Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,444, Matthew Covington, N.C.
Page 1

SERVICE
N. C.
Covington, Mathew
NUMBER
S/ 2,444.
carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

19188
West Tennessee
Mathew Covington
of Carroll Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the company commanded 
by Captain Hunter of the Regt commanded
by Col Ward in the N Carolina
line for 20 months & 25 days

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 69 Dollars 43 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Aug 
11833 and [illegible]
I Jennings [illegible]
Arrears to the 4th of March  138.86
Semi-ant. allowance ending of 4 Septr.  34.71
$ 173.57

{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk
Book E   Vol. 7   Page 75

Order to pay & letter to R
Murray & 4 Feby 1838
Letter to Jackson Agent 6th
March 1838

Date of death [illegible]
Page 3

[left margin at right angle to page]
Mathew Covington   21945

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Tennessee }
Carroll County } 
on this 10th day of December 1832 Personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the Court of pleas and quarter Sessions now sitting Mathew Covington  A resident of the County & State afforesaid aged seventy three years the 24th day of January next, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to attain the benefit of the Act of conGress passed the 7th day June 1832 that he entered the service of the united state as a volunteer at the age of fifteen in the month of October 1775 in Anson County and served as a guard at Anson Courthouse under command of Colonel Thomas Wade and Capt William Hunter and for the period of two months in the year 1776 about the month of April declarant States that he was drafted to march against the Cherokee Indians under command of Col David Love, Capt William Hay, Major Davidson, Leutenant Davidson, the troops were encampt at Marks ferry till the latter part of the month of May when we marched between Salisbury & Charlotte & [illegible] the Catawba River at the Island ford Marched across the head of the broad river to turkey cove fort Stay then about one month from there we marched up one prong of Broad river and Joined General Rutherfords army at the pleasant Garden Carson County being the lowest down the country and consequently the further of General Rutherford proposed that if one hundred vollenteers, would in turn out from Anson County the ballance might return home Accordingly I turned out under the same officers I  marched under from Anson
Page 4

[Declaration page 2]

from the Pleasant Gardens we marched across the Blue Ridge thence across French broad river and on to the Cherokee towns & burnt a considerable number of the towns and destroyed their Corn &c these towns were on a spring of French broad called Tennessee
after destroying these towns General Rutherford proposed for twelve hundred volunteers to go on to Hiwassee a distance of about thirty miles further to the over hill or valey towns. I again volunteered we killed a few indians and Burnt their towns 
the day after we march for Highwassee the South carolina troops had a battle with and defeated the Indians  on our return from Highwassee we passed through the battle Ground and back to our troops at Tennessee thence by the same route that we marched out Back to Anson County about the last of October this tour was six months.
the declarant States that from the time of his return from the Cherokee Nation till the year 1780 nothing of importance transpired in his section of Country, after Charleston was taken by the British in May 1780 the Tories became so troublesome in the country where declarant lived that it was unsafe for any man who was a friend of his Country to stay at home some time after Charleston was taken declarant had to leave his county on account of the tories & went into Wake County that he there vollunteered under Capt. William Hunter Senior & joined Col. Davie's regiment at the Waxsaw Settlement in this regiment he served three months while the British were in possession of Camden this service was reconitering the country between the Waxsaw & Camden the precise time when declarant entered this service is not recollected after being discharged from this service declarant returned home to anson  County declarant then vollunteered under Capt. William Hunter Senior & was engaged two months driving cattle to General Greens army which were then encamped about Six miles above Cheraw hill
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[Declaration page 3]

