Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8455, for John Prewit, Virginia
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776]

SERVICE
Va.

Prewit, John 
or Pruett

NUMBER
R.8455

Eady or Eddy
CONTENTS
Page 2

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

32,995
North Carolina

John Prewit decd [deceased]
of [blank] in the State of N. C.
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Regt. commanded
by Col. [blank] in the Revolution
[crossed out – line] for 18 months Virginia

Inscribed on the Roll of Fayetteville
at the rate of 60 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Endg [Ending] 30th April 1837

Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of February 1852 and sent to G. C. Ames

Arrears to the 4th of Present
Semi=anl. [annual] allowance ending [blank]

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by H R Weightman, Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 ½ Page 69
Page 3

No Rejected
John Prewitt decd [deceased]
N. C.
Act 7 June 1832

Belonged to Capt. [Pamney?] Company of Regiment enlisted from [Illegible] 

Prewitt
Widow decd [deceased]
Page 4

State of North Carolina} 
Cleveland County} Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions August Session 1846 
On this 10th day of August 1846 Personally appeared in Open Court now in Session Spencer Pruwit [Spencer Pruett] 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 of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 also the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836. 
That he is a son and one of the heirs at law of John Pruwit who was a private soldier in the Virginia Continental line and as such served the United States against the Common Enemy & was under the following named Officers. That one DeMarcus [the Marquis de Lafayette] was his General the balance of the Officers are not known to this deponent. That he entered the service prior to the Battle of Gilford Court House [Guilford, March 15, 1781] N. C. That he was at the Battle at Gilford Court House this deponent does not know the precise [ink blot] when he entered the service or when he left the Service. This deponent further declares that he is a son and one of the heirs at law of Eady Pruwit who was the widow of the aforesaid John
Page 5

Pruwit. That his Father and Mother the aforesaid John & Eady Pruwit were married sometime in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy eight [1778]. That his Father the aforesaid John Pruwit Died the 30 day of April 1837 and that his Mother died the 2nd day of September 1839. That she remained a widow from the death of the said John Pruwit until her death. This deponent further declares that he is in possession of an old Family Record which gives the births of all the Children of the said John & Eady Pruwit written out many years ago & that the Original Record is hereunto appended. That all the children or heirs at law of the said John & Eady Pruwit who survived the said Eady Pruwit: Elizabeth Smith, Nancy Stockton & this deponent Spencer Pruwit & that they all reside in Cleveland County except Elizabeth Smith who resides in Burke County N C. This deponent further declares that he knows of no person now living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to the services of his Father the aforesaid John Pruwit. 
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court day & date first above written. 
Certified R. Champion, Clerk
Spencer [his X mark] Prewit
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State of North Carolina}
Cleveland County} Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions 
November Term 1851. 
I Silas Williams Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and for the County aforesaid; do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has exhibited at said Court, that John Prewitt, who was reported to have been a soldier of the Revolutionary war from State of Virginia, died on the 30th day of April 1837, leaving surviving him a widow whose name was Eddy Prewitt, and who died the 2d day of September 1839, leaving surviving her two children whose names are Spencer Prewitt and Elizabeth Smith, who are the only surviving children of the aforesaid Eddy Prewitt. 
In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name, and affixed the Seal of said Court at office on the day of November 1851.
S. Williams Clk [Clerk]
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[Crossed out - Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.]

[Stamped] - REJECTED
Own

8455
P. O. Eady Wid [widow]
John Prewitt

Service: _________

Enlisted: ____ ,18
Discharged: _____ ,18

Application filed: _____ ,18

Alleges: ______

Re-enlisted: ______

Attorney: ____
P. O. ____

___Recognized.  _____ Contract.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line, during the Revolutionary War, as settled their Accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, that a Certificate issued on the 30th day of April 1785, in the name of John Prewit, as a Soldier of Infantry for £36.0.0, which Certificate appears to have been delivered to --- Col. Cropper -- and was given for services prior to the 1st January 1782. 

p. 240 {No Seal of Office.}

Given under my hand, at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 2nd day of June 1846. 

