Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 10229, for Joel Preston, Virginia
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE                                        NUMBER    
Va                 Preston, Joel             W.10229
                                   Lucy          B.L. Wt. 24165-160-55.




CONTENTS
Page 2

State of Tennessee Smith County
On this 8th day of September 1848 personally
appeared before me Isaac Jones one of the acting
Justices of the Peace in and for said County Lucy
Preston a resident of the County of Smith and
State of Tennessee aged Seventy nine years and
going in her eightieth 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 on the 29th day of July
1848 That she is the widow of Joel Preston
who was a soldier in the War of the
Revolution and served in the continental
line of the State of Virginia for the span
of two years and upwards a continental
State troops this affiant cannot say which
as she obtained this information after their
Marriage She further declares that her
husband served about two years in the 
Volunteers Troops of Virginia in towers[sic] of three
and six months making in all about four
years That a considerable portion of this
time he served under an appointment
of Second Sergeant. She recolects[sic] an important
circumstance that her husband always
refered[sic] to with pleasure. Their orderly or
first sergeant was by the name of Smith
and on one morning when the rations of
beef was brought to the Company it
was unsound so her husband took it
back being a quarter of beef threw it
down before the quarter Master or 
Commissary and demanded better meat which
was refused but her husband seeing a
plenty that was sound took a good pine
Page 3

and asked to have it weighed to him but on this
last being refused be took it to his company
expecting that he would be arrested but found
that it gave such satisfaction to his company
that they always sent him for provisions
afterwards  She cannot particularize the names
of his officers one was Colonel Calaway  She has also
heard him state various names but cannot particularize
them or which he served under as this
information was learned after their marriage
and she was [struck out {too young to know}] living too
far off to know him him until
after the Marriage That her said husband
lived in Virginia but performed most of
the service north in Maryland and Pennsylvania
under General Washington and
continued in and under his command until
the Capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown
He was ^at the Battles of Brandy Wine and
Germantown He also served under General
Morgan part of his time This affiannt
will show by other proof more particularly
about the ^ service which she believes is already filed in Washington
She believes that some ^better evidence
by Documentary proof from the records of
Virginia ^exist which she herewith files or will
hereafter files
She further declares that she
was married to the said Joel Preston on
the twenty fifth day of November one
thousand seven hundred and ninety six
in Bedford County State of Virginia by
Nathaniel Sorsberry ^or Shrewsbury a Baptist Preacher by
seeing from the clerk a copy of which
has been duly certified and sent to Washington 
City and filed in the Pension
office by  Doctor Peyton Member of
Page 4

Member of Congress four years ago
That her husband the aforesaid Joel Preston
deed on the 5th day of October 1828 and
that she has remained a widow ever since
that period as will more fully appear by
Reference to the proof hereto annexed
Sworn to and subscribed by me
on the day and year first above mentioned
{signed]  Lucy Preston}
[signed]  Isaac Jones {JP}
Justice of the peace
Guy
Preston
State of Tennessee
[Piece of paper on top of document]
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 21st day of December 1784, in the name of
Joel Preston as a Soldier of Infantry
for £20. 11. 2, which Certificate appears to have been delivered to
Austin Lynch and was given for services prior to the 1st January, 1782.
p. 239. {no seal of office} Given under my hand at the Auditor's Ofice, Richmond, this
21st day of June 1841.
Jas E Heath AUDITOR.
Page 5

Member of Congress four years ago
That her husband the aforesaid Joel Preston
deed on the 5th day of October 1828 and
that she has remained a widow ever since
that period as will more fully appear by
Reference to the proof hereto annexed
Sworn to and subscribed by me
on the day and year first above mentioned
Isaac Jones
the
Justice of the peace
Guy
Preston
State of Tennessee}
Smith County}   I Isaac Jones one of the
acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County
aforesaid ^hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Lucy
Preston who has made the foregoing Declaration
and that from old age and bodily infirmity
agreeable to her statement and living Sixteen
miles from the court house she cannot appear
in open court without endangering her
health to make this Declaration in open
Court this 8th day of September 1848
[signed] Isaac Jones {JP}
Justice of the peace
Page 6

814
Tennessee Nashville
Lucy Preston
widow of Joel Preston
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private
Va
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
40 Dollars 00 
Cents per annum, to commence
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued
2d day of July 18[torn]
and sent to
A. Ferguson
Care by J. Bryan
Plen[torn]
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under[torn]
July 29, 1848, Page 184 Vol. A [torn]
Smith & Jones July 27 1852
Augt 21. 1857. Duplicate
and sent to J. F. Goodwin
Alexandria Tenn
issued
Page 7

Alexandria to     Jones
March 8th
Honorable  Joseph H Paton
Representative Hall
Washington DC

Petition of Lucy Preston
refer to the committee
Revolutionary Pensions
[signed]  J.H. Peyton
Page 8

To the Honorable Senate, and house of
Representatives, now in session
I Lucy Preston, widow of Joel
Preston Deceased. wish to represent to your Honorable body; that
I was married to the above said Joel Preston, on the Twenty fifth
day of November, One thousand Seven hundred and ninety six
and continued to live with him in peace and love, until the
Fifth day of October One thousand eight hundred and twenty
eight, when he died; being in the Seventieth year of his age.
During our wedlock, we had nine children; three sons, and
Six Daughters, Five of which still survive; and four are dead.
Your Honorable body have in years past, (for a part of the
widows) did make special provision, for them to be supported
during their natural life. But this special act, or provision
made by your Honorable body, did not embrace your petitioner's condition, or case, who is now about seventy five years old.
and, although, I am in a feeble state, or situation, I have to labour
for my support, through much affliction and pain, as is common
to women of my age.
Your humble petitioner does therefore pray your Honorable
body, to take her situation into consideration, and grant unto
her the services of her husband; that they may ^help support her;
in her old age, who is feeble, and not able to support herself,
living on rented land, in limitted[sic] circumstances.
Your humble petitioner, does also, pray your Honorable body
to allow the heirs of Joel Preston (her husband, the wages and
land, that justly belongs to the said Joel Preston Dec'd Who 
rendered much service in the Revolutionary war,
Page 9

A part of my husband's services was in the Continental army,
and it cannot be found at Richmond, (Virginia) that the certif-
icate issued for his wages of ten or eleven pounds, and some
shillings; has ever been paid unto sd Joel Preston Dec'd or unto any
of his heirs or assigns. And the Certificate for his wages cannot
be found, and your petitioner believes that it was left among
other papers in Virginia, and has since been destroyed.
Your Petitioner herewith sends you all the necessary documents
to prove the services of her husband, in the Revolutionary 
war, and of her marriage to the said Joel Preston Dec'd.
Your humble petitioner now submits her case unto your
honorable body, to be disposed of in your wisdom
February the 23rd 1844
[signed]Lucy Preston
Page 10

Virginia Sct
At a Court held for Bedford County at the Courthouse
the 22nd day of November one thousand seven hundred
and eighty four
Joel Preston proved before this Court, that he obtained
a discharge from Col. William Davis for twelve months
Service in the Continental Army, which discharge was 
accidentally lost.
In testimony that the above is a
true and correct transcript from the
record in my Office. I Robert
P. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court
of said County have hereto set my
hand & affixed the Seal of said
Court this 25th day of November
One thousand eight hundred and
thirty five
[signed]  R C Mitchell  C.P.C.
Page 11

I do hereby certify that the within marriages
were legally solemnized by and to wit
Joel Preston and Lucy Tate the twenty fifth
day of November Seventeen hundred and ninety
six
Nathl. Shrewsberry

I John R. Steptoe Clerk of the County Court
of Bedford in the State of Virginia do hereby
certify that the above is a true extract from
the records of said Court with the exception of
the date which is expressed on the record in
fair legible figures as follows "November 25th
1796"
In testimony whereof I have hereto
set my hand and affixed the
Seal of said Court this 11th day
of October 1848
Jno R. Steptoe CLC
[attached page from ?family bible? follows]
Caleb Preston son of Joel and Lucy his wife was 
born [blot]th day of September------------179[torn]
Nancy daughter of the same---------------179[torn]
Page 12

[torn]4.630 {Act Mar 3/33
                   {June 11/33
Lucy Preston
Wid of
Joel Preston, priv
------
Capt-
Col-   Va Contl. line
Enl-                         }Va
Dis                          }Mil
Revolutionary War
-----
Pensioner
160 Acres Apl. 19 1856,
Tenn  July 48-814
Widow
[written diagonally ]
No 24165 & Apl 22/56

-----------
John F. Goodner
Alexandria
Ten
Vol P. Page 141.
Page 13


State of Tennessee }
County of DeKalb  }    On this the Twelfth
day of April A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty
five personally appeared before me John D
Tucker a Justice of the peace within and for the
County and State aforesaid, Lucy Preston
Aged Eighty Eight years a resident of Smith
County in the State of Tennessee, who being duly
Sworn according to law declares that she is the
widow of Joel Preston Deceased who was a Private
Soldier in the Revolutionary war with Great
Britten[sic] that he was mustered into service in
Bedford County Virginia where he then lived
and continued in said war until he was
honorably discharged in consequence of the
close of the war, and that she is now drawing
a pension of Forty Dollars per Annum for
and in consequence of the aforesaid Services
of her Husband Joel Preston Decd that he
never received any bounty land from govermed
for his services, and that she has not got
any Bounty land, nor made any application
for such, That she was married to Joel
Preston in Virginia in Redford County
and lived with him many years until
he died, and has been a widow ever since
and is a Widow now. She would refer you
to the papers and proof filed for the purpose
of obtaining her Pension, for proof of her
Husbands Services her marriage and
other such evidence as may be necessary
in the premises, as she is a
the is getting very old
and has forgotten much now. that was
Page 14

in her memory, at the time she applied
for Pension. She makes this declaration for
the purpose of obtaining the benefit of an
act of Congress approved 3rd day March
1855 Granting "Additional Bounty land to
certain officers and Soldiers who have been
engaged in the Military Service of the United States"

Lucy  her  X  mark  Preston  {seal}

We James M Baird and J R Luck
residents of DeKalb County State of Tennessee
upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration
was signed and acknowledged by Lucy Preston
in our presence and that we believe from the
appearance and statements of the applicant that
she is the Identical person she represents herself
to be
[signed]  James M. Baird  {seal}
[signed]  J.K. Luck  {seal}

The foregoing Declaration and affadavit[sic] was
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day
and year above written, and I certify that I
know the affiants to be creditable persons; that the
Claimant is the person that she represents
herself to be and that I have no Interest
in this claim
[signed]  John P Tucker {JP}
DeKalb County Tenn
Page 15

State of Tennessee Dekalb County
I WJ. Isbell Clerk of the County Court
of said County do certify that John D. Tucker Esqr.
before whom the foregoing Declaration and 
affidavit purports to have been made now is and
was at the time the same purports to have been
made, an acting Justice of the peace within
and for the County and State aforesaid duly
commission and sworn and that the
Signature purporting to be his is genuine and
that he is duly authorized to administer oaths
for general purposes and that the County Court
of said County is a Court of Record, In 
testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the County
Seal of DeKalb County Court at
office in Smithville the 18th day of
April 1855.
W. J. Isbell Clerk
Page 16

Alexandria ten
July 8
Adam Furguson Esq
Carthage
Tenn
Page 17

State of Tennessee Smith County
On this day personally appeared before me Isaac Jones one of the
acting Justices of the peace in and for the County
aforesaid Caleb Preston a resident of Smith County aged
fifty two years in September next who being duly sworn
according to law makes oath that after the death of his
father Joel Preston the husband of his Mother Lucy Preston
who has made application for a pension under act of
Congress 19th July 1848 he found among his father valuable
papers an account against him for as well as he can recolect
Sixteen pounds of Tobacco the clerks fee of Bedford County
Virginia which account he has no doubt was taken up
and paid and was the clerks fee for proving the loss of
four discharges from the tours served in the Continental line
of the State of Virginia as well ^as state line which tours were
performed during the war of the Revolution and said account
or receipt was as well as recolected dated in 1784 and was
sent in a letter to John B Forester while member of
Congress day about the year 1833 or 35 for the purpose
of a????ng whether the Land or land warrant due for
his services was ever obtained or not. Affiant further states that
he is informed and believes that after the Revolution tobacco
was sometime received by publick[sic] officers as money and this
account specified that the discharges were for services performed
by his father the said Joel Preston in the war of the
Revolution. Affiant further states that his recolection is
more certain about the above facts on account that he was
thing to find out whether lands was appropriated as above
Stated or not and whether his father was entitled to any &c
but affiant knows not what said Forester done with it
nor does he know where it is. Affiant has transacted his
mothers business ever since his fathers death and it was
from examining his fathers paper and hearing his father
say in his life time that he never got his pay as
Goverment had not the money. It was these convulating
of
Page 18

of his father that caused him to find out the
L 20.. 11 ½ filed with the application of his mother
for a pension  Affiant left Virginia the last time
in 1819 in his 22d year ^or 23 year and his father Joel Preston moved 
to Tennessee in 1828 and died October of the same year
Affiant has a good recolection of the family of the Prestons
as related to him by the different members of the different
families before he left Virginia and never understood or heard
of any by the name of Joel Preston but his father who
lived in Bedford County in the time of the war of the
Revolution nor since that period thus was in service in
time of the Revolution Affiant has heard his father often
relate about his services and some of the officers particular
Colonel Stephens perhaps afterwards General Stephens and
the sufferings of himself and the rest of his fellow soldiers from
hunger and cold. He has no doubt but he is the only Joel
Preston in the State of Virginia in the service of the United States
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
6th day of July 1849   [signed]  Caleb Preston
[signed]  Isaac Jones {JP}
for Smith County
State of Tennessee Smith County

I Isaac Jones one of the acting Justices of the
Peace in and for said County do hereby certify that I am
well acquainted with Caleb Preston who has made oath and
Subscribed to the foregoing affidavit. That he is a man of
Respectability and truth and of good character and standing
and that full faith and credit are due and of right
ought to be given to his statements and I hereby
Certify the same  In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal this 6th day
of July 1849
[signed] Isaac Jones {JP}
for Smith
County
Page 19

Mr Fergerson[sic]
Sir since I saw you in conversation
with my wife in relation to the residence of her
uncle Isaac Cundif at the time of the Revolution
he must have lived with in 6 or 8 miles of
father at that time and was solger[sic] also and if
he is yet alive can prove all things nessesary[sic]
he was a live the last I herd[sic] of him and was
living on the same place Bedford County Virginia
[signed] C. Preston

State of Tennessee}
Smith County}
I William V. R. Hallum Clerk
of the County Court of said Smith County
do hereby certify that Isaac Jones whose
name appears to the foregoing affidavit of Caleb
Preston and the accompanying certificate was
at the time the same purports to bear date one of the
acting Justices of the peace in and for the
County of Smith aforesaid duly commissioned and
qualified to act as such and that full faith
and credit are due and of right ought to be given
to all his official acts. That his commission was
dated on the 20th day of March 1848 and will
expire on the 20 day of March 1854 and that the
signatures above purporting to be his are
genuine
In testamony[sic] whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the Seal of said Court
at office in Carthage the
9th day of January 1850
W VR. Hallum Clerk
Page 20

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.      3 -- 525
                 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
W.F. 10229    BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
                         Washington, D. C.
In reply to your request of____________________received________________
for a statement of the military history of Joel Preston
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.  [check]

LENGTH OF
SERVICE. 12mos

RANK, Pvt ^& 2d Sgt 
that
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. [check]

COLONEL.
William Davis
Lynch
Stephens

STATE.  Va.
Battles engaged in, Brandywine, Germantown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bedford Co. Va
Date of application for pension, Sept 8 1848 Her cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Smith County Tenn
Age at date of application, She was 79 years old,
Remarks: He mar Nov 5 1796 in Bedford County, Va. Lucy.
Tate and died Oct. 5, 1828 in his 70th year in Smith Co. Tenn
There were three sons and six daughters - Caleb born
Sept. 30. 1797 and Nancy born 1779 - are the only names stated.
Respectfully,

6 -- 2856

Commissioner.
Page 21

1920 Feby 24 Hist to Hattie R Stratton

Rev WIDOW, &c.
---
---
File No. 10229
Lucy Preston
Wid of
Joel Preston
Priv Rev. War
Act: July 29th 48
Index: -- Vol. M  Page 140
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 22

Rev: 29" July 48.  Tenn

[signed] B[illeg]
Page 23

Lucy Preston No 11.143.
Copy to ??? J. W Peyton
July 11 1844
same Jan 11 1845

Ex by Bryant & Ferguson
June 30-51

[check] No 257
Lucy Preston
Ten
Lot to A. Ferguson
May 28th 49
Letter Cap Preston 3d Sept 1849
  "    A. Ferguson 13th Oct 1849
   "     same          14th Dec 1849
   "     same           18th April 1850
Act 29 July 1848.
Page 24

Lucy Preston widow of Joel Preston Rev. soldier
State of Virginia
under act 1848 for Pension
Jane Brent widow John Brent Rev soldier
under act 1838 for Pension
ex ???-J.T.K.  Feb 51
Page 25

24.165
{
Rev ?????
Page 26


Rev Sec
Enc
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
Will you kindly tell me if our
Ancestor Joel Preston of Virginia
received a pension for his services
in the Revolutionary War. And if
the records show where he was
living at the time of receiving
the pension and any thing of
his wife and children
Thanking you very much
I am Respect.
Hallie R. Stratton
321 Poplar St
Chattanooga
Tennessee
Feb 7-1920
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE FEB 9 1920
Page 27

April 22d 57
Additional evidence
filed in the case
of Lucy Preston
widow of
Joel Preston
Rev. Soldier
Virginia Service
Cap Triplett
Jno. T. Neely
Present
Page 28

Apr 30/52
Appy of Lucy
Preston wid:
of Goel-
814 -29yrs
Smith and Jones
Nashville
Tenn
Kirby
Page 29

Nashville Tennessee
April 15th 1852
We enclose declaration & Pension Certificate 
of Lucy Preston claiming an Increase of
Pension under Act July 29, 1848, as Widow of
Joel Preston, who was a Va Soldier in the
Revoly War
Yr Obt Servts
Smith & Jones

Hon James Heath
Commr of Pension
Washington
DC
Page 30

1857
Alexandria Ten Aug 18th
To the Hon Commission
of Pensions
Washington
Dear Sir
I sent you a
few days ago the affadavit[sic]
of Lucy Preston asking a
duplicate Certificate for
Pension the original having
been lost in mail
Since then the original
has been returned to this
office from the General P.O.
at Washington, and it is
not now necessary to send
the duplicate
Yours &c
John F Goodwin
Alexandria
Ten
Page 31

Breif[sic] in the case of Lucy Preston widow of Joel Preston.
Smith County and State of Tennessee
act 29 July 1848
Claim, 
Proof exhibited, (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Duplicate certificate in heir of one dated 2d
July 1857, which has been lost or destroyed
(If for increase.)
 Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?

J. F. Goodwin
Name and residence of Agent
Alexandria
Tennessee
J Cole
Examining Clerk
Page 32

Alexandria Ten, Aug 11th 1857
Dear Sir Enclosed herewith please find
Affidavit[sic] of Lucy Preston proving the
loss of her Pension Certificate and asking
the issuance of a Duplicate. I hope it
will suit your convenience to examine
it soon as the old lady is very old
and mainly depends on her pension
for support, and as she has not
drawn any for near a year she
is needing very much
Yours &c
Lucy Preston
By J.F. Goodwin
Alexandria
Tennessee

To the Commission
of Pensions

Washington
D.C.
Page 33

T L Edwards
Comms of Pensions
Page 34

House of Reps. May the 27 1844
Dear Sir. Please examine the petition of
Lucy Preston, & accompanying papers & let me
know if there is any defect in the proof,
provided the Bill passes which is now
before the House, extending the time
of marriage. If there is any defect in
the proof, please say what it is, & point
out the mode by which it can be made
perfect-- As it is late in the Session & it
may be necessary to bring this claim before
Congress again, be so good as to give me
your answer at your earliest convenience ┃
Very respectfully yours &c
[signed] JM Peyton
Page 35


Carthage Tennessee
4th November 1848
Dear Sir
Inclosed you will find the Declaration and
proof both Documentary as well as depositions
in suport[sic] of the Claim of Mrs Lucy Preston Widow
of Joel Preston for a Pension under act of the
29th July 1848 I want you to examine the way
I have arranged the Declaration and proof
as I hope I have been careful enough to
meet every rule that regulate the establishing
a plain lawful claim
Be pleased to give the claim your earliest
attention and I hope you will find no difficulty
whatever in allowing it
Respectfully
[signed] A Fergusson

James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 36

Alexandria May 9th 1849
The object of this communication
is to get some information concerning the
pension papers of Lucy Preston the widow
of Joel Preston a Revolutionary Soldier
She employed Adam Ferguson of Carthage
Tenn. to attend to them for and she is fearful
he has received them and is retaining them
for some purpose or other
I wish you to write to me and let
me know if they have been sent or whether
they have been detained for the want of
testimony, or on account of any Error they
may be in them, and confer a favor on
the widow of Joel Preston
Very Respectfully yours
[signed] Caleb Preston
Alexandria
Tennessee

To the
Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 37

Carthage Tennessee
9th July 1849
Dear Sir
Yours of the 1st June in the case of Mr
Jane C Smith and 28th May in the case of Mrs
Lucy Preston for Pensions have been received and
contents noted. I respectfully call your attention
to the requisition made that each of these "claimants
should make a Declaration before a court of record"
Mrs Preston cannot at any time nor under
any circumstances appear before the County
Court of Smith Her health and debility having
within a year or two undergone so great a change
as to preclude the idea of even carrying her in a
carriage with any safety. And in the case of
Mrs Jane Smith she is a criple[sic] and otherways disabled
to travel  I am not aware from an examination
of the rule of your office that any change has
been made requiring in every case an aged decriped[sic]
Widow to appear in court as indispensible. If so
Be pleased to send the Declarations back for to be
recognised[sic] before the County Court at the official
act of one of their Justices of the court as I
know of no other alternative; there being a
positive inability for them as well as others
to appear in court, but any other testamony[sic]
as to their ability or identity can be furnished
Be pleased to address me an answer upon
this
Page 38

This question and inform me what must be done.  All
the other proof I think I can get
In examining the pension laws published last
February which you were kind enough to furnish
me a copy I see the Same rules prevail in regard
to applicants unable to appear in court on
account of bodily infirmity may make a declaration
before a Judge or Justice of the peace or Justice
of a court of record and the Justice must certify
that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity
appear in Court  In Tennesse the Justice
of the peace holds the county court and the
County Court is a Court of record. The Justice
in both these cases have duly certified to the
inability of the applicant to appear in open
Court to make their declarations unless I
am greatly mistaken in my recolections about
the claimants. But it may have been
overlooked by some of your clerks in the
hurry of Business  Be pleased to return
me an answer as soon as practicable
Respectfully
[signed] A Fergusson
James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 39

Carthage 29th October 1849
Agreable[sic] to the requisitions made in your
letter of the 13th instant in relation to the
Claim of Lucy Preston Widow of Joel Preston
deceased I herewith inclose[sic] you the proof of
his identity by one who married his cousin
and one of the oldest as well as one of the
Most respectable citizens of the County of
Macon formerly a part of Smith County
I hope you will feel satisfied now to
issue her certificate of Pension to the full
amount she claims and to which she
is entitled to and forward the same
without delay
Respectfully
[signed] A Fergusson

James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D C
Page 40

Carthage Tennessee
7th January 1850
Dear Sir
Yours of the 14th December 1839 is before
me in relation to the claim of Lucy Preston in
which you say that the evidence of Daniel Cliborne
to identify him Preston with the Soldier
in whose favour L 20.. 11.. 2 was affixed is not
satisfactory as the Witness had no personal knowledge
of his service & & I am greatly astonished
at this assertion. Daniel Claiborne if I am
not mistaken not only knew him while in
service but were boys togather[sic] Preston being
considerably older  They eat and slept together
before and after the service and no other Joel
Preston was from Bedford County I have
further to remark that your last letter above
mentioned demand new proof not heretofore
asked for nor intimated in both your letters
such for instance as the Company and
Regiment although the records show that
fact and the certificate of James Heath
Esqr of Richmond for the L 20..11-2
bears record evidence of service and the proof
clearly identify him with that Soldier yet
the widow is now required after she has
proven by the Marriage licence[sic] her Marriage
with Preston to prove his service and Captains
and
Page 41

Regiment as though no record was in existence
herewith send you another Deposition
taken last July and which by mistake was
not sent I having overlooked it in the hurry
of business. I hope this will prove Satisfactory
as there can be no mistake as to identity
Daniel Claiborne's evidence must be taken over if
the same is not particular enough because he
knew all about him and if the facts are not
stated he can state them I have no doubt
Respectfully
[siged]  A Fergusson

JL Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 42

John T Neely Esqr
Washington
DC

A Fergusson 
Carthage 
Ten
Dec 4 1850
returned
Page 43

Carthage 4th December 1850
Sir
Yours of the 6 November only came to hand
a day or two ago from some cause or other
in the iregularity[sic] of the mail which has given
me some hope that my long standing claims
will meet with some attention
In answer to that part of your letter
requesting full authority to act in my room
and stead I know of no better authority
than my letter wrote to you and if that
is not sufficient to authorise[sic] you to take
an appeal to the Honble Secretary of the
Interior I hereby give you full power and
authority to transact all business pertaining
to the claims mentioned in my letter in as
full and ample a manner as if I were present
and ordering the same to be done myself
with power to take an appeal in case the same
shall in your oppinion[sic] be necessary
for the favourable decision expected in
each case. I have mislaid the Memorandum
I kept of the cases I sent you  Will you
be so good as to mention them in your
next so that I may know what claims
I have submitted to your care and
management. I do this because I have
given
Page 44

part of my business into the hands of other Agents
and I do not wish to interfere with the claims
in their hands. In regard to the ballance[sic] of the
Suspended claims before the Commissioner of
Pensions I am making out a list of Claims
from the very long and Voluminous correspondance
now on file in my office with practical notes
of what is signed in each case so as to be
able to quote Mr Edwards own decisions in
each case which will be of vast importance
in the successfull[sic] prosecutions of the claims
I would here remark that in doing this I
will be able as I think to show most
clearly that what he requires at one period
is lost sight of and and new and unheard
of requisitions made as a final excuse
for rejecting or suspending a claim I will
give you a good share of my business if
you can be of service to me and of this I
have no doubt whatever  As to your terms
I expect you will make them satisfactory
and I expect to remunerate you in each case
you suceed[sic] in as you only charge for those
you suceed[sic] in  As to bounty land warrants
they are not worth prosecuting and I have
done but little in them, the County here
being literally inundated with agents, a
great many of whom for some sinister
motives having undertaken the most of the
Page 45

for nothing you will answer this letter as
soon as convenient and let me know what you
have done
Respectfully
[signed] A Fergusson

John T Neeley Esqr
Washington
DC
Page 46

Washington DC
April 16 1851
Honl Jas Edwards
Sir
I file the affidavit of
John Turner Revolution as addtional
evidence in the case of Mrs Preston
for a Pension & request that you will
have a reexamination & report made
in said claim at your earliest
convenience

Yr Respectfull
Hon Serv
[signed]  Jno T Neely
Page 47

Lucy Preston, wid
of Joel
Tenn

Act 29 July 1848
Rev 1 yrs Penr
$40 per ann
from 4 Mch 1848

be sent to
A. Ferguson
care of  J. Bryan
Private
Page 48

State of Tennessee Macon County
On this day personally appeared Daniel Claiborne Sen
before me John C Marshall one of the acting
Justices of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid
aged eighty years of age last may who being
duly sworn according to law makes oath that
he was well acquainted with Joel Preston husband
of Lucy Preston formerly Lucy Tate This affiant
knew both the parties before then intermarriage
They lived in Bedford County Virginia Affiant
Married a Cousin of Joel Preston and lived in
about seven miles for thirty years before affiant
moved from Virginia to Tennessee  Affiant left Joel
Preston living in Virginia about the year 1804
or 1805 Consequently was acquainted with him from a
boy, were togather[sic] frequently Preston was older than
affiant was a large masterly young man rather inclined
to be wicked until after he returned from the
Revolution and was married to his first wife but after
ward professed religion, and became a celebrated Baptist
preacher.  Said Preston moved to the South end of
Smith County Tennessee say somewhere about fifteen
or twenty years afterwards and died in Smith County
Affiant was at Carthage Smith County during the
the County Court after the death of Preston
and she ^his widow was attending to the business of the estate of her
husband.  Affiant knows of his own knowledge
that this is the same Joel Preston who lived in
Redford County during the war of the Revolution
and served in the Continental line of the State
There was no other Joel Preston in all that
Country  The Preston were numerous so were not
the Claiborns they were but few.  Affiant had a
general and intimate acquaintance with both
families and connections  Affiant settled in the
North end of Smith County so that his chance of
Page 49

seeing Preston was not so good as formerly but
received letters from him, and saw some of the family and
friends were passing and at times Preston would
send word he was come to preach but owing
to the short time he lived after moving to Tennessee
he did not come. Affiant knows the family now and
has no hesitation in saying that she is the same widow
Preston ^formerly Lucy Tate widow of Joel Preston who served in the
Revolution and to whom a certificate of L 20..11..2 was issued
Affiant could speak of his services as he was
then at the close of the Revolution about thirteen
years of age Preston was out a long time affiant
thinks after his continental services, he went out
as a volunteers under Col. Lynch but he will not
be certain whether Col Lynch was a regular Colonel
of the Virginia line or volunteer but Preston
was out a long time made a good soldier and
Stood Service very well Preston was out a long
time in his first service affiant recolects of his long absence
Remembers the time he went out was missing so long
from the neighbourhood and after ward going south
after the defeat of Gates in North Carolina and thinking
he was out at the time Guilford battle was
fought but cannot say whether or not under Col 
Lynch
Affiant knows and recolects he never come home until
the close of the war, his last terms were as a volunteer
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 26th day of October 1849

John C Marshall J.P.}
for Macon County}
[signed] Daniel Cliborn
Page 50

State of Tennesee Macon County
I John C Marshall one of the acting Justices
of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid
do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
Daniel Claiborne Senr who has made the foregoing
affidavit before me that he is a man of good
Character and standing and truth and veracity
and that full faith and credit are due
and of right ought to be given to his statements 
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal
this 26th day of October 1849
[signed]  John C Marshall J.P.
for Macon County

State of Tennessee}
Macon County ⎬ I Jefferson B Short Clerk of the
County Court of said Macon County do hereby
certify that John C Marshall whose name appears
to the foregoing affidavit and certificate is now and
was at the time the same purports to bear date one of the
acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Macon
aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified and that
full faith and credit are due and of right ought to
be given to his official acts and that his signatures
thereto are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and the seal of said court at
office in Lafayette this 24th day
of October 1849
[signed] Jefferson B Short Clk
Page 51

State of Virginia
Bedford County to wit
On this day personally appeared John Turner
before me one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the
County aforesaid, and made solemn affirmation in due form
of Law, and says he was well acquainted with Joel Preston
who married Lucy Tate his now present widow
And further says he believes him to be the identical Joel
Preston who served in the Virginia Continental line, from
the following circumstances viz: That he had many years
ago heard the said Joel Preston relate being engaged in
circumstances that occurred in the war, and having such
full confidence in a firmness and veracity that he cannot
doubt his assertions-- That he was a Baptist Preacher
and had a son Caleb Preston - That he is informed and
verily believes, the said Joel Preston died in Smith
County Tennessee. This affiant says he served himself
in the Revolutionary ^war and is now nearly ninety years
of age

John  his  X  mark  Turner

The above affidavit was subscribed and solomly[sic]
affirmed to before me this 16th day of January 1851
[signed]  William Mead J.P.

State of Virginia}
Bedford County} sc
I John R Steptoe Clerk of the County Court of said
County do hereby certify that William Mead whose name
appears to the foregoing xxxxxx affidavit and certificate is
[illeg] was at the time the said attestations bear date
one of the acting justices of the peace in and
for said County and State duly qualified
and commissioned and that full faith and credit
are due and of right ought to be given to his official
Page 52

acts and that his signature thereto is genuine
In testimony whereof I have
herewith set my hand and official
seal this 28th day of January 1857
Jno R. Steptoe Clk
Page 53

Know all men by these presents that I Lucy Preston
of the County of Smith and State of Tennessee do
hereby nominate and appoint Adam Fergusson
of the same county and State my true and
lawful attorney for me and in my name
to procure all necessary testamony[sic] and other proof
to establish my claim to a Pension under the
act of Congress passed on the 29th day of
July 1848 entitled an act for the benefit
of the widows of officers of and Soldiers
of the Revolution and when so established to
receive the Pension certificate issued by
the Secretary of War at Washington
in my favor and further to do and perform
all legal acts necessary to establish my claim
hereby ratifying and confirming all that
my said attorney shall do by virtue hereof
Witness my hand and seal this 8th
day of September 1848 [signed] Lucy Preston
Test
[signed] Caleb Preston
[signed] Isaac Jones
State of Tennessee}
Smith County}  I Isaac Jones one of the
acting Justices of the Peace in and for
said County hereby certify that Lucy Preston
is personally known to the and that she appeared
before me on this day and acknowledged the
foregoing power of attorney to be her act and
deed for the purposes therein specified this
8th day of September 1848
[signed]  Isaac Jones {JP}
Justice of the peace
Page 54

No 257
Lucy Preston
wid of Joel
Tenn
act 29 July 1848
maried 1791
husband died 1828
State of Tennessee⎬
Smith County}

I William R Hallum clerk of the County
Court of said Smith County do hereby certify that
Isaac Jones whose name appears to the foregoing
Declaration of Lucy Preston and the annexed power
of attorney with the accompanying certificates
was at the time of signing the same one of the
Acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County
of Smith aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified
That his commission was dated on the 20th day of
March 1848 and will expire on the 20th day of
March 1854 and that the signatures purporting to be
his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal
of Office at Carthage this
day of November 1848
MR Hallum clerk
Page 55

State of Tennessee⎬ 
County of Smith}   On this the 10th day of
August in the year of our Lord Eighteen
hundred and fifty seven personally appeared
Lucy Preston before me Isaac Jones an
acting Justice of the peace in and for
the County and State above mentioned who
being duly sworn according to law
deposes and says that she is the widow
of Joel Preston Decd who was a Solder in
the Revolutionary war and that she is a
Widow and a pensioner, and that about
the 17th day of March last she enclosed
her Certificate of right for pension to Joel
Smith agent for paying pensions to
Middle Tennessee at Nashville, and that the
said Certificate was mailed at the Post
office at Alexandria DeKalb County
Tennessee about the time above named
and Directed to Joel Smith Nashville
Tennessee and that said certificate was
lost in route or mislaid so that it
cannot be found now. She further
states that she is the Identical person to
whom the former Certificate was issued, and
that she is entitled to a duplicate, the
therefore makes this declaration and
identity to obtain a duplicate Certificate
and thereby obtain the pension money
due her from the 4th day of September
1856   Lucy  her X mark  Preston {seal}
Attest  [signed]John F Grodier
[signed] J.C. Meesle
Sworn to and subscribed}
before me the day and date}
above written}
J, Jones {JP}
Page 56

Tennessee}
Smith County}
I David C Sanders Clerk of
the County Court of Smith leaving Do hearby[sic]
certify that Isaac Jones whos[sic] genuine
Signature appears officially to the within
affidavit is and was at the time the same
bears date an acting Justice of
the piece in & for said County duly Commissioned & quallified[sic] as the law direct
-
In testimy[sic] whereof
I have hearunto[sic] set
my hand & the seal of my
office the 17th day of
August 1857
[signed]  DC Sanders
Page 57

Declaration
of
Lucy Preston
Increase Claim
Act July 29, 1848
Smith & Jones
Attorney
Nashville
Ten
Apl. 15/52
Page 58

State of Tennessee Smith County, SS.
On this 5th day of 1852 personally appeared
before me a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, Lucy Preston, aged eighty five years a resident of said County
and State & made oath in due form of law that she is the
Widow of Joel Preston who was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war from the State of Virginia, having served
for the space of about five years in said war, in the 
Continental line, and in the militia and volunteers of said
State, that she now receives a Pension of Forty Dollars
per annum under act of July 29, 1848, at the Nashville 
Tennessee agency, that she is entitled to an Increase
of Pension under said act, which she hereby claims and
refers to the papers already filed in her case by A.
Fergusson Esq who was her attorney, that she has
not again intermarried but continues the widow of the
aforesaid Joel Preston
Sworn to & subscribed before me
the day & year above written
[signed]  Isaac Jones {JP}

Lucy  her X mark  Preston {seal}


I hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with Lucy
Preston the above named declarant for many years that
Page 59

she is a woman of truth and good repute, that the
has heretofore written her own name, but owing to bodily
infirmity and blindness is no longer able to do so, and
makes her mark. this 5th day of April 1852
[signed]  Isaac Jones {JP}

Know all men by these presents, That I Lucy Preston
of Smith County Tennessee Widow of Joel Preston decd
do hereby constitute and appoint Smith & Jones of
Nashville Tennessee my true & lawful attorneys for
me and in my name to prosecute my claim
to an Increase of Pension against the United States
hereby ratifying and confirming all their lawful
acts in the premises, Witness my hand and seals
this 5th day of April 1852,
Att; [signed] James Marler
att;  [signed]  C. Preston
Lucy  her X mark  Preston {seal}

Acknowledged before on this 5th day of April 1852
[signed]  Isaac Jones {JP}
Page 60

Tennessee}
Smith County ⎬
I, William V R Hallum Clerk
of the County Court of Smith County do hereby certify
that Isaac Jones whose name appears officially
to the foregoing declaration and certificate of 
acknowledgement is and was at the time the same
bears date an acting Justice of the peace in
and for said County, duly commissioned and
qualified as the law directs, and that the 
signatures thereto purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of said
office this 10" day of April 1852
WVR. Hallum clerk
Page 61

11145
Lucy Preston
Va
act 7. July 38
m 96.1
Rejected
Page 62

Virginia.}
County of Bedford Sct.}
I Robert C. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court
of said County, do hereby certify that in a return of Marriages made to
the Clerks Office of said Court, by Nathaniel Shrewsbury a Minister of the
Gospel in the year 1796, is the following entry
"Married 1796 November 25th Joel Preston and Lucy TSate"
the said date being expressed in figures legally made and when written
out means, one thousand seven hundred and ninety six, November the
twenty fifth.  In testimony that the above is a true and
correct transcript from the records of said County Court, as fully and
wholly as the same now remains in my office
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court this 12th day of
December 1843
[signed]  R. C. Mitchell  CRC

Bedford County, To Wit
This day Nancy Tate of said County and State of Virginia 
personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in
& for the County aforesaid & on her oath doth say that she was 
born in the county & state aforesaid has always lived there that
she is now about sixty two years old that Joel Preston of said
County of Bedford was married to her sister Lucy Tate at which
she was present but does not recollect the year of their marriage
that they continued to live together in said County until about
the year 1829 when they [illeg] as she understood to
Tennessee where the said Joel Preston soon after died
leaving her sister Lucy Preston a widow. Sworn to before me
as Given under my hand this 17th day of December
1843
[signed]  Elisha H Preston J.P. {seal}
Page 63

State of Virginia Franklin County
I hereby certify that I am the Nephew of Joel Preston & am now
in the sixty third year of my age, that I was present & see the said Joel
Preston married to Lucy Tate by Nathaniel Shrewsberry a Minister of the
Gospel which I believe took place in the latter end of the year 1796
that they continued to live together in the County of Bedford in the
State aforesaid until I think the year Eighteen hundred & twenty eight
when they removed to the State of Tennessee where I understood he died
six or eight months after geting[sic] there.  I further certify that I believe he is
the same Joel Preston who proved in Bedford County Court in the year
1784 that he lost his certificate for ten months services in the Continental
and as I have heard him mention it
[signed] Barker Preston
Franklin County to wit:
This day Barker Preston personally appeared
before me Peter D Holland a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid
& made oath, that the forgoing certificate subscribed by him contains
the truth to the best of his recollection. Given under my hand this
2d day of February 1844.
[signed]  Peter D. Holland {seal}
Page 64

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

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name  Preston, John GRADE Private  Line  Delaware


Warrant Number  10861  Acreage   100    Issued September 2, 1789
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, 1776, 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.