage & wish to know whether or not ther has been furnished to that office a certificat that this is no record of the marriage existing in the county of  [illegible] they alledge they were married if this certificate appears in that office I will refer you see F.F.C. Triplett page 30&31 Sec 2, to establish the right of the widow to the desceased husband a marriage general reputation and cohabit and cohabition is sufficient proof

proof of the marriage in fact cannot be reguited it may be established by presumtive Testimony  Which I contend has been made by the proof on file in that office in the widows application before her death and the testimoney herewith submitted I do contend [illegible]  have aduced sufficient proof according to the requirements of what I understantned to be the reconstrution of the [illegible] referred to above no direct [illegible]of
Page 34

any chance at present to get my letter proof of the facts than is and has been produced to that office with the testimony herewith
and we humbly request your immediate and sincere attention to this claim hoping that you admit its allowance upon the best terms the law will allow you to oblige you to [illegible] your [illegible] 
DC 
Wm H Strickland
Sneedville e Tennessee

Hon George C Whating
Commisioner of pensions
Washington DC

I would  just ad a record or two to in vite your attention to the claim of Rachel [illegible] to County land and act of 3 march 1893 and previous acts as referd to in the previous letters addressed to that office in suport of her claim her claim no 256,136. please to attend to it for the [illegible] and has become reviewed her claim was filed last summer in Right of her [illegible] and also the claim of James William of Howland Ky under act 3 March 1855 No 260,394 pleas to attend to these claims and release me from being trobled with my cllyants about them and Al;ways your humbel servant

Wm Strickland Sneedville Tennessee

Hon 
Commissioner,
Washington DC
Page 35

State of Virginia    16 day of June 1899
County of [illegible]  On this day personally appeared in open Court now in session for the County and State aforesaid, James Anderson and Jack Anderson who in due and solemn  [illegible] on their Oaths disclose that they are well acquainted with Margaret, widow of William Couch, Who was a soldier of the Revolution that she is the widow of the ident[illegible] William Couch, who served in said War of the Revolution, as represented in her declaration, that She is now a widow and has not [illegible]married since the death of her said husband.

his
James Anderson (illegible in parentheses)
his mark
Jacob Andersson (illegible in parentheses)
his mark

Subscribe and Sworn to in Open Court this 16 day of June 1855.


The whitnes will state how they know, what they depose to and the Court will certify the facts.  Witnesses say they have lived near Wm Couch dead[?] and Margant Couch his widow have known them personally for a long time.

We hereby certify that the avove witnesses James Anderson and Jacob Anderson made the avove statements before us after being first duly sworn.  Given under our hands this 16th day of June 1855.     

 John  W (mark) J P
Jacob [illegible]  J P
Page 36

Service
Penn
Va
Couch, William
or
Coutch,
or
Crouch,
NUMBER
R2.532
CONTENTS
Margaret
Page 37

Sneedville ___ 1st, 1857

Hon, Commission of Pensions

Dear Sir,
Please inform us whether or not the claim of Margaret Couch or Crouch of Lee ___ Va, the widow of William Couch or Crouch , a Revolutionary soldier has been allowed or, ___ application has been made by ___ Stickley of Va. since 1848 ____ Stickley and the ___ have both recently died and were the heirs desire to know whether or not the claim has been allowed.
You will please address___ M. Strickland of Sneedville, E. Tenn. and oblige yours the aforesaid heir, by William M. Strickland, Sneedville, E. Tenn.

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Page 38

Abingdon August, 2d 1855
Comr of Pensions
Dear Sir
Enclosed is a Correction of the Name of Margaret, Widow of Wm Crouch, after receiving proof from the Auditor at Richmond, without leting them know I had it in the name of Crouch I wrote to them to know of the name was Couch or Crouch, I for and that the original name was Crouch but they were now
called Couch I then prepared this within
Affidavit and sent it to them, with assurance
that the Magistrate himself would testify
that the true name was & is, Crouch the
Certificate of Marrian will be enclosed as
soon as I receive it.
I am Dear Sir
very respectfully
your obt st
J.M. Livon
-
Page 39

Abingdon or 22d 1855
Coner of Pensions
Dear sir
Mrs Margaret Crouch
an applicant for pension and Bounty Land in
right of her Husband William Crouch, has
been brought from the County of see to this place
and now in my officer in are to my questions
relative to Wm service, she says, Why child, he
was a light Horsman when I first knowed
him,
this is her language, but the whole truth
is she knows nothing about his service, Except
that he served in the revolutionary war, she
appears to be a simply plain honest old
Lady, I have twice applied to the Clerk of
Orange County Court for Certificate of
her Maria, and have not yet red it,
but Trust I shall, as I have, in both cases
enclosed his fee, but it is proverbial
for teness of her Clerks, the old Lady
talks much of her Husbands service,
That she has heard him say but all
amount to nothing,
I think her
Husband was a soldier in Revolution, but
She can make no living proof of service, and
all she can rely on, is, the Certificate adduced
from the Auditors Office of Virginia, hoping it may
correspond with the rolls in the pension Office
and if so, when one of her identity, I trust she
may succeed, as I believe she is true, in her
Intentions, she is very
soon and above, as to slatives
I am Larsen
 Very respectfully
living on charity of her your out
Neighbors, who respect her
W. Stevens
Page 40