Jas E. Heath, AUDITO
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No 6827
Eady Prewit decd [deceased]
N C

Sept. 16, 1846 A R Homesley

Ev. since filed [Illegible] 
Let. G. C. Ames Feb. 27/5[cut off]
M. Thompson [Illegible too dark] 
(Letter enclosed with [Illegible several words])

Act 4 July 1836
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State of North Carolina} 
Cleveland County}
On this 27th day of December 1857 personally appeared before us John B. Gardner & John Cooke two of the Acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County, Spencer Prewitt, Son of John Prewitt, late of this County, who having been duly sworn according to law, deposeth and sayeth, that he was sixty eight years old the 15th day of last September, being born in the year 1783, as he was informed, and that he is the fifth child Eddy Prewitt, widow of John Prewitt, that his mother had four older children than himself, that her first child survived only one day and died, as he has been informed, and that there were two daughter and one son older than himself as above stated, and that he allways [always] heard it stated or said, that John Prewitt and Eddy Prewitt, his father and mother were married in 1779. 
Given under my hand and Seal 
Spencer [his X mark] Prewitt

Sworn to and subscribed before us the day and year above written
John B garner [Garner] J. P.
John Cook J. P.
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We hereby certify, that we are personally acquainted with Spencer Prewitt, a resident of this County as above, that he is a respectable citizen, and a man of strict truth and full faith and credit may be given to his statements upon oath or otherwise. 
Given under my hands and Seals. The day & year above written. 
John B. garner [Garner] JP
John Cook J.P.
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No 38.303 
John Prewit decd [deceased]
N. C. 
Act 7 June 1832 
Adm.d [Admitted] 18 m/pri - $60
per An [annum]: to 30th April 1837
when he died 
Payable to 
Spencer Prewit and 
Elizabeth Smith 
only surviving children 

Cert to 
G. C. Ames 
Present
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Brief in the case of John Prewit dec.d [deceased] County and State of N. C. 
act 7 June 1832

Claim ("original" or [crossed out - “for increase”)] 

Proof exhibited, (if original.) 

Is documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Record evidence of service,

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? 

Name and residence of Agent 
G. C. Ames Present 

Kirby 
Examining Clerk.
Page 16

Power of Atty of heirs of Eddy Prewit wid [widow] of John - N. C 
Suspd [Suspended] under 
Act of July 4, 1836 

Anderson 

Col. M. Thompson Present. 
Recd [Received] Apr 30th 18[Illegible]
Page 17

State of North Carolina} 
Cleavland County} 
On this 27th day of December 1857, personally appeared before us William A. Tisdale & Joseph Magniss two of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County Thomas B. Stockton, aged Sixty Seven years, a resident of said County, and after being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and sayeth, that Spencer Prewitt, son of John Prewitt late of this County, and a soldier of the Revolutionary war from the State of Virginia, as he has been informed, was released from Militia duty or "[Muster free?]” in the year 1828. Being, as this deponent were informed by said Spencers parents born 15th Sept 1783, and this deponent further alledges [alleges], that the said Spencer Prewitt and himself both mustered in the Company of Captain Absalom Watters of this County at the same time, and both residing in the same neighborhood for Several years.
[Signed] Thos B Stockton

Sworn to and subscribed On the day and year above written before us:
Wm. Tisdell J P
Joseph Magniss J P
Page 19

Mr. J. Minott We the heirs of H. Horne Two served in the Removal of the Cherokee Indians and drew a Land warrant for 40 acres and then died and then Mary Horne the Widow of H. Horne Made application for the Balance of the Land that was due to her husband or her self [herself] under an additional act this was done by an Agent and the old Lady is now due and the agent wount [won’t] tell the heirs whether he has received the Warrant or not N. B. the heirs wish you to inform them how the Matter stands plese [please] attend to this forth with this 19th of May 1859
J. H. Horne 
and others 
By P. Peeler 

Mr. J. Minnott I send you a power of attorney made from Spencer Prewit to John Anderson that I taken my self for Mr. Anderson nearly twelve months agon and by neglect and forgetting about the paper it has not been sent on as I was Requested to do by Mr. Anderson and since I have bin [been] Righting [writing] I notice that I left out the old pensioners first name but you will find it in the Department at Washington for he has bin [been] allowed a pension and Mr. Spencer Prewit Wants to know the exact amount that Mr. Cabiness drew for him
Page 21

Argument 
of 
Thompson & Wood 
in case of 
Eddy Prewit decd [deceased] 
Act of 1836
Page 22

Argument 
in the case of 
Eddy Prewit, decd [deceased] widow of John Prewit. Suspd [Suspended] under Act of 1836. 
Washington City May 2. 1853 

To / Hon L. P. Waldo 
Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions 
Dear Sir:- 
We claim a pension for these parties from April 30th 1837, the day he died, up to the 2d of September 1839, when she died, under the Act of July 4, 1836. 
There is but one point in this case, - that of the marriage before his last period of service. The family record, now of file, shews that their first child was born in the year 1779, and he is pensioned by virtue of services at Guilford C. H., which was fought in March 1781! -- two years after the marriage. 
It is a matter of profound surprise that with such evidence on file, the case has not previously been allowed.
Very Respectfully 
Your obt Servant 
Thompson & Wood
Page 24

Sworn to and subscribed On the day and year above written 
John Bgarner J. P. 
John Cook J. P.

We hereby Certify, that we are personally acquainted with John Hoyle as above, that he is an aged and respectable citizen of this County, and a man of strict truth, and full faith and credit may be given to his statements on oath or otherwise. 
Given under our hands and seals This day of December 1857 
John Bgarner J. P.
John Cook J. P.
Page 25

State of North Carolina} 
Cleavland County} 
On this 27th day of December 1857, personally appeared before us John B. Gardner & John Cook two of the Acting Justices of the peace in and for said County, Robert Downs, resident of said County aged fifty nine years, who having been duly sworn according to law, deposeth and sayeth, that he became acquainted with John Prewitt late of this County a soldier of the Revolutionary war, in the year 1811 and has known him until his death, and has frequently heard him speak of his services in the Revolutionary war long before the passage of any pension laws by which he was to be benefited. The said John Prewitt always stated That he came from the State of Virginia and resided, this deponent believes in the County of Bedford, as he has been informed, that he was always recognised [recognized] by all who knew him as a Revolutionary Soldier, that when he came to this County, he brought a wife and family of Children, one of whom, now living, Spencer Pruett, must be from his appearance and his own statement, nearly Sixty eight or sixty nine years of age, and this deponent is informed, there were four children of John Prewitt and Eddy Prewitt, who were older than the said Spencer. The said Spencer is the son of Eddy Prewitt, widow of John Prewitt, the Soldier above stated 
Robert [his X mark] Downs
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Sworn to and Subscribed On the day and above written year 
John B garner J. P. 
John Cook J. P.

We do hereby certify that we are personally acquainted with Robert Downs as above; that he is an aged an [and] respectable citizen of this County, and a man of strict truth, and full faith and credit may be given to his statements on oath or otherwise. 
Given under hands and seals 
This day Dec 1857

John Bgarner J. P. 
John Cook J. P
Page 28

State of North Carolina} 
Cleveland County}
On this 27 day of December 1857 personally appeared before us John B. Gardner & John Cooke two of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County, William Chapman resident of said County aged forty eight years, who having been duly sworn according to law, deposeth and sayeth, that he was well acquainted with John Pruett late of this County, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, that he has known for thirty years, and that he became acquainted with him in the year 1819 and did frequently hear him speak of his services in the Revolutionary war, that he allways [always] said he was a soldier in Virginia in the time of the war; and that he always stated, he came to this County from the State of Virginia, and often and repeatedly heard him speak of his services before the passage of any pension laws by which he was to be benefited, and liven, this deponent believed in Bedford County Virginia, as he has been informed - That he was always recognised [recognized] by all who knew him as a Revolutionary Soldier - That when he came to this County, he brought a wife and family of children, One of whom, now living, Spencer Prewitt must be from his appearance, and his own statement
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be sixty eight or Sixty nine years of age. 
And this deponent is informed there were four children of John Prewitt and Eddy Prewitt who were older than the said Spencer; That the said Spencer is the son of Eddy Pruett the widow of John Prewitt the soldier above stated 
William [his X mark] Chapman 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before as 
John Bgarner J. P.
John Cook J. P.

We do hereby certify, that we are personally acquainted with William Chapman as above, that he is an aged respectable Citizen of this County, and a man of strict truth, and full Credit may be given to his statements on oath or otherwise.
Given under hands and Seals.
This day of Dec 1857
John Bgarner J. P.
John Cook J. P.
Page 30

State of North Carolina} 
Cleveland County}
On this 27 day of December 1857 personally appeared before us John B. Gardner & John Cooke two of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County, Jesse Tallant resident of said County aged forty four years, who having been duly sworn according to law, deposeth and sayeth, that he was well acquainted with John Prewitt late of this County, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, that he became acquainted with him in the year 1819 and that he knew him for more than twenty years, and has heard him speak of his services in the Revolution long before the passage of any pension laws by which he was to be benefited. That the said John Prewitt always stated that he came from Virginia, and resided this deponent believes in the County of Bedford, as he has been informed. That he was always recognised [recognized] by all who knew him as a Revolutionary Soldier, and on that character.
That when he came to this County, he brought with him a wife and family of children, one of whom now living. Spencer Prewitt must be from his appearance and his own statement Sixty eight or sixty nine years of age, and this deponent is informed there were four children of John Prewitt and Eddy Prewitt, who were older than the said Spencer; that the said Spencer
Page 31

is the son of Eddy Pruett widow of John Pruitt the soldier above stated
Jesse [his X mark] Tallant

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before us
John B.garner [Garner] J. P. 
John Cook jp [J. P.]

We hereby certify that that [crossed out – Jesse Tallant] we are personally acquainted with Jesse Tallant as above; that he is a respectable citizen of this County, and a man of strict truth and full faith and credit may be given to his statements upon oath or otherwise. 
Given under hands and seals this day of 1857 
John Bgarner J P 
John Cook J P.
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State of North Carolina} 
Cleveland County} 

I Silas Williams Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County do hereby certify that John B Garner John Cook William A Tisdale and Joseph Magness whose genuine signatures appears to the foregoing is and was acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County at the time of signing the same duly Commissioned and sworn that all their official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of Record having general Jurisdiction. 
Given Under my hand and Seal of Office at Shelby this 13th day of January 1852

Silas Williams Clk [Clerk]
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Washington October 23 1857 
James E Heath Esq 
Sir
Enclosed you will please find Power of Attorney in the Case of Eddy, Prewitt under the act of 4 July 1836, also of John Prewitt under the act of 7 June 1832, both from the State of North Carolina 
I wish to examine the papers filed in support of these claims

Very Respectfully, 
Your Obt Sevt [Obedient Servant]
Geo. C Ames
Page 35

And this deponent further sayeth, That when the said John Prewitt Came to this County, he brought a wife and family of children with him, one of whom now living, Spencer Prewitt from his appearance, and his own statement must be Sixty eight or Sixty nine years of age. And this deponent is informed there four other children of John Prewitt and Eddy Prewitt older than the said Spencer - That the said Spencer is the son of Eddy Prewitt widow of John Prewitt, the Soldier above stated 
Thos B. Stockton 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before us 
W A. Tisdale JP
Joseph Magniss J P. 

We do hereby certify that we are personally acquainted with Thomas Stockton as above; that he is an aged and respectable citizen of this County and a man of strict truth and full faith and credit may be given to his statement upon oath or otherwise. Given under hands and seals the day and year above written
W A Tisdale J P 
Joseph Magniss J P
Page 38

State of North Carolina} 
County of Cleveland} 
Be it known that on this 19th day April A D 1853 Before me the undersigned A Justice [of] the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared John Bgarne A Resident in said County and made oath in due form of law that he is agent of the Identicle [Identical] Heir of John Prewit and Eddy Prewit who Executed the foregoing power of attorney and that he is directly interested agent in said Claim or Claims and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional Evidence or arguments as sd [said] agent may use in prosecuting said Claims
John Bgarner {Seal}
Sworn to and subscribed the Day and year Above written

I John Cook A Justice of the peace in and for said County Do hereby certify that John Bgarner who Executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this County and is I believe directly interested as agent in said Claim or claims as therein set forth 
J Cook {JP}

State of North Carolina} 
Cleveland County} I Silas Williams Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County & State aforesaid hereby certify that John Cook whose signature appears to the foregoing is and was an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid (at the time of signing) duly commissioned & Quallified [qualified] that his official acts as such is entitled to full faith & credit. Given under my hand and Seal of Office at Office the 23d day of April 1853
S. Williams Clk [Clerk]
Page 39