declarant States that about this time Cols Culp & Col. Wade were engaged in moving their property into the interior of North Carolina for safety and were attacked and defeated by the tories at Piney Bottom in Cumberland County after the Capt William Hunter's Company & others perhaps to the amount of three hundred from North & South Carolina Marched in pursuit of the Tories & crossed drowning Creek [original name of Lumber River, North and South Carolina] at the Widow Cathys at that place some of our party killed four Tories, made a rout down drowning Creek & recrossed at Overstreet ferry our business being entirely with the Tories our route were in different directions as the emergency of the cases required & without intermission untill the 21st July 1781 I was taken prisoner with three others Patrick Travis of Fayetteville, a Wm Sprole of Cape fear & John Rogers of Anson County taken by a party of Tories in Cumberland County We were taken to the tory head quarters at the Raft Swamp Stayed there a few days when Colonel Elrod with about thirty men was dispatched with us to Wilmington who delivered us to Major Craig A British Major where we were kept till the British Evacuated Wilmington when we were removed to Charleston & there remained prisoners untill about the middle of Feb 1782 a period of about seven months
the declarant states that his service in scouting parties traveling the Country in pursuit of the tories the time & periods of which he cannot precisely recollect together with the periods particularly mentioned will amount to more than two years.
the declarant states that he has no documentary evidence by which he can prove the above services and that he knows of no person Whose testimony he can procure by whom he can prove all the above services but states that he can prove all the above service in the Cherokee Nation by James Cole whose affidavit is annexed
he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name
Page 6

[Declaration page 4]

not on the pension roll of the agency of any state Whatever.
Sworn and subscribed the  day and year afforesaid
Edward Gwin Clerk 
Matthew Covington 

Questions By the Court
qu 1 Where & in what year were you born?
A. I was Born on the Eastern Shore of 
Maryland Queen anns County in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & Sixty
qu 2nd have you any record of your age & if so where is it?
Ans. I have a record of my age from my Grandfather who was Clerk in the congregation where I was born but it was sent for by some person in South carolina for some purpose and was never returned.
qu 3rd where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live
Ans I lived in Anson County State of North Carolina when I entered untill the year 1828 when I removed to Carroll County in the state of Tennessee where I now live.
qu 4th how were you called into service were you drafted did you Volunteer or were you a substitute & if a substitute for whom 
Ans I was drafted to the Cherokee nation, all the rest of my service I volunteered I was never a substitute
qu 5 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served Such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the General Circumstances of Your service
Ans My service was entirely with the Militia consequently I was not acquainted with the the regular officers I was not acquainted with any Continental regiment nor Militia regiments but those already mentioned, & the General Circumstances of my service is Given in my declaration
Page 7

