Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25605, for James Radford, Virginia
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Va [Virginia]
NUMBER
W. 25605
B.L.W.C. 61317-160-55
Radford, James
Franklin, Hannah
Former widow
CONTENTS
Page 2

Declaration for Widows Pension
State of Illinois Pension
Williamson County 
On this day of January 11th
A.D. 1854 personally appeared before the H.F. Williford
a justice of the peace in and for said County
duly authorized by law to administer oaths for general
purposes Hannah Franklin aged sixty four years who first
being duly sworn according to law says on her oath and
makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of Congress passed the 3rd day of February
A.D. 1853 as a supplimental [supplemental] to the act of the 22nd
February A.D. 1848 granting pensions to certain Widows
who were married to Revolutionary officers or Soldiers
whose marriage took place after the year 1800 as well as
those whose marriage took place before the first day of January
1794 and says on her oath that she was married to
James Radford in Cumberland in the State of Kentucky
by a justice of the peace named John Sugars that her name
prior to her marriage with said James Radford was Hannah
Wilson that she was married to said James Radford or
about the last day of August of the first of September A.D.
1830 that her said Husband James Radford drew a
Pension. The Amount for annum she has forgotten at
Frankfort in the State of Kentucky that her said husband
James Radford died on or about March
1836 in 
Cumberland County in the State of Kentucky and that
she is the identical woman who drew the residue of
her said husbands pension That she again Married
to and George Franklin in Williamson County in the
State of Illinois and that her last husband George Franklin
died on the 23rd day of December 1846 in said County of
Williamson in the State of Illinois that she has remained
a widow [illegible] since that period and is now a widow
Page 3

that she has no record proof of her marriage with her
said husband either public or private (JC) of her said
husband James Radford aforesaid therefore she deposed
on the proof hereunto annexed for proof of Marriage
and the Pension Roll of Kentucky for proof of her
said husband drawing a pension Sworn to and
subscribed the day and date first above written
before me
Henry F. Williford JP
Hannah Franklin her mark

State of Illinois
Williamson County J H. F. Williford
a Justice of
the peace in and for said County duly authorized by
law to administer oaths do hereby certify that Hannah
Franklin the subscriber to the above declaration was
duly sworn according to law and did subscribed her
name and that she is a woman of good character and
of sound mind and I further certify that she is personally
known to and and is unable to attend Court in consequence 
of old age and bodily infirmity given under
my hand as justice of the peace this 11th day of January
AD. 1854,
Harry F. Williford JP

State of Illinois
Williamson County ⎬ 
On this 11th day of January A.D.
1854 personally appeared before me H.F. Williford
a justice of the peace in said County duly authorized by law to
administer oaths Elijah Creel and Temperance Creel
two highly credible witnesses who first being duly sworn
according to law say on
their oaths they are acquainted with
Hannah Franklin the subscriber to the above
declaration and the [they] were acquainted with her husband
Page 4

James Radford in Cumberland County in the State of
Kentucky that they were invited to the wedding and
they believe that her marriage with her husband took place
about August or September 1830. The reason why they remember
the date of the marriage of the above named James Radford
and new Hannah Franklin to from the age of their children
that said James Radford was reputed to be a soldier of
the revolutionary War and that he drew a pension as
such that her said husband James Ransford and Hannah
then Hannah Radford lived together till his death, which
they believed was about March 1836 that she again
Married to one George Franklin who died in the year
1846. and that she Hannah Franklin has been a widow
ever since that period and is now a widow as to the amount
of Pension per annum they have forgotten but
will remember the above facts as stated sworn to 
and subscribed the day and date first above written
Before me
Henry F. Williford JP
Elijah Creel his mark
Temperance Creel, her mark

State of Illinois
Williamson County
I, John H. White Clerk of said
County Court do hereby certify that Henry F Willard
whose genuine signature appears official to the foregoing
affidavit is and was at the date thereof an
acting Justice of the peace in and for said County
and State aforesaid duly elected commissioned
and qualified and that as such full faith
and credit are due and of right should be
given to his official acts
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of said County Court at Office in
Marion This January 14th AD 1854
John H. White Clk [clerk]
Page 5

Pension Claim under
act Congress June 1832
Free

J.L. Edwards Commr [Commissioner]
Pensions War Dept
Washington City

[text perpendicular to address]
Aug 30
widowed
Jas Radford
Ky roll
Page 6

Pension Claim under
act Congress June 1832
Free

J.L. Edwards Commr [Commissioner]
Pensions War Dept
Washington City

[text perpendicular to address]
Aug 30
widowed
Jas Radford
Ky roll
Page 7

Burksville Ky [Kentucky] 13th 1838-
Dear Sir
I am requested by Mr W. T. Radford who
was the Committee of James Radford late as
soldier in the army the Revolution a Lunatic,
since decd [deceased] who was on the pension Roll of 
the Kentucky agency to apprise the department
of his death, and to present the claim of the
Committee, who has since the death of said
James Radford been appointed Administrator
of his Estate of Owing to the Lunacy of the old
man he had lost or mislaid his pay Cert, [certificate] and
no application was made to the Agent for any
part of his pension for say about 18 months
the Committee according to the laws of this
State Reported as a part of his Estate in his
the Committees hands the pension claim
to be disbursed by him and accordingly stand
charged of record with it, but the Committee
and Administrator has learn that since
the death of James Radford a woman who
calls her name Hannah Radford as his
widow now claims all the arrearages of
pension believe it is true they were onc [once]
lawfully married, though while the old
Page 8

man was rather in his dotage and from
the great contrast in age & she being much
Younger than him, the some two or three
years before his death, abandoned him and
took up her residence in another State
where she lived seperate [separate] and apart from
the old man until, she was brought back [by]
some of her connections since the
old mans death, to claim what she can
in the Estate of the old man not wasted
before her abandonment, and what she
might grasp in the pension way will
say nothing about the manner
the manner in which she
was living during the separation, but it may be
conjectured from her wanton abandonment
fand rom the act of Congress if she was
entitled to the arrearage her claim could
not extend farther than that proportion
of the last 6 mo pay accruing between
two last Biennial payments - presuming
it to have been regularly drawn
it is then desired to be known from
the Department to whom the arrearage
of James Radford pension is due
Page 9

and if the Administrator & heirs have a
right to receive it, say what steps will be
required, and forward the necessary
Blanks &c. It is hoped though if they
are not intitled that such a widow
in all good conscience, & regard of justice
cannot be intitled to the same, an
Answer is desired, as soon as convenient
JL Edwards
Yours &c
Hiram T. Emerson
-
PS, William T. Radford the Committee
of James Radford the Pensioner, and Admr of his
Estate, is also a son & heir, and will among
others, when necessary & required by the Department
produce full proof of heirship &c and will
wait for instructions. HTE
Page 10

See letter to Jos Ficklin Esq. May 4 1836
do. to Same & P. Agt. May 21. 1836 -
do. to H.S. Emerson Sept 2d 1836 - 

22.297
Kentucky
James Radford
of Cumberland in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the com commander
by Captain Garron of the regt commanded
by [field with symbol] in the Virginia
line for 15 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 50 Dollars [blank field] Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Oct.
1833 and Milton
King Burksville
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $125
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March $25
$150

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Danl Boyd [signature] Clerk,
Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 26
[handwritten] died June 13, 1836
see agency book
Page 11

4329
Illinois
Hannah Franklin formerly
widow of
Va James Radford
who served in the Revolutionary war
was, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 50 dollars 00
cents per annum, to commence
on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued
12th day of July 1854
and sent to
James F. Chenoweth.
Marion, Ills.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 192 Vol. A
27425
Page 12

274.257
Act Mar 3. W
May 9. 17
Hannah Franklin
James Radford, pri.
61.317 
May. 22d / 57

AD: 160 Ac, May, 21 / 57
[signature]
Revy War.
Pens. Act Feb. 3. 53-4329
Special. May 1857
J. Cole
C.C

James F. Chenowith
Marian. 
Ill.

Et. Rutty
Vol. R. 13.
Page 13

No. 22.539
James Radford
[illegible] - private
15 months $50.

a correct decision
cannot be had unless
the old declaration
be transmitted to the
Dept with this; If it has
been destroyed only 15 month as private
can be allowed
Sep 9, 33
Page 14

22.539
Kentucky Cumberland County
This day came in person before the undersigned,
a Justice of the peace in & for said County James
Radford a resident Citizen of said County &
made the following statement, Towit
That he entered the service of the United States in the
War of the Revolution from Buckingham County
Virginia in the year 1780 in the month of May of that
year as a drafted militia & served as an Orderly
Sergant under Captains Peter Garron, Wm Mayo,
Peter May & Isaac Webb at different times during
his service in Virginia & North and South Carolina, and that he
served under this engagement eleven months -
that he was at the Battle of Guilford in March 1781
and while in the South was commanded by Colo.
Faulkner. He was at Gates defeat & was there commanded
by Capt. Wm. Mayo. The troops were marched
to Virginia to the Capture of Cornwallis; and he was
again drafted as a Virginia Militia in June 1781 & served
for the full period of five months as orderly sergant
under Capts Mosely & Miller alternately, and after
the surrender of Cornwallis, he with others were
marching the prisoners to Winchester, he was taken
sick and discharged in Novr 1781. He received written
discharges for his services, the first was given him
by Capt. Isaac Webb for eleven months service and
the second discharge given him by Capt. Miller for five
months, both of which left with his mother in
Virginia - The service rendered under the last engagement
was rendered entirely within the State
of Virginia - that he served each tour with
an embodied Corps, Called into service by Competent 
authority, that he was Constantly either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time
during which the service under each engagement
was performed, he was not employed in
Civil pursuit- He further states that [illegible]
taking of Cornwallis he was commanded by
Genl. Lawson- that he was born in Powhalton
County Virginia in 1762 & that he has no record of his
age only from the information of his parents.
He lived in Buckingham Virginia, when called
Page 15

into service, lived there for some time after the close
of the War, removed to Kentucky in the year 1810
from Buckingham Va and now live in Cumberland County
Kentucky, where he has lived for the last 23 -
years. He relinquishes every claim to a pension, except the
present, redeclares that him as is not on the pension roll of any State.
that he was at each tour drafted into the
service and served his own tours
that at the surrender of Cornwallis, he recollects
have seen Genl. Washington & Lay Wayne
That as before stated he recd discharges for
his services from Captains Webb & Miller and
left with his mother in Virginia
that he is acquainted with & known by Barrett
White, Leanerias Bowman, Benjamin Brummall 
(now a pensioner) John Paul, Robert
Brummal & others who live in his neighborhood, and who can testify as to his
character for veracity, and their belief of his
services as a soldier of the revolution
Subscribed before me this 16th day of July 1833
James
Radford
John Scoll a resident Citizen of Cumberland County
Kentucky made oath to the statement following
That he was acquainted with the above named
James Radford in the Army in South Carolina
and saw him at the siege of York, but how long
he continued in service, he cannot state; that he the
said Scott is aged 70
years he saw Radford at Guilford battle
and at the Cheraw Hills in the winter of 1780
subscribed before me this 16th day of July 1833
John Scoll

Kentucky Cumberland County Set.
The above named James Radford and John Scott
who have signed the preceeding declaration and
affidavit, Came before me the undersigned
a Justice of the peace in & for said County
Page 16

and made oath that the statement contained
in their respective affidavits are true.
I further certify that there is no clergyman
living in said Radfords neighborhood, and
that said Radford & Scoll are both known to
me to be men of reputable Character, and
their statements are entitled to credit &
furthermore believe, they are of the ages they
represent themselves to be ---

Given under my hand as a Justice of the
peace in & for said County this
16th day of July
Harold P. Saufley Jpcc

Before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in
for the County of Cumberland State of Kentucky came
Charles Thurman a resident Citizen of said County
who made oath as follows towit.
that he is aged 76 years, that he is now a pensioner
of the United States & served in the revolutionary war
from the State of Virginia
that he was acquainted with the aforenamed
James Radford & saw him in service as an
Orderly Sergant in October 1781 at the Seige of York
at the Surrender of Cornwallis and he had been
in service some time previous to that period, but
he cannot say how long, neither does he know how
long said Radford remained in service after
Cornwallis was taken, sworn to and subscribed
before me this 16th
day of July 1833
And I further state, that said Charles Thurman
is a man of good repute and entitled to credit 
 and that said Radford from age & bodily infirmity,
cannot conveniently attend my Court
this 16th of July 1833
A. King Jpc
Page 17

Kentucky Cumberland County Set
I Milton King Clerk of the County Court for said County
do certify that Harold P. Saufley and Alfred King esquires
whose signatures are subscribed to the foregoing affidavits
are Justices of the peace in Commission in this County, that
their attestations are in due form of law, and their signatures
are genuine. Given under my hand and
the seal of my Office in Burksville
this 16th day of July 1833
M. King
Page 18

Bounty land Claim
State of Illinois
Williamson County on this the 25th day of April one
thousand eight hundred and fifty Seven personally appeared
Before me Joseph F Page a Justice of the peace within
and for the County and State afore Said authorized by law to
administer oaths for general perposes Hannah Franklin
aged Sixty Six years a resident of Williamson County and State 
of Illinois and after being Sworn by me according to law on
her oath Say that She is the Identical Same Hannah Franklin
Widow of George A Franklin deceased and formerelly the widow
of James Radford who was a private Soldier in the Revolutianary war
and that she is drawing a Pension at this time for the Service of
her Said husband James Radford at the rate of Fifty Dollars
per annum Commenced on the 3d of February 1853 continuary for
life or Marriage it was dated twelfth day of July 1854 as will appear
by the Records on file at Washington She further States that her
Said husband James Radford served in [caret: the Revolutianary War in Company Commanded by] Said ware above mentioned 
the term of [blank space] months and was honorable discharged as She has been
informed that Said discharge is Returned to Washington or lost
She further States that She was married to the Said James Radford
on the [blank space] day of [blank space] 18 [blank space] in in Comberlan County in the
State of Kentucky by one Mr Sugars a Justice of the Peace
and that her name before her said Marriage was
Hannah Wilburn that her Said husband James Radford
died at Comberland County State of Kentucky on or about
the [blank space] day of [blank space] 18 [blank space] and she also states that She has
no proof either private or public by which She can prove her Said
Marriage as [caret: cleary or] that of he former Declaration made in the year 1853
for the above named Pension and that She has to depend on
Said Declaration intire for proof of Service of her Said husband 
James Radford and for proof of her marriage to the Said
James Radford as that she has no other poof and that She depends
on her former proof on file in washington for proof of Service
and also for Marriage and also for death of her Said husband
James Radford She also States that She was married to George
A. Franklin on the 20th day of March 1843 by one Hezekiah
Ferrell a preacher of the gospell in Williamson County in the State
Page 19


Illinois She also States [caret: that the said George Franklin is now dead] that She is now a widow unmarried
She also States that She has drew two eighty acres land Warrant
for the Service of her husband George & Franklin which She has
legally transfered and disposed of that She cannot give the numbers
one under act September 28th 1850 the other under act of March 3d
1855  She makes this declaration for the perpose of obtaining
the Bounty land to which She may be entitled under the Severl acts
of Congress approved March 3d 1855 and other additional acts
granting Bounty land to officers and Soldiers
except that above refered to
never having received bounty land, [caret: except that above refered to] or knowing that She
was entitled for the above Service of James Radford and that She believes that
No Bounty land was ever received for the Service of her Said husband
James Radford, She hereby Constitutes and appoints
James F Chenoweth of Marian Illinois her true and lawfull attorney 
to prosecute Said claim and receive her warrant for her
to which she may be entitled
Hannah Franklin her mark

Sworn to Subscribed and acknowledged before me the day and
year first above written and on the Same day personally came before me
Thomas J Ward a resident of Williamson County in the
State above named and Cintha A. Ward a resident
of Williamson County in Said State to me known as credible
Witnesses who being duly Sworn by me declares that they are
personally acquainted with Hannah Franklin widow of George
A Franklin Dec who has made and Subscribed to the foregoing declaration they knew them in the life time of George A Franklin for
five years during that time they lived near them and they was credible
people and the Said George A. Franklin is now dead the reason they
say so each of them saw him after he was dead [caret: he died about December the 1st 1848]; and the Said Hannah 
Franklin is now a widow unmarried they know it becase she lives
near them and they believe that She is the person that She represents her
Self to be and they each of them know that She is the identical Same
Hannah Franklin widow of George A Franklin and farmerally the
widow of James Radford that is drawing a pension at the rate of
fifty dollars per annum for the above mentioned Service of her Said
husband James Radford and they sware they ar disinterested witnesses
this April the 25th 1857
Thomas J. Ward witness
Cintha A. Ware
Page 20

Sworn to and subscribed before me and I certify that I am not interested in the clarion or concerned in its preservation and that Thomas J Ward and Cintha A Ward are citizens of the county and state aforesaid and credible witnesses & I believe there statement is true from my own knowledge. Given under my hand the 25th day of April 1857
Joseph F (unintelligible) Justice of the Peace for Williamson County Illinois
(copy)
This is to certify that I did solemnly the rites of matrimony between George A Franklin and Hannah Radford on the 20th This just given under my hand and seal this 24 March 1843
(signed) Hezechiah Herrell M.S.

State of Illinois
Williamson County
I John M White Clerk of said county court do certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the certificate of the marriage of George A Franklin and Hannah Radford as appears to us of record.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said county court at my office in Marien this April 28 1857
John White
Page 21

State of Illinois,
Williamson County. 
SS.
I, John W. While, Clerk of said County Court do hereby certify that
Joseph F Page whose genuine signiture appears officially to
the foregoing certificate is and was at the date
thereof an acting Justice of the Peace within and for the county and
State aforesaid, duly elected, commissioned, and sworn as such.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my
name and affixed the seal of said County Court at my office in Marion
this 28th day of April A.D. 1857
John H While Clerk.
Page 22

No 22537
James Radford
R

B [torn page] ville
Milton C [torn page] Clerk
C [torn page] Count
[torn page] cky
Page 23

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
April 15th 1883

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which [torn page] before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will show what [torn page]
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the service of James Radford Cumberland Co Kenty

Period when the service was rendered.
Drafted He entered the service in the
in the year of Gen Gates defeat
and left in the year of the 
surrender of Cornwallis

Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. 
Capt Garron Muyste

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. 
Col Falkner
Gen Lawson

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Gates defeat
Siege of York

Country through which he marched.
SC

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Aged 71
Buckingham Co VA

Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Living
Wudchony

Was in the service about 15 months in all


I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 24

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, 
make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of 
County of [blank space]
ss.
On this [blank space] day of [blank space] personally appeared (a) before [blank space] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank space] in the county of [blank space] and State, Territory or District of [blank space] aged (c) [blank space] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion [provision] made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank space], with [blank space] and served in the [blank space] (e) regiment of the [blank space] 
line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he enered [entered] the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, 
and the country through which he marched. [hand symbol with finger pointing right] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of [blank space]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
Ands the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank space] of the Court of [blank space] 
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank space] for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank space]
day of [blank space] &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank space] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank space], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank space] 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.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. [blank space] who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank space] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank space] 
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, [blank space] Clerk of the Court of [blank space] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation [application] of [blank space] for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank space] of office, this [blank space] day of [blank space] &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 25

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there
subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given what has become of it?
6. To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, a [torn page]
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character
and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the
proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to
perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[THE FOLLOWING (e) IS {BRACKETED} FOR MORE INFORMATION NECESSARY] [e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less that the periods mentioned below, and 
in the following grades: --For-----year-----months, and --------- days, I served as a -----; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid recording to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is 
too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[THE FOLLOWING (i) IS {BRACKETED} FOR MORE INFORMATION NECESSARY] [i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal
of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
[THE FOLLOWING "Mode of authenticating papers" IS {BRACKETED} FOR MORE INFORMATION NECESSARY] Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon
in the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[Image of hand point right] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by the note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[THE FOLLOWING (m) IS {BRACKETED} FOR MORE INFORMATION NECESSARY] [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Dyer Castor
Ex Clerk
Page 26

Know all men by these presents that we James
Radford, and Adam Short are held and
firmly bound, unto the Commonwealth of
Kentucky in the Sum of Fifty dollars
the payment of which well and truly to
be made we bind ourselves & our heirs
jointly and severally firmly by these presents
this 24th day of April 1830

the condition of the above
Obligation is such that Whereas a Marriage
is intended to be solemnized between
said Radford and Susannah Wilbourn
now if thare [there] should be no lawful curse
to obstruct the sum then this Obligation
to be void else to remain in full force
M King Clk

James Radford 
Adam Short

State of Kentucky
Cumberland County ⎬ SS

I James Haggard Clerk of the County
Court for said County that the foregoing
marrige [marriage] bind of James Radford is a
true Copy from the Original now
On file in my office and I further Certify that I have
Carefully examined my Office for the License & Certificate
of marriage of the said Radford and
am not able to find either on file
In testimony whereof I have hereto
set my hand and affixed my official seal at Burkskille by this May
the 2nd. 1834 Jas Haggard Clk
Page 27

Kentucky
Cumberland County SS
This day Sanford Radford
came in person before me and made
the following statements on oath
that he is the son of James Radford
who was a Pensioner of the United States
and a Copy of whose marriage
bond appears on the preceeding page
he also states that he was personally present when the rites of Matrimony was
Solemnized between his father and
Hannah Wilbourn that they were
married by Eli Ingart Esqr a legally
authorized Justice of the Peace as
to the time he is not positive but he
thinks in the year 1830 and that they
were married in Cumberland County
Kentucky and at the dwelling
house of the aforesaid Radford
this the 2nd day of May 1834
Ben J.P.C.C
State of
Kentucky
Cumberland County SS
I James Haggard Clerk of the
County Courts for said County do certify that

those signature appears
to the foregoing certificate is now
and was at the time of Signing the same
an acting Justice of the peace
Page 28

in and for the County of Cumberland
in the State of Kentucky duly elected  
Commissioned and qualified as
such and full faith and credit
are due all his official acts as
Justice aforesaid and his signature
is Genuine
In Witness whereof I
have hereunto set my
hand and affixed
my official seal at
Burksville Ky May the
2nd 1834

Jas Haggard Clk

State of Kentucky
Cumberland County SS
John M Emerson Presiding Judge 
of the County Court for said County
do Certify that the foregoing signature 
of James Haggard attached to the
above certificate is the genuine signature
of said Haggard, and that
he is now and was at the time of
signing the same the duly elected
commissioned and quallified
Clerk of the Cumberland County
Court and full faith & credit are
due all of his Official acts as
Clerk of said Court
Given under my hand this
2nd day of May 1883.
John M Emerson PJCC
Page 29

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
MOS/HMI

James Radford
W. 25605
Rev. War.

Mrs. Edythe Rucker Whitley
1501 Paris Avenue
Nashville
Tennessee.

May 8 1930

Dear Madam:
I advise you that from the records of this bureau [handwritten -- stated it this may become some of the dates given for the death of Geo. A. Franklin were taken from Hannah Franklin's ?? for bounty land on acc. of his service in War of 1812, See bty. ld. clin., Geo A. Franklin Wt. 29054-80-55] it appears that James Radford was born in 1762 in Powhatan County, Virginia.

While a resident of Buckingham County, Virginia, he served as orderly sergeant with the Virginia troops as follows:

From May 1780 eleven months under Captains Peter Garron, William Mayo, Peter May and Isaac Webb in Colonel Faulkner's Virginia Regiment, was in the battle of Camden August 16, 1780 and the battle of Guilford; from June 1781 served alternately under Captains Mosely and Miller, was in the siege of Yorktown
and was discharged in November 1781.

He was allowed pension on his application executed July 16 1833 and was living in Cumberland County, Kentucky, having moved and there in 1810 from Buckingham County, Virginia.

He died June 13, 1836 in Cumberland County, Kentucky.

The soldier married in August or September 1830, in Cumberland County, Kentucky, Susannah or Hannah Wilbourn. She married
March 20, 1843, in Williamson County, Illinois, George A. Franklin who died in that county about December 25, 1844, December 23, 1846,
February 10, 1847, or about December 1, 1848.

Said Susannah or Hannah Franklin was allowed pension on account of the Revolutionary War service of James Radford, on her application executed January 11, 1854, at which time she was sixty-four years of age and was a resident of Williamson County, Illinois.
Page 30

James Radford had a son William L. Radford who was a resident of Burkesville, Kentucky in 1836, and a son Luford (?) Radford, who were children by a former marriage, but the name of
their mother is not given.

The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to James Redford; and the above noted is the history of the only soldier named James Radford that is
found on said records.

Very truly yours,

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 31

WIDOW, &c.

File No. 25.605
Hannah Franklin
Former Wid [widow] of
James Radford
Pri[vate] Rev[olutionary]. War
---
Act Feb 3d 53
Index: Vol. A Page 255

[Arrangement of 1870.]

1930 May 8 Hist to Mrs Edythe Rucker Whitley
W.C.S.

19 40 Apr. 16. hist. to Mr. Clayton Torrence
W.C.S.
Page 32

4.329
Illinois
Hannah Franklin formerly
widow of James Radford
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued 12th day of July, 1885 and sent to James F. Chenoweth

Marion Ills [Illinois]

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 192 Vol. ??
Page 33

James Radford Act 1932.  $50 per annum.  Died 13 June 1836.  Pd.

F. Bush
T. Sindelon
Page 34

Pension Office

7 July 1854
Sir: 

Please certify the time to which the within named pensioner was paid. or the date of his death

Very Respectfully
died 13 June 36
[signature unclear]
Commissioner

Wm. Randall
Francis Burt, Esq.
Head [??] Auditor, Treasury
Page 35

No. 5027
Illinois
-
Hannah Franklin
widow  of James Radford
---
1854 10 Feb [??] James T. Chenoweth

Act  3 Feb. 1853
Page 36

61.317
Neo. Hord [total guess]
Page 37

Hon. Losca [?] P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D. C

Jun 29
(city/state unclear) - maybe Norwalk
Page 38

Official Business
Honl Geo C Whiting
Coms of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Marion ILL
April 29
Page 39

February 7 1854
Hannah Franklin
wife of formerly
Jas. Radford
Williamson Co
Ill:
Acct
$
$50.00 per an
Com: Feby: 3 of 1853

Rev

Jas. F. Chenoweth
Marion

Department of the Interior
Pension Office, Official
Page 40

Rec W. March 36
"(unintelligible)"
Page 41

Marian Williamson County Illinois
April the 18th 1857
Gea C Whiting Esqr
Sir enclosed here who I send you the claim of Hannah Franklin for bounty land which I have no doubt will be attended too at its turn
I am yours with high regard
James F Chenoweth
To
Gea C Whiteing Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C
Page 42

(unintelligible - maybe Marion Ills)
June 21
L.P. Waldo Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C
Page 43

Marian
State of Illinois
Williamson County

Sir, [handwritten insert -- in the case of Hannah Frou] enclosed I send you of the clerk of Cumberland County Ky with a Marriage Bond between James Radford and H[annah] Wilburn with a affidavit as to the marriage which ?? with yours of 10th of February 1854 which I have ?? will be attended to at it proper time.
Yours respectfully,
James F Chenoweth

L.P. Waldo Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C
Page 44

I John Lelf of the county of Cumberland State of Kentucky do on oath certify I that was well acquainted with James Radford in Buckingham County Virginia. I do certify that I was with James Radford at the siege of York and know of his being there during the siege. J Radford was also in the army to the south but how long I am unable to state.

Sworn to and subscribed in open court.

I John Scott do on oath state that the above certificate comprises what I knew of the service of James Radford.

Sworn to in open court.

John Scott 
X this is my mark
1832 Septr term
Cumberland County Court
Page 45

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Comm Pensions
Washington City
Page 46

Lexington Ky 12th May 1836
Sir
I now send you the pension papers of J. Radford & C. Thurman, each (unintelligible) the proof required by the papers enclosed your letter to me of the 4th last. This agent here and myself concluded as the application by the Pensioners had been delayed by order of suspension from the war Department for 2 years that the usual additional proof is all now required. The subject is (unintelligible - sent?) to you.
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Joseph Franklin
J.L Edward, Eq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 47

ans. 4. May 1836
free
J L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington City

May 3
Cha Hannah 330
J Radford 22297
Ken roll
Page 48

ans. 4. May 1836
free
J L Edwards Esq.
Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington City

May 3
Cha Hannah 330
J Radford 22297
Ken roll
Page 49

Lexington Ky
26 April 1836
---
Dear Sir
I have a power of attorney for
Drawing the pensions of Charles Thurman
& James Radford of Cumberland 
Co Ky from March 4th 1834
to March 4th 1836. These pensions
have been suspended by order
of your department & lately [illegible - lifted>]
but the agent can not pay as they
are both for 2 years without
orders from you
Respectfully
your obt servant
Joseph Fraklin
Page 50

Breif in the case of Hannah Franklin formerly widow of Jas: Radford. Williamson County and State of Ill. 
act 3. Feby: 1853.

Claim, ("original," or "for increase.") [strikethrough "or "for increase.""]
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of
7" June 1832.

Record evidence of marriage.

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Jas F. Chenoweth, Esqr.
Marion, Ill.
Name and residence of Agent
Marion
Ill.
"Boytis" 
Examining Clerk.
Page 51

No. [illegible]
Illinois
Hannah Franklin
Act 3 feb 1833
Page 52

officiel business
Free

L.P. Waldo Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City. D. C.

Marion Ill
Jany 16
Hannah Franklin
22297
Boynti A [illegible]
Feb 6/54 Received
Page 53

January the 14th 1854 Marian
State of Illinois
Williamson County
Sir enclosed I end you
the claim of Mrs. Hannah Franklin of
this County for your consideration which
Will I have no doubt be duly attended
to at its proper time
Yours,
Obt Serent
James F Chenoweth

L P Waldo Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City. D. C
Page 54

[stamp; black ink; numbers 1-12 around circumference; reads "RECEIVED
DEC 4 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV
Reader No. 7
VETS ADM"]

Decr 2, 1939

Commissioner of Pensions,
Pension Bureau,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, DC.

Dear Sir:
The Report of the Secretary of War, 1835,
Pensioners Volume 3, page 86 (under 
Kentucky ) gives:
James RADFORD - Private -Virginia
Line. Placed on pension roll
Oct. 21, 1833 - aged 72 years.

I am anxious to locate original
declaration for pension of this James
Radford, and papers supporting said
claim. I am particularly anxious
to find out where this James Radford
was born, Etc.

I am writing to find out if such
papers are in your office and
if photostatic copies may be obtained
and at what price.

Thanking you for a reply, I am,
truly years.
[signature] Clayton Torrence
1702 South Road, Mt Washington
Baltimore, Maryland.
Page 55

[typed letter]
Mrs. Edythe Rucker Whitley
1501 - Paris Ave.,
Nashville, Tenn.
[stamp] G CENSUS APR 26 1930
[stamp] C [illegible] APR 36 2930
[oval stamp] REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS
SECTION
MAY 1 1930
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

[typed letter]
RE: Revolutionary War Pension
James Redford of Kentucky
Department of Pensions,
Department of Interior,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: -
Some weeks ago I wrote you regarding the Revolutionary
Pension record of James Redford, which I think is listed
in the Pensioners of 1835 or there about. Your kind reply
gave me the facts that the James Redford I was seeking who
I stated was a resident of Barren or Hart Co. Ky. was not
the same James Redford as your office had record of

Since that time I have learned that the James Redford
I seek who was a Revolutionary Soldier was not in either
of the above Counties in Ky. but came to Kentucky and
received several grants of land for his Revolutionary
Services.

I shall appreciate it very much if you will be kind
enough to supply me with a copy of the Pension record of
the James Redford on record in your office that I may
secure any aid in tracing Revolutionary records of this
family. It is possible that I may be able to secure
the exact location at death of this James Bedford in Ky.,
from these papers and in so doing be able to secure the
county in which he died.

The purpose of this investigation is to assist in
filling out a line of descent for membership in the
D.A.R's on this Redford line. Thanking you and trusting
I have not asked to [sic] much I am

Yours truly,
[signature] Mrs Edythe Rucker Whitley
Page 56

[handwritten notes at top of letter] Mrs. French said ignore his request for photos.
per another letter to him in May 1940 in files

[typed letter]

April 16, 1940

BA-J/MCS
James Radford, W.25605
George A. Franklin
B.L.Wt.29054-80-'55

Mr. Clayton Torrence
1702 South Road, Mt. Washington
Baltimore, Maryland

Dear Sir: 
Reference is made to your request for the record of James Radford, a Revolutionary War soldier who enlisted in Virginia.

The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, W. 25605, based on the Revolutionary War service of James Radford,

James Radford was born in 1762 in Powhatan County, Virginia. The names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Buckingham County, Virginia, James Radford enlisted and served as orderly sergeant with the Virginia troops as  follows: from May, 1780, served eleven months under Captains Peter Garron, William Mayo, Peter May and Isaac Webb in Colonel Faulkner's Virginia
Regiment and was in the battle of Camden on August 16, 1780, and in the battle of Guilford; from June, 1781, served alternately under Captains Mosely and Miller, was in the siege of Yorktown and was discharged in November, 1781.

James Radford lived in Buckingham County, Virginia, until sometime in 1810 when he moved to Kentucky and he stated in 1833 that he had lived in Cumberland County, Kentucky for twenty-three years.

He was allowed pension on his application executed July 16, 1833, which time he was living in Cumberland County, Kentucky.

James Radford died June 13, 1836, in Cumberland County, Kentucky.
Page 57

2

James Radford married in August or September, 1830, in Cumberland
County, Kentucky, Hannah Wilbourn. A copy of the marriage bond dated April 24, 1830, and filed in the office of the clerk of the County Court of Cumberland County, Kentucky, gives the names of the contracting parties as
James and Susannah Wilbourn but all other papers in the claim show her
given name as Hannah.

Hannah Radford married in Williamson County, Illinois, March 20,
1843, George A. Franklin. It was stated that he died in that county December
23, 1846, or about December 1, 1848.

Hannah Franklin was allowed pension on account of the Revolutionary War
service of James Radford, on her application executed January 11, 1854,
at which time she was sixty-four years of age and was a resident of Williamson County, Illinois.

Hannah Franklin applied for bounty land April 25, 1857, on account
of the Revolutionary War service of James Radford and she was then living in Williamson County, Illinois. She received Warrant #61317 for 160 acres
of bounty land under the Act of March 3, 1855. For information relative to
the location of this land, it is suggested that you address The Commissioner
of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, giving the warrant number, the acreage and the act under which the warrant was issued.

James Radford had a son, William L. Radford, who was living in
Burkesville, Kentucky, in 1836, and a son, Luford (?) Radford, who were
children by a former marriage but the name of their mother is not shown.

The papers in this claim contain no further family data.
***********************************

The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the bounty land claim, Wt. 29054-80-'55, based on the War of 1812 service of George
A. Franklin.

The date and place of birth of George A. Franklin and the names of
his parents are not shown.
Page 58

3

George A. Franklin enlisted in Wilson County, Tennessee, and served from September 28, 1834, until April 27, 1815, as private in Captain Beverly Williams' Company of Tennessee Militia.

He married in Williamson County, Illinois, March 20, 1843, Hannah
Radford.

It was stated that George A. Franklin died in Williamson County, Illinois, about December 25, 1844, about December, 1846, or February 10, 1847.

On account of the War of 1812 service of George A. Franklin, his widow, Hannah Franklin, applied for bounty land March 28, 1851, at which time she was living in Williamson County, Illinois, aged sixty years. She received Warrant #33951 for 80 acres under the Act of September 28, 1850. She applied for additional bounty land April 19, 1855, while living in said county. She received Warrant #29054 for 80 acres under the Act of March 3, 1855. For information relative to the location of this land, it is suggested that you address The Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, and give the warrant numbers, the
acreage and the acts under which the warrants were issued.

The papers on file in said claim contain no further family data.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator