Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7787, Matthew Varner, N.C.
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N.C. 

Varner, Matthew or Mathew

S. 7787

carded
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Georgia

Matthew Varner of Oglethorpe in the State of Georgia, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Cole of the Regt: commanded by Col. Wade in the N. Carolina line for 15 months
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Inscribe on the Post of Savannah at the rate of 50 dollars to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 
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Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Sept. 1845, and sent to Matthew Varner, Jr. Salmonsville, Georgia
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Assess to the 4th of Sept: 1845 -$725.00
Semi-annual allowance ending [cannot decipher] 25.00
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37097

Matthew Varner

North Carolina

Act 7 June 1832 

done / 15 months / $50

Salmonsville
Oglethorpe
Georgia
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Declaration by Matthew Varner in order to obtain his benefit of the act of Congress paped June 7th 1832.

State of Georgia
County of Oglethorpe

On this fifth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two formally appeared in open court by me and Burwell Pope, Peter W. Hutcherson, and Robert Freeman.

The Inferior Court of said County and State now filing for ordinary [] Matthew Varner a resident of said county and state aged sixty years- who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress-paped - June 7th 1832.

That he served altogether eighteen months in the revolutionary war - twelve months at one time and those months respectively at two other []. That
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when he entered the first mentioned service it was under Captain Francis Gordon and Major Joel Lewis. [] first three months of his to the he was a mainted man and served the resides of that time under Captain Robert Gillespie. He then lived in Rowan County and State of North Carolina. He was first marched with some [] officers (prisoners) to General Greene [] at Briar's Bridge North Carolina where he remained the weeks then proceeded to Salisbury and from thence to Pedee Rivers when the cavalry were collected in a conditionable body to serve that region. Returned and was discharged near Hillsborough at Benton's Mills on the end. He acted all this while as the substitute of George Varner since deceased.

One three months tour he performed under Captain William Cole and Colonel Wade and Generals Butler and Caswell. Entered the service from Rowan as a substitute but cannon recollect the name of the principal. Set out just before the defeat of General Gates by Cornwallis. Fought the British at Beatty's Bridge on Drowning Creek. Thinks the enemy were commanded by Hector McNeil and Fanning. 

The then three months tour he acted as the substitute
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of one Benjamin Daniel. He was again under the Command of Captain William Cole. General Davidson was in the Banks of the Catawba together with said three or four hundred men where an unsuccessful stand was made against the British Army under Lord Cornwallis. General Davidson was killed and the troops dispersed. We fell lower drown and attempted to march Guilford in time for the engagement but failed to do so. Followed the enemy to Hickory Hill where he was discharged under the idea that he had the smallpox. This service he thinks was in 1781 and immediately after the defeat of Colonel Tarleton by General Morgan at the Cowpens. Has documentary evidence and he knows of no person living and within reach whose testimony he can procure to testify to his actual service except William Henley of Dekalb County and State of Georgia whose affidavit he as procured and is the dame that is hereunto annexed that he is upwards of sixty years old. He hereby relinquished every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except
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the present and declares that his is not in the pension roll of the agency of any state.

Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid

William H. Smith (Clerk)
Mathew Varner ('X'/his mark)

We. Miller Bledsoe whom a clergyman residing in said County of Oglethorpe and State aforesaid and John Ellis residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Mathew Varner who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration that in [] him to be upwards of sixty years of age; that he is refuted and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that a pension in []
opinion. 

Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid; 

William H. Smith, Clerk
Miller Bledsoe
John Ellis

And the said Court do hereby
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declare this opinion that the investigation of the matter and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the aforementioned applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Miller Bledsoe signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident of the County of Oglethorpe and State of Georgia and that John Ellis also signed the same is a resident of the same place and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

P.W. Hutcheson
Robert Freeman 
Burl Pope 

I, William H. Smith, Clerk of the Inferior Courting sitting as a Court of Ordinary in and for the County of Oglethorpe and State of Georgia do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
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the original furnishings of the said Court in the matter of application of Mathew Varner for a pension.

[cannot decipher signature]

Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fifth day of November and the year of my Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four. 

William H. Smith, Clerk

The following interrogatories was answered and subscribed in open Court by the applicant Mathew Varner. 

1st: When and in what year was you born?
Ans: In Maryland about four miles from Baltimore. Does not recollect the year.

2nd: Had you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Ans: He had no record of his age.

3rd: Where was you living when called into Service? Were you drafted?

Ans: Lived in Rowan County of North Carolina.
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3rd: Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Ans: Lived at the time in the County of Rowan and State of North Carolina. Continue to inhabit there for some years after the Revolution. Removed thence to the County of Oglethorpe and State of Georgia where he has resided for upward of thirty years.

4th: How was you called into Service? Were you drafted and did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
Ans: By substitution every tour. Just months for George Camper who died in this County a four years since. Three months for Benjamin Daniel the other tour. The names of the principal through the length of time is forgotten.

5th: State the names of the regular Officers who were with the Troops where you served; and Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the Generals circumstances of your Services?
Ans: Applicant would refer to his declaration made this day in open Court after oath as containing a tale answer to this question as he can render

6th: Did you receive a discharge from the services and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it and
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N.C.

Varner, Matthew or Mathew

S. 7787

carded
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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section 

March 20, 1929

Mrs. B.H. Smile
611 N. Fillmore Street
Amarillo, Texas 

Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 7787, it appears that Matthew Varner, son of John Varner, was born in Maryland, about four miles from Baltimore, date not stated.

While residing in Rowan County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served as a private with the North Carolina Troops as follows:

In Captain Francis Gordon's Company under Major Joel Lewis three months when was transferred to Captain Robert Gillespie's Company, and served in all twelve months, no dates stated; in 1780, three months in Captain William Cole's Company, Colonel Wade's Regiment and was in an engagement at Betty's Bridge and Drowing Creek; in 1781, three months in Captain William Cole's Company and was in the Battle of Cowan's Ford.

He was allowed pension on his application executed November 5, 1832, at which time he was living in Ogle-
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Thorpe County, Georgia. In 1845, he stated that he was eighty years of age.

His son, Matthew Jr., was a resident of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, in 1845. Soldier also refers to his youngest son but did not give his name. 

Respectfully,

E. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner.
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7787

INVALID

File No. 7787
Mathew Varner 
Private, Revolutionary War

Act: June 7th 1832

Index:-Vol. ......, Page ......

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Jan.13.1897 - History to Mr. John B. Varner

Channing, Texas

1913-May-27 Hist to Mr. Celeste Porter
1913-July-16 Miss Celeste Porter [] names of wife and [] marriage are identified
1915-Aug-9  Hist to Mrs. J.D. Abercrombie
1929-Mch-20 - Hist. to Mrs. B.H. Haile
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Record Division. 3-525.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C. 

S.F. 7787

In reply to your request ........., received ......... for a statement of the military history of Matthew Varner a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment: 1780 and 1781

Length of Service: 12 months / 3 months (1780) / 3 months (1781)

Rank: Private

Officers under whom service was rendered: Captain Francis Gordon, Captain Robert Gillespie, Captain William Cole, Major Joel Lewis, and Colonel Wade.

State: North Carolina

Battles engaged in: Betty's Bridge on Drowing Creek and Cowan's Ford 

Residence of soldier at enlistment: Rowan County, North Carolina

Date of application for pension: November 05, 1832

Residence at date of application: Oglethorpe County, Georgia

Age at date of application: 80 years old in 1845, born in Maryland about 4 miles from Baltimore

Remark: His father was John Varner. His son Matthew Jr. was a resident of Oglethorpe County, Georgia in 1845. Soldier refers to his youngest son, name not stated. 

Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
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January 13, 1897

Sir:

Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Matthew Varner, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that he made an application for pension on November 5, 1832, at which time he was sixty years of age and residing in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, and his pension was allowed for fifteen months' actual service as a private in the North Carolina troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Captain Cole and Colonel Wade. He enlisted in Rowan County, North Carolina.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner. 

Mr. John B. Varner,
Channing, Texas
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REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE
O W. & N. Div.

MEMORANDA

Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.

Full name of soldier: Matthew Varner

Place of residence before service (Town, county, and State, if possible.): North Carolina (I believe)

Place of resident after service (Town, county, and State, if possible.): Oglethorpe County, Georgia

Date of death (as near as possible): 1849

Christian name of widow: His wife died first.

Did either he or his widow receive a pension?: He received a pension.

Remarks: I want to know the length of his services, record, and rank.

Your names and address: John B. Varner, Channing, Texas.
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Old War and Navy 
December 26 1896
Files

Bureau of Pensions
Office of Chief Clerk

9 AM, December 34, 1896
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Sylacauga, Alabama
May 14, 1913

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

My Dear Sir:-

Have you any records of Archibald Boyd serving in the War of 1812 he lived in Prosperity, South Carolina or Johnson Bell of South Carolina or Matthew Varner who settled in Georgia who I think was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Any information will be gladly received. Thanking you sincerely cordially,
Miss Celeste Porter, Sylacauga, Alabama
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Address: Miss Celeste Porter, 
Sylacauga, Alabama
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Rev. War Section
July 16, 1913. 