qust 6th did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given & what has become of it?
Ans after I returned from the Cherokee nation I received pay for the tower and I suppose I had a discharge but don't recollect whether or not if I had I don't recollect who gave it or what became of it for any of the ballance [balance] of my service I neither received discharge or pay
qu 7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood [neighborhood] and who can testify as to your
Carrecter [character] for veracity & their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution. 
Ans Col. John Clark Tho Crawford Wm Lement
Merit Randle Israel Shea James Cole Tho Hamilton &c
We Tho A Young a Clergyman residing in the County of Carroll and State of Tennessee and John Clark residing in the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Matthew Covington who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day and year afforsaid [aforesaid]
Edward Gwin Clerk
John Clark
T A Young
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after puting [putting] the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the
above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifys [cerfifies] that it appears
to them Tho A Young who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County & State aforesaid & that John Clark & who has also signed the same is a resident as aforesaid and is a credible person & that their statement  is entitled to credit
Sworn the day & year before written
Saml Ingram JP
H. Wright JP
Isaac McKee JP
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I Edward Gwin Clerk of the Court of Pleas & quarter
sessions for Carroll County do testify that the 
foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said
Court in the matter of the application of Matthew 
Covington for a pension 
in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of office this tenth day of December 1832 AD.
Edward Gwin Clerk
State of Tennessee    }          th day of December 1832
Carroll County          }     applied in open Court James
Cole of the county & state aforesaid before the Justices of
the Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions now sitting for said county and made
oath in due form of law that he was well acquainted
with Matthew Covington who subscribed & swore to the fore
going declaration prior to & during the revolutionary 
war that he served with him in the Cherokee town as stated 
in the foregoing declaration and that he has good
reason to believe that all the statements made in this 
declaration are true having a personal knowledge
of the most of the circumstances stated that when
he said Covington returned from Charleston  where
he has reason to believe he was confined as a prisoner
as he stated that he was in bad health & appeared that
he had suffered greatly and was a considerable time
before he was able to attend to business of any kind
he further states that he said Matthew Covington was
a true friend to his country during her struggle 
for independance,  Sworn & subscribed in open
court the day and year before written 
Edward Gwin    Clerk                         James Cole
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Matthew Covington
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21945
Mathew Covington 
Carrol Ten.
from 1775 private
20 mo. 25 days
$69.43
time engaged in driving cattle
not allow
5  Hunter
--- Ward
3  NC
66.66
  166
_ 111___
 69.43
Thomas J. Jennings
Jess Benton Jus
Huntingdon
Carroll Co.
J
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Offe,
May 7th 183-
Sir: 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }).
You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
A Statement, shewing the Service of Mathew Covington Carroll Co T.
Period when service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service. Years. Months. Days. 
Rank of the claimant.
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Evidence by which the declation is supported 
Vol. Oct '75  [blank] 2 [blank] [illegible] Cap Hunter Col Wade [blank] N.C. [illegible] N.C [illegible]who [illegible]his 2nd term -
drafted Apl. '76 [blank] 6 [blank] pr. Cap Hoy Col Love [blank] NC & [illegible]  [blank]
Vol after Charleston was taken } [blank] 3 [blank] [ditto] [ditto] Hunter Col Davie[blank][blank] Wake Co NC not certified
Vol - { [blank] 2 [blank] [illegible] [ditto] [blank][blank][blank][blank][blank]
after this before Wilmington [illegible] } [blank] about 7 [blank] prisoner [ditto] [blank][blank][blank][blank][blank]
This service in all will amt to more than 2 years
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2 
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. 
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia" and "volunteers, all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 
1. The Regular Troops. 
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service. 
4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION. in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or District of County of On this ____ day of ____ personally appeared (a) before ____ A. B. a resident (b) ____ of ____ aged (c) ____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ____, with and served in the ____ (e) regiment of the ____ line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] - He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of ____ Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion 
(g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. [____ of the Court of ____ do hereby certify 
(h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ____ for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office 
(i) this ____ of ____ & c. If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ____ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ____ and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, ____ Clerk of the Court of ____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of ____ for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ____ day of ____ & c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
--- 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, 
(l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his Case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. 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, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. To a Soldier: Did you ever receive a discharge from service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer: Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 
----- 
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. 
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ____ year ____ months, and ____ days, I served as a ____ and for such service I claim a pension." It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration in highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit, [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 

MODE OF AUTHENTICATING PAPERS. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
PROOF OF SERVICE. 
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
[k] The notes from [a] and [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
W.L. Williams Ex Clk
Page 14

August 4, 1934
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Matthew Covington-S.2444BA-J/AWF
Mrs. Louis Head
155 J Street 
Brawley, California
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the Revo-
lutionary War record of Matthew Dockery Covington.
The record of Matthew Covington which is fur-
nished herein, is the record of the only Matthew Cov-
ington that is found on file in the Revolutionary War
records of this office.  The data given were obtained
from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 2444,
based upon his military service in that war.
Matthew Covington was born January 24, 1760 in 
Queen Annes County, Maryland; the names of his par-
ents are not stated.  His grandfather was clerk in 
the congregation where he was born, name of grand-
father not shown.
Matthew Covington, while residing in Anson County,
North Carolina, served as a private in the North Caro-
lina troops as follows-from October, 1775, two months
in Captain William Hunter's company, Colonel Thomas
Wade's regiment, as guard at Anson Court House; from 
April, 1776, six  months in Captain William Hay's com-
pany, Colonel David Love's regiment, against the Cher-
okee Indians, burnt some of their towns and destroyed
their  property; in 1780, three months in Captain William 
Hunter's company, Colonel Davie's regiment; again in 1780,
two months in Captain William Hunter's company, driving
cattle to General Green's Army, then encamped about
six miles above Cheraw Hills; shortly afterwards, several
excursions under Captain Hunter, in pursuit of the Tories,
until July 21, 1781, when he was taken prisoner by the
Page 15

