Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1767, Elijah Henson, Va.
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776]

SERVICE
Va.

Henson, Elijah
Fanny

NUMBER
W.1767
BLWt. 26671-160-55

CONTENTS
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

(20)

2319
No Carolina Ash

Fanny Henson
widow of Elijah, Henson
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a priv. Va. Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 3d February, 1853

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Oct. 1853 and sent to S. A. Betts Morganton N. C.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 135 Vol. A
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Rev 3 Mar 55 - 172416
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

(23)

[left side] Cirt. Va; Contl [Continental line B.
Vol F, 138. --

[right side] 
172416} Act Mar. 3/[55]
Fanny} June 18th/55 

Fanny Henson Widow of Elijah Henson
Elijah Private 

Capt. 
Col. 
Ent. -- Dis. 
Revol. [Revolutionary] War
 
Pensioner 
N C --- Feby 53 - 2319. 

Ad: 160 acres May 14/56
Boynton

James P. Sawyer Ashville North Carolina

[written through] No 26671 is [issued] May 21/56
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

(19)

North Carolina 23,960

Elijah Henson
of Haywood Co. in the State of N. Car.
who was a pr: [Private] in the [blank] commanded
by Captain --- of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Gibson in the Va. line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of May 34 [1834] and sent R. Deaver Sulphur Springs - N. Car.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 34 [1834] 240-
Semi=anl. [annual] allowance ending 
4 Sept. -  40
$280

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Nath. Rice, Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 ½ Page 58
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(1)

State of North Carolina} 
Haywood County} Superior Court of Law October Term 1832 

On this 5th day of October 1832 personally appeared before the Superior Court of Law of the County of Haywood aforesaid ‘Elijah Henson’ a resident of the County of Haywood and State of North Carolina aged seventy-one years the first day of March last past, who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the month of February in the year 1777, under Captain John Lee, and served in the first Regiment of the Virginia line, under the following named officers: Genl __ Muhlenburgh [General Peter Muhlenberg], General Scott [Charles Scott] and General Woodford [William Woodford], – Captain John Lea & Lieutenant Holmes & are the only officers of his company at the time he entered the service which deponent now remembers; that on the promotion of Captain Lea to the office of Major, Capt. Thos Armstead [Thomas Armistead] succeeded to the Command of Lee's Company – that he first enlisted in Culpeper County in the State of Virginia where he was born & bred. That the Company in which he enlisted joined the Regiment at Alexandria in the August following his enlistment from whence they march[ed] to headquarters at White Marsh Hill in Pennsylvania, thence the Army marched to Middlebrook and took up winter quarters. That the first battle in which he was engaged was that of Monmouth [June 28, 1778] – the next was that of Stony Point [July 16, 1779] – where he served under Genl Wayne [Anthony Wayne] – that these were the only general engagements in which he participated, the [though] he often participated in skirmishes between foraging and scouting parties.
Page 7

Deponent further states that during the first three years of his service he was march[ed] through the States of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. That at or about the expiration of his first term of enlistment which was for three years he again enlisted for during the War under Capt. Thomas Armstead under whose immediate command he remained till the close of the War, that he was in North Carolina at the battle of Guilford [March 15, 1781], but was not in the battle having been placed on the baggage guard: That he was discharged in the State of North Carolina near Wilmington that his said discharge has been lost for many years. 

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity whatsoever except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State. 

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
[signed] Elijah Henson

Sworn to in open Court 
5th of Oct. J. B. Love, Clk [Clerk] 

And the said Court do hereby declare there opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he States.
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(6)

State of North Carolina} 
Buncombe County} Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Spring Term, 1853. 

On this 12th day of April, 1853, personally appeared in open court, and before the Court of Pleas and Quarter Session opened & held at the Court House in and for the County of Buncombe, and State of North Carolina, Fanny Henson a resident of the said County & State aged 68 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d of February, 1853, entitled an act granting pensions to certain widows of Revolutionary soldiers; That she is the widow of Elijah Henson late deceased of the County of Haywood and State aforesaid, who served as a private soldier in the Virginia Cont. Line during the war of the Revolution, and was a pensioner of the United States for a number of years before his death, under the act of 7 June, 1832, at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum, as will more fully appear by refference [reference] to the proof on file in the Pension Office, Washington City D.C. 

