Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8605, Thomas Chapman, Va.
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Service Number
VA Chapman, Thomas W8605
Nancy
Contents
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16149
South Carolin
Nancy Chapin
widow of Thomas

who served in the Revolution war, as a peer & al and and Mary Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of Dollars 88 102 sents per annum, to commence on 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18" and sent to Thompson & Wa Present of Record led on Roll of Pensioners under act 1848, Page 27 Vol. Feby 2
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Declaration

State of South Carolina }
Sumter District } 

On this fourth day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty one personally appeared before me William I Gibson a Magistrate and for the District of Sumter and State of South Carolina. Nancy Chapman aged ninety four years who being first duty sworn according to law make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the permissions made by an Act of Congress passed July 7th A.D. 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows" and all other Acts passed by Congress relating to the same subject. That she is the widow of Thomas Chapman who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and who served a part of the time as Private and then as Sergeant in the Virginia Continental Line.

What according to the best of her knowledge and belief he entered the service sometime during the year 1777 and continued in the service till the close of the War. That he resided in Virginia when he entered the service but cannot now say under what officers nor what were their rank but have heard frequently speak of General Morgan and Col. Lawrence Manning yet cannot say that he was under the immediate command. That he was engaged in the Battle of Eutaw under General Greene. That she heard him say frequently that he was also engaged at the siege of Fort Watson at the Cow Pens and at Guilford and thinks at Camden.

She is not aware that there is any documentary evidence to support this claim now in existence unless indeed such can be found among the Archives of Virginia, as she well remembers that her said husband spoke of having received some compensation from the State of Virginia through his Brother William Chapman and she thinks some one else but don't remember who. That her maiden name was Nancy Wise and that she was married to the said Thomas Chapman in June 1785 by one Thompson. That no record was made of
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said marriage that she is aware of as neither her husband or herself could unite and that they had to travel some twenty five miles to get the ceremony performed in that early day.    Deponent further swears that she was born and raised up in Virginia and removed to South Carolina just before the commencement of hostilities and that her said husband was likewise raised in Virginia but that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but previous to the first of January 1794, towit, at the time ave stated which marriage took place in South Carolina Sumpter district.
       Deponent further swears that she is still a widow and that she has never before made any application for a pension and that by reason of her extreme age and great bodily infirmity she is altogether unable to travel to Summerville to make this her declaration before a Court of Records
Sworn to before me this
day and date above mentioned W J Gibson Magt

Her Mark
Nancy X Chapman

South Carolina
Sumter District  I William J Singleton Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the District of Sumter do certify that William J Gibson whose genuine signature appears to the within declaration of Nancy Chairman was a Magistrate at the time of subscribing this same and that all his official acts or such are entitled to full faith and credit

Given under my hand and seal of office at Summerville this 6th day or June AD 1852
W J Singleton Clerk
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Nancy Chapman - widow of This
Sumpter Dist          So Carolina
Act Jul 7 1838

Declaration dated Oct 10. 1851
This Centered Va Cout line in 1777 and served to close of war
Heard him speak of Gen Morgan & Col Manning-  can't say whether he served under them- At Eutaw was under Gen Green [Greene].  Was in battles of Eutaw siege of Ft Watson, the Cow Pens [Cowpens] and Guilford and she thinks Camden.

Knows of no documentary evidence of his service unless in Archives of VA

Her husband spoke of receiving compensation thro his brother Wm and she thinks some one else but don't remember who.

Morgan - Sol of Infy £57.19.4
Same - certif delivered to Wm Chapman
Sergt of Infy 30th Apr 83 £41.2.7
Both certificates dated Nov 5
1851 - (26 das later than Decln)
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Traditionary evidence of service unusually strong, and witnesses very numerous on this point and as to identity and reportation of the marriage.

No record of marriage - and certificate of Judge that there is no law requiring a registry of marriages.

Parol proof by several witnesses that the parties went off to be married and lived there reported s married for year before 1794.

