Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37,915, Francis Epperson, Va.
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Va              Epperson, Francis              S37,915
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26785
Kentucky
26,
Francis Epperson of Fayette Co. in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Benning of the regt commanded by Col. Holcomb in the Virginia line for 6 months. 
     
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 20 Dollars __ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of May 1834 and Hon. W.J. Berry P.M. Genl.

Arrears to the 4th of March                60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept.    10.00
                    $70.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk
Book E Vol. 7 Page 8
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Order to pay 19. Sept. 1 (smudged)

Date of death
not on AB
Page 4

F Epperson
Dec
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State of Kentucky
Fayette County 
On this 11th day of March 1833 personally appeared in open court before the County 
Court of Fayette County in the state of March, Francis Epperson, of said county aged eighty two years 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 June 7th 1832. That he 
entered the service under the following named officers and served as herein stated. He was first called into the service to guard Burgoyne’s men at Albemarle County Virginia, it has been a long ago it has nearly gone out of his head. He does not remember the name of the colonel and the field offices but he does remember the name of the captain was John Benning. It was as he believes in the year 1777 that he made this tour but the day of the month he cannot recollect. He has forgotten how long he continued to serve. He had no fighting then. He only went to stand guard and keep the prisoners within bounds. He then lived in Buckingham County Virginia and was as he believes drafted. He was however called upon to perform a tour of duty in the Militia. He has search his papers and can find no documentary evidence of his service. He had a 
discharge but supposes he lost
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 it by removing from Virginia That he can find no person any where by whom he can prove 
this service. He also again entered the service in 1781 under Gen'l Robt Lawson Colo John 
Halcomb Maj Spencer whose given name he has forgot Capt. John Chambers. That he entered the service in in the month of February and left it some time in the summer of that year. That he was in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse between Genl Green and Genl 
Cornwallis on the 15th day of March 1781 and was in no other battle. That in marching he went through Lunenburg County Virginia but did not charge his memory & can’t tell the names of the county or counties in Carolina. That as to this service he has no written discharge  or other proof and knows of no one by whom he can prove his services. He herby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to & subscribed the Day & year aforesaid. 
                  Francis X Epperson   
                       (x his mark)
We George Boon a clergyman residing in the county of Fayette and Samuel Taul
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and James Laffoon residing in the same county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Francis Epperson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty two or three 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 day & year aforesaid.

Geo. G Boone 
Samuel Taul 
     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 foregoing named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - and the court further certifies that it appears to them that George G. Boon who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident of the county of Fayette and that Samuel Taul who also signed the same is a resident in the county of Fayette and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
                      Saml Blair Presiding J.
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Commonwealth of Kentucky Fayette County to wit:
March Court 1833.
I James C. Rodes clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Francis Epperson for a pension and that Saml Blair was the presiding Justice of said Court at the time said proceedings were presented to said court, and that his signature thereto, is his proper signature.  I do further certify that said original proceedings were erased in one place and interlined in two places before the same were presented to said Court.
           In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said Court to be hereunto affixed this 12th day of March 1833 and of the Commonwealth the 41st year.
             J.C. Rodes Clk. F.C.C.
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State of Kentucky 
Fayette County 
On this the 12th day of May 1834 personally appeared before the county court held in the 
County of Fayette in open court now in session, Francis Epperson a resident of Fayette County  
& state aforesaid aged about 83 years & a half  who being first 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 entered the service and in the army of the United States in the year 1778 as a volunteer in a company of militia commanded by Capt John Benning. He remained in the army for three months at that time. During all of which time he was under command of Capt. Benning. He only volunteered for a tour of three months. He 
does not remember the names of the other officers of the company or of the regiment to which it belonged. At  the time he entered the service he lived in Buckingham County Virginia. 
From Buckingham the company was marched to Albemarle. Some of Burgoyne’s men were stationed there & he & the company aforesaid constituted part of the guard. He was engaged in no battle this tour. It being his duty to guard the prisoners.  
     He has no documentary evidence of his service. He had a discharge but supposes he has lost it. He knows of no person by whom he can prove this service. 
     In his former statement filed herewith he stated the time of this service in 1777.
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This however was a mistake. The service was in 1778 and as he now believes in the spring 
of that year and continued three months. He was a private soldier. 
     He also states that on his return from Albemarle he united himself to a company of 
“minute men” in Buckingham County under the command of Capt. Glover & as one of that 
company continued to act from time to time as required until the month of February or March 
1781 when he joined Genl Green’s army at Haw River in N Carolina. As a minute man his services were frequently required & always given when required. Once he recollects in 
protecting & removing stores from Albemarle. 
     He has no documentary or other evidence of this service. 
     In February or March 1781 he again volunteered for a tour of six months in the company 
of Capt. John Chambers. The field officers were Gen. Robert Lawson, Col Jno Halcomb, Maj. 
Spencer. 
     This company marched from Buckingham & went to Gen’l Green’s Army at Haw River. 
He thinks the company marched through Prince Edward, Nottoway, and Lunenburg Counties & perhaps others. He was in the Battle of Guilford Court House between Genl Green & Cornwallis. 
     He served this time for & during the term of six months. 
     He herewith forwards his former
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statement as part of the except so far as the former differs from this. 
     He says that the difference in the two statements was occasioned either by his bad 
memory at the time the first was given or by the hurry of the person who drew it up. 
He was a private in each service. He was born in Pohatan [sic] County Virginia in 1750. 
His age is recorded in Powhatan. He has no record of it here. 
     He resided in Buckingham till the  year 1796 when he moved to Fayette County Ky where he has lived ever since. 
     He is known to Gen: James Shelby, Peter Evans, Ambrose Young &c. 
     He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present 
& he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. 
     He has no documentary evidence of either of the services above named nor does he know 
any person living by whom he can prove them or either of them. 
                      Francis Epperson    
                        (x his mark)
     We George G Boone a clergyman residing the County of Fayette and State of Kentucky and Samuel Taul residing in the same county of Fayette hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Francis Epperson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have
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been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.  Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
                       Geo. G. Boon
                       Saml Taul

...and the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the questions 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 George G. Boon who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Fayette and state of Kentucky and that Samuel Taul who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Fayette county and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
                          Wm. Stanhope
                          Residing Justice.

Commonwealth of Kentucky Fayette County to wit May Court 1834
     I James C. Rodes clerk of the County Court for the Court aforesaid do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Francis Epperson for a Pension: and that William Stanhope was the presiding Justice of said Court at the time said proceedings were presented, and that his signature thereto is his proper signature.  And I do further certify that the names of George G. Boon and Saml. Taul to the above certificate were erased before the same was presented to said.
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 16th day of May 1834 and of the commonwealth the 42nd year.
                J.C. Rodes Clk.F.C.C.

(seal)
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Francis Epperson
Kentucky.

fm 1778 Pr 6 mo
$20

can only allow for 6 m viz 3 mo for last tour as (illegible)
1st decla not precise in 

Hon. W.T. Barry
P.M. Genl
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office
May 4th 1833
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.  These 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, showing the Service of Francis Epperson

(col. 1)
Period when the service was rendered.
drafted 1777
Feb. 1781

(col. 2)
Duration of the claimant's service
Years. Months. Days.
Not stated do.

(col. 3)
Rank of the claimant.
Pri.
"

(col. 4) 
Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Capt. Benning
Col. Holcomb Capt Chambers

(col. 5)
Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.
82
Buckingham Co., Va.

(col. 6)
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.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 served 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 offices, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application 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 

     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 first 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, if 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 or any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____.                         A.B.
     Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
     [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) herby 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 certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. 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 product 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 product 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person
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  3

alleged service, as they are known at the Department.  A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means or corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted;  and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-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 of 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?
     How were you called into service;  were you drafted, did you volution, 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 the 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 the 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.

(The following are small type footnotes at the bottom of the page.)

[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 claim cannot be had.  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 Just of the Peace, &c. A.B. who, being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that, by reason 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 ribbons, 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.
     [j]  The notes from [a] to [i] are 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.
Page 17

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
EEL                          April 1, 1930


Mrs. G. Lichthardt
2309 L. Street
Sacramento, California

Dear Madam:
     I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.37915, it appears that Francis Epperson was born in 1750, in Powhatan County, Virginia.  
      While residing in Buckingham County, Virginia, he enlisted in the spring of 1778, and served three months as a private in Captain John Benning's Virginia Company.
     He enlisted in February, 1781, served six months as a private in Captain John Chambers' Company, Colonel John Holcombe's Virginia Regiment, and was at the battle of Guilford Court House, March 15, 1781.
     After the Revolution, he lived in Buckingham County, Virginia, until 1796, when he removed to Fayette County, Kentucky, where he was residing when he was allowed pension on his application executed March 11, 1833.
     There are no data concerning his family.
     In order to identify the record of any other particular soldier of the Revolution surnamed Epperson, it is essential that you furnish the first name, with as much as possible of the following data pertaining to him; approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
             Very truly yours

             E.W. MORGAN
             Acting Commissioner.

Date of death not on AB
Page 18

                    November 28, 1936.

