Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,396, for Micajah Rackley, North Carolina
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
N.C.

Rackley, Micajah
or Rockley
or
Blackley
Mary

NUMBER
W. 26,396
B.L.Wt.19620-160-55

CONTENTS
Page 2

[bipanel]
[left side]

18502
West Tennessee
Micajah Rackley
of Smith County in the State of Tennessee
who was a Private in the Regiment commanded by
Colonel Murfree of the N. Carolina
line, for the term of one year.

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 17th of October 1820

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th of March 1822
and send to the Hon. R. Allen
House of Representatives

Arrears to 4th of March 1822 $132.90
semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1822 48
[total] $180.90

16 mar 19/31

Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
1 May 1820

Rev war

[right side]

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under
the Act of the 4th April 1838
from 4th March 1839 to 27, May
1839 the day of his death. Agt
notified 23 June 1840

Letter W.J. Isbell 24 May
Page 3

[bipanel]
[left side]

157.363-Act Mar 3 55
May 28 33

Mary Rackley widow
of Micajah Rackley pri
Rackley Pri.

N.C. Contl. line
Revolutionary
Pension
Rev. War

ad: 160 Acres Mch:24/56
Tenn. [illegible]

no=19620 of Mar 26/56

John B. Tubb & Co
Smithville
DeKalb Co.
Tenn.

[right side]

Vol R.H.
Page 4

[bipanel]
[left side]

Febry 27. 1856
Duplicate sent to
Smith & Jones Nashville
Ten.
Wm B Young Oct 29 1856.

[right side]

5.376
Tennessee 
Mary Rackley
widow of Rackley
NC Micajah
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 96 dollars
cents per annum, to commence on
the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued
26th day of July 1855.
and sent to
Smith & Jones
Nashville Ten.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 185. Vol. A
Page 5

157.363
Mary Rackley
widows claim
number of acres
to be allowed by
Commissioner
Revolutionary
war.

Address
John B Tubb & CO.
Smithville
DeKalb County
Tennessee
Page 6

Bounty Land Claim
Widow Declaration

State of Tennessee
County of DeKalb S.S.
On this the 21 day of May A D one thousand
Eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before
me Wade H Meyerson a Justice of the peace within and
for the County and State aforesaid Mary Rackley
aged 73 years past a resident of DeKalb County
Tennessee who being duly sworn according to law
declares that she is the widow of Micajah Rackley
deceased who was a soldier in the old Revolutionary 
war and for record proof of the services of her said husband
in said war she refers to the certificate of Joel M Smith
hereto attached and made part the evidence of her claim
he being the pension agent for paying pension in middle
Tennessee and that her husband the said Micajah Rackley
was a pensioner at the rate of Eight dollars per month
and continued to draw pension up to his death and that
he was the same Micajah Rackly[sic] spoken of in the certificate
She further states that she was married to the said Micajah
Rackley on the 17th day of March AD 1831 by one
Charles Ferrell an acting Justice of the peace and a regular
minister of the Gospel and that her name before her said
marriage was Mary Megerson that her said husband died at
his residence in what is now Dekalb County in the State of
Tennessee on the 27th day of May AD 1839. and that
she is now a widow and has been ever since the death of
her said husband She further states that she knows of no
public record of her said Marriage but can prove the same
by the said Charles Ferrel, she makes this declaration for
the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may
be entitled under the act approved March the 3rd 1855 & she
further States that she has not applied for nor obtained any
Page 7

bounty land under this or any other act of Congress
Mary Rackley herXmark

We John T. Meggerson W. W. Forter and Garrison Taylor
residents of DeKalb County in the State of Tennessee upon our oaths
declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by
Mary Rackley in our presence and that we believe from the appearance
and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person
she represents herself to be
John T Meggerson (seal)
W.W. Foster (seal)
Garrison Taylor (seal)

State of Tennessee
DeKalb County S.S.

Personally appeared before me an acting Justice of the
peace in and for said County Charles Ferrel who being
duly sworn according to law declares that he was
personally acquainted with the said Micajah Rackley
and that he joined the said Micajah Rackely and Mary
Rackley formerly Mary Megerson together as husband
and wife in the wholy State of Matrimony by virtue
of marriage license issue from the proper authority and
that the said Micajah Rackley is dead and that the said
Mary widow as aforesaid is the lawful widow of the said
Micajah deceased and that I am no wise interested in the
same
Charles Ferrel (seal)

The foregoing declaration and affidavits were sworn to
and subscribed before me on the day and year above written
and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible
persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be
and that I have no interest in this claim
M.H. Meggerson JP
for DeKalb County
Page 8

Pension Agency
Nashville Tennessee
April 12th 1855

I Joel M. Smith agent for paying Pensions do hereby
certify that Micajah Rackley was a Pensioner of the
United States under the act of 18th March 1818, at
the rate of Eight Dollars per month, and that said
Pension was paid up to 4th March 1839 as appears
from the Rolls of said agency, that it also appears
that the arrears of Pension due him up to the day
of his death was paid to his widow at the Treasury
of the United States, given under my hand the day
and date above written
J M Smith
Pension agt.
Page 9

