Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6,257, for Abner Lee, Virginia
Page 1

SERVICE      NUMBER
VA  Lee, Abner  R. 6257
Sally  B.L. Rej. 225536-1855

CONTENTS
Page 2

[Page 1 of 2 follows]
225.536 Act March 3
Dec 3

Granville & Greenwood Lee, min [indecipherable]

Abner Lee, X_'

leave. ------------
[indecipherable]
[checkmark]
Revolutionary Soldier
War 1812 [Both words crossed through]

[illegible note]

[Page 2 of 2 follows]

Rejected
[indecipherable] B. H. Baldwin Aug 7/56
" " " " July 30/58
Same Feb. 24/59
Page 3

Jackson County Tennessee Sct
        I Sally Lee of Said
County ages from my best information
about 60 years do make the following
Statement ("Viz") "I am the widow
of Abner Lee dec who in his lifetime
applied for a revolutionary pension from
this county. The sad Abner Lee died
in this county in the month of October
-ber 1852 (Eighteen Hundred and fifty-two)
leaving me his widow since which time
I have never married again but I am
still his widow. I have no record
of the date of his death.
I was married to said Abner Lee in this 
county in the month of October about 20
years ago by Thomas Hutchinson a magistrate
and my name before said marriage was
Sally Miller. I have no record of
our marriage. and leave the exact date
(even the year) to be determined by the
Public Record.
    I make this declaration for the purpose
of applying for and receiving the arrears
of pension due me as the widow of
said Abner Lee under any Act or
Page 4

Acts of Congress to the benefit of which 
I may be entitled.
    And I hereby with full power
of substitution appoint C H Barkley of
Louisville Kentucky my true said law-
-ful Attorney for me and in my name 
to prosecute Said claims.
   Witness my name and seal in
Jackson County Tennessee and this
17th day of November 1855

Attest 2 Witnesses
David Griffith
J G Cunningham
Both of Jackson County
Tennessee

Sally X Lee ["her" above X and "mark" below] [seal with initials]

Jackson County Tennessee sct
    I Ailcy Vanzant
of said county aged about 49 years
do make the following statement (Viz)
"Sally Lee who has signed the above
declaration is well known to me as
the widow of Abner Lee deceased (my father)
who in his lifetime applied from this
county for revolutionary pension
According to what I have always heard
and believed the said Abner and Sally
Page 5

were lawfully married in this county about
20 years ago and the name of said
Sally before said marriage was Sally
Milled. I was not at the wedding
but was at the [indecipherable].
   I John G Vanzant of said County aged
27 years do state that from childhood
I remembered that Mrs Sally Lee above
named was the wife of Abner Lee
above named who in his lifetime
applied from this county for a revolution-
-ary pension. According to what I have
always heard and believed said Abner
Lee was lawfully married in this
county to Mrs Sally Miller. I can just
well remember the marriage (or rather 
the time of it) During the life time
of said Abner Lee he and said
Mrs Sally Lee were reputed to be
as husband and wife up to the time
of the death of said Abner Lee said
as such they lived together except
for about two years last previous to his death
when we brought him to our house
because we could take better care of him
there than could be done at his own
residence. as he was in rather destitute
circumstances. which was the reason for
Page 6

our so doing. The said Abner
Lee died at our residence in this
county on the 6th day of October
1852 (Eighteen Hundred and fifty two)
we have no record of it but the
said John G Vanzant remembers
the date very distinctly.
The coffin was made at our house
and no record set down of it
I remember that I bought his Shroud-
-ing on the morning after he died.
I have this day examined my account 
in the entry on the merchants book
and find the articles therefor charged
to me under date of October 7 1852
(Eighteen Hundred and fifty two)
Mrs Sally Lee above described is
still the widow of said Abner Lee
She has never married again since
his death and did this day in
our presence sign the above declaration
And we are disinterested witnesses
November the 17th 1855

Attest 2 Witnesses
David Griffith
JG Cunningham

Ailcy X ["her" above X and "mark" below] Vanzant
J[indecipherable]G Vanzant
Page 7

Jackson County Tennessee Sct
     I Sally Lee of said
county aged from my best information
about 60 years do make the following 
Statement (Viz) "About 20 years
ago I was married in this county to
Abner Lee by one Thomas Hutchinson
a justice of the peace and my name
before said marriage was Sally Miller
I have no record of our marriage.
We were married in October and 
the exact date (even the year) must
be established by the public records
   The said Abner Lee had been a
widower a few years previous to our
marriage.  His youngest child was
then grown. After our marriage
we had two children (Viz)
 I Granville Lee who is now about
18 years old past in May last on
the 4th day of the month.
I Greenwood Lee now 15 years old past
since the 1st day of October last.
These two named boys were therefore
on the 3rd day of March 1855
(Eighteen Hundred and fifty five) the
Page 8

only minor children of said Abner Lee.
Who died in this county in October 1852. My first husband John Miller
was in Service of United States War 1812
in Tennessee Militia (in Service twice)
I have applied for benefit of Bounty
Land Act of March 1855 as having 
formerly been his widow and hereby
renounce any claims for such as the
widow of above named Abner Lee
    My application for Bounty land was
made through Pleasant Witcher of 
Tompkinsville Kentucky.
     There has never been any
guardian appointed for the above
named minor children of said
Abner Lee.
   I have made this declaration as the
next friend of said Granville Lee
and Greenwood Lee for the purpose
of receiving for their due benefit
of the Bounty Land Act of
Congress approved March 3rd 1855
    Witness my name and seal
on this 17th day of November 1855

Attest 2 Witnesses
David Griffith
J G Cunningham

Sally X ["her" above X and "mark" below] Lee
Page 9

Jackson County Tennessee Sct
    I Ailcy Vanzant of
Said County aged about 49 years do make
the following statement (Viz)
   "I am the daughter of the foregoing
described Abner Lee by his first wife
The said Abner Lee and Ms Saller Miller
were as I believe lawfully married in
this county about 20 years ago.
I was not present at the wedding but
was at the [indecipherable]. After they
were married the had two children
only Viz Granville Lee and Greenwood
Lee both of whom are still under
Twenty one years of age and who
were on the 3rd day of March last
the only minor children of said Abner
Lee. as his youngest child at the
time when he married said Ms Miller
was grown. The said Abner Lee
died in this County in October 1852.
     I John G Vanzant of said county of
Jackson do make the following Statement
I am about 27 years old and was
well acquainted with Abner Lee above
named and also with his last wife
who was a widow Miller when he
Page 10

married her which according to what
I have always heard and believed was
in this county about 20 years ago
The youngest child of said Abner
Lee was then Grown.
After he married said Mrs Miller
they had only two children (Viz)
Granville Lee and Greenwood Lee
both of whom are still under
Twenty one years of age. and were
on the 3rd day of March last the
only minor children of said Abner
Lee.
   Mrs Sally Miller now Mrs Sally Lee
above described is now the widow of
said Abner Lee and did this day
in our presence sign and acknowledge
the foregoing declaration.
And we are disinterested 
witnesses our names this 17th
day of November 1855

Attest 2 Witnesses
to both Signatures
David Griffith
J G Cunningham
Both of Jackson County Tennessee

Ailcy X ["her" above X and "mark" below] Vanzant
JG VanZandt
Page 11

No 3/189
Abner Lees
[indecipherable]
Doclaration for
a Pentsion
Page 12

State of Tennessee}
Jackson County}
February term of Jackson County
Court 1846

On this 2nd day of February 1846 [indecipherable] appeared
in open court before the Court of Jackson County
main setting Abner Lee a resident of the fourth
Court District in Jackson County and State
of Tennessee aged 86 years who he is 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 7th of 1832
That he entered the service of the United
States as a private under the following named
officer and served or hearin after stated
That he was drafted in 1780 and enterd the servis
in September of that year under Collonels
Campbell, Cleaveland and Seveer and Major
Edmonson, and Capt Culluck That he was
in the battle of Kings Mountain
to fight the royals under General Ferguson
That he marched through Virginia North
Carolina South Carolina and East Tennessee
under [indecipherable] Campbell and Capt Culluck
and was honorably discharged in April 1785
That he has no documentary evidence and that he
knowns of no person whose testimony he can pro
cure who can testify to his service
He  hearby relinquishes every claim whatever to
pension or annuity except [illegible, smudged]
Page 13

declares that his name is not on the pension roll
of the agency of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid
Abner X ["his" above X and "mark" below] Lee [seal drawn]

Mr John B Sanders a clergyman residing in the
4th court District of Jackson County and
Francis A Stone residing in the same hearby [indecipherable]
that we are well acquainted with Abner Lee
who has subscribed and Sworn to the above
declaration that we believe him to be eighty
six years of age, that he is reported and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we
concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed this day and year
aforesaid
John B Sanders
Francis A Stone

And the said court do hearby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter
and after putting the interrogatories presented
by the War Department that the above named
app[indecipherable] was a revolutionary soldier and
served as he states And the court further
certifies that it appears to them that John B
Sanders who has signed the preceding certificate
is a clergyman resident as above stated and
that Francis A Stone is a credible person
and that their statement is [indecipherable]
Lawrence M Anderson Ch
Page 14

I Sampson W Cassity Clerk of the Court
of Jackson County do hearby
certify that the foregoing contains the origi
nal proceedings of the Said Court in the
matter of the application of Abner Lee
for a pension
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my
hand and Seal of Office this 2d day of
February 1846

Sampson W Cassity
Clerk Jackson County
Page 15

Where and in what year were you born
Answer
I was born in North Carolina in the
year 1760
Have you any record of your
age
Answer I have none
Where were you living when called
into service
Answer in Washington County in
Virginia
Where have you lived since the
Revolutionary War
Answer in Virginia part of the
time and in Tennessee the [indecipherable]
of the time except one year in
Illinois
Where do you now live
Answer in Jackson County Tennessee
How were you called in to
service, were you drafted did you
volunteer or were you a substitute
Answer I was drafted
State the names of some of the
[word marked out][indecipherable] officers who were
with the [indecipherable] where you served
Such continental and [indecipherable]
regiment as you can recalled-
and the general [indecipherable] times of
your servis
Answer Collonel WM Campbell Cleaveland
and Seveer I cannot recall the
names of the regiments I marched
from Virginia
Page 16

to Wattauga river and there joined
the troops under Colonel Seveer
and marched from there across the
mountain and joined Col Cleaveland
and proceeded to South Carolina as fast
as we could and from there we went
to Virginia
Did you ever receive a discharge
from the service and if so by whom
was it given and what has become 
of it
Answer I received a discharge in
1783 and kept it with my brother
in Virginia who is now dead and 
my discharge is lost I cannot
remember from where I received
my discharge but I know that
I did get one
State the names of some persons
to whom you are known in your
present neighborhood who can
testify as to your caracter [indecipherable]
[indecipherable] and then [indecipherable] on
your service as a Soldier in
the Revolution
Answer Francis A Stone John
B Sanders, Samuel De Whit
John Dixon David Griffing
Page 17

Abner Lee
___________________
Act 1832 -----[indecipherable]
________        ___________
Page 18

State of Tennessee
County of Jackson

Be it known, that on this 24th day of March A.D. 1853 before me, the under-
signed, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Alsy VanZandt
resident of North Springs in said County, and made oath according to law that she is the legal
heir of Abner Lee who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of
the Pension Act of _________
That she is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or ar-
guments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.

Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint SAMUEL M. KNIGHT, of
Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of Abner Lee for
any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or doc-
uments in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive
for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issues for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D.C. Agency;
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present.
Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
Alsy X ["her" above X and "mark" below] VanZandt

Sworn to, Subscribed, and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I beleive the said
Alsy VanZandt to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party
therein alleged.

Alexander Clark [drawn seal]
JP for Jackson County

State of Tennessee
County of Jackson

It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clark of the Court of Jackson
County that Alsy VanZandt the party who has sworn to, and
acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, is the heir at law aforesaid. I further certify,
that I Alexander Clark Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and
acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be
genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office,
this thirtyeth day of May 1853
Sampson W. Cassitty Clerk
___________________________________
1 Claimant's name or names in full 2. Post Office address
3. "That he is the identical man" or "that she is the widow of the identical man," or "that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c.
4. Leave this line blank 5. "He is," "she is," or "they are." 6. Revolutionary soldier's full name 7. Claimant's signature  8. Claimants name 9. Magistrate's signature.
10. "Identical," "widow of," or "child of," 11. Magistrate's name" 12. Clerk's signature

N.B.-Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.
Page 19

July 2, 1940.

T.L. Lee  BA-J/ILL
Sparta  Abner Lee
Tennessee.  R. 6257

Dear Sir: 
   Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Abner Lee and Jesse Lee, both
of whom served from Virginia.

   A search of the Revolutionary War records of this office
has been made and no claim for pension or bounty land found, based
upon service of a Jesse Lee. The data which follow were obtained
from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 6257, based upon service
of Abner lee in that war.

   Abner Lee was born in the year 1760 in North Carolina;
the exact date and place of his birth were not given, nor the names
of his parents. At the time of the Revolutionary War, he resided
in Washington County, Virginia; he resided in that state after the 
war, move thence to Tennessee and resided until 1846, with the
exception of one year when he lived in Illinois.

   Abner Lee applied February 2, 1846, while a resident of
Jackson County, Tennessee, for the pension which might have been
due under the Act of June 7, 1832 on account of his service in the
Revolutionary War. He stated then that he enlisted in Washington
County, Virginia, in September before the battle of King's Mountain,
that he served in Captain McCulloch's Virginia company under Colonel
Campbell in that battle, that his captain was killed while going up
the hill, that he continued to serve under Colonels Lincoln and Sevier
until the May following, that he enlisted in 1781 and served five
months as private in Captain Henry's Virginia company against the 
Cherokee Indians on the frontier, and that he was discharged from
service in April 1783, having served more than one year.

   His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish

[Administrative note on document, not legible]
Page 20

proof of the alleged service as required by the pension law 
under which he applied.

   Abner Lee died October 7, 1852 at the home of his daughter,
Alsy or Ailcy Va Zandt, in Jackson County, Tennesseee; he had been
at her home for about two years. This daughter was aged about forty-
nine years in 1855; the name of her mother was not given, nor the
name of her husband designated.

   Abner Lee married September 12, 1835, in Jackson County,
Sally Miller. In 1855, she was a resident of Jackson County, Tennes-
see, aged sixty years; the date and place of birth and the names
of parents were not given. Said Sally Lee, soldier's widow, was living
there in November 1855.

   In 1855, the soldier's grandson, John G. Van Zandt, was aged twenty seven years; he lived with his mother at the time of the
soldier's death.

   In 1851, Isaiah Van Zandt, a clergyman, resided in Jackson
County, Tennessee, and made affidavit regarding Abner Lee; no relation-
ship between him and the soldier's daughter was stated.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.

2.
Page 21

[text crossed out]
REJECTED [stamp]

6257
P.O.
Sally Lee
Service:
Enlisted:____,18
Discharged:___, 18

Application filed: ____, 18

Alleges: _____
_____
Re-enlisted: _____
_____

Attorney: ____
P.O. _____
_____
___Recognized, ____Contrac
___Cert. of Dis.  Searched for ____, 18
Page 22

1939-April 20- Sent to Mrs. J. Porter
Hines - ILL.
1940- July 3- Hist. to T. L. Lee
Page 23

Washington Dec. 21. 1855

Hon J Minot
Court of Pensions

Sir. I beg leave to file
herewith the declaration and proof of marriage
of Sally Lee [underlined], widow of Abner Lee[underlined] of
Tennesee whose Claim for Pension under
the Act June 7. 1832 is Suspended

Respectfully
Benj H Baldwin
Page 24

[postal info on left side difficult to transcribe]
Hon. G.C. Whiting
Court of Pensions
Washington DC