Mrs. Rosamond A. Lamb           BA-J/ILL
2612 L Street
Sacramento, California  

Dear Madam:
     Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Francis Epperson of Virginia, and William Ryer of New York.
    There is ni (sic) claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of any William Ryer.  The record of Francis Epperson is furnished herewith.
                    Very truly yours,

                    A.D. HILLER,
                    Executive Assistant
                    to the Administrator.
Page 19

                                November 30, 1936
                                 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

                                 Ba-J/EEL
                                 Francis Epperson - S.37915
Mrs. Rosamond A. Lamb
2612 L. Street
Sacramento, California

Dear Madam:
     The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.37915, based upon the military service of Francis Epperson in that war.
     Francis Epperson was born in November, 1750, in Powhatan County, Virginia.  The names of his parents are not shown.
     While living in Buckingham County, Virginia, Francis Epperson enlisted, served as a private in Captain John Benning's Virginia Company, and acted as guard for the prisoners of Burgoyne's army in Albemarle County, Virginia, length of service, three months:  after the termination of this service, he returned to Buckingham County, Virginia, where he enlisted as a minute man in Captain Glover's Virginia Company, and was called out on alarms at different times, entire length of this service not given.  He enlisted in February, 1781, served as a private in Captain John Chambers' Company, Colonel John Holcombe's Virginia Regiment, marched to North Carolina and was in the battle of Guilford Court House;  length of service, six months.
     In 1796, he moved from Buckingham County, Virginia, to Fayette County, Kentucky where he was residing when he was allowed pension on his application executed March 11, 1838.
     There are no data as to soldier's famiy.
     In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pension, Francis Epperson (S.37915), you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

(handwritten in margin)
He said in the spring of 1778, but as Burgoyne's men did not get to Va until the winter of 1779, i think he really enlisted in spring of 1779.  Also his Capt. served from 1779, so I omitted date.
Page 20

Francis Epperson
Certificate No. 26785
Issued May 29, 1834
Rate $20 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Kentucky Agency.

              Very truly yours

              A.D. HILLER
              Executive Assistant
              to the Administrator.
Page 21

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
EEL
                March 31, 1930

Birta Epperson Becker
1010
H. Street
Sacramento, California

Dear Madam:
     I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.37915, it appears that Francis Epperson was born in 1750 in Powhatan County, Virginia.
     While residing in Buckingham County, Virginia, he enlisted in the spring of 1778, and served three months as a private in Captain John Benning's Virginia Company.
     He enlisted in February, 1781, and served six months as a private in Captain John Chambers' Company, Colonel John Holcombe's Virginia Regiment, and was at the battle of Guilford Court House, March 15, 1781.
     after the Revolution he lived in Buckingham county, Virginia, until 1796, when he removed to Fayette County, Kentucky, where he was residing when he was allowed pension on his application executed March 11, 1833.
     There are no data concerning his family.
                      Very truly yours

                      E.W. MORGAN
                      Acting Commissioner.

Date of death not on AB
Page 22

                      October 15, 1924

W.P. Epperson,
Inland Printing Co.,
Kaysville, UTAH.

Sir:
     I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 37915, it appears that Francis Epperson was born on November 1750 in Powhatan County, Virginia.  While a resident of Buckingham County, Virginia, he enlisted in the spring of 1778 and served 3 months as a private in Captain John Benning's Virginia Company.  He enlisted in February or March 1781 and served 6 months as a private in Captain John Chambers' Company, Colonel John Holcombe's Virginia Regiment and was in the battle of Guilford.
     He was allowed pension on his application executed March 11, 1833, while a resident of Fayette County, Kentucky. 
     Is (sic) is not stated whether soldier ever married.

                        Respectfully,

                        Commissioner.
Page 23

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
                           June 21, 1924.

Mrs. H.A. Brinkman,
Hinsdale, ILL.

Madam: 
     I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 37915, it appears that Francis Epperson was born in November 1750 in Powhatan County,, Virginia.  While a resident of Buckingham County, Virginia, he enlisted in the spring of 1778 and served 3 months as a private in Captain John Benning's Virginia Company.  He enlisted in February or March 1781 and served 6 months as a private in Captain John Chambers' Company, Colonel John Holcombe's Virginia Regiment and was in the battle of Guilford.  He was allowed pension on his application executed March 11, 1833, while a resident of Fayette County, Kentucky.
     It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
                 Respectfully,
                 Commissioner.
Page 24

(top of page is folded down over text)

...to your request of …, received … statement of the military history of Francis Epperson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
S.37,915

(col. 1)
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OF APPOINTMENT.
Spring 1778
Feby. 1781

(col. 2)
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3 mos.
6 mos.

(col. 3)
RANK.
Pri.

(col. 4)
OFFICES UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  
CAPTAIN.   COLONEL.

