Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8859, Abner Gordon, Va
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Va

Gordon, Abner
Or
Gorden

Elizabeth

NUMBER
W. 8859
B.L.Wt 56503-160-55

CONTENTS
Page 2

vertical: 56503 Feby 10/57
267 682
Act Mar. 3. 57
Jany 22.57
Elizabeth Gordon wid.
Abner Gordon pri.
Ad:160 Acres. Feb 7/57
Boyton
Revy War
Pens'd. Act 7 June 1832
Act Feby 53 - No 4895
Special, by Chief Clerk
J. Cole  Jany 27. 57
CC
Absalom S. Buren
Mill Bend.
Tenn.
Vol. G. 105.0
Page 3

“Restoration”

4.895

Tennessee

Elizabeth Gordon
Widow of Abner Gordon
Who serve in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private

Inscribed on the “Knoxville” [careted in] Roll at the rate
of 40 dollars 00
cents per annum, to commence on
The 3d February, 1853. [crossed out]
4th March 1861 [written]

Certificate of Pension issued
16th day of May 1868
And sent to Claimant
Care of R.R. Butler
MC 
Ho. of Rep.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 
February 3, 1853, Page 253 Vol. H 

J.n. Smith
Sent [page damaged]
Page 4

Reported to agent [document torn]

Set to How R. S. Cawthen [document torn]
July 6 18 [document torn]

Paid at Treasury, under act 6 April, 1838, from 4 March, 1843 to 5 June, 1843. Agent notified 27 March 1845.

[document torn]
Abner Gordon
Hawkins Co. in the State of Tennessee

[document torn] he was a private in the company com [document torn]

[document torn] Captain Overton of the regt. com [document torn]

[document torn] Davis in the VA

[document torn] line for 1 year

Inscribed on the Roll of Jonesborough, Ten.
at the rate of 40 Dollars cents [line dashed through] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21. day of June 1842 and Hon A McCellan
House of Representatives

Asserts to the 4th of Sep. 1842 460.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. '43. 20.00

$480.00

Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832.
[both statements enclosed in brackets: {}]

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book E.2. Vol. 7. Page 14
Page 5

Declaration of Elizabeth Gordon for County Court under act 3 March 1855

267.682 

Filed by
A.L. Burem
Mi[?] BInd
Tennessee
Page 6

State of Tennessee] SS.
Hancock County   ]
On this 3rd day of January AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace within and for
the County and State aforesaid Elizabeth Gordon, aged
about seventy seven years a resident of Hancock County
in the State of Tennessee who being duly sworn according to
law declares that she is the widow of Abner Gordon
deceased who was a soldier in the revolutionary war
and for his service was pensioned under the act
of 7 June 1832 and was paid at ___ Ten'e.
agency at the rate of Forty Dollars per annum to his death
which took place about the 5th day of June 1843
she further states that she was married to the
said Abner Gordon in Lunenburg County Virginia On
or about the ____ day of _____ 1809 by a minister
whose name she has forgotten in account of her age and
failing memory. that her name before her said marriage
was Elizabeth Maiken. that her said husband and herself
continued to cohabit as man and wife from the date of marriage
Continuously to his death, that she had seven children
to him the eldest of which is now about 46 years of age
the youngest is now about 29 years of age and
that her said husband died in the County of Hancock
State of Tennessee on or about the day before stated
of which she has no record that she has no record of 
that the date of her marriage to him and that since the
death of her said husband she has never again married
and has continued and is now a widow.
She further States that she has heretofore
applied for pension under act 3 Feby 1853 - that she
was placed upon the roll at Knoxville and has been suspended 
that she has applied for renewal of her pay
that she has heretofore applied for bounty land under
act 3 March 1855 that the acknowledgement of the claim
is lost that she has never recd any land warrant under
any law of Congress nor made a different application
for the same, that she refers to proof filed in her claim
to renewal of pension under act 3 Febry 1853 to sustain
her right to bounty land under act 3 March 1855 and
that to renew her application she makes this declaration
and hereby appoints Absalom L Buren of Milo Bend Ten'e.
her attorney revoking all other {illegible} by her made for
the purpose of obtaining her land warrant.

Elizabeth  her X mark  Gordon
Page 7

We David Wilder and Nancy Welder
Residents of Hancock County Tennessee upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration and [?] was signed by Elizabeth Gordon in our presence on the day stated, and that we live in declarants neighborhood have been acquainted with her for about 17 years. Knew her husband Abner Gordon in his lifetime, next they settled here as coming from North Carolina some four years before Abners death, that They continuously cohabited as man and wife from their settling here to his death [?] so reputed and respected by good society. and that her declaration to one [illegible] is substantially true, and that she is the person she represents herself, and that we have no doubt that she was suspended as a pensioner wrongfully and should be restored, we are no way related to her or interested in her claim but our statements correspond with general statements and [?] of the neighborhood.

David Wilder
Nancy Wilder

The foregoing declaration power of attorney and affidavit were sworn to acknowledged and subscribed. before me in the day and year above written. And I certify that I know all the affiants to be credible persons, and the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that the facts stated by her are true. And I have no interests in the claim.

George Odom S.P. {Seal} 
 for Hancock County Tennessee.

State of Tennessee SS. I, Richard Mitchell Clerk of the County Court Hancock County for the county and state aforesaid do certify that George Odom Esq before whom the foregoing affidavits and acknowledgments were made and signed, was at the date thereof and still is an acting justice of peace within and for said county duly commissioned and qualified and that his signature thereto is genuine.

Given under my hand and seal of office at Sneedville This 6th day of January 1837

Richard Mitchell Clerk
Page 8

Declaration of Elizabeth Gordon

State of Tennessee} 
County of Hancock}


On this 2d day of April 1833 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in [an]d for the county aforesaid Elizabeth Gordon resident of the county aforesaid aged 73 years Who being duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress passed February the 3rd 1853 that she is the widow of Abner Gordon who was Revolutionary Pensioner and resided in Hawkins County Tenn and secured $40.00 per annum at the Jonesborough agency Tenny see.  She further declares that she was married to the aforesaid Abner Gordon the 4th day of February 1800 that her husband the aforesaid Abner Gordon died on the 5 day of June 1842 that she was married to him at the time above stated she further swears that she was a widow at the passage of the act and is still a widow and that she has never before made application for a pension 
Elizabeth her X mark  Gordon 

Sworn and subscribed the day and year above written Before me
[marked out: L F Wells]
L F Wells {Seal} 
Justice of the Peace for Hancock Cty

County of Hancock Tennessee to wit 
I LF Wells do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above affiant and that she is person credit and truth Given under my hand and seal this 2nd day of April 1853

L F Wells J.P.

State of Tennessee}
Hancock County   }
[enclosed on right side with bracket]
Personally appeared William Gordon a credit able witness before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace and makes oath that Abner Gordon & Elizabeth were married together in Lunenberg County Virginia in the  year one thousand eight hundred and six on the 4th day of February Sworn to and subscribed the 4th day of April 1853

William Gordon 
before  L F Wells J.P.
Page 9

State of Tennessee
Hancock County
[both statements enclosed on right side: }]

County Court April term 1833

This day was presented in open Court the Declaration of Elizabeth Gordon widow of Abner Gordon for a pension taken before LF Wells Esg one of said Court but out of Court and the court aforesaid do here approve and Ratify said proceedings

In testimony whereof I have hereunto act my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Sneedville this 4th day of April AD1853

Richard Mitchell Clerk

[covered large mark on paper]
Page 10

May the 8th 1853

Sir [erased: Plea]
Please examine the within claim and if correct send her Certificate to my address. Red Wood Grainger County Tennessee. I am with Respect your Obdt Servant
James K McAnally

