Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9805, James Courson, S.C.
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( 3-1776 ) SERVICE S.C. Courson , James , Lavie or Laveli NUMBER W 9805 B.L.Wt. 95168 - 160 - 55 Born in  S.C.
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(left page )  4318 Alabama James Courson  of Montgomery  in the  State of Alabama   who was a pri in the compy commanded by Captain  __  of the Regt; commanded by Col. Brown  in the S.C.  line for 2 years. Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama  at the rate of 80 Dollars __ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th  day of March 1831. Certificate of Pension issued the  19th  day of Jan. 33  and sent to Hon. Wm. C. King  U.S. Senator  Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1832  $ 120 Semi-anl . allowance ending  4th Mar 33  $ 40 ( total  $ 60 ) {Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832 } Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk Book D Vol. 10 Page 199  ( right page ) ( vertical on page )  Hon J. F. Dowdell  Feby 24, 1859
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Restoration and Increase No. 6825 Alabama Lavie Courson  widow of James Courson SC who served in the  Revolutionary war as a private.  Washington  D.C. Agency  Rate of 80 Dollars __ Cents pre annum. Commencing  Sept. 5th 1860  &  ending  July 26 1868  Re in Jul  27: 1868  $  96- pr annum. Certificate dated  10 June  1870  and sent to Claimant ,care of Hon. C.W. Buckly  M.C. House of Reps. Present  Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February  3, 1853 and July  27 1868   Page 448 Vol.  H
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( left page ) Act May   June 29/60  308154 Lavice Courson  wid of Janes Courson  pri.  Col. Brown  Regt. S.C. line war of Rev.  Rec'd Pension  ( see pension papers ) Ad 3 Feby  53- 6825 Revy .  All 160 acr. Sept. 29/60 MA.W.  S.N. Jones Union Springs Ala. ( right page ) Ed Batts  Vol. C 2 page 80
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The State of Alabama 
Montgomery County 
On this  day it  being  the  29th day of December  AD 1832  personally appeared before  Benajah S Bibb   Judge of the County Court for said County  in  open Court  James Courson  a resident of the County and State aforesaid  aged about seventy years  who being  duly sworn according to law doth make  on oath the following declaration  in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act passed June 7, 1832. I was born in  Lancaster District South Carolina . I have no record of my  age but suppose it must be seventy years. I entered the army  in my   fourteenth year  in a   rifle company at which  Sumpter was the Colonel, William Brown  was Major in the regiment, William Henderson was Lieutenant Colonel , George Wade was Captain. I  remained in that company  fifteen months - ther was no engagement  of an consequence during this  time . Our service was in the neighborhood of Charleston on the   seacoast. When this  term expired I  enlisted as a  Continental  soldier for three years.  The company  in which I served was commanded by  William McClintock, William Brown was Major and Lieutenant Col. Henderson was Col. I was at the siege of  Savannah  our army was commanded by  Genl Lincoln, I was likewise at the  battle of Stono. The Americans were defeated at both  places. The  count  Pules [possibly Pulaski]
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He was killed at Savannah  &  the  French Genl.  The County D'Estang received  a slight wound. My company  was shortly afterward sent to Charleston . I was in an expedition  to  Chert Flinon (?) and was under the command of  an American General Howe. The expedition  set out from Charleston  & sent to  a placed called Fort  Bennington on the  Attawaha (?)  we were  stationed there some time and from thence moved down to Keas Bluff  where we remained  some time   was afterwards  went to  St. Mary's  to a place called fort  Henry  from thence we went to  Sunbury   & thence back to  Charleston . We had no fight during this time  & Howe  was sent back to the North for his  misconduct  & I never heard of him since. I was at the siege of Charleston  & was taken prisoner then - most of my  comrades were  put on board  prison ships but then were a great many of the  prisoners  .. ( illegible ) on account of the small pox. I having had the small pox in my childhood  was  removed for the purposes of nursing the sick from which place I escaped after about  a month . I  joined Sumpter the day after the battle of Rocky Mount & the next  Sunday  after we fought the battle of the Hanging Rock. We whipped the British  then  but did no know it being obliged to retreat for want of ammunition. The British retreated   likewise -