No apple in Va

(sideways on right side) Nancy Chapman SC Mem
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This is to certify, That it appears from a list in this office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental 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 the 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statues at Large, vol. 10, p. 462,) that a settlement was made on the 9th day of April 1783 in the name of Thomas Chapman as Soldier of Infantry and evidence in the indebtedness of the State to him for £ 57.19 and was delivered to Gent. Morgan ["and was given, as appears by a copy of the settlement on file in this office, for services from the to" crossed out]

Given under my hand at the First Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 5th dat of Nov. 1857.
(From page 113.)
(No Seal of Office.)

R. Johnson [signature]
First Auditor
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Give the substance
South Carolina }
Sumter District }

It is hereby certified that I am well acquainted with Nancy Chapman (having resided within two miles of her for over thirty years) and taken pleasure in saying that she is of inexplicable character and of high respectability.  I am also well acquainted with Jamina Richbourg, Mary Wise, Thomas Richbourg, Edward Broughton, William Rhodes and George J McCauley each of whom have testified in the case of Nancy Chapman widow of Thomas Chapman deceased who makes application for a pension,  They are all my nigh neighbors and have always sustained good character for honesty and truth, indeed they are high respectable persons whose veracity does not be impeached in the community.  
I also know This Chaoman for many years.  attended his funeral which took place very near my house in the year 1823.  He having died sometime in November of that year.
I was from my boyhood taught to regard him as a revolutionary soldier which fact was admitted by every one at all acquainted with him and which has never been doubted to the present time.
[signture] M M Benlow
State Representative Clarenden
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If you desire to strengthen this certificate you will please call upon on delegation in Congress

I served in the Legislature in 1846 and 7 with Genl Wallace.  Col Orr and Col Colcock who was then speaker of the House Rep.  Col Wood Ward and both our Senators know his wife.
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(back of envelope) M Thompson Attorney and Counsellor At Law and General Agent Washington City DC

Official Business

(left of envelope) July 14/ 52
Must be original case no paper

Hon Jas E Heath
Commissioner of Pension
Washington D C
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9425
South Carolina
Nancy Chapman
widow of Thomas
who was a First Sgt
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 102 Dollars 88
cents oer annum to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
13 day of Sept 1853 and
sent to Thompson and Wood Present

(Acts of March 3, 1833 and June 17, 1844)

Recorded in Book A
Vol 2. Page 164
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THIS IS TO CERTIFY, That is appears from a list in this office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental 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 Hemings Statutes at Large, vol.10, p.462) that a settlement was made on the 9th day of April 1783 in the name of Thomas Chapman as Solc of Infy and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for £57.19.4 delivered to Gen Morgan 
but as the original settlements or copies thereof 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 20th day of Oct 1852

[No seal of Office.]     
[signature] Ro Johnston 
First Auditor
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THIS IS TO CERTIFY, That it appears from a list in this office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental 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 the 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statutes at Large vol.10, P.462,) that a settlement was made on 30th day of April 1785 in the name of Thomas Chapman as Sergt of Infantry and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for £41.2.7 and was delivered to Wm Chapman. 

Given under my hand at the First Auditor's Office, Richmond this 5th day of Nov 1851
(From Page 362)
[No Seal of Office.]  [signature] Ro Johnston First Auditor
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On Left of envelope: Added env in case of Nancy Chapman widow of Thomas
See if you please
M Thompson Esq
Present in this Case

Official Business
Hon Jas E Heath
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
DC
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No:14.736
Nancy Chapmand
Widow of Tho SC

M Thompson Oct 6 1852
same Feby 22 1853

Act July 7 1838
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Jun 26th 1853
Add Eve in case
Nancy Chapman
widow of Thomas

SC

Act 7th July 18 [page cut off]

Thompson A Wood
Present
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Revolution Virginia Louie
Widow, &c.

File No. 8605

Nancy Chapman
Wid
Thomas Chapman
Sergt Rev War
Act: Febry 20 1848
Index:-- Vol, A, Page 129

(Arrangement of 1870)
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THIS IS TO CERTIFY, That it appears from a list in this office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental 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 1782, directing the Auditors of Public Accounts to settle and adjust the pay and accounts of 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 30th day of April 1785 in the name of Thomas Chapman as Sgt of Infy and evidence to the indebtedness of the State to him for £41.2.7 delivered to Wm Chapman but as the original settlements of copies thereof 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 20th day of Oct 1852

[No Seal of Office.] [signature] Ro Johnston First Auditor
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Case of
Nancy Chapman
Widow of Thomas
SC
Rev Case


Thompson and Wood
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on Left of envelope:
Jan 12/53
Rel to claim of
Nancy Chapman 
["written to 22d February 1853" crossed out]
M Thompson 
Present
written to 22. Feb 1853

Official Business
Hon Jas E Heath
Comm of Pensions
Washington 
DC
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South Carolina }
Sumter District } ss.

