Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6942, James Cotton, Va.
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Va.
Cotton, James
& Cotten, Nancy
W. 6942
CONTENTS
This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
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6574
Alabama
James Cotton
of Madison in the State of Alabama
who was a Private & Son the company commanded Captain Harston of the Rg
commanded by Gen Green in the Virginia 3 Mr Prent $10.00 6 " Sargent of Country- 15.00 $55.00

Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama
at the rate of 55 Dollars per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of March 1833 and sent to Hon J. Moore

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1832
$82.50 Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 1833 - 27.50 $110.00
Recorded by Book
Vinal Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Lace Clerk, Vol. 10 Page 149 18th February 1838 to Pensions 1838.

(Decatur Agent Letter to 3 and & Hon William 16. Jany 1839 P did at the Treasury the act of the 6th a from 4th March 1837 to Feby 1838 the day of Agt notified 2 Jany Dead 2 April 18 

July 
April 1838 the 18th his death
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10435

Alabama
Nancy Cotton
Widow of James Cotton who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 18th Feb. 1838, of Madison  in the state of Al. who was a Priv. sec in the Company commanded by Captain Hartson of the Reg commanded by Gen Green in the Revolution line for 3 M.P. 6 .. days

Inscribed on the Roll of Huntsville at the rate of 55 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd day of May, 1849, and sent to B.T. Moore

Total amount,
Hunstville,
Ala,
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by H. Lumpkin, Clerk
Book D Vol. 1 Page 329.
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Alabama 
In the Circuit Court of Madison County held at Huntsville on the 30th day of October 1832 - his Honor William J Adair Judge thereof presiding- 

Then personally appeared in open court James Collen resident of said County aged 67 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. 

That having no record of his birth, but confiding in the tradition in his father's family concerning it, affiant believes he was born in Guilford County in the then Colony of North of North Carolina in October 1765. In January 1781 when visiting his relation in Henry County, Virginia, he substituted himself in place of one Nance, links John Nance, in Capt Geo Harston's company of men drafted from that County for a three months tour to North Carolina to assist in combatting the British & Tories, who then infested that colony. 

He & his company were marched directly into N. Carolina, where at Dan reviwill, as he thinks they joined Majr Gen: Green's any. He proceeded with that army in its movements until the enemy under Corn Wallis was met near Guilford Courthouse. According to his best impressions the General shortly after demise approached the large waste field of the battle ground from the east, leaving that portion of the militia, in which affiant was on the eastern skirt of the field as a reserve the enemy about the same time advanced from the West under a cannonade. The battle lasted several hours, when affi ant with the reserve were led before the enemy to cover the retreat of the regiments which had been engaged & only fired a round or so & were ordered to retreat with ┃ the main body of the army. The whole retreat was in order & as affiant believes without pursuit, except some horse, who showed themselves in the year as for as the bridge over Haw river, about two miles distant from the ┃ scene of action. Gen Greene called at Troublesome Iron works about 10 miles distant, & in a few days marched upon the enemy & again halled at Ramsey's mills on Depriver. When marching to the latter point the army proceeded in files of four & an order was passed along the
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line to open the files so as to leave a space in the centre, when some field officers rode swiftly the the space, & during this movement the attention of affiant was pointed to a man hanging under a tree on the right of the line with or paper spread on his breast, which advertised, as was ported, his name vocation & deeds as a tory. Over against him on an eminence sat some ten or dozen men, by whom, as affiant supposed the very had been caught delivated. Whilst the army was encamped at Ramsey will there was an alarm & the army put in motion toward the point as if to meet the enemy & a hollow square formed around a tree in an open space as of to repel a charge from Cavalry, when to the surprise of all two men were conducted into the centre thing to the same limb of the tree: they to were doubtless Tories. Affiant & his company were then ordered to join Col Lee light horse at ┃ Cape Fear where the colonel addressed the company & arged twelve of them to enlist in his regiment of declaring that that number would complete affiant & eleven of his comrades enlisted under Lee until the close of the war as regular dra goons or light horseman. The rest of Harston's company were then discharged. The next morning Col Lee enquired for some one acquainted in Guilford County, & being informed by affiant that he was he stated he wished to send an express to Col Lacley thou & affiant consented to bear it. On delivering it to Col Pacely, he directed affiant to go with him in his expedition against the Town. In that expedition he was in Capt John Macado's con pany. On returing Capt John May raised a company of horseman into which affiant was put & appointed orderly Sergeant, & another expedition against the Tories was performed. On affiants return from this he was put in command of the man left at Guilford Courthouse consisting of a few
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a certain day some officers, apparently in the reg lar service rode up one of them, he thinks May Rutherford, ordered affiant to put his men under arms to draw ammunition for battle & besides full rations of run. This being done & the more reported ready-- & affi and expecting orders to march upon the Town Rutherford appeared on horse & read and the proclaination of peace-- & gave permission to expend the powder frum in rejoicing. - a written discharge was neither asked nor thought of by affiant. He had been nearly a year, above six months, in actual contin service above six months of the time a dragoon regularly enlisted, & raised, as offi and then considered it to the dignity of and orderly in his troop. He continued to reside in Guilford County until about 1789, when he ungrated to the settlement about Nashold in Tennessee. He afterward removed into Smith County in that State, where he was elected caption of militia & received the commission of a Justice of the peace as will appear by two copies of orders of the County Court of that county, herewith sent about the first settlement of the County of Madison, a of Alabama, he removed thither, where ever since he has resided He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State without exception affiant knows of no one by whom he can now prove a personal knowledge of his services except John Gibson, whose affidavit he has procured by great exertion, which he is advised wants further authortion tion, but being unable to travel back to procure the withentication he annexes it hereto Sworn to & subscribed in open court this Book October 1832 Leadell James ter
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Jeremiah Gurley, aged above 72, a citizen of Madison County [come back to this], appeared also in court & on his oath declares that having been in Genl Greene's army in its march from Troublesome iron works to Ramsey's mills, & having witnessed the incident of the Tory hanging by the road side & the hanging of two others at Ramsey's mills as described in the foregoing declaration of James Cotton & from a variety of other incidents related to affiant by James Cotton as occurring in the Campaign in which those related occurred he is fully convinced that James Cotton was actually engaged in the revolutionary service as he on his declaration assents. Sworn to & subscribed in open court 30th October 1832
Jeremiah Gurley
List
L Mead Clerk

We Ezekiel Craft -- a clergyman, residing in the county of Madison aforesaid and George Taylor -- of the same county, do certify that we are well acquainted with James Cotton who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be sixty seven years old that he is reputed & believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution: & that we concur in that opinion-
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 30th
List 
October 1832
L Mead Clerk
Ezekiel Craft
George Taylor

And the said court doth hereby declare in Opinion after the investigation of the matter & after pulling the interrogation prescribed by the War Department, that the above named James Cotton, the applicant, was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the court further certifies that it is satisfied that Ezekiel Craft whose name appears & was signed by him to the preceding certificate is a clergyman & resident of said county of Madison & that Majr George Taylor who has also signed the same is a resident in said county & is a credible person, & that their statement is entitled to credit.

W.J. Adair
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Alabama
Madison County:

I Lemuel Mead, clerk of the Circuit Court of said county, do hereby certify that the foregoing & [illegible] contains the original Proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of James Cotton for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 30th day of October 1832
L Mead

Alabama: Madison County-
Before me Lemuel Mead, clerk & Master in Chancey of the Circuit court of said county, and by the laws of this state fully competent to administer oaths, this 11th day of February 1833 came James Cotton & produced the preceding & annexed declaration & evidences for a pension in order to have the same rendered more specific & farther authenticated according to instructions from the War Department of the United States- 
Whereupon the said James Cotton, who is still a resident citizen of said county, in proper person, made oath & farther declared that the entire period of his service in the revolution as specified in the annexed declaration was certainly eleven months & some over eleven months, but respectfully claims only for eleven months service, three thereof as a private & the residue of the eleven months as an orderly sergeant; that he could & would have specified
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the period with more precision, but he & as he is informed & believed the person who prepared the declaration were not apprised that the pension was to be graduated according to the length of service, but believed it only needful to show a service of six months- Affiant produced Jeremiah Gurley to prove a knowledge of his service; & also the REv. Ezekiel Craft & Major George Taylor to attest his affiant's age & credibility, & could, had he known it was needful, have produced any desirable amount of evidence of the credibility of the said Gurley also; that said Gurley resides on the Hurricane fork of Hunt river, in father-in-law of the Rev. Thomas King, & being personally known to the hon~ Gabriel More, of the Senate of the United States affiant asks to refer to him in regard to the credibility of said Gurley.
James Cotton

Byrd Brandon, attorney of the United States for the northern district of Alabama, makes oath that he has been for some years acquainted with Major James Cotton, whose declaration for a pension is annexed, that he is of unblemished character & highly respectable so far as affiant knows or believes & that affiant fully concurs in the affidavit of the Rev. Ezekiel Craft & Major George Taylor as to his age & credibility- affiant has been about twelve years acquainted with Jeremiah Gurley, whose affidavit is also annexed, that said Gurley is & has been for many years a resident citizen of the county of Madison aforesaid; that he is & has been of excellent character & standing, and no one more credible: that he is well known in the county & affiant believes his whole acquaintance would, if requested, unite in this certificate concerning him.
Byrd Brandon

John M Cartney of county, makes oath that he has read the above affidavit of Byrd Brandon esq & also that of said Craft & Taylor, & that he concurs in what the said Brandon states above.
John M Cartney
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Declaration
Nancy Cotton, widow of James Collon, deceased
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th
July, 1838, entitled An act granting half pay and pensions to
certain widows.
The United States of Amenior On this the 23rd day of
State of Alabama September in the year, one
Madison County ss. ⎬ thousand eight hundred and
forty-their, personally appeared before me John C. Thompson
Judge of the County Court of said County of Madison
Nancy Cotton, a resident of the County last aforesaid in
the State aforesaid, aged seventy eight years, who being first
duly man, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision
made by the act of Congress, passed July 7 1838, intil
ted an act granting half-pay and pensions to entain
widows"" that she is the widow of James Cotton, deceased
he was engaged in the Revolutionary War of the United States
of Amen and who served as detailed in his declara
time by him heretofore, in his life true made for the purpose
of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress passed on
the seventh day of June eighteen hundred and thirty two,
entitled An Act supplementary to the Act for the relief of
certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution, and
to which declaration the refers, being unable to state of her
own knowledge in what troop or company, and regiment or corps
he died, and the grade he held, and being also unable to state
the day month and year when he entered the service and the
time when he left the same and other particulars was an
unially stated and set forth in declaration of that character
she further declares that she was married to the said James
Cotton, on the twentieth day of December, seventeen hundred and
eighty six dollars she can recollect, and that her husband
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the aforesaid James Cotton, died on the eighteenth day of January, eighteen hundred and thirty eight; that she was not married to him prior to him leaving the service, but the marriage took place [illegible] to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four at the there above stated in the state of North Carolina.
Said Nancy Cotton also states that she has through her friend, made diligent inquiry in the state of North Carolina when she was married for the for the rend-of their marriage as aforesaid, and that she has not been enabled to obtain any transcript of the same nor to find the same, but she is informed and believes that the fact of her marriage to rend James Cotton as aforesaid, can be established by two or three witnesses, who still survive and live in the neighborhood of the place where she was married & that she has
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State of Alabama
Madison County }

This day personally appeared before me F. T. Spivey an acting Justice of the in and for the State and County aforesaid John Lamberson sen who been duly sworne (sic) deposeth and sayeth that he was acquainted with James Cotton and his wife Nancy Cotton in the year one thousand eight hundred and ten, 1810, and that the above named Nancy Cotton is now claiming a pension as the widow of the above named James Cotton and that he was acquainted with Peter J. Cotton and that the said P. J. Cotton lived with him in the year one thousand eight hundred and eleven 1811, believed him to be the son of the aforesaid James and Nancy Cotton and that the said Peter J. Cotton had a family consisting of a wife and two children at that time and that he the said John Lamberson was well acquainted with the said Peter J. Cotton's sisters and brothers namely Mary, Martha, Tabitha, Charles K.
John Lamberson
Sworne to and subscribed before me this the 10th day of February 1847
F. T. Spivey J. P.l
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The State of Alabama
Madison County SS
I John W Otey Clerk of the County Court of Madison in the State of Alabama do hereby certify that F T Spivey where name is subscribed to his ongoing [illegible] as a justice of the Peace, is and was at the date of this said certificate, an acting justice of the Peace for said county duly qualified agreeably to law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto  set my name and official seal of my Office, an Office in Huntsville, this the Eleventh day of February Eighteen hundred and forty seven & 71st year of American Independence

John W Otey Clerk (seal)
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State of Alabama
Madison County
I F T Spivey an acting [illegible] the peace in and for said county and being the same Justice before whom the deposition of John Lamberson was taken as sett forth in the deposition hereto anexed as having been taken on the 10th day of February 1847 do hereby certify that the said John Lamberson is a creditable witness that I have known him for the last ten years and that is testimony may be fully credited and relied upon as the truth 
Given under my hand and seal
This the 3rd day of July 1847
F.T. Spivey (Seal)
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State of Tennessee 
McNairy County
Be it Known that before me James Michie a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally approved Nancy Cotton, John Lewis and Maclin Cross all of said county. and On this oaths satisfactorally proved to me that Nancy Cotton was the lawful wife of the late James Cotton of said County Deceased and that her said husband died on the 18 day of February 1838 and that at the time of his death he had been placed on the Roll of Revolutionary Pensions of the United States Under the Law of the 7th June 1832 and that the said James Cotton were the Identical James Cotton Named in an Original Certificate in his possession at the day of his death which I certify the following to be a true copy
War Department
Revolutionary Claim
I Certify that in Conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7 June 1832 James Cotton of the State of Alabama who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Fifty Five Dollars per Annum during his natural life Commencing On the 4th of March 1831 and payable semiannually On the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.
(Seal)
Given at the War Office of the United States this 2nd day of March One thousand eight hundred and thirty three,
Lew Cass
Secretary of War

Examined and Counts signed
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

And that said Nancy Cotton John Lewis and Maclin Cross further testifies that James Cotton at the time of his death Resided in said County of McNairy and had resided there twelve months previous, thereto he resided in Madison County State of Alabama, and the said John Lewis and Maclin Cross further testifies that Nancy Cotton the widow of James Cotton Deceased is in such health old age and body inferiority that she cannot appear in Open Court.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17 day of November 1838.

