Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3,883, for John Spencer, Virginia
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Service 
Va.
Spencer, John
 Mary
Number
W. 3.883
Contents
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Virginia (16,403)
John Spencer, (R)
of Greenbriar Co in the state Virginia, who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Posey, of the Virginia line, for the term of 22 months. 
Inscribed on the roll of Virginia at the rate of 8 dollars per month, to commence the 24 of November, 1819.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 of Jany, 1820 and sent to hon: Ballard Smith, member of Congress for VA.
Proportion of Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4. March 1820 26.90
^3 mos. 7/30 & 4/31
$26.90
Revolutionary claim, 
Act 18th March, 1818.
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[illegible]
Reported Jany 30/49
[illegible]
widow of John Spencer who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private. 
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 70 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Jany 1849 and sent to Anthy Robinson Richmond Va. Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 7, 1848, Page 184 Vol. 3.
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John Spencer, private Greenbriar, County Virginia lines [illegible] 
Col. Posey
Febry. 1781
Decem. 1782
26. November, 1819

Hon: Ballard Smith
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At the court continued and held for the County of Greenbriar on the 25th Day of November 1819 Virginia. Be it remembered that on the 24th day of November in the year of Our Lord 1819 personally appeared before the County Court of Greenbriar John Spencer aged fifty six resident in said County & state who bring Duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the provision made by an act of Congress entitled An Act to provide for Certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War.   That the said John Spencer enlisted in Albemarle County State of Virginia for term of eighteen months in the company at that time commanded by a certain Capt. Thomas Worman   that his enlistment took place (as well as he now recollects) some time in February 1781   That belonged to the Virginia Regiment commanded by Colo. Thomas Posey on Continental Establishment   That he continued to serve in sd. Corpse until some time in December 1782 when he was discharged   that he has since lost his discharge which was an honorable one   That he was in the Battles of Seigh of York and in several skirmishes with
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the Indians near to Savannah Town 
on Savanah River in the State of Georgia 
and with several skirmishes with the British at Guches Bridges near savanah Town that he is now in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support That he has no other evidence now in his power of said services The County Court of Greenbrier do hereby certify that it appears to their satisfaction that the said John Spencer did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in his preceding declaration against the Common Enemy for the term of Eighteen months on the Continental Establishment and that they are also satisfied from his Declaration aforesaid as well as from the testimony of other respectable Witnesses that he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the Assistance of his country for support The Court do therefore derect its Clerk to transmit the testimony taken and had before them to Secretary of the department of war
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War pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid Act of Congress
I Lewis Stuart Clerk of the County Court of Greenbrier do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Record and testimony taken and had before the Court on behalf of John Spencer together with his Declaration on oath.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of my office this 25th  Day of November 1819

Lewis Stuart, CGC
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Mary Spencer
Va
act 7, July 38.
m 85 d 20
No 8283
admd 22 mo pri
$73.33.
No deduction 
J.T. Sutton Jr. Esq
Bowling Green Va
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State of Virginia Greenbrier County ss

On this the 23rd day of April 1842 personally appeared before Jos McClung, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Mrs Mary Spencer a resident of the county and state aforesaid aged eighty years (widow of John Spencer decd) who first being 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 that she is the widow of John Spencer decd who was she says a private in the revolution that her husband the said John drew a pension a short time previous to his death at the rate of ninety six dollars per annum. That she was married to the said John in the county of Albemarle by parson Woods in the month of October in the year seventeen hundred and eighty two and that a short time after the war he removed for the county of Albemarle to the aforesaid county of Greenbrier where he resided until the day of his death that he died on the 22d of July 1830 and that she has remained a widow ever since his death as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Mary (her X mark) Spencer
Sworn to and subscribed on this 23d day of April 1842 before Jos McClung J Peace
I furthermore certify that Mrs. Mary Spencer above named widow of John Spencer decd who was a pensioner in this county is a lady of respectability and believe her declaration above to be true that her said husband died about twenty two
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years ago and that from bodily infirmities and old age she is unable to attend court. Given under my hand this 28d day of April 1842
Jos McClung, J Peace

Virginia
Greenbrier County Towit
At a Court held for the County of Greenbrier at the Courthouse thereof on Monday the 25th of April 1842
Present
Joseph Addison, James Frazer, James Jarret, 
Elisha Collison, Henry Erskine & Wm Renech Gent

The Court having examined the declaration of Ms Mary Spencer widow of John Spencer decd who was a Revolutionary pensioner and also the Certificate of Joseph McClung (a member of their body) respecting said declaration approve the same & order the same to be certified to the War Department
Jst John Mathews CGC

Greenbrier County (Towit)
I John Mathews Clerk of the County of Greenbrier aforesaid do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of an order taken from the Records of my office
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Name & affixed the Seal of my office this the 26th day of April 1842 the 66th year of the Commonwealth
Jst John Mathews CGC
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4189 
Mary Spencer 
$73:33 per a 
C. A. Mayo 
Blue Sulphur Springs 
Va
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I, Mary Spencer of the County of Greenbrier in the State of Virginia do hereby employ C A Mayo as my Agent to prosecute my claim against the United States, or State of Virginia, due me on account of Revolutionary Services of my late Husband John Spencer deceased, and I also agree to give said Mayo One third of whatever Land or money he may recover, with the express understanding that should said Mayo not succeed in obtaining any Land or Money on account of the services rendered by my above named Husband in the War of the Revolution, I am to pay him nothing for any trouble or expense that he may be at in the prosecution of said Claims -
Witness my hand and seal this 4th day of May 1843-
Mary x her mark Spencer {Seal}
attest -
James Jarrett JP

State of Virginia Greenbrier County To Wit:
Know all Men by these presents that we, Mary Spencer widow of John Spencer deceased and Susan Spencer daughter of said John and Mary Spencer, do nominate, constitute, and appoint C. A. Mayo our true and Lawful Attorney for me and in my name to prosecute my claim to Land that may be due to us from the United States or State of Virginia on account of the Revolutionary services of the said John Spencer deceased to demand and receive from the proper Offices in Richmond or Washington the Warrants for the same and to sell or create the same, or do anything on the premises that we could Lawfully do-
Witness our hands and seals this 4th day of May 1843-
Mary x her mark Spencer {Seal}
Susan x her mark Spencer {Seal}

State of Virginia, Greenbrier County To Wit:
This day personally appeared before me, James Jarrett a Justice of the Peace for the said County aforesaid, Mary Spencer and Susan Spencer, subscribers to the above power of Attorney and acknowledged the same to be their Free will, act, and deed -
Given under my hand this 4th day of May 1843-
James Jarrett J.P.
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State of Virginia Greenbrier County to Wit:
On this 4 day of May 1843. personally appeared before me James Jarrett a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County aforesaid, Mrs Mary Spencer a resident of the said County and State aforesaid, aged seventy years and upwards, who first being 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 3rd day of March 1843- granting pensions to Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War, that she is the widow of John Spencer who was a private in the Artillery, and that she has received a five year pension as the widow of the above named John Spencer under the act of July 7th 1838- at the rate of Seventy three dollars and thirty three Cents per Annum, she further declares she is still a widow-
Mary x her mark Spencer
Sworn to and Subscribed on
the day and date above written
before James Jarrett J.P.

I certify that I am personally acquainted with Mary Spencer above named and that there is no doubt of the truth of her declaration as above - Given under my hand this 4th day of May. 1843-
James Jarrett J.P-

I ______ Clerk of the Court of Greenbrier County certify that James Jarrett is a Magistrate as above and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this __ day of _____ 1843-
_______ Clerk of the Court
of Greenbrier County Virginia
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Virginia
Greenbrier County Clerks Office towit
I John Mathews Clerk of the County Aforesaid do hereby Certify that James Jarrett is a Justice of the Peace duly Commissioned and Qualified as Such that the Signatures purporting to be his Appear to be Genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my Name and Affixed the Seal of my Office the 8th day of May 1843 and in the 67th Year of the Commonwealth
John Matthews Clerk of
the Court of Greenbrier County 
Virginia
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6660
Richmond Virginia
Mary Spencer
widow of John Spencer, decd.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818
and who died on the 22nd July 1820
of Greenbriar Co in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the Compy commanded by Captain Norman of the Regt. commanded by Colo. Posey in the Virginia line for 22 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond Va. at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of May 1842 & sent to James T. Sutton Jr. Esq. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $366.66
Semi-annual allowance ending                 $366.66
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2d. Page 183
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Letters to P.ajb. & Kerr, Caskie &co
July 11. 1842.
Letter to H. G. Pinnell 24. Nov 1842.
do to Hon G. W Summer Dec 28. '42
do to same feb 24. 1843.
do to C. A. Mayo June 9 1843.
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Richmond July 9th 1849
J L Edwards Esq Comr Pensions
Dear Sir
I have been appointed by Mary Spencer a Pensioner under the act of Feb 1843 as her attorney to claim her pension. her name does not appear on the Books at the office in this City - please forward the Authority to have her name enrolled.
Your Respy
J J Fry atty
PWH Pen
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John Spencer, Virginia Roll. Act of 
March 18, 1818. He died in 1820.
Will you be pleased to say to what 
time he was paid ?
Pension Office 
Feb 23. 1843. 
placed on roll Nov. 24. 1819 Pd to March 4, 1820 J. Sessford
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Bowling Green Va
May 19th 1842

D. Sir
Enclosed is the Declaration of Mrs. Mary Spencer (widow of John Spencer decd late of Greenbrier Co Va) who claims under act of July 7 1838: also of copy of the marriage bond with clerk certificate & seal, which you will please examine ~
Very Respectfully
Yr Obt Svt
James T. Sutton Jr

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pensions
Washington City
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Richmond 8 July 1842 
J.L. Edwards Esq. 
Dr Sir.
on presenting the enclosed document at the Pension Office here, we were informed that it was necessary to forward it to you for examination, which we accordingly do. If correct please direct the payment 
with respect 
Yours Mo Obly  
Kerr Caskie &Co.
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Mary Spencer.} Virginia. Act 7th July 1838.
Widow of John
$73.33
To what time last paid.
no payment - 3d V not on
JH
Pension Office
22d Nov. 1842
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Fayetteville, Fayette County Va
October 31. 1842
To the Clerk of the war department,
you will please inform me the amount that the widow of John Spencer Decd. a revolutionary soldier, is entitled to, who died in the County of Greenbrier Virginia: I wish to know, the whole amount, she was entitled to; and how much has been drawn; He was entitled to some Land, as I understand in the State of Ohio, If he is entitled to any; please give me the number, & all the information in your office upon the subject: & you will confer a favour on
Yours most respectfully
Hezekiah G. Pinnell
M.S. Address me at Fayetteville, Fayette Court House Va.
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Ho. Reps. Dec 27. 1842
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comr. Pensions

Sir
Be good enough to furnish me with the appropriate information, papers and instructions touching the several enquiries contained in the enclosed letter from Mr Pinell, of Fayette Co. Va.
Please return the letter with the enclosures
Very Respectfully
Yr Obt St
Geo W Summers
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Ho Reps Feb 20. 1843

Sir

Will you be good enough to enable me to answer the enclosed letter from Thomas Mathews Esqr. of Greenbrier Co Va, in relation to the pension of Jno Spencer, and Mrs Hatell, both of Greenbrier Co Va
please see enclose the letter
Very Respectfully
Yr. Obt St
Geo W Summers
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Blue Sul Springs Va.
5th May 1843-

Dear Sir
As the lawful Agent of Mrs Mary Spencer, (the widow of John Spencer a soldier of the Revolution) who has received a five year Pension under the Act of July 7th 1838 - I address you for the purpose of obtaining information how to proceed in order to obtain for her, the Pension to which she is entitled under the Act of March 3rd 1843-
Also, as the friend of this Old Lady, and acting under a full Power of Attorney, enacted in due form, I wish to know what course must be pursued to ascertain what Land she is entitled to as the widow of the said John Spencer decd. 

I would likewise solicit the favour of being furnished, by Mail, with a Copy of the letter of July 1st 1838 and of March 3d. 1843- There are several aged and needy widows of soldiers of the Revolution in this section of the Country who are doubtless entitled to Pensions under these Acts whose claims have not yet been proven or application made, and I would be glad if you would furnish me with Blanks of the necessary papers, or inform me where, or from what Dept. I can obtain them, with a Statement of the evidence which is required to establish the claim of such persons to Pensions under the above named Acts or any other Acts of Congress on said subject.
Be pleased to reply at your earliest convenience -
Yrs. Respy
Your Ob. Servt. Sir
C. A. Mayo
J. L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City -
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Richmond, Octo: 21. 1848.

Sir,
I send you herein enclosed the Declaration of Mrs. Mary Spencer, a pensioner under the Act of the 17' June 1844 made to obtain the benefits of the provision of the Act of the 2d. February 1848. Be pleased to send me a Certificate of Pension for her.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
Anty. Robinson

J. L. Edwards, Esquire,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington
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Mary Spencer, widow of John Virginia Roll, Act July 7. 1838, at $73:33 per Annum.
Be pleased to say whether she has received the full 5 years pension.
Pension Office} she has
Aug 24. 1844.} JH
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
January 30th, 1845.

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, Mary Spencer, - a Pensioner on the Roll of the Richmond, Va Agency, at the rate of Seventy three Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 3d March 1843, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1843, to the 4th Sept. 1843.
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
Page 29

F
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

12 June 1845
Mary Spencer

[stamp]
BLUE SULP. SPRINGS
June 11
VA.
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Blue Sul Springs Virginia
June 4 1845
Dear Sir
to Mary Spencer a pensioner of
the U.S. under the Acts of March 3/43 & June 17/44 having became very infirm, & with an eye to her dissolution, desires to know if her pension for the current year cannot be drawn quarterly; if not, then the shortest period at which it can be drawn and requests that the necessary papers may be forwarded to me, to enable her to be prepared
for all contingencies.
In case of her death, can her pension
be drawn up to the day of her death? As this
contingency in all probability may take place
at farthest during this year, she and her friends
are anxious to be prepared for the result.
Ms. Rspy &c.
C A Mayo
for
Mary Spencer
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 31

Aug 24 '44
regulations

free
Mary Spencer
Va roll act

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 32

Blue Sul Springs Augt 20/44

Dr Sir
The Pension of Mrs Mary Spencer for 1843, has not yet been executed, from this fact; her Original Certificate from the War Department by which she was enabled to receive her 5 years Pension, has been mislaid, at least, if not finally lost - After a diligent search & a delay of several months having intervened without its being found, and the particularity now is, that it never may be; and moreover, as the Old Lady is, at this time, in very delicate health, I now write at her urgent request to solicit you to forward a duplicate of said Certificate, such as One, or some other Document as may enable me to fill up the Blanks in the Printed Roll Power of Atty which you forwarded me in May last and Thereby enable me to collect the Amt from the Pension agent at Richmond without further delay -
Your earliest attention to the above is most earnestly solicited.
Mo: respy
Your Ob. St.
C. A. Mayo

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comr. of Pensions
Page 33

P.S. Will not Mrs Spencer be entitled to a further pension under the Act of last Session of Congress? please inform me - and forward me a Copy of the Act
resy C.A.M
Page 34

Blue Sul Springs Va
May 3d
f
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 35

Blue Sul Springs May 2 1844
Dear Sir
I forwarded Mrs Mary Spencer's Pension Claim to Richmond last month which has returned to me without the money. Mr. Segram refusing to pay over the amt until accompanied by my agency or Power of Atty— As I have heretofore forwarded these papers to you, and perhaps unnecessarily too, I am now compelled to trouble you again soliciting the favour that you will return them to me by the first mails, that I may be enabled to collect this fund for the Old Lady without further delay.
Mo. Respy 
Yr. Ob. St. 
C.A. Mayo
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
Page 36

Blue Sul Springs 16 Sept 43

Dear Sir
Enclosed please find the Declaration of Mrs Mary Spencer, together with a Power of Atty & Agency to me - They should have been forwarded some time since, but that they had been misplaced - As the Old lady is in need of the amt of her claim, and has already been somewhat urgent in her demands upon me, you will be conferring a favour by furnishing me with the necessary documents to obtain her money, at your earliest convenience -
In your favour of the 9th June, it appears that you were then of opinion that John Spencer was not entitled to land - You stated that his name was not returned on the Records of the Virginia line on file in your Office among those who were entitled to bounty land from the United States -
May I not ask, if there could not be some mistake or omission in regard to this individual? The opinion here, is prevalent, that he is entitled to land, and I have since learned, that in the Journal of Documents of the House of Delegates of Virginia, for the Year 1833-34. Doc. 32. Page 21 - Among the list of Officers & soldiers entitled to land for 3 years, may be found the name of said John Spencer. If such be the case, I would thank you for instructions how to proceed in order to obtain the land for Mrs Spencer -
Be pleased to let me hear from you again in regard
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to this land claim.
I remain, dear Sir,
Mo. Respectfully
Your ob. st.
C.A. Mayo

J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Page 38

Blue Sul Springs, Va
1st June 43

Dear Sir
I addressed a Letter to you about 4 weeks since in reference to the Pending Claims of Mrs Mary Spencer and not having yet received a reply I now take the liberty of troubling you once more soliciting a reply to that Letter if the same has been recd by you - 
I wrote to you by advice and if I am wrong in addressing you on this subject you will confer a favour on me, as well as the invalid Old Lady for whom I am acting, by giving me the required information, or directing me where, or of whom, I can obtain it.
In haste,
Ms. Respy &c.
C A Mayo

J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 39

Blue Sul Springs 23 Oct 1843

Dear Sir
I addressed you by mail of the 16 Ultimo: enclosing, in due form, the Declaration of Mrs. Mary Spencer, and her power of atty & agency to me, together with a few requests & inquiries relative to her pension money and land claim-

Not having since heard from you on the subject, or of their reception, the object of this note is to enquire if those documents have come to hand;  and if so, to call your attention to the same, soliciting a reply to the aforesaid communication (of the 16th Sept) at your earliest convenience - 
In haste
Mo: respy
Your Ob: St:
C.A. Mayo


J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 40

2232
Virginia, Richmond
Mary Spencer
widow of John Spencer
who was a private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
73 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 
21, day of Dec. 1843
and sent to C. A. Mayo
Blue Sulphur Springs, VA.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 1. Page 152.
Page 41

Rep? 
Let to C A Mayo May 10 '44 
" " same Aug 24 1844. 
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of 6 April 1838 from 4 March 1843 to 4 Sep 1843. Agt notified 28 April 1845 

Letter to C.A. Mayo, June 11, 1845.
Page 42

State of Virginia
On this 16th day of October 1848, before me David Hanna a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Greenbrier, in the said State, personally appeared Mary Spencer, a resident of the said County of Greenbrier, aged eighty eight 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 2d February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons, who served during the Revolutionary War, that she is the wido of John Spencer who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, and that under the Act of Congress of the 17th June 1844, she received a pension at the rate of seventy three dollars and thirty three cents per annum. 
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Mary her X mark Spencer
sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
In presence of 
A.S. Skaggs—
James Jarrett jr
Before me David Hanna, J. Peace
I certify that Mary Spencer, the Declarant above named is personally known
David Hanna, J. Peace.

State of Virginia, Greenbrier County, to wit,
I John Mathew's clerk of the county court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that David Hanna is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, dully commissioned and qualified, that he is legally authorized to act as such, and that the foregoing signatures, purporting to be his are genuine. 
Given under my hand and the seal of the said Court, 
this 16th day of October one thousand eight hundred and forty eight. 
John Mathews.
Page 43

Know all men by these presents that we John Spencer and David Humphry are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia in the just sum of Fifty pounds which payment well and truly to be made we bind ourselves jointly and severally our joint and several heirs firmly by these presents.  Given under our hands and seals this 4: day of November 1785

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage suddenly to be solemnized between the above bound John Spencer and Mary Humphry (spinster) daughter of David Humphry, both of Albemarle County.  Now if there be no just cause to obstruct the same then this obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force.
John Spencer X his mark
David Humphry X his mark


State of Virginia
Albemarle County to wit
I Ira Garrett Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the original marriage license bond now of record in my office as fully and wholly as the same now exists.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said County Court this 16th day of May 1842 in the 66th year of the Commonwealth.
Ira Garrett  CC
[SEAL]
Page 44

Revy Widow, &c. 
File No. 3883 
Mary Spencer 
Wid. 
John Spencer 
Pvt. Rev. War 
Act: Feby 24/48 
Index:—Vol. M, Page 233 
[Arrangement of 1870.]