She further declared that she was married to the said Elijah Henson, at the House of William Hambreys in the County of Buncombe and State aforesaid by - McFarlin, Esquire, which took place in the month of August Eighteen hundred & three (1803) and that her husband the aforesaid Elijah Henson died at his late residence in Haywood County N. Car. on the 2nd day of September, 1845, and that she has remained a widow since his death - Also that she has no family Record -- Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year first above written in open Court 
Test. R B Vance Clk. 
Fanny [her X mark] Henson
Page 9

And the Court do hereby certify, that it has been satisfactorally [satisfactorily] proven that Fanny Henson the above declarant was the wife, and is now the widow of Elijah Henson late decd [deceased] of Haywood County who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $80 per annum, and that the parties aforesaid lived together as husband & wife. - Also that the declarant is a person to whose statements is due full faith and credit
Jas W Patton Chairman

I, Robert B. Vance Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Buncombe and State of North Carolina, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Fanny Henson for a Revolutionary Pension[.]

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office at Office in Ashville this 12th April, 1853, 
R B Vance Clk.  

To the Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions 
Washington City D C 
Sir 
You will please recognize S. A. Bettis or Morganton, N.C. as my agent in the prosecution of my claim for a pension and oblige yours 
Respectfully
Fanny [her X mark] Henson

Witness R B Vance Clk.}
April the 12th 1853}
Page 10

Copy the mar [marriage] Bond on this page 

“Know all men by these presents that we Elijah Henson & William Hambey are jointly and severally held and firmly bound unto James Turner Esqr [Esquire] Gov &c, and to his successors ‘in office,’ in the sum of Five Hundred pounds, current money of North Carolina, to the which payment will and truly to be made and done, we bind ourselves, our heirs &c firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated the 28th day of July 1803. 
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bounder Elijah Henson hath the day of the date hereof applied for and obtained a licence [license] to intermarry with Fanny West; daughter of Jonathan West: Now if there be no, lawful objection or impediment to obstruct said Marriage then the above obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.
Elijah Henson {Seal}
William Hamly {Seal}
Sealed and delivered in presence of}
John McFarland} 

State of North Carolina}
Buncombe County} This will certify that the above is a true copy in words letter and figures of the Marriage Bond of Elijah Henson and Fanny West, according to the records and files of the office 
Witness the seal of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of said County and the signature of the Clerk, at Office in Asheville the 12th April 1853 
R. B. Vance Clk [Clerk]
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172.416 
Fanny Henson 
Widow of Elijah Hanson 
Claim for Bounty Land 

Act 3d March 1855 

Presented by
James P. Sawyer 
Ashville N. C.
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(21)

State of N Carolina} 
Buncombe County} 
Be it Known that on this 9th day of June AD 1855, personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in for the County and State aforesaid Fanny Henson Widow of Elijah Henson Decd [deceased] aged 73. years a resident of Buncombe County & State of North Carolina and being duly qualified according to Law Declares that she is the widow of the said Elijah Henson Decd [deceased] who was a Revolutionary soldier of the United States, and since the death of the said Elijah Henson Dcd. [deceased] she has been placed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty - Dollars per annum, which Pension she was allowed for her said husbands service as a soldier aforesaid (a copy of her said Pension Certificate is hereunto appended, as part of her Testimony marked C. That she was married to the said Elijah Henson in the County of Buncombe and State of N Carolina on the day not recollected, and that her said Husband the said Elijah Henson Died on the 2d day of Sept 1845 in the County of Haywood Co of & State of N Carolina and that her name before her said Marriage to the said Elijah Henson was Fanny West, she makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act of Congress approved 3d day of March 1855, that she has not heretofore received any Bounty land nor made application therefor except this application, 
Fanny [her X mark] Henson

Sworn to before me the day and year last above
Page 13

written and I hereby certify that I believe the said Fanny Henson to be the Identical individual she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this Claim 
J. B. Sawyer JP

We R S Jones. and Nancy Henson residents of the County of Buncombe and State of North Carolina upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged in our presents by Fanny Henson and that we believe from the appearance & Statements of the applicant that she is the Identical Woman she represents herself to be 
Russel L Jones 
Nancy [her X mark] Henson

