Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 3809, for Presley Thornton, Virginia
Page 1

(3 - 1776) 
SERVICE
Va.

Thornton, Presley 

NUMBER 
S. 3809 
Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

the to. B. Tolton Sept. 
4- do. to Same 1 Dec. 18 
to John A Gardna 
22. 1848 

New Certf. issued 
in lieu of one lost or destroyed 
April 5 /49 and sent to 
pensioner, Old Hickory 
P.O. 
Weakley Co. Tenn:  

Lette Hon C. H. Williams Mar 11/50
Same March 18. 1850. 
Voucher 7 to 3 and July 9'50 
Lette R. H. Hawthorn 11 Sep. 51 

13702 
West Tennessee 
Presley Thornton 
Weakley Co in the State of Tennessee 
who was a private in the company command by Captain Rodgers of the Regt command by Col John Green in the Virginia 
line for 

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee 
the rate of 80 Dollars 0 Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of June 1833 and sent to Wm
 H Johnson Dresden 

Arrears to the 4th of March 160.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 40.00 $200.00 

{Revolutionary Claim 
{Act June 7. 

Recorded by Daniel Boy
Book E Vol. 7 Pa:.
Page 3

State of Tennessee Declaration Pension Claim County of Weakley 

On this 14th day of April A.D. 1855 
Personally appeared before me William G. Hill a justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly authorized 
by law to administer oath William Jones administrator of the estate 
of Presley Thornton deceased who first being duly sworn according 
to law says on his oath that Presley Thornton deceased drew a 
Pension as an invalid soldier of the revolutionary war that he 
Presley Horton was first pensioned by a special act of Congress at the rate of four dollars per month and was afterwards examined and his pension raised to eight dollars per month 
that his certificate of Pension got burned in his house and 
that the agent refused to pay him that he depends on the Pension 
office for proof of the above facts that is his wound and disability up the day of his draw that he remained a total cripple from said 
wounds up to the day of his death that said Presley Thornton died on the first day of October 1852 (eighteen hundred and fifty three) having 
the following named children and heirs at law of said Presley Thornton
viz.  Nancy M. Milton a resident of Arkansas and a live the last time 
the affiant heard from her Martha Jones the wife of the affiant and 
administrator now a resident of Weakley County and now alive and 
Mary Oliver a resident of the State of Kentucky and live a few 
Weeks last passed and affiant believe all are now alive and that said 
Presley Thornton left no other children and heirs at law alive
that he makes this declaration in order to obtain a new certificate of 
Pension in Lieu of the one burned to be drawn from the date 
his Presley Thornton last draw in Georgia as an invalid up to the day of his death above written for the heirs above named
Page 4

that the said Presley Thornton Applied for a new certificate of Pensions is 
lifetime that he depends on the proof hereunto annexed for proof of his continuation of disability up to his death 
Sworn to and subscribed 
the day and date above written 
before me W.G. Hill {J. P.}
William Jones

State of Tennessee} 
County of Weakley}
On this 11th day of April A.D. 1855 
personally appeared before me William G. Will a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly authorized by law to 
administer oaths Chapman Underwood a resident of Weakley County and State aforesaid who first being sworn according to law says on his 
that he was well acquainted with Presley Thornton deceased who died 
on the 1st day of October 1853. That he lived near him for several 
years that he has examined his wounds and from their nature he
is fully satisfied that he remained an entire cripple and totally disabled 
to make a living by manual labor, a part from his old age 
that he was reputed that he received said wounds in the service of the 
United State in the revolutionary war that from the nature of said wounds 
he the affiant is fully satisfied that it was impossible for him (Presley Thornton)
 ever to get strength or action to make a living by manual labor and 
that he has been well acquainted with said Presley Thornton about fifteen 
years before his death 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and date above written 
C. Underwood

State of Tennessee} 
County of Weakley}
I William J. Hill a justice of the peace in and for said County 
do hereby certify that Chapman Underwood was duly sworn and did subscribe his 
name that he is a resident of Weakley County and well known to me that he's 
a highly reputable physician and a credible witness given under my hand 
as justice of the peace in and for said County this 11th day of April 
A.D. 1855 

W.G. Hill {J.P.}
Page 5

State of Tennessee} 
County of Weakley} 
On this 14th day of April A.D. 1855 personally appeared 
John Wheatley Sterling Jones Sabrina Johnson Rebecca Wheatley and Wester A Jones residents of Weakley County and State aforesaid who were duly 
sworn according to law say on the oaths that they were well acquainted 
with Presley Thornton in his lifetime that he remained totally disabled 
from his wounds to do any thing like labor up to the day of his death 
and that they know he was a total cripple for the term of fifteen 
years before his death
Sworn to and subscribed the day and date above written 
Before me 
attest W. G. Hill {J.P.}
C. Underwood

John Whitley
Starling Jones
Sabrina Johnson
Rebecca Wheatley
[unintelligible] Jones

State of Tennessee} 
Weakley County} 
I William J. Hill a justice of the peace in 
for the County and State aforesaid duly authorized by law to administer 
oaths do hereby certify that John Whitley, Starling Jones, Sabrina Johnson, Rebecca Wheatley and Idester Ann Jones, were duly sworn and did subscribe their names that they are residents of Weakley County and well known to me that they are credible witness and I further
certify that Presley Thornton above referred to was well known to me
and that I personally knew him in his lifetime for the time of 
twenty five years before his death and that I know that he was totally 
disabled to do any kind of manual labor all that time from 
wounds that he Presley Thornton was  reputed to have received 
his wounds while in the army of the revolutionary war and received 
a pension that he remained a total cripple up to the day of his death
given under my hand this 14th day of April 1855
W.G. Hill {J.P.}
Page 6

State of Tennessee} 
County of Weakley}
 I E.J. Lorney Clerk of the County 
Court of Weakley County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that William 
G. Hill is a justice of the peace in and for said County duly 
Commissioned and qualified and was such at the State of the 
foregoing certificates purporting to be his and that the signatures purporting 
to be his are genuine and that William Jones is his administrator 
as appears of record in my office Given under my hand 
as clerk of said Court and affixed my seal of office at 
Dresden this 10th day of May, 1855 

