Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3530, William Eakin, S.C.
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(3-1776) 
SERVICE NUMBER
Eakin, William W3530
Elizabeth
CONTENTS
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ordn h pay Nov 6 1836
Hon DS Kaufman
Jany 9, 49
Mehn up to 3d and May 18/50
13778
West Tennessee
William Eakin
of Bedford Co in the state of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Heon of the regiment commanded by Colonel Hawthorn in the South Carolina line for six months 
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollard cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of June 1833 and sent to J McKinch Shelbyville
Arrears to the 4th March 40
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept 10
$50
Revolutionary Claim 
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol 7 Page 77
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1131
Louisiana
Elizabeth Eakin widow of William Eakin who served in the Revolutionary SC  war, as a private
Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 20 Dollars 00
cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of April /32 and sent to Hon G W Smyth
House of Reps 
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 15g Vol a
1832
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832.
State of Tennessee Bedford County} Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Now Sitting; May term 1833 On this 7th day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty three Personally appeared in open court William Eakin a resident of Bedford County aforsaid, aged sixty seven years and seven months; who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed the 7th of June 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated (to wit) That he entered the service of the United States in York district in South Carolina on the 16th of November 1780 as a volunteer and private soldier in a company of volunteers commanded by Captain Joseph Hawe and Lieut Benjamin Hathorn and was marched to Brandons Mill upon Fairforrest river in the unear District S Carolina where he was kept for some time applicant says he was then marched to Ninety Six where he was kept for six or seven weeks, and from there he was marched
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To the Fishdam ford an Broad river Fairfield District where he remained some time, and from there to Wynsborough where he says he was stationed upwards of two months and from that place he was marched to Lands ford an the Cataba river and from there to what was then called the old Nation ford where he says the volunteers under Col Hasthorn were encamped for some time and from there was marched to the mouth of Packatett river where it intersects Broad river, and from that to Biggerser ferry on the Cataba where he remained in service until the latter part of May or first of June 1781 when he says he was discharged in waiting signed by Col Hathorn for a tour of six months for which he claims a pension Deponant states that he has long since lost his discharge not knowing it would ever be of service to him he took very little care of it applicant states he was born in York District state of South Carolina on the 8th day of October in the year 1765 agreeable to his Fathers family record; and that he has a copy of the same in his possession at the time He further says that there was not any Regular troops with the army where he served and that he was not acquainted with any Regular officer or the name or number of any Regiments
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Except the Regiment he belonged to which was called Col Hathorns Regiment of Volunteer mounted Gunners, and that he understood that the troops under Col Hathorn was ordered into service by Genl Sumpter This applicant says that he was a citizen and resided in York District South Carolina when he entered the service and continued to be a citizen of said district until the year 1810 when he removed to the state of Illinois and in 1812 he removed to Bedford County Tennessee where he has lived ever since and where he now lives, Deponant states that the foregoing declaration contains the most correct history of the general circumstances of his service that that he is able at this stage of his life to give and that he has no documentary evidence whatever and that he knows of no person whos testimony he can procure who can testify as to his service This applicant hereby relinquishes all and every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in the United States He further says that he is known to the Rev Richard Williams, Allen Perry Esqr and Edward Whitworth in his present Neighbourhood Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid; William Eak seal
Jas M Kisick clk
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State of Tennessee Bedford County}
We Richard W Morris a clergyman residing in Bedford county aforesaid, and Allen Perry and Edward Whitworth, residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Eakin who subscribed and was sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be sixty seven years and seven months of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion; and the said Allen Perry and Edward Whitworth, do further certify that said applicant charactor for veracity has not been questioned by any person to our knowledge and believe his statements upon oath are entitled to credit in any court whatever sworn to in open court this 8th day of May 1833
RW Morris EM PC
Jas M Kisick CLK
A Perry
Ewd Whitworth
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The State of Texas County of Shelby} Before the undersigned Elkanah Samford an acting justice of the Peace in and for said county personally came Mrs Elizabeth Eakin a resident of Shelby county Texas aged about 80 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 acts of Congress granting pensions to the widows of Revolutionary soldiers That she is the widow of William Eakin who was a soldier in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War; that he served she thinks in the South Carolina State troops That about the year AD 1834 while her said husband was a resident of Bedford county and state of Tennessee, he made application to the pension office of the United States for a pension; and a pension was granted to him for life, the certificate bearing date about the year 1834 Her said husband was placed on the pension list roll of the Nashville Tenn agency where his name remained until the date of his death which occured about the 11th day of July AD 1840 The pension certificate was returned to the proper office at Washington City All of which facts in reference to the granting of a pension to William Eakin his name being on the roll of the Nashville Tenn Agency his certificate having been  returned to the proper office at Washington City &c
She presumed are matters of record and she would beg leave to refer to and make said records a part of this declaration. She further says that she was married to the said William Eakin on the 5th day of Febuary to the best of her recollection in the year
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AD 1793 or 1794 in York district and state of South Carolina that she is informed an believes that there is no record of said marriage in existance nor is there any persons now alive who was present at said marriage so far as knows or believes she would therefore beg leave to refer to the accompanying proof as the best she can furnish of the fact of her marriage to said William Eakin She further says her and her said husband lived together from the date of their marriage until the 11th day of July AD 1840 when he the said William Eakin died in the county San Augustine and state of Texas That she has not intermarried but still remains the widow of the above named William Eakin and that she now resides in Shelby county Texas where she has resided ever since her said husband death Elisabeth her X mark Eakin
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8th day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty four I further certify that I have personally known Mrs Elizibeth Eakin above named for about forty years and that I believe her statements above made to be true and correct I further certify that from age and bodily infirmity she is unable to go before a court of Record therefore this declaration is sworn to before me at her residence. 
Witness my hand this 8th day of March AD 1854
E Sanford JP
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The state of Texas County of Shelby} Before me Elkanah Sanford an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county personally came Mrs Elizebeth Eakin a resident of the county and state aforesaid who is making application for a pension as the widow of William Eakin deceased and being by me duly sworn according to law on her oath says that she was married to said William Eakin according to the best of her recollection about the 5th day of Febuary in the year 1793 or 1794 York District or county and state of South Carolina That her oldest son whose name is James Eakin was born some 4 years she thinks after her marriage and to the best of her recollection was born in the year 1797 or 1798 She further says that said James Eakin is now alive and resides in Cherokee County Texas That she is informed said James Eakin has his age record in a family Bible and has had for several years she is further informed that there are several old persons in this and adjoining counties who have known her said son James for about 40 years and that have also known her and her said husband William Eakin about the same lenth of time she further states she has a daughter younger than said James Eakin alive who reside in the state of Texas
Elisabeth her X mark Eakin
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8th day of March AD 1854
I further certify that the above named Mrs Elizebeth Eakin is in my opinion from an acquaintance of about fourty years a person entitled to full faith and credit and that her statements above made are true and correct Given under my hand this 8th day of March AD 1854 E Samford JP
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The state of Texas County of Shelby} I WE Roberts clerk of the county court in & for the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that E Samford Esqr whose genuine signature appears to the certificate is and was at the time of making the same an acting justice of the peace duly commissioned and qualified and as such office his acts are entitled to full faith & credit and I further certify said county court is a court of record In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and seal of office this March 14th 1854
WE Roberts CCSC
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William Eakin Bedford County Tennessee
from 1780 private 
6 month 
$20
Ja M Kisick Clk Bedford County Tennessee
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
183
Sir
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus}). You will when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of William Eakin Bedford County Tennessee

Period when the service was rendered Vol 16 Nov 1780
Duration of the claimants service 6 months
Rank of the claimant private
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served Cap Hawe, Colonel Hathorn
Age at present and place of above when he entered the service 67 years York District South Carolina
Proof by which the declaration is supported Traditionary evidence certified credible & Clergymans certificate papers correctly attached 

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, & c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c.  Persons who serviced on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1.  The Regular Troops.
2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3.  Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4.  Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will in the first instance, make applications by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832
State, Territory, or District of
County of } ss.
On this     day of     personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of     in the county of     and State, Territory or District of     aged (c)      years who being duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)     , with     and served in the      (e) regiment of the     line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.  This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,                             A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I     of the Court of     do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of     for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this     day of      &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman. residing in the     and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with     , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be     years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certified, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the     and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the     and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,     Clerk of the Court of     do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of      for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this    day of     &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corrobating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.  
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1.  Where and in what year were you born?
2.  Have you any record your age, and if so, where is it?
3.  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4.  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
5.  State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.  {To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?  {To an Officer.}  Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.  The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party  And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.  
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, 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.  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."
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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has 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.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers 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.

Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[i] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops,  The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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No 1345
Elizabeth Eakin widow of William 
Texas
Hon G Whitworth 14 Apl 1854
act July 29th 1848
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And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Richard W Morris who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman of good standing in the Methodist protestant church and a resident of Bedford county and that Allen Perry Esqr and Edward Whitworth who has also signed the same are residents of said county and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit done at the court house in Shelbyville this 8th day of May 1833
John B Armstrong
Samuel Phillips
Wm McClure
I James Kisick clerk of the court of Bedford county in the state of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of William Eakin for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office at office in Shelbyville (this 15th day of February AD 1833
Jas M Kisick Clk
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Brief in the case of Elizabeth Eakin
Shelby County and state of Texas
Act 29 July 1848
Claim (original [crossed out or for increase]
Proof exhibited (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary or supported by rolls? If either state the substance
Husband was a pensioner at [illegible]
Proof of [illegible]
(If for increase) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim If so, what?

GW Smyth
Name and residence of Agent
[illegible]

S Cole
Examining clerk
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Pension office
April 24 1854
12 July 
[illegible]
[illegible] the date 
of the last payment? 
S Cole
ct clerk
William Eakin act 1832
$20 Died 12 July 1840
Paid F Burt
auditor
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Revy WIDOW &c
File No 3530
Elizabeth Eakin
Widow
William Eakin
Pri Rev War
Act July 29 1848
Index Vol A Page 206
[Arrangement of 1870]
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The State of Texas County of Shelby} Before me Elkanah Samford an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county personally came Benjamin Harkness and Ann Harkness his wife residents of said county and state who being by me duly sworn according to law on their oath declare and say that they have known Mrs Elizabeth Eakin for about 30 years that they know her and her husband William Eakin and that they lived together as husband and wife and were known recognised and received as such by all persons during the entire time they knew them, that they have also known James Eakin for about 32 years that he was always known and recognised as their son, that from their long acquantance with said James Eakin they believe him to have been born about the year 1797 or 1798 that they have often heard William Eakin and Mrs Elizabeth Eakin his wife talk of the date of their marriage and of the age of their son James and they always understood from said conversation that they were married in 1793 or 1794 and that James was their child and oldest son and that he was born in 1797 or 1798 they further state that the said William Eakin died in San Augustine county Texas on or about the 11th day of July AD 1840 leaving Mrs Elizabeth Eakin his widow him serving that she had remained his widow ever since and still remains a widow Benjamin Harkness
Ann her X mark Harkness
sworn to and subscribed before me this 8th day of March
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AD 1854 I further certify that the above named Benjamin Harkness and Ann Harkness his wife are personaly known to be, to be persons of credibility and that their statements above made are entitled to ful faith and credit
Given under my hand this 8th day of March AD 1854 E Samford JP
The state of Texas County of Shelby} I W E Roberts clerk of the county court in & for the county of Shelby and state aforesaid do hereby certify that E Samford Esqr whose genuine signature appears on the above certificate is and was at the time of making the same an acting justice of the peace in & for said county duly commissioned and qualified and as such affixed his acts are entitled to full faith & credit and I further certify that said court is a court of record
In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and affix my official seal this March 14th 1854
WE Roberts clk sc
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1343
Elizabeth Eakin
widow of Wm
act 29 July 1845
[illegible]
Married before 1800
Hus decd 12 July 1840
mt pri $20
for [illegible]
March 1848
New Orleans Roll
Hon G W Smyth
H & R
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The State of Texas County of Shelby} Be it known that before undersigned authority duly authorised by law to administer oaths for general purposses personaly came Richard Hooper aged about 71 years past and being by me duly sworn according to law on his oath says that about 40 or 42 years ago and to the best of his recollection about the year 1812 or 14 in the county of Bedford and state of Tennessee he became acquainted with William Eakin and his son James Eakin that said William Eakin and his son James then resided in the county of Williams and state of Tennessee that this affiant further says that he understood said William Eakin to be a man of family at the time he first made his acquaintance that he also understood James Eakin to be his son and affiant further states that said James at the fime that this affiant first made his acquaintance was a boy large enough to drive a waggon and team and was doing the same and from the size and appearance of said James at that time affiant believed said James must have been from 15 to 18 years of age that a few years after the time affiant first made the acquaintance of said William Eakin and his son James, siad William Eakin moved from Williamson to Bedford County Tennessee being the county in which affiant resided affant then found the acquaintance of Mrs Eakin wife of said William
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Eakin and Mother of James Eakin that affiant knew said William Eakin and said Elizibeth Eakin his wife and James their oldest son from the time above refered to up to the date of the death of said William Eakin which he thinks took place in San Augustine county Texas about the year AD 1840 and has known Mrs Elizabeth Eakin his widow ever since and still knows her That ever since he first knew said William Eakin and his said wife Mrs Eakin he has known them as husband and wife and that they lived together as such up to the death of said William Eakin That said William Eakin and Elizibeth Eakin were also known and recognised by all persons as husband and wife and also said James Eakin was by all persons recognised as the child and son of said William E and Elizibeth Eakin as also were several other younger children to them born and by them raised Affiant further says that the present Mrs Elizibeth Eakin is the same woman he knew as the wife of said William Eakin and is the widow of said William Eakin and resided in Shelby Texas he further says he is disinterested in her application for a pension
Rich Hooper
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of March AD 1854 I further certify that the above named Richard
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Hooper is an old and respectable citizen of said Shelby county and that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit
Given under my hand this day and date above writen
H Cozart JP 
Bea/No/
The state of Texas
County of Shelby} I WE Roberts clerk of the county court in & for the county of Shelby and state aforesaid do hereby certify that H Cozart Esqr whose genuine signature appears to the above certificate is and was at the time of making the same an acting Justice of the peace duly commissioned and qualified and as such officer his acts are entitled to full faith & credit and I further certify that said court is a court of record
In witness whereof I hereto set my hand & affix my officeal seal this March 14th 1854
WE Roberts CCCSC