Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3,808, William Hansbrough, Va.
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Service Va.
Hansbrough, William Number W. 3808    
                       Sarah    B.L.T. 28518-160-55
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completely blacked over
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3266
Virginia Richmond
Sarah Hansbrough
widowed
served in the Revolutionary 
as a private
...scribed on the Roll at the rate of
50 dollars
cents per annum, to commence on 
4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
22 day of Jany 1849
John G Barbour Jr.
Richmond, Va
[illegible] Pensioners under
[illegible] 2, 1849 Page 153 Vol. 3
Reposted January 22, 1819
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[illegible] F. Richards Mar 1/56
Vol. H 1-29

142458 [illegible] [illegible] 3/55
May 21/55
Sarah Hansbrough wid
William Hansbrough Pri
[illegible] Fountains
Rev. War
Va Letz 48-3266
[illegible signatures]
Felix Richards
[illegible]
No. 28578 ip May 28/56
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J. L. Barbour
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We William Hansbrough and William Vaughan are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia in the full & just sum of fifty pounds current money: to which payment will and truly to be made. We bind ourselves, our heirs, exors, & admers jointly & severally, firmly by these presents. Witness our hands & seals his 2nd day of November 1786.
The condition of the above obligation is such, whereas there is a marriage suddenly intended to be solemnized between the above bound William Hansbrough & Sally Vaughan, spinster daughter of the above bound William Vaughan of the county of Culpeper: Now if there be no lawful cause to obstruct the same, then this obligation to be void, else to remain in full force.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of R.Y. Wigginton
Wm. Hansbrough [handwritten seal]
William Vaughan [handwritten seal]

Culpeper County to wit:
I Fayette Mauzy clerk of the County Court of Culpeper, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a marriage license bond, on file in my office. In witness where of I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court this 16th day of December 1865.
F. Mauzy C.C.

[SEAL]
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12202
Sarah Hansbrough
Va. wid. of Wm.
R. Sept. 22, 1845
Act 7 July 1838
md. '86 dd. '16
admd
15 mo pri
50
Act 43. & 44
claimt 
Stevensburg
Culpepper Va
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court that a marriage license issued on the 2nd day of November 1786 for the marriage of the said Sarah Hansbrough & her deceased husband William Hansbrough & that the marriage did take place on the 5th day of November 1786, that the said Hansbrough died in Jany 1876 & that Peter Hansbrough Esq. was his executor and that the said Peter had been dead several years, and the court believes the truth of the declaration made by the said Sarah Hansbrough, and directs it to be so certified with the other proceedings in the case.

Culpeper County to wit
I Fayette Mauzy Clerk of the county court of Culpeper in the state of Virginia do hereby certify the foregoing are true copies of the declaration of Sarah Hansbrough widow of William Hansbrough of the accompanying deposition by the order of said court entered thereupon
In testimony where of I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court this21st day of September 1845.
F. Mauzy Clk
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State of Virginia 
County of Culpeper SS
On the 18th day of September in the year of Christ 1845 personally appeared before the justices of the County Court of Culpeper, a court of record now in session, Mrs. Sarah Hansbrough a resident of Stevensburg in the county of Culpeper aged seventy-seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth in her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed 7th July 1838, entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows' that she is the widow of William Hansbrough of Culpeper County in the state of Virginia who was a private soldier of the Revolution in the second regiment of the state of Virginia, as she verily believes & in Capt. Fontaine Company, the same Captain Fontaine, who was afterward Col. William Fontaine of the second regiment, that the said Hansbrough enlisted & served two years in the first & second regiments of the state of Virginia that his said enlistment was in the year 1775 and among the very first that did enlist for that service, under the first ordinance of convention or other acts of that legislation proven then in being, for raising & enlisting troops, that she has often heard her husband speak of that enlistment, of his father's hesitation in giving him leave to enlist, of the perilous service & many hardships he endured, of his being engaged in the battle with the British in the great bridge, where Fordyce was killed in December 1775, of his ill health, of his service a while in Greene's Company, and his discharge after serving
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out his time according to enlistment of his written discharge by the said Col. William Fontaine of the 2nd regiment, which discharge he kept carefully to his death, often showed it to his friends & which she frequently saw him show others the same discharge was put into the hands of the late husband's executor, Peter Hansbrough Esq. of Coles Hill, Culpeper County, after her husband's death in January 1816, which discharge she said P. Hansbrough said was of no value on account at that time and what has gone with it, she cannot now tell, having made diligent exertion to obtain it without affect. The said P. Hansbrough being some years ago dead & all her efforts to obtain the discharge being unavailing she believes it lost or detroyed, she well remembered Mr. Peter Hansbrough saying "that it was of no account" when he took it with the other papers. This declarant also believes that her deceased husband served one year in addition to the first two years in the irregular & occasional service otherwise as a militia soldier and she has proof of the said service and of the two years of regular service taken in the deposition of John Hansbrough, his brother, of Thomas & Peter Vaughan, of Almond Vaughan, who were with him in the service, or knew to their knowledge of his service with the regular & militia in the war of the revolution. That in the year 1835 or 36, she sent those papers to Mr. John S. Barbour, who she had known from his infamy & requested him to let her know if she could get a pension as the widow of the said W. Hansbrough & he replied that she could not get a pension, but could get land for his 3 years service provided  by that evidence and now Mr. Barbour
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informs her that he has mislaid or lost the evidence.
He further declares that she was married to
the said William Hansbrough the 5th day of November in the year seventeen hundred and eighty-six, that her husband the aforesaid William Hansbrough died on the
day of January eighteen hundred and sixteen, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place  previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety-four Viz at the time above stated (Nov 5 1986)
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written in open court, before the Justices of the
County Court of Culpeper now in Session
Sarah Hansbrough
Mrs Patsey Wale a daughter of the said Hansbrough says on oath in open court that she is now in her fifty seventh year of age, that she recollects distinctly that her father often __ & spoke with his friends & comrades of his services & sufferings in the war of the Revolution & shewed frequently
his discharge by Col. Fontaine, and she recol-
lects his shewing it on one occasion to Mr Wm.
G. Allan. The discharge was in her opinion
genuine. It was shewn often to others, was
prized by her father as evidence of his service,
& if it had not been genuine, it must have
been detected & expose. Her father's character
is proof against any imposition in this
respect, as she believes-
Patsey Wall
William G. Allan declared in open come that
he was intimately acquainted with the foregoing
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Wm. Hansbrough, that he was a man much
respected where known, that Mrs. Sarah Hans-
brough is his widow, that he has no doubt of
his services in the war of the Revolution as
set forth in his widows declaration - and that
said Hansbrough shewed to him (said Allan)
his discharge signed by Colo. Fontaine, which
discharge he verily believes to be genuine &
which discharge set out his services, enlistment
and discharge said Allan is now sixty-five years of age.
Wm. G. Allan
John S. Barbour says on oath that some years past Mrs. Sarah Hansbrough sent him sundry depositions proving her late husband three years service in the war of the Revolution (two years of regular service & one year of militia) & his giving the opinion that from the law then in force, that he could not obtain a pension as his widow-- but that her husband heirs were
entitled to land if the Executive of Va, would
put the regular & irregular service together as
they did in many other cases. The evidence is
some way mislaid. His papers being removed & in confusion
A.S. Barbour

Culpeper County Court September 18th 1843.
Mrs. Sarah Hansbrough came into open
court, and made her declaration in writing on oath and the same is ordered to be certified to the Secretary of War - and the court doth further certify that it is proved by the records of the
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court that a marriage license issued on the
2nd day of November 1786 for the marriage
of the said Sarah Hansbrough & her deceased
husband William Hansbrough, & that the
Marriage did take place on the 5th day of
November 1786, that the said Hansbrough died in Jany 1876 & that Peter Hansbrough Esqr. was his executor and that the said Peter has been dead several years, and the court believes the truth of the declaration made by the said Sarah Hansbrough and directs it to be so certified with the other proceedings in the case
---
Culpeper County SS
I Fayette Mauzy Clerk of the County Court of Culpeper in the State of Virginia do hereby certify the foregoing are true copies of the declaration of Sarah Hansbrough widow of William Hansbrough of the accompanying deposition & the order of said court entered thereupon
In testimony whereof I have here
to set my hand & affixed the
seal of said court this 21st day
of September 1845.
F Mauzy Clk
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142.458 
Act of 1855.  
DECLARATION FOR WIDOW. 
 Who has never received Bounty Land.  
Claim of ---
Widow of ----
FILED BY ---
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MAGISTRATE"S CERTIFICATE.  The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that I believe the Claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.  
Thos D Hansbrough J. P.  

COUNTY CLERK'S CERTIFICATE.  
State of Virginia 
County of Culpeper} ss. 
 I hereby certify that Thomas D Hansbrough Esq.,, before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavits were made, is and was, at the time of taking the same, an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature above is genuine.  In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office, this 17th day of May 1855.  F. Mauzy Clerk.
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DECLARATION FOR WIDOW Who has never received Bounty Land.  
STATE OF Virginia 
COUNTY OF Culpeper} ss.  
On this 16th day of May 1855, personally appeared before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, (duly authorized by law to administer oaths, Sarah Hansbrough, aged 86 years, a resident of Culpeper County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn, according to law, declares that she is the widow of William Hansbrough, deceased, who was a Private, in the company commanded by Capt. Fountain, in the Regiment of --- commanded by Col. --- in the Revolutionary War 1776 and begs leave to refer to her papers filed in the Pension Office in which a Certificate of a pension was found on the 5th of February 1849 to her That her said husband entered the service of the United States at ---on or about the -- day of === 18--, for the term of ----and continued in actual service in said war for the term of  at least fourteen days, and was honorably discharged from said service as will appear by the Muster Rolls of said company, not having any knowledge of the manner of her said husband's discharge.  She further states that she was married to the said Willaim Hansbrough, in the County of Culpeper State of Virginia, on or about the --day of November 1786, by John Woodville a Protestant Minister and that her name before her said marriage was Sarah Vaughan, that her said husband died at Harrisburg Culpeper Cty  on the -- day of October 1815, and that  she is still a widow.  She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3,1855, never having received Bounty Land under this or any other act, nor made any other application for Bounty Land except the present.  Felix Richards of Washington City is hereby authorized to prosecute this my claim and to receive any warrant that may be issued hereon.  
S her x Hansbrough [SEAL.]  

AFFIDAVIT OT TWO WITNESSES 
We Peter Hansbrough and Daniel Rosson residents of the County and State aforesaid, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by the above Sarah Hansbrough, in our presence; and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.  And we further declare that we were well acquainted with the said William Hansbrough and Sarah Hansbrough his wife (now the widow) during the life time of the former and knew them to live together as husband and wife, and to have been so generally reputed.  That her said husband, the said William Hansbrough died at Harrisburg Culpeper County on the -- day of October 1815, and that she is still a widow; and that they have no interest in this claim. 
 Interlined before signing 
Peter Hansbrough [SEAL.] 
Daniel Rosson [SEAL.] 
 *if no public or private record of the marriage exists, or can be procured, state the fact in the declaration, after the word widow; and in such case, such other evidence, such as the testimony of persons who knew the parties in the lifetime of the husband, and knew them to live together as husband and wife, and to be so reputed, will be admissible.  If a public or private record exist, an authenticated copy thereof must be furnished; if it be a private record, the authenticated copy thereof must be accompanied with the affidavit of some disinterested person, proving the genuineness of the original, and that the copy certified is a true and correct copy of it.  A certificate from the clergyman or magistrate who solemnized the marriage is not competent evidence, unless the genuineness of the certificate be proved, and the person who gave it shown to have been authorized to solemnize marriages.
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new 5. 250 43 to 45 1.00 25 3.75 Filed obt  allowance
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State of Virginia Nelson County Sc.} This day Samuel Hansbrough, an aged Citizen of the State and County aforesaid, made oath before me a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid in the State of Virginia, that he is now in the Seventy sixth year of his age, that he is the Brother of the late William Hansbrough of Culpeper County, who died about thirty years ago,  leaving a widow who still lives as he believes, (and which widow before marriage was Sarah Vaughan,, and now Sarah Hansbrough) that  he was too young himself to be a Soldier in the War of the Revolution, but does verily believe that his said brother William engaged and enlisted early in that War as a Soldier, under Captain (afterwards Colonel) Fountaine and served out the term of his enlistment for two years  or more.  That the fact of his brother's enlistment and service with Fountaine is as well known to him by tradition and early infantile recollection as any other fact of his family history and as firmly believed by him.  And many years ago he obtained for his Sister in law the said Mrs. Sarah Hansbrough, the affidavits or sworn certificates of Mr. Bransford West and Mr. George Purvis, two aged and highly respected Citizens of the same County of Nelson, always reputed, esteemed and believed to have been Soldiers of the Revolutionary War, and they both declared on their oaths before a Magistrate who administered the oath, that they served with the said William Hansbrough in the said service under Fountaine.  The said Samuel Hansbrough further maketh oath that the affidavits of Messnr. West and Purvis aforesaid were taken before a Justice of the peace in said County, (but from the lapse of time, he does not now recollect his name) at his (affiants) instance and
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they were forwarded (he thinks) to Major Broddus of Culpeper by mail.  He further made oath that from his own knowledge and recollection, by tradition and circumstances deeply impressing themselves into his firm belief, that the said William Hansbrough was a Soldier of the Regular State line under Col. Fountaine, and that he, (William Hansbrough) Bransford West and George Purvis are all now dead.  Given under my hand and seal, in my official capacity as a Justice of the Pearce this 17th day of December 1845.
 Frederick G Peters seal 

And on the same day came John Melton, Roderick L. Taliaferro, Beverley Hargrove and Alexander Brown, respectable and credible citizens of the said County of Nelson, and swore on the holy Evangelists, that they well remember the said Bransford West and George Purvis, that they were esteemed and reputed by those who knew them, and by these witnesses, to have been Soldiers of the Revolutionary War--that their character were fair, that full  credence was given to any testimony they would give in Court of Justice or elsewhere.  And the said witnesses further made oath that the said Purvis and West were pensioners of the United States, and received pensions for their services in the Revolutionary War, and that said Purvis and West departed this life some years since.  And I further certify that the persons now swearing before me are respectable Citizens and credible witnesses.  Given under my hand and
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seal, the day and year aforesaid, to wit, the 17th day of December 1845.  
Frederick G Peters seal 
a Justice of the peace for Nelson County
State of Virginia

State of Virginia
Nelson County  to wit 
I, Spotswood Garland, Clerk of the County Court of Nelson County do hereby certify that Frederick G. Peters whose name is signed to the foregoing certificates, is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that the signature aforesaid purporting to his, are genuine. 
In testimony whereof, I hereunto sign my name as Clerk of the said Court, and affix the seal of my office this 22d. day of December. 1845. 
Sp. Garland, Clerk of Nelson County Court.
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Rev. & 1812
Wars Section
ILL
September 2, 1930.
Dr. Lyman A. Cheney
814 Bellevue Avenue
Syracuse, New York.

Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 3808, that, while living with his father in Amherst County, Virginia, William Hansbrough enlisted in 1775, served as a private in Captain William Fontaine's Company, Second Virginia Regiment, and was in the battle of Great Bridge, length of service two years. It is also stated that he served in the militia one year, no dates or officers designated.
He died in January, 1816 at Stevensburg, Culpeper County, Virginia.
Soldier married November 5, 1786, Sarah, "Sally", Vaughan, daughter of William Vaughan of Culpeper County, Virginia.
Their daughter, Mrs. Patsey Wale, was aged fifty-seven years in 1845.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.
Soldiers brothers - Samuel (younger) & John appear in behalf of widow. Peter Hansbrough, also, no relationship. (Executor of sol)
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The papers referring to service of Wm. Fontaine may be found in the claim of his widow Ann Fontaine, Wid. File No. 7319.
The name of William Hansbrough does not appear in any of those papers.
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Feby - 16 - 1907
Robt. S. Hume City
1906 Apl. 16. Hist to Thos. L. Hume. AW.
1912 Mch 21 Hist. to Vic Raysor. V. L. M.
1915 - Mch. 17 Hist. to Mrs. Richardson. V. L. M.
1916 June 6 Hist. to Mrs. Sh
1917, Aug. 18. Hist. to Louise P
1930 - Sept. 2 - His. to D
Lyman A. Cheney. ILL

3,808
Revy WIDOW, &c.
No. 3808
Sarah Hansbrough
Wid.
Wm. Hansbrough
Pvt. Rev. War
Act: Feby. 2"/48
Index:-Vol. A, Page 303
Arrangement of 1870.
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Jany 19/47
7488

Cole
Prompt
Action


John S. Barbour, junr
Richmond
Va
Page 25

State of Virginia,
On this 13# day of January 1849, before me Thos D. Hanbrough a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Culpeper in the said State, personally appeared Sarah Hanbrough, a resident of the said County, aged Eighty four year, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2d. February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons, who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of William Hansbrough, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, and that under the Act of Congress of the 17 June 1844, she received a pension at the rate of fifty dollars per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
William Hansbrough
Sally Hansbrough x her mark

Witness
A L Ashby
Peter Hansbrough
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year above written, before me
Thos D Hansbrough J. Peace

I certify that Sarah Hansbrough, the Declarant above named, is personally known to me.
Thos D Hansbrough J. Peace

State of Virginia, Culpeper County, to wit,
I, Fayette Mauzy, Clerk of the County Court of the County and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that Thos D Hansbrough is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, duly commissioned and qualified;  that he is legally authorized to act as such;  and that the foregoing signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.
Given under my hand, and the seal of the said court, this 15th day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.
F. Mauzy
[SEAL]
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Payment to be made at Richmond by
Anthy Robinson [illegible]
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the
Agency of Virginia

Payable on the 4th September and 4th  March

Recorded in the Pension Office on the
roll of Pensioners under act February
2d, 1848, Page 153 Vol. 3.
Geo. Jenkins Clerk

Issue new certificates and hand to Mr. Charles Hume, present

Increase to $80 per annum under acts July 7, 1838 - March 3, 1843 & June 17. 1844 & Act 2d Feb 1848.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Widow's Pension

I certify that in conformity with the act of February 3d, 1848, Sarah Hansbrough, widow of William Hansbrough who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of fifty dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1848, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry;  in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 22d day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.

Examined and Countersigned
[SEAL]

This signature was gone when I opened this claim Apr. 14, 1906
AW.
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Tye River  W House
Novr. 3

Mr. J.S. Barbour
Near Culpeper Courthouse
Va
Page 29

Tye River Warehouse October 30, 1845

Mr. J S Barbour

Dear Sir
Your letter of the 25 Inst to the Postmaster at Lovingston is before me.  I have always understood, and verily believe that my brother William Hansbrough was a soldier in the war of the revolution with Col Fountaine, but do not of my own knowledge know the fact as I was too young at that time.  My sister in law is mistaken is saying that I gave my affidavit to that effect
Some years since Mr. Bransford West and George Purvis two old and highly respected gentlemen, both dead, testified, and gave their affidavits, that they knew that my brother was a soldier in said war, and served under Col. Fountaine, which affidavits I enclosed, or had enclosed to Major Broadus, I believe.
If these facts will aid you in the least in prosecuting the matter I am ready at any time to make oath to them, and should you wish me to do so, you will please sketch and enclose me a form directed to this Post Office
Yours Very Respectfully
Samuel Hansbrough
Page 30

I distinctly recollect that Mrs. S. Harbrough put into my hands some years past the affidavit of Purvis proving her husbands service for two years in the regular army or in some part of it
My recollection is not so distinct of the affidavit of Bransford West.  But i believe that evidence was also put into my hands.  There are [illegible] circumstances which impress me more strongly with that of Purvis than that of West.  The testimony proved 2 years service in the regular and one in the militia service.  That of the militia service was the evidence of [illegible] Vaughan Peter Vaughan and another Mr Vaughan.  The proof was free & clear from his fellow soldiers of two years service and one year militia service.  3 years in all.
Mrs. Wale and Mrs Allan who sworn to the existence & contents of Colo. W. Fountains discharge are respectable & credible witnesses I believe they are both members of the Baptist church.  I know that Mr Allan is.  
I lost the papers left me by his heirs [illegible] & I think it probably they were lost when my house was on fire
J.S. Barbour

District of Columbia
County of Washington
I hereby certify that on this 23d December 1845, the above named John S. Barbour personally before me made oath to the above in due form of law.
H.C. Williams  J.P.
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28,578
160 Acres
Page 32

letters 11 March 1846 & June [obscured] 1846 to Hon. J.S. Barbour
Wm. Hansborough's pension certificate handed to Major J.G. Camp
June 20 1846

Repd 27


7488
Sarah Hansbrough,
widow of William Hansbrough,
who was a private,
in the Virginia line.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars - 
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Increased to $80

Certificate of Pension issued the
26 day of Dec: 1845
and sent to Mrs. Sarah Hansbrough,
Stevensburgh, by the Hon. J.S. Barbour, of Culpeper County, Va

Act of March 3, 1843.
& 7 June, 1844

Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2  Page 140.
Page 33

Virginia   9789

Sarah Hansbrough
Widow of William Hansbrough
who died on the -- January 1816
of Culpeper Co. in the State of Va
who was a private in the compy commanded
by Captain Fountaine of the Regt commanded
by Col: Fountaine in the Virginia
line for 15 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond
at the rate of 50 Dollars - Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836
Increased to $80 per ann:

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 da of
Dec: 1845, and sent to Mrs. Sarah Hansbrough, Stevensburgh, Culpeper Cty: Va

Arrears to the 4th of
Semi=annual allowance ending
                                                         $250.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 7, 1838

Recorded by W.M. Stewart Clerk,
Book D  Vol. 1  Page 269
Page 34

Widow's application for pension on file in this Bureau. N.3808 

William Hausborigh (unintelligible)

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment - 1770
Length of Service - 2 years 
Rank - unintelligible
Captain - M. Foilture  
Colonel - L Rogt 
State - PA

Battles Engaged in, Great Bridge 
Residence of soldier at enlistment - Amherst Virginia (unintelligible note on side)
Date of application for pension, September 18, 1840 - His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application - Stevensburg (unintelligible) VA 
Age at date of application, 77 years 
Remarks - soldier married Sarah Daughters (Fr Patty) of WM Vaughas (need clarification) on November 3 1786. He died on January 1816. Their daughter Mrs. Patney Wale is referred to and also (unintelligible) John and Samuel (unintelligible)

Very regretfully (cut off on bottom of page)
Page 35

Thomas L Hume
Broker
Local Stocks and Bonds
Member Washington Stock Exchange
734 Fifteenth Street
Telephone, 3075

Washington, D.C., April 3, 1906

[STAMP]
O.W.&N. Div. Files
Apr 4 1906

Mr. Vespasian Warner,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-
I learn that an ancestor of mine, William Hansborough of Virginia, private Virginia Troops, was a Revolutionary pensioner.  I would be very much obliged if you would furnish me with whatever record you may have concerning him.  With expressions of appreciations.
Very truly yours,
Thomas L Hume

[STAMP]
U.S. Pension Office.
O
Apr 4 1906
Page 36

Ocala Florida.
March 11th 1912

Hon. Comr. of Pensions U.S.A.
Washington D.C.

Hon. Sir-
I am making application to the board of Managers of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Being a lineal descendent of the Hansbrough and Wales family, I am informed that William Hansbrough served as sargeant, quartermaster sergeant and regimental quartermaster in the third Virginia Infantry Revolutionary War.  His name appears on the rolls of Captain Washington's Company.  That regiment, which shows him "reviewed Feb. 26, 1776; term of enlistment 2 years.  He was appointed quartermaster sergeant Aug. 15, 1777, in Captain Wallace's Company, same regiment:  was appointed regimental quartermaster Nov. 1, 1777, and resigned February 10, 1778.
George (Walls) or Wales, served as first Lieutenant and Captain in 4th Virginia Regiment, Revolutionary War.
If you have any additional information
Page 37

in your department covering the service of the soldiers hereing mentioned I would thank you for a record of same, with such other facts as may be in your department.  I would likewise be thankful for your advice in locating the information I will need to become a member of the D.A.R.
Kindly advise me as early as possible.
Respectfully
Miss Vic Braysor
Ocala Florida
Page 38

Mch. 12. 1915   called in person
Mrs. Mary V. Richardson
132 East Capitol St.
Washn. D.C.
Page 39

One two cents stamped envelope
]MBH
OK 
RMJ
Stmpd. env. retd
W

328 Irving Ave.,
Dayton, Ohio.

To the
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,-
Will you please be so kind as to send me the names, dates and the services relative to William Hansbrough of Virginia who served under Captain William M. Fountain
Page 40

in the Revolutionary War, and whose wife Mrs. Sarah Hansbrough received a pension 26th of Dec. 1845 for her husband's service in said war.
Anything pertaining to the record of the said William Hansbrough of Virginia, especially date of birth and where born, would be highly appreciated.  I enclose stamped addressed envelope for same.
Page 41

Thanking you,
Mrs. Thomas W. Cooke,
328 Irving Ave.
Dayton, O.

June 1, 1916.

[STAMP]
U.S. Pension Office
A
June 3, 1916
Page 42

[STAMP]
U.S. Pension Office.
O
Aug 14 1917
Page 43

Revo. Sec  J.R.M.

1215 Calder Avenue
Beaumont, Texas

August 11, 1917

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir-
Please be kind enough to send me any record you might have relative to the services of William Hansbrough who enlisted from Amherst County Virginia and saw service in the Revolutionary War and was granted a military pension - 
Thanking you for any information you may send me

I am
Respectfully yours
Miss Louise Priddie
1215 Calder Ave
Beaumont Texas
Page 44


RW
Page 45

814 Bellevue Ave., Syracuse, N.Y.
Aug. 12, 1930

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-
I am writing to ascertain if you can furnish me with any details concerning one, William Hansbrough, a Revolutionary soldier of Virginia, whose residence for some time prior to his death in 1816, I think, was Culpeper Court House, or somewhere in Culpeper County, Virginia.  I do not find his name on the List of Revolutionary Soldiers of Virginia published by the Virginia State Library in 1911, nor the Supplementary List published later.  But I understand that his widow, Sarah (Vaughn) Hansbrough drew a pension until her death about 1848, but whether he himself was a pension, I am uninformed.  Her pension claim was No. 7488, pensioning Sarah Hansbrough, wife of William Hansbrough, a private.
The above is all the information pertinent to this inquiry that I possess.  Any information you can send me will be gratefully appreciated.
Yours Very Truly,
Dr. Lyman A. Cheney.

[STAMP]
U.S. Pension Office
A
Aug 18 1930
Page 46

residence at enlistment is in this paper

Colo:  J.L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington
Page 47

Reasons why this Sarah Hansbrough widow of William Hansbrough
was denied a full pension, & funds & [illegible]
wants to show that she should be allowed it.
Col Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
The declaration of the widow sets forth that her husband (Wm. H.) 
served in the Regular & Militia Service upwards of three 
years; that the first Service was in the 2d. of the two Battalions
first raised in 1775 in the "Dominion of Virginia" in Captain
Nathan Fontaines Company, that he so served for two years
under Fontaine; that after the close of the American Revolution Wars, the said Hansbrough exhibits a discharge from Fontaine Certifying his enlistment & Service.  The existence of which
discharge & its lot, are fully proven.  The Chief Clerk
in the pension office, found the name of Captain Fontaine,
as one of those who was appointed in January 1776 in the
2d. Battallion (or Regiment) who had resigned at some period of the War, which was unknown, & therefore he refused to allow a pension for more than 50$; only
that Wm. Hansbrough's would show that the same Fontaine 
was in Service long enough to have testified by his discharge, William Hansbrough's Service under him, for 2 years - and the Chief Clerk's (Doctor Crumb)
proposed writing me a letter putting these reasons for thi8s abridged allowance; that the
old widow might get the pension augmented by showing Service in Fontaine for more than 2 years.
Without assenting to the portion thus taken by the Chief
Clerk, I must submit to it, as valid in this particular,
for it makes the law of this widow's case - and to do her
Justice & obtain her clear rights, I will take the duty on
Page 48

on me of proving, beyond any reasonable cause for doubt, 
that which my friend Doctor Crumb demands of me.
The two battallions of "provincial troops" (as they are called in 
the Washington papers) were raised under an ordnance of Convention
of July 1775; & in conformity & by advice of the Resolution of Congress of July 1775. In the 2d. of those battallions or regiments
(for the terms are used as synonymous both by Virginia
& by Congress) William Fontaine was a Captain, in Services 
(as appeared by several of Auditor of Health certified accurate sent you herewithin) in September 1775.  See those certificates
& copies in the document of W. H. Richardson - now also sent &
marked B. and by the lists in the Washington papers at the Department of State - it is proved Wm. Fontaine was commissioned in these
two battallions, the 21st Octo. 1775.  See document A which is
a letter from L. Bramling being his release date of 4th Feby 1846 to [illegible].
and which shows that Captain Fontaine was commissioned "21st Octo 1775" - 
though manifestly in Services prior to that time, by the evidence referred
to above in Auditor Health certificates.  My friend Doctor Crumb seemed in his conversations
to record those regiments as Minute Men, or troops of doubtful
Character.  I shewed him by the history of Va. that he was mistaken
& in [illegible] [illegible] I am reassured that those two regiments
& their achievements struck the first blow for the revolution
which was struck in Va. & were the pride of the colony, or "Dominion"
as Va. called herself before she became a State.  And these two battallions
are expressly recognised by the Continental Congress in their reference of
Feby 1st 1776, for being in Service in the fall of 1775.  See
1st Vol. (Gray & Gideons adj.) "[illegible] Company" page 263 in their words
"Resolved that the Pay and Subsistence of two battallions ordered to be raised in 
Va. commencing the 1st day of November 1775 from whence time they were in active Service."
Page 49

and there is another resolve directing blank Commissions to go to their officers of their battalions to be filled up by the Conventions of Va. and Fontaine doubtless recd. one of them in Substitution of his "provincial" Commission of the 21st. Octo 1775, where new Commission was dated 28th Jany 1776 although the service of his men was Sept. '75. See proof [[illegible]] Richardson's document on 30th Jany by [[illegible]] the ordinance of Convention of Dec 1775, see Henning [[illegible]]

These regiments were the
Page 50

4
is to be found, whilst for several others leave to run is to be
found.
The irrev[illegible] prev[illegible] of every [illegible]
enquires must [illegible] he did not resign, until the
time of of his [illegible] expired, which time was two
years by the ordinance of Convention directing them
to be enlisted.
Let me carry the case a step farther you reject
the claim of this poor old widow upon a forced
supposition that Fontaine [illegible] before her
name could have served 2 years & that therefore
Fontaine could not have [illegible] Hansbrough or
discharged as is alleged,  When your own records
in his [illegible]office in your own building
(& in appurtenance to your office) shows that Fontaine served during
the whole war and both you & Virginia have
given him Lands for the whole war.  While
you tell this old woman that this same
Fontaine did not serve long enough
to certify for her husband, a brief service
of 2 years only!!  This is equality with a venge
ance!!!  Your own records [illegible] the cor[illegible].
It is true this was not known to us when you started the
doubt & [illegible] this obstacle  But it is known
now & there stands your own recorded judge-
ment.  Plump up to the difference your [illegible]
against [illegible] Hansbrough six years & 4 months over it!
To make our Hansbrough a service of 2 years, from
September 1775.  It is only [illegible] to show you that
Fontaine was in service to Septr 1777.  Yet Nichols, &
Hawkins, & Jameson all prove this fact in relation to Fontaine
& Nichols say in express terms that he Fontaine [illegible] in 1778 His
Page 51

5

His (Nichols) deposition is on file in his Gordon County
Land bureau  So in Hawkins Jameson & others.
After all you call on me to prove a fact,
which you have yourselves decided. Namely that  
Fontaine was 2 years in service.  You have settled it
& paid him Land by your judgement on that
fact.  Virginia has settled is also & paid him Land
accordingly for 8 years & 4 months service & yet you deny 
Mrs. Hansbrough a pension because you subject
that Fontaine resigned before he [illegible] have
served 2 years only!
Mrs. Hansbrough states on tradition & by belief, a
class of facts in the [illegible] of all aid, but her
own [illegible] forward recollection & unass[illegible] conviction
namely that Fontaine enlisted his company
in Amherst County Va in 1775. That her husband
was one of his soldiers. That he was a soldier
in the 2d  State regiment. That Fontaine
was a [illegible]in the 2d state regi
ment. That Fontaine fought at the[illegible]
bridge in  Dec'r 1775 & her husband a
one of his soldiers That her  husband
away 2 years with him under that in
[illegible] Her s[illegible] is this [illegible] tale
Fontaine by the records? The coincidence
in her narrative, & the proof your own
records supply, is worth many  [illegible]
Page 52

The record shows that Fontaine was of the 2d
Regt. That he was with Woodford. that he
was at the Long Bridge (or Green Woods)
9th Dec'r 1775 & [illegible] The law shows
[illegible] 2 years was the terms That he Fontaine did
raise a company in 1775. That he raised it in
Amherst (the residence of Hansbrough for [illegible]
the witnesses speak now of Nelson County, yet
Nelson now was Amherst in 1775. It being 
a new County made aft from Amherst
in 1808 9 - him Hansbrough relied on
George Purvis & Bransford West to prove
that her husband was in service or [illegible]
a[illegible] with Fontaine in 1775 & elsewhere
for 2 years.  Here is another coincidence!  With
out the powers of witchcraft the old Lady could 
not have known what Purvis & West had
sworn to, & filed in your office.  [illegible]
to [illegible] & lift & servitude be truth) paper
her through this crucible and or his looking into
the evidence filed by Purvis & West, they show that
they were themselves in a service to prove Hansbrough
service at [illegible] in 1775 & elsewhere by Purvis &
of later date by Bransford west.  And finally
in addition to all this, the deposition of Samuel 
Hansbrough Genl Alex'r Brown (brother in law 
of W.C. [illegible]) & others in Nelson County sworn
previously to enough to prove to any tribunal
on Earth that Wm Hansbrough was in service
Page 53

under Fontaine for 2 years.  He could not have served [illegible] under
the law, & I think not up there [illegible] Sep 1775 to
2 years after April 10th 1776, which is the tradition
of this neighborhod & which tradition I [illegible]
be home.  He was also in the militia in 1779
'80 & '81.  20 men old enough to [illegible]
have been out of militia duty, [illegible] at least
in each of those years in VA and so he old [illegible]
proved.  Take it all in all by the record by the
laws by the resolve of Congress of Feby 1776 [illegible]
back at least to [illegible] 1775 Gray & Gibson
[illegible] 1st 263 by the sustained [illegible]
[illegible] of the old Lady in books & records of which the
was wholly ignorant, when she [illegible] by the Genl Nielson
say do [illegible].  Auditor Health certified [illegible] the Washington
[illegible] the proofs in Gordon office ([illegible]of your own bureau)
the oral testimony of his wife. and especially the
lost files [illegible]of Genl Brown served Hans
Brough & others.  The whole case is too [illegible] & too
clear for one shadow of doubt.
I lost some of the old women [illegible]
(or I & from E. Broadus lost [illegible] together)
& the pain I suffered from the old Lady's com
plaint of my negligence; in mitigated by the
strong case made out in substitution of his
original evidence previously lost by the fire in my house
years ago, & in the [illegible] of my papers are equal
on it  With due Respect submitted by
J.S. Barbor
Page 54

142.458
Page 55

Washington 18th May 1855

Honb. L.P, Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
Enclosed I herewith send you the Declaration of Sarah Hansbrough widow of William Hansbrough and beg leave to have it filed as an application for 160 acres of Bounty Land under the act of 3 March 1855
Your Ob. Sert.
Felix Richards
Page 56

[STAMP]
Richmond Va.
Nov 18

[STAMP]
5

John S. Barbour Esqr
Culpeper CH.

via Gordonsville
Page 57

Auditors Office
Nov: 17 1845

My dear Sir

A day or two after the receipt of yours of the 25 ulto, I had occasion to visit Philadelphia and placed the letter in the hands of a clerk with Instructions to obtain the necessary proof from the Executive chamber.  I thought I had also instructed him to furnish you with such information as could be obtained  but to my mortification on my return I found that your letter had remained unanswered.  The clerk informs me however that by a regulation of the Executive Department no information relating to Revolutionary matters is furnished except upon the direct application of the parties interested or their duly authorized attorneys in fact, a very needless and vexatious regulation in my humble opinion.  I enclose you a note from the Register which establishes the fact that no Fontaine drew land bounty as Colonel.  This I hope fill be satisfactory at the Pension department.
I am dear sir very truly yrs
Jas E Heath
Page 58

[STAMP]
Fredericksbg Va.
Apr 10

Apl 11 46
DC
Reece
Mrs. Fontaine, &c


Colo: J.L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington City

Mrs. Hansbrough
admd. Va. Act 38 &c
Page 59

Sir       [illegible] March 27, 1846

Yours of the 11th current [illegible] which
other engagements were too  [illegible] to [illegible]is the [illegible]
[illegible]which I am now at [illegible] to better
[illegible]it.  The [illegible] between us now, is to
be solved in the length of service performed [illegible]
[illegible] Fontaine in [illegible] of the second state regiment
I [illegible]his service must have commenced
[illegible] and the [illegible] of the [illegible] of July 1775 which
raised by its law giving have two regiments the 
[illegible] a [illegible] raised by Virginia.  [illegible] by
Henry & Woodland in the [illegible] and [illegible]
by Gen Gibson and Brent & Dabbey.  There are
[illegible] facts, which is [illegible] of argument or evidence
can [illegible] or annul.  The [illegible] archives are full
of proof to this effect.  These two regiments had no con
section with the 15 regiments to which you refer.  nor to
the commission of Christian nor Patrick Henry and
any other [illegible] or [illegible] in the [illegible] or
the [illegible] of military found in that era.
Those two state regiments stand out from & above any
other troops in service always exactly the caliber battalion
of [illegible] a men.  They encountered the double perils of the [illegible]
& the black.  The penalty of treason if they failed, the [illegible]
of the [illegible] if they triumphed.  Like the [illegible]
of the formation are these, these 2 regiments [illegible] through
Page 60

The Ocean of the other military forces  without [illegible] into
or with [illegible] of them.  Pardon this [illegible] & [illegible]
[illegible]. it is written & I [illegible] & [illegible] it
They were raised for 2 years & for [illegible]
bor [illegible] true  There is the burden of the
convention. The endurance in all its details.
The [illegible] for 2 years the officer [illegible]rest under
[illegible] leave of the committee of today [illegible] the
town of their soldiers had a & fired It is not [illegible]
[illegible]. conclusion per known facts, to support,
that the govt would discharge [illegible], who were
[illegible] to serve two years, or the expiration
of half their term.  When the need for more
men, (or big [illegible] too) was the veracity (&
the claimer of that [illegible]) from the affair
of Dunmore, when he penetrated his [illegible]
 [illegible]the [illegible] in April 1775 to the surrender
of Cornwallis in October 1781.
Fontaine served as [illegible] over his two years
so did every soldier he recounted under the ordinance
of Convention of July 1775. Ol d [illegible] [illegible]
has pointed to Capt Gibbs and other officers of the
1st regiment now where in [illegible] I write
a [illegible]  to inquire.  He writes Capt Gibbs said
he knew Capt Fontaine well "He [illegible] by
office the late of the year 1777 or early in
1778". I will send for his affidavit & if [illegible]
his or I hear, this [illegible] the question, under
Page 61

you [illegible] a new [illegible].
With all Respect [illegible]
(all haste too)
J. S. Barbor
Page 62

Dear Sir.     Catalpa July 18th 1846

Your letter under date the 8th June 1846 was duly rec'd and remains on my table in the office from that time till now, when my care to it is recorded by a communication from Mrs Hansbrough.  I have but little time for the discussion of such  topics & have neither the thirst nor the ability to bandy arguments with one so well at home on the whole pension issue as you are.  I am nevertheless well persuaded that a quarter hour conference with you would relieve the poor old Lady's case of all your ambiguities & [illegible] further trouble in this debate.  I am culpable in this case from having lost her papers years gone by when they were committed to Major Broadus by her & by him to me then widows got nothing and I believed the papers valueless.  They are now lost when they are valuable.  and I am taxed with the loss.  You say in your letter of June 8th '46 as follows - - - "And you are informed that no additional evidence  has been filed since that certificate upon a most liberal estimate of the proof exhibited".  The date of that certificate for the old Lady's pension is the 26th December 1845 -  I admit with you that it was on a liberal estimate of the secondary evidence offered to you yet that secondary evidence became primary evidence by the loss of the original & any court of record was bound by the rules of law so to regard it. You did  no more than
Page 63

The Supreme Court of the U. States & all other Courts when the Common Law prevails had often done before you. Your own Attorney Genl had advised me  that you aught to admit it before I laid it before you and you have have [sic] to say so & shew him this letter for he laid me under no restrictions [illegible] when I put the case to him -
But you now say that I have filed no additional evidence since the certificate was granted. In this you do me great wrong & expose me to further reproves from old Wm Hansbrough. 
In January last with my own hand I [illegible] with my kind Doctor Crump, the [illegible] duly certified of Gen'l Alex'r Brown & Sarah Hansbrough of Nelson County Virg'a proving that George Purvis & Bransford West (I believe  I state their names truly (I know I do  that of Purvis) did in their [illegible] prove two year service of William Hansbrough the Husband of your petitioner Sarah Hansbrough - Gen'l Brown the Brother in Law of her br. C. Rivers- formerly a delegate himself from Nelson County Va. to the Gen'l Assembly of Va. & others proved the Character of these witnesses & that they were always reputed to have been revolutionary soldiers & were upright men.  Your own pension roles prove the same thing & from that they were in such service I mean Purvis & West to know that Hansbrough did serve
Page 64

as they swore - I asked Doctor Crump to file that evidence with the other papers. What day in January I do not remember. Do look for it & see it.  Doubtless it is mislaid else you could not write that no evidence was filed since 26th Dec'r 1845 - 
When Dr. Crump passed of the claim, he was met with this difficulty to which I before adverted; namely: It is proved (said he, that Fontaine (the Capt, gave Hansbrough his discharge - how there is no proof that Fontaine served 2 years & the presumption is that he only served 15 months.  Shew that he served 2 years & that will carry the case.
Now Sir in March or April last with my own hand I sealed up in a letter to you the Deposition of Churchill Gibbs an officer of the Second State Regiment who proved that Captain Fontaine did serve more that 2 years in that capacity in the 2d regiment & that he did not leave it until the close of 1777 or early 1778. Yet you write me that no evidence has been filed since 26th Dec'r 1845 the date of his certificate !!!  If his evidence is mislaid by you or any of your clerks, let me know it & I will see if it can be replaced.
That I filed fast & sent you the last I will know.  If this evidence does not prove the
Page 65

case I am wholly at a loss to know what will
I have this [illegible] to ask ,that you will take only the evidence filed since Dec'r 26th 1845- & if it does not carry the case, I will advise it to be surrendered.
It is not the two years only for which she is entitled - Her husband was out in several militia tours besides his term for regular service.
You have allowed him already for 15 months regular service - how I entreat your favour to look at the Laws & the ordinances of Convention, & tell me it any soldier could have served 15 months" Could any soldier enlisted in the regular Army under the acts & ordinances of 1775 have served for less than 2 years?  As to the question you state of Woodford & Christian, service after 1777 that is wholly immaterial-
The soldier was bound for his two years whether Woodford or Henry or Christian or any other Commanded.
I ask you to look at the case & decide by the proofs - I will ask no more 
With Respect & Esteem
In all haste   Yrs.
J. S. Barbour

Colo J. L. Edwards
Page 66

[STAMP][illegible

Paid J.L.B.

[STAMP]
PAID

5

Dr. Geo: W. Cramp
Chief Clerk Pension Bureau
Washington City
D.C.

By Fre of
Mail
Page 67

Catalpa July 29th 1846

Dear Sir.
In a short ride out yesterday with my sick son (recently returned from Texas) I met old Mrs. Hansbrough at the house of her son in law, who lives on the road in the border of the neighboring village.
She complains sadly of me that I lost her papers in 1835, and that it now appears by Colo. Edwards letter that I have this winter & spring mislaid other papers of hers committed to my care.
At the request of another son in law I sent Mr Pennybacker a letter for the Commis'r of Pensions - and I desire very much to relieve myself of her displeasure by satisfying her that I have not lost or mislaid her late papers.
In January I rec'd a sheet filled with affidavits from Nelson County. The affidavit of Gen'l A. Brown was one of  these. There were several others very strong. These I handed you in the room you occupy.  Your table was crowded with other papers & they have probably become mixed up with these.
This was in Janr'y last, & was on the day that you introduced young [illegible] to me. I remember it well.
Page 68

The other paper in her behalf was the deposition of Churchill Gibbs, who proved the service of Capt Fontaine for more than two years from 1775 to the year 1778.
It was sworn to before a magistrate of Madison County & the County Seal & clerks certificate [illegible] official character & the genuineness of his signature.
This I inclosed myself to the Comm'r of Pensions by Mail. I think in April last.
The old woman placed in my hands her boxes some years ago - They proved regular service for two years & more than a year in the militia - This was before any law existed for pensioners widows, These I lost -  for five years my impaired leg confined me to my house & this disability has somewhat excused me to the old woman for that loss.  But the second loss now imparted to me by the letter of the Comm'r (Colo Edw'ds) provokes [illegible] but displeasure on me - It is quite probable that Colo. E. did not intend in his last letter (by Colo Camp) to convey the idea that I had again lost her papers.  He says however in so
Page 69

many words, that no evidence has been filed in her case since the certificate (in their last) was granted.
I know that I delivered evidence in Jany & sent other by hand in April
Will you have it looked up & defend me by finding it?
In [illegible] hurry
I am Sincerely & Resptly yr friend
J. S. Barbour

Dr. G. W. Crump
Pension Office
Washington
D. C
Page 70

Washington  Jany 29th 1849

Sir
I return you the executed deposition of the late Captain Churchill Gibbs of Madison County Va.  I knew Capt Gibbs in my boyhood, and have known him ever since till his death.  He was a gentlemen of high character;  of considerable influence in his county, and his testimony deserves as such credence as that of any man whatever.  I know that he was an officer of the revolution from circumstances though of course not from a personal knowledge.  I saw him with Genl Lafayette in 1825, & heard them speak of their service together.
Very Respectfully yrs
J.S. Barbour

Colo J.L. Edwards
Com: of Pensions

I have asked Mr. Goggin the representative of that part of Virginia in which Capt. Gibb lived to say what is his general reputation.
J.S. B.
Page 71

Washington Jany 29th 1849

Sir
I state at the request of Mr Barbour that I knew Mr. Churchill Gibbs of Madison Co Va but slightly, living as I did at a great distance from him, though in the same District.  I formed a very favourable opinion of his character and my impression was, that he was a man of high respectability and that he was so regarded by the people  of his County and neighborhood who knew him best - I think I once before made a statement similar to this to be used in the decision of the comm. on the claims of Mr Gibbs or his representatives.
I am very Respy
W.L. Goggin

J.L. Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Page 72

Apl 23d 46

Reece  D.C.

Mrs Hansbrough

 Colo J. L. Edwards
Comms'r of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
Page 73

Catalpa April 21st 1846
Sir
Yesterday was our Monthly County Court, and old Mrs Hansbrough was at the house of her Son in Law & sent for me.  She had travelled Seven miles to see me at her advanced age, and the burden of her complaint was the loss of her papers by which she was deferred in her pension & has lost her land.  The point in the application for a full pension, which Doctor Crump made the pivot on which his decision wou'd revolve, was proof of the fact that Capt. Fontaine served two years.  At his allowance of the claim he proposed to write me a letter suggesting that point, to the end that the old lady might appy [apply] on farther evidence, for an increment to her present allowance - I regret that I declined taking that letter, as a task of supererogation, because, so many & multifarious matters must daily occur with all in the office, that any recollection of matters of detail, must be frail & doubtful in any one case.
But the point lay in this - It was in proof that W. Hansbrough was a soldier under Fontaine. That he served two years. that Fontaine after the close of his (Hansbro's) service gave him his discharge.  All which proofs were made up of such evidence, as the office, deemed (and decided) it to be first to respect.  But a document was exhibited by which it appears that Fontaine had three settlements with the functionaries of the state Gov't - the last of which was in December 1775; and the fact was assumed [marked out: by to]
Page 74

that the last settlement indicated the last service -
There might have been various other settlements of which no evidence by record is to be found or it may be as I believe is the fact (for so I hear) that a new organization took place in the beginning of the year 1777, by which many other settlements would be made by that organization according to the act of assembly passed at the Session beginning in Oct'r 1776. A settlement is only prima facie evidence of the fact & it is as illogical to presume that the last was a final settlement, or that the first was so.  There were various settlements of many other officers; & the first Session of the State Legislature was in Octo 1776 under the Constitution adopted in May (29th) of that year. and all accts after that session were in the regular order of a Gov't ex [illegible] acting by System. A board settled all the old transactions & that board had in part of its Commissrs Edmund R[illegible] John Tazewell & Richard Corey (as I learn)
You may regard this as apart from the inquiry & so it probably is.  You require of me proof that Capt Fontaine served 2 years and I furnished it to you in Capt Churchill Gibbs declaration, taken by a [illegible] magistrate in Madison.  Old Gibbs is confined to his home (as I learn) & can never again get out) Tho' his mind is clear & strong, a [illegible] his memory.  His Oath is plumb up to the point = That Fontaine was in service more than two years - & so Too is your own evidence on file in Mr Gordons bureau; & running into 1778 - I will now show that Fontaine was obliged to serve two years - &  so was Hansbrough, his soldier -
Page 75

The ordinance of Convention fixed two years as the term for enlistment of the soldiers and Gibbs (first a soldier at the [illegible] & afterwards an officer in the 1st State regiment) says on oath that the soldiers were enlisted for 2 years. The same law which authorised the Commissioning of an officer in those Regiments. [I mean the first nine. that is the 1st & Second & then the six [illegible] & one German Reg'ts] also provided that no officer should + resign until the term for enlisting & service of the men also expired - See the proviso near the top of the page of the Ninth Volume of Hennings Statutes at large page 96 entituled [sic] "an ordinance for &c Committee of Safety" Cap IV.  
I pray you sir to read the affidavits from Madison County taken & filed since your allowance of [illegible] 15 [illegible] the pensions. Gen'l Alex'r Brown a most respectable citizen leads & confirms them.
I am well persuaded that in 1834 or 3 I had the depositions of George Purvis (which I [illegible] recollect) Bransford West, [illegible] Vaughan Peter Vaughan & others which fully proved, [marked out: for] Hansbroughs first 2 years service with the Regulars of the 2d Regiment & 1 year in the Militia in various tours afterwards to the close of the War.  Yet these are lost, and by a chain concurrent & coroborative [sic] proof (singularly coincident too with records & distinct witnesses without communication) the material facts are proved now, beyond all question for scepticism [sic]. So I entreat you let the old woman have her money & cease her complaints.  Yrs Respectfully
J. S. Barbour
The Comm'r of Pensions

+ An officer w'd not have dared resign in those times-or never be again trusted if he had done so ag't the Law.
Page 76

Richmond January 3rd 1841
J.S. Barbour Esq
Dear Sir
Your letter in relation to Mr Hansbrough was delivered to me yesterday by your son Mr. J. S .Barbour Jr., and although I can not communicate any information that will be valuable to the old lady, I will lose no time in replying to it. I regret that Mrs Hansbrough will not be able to procure from my fathers papers any testimony as to the service of her husband. I am sure that there are none of my fathers old papers that will throw any light on the subject, never having met with any such, in all my examinations of them. A pension has been obtained by mother on a/c of my fathers military Services, but we had to rely on evidence collected by Mr. Thomas Greene from other sources, than those in our possession -  It is possible that Mr. Greene may be able to give you some information.
I hope Mrs H may succeed in establishing her claims, and remain Yours 
Respectfully,
E Fontaine
Page 77

43-7488
 5

Colo: J. L. Edwards
Comm'er of Pensions
Washington City
D. C. 

official Mail

April 6 46

[illegible] Mrs Hansbrough
Page 78

Catalpa  April 15th 1846
Sear Sir.
I believe the enclosed affidavit settles the whole difficulty as to Mrs Sarah Hansbroughs right to a full pension for her husbands service of two years in the Second State Regiment.
Your Chief Clerk admitted the case, if the proof could be had to shew that Capt W. Fontaine was two years in service-
The testimony proved that Fontaine gave the soldier Hansbrough his discharge- That fact was unquestioned, - but said Dr. Crump the papers make me doubt whether Fontaine was himself more than 15 months in Service, & if he gave the soldiers the discharge, it proves that the soldier Hansbrough was in Service less time than Fontaine & if Fontaine Served but 15 months the soldier served less. He required me to shew that Fontaine served two years & was in a capacity & office to grant the discharge after the soldier had rendered two years service-
I now prove that Fontaine was in Service over two years - that he resigned the latter part of the year 1777 or early in 1778 and that his men enlisted for two years.
Page 79

By the act of the Legislature (or Convention) an officer in that service cou'd not resign at any period short of two years unless by leave had of the Committee of Safety or Convention itself-See the last section of the Act organising Committee of Safety which I shewed Dr Crump and by another act of same session, the soldier was enlisted for two  years.
The additional testimony filed since the allowance was first made [illegible] of Gen'l A. Browns affidavit & others of Nelson County Va. four or five witnesses together-
The copies from Richmond proving Fontaines service - which [illegible] to you regarded as insufficient and now the affidavit of Capt Churchill Gibbs an officer in the 1st State Reg't from 1775 to the close of the War & a pensioner under the act of May 15th 1828.
The affidavit of Cap't Gibbs is evidently taken by a young magistrate of Madison County (& [illegible] I learn is the fact) - If it needs polish: but it utter strong & rings truth-
Accept my Respects
J. S. Barbour

Colo J. L Edwards
Page 80

Washington Jan'y 20th 1849
Sir.
Mrs. S. Hanbrough a pensioned widow asks an increase allowance on new proofs.
She was allowed as the widow of William Hansbrough for only 15 months service of her Husband and although the widow was believed to have proved 2 years service in her Husband, yet the late Dr. G. W. Crump w'd allow only 15 months because there was no proof that Fontaine (his Captain) served longer than Dec'r 1776. But Dr. Crump then said & probably so rendered the papers, that the pension might be increased on further proof.  Edmund Fontaine the son of Colo W. Fontaine the former Capt of Hansbrough was written to & his letter sent herewith refers to Mr Green & on consulting Mr. Green he refers to the papers filed in that Bounty Land office - Those papers
Page 81

that Fontaine served to the end of the War & was allowed Land Bounty both by the Va State & by Virg'a. They also shew other facts which conclusively prove Hansbroughs Case, so far as that case depends on Fontaines Service.  Besides this the Register of the Land office at Richmond says that Fontaines then enlisted for 2 years & refers to the ordinance of Covenant of Dec'r 1775 to shew that they were [illegible] to serve 2 years. See 9th Vol: Henings Statutes at large page 81.
I candidly think the case is very clear for the old Lady & that you will agree with me on seeing the papers & the Law; that she ought to have 20$ a year of increase.
With all Respect yrs
J. S. Barbour

J. L. Edwards, Esq
Com: of Pension
Page 82

Mr Hansbrough (the soldier) had none of the benefits of the pension system or Land in his lifetime. Having died nearly 40 years ago - J. S. B.

+ He did not serve 3 years - at first - In original papers
See pencil memo. & papers with
Mr Gordon bounty Land office -
Nicholas Dept in bounty L'd office
Certificate of official Commissioners
&c. &c. to various [illegible] &
Fontaine [illegible]
Page 83

Catalpa Sep'r 20th 1845
Sir,
Yesterday and to day I am confined to my bed & chamber & late this evening the enclosed declaration & evidence & certificate of Court are sent me to be sent you.
I suppose the records in your office will shew the service of William Hansbrough for two years in the Second State Regiment and if they do the old Lady has a claim to a pension.  The marriage &c is of record in Culpeper. The evidence & declarations are not full or the were made in open court. The old womans maiden name was Vaughan. That does not appear in the proof but enough appears to shew the marriage of this identical woman with that identical soldier.  They were all highly respectable & are so now. Mrs .Patsy Wale is the daughter of Hansbrough &  any fact is omitted.  All was done in open Court as your directions sent me required & the evidence in open Court, I think this shou'd be done in all cases.  It was a remark of Gov'r Giles in the Virg'a Convention of 1829-'30 "That publicity is the soul of virtue" and to that remark
Page 84

mainly is to be credited to remnant of our Executive advising Council, which the new Constitution planted around the Gov'r. If You w'd require [illegible] in [illegible] all evidence for all claims & pensions the system won't work out for case fraud & wrong than it now sustains.
With all Respect yrs
J. S. Barbour

Colo J. L. Edwards

N. B.
If your records do not shew Mr Hansbroughs service other proof will be sent you as I am assured.
J. S. B.
Page 85

Oct 20 '45

Paid
J. S. B   PAID 5

Colo J. L. Edwards
ComS: of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.
 
on public service

Sarah  Mrs Hansbrough 38  rec'd 22 Sept
Wm. Bolling
&c
Page 86

Colo. J. L. Edwards
Comm'r of Pensions

Catalpa  October 18th 1845
Dear Sir.
I have returned within the last half hour from Warrinton, thither I had gone some days past and I find an enquiry left in my absence to learn whether Mrs Hansbroughs pension is allowed her.
The lapse of time had escaped my attention until informed that it is four weeks since I sent it you- I did not pay the postage & therefore my letter with its enclosure may yet be in your City post office.  As you have dropt the franking privilege, I suppose the Gov't w'd buy the postage in such cases.  It is more just that it shoud bear the penalty of this expense than that I shoud pay it.  By an unwise system of Legislation you invite the whole country to the pension office, & you shou'd pay all the charges upon your etiquette of invitation.  In expressing my disapprobation to the system, I only repeat what I have more formally uttered elsewhere & on the pupose [sic] of these laws - Certainly I do not mean to discharge the fair & just claim of this old Lady.
In rejecting cases like hers, it is often seen that the bullish functionary is cloaked with
Page 87

with a gnat the moment after it has swallowed a camel!
Let me know if you rec'd her declaration?  Have you passed her claim? It [illegible] pray pass it at once & relieve me from her importunity - while you liberate yourself from the Trouble I impose on you.
I know her claim is proved - that it will ultimately pas I am firmly persuaded whatever impediment for the day may be thrown across the track.
With friendly Respects yrs
J. S. Barbour

P. S.
I learn that Mrs Bothing of Petersburg was here yesterday (while ( I was in Fauquier) & said that she wished me to enquire into her right to a pension.  I suppose I shall hear again from her tomorrow.  J. S. B.
Page 88

Catalpa Feby 19th 1846
Sir
Doctor Crump called on me to shew that Captain Fontaine was 2 years in service from 1775, & cou'd therefore have given William Hansbrough (the former husband of Sarah Hansbrough) a discharge after 2 years service by Hansbrough.
The proof is enclosed.  Please read my argument of this date & the evidence referred to - Especially the Law 9th Hennings Statutes at large page 81 & page 96.  Hansbrough  cou'd not have enlisted for less than 2 years & Fontaine cou'd not have resigned (page 96,) until the 2 years were out.  The written evidence in Mr. Gordons office, bounty land shews that Fontaine resigned in 1778.
So let the old woman have her pension for she is well entitled to it.  I have had more reproaches & complaints [illegible] loosing [sic] her papers than forty pension are worth.
I also filed, [illegible] with Dr Crump other [illegible] of S. Hansbrough - Genl Brown (brother in law of W. C. River) & others  putting the question beyond every [illegible] or doubt.
With best Respects yrs
J. S. Barbour
I enclose other evidences. The proof is to the exact date of Fontaines resignation- to wit in 1778 in Gordons office please see.
 J. L. Edwards Esq:
Commi'r Pensions

Turn over
Page 89

according to the opinion of the Chief Clerk If Fontaine served two years & did [illegible] & a discharge as witnesses say then Hansbrough's widow is entitled to a full pension of 80$ the year.
The Laws show he Fontaine was drafted to serve 2 years in office unless he incurred the reproach of dishonor as an officer - or the penalties of Treason as a Citizen - His widow afterwards made Colonel regulations both.
1st He could not have served less under the law 2dly. Nicholas Jameson - Price & [illegible] prove the fact that he Fontaine did serve until 1778 when he resigned. In 1779 he was reappointed.
3rdly. The last Evidence I filed proved that Hansbrough enlisted for 2 years & served 2 years. See it on file & filed since the allowance of 50$ - the year
4thly. Besides this regular service, it was proved that Hansbrough served in the Militia several times. other 1778.
5thly. History tells you that Va. was involved in '79, '80 & 80. & no man did engage to forget could have shunned fighting duty.
6thly. This Militia Service is in addition to all you ask for a full pension - to wit 2 yrs service & that 2 yrs is fully proved.
J S B
Page 90

Washington June 1st 1846
Sir.
I enclose to you the old pension Certificate of Mrs. Hansbrough that it may be cancelled & exchanged for the new one which I suppose will be issued to her.
The only objection to the allowance of a full pension of 80$ was the defect of the proof in Captain Fontaines service for 2 years. That defect is supplied by Capt. Gibbs' evidence who swears that Fontaine resigned the winter of 1777. '78 & that he served before resigning more than 2 years.
When we searched the case & all its proofs, it was advised by Mr. Crump that if the old Lady cou'd prove that Fontaine served 2 years, that then she was entitled to a full pension under the ordinance of Convention if her husband could not have Served or been enlisted for less than 2 years. But as the proof showed Fontaine to have given Harsbrough a written discharge, it followed that if Fontaine served less than 2 years, of Course Harsbrough to whom Fontaine gave the discharge could not have served longer than Fontaine
Page 91

And there is now filed the clearest evidence that Fontaine did serve over two years - and of Course according to that Dr. Crump required as preliminary to a full allowance for her, she is on this proof entitled to it - But as this proves in my view the case was plain enough without this evidence. This however meets & fulfills the demand made of me in her behalf & I will be obliged to you to send the new Certificate to Culpeper C H.
Mrs. Harsbrough did not draw on this Certificate in March last; but I think she has drawn up to Septr 1845
With best Respects, I'm
(In all truth) J. S. Barbour
J. L. Edwards Esq.
See the new decl. (filed in Jan'y 1827 from Nelson Cty Va. by Genl. R. Brown & others
Page 92

Sir Washington x Mass day
In the application of Mrs. Harsbrough the following observations recur as worth consideration.
1st. She is the widow of a soldier who enlisted at the beginning of the revolution, and of course the double dangers of the battle & the penalties of treason were incurred by him.
2d. He served his two years in the regular army & was of that class of soldiers to whom Land bounty was denied - (3 years being necessary)
3rd. He died in 1816, too early to derive any benefit from the prodigal waste of the federal Treasurers, in the numerous, & multiplied, bounties to those of the revolution, who did least in the field, & drew most from the Treasury.
4thly. This widow has been kept out of her dues for some years, by her ignorance, & by the loss of her papers - Through my correspondence, & the regular of Major Broadus & myself
Page 93

5thly. The foregoing remarks are addressed to the equity of the Commissioner & to that beneficence which the theory of your pension system, says is Justice
Now to the proof, &c
First it was in proof that the Soldier Harsbrough, (long the Tavern Keeper at Stevensburg in Culpeper County, to my own knowledge,) was in the habit of exhibiting to others & especially to revolutionary Soldiers, the evidence of his Service in that war, which Colo Fontaine's written discharge furnished him, see the declaration & proof with it - Mr. Allen said on oath in Court that he had seen it as he thought a hundred times. A spurious paper wd. not have been so openly & frequently exposed to view, among those who could have detected & exposed the imperative.
Two witnesses & the old Lady herself swear to the existence of that discharge & its contents.
The old Lady recollects that she gave it up with other papers of value to her Husbands Extr (after the husbands death). A paper kept & valued by her husband, which however the said Excr said was of no value. This was in 1816 when such papers were of no value because the service proved went then unrewarded.
Page 94

It is not remarkable that after the lapse of nearly 30 years since his death, that only two persons can be found to prove it. Allen is a man of remarkable mind & memory.
Lost papers, by all the rules that regulate Courts of Law, Must first be proved to be lost, that done, Their Contents may be proved, & it is evidence according to the Strictest rules of Law, & the product of all the Courts State & federal. Like all other evidence, its credit must be weighed & its credence settled by the mind deliberating it.
Secondly The deposition or affidavits of Bramford West & George Purvis, prove that he was in the Company of Fontaine a soldier in regular service in 1775 & '76 & to the close of his tour of enlistment.
The recollection of the witness as to the certainty of Purvis' deposition is distinct & also as to that of West. He gave his reasons further distinctness & put in writing that he may bear the responsibility of any scrutiny that may be made namely. C. J. Faulkner had sent him a letter of enquiry relating to a claim for a Captain Purvis said to be of Crockett's regiment. Mr. Faulkner was of the State Legislature of Va. - The witness a member of Congress at the time into that application in this allowance (for Mr. Faulkner) to Purvis the Captain. The name of the soldier Purvis
Page 95

was from the identity of the name supposed to be a chance for proof that might supply the deficiency. It was scanned with more care (for this reason & it is the better remembered) - 
Third
If This proof as to the discharge that was lost (by passing it to Hansbrough Extr) & the deposition of Purvis & West prove anything - They did prove a service in the Second regiment under an enlistment by virtue of the ordinance of Convention of July 1775 -
How long was the term of service - Purvis said on Oath that it was 2 years. Is this inconsistent with the term prescribed by the ordinance of convention? It is closely coherent with it.
The pleasure of the Committee of Safety was the term & tenure of Service, for the first two Regiments. By three months hither, the Soldier had his option to quit at the end of a year. The witness Purvis swore to 2 years & his declaration proves that he (Purvis) was at times in service to know he did so serve from July 75 - to the year 1777-
It is manifest that the state (or Committee) did not use its pleasure to discharge, for it wanted more soldiers - and in December 1775 offered other bounties for more soldiers as the six additional regiments - That act (or rather ordinance of Convention) for Six additional regiments, fixed the term of Service at 2 years; & it placed these six regiments & the 2 first regiments on precise equality of rights & duties - So that 2 years became the term instead of the pleasure of the Convention - 
very Respy - J. S. Barbour