Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 128, Speakman Downum, N.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
N.C.
Downum, Speakman
Speekman
Esther
NUMBER
W.128
CONTENTS
Page 2

Tennessee  5997.

Esther Downum,  widow of Speakman Downum dec' and who died on the 18th September 1800. of Franklin Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Sheppered of the reg't commanded by Col. Shepperd in the N. Carolina line for 2 yeas.

Inscribed on the Roll of Nashville at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of Jan'y 1841, and sent to Hon. H. L. Turney, House of Reps.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1841  $400.00

{Act July 7,}
{1838.}
Recorded by D. McCurdy Clerk.
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 206
Page 3

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of July 7th 1838. Entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.

State of Tennessee}
Franklin County} S.S.
On this 26th day of December 1840 Personally came before me James F. Green an active Justice of the Peace for said County of Franklin, Mrs. Esther Downum the widow of Speekman Downum, a soldier of the Revolution from the State of North Carolina and County of Wayne aged Seventy three years and after having made oath in due form of law sayeth that she is the widow of Speekman Downum, from the state of North Carolina and County of Wayne, who was inlisted for the term of three years - & in the regiment of Abram Shepperd Snr. which was the tenth Regiment of North Carolina, this declaration is made in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838. This deponent states that she was married to the aforesaid Speekman Downum in the State of North Carolina & County of Wayne on the fifth day of August 1782 and that the aforesaid Speekman Downum died in the State of North Carolina and County of Mecklenburg on the 18th day of September 1800, and said deponent has remained a widow since that period, which will more fully appear by having reference to the annexed proof - 
Sworn to and subscdribed the day and year above written, before - 
Esther Downum X her mark
[Signature]
Attest
Nathaniel Borum
Sworn to & Subcribed before me
James F. Green Justice of the Peace
For Franklin County
[Signature]

State of Tennessee}
Franklin County} S. S. 
Personallly came before me James F. Green an acting Justice of the Peace for said County of Franklin John Denson Snr. of said State & County aged Seventy nine years & after having  been sworn in due form of law sayeth on oath that he has a perfect knowledge of the
Page 4

of Speekman Downum, who was inlisted by Captain Abraham Sheppard Sn. & in the 15th Regiment of North Carolina commanded by Abraham Shepperd Snr. Col. - and that the aforesaid Speekman Downum served as a Continental soldier in the army of the United States, until said Speekman Downum, received a wound by having his thigh broke at Georgetown while in the service of the United States, and from that period in Consequnce of disability was discharged from further duty, the deponent further states that the marriage of the aforesaid Speekman Downum and Esther Straley took place in the State of North Carolina and County of Wayne on the fifth day of August 1782 & that the aforesaid Speekman Downum died in died in the state of North Carolina and County Mecklenburg on othe 18th day of September 1800. The reason why deponent has a perfect knowledge of all the circumstances pertaining to the inlistment service marriage &c. of Downum is in consequence of his deponents having married the sister of the aforesaid Esther Downum & that the said  Esther Dowum is a resident of the state of Tennessee & County of Franklin a widow and has remained such since the death of her husband as aforesaid - 
Sworn to and subscribed this 26th day of December 1840.
John denson Sener
[Signtaure]
James F. Green Justice of the Peace
for Franklin County
[Signature]

State of Tennessee}
Franklin Coiunty} I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Esther Downum & also with John Denson Senr. each of the County & State aforesaid, and from the character they sustain for truth and honesty, that full faith and credit are due to their acts and doings. Given under my hand the day and year above written.
James F. Green J.P.
[Signature]
Page 5

State of Tennessee}
Franklin County} S. S. 
Personally came before me James F. Green Esther Downum and made oath in due form of law, that she has not a record of her marriage with her husband Speekman Downum as aforesaid, but the inclosed sheet purporting to be the ages of the children of said deponent & her husband as aforesaid is genuine - Sworn to & Subscribed this 26th Dec. 1840. And from old age & consequent infirmity is unable to attend court - 
Esther Downoum X her mark
[Signature]
Atest
Nathaniel Borum
[Signature]
James F. Green Justice of the Peace 
for Franklin County
[Signature]

