Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19918, for John Neil, Virginia
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
(3-1776)
SERVICE					NUMBER
Va.		Neil John			W.19918
_________	or Neal	
			Martha	

CONTENTS
[left blank]
Page 2

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
[left side of page]
Agent notified, see letter
Pen cert received for correction on
the 27 Nov 1841 & retd. corrected the
same day to R.H. Gray, Lynchbg Va.

[right side of page]
Virginia 6086
Martha Neil
widow of John Neil
Va
["who was a pensioner under the Act of" crossed out]
and who died on the --- March 1818
of Bedford Co. in the State of Virginia
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Paulding of the rgt. commanded
by ~~~~~ in the Va. State
line for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond
at the rate of 80 Dollars ----- ["Cents" crossed out] per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Increased from $64.66

Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Novr.
1841 and sent to R. H. Gray
Lynchburg. Va.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $400~
["Semi=annual allowance ending" crossed out]
Former payments to be deducted

		{Act July 7, }
		{ 1838.}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 180
Page 3

V
No 7283
Declaration and
Affts. in the case
of
Mrs. Martha Neil
Page 4

	State of Virginia
		Bedford County SS.
On this 26th day of November 1839, before me 
G Steptoe a Justice of the peace in and for 
said county, personally appeared Mrs. Martha 
Neil aged 88 years, a respectable resident 
of said County, who being first duly Sworn 
according to law, doth on her Oath make 
the following declaration, in order to 
obtain the benefit of the provision made 
by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838, 
Entitled, "An Act granting half pay and 
pensions to Certain widows'' That she is 
the widow of John Neil decd. of Said County 
who was a private in the Revolutionary war, 
That from what she could learn from her 
decd. husband Jno. Neil, he must have been 
two or three years in the service, at different 
stages of war -- that she heard him say that he 
enlisted in the early part of the Revolutionary 
war to go out against the Indians on the 
Kentucky frontiers -- and that he seved [served] 18 
or 19 months or more on said occasion -- that after 
he had returned from said Service, he the said 
Jno. Neil seved [served] one tour for his Father Zachariah 
Neil -- and one tour for her brother Alexander 
Gibbs -- but the precise time and occasion, she does 
not now recollect -- that in March 1781 he the 
Said Jno. Neil her decd. husband, was called into 
Service to go to the battle of Gilford [Guilford] with the Bed
-ford [Bedford] Malitia [Militia] -- that Jno Neil and Saml. Beard 
went into Service at the same time on said occasion 
to go to Gilford [Guilford] -- that she recollects distinctly that 
they went together on said occasion to seve [serve] said tour 
which she thinks was to be for six weeks duration 
and she the deponent further diclares [declares], that she was
Page 5

-- by the revd. Jno Holt in Said County -- 
married to the aforesaid Jno. Neil ^ on the 2nd day 
of January 1782 -- That her husband the aforesaid 
Jno. Neil died on the     day of March 1818 -- 
That she was not married to him prior to his 
leaving the service, but the marriage took place 
previous to the first day of January 1794 -- 
viz, at the time above mentioned -- as will more 
fully appear by the proof annexed -- that she the 
said Martha Neil (whose maiden name was 
Gibbs) has remained unmarried ever since the death 
of her husband the aforesaid Jno. Neil, to the present 
time -- and now claims a pension at the hand 
of the Genl. Government as the widow of Said Neil 
in consideration of Said Services --
		her mark [hand drawn +] Martha Neal [sic]
witness -- 
[signature] Ro. H Gray
NB. the words ,,by the revd. Jno. Holt in said County,, was 
in the lines before Signed by deponant [deponent]
		[signature] G Steptoe J.P.

Sworn to and Subscribed, the day and year above written
by her mark Before me --
		[signature] G. Steptoe J.P.

