Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3793, John Hardin Foster, Va.
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(S-1776)
SERVICE                                            NUMBER
(Handwriting) Va. Foster, John Hardin.  W.3793
                                         Martha        B.L.WT.  589- (Smudge)
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(Handwriting) No. 589
John Hardin Foster. 
Ensign
Virginia Land
EB
Warrant issued to Col. Thomas 
Worthington S.US as AJS
of David Meriwether who was AJS
of said J.H. Foster: N.B. Awarr
to satisfy this claim was formerly 
granted W.331 (unk word) on account of error, is now returned (unk word)  remains
in their file of Voucher. 
Deliv. to Col. Worthington, (unk word) day
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2 cents
1 under act 1838
1 “.      “ 1843 (unk word)
Reported

6655
Georgia
Martha Foster, widow of John H. Foster, who was an ensign in the Revo. War,

Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 240 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Feby 1845 and sent to Hon Howell Cobb. (Unk word)

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
June 17, 1844
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 173
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\. Dean

State of Georgia
(Unk word) County.  
G. G.

On this the twenty fifth day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and forty four (1844) personally (unk word) before the Honorable The  (unk word) court of the county and state aforsaid Martha Foster aged seventy seven years,  a resident of Davis County an state who being duly sworn on her oath making the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the act of Congress (unk word) on the seventh day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty eight (1838) (unk word) an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widow. that she was married in due form of law in Wilks County and said state on the first day of January seventeen hundred and eighty five to John H Foster otherwise call John Foster, a native of the state of Virginia, that she lived with him as his wife until the eighteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and one (1801) when he departed this life at his residence in the same county of Wilks and state firs aforesaid, that she is still the widow of the said John Foster having never since his death married. That the said John H Foster entered the army of the Revolutionary war of the U. S. About the beginning of the revolution (in 1776) in an infantry Company from Prince Edward County, Virginia commanded by Captain Ballard Smith and that he served during the whole war as ensign or Lieutenant or during the part of the
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said time in Virginia and part of the time in the other and the said Martha Foster for this declares that about the year eighteen hundred 1800 - the said John Foster received from The Government of the United States of America in consideration of his services rendered in and during the war of the revolution a bounty in land of one Thousand acres [illegible] in the state of Ohio and she refers to this grant as evidence of The service of the said John Foster as above set forth, She also refers to the Certificate hereunto annexed from The Auditor of The state of Virginia, In proof of her lawful intermarriage with The said John Foster She refers to The Certificate hereunto annexed she having no better evidence in her possession
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day & year above written
Martha Foster
Attend
W. W. Nowell Oth. Inf. d.

Georgia Waller County} On This The 25 day of July 1844 personally appeared in open Court of said County Milner Echols, Esq aged seventy two years and being in due form of law sworn saith on oath That he became acquainted with John H Foster (who was a native of the state of Virginia) about the year seventeen hundred & eighty six, that The said John Foster was then living
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in The County of Mills and said state with the present applicant Martha Foster as his wife and That They are reputed in The neighbourhood in which They lived to be lawfully married [illegible], that This deponent was well acquainted with and in the family of the said John Foster to his death which was about the year 1801 and that the deponent from repute always believed The said John & Martha to be lawfully man & wife and the said deponent further saith That the said applicant Martha Foster is still the widow of The said John Foster, she having never since his death married.
Sworn to in open Court the day & year above written
Milner Echols
Attend
W. W. Nowell Clk Ins Ct.
Georgia
Walton County} In the matter of the application of Martha Foster as above the said Court upon investigation are of opinion that John H Foster was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and that Martha Foster is his Lawful Widow and the said Court Certifys that full faith and credit ought to be had and given to Milner Echols Certificate as above.
July 25 AD 1844
Waters Briston JJC
Warner J Hill JJC
Noh Johnson J. J. C.
Attest
W W Nowell Clk Inf CC
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State of Georgia
Walton County} S.S.
I William W Nowell Clerk of the Inferior Court in and for Said County Certify that foregoing are the original proceedings in the matter of Mrs. Martha Foster the applicant for a pension as had in Said Court on the twenty fifth day of July 1844. And I further Certify
In Testimony whereof I have herewith affixed my Seal of Office and Subscribed My name the 25th day of July 1844
W. W. Nowell Clk Inf Ct
Walton County
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Teste H. Clay
Jn. Miledge

D Merriwether Esq.