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I was sent on an express to  Genl. Gates  by Sumpter  & returned back to   Sumpter  who ordered  three hundred  a little  below Camden  to attack any companies of British  we saw. We were  commanded by Col. Frederick Kimbal , Thomas Gloise was my  Captain. which then we heard that Gates had  expressed a total defeat and we at once  returned to join Sumpter a Few days  after the battle of Camden  Sumpter was  was surprised  while encamped on the  Catawba river by Col. Tarlton  & wholly defeated. This  occasioned a conflict .. ( illegible )  of their troops   I then joined Major Davis in Nort Carolina  &  marched down into South Carolina  & did nothing of  consequence we afterwards returned to North Carolina. I was not at the battle of Guilford or the Cowpens but joined  Genl . Green the day after  & marched as far as  Rugily's Mills  soon after  I served some time with Marion after this  I have never had a pension  & hereby relinquish  all claims to any except the present. I was in the continental service three years, the term for which  I enlisted  & fifteen months  the first tour I performed was in  the  continental service - Benjamin  Thompson  & William Robinson
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living in this County  know of any services for a portion of the  time I  was in service. The widow Morton   living in this County can testify  that I was always during the revolution  know as a good liberty man . I never received a discharge. The year after the  peace I moved into  Georgia and lived  for a portion of the intervening time in  Warren , Washington , Hancock, and Jones Counties successively from Jones County I moved to this State  fifteen years ago . My name is not on the pension  roll of any State  & I   release my right thereto.  Sworn  & subscribed  on the day  &  year aforesaid . James Courson  ( his mark X )  Benajah S Bibb ( signed  JCCMC  We John Robinson  a clergyman  residing in the  County aforesaid  and William Robinson residing int the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with  James Courson  who has sworn  and subscribed  the above declaration , that we believe him to be seventy  years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood  in which he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.  Sworn  & subscribed on the day  & year  aforesaid . John Robertson  ( signed ) William Robertson  ( signed ) Benajah S Bibb ( signed ) J.C.C. M. C.
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[ State of Alabama Macon  County ] Be it known  that  before me  Thomas Pullam  a Justice of the peace in and for the  State and  County aforesaid  duly authorized by law to administer oaths personally appeared Laveci Courson and made oath in form of law that she is the widow of James Courson  , the identical person who was a pensioner up to the time of his death and he is now dead ; that the certificate of pension has been lost or destroyed and that he was drawing a pension  at the rate of ninety six dollars per  annum previous to his death on account off his revolutionary services. That she makes this application  for the purpose of drawing the pension due her under the act of Congress  passed on the  17th  June  1844  and all other acts  of Congress  having reference to the   subject. She further  makes oath that she was married to the said James Courson  in the County of Washington , State of Georgia  by Wm. Smith  a Justice of the peace in October  1803, and that he died  in the County of Macon  State of Alabama on the 13th day of June  1834; that she has not intermarried, but continues a widow of the said James Courson  and has  resided in Macon Conty  State of Alabama  since his death to the present time, and that she has not received any pension in  right of her husband  since his death . Sworn to  & subscribed this the 28th day of May in presence of SN Jones ( signed ) before me  Thos. Pullam (  signed ) J.P. Laveci Courson  ( her mark X )
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Union Springs Macon County  Alabama May 30th   1839  The Honorable  Commissioner of Pension is respectfully  referred to the  records of file in the Pension office for  proof of  the justice of James Courson's claims &   that he drew pensions .. ( illegible )  that claim as put forth  in the affidavit of the widow. We hope the evidence will be satisfactory  for at tis  .. ( illegible ) period of time  she has no other means of  establishing his service . I  leave the matter  with you to   weigh the   merits of the application  & adjust  the amount due the widow  without the expense of  employing anyone to aid us. If there are difficulties in the way, or if the application does not  meet the requisitions of the Department - you will confer us a special favor of  informing me of such fact & I will  endeavor to correct any omission or defect. The  claimant  is a very  aged  & highly respected old lady &  in  ..( illegible ) circumstances. The    money will be of great advantage to her. For the proof of Thomas Pullam's  official character  you will find that  in  claim 298532 in behalf of  William Quinely  our Judge of Probate has certified his authority  - hence I have  discovered it unnecessary  to   renew that proof.   I have the honor to be your obt. servant . S.N. Jones ( signed ) Atty at Law
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[ The State of Alabama  Macon County ] On this the first day of June A.D.  one thousand eight hundred and  sixty personally appeared before me  a Justice of the peace within and for the  County and State aforesaid Lavice Courson  aged  seventy fie years  a resident of Macon County in the State of Alabama  who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of James Courson . She further declares that she has heretofore made application for pension under the act approved February  3rd, 1853,  in right of her deceased husband  and obtained the same under date of March the 23rd  1860  for the sum of five hundred and sixty six   88 / 100  dollars as will more fully appear  by reference to the record in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners, Page 444 Vol. H. She makes this declaration for the purpose of  obtaining the bounty land  to which she may be entitled under  the  "act approved March 3rd, 1855 ". And she further  declares that she has not received or applied for bounty land  under this or any other act of Congress except as above mentioned. Lavice Courson  ( her mark X )  We J.C. Mc Sween  &  B. L. Raburn residents of Macon County  and State of Alabama  upon our oaths  declare that the foregoing declaration was signed in our presence and that we believe from the appearance
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and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be , and is still a widow  . Jonh C. Mc Sween ( signed ) B. L. Raborn  ( signed )  The foregoing declaration and affidavit  were sworn to  and subscribed before me  on the day and year above  written , and I certify that  I know  the affiants to be credible persons, that the claimant  is the person she represents herself to be and is still a widow, and that I have no interest int this claim. N.C. McLeod ( signed ) JP  [ The State of Alabama Macon County ] I Lewis Alexander  Judge of Probate  for said Count   and State  aforesaid do hereby certify that  N.C. Mc Leod  whose genuine signature  appears to the foregoing  certificate of acknowledgement  was on the 1st day of June 1860 an acting  Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected, qualified and commissioned   and that full faith and credit is due to all his official acts . Given under my hand and seal of office at Tuskegee this the 11th day of June 1860. Lewis Alexander ( signed / sealed ) Judge of Probate
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No 7278 Levice Courson  widow of James Alabama  Let. S.N. Jones  June 17, 1859  same  July 19/ 59  Let. S. N. Jones  Sept 5 / .. ( missing ) same Oct 12  same  Oct 25/ 59 same Jan 5/ 60   Feby 3. 1853
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Revy
WIDOW, &c.
_________
File No. 9805
Lavice Courson
Wid
James Courson
Privt Rev War
_________
Act: Febry 30 / 53 July 27 / 68
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 145
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Union Springs Macon County  Ala Mar. 30th   60  Hon . G. C. Whiting  I beg leave to call your attention to the  1st section  of the act of 3rd Feby  1853  in reference to the half pay allowed  to widow of deceased soldiers, and the several acts of which said act is amendatory and would  most respectfully inquire  whether  my client  , Mrs . Lavice  Courson is  entitled to the benefit pf the acts  , anterior to the amended act of 1853. The settlement of this claim will be found recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners  under act Feby  3rd, 1853. Page 444 Col. H. I have the honor to be your very obt.  & humble servt. S.N. Jones ( signed )
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Union Springs May  23rd  59  Hon. Geo. C . Whiting  Dear Sir, Enclosed you will find the amended  for in  Mrs. Courson's  application  confirming as nearly as possible to the forms I received  from your Department , and which I hope  answers the requisitions of the law. You will confer an special  favor by giving  this claim your early attention  as the widow is aged , inform and quite  .. ( illegible ) . Your very respectful & humble servant .    S.N. Jones ( signed ) Atty  at Law
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Union Springs Alabama July 2nd  1859  Hon. G. C. Whiting Com. of Pensions  Dear Sir, Enclosed you will find additional papers  connected with the claim  of Mrs. Lavice Courson for pension. I sent you some papers  before intis claim  which you stated  were not complete. You will here find the affidavits identifying  Mrs. Courson  which did not accompany  the first application . Perhaps I have  in this instance  transcended the requirements of the law  but if you find an   surplusage  you can  dispose of it  & act  upon the balance. The forms which you undertook  to forward some have  not been received, and as one of the witnesses resides at  a considerable distance from this place  & had to be  procured at expense and labor. I was not left at liberty to wait longer for them. I very much   hope however that you will find these papers right as  I have taken them  from some old forms in my possession. Hoping to hear from you at an early  day in reference to the  recognition of this claim. S.N. Jones ( signed ) Atty at Law
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Union Springs Alabama June  27th / 53  Hon Geo. C. Whiting  Your favor of 17th inst.  is at  hand in which you  intended to enclose more forms to direct me in the claim of Mrs. Lavice Courson, before your Department , but which form some  course were omitted. I should  have been much gratified to receive them so that I might  propose that case properly  and will still  defer the matter to hear from you. In March last, I think, I presented the claim of William Quinely   No . 298532  for bounty land  & have heard nothing from it since that time. Mr. Quinely has become restless   & urges me to  enquire of you the situation of that claim. Your  compliance will be  duly appreciated. Very respectfully  S. N. Jones ( signed ) Atty at Law
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Union Springs Ala.  Oct. 18th / 59  Hon George C. Whiting  Sir, Yours of  12th inst. , is at hand ,  from which I learn that there is still more difficulty  in the  claim of Mrs. Lavice Courson . I  must say , that I have  dome every thing  which can normally be required of me in  presenting her claim before you , and have to regret that we unsuccessfully  stringency of rule  is to cut her out from a  recovery of that which  her  Government has declared her entitled to. You have  indisputable  assurance that she is the widow of James Courson , that he was a pensioner  & that she is still a widow. Upon such evidence if she is stall  denied her right of recovery it is   .. (illegible ) that the act was  passed upon which a hop for success may be based , only to terminate  in defeat and loss. Inyour favor of  Aug. 5th  you inform me that itis not   .. ( illegible ) necessary that the
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certified signature of our Justice should accompany  any application , but if you have a certified signature  in another claim before you    to which  you can refer & compare the signature, it will be sufficient - This is a fair inference taken from your instructions tome under date referred to. But, I wet so far as to accompany  this claim with the certificate of our Probate Judge, that it was genuine, but through  inadvertence it was certified upon another sheet of paper. The affidavit of Col.  Wildridge  & S. Hixon Esq. , both gentlemen of the highest character for veracity ,, and worth , that they  knew James Courson  in life  & know  this applicant to have been his wife &  is now  a widow etc. was appended to the claim and now upon the back of all the  rest I will  state all that I have and are socially   professionally  & other wise , that the claim is a just , fair  & legal one,  form what I know of the old lady Mrs. Courson , her family and the affidavits of the two witnesses.
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In regard to the discrepancy  in amount of claimant , that her husband resided in Macon County when  pensioned will all be explained in the fact that  County lines at the time  were undefined and the place at which James Courson  lived at the time of his death has fallen  within the  vicinity of  Macon County although  it may have been regarded  as part of Montgomery  County  at that time. If what has been done will not  ..  ( illegible ) the purpose for which it has been intended then I  must  positively acknowledge that I have   misconceived the object of the act of  1853, and  pronounce myself  incapable of understanding the requirements of your Department. I have the honor to be  your obdt. and Humble servant. S. N. Jones ( signed ) Atty at Law
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Union Springs Dec 29th / 59 Hon G.C. Whiting  Will you be so good as to inform me of the  certificate of a witness properly authenticated that they were well acquainted with  Courson  & his wife, that they lived as   man & wife , reared a family  &   the children recognized  in  society as legitimate  etc. etc. will answer the requisition s of the law in  sustaining her application for a pension . You will  recollect that her application is before you   & you referred  back to us the necessity of  proving her marriage, or some proof to the  effect , in the absence of record testimony of their having been married. I have been at work  & l learn  that the records have all been  consumed by fire ( in 1833 )  . The only course  left me was to find persons well acquainted with them in life who are willing to testify to such facts as stated above. Any information upon the inquiry  will be most thankfully received. In addition  I must ask the favor of you to inform me whether  there is upon the "Rolls "  the name of George E. Turrentine in the war of  1812  in Capt. William Huckaby or  Huckby's company  of  Jones County  Georgia. The evidence  I have in my possession shows that he was mustered into service  at Camp Hope  & marched for  St  Augustine.  Yours with much respect. S.N. Jones ( signed )
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Auditors

Character of pending claim Revolutionary
Lavice Courson
2d Sec  Feb. 3. 1853
==========
Pensioner now on Rolls Alabama
Certificate C. 825
Agency at which last paid Mobile
Cause of termination [illegible]
Date of termination
11/61
W. E. Trask
Examiner.
===============
Last paid to Sept 4 '60.
s shown by the Records of Finance Division,
complete up to
Strait
Clerk.
=============
Forwarded to F. D., June 2. 1870
276.
Returned to Ex'r.  June 2' 70
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Lavice Courson
widow of James
Macon Co. Alabama
"Admitted act Feby 3/53
at rate of $80 per
annum, commencing
on date of said act
"Certificate to
S. N.  Jones
Union Springs,
Alabama
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6.825
Alabama (Mobile)
===================
Lavice Courson
widow of James
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
======================
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 80 dollars    0. 
cents per annum, to commence
on the 3d February, 1853.
====================
Certificate of Pension issued
22d day of March 1860
and sent to
S. N. Jones
Union Springs
Ala
====================
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 44 4 Vol. H

308154 Bounty Law. Act 55 - ala 160 acres Capt  [illegible] 9/60

S. N. Jones April 9, 1860
_____________________________________
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Brief in the case of Lavice Courson  widow of James Courson  Macon County   and State of Alabama  Claim ( " original "  or  " for increase " )   Proof exhibited , ( if original ) Is it documentary , traditionary  , or supported by rolls ? If either , state the substance.  Husband of Claimant  was a pensioner of the United States  under act of June 7 1832 at rate of  $ 80  per annum  and was paid  to 4th March  1834. He died  13th June  following. Marriage, identity , and present and  whose  proved by parole.  S. N. Jones Esq Union Springs  Alabama   Name and residence of Agent  R. Geddes ( signed )Examining Clerk
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[ The State of Alabama Macon County ] I  Lewis Alexander  Judge of Probate for said County    do hereby certify that  Thomas Pullam is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for  said  County  duly qualified and commissioned as such and that   faith and credit is due to his official acts . Given under my name  and seal of office  this 1st day of July 1839. Lewis Alexander ( signed / sealed ) Judge of Probate
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Widows
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Restoration  & Increase 6.825 Brief in the  Case of Lavice Courson , Widow of James Courson  a Private  Rev. War  Union Springs Bullock County and State of Alabama. Act  2nd Sec Feb. 3 1853  June 13th  Sec  Act July 27 1868 . CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION  CERTIFICATE. PROOF EXHIBITED. Claimant was a pensioner , roll of Alabama  at $ 80  pr. annum Paid to Sep. 4, 1860  Suspended by Act of  Feb. 4, 1862 Certificate alleged lost. She applies to be restored to pension , says she is 96  years of age, has been loyal. She  furnishes the affidavits as proof of her loyalty  and present widowhood. Admitted Jan . 2,  1870  to pension at $ 80  pr annum, to commence  Sep. 5, 1860  & terminate July  26, 1868  also at  $ 96 or annum to commence July 27, 1868  . Name and residence of Agent. Claimant Union Springs Alabama  Care  Hon C. W.  Buckly  M.C. House  Reps   W. E. Trask (signed ) Examining Clerk
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Washington D.C.
May 31st 1870

Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sir:

I have the honor
to hand you herewith the
papers in the case of Mrs
Courson touching the renewal
of her pension. The seal of
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the circuit clerk attached.

It is believed that the
papers will now be found
correct.

May I not ask your
early attention to the case.

I am
Very Respectfully
C. W. Buckley
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Respectfully forwarded to the Hon . Commissioner of Pensions . The parties recommending the receival of their pension are all known to me to be persons of high character and their statement can be relied upon. C. W. Buckley  ( signed ) M.C.  2nd Dist. Ala
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Probate Office , Bullock County . Union Spring Ala. May 14th  1870  Hon. C. W. Buckley  M.C. Washington  D.C.  Dear Friend, Enclosed please find papers for Pension Office to re instate  Mrs. L. Courson on pension list. Dr. S.C. Cowen  & Howell  Peebles  whom you know  to be good loyal men during the war made the affidavit. Please send the certificate of Pension to me.  Your friend. W. H. Black  (signed )
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Union Springs June 25th  1860  Hon. G. C. Whiting  Dear Sir, Enclosed you will find application of Mrs. Lavice Courson  for bounty land  . The proof etc. of her right  to said land you will find of record as set forth in  her petition  referring you to proper book  page etc. For Mrs. Courson's convenience, I have preferred the claim  & made  oath before a different Magistrate to the one in her former application  for pension . Hoping  that you will find every thing right, I subscribe myself . Your  obedient servant . S. N. Jones ( signed ) Atty at Law
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Union Springs Macon County Alabama  Oct 5th   60  Hon Geo. C. Whiting  Dear Sir, I have to  ask the favor of you to supply me with the necessary forms to enable Mrs. Lavice Courson to draw the amount  of her certificate dated 22nd  March  1860  for 566 88/100 dollars  & payable at Mobile  on  4th  September 1860. We have no  light by which  we can determine the proper course to pursue  only to request of you to supply us with  the requisite forms. I would also beg to call your attention to her application for  land warrant No, 308154 dated June 29th  1860 . Have the papers in that application been looked into ? P. S. I  learn that  the Pension agent at Mobile has been  changed. Will you be so kind as to furnish me with the name of the late appointed.  Your compliance with  request above will be dully appreciated. Your obdt. servant. S. N. Jones ( signed ) Atty at Law
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Treasury Department Third Auditor's Office Sept. 3  1839  Sir, In reply to your  enquiry of the 2nd inst. I have to inform you that the pension of James Courson  Mobile Ala.  roll under  Act of June 7, 1832  at  $ 46. 66/100  per annum  appears from the books of this office to have been paid to March  4, 1834 . The papers enclosed by you are herewith returned. Very respectfully your obt. servt.  R. J. Atkinson  ( signed ) Auditor . Geo C. Whiting  Esq. Comm. of Pensions
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Union Springs Sept. 10th / 59  Hon . Geo.  C. Whiting  Sir, Your favor of the 5th Inst. ,  is at hand , and in  reply  I beg to state that  perhaps you are laboring under  some mistake in regard tot a want of official evidence in the  application of Mrs. Lavice Courson  for Pension. In July  last I forwarded  the proper evidence of her marriage  & widowhood  substantiated before Thos. Pullam , whose  official signature was properly certified before our Probate Judge & all the papers enclosed to you together. The proof was made by Col. W. C. Thompson  and S. Hixon  both gentlemen of  influence and veracity. I have  no doubt but that you will find  those papers  of file  , which  seem t be just the papers you are  desire  us to forward you in  notes to make out our  claim . I speak confidently  when  I say that the evidence and r. Pullam's signature  authenticated  were enclosed to you  &
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I apprehend  were  received by you , as a part of the papers were returned to me for correction . You will therefore pleas refer to  those papers  & you will  find the  very evidence you  now require me to  forward. I shall shortly  apply in behalf of Mrs. Courson  for bounty land also as I see from the laws you sent me she is entitled to it. The case of Mrs. Quinely   has been  received and corrected & will be forwarded to you  in a  day or so  I have the honor to be your obdt. & humble servt. S.N. Jones ( signed ) Atty at Law  Hon. Geo. C. Whiting Com. of Pensions
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Union Springs  Macon County Alabama March 14th / 60  Hon. G. C. Whiting  Dear Sir, Your favor of  5th last January  has not been answered before this time in consequence of the delay necessarily  attendant  before the getting up of this kind of testimony. You will therefore ,I hope , pardon the delay that has taken place  in this claim when I   assure you that  it has be inconsiderable.  I think, in this instance you will find that we have complied with the demands you made in   yours of 5th January , in  every   essential particular and we have great  hope  that there may be no other delay in the adjustment of this  claim. I have the honor to be your  very respectful & obdt servant. S. N. Jones ( signed ) Atty at Law
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The State of Alabama
Macon County We Wildridge C. Thompson of said County of Macon and William Gilmore of the County of Pike and state aforesaid upon our oaths declare that we were acquainted with James Courson and his wife Lavice Courson for many years prior to the death of the said James Courson.  That the said Lavice Courson who is making application for pension in right of her husband James Courson is the widow of said James Courson and is still unmarried.  We further declare that the said James Courson and Lavice after they removed to the state of Alabama settled about the line of Montgomery County and continued to reside there for many years previous to, and up to the time of his death.  We further declare upon our oaths that the said James Courson and Lavice Courson lived together as man and wife up to the time of his death that they were regarded by every one as man and wife and that they reared a large family of children in respectability and credit, as the result of their cohabitation; nor has the question of their being man and wife every been doubted among their neighbors and acquaintances to the best of our knowledge and belief.
Wildridge C. Thompson
William Gilmore

The foregoing affidavit, was sworn to and subscribed before me on the 8th day of March A.D. 1860 and I
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certify that I have the  affiants to  be credible  persons of the first respectability  and that I have no interest in the claim of Lavice Courson . Thos Pullam ( signed ) J.P.  [ The State of Alabama  Macon County  ] I Lewis Alexander Judge of Probate  for said County  do hereby certify that Thomas Pullam  whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificate  of acknowledgement  was on the  8th day of March AD 1860  an acting Justice of  Peace in and for said County  duly qualified and commissioned  and that full faith and credit  is due to all his official acts as such. Given under my hand  and seal of office as Tuskegee  this the  10 day of March AD 1860/ Lewis Alexander ( signed / sealed ) Judge of Probate
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application of
James Courson

[illegible]

$80 per annum
________


Hon. Wm R. King
Senate
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[ The State of Alabama Montgomery County ] And the said Court do  hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter  & 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 John Robinson  who has signed the foregoing  certificate is a clergyman  resident  in the County aforesaid  &   that William Robinson  is a resident in the same  & is a credible person  & that their statement is entitled to credit. Benajah S. Bibb ( signed }  I, James C. Belser  clerk of the County Court  for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of  the application of James Courson for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have here unto affixed the seal of the said  Court this 29th  December 1832.  James C. Belser ( signed / sealed ) clk C. C. M. C.
Page 44

[ The State of Alabama Macon County ] Personally appeared  before me Thomas Pullam  an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County   Lavice Courson  who being duly sworn deposeth and  says that the  record evidence  showing the marriage between  James Courson and  herself has been destroyed in the  burning of the Court House  in which said record was kept and that so far as she knows and believes all the witnesses who were present  at the marriage have since died.  Affiant  further says that  she has not other   method of proving  said marriage only by the oaths of  respectable persons who were acquainted with the said James Courson  and herself for many years previous  to and up to the time of the death of the said James Courson .   Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 8th day of March  A. D.  1860. Lavice Courson  ( her mark X ) Tho. Pullam ( signed ) J.P.
Page 45

90,168
I60 Acres
===========
Mr Anderson
Please send
me Pension Papers of
this claimant.  See Vol
[illegible]. Page 444,
A. R. Sparks
July 16 / 60.
Page 46

Respty returned to
==================
Hon C.W. Buckley.
With the request
that the party
before whom
the affidavit
is taken, be certified 
to by him
(the Hon Wm Buckley)
that he is a Clerk
of a Court.
Your Obet Serv
C S Trevitt
C C
Pension Office
May 20 / 70

[stamp]
DEPARTMENT  OF [illegible]
MAY  [illegible]
PEN [illegible]

[stamp]
DEPARTMENT  OF THE INTERIOR
JUN 2 1875
PENSION OFFICE
Page 47

State of Alabama
Bullock County
On this 14th day of May A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy, personally appeared before me, George Williams Clerk of the Circuit Court, in said State and County the same being a court of record Levice Courson aged 96 years a resident of Bullock County in the State of Alabama, who being duly sworn according to law, declared that she is the identical Levice Courson who was a pensioner on the roll of the agency at Mobile, and whose pension certificate has been lost, and can not be found, that she has resided since the First day of January, A.D. 1861 as follows: In Bullock County about Five miles from Union Springs that during this period her means of subsistance [sic] has been by charity she has not in any manner aided or abetted the rebellion, or those prosecuting the said rebellion, or manifested a sympathy with their cause, but on the contrary, did during the said rebellion earnestly desired its suppression by force of arms and that she was last paid her pension on the 20th day of February A.D. 1861.
This application is made for the purpose of securing a restoration of her name to the pension roll, and of obtaining a new pension certificate.
Page 48

such as she may be entitled to under existing laws, reference being made to the evidence heretofore filed in the pension office to substantiate her original claim.
Levice her mark X Courson
Union Springs
Bullock County
Ala

Also personally appeared S.C. Cowan and Howell Peebles residents of Bullock County persons whom I certify to be respectable, and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Levice Courson make her mark to the foregoing declaration, and they further swear that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintande with her that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and they further swear that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.  That said Levice Courson has never married since the death of James Courson her husband.
We know Levice Courson before, and during the war Living neighbor to her, and to our best knowledge and belief she never aided or assisted the
Page 49

Confederate Government in any manner, and that she was loyal to the United States Government.
S C Cowan
Howell Peebles

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 14th day of May A.D. 1870; and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct ore indirect, in the prosecution of the claim.
George Williams Clerk
Bullock Circuit Court

"I, Levice Courson, do solemn.y swear in the presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the union of the States thereunder; that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been made during the existing rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves: so help me God."

Levice her mark X Courson
Page 50

Applicant  of
Lavice Courson
in
Probate Court
August Tenn
1839

[postal stamp]
PENSION. [illegible]
AUG
29
1859
Page 51

The state of Alabama
Macon County } Ss
On this 16th day of August Eighteen hundred and fifty nine personally appeared before the Probate Court of the county of Macon and state of Alabama Lavice Courson a resident of the county of Macon and State aforesaid aged eighty three years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d February 1853 (and all the Congressional acts) granting provisions to widows of persons who served duing the revolutionary war that she is the widow of James Courson who was a soldier (private) in said army as this deponent believes and who was drawing a pension at the time of his death for proof of which statement reference is made to the evidence filed in his application of second in the department of the Interior at Washington City under date of 1833 and 1834 or immediately preceeding that time said deponent having no other evidence at that date within her knowledge to establish said service &c nor is this deponent able to state under what particular act of Congress the said James Courson was drawing pensions
Page 52

at the time of his death said pensions having been paid to him in the city of Montgomery State of Alabama that said James Courson was a citizen of the state of South Carolina and District of Lancaster this deponent believes at the time he entered the service and that he died in the county of Macon state of Alabama on the 13th June Eighteen hundred and thirty four
She further declares that she was married to the said James Courson about the first of October Eighteen hundred and three that she was not married to him prior to the second of January eighteen hundred but at the time above stated she further declares that she has not intermarried since his death and is now a widow Lavice her x mark Courson
sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written as
 [illegible] my hand & seal of office
lrs 16th day of 
August 1839
Lewis Alexander
Judge of Probate
Page 53

Widows Dec
& Proof

[stamp]
PENSION OFFICE
JUL
7
1959
Page 54

United State of America
State of Alabama
Macon County} Be it known that before [illegible] Thomas Pullam a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid state appeared duly authorized by law to administer oaths personally appeared Lavice Courson and made oath in due form of law that she is the widow of James Courson [illegible]
[illegible] who was a justice [illegible]
and is now dead that the said James Courson was drawing a pension at the time of his death at the rate of ninety six dollars per annum see account of his revolutionary services that she was married to the said James Courson in the county of Washington state of Georgia by Wm Sweth a justice of the peace in October 1803 and that he died in the county of Macon state of Alabama on the 13th day of June 1834 that she has not intermarried but continues a widow and has not  [illegible] every  [illegible] in eight of  [illegible] deceased husband Jaems Courson since his death that she declares this application of the provisions guaranteed to her by the Congress of the United States in  [illegible] her said deceased husband that at this time where has been  [illegible]  [illegible]  [illegible]
he was residing in the county of Macon   [illegible] the  [illegible] of Montgomery state of Alabama and that she has continued to reside in said county from that time to the
Page 55

present being a period of twenty-five years
Sworn to and subscribed this the 29th day of June 1859 in presence of S N Jones before me Tho Pullum Jp } Lavice her x mark Courson
State of Alabama
Macon County} Be it known that before me Thomas Pullam a justice of the peace in & for the county aforesaid duly authorized by law to administer oaths personally appeared Lavice Courson and made oath in due form of law that she is the widow of James Courson the identical person who was a pensioner and is now dead
That the deceased pensioner resided in the county of Macon (near the line of Montgomery) state of Alabama for two years before his death and that previous thereto he resided in the county of Washington State of Georgia
sworn to & subscribed the 29th day of June 1859} Lavice her x mark Courson
before me
Tho Pullam JP 
State of Alabama
Macon County } 
Wildridge C Thompson
[illegible] of the county
of Macon and Samuel Hixon resident
Page 56

of the court of Pike both of said state of Alabama upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declarations were signed and acknowledged by Lavice Courson in our presence that we know said James Courson well during his life that he was drawing pensions up to the time of his death and resided in the county of Macon state of Alabama during that time and that said declarant is the widow of said James Courson & the identical person she represents herself to be and is still a widow and that we have no interest in this claim
Wildridge C Thompson
Samuel Hixon

State of Alabama
Macon County} The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I knew the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and is still a widow and that I have no interest in this claim
Tho Pullum
Justice of the Peace