Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,296, Dabney Cooper, Va.
Page 1

SERVICE
Va.

Cooper, Dabney
Henrietta

NUMBER
R. 2,296
Page 2

19468
West Tennessee
[Note that the left edge of the document is missing]

Dabney Cooper
Smith Co in the State of W. T.
who was a first Segt. in the Co commanded
by Captain Seftrich of the Regt commanded
by Col Calloway in the Va
line for 13. mos private
6 mos Sergeant

Inscribed on the Roll of W. T.
at the rate of 73 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Sept
1833 and A Ferguson
Carthage

Arrears to the 4th of Sept            153.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending Mar   36.66
                                                     219.98
  ReRevolutionary Claim,
⎨Act June 7, 1832. 

Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 75

[The below is crossed out:]
about to pay
& P. Agt.
Sent letter to J.McClung
Nov. 9 1836
Page 3

Dabney Cooper
24368
Page 4


State of Tennessee ⎬ On this 4th day of December
Smith County         ⎬ personally appeared Dabney
Cooper an acting Justice of the peace for said County
before me Patrick Ferguson another of the
acting Justices of the peace for Smith County he the
said Dabney Cooper being a resident of Smith County
and State of Tennessee, who being first duly sworn
deposeth and says on his oath that he is Seventy
four years of age on the 22nd day of November last
that he was born in Virginia Albemarle County
he further under his said oath makes the
following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the act of Congress passed the the 7th June 1832
That he entered the services under the authority of
the State of Virginia as a volunteer under Captain
Wm Leftrick he marched from Bedford County Virginia
through Boutetourt to the lead mines in Montgomery County
in said State and was there stationed to guard the
mines from the British and Tories. The Lieutenant
of their company was named Jonathan Richardson
the name of the other officers not at this time recollected
This was in the month of June 1776 and continued a Six
months tour that he well recolects That their term of
Page 5

Six months service expired a short time before the Christmas
Holidays and the troops were anxious to return home in order
to spend the time with their families, that owing to
the new troops not having arrived the officers were induced
to call upon the soldiers then in service to continue
one month longer until other troops could arrive That
he with many others volunteered and staid[stayed] another
month making a seven months tour He does not
recollect that any discharges were given to any of
the company The great object was to guard the lead
mines as much lead was made, and as he believes
the army was mostly suplied[sic] from the lead that
was made there. Colonel James Callaway was
there at that time superintending the making
of lead
Shortly afterwards he thinks the year afterwards
volunteered again under Captain Henry Buford
and was in service a six months tour at the Long
Island in Holstein[Holston] river as a guard during a great
treaty with the Cherokee Indians, Thinks the command
of the Virginia troops were under Col. William Christie
There were other troops from North Carolina but
could not say under whose command. Thinks Col
Preston was engaged as an officer of troops & to
carry on the Treaty Thinks this must have happened
Page 6

in 1777 or so. Does not think that any discharges were
given Believes the volunteers generally did not demand
any Could name a great many soldiers that served at the
same time ^but most of them are dead. 
Does not recolect any of the regular troops stationed
there. Was in no engagement, he still lived in Bedford County
Virginia.  Thinks there were another Company from Pittsylvania
County commanded by William Witcher.
Again he served a third tower[tour] of six months as a 
volunteer and was stationed at the same lead mines he
served his first tower[tour], He was this time under the
command of Leutenant William Watts. He acted this
time as a Sergant[sic] to the Company. Thinks Edward
Burgess acted as first Sergant[sic] Cannot be certain
as to the date of this service but it must have
been shortly after his former services, He still
lived in Bedford County Virginia Received no discharge
Was stationed there for the purpose of guarding the
lead mines from the British and Tories and to
protect the labourers while making lead, was in
no engagement in none of the tours of service,
affiant knew of several of the Soldiers who served 
with him and had lived in reach of his acquaintance
but they are all dead Knows of no person
living in reach of him by which he could prom
Page 7

prove his services Has no written testamony[sic] or other
documentary Evidence He hereby relinquishes ever
claim whatever to a pension or annuity except
the present and declares that his name is not on the pension
Roll of the agency of any State or territory of the
United States
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid
[signed] Patrick Ferguson    [signed]Dabney Cooper

Question by the Justices of the peace
Where and in what year were you born
  Answer that is mentioned and stated fully
in my foregoing declaration
2 Have you any record of your age and if so where
is it
Answer my age is recorded in the family
bible and was last in possession of my oldest
Brother I saw it a few years ago it was
formerly the property of my father
3 Where were you living when called into service
where have you lived since the Revolutionary War
and where do you now live?
Answer I never lived but in Virginia & Tennessee
Page 8

4th 5th and 6th are answered in the
foregoing declaration
7th State the names of the persons in your
neighbourhood to whom you are known and who can
testafy[sic] as to your character for veracity and
their belief of your service as a soldier of the
Revolution
Answer  I believe my neighbours are all acquainted with
these facts and will name only those who
are now present to Wit Dempsey Driver
Willie Brown and Alexander Ferguson
We John Saunders a regular minister of the
gospel and Dempsy Driver residing in the County of
Smith and State of Tennessee do hereby certify that
we are well acquainted with Dabney Copper Esq
who has sworn to and subscribed to the above
Declaration that we believe him to be 74 years
of age that he is reputed in the neighbourhood
where he resides to have been a Soldier of the 
Revolution and that we concur in that oppinion[sic]
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 4th day
of December 1832
[signed]  John Saunders 
[signed]  Dempsey Driver
Page 9

State of Tennessee]
Smith County]
I Patrick Ferguson one of the
acting Justices of the Peace
in and for said County do hereby certify
that I am well acquainted with Dabney Cooper Esq
and from his old age and ^by what he told me of his
Bodly[bodily] infirmity and living upwards of thirty
Miles from the court house he cannot without
endangering his helth[health] at this season of the year
attend ^at the court in order to have the above
interogations[sic] put to him and they answered
and that I have carefuly[sic] put them ^myself or caused
them to be done according to Law witness
my hand this 27th day of February 1833
Patrick Ferguson JP
State of Tennessee] 
Smith County]
I Jonathan Pickett Clerk of
the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions for the County
aforesaid do hereby certify that Patrick Fergusson
before whom the foregoing proceedings were had on
the matter of the application of Dabney Cooper for
a pension now is and was at the time said proceedings
was had and of the acting Justices of the
Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly
Commissioned and qualified according to Law
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
at office in Carthage this 6th day of March
1833 and 57th year of our Independence
[signed] J Pickett Clk
Page 10

State of Tennessee Macon County
On this third day of November 1843 personally
appeared before me Lewis Meador one of the
acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County
of Macon and also a Justice of the County Court
being a Court of record Henrietta Cooper a
resident of said County of Macon aged eighty one
years 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 7th 1838
entitled an act granting half pay and Pensions
to certain Widows. That she is the widow of Dabney
Cooper who was a Pensioner of the United States
and drew his Pension in Nashville
State of Tennessee for services rendered as a
volunteer and Militia man in the war of the
Revolution. She further declares that she
was married to the said Dabney Cooper on
the 16th day of June Seventeen hundred and
eighty two in Franklin County State of
Virginia ^then Bedford County. George Simons a Protestant Minister 
of the gospel married her and said Dabney Cooper
That her husband the said Dabney Cooper died
on the 4th day of May 1842 That she was
not married to him prior to his leaving the
Services but the marriage took place previous to
the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety
four to wit at the time above stated. She has
no other Documentary evidence or record in suport[sic]
of her claim. The ages of her children was in a
Book which was destroyed some years ago except the
eleventh child whose name is William born in 1803
Sworn to and subscribed this day and date above ┃
Written
[signed]  Lewis Meador J.P.
Justice of the peace
              her
Henrietta  X   Cooper
               Mark
Page 11

State of Tennessee Macon County
I Lewis Meador one of the acting Justices of the
peace for the County of Macon and State aforesaid
do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
Mrs Henrietta Cooper Widow of Dabney
Cooper who has this day made the foregoing
Declaration and that from old age and
bodily infirmity she cannot appear in open
Court to make this Declaration or travel
to the court house of her county in order to
appear in open Court without endangering her
health
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and official
Seal this 3d day of November
1843
[signed]  Lewis Meador J.P.
State of Tennessee}
Macon County ⎬ On this day personally appeared
Thomas Simons a resident of Macon County and
State aforesaid aged about seventy five
years who being duly sworn Deposeth and
says that he was well acquainted with
Dabney Cooper and Henrietta Watts before they
intermarried They lived in the same County
and neighborhood in Franklin County State of
Virginia a short time after the war
Cannot state exactly the time but from his
recolection which is now not so good as formerly
he would suppose they were married about
two or three years after the Revolution
was terminated. This affiant was not
at the wedding but saw them often
before the they were married and afterwards
saw them together as man and
Page 12


and wife He has no doubt but they were
lawfully married from popular report and
understanding of the neighbourhood in fact
the legality of the marriage was never doubted
and was at the date of the Marriage
acknowledged by all the neighbors. He has
known them ever since and has no
hesitation in saying that he believes they
were lawfully married

