Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5,634, James Arthur, Md.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Md.

Arthur, James
   Elizabeth

NUMBER
W.5,634

CONTENTS
Page 2

Typed form, completed in handwriting

Let to Pensioner June 26, 1865
Rep? 18 Mar. 1866

5112
Richmond, Virginia
Elizabeth Arthur widow of James Arthur des’d Md who was an Ensign & Lieut’a on the Maryland Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 244 Dollars 54 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issues the 18th day of March 1844 and sent to Elizabeth Arthur, Namozine Amelia Co. Virginia

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded Book A  Vol 1 Page 147
Page 3

Mrs Eliz’a Arthur
Page 4

No 7946
Elizabeth Arthur
wid of James de’d
Virginia
Act of July 1838
Page 5

State of Virginia
Dinwiddie County]ss

At a County Court held in and for said County on the 19th day of August 1840 personally appeared in open Court Mrs. Elizabeth Arthur, a resident of Amelia County, but most convenient to the aforesaid Dinwiddie Courthouse, aged seventy five 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 7th 1838 entitled, “ An act grating half-pay and pensions to certain widows’. That she is the widow of James Arthur, who was an officer, a Captain or a Lieutenant, she has reason to believe the latter although called Captain during his life, that she knows not the time of his entering the Army of the Revolution or the capacity in which he entered- or the particular corps of regiment, but, to the best of her knowledge and belief it was in the second regiment of the Maryland line commanded by Col. Gurley. She knows not the Counties through which he marched, or the several officers under whom he served, or the several battles in which he fought, but has always understood that he was at the battle of the Cow-pens, and at the battle of Guildford Court, the latter she is most confident of hearing him oftentimes speak of. She says that she has no documentary evidence to sustain his rank or services, neither does she know where any is to be found. She says that she was married to him on the 25th day of May 1782, (as she at that time understood) about one month after his resignation. Captain William Poythness, a brother Officer, who she also understood resigned at the same time, returned with her husband; and the said Poythness intermarried with her sister Mary Gilliam on the same day – they having, both parties been engaged previous to the marching of their husbands.  That they were married in the County of Prince George according to the
Page 6

forms and ceremonies prescribed by the laws of Virginia by Gordon a duly licensed Minister of the Gospel. That her said husband departed this life in the County of Dinwiddie on the 12th day of December 1810: and that she has remained a widow from that day to the present.  Sworn to and subscribed in open Court on the day and year above written
Elizabeth Arthur

Also at the same time and place personally appears Elizabeth G. Torborne, a person whom the Court certify to be a witness of credibility, who being first duly sworn according to law, says that she was well acquainted with James Arthur dec’d late of the County of Dinwiddie: that she has always understood that he was an Officer in the Army of the Revolution, and he was called Captain at the time of his death: that he departed this life in the year 1810, leaving a widow with whom she was then personally acquainted, and has been from that time to the present: and that Elizabeth Arthur, who signed the foregoing declaration in her presence, is the identical person she knew as the wife of Capt. Arthur during his life, and has known from the day of his death tot the present time as his widow, she being still a widow, having never married, her said husband’s death. Sworn to and subscribed in open Court
E. G. Torborne

State of Virginia
   Dinwiddie County, Set:

I John P. Crump Clerk of the County Court of Dinwiddie in the State of Virginia aforesaid
Page 7

do hereby certify, that the foregoing declaration of Mrs Elizabeth Arthur and the affidavit of Mrs Elizabeth Torborne were duly sworn to and subscribed in open court on the day and year within mentioned.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my office, this 19th day of April 1841, in the 65th year of the Commonwealth
Jno P. Crump Cl

{there is an attached seal}
Page 8

I Andrew Syme aged Eighty five years do hereby certify that I was for many years, say from 1794 till within the last five years the paster or clergyman of the Episcopal in this place (Petersburg) that I was well and intimately acquainted from my earliest location here until the day of their deaths , with Gilliam & his with who were members of this Episcopal Church and both of where funeral sermons were preached by me; At the time of my first acquaintance with them their daughter Elizabeth Arthur [strikethrough] daughter [strikethrough] wife of Capt James Arthur Revolutionary officer resided with their father & mother, as also their daughter and only surviving child, Elizabeth Arthur also lived with them and so continued to do so until their death. Capt Arthur the husband I never knew, from some family disagreement they did not live together, yet were not divorced, that I know not when they were married which must have been before I came to the United States – I find from examination of my own private journal that I solemnized the marriage between Andrew Torborne & Elizabeth Arthur the daughter of the said Capt James Arthur & his wife Elizabeth at the house of the said Gilliam on the 29th day of March 1801, and I also find from the same journal that I preached the funeral sermon of the said Gilliam father of the said Mrs. Arthur on the 4th day of April 1801 only five days after the marriage of his Grand daughter – I believe Mrs. Arthur & her daughter Elizabeth Torborne are both now living or near where I last heard of them and are now widows neither having ever married a second time – I know not of any records kept by this church of marriages of christenings, other than the private journals where such kept them of the clergyman themselves, and believe that there are none such to be found to the church pertaining to this place – 
Andrew Syme

State of Virginia, Town of Peterburg to int:

The above named Andrew Syme this day personally appeared before me an alderman of the said Town and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement.  Given under my hand this 22nd day of April AD 1840
Rob’t B. Bollling Alderman
Page 9

Corporation of Petersburg Towih

Personally appeared before me the subscribed the justice of the peace in & for the said Borough, Benjamin Harrison who being duly sworn according to Law says that he is now 73 years of age, that his cousins Mary and Elizabeth Gilliam were both married as he believes on the same day, the former to Wm. Poythness and the latter to James Arthur both of whom were Revolutionary officers, that the deponent at present does not recollect that he was at the wedding, that he lived near them & most probably was there though he does not recollect, but it was notoriously public that they were both married on the same day in their fathers house, of this he feels as confident as he could of any thing that he did not see, that the said James & Elizabeth Arthur had but one child who survived & arreared to womanhood, that the deponent has no knowledge or recollection at this time of the period at which their marriage took place but that it must have been nearly 60 years ago, as he says that their daughter Elizabeth Arthur intermarried with Andrew Torborne probably 40 or more years ago at which marriage the deponent was present, and took an active part in brining about such marriage, he cannot affix the precise time when Andrew Torborne & Elizabeth Arthur were married, but says Mrs. Torborne has a Grand daughter 16 or 18 years of age who is the Great Great Grand daughter of the said Elizabeth Arthur, that James Arthur has been dead for many years probably thirty, also that Andrew Torborne the husband of their daughter has also been dead nearly the same time and that the two widows to wit Elizabeth Arthur &. Elizabeth Torborne reside together in Amelia County in the state of Virginia about 25 miles distant and are both now living & widows neither having ever married a second time and further he saith not.
Page 10

State of Virginia
Town of Petersburg, to wit:

I David M. Bernard, clerk of the [?] court of the Town of Petersburg, do hereby certify that Robert B. Boling whose name appears to the certificate hereunto annexed is now and was at the date of this certificate an alderman or acting Justice of the peace in and for the said Town duly appointed and qualified as such – the same appearing from the records of the said Court.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the said Court this 20th day of July AD 1841
D:M: Bernard Clk

{There is an affixed seal}
Page 11

Rev’y WIDOW, &c.

File No. 5634
Eliz’th Arthur
Wid:
James Arthur
Lieut. M.’d line

Act: Mch. 3rd/43

Index:-Vol. A, Page 17

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 12

Elizabeth Arthur
Widow of James Arthur
de’d. act 7 July 1838

Ensign.   8. 23
Lieut.     11.22
____________
$ 244.54 per ann

Virginia Roll
Send cert. to H. Northorp
Present
Page 13

Typed form, completed in handwriting

6341
Richmond Virginia
Elizabeth Arthur widow of James Arthur, dec’d

[strikethrough] who was a pensioner under the Act of 1 [strikethrough]
and who died on the 12 December 1810
of Amelia Co in the State of Va who was an Ensign & Lieut in the Compy commanded by Captain --- of the Reg’t commanded by Col Gunby in the 2nd Regt Md 
line for 8 mos & 23 days Ensign
11 mos & 22 days Lieut

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 244 Dollars 54 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of Sept. 1841 and sent to Henry Northorp, Present

Arrears to the 4th of March 1841.   $1,222.70

[strikethrough] Semi-annual allowance ending [strikethrough]

$1,222.70
[Act July 7, 1838}

Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 Page 176

2
Copies of affidavits sent to H. Northrup Dec 31, 1841 see his letter.
Page 14

James Arthur d 13 Dec 1810
Elizabeth Arthur m. 25 May ‘82
Capt or Lieut in Col Gundy Regt
Married Prince Georges Co.

Ja’s Arthur Lieut rec’d Goods at 
[Adesktores?]  78.60
Good & Cash & mayta  268.26.  346.86
date of appt not known See Ledger Maryland line

Ens 17 June 1780 – 
Lt 10 March 1781
Spg 82 Respond – Married May 25 82

‘’’   ‘’’   8.23 Ens.
‘’’   ‘’’   7.7 Lieut.
            16…
Page 15

State of Virginia
Amelia County to Wit

On this the 4th day of March 1844 before me a Justice of the peace in and for the said County personally appeared Elizabeth Arthur a resident of the said County, Aged about Eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed on the third March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.

That she is the widow of James Arthur who was an Ensign and Lieutenant in the revolutionary war, and a Pensioner of the United States, and that in conformity with the Act of Congress of the 7th July 1838, she was pensioned and received five years pensions at the rate of Two Hundred and Forty four dollars and Fifty four cents per annum

She further declares she is still a widow
Elizabeth Arthur

Witness
Wm A. Scott

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me
Watkins Turner J.P

I certify that Elizabeth Arthur above-named, widow of James Arthur dec’d is personally known to me
Certified this 4th day of March 1844
Watkins Turner J.P.
Page 16

[?] do hereby certify that Watkins Turner who hath given the preceding certificate is a magistrate of said County, duly commissioned and qualified according to Law and that the signature hereunto purporting. to be his is genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this day of March 1844
E.G. Leigh

{There is an affixed seal}
Page 17

State of Virginia,
Prince George County, to wit:

I Robert Gilliam, Clerk of the County Court aforesaid, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify, that, after the strident search which the state of the old records of my office will admit of, (they being in utter confusion, to which condition of them I have repeatedly called the attention of the Court) I can find no record of the marriage of James Arthur and Elizabeth Gilliam, nor any bond such as is required by law and invariably given upon procuring a marriage license, yet there is not a doubt in my mind that said bond was given and that such marriage did actually take place having frequently heard my father John Gilliam (a near relation to said Elizabeth Gilliam) speak of the parties. I do hereby further certify, that I have diligently examined the records of my said office, and can find no record of marriages from the year 1806, but have found the bond executed by Andrew Torborn upon his procuring a license to marry Elizabeth Gilliam Arthur, which bond bears date on the twenty seventh day of March in the year eighteen hundred and one, and together with the certificate of Elizabeth Arthur (subscribed by the witnesses both now dead) authorizing the then clerk to issue the license, bearing the same date with the marriage bond before mentioned now remains amongst the record and files of my office 

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office this twelfth day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty one, and in the sixty fifth year of American Independence
Ro. Gilliam Clk
Page 18

State of Virginia
Prince George County, to wit:

I Richard B. Batle, presiding justice of the Court of Prince George County, in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the attestation hereunto annexed, made, by Robert Gilliam Clerk of the said court, is in and form by the proper officer appointed by the laws of the said state for that purpose, and that full faith and credit is due thereunto in every court or office in the United States.

Given under my hand, at the county of Prince George, in the state of Virginia aforesaid, this 17th day of May 1841 and of the independency of the United States the sixty fifth.
Robt B. Batle J. P.

Certification in the case of Eliz Arthur

State of Virginia,
Prince George County, to wit:

I Robert Gilliam Clerk of the county court of Prince George, in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Richard B. Batle whose certificate is hereunto annexed, is presiding justice of the Court of the said county of Prince George, in the state of Virginia, duly commissioned and qualified to the said office according to the Constitution and laws of the said state, and that the signature above is his genuine signature

In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and the seal of my office this 17th Day of May eighteen hundred and forty one, and of the independence of the United States the sixty fifth year.
Ro. Gilliam Clk

{there is an affixed seal}
Page 19

Muro. [strikethrough OH [strikethrough]

Mrs. Arthur swears to the day on which she was married and that it was 22nd of May 1782. And directly after Husbands resignation.

The document from Anapolis. I hear not when Lt Arthur resigned but it says in the “spring of 1782” and there is a charge made [?] on the 12th of May 1782. It cannot surely be processed that after he had resigned and left the service that he was still with the army. And the charge surely could not have been made for goods if he was not there.

Again this Arrangement of officers [strikethrough] in [strikethrough] due 14th of Jany 1783 in which is written “January Spring of 1782” Arthur this again cannot by probability be continued to [?]  & are 17th of October 1784 had such been the case would not that reasonable have been [strikethrough] spring of [strikethrough] fall of 1781 instead of spring of 1782 – I will hereunto request the certificate to issue for the Pension Act up to the date of May 1782 or to such other period or year shall think proper 

25th August 1841
Yours Respectfully
Henry Northorp
Page 20

30. Aug 1841
Page 21

Washington City 30th Augt 1841

Sir

Youres was received advising me that if the Commissioner signed the Certificate which you returned enclosed the evidence would be satisfactory. He has just done it at his own room being sick. On Saturday I verbally advised you that we submitted to Mrs Arthurs pension claim on her husbands services on the 14th of March 1782 

Lest you may not have recollected I now reflect the Acquisition since and pray you to cause the Certificates in [?] and [???] to office as early as convenient I wish to Mail them to the pensioner so that they may reuse them by 4th [strikethrough] March [strikethrough] Sept I Remain Sir
Yours Respectfully,
Henry Northorp
Page 22

Washington City 3rd of August 1841

Sir
Enclosed is the papers of Mrs Elizabeth Arthur widow of James Arthur reported to have been a Revolutionary officer. You will see that it is nearly a year since she made her declaration but the Claim has been witheld untill the present time in the hope of Attaining some further evidence of Mariage – There being none to be found either record or documentary. And of all the aged people (a number of such being given) some [strikethrough] if [strikethrough] that have been seen had any knowledge of the parties untill subsequent to their mariage – They [?] her cousin found them well and lived in their immediate vicinity at the time of there mareage. He was called on by me and the affidavit procured from this cousin and which he saw and read several times and repeatedly [?] himself to go to Petersburg and testify (he living about five miles distant) and the paper was then left with Alderman Thalling prior the 22nd of April last [strikethrough] until [strikethrough] for him to call and testify as he repeatedly pledged that he would. Until within the last week when it was feared to wait longer lest this Claim should not be delayed [?] to 4th Sept and having already been one year delayed- I wished if possible that it should not be delayed beyond the next term of payment 4th Sept next

Although this is neither record or documentary evidence of Mariage yet there is both record and parish evidence of the Mariage of their daughter in 1801. Hence the mariage must have taken place about the time the widow swears it did – and further she states her mariage should have been very [?] after the resignation of her Husband – it is presumed that the rolls in the department are at Anapolis Maryland will show his rank and the length of time he served – the widdow has [strikethrough] named [strikethrough] no evidence of any kind and only recollects of his being in the south and at the battle of the Cowpens & Guilford Courthouse and that she
Page 23

thinks he was in Col Gundys regiment. The widdow was living in June last and I presume yet is.

Understanding that a precidence is given to Members of Congress I had thought of getting a member to present it for [?] but hope that there will be ample time to pass on the claim so as to issue the Certificate ( if there appears to have been any such office) possession to the 4th Sept next – I have therefore presented it and ask of you to do me the kindness and befriend this widdow by having the claim acted on and decided for [?] or no so that if the result is favorable that she may enabled to draw her pension after 4th Sept next I remain sir
Yours Respectfully
Henry Northorp
Page 24

Washington City 13th of August 1841

Sir
Enclosed is the Certificate of Geo G Brewer Register of the land office at Anapolis Maryland giving the rank and services of Lt James Arthur. Which I hope will be found fully satisfactory. Although the day of his resignation is not given there is an account against him on the 12th of May 1782 at which time he probably resigned it is highly improbable that there could have been any amount against him after he had left the service, further by comparing this statement with the widdows declaration of resignation and immediate marriage on his arrival at the place of his residence corroborates the time as ten days would then elapse between his resignation and mariage.

The documentaries of his not settling and remaining pay may also be accounted for in his marrying a wealthy lady (for such she was) and remaining in that section of Georgia and to have obtained his pay must have gone onward to Anapolis Maryland Will you sir be so kind as to have this case reported as early as practicable and oblige sir
Yours Respectfully
Henry Northrup
Page 25

Land Office, Annapolis, 12th Aug’st 1841

Sir,
Your letter of the 7th Jul was received, The records and papers of the Revolution in the office are very imperfect – and they afford but little evidence of the services of James Arthur a Lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment of the Maryland line, - By a paper or list headed “Arrangement of the Maryland line in 1781” and showing the Promotions since 1st January, 1781, the name of James Arthur, appears upon said list to have been commissioned as Ensign, on the 17th of June, 1780, in the 2nd Regiment, and on the 16th of March, 1781 was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, in place of Lieutenant Carr, resigned. Also, upon another paper endorsed “Arrangement of the five Maryland Regiments 1st January, 1783, with the Promotions up to that period”. I find in the margin of remarks opposite the name of Ensign Wm. Goldsborough the following entry “vacancy Spring of 1782, Arthur’s resig”, Ensign Goldsborough being promoted in his place, - from these papers it would therefore appear that Lieutenant James Arthur was in service from the 17th of June 1780, to the Spring of 1782. – What is singular in this case I do not find [strikethrough] the [strikethrough] his name upon any of the pay rolls to have received his pay for revolutionary services. An Account is opened with him upon the Army Ledger, and he stands charged with goods and money amounting to L(pounds)100.S(shillings)12. .C(cents)2 up to the 12th May 1782, but that amount appears never to have been settled and there is marked in red ink on the account, “a/c not settled”, - I have thus given you all the information to be obtained from the records in this office.
(over)
Page 26

and presume no further certificate is necessary.
I am respectfully
yr. obt. sv.
G.G. Brewer

Henry Northorp, Esq
Page 27

Washington City 25th December 1841

Sir
As the Legislature of Maryland sits on Monday next and as I have the memorial of Mrs Elizabeth Arthur widow of Lt James Arthur to lay before a the Legislature of that state for a Pension (granted to all by that state) for her husbands services as a Lieutenant of the Maryland line – I have to ask of you to do me the kindness to furnish me with a certified copy of the papers on which she obtained Pension obtained 2nd of Sept last another original agency to wit her declaration. The affidavit of [?] and 2 year and the certificate of the Clerk of Prince Georges County – I hear three are all the copies wanted
I remain sir
Yours Respectfully
Henry Northorp