Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7023, for John Matthews, Virginia
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Service:  Va

Matthews, John

Number: R7022
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John Matthews
Application for a -----
under act of ----- 1834


16932
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State of Georgia Lincoln County

On this 23 day of October 1832I personally appeared in open court being
the Superior Court of Jaio(?) County before the
Honorable William N. Crawford presiding judge.
John Matthew who being first duly sworn in order to obtain the benefit of the
Act of Congress of the Seventh of June 1832 -
says
    That he is a resident of the county and state aforesaid.  That he is in his twenty eighth year of his age born in the County of Prince William and State of Virginia and entitled the serving
of his country under the following named officers and served
as herein Act for the Day.
      Jouir Truie (?) in the year 1775 when the troubles of Virginia begin to grow to the world, by internal & extcilat(?) enemies the governor thew of Virginia Lord Dunmore becoming
aligned left Williamsburg the place where he resides the seat of Government of Virginia and must on Board of Shipping from when
he implored his difficult proclamation among which was on with slavery to give them their freedom if they would flock to him.  And
it was the cause of a great many doing do, about this time a cal drav mado (?)for what was then learned maintenance, deplorunt (?)and
then living in Prince William County and volunteered his services in a captain Leachy Company, in a Colonel Hendricks regiment ---/
row from Alexandria, they were marched to Hampton in Virgina and remained despondent believes over five months when the minute
service was broken up and orders to raise Troops by enlistment for the term of two years.  Captain Leach who was commanding in the minute service received the appointment of was continued and issue-directy commuted (?) raising a company from the _____ by canted(?) for two more years which he completed deployment being one of them ( we it ---w the first company raised in the three Virgina regiment but the continued at Hampton for a few months and were marched up to Alexandria and made a halt for town short time when other companies partly raided in the ----marrier Capt. Fitsgerato and Cat Lee commander those companies uniting at Alexandria.  We were marched directly to New York City.  Remained there one night and much of next morning we were un--- the command of Col Weeding from Fredericksburg.  We marched up from New York City to Kings Bridge --- miles about and there has and -------- with the Helpians (?) in their action, Maj Leach who has been captain at enlistment.
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if deponant, [illegible] down twice after but was promoted or [illegible] by [illegible], and the Lieutenant by name of Peyton promoted to captain Major Leach was in that engagement killed from there we marched to White Plains. Previous to this Colonel Weedon has been promoted to a general, tho they were under the command of General Washington from the time they reached New York at White Plains. There was a severe Battle, in which deponent was engaged but did not in the hottest part of the Battle, so soon as they could get out from there retreating through New Jersey until they reached Delaware at Trenton, and [illegible] up the Pennsylvania side to a place called Blue Mount where they remained for some time, General Washington having removed all the water crafts on his side of Delaware, the British pushed out to Trenton on the Jersey side in this situation its armies were lying until the morning of the 26th December 1776. General Washington had the night before prepared to attack the British Army composed [illegible] of Hessian, and [illegible][illegible]. Deponent was in the engagement and the Americans took & kill'd as was reported a thousand from this time there was no further [illegible] engagement. The Army occasionally marched from  different positions and many took this small Pos. and deponent also which came near taking his life he was suffered to remain at a place call'd Newtown while he [illegible] his health. he united with the Army as soon as his health  [illegible] so he could [illegible] Whitemarsh. Nothing particular happened that deponent can relate until the Battle of Brandy Wine. deponent was in the hottest of that. The armies marching [illegible] seventy or eighty yards before [illegible] [illegible]. this Battle was a sore trial to many parts of the army that [illegible] most immediately engaged, and in this deponent was wounded in both of his legs by a Ball. the armies being withdrawn, deponent was ordered to the Barracks in Philadelphia, where we soon had to move again, the British marching also to that city. The American army moved to Trenton and deponent was moved to Princeton where he remained untill his wounds heal'd that he could travel. he went again into the army [illegible] moved to Valley Forge and took up winter [illegible] where he remained untill his time expired. he was formally discharged by Col [illegible], Marshall and he returned home. -
Depondent remained in Virginia after this untill the year 1789. he moved to Georgia and has remained in that part of the country which is now Lincoln, and in Lincoln County ever since & where he now resides. Depondent further swears that he has no documents to prove his service. he is able to prove by his Brother Newman
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Matthews the only living witness in his section of Country of his [illegible] the service of his country, and the absence, and return of depondant.  
Depondant further swears that he has never received a pension nor ever wages. Poorly clad, and badly fed, but is satisfied in the loss of his Blood [illegible] in the Cause for which he fought true. [illegible] promises made to the Virginia soldiers of land and pay but the depondant never received any [illegible] name on any Pension List Roll of any agency of any state. And he hereby [illegible] all except the present. 
Sworn to the Open Court
23rd October 1832
Before me Peter Lamar Clkk L.S.C.
Georgia Lincoln County Personally appeared in open court the [illegible] court of said county & state. Newman [illegible] [illegible] a resident of the County of Lincoln & said State who being duly sworn diposeth [illegible][illegible] John Matthews whose name appears to the foregoing declaration is the Brother of deponant that he resid in Virginia at this time. His brother entered the service of his country, that he well remembers the [illegible] his absense [illegible] [illegible] engaged, as well as his return, that he has every reason to believe his Brother was wounded at the Battle of Brandy Wine. the wounds he has often seen [illegible] from the wounds Newman Matthews sworn to in open court 23rd October 1832.  Peter Lamar Clk L.S.C.
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. Wm H Crawford [illegible]
I Peter Lamar clerk of the superior court of Lincoln County and State of Georgia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the
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said Court in this matter of the application of John Matthews for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty third day of October One thousand eight hundred & thirty two. Peter Lamar Clk L.S.C.
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June 11, 1934
BA-J/ILL
John Matthews
R. 7025

