Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 16,555, for Thomas Morris, Georgia
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SERVICE
Ga. 
Morris, Thomas
NUMBER
R. 16,555
Ga. Half - Pay
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[*[illegible] service June 22/49*]
Thomas Morris died
To
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Pension office
Washington
D.C.
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Sir,  Norfolk June 19th 1849
As the Administrator of Capt. Thomas
Morris I deem it my duty to request some
information from you respecting the pay of
of officers serving in the Continental army
in the revolutionary war. My Grand Father Capt. Thomas Morris served in that time, and was taken prisoner & was kept in prison bonds more than 6 months and was then put on a parole of honor and sent to Virginia, he then proceeded to York Town where Gen. Washington was then encamped, while there, he caught the  small pox and died in 1781. I wish to know whether he is entitled to half pay or commutation pay and how I am to proceed to obtain it. I also desire to be informed if any monies has been paid out in reference to that claim or any claim belonging to the heirs of Capt Thomas Morris since 1845 up to the present date, in your reply of the 15th inst you say, a full and particular statement of the case should be made known to you I am fully prepared to establish the claim of his service but I desire to know if it is half pay or commutation pay that is due over
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due him. I intend visiting Washington soon
I therefore wish to get all the information I
can as that I may make all necessary arrangments before coming.
Yours very respectfully
Mary B. Davis
J.L. Edwards
Washington
DC
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Matthew Cocotto Va 
23 August 1849
James Davis
Forbids any person from
drawing money that may be
due the estate of Capt
Thomas Morris
D. 79
27 Aug 1849
[illegible] Auditor
Rec. 27 Aug. '49
W Kirkpatrick
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Matthews County Court
House September 18th 1849
Deare [Dear]
Sir I recd your letter dated Aug 30th 1849.
In answer to my letter addressed to the secretary of war you requested in your letter that I give you the particulars relative to the case of Tho Morris decd and to state to what reast he belonged and under what law the claim is made and at what time by whom and from what post office the papers were sent and return your letter with my answer. Capt Tho L Morris was a grand father of mine. He decd before my rememberance [remembrance] I know nothing more about the business more than I see from letters and information from my pearants [parents] and informed by Capt Borum who was imployed [employed] by my father and mother aunts & C to perceed [precede] and do this business and had their power of attorneys Capt Morris was a conternental [continental] officer in the state of georgia [Georgia] in the town of Sunbury and commanded fort morris about the close of the war after a seveare [severe] combat with the British his commanding officer ordered his cullers to be struck that he could not furnish him with any more powder and ball he then struck his cullers a greable to orders. The british then come in and took [illegible] of the fort and town Capt Morris had in the fort 18 negros of his own takeing [taking] in by orders to fite [fight] with the cannon in the fort. They were valued which he recd a certificate for in the first of the war he had vessels going to sea armed that took some of the british and what powder and ball he took he furnished with I have also seeing in his alphabet provisions province furnished the commanding officers for the benifit of
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the Cuntrey [country] which he recd certificates for these certificates war [were] recorded in the govenors office which still remains there which Capt. Brown had copys [copies] of it appears he was expeled [expelled] from this business by the heirs of Capt. Morris He then withdrew his papers so that no one else should have the benifit [benefit] of them as he had the trouble of geting [getting] them I've see on his return from Washington he lost his trunk & part of his papers, he had the ballance [balance] relative to the business and as to what he lost is a matter of no consequence more then the trouble of geting [getting] them again cence [sense] all this [illegible] has been other rised by the heirs of said morris to perceed [proceed] and act again with their powers of attorneys after Capt. Morris was taking [taken] a prisoner of war and could not fite [fight] for his cuntrey [country] any more he came over to Virginia on a visit with his family to see his brother William Morris who lived here on his [illegible] Here he died and his wife also Wm Morris's brother then took the administration of his estate and after the decd of Wm Morris young Wm Morris the son of the said Thos Morris too the administration of his fathers estate in georgia to settle up the estate there But at that time the money due from the cuntrey [country] could not be paid he then took a lease tenants place in the army against the indians it was not long before he had to retire to [illegible] town again in consequence of sickness he put up in a tavern there kept by a man by the name of Dergey after being there 5 or 6 days he died. This man Dergey then administered on his estate which was one horse gigg & trunk
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and took letters of administration & never made no return it could not besupposed that young morris was indebted to him much but his vew was to take the advantage to get in his trunk this fellow I, understand took out, of his trunk certificates to the amount of 12 or 13 thousand dollars which he pestioned [petitioned] for and recd or Mr. Watts did for him under his administration with out having any rite [right] what ever in [existence] it was artfulness, in him to take the rites [rights] of the heirs of Capt Thos morris and not his own countrey [country].  We are infants in the case and if it is paid Rong [wrong] we expect it paid over a gain [again] there is 1000 pound certificate never has been paid in any manner what ever and a nother [another] of 40 pounds I have nothing more to say at present, about, the Business more than your Counsel weather the Countrey [country] has a rite [right] to pay over the money that Durgey took of [young] Wm Morris who had no rite [right] more than one heir young william morris was only sent, there to setle [settle] up the estate having no relation there, at, that time this advantage was takeing [taking] Excuse my writeing [writing] if you please as I have not much time to write or to take much panes [pains]
I remain your humble svt with due respt
James Davis
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Mathews County Courthouse Va augt 23, 1849
Honered Sir, I take the liberty to address you With a few lines concerning the administration of Capt Thos Morris's estate for money due him for his services in the revolutionary war, also money otherwise Due which can be found recorded in the governers office
In the state of georgia Mary B. Davis one of the heirs of the said Thos Morris decd, has takeing the administrative By the heirs of Thos Morris, Jointley becomeing her [security] and promiseing of them when such money should be Recd that John Borum of Mathews County should go With her and receive his part, for his services which he Has the power of attorney from under the hands of All the heirs but as soon as she got, the administrative She then took her self [off] to norfolk and there made John G Sibley her agent Mary B. Davis is worth nothing of any account, and neither is Mr. Sibley. I, therefore thought it advisable to with draw and bind her to give county [security] agreable to law tho [security] that the court took is not worth one forth of the said estate tho at this time they have all with drawn except two and they are not worth nothing from all accounts I now enclose In this letter the petition of this court, and do hereby [Forewarn] all persons or person from drawing any money due to the estate of the said Thos Morris, my grandfather untill a [illegible], administratior. I remain your humble svt with due respt
James Davis
B, Capt John Borum offers good county [security] which all of the heirs is satisfied with except Mary B Davis and Alice Davis be pleased Sir, to inform me, how business stands
J. Davis
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[stamp, reading "Baltimore Md. AUG 23"] Secretary of war Washington City D. C.
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[*Hon. Secretary of War Washington D.C.*]
[stamp, reading "5"] Hon. Secretary of War
Washington D. C.
Mar 27/49
Mathews CH. Va.
March 22, '49
John Borum Sr.
Cases of heirs of Thomas Morris & Robert Tompkins.
B. 21. Rec Mch 21/49
Dept. of the Interior
Reference to the Counsel of Pensions
Dept. Interior
26 March, 1849
am?
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Mathews C. H. Va March 22nd 1849
To the
Honourable Secretary of War,
Dear Sir I hope
You will pardon me in asking of you a few favours, which you will find in conclusion, and if it should be in your power to grant them, you will confer a lasting benefit. I was employed by the heirs of Thomas Morris dec. (an officer in the Revolutionary War, belonging to the Continental Line of the State of Georgia) to contend for and receive any money or whatever might be due him for said services. I filed a petition in Washington for the same in 1846 and before it was decided, three of the heirs of Thomas Morris dec. viz. Mary B Davis John L Degge and Alice Davis, employed Mr. Cammach of Washington to get their parts of said claim, I was in Washington about this time, and had my trunk stolen from me, containing all my papers relating to this case with the exception of the evidence of John Christian & Holder Hudgins. There were likewise in the trunk copies of funded certificates to the amount of twelve or thirteen thousand dollars, a copy of said Moris' commission, a letter of administration of Mr. Durgea who administered on the Estate of Wm Morris, (admr. of Thomas Morris' Estate) in Augusta. The above named heirs have again employed me,
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and I have now a power of attorney from all of them to contend for and receive whatever may be due them, and therefore forwarn any person receiving the same; and my main object in writing this, is to know if any of the lost papers above named should be on file.
If your patience should not be worried, I would trouble you with a few lines concerning the claims of Robert Tompkins dec. of the state Navy of Virginia, for services rendered in the Revolutionary War. I was employed by the heirs of said Tompkins, to act for them, and when I lost the trunk before named, it contained the evidence of Isaac Smith, Henry Buckhannon, Matthias Gayle, Caleb Jenkins and others, and my administration, also two land warrants which Mr. Parker, Register of the Land Office in Richmond issued me two duplicate warrants for. I put my power of attorney in the hands of F. L. & A. F. Smith, and it appears that A. F. Smith has left Washington and where he is, I cannot find out. I have since obtained another power of attorney, and forwarned [forewarned] any person receiving any thing due the heirs of said Tompkins' Estate, and should any of the papers that I lost as named above, come before you, this is to guard you against their validity, and by informing me of any information above desired, you will very much oblige
Your most obt.
and Umb. Svt.
John Borum Sr.
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P. S.
I am afraid that the evidence lost as beforenamed might be used against me; so you will please place this in the proper department, that they may be detected if offered as evidence, for no one has any evidence from the persons beforenamed, for they have all been dead some years.
Your Obt. Svt.
J. B. Sr.
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State of Virginia, Mathews County, to wit:
Whereas at a Court held for the County of Mathews before the Justices of the said Court, on the 8th day of October 1849, on the motion of John Borum who made Oath according to law, and with Wm Borum, Edmond Borum, Samuel Hudgins Thomas Davis, James Davis and John W. Borum his securities, entered into and acknowledged a bond in the Penalty of ten thousand dollars, conditioned as the law directs, Certificate was granted the said John Borum for obtaining letters of administration de bonis non with the will annexed of Thomas Morris decd in due form. And whereas, by an Act of the General Assembly of this Commonwealth, passed on the 3rd day of March, in the year 1819, entitled, "an act reducing into one, the several Acts Concerning Wills, the distribution of intestates' estates and the duty of Executors and Administrators" it is among other things provided, that the Clerks of the Courts shall, when required by an administrator, make out letters of administration in due form, in the name of the first Justice of the Court, which letters shall be signed by such Justice, and sealed with the court seal. Therefore, I, William M. Brownley, being the first Justice of the said Court, in pursuance of the above recited act, do issue these letters of Administration, and do hereby authorize and empower the said John Borum [illegible] and truly to collect and administer all and singular the goods, Chattels & Credits of the said Thomas Morris decd in all matters and things concerning the same, according to law, hereby requiring the said John Borum to make and exhibit unto the said County Court a true and perfect inventory of the said goods, chattels and credits and
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and also to make a just and true account of his actings and doings therein, when thento lawfully required
Given under my hand, and the seal of the said County this 15th day of November, in the year One thousand Eight hundred and forty nine
W. M Brownley J. P.
Test.
Shepard G. Miller 
Clerk of the County Court of Mathews
State of Virginia. Mathews County, to wit.
I, Shepard G. Miller Clerk of the County Court of Mathews in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that William M. Brownley Esq who hath signed the foregoing letters of Administration is a Justice of the Peace in the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, that he was the Senior or first Justice of the said Court setting at the time the said letters of administration were granted
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and annexed the seal of the said Court, this 17th day of November 1849.
Shepard G. Miller
Virginia Mathews County, to wit:
I, William M. Brownley a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Mathews in the State aforesaid, do certify, that Shepard G. Miller who hath given the preceding certificate, as Clerk of the said Court, and that his said attestation is in due form. Given under my hand this
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17th day of November 1849
W. M Brownly J. P. Seal
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At a monthly Court held for the County of Mathews at the court house thereof on Monday the 11th day of June 1849. 
On the petition of Samuel Hudgins, John L Degge and James Davis distributes of the estate of Thomas Morris setting forth that the securities given by Mary B, Davis for her due and faithful administration of the Estate of Thomas Morris decd  are entirely insufficient to cover the penalty of the bond given by the said Mary B. Davis for her administration of said estate. It is ordered that the said Mary B. Davis be summoned to appear here at the next court to answer said petition. 
State of Virginia Mathews County to wit, I Shepard G. Miller Clerk of the County Court of Mathews in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a True transcript from the records of the said Court. 
In Testimony Whereof I hereto set my hand and annex the Seal of the said Court this 21 day of July 1849. 
Shepard G. Miller 
In the Clerks office of Mathews County Court August 17, 1849. The above proceedings remain pending & undetermined in this Court at this time. 
Shepard G. Miller C. C.
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Matthews C.H. Nov 16 /49 
John Borum Sr. 
Enc. letters of admr taken on the estate of Capt. Thom Morris decd.
[xnot enclosed.] [crossed out]
Comm. of Pensions
Dept. of the Interior
22 Nov. 23/49
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Mathews County Court House Nov, the 16, 1849 Honered, [Honored]. 
Sir, I again take the liberty to address you with a few more lines consering [concerning] the estate and administration of Capt Thos Morris, decd. I now enclose in this letter a copy of administration that I have takeing [taken] and from the Clerks office to be recorded with you, to show that the administration of all others are revoked. I would take it as a favour [favor] of you, Sir, to write to me a few lines so that I shall know weather this letter come to hand or not. I remain your humble svt. with due respt. 
John Borum Sen
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[Envelope for letter from previous page]
[Postmark city illegible NOV 20]
Free
To the Secretary of War
Washington
D.C.
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J. L. Edwards Pension office Washington City D. C.
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J.L. Edwards Esq  
Com of Pensions 
D.C.
[*Thomas Morris*]
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Mathews County 13th Feby 1850 
J.L. Edwards Esqr. Com. of Pensions 
Dear Sir, should the court on Revolutionary Claims, report the claim of Thomas Morris to me as his administrator, I wish you to retain possession of it till I arrive in Washington, which will be in ten or fifteen days I do not wish any person to have any thing to do with it what ever but myself 
Very Respectfully Yrs 
John Borum  Sen
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Capt Tho Morris decd in 1781 he was capt county line in the service of Georgia &  in Georgia in 1785 V. Ellis
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Department of the Interior.
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
[*Half Pay Case 
Thomas Morris*]
Commissioner of Pensions
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[ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1871
WAR OF 1812.] [crossed out]
Thomas Morris
Capt
Ga Line
Revolution
Discharged , 18
5032 
REJECTED
Pay Oct 32
Received 187
Attorney
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AUDITORS OFFICE
James L. Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pensions
[*Thomas Morris act 5 July '32*]
See letter to J. Davis Aug. 30 '49
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Pension office
August 30, 1849
Sir
Your letter and the certificate of the Clerk of Mathews County Court sent to the 3d auditor have been referred to this office be pleased to give the particulars relative to the case of Tho L. Morris decd Please to state to what reget he belongs and under what law the claim is made and at what post office the papers were sent return this letter also with your answer. This is a copy of your letter that you requested me to return which I have answered in the letter I send to you 
James Davis
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Treasury Department
Third Auditors Office
August 28 1849
Sir
I hand you here with a letter, which was yesterday refered by the Secretary War to this office, from James Davis dated Mathews County Virginia August 23 1849, warning against Mary B.  Davis, one of the heirs of Thomas Morris and administration of the Estate of said Morris, & against any person whatever drawing any money that may be due the estate of said Morris for his services in the Revolutionary War. And enclosed in the above letter is a certificate of the clerk of Mathews County Court that the said Mary B. Davis has been summoned to answer to a petition from the heirs of Morris that she shall give additional security as administratrix. It is not shown what services of Morris, or under what Act of Congress the alleged claim may be against the United States & as it is not perceived that the subject matter has reference to this office, I beg leave respectfully to refer the same to yourself for such action as may be deemed proper.
Very Respectfully 
Your Obdt Servt
J. Thompson
Acting Audr
James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions