Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5361, for John Mc Cann, South Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE | NUMBER
S.C. | McCann, John | W 5361
VA. | Biddy | B.L. Wt 29050-160-55.
COMMENTS
Page 2

[Printed document with handwritten responses]

laration & Increase
No. 3233,
Tennessee

Biddy McCann [text is cut off] dow of John McCann who served in the Revolutionary war,
as a Private

Nashville agency.
Rate 40 Dollars - cents per annum, Commencing Sept 5. 1860, ending July 26 /68
& at $96 per annum commencing July 27, 1.868

Certificate dated Decbr. 2nd 1869 and sent to A. Hart & Co Present

[page appears ripped, some text is missing] corded on Roll of Pensioners under act Feb-
ry 3,1853, Page 258 Vol. 16
Page 3

{Printed document with handwritten responses}

25232
West Tennessee

John McCann of Laurel in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Jenkins of the regt ]commanded by [blank space} in the S Carolina line for 1 year

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 40 Dollars [blank space] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of Decr  1833 and [illegible]r D Crockett HC

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 100 - 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 20 - 
$120 -

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 93
Page 4

[Left side of document]
Pri M Crop. Feb 23rd/56

Vol. M. - 102.-

[Right side of document]
125.497 Act Mar.[illegible}
Jany 16/5
Biddy McCann widow of John McCann, Priv. Cann Revolutionary War

Tenn Feby 53 - 32.33
[illegible] Ma. 22d/56
[illegible]

Machin Cross 
Purdy Ten.

[Written across the top of the document: No 29030 [illegible] May 29/5]
Page 5

13205
Lawrence County
Tennessee
Jno McCann
10.16
sent to [illegible] Crockett for certificate Nov 27 37
Wm Davis Nashville
Page 6

[Printed document with handwritten responses]

BRIEF in the case of John McCann Lawrence County - in the State of Tennessee County Act 7th June, 1833.
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 75
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. | Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Years, Months, Days. | As a| Gen. Green
oal In 17 [blanks space] for - -  | 3 or 6 months | private | Capt Heckingbottom
July 1780 | continued until after the Battle at Guilford- | Capt. Jenkins
drafted April - | he says he was in service [illegible] 6 years | Capt Dunlap - 

5. In what battles was he was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Amherst County Virginia
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental 
evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? [illegible] 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

John N Ashton
Examining Clerk.
Page 7

Declaration Biddy McCann
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress of the 3rd day of February 1853.

State of Tennessee} Sch.
McNairy County} 
On this the 5th day of September in the year 1833. personally appeared before the County Court of McNairy County and State
aforesaid it being a Court of Record Biddy
McCann a resident of McNairy County and
the State aforesaid aged Sixty Six years who
being duly sworn according to law doth on
her oath make the following declaration.
in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 2d day of February 1853, that she is the widow of John McCann who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832, that he resided in Lawrence County State of Tenn
at the time of his death and drew a annual pension at Pulaski Tennessee of Forty Dollars she further declares that she was married to the said John McCann on the first day of November 1811. that her Husband the aforesaid John McCann died on the 3rd day of February 1841 that she was married to him at the time above stated she further swears that she was a widow at the passage of the act and is still a widow and that she has never before made application for a pension.

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written in open Court
Biddy her X mark McCann
R J Williams Clk (pro tem) of the County Court}
Page 8

State of Tennessee} ss
McNairy County} Be it Known that on the 5th day of September 1853 appeared before the County Court of McNairy County State aforesaid Joel McCann and Doctor W. McCann two credible witnesses and made oath that Biddy McCann is the widow of John McCann Deceased that she is now a widow and has remained a widow ever since the death of her said Husband who died in Lawrence County Tennessee on the 3rd day of February 1849 and that they lived together as man and wife from our first acquaintance until the death of the said John McCann.