State of Virginia, Bedford County SS.
Q  G Steptoe a Justice of the peace in and for said 
County, do hereby Certify, that Mrs. Martha Neil who has 
this day Sworn to and Subscribed the foregoing declaration by her 
mark -- is the widow of Jno. Neil decd. of said County, who died 
on or about the    day of March 1818 -- That the said Mar
-tha [Martha] Neil, whose maiden ^ name was Gibbs -- has remained a widow 
ever since the death of her husband Jno. Neil aforesaid to the present 
time -- and is the Identical person who is now claiming a pension as 
the widow of said Neil -- and that she is too infirm to attend Court -- 
Given under my hand this 26th day of Novr. 1839
		[signature] G. Steptoe J.P.
NB the word ,,name,, in the lines before signed by me
		[signature] G. Steptoe J.P.
Page 6

V
No 7283
Declaration and
Affts in the case
of
Mrs. Martha Neil
Page 7

State of Virginia
	At a Court of Monthly Sessions held for 
	the County of Bedford at the Court 
	House thereof on the 27th day of July 
	1840

	The foregoing declaration of Mrs. Martha 
Neil for a pension together with the several cer
=tificates [certificates] of George C Steptoe, the affidavits of David 
Gibbs, Mrs Mason Robinson and John Hewitt 
the certificates of John W Holt, Wm Sissbrick Jr 
and Robert C. Steptoe and A. W. Morton 1st clk in 
the auditors office was this day produced in court 
and the same having been fully examined the pro-
-ceedings [proceedings] aforesaid had before the Justices in the 
County are hereby approved, ratified and confirmed. 
And the Court doth order that it has certified 
to the war office of the United States that 
the said George Steptoe, John W Holt 
Wm Sissbrick Jr & Robert C Steptoe are all 
Justices of the Peace in and for this County duly 
commissioned and qualified and that their 
respective signatures aforesaid are genuine & true. 
The Court also certifies that it appears to their 
satisfaction that the said Martha Neil (whose 
maiden name was Martha Gibbs) and the 
said John Neil were lawfully married in this 
County on the 2nd day of January 1782 by the 
Rev. John Holt -- then a minister of the Epis
-cipal [Episcopal] Church but now dead. then was in 
all probability a publication of the towns in as 
much as there is no evidence of the marriage 
on record in this county. The said John Neil 
was a man of respectability and standing in 
this county always regarded and praised as being
Page 8

been a soldier in the Revolutionary war and 
died in this County on the     day of March 
1818 and the said Martha has ever 
since remained his widow. The said Martha 
Neil, David Gibbs, Mason Robinson and John 
Hewitt are all residents of this County and per-
-sons [persons] of high standing and respectability and 
each of them on oath entitled to full faith 
and credit -- : from bodily infirmity the said 
Martha Neil is unable to attend Court 
in proper person. The Court further certi-
-fies [certifies] that they are satisfied that the said 
John Neil was a soldier in the revolution
-ary [revolutionary] war and served two or three years. It is 
further ordered to be certified that Major Slaugh
-ter [Slaughter] (the father of Jos. Slaughter Esqr a member 
of this Court) was in his life time a resident 
of this County living in the neighbourhood of 
New London -- and was in the habit of visiting 
the city of Richmond
	In testimony whereof I 
	Robert C Mitchell Clerk of this 
	County Court aforesaid [illegible] 
	in Court have hereto set my 
	hand and affixed the seal of 
	my office this 27th day of July 
	1840 in the 65th year of our 
	Independence.
		[signature] R. C. Mitchell CBC
		By Jno. R. Steptoe D.C.

[illegible seal affixed lower left]
Page 9

Cl [page cut off]
Referred
Page 10

Charles Neil -- 2 MS -- 15510 --
Zaph Neil -- pr  15 -- in 4
Zaph Neale  15 12 4
Neale Chs. pr 37. 1 8
McNeil State line Maj Haytle  249
Page 11

V
Virginia
Martha Neil
let. to R. H. Gray 6. Nov. 1840
same 16 January 1841

Act July 1838
Page 12

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
[left side of page]
rep

[right side of page]
6086
Virginia

Martha Neil, ~~~
widow of John Neil, decd. ~~
["who was a pensioner under the Act of" crossed out] ~~~
and who died on the ~~ March 1818 --
of Bedford Co in the State of Virginia 
who was a private in the compy commanded
by Captain Paulding of the ret commanded
by Col. ~~~ in the Virga. state
line for 19 m. & 12 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond
at the rate of 64 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of March
1841, & sent to R. H. Gray, Esqr.
Lynchburgh, Virginia

Arrears to the 4th March 1841 $323.33
["Semi=annual allowance ending" crossed out]

		{Act July 7,}
		{ 1838. }
Recorded by D.M. Curdy, Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 180.
Page 13

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
Revy. WIDOW, &c.  [initialed] OW

[page cut off] le No. 19918
Martha Neil
Widow of
John Neil
Priv. Rev. War

Act: July 7th 1838.
[page cut off] dex:—Vol. M, Page 81
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 14

$49.11.8
	20

Th. 991  0

'6/$165.17

1/2 / $82.58
Page 15

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
	This is to, Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers 
and Soldiers of the Virginia State Line, during the Revolutionary War, 
as settled their Accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, 
according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session, 1781, that a Certificate 
issued on the 8th day of April 1782, in the name of 
John Neil as a Soldier of Infantry 
for £49.11.8., which Certificate appears to have been delivered to ----- 
Majr Slaughter and was given for services prior to the 1st January, 1782.

		Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this
		30th day of September 1889.
P141. {No Seal}
	{of}
	{Office.}
		[signature] A.W. Morton, 1st. Clk Auditor absent
Page 16

State of Virginia, Bedford County S.S.
I David Saunders -- a Justice of the peace in and for said 
County -- and also a Revolutionary pensioner of the U. States -- serg 
eants [sergeants] pay. Do hereby Certify that I have been acquainted 
with Jno Neil who married Martha Gibbs -- now Martha 
Neil his present widow, for 20 or 30 years previous to his 
death -- which was 22 or 23 years ago. That said Jno. Neil 
bore the reputation of a revolutionary soldier, but do not 
recollect conversing with him in regard to the particular 
services rendered -- but have no doubt that he is the same 
man named in the certificate of Bal. of pay delivered to 
Maj Slaughter named therein -- as Slaughter and Neil 
lived in the same part of the County -- then Bedford -- near 
N. London Campbell Co -- and Slaughter having freq
uent [frequent] business in Richd. Va. it was very nattural [natural] 
that Neil should get him to draw his certificate 
of Bal of pay due him (Neil) at the close of the 
war as they were no doubt well acquainted with 
each other. That the said Martha Neil has rem-
-ained [remained] unmarried ever since her husbands death as 
aforsaid [aforesaid] and is the Identical person who is now 
claiming a pension as the widow of said Jno. Neil 
decd.
	Given under my hand & seal 
	this 18th day of November 1840
	[signature] David Saunders presiding J.P.B Court [hand drawn seal]
Page 17

7283
Martha Neil
Wid of Jno
Va
Act July 7 1838
Married 1782
died 1818
Allow. $64.66 pr
army Va State line
19 mo 12 dy private
Cap Paulding

Ro H. Gray Esq
Lynchburg
Va
Page 18

Jno Neil d 1818
Martha m. Jan 1782
18 mos. Capt Paulding
against the indians at Pt Pleasant 77 or 78
1781. 1. 12 Bat Guilford

See Neils name can be
found on the rolls
on State line roll;

Chas & Zaph
Page 19

Martha Neil
Wid of John
Va
Act July 7 1838
Increased from $64.66
to 480 per ann --
Issue new certificate
for the latter sum;
deducting the amt.
recd on first certificate

Ro H. Gray Esqr
Lynchburg
Va.
Page 20

[circular stamp upper right, "LYNCHG VA, JAN 30"]	FREE
Jno. L Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions.
Washington City

[perpendicular at left]
feb 2 1841
Va
Add pff
Martha Neal.
Page 21

	Lynchg. Jany 29. 1841
Sir,	Enclosed I send you the clerks cut -- of the bo. of Bed. 
shewing that there is no record evidence of ^ the marriage of Jno. Neil to Martha Gibbs. 
please send the Cert. on as soon as possible -- it has not arrived.
		[signature] Ro. H Gray

NB. you say that Martha Neil widow 
of Jno. Neil of the Ill. reg. is entitled to land.
	Please send me a certified extract 
of Neils services in full -- that I 
may proceed to obtain her land 
I have no other evidence than what 
is filed with Mrs Neils papers -- which 
can avail me [ink blot] -- as they 
are not under my control. 
Any information or assistance 
from you ^ as to the proper course to pursue that will enable me 
to procure Mrs Neils land, will 
be acceptable for the part of 
the claimant.
	[signature] R. H Gray

[perpendicular at left]
	6
under ch	6
		12
Mr. Robert H. Gray
Lynchburg
Va.