On this 22nd day of May AD 1853 personally appeared before me James C Blackwell as magistrate Moses M Burton who upon being duly sworn according to law and declared that he was well acquainted with Thomas Chapman for several years before his death and that he frequently heard his recount the hardships through which he passed during the Revolutionary War, he always sustained a most excellent character and was much esteemed by all who knew him.  He died in this immediate neighborhood some thirty years since with Nancy Chapman the wife of the said Thomas Chapman he deponent. also been well acquainted for many years, she living, since the death of her husband in less than two miles of deponents residence and was a frequent visitor of the family.  her character is untarnished and has always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of her neighbors.
Deponent further swears that no record evidence of their marriage can be found- that he has made search therefor but can find no trace of any record.  And that there is no law in South Carolina requiring the registration of marriages.

[signature] M M Benbow

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written and I hereby certify that the said M M Benbow is a credible witness
	[signature] James C. Blackwell
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by R
Deposition of M. M. Benton R to
the
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South Carolina
Sumter District ⎬ J. W. J. Singleton Clerk of the Court
of General Sessions and Common pleas in and for
the District and State above mentioned do certify
that James C Blackwell whose genuine signature
appears to the within affidavit was and is at the
time of signing the same a magistrate and that
all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith
and credit he having been duly appointed & sworn
Witness my hand and seal of Office at
Sumterville this the 20 day of May AD 1853
and I certify that the said Court is a Court
of Record having general jurisdiction
---
M Singleton
Capt G.S.
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South Carolina Sumter District
On this the Seventh day of January AD One thousand eight hundred and fifty two personally appeared before me Edward Broughton who after being duly sworn saith that he is now Seventy seven years old and that from an early period of his life he was well acquainted with Thomas Chapman dec and although quite young at the the close of the Revolution not over seven or eight years old he distinctly remembers a good many of the incidents and occurrences of the war , and at that early date Thomas Chapman was well known as having served in the war and was attached to the Virginia line, and from that time to the present he has never heard any one express a doubt as to the service of the said Thomas Chapman or that her served in what was called at that day the Virginia Continental lines, but on the contrary the fact was so well established here that every one at all acquainted with him treated him with the utmost kindness and respect on account of his having so faithfully served his country

Deponent further swears that Nancy Chapman is the widow of the said Thomas Chapman and that she is of good character and that her statements are entitled to great credit and belief - and that the said Thomas Chapman died in this District some twenty five or thirty years ago.  And that he is or was the identical Thos Chapman who served as above stated-

Edw Broughton

Sworn to before me this day and date above written W. J. Gibson
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South Carolina
Sumter District

I William J Singleton Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for the District of Sumter do certify that William J. Gibson whose genuine signature appears to the within affidavit was a Magistrate at the time of subscribing the same duly appointed and sworn and that all his official acts as such are entitled the full faith and credit

Given under my hand and seal of office at Sumterville the 6th day of June AD 1852

W. J. Singleton
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South Carolina 

Sumter District 

I William J Singleton clerk of the court of General Sessions and Common pleas in and for the District of Sumter and State of South Carolina do hereby certify that Wm J Gibson whose genuine signature appears to the declaration of Nancy Chapman- And to the depositions of Edward Broughton, Thomas Richbourg, George J McCanley, Jamima Richbourg, and Mary Wise was a Magistrate regularly appointed and duly sworn in and for this District and State aforesaid and that all his acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit- And that the Court of Common Pleas of which I am Clerk as a Court having general jurisdiction -  

Given under my hand and seal of office at Sumterville the 18th day of May A.D. 1852. 

