Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7445, for Joel Meador, Virginia
Page 1

SERVICE                               NUMBER
    Va.      Meador, Joel        W. 7445
                             Sally

CONTENTS
Page 2

West Tennessee 2.252
Sally Meador
widow of Joel Meador deceased
Va
who died on the 8th April 1834
of Smith Co in the State of Tenn
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Aster in the Rgt commanded
by Col Lynch in the Va.
line for 9 months
----
Inscribed on the Roll of W Tenn
at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum
to commence on the  8th
April 1834
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of August
1838 and sent A. Ferguson
Carthage Tenn.
----
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838    $90.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept    15.00
                                                       $105.00
---
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
{Act July 4, 1836,
{Section the 3rd
Recorded by D. Addison
Book A Vol. 2.  Page 181
Page 3

let A. Ferguson
May 10, 1837 written by
Wm Wilson

7373
West Tennessee
Joel Meador
of Smith Co in the State of W Tenn
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Aster of the Regt commanded
by Col Lynch in the Va
line for 9 mo
---
Inscribed on the Roll of W Tennessee
the rate of 30 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of April
1833 and sent to Jonathan
Pickett  Carthage
Arrears to the 4th of March             60.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  15.00
                                                        $75.00
----
{Revolutionary Claim, ┃
{Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E    Vol 7    Page 88
Page 4

No 21051
Joel Meador Smith County
Tennessee
from 1779 private
9 months
$30

Jonathan Pickett Clerk
Carthage Smith County
Tenn
Page 5

BRIEF in the case of Joel Meador
County of Smith in the State of Tennessee
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 73
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Vol. In 1779 full  3 months  as a private under Capt Aster  Col Lynch
Drafted 1781 6 months & a few days     under Capt Rice
 
5. In what battles was he engaged?  none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bedford Co. Va.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living Witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned
                   Dyer Castor        Examining Clerk
Page 6


State of Tennessee}
Smith County}  ss
On this 26 day of November 1832 personally appeared
before the worshipful John Chambers Samuel D McNearny J M Coffee holding the county Court for Smith County Joel Meador a resident of Smith County Tennessee aged 73 years the 8 day of March 1833 who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit ofthe provision made by the act of Congress. passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated. He resided in Bedford County Virginia where he was born & raised  In the year 1779 in the fall season he entered the service as a volunteer under Capt. Thomas Aster- John Smith was Lieutenant & George Turnbull was ensign. Applicant marched with his company to Morris Town in Prince Edward County & Joined a regiment commanded by Col. Charles Linch - Applicant marched there to Petersburg & continued at Petersburg until discharged. Applicant served three months in this tour recd a written discharge.
The second tour was served as follows- Applicant was drafted in Bedford County for 6 months tour in the year 1784 fall season
he was attached to the company of Capt Rice - the company was assembled at Prince Edward Court house-- this company was then marched to Richmond & their stationed a guard & then
sent down James River 60 or 70 miles to
unload a ship with ammunition, the company to which applicant was attached carried down
boats and lightened the ship - he returned
with the boats & the ship to Richmond
& was then discharged & recd the written discharge of Capt. (he thinks [struck through: Benjamin ]Nathaniel) Rice
Page 7

In that tour he served 6 months & a few days
which is all the service he performed. His written
discharges he gave to Moses Greer a member of
the Virginia Legislature for the purpose
of trying to procure some pay for his service
but recd none & has never been able to get
back his discharges
He was born in Bedford St Virginia
& lived there until until about 1800 when he
he moved to Smith County Tennessee when[where?] he has
lived ever since. He can prove his services
as above stated by Isham Meador ^ & Jonas Meador
respectable citizens of this County - He was
born in Bedford County Virginia on
the 8 day of March 1760. The only record he
has of it is recorded in his fathers family
Bible in Virginia & he has seen it often
He recolects  - Seargent Casa & Capt Jones
who sometimes commanded. He hereby relinquishes
every claim whatever to a pension or annuity
except the present & declares that his name
is not on the Pension Roll of the
agency of any state-
Sworn to in open Court the 26th Nov 1832
[signature:] Joel Meador
[signature:] J Pickett Clk
We, Ishham Meador & Jonas Meador, Citizens of Smith
County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Joel Meador who makes the above application
 that we believe him to be 73 years of age-
We have known him from his infancy and
were with him in the Revolutionary War and
know that he performed the service stated
in the above Declaration as therein stated.
Isham Meador 71 years of age & Jonas Meador 75 years old
Sworn to in open Court the
30 Nov. 1832
Isham Meador
Jonas Meador
[signed:] J Pickett Clk
Page 8