Nancy Cotton (Seal)
John Lewis (Seal)
Maclin Cross (Seal)
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Know all men by these present that I Nancy Cotton od the County of McNairy in the State of Tennessee widow of the late James Cotton of said County Decd. do hereby Constitute and appoint Christopher H Williams of Henderson County in said State, my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying pensioners in Washington City District of Columbia the pension due my late husband the said James Cotton Decd. from the 4 day of March 1837 to the 18 day of February 1838 being the day of his death.  Witness  my hand and seal this 17 day of November 1838,
Teste, Nancy Cotton (Seal)

State of Tennessee 
McNairy County
Sct
Be itKnown that On the 17 day of November 1838 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Nancy Cotton the widow of the late James Cotton Decd. above named and acknowledged in the foregoing power of Attorney to be her Act and Deed for the use and purposes therein Contained. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and date last above written.
Teste
John Lewis
James Dameron (his x mark)

FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
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State of Tennessee
McNairy County
Set
I John R Adams clerk of the County Court for said county do hereby certify that James Michie is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and officed my seal of Office this 17 Nov 1838,
John R Adams clk
pr J P Young DClk

Final Payment Voucher Recived From GAO at the bottom right page
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FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER 
Received from GAO

No 5007
Atc
James Cotton deed $53.02
Pensioned
for Act 7 June !832
Decatur Ala.
&
William Young, deed 41.82
94.84
Pensioned 
for Act 7 June 1832
Jackson Tennessee 
Act 6 April 1838
January 22d 1839
27
Rie 29 January 1839 of the 3C Auditor of the Treasr. Reg 18° 1011 dated 24 mst. for ninety four dollars & 84/100 being in full of the within
C H Williams
$94.84/100
Act 6 April 38
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D The United States
To the Widow of James Cotton doe late a Private of Pensioned on the Roll of Docatur (now Huntsville) Alabama under Act 7 June 1832.
For the pension of the deceased from 4 March 1837 to 18 February 1838, the day of his death, 11 months & 148 days at $55p per Annum, per Voucher filed henceforth.
$53.02
And to the Widow of William Young. doed late as Private of Pensioner on the Roll of Jackson Tennessee under Act 7 June 1832 
For the pension of the deceased from March 1834 to 26 July 1835 the day of his death 2 year & 145 days at $30 per Annum per Voucher filed henceforth.
$41.82

Treasury Department 
Third Auditors Office
January 22d 1839
By T H Hanson

Second Comptrollers Office
Examined by L E Carthcart
23 Jan 1839

FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
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 Page 20
                                             July 14, 1933
                                                 xxxxxxxxxxxx
                                       James Cotton, W.6942
                                 BA-J/MCS aun
Mrs. M. C. Moseley
Byron 
Georgia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of James Cotton.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 6942, based upon the military service of James Cotton or Cotten.

He was born in October, 1765, in Guilford County, North Carolina.

While visiting relatives in Henry County, Virginia, he enlisted in January, 1781, and served three months as private in Captain George Harson's Virginia Company and was in the battle of Guilford Court House.  He immediately enlisted in Colonel Lee's Regiment of Light Dragoons and served about eight months as an express rider and orderly sergeant.

In 1789 he moved "to the settlement about Nashville, Tennessee".  From there he moved to Smith County, Tennessee, and from there to Madison County, Alabama.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 30, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Madison County, Alabama.

He died February 18, 1838.

The soldier married December 20, 1786, at the home of his uncle, William Cotton, in Rockingham County, North Carolina, Nancy Johnson who apparently was the daughter of Gideon Johnson.

[handwritten] re. of McNairy Co. Tenn at time of death
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She was allowed pension on her application executed September 23, 1843, at which time she was seventy-eight years of age and was a resident of Madison County, Alabama.
In 1848 she was living in Jackson County, Alabama.
Reference was made to the following children of James and Nancy Cotton or Cotten:
Peter J.[ohnson]  born December 25, 1787, and in 1811 had a wife and two children, names not given.
Mary   born March 15, 1792.
Martha   born May 19, 1795.
Tabitha A.   born February 3 or 23, 1801, married --- Lewis.
Charles K.   born October 3, 1805.
The widow's brother, Abner, and his wife, Nancy, were living in Maury County Tennessee, in 1845, aged eight-five and eighty-two years, respectively.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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Page 22                                               
                                                        WCS     
                                                          aw         
Rev. & 1812 War Section
February 17, 1927

Mrs. Lillian T. Wall
Columbia, R.F.D #4
S.C.

Madam:
I have to inform you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 6942, it appears that JAMES COTTON (or Cotten) was born in October, 1765, in Guilford County, North Carolina.
While visiting relatives in Henry County, Virginia, he enlisted in January, 1781, and served three months as a private in Captain George Harston's Virginia Company; he was in the battle of Guilford Court House. He immediately enlisted in Colonel Lee's Regiment if Light Dragoons and served about eight months as express rider and orderly sergeant.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 30, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Madison County, Alabama. He died February 18, 1838.
He married in Rockingham County, North Carolina, December 20, 1786, Nancy Johnson. She was allowed pension on her application executed September 23, 1843, at which time she was seventy-eight years of age and was a resident of Madison County, Alameda.
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In 1848 she was living in Jackson County, Alabama.
Children of James and Nancy Cotton:
Peter J. born December 25, 1787, and in 1811 he had a wife and two children, no names given.
Mary '' March 15, 1792.
Martha '' May 19, 1796.
Tabitha A. '' Feb 3 or 23, 1801, married --- Lewis.
Charles K. '' October 3, 1805.

Respectfully,
E.W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
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Byron Ga
July 2 1933
Bureau of Interior
Pension Dept.
Dear sir,
Please send me Pension record of James Cotton res. of Madison - private in Va Militia enrolled Mar. 2 - 1833 under act of Congress June 2 1832. Rev. Pension Roll Vol. 14 Sen. Doc 514 - 23rd Congress - 1833-34 also transferred from Edgefield S.C. 
& Please give what civil date you have & oblige
Mrs MC Moseley
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Columbia, S.C.
Dec. 29-1926

U.S. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:

Will you please send me copies of the record of the following soldiers of the revolution?

James Cotton, private Virginia Militia, age 69
Enrolled Vol. XIV, Senate document 514, 23rd Cong. 1st session
1833-34
Page 26


John McCartney private
North Carolina Militia
Age 75
Enrolled Vol XIV, Senate
Document 514-23rd Congress
1st session 1833-34
      Respectfully
      (Mrs.) Lillian T. Wall
     Columbia, S.C.
     R.F.D. 4
Page 27

(left panel)
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 6942
Nancy Cotton
Widow
James Cotton
     Sergt. Rev. War
Act:  Feb. 2, 1848
Index:--Vol. A, Page 144
     {Arrangement of 1870.}

(right panel)
March 16, 1922.  Data to Hon. J.W. Fordney.  see cov. in James Cotton R. 1830
1922 Mar. 30.  Photostat copies mailed to Mrs. Robert B. Tatham, 1130 6th Ave., Laurel, Miss.  (see receipt for payment in James Cotton, N.J.R. 1830)  AW
1927, Feb. 17.  Hist. to Mrs. Lillian T. Wall  W.C.
1933 July 14.  hist. to Mrs. N.C. Nisseley  W.C.
1930 May 5.  Cerf. 6- (illegible)  John Sparkman for Mrs. Howard C. Jones (Del. ltr in (illegible) of Robert Allen (S39661)  M & NH3:B
Page 28

