Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 10211, for William Mansfield, Maryland
Page 1

Md.
Mansfield, William
W.10211
Kersiah
BL Wt 88030-160-55
Page 2

6630
District of Columbia
Kersiah Mansfield widow of William Mansfield
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private,
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 dollars 00 cents per annum,
to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued
8th day of June 1859
and send to 
J. C Dickey, Present
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under
Act February 3, 1853, Page [illegible] Vol. [illegible]
Page 3

(Left Column)
296.424 act Mar 3 53
Dec 22 38
Kersiah Mansfield
wid of
Williams Mansfield
Private
Revolutionary War
Ac:  160 ac June 6 /59
B. [illegible]
Schd B.

J C Dickey Esq
Present

(Right Column)

Set J. C. Dickey
Same Feb 23 /[illegible]
Same Apl 6 /59

Vol M 1. page 62
Page 4

296.424
Claim of Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield
for Bounty Land
Act of 1855.

Original Application

J. C. Dickey
Attorney
Washington D.C.
Page 5

District of Columbia
Country of Washington
On this sixteenth day of December A.D. 1858, personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace, in and for the country aforesaid, Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield, aged seventy years a resident of the county aforesaid; who, being first duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of William Mansfield who was a private soldier in the company commanded by Captain Richard Dorsey, of Maryland Artillery of the Maryland State line of the Revolutionary War: that her said husband enlisted or volunteered at Bowers old field, Prince Georges County Maryland on or about the first day of August A.D. 1780, for the term of  during the war and continued in actual service in said war for the term of three years and was honorably discharged at or near Gen Treville in the state aforesaid on or about the fifteenth day of November A.D. 1783. She further States that she was married to the said William Mansfield on or about the first day of March A.D. 1809 at a place called or seen Hill in Prince Georges Country Maryland, by on Andrews a Presbyterian Clergyman, and
Page 6

that her  name before her said marriage was Kersiah Long; that her said husband died at Alesandria Virginia, on or about the 15th day of April A.D. 1827, and that she has remained a widow every since the death of her said husband: that the record of her marriage to her said husband William Mansfield was destroyed by fire a short time previous to his death, and that she is unable to procure any evidence of her said marriage.

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she is entitled under the act approved March 3, 155; having never theretofore applied for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress; and she hereby constitutes and appoints J. C. Dickey of Washington, D.C., her attorney to prosecute this her claim, and procure her warrant.

Attest --
[illegible] Kersiah Mansfield X (her mark)
Page 7

We John A Cameron and James W Lynch
residents of Washington D.C. upon our oaths
declare that the foregoing declaration was
Signed and acknowledged by Kersiah
Mansfield 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, that
she is now a widow, and that we have
no interest in this claim.
John A Cameron
James W. Lynch X (his mark)

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were
sworn to and subscribed before me on the day
and year above written; and I certify that I believe
know the affiants to be credible persons; that the
claimant is the person she represents
herself to be, and is still a widow, and that
I have no interest in this claim.-
R. Burgess
Page 8

District of Columbia,
County of Washington,
On this seventeenth day of December, A.D. 1858, personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace in and for the county aforeseaid, Thomas Donaldson aged sixty-three years, a person to me well known to be a credible person, and entitled to belief; who, on his oath duly administered accordfing to law declares that he is personally well acquainted with Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield who made the foregoing declaration; that from the year 1815 to the year 1824 when he lived in Alexandria Virginia she said Kersiah Mansfield lived with the same William Mansfield as his lawful wife, and that she was so considered--as the lawful wife--of the said Willam Mansfield, by the commjunity.

He further states that he was very intimately acquainted with the within names William Mansfield the husband of the said Kersiah Mansfield; that the said William Mansfield was always considered (and reputed to be) by the community, a soldier of the Revolutionary War; that he--Donaldson--has conversed with the said Mansfield frequently about (the) War of the  Revolution, and the said Mansfield informed him the he belonged to the Maryland line of said war.
Page 9

He further states that he is well acquainted with Henry Mansfield who now resides in Alexandria Virginia, who is a son of the within named William Mansfield by his--William Mansfields--first wife; that he knew the within named Andrews a Presbyterian clergyman (who resided in Alexandria Virginia) and that in the year 1827--soon after a great fire which took place in January of that year (in Alexandria aforesaid)--the within named William Mansfield died; that he said Kersiah Mansfield has remained a widow since the death of her said husband William Mansfield, and that he has no interest in this claim. Thomas Donaldson

Sworn to, and subscribed 
before me on the 17th day of
December, 1858.
R. Burgess J P
Page 10

District of Columbia
County of Washington
On this Twenty Second day of December, A.D. 1858, personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, Mrs. Catherine Johnson, aged sixty eight years, a resident of the county aforesaid; a person to me well known to be a credible person, and entitled to belief; who on her oath duly administered according to law declares that she has been personally well acquainted with Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield--who made the foregoing declaration--since the year AD 1805; and that she was personally well acquainted with her said husband Willaim Mansfield, from the year AD 1805 until his death, which took place about the year AD 1827, in Alexandria Virgina; and soon after a great fire which took place about that time. 
She further states that she was personally well acquainted with the said William Mansfield first wife--Lucy Mansfield--who deceased about the year AD 1806, at a place called Oxen Hill, east of Alexandria Virginia, and in the State of Maryland; that the said Kersiah Mansfield's maiden name was Kersiah Long; that she was not personally present at the marriage of the said Kersiah Long to the said William Mansfield, but, of her own
Page 11

knowledge knows that they lived together as husband and wife, and that she said Kersiah was always reputed, and believed to be--in the community where they resided--the lawful wife of the said William Mansfield; that she said Kersiah had children by the said William Mansfield; that the said Kersiah lived with the said Mansfield as his lawful wife--at Oxen Hill aforesaid--in the years AD 1809 and 1810, and afterwards in Alexandria, aforesaid; where the said Mansfield died as aforesaid; that she said William Mansfield was reputed, and believed to be--in the community where he resided--a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
She further states that she knew the within named Andrews, a Presbyterian Clergyman, who resided in Alexandria, aforesaid; and of whom it is alledged married the said Kersiah Long and William Mansfield; that the said Andrews--when he was a Pastor of a church in Alexandria aforesaid--did make frequent visits to the people at Oxen Hill aforesaid--where there was no church--; that the said Kersiah Mansfield has remained a widow ever since the death of the said William Mansfield; and that she knows the aforesaid facts from the fact that she was intimately acquainted with the parties aforesaid; and lived at Oxen Hill, and Alexandria, aforesaid; when the parties aforesaid lived at Oxen Hill, and Alexandria; and that she has no interest in this claim.
Catherine Johnson her mark
Sworn to and subscribed by Catherine Johnson 
on the day and year above written, and I certify that I have no interest in this claim.
John S. Hollinghead J.P.
Page 12

District of Columbia,
Washington County, To wit:
I, John A. Smith, a Clerk of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia, for the County of Washington, hereby ceritfy that R. Burgehs + John S. Hollingshead Esqs before whom the above and annexed affidavits were made, and who have hereto subscribed their names, were--at the time thereof--Justices of the Peace, in and for the County and Distrcit aforeaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and their signatures thereto are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court, this 22nd day of Dec, 1858.
John A. Smith,
clk
Page 13

State of Virginia 
County of Alexandria } SS
On this Twenty first day of December A.D. 1858 
personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace, 
in and for the County aforesaid Henry Mansfield, 
aged sixty one years, a person to me well known 
to be a credible person and entitled to belief; who 
on his oath duly administered according to law, 
declares that he is the son of William Mansfield 
mentioned in the foregoing declaration made by  
Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield: that his said father, 
William Mansfield, lived from the year A.D. 
1804 to 1810, at a place called Oxen Hill last 
of Alexandria Virginia and in the State of 
Maryland: that his mother Lucy Mansfield died 
at Oxen Hill aforesaid about the year A.D. 1806 
that his said father was always reputed and 
believed to be, in the community where he 
resided, a soldier of the Revolutionary War; 
that the Soldiers of the Revolution would meet 
frequently at his fathers house and converse 
about things that transpired in said war and 
that he has herd his father say frequently 
that he belonged to the Maryland line of 
the said Revolutionary War. 
He further states that he was not personally 
present at the marriage of his said father to 
Kersiah Long now Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield 
who made the foregoing declaration, but of his
Page 14

own knowledge knows that they lived together as husband 
and wife, and that the said Kersiah  was 
always considered in the community where they 
resided, at Oxen Hill and Alexandria aforesaid, 
and believed to be the lawful wife of the said 
William Mansfield, and that his said father had 
two sons - David and Charles Mansfield by his 
second wife the said Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield: 
that his said father died at Alexandria Virginia 
about the fifteenth day of April 1827, and soon 
after a great fire which took place in Alexandria 
about that time; that the said Kersiah Mansfield 
has remained a widow ever since the death of 
her said husband the said William Mansfield, 
and that he has no interest in this claim. 
Henry Mansfield 

Sworn to and subscribed by Henry Mansfield 
on the day and year above written, and I certify that I have no interest in this claim. 
Wm B. Price JP
Page 15

State of Virginia 
County of Alexandria }  to wit: 
I Benjamin A. Berry, Clerk of 
the County Court of Alexandria County, in the 
State of Virginia, do certify that William B 
Price, Esq., whose genuine signature appears 
to the foregoing and annexed certificate, was 
at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace for 
the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified.
In testimony whereof I hereto subscribe 
my name and affix the 
seal of said Court this 21st day of 
December 1858 
B. A. Berry, Clerk
Page 16

Land Office of Maryland 
I certify that it appears from an entry in a book 
on file in this Office entitled a “Record of the officers 
and soldiers entitled to Land Westward of Fort Cumberl’d
in Washington County with the numbers of the [?]
drawn for them agreeably to an act of the General 
Assembly passed November Session 1788" 
that William Mansfield a private in the Maryland 
State Line was entitled to Lot 1215 and also that 
it appears from the pay account of the Maryland 
troops of the Revolution that William 
Mansfield Recd pay from the first of August 
‘80 to the fifteenth of November ‘83 
In testimony whereof witness my hand and 
Official seal this seventeenth day 
of September eighteen hundred and 
fifty eight 
Wm S W Seabrook 
Comm. of the Land Office
Page 17

Land Office of Maryland 
I hereby certify that the name of William 
Mansfield appears but once upon the 
Revolutionary Rolls of this Office and 
that upon the pay account in the 
column headed "arrears of pay from 
1 Aug. 80 to 1 Jan 82 the figures "80/" “ appear opposite his name, and in the 
column headed “Pay from 1 Jan. 82 to 1 Jan 
83” the figures “80/" “ appear opposite his 
name, and in the column head “Pay from 
1 Jan 83 to 15 Nov 83, the figures “43/30” appear opposite his name, and in the 
column headed "gratuity” the  “  marks 
appear opposite his name under 
the figures "80," and under the head 
of “Total Received” the figures “203/30" appear opposite his name. In testimony of the truth of the aforegoing I have 
hereunto set my hand and 
affixed the Seal of the Land 
Office of Maryland this eighth 
day of December, eighteen 
hundred and fifty eight 
Wm S W Seabrook 
Commissioner of the 
Land Office of Maryland
Page 18

Claim of Mrs 
Kersiah Mansfield 
for pension. Act of 1853 

Revolutionary war 

J. C. Dickey, 
Attorney, 
Present
Page 19

District of Columbia 
County of Washington } SS.
On this thirteenth day of April A.D. 1859 personally 
appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for 
the county aforesaid Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield, aged 
seventy years, a resident of the aforesaid county, who 
first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her 
oath make the following declaration in order to obtain 
the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress 
passed on the 3d of Febuary, 1853, granting pensions 
to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary 
war; that she is the widow of William 
Mansfield, who was a private in Captain Richard 
Dorsey's Company of Maryland Artillery, of the 
Maryland State line of the Revolutionary war; that 
her husband entered the said service at Bowers old field 
Prince Georges County Maryland on the first day of August 
A.D. 1780, and was honorably discharged at Centreville 
in the State aforesaid on or about the fifteenth day of November A.D. 1783. 
She further declares that she was married to the 
said William Mansfield on the first day of March A.D. 
1809; that her said husband died on the fifteenth day 
of April A.D. 1827; that she was not married to him 
prior to the second of January, eighteen hundred, but 
at the time above stated. 
She further declares that she 
is now a widow; and for the proof of her said husbands 
services in the aforesaid revolutionary war, and marri-
Page 20

age to the said Mansfield, and widowhood; she refers 
to her application for bounty land under the 
act of March 3d 1855 No. 296424, and that she is unable from 
old age and bodily infirmity to attend court to make 
this her declaration.
She hereby appoints J.C 
Dickey of Washington D.C. her true and lawful 
attorney, to prosecute this her claim, and to 
receive the certificate of pension when issued.
Attest 
Rd Burgess 
Kersiah Mansfield her X mark 

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 
day and year above written, and I certify that the 
applicant is a credible person, that she is unable from old age and bodily infirmity to attend 
court to make this her declaration, and that I have no interest in this claim 
Rd. Burgess J.P.

District of Columbia 
County of Washington } SS.
On this 13th day of April A.D. 1859, personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace in and for 
the county aforesaid, James W. Lynch aged 74 years, 
and Thomas Donaldson, aged 63 years, residents
Page 21

of the aforesaid county, who being first duly sworn 
according to law, declare that they are personally 
well acquainted with Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield who 
made the foregoing declaration, and saw her sign the 
same, and know from personal acquaintance that 
she is the widow of William Mansfield deceased, who 
they have always understood and verily believe 
enlisted into the service of the revolutionary war; 
that the said Kersiah Mansfield has never since married, 
and is now a widow; they also declare that 
she is unable from old age and bodily infirmity 
to attend court to make this her declaration, and 
that they have no interest in this claim 
Thomas Donaldson 
James W. Lynch his X mark 
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day 
and year above written; and I certify that the 
affiants are credible persons of our said county. 
Rd. Burgess J.P.
Page 22

District of Columbia,
WASHINGTON COUNTY, To wit:
I, JOHN A. SMITH, Clerk of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia, for
the County of Washington, herby certify that R. Burgess 
Esq. before whom the above and annexed affidavits made, and who has thereto subscribed his
name at the time thereof Justice the Peace, in and for the County and District afore-
said, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature thereto is
genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed the seal of said Court, this 13th day of 
April 1959.
Jno. A Smith Clk
Page 23


Dec. 22, 1858
296.424
Kesiah Mansfield
wid of 
William Mansfield

Revolution
J.C. Dickey
Present
Page 24

Was there a private in the Maryland Contl. line by 
the name of Wm Mansfield, who was a war man.
For Mr. Gordon 
[Signature illegible]

See [?] Papers. Act of 53. D. C.

The name of Wm Mansfield is not returned on the Records of the Maryd. Continental line among those entitled to, or who have received, bounty land from the U States. 
Room N.15 
June 6th ‘59
Page 25

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 10211
Kersiah Mansfield 
Wid
William Mansfield 
Privt Rev. War
Act: Febry 3d 1853
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 5 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

May 9" 1859, Patent issued by Com of L. Off: 
of Md to Henry Mansfield, the Son of Wm Mansfield, 
who was hus. of Kesiah [Kersiah] Mansfield for Lot No. 1215 
for his father’s services in Md. Line for over two years.
June 6” 1859

[?]
Page 27

296-424 [?]

No. 7228 
Kesiah Mansfield, 
Wid:   Va
J. C. Dickey, Apl 19/59 
Same May 10, 1859 
Same May 24"   “

Act /53
Page 28

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting,
Commissioner of Pensions:
Washington City,
D.C.
Page 29

Department of the Interior,
Official Business.
Chief Clerk.
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 30

William Mansfield Priv Md Artillery 
not found as having recd gratuity but paid 
from Jany 1st 1781 to Nov 4 /83 [?] $43.30
Henry Mansfield Grat certife. No 93157 Aug 1 ‘85

80
80
43.30 
______
203.30
Page 31

applications
found from Va Md
Pa Ten Ky Ind Ill
DC
Page 32

Wm Mansfield Md Line
Page 33

Ann Long - daughter 
[?]
Monday last week
—
Mr. Dicky was here
yesterday - [?] also 
Tuesday week & Mon
[?] a week.
[gave ?] her some money 
1 - May 3 Tuesday
& 2 —
Mrs Sally Tobin —
Catharine Ready — 
both married— was 
out last Saturday week 
went by herself—
Rev. M. Coombs & some
ladies —
[?] with May [Nourse or Monroe]
9 am her some clothes 
M. Burgess came with
Cass Dickey last Monday
week—.
In June she lived with Ann 
Long — near M [?] house

Mr. O. Harry P.M. at
7. Town
Page 34

Kersiah, Wid of  Wm Mansfield 
Act 3 Feb 1853 
D.C. $80. Admitted 
[?] June 59 

When & to whom were payments 
made. also the Amts. That We left Winder - 
G. C. W. 
Sept 15, 1859
Rich Burgess JP & witness pd 10th June 486.67
John Brown                  do  pd Sept 6         40 —-

[total]         526.67

June 10 pd  486.67
Sept 6.            40

       [total]    $526.67 


J C Dickey Atty
Page 35

No. 16.424
ACT OF March 3, 1855 - 
Received Dec 22”, 1858
Kesiah [Kersiah] Mansfield 
Widow of William Mansfield 
Private
Revolution 
Warrant No. 88,030
For 160 acres. 
[?] C. Dickey
Washington 
D. C.
Page 36

886300  160.55
Claim of 
Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield 
for Bounty Land Act 1855 
Additional evidence 
No. 296.424 

J. C. Dickey 
Attorney 
Present
Page 37

District of Columbia 
County of Washington } S.S. 
On this 12th day of March, A.D. 1859 
personally appeared before me, a justice of 
the peace, in and for the County aforesaid, 
Mrs. Catherine Johnson, aged sixty eight years, a resident of the aforesaid county, a 
person to me well known to be a credible 
person and entitled to belief; who, on her 
oath duly administered according to law declares 
that she is the identical person who made an 
affidavit in the month of December last, in 
relation to the application of Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield 
for bounty land; and who was the wife 
of William Mansfield a Soldier of the Revolutionary war. 
She further states that she was well 
acquainted with the aforesaid William 
Mansfield who died in Alexandria Virginia, 
in the year A.D. 1827; that she does not now know 
the exact age of the said Mansfield at the time 
of his death; but, that he was considered an 
old man when she first knew (him) in the year 1806, and that she is confident, from her knowledge 
of the said Mansfield that he was at the 
time of his death at least (from) seventy five to eighty 
years of age; that he was from the State of 
Maryland, and from the best of her information 
and knowledge with reference to the
Page 38

said Mansfield he was a native of the aforesaid 
State of Maryland 
She further states that she has no interest 
in this claim 
Catharine Johnson her X mark 
Sworn to and subscribed 
in my presence this 
12th day of March 1859 
Rd. Burgess J. P.
Page 39

District of Columbia 
County of Washington } S.S. 
On this 14th day of March, A.D. 1859, 
personally appeared before me, a justice of 
the peace, in and for the County aforesaid 
Thomas Donaldson, aged sixty three years, 
a resident of the aforesaid county, a person 
to me well known to be a credible person, 
and entitled to belief, who, on his oath 
duly administered according to law 
declares that he is the identical person who 
made an affidavit in the month of 
December 1858, in relation to the application 
of Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield for bounty 
land, the widow of William Mansfield a 
Soldier of the Revolutionary war 
He further states that he was well 
acquainted with the aforesaid William 
Mansfield and that when he-Donaldson-
first knew him (in the year 1807) he was considered an old 
man; and that from his knowledge of the 
said Mansfield he is confident that 
he was (from) seventy five to eighty years of age at the time of his death;
that the said Mansfield was from the State of Maryland, 
and that he - Mansfield - informed him 
- Donaldson - that he was born in the State of Maryland
Thomas Donaldson
Sworn to and subscribed before me 
the day and year above written 
R. Burgess JP
Page 40

State of Virginia 
County of Alexandria } SS.
On this 16th day of March A.D 1859 personally 
appeared before me, a justice of the peace, in and for 
the county aforesaid Richard B. Ratcliff aged 
60 years, a resident of the aforesaid county, a person 
to me well known to be a credible person entitled 
to belief, who, on his oath duly administered 
according to law, declares that he knew William 
Mansfield who died in Alexandria aforesaid 
in the year 1827, and who was the father of Henry 
Mansfield now residing in Alexandria aforesaid;
that the aforesaid William Mansfield was 
considered and believed to be by his neighbours a 
Soldier of the Revolutionary war, and by them 
—his neighbours— a very aged man at the time 
of his death, and at least from 75 to 80 years of  age when he died as aforesaid. 
He further states that he has no interest 
in this claim 
Richard B Ratcliff 
Sworn to and subscribed to before me this 
16th day of March 1859 
Henry Simpson J P
Page 41

State of Virginia 
County of Alexandria } SS.
On this 16th day of March A.D. 1859 personally 
appeared before me, a justice of the peace in and for 
the County aforesaid, Henry Mansfield, aged 61 
years, a resident of the aforesaid County, a person 
to me well known to be a credible person and 
entitled to belief, who on his oath duly administered 
according to law declares that he 
is the identical person who made an affidavit 
in the month of December 1858 in relation 
to the application of Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield 
for bounty land; and the widow of William 
Mansfield a Soldier of the Revolutionary war 
He further states that his father the aforesaid William Mansfield was considered an 
old man in the year 1807, as stated by the 
aforesaid Thomas Donaldson, and that when 
his father died in the year 1827 he is confident 
that he was from 75 to 80 years of age; 
and that he has heard his said father say that he 
was married to his first wife (Henry Mansfield’s) mother at Centreville 
in the State of Maryland, and that he 
always understood, and was informed by his father 
and others, that he - his father - was born in the State of 
Maryland aforesaid, and that his (Henry Mansfield’s) oldest brother 
William Mansfield, who died in the State of 
Pensylvania in the year 1858 was more than
Page 42

66 years of age at the time of his death. 
He further states that he has no interest in 
this claim.
Henry Mansfield 

Sworn and subscibed to before me 
this 16th of March 1859 
Henry [?] Simpson JP
Page 43

Claim of Mrs Kersiah 
Mansfield for bounty 
land. Act of 1855 
No. 296.424 
Additional evidence 
J. C. Dickey 
Attorney 
Present
Page 44

District of Columbia
County of Washington
SS.
On this 13th day of May A.D. 1859, personally
appeared before me, a justice of the peace, in and
for the County aforesaid, Mrs. Catharine Johnson,
aged 68 years, a resident of the aforesaid county, who
being duly sworn according to law, declares that
in addition to the facts stated in her deposition dated
the 22d of December 1858. and 12th of March 1859,
in relation to the acquaintance with and the marriage
of William Mansfield, and Kersiah his wife - and the
death of said Wm Mansfield - she oftentimes during
her long acquaintance and intimacy with the said Wm
Mansfield herd him speak of his services as a soldier
in the Revolution, and relate many circumstances
and incidents connected therewith, the particularly rec-
collects that about the year 1825 & 6 when she resided
in Alexandria, that a man by the name of Thomas
Flatford - who she understood was a pensioner - 
stopped at her house; and that the said William
Mansfield who also at that time lived in Alexandria
would come in and talk with the said Thomas
Flatford about the war in her presence; but, from
the length of time since she cannot recollect the
particulars of their conversation; but, the deponent
distinctly recollects to have herd the said William
Mansfield at various times speak of his hard
service and privations in the war.
her mark
Catharine X Johnson

Sworn to and subscribed in my presence
the 13th day of May 1959
 R Burgess J.P.

I certify that Mrs Johnson has
been a communicant in good 
standing in Trinity Church for
many years; & that in my
judgment she in her testimony is
_____ to credit. 
C ______
Rector 
of 
Trinity 
Ch.
Page 45

Claim of Mrs 
Kersiah Mansfield, 
widow of William, for 
bounty land. Act of 1855.

Additional evidence 
No. 296.424 

J. C. Dickey 
Attorney 
Present
Page 46

State of Maryland Sct. 
Land Office of Maryland 
I, William L. W. Seabrook Commissioner of the Land Office 
of Maryland, do hereby certify that the following appears 
upon a Pay account of the Maryland line in the Revolutionary War now of record in this Office, 1st under 
the head of names & rank “William Mansfield P” 
and opposite his name under head of arrears of pay 
from 1 Aug 80 to 1 Jan 82 “80/",” and under the 
head of Pay from 1 Jan 82 to 1 Jan 83 "80/" “ and 
under the head of Pay from 1 Jan 83 to 15 Novr 83 "43/30” 
and under the head of Total Received "203/30, and 
I also certify that this amount was paid pr order to Wm Rutland & Read by PMytle.s
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and affixed the 
Seal of the Land Office of Maryland 
this 9th day of May 1859 
 Wm L W Seabrook
Comr of Land Office
Page 47

Kersiah Mansfield 
Wid: of 
Wm 

D. C 
Admit for $80 per An; 
under Act 3d Feb, 1853.
Com: date passage of the 
Act.

81

1859 [subtract]
1853
_____
 6

80 [multiply by]
  6
_______
480 [plus]
   6.66 2/3
__________
486.66 2/3 [total]

J. C. Dickey, Esqr 
Present
Page 48

Claim of Mrs 
Kersiah Mansfield for 
bounty land Act of 1855 

Additional evidence 
No. 296.424, 

J. C. Dickey 
Attorney 
Present
Page 49

Land Office of Md
Annapolis April 12th 1859 
J. C. Dickey Esq 
My Dear Sir, Yours of the 9th came 
to hand yesterday. In reply I have 
To say that either I have made a 
mistake in the number of the Lot 
awarded to Wm Mansfield, or you 
have mistaken the figure, his lot 
being 1215 instead of 1218. Many of these 
military lands have been Escheated, and 
I find that Escheat warrants have 
several times been taken out on this 
particular lot, but I can find no 
return made under such warrants. 
The heirs of Mansfield can therefore 
establish their title I suppose with 
very little trouble. I am authorized to 
issue patents to these Lands when proper 
title is shown. This process would 
probably cost in this office about 
$10. The Lot lies in the Southern portion 
of the Northwestern part of the State, about 
5 miles from Potomic River and 5 
miles from the Virginia boundary 
on the West 
Very truly 
Wm L W Seabrook 
Commr  of the Ld Office
Page 50

Washington City 
May 16th 1859.

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting, 
Comr of Pensions 

Sir— I have received 
your letter of the 10th inst, informing me that the 
evidence filed by me in the case of Kersiah 
Mansfield for pension under the act of 3d of 
February 1853, does not bear upon the 
point at issue; 
and that if the claimants husband could be connected 
with the party who received his pay upon 
the settlement of his accounts, or the party for 
whose use it was paid, it would be important. 
In reply I beg leave to call your attention 
to the facts as exhibited in the testimony on file 
with the papers - a brief recapitulation of which 
is as follows. 
Mrs. Mansfield swears that her husband 
repeatedly told her that he served as a private 
Soldier in the Maryland line in the Revolutionary 
war. that she had no information in regard to 
his said service other than from his own 
statements; 
that he suffered many privations whilst in 
service, and further, that he told her that there 
was record evidence of his service at Annapolis: 
that he was born and raised in Maryland:
that a man by the name of Rutland came to 
their residence on business with her husband 
and she thinks gave him an order to
Page 51

receive his pay.
These facts are corroborated by the 
Records of the State. The certificate of the Commissioner 
of the Land Office shows that Wm Rutland 
received the arrears of pay due to Mansfield, and 
that there was but one Wm Mansfield on the Revolutionary 
Rolls; and that land was granted to 
him by the State- it follows then, that the one 
Wm Mansfield named must have been her 
husband, as there was no other of that name. 
The testimony of Thomas Donaldson 
whose veracity stands unimpeached declares 
that he was well acquainted with William 
Mansfield, the husband of the claimant; that 
in the community in which they lived he was 
regarded as a soldier in the war of the Revolution; 
and that Mansfield himself told 
him he belonged to the Maryland line, and 
that he served to the close of the war; and 
related to him many incidents connected 
with his service; and that he served under 
Gen. Smallwood, who is historically known to 
have been the commanding officer of the 
Maryland line - this testimony the tenth of 
which has not been called in question undoubtedly 
connects the husband of the claimant 
with the party who received his pay upon 
the settlement of his accounts, as shown by
Page 52

the records of the land office at Annapolis 
to have been paid to William Rutland 
Mrs. Catharine Johnson declares that 
she Knew William Mansfield intimately for 
many years: that he was always considered 
a soldier of the Revolution; that he was from 
the State of Maryland, and was a native of said 
State, and in her deposition of 13th of May 1859, 
she declares that she frequently heard him 
speak of his services as a Soldier in the 
revolution, and relate many circumstances 
and incidents connected therewith; and of 
conversations with Thomas Flatford a pensioner  
about the war &c. 
Henry Mansfield the Son of William 
Mansfield by a former wife, and a step son 
of the claimant, but in nowise interested in the 
present claim whose character for veracity 
and honesty admits of no doubt, testifies, that 
his father William Mansfield was always considered 
and believed to be a soldier in the 
revolution; that old soldiers met frequently 
at his fathers house to converse about the 
war; that his father told him frequently that 
he served over two years, and related his privations 
for the want of clothing and provisions 
while in service; and that his father had a 
record showing the time he entered the service, 
which was destroyed at the great fire in
Page 53

Alexandria, and said that he belonged to the Maryland 
line, was born in Maryland. 
The certificate from the Commissioner of 
the Land Office of Maryland at Annapolis dated 
8th of December 1858, states, that the name of 
Wm Mansfield appears but once on the revolutionary 
rolls of that office, and that he was 
awarded Lot No. 1215 by an act of the Gen. Assembly passed November Session, 1788.
Another certificate dated May 9th 1859 states that Wm 
Mansfield was paid on an order 
given by Mansfield to Wm Rutland; thus 
connecting him with the service as set forth 
in the preceding depositions. 
It will be borne in mind that the frequent assertions 
and statements of Wm Mansfield 
respecting his services in the Maryland line 
were made and reiterated at a time when 
no provision was made by law, by, or under which 
he could receive any pecuniary reward for his 
services, and when there could have been no 
motive for deception 
The testimony now offered 
is the best the nature of the case admits of, from  
the great length of time since his services terminated, 
it would not be reasonable to expect this old widowed woman to obtain living testimony to 
identify her late husband who has been dead
Page 54

upwards of thirty years - as the identical William Mansfield who was actually in service 75 or 6 years ago.
The record evidence shows that there was but one Wm Mansfield on the rolls - His declarations 
made when there was no advantage to be gained 
by misrepresentation, or falsehood, conclusively 
demonstrates that he was the Wm Mansfield 
refered to. The inference would seem to be irresistable, 
and is such as would be received under 
the circumstances in any court of law. 
It rarely happens that testimony as direct and 
pointed eminating from the party himself, 
and as related by him to the respective deponents 
at different times, to each separately, can be 
adduced; and when such testimony is corroborated 
by the public records of the State, besides 
that the characters of the respective deponents 
for truth and veracity is so well sustained by 
the testimony of Gentlemen well and favorably 
known in this community whose certificates 
accompany this communication. 
I enclose herewith an additional deposition of 
Mrs. Catharine Johnson bearing upon the case; and 
also evidence in regard to the respectability and good 
character of the respective deponents, whose depositions 
have been filed with the papers. 
Should you be of opinion that the evidence 
is insufficient to justify the allowance of the claim,
Page 55

I would respectfully take an appeal to the Secretary 
of the Interior, and request that all the papers in 
the case with this communication be refered to 
him for decision. 
I have the honor to be, 
very respectfully 
your obt. Svt.
J. C. Dickey
Page 56


J. C. Dickey
Washington D.C.
May 26, 1859
Appeal in the case of
Mrs Kesiah Mansfield,
Widow of Wm Mansfield,
Bounty land & pension
claim - service in the
Revolution
Respectfully referred to the
Comm. of Pensions for
report.
Dept. of Int.
May 2. 1859
Moses Kelly
Ch___
Rec'd 26 May 59
Mr. Rhett
Page 57

Washington D.C.
May 26th, 1859.
Hon. Jacob Thompson
Secy. of the Interior,
Sir,
In the application of Mrs Kersiah Mansfield widow of Wm Mansfield
who was a private soldier in the Maryland line of
the Continental Army in the war of the Revolution,
for bounty land, and pension under the act of February 1853, which have been rejected by the Commissioner of Pensions for reasons which I deem
wholly incompatible with the testimony filed in
the case I have the honor to request to be allowed
to appeal from the decision of the Commissioner
to you upon the ground and for the reasons set 
forth in my letter to him of the 16th instant,
and that you cause all the papers in
the case to be laid before you
I have the honor to be,
Page 58

most respectfully, 
your obt.svt.
J.C. Dickey.
Page 59

Brief in the case of Kersiah Mansfield widow of William.
Washington County and District of Columbia,
act 3 Feb 1853.

Claim, ("original,"
Proof exhibited, (if original,)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband of Claimant served three years, nearly, in the Maryland line. In con-
sideration of his services he was awarded by an act of the Maryland Legis-
lature Lot. No. 1215, containing fifty acres. The soldier did not procure 
a Patent for this land, subsequent to his death a Patent issued to
his son Henry for the same. The proof is conclusive  that Claimant 
was the wife and is the widow of the William Mansfield to
whose son a Patent issued as aforesaid. In addition to this
proof several aged persons of high credibility testify 
to his general reputation as a soldier & also to what they have 
heard him say in relation to his service.

Has additional evidence been filed since the admission? If so, what?

The proof of Marriage
 ____, it took place in 1809. Soldier died in 1827. Claimant
is satisfactorily shown to be his widow & the stepmother
of Henry Mansfield who received the Patent for 50 acres 
of land indicated above


J. C. Dickey Esq, Present
Name and residence of Agent
J. C. Blyth
Examining Clerk.
Page 60

Claim of Mrs.
Kersiah Mansfield
for bounty land.
act of 1855, No. 296.424

Additional evidence

J.C. Dickey
Attorney
Present
Page 61

State of Virginia
Alexandria County
SS
Personally appeared before me N.S. Greenaway, Pastor of
the Methodist Protestant Church in Alexandria aforesaid,
who being duly sworn according to law declares that Henry
Mansfield of said City is now, and has been for a long time
a member of said Church, in good standing; and that
any statement he may make is entitled to credit.
Nevell S. Greenaway
Sworn and subscribed to before me this
14th day of May 1859
Henry L Simpson
Page 62

Claim of Mrs. Kersiah 
Mansfield for bounty
land. Act of 1855.
No.296.424.

Additional evidence

J.C. Dickey
Attorney
Present
Page 63

Washington City,
May 16th 1859.
We the undersigned residents of Washington City, 
having known Thomas Donaldson a resident of said 
city for many years, do hereby most cheerfully certify, 
that any statement Mr. Donaldson may make is
entitled to credit.
Thomas L. Dorn
Jos Pecke
I do not know for that purpose this
certificate is desired; but so far as
I have had knowledge of the ____  I
have always considered him a man of
veracity

______ to
From what I have known of T. Donaldson, I
should consider his testimony reliable
W. W. Seaton
Page 64

Claim of Mrs.
Kersiah Mansfield
for bounty land. Act of 1855,

Additional evidence
No.296.424

J.C. Dickey.
Attorney
Present
Page 65

District of Columbia
County of Washington
SS.
On this 21st day of April A.D. 1859, personally
appeared before me a justice of the peace in and 
for the county aforesaid, Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield, 
aged seventy years, a resident of the aforesaid coun-
ty, a person to me well known to be a credible 
person and entitled to belief; who, on her oath 
duly administered according to law declares 
that she is the identical person who applied for 
bounty land under the act of March 3d 1855, and 
as the widow of William Mansfield a private
in the Maryland line of the Revolutionary war.

She further states that her said husband 
- William Mansfield - spoke to her frequently
before his death about his privations for the want 
of clothing and provisions while in service in the 
aforesaid war; that he informed her that he was in 
battle in said war - the name of the battle she does not now 
recollect - that her said husband told her - within
two years previous to his death - that he was entitled 
to bounty land, and a pension for his services in 
said war; and also told her that his name was on 
record; but that he would try and do without it; 
- a pension - that he was in easy circumstances which she believes is 
the reason he did not apply for a pension; and 
that she became acquainted with her said 
husband at Oxen Hill where she was mar
Page 66

ried as aforesaid, and that she never herd anyone 
besides her said husband say that there was a
record of his services in said war.

Attested

Her mark
Kersiah X Mansfield

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and
year first above written
R. Burgess
Page 67

District of Columbia
County of Washington } SS.
On this 21st day of April A.D. 1859, personally
appeared before me, a justice of the peace in and 
for the county aforesaid, Thomas Donaldson, 
aged 63 years, a resident of the aforesaid county; 
a person to me well known to be a credible 
person and entitled to belief; who, on his oath 
duly administered according to law declares 
that he is the identical person who made affidavits 
in relation to the application of Mrs. 
Kersiah Mansfield for bounty land, and as the 
widow of William Mansfield a Soldier of the 
Maryland line of the Revolutionary war.

He further states that at the time he made 
the aforesaid affidavit - or affidavits - he did not
know or hear that there was any record evidence 
of the services of the said Mansfield in the said 
war; and that what he said in relation to the 
aforesaid application for bounty land he would 
say under any and all circumstances, and 
that he has no interest in this claim.

Thomas Donaldson
Subscribed and sworn to
before me the day and
year first above written
R. Burgess JP
Page 68

State of Virginia
Alexandria County
SS.
On this 2st day of April A.D. 1839, personally
appeared before me a justice of the peace in and 
for the county aforesaid, Henry Mansfield, aged 
61 years, a resident of the aforesaid county, a 
person to me well known to be a credible 
person and entitled to belief; who on his 
oath duly administered according to law
declares that he is the identical person who
made affidavits in relation to the 
application of Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield 
for bounty land under the act of 1855; and as the widow of William
Mansfield a Soldier of the Maryland line
of the Revolutionary war.

He further states that at the time he 
made the aforesaid affidavits he did 
not know of there being any record evidence 
of the services of his father, the said 
William Mansfield,  in the aforesaid war, and that he has no
interest in this claim.
Henry Mansfield

Sworn & subscribed to before me this
21st day of April 1859
Henry & Simpson J P
Page 69

Claim of Mrs.
Kersiah Mansfield
for bounty land. Act 1855.

Additional evidence
No.296;424.J.O. Dickey.
Attorney
Present
Page 70

District of Columbia
County of Washington
SS.
On this fifth day of May, A.D. 1859, personally 
appeared before me, a justice of the peace in 
and for the county aforesaid, Mrs. Kersiah Mans-
field, aged 70 years, a resident of the aforesaid 
county, a person to me well known to be a 
credible person and entitled to belief; who on 
her oath duly administered according to law, 
declares that she is the identical person who 
made an application for bounty land under 
the act of March 3rd 1855; and as the widow 
of William Mansfield who was a private in
the Maryland line of the Revolutionary war.

She further states that her said husband 
- the aforesaid William Mansfield - told her frequ-
ently - within two years previous to his death - that he
was entitled to a pension; and that there was a record
of his services in the aforesaid war at Annapolis which - the record - would enable him to obtain the said pension.

She further states that, about the year A.D. 1809,
when herself and husband resided at Oxen Hill,
aforesaid, there came to their residence, frequently,
one William Rutland to see her husband on business; that she is under the impression that her husband gave the said Rutland an order to get at Annapolis what was due him on account of his services in the aforesaid war; and that she recollects very distinctly that the said Rutland
Page 71

did call as aforesaid to see her husband on bus-
iness: and that her said husband said - a short
time previous to his death - that as long as he
could do without a pension he would not
apply for it; but she thinks he was justly entitled as 
aforesaid. Witness mark
R. Burgess

Her mark
Kersiah X Mansfield

Sworn to and Subscribed in my 
presence the day and year first above 
written and I certify that I have no 
interest in the claim
R. Burgess
Page 72

Claim of Mrs.
Kersiah Mansfield,
for bounty land.
Act of 1855.

Additional evidence
No.296.424.

J.C. Dickey,
Attorney.
Present.
Page 73

State of Virginia
Alexandria County
SS.
On this 5th day of Febuary A.D. 1859, person-
ally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County aforesaid, Henry
Mansfield, aged sixty one years, a person
to me well known to be a credible person
and entitled to belief; who, on his oath duly
administered according to law declares that
he is the identical person who made an affidavit
in the month of December 1858 having refer-
ence to the bounty land application of Mrs.
Kersiah Mansfield, the widow of William
Mansfield, who was a Soldier in the Revolu-
tionary War.
He further states that the aforesaid
William Mansfield - his father - informed
him that he served in the aforesaid war at
least two winters; that his father has often
told him of his sufferings for the want of cloth-
ing and provisions while in service in said
war; that his father preserved a record showing
the time he entered the service in said war, which
record was destroyed a short time previous to his
fathers death, by fire; and that his said father
informed him that he entered said service to serve
during the war, and did so serve; and that he has
always understood that his said father served more
Page 74

than two years in said war; that his father
had no middle name; and that his said father
informed him that he belonged to the Mary-
land line of the said Revolutionary war.
He further states that he has no interest in
this claim.
Henry Mansfield

Sworn to and subscribed by Henry Mansfield 
on the day and year above written, and
certify that I have no interest in this claim
Henry S Simpson JP

Virginia, Alexandria County, to wit:
I Benjamin H. Berry, Clerk of Alexandria County
Court, hereby certify, that Henry S Simpson, before
whom the affidavit above was taken, is now and was
at the date thereof, a Justice of the peace in and for
said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and
that his signature aforesaid is genuine
In testimony whereof, I hereto subscribe
my name and annex the seal of my
said office, this 9th day of Febuary
1859, and in the 83 year of the Commonwealth 

B. A. Berry, Clerk
Page 75

District of Columbia
County of Washington
SS. 
On this Eighth day of February A.D. 1859,
personally appeared before me, a Justice of
the Peace in and for the County aforesaid,
Thomas Donaldson, aged sixty three years,
resident of the aforesaid county, a person
to me well known to be a credible person
and entitled to belief; who, on his oath
duly administered according to law, declares
that he is the identical person who made an
affidavit - in the month of December 1858 -
having reference to an application for bounty
land by Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield, the widow
of William Mansfield, a soldier of the Rev-
olutionary war.

He further states that the
aforesaid William Mansfield informed him that
he - William Mansfield-- served to the close of the
said Revolutionary war; and that he has always
understood that the said Mansfield served more
than two years in said war; that he has herd him
speak of being repulsed five times (after going to the charge) while in an
engagement with the enemy, and that he
- Mansfield - had killed many of the enemy
while in said service; and that the said Mans-
field informed him - Donaldson - that he
served under General Smallwood of the
Page 76

Maryland line of the said Revolutionary war.
He further states that he has no interest
in this claim.
Thomas Donaldson
Sworn to and subscribed by Thomas Donaldson
on the day and year above written; and I certify
that I have no interest in this claim.
R. Burgess J. P.
Page 77

District of Columbia,
WASHINGTON COUNTY, To wit:
I, JOHN A. SMITH, Clerk of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia,
for the County of Washington, hereby certify, that Richard Burgess
Esq. before whom the above and
annexed affidavit was made, and who has thereto
subscribed his name was at time the Justice of the Peace, in
and for the County and District aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified and that
his signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name
and affix the seal of said Court this 11th
day of Feb.y,  1859.
Jno. A. Smith, esq.
Page 78

Claim of Mrs. Kersiah
Mansfield for bounty land.
Act of 1855.

Additional evidence
No.296.424
J.C. Dickey
Attorney;
Present.
Page 79

State of Virginia
Alexandria County } SS.
On this 4th day of June A.D. 1859, personally
appeared before me a justice, of the peace, in and 
for the County aforesaid, Henry Mansfield, aged 
61 years, a resident of the aforesaid county, a
 person to me well known to be a credible per-
son, and entitled to belief; who on his oath
duly administered according to law declares
that he is the identical person who testified 
to the fact of Mrs. Kersiah Mansfield's being 
the widow of his father, William Mansfield, who 
was a private Soldier in the Maryland line 
of the Revolutionary war; and who - Mrs.
Kersiah Mansfield - is an applicant for 
bounty land.

He further states that on the 
9th day of May, A.D. 1859, a Patent was granted 
to him by the State of Maryland for Lot No. 
1215, awarded to his father, William Mans-
field - for his services in the aforesaid war, 
by an act of the General Assembly of the State 
of Maryland passed November Session, 1788; 
and, that the aforesaid Kersiah Mansfield 
is the widow of his father for whose services 
in the Maryland line his patent was issued.

He further states that he has no interest in this claim.
Henry Mansfield 
Sworn and subscribed to 
before me this 4th day of June 1859. 
H. L. Simpson JP