Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 968, for John Mc Falls, North Carolina
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(3 - 1776)
Service N.C. McFalls, John Number W968
McFall or Martha.
Contents 1
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5549
Nashville, Tennessee
Martha McFalls
Widow of John McFalls
Who was a Private
In the Revolution
N Carolina Mil
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of May 1844
And sent to James H. Kendrick
Nashville, Tennessee
[Act of March 3, 1843[
Recorded in Book A
Vol 1 Page 220
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Declaration 
of Martha McFalls widow and relic of John McFalls deceased 
In order to obtain the benefits of the Acts of Congress of the United States passed for the relief of widow relief of deceased Soldiers of the Revolutionary War. 
Tennessee 
Maury County {On this 6th day of September in the year 1839 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of record, the Honorable Edmund Dellahunty Judge [illegible] Martha M. Falls a resident Citizen of the County of Maury in the State of Tennessee, aged Eighty years who being firsts duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Acts of Congress of the United States of America passed for the benefit and relief of the widows and relics of deceased soldiers of the Revolutionary War. __ That Declarent remembers to have heard her said husband John McFalls in his lifetime often recount over his services as a soldier in the War of the Revolution, that he was a Lieutenant in a Militia or Volunteer company, and served in a company commanded by a Capt. Martin as well as she now recollects that he resided in Maclenburgh County in the State of North Carolina when he entered the war of the Revolution and that served as a Lieutenant several toures of services, that the said John McFall was in the battle of Gates’ defeats, was a tour of ten months, that he served three months in what was called the Snow Campaign in South Carolina on Saluda River, was in the battle with the Indians and Tories on the waters of said River, called the Hickory ground that General Martin of Rutherford commanded. That he served as such before that time a tour of three months against the Cherokee Indians up the head waters of the Catawba River: [illegible] he served under the said Gen Rutherford in that tour of three months that she remembers the names of Capt Dixon & [illegible] but cannot remember whether he was under either of the said Captains. That the said John McFalls was afterwards a private Soldier in the company commanded by Captain Nathaniel Martin and marched to South Carolina and was attached to the Regiment Commanded by Col William Polk and Division commanded by General Sumpter and was in actual service ten months this tour. She remembers to heard her said husband speak of serving under the following officers General Gates, Colonel Washington, Gen
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[illegible], Gen Sumpter, Cal Polk De Kalb, Maj Sniper, and others and that he was in the actual service of the United States from the commencement to the end of the war at different intervals and that he was more than two whole years in actual service, but apprant cannot state the precise times he was in service, how long he served each time, and all the battles that he was in, she remembers Gates Defeat, Hickory ground and perhaps others and perhaps Eutaw Springs: remembers he was in the service at the time of the battle at Eutaw Springs: remembers to have heard him speak of Gen. Washington's horse being shot out from under him, of Maj Rutherford and Thomas Polk being killed in that battle that he moved from McLinburgh County to the Wilks County, Georgia from thus to the county of [illegible] in Tennessee when resided until the 31st July 1826 - 1826 when and where he died leaving declarant his widow and relic. Declarant further states that she the said Martha McFalls and the said John McFalls her husband were married in Rowan County in the State of North Carolina in the Month of August 1782. As well as she can recollect, she has no records evidence or family register of the date of her marriage, and that she has never had any children, but she states that her and the said John Mc married before the 1st day of January 1794. Declarant is old and infirm, and prays for the benevolent relief contemplated the [ineligible] for by law, and as in duty bound will ever pray. 
She hereby relinquishes every claim or claims whatever to a pension or annuity except the presents and she declares that her name is not on the Pension list roll of any agency in any state and prays to be put the pension list role of Mst [illegible] at Nashville. 
Sworn to and subscribes before me this 9th September 1839. 
P. Mahan Clark Maury County Judicial Court 
Martha [illegible] McFalls

