Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6050, for George Shearman, Virginia
Page 1

[doc is printed & written]

(3-1776)
SERVICE                    NUMBER
Va   Shearman, George   W.6050
or Sherman
Mary Magdalen
[double line]
CONTENTS
Page 2

[doc is printed, written, folded & damaged]

[left fold]
Dead. let to J. McNamara Jr Aug 27, 1839
Let to do And Aug 28 1839
Paid at the Treasury under
the Act of the 6th April 1838
from 4 March 1837 to 4 Sept
1838. Agt notified 10 Sept
1839
[line]
Paid as above from 4 Sept
1838 to 3d June 1839. Agt no
tified 2d Jany 1840
[line]
Paid as above from 4 Sept
1838 to 4 March 1839. Agent
Notified 3 March 1840
[line]

[right fold]
Virginia 30. 500
[double line]
George Shearman
of Hardy Co in the State of Virginia
who was a Private of Cav in the company co[damage]
by Captain Hughes of the Regt co[damage]
by Genl Wayne in the Va
line for 2 years
[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 1000 Dollars; ---Ce[damage]
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 [damage]
[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of Ma[damage]
1836 and sent to Hon. Edw[damage]
Lucas, H.R.
[double line]
Arrears to the 4th of March '36     500.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. '36     50.00 [figure double underlined]
$550.00 [figure double underlined]
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book E Vol 6 1/2   Page 33
Page 3

[doc is printed, written & folded]

5746 [underlined]
Virginia Rich---
[double line]
Mary M Shearman
widow of George Shearman
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Dragoon in the
Virginia Line---
[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
100---Dollars---
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the
16th day of October 1849
and sent to 
Anthony Robinson
Richmond Va---
[double line]
Recorded on Roll or Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 184, Vol 3
Page 4

[doc is written; page 1 of multipage doc]

[illegible] February 24, 1845 [underlined]
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress of the seventh of July eighteen hundred and thirty
eight entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions
to certain widows"; also of the act of Congress of March
the third eighteen hundred and forty three entitled
"An act granting a pension to certain [widows
of] Revolutionary Soldiers"; and also the act of June
seventeenth eighteen hundred and forty four entitled
"An act to continue the pensions of certain widows"
State of Virginia}
Shenandoah County} SS
On this twenty first day of February eight
een hundred and forty five personally appeared before
the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the
County and State aforesaid, Mary Magdalen Sher
-man a resident of the county of Hardy and State
of Virginia aged about eighty years, who bring first
duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make
the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July
the seventh eighteen hundred and thirty eight entitled
"An act granting half pay and pensions to certain
widows"; also the act of Congress of March the
third eighteen hundred and forty three entitled "An
act granting a pension to certain [widows of] Revoluti
Page 5

[doc is written; page 2 of multipage doc]

-onary slodiers"; and also the act of June the sevent
eenth eighteen hundred and forty four entitled "An act
to continue the pensions of certain widows"; That she
is the widow of George Sherman who was a pensioner
under the laws of the United States on account of
his services during the Revolutionary War. that her
husband the said George Sherman drew a pension
of one hundred dollars per annum during his life.
that the said George Sherman died on the third day
of June eighteen hundred and thirty nine and at his
death left arrearages of pension to due to him, which
were afterwards drawn by the declarant the wid
-ow of said Sherman, the amount of which arrearage
may be ascertained by reference to the proper depart
-ment; that her husband the said George Sherman
performed regular service in a company of Cavalry
during the revolutionary war. the declarant cannot
state the length of her husbands services nor wheth
-er he held an office nor whether he served in any
other capacity than as a member of the Cavalry.
That her husband served to the end of the war and was
honorably discharged after the surrender of Lord Cornw
-allis That she was married to her husband the
said George Sherman about four years after his last
period of service according to the best of her recollection
and before the first day of January seventeen hun
-dred and ninety four. That she was married in
the county of Shenandoah in the sate of Virginia
Page 6

[doc is written; page 3 of multipage doc]

and that license was regularly issued from the clerks
office of said County. That the name of her husband
is sometimes spelled in different ways to wit George
Sherman as above written, alias George Shireman,
alias George Shierman but that she believes the
name of her husband appears on the records in the
war department spelled in the manner as it is
first above written. at any rate she is the widow
of the George Sherman [underlined] who died in the county
of Hardy in the sate of Virginia on the third
day of June eighteen hundred and thirty nine, and
who had been receiving a pension of one hundred
dollars per annum before his death. The declarant
thinks that she cannot be mistaken as to the amount
of the annual pension which her husband drew, at
any rate the exact amount will appear by an
examination of the records in the war department
and this sum she claims as due to her by the provis
-ions of the three acts recited above. That her maiden
name was Mary Magdalen Delander, and that she
does not recollect the precise date of her marriage
not having kept any record of the same, but that her
eldest child was born before the first day of Janu
ary seventeen hundred and ninety four, and that she
has remained a widow ever since the death of her hus
band the said Sherman
Mary Magdalen Sherman [an X and the words 'her mark' are written over the name]
Page 7

[doc is written]

This day personally appeared before the subscriber Jacob
Noel a Justice of the Peach in and for the county of
Shenandoah in the State of Virginia, Mary Magdalen
Sherman a resident of Hardy County and state aforesaid
and made oath that the statements contained in the
foregoing declaration are true to the best of her knowledge
and belief and subscribed the same in my presence. I
further certify that the declarant resides upon the edge of
Hardy County at a very great distance from the Court
House and is unable on account of advanced age and bodily
infirmity to attend court for the purpose of making her
declaration, and that the subscriber is the most conveni
-ent Magistrate. Witness my hand this twenty first
day of February eighteen hundred and forty five
Jacob Noel J.P.
Virginia
Shenandoah County Ss
I Philip Williams Clerk of the County
Court of Shenandoah hereby certify that Jacob Noel whose name is
signed to the above certificate was at the time of signing the same
and now is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county
duly commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing signa=
ture purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said Court this 21st day of
February 1843 and in the 69 year of the Common-
wealth.
P. Williams ClkSC
Page 8

[doc is written]

33374
Geo Shiremans
affidavit [crossed out]
declaration
[illegible] f 273
Sol Cav abt 15 mo
1783 Abram Byrd
left by Edw Lucas [illegible]
Hon. E. Lucas Jr
HR
Deelg
Page 9

[doc is written; page 1 of multipage doc]

State of Virginia}
Hardy County} To Wit
This day Philip Shireman son of
Jacob Shireman, Personally appeared before me the under
-signed a justice of the Peace in and for Hardy County
in the state of Virginia and being first duly sworn according
to law, on his Oath says that he has frequently heard
his father say that George Shearman substituted to take
his place during the War of the Revolution; and that
said George Shearman was three years gone in the
Army under Genl Anthony Wayne. He also says
that the said George Shearman [5 words crossed out] that it was always
said and believed by the family of Sherman's that
George Shearman had substituted in the Militia
for to serve a tour of duty for Jacob Shireman
that after he had marched to Richmond he enlis
=ted as a regular soldier in the Light Horse or
Cavalry at Richmond, and [crossed out] that he served as such
in the army commanded by Genl Anthony Wayne
He states that he has often heard his [illegible]
George Shearman himself state that he assisted in
taking a band of Tories and in bringing them before
Genl Wayne, and that after guarding them through
the night, he assisted in hanging them the next 
day--- He states that, his father who is older than his
Uncle George Shearman [illegible] lived [inserted] in Shenandoah County
[3 words illegible] until he removed to Hardy County [inserted] where
he now lives with the said Philip Shireman, and that
the said Jacob Shireman is at this time not sound
of mind and has therefore no recollection of former trans-
=actions and that he has been so for Six Years past
he is at this time about 80 years of Age---He states
that from a record kept by his father that his older
brother John Shireman was born Janry 23rd 1780-
being the same year that George Shearman went as a
substitute for him into the Army. He also states that
to his own knowledge Jacob and George were both
unacquainted with the english language, that 
Neither of them were capable of writing their
Page 10

[doc is written; page 2 of multipage doc]

names in english, and that in german they spelled
their names Schaerman [underlined]. the reason why himself
and brothers spell their names Shireman at this
time is that they were taught to spell and write
it so at an english school when young---Which
is the pronunciation of the german Schaerman
He states that he has often heard George Shearman say
that he served as a soldier in the state of Georgia he
also states that he heard him speak of the growing
of rice in that country and of the manner of
cultivating the same with water    Philip Shireman
Subscribed and Sworn to before me}
this 2[illegible] day of Septr 1835}
Given under my hand and seal}
[illegible]
Jacob Miller [drawing of a seal]
He the said Philip Shireman on his Oath deposeth
and says that the before named George Shaerman
has always been considered a man of truth and
honesty and that his declarations are worthy of credit
Given under under my hand and seal as
above 
Jacob Miller {name underlined] [drawing of a seal]
Page 11

doc is written; page 1 of multipage doc]

State of Virginia}
Hardy County} To Wit
This day John Shearman eldest son of 
Jacob Shearman of the County of Hardy and
State of Virginia Aged 55 years on the 23rd day
of July last past personally appeared before me
the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for
the County aforesaid in the state aforesaid
And being first sworn according to Law On
his Oath says, that George Shearman of the cove
called the upper cove of the North Mountain is the
Brother of Jacob Shearman, that both Jacob & George
are very old are still alive and living in cove run 
in the upper cove [illegible] in Hardy County. That Jacob
his father is deranged and has been so for at least
Six years past. That during his sanity he had often
heard him say that his brother George Shearman
entered as a substitute for him during [crossed out] in the War of
the American Revolution, that after George had
entered the service as a substitute he enlisted
in the Light Horse at Richmond Virginia. That
he had heard him George Shearman [name inserted] state that he had served under
Genl Anthony Wayne in South Carolina and 
Georgia States the particulars he does not recollect
He states that he has heard his Father and George
Shearman say that the commander of his Regiment
was a Colo White, and that he was in the service
until the end of the War or after Cornwallis
defeat. That he was an infant when George went
into service and yet has a distant recollection
of his return. That George Shearman has long com
plained of his knee and that he has long been afflic
=ted, but how long he cannot recollect [illegible]
That George Shearman is a man of honesty and
Truth and his life has been very exemplar in
that respect, and that his declarations are true
and ought to be believed. He believes that George
Shearman is the same whose name appears
Page 12

[doc is written; page 2 of multipage doc]

on the Army Register of the Continental line as
a soldier of Cavalry---That George Shearman is now
nearly 80 years of age Very infirm of body and somewhat
[illegible] impatient when talked to. That he has not had
much conversation with him for some years past.
That the name of Shireman as used by his big brother
in not spelled as it was originally, or as he him
self spells it at this time. That his Father and
George Shearman could not write their names
in english that He himself being educated in
the German Tongue to this day spells his name
and writes it as it was spelled and written by
his father except the letter (c) . That the correct manner is
Shearman in German Schearman---That he has
always understood the George Shearman was born in
Shenandoah County and has always lived there and 
in Hardy County since his recollection. That
George Shearman had his house burned since
living in the upper cove of the North Mountain
That he heard George Shearman often say that
he received his discharge [4 words inserted] after the defeat of Cornwallis defeat [crossed out] but how
long after he does not recollect to have heard
him to say he has often heard that he was gone
upwards of three years till his return and that [illegible]
entered for during the War.
He also heard him say that his books and papers
were burned with his house
Subscribed and sworn to before}   [next 4 words illegible]
Me this fourth day of Septr 1835}   John Shearman
Jacob Miller JP [name & title underlined]
Page 13

[doc is written]
Virginia
Hardy County to Wit
I James Carr Gamble Clerk of the
County Court of said County do hereby certify that Jacob Miller
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and
that the signatures to the foregoing certificates purporting to
be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said
County this 21st day of October 1835.
Jas Carr Gamble [name underlined]
Page 14

State of Virginia
Hardy County} To Wit
On this second day of September 1835 
personally appeared before me Jacob Miller a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid George Shearman a resident of the Upper Cove of the North mountain in the County of Hardy and State of Virginia Aged 78 years. Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 -- That he entered the Continental or Service of the United States in May 1780 at Stovestown in Shenandoah County and Marched first to Richmond under as well as he recollects a Captn Goust as a Substitute for his brother Jacob Shearman, that after being at Richmond for some days he with about One hundred others Volunteered to enter the Cavalry under the Command of a Captain Hughes, a Lieutenant Howell. The other officers names he does not recollect of the company. The Regiment to which he was attached and belonged was commanded by a Colonel White which was under the command of General Anthony Wayne - That he served in South Carolina and Georgia along the Savannah River - That the detachment to which he belonged had a skirmish with the indians in Georgia, that he was back and forward frequently across the Savannah River while in service.
He states that his mind is very much impaired that he cannot recollect well enough to give a detached account of all the circumstances that transpired during his service in the light Horse or Cavalry under the Command of Captn Hughes - His first service as well as recollected was up the James River with a detachment of Cavalry who were ordered across the James River (When Cornwallis ascended to Richmond) To take a quantity of Arms (muskets and other arms) and secrete them in the James River which they did in the night and threw them in the James River and that they Knocked in the hands of the rum Casks and poured the contents upon the ground, that afterwards they were marched to South Carolina where he served against the Tories under Genl Wayne - That he was present when Seven Tories were taken in the night and hung the next day in a row -
That he received his discharge in Georgia after Cornwallis' defeat: but how long after he does not recollect. - That he came home on foot.
Page 15

He recollects to have received some pay for his service Whilst in service; but says he does not recollect of receiving the balance of his full pay or of authorising any person to receive it for him afterwards. How long he entered the service for he does not recollect if the War had lasted he recollects that he was willing to have served longer as he did not expect to be discharged when he was - He believes his term of service was to the end of the War.
That he was 19 years of Age when he entered the service that he was twenty One Years of Age and upwards when he returned to Shenandoah County where he resided until something upwards of thirty years ago say about 34 years when he removed to the upper Cove Run in Hardy County where he has resided ever since - One thing he recollects that when they threw the Arms into the James River that they sunk the boats in which they had crossed: And that afterwards whilst under the command of General Wayne, That General Green was in South Carolina at or near Charlestown.
His discharge he says he lost and the record of his Age having had his house burned down in which were his books and papers, since he lived in the uper Cove (about three years since) He cannot read english having been taught in German The Certificate given upon a former reason are herewith appended as he believes them necessary to prove his identity
He relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state or if any only upon that of the agency in the state of Virginia
Jos G Winne
Subscribed and sworn to before me this aforesaid day of September in year 1835
Given under my hand and Seal
Jacob Miller {Seal}
Page 16

And the said Justice of the Peace does hereby declare it as his Opinion that George Shearman the above applicant was a Soldier of the Revolutionary War and served as he has stated, as well from his own declaration as from the traditionary testimony evidence of the Neighbourhood in Which he resides, as well as from the proofs adduced upon a former application
Given under my hand and seal the day and year herein before stated this second day of Sept 1835 and the said Justice of the peace declares it as his opinion further that George Shearman is a man of honest veracity his life having been a very exemplary one since his acquaintance with him which has been for upwards of thirty years
Jacob Miller {seal}
Page 17

George Shearman
Declaration
Page 18

Virginia Hardy County To Wit
This day being the 17th day of October 1835 Personally appeared Christopher Halterman before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace in and for the county of Hardy and being duly sworn according to law deposeth and says that he has known George Shearman for above 50 years, that he has always borne the Character of a man of Honesty and truth, that he has heard him talk of being in the Army of the revolutionary War, and has heard him tell of the hanging of tories, and that he was of the party that helped to execute them or that he was present when they were hung. That he served in South Carolina - He believes that there is no doubt entertained but that he was in the army He is now in his 73 year of Age; and knew said Shearmen when he was a single man and went with him to see the Girls then we were young men together frequently together in Shenandoah County where we both lived before we moved to Hardy County where we both live at this time - Given under my hand and seal this Seventeenth day of October in the year 1835
Joseph Miller {seal}
Page 19

[page 1 of multipage doc]

State of Virginia
Hardy County} To Wit
This day being the 17th day of Octr. in the year 1835 personally appeared Adain Shaver before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the County of Hardy in the State aforesaid and first being duly sworn according to Law upon his Oath declareth and say that he has known George Shearman ever since he removed from Shenandoah County to his present residence in the Uper cove of the North Mountain upwards of thirty years, that he married his daughter Rosanna, and has had frequent conversations with George Shearman relative to his having served in the revolutionary War, that he has
When said Shearman was in a perfect state of mind Capable of recollecting the past bransachans of his life frequently heard him state that he marched from Shenandoah County to Richmond as a substitute for his brother Jacob Shearman he did not before this time state under what Captain he marched but that he joined the light horse at Richmond under the command of Captain Hughs & a Lieutenant by the name of Howell, that the name of his Colo Was White: and that he was commanded by Genl Wayne against the Tories in the South, that he has heard him detail the circumstances relative to the secretary of the Army in the James River, and sinking the boats, and that the alarm of the approach of the British was first given to them by a woman - That he marched into South Carolina, that he was in Georgia when discharged he heard him state before he was married to his daughter of assisting in hanging the tories, That whilst said Shearman's memory served him he stated that he would not have quit the army had not the War terminated that he appeared from her conversations to have been fond of the service he has heard him tell of much the indrang in the night with bayonets and swords the bayonets were in the possession of the infantry at some station they were at Where he does not recollect, but he recollects him to have stated that they killed several of the indians, he states that Shearman is very imbecile of mind at times and very impatient and irritable being childishly disposed that at some times he will not talk to any person whatever, that he has been crippled in one
Page 20

[doc is written; page 2 of multipage doc]

of his knees ever since he knew him and he [inserted] often
complaining, he has often stated to [illegible] that he
thought his exposure in the Revolutionary War
occasioned it having been much exposed both upon
horse back and upon foot during the nights
during his term of service---his impatience of disposi
tion at this time which is evident to every person
presents the obtaining a chain of detailed circumstan
=ces relative to his term of enlistment and his services
during the War of the Revolution. When solicited to
do so he becomes angry and says "that he has made
the Application before" which was done with a
considerable difficulty having had to cross two
considerable Mountains to get to Court the
one in Shenandoah and the other in Hard[letter inserted]y to
either of Which he declares himself unable to get
again, and from his age and the difficulty of the
roads it is not He believes practicable, He believes
from what he has learned from George Shearman
and others that his term of service was for during
the War, he is certain that he is the same man
whose name appears on the register of the
continental line, that his name is spelled
there, as it was at that time or would be now
pronounced from the Manner of spelling it
in the german tongue, except the letter (c) whi[damage]
precedes (h) and following (S) [illegible] always in the german [4 words crossed out]
He saw George Shearman write his name this time
and when put into english letters, George Schear
=man, the proper pronunciation of his name in
the german is Shearman, which is now
corrupted into Shireman he not being able
to write it himself in english. He declared to me
he did not receive his last balance of pay to his
recollection and he does not recollect having
authorised any person after the War, he does not
recollect to have heard him state that he was
entitled to bounty Land but believes he was.
Subscribed and sworn to before me as above
stated Given under my hand}
and seal this 17th day of October}   Adam Shaver
1835       Jacob Miller [drawing of a seal] 
Cornwallis defeat; but how long [illegible]
recollect.---That he came home on foot.
Page 21

[doc is written, printed & folded]

Revy WIDOW, &c.
[line]
File No. 6050
Mary M. Sherman
Widow
Geo. Sherman
Dragoon Re[illegible] W[illegible]
[line]
Act: Feby 2d 48
Index:-Vol. M, Page 205
"[Arrangement of 1870.]"
Page 22

[doc is printed, written & folded]

9634 [underlined]
Virginia
[double line]
Mary M. Shearman
widow of George Shearman
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832,
and who died on the 3d June, 1839,
of Hardy Co in the State of Va
who was a Dragoon in the compy
commanded by Captain Hughes--- of the
---commanded by --- in
the Virginia line for 2 years
[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond,
at the rate of 100---Dollars ---
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day [2 words crossed out]
of April 1836 [3 words crossed out] 3d June, 1839---
[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of
September '45 and sent to Brock-
enbrough & Paxton, Lexington, Va
[double line]
Total amount, $175.27 [double lines above & below figure]
"[Act July 7, 1838.]"
Recorded by W M Stewart---Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1--- Page 279.
Page 23

[doc is printed, written, folded & damaged]

[left fold]
7305. [underlined]
Virginia
[double line]
Mary M. Shearman
widow of George Shearman
who was a Dragoon,
in the Virginia line.
[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
100 Dollars
--- Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the
25. day of Sept: 1845.
and sent to Brockenbrough &
Paxton, Lexington,
Va.
[double line]
"[Act of March 3, 1843.]"
& 17 June, 1844.
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 147.

[right fold]
Recd [illegible]
No. 888.
Page 24

[doc is written & folded]

No. 11782
Mary M. Shearman
Va
Let to Brockenbrough & Paxton
April 21. 1845.
Act 7 July 1838
Page 25

[doc is written & folded]

Geo Shearman
Virginia
Hist let. Jany 4 1836
Hon Ed Lucas
Ad 7 June 183[illegible]
Page 26

[doc is written & folded]

No 11782
Mary M Shearman
widow of George
Va
Act 7 July 1838
Admd 2 years Dragoon
$100 per ann.
commencing on 3d June 1839
Admd 3 March 1843 and 17 June
1844
$100.00 per Ann
Brocknebrough & Paxton
Lexington
[illegible]
Page 27

[doc is written; page 1 of multipage doc]

State of Virginia}
Shenandoah County} SS
The Justices of the Court of
said county now sitting doth order it to be certi
-fied to the war department that the declara
tion of Mary Magdalen Sherman a resident of
Hardy County made before Jacob Noel a Justice
of the peace ffor the purpose of obtaining the benef
it of the pension laws of the United States on the
21st day of February 1845 was produced in open
court and read for this 12th day of August [illegible]3
And the said court are satisfied that Mary Mag
dalen Sherman aforesaid on account of advanced
age bodily infirmity and the great distance at
which she resides ffrom the court house, is unable
to attend court for the purpose of making her decl
aration and that the same faith and credit are
due to the proceedings before the [illegible] Magistrate
as if the same had been held in open court
and the said court doth further order it to be
Certified that Jacob Noel whose name is subscribed
to the said declaration is an acting Justice of the
peace duly commissioned and qualified for the
County of Shenandoah and the signature purpor
ting to be his is genuine.
A Copy to
Saml C. Williams Cl SC [line underlined]
turn over
Page 28

[doc is written; page 2 of multipage doc]

Virginia to wit,
I Samuel C Williams Clerk of the County Court of
Shenandoah Certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of the minutes
respecting the declaration of Mary Magdalen Sheaman, as made
in the said Court on the 12 day of August 1845.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said Court this 13 day
of August 1845 and in the 70th year of this Common
wealth
Saml C Williams Cl SC
Page 29

[doc is written; page 1 of multipage doc]

State of Virginia}
Shenandoah County} ss
The affidavit of Adam Halt
-erman made before the subscriber a Justice of the peace
in and for the County and State aforesaid.
The affiant being first duly sworn according
to law deposed as follows to wit, That he is nearly fifty
years old, and for a great number of years well acqu
-ainted with George Sherman of the county of Hardy
and State of Virginia, who was during his lifetime a
pensioner under the laws of the United States on acco
-unt of his Revolutionary services, and that the said George
Sherman the pensioner aforesaid died on the third day
of June eighteen hundred and thirty nine, the affiant
being present at this death. The affiant believes that
the said Sherman drew a pension of one hundred
dollars per annum, this fact can however be accura
-tely ascertained by reference to the records in the
Pension department; The affiant further deposed
that the said George Sherman the pensioner as afore
-said of Hardy County at his death left a widow
Mary Magdalen Sherman who is still alive and
has made her declaration in order to obtain the bene
-fit of the laws providing for the widows of Revoluti
-onary soldiers. The affiant has no record of the marri
-age of the said George Sherman and his present
Page 30

[doc is written; page 2 of multipage doc]

widow Mary Magdalen Sherman but that he has heard
the said Sherman and his widow state that they
were Married in the County of Shenandoah in the
State of Virginia. The affiant has no personal kno
-ledge of the time at which the said Sherman was
married to his present widow as aforesaid but that
it must have been been [crossed out] before the first day of
January seventeen hundred and ninety four, as some
of the Children of said Sherman and his present widow
were at least five years older than the affiant,
who is at this time within a few months of being
fifty years old. The affiant further deposed that
the said George Sherman and his widow the said
Mary Magdalen Sherman raised a number of 
children and always had the reputation of having
been lawfully Married and the affiant as firmly
believes that they were lawfully married, as if he
had been present and witnessed the ceremony, the
affiant further deposed that the name of the
said George Sherman is spelled in different
ways to wit George Sherman as first above written
alias George Shireman [first 5 letters underlined], alias George Shierman
but the affiant believes that the name as it appears
upon the records in the pension department is
spelled in the manner as it is first above written, at
any rate the person who has made her declaration
as aforesaid is the widow of the George Sherman
who resided in the county of Hardy in the State
Page 31

[doc is written; page 3 of multipage doc]

of Virginia who was a pensioner during several
years of his life and who died on the third day
of June eighteen hundred and thirty nine and that
she is the identical person who as the widow of
the said George Sherman drew the arrearages of
pension due to him at his death which the affiant
believes was about three hundred dollars and that
the said Mary Magdalen Sherman has remained a
widow ever since the death of her husband
Adam Halterman

I Jacob Noel a Justice of the peace in and for the
County of Shenandoah and State of Virginia certify
that the foregoing affidavit of Adam Halterman was
sworn to and subscribed before me on this twenty first
day of February eighteen hundred and forty five. I fur
-thur certify that the affiant is a person of veracity
and that the foregoing statements are entitled to full
credit and belief witness my hand this twenty first
day of February eighteen hundred and forty five
Jacob Noel J.P.

Virginia
Shenandoah County Court
I Philip Williams Clerk of said County Court
do hereby Certify that Jacob Noel whose name is signed to the above affidavit
was at the time of doing the same and still is an Acting Justice of the peace for said
County duly commissioned & sworn and that full faith and credit [illegible]
[illegible] ought to be given to all such his official acts and that his Sig-
nature is genuine.  In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand
and affix the seal of said County this 21st day of February 1845 and
in the 69 year of the Commonwealth
P Williams Cl SC [name & title underlined]
Page 32

[doc is written]

Virginia Shenandoah County Ss
"Sept 25 Seventeen hundred & eighty six George Shireman to
Medlena Delanter Joined in holy matrimony by Simon Harr
I Philip Williams Clerk of the County Court of Shenandoah
in the State aforesaid certify that the foregoing is a true transcript
from the records in my Office and I further certify that in
the certificate of the father presented when the license was
granted the name of the daughter is spelled "Magdelin
Delanter"--- 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said Court at the
Court House this 21 day of February 1845 &
in the 69 year of the Commonwealth
P Williams Cl SC [name & title underlined]
Page 33

[doc is written & stamped]

No 11782
Mary M Sherman
widow of George
Va
Act 7 July 1838
M 86039

[written up-side-down]
Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

[written vertically along right margin]
11782 [underlined] Feb 24 1845.
Magdalen Sherman,
July 7, 1838
March 3d 1843
Va

[mailroom stamp]
FEB
22
Va

[up-side-down mailroom stamp] 
FREE
Page 34

[doc is written & damaged]

Woodstock February 21st 1845
Dear sir
We send to you the papers in the case
of Mrs Magdalen Sherman of Hardy County and hope that
the evidence enclosed will be sufficient to establish her
claim for a pension. The only difficulty in the case arises
from the various ways in which they are in the habit
of spelling the name Sherman we think however
that the testimony proves satisfactorily according to the
rules of the department that she is the widow of the
George Sherman alias Shireman of Hardy County who
was a pensioner and died in 1839. The family is of Ger
man extraction and their names as well as there mann
-ers are becoming every day more and more Anglicised; in
the declaration her Maiden Name is written Magdalen
Delander. This is merely the English of Modlina Del
-ter which appears to have been her maiden name as
to the records of her marriage which are enclosed. The
testimony already in the department will prove the
length and character of her husbands services, we wish
that you would send the papers in her case to Brockenbrou
-gh & Paxton at lexington Virginia. We mail this at
Woodstock because the case has been prepared in Shen
andoah County
              Your Obdt Sevts
Hon J. L Edwards}    Most Respectfuly
Washington City}     Brockenbrough & Paxton
Page 35

[doc is written]

J.L. Smith Esqr
of Moorefield Vz
Feb 26th 1836

Name on V Cavl roll
as pri Cavy
Admt 2 yr pri
Cavalry - $100
Capt Hughes
Genl Wayne Va

Hon E Lucas [illegible]
Hr Ed Lucas
HoR

[written vertically thru center]
To The Honl Edward Lucas
Page 36

[doc is written]

Moorefield Hardy County Feby 20th
1836

To The Honl Edward Lucas
D sir,
I received your
Polite favor of January enclosing the
Memorandum of J.L. Edwards Esqr com
of Pensions. It has been out of my
power to have time since I received
yours. I have written to the Commis-
=ioner which I enclose with the certificate
of George Keller. If the Honl J M Beal
should have any knowledge of Keller I
would be glad he would inform the
commissioner of it. You will present
My reply to him with the enclosed
Please excuse my taxing you with this
business out of your District as it is from
one of your constituents being myself a Voter
of Frederick county I take the liberty.
Very truly I am Your
Friend & fellow Citizen
John Smith
N.B Mr Mullin & Myself}
will try the field again}
in the spring for the Leg.}
Page 37

[doc is written, folded & stamped]

[mailroom stamp]
RICHMOND
OCT 11
VA

[Mailroom stamp up-side-down]
FREE

J.S. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

[written vertically]
Act 2 Feb
7305
Page 38

[doc is written]

Richmond, 11 day of October 1849
Sir;
I have been requested to enclose to you the Declaration of Mrs.
Mary M Shearman and obtain for her a Certificate of Pension
under the Act of the 2d February 1848.
I am, very respectfully,
Your Obedt servant
Anty Robinson

J.S. Edwards, Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington
Page 39

[doc is printed & written]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
Dec. 24th, 1839.
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," The widow of George Sherman,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va Agency, at
the rate of one hundred Dollars and --- Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1838,
to the 3d June, 1839, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 40

[doc is printed & written]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
August 30th, 1839.
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," The widow of George Shearman,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va Agency, at
the rate of one hundred Dollars and --- Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837,
to the 4th Sept. 1838, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 41

[doc is written & folded]

Anty Robinson
Richmond Va
Page 42

[doc is written]

State of Virginia}
Hardy County} to wit
On this 1st day of August in the
year 1849 personally appeared before the subscri
ber a Justice of the peace, in and for said County
duly authorized by the laws of said state to
administer oaths, Mary M Shearman a
resident of the said County of Hardy aged
about 84 years who being first duly sworn
according to law, doth on her oath make
the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefits of the provisions made by the
act of Congress pass on the 2d February
1848 granting pensions to widows of
persons who served during the revolutionary
war. That she is the widow of George
Shearman who was a Dragoon and died
on the 3d day of June 1839. And that she
has received One Hundred Dollars per an-
num to the 4th day of March 1848 un
der the act of 17th June 1844.
She further declares that she is still a
widow.   Mary M Shearman [an X and the words "her mark" are written over the name]
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above
written before me to whom she is personally known.
In Presence of)          Thos Maslin [name underlined] JP
Solomon Bean
Israel Hatterman
Page 43

[doc is written]

I James C Gamble clerk of the Court of Hardy
County Certify that Thomas Maslin is a Magistrate
as written and that the foregoing signature purpor-
ting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscri-
bed my name this 3d day of August in the year 1849.
Jas Can Gamble Clerk
Hardy County
Page 44

[doc is printed & written]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
February 11th, 183 [number crossed out] 40.
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," George Sherman, ---
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va Agency, at
the rate of Twenty seven Dollars and --- Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1838,
to the 4th March, 1839, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 45

[doc is written]

To
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Department of War
Pension Office

[written vertically along right margin]
Hon Ed Lucas
Page 46

[doc is written; page 1 of multipage doc]

Moorefield Hardy County Feby 20th 1836
To J.S. Edwards Esqr
Sir
I received through the politeness
of the Honl Edward Lucas your letter of the 6th
January in relation to the pension claim of 
George Shearman a Soldier of Cavalry in the
Continental service of Virginia---
George Shearman states that he knew Abraham
Byrd; but that he does not recollect to have
authorised him to obtain for him a certificate
for the balance of his full pay, or of his depreci
ation pay--- that he might have done so but
does not recollect it, he does not recollect
to have received any part. If Byrd received it
it must have been sold to him which he
does not recollect;--- The reason for his not
applying sooner for a pension is that he did
not know and had not learned from any
person that he was entitled to such a pension
until within a few years
the cove run being immediately under the [illegible]
of the North Mountain, near the head of the
last river in a situation as isolated as it
is possible for one to be, there being neither
Post Office or store within less than Seven miles
and not a Newspaper circulated in the Neig-
bourhood unless by accident--- a country in
which there is very little commerce, two years
ago or thereabouts he says he applied to Honl
Seymour Esqr of Moorefield to make the
Page 47

[doc is written; page 2 of multipage doc]

application for him Mr Seymour neglected to do
so and from inability he was unable to attend
to it himself at that time he rode to Moorefield
a distance of 23 Miles over a very rugged mountain
but was so disabled by the ride that he was unable
to go to Woodstock when the certificate of George
Fultz and Catherine Shearman was obtained which
was sent with the declaration and It was not in
my power to leave home to go to Shenandoah
county to obtain the certificates called for by note [inserted] (1)
Mr Adam Shaver the son-in-law of Mr George
Shearman went and has procured the certificate
of Mr George Keller, who I know to be a respectable
citizen of the county who living near Mr Absolun
Renkers upon stony creek and I think The
Hon J M Beal probably can certify as to his
respectability if not and it should be necessary
the certificate of Grandslaff to that effect can
be obtained as well for that of Mr Absolun
Renker who is now in the Legislature from
Shenandoah county---The former certificate
of Fultz obtained when application was intended
to be made through Wm Seymour Esqr
and the present (I think will do---Mr
Shearman is too feeble to leave his house
and attend to any  thing matter Whatever, and is
fully impressed with the belief that the
Name of a pension is all he will ever
recieve. I think Col Beal has some knowledge
of the isolated situation in which he lives and if
I am not Mistaken in my relation I think
The Honl Edward Lucas was once in that
Page 48

[doc is written; page 3 of multipage doc]

part of the county before the changing of the congress
=ional districts and I have no doubt would
recollect it as it was immediately above Sagey
Mill upon cove run a branch of Lost river
You will please inform me by letter if
any other measures should be necessary---
One thing I can assure you there is no
speculation in view in the matter I
have acted gratuitously in the matter being
only ambitious to serve an aged, infirm
Soldier of the Revolution, having been
Myself a Soldier of the Last War
I am known to Colo J M Beal to 
The Honl Edward Lucas and was formerly
known to The Honl Chas F Mercer of Louden
I am impressed with the belief that as far
as Mr Shearman's Memory serving him he
has stated truth
Very Respectfully
I am
Sir Your
obt Servt
Jno L Smith
Page 49

[doc is written]

Shenandoah County to wit
This Day George Keller Personally appeared
before me the under Signed a Justice of the peace for the
County of Shenandoah and made Oath that Mr George
Shearman was a Regular Soldier in the Revolutionary
war in the year 1780 and 1781 and also knew him upon
his Return and believes that he was in the continental
Service as Stated in his declarations
Given under my hand and seal this 8th Day
of February 1836
Geo Grandstaff J.P.

Virginia}
Shenandoah County} to wit
I Philip Williams Clerk of the County Court of
Shenandoah aforesaid do hereby Certify that Goerge Grandstaff Esqr whose name
is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit of George Keller is an acting Justice of the
peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and Sworn and that full faith and
credit is due all his official acts as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the said County at the Court house on
this ninth day of February 1836 and in the 64th year
of the Commonwealth
P Williams Clk [name & title underlined]