W. J. Singleton 

C.C. ps
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South Carolina 

Sumter District  

On this the 2nd day of June A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty two personally appeared before me J. B. N. Hammit a Magistrate in and for the District of Sumter in the State aforesaid William Rhodus aged Seventy four years who after being duly sworn according to law saith that from early boyhood he was well acquainted with Thomas Chapman, resided many years in his immediate neighborhood- was intimate in his family up to the death of the said Thomas Chapman. And that during this whole period he has heard the said Thomas Chapman, times almost numberless, recounting the perils and danger through which he had to pass whilst engaged and serving in the army during the Revolutionary War. At one time, namely, at the Battle of Eutaw he was taken prisoner and deponent has very frequently heard him telling how he managed to escape and rejoin his Regiment, which he succeeded in doing the same night, and the great joy manifested by his comrades in army on his return and more particularly by his Commander ["Col Lawrence Manning to whose Regiment he belonged" crossed out]

Deponent further swears that he has often heard other persons who were known to be engaged in the service talk in the highest terms of the bravery and fidelity of Chapman Not a shadow of doubt ever existed in the minds of any one as to the fact Chapman’s services, or that he served in what was called at that time the Virginia Continental line
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-this was universally known and admitted. 

Soon after the close of the War Thomas Chapman married Nancy Wise and settled permanently in this district where he continued to reside till his death. And that the said Nancy Chapman whose application for a Pension is now before the proper department is the widow of the said Thomas Chapman admits of no doubt. 

Deponent has heard Chapman frequently declare that he enlisted in Virginia as a private and that before the close of the War he received the appointment of Sargeant and served in that capacity until the War ended of this however deponent^ knew nothing more than what he derived from Chapman and others who belonged to the army at this time- 

Sworn to and before me the day and year above written 

JBN Hammit                                                    Wm. Rhodus 

Magistrate
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South Carolina 

Sumter District 

I William J. Singleton clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for this District of Sumter and State of South Carolina do certify that J. B. N. Hammit whose genuine signature appears to the written deposition now at this time of signing the same a Magistrate duly appointed and qualified and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit-  

Given under my hand and seal of office at Sumterville the 25 June A.D. 1852 

W J. Singleton 

6, 6, Rd
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South Carolina 

Sumter District 

On this the 12th day of January A.D. 1852 personally appeared before me George J. McCanley by who often being duly sworn saith that he is seventy three years old and from early boyhood was well acquainted with Thomas Chapman and Nancy Chapman his wife- that they lived together as man and wife from his earliest recollection to the death of the said Thomas Chapman some twenty odd years ago. That the said Thomas Chapman was always regarded and recognized as a true native ^solider by every one with whom he was acquainted- That he was treated with the utmost kindness and respect during his life time on account of his services in the War of the Revolution- That it was always understood and believed that he entered the service in Virginia and belonged to what was called the Virginia Continental line and served till the close of the War- Deponent further swears that he has heard him relating many incidents of the war, and the dangers through which he passed. 

From all the facts known to deponent and the declarations of the said Thomas Chapman, together with testimony of all who know him in early life he feels no hesitation in saying that the said Thomas Chapman did serve in that War in the manner stated above, (to wit), in the Virginia continental line 

Tradition here assigned him to that service without the shadow of a doubt 

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written 

W. J. Gibson 

Mag.
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South Carolina 

Sumter District 

I William J. Singleton clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for the District of Sumter do hereby certify that William J. Gibson whose genuine signature appears to the written affidavit and at the time of subscribing the same a Magistrate duly appointed and sworn and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit- 

Given under my hand and seal of office at Sumterville the 6th of June 

A.D. 1852 

W. J. Singleton
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South Carolina 

Sumter District 

Personally appeared before me on this day the Eleventh day of January AD. 1852 

Thomas Richbourg aged Seventy 71 one years who first being duly sworn according to law saith that he was well acquainted with Thomas Chapman and Nancy Chapman his wife- that he lived in their neighborhood from his birth up to the present time and that they always lived together as man and wife and was so regarded by every one acquainted with them- he was not at the marriage it being the custom in that day for the parties to go in search of some one to perform the ceremony; That Thomas Chapman was a revolutionary solider no one acquainted with him entertained the least doubt- that he frequently heard him and his Father John Richbourg who was likewise a revolutionary solider speaking of their exploits as well as dangers through which they were called to pass whilst engaged in the Service, the one in the Virginia line and the often as I understood them in the So. Carolina line, but both at least for a time in the same army- That the said Thomas Chapman was a native of Virginia, and removed to this State shortly after the close of the war- and have was always treated with utmost respect and kindness by every one who knew him on account of his Service in the War of the Revolution- no one entertained the least doubt either of his service or that he belonged to the Virginia troops or rather infantry- deponent had-
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South Carolina 