John Benning
John Chambers

--
John Holcomb

(col. 5)
STATE.
Va.

Battles engaged in, Guilford C.H.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Buckingham Co., Va. to 1796
Date of Application for pension, Mch. 11, 1833.  His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Fayette Co., Kentucky, from 1796
Age at date of application, 82. b. Nov.-1750 in Powhatan Co., Va.
Remarks:
not sent could not have had son in Rev.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

no reference to Charlotte or Amelia Cos. Va.
Page 25

2612 L Street
Sacramento, California
November 12, 1936

Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
       Will you please give me what information you can of a paternal ancestor who served in the Revolutionary War Francis Epperson (only one) sometimes spelled Apperson, from Culpeper Co Virginia, or he may have lived in Spotsylvania Co. Va.
     Will you also give me the service and all that  can about my maternal ancestor William Ryer of New York City, who served in the Revolutionary War.
     Thank you for such information.
                      Yours truly

                      Mrs. Rosamond a. Lamb

(stamp)
RECEIVED NOV 16 1936
MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM. READER 29
Page 26

1010 H Street
Sacramento California

Pension Bureau
Washington 
D.C.
Dear sir:
     Can you assist me in anyway to find the name of Francis Epperson's wife?  Francis Epperson rec'd a pension for his services in the Revolutionary War, was from Powhatan Co. Va, was born in 1750.  Would like to know the date of his death and where he died if possible.  His son Robert was in the war of 1812 in the battle of the Thames, date of his birth unknown to me but he died in 1823 or 24.  He married a widow named Averly, her maiden name was Lucy Clay Thaxton, daughter of Lucy Clay, and William Thaxton (1812 perhaps), son of Lt. Col. James Thaxton of the N.C. Continental Line.  Any information you can give me of the above persons would be of value to me and I shall appreciate your effort in helping me to get a line on any or all of the above.  I have looked in the Filsons Club Publications but only find when Lucy Clay and Sm. Thaxton were married.  Thanking you, I am very truly
                      Birta Epperson Becker
                      1010 H Street
                      Sacramento, California

Would you be able to find the date of death & birth of Francis Epperson's wife?

(stamp)
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
MAR 14 1830
Page 27

Sacramento Cal
Feb. 18 1930

(stamp)
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
FEB 24 1930

Commissioner of Pensions
     I would appreciate information regarding Francis Epperson who served in the Revolutionary War if you have such information, or if you have information regarding any other Eppersons
Page 28

who came from Virginia and fought in the Revolution.
     Respectfully
Mrs. G. Lichthardt
2309 L St
Sacramento
Calif.
Page 29

Rev Sec
9441 Pleasant Ave
Chicago Apr 14 1916

The Commissioner of Pension
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
    Will you kindly give me the military record of Francis Epperson of Fayette, Kentucky who applied for a pension in 1935 as a soldier of the Revolution from Virginia.
     There were two Francis Eppersons, one from Charlotte Co. Va and the other from Amelia Co. Va.
     Thanking you in advance for the desired information. 
                  Very respectfully
                  (Miss) Mabel McDougall
Page 30

37915
INVALID
Revy.
File No. 37,915
Francis Epperson
Priv. Rev War

Act: 18 March 18

Index:-Vol. 2, Page 160
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 31

1916 Apl 25. History to Miss Mabel McDougall
1924, June 21 - His. to Mrs. H.A. Brinkman.  Her letter in Cl.W.24128, John Apperson.     UM
1924 Oct 15 - Hist to W.P. Epperson.  Let. in cl No 24128, John Apperson.  N.M.
1930 - Mar 31 - Hist. to Birta Epperson Becker. EEL
1930 Apr 1 - Hist. to Mrs. G. Lichthardt EEL
1936 Nov 30 - Hist. to Mrs. Rosamond A. Lamb EL
Page 32

                Northern Bank of Ky
                Lexington  Sept 9th 1837

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commis of Pensions
    Sir
I enclose the papers of Francis Epperson who has drawn for 18 months owing as he says to sickness in his family --
     William Arnold of Grant County Ky Invalid Pensioner who was a Lieutenant in Caldwell's Company of Ky Militia and who is inscribed on the pension roll at the rate of 15$ per month died in November 1836 leaving a widow. this widow is anxious to know whether she is entitled to the benefit of 3d Section of Act passed 4 July '36 -
    It is asserted that the marriage took place previous to his entering service.  As all the necessary evidence of the deceased claim to a pension is on record in your office, would she be required to prove more than her relationship & the fact & date of her husbands death?  Also the date & legality of her marriage?
                     Very respectfully
                     Your Obt. Servt
                           W Ernst  Pens Clk