(This is a file card.)
(MF42)  Date Mar. 25, 1922
Name James Cotton  No. W6942
War Rev.
Photographic copies wanted of 2
pieces, consisting of 5 pages.
Remarks:  _________
A.E. Wilson, Exr. J.H. Wood Chief Record Div
Serial 6295                  Law Clerk
No.________

over (written large on right side)
Page 29

papers copied
were
three pages of
declaration of
James Cotton ere.
Oct. 30, 1832
&
two pages aff
Judith Strong
May 15, 1843
Page 30

State of Tennessee Maury County
    The undersigned Nancy Johnson, Wife of Abner Johnson, citizen of the county of Maury and state of Tennessee, being now in the eighty third year of age, states that she knows Nancy cotton, widow after James Cotton died, spoken of written affidavits of Abner Johnson, almost since her earliest recollections.  She knows her before her marriage to the said James Cotton which she thinks took place almost 59 years ago.  Applicant did not see the said Nancy with said James married, but she recollects very distinctly that it was said and understood in the Family of old Mr. Johnson (the said Nancy's Father) that the said Nancy was to be married to the said James Cotton at a time that's fixed upon & understood.  She knew that after that time, the said Nancy and James lived together and cohabited as husband and wife and were received, treated and recognized as such by all the Family of Gideon Johnson and their acquaintances generally.  The applicant recollects very distinctly that within the usual time for such occurrence, after the said marriage, the said Nancy gave birth to a child & this applicant then waited upon and attended to the said Nancy during her confinement.
Page 31

She further states that the said Nancy & James continued to live together as husband & wife from that time as she fully believes up to the time of the death of said James.
                   Nancy X Cotton
                     (her mark)
(illegible) Gid. J. Pillow
                J.B. Pillow

State of Tennessee
Maury County
      Personally appeared before me Jas. M. White an acting justice of the peace for said county of Maury Nancy Johnson who signed the above affidavit in my presence and made oath in dur form of law the facts stated in said affidavit and are to the best of her knowledge and belief.
              July 17th 1845
              Nancy X Johnson  (crossed out)
                 (her mark)

Jas. M. White, J.P. test
Page 32

Hon. James L Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City

(upside down)
submitted to Com of Pensions and decided that the opinion above should commence 4 March 1836
Apl 17, 1849

(stamped)  FREE
Page 33

                              Huntsville, Alabama
                              Friday 4th August 1848
Hon. James L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Sir;
     Mrs. Nancy Cotton of Jackson County, to whom a pension certificate numbered 10,435 has been issued thinks that she is entitled to give years pension from the Act of March 1836 - her husband died on the 18 July 1828 and she says her declaration for a pension was filed (as she thinks) long before the passage of the act restricting the grand of pension in certain cases & approved July 20th 1825.  Will you have the kindness to ascertain whether she is not entitled to five years pay & to inform me, for her, at what time her declaration was filed and when it was made - Her pension certificate states that she is entitled to a pension commencing this 18 Feb. 1838 & terminating on the 4th Marc 1840.  If she is entitled to five years pension, then the certificate she has can be surrendered in lieu of another - She also has a certificate for five years pension commencing on 4 March 1843 terminating on the 4th March 1848. 
                       I am, Sir, very respectfully
                           Your obdt. servant
                           B.T. Moore
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                  TREASURY DEPARTMENT
                              Second Comptroller's Office
                              January 23, 1839
Sir:
     Under the act of the 6th of April, 1833 entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States".  The widow of James Cotton, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Huntsville, Ala, Agency, at the rate of Fifty five Dollars per annum, under the law of the 7th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837 to the 18th February, 1838, the day of his death.
                                  Respectfully yours,
                                  Albion K. Parris
                                       Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present
Page 35

(right panel)

10752
Nancy Cotton
Alabama
Act 7, July 38
Married before 1794
Page 36

State of Alabama
I, John C. Thompson Judge of the Madison County and County Court of said courts do hereby certify that I have satisfactory evidence , to act, pension affidavits of Henry Lewis and Tabitha Lewis of Jackson County in said state, that the aforesaid Nancy Cotton is the identical widow of the said James Cotton, deceased, who was in his lifetime a revolutionary pensioner of the United States and that he said on this eighteenth day of February eighteen hundred and thirty eight.
               Jno. C. Thompson

     I, John M. Otey, clerk of the county court in the State of Alabama, do hereby certify that John C. Thompson, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is now and was at the date of the sworn the Judge of said County Court and that his signature aforesaid is genuine.
               In testimony whereof I have subscribed 
               my name and affix the seal of said 
               county Court at  Office in Huntsville, this 
               the twenty fifth day of October A.D. one 
               thousand eight hundred and forty three.
                             Jno. W. Otey Clerk
Page 37

Declaration
of James Cotton
for Pension

Madison
Alabama

Service Admitted
Page 38

And the said James Cotton, Byrd Brandon & John McCartney having subscribed sworn to the foregoing & annexed suppletory affidavits.  I, the said Lemuel Mead, clerk as aforesaid expressing also my knowledge of the credibility of Jeremiah Gurley, proceed to authenticate the original & suppletory evidence for a pension, the declaration of the said James Cotton, the affidavits of said Gurley & of Ezekiel Craft & George Taylor with the certificate of the Judge of my said county which were heretofore authenticated by me, being now annexed hereto.
          In testimony where I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 11th day of Feb. 1833.

     L. Mead
Page 39

                                  H of Rep
                                   2nd Apl. 1844

Sir;
     I beg leave to enclose you the letter of her:  Mary Cotton of Jackson Co. Ala. asking service information in relation to her application for a pension sent on in Oct. last.
     Please give her the information for her to:
                                   With great respect
                                    Your Ob. St.
                                    R. Chapman

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Court of Pensions
Page 40

                                 H. R. Washington City
                                  Feby. 7th 1845
Sir;
     I beg leave to enclose a letter from Mrs. Mary Cotton of Madison Co. Ala. who has filed in your office her application for a pension.  I also enclose a letter from the Clk. of Rockingham Co. N. Carolina containing a certificate, which I presume will (illegible) record widow of the marriage of Mrs. Cotton.  The Hon. David S. Read the member of this House from (illegible) in N.C. certifies that T.B. Wheeler is Clk. of Rockingham Co.
    I have to ask that Mrs. Cotton pension certificate may (illegible) if you find that her claim is established.
                               With great respect
                               Your Ob. St.
                                R. Chapman

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Court of Pensions
Page 41

Hon. W.R.W. Cobb
Washington City 
D.C.
Page 42

                               Washington
                                March 5   49
(illegible)
Sir   This is the 3rd letter I have filed on this subject this session (illegible) an answer and have the (illegible) will you be good enough to answer enquiries contained in the declaring this letter with the answer to me at Bellefonte.
                                Old
                                Your ob Svt
                                 WRW Cobb

J L Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Page 43

(Stamped)  HUNTSVILLE ALA
                   SEP 18
(Stamped)   FREE

(on side, vertical) Mr Cobb

Hon James L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 44

                                     Huntsville, Alabama
                                     Monday 18 September 1848
James L. Edwards (illegible)
Com. of Pensions
Washington City,
Sir;
     Enclosed I send you the declaration of this Nancy Cotton, widow of James Cotton, dec'd, which she has made with a view of obtaining a pension under the act of 2nd February last.
     On the fourth of August, I addressed also in relation to Mrs. Cotton's pension under the former laws, to which I have not yet had the pleasure of your reply.  The old lady is anxious to hear and request that as soon as may be concerned, you may reply to that letter.
                         I am, Sir, very respectfully
                         Your Obdt. Servt.
                                B.T. Moore
Page 45

                                House of Rep.
                                Washington Jn 15th 48/

Sir;
     Enclosed please fine Mrs. Nancy Cottons certificate and a letter from WH Moore which examine and if proper make the necessary alteration in certificate and answer said letter enclosing said back to me certificate and letter as early as concerned.

