Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4658, Hanson Cockeril, Va.
Page 182

2
issued to George W. Preston of Coshocton, letters of administration on the estate of the deceased widow. On Jan. 7, 1905, George W. Preston executed a power of attorney to Harvey Spalding & Sons of Washington, D.C., to prosecute his claim for the return of bounty land warrant No. 26,828, and to receive possession of said warrant.  On Jan. 10, 1905, Spalding & Sons transmitted said power of attorney to this Bureau, together with a certificate showing the appointment of George W. Preston as the administrator of the deceased widow's estate inviting attention to the provisions of Section 2444 R.S., and stating that thereunder such a warrant issued after the death of the claimant inures at once to the estate of such claimant, and requesting that the warrant be reinstated on the records of this Bureau, and delivered to said attorneys. It is not shown that this warrant was issued after or before the death of the applicant, but from the surrounding circumstances of the case it is presumed that it was in fact issued after the lady died. 
On March 31, 1905, Spalding & Sons were advised that this Bureau declined to reinstate or set aside the cancellation of the bounty land warrant, or to issue a duplicate holding that the canceled warrant is of no effect, and that there is no ruling by virtue of which a new warrant could be issued at the instance of an administrator appointed fifty years after the death of the warrantee, and that if the warrantee had any heirs or legatees, the same never made application for the
(Ex. B)
97
Page 183

3
warrant.  From this action Spalding and Sons appealed, and on March 12, 1906, the action of the Bureau was affirmed by the Department in holding that where a bounty land warrant issued to the widow of a Revolutionary soldier, after her death, and for that reason was subsequently canceled, her administrator has no legal right to obtain a duplicate of said warrant for her heirs or legatees without proof to show the existence of such beneficaries, and that such beneficiaries will not be presumed to exist. 
This is one of a series of somewhat similar cases in which there exist grave reasons for suspecting that the sole object of securing the appointment of an administrator was to make a basis upon which to hang proceedings for the reissue of the warrant, and the question arises as to whether improper or unprofessional conduct has been resorted to by the persons concerned in the making and in the filing of this application. 
You are requested to transmit the papers to a special examiner, and if possible to a special examiner who is famillar with criminal work, with instructions to promptly proceed to Coshocton, Coshocton county, Ohio, and obtain all available, including documentary, evidence showing the history of this application, from its inception to the present date.  Is George W. Preston an heir-at-law of the deceased widow?  From what source did he ascertain that the bounty land warrant had been issued to her and had been canceled?  At whose instigation and
(Ex. B)
98
Page 184

4
did he apply to be appointed administrator of the widow's estate, and who paid the court costs?  Does he know, of his own knowledge that any heirs of the deceased widow now exist, and if so, from whom did he obtain information with reference to the names and the whereabouts of those heirs?  Was any proposition made to him that he be appointed administrator of the estate, and in event of the issuance of the warrant, should sell the same to any person, that person to defray all court and other costs connected with the matter, and if so, who is that person; what were the costs, by whom were they paid, and what, if any, written or oral contract was entered into between Preston and any other person for the disposition of the warrant in event of its issue?  All letters and documents relating to this matter should be obtained if possible, and be made exhibits in the special examiner's report.
The special examiner should make a copy of the declaration filed in the probate court for Coshocton county, upon which the letters of administration were issued, and should, if possible, ascertain by whom that declaration was prepared, and from what source came the data therein given. 
It is desired to have this case considered in connection with certain other cases involving the same questions, and for that reason it is desirable that the examiner make a thorough investigation of the matter and submit his report at the earliest practicable date, making this letter an exhibit therein.
Very respectfully,
S.A. Cuddy
Chief of Law Division
(Ex. B)
99
Page 185

"Wanted—  Information as to address of heirs of Sarah Cockeril.  She was a widow of Hanson Cockeril and probably died in or near Coshocton about 1855.  Small recovery can be made.  
Address— Harvey Spalding and Sons, Washington, D.C."