Sumter District 

I William J. Singleton Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for the District of Sumter do certify that William J. Gibson whose genuine signature appears to this written affidavit was a Magistrate at the time of subscribing this same duly appointed and sworn and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit 

Given under my hand and seal of Office at Sumterville the 8th day of June AD. 1832 

W J Singleton
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had no doubt of that fact himself and tradition here seems to have settled that matter beyond dispute-  

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written- 

W J. Gibson           [signature] Thos L. Richbourg 

Magi.
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South Carolina 

Sumter District 

On this the Eleventh day of October AD. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-one personally appeared before me Jamima Richbourg aged sixty-four years who after being duly sworn according to law saith that Thomas Chapman married her Fathers sister Nancy Wise that from her earliest recollection they lived together as man and wife until the death of the said Thomas Chapman in the month of November A.D. 1823. And that since his death the said Nancy Chapman has resided with her as one of the family and that she is now very old and infirm so much so that she is unable to go to Sumterville to make her declaration to obtain a pension- The said Thomas Chapman having married her Aunt and settled near by was very frequently at her Fathers house and that she has heard him times almost numberless speaking of the dangers and prevations which he passed through in the Service of his Country that he was in the Battle of Eutaw and several others not now remembered- that he belonged to the Virginia line, and while in this Service became acquainted with my deceased husbands Father John Richbourg who was likewise in the same service and that she has heard the two frequently speaking together of their affidavits and of their wounds received in said service hath of which had several scars which she has seen respectedly And from the close of the war up to the period of the death of the said Thomas Chapman they lived very near each other and continued upon the most intimate and friendly tender-- The father of the deponent John Wise emigrated to this State from Virginia previous to the declaration of independence and the said Thomas Chapman seen after the close of the war followed him and married his sister as above stated- and settled himself near
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him as also above stated- Every one acquainted with the said Thomas Chapman always recognised him as a soldier of the Revolutionary War and on account of which treated him with great respect and kindness 

Sworn to before on 
day and date above written 

W. J. Gibson                            J. Richbourg 

Magi 

 

South Carolina 

Sumter District 

I William J. Singleton Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in and for the District of Sumter do hereby certify that William J. Gibson whose genuine signature appears above to the affidavit of J. Richbourg was a Magistrate at this time of subscribing the same duly appointed and sworn and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit- 

Given under my hand and seal of Office at Sumterville the 8th day of June A.D. 1832 

		W J. Singleton
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Written to 22nd Feb:1853
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Washington July 11th 1832 

Hou Jas. E. Heath 

	Sir

	The claim of Nancy Chapman of So. Car. is made under act of 7th June 1828. It is an 	original claim, and was, for the first time, presented by, through me, on the 28th June 	1832. The certificate of the auditor of Va. & other evidence having been filed by 	widow 22nd act last. 

I have the honor to be &c.

		M. Thompson 
		Atty for Chapman
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Pension Office 

January 10th 1853 

Sir, 

	Some affidavits have been filed by you, which, it appears, is intended to support a claim made by Nancy Chapman of S.C. No papers of hers can be found upon our files. Will you state under what act application was made? 

	Respectfully, 
	Your out. svt.
	J. E. Heath 
	Comms 

M. Thompson Esqr
Present
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Washington Sept. 3rd 1832 

Hou Jas. E. Heath 
Comms of Pensions 

Sir, 

	I herewith inclose additional evidence in support of the claim of Nancy Chapman, Widow of Thomas Chapman decd. of So. Car.

I have the honor to be &c.