               I love the honor to be your
               Friend and Obt. Sevt.
                         WRW Cobb
Page 46

                                      Pension Agency
                                      Huntsville, Ala.
                                      August 28th 1847

Sir
     Mrs. Nancy Cotton has exhibited to me your letter of the 31st (illegible) addressed to "B.T. Moore Esq." of this place, in which you state
     "If Mrs. Cotton is now living and will make a declaration under the Joint Resolution of 23rd January 1845, she may obtain a pension for the full five years, under the act of July 7th 1838, notwithstanding her husband received one for a part of that time" - Mrs. Cotton now requests me to pay her a pension but I have not yet received any authority from your office to do so.
     You will please advise me whether I am to pay her pension - for how long a time - at what rate - and what kind of voucher she must provide.
                     I am, Very Respectfully,
                     Your obdt. servt.
                                    W.H. Moore

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Com of Pensions
Washington
Page 47

(left panel)

3 mo. Pr Infy
6 mo Segt. Cavalry

Adm
53-
27.30
Page 48

                           Senate Chamber
                               March 1st 1883

I certify that James Gurley whose name is attached to certain documents of James Cotton making application for a pension is a worthy and respectable citizen and that full credence may with safety & prosperity be given to all his statements.- 
                                               Gabriel Moore
Page 49

                         (illegible) of the Bank of the State
                         (illegible) 15 March 1838

JL Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir
     I enclose the voucher of Nancy Cotton widow of James Cotton dec'd, a pensioner under act of June 1832 at the rate of $55 per annum, please say if we should make the payment.

                                      Respectfully
                                      Your ob srt
                                      S.O. Nelson Clerk
                                      for (illegible) Pension
Page 50

Payment to be made
at Huntsville
by W.H. Moore, Esq.
Agency for paying pensioners
in the Agency of Huntsville, Alabama
Payable on issued new certificate
presentation.  Pension to commence
March 1836.  Agency to deduct what has heretofore been paid.  #55 per annum

     Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book D
     Vol. 1 Page 329 by Th. Lumpkin
                                    Clerk
Page 51

                       WAR DEPARTMENT
                         Widow's Pension
     I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Nancy Cotton, of Alabama, widow of James Cotton who was a Private and Sergeant in the Revolution, and died on the 18th day of February, 1838, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Fifty five dollars per annum, commencing on the 18th day of February, 1838, and terminating on the 4th of March 1841, unless the Pensioner married or died before the last mentioned date, in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
                Given at the War Office of the United
                States, this 25th day of May, one
                thousand eight hundred and forty- 
                eight.
                             W.L. Marcy
                              Secretary of War

(imprint of seal)
Examined and
Countersigned            J.L. Edwards
                                   Commissioner of Pensions
                (illegible)     F.S. Evans
Page 52

(stamped)   HUNTSVILLE AL
                    OCT 26
(vertical)      9923 Nov 4, 1843
(vertical)      Alabama
                    July 7 1838
                    Nancy Cotton

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 53

                        Huntsville, Alabama
                        Monday 25 October 1843
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
DC

Enclosed I send you the application of Mrs. Nancy Cotton, widow of James Cotton, deceased, late a Revolutionary Pensionary for a Pension.  This applicant was married in the County of Rockingham in North Carolina, but she has not been enabled to obtain any answer of it from the Clerk's office, the Clerk not being able to find any records as far back as he manages as he has informed her.  She denies that the result of her application be communicated me as soon as may be (illegible).
                         I am, Sir, very respectfully,
                         Your Obdt. Servt.
                                B.T. Moore
Page 54

                           House of Reps.
                           Feby 18th 1847

Sir;
     I beg leave to send you additional evidence in relation to Nancy Cotton whose application for a pension with the (illegible as right margin is cut off) Ben T. Moore of Huntsville Alabama )illegible as right margin is cut off) on the subject.
                             Very respectfully,
                              Your ob. svt.
                              R. Chapman

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Com of Pensions

(note in margin)
please give her the result of the application as early as convenient.
Page 55

(stamped)    FREE
(vertical)       July 16 47
                     (illegible) Nancy Cotton

                              Official Business

Col. Joseph L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 56

                   Huntsville, Alabama
                   Thursday the 8th July 1847

Col. Joseph L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City

Sir,
     Enclosed you will find the depositions of John Lamberson and Peter J. Cotton, with a certificate of the Justice of the Peace, as to their credibility of the witnesses, which to your letter of 2nd March last to Hon. R. Chapman is all that will be necessary to establish the marriage of Mrs. Nancy Cotton, widow of James Cotton, before 1794, and all that is required to make out her claim.
     Her certificate of pension may be forwarded to me, or to her, to my care at this Post Office.
                        I am, Sir, very respectfully,
                        Your obdt. servt.
                              B.T. Moore
Page 57

(stamped)    HUNTSVILLE ALA
                     FEB 15
(written vertical)
Feb. 21 '48
Supp. declarations
Nancy Cotton
8356.43 Ala.

Official business
FREE
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
Page 58

                                  Huntsville, Alabama
                                  Sunday 15 July 1848

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City

Sir;
     Enclosed I send you an additional statement of Mrs. Cotton which I hope will authorize the opinions of her Pension certificate.  It can be enclosed to me or to her, to my care at this place.
                      I am, Sir, very respectfully,
                      Your obdt. servt.
                           B.T. Moore
Page 59

State of Tennessee
Lincoln County
     Be it remembered that on the 20th day of September 1832, John Gibson a citizen of the county, and State aforesaid, aged about Seventy two years appeared before Elliot W. Fletcher one of the Justices of the Peace for said county and (illegible) oath that in the year 1781 when being a citizen of Guildford county, North Carolina, her joined a company of mounted infantry, commanded by Capt. John May, which company was composed partly of volunteers, and partly of drafted militia, that James Cotton, then being a citizen, of the Same county and State and now living in Madison County in the State of Alabama, was in said company, that said company formed the part of a force commanded by Colonel John Paisley under whom marched to the county of Randolph, to fight the tories - he likewise with the same object marched into the neighboring county of Chatham.  And after serving the county, the expedition return to Guilford Court House, and he being a volunteer for that expedition only returned to his home - what the said James Cotton served with him on that expedition.