State of Tennessee Dekalb County
I W.J. Isbell Clerk of the County Court
all Dekalb County do certify that Wade H.
Meggerson Esqr. before whom the foregoing
Declaration and affidavits purports to
have been made now is and was at 
the time the same purported to have been
made an acting justice of the peace
in and for the County and State
aforesaid and duly commissioned and
Sworn and that the signature
purporting to be his is genuine and
that he is legally authorized to administer
oaths for general purposes.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the County Seal
of Dekalb County Court at
office in Smithville the 22nd
day of May 1855.
WJ Isbell Clerk of
Dekalb County
Court
Page 10

State of Tennessee SS
DeKalb County

On this 16th day of May 1855
personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice the
Peace and Justice of the County Court of said County (which
is a Court of Record Mary Rackley a resident of DeKalb
County, State of Tennessee aged Seventy three 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 3rd February 1853, 2d Section
That she is the widow of Micajah Rackley decd who
was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States under Act of
18 March 1818 at the rate of Eight Dollars per month and drew
his pension at the Nashville Tennessee agency She further declares
that that she was married to the said Micajah Rackley on the
17th day of March in the year Eighteen hundred and Thirty one
in Warren County in the State of Tennessee by one Charles
Ferrell a Justice of the Peace that her name before Mariage[sic]
was Mary Mergerson that her husband the aforesaid
Micajah Rackley died on the 27 day of May 1839 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 and that she has in her possession no record or
other documentary proof in support of her claim
Mary Rackley herXmark

Sworn to and subscribed on the
day & year first above written
before me
W. H Heggerson JP
Page 11

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
Mary Rackley who has this day sworn to and subscribed
the foregoing Declaration before me that he is a woman of
veracity and good repute and that from bodily infirmity
and old age she is unable to attend Court for the purpose
of making her Declaration in open Court I further certify
that I am not concerned in the prosecution of her claim
nor interested in the result thereof
M. H. Meggerson JP

Know all men by these presents: That I Mary Rackley
of DeKalb County State of Tennessee Widow of Micajah
Rackley a deceased Pensioner do hereby constitute and
appoints Smith & Jones of Nashville Tennessee my
true and lawful attorneys for me and in my name
to present and prosecute my claim to a pension under
act of 3rd February 1853 and to receive my certificate
therefore hereby ratifying and confirming all their lawful
acts in the premises witness my hand and seal this
16 day of May 1855
Mary Rackley herXmark (seal)
Acknowledged before me the 16 of
May 1855

MH Heggerson J P
Page 12

State of Tennessee 
DeKalb County 1855 
on this 16th day of May
personally appeared before
the undersigned a acting Justice of the Peace
Samuel Murda & Zacheriah Kirkland
Residents of DeKalb County men of truth and veracity,
and made oath in due form of law that they
were well acquainted with Micajah Rackley dec'd
his wife Mary Rackley in the life time of said
Rackley and that they lived together as man and wife
and were regarded as such by all the neighbours,
and [were regarded as such:crossed out] Said Micajah Rackley
was a Pensioner and that he is now dead and
Mary Rackley his wife still remains his widow
and resides in dekalb County State of Tennessee.
Samuel Murdock
Zachariah Kirkland hisXmark

Sworn to and Subscribed
before me the day and
date above
W.H. Meggerson J. P. (seal)
of Dekalb County

State of Tennessee
DeKalb County
I Washington J Isbill
clerk of the county court of
DeKalb County do hereby certify that WH
Meggerson Esq whose signatures appears to the
foregoing declaration affidavit certificate and
Acknowledgment is and was at the time of signing the 
same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said
County duly commissioned and qualified
and that the signatures purporting to be his are
genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal
of office this 8th day of June 1855
WJ Isbill Clerk of
DeKalb County Court
By John B Tubb his Dept Clk
Page 13

Micajah Blackley
Declaration

Rolls
Not on the N. Carolina
rolls.
Wm Hill Secry.
of State for N. Carolina
11th Jany 1821.

Applicant must prove a
service of nine months, at one
period of enlistment, on the
continental establishment by
two credible & disinterested
witnesses, certified to be such
by the Magistrate who
administers the oath
Pen. Office Jany 16. 1821

Hon. R. Allen H.R.
Page 14

State of Tennessee
Smith Circuit Court
October Term 1820

This 17th day of October
1820 personally appeared in open Court (being a Court
of record) Micajah Blackley aged sixty two years
resident in Smith County, who being first duly
sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that
he served in the Revolutionary war as follows- He enlisted
in the year 1781 for twelve months under Capt.
Evans of the second Regiment North Carolina infantry
on Continental establishment under Colonel Murphy
and served until discharged at Bacons Bridge in
South Carolina; was in the battle at Guilford Courthouse
and at Camden, and doth solemnly swear that
he was a resident citizen of the United States on the
18th day of March 1818, and that he hath not since
that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of his
property or any part thereof with intent so to diminish it
as to bring himself within the provisions of an act of Congress
entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in
the land and naval service of the United States
in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of
March 1818, and that he hath not nor any person in trust
for him any property securities, contracts or debts due
to him nor any income other than what is contained in the 
schedule hereunto annexed and by him subscribed
to wit.
One blind horse worth $5.00
Two Cows worth 20.00
Eleven hogs 15.00
Four Sheep  6.00
[total] $46.00
not so much owing to him as he owes others, has a wife
Page 15

thirty one years old and three children, the Eldest seven
years; he has never made any application nor received
any pension, heretofore from the United States.
Micajah Blackley

