Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1802, David Baker, Va.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE       Va.
 
Baker,  David    Number W.1802
Dorothy   B.L.Wt. 8170-160-55
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4241 
North Carolina 

David Baker of Burke in the State of N.C. who was a Corporal in the Compy commanded by Captain Thorn of the Regt commanded by Marshall in the Va line for 2 years from 1776- 

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 88 - Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Jany 33. and sent to Maj Handy. Present 

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832                        132 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Mar:33       44 
[TOTAL]                                                      $176

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk, 
Book D Vol. 9 Page 49
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State of North Carolina 
Burke County } SS

On this 26th day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared before the undersigned George Hollaway one of the Justices of the Court of pleas & Quarter Sessions for said County David Baker Esqr a resident of the said County of Burke & State aforesaid aged eighty three years the 3rd day of last June who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted in the army of the United States to 1776 in the month of February in Culpepper [Culpeper] County Virginia with Captain John Thomas Thornton for two years of service in the third regiment of the Virginia line, under the following named officers John Thomas he was call’d commanded the Company Thomas Marshal Major Joseph Weeding of Fredericksburgh [Fredericksburg] Col. The first service I saw was the cannonading of Guns
[J Hand?]
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in the rapahannock [Rappahannock] against Governor Dunmore. We were then marched on by Dumfriese [Dumfries] to Alexandria & was there stationed some little time & were then marched to the north crossing the Deleware [Delaware] at Trenton & Joined the main army at White Plains under General Washington. In a few days after we joined the main army the battle of white plains was fought. We retreated & recross’d the Deleware [Delaware] The next Battle was at Trenton the 26th of Decem’b I was guarding the Baggage during the battle & had a Brother by the name of Richard Kill’d in that action. The 27th the cannonading at Trenton took place On the 28th the Battle of Princetown [Princeton] was fought & General Mercer of Virginia was kill’d from princeton we went into Winter quarters at Morristown The next Battle I was in was the Battle of Brandywine Lafayette was one of our Generals Washington commander in chief 46 were kill’d & wounded of our regiment I think Colo Heath was then our Colo. Next Battle was that of Germantown Washington commander & General Stevenson was broke of his command for misconduct in that battle
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I was then marched to Valey forge [Valley Forge] & there stationed until I was discharged in february 1778 by General Woodford. My discharge, was burnt up with my dwelling House in the 1790. I entered at the House of Capt John Strother in Culpepper [Culpeper] County & was immediately appointed corporal which office I held during my service. I came [to?] Burke County No Carolina the summer after I was discharged to my mothers my father having died while of was in service [INSERTED: In of my Country] I have resided ever since 
I further declare that I am not on any pension establishment whatever & do hereby relinquish every claim to a pension or annuity except the present Sworn & subscribed the day & year above to written 

Attent Geo Hollaway JP

David Baker

And the said George Hollaway does hereby declare his opinion & belief that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. I do further certify that I believe the applicant to be unable from bodily infirmity to attend at Court 

Turn over
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He [George CROSSED OUT] living at the distance of forty four miles from the Court House

I George Hollaway one of the Justices of the peace & one of the Justices & the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions in said County which is a Court of record do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of David Baker for a pension In testimoney whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 26th Day September 1832 

Geo Hollaway JP {seal}

State of North Carolina
Burke County } (Towit)

I James Erwin Clerk of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that George Holloway Esq. whose Certificate is above and is the Signature of his name & seal, was at of the time of making the same Certificate a Justice of the peace in and for the said County duly Commissioned and gratified as such I bring one of the Justice of the said County Court the said County Court done at office in Morganton this 26th day of September 1832 

J Erwin Clerk
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366. 
AM
North Carolina 
Dorothy Baker 
widow of David Baker who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Corporal Va Line 

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 88 Dollars --- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of October 1849 and sent to Tod R. Caldwell Morgantown [Morganton] N C. 

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act 29th July [February 2 CROSSED OUT] 1848, Page 285, Vol. 1

[NOTES ON FACING PAGE]

Set’d [?] [THREE LINES CROSSED OUT: John B. Woodfew 19th June 1850
" to same 9th Sept 1850
" to same 29 Nov 1850]

" S. Godwin May 19 '51
JB Woodfew –21—
S. Godwin Oct 21 ---
To Asheville fr 4 Sept 1851
no’v[?] to J B Sawyer. Asheville, N.C 19 Oct 1852 could not find

Died Aug 23/1855
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No. 509.
Dorothy Baker
Pension papers [CROSSED OUT]
Widow of David
N.C.
Oct 29th July 1848.
Married 1795
Husband died 1838.

Adm’d 2 yrs Corporal
$88 per annum.
Coming March 4, 1848.

Tod R. Caldwell,
Morgantown [Morganton], 
N.C.
Page 9

Dorothy Wiseman wife of David Baker was Born Feb’ry 5: 1765 and was Married Aug. 9: 1795 To David Baker 

The Applicant further swears that the Attach't is Apart of the the original Record. in the possession of hir husband at the time of his Death and now in hir pursesion Sworn to and subscribed this 18th day of April 1849 

Dorothy Baker hir mark X

J B Slagh JP
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State of North Carolina 
Yancey County } ss
N?? [INITIALS]

On this the 29th day of July in the year 1850 personally appeared before me the undersigned an acting Justice in said County, Dorothy Baker, a resident of Bakersville in the County of Yancey aged, eighty five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 1838 entitled “An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows”; that she is the widow of David Baker a corporal in the Revolutionary war (the proof of the service of the said David Baker having been completed, and he being in the full enjoyment of a pension to the time of his death, the law does not require the widow to offer any new proof as to the service of her deceased husband)
She further declares that she was married to the said David Baker on the ninth day of August AD seventeen hundred and ninty [ninety] three (as she will show by living testimony), that the family record transmitted to the Department by her former Attorney Mr Blalock was erronious [erroneous] in the last figure, that where now stands a (5) if it n??ly is one it ought to be (3) as she is fully able to testify from the birth of oldest children, who were born (some of them) anterior to the year 1795. She further says on her oath that when the said Tilman Blalock wrote her declaration, she was entirely ignorant of what proof he was sending the Dept in relation to the marraige [marriage]- that if she had have known what the law required in that case, that she
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2 
would have produced the witnesses who were knowing to the marrage [marriage] and the date when it took place. She further says that this family record and which was sent to the Department was in the hand writing of William Wiseman, and was done several years (8 or 9) after the death of the said David Baker, that it was first done from his memory being a member of the family and that it was done in her absence by order of one of the family, and that she could not read, and had never heard it read in her life or if she had, he did not notice the error in the date of the year, but that so soon as she be thought herself when her two oldest children were born, she at once saw that the date of her marrage [marriage] (the year), was incorrect. She further says that it was since the filing of former declarations that she discovered the error. She further says that if she swore to the genuineness of said record, that she did not know it as the time for the declaration was not read to her by the said Blalock, but he merely stated “This was [INSERT: or is] the proof of the service of her husband,” and that she thought nothing more than certifying that the said David Baker was a soldier of the Revolution war, and that if this declaration and that one clash in any respect, that the was and is ignorant of what is contained; not being a scholor [scholar] she was ignorant of what was her duty, and when law require of her. She further states that they were married in Burke County N Caroline [North Carolina] by [hower? ba??] but that the office being burnt, the  [hower? ba??] bond
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3
was supposed to have been also distroyed [destroyed] as cannot be found. 

She declares that she was married to the said David Baker on the ninth day of August in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninty [ninety] three, that her husband the sd David Baker died on the 15th day of September eighteen hundred & thirty eight: that she was not married to him proer [prior] to his leaving the service, but, that the marraige [marriage] took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred ninty [ninety] four vis [viz] at the time above mentioned. 

Dorothy Baker her mark X {seal}

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me an acting Justice 
Aaron Burleson Justice 

2 

State of N Carolina
County of Yancey }

I, an acting Justice in county and state above mentioned do hereby certify that Dorothy Baker widow of David Baker has heard the above declaration read and owns the same to be her own act and sentiment and she has subscribed her name (at ??st set her mark to it with her own hand) as the law prescibes. I also certify that the said Dorothy Baker is a woman of good character, and that the utmost confidence may be had on her testimony, and I finally
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believe that she has stated the truth in the above declaration. I also certify that she is from bodily infirmity incapable of attending of attending at the place of holding court in this county or from going any distance from here place of residence. In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal on the 29th day of July in the year 1850 