                                     John Gibson

Sworn to and subscribed
before me
Elliot W. Fletcher
     Justice of the Peace
Page 60

I hereby certify that John Gibson, is now, and has 
been for many years a citizen of Lincoln county 
Tennessee, that I have known him well for the space 
of ten years, and take pleasure in bearing witness 
to his general and most uniform respectability, 
and will further say that his credit as a man 
of truth is unquestionable -- Sept 20th 1832
	[signature] Elliot H Fletcher
	[flourish]
Page 61

                   Senate Chamber 1st March 1833
J.L. Edwards Esq.
     Sir,
     I herewith enclose you the papers of Jas. Cotton with the additional testimony required by you when they first presented.  Will you be pleased to return me an answer as regards this application and also, those I addressed you about on several occasions!  Sirs, Isaac Wellborn, John McCartney, Wm. Eddins, John Sinkins, Holland and Clusky and Ezekiel Craft.
              I am Sir respectfully yo.
                   Gabriel Moore
Page 62

                          Pension Agency
                          Huntsville, Ala
                          June 8th 1848
Hon J.L. Edwards
Com. of Pensins
Washington
Sir
     Your letter of the 25th, (illegible) directed me to place on my "Roll the name of Mrs. Nancy Cotton, widow of James Cotton, who was a private * sergeant at the rate of 55 dollars per annum; commencing on the 4th March 1836, under the act of July 7, 1836" - No such certificate has been presented, but Mrs. Cotton has presented one authorizing her to be paid from 18th Febry 1838-
     There seems to be something wrong somewhere.  Will you be pleased to examine & let me know whether she is authorized to draw from 4 March 1836 instead of 18 Feb. 1838?  And whether she is entitled to any pension at all from 4 March 1841 to 4 March 1843 - Two years-
                             Respectfully
                             Your obdt. servt
                                 W.H. Moore
                                  Pens. Agt.
Page 63

(stamp)  HUNTSVILLE AL
               SEP 12

(vertical)   Sept. 22, 1845
                             added to case
                             Nancy Cotton

Office
R. Chapman

J.L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions
Washington City
D-C-
Page 64

                                 Huntsville Ala
                                  Sep 10th 1845

Sir;
     Referring you to your letter to me of the 14th Feby last in relation to the application of Nancy Cotton, widow of James Cotton dec'd of Jackson Co. Ala. for a pension, I now enclose you additional evidence of the marriage according to the suggestion in your letter.  I feel confident that the proof now submitted will be found perfectly satisfactory, and I hope the certificate will be issued as early as possible.
     Mrs. Cotton is very old and helpless and greatly in need of the little aid allowed her by the law!
     I have to ask that you will reply to this and enclose (illegible) Mrs. Cotton, certificate and "Lowesville Madison Co., Ala" as early as your convenience will permit
                 With very great respect
                 Your ob. St.
                 R. Chapman

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 65

(stamp)    HUNTSVILLE AL
                APRIL 26
(vertical)  Nancy Cotton Ala.
(stamp)    FREE

Hon. James L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
Page 66

                     Huntsville, Ala  25 April 1849

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Washington City,

Sir:
    Your letter of 18th (illegible) stating that upon the return of Mrs. Nancy Cotton; Pension Certificate under Act 7th July 1838, a new one would be issued to commence on the 4th March 1836 instead of 18 July 1838, has been (illegible) and the said Pension Certificate under the Act aforesaid is herewith returned.

                       I am, Sir, very respectfully,
                       Your obdt. Sevt.
                                    B.T. Moore
Page 67

(stamp, faded)
HUNTSVILLE AL
DEC

            Mr. R. Chapman
            Washington City
                    DC
Page 68

Jackson County Ala    Nov, the 25th 1844

Mr. R. Chapman, sir, excuse me for troubling you again with regards to my obtaining a pension as I stand in need of it.  You will recollect that my papers were filed in 1843, and that they were insufficient, in consequence of the proof of my marriage to Mr. Cotton, I have sent to North Carolina again to try to obtain it, but obtained the clerk's certificate (which I herewith send you) showing that there is no papers of the date of my marriage to be found, and that the date of my marriage the County was organizing and the papers loosely handled enough about the Clerk's certificate as you will see it.
I wish you would attend to getting me placed on the pension roll, with the proof I have already made and the Clerk's certificate I herewith send you as it will be out of my power to make any better proof.
                                Yours Respectfully,
                                         Nancy Cotton

P.S. Please let me know as soon as you can what is done.
Page 69

Lowesville Ala
May 11 -
                          W.R.W. Cobb Esq
                          Washington City
                          District of Columbia

(vertical)  Mrs. Cotton
(vertical)  Hon. WRW Cobb
                H Rep
(vertical)  May 26
Page 70

                       Jackson County Alabama
                               May 6th 1848
                            W.R.W. Cobb Esq.
Dear Sit, I shall have to ask the favour of you to try and do something more for Misses Cotton in relation to her pension - the War department under the act of 1845 require a declaration to be made.  She has made out an affidavit sometime last winter and sent to the department what you can examine and see whether it will or not be necessary for her to make a declaration under the act of 1845.  And if so, please forward a form so as to correspond with her declaration heretofore made.  If it should not be necessary to make another declaration, please get a certificate and forward it directed to B.T. Moore Esq. Huntsville Alabama.  If you will attend to the matter, you will confer a favour upon your Friend and humble servant, which will not be forgotten.
                          Henry Lewis

Mr. Cobb, Sir, I hav bin trying for six or seven years to make proof to get a pension due me proof after proof hav bin requierd and made Sattisfactory but i can not get no Money and i am quite old and needy, Sir.  please be so kind to your unworthy friend to Arouse thouse whome it is ther duty to attend to my case for I am quite impatient and Needy,
                            Yours with respect
                             Nancy Cotton
Page 71

(illegible) 43  9458
Nancy Cotton
Widow of James Cotton, Private
and Sergeant in
Acts '38-'43 & '44
$55 per ann. to commence 18 Feb. 1838
when he died
(married 20 Dec. 1786)
Huntsville, Ala Agency
Hon. W.R.W. Cobb
H.R.
Page 72

Wentworth (illegible)                      25
May 24

Benjamin Steger Esq.
Madison County
Lowesville Alabama
Page 73

State of N. Carolina
Rockingham County

This day personally appeared before me Alfred M. Peay an Acting Justice of the Peace of said County.  Judith Strong has made oath in due form of law that she was well acquainted with James Cotton & Nancy Johnson before they were married & also after their marriage that she was at the wedding when it took place at William Cotton's uncle of James Cotton.  Recollects seeing George Peay present the magistrate who married them but has no distinct recollection of seeing the parties joined together as Husband & wife, yet she recollects that they lived together after the time mentioned & had a family of children.  The person mentioned above was married she things about fifty seven or eight years according to her recollection.
                          Judith X Strong
                             (her mark)

Sworn & subscribed before 
     me this 15th May 1843

A.M. Scales J.P.

Sally Bellaphont also personally appeared before me Alfred M. Scales, an acting Justice of the Peace for the Court above named & made oath in due form of law that she was not present at the marriage of James Cotton & Nancy Johnson, but has not doubt of the fact
Page 74

of their marriage from the circumstances that they lived together as husband & wife & also from the circumstance that George Peay, the magistrate who married them stated to her that said Cotton was as (illegible) he ever saw a man when he performed the marriage ceremony.
     Sworn & subscribed before
     me this 15th day of May 1843
                    Sally X Bellaphont
                       (her mark)
A.M. Scales J.P.

I A.M. Scales hereby testify that the above named Judith Strong & Sally Bellaphont are respectable persons & that due faith & credit should be placed on any statement they make given under my hand & seal this 15th May 1843 
                                  A.M. Scales J.P.