Sworn to and subscribed in open court before
the Honorable Charles F. Keith one of the
Circuit Judges in and for the State of Tennessee

I Charles Sherwood Clerk of the Circuit Court for Smith
County do hereby certify that the foregoing oath & the schedule thereto
annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court, and
further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the
amount in value of the property in the aforesaid schedule is
forty Six Dollars.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & having no seal of office affixed
my private seal on this 28th day of October
1820
Chas. Sherwood Clk
of Smith Circuit Court

I Nathaniel W Williams one of the Judges of the Circuit
Court of Law & Equity for the State of Tennessee do certify that 
the above attestation of Charles Sherwood Clerk of the said Circuit
Court of Smith County is in due form.
Nath. W Williams judge &c
October 28th 1820.
Page 16

State of Tennessee  
DeKalb County 
On this 10th day of July
 1855 personally appeared before
the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace in
and for said County Charles Ferrell a resident of
Said County aged Fifty Seven years (with whom I am
personally acquainted and who I certify is a man of
truth and veracity) and made oath in due form of
law that he was well acquainted with Micajah Rackley
deceased who was a Revolutionary Pensioner I knew
him and his wife that he was living with in 1820 I was
told by said Micajah Rackley that the woman
he was then living with was his second wife they
continued to live together as man and wife up to
her death which was some years after said date
of 1820 as I know being a close neighbor to
them after her death he remained a widower twell
some time about the years 1830 or 1831 as My Recollection
now serves me when he intermarried to Mary
Megerson as I know for I celebrated the Rights
of Matrimony between them by virtue of a license
issued according to the laws of this State I
was at that time an acting Justice of the Peace
of Warren County State of Tennessee duly commissioned
and qualified as the law directs, I am also a Minister
of the gospel and was at the time that I celebrated
said Mariage I know that said Micajah Rackley is
now dead & that Mary Rackley is still his lawful
widow and resides near me in Decalb[sic] County
I know that Mary his widow now living never
had any child or children by said Rackley
Charles Ferrell hisXmark (Seal)

Sworn to and Subscribed before
me the day and year above written
I also certify that I am not Interested in
the result of this claim 
JP Abraham Lafever (Seal)
J. P. for Dekalb County
Page 17

State of Tennessee 
DeKalb County 

I Abraham Lafever am
acting Justice of the Peace in
and for said County do hereby certify that I am
well acquainted with Charles Ferrell who signed
and sworn to the within affidavit before me
on this day that he is a man of undoubted truth
and veracity I also certify that he made his mark
owing to his hand being [illegible] from a Rising so that
he was unable to sign to his name I also Know
that it has allwas[sic] been said that he was an acting
Justice of the Peace in and for Warren County
State of Tennessee at the time he states in the
within affidavit that he celebrated the rights of
Matrimony between the within named Parties
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand this 10th of June 1855

Abraham Lafever (Seal)
J.P. for Dekalb County
State of Tennessee 
Decalb County 
On this 10th day of June
1855 personally appeared before
the undersigned an acting Justice of the Peace in
and for said County and State Moses Pedigo
age 68 years a resident of said County with whom
I am personally acquainted and who I certify
is a man of undisputed veracity, and made oath
in due form of law that immediately after he
moved to this Country that he became acquainted
with Micajah Rackley decd who was a Revolutionary
Pensioner which was about the year 1819 the at
that time had a wife who lived for Several years
thereafter when she died he then remained a
widower twell some time about the year 1830 or 1831
to the best of my recollection when he married
Page 18

Mary Miegerson[sic] I was present when he was
Maried[sic] to Mary Miegerson they were marred
in Warren County State of Tennessee by one Charles
Ferrell who was then an acting Justice of the Peace
for the aforesaid County and State I know
the above named Micajah Rackley is now
dead but the date he died I do not now recollect
and that Mary Rackley is his lawful widow and
still remains unmarried and resides in Decalb
County State of Tennessee a near neighbor to me
and has resided there ever since said Rackleys
death I also know that said Mary Rackley had
no child or children by the aforesaid Micajah
Rackley but his wife he was living with when at
first became acquainted with him had children to
with Nancy who maried Jasper Bellings all which
have removed from this country but Nancy who
Maried Robert Love.
Mose Pedigo (seal)

Sworn to and Subscribed
before me on the day and
year above I also certify that
I am in no wise interested in
the result of this claim
Abraham Lafever J.P.
Page 19

State of Tenness Dekalb County
J W J Isbell Clerk of
the County Court of DeKalb County do
certify that Abraham Lefever Esqr before
whom the foregoing affidavits purports to
have been made and whose genuine Signature
appears to his attestation, now is and
was at the time the same purports to have
been made and[sic] acting justice of the peace
within and for the County and State aforesaid
duly commissioned and sworn, and that the
signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the County Seal of
DeKalb County Court at office
in Smithville the 10th day of
July 1855, and of the Independence
of the United States the 80th year
WJ Isbell Clerk of
DeKalb County Court
Page 20

Revy
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26.396
Mary Rackley
wid of
Micajah Rackley
Pri Rev War

Act Feb 3d 53
Index: Vol M, Page 17
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 21

19.620

[illegible] army
Page 22

No 5814
Mary Rockley
widow of Micah
Tenn
Smith & Jones June 20 1853
Page 23

[illegible] 753. Tenn:

Rev War
Page 24

Micajah Ritley [sic] is mustered as a private in Capt
Yarboro's Compy of the 10th Regt for 12 months in
1781. and discharged 22nd April 1782. This
comes nearer the name given than any thing
else I find on the Rolls.
Wm. Hill
18th July 1821.
Page 25

157.263
Page 26

The commissioner on examining
the claim of Mrs Mary Rackley, write
Sir that the claim is for her husbands
services in the Revolutionary war
and all the record proof she can get of
the service of her husband is from
the pension agent for paying pensions
in Middle Tennessee at Nashville
the certificate of gail M. Smith, from
which certificate it will be seen that
he claims a pension of $8.00 per month
She dose[sic] not know whether she is entitled
to more land than 160 acres, if so the
Commissioner will decide to what
amount of land she may be entitled to
Page 27

Tennessee Pekin
June 11th 1855

Messr Smith & Jones

Dear Sir I herewith send
you some additional proof in Mary Rackley's case
I cant make any proof here in Regard to Rackley's
children making an Effort for bounty land in
1850 as Stated in commissioners letter nor do I
think it necessary to do so as you will see from
Evidence herewith shows plainly that if they
apply for bounty land that they have done wrong
which us nor the Widow Rackley Should be held accountable
for nor neither ought it to prevent her claim from
being allowd[sic] you will please let me know if
this proof does not Explain the objection of Commissioner
Sufficiently

Yours Respectfully
Stephen Kelly
Page 28

Mary Rackley,
widow of Micajah
$96 per annum

Send duplicate to

Smith & Jones
Nashville
Tennessee
Page 29

Nashville Ten, July 4th 1856

Hon. J. Minot,
Comr of Pensions
Washington

Sir
We enclose you herewith
the application of Mrs Mary Rackley for A new
certificate of Pension in here of one issued to her
under act of 3 Feby 1853 which has been lost.
Please enclose the new certificate
to us at this place.
very Respectfully
Smith & Jones
By W B Young
Page 30

Nashville July 18th/55

Sir

in Comformity with the requirements
of your last letter rejecting the claim of
Mary Rackley widow of Micajah for
Revy Pension we herewith enclose you
additional testimony which we hope will be
satisfactory and request that you will
send to us her certificate as soon as
allowed

Very Respectfully
Smith & Jones
By WB Young

LP Waldo Esq
Comr of Pensions
Page 31

Mary Rockley
Widow of Micajah
DeKalb Co Tenn

Adm 3d Feby 1853
$96 a year from
3d Feby 1853

Cert to
Messrs Smith & Jones
Nashville
Tenn
Page 32

Brief in the case of Mary Rockley widow of Micajah
Dekalb County and State of Tennessee
act 3 Feby 1853


Claim, (original, [or "for increase":crossed-out])
Proof exhibited, (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Her husband was a pensioner under the act of
[Jan 7 1839 and:crossed out] 1818 & 1820 at $96 a year
Marriage proved by the Justice of the Peace
who performed the ceremony, habitation,
(if increase) [crossed out]
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? [line crossed out]
Identity, death & present widowhood by 
several witnesses certified to be credible 
Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.

Name and residence of Agent
Moses Smith & Jones
Nashville Tenn
Page 33

Brief in the case of Mary Rackley widow of Micajah
County and State of Tennesse[sic]
act 3rd February 1853

Claim, (original " or " for increase.)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Duplicate Certificate
The pensioner, & the agents entrusted with
the original swear to its loss- A duplicate
is issued
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
R Mc.Rae Examining Clerk.

Name and residence of Agent.
Smith & Jones
Nashville Tenn
Page 34

Nashville June 14th/55

Hon L. P. Waldo
 Comr of Pensions
Washington

Sir
We Enclosed you herewith
the Declaration of Mary Rackley for Pension
under act 3 February 1853. If allowed please
forward certificate to us
Respectfully
Smith & Jones
By WB Young
Page 35

Application of
Mrs Mary Rackley
of
De Kalb County, Tenne.
for
a new Certificate of Pension

Smith & Jones
Attorneys
Nashville
Tennessee
Page 36

State of Tennessee
DeKalb County 
On this 17 day of January 1856 before me the subscriber 
a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Mrs
Mary Rackley, to me well known & who is I certify a credible and
reputable person, residing in said DeKalb County, who on her oath
declares that she is the widow of Micajah Rackley,
who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States on the
Roll of the Nashville Tennessee Agency, that she made application 
for Revolutionary Pension under act of "3d February 1853" under
which act her name was inscribed on the Roll of Pensioners at
Nashville Tennessee at $96.00 per annum, and a Certificate of
Pension issued and sent to her Agents Smith & Jones of Nashville Ten
some time in July in 1855, as she is informed and believes,
and which she has never received, and which has been lost as
she is credibly informed and verily believes.
Mary Rackley herXmark (seal)

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year
above written before me & I certify that
I am in no wise interested nor concerned
in said claim
Attest; Dabney M. League( S)
Attest; Edmund League (S)

State of Tennessee: DeKalb County
This 17 day of January 1856 personally appeared Dabney M
League and Edmund Brague, witnesses above, both residents of
said County & State, to me well known & who are I certify credible witnesses & made
oath in due form of law that am well acquainted with Mrs Mary Rackley
who has this day subscribed & sworn to the above affidavit in their
Page 37

presence and that she is the Widow of Micajah Rackley decd and the identical
person she therein represents herself to be & that they are disinterested.
Dabney M. League (seal)
Edmund League (seal)
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year
above written
WH Meggerson

State of Tennessee DeKalb County
This 17 day of January 1833 personally came
Stephen Petty to me well known & who is I certify a credible witness, and made
oath in due form of law that as Agent for Smith & Jones of Nashville Tennessee
he prepared the application of Mrs Mary Rackley for Revy Pension Act Feby 1853
and sent the papers to them, that he is informed by them and verily believes that
on the 4th day of September 1855, they mailed to him the Certificate of Pension of Mrs
Rackley in a letter addressed to him at his post office "Pekin Ten", and that
he has never received said letter nor Certificate of Pension, the he has examined
at said Post Office for it and caused diligent search to be made for it, he verily
believes that said Certificate of Pension has been lost in the mail.
Stephen Petty
Sworn to subscribed before me the day & year
above written
Stephen Petty
W.H. Meggerson

State of Tennessee
DeKalb County 
I W. J. Isbell, Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that
Wade H Meggerson Esq whose genuine signatures appear to the above affidavits
is now & was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Race in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified 
as such according to law
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
the Seal of said Court at office in Smithville this 17th day
of January, 1856
WJ Isbell Clerk
Page 38

State of Tennessee, 
Davidson County
This 4th day of February 1856, personally appeared William B Young
to me well known a resident of said County and who is I
certify a credible witness, and made oath in due form of law that he is employed by Smith &
Jones of Nashville Tennessee as a Clerk & Book keeper & was so on the 4th day of September 1855
on which day he mailed to "S. Petty Esq Pekin Tenn" the Certificate of Pension of Mrs
Mary Rackley, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at $96 per annum under
Act of 3d February 1853, that he deposited the letter containing said Certificate in the
Post Office here (Nashville Tenn) and verily believe that the same has been lost in
the mail-
W.B. Young

Sworn to & subscribed before me the day
and year above written
Josiah Ferris (seal)
State of Tennessee
Davidson County
I JR Cheatham Clerk of the
Circuit Court of said County do
hereby certify that Josiah Ferris whose name is signed
to the above affidavit is now and was at the time
of signing the same an acting Justice of the
peace in and for said County duly elected
Commissioned and qualified and that the
signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of said Court at
Office in Nashville this 4th day
of February 1856
JR Cheatham clerk
Page 39

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 17th 1840.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States," The widow of Micajah Hackley
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Nashville, Ten: Agency, at
the rate of Eight Dollars [and ---Cents: crossed out]
per annum[crossed out] month under the law of the 18th March 1818, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1839
to the 27th May 1839, the day of his death.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.
Page 40

W. J. Isbell
Smithville, Tenn
May 7 /50

Requests certified copy
of claim of Micager[sic]
Rackley, a soldier
of the Revolution.

Received May 1750
May 21/50
[illegible]

Respectfully referred
to the Third Auditor and
writer so informed
Recd May 18/50
[illegible]
2d Auditor
Respecting 
Claim for
Bounty Land
Gen Thompson over

Respy referred
to the Commr of
Pensions to the
[illegible] so
informed
3th Auditors Office
May 20th 1850.
Page 41

Smithville DeKalb County Tennessee
May the 7th 1830

Peter Clayton, Esqr.
Sir, I want a certified copy of the
Papers in the claim of Micagar[sic] Rackley,
who was a regular in the service of
the United States in the war with great
Britton, in the revolution war
the claim of the said Micager 
Rackley, was fixed for him to draw
pension, it was made out some time
between 1815 & 1825 or 30, he drew a
pension of $98. [illegible] to his death
but did not received any claims for
bounty land, and the heirs are living
here and I suppose that they are
entitled to the claim for bounty land 
in as much as he served for five years
or during the war, and by having
copy of the papers upon which he drew
the pension, the heirs can be identified
so as to draw the land claim, that
was due him, I think the pension
claim was signed by the Honorable
Calhoon, at the time it was Issued,
I only want a copy sufficient to
identify the services of the said Micager
Rackley, as record proof is the only proof
to be had, please let me hear from
you imediatly[sic], I will mail this copying
fee to you, or get the Honorable John H. Savage
who is in congress to settle it for me &. 
I will account to him, yours fraternally
W.J. Isbell

Smithville Tennessee
Page 42

State of Tennessee
Warren County
I Richmond McGregor
Clerk of the County
Court of said County of Warren do hereby
certify that I have can fully examined
the Marriage Licenses and Bonds on file in
my office for the License of Micajah Rackley
Mary Megerson which I certify an[sic] not
on file and then being no record of the same
Kept until the year 1836 I certify that the same
is not on Record in my office
In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of
Office at office in McMinville
May 13" 1853.
R McGregor, Clk
Page 43

Mrs. Mary Rackley
Declaration
for arrears of Pension
wid Lenn [illegible]
Elijah
5376

Triplett

filled by me.
22d Oct 1856 for W.B.Y
W E Jones
of Nashville
William B. Yarnigagh
Nashville, Tenn
Page 44

State of Tennessee
DeKable County 
On this 9th day of October 1856 personally
appeared before the undersigned an acting justice of the peace, in
and for said County Mrs Mary Rackley a resident of said County
aged 74 years, who on her oath make the following declaration in
order to obtain the amount of Pension which she is advised and
believes is improperly withheld from her under act of Congress of
3d February 1853, that she is the widow of Micajah Rackley
late of DeKalb County Tennessee, and who was a private in the
Revolutionary War, and who served as stated in her former
Declaration for Pension which is on file in the Pension Office,
and that she is the identical Mary Rackley who in right
of the services of her said husband Micajah Rackley applied
for and was allowed a Pension under said act of 3d February
1853. at the rate of Ninety Six Dollars per year, which Pension
commenced on the 3d February 1853 only, when she is advised
and believes, that under said law it should have commenced
on the 4th day of March 1848. she therefore claims that she
is entitled to be allowed the amount of said Pension from
the 4th day of March 1848 to the 3 day of February 1853
the date at which her Pension as above stated commenced
that she is still in receipt of said Pension at the rate of
Ninety Six Dollars a year - And she further states
that in order to recover said pension as above claimed she
does hereby constitute and appoint William B.
Young of
Nashville Tennessee her agent and attorney to recover
the allowance of said claim and furthermore authorizes
him to appoint one or more attorneys to act under him
in prosecuting the same, hereby annuling and making void all
other power of attorney by her previously made and ratifying
and confirming all the lawful acts of her said attorney in the premises
That for all the facts and proof of the services of her husband
the said Micajah Rackley and of their marriage, she respectfully
refers to her original application on file in the Pension Office.
Mary Rackley herXmark
Sworn to and subscribed before me
the date above written.
James M Lee JP
for DeKalb County
Page 45

State of Tennessee
DeKalb County 
I James M Lee an acting justice
of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that I
am well acquainted with Mrs Mary Rackley, that to my knowledge 
she is the identical Mary Rackley who is now in receipt
of a Revolutionary Pension at the rate of Ninety six
Dollars per year, in right of her husband Micajah
Rackley who was a private in the Revolutionary War late
of DeKalb County Tennessee, that she is in all respects a
reputable and truthful woman and entitled to full faith
and credit, and I further certify that I am in no wise
interested in said claim, given under my hand
and seal this 9th day of October 1856
James M. Lee JP

State of Tennessee
DeKalb County 
 I W.J. Isbell Clerk of the County
Court of said County do hereby certify that James M. Lee,
Esq whose name is signed to the above declaration and certificate
is and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice
of the peace in and for said County and State, and that 
the signatures thereto purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of
said Court at Office, this 9th day of
October 1856
W.J. Isbell Clerk
Page 46

Micajah Rackley

Rackley.
for Blakly
Carthage Tenn
Declared at Last term
but the name sent in
was Blackley

These papers (or rather part of
them) were once before
transmitted for proof of service
of this applicant, by
name of "Blackley"
& returned, "not found
on the N. Carolina rolls".
The name is Micajah
Rackley perhaps then
Secy of State of N. Carolina
may find that name on
his rolls
10th July 1821 -