Sworn to and subscribed before
me this 8th August 1844
            his
Thomas  X   Simons
           Mark
[signed]  J B Short  seal
JP for Macon County

State of Tennessee}
Macon County ⎬ I, Jefferson B Short one of
 The acting Justices of the Peace
in and for the County aforesaid hereby certify that
I am well acquainted with Thomas Simons
who has made the foregoing affidavit before
me That he is a man of veracity and truth and
That full faith and credit are due and of
right ought to be given to his statements
In testimony whereof have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal
this 9th day of August 1844
[signed]   JB Short   seal
Page 13


State of Tennessee]
Macon County]
On this day personally appeared
Jobe Meador aged 81 years also
Macon County his wife Martha aged seventy four before me
Anderson Bratton one of the acting Justices of the
Peace in and for the County aforesaid and made oath in
due form of law that they were well acquainted with Dabney Cooper
and Henrietta Watts before and after their marriage. They were living in
Franklin ^then Bedford\ County Virginia, and were married at the close of the
Revolution war in the summer of seventeen hundred and
Eighty two they were married by George Simons a Preacher
who lived in Franklin ^then Bedford\County. Affiant Jobe Meador lived
about three quarters of a mile from the place where Dabney
Cooper Henrietta Watts at the time they were married These
affiants have a knowledge of the marriage and have no hesitation
in saying they were legally married Affiants have known the
said Dabney Cooper and his wife ever since. Dabney Cooper was a
Pensioner previous to his death
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of January 1845
[signed]  Jobe Meador
           her
Martha  X  Meador
           mark
Anderson Bratton
JP for Macon County

I Anderson Bratton one of the acting Justices of the peace in and
for the County aforesaid hereby certify that I am acquainted with Jobe
Meador and his wife Martha that they are citizens of my County
and that they are of good character and entitled to full faith and
credit upon oath or otherwise
In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
my seal this 4th day of January 1845
[signed]  Anderson Bratton
J P for Macon County   seal

State of Tennessee]
Macon County]
I Thomas A Williams Clerk of the
County Court of said Macon County
do hereby certify that Lewis Meador whose name appears to
the foregoing Declaration of Henrietta Cooper and the certificate
of her bodily infirmity also Jefferson B Short
whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit of Thomas Simons
and the accompanying certificate of his credibility also
Anderson Bratton whose name appears to the
Page 14

foregoing affidavits of Job meador and his wife
Martha and the accompanying certificate of the their
credibility are now and were at the time their several
attestations purports to bear date Acting Justices of the
Peace in and for the County of Macon aforesaid duly commissioned
and qualified agreeable to law to act as such and
also Justices of the County Court being a court of record and
that full faith and credit are due all their official
acts. And that the foregoing signatures purporting to be
theirs are genuine
In testamony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my private Seal there
being no official seal as yet furnished
me by the court of which I am
clerk this 6th day of January 1845
[signed]  Thos A Williams Clerk
of Macon County Court
seal

11610.
Received January 20. 1845
     N.
Page 15

[upsidedown at top]
before the they were married and often
would saw them together as man and



I certify that Thomas A Williams is
Clerk of the County Court of Macon County
Tennessee
Gallatin Tenn.            [signed] J. H. Peyton
June the 6th 1845.    member of the 28th
                                  Congress
Page 16

24.386 West
Dabney Cooper
Smith Co
Tennessee
from 1776 [illegible]
& Sept 19 [illegible]
Pr. 13 mo. - $43.33
Sept 6  ..        30.-
                   $73.33/100

2   7333
2   7333
     3666
    18332


A. Ferguson

[Crossed out:] A. Ferguson
Carthage Smith Co
Tennessee
Page 17

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
My 141833
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 must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
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 Dabney Cooper.  Smith Co. 
Tennessee
Period when the service was entered
Jua 1776
1777 or
         78
1778

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years
Months
7
6
6
Days.


Rank of the claimant.
Pri
..
Sergt

Names and Rank the Company officers under whom he served.
Cap W. Leftrick
Lt Rich
Andson

Capt Buford  -

Leen. W
Watts &
Burgess

Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Col.
Col. Callaway

Col. W Christie

. . . 

Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
None

Country through which he marched.
Va.

Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present
74 years
Bedford
Co Va

Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 18

[Please see original document]
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832
Page 19

8 [of ] REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

[Please see original document]
Page 20

April 8, 1936

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Handwritten:] Mailed without review F

DABNEY COOPER
R. 2296
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. R. R. Johnson
Neosho
Missouri

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War record of Dabney Cooper who served in that war
and died near Lafayette in Macon County, Tennessee.

You are furnished herein the record of the only soldier named
Dabney Cooper found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The data therein were obtained from the papers on file in pension
claim, R. 2296, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Dabney Cooper was born November 22, 1758, in Albemarle County,
Virginia; the names of his parents are not given.

While residing in Bedford County, Virginia Dabney Cooper
volunteered in June, 1776, served as private in Captain William
Leftrick's company, Colonel James Calloway's Virginia regiment,
engaged in guarding the lead mines in Montgomery County, Virginia,
against the British and Tories, and was discharged after having
served seven months. He volunteered in 1777 or in April, 1778,
served as private in Captain Henry Buford's Company, Colonel William
Christie's Virginia regiment, stationed at Long Island in the Holston
River as a guard during the treaty with the Cherokee Indians, and was
discharged after having served six months. He volunteered and served
a tour of six months as sergeant under Lieutenant William Watts in
Colonel Charles Lynch's Virginia regiment, and again guarded the lead
mines in Montgomery County, Virginia.

Sometime after the Revolution, the soldier moved from Bedford
County, to Franklin County, Virginia, thence to Botetourt County,
same state, and in 1810 moved to Smith County, Tennessee. He died
there May 4, 1842.

Dabney Cooper married June 16, 1782, in that part of Bedford
County which later became Franklin County, Virginia, Henrietta Watts
(her relationship to Lieutenant William Watts under whom soldier
Page 21

served was not stated). The date and place of her birth and names
of parents are not shown. At the time of their marriage, they were
both residents of Bedford (later Franklin County, Virginia.

In 1845, Dabney Cooper's widow, Henrietta, was aged eighty-one
years and a resident of Macon County, Tennessee. She died there
December 7, 1848.

Reference was made in the claim to eleven children of Dabney
Cooper and his wife, Henrietta, but the only names designated were:
Sally Cooper
Polly Candler, who made affidavit in 1851 in Macon Co., Tenn.
William Cooper, the eleventh child who was born in 1803.

The three children named above were the only surviving heirs of
their parents.

Reference was made also to soldier's older brother but his 
name was not stated.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 22

State of Tennessee Macon County
On this day personally appeared Daniel Claiborne Senr
a resident of the county and State aforesaid before
me John C Marshall one of the acting Justices
of the Peace in and for said County aged
eighty years of age last May who being first
duly sworn according to law makes oath that
he was raised in Bedford County State of Virginia
and was about thirteen years of age at the close
of the Revolutionary war and that he was well
acquainted with Dabney Cooper and Henrietta
Watts They were married about the year Seventeen
hundred and eighty two or eighty three he came over
the Mountain to the neighbourhood and married
Shortly after the war recolects that he is the Same
Dabney Cooper who lived and died in
Smith County and he understood was in the
receipt of a Pension at the time of his death
He left a widow who has since died and seven
Children as heirs at law who are still living to wit
Polly Candler Sally Cooper and William Cooper
Sworn to and subscribed before me
This 26th October 1849
[signed]   Daniel Claiborne
[signed]   John C Marshall JP.]
for Macon County]
Page 23

State of Tennessee Macon County
I John C Marshall one of the acting Justices
of the Peace in and for said County hereby
certify that I am well acquainted with Daniel
Claiborn Senr That he is a man of Respectable
and truth and that full faith and credit are due
and of right ought to be given to his statement
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal
this 26th day of October 1849
[signed]   John Marshall J.P.
for Macon County

Daniel Claiborne
affidavit in support
of the claim of
Henrietta Cooper
Page 24

State of Tennessee}
Macon County ⎬ On this day personally appeared
Polly Candler  and made oath in due
form of law that she is son and heir at law of
Henrietta Cooper deceased who made application for
a Pension in her lifetime and after being duly
Sworn as aforesaid makes the following Declaration
in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions
of the acts of Congress passed 7th July 1838 and
the Joint Resolution 16th August 1842, and the act of 3d March 
June 17th 1844 ^and act of February 2nd 1848 and act July 1st 1848\ That the said Henrietta Cooper is the widow
of Dabney Cooper deceased who was a Pensioner of
the United States on the Nashville Agency of Middle
Tennessee and that she made application in her
life time for the benefit of the provisions in the
acts above mentioned and that owing to the
rules under the first named at the same was
Suspended but after the passage of one of the
amendatory acts above refered to the cause
for suspending her claim ceased and that
She was in her life time entitled to the benefit
of the different acts of Congress allowing pension
to widows of Revolutionary Soldiers that the
said Henrietta Cooper Departed this life on the Seventh
day of December 1848 leaving the following Children
the legal heirs and representatives to wit Sally Cooper
Polly Candler and William Cooper and that
they are her only legal heirs
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 5th day of June 1851
[signed] John C Marshall J.P.
Justice of the Peace
        her
Polly   X  Candler
        Mark
Page 25

Know all men by these presents that I Polly Candler
[crossed out, next two words:] Cooper Son [inserted:] Daughter and heir at law of Hennetta Cooper residents
of the County of Macon and State of Tennessee do
hereby nominate and appoint Adam Ferguson of
Smith County and State aforesaid to be my true
and lawful attorney for me and on behalf of
the rest of the legal heirs of my said mother
Henrietta Cooper to present and obtain the
Pension due us in right of our said mother 
that should have been allowed her in her lifetime
in right of the Services of her husband Dabney
Cooper a Soldier of the Revolution and also
a Pensioner of of the United States previous to
his death on the Nashville roll of Pensioners
for Mdle Tennessee and to examine all papers
to collect any proof necessary also to receive
the Pension certificate when allowed for
our benefit. And further to do and perform
any act or acts thing or things necessary
in and about the premises with power an
Attorney or attorney to make and constitute
under him. I hereby make this power of
attorney irrevocable and revoke all powers
of attorney by me heretofore made hereby
ratifying and confirming all the lawfull
acts that my said attorney shall do by
Virtue hereof
Witness my hand and seal this
5th day of June 1851
Polly X her mark Candler  [Handdrawn:] Seal
Page 26

State of Tennessee
Macon County   On this day personally appeared
Polly Candler [crossed out:] Cooper who signed the foregoing power
of attorney with whom I am well acquainted and
acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be
her act and deed for the purposes therein contained
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal
the 5th day of June 1851
John C Marshall J.P. [Handdrawn:] Seal

State of Tennessee
Macon County   I Jefferson B Short Clerk of
the County Court of said Macon County do
hereby certify that John C Marshall whose
name appears to the foregoing affidavit of
Daniel Cliborne [illegible] and the Declaration of
Polly Candler and the acknowledgement of
the foregoing power of attorney by the said
Polly Candler was at the time his said
several attestations purports to bear date one 
of the acting Justices of the peace in and
for the County of Macon aforesaid duly commissioned
and qualified to act as such and that full
faith and credit are due his official acts and
that the Signatures purporting to be his are
[obscurred by Seal]
In testimony wherefore have
hereunto affixed the Seal of Macon
County Court at Office in the Town of
La Fayette on 3 June 1851
J.B.S H[illegible] Clerk
of Macon County Court
Page 27

J S Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of
Pensions
Washington
Page 28

Carthage Tennessee
July 18th 1833

Dear Sir
I Send
herewith enclose the original papers
in the application of Dabney Cooper Esq and
and Jesse Gent for a pension, which you thought
proper to return for amendment. You will discover
that in the amended declaration the time of
Service is identified by the production of the
English History to refresh the applicant Jesse
Gent's memory. In the case of Dabney Cooper
much pains was taken So far as the recollections of
a mind worn out and exhausted with care could
afford information The directory of the Department
were followed So far as the cases would
Suit. And it is hoped will prove Satisfactory
as much additional information is embodied
in the the amendments You will also all discover that
much trouble necessarily attends the examination
of infirm old men who cannot attend at a
distance the courts of their County. Such men
are generally dependant upon their friends for
assistance, and when that assistance is rendered
to them without fee or reward whatever
as in the present instance makes it particularly
desirable on my part that the forgoing
declarations and amendments should meet the
entire aprobation of your Department
The whole examination was taken anew and condensed on
one sheet in both cases as will be seen by reference
to the enclosed. Should any thing further be wanted
in relation to the character and Standing of the
applicants it can be
the furnished at pleasure
I remain Dear Sir
Yours Respectfully
A. Ferguson
Page 29

No 11610
Henrietta Cooper
[Illegible]

Rejected
[Crossed out, the next line:]
Let. A Ferguson Apl. 2. '45
Same 21. June 1865
(Long ltr & contains no information of 
[illegible[ to marry claims) [Note in margin, illegible]
July 7. 1838
Page 30

