Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 11624, for Charles Thompson, North Carolina
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
N C

Thompson, Charles
                   Jemima

NUMBER
W. 11624
B.T.Wt.26009-160-55

CONTENTS
Page 2

83.32
20.83
104.15 [total]

16761
North Carolina
Charles Thompson of Lincoln in the State of No Carolina who was a Pr: Cav: in the [blank] commanded by Captain - of the Compy commanded by Capt Johnson in the No Carolina line for 10 months

Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina at the rate of 41 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Sept 32 and sent to J. F. Alexander Lincolnton No Ca

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 | 104.15
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 | 20.83
[total] $124.98

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by N Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 57
Page 3

5127
Georgia
Jemima Thompson widow of Charles Thompson who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private of Cavalry
N.C.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 41 dollars 66 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853

Certificate of Pension issued 23d day of April 1853 and sent to C. W. Bennett
Present

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 155 Vol. a
321

164433 Mar 55
Page 4

A. [illegible] Bennett. Apl 19/56

Vol T page 63.

164433 Act 3 March June 11/55

Jemima Thompson widow
Charles Thompson Private

adm

Revolutionary War

Geo Feby 53 - 5137

Ad: 160 ac May 14/56
Boynton

C. W. Bennett
Present

No 26009 iss May 16/56
Page 5

20
J L Edwards Commissioner
DC
Shelby NC
March 9

12335
March 16 1846
Luraney Thompson
July 7 1838
Page 6

Shelby March the 9th 1846

Dear Sir I enclose to you the declaration of Luraney Thompson with the best evidence I can get I suppose they were married by a preacher without licence [sic] by proclamation and never had any children so they never kept any record examine the evidence if satisfactory send a certificate and if not please state in what particlar [sic] direct your letter to N. Carolina Cleveland County Shelby post to me
Yours Respectfully
Joseph Carroll
Page 7

Canton, Ga. Nov. 2st, 1854.

Sir:
Your communication under date of the 34th ult. in relation to the Pension claim of Jemima Thompson, widow of Charles Thompson, late of N.C., reached me by last mail; and in answer to your inquiry; "Was she the first wife of the Pensioner or had he been married before?", I have to state that he had been married before. At the time of the second marriage to Jemima Hardy, the present Petitioner, he was a widower. The only issue of the first marriage was one son, John; who removed to this state from N.C., and died in this county eight years ago. The son John left a widow who is still living in this county, Mary Thompson, and also three children, two sons and a daughter, John B., Charles A. & Ann C. John B. lives in Jonesville, Ala. Charles A. resides in this county, & Ann c. married a Mr. Stoner, who is now in California but his wife, Ann C. is in Habersham Co. Ga.

I am thus particular in giving you the lineal descendants of the old Pensioner not knowing the legal obje'od of the inquiry. I am not aware that either the Act of Congress of July 29, 1848. or the act of Feb 3. 183, (under which Jemima Thompson demands a pension), or the published Regulations of the Pension Office of March 25, 1853, containing directions for carrying into effect the
Page 8

latter act, makes it necessary to state whether or not a widow claiming under that act was the first or second wife of the deceased Revolutionary pensioner, or whether or not he had ever been married before; but I cheerfully comply with your request, presuming there is some back pay as pensioner, due the heirs of Charles Thompson, the deceased Pensioner, he not having drawn fully up to the time of his death.

The facts, as above stated, I get from the said Charles A.,  Grand son of the old Pensioner; and tho' I do not know that the statement is correct, from the circumstances, I presume they are, as set down. If legal proof of all or any of the facts should be required, on being notified as to what must be established, I will endeavor to furnish the Department with such evidence.

The early attention of the Pension Office to the claim of Mrs. Jemima Thompson is most respectfully solicited, as she is very poor, & as I believe her claim is most meritorious.

I forgot to say in the proper connection that there was no issue from the second marriage of the old Pensioner with Jemima Hardy. They were both old & had no more children so I am informed.

Very Respectfully &c
H. H. Waters

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com. Pensions
Washington
DC
Page 9

12335
Luraney Thompson
N.C
Act 7 July 38

Jos. Carroll
Shelby, N.C
Page 10

State of North Carolina
Cleaveland County
on this 12th day of February 1846 personally appeared Luraney Thompson before me Joseph Carroll one of the acting Justices of the peace of said County agedged [sic] 84 years a resident of said County and made oath in due form of law and doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July the 7th 1838 and the act of March the 23rd 1842 and the act of June the 17th 1844 granting pensions to certain widows that she is the widow of Charles Thompson who was a private in the cavalry of the North Carolina Militia placed on the pension list Sept the 21st 1832 at the rate of $41.66 Cts per annum she further declares that she was married some time in the year 1792 and that her husband the aforesaid Thompson died on the 7 day of January 1837 and that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but that the marriage took place previous to the first day of January 1794 viz at the time above stated 
sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above ritten [sic] before me
test Joseph Carroll JP
Luraney Thompson X her mark
Page 11

State of North Carolina
Cleaveland County
I Joseph Carroll the Magistrate before whom the foregoing declaration was made, do certify that Luraney Thompson the claiment [sic] in this case is not able to attend the Court from bodily infirmities and age this the 13th day of February 1846
Joseph Carroll JP