Mrs. J. W. Smith
1105 Mulberry Street
Denton, Texas

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you have furnished information in regard to the John Matthews whose Revolutionary War record you desire, and in which you request, also, the record of a John Dickinson in that same war, stating that he was born about 1750, married a Miss Pendergast, and had children named John, Charles and Nancy.

The record of John Matthews is given herin as shown in the papers on file in pension claim, R.7025 based upon service in the Revolutionary War; it is the record of the only soldier with that name of Virginia, who moved from that state of Georgia, found on the pension records of this office.  No claim has been identified as that of the above noted John Dickinson.

John Matthews was born in the year 1755, in Prince William County, Virginia, the names of his parents not shown.  He moved from Virginia about the year 1799 (?) to that part of Wilkes County, Georgia, which was later Lincoln County, Georgia.

On October 25, 1838, while a resident of Lincoln County, Georgia he applied for pension on account of his service in the Revolutionary War.  He stated then that, while a resident of Prince William County, Virginia he was a minute man, from sometime in 1775, in Captain Andrew
Lei ch's Company and served about five months at Hampton, Virginia, under Colonel Hendricks, that , when the call was ______efor troops, he enlisted as private in Captain Andrew Lei ch's Company, Colonel Weeden's 3" Virginia Regiment, that he marched to New York, was in the battle of Kings Bridge and Harrison Plains, where his Captain was killed (having been promoted to a Major). Lieutenant Peyton
---oeeding him as Captain), was in the battle of White Plains, and in the battle of Trenton; after wards
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he was in the battle of Brandywine, in which engagement he was wounded in both legs, wintered at Vally Forge with General Washington's troops, and was discharged at the expiration of service of two years.

His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law under which he applied.

In 1840, John Matthews was a resident of  
LA ---- County, Georgia.  There is no reference to wife or children of the soldier in this pension claim.

In 1832, Newman Matthews, soldier's brother, was a resident of Lincoln County, Georgia, having lived in Virginia at the time said George Matthews served in the war.

Very truly yours,
A.D. Miller
Assistant to Administrator
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J. Mathews 78

755 mo minute man
Cap Leach

76 2yr 3cVRys Leach
ma________________
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John Matthews
Georgia
Suspended

-- I am 1835

Peter Lamar;
ds 6 June 35
(crossed out line)
Hon WC (crossed out line)

7023
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March 18, 1934

Mr. A. D. Hiller

The John Matthews about whom I wrote you was born about 1765, married Nancy Dickinson about 1785 and moved to Georgia at that time.  Their children were Miles D. George and Mary.

I should also like to ask information about John Dickinson (father of Nancy Dickinson) born before 1750, married a Miss Pendergast.  Children were John, Charles, Nancy.

Respect

Mrs. J.W. Smith
1105 Mulberry St.
Denton, Texas

BA-J/ILL
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Stamped:  REJECTED

7023

John Matthews
Enlisted:  (blank), 18
Discharged: (blank), 18
Printed Volume- rejected + Suspended
Pensions -page 308 - Suspended

Application filed (is crossed out)
claims- ??? June 7, 1832, 18
Reason - not on any rolls- no proof of service

Alleges:  (blank)

Re-enlisted: (blank)

Attorney:  (blank)

P.O. (blank)

(blank) Recognized. (blank) Contact
(blank) Cet. of Dis. Search for (blank), 18

WRITTEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF DOCUMENT:
1137- June 11- Hist (or First) to Mrs. J.W. Smith
???
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VETERANS ADMINISTRATION 
WASHINGTON 
March 3, 1934

Your file reference:  (blank)

In reply refer to:
BA-J/ILL

Mrs. J. W. Smith
1105 Mulberry Street
Denton, Texas

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Matthews from Virginia.

With the meager information furnished by you, it has not been possible to identify the record of the particular soldier named John Matthews in whom you are interested.  Kindly furnish as much as possible of the following data pertaining to him, and a further search will be made and a report furnished: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service, and given name of widow.

Very truly yours,
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Matthews which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? No
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  Living witness not on the Rolls
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military servicer, has be produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such as situa[illegible-fold line obscuring text] as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1.2.7
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____year _______months, and ______days, I served as a _______________  For ________months and _____-days, I served as a _________; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. this form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. 
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is t written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, as no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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Lincolnton  15 October 1834
Dear [illegible] Enclosed you will receive the claim of John Matthews again with additional proofs which I must [illegible][illegible] up to the [illegible] of the War department. It has been detained for a year nearly hoping to get the proof another Brother who was also wounded at Brandy Wine & moved some years since to the south west. I wrote for him and getting no answer, we still awaited untill recently news arrived he was dead. Of his services no one doubts in the Country and his family are high minded honorable men please direct your answers to this office to myself or Mr. Matthews. I am respectfully yours Peter Lamar
[illegible] J. L. Edwards
Court of Pensions
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J L Edwards
Court of Pensions
Peter Lamar - Esq.
Lincolnton Geo.
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War Department
[illegible] Office
Jan: 24-1835
SIR:
It appears from the declaration of John Matthews that after having performed the Military Service set forth in his declaration, he remained a citizen of the State of Virginia until the year 1789. Previous to this period the Military claims against the State had been liquidated and paid. As no proof appears upon the pay rolls in this office, going to show that he was ever paid, the presumption arises against him. Perhaps some evidence may be found in the Office of the Auditor at Richmond. Mr. Matthews will state how and when he was paid, of whom received, and whether paid to himself, or his agent.  The papers remain on file. I am Respectfully Your [illegible] J L Edwards
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Lincolnton Ga
May 24th
Honble
J.L. Edwards
Pension Office of the U. States
Washington City

M-at. June 6.
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Lincolnton Ga May 28th 1835
Dear Sir
You will receive herein enclosed the declaration of John Matthews in support of his claim for a pension and in reviewing to his objections relative to his having received payment.
[illegible] on the result of his claim [illegible] [illegible] to this office whether supported and what if any other proofs [illegible] necessary how to be answered.
He is very old, infirm. and weak [illegible] to obtain proofs from any quarter [illegible] through friends to write and prosecute his claims for him.
I [illegible] on the claim of last mail of Joshua Agee and in directing the P[illegible] miscalled your name. Which I remembered after but too late to correct it as the mail had started but [illegible][illegible] not make a difference [illegible] the result.
I am respectfully y[illegible] 
[illegible] Peter Lamar
Honble J.L. Edwards Pension Office
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Comme[illegible]
Peter Lamar Esq
Lincolnton Georgia

J.L. Edwards to Jno Matthews
[Round postmark WASHINGTON JUN]
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War Department
Pension Office
June 6, 1835

Sir,
Your letter and the amended declaration of John Matthews, have been received. Before any further decision can be made in his case, he should give a satisfactory reason why he did not long since apply for a pension under the act of March 18, 1818. It should also be shewn that Norman Matthews who has testified to the applicants service, is a credible witness. The papers will remain on file with suspended cases in this office. It does not appear that any papers in the case of Joshua Agee have been  lately received here. 
I am, respectfully your obt. serv't, J L Edwards
Peter Lamar Esqr.
Lincolnton Georgia
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P. Lamar
Dec 10 '40
OC
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Pension Office
Dec 10 1840

Sir,
I have rec the amended declaration of Jno Mathews of Ga and have filed it with his original papers. I have examined the rolls of the Virginia continental and State rolls, where his name should be found, had he performed the two year service mentioned in his declaration, I cannot find it upon them. Further proof will be required.  I am
Peter Lamar Esq
Lincolnton Ga
June 7 18[illegible] 
16932 [illegible]
Page 26

[Hon?] W.C. Dawson
July 20 1841
OC
Page 27

Pension Office   231
Feby 20, 1841

Sir,
I return herewith the letter of Mr Lamar upon the subject of the claim of Jno Matthews, and [illegible] the honor to inform you that the Departt cannot be justified in the [illegible] of his claim upon the proof submitted. His name is not borne[?] upon any of the Virginia rolls, nor has he provided any direct proof or support of his alleged service. [illegible][illegible][illegible]
[illegible] W.C. Dawson HR
PP
[illegible] 7 1832
Ga 16932
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State of Georgia
Lincoln County

Personally came before Mr James York a Justice of the Peace in [illegible] said County Thomas Dallis who being by Mr. [illegible] [illegible] and saith, that he is personally acquainted with John Matthews of the [illegible] County and have been intimately acquainted for forty one years as well as deponant now recollects that the said John Matthews from his first acquaintance untill the present time was reputed and known by persons with whom deponant was also well acquainted and the section of country where he resided generally to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and the circumstances were so notorious and so often repeated in the presence of deponant that he does verily believe the said John Matthews served his country faithfully as he has set forth, and the circumstances which so often caused the subject to be mentioned in presence of deponant are as follows "deponant was an orphan and partly raised by William Norman Senior an uncle to deponant, who removed from the state of Virginia to that part of Wilkes County which is now Lincoln, State of Georgia in 1793 as well
Page 29

as deponant now remembers, and deponant came with him. The said William Norman & John Matthews settled in the same neighborhood and remained neighbors untill the death of William Norman some six or seven years since; The said William & John were often together in presence of deponant; and as often stated their services in the Revolution. They were both fond of their G[illegible] and would refer to their wounds at the Battle of Brandy Wine the said William having been wounded in the leg, a part of the bullet was retained by him which deponant has often seen, and spoke so freely of the services of the said John Matthews that the deponant is satisfied and doth hereby declare that he believes he did serve his country and he being a man of truth & veracity, deponant believes he has declared the truth in his application for a pension under the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832.
Sworn to & subscribed this 30 September 1834 Before Me James  York J.P.
Thomas Dallis X mark
Page 30

I James York a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Lincoln & State of Georgia do hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with Thomas Dallis who testified in [illegible] [illegible] affidavit before me for thirty years or more; and that the said Thomas Dallis has uniformly and does now support the character of a man of truth & veracity as much so as any citizen of our Country and his declarations and assertions are entitled to full credit 
Given under my hand this 30th day of September 1834
James York J.P. 

Georgia Lincoln County }
John McDowell 
Before me = an a Justice of the Inferior Court for said County & State personally appeared William H. Norman a resident of the County of Lincoln aforesaid who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is intimately acquainted with John Matthews who also resides in the same County & State, and has been forty years & upwards that he believes that he was a soldier of the Revolution and that he served his country as set forth in his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
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the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832. That the said John Matthews has been universally recognized as such by all who are acquainted with him and one other circumstance which made more durable impressions on the mind of deponant was the following [illegible] The father of deponant, William Norman who resided in the same neighborhood with the said John Matthews from the earliest acquaintance of deponant untill the death of the said William which took place in January 182[7? 9?] the  intimacy of the two old men, their frequent conversations of their services and sufferings  during the Revolutionary War that they were soldiers at the same time in the same regiment and wounded in the same Battle of Brandy Wine, That the said two old friends for many years in Remembrance of their services & sufferings together would meet on the 11th of September of each year & enjoy their social [glass?] together it being the day as well as deponant now remembers the Battle was fought. Deponant further swears that said John Matthews is a man of strict veracity & truth and has supported that character so far as deponant believes from his youth. Sworn to before me this 1 October 1834 }
Wm H. Norman
John McDowell, J.J.C.
Page 32

Georgia 
Lincoln County }
I John McDowell a Justice of the Inferior Court of said County & State do hereby certify that I have been many years acquainted with the witness William H Norman as well as Thomas Dallis who testified to the affidavit preceding that they are men of good standing for truth & veracity and are worthy citizens
I do further certify that the applicant for the pension: John Matthews is also a neighbor and [illegible] likewise a man of strict honor & veracity and considered by all who know him to have been a Revolutionary soldier
Given under my hand this 1 October 1834 John McDowell J.J.C.
Georgia
Lincoln County } 
Personally came before me Peter Lamar who being duly sworn deponent[?] and saith that he was clerk of the Superior Court of said County and State at the time of making the certificate for John Matthews, an applicant for a pension according to the accompanying papers at the time deponant attested the same as clerk & placed the seal of said court thereto and that the deponant has been acquainted with Norman Matthews the witness  on behalf of said applicant for twenty years and believes him a man of truth & veracity.
Sworn to before me 1 October 1834
Elijah Frazer J.P. }
Page 33

(8-1776)
Service, Number
Va., Matthews, John., R. 7022
contents
Page 34

State of Georgia I Elial Lockhart
Page 37

hath
fifth
hereunto subscribed his name this twenty
day of May 
Sworn to & Subscribed
before the date above
John Mathews
1835
Elijah Frazer J.P.
State of Georgia ⎬ I Elijah Frazer a Justice
Lincoln County ⎬
of the peace in for said County
and State do hereby certify that I have been aequa
acquainted with Mr John Matthews who attested to & subscribed
his name to the foregoing
affidavit before me, for about
seven years: that the said John Matthews has uniformly
borne and now does, the character of a man of with
and veracity he is far advanced age and has but little
to do in the business circle that I have had no transaction of business with him, feet from the opinions of
the Community in which he lives and who give in
such a character of truth and integrity I must
cheerfully write, and so recommend hind Given under
my hand this 25 May 1835 -
Elijah Frazer
.
State of Georgia I did Lockhart Clerk
Lincoln County
---
of the Superior Court of
the County
the every of Lincoln & State of
Georgia, do hereby certify that Elijah Hazer
whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit and
Certificate, is a magistrate, is and was at the time
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