Miss Celeste Porter,
Sylacauga, Alabama

Madam:

In reply to your letter dated the 6" and received the 9" instant. You are advised that in the claim of Matthew Varner, S. File No. 7,787, Revolutionary War, the name of his wife and date of his marriage are not state, nor is there any family data other than that furnished you May 27, 1913. 

Very respectfully,
E. C. Tieman
Acting Commissioner
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Amarillo, Texas
July 18, 1928

Pension Office, Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen,

I would like to obtain information on one Matthew Varner who was a soldier of the Revolutionary Army. He enlisted in 1780. Was discharge in 1782. Applied for and was given a pension in 1832. I am a great great granddaughter if this soldier and this is all the information that I have. If you can give me better dates and all his war record I will appreciate it very much.

Yours Truly
Mrs B.H. Hailes
811 N. Fillmore St.
Amarillo, TexAmarillo, Texas
July 18, 1928

Pension Office, Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen,

I would like to obtain information on one Matthew Varner who was a soldier of the Revolutionary Army. He enlisted in 1780. Was discharge in 1782. Applied for and was given a pension in 1832. I am a great great granddaughter if this soldier and this is all the information that I have. If you can give me better dates and all his war record I will appreciate it very much.

Yours Truly
Mrs B.H. Hailes
811 N. Fillmore St.
Amarillo, Tex
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Douglasville, GA
July 26, 1913

The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I desire information of my revolutionary ancestor, one Matthew Vander.

He lived for a long time, and died in Oglethorpe Co., GA. I don't know whether he lived in Oglethorpe during the war or not
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but one of his grandsons, who still lives, says that he remembers his grandfather going to Milledgeville, then the capital of GA, to draw his pension.

This uncle is very old and can't remember what service his grandfather rendered during the revolution. I thought perhaps you could tell me what position he filled, what battles he was in, or
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by what deed did he get his pension.

Thanking you in advance for your kindness.
Very Respectfully,
[]

Address:
Mrs. J.D. Abercrombie
Douglasville, GA.
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A. L. PORTER.

SYLACAUGA, ALA. July 1913

The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C. 

My Dear Sir:-

I appreciate very much the [] sent me on May 27, 1913. Matthew Varner a Revolutionary Soldier. Now I am very anxious to learn the maiden name of his wife and the date of his marriage. I will greatly appreciate any information you can give me of same Thanking you very sincerely in advance and trusting to be favored with a reply. I am vert sincerely, Miss Celeste Porter.
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Raleigh, North Carolina
Comptroller Office

I, William F. Collins Comptroller of Public Rects in and for the State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the name of Matthew Varner appears of record in this office as having had the following Specia Certificates issued in his name for military service, per our certificate for Eighty Two Pounds Two Shillings and Six Pence ($82.26) see Book S., No. 2, Page 12 also our other certificate for Thirteen Pounds Fourteen Shillings and Six Pence see Book No. 24, Page 3 given under my hand and seal this the 3rd of July AD 1845

William F. Collins (Comptroller)
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Matthew Varner
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BRIEF objection to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Matthew Varner which require further proof or explanation. 

I. 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? N/A

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

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

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? 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? Yes
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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? Yes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? N/A

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? Has a witness

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? No

Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? No

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? No 

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? [illegible answer]

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "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 sweat 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 a ________, and for such service I claim a pension."
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[Typed "8" at top, center of page]

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 ["about three to four months" is italicized]  is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. 

+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. ["Proof of Service" is italicized]
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 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. ["Mode of authenticating papers" is italicized]
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.

[Added by hand at the bottom "The claimant's age should be made to appear in his declaration."]
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Georgia
Dekalb County

Personally appeared before me James Henley one of the acting Justice of the Peace for said County William Henley after being duly sworn deposeth and saith on oath that Mathew Varner served twelve months or more in the State Troops of North Carolina against Great Britain in the Revolutionary War and served a part of his time in Captain Coal's Company in General Davidson's Regiment a part of his time in Colonel Wade's Regiment and that the time said Varner commenced his service was about the year 1780. He was in until the close of the war and this deponent further saith that he was acquainted with the family of the Varner and knowed them to be friendly. There Country that is to America in the time of the Revolutionary War against Great Britain sworn and subscribed to before me this 18th October 1832. 

James Henley
William Henley
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Georgia
Oglethorpe County 

Personally came before me John F. Zuber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. Sarah Walker who being duly sworn saith that all the commencement of the War of the Revolution. She lived in Rowan County, State of North Carolina on the Yadkin River about one mile from the residence of John Varner the father of Mathew Varner the applicant for a pension from Oglethorpe County in the State of Georgia; that she was well acquainted with the family and that the said Mathew Varner must have been some ten years of age or older at the beginning of the war. Deponent herself was nearly
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given herself. Married during the war and long enough to have two children before is close. She has no mind of his age but believes herself to be between eighty and ninety. Her husband has been dead upwards of twenty years. Deponent appears that she was some five or six years older than the applicant Mathew Varner. The day not recollect to have seen him in the service but she remembers well that both he and his brothers were about from home sometime during the latter years of the war and she understood then and always has since and has no doubt of the fact that they were in the American Army. The family []. Deponent has resided by the applicant Mathew Varner for near a half
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century and knows him to be the same person to whom she refers in the pension part of her affidavit and that he has always been refuted and esteemed as a revolutionary soldier.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this twenty first day of June 1845.

Sarah Walker ('X'/her mark)
John F. Zuber (Justice of the Peace)

In present of George Nickleson. I further certify Sarah Walker whose name appears to this affidavit is personally known to me, that she is a respectable old citizen of Oglethorpe County, State of Georgia, and is a creditable witness. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand officially.

John F. Zuber (Justice of the Peace)

I, George H. Lester, Clerk of the Inferior Court for the County of Oglethorpe and State of Georgia do hereby certify that John F. Zuber whose name appears to the above and foregoing is and was at the time
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of his signing the same acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.

Given under my hand and seal of office this twenty third day of June 1845.

George H. Lester, Clerk

I George F. Platt a Justice of the Peace in Inferior Court for said County do certify that George H. Lester is Clerk of the Inferior Court of said County duly commissioned as such, and that full credit should be given to his signature and such, and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine. Given under my hand this twenty third day of June 1845.

George F. Platt (Justice of the Peace)
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Georgia
Oglethorpe County

The petition of Matthew Varner

Showeth that, on the fifth day of November 1832 he made a declaration before The Honorable The Inferior Court of said County and State, to enable him to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress paped June 7th 1832. In which declaration he was made to say he was upwards of sixty years of age, without stating how much over sixty he really believed himself to be. And being destitute of education (The war of the revolution coming on shortly after he commenced going to school) he was not able to read the act of Congress, [] was he apprised of the act that it was not necessary for him to prove himself of a certain age, but that it was only necessary to prove his service to unable him to obtain a pension. And for that purposed he sent his youngest son who was then small to Decalb County in his state, to his old friend and neighbor during the war to obtain his affidavit in proof of his services. His sone being young and small, and not apprised of what should be the character of such an instrument
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obtained the one which accompanied his declaration, and which was very imperfect in its execution, and also was not properly authenticated and his application for a pension was accordingly rejected. Mr. Hinly died shortly afterwards who it is act of his power to correct the error which was so unfortunately made. He has however obtained the affidavit of Mrs. Sarah Walker, who lived a short distance from the residence of his Father during the war, and who has lived within two miles of his own residence in this state during a period of near forty eight years, in proof of his services and age and he prays the department to receive it as such.

He has further obtained from the comptrollers office of the state of North Carolina, under the hand and seal of the present incumbent, a certificate of the amount paid him for military services by the state of N.C. and he also prays the department to admit that in support of his claim.

He has not been able to obtain any further testimony in relation to his claim since he first made his declaration other
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than what he now submits to the department for its consideration.

If most time, he was unable, and is still unable to say precisely how old he was from the days of memory, and the record of his age being [] but he believed himself to be between sixty seven and eighty and from the best information he can gather he believes himself to be eighty years old at this time. He is now very old and [], and hopes that the testimony which he now submits to the department will be satisfactory, and that he will yet have the gratification of receiving some compensation for the services which he rendered in the cause of his country's freedom, and by which he contributed in some degree in obtaining that liberty so much prize, and which is enjoyed by so many happy millions.

Matthew Varner 
his "X" mark

Sworn to and
Subscribed before me 
this 26th of August 1845
John H. Zuber
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Paid 60

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington, D.C.
Page 42

Aug 30 /45

Amended dec.

Mathew Varner
Page 43

Oglethorpe County, GA
August [cannot decipher day or year]

Dear Sir,

Enclosed I send some papers in relation to my fathers claim to a pension. If after examining them you are of opinion that the papers are not properly authenticated, or that further proof is necessary, please inform me what is necessary and I will endeavor to have it done.

I am sir your most obedient servant

For Matthew Varner