M. Thompson 
Atty. for Chapman
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Washington Oct. 22nd 1832 

Hou Jas. E. Heath 
Comms of Pensions 

Sir, 

	I herewith inclose the record evidence called for in your official report in the case of Nancy Chapman of So. Car. Who claims a pension under act of 1828. There can be no doubt that Thomas Chapman has performed the services referred to in these certificates of the auditor of Wa. and by reference to the testimony
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of Thomas Richbourg, Jamima Richbourg, Geo. McCouly, Ed. Broughton, Mary Wise and W Rhodes. It is equally clear that the marriage took place before 1794; and is being thus clear & unquestionable that the marriage did take place before 1794. It is not material to inquire on what precise day or date prior to that year it did take place; the law (I don’t mean your rules, which must be subordinate to the law) requiring only that it shall appear, that the marriage of did take place before 1794. 

You must be aware, also, of the fact abundantly shown
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by the records of your office that there never has been any official records of marriages or marriage license in So. Car.  

I have the honor of &c.
M. Thompson 
Atty. for Chapman
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Columbia So. Car. 

May 16th 1832 

	I John Belton O'Neall Presiding judge of the court of Errors of the State of So. Car. and of the law court of appeals in the said state, do hereby certify that there is no law in the state, which requires the Registration of marriage. 

	[signature] John Belton O'Neall
	Presidg. of the Court 
	of the Court of Errors and of the law 
	court of appeals
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Nancy Chapman 

Widow of Thomas 
S. C. 
Act of July 7, 1838 

Admitted under act of 
1838 and subsequent acts 
Sergeant Va Line 13 mos 21 das
Private  - - 10 – 9 - 
at $102.88 per annum 
from March 4, 1836 (except 
2 years)- 
Certificate to 
Meprs Thompson Wood 
Present
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]
Brief in the case of Nancy Chapman- widow of Thomas
Sumpter Dist. County and State of South Carolina
act July 7, 1838
Claim, (“original,” or “for increase”)
Proof exhibited, (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Documentary and Traditionary- Rolls- proof of service
Parol proof of identity- Death (in 1823) Marriage and widowhood
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Thompson Wood                            S. G. Dodge
Present                                               Examiner
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Washington City 
June 23 1853 

To L.P. Waldo Esqr. 
Com of Pensions 

Sa: 

We enclose additional evidence in the case of Nancy Chapman widow of Thomas of H. for a pension. 

Very Respectfully 
Thompson & Wood
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Deposition of 
Saml Richbourg
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State of South Carolina 

Sumter District 

On this 21 day of May A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me James C Blackwell a Magistrate Samuel Richbourg aged Seventy five years who after being duly sworn according to law declares that his acquaintance with Thomas Chapman commenced at an early period of his life- In the year 1799 became more intimately acquainted with ^him and his wife Nancy Chapman, the deponent saw them residing in about three miles of the said Thomas Chapman 

Deponent does not know at what time Thomas Chapman and Nancy his wife were married and can only say that they had been married some ten or twelve years previous to 1799- 

As to the service of the said Thomas Chapman in the Revolutionary War, not a doubt was ever raised or is now entertained by any one at all acquainted with him- He was attached to what was called the Virginia Continental line, but under whose immediate command deponent cannot now undertake to say Deponent’s Father John Richbourg was also engaged in the service of his country during the whole war and became acquainted with Thomas Chapman and soon after the close of the war Chapman located in Sumter District near the residence of him the said John Richbourg where deponent had many opportunities of leaving the old men talking of
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many narrow escapes and the prevations which they had passed through during that struggle 

The said Thomas Chapman had been severely wounded more than once the endurance of which deponent had often seen on his person. He was engaged in several Battles that deponent cannot speak with certainty only to the Battle of Eutaw when the said Chapman was taken prisoner but managed to escape the same night- That the said Thomas Chapman located in Virginia there is no reason to doubt- That Nancy Chapman who^ makes the application for compensation for the service rendered by the said Thomas Chapman is his widow is well known to this whole community although deponent was not at the marriage nor has he seen a word of it- but they had always lived together as man and wife up the period of the death of the said Thomas Chapman 

Samuel Richbourg 

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written and I certify that the said Samuel Richbourg is a credible witness 

James C Blackwell 
Mag.
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South Carolina 