Signed Aaron Burleson Justice {seal}

No 3
State of N Carolina
Yancey County }

On this the 29th day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty personally came, Jonas Debenport a credible witness who being first duly sworn according to law says on his oath that Dorothy Wiseman and David Baker were married in the month of August in the year seventeen hundred and ninty [ninety] three; that he is confident as he was personally present at said marriage and that his memory serves the better, because he has a record of his own marrige [marriage] which took place a few days after the above mentioned one 

Jonas Debenport his mark X seal

4 

I, Aaron Burleson an acting Justice in said county do hereby certify that Jonas Debenport who has signed the above affidavit is personally known to me, and that he is a man of good character in this County, Certified to by me 

signed Aaron Burleson Justice
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66.288
{Act Mar 3/35, Rec? Apl 12/55

Dorothy Baker wid of David Baker, Corporal

Corporal
[CROSSED OUT: Va Mil]
Va [CROSSED OUT: State] Cont’l Line
War of the revolution

US. Pensioner
NC July 48- 366
Boynton
Ad. 160 ac’s Oct 10/55
Dodge

Jno. S. Edwards
Present
Vol. B[r?a?] 7.

[WRITTEN DIAGONALLY OVER TOP EVERYTHING ELSE:]
Wido 8170 ss Oct 13/53

[WRITTEN PERPENDICULAR AT BOTTOM LEFT:]
Rev. Wr
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BOUNTY LAND CLAIM. 
Form of Declaration for the Widow of a Deceased Officer or Soldier.

State of N. Carolina 
County of Yancy [Yancey] } ss. 

On this 30 day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared before me, G Garland a Justice of the Peace duly authorised to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, Dorothy Baker aged 89 years, a resident of Yancy [Yancey] County in the State of N. Carolina who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of David Baker who was a Corporal in the Company commanded by Captain [BLANK] in the Virginia Line Regiment of State Troops commanded by [BLANK] in the war with Great Britan and the Colonies commonly called the Revolutionary War that her said husband David Baker Enlisted at [BLANK] on or about the [BLANK] day of [BLANK] A.D. 1777 for the term of 5 years and continued in actual service in said war for the term of 5 years & 6 months and was honorably discharged at [BLANK] on the [BLANK] day of [BLANK] A. D. on account of [BLANK] as will appear by the Muster Rolls of said Company and by the papers in support of said David Bakers Pension and also those in support of her claim under act of Congress of 1848. That her husband died on the 15th day of September 1838. 

She further states that she was married to the said David Baker in the County of Burk [Burke] State of N. Carolina on the 9th day of August A.D. 1795 by one [BLANK]  a [BLANK] and that her name before her marriage was Wisman [WISEMAN] and that she is still a widow. In addition to the actual service above described, she claims for [BLANK] miles from [BLANK] at which her said husband to [BLANK] where he was mustered into service, and for [BLANK] miles from [BLANK] at which he was discharged, to [BLANK] the said place of his enrollment. 

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "acts granting bounty land to certain widows whose husbands have been engaged in the military service of the United States,” passed 3 day of March 1855 and that she has never received or applied for land under any other act of Congress but this and that her husband never received land that she knows of and that her papers now on file in the Pension Office and those of her husband will show all the facts much better than she can now state them as her memory is very bad, She further says that she is still of the opinion that her husband entered for five years, and further, that she is honestly, of the opinion that in the original papers the 5 ought to have been set down for a “3” which would have have made said marrige [marriage] in 1793 instead of 1795, but if mistaken she is honesty mistaken. 

Dorothy Baker her mark X Claimant’s Signature 

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written. And I hereby certify, that I believe the said Dorothy Baker to be the widow of the identical person who served as aforesaid, and that she is of the age above stated, and that she signed the same before me after it had been correctly read to her, and that she is still a widow and I further state that I am disinterested 

G Garland [J.P.]
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POWER OF ATTORNEY.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That Dolly Baker of the county of Yancy [Yancey] State of N Carolina have constituted, and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and appoint John B Woodfin of Burnsville N.C. my true and lawful Attorney, Irrevocably for me and in my name to receive from the United States the bounty land certificate or warrant, or Pension certificate, and all such sum or sums of money due me on account of arrears of pay, three months' extra pay, forage, mileage, for horses and other property lost or destroyed in the military service, expenses incurred, or money expended for organizing volunteer companies before being mustered into the service of the United States, or any money or moneys which may be due me by the United States on any account whatsoever, and generally to do all lawful acts and things whatsoever touching the premises, and an attorney or attorneys under him for the purpose aforesaid, to make and at his pleasure to revoke, hereby confirming all and whatsoever my said attorney shall in my name legally do or cause to be done, in and about the premises. 

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and seal this 30 day of March A.D. 1855 

Dorothy Baker her mark X Claimant’s Signature 

Acknowledged and subscribed before me G Garland a Justice of the Peace in the County of Yancy [Yancey] in the State of N. Carolina and I hereby certify that the same was given of her own free will and accord. This 30 day of March A. D. 1855 

G Garland [J.P.]

STATE OF N. Carolina 
COUNTY of Yancy [Yancey] }

On this 30th day of March A. D., 1855 personally appeared before me G Garland a Justice of the Peace for said County and State, Elisha Briggs and Corisonbury? Garland whom I certify to be credible and disinterested witnesses, and who, being duly sworn according to law, say on their oaths, that they saw Dorothy Baker the claimant above named, sign the foregoing declaration and POWER OF ATTORNEY; and that they believe from her general appearance that she the identical widow of the person she represents him to be, and that they have no reasonable doubt that she is of the age stated in the above declaration, and that she is now a widow and they are both citizens of Yancy [Yancey] County N.C. 

E. W. Briggs {SEAL}
C. Garland {SEAL}

Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year last above written, and I certify that I am disinterested. 
G. Garland [J.P.]

State of N. Carolina 
County of Yancey } to wit:

I hereby certify that G. Garland Esq., before whom the foregoing declaration and power of attorney were made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly [OBSCURED BY AN AFFIXED SEAL] and that his signature thereto is genuine. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Seal of J??is Court for the County of Yancey 2 day of April 1855
David McCanles Clerk

[WRITTEN IN MARGIN]
[T? or S?]S379
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April 19, 1938 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

RA-J/EEL Our?
David Baker-W.1802

Mrs. Lawrence J. Card 
Idaho Springs 
Colorado 

Dear Madam: 

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Alexander Baker or Martin Alexander who, according to your statement seem to have been one and the same person as you say "he signed both ways" and Colonel David Baker, of Virginia. 

There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon the service of an Alexander Baker or of a Martin Alexander. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office. No claim for pension has been found based upon the service in the Revolutionary War of a David Baker, who served as a colonel. You are furnished herein the history of David Baker, who served as corporal in the Virginia troops, the data for which were obtained from the papers filed in pension claim, W.1802, based upon his military service in that war. The record which follows is that of the only soldier named David Baker, who served in the Virginia troops, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office. 

David Baker 
W. 1802 

David Baker was born June 3, 1749. The place of his birth and names of his parents are not shown. 

David Baker enlisted in Culpeper County, Virginia, in February, 1776, served as corporal in Captain John Thornton's Company, Colonels Weedon and Heth's 3" Virginia Regiment; he was at Gwyn's [Gwynn] Island when the battle against Governer [Governor] Dunmore was fought but it is not shown that he participated in that engagement; he then marched with his regiment to the north and was in the battle of White Plains, after which he was in the retreat that ended with the crossing of the Delaware River: was at the 

[WRITTEN IN THE MARGIN:]
Identified this service
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battle of Trenton but was not actively engaged in that battle, having been placed as a guard over the baggage. He stated that his brother, Richard Baker, was killed in this engagement. David Baker was next at the battle of Princeton, and was, also, in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown and was discharged in February, 1778, while in winter quarters at Valley Forge. 

After his discharge, he joined his mother in Burke County North Carolina, his father having died while he was away in service. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 26, 1832, while a resident of said Burke County.

He died September 15, 1838, place not shown. 

The soldier married August 9, 1793 or 1795, in Burke County North Carolina, Dorothy Wiseman, born February 5, 1763, place of birth and names of her parents not shown. 
[HANDWRITTEN HERE IN THE MARGIN OF THIS TYPED DOCUMENT:]
I did not go into detail about this date, 1793 as I think 1795 was correct but as she gave both had to use it.

Soldier's widow, Dorothy, was allowed pension on her application executed April 14, 1849, while living in Yancey County, North Carolina. 

March 30, 1855, Dorothy Baker, then a resident of Yancey County, North Carolina, applied for the bounty land which was due on account of the service of her husband, David Baker, in the Revolutionary War. She was granted one hundred sixty acres of bounty land on Warrant No. 8170, under the Act of March 3, 1855.

In order to obtain information in regard to the location of the land cited above, you should address The Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, and furnish that official the number of the warrant, the acreage and the act under which said warrant was issued. 

Dorothy Baker died August 23, 1855, place not stated. 

Children are referred to but no names are given. 

One William Wiseman was referred to as a relative but the degree of his relationship to the widow was not shown. 

-2-
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In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and the name and address of person paid in the case of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Dorothy Baker, widow of David Baker (W.1802), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: 

Dorothy Baker 
Certificate No. 366 
Issued October 9, 1849 
Rate $80.00 per annum 
Commenced March 4, 1848 
Act of July 29, 1848 
North Carolina Agency. 

Very truly yours 

A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 20

Rev War
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1802
Dorothy Baker 
Widow
David Baker
Corp. Rev. War
Act: July 29, 1848
Index:-Vol. A, Page 28

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[NOTES ON FACING PAGE:]
1938 Apr 19 Hist to Mrs Lawrence J. Card. EL
Page 21

8170

Hokens??
Page 22

Also David Baker, Corporal $88 per annum
To what time last paid? Paid to 4th Sept. 1838. B.T.B. Pension Office 
Cole?

To Third Auditors Office
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No. 64288
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 12, 1855.
David Baker
Rev War

Warrant 8/70-160-55

Jno. S. Edwards
Present
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Burnsville N.C. Mar 27/51

Hon J.E. Heath

Sir

You will please give the case of Dorothy Baker widow of David Baker Esqr of the Revolutionary war, filed by me in July 1859 from Yancey Co N.C. for arrearage of Pension into the case of Shimuel Goodwin Esq.

Your Obedient Servant
Jno B Woodfin
Page 25

[ENVELOPE FORM]
[FROM] Burnsville NC.
August 15th
Free

[TO] James L. Edwards Esqr
Comr of Pensions
Washington
DC

[WRITTEN PERPENDICULAR TO THE REST:]
August 23/50
Supplemental Declaration of Dorothy Baker widow of David 
366-29 July NC 48
Act July 7 1838.

[WRITTEN UPSIDE DOWN:]
W. Ames?
Page 26

State of North Carolina
Yancey County }

On this 14th Day of April 1849 personally before me J B Slagh one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County: Dorothy Baker a Resident of North Carolina in the County of Yancy [Yancey] aged 84 years: who being Duly sworn. According to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the of Act of Congress passed July 29. 1848. that she is the widow of David Baker who was a Corporal in the Virginia Cont’l. line in the war of the Revolution, and was allowed a pension and palced [placed] on the North Carolina Agency at the rate of Eighty Eight Dollars per annum. She further declars [declares] that she was married to the said David Baker sumtime [sometime] in the year 1795 and that husband the aforesaid David Baker died on the 15th day of Sept 1838 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service: but the marriage took previous to the Second of January Eighteen Hundred: viz. at the time above stated. She further swears that she is now a widow and that she has never before made any application for a pension- 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year Written Before 

Dorothy Baker hir [her] mark X

ttst?
J B Slagh JP
Page 27

State of North Carolina 
Yancy [Yancey] County }

I J. B. Slagh the Magistrate before whome [whom] the forgoing Declaration of Dorothy Baker was made. Do Hereby Certify that the Claimant Dorothy Baker is not able to attend the Court from age and Bodily Infirmity. This 14 day of April 1849 

J B Slagh JP

State of North Carolina 
Yancy [Yancey] County }

I Isaac C Wilson Clerk of the Court of pleas & Quarter Sessions of said County of Yancey do hereby certify that the fore going declaration was presented to the court of which I am clerk & was approved by said Court I do further certify that J B Slagh Before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Dorothy Baker was made was an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned & Qualified according to law & That his official acts as such are entitled to full faith [CROSSED OUT: as such] ordet?? And I believe his signature to be [I?????]

In testimony where of I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed the Seal of my office at Burnsville this the 18th day of April AD 1849
J.C. Wilson Clk
Page 28

Burnsville Yancey Co N Carolina 
May the 29 1850 

James L. Edwards Esqr 

Sir

On the pension rolls you will find the name of David Baker who was a Virginia soldier in the revolution, and who was pensioned I believe by the Act of June 7 1832, and drew on down to the close of the year in which he died, which was the 15th day of Sept AD 1838. Now his widow Mrs Baker was most assuredly entitled to receive a pension from the cessation of (his) David Bakers pension: though being situated for from all public places she did not know the fact, till after the act of July the 29 1848, when or man by the name of Tillman Blaloch came and informed here of her right to a pension. I on an examination of the family record have come to the conclusion that if she were entitled to a pension under the Act of July 7 1838, that her pension ought to have commenced from the death of her husband, if not according to the decission [decision] of Attorney Mason who decides “That all widows who claim under the Act of 1838 shall draw a pension from the 4th of March 1836 notwithstanding their husbands may have drawn pensions after the same period.” But Sir, I do not claim Mrs Baker's unclaimed pension under this decision, but under that of Attorney General Butler's of the 3 of April 1837 which, expressly
Page 29

expressly lays it down as a rule that widows entitled under the Act of 1836 (and that of 1838 are alike in this respect) are entitled to draw from the death of their husbands: and David Baker dieing [dying] the 15 of Sept AD 1838 Mrs Baker his widow if she had applied would have been entitled under existing laws to have drawn on down to the time when he was again renewed in 1848. And the mere act of her not claiming it, does not of course debor[??] of her right to said pension. 

Her former Attorney can assign no reason why he did not draw from the year 1838 or when her husband deceased, but merely says that you would not allow it, which has made him be suspected.

The law of July the 7 1838 is express on this head; that all widows who were married previous to the 4th day of March 1794 and whose husbands would have been entitled under the Act of 1832, are entitled to a pension. Now it will be easy to show that they (David Baker and Dorothy Wiseman) were married on the 9th day of August in the year AD 1793 from the birth of children one of which was born previous to the year 1794.

I am at a loss to know on what point I should get proof, to show or satisfy you, that she should have drawn from the death of her husband: The law which grants it is plain and conclusive, and the proofs of his service you have, as also that the said Dorothy Wisman [Wiseman] now Dorothy Baker, is the widow of the aforesaid David Baker, and that she was entitled
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entitled to have drawn from the death of her husband, but did not have any one to apply for her.

With these remarks, I shall submit the whole to you, and if it is necessary for me to file a new declaration so inform me, but I think if it is, it is without a presendent [precedent] in your office.

If it has in the fault of the Attorney I wish to know it, and if any over sight in you or your clerks, you will please correct the same

And if I must commence denovo, I wish to know

I have the honor to be sir your Humble and most obedient sevt.
John B Woodfin

To
James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner
Pensions
Page 31

Dorothy Baker’s case 
Arreage of Pension
Page 32

5

State of N Carolina 
Yancey County } ss No 5

On this the 29th day of July 1850 personally appeared before me an acting Justice in the county and state above mentioned, William Debenport a disinterested witness who being first duly sworn according to law says on his oath that he was personally present when Dorothy Wiseman and David Baker were married, that it was in Burke County N. Carolina, and in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninty [ninety] three, that as to the day or month he cannot swore positively, but is of opinion that it was in August . He swears that he has no hesitation in saying that it was in the year seventeen hundred and ninty [ninety] three.

Signed William Devenport {seal}

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written 

No 6 

I Aaron Burleson an acting Justice in said county do hereby certify that William Debenport has been duly sworn to the above affidavit and that the above is his genuine signature. I also certify that he is a man of a fair reputation in his county, and that full reliance may be had in his testimony. In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal on this the 29th July 1850 

Signed Aaron Burleson Justice {seal}
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6

State of N Carolina
Yancey County } ss. No. 7

On this the 31st day of July in the year 1850 personally appeared before me an acting Justice of said county, James Washburn who being first duly sworn as the law directs say on his oath that he was in four miles of the home of Dorothy Wiseman when she was married to one Davier Baker, that he saw persons who were at the wedding, and said that the said Dorothy Wiseman and David Baker were actually married, and that he the said James Washburn say them in a few days after this, when they purported to be man and wife. Deponent further says that this occured [occurred] in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninty [ninety] three; but the day and month he cannot now recollect 

James Washburn his mark X {seal}

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written 

No. [TOO FAINT]
State of N Carolina 
Yancey County }

I David Byrd acting Justice in said county do hereby certify that James Washburn who has signed the above affidavit is a credible witness and to be relied upon In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal, on this the 31 July in the year 1850 

David Byrd Justice {seal}
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7
State of N Carolina 
Yancey County }

[No 9? VERY FAINT]

I William J Lewis an acting Justice of of the Peace in the county and state above mentioned, do hereby certify that William Debenport of Caldwell County and Jonas Debenport of this are highly respectable men, and any thing they may assert is entitled to full credit, and would be relied upon by those who know them. I also certify that the Baker family is quit [quite] Respectable in this county. 

In testimony of which I have herein to set my hand and seal, on this the 10th day of August AD 1850

Wm J. Lewis JP {seal}
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State of North Carolina
Yancey County }

I E H Honycutt [Honeycutt] Clerk of the Court of Please [Pleas] and Quarter Sessions for said County of any do hereby certify that Aaron Burlison and David Byrd whose names appears to the foregoing are Justices of the Court of Record for said County and also William J Lewis whose name appears likewise to the foregoing is an acting Justice of the Peace of said County and that they all were duly commissioned and sworn Testimony whereunto I have hereunto Subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office the 10th day of August 1830 

E. H. Honeycutt C, C, C

[SEAL]
Page 36

Burnsville Yancey Co No Ca
August 12th 1850 

Sir

Enclose I send you the case of Dorothy Baker the widow of David Baker who was a corporal in the state troops of Virginia, who is an applicant by for arreage of pension. It has been a long established Rule in your Dept when the soldier was drawing a pension at his death, that if the widow drew under the act of 4 July 1836 or 7th July 1838, for her pension to commence when his ended. We think we have produced proof sufficient to show that she was married at a date anterior to the one which you cling to. If a bit of a family record wrote 15 years after the occurance [occurrence] of the event record, and it too sent without the knowledge of the person who ought to have sworn to it, we say if that is to rebut the testimony of three such witnesses as we have produced in this case; then the pension Laws are a “felo de se" - a thing for show, but not for reality and charity. See the Proof; and decide accordingly, and we are satisfied for if you do, be get a certificate for $880.00

I am Sir your obedient and humble servant 
John Blooodfin [Bloodfin]

J L Edwards Esq 
Com Pensions
Page 37

Fayetteville Pension Office 
Sept 23d 1852
Sir

The Mam?? Of the following pensions were found “to the Commissioner of Pensions Amongst” others’

Act 29 July 1848.

Polly Blalock Widow of John, Lt 160 p an
Dorothy Baker " " [Widow of] Daniel Corp 88 p an

F?m? M?has?
James Heath
Agt?
Page 38

John B Woodfin Esq
10 June 1850
Page 39

211

Pension Office 
June 10th 1850

 Sir

In answer to your letter of 29 [WRITTEN OVER-HARD TO READ] I have to state that Dorothy Baker widow David Baker, has no claim to a pension under the act of 7 July 1838. It appears from the marr? proof which accompanied her declaration that her marriage with David Baker took place in 1795- Those widows only who were married to Revolutionary Soldiers prior to 1794 were [provided?] for by the act of 7 July 1883. 

John B Woodfin Esq 
Burnsville 
Yancy [Yancey] Co 
NC
Page 40

Burnsville Yancey Co N Carolina 
August 14th 1830 

Sir

I presume that I have the right to know the following fact, and that you are the proper authority to learn it from: 

The case is his: Mrs Dorothy Baker is the widow of David Baker deceased who was a pensioner, under the act 7 June 1832. He died in Sept 1838 leaving said widow. In 1848 one Blalock acted as her agent to obtain her pension, under the act 1848, and sent on the family record to prove the Marriage, which Record was made several years after the death of the said David Baker. This Record prooves the marriage to have been in 1795 at least the Commissioner says so, but still the figure (5) may resemble a (3) This record was made by one who was not at the marriage, and from his memory. The widow did not know of its being made or sent on. This record cuts her out of ten years pension, for she was married in the year 1793, therefore falls under the act of July 1838. I have got 3 good and credible witnesses who were at
Page 41

the marriage to swear that it actually took place in the year 1793. These witness, can be vouched for by any one in the 7th Congressional DC. 

Now the question is: Have I not the right to show by said witness that the proof is [erroneous?] already sent on & that the marrige [marriage] actually took place in 1793 and not in 1795: and is not living testimony, before a family record when that record was made so long after the death of the husband, & that to [too] by one, who was not present, but simple? [simply] in the neighborhood.

Your most Obedient sevt
John Bloodfin

To 
The Attorney General 
U. S. America
Page 42

I have written in answer to this letter that the information desired must be obtained from your office - that I have sent this letter to you, & that he may correspond with you on the subject – 
J J Crittenden 

to the Commissioner 
of Pensions
Page 43

Pension Office 
Septmr 9th 1850 

Sir

Your letter to the Attorney General in relation to the case of Dorothy Baker widow of David Baker, has been referred to this office.

In reply to your enquires as to whether the testimony of Witness can be  introduced, to show that the marriage of these parties took place in 1793, and not in 1795 as shown by the evidence now pted?, I have to state that the record presented in this case bears the appearance of having been made long previous to the death of David Baker, In addition to which Mrs Baker herself under oath states that this record is the original record of her family and was in the possession of her husband at the time of his death. This record sustains conclusively Mrs Bakers declaration in regard to the date on which her marriage took place, and the testimony of Witness cannot be introduced to show that Mrs Baker herself has sworn falsly [falsely]
Page 44

[CROSSED OUT: under oath and which is sustained also by a record which bears every appearance of being genuine] not only as to the date of her marriage but to a prct? also in relation to the record which she presents, as evidence of the correctness of her statement


John B Woodfin Esq 
Burnesville [Burnsville]
Yancy [Yancey] Co 
NC 


[PERPENDICULAR]
John B Woodfin [FAINT/CUT OFF]
9 Sept 1850
Page 45

John B Woodfin
29 Nov 1850
Page 46

L?27
Pension Office
Nov 29rd 1850 
Sir:
The additional evidence in the case of Dorthy Baker has been received.

The averments made in her a supplemental declaration are of such an extraordinary character as would require for stronger proof than she has adduced to maintain them[?]. It is unnecessary to discuss the probability of her statement as the admission of its veracity[?] would destroy all rights to a pension on her part. Without the record evidence her marriage she could not have been enlisted, if she can succeed in destroying the credit of that record, it shows her still without any right. If strict justice were done, perhaps, her pension should be suspended at any rate 

Jno B. Woodfin Esq 
Burnsville 
Yancey Co. 
N.C.
Page 47

July 7th 51
Revolutionary Case
Issuance?

Shimuel Godwin
proact??
Page 48

State of North Carolina 
Burke County }

I William S. Sudderth Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of said County do hereby Certify that I have made diligent search in my office for the Marriage Contract "or Bond" in relation to the Marige [Marriage] Between David Baker and Dorothy Wiseman and that I cannot fine [find] the same in my office 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office at Office on this 11 day of June A.D. 1851 

William S. Sudderth, Clk
Page 49

64288
Dorothy widow of [CROSSED OUT: Daniel] David Baker for B Land act 3 Mch 1855

Filed by John S Edwards April 12th 1855
Page 50

July 7 1851

Addl. Evi. In case of Dorothy Baker

Addl pff
Dorothy Baker

S Godwin
Present

For? Capt Triplett
Huhaly? JDW
Page 51

[RUBBER STAMP]
Received Apr 4 1938
War Division?
??? 97
Page 52

Revolution War

[LETTERHEAD]
THIRTY-FIFTH CONTINENTAL CONGRESS WASHINGTON, D. C.

Idaho Spring Colo. 
March 31st 1938 

Veterans Administration 
Washington D.C. 
Dear Sirs: 

Please send to me the records of Alexander Baker of Virginia or Martin Alexander, he signed both ways. 

And of David Baker our records have Col David Baker [C J C 2 WRITTEN IN MARGIN]

They served in the Revolutionary War, 

Thanking you for your kindness
Page 53

Sincerely Yours
Mrs Lawrence J Card
Idaho Springs Colo.
Page 54

Idaho Springs Colo. 
April 25th 1938 

Veterans Administration 
Washington D.C. 
BA-J/EEL 
David Baker W=1802. 
A.D. Hiller 

Dear Sir.

I thank you for the fine report you sent to me of David Baker. Your report has been a great help and I am writing for information regarding the location of the land David Baker's widow received for his services in the Revolutionary War 

Thanking you again for your courtesy.
Sincerely yours.
Mrs Lawrence J. Card

[NOTE WRITTEN BETWEEN THE LINES OF THE ABOVE LETTER: I think she Means To Gen. Land Off. As we directed her. W.NF