Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 80, for Joshua Oldner, Virginia
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SERVICE NUMBER
Va. Sea Service Oldner, Joshua R.80
Va. Half-Pay
CONTENTS
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Know all Men by these presents, that I R. M. Boykin administrator on the estate of Joshua Oldner deceased (and disinterested by Benjamin Lewis deceased, executor of the last will and testament of the said Joshua Oldner) with the will annexed of the said Joshua Oldner deceased who was a Sailing Master in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution, do hereby constitute and appoint James Murdaugh of the County of Norfolk and State of Virginia my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name as administrator as aforesaid, to ask, demand and receive of any from the Commissioner of Pensions of the United States, or from the government of the United States, or from any officer of the said government appointed for that purpose, all Half Pay and interest, or commutation pay and interest, which is or may be due me as administrator as aforesaid under the Act of Congress of the 5th July 1832, for the services of the said Joshua Oldner decd. as a Sailing Master in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution; and any other sum or sums of money that may be due me as administrator as aforesaid for the services of the said Joshua Oldner as a Sailing Master in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution Full power and authority is hereby vested in my said Attorney to do and perform every thing in the premises in as full and ample a [illegible] as I could do if I were personally present; Hereby ratifying and confirming all and whatever my said Attorney shall do in the premises by virtue hereof. And as a compensation to my said Attorney for his trouble and expenses in the prosecution and receiving of the said claim or claims, I hereby consent, [illegible] and agree to allow and pay to him the said James Murdaught Attorney as aforesaid one fourth part of all and every sums of money which may be received as aforesaid, and for the payment of which this power of Attorney shall be a lien, and shall be irrevocable, Witness my hand and seal this second day of September in the year 1851.
R M Boykin Adm. seal
of Joshua Oldner
State of Virginia
Norfolk County to Wit
This day R. M. Boykin administrator on the estate of Joshua Oldner
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deceased (and administered by Benjamin Lewis deceased executor of the last will and testament of the said Joshua Oldner decd) with the will annexed of the said Joshua Oldner decd. personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney, which is hereto annexed, to be his act and deed. Given under my hand and seal this 2nd day of September in the year 1851.
John Nash JP seal
State of Virginia Norfolk County to wit:
I Arthur Emmerson Clerk of the County Court of Norfolk County, do hereby certify that John Nash Esq. before whom the writing acknowledgement was made is a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signature to said certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and annex the seal of said Court this second day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one and of our Independence the seventy sixth
Arthur Emmerson C.C.
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Josha. Oldner
Diana Russells
Affidavit
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The deposition of Dianna Russell a resident of the County of Elizabeth City in the State of Virginia, taken before me Thomas Peck a notary public within and for the County and State aforesaid on this 19th of July AD 1853.
This deponent being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that She is about 80 years of age, was born and has lived all her life in this County.
That first after the close of the Revolutionary war in 1783, her father who had been an old Soldier in the Army invited a large number of gentlemen who had been officers in the army and Navy, to his house, among whom she recollects to have seen Joshua Oldner of Norfolk who had been a Sailing Master in the Virginia Navy. She remembers to have heard it said there, that the said Joshua Oldner had been a sailing Master in the Navy, had been attached to the "Scorpion" one of the vessels of said Navy, and had also been taken prisoner in the year 1781, and came to the Island of Bermuda, where he was retained a prisoner of war until after the peace in 1783. That she has often heard Peter Fiviash with whom she was well acquainted, and who had been a Sailing Master in the Navy, speak of the said Joshua Oldner as one of the prisoners who was carried to Bermuda with him in 1781, and also of his having served on board the "Scorpion". That the said Joshua
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Oldner, as she has been told, died at Norfolk about the year 1814 and further this deponent saith not
Witness Dianna Russell x her mark
Judeth Russell
Sworn to and subscribed by Dianna Russell before me the day and year first above written. and I hereby certify that the said Dianna Russell is a lady of respectability and that her statements are worthy of full credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 19th of July AD 1853.
Thos. Peck not pub
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In the name of God - Amen! I Joshua Oldner of the Borough of Norfolk, and State of Virginia being in good health and of sound mind and memory do make and publish this paper writing as my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made - Imprimis - It is my will and desire and I do hereby direct that all my just debts and lawful debts be paid out of my estate or out of such part thereof as my executors hereinafter named, shall think proper to sell & dispose of for that purpose - Item - I give unto my Son-in-law, William T Stone one dollar on full of his part or proportion of my estate. Item - After the payment of my debts and the aforesaid legacy I do hereby direct that all the rest and residue of my estate real and personal shall be divided into two equal parts - One-half of which I give and decree to my daughter Dinah Lewis wife of Benjamin Lewis and her heirs forever. Item - The other half of my said estate real and personal I give and decree to my son-in-law the above named Benjamin Lewis, my brother-in-law Lewis Ford and my friend John Bramble and to the survivors or survivor of them and to the executor and administrator of the survivor in Trust for the use benefit and advantage of my daughter Sarah Stone wife of the above named William T Stone and for the use benefit and advantage of all the children of my said daughter Sarah which she now hath or may have living at the time of my death to be equally divided among my Said daughter Sarah and all her said children and their heirs forever; - but it is my will and desire and I do hereby direct that their shall be no division thereof made until after the death of the said William T Stone -; and that from the time of my death until the death of the said William T Stone the estate which I have given to my said daughter Sarah & her children as above mentioned shall remain in the hands and possession of the above named Trustees for the use benefit and advantage of my said daughter Sarah and her said children; the rents and profits of which are to be equally divided among my Said daughter and her said children - but no part thereof is to be paid to the said William T Stone either in right of his said wife or for or on account of his children - it being my determination that he shall have no part of my estate except what I have given to him in the first part of this my will. Item - It is also my will and desire that immediately after the death of the said William T Stone the Trust hereby reposed in the said Benjamin Lewis, Lewis Ford and John Bramble - shall cease and a division of the estate hereby intended for and given to my said daughter Sarah and her children as before mentioned shall thereupon be made between and among them and their heirs forever. And lastly I do hereby nominate constitute
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and appoint the said Benjamin Lewis, Lewis Ford, and John Bramble Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this tenth day of January Eighteen hundred & twelve.
Joshua Oldner. Seal.
Signed, sealed, published, and declared
in presence of
The word (have) in the first line of this page being interlined before the signing & sealing of this will.
James Dyson.
Thos. Johnson
James Nimmo

Norfolk Borough
At a Quarterly Session Court held the 28th day of November 1814. 
This last Will and Testament of Joshua Oldner dec'd was proved by the oaths of James Dyson, Thomas Johnson, and James Nimmo the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And - At a Quarterly Session Court held the 27th day of March 1815 - On the motion of Benjamin Lewis one of the Executors named in the said Will who made oath thereto and together with James Williamson and John West his securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of Five thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining probat thereof in due form.
Teste
Wm Sharp. Cl. Cur:

Ata  Court of the Corporation of the City of Norfolk held on the 26th day of August 1851.
On the motion of R. M. Boykin (with the consent of John Y Mason administrator of Dinah Wynne dec'd formerly Dinah Lewis widow of Benjamin Lewis dec'd who was one of the children - legatees, devisees and distributees of Joshua Oldner dec'd who was a Sailing Master in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution, and with the like consent of the said John Y Mason admr of Sarah Stone dec'd the widow of Wm T Stone, who was also one of the children legatees, devisees and distributees of the said Joshua Oldner Sailing Master as aforesaid) who made oath and together with John Y Mason his security (acting herein by James Murdaugh
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his attorney in fact) entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of Eight thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted the said R. M. Boykin for obtaining letters of administration of the estate of the said Joshua Oldner dec'd - unadministered by Benjamin Lewis dec'd Executor of the Last will and Testament of the said Oldner - with the will of the said Joshua Oldner dec'd annexed in due form.
State of Virginia - City of Norfolk to wit.
I John Williams Clerk of the Court of the Corporation of the City of Norfolk do hereby certify that the foregoing will and orders (written on this sheet of paper) are true transcripts from the records of the said Court now in my Office. In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and annexed the Seal of the said Court this first day of September 1851 in the 76th year of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Jno: Williams CC

At a Court of the Corporation of the City of Norfolk continued and held on the 30th day of August 1851
The Court doth certify that upon satisfactory evidence produced before it Joshua Oldner who was a sailing master in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution, died on the 25th day of November 1814.
I John Williams Clerk of the Court of the Corporation of the City of Norfolk in the State of Virginia do certify that the foregoing is a true transcript from the records of the said Court now in my Office. In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and annexed the Seal of the said Court this second day of September 1851 in the 76th year of the Commonwealth of Virginia
Jno: Williams, CC
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3243
Heirs of
Joshua Oldner
Slg Master
Va Navy
Revolution
Discharged -, 18
5043
Hf. Pay - Act - '32
Received -, 187
80.
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Margaret Nichols widow
of Humphrey Vermont
Margaret Nichols
Vermont
widow of Humphrey
J Res 1 July 1848
Joint Resolution July 1848
Admitted
Increased from $80 to $96, to commence 1 July 1848.
Cert sent to
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Mr. Murdaugh, taken to Comr of Pensions
Dec. 19, 53.
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Portsmouth Va. Decr. 19th 1853
Mr Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
There is a claim of the Representative of Joshua Oldner deceased for Half pay due for the services of the said Oldner as a Sailing Master in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution - This claim was presented under the administration of your predecessor, and not acted upon - Inclosed you will find the affidavits of Mrs. Russell and Mrs. Dent, showing the services, which in connection with the affidavit of Mrs. Payne and the record evidence will satisfy you beyond all shadow of doubt, that this claim is founded in law and justice, and must be allowed.
Permit me to ask as a favour, for you at an early day, to consider this claim, and decide upon it.
I am Dear Sir
Your Obt Servant
James Murdaugh
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(No. 3)
Hampton Jany 17th 1783
Sir,
I have the Honour to Inclose your Excellency a Copy of the Brigg Dolphin a Flag of Truice Capt. Thos. Seymore from the Island of Bermuda with Forty-Three American prisoners, Two having Stade behind Which is mentioned on the List with the Letters which Came by her. Also a List of Stores and a Few articles to Exchange for Provisions, your Excellency will be pleased to give your directions respecting them
Capt. Thos. Gibbons whoe sailed from York Town for New York some time past with Tobacco is also Arriv'd from New York the night before Last, has behaved very Imprudent in bringing a number Articles with some things Landed on the Knight he Came in for Mr. Lowry which I have since Stopt, the Brigg is also stopt & in possession of my Brother on her way to Burrells Ferry a Doctr. Middleton a Scotch man Came passenger in her, Landed and went on to York without my Knowlidg, I have got Capt. Armestead to send after him this morning am inform'd he was in our Service formerly & went to Scotland to get an Estate which was left him there, The Bermuda Capt. Reported his store to me Capt. Gibbins did not, wether from Mistake or not, I cant say
I have the Honour to be Sir
with Great respect your
Excellencys
Mo: Obt. Humbl. Servt.
Addressed
public service
His Excellency Govr Harrison
Richmond
Pr Express

Comadore Baron
Letter
inclosg Flag
from Bermuda
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Bermuda alias By His Excellency William Brown
Somas Islands Esqr Capt General Governor Commander in Chief, & Vice Admiral of these Islands of Bermudals
Seal To all whom these Presents shall come Greeting - I do testify & make known, that Thomas Seymour, Master or Commander of the Brigantine called the Dolphin hath appears before me the Governor aforesaid & declared upon oath that the said Brigantine or vessel of the Brethren of Eighty Sons or thereabouts doth belong to the subjects of His Majesty George the third King of Great Britain, France, & Ireland, And Whereas I have dispatched Authorized, & empowered him the said Thos. Seymour, to transport in His Brigantine to Virginia
Wm. Brown Forty five Prisoners, lately brought into these Islands, whose names are herewith annexed, & to treat & make an Exchange for the like Number of British Prisoners by & under the Sanction of a Flag of Truce - I do therefore request you & every of you, whosever the said Master or Commander shall be or arrive with his said Brigantine that you would be Pleased to receive Him Courteously & use him Kindly & Permit Him upon observing the Laws of Nations to enter into, remain in, & Pass from your Ports Rivers, & Dominions & there to enjoy all Kind of Right of Navigation without any Impediment, Capture, Seizure, Set or Molestation whatsoever, which I shall most readily acknowledge upon all occasions
In Testimony whereof I the Governor aforesaid have hereunto set my Hand & Caused the Great Seal of these Islands to be affixed this 24th Decr. 1782
By his Excellencys
Comand
Henry Tucker Junr.
Secretary

A
copy of the Flag
from Bermuda
Thos Seymour Master
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(No 4)
List of Prisoners of War Pr Brig Dolphin Thos. Seymour Master for Virginia
No Names Stations
1 Peter Vieash Master 
2 Steven Sevain Mate 
3 Mallirlo Miller Sailor 
4 John Kelly Do 
5 John Catrule Do 
6 Henry Rhodes Do 
7 Wm Carroll " 
8 John Savage Master 
9 John Reid Passenger 
10 Severn Reid Do 
11 John Parker Sailor 
12 Henry Window Do 
13 Robert Speres " 
14 Thos. Amey " 
15 Robt. Rejon " 
16 John Spinner Master 
17 Edward Walsh Passenger 
18 Daniel Jacobs Master 
19 Amos Jacobs Sailor
20 Thos. Wallace Mate 
21 John Gibson Do 
22 Thos. Martin Sailor
23 Wm. Curtis "
24 Owin Barney "
No Names Stations
25 John Freeman Sailor
26 Josiah Snow "
27 Jona Gross "
28 Wm. Woodhouse "
29 John Higgarson "
30 Negro. Sal. "
31 Joshua Oldner Master
32 John Gorham Mate
33 Norman Bigole Passenger
34 John Foster Sailor
35 Jas. Foster Do
36 Joshua Gardner "
37 Whiston Jones "
38 Wm. Boothe "
39 Wm. Lassater "
40 Lewis Peero "
41 Saml. Michell "
42 Moses Cops "
43 Luke Hill "
44 Daniel Downing Passenger
45 Daniel Richards Mater
Return of 5 Masters
5 Mates
5 Passengers
30 Sailors
45 Total
Commissary's Office St. George
Burmuda Decr 24th 1782
Pendock Neal C'y of
Prisoners

List of prisoners
from Bermuda
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First Auditor's Office
Richmond 28th June 1851.
I certify that the foregoing extracts are truly Copied from "Papers Concerning the State Navy, Vol 1" on file in this office
Ro Johnston
First Audr

L. N.
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Oldner
Elizabeth Dewbre's afft
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The deposition of Elizabeth Dewbre, age - years, a resident of the County of Elizabeth City, and State of Virginia, taken before me J. A Jones a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, this 19th day of July 1853
This deponent being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and sayeth, that she knew one Joshua Oldner, of Norfolk Virginia, who was a Sailing Master in the State Navy of Virginia, during the Revolutionary War 
That at the time she knew him, he was attached to the Scorpion, one of the vessels of said Navy, that she heard and believed that the said Joshua Oldner, about the year 1781 wile on a cruise of sea was taken prisoner by the British, and carried to the Island of Bermuda, where he remained during the remainder of the war, that she did not see the said Oldner, after his return home, but understood that he went to Norfolk Virginia, where he remained until the time of his death, this deponent cannot say when the said Oldner died, but knows it has been many years ago
Elizabeth Dewbrie

Sworn to and subscribed by Elizabeth Dewbrie before me, the day and year first above stated and I hereby certify that the said Elizabeth Dewbrie is a respectable lady and her statements are worthy of credibility, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal.
J. A Jones
Not: Pub:
The name Jane, was erased by me in the presence of the witness and Elizabeth, substituted in its stead.
J. A Jones
Not: Pub.
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Ann Payne of Hampton
Deposition to prove the services of Joshua Oldner as Sailing Master Navy of Va. Revo. war
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State of Virginia
Elizabeth City County towit:-
The affidavit of Ann Payne taken before me Fayette Jones, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, on the 26th day of May in the year 1851. - Ann Payne, a resident of Elizabeth City County in the State of Virginia being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith: That she was well acquainted with Joshua Oldner who was a master in the Virginia State Navy during the war of the Revolution - but she cannot at this distant period of time designate the name of the vessel. She moreover states that he was taken prisoner (she believes in 1781), and was kept in close confinement (as she always understood and believed in the Island of Bermuda) until the termination of the war, when he was released from imprisonment. - Given under my hand this 26th day of May, in the year 1851.-
Witness Thomas Reek Ann Payne x her mark

State of Virginia
Elizabeth City County towit:-
I, Fayette Jones, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, do hereby certify that Ann Payne personally appeared before me in the County aforesaid, and in my presence made her mark to the foregoing affidavit, and made oath that the facts therein contained are true;- And I moreover certify that she is a lady of respectability and her testimony is worthy of credit. Given under my hand seal this 26th day of May in the year 1851.
Fayette Jones JP Seal

State of Virginia, Elizabeth City County to wit:
I, Samuel S. Howard, Clerk of the County Court for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Fayette Jones is a justice of the peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, that he is legally authorized to act as such
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and that his signature herein before written is genuine-
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court this 26th day of May 1851
S. S. Howard Clk
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Claim of Joshua Oldner Joshua Oldner
as Sailing Master State Navy Sailing Master
Va. State Navy
Act 5 July 1832
see similar case of Peter Fiveash decided adversely by the Secretary of the Interior - 16 Nov 1852

depends upon decision in Joshua Fiveash's case
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Portsmouth Va. Sept 2nd 1851
James E. Heath Esq
Comr. of Pensions
Dear Sir
Permit me to enclose the last will and testament of Joshua Oldner decd. who was a Sailing Master in the Virginia State Navy during the War of the Revolution, and a power of Attorney from R. M. Boykin admr. de bonis non with will annexed of said Oldner - and also the certificate of the period of his death - and the affidavit of Mrs. Ann Payne showing he was a Sailing Master &c - I will in a few days send you some record evidence, establishing also the facts of the claim, which must ensure its allowance
Yours Respectfully
James Murdaugh
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51 Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD
NAME Olds, Aaron
GRADE
Private
LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 6257 
ACREAGE 100
ISUED June 29, 1792
to Stephen Thorn, assignee