Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8533, for Moses Preston, Virginia
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE         NUMBER
Va
Preston, Moses
Fanny
18533
CONTENTS
Page 2

17.251
Kentucky
from
Moses Preston
of Floyd in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Bower
of the Regt commanded
by Colonel Hill --
in the Virginia
line, for the term of eighteen months,
from 1781 to 1783
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of eight
Dollars per month, to
commence on the 16 day of June 11 1815
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 of May
1820 and sent to John M
McConnell Greensburg Ky
Continued on the Roll of 1 day of
July 1828 and notification sent to
Pensioner at Louise Kentucky
Pension commencing on the 14
of June 1825
Amount due on 4th of
September 1828  $21.59
Revolutionary Claim,
Acts March 18, 1818,
May 1, 1820.
Page 3

Floyd County State of Kentucky
Moses Preston an old revolutionary soldier fifty
five years of age states that he enlisted in the
service of the United States against the common
Enemy in the year of 1779 for the term of Eighteen
months under the command of Majr Hill under the
Command of Col. Abraham Bluford and under the
Command of Genl Gates was marched to Hilsbourah
Then command Captain Boyers under the
Command of Col. Camel States he was in the
Battle at Guilford, in the seige at Camden, in
the Battle at Ninty six, and continued in the
service until the war closed at which time he
was guarding Genl Hughes house near the [illegible]
Springs after the close of the war was Honerably
Discharged by Captain Crawford a regular officer
got a certificate for his bounty Lands which
from my necessity I sold for 20 or 25 Dollars
and from his reduced circumstance of property
Needeth the assistance of his country
agreably to an act of congress approved
the 18th day of March 1818
[illegible] to subscribed an open case
the 16th day of June 1818
Atter Wm May
his
Moses Preston
mark
Floyd County Court June Term 1818
Moses Preston an old Revolutionary soldier preferred on oath in open
Court the above statement of facts relative to his services praying to [illegible]
on the pension list of the United States, with an affidavit of his being in
indigent circumstance accompanying the same, all which is ordered to
certified to the Secretary at War. agreeable to the provision of the act of
Congress approved the 18th day of March 1818
Copy Teste Wm J. Mayo CFCC
Page 4

Floyd County State of Kentucky
Nathen Preston of Lawfull age personally
appeared in open Court and after being
first duly sworn deposeth that he is
acquainted with Moses Preston the with in
applicant and knows of his own knowledge
that he enlisted in the regular service and
have seen his Discharge since he returned
from the service that he is a poor man
and needeth the assistance of his country
for support agreeably to an act of congress
approved the 18th of March 1818 and
this Deponant further saith not
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court
the 16th day of June 1818
Atted Wm May
Nathen Preston seal
mark
Moses Prestons
Petition
June 1818
Moses Preston private
Col Bluftons Regt
1779-war
State of Kentucky
Floyd County to wit
I James Brown
presiding Justice of the peace for the county
aforesaid do hereby certify that William James Mayo who subscribed
the copy of the order of [illegible] to the preceding statement
affidavit is and was at the time of subscribing same
acting Clerk of the said County Court duly appointed by law
Given under my hand and seal the 31st day of September 1818
James Brown

State of Kentucky Floyd County to wit
day of December 1818
Wm James Mayo Clerk of the Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that James
Brown who subscribed the foregoing certificate is acting presiding Justice of the
peace for said County duly commissioned & qualified according to law to a whose
official acts as such full faith & credit is due & ought to be given as well in
Courts of Justice as therein Given under my hand & private seal (having as yet to seal of
office) this 31st day of December 1818 and in XXVII
year of the Common
Wm J. Mays CFCC
Page 5

Kentucky SS
Pleas before Thomas Thomson Isaac Bolt
and Richard Chambers

BE It remembered that at a Court continued and held
On Tuesday the 10th day of June A.D. 1828. Present
the worshipfull Thomas Thomson Isaac Bolt and
Richard Chambers Gentlemen
Moses Preston an old revolutionary Soldier
produced in open Court his declaration, and a
Schedule of his property thereto annexed for the purpose
of being continued on the Pension list of the Un-
-ited States, which was Sworn to in open Court, and
ordered to be recorded, and certified to the Secretary
of war, which is in the words and figures foll-
-owing to writ
Schedule
Declaration in order to be continued on
the
pension
list under the act of May 1st 1820
County of Lawrence 
On this 10th day of June 1828 personally appeared
in open Court (being a court of record) for
the
County of Lawrence Moses Preston resident in said
County aged about sixty six years who being first
Sworn according to law, doth on his oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain
the provisions made by the acts of Congress of the
18th of March 1818 and the 1st of May 1820. that 
the said Moses Preston enlisted for the term of eighteen
Page 6