The above is an exact copy of the advertisement as it appeared in "The Coshocton Age", Friday, Dec. 16, 1904.
George M. Beckett,
Special Examiner.
(Ex. C)
100
Page 186

4-3-2  Published The Ruggles-Gale Company.  Blank Book Manufacturers and Legal Blank Publishers, Columbus, O.  648
Application for Letters of Administration
Revised Statutes, Secs, 6005, 6015, 6018
THE STATE OF OHIO, COSHOCTON COUNTY.  SS. }
IN PROBATE COURT.
George W. Preston being duly sworn says that Sarah Cockeril [crossed out: late] a resident of the Township of Perry in said County, died on or about the ___ day of ____ A. D. 1855; [crossed out: leaving ____ h__ widow__, whose P. O. Address is _____ and the following persons h__ only next of kin:]

NAME  || DEGREE OF KINSHIP || P. O. ADDRESS
Next of kin are unknown to applicant.
That ______ above named are children of said decedent, under 15 years of age at the time of h__ deceased.  
The undersigned asks to be appointed Administrator of the estate of said decedent and on his oath aforesaid says, the amount of personal property will be about $500.00
And of real estate about $[blank]
Total, $500.00
He offers a bond as such Administrator in the sum of $1000.00
with J. M. Compton and Newton Speakman as sureties thereon.
George W. Preston
P. O. Address: [blank]
Sworn to before me, and signed in my presence, this 4th day of January A. D. 1905
Russell L. Donley  Probate Judge.
Joseph Johnston, Deputy Clerk
(Ex. D.)
101
Page 187

102
The State of Ohio, Coshocton County, ss.
The Undersigned being Sworn, says that there is not to his knowledge any last Will and Testament of the alleged intestate Sarah Cockeril deceased
George W. Preston
Sworn to before me, and signed in my presence, this 4th day of January A. D. 1905
Russell L. Donley  Probate Judge.
Joseph Johnston, Deputy Clerk

DECLINATION OF ADMINISTRATION.
PROBATE COURT, ___ COUNTY, OHIO.
In the Matter of the Estate of [blank] Deceased }
TO THE JUDGE OF THE PROBATE COURT OF SAID COUNTY:
We, the undersigned, husband-widow and the next of kin of said ___ late of said County, deceased, who are residents of said County, hereby voluntarily renounce the administration of said Estate, and recommend the appointment of [blank] as administrat__
[Blank]  Husband.  Widow.

Date this [blnk] day of [blank] 190_

Application for Appointment of Appraisers.
To the Probate Court of [blank] County, Ohio.
The undersigned makes application for the appointment of APPRAISERS of the estate and effects of [blank] deceased, and suggests the names of [blank] and [blank] as suitable, disinterested persons for such appraisers.
Dated this [blank] day of [blank] 190_
[Blank]  Administrat__

No. ___
Admin. Doc. ___  Page ___
PROBATE COURT,
___ County, Ohio
In the matter THE ESTATE OF ___ Deceased.
Application for Letters of Administration.
Filed ___ 190_
_____  Probate Judge.

Published by The Ruggles-Gale Co., Blank Book Manufacturers and Legal Blank Publishers, Columbus's, O.
Page 188

The State of Ohio,
Coshocton County, ss.

I, Russell L. Donley, Judge and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Probate Court of Coshocton County, Ohio, do hereby certify that I have examined the Index to Wills of Record in said Coshocton County, Ohio, and that I find no will of Sarah Cockeril, of record or on file.
Also that there was no administration of her estate at the time of her death, but that on the 4th day of January, 1905, Geo. W. Preston was duly appointed and is now the administrator of her estate.  No record of deaths in this office prior to 1868.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my official signature and the seal of this Court, at Coshocton, Ohio, this 16th day of April, A. D. 1906.
Russell L. Donley
Judge and ex-officio Clerk of Probate of Coshocton County., Ohio.
[Seal affixed]
(Ex. E.)
103
Page 189

LAW OFFICES OF 
HARVEY SPALDING & SONS, 
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
Pacific Building, 
622-624 F STREET N. W. 

HARVEY SPALDING. 
JAMES H. SPALDING. 
EDWIN W. SPALDING 

[Jotted at top:]
court etc- 12.00
adm 50.
atty. 5
[=] 67.00

250
67
[=] $183.

Washington, D.C. Dec. 21, 1904 
G. W. Preston,
Coshocton, Ohio. 
Dear Sir: Your favor of recent date, in asnwer to our inquiry concerning the heirs of Sarah Cockeril, is duly received. In reply we have to say that we can recover for the said heirs the sum of $550. 
We are willing to undertake the case and pay all the expenses, and we will guarantee that the heirs will receive $300 net out of the case. 
We presume that an administrator would have to be appointed on account of the number of heirs, but, if so, we will send on the money for that purpose. 
We would like to hear from some of the heirs in acceptance of the offer, when we will at once proceed with the case. Very respectfully, Harvey Spalding & Sons

(Ex. 7.)
104
Page 190

HARVEY SPALDING & SONS.
Attorneys at Law,
PACIFIC BUILDING,
622–624 F. STREET, N. W.
WASHINGTON, D. C.

