Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2173, James P Collins, S. C.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Collins, James P.
NUMBER
R. 2173.
CONTENTS
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In the Third District Court, State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana

On this 8th day of April 1834 personally appeared in open Court, before Charles Bushnell, presiding Judge of the State and District aforesaid, James P. Collins, his, a resident of the said Parish of East Feliciana and State of Louisiana, aged 70 years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.

I entered the service of my country in the year 1780, not long after the fall of Charleston South Carolina in what is now called York District, under the command of Col. John Moffit, a militia colonel and was always under his command, while in service. We were nothing more than Militia Volunteers and a scouting party that scoured the District of York and Chester, sometimes crossing Broad River to the West, in Union, and the District above, and sometimes passing into Rutherford, Lincoln and Mecklenburgh, in North Carolina. The first action I ever witnessed was with Lord Hook as he was called near Fishing Creek, after he had burnt Hill's Iron Works, where his party was defeated and himself killed. My Captain was then John Henderson. The next matter of note, we joined General Sumpter at Fishing  Creek sometime in August, where we were defeated with considerable loss. I was then under Capt John Chambers, and Lieut. Bryant, the latter of whom was lost in the action. The next was at Kings Mountain, where Ferguson was defeated. The principal leaders there were Colonels Campbell, Sevier, Shelby, Wil-
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[Wil]liams and Cleveland. I was that day under Major Chronicle who was killed in the action. My Captain's name was Watson who was wounded so that he died a few days after. We never were attached to any troops but our own, for more than three or four days at a time that I remember and that was always for our own safety, for the odds were against us, or to assist in checking the progress of the enemy. Next we joined Gen. Morgan, marched to Cowpens, where [illegible] attacked us, and was defeated. I do not remember what Captain I was under on that day; my Lieut. was James Venable. We had several brushes with small parties like our own, in which we would get a man or two wounded, and sometimes a horse or two killed which perhaps is not worth naming in detail. I remember a Col. Howard under General Morgan, at the Battle of the Cowpens and Col Washington of the Cavalry. I left the service in 1783 and received a written discharge from Col. Moffitt but not believing it would be of any service to me after the war, I took no care of it, and it has been lost for many years. I was discharged in York district, South Carolina. I do not now know of any person living who served with me by whom I can prove my service. But for my character for truth a veracity, I refer to the Hon. Thomas W. Scott, Parish Judge of the Parish of East Feliciana - The Rev. Ezra Courtney a Clergyman of the Baptist Church in said Parish, and to Lindsay Davis, James C. Chap man, Bartholomew Bennet and John Bennett, my
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neighbors When I left the service I was young and careless, and having never been wounded in my country's cause, I never expected to call on her for a pension which caused me to be careless in preserving the evidence of my service. In 1785 I left South Carolina for Georgia, where I was at the surveying and settling of most all the upper part of the State, say on Broad River, Ogeeche, Oconee, Apalache and and Okmulgee. and was at the Shoulderbone Treaty when the Apalache and Okmulgee ands were purchased, and in the time had to be in several Brushes with the Cherokees and Creeks, who were both hostile. To establish the truth of what I now state, there are several men of good character in this parish who have known me more than thirty years, who also know that I associated with their fathers, who lived through the Revolution and while living considered me soldier of
the revolutionary War. In 1810 as well as I now remember I removed from Georgia to the Tennessee Valley in the State of Tennessee and from Tennessee, I removed to Louisiana in 1820, and lived nearly a year in the Parrish of St. Tammany, from whence I removed to live in the the Parish of St. Helena and in January I removed to the Parish of East Feliciana where I have lived ever since.
[signed] James P. Collins
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Interrogatories propounded by the Court to James P Collins the foregoing applicant.
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer. I was born in Lincoln County North Carolina, on the 22d day of November 1764 and was carried on infant to South Carolina, as I have been informed by my Parents
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so where is it?
Ans I have no record of my age, but I have seen the family record, which I believe is destroyed.
3 Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Ans I was living in York District, South Carolina when called into service. From South Carolina I removed to Georgia then to Tennessee and last to Louisiana and now live in the Parish of East
Feliciana in the last named state
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute; and if a substitute for for whom
Ans. The way I came into the service was this The Tories where I lived was too strong for us, and the Whigs had to associate for their own safety. In this way we were formed into a military command of volunteers I was never drafted for I was never a substitute. We always held ourselves ready to serve our country and were generally under arms from the time we were first embodied until I was discharged. We went
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home sometimes for a short time, but were always ready to march at a moment's warning, in this way I served from about the end of May, or early in June, 1780, until I was discharged, in the spring of 1783, and I think early in April
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served
such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the General circumstances of your service
Answer. I have given as accurate detail of my service as I can at this time recollect, in my foregoing declaration. I never was with the regular troops but a few days, and there not more than four. I do not recollect any regular officers but Gen. Morgan, Col. Washington and Col. Howard of Morgan's riflemen, I remember Gen. Sumpter and the regiment of Col Campbell, Col. Levice Col. Shelley, Col. Williams and Col. Cleveland, with which I served in the Battle of Kings Mountain
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it.
Answer. I did receive a written discharge from the service. It was signed by Col. Moffitt, and it has been lost, as I have stated in my foregoing declaration.
7. State the names of some persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify to your character for truth and veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution
Answer. In addition to the respectable
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names I have given in my foregoing declaration, I refer to Doct. H. Shipwith, to Thomas J. Robbins, Sheriff of the Parish of East Feliciana, to Lafayette Saunders senator, and Maj. Ridden Brown and
Thomson Lawson, members of the House of Representatives of the State Legislature and to Col. John B. Horton late a representative, all residing in the Parish of East Feliciana aforesaid
[signed] James P. Collins

And after making the foregoing declaration, and answering the interrogatories on oath in open Court, the said James P. Collins did further declare that he hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to pension except the present, and declares of his name is not on the Pension roll any agency of any State
[signed] James P. Collins

Sworn to in open Court, and subscribed in three places, the day and year first before written
L. Hardesty Clerk

Monday, May 14th 1834
Personally, in open Court, this day came and appeared Ezra Courtney, a Clergyman residing in the 
Parish of East Feliciana, State of Louisiana and Thomas W. Scott, Parish of said Parish, and appearers did certify as follows: That
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Ezra Courtney, has been acquainted with James P. Collins who has subscribed the foregoing declaration off and on, ever since his residence in the Parish. That he is well acquainted with his character for truth, which is unimpeached; so far as he has known. Thomas W. Scott says he has been personally acquainted with said James P. Collins upwards of five years - that he has always
been considered a soldier of the Revolution by his neighbors and the appearer has been of that
opinion. That after said James P. Collins has made his declaration on oath in this Court both appearers certify, that such is the character of Mr. Collins for truth, they believe he served as he has stated
[signed] Ezra Courtney
Tho M Levis

Sworn to & Subscribed before me in open Court, April 14th 1834
L Hardesty
Clerk

I Charles Bushnell Presiding and only Judge of the Third District Court of the State of Louisiana, holding sessions in and for the Parish of East Feliciana, after hearing the declaration made by James P Collins on the 8th Inst. and his answers to interrogatories propounded on that day by me, that day, and the certificate given on oath this day by the highly respectable Clergyman, Ezra Courtney, and of the
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Honorable Thomas W. Scott, Parish Judge of the Parish of East Feliciana, do give it as my opinion that James P. Collins who made said declaration was a soldier of the Revolution, and served as he has stated. Given under my hand this 14th day of April 1834
Chas Bushnell
Judge 3d District

I Lee Hardesty, Clerk of the third Court of the State of Louisiana do certify that Charles Bushell, who has subscribed the foregoing Certificate, is the Presiding and only Judge of said Court. In faith of which I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my seal of office, this 14th day of April 1834
L Hardesty
Clerk

I Charles Bushnell, presiding and sole Judge of the Third District Court of the of Louisiana, do certify, that Lee Hardesty who has signed the foregoing certificate is the Clerk of said Court for the Parish of East Feliciana, and that his certificate is in due form of Law. Given under my hand this 14th day of April, 1834.
Chas Bushnell
Judge 3d District
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In the Third District Court Parish of East Feliciana
State of Louisiana
On this 14th day of November 1834, personally appeared in open Court, James P. Collins, a resident of the Parish and state aforesaid, who being sworn according to law, did make the following adtional declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed
June 7, 1832.

"I never was called into the service of my country on any tour of duty. In the early part of the revolution there was a great enmity between the Whig and Tories and they mutually armed against each other. My father was a Whig, and like the rest became very obnoxious to the Tories. Before it was thought that I was able to any arms, as often employed by the Whig leaders and particularly by Col. Moffit to carry and fetch news - Confidence was placed in me. I was a good rider, and knew the byways through the woods, by which I was able to elude the vigilance of
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the Tories, who were always on the watch. It became known to the Tories how I was employed and a mark was set on me. If I had fallen unto their hands I have no doubt I should have been killed. Young as I then was my father thought it prudent that I should enter the service he was in. This service was what we called minute men. We armed ourselves, and generally marched on horseback. We furnished our own, equipment. We got sword, butcher knives, and even spears made by the blacksmiths, I was first enrolled in the company of Capt John Henderson some times we were permitted by our officers to disperse, when we knew of no enemy near. We have been at home
sometimes four or five days at said
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sometimes we would not be at home a day, before our officers would again call us out-- and some times we did not get home before we were again ordered to rendezvous and go in pursuit of the enemy. This is the only kind and of service I was in and it and it lasted from long before I entered it until many a year after Cornwallis surrendered at York Town. I am confident I was discharged in 1783.

I was never in garrison during that period - my services were all active. I say with great confidence
that from the time I entered the service in 1780, until I was discharged, I never was at home ten days at one time, but was on active duty I have before stated. On hearing the declaration which I made in this Court on the 8th day of April last, read to me to-day, I find it might be understood that I intended to say Col. Moffett commanded in chief when we defeated Lord Hook. Col. Moffitt was in the action It was
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fought in a Peach Orchard near Col. Bratton's, who was the oldest Colonel and commanded. Col.
Bratton's Christian name was William. Col. Thomas Neale of North Carolina was also in the action

We were in several other skirmishes than those I have mentioned which I could relate, Col. Samuel Watson was engaged in the same kind of service, and I think he was with us at the defeat of Lord
Hook, but I am not positive
[signed] James P. Collins

I, Lee Hardesty, Clerk of the Third District Court of the State of Louisiana, holding Sessions in and for the Parish of East Feliciana do certify, that the foregoing additional Declaration of James C. Collins was made and subscribed in open Court, on the day set out in the beginning of said declaration, and that the declarant was sworn according to Law, before making the same

In faith of which I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 15th day of November 1834.
L. Hardesty
Clerk
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.
Oct. 7, 1853
Addl. ev. in
case of [illegible]
Collins or Co.
Widow
of Js. P. Collins
John M B D Roberts Sgts
Clinton
La
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State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
On this the 23rd day of September A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace within and for said parish and State Elizabeth Hausey resident of said Parish to me well known to be entitled to full faith and credit, who first being duly sworn according to
law declares and says that she was personally acquainted with James P. Collins Dcd and his wife
Mary Anderson Dcd That the said James P. Collins was married to said Mary Anderson on the 31st day of March 1803 in the State of Georgia that she the deponent attended the marriage ceremony of said James P Collins and wife. That she has known said James C. Collins and said wife Mary Anne his wife to live as such for 35 years. That subsequently said James P. Collins moved to the State of Louisiana. That said James P. Collins had by Mary Anderson his said wife five legitimate children to wit, Suzan Powers, James L. Collins, Sophia Collins, Ann Summerville and Francis East who are all legal heirs to said James P. Collins, That she (deponent) was intimately acquainted with said James P. Collins and family for a number of years. say thirty five as above
[signed] Elizabeth X Hausey her mark

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
J C Hausey
Justice of the Peace

Witness
George W. Chapman
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State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
I Daniel S. Beauchamp Clerk of the
7th Judicial District Court within and for
said parish & State; do hereby certify that
J. H. Halsey whose name appears to the foregoing
attestation is a duly qualified Justice of
the Peace within and for said Parish, and that
his attestation is in due form of law; and is
entitled to full faith and credit as such.

Given under my hand and
Seal Official this the 26 day of
September 1853
D. D. Beauchamp
Clerk
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Know all men by these presents that I John East husband of Francis East his wife and surviving daughter of James P. Collins dcd of the State of Louisa & Parish of East Feliciana do hereby constitute and appoint John M. Roberts of the Town of Clinton & State of Louisiana my true and Lawful Attorney for me and in my name to prosecute the claim of James P. Collins deceased for any amount of Revolutionary pension Increase or arrears of Pension that may be due, and my
said Attorney is hereby fully authorized to examine all papers in relation to said claim on file in the department at Washington or elsewhere and to do all lawful things in relation to said claim that I myself might or could do were I personally present
[signed] John East

Witness my hand and seal this 24th day of January 1853
In presence of
Alonzo L. Lewis
A.J. Going

State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana ⎬ 
Be it known that on this the 24th day of January 1853 before me the undersigned authority personally appeared John East a resident of the Parish and State aforesaid and acknowledged the
foregoing power of Attorney to be
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his own free act and deed and for the purposes therein mentioned
John Morgan J.P.

State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana ⎬ 
Be it known That on this 24th day of January 1853 before me the undersigned authority for the State and parish aforesaid personally appeared John East a resident of the above state and parish and known to me as a man of truth who made oath according to law that he is the husband of Francis East his wife and the surviving daughter of James P. Collins decd who was a Revolutionary  pensioner who served in the revolutionary war under the command of Col. Moffitt of the State of
South Carolina commencing said services about the year 1778 or 1779 at the rate of --- dollars per
annum - that he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence as his Attorney John M. Robert may use in the prosecution of said claim.

Deponent further state that there are but [illegible due smudge] surviving heirs to wit Susan
Powers, wife of Edward C. Powers, Sophia Collins [illegible] Ann Somerville wife of John W. Somerville James L. Collins
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a major heir and Francis East deponants wife

Deponent would further state that the wife of James L. Collins dcd the revolutionary solder, died before said James P. Collins and that said James P Collins died on the 14 day of April in year A.D. 1840 which deponent knows of his own knowledge
[signed] John East

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written
John Morgan J.P

State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana 7th District Court
I, D. S. Beauchamp Clerk of the aforesaid Court for said parish & State do hereby certify that John Morgan whose name appears to the two foregoing power of attorney & the foregoing declaration was at the time of the official attestation of same a duly qualified Justice of the peace that his signature is genuine and is entitled to full faith and credit
Feby 2nd 1853
D.L. Beauchamp, Clerk
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Know all men by these presents That I John W. Somerville of the parish of East Feliciana State e Louisiana do hereby appoint constitute John M. Roberts of the Town of Clinton State of Louisiana my true and lawful attorney for me and for my wife Ann Somerville the surviving daughter of James P. Collins dcd to prosecute the claim of James P. Collins and for any amount of Revolutionary pension Increase or arrears of Pension that may be due & to act for me as though I
were personally present
[signed] John W. Somerville

Witness my hand & seal the 24th day of January 1853
 Alonzo S. Lewis
 A.D. Going

State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
On this 24th day January 1853 personally appeared before me the undersigned and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be his free act & deed for the purposes therein mentioned -
John Morgan
J. P.
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John M. Robert
Clinton, La
Feb. 4/53
James P. Collins decd
Capt Moffitts Co
South Carolina State
Line, Revolution
Rced Feb. 15 /53
Respectfully refered
to the Third Auditor and
the writer so informed.
P Clayton
2d Auditor
Recd Feby, 15th/33
Respty informed to 
Com of Pen
sions Jim B. Gallaber and 

Mr Randall
name not on the
La rolls.
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Clinton La Feb 4th 1853

Hon P. Clayton
Second Auditors office

Dr Sir
Enclosed please find the applications of John East & John W. Somerville two of the heirs of James S. Collins dcd who was a Revolutionary Soldier in the company commanded by Col Moffitt in the State line of the State of South Carolina-

Sometime in the year 1834 or 6 General E.W. Ripley whilst a member of Congress from this State took the papers of James P. Collins and obtained a pension for said Collins, immediately on the arrival of Genl Riply home he died & the claim of said Collins was neglected in the year 1840 James P. Collins the Revolutionary himself [illegible] having the matter Suspended within the last year several letters have been written from Washington City be making inquiries about James P. Collins or his heirs
over
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The wife of said Collins and died
Som time before he and leaving
non but the children as the legal
heirs-  There are five surviving
Children two of them have given
me the power of attorney to procure
their claim [illegible] Father
the other three will give the like
power in a few days-

Will you be so kind as to examine
this matter and advise me of what steps
are necessary to be taken in the process   to procure the pension
- if any there may be coming to
I am yours and obliged

Very Respectfully
your obt svt
John M. Robert
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Clinton La May 17th 1853
Hon L. P. Waldo
Commissioner

Dr Sir I wish to
call your attention particularly to the Claim of James P. Collins a Revolutionary solder his application reached the department sometime about the 16th of Feb last I immediately received
an answer from the Commissioner that said Claim was not allowed at that office-- that he had referred it to the 2nd Auditors Office from that office I received a a report that the claim was referred to the 3d Auditors Office this Gent Mr Galaton informed me that the papers with the vouchers had been referred to an other office-- from that office I have never received one word
with this exception that some four of five persons have written to James Collins or his legal
representatives that the claim of James F. Collins has been allowed
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to wit "her months" "allowed" the last Gentleman addressed and signed his letter on the 30th April 1853 he signs his name "M. Thompson" and refers as an evidence of his skill capacity
and knowledge in procuring claims for some hundred respectable [illegible] from various parts of the states
-
Now my object in calling your attention is how is it possible that persons who are not connected with the department are better able and more willing and punctual on sending word in relation to the Claim of an old Soldier then department is itself, as understood should be the proper
source of information. I mean explicitly this last office referred to. 

will you please examine and refer this letter to the attention of this office and oblige 

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Sert
John M. Roberts
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Clinton La. Dec 30 1853
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Commissioner pensions
Sir,
We once more call your attention to the claim of James P Collins dcd of Louisiana a Revolutionary Soldier

In answer to your last communication of Oct 18th 1853 you first State that "no record exists of the date of the Marriage of James & Mary" 2nd Nor does the parole testimony satisfactorily  prove that event, nor the dates of their death- 3rd nor the number and names of their surviving
Children - Now. In answer to all of the above objection we have shewn the time of Marriage
of James & Mary by two qualified witnesses - the time of the death of both parties by two qualified witnesses-- we have shewn by the evidence of two qualified witnesses the number as well as the names of the heirs-- we have complied
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with  every [illegible] the depart
ment has wished [illegible], to the matter 
and yet the department will
not grant the pension to
heirs will you be so good
as once more to examine
the Testimony on file and
give us an answer and
oblige 
Very Respectfully
your obt Srvt
John M. & B. D. Roberts
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Clinton La. April 28th 1854
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir
Enclosed you will find Evidence in relation to the Pension Claim of James Collins Decd. We can find no record of the marriage of James P. Collins with his wife who is also dead. Neither is their a record of the births of the children, we are consequently compelled to produce oral testimony of the fact.

The affidavits enclosed relative these facts are made by two old ladies who were conversant with the history of James P. Collins from childhood on to the time of his marriage and even until his death. One of the witnesses acting at the time of the marriage as brides maid.

At the time of the death of James P. Collins and that of his wife who died a short time previous to his death. He had no property whatever, and therefore no record was made of either of their deaths. We are therefore necessitated to produce oral evidence of this facts Viewing the State of facts as they actually exist, we hope that you will consider that sufficient evidence has been produced to to prove the heirship of the children.

Yours Respectfully
John M. & B. D. Roberts
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John M. Roberts
Clinton La
Jan 4, 1858
-------
√

Respecting a Revolutionary
Claim of J.P. Collins
______________

Dodge

Respectfully referred to the
Commissioner of Pensions

Dept Int }
Jan 14 /58}
Moses Kelly



Rec'd 13 Jan: '28
Wm. Rhett
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Clinton La. Jany 4th 1858
Hon. Jacob Thompson
Secretary of the Interior
Without being humbled by vanity, am I actuated to address you personally in regard to to a matter that has been pending in the department (to wit) Sometime in the year 1836 or 7 Genl
Eleaser W. Ripley who then represent this Congressional District, presented to the proper office
of the department a revolutionary C aim of one James P. Collins a resident of the parish of East Feliciana La, this claim however was suspended for same meager or trivial cause immediately afterward General Ripley was unfortunately deprived of his sound mind and for which he was  wholly unfit to attend to any business whatever and the Claim for a pension of Collins remained in that predicament, to wit, unattended to, in the year 1840 & 1 - Mr. and Mrs. Collins both died various letters were written to the heirs of Mr Collins Stating that if they or any one of them would give a power to them at Washington City that the pension claim of their deceased parent could
be obtained. So many letters of the above
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character were written that in the year 1853, I was called on to negotiate for them, the proper papers were sent on to bureaus of the department with all the evidence and vouchers necessary. Mr Waldo the acting commissioner thought that before he would he would issue a certificate of a pension that I had best get a letter from the Comptroller of Columbia South Carolina, where Collins had performed his services also from Raleigh N.C. and Augusta Georgia as Collins was under the command of Col. Moffitt who was engaged in the Battle of the Kings Mountain and at the Cowpens & some other important battle of the Revolution, time passed on until recently I sent papers through our worthy and able member Hon. Thomas Green Davidson to present the matter again to the department on Dec 21st 1857.
-
The present Commissioner George C. Whiting reports to Mr Davidson, this, "the the recent decision of the Secretary of the Interior that the children of Revolutionary Soldiers are not by law entitled to pensions allowance excludes the heirs of James P Collins from the benefit of the pension Laws."
"To Hon Thos G. Davidson House of Rept "
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(Signed), Geo. C. Whitney Commissioner

James P. Collins before he died wrote a very fine history of all those battles and other very important and interesting incident to the Young American Reader, but before his book was published be and the heirs has called on me to revise and have his book published, and before I
but this matter to the press I wish to gather every thing concerning the deceased life both of a private as well as a public nature as an appendix and to publish every correspondence concerning his identity with the government whatever, and this is the the [illegible] letter, I wish your particular attention and also give your views from what I have stated, all the papers are on file in the department, and for any reference my much Esteemed friend Hon. Thos Green Davidson can tell you so far as I am concerned - your letter If you see fit to answer will satisfy the heirs and family relation of Mr .Collins

I suppose it is a rule among the officers of the government not to answer private communications as I wrote you once before and you did not see fit to answer, but I wish you would notice this one, before I put the book to press. I will wait the usual time as time permits me to remain your obt Servant and well wisher I once voted for you in Miss for Congress 
[signed] John M. Roberts
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State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
On this the fifth day of September A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace within and for said parish & State John East and Francis East, both residents of the Parish and State aforesaid, and to me well know as entitled to full faith and credit. Who first being duly sworn
according to law declare and say. That on the 14th day of April A.D. 1840 James P. Collins died at the residence of John East in the County of Red River and State of Texas and that they attended the funeral services of said James P. Collins. That as the said James P. Collins Deed had no property either real
or personal, no letters of administration were taken out, and therefore no public record of the death of the
said James P. Collins was made.

That previous to the death of the said James P Collins his wife Mary Anderson died on the 18th day January
1840. in the County of Red River and the State of Texas, and that they also attended the funeral services of said Mary Anderson the wife of said James P. Collins
[signed]John East
Frances East

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written
John Morgan J.P.
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State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
I Daniel S. Beauchamp Clerk of the 7th Judicial
district Court within and for said Parish & State do
hereby certify that John Morgan whose name appears
to the foregoing attestation, is a duly commissioned
justice of the peace in and for said parish, and
that his attestation is in due form of law; and
is entitled to full faith and credit, as such.

Given under my hand and
Seal official this the 26th day of
September 1853

C
D S Beauchamp
Clerk
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State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
On This the 23rd day of September A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace within and for said parish & State. 
- Susan. West a resident of said Parish and State and to me well known as a person of truth and credit, who first being duly sworn according to law declares and says That She was personally acquainted with James P. Collins Decd. and his wife Mary Anderson Decd that she said James P. Collins was married to said Mary Anderson on the 31st day of March 1803
That she has known said James P. Collins and said wife Mary Anderson to live as man and wife for 35 - years. That said James P Collins and Mary Anderson his wife married in the state of South Carolina [crossed out] Georgia and that subsequently said James P Collins and wife moved to the state of Louisiana, That said James P. Collins had by Mary Anderson his said wife five legitimate children to wit Susan Powers, James P. Collins, That she (deponent) was intimately acquainted with, said James P. Collins and family for a number of years, say thirty five as above
Sworn to and Subscribed
the day and year above
written J. H. Hawsey
Justice of the Peace
---
Susan her X mark West

Witness George W. Chapman
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State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
in I Daniel S Beauchamp Clerk of the
7th Judicial District Court within and for said
Parish and State, do hereby certify that J.H.
Hawsey whose name appears to the above foregoing
affidavit is and was at the time of signing
the same a duly qualifyed justice of the Peace
within and for said Parish, and that his attestation
to the same is in due form of law, and is entitled
to full faith and credit as such

Given under my hand and Seal
Official this the 26th day of
September 1853
D. S  Beauchamp
Clerk
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31. ? 79
James P Collins
[illegible]
2173

Hon. E W Ripley
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[postal stamp]
CINTON
DEC
[illegible]
La.

Jas P Collins.

[illegible] Sus 32


R


"Official Business". FREE
_______________
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Commissioner  of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 39

Feb. 17 1853
___________

Pow: Atty.: & addl evi_ in
case of James P. Collins
now
deceased.

[illegible ]

John M Roberts
Clinton
East Feliciana Co.
Louisiana



OFFICIAL BUSINESS
THIRD AUDITORS OFFICE

Comms of Pensions
Page 40

Suspd
Let 26 Feb '36
Hon E W. Ripley
J M Roberts, May 31  /53
six mo Pr Caro
 J. M. Roberts  22nd June 1853.
J M. & B D. Roberts 18th Oct: 1853.
J. M. & B. D. Roberts 12th Jany: 1854.
J. M. & B. D. Roberts 11th May 1854.

Hon. T. G. Davidson Dec 21. 1857
J. M. Roberts Jany 20. 1858
Hon. T. G. Davidson Dec 9/58

1832

,
Page 41

Thomas Green Davidson
[illegible]
G M Whitney Esq
Com
Genl Pension Office 
La


[illegible]
___________
Anderson
_______________
 James.P. Collins
________________
 Lou - SUS - 1832
________________
Please att to
Mr Davidson request
about the [illegible]
other letters heretofore
Sent _ A [illegible]
GOW
Dec 9,1839
Page 42

State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
On this the 24th day of April 1854 personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace within and for the Parish and State aforesaid Elizabeth Hawsey a resident of the Parish and state aforesaid who first being duly sworn according to law declares that she was present at the marriage serimony of James P. Collins and his wife Mary Anderson in the state of Georgia and acted as brides maid the year 1803, on the 30th day of March. That the said parties moved to the state of Louisiana in the year 1819 with deponent; That she is well acquainted with all the issue of said James P. Cotton and his wife Mary Anderson to wit; Susan Power James L. Collins Sophia Collins Ann Summerville and Francis East, five in all, and being the legitimate children of Said James P. Collins. That deponent has known them from birth up to the present time, and knows that they were maintained educated, and called by the name of their acknowledged parents James P. Collins and Mary Anderson. Deponent knows from these facts that the children herein named are the legitimate heirs of James P. Collins and wife Mary anderson.
Elizabeth her X mark Hawsey
Sworn to and subscribed
This 24 day of April AD 1854
J. H. Hawsey
J. Peace
Page 43

State of Louisiana         }
Parish of East Feliciana}
J H. Skipwith Clerk of the Seventh Judicial District
Court in and for the Parish aforesaid, Do hereby
certify that J. H. Hawsey whos name appears to
the foregoing deposition is a Justice of the Peace duly
commissioned and sworn, in and for the above
named parish and State, and is duly authorised
to administer oaths and entitled to full faith
and credit

H. Skipwith
Clerk
April 28, 1854
Page 44

State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
Personally came and appeared before me the undersigned authority Susan West, a resident of the above parish and states to me well known who just being duly sworn according to Law declare and say that she was present at the marriage of James P. Collins and his wife Mary Anderson in the state of South Carolina [crossed out] Georgia in the year A.D. 1853 on this 30th day of March that the said parties James and his wife moved to the State of Louisiana James thirty five years in with deponant. that She is well acquainted with all of the issues of Law James P. & Mary - to wit - Susan Power, James L. Collins, Sophia Collins Ann Sommerville &. Francis East five in all the children and hers of said James P. & Mary - that deponant has known them from their birth up to the present time and known that they were maintained and educated and earned by them acknowledged parents James P. Collins & Mary Anderson said both deceased and deponanat knows the above named heirs to be the children of James P Collins & Mary his wife
Sworn to and Subscribed this April 24 A.D. 1854
J. H. Hawsey
J. Peace
---
Susan her X mark West
Page 45

State of Louisiana.        }
Parish of East Feliciana}
I Henry Skipwith Clerk of the Seventh Judicial
District Court in and for the Parish of East Feliciana
said State do hereby by certify that James H. Halsey
before whom the foregoing deposition was made
is a duly sworn and commissioned Justice of
the Peace within and for the Parish and State aforesaid
and is authorized to administer oaths, and is
entitled to full faith and credit
April 28th 1854
H. Skipwith
Clerk
Page 46

State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
Personally came and appeared before me the unassigned authority John, East & Frances, East residents of the above parish and state who first being duly sworn according to Law declare and say that they were present at the death of Mary Collins, the wife of James P. Collins which took place in the state of Texas on the 10th day of January A.D. 1840 deponants further state that they were present at the death of James P. Collins which also took place in the State of Texas on the 14th day of April A.D. 1840. Deponants further state that they attended the burial of both the above decedants.
John. East
Frances East
Sworn to and subscribed
this 24th April A.D. 1854
J. H. Hawsey
J. Peace
Page 47

State of Louisiana
Parish of East Feliciana
J. W. Skipwith Clerk of the Seventh Judicial
District Court in and for the Parish of East Feliciana
State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that J. H. Hawley
before whom the foregoing depositions were made, is
duly sworn and Commissioned Justice of the Peace
in and for, the parish aforesaid with due authority
to administer oaths and is entitled to faith and credit
April 28th 1854

H. Skipwith
Clerk
Page 48

P.O.
James P Coller

Service:
1852 Printed List of Reject
and Suspended Claims sh
following cause of suspens

Enlisted:                 , 1

Discharged:  REJECTED
"6 months' service only allowed
he has not specified his
Minuteman service"
         , 
Application filed:   , 

Alleges:  

Re-enlisted:

Attorney: 
P. O. _
_____Recognized.   _____Contract.
Cert.  of  Dis.        Searched for, 18