Kentucky SS
1
Pleas before Thomas Thomson Isaac Bolt
and Richard Chambers
BE It remembered that at a Court continued and held
On Tuesday the 10th day of June A.D. 1828. Present
the worshipfull Thomas Thomson Isaac Bolt and
Richard Chambers, Gentlemen
Moses Preston an old revolutionary Soldier
produced in open court his Declaration, and a
Schedule of his property thereto annexed for the purpose
of being continued on the Pension list of the Un-
-ited States, which was Sworn to in open Court,
ordered to be recorded, and certified to the Secretary
of war, which is in the words and figures foll
-owing to wit
Schedule
Declaration in order to be continued on the
pension list under the act of May 1st 1820
County of Lawrence
On this 10th day of June 1828
personally appeared
in open Court (being a court of record) for
the
County of Lawrence Moses Preston resident in said
County aged about sixty six years who being first
sworn according to law, doth on his oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain
the provisions made by the acts of Congress of the
18th March 1818 and the 1st of May 1820. that 
the said Moses Preston enlisted for the term of eighteen
Page 7

eighteen months in the year 1781 in Halifax County
in the State of Virginia in the Company commanded
by Captain Bowyer in the Regiment command
ed by Colonel Hill in the line of the State of
Virginia on the Infantry continental establishment
that he continued to serve in said corps until the
latter part of the year 1783 when he was discharged
in the State of South Carolina that he hereby relin-
-quishes every claim whatever to a pension except
the present: that his name has been placed on the
pension list; that the number of his pension
certificate is 17257; and he never before exhibited
a schedule of his property because he was not able
until very lately to be advised that it was neccessary
, and being old and infirm was not well able
to go to see any person who was able to advise him
what the law necessarily required him to do
And in persuance of the act of the 1st May
1820 I do Solemnly swear that I was a resident
citizen of the United States on the 18th day of
March 1818 and that I have not since that time
by gift Sale or in any manner disposed
of my
property or any part thereof with intent thereby
to diminish it as to bring myself within the
provisions of an act of Congress entitled an
act to provide for certain persons engaged in the
land and naval service of the United States in
the Revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of
March 1818, and that I have not nor has any
person in trust for me any any property or securities
Page 8

Securities, contracts, or debts due to me; nor
have I any more other than what is contained in
the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed
[illegible] 2 Cows & 1 heifer 6 head of Sheep 2 Sows & 8 pigs
4 studs of Beef worth in the whole not more than
$30
Moses Preston
 his X mark
That since the year 1818 the following changes
have been most in my property. To wit
Description of property | house of persons to whom disposed of | Time of Sale | {illegible} of money or description of property rec'd in return
In 1818 I had two
mares & colts all
of which are now 
dead
his
Moses Preston
mark
Page 9

4662.
Kentucky
Fanny Preston
widow of Moses Preston
was a Private
the Virginia line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
60 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
24 day of January 1844
and sent to
Hon Rich French
[illegible] of Rep
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 172

Paid at Treasury, under
act 6th April 1838, from
March 1844 to 30 Dec
1844. Agent notified 24th
April 1846.
2 Cort. in this
Case 1838843
Rep 24
Jan 1844
Page 10

State of Kentucky
S.
Lawrence County
On this 9th day of September one
Thousand eight hundred and forty three
personally appeared before me the undersigned
a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid
Fanny Preston, a resident of the County
of Lawrence and state Kentucky.
aged Seventy nine years. who being 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 7. 1838
entitled An act granting half pay and
pensions to certain widows. That she is the
widow of Moses Preston, who was a private
in the army of the Revolution; who entered
the service some time in the Spring the year she
thinks is the year 1780, he entered the service
as a substitute, in the place of William
Holligan as a private that her husband
was in the service or so considered from
the time, he first entered the service till
the close of the war: that he enlisted in
the County of Bedford Virginia when he entered in served
under Col. Campbell, who commanded the
7th Virginia regiment of infantry.
his captain was by the name of
Bowyer
she states that she does not know of
any Battles but has heard him say that
he was in the battle of Camden in
was engaged she has heard him say
in guarding the house and property
of Genl Hugee, at the time of the
time of the battle of the eutaw springs
she states that she has no documents
evidence in her possession, but sup
pass the original discharge of her
husband is on file with his appli-
Page 11

cation for a pension she states that was
on the pension Roll. She further de-
-clares that she was married to the said
Moses Preston on the ninth day of July
seventeen hundred and eighty three
and her husband the aforesaid Moses
Preston died on this eighteenth day
of April eighteen hundred and
forty two: that she was not married
to him prior to his leaving the service
but the marriage took place previous
to the first of January seventeen hun-
-dred and ninety-four viz: at the
time above stated
Fanny M Preston
Sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year above written
Archibald Borders
State of Kentucky
Lawrence County ⎬ SS.
I Archibald Borders a com-
mon [illegible] Justice of the peace in
& for the County aforesaid do certify
that Fanny Preston above named
have this day appeared before me and
from my own knowledge do certify
that she is unable from bodily in-
-firmity and old age from attending
in Court. Given under my hand
this 9th day of April 1843
Archibald Bordes
State of Kentucky Lawrence County Sct.
J. Geo. F. Hatcher Clerk of the Court of Lawrence 
County do certify that Archibald Border is a magis-
-trate as above, and that the foregoing signature
purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof
hereunto affixed my seal of office and
subscribed my name this 15th day of
September 1843
Geo. F. Hatcher C C C
Page 12

State of Virginia
County of Bedford Sct..
I Robert O. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court of
said County, in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the following
is a true and correct extract from a certificate of marriages returned
to the Clerks Office of said Court by William Johnson a minister of the
Gospel, which certificate is of record, and on file amongst the archives
of said County Court, Viz;
Married. Moses Preston and Fanny Arthur, July the ninth
"seventeen hundred and eighty three"
with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record
in fair legible figures as follows. "July 9th 1783"
In testimony whereof I have hereto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said
Court this 31st day of July one thou
sand eight hundred & forty three.
R. Mitchell CBS.
Virginia, County of Bedford Sct.
This day Robert C. Mitchell Clerk of the
County Court of Bedford, personally appeared before the undersigned
a Justice of the peace in and for said County, and made oath that 
the certificate above written and by him signed, contains the truth.
Given under my hand and seal this 21st day of July 1843.
Fredrick E Aunspaugh 
I Robert O. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court of Bedford in
the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Frederick Aunspaugh
Esq is a Justice of the peace as above, and that his said signa-
-ture is genuine, it having been signed in my presence
Given under my hand this 21st day of July 1843
R. Mitchell Clerk
of Bedford County Court.
Page 13

Louisa Ky
September 17th
How Secretary of War
Pension Bureau
Washington
Widows Del
H. C.
Page 14

R. 9704
Louisa Ky 17 Septem 43
J. M. Rice
Forward declaration of
Fanny Preston under the
Pension act of 7 July 1838
R 131 Rec Septem 22 43
Pension office
Page 15

Louisa Ky. Sept 15. 1843
beclosed is the
declaration of
Fanny Preston, for a pension
after you, act on the subject
please answer. or communicate to
to me, the result.
your obj
servant
J. M. Rice
address
Louisa Ky

Mr. Archibald Bordes
Giorgis Clerk P Office
Lawrence County
Kentucky
Page 16

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
March 28th 1846
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 pen=
sion agents, the child of Fanny Preston, decd
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Kentucky
Agency, at the rate of Sixty Dollars
Cents per annum, under the law of the 17th June
1844, have been paid at this Department, from the
4 of March 1844 to the 30th Dec. 1844
Respectfully, yours
Albion K Parris
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
Page 17

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
Moses Preston
July 11, 1924
Captain Herbert H. Price
623 Allison Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim W. 8533 it appears
that Moses Preston, while a resident of Bedford Count
Virginia, enlisted in 1779 under Major Hill in Colonel
Abraham Buford's Virginia Regiment and afterwards trans-
ferred to Captain Bowyer's Company, Colonel Campbell's
Virginia Regiment, was in the battle of Guilford,
Siege of Camden and battle of Ninety Six and served
close of War.
About 1803 he moved to Floyd County, Kentucky where
he was allowed pension on his application executed
June 16, 1818, aged fifty-five years. He died April 18,
1842 in Lawrence County, Kentucky.
Soldier married July 9, 1783 in Bedford County,
Virginia, Fanny Arthur who was allowed pension on her
Page 18

application executed September 9, 1843 while living 
in Lawrence County, Kentucky aged seventy-nine years.
She died December 30, 1844 leaving children whose
names are not stated.
Respectfully,
Commissioner
Sol. said he enl "for 18 mos"
but gave per, "to close of War."
He perhaps sell the very act of '79 or '80
(as widow gave) & let
Oct 1781 wh. would have made
it a little over [illegible] for
who he enl
Page 19

8031
Kentucky
Fanny Preston
widow of Moses Preston
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818420
and who died on the 18th day of April 1842
of Lawrence in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the company
commanded by Captain Bowyer of the
Reg commanded by Col Hill in
the Virginia line for 18 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of Sixty Dollars-
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of
January 1844 and sent to Hon
R French HR
Total amount,
Book
$300.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by S. Swann  Clerk
Book: D  Vol. 1 Page 343
Page 20

Kentucky
17251 R
Moses Preston,
of Floyd in the state of Kent.
who was a private in the regiment commanded by
Colonel Buford of the Virginia
line, for the term of 18 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 16 of June, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 of May 1820
and sent to John M. McConnell
Greenupsburg, Ky
Arrears to 4th of March 18 -- $165.03
Semi-anl. all'ce ending dept 48.-
20mo 15/30 [illegible]
$213.03
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
Page 21

In reply to your request of , 
received
for a statement of the military history of Moses Preston
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension file in this Bureau.
W. File 8533
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
RANK,
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
COLONEL
STATE
1779 18 mos. {Major Hill  Abraham Buford Va
Capt Bowyer Campbell Va
Maron Hill
Battles engaged in, Guilford March 18, 1781, Camden Apr 1781 , & 96 May 22 79 June 14 1781
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bedford Co, Va
Date of application for pension, June 15 1818 Guilford
Residence at date of application, Floyd Co, Ky
Age at date of application, 55 yrs
Remarks: Sol [[llegible] Bedford Co Va July 9, 1783 Fanny Arthur
he died Apl 1842 Lawrence Co, Ky
she was all pens on her appl ex Sept 9, 1843 at res.
Lawrence Co. Ky. she died Dec 30 1844 Childrens' names
not stated.

As [illegible] march to the [illegilbe] and bat of Camden [illegible] in 1780
1779 is used for enl. the officers are not correct according
to Heitmann
Page 22

Record
Sep
2
1909
Division
Page 23

8533
Ashland, Ky
Aug. 27. '09.
Col. G. C. Kniffin
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly tell
me which Moses Preston
took part in Revolutionary 
War, and if so his record.
Miss Clara Stewart who
I believe is a friend of
yours, referred me to you
any information will be
appreciated
Very Respct-
Ora M
Preston
Page 24

Record
Sept
13 
1909
Division
Page 25

Office Auditor for Interior Department
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, September 4, 1909.
The Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir:
Replying to your letter of the 2nd instant (Record Division), requesting
a report in the case of Fanny Preston, widow of Moses Preston, pensioned
under the Act of March 3, 1843, by certificate No. 4662, issued January 24,
1844, Kentucky Agency, showing date of pensioner's death and names of her
surviving children, you are informed that the pension files of this office
relating to that period are not conveniently accessible for the purpose of
withdrawing papers or consulting their contents.
Respectfully,
RS Person
DeF
Pension 
Sep 13
1909 
Office
Auditor.
of
R
Page 26

77 Sept. 2. Hist to Ora M Preston
1924. July 11 - Hist to Capt. H H Price MMHF.
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 8533
Fanny Preston
Wid, of
Moses Preston
Pri Rev. War
Act: Mch. 3743
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 14
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 27

Fanny Preston
$60 per an
JL Edwards 
Commissioner of pensions
[illegible]
Dec 27 
F Preston 
J Savage
act 1838
act 1843
Issue 2 certificates
Hon R French HRH
Hon. R. French
House of Rep.
Page 28

House Repts Decr 26th 1843
Sir,
An application for a pension was
sent to your office in the name and behalf
of Fanny Preston, Sent by Mr James G.
Rice of Louisa, Lawrence County Ky
Also, an application has been made
for a pension for Mr John Savage of
Carter County Ky -  I am requested to ask
for information in regard to them- are they
allowed. If so furnish me with their
Certificates to send to them - If rejected,
inform me of the reasons, or grounds of
rejection-
I know Mr Savage and Mr Riel who
write to me in behalf of both these cases
and can say more reliance for truth can
not be placed upon any body then
Rice and Mr Savage is above [illegible]
for any thing he ought not to have-
answer me as soon as practicable
Very respectfully
Richard French
Page 29