And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion, after the investigation of the matter and
after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the
War department, that the above named
applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served
as he states. And the Court further certifies
that it appears to them that Isham Meador &
Jonas Meador who has signed the preceding certificate
are resident in Smith County Tennessee &
are credible persons & that their statement is 
entitled to credit. We are also of opinion that
they are of the age they represent themselves to be
John Chamber
J. ??? Coffee
Samuel D Mc??ierry
State of Tennessee
Smith County
I Jonathan Pickett
Clerk of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions
in said County do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the Original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the applications
 of Joel Meador for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court at office
in Carthage, this 12th day
of December 1832 and 57th
year of our Independence
J. Pickett Clk
Page 9

State of Tennessee}
Smith County}

On this 9th day of March 1837
personally appeared before me
Patrick Ferguson one of the acting Justices of the
Peace in and for said County Sally Meador a Resident
of Smith County and State of Tennessee aged
Seventy five years some time in this month (March
as well as she recolects having lost the record
of her age, who being first duly sworn according to
law doth on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
provision made by the act of Congress passed July
the 4th 1836 That she is the widow of
Joel Meador who was a private in the army of the
Revolution and^served as well as she recolects in 1781
and drew his pension under the act
Congress passed in 1832 June 7th for which
she would refer to the proof in the War Office and
the fact of his being a Pensioner under the laws of
the United States up to the time of his death and
also to the fact of her drawing a ballance[sic] of his
Pension after his death as his widow all of which she
expects is on file in the war office. She further declares
that she was married to the said Joel Meador on the
13th day of June in the year Seventeen hundred
and eighty. That her husband the aforesaid
Joel Meador on died on the 7th day of April 1881
and that she has remained a widow ever since that
period as will more fully appear by reference to the
proof annexed hereto
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the
day and year above written
Patrick Ferguson Justice of the Peace
                        her
           Sally        X    Meador
                       mark
-
State of Tennessee
Smith County
this day Sally Meador personally appears
before me Patrick Ferguson an acting Justice of the
peace in and for said county and made oath that by reason
Bodily infirmity she is unable to appear in open Court to
make the above declaration

Patrick Fergusson Justice of the Peace, Sally Meador
                        her
           Sally        X    Meador
                       mark
Page 10

State of Tennessee}
Smith County}
This day personally appeared
John Saunders a resident of Smith
County and State aforesaid before me Patrick Fergusson
an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County
aged fifty five years or sixty as he thinks he recolects the
time of the close of the revolutionary war (the record of his age
being destroyed) who being sworn according to law makes
oath that he has been acquainted with Joel Meador and
his wife Sally Meador while they lived in Bedford County
^now Franklin Virginia That he has known them for the space of
forty years That she is the wife of the said Joel
Meador and was legally married to him^ in 1780 That he died
a Pensioner of the United States in year 1834 and
that she the said Sally Meador had remained a
Widow ever since.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
the 9th day of March 1837
Patrick Fergusson Justice of the Peace} John Saunders

State of Tennessee}
with County⎬
This day personally appeared Bennet
Meador before me Patrick Ferguson an acting Justice
of the peace in and for said County and made oath
in due form of law that Joel Meador was a Pensioner
the United States up to the time of his death
that he died on the the 7th day of April
1834 and that his wife the said Sally Meador
has remained a widow ever since that period
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9th
day of March 1837
Patrick Fergusson Justice of the Peace
          his
Bennet  X  Meador
          Mark
Page 11

State of Tennessee}
Smith County}
On this day personally
appeared Sally Meador before me
Patrick Fergusson one of the acting Justices of
the Peace in and for said County and made
oath that the record hereto annexed is the only
part left of her and her husbands family record
where her marriage with Joel Meador was
recorded together with all her children in all
nine she further makes oath that the bible
has been torn and mutilated in the manner
aforesaid during the lifetime of her husband the
said Joel Meador in moving to Illinois and then
returning and she thinks it posible[sic] that some of
her grand children had he access to the bible
and that the record was torn out some year before
the death of her husband. She discover the date
of 1794 was the date of her seventh child and
from that circumstance and her recolection[sic]
about the ages of her children as well as
the time they were born she is certain her first
was born in the month of August 1781 She had been
married about fifteen months to the best of her
recolection[sic] ^before the first child was born
The children were Ann, Lydia, Jeptha,
Molley, Sally, Bennet, Banister, Ruth, and Joseph
The seventh Banister whose birth she thinks was in-94
fixes the period above stated as there was two years between
some and more than two years between others previous to
the birth of her seventh. She never had but the one
family record and the remains of that has been hereto annexed
she knows of no other in existance[sic]
Sworn to and subscribed this 15th day of
May 1838 before me
" Interlined above before signed in "before the Just child was born"
Patrick Fergusson
Justice of the Peace
                                    her
                              Sally X Meador
                                    mark
Page 12

State of Tennessee}
Smith County⎬
On this day personally appeared
Asa Holland and Joel Hire two respectable
citizens of the County of Smith and made oath that the
annexed part of the family record was taken for
the bible belonging to Sally Meador and in her posession[sic]
 and at her house The bible is a large one
and much torn. They have no hesitation in saying
that it is Bible formerly belong to Joel Meador Sen[ior]
the part of the record hereto annexed was
taken from said Bible in their presence and believe
the same is genuine Said record has the date of
1794 and 1799 and the record of of her daughter
Ruth Sworn to and subscribed before me in
due form of law this 15th May 1838
Patrick Fergusson   {seal}
Justice of the Peace
[signed:]  Asa Holland
[signed:]  Joel Hire

State of Tennessee
Smith County
I Patrick Fergusson one of the
acting Justices of the Peace for the County for
said hereby certify that I am well aquainted with
Asa Holland and Joel Hire that they are men of
of respectability and truth and that full faith &
credit are due and of right ought to be given
their statements. I also certify that the annexed
piece of record purporting to be the remnant of the
family record was taken from the large family
bible in the possession of Sally Meador and in my
presence Given under my hand and seal this 16th
day of May 1838
Patrick Fergusson
Justice of the Peace
Page 13

                    2
----
was born  1794
Daughter Ruth was Born1796
Meador was born the year of our Lord June 23rd 1797
Meador was born December 12 1804
                                                                        1788
Page 14

                  AND
FORMER TRANSL
    DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND REVISED
  By His MAJESTY'S Special Comma
----
Appointed to be Read in
----
Page 15

State of Tennessee}
Smith County}
On this day personally appeared Job
Meador before me Patrick Fergusson
one of the acting Justices of the Peace in
and for said County and made oath that
he was present and saw his Brother Joel
Meador and Sally Meador married. They were
married by these publication of Banns The
Preachers name was Wm Johnson a Baptist
He does not know the day or month but believes
it was in the commencement of the year
1781  That he is now about Seventy
three years of age Knows they were legally
married and further this deponent says
not.
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 16th day of September
1837
Patrick Ferguson
Justice of the Peace
       his
Job    X   Meador
        mark
I Patrick Fergusson one of the acting Justices of
the Peace for the County of Smith and State of Tennessee
hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Job
Meador who has this day made the above affidavit
before me That he is a man of good standing and
reputation and that full faith and credit are
due to his statement
Given under my hand and seal this
16th day of September 1837
Patrick Ferguson
Justice of the Peace
Page 16

State of Tennessee Smith County

I John J. Burnett Clerk of Smith County Court hereby Certify that Patrick Fergusson and Edward Brady, before whom the within affidavits were made were at the time the Same Purports, to bear oath and now are both acting Justices of the Peace for said Smith County. duly Commissioned and qualified as the law directs

In Testimony whereof I have
hereto set my hand and affixed
my Seal of office at office this
18th Sept 1837 the 62nd Year of
Our Independence
John J Bennett  Clerk
of Smith County Court
Page 17

State of Tennessee}
Smith County}
On this 15th day of September
1837 personally appeared Isham
Meador before me Edward Bradley one of the acting
Justices of the Peace in and for said County and
made oath that he is about Seventy five years
old and also at this time a Pensioner of the
United States. That he was present at the
marriage of his Brother Joel Meador Deceased
and Sally Meador his wife now an applicant for
a Pension They were married in Franklin
County Virginia formerly Bedford County. They
were married by Wm Johnson a Baptist Preacher
They were married in the begining[sic] of the year
1781 but cannot say what month or day Know
very well they were married legally by three
Publication of banns Knows that she is the
identical widow of Joel Meador Deceased
Knows, that they were out a tour of service after
this at the time when Cornwallis was taken but
they were not at Little York. Knows that after
they returned home some time he was called
out in the service^ again and further this deponent
saith not.
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 15th day of September 1837
Edward Bradley
Justice of the Peace
          his
Isham   X   Meador
        mark
Page 18

State of Tennessee}
Smith County}
I, Edward Bradley
one of the acting Justices
of the Peace for the County and
State aforesaid do hereby certify
that I am well acquainted
with [struckXXJoel MeadorXXthrough} Isham Meador
who has this day made the foregoing
affidavit in favour of
Sally Meador an applicant for a
Pension That full faith and credit
are due his Statements. That he is a
man of good character and reputation
and a citizen of the County of Smith
and I hereby certify the same
Given under my hand and seal
this 15th day of September
1837
Edward Bradley J. P.
Justice of the Peace
Page 19

[clerk note]
This letter was returned marked "No such Post office in state named" & there is no such, the writer typed that address so But orig. letter is attached hereto - F

[typed body]
December 29, 1939.
xxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/CC
Joel Meador
W. 7445

Mr. Monroe Meadows
Green Bottom, Cabell County,
West Virginia.

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Joel Meadows of Virginia.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W. 7445, based upon service of Joel Meador in the Revolutionary war. His name is not shown as Meadows.

Joel Meador was born March 8, 1760, in Bedford County, Virginia, and reared there. The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in Bedford County, Virginia Joel Meador volunteered in the fall of 1779, served three months as private in Captain John Arter's company, Colonel Charles Lynch's Virginia regiment; enlisted in the fall of 1781, served six months as private in Captain Nathaniel Rice's Virginia company.

After the Revolution he resided in Bedford County, Virginia until 1800 when he moved to Smith County, Tennessee. He at one time lived in Illinois.

Soldier was allowed pension on his application executed November 26, 1832, at which time he was residing in Smith County, Tennessee.

He died April 7, or 8, 1834.
[clerk note: 1781 not used as widow's statement that she had been in, 15 mos when 1 & child was b. etc. & affid. of witness is ambiguous. F]

Joel Meador married June 13, 1780, in Bedford County, that part later called Franklin County, Virginia, Sally Meador, who was born in March, 1762. Place of her birth and names of her parents are not shown.
Page 20

Soldier's widow, Sally Meador, was allowed pension on her application executed March 9, 1837, at which time she was residing in Smith County, Tennessee.

Joel and Sally Meador had nine children, their names follow:

Ann, born in August, 1781; Lydia; Iptha [clerk note: Jiptha OK on orig]; Milley; Sally; Bennet; Benister, born in 1794; Ruth, and Joseph.

IN 1832, soldier's brother, Isham Meador aged seventy-one years, and Jonas Meador, aged seventy-five years were residing in Smith County, Tennessee and stated they had known Joel since infancy and were in service with him during the Revolution. Relationship of Jonas to Joel not stated. In 1837, Joel's brother Job Meador, aged about seventy-three years stated in Smith County, Tennessee that he witnessed the marriage of Joel and Sally Meador. In the same year one Bennet Meador stated in Smith County, Tennessee that he was well acquainted with soldier and his wife.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of ension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of Sally Meador, widow of Joel Meador, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite the following data:

Sally Meador, widow of Joel Meador,
Certificate #2252
Issued August 10, 1838
Rate $30.00 per annum
Commenced April 8, 1834
Act of July 4, 1836
West Tennessee Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 21

1939 - Dec. 29 Hist to Monroe Meadows CC

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7445
Sally Meador
Wid.
Joel Meador
Pvt. Va. line
Act: July 4"/36, sec, 3d,
Index:-Vol. M, Page 42
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 22

Rocky Mt Va} Free
Decr 4
J L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Mail

Dec 9
Joel Meador's
Motion
Page 23

Rocky Mount, Franklin Co. Va.
Decemr. 2d. 1837.

D. Sir
Your letter of 25. 'Ult. requesting some information as to the marriage of Joel Meador about the year 1781, is now at hand - in answer to which, I have to say that this county was not established until the year 1786, therefore no evidence of his Marriage is on record in my office - By enquiring of the Clerks of Bedford and Henry Counties, (from which Franklin was taken) you may, perhaps get the desired information.
Respectfully,
Yr Obt. Servt.
C. Tate.

Comr. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 24

Sally Meader
Tennessee
Suspended
See letter 28th Oct 1837 A. Fergusson do. 25 Nov 1837 & to Clerk Court of Bedford & Franklin Counties Va. let: 5 Feb. 1838
A. Fergusson.
let 10 Apl '38 Hon W. B. Campbell, Mr. Campbell's statement of the credibility of the witness recd Jan 18, [illegible] filed with Nancy Bandy's pref
Page 25

Carthage Tennessee
12th September 1837

Dear Sir
Inclosed you have additional testimony In the case of Sally Meador, Submitted to you last March for a Pension. I hope you will find the proof conclusive, as to the Period of her marriage and as to his services I expect he has furnished the Period when he Served in the proof when he was Pensioned. They all say he was out at the same time when the siege of little York and the taking of Cornwallis happened which places his services beyond any doubt after the Period of his marriage
Respectfully
A. Fergusson

Mr James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 26

FREE
James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of
Pensions
Washington City

Feb 3d
Sally Meador

[stamp]
CARTHAGE Te.
JAN 20
Page 27

Carthage Tenn
19th January 1838

Dear Sir
Your letter of the 25th November last is now before me and having received no answer or communication Stating whether you were enabled to find the Marriage record of Sally Meador I again refer you to her claim: In your letter above mentioned you informed me that you had written to the clerk of the County court of Franklin County Virginia to ascertain if her marriage Record was there. I have never been to see her since the time your letter was received believing that if the record could be found it would Settle the question with you. I am anxious to know whether you have found the Record and if not what will be done in her case as to proof I think my further investigation of proof would be only a repetition of what has been already furnished you. I would like very well that she could get the Pension as she like many others of her class is in great need
Respectfully
A. Fergusson
Page 28

Carthage Tennessee
17th May 1838

Dear Sir
Agreeable to your instructions in your letter of 25th November last and also 10th April last the latter addressed to the Hon William B Campbell requiring the production of the family record of the marriage of Sally Meador I have went to her house and took my Brother with me who is an acting Justice of the Peace and made the necessary Search the result of which you have inclosed herewith. I have used every means in my power to arrive at the truth of this case and I hope this last Statement will prove Satisfactory. The claim therefore is Respectfully Submitted to your entire consideration
With great esteem I am &c
A. Fergusson

James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 29

25
Mr A. Fergusson.
Mail,} Carthage
Tennessee.

[stamp]
LIBERTY VA.
MAR 16
Page 30

Liberty Va. March 15 1838
Dear Sir,
Your letters of 8". January & 18' of February last were duly received - I have made a diligent examination of the records in my Office and Can find my Certificate of the Marriage either of Thomas Bandy & Nancy Borne, or of Joel Meador and Sally Meador, of record - Nor can I find a bond taken by the Clerk or granting license & either of said individuals - the law requires such bond to be taken, which is done in every case and regularly filed agreeably to dates - Could the bond be found I could Certify that a license had been granted, but could not certify that the parties were legally married, unless the Minister Celebrating the marriage had made a return of the fast, which the law also requires - So I conclude, after failing to find the bond, that the Parties must have been married in another County, probably the County of Franklin which was taken off of Bedford in 1786.
Regretting my inability to certify you more fully
I am, D. Sir
Yr Mo. obt
R. C. Mitchell
Page 31

Mr Allison Free
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City.

Dec 14. 

[stamp]
LIBERTY Va.
DEC 10
Page 32

Liberty Va. December 8 1837

Sir,
Your communication of the 25 Ult. requesting to be informed whether the records of my Office, affords any information relative to the marriage of Joel Meador & his wife Sally, has been received -
I have made an examination of the Record in my Office about the time you mention (1781) and for several years previous, and subsequent to that period, and find no Certificate of such Marriage - By the laws of Virginia, Minister of the Gospel now and still are required to return to the Clerks Office of their respective Counties, a certificate of all Marriages Celebrated by them, and as I find a number of such return of record about that time, none of which contain this Marriage, I presume that Mr. M. might possibly have been Married in Franklin County after it was taken from Buford, which happened but a few years subsequent to 1781.
I am D Sir,
Yr. Mo. Obt
R. C. Mitchell.
Page 33

FREE
James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Mc at - Nov 25
Mail

[stamp]
CARTHAGE Te.
NOV 13
Page 34

Carthage Tennessee
11th November 1837
Dear
Sir your letter of the 20th ultimo is now before me in which you require of Sally Meador in addition to what has been already furnished that She produce the record proof of her marriage and in case there is no record proof there the family record. I was instructed by her at taking the last proof of her marriage That in case it did not take it was not worthwhile to trouble any more about it as it Seemed to her it had been more than suficient by established, I endeavoured to explain why it was necessary to be so particular. With regard to obtaining a copy of the record of the marriage from the clerks office in Virginia. I have to inform you that attempts have been made in Several cases to obtain the record of the marriage from the clerks office where they were suposed to exist but I have not as yet been able to procure the first one. I am induced to believe that but few of the marriage records are to be found in a state of preservation that took place previous and during the war. If this is not the case the clerks are careless to attend to any such business unless the applicant or Agent should attend in person. It also subjects the applicant
Page 35

to unreasonable expenses which they are )Many of the) unable to bear especially those living in the Western States, and in a case like the one of Mrs Meador where the sum is small amounts to a prohibition or a rejection. I would greatly prefer myself that the record could be procured in every case Since it seems to be more relied upon than "living Witnesses having knowledge of the last" My wish would be for all that are entitled to have the benefit of the law provided for them but living as most of them do in the Western States far from friends and acquaintances that are living and particularly the records of that Period; it Seems to be impossible. In all these cases that I have sent you I am acting as Agent for them having no interest Whatever directly nor indirectly in their Pension Should they obtain one nor has any other person and I am certain the benefits thereoff Shall go to their use and no other after paying the expenses incured. With regard to the curtailing the amount received by her husband as a Pensioner I have nothing to say; his two brothers are yet living ad one other has died a day or two after taking his testimony in her last papers Sent you but I could get any explanation from them you might require about the Six Months Service you speak of although
Page 36

it is thirty miles from here to where she lives.  I have been acquanted myself with Joel Meador in his lifetime - her husband and also herself for the last 25 years and have heard him and his neighbors talk about his services in the War of the Revolution but I know nothing further.  I will as soon as I can make it convenient see her again and if there is a family record belonging to her or any of his her husbands brothers I  will forward a copy of it duly established by proof should it be impossible to send you the original
Respectfully
W. Fergusson

Mr. George Wm Crump
Acting commissioner
of Pensions
Washington City
Page 37

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joel Meader which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
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 amout [sic] of pension he is entitled?
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
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?
Page 38

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  No.
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
Living Witness
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how 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 swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ___ year ___ months and ___ days, I served as a ___ For ___months ___ days, I served as a ____ ; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 39

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
+QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 40

admitted
Pri 9 mo $30

Died April 8 1834

A. Fergusson
Carthage
Page 41

State of Tennessee
Smith County
I John J Burnett Clerk of the county court of said Smith County hereby certify that Patrick Fergusson whose name is attached to the foregoing affidavit of Sally Meador and Asa Holland and Joel Hire was at the time the same purports to bear date and now is one of the acting Justices of the Peace for the county and state aforesaid constitutionally elected and duly commissioner and qualified to act as such and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts.  I further certify that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at office [obscured] Carthage the 17th day of May 1838
the word seal of interlined before signing
John J. Burnett Clerk
of Smith County Court
[SEAL]
Page 42

I Patrick Fergusson one of the acting justices of the Peace in and for Said county do hereby certify that I am well acquanted [sic] with Sally Meador the applicant for a pension as above That full faith and credit are due to her Statements. That from her Statements She is unable to appear in oppen [s[ic] court to make the above declaration (She being at the distance of thirty miles from the court house) I further certify That I am well acquanted [sic] with John Saunders and Bennet Meador who made the above affidavits that full faith and credit are due to their Statements and I hereby certify the same given under my hand and seal this 9th Day of March 1837
Patrick Fergusson
Justice of the Peace

V 1520

State of Tennessee Smith County
I John J Burnett Clerk of the County Court of Smith County hereby Certify that Patrick Fergusson is a Magistrate as above; and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his an [remainder covered by seal]
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at office in Carthage this 11 day of March 1837
John J Burnett clerk
of Smith County Court
Page 43

Carthage Tennessee
26th March 1838

Dear Sir
I Inclose to you two letters one from the county Court Clerk of Bedford County Virginia Showing that in the case of Sally Meador of Smith County as the case of Nancy Bandy of Sumner County no record of their marrige [sic] exists.  I must conclude therefore that the same has been lost or destroyed or perhaps through the neglect of the Justice of the Peace was never returned or there my have been such confusion in time of the Revolution that the Publick records were often destroyed or misplaced. In regard to your Several letters respecting the case of Sally Meador I have endeavoured to comply with your request & I have only one more expedient to resort to for proof and that is if there should be a family record yet in existence (of which I almost am certain there is none) I will send it to you.
As well as my recolection [sic] serves me the marriage of Sally Meador the Period as well as the legallity [sic] has been proven by the two Brothers of her Deceased husband one of whom was personally present and Saw them legally married.
Respectfully
A. Fergusson

James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of  Pensions
Washington City
Page 44

Veterans Administration
Washington

December 29, 1939
In reply refer toL
BA-J/CC
Joel Meadow
W.7445

Mr. Monroe Meadows
Green Bottom, Cabell County,
West Virginia.

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Joel Meadows of Virginia.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W.7445, based upon service of Joel Meador in the Revolutionary War.  His name is not shown as Meadows.

Joel Meador was born March 8, 1760, in Bedford County, Virginia, and reared there.  The names of his parents are not shown.

While residing in Bedford County, Virginia Joel Meador volunteered in the fall of 1779, served three months as private in Captain John Arter's company, Colonel Charles Lynch's Virginia regiment;  enlisted in the fall of 1781, served six months as private in Captain Nathaniel Rice's Virginia company.

After the Revolution he resided in Bedford County, Virginia until 1800 when he moved to Smith County, Tennessee.  He at one time lived in Illinois.

Soldier was allowed pension on his application executed November 26, 1832, at which time he was residing in Smith County, Tennessee.

He died April 7, or 8, 1834.

Joel Meador married June 13, 1780, in Bedford County, that part called later, Franklin County, Virginia, Sally Meador, who was born in March 1762.  Place of her birth and names of her parents are not shown.
Page 45

Soldier's widow, Sally Meador, was allowed pension on her application executed March 9, 1837, at which time she was residing in Smith County, Tennessee.

Joel and Sally Meador had nine children, their names follow:

Ann, born in August, 1781; Lydia; Jeptha; Milley; Sally; Bennet; Banister, born in 1794; Ruth, and Joseph.

In 1832, soldier's brother, Isham Meador aged seventy-one years, and Jonas Meador, aged seventy-five years were residing in Smith County, Tennessee and stated they had known Joel since infancy and were in service with him during the Revolution.  Relationship of Jonas to Joel not stated.  In 1837, Joel's brother Job Meador, aged about seventy-three years stated in Smith County, Tennessee that he was well acquainted with soldier and his wife.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of Sally Meador, widow of Joel Meador, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite following date:

Sally Meador, widow of Joel Meador,
Certificate #2252
Issued August 10, 1838
Rate $30.00 per annum
Commenced April 8, 1834
Act of July 4, 1836
West Tennessee Agency.

Very truly yours
[A. D. Hiller signature]
A D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 46

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, D. C.

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Stamp:  Return to Sender

Date stamped:
Washington, D.C. 24
Jan 3 8-PM
1940

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID
PAYMENT OF POSTAGE $300

40                                  40

NO SUCH POST OFFICE 
IN STATE NAMED.
Page 47

12[illegible]d

Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.

Would you be kind enough to furnish me with copy of your record of Pension or war record and where paid last to one Joel Meadows my great uncle.  I find in the Revolutionary Soldiers of Virginia by J.H. Eckenrode "C.J. 1783-4-5 and War 5 127" This might help connect him with your record.  I would like to know where he enlisted from and any of his family information that you might have If there be a charge for this please advise.

Yours truly,
[Signature Monroe Meadows,] 
Monroe Meadows,
Green Bottom, Cabell Co., 
West Virginia

Dec. 12. 1939.

[Stamped:
RECEIVED
DEC 18 1939
MATL SUB-DIV
Reader No. 17
VETS ADM