State of North Carolina
Cleaveland County SS
Court of Pleas & Quarter Session
February Term 1846
I Richard Champion clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter sessions for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration of Luraney Thompson widow of Charles Thompson late Revolutionary Pensioner deceased of Lincoln County North Carolina this day was laid before said Court now opened and held in Shelby for said County of Cleaveland examined and approved by the Court whereupon the Court ordered that the Clerk Certify the same to the War Department

And I do further certify that Joseph Carroll Esquire before whom the foregoing declaration was proven is and was at the time of signing the same an acting magistrate for said County of Cleaveland as aforesaid and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said Court at Office this 10th day of February 1846
R. Champion Clk
Page 12

12335
Luraney Thompson
Declaration
Page 13

No 164433
Claim of Jemima Thompson
Act of 3d March 1855

Filed by C. W. Bennett
Washington D.C.
Page 14

State of Georgia
Cherokee County
On this twenty first day of May, in the year of our Lord 1855, personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid, Jemima Thompson, aged 78 years a resident of the county and state aforesaid, who, being duly sworn, declares that she is the widow of Charles Thompson, who was a private of Cavalry in the Revolutionary War, and who served in the said war, but that she is unable to state how long her said deceased husband served in said war, only that he served therein fourteen days, and upwards; that she does not now remember under the command of what officer or officers he so served. she further states that he was honorably discharged from said service, but does not know where or when, and that if he ever had a written discharge, she does not know where it is, or what became of ti. She further states that she was married to the said Charles Thompson, in Rutherford County in the state of North Carolina, in the month of November sometime about the year 1826, and that her name before her said marriage, was Jemima Hardy. that her said husband died about the second day of April A.D. 1836. in the said county in which he was at the time & place of said marriage in the state of North Carolina. That she has never married since the death of her said husband, and that she is now a widow. For all facts and proofs pertaining to the service of the said deceased Charles Thompson, who was for some five years previous and up to the time of his death, a Revolutionary pensioner,
Page 15

and for proof of her said marriage with the said Charles Thompson and of his death, she refers to the facts and proofs already in possession of the Pension office, upon which the said Charles in his life time drew a pension, and upon which she now draws a Pension according to Certificate No. (5127) and dated 23rd April 1855.

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining bounty land under the act approved March 3d 1855. She never having applied for or received bounty land under this or an other act of Congress, before.

C. W. Bennett, Esqr. of Washington City, D.C. is hereby authorized as my attorney to prosecute this claim and to received any warrant or certificate which may be issued hereon
Jemima Thompson X her mark

Personally came the two persons whose names are hereunto subscribed both residents of the Count of Cherokee and State aforesaid, towit, of Georgia, who, upon oath declare that they are each personally well acquainted with Mrs. Jemima Thompson, and saw her sign, by making her mark, the foregoing declaration, and power of Attorney. And that they knew her to be the identical person therein represented, and that she is now a widow and that they nor either of them, have no interest directly or indirectly in this claim.
Wm Jones
J Jones

The foregoing declaration and affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me this 21st day of May A.D. 1855.; and I certify that I know the claimant to be, of my own personal knowledge, the identical person she therein represents herself to be. that the witness are credible persons & that I have no interest in this claim
J H Wood J.P. Seal
Page 16

State of Georgia
County of Cherokee ss.
I hereby certify that John H. Wood, Esqr. before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit were made, now is and was at the time of taking the same, an acting justice of the Peace within & for the county & state aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature thereto is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 21st day of May, A.D. 1855. J. L. Keith
Clerk of the Superior Court Cherokee Co.
Page 17

23000

Admt as private com
Cav'y 41 [illegible]

J T Alexander
Lincolnton
NC
Page 18

State of North Carolina 
Lincoln County ⎬
Court of pleas & quarter January Sessions 1833
On this 21st day of January 1833 appeared
in open Court before the Justices of pleas & quarter sessions in & for said County Charles Thompson, a resident of Lincoln County in the State of North Carolina, aged ____ 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 the 7th 1832-
That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served
herein stated. 
He entered the service of the United States
in the Spring of 1781 in Tryon County North Carolina
(now Rutherford County enlisted under Capt Johnson
Lieutenant Samuel Jackson - a Cavalry Company in
the Regiment of Col Middleton-- Marched to Brown Old Fields in South Carolina on the Congaree River -
after remaining there for some time. marched to Camden in the same state from thence to
Orangeburg in the same State, from there to a place called the Fourth Bridge-- Thence back to Orangeburg & was there dismissed after having served for ten months, & received a written discharge
from Capt Waters. The Regiment he served in formed a part of the army of General Sumpter
Page 19

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency of any state.
Charles Thompson X his mark
Witness Vardry McBee Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states.