Know all men by these presents that I John Bgarner do here by Irrevoebly [irrevocably] Constitute and appoint M. Thompson Esq of Washington City D. C. my true and lawful agent and attorney to prosecute the Claims
for any amount of Revolutionary pension or increase of pension that may be due and I hereby authorize my said agent to Examine all papers and Documents in relation to said Claims on file in the Department at Washington City or else-where to file additional Evidence or arguments and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said claim or claims and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein Expressed and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present hereby late passage and confirming all that my said attorney and agent shall lawfully do in the premises Witness my hand and seal this the 19th day of April AD 1853 
John B.garner {Seal}
Signed seal in the presents of 
A test Spencer Prewit
A test Peter Hoyle 

State of North Carolina}
County of Cleveland} 
on this 19th day of April 1853 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared John Bgarner and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his act and Deed for the purposes therein mentioned
in testimony whereof I set my hand the day and year above written 
J Cook {Seal}
Page 40

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

State of N. C.}
County of Cleveland} SS:

BE IT KNOWN, That on this 4th of September A. D., eighteen hundred and fifty one before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Spencer Prewitt a resident of [blank] said County, and made oath according to law that he is the son --- of Eddy Prewitt of Cleveland Co ---- 
who made application for a Pension under act of 4th July 1836 as widow of John Prewitt and also under act of 7th June 1832 --
and ---- that he has been informed that the said Pension ought to be allowed; that he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim. 
Spencer [his X mark] Prewitt
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and} 
year aforesaid, before me.} 
John B. Garner J. Peace.} 
I, John B. Garner Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that Spencer Pruett who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth. 
John B. garner J. Peace

1, Silas Williams Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John B. Garner before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is his signature. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal, this 8th September A. D. 1851.
S. Williams Clerk.
Page 42

State of North Carolina}
Cleveland County} 
Be it known that on this the 14th day of April AD 1853 before me the undersigned A Justice of the peace in and for the County and State Aforesaid Personally appeared Spencer Prewit A resident of Cleveland County and made oath according to law that he is the Identicle [identical] Son and Heir of the Identicle [identical] Man &c. who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the pension acts 
and that he is the heir of John Prewitt 
and is directly interested as A Claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional Evidence or arguments as my agent may use in prosecuting said Claim's
Countermanding and revoking all powers of attorney and authority heretofore given. I hereby constitute and appoint John Bgarner Esq of the County of Cleveland and State aforesaid my true and lawful attorney to prosecute the claims of John Prewitt and Eddy Prewitt for any amount of Revolutionary pension or increase of pension that may be due and I hereby authorize my said attorney to Examine all papers and documents in relation to said Claims on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere to file additional Evidence or arguments and to receive for my Exclusive benefit the Certificate which may be issued for said claim which certificate I wish made payable to John B.garner my Agent to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the
Page 44

State of North Carolina} 
Cleveland County} Know all men by these presents that I Spencer Pruett of the County and State aforesaid hath constituted and appointed and by then presents do constitute and appoint John Anderson of Burke County my true and Lawful Attorney for me and in my room and stead to prosecute the claim of [blank] Prewit now deceased for any amount of Pension that may appear to be due on said claim to examine the papers now on file at Washington City or elsewhere to furnish any argument in the prosecution of said claim and do all things in the premises that I might or could do if personally present or any attorney under him & to receive a certificate for any amt that may be due on said claim, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney or attorney under him may do in the premises -- & revoking all former powers of attorney In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 30 day of August 1858
Test P. Peeler Spencer [his X mark] Prewit {seal} 

This 30 day of August 1858 personally came before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Cleveland and State of No. Ca. Spencer Pruett to me personally well known and acknowledged the above power of Atty to be his act and deed for the purposes therein specified and I certify that I believe the said Spencer Pruett to be personally interested in a claim being a son of the aforesaid Pensioner
Andrew Parker {J. P.}
Page 45

State of North Carolina} 
Cleveland County} I Silas Williams Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid hereby certify that Andrew Parker whose genuine signature is affixed to the within certificate was at the date of the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified that full faith & credit are due to all acts as such 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said Court at Office at Shelby this 16th day of Sept 1858
S. Williams Clk [Clerk]

[circular stamp] PENSION OFFICE JUN 2 1859