J L Edwards Esqr
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
Page 31

Nashville 19 Oct 1836
J L Edwards Esq
Enclosed you have the
papers relating to the pension of Dabney Cooper
who has permitted in 1-2 mos to expire without
claiming. If the enclosed vouchers are 
sufficient to authorize the payment of his
pension to me as his atty please return
me the papers directed to Brattons
P Office Smith Co Ten: with such
order as will authorise the agent
in Nashville to make payment
obly your obt servant
       his
John X McClung
      mark
test 
Thomas &
Page 32

J. McClung
Tenn
9 Nov 1836
GC
Page 33


War Dep
Pension Office
Nov. 9. 1836
Sir, The agent has been directed to pay the amount due 
in the case of Dabney Cooper on the production of the proper
vouchers, although he may not have applied for one year or more.
The papers are herewith enclosed.
Mr John McClung,
Bratton's Post-office,
Smith County,
Tennessee
Page 34

No 11610
Henrietta Cooper
widow of Dabney
Ten.
Act 7 July 1838
Rejected husb and '42

2296
Page 35


Carthage Tennessee
January 9th 1845
Dear Sir  Inclosed you will find the declaration
and proof of Mrs Henrietta Cooper Widow
of Dabney Cooper Deceased who was a Pensioner
of the United States asking a Pension
under act of 7th July 1838. Mrs Cooper
was married shortly after the close of
the war. I have wrote to the clerk of
Franklin Virginia but could get no
evidence of the marriage so that I
conclude that since the marriage was
Solemized by a Parson perhaps the record
was not returned  I have therefore
taken some pains in proving the
Marriage by those of Mrs Cooper's acquaintance
So as to be satisfactory to
you Mrs Cooper is old and infirm and
I have retained the papers in my possession
a considerable time in order to
compleat them thus relieving you as
I trust of much unecessary trouble
and labour  Please allow the claim
at as early a day as possible
Respectfully  A Ferguson
James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 36


Pension Office
April  2nd 1845
Sir, The papers in the case of Henrietta Cooper
widow of Dabney Cooper, under the act of 7 July
1838, are herewith returned in order, that her declaration
may be submitted to and approved by a court of
Record, in open Court, where the clerk by his private seal
this official character  must be certified
to by the Secretary of State or a member of Congress.
This claim is bound by the act of 30 April
last her husband having received a pension for the
entire time to which the act of 7 July 1838 was
limited. If she renews her application under the
Act of March 1843 and 17 June 1844, the date of
her marriage with Dabney Cooper must be established
by a certified copy of the marriage and or license
or by some other record or documentary evidence if
attainable. Before the testimony of individuals can be
received it must be shewn that proof of a higher
grade does not exist.
Claimants husband was allowed a pension
Page 37

for 13 mo service as a private and 6 mo as a sergeant.
in the Virginia Militia, The militia tour in that
State were limited to 3 mo each and cannot be allowed
for a longer time, he was out agreeably to his declaration
3 time which would make nine months only. That
amount will be allowed to Mrs Cooper, if she can satisfactorily
establish the date of her marriage.
A. Fergusson Esq
Carthage
Tennessee
April 2. 1845
Page 38

Papers of Mrs
Henrietta Cooper

[At the bottom of the page, and upside down:]
June 20. 1845
Amended doc.
Henrietta Cooper
July 7. 1838
Page 39


Pension Office
April 2nd 1845.
Sir,
The papers in the case of Henrietta Cooper
widow of Dabney Cooper, under the act of 7th July 1838.
are herewith returned in order that her declaration
may be submitted to, and approved by a court of
Record, in open Court. Where the Clerk and his private
seal his official character must be certified to by the
Secretary of State or a member of Congress
This claim is barred by the act of 30th April
last her husband having received a pension for the
entire time to which the act of 7 July 1838 was limit
ed. If she renews her application under the acts of
3d March 1843 and 17 June 1844 the date of
her marriage with Dabney Cooper must be established
by a certified copy of the marriage bond or license
or by some other record or documentary evidence of
attainable. Before the testimony of Individuals can be
received it must be shown that proof of a higher
grade does not exist-
Claimants husband was allowed a pension
for 13 mo service as a private and 6 mo as a Sergeant
Page 40

Sergeant in the Virginia Militia. The militia
tours in that state were limited to 3 mo. Each
and cannot be allowed for a longer time. He was
out agreeably to his declaration 3 times which would
make nine months only. That amount will be
allowed to Mrs Cooper, if she can satisfactorily
Establish the date of her marriage
Very Respectfully
Your Obt St
J L Edwards