Tories, carried to Tory headquarters at Raft Swamp, in
a few days sent to Wilmington and was there until the
British evacuated Wilmington, then sent to Charleston,
where he was held until exchanged, about the middle
of February, 1782.
The soldier, Matthew Covington, moved from Anson
County, North Carolina in 1828 to Carroll County,
Tennessee.  He was allowed pension on his application
executed December 10, 1832, then living in said Carroll
County. 
There is no reference to wife or children of the 
soldier. 
In order to obtain the date of last payment of 
pension, the name and address to whom sent and pos-
ibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should
address The Comptroller General, General Accounting
Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C. citing 
the following-
Matthew Covington
Certificate # 19188
Issued August 13 or 14, 1833
Rate $69.43 per annum
To commence March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
West Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 16

[Recap Declaration page 1]

State of Tennessee
Carroll County 
June Term 1833 of the court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions

Be it remembered that on this day the 12th of June 1833, personally appeared in open Court Marthew [Matthew] Covington who at the December Term 1832 filed the attached declaration for a pension, and who after being duly sworn Say. that from his old age and consequent lap [lapse] of memory he can not state precisely the periods of time which he did serve but to the best of his recollection he served the Tours and terms he now states.

that in the month of October 1775 under Col [Thomas] Wade & Capt. [William] Hunter, he served two months as a guard at Anson court house [Anson County, North Carolina]

And in April 1776 he was drafted to against the Cherokee Indians, under Col [David] Love & Capt. William Hoy [Hoye]. they were encamped at the Masks fery [Mask's Ferry, North Carolina]. They then marched across the Cataba river [Catawba River, North Carolina], they then joined Gen Rutherford [General Griffith Rutherford] & marched to French broad [French Broad River, North Carolina] & to the Cherokee towns some of which they burnt in this tour he was engaged Six months

In the year 1780 in Wake county  N. Carolina he volunteered in Capt Wm [William] Hunters 
company and Col. Davie's [William Richardson Davie] Regt [Regiment] at the Waxhaw settlements when  the British were in possession of Cambden [Camden, South Carolina] they were engaged in reconnoitering the country between the Waxhaw [on border of North & south Carolina] & Cambden [Camden, SC] 

In that town he served three months, before his return home volunteered under Capt William Hunter Sen [Senior] to drive cattle to Gen Greens army [General Nathanael Greene]
Page 17

[Recap of Declaration page 2]

which was encamped near the Cheraw Hills [South Carolina], in this he service two months the date not recollected and shortly after this time he again volunteered to go out against the tories, and after making sevual [several] excursions, on Downing creek [Drowning Creek, now Lumber River, N/S Carolina border] &c [etcetera] he was taken prisoner by the tories on the 21st of July 1781 -& carried to Wilmington [North Carolina] & then to Charlestown [SC] where he was kept until he was exchanged about the middle of February 1782 being six months and twenty five days a prisoner 

In the excursions against the tories before he was taken prisoner he was engaged he thinks three months, at least, After his return home from Charlestown, his health was so much impaired he served no more during the war.