State of Kentucky
Lawrence County
of Joseph  R Ward Clerk of the County Court in and
for the County of Lawrence aforesaid do hereby certify
that it appears to the satisfaction of the court that 
the said Moses Preston did serve in the Revolution-
-ary War as stated in the preceding declaration, again
if the common enemy for the time of eighteen months
under one engagement on Continental establishment
I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule
thereto annexed are timely copied from the records
of said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the
opinion of said Court that the total amount of in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid
Schedule is thirty dollars
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my my hand and affixed the
private seal of said Court there
being as yet no public seal of said
Court provided) this fourteenth day
of June A.D. 1828 and of the
the year of the Commonwealth
the 37th
Joseph R. Ward Clerk
of
the
Court of the
County of Lawrence
Page 30

9704
Page 31

State of Kentucky
Lawrence County
This day Appeared before
me Greensville Boyd and Arthur Bording
credible persons and made oath that
they were well acquainted with Moses
Preston, deceased during the time he was
living. They state that they were present
at the time of his death that said
Moses Preston died in the County
aforesaid on the eighteenth day of
April eighteen hundred and forty two
and they further state that his said
widow Fanny Preston is still
living and has not since mar-
-ried
Greenville Boyd
Arthur Bording
sworn and subscribed this 9th day
September 1843
Archibald Bordes 
State of Kentucky
Lawrence County ⎬ Set
I, George F. Hatcher
Clerk of the Court of Lawrence County certify
that Archibald Bordes is a Magistrate as
above, and that the foregoing signature purport-
-ting to be his is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto affixed my seal
of office and subscribed
my name this 15th day of
September 1843.
George F. Hatcher Clerk
Lawrence County Court
Page 32

M.
Preston
Declaration
On Roll
F 36.0.0
Page 33

An additional statement of Moses
Preston an old Revolutionary Soldier
to his original Statement & declaration of 16th June 1818
My [illegible} years of age, he states that
he enlisted in Bedford County Virginia
in the Virginia lines and was put under 
the command of Majr Hill and then
Abram
under the command of Colonel Abram
Bluford and was marched to Hillsborough
in Nouth Carolina and was then commanded
by Captain Boyers in a regiment
that was commanded by Col. Campbell
under the command of General Gates
General Green be the said Moses
Preston. further states that he is a
resident of Floyd County Kentucky and
has been for about seventeen years
last past December the
21st 1819
his mark
Moses Preston
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court
Att Mr J Map CFCC
Commonwealth of Kentucky
lay County Court December nine 1819
Moses Preston a revolutionary soldier
& a citizen of the county of Floyd
approved in open Court subscribed and made
oath to the foregoing statements made in addition to his former statement of the
16th of June 1818 and the Court being fully
satisfied from the evidence of William Graves
Edward Burges that he the said Moses Preston
in Indigent reduced circumstance and that
he does in reality stand in need of the assistance
of his country for his maintenance and
sustenance in the Court here further
Page 34

fully satisfied that the said Moses Preston has
rendered the services to his country in the
manner and at the different time and places
in his original and additional statement
an Declaration of the 16th of June 1818 and
of the present date the same is ordered to
be Certified to the proper department
for the purpose of procuring for the said
Moses Preston a pension under the
act of Congress providing for all Rev-
-olutionary Soldiers in Indigent cir-
-cumstances
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Floyd County Set
I William James Mayo Clerk of the
Floyd County Court do hereby Certify
that the foregoing is a true copy of
the order of said Court at their Decem-
-ber terms in the year 1819 upon
the subject of the statement Declaration
& evidence of and on the part of Moses
Preston an old revolutionary Soldier
In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my
hand and affix my
seal [illegible]
as yet no seal of offer
provided for the County
Court of this County this
Day of December 1844
Wm J Mayo CFCC
Page 35

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Floyd County Set
I James Lancy Presiding Justice
of the Peace in and for the County and
of the County aforesaid do hereby certify
that William James Mayo whose name
appears to the foregoing certificate as
Clerk of said County Court is and was
at the time of subscribing the same and
offering his private seal having as yet
no seal of office Clerk of our said court
truly qualified and acting as such and
that the foregoing signature is his own
hand writing and that his said Certif-
-icate in due form of law and
full faith and credit is due to his
official acts as such Given under
my hand at Petersburg in the
County aforesaid this 21st day of
December 1819 James G Lancy
State of Kentucky Clay County Set.
Frances A Brown do hereby certify and
depose of the being duly sworn in open
Court that I am a resident of said County
and has been for many years and is will
aquainted with the above and within
named applicant, Moses Preston and that he is
in order and reduced circumstance
given under my hand this 21st day Decem
ber 1819
JA Brown