Arlington Sep'er 4th 1855

Comm.of Pensions

Dear Sir,

    Errors in declaration to Marget Couch is just to have (??) the reason at what date the original declaration was enclosed. On turning to my memo book I find that on the 4th day of July last, I mailed in this office's said declaration for bounty land under Act of 3d March 1855. And for pension in light of her husband William Coach a soldier of the Revolution Act of 4th January 32 in the Virginia Cont. line. And of the 2d day of August I mailed certificate of service from Auditor of Virginia with a correction of the name of Couch.  When I wrote the Declaration I was told the name was Couch the affidavit was to correct that mistake. Should you not be able to find the declaration please inform me, and I will have it annexed - She lives 90 miles from here, I have written to her for certificate of Marriage as som as I receive it, I will enclose it.

                                   I am Dear Sir
                                   most respectfully 
                                   your ob/st
                                              //s//
                                     J.W. Stevens
Page 41

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia State Line as settled their Accounts and received Certificates for the balance of their full pay, according to An Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, directing
the Auditors of Public Accounts to settle and adjust the pay and accounts of the said Officers and Soldiers from the 1st January 1777 to 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statutes at Large, vol. 10, p. 462,) that a settlement was made on the 2nd day of June 1783 in the name of William Crouch
as Gold Inf. and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for $10 delivered to himself
but as the original settlements or copies therof are not to be found in this office the term of service embraced therein cannot be stated
Given under my hand, at the First Auditor's Office, Richmond, this
12th day of July - 1855
No seal of office
G. W. Chutter
(ilegible)
Page 42

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Ofice of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental line as settled their Accounty and received Certficates for the balance of their full pay according to An Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, directing the Auditors of Public Accounts to settle and adjust the pay and account of the
officers and Soldiers from the 1st January 1777 to 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statutes at Large, Vol. 10, p. 462,) that a settlement was made on the 28th day of November 1783 in the name of William Crouch as Gol Infantry
and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for $34.59 delivered to Tho. Lumkin but
as the original settlements or copies thereof are not to be found in this Offce the term of service embraced therein cannot be stated
Given under my hand, at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this
12th day of July -1855
No seal of office
G.W.Chutter
Page 43

Margaret Couch
1838
Abingdon VA Sep. 24
Comm. of Pensions Office
Washington, DC
Page 44

Abingdon Va. Sep 24
Margaret Crouch
Wm, Va. Sep 1838
Free     3
Comm of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
D.C.
Page 45

Abingdon Septr 22d 1885
Coms of pensions,
Dear Sir
your favour
in relation to Margaret Couch, mar
rid on yesterday._ the whole truth is,
the only thing she knows, is, that her husband
was a Soldier in the Warof the revolution,
but what Corps, or regement, he belonged to
or Served in. She knows nothing about
since I sent the papers to you. I saw Mr.
Stickly her Neighbour.-- he says she knows
nothing about his being a Seargent in the
Revolution, he questioned her when, and
where he was a Seargent in the light Horse
as they call it, her ansr [answer] Clearly Shows
her Husband was in a troop of Militia
Calvalry after the War Was over. he was
a Soldier of the Revolution, there is no
doubt, in Virginia, as to Certificate of
her marriage, I have written to the clerk
of Orange County Court N.C. for it, but
have had no ansr [answer]. It is unfortunately the
Case so far as N C. is concerned, it is harder
to get any document from that State, than
^any^ other in the union, yet I hope to obtain
it.
I am Sir
very respectfully
your obt st
J W Stevens
Page 46

Declaration of Proofs
John Crouch
Adam Measgart
Crouch
Claim to Pension
7th July 1838
Hancock County Tenns
File July
Wm M. Strickland
Sneedwill Tennesee
Page 47

