Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 18,089, for Alexander Spotswood, Virginia
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(3 - 1776)
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SERVICE
Va.

NUMBER
R. 18089
Va. Half Pay

CONTENTS
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Know all men by these presents, That I William L. M. Spotswood Executor and one of the heirs & devisees of General Alexander Spotswood deceased. 
do hereby constitute, nominate and appoint William Lambert of Richmond Va. my true and lawful Attorney, to prosecute any claims to land or money that may be due from the State of Virginia and United States, or either, on account of the revolutionary services of the said General Alexander Spotswood-; and to demand and receive from the proper offices in Richmond and Washington, any Land Warrant or Warrants so due, and to surrender them at the General Land Office, in order to obtain Certificates of Scrip in lieu thereof, which he is authorized to receive, Or if said Warrants be already surrendered, then to demand and receive the Certificates, 
If no Scrip can be obtained, he is authorized to receive the Warrants, which may have been surrendered, and to locate the same 
Said Attorney is also authorized to prosecute by suit or petition, and to demand and receive from the State of Virginia and the United States, any Half-Pay or Commutation and interest that may be due, particularly under the act of 5th July, 1832; and to substitute and appoint one or more Attorneys under him, with a general or special authority to do all he is permitted to do, and revoke the same at pleasure. I hereby ratify and confirm whatever said Attorney or his Substitutes may lawfully do in the premises.
As witness my hand and seal this 14th day of apl. 1834
Erasures before Sealing 
10th line fill and assign" William LM Spotswood SEAL.
12th line and to fill and assign the same" Executor of Alexander Spotswood SEAL.
13th "or sell" "as he may think"
14th "best"
W.J.D. (Jr) SEAL.

State of Virginia - Caroline County to wit:
This day, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace for the said County William L. M Spotswood the subscriber to the foregoing Power of Attorney, and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed. As witness my hand and seal, this 14th day of April - 1834. 
Wm. J. Dickenson SEAL.
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I John L. Pendleton Clerk of the County Court of Caroline, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, do hereby certify that William J. Dickinson, is a justice of the peace in and for the said County, duly Commissioned and qualified - And that the signature of the said William J. is his proper hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 14th April 1834
John L. Pendleton CC
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Executive Department,
Richmond March 28th 1834.
The Heirs of Alexander Spotswood are allowed Land bounty for his services as a Brigadier General in the State line from August 17. 1775 to the end of the War. The Register will issue a Warrant accordingly, if not heretofore drawn, deducting the quantity already received.
Attest. John Floyd.
Jno. B. Richardson
On the thirty first day of March 1834, a Warrant No. 7672 for 6777 1/3 acres, issued to Alexander E. Spotswood, George Spotswood, William Spotswood, Ann Taliaferro Henrietta B. Washington and Martha Ann Spotswood heirs of Alexander Spotswood.
A Copy from the Records of the Virginia Land Office
Teste,
S. H Parker Reg L. Office
25 cents Office fees
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10 Octo 1852

Relative to claim of
Col Alex. Spotswood
Rev. War
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Norfolk, Virginia
Octr. 17th 1852
Dear Sir
I saw Mr. Richard Spotswood in Washington, on last Sunday, who informed me that he had understood you to say, that, there was an amount of money in the treasury belonging to the heirs of Coln John Spotswood, if such be the fact, would you be kind enough to inform me, what course they should take to get it. I well know that my Mother and her sisters are in want of it, I hope will be a sufficient excure for my trespassing upon your valuable time
very respcty. &c
C. F. M. Spotswood
Lt. RC.S. Navy

P. S.
There are seven of the immediate heirs now alive, would a power of attorney from each of them be sufficient for their whole family, any advice Sir from you, will be greatly received, by your Obt Srvt
C. F. M. S.
To
James E. Heath Esqr
Washington
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half pay
Paid 5
Coln George Mackay
Agent for claims
City Washington
DC

