Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4,160, Jeffery Coley, N.C.
Page 1

([?]-1776)
SERVICE N.C.

Coley, Jeffery
or
Cooley

NUMBER W. 4,160

Sally
CONTENTS

[remaining lines left blank]
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5228
North Carolina
Sally Coley dec'd.
widow of   Jeffery Coley
N C
who was a   Private
in the   Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars
Cents [previous word struck through] per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843. & end
26. December 1863, when she died. [previous eight words handwritten]
Certificate of Pension issued the
3. day of April 1844
and sent to Hon. J. R. J. Daniel
H. [Rep]
Payable to her Administrator
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 1. Page 199.
Page 3

Declaration ~
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of
July 1838, Entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions
to certain widows ~
State of North Carolina
Halifax County}
On this ninth day of July 1840 personally
appeared before me a Justice of the
peace for the County & State above written Mrs Sally Coley a resident
of Halifax County aged Seventy Six 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 granting half pay & pensions
to certain widows"~ That she is the widow of Jeffery Coley who
was a private soldier in the North Carolina Line in the War of the
Revolution and served as such as will more fully appear by the
annexed certificate of the Secretary of State of North Carolina,
which she prays may be taken as evidence of his service -
she further declairs [declares] that she was married by Eaton Pugh Esqr to the
said Jeffery Coley on the 15th day of May Seventeen Hundred
and Ninty [Ninety]. That she has a perfect recollection of it, but no record
of the marriage was made as neither she or her husband could
write- She further declairs [declares] that her husband the said Jeffery
Coley died on the 30th of November 1822. That she was not
married to him previous to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen 
Hundred and ninty four viz: at the time above mentioned
      her
Sally X Coley
     Mark
Page 4

State of North Carolina
Halifax County
This day personally appeared
before me a Justice of the Peace for the County of Halifax
Mrs Sally Coley widow of Jeffery Coley and subscribed &
swore to the foregoing declaration in due form of
Law. I also certify that she is a very old and indigent
woman residing Twenty four miles from Halifax and
unable to attend at court, having no means of going but to
walk; which would greatly in danger [endanger] her health -
Given under my hand & seal this ninth day of
July 1840.
Jas. J. Vaughan  JP
Page 5

State of North Carolina
Halifax County }
The joint affidavit of Nathan Baker and his wife Elizabeth Baker taken as evidence in behalf of an application for a pension made by Sally Coley wife of Jeffery Coley. These affiants being first duly sworn according to Law testify and say that they lived in the same neighbourhood with Jeffery Coley during the war of the Revolution and well remember that he was repeatedly in service, he was at the defeat of
Gnl. Gates and returned home and a short time after he was taken from home and made to serve in the Continental service for three years, his returning home after the defeat being considered desertion. These affiants well remember the marriage of Jeffery Coley with his wife now applying for a pension; They are unable to specify the day but they know it took place about the middle of May Seventeen Hundred and Ninty. These affiants were present at the marriage and they know it then took place from the fact that their eldest son German Baker is now in His Fiftieth year of his age and at that time he was not much over a month old. These affiants also know that Dolly Coley the oldest child of Jeffery Coley is now Forty Eight years of age, and resides near these affiants.
In conclusion these affiants testify that Sally Coley now
applying for a Pension is the identical person married
in 1790 to Jeffery Coley, and that to their knowledge she
has never married since the death of the said Jeffery
Coley. They also testify that Jeffery Coley and his wife were unletterd persons and of course kept no record of their marriage.
Nathan Baker
Elizabeth Baker
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State of North Carolina
Halifax County}
on this ninth day of July
1840[1?] personally appeared before me a Justice of
the Peace for the [illegible] County, Nathan Baker
and his wife Elizabeth Baker and swore &
subscribed the forgoing affidavit [in due?]
form of Law. I also certify that Nathan Baker
and his wife are persons of high credit and
respectability - and their testimony is entitled
to full faith and credit.
Given under my hand and seal this
day and year above written
Jas. J. Vaughan JP
"
Page 7

5493
Marc. 6. 1844
N.C.
Mar 3d 1843
Sally Coley dec'd

Payable to 26 Dec. 18943
the day after her death to her administrator

Hon. J. R. J. Daniel
H. R.


sideways
Gaston NC
illegible
Hon. J. R. Daniel
Washington City D. C.
Page 8

State of North Carolina
Halifax County}
Be it known that before
me M A Allen a Justice of the Peace in and
for the County aforesaid Personally appeared
Robin Coley and made oath in due form of
law that Salley Coley the [identical Person who
was a Pensioner to whome a certificate of Pension
was issued for five years under the act of the
7th July 1838, and surrendered to the agent for paying
Pensions at Fayittvill [Fayetteville] North Carolina is dead that 
the said Salley Coley resided in halifax County
and died on the 26th day of December 1843
as will more fully appear by refference to the
testamony hereunto annexed. The said Robin Coley
further declares that he is the Brother of the said
Salley Coley who was a Pensioner and is the
nearest relation she had at the time of her death consequently is her heir and legal representative
and as such ask that the money due to her
(the said Salley Coley) up to the time of her
death may be paid to him the said Robin Coley
February 17th 1844
Test
M A. Allen JP
       his
Robin x Coley
      mark


State of North Carolina  
Halifax County}
This day Personally appeared
Before me M A Allen one of the acting Justices
of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid
Robin Coley and in due form of law swore to
the foregoing declaration and subscribed the same
in my presence   I also certify that the foregoing declaration
is intitled to full faith and credit given under my hand
and seal the 17th day of February 1844
M A Allen JP  "seal"
Page 9

State of North Carolina
Halifax County}
February Sessions 1844
Satisfactory evidence having been offered the
Court sufficient to substantiate and confirm the facts set
fourth [forth] by Robin Coley in the foregoing declaration, which
he has subscribed and sworn to therefore be it ordered by
the said Court; that the clerk amend his certificate and
Seal of Office
Rice. B. Peirce Chairman


I James Simmons clerk of the court of Please [Pleas] and
Quarter Sessions for Halifax County certify that
Rice B Pearce is Chairman of our Court of Please [Pleas]
and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid and
that M A Allen is a Magistrate as above stated and
that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs
is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto
affixed my seal of office and subscribed my
name the 20th day of February 1844.
Jas Simmons Clk
Page 10

Halifax County
N. Carolina}
Hon J R J Daniel
March [1?] 1844

Dear Sir I have to ask the favor of
you to attend to a small Pension Claim. The circumstances
are these Salley Coley of my county to whome a certificate
of Pension was issued for five years undder [under] the act
of the 7 July 1838 which Pension she had received before
her death. But in addition to the five years Pension above
Congress passed an act at the last session allowing
her (and all such) one years pay more the sum
allowed per annum was 80 dollars which amount
was due to her at the time of her death. But
just in the act of applying for the last years pay
she was called to mingle with her kindred dust she
died on the 2[6?] of December 1843.
You will perceive by the declaration of Robin Coley
which I have inclosed that he is her Brother and [illegible: likely "nearest"]
relation she had consequently is her heir and
representative and as such ask that the amount
which was due to his sister Salley Coley from the
goverment may be paid to him
I hope as Sally Coley was known at the war department
as a pensioner that it will give you but
Little trouble to procure a certificate for the 80
dollars in favor of Robin Coley or for what ever
amt may be found upon examination to be due to
the said Salley Coley [and?] up to the time of her death
If any expense be necessary in order to establish the
claim I will pay you when we next meet
when the certificate is obtained enclose it to me directed
to Littleton P. office.
If space would permit I would give you a skitch of the
passing events but have only room to say be assured
of my renewed esteem and best wishes for your Personal
wellfare H
M A. Allen
PS I would be pleased read a letter from you
Page 11

[Re?y]
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 4160
Salley Coley
Wid.
Jeffery Coley
Pvt. Rev. War

Act: Mch 31st [43?],
Index: --Vol. [?], Page 143
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

To,
Col: James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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Ravenswood July 23d 1840
To
Col James L Edwards
Sir,
enclosed you will receive the application of Mrs Sally Coley widow of Jeffery Coley, or Coolely for the name
is written both ways on the records, for the benefit of the act of the 7th of July 1838. The evidence of his service for a period of three years is fully established by the certificate of the Secretary of State Wm Hill.
The marriage prior to 1794 is equally will established by the testamony [testimony] of Nathan Baker & his wife; persons of unimpeachable character and could be proved by others equally respectable if I did not deem
their evidence conclusive.
The only difficulty which the case presents is the fact that the record shows him to have deserted at one time. The circumstances attending that transaction [^ three words inserted, illegible] fully explained by the evidence of Col Joseph John Alston. He says and most truly that desertions after the defeat of Gates & Buford were common & never to the prejudice of the party provided he returned and performed his duty as did Coley; for it appears he served 3 years after that period. For which he received Bounty Lands. By reference to the case of Job Gargis or Garrigus granted in 1835 or 36, from this state you will find that the following facts~ Gargis is reported a deserter & on parole
Testimony proving that he was after that period in service; a
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pension was granted to him~ In this case the service after the desertion
is proved by the Records. By a reference to the papers in the case of
Gargis now on file I know you will find the facts as I have stated them ~
The time has been when an application supported by such the
Testimony as I now offer in this case would produce any thing but doubt in
relation to its success. But of late days I must be candid and say that I have
been much at a loss to know what state of proof would be sufficient to satisfy
your mind. I conclude with the hope that the evidence in this case will be 
satisfactory; and the request that you will let me hear from you, with as little
delay as [now?] may be consistent with your ingagments [engagements].
I remain Very Respectfully
R. H. Mosky
Page 15

[circular stamp reading: RALEIGH N.C. AUG 11]
FREE
James L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 16

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office
10th August 1840.
Sir
Your letter of the 5th instant was received
this morning, asking information respecting the services
of Jeffery Coley, or Cooley, who it appears was a private
Soldier in the line of this State in the revolutionary 
war. I am of opinion that he was brought
first into the service and placed in the regular
line as one of the [9?] months drafts. He may have
been drafted on the 1st of June 1778, and not taken
to the regular army until the 20th July, and
having deserted the next day, was taken and compelled
to serve 3 years in consequence of his desertion. 
I have no doubt he is the person who was
paid by this State to August 1779, and by the United States to 1st January 1786, and that he is the same
person whose name appears on the printed list of
settlements made at Warrenton in 1786.
The Warrenton settlements are not to be relied
on, there was much fraud said to have
been committed by the Commissioners
Very respectfully your Obt. Servt.
W" Hill
Page 17

State of North Carolina
Secretary of States Office
December 22nd 1840
Sir
your letter of the 17th instant is received
and on examination of the case of Jeffrey Coley, or Cooley
I find he was placed on the musterrolls of the 
Continental line of this State on the 20th July 1778, as 
a private Soldier for the term of 9 months, that he deserted on the 21st July same year, that he was 
mustered again on the [blank] Janry [January] 1779 for 3 years in the 5th
Regiment (he was first in the 10th Regiment) that
a warrant for bounty land issued for 3 years service
on the 23rd Novr. [November] 1797, drawn by a man that I know
lived in Granville County, his account was settled
by a Board of Commissioners who sat in Warrenton
in the year 1786, and this allowance drawn by a
man who resided in Granville County, from which
circumstances, and there being but one of that name
on the rolls, I am induced to believe, that the same
person mustered as above stated is the same who was
allowed ₤41.15.1. by the Commissioners who sat at
Warrenton in the year 1786. If in my letter of
the 10th of August last, I said he was allowed up
to
Page 18

to the 1st of Janry [January] 1786, it was an error, I only intended
to say the allowance was made in the year 1786.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
W. Hill
Page 19

Feb 3 1841
Mr. Coley.

James L Edwards
Commissioner of
pension office

Hn. J. A. Bynum
[illegible]
Page 20

Feb. 1st, 1841

Sir,
I [overwritten: have] requestd, & to state to you
the characters of Jesse N Falcon
Col. Joseph Alston & Nathan
Baker - They are Gentlemen that
I have known from infancy, & I
take pleasure in offering evidence
of their high standing & respectability
in the section of country where
they are known, & that the evidence
of no gentlemen would soon[er?]
be taken, than that of those Gentlemen
& I hazzard little in saying all confidence
may be placed in any statement
made by them -
I have the honor to be
with great respect
yr. obt. sevt" [Your Obedient Servant]
J. A. Bynum

Washington City
Page 21

Washington City Feb. 5. 1841.
James L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I have been requested to
state for your information the Law of
the State of N. Carolina [North Carolina] regulating marriages.
We have a law requiring parties
previous to entering into marriage to give
a bond with security that the wife shall
not become charable upon the County.
In very many instances, bond and security
are neither given, nor required; and marriages
are solemnized before a Magistrate
or clergyman, upon the mere production
of a license. The record or registration
of marriage bonds is no
^conclusive
evidence for or against a party. The
numerous instances when the parties
give no bonds, together with those where
bonds are given, and the parties have failed
to marry, leaves the fact & legality of a mar-
Page 22

riage [marriage] open to proof away from the
records. Licenses directed to clergymen
 & magistrates, are issued
from the Clerk's office upon the payment
of a fee. When presented to
the Clergyman, or magistrate, he
is authorised to act under it, &
to marry the parties. The license
is retained by the Clergyman, or
magistrate, there being no law requiring
its return to the Clerk's.
office, or to any one; and no law
requiring the Clerk to ^[keep] a record of the
licenses issued from his office.
I am a Magistrate for the County in
which I reside, and have frequently
Solomenised [solomnized] the rites of matrimony
between parties. In no instance
Page 23

have I returned the license to
the Clerk's office.
I refer you to the revised statutes of the
state of No. Carolina in Confirmation
of what I have stated
Yours respectfully
K. Rayner
Page 24

Jeffery Cooley
enlisted July 20 1778 [des'ed?] [deserted] July 21 1778
same Jan 7. 1777 for 3 years
Sec. Cert.
Jeffery Coley
enl? June 1, '78 p:q State to Aug 1, 1779
adn [?] U.S. & paid to Jany 1 1782
Settled at Warrenton 1786
Act No 323 [previous numbers struckthrough] 3235 [Mss? illegible]
[Printed?] [??? ??? ??] [Warrants?] No 3235
paid McMarshall ₤41.15[?]1
[???] W Landers
Page 25

Dec 26 1840
Conw

[crossed though script]
Coly or Colley
[illegible]
Sally Cooley, widow
of Jeffery Colley,
Private U.S. Army
$80 per annum
act 1838

N. Carolina Role
Send out to
R.H. Mosby
Present

[written sideways]
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 26

July 9, 1840
Jeffery Coley d 1822
Ann S. Coley m  May 179[0?]
cort of Secretary NC
July 78 9 [mnth?]: deserted July 78
Jan. 79 3 ys [years]
Land Warrant 274 acres
Nov. 23 1797 for 3 ys
dated July 10. 1840

Alston, the witness says that
Cooley deserted at Gates'
defeat & that he marched
him & others back to the army
Jan 7 79 for 3 [yr?] Jany 82"
[Aug?] 80 to [Fer?] 82 18 [mos?]
See papers of Sally Samuel
of NC: for proof that marriage 
bond, who [???] & [??? ???] Clerks. Off. ad[?] No 5887 [July?] 7
Page 27

6024,
North Carolina.
Sally Cooley,
widow of Jeffery Cooley,
who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank]
and who died on the 30th November 1822.
of Halifax, in the State of N. Carolina [North Carolina]
who was a private in the Compy [company] commanded
by Captain Montforts of the 10th Regt. [10th Regiment] commanded
by U.S. Army - in the N. Carolina
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina
at the rate of 80. Dollars ~ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of Feby 184[6?]
and sent to and R. H. Mosley
Present.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept: 1840 $360:00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar [14?] 40.00
400:00
{Act July 7,
1838}
Recorded by Wm C Zantzinger Clerk,
Book A  Vol. 2  Page 186.
Page 28

557[?]
N.C.
Mar 3d 1843
Sally Cooley


Hn.
J R J Daniel
HR
Page 29

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of
the 3rd of March 1843, granting pensions for one
year to certain widows who have received pensions
under the act of July 7th 1838-
State of North Carolina
Halifax County}
On this 20th December 1843 personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County Sally Coley a resident of said County aged
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 provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war.     That she is the widow of Jeffery Coley, who was a private in the North Carolina line, in the army of the revolution - and that she received Eighty Dollars pr. annum, as a pension under the act of 7th July. 1838- She further declares that she is still a widow. -- Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before,
Jas. J Vaughan [?]

her
Sally x Coley
mark
Page 30

State North Carolina
Halifax County}
I certify that the above Salley is still a widow and
the same, and Identical person that has already drawn a pension under the act of 7th July 1838- as above described,
given under my hand
and seal this 20th December 1843
Jas J Vaughan H
[inked in squiggly bubble with written word, possibly "Seal"]

State of North Carolina
I James Simmons Clerk of the of the [sic] Court of pleas and quarter sessions for the County of Halifax do hereby certify that James J Vaughan whose signature appears to the above certificate is and was when he signed the same an acting Justice of the peace in & for our said County. 
In testimony whereof 
I hereto set my hand
and affix my seal of
office this 15 day
of March 1844
Ja Simmons Clk
''
Page 31

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify, that it appears from the musterrolls of the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, that Jeffery Cooley a private Soldier in Capt Montford's Company of the 10th Regiment, enlisted 20th July 1778, for the term of nine months and deserted on the 21st day of July 1778; that he was mustered again in Janry [January] 1779 for the term of three years, and that nothing more is said of him on the rolls. I further certify, that it appears of record in this Office, that a Military Warrant for the services of the said Jeffery Cooley was issued on the 23rd day of November 1797, for 274 Acres of land, No. 4789, which warrant was issued on the certificate of a Field Officer and for the quantity of acres of land allowed by law for three years services of a private Soldier.
Given under my hand this
10th day of July, 1840.
W" Hill
Page 32

Sally Coley of N.C.
No 7241
widow of Jeffrey
Act 7 July 1838
Page 33

State of North Carolina
Halifax County ⎬ 
This day personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the County & State above written Col: Joseph
J. Alston of the said County; who being first duly sworn according to Law [testafies?] and say[??] that he well knew Jeffery Coley and can testafy [testify] to the fact that he was known & reputed to be a soldier of the
Revolution, he also knows that he ran home from Gates defeat as did all the men then in service. This affiant was imployed in taking and marching to Halifax the men who ran away at the defeat and William Wood now a pensioner and living in this County was taken
by this affiant and carried to Halifax he being one of Gates men - 
It was not considered to the prejudice of any one that they returned home at that time, only if they did not report themselves for duty they were liable to serve 12 months. I am confident that Jeffery Coley never deserted except when he returned from Gates defeat; he was after wards in service & served most faithfully. I well know Nathan Baker & his wife & can testify that they are to be credited as much as any
persons & from my own recollection & knowledge of the age of the children of Jeffery Coley I know he was married to his wife now applying for a pension as early as 1790.
Given under my hand this 20th day of July 1840.
J J Alston
''
Page 34

State of North Carolina
Halifax County

This day personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the County above written Col Joseph h John Alston of the said county one of the oldest and most respectable citizens; and subscribed and sworn to the forgoing affidavit in due form of Law.
Given under my hand & seal this 20th day of July 1840.
Marcus A Allen JP

State of North Carolina
Halifax County

I James Simmons Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that James J Vaughan Esqr whose name appears attached to the declaration of Sally Coley & the joint affidavits of Nathan Baker & his wife,- also the signature of M A Allen Esqr to the affidavit of Col Joseph J Alston, are and were at the time of signing the same acting Justices of the peace for the county of Halifax and that full faith and credit is due to their official acts as such
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my handand affix the seal of my office. Done at office this 21st day of July 1840
Jas Simmons clk
[seal]