State of Tennessee} 
Maury County} S. S. This day personally appeared in open court before the Hon. Edmund Dillahenty judge of David Dobbins and made oath in due form of law, that he is aged about eighty two years, that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary
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war and is now drawing a pension, that he was intimately and personally acquainted with John McFalls in his life time and served a tour of ten months with him in the Revolutionary War that the said John McFalls was a private soldier in the company commanded by Capt Nathaniel Martin, and was in the Regts commanded by Colonel William Polk, and division commanded by General Sumpter, that he the said John McFalls was as good a Whig and patriot than a soldier as was in the Regiment, _ Affront has often heard John McFalls streak of being in the service served tours previous to the one he served with him, and states that he himself was apart of the Snow Campaign and [illegible] the Catawba River [illegible] the Indians and each of the tours was three months.
Affiant was not at the marriage between the said John McFalls and Martha his wife the present applicant but lived in the same county Rowan No Carolina and remembers the time of their marriage to be shortly after they were marched back and discharged after the ten month tour in South Carolina and thinks it was some time in the Summer of the year 1782 or 1783. _ Affiant knows that said John and Martha McFalls lived together as man and wife up to the date of his death that said John McFalls died in Maury County Tennessee some time in the year 1826.  That the Martha McFalls who has [illegible] the [illegible] declaration is the identical widow and wife of John McFalls deceased who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. That said Martha McFalls is a lady of very good character and entitled to full credits on her oath in a court of justice to and [ineligible] in often Court this 5th day of September 1839
P. Nelson
Maury County Judicial Court
David Dobbins

State of Tennessee}
Maury County} 
SS. This day personally appeared in open Court before the Hon Edmund Dillahunty Judge of William Burns who after being duly sworn on his oath says that he is the grandson of John McFalls, that his mother was the daughter of said John McFalls, by his first wife, who died then he married
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the present declarant Martha McFalls, - affiant is aged about thirty two years and lived with his said Grandfather John McFalls and his wife Martha McFalls [illegible] [illegible] before the death of his said Grandfather, that John McFalls died in Maury County Tennessee in the year 1826. _ That the present applicant Martha McFalls is the identical widow and wife of John McFalls dec. Affiant after heard his said Grandfather [illegible] and [illegible] over his service, in the Revolutionary War, he has heard the declaration made by Martha McFalls [illegible] and his recollection of his Grandfather statement corresponds exactly, except her remembers is Grandfather said he was in the battle of Guildford. That Martha McFalls is a lady of good moral character and entitled to full credit on her faith in a court of justice. 
William Burns
[illegible] subscribed to in open court September 8th 1839
P. Nelson
Maury County Circuit Court

State of Tennessee}
Maury County} SS 
I Edmund Dillahunty Judge H do hereby certify that the foregoing declarant Martha McFalls, David Dobbins, and William Burns appeared in open court on the 6th Sept 1839 and [illegible] [illegible] to the forgiving declaration and affiants, that they are persons of good moral character and entitled to [illegible] on their [illegible], ands that if is the opinions of the court, that John McFalls dec. was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and served in the states that he said. John McFalls and Martha McFalls were married before the 1st Jan 1794, and that John McFalls died in Maury County in the year 1826 and that the present applicant Martha McFalls is the identical widow and wife of John McFalls dec. and is a lady of good moral character. 
Given under my hand and my seal this 6th day of September in the year 1839.
Edmund Dillahunty
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Rev. War Section
October 21, 1915

Hon. William E. Borah
United States Senate
My dear Senator:
In response to your letter dated the nineteenth instant, I have the honor to furnish you the history of the only John McFall (McFalls or Faul) found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau although it does not appear he was a resident of the State of Kentucky.
In the papers in the claim of Martha McFall or McFalls, Wid. File No. 968, Rev. War, it is stated that her husband John McFall or McFalls was a resident of of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, when he entered the Militia as Lieutenant in Captain Martin's company, and served a tour of ten months, during which he was in the battles of Guilford and Gates' defeat; that he served a tour of three months against the Cherokee Indians at the head of the Catawba river, and another three months tour in the Snow Campaign and in battle with Indians and Tories at the Hickory grounds on Saluda River,
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South Carolina; that he afterwards served ten months a as a Private in Captain Nathaniel Martin's company, Colonel William Polk's regiment, and was in the battle of Eutaw Springs.
Soldier married in Rowan County, North Carolina, in August 1782, Martha ----; he resided in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Wilkes County, Georgia; and Maury County, Tennessee, where he died July 31, 1826, and his widow Martha was allowed pension on her application executed September 6, 1839, while eighty years of age.
In the same year 1839, soldier's grandson William Burns, thirty-two years of age, stated that his mother was a daughter of the soldier by his first wife who died, but did not give any names or dates.
There is no further family data on file.
Very truly yours,
G.M. Saltzgaber,
Commissioner


McFall - 2 -
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Tennessee 5907
Martha McFalls
widow of John McFalls
[crossed out] who was a pensioner under the act of [end cross out]
and who died on the 31. July 1826
of Maury Co. in the State of Tennessee
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Martin of the regt. commanded by Col. Polk in the N.C. line for 10 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Nashville at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17. day of Nov. 1840 and [illegible] to John H. Dew Columbia, Ten.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1840               149.89
Semi=annual allowance ending Nov '40    16.66
                                                                 $166.14

Act July 7, 1838
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 Page 208
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1915 Oct 21. Hist to Hon. Wm
E Borah. USS
Rev. Widow, &c.
File No. 968
Martha McFall
Widow
John McFalls
Priv. Rev. war.
Act: Mar 3, 1843
Index: - Vol. M., Page 17
Arrangement of 1870
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Martha McFalls of John
Tennessee
Suspended 
let. 4th Dec: 1839
P. Nelson
let:  21 Sept: 1840 to J. H. Dew
Act of July 1838
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6104
Martha McFalls of John
Tennessee
admitted
Pv 10 mon
$33.33
Gen. Martin Col W. Polk
died 21 July 1826
Act of July 1838
John H. Dew
Columbia
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Free
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions
Washington City
District of Columbia
Pension Claim
Martha McFalls
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Columbia Tenn Sept 10, 1840
Dear Sir,
Mrs Martha McFall widow of John McFall dec. a Lieutenant in the North Carolina line o the Army of the United States forwarded her papers to you several months past and I have received no answer upon her claim. Will the Honorable Commissioner of Pension inform me whether her claim was received and disposition has been made of it. 
Mrs McFall certainly made out one of the best cases I have any recollections of preparing. The Certificate from the Hm W. E. Haynes Comptroller General of [illegible] in the case of Rosana Stephenson. I presume has been rec. by you before this time.
I accept a pureness of the high regard and esteem of your obedient and humble servant.
John H. Dew
Atto for Mrs McFall
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War Department, Pension Office, [ineligbile]. 4, 1839.
Sir,
The papers in the case of Mrs. Martha McFalls, widow of John McFalls, dec. have been examined and file with suspended cases. The alleged service as a commissioned officer should be proved by a record or documentary evidence to entitle the claim to a pension at the rate of the pay of a Lieutenant. Such tours may be allowed as have been/would, in which the service was in the grade of a private. 
I am the (signed) G. W. Crump
Pleasant Nelson
Clerk o the Court of Maury County, Columbia Tennessee.
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5849
M. McFalls
act 43
$33.33 pension

James H. Kendrick
Nashville Tenn
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress, of the 3d March 1843, granting Pensions for one year to certain Widows who have received Pensions under the Act of July 7, 1838.
States of Tennessee}
Maury _ _ County} S.S.
On this 13th day of April 1844 personally appeared before the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the state and county aforesaid, Martha McFall _ _ _ a resident of Tennessee in the county of Maury _ _ aged eighty seven 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 provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the 3d March, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War: -That she is the widow of John McFall _ _ _ _ who was a private in the War of the Revolution, belonging to the Militia under the command of Gen. Sumpter Regt not recollected. 
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and the year written before me.
her, Martha x McFall 
marked
Robert Coskey
Benony Gresham, Justice of the Peace
State of Tennessee, Maury _ Count: --Sct.
I, Benony Gresham a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Martha McFall _ _ _ _ the above declarant is personally known to me.
Given my hand this 13th day of April 1844 Benony Gresham Justice of the Peace.

State of Tennessee}
Maury _ _ County} 
I, William E. Erwin _ Clerk of the County Court of said Maury _ county, hereby certify that Benony Gresham whose name appears signed to the foregoing affidavit and certificate is, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified as such according to law, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office, at office in the Town of Columbia this 19th ay of April 1844. 
Hon. W.E. Erwin
Clerk of Maury _ County
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6104
Martha McFalls

admitted for 10 month
per David Dobbins paper.
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State of Tennessee}
Maury County} S.S.
Circuit Court September term 1839.
I, Pleasant Nelson Clerk of the Circuit Court of Maury County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration, affidavits and certificates contain the original proceedings had in this courts in the case of the application of Martha McFalls for a pension and annuity: and is in the form of law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands and affixed my private seal, there being no seal of office and office, in Columbia Tennessee this 6th day of September in the year 1839 and in the 64th year of American Independence.
P. Nelson Clerk

State of Tennessee}
Maury County} S.S.
I James K Polk late representation in the Congress of the United States from the 9th Congressional district of Tennessee, do hereby certify that Hon Edmund Dillahunty Judge H is and was at the date of [ineligible] the Judge of the 8th Judicial Circuits of the Courts of the State of Tennessee duly commissioned and gratified as the law directs and that Pleasant Nelson Esquire who assigned the foregoing Certificate is and was at the date there of the Clerk of the Circuit Courts of Maury County duly commissioned and gratified as the law directs and that full faith, John H. Dew, in and ought to be given to all their affixed acts as such and that the [illegible] for the applicant in a gentlemen deserving the respectful regard of the Hm Department.
Given under my hand and seal this 6th day of September in the year 1839. 
James K. Polk
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Free

J. L. Edwards
Pension Commissioner
Washington city
D. Columbia

Mrs. McFall's
Pension Claim
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Columbia Tenn Nov. 4, 1840

Hon J.L. Edwards

Dear Sir,
Mrs. McFall cannot [illegible] by the Documentary record evidence required in the enclosed letter, therefore you may regard the services of John McFall as that of a private soldier and forward to her Mrs. Martha McFall or to me her attorney at this place, if you will refer me to some person from who this record or documentation evidence can be procured I will proceed to [illegible] it if it can be had. John McFall's discharges are all lost as she alleges.
Yours very respectfully,
H. John H. Dew

P. S. This enclosed letter was directed to the Clerk of the Circuit Court [illegible] out of the office by his Deputy and neglected to be handed to him or to me, therefore the delay, of it's return or my reply
Yours
H. J . H. D.
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In reply to your request of _________, received _________ for a statement of the military history of john McFalls or McFall a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his widow's application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
Dates of enlistment or Appointment

Length of service. Rank. Officers under whom service was rendered. Captain. Colonel. State .

16 mos Lieutenant Martin N.C.
10 mos [illegible] Nathaniel Martin William [illegible]
[illegible] [illegible] and [illegible]

Battles engaged in, [illegible] Guildford, Hicks
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Mecklenburg Co. N.C.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 6, 1839
Residence at date of application, Maury Co. Tennessee
Age at date of application, eighty years
Remarks: [illegible]

Respectfully
[illegible]
Commissioner.

**Transcriber note -- much of this form was filled out in pencil, therefore making it difficult to interpret via scan what was originally written, thus rendering certain words and phrases illegible
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WM. E. Borah, Chairman
Earl Venable, Clerk

United States Senate
Committee on Indian Depredations

October 19, 1915

My dear Mr. Saltzgaber:
I shall be obliged if you will advise me if John McFall, of Kentucky, was ever carried on the pension rolls for service in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, or whether any member of his family has ever applied for a pension by reason of such service. 
If you have any record bearing on the case of John McFall or his family I shall greatly appreciate it if you will advise me fully regarding the same.
Very respectfully,
Wm. E. Borah

Hon. G. M. Saltzgaber,
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C.