A Fergusson Esq
Carthage
Tennessee
Page 41

DR. C. F. DUNCAN, President
DR. E. G. WILLIAMS, Vice-President
DR. R. R. JOHNSON, Sec. Treas,

NEWTON COUNTY DENTAL SOCIETY

NEOSHO, MO.
March 8th, 1936

Pension Department,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:
Am writing you in regard to
the war record of Dabney Cooper who served
in the Revolutionary war and will thank
you to give me any record available to your
office. It is my understanding Dabney
Cooper died in Tennessee, possibly near
Lafayette in Macon County.
Very truly yours,
Mrs R. R Johnson

RECEIVED 
MAR 13 1936
MAIL SUB-DIV
VETS. ADM.
READER #26
3:00 pm
Page 42

1936, Apr. 8- Hist. to Mr. R. R. Johnson [Word in margin, illegible]
[The next line, crossed out:]
Act of July, 1862, and March 9, 1873.
[Letters in margin, illegible]
2296
O.
Henrietta Cooper
Service:
widow of Dabney

Enlisted:___, 18
Discharged: REJECTED, 18

Application filed:___, 18

leges:___
Re-enlisted:___

Attorney:___
O.___
___Recognized.
___Contract.
___Cert. of Dis.    Searched for___, 18
Page 43

State of Tennessee]
Smith County]
On this 18th day of July 1833 personally appeared
Dabney Cooper an acting Justice of the peace for County and
State aforesaid the being a resident and now living in said County and
State of Tennessee before me Patrick Fergusson another of the 
acting Justices of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid
at the house of Alexander Ferguson in said County of Smith
he the said Dabney Cooper being unable through old age and
bodily infirmity attend the court of the County in order to
make the declaration required and here contained in open Court
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make
the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision
made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 That he is 74 years
of age on the 22nd day of November last That he was born in Virginia
Albemarle County that he entered the services under the authority of the
State of Virginia as a volunteer under Captain William Lishick he
marched from Bedford County in the same state through Botetourt to
the lead mines in Montgomery County in said State and was there
stationed to guard the mine from the Brittish and Tories The Lieuenant
of their Company was named Jonathan Richardson the name of
the other officers not now recolected. This ^was\ in June 1776 he continued
to serve as a volunteer as aforesaid for six months ^in this tour\ that he well
recolects that their term of service for six months expired a short time
before the Christmas holidays and the troops were anxious to return home in
order to send the time with their families That owing to the new
troops not having arrived the officers were induced to call upon the
Solders and volunteers then in services to continue one month longer until
other troops could arrive - that he being young and not married agreed
together with many other again volunteered and staid another month
Making in all a seven months tour - he would here state as it is a 
circumstance he well recollects but thought it unecessary to mention in his
former declaration that after the new year come in he and the rest of the soldiers
were writting the new date consisting of three Seven (1777) he does not recollect that any discharges were given to any of the company nor did they demand any The great object was to guard the lead mines as much lead was made there and as he believes the army was mostly suplied from the lead that was made there. Col. James Calloway was their commander and staid there all that time and superintended the the making of lead. Shortly afterwards he thinks the year following and to the best of his recolection in the month of April 1778 he volunteered
Page 44

Volunteered again under Captain Henry Buford and was in service
six months at the long Island in Holstein[Holston] River as a guard during a great
treaty was held with the Cherokee Indians believes the command of the
Virginia troops were under Col William Christie, there were other
troops from North Carolina but could not say under whose command
Thinks Col. Preston was engaged as an officer of troops or to carry on
the treaty thinks this must have happened in 1778 does not think that
any discharges were given believes the Volunteers generally did not demand
any. Could name Soldiers that served at the same time but most of them
are all dead that are within his acquaintance. Does not recollect the names
of any of the regular troops stationed there was in no engagement He
still lived in Bedford County Virginia from which place he marched
in this tour to the long Island in Holshin[Holston] river as before stated
He served the full period of six months this tour as a volunteer. He
thinks there was another company from Pittsylvania County in Virginia
commanded by William Witcher
Again he served a third tower[tour] of six months as a volunteer and was station
at the same lead mines he served his first tour he was this time under the
command of Lieutenant William Watts he acted ^this\ time as a Sergeant to
the company thinks Edward Burgess acted as first Sergant cant be
certain as to ^his time\ this service but it must have been shortly after his former
tours of service and long before the termination of the War with
Great Brittain. He still lived in Bedford County Virginia from
which place he marched received no written discharge was stationed
there for the purpose of guarding the lead mines from the Brittish
and Tories and to protect the labourers from making lead, was in
no engagement in any of the tours of services. This affiant knew
of several of the Soldiers with him and had lived in reach of his
acquaintance but they are all dead knows of no person living within
his knowledge by which he could prove his services. Has no written
testamony or other documentary evidence He hereby relinquished
every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and
declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of
any State or territory of the United States [signed]   Dabney Cooper
This affiant Dabney Cooper further make oath that by reason of old
age and the consequent loss of memory and bodily infirmity he cannot State
with precision the many circumstances that took place during the three tours of 
service mentioned above but he served a months tour and two Six month tours
and one of them as Sergeant and for such he claims a pension [signed] Dabney Cooper
[signed]  Patrick Fergusson JP
Page 45

Interogatories and questions put
By the Justice of the peace
1st  Where and in what year were you born?
Ans  I was born in Virginia Albemarle County the 22d day of
 November 1756 as Stated in my foregoing declaration

2nd Have you any Record of your age and if so where is it?
Ans  My age is recorded in the family bible and was last in the possesion
of my oldest brother I saw it a few years since, it was formerly
the property of my father

3rd by the same
Where were you living when called into service; where have you
lived since the revolutionary war?
Ans  I never lived but in Virginia and Tennessee I lived when called into service
in Bedford County Virginia I moved across Stauntown[Staunton] river to Franklin & then to Botetourt
I moved to Tennessee in 1810 in Smith County where I have since resided

4th by the same
How were you called ^into service\ were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you
a substitute?, and if a substitute for whom
Ans  I freely volunteered my services as a soldier to serve my country and
defend it against British or Indian invaders as might be the case. I
was accepted as such marched to the places mentioned in the foregoing declaration
where I was stationed as before stated. I always prefered being a volumber
and therefore was never drafted nor never served as a substitute

5th  by the same
State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops
you served; such continental and Militia Regiments as you can recolect
and the general circumstances of your services
Ans  The last town when I served a Sergeant Colo Charles Lynch was
there superintending the making of Lead at the mines

6th  by the same   Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so
where is it by whom given and what has become of it?
Ans  I never received a written one, the volunteers with whom I served did not
demand any of their officers I was satisfied that I had served my
country and that the government was pleased at our services by verbally
discharging through our officers the volunteers under their command
at the expiration of the three tours I served in

7th by the same   State the names of the persons in your neighbourhood to
Page 46


whom you are known and who can testify as to your character for veracity
and their belief as to your services as a soldier of the revolution
Ans  I believe my neighbours are all acquanted with these facts and will
name only those who are present Demsey Driver and Alex Fergusson
Willie Brown and Drury Brown
We John Saunders a regular minister of the gospel residing in the
County of Smith and State of Tennessee and Demsey Driver residing in
the same county and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Dabney Cooper who has subscribed to the above declaration; that
we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and
believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of
the revolution and we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8th day of July 1833
[signed]  John Saunders 
[signed]  Demsey Driver
State of Tennessee]  I Patrick Ferguson one of the acting Justices of the peace in and
Smith County]         for said County do hereby certify and declare
after the investigation of the matter and after the ^interogatories prescribed\ by the War
Department that ^Dabney Cooper Esq.\ the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier
and served as he states. And I further certify that John Saunders who has
Signed the above certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County and State
aforesaid and that Demsey Driver who has also signed the same is a resident
in the County and State aforesaid and credible persons and that their statement 
is entitled to credit I further certify that I am well acquainted with
Dabney Cooper Esqr and from his old age and what he told me of his bodily
infirmity and he living upwards of thirty miles from the court house of his County he
cannot without endangering his health attend the court to have the above
interogatories put as above stated and they answered and that I
have carefully put them myself according to law the directions of the
War Department. Witness my hand and seal this 8th day of July 1833
State of Tennessee]
Smith County.]
[signed]  Patrick Fergusson JP
State of Tennessee]  I Jonathan Pickett Clerk of the
Smith County]       Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County do herby certify
that Patrick Ferguson before whom the foregoing proceedings
was had in the matter of the amended declaration of Dabney
Cooper an applicant for a pension, now is and was at the line
said proceedings was had, and of the acting Justices of the
Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned
according to Law. In Testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court at office in Carthage, this 18th
day of July 1833 and 58th year of our Independence
[signed]  J Pickett  Clk