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court the day & date above R J Wiliams Clk of the County Court
Doctor W. McCann
 Joel McCann

State of Tennessee] sct
McNairy County] I hereby certify that I, R. J. Williams Esquire before whom the foregoing
declaration was 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 commissioned and sworn
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of my Office as
Clerk of McNairy County Court this 5" Sept 1853
A.A. Sanders clk
By A. L. Sanders clk
Page 9

State of Tennessee Lawrence County Circuit
Court August Term 1832

On this 28th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the Circuit Court of Lawrence County Tennessee now sitting John McCann aged about seventy five years a resident [illegible]
in of the said County of Lawrence and State of Tennessee who being first duly sworn  according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June
7th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that he turned out volunteer under Capt Hickingbottom in Amherst County State of
Virginia he does not recollect whether he turned out for three or six months nor the date except that he was about nineteen years of age and was discharged in the fall of the year when [illegible] his were refer that he was sick and wanted [illegible] and was unable to walk to get them _ that he then removed
to the State of South Carolina near Kings mountain and the line between South & North Carolina that about the month of July 1780 immediately after the battle of Hanging Rock he turned out under Captain Jenkins that he continued to serve under Jenkins from July untill about a week before the Battle of
Kings Mountain when Jenkins was taken prisoner and nearly his whole company by a part of Fergerson troops and carried prisoner to go that he made his escape and was at home at the battle of Kings mountain
owing to the captivity of his commander and the dispersal of his troops so that his company did not join Campbell Cleaveland and shortly the officers he chiefly recollects who commanded at Kings mountain as soon as the remnant of Jenkins company collected they joined Captain James Wilson and with
him left South Carolina and went to Dan river North Carolina where he has himself under the command of Captain Bostick in officer of North Carolina and marched under said
Page 10

Bostick and joined the army under General
Green before the Battle of Guilford and continued to serve untill after the Battle but was not in the engagement having joined Major Winston to bring on the engagement and having been sent by him for provisions for said company at the time the engagement commenced and immediately after the battle he was discharged in Guilford He then removed to Albemarle County State of
Virginia and after the British marched through
Albemarle he was drafted for three months in
said State and County about the month of April before the taking of Cornwallis at York
His Captain was Kelly Douglas and he marched
under him from Albemarle to Culpepper Court
House where he joined the troops under General Lafayette, he did [inserted: not} reach the main army under Washington untill after the surrender of Cornwallis and he then aided in guarding the prisoners untill he was discharged at the Barracks in Albemarle at the end of his term that he has no record evidence of his service having lost all his discharge and he has no living witness of his actual service now in his power and knows of none in this country except Mr John Holton who resides in East Tennessee 170 miles distant whose testimony he will yet endeavour to procure that he cannot state the precise time he was in actual service not being able to recollect the precise time he entered the service and was discharged each time but he knows
he was in actual service as long as one year he believes longer but as he is not certain and his memory very frail he states it to be one year he believe his discharge was signed by Hickenbotham and Douglas he received {illegible}] from Douglas He hereby relinquishes all and every claim or claims
whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any state or territory or agency therein sworn to and subscribed the day and year open court the 20th and John Wm McKnight Clerk
Page 11

State of Tennessee Lawrence County Circuit
Court August Term 1832

On this 29th day of August 1832 personally ap
in open court before the Honourable William E
Kennedy Judge of said court Bradley Holford
& Henson Day and Joseph Holford of said
County and being first sworn according to law
certify that we are acquainted with John McCann an applicant for a pension and who has sworn to and subscribed the annexed Declaration and that we believe him to be of the age therein stated that he is a man of veracity and that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we
concur in that opinion 
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 29th august 1832

B. Holford
H, Day
J Holford

Wm McKnight Clerk

State of Tennessee Lawrence County Circuit Court August Term 1832

This any John McCann produced in open court his declaration for a pension which was Sworn to and subscribed in open court and ordered
to be filed as a record of this court together with his several affidavits interrogatories and answers thereto And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears that Bradly Holford Henson Day & Joseph Holford are credible persons and that the statement is entitled to credit
Page 12