EJLorney Clerk of
said County Court 
S.C. 1943
Page 7

New March 29/13
Page 8

State of Tennessee} 
County of Benton} 
On this day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared William Jones administrator of the estate of Presley Thornton deceased before me Needham Short a justice of the peace within and for said County duly authorized by law to administer oaths for general purposes who first being duly sworn according to law says on his oath that he is the identical William Jones who administered upon the estate of Presley Thornton deceased that the said Presley Thornton died on the 1st day of October A.D. 1852 in Weakley County in the State of Tennessee that said Presley Thornton was the identical Presley Thornton who has applied to the pension department for a new certificate of Pension as an invalid Pensioner that his wounds were plain to the eyes of any and that they totally disabled him from earning that he was wounded in the knee so that it stiffened it and also in the Shoulder and part of the shoulder blade as is commonly called was shot away so that it come out therefore could not use his arm that he has known him for about thirty seven years, before his death that he knows that he was the same Presley Thornton who drew a pension as an invalid in the State of Georgia at Savannah that he left three living children Nancy McMillan Mary Oliver and Martha Jones the only heirs at law of said Presley Thornton and that he as administrator claims for the heirs above named that he knows that said wound was so plain that his Presley Thornton's shoulder was shot very materially and as he advanced in years he lost the use of his wounded knee and shoulder more than in the sound knee and shoulder. Sworn to and subscribed the day and date first above written 
Before me N Short J.P. William Jones 
Justice of the peace
Page 9

State of Tennessee} 
County of Benton}
 On this 17 day of March AD. 1853 
personally appeared Before me Needham Short a justice of 
the peace within and for said County John Wheatley 
aged forty eight years who first being duly sworn according 
to law says his oath that he was acquainted with Presley Thornton 
in his lifetime. In his lifetime he stated that the Presley Thornton 
received his wounds in Battle in the Revolutionary war that the 
wounds was plain and easy of discernment that he was wounded 
in his knee and in his shoulder that his shoulder was greatly 
shrunk and could not use his arm to do any kind of manual 
labor also his knee was stiff the sears and wounds were 
so plain that any one could plainly see there was a total 
disability to labor and the affiant further states that he knows 
the said Presley Thornton to become more stiffened in his wounded 
knee and shoulder than he did in his sound knee and shoulder 
as he advanced in age. Sworn to and subscribed the 
day and date above written 
Before me N Short William JP
Justice of the peace 

William Jones
his x mark
John Wheatley

State of Tennessee} 
County of Benton}
I Newtham Short a justice of the said within and for said County do certify that William Jones and John Wheatley were duly sworn and did subscribe their names as represented and they are credible witnesses given under my hand and set with under my hand and seal this 17th day of March 1853 
N. Short {JP}
Justice of the peace
Page 10

State of Tennessee}
Benton County}
 I William M Mcauley Clerk of Benton County the County Court of said Benton County do hereby certify that Needham Short whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavits and certificates is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the peace for said County aforesaid duly elected commissioned and sworn as such and is authorized to administer oaths for general purposes and that all his official acts are entitled to due faith and credit and that the court of which I am clerk is a Court of word give under my hand and seal of office on this 17th day of March AD 1858 
Wm Mcauly Clerk
Page 11

State of Tennessee}
Weakly County} 
Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions 
October [unintelligible] 1832 
This day, being the 9th day of October in the year of our Lord 1832. Personally appeared in said Court, now sitting 
at the Court House in the Town of Dresden, Presley Thornton 
a Citizen of said County of Weakly aged about Seventy Three years. who being first Sworn in due form of law. 
doth on his said oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the Benefit of an act of Congress 
Providing for the soldier of the American Revolution, 
Passed June the 7th 1832, 
That as well as he now recollect he was born about the year 1757 or 1758. In the County of Orange in the State of Virginia his family Record was in possession of his 
Father, and he the said applicant States his age from Recollection, as said Record is not in his possession
 That when a youth. Perhaps about the age of years the said applicant entered the service of the United States under Captain William Rodgers 
as a substitute for a man by the name of Huske 
who was drafted for eighteen months as well as this applicant recollects, he was marched to Albemarle Barracks, where he remained about 13 or 14 months 
When he was discharged: This discharge the said applicant gave to his Imployer [employer], Huske and has never seen it since. 
The said applicant further states that Shortly  after he was discharged as a substitute as aforesaid. He listed under Captain James Hawkins 
But was mustered into service under Captain Samuel Seldon, at the Town of Fredericksburg Virginia he fought at the Battle of Guilford, where he believes Genl Green Commanded, and the said Applicant States that Col John Green & Lieut Col. Saml Harvey were also officers in command at that Battle
Page 12

This applicant, fought also at the Siege of ninety six 
where Col Lee Commanded, After moving to to different party, he was marched to the field of Camden, Col Harry & Captain Seldin being Still his immediate commanders or officers. This applicant frought in the Battle of Camden. 
He stilll Continued under command of Captain Seldon & Col Harvey 
his said officers= till the Battle of the Eutaw Springs 
which Battle with said officers he also fought- Genl Green was now, the Principal Commander 
This applicant then states that the American Arms prevailed 
after a severe contest in which this applicant. Received 
a severe wound in his left shoulder, and is and has been disabled through till the present day. 
His Captain Seldin, was also wounded, have his arm was amputated 
and he retired as this applicant believes from the army
Lieutenant Giles & Ensign Tatum Captain Seldin Subaltern officers. Then had command of the Company, Lieutenant Giles Shortly after died.
The Army remained in the vicinity of the Eutaw Springs 
Several weeks, It was thence marched to the "High Hills of Santee." Where it Remained about three months 
Thence it marched in a direction of Charleston, and From there about Seven hundred Soldiers were
 marched to Salisbury, under Col Sneed & discharged- 
He the said applicant was one of this member
He obtained an Honorable discharge," which was a Considerable time afterwards lost by fire in the Burning of his House. In the State of Georgia. This applicant 
had enlisted for Eighteen months. And had
served  out that term when discharged by Col. Sneed 
He went then to her father, who had removed to Pittsylvania County Virginia. 
After having resided the same year, he removed to Wilkes County Georgia 
Wilkes being divided he then resided in Oglethorp Co in Georgia. He then removed to Jackson Co
Page 13