Jonathan Pickett, Esq.
agt Carthage, Tenn
Page 47

ORIGINAL CLAIM.
State of Tennessee
Circuit Court of Smith County Sc.
On this 19th day of April 1821 personally
appeared, in open court, (a) being a court of record (b) for the third circuit
in Smith County Micajah Rackley
a resident of Smith County when his original declaration was made but now a resident of White County, in said State White County in said State aged sixty two
years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following
declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of
the 18th March, 1818, and the 1st May, 1820, that he, the said Micajah Rackley
enlisted, for the term of twelve months, on the 25th day of April
in the year 1781 in the state of North Carolina in the company
commanded by captain Evans in the regiment commanded by
colonel Hardy Murfree in the line of the State of North Carolina
on the continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the
said corps until the 5th May 1782 when he was discharged from the said
service, near Bacons bridge in the state of (c) South Carolina
by a discharge in writing signed by Col. Murfree
and delivered to me by Capt Harborough who
then commanded his company

That he was in the battles of Guilford, and Camden, as a militiaman
but was in no battle during said twelve months service
and that he has no other evidence, now in his power of his said services, except the evidence
of William Darnell, of Benjamin Perry, and Judd
Strother, whose affidavits will accompany this
declaration

And, in pursuance of the act of the 1st May, 1820, I do solemnly swear or
affirm, (as the case may be,) that I was a resident citizen of the United States,
on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift,
sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent
thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an
act of Congress, entitled ""An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the
land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war,” passed on
the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for
me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income
other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me 
subscribed. (d)

I, Chas. Sherwood, clerk of Smith Circuit Court
do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath (or affirmation) and the schedule thereto
annexed, are truly copied from the records of the said court; and I do further certify,
that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property
exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is 134-
dollars and 50
cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and having no
seal affixed my private seal this 19th day of April
1821
(seal) Chas. Sherwood
Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County of Smith
Sworn to and declared in open court the 19th day 
of April 1821 before
Thos. Stuart Judge
Page 48

Schedule
This declarant states that since filing his declaration
in which the clerk made a mistake in his name
by naming him Micajah Backley instead of
Micajah Rackley all the property contained
in the schedule to his original declaration has
been sold to satisfy a balance due for fourteen acres
of land bought by him in White County about two
miles from the Smith County line he now
resides. that he holds a bond for said fourteen acres
of land & will get a deed when he pays six dollars
which is still owing. his property now consists of
said 14 acres of land in White County worth $100
one blind horse repurchased 5
3 hogs 3
3 Sheep 6
2 pots 6
six knives & seven forks 1.50
1 axe 2
2 hogs 2.50
1 cotton wheel 1
1 Pail 1 Piggin 75
1 Handsaw 2.50
5 Pewter Plates & 1 dish 4.75
2 glass tumblers 75
1 Coopers adze 50
1 old meal illegible]
[sub-total] 134:25
25
[total] $134:50
*He has an order on James Tunstal for fifty five
dollars, due thirteen years ago which he refuses
to pay & which I think is worth nothing-
He states he is a cooper, and farmer, that he is unable to labor
on account of an injury to his shoulder occasioned by a fall
his wife is named Elizabeth twenty eight years old, who at present
is the principal support of his families and of himself one
daughter named Nancy aged eight years, one son Calvin
aged six years, one son Ruffin aged 3 years, who are
unable to contribute to his support.
Micajah Rackley hisXmark

State of Tennessee
Smith County Circuit Court April term 1821.
It appearing to the satisfaction of the
Court that the clerk had made a mistake in making
out the original declaration of Micajah Rackley at the
last line of this Court, on motion leave is given said
Rackley to amend his declaration which amended declaration
is in the words & figures following to wit
A Copy Attest
Charles Sherwood Clerk
of Smith County Circuit Court
B[sic] Jonathan Pickett
his Deputy
Page 49

( a ) The whole of the form prescribed in the first section, to verify the amount of property of the
applicant, the oath of the party, and the certificate of the clerk excepted, must be done while the court
is in session,
( 3 ) All are courts of record, within the contemplation of the act of Congress,
1st. Which are expressly made courts of record by the laws of the state which create them;
2d. Which have been solemnly adjudged, by the tribunals of the several states, to be courts of record,
3d. Which proceed according to the course of the common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in
point of amount, keeping a record of their proceedings.
4th. Which have the power of fine and imprisonment;
And courts which proceed according to the course of the civil and canon law, having neither of
those attributes, are not courts of record, although they may keep a registry of their proceedings, and
possess a seal. The court should, in every instance, state on the face of the proceedings, that it is a court
of record, and state why it is such. - (Opin of the Any General of the U.S.)
(c) If the declarant shall have served under more engagements than one, he should set forth the
company, regiment, and line, or ship, vessel, or corps, in which he may have served, as also the time of
entering, and the time and manner of leaving each service.
(d) Here enumerate each article of real and personal estate, necessary clothing and bedding excepted, and subscribe the same. The declarant must also mention his occupation, his ability to pursue it,
the number and names of his family residing with him, their ages, and their capacity to contribute to their
support, in order that the department may be enabled to decide whether the applicant is in such indigent
circumstances as to be entitled to the pension. It is the opinion of the Attorney General, that the words
of the 3d section of the act of the 1st of May, 1820, ""in such indigent circumstances as to be unable to
support himself without the assistance of his country," comprehend those only who are incapable of supporting
themselves without the aid of the government, except by private or public charity.
State of Tennessee
Smith County
I Charles Sherwood Clerk of Smith
County Circuit Court Cart do hereby certify that the
foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed
due and owing Micajah Rackley to amend his original declaration
are truly copied from the record of said Court
and I do further certify that it is the opinion
of said Court, that the total amount in value
of the property contained in the schedule
aforesaid, is one hundred and thirty four dollars
and fifty cents.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and private seal having no seal of
office at Office in Carthage this 24th day of
April A.D. 1821 and 45 year of our Independence
Charles Sherwood
By Jonathan Pickett his deputy
Page 50

State of Tennessee to wit
I Thomas Stuart one of the
Judges of the circuit Court of Law & Equity
for the State of Tennessee do certify that the above
attestation of Charles Sherwood Clerk of the
circuit court of Smith County by Jonathan
Pickett his deputy is in due form Given under
my hand this 24th day of April 1821.
Thos. Stuart.
Page 51

State of Tennessee to wit
This day personally appeared before me
Thomas Stuart one of the Judges of
the circuit court for the State of Tennessee
Judd Strother who is proved to my satisfaction 
to be a man worthy of credit
who being duly sworn saith that he is
in no manner interested in Micajah
Rackly obtaining a pension that he
assisted said Rackley in having his original
declaration made out, and was particular
in pronouncing his name right to the
clerk who drew his declaration but
he made a mistake in his name
and wrote his name Blackley in said
declaration as this deponent now
percieves[sic], that he assisted in making the
schedule in the original declaration
and proceed the value thereof which was
correct, and was then well acquainted with
his property, that since that time
said Rackly has move twenty miles
and he has understood from common
report which he believes to be true that
all the property contained in that schedule
has been sold at constables sale to pay
his debts that since that time he has also
understood & believes he has been disabled
in his shoulder by an accidental full
he is also infirm and stands in need of the
aid of his country or of private contribution
to support himself & family, this deponent
is fifty years of age knew said Rackley from
his infancy in North Carolina he is a
man worthy of credit he has often in North
Carolina heard it stated and it was generally
 believed in his neighbourhood that Rackley
had served a twelve months tour in the United
States army in the revolutionary war further
saith not
Sworn to & subscribed before me
this 10th day of Apri [illegible] Thos. Stuart
Page 52

State of Tennessee
Smith County
I Charles Sherwood Clerk
of Smith County Circuit Court do herby certify that
Thomas Stewart before whom the within affidavits
of Judd Strother, William Darnell and Benjamin
Perry were made and who has certified the credibility
of William Darnell, and of the deponents, and
attestested[sic] the depositions of the said Strother,
Darnell, & Perry, is one of the Judges the Court
of Law and Equity in and for the State aforesaid,
now presiding in this County.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my private seal
having no seal of Office at Office in
Carthage this 24th day of April
AD 1821 and 45th year of our
Independence
Charles Sherwood Clk
By Jonathan Pickett
his Deputy.
Page 53

State of Tennessee to wit
This day personally appeared before me Thomas
Stuart one of the Judges of the Circuit
courts for the State of Tennessee Benjamin
Perry who is proved to my satisfaction to be
a man worthy of credit, who being duly sworn
saith that he is in no manner interested in
Micajah Rackley obtaining a pension
that he first knew said Micajah in North Carolina
in Franklin County in the year 1782
that he said Micajah then had just left the army, was drafted in
regimentals, and the general report in the
neighbourhood, which was believed without
doubt, was that said Micajah with several
other soldiers then in the neighbourhood had
served in the United States army a twelve
months tour and had been discharged. this
deponent aged fifty seven years, he has
known said Micajah ever since, that said Micajah
is a man worthy of credit and further he
saith not.
Benjamin Perry
Sworn to & Subscribed
before me this 18th day of
April 1821.
Thos. Stuart.
Page 54

State of Tennessee to wit
This day personally appeared before me
Thomas Stuart one of the Judges of the circuit
courts for the State of Tennessee William
Darnell who being duly sworn saith that he is
in no manner interested in Micajah Rackley
obtaining a pension, is aged sixty seven years
and knew said Rackley in North Carolina before
he entered the army, that he knew him and
has seen him in the regular service in the
twelve months men of the North Carolina
continental line that he does not recollect
whether he himself was in the militia or the
nine months service at the time he noticed
said Rackley serving as a soldier that he saw
him often in the army as a regular soldier
that he knew him after he left the army and
has seen his discharge which he understood was 
a discharge from twelve months service
William Darnell hisXmark
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 19th day of March
1821.
Thos. Stuart.

State of Tennessee to wit Benjamin Perry his
day appeared before me Thomas Stuart Judge &c and
made oath that he has known the above William
Darnel forty years and has never heard his
credit as a man of truth disputed he would
believe him on his oath sworn to and
Subscribed before me this 19th day of March 1836.
Thos. Stuart.
Benjamin Perry
I do certify that the above William
Darnel is proved to my satisfaction to be worthy
of belief as a man of [illegible] tho his memory appears to me to be impaired
Thos. Stuart Judge &c