20 Jany 1850
CML. Spotswood
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Orange Ct House (Jany 20th 1851)
Va
Dear sir
your letter of the 27th Sept came duly to hand, I have been quite silent as to the appointment of Mr Heath, as you requested I should be, it is no longer a secret as his appointment has been announced in the public prints, I will thank you to inform me if he has acted on our claim for half pay, if not when do you expect it will be acted upon, and after it is acted upon by the commissioner of pensions and allowed by him will it have to be acted upon by any other department before it can be presented at the Treasurer for payment, you say the claim is unquestionable before any fair and Just man, I believe Mr Heath is such and will act upon it Honorable and be accommodating to those having business at his office, I think it will be a hard case if it is not allowed taking into consideration the important services my Family on both sides (Spotswood and Washington) rendered their Country in the Revolutionary strugles for the blessings of liberty we all now Enjoy, Genl George Washington (my great uncle) gave his services up mearly asked his expenses, and many of our Family on both sides are now strugling in adversity and if our government would allow, this claim which you say is unquestionable (of course must be just) it would relieve them very much, I have heard my Father say also Judges F. T. Brooke that my Father clothed in Philadelphia compleat the whole regiment that he commanded out of his own funds, and Judge Brook said that genl. Mead said he knew of his own knowledge that he did - I asked my Father if he got reimbursed for the
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for the moneys to be paid out for the clothing of his regiment he commanded; he said no that he kept no account of it, that he was not thinking of reimbursements his thoughts were on the comfort of his new liberty and his country, at the time he done this the country was poor strugling in adversity, as his children are now strugling and now the country is rich and his children poor, I think it is as little as it could do to pay this claim which was as favourable and dearly bought by land and faithfull services from August 75 to the close or end of the war of the revolution, My Father was in the action of the great Bredger near Norfolk - in the bombardment of Norfolk in the Battle of Brandiwine and Germantown his sons have also served their country faithfully both in the army and Nave two of us were volunteers myself and George, we served part of our time in Va and part in Maryland and was in action near anapolas Maryland in the late war with great Britton and did no return from the army untill the close of the war, I suffered a good deal and would have suffered the loss of life and everything Else for my country, and now if my Country would give me the half pay so dearly bought by my Fathers services in the War of independence - I shall ever feel gratefull, and live out my days in more comfort than I do now in my old age with four children to provide for and small means to do it with that often dont allow buckle and Tongue to meat I am very Respectfully and truly yrs Wm L M Spotswood
Col George Mackay
City Washington DC (let me hear from you son as convenient)
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2
Case of
Brig. Genl. Alexander
Spotswood-
Claim of Heirs for 1/2 pay
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Dear Sir
your favr of the 10th Inst has just come to hand, which I hasten to reply to, you acknowledge the rct of two letters and other papers necessary to prepair the case for Congress and only require this pension date of my Father Alexander Spotswoods death which you wish me to send on soon as I receive your letter my Father Alexander Spotswood died on the 21st December 1818 at 12 o clock at night as is recorded in the old Family Bible as also his plusctians account for attendance on that night I am the only child living that was with and staid by him untill he Expired 2 am 
Dear sir very Respectfully your obt Servt
Dec 17th 1849 Wm L M Spotswood
Coln George Mackay
City Washington DC
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The petition of William L. M. Spotswood and others heirs of Alexander Spotswood decd. respectfully represents that on the 17th of August 1775 the said Alexander Spotswood was appointed a Major in the second Virginia Regiment as will be seen by the journal of the convention of that date, page 19 
That he was promoted to the rank of Colonel for his faithful services in the continental line, in which he continued until he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in the State line, and placed in command of the Legions raised for the defence of the State.
That in the year 1781 the Legislature passed an act reducing the Officers in the State line and consolidating, the officers & men, but expressly declared "that nothing contained in the act shall be constituted to affect the Legions under the Command of Brigadier General Spotswood" (Hennings Statutes Vol. 10th page 449) This act passed after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis.
Your petitioners further State that on the 11th of November 1782 Gen. Spotswood made a return of the state of the Legions, then under his command (see journal of the House of Delegates of that date - page 11.) And at the same session an act passed authorizing the Executive to disband the Legions provided the Soldiers would enlist in the continental line, and give up their claim to bounty, pay &c from the State (see 11th Vol. Statutes at large page 135, and journal of the Assembly of the 24th December 1782 the date of the passage of the act.)
It does not appear that the Legions were ever disbanded by the Executive, the journals (of the Executive) having been examined to ascertain the fact. But admitting that the soldiers had been disbanded the
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Officers would be supernumerary and could not be deprived of the promised bounty. The probability is, that the Soldiers did not agree to the conditions, as the Treaty of peace was known to have been signed, and was a short time after officially promulgated, when all the troops were disbanded.
It thus appears that Gen. Spotswood was in service either in the Continental or State line, from 17th August 1775 to 22nd April 1783 and was entitled to the land bounty promised a Brigadier General for that period.
Your petitioners therefore pray that it may now be granted to them, as his heirs
Wm Lambert Atty
for the Heirs

Saturday Nov.ber 29, 1777
Resolved, That the Committee appointed to repair to the Camp be instructed to intimate to Genl. Washington that Congress are not willing to accept the resignation of Colo. Spotswood
Journal of Congress
Vol. 2d. page 257.

Executive Department
Richmond Va. January 2, 1849.
I hereby certify that the foregoing are true copies of papers on file in this department
Wm H Richardson Esq Comr
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Alexander Spotswood
Will.
A Copy
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In the name of god Amen. I, Alexander Spotswood of the County of Spotsylvania and state of Virginia, now i sound health and memory do revoking all wills by me made, make and ordain this my last will & testament with my name signed at full length at the bottom of each page 
I give to my son William Lawrence McCarty Spotswood as follows, my Nottingham tract of land, containing three hundred & fifty acres be the same more or less, with all my personal property of every kind & nature whatsoever that shall be on the said farm at my death, except such legacies, as I shall leave hereafter to my other children out of such division. I also give to my said son William the ballance of my stoney point tract of land which I purchased of the late Colo Burges Ball under an act of assembly Containing four hundred acres to the same more or less, also the land I purchased of Conaways estate Containing sixty one acres be the same more or less, twenty acres of which land is held by James Dickerson but redeemable agreeable to Contract. I give my daughter Henrietta 
B. Washington
Alexander Spotswood
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the set of table spoons that I purchased at her grand mother Washingtons sale of household furniture at Popes creek, and to my daughter Martha A. Spotswood I give the small silver candle sticks with the sconces, and her maid Rachel daughter of George & Delphia & her increase. To my son George W. Spotswood I give one pair of the large silver candle sticks. I direct my hereafter named extrs to sell the land I bought of Colo. B. Ball who bought it of Shepperd containing one hundred & fifty acres & lays near George Alsays Mills Somerville & adjoining Stoney Point, to sell my highland Creek land containing two thousand six hundred sixty six and two thirds of an acre lying in the state of Kentucky to pay my son Alexander E. Spotswood of Kentucky who has all the papers and a power to sell the said land One third of the sales, to receive what monies may be decreed me on the termination of the said Backhouse & Hunter in Federal Court where I have a claim admitted by all parties, also to receive what may be decreed in such agt my guardians securities, in the Chancery Court of Richmond, these amts are certain & will give something very handsome, out of the above sales and rects of money I direct that my extrs
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pay to my daughter Henrietta B. Washington & Martha Ann Spotswood eight hundred pounds each, as well as my debts and what ballance remains.
Alexander Spotswood
I divide equally between my sons Alexander E Spotswood George Spotswood & William L. Spotswood and my daughter Ann Taliaferro Henrietta B Washington & Martha Ann Spotswood. I leave my daughter Martha Spotswood choice of rooms and furniture and direct that my son William pay forty pounds annually until she dies or marries when said annuity to cease
I leave my son George W. Spotswood & my son William Lawrence McCarty Spotswood my executors to Carry this my will into execution and that they give no security. Given under my hand and seal this third day of October 1818.
Alexander Spotswood L.D.
At a Court held for Spotsylvania County the 1st day of February 119
This paper Writing purporting to be the last Will and testament of Alexander Spotswood deceased was produced in Court and there being no subscribing
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Witnesses hereto George Hamilton and William Brook were sworn and severally deposed that they are well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Spotswood had seen him write and that they verily believe that the said writing was wholly written by the said Spotswood whereupon it is ordered that the same be recorded.  and William L. M. Spotswood one of the executors therein named. moved the court to suffer him to qualify as executor without giving security as was directed in the said Will which motion the Court overruled, and determined the said executor should give security to much be [illegible] and on the second motion of the said Williams L. M. Spotswood who made oath thereto and together with George Hamilton his security entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $20000 [illegible] as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said will in due form
Teste
Richard L. Stevenson CLC.

At a court held for Spotsylvania County the 1st day of March 1819.
On the motion of George W. Spotswood one of the executors named in the last will and testament of Alexander Spotswood decd who made oath
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thereto and entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $20,000 conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining a probat of said will in due form.
Teste
Richard L. Stevenson [illegible] 

State of Virginia
 Spotsylvania County to wit

I Richard L. Stevenson clerk of the Court of Spotsylvania County in the state aforesaid do certify that the foregoing last will and testament of Alexander Spotswood deceased with the certificates annexed is a true copy from the records of the said Courts.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this nineteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty four and of this Independence of the United States the 58th

R.L. Stevenson CC

State of Virginia
Spotsylvania County to wit
George Hamilton presiding justice of the court of Spotsylvania County in the state aforesaid do certify that the attestation hereto annexed made
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by Richard L. Stevenson Clerk of the said Court is in due form and by the proper officer 
Given under my hand and seal this 8th day of April 1834 and of the independence of the United States the 58th

George Hamilton p J (Seal)
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187 4
Gen. Spotswood's Heirs

{illegible]

Not Allowed 465.
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William L. M. Spottswood and George W. Spottswood Executors of Alexander Spottswood respectfully represent to the Honorable the secretary of the Treasury that their father and testator entered the army of the Revolution at the very commencement of the contest in 1775 with the rank of Major and served until the year 1780 with distinguished reputation in the Virginia continental line.  The State of Virginia having determined to raise troops for her own defence promoted Col. Spottswood to the rank of Brigadier General and ordered him to take command of the Legion which were then raising which he continued to command until the termination of hostilities and the acknowledgement of independence.  For proof of service to the end of the war reference is made to the acts of the Legislature of Virginia.  Hennings Statues at large Vol: 10th page 449 and Vol. 11th

page
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page 135.

For the estimation in which Genl Spottswood was held by his country reference is made to the resolution of Congress refusing to accept his resignation as a Col. in their service.

Journal of Congress Vol. 2nd page 357

They pray that the half pay promised to officers who served faithfully to the end of the war may be paid to them for the services of their testator.

Wm Lambert Atty.
for the Executor
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Executive Department,
Richmond March 28 1834.

The Heirs of Alexander Spotswood are allowed Land Bounty for his services as a Brigadier General in the State line from August 17, 1775, to the end of the war.  The Register will issue a Warrant accordingly if not heretofore drawn, deducting the quantity already received.

John Floyd

Attest 
Jno B Richardson

A Copy of a paper on file in the Virginia Land Office

Teste,
S. H. Parker Reg. L. Office

25 cents office fee
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Alex Spotswood

Brief
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Pension Office
June 12th
Gen Alexander Spotswood
Evidence - Brief
No 1 - Letter from G Mackay Atty - stating Claim
No 2 in Petition of the Heirs of A Spotswood representing that in 1775 said Spotswood was appointed a Major in the Second Va rgt (See Journal of Convention of that date p 19) that he was promoted to the rank of Col for faithful service in Continental line afterwards to the rank of Brig Genl & placed in Command of the Virginia
Also a resolution dated Nov 29th 1777 - that "Congress are not willing to accept resignation of Col Spotswood."-
A Certificate of Land Bounty to Alex Spotswood (Heirs of) "for services as a Brig Genl. in the State Line Va from Aug 17, 1775 to the end of the war"-
A Warrant (No 7672) for 6777 1/3 acres issued to Heirs-
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Extract from Journal of House of Delegates Va 11th Nov 1782   "The Speaker laid before the House a letter from General Spotswood respecting the present State of the Legions under his command''

Will of Alexander Spotswood v letter to Atty

Sec 10 Hening 449  11 Hening 135
Journal of Assembly  Dec 24 1782
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Mr. Heath
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Washington
Jany 15 1851

Sir
May I ask of you the perusal of the enclosed private letter addressed to me, and claim from you the examination of the claim of Genl. Alexander Spottswoods heirs, and your decision on the same, at your earliest convenience


The claim was filed on the 3rd of last October.

Please return the enclosed letter

& oblige Your Obdt Servt.
George Mackay
Atty
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Alexander Spotswood
Brief of Evidence
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Pension Office
June 12
Gen Alexander Spotswood
Brief of Evidence

"1" Letter from G Mackay Atty - Claiming Half Pay for services in State Line, Va, until close of war
"2" Petition of Heirs setting forth that Alexander Spotswood was appointed Major in the 2nd Va Rgt in Augt 1775 (See p 19 - Journal of Convention) - that he was promoted, to the rank of Col & afterwards to that of Brig General in the State Line & placed in Command of the "Legion"
Evidence in support of claim
Certificate of Land Bounty to Heirs of Alexander Spotswood "for services as a Brig Genl. in the State Line - Va - from Augt 17, 1775 to the end of the war"
A Warrant (No 7672) for 6777 1/3 acres issued to the Heirs of sd Spotswood - ("2")
See Journals of Cong Vol 2 p 357 - a resolution "that the Committee appointed to repair to the Comp be
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instructed to intimate to Genl Washington that Congress are not willing to accept the resignation of Col Spotswood" - date of Resol - Nov 29 - 1777 - ("2")
Also Journal of House of Delegates - Va - 11th Nov 1782 - The Speaker laid before the House a letter from Genl Spotswood respecting the present state of the Legions under his command" - ("2")
Will of Alex Spotswood ("2")
See 10th Hening 449
11 Do 135
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AW Rev. War Section.
OM
October 1, 1913.
Mr. Dandridge Spotswood.
Box 214,
Petersburg, Va.
Sir:
In reply to your letter dated the 27" and received the 29" ultimo, you are advised that it does not appear from the records of this Bureau that pension was ever allowed upon the Revolutionary War services of Colonel and General Alexander Spotswood of Virginia.
There is no provision of law which would entitle the descendants of a soldier of the Revolution or War of 1812 to pension.
 In order to identify claims for Revolutionary War pension that may have been filed on account of the services of Humphrey Edmund and Robert Brooke, it is essential that you furnish some of the following data: names of some officers under whom they served, places of residence at enlistment and after discharge, approximate dates of birth and death, given names of their widows.
Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
The Va half pay claim was not allowed either but I did not include that.
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1913. Oct. 1. Dandridge Spotswood ntfd no pensions allowed & descendants no title. AW.

No 18089
Alexander Spotswood
Gen
Va Line
Revolution
6007 REJECTED
H'f Pay - Act '32
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DANDRIDGE SPOTSWOOD, E. M.,
CONSULTING ENGINEER. see env
PETERSBURG, VA., AND NEW YORK CITY.
CODES: LIEBER AND A. B. C, Box 214
CABLE ADDRESS: CHARNAIQUA. 
PETERSBURG, VA., Sept. 27th. 191

Department of Pensions U.S. Gov't,
Washington,D.C.

Dear Sir:
I wish to enquire to whom and when was granted a pension to the heirs of Gen. Alexander Spotswood of "Nottingham House", Va. who was in active service as a Col. of the 2nd. Va. Regiment. Have you any similar record regarding Humphrey B. Brook, Edmund Brook and Robert. Brooke. There were two Humpey Brookes in the Rev. Army.The above information applies to Rev. Army participants.Thanking you in advance for a prompt reply.I beg to remain.
Yours very truly,
D Spotswood
P.S. What pension is allowed to the daughter of a Cornet in the Volunteer Service of The "War of I8I2"?
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U. S. PENSION OFFICE. D
SEP 29 1913
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B
Extract from the Journal of the House of Delegates of 11th November 1782.
The Speaker laid before the House a letter from General Spotswood respecting the present State of the Legions under his Command.

State of Virginia
City of Richmond to Wit
I George W. Munford Clerk of the House of Delegates, and Keeper of the rolls of the Commonwealth of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true extract from the Journal of the eleventh November seventeen hundred and eighty two of the House of Delegates - Given under my hand this 18th Decr. 1848.
George W. Munford, C.H.D
& Keeper of the Rolls of Va
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Washington, March 13th 1858.
Hon Geo. C. Whiting
Comr of Pensions
Sir,
As the Attorney of W. L M. Spotswood, Executor of his father Brigadier General Alexander Spotswood of the Virginia State Line, I have to request that I may be furnished with a Copy of the application which, was filed for half pay for the service of his testator, under the Act of 5th July 1832, & also copy of the letter from your Office rejecting said claim - I desire these copies to file with a petition which I design presenting in behalf of Mr. Spotswood at the present Congress-
I have the honor to remain,
Ver Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
R: T: Birchett
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State of Tennessee Before me J. S. Marbry an
Knox County acting Justice of the Peace duly Commissioned to administer Oaths for said State and County aforesaid appeared Edward Smith a Cizen of Knox County & State of Tennessee, aged about Seventy Eight years and made oath in due form of law, that he was personally acquainted with Alexander Spotswood, deceased and that he was a Brigadier General in the State Line of of Virginia of the Revolutionary War, that he knew him in actual service as a Brigadier General in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty at my Fathers House in Culpepper County after which time I myself Joined the Army and remained in actual service untill the close of the War - and the Said Brigadier General Alexander Spotswood commanded the Virginia State Line untill the close of the Revolutionary of War of my own personal Knowledge, the Said Genl Alexander Spotswood was a Citizen of Spotsylvania County of the State Virginia - as witness my hand and seal this 9th day of Jany 1833 hereof
Edward Smith x his mark seal
J. S. Marby JP
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State of Tennessee Knox County Sct.
I Charles McClung Clerk of the County Court for said County do hereby certify that J. S. Mabry Esquire, whose signature is subscribed on the opent side to the affidavit of Edward Smith is an acting Justice of the peace Authorized to administer Oaths in Said County, that his Official acts are entitled to Credit, and that his signature is genuine -
Given Under my hand
and the Seal of Office in Knoxville the 9th day of Jany 1833
Chas McClung
By his Dy
Wm Swan

I James Park chairman of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions for the County of Knox in the State of Tennessee certify that Charles McClung is clerk of said Court  that William Swan is his deputy and that the forgoing certificate of the Clerk is in due form of Law
Given under my hand at Knoxville the 9th day of January 1833
James Park
Chrman Knox Cty Court
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We the Undersigned James Anderson, John McMillan and Hugh Brown, Justices of the Quorum, Court of Knox County now in session in Knoxville, Knox County Tennessee, Certify that, we from personal acquaintance and other testimony addressed, and satisfied, that Edward Smith, aged about Seventy Seven years and by whom the within affidavit is made, is a man of veracity & entitled to Credit in any Court of Justice
Given under our hands - this 9th day of January 1833,
J. Anderson Justices
John McMillan of the
Hu. Brown Quorum
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3
Alexander Spotswood
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Genl. Spotswood
State of Kentucky
Cumberland County Sct.
Before me Alfred King a Justice of the Peace in & for said County and State, duly commissioned to administer Oaths in the State and County aforesaid, appeared John Emerson  a Citizen of the Town of Burksville, State & County aforesaid, aged eighty two years, and made Oath that he personally knew & was well acquainted with Lieutenant Colo. Alexander Spotswood of the Continental Army of the Virginia State establishment in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy seven and seventy eight - after which tour he was made a Brigadier General in the State line of Virginia - I verily believe that said Spotswood remained in the Army until the final termination of the war, having frequently heard of his being in the service, long after I saw him-
And said John Emerson further made Oath that he is the same & identical John Emerson now on the pension of the United States, as a Lieutenant of the revolutionary war, and Continental establishment -
Given under my hand this 25th day of December 1832
at Signed John Emerson seal
A. King JPCC

State of Kentucky Cumberland County Sct.
I, Milton King Clerk of the County Court for said County, do hereby Certify that Alfred King esquire, whose signature is subscribed to the above affidavit of John Emerson is an acting Justice of the peace authorized to administer
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Oaths in said County, that his Official Acts are entitled to credit and that his signature is genuine
Given under my hand and the seal of Office in Burksville, this 25th day of December 1832
M. King
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Washington
Sep. 27th 1850
Sir
I herewith submit the claim of the heirs of Brigr. Genl. Alexander Spotswood for half pay for services in the state line of Virginia until the close of the revolutionary war
The proof of his services will be found in the accompanying papers.
In reference to the fact of service to the end of the war, the Comr. will find that in Oct. 1782, the General Assembly of Virginia passed an act entitled "An Act concerning the two legions raised by the State," (Henng. Stat. Vol. 11. P. 135.) wherein will be found an authority to the Executive of Va. to disband by "proclamation" whenever it is found "necessary or expedient" From a thorough search of the Legislative proceedings no "proclamation" issued, nor can any order to that effect be found. The inference therefore is that the Executive did not find it "necessary or expedient" to disband said legions, and in corroboration thereof, we find that in a subsequent month viz: Nov. 11" the speaker laid before the House a letter "from Genl. Spottswood respecting the present state of the legions under his command" (Extract Journal Ho. Del. Nov.. 11, 1782)
The confirmation of the fact of his service to the end of the war is conclusively seen in the order of allowance of land bounty to Brig. Genl. Spotswood by the Govr. of Virginia all of which is submitted.
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The half pay is claimed up to the 20" of Dec. 1818 the day of his death as will appear by the letter of his son, and that he was alive the 3 day of Oct. 1818 is proved by an authentic copy of his last will and testament.
Respectfully &c
George Mackey
Attorney
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In the name of God Amen. I Alexander Spotswood of the County of Spotsylvania and State of Virginia, now in sound health and memory do, revoking all wills by me made - make and ordain this my last will & Testament unto my name Signed at free length at the bottom of each page. 
I give to my son William Lawrence McCurty Spotswood as follows - My Nottingham tract of land containing three hundred and fifty acres to the same more or less - with all my personal property of every kind & nature whatever that should be on the said found at my death except such legacies as I shall leave hereafter to my other children out of such devices. I also give to my said son William the balance of my Stoney point tract of land which I purchased of the late Col. Burges Ball under an act of Assembly, containing four hundred acres be the same more or less. Also the land I purchased of Conways Estate containing Sixty one acres be the same more or less, twenty acres of which land is held by James Dickerson, but [illegible] agreeable to contract - I give my daughter Henrietta B. Washington 
(signed) Alexander Spotswood.
the set of table spoons that I purchased at her grandmother Washingtons sale of household furniture at Paper Creek-
And to my daughter Martha A. Spotswood I give the small silver candle sticks with two sconces - and her maid Rachael daughter of George & Delphin, & her increase. To my son George W. Spotswood I give one pair of the large Silver candlesticks - 
I direct my business after named Exr. to sell the land I bought of Col. B. Ball who bought it of Shepperd, Containing one hundred & fifty acres [illegible] near George Alsope Miller, Somersville & adjoin Stoney point - sell my Highland Creek land, containing two thousand six hundred and sixty six and two thirds of an acre, lying in the State of Kentucky to pay my son Alexander Spotswood of Kentucky one third of the sales, who has all the papers and a power of Attorney to sell the land, one third of the sales, to review what manner may be desired and on the termination of the said Blockhouse (viz) Hunted in the
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federal Court, where I have a claim admitted by all parties also to receive what may be deemed in suit Agt. my grandson Sometime in the Cohameny Court of Richmond - these suits are certain and will give something say handsome, out of the above sales and auto. of many I direct that my exr. pay to my daughters Henrietta B. Washington & Martha Ann Spotswood Eight hundred pounds each, as well as my debts, and what balance remains.
(Signed) Alexander Spotwswood
I divide equally between my son Alexander E. Spotswood, George Spotswood William L. Spotswood and my daughters Ann Taliaferro Henrietta B. Washington & Martha Ann Spotswood, I leave my daughters Martha Spotswood choice of Rovers and furniture, and direct that my son William pay forty pounds annually until she dies or marries when said Annuity is to cease.
I leave my son George Spotswood & my son William Lawrence McCurty Spotswood my executor to carry this my will into execution, and start they give me security. Given under my hand and seal this third day of October 1818.
(Signed) Alexander Spotswood S.Do.

At a Court held for Spotsylvania County the 1st day of February 1819.
This paper waiting purporting to be the last will and testament of Alexander Spotswood deceased was produced in Court and there being no subscribing witnesses thereto, George Hamilton and William Brooks who swore and severally deposed that they were well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Spotswood had seen him write and that they verily believe that the said writing was wholly written by the said Spotswood Whereupon it is ordered that the same be reordered And William L. M. Spotswood one of the Executors therein named and moved the Court to suffer him to qualify as executor instant giving security as were directed in the said will, which
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motion the Court overruled and determined the said executor should give Security. to which he excepted, and in the second motion of the said William L. M. Spotswood who made oath thereto and together with George Hamilton his security entered into and acknowledge a bond in the penalty of $20000. Conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said Will in due form.
Teste Richard L. Stevenson C.S.C.
At a Court held for Spotsylvania County the 1st day of March 1819.
On the motion of George W. Spotswood one of the executors named in the last will and testament of Alexander Spotswood decd. who made oath thereto and and interest into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $20000. Conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said Will in due form.
Teste Richard L Stevenson C.S.C.

State of Virginia
Spotsylvania County Court Clerks Office.
I Stephenson Crutchfield Clerk of the County Court of Spotsylvania in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing writing is a true Copy of the last Will and Testament of Alexander Spotswood deceased filed among the record of of said office as fully and wholy as the same exists.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of my said Court to be hereto affixed. Done at office this 6th day of April A.D. 1850 and in the 74th year of the Commonwealth.
Steph: Crutchfield Clerk
said Court.

State of Virginia
Spotsylvania County; to wit
I George Hamilton Eldest and presiding Justice of the
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County Court of Spotsylvania in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that Stapleton Crutchfield Clerk of the County Court aforesaid whose name is signed to the foregoing certificate of Authentication is now and was at the time of signing the same the regularly elected and qualified Clerk thereupon and that the said Authentication is in due form of Law. Given under my hand and seal this 6th day of April A.D. 1850.
George Hamilton JP SS E. & P. I.S.C.C.