Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6764, James Crafton, Va.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Va.

Crafton, James
Frances

NUMBER
W.6764
------------------
CONTENTS
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4923
Virginia
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Frances Crafton widow of James Crafton who died on the 6 May 1828 of Va in the State of   who was a private in the      commanded by Captain       of the      commanded by       in the Va line for 6 months
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Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond, at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
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Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of January 1830 and sent to Tho. Lumpkin, prist
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Arrears to the 4th of          Semi-annual allowance ending

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the     }

Recorded by J.B. Chase Clerk
Book D Vol. 2 Page 377

Let to [illegible] T.J. [illegible] '57 James [illegible] 25 [illegible] Let to [illegible]

Reported
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the 3d section of the Act of Congress of the 4th July, 1836 -

State of Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
On this 23 day of February, 1839, personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for the county and State aforesaid Frances Crafton, a resident of said county and State, aged 85 years, who being first duly sworn 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 4th 1836 -
That she is the Widow of James Crafton, deceased, late of the county and State aforesaid, who was a Private soldier in the militia service of Virginia, in the war of the Revolution- that she knows very little respecting the service of her late husband in the Revolutionary war as coming within her personal knowledge, except what she has repeatedly heard from him in his life time, and from others who served with him, on whose statements she places the utmost confidence - she recollects distinctly hearing him say that he was drafted several times in the militia, was at Guilford in North Carolina, seige of Yorktown in Virginia [jede, jete, or &] and that he was in actual service a considerable length of time, and endured many hardships and privations - that during the time of his absence from home in the service of his country, she was left alone to support and
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protect herself and infant child - that from bodily infirmity, old age, and the consequent loss of memory, she cannot call to mind the particulars of his service, as related by himself in his life time: she, therefore, prefers to depend on the statements of old, credible and respectable soldiers who served with him, whose certificates accompany this declaration, and are prayed to be considered part thereof - that for the same reason above stated, she cannot state precisely, how long he was in active service altogether, but suppose he was at least eight months for which length of time, she claims a pension -
She further declares that she was married to the said James Crafton on the 25th day of April, 1775, in the county of Lunenburg by the publication of banns, by old Parson Craig of the Episcopal church, according to the rites and ceremonies of that Church, and the laws of Virginia - that said Parson Craig is dead, and the vestry books in which marriages were recorded have long said been lost or destroyed - That her husband the aforesaid James Crafton died on the 6th day of May, 1828. She further declares, that she was married to the said James Crafton before the last period of his service expired- that she has remained a widow and unmarried, can [illegible] the death of her said husband, and that she is at present a widow, as will more fully appear from proof hereto annexed. She has no documentary evidence his discharge being all lost or destroyed. The family
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Register has also been destroyed -
France Crafton her X mark

sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid this 23rd day of February, 1839 -
Thos H. Staples JP

Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
I do hereby certify, that I am intimately acquainted with Frances Crafton the widow of said James Crafton, deceased, being a near neighbor to her, and know the fact that she is very old, and scarcely able to move about the house; that she labours under many bodily infirmities of such a character, that I do consider her entirely unable, unfit, and not in a condition, to go to the County Court of Lunenburg to make the foregoing declaration - I farther certify, that she is a worthy, credible, and respectable old lady, and her statement entitled to full confidence - Given under my hand this 23rd day of February, 1839 -
Thos H Staples J.P.

Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
I do hereby certify, that according to my best recollection, James Crafton late of Lunenburg County, departed this life on the 6th day of May, 1828: that he left his widow Frances Crafton, who is still alive resident in said County and State, and that she has never married since the death of said James Crafton, but still remains his widow -
Richard Crafton

sworn to and subscribed before me - I farther certify, that he is a credible person and his statement entitled to
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full confidence - Given under my hand this 23rd day of February, 1839 -
Thos H Staples J.P.

Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
I Unity Crenshaw, do hereby certify that according to my best recollection, Frances Staples of Lunenburg County was married to James Crafton of said county, by old Parson Craig of the Episcopal Church, by the publication of banns, about the commencement of the Revolutionary war - old Parson Craig is dead and what has become of the marriage Register of the Church, I am unable to say - these facts come within my knowledge, being a resident of the same neighborhood and county, at the time -
Unity Crenshaw his X mark

Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
This day Unity Crenshaw came before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, and made oath, that the above certificate subscribed by her, contained the truth to the best of her knowledge and recollection I farther certify, that she is a worthy, credible person, and her statement entitled to full confidence - Given under my hand this 8th day of March, 1839-
Stephen Petters JP

4497 Declaration of "Frances Crafton" for a pension under Act July 4th 1836 -

Virginia Lunenburg County to wit:
At a court held for Lunenburg County the 8th day of April 1839 on motion the declaration of Francis Crafton of Lunenburg County Virginia with accompanying documents & evidence for a pension under the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 was presented in open Court and the same read & fully explained to the entire satisfaction of the Court it is ordered that the same be certified to the war department. [Capt?] Teste Wm H Taylor [Clr]
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made oath that the above certificate subscribed by her, contained the truth to the best of her knowledge and recollection I farther certify, that she is a worthy, credible person, and her statement entitled to full confidence - Given under my hand this 8th day of March, 1839 - Stephen Petters

4497
Declaration of "Frances Crafton" 
for a pension under Act July 4th 1836 -

Virginia Lunenburg County to wit:
At a court held for Lunenburg County the 8th day of April 1839 on motion the declaration of Francis Crafton of Lunenburg County Virginia with accompanying documents & evidence for a pension under the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 was presented in open Court and the same read & fully explained to the entire satisfaction of the Court it is ordered that the same be certified to the war department [Capt?] Test Wm H. Taylor [Clr]

Virginia Lunenburg County to wit:
I William H Taylor Clerk of the County Court of Lunenburg do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the records of any office and I further certify that Stephen Petters and Thomas H Staples the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County and that the signatures hereto annexed purporting to be [illegible - torn page] are genuine - Given under my hand and the seal of the office hereto annexed this 8th day of April 1839.
Wm H Taylor Clr
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Know all men by these present that we, James Crafton and John Crafton of the county of Lunenburg, are held and firmly found with the Commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of Fifty pounds, to which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves and each of us our heirs executors admin jointly, and severally firmly by these present, sealed with our seal, and dated the 10th day of December 1778. The condition of the above obligation is such, that whereas there is a marriage, suddenly intended to be solemnized between the above bound James Crafton and Frances Staples, If therefore there be no lawfull cause to obtained the said marriage then this obligation to be void, or else to remain in full force sealed and declared
James Crafton [illegible]
John Crafton [illegible]
In presence of 
N Hobson

Virginia Lunenburg County to wit:
I William H Taylor Clerk of that county court of Lunenburg in the State of Virginia do certify that the foregoing is a true copy the marriage given by James Crafton at the time of marriage a service to Mary Frances Crafton and I do further certify that I have examined the records of my office, and can find no register of the marriage of the said James Crafton and Frances Crafton of record in my office - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto annexed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 11th day of May 1840
Wm H Taylor Clr
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Ray   Widow, &c.
------------
File No. 6764
Frances Crafton
Wid.
James Crafton
Pvt, Va. Line
-------------
Act: July 4th 36
Index:-Vol. A, Page 153

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 10

inquiry
Was any letter of inquiry received a week or ten days since from Wm H Richardson of Richmond Va - & to whom was it refered?

JEH

Mr Adams
Febry 24th 1852
Page 11

Virga
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Frances Crafton
widow of James
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See letter to Wm. J.B. Bedford
Aug. 2d 1839 - same -
May 2. 1840 same
June 19, 1840
Letter to same 25th Oct. 1849
Hon J.S. Bacock 22 Dec 1849
Let. to Hon. T. Ewing Sec. of Int.
Dec. 31/49
-----------
Act 4th July 1836.
Page 12

Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
I Seth Farley of Charlotte do hereby certify, that I was well acquainted with James Crafton late of Lunenburg in the War of the Revolution, and know the facts, being in the same company with him, that in the early part of the year, 1781, the said James Crafton was drafted for three months in the militia from Lunenburg under Capt Walker, and marched to North Carolina, and was engaged in the Battle of Guilford - He served the
said term of three months faithfully and
was honorably discharged - General Green
General Lawson and others were commanding
officers. I am in the 81st year of my age
and was a soldier in the War of the Revolution
Seth Farley

Virginia. Charlotte County to wit:
This day Seth Farley of Charlotte, personally
appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and
for the County and State aforesaid, and made oath that the above certificate subscribed by him, contained the truth, to the best of his knowledge
and recollection. I further certify, that he is a
worthy, credible and respectable old gentleman (scratched out is the word "soldier") 
and his statement entitled to full confidence-
Given under my hand this 26th day of March,
1839-
John Brookes J.P.
Page 13

Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
I do hereby certify, that I was well acquainted with James Crafton late of Lunenburg in the War of the Revolution, and recollect that he was drafted in the Militia from Lunenburg in 1780 under Capt. Walker for the term of three months and marched to North Carolina and was at Genl Gates defeat near Camden. He served the said time faithfully and was honorably discharged from service -
I further certify, that the said James Crafton
was drafted the second time in 1781, for the term of three months in the Militia, from the same County under Capt Walker, and marched to North Carolina, and was engaged in the battle of Guilford -
This latter term he served faithfully being with
him the whole time - I am in the 80th year of
my age, and was a soldier of the Revolution -
Ambrose Haley

Virginia: Charlotte [crossed out: Lunenburg] County to wit:
This day Ambrose Haley of Charlotte, formerly of Lunenburg County, came before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, and made oath that the above
certificate subscribed by him, contained the truth to the best of his knowledge and recollection - And I further certify, that he is a credible person, and his statement entitled to full confidence -
Given under my hand this 4th day of March,
1839 -
Joseph H. Roberts J.P.
Page 14

Virginia Charlotte County Court
I William A Smith deputy Clerk of the County
of Charlotte aforesaid, do certify that John Broockes[sic] and Joseph H. Roberts are acting Justices of the peace in and for the County
aforesaid and that the signatures annexed purporting to be theirs are genuine.
Given under my hand as deputy Clerk and the seal of the office of the County aforesaid this 6th day of April 1839
William A Smith D.C.
Page 15

State of Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
I William Deupree a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Charlotte, do hereby certify, that I was a soldier of the Revolution, and recollect distinctly, that James Crafton of Lunenburg, in 1780, was drafted under Capt Walker for 3 months, and marched to Camden; that in 1781, he was drafted again under Capt Walker for 3 months, and was engaged in the battle of Guilford; and that he served 3 months in 1781, under Capt Knight, and was at the seige of Yorktown. I am in the 90th year of my age.
June 25th, 1849
Wm Deupree

State of Virginia Charlotte County to wit
I Winslow Robinson Clerk of the County Court of Charlotte County in the said State of Virginia do hereby certify that William Deupree is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the said county duly commissioned and qualifies according to law and that his signature above in genuine.
Given under my hand & the seal of my office this 7th day of August 1849 -
Winslow Robinson, Clk
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No 18

I have received a letter this day from Richmond informing me that Wm Richardson has not recd the letter prepared by W. Cole - W.C will please let me hear from him tomorrow morning on the subject
JE Heath

[illegible marks on side]
The Par...[illegible] attention of [illegible] in nop...[illegible] rez...[illegible]
attended Feb 25/52
Cole
Page 17

Richmond [/VA] 19 1832

[Dempir or Dear sir]
A member of the [departure] who is acting for a [poor old] widow, brought the [illegible: inctned] papers to my office this morning to [illegible] the names of [illegible: fivir] the [illegible: blmbs] on W the Captain & Colonel under whom [illegible: he] [illegible: p...] James Crafton srvd - But he never [illegible: served?] & [illegible: B...] @ [illegible: mirs?] in [illegible: namdond] [are].
I presume it must have been required when she was [penors] on the pension but, [illegible: Cis?] [illegible: corriaglart...?] Wl formed in the pension office [illegible: IWmhirpon]. [Willz and Menfore] do me [illegible: nrfavom] W hav the papers [illegible: revimed] & the blanks in the "application for a new [illegible: cuhfiants]" filld up, so far an [illegible: or] can be done from [man] papers - @ [illegible: whinr] the [illegible: andned] to me as soon as your convenience will permit
Very [respectfully] [illegible: cw...y?]
Your Friend
Wm H Richardson

Js [illegible: TN....] [illegible]
[illegible: ca...?] pension
Page 18

[official stamp]
Charlotte C.H. Jan 8

Thomas Lumpkin esqr
Washington City
D.C.
Page 19

State of Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:

I Thomas T Shackleton a resident of Lunenburg County and [illegible] the immediate neighborhood of Mrs. Frances Crafton, widow of James Crafton, dead, do hereby certify that the said Frances Crafton is still alive, resident in the County of Lunenburg, although currently old and infirm. 
Thomas T. Shackleton

Sworn to before me a Justice of the peace in and for the county and State aforesaid this 7th day of January 1850. I further certify that the said Thomas T. Shackleton is a man of fair character and good standing in society, and his statement [illegible] to full confidence. Given under my hand the state above named.
Wm. H Dennis J.P.

State of Virginia, Charlotte County [illegible]
I [illegible] Robinson Clerk of the County Court of the County of Charlotte in the State of Virginia do hereby certify [illegible] Williams H. Dennis is an acting justice of the peace in and for the said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that the Signature above [illegible] to be his in genuine.
Given under my hand and the line of my office this seventh day of January one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
[illegible] Robinson CC
Page 20

State of Virginia-
Charlotte Ct:House
January 7th 1850

Dear Sir,

On the other page I send you a certificate showing that Mrs. Crafton is still alive, which I presume will be all sufficient [illegible] great haste etc.

I am very respectfully your friend
Wm. J.B. Bedford

Thos. Lumpkin esq
Washington City
D.C.

P.S. Send on the Certificate of Pension, and soon as the money is cleared I will remit you your portion.
W.J.B.B.
Page 21

State of Virginia-
Charlotte Ct. House
May 12th 1840

Sir,

Yours of May 2d, in relation to claim of Mrs. Frances Crafton, widow of James Crafton, has been received.
In compliance with your letter of August 2d 1839, stating "that the proof in support of the alledged [sic] date of the marriage of Mrs. Frances Crafton, is not satisfactory" I send you again a certificate copy of the marriage license Bond, which the Clerk found after a second and more diligent search in his office. The additional evidence alluded to in my former letter, and that only evidence required in yours August 2d, 1839.

I am, very respectfully
Your most Obt. Servant
Wm. J.B. Bedford

J.L. Edwards esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.
Page 22

State of Virginia
Charlotte Ct: House
August 7th 1849

Sir,

I enclose you some additional evidence to be filed in the case of Mrs. Frances Crafton, widow of James Crafton, deceased, who claims a Pension under the Act of July 4th 1836.

It is an old claim, and has been on file for several years. I trust the enclosed certificate of the old Captain Deupree, who served with Mr. Crafton will prove satisfactory. 

I am, sir, very respectfully,
your obt. Servant etc.
Wm. J.B. Bedford

J.L. Edwards esq
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City.
D.C.
Page 23

State of Virginia
Charlotte Ct. House
April 29th 1839

Sir,

I enclose to your Department the Declaration of Mrs. Frances Crafton of Lunenburg County, with accompanying papers &c who claims a Pension under the Act of Congress passed July 4th 1836.

As the Agent of Mrs. Crafton, all communications on the subject, addressed to me, will be attended to.

I am, sir, very respectfully,
your obt. Sevt etc
Wm. J.B. Bedford

J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department.
Page 24

Washington Jan 11. 1850

Sir,

I understand that in the case of Mrs. Frances Craftons application for a pension recently allowed by you, some proof was desired to show that she is yet living. The enclosed I know to be authentic (I mean Shackleton affidavit) and hope it may prove satisfactory.

Very Respectfully
Yr Obt Servant
T.S. Bocock

Col. J.L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Page 25

78
Pension Office
February 11th. 1850

Sir:

In answer to the enclosed note, I have to inform you, that a duplicate will be issued to Frances Crafton, widow of James Crafton, whom the enclosed printed instructions shall be complied with.

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your Obedt. Servt
JE Heath
Comm of Pensions

Hon. T.S. Bocock
House of Representatives.
Page 26

May 1. 1840
Va.

[illegible]

J.L. Edwards esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

[illegible] [illegible] 21 39
Page 27

State of Virginia.
Charlotte Ct. House
April 23d 1840.

Sir,

Your letter of April 17th instant, requesting me to state at what time the additional proof in the case referred to in my letter of the 13th had been sent to the Pension Office, has just been received.

Mrs. Francis Lewis, formerly widow of William [illegible?] Palmer, two certificates; Mrs. Frances Thompson, and certificate of Wm. & Robert Thompson, both of which were dated 9th December 1839. sent on in compliance with letter of [illegible name] dated Nov. 27th 1839. in December, 1839.

2d Sarah Vasser, widow of Nathanel Vasser. [illegible?] sent on December 3d, 1839, affidavits of Charles & [illegible?] William Hudson, giving ages of Children of Sarah Vasser in accordance with letter of J.L. Edwards dated Novr. 2d. 1839.

3d Frances Crafton, widow of James Crafton. Sent on the copy of marriage License Bond, which the Clerk of Lunenburg found upon working a second search. in reply to yours of 2d August, 1839. the widow [illegible] in September last, exact date not recorded.

4th Mrs. Betty Ann Thackston, widow of Benjamin
Page 28

Thackston; the papers filed in the case of [illegible] Jesse Watson were referred to in support of the claim, the name of said Thackston being found on his Rolls.

I hope the above statement will enable you to find the papers referred to.

I am very respectfully
Your Obt. Sert. &c
Wm. J.B. Bedford

J.L. Edwards esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.
Page 29

Frances Crafton
widow of James
h, d, 6 [illegible] 1828

admitted
Pr: 6 mo. $20
[illegible] March 1831

4 July 1836

Richmond
S. Lumpkin
[illegible]
Page 30

James Crafton. ~ May 6, 1828
Francis ~ 1778 S.+
81. 3. Bat Guilford + [illegible] (1)
811 Camden. (2)

+ stated 75 in Dec 25: 
+ Selt. Farley.
J. Ambros Haley-
with him-

pay of [illegible] [illegible]
Page 31

Application for a New Certificate
County of 88.
On this day of 185 , before me.
the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of 
personally appeared Frances Crafton, who on 
her oath, declares that she is the widow of the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Walker in the 
regiment commanded by Colonel --- in the service of the United States: that her name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Virginia that she received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of the Interior; which certificate on or about the day of 185 at or near
he


Sworn and subscribed to, before}
me, the day and year aforesaid}


NOTES- The last four blanks are left to the applicant to set forth the time, place, and [illegible - page folded - missing text] destruction of the original certificate.

[illegible - page folded - missing text] magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated. 

If the pensioner has never received a formal certificate, but has drawn his pension on a mere notification, as was in the case in a few instances many years ago, he should leave out the above words in italics, and insert, in lieu thereof, "but has never received a formal certificate, and now wishes to obtain one."

The pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identify. The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. The magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also be authenticated by the certificate of the proper office, under the seal of officer, setting forth that the officer before whom the affidavit may be made is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be.

When a person acting as an Agent or Attorney for a Pensioner, loses the certificate, the affidavit of that person is also required, which must be authenticated as above.

In every case where the Clerk of the Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of officer, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should be sent with papers.

Mode of authenticating papers. -In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

No attention will be given to applications from persons who act as agents, unless they are known at the War Department or are [illegible] for as respectable persons by some one who is known to the Department.
Page 32

Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:

I John Crafton of Lunenburg, do hereby certify, that according to my best recollection, Frances Staples of Lunenburg was married to James Crafton on the same County by old parson Craig of the Episcopal Church, by the publication of banns, about the commencement of the Revolutionary War, the particular month and year not recollected. That old Parson Craig has been dead for some years, and do not know what has become of the marriage register of the Church. These facts come within my knowledge being a resident of the same neighbourhood [sic] and County at the time. I further certify, that said James Crafton marched to Guilford Ct. House in North Carolina, under Capt Walker, and was engaged in the battle as I understood- I was not in service with him, but present at the time he marched.

John Crafton

Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
This day John Crafton came before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and made oath that the above certificate subscribed by him, contained the truth to the best of his knowledge and recollection. I further certify that he is a credible person and his statement entitled to full confidence. 

Given under my hand this 8th day of March 1839.

Stephen Petters W
Page 33

Virginia Lunenburg County to wit:
William H Taylor Clerk of the court of Lunenburg County, certify that Stephen Petters is a magistrate as stated within, and that the signature purporting to be his thereto, is genuine. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office; and subscribed my name this 8 day of April 1839.

Wm H Taylor Clerk of the Court
Court of Lunenberg