Know all men by these presents that I Fanny Henson of the County of Buncombe and State of North Carolina do hereby constitute and appoint James P Sawyer – of Ashville NC - my true and lawfull [lawful] attorney and agent for me and in my name to prosecute this my claim for Bounty land and I hereby authorize him to receive a land warrant therefor 
Witness my hand and seal this 9th day of June 1855,
Fanny [her X mark] Henson 

I certify that the due execution of the foregoing power of attorney was acknowledged by the maker thereof this 9th of June 1855 
J B Sawyer JP
Page 14

State of North Carolina Buncombe County 
I, R B Vance Clk [Clerk] of the County Court of Buncombe County do hereby certify that the foregoing signature of J B Sawyer Esqr [Esquire] is genuine and that the said J B Sawyer is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the peace duly qualified & Commissioned. 
Given under my hand and seal of Office in Ashville this 12th day of June 1855, and that I have hereunto affixed the seal of said 

R.B. Vance Clk [Clerk] of 
Buncombe County Court
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(Copy)

(22)

Department of the Interior 
Widows Pension

I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of 3rd Feby 1853. 

Fanny Henson widow of Elijah Henson who was a private [in] the Revolutionary War is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum commencing on the 3rd day of Feby 1853, and continuing for life unless she should again marry - in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage. 

Given at the Department of the day Interior this 6th of Octr [October] 1853 

Signed R McClelland 
Secretary of the Interior 

Examined and}
Countersigned}
L. P. Waldo
Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions

(Copy)
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

(25)

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION   3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
W. F. 1767    Washington, D. C.,          , 19  

In reply to your request of        , received     for a statement of the military history of Elijah Henson a solider 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.
[column 1] DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  
Feby 1777
[check mark] to close of War
[column 2] LENGTH OF SERVICE.  3 years
[column 3] RANK. Pvt.
[column 4] OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. STATE.]
[Captain] John Lee Thomas Armstead [Colonel] George Gibson
[Captain] Thomas Armstead
[column 5] STATE. Va.

Battles engaged in, Monmouth, Stoney Point

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Culpeper County, Va.

Date of application for pension, Oct 5, 1832, His cl. was al [His claim was allowed]

Residence at date of application, Haywood County, N. C.

Age at date of application, 1832 [–] 71 [=] 1761 born Mch. [March] 1, 1761 in Culpeper Co. Va. died Sept. 1 or 2, 1845 in Haywood Co. N. C.

Remarks: He mar [married] in Aug. 1803 in Buncombe Co., N. C. Fanny daughter of Jonathan West. She was al. pens. [allowed pension] on an app. executed Apr. 12, 1853, while a resident of Buncombe Co. N. C. aged 68 years.
brother Daniel Henson

Respectfully,

Commissioner.

6-285G

not sent
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 1767

Fanny Henson
Widow
Elijah Henson
Pri. [Private] Rev. War

Act: Feb. 3, 1853
Index: - Vol. A, Page 823

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

(24)

26,671

[check mark]

N Co. [Army?]
Page 19

(7)

Declaration of
Fanny Henson

Act of 3 Feby 1853

S. A. Bettis, Agent
From No. Carolina
Page 20

(8)

FREE

Hon L. P. Waldo
Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Washington City D. C.

[written sideways] Marriage
1853
Page 21

(10)

No 1252

Fanny Hanson
widow of Elijah
N. C.

Let to: S. A. Battis
June 27/53

Act Feby 2/53
Page 22

(11)

Evidence
Claim of Fanny Henson
Act of 3d Feby 1853

Last Export 27 June, last
From No. Car. -
S. A. Bettis - 
Agent
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(17)

Pension Office, 
Oct 3. 1853. 

Sir,

Please certify the time to which the within named pensioner was paid; and if in your power, the date of his death 

Very respectfully 
Your Obt. [Obedient] Servant 
S. Cole 
For Commissioner

F. Burt Esqr [Esquire]} 
3d Auditor} 
Present} 

(See other side)
Page 24

Elijah Henson Act 7th June 1832 $80.00 p.an. [per annum] - Died 2d Sept. 1845, Paid to his death 

F. Burt Auditor
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(14)

[circular stamp] MORGANTON N. C.
Fenny [Fanny] Henson

B Geddes No Car.

[written sideways] FREE
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions Washington City D. C.
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

(15)

Appl. of Fanny Henson widow of Elijah 
Buncombe Co N. C 
23960 
Act 3d Feby 1853 
Revy: 
Admd [Admitted] $80 per annum Commencing 3d Feb. 1853

S. A. Bettis 
Morganton N. C.

[typed sideways] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business
Page 27

(16)

Fanny Henson, widow of Elijah Husband died 1 or 2 Sept 1845 
Marriage bond - and that applicant is the widow of pensioner. Joseph Cathey and Certif. of J. A. C. Heartgrove
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(9)

Morganton N. Car 
April 18th 1853 

Sri,
Inclosed [Enclosed] I transmit to your Department the Declaration of Fanny Henson an applicant for a pension under the act of 3d February 1853 
Following the Declaration you will find a few lines from this applicant authorizing my Agency 
Please examine this claim at your earliest convenience & report the same to me at the above place and oblige &c 
Yours very respectfully 
S. A. Bettis 

Hon. L. P. Waldo 
Com of Pensions 
Washington DC
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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

(18)

Brief in the case of Fanny Henson, widow of Elijah Henson Buncombe County and State of North Carolina act 3d February 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 7th June 1832 at $80 per annum 
Marriage proved by duly certified Copy of marriage bond, and by affidavits of J.A.C. Heartgrove and Joseph Cathey - certified the credible witnesses 
(If for increase.) 
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission the claim? If so, what? 

S. A. Battis Esqr [Esquire]
Morganton N. C.
Name and resident of Agent

R Geddes 
Examining Clerk.
Page 30

(5)

Sulphur Springs N.C. 5th April 1834 

Sir,

I again forward the declaration of Elijah Henson, with the certificate of the magistrate before whom it was made the affidavit of Danl. Henson, and what will be more Satisfactory Danl. Henson is drawing a pension, and his veracity already proven to the department: 
address to me at this place as heretofore 

I am Respectfully 
yr obt [your obedient] Servant 
R. Deaver 

J. L. Edwards Esqr [Esquire]} 
War Department}
Page 31

(2)

State of North Carolina} 
Haywood County} Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions December Term 1833 

This day personally appeared in open Court Elijah Henson and after being duly sworn according to law, makes the following statement in order to amend his declaration to obtain a pension dated the 5th day of Oct. 1832 which declaration is hereto annexed – 
This deponent on his oath saith; that the place of taking winter quarters the first campaign was at Valley Forge, instead of Middlebrook as stated in his former declaration, and that he was not at Middlebrook until after the storming of Stony Point, which was the meaning of this declarant in the first declaration and that in addition to the Officers named in the former declaration, he states that George Gibson was the Col. of the Regiment when he entered the service, and that the meaning of the first Regiment of the Virginia line – means the first Regiment of the State Troops. This declarant states that he served as stated in the formal declaration three years as a private, and that he only claims a pension for that term, as the last term of service was but a short time. 
This declarant states that he can only prove his service by his brother Daniel Henson [pension #W3991] being the only living witness that he can obtain. Sworn to and subscribed this 31st day of December 1833. 
[Signed] Elijah Heson [Henson]
Page 32

This day personally appeared in open Court Daniel Henson [pension #W3991] and after being duly sworn saith that he remembers very well that his brother Elijah Henson enlisted in the Army as he has stated, and that he left home and went into the Army and remained absent three years, he then returned home; and this declarant fully believes that he remained in service of the United States all the time he was absent. Sworn to and subscribed in open Court 

Test
J T Chambers clk [Clerk]

Daniel [his X mark] Henson

I William Haynes, Clergyman in the County of Haywood, do solemny [solemnly] swear that I have known for several years the above named Elijah Hanson an applicant for a pension, and that I have always understood that he was a soldier of the revolution and that I concur in that opinion
sworn to and subscribed the day last above written
atest [attest]
J. L. Chamber clk [clerk]
Wm Haynes
Page 33

State of North Carolina} 
Haywood County} 
I John T. Chambers Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Session in and for the County of Haywood aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Elijah Henson, an amending his declaration in order to obtain a pension 
In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the public seal of my Office, this the 31st day of December 1833 
J.G. Chambers Clk [Clerk] 
Haywood C.C. 

[seal]

State of N Carolina}
Haywood County} I Evan S. Howell a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid before whom the affidavit of Daniel Henson was proven Do hereby certify that he is a credible person, and that due faith and credit ought to be given to his testimony, and that he Danl [Daniel] Henson is a pensioner himself Given under my hand the 3d April 1834.
E. S. Howell JP
Page 34

State of North Carolina} 
Haywood County} 

I John T. Chamber, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions for the County of Haywood Do certify that Evan S. Howell who has made the foregoing certificate an acting Justice of the peace for said County and that all his official acts is entitled to credit 
In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the public seal of Office the 4th day of April 1834
J. T. Chambers Clerk 
of Haywood County Court
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(3)

22914
Ellijah Henson
Application for a pension

N. C.
Page 36

I John B. Love Clerk of the Superior court of law for the County of Haywood aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the mater of the application of Elijah Henson, for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office Oct. 1832 
J B Love clk [Clerk]
Page 37

Elijah Henson

N. C.

Admitted private
2 years $80.--

R. Deaver
Sulphur Springs N. C.
Page 38

(4)

War Department 
Pension Office 
February 17 1834 

Sir:

The declaration of Elijah Henson is again returned that the credibility of Daniel Henson may be certified to by the Magistrate before whom his affidavit was made. 
I am Respectfully
Yr obt Servant [Your obedient Servant]

J. L. Edwards 

R. Deaver Esqr [Esquire]
Sulphur Springs N. C.
Page 39

(12)

State of North Carolina} 
Haywood County} Be it known that before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Col. Joseph Cathey a resident of the County aforesaid, and made oath in due form of law, that Fanny Henson late of the County of Haywood, but now a resident of the adjoining County of Buncombe, is the widow of Elijah Henson who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $80 per annum and died, at his late residence in said County of Haywood, on the 1st or 2d day of September 1845. 
That the parties aforesaid lived together as husband and wife and he (deponent) frequently assisted the said Elijah Henson in making out his Power of atty to draw his semiannual stipends which was paid at the Government Agency at Fayetteville N. C. 
This deponent further make oath that Fanny Henson of Buncombe County an applicant for a revolutionary Pension is the widow of the Identical Elijah Henson decd [deceased] pensioner as aforesaid, that he has known them well for many years, and would Judge the said Fanny Henson to be some Eighty years old - Furthermore, that he has no personal interest in Mrs. Hensons application for a pension. 
Sworn to and subscribed, this 16th day of September 1853 
Before me 
A.C. Hartgrove J. Peace 
Jos. Cathey {seal}
Page 40

State of North Carolina} 
Haywood County} I, A. C. Heartgrove a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, do hereby certify that Col. Joseph Cathey who has this day sworn to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit before me is a man of business, intelligence, and much moral worth. 
I do further certify that I was well acquainted with the aforementioned Elijah Henson and wife Fanny and know of my own personal knowledge the facts setforth [set forth] in Col. Cathey’s affidavit are just and true, - I cannot give the precise time that said Elijah Henson died, but from recollection I am satisfied it took place at the time he has stated. 
Given under my hand this 16th day of September 1853. 
A.C. Hartgrove J. Peace 

State of North Carolina}
Haywood County} I, S. E. Byers Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that A.C. Hartgrove Esq. - is an acting Justice of the Peace as above, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my seal of Office, this 17th day of September, 1853. 
S.E. Byers clk [Clerk]
By W Burn Dep. Clk [Deputy Clerk]
Page 41

(13)

Morganton No. Car. 
Sept 24th 1853 

Sir
In the claim of Mrs. Fanny Henson an applicant for a Pension under the act of 3 Feby 1853. Adversly [Adversely] reported on the 27 June last. I herewith transmit to your Department the testimony of Col Cathey & Esq Hartgrove which I hope may be deemed sufficient and that you will send me a certificate of pension at your earliest convenience 
Yours very truly 
S. A. Bettis

L. P. Waldo Esq 
Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions 
Washington City