Additional}
Enclosure}
Page 25

[following in left margin, vertical orientation]
Sow: atty: case
Abner Lee dec

Tenn

[horizontal orientation follows]

Hon L. P. Waldo.
Court of Pensions
Pension Office.
Page 26

[Following is text on left side in vertical orientation]
Sow: atty: case
Abner Lee dec

Tenn
[horiztonal text orientation follows]

Hon L. P. Waldo
Court of Pensions
Pension Office
Page 27

House of Rep
Jany 20th 1850

Sir
I enclose herewith declaration of Abner
Lee for Pension together with the letter
of his Attorney James A Spurlock
I am [indecipherable]
John H Savage

J A Heath Esq
Court of Pensions
Page 28

[Page 1 of 2]
No 37189
Abner Lee
Tn
Hon. A. Calhoun 26 Feb/46
J. H. Savage [indecipherable] 30
1851
To J. A. Spurlock Aug 30/57/
Same Dec 31 1852
 S. M. Knight Aug 22/53
(This letter refers to several
cases-requests further evidencein
each one.)

Act 7 June 1832

[Page 2 of 2]

8. Oct 1852
Page 29

J. A. Spurlock
Decr 31/52
Page 30

199
Pension Office
Dec 31 1852

Sir
   In 1846 Abner Lee swore that he was
drafted in 1780 in the militia service and
was not discharged until 1783. He was then informed that no militia men ever per-
formed any such service. In 1851, he swore
that in 1780, he was drafted for six months
and hired a substitute and that he again
was drafted and served over eight-months.
He has not proved and service and the
office can not tell which statement to
believe. You must file a Power of At-
torney if you wish to prosecute the claim,

J. A. Spurlock
Gainsboro
Tenn
Page 31

Pension Office
February 26, 1846

Sir,
   I have the honor to inform you that the
application of Abner Lee for a pension has been
examined and his papers filed under the act of 7
June 1832
   Claimant alleges that he was drafted
in September 1780 and served under Colonels
Campbell, Cleveland and Sevier, and Capt Cul
-lock, and was honorably discharged in 1783. Those officers 
belonged to the militia who servd in way of short du
-ration, and the fact of selling up a claim for a
continuous service for 3 years under them, shewn such
a total ignorance of the known course of that service as
with calculating to discredit the entire statement.
   Before this claim can be allowed applicant
must make an amended declaration in which he
must set forth clearly the time of his entering the service
and the time and manner of his leaving the same, with
the names of the company and field office with whom he
served in each tour. Which must be sustained
by the testimony of two or more credible witnesses who
had a personal knowledge of his service.
Page 32

I enclose herewith [indecipherable][indecipherable]
for the guidance of Mr. Lee in the further prosecution of
his claim, should he deem it necessary to do so. The
requisitions contained in these instructions must be completed
with every essential particular.

[signature on right aligned vertically]
Hon A. Cullom
Feb 26. '46

[text aligned horizontally]
Hon A Cullom
House of Reps

[indecipherable]the Law
Act 7 June 1837
[indecipherable]
Page 33

House of Reps
17th February 1846

Sir
Enclosed is the declaration of Abner Lee for
a pension will you cause the same to be
examined and allowed if properly made out
if not inform me of the defects accompanied
with suitable forms very Respectfully
your obt svnt
Abdullow

Col J L Edwards
Court of Pensions
Page 34

Pension Office
July 3d 1858

Sir
   In reply to your letter of the 22d
April last, you are informed that
a warrant for 160 acres paid Feb 29th
1858 to Mrs. Sally Lee. I even sent
to the [indecipherable] of W.P. Witcher. Esq.
Tompkinsville, Ky.
Yours Respectfully,
John Cobb
[indecipherable]Commissioner. 


Benj H Baldwin, Esq
Ticonderoga, NY
Page 35

[postage stamp and info top left]
Hon. G.C. Whiting
Court of Pensions
Washington DC

Additional}
Evidence}
Page 36

[postage stamp and info in top left]
Hon. G.C. Whiting
Court of Pensions
Washington DC

Additional}
Evidence}
Page 37

Ticonderoga NY
Jany. 27, 1859

Hon G.C Whiting
Court of Pensions
    Sir I beg to call up
the Bounty land application of Granville &
Greenwood Lee (Minor children of Abner
Lee deceased) No 225.536. Act of March 3d/56.
Said claim was suspended to await
the decision in the case of Sally Lee
former widow of John Miller (who applied
in the right of Miller, and which if rejected
would place said widow in a position to claim
for the service of Abner Lee.
By your letter of July 3d 1858 herewith enclosed
it would appear that a warrant was
issued to Sally Lee upon her application
in the right of her former husband Miller. 
Whereby the right of the above
minors of Abner Lee would now seem to be perfect for their fathers service
Respectfully
Benj H Baldwin
Page 38

Minor children of
Abner Lee of Ky
Claim rejected
Widow living &
has app. as widow Miller
Page 39

Pension Office.
August 7, 1856
Sir:
    The application in behalf of Granville
and Greenwood Lee, the surviving minor children of Abner
Lee, deceased, late a Revolutionary soldier for bounty land under the act of March 3d, 1855 has been examined.
    The declaration in this case is made by Salle Lee, the widow
of Abnel, and mother of these minor children. The widow of Abner
being alive, the minor children are not embraced by the provisions
of the act. The widow alone, while she lives, is entitled to the land, and if she should fail to obtain the land on her applicantion
as the former widow of John Miller, her right as the widow of Lee would still be in reserve for her benefit.
    This claim, No 225.536, is rejected.

I am, very respectfully,
Your obt Sevt
C.H. Rhett
[indecipherable] Commisioner.

Benjn H. Baldwin, Esq.
Present
Page 40

Ganesborough Tenn. January 8th 1851.
Dear Sir
    Enclosed you will find the papers of
Abner Lee a citizen of Lunnings Creek in application
for a Pension. This old man is beyond dispute a sol
-dier of the Revolution. He is about 94 or 5 years of
age and there is not a man in his neighborhood
who would refuse to swear that they would be
-live his statements and that they believe was a
soldier of the Revolution. I request that you log
his claim before the pension Department as soon as
you can and let me know what they think of his
claim if they want more proof as to reputation
&c I can send the affidavit of too men that
they believe he is a soldier of the Revolution
Both preachers and good citizens. Mr VanZandt
is a preacher and you are well acquainted with
 De Whitt & [indecipherable] to I suppose. I can corroborate
their statements by any number of men
I wish you to log the matter before the pension
Department and write Back to me immediately
whether there is any chance of success or that
His neighborhood find much interested and de
sire to show immediately. Mr Lee was once a
man of property but during forty years of old
age it has left. I also can prove that another
soldier [indecipherable] that Lee served eight months
at Kings Mountain.. There is no potential [indecipherable]
here. [indecipherable] I [indecipherable] will appease you [indecipherable]
[indecipherable]. The soldiers deserve every [indecipherable] that
Congress will grant them [indecipherable] to sell [indecipherable]
warrants. They sell [indecipherable][indecipherable] at [indecipherable]sworn
[indecipherable] prices and they prefer ten dollars to
Page 41

to a paper that is worthless to them [indecipherable] they would
sacrifice farms & stock and in their old age settle
on 80 acres of unclaimed land. Congress has con
-ferred no favor on them and the way it stands
the senate will get no thanks from them unless 
they authorize them to sell their warrants
[indecipherable] on [indecipherable] [indecipherable] [indecipherable] who have sold 80 acre
warrants for $10 who will stand to this. [indecipherable]
others want me to locate and sell their warrants
the way it now stands Congress had better re
peal what they swore done. 2 [indecipherable] for
90 soldiers who I prosecuted claims for not
one of them [indecipherable] what complains

Hon John Savage}
Washington}

Yours in Haste
James A Spurlock

N.B Write to me soon as you can.

[text follows is upside down]
Hon. John H Savage
Washington D.C.
Page 42

[indecipherable]

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Official Business

[much mirrored text likely from first page which bled onto this before dried]
Page 43

Gainesboro Tennessee Aug 17th 1852
Dear Sir
Abner Lee is desirous to know what are the defects of his claim to a Pension as a Revolutionary Soldier - His claim was forwarded to your office in January 1852 and he cannot learn the defects. The department on former inquiry informed me that Hon John H. Savage was notified of the defects and stated they could not hold correspondence with two agents at the same time: I then endeavoured to get your letter from Mr Savage but he lives in another County and will not give any answer about it. So the old man or his agent cannot get any satisfaction about unless you will write to me or him. I think under these circumstances you will notify him (Mr Lee) or myself what has been done with his claim: Mr. Lee says he can proove on making inquiry that he done the service in his declaration stated if necessary, and you will please notify him or myself at this place of the defects of his claim if it is not too much Trouble as it is the only way he can obtain satisfaction about it
Yours Truly
Jas. A. Spurlock
Gainsboro
Tenn.

Comm. Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Page 44

June 4th. 1857
Re: to claim
of Abner Lee
Jas. A. Spinlock
Gainesboro
Ten

Gainesboro Ten} Free
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
official Business} D.C.
Page 45

Gainesboro Tenn May 24th 1851
Dear Sir 
I sent to your Office by the hands 
of our Congressman John H. Savage the claim 
of Abner Lee for a pension for Revolutionary 
services. I have never heard a word from it 
I sent in the claim in January last and 
am led to believe that you have never received 
it or have filed it among land claims 
Abn Lee is very old and infirm and if he is entitled 
to anything we would like to know 
He can offer additional proof of his services 
Judge Wm. B. Campbell has frequently heard his 
Grandfather say that this same Abner Lee
was at the Battle of Kings Mountain, and he 
can prove by others that Mr Crabtree a Revolutionary 
soldier offered to prove his services 
for him but Lee was then in fine circumstances 
and would not apply. Besides he can 
prove by any number of citizens that he has 
been always held and reported to have been 
a Soldier of the Revolution. So you will please 
give him opportunity to make additional proof
if any be necessary before you reject his 
claim. I also sent to your office 60 claims
for land warrants all in one package but have 
not received but 7 of them and the claimants 
will employ another person to obtain their 
warrants if I do not get them shortly 
They all wish them to be assignable.  you will 
please let me know if the claim for a pension 
by Mr Abner Lee has been received if so  at 
what time will it be attended to.
Yours &c
James A. Spurlock
Attorney for A.  Lee
Page 46

No. 6,190
Sally Lee
Widow of Abner
Tennessee
6357
3 Feby 1853

225536 See Reg No 78825. AW 160 acres. No 77729
Page 47

Sally Lee, Widow of 
Abner Lee dc
Probate of case
Revolutionary
Substituted Attorney at
Washington D.C.
[illegible] H. Baldwin

Attorney
CH Baskley
Louisville
Kentucky
Page 48

Washington City
June 9th. 1853
Hon L P Waldo
Comr of Pensions
Sir
I have the honor to enclose herewith a power of attorney executed by the heirs of Abner Lee. decd. of the State of Tenn. whose claim  under act of July 7th. 1832. has been suspended.
I hope to be enabled to file additional evidence in the case sufficient to enable me to establish the claim before it comes up for examination
Very Respectfully
Your Obdt. Ser.
S. M. Knight
Page 49

Ticonderoga NY. Apl 22/58

Hon. George. C. Whiting
Comr of Pensions
Sir, I beg to Call your attention to the Bounty Land application of the Minor Children of Abner Lee act March 3d 1855. No 225,536. and ask if the widow of Said Abner Lee has had bounty Land allowed her as the former widow of John Miller. as per your letter in the Case herewith enclosed. If Said Mrs Lee's Claim as widow of John Miller has been rejected then I ask that a Warrant may be issued to her in virtue of the Services of her husband Abner Lee ~
Respectfully
Benj H Baldwin
Page 50

B. H. Baldwin
Present.
1853) January 8, 1856.
Page 51

Pension Office
Jany 8 1836

Sir
The application of Sally Lee widow of Abner of Tenn has been filed under the Act of Feby 3 1853-
There is no proof of her husband's service on file.
1853/

B H Baldwin Esq
Present
Page 52

April 20, 1939.

Mrs. J. Porter Hines
1337 Park Street
Bowling Green, Kentucky.

BA-J/ILL
Abner Lee
R. 6257

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of William Lee, born about 1735 or 1740 and died in 1810 in Russell County, Virginia, and Abner
Lee of Virginia.

There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War of the William Lee cited by you. The claim for pension has been found of only one Abner Lee of Virginia; his record is furnished you herewith as found in pension claim, R. 6257.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 53

April 20, 1939,

Mrs. J. Porter Hines
1837 Park Street
Bowling Green, Kentucky.

BA-J/ILL
Abner Lee
R. 6357

Dear Madam:

The data which follow are shown in the papers on file in pension claim, R. 6257, based upon service of Abner Lee in the Revolutionary War.

Abner Lee was born in the year 1760, in North Carolina; the names of his parents and the exact place of his birth are not shown. At the time of the Revolutionary War, he lived in
Washington County, Virginia; he lived in that state after the war, moved thence to Tennessee, where he resided until 1846 except for one year, when he lived in Illinois.

Abner Lee applied February 2, 1846, while a resident of Jackson County, Tennessee, for the pension which might have been due on account of his service in the Revolutionary War. He stated then that he enlisted in Washington County, Virginia, in September before the battle of King's Mountain, that he served in Captain McCulloch's Virginia company under Colonel Campbell in that battle, that his captain was killed while going up the hill, that he continued to serve under Colonels Lincoln and Sevier until the May following, that he enlisted in 1781 and served five months as private in Captain Henry's Virginia company against the the Cherokee Indians on the frontier, and that he was discharged from service in April 1783, having served more than one year.

His claim for pension was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of the alleged service as required by the pension laws under which he applied.

Abner Lee died October 7, 1852, at the home of his daughter, Alsy or Ailcy Van Zandt, in Jackson County, Tennessee; he had been at
Page 54

her home for about two years. This daughter gave her age in 1855, as forty-nine years, but did not state the name of her mother, nor designate the name of her husband.

Abner Lee married September 12, 1835, in Jackson County, Tennessee, Sally Miller. In 1855, she (Sally Lee) gave her age as about sixty years, but did not state the date and place of her birth nor the names of her parents.

In 1855, the soldier's grandson, John G. Van Zandt, was aged twenty-seven years; he lived with his mother at the time of the soldier's death.

In 1851, Isaiah Van Zandt, a clergyman, resided in Jackson County, Tennessee, and made affidavit regarding Abner Lee; no relationship between him and the soldier's daughter was stated.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
Page 55

I.L.L.
Sparta b, Tenn.
May 20, I940

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Ref. Jessie and Abner Lee
War record, Revolution

Gentleman:
I desire the war record of Jessie Lee [clerk note: Jesse], who served in the Revolution in the second Virginia State Regiment. Also of Abner Lee, who servedin the Revolution in the Virginia State Regiment.

Thanking you in advance, I am,
Yours very truly
T.L.Lee
[signed] T. L. Lee
Sparta, Tennessee

[stamp]
RECEIVED MAY 23 1940
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. SUB.
READER #5
Page 56

Veterans Bureau:-
Washington D.C.
I have just had the opportunity of seeing a copy of John H. Grathway, Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, Soldiers, Sailors & Marines -
1775 - 1783 - published 1938 Richmond Va. Among the names mentioned I find two of my ancestors, First William Lee born around 1735 or 1740 - died 1810 - Russell Co. Va - I have a copy of his will, Wife named Sarah. He is my great great great grand father.
Page 57

Second, Abner Lee his son is mentioned. Abner married Franky McFarland
Will you please send me a record of their service I enclose you a stamped envelope [clerk note: ret. Feb. 28] for your convenience in answering
Mrs J. Porter Hines
1337 Park St.
Bowling Green
Kentucky -

[stamp]
RECEIVED FEB 27 1939
READER #47
Page 58

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS
Veterans Bureau
Washington
D.C.

[stamp 1]
BOWLING GREEN KY
MAR 27 1939 7 PM

[stamp 2]
RECEIVED MAR 29 1939
Page 59

I am anxious to know what you found of William & Abner Lee -
File reference "BA-G" -
Thanking you very much
Mrs J. Porter Hines
1337 Park St.
Bowling Green
Kentucky

[clerk note]
Rev. & 1812
Feb 28 - 39
H
Page 60

Jackson County Tennessee Sct
Be it known that on this 17th day of November 1855 before me justice of the peace in and for said County personally came Mrs Sally Lee who is well known to me, and she did sign and Swear to the foregoing annexed declaration of this date ascribed to her I believe her to be of the age that She calls herself - and I certify that I am disinterested - At the same time also came Mrs Ailcy Vanzant and her son John G Vanzant, both of whom are well known to me as persons of good reputation for truth and veracity, whom I believe to be disinterested and of the respective ages that they call themselves and they did sign and swear to the foregoing annexed joint affidavit of this date ascribed to t hem
And I certify that Said Statements and my acquaintance with the parties and the reputation of the case are satisfactory evidence to me that Abner Lee a reputed revolutionary soldier of the Service of the United States who in
Page 61

his lifetime claimed a revolutionary pension from this county, departed this life in this county on the 6th day of October 1852 (Eighteen Hundred and fifty two) leaving Mrs Sally Lee his widow who still Survives him and still remains his widow and now resides in this County - and she is the identical person above named
David Griffith {JPeace}

Jackson County Tennessee Sct
I Sampson W. Cassitty Clerk of the County Court in and for Said County do certify, that David Griffith whose genuine signature appears to the above certificate, was at the date thereof an acting justice of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified.
I further certify that it appears from the records of my office that Abner Lee was married to Sally Miller on the 12th day of September 1835 as appears by the return of Thomas D. Hutchinson a justice of the peace
Page 62

I further certify that at the County Court in and for said County held this day at the Court House thereof in the town of Gainesboro the foregoing statements were submitted to Said Court and duly examined -
And I further certify that Said statements and the reputation of this case and of the above named affiants and my acquaintance with them and their reputation, are satisfactory evidence in the County Court aforesaid that Aner Lee, a reputed revolutionary Soldier of the Service of the United States who, in his lifetime applied for a revolutionary pension from this County departed this life in this County on the 6th day of October 1852 (Eighteen Hundred and fifty two) leaving Mrs Sally Lee his widow who still Survives him and still remains his widow and now resides in this County, and made the foregoing annexed declaration before David Griffith November 17th 1855
Page 63

Witness my name and official Seal at my office in Gainesboro, on this 2nd day of December 1855
S. W. Cassitty Clerk
Page 64

Granville Lee and Greenwood Lee
Minor children of
Abner Lee
By Sally Lee
next friend
Bounty Land claim
Act March 3rd 1855
225.536
Abner Lee was in the Revolution - Va Mill at Battle of Kings Mountain
See his pension papers suspended case. act 1832, Tenn

Attorney
Benj H Baldwin
Washington
DC

C H Barkley,
Louisville,
Kentucky
Page 65

Jackson County Tennessee Sct
Be it known that on this 17th day of November 1855 before me a justice of the peace in and for said County personally came Mrs Sally Lee to me well known and she did Sign and Swear to the foregoing annexed declaration of this date ascribed to her I believe her to be of the age that She calls herself - And I certify that I am disinterested -
At the same time also came Mrs Ailcy Vanzant and John G Vanzandt both well known to me as persons of good reputation for truth and veracity, whom I believe to be disinterested and of the respective ages that they call themselves, and they did Sign and Swear to the foregoing annexed declaration or affidavit - And I certify that from my acquaintance with the parties, their reputation, and above named Statements I am fully satisfied that Granville Lee and Greenwood Lee as described above were on the 3rd day of March 1855 (Eighteen Hundred and fifty five) the only minor children of Abner Lee
Page 66

deceased late of this County a reputed soldier of the service of the United States of the War of the Revolution; and who in his lifetime applied for a Revolutionary pension from this County
Witness my official Signature 
hereto Subscribed, September over erased and October interlined before signing Word "in this County in October 1852" were interlined before Signing
David Griffith J.P. {Seal}

Jackson County Tennessee Ssct
I Sampson W Cassitty Clerk of the County Court in and for Said County do certify that David Griffith whose genuine signature appears to the above certificate was at the date thereof an acting justice of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified,
I further Certify that it appears from the records of my office that Abner Lee was married to Sally Miller on the 12th day of September 1835 (Eighteen Hundred and thirty five by Thomas D Hutchinson a justice of the peace
Witness my name and official seal at my office in Gainesboro.
on this 19th November 1855
S. W. Cassitty Clerk
Page 67

State of Tennessee} Be it Remembered That on
County of Jackson} this the sixth day of January One Thousand Eight hundred and fifty one Personally appeared before the County Court of Jackson County State of Tennessee in Open Court at the January session Thereof Abner Lee aged about ninety five years a Resident of Jackson County Tennessee civil District No 4. thereof who being first duly sworn according to Law on his oath Doth make the following Declaration in Order to Obtain the Benefit of an act of Congress passed June the seventh A.D. 1832.
He declares that He the said Abner Lee entered the service of the United States in the War of the Revolution under the following named officers and served as herein after stated as set forth
I the said Abner Lee was drafted to serve for six months against the British and Hired a Substitute who went and served a tour in my place for six months. He was at Saint Claires defeat from my best information and was Honorably discharged as I believe I paid him to serve this tour.
I Abner Lee was also Draughted in the County of Washington and State of Virginia to serve for the tour of five Six months I went myself & served for eight months and fifteen or twenty days. The Captain who Commanded the Company was named McCullough to the Best of my Recollection. I was a Private in his Company and Marched from Washington County Virginia across the head Waters of Holstein River into North Carolina We also Crossed Broad River and in the line of March we fell in or was placed under Command of Colonel Campbell and marched on to the Battle of Kings Mountain; When we arrived at Kings Mountain Our Captain was shot while going up the hill and died and we were Commanded by another officer whose name I cannot Remember: We fought this Battle and then turned our course some time afterwards for Home I was Drafted about the first day of September Previous to the Battle of Kings Mountain and was in the month of May afterwards Honorably Discharged near Home in Washington County Virginia. The following are some of the officers who fought in said Battle and who was Commanding at the time I served as above stated. Colonel Campbell. Colonel Sever and Colonel Lincoln
Page 68

There was also a Major by the name of Edmondson - The three Colonels he understood cast lots for the Command of the Battle and Campbell puld Chief Command in the Battle = The Company in which I served was of the Virginia Militia: We were footmen and was armed with Rifles mostly but had muskets & shot guns generally as we owned them before we started. I Anber Lee further state that from extreme Old age and from bodily infirmity and loss of memory I cannot recollect all of the officers names and detail every circumstance of the Campaign through which I served. I lived on the frontier and marched throughout crossed Holstein River and the Blue Ridge in a frontier Country. at what places I cannot Remember. Neither Can I Remember dates or names: I have not any documentary evidence to establish my claim neither do I know of any living witness who can testify to my claim. I served in the same Company and at the same time that ____ Crabtree served: but he is now dead and I know of no other person who served with me that is living. If there is any Regular Officer in the army where I served I do not know it I moved from Virginia to this State and County about or upwards of sixty years ago and have not heard of my [illegible]mates for any years except Crabtree who also came here and received his pension: Again When the Cherokee Indians became hostile to the frontiers of Georgia & North Carolina I was drafted in Washington County I think in the year A.D. 1781 to serve for three months and did serve for three months in the Company Commanded by Captain Henry: We marched along the frontier to the Cherokee Nation and guarded the frontier of Georgia & North Carolina for some time at Fort Henry on some River the name of which I forget. I was called to serve only three months and had to serve five months from the time I was drafted until I got my discharge. We had no battle in this tour but Remain on the frontier until we returned home if I was commanded by any superior officer I do not Recollect his name. The fort took its name after our Captain: And the whole time of my service in the Revolutionary war was upwards of twelve months besides the tour that I hired a Substitute to serve in my place but from
Page 69

loss of memory I cannot state all the Circumstances attending my services: but Refer to my neighbors where I have lived for sixty years to state my former assertions, and the belief of the Community in which I reside Relative to my services as a Revolutionary soldier - I further state that when able to work I was a man of means sufficient to subsist on plentifully and thought I would never apply for a pension - but old age has disabled me so I now ask the favor of a Pension for my services which is now needful to my support - I served as a Private in Both the tours 2 served and never received any pay from the Government for either of the tours
He hereby Relinquishes every Claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and Declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State or Territory
Abner x his mark Lee
Sworn to and Subscribed before me in open
Court this day & year aforesaid
David Griffith {J.P.}
for said County of Jackson.

We Isaah Van Zandt a clergyman residing in Jackson County state of Tennessee and Allen W D.Whitt and William P Witcher Residing in the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted and have been for many years well acquainted with the said Abner Lee who has made subscribed and sworn to the above declaration That we believe him to be upwards of ninety years of age That He is Reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and that we believe he served as stated in his said Declaration: His remarks relative to the time places and nature of his said services have always been the same and he is a man of good character for truth and Honesty and was never needy until now being reduced by advanced old age 
A W. DeWhitt
Isaiah Van Zandt
Wm P Witcher
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court
before me This day and year aforesaid
David Griffith {J P}
for Jackson County Tennessee
Page 70

And the said Court do hereby declare that they are of Opinion after the Investigation of the matter and of 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 Isaiah Van Zandt who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman residing in Jackson County State of Tennessee and that Allen W DeWhitt and _____ are both credible and their statement is entitled to full credit

I Sampson W Cassitty Clerk of the County Court of Jackson County State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original Proceedings of the said court in the matter of application of the said Abner Lee for a Pension and that David Griffith whose signature appears officially to the affidavits of the said Abner Lee Isaiah Van Zandt Allen W DeWhitt and ________ is and was at the time of signing the same and of the swearing of the said persons an acting Justice of the Peace for and within the said County of Jackson State of Tennessee and a member of this Court duly authorized Commissioned and empowered to administer oaths and that his signatures are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at office this 6th day of January 1851
Sampson W Cassitty Clerk

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Sir you will please examine my claim to a Pension and if I am entitled you will please forward my Certificate thereto to Care of James A Spinstock at Gainesboro Tenn. Witness my hand and seal 2 month 6th 1851.
attest
Abner x his mark Lee seal
David Griffith {JP}
for said County