State of Tennessee}
Franklin County} S.S.
Personally came before me James F. Green & an acting Justice of the Peace for said County John Denson Snr. and made oath in due form of law, that the enclosed leaf on which the names and ages of the children of Speekman Downum & Esther his wife and now the widow of said deceased drawn or written by said deponent himself, and that the same is genuine - Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last written - 
John  denson Sener
[Signature]
James F. Green Justice of the Peace 
for Franklin County
[Signature]

State of Tennessee}
Franklin County} I hereby certify that the above deponent John Denson Senr. is justly entitled to full faith and credit. Given under my hand the day & date above 
James F. Green J. P.
[Signature]
Page 6

State of Tennessee}
Franklin County}
I hereby certify that the foregoing affidavits of Mrs. Esther Downum of the State of Tennessee & County of Franklin & widow of  Speekman Downum, is justly intitled to full faith and credit & from infirmity of age is unable to attend Court given under my hand this 26th day of December 1840.
James F. Green J. P.
[Signature]

State of Tennessee}
Franklin County} I Isaac Estill Clerk of the County Court of Franklin County, hereby certify that James F. Green is a magistrate for said County and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have  have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Winchester this 26th day of December 1840.
Isaac Estill Clk
[Signature]
[Seal]

State of Tennessee}
Franklin County} I Wallis Estill Jr. Chairman and prosiding magistrate of the County Court of said County of Franklin, do hereby certify that Isaac Estill whose name is subscribed ot the foregoing certificate is, and was at the time of subscribing the same, the Clerk of the County Court of Franklin County as aforesaid, and that the signature as above purporting to be his is genuine,
Given under my hand at Franklin this day and year above written
W. Estill Jr. [Seal]
Chairman of Franklin
County Court
[Signature]
Page 7

William Downom Son of Speekman and Esther Downom his wife was born the 11th day of May in the year 1783

James Downom Son of Speekman and Esther Downom his wife was born the 6th Day of September in the year 1785

Speekman Downom Son of Speekman and Esther Downom his wife was born the 21st Day of September in the year 1787

Elizabeth Downom Daughter of Speekman and Esther Downom his wife ws born the 12th day of March in the year 1790

Esther Downom Daughter of Speakman Downom Ester his wife was born first day of july in the year of our Lord. 1792

Lydia Downom the daughter of Speakman and Esther Downom was born June 6th in the year of our Lord 1795

Speakman Downom Son of Speakman and Esther Downom was born in Nov. in the year of our Lord 1796.

Mary Downom was born March the 5th in the year of our Lord 1803
Page 8

In 672 English lbs. how manny yds. English are 840

Golden Rule of Three   
672
   5
____
1/4 3360
___________
840 the anisere
Example
_______________________

In 13 hacks cost 326S what will 39 hacks cost
Answer 978£
13£.326S.39p Cost

The Rule of Three

293
[ 68  
___ ]
714
+
_____
101
91
____
104
104

L having

[in a fold]

Speakman Downom Son of Speakman and Esther Downom was born in Nov. in the year of our Lord 1800.
Page 9

128 Revý WIDOW, &c.
aw
File No. 128
Esther Downum
Widow
Speakman Downum
Priv. N. Car. line
Act: July 7 12838
Index:-Vol. A Page 187
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 10

Esther Downoum
of Speekman
Tennessee
_______
Suspended
_____________
_______________
See let: 13 Jan' y
1841 to Hon. H. L. Turney & W. Hill.

Act 7 July 1838
Page 11

State of South Carolina}
Richland District} This is to certify that I Abram Sheppard Jun'r. Capt.n did inlist James Stradley in the Tenth Ridgment of North Carolina Commanded by Col. Abram Sheppard Sen'r. - I do hereby certify that I Abram Sheppard Jun'r. did inlist the above James Stradley for the tirm of three years as a continental Soldier.
Abra Sheppard
[Signature]

this the 25th November 1802/
Certifyd before me
John C. Dams
[Signature]
Page 12

7532
Esther Downum
of Spekman
Tennessee
____
admitted
_____
Pri 2 yrs - $80. --
Cap. Shepperd Col. 
Shepperd, N.C.
_____

died 18 Sept. 1800.

Act 7 July 1838

Hon. H. L. Turney
H.R.
Page 13

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office

I  William Hill Secretray of State in and for the State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the musterrolls of the continental line of this State in the revolutionary war shows that Speakman Downing a private in Cap't. Shepard's company of the 10th Regiment entered the service on the 20th June 1777. The musterrolls does not show for what length of time he enlisted or how long he served, but a warrant for bounty land was issued to him for three years service.
Given under my hand this 19th day of January 1841.
Wm. Hill
[Signature]
Page 14

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Washington City
Page 15

Washington Jan. the 11th 1841.

Sir

Enclosed I send you the papers of the a within named applicants for pension, which you will please examine and advise me of the result, thereof please return the letter with your answer.
I am Sir your &c
H. S. Turney
[Signature]

Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Page 16

James L. Edwards Esq'r. 
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 17

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office
19th Jan'ry 1841.

Sir

Your letter of the 13th instant asking informtion or the service, of Speekman Downum was recieved today. On examin I find he entered the service on the 20th June 1777, but, as stated in my certificate of this date, the musterrolls do not show for what term he enlisted or how long he served, but it appears from the Warrant book that he obtained a Warrant for three years service, which warrant was issued on the certificate of an Officer soon after the close of the War and may be deemed correct. His name is spelt differently in every place where I have seen it, but I have no doubt it was intended for the same person. It appears from the rolls in this office that Abraham shepard was Col. of the 10th Regiment and Wm. Shepard was a Capt. in said Regiment but I do not see that there was a Capt. Abraham Shepard in the Continental line of this State.
Very respectfully
Your Ob't. Srvt.
Wm. Hill
[Signature]
Page 18

State of South Carolina}
Richland District} This is to certify that I Abram Sheppard Jun'r. Capt'n. did in list James Stradley in the Tenth Ridgment of North Carolina Commanded by Col.o Abram Sheppard sen'r. I do hear by certify that I Abram Sheppard jun'r. did in list the above James Stradley for the Tirm of three yeares as a contenltal soldier and he servid as a good soldier and recivd a wound in geroge Town in Meriland
Given under my hand this 25th day Nov'r. 1802
Abra Sheppard
[Signature]
This the 25th day of November 1802
Certifyd before me
John C. Dams
[Signature]
Page 19

Hopkins L. Turnney Esq'r. 
Inclosed you'll find the declartion and Signature of those with whom you are personally acquainted. You will therefore confer a lasting obligation in myself and those concerned by giving immediate attention to the conents of this. You will have the goodness to endeavor to have the pensions made payable on the 4th of March next, you will therefore, should certificates be granted have them inclosed in a letter and directed to me at Nashville.
Your Compliance will confer 
an obligation
on yrs respectfully
Nathaniel Borum
[Signature]
The compliments of Old Mr. Denson & his son John are presented.
You will find two discharges given for the same person a mistake I presume by the officer who gave them, the fact of the wound received by the testimony of the Denton sen'r. as repects Speekman Downum, will show that one of the inclosed discharges was intended for him, Downum & Stradly were brothers in law & at the time Downum recieved his wound, was in consequence of it discharged from further duty, and Stradly after the disimission from service, of Downum, obtained both discharges at the same time, adn thereby the error was committed which the records of the war office will show,
Page 20

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Downy, John GRADE Private LINE Maryland

WARRANT
NUMBER 11139 ACERAGE 100 ISSUED April 28, 1791 to - not shown - 

----
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 176, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.