in Georgia, where he resided a considerable length of time in which last named County He got his House Burned. 
Together with all his House Hold Furniture papers together with his last named discharge 
and certificate for a Pension, which he had before that time but very shortly obtained. This applicant then went immediately to Augusta in the State of Georgia to Doctor John Murray who 
was it serving the Examining Surgion [surgeon]. For Invalled [invalid] 
Pensions. And Identified himself a second time before 
him, and got another certificate Certifying that he was the same person formerly Examined and certified 
by him in his Report, as a Claimant for Invalid Pension 
this second Certificate was obtained by him on the 17th day of April 1779. He afterwards went 
to the Clerk of the Superior Court for the County of Jackson in the State of Georgia on the 16th day of October 1800 and got his said second Certificate Recorded. 
This applicant states that about the year 1802 he removed from Jackson 
County aforesaid to Clarke County in said State of Georgia Where he resided about Sixteen years 
That he then removed to the County of Wilson in the State of Tennessee, after about a years Residence 
in Wilson County. He removed to Rutherford County Tennessee. Remained then about Eight years 
and from thence Removed to his Present Residence 
In Weakly County, Tennessee 
Mr Thornton The applicant says that being old & infirm, he cannot
 with precise accuracy, State, dates, Places. Story and Circumstances. Concerning a matter of Such Early or occurrence. 
But that the foregoing is a general account of his service, And so far as he has attempted to state it he being it is correct 
the said Applicant further States. That after he got his Certificate for a Pension, Recorded in the Clerks office of the Superior Court for Jackson County in the State of Georgia on the said 16th day of October 1800, he applied Annually for a certified Copy of the same
Page 14

On which Certified Copy he has drawn his Pension yearly up to the 27th day of December 1823. 
This Applicant further states that he has never been able to draw any part of his said Pension since the said 27th day of December 1823. That on his Removing to the State of Tennessee it became inconvenient for him and very expensive. So much so in his feeble and Embarrassed Situation, that he be all most given it over for lost, 
the said applicant Presly Thornton does hereby in his said declaration, Relinquish every claim to a Pension or annuity. From the 4th day of March 1831. 
the time for which the aforesaid act of Congress provided. And of the provisions of which he now wishes 
to avail himself. He states that his name was formerly on the Pension Roll of the agency in the State of Georgia, at Savanna. That he had tried for Renewal and Removal of his claim to a pension 
to provide for the payment of the same in the State of Tennessee. But in all these he has failed 
for the want of such disinterested testimony, and attention as would satisfy the proper department 
agreeable to the former Regulations 
He the said applicant. Presly Thornton, Considers himself 
Intitled [entitled] to his pension up to the period from which 
the aforesaid Act of Congress provide and Every other Claim due to him by virtue of said Pension 
since the said 4th day of March 1831 he hereby Releases 
Sworn to & subscribed in open}  Presley Thornton [mark]
Court the day & year aforesaid}
 Wm H Johnson Clerk  

State of Tennessee
We Amos Hill & Zacheus Curlin 
citzens of said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Presly Thornton who has sworn to & subscribed the foregoing declaration
Page 15

That we believe him to be seventy three years of age. That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the the Revolution and that we do concur in that Opinion Sworn to & subscribed the day} 
and year aforesaid} Amos Hill 
Wm H Johnson Clerk ZMurlin 

And the said Court do declare their opinion after investigating the matter, and after posting the Interrogatory prescribed by the war department that the above mentioned Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Amos Hill & Zacheus H Curlin who have signed the same are Residents in said County, & are credible Persons And that their statement is entitled to credit. 
Perry Vincent Charman}
of Weakly County Court} 
J.M. Gilbert JP }
JF. Outhouse, J. P.} Justices of [unintelligible] county

State of Tennessee
I William H. Johnson Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions for the County of Weakly do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the Application of Presly Thornton. For a Pension 

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and affixed the seal of said 
Court this 9th day of October AD 1832 
Wm H Johnson Clerk
Page 16

State of Tennessee 
I Perry Vincent Chairman of the Court 
of Pleas and quarter Sessions in and for the County of Weakley do hereby certify that William H Johnson Esquire whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is Clerk of said Court and that his said Certificate 
is in due form of Law & is therefore Intitled to full faith and credit as such
In Testimony whereof I have set my hand & [unintelligible] seal at Dresden this 9th day of October 1832 
Perry Vincent {J.P}
Chairman of Weakly the County Court
Page 17

April 19, 1933
Mrs. Rosa Thornton W. Lane,
Altavista,
Virginia

Madam;
You are herewith furnished the record of the Revolutionary War pensioner Presley Thornton S. 3809, for which no fee is charged and therefore your check for five dollars drawn to the Commissioner of Pensions is returned.

From the papers in the above noted pension claim, it appears that Presley Thornton was born in Orange County, Virginia, 1757 or 1758. He enlisted and served as a private for 13 or 14 months in Captain William Rodgers’ company, Virginia troops. Shortly after the expiration of this service, he enlisted at Fredericksburg, Virginia and served 18 months as a private in Captain Selden’s Company, Colonel Hawes’ regiment.

He was in the battles of Guilford, Camden, Siege of Ninety Six and Eutaw Springs, in the latter battle
Page 18

He was wounded in the left shoulder.  He was allowed pension from the year 1795, on account of the disability resulting from said wound, at which time he lived in Georgia.

Soldier died in Weakley County, Tennessee, October 5, 1852 or 1853, leaving the following children- Nancy McMillion, living in Arkansas; Martha, wife of William Jones, living in Weakley County, Tennessee, and Mary Oliver, living in Kentucky.

Respectfully,

Commissioner.
Page 19

M 233 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS 
Finance Division
APR 17 1923 19-

Chief of Rev. War Section
Sir:
I have this day received, Rosa Thornton. Jane
No. --- for $5.00/100 
requesting copy of per letter herewith.