State of North Carolina
Lincoln County
I Vardry McBee Clerk of the Court of Lincoln County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Charles Thompson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 24th day of January 1833
Vardry McBee Clk
Page 20

State of North Carolina
Lincoln County
Court of Pleas & quarter sessions
January Session 1833

William Crane a resident of Rutherford County North Carolina, swears that he was acquainted with Charles Thompson in the War of the Revolution & has been acquainted with him ever since, & that he served with him as a listed soldier for the term of ten months in the War of the Revolution under the officers named in the foregoing declaration, & knows that his statement as to his services there set forth is true.
William Crane & his mark
Sworn to in open Court 
Witness Vardry McBee Clerk

State of North Carolina
Lincoln County
Court of Pleas & quarter sessions
July Sessions AD 1833
I John Tucker one of the justices of the Court aforesaid in & for the County of Lincoln & state of North Carolina hereby certify that I have been acquainted with William Crane who has sworn to & subscribed the above affidavit, for a great many years & that he has always been esteemed a man of truth and an honest man in the neighborhood where he resides and I believe him to be such
Jn Tucker

C Thompson
declaration
Page 21

State of North Carolina ⎬ 
Lincoln County
Court of pleas & quarter Session
July Sessions AD 1833-
On this 15th day of July 1833 personally appeared
before the Justices of the Court aforesaid Charles Thompson resident of the County of Lincoln & State of North Carolina who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration amendatory to his former declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by Congress passed June the 7th 1832
 That he was born in Shenandoah County
in the State of Virginia in the year 1762 as he has been informed - that he has no record of his age. He was living in Tryon County N. Carolina when called into service (now Lincoln County where he has lived ever since & where he now lives - That he enlisted in the Cavalry under Capt Levi Johnson in the Regiment of Col Middleton which formed a part of the army of Genl Sumpter He was acquainted with Col. Thomas Col. Middleton & Genl Sumpter - he marched to Browns Old Fields. Thence to Camden - thence back to the fourhold [?]-- & Thence to Orangeburgh where he was discharged. That he received a written discharge from Capt. Waters which discharge he has since lost - that he is acquainted with
Hugh Quinn a Clergyman & Vardy McBee both of his own county who can testify as to his character for veracity and give their belief as to his services as a soldier of the revolution
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Charles Thompson
(his mark)
Page 22

We Hugh Quinn a clergyman residing in the county of Lincoln & state of North Carolina and Vardry McBee residing int he same county and state hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Charles Thompson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; That we believe him to be 71 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Hugh Quin V.D.M
Vardry McBee
Sworn to in open court 
Witness Vardry McBee Ckl

The following interrogatories were put by the Court [illegible]
1st Where and in what year were you born?
2d Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
3d Where were you living when called into service. where have you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live?
4th How were you called into service. were you drafted did you volunteer, or were you a substitution & if a substitute for whom?
5th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, & the general circumstances of your service.
5th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so by whom was it given and what has become of it.
7th state the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourood & who can testify as to your character for veracity and give their opinion as to your services as a soldier of the revolution
Page 23

State of North Carolina
Lincoln County
I Vardry McBee Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that John Tucker Esquire who gave the above certificate is & was an acting Justice of the Peace duly authorised [sic] & commissioned & tat the signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed the seal of office this 3d day of August 1833
Vandry McBee Clk
by J. T. Alexander D.C
Page 24

State of North Carolina
Cleaveland County
Before me Joseph Williamson an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally came Young Brizendine before me who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he lawfully marred [sic] Charles Thompson and Jemima Hardy in the county Rutherford in said state sometime in the year 1826 and that the said Jemima Hardy was the second wife of said Thompson that his first wife was said to be dead when I first was acquainted with him which was since 1820 was until his death and [illegible] he never heard of his first wife being alive in the time & was well acquainted with the said Thompson untill his death and never heard of any other wife living But the said Jemima Hardy the said Thompson was a quite old man and respectable his age [illegible] and that he was an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said County of Rutherford and duly joined there in wedlock in that capacity
Young Brizendine
Sworn to and subscribed Before me this 21st day of March 1855
J G Williamson JP

State of North Carolina
Cleaveland County
I Silas Williams Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Cleaveland County hereby certify that Joseph G. Williamson whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit is and was an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesd at the time of signing the same duly commissioned and qualified that the signature purporting to be his is genuine Given from under my hand and seal of Office he 27th March 1855
S. Williams Clk
Page 25

May 22, 1901
Mrs. Jas. T. Harris
Spartanburg S.C.

Rev WIDOW, &c
File No. 1624
Jemima Thompson
Wid of 
Charles Thompson
Pri Rev War

Act: Febry 3d 1853
Index: Vol. BN, Page 270

(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 26

26009

Rev Priv
Page 27

V
12335
Luraney Thompson
N.C.
Let to Jn Carrol June 5 '46

Act 7 July '38
Page 28

Hon. L. P. Waldo,
Com. Pensions
Washington
D.C.

FREE

[illegible]
NOV 15

Jemima Thompson
Widow
Charles

Boynton

Recd Novr 20th 1824
Page 29

5
[illegible]
[illegible]
2

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com. of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Jemima Thompson
Wid
Charles
Page 30

No. 5158
Jemima Thompson
Widow of Charles
NC

H.H. Waters Octo 24 1852
H.H. Waters Nov 9 1852

Feby [illegible] 1853
Page 31

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Comr of Pensions
Pension Office

Jemima Thompson
wid
Charles
B

Boynton
Page 32

Jemima Thompson
wid of
Chas Cherokee Co Geo

Act /53
$41.66/100 per an:
Com: Feby: 3d 1853
Revy

C.W. Bennett
Prest

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Pension Office, Offical Business
Page 33

FREE

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com. Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

[post mark]
[illegible]
NOV 17

Jemima Thompson
wid
Charles

Boynton

Recd Novr 20 [illegible]
Page 34

Free
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com. Pensions,
Washington 
D.C.

[post mark]
[illegible]
NOV 20

Jemima Thompson
widow
Charles

Boynton

Recd Novr 21st 1832
Page 35

[illegible] : off:
Nov: 21" 1854
Arr Set: of 1&1. 1&1. Waters. of 14" Nov: /54. There are two applicants
Suspend action until Waters is heard from.
"Boynton"
Page 36

1 wit: dma: & death & wid: dcd 36
1 Doup & Co: death. wid: lived in Cherokee CO sso
Mag: who ma the parties
Page 37

Charles Thompson D'd 2 Apl 1836
Jurany Thompson
Mary Spaight says she (dep't) was md '93 & Jurany md before her
Jemima Thompson Md 1825
[illegible] & Lewis a carpenter, to prove identity

H H Waters Agent
Canton Ga
Page 38

John Ferrier, Jas Caldude

Benj Marrin d'd 7 May 1832

Jno Clany Clgyman
Page 39

Pension Ofice
Oct 20/54
2 Apl 36
Sir: 
Please report time of last payment to, or death of, within named pensioner
Yours, &c &c
J. Cole
for Commr

R.J. Atkinson
3 aud 
Present

Mr Randall
Page 40

Charles Thompson died 2 Apl 136 paid
Rch J Atkinson
Auditor
Page 41

State of North Carolina
Cleaveland County
on this 4th day of March 1846 personally appeared Mary Spaight before me Joseph Carroll one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County and made oath in due form of law and sayeth that she seen Charles Thompson and his wife Lureney Married some time in the year 1792 She further states that she has the Record of her own marriage which was on the 17th day of June 1793 and that she knows she was a single women the time of Thompsons marriage in 1792 
Mary Spaight
Given under my hand the day and year above ritten [sic]
Joseph Carroll JP

State of North Carolina
Cleaveland County
on this 4th day of March 1856 I Joseph Carroll the Magistrate before whom the above affidavid [sic] was made do certify that I have been acquanted [sic] with Mary Spaight for a great many years and do certify that she is a woman of good caracter [sic] and well liked by her neighbors given under my hand this day and year above ritten
Joseph Carroll JP
Page 42

State of North Carolina
I Richard Champion Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Cleaveland County, certify that Joseph Carroll is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 9th day of March 1846
Richard Champion Clerk of Cleaveland County
Page 43

Canton Nov 18th 1854

Sir:
Herewith I send the deposition of Mr. William Endsley, proving the death of the first wife of Charles Thompson, R. Soldier, late of N.C.; which, together with the affidavit of Mr. Mathis, heretofore transmitted, I presume will be sufficient proof of that fact.

Respectfully &c
H.H. Waters

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com. Pensions
Washington, 
DC.
Page 44

L. P. Waldo,
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 45

Canton, Georgia
Oct. 2nd 1854

Sir: Some twelve months ago I an old lady by the name of Jemima Thompson called at my office requesting me to assist her in procuring a Pension, alleging that she was the widow of Charles Thompson; a Revolutionary Soldier & Pensioner, late of the state of North Carolina, deceased; & soon after I wrote to the Pension Office in regard to the matter, & soon after left this place & went to California, from where I have just returned. And she still desires me to see to the business. In my absence a gentleman with whom I left my business, wrote to N. Carolina where the applicant & Charles Thompson were married many years ago, & procured the enclosed evidence as to marriage. I see the affidavit of Young Brisendine, who married them, does not state that said Brisendine was a Justice of the Peace when he so married them, & it is otherwise bunglingly [sic] drawn up, but I have concludire [sic] to forward it to the Department as it is, together with evidence of Charles Thompson's death, &c, with her declaration, expecting, if there are objections
Page 46

to the evidence in regard to material points, that they will be noted & sent back to me that I may endeavor to supply them.

I see the rules require that the applicant in such cases shall set forth in her declaration "the time when the Revolutionary Soldier entered & left the service; the names and rank of the of the [sic] officers under whom the service was performed; the place in which he resided when he entered the service; & also in case the soldier has been a Pensioner, the Act of Congress under which he was pensioned, and the agency at which he was paid" Now, it seems to met hat a feeble minded old women, tottering under the weight of four score years, could hardly be expected to remember, if she ever knew, all these facts & circumstances. Her declaration sets forth that Charles Thompson was a Pensioner as a Revolutionary Soldier, & if so, certainly the Pension office must be in possession of that fact as a matter of record, by reference to which it can be easily ascertained what services he performed, under whom, & where he was paid off; and then, all she will be required to do is to prove that she was married to Charles Thomson, the said Pensioner, some time previous to his death (of course) and since 1800. That said applicant is the identicle [sic] person so married to said Thompson, and that said Pensioner is dead, when he died, and
Page 47

that she is still a widow. These I take to be the material points, & herewith send evidence in support of them.

I am credibly informed that ample evidence to all these facts ban be had in the neighborhood where the old people lived many years ago & where the old man died, but the old woman from debility and poverty is wholly unable to go to North Carolina to procure such testimony; nor do I think the business would pay me to go 300 miles to see to it.

Will you be so kind as to inform me what amt she would be intitled [sic] to, if her application should be sustained, from the facts set forth in her declaration. Will she be intitled to a Pension from the time of death of her dec'd husband up to her death - or the present time - inclusive? & if so, how much a year &c?

The attention of the department is respectfully solicited *c
Your mvrt obt
H. H. Waters.

L. L. P. Waldo, Com.
of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 48

Brief in the case of Jemima Thompson wid: of Charles
Cherokee County and State of Geo:
act 3: Feby: 1853.

Claim, ("original,")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
 Husband was pensioner under the Act of 7th June 1832 @ the rate of $41.66/100 per an: Marriage proven by the magistrate who performed the service. One witness who was present & three to reputation & Cohabitation. Pensioner died 2d April 1836 as per the affidavits of four credible witnesses & report of the Third Auditor
Widowhood & [illegible] is established by the affidavits of four credible affiants.

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?


C.W.Bennett Esqr
Present
Name and residence of Agent

S. C. Boynton
Examining Clerk.
Page 49

Canton, Ga. Nov 16th / 54.

Sir:
To day I send the affidavit of Mr. A. Mathis, who as an old & respectable citison [sic] of our country, establishing the fact of the death of Charles Thompson's first wife. I am aware that it is tediously lengthy and from the circumstance of another person's claiming a pension as the first wife of the deceased Pensioner, I took down his narration quite circumstantially as he gave it. I am also aware that he states things that are irrelevant but I thought it not amiss to let him make his statement in his own way.

I am convinced that the person who is trying to get a Pension as the first wife of Charles Thompson, in North Carolina, is urging a fraudulent claim; and if you will furnish me the name of the party claiming it and all other persons concerned in the matter I will try to ferret the matter out.

Will further proof of the death of the first wife be required? if so, what kind?

Must I furnish other & further proof of the second marriage, to Jemima, the present claimant? if so, what kind?

Respectfully &c
H.H. Waters

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Comr Pensions
Page 50

Canton Ga. Nov. 14th 1854

SIr:
Your communication of the 9th inst. in relation to the Pension claim of Jemima Thompson, widow of Charles Thompson, late of N. Carolina, has just reached me. A day or two after I wrote you last in answer to you inquiry -  "Was she the first wife of the Pensioner, & had he been married before?" an old gentleman by the name of Anderson Mathis, who formerly lived in N. Carolina but has resided in this county for several years came into town, & knowing that he had been acquainted with old Charles the deceased Pensioner and his domestic relations, & asked him about the old man's having been married before he married Jemima Hardy, the now widow Thompson who claims a Pension. Mr. Mathis said he lived a near neighbor to the old Pensioner and knew all about it - that he had been married before - that he knew his former or first wife well - that she died some few years (I think he said three or four) before he married Jemima Hardy. He said he remembered it well, for, said he, "I made the coffin myself and helped put her into it."

Your note stating that there is another "person claiming a Pension as the first wife of said Thompson," surprises me much. I will inquire into the matter of this claim diligently, and I believe I can prove, beyond all doubt,
Page 51

that the first wife of hte old Pensioner died before he married Jemima Hardy, as also his legal marriage to Jemima &c, as required. In the mean time I would most respectfully require you to suspend the claim you allude to by the person who claims a pension as the first wife.

There are several old citizens in this county who knew old Charles in N.C.; and I am confident I can get at the facts so far as that first wife is concerned; and if I shall, from a more thorough investigation, discover the least grounds to suspend that the claim which I represent is made a proper & just one for a Pension, I will at one terminate my connexion [sic] with the business, & withdraw it.

Very Respectfully &c
H.H. Waters

Hon. L. P. Waldo,
Com. Pensions
Washington
D.C.

P.S. I will get the legal testimony required as soon as possible & forward you.
H.H.W.
Page 52

C. W. Bennett
Present.

May 10. 1856

Asks for re-examination of susp'd claim res. 164,433
of
Jemima Thompson
Land Act 1855
Page 53

85

Washington
May 10 1856

Sir,
I would respectfully request that a re-examination of the suspended claim of Jemima widow of Charles Thompson for land, act 1855, [illegible] 164,433, may be dead under the 2d section of the act passed [illegible] the said act of 1855.

Very Respectfully
Your ob. Sevt.
C.W. Bennett
Page 54

Washington
April 19 /55
Honl. L. P. Waldo
Comr of Pensions
Sir
I have the honor to enclose herewith a power of attorney and additional evidence in supporting the application of Mrs. Jemima Thompson for the benefit of the act of 3d Feby 1853 as the widow of Charles Thompson of N.C. deceased.

Very Respectfully
Your obt Sevt
C.W. Bennett
Page 55

Andrew H Shuford, Esq
Canton,
Georgia

[illegible post mark]
Page 56

Shelby N. Ca
30th March 1855

Dear Uncle,
I take this occasion to drop you a few lines, to inform you that we are all well, at present, and hope that you are all likewise.  Some time ago I received a letter form Mr. Waters, requesting me to get another certificate from Esqr Bresendine, concerning the marriage of Mr. & Mrs Thompson. The Esquire is getting old & is very feeble, and was not able to get from the house during the winter, and therefore it was delayed longer that I desired. There is no mistake, but that the old man Thompson's first wife has been dead many years. And that he was really was married and lived with the widow. There are many persons that know that the Esquire did marry him, and abundant proof can be had that Mr. Thompson & his last wife lived respectably together for many years, as man and wife. If that needs proof if Mr. Waters will so inform me, I will get him several certificates to that effect. Tell Mr. Waters, that the man that is claiming for the first is a general at Washington, by the name of Hassler, & all the information he has is that Mr Thompson drew a pension for many years. And he has written here to the clerk, asking his assistence [sic] in the matter. The letter Mr. Williams showed to me.

Write to me when you come in, come & see us. Mary Ann joins me in love to you & Aunt Elvina & [illegible] & Alonzo

Yours Respectfully
Alex J Canster
Page 57

Charles Thompson

26009
Page 58

Canton Ga Nov. 9th 1853

Sir: I am applied to to act as agent of Mrs. Jemima Thompson, widow of Charles Thompson, deceased, who was a Revolutionary pensioner to assist her in procuring a pension for her under the late act of Congress (act of Feb 3d 1853)

She informs me her late husband, who died in 1836 (I think), received a pension for some five or six years just previous to his death ( I presume under the act of 7th June 1833) - That he received it through the hands or agency of a Mr. Rhinehardt in North Carolina, at Lincolnton or Fayetville, in that state; where he died, & where he lived up to the time of his death.

As the making out & presenting her claim will be very much facilitated by an accurate knowledge of all the important facts in regard to the allowance of the old pension to Charles Thompson, her deceased husband, I write to solicit from the pension Office this information, which doubtless can be given by reference to the record of the papers of file in the office; also to ask other information necessary to a proper presentation of the claim.

Very Respectfully &c
H. H. Waters

Hon. L. P. Waldo
Com. P. Washington
DC.
Page 59

[postmark]
CANTON
NOV 
[illegible]

FREE
L P Waldo
Com of Pensions
Washington
City DC

NC
1676
Jemima Thompson
wid
Charles

Boynton

Rec Oct 12th 1854
Page 60

Canton
Ga
Page 61

claim of
Jemima Thompson

Deposition of 
Wm Endsley
Page 62

State of Georgia
Cherokee County
Before me John H Wood, an acting justice of the Peace in and for the said County personally came William Endsley who being duly sworn deposeth and saith - I am a farmer by occupation, I was forty two years old 13th inst. I reside in this county have - have nine years - I was born on Buffalo Creek, formerly Lincoln, now Cleveland county, North Carolina; and I lived on the same farm on which I was born up to 1845, when I moved to Georgia. I was well acquainted with Charles Thompson who also lived on Buffalo Creek from my earliest recollection, from which time I lived not exceeding one mile and a half from him up to the time of his death, which took place in 1836. I also knew his wife who lived with him from my earliest recollection up to the time of her death, which was, as well as I can remember, in eighteen hundred and eighteen or nineteen; but I remember well of being at her burial. I do not remember distinctly but I think her given name was Lurany, or some name that sounded like that. Her maiden name was said to have been Queen. I also knew Mrs. Jemima Thompson, widow and second wife of old Charles - she now lives in this county I new her in N. Carolina from before she married Charles Thompson continuously up to the time of old Charles death - I was not present at the wedding but think it took place some time in 1826 or 7 - I know that they lived together as man & wife from the last mentioned year up to the time of his
Page 63

death - I never knew, or heard it said, that old Charles had any other wife, or ever lived with any other woman as his wife, except the two I have mentioned. The maiden family name of Jemima I do not know for she was said to be a widow when old Charles married her - she was then called the widow "Hardy". She has never married, as far as I know or believe, since old Charles died. I have no interest whatever in the claim of the now Widow Thompson for a pension, indeed I did not know till to day that she was trying to get a Pension. I further state that the old Charles Thompson above mentioned drew a pension for some time previous to his death as Revolutionary soldier. I remember he was an old man at my earliest recollection.
Further this deponent saith not
Wm Endsley
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th November 1854; and I also certify that Deponent is a highly credible citizen of this county
J. H. Wood J.P

State of Georgia
Cherokee County
I, Jasper L. Keith, Clerk of the Superior Court of said county, which court is a court of Record, hereby certify that John H. Wood, whose name appears to the above and foregoing Deposition by William Endsley is and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and
Page 64

sworn as such in and for said County of Cherokee, and as such authorised [sic] to administer oaths; and that his signature above is genuine: In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Superior Court. Done at Canton, in said county of Cherokee and my office this the eighteenth day of November 1854.
J. L. Keith Clerk S.C.
Page 65

State of Georgia
Cherokee County
Before me John H. Wood, an acting justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally came Anderson Mathis, who being duly sworn says  "I was sixty five years old the fifteenth of last May - I have lived in this county about sixteen years - I came here from Buffalo Creek, formerly Lincoln, now Cleveland County, North Carolina. My father moved to Buffalo Creek when I was eight or nine years old, which I recollect well - there I married and lived till I moved to Georgia, which was in the year 1838 - When I first came to Buffalo Creek, being a boy, I became acquainted with old Mr. Charles Thompson, who lived there when I came there, and with his wife (or the woman with whom he lived as his wife); Old Charles called her "Lurany", and I have heard it said he maiden name was Queen. I knew both old Charles and his said wife Lurany well from the time I became acquainted with them continuously, up to the time of their several deaths; during all which time I did not live exceeding two miles from them; and from the time I first became acquainted with them up to the time of the death of Lurany; old Charles and she constantly lived together as man and wife, and I knew of no other woman during all that time living with said Charles or claiming to be, or said to be, his wife but the said Lurany - I became acquainted with old Charles & his said wife, I think, a little before the commencement of the present century, and knew them both well and constantly up to the time of her death - She died about eighteen hundred and seventeen. I will not be positive as to the precise year, but
Page 66

it was about that time. I know of my own knowledge she dies - My mother attended on her in her last illness, and for a long time, for she was sick three or four years. She had been when in health a very corpulent woman but finally died much reduced; and, it was said, of a disease of the womb. I made the coffin in which she was burried, [sic] and helped to put her corpse into it, and helped burry [sic] her. These facts I remember & know well, and state them positively. Old Charles died about eighteen hundred and thirty six, on the same farm where he lived at the time his wife Lurany died; and I also made his coffin and helped to bury him. This old Charles Thompson, previous to his death, drew a pension as a Revolutionary soldier. I remember well when he was about applying for the pension - It was at Rutherford Courthouse; and, I think, a man by the name of John Lukeware and another called William Mayhue, both of whom had been Revolutionary soldiers, and were also applying for pensions, swore to, or proved, the services of Mr. Charles Thompson in the army; and each swore for the other. From the time of the death of the said Lurany up to the time of his (the said Charles') second marriage, with Mrs. Jemima Hardy, which took place, as I was informed, about the year 1826 or 7, old Charles lived a widower, and during that period did not marry, or live with any woman as his wife, as far as I know, or believe; and I knew him intimately all that time. I was not at the wedding when old Charles and Jemima married, but Square Brisendine, who was said to have married them, came over to my house the night of the wedding and staid [sic] with me that night,
Page 67

and the Squire was laughing and joking at such an old man's marrying. He told me he married them this last marriage of Charles and Jemima took place in this rise - there was no Justice of the Peace in Lincoln County nearer that at Lincolnton, which was some 16 miles distant - so they concluded to walk over the line into then Rutherford now Cleveland County, N.C. which was about a half mile off, and near where Young Brisendine, a then acting Justice of the Peace for Rutherford County lived, and there he married them in the road; and then the party came back - These facts as to the last marriage, I state merely on the information of others - I also further state of my own knowledge that from the time of this last reputed marriage the said Charles and Jemima both lived and cohabited together as man and wife, and were recognised [sic] as man and wife by all the neighbors up to the time of the death of the said Charles, which took place as I have before herein stated. I also further state that I knew the said Jemima Hardy some two or three years before she was married to Charles Thompson, and I have known her ever since - After the old man Charles died, she, then being a widow, moved to this county where she is still living, some four miles west of Canton in this county. The said Jemima is now living, and I know her to be the identical person who was said to have been the second wife of the said Thompson, as above stated, and who lived with him as such wife till he died, as aforesaid - I further state that I have no interest and do not expect to have directly or indirectly any interest whatever in
Page 68

the Pension which the said Jemima Thompson as widow of the said Charles is now claiming. I further state that many of the facts contained in this statement can be proved by Mr. John Long & Mrs Polly Copeland, both of whom were old residents of Lincoln County N.C. and were well acquainted with the old Charles Thompson and both his first and second wife, and both of whom now reside in this county.
Anderson Mathis X his mark

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th of Nov. 1854. and the work Charles on 3rd page erased and the word Lurany on same page interlined before signing.
J.H. Wood J.P.

Canton, State of Georgia
Cherokee County
I, Jasper L. Keith, Clerk of the Superior Court, being a court of Record, of said Count and State, do hereby certify that John H. Wood whose name appears to the above and foregoing affidavit of Anderson Mathis is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County & state, duly commissioned and qualified as such, and authorised [sic] to  administer oaths, and that his signature above (written J.H. Wood) is genuine and entitled to full faith and credit. And I further certify that the said Anderson Mathis is a respectable farmer, and in every respect a worthy & credible citizen.
J. L. Keith CS.C.C.C.
Doen at office in Canton, Cherokee County Georgia, this the 16th day of November. 1854. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office.
Page 69

State of Georgia
Cherokee County
Before me John H Wood, an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said county, personally appeared this day, John Long and Lewis A Carpenter both residents of said county and formerly of Lincoln Count & state of North Carolina, who being duly sworn, depose & say that they knew one Charles Thompson who resided in the said county of Lincoln, and also knew his wife Jemima Thompson in the same place that they, previous to the death of said Charles Thompson, lived together as man & wife in he said county of Lincoln in that part now called Cleveland County 0 that said Jemima's name was Hardy before she married said Charles Thompson at the time of his death, which occured, [sic] to the best of witnesses recollection, sometime in eighteen hundred & thirty six in then Lincoln County in said state of North Carolina, was a pensioner as a revolutionary soldier - that the said Jemima Thompson widow of the said Charles Thompson, is now living in the said county of Cherokee, and is still a widow, and that she is the identical person as above set forth - and they further swear that they have no interest whatever in the claim which the said Jemima is now making for a pension as a widow of a Revolutionary soldier.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26 day of September 1854
L H Wood J P

John Long
Lewis A Carpenter
Page 70

State of Georgia
Cherokee County
I, Jasper L. Keith, Clerk of the Superior Court in & for said county, do hereby certify that John H. Wood whose name appears to the within & foregoing affidavit is and was an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the county & state aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths at the time of signing the same, that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of office at my office in Canton in said County this 26th  of September 1854
J.L. Keith Clerk, S.C.
Page 71

State of Georgia
Cherokee County
On this the twenty ninth day of September, in the year eighteen hundred and fifty four, personally appeared before me James H Maddox one of the Justices of the Inferior Court (the same being a court of Record of said county & State) of said county, at her residence in said county she being unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity, Mrs. Jemima Thompson, a resident of the said County in the state aforesaid, aged seventy seven years, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3d February, 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war; that she is the widow of Charles Thompson, late of the State of North Carolina, deceased, who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary war of the United States, and who received a Pension as such soldier from the Government of the United States, for and during five or six years previous and up to the time of his death; that she does not know the act of Congress under which her deceased husband was pensioned, nor the particular agency at which he received such pension, but that it was some place in the state of North Carolina & she believes it was at Lincolnton North Carolina; that she does not now remember, if she ever knew,  the time when he entered and left the service, the names and rank of the officers under whom the said service was performed, or the place in which he resided when he entered the service, but, for information on those points, would refer to the evidence in regard thereto, tonbraced [sic] in his
Page 72

application for a pension in his lifetime; She further declares, tat she was lawfully married to the said Charles Thompson some time in the years eighteen hundred and twenty five or twenty six, not now recollecting the exact time; that her said husband died on the second day of April, eighteen hundred and thirty six, or thereabouts; that she was not married to him prior to the second day of January eighteen hundred, but as above set forth. And she further declares that she is now a widow, and has ever been since the said time of the death of her said husband.
Jemima Thompson + her mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me on the day and year above written
J. A. Maddox J.J.C

Georgia Cherokee County: I, James A. Maddox, one of the Justices of the Inferior Court of said county, before whom the above and foregoing declaration of Jemima Thompson was made & sworn to, do hereby certify that the said Jemima Thompson from bodily infirmity is unable to attend court to make such declaration. This teh 29th of September 1854.
J. A. Maddox J.J.C

State of Georgina
Cherokee County
I, Jasper L. Keith, Clerk of the Superior Court of said county, do hereby certify that James A. Maddox whose name appears to the above and foregoing declaration and certificate, is and was an acting Justice of the Inferior Court of said county, duly commissioned and qualified at the time of signing the same. That the
Page 73

signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my said office Done in Canton in Office in the said county of Cherokee this the 30th day of September 1854
J.L.Keith Clerk S.C.
Page 74

State of North Carolina
Cleveland County
This day personally came Young Brizendine Before one P.J. Grigg an acting Justice of the peace for said county & made oath in true form of law and saith that some time in the year 1826 or 27 that he was called on by Charles Thompson to marry him Charles Thompson to Jemima Hard. Which he the said Brizendine Did marry them in the County of Rutherford Sworn to & subscribed this 17th day of March 1854
Young Brizendine
P.J. Gregg JP

State of North Carolina
Cleaveland County
I Silas Williams Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Cleaveland hereby certify that P.L. Grigg whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit is and was acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County & State aforesaid duly commissioned ans Qualified at the time of signing the same that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of Office at Office in Shelby 
March the 20th AD. 1854
Silas Williams Clk
Page 75

State of Georgia
County of Cherokee
Know all men by these presents, that I, Jemima Thompson, widow of Charles Thompson deceased, now a resident of the county & state aforesaid, for divers good causes and considerations me hereunto moving, have this day constituted & appointed, & by these presents do hereby constitute & appoint C.W. Bennett, Esqr, of the city of Washington & District of Columbia, my true and lawfull [sic] attorney, for me & in my name & for my own proper use & benefit, to urge, prosecute, advocate and attend to m claim upon the government of the United States now pending for a pension under the act of the 3d February 1853, which pension I claim as the Widow of the said Charles Thompson, deceased, late of the state of N. Carolina, and I also hereby authorise [sic] my said attorney to received the certificate for such pension; and to do all lawful  proper acts and things necessary in the premises.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the seventh day of April, A.D. 185. 
Jemima Thompson X her mark
Signed sealed & delivered the day and year above written in the presence of 
John H Wood J.P.

State of Georgia
County of Cherokee
I James M. Daniel, Clerk of the Inferior Court of the county and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that John H Wood, Esqr. before whom the foregoing power of Attorney was made and acknowledged, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, & duly commissioned & sworn, and that his signature thereto is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Office of the said court for the county aforesaid this seventh day of April A.D. 1855.
Page 76

11624
Chas. Thompson
Jany 21 1833
Lincoln Co N.C.

[illegible] 87
[illegible] Co N.C.
Capt Johnson
Col Middleton
pvt 10 mo

Born Shenandoah Co Va
1762
No Bat

Married Jemima Hardy
1825 or 6 2d marriage
died Apl 2, 1836

widow applied from Cherokee Co Ga.
No Bat
Page 77

Office of 
J. T. Harris
Spartanburg, S.C.

Pension Comr
Washington, D.C.

DearSir,
Kindly send the Pension record of John Boyd S.C troops Rev. War. and records of Charles Thompson of same. The former was a private.
Mrs. Jas T. Harris
425 E Main St.
Spartanburg,
S.C
Page 78

[stamped]
US PENSION OFFICE
K
MAY 17 1901

[stamped]
[illegible] W. & N. DIVISION
MAY 21 1901
RECEIVED

[stamped]
[illegible] DIVISION 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
MAY 20 1901