State of Tennessee Lawernce County
William M Knight Clerk of the Circuit Court for Lawrence County State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings in the matter of
the application of John McCann for pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my private seal there being no seal of office the 7th day of September 1832

William McKnight Clerk

13.205

I certify that William McKnight is Clerk of the 
Circuit Court of Lawrence Co. Tem + that the above is his signature

Dec. 9. 1833
David Crockett M of House of Representatives
Page 13

105.797
Claim of Biddy McCann To Bounty Land Act 3 March 1855

Presented by Maclin Cross Attorney Purdy Tennessee
Page 14

State of Tennessee}
County of McNairy} 
On this fourth day of May AD. One thousand Eight hundred and fifty five, Personally
appeared before me Milton H. Johnson a Justice of the peace duly authorized to administer Oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, Biddy McCann aged Sixty five a resident of McNairy County in the
State of Tennessee who being duly sworn according to Law Declares that she is the widow of John McCann who was a private in the Revolutionary War, She further states that she was married to the said John McCann in White County State of Tennessee, On the day of [blanks space] AD 188 by Benjamin Weaver a Justice of the peace for said County of White, and that her name before her said Marrage was Biddy Belcher, And that her said Husband Died in Lawrence County Tennessee
On the 3rd day of February AD. 1841 and that she is a widow at the date of executing this her declaration she refurs to her husband Declaration now on file in the Office of the Commissioner of Pension, filed for a Pension, she also refers to her Declaration for evidence
of her marriage, her husbands death &c. She makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled to under act approved 3rd March 1855. She further declares that she has never received nor applied for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress
BIddy her X mark McCann
Page 15

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written. And I certify that I believe the Claimant to be the Identical person she represents to be And that I have no interest in said claim
M.H. Johnson A {circled: JP}
Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee}
County of McNairy}
On this 4th day of May AD One thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally
appeared before me Milton H. Johnson a Justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Joseph Walker and Hardridge Walker residents of the County of McNairy and State of Tennessee who are credible and respectable persons, who being
duly sworn according to Law Declare that they
are personally and well acquainted with Mrs Biddy McCann, who we saw make her mark to the foregoing Declaration, that they know her to be the Identical person therein represented. And that she is now a widow. And they swore they are disinterested witnesses
Joseph Walker
Hardridge Walker

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day
and year above written,
M H Johnson JP
for McNairy County
Page 16

State of Tennessee}
County of McNairy} I  A. A. Sanders Clerk of the County Court for the County and
State aforesaid do hereby certify that Milton H. Johnson whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing Declaration and Affidavits
is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly commissioned and
sworn, And that all of his Official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credits and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of Record having General Jurisdiction
Given under my hand and seal at Office this
8th day of May 1855.
A.A. Sanders clk

[seal, round imaged inside octagon: MCNAIRY COUNTY COURT, faint image of scales of Justice]
Page 17

State of Tennessee}
White County} I George G Dibrell Clerk of White County Court hereby Certify that I have made a thorough search in said office for the Marriage Licence of John McCann, but fail to find them, I further certify that I found a Blank Bond filed among the Marriage License Bonds for the year 1811, signed blank by John McCann and Jacob A Lane which is folded and
marked Thus

John McCann | Biddy Belcher
To M L Bond
Willie Blount
Nov 1st 1811

and I further certify that no marriage Register was kept in said County at that date, and a great number of Licences appear not to have been returned into the office, There was at that date a magistrate residing in this County by the name of Benjamin Weaver as appears by reference to Records of that date, and I am informed lived in the North part of
this County where I am informed said McCann and the Belchers lived.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Office in Sparta the 22d day of August AD 1853

G. G. Dibrell Clerk of White County Court

Note Willie Blount was then Governor & the Bonds were made payable to him

[image of a seal on the left side of the document]
Page 18

[Printed document with handwritten entries}

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No, 53610
Biddy McCann Widow John McCann
Acr: Feb. 3rd 1853
Index:- Vol. M, Page 19
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 19

[Printed document with handwritten entries}

3233 Tennessee Jackson Biddy McCann - widow of John, who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 - Dollars no Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of December 1855

Maclin Cross, Purdy McNairy Co Ten

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 183, Vol. A
(illegible)
(32)
Page 20

[check mark] 29.050
[2 illegible words]
Page 21

No 3180
Biddy McCann wid. of John
Set to M Cross 17' Oct:1853
Act 3d. Feby: 1853
Page 22

{Stamped: circle containing PURDY MAY 9 TEN.]
FREE
L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pension
Washington City D Columbia

105.797
Page 23

{Stamped, circular containing PURDY MAY 26 Ten.} Free
Commissioner of Pension 
Washington City D Columbia

135787
Biddy McCann and John 29.050 160 29.050 160 Boynton
Page 24


Pension Office
13 Dec. 1853, Feb 40 + 40
Sir,
Please certify the time to which the within named pensioner was paid, or the date of his death.

Very Respectfully,
LP Waldo
Commissioner

John McCann, Act 1832 $40 per ann. died 3rd
Feb. 1840, paid-

F Burk,
Auditor

Francis Burk, [illegible] {illegible] auditor Treasury
Page 25

Biffy McCann
No 135797
This claim has been rejected for the want of Record proof. Congress having waived such proof as to the Department to see a Land Warrant this 27 May 1856.

Maclin Cross
Atto for the applicant
Purdy Tenn
Page 26

[Printed document with handwritten responses]

ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM
PENSION OFFICE
Feb: 23d 1856

Sir: 
The claim of Biddy McCann, for bounty land under the act of the 3d March, 1855, No. 135, 797 has been examined and suspended.

The revolutionary service of John McCann,
the husband of the applicant, does not appear of record in this office. 

The 3d section of said act requires a service of "FOURTEEN DAYS to be established by "RECORD EVIDENCE.

Upon the production of such evidence of service, the claim will be
favorably considered.

IT SHOULD BE OBSERVED, that the recorded action of this office, admitting a revolutionary soldier to the list of pensioners upon parole
proof, is not considered "record evidence" [inserted: of service] within the meaning of the act aforesaid. In all application for bounty land under this act, the papers of the soldiers, or their widows, who have applied for or
received pensions, as well as the rolls in this office, are carefully examined for record evidence of service, before this circular is issued.

Respectfully,
J. MNOT, Commissioner.

Maclin Cross Esq
Purdy, Tenn:

[Left side of document: You are referred to the Comptroller of S.C. as the soldier alleged a  portion of his service in that state where he was a resident in 1780]
Page 27

13.205
John McCann Lawrence Co Tennessee from 1780 private 1 year $40.

[crossed out: get short brief]

[crossed out, very faint: Mr Crockett will be pleased to give him certificate
of the M. Buchan Jr Clerk of Lawrence County
and that the within signature is genuine and [illegible] office see note within]

Hon. D. Crockett.
Page 28

[Printed document with handwritten entries]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Joh McCann which require further proof or explanation.

1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes

VII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? no
Page 29

[Printed document with handwritten entries]

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? citizens only

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes

XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witnessor witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For year
-- months, and --- days, I served as a
For months and days, I served as and
for such service I claim a pension.
Page 30

{Printed document with handwritten notations.]

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite
, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

[symbol of a finger pointing to the right] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

The applicant resides in Lawrence County, which composes a part of Colonel Crockett
District
Page 31

[Handwritten document on printed letterhead.]

A [crossed out: WOLF}, HART & CO.,
LAW AND COLLECTION OFFICE,
[crossed out: Route 5 and 6 Washington Building}
466[crossed out: CORNER] SEVENTH STREET [crossed out: AND PENN AVENUE,]
Lock Box 51. Washington, D.C. Noc 22 1869

Hon Comr of Pensions
Sir
We respectfully enclose from our client Biddy McCann, her application for restoration to
the Pension Rolls of the Revolutionary war
as widow of John McCann a soldier of that war.

We further report that her original Pension
Certificate is on file with her Declaration
forwarded by us to the Pension Department
per Helmich on the 25th October 1864
Very Respectfully
A Hart [illegible]
Page 32

(Printed letterhead]

Department of the Interior
PENSION OFFICE
Washington D.C. Oct 27 1869

{stamped, oval, containing: DEPART[MENT] [OF THE] INTERIOR, NOV 23 [ILLEGIBLE] PENSION OFFICE]

Gentlemen,
Mrs Biddy McCann should make her application for restoration to pension, as directed in the printed form &
instructions sent with this return old certificate.

Respectfully
H. Van Ses[illegible]
Commissioner,

M[illegible] A. Hart 2/0 Present
Page 33

[printed document with handwritten entries]

Brief in the case of Biddy McCann, widow of John McNairy County and State of Tennessee
3 Feby 1853.

Claim, "(original",[crossed out: or for "increase"].)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. Husband was a pensioner under the act
of 7' June 1832. Record evidence & parole proof of Marriage

(If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Machin Cross Esqr
Purdy
Name and residence of Agent
McNairy Co: Tenn:

S.C. Boynton
Examining Clerk.
Page 34

[Printed document with handwritten entries.]

Restorative & Increase 3.233 W

Brief in the Case of Biddy McCann Widow of John[illegible] Rev War Purdy Nashville

County and State of Tennessee Act 2d Sec Feb 3, 1853 The 13" [illegible] act July 23, 1868.

CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION CERTIFICATE, 

PROOF EXHIBITED,
[illegible] pension at $40.00 pr an paid to Sept 1860.
the claim restoration + increase of pensions
I [illegible] legally + continued widowhood there by Witnesses certified to be legal.

Act Nov 27, 1869 to pension at $40. per ann  commence  Sep 55, [illegible] - terminate July 23. 1868.

W.E Trask
Examining Clerk.

Name and residence of Agent.
A Hart J [Illegible] Present.

[illegible initials lower left of document]
Page 35

Biddy McCann Additional Declaration for a Pension under the act of the 3rd Feby 1853
Page 36

State of Tennessee}
McNairy County}

 Be it known that on this 25th day of November in the year 1853 before the Subscribed a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly authorized by the Laws of said State to administer oaths personally appeared, Joel McCann and Moses McCann to me to Well Known to be credible and Respectable persons, and made oath that they and each of them have been acquainted with Biddy McCann the present applicant for a Pension, for the last twenty five or thirty years, that she is the widow of John McCann Decd who was a Revolutionary Pensioner, that they lived together as man and wife from our first acquaintance, until the death of her said
Husband, that said Biddy McConn is now a widow and has remained a widow ever since the death of her said Husband John McCann

Joel McCann
Moses McCann 

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and date above written "

Hardridge Walker
Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee}
McNairy County} I A.A. Sanders Clerk of the County Court for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Hardridge Walker Esquire whose genuine signature
appears signed to the foregoing certificates is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified, that all due faith and credit should and ought to be given to all of his official acts as such

Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court at Office this 25 day of November 1853

A. A. Sanders Clk

[Image of a seal on the left side of document, no legible words,]
Page 37

Additional Declaration of Biddy McCann
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress passed 3rd February 1853-

State of Tennessee} Ss
McNairy County}

Be it Known that on this 25th day
of November in the year 1853 before me Hardridge Walker an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly authorized by the Laws of said State to administer Oaths personally appeared, Biddy McCann
and made oath in due form of Law, that she is the widow of John McCann who was a Revolutionary Pensioner, that she is now a widow, and has been a widow ever since the death of her said Husband John McCann, And that her maiden name before her said Marrage was Biddy Holland, for further proof she refers to the evidence now on file in the office of the
Commissioner of Pensions, Also to the proof following and her Declaration now on file in said Office of Commissioner of Pensions,

Biddy her X mark McCann

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and date above written Hardridge Walker
Justice of the Peace
Page 38

Revolutionary War Biddy McCann Widow
John McCann

App. for Restoration to Rolls

Residence Purdy McNairy Co Tenn

Attys A. Hart Co.
Page 39

State of Tennessee}
McNairy County} I, Biddy McCann do Solemnly Swear in the Presence of Allmighty God that I
will henceforth faithfully support protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Union of the states there under that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully Support all laws and Proclamations which have been made during the existing Rebellion with reference to the emancipation of Slaves So help me God

Biddy her X mark McCann

Let 
Jno H Duke
R.S. Harwell

Subscribed and sworn to before me at my office in Purdy this November 18th May 1869

George M. Moors Deputy Clerk McNairy County Court

[Stamped, oval: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NOV 28 1869 PENSION OFFICE]
Page 40

State of Tennessee}
McNairy County} On this 15th day November
 AD one Thousand Eight hundred and
Sixty nine personally appeared before
me George M Moore Deputy Clerk of the County Courts in said State and County the same being a Court of Record Biddy McCann
aged Eighty one years a resident of Purdy, P.O. County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the
identical Biddy McCann who was a Pensioner on the Roll of the Agency at Jackson State of Tennessee and whose Pension Certificate is herewith enclosed that she has resided since the first day of January A D 1861 about
three miles north of Purdy County of McNairy State of Tennessee that during this period her means of subsistence have been gratuitous from her friends she being unable to perform
Manual Labour to earn a support for herself and that she has not born[borne] arms against the Government of the United States of the has not in any manner aided or abetted the Rebellion or those prosecuting
Page 41

the said Rebellion or manifested a sympathy with their Cause but on the Contrary did during the said Rebellion Earnestly desire
its suppressions by force of arms and that she was last said her Paid her Pension on the 4th day of September A D 1860 This application is made for the purpose of securing a Restoration of her name to the Pension
Rolls and of obtaining a new Certificate such as she may be entitled to under existing Laws
Refference being made to the Evidence
heretofore filed in the Pension Office to substantiate her original claim my Post office
Address is Purdy McNairy County

Biddy her X mark McCann

State of Tennessee
Witnesses J. F. Huddleston R. S. Harwell

Personally appeared before me Fielding [illegible]eurst and Charles C. Cl[illegible]
Residents of McNairy County State of
Tennessee Persons whom I certify to 
be Respectable and Entitled to Credit and who being by me duly Sworn say that they were present and saw her make her mark to the foregoing Declaration and they further swore that they have
Page 42

the foregoing declaration and they further swear that they have evry Reason to believe from the the appearance of the applicant
and their acquaintance with her that she is the Identical person the represents herself to be and the further swear that they have no
interest in the Prosecution of this claim they further swear that they have been at all times Loyal to the Constitution and Laws of the United States having at no time ever Sypathized sided or abetted the Rebellion or those prosecuting the said Rebellion against the Government of the United States they further Swear that the applicant Biddy
McCann is now and ever has been Loyal to the Goverment Constitution and Laws of the United States they further swear that the means of knowing the above and foregoing
facts is derived from the following facts
 being neighbours and personal acquaintance with said applicant Mrs Biddy McCann for the last twenty years past they further swears
that at no time did they ever have a doubt of her Loyalty to the goverment  of the United States or ever heard any other Person doubt her Loyalty to the Goverment and Constitution
and Laws of the United States
Page 43

Fielding Hurst
Charles C Chamnes

Subscribed and sworn to before me this the 15th day of November AD 1869 and I hereby certify that I have no interest direct or indirect in the Prosecution of Mrs Biddy McCann application for Pension and that I am Loyal now and ever has been to the Goverment Constitution and Laws of the United States and that Fielding Hurst and Charles C Chamnes  are Loyal now and ever has been to the United States and the character for Loyalty
and devotion to the  Goverment can not be questioned or doubted by those who have been acquainted with them for the last ten years

Witness my hand and official Seal at Office in Purdy this 15th day November AD. 1869
George M. Moore Deputy Clerk
McNairy County Court
Page 44

Lynchburg Te
14th November Free

War Department
Pension Bureau
Washington City
Page 45

State of Tennessee Lawrence County Court
of Pleas & Quarter Sessions July Term 1833

I Noah Marken a Clergyman residing
County of Lawrence State of Tennesse John
McCann, residing in the same County do herby
certify that I well acquainted with John
McCann who has sworn to & subscribed
the above declaration that I believe him to be the age he states that he is reputed &
believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & from said reputation of long standing amongst his neighbors I concur in that belief.

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this 4th day of July 1833

M H Buchanan Clerk

And the said claim I do certify that Noah Parker who has signed the preceding of
is a Clergyman resident in the County {Lawerence] State of Tennessee + that his [illegible] is entitled to credit.

Robert P Hill [circled: JP]
Thos Keese [circled: JP]
W Day [circled: JP]
Page 46

State of Tennessee Lawrence County

I M. H. Buchanan Clerk of the Court of
the Pleas and Quarter Session held for said
County do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the supplemental
application of John M. Cann for pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal (there being no seal of office) in Lawrenceburg the 13th day of November 1833

M H Buchanan Clerk
[circled: L. L.]

I certify that M. H. Buchanan is Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Lawrence Co. Tem. & that the above is his signature - 

David Crockett
M House of Representatives
Page 47

State of Tennessee}
Lawrence County}
Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions July Term 1833
Page 48

[Printed document with handwritten entries.]

[Left side of document]

Restoration on the Rolls Revolutionary
WIDOW'S CLAIM
FOR
Restoration {crossed out: INCREASE] PENSION.
Claim of Biddy McCann Widow of John
M FILED BY [crossed out: W.M. HELMICK,] A hart + Co Attorney,s Washington, D.C.
Jos. L Pearson, Printer, 311 Ninth street Washington, D.C.

[Right side of document]

25.232 Nov 7 1832 Biddy McCann 2 [illegible} Feb 3 1853 Tenn 3233
Page 49

State of Tennessee}
County of McNairy} Personally came before
of McNairy M R M Thompson Clerk McNairy County Court the same being a Court of Record The Hon Fielding Hurst Judge of the Circuit Court for the 12th Judicial Circuit of
the State of Times a resident of Purdy County and State aforesaid who after being duly sworn according to Law states that he is the Identical man who was Colonel Commanding
the 6th Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry Vols
in the War for the supression of the Rebellion and that he is personally aquainted with Mrs Biddy McCann Widow of John McCann who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and now an applicant for Pension under the acts of Congress approved February 3rd 1853 and July 27 1868 that he has been intimately acquainted with the said applicant Mrs Biddy
McCann for the last Twenty years past and she was at the commencement of the Rebellion and is now and ever has been loyal to the
Constitution and Laws of the United States and she is entitled
Page 50

to all the benefits of the Laws of the United States Granting Pensions to Soldiers Widows &c as a Loyal citzen of the Goverment he further swears his means of knowing the foregoing facts is as follows he has been a Neighbor and Personal aquaintance of said applicant for the last Twenty years, and at no time did he ever have a doubt as to her
Loyalty or heard a questions Raised by any of her neighbours or aquaintance doubting in the least her devotion to the Government constitution and Laws of the United States he further swears he is not interested Either direct or indirect in the Prosecution of a claim for
Pension [illegible] of the said Biddy McCann and further she has no children in due sixteen years of age by her said husband and further
he knows that said soldier has no children under sixteen years of age by any former Marriage

Fielding Hurst
Page 51

Subscribed and sworn to before me and I certify that the Witness is the person he represents himself to be and the above is his genuine signature
Witness my hand and official Seal affixed at office in Purdy this July 21st May 1869
R. M. Thompson Clerk
McNairy County Court
Page 52

State of Tennessee}
McNairy County} Personally appeared before me and acting Justice of the Peace for said County William S. Wisdom and Calvin [illegible] both Citzens of Purdy County of McNairy State of Tennessee with whom
I am personally acquainted and I Certify that they are Respectable Witnesses and fully entitled to be believed on Oath who after being duly sworn according to law states
State they are personally acquainted with
Biddy McCann Widow of John McCann Deceased a Pensioner of the United States under act of 3rd February 1853 and they know
from them own personal knowledge as neighbors and acquaintances that she is the Widow of said John McCann decd having not remarried but Remains his widow at this date
this July 21st day 1869

Wm S. Wisdom
Calvin Shull

Subscribed and sworn to before me and I certify That I am not interested or consumed in the prosecution of Mrs Biddy McCann Claim
Page 53

for Pension either direct or in direct Witness my hand at office this July 21st 1869

D. A. Hill J.P.
J.P.

State of Tennessee}
McNairy County} I R. M. Thompson Clerk McNairy County Court do hereby certify that D. A Hill is and was at the date of filling
the foregoing affidavit and acting Justice of the Peace for said County duly Commisioned and qualified and all his acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit and the above is his Genuine signature Witness my hand at
office in Purdy this July AD 1869

R. M. Thompson Clerk
McNairy County Court
Page 54

[Printed document with handwritten entries}

WIDOW'S CLAIM FOR INCREASE OF PENSION
State of Tennessee}
COUNTY OF McNairy} ss.

On this 21st day of July 1869, personally appeared before me, Clerk of a Court of Record in and for the County and State aforesaid, Biddy McCann County of McNairy
a resident of Purdy P.O. in the and State of Tennessee who, being duly sworn, makes the following declaration, in order to obtain the pension provided by the act of Congress
approved [crossed out, July] February 8, 1858 that she is the widow of John McCann who was a Private in the Revolutionary War [crossed out: in the War] of [word crossed out] Revolution; that she is in receipt of pension certificate No. [blank space] and was last paid to include September 4th 1860, at the Jackson Tennessee agency. She makes this declaration to obtain the increase pension to which she is entitled under the act of Congress approved July 27. 1868 [line is crossed out] and further she has no children under sixteen years of age by her Said Husband

Here you give the full name, and exact date and place of birth each child.

She further declares that she has not remarried since the death of her said husband, nor has she abandoned the support of any one of the children above named, nor permitted any one of the same to be adopted by any other person or persons, as his, her or their child.

And she hereby appoints WILLIAM HELMICK, of Washington City, D. C., her attorney to
prosecute her claim, and receive a pension certificate when issued.

My Post Office address is Purdy McNairy County Tennessee

Signature of claimant. Biddy her X mark McCann

If she makes her mark, Have two witnesses who write their names.

Geo. M. Moore
M A Thompson

Also personally appeared before me,
D. N. Huddleston and D. J. Chaney, residents of Purdy McNairy County, and State of Tennessee, to me well known as credible persons, who being duly sworn, declare, that they were present and saw said Biddy McCann
Make her mark to the foregoing declaration, and that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said applicant, and their acquaintance with her, that she is the
identical person she represents herself to be; and they further state that they know, from personal knowledge, that [line crossed out]
living, and that they have no interest in this claim the present or prospective, and that they are not concerned, directly or indirect, in its prosecution.

Signature.
D N Huddleston
S. J. Chaney

Sworn and subscribed to before me, this 21st day of July 1869; and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. And that the
contents of the above was made known and explained to applicant and witnesses before signing.

Official signature.

R. M Thompson Clerk McNairy County Court
Page 55

[Printed document with handwritten entries]

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

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME McCann Michael GRADE Private LINE Maryland

WARRANT NUMBER 11482 ACREAGE [blank space] 100 ISSUED February 1, 1790 To - not shown - 

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. 
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.