L.P. Waldo Esqr 
Comm'r of Pensions
Page 11

State of Tennessee
Hancock County
[enclosed on right side with bracket]
SS.
Circuit Court Jan 7th 1841

on this 27th day of January 1841 personally appeared in open court Abner Gordon [name underlined] of the county and state aforesaid, aged Eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to  claim the benefit of the pension made by act of Congress passed June 7th 1832: That he Enlisted in the Army of the United States in the latter part of the  fall of the year 1779 seventeen hundred seventy nine at Runswick Court house (old) in the state of Virginia  for during the war - Two men by the names of Stephenson + William Betty were drafted, and they procure this aff [crossed out] declarant to enter the continental army as a regular soldier, in order to release them from the tour they were called upon to perform - and accordingly the declarant time as a regular soldier in the Regiment commanded by he thinks by Lt. Davis [underlined] who was then [statement crossed out] who was commanding at Chesterfield Court and to which this affiant was marched under the command of Capt. Overton of said regiment of the Virginia line, he tented in Runswick County when he enlisted, after remaining at Chesterfield some months. he was marched under a Captain Parker into South Carolina to a place called Mulberry Grove, and after remaining in said state some time he was marched to Savannah in Georgia and then he was marched back to South Carolina that he was [crossed out] and under the command of General Gunn and was marched to Guilford Courthouse sometime in the in the month of February 1781 - and this declarant was in the battle of Guilford, which took place sometime in the month following, after the battle, he with his company was marched back to Virginia and he then came under the command of Baron Steuban at Petersburg or rather from the Town [crossed out word] after a night skirmish with the British in [illegible] under the [illegible] [crossed out word] the declarant with the
Page 12

troops under the command of Baron Steuben retreated towards Richmond after joining the Marquis La Fayette he was marched to the Point Fork at the confluence of the Rivers Rivannah & Fluvanna From Point of Fork Steuben proceeded on his march to join Genl. Wayne,, which  [crossed out: the ]was finally accomplished by Steuben & La Fayette - after this junction the British Army under Cornwallis was followed towards Williamsburgh and after a Slight skirmish, with them, the American Army encamped Some distance above Williamsburg, near James River - He was in no other action until the Battle at York and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis this declarant was in the battle, and was afterwards [crossed out word] honorably discharged at the end of the war, which was in the latter part of 1782 he thinks - There was a Capt [?] this affiant occasionaly served under - his memory is defective, and he may have made some slight mistakes, but he served from the time of enlistment to the end of the war, over three years- he thinks tho' he may be mistaken, that he served sometime in the 5th Virginia Regiment The reason he never applied before this time he was informed that he could not get a pension until he proved his services by two soldiers which he has been unable to do. His discharge has been lost some time ago.

[black stamp]

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension  or an annuity except the present and he declares his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state Sworn to &  subscribed the day and year aforesaid

Abner his X mark Gordon 


Geo R Powell clk
of the Circuit Court of Hancock County
Page 13


35.166
Abner Gordon
Tennessee

THE [illegible] OF THE UNITED STATES [circular black stamp]

On roll, page
158 - £ 41.15:5
[illegible]
Page 14

And the Said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier as he States--
I George R. Powel Clerk of the Circuit Court for the County of Hawkins in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Abner Gordon for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and private Seal having no [?] Seal of office this 28th day of January AD 1841
(seal) Geo R Powel (clk)

State of Tennessee}
Hawkins County  }
Personally appeared before the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace for Said county the forgoing named Abner Gordon, who being duly Sworn, deposeth & Saith in addition to what he has before declared That he Enlisted as a private Soldier and Served as Such in the Revolutionary war as before stated for the Period of three years--Since making out his declaration This declarant has met with John Raines, a revolutionary Pensioner residing in Hawkins County aforesaid, and who served with the affiant, to whose deposition this declarant [?] as further proof.
Abner  his X mark  Gordon
Sworn to & subscribed before me}
this 6 day of May A.D. 1841}
M. M. Wobb JP.}

State of Tennessee, Hawkins County  on this 6 day of May 1841 personally appeared before the undersigned John Raines aged 80 years a citizen of Hawkins County and who is a Pensioner on the role of the united States at the pension agency at Jonesborough in the state & being duly Sworn States that he is a Pensioner as before Stated and that he is well acquainted with Abner Gordon, who has sworn to & subscribed the foregoing declaration & affidavit that he the Said Raines & Said Gordon were both in the battle of Guilford, and also in the battle at York Town that he Gordon enlisted as Stated in his declaration in the fall of the year 1779, and continued in Service till the latter part of the Year 1782, and he is confident that he received an honorable discharge, He cannot distinctly recollect the officers under whom Said Gordon Served but he recollects Col Davis and Captain Overton. He well recollects that Said Gordon was a faithful obedient Soldier, and that he Served as a private in the war of the Revolution, and is well Entitled to a pension.
John  his X mark  Raines
Sworn to & Subscribed before}
me this 6 day of Mary 1841}
M. M. Wobb JP
I certify that the Said John Raines is a creditable person, with whom I am acquainted residing in my neighborhood.
M. M. Wobb JP
Page 15

State of Tennessee}
Hawkins County}

I Abram McClellan [crossed out: do hereby] a member of Congress from the 2d Congressional District do hereby certify that George R Powel whose name is annexed to the within certificate is now and was at the time of signing the same clerk of the circuit court of Hawkins county, duly qualified &c. In testimony whereof I have hereto annexed my name this 10th day of May 1841

Abram McClellan

A62. [written on right side of page]

State of Tennessee}
Hawkins County}

I James M Hord clerk of the county court of Hawkins County do hereby certify that M M Wobbs Esq. whose signature appears to the within certificate is and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the peace  for said court  and that his signature appears to be in his proper hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed the seal of office at office in Rogersville this 10th day of May AD 1841
Jas M Hord Clk
Page 16

a.h.y.

Rev.&1812 Wars Section

[written mark on paper]

May 18, 1928.

Robert R. Logan,
213 North College Avenue,
Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Sir:

I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 8859 [underlined], it appears that Abner Gordon [underlined], or Gorden, while a resident of Brunswick County, Virginia enlisted in the fall of 1779, served as private and drummer in Captains Overton's, Parker's, and Loveley's Companies, Colonel William Davies' Virginia Regiment, was in the battles of Guilford, Petersburgh, skirmish near Williamsburgh and battle of Yorktown and was discharged the latter part of 1782. 
About 1809 he moved from Lunenburg County, Virginia to Granville County, North Carolina and in June 1839 moved to Hawkins County, (that part which was later Hancock County) Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 27, 1841 while a resident of Hawkins County, Tennessee, aged eighty-three years. He died June 5, 1843 [arrow pointing to it that continues down the page pointing to a statement] in Hancock County, Tennessee.
Soldier married in Lunenburg County, Virginia, Elizabeth

date accepted by the pln office
3" and report. [previously mentioned arrow points to statement, written]
Page 17

Maiden. The dates of marriage are given as June 1, 1798, February 4, 1806, June 1, 1808 and as 1809; they were stated from memory as no record was found at time of widow's application for pension on April 2, 1853. She was then aged seventy-three years and was living in Hancock County, Tennessee. Her claim was allowed (add this next time) [written and careted in] In 1871 she was still living in said Hancock County (Post Office Sneedville).
They has seven children: William, Alice, David, Elizabeth, James Henry, Martha and Mary Ann.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 18

Widow

Character of pending claim,

Claimant, Elizabeth Gordon

Soldier, Abner Gordon

Rev War

Pensioner now on Rolls Tennessee
Certificate No. 4.895
Agency at which last paid, Knoxville
Cause of termination, [?] paid
Date of termination, 

WE Trask 

Examiner,

Room No

In future please mark the No. of your Section on all slip

Last paid to Mar 4/71 as shown by the Records of Finance Division, complete up to

Page
Clerk.

Forwarded to F.D., Nov 15, 1871
Returned to Ex'r,
Page 19

State of Tennessee}
County of Hancock} SS
on this 6th day of December A.D. 1854 personally appeared before me John A Green an acting Justis [sic] of the peace within and for the county and State afore said Elizabeth Gorden aged 75 years, and after being sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benifit [sic] of the act of Congress passed on the 29th of July 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served in the Revolutionary war. She declares that She is the widow of the Identicle [sic] Abner Gorden who was a private (or drum Major) in the war of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States in Hancock County and State of Tenn at the rate of at the rate of forty Dollars per anum [sic] and to whom a certificate of pension was issued which is lost or destroyed and that she was married to the said Abner Gordon about the 1st day of June 1788 and that her husband the afore said Abner Gorden died on the 5th day of June 1842 in the County of Hancock and State of Tenn and that she has never maried [sic] any other person and that she is now a widow and has never received any pension under no act of Congress whatever
Elizabeth  her X mark Gorden

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and date above written
John A. Green
Justis of the Peace

State of Tennessee }
County of Hancock}
John A Green an acting Justis [sic] of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that from the grate [sic] age and bodily infirmity of Elizabeth Gorden She cannot at any ordinary trouble
and expens [sic] git [sic] to the court house of Sd County
I further certify that she is the widow of Abner Gorden who was a pensioner as above stated
Given under my hand and Seal this 6th day of Dec 1854
John A. Green
Justis of the Peace
Page 20

State of Tennessee }
County Of Hancock}
 We Nicholas Wolfe and David Wilder citizens of the County and State aforesaid do on our oaths certify that we was well acquainted with Abner Gorden the Identicle [sic] man who was a pensioner of the United States in Hancock County Tenn'e and that thesaid Abner Gordon is now de'd he died on the 5th day of June 1842. and that Elizabeth Gorden whose name appears to the above Declaration is the widow of the said Abner Gorden and that she is a resident of the county and State aforesaid
Sworn to and Subscribed this 11th day of December 1854
Nicholas Wolf {seal}
David  his X mark  Wilder {seal}

John A Green (J.P.)
of Hancock County

State of Tennessee}
County of Hancock} at office in Sneedvill Tenn I Richard Mitchell Clerk of the County Court of Hancock County do certify that John A Green before whom the oath was taken is and was at the time of taking the same an acting Justis [sic] of the peace within and for the County of Hancock and that his signature appears to be genuine I also certify that Nicholas Wolf & David Wilder are both credible persons and that ther [sic] statement is intitled [sic] to credit
In testimony there of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of office in Sneedvill this 14 day of December 1854
Richard Mitchell Clk
by A Campbell Dept Clk
Page 21

Abner Gordon
Tennessee
Suspended

Sec let 30 March '41

D. Alexander

let to do 10 Apl 41
let to do 19 May 41
let to do 19 July '41
let to appplt 16 Sep 1841

Act 7 June 1832
Page 22

56.503

Rev Army
Page 23

Pension Office 
5 [?] '43
Oct 16/54

Sir: Please report time of last payment to, or death of within named pensioner

Yours &c. &c.
R J Atkinson
3 Aud
Present

S. Cole f
or Commis'r

Abner Gordon died 5 June 1843, paid 
Robt J Atkinson 
Auditor
Page 24

No 1692 [smudged ink]

Elizabeth Gordon wid. of Abner Gordon 

Let. Jas K. McAnally Aug 3/53

[illegible mark]

Let to T. Martin Oct 19/54 [smudged ink]

Let to Tho Martin Jan. 2/55.

Rev'y

Act 3d Feb. 1833
Page 25

4.895

Tennessee, K.

Elizabeth Gordon widow of Abner who served in the Revolutionary was, as a private inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence the 3d February, 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued 29 day of Janu 1855 and sent to
Thomas Martin 
Sneedville Tenn:

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under [damaged page] February 3, 1853 [crossed out word, damaged page]

1855 May 29 suspended (Sa Martin Cert. within; Let to P. agt. + 3 [illegible]
1836 March 20. To Pen. Ag
A.L. Buren, Sept 12/56
Thomas Martin " " "
AL Buren Oct 29 1856,
1836 Dec. 24.
Suspension removed
Let to Jonas _3 and 
V. Compt + AL. Buren, with
pension certificate
1868 March 4 Let to RR Butler
Page 26

3-1609.
Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
If not called for in 15 days, return to
The Commissioner of Pensions.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
[section scribbled out]

Tenn. Agency

[US stamp scribbled out]
OFFICIAL BUSINESS 
PROPERTY FOR PRIVATE USE

Certificate Jacket
Torn
Page 27

March 20th 1854

you see the declaration of Elizabeth Six Gordon she is not in circumstances to see a Lawyer that follows giting pensions if it is not right please gave me the necessary instructions by sending me the Law and forms as I have neither Law nor forms

Yours Resp
Thomas Martin
to the Commissioner of Pensions}
Page 28

Knoxville Tenn
WAR of the Revolution   Sec 13  2d Sec Act Feb 3, 1853
ACT OF JULY 27, 1868.
CLAIM FOR INCREASE OF WIDOW'S PENSION
Supplemental to case in which certificate No. 4,895 was issued May 16, 1868
BRIEF in the case of Elizabeth Gordon, Widow of
Abner Gordon who was a private in the War of the Rev.
Resident of Hancock County, and State of Tennessee
Post Office address:  Sneedville, Hancock Co. Tennessee
DECLARATION AND IDENTIFICATION IN DUE FOR Nov 11, 1871
PROOF EXHIBITED.
The claimant is a pensioner in the Roll Tennessee
at the rate of $40.00 per Annum
Pension paid to March 4, 1871.
Certificate Surrendered.
She applies for Increase of pension under the
Act of July 27, 1868.
Identity and Widowhood Shown.
Agent, and his P.O. address.  
L. M Jarois                 No Contract.
Sneedville.                  Fee $10.00
Tennessee
Issue certificate for Eight dollars per month, under acts of June 3, 1858, and July 27, 1868, 
Commencing July 27, 1868, deducting former payments . SInce
Wm E. Trask, Examiner
Passed June 21, 1872
APPROVED: [illegible initials]
June 24 72
Page 29

Restoration 
4.895

Brief in the Case of Elizabeth Gordon ??? Widow of Abner
Hancock County and State of Tennessee 2 0 [superscripted] he Act Feb 3. 1853.

CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION CERTIFICATE,

PROOF EXHIBITED,

A Sasp pension of $40.00 per annum paid to March 4. 1861-

Identity. Loyalty + widowhood - property shown

Retired May 14 1838 to a pension of $40.00 per annum commencing March 4 1861

WE Trask
Examining Clerk.

Name and residece of Agent.
Claimant
Caore R.R. Butler M.E.
H. Rep.
Page 30

Sneedville Tenn
June 12th 1872
Sir:
Some five or six months ago I filed an application for increase of Elizabeth Gordon’s pension widow of Abner Gordon of the Revolutionary War or War of 1812 - I have no letter of acceptance yet.

Elizabeth Gordon is very old and infirm and very much needs her little pension. She will not be here long to enjoy her pittance.
Yours truly
L. M. Gordon
Pension certificate surrendered at date of application &c L.M.G.
8859
Page 31

Sir:  Elizabeth Gordon of Hancock Co. Tenn has filed an application for restoration of her name to the pension rolls.  No attorney is named in the case & she has failed to state under which act she was [?]; on which roll she was inscribed, & whose widow she claims to be.  She also [?] a [?] & proof of loyalty & widowhood is not established.

Hon R. R. Butler MC
Ho Rep
March 4, 1868
Page 32

Brief in the case of Elizabeth Gordon widow of Abner,
Hancock County and State of Tenn;
act 3d Feby: 1853
Claim, "original," [marked out: or "for increase']
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the Act of 7th June 1832 at the rate of $40. per an. One witness testifies to marriage & 2 to reputation of marriage & Cohabitation.  Pensioner died 5" June, as per the affidavits of two credible witnesses & report of the Third Auditor.
Widowhood & identity, is established by the affidavits of three credible Affiants.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?

Name and residence of Agent
Thomas Martin, Esq'r
Sneedville,
Tenn.

S. C. Royton
Examining Clerk.
Page 33

Elizabeth Gordon
PAYMENT TO BE MADE
at Knoxville
by John Caldwell
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the
Agency of Tennessee
Payable on the 4th September and 4th
March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the 
Roll of Pensioners under act February
3d, 1853, Page 253 Vol H.
J. N. Smith Clerk.
Page 34

Restoration 

4.895

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

WIDOW'S PENSION.

I certify that, in conformity with the 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853, Elizabeth Gordon widow of Abner Gordon who was a private in the Revolutionary War, is inscribed on the Pension List, at the sale of forty. dollars and ~~~ cents per annum, commencing on the 4th day of March 1861, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage. 

Given at the Department of the Interior, this sixteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and Sixty Eight

W.T. Ottis
Acting [written in] Secretary of the Interior.

Examined and Countersigned.
James A Moryan
Acting [written in] Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 35

WAR of Revolution  2d Sec Feb 3, 1853
13th Sec ACT OF JULY 27, 1868.
CLAIM FOR INCREASE OF WIDOW'S PENSION.
Supplemental to case in which certificate No. 4,895 was issued May 16, 1868.
BRIEF in the case of Elizabeth Gordon, Widow of
Abner Gordon private Revolutionary War.
Resident of Hancock County, and State of Tennessee.
Post Office address: Sneedville
DECLARATION AND INDETIFICATION IN DUE FORM Nov 11. 1871
PROOF EXHIBITED.
Pensioner on the Rolls of Tennessee at $40. per ann
Paid to March 4, 1871 Certificate returned.
Claims Increase of pension under Sec 13, Act
July 27 1868
Identity and continued widowhood Shown
Agent, and his P. O.address.
L M Jarvis
Sneedville
Tenn.
 
Issue certificate for Ninety Six dollars per [marked out: month] Ann. under acts of [marked out: June 2, 1858] 2d Sec Feb 3. 1853 and 13th Sec July 27, 1868,
commencing July 27, 1868, deducting former payments. [?]
Wm. C. Trask, Examiner.
Passed November 15, 1871
APPROVED: [unintelligible initials]
Page 36

Tenn
Elizabeth Gordon
wid
Abner

original

Mr Weaver
Boynton

Mr. Rhett

Mill Bend Ter
12 Inverary

O Bus. Free

Honorable Geo. C. Whiting
Commr. of Pensions
Washington 
DC
Page 37

Oath
Elizabeth Gordon
of
Tennessee
for
Restoration
of
Pension
Page 38


State of Tennessee}
Hancock County,   } ss.

I. Elizabeth Gordon of 2nd Civil District in the county of Hancock and State of Tennessee, widow of Abner Gordon, deceased, late a private in Company [blank space],  Regiment [blank space], do solemnly swear that I have never borne arms against the United States since I have been citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, countenance, counsel, or encouragement  to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto; that I have neither sought nor accepted, nor attempted to exercise the functions of any office whatever, under any authority, or pretended authority, in hostility to the United States; that I have not yielded a voluntary support to any pretended government, authority, power or constitution, within the United States, hostile or inimical thereto. And I do further swear that, to the best of my knowledge and ability, I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. This oath to be filed in the Second Auditor's Office, with my application now pending for the pay and bounty due to me as the widow of said Abner Gordon, deceased.

Elizabeth  her X mark Gordon 
WITNESSES:
R.D. Green }
WM A Johnson }

Sworn to and subscribed before me, th s}
4 day of May, 1868.}

Geo R. Mitchell
Clerk Circuit Court

NOTE.- Attach the certificate and seal of Court showing that the Notary Public or Justice of the Peace is duly authorized.
Page 39

Old War
N.
DECLARATION FOR INCREASE
OF PENSION.
Under section 13, act July 27, 1868.
No. OLD CERTIFICATE. 4895
APPLICANT
Elizabeth Gorden
Sneedville
Hancock Co
Tenn

FILED BY
L. M. Jawis
Sneedeth
Ten
Printed and sold by W.H. Moore, 484 11th st., Washington, D.C.
Page 40

N.
DECLARATION FOR INCREASE OF PENSION
(Under section 13, Act July 27, 1868.)

[both statements bracketed by '}SS.']
State of Tennessee
County of Hancock

On this 4 day of November, A. D. 1871, personally appeared before me, J.F. McNiel county clerk within and for the county and State aforesaid, Elizabeth Gorden, age 93 years, a resident of Hancock County in the State of Tennessee, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the identical Elizabeth Gorden to whom was granted Pesion certificate No. 4895, payable at Knoxville Tenn at the rate of 3'33 3[line over last 3] dollars per month, issued under the act of July 3, 1853; that she makes this declaration in order to secure the increase of her pension which she is entitled under the thirteenth section of the act of July 27,1868. That she still remains a Widow, and has not again married since the 16 day of May, 1868, the date of her said certificate.

My Post Office address is as follows: Sneedville Hancock, Tenn

And I hereby constitutes and appoints L.M. Jarois of Sneedville Hancock County, Attorney, to present and prosecute this claim, and authorize him to receive and receipt for any certificate that may be issued for the same, and to do any other act or thing nesessary or that I might do if personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation, hereby countermanding all former authority that may have been given for the above specified purpose.

LF Wells
House O Wilder

Signature of Claimant Elizabeth her mark Gorden

Also personally appeared LF Well and Arthur G Wolfe, residents of Hancock County, Tenn persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Elizabeth Gorden sign her name ([crossed out word] by mark) to the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and they further state that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. That she is still a Widow, not having remarried since the 16 day of May, 1868*

Signature of Witnesses [brackets signatures]
LF Wells 
Arthur G Wolfe

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 4 day of November, 1871; and I hereby certify that the contents of the foregoing declaration and affidavit were carefully read by me to the applicant and witnesses before subscribing their names thereto, and I know the affiants to be credible persons. and I know no interest in this claim or its persecution [sentence written in]

Signature of Judge or other Officer. J.F. McNiel clerk Co Court

*Date of Certificate.
Page 41

Mem
for Mr Allison
Extract from a
letter from D Alexander
Rogersville
Tennessee
Page 42

Letter from D Alexander, Rogersville
Tenn.
cc Have you (unintelligible) the death of 
Abner Gordon which I (unintelligible) to the
Hn Jno Bell during the late (unintelligible) (unintelligible)"
Page 43

(unintelligible) Va
Sept 30", 1856
Sir
(unintelligible) of 22? (unintelligible) concerning the marriage of Abner Gordon & Elizabeth Maiden is to hand
I have carefully examined the records of the offices of the County Court of this County from 1805 to 1810 and
have not been able to find any bond or evidence
of the marriage of the parties
very respectfully
T W Winn Clerk
Absolom L Burem
Mill Bond
Tennessee
Page 44

Requistions [illegible]
May 30th 1841
[illegible] 
Hon John Kell
[illegible]
I have taken the liberty of
sending Abner Gordon's declaration for a pension
I will thank you to [avail] on Mr Edward
the Comm of Pension to pass it on it as soon
as practicable. Mr Gorden resides north
[of Clinch?] mountain, and is in very indigent
circumstances, and should the result of the
investigation be favorable, he would be
glad to get his certificate in time to
draw in the Spring
---
have the hi
remain your obt Servant
D. Alexander
Page 45

Sneedville, Tenn                  Free
Oct. 3rd
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, DC
Page 46

Oct 2 1856     Sneedville Tenn
Dear Sir
I understand that Elizabeth Gorden is now about
to make application to be placed on the pension Roll.
She is trying to take the advantage of goverment by making fals representations as I do supply for  the witness who could testify to the fact of her not being the wife of Abner Gorden, is now dead,  and there is nothing now to prove that fact only publick opinion. If she does I would think that your honor will require her to make (unintelligible) proof a side of reputation as the publick opinion is against her and I am shure she never would of asked for it if the old man who new them in North Carolina was still living
Yours Respectfully
Thomas Martin
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington
Page 47

Allen's Station Tenn
August 28th 1841
Sir,
In making out my papers for a Pentian I did not know that it was necessary to make any distinction between a private and an officer until I received your letter of date May 19th 1841. I acted as a Drummer in the service. Your XXXX XXXX Sent in your address to D. Alexander has not been furnished me. You state in that letter, that the Testimony of one other witness is necessary as required in XXXX. I not having been furnished with the Blanks I do not know what it is that will be required for me to prove. I do not know that I will be able to find any other person that knew me while in the service, but beleave that I can get Ministers of the Gospel that are acquainted with me to certify from their knowledge of my General Caracter that they would give full credit to my statements. You will please to give me the earliest information in relation to the proof that will be required and whether the evidence of Ministers of the Gospel will be accepted as admissible evidence.
Your Obedient Servant,
Abner X Gorden
     his mark

N.B. Direct your Letter to Allen's Station, Tenn
Page 48

Pension Office
September 16, 1841
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 28th ult. relative to your case, I have to inform you, that you should make a statement under oath of your service as a Drummer, and an additional statement should be made by the witness who has already testified to that effect.  If there are any persons of respectability who have known you to have had the reputation of having served as a Drummer, their testimony should also be exhibited.  In an amended statement made by you it is alleged that you served as a private.  Enclosed is a copy of the regulations under the act of June 7, 1832.
I am respectfully
Your Obt Svt
J L Edwards
Page 49

Rogusville Tn
May 10, 1841 J.L. Edwards Esq
[illegible] Herewith you will receive the declaration of Abner Gordon with an amendment and also additional proof of his Rev. Services, I have also, you will perceive, procured the certificate of Adm. A McClellan the member of congress elect from this district. Shewing that Geo. R. Powell is [illegible] 
I hope it will be satisfactory
[illegible] the [illegible] to [illegible]
Your obt Servant
D. Alexander
Page 50

Pension Office
March 30, 1841
Sir,
The declaration of Abner Gordon has been examined, and it is herewith returned in order that the official character signature of the magistrate may be certified by a member of Congress, as required in note i in the enclosed printed sheet.  The applicant should amend his declaration and state in what capacity he served.  The most satisfactory evidence should also be produced that he served as a revolutionary soldier.
I am respectfully,
Your obt srvt
J L Edwards

D Alexander, Esq
Rogersville Tennessee
Page 51

Sir
I have a letter from a friend in Tennessee, who states, there is a very old man in this county who says that he is entitled to a pension, but he can get no one to prepare his papers for him unless it ascertained that he can succeed.  I would be glad if you could ascertain whether there is a man by the name of Abner Gorden on the Secretary's Books & if so what commission did he hold in the army, if any.  My opinion is that the old man is entitled to a pension but he is very ignorant.  I suppose he means the roll of Revolutionary officers to when he says Secretary's books.  I will thank you to have the evaluation made inform me
Very respectfully
Ro S Caruthers
Page 52

Certificate
WM Green Private
[unintelligible]
1812
[unintelligible]
James Martin

Elizabeth Gordon
Memorial & proof
for renewal of her 
suspended pension
from 4 March 1855
Certificate filed
here.
Page 53

We the undersigned citizens of Hancock
County Tennessee willingly Certify that we are
are well acquainted with Abner Gordon
a revolutionary pensioner in his lifetime
and who died here in 1843 and knew his
present surviving widow Elizabeth Gordon
for all the time they lived here to the day
of said Abner's death they lived and
cohabited as man and wife.  That he
never had any other living wife in
North Carolina or elsewhere or that She
the said Elizabeth is not his lawful wife
and rightful widow was never alledged [alleged] 
or talked of till very lately in this country
Such repeat is thought to be malicious
and untrue there is no justice or
other officer present but if necessary 
one would be [illegible] to this Statement
William his x mark Green
James Murrel
enrolled Martin
James Murrell enrolled Martin  )
Late Sent Cap Stations Co. Tn    )
Ma Mar 1812                              )
The above persons are apparently aged Citizens
and signed the [illegible] in our presence this
26 August 1856
William Stripland
J A Gordon
Page 54

Mill Bond Tow 11 Dec 1856
In accordance with your letter to me dated
29th Octo. 1856. (Signed S. Cole ) In the case of the suspended pension of Elizabeth Gorden under act 3 July 1853 I enclose Clerks Certificate again.
She has doubtless (unintelligible) marriage by reputation already, for such is the case. her respectability the ages of her children all sustain this and it is an outrage that through spite her former attorney should be allowed to annoy her. She lives nearer to Jonesboro than Knoxville and wishes to be paid at the former agency. I do sincerely hope that the
Department will issue her Certificate and upon the proofs already filed and not allow any
further delay growing out of the site of one she thinks her enemy.
I regret that the case has so long been suspended and so little might given to her
statement of facts in petition, her right is beyond dispute in estimation of our community

With very high regard
Your Obt Servant
Absalom L Burem

Milo Bend Tenn

Hon G C Whiting
Comm of Pensions 
Washington DC
Page 55

Milo Binco Tim  2 Sept 1856.

Sir: We have the changes as coming from your offices that Abner Gordon had left a wife and his children in the state of North Carolina and that Elizabeth is not his lawful wife.

It is not known whether a certified copy of the marriage of Abner and Elizabeth in Virginia was submitted into the original claims. If required it will be sought. It is supposed however that your office issued this in June and Marriage by reputation was satisfactorily proved.

Is it at all reasonable to suppose that Abner should have lived in North Carolina a period of near thirty years, with Elizabeth who it is shown was the mother of children before he went then without having been noticed by the civil authorities of that state.  Is it at all probable that he should summon to Tennessee and bring with him his children born as ___said__him__years amongst respectable society without  

Allow me sir to humbly submit in behalf of the memorialist if indeed she is bound in Law to do more than deny this charge as she has done and put the onus upon her accuser. Yet if your office should feel constrained under the circumstances to require other and different - from her such testimony as is at all to be had - with pleasure be addressed.

I herewith transmit her certificate of pension and respectfully ask if your department shall be pleased to renew it
Page 56

State of Tennessee
County of Hancock
Be it remembered that on this 16th day of January 1855 personally appeared before me John A Green and acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county and State afore said Nicholas Wolf and David Wilder and makes oath in due form of law that they was well acquainted with Abner Gorden who was a pensioner of the United States and also with Elizabeth Gorden his widow they certify that they have been acquainted with them for the past 4 or 5 years previous to the death of the said Abner Gorden.  They always lived together as man and wife and was always respected in the neighbour hood as such and they have never heard of their marriage being disputed and they concur that  opinion.  Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of January 1855.

John A Green
Justice of the Peace for
Hancock County

Nicholas Wolf (Seal)
David X (His Mark) Wilder (Seal)

State of Tennessee
County of Hancock
I John A Green an acting Justice of the Peace in   and for the County and state afore said do hereby certify that Nicholas Wolf and David Wilder who has subscribed and sworn to the above (declaration or certificate) is men of credibility and that their statement is entitled to full credit.
I also certify that I was well acquainted with Abner Gorden and Elizabeth Gorden the cohabited together as man and wife they was respected as such in the neighbour hood  where they lived and I concur in that opinion
given under my hand and seal this 16th day of January 1855.
John A Green (Seal)
Justice of the Peace
Page 57

State of Tennessee
County of Hancock
Richard Mitchell Clerk of the County Court in the county and state afore said do certify that John A Green before whom the with oaths was is and was at the time of administering the same as acting Justice of the Peace in Hancock County duly commissioned and qualified as Clerk and that his certificate is entitled to full credit.  I also certify that his signature appears in his own proper hand writing and is therefore genuine.

In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 19th day of January 1855.
Richar Mitchell
by A Campbell Clerk

Dear Sir
Enclosed you will find the evidence of the Widow Gorden, Marriage, the result of your examination of the same you will please forward to my address at Sneedville Hancock Co Tenn
Thomas Martain
Page 58

Rogersville Tennessee
June 7th 1842

I have been requested to forward these to your care and to procure your certificates showing that AP Wharts, & John Bale Esq an acting Justice of the Peace I will serve old Mr. Gorden them for other clerks.  When written please file with the date.  I have enclosed the additional testimony required by Mr Edwards in his letter which I also herewith enclosed.  Will you be so good when convenient to call on Mr Edwards to get him to act on Mr. Gorden's case and if this testimony is satisfactory get him to issue the certificate while at the (ineligible) agency transfer  Mr Gordens request that certificate of Pension be transmitted to me.  He is a very old man, very poor, and infirm - having a large family.
I will write and confirm and if Mr Gorden wishes you to get Mr Edwards to act in his case before the aforementioned.
I hope you have recovered your health entirely against many cases of sickness have occurred in Hawkins & some death, this Spring.  It is though the (ineligible) will resume very long - which would be a desirable event.
Respectfully & Sincerely
Your Friend
D Alexander
Hon A. McClellen
Page 59

Pension Agency, 
Knoxville Tenne
March 12, /56

Dear Sir, 

Elizabeth Gordon, widow of Alner, a pensioner under the act of 3d Feb. 1853, at the rate of $40 per annum, sent her son as power of attorney to my office today to receive her pension from the 4th of March last and did not know that it had been suspended until I read your communication of May last. The Attorney seemed to be troubled deeply, and asked me to write and ask you to inform me of the old woman's suspension and whether there is any hope of the suspension being removed. He said they did not know how to write and it would be a long time before they could get it attended to by any one in the vicinity. 
Your out. Servt.
Isaac Lewis
Pen Agent

JMinot Esq. 
Come of pensions
Washington 
HC.
Page 60

Milo Bend Tenn 13 Octo 1856
Sir:
I enclose a letter recd from the
clerk of the court of Sunenburg [Lunenburg] Co. Va. in
relation to the alleged marriage of the parties
named.   As secondary testimony I insist
it is not sustained in proof.  (In the case
of Elizabeth Gordon wid. of Abner under 
2nd Sees [Session] act 3 Feby 1853. now suspended) that
Line 8: Tho parties lived together through a series of
years continuously to his death as man
and wife. had children acknowledged and
treated as legitimate.  With the affidavit of affidavit of
the surviving party etc etc bringing the
memorialist within the decision of acting
Secretary Goddard recorded
in Mayo & Moulton's pen. Laws__page
532 & 3 No 102, dated Seot 13. 1850
It is further likely that tho parties
may have been married by publication
of banns without any municipal for-
mality which amongst some churches 
is always practiced and recognized
by the law of the land. I hope that the
memmorialist [memorialist] Elizabeth may be restored
to the enjoyment of her rightful pension
and that her certificate may again
 issue, no trivial envy should present
it.
Your servant
with profound respect
Absalom L Burem
Milo Bend Ten
Hon. J. Minot
Comr. of Pens.
Washington D.C.
Page 61

35.166
Abner Gordon
Tennessee
Jonesboro, Agency
Admitted
Private 1 yr--$40.--
Cap: Overton Col Davis Va.

Act of June 1832

Hon. A. McClellan
H. R.
Page 62

Invoice No. 4895
Tennessee
Died Aug 14 1814
Elizabeth Gordon
Widow of 
Abner Gordon 
Rank Private 
Company [blank] 
Regiment Rev. War
Rate per annum $ 96.00
Commencing July 2 of 1868
Ending Deduct pay to made since
Certificate dated July 1st 1872,
and sent to [unintelligable] 18__.
Payable at Knoxville Tenn Agency.
L. M. Jarois, Sneedville Attorney.
[unintelligable]
Book 96 Vol [blank] page [unintelligable]
[signed unintelligable] Clerk.
Nov 11 Second
vouches for as
Bills
Page 63

Hist. to Robert R Logan
1928 May 18. [unintelligible]
See his letter in [unintelligible]
Shelton Revy
Widow &c.
1895
File No. 8859
Elizabeth Gordon
Wid.
Abner Gordon
Privt Rev. War
Knoxville Tenn. Agent
Act: Feby 3d 1853
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 279
Arrangement of 1870.
Page 64

State of Tennessee on this 21st day of August
Hancock County  AD one thousand eight hundred and sixty six personally appeared before me Richard Mitchell
Clerk of the County Court for said County it being
a court of Record Elizabeth Gorden
aged 85
years a resident of the County of Hancock in the
State of Tennessee who being duly sworn in according to
law declares that she is the Identical Elizabeth
Gorden who was on the rolls of the agency at
Knoxville as pensioner and whose pension certificate was left in the hands of our J. A. Green Justice
of the peace who has since died and said certificate
cannot now be found that she has resided since since the first day of January AD 1801 in
Eleancock County Tennessee That during this period
she has been supported by her friends that she has
been unable to perform any manual labour thus
she has not in any manner encouraged the abels
or manifested an interest in their cause and that
she was last paid her pension on the 4th of March
1861 this application is made for the purpose of
securing a restoration of her name to the pension
rolls and of obtaining a new pension certificate
such as she may be entitled to under existing laws
reference being made to the evidence heretofore filed
in the pension office to substantiate her claims
Witness John H Brent
Elizabeth Gorden
Also personally appeared John W. Cope David A. Green
Resident of Hinds County Tennessee persons whom
I certify to be respectible and credible persons and who
being by me duly sworn say that they were present
and saw Elizabeth Gorden make her mark to the foregoing declaration and they further swear that
they have every reason to believe from the appearance
Page 65

of the applicant and their acquaintance with her
that she is the identical person she represents herself
to be and that the said Elizabeth Gorden has been
loyal to the government of the United States during the
existing rebellion and has lived as stated in her
declaration and that we have no interest in the prosecution
of this claim
John W Cope
David A. Green

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21st day of
August A.D. 1866 and I hereby certify that I have no interest
direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim
Richard Mitchell Clerk

I, Elizabeth Gorden do solemnly swear in the presence
of Almighty God that I will hence fourth faithfully support
 protect and defend the constitution of the United States
and the union of the states thereunder that I
will in like manner abide by and faithfully support
all laws and proclamations which have been made
during the existing rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves so help me God
Elizabeth Gorden 
her mark

Sworn and subscribed before me this 21st day of
August A.D. 1866

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand
and affix the seal of said Court at office
in Sneedville this 21st day of August AD 1866
Richard Mitchell Clerk
Page 66

Additional Evidence
in the Restoration
of 
Elizabeth Gordon
of
Tennessee

Filed 
By
R R Butler
Ho Rep.
Page 67

State of Tennessee  )
Hancock County      )
On this 4th day of May 1868
personally appeared before me
Opo R Mitchell clerk of the
Circuit Court of said County the same being a Court of
Record.  Elizabeth Gordon aged 88 years a resident
of the 2nd Civil District of said County and State of
Tennessee who being duly sworn according to law
declares that she is the identical Elizabeth Gordon who 
was a Pensioner on the Roll of the Agency of Jonesboro
Tennessee and whose Pension Certificate was destroyed
as set forth in her former Declaration now on file
in the Pension Office at Washington DC that she
has resided since the 1st day of January 1861 where
she now resides in the 2nd Civil District of Hancock 
County Tennessee. That during that period she has been
supported by her friends, and that she has not in
any manner encouraged the rebels or manifested a
sympathy for their cause.  And that she was last
paid her pension after the 4 day of March 1861. This
application is made for the purpose of securing the restora
=tion of her name to the Pension Rolls and of abtaining [obtaining]
a new Pension Certificate such as she may be entitled to 
under existing laws, reference being made to the evidence
filed heretofore in the Pension to substanciate [substantiate] her
Original Claim 
Elizabeth her x mark Gordon
R.D. Green
Wm Johnson
Also personally appeared Riel Johns and
Alcy Gordon residents of the County of Hancock and
State of Tennessee persons whom I certify to be respectable
and entitled to credit on Oath, and who being by me
duly sworn say they were present and saw Elizabeth
Gordon make her mark to the foregoing Declaration.
That the same was read to her before she signed the
same, and they further swear they have every reason to
believe from the appearance of the applicant and their
acquaintance with her that she is the identical person
she represents herself to be and that she did not in any
manner encourage the rebels or manifest any sympathy
for their cause. That she was truly loyal to the Government
of the United States, and they further swear that they
have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Page 68

State of Virginia
Hawkins County
This 4th day of March 1842 personally
appeared Abner Gordon a resident of Hawkins
County aged about Eighty five Years, an applicant for a Pension
before the undersigned, one of the Justices of the County Court of
Hawkins aforesaid & the said Abner Gordon bearing first
duly Sworn, according to law, deposeth & Saith,  That Some
time last Spring he made out his declaration for a Pension in
which he set forth his Services, as near as he could remember 
His declaration was written by Mr Dicks Alexander, who took
down his Statement, as he made it, but as Mr Alexander
did not ask me if I Served in any other capacity
than a private, I forgot to name to him that I had
Served as a Drummer, which I now do, under the drum
Major, Harris, for Twelve Months or more in the 5th Virginia
Regiment.  Sworn to & Subscribed before me the
day & Year aforesaid.
Abner his x mark Gordon
John Ball 
for Hawkins County
State of Tennessee
Hawkins County
Personally appeared before me the under
signed an acting Justice of the peace for said County
John Rains aged about eighty five years of age
a citizen of said county, and the said John Rains
being duly sworn according to same deposeth and saith
that he is a pentioner [pensioner] of the United States at the agency
at Jonesboro, the same are who testified in the application
of Abner Gordon for a Pension, that the said Gorden
and this affiant served together in the Revolutionary
War in the Viginia line and were discharged together
affiant further states that he was not asked at
the time he was examined, if said Gordon served
as a Drummer affiant now states that said
Gordon did serve some length of time
as a Drummer
in the Virginia Line and beleaves [believes] as said Gordon
States, that he served Twelve months or more
said Gordon is an old man and his memory very
Page 69

defective from age as he formerly by Statia, this affidavit [illegible] behaves Saia Gorden Sinvia as he states, and is will entitled to a pension, this Affidavit believes that a her [illegible] was in fact nothing but a private, and that his stating that he was a her [illegible] would not in crease his pension.
Sworn to an subscribed before John his + mark Rains
[illegible] This 30th May 1842
A P. McCarty JP [circled]
for Hawkins County

State of [illegible] Hawkins bounty
Personally approves Dicks Alexander before Mr. Absolom P.  McCarty in acting justice of the peace and being first duly Sworn replacement [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] that as Stated in the foregoing affidavit of Abner Gordon, affidavit, at the instance of Said Gordon, [illegible] his [illegible] for a pension affidavit was engaged in the [illegible] of his office at the time Said Gordon called [illegible] [illegible] was in the hearing of taking down his Statement, did not [illegible] to Said Gordon the regulation, with the notes [illegible] as to what was required after declaration and in this way the fact of his having served as a summons was omitted - Said Gordon appears to be an [illegible] man, this memory is  bad - [scribble]
Sworn to [illegible] before me this 6 June 1842
A. P. McCarty J.O [in a circle]
for Hawkins County
L A Alexander [with a pen line underneath]
I testify that I am acquainted with John Rains the person who signed this [illegible] affidavit, and believe him to be a [illegible] [illegible]
[illegible] under my hand this 6th June 1842
A. P. McCarty JO [in a circle]
for Hawkins County

Pension certificate to [illegible] payable [illegible] with [illegible] [illegible]
Page 70

City of Washington}
District of Columbia}  
I A.  McClellan, member of Congress &c. do certify that A. P McCarty and John Ball, Esq'r are acting Justices of the peace and that their Signatures appear to be in their proper hand writing Given under my hand this 20th day of June 1842
A. McClellan
of Tenn
Page 71

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND CONTROLLER'S OFFICE
May 10th, 1845.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, the widow of Abner Gordon, [illegible]. a Pensioner on the Roll of the Jonesborough, Ten. Agency, at the rate of - forty - Dollars and cents [crossed out] per annum, under the law of the 4th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1843, to the 5th June, 1843.

Respectfully, yours,
Albion K Parris
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
Page 72

May 5
upon examination I find Sir that Abner Gorden left his lawful wife and 2 children in the state of North Carolina and that Elizabeth Gorden who is now placed on the pension roll is not his lawful wife and or I was not in possession of that fact at the time I made application for her a pension I deem it my duty to inform you of that fact
Sir I remain yours
Respectfully, Thomas Martin
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Page 73

State of Virginia
Lunenburg County SS
I TW Winn Clerk of the County Court, within and for the County and State aforesaid, do certify that I have carefully examined the marriage records of my office and find no evidence of the marriage of Abner Gordon & Elizabeth Maiden. that the record of marriage are kept for the county, only in my office. That up to the year 1810, they are very imperfect and irregular that a bond may have been given and mislaid or lost, that a Certificate of marriage may never have been returned to this office.
Given under my hand and seal of office this 19th day of November 1956
TW Winn Clerk
Page 74

Lunenburg CH Va.
Nov 19- 1856
Dr Sir
Annexed is the certificate desired in
[yours] of 11th inst [instant]--my fee for Searches, writing & answering 
Seal to certificate amount to 57 cents- which may 
be sent in postage stamps
very respectfully
T W Winn
A L Burem Esq.
Mill Bend Tenn
Page 75

Title of Tennefse
County of Hancock be it known that on this 29. day of September 1854 personally appeared Elizabeth Gordon before me John A. Green awaiting Justice of the peace in and for the county and State afore said and makes oath in due form of Law that she is the widow of Abner Gordon who was a pensioner of the United States at the rates of forty Dollars per annum. and to whom a certificate of pension was issued which certificate is lost or mislayed
She further makes oath that she was married to the (illegible) Abner Gorden in the State of Virginia . in Lenonburg County in the year of our Lord June ^the 1st 18(illegible)8 and that she has no chang to prove her mariage only by her own oath they was married by John Niblet A Minister of the gospel by publication
She makes this declaration for the purpose of being on the pension roll in order to become a pensioner of half pay and whole pay of her husband ^ and all according to the several acts of Congress making provisions for the surviving widows of the Soldiers of the Revolution in such cases made and provided & sworn to and subscribed before me this 29^th day of September 1854 John A Green _ JP
of Hancock County
Elizabeth X Gordon
Page 76

State of Tennessee
County of Hancock
on this 2nd day of October
1854 personally appeared William Gordon
before me and made oath
in due form of law that he was acquainted
with Abner Gorden decd a pensioner of the United 
States and that he died on the 5th day of June
1843
and that Elizabeth Gordon whose name
is assigned to the above declaration
is the widow
of the said Abner Gorden 
William his x mark Gordon

Sworn to and subscribed before me the year
and date above written
John A Green JP
for Hancock County

Examine the within and Send the result
to me Sneedville Hancock County Tenn
Thomas Martin
Page 77

State of Tennessee )
Hancock County     )Ss
I Richard Mitchell clk of the county 
court of said county do certify that John A. Green is and was at the time of attesting the within affidavit duly commissioned 
and qualified and credit should be given his official acts and that his signature appears to be genuine and that the interrogatives 
were answered in open court given under my hand 
an [and] Seal of Said County at office in Sneedville the 3rd day of October 1831
Richard Mitchell Clk
By A Campbell Dept Cl
Page 78

Application for
Bounty Land  267.682
act 3 march 1855
Elizabeth Gordon
widow of Abner of
Ten'e.. rev. pensioner
& 
Communication

FIled by
A. L. Burem
Mill Bind
Tennessee
Page 79

Milo Bend Tennessee Jany[January] 12. 1857
Sir:
I have the honor to enclose [to] you the application of Elizabeth Gordon for County land under act 3 March 1855. Since this verification of the paper, I have been found with the return of her original pension certificate under act 3 Feby[February] 1853. issued 29 January 1855 at 40$ pr[per] annum recorded in Vol A, Page 182. and payable at Knoxville Ten.[Tennessee] Agency-
Your letter of restoration dated 24 Dec 1856, addressed to me. 
The former application being mislaid and acknowledgement lost. I must rely on your action upon the present application with such proofs of service[underlined] and marriage[underlined] as are allready[already] to be found in your office in her claim to pension.
Permit me to hope for your favorable action as soon as convenient
Your very much obliged servant with high regard
Absalom L. Burem
Milo Bend Tennessee
[in lower left corner] Hon.  Geo.[George] C. Whiting Comm of Pensions Washington D.C.
Page 80

State of Tennessee}
Hancock County }  SS
I Richard Mitchell clerk of the County Court in and for the county and state aforesaid do Certify that J. A. Green Esqr the attesting magistrate herewith is now and was at the several dates hereof a justice of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified and that his several Signatures above and before written are genuine
Given under my hand and the Seal of Said County This 28th day of August 1856
Richard Mitchell clerk
Page 81

Room 79
Dec 24, 1856
Mr McRae will
please restore this
widows pension
Triplett
Page 82

To the Honorable J Minot.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington: D.C.

The memorial of the undersigned, the widow of the late Abner Gordin. Who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States respectfully shows. That as widow aforesaid she applied for and received from the Department of the Interior a Certificate of Pension issued to her under act of 3 February, 1853 and dated the 9th day of Jan. 1855 at the rate of Forty Dollars per annum and to continue during her life or widowhood. And made payable at the Knoxville Tennessee agency. That said certificate was issued to her upon what was then satisfactory proof of Marriage and widowhood and thereupon she applied for and was paid at said agency Eighty Three dollars. The amount due to her up to the 4th day of March 1855. She subsequently made application at said agency to wit on the day of March 18[55] for the amount due to her up to the 4th day of March 1856 but payment was refused to her because the pay agent at Knoxville aforesaid alleged instructions to not pay the same. The particular cause of which was not at that time made known to your Memorialist. But afterward, she has been informed that it is alleged that your memorialist but afterwards  not The lawful wife and widow of The said Abner.

and now consequently your memorialist is suspended payment at the rate aforesaid from the date aforesaid all of which will perhaps more fully appear by the  records and proofs filed in your office and to which reference is given. The verification of which facts your memorialist is now unable to confirm more sacredly than allready  [sic] appears. But begs leave to submit for your consideration the following circumstances, facts, and allegations. That is to say.
 Your memorialist was married and she has shown to Abner Gordon the pensioner aforesaid on the __ day of ___ AD. one Thousand eight hundred and __ in the County of Lunenburg State of Virginia that at the date of said marriage there was no legal bar to the same. That she was married by the Minister alledged that she knew of no record of her marriage nor of The liveing [sic] Testimony of any bystander. That after her said marriage her and her said husband resided and cohabited as man and wife in the County and
Page 83

and State when they were married aforesaid and that about
the month of [blank] about in the year of 1809 her and her
said husband removed from said County of Lunenburg
to the County of Granville State of North Carolina
that there they continued to reside and cohabit as aforesaid
until the month of June in the year of 1839
and then removed to the County of Hawkins state 
of Tennessee and that part of Hawkins has been since
cut off to make the County of Hancock, have resided
in the same neighborhood ever since to this day

at which last named place she and her said husband
continued to reside for about five years
before his death. That during the whole time aforesaid
her and her said husband continuously to his death
lived together as man and wife and raised a family
of children that the fact of said Marriage was never
previous to this called in question any where nor
its legal validity ever alledged [alleged] or talked of but that 
the neighbors generally in either and all of the places
aforesaid Know of such cohabitation and generally
believed such marriage
At the time of your memorialist's application
for pension. She did not make such specific contract
with the individual who presented her claim as lead
to an amicable settlement of his fee, a disagree-
-ment resulted. and he was heard to remark that after
your memorialist "had drawn her first payment
she would not draw again soon" or words to that
effect, these threats may have eminated [emanated] from spite
rather than a prompting to just dealing and she
so charges. Your memorialist is aware that under the
rule governing "confidential correspondence" she has
no right to ask for the name of her prosecutor if the
information was conveyed to your office under that
injunction, but she submits if she has not the
right to make an issue and to put her prosecutors
to proof.  Your memorialist is an aged an [and]
infirm woman whose memory is much blunted
by time has as before alleged no record nor better
memory than is here stated but she positively states
that as for the charges that her marriage to her
said husband the said Abner Gordon was illegal
and that he had at the time another liveing [living] wife
in North Carolina or elsewhere is untrue and
cannot be sustained that such slander and
malicious imputation has been concocted to
humiliate and embarrass one who is all most
Page 84

Now teetering on the grave and were imbecility perhaps invited to the fangs of her secret enemy.

Your memorialist is entitled in every way to a pension and payment upon her certificate issues aforesaid and now in her possession and to be restored to the enjoyment of which she humbly requests that the following papers be considered. That her accusers be called on and reasonable time given to make good their allegation on The Sworn Testimony of [unintelligible] witnesses or in default of such solemn rebutting proof that payment be ordered to your Memorialist from the date of discontinuance and to continue and for this your Memorialist ever respectfully prays and to effect this she hereby appoints Absalon L Burim of Mill Bimel [Jin] her attorney.
Elizabeth X Gordon

Witness
1.[unintelligible]
2. [unintelligible] Wolfe

The facts set forth in the foregoing memoriat were sworn to and subscribed before me on This 25 day of August 1856.
J. [P.] Green
For Hancock County Tennessee

State of Tennessee Hancock County
We the undersigned residents of the County and state aforesaid upon oath declare that about the month of June AD. one thousand eight hundred and  thirty nine Abner Gordon his wife Elizabeth Gordon came to this neighborhood which was then [Hawkins] County Tennessee. That they brought with them following children of their family to [unintelligible] William, Alice, [Parcivell], Elizabeth, James, Henry, Martha, Mary, [Anna]
The oldest of whom is now apparently about fifty years of age, the youngest about twenty eight years old. That he became acquainted with the family the year they settled here. Knew the old man Abner Gordon understood and believed he was a United Stated pensioner that he continued to live here from the day of his moving to the day of his death which took place about the month of June 5th 1843. That we have heard him say he had come from North Carolina to this Country. Was originally from Virginia That he had married his wife at the latter place. That
Page 85

the said Abner Gordon and the said Elizabeth Gordon came 
here as she reputes and acknowledged husband and wife of each other.  That they so behaved conducted and demeaned 
themselves and were so respected by the community generally 
so far as they were known continuously from the date of 
their settling here to the day of said Abner's death that 
he ever had any other living wife or that their marriage
was unlawful was never questioned until after his death 
and until his widow had drawn money as a pensioner 
it was generally understood and believed that they had
been married in Virginia from where they
had originally emmigrated [emigrated] so declared by each and was
so believed generally until sometime after the first pay-
ment of said Elizabeth's pension.  We have heard and
know of the facts of a disagreement believed the said
Elizabeth and her attorney and agent about his fee
for obtaining her money.  We have heard the general
rumour [rumor] that her agent threatened to stop her pension
that much sensation exists on account of this rejection
in the neighborhood, and whatever the cause may have
been one we believe it has originated in a wish and attempt
to maliciously injure an old woman without other cause
than that of revenge.  We have understood and believe that 
one Thomas Martin of Sneedville was her agent and that
it was with him the disagreement was had. We have no
harm as Mr Martin no particular preference or interest
in the pension of said Elizabeth but declare these
as facts about which justice seems to require us. there was
no man in his day who stood more fair as to morals and
carried deportment than Abner Gordon the pensioner in
question no one who ever to our knowledge had such thought
as his having another living wife at any time but the
said Elizabeth who now is living in our neighborhood
as his widow and is a widow. We have heard the said Abner
declare in his lifetime that all of the children of said Elizabeth
herein named were his lawful children and one knew
that after said Almer's death his property descended
to them as such but that no administrator was
ever appointed on his estate that they {illegible]  hold
it in common with the widow
Nicholas Wolfe
Sarah her x mark Mills
Page 86

State of Tennessee Hancock County
The foregoing affidavit was subscribed
by Nicholas Wolfe and Sarah Mills
and were duly sworn to the facts therein stated. 
And I certify that I know the affiants they are respectable Citizens of my County and neighborhood and of requisite age and have had opportunities to know the truth
of their statements, and that such is true, that I know Abner Gordon the pensioner, Know Elizabeth his widow. that her marriage to him was never questioned until a disagreement took place betwixt Thomas Martin and said widow about his fee, there can be
no doubt but that the allegation of her not being his rightful and lawful wife and widow is totally groundless and untrue, as equally false in my opinion is any charges going to support such
allegation.  but that she the said Elizabeth Gordon is the rightful wife and widow of the said Abner Gordon in question is universally and generally
believed in this country the above charge to the contrary
notwithstanding. I have no interest the
claim, I did hear such reports about the time of her application for pension but I do not now, 
did not then believe it, nor do I know of any person who does believe it

given under my hand and seal this 28 day
August, 1856
J. A. Green J.P.  (seal)
for Hancock County
Tennessee