Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6028, for Thomas Shields, Virginia
Page 1

SERVICE
Va.

Shields, Thomas
Lydia
or
Lidia

NUMBER
W. 6028
Page 2

8906. Richmond.
Virginia.
Lydia Shields, decd widow of, Thomas Shields Va who was a Private in the Revolution for 10 months
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 33 Dollars 33.3 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. & end 26 Febry 1845, when she died
Certificate of Pension issued the 8. day of Nov 1850 and sent to S. Godwin Present
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 147

Reputed
Only surviving children, viz.
Pleasant Shields & John Shields
Page 3

Lidia Shields
Declaration
5.539.
Va
act of July 36


Tho Williams Es
Aspen Grove
Va
Page 4

STATE OF VIRGINIA
Pittsylvania COUNTY. TO WIT:}
ON this 16th day of October 1841 personally appeared before Stephen Coleman a Justice of the Peace for said County and State aforesaid Lidia Shields a resident of the County of Pittsylvania and State aforesaid, aged 86 year, 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 July 4th, 1836. That she is the widow of Thomas Shields who was a Militia Soldier in the War of the Revolution, to her own Personal knowledge he served Two Tours of duty under Captain John Donaldson on the Waters of New River in the Year 1776 & 1778 In the Winter and Spring of the Year 1781 He Served a Tour of duty in North Carolina under Captain Shelton was at the Battle of Guildford, In the Summer and Fall of the Same Year 1781 He Served a tour of duty under Capt. William Dix he was at York Town when Lord Corn Wallace Surrendered. She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Shields on the 21st day of July in the year seventeen hundred and Seventy Two and that her husband the aforesaid Thomas Shields died on the 2nd day of August 1831 that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. The whole time of Service as proved by John Terry, John Neal, Abraham Chaney, Isham Farmer and William Jeffres is One Year, One Month and Twenty days for which She claims a Pension
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me Ste Coleman
Lidia Shields
her X mark

Virginia, to wit:
I Stephen Coleman a Justice of the Peace for the county of Pittsylvania in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Lidia Shields who this day appeared before me, and subscribed and swore to the above declaration, by reason of old age and bodily infirmity cannot attend the Court of the County in which she resides. Given under my hand this 16th day of October 1841
Ste Coleman

Virginia, to wit:
We Rawley Thompson and John W Power residents of Pittsylvania County in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Lidia Shields who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration and know that she is the widow of Thomas Shields who was reputed to be a Soldier in the army of the Revolution and that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband the said Thomas Shields
R. Thompson
John [illegible mark or stamp] Power
Page 5

Virginia, to wit:
I Stephen Coleman a Justice of the Peace for the county of Pittsylvania in the State aforesaid, do certify that Rawley Thompson and John W Power who subscribed and swore to and affirm the the above certificate are creditable men. Given under my hand this 16th day of October 1841
Ste Coleman

Pittsylvania County to wit
I Stephen Coleman a Justice of the Peace for Said County do hereby Certify that I have known Lidia Shields the within named applicant for a Pension for Thirty Years past. from my first acquaintance, she was known as the Wife of Thomas Shields, She lived with him as Such to the day of his death, I have no doubt, but that they were Lawfully Married. I never heard any thing to the Contrary. Given under my hand this 16th day of October 1841
Ste Coleman
Page 6

1st Tour proved by Jno. Terry with Capt. Donaldson in 1776 is 3 Mo. 15 days
2nd Tour proved by Jno. Neal & Abraham Chaney with the same. 1778 is 4 " 5 "
3rd Tour proved by Isham Farmer with Capt. Shelton in 1781 when at the Battle of Guilford No. Carolina 3. 00
4th Tour proved by Isham Farmer & William Jeffreys with Capt. William Dix at Yorktown discharged in November 1781 3. 00
10. Mo. 20 days
Page 7

Lydia Shields
widow of Thomas,


S. Godwin
Page 8

Virginia to wit
At a Court held for the County of Pittsylvania at the Courthouse thereof on Monday the 20th day of May 1850
There has satisfactory evidence been exhibited to the Court that Lydia Shields widow of Thomas Shields who was a resident of Virginia in the County of Pittsylvania died in the said County on the 26th day of February 1845 & left four children living at that time, whose names were Pleasant Shields, Elizabeth Shields, Susan Shields & John Shields and that she has two children now living whose names are Pleasant Shields & John Shields. In testimony that the foregoing order is truly transcribed from the record of the County by Court of Pittsylvania County in the state of Virginia, I William H Tunstall Clerk of said Court, have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 24th day of May 1850
William H Tunstall
Page 9

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 6028
Lydia Shields
Wid:
Tho. Shields
Pvt, Rev; War
Act: Mch 3, [illegible] 43 & June 17, [illegible] 44
Index:- Vol. M, Page 205
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 10

11004 Richmond
Virginia
Lydia Shields decd
Widow of Thomas Shields who was a pensioner under the Act of [BLANK] and who died on the 2 August 1831 of Pittsylvania in the State of Va who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Shelton of the Regt commanded by [BLANK] in the [BLANK] line for 10 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 1/3 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of Nov 1850 and [illegible] S. Godwin, pres't
Total amount $[BLANK]
Payable to only surviving children
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J B Chase Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 277
Page 11

5589
Lydia Shields
Suspended
Letter to T. Williams
April 14th 1842
Lat 4. Aug 42 [illegible] W,
[illegible]
Lat to J.P. Stovell, [illegible]
" " [illegible] W M Tredway Jan 12, 47
" S. Goodwin 4th June 1847
Act 4 July [unclear, 16?]
Page 12

Thomas Shields d. 1831
Lydia Shields m. 1772
74 Donaldson. New River
(1) 78 4[illegible] " " "
(2) 81 Shelton. Guilford
(3) " 3. at Yorktown

Jno Jerry [illegible]
[check] Jno Neal " " (1)
[check] Abraham Chaney " (1)
[illegble mark] Isham Farmer " (3)
[check] Wm Jeffres (3) "
Page 13

Virginia to wit
Pittsylvania County Court- October [illegible] 1850
"On the motion of Eppa Shields who made Oath according to law and with Thomas W. Wooding his security entered into bond in the Penalty of three hundred dollars Conditioned as the law requires Certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the estate of Lydia Shields Dec'd in due form" --
In testimony that the above Order is truly Copied I William H. Tunstall Clerk of said Court hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court this 22nd day of October 1850-
Wm. H. Tunstall
Page 14

Washington,
Nov 15th 1850,
Sir,
I herewith enclose the evidence in the case of Lydia Shields, widow of John Shields, a soldier in the war of the revolution, which was required in your letter to me some months since,
Very Respectfully
S. Godwin

I also call up the claim of Sarah Wharton, widow Zachariah Wharton, of Barbour County, Va.
S. Godwin

J L Edwards, Esqr,
Com'r of Pensions,
Page 15

H Representation
Jany, 11th 1847,
Sir
Please let me have any information about the enclosed claim which may be furnished from your Department
[illegible]
Wm M Tredway.
Page 16

[illegible]
June 2, 1846
June 8, 184[illegible]
Rec'ds
Lidia Shields & Mary Morton
[illegible]
[illegible]
J L Edwards Esqr.
Com of Pensions
Washington
Page 17

Meadsville Va
June the 25th 1846
Dear Sir
Will you be so obliging as to inform me whether a certificate of Pension was issued to Mrs Lidia Shields Papers sent to the [illegible] by Thos Williams of Pittsylvania Co Va, and if not what further proof is necessary. also of *Mrs Mary Morten widow of [illegible] Morten will you be so obliging as to [illegible] the papers of Mrs Mildred Tally widow of Jas Tally I am [illegible] to the opinion the clame was registered for [illegible] of satisfactory proof of date of marriage I think under the new regulation the proof is [illegible]
[illegible]
J B Stoover

[illegible] Reg * No. 5469- Va. Roll '36
Page 18

Meadville
Oct 29th 1850
Paid 10
Shemuel Godwin Esqr
Washington city
Page 19

No 14230 R.
Lydia Shields decd
and Thomas
Va
Act 4th July- 1838-
Act 10 Mo. Pri-
$33. 33 1/3 per ann from 4th Mch 1836 to 4th Mch 1841- [illegible] from 4th 4th Mch 1843 to 26th Feby 1845 ([illegible] 3d Mch '43 & [illegible] '44,) when she died-
Pay [illegible] to Pleasant Shields and John Shields, her only surviving children

Certif. sent to
S. Godwin
Present
Page 20

Pension Office
Nov. 1850
Sir:
The care of Jerusha Lillie has been examined and it is deemed
Page 21

State of Virginia
County of Pittsylvania} ss
I Daniel Coleman of the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that I was well acquainted with Thomas Shields deceased late husband of Lydia Shields and I knew them as man and wife from my earliest recollection to the day of the death of the said Thomas Shields
I went to school when a Boy with their children, and in the year 1788 at which time I was deputy sheriff in the County of Pittsylvania aforesaid I was at the house of the said Shields for the purpose of collecting public taxes- I feel no hesitation in saying from the length of time I had known them as man and wife prior to the time I was deputy sheriff that they were married before the year (1784) Seventeen hundred & Eighty-four.
I am well satisfied that the said Thomas Shields & Lydia Shields were married according to laws then in force and never heard the least suspicion to the Contrary
Given under my hand this 21st Octr. 1850
Daniel Coleman
Sworn to & subscribed before me this the 21st day of Octr. 1850
Nath. Wilson JP.
Page 22

State of Virginia
County of Pittsylvania} ss
I Nathaniel Wilson a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that Col Daniel Coleman who has this day affirmed before me and made oath to the forgoing Certificate is well known to me and that he is a very highly respectable Gentleman as much so as any in the County of Pittsylvania that he is the Presiding Judge of the County Court of Pittsylvania and that he is entitled to full credit for any statement he would make on oath or not on oath
Given under my hand this 21st October 1850
Nath. Wilson JP

I William H Tunstall clerk of the County Court of Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia do hereby Certify that Nathaniel Wilson before whom the foregoing affidavit of Daniel Coleman was made & who has given the above Certificate is an acting justice of the peace in & and for said County duly Commissioned & sworn as such and that the above signature purporting to be his are genuine-
[illegible] testimony whereof & hereunto subscribe my name & affix the seal of said Court this 21st October 1850- W. H. Tunstall
Page 23

I John Terry a resident of Pittsylvania County in the state of Virginia, do hereby Certify that I was a soldier & Ensign in the War of the Revolution; that in the Month of April in the Year 1776 I Volunteered with Capt. John Donaldson and marched through the County of Franklin and was stationed at [illegible, Hands?] Meadows or Hawford on New River to protect the frontier settlements from the Attacks of the Indians, I well recollect that Thomas Shields who died in the County some Years ago, and whose Widow Lidia Shields is now an applicant for a Pension Volunteered in the said Company and served with me under Capt. John Donaldson as above stated at least Three months and fifteen days- when said (company) was discharged and we returned home
Given under my hand this 26th day of August 1841
John Terry
Witness James Terry

Pittsylvania County State of Virginia (ss)
I Thomas Williams a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid do Certify, that John Terry who subscribed his name to the above Certificate, and affirmed the same to be true is a Creditable man, and that his statement is entitled to full Credit & belief
Given under my hand this 26th day of August 1841
Tho. Williams
Page 24

This Deposition of John Neal a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States residing in the County of Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia [illegible] before me William Pannill a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Pittsylvania on the 18th day of September 1841. Who being duly sworn according to law. Sayeth that in the Spring of the Year 1778. Capt. John Donaldson raised a company of Volunteers to go against the Cherokee Indians, that Thomas was a private in the said Company that marched from the said County of Pittsylvania on the 7th day of April in the said Year 1778. He served in the said Company with the said Shields they went through the County of Franklin and was stationed at Col. Preston [illegible] at Harfield Fort near New River in the County of Montgomery in the State of Virginia until about the 12th of August 1778 when the said Company was discharged and returned home. after the War ended he frequently met with Thomas Shields who lived in the said County and Knew him to be the same Identical man that served the tour of duty under Captain Donaldson as a foresaid.
Sworn to and [illegible] subscribed before me this 18th day of September 1841
John Neal
his X mark
Wm. L. Pannill J. Peace

I do Certify that the John Neal who subscribed and swore to the above deposition is a Credible man and that his statement is entitled to Credit.
Given under my hand this 18th day of September 1841
Wm. L. Pannill J.P.
Page 25

The deposition of Abraham Chaney a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, residing in the County of Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia, taken before me Stokley Turner a justice of the peace in and for the said County of Pittsylvania on the 22nd day of September 1841- who being first duly sworn according to law, saith that in the Spring of the Year 1778 Captain John Donalson raised a company of Volunteers to go against the Cherokee Indians that a certain man by the name of Shields which I believe to be Thomas, who resided in the County of Pittsylvania was a private in the said Company, that Marched from the County of Pittsylvania, on the 7th day of April in the said year 1778. He served in the said Company with the said Shields they went through the County of Franklin, and was stationed at Col. Prestons, at Hattfield fort near New River, in the County of Montgomery in the state of Virginia, untill about the 12th of August 1778 when the Company was discharged and returned home, after the war ended, he frequently saw the said Shields and [illegible] and found by name to be Thomas, who lived in the said County and knew him to be the same identical man that served the tour of duty under Capt. Donalson as aforesaid
Abraham Chaney
his X mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 22nd day of September 1841
Sto. Turner J. peace

I do certify that Abraham Chaney who subscribed and swore to the above deposition is a credible man and that his statement is entitled to Credit- Given under my hand this 22nd day of September 1841
Sto. Turner J. peace
Page 26

This deposition of Isham Farmer aged ninety years of Sound mind and good memory residing in the County of Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia taken before Stephen Coleman a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid on the 11th day of October 1841 He being duly Sworn according to Law deposeth and Says that he was Well acquainted with Thomas Shields and lived a close neighbor to him during the whole time of the War of the Revolution and for many Years thereafter, and well remember that the Said Thomas Shields Served Several tours of duty in the Malitia Service of the Said Revolutionary War, viz I believe He Served two tours of duty in the Years 1776 and 1778 on the Waters of New River then the Frontiers of Virginia under Captain John Donaldson to defend the Settlement from the attacks of the Indians, In the Winter of 1781 he Served a tour of duty in the State of North Carolina Under Captain Brewer or Captain Shelton and was at the Battle of Guildford. in the Same Year he Served a tour of duty under Capt. William Dix I myself Served in that tour with him from early in the month of August untill after the Surrender of Lord Cornwallace at Yorktown in the month of October 1781 when we were discharged having Served on this tour near three months. the said Thomas Shields was married to Lidia Bays before the Commencement of the Said War and left her with his children at home every tour that he Served, he lived with her after the War ended to the day of his death. She the Said Lydia is now his widow and has not married Since his death.

Sworn to & Subscribed before me Isham Farmer the day and Year above written
Ste. Coleman J.P.
I do Certify that the above named Isham Farmer is a Credible man
Ste. Coleman
Page 27

The affidavit of William Jeffres a Revolutionary Pensioner, of the United States residing in the County of Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia taken before Leonard Claiborne a Justice of the peace for Said County, on the 14th day of October 1841 who being duly Sworn according to law Says that he was well acquainted with Thomas Shields in the time of the Revolutionary War; and Knows from his Own Personal Knowledge that he Served a tour of duty in the Malitia Service under Capt. William Dix who marched from the Said County of Pittsylvania about the first of August in the Year 1781 to the Eastern part of Virginia that the Said Thomas Shields was at York Town when Lord Corn Wallace Surrendered, after which he was orderd. to go as a Guard with the Prissioners to Nowlands Ferry. He Started, was taken on Sick and discharged at Hanover Court House in the month of November 1781. I believe he Served on this tour at least three months. he was at that time a Married man
William Jeffres
his X mark
Sworn to and Subscribed before me the day and Year above written
Len. Claiborne J.P.
I do hereby Certify that the above named William Jeffres is a Credible man. Given under my hand this 14th day of October 1841-
Len. Claiborne J.P.
Page 28

The Commonwealth of Virginia to James M Williams, Daniel Coleman, and David Hunt Gentlemen Justices of the County of Pittsylvania greeting: Whereas Thomas Shields by his certain Indenture of bargain and sale bearing date the 30th day of May 1804 hath sold & conveyed unto George Glascock Eighty two acres of Land with the appurtenances situate lying and being in the County of Pittsylvania and whereas Lydia the wife of the said Thomas cannot conveniently travel to our Court of our said County of Pittsylvania to relinquish her right of dower in and to the Lands & premises conveyed by the said Indenture hereto annexed- These are therefore to commission [illegible] request you or any two or more of you privately and apart from the said Thomas Shields her husband examine the said Lydia touching her free relinquishments of Dower in and to the Lands and that thereof you plainly and distinctly certify and enclose to the Justices of our said County Court under your seals, together we this Commission and Deed- Witness William Tunstall Clerk of our said Court the 12th day of March 1805 in the 29th year of the Commonwealth.
Will Tunstall
Pittsylvania County to wit
In obedience to the within Commission to us directed we have proceeded to examine Lydia Shields the wife of Thomas Shields privately and apart from her said husband and she freely and voluntarily relinquishes her right of Dower in and to the eighty two acres of Land conveyed in the Indenture hereunto annexed and is willing the said Deed should be recorded for the benefit of the said George Glascock- Given under our hands and seals the 6th day of April 1805
J.M. Williams
D. Coleman

At a Court continued and held for Pittsylvania County the [illegible] day of April 1805. This Commission for taking the acknowledgement and privy examination of Lydia the wife of Thomas Shields on a deed from her said husband to George Glascock was presented in Court together with the certificate of the Execution thereof, were ordered & recorded.
[illegible]
Page 29

Virginia to wit
I William H. Tunstall clerk of the County Court of Pittsylvania in the State aforesaid do hereby Certify that the annexed declaration of Lydia Shields widow of Thomas Shields was examined by the said Court at October term last approved by the same and ordered to be certified.
I further Certify that Thomas Williams, William S. Pannill, Stokely Turner, Stephen Coleman, and Leonard Claiborne are and have been for several years acting justices of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned & sworn and that their several signatures subscribed to the annexed affidavits of John Terry, John Neal, Abraham Chaney, Isham Farmer, and William Jeffres are genuine-
I also Certify that the annexed Commission for taking the relinquishment of dower of Lydia Shields with the justices & clerks certificates accompanying the same have been truly copied from the records of the said Court-
In Testimony Whereof I hereto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court this 30th day of November 1841-
W. H. Tunstall