Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4,061, for Benjamin Richardson, North Carolina
Page 1

Service: NC
Richardson, Benjmain
Number: W4061

Service: blank
[Richardson] Mary
Number: blank

Contents: This woman's former husband Elijah Bass was killed at the battle of Eutaw Springs
Page 2

9611
North Carolina F.
Mary Richardson deed
widow of Benjamin Richardson
NC
who was a Private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 23 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1843
and end 20th November 1844

Certificate of Pension issued
the 29th day of June 1855
and sent to
T. Sumption Present
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and
June 17, 1844.]

Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 160
Page 3

Mary Richardson
form [?] wid of Elijah Bass
N.C. act July 4 1836
5572
Page 4

State of North Carolina
Halifax County } ss 
On this 11th day of October
1841 personally appeared before me John Alston
one of the acting magistrates and a number 
of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in
and for said County (It being a court of record)
Mary Richardson a resident of said County
aged ninety 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 provisions made by the
act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 and the
act of [illegible] of said act passed March 
3rd 1837, and the act entitled an act granting 
half pay and Pensions to certain Widows passed July 7th 1838.

That she was married to
Elijah Bass who was a private in the Army
of the Revolutionary War in the North Carolina 
line that he served as such for the period 
of five and a half years and enlisted under
Captain Bailey of the tenth Regiment. She
further declared that she was married to the 
said Elijah Bass on the 4th day of February
17 hundred & seventy seven. That her husband
the afore said Elijah Bass died (or was killed)
in the afore said War at the Battle of the Utaw
Springs on the 8th day of September 17 hundred
& Eighty one. That she was afterwards (to
wit) on the 14th day of February 17 hundred
& Eighty three married to Benjamin 
Richardson who was a private in the North
Page 5

Who served as such for the period of Twelve Months
under Capt. Joel Wren, John White, Jordan
Harris & other Officers. There he went out
of Halifax & Darren Counties and served
as a Militia soldier in the year 17 hundred
and eighty and a part of eighty one.

She further declares that her said 
husband Benjamin Richardson died 
on the 14th July 18 hundred & nine. That 
she was not married to him prior to 
his leaving the service but the marriage 
took place previous to the 1st day January
17 hundred & ninety four viz at the time above
stated. She further says on her Oath
that she has no documentary evidence
in support of her claim to a pension.

Sworn to and suscribed on the day
and year above written before.
[signed] John Alston J.P.
Mary Richardson
[signed] X 
her Mark

State of N. Carolina
Halifax County } ss
I hereby certify that
Mary Richardson who hath this day sworn
to and subscribed to the foregoing declaration
is unable by reason of bodily infirmity
to attend court to make her said 
declaration that she is credible person

Given under my hand & seal
this 11th day October 1841
[signed] John Alston J.P.
Page 6

State of N. Carolina
Hallifax County } J. James Simmons Clerk
of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the
County aforesaid do Certify that John
Alston Esqr. whose Signature appears to
the foregoing declaration & Certificate
is one of the acting Magistrates in & for 
the County aforesaid

Therefore due faith &
Credit should be given to all his official acts as Such.

[image of seal]

Given under my hand &
Seal of Office at Halifax
this 22nd day of Feb. 1842.
Jus. Simmons Clk
Page 7

I, John King of the County of Franklin, North Carolina
do hereby Certify upon Oath that I was well acquainted
with Elijah Bass who was a Soldier of the Revolution
and that the said Bass enlisted for Two & half years
in the Spring of 17 Hundred & Seventy Nine, at which
time he went into the Army of the Revolution in the
North Carolina Line. He enlisted under Capt. Baily
& served as a Soldier until the 8th day of September
1781 at which time the said Bass was Killed [underlined] in
the Battle at Utaw Springs.

I further Certify that the said Elijah
Bass was married to Mary Bass about Two years 
before the said Bass enlisted as above, and
that Mary, his widow, was afterwards (to wit) in
the year 1873 Married. Married to Benjamin
Richardson who I have always understood was
a Militia Soldier but I know nothing of his
Servises- - the said Benjamin Richardson
& the said Elijah Bass always while they 
lived with their wife the said Mary, lived
together as husband & wife after their marriage
to her up to the times of their death.

The said Benjamin Richardson died 
almost Thirty years ago and Mary his widow
is now a widow & has never married since
the death of her said Husband, Benjamin
Richardson.

Given under my hand this 13th
day of December 1841.

John King
[signed] X
his mark

Witness
[signed] J.J. Williams, JP
Page 8

North Carolina
Franklin County } ss
This day John King (who is
One Hundred & four yrs old Revolutionary Pensioner)
come before me Joseph J. Williams one of
the acting magistrates in & for said County
and Made Oath to the within Certificate 
& Subscribed the same before me.

Given under my hand & seal
This 13th day of December A.D. 1841.

[signed] J.J. Williams JP

I Certify that I am well acquainted 
with the above named John King and
that he is a Credible Person & is to be
believed on Oath - and he is now 104
years old. Given under my hand & seal
the 13th day of Dec. A.D. 1841

[signed] J.J. Williams JP

State of North Carolina
Franklin County }
J. Smith Patterson clerk of the Court
of pleas and quarter Sessions for Said County Certify
that Joseph J. Williams Esq. whose signature appears
to the within Declaration & Certificate is one of the
acting Magistrates [i]n and for said Court of Franklin.

In witness under oath I have [illegible]
my hand I append the seal of my office
at [Tuesday?] the 14th day of December
A.D. 1840

J Patterson Clk
Page 9

[handwritten]

North Carolina Warren County -
I Certify on Oath, that I was well acquainted with Elijah Bass & his wife Mary, That they were married before the year 1780 - and that Elijah Bass was a Soldier of the Revolution in the N. C. line, That I have been Credibly informed that he served upwards of two years, which I believe [underlined] but do not know that he did of my own knowledge but I do Know [underlined] that he served as a Soldier in the army from the 1st day of May 1781. to the 8th day of September 1781. at which time the said Bass was Killed at the Battle of Utaw [Eutaw] Springs
I Know that the said Bass went off into the army & remained off about two years, before [underlined] I joined the army myselft which was on the 1st day of May 1781. - I also Certify that Mary Bass his widow some short time after the war was over, married Benjamin Richardson, and that Richardson, died upwards of thirty years past - and the said Mary has remained a widow ever since - I further Certify that the said Benjamin Richardson, was a soldier in the Militia, for three months in the Revolution under Capt. Joel Wren, Commencing in the month of September 1780 [underlined] & served out the same -
David his X mark King ['x' between first and last name]

North Carolina}
Warren County} We Certify that we are well acquainted with David King who hath this day sworn to, & subscribed the foregoing Certificate, and that he is a creditable man & to be believed on Oath, - we also believe that he is as much as 78 years old - given under our hands & seals this 29th day of March 1842
Jno P Shearin JP [hand circled]
T. J. Judkins JP [hand circled]
Page 10

[handwritten]

North Carolina Warren County
I Francis Riggan of the County of Warren & State aforesaid, Aged 78years, do hereby Certify On Oath that I knew Benjamin Richardson, who was a Militia soldier in the Revolution, in the N. Carolina service and that the said Richardson did serve as such for six months to my own [underlined] Knowledge, the first on the 10th day of February 1781. Substitute himself, to serve three months, in the place of Ebenezar Riggan, in Capt Jordan Harris. Company, & he did serve out the same --
Afterwars [sic], to Wit. on or about the 10th day of August 1781. the said Benjamin Richardson was drafted for three months more in Capt. Jno Whites Company, & served out the same - making six months service a Militia Soldier, to my own personal Knowledge - but I have every reason to believe that the said Richardson had [underlined] served three months previous to the 10th day of Feb. 1781 - but I do not know [underlined] the fact
I further Certify that Mary Richardson is the widow of the Identical Benjamin Richardson above name -
Francis Riggan

North Carolina}
Warren County} We do Certify that we are well acquainted with Francis Riggan who hath this day sworn to & subscribed the above certificate before as that he is a Credible man & to be believed on Oath given under our hands & seals this 19th day of March 1842.
T. J. Judkins JP
Jno P. Shearin JP
Page 11

[handwritten]

State of North Carolina. I, Marcellus J Montgomery Clerk of the Court of the Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Warren County in said state do certify that Thomas J Judkins and John P Shearin, whose signatures appear to the foregoing affidavits of David King & Francis Riggan, are & were acting Justices of the Peace in & for said County & State at the time of signing the same - & that full faith & credit are due to the official acts as such. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office, at office in Wa[?] this 2nd day of April A. D. 1842
M. J. Montgomery Clk
Page 12

[handwritten]

Copy
Mary Richardson's
Marriage Bond
(50)
Page 13

[handwritten]

(Copy)
We the subscribed do acknowledge to owe to Alexander Martin esqr Governor of the State of North Carolina & to his successors in office the sum of five hundred pounds to be levied of our goods & chattels respectively But to be void on condition that no lawful cause shall hereafter appear to obstruct a marriage intended between Benjamin Richardson and Mary Bass - to perform which Marriage the said Benjamin Richardson hath obtained a license bearing even date with these presents sealed with our seals & dated the 13 day of February A D 1783
signed sealed & delivered in presence of}
Benjamin his X mark Richardson seal [word 'seal' hand circled] ['x' placed between first and last name]
Phille patteford seal [word 'seal' hand circled] 
Elizabeth Searcey

North Carolina}
Granville County}
I James M Wiggins Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid Duly certify that the foregoing is a full time and perfect copy of the Marriage Bond of Benjamin Richardson as appears of record in my office - 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of my office at Oxford, the 3rd day of December A D. 1841
Jas. M. Wiggins, Clerk
Page 14

[handwritten]

[top of page is bleed through from opposite side]

State of North Carolina}
Granville County}
I Thomas B. Littlejohn Chairman of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that James M. Wiggins, whose signature is affixed to the foregoing (within) certificate is the Clerk of the said Court and that his said attestation is in due form of Law. -
Given under my hand & private seal (these being not Official seal) at Oxford the 4th day of December A. D. 1841. -
Thos B. Littlejohn clk seal [hand circled]
Page 15

[handwritten]

North Carolina. Bute County.}
Know all men by these presents, that, we Elijah Bass & Richard Scott of the County & Seal aforesaid, are held & firmly bound unto Richard Caswell Esq. Governor of North Carolina - in the sum of Five hundred pounds Current money of the said State, for which payment well & truly to be made. we bind ourselves, [?] & each of [?] jointly & severally, firmly by them [?] signed & sealed by us Thirteenth day of February Seventeen Hundred & Seventy seven.
the condition of the above obligation is such that whereby there is shortly a marriage respected to be solemnized between the above Elijah Bass & Mary Bass [?] of there shall be no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage, the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force & effect.
Qrtr
Elijah Bass seal ['seal' is hand circled]
Richard his x mark Scott ['seal' is hand circled] ['x' between first and last name]
Jno. Harwell

State of North Carolina}
I Marcellus J Montgomery Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Warren County in said State do certify that the above is a true perfect copy of the marriage bond of Elijah Bass as appears
Page 16

[handwritten]

printed
[?]
roll
Act 4 July 36

[written vertically]

Hon. James E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D,, C.
Page 17

[handwritten]

Halifax County N,,Ca,
March 12th, 1853.
Sir.
We the only surviving children and heirs at law of Mary Richerson deceased, who was formerly the widow of Elijah Bass deceased Soldier of the Revolution, request you, to allow W. Thos. Lumpkin of Washington City D,, C, the liberty to examine our deceased Mother's declaration and all the testimony on file in your office, relative to her claim for a pension on account of the Revolutionary Services of her first husband the aforesaid Elijah Bass, and when the pension certificate is issued for the amount of pension money due us, who are the only surviving children & heirs at law of the said Mary Richerson deceased, please deliver it to the said W. Thos. Lumpkin for us. 
Very Respectfully
Hardy his X mark Richerson
Lucy her X mark Evans
Absalom his X mark Richerson
Jessee his X mark Richerson

Hon James E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D,, C,
Witness Lewis Shearin
Witness Richard Hamlet
Witness Edward King
Page 18

[handwritten]

State of North Carolina}
Halifax County} ss.
Came before me James W. Faucett a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Halifax aforesaid, Willie Qualls and William Wood residents of the said County of Halifax, who being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that they were well acquainted with Mary Richardson the wife of Benjamin Richardson deceased, & reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the revolutionary war, - that the said Mary Richardson lived and died in the County aforesaid, in the year A. D. 1844. - that the said Mary Richardson left her children who are now living, Jessee Richardson, and Lucy Evans formerly Lucy Richardson, now residing in the County aforesaid, and Absalom Richardson a resident of the adjoining County of Nash
Willie his X mark Qualls

The foregoing declaration [lined out] affidavit was sworn to and subscribed by Willie Qualls and [illegible or blank] deposed on this 13th day of April A. D. 1833 and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons and that I have no interest whatever in this claim.
Page 19

[handwritten]

State of North Carolina}
Halifax County} I William W Daniel Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the county of Halifax and State aforesaid do hereby certify that James W Faucett before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Halifax duly commissioned and qualified as such and that full faith and credit is due thereto
In testimony thereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of my office this the 14th day of May A. D. 1833
Wm W Daniel Clerk

I know Willie Qualls well both ^[insert] of us having been raised in this county & having been acquainted I may say from our boyhood. He is a worthy man & his statements would rely upon as soon as any man of my acquaintance. Mr. Wood the other affiant is the son of an old revolutionary soldier, whom I well knew whose name was Wm Wood I do not know that I would know his son if I were to see him having grown up while my time was spent mostly at Washington, but I hear that he is a man of good character & I know the neighbourhood in which both he & W. Qualls live is that in which the Richardson family lived & in which Hardy Richardson the son Mary Richardson died a
Page 20

[handwritten]

short time since and at whose Home his mother lived & died. Knowing these facts & having understood from Rhora Richardson a client of mine in a matter of law respecting some property here which he claims that Mary Richardson died about the time stated by affiants at her son Hardy's now dead himself, in a needy & dependent condition but for the assistance of her son I can confidently assure the Department that Mary Richardson mentioned in the affidavit & who I understand was the widow of Benj Richardson a revolutionary soldier ^[insert] dead about the time stated by affiants that there can be no doubt whatever about her death. The Richardsons are a family of free persons of color & generally are industrious & well behaved people.
J R J Daniel
Halifax NC.
May 24. 1855
Page 21

[printed form with handwriting]

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 4061
Mary Richardson
Wid
Benj. Richardson
Pri. Revy War
Act: Mch 3rd, June 17/44
Index: - Vol. M., Page 161
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 22

[handwritten]

Elijah Bass d 1781
Mary Richardson  M 17 Feb 1777 S.
md 2 time 1783 d 1809
1779 2 1/2p Revly 10. Regt. NC line
Richardson was in NC militia

Jno King [?] and [?]
Page 23

[handwritten]

Jno King - dec [lined out] See Cert
on roll
77 War 3 Regt Emmi
rmittd [?]
all [?] Eaton}
Powell
Rodd
[?] Ring dec on nu
May 81 12 mo Yarborough 10 Regt
[?] 80 - [?] Jno White
81 2 80
[illegible] on roll
Page 24

[handwritten]

Willie Augustus Daniel Mr. Wood
Willis Qualls & Wm Wood, Nancy Qualls
Jno King, Darin King, Francis Riggan;
Elijah Bass, [?] 1777
Mary Richardson Dd 20 Nov 1844
Jesse Richardson - Lucy Evans - Absolem Richardson
Page 25

[handwritten]

11.767 [underlined]
North Carolina [double underlined]
Mary Richardson decd
widow of Benjamin
who died on the [blank]
of [blank] in the State of [blank]
who was a private in the [bank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded
by [blank] in the Revolution
line for 7 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Fayetteville
at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of 
March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of June 1855 and Sent to
T Lumpkin Present
Arrears to the 4th of [blank]
Semi=annual allowance ending [blank]

{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by J T Getty Clerk.
Book D Vol. 1 Page 299
Page 26

[handwritten]

N Carolina
Mary Richardson
Letter to Hon: J. H. Arrington 8 April 1842}
Hon B Craig Jny 10 1855
No 75.217
Act 1838

Act 1836
Page 27

[handwritten]

Mary Richardson NC
Act '36 [underlined]
[?]
Page 28

[handwritten]

House of Rep. US.
Jan 6th 1834
Hon. L. P. Waldo
Sir,
I herewith enclose the certificate of the Comptroller of N. C - as evidence in the case of Mary Richardson widow of Benj. Richardson & formerly the widow of Elijah Bass under the act of 1838 -
I have the Honor to be most respectfully &c
Your Obt. Serv
Burton Craige
Page 29

[printed form with handwriting]

Brief in the case of Mary Richardson Decd. Widow of Benjamin
County and State of No Carolina
acts July 7 1838 &c

Claim, ("original," or "for increase" [lined out] )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Recon evidence of service and marriage, supported by the testimony of John King, Davis King & Francis Riggin who know of the service & Willis Qualls, Wm Wood & Nancy Qualls who know of their [?] time as man & wife, of his death & her death & (If for increase) [lined out] her widowhood as the time of her death
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? [all lined out]
and who are her surviving children
Administrate July [?]

Name and residence of Agent
T. Lumpkin Esq
Present

Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.
Page 30

[handwritten]

Mary Richardson Decd.
Widow of Benjamin
No Ca
Admit July 7 1838 &c
7 [?] pri $23 33[underlined]
per annum from 4 March 1836 to 20 Nov 1844 when she died [underlined]. Pay to Willie Augustus Daniel
adm[?] Jesse Richardson 1
Lucy Evans 2 & Absolem Richardson 3 - children [underlined]
Cert to T Lumpkin Esq Present
Page 31

[printed form with handwriting]

State of North Carolina.
Halifax ~ COUNTY.
AT a Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, held for the County aforesaid, at the Town of Halifax on the third Monday of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty five and in the 79th Year of the Independence of the said State. 
WHEREAS Willie Augustus Daniel has been duly appointed Administrator on the estate of Mary Richardson deceased late of the said County, deceased, and entered into bond in the sum of six hundred Dollars with G V Hardie & John R J Daniel securities and was duly qualified
THESE are therefore to impower the said W A Daniel to enter into and upon all and singular the Goods and Chattels, Rights and Credits of the said Mary Richardson deceased, and them into His Possession take, wheresoever the same may be found in this State ^[insert] or elsewhere and an Inventory thereof to return to this Court within the time limited by Law; and all the just Debts of the said deceased to pay so far as the said Estate will extend or Amount to. ___
In WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office, at office the 28th day of May 1833
Wm W Daniel Clerk
Page 32

[handwritten] 
State of North Carolina
Comptrollers office

I William J Clarke, Comptroller of Public accounts in and for the State aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office, among the payments made by said State to sundry persons for Military services in the Revolutionary War, as follows to wit:
Benjamin Richardson
Indent or Army Certificate issued by the auditors of Newbern District, No 28, dated May 27th 1782, 
£18 s16 specie for Militia Service -
In testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 26th day of December A.O. 1854
Wm J. Clarke, Comptroller

[stamp unable to distinguish] 
[handwritten numbers]
Page 33

Halifax N.C.
June 22, 1855

Dear Sir

Yours of the 10th inst[sic] has ben received and I now forward you the affidavit of Willie Qualls and Nancy Qualls which I presume will answer. They were both present at the funeral and the brother of Mr. Qualls it seems made or furnished the coffin for Mary Richardson. The affidavit of the man who furnished the coffin has not been taken because it was two inconvenient to procure it - he living in the County of Nash & at too great a distance.

I know Mr. Qualls [illegible]. He is an honest & impectable citizen & I have the fullest confidence as any one who knows him would have in any statement upon oath he may make. Mrs Qualls is of a very worthy family.

I have sent back the other affidavit that you may file it or not as you may think best.

I have sent a certificate of administration. The reason the affidavit has not been procured sooner is because the distance being some twenty miles or more my son did not find it convenient to take the trip until day before yesterday.

Yours respectfully
J R J Daniel

Tho Lumpkins Esq

Tho Lumpkins Esq
Page 34

State of North Carolina
Halifax County

Came before me James W. Faucett a Justice of the peace in and for the county of Halifax aforesaid, Willis Qualls and Nancy Qualls, residents of the county aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that they were well acquainted with Mary Richardson the wife of Benjamin Richardson deceased, reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. That the said Mary Richardson lived and died in the county aforesaid on the 20th day of November 1844. The affiants has their declaration or affidavit upon the fact that the aforesaid Mary Richardson died within a half mile of their residence and that they were both present at her funeral and moreover that the brother of and of the affiant furnished or made her coffin. That the said Mary Richardson left three children who are now living Jesse Richardson, and Lucy Evans, previously Lucy Richardson, now residing in the county aforesaid, and Absalom Richardson a resident of the adjoining county of Warren.

Willis Qualls 
X [his mark]

Nancy Qualls
X [her mark]

The foregoing affidavid was sworn to and subscribed by Willis Qualls and Nancy Qualls before me this 20th day of June A.D. 1855 and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons and that I have no interest whatever in this claim.

J. W. Faucett J.P.
Page 35

State of North Carolina
Halifax County

I William W. Daniel Clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the county of Halifax and state aforesaid do hereby certify that James W. Faucett before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and by him subscribed in his own proper handwriting is now and was at the time of certifying and signing the same as acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned and qualified as such and that full faith and credit is due thereto.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and offce the seal of my office this 22nd day of June A.D. 1855

W. W. Daniel Clerk