State of North Carolina
     I Thomas B. Wheeler Clerk of the Court of Pleas of quarter session for Rockingham County do hereby certify  that Alfred M. Scales is an acting Justice of the Peace in aforesaid county that the forgoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine & due faith are due to all his acts as such.
     In testimony whereof I have
     hereunto set my official seal of office this
     22nd May of 1843
                         Tho B. Wheeler       CCC
                         by E.W. Hancock     DG
Page 75

State of N. Carolina
Rockingham County
     I James Scales Chairman of of the Court of Please & quarter sessions for the County aforesaid hereby certify that Tho. B. Wheeler whose signature is to the foregoing certificate is the Acting Clerk of our said court and that his signature is in due form of Law given under my hand this 22nd day of May 1843.
     Ja. Scales Chairman
Page 76

Wentworth                          10
Aug. 30


          Mr. Benjamin Steger
          Lowesville
          Madison County
                 Alabama
Page 77

State of N Carolina
Rockingham county
     This day personally appeared Sarah Bellafant, before me, Alfred Scales an acting Justice of the Peace, and made oath in due form of Law that she was well acquainted with James Cotton & his wife Nancy, but does not recollect the date of their marriage, yet she knows well that they lived as Husband & wife upwards of two years before they left this part of the country, which was some time before the year 1794
                               Sarah X Bellafant
                                   (her mark)

     Sworn & subscribed to
     before me this 26 day
     August 1845
               AM Scales J.P.

State of N. Carolina
Rockingham County   Clerks Office 28th August 1845

     I T.B. Wheeler certify that A.M. Scales whose name appears to the above affidavit is a magistrate in & for our said county & that the signature above purporting to be his is genuine.
                                    T.B. Wheeler
Page 78

State of N. Carolina
Rockingham County

     I James Scales Chairman of the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions for the county aforesaid certify that Thomas B. Wheeler whose name is affixed to the foregoing certificate is the Acting clerk of our said court and that his signature is genuine and that due faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his Official Acts as such given under my hand this 28th day of August A.D. 1845
                    James Scales Chairman
Page 79

Wentworth                   25
Aug. 31
                    
                  Mr. Benjamin Steger
                  Lowesville
                  Madison County
                  Alabama
Page 80

State of North Carolina
Rockingham County

I T.B. Wheeler clerk of the court of Pleas & quarter sessions for our county do hereby certify that I have made diligent search for the Marige Bond of Mr. cotton showing the date but am not able to find any based in my office but find according to the list information that can be had the marige between Mr. Cotton to Mrs. Nancy Cotton was in the same year that this county was constituted in the year 1786, when such papers were loosely kept.  I also believe the law required a license bond to be filed in case the parties wished to obtain License.  But the law also authorized the parties to have the (illegible) which if they chose at this (illegible) & if the parties chose the latter course then there were no bond to be filed in the clerks office and no record made of that fact.
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed 
     the seal of my office and subscribed mu 
     name this 31st day of August A.D. 1844
                            T.B. Wheeler
                            Clerk of Rockingham County

     I certify that that Thomas B. Wheeler is Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quater Sessions for the County and State aforesaid & that his signature is genuine.  Feb 8, 1845
                              David S. Reid
Page 81

The State of Mississippi         Tippah County
This day personally appeared before me Robert N. Christian a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, Peter J. Cotton who after being duly sworn deposeth as follows, to wit-
     That he is a Son of Nancy Cotton who claims a pension as the widow of James Cotton dec. who was a pensioner by the law of the United States, that he the said Peter J. Cotton was born on the 25th day of December 1787 as appears from the family records that the said Peter J. Cotton knows certainly that the said James Cotton and the said Nancy Cotton did live together as man and wife from the year 1792 until the year 1838 the time of the death of the said James Cotton, that he said Peter Cotton is their oldest child of his knowledge, and that he recollects the birth of all the rest of the children of the said James & Nancy Cotton and will here State them.  Mary was born March 15, 1792, Martha 19th day 1796, Tabitha A. February 3rd 1801, (illegible) K. the 3rd October 1805.
                         Peter J. Cotton
     Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 
     28th day of December 1846 & given under 
     my hand & seal.
                          R.N. Christian (seal)
                          Justice of the Peace
Page 82

The State of Mississippi
Tippah County S.S.

I Daniel Hunt Clerk of the Probate Court of said county do hereby certify that R.N. Christian whose genuine signature appears to this foregoing certificate is and was at the time of signing the said and acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected qualified and commissioned and all that his official acts, as such are and ought to be entitled to full faith and credit.
     In testimony whereof I have hereto set my 
     hand and the seal of said court at office this 
     28th day of December A.D. 1846
                      Daniel Hunt Clerk

The State of Mississippi
Tippah County S.S.

I R.R. Thomas Judge of the Probate Court of said county do hereby certify that Daniel Hunt whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificate is clerk of said county duly elected and commissioned and that all his acts as such are and ought to be entitled to full faith and credit.
     Given under my hand and seal this 28th 
     December 1846
                         R.R. Thomas (seal)
                         Judge of Probate
Page 83

The State of Mississippi     Tippah County

     I Robert N. Christian a Justice of the Peace for said county and being the same Justice before whom the deposition of Peter J. Cotton was taken & set forth in this deposition hereto annexed & having been taken on the 28th December 1846, do hereby certify that the said Peter J. Cotton is a credible witness, that I have known him for several years, and that his testimony may be fully relied on as being credible.

     Given under my hand & seal this 1st day of 
     June 1847
                  R.N. Christian (seal)
                  Justice of the Peace
Page 84

The State of Tennessee Maury County

     The undersigned Abner Johnson, a citizen of the County of Maury State of Tennessee, being now in the eighty sixth year of his age, states that he is personally acquainted with Nancy Cotton widow of James Cotton deceased who was a citizen of Maury County Tennessee at the time of his death - and (illegible) that he was personally acquainted with the said James Cotton during his lifetime.  He states that the said Nancy Cotton is his sister, & he has known her from his earliest recollection from his infancy.  He knew James Cotton for several years before his marriage tohis sister Nancy, which took place, as well as he now recollects, almost 59 years ago.  Affidavit did not see the said Nancy & the said James married, but he is perfectly satisfied that they were married about that time.  It was so understood at the time in the family, and immediately after the time at which it was understood they were married, he knows they lived together and co-habited as husband & wife & they continued to live together as such up to the time of the death of said James Cotton.  I am myself a Revolutionary Soldier, and draw a pension from the Government as such.  And have done
Page 85

for many years.
                      Abner Johnson

Test:
Gideon J. Pillow
G.A. Pillow

State of Tennessee
Maury County
     Personally appeared before me Jas. M. White an active Justice of the Peace for said county, Abner Johnson whose affidavit is above, & subscribed (illegible) sworn in my presence (illegible) thereupon duly sworn upon the holy Evangelists of Almighty God (illegible) and deposed that the facts therein stated are true to the best of his knowledge & beliefs.
     July 17th 1845
     Jas. M. White J.P.       Abner Johnson 
                                       (crossed out)

State of Tennessee Maury County
     I William E. Erwin Clerk of the County Record of Maury County in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify, that Jas. M. White is and was at the time the foregoing affidavits were subscribed and sworn to before and by Nancy Johnson and Abner Johnson an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Maury duly elected commissioned and qualified
Page 86

according to the Constitution and Laws of the State of Tennessee and that all his official acts are entitled to full faith and credit as such.
          In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 
          my Name and affixed the Seal of my 
          office in Columbia this 18th day of July 
          A.D. 1845
                            W. E. Erwin Clerk

(seal)


State of Tennessee
Maury County
I Jackson B. White chairman of the county court of said county do hereby certify that William E. Erwin whose name is signed to the foregoing certificate is now as was at the date thereof the clerk of said court duly commissioned and qualified and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine and that his attention is in due form of law and is entitled to full faith and credit as such.
          Given under my hand & seal this
          18th July 1845
               JB White (seal)
               Presiding Justice of said county
Page 87

10752
Nancy Cotton
Ala.
Mr. R. Chapman
     April 5, 1844
same July 14, 1845
"         Oct. 23, 1845
same Dec. 26. 1845
same March 2, '47
Let to B.T. Moore July 11, 47
          July 7, 18?8
(vertical) Letter (illegible) September 6, 47
Page 88

B.T. Moore
Huntsville, Alabama
(dark and illegible)
Page 89

(left panel)
8356
Alabama
Nancy Cotton
widow of James Cotton
who was a Pr. & Sergt. in
the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the
rate of 55 Dollars --cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843
Certificate of pension issued on the 25th day of May 1848
and sent to Hon. W.R.W. Cobb House of Rep.
Acts of March 3, 1843 & June 17, 1844
Recorded in Book W Vol. 2 Page 230

(right panel)    (illegible)
Let. to Pension Agency
June 19, 1848
Let. to B.T. Moore
July 17, '48
Page 90

(left panel)
10435
Alabama
Nancy Cotton
Widow of James Cotton who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 18th Feb. 1838 of Madison Co. in the State of Alabama who was a First Sergt in the Company commanded by Captain Hartson of the Regt commanded by Gen. Green in the Revolution for 3 mo. Pri, 6 mo. sergt.
     Inscribed on the Roll of Huntsville at the rate of 55 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 18th day of Geby 1838.
     Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of May, 1848 and sent to Hon. W.R.W. Cobb, Hos. of Rep.
     Total amount, $___
          [Act July 7, 1838.]

Recorded by Tho. Lumpkin clerk
Book D Vol. 1 Page 329

(right panel)
Reported
Duplicate notification was sent on 16th June 1848.  And Hon. W. Cobb so informed same date.


(seal)
(seal)
Page 91

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of (illegible) of 2nd February 1848, written An Act making further pension for surviving widows of the soldiers of the Revolution

State of Alabama
Jackson County
On this seventh day of August personally appeared before me Kibble T. Daniel, a Justice of the Peace in our foresaid county, duly commissioned and sworn Nancy Cotton, widow of James Cotton, deceased, who was a private and sergeant in the Revolution, a resident in the  said county of Jackson, who being first duly sworn according to the law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, (illegible) on the 2nd February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War, that she is the widow of James Cotton, deceased, who was a private and sergeant in the Army of the Revolution and who was also a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the rate of fifty five dollars per annum.  She states that she cannot mention the regiment, corps or (illegible) in which he served but refers to the declaration heretofore made by him in order to obtain a pension under the Act of 7th June 1832.  She states that she has a Pension certification under the Acts of 3rd March 1843 & June 17, 1844 for a pension which terminated on the 4th of March last and she further declares that she is still a widow.
                                        Nancy Cotton

Subscribed and sworn to on the day and year above written before me, by said applicant who is personally known to me.
                                Kibble T. Daniel J.P.
Page 92

I J.G. Dixon Clerk of the County Court of Jackson County in the State of Alabama, do hereby certify that R.T. Daniel is a magistrate in aforesaid in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified, that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
     In testimony whereof I hereto (illegible) my name and affix the seal of said County Court at office, in Bellefonte, in said County, this the 28th day of august, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.
            J.G. Dixon Clerk of Court
Page 93

I Nancy Cotton of Jackson county, in the State of Alabama, widow of James Cotton, late a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, under the Act of 7th of June, 1832, having heretofore made my declaration, in order to enable me to receive a pension as widow, as aforesaid, which said declaration is now on file, as I believe in the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions, in Washington City, with such proof as was requisite in order to enable me to establish my claim to a pension as aforesaid; and being required to make a further statement, do hereby declare as follows:
     I am the widow of James Cotton, deceased, who was a private in the war of the Revolution, which said James Cotton, before his death, was a pensioner of the United States; I have not drawn a pension at any rate whatever, and now ask for the amount due me under the various Acts and Resolutions of the Congress of the United States.
     I made my declaration long since, but the date thereof is not recollected; and my said declaration was filed in the Pension Office, but the time of the filing thereof is not recollected.
                       Nancy Cotton
Subscribed & sworn to, before me,
this 10th day of February 1848.
Test Kibbler T. Daniel, Justice of the Peace

I certify that the declarant is personally known to me, and that she is the same said individual she represents herself to be, in the foregoing affidavit.
                   Kibble T. Daniel  Justice of the Peace
Page 94

I, Moses Jones, Clerk of the County Court of Jackson County, in the State of Alabama, do hereby certify, that Kibble T. Daniel who has signed the foregoing, is a Justice of the Peace, in & for the county aforesaid, and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
    In testimony whereof, I hereto subscribe my name & affix my seal of my said Court at Office, in the Town of Bellefonte, in the said county of Jackson, this 11th day of February 1848.
          Moses Jones -- Clerk
          County Court of Jackson County, Ala.
Page 95

State of Alabama
Madison County
     This day personally came before me F.T. Spivey an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county and state before (illegible) Tabitha A. Lewis who after being duly sworn deposes and says that she is the daughter of James Cotton (deceased) and Nancy Cotton agreeable to the family record of said James and Nancy Cotton and that she has examined said family record often and has the date hereof examined it, and agreeable to said record, James Cotton (deceased) and Nancy Cotton (Claimant of a pension) was married one thousand and seven hundred and and eighty six, and agreeable to the dates of said family record of James and Nancy Cotton.  Their son Peter Johnson Cotton was both the twenty-fifth of December one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven, And this applicant further states that Nancy Cotton (Claimant) has lived with her for several years, and never has lived more than eight miles distant and that she (this applicant) has had free access to said family record, and that agreeable to said record she was born February the 23rd 1801. 
                                Tabith A. Lewis
Sworn to and subscribed
this 12th day of January 1846
F.T. Spivey, J.P.
Page 96

Madison County Ala - January the 12th 1846

     I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Tabitha A. Lewis the within affinity and have no hesitation is saying that she is of good respectability and full faith and credit ought to be given to anything that she affirms.
             
Test. F.T. Spivey, J.P.     Thomas M. Ring
                                     Minister of the Gospell
                                     John Lamberson
Page 97

                    Washington Jan 14 1839

Dear Sir
     I send you the pension papers of Nancy Cotton & Margaret Young.  (illegible) in sending them to you please give them the proper (illegible).  Please send me the form for widows to be placed on the pension list.
                          Your obt. servant
                          C.H. Williams

J.L. Edwards Esq.
(stamped) FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
                  Received from GAO
Page 98

Payments to be made
 at Mobile, Alabama
by the (illegible) Bank U.S.
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of Alabama

Recorded by Vinal Luce
Clerk, in Book D  Vol ____ Page 199
(vertical) Cap. Hartson Company
(illegible) Col Jno Paisley, N. Carolina
Page 99

                   WAR DEPARTMENT
                   Revolutionary Claim

     I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of 7th June, 1832, James Cotton of the state of Alabama who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Fifty five dollars per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
     Given at the War Office of the United States, this 2nd day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
                             Lew Cass
                             Secretary of War

(stamp)
JL Edwards

(stamp)
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO