Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 592, William Dotson, N.C.
Page 1

Service N.C.    Dotson, William    Number R.592
                       Bartley, Zilpha 
                                    (Former Widow)
Page 2

Zilpha Bartley, for. widow of

Wm Dolston
592 

Geo: Act/53
Letters to 

L.S. Russell February 1 1853-
Same         "             13   "
Same         "             23   "

Revolutionary:

[image to the left is a finger pointing] See Care of William Dolston decd
Geo. Act June 1832

S.S. Rupell, 

Savannah, Geo.
Page 3

State of Georgia}
Chatham County}

On this 16th day of January A.D. 1853 Personally appeared before [illegible] [illegible] Georgia P. Harrison & James E Godfrey 

Justices of the Superior Court for the County of Chatham in said state, the said court being a court of record. Zelphia Bartley aged 47 years a resident of the County of Chatham in said state, who being duly sworn according to law, declares, that she was married to William Dotson on the 13th of November 1830, by the Rev W.Southwill  an ordained and officiating  Minister of the Gospel, and that her name before marriage  was Zelphia Crawford, that her said husband William Dotson died in the County of Chatham State aforesaid on the 8th of November 1839, that when said husband as she was informed by him served in the Militia of North Carolina in the Revolutionary War against Great Britain, that he was a private soldier under the command of Captain Hoke, Lieutenant Colonel  Medica and General [illegible] that he served a part of the time in the State of South Carolina, that he was honorably discharged, and that the discharge has been lost, or in the possession of some person unknown to this department that she remained the widow of the said William Dotson until the 26th of February 1843, by George E [illegible] a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid in said State- [illegible]  she was appointed by the Will of William Dotson Executor of his Estate, the said William Dotson never made any application for a Pension in this department, she now files this declaration under the Acts of Congress-

Sworn to and subscribed by making her mark before me in open Court at the City of Savannah the day and year aforesaid-} 
           
          her
Zelphia^ Bartley
            mark

W.B.Racliff J.I.C.C.C
Jas. E. Godfrey J.I.CCC
Geo.Manisoro J.I.C.C.C
Page 4

State of Georgia}
Chatham County}

On this 16th day of January A.D. 1855, personally appeared before me George W. Wylly and Henry Williamson who being duly and legally sworn, declare, that they saw Zelpha Bartley subscribe her name ^by making her mark and duly sworn to the annexed and aforegoing affidavit, that they are residents of the County and State aforesaid and are not interested in the Pension claim of the applicant.

Sworn to and Subscribed} 
before us in open court }
the day and year aforesaid.}

George P Harrison J.I.C.C.C
N.B. Knapp J.I.C.C.C
Jas.E.Godfrey J.I.C.C.C

[right side signatures]

Geo.W.Wylly
Henry Williamson
Page 5

State of Georgia }
Chatham County}

I John F. Guilmartin clerk of the Inferior Court of Chatham County do hereby certify that Noah B. Knapp, George P. Harrison, and James E. Godfrey whose names are affixed to the aforegoing and annexed affidavit and certificate, were at the time of the execution thereof and are now asking Justics of the Inferior Court illegible] in the State aforesaid, [illegible] the signatures purporting to be theirs are their genuine signatures, and their full faith and credit are due to their ages as such, and that the said Court if a Court of Record. 

In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Inferior Court this nineteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five. 

Jno F. Guilmartin
Clerk I.C.C.C.
Page 6

State of Georgia}
Chatham County}

On this 24th day of April AD 1855, personally appeared John Godfrey and Jno G. Pringle residents of the city of Savannah County and State aforesaid, present whom certify to the respectable and entitled to credit, and who being duly and personally sworn according to law, declare, that they were present and saw Zachariah C Dotson subscribe his name and duly sworn to the aforegoing affidavit, that they have every reason to believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that he is the individual person that he represents himself to be. 

John Godfrey
Jno G.Pringle 

Sworn to and subscribe}
before me the day and}
year aforesaid. }
WB Knapp}
I.I.C.C.C}

State of Georgia }
Chatham County}

On this 24th day of April AD 1855 Personally appeared William Hill Bartley a resident of the county and state aforesaid who duly sworn according to law, declares that at their [illegible] after the death of William Dotson as related in the aforegoing  declaration he [illegible] Zachariah C Dotson the only legal surviving heir, that the said Zachariah  C Dotson was reputed as the son of William Dotson now deceased and Zelpha Bartley, that he is not witnessed in the claim-

Wm H.H.Bartley 

Sworn to and Subscribed }
before one the day and year}
aforesaid-}

W.B.Knapp
I.I.C.C.C
Page 7

State of Georgia }
Chatham County}

On the 24th day of April A.D. 1855, Personally appeared before me Noah B. Knapp a Justice of the Inferior Court for the County of Chatham, state aforesaid, Zachariah C. Dotson aged 24 years a resident of the county and state aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, declares, that his late Father William Dotson who was a Revolutionary soldier in the war against Great Britain died in the County and that aforesaid on the 9th of November 1839, that his mother Zelpha ceased to be the Widow of his late Father William Dotson on the 26th of February 1843, she at that time became the Wife of William H.H. Bartley-Deponent is informed and believes that this being the only legal surviving heir of the said William Dotson now deceased, that he is entitled to the arrears of Pension due his late Father William Dotson, and also the amount due [illegible] to the time of his mothers marriage-

Zachariah C. Dotson 

Sworn to and subscribed }
before me the day and }
year aforesaid }
NB Knapp}
I.I.C.C.C}

I certify that I believe the applicant to be a credible person, and that I am not-interested in the claim-

Sworn under my hand at the city of Savannah this 24th day of April A.D. 1855-

N.B. Knapp
I.I.C.C.C
Page 8

State of Georgia}
Chatham County}

I. Wyer J Dorrell Deputy Ordinary for Chatham County do hereby certify that a Marriage Sicence [License] was issued on the third day of November Eighteen hundred and thirty directed to any Minister of the Gospel or Magistrate of the County authorizing the Marriage of William  Dotson and Zelpha Grace-ford both of Chatham County State of Georgia. 

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the court of Ordinary at the city of Savannah this thirteenth day of December-Eighteen hundred and fifty-four 

Wyer J Dorrell 
Deputy O.C.C.
Page 9

[right stamp] Raleigh N.C. 27 Aug    .5 
L.L. Russell Esq
Savannah 

5441
Zilpha Bartley

former wife of Wm Dotson 
GA

Set: to  L.S. Russell. Feliy: [illegible] 55. 
"      "   "      "      "    13'/55
"     "    "     "       "    23 "

L. P. Waldo Esq 
Com of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
Page 10

No. V512. 

State of Georgia 
Chatham County 

By Robert Porter-

Clerk of the Court of Ordinary for the county of Chatham, and State aforesaid. 

To the Reverend 

Or any Magistrate for said county: 

You are hereby authorised to join in the hereby state of Matrimony, William H.H. Bartley and Zelpha Dotson widow of Chatham County for which this shall be year Sicense. [License] 

[left hand page] Seal Robert W.Porter. Clk. I.C.a.b.b.

Given under my hand and seal of office this twenty sixth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Fort three and the Sixty Seventh Year of the Independence of the United States of America . 

This Certifies, 

That William HH Bently and Zelpha Dotson were duly joined in Marriage on the 21 day of February A.D. 1843 by the

Geo J. Zipperer  I.P. 
Reverend
Page 11

State of Georgia 
Chatham County 

I Wyer J. Dorrell Deputy of Advisory for the County of Chatham in the State aforesaid, do hereby Certify the written Article of writing to be a true and correct copy of the original Marriage Siense [License] of the said William H.H.Bartley and Zelpha Dotson widow, filed and Recorded in this-office In Witness whereof I have here [illegible] set my hand and seal of this office this sixteenth day of January Eighteen hundred and fifty-five

W.J. Dorrell,

Deputy C.I.I.
Page 12

State of Georgia}
Chatham County}

We the undersigned Justices of the Inferior Court for the Count of Chatham in said state, do hereby certify that we believe the [illegible] to be credible, residents of the county and state aforesaid that the certificate, presented to us from the court of the state of North Carolina is genuine to the best of our belief, and it is the opinion of the court that William Dotson late of the county of Chatham state aforesaid, was the identical man who was a revolutionary soldier. 

The Court after reviewing the  testimony as now  presented are of the opinion that the applicant Zilpha Bartley formerly the wife of William Dotson is entitled to reclaim the pension, pay H. under the Acts of Congress. 

In testimony whereof we have hereunto, set our hand of cause the seal of the Inferior Court of the County of Chatham to be hereunto affixed at the city of Savannah this the sixteenth day of January 1855.

Jas E. Godfrey I.J.C.C.C
Geo.P.Harrison J.I.C.C.C.
N.B.KNAPP J.I.C.C.C

[left side seal] 
Jno F. Guilmartin 
Clerk Inf C.C.C.
Page 13

State of Georgia}
Chatham County}

I Wyer J. Dorrell Deputy Ordinary of Chatham County, do hereby certify that Zelpha Dotson wife of William Dotson now deceased was appointed by him Executive of his last Will and Testament and [illegible] to the same made on the Ninth day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty five and twenty six day of April Eighteen hundred and thirty-six. 

That the will was proven according to law by oath of William W Gordon a subscribing witness the sixth day of January Eighteen hundred and forty. 

That William Dotson made his mark to same. I further certify that our statute does not require a bond from an Executor or Executrix. As appears of record in my office. 

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Ordinary at the City of Savanah this thirteenth day of December Eighteen hundred and fifty four

Wyer. J. Dorrell
Deputy O.C.C.
Page 14

no

William Dotson Dec'd
Gea 

[drawing of finger pointing] See care of Zilpha Bartley of Georgia 

Act of 3rd Feb 1853
Page 15

State of Georgia Chatham County} 

On this 24th day of April A.D. 1855, Personally appeared Zelpha Bartley a resident of the County of Chatham. State aforesaid, who being duly sworn, according to law, declare, that Zachariah C. Dotson is the son of this despondent and William Dotson now deceased who was a Revolutionary Soldier, that he is the only surviving heir, that the said Zachariah C. Dotson was born on the 3rd day of October 1830-

{Sworn to and marked before me the day and year aforesaid-}
N.B.Knapp
J.I.C.C.C

            her
           ^
Zelpha x Bartley
            mark 

I certify that I believe the witnesses to be credible  persons and residents of the County and State aforesaid- 
Given under my hand at Savannah this 24th day of April A.D. 1855-
N.B.Knapp 
J.I.C.C.C

State of Georgia: Chatham County } I. William H, Bullock Clerk of the Inferior Court for the County of Chatham, State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Noah B Knapp whose name is affixed to the aforegoing affidavit and certificates was at the time of the execution whereof and acting and duly qualified Justice of the Inferior Court for the County of Chatham in the State aforesaid, duly authorised to administer oaths for general purposes, that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine, and that full faith and credit are due to his official attestations-

In Testimony whereof Shall hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at the City of Savannah this 24th day of April AD 1855. 

Wm H Bullock
Deputy Clk I.C.C.C.
Page 16

State of Georgia Chatham County}

On this 16th day of January A.D. 1855, George P. Harrison one of the Justices of the Inferior Court for the County of Chatham in said State, who being duly sworn according to law, Declares, that he is a resident of the same [illegible] and County that late William Dotson resided in, that he knew him in his life time for upwards of twenty five years, that he was reputed as having served in the Revolutionary War against Great Britain that the [illegible] as the wife of the said William Dotson now deceased, that he knew them to live together as man and wife, that the said William Dotson died to the best of his recollection and belief in the year 1839, that Zelpha his wife subsequently married William Bartley on the 26th February 18843 and who is now the applicant for a Pension & Despondent is not interested  in the claim, or does he expect to receive any record on compensation for filing the affidavit 

{Sworn to and Subscribed before us in open Court in the City of Savannah the day and year
aforesaid}

N.B.Knapp IIC.CC
Jas E. Godfrey J.I.CCC
Geo.P.Harrison J.I.C.C.C

[right signature] Geo.P.Harrison
Page 17

State of Georgia}
Chatham County}

On the 16th of January AD 1855, personally appeared Ms. Sarah Bryan  aged 44 years a resident of the county of Chatham in said state who being duly sworn according to law, declares, that she was invited to the wedding of William Dotson and Zelpha Crawford in November 1830, that she did not attend the wedding, that she was informed that they were married by Mr. Rev M. Southvill, she knew them to live together as man and wife and was so reputed in the County of Chatham, that his widow Zelpha married William H.H. Bartley in the year 1843, that the said William Dotson was always reputed as a soldier of the Revolutionary War-she further declares that she is not mentioned in the claim, or does she expect to receive any reward or compensation for filing this affidavit, 

Sworn to and Subscribed by making her mark} 
before me in open court in the city of Savannah }
this day and year aforesaid-}

N.B. Knapp J.I.C.C.C
Jas E Godfrey J I C C C
Geo P. Harrison J.I.C.C.C

[right side signature]
        
        her 
         ^
Sarah x Bryan 
         mark
Page 18

Savannah Jan 16 1853

L P Waldo Esq

Com of Pensions

Sir,

Enclosed you will receive a application for a Pension & please communicate with Sir S Russell Esq. 

Very Respectfully

          her 
Zelpha x Bartley
           mark 

Wm H H Bartley 

[left side signature]  

Witness 
Ann E. Fry
Page 19

no g8973

Wm Dotson Decd 

Ga

LS Russell April 30 18[illegible]

3028

June 7, 1832
Page 20

Zelpha Bartley

[illegible]
Page 21

Savannah April 24th 1855

L P Waldo Esq

Com of Pensions 

Sir 

Will you please communicate with Sir S Russell Esq  Savannah Georgia in relation to my claim-

Your obedient servant

Zachariah C. Dotson
Page 22

Pension Office, 
Feby. 13, 1855.

Sir,

In reply to your letter of the 6th just relative to the claim of Mrs. Zelpha Bartley, for arrears of pension in light of the services of her former husband William Dotson, you are informed that she the said Zelpha Bartley, is not entitled to such arrears for the reason that she is not a widow. 

If the said William Dotson, has children living, they would have the right to prepare a claim, if he left no children, then no claim exists. 

I am respectfully, 

Your Obt. Servt. 
S [illegible]
Commissioner 

S.S. Russell, Esq}
Savannah,}
Clerk}
Page 23

Controller's Office
Raleigh N.Carolina

Sir,

Yours to Samuel F. Adams, enquiring often into Military services of "William Dotson".  was handed over to me. 

The named officers of record and if you desire a certificate in this case you will please forward the [illegible] for five dollars.

Respectfully

Wm J Clark

Aug. 25th, 1854

(Wm Dotson)
Page 24

L.P. Waldo Esq.

Commissioner of Pensions-

Washington D.C.
Page 25

Savannah February 10th 1855.

L P Waldo Esq

Comm. of Pensions

Sir,

Mrs. Zelpha Bartley has a vested perfect right during the time she continued to live the widow of William Dotson decd, and she is [illegible] by the subsequent intermarriage, except from the time at which such intermarriage took place which was in 1843-she therefore demands a pension in her own right from the date after late husbands' death to the time after marriage with Bartley 1845 the pension grew during her widowhood, and was due to her as the widow of William Dotson now due.

I respectfully ask of you to receive her declaration, and the testimony attached thereto-I am fully persuaded that her above ground will be sustained by you-

Very Respectfully
[illegible]
Levi S Russell
Page 26

L.P Waldo Esq 
Com of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 27

Savannah February 6th 1855--

L.P Waldo Esq
Com of Pensions-

Sir, 

In relation to the claim of Mrs. Zelpha Bartley the late Widow of William Dotson and now Executive of the Estate, she claims the pensions money due her late husband up to the time of his death 1839. She antends that she is entitled to receive the amount either as his late wife, or Executive of his Estate-The legal right which accrued in relation to Dotson's pension certainly cannot be withheld from her-On a reference to the Acts you will perceive that this case differs materially on the premises to [illegible] render the Acts referred as regards Widows-

With due respect, task a examination of the Declaration, and the acts I am persuaded in my opinion, that you will arrive to the conclusion that she is entitled to receive Dotson's pension up to 1839, the time of his Death, where as his Widow or Executive of his estate. 

Very Respectfully, 
Levi S Russell
Page 28

State of Georgia }
Chatham County}

On the 16th day of January A.D. 1855, Personally appeared James A Bryan aged 41 years a resident of the County of Chatham in said State, who being duly sworn according to law, declares, that he knew William Dotson in his life time for upwards of fourteen years, that he frequently visited the said William Dotson, and it was generally believed in the County of Chatham that William Dotson was a soldier in the Revolutionary War-that Zelpha Dotson and William Dotson lived together as man and wife and were so reputed in the county aforesaid-Deponent-is not witnessed in the claim a does he expect to receive any reward a compensation for filing this affidavit. 

Sworn to and Subscribed} 
before me in open court}
at the City of Savannah} 
this day and year aforesaid}

[right hand signature] James A Bryan 
NB Knapp J.I.C.C.C
Jas E Godfrey J I C C C
Geo P Harrison J.I.C.C.C
Page 29

State of Georgia}
Chatham County}

Superior Court
January Ten 1855-

In open court appeared Gilbert May aged 71 years a resident of the County of Chatham, State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, Declares, that he knew William Dotson in his lifetime, and has had repeated conversations with him in relation to his service in the Revolutionary War with Great Britian, that he was acquainted with the said William Dotson in the year 1825, until the time of his death in 1839, that the said William Dotson was reputed in the County of Chatham as a Revolutionary soldier, Deponent also knew that the said William Dotson married Zelpha Crawford, that they lived  together as man and wife and were so reputed in the County aforesaid- He further declares that he has resided in the county aforesaid ever since the year 1824, and that he is not interested in the claim of Zelpha Bartley the wife of William Dotson now deceased-
Sworn to and Subscribed}
before me at the City of} 
Savannah this 26th day} 
of January A.D. 1855.}
W.B.Fleming
Judge E.D.Geo.
[signature to the right] Gilbert May

I hereby certify that I believe Gilbert May to be a credible man of this County-I further certify that I am not interested in the claim. 

Given under my hand at the City of Savannah this 26th day of January A.D.1855-

W.B.Fleming
Judge E.D. Geo.

[notes to the left] 
Attys 
Jno. F.Guilmartin
Clerk I.C.C.C
Page 30

{State of North Carolina
{Comptroller's Office

I William J. Clarke Comptroller of public accounts in and for the state aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears of record in said office among the payments made by paid state to sundry persons for Military services in the Revolutionary war as follows to with: 
"William Dotson."

Book No. 1 P. 20 Sh. sh. [illegible] June 12th 1783
"              3. 11 sh.19. [illegible] Aug.16th. 1782
"       A No11"   52 s2.55th*[illegible] Wm.Dodson
 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said office this Oct.24th. Amos Dom 1854

Wm.J.Clarke,Comptroller

*No date being given the specific value cannot be ascertained. Currency varied from  1 1/4 for one [British pound symbol] specific to 800 for one-

Wm J.Clarke,Comp
Page 31

3028.
Wm.Dotson
Page 32

L P Waldo Esq
Comp of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 33

Savannah Febry 19th 1855
S P Waldo Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir,

I have received your letter under date of the 13th of February , in answer I have to state that I claim the amount due Mrs. Zelpha Bartley for arrears of pension in right of the services of her former husband William Dotson deceased, on the following grounds viz-
First- there is a vested right which the law says shall accrue to the Widow on the happening of a certain event, that of her husband's death, the law does not require either that an application should be made by her, or any thing else should be done in order to consummate her right, on the death of her husband she became entitled to the amount of pension that was due him at the time of his death.
Second- Mrs Bartley is not defeated by her subsequent intermarriages with Williams & H Bartley, except from the time & to which such intermarriages takes place.
Third- That Mrs Zelpha Bartley as exectrix of the the estate of William Dotson deceased , has a legal right by law to receive the amount due for arrears of pension to be distributed under the order and direction of the Court as a portion of the assets of the Estate of the said William Dotson deceased.
With due respect, I ask your decision on the grounds under which I claim,
Respectfully-
Levi S. Russell