(3)
State of Tennessee County Court
Hancock County } 21 Jan 1857
John Church administrator of the
Estate of Margart Crouch deceased} Claim to pension
VS
United States} under act 7 July
1838-
Be it remembered that at a County Court begun and
held in and for Said County at the Court house in--
Sneedville On the 6th day of April 1857.
present the Honorble Thos. R. Coleman Judge the following
proceedings in this case was had to wit,
John Crouch admr. &c. alleges that his father William
Crouch deceased was a private of Infantry in the Revolutio
nary war and the reason he states that he knew his
father was a private of Infantry is from what he has
heard his mother say often that his father said he
rather be an officer in service that they fared better and that
he served a while as Sergeant in the place of a sergeant
that was sick and he states that he has often heard his mother
speak of how in marching his father would have to walk on
vary small rashons, &c that he was wounded in  the battle at
Guilford North Carolina under Gen Green on 15 day of March
1781, and that the british was victorious and that he has heard
his mother state the foregoing with other conflicts his father
had while in Service times past his recollection and that
for the last 2 or 3 years before his mothers death she lost
her mind to such extent that she was not capable of
stateing the facts as correct as she could prior to that time
and that his father died the last of the year 1807 or the first of
the year 1808, and that his mother the said Margaret survived
him and lived until the 30th day of September Eighteen
hundred and fifty six when she died. tho after the death of
his father his mother never was agane married during her
Page 48

life but died his fathers widow That the said John had the
following brothers and sisters of the whole beloved and that the
ages of the eldest and yongest are [illegible]
William the Eldest born 30th day of December 
1796 2nd Hanna born day of
17 3 Pegga born day of
17 4 Eusted born day of
17 5 Marriam born day of
1 6 Dempson born day of
1 and 7th a little Boy that died in Infancy born day of
1 8th was John this desendant
and yongest child born 1st day of June 1808
that som of said children live here and som and som
livee in virginia and in kentuckey - that his said
mother came to hankins now Hancock Tennessee from grayson
County Virginia ^about the year 1812^ and went from here to Lee county virginia
about the year 1850 and that he always understood and believe
that his father and mother lived and cohabited to gether as
man and wife and was so respected by good society until the
day of his fathers death and that he has heard his mother speak
of having been married to his father as aforesaid and that
his mother the said Margart always acknowledged the
Eldest as well as the yongest to be by his father and lagiti
mate and trated and provided for him and that they were so
was generally believes
These several allegation were satisfactoraly proved in
open court by respectable witnesses on oath and the court
is satisfide fully that the same is true from the testi
money and personal knowledge
the said John further alledges that his said father and mother
wer married North Carolina- at - prior to the 6 January
1794 and that such has been generally believed by the public
and that it was always so said by his mother in her
lifetime, persons were examined on oath touching the
Page 49

general belief of such statements and from the testim
addresed the court is of a penson that looking at the
ages of the children the declarations of the parties in the
lifetime and the public opinion existing with the
surrounding circumstances ther can be no doubt but
that the same is true.
It is therefore ordered by the court that this proceeding
be recorded and the record certified officially for the
benefit of said claimant
Th S R Coleman
County Judge
A True Copy of the
Record
Richard Mitchell clerk
State of Tenessee ss I Richard Mitchell clerk of the
Hancock County Court for the County and state
aforesaid do certify that honorable Thomas R Coleman
is Judge of our said Court that his several signatures
herewith on genuine that he is leagally commissioned
and qualified that the whole verify catran herewith took
place in open Court and thus John Crouch is
administrator of the estate of Margarett Crouch deceased
duly sworn and bound in a bond of four thousand
dollars approved by the Court and that his letters have
issued
In testamony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office in
Sneedvile this 6th day of April 1857
Richard Mitchell clerk
Page 50

(1)
State of Tennessee
Hancock County } ss.
On this 6th day of April AD one thousand eight
hundred and fifty seven personally appeared before the
County court of the county and State aforesaid
John Crouch a citizen of said county of Hancock and
made oath in due form of Law that he is a son and
heir at Law of William Crouch and of Margart Crouch
both of grayson and Lee Counties virginia deceased
That his said father the said William was a private of
Infantry in the Revolutionary War and the reason he States
that his father was a private of Infantry is from what he
have heard his mother say oftimes she sayd thtat his father said
he had rather be an officer in service that ther fairs were
better and that he served a while as sergant in the place
of a seargeant that was sick and the reason why he states
that he was of Infantry he have heard his mother speake of
how fare in marching his father would have to walk with vary
small rashons, &c that he was wounded in the battle at guilford
(NC) Fought under general green on March 15, 1781, and that
the british were victorious and that he had heard his mother
state the foregoing with other compliats he had while in seedvile
times past his recollection and that for the last two or three
 years of his mothers age She lost her mind to such extent
that she was not able to state the facts as correct as she
could prior to that time,
And that his father died the last of december 1807 or the first of
January 1808, and that his mother the said Margart Survived
him that that said father the said William and his mother
the said Margart had been married in North Carolina
priort to January 1794 and that by here said marriage she
became intitled under act of 4 July 1838 and other subsequent
acts to a pension for the same amount that her husband
would have been Intitled, to had he survived the act of 7,
June AD 1832, And that his mother the said Margartt
Page 51

made application under the act of July 7, 1838
but that owing to her death before the proof was completed she never obtained her claim & that she lived and continued the widow of the said William until the day of her death. Which took place on the 30th day of September eighteen hundred and fifty six.That at her  death she left the following other children surviving to receive
 Hanna-Peggy-Easter-Mariam & daughter and  [illegible] John Torch the administer, and that William Crouch the eldest that he died 30 day of August 1844, prior to his mother's death and was 49 years 8 months of age when he died that the said children resides  in different countys and some in different states affidavit further states that he is Administrator of the Estate of his said mother, the said Margaret deceased, and he makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining as Administer is afore said benefit of himself and the other Surviving Children the amount of pension to  [illegible] the said mother was Entitled to as forsaid and to substantiate his right then to, he asks examination of such proofs as are now in the pension office and to these herein submitting, and he has further states that there is no family record of the marriage of his father and mother in North Carolina but that ever since he can recollect and that has been about forty four years that he always understood that his father and mother  were lawfully  married and that they  cohabited together as man and wife and that  they  were reputed and  respected  by good society as such and that after the death of his father his mother never again married but died the widow of his father -except the record of marriage  is in the county records they never married in North Carolina, he  does not believe it exists  anymore. The affidavit  though states positively as to the date and day, upon which his mother died for he well recollects it and he stated in in his
Page 52

bible as to his father death he states from what his mother said that he [illegible] was about six months age at the date of his fathers death - he further states that some of said children reside in Hancock some in Hawkins Counties Tenn and some in Virginia, some in Kentucky too remote and scattered to present a united claim but states positively that he truly represents the relations of heirs of said decedent and that all the heirs are living but the eldest and one that died in infancy,
Be known all men by these present that I John Crouch administrator of the estate of Margaret Crouch deceased of Lee County, Virginia do for the purpose of obtaining the arrears of pension due to me in right of my said mother to be divided equally amongst my surviving brothers and sisters hereby appoint William M. Strickland of Sneedville Tennessee and his substitutes or attorneys
My true and lawful attorneys for me and in my name for the purpose aforesaid
Witness my hand and seal this 6th day of April AD 1857
Witness of [illegible]
Thomas Anderson
George H Larson
Page 53

(2)
Then came Joseph Lindsay aged fifty fove [five]
years and Eli Andrson aged fifty three
years both resident citizens of Hancock county
Tennessee and being duly sworn say jointly
we have resided here sin 1818, ^to^ this day and that
we know Margart Crouch as in her lifetime and her
children but know nothing of Her said husband
but  have always understod and believed from the last
information that Margart Crouch came hawkins
now Hancock counties Tennessee about the year
1812 from grayson county virginia, came here with
several children and that she was reputed and
respect as the widow of William Crouch &c
by good Society generally continualy to the day of
her death from the age of William Crouch jr
the oldest son and the other children all of
Whom we knew the said William and the said
Margart must have been married previous
to the year 1794 becaus if William was now
living he would be over Sixty three years of age
of this fact there is no doubt and he was always
acknowleged by her with his other brothers and
sisters to be by William Crouch her reputed husband
and legitimate children which was generally believed
to have been married to the said William Crouch
before the birth of of any Children and if such
had not been the case we are ritly shown
we would have heard such a thing spoken
of which we never did for this and other good
reasons we are morally certain that the parties were
married at and before the date stated -
we can only speak from our best recolection
Page 54

as to the date of the (?) (?) (?) death which took place about the 30 day of September 1856 as to the death of said William her husband we have understood that he died about 1808 and that it has been generally understood and spoken of his being a soldier in the Revolutionary war and that during the time we have known Margart Crouch is afforesaid which has been about 36 years ago she never again was married but remained the reputed widow of William Crouch to the day of her death - and that we are acquainted with the family in question as before stated have heard (?ead) the declaration of John Crouch one of the sons here with the purpose which is deserving a pension is right of the said mother? - awfully understand in said declaration can ???? safley coroborate said and sustain the material facts stated by him that we are morially?  ????? that such ?????????? evidence as we speak from is true and that we have no interest in the claim.
                                    Joseph Lindsy?
Witness                            Eli Anderson
Joseph Parby(?)
????? W Baker
The fore going declaration of John Crouch and affidavit of Joseph Lindsy and Eli Anderson was sworn to in due form of law in open court and before me on the 6th day of April 1857 and I certify that the affidavits and all credible persons residing in ??? said county and the statements are intitled(?) to confidence and with ther hands
signed these names thereto
                   Th L N (?) Coleman
                         County Judge