By way of recapitulation he would again state- 
His first tour as a guard at Anson Court house [North Carolina] of two months
His second tour against the Cherokee Indians six months
His third tour when stationed between Camden [SC] & Waxhaw [N/S Carolinas] three months.
4th Driving cattle to Gen Green's [General Nathanael Greene]army two months  
5th against the tories three months
6 a prisoner six months & twenty five days 
making in all twenty two months & twenty five days, for which he claims a pension
[signed] Matthew Covington 

Sworn to & subscribed in open court June 12th 1833.
Edwards Gwin Clerk

State of Tennessee
Carroll County 
June Sessions 1833
This the 12th of June 1833
Page 18

[recap of Declaration page 3]

Personally appeared in open court James Cole who after being duly sworn according to law, makes oath that he was well acquainted with Matthew Covington who has subscribed & sworn to this original declaration prior to & During the Revolutionary War that he served with him during the Cherokee Campaign as he has stated in his declaration & that he has good reasons to believe that all the statements in said declaration are true having a personal knowledge of most of the circumstances stated 

and that when the said [Matthew] Covington returned from Charlestown, he was in bad health and appeared as though he had suffered greatly & it was a considerable time before he was able to attend to his business and that he believes said [Matthew] Covington was a true friend to his country, during the struggle for independence 
James Cole

Sworn  to & subscribed in open Court June 12th 1839
Edward Gwin Clerk

And the said Court do certify that Matthew Covington who has sworn to & subscribed the above declaration is the same person who at the [illegible] Term 1832 of this court, filed & subscribed & swore to the original declaration to which this attached and that it also appears to us that James Cole who was sworn to & subscribed the above affidavits is a credible & respectable person & his statement is entitled to full credit
Residing [judges]
H Wright J.P.  [hand drawn seal]
Wilson Nesbitt J.P. [hand drawn seal]
JB Armstring J.P. [hand drawn seal]
Page 19

[Recap of Declaration page 4]

State of Tennessee 
Carroll County Ss
I Edward Gwin Clerk of the Court of pleas & Quarters Sessions in & for said County & State aforesaid do hereby Certify that the foregoing Contains the original and amended proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Matthew Covington for a Pension 

In testimony whereof I hereunto Set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at office in Huntingdon this 12th day of June AD 1833
Edward Gwin Clerk

[Illegible seal covered with paper attached]
Page 20

[left hand page]

2444
INVALID.
Rev War
File No. 2444
Matthew Covington
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7' 1832
Index: - Vol. A., Page 72
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right hand page]
1934 Aug 4 hist. to Mrs. Lewis Head aug
Page 21

Huntingdon, Te
June 19, 1833
F
Hon. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Washington 
D.C.

Term July 1 
N.H.
Page 22

Hunting now In June 18th 1833
Tho J Jennings
Agent for claimant
Page 23

Union Bank of Tennessee
Nashville 17th Feby 1838
J.L. Edwards Esq
Dear Sir
Your esteemed favor of the
7th Instant directing the amount due to Matthew
Covington a Revolutionary Pensioner under the act
of 7th June 1832 to be paid on the production of
the proper vouchers is duly to hand and in 
reply have to inform you that I have made
careful search and his name cannot be found
on the rolls in this office I am very Respectfully
Sir                                    Your Obt Servt
                                        John M Bass Prest
                                         & Pension Agent                                     
                                        By S. Cantrell
Page 24

[round black ink stamp]
[HUN]TINGDON
JAN 25
Te.[Tenneessee]
F [Postage Free]
Rev War
J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 25

J L Edwards Esqr
D. Sir
Enclosed I sent you M.
Covington papers for examination, you will perceive M. Covington has not drawn his
pension for more than a year, please
give these documents your earliest atten
-tion, and return them to your
most obt & very kind Servt
Huntingdon Ten.                    Robt. Murray
24th Jany  1838
Page 26

Brawley, Calif.
July 18, 1934,

I would appreciate it if you would give me the information about a pension for Matthew Dockery Covington who served under Francis Marion in the Rev. War.

July 23 1934 MAIL
Page 27

Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Louis Head;
155 J St
Brawley, Calif.