[Post Office Stamp:]
WASHINGTON, D.C.
DEC 27  630 PM  1904

[Stamp:]
STA.G [illegible]

G. W. Preston, Esqr
Coshocton
Ohio
Page 191

LAW OFFICES OF 
HARVEY SPALDING & SONS,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 
Pacific Building, 
622-624 F STREET N. W.  
HARVEY SPALDING. 
JAMES H. SPALDING. 
EDWIN W. SPALDING. 

Washington, D.C.,Dec. 27, 1904 
G. W. Preston, 
Coshocton, Ohio. 
Dear Sir: Your favor relative to the claim of the estate of Sarah Cockerill is duly received,.  We inclose herewith check for Twelve ( 12 ) Dollars for which you can secure your appointment, and we will then send on for what other papers we need. 
We think that all that we will need will be the Power of Attorney, as we think that we can practically prove the claim from the records. 
We would like the certificate of your appointment, to show that the Sarah Cockeril, of whose estate you have been appointed administrator, died in 1855 in your county, and we think that this will be sufficient proof of identity. 
Thanking you for the promptness with which you have attended to the matter, we remain, Very respectfully, 
Harvey Spalding & Sons

(Ex. G.)
105
Page 192

HARVEY SPALDING & SONS,
Attorneys at Law, 
PACIFIC BUILDING, 
622–624 F. STREET, N. W. 
WASHINGTON, D. C.  

[Postmark:] 
WASHINGTON, D.C. JAN 6 1130 AM 1905

[Stamp:] 
STA [illegible]  

G. W. Preston, Esqr 
Coshocton 
Ohio
Page 193

LAW OFFICES OF 
HARVEY SPALDING & SONS,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 
Pacific Building, 
622-624 F STREET N. W. 
HARVEY SPALDING. 
JAMES H. SPALDING. 
EDWIN W SPALDING. 

Washington, D.C. Jan. 4, 1905
G. W. Preston, 
Coshocton, Ohio. 
Dear Sir: We are in receipt of the certificate showing your appointment as administrator of the estate of Sarah Cockerill.
We inclose herewith Power of Attorney, which we would like to have you sign and acknowledge before a Notary and return to us as soon as possible. The claim consists in a claim for a land warrant of 160 acres, which we think belongs to the estate of Sarah Cockerill.
This warrant is canceled on the records but we think that we can have the same re-instated, and delivered to you as administrator and we think that we can then sell the same for the sum of about Five Hundred to Five Hundred and Fifty Dollars. 
If present prices keep up, we can realize Five Hundred and [crossed out: Sixty] Fifty Dollars, from the claim. 
We think that it might also be well for you to make an affidavit to the effect that Sarah Cockerill of whose estate you are the administrator, died about 1855, and that she was the widow of Hanson Cockerill.
Very respectfully, 
Harvey Spalding Sons

(Ex. H.)
106
Page 194

LAW OFFICES OF  
HARVEY SPALDING & SONS, 
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,  
Pacific Building,  
622-624 F STREET N. W.  
HARVEY SPALDING.  
JAMES H. SPALDING.  
EDWIN W SPALDING.   

Washington, D.C. Jan. 16, 1905
T. J. Russell,
Newcomerstown, Ohio
Dear Sir:
Your favor of the 13th was duly received. In reply we have to say that the heirs of Sarah Cockerill have nothing whatever to complain of, so far as we know. 
The recovery which we expect to make is about $500. We guaranteed to the administrator to pay the heirs $300, and to pay all the expenses of administration, so that the heirs will receive $300 net out of the case, just as soon as we can get favorable action. 
If any of the heirs had been appointed administrator, the terms would have been the same. 
The case is a very old one, dating back about fifty years, and the proposition we have made is a fair one, and as we understand was approved by the Judge in advance. 
It was of course impossible for us to know who were the heirs, so that we made arrangements with the first man who seemed to wish to go ahead in the matter, and we have no doubt that the heirs will receive the proportion of the $300, to which they are entitled. 
We are sorry that the recovery will not be larger, but 

(Ex. I)
107
Page 195

LAW OFFICES OF 
HARVEY SPALDING & SONS, 
ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 
Pacific Building, 
622-624 F STREET N.W. 
HARVEY SPALDING. 
JAMES H. SPALDING. 
EDWIN W. SPALDING. 

Washington, D.C. Jan. 17, 1905
—2.
this is the only claim of which we know anything. 
Very respectfully, 
Harvey Spalding Sons

(Ex. I. cont'd)
108
Page 196

Received Zanesville June 4th 1841 of Thomas Morris administrator of the estate of Gabriel Cockrel Deceased the sum of five hundred and thirty four Dollars & six cents in full for two notes and interest to this date given by Edward Ball to said Morris for the sum of two hundred and fifty eight Dollars each with interest Dated Nov. 7th, 1840 other due in two years after its date.
Samuel Chapman, Jr.
Guardian of Delila Cockrel &
George W. Cockrel minor heirs
of said Gabriel Cockrel Deceased.

(Ex. J.)
109
Page 197

"No. 23 Recieved 1839 of Gabriel Cockrell
2 dollar  80 cents,  8 mills
his taxes changed to current year, in the following described tracts of land situated in Wayne Township, Muskingum County, Ohio: Also [blank] dollars  20 cents,  8 mills, taxes on personal property,"
"R. || T. || Qr.T.  S.  Qr. or Lat  || Acres || Valuation
13 || 12 || 3 NE. W. S. || 35 1/2 || 178
13 || 12 || 3 SE N. Side || 4 || 30
13 || 12 || 3 N.W. E Side || 1 1/2 || 8"
Note "Lucinda personal property".

Matthias Spangler, Treasurer.

(Ex. K.)
110
Page 198

Geo. W T Delilah Cockerell
Statement Samuel Chapman Jr
[Illegible] files July 17, 1851.
Total $901.66
Settlement Record
"Nov. Term 1847."
Page 199

Columbus, Ohio, April 21, 1906.
Geo. M. Beckett, Esq.,
Special Examiner,
Bureau of Pensions,
Wheeling, W. Va.
Dear Sir: Replying to your favor of the 20th inst. on the reverse side hereof I have to say that I have no knowledge or information as to Dr. David Bartley, nor do I know any member of the family to whom I can refer you for this information.  In fact I do not even know the relationship which I bear to him.  Certainly Mrs. Jenner ought to be able to give you information if anybody can, as she is one generation nearer and has been much more closely identified with the Bartley family than I have been, as my family have not lived at the residence of the Bartley family for a long period of years.  My father, O. M. Arnold, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, might possibly give you some information.
Very truly yours,
H.B. Arnold

THE EXAMINER MUST BRIEF THIS LETTER
No. __
____ Special Examiner.
Dated ___ 190_
BRIEF. ______
No. of inclosures, __

(Ex L)
111
Page 200

3—323.
SPECIAL EXAMINATION DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
April 20", 1906.
Harry Arnold
Atty-at-Law,
Columbus, O.
Dear Sir:  If known to you, please state the place, or places, where your uncle, or great-uncle, Dr. David Bartley resided, which I am informed was in the state of Texas.  The information is desired in a land warrant matter.  I was referred to you by Mr. and Mrs. Beverly Jenner (Everly Jenner), Mansfield, Ohio.  A reply on the reverse hereof at your earliest convenience will be appreciated.
Envelope for reply does not need postage.
Very respectfully,
George M. Beckett,
Special Examiner,
Wheeling, W. Va.
Page 201

Mt Vernon Ohio  April 23 / 06
Mr G M. Beckett
Dr Sir
Yours of 20th inst. as to enquiry in regard to David Bartly M.D. when I was quite young, 1848 or 49 a dim recolliction in the mind heaing my mother telling of a Brother Dr Bartley about same date a misfortune occurd to the family, he & his wife parted, he disapeared & was last I ever heard his name by one of our family & have no knowledge of him or his since mentioned date.
If you should come in contact with him or decendintants will you kindly report same to me in the future.
Resp Yrs
O M Arnold

(Ex. M.)
112
Page 202

3—296.

[Stamp:]
MENT OF THE INTERIOR,
RECEIVED
JUN 11 1906
M. DIVISION
2547 | MISCLS.

[Stamp:]
APR 28  1906

B.L.     S. E. D.
Warrant No. 26,828.
Claimant: Sarah Cockiril, dec'd
Geo. W. Preston, Admr.
Soldier: Hanson Cockiril.
P. O. address of Admr: Coshocton 
County: Coshocton   State: Ohio.
Recommendation: Fur. Ex. [Further Examination]
George M. Beckett, Special Examiner.
REFERENCE.
May 14, 1906
Respectfully referred to the Chief, Law division, for consideration.
A.L. Craig
Chief S. E. Division.
RECOMMENDATION.
___, 190_
____ Reviewer.
ACTION.
___, 190_
____ Commissioner.
0–1