Sumter District 

I W J Singleton Clerk of the Court of General Sessions and Common pleas in and for the District and State aforesaid do hereby certify that J C Blackwell whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same a Magistrate duly appointed and sworn and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit- 

Witness my hand and seal of office at Sumterville the 30th day of May A.D. 1853 And that the said Court is a Court of Record having general jurisdiction 

WJ Singleton 
C.C.P&G.S.
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South Carolina 

Sumter District 

Is on this the twenty second day of April A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me J. C. Blackwell a Magistrate Elizabeth Richbourg aged Seventy six years who often being duly sworn according to law declares that she was well acquainted ^with Thomas Chapman and his wife Nancy- that her acquaintance began when she was but a little girl, at which time they were living together as man and wife- She remembers very well that at that early day persons wishing to get married had to go in search of either a preacher or a justice to perform the ceremony, as the County was thinly settled and preachers were very scarce. And from that time up to the death of the said Thomas Chapman they continued to live together as man and wife- Deponent was not at the marriage but remembers to have heard its Shortly of that they had gone off for that purpose- Deponent was married in the year 1796 and thinks that Thomas Chapman and wife Nancy were married some ten or twelve ^years previous- They resided in the same neighborhood together and was frequently at each others house and she was always interested in hearing Chapman telling of his exploits in the War and the many narrow escapes he made- She has seen the scars upon his body when he had been wounded- TH Chapman was a native of Virginia and it was always understood and believed that he enlisted in that state and was attached to what in that day ^ was called the Virginia Continental line. 

Nancy Chapman the widow of Thomas have always sustained a good reputation and much esteemed by her acquaintances-
Page 53

Thomas Chapman died, deponent believes some time in the fall of 1823. Elizabeth Richbourg 

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year above written And I certify that Elizabeth Richbourg is a credible witness.  

J. C. Blackwell 

Magistrate 

 

South Carolina 

Sumter District 

I William J Singleton Clerk of the Court of General Sessions and common pleas in and for the District of Sumter do hereby certify that James C Blackwell [crossed out text] whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing deposition is and was at this time of signing this same a Magistrate in this District and state above mentioned duly appointed and sworn and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit-  

Witness my hand and seal of Office this [crossed out] day of May A.D. 1853 of Sumterville and that the said Court is a Court of Record having general jurisdiction. 

W J Singleton 

Deposition of Eliz. Richbourg
Page 54

Add. evid: case of Nancy Chapman wid of Thomas- 
Official Business 
Same evidence on file July 22 1833 
Oct 23/52 

Hou. Jas. E. Heath 
Commis. of Pensions 

Washington 
D.C.
Page 55

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
17,544
South Carolina
Nancy Chapman
Widow of Thomas
Who died on the [left blank] of [left blank] in the State of S.C. who was a pri & Sgt. in the [left blank] commanded by Captain [left blank] of the [left blank] commanded by [left blank] in the Revy. line for [left blank]
Inscribed on the Roll of S. Cara. at the rate of 102 Dollars 88 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Sept 1853 and sent to
Thomas Wood
Present
Arrears to the 4th of [left blank]
Semi=annual allowance ending [left blank]
{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act July 7, 1838. }
Recorded by H E Robinson Clerk,
Book D Vol 1 Page 365
Page 56

Washington July 12th 1852 

Hou. James E. Heath 
Commissr of Pension 

Sir, 

I herewith inclose the application of Nancy Chapman of South Carolina, Widow of Thomas Chapman, for a pension under act of 7 July 1838. 
Subsequent acts. 

I have the honor to be most resupply yr obt.
M. Thompson
Page 57

N 14.736 

Statement on 

W De Sanford
Page 58

To The Commissioner of Pensions 

I do not know the applicant Nancy Chapman who asks for a pension as widow of Thos Chapman but I am informed by Mr. M. M. Benbow, whom I know personally, that the sustain a most excellent character, and I place entire reliance on that statement. 

I knew Edward Broughton, (who has recently died) and George J. McCanley. I believe that reliance may be placed upon the statements made by them in relation to Thomas Chapman on his wife.  

W F De Sanford 
Senator So.Ca.

July 9, 1852