[circular stamp, lower left, "[illegible] JAN 28"]
Page 22

[circular stamp upper left, "LYNCHG. VA, FEB 25"]	Va.	FREE
Jas. L Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions
Washington City

[perpendicular at upper left]
feb 26. 1841
Page 23

	Lynchg. Feby. 22. 1841
Sir,
	In your letter ^ to me of the 22nd Jany 1841 
you said that Mrs Martha Neils claim 
was admitted on the 15th and that the certif
-icate [certificate] had probably reached you (me) on this 
but it has not yet ["still" crossed out] arrived -- which makes 
it necessary that I should inform you of the fact.
	I sent you on the clerks certificate of the 
county of Bedford, shewing that there 
was no return of the marriage, or marriage 
Bond ^ of Jno. Neil to be found in the office of said 
county.  Please let me know whether 
the certificate of pension has been issued 
in Martha Neils case. If so it has mis-
carried [miscarried] if not please issue it before the 
4th March, as according to the Act rule 
adopted in your office, if the issue is post-
-poned [postponed] untill after that time, it would 
not be payable untill the 4th Sept next, 
which would be a hard case.
	Yours respectfully
	[signature] Ro. H Gray
Page 24

I John R. Steptoe deputy for Robert C. Mitchell 
Clerk of the County Court of Bedford in the 
State of Virginia, do hereby certify that I 
have examined the records of said Court, and 
can find no evidence of the marriage of John 
Neal [Neil] and Martha Gibbs
	In testimony whereof I have here
=unto [hereunto] set my hand and affixed 
the seal of said Court this 27th 
day of January 1841.
	[signature] Jno. R. Steptoe D.C.

[illegible seal affixed lower left]
Page 25

Affidavit of
Mrs. Nancy Hewitt
In the case of
of [sic] Mrs Martha Neil.
Page 26

State of Virginia. Bedford County S.S.
On this 9th day of Decr. 1840, before me George Steptoe 
a Justice of the peace in and for said County, personally 
appeared Mrs. Nancy Hewitt, a respectable resident 
of said County, who being first duly sworn acc-
-ording [according] to law, doth on her oath say -- 
That she is 60 years old -- that she was well acqu
ainated [acquainted] with Jno. Neil -- who married Martha Gibbs 
now Martha Neil his present widow -- all of said 
County -- previous to his death; which was about 22 
years ago: and have frequently, from time to 
time, heard said Neil speak of his revolutionary 
Services -- and particularly of his tour of service 
out against the Indians, on the frontiers of Virginia 
and Kentucky. And she the deponant [deponent] is very 
positive, that she has heard Neil say, that he was 
in service more than two years on said occ-
-asion [occasion]. That Martha Neil aforesaid, has remained 
unmarried ever since the death of her husband 
the aforesaid Jno. Neil to the present time and 
is the Identical person who is now claiming a 
pension as the widow of the said Jno. Neil decd.
		her mark [hand drawn +] Nancy Hewitt
Sworn to and Subscribed -- by her mark -- on the day 
and year above written
	Before me
		[signature] G. Steptoe JP.
Page 27

[from underlying page, "State of Virginia Bedford County S.S."]

State of Virginia, Bedford County S.S.
On this 14th day of November 1840, before me Wm A 
White -- a Justice of the peace, in and for said 
county, personally appeared Mrs. Fanny Austin 
a respectable resident of said county, who being 
first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath 
say -- That she is 76 years old or more -- that 
she recollects distinctly, when Jno. Neil of said County 
who married Martha Gibbs (now Martha Neil) enlist 
in the old revolutionary war in said county, to go 
out against the Indians towards the Kentucky Fro [page cut off]
-tiers [Frontiers]; that the said Neil left home in the latter part 
of winter, or early part of spring: that she things h [page cut off] 
captain was named Paulding -- that Jno. Neils enlis [page cut off] 
ing and leaving home for so long, and dangerous 
a tour of service caused great greif [grief] in ["his" crossed out] his Famil [page cut off] 
That news came to Bedford of his death, but at [illegible] 
not to be so; That Zaph. Neil, and Chas. Neil, cousin [page cut off] 
of Jno Neil, also enlisted, and went into service; but 
she is inclined to think they were not in the same 
company -- for Zaph Neil told deponant [deponent] that her 
was in service three years -- and that during his 
service he was at the Battle of Brandy wine -- 
and that Chas. Neil died while in service: dep
nant [deponant] [deponent] can not say with any certainty how long Jno. Neil 
was in service out against the Indians -- which must [illegible] 
been in the early part of the war -- but would not be 
time -- but her mind is vague as to the exact time -- 
That in the latter part of the old war -- after Jno. Neil 
had retuned from the frontiers against the Indians -- he 
went to Guilford -- but did not stay more than 2 or 3 
months. And further that the said Jno. Neil one or 
two years after the close of the war, was married
Page 28

to his present widow Martha Neil in said county -- 
that deponant [deponent] herself has been married 46 or 47 years -- and 
that said Jno. Neil and his present widow Martha Neil 
was married at least 12 years before deponant [deponent] was -- and that 
said Martha Neil has remained a widow ever since 
the death of her husband the said Jno. Neil -- which was 
about 20 years ago -- to the present time. That Jno. Neil 
and Maj Slaughter lived near neighbours in Campbell 
Co. Near New London -- and was well acquainted, and 
Slaughter having frequent business in Richmond 
it was quite natural that Jno. Neil should get him 
to receive his certificate of Bal of pay due him at the 
end of the war.
		her mark [hand drawn X] Fanny Austin
witness
[signature] Moses Austine
Sworn to and subscribed -- by her mark -- on the day and year 
above written.
	Before me	[signature] Wm. A. White J.P.

State of Virginia
	Bedford County S.S.
On this 14th day of November 1840, before me Wm A 
White a Justice of the peace in and for said County 
personally appeared Mr. Richard Austin a respectable 
resident of said county, who being first duly sworn 
according to law, doth on his oath say -- that he is 83 
years old -- that he became acquainted with Jno. Neil 
who married Martha Gibbs (now Martha Neil his 
present widow) in the year 1785 or 6 -- that Neil and 
wife was considered legally married -- and lived together untill 
his death -- about 20 years ago -- and that Martha Neil has rem
-ained [remained] a widow ever since. That deponant [deponent] has frequent
-ly [frequently] heard Jno Neil aforesaid speak of his going into service 
against the Indians, out on the Frontiers of Virginia -- under 
the command (he thinks) of Capt Paulding -- under whom 
he enlisted -- how long Neil served he can not say -- but und-
-erstood [understood] he was gone a good long time -- and in all rendered

[from underlying page, "Before me     [signature] Wm Leftwich Jr J.P."]
Page 29

good deal of service -- he heard Neils Family relations 
say that news came home that Neil was dead -- (there 
being a great deal of sickness in Pauldings company) 
but it proved not true. Deponant [Deponent] says further that Jno. Neil 
could not have been in the same sevice [service] (company) with Zaph 
and Chas. Neil -- as Zaph Neil told deponant [deponent] that 
he was at the Battle of B. wine [Brandywine], which was in 1777 -- 
and that Jno. Neil about the same time must have 
been out on the frontiers against the Indians -- and 
that Chas Neil he understood died in the service. 
That Jno Neil and Maj Slaughter lived near 
neighbours together in Campbell Co. near New -- 
London -- that Slaughter had frequent business in 
Richmond -- and it was quite natural that Jno. Neil 
should get him to receive his certificate of Bal. of 
pay due him at the close of the war.
		his mark [hand drawn X] Richard Austin
witness
[signature] Moses Austin

Sworn to and subscribed -- by his mark -- on the day and 
year above written.
	Before me	[signature] WM. A White JP.

State of Virginia §
County of Bedford Set. §
	I Robert C. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court 
of said County, do hereby certify that William A. White whose name is 
annexed to the above certificates, is an acting Justice of the Peace in and 
for said County, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and 
that the said signatures purporting to be his, are genuine.
	In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my 
hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 
18th day of November one thousand eight 
hundred & forty.
	[signature] Ro.C. Mitchell Clk
	[flourish]
[illegible seal affixed lower left]

[from underlying page]
-nainted with said Slaughter. And deponant further
Page 30

State of Virginia
	Bedford County S.S.
On this 6th day of June -- 1840, before me -- 
John W. Holt a Justice of the peace in and for said 
county, personally appeared Mr. David Gibbs, a 
respectable resident of said county, who being first 
duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say;
	That he is 76 years old -- that he was well acq-
-uainted [acquainted] with John Neil of said county -- who Married 
Martha Gibbs (now Martha Neil his present widow 
ever since he was a boy) -- that he recollects distinctly 
the time that said Jno. Neil enlisted under Captain -- 
-- Paulding of the regular state line service to go out 
on the frontiers against the Indians -- and that on 
said occasion he must have served at least twelve 
months -- and a part, if not all of which time 
he thinks he was at Point Pleasant -- and in the 
year 1777 and 1778 -- he recollects when he Neil left 
home and when he returned -- and that his cousin -- 
Zaph Neil went with him. That after the Said 
Neil had returned from said Service, he served one tour 
for his Father Zachariah Neil in the lower part of 
the State -- and one tour for Alexr. Gibbs at old 
Williamsburg in Virginia, and one more tour for 
himself in 1781 at the Battle of Gilford [Guilford] -- on each 
of which three last occasions, deponant [deponent] thinks that 
said Neil served three months each tour. 
and that he recollects distinctly when Neil left 
home and when he returned from said tour to Guil
-ford [Guilford] in N. Carolina in March 1781. That depon-
-ant [deponant] [deponent] was well acquainted with Maj Slaughter 
named in the certificate of Balance of pay -- issue d
to said Jn. Neil in April 1782 -- that he lived near 
New London in (then) said County -- and that he frequ-
-ently [frequently] had business in Richmond -- and deponant [deponent] has 
no doubt on his mind, but that the aforesaid Jno. 
Neil of whose services he has been speaking -- is the 
same person named in the above certificate; that is 
issued in his name, (and delivered to Maj. Slaughter in 
April 1782) -- for £49.11.8 -- for, said Neil was well acq-
-uainted [acquainted] with said Slaughter. And deponant [deponent] further
Page 31

says that the aforesaid Jno. Neil of whose services 
he has been speaking -- after he came out of said 
service, was married to Martha Gibbs (now Martha 
Neil his present widow) in said County, by the Revd. Jno. 
Holt on the 2nd day of January 1782 -- deponant [deponent] 
himself being present at the wedding, and saw 
them married with his own eyes -- that they cont-
-inued [continued] to live together as man and wife, untill the death 
of said Jno. Neil her husband -- which was about 21 years 
ago or more -- that the said Martha Neil has rema-
-ined [remained] a widow ever since the death of her husband 
as aforesaid to the present time -- and is the Identical 
person who is now claiming a pension, as the 
widow of said Jno. Neil dec. in consideration of his 
Neils services.
		his mark [hand drawn X] David Gibbs.
witness [signature] JD Mitchell.
	[signature] John W. Holt

Sworn to and Subscribed -- by his mark -- on the day 
and year above written.
	Before me	[signature] John W. Holt J.P.
Page 32

Bedford County, Virginia to witt [sic],

On this 27 day of July 1840 before me R.C. Steptoe 
a Justice of the peace in and for Said 
county, personally appeared Mr. John Hewitt, a 
respectable resident of said county, who being first 
duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath 
say ~ That he is 63 years old -- that he became acq-
uainted [acquainted] with Jno. Neil and ["and" crossed out] his present widow 
Martha Neil (whose maiden name was Gibbs) in 
the year 1799. That they were living together as 
man and wife, and regarded by every body who knew 
them - as man and wife, -- and legally married. and 
from what he could learn they must have been 
married at least 8 or 10 years before deponant [deponent] bec-
-ame [became] personally acquainted with them. That they 
continued to live together as man and wife untill 
his death -- which was about 22 years ago. and 
that the said Martha Neil has remained a widow 
ever since to the present time. That the said John 
Neil bore the reputation of having been a 
great deal in the revolutionary War -- that deponant [deponent] 
has often heard said ^ Neil speak of his revolutionary services 
but of the precise service he cannot speak posi-
=tively [positively]. That deponant [deponent] was not acquainted with 
Maj Slaughter personally -- but that he understood 
that he Maj. or Cap. Slaughter lived near New - 
London in (then) said county, about the close of 
the revolutionary war -- and that he is no doubt 
the same person who is named "in" crossed out] in the certificate 
of balance of pay due to said Jno. Neil and deliv-
-ered [delivered] to said Slaughter in april 1782 and that 
the said Jno. ^ Neil of whom he has been speacking [speaking] -- is no doubt 
the same person named in said certificate.
		[signature] John Hewitt
The word ,,Neil,, interlined twice before signed
		[signature] R.C. Steptoe J.P.

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above 
written.
Before me		[signature] R.C. Steptoe J.P.
Page 33

State of Virginia, Bedford County to witt [sic],

On this 25 day July 1840, before me William Leftwich Jr 
a Justice of the peace in and for said county personally ap
-peared [appeared] Mrs. Mason Robinson a respectable resident of said 
county who being first duly sworn according to law, doth 
on her oath say -- That she is 75 years old, and recollects 
distinctly when Jno, Neil, who was a regular soldier in the 
revolutionary war was married to Martha Gibbs -- now Martha 
Neil his present widow -- deponant [deponent] being herself present 
and saw them married with her own eyes. That they were 
married in said county on the 2nd day of January 1782 -- by the 
Revd. Holt of the church of England -- deponant [deponent] being about 17 
years old at the time, and went with said Neil and his pres-
-ent [present] widow Martha Neil, to the parson aforesaid to see them 
married -- That said Neil and wife continued to live together as 
man and wife untill his death, which was about 22 years 
ago -- and that she the said Martha Neil has remained a widow 
ever since to the present time. and further deponant [deponent] says 
that the said Jno. Neil enlisted in the early part of the revolu-
-tionary [revolutionary] war and went out on the frontiers against the 
Indians -- but how long he served on said occasion she 
is unable to say -- but it was a long time -- she supposes at 
least two years -- for he was gone so long that his Father 
Zachariah Neil became very uneasy about him -- supposing 
that he was dead -- and that his cousins Charles and Zaph -- 
Neil went with ^ him on said occasion -- and she recollects distinctly 
when said Jno. Neil returned from said service -- for she was at the 
school-house at the time. and that after he returned from the 
Indian campaign, he went into service again on a malitia [militia] tour 
but cannot say where he went to, or how long he served. That there 
was a Mag Slaughter living in said county a few miles from 
New-London -- (and that she has no doubt but what the said 
Slaughter and Jno. Neil aforesaid was well acquainted with 
each other) about the close, or soon after the revolu
-tionary [revolutionary] war.
		her mark [hand drawn X] Mason Robinson
witness
[signature] Sparel B Wright
The word ,,him,, interlined before signed		[signature] Wm. Leftwich Jr J.P.
Sworn to and subscribed -- by her mark -- on the day and year 
above written.
	Before me		[signature] Wm. Leftwich Jr J.P.
Page 34

	Lynchburg Nov. 11 1840.
Sir,
	I recd your communication respecting 
the claims of Mrs. Jemima Rice, and Martha 
Neil, both of which I did consider so well 
established, when I sent on the papers, that I 
considered any comments as entirely useless.
	as respects Mrs. Rice -- you require a further iden
-tity [identity] of Wm Rice who performed the service, as being 
the person who married the claimant. I think sir, 
if you will review the evidence, you will find 
that the two Mr. McClanahans in Fauquier 
swore positively, that the Wm Rice who married 
Jemima Bristol -- now Jemima Rice -- was well 
known as having rendered much service as a 
regular soldier in the Rvoy. war; and that 
the said Rice some 34 or 5 years ago removed 
to the county of Bedford -- and that one of his 
^ Rices sons since married a girl at one of deponant,s [deponent's] 
houses some 25 years ago. and further we prove 
by Messr Turpin, and Davis, of Bedford that ^ the said Rice that 
removed from Fauquier some 34 years ago, had the 
reputation of being a sergeant in the regular line 
during the Revoy. war sao &c which I think is a 
sufficient Identity, without the widows decl-
-aration [declaration], which is entirely corroborated in regard 
to his being a sergeant. I am somewhat surp-
rised [surprised] at your langauge in regard to Rice,s [Rice's] being ent-
-itled [entitled] to land -- and requiring evidence to show 
what he ^ had done with it -- if he ever drew it. If I am 
not out of my senses, I am very certain that I encl-
-osed [enclosed] you record evidence ^with the papers sent from the Land office in 
Richd of William Ric.s [Rice's] having recd. his land 
warrant for 200 Acres of land as a sergeant 
in the continental line -- early perhaps after the close 
of the war. I wish you to examine the papers
Page 35

of Mrs. Rice to see if such evidence is not among the 
papers sent. If not, examine Mrs. Neils it may 
be misplaced, and put with hers -- both sets being 
prepared at the same court and sent on togegether [together] 
and should it not be with either; I must have 
lost or mislaid it; and will have to request you 
to have it replaced by application to the regis-
-ter [register] of the Land-office in Richd as there 
is not mistake about my having obtained the 
evidence from the land office -- of Rice,s [Rice's] having 
rcd his 200 acres land. as for what he did with 
it -- you are^ then too hard for me -- and as Rice himself 
is dead, we can only conjectur [conjecture] that his land went 
the way of all the rest -- that is his warrant was bought up 
by land-mongers for a mere song -- only a month 
or so ago I heard an old revo. soldier (sergeant) say 
he sold his land warrant (of 200 acres) for $10 --- 
therefore I do not think it fair to put such unnecess-
ary [unnecessary], and unanswerable questions to the parties -- as 
it would make the pension laws amount to a mere 
mockery, and no claims would ever be ["established." crossed out] ^ allowed 
no matter how well ^ sooner they might be established. 
as regards the Identity of Wm. Rice 00 I could have 
procured more evidence in P. William, and Faquier 
but I thought 2 witnesses was sufficient -- and the 2 in 
Bedford making 4 ^ I thought was as super abundance -- I am 
in hopes you will not put [cross out] ^ the parties to that trouble and 
expense unnecessarily, or I consider the claim abund-
-antly [abundantly] established.
	I also considered that Jno. Neil was sufficiently Iden
-tified [Identified] -- but can procure more evidence still, to satisfy 
you, that he is the man named in the cirtificate [certificate] 
of Bal. of pay of £49.11.8 -- delivered to Maj Slaughter, which 
of course is all that is necessary. Jno. Neil, (as the Auditor 
wrote me) is the only ^ one of ["that" crossed out] mane on either the continental 
or state line rolls -- and the certificate of Bal. of pay 
is abundantly sustained by Mrs. Mason Robinson in 
regard to the time that Neil served while out on the 
frontiers ^ in the state case -- against the Indians -- who says in her affidavits
Page 36

that Neil was at least 2 years -- if not more -- that neil,s [Neil's] 
father became uneasy, and thought that his sone was 
certainly dead, he having been gone so long, with 
-out [without] being heard from -- Neil and Maj. Slaughter 
was near neighbours, and Slaughter having frequent 
business in Richd it was very natural that he 
was selected by Neil to settle his a/c and receive 
his certificate of pay. The ^ widow and witnesses in this case 
are mostly illiterate -- but honest people -- ^ the witnesses having no 
motive to falsify -- and too, after a lapse of 60 
years, and not having the subject on their minds 
it is quite natural that the declarant, and dep-
-onants [deponents] [deponents] are not able to testify as to the full amount 
and character of Neils services; but, that he is the 
man named in the certificate of Bal. of pay there is no more 
doubt than that the sun rises and sets. as to the fact that 
Chas. and [cross out] Joh. Neils names are not on the same 
foll with Jno Neil proves nothing -- they might 
have been transferred to the continental line -- or they 
might voluntarily left the state line -- or they ^ Chas. and Zaph. [illegible] 
have enlisted originally in the Continental line in the 
same county (Bedford) and about the same time, that Jno 
Neil did in the state line -- for we know it to be 
a fact that in the early part of the war -- there wre 
recruiting officers in Bedford Co. for both the Cont. 
and state line service -- and that Jno Neil and 
his cousins might have enlisted about the same 
time, in different services and marched nest; 
or enlisted together, and afterwards & have separated either 
by compulsion or voluntarily. at all events let your 
rule stand good -- that where the record and oral evidence con-
-flict [conflict] that the record evidence ^ must govern the case -- so that take it 
either, or both by the certificate of pay or oral testimony -- 
Mrs. Robinsons testimony makes out over 2 years -- Gibbs, over 
2 years, and the widow,s [widow's] declaration over 2 years 80 d -- 
I will however add more ^ evidence to Mrs. Neils 
papers and send them on to you
		[signature] Ro. H Gray
Page 37

[circular stamp, "LYNCHG VA, NOV 12"]		18
J L Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions
Washington
	City

[perpendicular at left]
JM ab Nov 16 1840
Va

[upside down at bottom]
Neil, I imagine never recd land -- I will write to Richd to see
Page 38

NB. I wish a few lines from you -- or the certificate -- as ^ (of pension) soon as you look 
again into Mrs. Rice,s [Rice's] papers -- as I shall not deem it necessary 
to do any thing more until I here [hear] from you
		[signature] Ro. H Gray


[perpendicular at center]
[circular stamp, "LYNCHG VA, NOV 12"]		18
J L Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions
Washington
	City

[upside down at bottom]
JM ab Nov 16 1840
Va

[perpendicular at right]
Neil, I imagine never recd land -- I will write to Richd to see
Page 39

[typed form, with handwritten responses]
[typed form, with handwritten responses]
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES			Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME	 Neil, Nicholas  GRADE Private  LINE Pennsylvania

WARRANT
NUMBER 10147  ACREAGE 100  ISSUED July 27, 1789
					to Richard Platt, assignee


*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are 
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subse-
quent [subsequent] dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. 
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.