[Upside Down]
John Hardin Foster
B. L. Wt. 331-150
Va.
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John Hardin Foster
B. L. Wt. 331-150
Va.

[Upside Down]
Teste H Clay
Jn. Milledge
D Meriwether Esq.
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Col. Worthington
No. 331
Pursuant to an Act of Congress authorizing the Secretary of War to issue Land Warrants and for other purposes, passed the 15th day of April, 1806, David Meriwether in trust for the heirs of the late John H. Foster, an Ensign in the Virginia Line - - is intitled to One Hundred & fifty acres of land to be located, agreeably to said act, on any unlocated parts of the fifty quarter townships and the fractional quarter townships, reserved by law, for original holders of military warrants.
GIVEN at the War Office, this 25th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 7
SECRETARY OF WAR.

Registered,
H. Rogers CLERK.
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No 11209
Martha Foster
widow of John H.
Va

Act 7 July 1838

Admit'd 2 years Ensign
$250.00 per ann.

Admit'd Acts 3 March 1843
and 17 June 1844
$240.0

Ho Howell Cobb
House of Reps.
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State of Georgia
Walton County} Personally came John Petters and Stephen G. Petters Brothers before me Lewis S. Brown a Judge of the Inferior Court in & for said County. Who being first duly Sworn deposeth & saith on their oaths That Martha Wingfield now Mrs. Martha Foster Widow of John Hardin Foster was married as they have long since heard & believed at the house of her Father John Wingfield in this County, & is the marriage of the said Martha & John was Recorded still. It was in family register of the John Wingfield, That the Said John Wingfield was the grandfather of these deponants, That the register of the said John after his death sainting the hands of his Son Garland Wingfield, the uncle of these deponants on Their Mothers side, And the death of the Garland Wingfield the said family register of John & Garland Wingfield the house of a Brother of these deponents who is since dead & his widow & family gone in the west, And further that these deponants have not for a long time seen or heard of the said family register & therefore Declare the same to be lost or destroyed
John Petters
Stephen G. Petters
Sworn & subscribed before me this 8th day of January 1845
Lewis S. Brown J.J.C
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Georgia
Watkin County} I Royland Beasley Clerk of the Inferior Court for said County do hereby Certify that Lewis S Brown whose Official acts taken appears to the within affidavits of John Petters, Stephen G Petters, and also Mary Wingfields affidavit hereunto attached. - is an acting Justice of the Inferior Court in and for said County of Watkin and that due Credit should be given to all his official acts as such. -
Given under my hand and seal of Office this 8th day of January 1845.
Royland Beasley Clk IC
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State of Georgia
Wilkes County} Personally came Mrs Mary Wingfield before Me Lewis S. Brown a Justice of the Inferior Court in & for said County who being first duly Sworn deposeth & saith she is Seventy Eight years of age That she knew & was well acquainted with John Hardin Foster & his Wife Martha Foster whose maiden name was Martha Wingfield & sister to husband of this deponant. That She first knew them as man & wife in the year seventeen hundred & Eighty-seven 1787. That they then considered by all the neighbors as man & wife. & this deponant has never since that time known or heard anything to the contrary. That within the knowledge of this deponant The said John H. & Martha Foster lived in the capacity of man & wife up to the death of John H. Foster, which this deponant knows did happen & she believes it has been about 38 or forty years since. And Since the death of John H. Foster his widow Martha Foster has lived & is now living a widow
Mary Wingfield
Sworn & subscribed before me this 8th day of January 1845
Lewis S. Brown J.I.C.
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Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

[Stamp]
FREE
Page 16

Chouse Walton Co Ger Jany 26 1845

Sir
The matter of Martha Fosters application for pension should have been attended to sooner but for my absence from the Country. I hope This will not prejudice The application, Inclosed is your letter of the 24 Oct last and The Testimony referred by it. I also send Martha Fosters pension for the pension to which she may be entitled to from 1845 to the present date as I am advised she will only draw it to 1843 under The Pehhen in your office, If There should be any informality in This plan advise me how I am to proceed in order to obtain her pension up to this time.
Respectfully Your
Obt Srvt
J. H. Foster

J L Edwards Esqr
Washington City }
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State of Georgia
Wilkes County} Personally came John Petters before me A. S. Wingfield a Justice of the Inferior Court in & for said County who being first Sworn deposeth & saith that he is sixty two (62) years of age. That as far as he can recollect back he recollects knowing & advising John Hardin Foster & his Wife Martha Foster She living together in the capacity of husband & wife & that he can & does not recollect distinctly [illegible] which transpired before the year 1794 Seventeen hundred & ninety four, & that the said John H. Foster & Martha Foster were living as husband & wife [illegible] he first knew. From which first acquaintance of them this deponent knows they lived together up to the death of the said John H. Foster, which to the best of deponants knowledge happened bout the year 1805 or 1806. This deponent never heard or advised anything to the contrary, but has always believed they were husband & wife. That since the death of the said John H. the said Martha Foster has lived & is now living a widow
John Petters
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 4th day of January 1845.
A. S. Wingfield J.I.C.
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Georgia
Wilkes County} I Royland Beasley Clerk of the Inferior Court for said County do hereby Certify that Archibald S Wingfield whose official attestation appears to the within affidavit is an acting Justice of the Inferior Court in and for said County and that full credit should be given to all his official acts as such.
Given under my hand and seal of Office this 10th day of January 1845. -
Royland Beasley Clk IC
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9044
Georgia
Martha Foster widow of John H Foster who was a pensioner under the Act of ~ and who died on the 18 May 1801 of _____ in the State of Geo. who was an Ensign in the Co commanded by Captain _______ of the _________ commanded by ________ in the Revo. War line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 240 Dollars ~ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day Feby 45 and Sent to Hon Howel Cobb
H Reps
Total amount, $________
[Act July 7, 1838
Recorded by F. L. Swann, Cler
Book D. Vol. 1 Page 319
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No. 6953
Martha Foster
act  3 Mar '43
Ga

$240.00

act. "44 No '411.
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State of Georgia
Walton County} Personally appeared before me Henry E. Haralson a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Milner Echols of said County who first being in due form of law Sworn deposeth and saith that he is now a resident of said County and State, that he is Seventy two years old that he became acquainted with John H. Foster deceased formerly of Wilkes County and Husband of Martha Foster the present applicant for Pension, in the fall of Seventeen Hundred and Eighty six, that he was frequently at the House of the said John H. from that time until his death which was some forty odd years Since, that he always saw heard and believed, that said John H. and Martha lived together as man and wife during Said period, that he lived all of said period within seven miles of the said John H. and he further says on oath, that he knew the said John H. and Martha as man and wife in the year Seventeen hundred and ninety two 
Sworn to & Subscribed before me this 27th January 1845
Milner Echols

Georgia
Walton County} I W. W. Nowell Clerk of the Inferior Court of said County do Certify that Henry E. Haralson whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit, is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and that due faith & credit ought to be had and Given to his attestation as such
Given under my hand and Seal of office this 27th day of January 1845
{W. W. Nowell Clerk
of Infr Ct Walton County
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State of Georgia
Walton County} Personally appeared before me Henry E Harralson a Justice of The peace in and for said County Martha Foster who being in due form of law sworn deposeth and saith on oath that the original record of her marriage with John H Foster on the first day of Jany seventeen hundred and eighty five in the County of Wilkes and said state is not in her power Custody or Content and that she has no means of proving her said marriage but by the Testimony of her old neighbors and friends sworn to and subscribed before me this 24 day of Jany. 1845
Martha Foster
H. E. Harralson J.P.

John H as his lawfull wife, to the eighteenth day of May eighteen hundred and one That the said John H departed his life on that day, and that since That Time she has been and still is his widow and since trust she is a resident of said County and state and that she was seventy seven years old on the thirtyeth day of May last
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day and year above written
Martha Foster
H. E. Harralson J.P.
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State of Georgia
Walton County} SS
On this the Twenty sixth day of January in the year eighteen hundred and forty five personally appeared before me Henry E Harralson a Justice of the peace in and for said County Martha Foster who being first in due form of law sworn doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of The act of Congress of the 3d of March 1843 granting pensions for one year to Certain widows wo have married pensioners under the act of Congress of 7th July 1838, to wit
That she is the widow of John H Foster an ensign in the Virginia line during the war of the revolution, that she was married to The said John H Foster on the first day of January seventeen hundred and eighty five in Wilkes Co Ga. That she lived with the said John H as his lawful wife, to the eighteenth day of May eighteen hundred and one That the said John H departed this life on that day, and that since That time she has been and still is his widow and relie trust she is a resident of said County and state and that she was seventy seven years old on the thirtyeth day of May last
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day and year above written
Martha Foster
H. E. Harralson J.P.
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14/105

O.W. File 3, 793
Widow.
Bureau of Pensions,
Office of the Commissioner,
May 2, 1906.

Mr. Bryant,
Chief O.W. & N. Division:
Kindly reply through desk if your records contain the information sought.
V. Warner.
Commissioner.
M

[Stamp]
O. W. & N. DIV.
MAY
2
1906
FILES
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6655
"Strueburgh Court"
Washington D.C.
April 30th '06
Hon. Vespasian Warner.
Dear Sir:
For the purpose of making out papers of application for membership in the "D.A.R." I desire to know the Revolutionary record of my ancestor John Foster of Virginia.
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He afterwards moved to Georgia.
I will be glad to have any proof of his service that you may be able to give.
Tradition says That he was an officer but of that I am not sure
Thanking you for any trouble you may take in my behalf.
Yours truley
Annie Foster Bowie
Mrs. S. J. Bowie
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New Albany Ind.a
April 7. 1903
OW & N
Chief of Department
Old War Records
Pension Bureau
Washington
D.C.
Dear Sir
Will you please tell me whether you have on file Records the names of Peter Greene and John Foster, Revolutionary soldier from Brunswick C Va.
and athse
Yours very truly
Miss) Mary E. Cardwill
318 E-5. St
New Albany, Ind

[Stamp]
OLD WAR & NAVY
APR 11 1903
FILES.
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[Page 1]
Apl. 18, 1903. Hist. to Mary E. Cardwill
New Albany Ind.
______________________
May 13, 1904. His to Next M. Perry
Greenville S.C. (SB
______________________
1906 May 2 History to Mrs. S. J. Bowie - Mrs Hon. Com 
336
[Page 2]
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3793
Martha Foster
Wid.
John H. Foster
Ensign Rev: War
_________
Act: Mch 3rd/43 June 17th/44
Index:-Vol. A, Page 245

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 29

No.#
331.
John H Foster
Ensign
Virginia
Good returns for
Land
W. filed I D. to David
Meriwether Esq.
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3th March 1816
Sir
John H. Foster an Ensign in the late Virginia Line makes application through me for his military donation land for his services you will find that he served to the close of the war
I am Sir
Yours &c
David Meriwether

Genl. Dearborn
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Georgia
Wilkes County} I John H Dyson Clerk of the Court of Ordinary in & for said County do hereby Certify that there is no evidence of record in my office of the Marriage of John Hardin Foster and Martha Wingfield - now Mrs. Foster, his widow
Given under my hand and the Seal of Said Court at my office in Washington this 7th day of January 1845.
John H Dyson
Clk C.O.
Georgia
Wlkes County} I Lewis S. Brown presiding Justice of the Inferior Court in & for said County, do hereby Certify - That John H Dyson who has signed the above Certificate, is the Clerk of the Court of ordinary in & for said County, and that full faith & credit is & ought to be given to all his official acts as such, and that his said Certificate is in due form and by the proper officer. -
Given under my hand & private Seal, not having an official seal. this, Seventh day of January
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Eighteen hundred and forty five (1845.
Lewis S. Brown J.I.C. {Seal}
Page 33

Pension Office
October 24th 1844.

Sir,
In the case of Martha Foster the records of this Department show that John H. Foster served more than two years as Ensign of Infantry in the Virginia Line, which will entitle her to the full pension of that grade if she shall establish by a certified copy of the marriage bond, or by the original of any family register which may show the relation of husband and wife prior to January 1794. If such grade of proof is shown to be unattainable the testimony of respectable old neighbors who may from found data be unable to prove that they knew them as husband and wife at a designated day before 1794, should be adduced.
I am, Sir,
Very respectfully,
Your Obt. Servant
J L Edwards

J. H. Foster, Esq
Munsol,
Watkin County,
Georgia
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Washington City
House of Rep. 1st Feb 1845

Sir,
Will you furnish me with the information asked for by the enclosed letter. and if the information asked for in the P.S. is not in your office, will you forward it to the proper office. accompanied by this request.
I am very Respectfully
your obdt svt
Howell Cobb

J L Edwards Esq
Com of Pen
WC
Page 35

10

Mrs Martha Foster
Monroe
Walton Co
Ga

[Stamp]
WASHINGTON
JUL
22
Ga.
Page 36

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line, during the Revolutionary War, as settled their Accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, that a Certificate issued on the 3d day of April 1783, in the name of John Foster as Ensign of Infantry - for [pound sign]75.4.0, which Certificate appears to have been delivered to himself - and was given for services prior to the 1st January 1782. 
To wit - pay as Ens in 2nd Va Regt. from 18th Feby 1781 to 31st Dec 1781 - - - -
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 9th day of July 1844.
Jas E Heath, AUDITOR.
{No Seal of Office.}

[Page 2]
Georgia
Wilkes County} This is to Certify that I knew or became acquainted with Martha Foster the applicant the year Seventeen Hundred & Eighty seven (1787) at which time she was the wife of John Hardin Foster, and that she is the widow of said John H., he having departed this life about the year Eighteen Hundred & one (1801) 
Given under my hand this thirteenth day of July 1844 - 
Mary Wingfield
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Georgia
Wilkes County} This is to Certify that I A. S. Wingfield am well acquainted with the within named Mary Wingfield whose name appears to the within Certificate, and that full faith and credit ought to be had and given to her statements within -
Given under my hand this thirteenth day of July 1844
A. S. Wingfield J.I.C.
Page 38

Georgia
Wilkes County{ A resident of said Co aged seventy
This is to Certify that I Knew or became acquainted with Martha Foster the applicant, the year Seventeen Hundred and ninety four (1794) at which time she was the wife of John Hardin Foster, and that she is the widow of said John H. he having departed this life about the year Eighteen Hundred & one (1801)
Given under my hand This nineteenth day of July 1844
John Petters

Georgia
Wilkes County} This is to Certify that I A. S. Wingfield am well acquainted with the above named John Petters whose name appears to the foregoing Certificate, and that full faith and credit ought to be had and given to his statement above -
Given under my hand this nineteenth day of July 1844
A. S. Wingfield J.I.C

Georgia
Wilkes County} I Royland Beasley Clerk of the Inferior Court of Said County do hereby Certify that Archibald S Wingfield whose Official signature appears to the above Certificate is a Justice of the Inferior Court in and for said County
Given under my hand and seal of Office this 20th day of July 1844
Royland Beasley, Clk
I. C. Wilkes Co.
Page 39

Know all men by these present that I John H Foster of the County of Wilks and state of Georgia have this day Bargained and sold and in these do bargain sell and over to David Meriwether of [illegible] county and state aforesaid all all my right title and Intent in and to One hundred & fifty acres of land due in on [illegible] my Services in the army of the United States [illegible] The command of COlo. - Fibagars - agreeable to an act of Congress, and I do moreover request order and direct Henry Knox Esquire Secretary at war for the time being or his successors to Issue to David Meriwether his heirs or assigns in his or their own name as assignee of me the said John H Foster a warrant for the land aforesaid and on receipt of the same I do hereby Satisfy and confirm any receipt or other Instrument in wrighting That he the Said David Meriwether may necessarily sign or procure to be signed to [illegible] premises aforesaid as fully as I could Do if I was present. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and seal this nineteenth Day of Decr 1795
Jn Hardin Foster {Seal}
Sealed and delivered in the presence of}
Bedfd Brown J.P.

Wilks County State of Georgia to wit
This day
Came before us Justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, And acknowledged the foregoing bargain of sale and Power of Attorney to be his hand and seal act and deed And for the purposes therein mentioned, Given under our Hands this nineteenth day of Decr 1795
Bedfd Brown, J,P-
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District of Columbia
I hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with Bedford Brown who has attested the within statement of writing and that according to my recollection and belief he was a Justice of the peace in the year 1795 at the time he attested the same. I further certify that he is a man of excellent character, & that his name is subscribed in his own hand writing
W H Crawford
22d May 1812
I further certify that the name of David Meriwether subscribed to the endorsement of the paper below is in the proper hand writing of the said Merewither
Wm H Crawford
22d, May 1812
Page 41

Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

[Stamp]
FREE
Page 42

Monroe Walton County Geo July 26 1844
J L Edwards Esqr
Sir - You will see by reference to the record (which I presume is in your office) That John H Foster as an officer in the revolution record a bounty in land from the government. Martha Foster his widow does not positively remember the number of acres in the grant, but believes them to be as stated in her application. Nor can she say positively what grade her decsd husband John H Foster held in the army, She relies upon the evidence of the grant referred to, and upon the Certificate of the Auditor of the state of Virginia to establish the fact that her deceased husband was an officer in the war of The revolution from the beginning to the end. If There is any informality in her declaration or her application in the proof of her marriage and widowhood will you be pleased Sir to advise me of it and instruct me particularly in reference to this subject
Respectfully
J. H. Foster