Very respectfully.
O.J. RANDALL
Chief of Division

Check for $5.00 returned to Mrs. Rosa W. Lowe 
Apr. 19, 1923
Returned by Registered name
Page 20

1923 Apr. 19. Hisk to Mrs. 
Rosa Thomton W. Lane & check for
$5.00/100 returned A F. Register 

Rev. War.
3809
INVALID.

File No. 3809
Presley Thornton
Pvt. Rev. Line

Act: June 7, 1932
Index:- Vol. A, Page 372

{Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 21

Invalid 
File No. 4b b.52 
See File 3809 
Invalid
Presley Thornton 
Pri Rev War 
Act: 
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 274 
in (Arrangement of 1870.] 
27564 c13.702 
1(3809 )
Page 22

Presley Thornton 

 Enlisted at Fredericksburgh 2 
Battle Guilford-96- Camden 
Eutaw springs & in last wounded in 
left shoulder 
dischg at Salisbury No after 
18 Mos Service 
moved from Spottsylvania to 
Wilkes now Cylethorpe Geo then 
to Jackson Co then to Clarke all in Geo 
From Geo 1816 to Wilson Co Tenn 
& in a year to Rutherford Co Ten 
& in 8 years to Weakley Co Ten 
put in Invalid Roll in Geo about 
1798 & Mac 24 years
Page 23

Georgia Invalid Roll
Presley Thornton pri $4 per month. 
To what time last paid? pd to 4th March 1822, and to paid on act 1832 to 4th Mar. 1851, at $80 men in the Jackson Tennessee Roll of Pension Office by Rogan
Page 24

Pension Office
June 14, 1855

Please certify to what time this pensioner was paid at what rate 
J. Cole
for Comm 
R. J. Atkinson Esq}
[unintelligible]

certificate his name was dropped 
from the roll as an Invalid 
It may be proper to state, in answer 
to Messrs [unintelligible} is assertion, that 
Mr. Thornton's pension never was 
increased to $8 per month and 
that he never was examined by 
Surgeons after act of 3 Mar. 
1819 was passed. A pension was 
granted to a Presley Thornton of 
Tennessee under act 7 June 1832 
at the rate of $80 per annum 
which has been paid up to 4 
Mar 1852, a claim is now 
pending in this office for the increase 
of this pension to the date of the 
pensioners death, 1 Oct 1852 
The application for a new 
certificate to which [unintelligible] refer, was for a new certificate under act 
1832 & not for a renewal of his 
invalid pension. a new certificate 
was accordingly issued on the 5th 
April 1849 under act 1832 which 
is now on file in this office 
Roll of Interior
Auditor

JP. Waldo Esq 
Comr of Pensions 

Presley Thornton 
Georgia 
Invalid 

This is an application in behalf of the children of said Thornton, who died in Oct. 1 1832, for arrears of of Pension

In his name on the Georgia 
Invalid Roll - but the old 
papers cannot be found
 supposed to have been burnt

This 29 March 1853 

These papers should be referred to the Rev branch

Third aud: off June 16/55. 
Sir,
Presley Thornton was 
pensioned as an Invalid in 1795 at 
$2.50 per month and his name 
inscribed on the Georgia roll. 
Under act 24 Apl 1816, his 
pension was increased to $4 per 
month. The first and only 
payment made to him after the 
passage of the act 3 Mar 1819 requiring an examination of two 
Surgeons was $96 for 4 Mar 19 to 4 Mar 21 and as he never furnished the necessary surgery
Page 25

Presley Thornton, 
West Tennessee [unintelligible}
Act June 7, 1832, 
at $80 per Annum 
Will M Randall 
Please look at the enclosed letter & say whether any arrears of pension are due, 
and where payable, 
whether at the Agency or Treasury 
Espy 
JD Wilson 
Pen Office 
a years pension
 from March 
1847 to 4th March 
1848. appears from
Page 26

the books of this 
Office [unintelligible]
Mr Thornton 
which is now 
payable at the Treasury through 
this office 
Auditors Office 
March 15th 1858
Page 27

See letter to the Prest Branch 
Bank U. S. & C. Savannah 
Georgia Oct 18, 1823 

Georgia 
Presley Thornton Rev War
Corporal 
In the army U. States 
Inscribed on roll of Georgia 
at [unintelligible- $2 5-/100]  per mo: increased to $4 per month, by Law of 24 April 
1816.------
Page 28

George Presley Thornton Corporal ● in the Army of the U. States Inscribed on the roll of the Georgia Agency at the rate of per month. Formal Certificate issued 27 December 1823 and sent to the Pensioner one of Sterling Elder Lexington Clerk County Georgia See letter or J.W. Cobb. U.S. Send Feb.y 11. 1825 See Letter to R. Campbell Prest. U.S. Br Bank Savannah George 19 March 1828 he letter 16 Dec. 1828 to Hon. D. Crockett, H.
Page 29

Camden March the 19th 1853 
Dear Sir 
We send to you the 
evidence of two witnesses showing that Presley Thornton 
continued to be an invalid to the last day of his life which 
was the 1st day of October last, he is now dead please 
to examine the second time Mr Thornton [unintelligible]
and this the that you will see that Mr Thornton [unintelligible] $8.00 per month please instruct and if more 
evidence is needed for we can got members that 
will [unintelligible] that his wounds continued to the last 
Your Obt Servt 
Hawthorn [unintelligible]
Page 30

Presley Thornton 
Tena Reno
[Reversed text]
Hickory Tenn
Hon. W. L. Marcy
Secretary of War
Washington City D.C.
Page 31

Adalia Tenn. Dec 5/47  
John Gardner 
P. Thornton wishes a new pension certificate
G94. Recd Dec 24/47  
Pension Office
Mr. Evans  
approve duplicate Cert.
[illegible]
Page 32

Adalia Weakley Co. Tenn. 1847
Hon. W. L. Marcy
Dear Sir,
Sometime in the month of Sept last, I think, I prepared a Power  of Att from Presley Thornton, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the U. S. to James Caruthers, of Jackson (Ten) authorizing said Caruthers to draw Mr. Thornton's semi annual payment, which fell due the 4 of March
last. He Received $80 per annum Mr. Caruthers drew the half yearly payment of $400 and, as had been custom enclosed the money, and Pension certificate to me, in a letter addressed to Old Hickory, my neighbourhood P.O. Letter, money nor certificate, have ever been received. Latterly, sural letters containing remittances, have been last out of the mail, between Huntingdon & Nashville, as I understand. And man, however, who would steal an old soldiers money, ought to be being on gallows, higher than the one Haman prepared for Mordecai the Jew but to the subject matter of this letter
Page 33

Mr Thornton does not expect his Government to relieve against this loss, sustained the her mails-- but what he wishes to know, is, what your department will require of him, before issuing to him, a new Pension Certificate, without which since the loss of his old one, he cannot draw one cent, altho another Semiannual payment has been due him ever since 4 Sept. last. He can furnish the Department with the affidavit of Mr. Caruthers his Agent at Jackson thou when a more honorable or correct man is not within the borders of our state showing  that he enclosed the money and certificate in a letter addressed to me, at Old Hickory, and deposited the letter in
the P.O. at Jackson and my affidavit stating that I have never recd. either and have no knowledge of their since - Also the affidavit of the P. Master(if necessary) at Old Hickory, stating that Caruthers letter has never reached that office & I need not enlarge upon this part of the subject, as it may suffice to say the most satisfactory proof of the loss of the certificate can be furnished your Department
Page 34

Please advise me as promptly as your affairs and other engagements will allow — as Mr. Thornton is very old, extremely infirm, and unfortunate, like most of the Revolutionary Patriots, who consecrated their best days to the service of their country — he is miserably poor, needy, and destitute; neither nor other claims is he declining years, for even the means of life, than the bounty of a grateful Government. Unless your Department acts, (as I have no doubt it will) with promptitude in this process, with promptitude in this process, the old man may go to his grave without a [illegible] lasting of the merited liberality of his Government. A genuine Whig in 1776, Mr. J is an unwavering Democrat of '47. How beautifully consistent! How indicative of patriotism!! An example worth the imitation of the young men of the present day, who mistake Whiggery for Patriotism — and oppose even their Government in the conduct of a Foreign War, for standing on the side of their Country. But enough. Let me hear from you soon. 
I have the honor to be
your friend, & obt. Servt. Jno. A. Gardner
Page 35

War Department
Pension Office
Feby 11, 1825

Sir, In answer to Mr Crawley's letter to you, I have the that a formal pension certificate is issued in favor of Presley Thornton, December 27 1823 & sent to the Pensioner, one of Sterling Elder Esq Clerk of the Superior Court for the County of Clark, Lexington, Georgia The agent for paying pensioners, in Georgia, has been that day directed to pay Mr Thornton, the amount due him on production of the proper vouchers. Mr Thornton's affidavit & Mr Crawly's letter to you are herewith returned
I am respectfully, Yr Obt Sert.
J. L. Edwards

Honble J.W. Cobb
U.S. Senate
Page 36

Mr. Crawly must procure the following papers
1st. The original certificate of Pension issued to Thornton
2d. A power of Attorney from Thornton to some person who can draw the pension or affidavit.
3d. What is the pensioner's age and [illegible] referring him copies of the proper annual vouchers, he is an old Mr. Thornton has [illegible] — I believe the certificate at the Branch Bank of the State, which in accordance to pensioners expect.
Page 37

Washington City 
March 12 1850
Gardner, 
I again call your attention to Mr. Thornton’s case & re enclose you the letter of Messrs. Gardiner & Edmunds. In your communication of yesterday’s date you seem only to state the fact that the money lost by mail would not be paid by the Gov. That is not the question or what is asked. In consequence of the loss of the certificate two years intervened before he procured a new one. Consequently he asks pay for that term. You have allowed one year only, not the two & I can see no good reason, will you please explain why you can not allow it
J.L. Edwards Esqr   Yr. obdt. Sert.
                                 C. H. Heller
Page 38

Office Bank United States
Savannah, October 1st, 1823
Charles H. Callahan
Dept of War
Sir,
 At the request of Mr. Presley Thornton, an invalid pensioner of the service, I now enclose you his official showing forth that he is relieved of returning from under the head and seal of the War Department, a certificate to substantiate his claim as a pensioner of the Revolutionary War.
You will perceive by the referred to Mr. Thornton full statem’t that he is entirely in possession of a Cert. from no presumed source—a different being by one John Murray, with merely story. If you had believed that Mr. Thornton at the time I first examined & reported on him as a claimant for an Invalid pension, which is now refused, is of equal credit to warrant my forming him the object of every way but time. Although Mr. Thornton stated that he had claimed him from under the authority of the referred Certificate, and none other
Should you approve of the payment being made to this Individual under the authority of the copy of the signed Certificate, you will please inform me, otherwise give instructions
Page 39

attention in procuring for this service a certificate under your hand Head of Office will much serve Mr. Presley Thornton.

Respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
Mark P. Hunter
Sec. Pro Tem
Page 40

State of Georgia 
County of Clark
On this fifth day of March 1823 before me the Subscriber, a justice of the peace for the said County of Clark, personally appeared Presley Thornton who, on his oath, exposeth that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Samuel Seldon, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Hawes in the service of the United States, that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Georgia; that he never received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War; and that now it being necessary to produce such a certificate to the Agent for paying United States Pensions, he requests that one may be issued in his favor.
	That he at present receives four dollars per month, and formerly received but $2.50 per
per month, and that he has been receiving a pension from the United States since the 17th day of April — in the year 1799 —
Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid.
Allen W. Brown JP    Presely Thornton (his mark)
Page 41

County of Clark.
Know all men by these present that I, Sterling Elder, Clerk of the Superior Court for the said County of Clark, do hereby certify and make known to all whom these presents may concern, that Allen W. Brown is duly qualified & acts as a Justice of the Peace for said County and all acts done as such is (are) held recognized as legal & competent and do further make known that the signature of said Allen W. Brown as signed on the other side in his
official capacity is his true and legal signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand and Seal, on this Fifth
day of November, in the year of our Lord, One thousand Eight hundred & twenty three
Sterling Elder 
Clerk
Page 42

Camden Tenn. June 24th 1850
Sir, Enclosed I send you the Declaration of Mrs. Unicy Adams, widow of Jesse Adams (who claims under the Act of Febr. 3rd, 1848). Also a declaration of Mr. Presley Thornton in order to obtain Arrears of Pension. Gale, Esq. please examine Mr. Thornton’s case and should your office be the wrong office to make settlement, please refer the papers to the office with my name and residence, hoping if the Declaration and proof of identity is insufficient for a settlement that the proper officer will give me the necessary instructions that the matter
Also I send you some more testimony in favor of Mrs. Mary C. McKinley, the affidavit of Mr. Jonathen M. Wallace. I also have sent to the State of Virginia, Cumberland County, for a certificate to show that the records of the marriage bonds were destroyed by fire in the year 1809. Which information I received of the County Court Clerk, but I have sent for another to be forwarded to you as the lady is old and delay makes her impatient though she is in as good health as usual but poor and not able to labor (but if a stipend cannot be granted to her on the testimony now produced (which I think will leave the department without a doubt that the
marriage took place prior to the date of 1794 (some years) you must delay till such certificate fromCumberland County Court Clerk arrives. 
Your Obet
Robert H. Hawthorn
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 43

Camden Tennessee June 14th 1851
Sir, Enclosed I send you On application for a new certificate in favor of Presley Thornton who is will identified he is for advanced in age he still retain his mind and has been a long time deprived of his just rights but not by any fault in the Pension department Therefore you have nothing to do but to turn to the Georgia Roll and issue a new certificate in his favor
he already draws a pension at Jackson To and if you have the power to order in all paid at Jackson please to do so and if not please to send to me a form to fill up to draw the place pay at the third editor offer and send the same to me at Camden as he depends on me for his counsel and agent please be expedient in this case as it will require but little investigation for I am fully satisfied of the justice of the claim
Your Obedient Servant
Robert H. Hawthorn
J. L. Edwards Esq  Commissioner of Pensions Washington City DC
Page 44

Huntington June the 6th 1855                           
Sir, We send you the claim of the heirs of Presley Thornton deceased by reference to your papers you will find that Presley Thornton applied for a new certificate in his lifetime and we sent the proof in his lifetime but the blanks it was enclosed you let your name connected as in your letter — reports to us state Presley Thornton drew four dollars per month cert. by reference to your Georgia Rolls you will find that his pension was raised to eight dollars per month in accordance with a regulation of the department on a reexamination and that he drew his last draw in Georgia of his invalid pension the date of his last draw will show on the Rolls at the Third Auditor's Office. You will please order a payment as a pension transfer— transferred as it is from name office as it has been so long standing you may order the payment to be made at Washington but please send us a new certificate
Your Obvt Servant
Nathan & Davidson
Page 45

Application for a new certificate
State of Tennessee
County of Weakley
On this 10th day of June AD 1851, before me Chapman Underwood the subscriber a justice of the peace for the said County, personally appeared Presley Thornton aged ninety-three years the 25th day of December last, who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Solden in the first Regiment of the Virginia State Troops commanded by Col. Hawes in the Revolutionary War; that he served in the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Georgia, payable at Savannah Ga as an invalid on account of wounds received in the Revolutionary War; that he received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War. the thirteenth or of the sixteen. Which certificate on or about the day of [blank] 1810 was burned in his house in the County of Clark, in the State of Georgia; that he had his certificate of Pension Burned as aforesaid. The day and date he can not remember but that he well knows that he drew eight dollars per month — that he believes his last draw (last up to the 4th day of March A.D. Eighteen hundred and fifty-one), that he now resides in the County of Weakley in the State of Tennessee. Sworn to and subscribed this 6th day of June A.D. 1851 before me
Presley  Thornton (his mark)

Chapman Underwood
Justice of the Peace
for Weakley & State of Tennessee

State of Tennessee
County of Weakley
I, Chapman Underwood, a justice of the peace in and for said County, do certify that I am well acquainted with Presley Thornton the subscriber to the above affidavit; that he is now and has been many years well known to me, named as above; & I further test that he is a man of good character for truth and veracity, and that he is a man of good moral condition and advanced age, and that I believe all he alleged therein.
Given under my hand this 6th day of June 1851
Chapman Underwood J.P.
Justice for Weakley County
Page 46

State of Tennessee
County of Weakley
On this 6th day of June A.D. 1851, before me the undersigned a justice of the peace, personally appeared Martha Jones, aged fifty-three years, who first being duly sworn according to law says on her oath that she  knows that Presley Thornton, the subscriber to the foregoing affidavit, is the identical man who drew a pension as stated in said affidavit to the Identical man who drew a pension as stated of him. That she(the affiant) was well acquainted with him in Clarke County in the State of Georgia and has been acquainted with the said Presley Thornton and is now acquainted with him, that from the state of his wounds and lameness he has drawn was up to the 4th of March 1851. Though she is not positive as to the precise day and date but is positive as to the identity of Presley Thornton being the identical man who drew a pension at Savannah in the State of Georgia as an invalid Pensioner on account of wounds received in the Revolutionary War, and that she was thus informed and by telling, swears to and subscribed
the day and date above written before me.    
C. Underwood JP                                               Martha Jones (her mark)
For Weakley County and State of Tennessee 

State of Tennessee
County of Weakley
On this 6th day of June A.D. 1851
Personally appeared before me Chapman Underwood a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid  William Jones aged fifty-four years who first being duly sworn according to law, says on his oath that he has been personally acquainted with Presly Thornton, the subscriber to the foregoing affidavit and applicant for a new certificate for about twenty-eight years; that the said Presly Thornton is reputed as a revolutionary soldier (and that he also claimed and was allowed on the same evidence) that he has often and frequently heard it said that the said Presly Thornton had been in the war and that his certificate (old) burned with his house in Clarke County; and that in conversation the deponent has always learned and believed the statement to be true, and that the further claims the reason why he has so long delayed to apply for the return of a qualified agent to act for him. That the said Presly Thornton is a man of good character for truth and honesty.
Chapman Underwood     William Jones 
Justice of the Peace for Weakley County
Page 47

State of Tennessee
County of Weakley 
I, Chapman Underwood, a justice of the peace, do certify that I am personally acquainted with Martha Jones and William Jones, the two subscribing witnesses to the foregoing affidavit; that they are credible witnesses for truth and veracity; that they are each duly sworn and did subscribe their names as above represented.
Given under my hand and seal as a justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid this 6th day of June A.D. 1851
Chapman Underwood JP
For Weakley County

State of Tennessee
County of Weakley 
I, C. P. Bondurant, Clerk, do certify that Chapman Underwood Esq., whose name appears to the foregoing declaration and affidavits, is a justice of the peace duly commissioned and qualified and held such at the date of assigning the same; that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 7th day of June 1851.
C. P. Bondurant JP
For Weakley County
Page 48

State of Tennessee
County of Weakley
On this third day of August 1848 personally appeared before me,the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County, Presly Thornton, who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Samuel Seldon in the regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Hawkins in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of Tennessee; that he received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War, which certificate, about the month of August or September 1847, between Jackson Madison County,Tennessee and Old Hickory P. Office, Weakley County, Tennessee, was lost, it having been sent along with a Power of Attorney made by this affiant to James Caruthers of the former place, to draw affidavits to continue the payment which failed.
Samuel Kendall, Justice of the Peace  Presley Thornton (his mark)

State of Tennessee
County of Weakley
On this the 3rd day of August 1848, personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, John A. Gardner, and made oath that he well knows Presly Thornton to be the same person described in the above affidavit; and also that he knows said Thornton’s pension certificate was lost in the manner described, and about the time stated in the foregoing affidavit. This affiant having acted at the time by said Thornton in drawing up his Power of Attorney, and mailing the same to the agent at Jackson.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year aforesaid.
Samuel Kendall (Justice of the Peace)  John A. Gardner 

I, Samuel Kendall, do hereby certify that the above deponent, John A. Gardner, is a person of veracity.
Given under my hand & seal this 5th day of August 1848.
Samuel Kendall, Justice of the Peace (Seal)
Page 49

I, Thomas H. Etheridge, Clerk of the County Court of said Weakley County, do hereby certify that Samuel Kendall, whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavits and certificates, was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace for Weakley County, duly commissioned and qualified as such, and fully empowered and authorized by the laws of the land to administer oaths; and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
Given under my hand and seal of office at Dresden, this the 8th day of August 1848.
Tom H. Etheridge, Clerk of the County Court of Weakley County

For the respectability of John A. Gardner, whose affidavit accompanies the foregoing application, the Secretary at War is referred to James K. Polk, President of the United States, and to Cave Johnson, Post Master General. Mr. Thornton wishes his certificate transmitted to him through the mail at Old Hickory Post Office, Weakley County, Tenn.
Page 50

State of Georgia
Chatham County
Before me ,one of the Justices of the Peace of said County, personally came and appeared Presley Thornton, who swore by me and says that about the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eight, he resided in the County of Clark in the State of Georgia, at which place he was in possession of the original certificate showing that he was an Invalid Pensioner of the Revolutionary War, for which the following is a true copy. 
That I believe the [illegible]  Presley Thornton to be the person formerly examined by me & reported as a claimant for Invalid pension is certified by me at [illegible]  this Seventeenth day of April 1799
Signed John Murry
Recorded the 16th day of Oct. 1800
Geo. Taylor Clk

State of Georgia
Clerk’s Office of the Superior Court
Jackson County
I Edward Adams Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do Certify that the above is truly copied from the Records of said Court.
In testimony whereof I have set my hand & affixed the Seal of my said Office this 20th day of March 1822
Edward Adams Clk
and the said Presley Thornton both further declare, that he is the same person
Page 51

to whom the aforesaid Certificate was originally granted, and which original was accidentally destroyed by fire at about the period of issue and that he is now only in possession of a copy from the same as herein expressed, and that he is now desirous to obtain a Certificate as an Invalid Pensioner from under the hand and seal of the War Department, he never having obtained the same from the first decision—placement of his name being placed upon the Roll of the Georgia or any other Agency for pensions
Sworn & acknowledged to before me this third day of October 1823 [possibly 43]
[illegible signature] JP  Presely Thornton (his mark)
Page 52

Presely Thornton 
Hon. D. Crockett H
Dec 12 1828
Page 53

That I believe the bearer Presley Thornton to be the person formerly examined & reported by me as a claimant for Invalid pension is certified by me at Augusta this seventeenth day of April 1799
Signed John Murry
Recorded the 16th day of Oct 1800
Geo Taylor Clk

State of Georgia
Clerk’s Office of the Superior Court Jackson County
I Edward Adams Clerk of the Court aforesaid do certify that the above
is truly copied from the records of said court.In testimony whereof I have set my hand
& affixed the seal of my said office this 20th day
of March 1822
Edward Adams Clk
Page 54

That I believe the bearer Presley Thornton to be the person formerly examined & reported by me as a claimant for Invalid pension is certified by me at Augusta this seventeenth day of April 1799
Signed John Murry
Recorded the 16th day of Oct 1800
Geo Taylor Clk 

Georgia
Jackson County
I Edward Adams, Clk of the Superior Court of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the above is truly copied from the records of said County, book B, page 399.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office
this 16th day of February 1828.
Edward Adams Clk
Page 55

Presley Thornton’s
Application for arrearages of his pay
as an invalid pensioner
of the U.S.
[reversed text]
Oct. 25. 1833. Recd. from Wm.
to B. Totten, Lotten wells,
Tompkinsville
Page 56

Oct. 25. 1833. Recd. from Wm.
to B. Totten, Lotten wells,
Tompkinsville
[Reversed text]
Presley Thornton’s
Application for arrearages of his pay
as an invalid pensioner
of the U.S.
Page 57

State of Tennessee Court of pleas & quarter
Weakley County  Sessions October Term 1832
This day being the 9th of October AD 1832, personally appeared Presley Thornton in open court, now sitting in Dresden for said County, the said Presley Thornton being a citizen of said County and about the age of seventy-three years, and on his oath makes the following statement of facts, in order to obtain the arrearages of a pension due from the United States under an act of Congress for making provision for invalid pensioners — He states that he was a soldier of the revolution, and was mustered in the service of the United States at Fredericksburg Virginia. He further states that he was engaged in the battles of Guilford, of Musgrove, of Camden, of the Eutaw Springs, at which last mentioned battle he received a wound on his left shoulder which has disabled him until the present day- that he was honorably discharged at Salisbury No. Carolina by Colo. Mead — after having served a tour of eighteen months. After his discharge aforesaid he returned to his father in Pittsylvania County Va (as affirmed a residence there of some years), he removed to the county of Wilkes, now the county of Oglethorpe in the
State of Georgia. He afterward removed to the county of Jackson & then to the county of Clarke (or which latter as well as the said thor now can now recollect). He further states that he removed from the State of Georgia to the state of Tennessee, Wilson County, he thinks, in the year 1816 or 17, and after a year's residence there
Page 58

he removed to the County of Rutherford in said last mentioned state — where he remained eight years & then removed to the county of Weakley in said state where he at present resides — He further positively states, that during his residence in the State of Georgia, that he was put on the roll of invalid pensioners by the War Department — he thinks, about the year 1798 — The evidence of his services and his identity being at that time established to the satisfaction of the said department — and that he received his pension at the office of invalid pensioners in the City of Savannah for about twenty four years. He herewith files the letter of J.L. Edwards, directed to the Honbl. J.W. Cobb of the U.S. Senate, as evidence that a formal certificate of a pension had been issued to him, marked “B.” and also the copy of a certificate of John Murry as showing the identity of said Thornton, marked “D,” from which letter & certificate the proof of
said Thornton to a person of the identity he proves most manifestly appears — He states that he is not now able to produce his formal certificate of pension because it was destroyed by fire
his house, & papers having all been consumed by fire. He states that by virtue of his said certificate (and his name being enrolled in the office of the war department & under the rules & regulations then legally laid), his pension, until the year 1833, was withheld (and he has never received one cent), and though the benevolent intentions of the government have been great & good in defense of the many poor & clear him — since his removal to the state of Tennessee — the distance, his poverty & infirmity has prevented his appearing at the pension office in Savannah, Georgia. He states that there is full evidence in the U.S. to the amount of his pension
Page 59

For the term of seven years & ten months, being from the 27th of Oct. 1823 until the passage of the act of the 1st of March 1831. From which date henceforth he has released his said pension in order to avail himself of the benefit of the provisions of the act passed at Washington on the 7th day of June A.D. 1832. He states that he is advised that there is nothing necessary for him to do further than to identify himself, as being the said Presley Thornton whose name stands
recorded on the rolls of the department (at the office of the department) at Savannah. He again
refers to the papers now before referred to and most positively states himself to be the same- He further states that he knows of no living testimony, by whom he will be able to establish his identity at this day & in this country, and that he regards it as risk, whether he’d be before him, what is of such value, unless his infirmities, his poverty & the distance which such testimony might hope to be gained, would at once prevent him from obtaining such testimony, if should there now be left any of those (if per- sonal) who can all know him to be the same. — He asks,
that this arrearage of his pension may be paid to him at the office of pensions at Nashville, Tennessee, & that a certificate to that effect
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court     Presley Thornton (his mark)
Wm. Johnson, Clerk
Page 60

State of Tennessee
Weakley County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
October Term 1832
This day personally appeared Amos Hill & Zacheus H. Curtin being citizens of the county of Weakley, in open court — and made oath that they are well acquainted with Presley Thornton of said county, they state that he is regarded in his neighborhood by those who know
him to be a man of good character and that he has been a soldier of the Revolution that those statements are in their belief correct.
Sworn to & Subscribed
in open Court
Wm. Johnson, Clk

Z. H. Curtin
Amos Hill

And the said Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid, from the foregoing testimony from the further declaration of the three persons that the facts stated in the foregoing declaration from the said Presley Thornton are such that Amos Hill & Zacheus H. Curtin are citizens of said County & credible persons

[illegible text in margin]

State of Tennessee
Weakley County

I William H. Johnson
Page 61

Clerk of the Court of pleas & quarter Sessions for said County of Weakly,
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court, in the matter of the application of Presley Thornton for the arrear age of his pay, as an invalid pension of the United States 
 In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & seal of Office at Dresden
this 9th day of October 1832
Wm H Johnson Clerk

State of Tennessee
I, Perry Vincent, Chairman of said County Court in Weakly County, and for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that William H. Johnson Esquire, whose name there appears to the above certificate is Clerk of said County Court, and that by law he is authorized to hold and govern of Laws, and that the same is entitled to full faith and credit in such cases. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed seal this 9th day of October 1832. 
Perry Vincent
Chairman of Weakly County Court
Page 62

Post Office Department
OFFICIAL BUSINESS

REGISTERED ARTICLE
No. 283756
INSURED PARCEL

Return to: Washington Bureau
Commissioner of Pensions
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Rev. War Sec.
Page 63

RETURN RECEIPT
Received from the Postmaster the Registered or Insured Article, the original number of which appears on the face of this card.

Mrs. Ana W. Lane
(Signature or name of addressee)

(Signature of addressee’s agent – blank)

Date of delivery: April 25, 1923

Form 3811
Page 64

Altavista, Va.
Apr. 9, 1923

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Will you please write me where Presley Thornton of the Revolutionary War was living when pension ceased?
Thanking you in advance for an early reply, I remain,

Yours very truly, (Mrs.) Rosa Thornton Lane
Page 65

Altavista, Va.
Apr. 2, 1923

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Will you please write me when Presley Thornton of the Revolutionary
War became a pensioner, and his residence when the pension ceased,
or at his death?
Thanking you in advance for an
early reply, I remain

Yours very truly, (Mrs.) Rosa Thornton Lane
Page 66

Altavista, Va.
Apr. 16, 1923

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
In making application for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution I am trying to establish the military service of my Revolutionary ancestor, Presley Thornton, and as there were more than one of the name in the Revolutionary War, I would be glad to know
Page 67

the residence of each when receiving pension and also residence when the pension ceased. I do not know your fee for the above research work, so I am enclosing a check for five dollars.
Thanking you for an early reply, I remain,
Yours very truly,
(Mrs.) Rosa Thornton W. Lane